A Pocket Guide to the Bible by Scott Hahn Book Review

Book Review

I have always considered myself to be knowledgeable about the Bible. I have attended several Bible study classes throughout the years and felt I have had a good handle on the in's and out's of the Bible. However, Scott Hahn has continued to amaze me with his knowledge. A Pocket Guide to the Bible is a well written booklet that basically is a road map to this great book God has given us.

Scott is able to take his superior knowledge of the Bible and break it down for those, like me ,that don't think on such a high level as he does. He encourages the reader from the start to realize that the Bible is "not a dead letter, but a person: the 'Word of God . . . living and active." (Heb 4:12).

He breaks down the Bible so that the reader can understand why there is an Old Testament and a New Testament. He explains terminology throughout the book so that the reader understands just actually what the words mean and how it relates to God. For example, he explains that testament is an English translation of the Greek word diatheke, which means "covenant." With this knowledge, a beginner to the Bible can easily see that these sections are the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Thus, a better understanding of the Bible has begun for the reader.

He explains that each Testament is broken down into types: law, history, wisdom, and prophecy. He also informs his readers that the books of the Bible are not in chronological order, but according to type. He states,"Once you know the broad organization, you'll be surprised how quickly you can find just about anything you're looking for." He is right. After putting his remark to the test, I have to say that it is much easier to put my finger in the right place when I open up my Bible.

He goes on to discuss the many people who wrote the Bible and emphasizes that the books of the Bible may have been written by man, but they were inspired by God. He states,"Inspiration means more than just God's help, approval, or agreement. It means God's authority, his authorship."

He also gives a the main idea of individual books of the Bible; thus, helping the reader have a more clear idea on what they will be reading. He points out to his readers," The whole Bible is really the story of God leading His people back to Him."

Another wonderful thing about this book, it explains to the reader that there is a difference between a Catholic Bible and a Protestant Bible. Some of you may ask why I would mention this, but there are many Catholics out there who don't realize that we have seven more books. It also explains why there is the difference. This pocket guide is helpful to the reader no matter what level of Bible understanding he/her may be at. I was delighted to read this book and once again, learn from Scott Hahn.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on A Pocket Guide to the Bible.

Please keep my Aunt Frankie in your prayers!

Cast Your Burdens on the Lord
Cast your burden on the Lord, Only lean upon his Word; You will soon have cause to bless His eternal faithfulness. He sustains you by his hand, He enables you to stand; Those who Jesus once has loved From his grace are never moved.
Hymn by Anon

Please keep my Aunt Frankie in your prayers. She has arthritis in her knee which causes her great pain. Living with chronic pain can cause a disruption in one's life and limit them on what they can and cannot do.

I pray that Aunt Frankie will "cast her burden" of pain to the Lord and trust that He will help her as she bears her cross.

Thank you to my cousin, Cathy for bringing me this prayer request.

Blessed be God forever!!!!!!

Doing what is right!!!!!!!

If you continue to what's right, what's wrong and who's wrong will eventually leave your life.

---David Blunt
I have decided today that I will use more wisely my most valuable resource, my time. I will spend less useless time worrying to preserve this resource to spend on the things that matter most: loving my family, my friends, and my neighbor.
I am going to stop worrying about who is right or wrong and just settle for what I feel is right for my life and for my family.
I will no longer let others to influence what I think is right and continue to do what I think is right even if it may cost me friendships within my family or circle of friends.
Having people who are negative in my life tends to lead me down the negative path as well.
Today, my time will be spent being positive and seeing only the good and only doing the right thing.
Blessed be God forever!

A Pocket Guide to the Bible By Scott Hahn Book Review

I have always considered myself to be knowledgeable about the Bible. I have attended several Bible study classes throughout the years and felt I have had a good handle on the in's and out's of the Bible. However, Scott Hahn has continued to amaze me with his knowledge. A Pocket Guide to the Bible is a well written booklet that basically is a road map to this great book God has given us.



Scott is able to take his superior knowledge of the Bible and break it down for those, like me ,that don't think on such a high level as he does. He encourages the reader from the start to realize that the Bible is "not a dead letter, but a person: the 'Word of God . . . living and active." (Heb 4:12).



He breaks down the Bible so that the reader can understand why there is an Old Testament and a New Testament. He explains terminology throughout the book so that the reader understands just actually what the words mean and how it relates to God. For example, he explains that testament is an English translation of the Greek word diatheke, which means "covenant." With this knowledge, a beginner to the Bible can easily see that these sections are the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Thus, a better understanding of the Bible has begun for them.



He explains that each Testament is broken down into types: law, history, wisdom, and prophecy. He also informs his readers that the books of the Bible are not in chronological order, but according to type. He states,"Once you know the broad organization, you'll be surprised how quickly you can find just about anything you're looking for." He is right. After putting his remark to the test, I have to say that it is much easier to put my finger in the right place when I open up my Bible.



He goes on to discuss the many people who wrote the Bible and emphasizes that the books of the Bible may have been written by man, but they were inspired by God. He states,"Inspiration means more than just God's help, approval, or agreement. It means God's authority, his authorship."

He also gives a the main idea of individual books of the Bible; thus, helping the reader have a more clear idea on what they will be reading. He points out to his readers," The whole Bible is really the story of God leading His people back to Him."

Another wonderful thing about this book, it explains to the reader that there is a difference between a Catholic Bible and a Protestant Bible. Some of you may ask why I would mention this, but there are many Catholics out there who don't realize that we have seven more books. It also explains the why there is the difference.

This pocket guide is helpful to the reader no matter what level of Bible understanding he/her may be at. I was delighted to read this book and once again, learn from Scott Hahn.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on A Pocket Guide to the Bible.

Courage

Life only demands from you the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible

-not to have run away.

Dag Hammarskjold

Markings

I have learned in the past few weeks the strength of several people I know. I have seen some of these people be very strong and I have seen some of these people shrink into the corner. I think in order to have strength one must have hope. In order to have hope, you MUST have faith that God is in control. Without God, nothing is possible. He gives us strength when we turn to Him and by turning to Him we show that we have hope in Him.

What more could we ask for?

Blessed be God Forever!

Melissa's Funeral Mass

Melissa's Funeral Mass was absolutely beautiful this morning.

The Church was filled with sunflowers and many, many people (young and old) who loved Melissa.

My sons, Thomas & Joseph, served the Mass while I was asked to read the Second Reading.

I have been contemplating returning to being a lecture and perhaps this was God's way of saying it was time.

I am now on my way to the luncheon.

Blessed be God Forever and ever!

Loving God

God did not tell us to follow him because He needed our help, but because He knew that loving Him would make us whole.

---St. Irenaeus

What a beautiful thing to do!!

#links



I saw this on View from the Pews. Marie, you are an awesome person and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting this. God bless you greatly for your love to others. You have been such a supportive and loving blogger friend!

Please take the link to Marie's site and see what she has put on there for Melissa!

Blessed be God Forever!

In Memory of Melissa

Melissa loved Sunflowers. I know at the funeral home for the visitation and at the Church there will be lots and lots of Sunflowers. Today, I remember Melissa and her courageous battle with the pictures of these Sunflowers. May you be enjoying all many, many sunflowers now Melissa!

Blessed be God Forever!

Difficulty with a person

If you are having difficulty loving or relating to an individual, take him/her to God. Bother the Lord with this person. Don't you be bothered with him/her-leave him/her at the throne.

--Charles (Chuck) Swindoll

I read these words this morning and realized that this was God meant for me to read today.

I am going to put this in practice as of now and then pray, pray, pray for those people that give me difficulty. I will also pray that if it is I that is bringing about the difficulty that God will reveal this to me so that I may change to make the situation better and become a better person for it.

I will also pray today for all of you who may have a difficult person or persons in your life.

God is Good!

Blessed Be God Forever!

Don't forget your rosary today!