It is Tuesday and that means it is The Loft day. (Graphic by Kerry Messer )
This week’s topic is BOOKS. A great topic. BOOKS. Where would we be without them? Darkness I’d say. Reading. One of the most blessed privileges a soul can have. I think one cannot learn too early to read and a soul does not live long enough on this planet to read all the good there is to read out there! And I think I am learning that it is good to read outside your preferred genre from time to time. It broadens one’s perspective.
Unbroken 
by Laura Hillenbrand was such a book for me.
There were pages upon pages, chapter after chapter that was soul jarring, so much so that my instinct was flight but I stayed the course; much because the One who had recommended the book is loved and respected. The conclusion was worth it all!
As with Leah, I am of the same mind, the Bible is THE BOOK. The one read that if you miss it you have missed it all! Favorite Translations? That varies with the season of my life. I have a copy of The New American Standard Bible with worn covers. It was my constant companion for a space of about three especially hard years. Even though I now default mostly to the Complete Jewish Bible that dog-eared, chipped-up leather cover holds golden treasures for me. It would take an Act of the HOLY SPIRIT for me to part with it. Then there is the Amplified Version and the King James and the New King James, The Reese Chronological, the Parallel Greek English New Testament, The Message, The New Century Version, The New Living, and I think there’s an NIV too on one of these shelves. No shortage of Scripture on the shelves in this house — May it be, ABBA, there will be no shortage in me of Your Word.
Let me give a short list of some other titles that have nourished me.
Understanding Jesus – Joe Amaral. That was my book of the year 2013. It stays with me.
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller. A must read! One to refer back to again and again. Want a sample? Here is chapter One in audio:
Forest Man by J. Steve Biggs. Entertainment for me! Written by a much-loved friend. I’m waiting for a sequel. Or the movie! 🙂 🙂 Steve has written another, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. It is a heavy one and at times over my head as to Creation – Intelligent Design. If you have an interest, you owe it to yourself to read it.
This has gone on sufficiently long, hasn’t it? I’m looking forward to seeing the Reading List of others at The Loft.
The White Stone Blog 
I really enjoyed Keller’s book too. So insightful, and well written. Our Shepherd King really thought of everything, didn’t he?! I often wonder what people DO with no books!
Me either, Sheila! Good Books are surely a gift from our Shepherd King! Thank you for stopping by; looking forward to ‘seeing’ you again. Blessings! 🙂
I just learned about the Complete Jewish Bible this week from another friend who highly recommended it as well, a particularly concerning the names of God. Thank you so much for this post, your insight, and being a part of this community. It is truly a blessing to visit with you each week. Hugs to you today from afar 🙂
Thank you, AJ. I am delighted to be included! The LOFT has been a true blessing to me. When I talk my morning prayer walks I often pray for my Blog Sisters. 🙂
Unbroken is on my list to read! I really enjoyed your books. I loved the Ann Voskamp book too. Now I will have to check into the one by Joe Amaral too. 🙂
I don’t think you will be disappointed. Just hang in there when the going gets tough; the end is worth it — and yes I am talking about the book — sounded like life, didn’t it?
I just ordered two more books this week with the Jewish flavor I have come to hunger for – Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg and Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg.
Hopefully I will get them read before long. Perhaps I will remember to give you a report then. Blessings my Friend.
I don’t have a CJB, but it sounds like that may be my next purchase! Thanks for the recommendation. I had not heard of Unbroken. I’ll be checking that one out too. Blessings to you. So glad you join us each week at The Loft.
Me too, Leah. As I wrote to AJ The Loft has been a true blessing to me. So glad to be included. Christian Books Distributors is a good place to get a CJB. Thank you my Friend and have a wonderful week. Go Dawgs! 🙂
I love how you word thing! I agree that it’s good to read outside my preferred genre! I’m reading a romance right now. . . I normally avoid those like the plague, but this one is good! I LOVED this thought: “THE one read that if you miss it you have missed it all!” what a great way of putting it! You really have a lovely style of writing!
Thank you Ren. So glad you stopped by. You have so encouraged me today. Romance, huh? It’s a good thing – a holy thing – it is our Father who created it you know. 🙂 I’ve read some good romances through the years Francine Rivers comes to mind as does Janette Oke. I devoured the Love Comes Softly series many years ago when Janette started writing them. Wholesome entertainment, I say. Thanks for stopping by Ren — ‘see’ you again soon.
I don’t think I’ve heard of the complete Jewish Bible before. Can I ask (out of ignorance, simply because I don’t know anything about it) what you love about that translation? I’m always checking out other versions for deeper understanding of passages and meanings. Thank you!
I, too, love One Thousand Gifts – it came right before I would actually need it, and it’s been a blessing to me! Thanks for sharing with us at The Loft!
Delighted to share about the Complete Jewish Bible. It is a translation by David H. Stern who is a Messianic Jew – having said yes to Yeshua as his Messiah and Savior when he was 37. It reads much like Gentile Translations with the Judaism left in: Jesus, of course, is Yeshua in the CJB. Most names and places are cited as Jewish people would pronounce – of course I am way poor at it but I am thrilled to try. I don’t have many answers but at this stage of my development I think we Gentiles messed up when we pushed Judaism from the New Testament Church. I am by NO MEANS adding to the finished work of JESUS with my love for Judaism but rather honoring I think that my Savior was born and raised a Jew as He was here doing what was necessary to save my wretched Gentile soul! My heart is strangely warmed I guess I could say as I refer to Him as Yeshua – that is what His mother called Him and as I read in particular Phil. 2:11 Yeshua the Messiah is ADONAI. Then when I go to Genesis and there He is! And it reads: ADONAI, God, formed a person [Hebrew: adam] from the dust I mean we know that but I love seeing it printed there on the page so clearly. Here’s a link to familiarize with it. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202%3B%20Phil%202&version=KJV;CJB
As I indicated we need all the translations that the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD will use to teach us and lead us.
Thank you, my Friend, for asking. Forgive my many words – I get long sometime. ‘See’ you again soon.
I LOVE your description and information here. I’m so intrigued – going to see if my husband has heard of this. If not, it may be a great option for a gift for him! He studied some of the ancient Greek and Hebrew in school, and a lot of the culture, so this might be something that is an excellent resource for him. Additionally, where we live, there is a large Jewish population – and Messianic Jewish population – so no doubt this would be a great resource to understand cultural norms a little more. Thank you so much!! I’m glad you shared about this! 🙂 I really appreciate it!
It is my pleasure! You have made my day!!
I learned something new today – thank YOU!! 🙂
🙂
Thank you so much for sharing that audio book, listening to it now! Going to look into your Unbroken book, looks captivating!
Unbroken is for sure captivating! As I said the Conclusion is worth every page! I understand there is a Movie to be released based on the book; perhaps it will be good but I have no doubt it will not measure up to the book. Happy reading Kate and it is a pleasure to meet you here in Blogworld!