Women's Devotional Bible

New International Version

Zondervan, $24.99 Hardcover

ISBN 0310918421

Reading Plans for Women

A Bible with devotionals printed within the text is a fairly recent kind of publication. Zondervan Publishers' The Women's Devotional Bible, issued in 1990, has led the way in giving women a Reading Plan for the NIV text and sensitive reflections from many godly women including Debbie Boone, Jill Briscoe, Joni Eareckson Tada, Ruth Bell Graham, and Gloria Gaither. There are also good but brief introductions to each Book of the Bible and "Weekending" pages with brief entries entitled "Reflect," "Review," and "Revive."

It is both a Bible and an enrichment program from many women authors-all within the covers of one book, and it has been so well received by women that there is now a new publication: The Women's Devotional Bible 2. The same popular and readable NIV translation with the same Reading Plan serves as the base for new introductions to each Book.

The new devotionals are from a new honor roll of Christian women writers, a few joined by their writer husbands. This edition also encourages readers to record their own reflections on Scripture in blank pages at the back.

Three things distinguished the Women's Devotional Bible 2; first, the bright floral background; second, Luci Shaw's poetry is a special treat in a few of the devotional segments; and third, the writing of several historical women such as Anne Bradstreet, Saint Theresa of Avila, and Charlotte Bronte. On the whole, the devotional writings in this edition are a richer mix.

Either or both make valuable companions for a woman's devotional journey through the years.