Monday, December 31, 2012

Cloud of Witnesses Reading Challenge, 2013



I'm happy to announce that I'll be hosting a reading challenge! The title of this reading challenge comes from Hebrews 12:1-2, which reads "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (KJV) If the KJV isn't quite for you,

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NASB)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV)
For an author to qualify for this reading challenge, they must be among "the cloud of witnesses".... in other words, they must be dead. I think it isn't always easy for readers to pick up Christian classics. Perhaps because it isn't always easy to know exactly where to start. Perhaps because people think that they will be difficult to understand--that the language will be too difficult, the style too complicated. Perhaps because people question if a book will still be relevant. I believe that there are some AMAZING, GREAT, WONDERFUL, MUST-MUST-MUST reads out there waiting to be discovered.

Examples of qualifying authors:


  • John Stott (1921-2011)
  • D. James Kennedy (1930-2007)
  • James Montgomery Boice (1938-2000)
  • Loraine Boettner (1901-1990)
  • Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983)
  • Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981)
  • Watchman Nee (1903-1972)
  • C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)
  • A.W. Tozer (1897-1963)
  • Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957)
  • A.W. Pink (1886-1952)
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
  • G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
  • R.A. Torrey (1856-1928)
  • Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  • A.B. Simpson (1843-1919)
  • Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)
  • E.M. Bounds (1835-1913)
  • Andrew Murray (1828-1917)
  • Alexander Whyte (1836-1921)
  • J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
  • Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
  • Charles Hodge (1797-1878)
  • Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
  • George Whitfield (1714-1770)
  • John Wesley (1703-1791)
  • William Law (1686-1761)
  • Richard Baxter (1615-1691)
  • John Owen (1616-1683)
  • John Bunyan (1628-1688)
  • Stephen Charnock (1628-1680)
  • John Flavel (1627-1691)
  • Matthew Henry (1662-1714)
  • Martin Luther (1483-1546)
  • John Calvin (1509-1564)
  • Brother Lawrence (1605-1691)
  • Thomas Watson (1620-1686)
  • Thomas Manton (1620-1677)
  • Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471)
  • Saint Augustine (354-430)
So what "counts" for this challenge? Well, the goal is to get you acquainted with new-to-you authors. So any reading material will count: no matter the length. It can be an article of a few pages; an individual sermon or a collection of sermons; it can be a book of quotes by that person; it can be a biography or autobiography about the person; you might find full-length books available online, or individual sermons online. And of course it doesn't matter if it's a book-book, e-book, or audiobook.

So how many books are required? 

If you're completely new to christian nonfiction (christian living, theology, bible commentaries, bible studies, etc.) then I'd like to challenge you to read ONE or TWO books. If your first attempt is too tough, or proving not-for-you, try again. 

If christian nonfiction is something you're comfortable reading, I'd like to challenge you to read four to six books for this challenge. 

What I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see is for people to share quotes from what they're reading. I'd love to see readers recommend books to one another. So while I'd never, ever require participants to write book reviews, if you have a blog, I'd love for you to share quotes occasionally with your readers and let me know about it. If you don't have a blog, you could always leave quotes in the comments here. (Trust me, I'd welcome some relief from spam comments.)

Sign up for the challenge by leaving a comment on the blog. If you want you can suggest an author that I've left off the list.

The dates for the challenge are January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

2012 Bible Reading


I read the Bible twice in 2012. While I read in many different translations, I believe the two translations I read most were the ESV and KJV. (Other translations read include the NASB, HCSB, CEB, NIV, and New King James.) I read the New Testament in its entirety thirteen times this year. I read Psalms through 11 times, and Proverbs through 12 times. 

The NT book I read most in 2012: Philippians, 66 times!
New Testament books I read more than fifty times: Philippians (66), 1 John (53), Revelation (51).
The gospel I read most in 2012: John, 17 times!
The gospel I read least in 2012: Luke, 15 times!
The least read NT book: Acts, 13 times.
The most read OT books: Psalms and Proverbs
Other OT books I read at least five times: Genesis (5), Ruth (8), Ecclesiastes (6) Isaiah (5), Obadiah (5)

Bibles I spent the most time with this year:




© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday, December 30, 2012

2013 Challenges: Mount TBR Challenge

Host: My Reader's Block
Name: Mount TBR Reading Challenge
Dates: Jan-Dec
# Books: I'm joining at 24 books, Mount Blanc

What I Read:
1. Preparing for Jesus' Return. A.W. Tozer
2. How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity with God. Erwin Lutzer. 
3. One Minute After You Die. Erwin Lutzer. 
4. Your Eternal Reward. Erwin Lutzer. 
5. Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Tullian Tchividjian. 2011. Crossway. 220 pages.
6. Desiring God. John Piper. 
7. All of Grace. Charles Spurgeon.
8. The Holy Spirit by R.A. Torrey
9. The Gospel of Matthew by J.C. Ryle
10. The Gospel of Mark by J.C. Ryle
11. The Radical Cross by A.W. Tozer
12. Christ the Eternal Son by A.W. Tozer
13. Everlasting Righteousness by Horatius Bonar
14. Words to the Winners of Souls by Horatius Bonar
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.

What I hope to read:

  • The Attributes of God, vol. 1 by A.W. Tozer
  • The Attributes of God, vol. 2 by A.W. Tozer
  • The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  • All of Grace by Charles Spurgeon
  • Discovering the Power of Christ's Prayer Life by Charles Spurgeon
  • Desiring God by John Piper
  • What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper
  • God is the Gospel by John Piper
  • The Holy Spirit by R.A. Torrey
  • Best of Tozer, vol. 1, A.W. Tozer
  • Preparing for Jesus' Return by A.W. Tozer
  • The Great Exchange by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington
  • Sermons of Jonathan Edwards
  • The Sermons of George Whitfield
  • Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie
  • The Doctrines of Grace by James Montgomery Boice and Phil Ryken
  • Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
  • Our Accountability to God by A.W. Pink
  • The Ability of God by A.W. Pink
  • Life in Christ by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
  • Assurance of Salvation by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
  • Tozer Speaks, vol 1. by A.W. Tozer
  • Tozer Speaks, vol. 2. by A.W. Tozer
  • Amazing Grace by Timothy George
  • Jesus +Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjan
  • More Precious Than Gold by Sam Storms
  • How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity with God by Erwin Lutzer
  • One Minute After You Die by Erwin Lutzer
  • Your Eternal Reward by Erwin Lutzer
  • Old Paths by J.C. Ryle
  • The Gospel of Matthew by J.C. Ryle
  • The Gospel of Mark by J.C. Ryle
  • The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle
  • The Gospel of John by J.C. Ryle



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

December 2012 Bible Reading Records

Written by Moses

1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus
4. Numbers
5. Deuteronomy

OT Narratives

6. Joshua
7. Judges
8. Ruth (RV85)
9. 1 Samuel
10. 2 Samuel
11. 1 Kings
12. 2 Kings
13. 1 Chronicles
14. 2 Chronicles
15. Ezra
16. Nehemiah
17. Esther

Wisdom Literature

18. Job
19. Psalms
20. Proverbs
21. Ecclesiastes
22. Song of Songs

Major Prophets

23. Isaiah (ESV)
24. Jeremiah
25. Lamentations
26. Ezekiel
27. Daniel

Minor Prophets

28. Hosea
29. Joel
30. Amos
31. Obadiah
32. Jonah
33. Micah
34. Nahum
35. Habakkuk
36. Zephaniah
37. Haggai
38. Zechariah
39. Malachi

NT Narratives

40. Matthew (CEB)
41. Mark (CEB)
42. Luke (NKJV)
43. John (HCSB)
44. Acts (CEB)

Epistles by Paul

45. Romans (CEB, NKJV, RSV)
46. 1 Corinthians (NKJV, RSV)
47. 2 Corinthians (NKJV)
48. Galatians (NKJV)
49. Ephesians (NKJV)
50. Philippians (NKJV) 
51. Colossians (CEB)
52. 1 Thessalonians (NKJV) 
53. 2 Thessalonians (NKJV) 
54. 1 Timothy (NKJV) 
55. 2 Timothy (NKJV)
56. Titus (NKJV)
57. Philemon (NKJV) 

General Epistles

58. Hebrews (NKJV)
59. James (NKJV) 
60. 1 Peter (NKJV, RV85)
61. 2 Peter (NKJV, RV85)
62. 1 John (NKJV, RV85)
63. 2 John (NKJV, RV85)
64. 3 John (NKJV, RV85)
65. Jude (NKJV, RV85)

Apocalyptic Epistle by John

66. Revelation (RV85, RSV)


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Week-In-Review: December 22-29

This week I read:

HCSB Study Bible

  • John 18-21

RV85 (English Revised Version, 1885)

  • Matthew 1-2
  • Luke 1-2
  • 1 Peter
  • 2 Peter
  • 1 John
  • 2 John
  • 3 John
  • Jude
  • Revelation

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Reflecting on 2012

In January, I tried reading the Bible with Professor Horner's reading system. I didn't end up loving it, but, it gave me a few good ideas to try. One reason why I'm so thankful I did give it a try is because of the daily planner I bought because of it. I wanted a planner/calendar with at least ten lines per day. This has been the BEST thing ever!!! I LOVE keeping up with my reading day-by-day. It makes the week-in-review posts so easy! I read four fiction novels, one children's bible story book, and two nonfiction titles. My favorite book of the month was Christless Christianity by Michael Horton.

Favorite quotes:
I am a Christian not because I think that I can walk in Jesus's footsteps but because he is the only one who can carry me. I am not the gospel; Jesus Christ alone is the gospel. His story saves me, not only by bringing me justification but by baptizing me into his resurrection life. (Michael Horton, Christless Christianity, 117)
Original sin, as G.K. Chesterton observes, is 'the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved'. (Michael Horton, Christless Christianity, 63)
Isn't it amazing that, according to Jesus, the whole Bible is about him and Peter says that the angels long to understand the Good News that is (or should be) brought weekly by heralds, but we decide that someone or something else should be the focus of our sermon and worship this week? (Michael Horton, Christless Christianity, 143)
In February, I tried the MacArthur system of reading the Bible. I chose 1 John for my first experiment. The goal was to read 1 John thirty times, but, I managed to read 34 times!!! I discovered that I REALLY enjoyed this method of reading the Bible. But it is a little TOO intense to do every single month. I read one fiction title, one children's bible storybook, and six nonfiction titles. This is the month that I discovered CHARLES SPURGEON!!!  I read four Spurgeon books in February!!! I also read another Michael Horton book, and a MARVELOUS book by Phil Ryken. I loved sharing these Dorothy Sayers quotes.

Favorite quotes:
The gospel is not a general belief in heaven and hell or hope for a better life beyond; it is not even confidence in a resurrection at the end of the age. It is the announcement that Jesus Christ himself is our life, for he is our peace with God. He does not merely show us the way; he is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). (Michael Horton, Gospel-Driven Life, 80)
I have often said that prayer and praise are like the breathing in and out of air and make up that spiritual respiration by which the inner life is instrumentally supported. We take in an inspiration of heavenly air as we pray; we breathe it out again in praise unto God from whom it came. If, then, we would be healthy in spirit, let us be abundant in thanksgiving. Prayer, like the root of a tree, seeks for and finds nutriment; praise, like the fruit, renders a revenue to the owner of the vineyard. Prayer is for ourselves; praise is for God. Let us never be so selfish as to abound in the one and fail in the other. (Charles Spurgeon, The Practice of Praise, 93)
I pray that God will always preserve us from a unity in which truth is considered valueless, in which principle gives place to policy, in which the masculine virtues of the Christian hero are supplemented by an effeminate, fake love. May the Lord deliver us from indifference to His Word  and will, for this creates a cold unity--like masses of ice frozen into an iceberg, chilling the air for miles around; or like the unity of the dead as they sleep in their graves, contending for nothing because they no longer have a part in the land of the living. (Charles Spurgeon, Power in the Blood, 138)
In March, I decided to try the Woodrow Krull reading method. This is also the month that I discovered A.W. Tozer. And THAT changed the course of the whole year. I HAD to have more and more and more Tozer!!! I read ten nonfiction titles and two fiction. I read two books on Bible translation, two books by A.W. Tozer, and one Spurgeon book.

Favorite quotes:
There is nothing in which we need to take so many lessons as in prayer. There is nothing of which we are so utterly ignorant when we first begin; there is nothing in which we are so helpless. And there is nothing else that we are so bad at all our days. We have an inborn, a constitutional, a habitual, and, indeed, an hereditary dislike of prayer, and of everything of the nature of prayer. We are not only ignorant here, and incapable: we are incorrigibly and unconquerably unwilling to learn. And when we begin to learn we need a lesson every day, almost every hour. (Alexander Whyte, Lord Teach Us To Pray, 257)
Wherever in all the world there is a human heart, God also is there. And He is there in order to have that heart poured out before Him. (Alexander Whyte, Lord Teach Us To Pray, 29)
None of us can ever be fully pleasing to God if we are not willing to be well taught in His Word. (A. W. Tozer, Jesus, Our Man in Glory, 104)
There is not a man or woman anywhere who can hold an adequate view of our human nature until he or she accepts the fact that we came from God and that we shall return to God again. (A.W. Tozer, Jesus, Our Man in Glory, 24)
What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. (A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy, 1)
In April, I bought two great Bibles! I bought the ESV Grow Bible which I love and adore, and I bought the KJV A.W. Tozer Bible!!! I love both of these so much! Though the ESV has the better font! I also shared my new reading system. I read six nonfiction books this month: two Tozer, one Pink, one Sayers, and two Easter-related books. 

Favorite quotes: 
To many Christians Christ is little more than an idea, or at best an ideal; He is not a fact. Millions of professed believers talk as if He were real and act as if He were not. And always our actual position is to be discovered by the way we act, not by the way we talk. We can prove our faith by our committal to it and in no other way. Any belief that does not command the one who holds it is not a real belief. (A.W. Tozer, Root of the Righteous, 51)
Progress in the Christian life is exactly equal to the growing knowledge we gain of the Triune God in personal experience. And such experience requires a whole life devoted to it and plenty of time spent at the holy task of cultivating God. God can be known satisfactorily only as we devote time to Him. (A.W. Tozer, Root of the Righteous, 9)
In May, my focus was still on the A.W. Tozer Bible. My reading was still largely nonfiction: six nonfiction and two fiction. I really LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Kisses From Katie and The Explicit Gospel

Favorite Quotes:
Regarding God's Word, let us love it and live in it and eat it and drink it and lie down on it and walk on it and stand on it and swear by it and live by it and rest in it. (A.W. Tozer, Experiencing the Presence of God, 105)
There is not a Christian alive but has to die, and die daily, to thoughts of self-importance. (A.W. Tozer, Experiencing the Presence of God, 209)
In June, I read Revelation using the MacArthur system...it was intense and wonderful and I highly recommend it!!! Because so much of my time was spent reading Revelation, I only read five books. Two Tozer books and three novels. This was the month I started reading J.C. Ryle's HOLINESS. Oh how I came to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Ryle!!! 

Favorite quotes: 
The question is this: What are we allowing the Word of God to say to us, and what is our reaction to that Word? Have we consumed and digested the book? Have we absorbed the Word of God into our lives? Or are we among those content to be a part of a Christian congregation where there are no extreme demands, where fellowship will be consistently pleasant and without responsibility? When we, as Christians, love our Lord Jesus Christ with heart and soul and mind, the Word of God is on our side! If we could only grasp the fact that God's Word is more than a book! It is the revelation of divine truth from the person of God Himself. It has come as a divine communication in the sacred Scriptures. It has come to us in the guidance and conviction imparted by the divine Spirit of God within our beings. It has been modeled for us in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word and the eternal Son. (A.W. Tozer, Jesus is Victor, 165)
In July, I was LOVING J.C. Ryle and struggling through my first-ever Jonathan Edwards book. 

Favorite quotes: 
Let us be quick to see grace — and more slow to see imperfections! Let us know that, if we cannot allow that there is grace where there is corruption — we shall find no grace in the world. ~ J.C. Ryle, Holiness
I have often heard of "narrow-minded views," and "old-fashioned notions," and "fire-and-brimstone theology," and the like. I have often been told that "broad" views are needed in the present day. I wish to be as broad as the Bible — neither less nor more. I say that he is the narrow-minded theologian who pares down such parts of the Bible as the natural heart dislikes, and rejects any portion of the counsel of God. ~ J.C. Ryle, Holiness 
In August, September, and October I began reading more fiction. I still read some nonfiction, however. My new 'discovery' was Sarah Sundin! And A Promise to Love was my favorite, favorite book!!!

Favorite quotes:
God is with us now as much as He will be with us in eternity. (John MacArthur, Worship, 98)
When we see God as holy, our instant and only reaction is to see ourselves as unholy. Between God's holiness and humanity's unholiness is a gulf. And until a person understands the holiness of God, that person can never know the depth of his or her own sin. We ought to be shaken to our roots when we see ourselves against the backdrop of God's holiness. If we are not deeply pained about our sin, we do not understand God's holiness at all. Without such a vision of God's holiness, true worship is not possible. Real worship is not giddy. It does not rush into God's presence unprepared and insensitive to His majesty. It is not shallow, superficial, or flippant. Worship is life lived in the presence of an infinitely righteous and omnipresent God by one utterly aware of His holiness and consequently overwhelmed with a sense of his or her own unholiness. (John MacArthur, Worship, 114)
Though planted in a specific time and place in our history, the cross was in God's heart before the world began. His love has always been sacrificial, liberal, and costly. (Michael Horton, Putting the Amazing Back into Grace, 69)
 In November, I read Philippians using the MacArthur system!!! It was LOVE. This is a great little book and I highly recommend it for reading thirty days in a row! I also read another J.C. Ryle book, Practical Religion. I also read TWO A.W. Tozer books! I loved sharing: resolution tips, bible reading tips, and prayer tips.  

Favorite quotes:
The greatest encouragement throughout the Bible is God's love for His lost race and the willingness of Christ, the eternal Son, to show forth that love in God's plan of redemption. The love of Jesus is so inclusive that it knows no boundaries. At the point where we stop caring and loving, Jesus is still there loving and caring. (A.W. Tozer, Jesus, Author of Our Faith, 144)
Worship pleasing to God saturates our whole being. There is no worship pleasing to God until there is nothing in me displeasing to God. (A.W. Tozer, The Purpose of Man, 128)
Expect little from self — but much from Christ. Look more to Jesus — and less to self. ~ J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion
Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer. ~ J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion
The way to do a thing--is to do it; and the way to read the Bible--is actually to read it! It is not merely meaning, or wishing, or resolving, or intending, or thinking about it--which will advance you one step. You must positively read. ~ J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion
In December, I focused on finishing the Bible for the year. I was able to read around 100 books this year--fiction and nonfiction. 

Favorite quotes:
The Christian life is a life of being carried from beginning to end. (John Piper, Pierced by the Word, 50)
The most satisfying reality we could ever know is Jesus. So to give us this reality, He must give us Himself. The love of Jesus drives Him to pray for us, and then die for us, not that our value may be central, but that His glory may be central, and we may see it and savor it for all eternity. (John Piper, Pierced by the Word, 16)
He that hung upon the cross was the Maker of all worlds. He that came as an infant, for our sake, was the Infinite. How low he stooped! How high he must have been that he could stoop so low! ~ Charles Spurgeon, "The Simplicity and Sublimity of Salvation." 
The whole of Christ's life was a continual passion; others die martyrs, but Christ was born a martyr. He found a Golgotha, where he was crucified, even in Bethlehem, where he was born; for to his tenderness then the straws were almost as sharp as the thorns after, and the manger as uneasy at first as the cross at last. His birth and his death were but one continual act, and his Christmas Day and his Good Friday are but the evening and the morning of one and the same day. From the creche to the cross is an inseparable line. Christmas only points forward to Good Friday and Easter. It can have no meaning apart from that, where the Son of God displayed his glory by his death. ~ John Donne

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Books Read in 2013

Pierre-Auguste Renoir: "Gabrielle lisante" and "Liseuse a la Venus"

January

  1. Brentwood. Grace Livingstone Hill. 1937. 315 pages.
  2. God on the Streets of Gotham. Paul Asay. 2012. Tyndale. 240 pages.
  3. The Man Christ Jesus: Theological Reflections on the Humanity of Christ. Bruce A. Ware. 2012. Crossway. 156 pages.
  4. Spring for Susannah. Catherine Richmond. 2011. Thomas Nelson. 352 pages.
  5. Love Comes Softly. Janette Oke. 1979. 240 pages.
  6. Preparing for Jesus' Return. A.W. Tozer, James Snyder, ed. 2012. Regal. 211 pages.
  7. The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow. Olivia Newport. 2013. Revell. 320 pages.
  8. To Win Her Heart. Karen Witemeyer. 2011. Bethany House. 347 pages.
  9. How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity with God. Erwin Lutzer. 1996. Moody. 159 pages.
  10. Found God's Will: Find the Direction and Purpose God Wants for Your Life. John MacArthur. David C. Cook. 80 pages.
  11. And the Lamb Wins: Why The End of the World Is Really Good News. Simon Ponsonby. 2008. David C. Cook. 322 pages.
  12. Becoming Lucy (Winds Across the Prairie #1) Martha Rogers. 2009. 304 pages.

February

  1. The Fairest Beauty. Melanie Dickerson. 2013. Zondervan. 352 pages. 
  2. Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Tullian Tchividjian. 2011. Crossway. 220 pages. 
  3. Rebekah. Jill Eileen Smith. 2013. Revell. 320 pages.  
  4. Comforts From Romans: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at A Time by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick. 2013. Crossway. 160 pages.
  5. The Beatles, God, & The Bible. Ray Comfort. 2012. WND Books. 180 pages.  
  6. One Minute After You Die. Erwin Lutzer. 1997. Moody Publishers. 192 pages.  
  7. Your Eternal Reward. Erwin Lutzer. 1998. Moody Publishers. 171 pages. 
  8. A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. 2013. Revell. 272 pages.  
  9. Bride in the Bargain. Deeanne Gist. 2009. Bethany House. 365 pages.
  10. Thru the Bible Commentary Series: Romans Chapters 1-8. J. Vernon McGee. Thomas Nelson. 170 pages.
  11. Love's Enduring Promise. Janette Oke. 1980. Bethany House. 239 pages. 
  12. Desiring God. John Piper. 1986/1996. Multnomah. 358 pages. 
  13. John Calvin And His Passion for the Majesty of God. John Piper. 2008. 64 pages.  
  14. One Perfect Life. John MacArthur. 2013. Thomas Nelson. 520 pages. 
  15. Marcia Schuyler. Grace Livingston Hill. 1908. 224 pages.  
  16. Convert: From Adam to Christ. Emilio Ramos. 2012. Bridge-Logos Foundation. 183 pages. 
  17. Thru the Bible Commentary Series: Romans 9-16. J. Vernon McGee. Thomas Nelson. 144 pages. 

March


  1. Phoebe Deane. Grace Livingston Hill. 1909. 224 pages.
  2.  Comforts From The Cross: Celebrating the Gospel One Day At A Time. Elyse M. Fitzpatrick. 2009. Crossway. 152 pages. 
  3. Love's Long Journey. Janette Oke. 1982. Bethany House. 240 pages. 
  4. The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor's Journey Into Christian Faith. Rosaria Champagne Butterfield. 2012. (September 2012). Crown and Covenant. 150 pages. 
  5. The Gospel Focus of Charles Spurgeon. Steven J. Lawson. 2012. Reformation Publishers. 145 pages.  
  6. Gods at War: Defeating the Idols That Battle for Your Heart. 2013. Zondervan. 240 pages. 
  7. Thru the Bible Commentary: Jeremiah and Lamentations. J. Vernon McGee. 1997. Thomas Nelson. 216 pages. 
  8. The Child's Story Bible. Catherine F. Vos. (1938, 1949, 1958,) 1969. Eerdman's Publishing Company. 733 pages.   
  9. Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself. Joe Thorn. Foreword by Sam Storms. 2011. Crossway Books. 144 pages.
  10. Moonlight Masquerade. Ruth Axtell. 2013. Revell. 352 pages.  
  11. All of Grace. Charles Spurgeon. 142 pages.
  12. Revelation 1-5. (Thru the Bible Commentary Series) J. Vernon McGee. Thomas Nelson. 152 pages. 
  13. Thru the Bible Commentary Series: Revelation 6-13. J. Vernon McGee. Thomas Nelson. 192 pages. 
  14. Taking God Seriously. J.I. Packer. 2013. Crossway. 160 pages. 

April


  1. Altar Ego by Craig Groeschel. February 2013. Zondervan. 240 pages. 
  2. The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected. Nik Ripken. 2013. B&H. 384 pages. 
  3. Love At Any Cost. Julie Lessman. 2013. Revell. 416 pages. 
  4. The Tutor's Daughter. Julie Klassen. 2013. Bethany House. 412 pages.
  5. Love's Abiding Joy. Janette Oke. 1983. Bethany House. 240 pages. 
  6. Iscariot. Tosca Lee. 2013. Howard Books. 336 pages. 
  7. When Jesus Wept. Bodie Thoene and Brock Thoene. 2013. Zondervan. 304 pages.
  8. Miranda. Grace Livingston Hill. 1915. 224 pages. 
  9. Everlasting Righteousness. Horatius Bonar. 1872. 114 pages. 
  10. Rhythms of Grace: How the Church's Worship Tells The Story of The Gospel. Mike Cosper. Foreword by Bob Kauflin. 2013. Crossway. 224 pages.
  11. The Disappearance of God: Dangerous Beliefs in the New Spiritual Openness. R. Albert Mohler Jr. 2009. Multnomah. 194 pages.
  12.  The Truth of the Cross. R.C. Sproul. 2007. Reformation Trust. 168 pages. 
  13. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew. J.C. Ryle. 408 pages.

May


  1. Crucifying Morality: The Gospel of the Beatitudes. R.W. Glenn. 2013. Shepherd Press. 128 pages.
  2. God's Power For Your Life: How the Holy Spirit Transforms You Through God's Word. A.W. Tozer. Edited by James L. Snyder. 2013. 224 pages. 
  3. The Radical Cross.  A.W. Tozer. Christian Publications. 148 pages.
  4. The Scriptures Testify About Me: Jesus and the Gospel In the Old Testament. Edited by D.A. Carson. Featuring essays by R. Albert Mohler Jr., Tim Keller, Alistair Begg, James MacDonald, Conrad Mbewe, Matt Chandler, Mike Bullmore, and D.A. Carson. 2013. Crossway. 188 pages.
  5. In The Steps of St. Paul. H.V. Morton. 1935. 528 pages.
  6. Love's Unending Legacy. Janette Oke. 1984. Bethany House. 239 pages.
  7. The Sovereignty and Supremacy of King Jesus: Bowing to the Gracious Despot. Mike Abendroth. 2011. Day One. 240 pages.  
  8. Revelation 14-22 (Thru the Bible Commentary Series) J. Vernon McGee. Thomas Nelson. 204 pages.
  9. According to the Pattern. Grace Livingston Hill. 1903. 186 pages. 
  10. Words to Winners of Souls. Horatius Bonar. 1877. 72 pages.  
  11. Gospel: Recovering the Power That Made Christianity Revolutionary. J.D. Greear. Foreword by Timothy Keller. B&H Books. 266 pages.  
  12. Christ the Eternal Son. A.W. Tozer. 175 pages. 
  13. The Bookends of the Christian Life. Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington. 2009. March 2009. Crossway Publishers. 160 pages. 
  14. Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I. Sandra Byrd. Simon & Schuster. 336 pages. 

June


  1. The Christian Atheist: Believing in God But Living As If He Doesn't Exist. Craig Groeschel. 2010. Zondervan. 256 pages.
  2. Awesome Bible Verses Every Kid Should Know...And What They Mean. Rebecca Lutzer. 2013. Harvest House. 111 pages.
  3. The Book of Revelation. Adapted by Matt Dorff. Translated by Father Mark Arey and Father Philemon Sevastiades. Illustrated by Chris Koelle. 2012. Zondervan. 192 pages.  
  4. Love's Unfolding Dream. Janette Oke. 1987. Bethany House. 240 pages. 
  5. The Holy Spirit: Who He Is and What He Does. R.A. Torrey. Edited by Harold J. Chadwick. Bridge Logos. 343 pages. 
  6. In The Steps of the Master. H.V. Morton. 1934. 416 pages.  
  7. Creature of the Word. Matt Chandler, Eric Geiger, Josh Patterson. 2012. B&H. 256 pages.
  8. The Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan. 1678. 185 pages? 
  9. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark. J.C. Ryle. 384 pages. 
  10. Name Above All Names. Alistair Begg and Sinclair B. Ferguson. 2013. Crossway. 192 pages. 
  11. Children's Favorite Bible Stories. Compiled by Tama Fortner. Illustrated by Natalie Carabetta. 2012. Thomas Nelson. 432 pages.  
  12. The Glory of Heaven: The Truth About Heaven, Angels, and Eternal Life. John MacArthur. 1996/2013. Crossway. 224 pages.
  13. Done: What Most Religions Don't Tell You About the Bible. Cary Schmidt. 2005. Striving Together Publications. 114 pages.
  14. The Cure: The Divine RX for the Body of Christ: Life Changing Love. Harry Kraus, M.D. 2008. 188 pages. 

July



  1.  A Promise to Love. Serena B. Miller. 2012. Revell. 332 pages. [Source: Library]  
  2. The Measure of Katie Calloway. Serena B. Miller. 2011. Revell. 320 pages. [Source: Library] 
  3. The Sunroom. Beverly Lewis. 1998. Bethany House. 144 pages. [Source: Bought] 
  4. By Grace Alone. Sinclair B. Ferguson. 2010. Reformation Trust. 123 pages. [Source: Borrowed from friend] 
  5. The Cost of Discipleship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 1937/1959/1995. Simon & Schuster. 320 pages. [Source: Borrowed from friend.]  
  6. Chosen by God. R.C. Sproul. 1986/1994/2011. Tyndale. 216 pages. [Source: Bought] 
  7. A Big Year for Lily. Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger. 2013. Revell. 272 pages. [Source: Review Copy]
  8. Fatherless. James C. Dobson and Kurt Bruner. 2013. FaithWords. 448 pages. [Source: Bought]
  9. Heaven: Priceless Encouragements on the Way to Our Eternal Home. J.C. Ryle. 92 pages. [Source: Bought] 
  10. Love Takes Wing. Janette Oke. 1988. Bethany House. 240 pages. [Source: Own]. 
  11. Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart. J.D. Greear. 2013. B&H. 128 pages. [Source: Library]
  12. UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity...and Why It Matters. David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. 2007. Baker Books. 256 pages.
  13. Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer. 2013. Bethany House. 352 pages.
  14. Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life. Stephen J. Nichols. 2013. Crossway. 208 pages.
  15. Erasing Hell: What God Said About Eternity, and the Things We Made Up. Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle. 2011. David C. Cook. 208 pages. 
  16. Anomaly. Krista McGee. 2013. Thomas Nelson. 2013. 320 pages. [Source: Library]

August


  1. On Distant Shores. Sarah Sundin. 2013. Revell. 432 pages. [Source: Review Copy]
  2. Captives (The Safe Lands #1) Jill Williamson. 2013. Zondervan. 400 pages. [Source: Library]
  3. Undaunted: Daring To Do What God Calls You To Do (Student Edition). Christine Caine. 2013. Zondervan. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
  4. How to Make Friends and Monsters. Ron Bates. 2013. Zondervan. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy]
  5. Love Finds A Home. Janette Oke. 1989. Bethany House. 240 pages. [Source: Owned for decades]   
  6. Pleasure and Profit in Bible Study. D.L. Moody. 167 pages. [Source: Bought] 
  7. Is The Bible True...Really? Josh McDowell and Dave Sterrett. 2011. Moody. 144 pages. [Source: Bought]  
  8. Weakness Is The Way. J.I. Packer. 2013. Crossway. 128 pages. [Source: Review Copy] 
  9. God Knows My Name: Never Forgotten, Forever Loved. Beth Redman. 2010. David C. Cook. 192 pages. [Source: Bought] 

September


  1. Which Bible Translation Should I Use? A Comparison of 4 Major Recent Versions. Andreas J. Kostenberger, ed. 2012. B&H. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]
  2. Love's Awakening. Laura Frantz. 2013. Revell. 416 pages. [Source: Review Copy]
  3. The Invention of Sarah Cummings. 2013. Revell. 304 pages. [Source: Review Copy]
  4. A Surprise for Lily. Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. 2013. Revell. 268 pages. [Source: Review Copy]  
  5. Sovereign Grace Its Source, Its Nature, and Its Effects. Dwight Lyman Moody. 1891. 90 pages. [Source: Bought.] 
  6. One With Christ. An Evangelical Theology of Salvation. Marcus Peter Johnson. 2013. Crossway. 256 pages. [Source: Review Copy]
  7. The Romance of Grace. Jim McNeely III. 2013. Libertary Co. 148 pages. [Source: Bought]
  8. Prophet by Frank Peretti. 1992/2004. Crossway. 416 pages. [Source: Bought] 
  9. God & Kings. Lynn Austin. 1995/2005. Bethany House. 317 pages. [Source: Bought]
  10. Song of Redemption. Lynn Austin. 2005. Bethany House. 352 pages. [Source: Bought] 
  11. When Calls the Heart. Janette Oke. 1983/2005. Bethany House. 224 pages. 

October


  1. Return to Me. Lynn Austin. 2013. Bethany House. 464 pages. [Source: Review copy]
  2. To Live Is Christ To Die Is Gain. Matt Chandler. 2013. David C. Cook. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]  
  3. A Call To Spiritual Reformation. Priorities from Paul and His Prayers. D.A. Carson. 1992. Baker. 232 pages. [Source: Bought] 
  4. When Comes The Spring. Janette Oke. 1985. Bethany House. 252 pages. [Source: Library]  
  5. A Wreath of Snow. Liz Curtis Higgs. 2012. Waterbrook. 224 pages. [Source: Library]
  6. Under A Blackberry Moon. Serena B. Miller. 2013. Revell. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]  
  7. Does Prayer Change Things? (Crucial Questions) R.C. Sproul. 1998. Reformation Trust. 88 pages. [Source: Bought] 
  8. The Strength of His Hand. Lynn Austin. 2005. Bethany House. 336 pages. [Source: Bought]  
  9. Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery. Eric Metaxas. 2007. HarperCollins. 304 pages. [Source: Bought]
  10. Faith of My Fathers. Lynn Austin. 2006. Bethany House. 320 pages. [Source: Bought]  
  11. Among the Gods. Lynn Austin. 2006. Bethany House. 352 pages. [Source: Bought] 
  12. Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing. Sally Lloyd Jones. 2013 (Leather). Zonderkidz. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy]
  13. The Cat in the Window And Other Stories of the Cats We Love. Callie Smith Grant, ed. 2013. Revell. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy] 

November

  1. Found In Him. Elyse M. Fitzpatrick. 2013. Crossway. 240 pages. [Source: Review Copy]  
  2. The Kind of Preaching God Blesses. Steven J. Lawson. 2013. Harvest House. 128 pages. [Source: Book I Bought]
  3. Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry. 2010. Tyndale. 400 pages. [Source: Book I Bought] 
  4. Prodigal Cat. Janette Oke. 1984. Bethany House. 160 pages. [Source: Childhood Copy] 
  5. Spunky's Diary. Janette Oke. 1982/1998. Bethany House. 112 pages. [Source: Childhood Copy] 
  6. When Breaks the Dawn. Janette Oke. 1985. Bethany House. 215 pages. [Source: Library] 
  7. Reliable Truth: The Validity of the Bible in an Age of Skepticism. Richard E. Simmons III. 2012. Union Hill. 192 pages. [Source: Review Copy] 
  8. Perfectly Matched. Maggie Brendan. 2013. Revell. 352 pages. [Source: Library] 
  9. Living for God's Glory. Joel R. Beeke. 2008. Reformation Trust. 414 pages. [Source: Borrowed From Friend]
  10. Ducktails. Janette Oke. 1985. Bethany House. 144 pages. [Source: Childhood Copy]  
  11. A Cote of Many Colors. Janette Oke. 1987. Bethany House. 144 pages. [Source: Childhood Copy] 
  12. The Impatient Turtle. Janette Oke. 1986. Bethany House. 112 pages. [Source: Childhood Copy]
  13. Made In Our Image. Steven J. Lawson. 2000. Doubleday. 224 pages. [Source: Borrowed From Friend]
  14. Not In The Heart. Chris Fabry. 2012. Tyndale. 432 pages. [Source: Book I Bought]

December

  1. Isaiah Chapters 1-35 (Thru the Bible). J. Vernon McGee. 1991. Nelson. 225 pages.  
  2. Adventure Bible Storybook: Deluxe Edition. Catherine DeVries. Illustrated by Jim Madsen. 2009. Zonderkidz. 288 pages. [Source: Review Copy]  
  3. When Hope Springs New. Janette Oke. 1986. Bethany House. 216 pages. [Source: Book I Own]
  4. What is Biblical Theology: A Guide to the Bible's Story, Symbolism, and Patterns. James M. Hamilton Jr. 2013. Crossway. 128 pages. [Source: Review Copy] 
  5. A Light in the Window. Julie Lessman. 2013. Ten Talents Press. [Source: Book I Bought]
  6. An Amish Christmas. (Brides of Amish Country). Patricia Davids. 2010. Steeple Hill Love Inspired. 224 pages. [Source: Book I Bought]
  7. A Home for My Heart. Anne Mateer. 2013. Bethany House. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy] 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible