My Review of "The Sacred Thread"

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review “The Sacred Thread” docuseries by Angel Studios, I agreed because it sounded like a wonderful opportunity to dig deeper into God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and understand what The Lord’s Prayer truly means, which is what this series is centered on. After watching all seven episodes that were each about 30 minutes long, I had a better understanding of The Lord’s Prayer. Now, I want to share my review of this helpful resource with you!

But before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a few words from Momentum Influencers Network about this inspirational docuseries:

Most people know The Lord’s Prayer. Very few understand the world, language, and meaning behind it. The Sacred Thread takes viewers deep into the historical and cultural context of Scripture, helping audiences experience The Lord’s Prayer the way Jesus’ original audience would have heard it. This is not just another Bible study. It’s a cinematic journey through the land, history, language, and deeper meaning of one of the most important prayers ever spoken.

Angel continues to create thoughtful, high-quality series that make Scripture feel alive, relevant, and deeply personal.

These are the target audiences for “The Sacred Thread”

Primary Audiences:

● Christians and faith-based audiences

● Bible study groups and church communities

● Viewers interested in Biblical history and context

● Families looking for meaningful, spiritually enriching content

● Audiences who enjoy Scripture-focused documentaries and teaching series


Secondary Audiences:

● Young adults exploring faith more deeply

● People wanting to better understand the Bible

● Fans of thoughtful, cinematic nonfiction storytelling

● Viewers who enjoy historical and cultural exploration

The Sacred Thread is a cinematic documentary series exploring the Lord’s Prayer through the historical, cultural, geographical, and literary world in which Jesus first spoke it. Hosted by Brad Gray and featuring insights from scholars including N.T. Wright, the series takes viewers across biblical landscapes to uncover the deeper meaning and context behind one of the most well-known prayers in Scripture.

Through cinematic storytelling and accessible scholarship, the series invites audiences to see Scripture with fresh eyes and rediscover the richness, depth, and relevance of the Biblical text.

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My Review of “The Sacred Thread” series:

“The Sacred Thread” series is hosted by Brad Gray. Everything about this docuseries is well done. It is equally educational as it is inspirational.

The cinematic storytelling style of this series truly drew me in. I couldn’t stop watching it so I binge-watched all seven episodes in only two days.

I appreciated the deep dive into the culture and heritage of the people who lived in the ancient world during the time the Bible was being written. It helped me understand the historical context and background of the Bible. I also appreciated that each episode was no more than 30 minutes long because that made it easier to digest. The way each episode was structured proved to be clear, concise and very rich in the story being told.

Every episode was informational and inspiring in a way that stays with you. But the one that resonated with me most deeply was the third episode, titled, “Holy Be Your Name”. This is what stood out to me:

I was impressed to learn what it means to hallow God’s name. They said that taking the Lord’s name in vain doesn’t mean to use His name as a swear word; it means misrepresenting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It reminds me of the Gospel music song “Wear Your Name” by Gylchris Sprauve.

I loved learning about how the term for the rich color “Royal blue” was coined and learning why God wanted His people to have this color on the clothes they wore. Brad Gray (the host) said, “Blue held significant value in the ancient world because it was arduous to make and hard to come by. This was a color used only for people of high standing or of royalty. Hence, the designation “Royal blue” and God called His people to have this color on them.”

Blue, purple and scarlet were the principal colors in the Tabernacle design. And therefore, they played the leading role in the visual representation of God’s dwelling here on Earth. Another fact: Blue was the predominant color of the clothes work by the high priests. They said, “The high priests and the priests were responsible for mediating on behalf of God to the Israelites. But the Israelites as a whole were responsible for mediating on behalf of God to the rest of the world. And that blue cord was a reminder of their identity and mission as a kingdom of priests.”

They also said, “The other implication for why God chose blue revolved around status. Remember, the Israelites prior to the exodus had the identity of slaves. Now, they’re being instructed to wear blue, the color of royalty. From rags to royalty quite literally. God wanted His people to remember daily who they were. So, when they looked down and saw the blue cord contrasting against the white ones, they were reminded that they wore the priestly color, they carried the name of God and they were valued as treasured royalty.”

The final powerful point that they said during this episode was about salt and its Biblical role in Christian living. They said, “While we think of salt primarily as a seasoning, in a world without refrigeration, salt was used as a preservative to make food last longer. And because of this, salt became a symbol in the Hebrew Scriptures for God’s long lasting covenant faithfulness to His people. So, when Jesus says you are the salt of the earth, He’s saying that’s you, that’s your identity. When you follow God’s commandments and carry His name well, you’re preserving life in a world of decay.”

All the episodes were good but this one (Episode 3) was the most well-thought, planned and presented one that really had special significance that can apply to our journey with Jesus Christ in our modern-day era. I was most inspired by this one.

If you want to know more about the meaning of The Lord’s Prayer as well as learn more about the Bible, then “The Sacred Thread” series is for you. Each episode focuses on a verse of The Lord’s Prayer then breaks it down with historical context and Biblical accuracy. The way this is done is second to none. I hope you will sign up for the Angel Guild and watch every episode in this docuseries. God bless you!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#TheSacredThreadMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

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More information:

"The Sacred Thread" is available now for you to stream on Angel.

Visit the official website for “The Sacred Thread” on Angel Guild:

https://www.angel.com/shows/sacred-thread

Join the Angel Guild and support stories that bring meaning, hope, and purpose back to entertainment.

Review of Enduring Word Study Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the Enduring Word Study Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone!

Before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this product:

God’s Word is meant to be known—and lived. God wants you to know, understand, and apply His Word. But sometimes you need help making sense of a tricky passage or knowing what it means to live in light of the Bible’s teaching.

For more than 20 years, readers have turned to Bible teacher David Guzik’s verse-by-verse commentary at EnduringWord.com as a source of practical and pastoral insights into the Scriptures. The Enduring Word Study Bible invites you to join them as you are guided into deeper knowledge of the Bible. Study notes based on Guzik’s commentary help you to explore the meaning of every chapter of the Bible. Pastoral application notes guide you to live in light of Scripture, and feature articles bring challenging topics into sharper focus.

Features include:

• Introductions exploring key themes of every book of the Bible

• Study notes to help you explore the meaning of every chapter of Scripture

• 400 application notes to help you live in light of God’s Word

• 50 articles offering a deeper exploration of key topics throughout Scripture

• Concordance with more than 200 word studies

• Translators’ notes and cross references

• Line-matched, double-column typesetting

• Clear and readable 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

David Guzik is the author and General Editor of Enduring Word Study Bible. Here is his professional bio: David Guzik is a pastor, Bible teacher, and author of the Bible commentary used by millions at EnduringWord.com. David has been in Christian service for more than 40 years, including two church plants and more than seven years as a missionary in Germany where he was director and teacher for Calvary Chapel Bible College Germany. David and his wife, Inga-Lill, have three adult children and three grandchildren.

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My Review of Enduring Word Study Bible:

I really liked the brown leather soft cover of this Enduring Word Study Bible.

I appreciated the Letter from the General Editor (David Guzik) as he aptly introduced the purpose of this edition of the Bible. He showed the reader how to approach studying and the Bible by first believing there is a God then believing the Bible is God’s Word and knowing the Bible is more than one book, and finally realizing the Bible is reliable.

I liked it the next message that spanned for two pages titled “Getting to Know God”.

Before diving into the first book of Genesis, there are two pages that share the story of the New King James Version this Bible is written in. It is filled with helpful insights.

The most interesting feature are the two pages with color coded boxes that have each book of the Bible listed (one box per book), along with a key at the bottom so the reader can understand what this means. For example: It is noted that John wrote the book of Revelation. It has 22 chapters. This graphic aid was very detail-oriented.

Another nice feature is how there is one page of introduction to each book in this Bible. The intro gives you background, history, notes about the author, and a list of what to look for when reading that book.

Throughout the thin but smooth pages of this Bible are info boxes such as “A Sharper Focus: Before the Beginning” that teaches the reader more about what they are reading that they may not realize on their own. Each info graphic encourages you to really study the Bible, not just read it.

There are also smaller boxes titled “Pastoral Applications Note” with only a few sentences that briefly explain the importance of the Scripture on that page.

When you reach the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), you can see that the direct words spoken by Jesus Christ are written in red. I appreciated this being true to tradition as this is the case in most Bibles regardless of the translation or style.

On the final few pages of this Bible are a concordance and before that there is one page titled, “My Identity in Christ” with two columns and 21 columns that outline what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

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Purchase your copy of the Enduring Word Bible today on Amazon today! See the main purchase links below.

Hardcover copy: https://www.amazon.com/Enduring-Word-Study-Bible-Commentary/dp/140033800X/ref=sr_1_1?

Brown Leathersoft cover copy: https://www.amazon.com/Enduring-Word-Study-Bible-Leathersoft/dp/1400338026/

Learn more at https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/enduring-word/

#EnduringWordBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

My Review on the Peace of God Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the Peace of God Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone!

Before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this product:

You were made for peace—and to be a peacemaker. The story of the Bible is the story of peace—peace with God and with one another. But peace isn’t simply a feeling of calm or ease. It is a way of experiencing life as we were always meant to—in relationship with our Creator and with each other. We can recover a completeness that was once lost but is restored in the gospel.

The Peace of God Bible invites you to experience peace with God as you trace this important theme throughout Scripture. By meditating on it daily as you read 365 devotions and application notes, you will find the encouragement you need to live out of the wholeness you have in Christ—and be equipped to share that peace with others.

Features include:

• Book introductions to help reveal the part peace plays in each book of the Bible

• 365 devotionals based on a key verse or passage to guide you in how to receive and live by God’s peace

• 365 peace notes offering short, powerful insights to help you understand more deeply the wholeness you have in Christ

• Topical indexes to help you study on your own how God's peace can shape different relationships in your life

• Articles explore what the peace of God is, how to find or recover it, and how to experience eternal salvation because of what God has done for you

• Concise concordance and index of features

• End-of-page translators’ notes and cross-references

• Line-matched, double-column typesetting

• Clear and readable 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

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My Review on the Peace of God Bible:

I love the box cover that contained the Bible because its blue and orange and yellow color scheme featuring what looks like the sunrise in the mountains over a lake creates a sense of calm in me as the reader. It is like a glimpse into the peace of God that awaits me as I read His Word.

There is only one feature about this Bible that I did not like: The cover design on the actual Bible. While the material feels soft and smooth like leather, I don’t like the etched picture of mountains. Also: The words etched above the mountains “Peace of God” can be easily missed because of the small font size and due to how it fades into the background because it is the same color as the leather covering.

Upon opening this Bible, I noticed the dedication page is clear as day and really stands out with its bigger font size and nice format.

As I turned the pages, I found several things that I liked. Such as: The first few sections that tell the reader how to find the peace of God and keep it, how believers can recover the peace of God, and details about God’s plan of salvation that Jesus Christ accomplished. I found these sections to have powerful messages that can reach readers at any level of their faith journey.

I appreciated the introduction page that comes before the first chapter of each book in the Bible. It starts with notes about the author then mentions the era and theme.

I like how throughout this Bible, there are blue boxes with words written in white ink that provide what looks like a mini devotion anchored on a verse in that book. Such as “The God Who Hears” on page 69 that is anchored on Exodus 2:23. Beautiful!

I love how there are light blue boxes of just the right size with dark blue lettering that says “Peace Note” then there is a one or two sentence note with a question or statement to ponder based on the recent reading of that particular chapter. Clever! The first peace note I read is on page 273. It reads: How do you discover the will of God for your life? Perhaps you have prayed, “Lord, which opportunity shall I pursue?” A clear determiner is the peace of God.” At the end of each peace note is a Scripture reference. This one is Judges 18:6.

When I reached The New Testament that contains the last books in the Bible, I like how true to tradition, words spoken by Jesus Christ are written in red. This helps His direct quotes to stand out against everything else written in black ink.

After the final book (Revelation), there is a very comprehensive Features Index that tells the reader the exact page where each devotion and peace note can be found. Very helpful!

The last few pages of this Bible feature a concordance that can help the reader dive deeper into studying the Bible. Wrapping it up are colorful maps showing what the land and regions looked like during the time when the Bible was written. This is at the very end.

I enjoyed reviewing this Bible and I would recommend it to everyone who wants to experience the peace of God.

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Watch this preview from the publisher featuring the Peace of God Bible:
https://youtu.be/OdqbjPq9nsg?si=19nEOuqZDrH-prwQ

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Read more about Peace of God Bible on the publisher’s website:
https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/peace-of-god/

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Purchase your copy of the Peace of God Bible today on Amazon!

#PeaceOfGodBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

My review of the CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone!

Before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this product:

Engage with your Creator in a creative way. Enhance your personal Bible study with the CSB Illustrated Notetaking Bible.

This uniquely crafted Bible features a single-column setting with wide journaling margins and line-art illustrations on every page spread. With wide journaling margins, line-art illustrations on every page spread, Scripture art, and more, this Bible will inspire you to engage God’s Word in a fresh and exciting way through meaningful creativity and personalization.

This beautiful Bible provides the perfect place for meaningful creativity and personalization, over time creating an incredible keepsake for your journey. This Bible includes over 600 inspirational line-art illustrations, filigree designs, Scripture quotes, and other unique Scripture art, with space for personal creativity and journaling.

This uniquely crafted Bible features large, easy-to-read 9.5-point type in a single-column setting with wide journaling margins and line-art illustrations on every page spread. Including filigree designs, Scripture quotes, and other unique Scripture art alongside plenty of space for personal creativity and journaling, this Bible will inspire you to engage God’s Word in a fresh and exciting way.

This beautiful Bible provides the perfect place for meaningful creativity and personalization, over time creating an in-credible keepsake for your journey.

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My Review of the Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible:

The first thing I noticed about this CSB “Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible” was the beautiful box cover. I was also surprised by how huge and heavy this Bible was too.

When I took this Bible out of its box cover, I smiled as I felt the smooth, soft leather texture of the front cover, spine and back cover. I like its pretty golden tan color and thought the budding flower imprint in the front cover was lovely and inviting. This all made me want to open this Bible and read it. So, I did, and this is what I discovered:

The interior design has an artsy flair with a flourish of flowers and leaves that decorate the borders of most pages in this sacred book. These designs are simple and open outline inviting the reader to grab some colored pencils and fill in each design to your liking and imagination.

I like how each design on the borders of each book in this Bible align with the Scripture on each page. For example: On page 1 in Genesis there is an outline of the sun, moon, stars, trees, birds, butterflies and a rabbit to support the Creation Story. It is a beautiful feature that also begs the reader to color in each outlined creation.

These beautiful designs do not border every page of this Bible. There are some pages that simply have college rules lines for us to write on. It is a great way to journal your thoughts as you read the Scripture.

There are also Bible verses that are outlined in colorless enlarged texts on the border of some pages that invite you to not only color in those letters but to go deeper in memorizing Scripture. My favorite example of this is on page 1205 which highlights Romans 8:11. The outlined text is artistic with an elegant font that flows down the page.

After the book of Revelation, there is a page that lists a Daily Bible Reading Plan. It looks very comprehensive and not complicated. It seems easy to follow and like you could spend a solid hour with God reading His Word every day as noted.

I found the CSB Concordance at the end to be very helpful and detail-oriented. After that, the final few pages of this Bible contain colorful but dull maps of the Middle East and Northern Africa which is where these Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation took place. I appreciated this informative feature.

Every detail about this Bible was inviting and encouraging me to find a quiet place and read God’s Word more intently. You don’t have to be an artist to appreciate this unique packaging. I think that this design encourages every reader—young and old—to get to know the Author (God) and their Savior (Jesus Christ) as they allow His Holy Spirit to teach the Biblical truths, impart life lessons, give good advice, bestow wisdom, find faith and share hope for our world today that is all found in this beautiful book. It is such a good read that we all need!

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Purchase the CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible here:
https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/csb-illustrator-s-notetaking-bible-large-print-edition-cream-leathertouch-M00101449/005850840

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Enter this giveaway via Rafflecopter (select the link below) for your chance to win one copy of CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible, Large Print Edition. *Note: This giveaway contest is for USA residents only. You must live in the USA to be eligible to win this contest. Here’s the Rafflecopter link for you to enter the contest:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c506/?

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

My Review of the Jesus Daily Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the CSB Jesus Daily Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone! This version of the Bible is a bit unique because of its devotional format. 

But before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this product:

Read through the Bible in a year—and keep Jesus at the center of each day. The NEW CSB Jesus Daily Bible includes a 52-week, Christ-focused, guided reading plan that you can join at any point during the year.

Day by day, you'll thematically study Scripture through a weekly introduction, helpful articles and infographics, and a weekly summary to help you understand Jesus’s central role from Genesis to Revelation.

See how every page of God’s Word points to the bigger story of Jesus. Every page of God’s Word points to the bigger story of Jesus. And every day, the CSB Jesus Daily Bible will help you see how.

Read through the Bible this year—and keep Jesus at the center of each day.

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My Review of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible:

There are a lot of features to love about this Bible and only a few things I didn’t like as I flipped through these sacred pages. These are my thoughts about it:

The cover design was a little bit too busy and intricate for my taste. The layout of the interior was neatly formatted. The pages felt crisp and smelled fresh like most new books do and that is always refreshing to the heart of most book readers.

The Introduction page is helpful for people who have not picked up a Bible and tried to read it yet. Written by a pastor, this introduction sets the stage for your Bible study time as it introduces you to the God who this beautiful book is written about and tells you about His Son (Jesus Christ) who is the Savior of the world.

The page next to the Introduction is titled “Christ at the Center of God’s Word” and it is an adequate continuation of introducing the reader to Jesus Christ and explaining why He is the center of the Bible. I like how it includes a short but sufficient list of tips on how to find Christ as you read this Bible. The first tip is especially helpful for new believers who are getting acquainted with God’s Word. The tip says, “If Jesus is not described explicitly in the text, look for him symbolically.” Very good advice!

The next few pages include text and graphics that explain to the reader how to read this Bible. It is very comprehensive but looks overwhelming in display. There is also a Daily Reading Plan that is very detailed as it provides the reader with a proper outline for this 52-week study of the entire Bible that begins with Genesis and ends with Revelation.

Before Week 1 of this Bible study starts, there is a page dedicated to introducing the reader to the Christian Standard Bible which is this book published by Holman Bible Publishers.

There is an introduction page for each week of this study and a summary of each week on the last page before the next week in this Bible. This is the first Bible I have read that is presented in this 52-week devotional format. I found it interesting yet compelling.

After the final week of the study, there is a CSB Concordance, and the last few pages contain what you see on most Bibles: A map of the Middle East and Eastern Africa where the Bible stories took place in real time.

I found this Bible to live up to its promise in the product description on Amazon when it says, “The CSB Jesus Daily Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.”

I would recommend this “Jesus Daily Bible” most to new believers who are just getting to know God and follow Jesus Christ.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#JesusDailyBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #jesusdailybible #dailybible #bibleinayear #christianstandardbible #csb #csbible #holmanbible #bhpub

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Learn more about the CSB Jesus Daily Bible via the publisher’s website:
https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/purchase-the-csb-jesus-daily-bible/

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Giveaway:
If you live in the USA then you are eligible to win one copy of CSB Jesus Daily Bible when you enter this giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter link below: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c505/

My Review of "Encountering God Study Bible" and a giveaway too

My Review of the Encountering God Study Bible: Insights from Blackaby Ministries on Living Our Faith (NKJV)

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) contacted me with the opportunity to read and review the Encountering God Study Bible produced by Blackaby Ministries, I signed up within a few minutes because I know what a powerful affect reading their nonfiction book, Experiencing God, had on my spiritual life. I was eager to delve into this study Bible and glean gems from my reading.

I’m ready to share my review with you but first, a word from MIN: The Encountering God Study Bible is the crowning work of the Blackabys. Featuring their trusted approach to Bible study, this Study Bible includes:

• Notes highlighting how God might choose to encounter you in His Word

• Notes explaining ideas, events, people and places in the text

• Word studies, character studies, and biographical sketches of figures from church history

• Notes to help you navigate current cultural issues

• Order your copy of the Encountering God Study Bible today!

And a word from Amazon.com featuring the back cover copy of this book: “Encounter God through the Scriptures as you are guided by the wisdom and experience of the Blackaby family. The deepest need of every human heart is to encounter God. To meet with God, to be changed by Him, and to become more like Him as a result. For decades, the Blackaby family has dedicated their ministry to helping believers address this deepest need. Now you can learn from their insights to experience deeper encounters with God as you develop a regular routine of Bible reading and study in the Encountering God Study Bible.

The Encountering God Study Bible is the crowning work of the Blackabys. Featuring their trusted approach to Bible study, explanatory notes, word studies, biblical character sketches, historical encounters with lives of exemplary faith, articles highlighting the creative nature of God, and other articles defending the faith, you will be encouraged to see that you can encounter God in His Word—and that He wants to encounter you through it.”

Now for my review:

I admire and support the ministry of the Blackaby family because it is clearly God-given which makes sense why their written works and other aspects of their Christian ministries are so transformative to the consumer.

According to Wikipedia, “Henry T. Blackaby was a Canadian evangelical pastor who was the founder of Blackaby Ministries International. Most known for his bestselling study called Experiencing God, he also authored many other books and articles. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages.”

My first introduction to the Blackaby Ministries team was when my dad bought a copy of the nonfiction book, Experiencing God, for my birthday more than a decade ago. This written work changed my life and helped me get to know God on a more personal level. Now I can say that their recent release, Encountering God Study Bible is doing the same for me and all who read it but in a much more powerful way because they’re delving deeper into the source of all joy and instruction: God’s Word (The Holy Bible).

I enjoyed the extra features in this Study Bible, such as the articles written by Daniel Blackaby that highlighted God’s creative nature. I appreciated the way Mike Blackaby defended the unshakable truths of faith in God via the articles he wrote. The explanatory notes throughout this study Bible were very helpful in encouraging me to gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word. The word studies, character studies and bios of church history figures were very educational. I liked reading the introductions to each book in this Bible and discovering why it was important to help me encounter God.

There are so many wonderful features in this study Bible such as the reading plans, concordance, and index to word studies. All these features work together to help the reader encounter God as they read His Word.

I cannot say enough about how wonderful this Encountering God Study Bible is and what an impact it’s made on my life. If you are seeking the meaning of life and feel lost or feel like you need to connect with God, look no further than this Bible. Purchase a copy and pray to God before you read, asking God’s Holy Spirit to guide your study of His Word then open the Bible and be transformed!

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Giveaway details: MIN is giving away one physical copy of the Encountering God Study Bible! Please note: This is limited to winners who live in the USA only.

Enter the giveaway contest via this link below to Rafflecopter:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c497/?

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Harper Collins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#EncounteringGodStudyBibleMIN #EncounteringGodBible #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

PureFlix Review: Saved by Grace

My Review of Saved by Grace series:

Today, I have a review of a new show for you that is coming to PureFlix starting this Nov. 6! In case you didn’t know, PureFlix is like the faith-based version of Netflix. It works the same way but the difference is in the content. PureFlix content always points you back to Jesus Christ and shows you how much The Creator of the Universe loves you!

Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows that you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.

Pure Flix VIP Ambassador program asked me to review the new series "Saved by Grace." I watched every episode in the month of October 2022 before it was made available for viewing on Pure Flix this Nov. 6. This show is incredibly well-done, engaging and amazing! I’m eager to share my review with you. First, I’d like to describe the storyline in the words of talking points from Momentum then I’ll share my thoughts (review). 

Talking Points:

Angels are amongst us and God has sent them on a mission to intercede on behalf of whispered prayers. Every encounter presents a new opportunity to change your approach to life. There are no chance meetings or coincidences in life.

The new Pure Flix Original Series “Saved by Grace” is sure to inspire and encourage with its message of hope that there is a larger plan at work through God’s handiwork and that we are not alone in our struggles. There’s a lesson for everyone in “Saved by Grace” because it explores different seasons of life and how our reactions and actions can ultimately change the path we are on. 

“Saved by Grace” shares stories from everyday life and shows what happens when we offer and accept forgiveness. This show explores the kind of impact that day-to-day interactions can have, even if we don’t realize it at the time. In each episode, viewers will see how we can heal and overcome the past and that change in our hearts is possible to move forward. 

Now for my review: 

Reminiscent of the hit TV show, Touched by an Angel, this new PureFlix series "Saved by Grace" offers a fresh and unique spin on how God sends His Angels from Heaven to be His hands and feet here on Earth. This show will remind you that you're never alone, God loves you and He will always provide for your every need.

The actors for "Saved by Grace" who star in every episode are: Jennifer Taylor (Grace) and Cameron Arnett (Jeremiah). They do an amazing job playing the angels "Grace" and "Jeremiah"... a job so good that you might for a moment actually believe they are the real deal!

Each episode of "Saved by Grace" presents its own challenges in the storyline and brings about unpredictable plot twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to know how it will all work out. All of the actors (not just the angels) deliver a superb performance in each episode. I felt drawn into the story from the start of each episode an invested in the characters. 

Food is a favorite feature in each episode, so much so that it made me hungry. The producers really paid close attention to every detail that makes up this wonderful new series and it shows!

"Saved by Grace" is a series that will touch your heart and resonate with you long after it's over. It will also introduce you to Pure Flix, prompt you to join and watch it again and again! And once you’re a member of Pure Flix, you’ll find more content to view that will encourage your heart. So don’t delay, join today!

Here's the website link to where, starting Nov. 6, you can watch Saved by Grace:
https://www.pureflix.com/movie/saved-by-grace-series

See the "Saved by Grace" trailer:
https://youtu.be/YeDQ4ZaOh28

Watch the Momentum Influencers Interview conducted by Jean Thomason featuring Cameron Arnett who plays the angel named "Jeremiah", and Jennifer Taylor who plays the angel named "Grace". Here's the link: https://youtu.be/0-MvRwVTk80

#SavedByGraceMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

My Review of three NEW Devotional Journals by Ellie Claire (brand)

Today, I'm sharing my reviews of three devotional journals by one of my favorite creative brands, Ellie Claire! Here's the cover design for each journal:

Disclaimer: Worthy Publishing Group gave me (Alexis A. Goring) these products by in exchange for an honest review. This by no means impacted my decision of the journals and all opinions are my own.

Now on to the reviews...

My Review of Ellie Claire’s 

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus: A 365-Day Devotional Journal”:

I like the cover design of this devotional journal because of the soft, pastel colors and flower/vine design. I found it to be appealing because it reminded me of spring and as I write this, winter is approaching and I don’t like the cold. So having a journal to start writing in as cold weather and snow makes its seasonal appearance is comforting.

This devotional journal definitely would have attracted my attention because of its cover design and brand (I love Ellie Claire products)!

The art style and devotions in this book work really well together because the color theme and font style are similar to the cover design. Each devotional is short and sweet with an inspirational message that will touch your heart.

“Prayer: The Map to God” the devotional for November 11 is one of my favorites because of the title and content. The message for that day in my journal really spoke to my experience with GPS (navigational systems) and encouraged me to never stop praying because God is always willing to listen. He’s also ready to help at any time.

The paper thickness of each page is enough to support the ink from your pen or marker without leaking onto the next page.

I plan to use this devotional daily. Anyone female from age 12 to 100 in any career or from any background would probably love to receive this journal as a gift and would benefit from using it!

*Buy this journal on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

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My Review of Ellie Claire’s

“The Earth Is the Lord’s and Everything In It: A 365-Day Devotional Journal”:

The cover design for this devotional journal is rich in color, elegant and elaborate. The design appealed to me from the moment I saw it, drawing me into the richness and elegance. Blue is one of my favorite colors so the beautiful blue color of the peacocks on the front cover enthralled me. This product would definitely have caught my attention as I browsed through a bookstore!

The art style and devotions in the book works very well together as the upper body of a peacock and a flower from the front cover are pictured on the bottom corners of each page in this journal.

The devotions and quotes inside the journal were very inspirational! One of my favorites is the entry for June 12 titled, “The God Who Sings.” I never thought of God as a singer but He created music so I guess it makes sense! This is supported by the Bible in Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV). Now I cannot wait to hear God sing when we get to Heaven!

The paper thickness of each page is enough to support the ink from your pen or marker without leaking onto the next page.

I plan to give away this journal to someone who I believe will be blessed by it. But if I were keeping it for myself, I’d write in it every day, starting on January 1, 2019!

*Buy this journal on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. 

~*~

My Review of Ellie Claire’s

“Peace Begins with Me: A 365-Day Devotional Journal”:

The cover design for this journal is soft and looks like a work of art as if a painter dipped their paintbrush in a gorgeous light green color then graced the cover with fluid strokes. The result is a light green-creamy white marble look and it is gorgeous!

If I were browsing through a bookstore, I would definitely stop to pick up this journal and flip through the pages! The art style and devotions within this product work well together because the left and right of each page has a thin border that’s the same color of the front and back cover of this journal. It creates a beautiful design and accent.

The devotions and quotes in this journal are inspirational. One of my favorite devotions within this journal is from April 2, which is titled, “The Immovable Anchor.” It’s based on a Psalm 93:3 (NIV) and reminds me that God is my anchor in the midst of any storm that I may go through in this life. After reading this devotion, my heart is encouraged to persevere and continue leaning into God.

The paper thickness of each page is enough to support the ink from your pen or marker without leaking onto the next page.

I plan to give this journal away too but only because I believe that someone will be blessed by it and I only need one devotional journal to write in for the New Year 2019.

*Buy this journal on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

~*~

Enter the Instagram Contest for your chance to WIN gifts from 
Ellie Claire! 

Enter to win a $75 Amazon gift card. To enter to win:

1. Follow @EllieClaireGifts on Instagram

2. Post a photo of our 365-day devotional journals on your Instagram by December 14, 2018 with a caption of your choice AND the hashtags #EllieClaireGifts and #NewYearNewDevo

3. Tag @EllieClaireGifts in your image.

Music Review and Giveaway of Chris Tomlin's NEW CD "Holy Roar"

Dear Blog Readers,

Today, I’m reviewing Chris Tomlin's new CD “Holy Roar” for FlyBy Promotions. You’re in for a treat because they’re offering one copy of his CD to one lucky winner!

Here's a photo of the album cover:

Enjoy this music feature!

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Artist Bio:

Chris Tomlin is one of the most heralded singer-songwriters in the world who has amassed an impressive body of work. He has sold more than 8 million albums, 11.3 million digital tracks with 16 #1 singles. 

Chris is one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 Billion digital radio streams, others include Justin Timberlake, Pitbull and Garth Brooks. 



The Grammy® winner’s list of music awards include an American Music Award, 3 Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award and more. Chris’ concert tours have sold-out venues in major cities including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks in Denver, among others.

This spring, Chris marked another career milestone by launching his own imprint record label, Bowyer & Bow, in partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group.

~*~

Ready for my review? Read on! 

Every song is rated between 1 and 5 stars. Here’s the meaning of each starred rating:

5 stars = Wonderful! I love it!

4 stars = Great song and lyrics, I really like it!

3 stars = Nice tune but not too spectacular

2 stars = I really do not like this song

1 star = Not worth listening to

~*~
Song #1: Holy Roar
Rating: 5
Review: As the title song for this album, “Holy Roar” is worth its weight in gold! It’s like the rallying of the troops in God’s Army, a gathering of His people from around the world to worship Him. The tune is inspiring and the lyrics move you to worship God right along with Chris Tomlin and his band.

Song #2: Nobody Loves Me Like You
Rating: 5
Review: Listening to the lyrics of this song accompanied with the soft, peaceful sounds, is like watching the sunrise from the window of your home. The feel of this song makes you feel like you live in a beautiful, serene mountainside log cabin in the picturesque part of Montana (USA)! I can almost smell the fresh mountain air and feel the cool breeze. This song feels very much like the Fall season on the East Coast—beautiful in color, tone and feel. Through the sound and lyrics of this song, Tomlin does a wonderful job in moving the listener to worship God as they reflect on His Goodness that we’re reminded of in the song’s lyrics. It is beautifully serene, sweet and whimsical.

Song #3: Resurrection Power
Rating: 4
Review: My first thoughts in hearing the first two lines of this song were, “I heard this song on the radio!” Haha. It’s very familiar to me. I enjoy listening to it. The message that God has given us freedom from the bondage of sin if we just choose Him and accept His gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, really resonates with me. The lyrics are straight-forward and Bible-based. The tempo of the song is upbeat but perfectly paced. Nice!

Song #4: Goodness, Love and Mercy
Rating: 3
Review: This song is a nice rendition of Psalm 23. There’s not too much to it. Tomlin basically sings the Bible verses without adding or taking away anything, which is good but the sound is a bit boring. It just didn’t move me.

Song #5: Satisfied
Rating: 3
Review: This song serves to remind the listener that in a world of thirsty people, only Jesus can truly satisfy. It reminds me of the Bible verse about how wells filled with water run dry but when you drink from the Living Water (a relationship with Jesus Christ), you will never thirst again. You won’t thirst for the temporary trappings of this world. Knowing Jesus is freedom from the ways of this world that don’t save your soul. Only Jesus can save your soul. Only He can quench your thirst when you’re searching for something more or trying to figure out the meaning of life. Hint: Jesus is what your soul longs for and only He can save your soul, ushering you right into eternity when He returns to Earth to take His faithful followers home to Heaven. This song reminds me that Earth is not our Home. It helps tune me into the Bigger Picture where God wins over sin and the enemy, where His plan for humanity is restored—a plan where death, destruction, and pain have no place ever again! Despite the wonderful life lessons I hear in this song “Satisfied”, I didn’t like the tune and I thought some of the lyrics could have been written better, which is why I’m giving it this rating.

Song #6: Impact
Rating: 4
Review: This song is like a welcome to worship God. It starts off slow and sweet then picks up tempo before taking off like an airplane on a beautiful musical journey, destination: the presence of God!

Song #7: Praise Him Forever
Rating: 4
Review: This song is a worship tune for real. It made me want to stand and clap my hands and dance down the church aisles. The sound of this song will make you happy and remind you of all of God’s Goodness. His Love for humankind is unrivaled.

Song #8: Is He Worthy?
Rating: 4
Review: This song is filled with questions for the listener (literally) but these questions are not without purpose. The lyrics challenge the listener to think deeply about the meaning of life, love, and God.

Song #9: Forever Young
Rating: 5
Review: Now who doesn’t want to be “Forever Young?” But this song isn’t about the “Fountain of Youth”, it’s about the Eternal King, Creator of the Universe who is forever true to His Word (The Holy Bible) and caring about His people (humankind). I love the line about Jesus creating “rivers in my soul.” It’s beautiful on every point: sound, lyrics, tempo, everything!

Song #10: I Stand in Awe (feat. Nicole Serrano)
Rating: 5
Review: Nicole Serrano’s voice is the first sound I heard in this song, and it’s beautiful. Her voice is soulful and deep yet light as air. The way that Tomlin’s voice joins hers first like a backup singer then as an equal results in a breathtaking duet between two professional singers who know what they’re doing—they’ve created a musical masterpiece!

Song #11: Praise Is the Highway
Rating: 4
Review: This song has a powerful message about the power of God to break strongholds and how praise is the highway to the throne and heart of God. I could hear the guitar and drums, which in this case are just as necessary as the lyrics.

Song #12: How Sweet It Is (feat. Pat Barrett)
Rating: 3
Review: I thought that this song was sweet but it’s not my cup of tea. The message, however, is nice because it talks about how sweet it is to be loved by Jesus but I didn’t like the song or Pat Barrett’s singing voice.

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Buy Chris Tomlin's "Holy Roar" CD here, 
https://christomlin.lnk.to/HolyRoarQW

~*~
Hear Chris talk about the idea of his new album "Holy Roar," here.

~*~

Read this message from FlyBy Promotions regarding the giveaway of Chris Tomlin’s CD “Holy Roar”: 

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

~*~
Enter the giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget below for your chance to WIN a copy of "Holy Roar" (CD) by Chris Tomlin: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of a FREE 31-Day Online Bible Study on the Book of Ephesians

My Review of “Worthy of the Calling: A Free 31-Day Online Bible Study with Sarah Koontz”

I love digging deep into God’s Word and “Worthy of the Calling: A Free 31-Day Online Bible Study with Sarah Koontz” was the perfect way to study the Bible book of Ephesians!

Originally, I learned about this Bible study when a friend reached out to me about the author needing readers to join her launch team.

I looked up Sarah’s invite, saw the title for her Bible study and was intrigued. I decided to join her team then and there because I believed that the message was worth my time.

When I sat down to read this Bible study on the book of Ephesians, I felt calm and relaxed. As I kept turning the pages, I felt like I was growing closer to God’s Message.

The author dives deep into God’s Word. She teaches the reader to embrace their God-given destiny, to talk to Him about anything and everything, to share your heart about what God’s done for you and most importantly to believe that you are worthy of the calling He’s placed on your life. Sarah reminds us throughout her study that we are adopted sons and daughters of God. We are His Heir through His Son Jesus Christ. We are His family. It’s wonderful to be reminded in a world that’s obsessed with royalty that we—no matter what our station in life—are adopted into God’s Heavenly Family, which is better than earthly royalty. As God’s children, our royal titles don’t end when we die; they carry on forever because faithful Christ-followers are promised to a life after death, one where they live in God’s Presence for eternity.

Sarah’s study is divided into 31 Days. Each day brings a new message from her heart inspired by God. She uses Day 1 to teach you your identity and privilege as a “faithful saint” and on Day 2, she reminds you that you’re “Chosen by God”. As the days progress, her message goes deeper into God’s Word and exhorts you to not only realize that you are “Worthy of the Calling” but you have a responsibility to share God’s Message with the world.

Beautiful, colorful, and insightful memes decorate every page of this study. The pictures are captivating and the words on it are a call-to-action. The author doesn’t shy away from challenging the reader to see life through a faith-filtered lens.

The reader can tell that the author did her homework before writing this study. Her message is theologically sound and supported by Bible verses. She doesn’t write in paragraphs; she breaks her message down in blocks of two to three sentences on every page throughout this study. It’s a great marketing strategy that’s easy on the eyes.

One of the most memorable sentences in her study is this: “Prayer gives us access to spiritual nourishment—enabling us to battle and behave like believers. But we must shape our prayers in a way that pushes beyond the physical and into the spiritual” (page 16).

I like how the author reminds us that our enemy is NOT humankind; it’s the devil. Because we cannot see the spiritual realm when things happen that upset us and it looks like a person is to blame, more than often it is the evil spiritual force behind that person that is to blame because as the Bible says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Overall, this is a thought-provoking, soul-stirring, mind-uplifting study that will impact your life for the better. I’d give it a five-star rating if it were a book being sold on Amazon.com. But I don’t have to do that because out of this goodness of her heart, the author is giving this Bible study to readers for free!

Sign up for Sarah's free Bible study here, https://www.sarahkoontz.com/worthy/.

*Reviewed by Alexis A. Goring, founder of "God is Love" (blog)

Book Review: Waiting for Wonder by Marlo Schalesky

Waiting on the Lord is Worth It
A book review by Alexis A. Goring

Waiting for Wonder: Learning to Live on God’s Timeline, written by Marlo Schalesky, is a delightful read. 

Schalesky illustrates her points with the Bible story of Sarah and Abraham. The author uncovers what she believes are the behind-the-scenes details about their faith journey concerning God’s promise to give them a son.

The author stresses the importance of the process that God puts us through as we’re waiting. A key quote about this is found on page 152. It reads, “The baby was not the answer to their hurts and flaws, disappointments, despair. He did not make Sarah into the person she was meant to be. It is the journey that did that. It was the God of the wait. It was the God who worked in the wait.”

What a powerful point! See, Waiting for Wonder, is not simply a story about waiting to have a child. It’s about waiting to trust that God’s promises will come true because Sarah was an old woman, way past her childbearing years. So it was highly unlikely by human standards that Sarah would be able to conceive and birth a baby. But throughout this book, Schalesky reminds the reader that God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are above our own. He sees the complete picture and knows how to fulfill His promises to us as He works out the details.

Between telling the story about Abraham and Sarah’s faith journey, the author weaves in a few personal stories from her own life. These stories are relatable, especially to mothers of young children. Each story presents a problem and then shows how God can work out a solution and provide hope to any situation, no matter how hopeless it looks from our finite viewpoint.

As a reader, I got the impression that the author of this book wants to encourage the heart of her readers to embrace the wait and trust God’s perfect timing because He has good plans for us. The author also seeks to remind the reader that the only thing God cannot do is fail. So it is safe to trust Him and believe in His promises because He can do anything!

I think that the closing point from this book is summarized quite clearly in this quote from page 192: “The wait is hard. Sometimes it seemed hopeless. But they waited well. And their faith, their wait, changed the world.”

As a reader, I was inspired and encouraged to wait on the Lord for every desire of my heart. I was reminded of the fact that a steadfast faith in God and patience in waiting for His promises to come true can change my life and the world, for the better.

This book is very deserving of a four-star rating!

*I, Alexis A. Goring, voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book for Litfuse Publicity Group.

~*~
Because God’s timing is so rarely our own and we lose the wonder in the waiting of life, desperation strikes, plans backfire, and we begin to wonder why God does not fill the emptiness. Be encouraged to find strength and hope in Marlo Schalesky's new book, Waiting for Wonder. 

Journey into the heart of God where you will wrestle with personal questions, think deeply about God’s true character, and learn to appreciate His divine work as you discover your own path to the promised land. Recapture your hope, restore your soul, and renew your vision of a wondrous Savior when you learn to live on God’s time.

Learn the true purpose of waiting on God and living on His timeline and enter to win Marlo's giveaway.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• Two copies of Waiting for Wonder (one for you and one to give to a friend)
• A KEEP Collective watch set (with a band and watch)

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on December 23. The winner will be announced December 27 on Marlo's blog.

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