Saturday, June 30, 2012

The Henry Morris Study Bible

I really had no idea what to expect when I received this beautiful Henry Morris Study Bible in the mail from Master Books.

I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.

And it came at the perfect time as it is a great supplement to my current journey of reading through the Bible cover-to-cover in 90 days. (As I write this I am 1/3 of the way through the entire Bible...it is Day 30 for me! Yes, I am a tiny bit behind, but will catch up this weekend. No pressure in this effort, but blessings are abounding as I continue to read God's Word so thoroughly.)

Oh, and no, I did NOT read through the entire Henry Morris Study Bible in 30 days, nor could I in 90 days. That is in no way the intention of it. It is a study tool and a wonderful reference at any time.

Now, what makes this 
so unique and special?
Yes, it is special because it is so FULL of helpful annotations that it is VERY thick...BUT there is much more about it that makes it so special and unique as well.

Who is this "Henry Morris" anyway?

Well, in the words of John MacArthur, Dr. Henry Morris (founder of the Institute for Creation Research) was "our generation's foremost spokesman for biblical creationism."

And I will share a bit more with you about the late Dr. Morris and why as his life's work he compiled this study Bible, in his own words as stated in the amazing Introduction to The Henry Morris Study Bible.
Neither ignorance nor arrogance is appropriate armor for the Christian soldier.
It is with such admonitions in mind that I have undertaken the challenging task of preparing the annotations for The Henry Morris Study Bible. As an engineering scientist who has spent many years among the skeptical intellectuals of the academic world, I have felt very keenly the need for this kind of Bible study tool "in the defence and confirmation of the gospel" (Ph 1:7), and have therefore spent many, many hours in the study of Christian evidences and the scientific integrity of Scripture.
More importantly, every day for over 60 years has been partially devoted to the study of the Bible itself. The result has been a deep and settled conviction, stronger every year, that the Bible is indeed the very Word of the living God. Its histories are authentic, its science is accurate and far in advance of its times, its practical wisdom for daily living is unexcelled, and its insights into the human heart are profoundly perfect for every need. Furthermore, its own internal structures, as well as the claims of its authors, provide endless evidences of its divine inspiration to all who study it with open mind and heart. "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name," the psalmist testified (Ps 138:2).
As you may see by Dr. Morris' quotes, he preferred the King James Version of the Bible and therefore  The Henry Morris Study Bible is in the King James Version.

The Annotations, or explanatory notes and commentary are so vast (due to the 60+ years of Dr. Morris' research and study) that some pages are almost all commentary, as you can see in the following pictures.

Genesis 1:1&2 plus explanatory notes on the word "God."

Genesis 1:3-8 plus explanatory notes

John 15:2-16:2 with red letters indicating Jesus speaking plus explanatory notes
I must add that as a student of the Bible, I firmly believe in relying on the Holy Spirit of God as your primary teacher and guide to understanding God and His Word. However, commentaries and explanations from trusted and wise Bible scholars offer an immense depth and multi-faceted understanding of often difficult topics. Again, though, we should test everything and not just take it at face value (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).

Another rich benefit of this study Bible is the twenty-two Appendices he added to the end of it. They include such topics as:

- Authenticity of Biblical Text
- The Logic of Biblical Creation
- Outline of Earth History as Revealed in the Book of Genesis
- Bible-Believing Scientists of the Past
- Science and the Scriptures
- Quotations from or Allusions to Genesis in the New Testament
- Fulfillment of Biblical Prophecies
- "I AM"---The Eternal Self-Existent God
- Prophecies Fulfilled at the First Coming of Christ
- Creation and Consummation---The Book of Revelation
- The Creationist Faith of our Founding Fathers
- Addressing Alternate Explanations for the Age of the Earth

Without quoting the entire Introduction, Annotations, and Appendices to you, I can safely say that this  Henry Morris Study Bible is an invaluable resource for all Christians---those who firmly believe as well as those who doubt. 

But, I won't stop there. 

I challenge those who do not believe in God and/or do not believe in His Word---The Bible---to peruse this study Bible and some of the annotations and appendices that address some of the reasons you do not believe. If you do this, I invite you to come back here and share with me how those explanations have affected your thinking.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review. 

Friday, June 15, 2012

Treasures of Healthy Living by Annette Reeder and Dr. Richard Couey

Doesn't that cover just look delicious and fresh and inviting?! 

(Maybe it's because I'm hungry...no, it really does look scrumptious!)

As soon as I read about this book I was intrigued to discover what it had to offer. And upon receiving it and delving into it, I have been in no way disappointed.

Treasures of Healthy Living by Annette Reeder and Dr. Richard Couey is actually more of a study than a book. As a matter of fact, I plan to try to go through this study with a couple of people whom I know have a major interest in eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle. I really cannot wait to dig into it with them! I think they are going to love it just as much as I do.

This 12-week study is one of the most holistic health and wellness guides I have ever seen. Not only does it focus on giving the reader very practical guidance in food selection and consumption, but it also connects foods and lifestyle with our God and His Word. It is truly amazing to see how much He has to say in His Word about food and eating and drinking as well as health and well-being.

To give you an idea of the vast array of foods discussed in this book, I will list the chapters for you here:

  1. Treasure of Health (intro embarking on this treasure hunt about health)
  2. Beverages (includes water & The Living Water, milk, juice, and others)
  3. Grains (including bread & The Bread of Life, whole grains, seeds and nuts)
  4. Vegetables & Fruits (focuses on color as well as gardening)
  5. Herbs, Spices, Oil, & Vinegar (focus = flavor as well as herbal medicine)
  6. Protein & Meat (overall discussion about meat, beef, and protein)
  7. Fasting & Self-Discipline (God's design & benefits of fasting & self-control)
  8. Sweets (WooHoo! My fave! Okay, really, it's the good & bad about sweets.)
  9. Environment & Toxins (focuses both on recognizing toxins & on allergies)
  10. Stress & Forgiveness (Yes, those two go hand-in-hand at times!)
  11. Exercise (Caring for your body as the temple it is w/physical & mental exercise)
  12. The Fullness of Christ & Health (Joy, laughter, & practical action plans!)
  13. APPENDIX (Action Plan, Daniel Fast Journal, Health Assessment, & Results of My Hunt)
So, what do you think? 

Are you as intrigued as I was?

If so, I highly recommend getting a copy of Treasures of Healthy Living by Annette Reeder and Dr. Richard Couey as well as its companion books (which I plan to get soon also): the Treasures of Health Nutrition Manual and the Healthy Treasures Cookbook.

Sooo, will you join me on a journey to discovering and utilizing the Treasures of Healthy Living in many ways: by using this study guide, by exercising more (as I have recently started doing) & especially by reading through God's Word from cover-to-cover?

I hope you will! 

Please let me know how this is all going for you!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Glass Road PR. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

The Complete AQUARIUM Adventure by Merilee and Bill Clifton

I'm so excited! 
I just can't hide it!

We're going to the AQUARIUM this weekend!!!

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas down here in New Orleans to be exact.

Oh yeah! Oh yeah!

I am even more excited because when we go we will be taking along our "field trip in a book" called The Complete Aquarium Adventure by Merilee & Bill Clifton.

What a cool and complete book this is! 

My state bird! The Brown Pelican! I see this bird often.
It is arranged in a tabbed format so that it is divided in sections for "Before the Aquarium", "At the Aquarium", and "After the Aquarium." Additionally there are tabs within the "At the Aquarium" section for various Sea Animals and Birds and other Sea Creatures that you will see at the aquarium. Each section has vibrant photos and brief, concise, but thorough content to read about the specific topic of the section. The coolest thing to me, of course, is that the content is Bible-based and helps me to teach the Truth about these creatures regarding how they were intentionally designed and created by God - not just a product of random, unplanned evolution void of a Creator.

The Tool Kit treasure chest in the back cover
And finally, after its "Appendix" tab, The Complete Aquarium Adventure has inside its back cover a special "Tool Kit" resembling a treasure chest. And treasures truly are to be found on the inside! I think second only to the content this tool kit is my favorite part of this book. It has several special cards in it designed for using at the aquarium as games to play along the way. One set is for playing a special form of BINGO in which you mark off each space as you find its creature somewhere in the aquarium. Another game in the Tool Kit is an alphabet-based game in which you write the name of the creature you find at the aquarium if its name begins with the specific letter of the alphabet on the line you still need to fill in.

Look at the treasures awaiting you inside the Tool Kit!
One tiny critique just to keep it real is that the little pieces of velcro used to close my little Tool Kit will not stay on. The glue that holds them onto their respective cardstock paper portions had loosened itself by the time the book got to me in the mail. (I DO live in HOT, HUMID Louisiana, by the way...go figure! Guess all glue is not made to withstand our wonderful temperatures. No biggie to me.)

Anyway, as you can tell, I do love this book and highly recommend it. They even have a similar one for zoo animals called The Complete Zoo Adventure by Dr. Gary & Mary M. Parker.

Does either of these sound like something 
you or someone you know may want?

Guess what?!

Yep, it's that time again!!!

Giveaways & FUN Galore!

If you don't have a Twitter account, 
(Click HERE to read Michelle's post that gives 
a great description of how to participate in a Twitter Party.)

Date: Thursday, June 21st

Time: 8pm Central (lasts between 30 minutes & 1 hour)

Hashtags: #TeachtheTruth (entire party), 
#tttrollcall 
(to check-in & say Hi when you first join the party)



Prizes include: Welllll...I think you need to come join us to 
find out what exciting prizes you might win! 
One HUGELY EXCITING hint I CAN give 
is that this time there will be a 
(Is "hugely" a word?...)

Spread the word and come join us!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.