My First Product Review, the NIV Outdoorsman Bible by Zondervan

I find it a little ironic that my first commercial product review is the Holy Bible.  It is also a little daunting and strange - but I am honored. I think my next product review will be a gun - the other most favorite possession of many (of us) in the south!

I'm not just reviewing any old Bible off the coffee table, but a recent gem of publishing, the NIV Outdoorsmans Bible by Zondervan. This is a review that should be read by both men and women. Men because it may relate to you, and women - to you who love God, and Camo, or love the men in your life that do.

Published in 2012, this Bible is in the New International Version, red letter edition. The words Jesus spoke are written in red and the cover is in Mossy Oak. This is my first red letter edition of the Good Book, and I really love it. In my opinion, this is for every outdoors type person who wants to get a Bible. Honestly.

What makes this Bible unique, is that throughout the new and old testament, christian author, pastor and speaker Jason Cruise from Tennessee shares his outdoor stories as a hunter, father, man and how they relate to walking a christian life.

Pastor Jason is an expert on drawing parallels to a person's spiritual life from a woods point of view. He talks about chasing the elusive gobbler through the woods, fine tuning the sights of a bow and my favorite - hearing the boom of his black powder rifle aimed at a big buck!  Then he connects his woods scenario to walking daily with God, and what one has to do with another. These are real, moving short stories that can cause any person to pause and reflect.

When reviewing a product, every writer needs to take into consideration the perspective of the reader. For the person looking for instructions on how to build a fire or set up their tent, this is not the book for you. You need an outdoors guide or a similar "how to" book for skill building. But for the outdoor person (of either gender) who is a Christian young or old, or is seeking to know more about God or how the Bible relates to you, this is definitely something you should acquire.

When I review a product, I put it to the test. I carried this NIV Outdoorsman Bible with me for a week straight. You wouldn't believe how many positive comments I received!  Be aware that its not bullet or waterproof, it could get damaged in foul weather.  It is handy though, and is in a convenient size.

This week I taught in the high school. I'm around young people all day long, and I carried the book with me from class to class and left it on my desk while I taught. For the person who chooses to be less conspicuous about their faith, this is a good way to do it. However during the week, six teenage boys asked me, "Where did you get that Bible?" Its not obvious, but they saw the words Holy Bible embossed in the spine.  "That's really cool", several of them said. The cover alone helps me feel more comfortable carrying a Bible in public.  I'm always trying to be a better man, and the camo allows me to carry God's Word and not feel "preachy".

This book would be a great gift for yourself or others. I hope to buy several copies for my boys and friends.

NIV Outdoorsman Bible, eBook 

Here are some technical aspects of the book you may like to know, and it also comes in an eBook for you techie folks....

NIV Outdoorsman Bible

Publisher: Zondervan
Release Date: 05/22/2012
Price: $29.99
Format: Italian Duo-Tone™, Lost Camo Woods Print
Language: English
ISBN 13: 9780310441694
UPC: 025986441692
Weight: 1.41 lb
Size: 8.75 × 5.81 × 0 in
Length: 1152 Pages

Zondervan Synopsis: This Lost Camo woods print pattern Italian Duo-Tone™ Bible, graphically designed for the sportsman’s eye, is a one-stop destination for the person who is serious about both the outdoors as well as the Word of God. With the clear, accessible NIV translation and special devotions, the NIV Outdoorsman Bible is a great resource for you, and it also makes the perfect gift.

A Gentle Reminder of the Classic Books for at Home or the Woods

Last night I was surfing for free books to read in iBooks, and there are tons of them available!  Most of the older classics are at places like Gutenberg eBooks, but there are many outlets.  From an iPhone, the best way to hunt for them is install the free iBooks app, and then search the library.  They separate the books by author and whether it is free or to buy.

I was in kind of a hurry, so I was looking for small files sizes for a quick download.  That's when I ran into Aesop's Fables!  I knew they were on the web, not not available as an ebook.  Here is one of my favorites...

The Lion and the Mouse
Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him.  "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?"  The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go.  Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a waggon to carry him on.  Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts.  "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse.

The Moral is - Little friends may prove great friends.

I just can't wait to read the rest of the stories again, to myself and my grandchildren!  Here is where I found this story. About Aesop the author.

Outdoors Essay Contest sponsored by Coleman

You know, I don't normally promote commercial groups on this site, being a government employee and all - but this is different!

I found this on the Outdoor Bloggers Network, and Coleman the outdoor equipment company is sponsoring an essay contest.  The winner gets a fabulous package of camping gear.  Here is the link to the contest.  If any of you submit an essay, send a copy to me as well and I might just post it here.  My email address is guskoerner@gmail.com or gkoerner@ufl.edu.  The deadline for this contest is midnight. May 28, Mountain Standard Time.

If I hear of another outdoor writing contest sponsored by anyone, I'll be sure and post it here.  Parents and teachers, be sure to notify kids and students you know to submit an entry.

Fly Tying Adventure, Guest Post - Rodney Smith

A story by good friend, author, publisher and conservationist Caption Rodney Smith of Coastal Angler Magazine -

Rodney kissing his prize catch!

Photo credit to Addictive Fishing Television

Looking back some twenty years ago to the first fly I tied brings back fond, humbling memories. My first fly was an extremely weird looking thing that didn’t resemble anything I’d seen before or since! It was a colorful combination of deer hair and meager chicken feathers wrapped around the shank of a silver hook. It was loosely wrapped with of a wad of yellow sewing thread.

I can still recall my pride afterwards. Even though I had a long ways to go before I’d show anyone my flies, I knew I was on to something much bigger.

I attended a fly tying class that was being offered by a local fly fishing club, Melbourne’s Backcountry Fishing Association. Not long afterward, under the supervision of master fly tier Tom Lentz, I started getting the hang of it.

In class, we tied simple and effective fly patterns. We learned classics like the Clouser’s deep water minnow, foam spiders, ants, and Lefty’s Deceiver. In no time, I was catching redfish and spotted seatrout in saltwater, and  bream and bass in freshwater on my creations. Learning to tie flies and catch fish with those flies lead me down a more copasetic path with nature with my fishing experience.

Learning to tie and catch fish with my own flies has been very rewarding and fulfilling. Besides learning new skills, first-time tiers become acquainted with the aquatic ecosystem. This brings awareness of important conservation and environmental issues.

Capt. Gabe Nybald with a silver salmon

caught on the Goodnews River in Alaska

Kids who want to learn fly tying need to become familiar with a few basic tools and materials. They’ll need an inexpensive fly tying vise, a bobbin with thread, scissors, hooks, and tying materials. These can be purchased in a beginner’s kit or separately at a retail sporting goods store, fly shop or on-line.

Today learning to tie a fly has become as easy as turning on one’s computer and googling fly tying. But, if you are fortunate enough to have a local fly club in your community contact them to see if they offer classes for beginners. These classes can be a wonderful gateway to an extraordinary adventure.

About Rodney - A Florida native, conservation advocate, and lifetime angler with an in-depth understanding of the economical and environmental impacts of Florida's recreational fishery.

Married thirty years, father of four, and community leader, for fifteen years Rodney has been the publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine, which focuses on fishing, boating and conservation.

Rodney's also a member of the South Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council's Grouper /Snapper Advisory Panel.