Somewhere along the way in doing this blogging thing something happened. Either my blog became popular, or more accurately, blogging became popular and recognized by businesses as a tool to sell you stuff. Regardless, the reality is that people want my to talk about certain stuff on my blog.  Mostly, I get sent books and occasionally a DVD or CD. And, in recent months, I’ve let those items pile up and begin to gether dust on the book shelf (sorry!). However, I’ve took a look at a few and thought I’d give my brief thoughts and reviews. So, in no particular order…

NKJV Chronological Study Bible

I’m not particularly a fan of the KJV or the NKJV. If I remember correctly (and I probably don’t), the KJV is based on an outdated manuscript collection. Since the KJV came out, more manuscripts, older and more accurate to the original letters and books of the Bible, have been discovered. So, KJV while an ‘older’ more ‘traditiona’ translation, is actually not as ‘old’ and accurate as other translations that are based off of these other manuscripts.

That said, the Choronological layout of this Bible is pretty cool. It’s also pretty impractical if your planning on using it in any fashion other then a cover to cover read. Trying to find a passage from Psalms in it is next to impossible. The illustrations and study notes are interesting, but unimpressive. Lot’s of old school European paintings of Jesus, not a single depecition from any other ethnic history or origin. Seems to me that the textual translation isn’t the only thing that is stuck in an old mindset, the publisher was too.  Over all I was unimpressed and while I definitely think there’s plenty of value to glean from the text, regardless of translation, I’d recommend you look for a different version.

(Didn’t realize that one was going to be so harsh. Sorry, but they don’t ask you to be positive when they send you this stuff, and that’s my honest opinion)

TOMS Shoes

A while back I wrote an article about Fair Trade Footwear, and I mentioned TOMS Shoes. It’s basically a cloth slip-on, and when you buy a pair, a child who needs shoes gets a pair as well. Anyways, TOMS noticed some traffic coming their way from my site or something and they sent me a DVD about the last shoe drop (where they bring the shoes to the kids). I haven’t watched it yet. Then, they sent me this beautiful handmade cloth from Ethiopia. Both just gifts to say thank you for supporting TOMS Shoes.  What I appreciate is that they recognize the importance of creating allies and advocates in their work. What I’m surprised by is that they haven’t addressed some of the questions that arose in the comments section on that post about the labor conditions where the TOMS Shoes are actually made.  Maybe they’ll send me a pair, size 13, along with an explanation of the labor practices where they were made (and if you don’t have a good answer, I don’t want a pair).

Evensong Rising

One of the other ways I get stuff is through a program called Ooze Select Bloggers. They sent me a CD a while back by Evensong Rising. It’s a pretty interesting group. I’m terrible at music reviews, I’m not sure how to describe genres or anything like that. Supposedly they have a new kind of sound (according to others they are  ‘ancient/future’ worship)  but they seem like a typical praise band to me. I didn’t get to read through the lyrics too much, but there was one song I heard that I really liked, Rise Up (I’ll include the lyrics at the bottom of the post). Overall, I think they’re lyrics are a refreshing change. The group is fairly diverse, also a welcome change, and the music is at times unique.  I’m still hoping for a more diverse music selection from the emerging church and neo-monastic crew, preferably some Hip-Hop.

That’s all I have time for. Definitely some more brief reviews coming at some point. But this is it for now.

Rise Up
Words and Music by Chris Sorenson

A world of darkness… People are scared
A world of hunger… People unfed
A world of anger… People in pain
A world of sorrow… People in need
We pray… Lord bring them light
We pray… Lord bring them food
We pray… Lord bring them justice
We pray… And we hear you say
Refrain
You are my hands and my feet
You bring the hope that they seek
You build my kingdom so it’s
TIME TO RISE UP
Stomp out their hunger for Me
Kill all injustice for Me
You build my kingdom so it’s
TIME TO RISE UP
Our world is freezing… People unclothed
Our world in slavery… People oppressed
Our world is warring… People displaced
Our world is dying… People all thirst
We pray… Lord bring them shelter
We pray… Lord set them free
We pray… Lord bring them peace
We pray… And we hear you say