Bible and Breakfast

I recently finished reading the new book Bible and Breakfast: 31 Mornings with Jesus--Feeding out Bodies and Soul Together by Asheritah Ciuciu. The title caught my eye as one of my goals as we started this school year was to have a homemade breakfast as a family every morning. Let's say we didn't get much further than the first few weeks although we still have something homemade every once in a while. Back to Bible and Breakfast, Ciuciu does a great job of providing a variety of breakfast recipes but the Bible aspect is definitely the selling point. For each day she includes two devotions. The first she calls a "snack" which is a quick devotional. The second she calls a "feast" which is more of a full-on Bible study. In these studies, Ciuciu has readers using several different parts of the Bible, has questions to think about, models different Bible study methods, and encourages a variety of prayer prompts. There is a lot of good content here that is not just a Bible study but teaches individuals how to study the Bible. Each "snack" and "feast" is interesting, but I did not discern a topical theme that goes throughout the entire month of studies.

The idea of Bible and Breakfast is great. I really like the two devotions per day format as I can see someone reading the "snack" in the morning and then completing the "feast" later in the day during nap time. I also liked that although the tags line is "31 mornings with Jesus" the book could really be used for two months or if you skip weekends, even longer. I think the target audience for this book is young moms or moms who are at home, are self-employed, or otherwise have schedule where they don't have to be in the office at 8. As such, this book is a great option for Christmas presents for the women in your life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Bible and Breakfast via NetGalley from Moody Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.

New Take on The Lord's Prayer

Many individuals are familiar with the Lord's Prayer and memorized it ages ago. Different church traditions vary on the frequency and extent that it is used. However, often times because it is used frequently in a variety of situations and because you may have memorized it as a child, the Lord's Prayer may be just words instead of a meaningful example of how to pray. The new book May It Be So: Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer by Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson sets out to change that.

May It Be So provides devotional thoughts related to each phrase of the Lord's Prayer. The sections are a bit longer, but not too long that they can't be read at one time. These 7 sections provide marvelous information on the Lord's Prayer and suggestions on how to plumb the phrase to its full extent. Some readers may be wondering how these 7 sections on phrases form 40 days with the Lord's Prayer. In between each longer section, there are numerous quotes and images that relate to the phrases. These quotes, which the author calls guided prayers, and the images are designed to be contemplated and to inspire prayer as well. While the longer sections are wonderful, the images and guided prayers are extremely thought-provoking. Although only a line or two, these guided prayers are meaty and designed to be chewed on and deeply considered.

This book provides a wonderful devotional resource to use on its own or in conjunction with other Bible reading. As it provides 40 days of reflections, it would fit well as Lenten reading but would be marvelous for use during Ordinary Time over the summer months or in the time period between now and Advent. As it is only a 40 day resource, this book could be pulled out numerous times and continue to provide spiritual nourishment. Highly recommended as a resource for yourself or as a gift for others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received May It Be So via NetGalley from Waterbrook. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.

Where Is Your Hope?

During the current election year, I'm reminded of the hymn "My Hope is Built."

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus and his righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

I'm reminded that as believers our hope must be firmly placed on Christ and built on what He has done for us. Humankind has accomplished many things, but none of them measure up to the ultimate sacrifice made by Christ. Too often, we place our hope on the right political leader, right educational qualifications, or whatever "right" set of circumstances come we feel are needed to accomplish the task at hand. While I long and pray for peace in the world and in our country, I know that peace can only be found through Christ. No matter who wins the presidential nominations, the election in November or anything else that may seem important, build your hope on Christ.