Book Reviewer Renee’ Tuning gives this study 5 Stars!

Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament, subtitled as “a creative devotional study experience,” is that—and more!  The study unveils major revelations of Jesus chronologically throughout the Old Testament, all the way from Jesus as Serpent Crusher to Jesus the Kingdom Deliverer.  Each theme is followed deeply into the New Testament to complete satisfaction.

Considering the depth of Old Testament prophecies being covered, authors Farrel and Jones outstandingly present and explain hard-to-understand material with clarity.  Each weekly lesson begins with a “Reveal” to guide the reader to the specific point in history as a starting point for the new lesson. “God’s Word to Us” guides the student not only to read the Scripture but to dive into it for answers—meanwhile providing contextual explanations and scriptural back-up references for ease of understanding.

These authors uniquely convey the big picture—the macro view—while simultaneously detailing micro elements that significantly aid student comprehension.   This wealth of information includes extra insights—either macro or micro—in “The Little Details” sidebars and in the weekly devotional.  Other features help you connect creatively with God and others.  The student is enabled to learn at whatever depth she desires with whatever time she can invest.

Benefitting the most from this study experience is the learner who enjoys a challenge and expects to apply diligence in studying the Word of God, but it is worth every minute and dollar invested. 

Your relationships are the key to a thriving life that satisfies your soul.

Don't settle for lonely.

Despite technology that allows for more connection than any previous generation, our culture is drowning in loneliness. Human beings are deeply relational, longing to be known, welcomed, encouraged, and connected. Yet most of us go through life lacking some of the key relationships we need in order to feel fulfilled. The answer to our loneliness problem is not found in the quantity of relationships, but rather in finding and growing five specific types of relationships, which make up a blueprint for belonging revealed in the life of Jesus. 

Mining the Gospels for insight, pastor and author Alli Patterson unveils the five types of relationships, cultivated by Jesus, that you still need today. Your core, your circle, your comrades, your community and your crowd.

She guides you through a redesign of your own relational world according to this divine blueprint so you can discover authentic, restorative relationships within each of these types that will truly satisfy your soul.

‘KEEP IT SHUT’ & ‘ZIP IT’ are well worth the investment in time and money.  Karen quotes this in the books and on the teaching videos.  “There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it hardly becomes any of us, to talk about the rest of us.” These books have caused me to examine MY life, MY words, MY relationships, and MY attitudes through searching God’s Word, seeing what HE says about the power of our tongue.  If you have ever said something permanently painful because you were temporarily ticked off, I recommend these  ZIP IT studies. There are several options:

1. Get the KEEP IT SHUT book, either in print or eBook. This is a stand-alone read.

2. Get the KEEP IT SHUT study guide with online access to the teaching videos.  You will benefit best by purchasing options 1 & 2 to use together.

3. ZIP IT is a 40-day challenge devotional book.  Each day concludes with takeaway points, a lesson for the lips and a prayer.  This is a stand-alone read.

As we strive to be more virtuous; those good things that spill out of us, (truth, nobility, right and pure living, things that are lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy) Max Lucado helps us take a look at where what spills out of us begins – our thoughts. God wants to help us renew our minds and break free from negative patterns to become a little more like Jesus. You will look at three tools to help take every thought captive and test the messages that replay in your mind against the Word of God.     

1. Practice Picky Thinking – monitor the airspace of your thoughts and don’t let the destructive ones to land.

2. Identify UFO’s - Scan for any untruths that are creating false narratives that are leading to overreactions.       

3. Uproot and Replant – Don’t let the ugly weeds of Satan’s lies grow.  Pull them up by the roots and replace them with God’s truth.  

TAME YOUR THOUGHTS is available in a stand-alone read, audio book and as a study guide for a deeper dive into the stand-alone book.   The study guide comes with streaming video access to Max Lucado’s teachings.         

As we begin this year of looking at ourselves and how to live more virtuously, this study of the book of James is a great tool.  Each book has online video access included and can easily be used in a group or as an individual study.  I pulled some online reviews to share with you below:

•  I highly recommend. Great study guide on the book of James. We went thru the book over several weeks and utilized the streaming videos that correlate to each chapter. I'm looking forward to purchasing my next study guide by this author. They're so good!!

• A great study written so well. Love the layout of the study, great for small groups.

• Our small bible study considered doing this study but we were on the fence about it. We chose to do it and it has been such a great study with such great insights maintaining scripture throughout the study. We are so glad we decided to do this study.

• Our group really loved this study. The way the material was structured was heart convicting. The focus that our actions, thoughts and behaviors matter in our faith journey was very helpful. Margaret’s connection through the Holy Spirit is evident in the insights she revealed and shared. As a facilitator I appreciated the “total package” in one book. The easy access to the videos is a huge help.

• Just finished this study! It seemed to go by quickly. Learned more than I expected! The homework was fairly light compared to many other studies, but it was still full of nuggets! Highly recommend!

This study of JAMES is eligible under the Spiritual Enrichment $5.00 refund per purchased book if used in a small group in your area.  Contact Jodie Vasbinder jesusavesptl@gmail.com for details.

‘I rarely read fiction but this book was recommended to me by a friend and I fully share that recommendation with you, my friends. It is a journey.  It is a treasure.’ – Jodie Vasbinder

One spring morning, a stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern city of Golden. He doesn’t explain much about where he came from or why he’s there—but when he visits the local coffeehouse, where pencil portraits of the people of Golden hang on the walls, he begins purchasing them, one at a time, and giving each portrait to the person depicted. In exchange, he asks only for the person’s story. And so, portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness and wonder.

You’ve probably started a devotional or kept a journal at various points in life. In Everyday Epiphany, author Emily Hill offers a devotional study that allows you to move at your own pace and read on whatever days and seasons work for you. This study balances personal anecdotes and Biblical truth in a way that is fun and approachable for believers of every age and stage.

Everyday Epiphany encourages you to take a step back and discover who God is and what He has been up to in your life. Empowering you to ask the questions you’ve been wondering about and equipping you to recognize God’s voice when he responds.

Gather your friends for a group chat or snuggle up with a cup of coffee in your favorite spot and start discovering God!

Review by Pastor Dan MacDonald

"The author claims to have discovered a subject in scripture that is under noticed and under practiced in the Christian Church. I believe he is correct. The word in the church is one that is not recognized nor taught very often. It is a word that needs practiced by both laity and leadership if the Body of Christ is going to put into reality the claim of being ‘Christ-like.’ Honor. The book can probably be utilized by smaller groups within the church, such as Deacons and Elders for studying their roles, and as check-ups on their to do lists. I highly recommend it to all serious believers."

Review by Pat Wells, Willow Grove BC, an online participant

"When I saw the invite for an in person and online Proverbs Bible study, I was curious how exactly that would work. Needing the online option, I wondered if I would feel connected. I read Proverbs over the years, it’s clear guidance and short folksy common-sense verses and thought, I could use a wisdom refresher! I soon realized I realized I needed more than a refresher. It was a different delivery for sure, but it worked well for me. I was able to make my own study schedule and the workbook (Discovering Wisdom in Proverbs) kept me on task and provided the pace: 10 weeks 5 days a week. With the Facebook chats and Jodie’s summaries and challenging posts I did feel a fellowship connection even though miles apart. The study book offered different avenues for learning: beautiful coloring verses, poem writing, and verse analysis. “Experiencing scripture creatively” they call it. This was new to me and initially it seemed very elementary. But soon I realized how valuable the process was. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs. 1:7) It all hinges on this. The verse analysis really made The Word pop out at me. Circling, underlining and boxing key text in each verse. For example, here underline the benefits of wisdom. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (Proverbs 2:9) I could hear the Holy Spirit saying, ‘Hey! Look at this, let this soak in, all of it.’ I was certainly blessed by the deep dive into Proverbs and clear Holy Spirit reinforcement through God’s Word to my heart, over and over. I was challenged and humbled, right on time, in areas like seeking wisdom in uncertainty and handling adversity. And then my heart rested in Him - because seeking wisdom, knowing God’s Word, enters, heals and guards my heart."

- A spiritually challenging meditation on Christian discipleship by Robert Boyd Munger.

- Explores the metaphor of inviting Jesus into the various "rooms" of our heart.

- Encourages daily meetings with Christ in the living room .

- Examines appetites and desires in the dining room, guiding readers on what should control them.

- Offers insights on cleaning out the "closets" of our lives with Christ's help.

Review by Jamie Wagner

“Psalms 23 Bible Study was introduced to me while at the 2024 ABCOPAD Women’s Ministries THRIVE retreat. Attending a number of Psalms 23 studies, hearing numerous sermons, this is one of the most insightful studies I’ve encountered. As each lesson begins, Jennifer meets us in a video and gives insight to the lesson for the week. The reading for each day was personal and self-examining. As our small group met weekly, we became closer sharing some of our life stories; revealing how our Shepherd had brought us through dark valleys, and now showing us how to rest. Do you want to find that Green pasture?”