Saturday, December 31, 2011

2012 Mini-Challenge: Read ONE 'Armchair Theologian' book

Read ONE book from the Armchair Theologian Series!
Westminster John Knox Press has published a series of books for 'Armchair Theologians.' Here they are in alphabetical order:


  • Aquinas for Armchair Theologians by Timothy M. Renick
  • Augustine for Armchair Theologians by Stephen A. Cooper
  • Barth for Armchair Theologians by John R. Franke
  • Bonhoeffer for Armchair Theologians by Stephen Haynes
  • Calvin for Armchair Theologians by Christopher Elwood
  • Heretics for Armchair Theologians by Justo L. Gonzalez and Catherine Gunsalus Gonzalez
  • Jonathan Edwards for Armchair Theologians by James P. Byrd
  • Luther for Armchair Theologians by Steven Paulson
  • Martin Luther King Jr. for Armchair Theologians by Rufus Burrow Jr.
  • Reformation for Armchair Theologians by Glenn Sunshine
  • Wesley for Armchair Theologians by William J. Abraham


The goal of this mini-challenge--which lasts all year long, to give you plenty of time to join in--is to read just ONE of these books. I'm not asking you to read them all. (I certainly don't plan on reading them all.)

Christianbook.com has many of these in paperback and on audiobook. Quite a handful--at least for the moment--are available for just $3.69!

Martin Luther King, Jr -- $3.69
Jonathan Edwards -- $3.69
Heretics for Armchair Theologians -- $3.69
Barth for Armchair Theologians -- $3.69
Reformation for Armchair Theologians -- $3.69
Augustine for Armchair Theologians -- $3.69
Aquinas for Amrchair Theologians -- $3.69

To sign up for this mini-challenge, just leave a comment saying you want to join!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

2011 Bible-Reading Reflections

In 2011:


  • I read the Old Testament five times! 
  • The translations I read completely--both OT and NT--were: NASB, HCSB, KJV.
  • I read the New Testament ten times!
  • I completed the NT in these translations: NASB, HCSB, KJV, KJ21, ESV, REB, NEB, ASV.
  • The gospel I read most was John--14!
  • The NT epistle(s) I read most were: Philippians (18), Ephesians (17), Galatians and Colossians (16), Romans, 1 and 2 Peter (15). 
  • The OT books I read most were: Ruth (9), Genesis, Isaiah, Jonah (8).
  • April 2011 was my best month for Bible reading, apparently, with 92 books read!
  • May (86), March (80), November (73), and July (65) were also good months.
  • The translations I read most were: KJV (24%) NASB (15%) HCSB (15%) ESV (13%) REB (10%) ASV (9%), KJ21 (7%), NEB (7%). 



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

2012 Challenges: Mount TBR Reading Challenge


I am joining My Reader's Block Mount TBR Reading Challenge. I am going to start by joining at the level of Pike's Peak, which is twelve books. My true goal is 24 books--two books a month. But since the next level is 25 books, and since I don't always, always, always read according to plan, I'm going to go with Pike's Peak. I hope I can manage at least twelve books from the TBR pile next year!!!

So. I'll fill in the books I read on this post...

1. Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church. Michael Horton.
2. The Gospel-Driven Life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World. Michael Horton.
3. Grace God's Unmerited Favor. Charles Spurgeon.
4. The Practice of Praise: How To Develop the Habit of Abundant, Continual Praise In Your Daily Life by Charles Spurgeon.
5. Power in the Blood. Charles Spurgeon.
6. Being God's Friend. Charles Spurgeon.
7. Jesus, Our Man in Glory: 12 Messages from the Book of Hebrews. A.W. Tozer and Gerald B. Smith
8. Holy Spirit Power. Charles Spurgeon. 1996. Whitaker House. 170 pages.
9. Knowledge of the Holy. A.W. Tozer. 
10. The Root of the Righteous: Tapping The Bedrock of True Spirituality. A.W. Tozer. 
11. Nature of God (Formerly published as Gleanings in the Godhead). Arthur W. Pink.
12. Charity and Its Fruits: Living In the Light of God's Love. Jonathan Edwards.
13. Joy in Christ's Presence. Charles Spurgeon. 
14. Putting the Amazing Back Into Grace. Michael Horton. 
15. Worship: The Ultimate Priority. John MacArthur. 1983/2012. Moody. 192 pages.
16. A Faith To Grow On. John MacArthur. 2000/2004. Thomas Nelson. 192 pages.
17. Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace. James Montgomery Boice.
18. Twelve Unlikely Heroes: How God Commissioned Unexpected People in the Bible And What He Wants To Do With You. John MacArthur. 2012. Thomas Nelson. 240 pages.
19. Practical Religion. J.C. Ryle. 
20. Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. J.C. Ryle


But. I thought I would share my ideas/intentions that I have now, in December 2011. I am going to try to stick with these authors and meet these goals. Because these authors have had multiple books (many, many, many, many books) in my TBR pile for years. And while I could never hope to pick specific books for this challenge--well, at least not and stick with them--I hope I can stick with these authors. But any twelve Christian nonfiction books from my shelves will count.

Two books written by Michael Horton

1. Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church. Michael Horton.
2. The Gospel-Driven Life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World. Michael Horton.

Two books written by John MacArthur

1.
2.

Two books written by John Piper

1.
2.

Two books written by R.C. Sproul

1.
2.

One book written by Charles Spurgeon

1. Grace God's Unmerited Favor. Charles Spurgeon.

One book written by Erwin Lutzer

1.

One book written by Jonathan Edwards

1.

One book written by J.I. Packer

1.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Signing Up for my own Operation Deepen Faith challenge


Last year was my first year hosting Operation Deepen Faith. I never created a post with my own goals for the challenge, and so I didn't "accomplish" any goals. This year, I am going to do better! I am going to create a list of goals to meet my own challenge! If you want to join the challenge, comment on the sign-up post.

I. Deep and Wide; Read multiple books of the Bible in multiple translations

I have chosen to read five books (Romans, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 John) in six translations each.

Romans

1. King James Version (January 2012)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Ephesians

1. King James Version (January 2012)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Philippians

1. King James Version (January 2012)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Colossians

1. King James Version (January 2012)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1 John

1. King James Version (January 2012)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

II. Going Deep: Study one book of the Bible throughout the year.

I have chosen the gospel of John. My goal is to read the gospel of John in three study Bibles.

1.
2.
3.

In addition, my goal is to read it in at least ten more translations:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

III. Meditate or Memorize. This goal or commitment will be trickier. But ideally, I would choose at least one to two verses or one to two passages to share on the blog each month. For example, like how I did John 3:16, John 1:14, Philippians 1:9-11, Philippians 4, or like how I did some of my 'Taste and See' posts.) That's ideally. Realistically speaking, twelve for the whole year might be a good, fair goal.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

IV. Christian Nonfiction. My goal is to read 18 books.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

It's NOT as much pressure as saying I have to read two books per month. And there's no reason they'd ever have to be spread out evenly through the whole year.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Reading God's Story (A Partial Review, A Whole-Hearted Recommendation!)

Reading God's Story: A Chronological Daily Bible. (Holman Christian Standard Bible). Ed. George H. Guthrie. 2011. Holman Bible Publishers. 1440 pages.

I bought Reading God's Story the day it released this November. I'd been anticipating its release since the summer. And I mean anticipating. (Buying a new Bible makes me giddy.) I started using it immediately. If I'd been a more patient person, perhaps, I might have seen the logic in waiting until January 1. Since this is a daily Bible. (Though NOT DATED). The readings are divided into weeks and days. 52 weeks for the entire Bible, six readings per week. But I just couldn't wait.

I love many, many, many things about Reading God's Story. But I'll try to pick a few to highlight for you.

It is divided into acts and scenes. Each act and scene are introduced. These serve as a way of understanding, comprehending the big picture.

  • Act 1, Scene 1: Creation: The God of All of Life
  • Act 1, Scene 2: The Fall: Rejecting God's Vision for Life
  • Act 1, Scene 3: The Flood: God Judges and Makes a Covenant to Preserve Life
  • Act 2, Scene 1: The People: God Calls a Covenant People
  • Act 2, Scene 2: Deliverance: God Rescues His People
  • Act 2, Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and Law: God Embraces and Instructs His People
  • Act 2, Scene 4: The Land: God's Place for His People
  • Act 2, Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God Shapes a Kingdom People
  • Act 2, Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God Divides the Kingdom People
  • Act 2, Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The Southern Kingdom as God's People
  • Act 2, Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People
  • Act 2, Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again
  • Act 3, Scene 1: Christ's Coming: God's True King Arrives
  • Act 3, Scene 2: Christ's Ministry: God's True King Manifests His Kingdom
  • Act 3, Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work Through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of the King
  • Act 3, Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom
  • Act 3, Scene 5: Christ's Second Coming and Reign: God's Future for the Kingdom

The readings are chronological. That may not seem all that helpful when you're in the books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), but once you really get started, it's very helpful having 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings--not to mention ALL those prophets--integrated with 1 and 2 Chronicles. You'll be able to read the prophets at the the historical place they were prophesying to Judah (or Israel, etc). And all of the stories about the kings will be together. The New Testament is also arranged differently. (If you've never looked at a chronological Bible you might just be surprised at how different it is.)

Each day's readings are clearly marked. But they're not dated. You can read at your own comfortable-to-you pace. If you do follow the Bible's reading plan, you'll finish in a year. But it doesn't have to be that strict. I don't know about you, but dated reading plans can intimidate me. Reading "January 25" in February or March, etc., it's hard to not feel guilty or disappointed.

2011 is the first year I read the Holman Christian Standard Bible. And I am a little surprised at just how much I do like it. But it's a good translation, and I'm happy to have it in this chronological Bible. Before buying this Bible--weeks before, actually--I read the New Testament in this translation. I then made it a goal to read the Old Testament in Reading God's Story. I plan to read the New Testament in Reading God's Story at some point next year. (Maybe even for my Read-the-New-Testament-in-a-Week event the first week of April!)



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Monday, December 26, 2011

Goals for January 2012

Last year, I set goals for the whole year. And. That didn't quite work for me. What I thought I wanted last December, I didn't really want once the year began. So I thought this year, I would just have flexible goals. Goals that I'd decide each month.

This January I will...

Try Professor Horner's Bible Reading System (the link opens a pdf file). He is emphatic that you pick a Bible and stick with it. Not just a translation, but a specific Bible. So that you get to know the book, really know the book. And that would be a challenge for me if I wasn't just 'trying' it for one month. If the system is working for me, then I may stick with it. If it's not, then I'll try something else. I may change translations after the first month. What translation did I choose? The translation I read most in 2011. The translation that I hadn't ever read before 2011. The King James Version. I won't go into details on the whole reading plan. But essentially he has you reading TEN chapters per day from TEN sections of the Bible. Psalms is by itself. Proverbs is by itself. Acts is by itself. But other sections are grouped. Like the four gospels. Like the books of Moses. Like the history books. Like the prophets. Like the NT epistles. There are ten 'lists' in all. And one chapter from each of the ten lists is read each day. (Though if you miss a day or get behind, nothing horrible happens to you.)

Update #1
Update #2
Update #3
Update #4

Monthly Totals.

Try to read--yes, try--the New Testament in the Tyndale translation. I may not get the chance to read all of it. And if I don't, I don't.

  • The Gospel of St. Matthew
  • The Gospel of St. Mark
  • The Gospel of St. Luke
  • The Gospel of Saint John
  • The Acts of the Apostles
  • The Epistle of the Apostle St. Paul to the Romans
  • The First Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
  • The Second Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
  • The Epistle of St. Paul unto the Galatians
  • The Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians
  • The Epistle of St. Paul unto the Philippians
  • The Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians
  • The First Epistle of St. Paul unto the Thessalonians
  • The Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians
  • The First Epistle of St. Paul unto Timothy
  • The Second Epistle of St. Paul unto Timothy
  • The Epistle of St. Paul unto Titus
  • The Epistle of St. Paul unto Philemon
  • The First Epistle of St. Peter the Apostle
  • The Second Epistle of St. Peter the Apostle
  • The First Epistle of St. John the Apostle
  • The Second Epistle of St. John
  • The Third Epistle of St. John 
  • The Epistle of St. Paul unto the Hebrews
  • The Epistle of St. James
  • The Epistle of St. Jude
  • The Revelation of St. John the Divine
Did NOT read ANY in the Tyndale New Testament. Which worked out okay because I did NOT read any in the Tyndale biography. Well, I think I managed to turn three or four pages in this one in the entire month. But it was just every time I opened the book, it unleashed boredom. (Books don't usually bore me.)



Read Tyndale: The Man Who Gave God An English Voice by David Teems. (I received a review copy of this from Thomas Nelson, and I'd like to read it soon.)


Read Not A Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus by Kyle Idleman. This one (published by Zondervan) was a Christmas present. I am very excited to start reading it!!! [My review of Not A Fan, posted January 15, 2012]


Read The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen. I have received a review copy of this for the CFBA Blog tour. [My review]


Read His Steadfast Love by Golden Parsons. Another CFBA Blog Tour book. [My review]


Read A Suitor for Jenny by Margaret Brownley. (This one I bought myself. A review will be posted in early February!)


Read Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer. (This one I bought myself.) Update: I didn't end up even opening this one. Though I plan to read it soon. I do. The premise just sounds good to me.


Read Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton. (Another Christmas present. I've been wanting this one for a few years now!!!) [My review of Christless Christianity. January 21, 2012].

Try to LISTEN to two sermon podcasts. [I listened to five sermons this month!!!]

1) God's Will is Not Secret by John MacArthur
2) Looking for God's Will by R. C. Sproul [aired on Oneplace, January 16, 2012]
3) A Call to Commitment by Alistair Begg (part of Shaped by Grace series) [aired on Oneplace, January 2, 2012]
4) Becoming Better Theologians (Introduction to The Study of God (theology proper) Steve Cooley, Bethlehem Bible Church [preached September 2010]
5) Becoming Better Theologians #2 Steve Cooley, Bethlehem Bible Church [preached September 2010]

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Celebrating the Story: Excerpts from 1 John

1 John 3:1-3

From the King James:

 1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1 John 4:7-21

From the King James:

 7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
 13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
 15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
 17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
 19We love him, because he first loved us.
 20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
 21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.


1 John 5:12

From the King James:

12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

The Sunday Salon: Week In Review: December 18-24

This week I read

1 Corinthians in the CEB
2 Corinthians in the CEB
Galatians in the CEB
Ephesians in the CEB

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Celebrating the Story: English Standard Version 2001

Romans 5:6-21

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Two Fresh Life Bible Study Books

Live Reflectively: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses. Lenya Heitzig. 2011. David C. Cook. 285 pages.

Live Abundantly: A Study in the Book of Ephesians. Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose. 2011. David C. Cook. 302 pages.

I was recently given the opportunity to review two Bible studies published by David C. Cook. Live Reflectively: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses by Lenya Heitzig and Live Abundantly A Study in the Book of Ephesians by Lenya Heitzig & Penny Rose. Other titles in the series include: Live Relationally: Lessons from the Women of Genesis by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose, Live Intimately: Lessons from the Upper Room by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose, Live Deeply: A Study in the Parables of Jesus by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose, Live Fearlessly: A Study in the Book of Joshua by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose, Live Tastefully: Savoring Encounters with Jesus by Lenya Heitzig, Live Beautifully: A Study in the Books of Ruth and Esther by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose. (Live Tastefully and Live Beautifully are spring 2012 releases.) These series of Bible studies could be used for personal study at home OR for group study. 

Live Abundantly: A Study in the Book of Ephesians:

  • There are twelve lessons.
  • Each lesson is divided into five days of personal study.
  • Each lesson is designed to take twenty minutes...

Lesson one, for example, is "Are You In the Will?"
In week one--lesson one--participants would study the first fourteen verses of Ephesians 1.

  • Day 1: Ephesians 1:1 (The Messenger)
  • Day 2: Ephesians 1:1-2 (The Beneficiaries)
  • Day 3: Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Benefactor)
  • Day 4: Ephesians 1:7-12 (The Redeemer)
  • Day 5: Ephesians 1:13-14 (The Guarantor)
Each day's study consists of five elements:
  • Lift Up
  • Look At
  • Learn About
  • Live Out
  • Listen To
Live Reflectively Lessons From the Watershed Moments of Moses

  • There are ten lessons.
  • Each lesson is divided into five days of personal study.
  • Each lesson is designed to take twenty-minutes a day.
  • Each day's study consists of five elements: lift up, look at, learn about, live out, listen to.



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Friday, December 23, 2011

Celebrating the Story: Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12

From the King James

1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
 6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
 7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
 9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
 12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Celebrating the Story: Luke 2:1-20

Luke 2:1-20

From the King James:

 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Fall Into Reading 2011 Completed


I wanted to read six books for this challenge. I listed a few books in my original post:


Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke.
Welcome to the Story: Reading, Loving, and Living God's Word by Stephen J. Nichols
Walking in the Spirit by Kenneth Berding
Read the Bible for Life: Your Guide to Understanding and Living God's Word by George Guthrie
The Jesus You Can't Ignore by John MacArthur
A Tale of Two Sons by John MacArthur
Ten Lies About God And How You Might Already Be Deceived by Erwin Lutzer
Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin
A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes
Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist
The Mercy by Beverly Lewis
The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden
The Victory Club by Robin Lee Hatcher
Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes

This is what I was able to actually read:

 Lit: A Christian Guide to Reading Books. Tony Reinke.
Ten Lies About God And How You Might Already Be Deceived. Erwin Lutzer.
Hope Underground. Carolos Parra Diaz.
Love on the Line. Deeanne Gist.
Wonderland Creek. Lynn Austin.
Who Stole My Church? Gordon MacDonald.
Do I Know God? Finding Certainty in Life's Most Important Relationship. Tullian Tchividjian.
A Necessary Deception. Laurie Alice Eakes.
Going Deep. Gordon MacDonald.
Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Tullian Tchividjian.
My First Read and Learn Countdown to Christmas. Dr. Mary Manz Simon.
The Mercy. Beverly Lewis. 


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Book Review: The Merchant's Daughter

The Merchant's Daughter. Melanie Dickerson. 2011. Zondervan. 285 pages.

Annabel sat in the kitchen shelling peas into a kettle at her feet.

I loved this one. I just LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. It was just a perfect, perfect fit for me. It's a Christian fairy tale retelling!!! Of my most FAVORITE fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. It's set in England in the 1350s. And it was such a sweet, delightful read. I really don't know how it could have been any better!!!

Annabel's family owes a debt--a large debt--to the lord of the village. While her brothers hope to marry Annabel off to Bailiff Tom (boo, hiss), Annabel dreams of becoming a nun and reading Scripture for herself. (Yes, she knows Latin. Yes, she can read.) Her brothers hope is that Annabel's husband would pay off the family's debt and enable them to keep their home. But Annabel knows there is another way to pay that debt, to enter the lord's service as an indentured servant, to serve her three years without grumbling or complaining. If Annabel was of the complaining sort, she would have much to say. For her two older brothers are the ones refusing to work. They are unwilling to do anything at all--except arrange unwanted marriages--to help the family.

The newly-arrived lord (Lord le Wyse) is an intimidating figure to be sure. He has many, many scars on his face. And his hand is disfigured. He's rumored to be quite beastly--in his temper. But after a few days in his service, Annabel sees him with different eyes. She sees someone brave and honorable and heroic. She sees that he is far from cursed, far from a monster.

Readers get this story from Annabel's point of view and Ranulf's point of view. And it was so great to get this story from 'the beast's' perspective!!! It made a good story, great.

There are many, many, many things that brings these two together. But one of the main things, perhaps, is his desire to be read to. He is thrilled to learn that one of his servants can read Latin for he has a Bible and a great desire to learn from it.

Read The Merchant's Daughter
  • If you're a fan of Beauty and the Beast
  • If you're a fan of fairy tale retellings
  • If you're a fan of historical fiction
  • If you're a fan of historical romances
  • If you're looking for good, clean YA reads 


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Celebrating the Story: Luke 1:57-80

Luke 1:57-80

From the King James:

 57Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
 58And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
 59And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
 60And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
 61And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
 62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
 63And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
 64And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
 65And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
 66And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
 67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
 68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
 69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
 70As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
 71That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
 72To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
 73The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
 74That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
 75In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
 76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
 77To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
 78Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
 79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
 80And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Book Review: God With Us

God With Us: Divine Condescension And the Attributes of God. K. Scott Oliphint. 2011. Crossway. 303 pages.

To clarify, this isn't a proper review of God With Us. I cannot judge--cannot judge fairly or well--the theology of a book that I can't begin to comprehend. The theology of this book could be perfectly, completely sound. That is it could contain biblically sound doctrine; it could contain truth-treasures within its pages. So I hesitate to say that this is a 'bad book' especially since if you label a Christian book a 'bad book' most people would assume, perhaps naturally assume, that you're critiquing the doctrine of a book, the theological merits of a book. Making a statement that this book goes against the Word of God. That isn't the case here. That is not my argument or position.

Honestly, I wish the author had condescended more in his writing. For it is my opinion that this book is too challenging to be a practical recommendation. There are different ways a book can be challenging. The subject could just be WAY, WAY, WAY over someone's understanding or comprehending. In that it doesn't matter HOW it's presented. Or it could be written in such a way--presented in such a way-- that it's difficult to understand, difficult to follow. In the case of GOD WITH US, I felt it was MADE too difficult. That the author further complicated the subject matter. That instead of making it easier to understand, instead of reaching out to you and me--the average Christian without professional theological training--he chose to talk to a select few.

God With Us is an intimidating book. For starters, it uses Latin a little too casually. It sprinkles in foreign words--I'm assuming Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Though I only am certain on the Hebrew and Latin--a little too often. In that if you don't understand these words, these ideas or concepts, you've lost the flow of the argument all together. It's not a simple matter of, well, I don't understand that sentence OR that paragraph, but I'll start on the next one and see if I can pick up what it all means by context. It isn't a matter of guessing what a word means and continuing on with the book. For it requires too much pretending, too much guessing, to work. For there are just too many unknown words in each sentence, each paragraph, each page. (For example, for every ten pages of text, I might clearly grasp eight or nine sentences.)

The book is about the attributes of God.  This wasn't my first attempt to read on the subject. In fact,  this is one of my favorite areas to read about--the character of God, the attributes of God, the  names of God, etc. I've read books by J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, and John MacArthur--to name a few--on the subject of God. And I've benefited by this study. I do believe the proper study for mankind is God--not man. But I think this book, God With Us, is overly complicated.

I think one reason it is overly complicated is because it is trying to do too much. It isn't trying to be a book. It is too clever to be just a book. It wants to be a text book, I think. On every single page--at least it felt like it was each and every page--Oliphint drops names, uses quotes, introduces new ideas, and makes arguments. Sometimes he's quoting people he disagrees with, sometimes he's quoting people he agrees with. Sometimes he becomes so focuses in presenting different viewpoints--perhaps to stress that his is the correct viewpoint?--that it becomes almost impossible to see what really matters. When a reader can't easily see which points are the main ideas. When the book becomes a maze of philosophical and theological ideas sprinkled with sentences that are comprehensible, it becomes a mess.

The introduction has seventy-nine footnotes.
Chapter one has eighty-four footnotes.
Chapter two has 103 footnotes.
Chapter three has eighty-five footnotes.
Chapter four has a mere seventy-six footnotes.
Chapter five has 121 footnotes.

Maybe if you're in the field and are familiar with even a fourth of the names he's mentioning, familiar with who they are, their theological position, their associations, etc., then perhaps the argument might make sense to you. Especially if you've had classes on logic and rhetoric. Or even debate.

I can easily say that I found it easier to read Stephen Charnock's The Existence and Attributes of God, a book first published in 1682. I expected a language barrier--of sorts--when I read it. But with work and patience and pen (for taking notes) I was able to benefit from reading it.

I was disappointed with God With Us. I wanted an intelligent book, true, but intelligent and comprehensible. I wanted a straightforward book that presented basic, essential truths about God, about Jesus. I wanted to find a challenging book that would help me think more, appreciate more. I wanted a book with substance, I appreciate books with substance. I wanted a book to help me celebrate Christ, to rejoice in Him and His works. I wanted a book as rich and deep as some of the other books Crossway has published in the past.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Celebrating the Story: Luke 1:39-56

Luke 1:39-56

From the King James Version:

 39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
 40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
 41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
 42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
 44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
 45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
 46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
 47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
 48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
 49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
 50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
 51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
 52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
 53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
 54He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
 55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
 56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Monday, December 19, 2011

Celebrating the Story: Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:26-38

From the King James Version:

26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
 34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
 35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
 36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
 37For with God nothing shall be impossible.
 38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Celebrating the Story: Luke 1:5-25

Luke 1:5-25

From the King James Version:

5THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
 6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
 7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
 8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
 9According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
 10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
 11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
 12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
 13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
 14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
 15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
 16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
 17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
 18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
 19And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
 20And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
 21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
 22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
 23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
 24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
 25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon: Week In Review December 11-17

This week I read...

Psalms in the HCSB
Nehemiah in the HCSB
Luke in the CEB
Romans in the CEB

Reminder: You can now sign up for 2012's Operation Deepen Faith.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Celebrating the Story: John 3:16

John 3:16

Common English Bible: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.

Revised English Bible: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that everyone who has faith in him may not perish but have eternal life.

Revised Standard Version: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Living Bible: For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

New American Standard Bible: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

King James: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

New Living Translation: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

English Standard Version: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

New International Version: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

New King James: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The Message: This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

God's Word: God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.

American Standard Version: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Weymouth: For so greatly did God love the world that He gave His only Son, that every one who trusts in Him may not perish but may have the Life of Ages.

Good News Translation: For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

Amplified Bible: For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Holman Christian Standard Bible: "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Contemporary English Version: God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. 

Friday, December 16, 2011

Celebrating the Story: God's Word 1995

Isaiah 9:6-7

A child will be born for us.
   A son will be given to us.
      The government will rest on his shoulders.
      He will be named:
         Wonderful Counselor,
         Mighty God,
         Everlasting Father,
         Prince of Peace.
His government and peace will have unlimited growth.
      He will establish David’s throne and kingdom.
      He will uphold it with justice and righteousness now and forever.
   The Lord of Armies is determined to do this!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Sign up for 2012 Operation Deepen Faith

This challenge has multiple parts. (You wouldn't have to sign up for each part. But. Ideally participants would be interested in doing more than just one.)

I. Deep and Wide; Goal: read multiple books of the bible in multiple translations.

For example that might mean reading four to six books of the Bible (OT or NT, whatever you prefer) in four to six different translations. The books wouldn't have to be long books. You might choose Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, etc. Or you might choose  John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation. Or Luke, Acts, Romans, Hebrews. You can choose a group of books that makes sense to you. Books that you want to explore further. You choose the books, you choose the translations. You choose the pace.

II. Going Deep; Goal: STUDY one book of the Bible throughout the year. Read it in at least four translations. Read the notes in a study Bible. Read a commentary book about it. Read or listen to sermons on it. Read it as often as possible--whether that is once a week or once a month or even once a day. Get to know that one book well. Let God speak to you through it. You might even choose to take notes or journal as you read. Whatever you want to do.

For example, Annette studied Romans last year. She read Romans 10 Times in 10 Different Translations. You wouldn't have to commit to ten times. You do choose the number of times, and the number of translations.

III. Meditate or Memorize. Note the OR! Not everyone is comfortable committing to memorize Scripture. (I'm one of them!) Goal: Choose about a verse a week--or a verse every other week--to reflect and meditate on. It might mean memorizing it. It might mean writing or journaling about it. (Or blogging about it if you like.) It might mean praying it. Or studying it. It's taking the reading of Scripture into something a little more--worship. These verses would not be chosen ahead of time. I'm not asking for a list. This is all about choosing-as-you-go, choosing as you read, let Scripture speak to you.

IV. Christian Nonfiction. Don't be afraid to give it a try. Read some theology. You choose the number of books to aim for. A beginner might not feel comfortable committing to more than two books. And that's fine. I want to challenge you to start somewhere. This challenge is for everyone. Not just for people who want to commit to reading twenty! It isn't about reading the most. It isn't about reading fast.

  • books about God (his attributes, his character, his names, etc.)
  • books about the birth, life, death, resurrection of Jesus
  • books about the Bible
  • books about Bible characters (Moses, David, Solomon, Abraham, Jesus, Peter, etc.)
  • books about prayer, fasting
  • books about worship or worship music 
  • books about church life or church growth or church leadership 
  • books about missions
  • sermon collections (sermon note collections), essay collections
  • biographies/memoirs of theologians, preachers, missionaries, etc.
  • books about pain, suffering, tough questions, etc.
  • books about apologetics
  • books about evangelism
  • books about end times
Sign up by leaving a comment. Be sure to let me know which of the four you're interested in joining. You don't have to commit to specifics. (You don't have to tell me which one book you're going to study. Or how many books/how many translations you're going to read. Or the number of theology books you're wanting to commit to.) Though if you have decided, then feel free to share! But you don't have to have it all exactly planned out in order to join!

You should also know that I am planning to host a special event in April 2012. I'll be hosting the 'read-the-new-testament-in-a-week' challenge or event. April 1 through April 8th. (Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday.) If you are interested in participating, let me know. And I'll try to keep you updated with details if you leave a blog address or email address. Of course, I'll be sharing those details on my blog as well.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Celebrating the Story: Today's New International Version (2005)

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
   there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
   and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
   with justice and righteousness
   from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
   will accomplish this.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Celebrating the Story: John 1:14

John 1:14

Common English Bible: The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

New American Standard Bible: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

English Standard Version: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Wycliffe Bible: And the word was made man, and dwelled among us, and we have seen the glory of him, as the glory of the one begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and of truth.

Tyndale: And that word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten son of the father, which word was full of grace, and verity.

New English Bible:  So the Word became flesh; he came to dwell among us, and we saw his glory, such glory as befits the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.

King James Version: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

New Living Translation: So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.

Living Bible: And Christ became a human being and lived here on earth among us and was full of loving forgiveness and truth. And some of us have seen his glory--the glory of the only Son of the heavenly Father!

Revised Standard Version: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

Holman Christian Standard Bible: The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

NIV (2011): The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revised English Bible: So the Word became flesh; he made his home among us, and we saw his glory, such glory as befits the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.

New King James Version: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Good News Translation: The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son.

God's Word: The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory. It was the glory that the Father shares with his only Son, a glory full of kindness and truth.

J.B. Phillips: So the word of God became a human being and lived among us. We saw his splendour (the splendour as of a father’s only son), full of grace and truth.

Contemporary English Version: The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us.

The Message: The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

New Century Version: The Word became a human and lived among us. We saw his glory--the glory that belongs to the only Son of the Father--and he was full of grace and truth.

Weymouth: And the Word came in the flesh, and lived for a time in our midst, so that we saw His glory--the glory as of the Father's only Son, sent from His presence. He was full of grace and truth.

Young's Literal Translation: And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth.

International Standard Version: The Word became flesh and lived among us. We gazed on his glory, the kind of glory that belongs to the Father's unique Son, who is full of grace and truth.

William Godbey: The Word was made flesh, and tented among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten with the Father), full of grace and truth.

Emphasised Bible Rotherham Version: And, the Word, became, flesh, and pitched his tent among us, and we gazed upon his glory,––a glory, as an Only–begotten from his Father. Full of favour and truth.

Goodspeed: So the Word became flesh and blood and lived for a while among us, abounding in blessing and truth, and we saw the honor God had given him, such honor as an only son receives from his father.



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible