Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Jesus Calling Devotional Bible, NKJV

The Jesus Calling Devotional Bible offered me a devotional and a Bible rolled into one product that I could have on my e-reader device. I really liked that idea. I also like the New King James Version and I was already familiar with that version so that made this a good choice for me.



I was also familiar with Sarah Young's book, God Calling, but I had not read Jesus Calling. In both cases, there has been criticism of Sarah for making a presumption of what God or Jesus would say. While I understand that criticism, I found her to stay true to God's character. In this devotional Bible, Sarah responds to various prayers that people might pray on topics such as fear, worry, suffering and other scenarios that Christians throughout the ages have faced. It seemed to me that she stuck with Scripture in her words. I sometimes wish I could hear directly from God/Jesus. For me, this made Jesus seem that much closer to me as I spent time in prayer and reading. I find these readings to be encouraging and helpful to me as I start the day. With that kind of start, I know this Bible help my days go better. The readings are also connected to other readings on the same topic in case the reader needs further encouragement. I like that aspect of this Bible as well.



Buy Jesus Calling on Amazon.

I received an e-copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through their Booksneeze program. I was not required to give a positive review in exchange for the book.

Leaving ~ Bailey Flanigan Book 1

Leaving 
Bailey Flanigan Book 1
Karen Kingsbury
The Bailey Flanigan series begins with Bailey leaving Bloomington for the adventure of a lifetime. She has won an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City. She's determined to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but is she really ready to leave family and friends for the loneliness of the city? And what of Cody? His disappearance has her worried about their future and praying that their love can survive.In order to be closer to his mother in jail, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey Flanigan.Love, loneliness, big opportunities, and even bigger decisions highlight the first book in the new Bailey Flanigan series that features members of the popular Baxter family and finally completes the Bailey Flanigan/Cody Coleman story.

My Thoughts ~
I love Karen Kingsbury's books. Every single one of them.
I was first introduced to Bailey in The First Born Series. 
I have read through Bailey's life through 9 books and have waited for her series for months.

Bailey and Cody haven't talked in a few months, and she is confused.
Hurt. 
He promised to be her friend and then disappeared. 
Why? 
“The next time that boy pursues you, he better do it like a dying man looking for water in a desert. When it's the right guy, you'll know, because he'll cherish you."~ Jenny Flanigan
 Brandon reveals that he is in love with Bailey, and tells her that he has been praying to become the kind of man that she could fall in love with.
"When you sing, he won't be able to leave the room.  He'll barely remember to breath. Because your song will resonate in the depths of his soul." ~ Jenny Flanigan
 *Swoon* That right there is love, isn't it?

 The relationship that Bailey and her mother, Jenny, have is wonderful. There is nothing that they can't talk about. The kind of relationship that we all want with our kids, huh?

I am very excited to continue on Bailey's journey in the next book, Learning.