The New Year seemed like a good time to get a new Bible. I've had my NIV Bible for about 12 years, and I felt like a new version might provide extra motivation to complete my Bible Recap study for 2023.
I browsed through lots of Bibles at Mardel. If you don't have this store, it is a large Christian store owned by Hobby Lobby. They carry some home decor items, t-shirts, educational supplies, Bibles and books. As I looked around, my favorite style was the She Reads Truth Bible.
However, they did not have the color (black) or indexed style I wanted, so I ordered on Amazon. I did purchase a new notebook and the Bible Recap guidebook at Mardel, since I like to support their business. I also took my Amazon-ordered Bible back to Mardel to have my name imprinted on the front. This is free if you buy the Bible there, and $10 if you bring in your own Bible.
I have always used the NIV Bible translation, and I was looking for something different this time. I decided on either the CSB or the ESV, since many churches, pastors, and authors use this translation. You can see on the chart above that they are more of a literal word-for-word translation.
By the way, have you ever read the Message translation? It can be really eye-opening to see the verses in more everyday language. Sometimes I like looking things up in the Message just to get a different way of thinking about God's Word. You can use the Bible app to read in any of the versions.
Here are some features I like about the She Reads Truth Bible. For each book of the Bible, there is an art page like the one above. It is word art from a verse in that book of the Bible. I love the style!
It has wide margins for notes. The type is an 8.5 size, but it feels larger because of the font. It is easy for me to read (with my readers of course.)
Each book begins with a reading plan. Many of them also have maps, timelines or other info.
The books of the Bible are color coded by genre.
Each book has a key verse at the beginning, and this is what is used in the word art. At the end of the Bible, you can see a complete list of these verses. There are also devotions sprinkled throughout the Bible. I have read a few of them, and they point straight back to God's Word.
I am already really enjoying my new Bible with all of its unique features. I will always keep my other Bible and use it occasionally too. I have so many notes and dates written in the old one, and it is a treasure to me. But the new one is giving me a fresh start for 2023!
Here's the information if you want to check it out on Amazon:
My specific Bible - She Reads Truth Black Indexed
All the She Reads Truth Bibles
Do you have a Bible?
What translation do you prefer?
It looks like a beautiful and such a functional bible- thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhenever I get a new Bible, I save the older ones for my future grandkids. I mark them up, write in people's names where I'm praying scripture over them, and take notes in my Bible. I thought they might be treasures for my future grand kids to have and read.
ReplyDeleteI'm so picky about my bibles & when I get a new one, it takes me a bit to settle into it - I always put so many notes & highlights in it - its strange, but exciting to start in a fresh new one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. I just downloaded the CSB version to my Bible app. I like to read verses in different translations as well. My current bible is ESV, but my older bible is NIV, which is the one I have so many notes in and use for any study. I will have to look at the She Reads Truth Bible next time I am in a store.
ReplyDeleteI had an NIV study Bible and I never seemed to use it. But then I got the John MacArthur ESV study Bible for Christmas a few years ago and it's a good one. My cousin also got me The Bible Recap book at the end of 2020 when we both finished the year with TBR. But mostly, I listen to ESV version from my phone these days lol.
ReplyDeleteThis is my preferred Bible and translation as well! I love this Bible so much, that I'm on my second one. Did you know they also have a He Reads Truth Bible now as well? I bought one of the hardback ones when these first came out, so that one is gray with a linen cover. The one I have now is called "rose gold", but it's more like a blush pink in the leather touch. I won it at a women's event in 2020! CSB is the most readable and accurate translation of the Bible to date. When I study to write our Bible studies, this is what I use, because it's closest to the original language. I don't see myself changing anytime soon! Don't you just love a new Bible? I do!
ReplyDeleteOh I really love this Bible. I love the wide margins so you can take notes or doodle or whatever comes to mind while you're studying. I've been wanting to do the read the Bible in a year study, but I've never jumped on board. I might make that a goal for next year.
ReplyDeleteI have been needing to order a new one since giving my last one to Riley.....The bible recap was definitely one of my fave things I ever did and I really need to do it again. I bought the book but on my kindle and really think I would have been better served with a hard copy
ReplyDeleteI bet it feels great to start out the new year with a new Bible. Those features sound so nice for a fresh look at the Bible. I don't love the Bible I'm currently using and would love to get a new one.
ReplyDeleteLove your new bible!! I love the NIV version too!
ReplyDeleteYou found a great one! I love the wider margins.
ReplyDeleteI also have a she reads truth bible. I wish there was a Mardel store near me to get my name on the book
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