tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39504354943915071532024-03-18T10:42:38.436-05:00Operation Actually Read BibleBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.comBlogger4364125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-13649455585299099712024-03-18T10:39:00.001-05:002024-03-18T10:39:58.535-05:0023. Live Your Truth and Other Lies<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEEf0FQ-xmBAEugCmq6LAGrJGj011tNSN0UdDPxUrgiO-TI4BR2oe6gavKcz7kl79lSmTXmWy_YOtxyD8wRo44WCJZRZVDkAosfL4CDp6cuIoqJungSYJZhEVFHFLLTiox4h2yJnEub33K9n8OUZQOOgsgj8aCFZnY1kSCSGRuRTyI424Uqjjr4MqYHM/s315/4star197kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="315" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEEf0FQ-xmBAEugCmq6LAGrJGj011tNSN0UdDPxUrgiO-TI4BR2oe6gavKcz7kl79lSmTXmWy_YOtxyD8wRo44WCJZRZVDkAosfL4CDp6cuIoqJungSYJZhEVFHFLLTiox4h2yJnEub33K9n8OUZQOOgsgj8aCFZnY1kSCSGRuRTyI424Uqjjr4MqYHM/s1600/4star197kb.png" width="315" /></a></div><br />Live Your Truth and Other Lies: Exposing Popular Deceptions That Make Us Anxious, Exhausted and Self-Obsessed. Alisa Childers. 2022. 240 pages. [Source: Library]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: My finger was literally on the button. Everything in me wanted to click Like and Share. Why am I not doing it? I thought. The author of the meme was a Christian, the quote sounded positive and life-affirming, and it would surely encourage and uplift my social media friends. I still can't do it. But why? </div><div><br /></div><div>Live Your Truth and Other Lies is a book that challenges so-called "truths" of society and culture. Childers is encouraging her readers to logically, reasonably, thoughtfully examine their world views and beliefs, the truths by which they live. To do so in light of Scripture I might add. This whole book is essentially be discerning at all times, don't just soak up any and every "truth" that you hear--especially if it comes in a bite-size quote shared on social media. Not that lies can only be found on social media. Lies, half-truths, barely-truths can be found anywhere and everywhere in our lives, our cultures, our circles. Childers encourages--promotes--study of God's Word and reliance on it. </div><div><br /></div><div>This book is not unique. There are probably a few each year along these same lines. Books that are calling out the LIES and half-truths of our culture and society. Books that encourage living in the Word and by the Word. Books that promote living counterculturally, not compromising with the world but holding to Scripture. This one is in some ways basic. But here's the thing, there doesn't have to be one and only one book on this subject. Just because it's been said before doesn't mean it's less important if said another time. There are people who will pick this one up and be blessed by it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I liked the conversational tone of this one. I do love her YouTube channel and podcast. This was a pleasant, enjoyable read for me. I did like some of the charts within the chapters. I do wish it was easier to see which "lie" was being addressed in each chapter. The chapter titles could be more helpful. It isn't that they were horrible the first time through--when reading cover to cover. But if I wanted to use this as a reference, to come back to specific chapters to find something again, or to try to find a specific quote to share with someone, the chapter titles are not going to be helpful. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-81513124168551085772024-03-17T07:03:00.005-05:002024-03-17T15:01:50.387-05:00Sunday Salon #11<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVUaVoHr-BYyLm3SsOWaqUGrAXgd1o4NvEGoDbWzmP5L7vVBqvGYCBWHBTqpgsZlfZNssapVX6svKIphXrUBf5KA2G7xjDTn9VweOOoenBXPeQUg9TPmSLke8LOuN7YoMFRr4R8fY_qf13dWx1qUNY5nezJuCkE7tLpzFc4a0zgezolwtHquUqeBAQl0/s761/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-18%20at%2011.48.23%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="761" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVUaVoHr-BYyLm3SsOWaqUGrAXgd1o4NvEGoDbWzmP5L7vVBqvGYCBWHBTqpgsZlfZNssapVX6svKIphXrUBf5KA2G7xjDTn9VweOOoenBXPeQUg9TPmSLke8LOuN7YoMFRr4R8fY_qf13dWx1qUNY5nezJuCkE7tLpzFc4a0zgezolwtHquUqeBAQl0/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-18%20at%2011.48.23%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Current Bible reading:</div><div><br /></div><div>1 Year Bible for Women, KJV, Numbers 26-36; Deuteronomy 1-3; Psalm 60-67; Luke 2:36-52; Luke 3-5; Luke 6:1-11; Luke 6:12-38; Proverbs 11:15-27;</div><div><br /></div><div>NASB 95 Thompson Chain Reference: Psalms 50-; Deuteronomy; Joshua; Judges 1-18; 2 Corinthians; Galatians;</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV Cambridge: Joshua 18-24; Judges; Ruth; 1 Samuel; 2 Samuel; 1 Kings; 2 Kings; 1 Chronicles 1-20; Luke 2-24; John 1-8;</div><div><br /></div><div>ESV Creeds: Deuteronomy 16-34; Joshua; Judges 1-12; Psalms 103-150; Isaiah 43-66; Jeremiah 1-25; Revelation 13-22; </div><div><br /></div><div>NIV 2011: EX 6-40; 1 Samuel; 2 Samuel 1-5; Psalms 50-94; Isaiah 50-66; Jeremiah 1-30; Luke; John 1-10;</div><div><br /></div><div>NKJV Word Study Bible: Genesis 1-36; Colossians; Lamentations; Ezekiel 1-20</div><div><br /></div><div>BSB: Isaiah 38-45; John 11-14;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-17906135291675773902024-03-10T17:02:00.004-05:002024-03-10T17:02:40.466-05:0022. When the Day Comes<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW0waTuAIIszQHyKmVhbQF77q1Ao73Hax3C-dhd0bqJcl13emgdmcj1uPG0SbDpmoBD5sUlc_WdM7XfnHV0MOiItkCUnFOGloWpKU1MG1_niRNuqTPIJAhqmqP4wSX5T2yJe8x82gb50TNVQj_5Nf2BapldIWNdiUN6QwEtn2-059cjB-soYMHoj3dPQ/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW0waTuAIIszQHyKmVhbQF77q1Ao73Hax3C-dhd0bqJcl13emgdmcj1uPG0SbDpmoBD5sUlc_WdM7XfnHV0MOiItkCUnFOGloWpKU1MG1_niRNuqTPIJAhqmqP4wSX5T2yJe8x82gb50TNVQj_5Nf2BapldIWNdiUN6QwEtn2-059cjB-soYMHoj3dPQ/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />When the Day Comes. (Timeless #1) Gabrielle Meyer. 2022. 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: For as long as I could remember, my mama had told me that my life was a gift. But at the age of nineteen, I had yet to see how this life I was living--or rather the lives I was living--could be anything other than a burden.</div><div><br /></div><div>Premise/plot: When the Day Comes is a "timeslip" novel I believe. The premise is that there are a select number of human beings gifted/blessed by God with an unusual ability. They live two lives. When they fall asleep in one life, they wake up in the other. That's the keeping it simple summary. On her twenty-first birthday, the individual--in this case, Libby--must choose between her two lives and commit to living in one time period. Libby lives in Colonial Williamsburg in 1774--so essentially the country is on the verge of the war--and New York in 1914--again, Libby is living on the verge of war, though she probably doesn't know that bit. Her mother is also a "time traveler" (her lives were Colonial America and the 1990s). </div><div><br /></div><div>Libby is 100000000% certain that she knows her choice already. She is going to stay with her widowed mother and siblings in Colonial America, and, above all she is going to stay with her much beloved sweetheart, Henry. She hates almost every moment of her "modern" life in 1914. She doesn't hate her father, she might miss him a little bit. But she has no bond or connection with anyone else. Everything is a drudge.</div><div><br /></div><div>But God may have different plans for her life. Will He work all things out for good?</div><div><br /></div><div>My thoughts: I don't hate the premise. I don't. I actually think it has a LOT of potential. I do. I think it could be done really well. There could be great characterization, immersion into different time periods, and genuine tension and conflict. Like what if she *equally* enjoyed/loved both lives. What if she actually cared about both families. What if she actually lived life to the fullest in both lives. What if she authentically belonged to both timelines. But as it is, the characterization just isn't there. The characters lack fleshing out. The relationships feel flat, for the most part. The book does not read historical for either time period because the main character doesn't really 'belong' anywhere. She knows too much about Colonial America [and American history up through 1914 at least]. And through conversations with her mother, she has hints of even more. At one point her mother gives her a brief overview of the twentieth century. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think the biggest problem for me was the NON love triangle. We have one of the weakest love triangles ever. Which is fine, completely fine. Many people hate love triangles. But when you've got the main character in relationships in both timelines, but she loves one madly and despises the other...then it is just wearisome. The modern timeline depicts S.A. </div><div><br /></div><div>I take back what I said about the biggest problem. The solution tie-a-bow-on-it-ending was 1000000% convenient and felt cheater-pants. </div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-9790097792168415382024-03-10T07:23:00.003-05:002024-03-10T16:41:09.780-05:00Sunday Salon #10<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0bSiZEwUmZJ2med3tG48zi2f9l0pmTxbhE4H9nEzD5fJVaw8xQspJcOE_uYSv7RYzTKAe8VDMkHOO0mH4xvRHi_ZCrxjAmYsaLebZpVNnSydUrGqi3lBHQJG1jnjoHHbkrQLXIwp37fHAIHTMEkeZQcsTfEE_koCXHwX_baYjxzkpiRuI4m14oNom0Y/s761/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-18%20at%2011.48.23%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="761" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0bSiZEwUmZJ2med3tG48zi2f9l0pmTxbhE4H9nEzD5fJVaw8xQspJcOE_uYSv7RYzTKAe8VDMkHOO0mH4xvRHi_ZCrxjAmYsaLebZpVNnSydUrGqi3lBHQJG1jnjoHHbkrQLXIwp37fHAIHTMEkeZQcsTfEE_koCXHwX_baYjxzkpiRuI4m14oNom0Y/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-18%20at%2011.48.23%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Current Bible reading:</div><div><br /></div><div>1 Year Bible for Women KJV: Numbers 10-25; Mark 14-16; Luke 1-2:1-35; Psalms 51-59; Proverbs 10:31-32; Proverbs 11:1-14; </div><div><br /></div><div>Thompson Chain Reference NASB 95: Exodus 29-40; Leviticus; Numbers; Psalms 15-49; Acts 9-28; Hebrews; 1 Corinthians;</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV Cambridge: Exodus 18-40; Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy; Joshua 1-17; Matthew 17-28; Mark; Luke 1;</div><div><br /></div><div>ESV Creeds and Confessions: Leviticus 26-27; Numbers; Deuteronomy 1-15; Psalms 33-102; Ecclesiastes 9-12; Song of Songs; Isaiah 1-42; Titus; Philemon; Hebrews; James; 1 Peter; 2 Peter; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John; Jude; Revelation 1-12; </div><div><br /></div><div>NIV 2011: Genesis 6-50; Exodus 1-5; Joshua 6-24; Judges; Psalms 7-49; Isaiah 6-49; Matthew 5-28; Mark;</div><div><br /></div><div>BSB Isaiah 29-37; John 8-10; </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-91223775650452415982024-03-06T16:35:00.004-06:002024-03-06T16:35:54.933-06:0021. Rand McNally Book of Favorite Stories of Jesus<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdaJLvDgzuWIy_zDzjkoAK20dmGKhrNAvB50Jurq9-esDNsV6PoUzQsTLwNmdjgHLB9mqKnDolZlqM5nOHhnHDQr1N2diTCLryFzIC7fbP6IrLafCywWNxdUja3MWlX8qA-wmxwkJw8MAV7oRc-k5dhGqyMx3yK6AWpx7bIegEyEXVrY9dNRzDR2B5rU/s315/4star197kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="315" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdaJLvDgzuWIy_zDzjkoAK20dmGKhrNAvB50Jurq9-esDNsV6PoUzQsTLwNmdjgHLB9mqKnDolZlqM5nOHhnHDQr1N2diTCLryFzIC7fbP6IrLafCywWNxdUja3MWlX8qA-wmxwkJw8MAV7oRc-k5dhGqyMx3yK6AWpx7bIegEyEXVrY9dNRzDR2B5rU/s1600/4star197kb.png" width="315" /></a></div><br />The Rand McNally Book of Favorite Stories of Jesus. Mary Alice Jones (according to GoodReads). Illustrated by Elizabeth Webbe, Eleanor Corwin, Manning de V. Lee, and Janet Robson Kennedy. 1981. 109 pages. [Source: Bought]</div><div><br /></div><div>This book consists of four previously published (presumably) children's books: The Baby Jesus, Jesus and the Children, Jesus Who Helped People, and Friends of Jesus. These books were originally published in the 1960s between 1961 and 1964. (IF I read Roman numerals correctly.) The first story, as you can surmise from the title, is the Christmas nativity story. The other three titles are thematically grouped narratives. Jesus and the Children focuses in on passages of scripture in which Jesus interacted with children. Jesus Who Helped People has the broadest narrative. Readers get a series of vignettes. Friends of Jesus tells two stories. First it tells of the calling of [early] disciples Peter and Andrew. Second, it tells the story of Zacchaeus. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first two books seem to go together well. The last two books seem to go together well. </div><div><br /></div><div>I bought the book because I have a weakness for vintage children's books. The books have a narrative style that reads vintage or old-fashioned. For better or worse. I'm not saying it is always, always, always better. But it's definitely not for the worse in this instance in my opinion. The books almost have the same narrative flow as Dick and Jane. These are books meant to be read by kids. </div><div><br /></div><div>First paragraph of The Baby Jesus,</div><div></div><blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Mary and Joseph were going to Bethlehem. Mary was riding on a little gray donkey. Joseph was walking, leading the donkey. Soon it would be dark. Mary was tired. She knew it was time for her baby to be born. She drew her shawl closer about her to keep warm. "There," Joseph said. "There is Bethlehem. It is not far now." Mary looked up and saw the town. "We are almost there," she said. Mary and Joseph came to the town. They went to the inn where the travelers stayed. The door was closed. Joseph knocked at the door. He knocked again and again. </div></blockquote><div></div><div>I appreciate older texts and seeing snapshots of the times.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know there can be some debate among Christians on if [artistic] illustrations are a violation of the second commandment, but, for those that are not so convinced [at least not in regards to bible story books for children as opposed to art hanging in sanctuaries or icons] vintage art can be quite delightful. The first two books in particular I really enjoyed the artwork. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-16994738661658753472024-03-03T07:10:00.001-06:002024-03-03T07:10:02.879-06:00Sunday Salon #9<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fd5_RAyjwztJZ-CVvqfWahhunO5Ntyh1Z2ZInMo9ZTn3WIOkvA8gcqJDiIkusNOJoDnd4jjdnUw9GLJsrbEzVj7SJ_VJwW_Yim-CM6gl-gIkaaaXGpX7jtoG_RvXzRy4d6fw4sXoLLpTiwHxbm40pqwoHeCb4_dwqtTSPMsMlXmH9_FXTn5qHAziElc/s761/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-18%20at%2011.48.23%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="761" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fd5_RAyjwztJZ-CVvqfWahhunO5Ntyh1Z2ZInMo9ZTn3WIOkvA8gcqJDiIkusNOJoDnd4jjdnUw9GLJsrbEzVj7SJ_VJwW_Yim-CM6gl-gIkaaaXGpX7jtoG_RvXzRy4d6fw4sXoLLpTiwHxbm40pqwoHeCb4_dwqtTSPMsMlXmH9_FXTn5qHAziElc/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-18%20at%2011.48.23%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Current Bible reading:</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV -- One Year Bible for Women -- Leviticus 19-27 Numbers 1-9; Mark 8:11-38; 9-13; Psalms 42-50; Proverbs 10:17-30; </div><div><br /></div><div>NASB 95 TCR -- Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, Job; Amos; Obadiah; Jonah; Micah; Nahum, Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi; Psalms 1-14; Exodus 1-28; Acts 1-8</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV (World) -- Mark 8-16; Luke; John; Acts; Romans; Philippians; Colossians; 1 Thessalonians; 2 Thessalonians; 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; Hebrews; James; 1 Peter; 2 Peter; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV (Cambridge) Genesis; Exodus 1-17; Matthew 1-16; </div><div><br /></div><div>BSB -- Isaiah 17-28; John 6-7; </div><div><br /></div><div>ESV Creeds -- Exodus 15-40; Leviticus 1-25; Luke 18-24; John; Psalms 1-32; Job 33-42; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes 1-8; 2 Corinthians 3-13; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; 1 Thessalonians; 2 Thessalonians; 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy; </div><div><br /></div><div>NIV 2011 -- Genesis 1-5; Joshua 1-5; Psalms 1-6; Isaiah 1-5; Matthew 1-4; </div><div><br /></div><div>LSB Revelation 9-12</div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-92097405131094173052024-03-01T18:28:00.004-06:002024-03-01T18:35:59.016-06:0020. Eve and Adam and Their Very First Day<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2HMF-lNWEHm29gAWXHMpGL-KDeazUoG2BDFcQVs5QrUQ9ILZ0fWpPPU3XI5s5wdwik0-yG6Kxoc9IhQeiQm5f-Rm2z0xgHW_iOXggKXnvlteb4BLgFGE21PfDluyxo5srV7hR_77-Wr7JgzMxvCT5wxlVhQFgxFs8mxIKPG-9lLOB8yjdeoDF-Me3vA/s312/2star193kb.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="312" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2HMF-lNWEHm29gAWXHMpGL-KDeazUoG2BDFcQVs5QrUQ9ILZ0fWpPPU3XI5s5wdwik0-yG6Kxoc9IhQeiQm5f-Rm2z0xgHW_iOXggKXnvlteb4BLgFGE21PfDluyxo5srV7hR_77-Wr7JgzMxvCT5wxlVhQFgxFs8mxIKPG-9lLOB8yjdeoDF-Me3vA/s1600/2star193kb.png" width="312" /></a></div><br />Eve and Adam and Their Very First Day. Leslie Kimmelman. Illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich. 2023. [October 24] 32 pages. [Source: Library]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: It was Eve's first day in the Garden of Eden. Actually, it was her first day anywhere, since she was newly created. God had made her wonderfully well. Eve was not afraid of anything. She was not afraid of the wild green tangle of the garden. Not afraid of the tall leafy trees soaring up into the sky. Not afraid of the vivid, rainbow-colored flowers growing all around her, their sweet scents perfuming the air.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eve is the star of the show in Leslie Kimmelman's light-hearted retelling of the creation story. (Note the shift from Adam and Eve to Eve and Adam. Adam perhaps should join Ken in singing "I'm Just Ken." Adam is introduced four pages into the text.) </div><div><br /></div><div>The main theme seems to be that Eve (and Adam) were created by God and lived fearlessly (well, mostly). (And to give credit where credit is due, I do think that Adam and Eve were free from fear--as we know and experience fear. I do think fear is a result of sin, of the fall of creation.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Eve finds Adam super cute and adorable but a little lacking in imagination and intelligence. Quote from the text, "Maybe it was because Adam had been first. Eve came second, and, well, practice makes perfect." (To be fair to the author, Eve does admit she is NOT perfect two seconds after saying that she was perfect.) </div><div><br /></div><div>About a third of the way through the story, the pair are startled and frightened by rain, thunder, and lightning. This is the first time they've experienced fear but they turn to faith in God that all will be well...again. (I suppose theologians might have differing opinions on IF rain occurred before the Flood or not. I suppose this isn't the most critical issue one could have in the evangelical faith. [Note: when I say evangelical I do NOT mean anything related to politics.]) </div><div><br /></div><div>Soon one fright leads to another. Turns out ADAM is afraid of the dark. Good thing Eve isn't scared of the dark and can help calm him down. But as the darkness becomes truly darkness, even Eve becomes worried. Though not as bad as shivering Adam. The stars eventually make their appearance and the two nestle up comfy-cozy together. (The whole book presents Eve and Adam without clothes. So this nestling picture seems an odd choice. It is in some ways sweet. But in other ways, a little daring for a children's book.) </div><div><br /></div><div>The book ends with Eve (and Adam) declaring everything GOOD. Here is where I go from mildly perturbed to indignant. God has been an "extra" at best in this little play of creation. Definitely not front and center. The book itself has been very cutesy and light-hearted. In a way. Perhaps not a harmless way. Definitely a more pointed way. A way that makes Adam look weak, pathetic, a sidekick to Eve, her companion sure enough but not her equal. But I think the "slap in the face," if you will is when the author takes Scripture--God's declaration of creation's goodness [see Genesis 1:1-31]--and ends her story this way, "Eve and Adam saw that it was good." God barely registers as a footnote in the text. In Genesis 1 and 2, God is on the move--he is ACTIVELY creating, speaking, working, declaring. Make no mistake, any [intelligent] reading of the text reveals that God is front and center, the "main character" if you will, the whole point. This picture book pushes out the Creator and makes CREATION--specifically Eve--the focal point. </div><div><br /></div><div>As the title suggests, the picture book is "the first day, first night, second morning." The scene fades before Genesis 3.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I could be unimpressed but not particularly disgruntled if the picture book did not end with the phrase, "And Eve and Adam saw that it was good." I think it isn't so much the sentiment behind the literal words. I am 99.9% sure that Adam and Eve did look at God's creation and see goodness. It is the parroting of the biblical narrative and attributing God's declaration as originating from Eve that is unsettling. </div><div><br /></div><div>The book is in the difficult position. On the one hand, it isn't theologically or biblically sound enough for [some] Christians to want to share with little ones. And Adam and Eve narratives abound in Bible storybooks. This one isn't remarkable enough to be better than those. Will every Christian see this one as twisting Scripture? Maybe. Maybe not. Probably not. On the other hand, the subject matter itself--Adam, Eve, Garden of Eden, God--makes it a difficult sell to a general audience, a secular audience that may not want any hint of religion. For those wanting an Eve that more closely resembles the Barbie character from 2023's Barbie movie instead of the book of Genesis from the very Word of God, this one may be a good fit. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I will say--and I doubt anyone is still reading--that I did not dislike the artwork. I think the story is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, playful, light-hearted, fun and silly. I don't think the author truly has made a decision to play around with the truth of Scripture. It may come off as irreverent to me, but I don't assume that that was authorial intent. </div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-6939110570709714582024-03-01T07:00:00.009-06:002024-03-01T07:00:00.141-06:003. King James Version, World Publishing, <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mxyvsQvPMLoww59TmW_bvlnOqAjjrQwB1ttVmrR8CJlVB6IAdA_X9YfJ2Gi46YWfIX7f7PU8xXVaeGrjzjkMC2zPxaPMzcy8VXbb-jPNYRIGV5-bD54bgwOpzBCz49Y73u_arvndvvg8NSQVYxlKCix9mBStv1CYGMLT7JIzSIYWAf4WoQPV8YuJY9E/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mxyvsQvPMLoww59TmW_bvlnOqAjjrQwB1ttVmrR8CJlVB6IAdA_X9YfJ2Gi46YWfIX7f7PU8xXVaeGrjzjkMC2zPxaPMzcy8VXbb-jPNYRIGV5-bD54bgwOpzBCz49Y73u_arvndvvg8NSQVYxlKCix9mBStv1CYGMLT7JIzSIYWAf4WoQPV8YuJY9E/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Holy Bible, King James Version, Red-Letter Edition, Self-Pronouncing Text. God. 1769. 1246 pages. [Source: Bought]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am hoping that this will be the only "messy" review of a Bible. Messy in that I literally read from three different physical Bibles--all the King James Version. I do typically try to read physical bibles cover to cover. I don't usually mix-and-match physical bibles. However, circumstances. I read from the RAINBOW STUDY BIBLE, the KJV Creedal Bible, and a vintage KJV published by World. I read probably fifty percent from the World one. There is NO copyright date. It is not in GoodReads or Amazon's databases. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love, love, love the King James Version. I especially love older editions of the King James Version. The print seems to be blacker, darker. The paper can often be nicer--better quality. The gilding of this one is red. It is double column. Words of Christ in red. Self-pronouncing text. No cross references. Separate pagination for Old and New Testaments. 954 for the Old Testament. 292 for the New Testament. </div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-949175234706199922024-02-26T10:44:00.003-06:002024-02-26T10:44:23.949-06:0019. The Bookends of the Christian Life<div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mxyvsQvPMLoww59TmW_bvlnOqAjjrQwB1ttVmrR8CJlVB6IAdA_X9YfJ2Gi46YWfIX7f7PU8xXVaeGrjzjkMC2zPxaPMzcy8VXbb-jPNYRIGV5-bD54bgwOpzBCz49Y73u_arvndvvg8NSQVYxlKCix9mBStv1CYGMLT7JIzSIYWAf4WoQPV8YuJY9E/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mxyvsQvPMLoww59TmW_bvlnOqAjjrQwB1ttVmrR8CJlVB6IAdA_X9YfJ2Gi46YWfIX7f7PU8xXVaeGrjzjkMC2zPxaPMzcy8VXbb-jPNYRIGV5-bD54bgwOpzBCz49Y73u_arvndvvg8NSQVYxlKCix9mBStv1CYGMLT7JIzSIYWAf4WoQPV8YuJY9E/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Bookends of the Christian Life. Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington. 2009. March 2009. Crossway Publishers. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;">First sentence: Most of us have experienced the difficulty of putting books on a bookshelf without having a set of bookends to keep them in place. You know what happens.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1);">The Bookends of the Christian Life is one of my favorite books. I've read it three times now: once in 2010, once in 2013, and once in 2024. The bookends of the Christian life are justification and sanctification. These two fundamental, essential doctrines are incredibly helpful when understanding and applying the gospel. One can understand these doctrines without knowing the doctrine's name. It's not the fancy theological terms that make the doctrine wonderful. Some may be unfamiliar with these essential doctrines, however. Sometimes gospel presentations are more on the shallow end. Sometimes one thinks, well, I've heard the gospel once...I'm saved...I don't need to spend any more time thinking or studying the gospel. But the gospel is something that we need to live in, grow in, saturate ourselves with. The gospel is relevant and timely every single day of our lives. The authors encourage readers to preach the gospel to themselves daily. The book is in some ways a thorough going over the gospel--in all its wonderful glory, both simple and complex. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1);">From my previous review(s):</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> The Bookends of the Christian Life is a) short b) straightforward c) relevant. It is written to be understood and applied. Though the subject is theological in nature, it is PRACTICAL theology. It introduces a way of thinking about your life by introducing the notion of bookends. If you don't want your faith to be a complete mess, you need bookends for your faith. One of the bookends is the righteousness of Christ; the second bookend is the power of the Holy Spirit. The book never assumes that readers know what "the righteousness of Christ" is. Or that readers understand what "the power of the Holy Spirit" is. It does not assume that readers have a working understanding of the doctrines of justification, imputation, or sanctification. It explains essential doctrines in a friendly non-condescending way. It is very refreshing. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">The book is ALL about the gospel. But it also spends some time addressing three serious gospel enemies: self-righteousness, persistent guilt, and self-reliance. How can believers fight against these three enemies? By preaching the gospel to themselves every day. By leaning on the bookends of the faith. By relying on Christ's righteousness and the POWER of the Holy Spirit. This book is all about TRUSTING the promises of God. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Favorite quotes:</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;" /><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">What is the righteousness of Christ, and why do we need it as the first bookend? The word righteous in the Bible basically means perfect obedience; a righteous person is one who always does what is right. This statement assumes that there's an external, objective standard of right and wrong. That standard is the universal moral will of God as given to us throughout the Bible. It's the law of God written on every human heart. It's the standard by which each person will ultimately be judged. Our problem is that we're not righteous. (19)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">We know we need a Savior, so we trust in Christ to redeem us from the curse of God's law. But though we believe we're saved as far as our eternal destiny is concerned, we may not be sure about our day-to-day standing with God. Many of us embrace a vague but very real notion that God's approval has to be earned by our conduct. We know we're saved by grace, but we believe God blesses us according to our level of perfect obedience. Consequently, our confidence that we abide in God's favor ebbs and flows according to how we gauge our performance. And since we sin every single day, this approach is ultimately discouraging and even devastating. This is exactly why we need the first bookend. (21-2)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">At the cross, Jesus paid the penalty we should have paid, by enduring the wrath of God we should have endured. And this required him to do something unprecedented. It required him to provide the ultimate level of obedience--one that we'll never be asked to emulate. It required him to give up his relationship with the Father so that we could have one instead. The very thought of being torn away from the Father caused him to sweat great drops of blood. (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Luke 22.44" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%2022.44" style="color: #3b3632; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Luke 22:44</a>). And at the crescendo of his obedience, he screamed: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Mark 15.34" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mark%2015.34" style="color: #3b3632; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Mark 15:34</a>). The physical pain he endured was nothing compared to the agony of being separated from the Father. In all of history, Jesus is the only human being who was truly righteous in every way; and he was righteous in ways that are truly beyond our comprehension. (23-4)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Even though in ourselves we're completely unrighteous, God counts us as righteous because he has appointed Christ to be our representative and substitute. Therefore when Christ lived a perfect life, in God's sight we lived a perfect life. When Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins, we died on the cross. All that Christ did in his sinless life and his sin-bearing death, he did as our representative, so that we receive the credit for it. It's in this representative union with Christ that he presents us before the Father, "holy and blameless and above reproach." (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Colossians 1.22" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Colossians%201.22" style="color: #3b3632; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Colossians 1:22</a>) </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">There's an old play on the word justified: "just-as-if-I'd never sinned." But here's another way of saying it: "just-as-if-I'd always obeyed". Both are true. The first refers to the transfer of our moral debt to Christ so we're left with a "clean" ledger, just as if we'd never sinned. The second tells us our ledger is now filled with the perfect righteousness of Christ, so it's just as if we'd always obeyed.... The news of this righteousness IS the gospel. (26)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Faith involves both a renunciation and a reliance. First, we must renounce any trust in our own performance as the basis of our acceptance before God. We trust in our own performance when we believe we've earned God's acceptance by our good works. But we also trust in our own performance when we believe we've lost God's acceptance by our bad works--by our sin. So we must renounce any consideration of either our bad works or our good works as the means of our relating to God. Second, we must place our reliance entirely on the perfect obedience and sin-bearing death of Christ as the sole basis of our standing before God--on our best days as well as our worst. (28)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Every day we must re-acknowledge the fact that there's nothing we can do to make ourselves either more acceptable to God or less acceptable. Regardless of how much we grow in our Christian lives, we're accepted for Christ's sake or not accepted at all. (29)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">There's an important lesson here for all of us. Genuine love for Christ comes through 1) an ever-growing consciousness of our own sinfulness and unworthiness, coupled with 2) the assurance that our sins, however great, have been forgiven through his death on the cross. Only love that's founded on both of these foundations can be authentic and permanent. (34)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">We need to intentionally bathe our minds and hearts in the gospel every day. (40)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Self-righteousness turns grace on its head because it views the sinner as deserving God's blessings rather than as undeserving. (43)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">To the very end John Newton remembered both his sin and the gospel. On his deathbed at age eighty-two, he said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior." (59)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Thomas Wilcox put it like this: "The gospel is for sinners, and only for sinners." (68)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">But it's not enough to merely see the righteousness of Christ as all-sufficient; we must see it as all-sufficient for us. Jesus was perfectly obedient in our place, as our substitute. Have we lacked purity? Jesus was pure in our place. Have we lacked patience? Jesus was patient in our place. In every area we see failure and sin, Jesus was successful at providing a perfect obedience that's credited to us. Whenever we see Christ's righteousness as all-sufficient for us, shifting our dependence to it should be almost irresistible. (70)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Although all of God's blessings are in Christ, they're distributed and applied to us by the Holy Spirit. (83)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">As we look to the Spirit to work in us and enable us to work, we should realize that he uses various spiritual instruments, often called the "means of grace." They're the means by which we're "strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus."... We have a responsibility to respond to each means of grace the Spirit provides. We're to participate in using them to our spiritual advantage. The term spiritual disciplines is used to describe this process and to emphasize our responsibility. Through practicing the spiritual disciplines, we avail ourselves of the means of grace.... the disciplines themselves are not the source of spiritual power. Only the Holy Spirit is. The disciplines are his instruments to transmit his power. (99)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">The Holy Spirit uses our growing appetite for enjoying our relationship with God as a powerful encouragement in our battle against sin... When we enjoy God more than sin, we give him an even deeper level of glorifying love, a level he alone deserves. </span><span style="line-height: 22px;"> (117)</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;">Just as by nature we assume we earn our salvation by our good works, so by nature we assume we grow spiritually by our own effort and willpower. What's wrong with this kind of self-reliance? Everything. (125)</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;">John Stott described the best place to find the basis for such humility: "Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves...until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there at the foot of the cross that we shrink to our true size. (143)</blockquote></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-17531135745523595202024-02-26T10:28:00.003-06:002024-02-26T10:28:38.313-06:0018. If the Boot Fits<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNgWexLQQ06DNSMKLgR9SGKSTzCorrZb6sa6hImyWeI_AxtOzb0lUPtHiw1kF64VKtfuSKuMiIhYc4ymf-0qrmUWDO4SjPQlDcXOwc_pr4qDv6zlDGiuQYELBKdD8egBFPYMXfwvy4hemSKx5IHTR4hMArw-mZwPPeAgcf0X5y0kU9CNAwG9JTxxXn9g/s315/4star197kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="315" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNgWexLQQ06DNSMKLgR9SGKSTzCorrZb6sa6hImyWeI_AxtOzb0lUPtHiw1kF64VKtfuSKuMiIhYc4ymf-0qrmUWDO4SjPQlDcXOwc_pr4qDv6zlDGiuQYELBKdD8egBFPYMXfwvy4hemSKx5IHTR4hMArw-mZwPPeAgcf0X5y0kU9CNAwG9JTxxXn9g/s1600/4star197kb.png" width="315" /></a></div><br />If the Boot Fits. Karen Witemeyer. 2024. 368 pages. [Source: Review copy]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: She'd only been home from school for two weeks, and already her father was trying to marry her off. Silently fuming, Samantha Dearing yanked open the door to her father's study and stepped inside.</div><div><br /></div><div>Premise/plot: If the Boot Fits is the second book in the Texas Ever After series by Karen Witemeyer. Samantha Dearing is the daughter of a "cattle king" and her father is anxious to see her wed. Samantha wants to marry sure enough, but not just anybody and definitely not someone just of her father's choosing. She wants to follow her heart and marry for love. </div><div><br /></div><div>The novel opens at the close of a party--a "ball," if you will--Samantha has not found her one true love. But she has caught someone sneaking around her father's property. And that someone--somehow, someway--has left a boot behind. In his flight, however, he does take time to save Samantha's younger brother, Clint, who is in pursuit. </div><div><br /></div><div>Asher Ellis has no love for Mr. Dearing, but, his daughter on the other hand seems oh-so-charming and quite lovely. Not just on the outside, but a GOOD person through and through. She's teaching Asher's younger brother to read, and he is teaching her to ride a horse.</div><div><br /></div><div>As she settles into the community, it seems someone in the community wants her dead....can Samantha survive long enough to see if the boot fits her one true love?</div><div><br /></div><div>My thoughts: I'm not sure if I'm all the way committed to the notion of this being a Cinderella retelling. It is clumsy--in my opinion--if that is the sole determinator of the book's success. However, if you remove that somewhat gimmicky premise, the book is definitely worth reading. I do love Asher and Samantha; individually and together, these two are easy to like/love. Both are genuinely good people. The book has plenty of drama--though none from stepmothers or stepsisters. In fact, I'd argue that Karen Witemeyer has taken the intensity level completely off the charts. If you want DRAMA that goes all the way--full force on dangerous predicaments and true life-or-death peril--then this one delivers. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-56703594156541449682024-02-25T07:22:00.002-06:002024-02-25T07:22:14.199-06:00Sunday Salon #8<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLES4xoMP0g1sk82r87VLhb-joCaYTiv-klGnyBPkKBnQfCXoRY2oscnPr95UW0FJhJ3zcPgkzLWeNIVc2ByUKpLR_OcNegjYR9kTQBBkd75Ew1HfZUO8dJw2EAOok3g9PeJICMZB-B1nbAZ_zFgx0ObuJ5WX1ItxnusBsQIIpQzBcVwfAjMXc4hdYGQ/s761/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-18%20at%2011.48.23%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="761" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLES4xoMP0g1sk82r87VLhb-joCaYTiv-klGnyBPkKBnQfCXoRY2oscnPr95UW0FJhJ3zcPgkzLWeNIVc2ByUKpLR_OcNegjYR9kTQBBkd75Ew1HfZUO8dJw2EAOok3g9PeJICMZB-B1nbAZ_zFgx0ObuJ5WX1ItxnusBsQIIpQzBcVwfAjMXc4hdYGQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-18%20at%2011.48.23%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Current Bible reading</div><div><br /></div><div>One Year Bible for Women (KJV): Leviticus 6-18; Mark 3:7-8:10; Psalms 37-41; Proverbs 10:3-16; </div><div><br /></div><div>NASB 95 (TCR): 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles; Ezra; Isaiah 40-66; Song of Songs; Ecclesiastes; Hosea; Joel; James</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV (World): Jeremiah 30-52; Lamentations; Ezekiel; Daniel; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Jonah; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi; Matthew; Mark 1-8</div><div><br /></div><div>ESV Creeds and Confessions: Genesis 16-50; Exodus 1-14; Matthew 15-28; Mark; Luke 1-17; Nehemiah 5-13; Esther; Job 1-32; Acts 15-28; Romans; 1 Corinthians; 2 Corinthians 1-2; </div><div><br /></div><div>BSB: Isaiah 7-16; John 3-5; </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-31417777750596160112024-02-18T07:05:00.004-06:002024-02-18T07:05:41.256-06:00Sunday Salon #7<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNYFGeZE0klVGb1u90U84Vc13MMDl2mA_OBIl0gvkJRgX1q0NQ4yUTivcXmyxJyOoIKiuil94Ixmm3vYJeP4B0l_nDwMeEccsizJHRLmvs2ytlfrhyBltvcQ0dZOnMPq2H0T_SaBS6aLPZg206lVRndt5IFyuieBWBL7g5nfEay3pocQ4npIeXytLqC0/s292/holy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="292" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNYFGeZE0klVGb1u90U84Vc13MMDl2mA_OBIl0gvkJRgX1q0NQ4yUTivcXmyxJyOoIKiuil94Ixmm3vYJeP4B0l_nDwMeEccsizJHRLmvs2ytlfrhyBltvcQ0dZOnMPq2H0T_SaBS6aLPZg206lVRndt5IFyuieBWBL7g5nfEay3pocQ4npIeXytLqC0/s1600/holy.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Current Bible reading</div><div><br /></div><div>ESV (with Apocrypha): This is the final week for this one--at least right now. I've been using this one to do the Daily Office (2019) lectionary/calendar. But it just isn't working for me. Genesis 41-47; Matthew 1:18-25; 2-6:1-18; Jeremiah 41-47; 2 Corinthians 9-13; Romans 1-2; </div><div><br /></div><div>ESV Creeds and Confessions: Genesis 1-15; Matthew 1-14; Ezra; Nehemiah 1-4; Acts 1-14; </div><div><br /></div><div>1 Year Bible for Women (KJV): Exodus 26-40; Leviticus 1-5; Matthew 25-28; Mark 1-3:6; Psalms 31-36; Proverbs 8-10:1-2; </div><div><br /></div><div>KJV (World) Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Isaiah, Jeremiah 1-29;</div><div><br /></div><div>NASB 73: (This is the final week for this one because I FINISHED IT!!!!!!) Luke; 1 Corinthians; 2 Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 1 Peter, 2 Peter</div><div><br /></div><div>NASB 95 (Thompson Chain Reference): Genesis; Isaiah 1-39; 1 Peter; 2 Peter;</div><div><br /></div><div>BSB: Isaiah 1-6; John 1-2; </div><div><br /></div><div>G4L Revelation 5-8: NIV 84 (Revelation 1-8); </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-25609561368160209662024-02-13T14:59:00.004-06:002024-02-13T15:00:13.136-06:002. New American Standard Bible (1973)<div><div style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mxyvsQvPMLoww59TmW_bvlnOqAjjrQwB1ttVmrR8CJlVB6IAdA_X9YfJ2Gi46YWfIX7f7PU8xXVaeGrjzjkMC2zPxaPMzcy8VXbb-jPNYRIGV5-bD54bgwOpzBCz49Y73u_arvndvvg8NSQVYxlKCix9mBStv1CYGMLT7JIzSIYWAf4WoQPV8YuJY9E/s323/5star201kb.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mxyvsQvPMLoww59TmW_bvlnOqAjjrQwB1ttVmrR8CJlVB6IAdA_X9YfJ2Gi46YWfIX7f7PU8xXVaeGrjzjkMC2zPxaPMzcy8VXbb-jPNYRIGV5-bD54bgwOpzBCz49Y73u_arvndvvg8NSQVYxlKCix9mBStv1CYGMLT7JIzSIYWAf4WoQPV8YuJY9E/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">New American Standard Reference Edition. 1973. God. 1899 pages. [Source: Bought]</div></span></div></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"><span style="background-color: white;">First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This was my third time to read the 1973 text edition of the New American Standard Bible. The NASB is published by the Lockman Foundation. I have read several other text editions of the NASB: 1971, 1973, 1977, 1995, and 2020. The two that I keep coming back to again and again and again and again are the 1977 and 1995. Still, I find the 1973 irresistible when I find it at a thrift shop. </div><div><br /></div><div>The 1973 is long out of print. While you can still buy brand new copies of the 1977 text edition, the 1971 and 1973 have not stayed "in print." If you don't have it in your collection, it isn't a huge deal. The 1977 can satisfy all your vintage needs. In terms of thee and thou, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>The copies I have found have all been single column with side column references. Also verse by verse. Also black letter. I've also only ever found copies that have notes, underlinings, and other markings. I've never found a "clean" copy. This has given me the freedom to mark it in myself. It also shows me that previous owners have found the NASB helpful and good. </div><div><br /></div><div>My start date: January 14, 2024. My end date: February 13, 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;">PSALM 23</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"></div><blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;"><div>The LORD is my shepherd,</div><div>I shall not want.</div><div>He makes me lie down in green pastures;</div><div>He leads me beside quiet waters.</div><div>He restores my soul;</div><div>He guides me in the paths of righteousness</div><div>For His name's sake.</div><div>Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,</div><div>I fear no evil: for Thou art with me;</div><div>Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.</div><div>Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;</div><div>Thou hast anointed my head with oil;</div><div>My cup overflows.</div><div>Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,</div><div>And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.</div></blockquote><div style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"><a class="lbsBibleRef lbsBibleRef" data-reference="John 3.16" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.16" style="color: #3b3632; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">John 3:16</a></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"><blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 1px dashed rgb(144, 168, 158); font-size: 1em; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 6px 10px; padding: 8px;">For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.</blockquote></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-88528345213578308472024-02-13T10:19:00.001-06:002024-02-13T10:19:22.445-06:0017. The Watchmaker's Daughter<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNgWexLQQ06DNSMKLgR9SGKSTzCorrZb6sa6hImyWeI_AxtOzb0lUPtHiw1kF64VKtfuSKuMiIhYc4ymf-0qrmUWDO4SjPQlDcXOwc_pr4qDv6zlDGiuQYELBKdD8egBFPYMXfwvy4hemSKx5IHTR4hMArw-mZwPPeAgcf0X5y0kU9CNAwG9JTxxXn9g/s315/4star197kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="315" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNgWexLQQ06DNSMKLgR9SGKSTzCorrZb6sa6hImyWeI_AxtOzb0lUPtHiw1kF64VKtfuSKuMiIhYc4ymf-0qrmUWDO4SjPQlDcXOwc_pr4qDv6zlDGiuQYELBKdD8egBFPYMXfwvy4hemSKx5IHTR4hMArw-mZwPPeAgcf0X5y0kU9CNAwG9JTxxXn9g/s1600/4star197kb.png" width="315" /></a></div><br />The Watchmaker's Daughter. Larry Loftis. 2023. 384 pages. [Source: Library]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: Tick. Tick. Tick. It was a soothing sound, methodical and predictable. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Watchmaker's Daughter is a [new] biography of Corrie Ten Boom and family. Her father, Casper Ten Boom, was a watchmaker [like his father before him]. Casper [and Corrie] followed in his footsteps in other ways. As a young man, Willem Ten Boom, Corrie's grandfather, began to take a [genuine] interest in the welfare of the Jewish people. The opening chapter reveals that he held prayer meetings to pray for [the [peace of] Jerusalem and the [blessing of the] Jews. A hundred years later, those prayers would be more fervent and needed. The Ten Booms saw this horrifying situation unfold. The Ten Booms could not stand by and do nothing. They opened their home and began hiding Jews, helping them to escape from the Nazis and near certain death. </div><div><br /></div><div>Corrie Ten Boom wrote her own autobiography, The Hiding Place. If you've read The Hiding Place do you need to read The Watchmaker's Daughter? Maybe. Maybe not. Probably not. </div><div><br /></div><div>The two differ mainly in scope. The Watchmaker's Daughter is a more expansive, big picture story. The Hiding Place is more narrow in scope; it is a biography of HER life and HER family. She does not try to tell the story of Anne Frank or Audrey Hepburn. She does not try to loop in (for lack of better word) other players into the story. </div><div><br /></div><div>The book is more history-history than spiritual biography. That is another way the two differ. Though you cannot tell the story of Corrie Ten Boom [and family] without writing of their faith in God. </div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-69136062868193245232024-02-11T07:15:00.002-06:002024-02-11T07:15:28.412-06:00Sunday Salon #6<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3tdTYVrAH1JFLTYXNOibfEowFKjy_9MwyMdVaykN6I4bJ5-ixWKJo_dq6JvXwrQjmDibl0Yhj7_QeoA1hE1rzUqe4XbST3vDj1VpPMAloep6IEUEot05Rf23lIMzghKomzCEsvRIf24uKsPQ54TkjweEuKDV6L_WY2O8UMTKyKqwHrZOZc1GWJ1YX7E/s600/john4_24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3tdTYVrAH1JFLTYXNOibfEowFKjy_9MwyMdVaykN6I4bJ5-ixWKJo_dq6JvXwrQjmDibl0Yhj7_QeoA1hE1rzUqe4XbST3vDj1VpPMAloep6IEUEot05Rf23lIMzghKomzCEsvRIf24uKsPQ54TkjweEuKDV6L_WY2O8UMTKyKqwHrZOZc1GWJ1YX7E/s320/john4_24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Current Bible reading:</div><div><br /></div><div>ESV with Apocrypha: Genesis 34-40; John 18-21; Matthew 1-1-17; Jeremiah 34-40; 2 Corinthians 1-8;</div><div><br /></div><div>Through the Bible in a Year ESV Podcast with Ray Ortlund; Genesis 1-15; Psalms 1-7; Matthew 1-9;</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV One Year Bible for Women: Genesis 39-50; Exodus 1-25; Matthew 12:46-50; 13-24; Psalms 17-30; Proverbs 3:33-35; 4-7;</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV (World Publishers): 1 Kings; 2 Kings; 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles; Jude; Revelation</div><div><br /></div><div>NASB 1973: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Matthew, Romans 7-16</div><div><br /></div><div>G4L (Growing 4 Life) Revelation 5-8: BSB, KJV</div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-52777317198636595672024-02-07T15:37:00.001-06:002024-02-07T15:37:18.799-06:0016. God Is Kind<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4C831WmX-qNBTvqJZdW5QYf91KE0WDwrzPXdaCMZNSEq74W1MqWkgA2k3rXPClApBJtqy4hj2CFQsd201JGwxdtr_0qsdhAPVOVKdT8cnFuW7wENfa3UGykOOm8D4bNCInD5N_whDxEP85xJRXbW3GA5jacm1cIqaY7H2AtPbLuW_j7BPcnkogc8k6U/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4C831WmX-qNBTvqJZdW5QYf91KE0WDwrzPXdaCMZNSEq74W1MqWkgA2k3rXPClApBJtqy4hj2CFQsd201JGwxdtr_0qsdhAPVOVKdT8cnFuW7wENfa3UGykOOm8D4bNCInD5N_whDxEP85xJRXbW3GA5jacm1cIqaY7H2AtPbLuW_j7BPcnkogc8k6U/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />God Is Kind. Jamie Calloway-Hanauer. Illustrations by Patrick Brooks. 2023. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [Board book, children's book]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: Dear little one,</div><div>I have good news for you:</div><div>God's kindness is in all</div><div>That we see and we do.</div><div>His kindness is how</div><div>he shows us his love,</div><div>watching and guiding us</div><div>up from above.</div><div><br /></div><div>Trigger Warning: GLITTERY COVER. GLITTERY COVER. GLITTERY COVER.</div><div><br /></div><div>This board book is written in rhyme. It features an all-animal cast of characters. (Not that there are characterized characters.) The theme is God's kindness. </div><div><br /></div><div>This book is serviceable. It isn't awful. It isn't great. I would say the rhythm and rhyme of it is serviceable. I think sometimes sound theology is sacrificed for the rhymes. OR perhaps theological soundness wasn't first priority regardless? I would say the book is theologically generic and written to not offend anyone for any reason whatsoever. </div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-31031752432154640402024-02-06T10:16:00.002-06:002024-02-06T10:16:52.500-06:0015. My Jesus<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4C831WmX-qNBTvqJZdW5QYf91KE0WDwrzPXdaCMZNSEq74W1MqWkgA2k3rXPClApBJtqy4hj2CFQsd201JGwxdtr_0qsdhAPVOVKdT8cnFuW7wENfa3UGykOOm8D4bNCInD5N_whDxEP85xJRXbW3GA5jacm1cIqaY7H2AtPbLuW_j7BPcnkogc8k6U/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4C831WmX-qNBTvqJZdW5QYf91KE0WDwrzPXdaCMZNSEq74W1MqWkgA2k3rXPClApBJtqy4hj2CFQsd201JGwxdtr_0qsdhAPVOVKdT8cnFuW7wENfa3UGykOOm8D4bNCInD5N_whDxEP85xJRXbW3GA5jacm1cIqaY7H2AtPbLuW_j7BPcnkogc8k6U/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />My Jesus: From Heartache to Hope. Anne Wilson. 2022. 196 pages. [Source: Library] [Memoir, Biography, Music Industry]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: I sat on the front step with my backpack loaded for adventure, tapping my tennis shoe on the concrete. My older brother, Jacob, was supposed to pick me up at 3:00 that autumn afternoon, but he was late as usual.</div><div><br /></div><div>This memoir is essentially the story behind the song, "My Jesus." It is a memoir capturing a very specific time in Anne Wilson's life. The book focuses on a) her coming to faith as a teen, b) the death of her older brother, Jacob, c) her being led by the Spirit to sing a song at her brother's funeral, d) everyone encouraging her to record a video of her singing the same [funeral] song, e) her singing video being 'discovered' on YouTube, f) how she got a manager, g) how she had songwriting sessions with others h) how she got a record deal i) the release of her single, "My Jesus." The overall main theme being how grief transformed her faith and her family. </div><div><br /></div><div>This felt more like it could have been or should have been a feature length article in a magazine, a blog post (or two), or a vlog series on YouTube. Don't get me wrong, I really do appreciate and love the song, "My Jesus." I do like the country sound of Anne Wilson. </div><div><br /></div><div>For better or worse, it seems like Anne Wilson's faith is more than a little on the charismatic side. She talks of prophets and prophecies, dreams, visions, etc. Some of the theology feels a little questionable, a little strange, perhaps. There were a handful of scenes that just weren't my cup of tea. It's fine as a memoir, but I wouldn't classify it as "christian living." Her life story shouldn't necessarily serve as advice for others. </div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-88006596669903153062024-02-05T16:26:00.000-06:002024-02-05T16:26:03.576-06:0014. Just Once<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJAouiPS4HIRuU6la1AMRH2lhNEFR1xheca0gnU_uSDu-alJ3SkWzmJ6BzTCwhJ-7HelbVn_GjU4k_qZrvtJ357XQC5uyxWHlo73Eeo5rBjATAepWXCqyjtsDdSB87k3uAgl2yAY9MUgFfvwu7kM3jmPOrr08PFRpk5F6KqehnGW8q6vDliJhLojilQY/s315/4star197kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="315" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJAouiPS4HIRuU6la1AMRH2lhNEFR1xheca0gnU_uSDu-alJ3SkWzmJ6BzTCwhJ-7HelbVn_GjU4k_qZrvtJ357XQC5uyxWHlo73Eeo5rBjATAepWXCqyjtsDdSB87k3uAgl2yAY9MUgFfvwu7kM3jmPOrr08PFRpk5F6KqehnGW8q6vDliJhLojilQY/s1600/4star197kb.png" width="315" /></a></div><br />Just Once. Karen Kingsbury. 2023. 336 pages. [Source: Library]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: Red was the last color, the very last. That's what Dr. Edmonds was saying. Irvel Myer's mind would splinter and fracture and fade under the burden of Alzheimer's, and she would forget the love that long ago caused her world to stop and stare in awe. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just Once is a story with framework. The outer frame is Irvel and Hank recording their love story with a personal camcorder in 1989. Irvel has recently been diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimer's. The couple wants to record their love story for each other--something to view together on good days and bad--and for their children, grandchildren, etc. These tape(s) become lost but are rediscovered by either a grandchild? a great-grandchild? The inner frame, the "main" story, the heart and soul of the novel, is a series of flashbacks. These flashbacks follow Irvel and Hank during the 1930s and 1940s. </div><div><br /></div><div>This has a "Notebook" like feel to it, but it is so much better--in a way. Less drama/trauma. Less smut. I enjoyed Irvel and Hank in both timeframes. I did. They were delightful characters. The book is strongest when it it sharing the romance. The book is weakest, however, when sharing details about their work during the Second World War. Which is fine. No complaints that I didn't feel historically grounded in the war details. Some books you do, some books you don't. The romance was strong. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-42412518301751632462024-02-05T16:04:00.001-06:002024-02-05T16:04:04.537-06:0013. A Season of Harvest <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4C831WmX-qNBTvqJZdW5QYf91KE0WDwrzPXdaCMZNSEq74W1MqWkgA2k3rXPClApBJtqy4hj2CFQsd201JGwxdtr_0qsdhAPVOVKdT8cnFuW7wENfa3UGykOOm8D4bNCInD5N_whDxEP85xJRXbW3GA5jacm1cIqaY7H2AtPbLuW_j7BPcnkogc8k6U/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4C831WmX-qNBTvqJZdW5QYf91KE0WDwrzPXdaCMZNSEq74W1MqWkgA2k3rXPClApBJtqy4hj2CFQsd201JGwxdtr_0qsdhAPVOVKdT8cnFuW7wENfa3UGykOOm8D4bNCInD5N_whDxEP85xJRXbW3GA5jacm1cIqaY7H2AtPbLuW_j7BPcnkogc8k6U/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />A Season of Harvest (Leah's Garden #4) Lauraine Snelling. 2024. 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: "Make sure you send me a telegram when you get to Linksburg."</div><div><br /></div><div>What should you know about A Season of Harvest? 1) It's historical ROMANCE set in Nebraska in 1868. 2) It's the FOURTH in a series. 3) Each book focuses on a family of sisters; each novel features at least one romance. 4) There are brothers but they are less important because their romances aren't featured. (Okay, that might be an exaggeration). 5) By the fourth book there are dozens of characters to keep track of. No characters are dropped. 6) If you do not read the novels close together, you may end up super-confused OR super-frustrated OR both.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have read the other novels in the series. At least I am mostly sure I have read the first two books. (I think I've read the third.) It wasn't recent enough for me to remember ANY details about the story. Not the sisters' names. Not the husbands' names. Not the kids' names. No major plot twists. No minor plot twists.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this one written so that it could stand alone? No. Not really. To start with the fourth book would be like tuning into a movie when you've only got thirty minutes left. You might pick up enough to know if you want to watch the movie in its entirety. You might like it enough to want to know the title so that you could seek it out to watch it. But you'll have more questions than answers. When it comes to this novel, I felt the characterization was relying so much on reader's previous knowledge in other books that it was a little lacking.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did like that the novel shows how the Civil War still has WOUNDS--literal and figurative--that are open. Four or five years might have passed but for those who fought, for those who lost brothers or husbands or fathers or sons, it's still FRESH and very much still a trauma to work through. </div><div><br /></div><div>Larkspur and Lilac are the two single sisters when the novel opens. The other three novels in the series has focused on the other sisters and their romances. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-28697007275369839902024-02-04T16:55:00.005-06:002024-02-04T16:55:51.537-06:001. NKJV Sovereign Wide Margin<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SHHdJpj5dzf3_TbEll7xqcgMYlGuM5lkZZ56-UX31WsZmkB2KWcEJUsz3_8zEVQKGvyy6nKKVEYlxUEDUEO7UTvshWkR7tPDYS83dB48V9qtIn9bG04xJhjm9-1NrA4QD0-Gz6olGy0X1iBVTSwXvxBvyNKkzRiwBQSbAF5WLuSIVlBtD_aR_r2qZpA/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SHHdJpj5dzf3_TbEll7xqcgMYlGuM5lkZZ56-UX31WsZmkB2KWcEJUsz3_8zEVQKGvyy6nKKVEYlxUEDUEO7UTvshWkR7tPDYS83dB48V9qtIn9bG04xJhjm9-1NrA4QD0-Gz6olGy0X1iBVTSwXvxBvyNKkzRiwBQSbAF5WLuSIVlBtD_aR_r2qZpA/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />New King James Version, Sovereign Collection, Wide Margin. God. (Thomas Nelson Publisher). 2022. 1696 pages. [Source: Bought] [Bible]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. </div><div><br /></div><div>This one was a birthday present. 2023 was the year I discovered I actually liked the New King James Version. This was my FIRST experience with a wide margin Bible.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love, love, love, love, LOVE the layout of this Wide Margin Bible in the Sovereign collection published by Thomas Nelson. It is DOUBLE COLUMN. It is red letter. [I would have preferred black letter, but you can't have everything.] The margins are just about perfect. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are many New King James text-only Bibles out there. There are probably even many wide margin New King James Bibles out there. I love the quality of the Sovereign collection. </div><div><br /></div><div>Is it a must if you already have a New King James Bible you love? Probably not. But if you are looking for either a wide margin Bible [this one comes in the New King James and the King James Version] OR a NKJV with great layout, then this one is worth considering. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-74538960511257874712024-02-04T07:06:00.003-06:002024-02-04T08:03:54.788-06:00Sunday Salon #5<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PMkmux-s7KUgfQmLTYJabnx-N3m_7PckWUqi_8ctDk8aPSCI6GtkZyk_Jq7xfB3OZuhki8XDEosCYc5yP8U-az_4oJu73mjzMagXKaG-aIbkE0OWxZzcYp-378QIjImCrlApm9QtdUA_F6cAfAuZQK1cviJ_RsRTaBPuiBZt0RbBIv5iTQ68G8QucR4/s640/mark12_30-31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PMkmux-s7KUgfQmLTYJabnx-N3m_7PckWUqi_8ctDk8aPSCI6GtkZyk_Jq7xfB3OZuhki8XDEosCYc5yP8U-az_4oJu73mjzMagXKaG-aIbkE0OWxZzcYp-378QIjImCrlApm9QtdUA_F6cAfAuZQK1cviJ_RsRTaBPuiBZt0RbBIv5iTQ68G8QucR4/s320/mark12_30-31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Current Bible reading</div><div><br /></div><div>ESV with Apocrypha: Genesis 27-33; John 14-17; Jeremiah 27-33; 1 Corinthians 12-16. Luke 2:22-40</div><div><br /></div><div>NKJV: Daniel; Isaiah 40-66; Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel; 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV One Year Bible for Women: Genesis 3-38; Matthew 2:13-23; 3-11; 12:1-45; Psalms 2-16; Proverbs 1:10-33; 2, 3:1-32</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV: Job, Joshua; Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel</div><div><br /></div><div>NASB 73: 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel; Acts 12-28; Proverbs; 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Romans 1-6</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-32934071729085346242024-02-02T15:29:00.001-06:002024-02-02T15:29:09.977-06:0012. Simplify Your Spiritual Life<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOlfvX34ANKkOqaCJARQx3MxwPLaT1PWzCYY6dAMYG9V9UKMxN5MdrwCBqYQC67ltQhcRxnEGvKajV6PT5cFoHkSxGcxqH3iEahshR1qXk6VXG1nymtpuRIOXoY6t3LF06MtXtVYpkgkT5yBRLFJ_DS8VxzK-L5Gwbtodw6WgTHrLZ_c872fj4HNDV_0/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOlfvX34ANKkOqaCJARQx3MxwPLaT1PWzCYY6dAMYG9V9UKMxN5MdrwCBqYQC67ltQhcRxnEGvKajV6PT5cFoHkSxGcxqH3iEahshR1qXk6VXG1nymtpuRIOXoY6t3LF06MtXtVYpkgkT5yBRLFJ_DS8VxzK-L5Gwbtodw6WgTHrLZ_c872fj4HNDV_0/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />Simplify Your Spiritual Life. Donald S. Whitney. 2003. 208 pages. [Source: Library] [Christian nonfiction; theology; Christian living]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence (from the introduction): The world is more complex than ever, and it becomes more so by the nanosecond. As a result, almost everyone eventually feels the need to simplify. For many people, simplifying means nothing more than "doing less." But simplifying is not so much about doing fewer things as it is about doing the right things. </div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence from chapter one: Does your spiritual life sometimes seem more like a burden than a blessing? Does your spirituality seem to exhaust you as often as it refreshes you? Have your spiritual practices become "just another thing to do" in an already overcrowded, stress-filled schedule? If so, then you need to simplify your spiritual life.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be completely honest, I'm conflicted about this one. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the one hand, I do think the title isn't well-matched with the contents. This book isn't going to exactly "simplify" your spiritual life. If anything, I think the book would complicate your spiritual life. In other words, instead of "doing" two to three things as spiritual discipline--which I would say is a LOT for most people if we're being completely honest--it would be like here do these ten things to "simplify" your spiritual life. Are ALL the things beneficial to the spiritual life? Probably. Maybe. Mostly. Are all the things necessary to the spiritual life? Maybe. Maybe not. Truly grace and mercy covers all. One can't embrace the idea of "God doesn't love you more if you read your Bible AND God doesn't love you less if you don't read your Bible" and then stack up dozens of musts that are necessary to "being a Christian." </div><div><br /></div><div>The book reminds me of a FEW iconic I Love Lucy moments. One episode that this book brings to mind is the episode where Lucy (and Ethel) are working in the chocolate [candy] factory. The second episode this book brings to mind is the episode where Lucy (who wants to be in Ricky's show, of course) is "refreshing" her ballet skills so she can audition as a professional ballerina. </div><div><br /></div><div>Simplify this one does not. It just doesn't. It is authoritatively and practically giving you a dozen things to keep in mind if you want to grow spiritually. But it also feels like you've been thrown overboard in stormy seas with no life preserver.</div><div><br /></div><div>One must always always always keep in mind that there are no short cuts in the spiritual life. If one picks up this book expecting to find short cuts, this is NOT that book. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, this one offers SHORT, super-practical chapters that are organized by topic. Probably a good third if not a good half are super-obvious as well. Like read your Bible. Read your Bible with a plan. Create a Bible-reading routine--a time, a place. Or don't watch television at all. Avoid the internet if you can help it. [Neither one of those would be easy advice to follow. Well-intentioned or not.] When it comes to prayer, pray without filler, pray through your plans for the day at the start of the day, pray Scripture, pray when walking, etc. Take your sin seriously. Don't be comfortable with sins--big or small. No sin is harmless to the soul. SING OFTEN. Be prepared to evangelize. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is genuinely good advice. Whitney is a big advocate of both PRAYING the psalms and SINGING the psalms. He also argues that you should be MEDITATING in addition to reading Scripture. Reading is the "exposure" to Scripture and meditating is the "absorption" of Scripture. He does give two different sets of questions to aid in meditation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is his "Philippians 4:8" questions:</div><div></div><blockquote><div>What is true about this, or what truth does it exemplify?</div><div>What is honorable about this?</div><div>What is right about this?</div><div>What is pure about this, or how does it exemplify pruity?</div><div>What is lovely about this?</div><div>What is admirable, commendable, or reputation-strengthening about this?</div><div>What is excellent about this (in other words, excels others of this kind)?</div><div>What is praiseworthy about this? </div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>And the "Joseph Hall" questions:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>What is it (define and/or describe what it is) you are meditating upon?</div><div>What are its divisions or parts?</div><div>What causes it?</div><div>What does it cause, that is, what are its fruits and effects?</div><div>What is its place, location, or use?</div><div>What are its qualities and attachments?</div><div>What is contrary to, contradictory of, or different from it?</div><div>What compares to it?</div><div>What are its titles or names?</div><div>What are the testimonies or examples of Scripture about it?</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly, I'm not sure how helpful/beneficial these questions are. The first seems like you are asking the same question eight times. The second seems like you'd need a doctoral degree and two decades of pastoral experience to make head or tails of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>He's not done yet, it's not enough to read and meditate on Scripture. One must read, meditate, and STUDY. </div><div><br /></div><div>He covers these basic categories a) personal Bible reading b) personal prayer c) family worship d) corporate worship e) journaling f) in-depth study (file folders and file cabinets are mentioned). </div><div><br /></div><div>His advice in journaling includes asking yourself these questions before you start:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>Have I been fervent in prayer?</div><div>Have I after or before every deliberate conversation or action, considered how it might tend to God's glory?</div><div>Have I after any pleasure, immediately given thanks?</div><div>Have I planned business for the day?</div><div>Have I been simple and recollected in everything?</div><div>Have I been meek, cheerful, affable in everything I said or did?</div><div>Have I been proud, vain, unchaste, or enviable of others?</div><div>Have recollected in eating and drinking? Thankful? Temperate in sleep?</div><div>Have I thought or spoken unkindly of anyone?</div><div>Have I confessed all sins?</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>A few of those sound potentially beneficial. Others are more puzzling. The list comes from George Whitefield who lived in the eighteenth century which might explain why some of the questions are so confusing. </div><div><br /></div><div>He has a list of thirty-one journal prompts. [Not enough to tempt me to try journaling]</div><div><br /></div><div>But here is his second list of TEN questions to help journal-writing:</div><div></div><blockquote><div>1. What was the most important thing that happened today?</div><div>2. What did I learn today?</div><div>3. Where did I see God at work today?</div><div>4. What was the most significant thing that someone said to me today?</div><div>5. When was I most aware of the Lord today?</div><div>6. What was the most helpful thing I read today?</div><div>7. What should I have done differently today?</div><div>8. How can I simplify my life tomorrow?</div><div>9. What could I do to glorify God the most tomorrow?</div><div>10. What difference can I make in someone's life tomorrow?</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>The good news is that he does count nap-taking as a spiritual discipline or spiritual activity.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-26787594117727553792024-01-31T14:58:00.000-06:002024-01-31T14:58:16.359-06:00January Reflections<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhGcJxUaUZMlvaGHcgogpkKFJfeK6zaVYtseZGebGb59BGBMIzAvM4ejIFpYsEGIgBWbcPBqsVUP_alwmxUlG2Ur0-L2P_HDbxocl-GaitennHxV4KHoajo6WcODxObj_OCBPh-Sn6YJ-KYVt-le2IPDv99c91jDqN2JZw29o6s-pWfvmEiB5u0FvHP4/s300/good-book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="300" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhGcJxUaUZMlvaGHcgogpkKFJfeK6zaVYtseZGebGb59BGBMIzAvM4ejIFpYsEGIgBWbcPBqsVUP_alwmxUlG2Ur0-L2P_HDbxocl-GaitennHxV4KHoajo6WcODxObj_OCBPh-Sn6YJ-KYVt-le2IPDv99c91jDqN2JZw29o6s-pWfvmEiB5u0FvHP4/s1600/good-book.png" width="300" /></a></div><br />Will I always post reflections for the month? Doubtful. Highly doubtful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Current Bibles and Projects (Honest Thoughts and Reflections)</div><div><br /></div><div>I am VERY conflicted about my plan using the ESV with Apocrypha. It's not necessarily the fault of the Bible I am using. It isn't helping. It isn't hurting. I am using the Daily Office Daily Lectionary plan. It has two Old Testament readings per day. Two New Testament readings per day. The plan has a tendency to break up chapters over several days. I am not the biggest fan of this. Or, perhaps I should say that I am not used to that. It is not "regular" for me. It is taking some adjustment. On the one hand, IF I was in the habit of genuinely meditating on a small chunk of Scripture--truly soaking it in, absorbing it in, focusing on gaining all the good I can, paying attention to meaning and interpretation, sitting with the verse(s) long enough to get fed...then I could see how this would be beneficial. One could easily find *some* verse(s) within one of the four readings to take further, to look deeper. On the other hand, IF I don't take those next steps, initiate a more contemplative approach, the reading plan is more like eating a two pack of Saltine crackers while waiting for the main course. (Think old school restaurant). I'm not sure if I want to keep up with this plan in February, or call it quits. IF I do call it quits, I could read this Bible--the ESV Bible with Apocrypha using another plan. I wouldn't be giving up on this Bible or this translation. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am LOVING the NASB 1973 (Single Column) Bible. I bought this one used. It was already broken in and well loved. It just feels like HOME to me. I will definitely be continuing this one into February. I wouldn't be surprised if I finished it by the end of February or possibly early March. </div><div><br /></div><div>NKJV Wide Margin. I am so close to finishing this one!!! I am absolutely loving this one. IT is part of the Sovereign collection by Thomas Nelson. Highly recommended.</div><div><br /></div><div>KJV. I am reading the One Year Bible for Women in the KJV. I am through January 8??? I bought it on January 27th at a thrift shop for a little over $3. Right now I am doing both this AND the ESV Daily Office lectionary. I am considering, however, just using this KJV One Year Bible. I could do one "daily" reading for Morning Office. And I could do a second "daily" reading for Evening Office. When I finish this one, I could start something else. Regardless, I have every intention of keeping up with this one.</div><div>I am also using a text-only edition of the King James Bible. I started off the year with a Rainbow Study Bible (another thrift store find) but am finding the rainbow colors just too distracting for my eyes. I have switched to the KJV Creedal Bible which is large(r) print. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-27185383408334207082024-01-30T15:36:00.002-06:002024-01-30T15:36:16.667-06:00Tea-ology #1 (KJV)<div><span class="text Prov-16-9" id="en-KJV-16850"><sup class="versenum"></sup><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzVW0-DsWtSiENZ2jCW8JEiP-bdcegq_-7W4Dr6cKaDT3i_cTpFhyphenhyphenZpawycUocyxdxj2BstDaN6j4Wca6p3mPcEt_5Kx9DjquOLM7oOBxs2-rP_qoEYCE6yttjlWJwWUrqUFjB7opA29c6ao8dH6ORGtCYGiPxdmnESuzH5WtVTVt0T2hVvsxr8xYdFA/s735/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-30%20at%2010.29.17%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="535" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzVW0-DsWtSiENZ2jCW8JEiP-bdcegq_-7W4Dr6cKaDT3i_cTpFhyphenhyphenZpawycUocyxdxj2BstDaN6j4Wca6p3mPcEt_5Kx9DjquOLM7oOBxs2-rP_qoEYCE6yttjlWJwWUrqUFjB7opA29c6ao8dH6ORGtCYGiPxdmnESuzH5WtVTVt0T2hVvsxr8xYdFA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-30%20at%2010.29.17%20AM.png" width="233" /></a></div><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A man's heart deviseth his way: but the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9</li><li>O <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23</li><li>But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. Psalms 40:17</li></ul></span></div><div><span class="text Prov-16-9"><div class="bible-item-title-wrap col-sm-3"><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2010%3A23&version=KJV"></a></div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9"><span class="text Ps-40-17">I had big plans for the start of the year. Everything was put on pause when I got sick on January 1. It was weeks before I felt well enough to even begin thinking about getting around to those plans. What I once was so confident about, I was now feeling a bit overwhelmed. Not discouraged. Not "ultimately" frustrated. Just overwhelmed. </span></div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9"><span class="text Ps-40-17"><br /></span></div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9"><span class="text Ps-40-17">[For the record, my "big plans" or "grand goals" was to kick off my year of reading and rereading and rereading and rereading and rereading the King James Bible. I wanted to LIVE in this translation. I wanted to celebrate it. Show my gushy-love and affection.]</span></div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9"><span class="text Ps-40-17"><br /></span></div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9">I got a slower start to reading the King James Bible than I wanted. I went from spending HOURS a day reading the Bible to spending hours a day napping. When I was awake and sitting up, I wasn't always able to read in a way to which I'd grown accustomed. But closeness to God is not determined by closeness to his Word.</div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9"><br /></div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9">My "baby steps" included finding a King James audio bible on YouTube. I listened to Psalms. The familiarity of the Psalms brought much peace. </div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9"><br /></div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9">I did eventually start in a physical Bible. Though not the one I necessarily "wanted." It was a 'spare' thrifted Bible of the Rainbow Study Bible sort. I've put that one aside now that I'm feeling better. I'm currently reading the KJV Creedal Bible, published by Holman. It is larger print. </div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9"><br /></div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9">But what is really exciting me at the moment is finding a One Year Bible for Women in the King James Bible for $3. I've never used a One Year Bible before. I am reading one "day" in the morning and another "day" in the evening. At least until I catch up in time. Maybe I will keep it up even after I catch up in time. </div><div class="bible-item-text col-sm-9"><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950435494391507153.post-49327913556981448982024-01-30T14:58:00.004-06:002024-01-30T14:58:40.604-06:0011. After the Shadows<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOlfvX34ANKkOqaCJARQx3MxwPLaT1PWzCYY6dAMYG9V9UKMxN5MdrwCBqYQC67ltQhcRxnEGvKajV6PT5cFoHkSxGcxqH3iEahshR1qXk6VXG1nymtpuRIOXoY6t3LF06MtXtVYpkgkT5yBRLFJ_DS8VxzK-L5Gwbtodw6WgTHrLZ_c872fj4HNDV_0/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOlfvX34ANKkOqaCJARQx3MxwPLaT1PWzCYY6dAMYG9V9UKMxN5MdrwCBqYQC67ltQhcRxnEGvKajV6PT5cFoHkSxGcxqH3iEahshR1qXk6VXG1nymtpuRIOXoY6t3LF06MtXtVYpkgkT5yBRLFJ_DS8VxzK-L5Gwbtodw6WgTHrLZ_c872fj4HNDV_0/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />After the Shadows (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing #1) Amanda Cabot. 2023. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [historical fiction, Texas fiction, historical romance, mystery and suspense]</div><div><br /></div><div>First sentence: Everything looked the same. The live oaks in the park still shadowed this block of Main Street, providing a welcome respite from the early afternoon sun.</div><div><br /></div><div>Premise/plot: Emily Leland, widow, is returning home to Sweetwater, Texas. It is not a joyous homecoming. Her mother has died without the two reconciling. Her father is hours away from his own death. (If the publisher description spoils it so why shouldn't I?) Her sister despises her--mostly. Emily's now-dead husband was super-controlling and abusive. Nobody knew. Well, not anybody in Sweetwater. She soon finds herself with an opportunity. It's not one she expected--to open up her house, almost like a boarding house. But there is a definite need. After several fires in town leave the new school teacher (a widower) with a young son AND an older widow woman [longstanding family friend] homeless, she opens up her home and makes a new start. Her sister [who will be the star of book two] leaves soon after. A third guest--a week day guest--a young girl with "special needs" is incoming. </div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile while all these new beginnings are beginning to flourish, relationships being formed, much comfort and encouragement all around....Emily begins to investigate her father's death....and soon there's a WHOLE PILE of bodies stacking up to investigate.</div><div><br /></div><div>My thoughts: After the Shadows is a slower-paced book. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it personally. Perhaps slower-paced isn't the right word. Right words can be hard to come by. I mean that there are so many sub-genres going on at the same time, that the story plot sometimes seems confused and hesitating. It has a cozy feel in the historical romance camp or genre. It happily could have lived there and pleased everyone. I also love the focus on friendships--strong friendships--between women. I loved the advocacy. One of the characters--one of the students--has Down's syndrome. (Not that it was called that in this book.) Emily is 1000% supportive and loving and kind. In a community where everyone is stand-offish and judgmental, Emily is a breath of fresh air to this little girl. The mystery comes and goes. There's always new dead bodies. So it's never far from your mind that something is FISHY about this community, but if the mystery element is what you're there for....then you'll be waiting forever and ever and ever. It isn't until the end of the novel when the book seems to remember that it is a mystery as well. </div><div><br /></div>© Becky Laney of <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/">Operation Actually Read Bible</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901303060435341815noreply@blogger.com0