27. NKJV Verse Art

27. NKJV (Verse Art) [ISBN: 9780785291589] God. 1982. 1568 pages. [Source: Bought] 

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

Start date: October 15, 2024

End date: December 23, 2024

This will definitely be my last Bible review for 2024. 

The NKJV Verse Art Bible is a great choice--mostly. 

What I absolutely loved:

The two column format

The size of the font

The size and weight of the Bible

The feel of the tru-tone is pleasant

The cross references being on the bottom of the page

The translation itself 

What I didn't love:

The red letter

The ghosting

I would say the ghosting is not a deal breaker. However if the paper was just slightly better quality, I think this would be a super amazing wonderful text block. I think the formatting is great, just the ghosting is unfortunate. Again, it didn't stop me from loving this one and reading it cover to cover. 

I think if this one was black letter, I would never stop gushing about this edition. Alas, it is red letter. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

26. King James Version (Zondervan)

26. King James Version. Center Column Reference. (Compact) Zondervan from circa 1977. God. 1494 pages. [Source: Bought] 

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Start date: October 20, 2024

End date: December 22, 2024

I thrifted this lovely compact Bible earlier this year. I love, love, love thrifting because you never know what you might find. 

What you should know? It is out of print. It doesn't even have an ISBN number so there's no way to clearly communicate which *exact* printing this is. The book introductions are copyrighted 1977. And it certainly has that 70s vibe to it. (In particular with the maps and map colors). This one reminds me of a Cambridge Cameo. It is compact in size, double column, red letter, center column references. This would have been a nice Bible for the times--it is edge-lined.  I'm assuming it is Smythe-sewn. (I would be surprised if it wasn't). 

The font size is on the smaller side (like a Cameo). The ink is not as dark as one would like. It is on the lighter side. This really is only problematic with the words of Christ being in red. It isn't a comfy-cozy color red. It is a faint (light) pink color. There is minimal ghosting either because the paper quality is great and/or the ink is lighter and not as black. I'm guessing a blend of both perhaps. I do think this was on the nicer side of Bibles when it was first published. 

The book introductions which were copyrighted 1977 are GREAT introductions. In fact, the compact/concise nature is just about perfect. What is shared is GOOD, SOLID and informative, but it isn't overdone. It isn't overwhelming. It's not burdensome but a help. I tend to get overwhelmed when book introductions are four to six pages long. And I also don't like it when book introductions are unnecessarily fluffy and trying to be something they don't need to be: a devotional. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon #51

Bible reading

KJV

• Psalms 62-150
• Proverbs
• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon
• Hebrews
• James
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Jude

NKJV

• Psalms 119-150
• Proverbs
• Hosea
• Joel
• Amos
• Obadiah
• Jonah
• Romans
• Galatians
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians

Amplified

• 1 Kings 
• 2 Kings
• 1 Chronicles
• 2 Chronicles
• Ezra

BSB

• Genesis 1-20
• John 1-11

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

61. Best Christmas Pageant Ever

61. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Barbara Robinson. 1972. HarperCollins. 128 pages. [Source: Bought]

The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker's old broken-down toolhouse.

Let me ask you a question. Who is the gospel for? Think about it if you want. I'll wait.

Is the gospel for people who have it all together, the people who are good and are always striving to do better, to do more?  Or is the gospel for people who don't have it all together, who don't have the answers, who don't even know that they need to be asking questions? Is the gospel for broken, messed-up, difficult-to-get-along-with people? Or is the gospel for people who aren't-all-that-bad-all-things-considered?

On one hand, The Best Christmas Pageant is a comedy through-and-through. It's narrated by a child who's been tormented by the Herdmans for years. And it captures all the reactions of a town to all the bad stuff the Herdmans do (and say). The narrative voice, for most of the book, is just hysterical.

On the other hand, The Best Christmas Pageant is a much-needed reminder of what Christmas is all about, of what the gospel is all about.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15

And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:11-13 

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever provides an inside-out look at the nativity story, and captures best why Christ came in the first place.

It is told from the "inside" Christian perspective, a Christian perspective with varying degrees of self-righteousness. That is some characters are presented as more self-righteous than others. But many characters are a bit blind. They have never thought of the gospel as being for the Herdmans. They see themselves as better--significantly better--than those Herdmans!

As if God's grace wouldn't dare include the Herdmans. Jesus die for the Herdmans????? You've got to be kidding, right???? Not them, Lord! Why, that's ridiculous. But the truth is, it's ridiculous for God to save any one of us. None of us--not one of us--merits God's salvation: his mercy and grace.

I liked seeing the Christmas story from a new angle.

They knew that Christmas was Jesus' birthday, but everything else was news to them--the shepherds, the Wise Men, the star, the stable, the crowded inn. It was hard to believe. At least, it was hard for me to believe--Alice Wendleken said she didn't have any trouble believing it. "How would they find out about the Christmas story?" she said. "They don't even know what a Bible is." (55) 

I couldn't believe it. Among other things, the Herdmans were famous for never sitting still and never paying attention to anyone--teachers, parents (their own or anybody else's), the truant officer, the police--yet here they were, eyes glued on my mother and taking in every word. (59) 

When we got home my father wanted to hear all about it. "Well," Mother said, "just suppose you had never heard the Christmas story, and didn't know anything about it, and then somebody told it to you. What would you think?" (68)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon #50

Bible reading

KJV

• Deuteronomy 16-34
• Psalms 1-61
• Luke 5-24
• John
• Acts

NKJV

• Psalms 42-118
• Luke 11-24
• John
• Acts

Amplified

• Deuteronomy
• Joshua
• Judges
• Ruth
• 1 Samuel
• 2 Samuel

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

60. Bible Translations for Everyone

Bible Translations for Everyone: The Guide to Finding a Bible That's Right for You. Tim Wildsmith. 2024. 192 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, christian nonfiction, books about the Bible]

First sentence: Have you ever struggled to follow along when someone else read aloud from the Bible because the words in your Bible didn't match up exactly with theirs?

What you see is what you get, this one promises to be a widely accessible [aka understandable] introduction to Bible translations with the goal of getting YOU the reader fitted with the translation that is right for YOU. It does this by talking in basic, simple terms about the field [or mechanics] of translating, but mainly it just introduces YOU, the reader, to a dozen or so Bible translations. It provides mini-introductions to the translations, which are part history and part translation philosophy. There are photographs to keep things lively on the page, if you will. 

The chapters:

The Basics of Bible Translation

The Earliest English Bible Translations

King James Version (KJV)

Revised Version (RV) and American Standard Version (ASV)

Revised Standard Version (RSV)

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New International Version (NIV)

New King James Version (NKJV)

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

New Living Translation (NLT)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

A Few More Translations We Need To Talk About (Message, Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), Common English Bible (CEB), Modern English Version (MEV), Revised English Bible (REB). 

Catholic Bible Translations

Finding a Bible That's Right for You 

Tip of the iceberg. Granted this book is written for beginners. Granted this book is super practical in wanting to connect contemporary readers with translations they can find easily, readily because they are still in print. Granted this one is to appeal to the widest, broadest audience possible. So many translations not covered, not mentioned. So much history skipped--in my opinion.

I really WISH that he had talked about the Berean Standard Bible. It is in the public domain. It is new. It fills the void left behind by the disappearance of the NIV 1984. It is SUCH a readable translation. He could have used this opportunity to point people to a new truly wonderful translation, to build up a readership. I also would have LOVED to see the BSB in his charts to see where he would rate it on the spectrum of translation philosophy.

His thoughts on the Message were interesting to say the least.

I can understand *why* he went with the newest edition of each translation. But choosing the NRSVue over the 1989 NRSV was a definite choice, and may not be doing the NRSV any favors. Same with the NASB 2020 over the NASB 1995. Except that the NASB 2020 does have readers who love it. I still think the NASB 1995 might have a larger readership, but, again this book is for beginners. 

I will say I liked the idea of having a "team" of translations. I'm not sure it would work for me since I lean so heavily towards word-for-word instead of thought-for-thought. (With the exception of NIV 84). 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

59. Daily Liturgy Devotional

Daily Liturgy Devotional: 40 Days of Worship and Prayer. Douglas Sean O'Donnell. 2024. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, devotional, prayer, christian nonfiction]

First sentence: One day, after Jesus finished praying, a disciple asked him, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). Jesus responded with the Lord's Prayer (or the Disciples' Prayer!), a short and simple prayer that offers the perfect substance of and model for Christian prayer. The Daily Liturgy Devotional--with its prayers and patterns, Scriptures and songs--is designed to offer further help. If you struggle to pray, read God's word, or meditate upon what you have read, then this devotional will guide you; if you already practice good devotional habits, then this can serve as an additional resource to support you.

The basics: This devotional offers eight weeks of devotions (five devotions per week). Each week centers around one theme in Scripture: The Gospel, Faith, Love, Hope, Wisdom, Holiness, Perseverance, and Witness. Each of the eight weeks offer a memory verse. 

Each day blends historic prayers, scripture readings, commentary, and song. I would say the concise commentary and the memory verse segment--in addition to the themes--are what set it apart from other recent liturgical devotional books. (Be Thou My Vision, Psalms in 30 Days, Life of Jesus in 30 days, etc.) 

It also features suggestions on how to pray in italics. I haven't decided if this is micro-manage-y OR if it is a good thing. The italics almost read like stage directions in a play. Since my quotes appear in italics already, I'll bold what the book has in italics.

Pray the Agnus Dei. Then take time to ask God through Jesus to forgive specific sins. Also offer prayers of lament. Pray that God would deal with sufferings and injustices both now and when Christ returns. Cry out, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Rev. 6:10), or "Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!" (Psalms 130:1-2)

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Grant us peace. Amen.

It is hard to review devotional books. I was not reading the book one devotion at a time for eight weeks. (For one thing it was a library book!) I read one week at a time--or sometimes two weeks--each day over the course of a week. As I was wearing my "book reviewer hat" (if you will) I wasn't following the stage directions either. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible