We recently released a new One Year chronological Bible that has the unique feature of including woodcut prints of historic christian art throughout the Bible, which we commissioned specifically for this project. There are 12 images--one for each month, featured in each reading for the month)

24/7 (in both hardcover and softcover) also has a unusual nearly-square shape, which allows space inside for single-column text with a generous outside margin, in which a verse has been highlighted for each day's reading.

This is one of my favorite new releases of the year, as I really like the fresh, narrative reading of the Bible that the chronological format (and the NLT) gives and I love the historic christian symbols used in the text.

Here's what some others thought of the various aspects of this Bible:

Woodprints

"The beautiful watermarks of twelve historic Christian symbols are what make this bible stand out from the rest. If you like art, these watermarks on each page will liven up your day. I really like the design because these classical pictorial watermarks add a unique flavour to each page for each day. For example, there’s the crown of thorns, the dove, the cup of the Last Supper, the basin and bowl, the lamb and the cross, the seven lampstands, plus more. There is a new symbol for each month."
-Kevin Sam (New Epistles)

Timline in Introductory Material

"I’ve mentioned before that I’ve often had problems keeping track of varying time periods in the Bible, not the least of which is due to the canonical order not being chronological. These timelines along with the chronological layout of the Bible eliminates this problem."
-Nick Norelli (Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth)

Size

"The Bible is small and chunky: shaped a bit like a desktop calendar. It will pack easily into a briefcase or backpack, which for my lifestyle is very useful."
-Eddie Arthur (Kouya Chronicle)

"The paperback version is relatively light and small and would be good for people on the go who want to read during lunch or on the bus. Please don’t read while driving."
-Jeff (Scripture Zealot)

"This Bible does a good job being compact, but very readable."
-Brent Kercheville (Christian Monthly Standard)

Verse Callouts

"Every reading has a “verse callout” in the margin. This is one particular verse that editors found to be an important key to the reading. I found this particularly useful, especially for memorizing scripture or for having a passage to meditate upon once your daily reading is completed."
-Brent Kercheville

Dates Indicated in Daily Readings

"Dates are often included in the Bible as can be seen in the larger version of the picture above under Jehoshaphat Rules In Judah on the left page which is extremely helpful."
-Jeff

Chronological format

"I believe chronological Bibles provide a wonderful opportunity for people to read the scriptures have see how the recorded events fit together. The prophets offer greater clarity when placed in their historical context. The book of Acts can have greater meaning when one is able to see what Paul was going through when he penned each of his letters."
-Brent Kercheville

" Well, for those such as myself, who have problems with regimented reading, this Bible takes all the fuss out of it. A reading for every day of the year is clearly marked out and it leaves no room for excuses"
-Nick Norelli

You can try it out for yourself with this PDF of the first pages of 24/7.

Update: another endorsement for 24/7 as a fun book:

"To the writers of the NLT 24/7 Daily Readings in Sequential Time. I bought this One Year Chronological Bible and can''t wait to read it. I am far ahead of the day of the year where I am supposed to be reading. I can only describe this book as 'A FUN BOOK TO READ' and therefore I am reading it as I like and not just by the daily listing only. I have decided that if I want to read ahead I can use it as a regular bible to enjoy and need not worry about the day of the week or month of the year. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to whomever put this book together. I love reading it more than any bible I have ever tried to read and that is a long time since I am 82 years old. Please put a sticker on the front 'A FUN BOOK TO READ THAT CAN BE READ BY THE DAY OR HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE.' I love it."

-Frances A. Day

Labels: chronological Bible, Laura Bartlett, NLT Bibles, One Year Bible

Merry Christmas! Take a moment to read these passages from the NLT, remembering who it is we are celebrating as we enjoy our family and friends this year:

The NLT made its debut on YouVersion yesterday. YouVersion self-describes as "A revolutionary online Bible that enables community and collaboration like never before."

Sam Duregger announced the update on the YouVersion blog yesterday and it has been fun to watch the response in the form of dozens of enthusiastic tweets from YouVersion users.

If you haven't had a chance to check out YouVersion yet, I recommend it. It's the best instance so far (in my opinion) of the Bible on the social web and it also offers tools for personal notetaking and organizing if that's what you prefer.

YouVersion has tons of functionality, and some of the most notable are its mobile applications, including iPhone and Blackberry apps. Keith Williams tells me from a conversation with Bobby Gruenewald that there are over half a million users of the iPhone app who have spent an average of almost five hours each reading the Bible on it.

Thanks to the YouVersion team for the work on getting the NLT onto YouVersion. It's great to see talented people using their skills in service of the Church.

Labels: Bible Usage, Laura Bartlett, YouVersion

Last month, Wendy Pope of Proverbs 31 Ministries shared her story of accomplishing her goal of reading through the Bible with the One Year Chronological Bible in the NLT. Wendy says: "The Bible my husband gave me was unlike any Bible I had ever seen. It was a Chronological Bible written in the New Living Translation. The format fascinated me. The Bible was written in the order in which things happened and in an easy to understand translation with daily readings that were not overwhelming. The goal was beginning to look more attainable than ever. I could not wait for the New Year to start so I could begin the challenge set before me."

She challenged her readers: "Will you take the challenge to know the Savior's story like never before and join in me reading through God’s Word in 2009?" She says that she prayed that 20 people would accept her challenge. On Monday, she reported that they have sold over 1000 NLT One Year Chronological Bibles. "Watch out world, change is coming," says Wendy.

Here's a photo of the Proverbs 31 staff praying over the first few hundred Bibles: Wendy has posted on her blog more great photos of receiving and praying over the Bibles they received.

If you're planning to read through the Bible in 2009 and don't have a reading partner or group to do it with, consider reading with the P31 ministry--having support is so important during a process like this. Wendy is going to start a column or forum on her blog for participants to "read the Word together; posting our thoughts, fears, frustrations, excitement, fresh insights, basically holding each other up during the adventure."

Labels: Bible Usage, Laura Bartlett