Praying The Names of God For 52 Weeks Bible Study - Review

 

I debated for months and months whether or not I wanted to add an additional study to my Bible study routine. After a little over two months of studying only the Net Abide Bible, I decided to add the study Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks by Ann Spangler. 

I wanted to make sure that I wasn't overloading myself before committing to adding another study. I have done this in the past and unfortunately, I lost out by not finishing the studies. I was very excited when I found this study while searching out my studies for the new year. So excited in fact that I asked for it as an anniversary present. 

Once I developed my new Bible study habits for the new year, a short morning devotion and a study of three chapters in the Old Testament and three chapters in the New Testament in the evenings with the Abide Bible, I was ready to add this weekly study to my routine. I do my new study once a week on the Sabbath. I am learning a new name every week and I pray that name throughout the week.

I have the KJV Names of God Bible by Ann Spangler that I am using along with this study. I also use this Bible as my Prayer Bible. Unfortunately, this Bible is no longer in print; however, it is available in digital form (at no charge) here at: BibleGateway   Here is my post on my Prayer Bible: Creating a Prayer Bible

In the back of this 52-week study are colorful tear out cards for each week. Each card helps me to memorize the name and the meaning of the name throughout the week. They also help to remind me to pray using the name that I am studying.

I place a new card each week it in a highly visible area. I place my cards on the cabinet above my tea station. This way I see the card first thing every morning. My morning routine is the same most every morning. I start the hot water for my tea before I do anything else. I prepare my teacup with honey and select my tea while I am impatiently waiting for my water to boil. During this wait time I review the card while also learning patience at the same time. 

While this setup works for me it may not work for everyone. Choose a place that works for you. The bathroom mirror is another great place to display the cards because many people get ready in front of their mirror every morning. 

I really like spiral bound books, especially Bible study books and cookbooks. It just makes it so much easier to keep books open while taking notes or mixing up ingredients. My first impression after opening up the book was how much I liked the font size. The larger print is much easier to read than smaller print. 

The next thing that I noticed was the fact that the paper it's printed on seemed thin, and I wondered if it would hold up without tearing. I like to use my studies several times or share them with others. My last concern was for those who write the answers to the questions in the space provided in their study books. I wondered if the ink would bleed through the pages. I do not write in mine, so I can't give an accurate answer to this question; however, I did not find any reviews about either of these concerns, so I am hopeful that these concerns will not become an issue. 

For those who are unaware, the names of God have been removed from almost all Bible translations and replaced with God or Lord. So, if you go to your Bible and see that the actual name of God does not appear and say to yourself "this name does not appear in the Scriptures" this the reason why. I saw some confusion in the reviews about this fact. How can we call on the name of the Lord if we don't know what His name is? 

God is also called by the names of His attributes, and God has an infinite number of attributes. Therefore, His names are also infinite. This is by no means a complete study of all of God's names and attributes. It is however a study of 52 names that include some of the names for God, the Son.

What better way is there to get to know God than through His countless names and attributes in His Word? When we first meet someone, we introduce ourselves. It is the beginning steps to building a relationship is it not? Hey, you or other generic names do not reflect a personal knowledge of someone. 

We distinguish God in the Bible with an upper-case G or L instead of His true name. I wonder who is behind this? Who benefits from removing the Name of God from His Word and out of the mouths of His own children? You guessed right, Satan himself. 

I encourage you to take this journey with me and learn God's names and attributes for a deeper connection to Elohim, Mighty Creator - God.

Mrs. Smith

Preparing for the New Year - Un-Traditional Black-Eyed Peas and Greens

I woke up early this morning to find out that it had snowed.

Snow covered cows taking shelter from the blowing snow.
They all left once the sun rose above the mountains.

Preparing for New Years Day and the New Year...

I started prepping for the new year early this year. I want to start the new year off on a good note. I cooked a pot of black-eyed peas and greens for New Years Day. ✅I'm pretty sure I would be hard pressed to find any mustard greens around here, so I will use cabbage and kale. 

Finding frozen or canned black-eyed peas this time of the year in the past has been impossible. I did find one last bag of old peas one year that took forever to cook. I do not want to make that mistake again. Azure Standard has the best tasting peas that I have ever had. I will have to buy a bigger bag the next time I place an order. I may have to make another pot if I don't stay out of them. They are just delicious, and I haven't even dressed them up them yet. 

This recipe is spot on even at this altitude
which is a bit surprising.

We will also be having beef sausage, fried potatoes, sweet potatoes, greens, salad and cornbread alongside the black-eyed peas. You know, a real southern style fills the table up kind of meal. Maybe I could talk Number One Husband into making his grandmother's baked chocolate pudding. It is a really interesting, sweet desert. I'm sure it was a Great Depression era desert made with milk, eggs, butter, flour, sugar and cocoa. 

Why do we eat black-eyed peas and greens on New Years? 

I know why we eat them, it's because we like them, and we are southerners. It is a tradition of ours that we enjoy. For us, we like to start the new year off by eating healthy. It's kind of like the tradition of eating turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving. Others have superstitious reasons for eating black-eyed peas and greens along with other things. We don't buy into the magic pea theory, nor do we participate in those kinds of traditions. 👀👀👀 

Black-eyed peas cooked with smoked beef bacon fat, salt and pepper. I will add onions,
garlic, tomatoes, peppers and a splash of vinegar and cook them a bit more before serving.

Greens - Cabbage, kale, beef sausage, onions, garlic, salt, pepper, with a pinch of sugar
and a splash of vinegar. We actually had a bowl for a late breakfast along with homemade bread.
I always order beans and greens with cornbread and chow chow at Cracker Barrel.
 It's the best thing on their menu in my opinion.

Last minute prep.

I put some mung beans in a jar to soak for sprouts. I'm not sure if they will be ready on New Years Day, but soon after that we will add them to salads, smoothies, Super Ramen and more. Another healthy choice. ✅

We have started having healthy teas using herbs and spices to boost our immune systems. Even Number One Husband is participating in my hot drink concoctions. He does not drink hot coffee or tea, so this is a tough one for him. ✅

I also prepared some homemade Basic Electrolyte Powdered Drink Mix. You can find my recipe here: Homemade Electrolyte Sports Drink Mix Staying hydrated is so important to keep our bodies functioning properly. It is hard to stay hydrated in this climate and at this altitude. ✅ 

Other preparations...

I spent some time today filing 2024 away. I printed out a new calendar for 2025. ✅ I failed to pick one up the last time I was in town, so I found a printable freebie that is perfect for our needs. And did I mention that it was free? I still need to fill in all of our important dates and times. I usually do this on New Years Day along with the last of the filing. 

Every year I...

I set up my study binder and filed last year's studies/notes away. I spend quite a bit of time throughout the year deciding on next the year's studies. This year I just wasn't sure what to do for 2025. I finally decided this past week. The last week of the year I might add. ✅

After much thought, my final choices for my 2025 Bible study and devotion are Grace for The Moment Devo/Journal and reading through the entire Bible using the Abide Bible. 

"Grace for the Moment Journal." Lucado shares timeless, inspirational thoughts for everyday life. With 365 entries and specific thought-provoking questions, "Grace for the Moment Journal" is ideal for daily reading and writing. Excerpts from his extensive writings, paired with a verse of Scripture, emphasize the help and hope of God in everyday moments. 

I found the devotion book at a thrift store earlier in the year. I ordered the Abide Bible about a week ago after months of going back in forth on the matter in my mind. I found a great price on one and put it on my watchlist and within hours I received an offer, and they accepted my counteroffer. I picked it up from the post office today. ✅ I look forward to reading through the Abide Bible using the features and techniques that were developed by BibleGateway and Taylor University. This will be my main study for the whole year. 

 

• 

Features Include:

• Praying Scripture: Pattern your prayers after biblical texts, personalizing the prayer and gaining language for the thoughts and emotions you want to express.
• Picture It: Place yourself in a biblical narrative as a bystander or participant in important events.
• Journaling: Focus and reflect on Scripture and its meaning for your life, opening yourself to God’s voice as you ponder.
• Engage Through Art: Consider a classic piece of art—photograph, sculpture, painting—and let it deepen your meditations on scriptural truths.
• Contemplate: Follow the church’s longstanding practice of reading, meditating on, praying, and contemplating a passage of Scripture in order to experience God’s presence through the words of the Bible.

• Bible book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read
• 365 Day Bible Reading Plan guiding you through the entire Bible in a year
• Line-matched, single-column Scripture text for improved readability
• Smyth-sewn binding lays flat in your hand or on your desk
• Two satin ribbon markers allow you to easily navigate and keep track of where you were reading
• Easy-to-read 9-point NET Comfort Print

More plans...

On New Years Eve and throughout New Years Day we will celebrate with food and talk about the future. We will talk about our personal goals and our joint plans for the year. We will write them all down on paper and simultaneously forget where we put it. Depending on the weather, we may go for a ride or a walk bit where we will continue our discussions. 

This is how we have celebrated and spent most of the 38 New Years Eves and New Years Days that we have enjoyed together. It may seem boring to most, but I can assure you that it is time well spent.  

Happy New Year,
Mrs. Smith

Word Study KJV Reference Bible - Review

Excerpt taken from Thomas Nelson website:

This Bible’s Topic-by-Topic studies provide a practical framework for understanding scripture along with many additional study helps.

Features include:

• Book introductions
• 2,000 - word studies illuminating the biblical language
• 21 chain-linked topical studies
• Study the Book provides helpful notes for reading each book of the Bible
• Word study indices by Strong’s number, by English word, and by book
• Extensive cross-references drawing connections between texts
• Concordance
• Words of Christ in red
• 16 full-color maps
• Clear and readable 9.5-point KJV Comfort Print®

This is a very nice Bible with a lot of study features. I like to study and learn, so the extra notes and insights are right up my ally. I am just now learning how to use the features offed in this Bible. As I continue to become more proficient using it, I will like it even more.

There are so many different types of Bibles like Study Bibles, Journaling Bibles, Key Word and Word Study Bibles, Devotional Bibles and not to mention countless versions. I like using a Study Bible. Having numerous resources within one Bible is very helpful. I often use several Bibles when studying. I even created my own Prayer Bible for praying Scriptures. Creating a Prayer Bible  

I cherish my Study Bible that Number One Husband gave me some 37 years ago. The binding is worn, and its edges are frayed. Study Bibles have definitely evolved over the years, but the Truth inside never changes.

This Bible has traveled many thousands of miles with us through the years.

I love when Number One Husbands reads aloud to me.

I hope that this review was helpful...

Blessings,

Mrs. Smith

 

Too Busy Not To Pray - Book Review

Book Review

I was fortunate enough to run by the thrift store the other day and check out their very small book section. I actually came home with five books, and this was one of them. I could have come home with even more, but I restrained myself. 

I made it a goal to read this one over the weekend, and I am really glad that I did for several reasons. First, it is a really good book. The biblical insights are encouraging no matter where you are in your prayer life. Second, I unplugged from the electronics and the world. I desperately needed to change the way I spend my time and what I spend it on. And third, I want to be a better human being after reading this book. 

I could go deeper into what the book says, but I won't. I will say that it is not just about being too busy to pray. It covers a multitude of barriers and issues that can hinder our prayer life and our responses to God Himself. 

It can be used as a group study or a personal study. There are study questions in the back of the book to be answered after every chapter. If I were still teaching, I would definitely teach this study.

Shalom,

Mrs. Smith

 

Carla Emery's Old Fashioned Recipe Book - An Encyclopedia Of Country Living

 

This book is a must have for new and old homesteaders alike. I purchased this book used years ago from Thriftbooks . It even has the original note written on the inside. It was a gift to someone's parents in 1984. 

This edition is somewhat collectible and now sells for $50 bucks. I was gifted another edition from a friend of mine a few years back. 

I enjoy reading about new beginnings. This book is so interesting. It has an unbelievable amount of information on just about everything.

It has humble drawings and is written on some sort of craft paper with a green hue.

It includes ideas shared by correspondence to Carla Emery. Back then, writing letters was the only form of communication besides the telephone.

In these pages I found a joyful amount of humor mixed with intelligent ideas and suggestions.

 

This book covers an enormous range of topics from recipes to animal husbandry and a whole lot in the middle...

Evey page delights and educates...

This is one of my favorite books. I encourage you to get a copy. The newer editions are very reasonably priced. You will not regret it. The updated versions offer a lot more advise and cover more topics in depth. The Ninth Edition has 329 more pages. 

Mrs. Smith