Devotions from the Garden by Miriam Drennan

Devotions from the Garden by Miriam Drennan ISBN-13: 9780718030506 Hardcover: 224 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: March 31, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
There's nothing on earth like the peace and loveliness of a magnificent garden. It's the place where Adam and Eve first fellowshipped with God, and where you, too, can escape from this chaotic world into His loving arms of beauty and serenity. These ninety devotions explore the parallels of life with elements of the garden to help you see God, to sense His presence, to soothe your soul, and to rest in knowing He is with you throughout each day.


My Review:
Devotions from the Garden is a book of 90 devotionals that show the parallels between gardening and how God works in our lives. The book is full of colorful photographs of gardens and garden plants. Each devotional started with a verse and ended with a suggested prayer. The devotional talked about the trials and joys of gardening or about gardening hints and then tied that in to help us better understand the verse. The author has a solid theology so I appreciated the truths she brought out through her gardening parallels.

While non-gardeners can probably get something out of this devotional, it's really talking to those who understand the work and enjoyment found in gardening. Reading each devotional doesn't take long, but it leaves you with something to think about for the day or while you garden which will point your thoughts and praise toward God. I call that a good devotional.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Understanding the Land of the Bible by O. Palmer Robertson

Understanding the Land of the Bible by O. Palmer Robertson ISBN-13: 9780875523996 Paperback: 158 pages Publisher: P & R Publishing Released: April 1, 1996

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Was there something special about the places God chose to stage his marvelous works of redemption or could these events have happened just anywhere? O. Palmer Robertson gives Bible students a guided tour of the Holy Land. He explores the mountains, plains, valleys, rivers, and cities of Scripture. This guide also includes a chapter on climate and vegetation, as well as archaeological notes by John D. Currid.


My Review:
Understanding the Land of the Bible is a Bible atlas of sorts. The author described the land in terms of rainfall, terrain, location, and such as you'll find in many Bible reference books. As each area, river, plain, valley, mountain, or city is discussed, we're also told of the various biblical events that occurred on that spot. This helps to pull together the history of the spot in a way you probably won't get from simply reading the Bible.

The book description implies that the author will explain why these events happened in these specific spots, presumably due to their location or geography. He only really did this for "why did God chose the Levant as the Promised Land?", "Why did David choose Jerusalem as his capital city?", and "Why did Jesus choose Capernaum as his 'home base' spot for his ministry?"

If you're looking for a quick read or reference guide where you can look up a spot to learn what events happened there, then this book will probably fulfill your need. The maps are plain and black-and-white, though, so another book will serve better if you're looking for a Bible atlas.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The World of the New Testament by

The World of the New Testament by J. I. Packer, Merrill C. Tenney, William Jr. White ISBN-13: 978-0840758217 Paperback: 216 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers Released: December 1, 1982

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The World of the New Testament discusses the historical, geographic, and political environment in which Christianity developed and grew. It draws upon the latest knowledge of archaeologists, historians, language specialists, and theologians.


My Review:
The World of the New Testament is a Bible Handbook. The book was printed 33 years ago, and there are plenty of newer handbooks that cover similar information. But, since I just read this one, here's a quick review.

The handbook gave a brief overview of the events of the Old Testament and the Inter-testament Period. It described the political and religious groups mentioned in the gospels and gave information about how the Greek and Roman cultures influenced Jewish culture at the time of the New Testament. It briefly discussed the chronology for New Testament events. It talked about Paul's journeys and what tradition says happened to the 12 disciples.

The information is good, but it didn't strike me as so wonderful that I'd recommend you track down a copy instead of buying a newer Bible Handbook.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

They Loved the Torah by David Friedman

They Loved the Torah by David Friedman, Ph.D. ISBN-13: 9781880226940 Paperback: 136 pages Publisher: Messianic Jewish Publisher Released: June 1, 2001

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Did Yeshua observe the Law? Did Paul teach his congregations to abandon the Torah? Was the devout Jew, Peter, persuaded that the Commandments were cancelled? Even though many Jews believe that Paul taught against the Law, this book disproves that notion. Dr. Friedman makes an excellent case for his premise that all the first followers of Messiah were not only Torah-observant, but also desired to spread their love for God's entire Word to the Gentiles to whom they preached.


My Review:
They Loved the Torah gives evidence that Jesus and his disciples were Torah-observant. I already assumed this was true since Jesus fulfilled the Torah (and was sinless) and his disciples were Jews. Rather than going in depth into an argument, the author would often refer the reader to another book or article for that information. I was left feeling like the substance of his arguments was elsewhere.

The author's arguments were mainly based on examples from the gospels and Acts. However, he sometimes based his argument on an unproven or shaky assumption. For example, he assumes that the common people wouldn't feel positively about Jesus if he wasn't Torah-observant. He gave examples of common people having a positive reaction to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus was Torah-observant. I don't accept his assumption. There have been cults and movements were the "Christian" leader didn't stick with the Bible but people still liked what they heard and followed that leader. Jewish history also contains examples of this. His stronger arguments involved actual examples of Jesus and his followers observing the Torah in one way or another.

Basically, I'm not sure these arguments are strong enough to convince someone who didn't start off at least partly agreeing with his views. If you already agree, then there isn't much reason to read this book.

I should mention that I don't agree with his belief (which is only briefly mentioned) that Jesus intended for Messianic Jews to continue to follow the Torah and that Messianic Jews (under guidance from the Holy Spirit) graciously decided that Gentiles only had to follow a small subset of the Laws. But he's not dogmatic about it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Hebrews Through a Hebrew's Eyes by Stuart Sacks

Hebrews Through a Hebrew's Eyes by Dr. Stuart Sacks ISBN-13: 9781880226612 Paperback: 119 pages Publisher: Messianic Jewish Publishers Released: June 1, 1995

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Written to Messianic Jews in the first century, the Book of Hebrews, understood properly through Jewish eyes, edifies and encourages all. This epistle is one of the outstanding theological treatises in the New Testament. This book teaches the message of this important letter in a fresh, new way. Dr. Stuart Sacks, himself a Messianic Jew, offers insights into Hebrews that only a Jewish believer in Yeshua can give.


My Review:
Hebrews Through a Hebrew's Eyes is a commentary loosely based around the book of Hebrews. The author doesn't comment on specific verses so much as talk about the basic ideas brought up in each chapter of Hebrews. He often started a chapter by telling about something from his Jewish education while growing up. He uses his Messianic Jewish viewpoint to help Christians (and interested Jews) to better understand Hebrews.

While interesting, much of it was information I've read in other "Jewish background to the New Testament" books. The author tended to move from one topic to another without warning, so I'd start to feel confused, realize we were on a new topic, and have to re-read the last few sentences to fully appreciate what he'd just said. It was worth reading, but I felt like I had to be fully mentally alert to read it due to how he slid from topic to topic.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Insights on Romans by Charles R. Swindoll

Insights on Romans by Charles R. Swindoll ISBN-13: 9780310284307 Hardcover: 342 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: December 2009

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Insights on Romans provides a wealth of colorful, detailed, and easy-to-understand insights into the book of Romans.


My Review:
Insights on Romans is a Bible commentary on the book of Romans. The author explained the meaning of various key Greek words to help the reader understand confusing passages and to bring out the full meaning of the text. He also provided information on the cultural and historical background and quoted similar statements made elsewhere in the Bible to help the reader fully understand the verses.

The book begins with an introduction explaining why Paul wrote the book. There was a timeline from 26 AD to 117 AD showing who was ruling and a black-and-white map showing the areas around the Mediterranean Sea.

The author then gave a paragraph or two of Scripture from Roman and then studied through that verse-by-verse. At the end of each section, he discussed how we can apply the writer's message to our own lives. He also included occasional "journal" pages were he talked about how those verses had been applied or worked out in his life.

Though you can look up information on just a single verse, this is more a Bible study book where it's assumed you'll read the whole book. Most of the sections focused on clarifying what the verses meant so the reader can better understand them. I appreciated that the author took a whole-Bible, balanced view of the verses, especially regarding the predestination (and free will) verses.

Overall, this book was easy to follow and understand. I'd recommend it to Christians who want to dig deeper into understanding Romans.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Scripture Memory Songs for Kids and Families CD

Scripture Memory Songs for Kids and Families CD by Jennifer Shaw Released: May 19, 2015 Website: JenniferShaw.com

Source: Review copy through a publicist/The Adams Group.

Description from Singer's Website:
This album includes 30 word-for-word Scripture memory songs (NIV) plus 9 bonus Christian-themed kids songs! These songs were all developed for use in a Vacation Bible School curriculum for Faith Covenant Church in Westerville, OH. Each of the mini-albums is for a different year with a different themed play. There are five Scripture songs per year, one for each day of VBS, plus bonus theme songs and roll calls for the classes.

The Scripture songs are all word for word from either the 1984 or the 2011 New International Version (NIV) of the Bible and include the references. They have since been used by Sunday schools, Christian schools, other VBS programs, homeschoolers, and families, and we hope they are a blessing to you too!


My Review:
Scripture Memory Songs for Kids and Families CD has songs for memorizing scripture which are suitable for grade-school aged kids but they can be enjoyed by the whole family. The songs contain word-for-word Scripture from the NIV, so kids can understand the words they're memorizing.

The songs sound like songs; they're not just verses repeated several times with music in the background. Each song is unique sounding, so you learn the verse if you learn the song. Some scripture memory albums I've listened to have such similar-sounding music that the tune doesn't automatically trigger the words that go with it.

I really liked the verses that she picked for memorization; they're verses that will serve kids well throughout their lives. I highly recommend this resource to those who want help memorizing Scripture.

You can view which verses are included and listen to some samples at Jennifer Shaw's website.


If you've listened to these songs, what do you think about them? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the CD in the comments.