Normally, I don't elaborate on my Christmas presents. For anyone who knows me, you can probably guess that much of what I get at Christmas, birthdays, and other assorted holidays, centers around books. And while I am the consummate book nerd, my bookshelves are burgeoning with more books than even I am able to handle (although I am certainly up to the challenge). As I often share with people who ask whether I've read them all, "It's not whether you've read the books, what matters it that they're on your bookshelf." :)
That is why a few months ago I convinced Caleb and Andrew to join me on what we called, "The Great Bookshelf Adventure", where we went "antiquing" all day in pursuit of a bookshelf. After six hours, we happened upon just the right one, which has since found a cozy home right next to my bed. And the best part of "The Great Bookshelf Adventure" for my two little sidekicks? They each got to buy a new Matchbox car to go with the 2,347 they already have. Go figure! (Of course, they thought because everything in the antique store was old, that their still-in-the-box-from-last-year's-Christmas-sale Matchbox cars were just as old. To think that antiquers would prey on innocent little children like that! :)
Anyway, lest I travel much farther down that rabbit trail, my intent is to pass along to you a book recommendation that needs to find its way to your bookshelf. I did receive a Christmas present this year that is one of the best, most helpful, presents I have received since my Daisy BB gun back when I was thirteen. My wonderful wife Jean gave me The Apologetics Study Bible. This particular Bible comes from the Holman Bible Publishers and is written in a updated, and reliable, translation--the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
This Bible not only contains the usual biblical texts with accompanying study notes, but it also is filled with relevant articles on ethics, evolution, cults, archeology, the environment, etc... by many of the leading Christian thinkers of our day--Chuck Colson, J. P. Moreland, Philip Johnson, Ravi Zacharias and others. This Bible also includes a variety of other features that are specifically included to help those of you who are Christians better understand why you believe. It is a phenomenal resource!
For a resource of this caliber, it is also very reasonably priced. (You can get it at any local Christian bookstore, or at Amazon for as little as $26.39.)
I would highly recommend this Bible to anyone (Christian or non-Christian alike) who is interested in knowing more about Christianity--how the Christian worldview addresses the critical issues of our day, and the foundational context it provides for considering all other worldview belief systems. It is a must-have resource for any earnest Christian who is desiring to more effectively engage with the issues of our day. That is why it has not only found a permanent place on my new bookshelf, but it will get a lot of mileage in the years to come. 
The Leeches are book nerds too. This is one we'll have to have! Thanks for the heads up John!
Posted by: Mandy Leech | December 28, 2007 at 04:00 PM