Tyndale House Publishers

First sentence: When God began creating the heavens and the earth, the earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit of God brooding over the dark vapors.

Start date: June 4, 2024
End date: August 7, 2024

The Living translation was the PARAPHRASE I used when I first came to faith as a child. It was the first Bible that I read through cover to cover. Did it hold up decades later...for me? I'm not sure it did. I'll clarify. I do think it serves or at the very least served a purpose. But show more for me, I have so many other translations that I prefer that it makes less sense for me to come back to the Living Bible for my daily bible reading.

When it was first released in 1971, it would have been extremely refreshing, useful, and practical to read the Bible in a more accessible translation [paraphrase.] When it was first released, it would have been competing with the King James Version, the Good News Bible (1966), Revised Standard Version (1952), Amplified Bible (1965), New English Bible (1970), New American Standard Bible (1971). Perhaps with the exception of the Good News Bible, the Bible was more formal than not. This seemed to be "the" translation to hand to new believers, to "the youth" coming to Christ. The focus seems to be making the Bible WIDELY understood--removing many/most barriers to comprehension. All translations have some commentary creep in here and there. I think this is more the case in paraphrase than translations. It seems to focus on one meaning instead of layers of meaning that require further food for thought.

Though Life Application is part of the name, it's very different to the LIFE APPLICATION series of Bibles you are likely familiar with. This does not have study notes necessarily. Or application notes if you want to be nitpicky. It has character profiles. It has "stories" from teens. It has book introductions. But instead of notes, it has STUDY QUESTIONS at the end of each book. Instead of study notes, it asks readers to ANSWER the questions for themselves. These questions are genuinely thought provoking and serious. These are not silly, light-hearted questions.

When this one released, I do not believe there were any "children" translations available. So I do think the Living served a major purpose for helping new believers of all ages--but particularly those on the younger side--come to know more. Now that there are MANY translations--some for children, some for adults--that are more accessible with the added benefit of being genuine translations instead of paraphrase, the Living is not as necessary or needed. There are most likely better options available for those new to the faith.

This one is two column, black letter. show less

Inspire for Girls is a beautiful, interactive, and creative NLT Bible. It is marketed toward girls, but is suitable for any age. I love the provided spaces to journal or draw as you spend time in the Word of God, and the illustrations to color are so pretty.

The Bible comes in an attractive, sturdy slip case for storage, helping protect it when placed on a bookshelf. The soft cover design is shiny, sparkly, and colorful. I love the feminine colors and designs.

Inside, there are so many show more interactive ways to worship and meditate. The book showcases numerous designs to color, devotions, journaling prompts, fun facts, and of course, Scripture.

I’m a creative person, so I love journaling Bibles and interactive worship tools. The NLT is an easy to read Bible translation that provides insight to many passages I’ve read many times but didn’t fully understand with other versions.

Inspire for Girls is a lovely hands-on Bible and makes a valuable, meaningful gift to young and old alike. I only wish it came with an attached ribbon marker for place keeping.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from TyndaleBlogNetwork. show less

I've been going to church from I was a baby and so it's pretty awful that I've never properly read the Bible. I decided earlier this year to start on this new reading translation of the New Testament, which has the verse annotations removed, is reordered to make more chronological sense and is written in a way that stays close to the original but is easier to read (apparently - I'm no expert on Bible translations).

A lot of Christians won't like this approach to the Bible, but I found it show more eminently easier to read as it read more like a flowing piece of narrative. I started reading it a few days a week over my breakfast, and I enjoyed working through it. Much of it was familiar to me anyway, between church and taking Sunday School, but there were definitely parts of it I've never read or heard read before.

All in all it worked for me as I actually finished it for the first time.

4 stars (for the version - I don't think I should really be rating the Bible itself). show less

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received the Gratitude coloring journal but was instantly excited once I was able to hold it in my hands. The size is perfect in my opinion and I love the feel of the entire journal. The fonts and balance between parts that are already colored by the artist and those left for my own artist hand to color was perfect since coloring has never been my strong point.

Once I was able to sit down to color I was disappointed to find that the paper was too thin for show more me to use with my Copic markers so I had to settle for colored pencils which I am not a fan of since you cannot get that smooth look. Other than that this journal is wonderful! I love how there are places for me to write prayers or my thoughts, Bible verses, and even prayers of gratitude which is exactly what I need when the words do not come so easily for me.

While I was coloring my first page my son came in and we colored part of a page together! I loved that I could talk to him about being grateful for everything despite the circumstances and that we were able to share that sweet, precious time.

Thank you Tyndale for giving me a copy of this journal in exchange for an honest review. It came at just the right time in my life and has reminded me that even in coloring you can give thanks. show less