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The Jesus Bible: An Honest Review

UPDATED LINKS! Note: I was selected by Bible Gateway to review The Jesus Bible and received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. This post contains that review. Additionally, this post contains affiliate links, meaning that should you choose to purchase items through those links, I will receive, at no added cost to you, a commission from the seller. Click here for more information regarding affiliate links.

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The poem is listed as “Author Unknown,” but its words create in me a desire to sit down with their writer and learn from him or her. I have no doubt that the heart of Jesus would shine through this skilled wordsmith who created a list of how Jesus is seen in every book of the Bible. As a list-maker, I was drawn to this poetic list from the first time I heard it. (After reading this post, you can read the poem-list here.)

Much like the beloved poem mentioned above, The Jesus Bible walks the reader through the pages of Scripture—from the creation of the world in Genesis 1 to the glorious sounds of the eternal praises foretold in Revelation—pointing out Christ in every book. With commentary written by noted biblical preachers, Bible scholars, and theologians and with practical, helpful notes and “side-margin tools” included, this Bible is my study Bible of choice for 2020.

My fear that this was yet another new “translation” or an “unpredictable modern version” of the Bible was held at bay when I realized that this was truly an ESV Bible*, a translation that is well-liked and trusted by many (it is also available in NIV*).

If I don’t like it or use it, I won’t share it. That’s my policy on this site. So the very fact that I’m sharing this with you tells you something! But I’ve also promised to be honest with you (and in this review), so let me first share a few of the negatives I feel are present in this Bible, and then I’ll end with the good stuff (including a link to a more detailed walk through this Bible via our YouTube channel).

The Cons:

  1. It’s not small. For me, this is definitely a study-from-home Bible, not a take-to-church Bible. I took it with me one Sunday, but that clinched my decision to use this for study and general Bible reading.
  2. The cover is not genuine leather; however, that point will also show up under the list of pros.
  3. I rarely (basically, next-to-never) wholeheartedly endorse the words of a preacher or theologian unless I have read the work in its entirety. Therefore, I honestly (and understandably) share that I have not yet read every additional note, essay, or sidebar comment in this Bible. The Scriptures themselves? As stated above, the ESV is my current version of choice, and nothing is changed between this Bible and others. The only thing I will not yet fully endorse (but may at some point) are the notes added by the preachers, commentators, and theologians.
  4. The artistic cover design on the Bible I received is unique. It’s a “watercolor-splashed” look, and I don’t mind it; however, had I selected the cover, I probably would not have chosen this. It’s growing on me, though, and I may change my tune on that! I will say that it tends to have more a feminine appeal (based on comments from the men who saw it at church and asked about it). However, it does come in other cover options, so that is a plus.
  5. I like room to add notes in the margins, and while some pages offer more than enough margin, others (the ones with multiple helpful notes added) have very little “extra space.” Not a huge negative, but it’s worthy of mention.

The Pros:

  1. Every book starts with a title page containing the quality/portrait of Jesus seen in that book. What’s not to like about that?
  2. Sometimes high-quality leather covers scare me. (There. I said it for all the world to see.) I’m afraid to ruin them or mark up the Bible inside of the lush leather cover. However, this cover is the soft, pliable “Leathersoft” that I prefer. Some may find that as a con, so I listed this fact there as well.
  3. For an outstanding, unique, abundantly helpful study-style Bible, the price on The Jesus Bible is outstanding!
  4. The notes, commentaries, and helpful “back stories” are amazing! Yes, I’ve only skimmed the surface of them for the purpose of this review, but I literally can’t wait to go deep into their insight when I begin using this Bible as my study Bible in the New Year.
  5. Again I say, Jesus in every book. The notes that guide you to the truth in those insights will certainly be a sheer delight to any student of God’s Word!

So to wrap up my honest review of The Jesus Bible Artist Version? Two thumbs up! I’m starting mine in January, but any time of the year is a great time to read and study God’s Word! I’d love to know if/when you purchase a copy, so feel free to drop a note (or any questions about the format or benefits of The Jesus Bible) in the comments or reach out to us via the Contact Us e-mail address, available in the right sidebar.

Take a moment to head over to our YouTube channel to watch a brief video we recorded that will give you a closer look at the benefits of using The Jesus Bible. Click here to view.

Additionally, you can view more details about The Jesus Bible and/or purchase your copy on Amazon by clicking here and then selecting which style option, translation, and cover option you prefer.

*ESV = English Standard Version; NIV = New International Version

By Petals from the Basket | December 16, 2019 | Bible Reading, God-and-I-Time, Ideas, Life Changes |

Recipe: “Come on Over” for Second-Chance Potato Soup

I’ve decided that all recipes will now have their “story” at the end. If you’re like me, you hate to hunt for the recipe, so here it is!

“Come on Over,” Second-Chance Potato Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes-ish
Cooking time: 30 minutes-ish
Serves: 6 (or makes multiple meals for two)
From the kitchen of Brenda Henderson

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground pork sausage or turkey sausage
  • 6 medium OR 8 small potatoes
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups whole milk OR not less than 2% milk
  • OPTIONAL: 2 Tbsp butter
  • Leaves of two stalks of kale
  • 1 tsp each of salt and pepper
  • OPTIONAL: 1 Tbsp crushed red pepper (for added spice)
Click photo to enlarge

Directions:

  1. Brown (cook) the sausage. Stir until loose pieces of marble size or smaller. (This can be browning while you peel, cube, and cook the onion and potatoes.
  2. In a second (larger) pot, pour the 2 cups of water and turn on high for water to boil. Allow to boil until you add the next two ingredients.
  3. While the water is heating and the sausage is browning, peel the potatoes and the onion. Cut all into 1/2″ cubes. Toss into boiling water.
  4. Use a lid to cover the pot of potatoes and onions and reduce heat to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If you are using the optional butter, add the 2 Tbsp of butter to this mixture. Allow to cook while you complete the next step.
  5. Strip the leaves from two stalks of kale. Chop into small pieces and set aside. (The sausage should be done by now. Remove from heat and drain off any excess fat.)
  6. Test 1 or 2 cubes of potato to see if you can “mash” it by using a fork and pressing the cube against the side of the pot. When you can do this, the potatoes and onions are ready, and you can move to the next step. (Some people like to “mash” all the potatoes at this point. We like the “bites” of softened potatoes. It’s up to you!)
  7. Add milk to potatoes and onions. Stir well.
  8. Add cooked sausage to the mixture. Stir well.
  9. Add salt and pepper to the mixture. Stir well. (Now is when you may also add the crushed red pepper if you want add that option.)
  10. Add the chopped kale. Stir well.
  11. Cook on medium-low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. You may also allow it to simmer on low heat for up to one hour before serving, making certain to stir occasionally.
Click photo to enlarge

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve with a simple sandwich of meat, lettuce, cheese, and brown mustard.
  • Serve with oyster crackers (just because I like them best!) and muffins.

Why “Second-Chance” Potato Soup? In full disclosure, on a whim, I tried to make this for my “new” family (Joe’s daughter’s immediate family) in 2016, the first Christmas that Joe and I were married. It flopped. Epic cooking fail…to say the least! I used skim milk, added half-raw bacon (instead of using sausage), and on and on the downward spiral went. They were kind…then. Now? Well, we all know each other well enough to just tell the truth, tease a little bit, and laugh at Brenda’s kitchen blunder!

But I learned a lot from that soup catastrophe: Keep trying. Keep learning. Keep it real. I’m not a gourmet chef. I’m a good-ol’ home-cookin’ cook. Period. And when I am who God made me to be, even my failures can be successful lessons. And yes, I’m serving this revised version this Christmas. It’s certain to make us laugh at the memories and to have satisfied tummies—and hearts—when we leave the table. Keep learning, sweet faith-friend. Keep learning.

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13, NASB).

By Petals from the Basket | November 21, 2019 | "Come on Over" Recipes, Family, Friends, Ideas |

Let’s Make It Practical

Happy November! This year, as in years past, your gratitude has an opportunity to come to the forefront. And once again, I would love for you to join me (in a new way this year…but more about that in a minute) in not just listing on social media what you’re thankful for. Though that is indeed a great thing to do.

However, let’s take it one step further. Let’s make it practical and not just state our appreciation but express it in written, verbal, or tangible ways to the person or organization for which we are thankful.

Below is a free printable gratitude-recipient list that you can download and fill in as the month progresses.

As I stated above, I’m adding a new dimension this year. Throughout the month, I’ll be posting videos to our YouTube channel that are practical, easy, frugal ideas for expressing gratitude in November—and all year long!

There will be craft ideas, recipes, gift ideas, and letter-writing “hacks” that will make your intentional expressions of gratitude unique to you and treasured by their recipients.

So let me start things off by saying thank you, dear faith-friend, for following Petals from the Basket (the blog, the books, and the YouTube channel), where we provide tools and resources for everyday Christian living.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3, ESV).

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Click here to visit our YouTube channel. (You’ll want to subscribe while you’re there so that you can receive an e-mail when we post a new video. Simply click the Subscribe button and then “ring the bell” to get notifications.)

Click here (or on the photo of the .pdf) to download your free printable gratitude-recipient list to use in the month of November.

By Petals from the Basket | October 31, 2019 | Events, Ideas, Thirty Days of Gratitude |

One Thing Leads to Another

He drew pictures on his church bulletin as a child. He created more detailed pencil drawings on the scratch paper that had one time served as a homework assignment. While waiting “on hold” at his desk, he doodled on note pads and on the inside covers of planners and brochures.

Then, at the age of 73, he got “caught.” His wife saw his drawings and said, “You should do that more often. You’re good at it!” Because they were traveling at the time, enjoying the quaint little town with the adorable little shops, she inched him over to the life-altering shelf in the local bookstore—the shelf containing the sketch books.

As her gift, she treated him to the hardbound copy in a medium size. It was small enough not to intimidate. It was of a nice enough quality to encourage.

And my dear husband has been sketching ever since.

So what about you? What is it that’s patiently awaiting its turn to shine through in your life? Are you a musician at heart? A writer? An artist? A teacher? Entrepreneur? Missionary? Philanthropist? Athlete? Speaker?

God has given you desires, gifts, abilities. And He states in Psalm 37:4 that He longs to fulfill them: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (ESV).

Maybe you don’t even know what abilities, gifts, or desires are lurking in the background, waiting to appear. Maybe they aren’t even present yet.

Maybe, just maybe, the thing you’re methodically doing now will lead to the action you will routinely accomplish in the future, which will lead you to the moment when that hidden desire will make itself known.

And when it does, regardless of your age or location, go after it. Use it in the season of life and for the specific purpose for which it has been honed, trained, and perfected.

God doesn’t make mistakes. He is not mean. His plan, His time, His purpose is always right. So keep doing, taking action, and working hard. The season you’re in is there for a purpose. Embrace it. Know that God entrusted it to you. Be encouraged.

And then, maybe doodle a picture on the back of your church bulletin. Who knows where it may lead.

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By Petals from the Basket | October 28, 2019 | Bible Reading, Family, Friends, Ideas, Life Changes |

My Third Year as a Second Wife

To summarize a year of one’s life in a brief blog post begins with a series of questions: What mattered? What didn’t? What was insignificant to most but stood out to us? What stood out to others even though it was insignificant to us?

Wait…what did I do yesterday (let alone last year at this time)?

For the past two years I have “summarized” that year of our marriage with a blog post that had the goal both to inform and to educate. (After you finish reading this post, you may view those posts here and here.) In full disclosure, this post is a month overdue, and if that’s not an indication of the year we just completed, I don’t know what is!

Last month, Joe and I celebrated our third anniversary. This year’s “celebration” was to rest, do laundry, rest some more, read, eat leftovers, watch the last hour of a Hallmark Mystery, and then rest some more! Exciting, right? Perhaps this year more than in previous ones, I have learned that a day like this is what true love actually looks like. (In our defense, we had just come off of a weekend with a boatload of overnight guests/meal guests in our home, so we gave ourselves permission to rest up from a fun but busy weekend and celebrate at another time!)

As for the year we were celebrating?

A noteworthy birthday for Joe last October.

A major move from Indiana to South Carolina in April.

And a year filled with the realization that every day, every moment, every breath was enjoyed and completed only by the grace of a merciful God.

I could use this post to share events, completed goals, laughter-provoking stories, and tear-producing memories, but those are our stories and memories, and they lack the connection that I desire between you as the reader and I as the writer. They lack your involvement, and I value you too much to make this solely about us.

The link between your stories and mine is not merely the similarities between various events. It lies, instead, in the lessons that we can learn from our experiences, the principles that we can apply in the midst of them, and the gratitude that we can hold onto because of them.

Therefore, those are the springboards for what I am choosing to share with you from my third year as a second wife (and no, you don’t have to have a spouse to apply these).

Look for a lesson in every experience.

How can I be a better spouse/friend/teacher/grandparent/neighbor for having gone through this?

How can I use this experience to help me avoid this situation in the future or to handle it better if/when I do face it again?

Are we as a couple (and/or am I as a person) better, stronger, wiser, for having had/having chosen this experience?

Apply biblical principles in the midst of every experience.

Note: This means that you need to be faithful in studying/learning/hearing God’s Word, so that when it’s time to apply these principles, you have them in your “character warehouse,” ready for use!

Throughout this past year, Joe and I recognized that knowing what to do and doing it were often worlds apart. In the end, we always agreed that applying truth was far superior to knowing truth…every time.

Our opinions, emotions, concerns change. God’s Word never does. That’s why we had to cling to biblical principles in the midst of major (and minor) decisions, location changes, and the re-evaluation of our priorities.

Be grateful for every experience.

Grateful? For disagreements? For unkind words from those who would seek to divide us (biblical principle: Mark 10:9!)? For major life changes at this season of life?

Yes. Grateful.

Grateful because we’re walking through them together. Grateful because God has not left us or forsaken us. Grateful because we are stronger, wiser, better, more humble, more confident for having reached the other side, prepared for the next experience (whether good or bad) that will teach us the next lesson, to which we can apply biblical principles, and for which we will one day be grateful.

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One final note: For me, this year carried one additional, personal lesson: My identity pertaining to Joe is not in being Joe’s second wife; it is in being Joe’s wife. While we both unhesitatingly acknowledge that Joe was married before and loved his late wife dearly, we also firmly believe that our union following her passing was God’s direction, His timing, His plan.

Therefore, this will be the final post in this series of “a year in the life of a second wife.” It’s too easy to get tripped up if you attempt to move forward while looking backward.

By Petals from the Basket | October 14, 2019 | Bible Reading, Events, Family, Life Changes, The Captain's Corner |