NIV God's Word for Gardeners Bible

I have always felt God's presence most keenly in my garden - digging in the soil, sowing seeds, hoping, watching as tender shoots rise up to greet the sun, nurturing, pruning, thinning, harvesting - so when I saw the NIV God's Word for Gardeners Bible, I immediately felt drawn to it and offered to review a copy. I daresay I coveted this particular study Bible! And it did not disappoint.


"Before any garden work begins, there are decisions to be made. Choosing which plants to grow and where to grow them; deciding how to go about meeting their individual needs and assembling them in an overall plan is as inherent to gardening as the hands-on chores using hoes, sprinklers and spades. A wonderful metaphor, the choosing aspect of garden work draws us right into the heart of our relationship with God, for he has chosen each of us. "- God's Word for Gardeners

I received an ebook version a few weeks ago - and I thought I would dive into it, nose around, and dash off a review. WRONG! Instead I was drawn in, compelled to read and reflect - and to read further. The "gardening" writings are structured to be weekly readings, with links to the appropriate Bible verses for deeper reading and insight. The readings are structured into groupings: 12 weeks of Garden Tours (actual gardens in the Bible), 23 weeks of Garden Work (topics of study focused on how one gardens in "real life" - choosing, preparing, planting, watering, pruning, etc), 7 weeks of Garden Tools (prayer, work ethic, humility, etc), and 10 weeks of Garden Stories (seasons, weather, pests, Jesus’ Horticultural Parables, and more). 

The readings are just brief enough to not be overwhelming and just long enough to whet my appetite to dive into the Scripture links. Always thought-provoking, often uplifting - and at times downright convicting - Shelley Cramm took me on a sort of spiritual guided tour of God in His garden, and all the while I was reading and re-reading and thinking and writing note...I was also finding myself inspired, renewed, refreshed. And for that I am grateful.

Author and Gardener Shelley Cramm blogs at Garden in Delight - which grew out of her writings for the NIV God's Word for Gardeners Bible.

NIV God's Word for Gardeners Bible is published by Zondervan. The beautiful hardcover version can be purchased for $34.99 directly from Zondervan, or at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or other fine booksellers.

Religion, Christian, Bible; Teen/Adult

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trace Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."