Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Two specialized devotional Bibles from Zondervan!

Zondervan has published two new devotional Bibles for very specific audiences. Each one has devotionals and other features designed specifically to meet the needs of its reader.

fulfilled bible cover image
Fulfilled: The NIV Devotional Bible for the Single Woman  is a beautiful hardcover Bible with 104 encouraging devotionals written by Christian single women.  Scattered throughout the Fulfilled Bible, you'll find profiles of 19 different single women in the Bible.  Quotations by well-known authors are sprinkled through the Bible, on topics and issues that single women face.  There are also 200 highlighted passages of Scripture that are especially meaningful to single women.  The highlighted scriptures were selected by Mary Hollingsworth, who also wrote the profiles of the 19 Bible ladies.

Flipping through the Bible, I found a quote by Elizabeth Elliott that spoke directly to many of the discussions I've had with my 18 year old daughter as she seeks God's direction for her life.  Next to it is a devotion written by Helen K. Hosier about finding God's will that I know would encourage my daughter.  Both the hardcover and the dust jacket feature the beautiful lily, but only the dust jacket carries the subtitle "Devotional Bible for the Single Woman".  The hardcover just says NIV and Holy Bible on it. The Fulfilled Bible is available in different formats, but the hardcover retails for $34.99. 


This is a beautiful and encouraging Bible that will bless the single woman.  I know that it would have encouraged me when I was single.


Hope In The Mourning Bible

NIV Hope In The Mourning Bible is written to comfort anyone who is walking through grief - whether they are mourning a friend, a spouse, a child, a parent, or a sibling.

The NIV Hope In The Mourning Bible is meant to take the grieving reader on a journey through the Bible, as they journey through their grief.  There are six undated readings per week for an entire year - one for each weekday and then one for the weekend. Each devotion begins with a key text to read and meditate on, followed by a truth-filled and encouraging devotion.  A simple "Heart Whisper" prayer prompt closes the devotion.  Small print at the bottom of the page tells you exactly where to turn for the next devotion.


One unique feature of this Bible is the free download from Music For the Soul that allows you to access music written specifically for the Christian walking through grief.  Lyrics from some of the songs are located at the back of the Bible, along with information on how to access the music itself.  The back of the Bible also contains information on where to find additional resources for dealing with grief.


The hardcover version of this Bible has a beautiful dust cover with an ocean scene.  Under the dust jacket, the Bible itself has a simple blue cover titled Holy Bible. Although it's available in several different formats, the hardcover version retails for $34.99.

I have to confess that my life has been spared from deep grief so far.  I have yet to walk through an extended period of mourning. But, reading the devotions and music lyrics in this Bible, I can say that they are very encouraging and sensitive to the needs of those who are grieving. I would definitely give it as a gift to a friend or family member I cared about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

April E.