by JTwisdom | Oct 13, 2023 | Giveaway |
Hello, Elegant Ones
I know for many people, this week has been filled with extreme shock and sorrow for what has happened to the Israeli people. Many people do not realize that these events are rooted in the foundation of the Old Testament. To understand these events from a biblical point of view,
we need to read and study the Old Testament to know who everyone is and how their decisions and actions caused the turmoil we see today. For some, myself included, the challenge is keeping all the people and events clear to know how to talk about them effectively.
When I read through and study the Bible, I believe having a companion study tool like The Old Testament Handbook is essential when I have questions or want to dive deeper. The Old Testament Handbook is broken down by book and pulls out the necessary details to grasp the bigger narrative. You can use the handbook as a companion tool after reading the Old Testament book or as a stand-alone piece if you want to focus only on the essential parts.
Order your copy of The Old Testament Handbook today!
Giveaway Winner:
Collaborating with Lifeway Christian Resources, we offered our readers a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. Congratulations to our winner,
~~ PENNY L. ~~
Yeah, Penny! We will be in contact with you about receiving your gift card.
Be on the lookout for our next giveaway coming soon!
Disclosure:
Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for allowing our team to preview THE OLD TESTAMENT HANDBOOK, write this review, and offer the giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
by JTwisdom | Oct 2, 2023 | Fashion |
*** WE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THE PREVIOUS POST NOT ACCEPTING COMMENTS. WE APOLOGIZE GREATLY. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED, AND YOU CAN NOW LEAVE A COMMENT***
Good Afternoon, Elegant Ones
Blessings that you are having a fantastic day!
I look forward to cooler weather and watching the leaves turn colors and fall from the trees. My hubby told me about an omega block over the Midwest, where we have seen temperatures in the 90s this past week. I am looking forward to those cool breezes.
In collaboration with Lifeway Christian Resources, our team had the opportunity to review a new tool during your daily bible study — The Old Testament Handbook. The Old Testament Handbook features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible. The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.
My hubby and I are reading through the Bible with the Chronological Reading plan with Tara Leigh Cobble and the Bible Recap on YouVersion. We finished the Old Testament this weekend and are now moving on to the New Testament. I enjoy reading the Bible in hard copy, but I also listen on my smartphone and iPad.
Do you prefer reading the Bible in hard copy form or listening to the Bible on audio or both ways?
When I read through and study the Bible, I believe having a companion study tool is good when I have questions or want to dive deeper. Many parts of the Old Testament can be confusing or difficult to understand, so having a companion tool like The Old Testament Handbook is essential.
TIP: You can ask the Lord to give you revelation on anything you do not understand. Write down your questions when you are reading, and when the revelations come to you, note what you learned.
Do you want to dive deeper into the Word Of God? The Old Testament Handbook is the tool you need to understand better.
Old Testament Handbook with the Bible
Features of the Old Testament Handbook
– 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 help for every book of the Old Testament.
– More than 75 word studies of keywords found in each Old Testament book.
-Ribbon marker for easy referencing between pages during study, teaching, or sharing.
The Old Testament Handbook gives an overview of each chapter from a historical perspective, outlines events, lists in detail biblical characters, a word study, and much more. The precious key is building a personal relationship with God through His Word, and having this handbook when needed is a good study resource.
Order your copy of The Old Testament Handbook today!
** UPDATED Giveaway Details **
Collaborating with Lifeway Christian Resources, we offer our readers a chance to enter a giveaway. One of our readers will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.
To enter, please comment below telling us which Old Testament book you would like to understand better.
The giveaway runs through Thursday, October 12th, at 11:59 p.m. (Central Time).
We will randomly select one comment and announce the winner on Friday, October 13th.
**Please Note: This giveaway is limited to only residents of the United States, and the winner will receive the Amazon gift card via the email address used when commenting.
Disclosure:
Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for allowing our team to preview THE OLD TESTAMENT HANDBOOK, write this review, and offer the giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
by JTwisdom | Sep 11, 2022 | From the Heart |
Hello Beautiful People,
Today my wife and I are celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary.
It seems like only yesterday when many twists of fate brought us to work at the same organization in 1996. We met when her division moved into the same building I worked in. Our paths soon crossed. We learned that even though we came from different backgrounds, it was God’s plan to bring us together. I grew up in a small rural town in central Missouri, while she is a big-city girl. We would talk into the early morning hours and realize that we shared many similar interests and beliefs. Our friendship grew strong, and love blossomed.
We married on September 11, 1999.
J and T in Assisi
We are often asked what the keys to a successful marriage are. You do not need formal training to be a marriage counselor or expert. You just need to be willing to seek God’s wisdom as the guide for your marriage.
I wanted to share 23 things we have learned through the years that have made our marriage strong and a pleasure to be a part of. I will share them in a four-part series, starting with this post.
1) Pray First
Not a day goes by when we do not pray for each other and our marriage. This is by far the most important factor that I would tell anyone. We would not be where we are without thanking God for our spouse and His blessings, asking Him to strengthen our marriage, and seeking His wisdom in making decisions. We pray whether we are at home preparing for a day at work or if we are on vacation. It doesn’t matter. We always pray, every day.
2) Communicate Often
A successful marriage cannot happen if we are not talking. Talking is the only way that we will get to know each other. The more that we alk, the closer I get to her soul. I find out what her needs are and what her dreams are. I learn about things in her past that have shaped her current behaviors and beliefs. The longer we are married, the more important it is to continue the conversations. Life happens, dreams change, and a whole new set of circumstances must be discussed. Talking never stops.
3) Best Friends
We found out early in our relationship, before we were married, that we listened to many of the same types of music, watched the same television show genres, and shared many political and moral beliefs. Spending time together was not a chore but a treat because we enjoyed the same leisure activities, like hiking, shopping, and road tripping. We are best friends in every sense of the word and focus on keeping that in focus.
4) Never Go To Bed Angry
In the almost 25 years we have known each other, there have been times when we have not agreed or may have been angry with each other about a specific situation. We have made a point that we work out the situation before going to bed. I want to know what is causing that disagreement and what can be done to fix the situation. A healthy marriage cannot allow strife to linger around.
5) Say I LOVE YOU Often
I LOVE YOU is a simple phrase we often say to each other. Whether we are talking on the phone, leaving off to work, or going to bed at night, I LOVE YOU is always a part of the conversation. I don’t want her to assume anything. I want her to know. It has become a regular part of our conversation. It seems a bit odd if I don’t do it. If I forget, I make sure I do the next opportunity I get.
6) Quiet Hugs
There is something special about a hug that can bring us closer together when life’s situations get in the way. A hug can relieve a stressful situation or lessen the burdens of a bad situation. Many times no words are spoken, just a quiet hug, holding each other close and squeezing each other tight. And it is not just a short hug, but one that can last for several minutes. The closeness is broken only by an encouraging word with a kiss and then another hug, followed by an I LOVE YOU.
More keys will follow in more posts that will be written this week. We are celebrating our anniversary all month long.
by JTwisdom | Aug 28, 2022 | Italy, Travels |
Ciao! Buongiorno!
It’s been a few months since we returned from our 13-day trip to Italy. We look back with gratitude on a planned trip and waited for almost ten years. We shared our memories and experiences with our family, friends, and colleagues. They asked many questions about the places we visited and the things we did. Most people shared our enthusiasm. Probably the most frequent question we had was, “Why Italy?” My immediate answer was, “Why Not?” I wanted to share with you should consider going to Italy.![]()
The History / Art and Architecture
Italy’s origins date back almost 3,000 years. History abounds with every step. Art and Architecture are on every corner. No matter what city you explore or region you travel through, you will be amazed by the many opportunities at your fingertips. You can spend days learning about the early Roman civilizations and how you can still see the remnants of these cultures in modern-day Rome. You can spend hours gazing at the artwork and sculptures of Renaissance artists in the Academia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and then step outside the gallery and see the same buildings where these artists lived over 500 years ago. Italy would be a dream come true for history geeks and museum nerds.
The Colosseum in Rome
The Food
One cannot think of Italy and not think of food. Pasta, Pizza, Olive Oil, and Gelato immediately come to mind when most people think of Italy. Italian food is known worldwide and is probably the favorite of many people. I have experienced many fine Italian restaurants here in America, and I knew the authentic Italian food would not disappoint. To my amazement, the true Italian food was even better than I could have imagined. Each region of the country had its specialties and its takes on classic dishes. The pizza in Rome is entirely different from that of Bellagio. The fish prepared in Como is not the same as in Burano. We ate pork in Assisi and Venice and had spelt soup in Tuscany. Italy would be a dream come true for Foodies and Food Lovers.
Dinner at the 4 Fiumi Restaurant on the Piazza Navona
A Multitude of Opportunities
Italy comprises twenty regions, similar to the states that make up the United States. Each region offers visitors different opportunities with food, culture, and experiences. Milan, in the north, offers a more cosmopolitan experience with its high couture shopping districts as the country’s financial capital. While Sorrento, in the south, is an agricultural city and offers a more laid-back atmosphere with shops that most people could shop at. Venice focuses on canals and gondolas, while Pompeii focuses on volcanic ruins and excavations. Assisi talks about St. Francis, while Como speaks highly of George Clooney, even though I’ve been told he doesn’t visit as much as he used to. Italy would be a dream come true for adventure seekers and travel enthusiasts.
Gondolas of Venice
The People
My wife and I like to joke that Italy is the land of beautiful people. We often hear people say that Italian people are more sophisticated and have more style than their American counterparts. In many respects, we found that to be true. It was not uncommon to see a woman wearing a fur coat and combat boots while walking her dog in the park, or a couple having lunch in a local cafe while wearing a formal gown and a suit. Italy would be a dream come true for people watchers.
I often tell people they don’t need any specific reason to experience the magnificence of Italy. If you desire to go, just do what you need to make it happen. Pick your cities, design an itinerary and do it. You will not be disappointed. Italy is just that special.
by JTwisdom | Apr 4, 2022 | Italy, Travels |
Ciao
Saturday, March 5, 2022 – Departure Day
The bags are packed. The COVID test results are negative. The travel documents are double-checked.
It is time to make our way to Italy. After dreaming for years, it is hard to imagine that the day is finally here.
I attempted to check in with the airline the day before. I needed to upload our contact tracing form and COVID test results into our passenger profiles. I mistakenly uploaded the rapid test instead of the standard test. The rapid test results were received on Wednesday, but the required date had to be Thursday or later. After a call to the airline, the agent advised that we arrive at the airport three hours before the flight so that they could review the itinerary and the COVID tests and get everything processed. Our flight out of Saint Louis lifted off at 2:55 pm, so we had plenty of time to get to the airport and get checked in. I planned to get to the airport by noon anyway, so we didn’t need to make any adjustments to our schedule.
Just before leaving for the airport
We woke early, said our morning prayers, and prepared for the day. We loaded up the jeep, ate breakfast, and were ready to leave home by 10:30 am. We dropped off our puppies Seppe and Lucca at Happy Tails, the spa kennel that we have been using for years. However, this was the first time they would be staying there for two weeks. I wanted to provide detailed instructions for their care and feeding. Our home, the kennel, and the airport are near each other, so there was not much time to get from home to the kennel and then to the airport. We arrived at the airport parking lot by 11:30 am. The first lot we tried was full, so we had to go to a second, which was larger and had many more open spots. We rode a shuttle to the airport terminal from the parking lot and arrived right at 12 pm. Perfect timing.
When we walked into the terminal, we found the American Airlines ticket booth just a few steps to our left. We had to wait a few minutes while the ticket agent assisted another family. We provided her with our passports, COVID test results, and confirmation number when it was our turn. I had more documentation at the ready in case she asked for it. However, she didn’t, and we were good to go. She tagged our luggage and put them on the conveyor belt without weighing them. All that rearranging the suitcase for nothing, but oh well.
After getting our boarding passes, we walked downstairs to go through the security checkpoint and make our way to the departure gate. We didn’t need to take anything out of our backpacks or take off our shoes at the Saint Louis airport. Our airport is small by comparison and the number of people going was minimal. This was by far the quickest and easiest security checkpoint that we encountered during our entire trip. With only a few people in line, we settled at our gate a little past 12:30 pm.
I was thankful for a smooth check-in process and that we were ready for our first of three flights. We had just over two hours before we would take off for Chicago. Looking back at it now, we didn’t need three hours to get checked in. However, I would rather be early and wait at the gate than rush through the airport to get to the gate before the airplane leaves.
We boarded the plane at 2:25 pm and departed on time. Our quick flight to Chicago was just over an hour. We arrived in the Windy City just after 4 pm, almost two hours before our next departure. Our flight to London was scheduled to leave at 5:50 pm. We quickly transitioned to our departure gate because we did not have to change terminals or go through any security checkpoints. By the time we found the gate, we had over an hour before boarding would begin. Since it was a long time since breakfast, we found a Wolfgang Puck’s Bistro for a quick sandwich and chips. We would be getting dinner on the plane, but we didn’t know what it would be or how long it would be before eating.
We returned to the gate and had thirty minutes before boarding would begin. The boarding process started about an hour before the scheduled departure time because the international airplane’s capacity was more than the typical domestic plane, with the third set of seats in the middle of the plane. More people on the aircraft meant that we had less room to store our backpacks. By the time we got to our seats, the overhead storage bins were full, and there was not any free space anywhere near us. We didn’t want to be so far from our bags, so we stored them under seats. There was enough room, but our feet had a tight fit, and difficult to find a comfortable spot.
The flight to London was seven hours and there was a six-hour time difference. Leaving Chicago at 6 pm meant that we would arrive the following morning at 7 am. Not long after takeoff, we enjoyed our dinner, BBQ chicken with peppers and rice, and a salad. It was just enough since we ate not long before. Once we finished dinner, we tried to sleep, knowing that by the time we arrived in London we didn’t have much time to catch our next flight to Rome. Getting to sleep was not hard, but staying asleep was. The turbulence hitting the plane, people walking by for the bathroom, and just trying to get into a comfortable position meant that asleep was often interrupted, not to mention having to sleep with a mask on. The CDC still required masks to be worn the entire time on the plane, with the exception of eating and drinking. I found myself waking up and having to take the mask off so I could get some fresh air. As we approached London, the cabin crew came back around with a quick breakfast of yogurt and granola. Just enough to get the day started off right.
In the air, over London
We arrived at London Heathrow Airport 45 minutes early, which proved to be needed to make our connection. We arrived in Terminal 3 but needed to get to Terminal 5 for the next flight scheduled to depart at 9:50 am. We now had almost three hours before leaving so I thought we would have a chance to rest before leaving. Little did we know that the most intense part of the journey was just beginning. We will be sharing our experience at London Heathrow Airport and our arrival in Rome in the next installment.
Follow!