Sunday, December 13, 2009

2010 Reading Resolutions Challenge


Jenny of Jenny Loves To Read is hosting the 2010 Reading Resolutions Challenge. She is asking bloggers (and readers) to create a list of reading resolutions for the new year. "They can be anything you would like to accomplish in the coming year in the realm of reading, book blogging, or perhaps personal growth."

My resolutions:

1) To read the Bible every day. Right now, I'm fairly consistent at reading it every day--every night to be precise. But I'd like to try to discipline myself to reading it twice a day. If that's possible. Right now, I can't imagine finding time in the morning to squeeze that in. But then again, if you'd asked me last December if I'd find time to read every evening, I wouldn't have believed you. So we'll see.

2) To read and review more Christian nonfiction. It would be so completely awesome if I could fit in one or two Christian nonfiction books per month. Just think--24 a year. I joined Twiga's Christian Nonfiction challenge, so I'm hoping to get to at least ten.

3) To read and review more Christian fiction. All sorts of Christian fiction. I'd like to read one or two a week. Maybe one is more realistic. Maybe two would be pushing it too far. But still, the idea of two a week just appeals to me. Anyway, we'll see. I'm hoping to read books from my own collection--I've got a few boxes to catch up on--and to read from my local library. This year, I was never able to settle into this routine. I reviewed more this year than any other year. But I still didn't get to as much as I wanted.

4) To read and review more children's books with christian content/appeal. It would be great to be familiar with more of these.

My overall goal is to reach 100 (christian nonfiction, christian fiction, christian children's books, etc).

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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Sunday Salon: Week in Review (December 6-12)

This week I...

finished Ezekiel in the ESV Study Bible
read John 1 in the ESV Study Bible
read Isaiah 35-56 in the 1599 Geneva Bible

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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Saturday, December 12, 2009

A New Beginning Mini Challenge


A new mini-challenge is coming for January 2010. I hope you can join us in reading the book of Genesis and/or the book of Matthew.

The challenge will run from January 1, 2010 through February 6, 2010.
Choose any bible translation.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Question of the Week: Christmas Songs

It's been a while since I last posted a question of the week. But with Christmas fast approaching, I thought I would try to blog a little more. So this week's question is simple:

Which traditional christmas songs (think carols/hymns) are your favorites? Do you have one song that is 'more' special than another?

My answer: My favorite, favorite Christmas song is Hark The Harold Angels Sing.

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"


I love the "born that man no more may die/born to raise the sons of earth/born to give them second birth" bit. I think this hymn is just so theologically sound, so complete in its message of who God is and why we should be celebrating Christmas in the first place.

I really started appreciating this hymn after I heard a sermon series on it by Charles Betters. Part A. Part B. Part C. Since then, I've tried to make a point of listening each year to this sermon series.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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Sunday, December 6, 2009

Sunday Salon: Week In Review (November 29 - December 5)

This week I...

finished 2 Chronicles in the ESV Study Bible
read Ezekiel 1-24 in the ESV Study Bible
read Isaiah 21-34 in the 1599 Geneva Bible

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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Saturday, December 5, 2009

Faith 'n' Fiction Saturday: Holiday Shopping



Today's topic is simple. What is on your recommended holiday gift buying list? A particular book you think everyone should read? A translation of the Bible you've found helpful? Even a new Christian CD is appropriate. Just let us know what you think is worth putting down your hard earned cash for this Christmas. This is not your best of list, we'll do that in a couple of weeks!

I'll start out with a handful of CDs.


As I mentioned earlier in the week, Andrew Peterson has rereleased his BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD. Since this one has been out of print, I just have to encourage people to pick it up and give it a listen. Though it is a "Christmas" CD in a way, this one is so good, you'll want to listen to it ALL YEAR LONG! (You can buy it as a 2 Disc Set or a Digital Download at Andrew's store.) That's probably the best way to support this amazing Christian artist, but you can download the album on Amazon as well.


If you want to buy everyone on your list this CD, he does offer discounts if you buy 5 or 10 copies. While browsing, I discovered that you can buy an Andrew Peterson boxed set. With six of his albums: Carried Along, Clear To Venus, Love & Thunder, Behold the Lamb of God, The Far Country, and Resurrection Letters Volume II. It doesn't include Appendix A. (Now just available as a digital download.) I think this is a little gem of an album, by the way. I just love, love, love Alien Conspiracy (The Cheese Song). Really, so many of these are great songs. A lot of personality. I love it.


Steven Curtis Chapman's Beauty Will Rise. Wow. Wow. Wow. I really think this one is a must have. (Because this one is easier come by than Andrew Peterson, I'll refrain from linking to all the places you can buy it!) These twelve songs are so amazing. You really have to experience this album all for yourself. The songs are so raw, so honest, so pure, so scriptural, yet so human. IF you take the time to read the lyrics, you will cry. But oh how these songs have blessed me...




Here's an audio book, I'd definitely recommend The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.


As for fiction books, these are the ones I'd recommend:

Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent
Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin
Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen
A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman
A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman
A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman

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Thursday, December 3, 2009

Behold The Lamb of God Turns 10!


Behold The Lamb Of God: The True Tall Tale of The Coming of Christ is one of the MOST amazing albums I've ever experienced. How many Christmas albums can you honestly say that you'd want to listen to all year round? As in 365 days a year?! I know only of one. This wonderful little album by Andrew Peterson.

What makes this album so wonderful, so awesome? Simple, heart-felt lyrics that are God-centered. This isn't an album for decking the halls and jingling those bells on a sleigh ride. You can tell by listening to this one what celebrating Christmas is supposed to be like. A true worship experience. A chance for you to encounter God right where you are.

You should definitely read his post "A Question I Cannot Answer" in which he talks about working on this album.

At its core, it was to present the story of Christmas in a new way. I wanted to reach deep into the Old Testament and sing about the Passover, and King David, and Isaiah’s prophecies. I wanted to capture with song the same thrill that captured me in Bible college when the epic scope of the Gospel story first bowled me over. But I didn’t just want to dwell on what came before Jesus’ birth. I wanted to sing about what came after. His crucifixion and resurrection were the reasons he was born in the first place. You can’t have Christmas without Easter. So there was a lot of ground to cover with a handful of songs, and I had my doubts.

In celebration of its tenth anniversary, Andrew Peterson has released a new 2-disc edition of this one. I haven't listened to this anniversary edition. (Well, unless you count the song samples!) But I'm sure it will be just as amazing as the original. You can purchase the CD through his website or as an mp3 album download on Amazon.

Gather 'Round, Ye Children, Come
Passover Us
So Long, Moses
Deliver Us
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Matthew's Begats
It Came To Pass
Labor of Love
The Holly and The Ivy
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Behold The Lamb of God
The Theme Of My Song/ Reprise

Opening Reading
Gather 'Round, Ye Children, Come (Live)
Passover Us (Live)
So Long, Moses (Live)
Deliver Us (Live)
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Live)
Matthew's Begats (Live)
It Came To Pass (Live)
Labor of Love (Live)
The Holly and the Ivy (Live)
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (Live)
Behold the Lamb of God (Live)
The Theme Of My Song / Reprise (Live)
O Come All Ye Faithful (Live)

You can hear "So Long Moses" in the video below:



And Behold the Lamb of God



Matthew's Begats




© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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Sunday Salon

Mailbox Monday

Monday's Movie

Monday\
A weekly meme to blog about movies you've seen that week.

Musing Mondays

Where Are You (Tuesdays)

Teaser Tuesdays

Classics Bookclub (Tuesdays/Once a Month)

Classics Bookclub (Tuesdays/Once a Month)
First Tuesday of Every Month

Question of the Week

Question of the Week
Join me each and every Tuesday to answer this week's question! Got an idea for a question? Email me at laney_poATyahooDOTcom

What's On Your Nightstand (Tuesdays/Once Month)

What\
Fourth Tuesday of Every Month

Children's Classics (Tuesdays/Once A Month)

Children\
Second Tuesday of Every Month

Waiting On Wednesday

Library Loot

Library Loot
Weekly Meme to see what YOU've checked out of the library

Booking Through Thursday

Thursday Thoughts

Thursday Thoughts
Check early in the week for the topic

Friday Finds

Refer a Book Friday

Faith 'n Fiction Saturdays

Saturday Review of Books

Weekly Geeks

Bookworms Carnival

Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible



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