Whitaker House

This book caught my attention because I am very interested in learning about the plants mentioned in the Bible and how they were used. This book does an excellent job of tying the plants themselves, the Biblical references, and the uses altogether. The color pictures in this book bring the book to life. More importantly, I appreciate how there are tips for growing a Biblical garden.

I feel this book would be perfect for picking a plant a day to read about and then study more in-depth both from the Bible and from a gardening perspective. Wanting to grow my own garden, I found this book worth reading.

This book provides a beautiful way to spark one’s imagination between Biblical truths, God’s presence, and growing one’s own garden. So if you are interested in learning more about the plants in the Bible, developing a deeper relationship God the Master Gardener, or want to grow your own Biblically-based garden, check out this book for yourself.

I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.… (más)

Having previously read and reviewed a book about essential oils used in the Bible and their modern applications (“Essential Oils: God’s Extravagant Provision for Your Health” by Teri Secrest), I was eager to further explore the topic of natural health from a Biblical perspective. For reviewing purposes, I was provided with an e-copy of “In the Garden”, and I can only imagine that the hardcover edition is even more delightful.

The organization of “In the Garden” serves to provide maximum ease of use. There are four sections regarding the plants themselves: Trees and Shrubs, Edible Plants, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, and Flowers. A Bible verse begins each entry, which also includes the Latin, Hebrew, and Greek names of the plant being discussed; to many, perhaps, this may be superfluous information, but as someone who loves languages and etymologies, I have to say that I appreciated it. Gorgeous illustrations give readers a clear visual, which really enhances the reading experience. Each plant’s native location and where it was used is also provided, along with how it relates to Biblical use (usually directly connecting it with the preceding Scripture) and modern use. The book also includes two more interactive segments: Growing Your Own Biblically-Inspired Garden and a Calendar of Jewish Festivals and Growing Seasons. This takes the book beyond an ordinary reference manual and invites readers to grow some of the plants mentioned, while backing the connection with the Bible by illuminating the connection between the Jewish festivals and the typical growing seasons.

Not being particularly well-versed in botany, I learned a lot of interesting facts from this book. I did not realize that the palms referenced in Scripture were date palms, nor did I realize that Solomon seems to be largely credited with the bountiful supply of cedar in Jerusalem. I learned how papyrus is made, and that flax has blue blossoms. I also found the possible explanation of why Jesus rejected the vinegar mixed with gall interesting: because of its painkilling properties. My only criticism is that I would have liked more description about the plants as opposed to the brief information that is given. My favorite aspect of the book is how it often relates a plant to one of God’s promises found in the Bible: “In the same way that foreign imports like cinnamon could be used in the most sacred worship of the Lord, so one day foreign nations would join in worshipping the true God, bowing the knee and confessing that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).”

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.… (más)

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the breathtaking pictures in the book. They are captivating and help readers get a glimpse of different items found in a garden. I loved the explanation of the different plants and trees. What really intrigued me was how the book referenced different things found in the Bible such as Juniper. I liked being reminded about Elijah taking refuge under the Juniper tree.
There are many references in the book about plants and trees that can be found in the Bible. This book is very short but is packed with lots of information that would be good to use in a classroom setting for children. It could also be a gift to give to someone who is interested in finding out about the use of different items found in a garden. When I saw the picture of the Crown of Thorns it made me gasp for a minute. What a vivid picture to see that reminded me this could have been what Jesus wore.
I really liked the section about edible plants. These plants are familiar and it was nice to learn more about them. Overall a nice book with intriguing information that inspired me to find uses for the plants and trees and remind myself how they were used in Biblical times.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (más)

The book is a great way to explore The Holy Spirit and delve into different teachings by people. I didn't recognize everyone that contributed to the book, but they each had encouraging words to share with readers. The book is designed to read a section per day, but for the purpose of this review I read the entire book at one setting.

The book helps define who The Holy Spirit is and how he works in our lives. There were times when I would hear teachings about The Holy Spirit at church that made me uncomfortable. It seemed like the pastor would use it as a scare tactic to people who were not speaking in tongues. I finally understood that The Holy Spirit is not to be feared but to be welcomed with excitement. He is there to help us and comfort us, not to condemn us.

I did like the part where it is explained that when you ask for The Holy Spirit it will be given. It was interesting to read how some people were discouraged because they didn't speak in tongues right away. There could be several reasons why this happens such as not believing that we will receive what we pray for. We can have no doubt in our thoughts and trust God to fill us with The Holy Spirit. The book goes on to explain Ten Reasons to Speak in Tongues. I liked how it was broken down and easy to understand.

I did like Day 26 that talked about "Standing in the Gap." Any church i have gone to has always had intercessors. These were people who spent time together in prayer. They would pray for the needs of people in the church, the pastor and whatever else the Holy Spirit laid on their heart. I always appreciated how faithful this group was and how important it was that they were led by The Holy Spirit.

The book has a lot of scriptures that I liked reading and different ways of explaining what The Holy Spirit is. This book may not be for everyone but I really enjoyed it and welcomed the time i spent reading it.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (más)