Worldview Study Bible - CSB Version from Holman Bibles [Bible Review]

NOTE: It would take a Biblical scholar to truly evaluate the content of a version of the Bible verse by verse and also to evaluate the study notes included with said version. I do not purport to have such qualifications.

BIBLES/Christian Standard Bible/Reference
ISBN: 9781433604348
Navy Leather touch©
$69.99 USD

My thoughts: Study Bibles have basically two portions.... 1) The Biblical text or "The Bible," and 2) The study aids including cross referenced Bible verses, essays, commentary on specific subjects or verses, and maps. The most important of the two is the Biblical text or holy scriptures. While I prefer the King James Version, I understand today's readers often prefer a version such as the Christian Standard Version of the Bible for its readability. Scholars conclude that the CSB stays true to the original. I leave that interpretation and evaluation to scholars.

This is a beautifully appointed bible that has a soft leather-touch cover with great flexibility. The print is pretty standard in size though some might wish for larger typeset. I don't care for the comments sections that have grey background and smaller text. This presents a hardship when reading. I would opt to remove the grey background. For a modern version, the CSB is probably top ranked. The wealth of essays included present a variety of topics that are great for reading, referencing, and formulating a Christian Worldview.

Review by my son:

Pros:

• CSB Translation is very readable.  Flows well.  
• CSB Translation and publishing company are very reliable and true to scripture.
• Maps are in color and easy to understand. 
• I like how verses are separated by the paragraph or by train of thought.  
• The New Testament has each portion of a chapter titled or headed by subject. (See Matthew chapter 6 for example)
• The world view notes are excellent for studying different world views held up against God’s word.

Cons:

• I wish this edition had red lettering for the words of Christ.
• The map with Paul's missionary journeys has two colors that are so similar that it is difficult to distinguish between them.
• I wish the typeset was slightly larger.  This Bible reviewed is of the standard font edition, and it is difficult to read if you are beyond middle age.

Conclusion: Overall I am excited to receive this Bible and will cherish it.

Version

The Christian Standard Bible Worldview Study Bible is first and foremost a Christian Bible including all 66 books of the Bible - Old Testament and New Testament. The version is Christian Standard  which "features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible's original meaning without sacrificing clarity making it easier to engage with Scripture's life-transforming message and to share it with other." (from the promotional material of this Bible)

What is the "Worldview Study Bible"?

Verse commentaries help understand and interpret meaning (at bottom of pages with greyed background).
Center column references direct readers to other similar or associated portions of the Bible.

My thoughts: First of all one must understand what a "worldview" is and specifically what a "Christian worldview" is. A worldview is the basis by which one interprets each and every event and action that happens in the world or the method by which one makes decisions about how one will live their life. A Christian Worldview entails a person's looking at events and actions in the world from a Christian perspective and making his or her decisions about life and how they react to events and actions from a Biblical viewpoint.

From the product: The CSB Worldview Study Bible features extensive worldview study notes and articles by notable Christian scholars to help Christians better understand the grand narrative and flow of Scripture within the biblical framework from which we are called to view reality and make sense of life and the world. Guided by general editors David S. Dockery and Trevin K. Wax, this Bible is an invaluable resource and study tool that will help you to discuss, defend, and clearly share with others the truth, hope, and practical compatibility of Christianity in everyday life.

Study aids or materials (not actual Scriptural text) are included in this edition of the CSB Worldview Study Bible 

Hefty Bible but nice and flexible

• Extensive worldview study notes
• Over 130 articles by notable Christian scholars
• Center-column references
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Presentation page
• Two ribbon markers

My thoughts about the Bible's layout of notes and study helps. 

The extensive study aids, essays, etc. are no doubt quite valuable and would benefit new believers as well as those established in their faith. For a study Bible this would be highly beneficial. 

Some well-known verses comparing CSB and KJV (borrowed from https://www.eden.co.uk/blog/csb-side-by-side-comparison-p128899)

John 3:16

[CSB] “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

[KJV] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jerehmiah 29:11

[CSB] “For I know the plans I have for you” ?— ?this is the Lord’s declaration ?— ?“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

[KJV] “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Psalm 23:1-2

[CSB] “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures”

[KJV] “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

Romans 12:12

[CSB] “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”

[KJV] “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

Genesis 1:1

[CSB] “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

[KJV] “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Find it on Lifeway - click here

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of this CSB Worldview Study Bible was provided by the BH Blogger Review Program on behalf of Holman Bibles/BH/Lifeway to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are mine and my son's and are freely given. 

Lovely Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt Lamp (#Natural Salt Rocks) Night Light with Butterfly Metal Basket

Lamp in a darkened room at night

My thoughts: 

I have seen the lovely pink salt lamps being used and have admired the soft light and ambience they give a room and wanted to try one out in my home. This small night light with pretty metal cut butterfly design and the inserted pink salt rocks is simply lovely. I leave it on 24/7 simply for it's lovely effect. 

The value of such a lamp to aid as an air cleaner to aid in one's allergies and also to improve one's mood will be an added reason to use one or more in one's home. I am totally enjoying this little lamp and look forward to the possibility of healthy benefits as well.

Find it on Amazon - click here  

Product Information from Amazon: 

Glow of lamp in daytime in a room with plenty of daylight

• HIMALAYAN SALT LAMP: 100% pure natural Himalayan salt rock from the deep underground mines in Pakistan are the only source of true Himalayan pink salt. Himalayan salt is the cleanest form of salt available.
• UNIQUE DESIGN: When the butterfly shape crystal salt lamp lights, the dreamy soft halo will make you feel romantic, cozy, peaceful and relaxed. 
• FUNCTIONS OF CRYSTAL SALT LAMP: it can help to release the negative ions steadily, adsorbing the airborne dust and particles to alleviate air pollution and naturally adjusting and restraining the high frequency electromagnetic waves generated by electrical appliances. It can also help to relieve the pressure, relax yourself, make you calm, sleep well and improve your allergies and your mood.
• SIZE: 3.3 L x 4.9 H inch

DISCLAIMER: This is a #sponsored post. Opinions about product are my own and freely given. Product was provided at a reduced price to facilitate this review.

Saving Each Other by Stacy Mitchell (Saving Series #1) [Blog Tour & Giveaway]

Purchase a copy - click here

What happens when an unconventional grief counselor gives two people each a private cell phone and only the first initial of the other person affected by an accident? How does this help them heal? And what else might happen?

About the book: 
Two hearts, two souls. Devastated by loss, united through destiny.

The rules: Communicate only through text messages and never reveal our real names or other personal details.

My name is Ean Montgomery. After the drunk driving accident that killed my wife, son, and unborn daughter, I was forced to see a grief counselor. In an unconventional move, she gave me a private cell phone and the first initial of the name of a woman who had been widowed by the same accident. I had no intention of ever texting her but with all hope and the will to live gone, I found myself quickly slipping down the rabbit hole. Desperate, lonely, and unbelievably sad, I reached out to her and she became my everything.

My name is Dani Adams. I was married to my college sweetheart, the love of my life. Together we were raising our four-year-old daughter and running a successful business. Then the accident happened and life as I knew it ended in the blink of an eye. I didn’t want to answer his text but I was barely hanging on by a thread and he was in tremendous pain, so I replied. And once again, my world was forever changed.

Over the course of a year, through texting alone, we bond. Friendship blossoms into something deeper. We were never supposed to meet, but fate had other plans, and in this world of loss and despair, something amazing began to grow… But can the passion we’ve found sustain itself with the deep, soul-twisting pain that never seems to fade?

Trigger Caution: This book is romantic fiction and is a story of hope, friendship, and the power of love. It also deals with the aftermath of great tragedy and grief and the deep emotional turmoil that can be encountered.

About the Author:
Stacy Mitchell was born and raised in Los Angeles, and lived in the South Bay for 20 years before moving to the Conejo Valley. She lives with her husband of 29 years and is the mom of two grown sons. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, hiking in the Santa Monica mountains or enjoying a glass of cabernet.

NOTE: I have not read this book and don't know the contents or reader audience appropriatness. However, the premise sounds intriguing and the life changing emotional involvement quotient compelling.

GIVEAWAY

Begins May 31 

Ends June 21 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addesses only

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a copy by PR by the Book Publicity Group on behalf of the author to facilitate this blog tour. As of posting date, I have ot read the book.

The Captured Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower) [Review & 5-Winner #Giveaway]

My thoughts:  This was an amazing foray into the raw era of the French and Indian Wars in the newly settled upper New York area. French and English at war and two tribes of Indians involved in this conflict of cultures.

I found that the writing style in The Captured Bride thoroughly portrayed the essence of the characters, the wilderness area, and the war torn spirit of the people involved in this struggle to control a contested land.

The main story had three men and one lady trekking through the wilderness from one military encampment to another to stealthily move gold treasure. The intense difference in the four character''s traits and skills as they travel slowly through the woods and try to avoid the French soldiers and Indians - both which seek to kill them - is skillfully depicted.

The action is fast and furious. The tension in the story is fascinating. The historical setting and sense of reality is captivating. The struggle to find faith and the strength of their faith are part of this story as the characters work through the life issues each faces.

I highly recommend The Captured Bride.

About the book: Mercy Lytton, a scout with keen eyesight raised among the Mohawks, and Elias Dubois, a condemned traitor working both sides of the conflict, must join together to get a shipment of gold safely into British hands.

A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

A War-Torn Countryside Is No Place for a Lady. Mercy Lytton is a lady like none other. Raised amongst the Mohawks, she straddles two cultures, yet each are united in one cause. . .to defeat the French. Born with a rare gift of unusually keen eyesight, she is chosen as a scout to accompany a team of men on a dangerous mission. Yet it is not her life that is threatened. It is her heart. 

Condemned as a traitor, Elias Dubois faces the gallows. At the last minute, he is offered his freedom if he consents to accompany a stolen shipment of French gold to a nearby fort—but he is the one they stole it from in the first place. It turns out that the real thief is the beguiling woman, Mercy Lytton, for she steals his every waking thought.   Can love survive divided loyalties in a backcountry wilderness?

GIVEAWAY
Win 1 of 5 copies of "Captured Bride"

(Required entry: Sign up for Daughters of the Mayflower newsletter. This entry will be verified by publisher if you are chosen as a winner.)

Begins May 31

Ends June 22 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing on behalf of the author to facilitate this review. Opinions are solely my own and are freely given. Winner's copy will be provided and shipped directly to the winner by publisher.

Create!: A Girl's Guide to DIY, Doodles, and Design (Faithgirlz) by Ashley Mays

ISBN: 9780310763161
Ages 8-12, Gr. 3-4
Paperback
ZonderKidz Pub

My thoughts: With summer break from school (unless your kids are year-round-schooled), you most definitely are beginning to think that age-old question of, "What in the world am I going to do with the kids all summer? How am I going to occupy them and keep them from going brain dead or stir crazy?"

Well, grab a handy book like Create! A Girl's Guide to DIY, Doodles, and Design. Well, it says it is for girls, so you'll have to sneak some of these crafty ideas and make a way to adapt them so your boys, without their knowing they came from a "girl's book" (Horrors!), will have something to get their creative juices flowing. The book is, hands down, definitely and totally filled with girl things - artsy, decorative, curly-whirly-girly things to do.

Kidding aside, folks, this book is right up a parent's dream alley of gems to be placed on the "acquisition list" and placed in the hands of your kiddies. Glance through it and be sure you have some of the stuff needed already on hand so no time is lost when that spark of creativity ignites.

For the time when a Bible verse hits home they can begin doing some sketching and lettering  that helps cement the idea firmly in their mind for later. Or they can take a pair of jeans and re-purpose them into a really fun tote bag. And the book doesn't just have ideas, there are instructions to direct the actual project and some pictures to visualize how to go about doing it and how it might look when completed.

Definitely consider getting one for your girls to have on hand for those hazy, lazy,  crazy days of summer.

About the book: Ready, set, create! Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a just-starting-out doodler, Create! A Girl’s Guide to DIY, Doodles, and Design is the perfect book to inspire your creative side. From coloring pages to quick-and-easy crafts—like photo frames and duct-tape bags—and everything in between, this full-color book from the trusted Faithgirlz brand provides step-by-step guides to more than 50 fun and easy projects. Learn how to make your own DIY projects, create one-of-a-kind jewelry, and draw like a pro. Perfect for individual use or for sleepovers, birthday parties, and more, Create! is sure to bring out your inner artist.

Content includes:

• DIY décor, photo frames, duct-tape purses, and more
• Pages of quotes and designs to color
• Easy-to-follow doodling and drawing guides
• Jewelry making for friendship bracelets, earrings, and more

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from BookLook Book Review Program on behalf of ZonderKidz and the author to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.

ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us by Dorena Williamson with illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa Hu

My thoughts:  Experiencing a world of color from the tiniest flower to the shade or color of one's skin can be a joyful experience and this little children's book beautifully illustrates that experience and teaches that one can accept who and what one is and our differences as a perfectly normal and beautiful fact of life.

Children with fair skin, freckles, and red hair often wish they were a "normal" brown hair person and darker skinned children whose hair is thick and tightly curled might wish to be different. But in Colorful: Celebrate the Colors God Gave Us leads children into accepting themselves and one another for the beautiful colors that exist.

In the back of the book, parents have guiding materials that will aid in leading their children into accepting that they are ".....remarkably and wondrously made..." from Psalm 139 and a "Think" guided discussion section.
.
The story is about two best friends who are as different as night and day and their joyful discovery of color and a colorful existence. The story is sweet and has a lovely granny that leads the girls along and a kid brother that is right there in the mix of fun.

Beautifully told story and lovely illustrations that exude joy and, yes, color.

About the book: Why be colorblind when we can be colorFULL instead?

Imani and Kayla are the best of friends who are learning to celebrate their different skin colors. As they look around them at the amazing colors in nature, they can see that their skin is another example of God's creativity! This joyful story takes a new approach to discussing race: instead of being colorblind, we can choose to celebrate each color God gave us and be colorFULL instead.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the BH/Lifeway book review program on behalf of the publisher and author to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Colorama: From Fuschia to Midnight Blue by CRUSCHIFORM [Review & Giveaway-USA/CANADA]

ISBN: 978-3791373287
Ages 7+ -  280 pages
Hardcover $24.95

My thoughts:  First of all, this is a rather unique book. 

While classified as a children's book, I believe only older children would find it appealing. I believe that older children, teens, and adults who have interest in the story behind color designations and graphic arts would find this book to be worth investigating.

If you want to know where the term "carrot top" originated and the tonal color that this term implies, well, there is a sheet dedicated to that.

This is a well bound book with thick pages that will take much handling which makes it highly suitable for classroom and library collections. However, it should be understood that this book does not show every color, shade, tonal hue but is a wonderful collection of "named" colors.

Indexed in the back is the Color Palette covered in this volume as well as a Thematic Index. Basically, the book begins with White (White Snow) and proceeds from that to a host of colors and their shades.

I found the stories short and interesting. I found the variety of colors beautiful.

Read the "story" of the color "Celeste." I just think this is a stunning shade of blue!

A glimpse of the shades of "yellow" - from school bus yellow to soft tones.

About the book: What is the color white? The serenity of a snowfall? The peace of a dove? The purity of alabaster? This original and captivating exploration of color delves into the nuances of the universal palette while also explaining the history behind some of the terms used to describe certain hues. Elegantly designed it offers two-page spreads for 133 different shades. Each full-page of brilliant color faces a charming explanatory illustration and text of technical, scientific, historic, etymological, or linguistic terms. Two helpful indices present the colors in the order in which they appear in the book and also sorts them thematically in categories such as “Birds,” “Cloth,” “Modes of Transport,” and “Formulas.” The book also offers inspiration and guidance to painters and illustrators. Young lovers of art can understand why artists chose a particular shade over another. As fun to peruse as it is informative, this unique, cleverly designed, high quality book offers a wealth of surprises about the colors around us.

CRUSCHIFORM is a Paris-based creative studio that specializes in illustration and graphic design. It was founded in 2007 by Marie-Laure Cruschi.

GIVEAWAY

Begins May 22

Ends June 13 at 12:01 a.m. EDT^

Open to USA & CANADA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from MMPublicity on behalf of Prestel Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own, alone, and are freely given without compensation. Giveaway copy is shipped directly to the winner by either the publicist or publisher.