Tracesoffaith

Essential Mythbusters #5 – Oil people hate modern medicine

March 13, 2024

Mythbusters #5 – OIL PEOPLE HATE MODERN MEDICINE

I cannot speak for everyone who uses essential oils, but I don’t hate modern medicine. I think we can forget its place. A few weeks ago, I asked Twitter what came to mind when they heard the term, “natural health.” Twitter loves questions like this. Here are a few responses:

“People who create a false dichotomy and assume 'natural' as an alternative to contemporary medicine.”

“'There’s an oil for that’ slogans on FB posts and being told the opposite of natural health products/care is toxic and deadly.”

“Pathological fear of disease and pharmaceuticals.”

“Tried and true tonic, elixirs, and teas that were used before modern western medicine.”

Let’s take the weird out of essential oils, shall we. The term natural health can have all kinds of connotations, but as in all things, we seek the truth behind the hype, the media, the “I know this one person.”

We’ve all been there—a point of frustration with the healthcare system, paying copays, urgent care versus emergency room versus virtual visit, overprescribed medication, money, money, money.

Here’s what I appreciate about doTerra and my continuing knowledge of supplements and essential oils. We have options. The medicine we do need has all-natural partners that offer both alternative and additional support to our bodies. It’s empowering to know my options.

Check out the article about St. Elizabeth Cancer Center in Kentucky. They offer an integrative approach to the care they offer their patients, including doTerra essential oils.

Envision this with me; a better understanding of how essential oil fits in our overall best healthcare practices, and a lifelong partnership between modern medicine and (a proper approach to) natural health.

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Traci Rhoades is a wellness advocate for doTERRA. Email me about how to get a wholesale account free of charge, good for 25% off our products.

doTERRA is a Latin derivative, meaning “gift of the earth.” From the beginning, the mission of doTERRA has been to share the highest-quality essential oils with the world. Having seen the incredible benefits of using these precious resources, a group of healthcare and business professionals set out to make that mission a reality in 2008. Today, they are a privately owned, debt-free 2+ billion dollar company.
Essential Mythbusters #4 – Essential oils don’t work

March 13, 2024

Mythbuster #4 – ESSENTIAL OILS DON'T WORK

First, a solid definition of essential oils from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences:

“Essential oils, which are obtained through mechanical pressing or distillation, are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor of their source. Each essential oil has a unique composition of chemicals, and this variation affects the smell, absorption, and effects on the body.”

So, in a nutshell, or in this case, in a lemon peel, what do essential oils do for our bodies? Remember chemistry class? I do, but barely. From a doTerra article, “Essential Oil Cellular Activity:”

“Essential oils are active at the cellular level of our bodies. Better said, essential oils affect the biochemistry of our cells."

Here’s a list of benefits essential oils may help with: inflammation, mood, sleep, relaxation, gut health, headaches, nausea, cramps, muscle pain, fungal infections, respiratory and metabolic support. An essential oil goes far beyond surface level work.

If you'd like to look up just one to learn a little more, check out frankincense oil (yes, the stuff the wise men brought to Jesus). It's considered the "king of oils," and wow, does it do some great work at the cellular level. Pretty exciting stuff.

Do essential oils actually work? Yes. Much of what an essential oil does in our body is considered preventative care. We should keep in mind, too, sometimes the work they’re doing may not show itself at a surface level, and a body might need additional support with further medical treatment of some kind. We’re not so much looking for a miracle cure, we’re looking to support our body naturally, in partnership with all other components of healthy living (ie. nutritional diet, movement, medical consultation).

For those times an oil might not have worked, there could be a couple reasons. Perhaps the amount used, or the amount of times it was used, wasn’t adequate for treatment. Remember, our bodies all react differently because we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139).

By now this might not come as a surprise, but it could be the oil used was an inferior product. If the oil marked “pure” also has additives mixed in, the actual oil you’re getting might be rather insignificant, or it might not be that pure in the first place.

If you'd like to hear stories about oils doing good work, our doTERRA team has a customer FB page. It's for anyone, and people share stories about the products they use all the time: Live Well. Live Free. Live Naturally.

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Traci Rhoades is a wellness advocate for doTERRA. Email me about how to get a wholesale account free of charge, good for 25% off our products.

doTERRA is a Latin derivative, meaning “gift of the earth.” From the beginning, the mission of doTERRA has been to share the highest-quality essential oils with the world. Having seen the incredible benefits of using these precious resources, a group of healthcare and business professionals set out to make that mission a reality in 2008. Today, they are a privately owned, debt-free 2+ billion dollar company.
Essential Mythbusters #3 – I’m allergic to essential oils

March 13, 2024

Mythbuster #3 – I'M ALLERGIC TO ESSENTIAL OILS

Well, maybe sort of, for some people. There's a lot of misunderstanding behind this one, though. Many of the negative reactions can be resolved by moderate usage, dilution (see below), using less drops of oil in a diffuser, or distancing oneself from the direct line of the steam. Here are a few bulleted points to educate further:

· Please make sure the essential oil you're using is pure. The essential oil industry is not regulated by the FDA, so false claims are made, and there are studies to prove it. doTerra backs their oils with science and works directly with product sources in the plant's indigenous environment. Smell one bottle of our oil, and you know it's what it says is in there, no more and no less. Often, the reactions people experience are from using a lesser quality product, from additives it contains.

· If you have a known allergy to a certain fruit or plant, its essential oil won't likely cause the same allergic reaction. One common example are those individuals who avoid eating grapefruit due to taking certain medications. Oils come from the peel, which doesn't contain the same molecules as the juice. It's always wise to work with your doctor when considering allergic reactions.

ᐧ Some oils are "photosensitive"or "phototoxic," meaning skin irritation or a burning/itching sensation can occur where the oils where applied topically. This can largely be avoided by applying the oil 12 hours prior to exposure to UV sun rays. Examples include: Citrus essential oils such as lemon, lime, orange, and bergamot. Also laurel leaf.

· For those with extra-sensitive skin, for toddlers and babies, and for those oils known as "hot oils" (ie. cinnamon bark, clove, lemongrass, oregano, black pepper, ginger, and thyme), dilution of oils with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil is recommended. The dilution to essential oil ratio varies. Work with both your doctor and wellness advocate for further direction. If there's a skin irritation, it's likely because the oil isn't diluted enough for that individual.

· Asthmatics should exercise caution when inhaling essential oils through a diffuser or topical application. Again, regulated amounts make a big difference here.

To read more on this topic: Essential Oil Safety Guide

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Traci Rhoades is a wellness advocate for doTERRA. Email me about how to get a wholesale account free of charge, good for 25% off our products.

doTERRA is a Latin derivative, meaning “gift of the earth.” From the beginning, the mission of doTERRA has been to share the highest-quality essential oils with the world. Having seen the incredible benefits of using these precious resources, a group of healthcare and business professionals set out to make that mission a reality in 2008. Today, they are a privately owned, debt-free 2+ billion dollar company.
Essential Mythbusters #2 – It’s never safe to ingest essential oils

March 13, 2024

Mythbusters #2 – IT'S NEVER SAFE TO INGEST ESSENTIAL OILS

Now, before I began using essential oils in my homes, I didn't know much about them. I'll admit that. I wasn't opposed, just didn't think I needed them, and they were something for other people. I couldn't imagine ingesting them.

Then Covid hit, and the grocery store shelves went empty. I had a recipe that called for orange extract, and there was none. So, my chef friend suggested I go to the "oil aisle" and use orange essential oil. So I did. Today, because I know more, I would never recommend buying an essential oil from a grocery store, but then, I did it and learned essential oil can be used in baking and cooking.

Now, if I can bake and cook with it, why on earth couldn't I put it in my water for drinking?

Can we safely ingest some essential oils? We already do friends, we already do.

From doTerra’s ebook: "Internal Use of Essential Oils:"

“If you take a peppermint leaf and crush it between your fingers, you’ll instantly smell the minty aroma of peppermint. That’s because a small amount of essential oil was released. Or say you’re in the kitchen zesting a lemon. As you grate the lemon peel, microscopic particles of essential oil are released, and you smell the lovely scent of the lemon. And when you add that lemon zest or peppermint leaf to a recipe, you’re consuming those tiny amounts of essential oil.”

So now my family takes certain oils internally. Lemon oil is an example, as it invigorates, offers natural electrolytes (with way less sugar or sugar substitute than other electrolyte drinks), and among other helpful qualities, it tastes good. doTerra has a Certified Pure Tested Grade (CPTG), one they created because oils are not federally regulated. Their "pure" means "pure," and I trust that. They also put an ingredient label on the bottles of oils that can be ingested, with a note that says "can be taken internally."

Absolutely know what you're putting in your body (that includes preservatives in food, the particulars of medicine, and hopefully only PURE essential oils) because that's good practice in general.

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Traci Rhoades is a wellness advocate for doTERRA. Email me about how to get a wholesale account free of charge, good for 25% off our products.

doTERRA is a Latin derivative, meaning “gift of the earth.” From the beginning, the mission of doTERRA has been to share the highest-quality essential oils with the world. Having seen the incredible benefits of using these precious resources, a group of healthcare and business professionals set out to make that mission a reality in 2008. Today, they are a privately owned, debt-free 2+ billion dollar company.
Essential Mythbusters #1 – EOs are dangerous for pets

March 13, 2024

#1 ESSENTIAL OILS ARE DANGEROUS FOR PETS:

This blanket statement is simply not true. Actually, blanket statements in general, buh bye. First, let me introduce you to Essential Oil Vet – Janet Roark, DVM. As with many things, I’ll usually send you to the experts when it comes to mythbusters. She’s great on social media, but also has lots of clinics and a website to educate pet owners and their friends. Definitely check in with your own vet with questions, too.

But here’s some basic info to get you started:

– Use tested, pure oils (for me, that’s only doTerra).

– Animals do have a higher sensitivity to essential oils than humans. Dilution of oils is recommended.

– Don’t give your pets oils internally.

– Have your pets smell an oil before applying it or diffusing it nears them. As a general rule, if they turn their nose away, do not apply it. If they seem curious about the smell, it’s not sending off alerts to their natural senses.

– Diffuse the recommended amount of oil/water ratio for the recommended periods of time, and keep the diffuser out of reach of pets. Make sure they can leave the room if the smell gets overwhelming, or turn off the diffuser at that point.

– Any plant known to be topic to a pet should be avoided in oil form as well (ie. eucalyptus and cats).

– Speaking of cats, exercise caution with tea tree, for it can be toxic but only if you use WAY too much of it. Limit citrus oils on cats as well.

– Avoid using high-phenol oils (ie. oregano, wintergreen, clove, basil, cinnamon, cassia and thyme) topically on pets.

– Pay attention to your pet’s behavior and body language when using a diffuser. Most pets don’t seem to mind. Consulting your vet if you’re unsure.

– With birds, essential oils are not recommended, although a high-quality diffuser with a water/oil combo should be OK.

As I mentioned, this is the tip of the iceberg. With permission, a team member of mine also has a post on the safety of essential oils for pets. I especially liked her acronym for introducing oils to pets – S-L-O-W-L-Y. Thanks Sue! https://www.facebook.com/sue.namedof/posts/pfbid0nazkQn1RBRa9dcyZfCPjaGqNWK5NHfcY5HrzEPHKU1WSvUQBW3bzshXd2QXT5fbDl

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Traci Rhoades is a wellness advocate for doTERRA. Email me about how to get a wholesale account free of charge, good for 25% off our products.

doTERRA is a Latin derivative, meaning “gift of the earth.” From the beginning, the mission of doTERRA has been to share the highest-quality essential oils with the world. Having seen the incredible benefits of using these precious resources, a group of healthcare and business professionals set out to make that mission a reality in 2008. Today, they are a privately owned, debt-free 2+ billion dollar company.
A Review of the Timeless Truths Bible (NET)

February 7, 2024
When I think of the New English Translation (NET), the first word that comes to mind is research. I purchased my first NET Bible several years back, it was new at the time. I bought it for the notes. If you'd like to nerd out on the philosophy used in developing this translation, read more here. This version, Timeless Truths, is also full of notes, not from the team of translators, but rather compiled by editors. This Bible takes a reader through church history.

Thus the subtitle: One Faith. Handed Down. For All The Saints.

The notes in this particular Bible are about the work I've undertaken for ten years now, wandering among the hallowed halls of the capital-C Church. On almost every page of Scripture, the editors at Thomas Nelson have compiled commentary notes from a wide variety of brothers and sisters in Christ. Some names will be more readily recognizable (Origen, Charles Spurgeon, Augustine, John Calvin), while others are worth learning more about (Catherina Regina Von Greiffenberg, Erasmus, Venerable Bede).

Scattered throughout the holy scripture, readers get an overview of various creeds and confessions (nine in total) that set forth foundational truths among the faithful as well. The full documents (or in some cases excerpts) follow the explanation. There are also 46(!) biographies of significant people involved with various church movements.

Here are a few other features:
- Sixteen pages of full-color artwork
- 9 pt. Comfort Print (Thomas Nelson exclusive) font
- Book introductions for each book
- Single Column format
- Available in hardcover or leathersoft covers
Truly an excellent way to dip one's toes into the waters of history (what a baptismal that is), dispersed among a Bible that's highly readable, both in translation and page layout.

Here's a link to purchase the Timeless Truths Bible.
The Old Testament Handbook – A Review

November 25, 2023
BH Publishing comes from a long line of trusted sources of scripture and scriptural resources. Here's a brief timeline:

1738 – Christopher Sauer started a publishing company in Philadelphia. A German native, he printed the first American hymnals for the Mennonites, Amish, Moravians, German Baptists, and Lutherans.

1743 – Sauer Bible was the first European-language Bible printed in America.

1839 – Andrew Jackson Holman became plant superintendent at Sauer's company.

1869 – Holman buys out Sauer family, founding A.J. Holman & Company.

1961 – J.B. Lippincott & Company purchased the Bible publishing company.

1977 – Harper & Row acquired J.B. Lippincott & Company.

1979 – Southern Baptist Convention Sunday School Board (founded in 1891) acquired A.J. Holman from J.B. Lippincott & Co (now subsidiaries of Harper & Row).

1993 – Holman Bible Company and Broadman Press (SBC's publishing house) merged to form Broadman & Holman (B&H).

1998 – Sunday school board changed its name to Lifeway Christian Resources.

2004 – Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) is published (NT was released in 1999). Its translation team included 100 Bible scholars from 17 denominations.

2014 – B&H became a subsidiary of Lifeway.

2017 – Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is released, based on feedback from those who used the HCSB.

They've been doing this Bible business a long time.

Their newest offering, The Old Testament Handbook, is both gorgeous and full of valued information for teachers, seminarians, pastors, and anyone interested in biblical scholarship.

From the publisher, here are some features of this guide:
- High-quality, foil-stamped cloth cover materials and Smyth-sewn binding meant to last a lifetime
- Elegant full-color interior design, including maps, charts, illustrations, and other visual helps for every book of the Old Testament
- More than 75 in-depth word studies of keywords found in each Old Testament book
- Ribbon marker for easy referencing between pages during study, teaching, or sharing
The book is broken down by the book so the Old Testament. I'm currently teaching on the lives of Elijah and Elisha, and there in the section on 1-2 Kings, there's a chart that shows the works and miracles of both prophets, with New Testament references to similar miracles that Jesus did, and mentions of Elijah in the gospels. Also a chart that shows connections between Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist and Joshua, Elisha, Jesus. This book would be a tremendous resource for any book you're spending time on in the Old Testament. Yes, according to the website, a New Testament Handbook is coming soon. What an excellent addition to your Bible reference collection. A true keepsake.

You can enter to win your own copy of this new handbook! Contest runs through December 7, 2023. Here's the link.
A Review of the Student Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

June 27, 2023
If you'll allow me two quick stories, then we'll dive into the features of this Student Life Application Study Bible (there are many).

First, I began reading through the Bible chronologically in a year in 2015, and it's become a daily practice. It all started with a woman from Bible study who started a year ahead of me, and kept talking about how she enjoyed it. I found a copy of the Chronological Bible in the New Living Translation at a garage sale, and joined her. We read it with a group of people online, and the NLT has been a great translation for Bible readers at all levels.

Second, I have a daughter who's in the age range for a student Bible. She went to a youth camp last summer, and on our way home, she asked if she could get a new Bible. We'd appreciated the kid Bibles she used that were age-appropriate, often including pictures, charts, and sidebars. What a joy for this mama to help her daughter find a Bible that would take her study of scripture to the next level.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

The Student Life Application Study Bible brings both of these stories together in a meaningful way. Let's look more closely at the translation. It took ninety respected Bible scholars seven years to complete the New Living Translation. A revision of the popular Living Bible, it was first released in July 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers. It's written at a 6th grade reading level (or 11+ years). Their Life Application Study Bible (for adults) remains one of the best-selling study Bibles today.

This particular Bible comes in a sturdy gift box, and matches the teal color of the "Leatherlike" cover. There are five other options to choose from, including a green hardcover and softcover, and charcoal featherlike with or without reference tabs. In addition to the myriad of charts, notes, maps, book overviews, and character snapshots, this Bible is equipped with access to the Filament Bible App. Here are some specific features:
- 8.25 font on paper of decent thickness
- 27,000+ study notes (combined with app)
- Timeline of Bible events and world events
- "The Bible's Big Story" in the back that highlights narrative themes
- 81 biographical summaries of men and women in the Bible
- 137 full-color pictures illustrating objects and places
- 59 Q/A about basic Christianity
- 316 maps, charts, and infographics throughout
This study Bible is full, and with the downloadable app, an amazing resource. Every page was assembled with a young student of the Bible in mind. I highly recommend this Bible for a student growing in their faith.

Enter to win this Bible for FREE at freebies.com by clicking on the "enter." Contest ends July 14th, 2023.
Commentary-ish Narrative Books on the Bible

June 26, 2023

These aren't your typical commentary books. I compiled a list of books to read as companions with books of the Bible. They might include narrative or context or citations, but not in an overly scholarly way. I hope you find this list helpful. You'll notice a few blanks. If you know of books that fit this category, feel free to reach out.

Whole Bible – The Book of God (Walter Wangerin Jr)

Old Testament – The Christ Key: Unlocking the Centrality of Christ in the Old Testament (Chad Bird)

Old Testament

Genesis – The Genesis Trilogy (Madeleine L’Engle), Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters (Carmen Joy Imes)

Exodus – The Tender Commandments (Ron Mehl), Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us About Women (Kelley Nikondeha), One in a Million (Priscilla Shirer), Fire by Night: Finding God in the Pages of the Old Testament (Melissa Florer-Bixler), Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters (Carmen Joy Imes)

Leviticus – Leviticus as Literature (Mary Douglas)

Numbers – Out of Step With God: Orthodox Christian Reflection on the Book of Numbers (Patrick Henry Reardon)

Deuteronomy – The Rational Bible: God, Blessings, and Church (Dennis Prager)

Joshua – Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua (Barb Roose)

Judges – Hearts of Iron: Feet of Clay: Practical and Contemporary Lessons from the Book of Judges (Gary Inrig); There Are No Strong People (Jeff Lucas)

Ruth – Gospel of Ruth (Carolyn Curtis James), Finding God in the Margins (Carolyn Custis James)

Samuel – Men Behaving Badly (John Goldingjay); The Making of a Man of God (by Alan Redpath)

Kings – King David and the Kings of Israel: Lessons from Their Lives by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen

Chronicles – Chronicles of History and Worship (Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon)

Ezra/Nehemiah – A Great Work: A Conversation With Nehemiah For People (Who Want To Be) Doing Great Works (Jon C Swanson); Nehemiah For You: Strength to Build for God (Eric Mason)

Esther – Faith Among the Faithless (Mike Cosper)

Job – The Trial of Job (Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon), The Stars Beneath Us (Paul Wallace), Answer to Job (C.G. Jung)

Psalms – Christ in the Psalms (Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon), Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life (W. David O. Taylor), A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (Psalms of Ascent), Praying the Psalms (Walter Brueggemann), Reflections on the Psalms (CS Lewis), Finding Jesus in the Psalms: A Lenten Journey (Barb Roose)

Proverbs – The book of Proverbs in Social and Theological Context by Katharine J. Dell

Ecclesiastes – Recovering Eden: The Gospel According to Ecclesiastes (Zack Swine)

Song of Songs – The Sexual Reformation: Restoring the Dignity and Personhood of Man and Woman (Aimee Byrd)

Isaiah – The Prophecy of Isaiah (J. Alec Motyer), Stump Kingdom (Dale Ralph Davis)

Jeremiah – Run With the Horses (Eugene Peterson)

Lamentations – Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times (Soong-Chan Rah)

Ezekiel

Daniel – Daniel: Servant of God Under Four Kings (Geoff Thomas), Daniel the Prophet (Noah Hutchings)

The Minor Prophets by Charles L. Feinberg

Hosea – Reedeeming Love (Francine Rivers)

Joel/Amos/Obadiah

Jonah – The Prodigal Prophet (Tim Keller), Under the Unpredictable Plant (Eugene Peterson)

Micah

Nahum – Piles of Slain, Heaps of Corpses: Reading Prophetic Poetry and Violence in African Context (Jacob Onyumbe Wenyi)

Habakkuk – Habakkuk: Faithful Doubt (Travis Scott)

Zephaniah/Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi

New Testament

Matthew – The Divine Conspiracy (Dallas Willard), Matthew and the Margins (Warren Carter)

Mark – Jesus: A Theography (Leonard Sweet/Frank Viola)

Luke – The Return of the Prodigal Son (Henri Nouwen), Come With Me Devotional (Suzanne Eller)

John – Jesus: A Biography (Leonard Sweet/Frank Viola

Acts – The Mission of the Triune God (Patrick Schreiner)

Interpreting the Pauline Epistles (Thomas R. Schreiner); Paul and the Power of Grace

(John M. G. Barclay)

Romans – Lutheran Theology: Doing Theology (Steven D Paulson), The Normal Christian Life (Watchman Nee); When in Romans: An Invitation to Linger with the Gospel According to Paul (Beverly Roberts Gaventa)

1/2 Corinthians – Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians (Kenneth E. Bailey; The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons From 1 Corinthians (D.A. Carson); Paul Decentered: Reading 2 Corinthians with the Corinthian Women (Arminta M. Fox)

Galatians – Galatians Re-imagined (Brigette Kahl)

Ephesians – Practice Resurrection (Eugene Peterson)

Philippians – Think Good (JL Gerhardt); Lydia (Paula Gooder)

Colossians – Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire (Brian J. Walsh)

I/2 Thessalonians – The Practice of Hope: Ideology and Intention in 1 Thessalonians (Nestor O. Miguez

1/2 Timothy – Nobody’s Mother (Sandra Glahn)

Titus/Philemon

Hebrews – An Unshakable Kingdom: The Letter to the Hebrews for Today (David Gooding)

James – Radically Whole: Gospel Healing for the Divided Heart (David Gibson)

1/2/3 John – Maximum Joy (Dave Anderson)

Jude

Revelation – Hallelujah Banquet (Eugene Peterson), Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Scot McKnight), The Joy of Hearing: A Theology of the Book of Revelation (Thomas R. Schreiner)
Kid’s Bible Review – The Illustrated Holy Bible (NIrV)

April 13, 2023
When I was teaching Sunday school to children, one of my top priorities was getting a Bible in their hand. I grew weary of hearing youth group leaders say our "church kids" came to them not knowing Bible basics, such as using the index, whether books were in the Old Testament or the New Testament, the location of Psalms in about the middle. So, every lesson, from kindergarten to fifth grade, we turned in our Bibles to the story for that day. If it took fifteen minutes (and sometimes it did), so be it. I wanted them to know these were real stories found in God's holy word. I repeated several phrases over and over, hoping they'd be instilled in their hearts. Then, we'd read at least a verse or two.

Imagine the frustration, then, of the children who did bring their Bible to church (YES), but it was a preschool version, or storybook Bible. Now, I have nothing against these Bibles. They have their place. The young children could not use these to participate in our exercise, though. It didn't lend itself to learning how to navigate the Bible. That's why I'm excited about Bibles like The New International Readers' Version (based off the NIV), which I'm reviewing in this post. If you're wondering how the NIrV is different, perhaps this from the publisher will help:

Whenever possible the NIrV uses the text of the NIV but where necessary uses shorter sentences and words easier to understand. Throughout the translation, each verse has been meticulously evaluated in light of the meaning of the original languages in which the Bible was written.

Here are some review highlights:
- The New International Readers' Version (NIrV) is written at a third-grade reading level.
- It includes over 750 illustrations, with consideration of ethnicity.
- Combining the translation and illustrations, this Bible is intended for ages 4-8 years old.
- While no verses are included (that could be cumbersome), chapters are noted, and there are lots of subject headers.
- Each page includes a single column of text, in "Comfort Print" font, with plenty of white space for ease of reading.
- Books of the Bible are color coded at the top, so you could mention a page number and a color when directing children to turn in their Bibles to a passage.
- I'm a Bible map person, and am especially wild about the map included in a back pocket of this Bible.
- The flip side of the poster-sized map is a condensed version of the lineage of Jesus, going back to Adam and Eve. This was another area I'd emphasize again and again. The Bible is God's story, connected from beginning to end.
Here's a short video from the publisher with more information:

This Bible would be an excellent choice for one that's made available in a classroom. The hardcover is thick, and seems durable. The illustrations will help teachers or other adults keep students engaged in the story. I'd highly recommend this as a "take-your-Bible-to-church" Bible as well. There might be some confusion if you're looking for a particular verse (verse numbers have been found to be distracting), but glancing at chapters, starting at the beginning, can be done with ease.

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I received a copy of The Illustrated Holy Bible For Kids from Zondervan for the purpose of generating a review.