Five Questions From...Taking Back the Good Book

I love to read nonfiction. I do. (You may have noticed that!) I love it when authors ask really great questions in their books. I love questions that challenge me and make me think.

I thought I would start sharing *some* of these questions with you. I would LOVE to hear what you think...


This week's questions come from Woodrow Kroll's Taking Back the Good Book: How America Forgot the Bible and Why It Matters To You. 

1. Do you want to get to know God better?
2. What will we miss if we don't read the Bible?
3. If we want to know God's Word better, what's stopping us?
4. What am I receiving from my Bible that truly influences my life and connects me with God and service to him?
5. Is it really important whether what you believe is true or not?

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Five Questions from... Am I Really a Christian?

I love to read nonfiction. I do. (You may have noticed that!) I love it when authors ask really great questions in their books. I love questions that challenge me and make me think.

I thought I would start sharing *some* of these questions with you. I would LOVE to hear what you think...

This week's questions come from Mike McKinley's Am I Really A Christian? [My review]

Have you ever examined your life to see whether you are really a Christian? If not, why not? If so, what criteria did you use? What did you conclude? (26)

How would you respond to someone who argues that true Christianity is not a set of religious dogmas that we must affirm, but instead is a call to be gentle and loving and generous as Jesus was? (56)

How can perseverance be both our responsibility and God's responsibility? (88)

What does Christian love look like? How is that love rooted in the love that God has for people? (103)

Why is it important for genuine believers to have assurance that they are God's children? How would they relate to God differently if they were not sure that they were saved? (133)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week (On A Sunday, Too!)

The Christmas season seems to go by so quickly. There are so many great songs--great albums--how can anyone ever make enough time to hear it all, to appreciate it all. My question this week is which albums take priority in your house! Which ones are must-have for the season. Which ones are no-matter-what albums?

Behold The Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson would definitely top my list. That shouldn't really come as a surprise to anybody. I can't stop talking about this one. And truth be told, winter, spring, summer, fall, never too much time goes by without me listening to this one.

Christmas with The Rat Pack would be my second choice. Again, not a surprise for anyone who knows how much I love, love, love Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. This one is such a fun, fun album. It just makes you feel all nice and happy inside.

The Music of Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman. I have been enjoying this one over a decade--it released in 1995--but it's such a good, good album. Though I must admit I can't handle "Going Home for Christmas."

Bing Crosby's White Christmas. Yes, I love the song "White Christmas." But I love the others as well. His Santa Claus is Coming To Town, Jingle Bells, It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Mele Kalikimaka, even his Christmas In Killarney.

Michael W. Smith. Especially his "Christmastime". He has three Christmas albums now. And all are good in their own way. His first album, "Christmas," I've enjoyed for many decades. One of the few Christmas albums I had when I was a child. I haven't had that much of a connection with his newest one. But that may be expecting too much.

I don't know about you, but I love instrumental albums. There are times when they just really fit what you need. Chris Rice's "Living Room Sessions: Christmas" is a great example of a really wonderful instrumental album. I also enjoy Kenny G's three holiday albums. Another really fun instrumental album--one I can't live without--is Old Time Country Christmas. Their Jolly Old St. Nicholas is awesome!!! Because it mixes in Canon in D.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #31

Do you have a favorite bible story book for children? If you're a parent or grandparent, what books would you recommend for Christian families to have in their home libraries. Is there a particular author or a particular series that stands out as excellent? OR in case you're not around any little ones, which books do you remember--if any--from your own childhood days? OR what things do you look for in a 'good' christian book for children?

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #30

This week's question (answer in comments or on your own blog if you prefer)...

What time of day do you like to read the Bible?

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #29

I can't remember if I've asked this question before (or one just similar to it), but it's certainly relevant for me right now!

How do you balance reading Christian books--bibles, nonfiction, fiction--with your other reading? Does your Christian reading get pushed to the side at times? Why or why not?

My answer:

I'm really struggling trying to find time (and energy!) to read Christian fiction. I set the unrealistic goal (well, mostly unrealistic goal) of reading two Christian books a week. Christian fiction or Christian nonfiction. I thought--for better or worse now--that since I read about seven to twelve books a week, that it shouldn't be a problem for two of them to be Christian. It sounds reasonable enough on paper. I'm not sure why this isn't working out for me. Is it a matter of my priorities being out of sort? Or is a matter of putting too much pressure on myself? Or is it a matter of me trying to wear too many hats? I'm definitely feeling out of balance. Trying to read review copies that publishers (and a small handful of authors) have sent me, trying to read books I own (mostly classics), trying to participate in a few blog tours a month, trying to read library books.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #28

This week's question:

Are you involved in a Bible Study or Sunday School class? Do you want to be?

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #27

Welcome to the twenty-seventh edition of the Question of the Week.

What do you think is the best starting place for those that are new to reading the Bible or for those wanting to get reacquainted with the Word?

My answer---
I recommend the gospel of John.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #26

Welcome to the twenty-sixth edition of the Question of the Week. We're about at the halfway point of the year. So my question this week is a reflective one. Use this as a springboard for discussing whatever you'd like. You don't have to stick to these questions specifically.

How is your Bible reading going? Are you meeting the goals you set earlier in the year? If you chose to go with a Bible reading plan, how is that going for you? Are you sticking with it? Have you experienced any setbacks along the way? Have you made Bible-reading a habit, a discipline? What have you learned along the way? Do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to share?

My answers----------------

I note my Bible reading progress every Sunday in my Sunday Salon/Week In Review post. I also have progress-posts (see above) for each Bible. (For example, ESV Study Bible) I have completed the Wycliffe New Testament and the Tyndale New Testament. And I've read Genesis through Ruth in the ESV Study Bible (also Job).

That's sidestepping the question a teeny bit perhaps. I have incorporated Bible-reading into my daily life. It's become a natural part of my life now--part of my routine. So on the one hand, it's not something that I brush aside and make excuses for anymore. I don't have time. I'm too busy. Missing one day won't matter. I'm too stressed. I'll just double up tomorrow. I'll catch up on the weekend. Excuses are so easy to make. And I think it's human nature to make excuses.

So I'm pleased I've been able to make a lifestyle change. Believe me, a year ago, was not a pretty picture. Two years ago was tragic. Three years ago, I don't even want to think about. But it's a God thing, a grace thing. I don't take credit for it. Grace is so central to daily life. It keeps you grounded and keeps you alive.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #25

Welcome to the twenty-fifth edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :) I am SO VERY THANKFUL for the people who have done so!

Do you like to talk about the Bible with other people? Do you like to have biblical discussions? debates? arguments? passionate ramblings?

----------My answers------------

Yes and no. I can talk the Bible morning, noon, and night with my mom. These conversations are rarely planned, and are always enjoyable. (And no, we don't always agree.) And I enjoy talking about the Bible with a few other people in my life. But it's rare for me to do this with non-family members. Maybe because I'm shy (in person). Maybe I'm afraid of being misunderstood. Maybe because I know a lot of stubborn people. Maybe because I like to know where the other person is coming from. Maybe because I'm not one to confront anyone about anything. I'm opinionated. Always opinionated. But I'm not one to argue--calmly or not-so-calmly with "outsiders." Like if I disagree (often quite strongly) with my pastor's sermons (which is almost always the case) then I'm not one to approach, confront, or argue. I tend to think that putting someone on the defensive isn't the way to go about it. I'm not one to start a debate. (There are some exceptions to the rule. I might email the preacher privately if I feel righteously indignant and brave. But 98% of the time, I let it go.)

One new-to-me game that you might want to try for yourself is a Bible-focused game of Twenty Questions. When the electricity went out a few weeks ago, mom, dad, and I played this game for about two hours. (We were left without power a little over fifteen hours.) One person would think of something from the Bible (a person, a place, an object or "thing", an animal, etc.) and the others would ask questions. The questions have to be something with yes/no answers. And whoever guessed right got to pick next. Some took a lot more than twenty questions, but we weren't counting :) This game gave everyone a chance to be clever. One of mom's was "peacock." And that one had us guessing forever. And dad was clever and did "furnace" once. Anyway, it was a fun game considering.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #24

Welcome to the twenty-fourth edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :) I am SO VERY THANKFUL for the people who have done so! This week's question...this week's question comes from Worthwhile Books.

At what age did you earnestly start to read the Scriptures? What motivated you?

My answer ---------------

I have several answers--don't I always?!--I became interested in reading the more friendly parts of the Bible--let's say the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, around the age of eight. Around ten or eleven, I ventured into parts of the Old Testament--Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings. Around fourteen or fifteen I ventured into some of the more intimidating (to me) books like Isaiah, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Job, Jeremiah, etc. But there were a few books like Leviticus and Ezekiel that I didn't brave until I was eighteen or nineteen! I read the bible through for the first time around my freshman year in college. And I've been reading it all ever since.

As to what motivated me, it was passion, obsession, and curiosity. I loved reading bible story books as a child. Loved spending time with my mom. I went to a christian school, and in elementary school, bible time was one of my favorite parts of the day. In early grades, teachers had these huge picture cards--and there was text they'd read along and ever-so-often they'd change pictures. Anyway, the whole affair had me a bit mesmerized. But I really and truly got swept away in third grade. I had a teacher who drew stick-figure bible stories on the chalk board. I can't remember where we started. But I know we were doing history books in the Old Testament. The stories I loved best were about Elijah and Elisha.

And at home we had "The Book for Children" with its flashy red cover. These were short little snippets--not actual verses or anything--that told stories from the Old Testament and the New Testament. But even more importantly, my mom and I would read the bible together side by side. I'll save the story of my first bible for another day. But needless to say, there was a passion and desire to read the Bible early on...

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #23

Welcome to the twenty-third edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :) I am SO VERY THANKFUL for the people who have done so!

This week's question...

What are your goals for the summer? These can be general goals or reading goals or whatever :)

------------------my answer------------

My reading goals:

to find a greater balance in my reading
a) to try to read more Christian fiction
b) to try to read more Christian nonfiction

to find time to read during the day (in addition to my time at night) so I can get more books read

My blogging goals:

to blog more consistently here at Operation Actually and Young Readers
to visit participant blogs more than I have been
to discover new Christian blogs/Christian bloggers

My life goals:

to spend time with my family
a) to maybe just maybe have a few buddy reads with my mom
b) to spend time with my sister (if she'll have me)
c) to spend time Star Treking and Star Gating with my dad

to eat healthy and be more aware of my choices

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #22

Welcome to the twenty-second edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :) I am SO VERY THANKFUL for the people who have done so!

What are you thankful for this week? Have you taken time to count your blessings lately?

-----my answers----

I need to take more time to be thankful. I'm thankful for my family. My mom especially for taking care of me. She's a great support to me. And I'd be lost without her. I'm thankful that my sister is having a wee one. And I'm thankful that my brother-in-law got a job over the weekend! I'm thankful for good preaching. I think I've mentioned this before, but I am so very thankful that preachers and teachers think to take their ministries online. My life has been so blessed by listening to these sermons and podcasts. While an online ministry can never take the place of an actual church family--as far as support goes, no hugging over the internet after all--the teaching is a blessing, a gift that goes on giving. A gift that is best shared. Right now, I'm loving me some Alistair Begg. (Truth for Life, Free Downloads). Through his email newsletter, I learned of a new project of interest to me (and perhaps you) called Bible Mesh. (A site that will be launched fully in the Fall of 2009. Though a preview is available now.)


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #21

Welcome to the twenty-first edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :)

How about a question about questions this week. What kinds of questions--if any--do you want to see asked for this Question of the Week feature? Are there any kinds of questions you don't want asked? Is the lack of participation due to bad questions? Are my questions too shallow? too deep? too personal? too irrelevant? too repetitive? too mindless? too boring? If you want Question of the Week continue in the future, think of a few questions you'd like to see presented at a future date on Question of the Week. I'm asking you to take a few minutes of your time and give back. Be honest. I can take it. Really. If there is zero interest in this feature, then I'll stop this one. I might think of something to replace it. Another interactive type feature that is more open-ended than answering a specific question. So make that question two or three. Would you be more interested in stopping by weekly if it was not a question feature but more of a chatty free for all?

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of The Week #20

Welcome to the twentieth edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :)

Do songs ever make you cry? Do you have a song (or two) that makes you teary-eyed every time?

I have a long list of songs that make me emotional. Some you'd expect. Here are just a few...

John Michael Montgomery's The Little Girl



Collin Raye's Love Me



Steven Curtis Chapman's Going Home For Christmas





© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #19

Welcome to the nineteenth edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :)

Do you like to read different translations of the Bible? Why or why not? Do you have one dependable and/or beloved translation that you use all the time? Or do you like to keep things fresh by adding different translations to your rotation?

I own many different translations. You've probably noticed that I'm not reading typical translations at the moment. Right now, I'm reading the Tyndale New Testament. And earlier in the year, I completed the Wycliffe New Testament. And the 1599 Geneva Bible is on my to-do list.

I love reading the Bible. I do. I love reading different translations of the Bible. Granted, I don't think you *have* to like different translations of the Bible in order to 'prove' your love or anything. I'm not a crazy, vindictive person. But I like the variety. I like the process of becoming familiar with a translation. Of getting to know it. Of becoming friends. But I need more than one friend. I like getting to know other translations. So one year, I might be all about the New King James. The next year I might be all over the New Living Translation. Typically though, I have two or three that I'm reading at a time. Whether it takes me a year or two or three.

This year my goal is to read in the ESV Study Bible, finish the Tyndale New Testament, and get started in the 1599 Geneva Bible.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #18

Welcome to the seventeenth edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :)

Spiritual insights. Realizations. These little insights "aha" moments can pop up anywhere and everywhere as you're living life. And they can often be found in unexpected places: Life. Music. Books. Movies. TV Shows. Family. Friends. What have you learned (realized) lately?

My answer (and the inspiration for this question): I was reading and reviewing a series of picture books for my Young Readers blog. One of them--Where's Tumpty--really struck me. The first half of this adorable little picture book features a glasses-wearing elephant named Tumpty. He is hiding from his friends.

Tumpty
had his eyes
closed.
Tightly closed.

"Hello, Tumpty,"
said Tilly.
"What are you
doing?"

"I'm hiding," Tumpty said.
"You can't see me."
But Tilly could see Tumpty.

So Tumpty tried hiding
under a large cardboard box
with his eyes tightly closed.

The gag continues for a handful of pages. He eventually ends up trying to hide "upside down, behind a plant, under a large cardboard box, with his eyes tightly closed." But his friends can always still see him.

I think that we can be a lot like Tumpty when it comes to God. To having a relationship with God. I think we try to deceive ourselves and God sometimes. Perhaps without putting much thought into it. Without realizing it. I think we try to hide ourselves, our sins, our secrets. I think sometimes we like to pretend that if we can't see God, God can't see us.

Anyway, I know that wasn't the intent of the book. At all. It's a cute and adorable picture book about a silly elephant. But to me, it spoke a little spiritual truth.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #17

Welcome to the seventeenth edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :)

What's your worship style? Do you prefer hymns or praise songs and choruses? Or perhaps a blend of the two? Do you have a favorite hymn or two that uplifts you? How about praise songs? Do you have any favorites?

My favorite hymn is without a doubt Because He Lives.

This is a song that I just clung to when my dear-dear friend (grandfather-figure), Bobby died back in the fall of 2005. And it's a song that proved itself even more when a year later, I could hold Bobby's grandson in my arms.

Other favorites would include What A Friend We Have In Jesus. And Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus. (I'm not a fan of midi hymn files.)

I also love, love, love Leaning On the Everlasting Arms, I'll Fly Away, and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

I do love praise songs. Mostly. But it is easier for me to tire of them than hymns. A few weeks in a row of singing Lord I Lift Your Name On High doesn't thrill me all that much. I tend to like modern praise--artists like Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Delirious, etc. But these are songs that aren't in my church at least.

Chris Tomlin's Indescribable

Third Day's My Hope Is You

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #16

Welcome to the sixteenth edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :)

This one may seem a bit out of place, but I'm going for it anyway. Do you participate in reading challenges? Why or why not? Would you be interested in participating in more reading challenges? Perhaps Christian-related reading challenges. Perhaps Bible-related reading challenges. I've been contemplating having mini-challenges--nothing certain, nothing planned out yet. And I was curious if they'd be any interest. If there's not that's fine :) Do you have any ideas of what you'd want to see in a mini-reading challenge?

I do participate in reading challenges. A lot. There are many reasons why I so easily succumb to temptation when it comes to reading challenges. But I'm always open for 'just one more' even if I *know* that one really means a dozen. As I'm the one asking the question, it's a bit obvious that I'm interested in having more Christian reading challenges. :) I haven't planned out anything yet, I want feedback before I do. But several things kept coming to mind. Like a Gospel-mini-challenge. Where readers would pick one gospel to read/watch/listen to three times hopefully in three different translations (and/or adaptations). Meaning you could watch The Gospel of John, listen to the gospel of John (I've got the NKJV Word of Promise New Testament that I still haven't listened to) and read the gospel of John. Or you could read the gospel (any gospel) in three different translations: for example purposes only, let's say NIV, NLT, and The Message. It's always interesting--at least to me--to compare and contrast and appreciate. Bibles can be word-for-word translation or thought-for-thought translation. (Not to mention all the in-betweens). And then there are paraphrases. That's just one idea I have. I am curious in reading your ideas and if seeing if there is any interest.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Question of the Week #15

Welcome to the fifteenth edition of the Question of the Week! Please consider sending me your ideas for future questions :)

Do you listen to the Bible on audio? Why? Why not? Do you have a favorite audio edition? Do you prefer dramatized editions or voice only editions? Do you have any you'd recommend?

I've tried listening to the Bible on audio--several times--but I have yet to find the perfect match for me. Either I like the narrator, but am not so fond of the translation the narrator uses. Or I like the translation, but the narrator creeps me out. Or I like the narration--mostly--but there are weird sound effects put in for dramatic purposes that snap me out of it. It's hard for narrators--I'd imagine--they have to treat the Bible with respect and not make too light out of it. But if they're too glum, or too monotone, or too robotic, or too anything really...then it can be hard to listen to. Also, I've found that some narrators sound like they're reading it for the first time. That they're surprised by where the sentence actually goes and they've ended up putting emphasis on weird words.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible