God's Word for Gardeners Bible

Every spring while the snow is still on the ground (Yes, spring in Alaska means snow on the ground.), I get excited at the prospect of growing something green. I live in a climate where snow is a constant companion from October to April, so the opportunity to cultivate lettuce, tomatoes, peas, and beans is a treat.

If you are a gardener, have you ever looked at God's Word from the perspective that it has a lot to say about gardens? It starts with a garden in Genesis and ends with one in Revelation, and in between there are a plethora of references to growing green things. God's Word for Gardeners Bible is a devotional Bible that focus on gardening and how it can relate to our spiritual lives. There are three types of devotionals spread throughout this NIV Bible...

Garden Tour-gardens and landscapes of the Bible

Garden Work-how we grow and the work that makes that happen

Garden Stories-how God uses stories of gardening to relate to our lives

There are enough devotions for the 52 weeks of the year (five daily readings and one weekend reading for each week). For each devotional there is a focal passage and also some broader passages to read if you like and then the devotional. I found the devotionals got me thinking in a new way simply because I have never focused on gardens when it comes to reading God's Word. I thought a few of the devotionals I read were a little weak in connecting concepts to our spiritual lives, but overall they bring up good points.

{Book Look Bloggers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.  I am not required to give a positive review.  All my opinions are my own.}

God is Just Not Fair

At times, we question God. Normally those times are the rough ones.  Jennifer Rothschild's book takes every question that we may have when the hard hits and seeks to "answer" them.  Not that they are complete answers, but she has an amazing way of looking at our questions in a different light. Each part of the book asks a different question and then explores it...

God, Are you fair?

God, Do you err?

God, Do you hear prayer?

God, Do you care?

God, Are you aware?

God, Are you there?

While Jennifer and really no one for that matter can give us all the answers we want when we hurt, I found her words comforting as she encourages us to rest in who God is regardless of what our circumstances look like. We may wrestle with God, but as Jennifer points out, "The wrestling with God is to give you an opportunity to cling to him."

If you are struggling, wrestling then this book is for you.

The People Factor by Van Moody

"There must be a reason you picked up this book. Most people do not read books on relationships if they feel their relationships are healthy, happy, or easy." And so Van Moody starts his book with a gigantic kernel of truth...there is a reason why people read relationship books, and it normally has to do with relational angst. If you are one of those people that feels an urge to read a book on relationships, then Van Moody's book will give you a plethora of insight. He walks you through "the critical laws of relationships" and signs of what makes a person a healthy candidate.  The second part is the "strong" part of the book in the sense that Moody talks about the difficult subject of ending a relationship.  So many in the Christian community seem to think that we are to be "friends" with everyone, but Moody proposes that that is not always the Biblical response.  Toxic relationships are not something that we should engage in.  They damage us and sidetrack us from our God-given tasks in life.  We are so wrapped up in dealing with the ugly that we can't do what God really wants us to do.  The last part of the book talks about what it takes to have great relationships. One point that Moody brings out is that one of the biggest relationship mistakes is giving too much too soon.  I tend to do that.  I love loving on people.  But in a sense, it can be a great hindrance if you are giving too much too soon to an unhealthy individual.

There are all kinds of nuggets of wisdom in The People Factor.  Here are a few...

People who are blessed because of your generosity and then have the audacity to complain can be summed up in one word: TAKERS.  Sooner or later, relationships with takers become unhealthy and ultimately toxic.

When emotional poison in in the heart of a human being, he or she has nothing but toxicity to offer a relationship.

Fear proves a lack of trust. If you are afraid of a person or fearful in a relationship, that's a danger sign.

Take the necessary steps to get your heart healed and whole so the wounds of your past do not bind you to the detrimental people of your past.

If you are struggling, then Moody's book might be the place to start.

Book Look Bloggers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.  I am not required to give a positive review.  All my opinions are my own.