The Search for an Audio Bible is Over with The Word of Promise New Testament

The Word of Promise audio Bible is a treasure to have for sure. This particular release features the entire New Testament on CD format and is based on the rock solid New King James translation of the Bible. Produced in the footsteps of the classic radio productions of the “yesterdays” the Word of Promise succeeds in bringing a quality audio bible which up until now was so hard to find. The cast is packed with professional talent, and is produced near perfectly as it is not over dramatized to the point of loosing the actual Words. What also makes this so great is that the publishers and the produces decided to use a trusted and time tested translation, rather then a newer paraphrasing translation. Hearing the bible is very different then reading it, nothing profound there, but it can be a tough thing to pull off. It either becomes real cheesy and/or over dramatic or it is to boring and becomes very mundane. However, the Word of Promise features “Dramatic audio Theatre” an original soundtrack, enhanced sound effects, and over 120 actors. The CD New Testament edition comes packaged in a travel sized zipper pack that conveniently stores all 20 CDs, and includes a behind the scenes DVD which became a pleasant surprise bonus. The definite highlight of this edition is the dramatic telling of the book of Revelation which truly makes the account come to life which is worth the price of the set all by itself.

The NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible: A Greatest Hits of the Bible

The Greatest Stories of the Bible features 250 bible stories using the actual NKJV text of the bible. Written in paragraph form with the rather large font and paragraph form make it easy and enjoyable to read (there is even a ribbon to mark where you have left off). The hardcover design and texture is made to make the book  look like it has been in the family for generations, this by far is the best part. I am however perplexed over the purpose of such a bible. The entire text of the bible is not here, nor are all of the greatest stories. Everyone is going to have an opinion has to which are the greatest stories, and so I think with a book like this it will be hard to please everyone. The biggest omission by far is  Luke’s classic passage on the birth of Jesus (Luke 2). I would have loved to use The Greatest Stories of the Bible to read to my family on Christmas Eve, but the story just wasn’t included.

The storybook format does bring freshness to the Bible and may make the scriptures easier on the eyes to read, however I am just at a loss as to when I would use such a book. The best I could come up with is that it does make a good coffee table book and could very well be a good conversation starter, and a fruitful one at that- especially to those who may not know the Lord.

I’m Waiting for You

Today I am Reading: Isaiah 24-25.

Oh Lord, I’m waiting for you, let me be glad and rejoice in your salvation (Isaiah 25:9).

I am tired of living in the wilderness, tired of not trusting in you and clinging to worthless idols-the fearing of people no more! You will remove this stronghold in my life. You shall put me on a sure strong foundation-trust in You alone oh God (Isaiah 26:3,4).

O Lord, you are my God;

I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1

It will be said on that day,
“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

The world system and all that comes with it is going to come to an end one day soon. Don’t you see, have faith and know this: God is everlasting, He is an everlasting Rock.

A Parable that comes up short: The Tallest of smalls by Max Lucado illustrated by Maria Monescillo

The children’s “parable” The Tallest of smalls written by Max Lucado and Illustrated by Maria Monescillo, tries to reflect the theme of Lucado’s Fearless. It’s more of a rhyming sing-song story then a parable, which is an earthly story that has a heavenly meaning. The intended message or heavenly meaning of being accepted in God’s eyes no matter our stature is completely lost in this hard to follow story. The high point of the book is the over the top illustrations done by Monescillo. They are both colorful and imaginative. These were the only things that tried to get and keep the attention of my two two year old twins, but about half way through they were back over to the book shelf picking something else out. So I then invited my 11 year old son to give it a read through, and his quote was that it “didn’t make sense, until the end..I mean only the end made sense.” I am not recommending this book to anyone simply because the story fails to convey the message that was intended and it’s not a very good story overall.

Thomas Nelson’s New Expanded Bible-NT

There is a new  Bible translation published by Thomas Nelson called The Expanded Bible New Testament . This is a new study bible and I know what your thinking, do we really need another english rendering of the Bible? Well the publishers counter with and I quote “(The Expanded Bible)… is not a another translation. Instead, it offers additional information that allows readers to see how translation communicates meaning.” (Introduction page x) So that is the the proclaimed purpose of this new “translation” however does it live up to it? Let’s take a look. First, The Expanded Bible can be best described as a “talking bible.” Second, it has a really good modern translation as the main text (modified version of the New Century Version). However, what really sets it apart is the supplemental or expanded text that is alongside the main text. So has you read the bold type or the main text, the supplementary text and commentary text, “talks” to the reader helping him/her to better understand the passage! At first it seems to be too much, but by the time I was done reading a few chapters it became very welcoming and edifying! It’s like taking a parallel bible that has a literal word for word translation and a meaning or phrased based translation and combining them both into one text. I love it because I love to read the New Living Translation, yet at the same time knowing that it is a thought for thought translation I like having a more literal translation next to me also With the Expanded Bible one doesn’t have to go back and forth between translations, instead it’s all in one. The commentary text is good, it usually is a comment to help you understand context or traditions  the reader may not know. I was hoping for more scriptural cross references they are in this Bible few and far apart, having more in the wide open margin would be a good addition. The biggest complaint I would have is the packaging. Maybe it’s just me, but I love leather bibles. The size of the bible is good, however the hardcover doesn’t really lay flat. The typeface and overall layout with the chapter sub headings in the margin is ok
It may seem at first to be only helpful to newer believers to learn and understand the New Testament Scriptures, however I believe that because there is such a strong teaching aspect to this translation I would recommend it to all. The bottom line is that it is more then just a translation, but a teaching translation. I’m hanging 4 out of 5 stars on this one.

Find more info at Nelson Bibles
Find out how to become a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger at : Review Blogger

Ken Ham-”A Missionary to America”

Believing it, Defending it, Proclaiming is the title of a message that Ken Ham gave  during a recent Harvest  Day 7 worship service, which I thought speaks loud and hits hard to Christians here in America. His one question that keeps on asking is: “Do you understand the times in which you are living in? “

As you may or may not know Ken is the founder of Answers in Genesis and has also helped in putting together the Creation Museum, both teach the Gospel through the “lens” of creation.

In this teaching Ken Ham  gives a defense on how important it is to understand Genesis 1-11,and how a truthful, biblical and clear  understanding of those chapters in the Bible is necessary for us to be grounded in our faith in Jesus and confident in our defense and proclamation of it. He does a exceptional job explaining the how and why the Church in America is currently failing to reach the culture, and how it is losing everyday. Mainly, as ken points out, it’s because the fundamental truths found in the opening chapters in Genesis are lost by too many Christians.

You can listen or watch by follwing the links listed here:

• believing it. defending it. proclaiming it (video you’ll have to scroll down to April 19, 2009)
• Believing it, Defending it, Proclaiming it (Mp3 same here scroll down to April 19, 2009)

In the News Today: Light of the World Rescues Adulteress

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Read the full account at: (John 8, New King James Version)

A Worthy Bookmark

Calvary Tucson-The new web-site of my home church, where Robert Furrow is senior pastor. They just launched this new site, which brings them out of the 90’s and into the present :) MP3’s aren’t updated as of yet…they may be still in the works? Other then that you can hang 5 stars on this one.