Thursday, December 30, 2021

Ten Books I Loved in 2021


R.C. Sproul: A Life by Stephen J. Nichols. 2021. [March] 371 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I loved every minute of this one! I did. I found it an enjoyable, compelling read. I loved learning more about Sproul. If you listen to enough Sproul sermons, you get a sense of his life story--his background, his childhood, his conversion, his romance and marriage, etc. But this book puts it all together as a whole and it's lovely to see it that way. Some facts felt like old friends; others were new-to-me. (Did you know he was converted by Ecclesiastes 11:3?)

There is a timeline of his life which includes his meeting the absolute love of his life when he was in first grade. (She was in second.) Also included lists of his BOOKS, teaching series, conference sermons, etc. 


Fix Your Eyes: How Our Study of God Shapes Our Worship of Him. Amy Gannett. 240 pages. [October] [Source: Review copy]

I loved, loved, loved the premise of this one. Our worship is shaped by our view of God--our beliefs about God. To worship truly--genuinely, heart-soul-mind-body--we need to know God truly. And to know God truly, we must seek Him as He is. We must read the book He authored. Not just know in a head-knowledge sense. But KNOW in a loving, saving, trusting relationship. What we believe about God matters precisely because it relates to how we worship and glorify God. To clarify, this book isn't about a checklist of right beliefs, a practical guide to getting everything right giving you permission to be smug. No, this book is about the whole of Christian experience--heart, mind, body, soul. We are to love God with everything we are and everything we have. He is to be the center of our focus. HIM. Not his gifts. Not his blessings. Not his works. But HIM. Our seeking is to be a life-long seeking. Our knowledge should lead to MORE thanksgiving, MORE praise, MORE delight and adoration, MORE worship. 


Rediscovering Holiness by J.I. Packer. 2021. 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]

The book definitely has practical implications, but it is theology first and foremost. The holiness (of God) and the call to be holy (sanctification) is a WEIGHTY subject. Packer is thorough and solid. 

I found myself highlighting PAGES because so much material was worthy of a second look--a dozen looks to be fair. 

What you might not be expecting--and what I treasure most about it perhaps--is the RICHNESS of the chapters on SALVATION. Packer truly and clearly presents the gospel, and the gospel is beautiful, amazing, compelling. Though chapters two and three--the ones on salvation--are especially rich and wonderful, the book as a whole is worthy of your time, energy, and effort. Definitely worth a reread at some point.


Practicing Thankfulness: Cultivating A Grateful Heart in All Circumstances. Sam Crabtree. 2021. [February] Crossway. 144 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I loved this book. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. I loved it because it was convicting, challenging, relevant, insightful, timely, and above all else scriptural. It is subtitled CULTIVATING A GRATEFUL HEART IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Note the words GRATEFUL and ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. 


Berean Study Bible. God. 2020. 1504 pages. [Source: Gift] [Source: Free Online]

I absolutely love, love, love, LOVE, love this translation. It feels like coming home. It feels familiar, right.  Of course, many translations feel familiar. But that is often the result of months even years. It is hard to explain. 


Geneva Bible 1560. God. 1560. 4305 pages. [Source: Bought]

With the 1560 Geneva Bible it was INSTANT LOVE. And it wasn't just infatuation--lasting for a few chapters of Genesis. Nope, from Genesis to Revelation I remained HEAD OVER HEELS in love with the 1560 Geneva Bible. 

I loved the archaic spelling. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED. I think that is in part what kept me engaged with the text.


A Piece of the Moon. Chris Fabry. 2021. [April] 400 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED, crazy loved this novel. It is a compelling, heart-warming, charming, thoroughly satisfying read. And quirky. Don't forget the quirky. 

It is one of those rare books that is both CHARACTER-DRIVEN and PLOT-DRIVEN. The plot starts off with a little melodrama to hook you. (It worked.) But soon even though the plot hadn't really slowed down--offering a mystery or two, plus a light romance--I found out that it was really ALL about the characters. 

It had the opportunity to be many things: a mystery, a comedy, a tragedy, a romance, a coming of age novel. But really it is more than any of those things. 


Pudge and Prejudice. A.K. Pittman (aka Allison Pittman). 2021. [January] 346 pages. [Source: Library]

Does the adaptation work? YES. It works not because she keeps every single detail the exact same as the original but because she makes it her own.

There were a million little details that make this one oh-so-magical. I loved, loved, loved it.


Shadows of Swanford Abbey. Julie Klassen. 2021. [December] 416 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I loved, loved, loved everything about this one!!! I loved the characterization. I loved that the characterization goes beyond just the heroine and hero. We've got a community of characters--residents at the hotel, the surrounding community, family--that are given enough depth and substance to come across as developed. That is rare--in my opinion. I loved spending time with the characters. I loved the development of relationships, the unfolding of secrets and mysteries. I loved the dialogue. Nothing felt rushed or under-developed in the romance department. I loved that I was kept guessing as to the identity of the murderer. I loved the author's note at the end. 

This may just be my FAVORITE Klassen novel yet. 

The Heart's Charge (Hanger's Horsemen #2). Karen Witemeyer. 2021. 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]

This book had me at hello. I'm not just saying that to say that. I mean this book had me HOOKED from the first page.

One thing that I especially loved, loved, loved about this one--something that makes it stand out--are the children. I loved getting to know the children. Especially Abner. But also others like Rawley, Wart, and Al. The children are an integral part of this one. Abner's scenes were show-stealers in my opinion. And one of the scenes with Abner just made my heart grow three sizes. 

This is a wonderful novel. 

Honorable mentions:



2021 in Review


In 2021, I read the Bible fourteen times. 

1. New American Standard Reference Edition. 1973. God. 1899 pages. [Source: Bought]
2. Geneva Bible 1560. God. 1560. 4305 pages. [Source: Bought]
3. New American Standard Bible: Giant Print Reference Bible. God. 2004/1995. Foundation Publications. 2000 pages. [Best guess on page numbers] Source: Gift. 
4. NIV Reader's Bible (2011 Translation). God. 2017. 1984 pages. [Source: Won a Contest]
5. Simple Faith Bible (NRSV) Edited by Jimmy Carter. God. 1989/2020. Zondervan. 1568 pages. [Source: Gift from friend]
7. Annotated King James Bible 1611 (In Early Modern English) Historical Series. 4512 pages. [Source: Bought]
8. Berean Study Bible. God. 2020. 1504 pages. [Source: Gift] [Source: Free Online]
9. 435E1B Paragraph Bible, Holy Bible, King James Version. Local Church Publisher. 1950 pages. [Source: Gift]
10. Matthew's Bible 1537. William Tyndale, Myles Coverdale, John Rogers. 1537. 4304 pages. [Source: Bought]
11. Schuyler Quentel RSV with Apocrypha. God. 2021. Evangelical Bible. 1700 pages. [Source: Gift]
12. HCSB Super Giant Print Reference Bible [ISBN: 978-1433615757] God. 1824 pages. [Source: Review copy]
13. Jubilee Bible: From the Scriptures of the Reformation. Edited by Russell M. Stendal. 2013. 1152 pages. [Source: Bought]
14. ESV Giant Print Bible (ISBN 13: 978-1-4335-2722-7) 2011/2001. 1984 pages. [Source: Gift]

In 2021, I read eighty-five Christian books--a blend of Christian nonfiction and Christian fiction.

1. A Book of Comfort for Those In Sickness. Philip Bennett Power. 1876/2018. Banner of Truth. 97 pages. [Source: Bought] (five stars)
2. The Quick-Read Bible: Understanding God's Word From Beginning to End in 365 Daily Readings. Harvest House Publishers. 272 pages. 2021 [March] [Source: Review copy]
3. Foxe's Book of Martyrs. John Foxe. 1563/2001. 416 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. Robinson Crusoe. Daniel Defoe. 1719/2019. AmazonClassics. 571 pages. [Source: Bought]
5. Come, Sweet Day: Thoughts and Poems from Hard Times to Hope: A Writer's Journey. Julianne Donaldson. 2021. [April] 96 pages. [Source: Review copy]
6. Practicing Thankfulness: Cultivating A Grateful Heart in All Circumstances. Sam Crabtree. 2021. [February] Crossway. 144 pages. [Source: Review copy]
7. The Stone Wall. Beverly Lewis. 2020. Bethany House. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]
8. Rejoice and Tremble: The Surprising Good News of the Fear of the Lord. Michael Reeves. 2021. [January] Crossway. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy]
9. Pleasure and Profit in Bible Study. D.L. Moody. 1898. 167 pages. [Source: Bought]
10. Found: God's Will. John F. MacArthur Jr. 1972. 60 pages. [Source: Bought]
11. Woven: Understanding the Bible as One Seamless Story. Angie Smith. 2021. [March] 288 pages. [Source: Review copy]
12. Tidewater Bride. Laura Frantz. 2021. [January] 416 pages. [Source: Review copy]
13. Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands. Jen Wilkin. 2021. [March] 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
14. Recovering the Lost Art of Reading: a Quest for the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. Leland Ryken and Glenda Faye Mathes. 2021. [March] 304 pages. [Source: Review copy]
15. Trusting God in the Darkness. Christopher Ash. 2021. [April] 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]
16. Christians Get Depressed Too. David Murray. 2010. Reformation Heritage. 112 pages. [Source: Gift]
17. R.C. Sproul: A Life by Stephen J. Nichols. 2021. [March] 371 pages. [Source: Review copy]
18. The Amish Quiltmaker's Unexpected Baby (The Amish Quiltmaker #1) Jennifer Beckstrand. 2021. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]
19. Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible. Danika Cooley. 2021. [June] 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
20. Knowledge of the Holy. A.W. Tozer. 1961/1978. HarperCollins. 128 pages. [Source: Book I Bought]
21. The Screwtape Letters. C.S. Lewis. 1942. 228 pages. [Source: Bought]
22. Court of Swans (The Dericott Tales #1) Melanie Dickerson. 2021. [January] 328 pages. [Source: Review copy]
23. Castle of Refuge (The Dericott Tales #2) Melanie Dickerson. 2021. [June] 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]
24. My Dear Miss Dupré. Grace Hitchcock. 2021. [March] 364 pages. [Source: Review copy]
25. Why Social Justice is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis.  Scott David Allen. 2020. [September] 205 pages. [Source: Bought]
26. The Gold In These Hills. Joanne Bischof. 2021. [August] 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]
27. A Piece of the Moon. Chris Fabry. 2021. [April] 400 pages. [Source: Review copy]
28. A Lady in Attendance. Rachel Fordham. 2021. [June] 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]
29. Board books: Bible Stories for Little Hearts. Sandra Magsamen. 2019. 10 pages. [Source: Review copy]
30. Come Back To Me (Waters of Time #1) Jody Hedlund. 2021. [July] 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]
31. Go and Do Likewise: The Parables and Wisdom of Jesus. John Hendrix. 2021. [February] 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]
32. Providence. John Piper. 2021. 752 pages. [Source: Review copy]
33. Chasing Shadows. Lynn Austin. 2021. [June] 432 pages. [Source: Review copy]
34. The Heart's Charge (Hanger's Horsemen #2). Karen Witemeyer. 2021. 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]
35. Where the Light Fell. Philip Yancey. 2021. [October] 320 pages. [Source: Review copy]
36. Glory in the Margins. Nikki Grimes. 2021. [September] 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
37. The Wish Book Christmas. Lynn Austin. 2021. [September] 304 pages. [Source: Review copy]
38. 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (And Answer) About Christianity. Rebecca McLaughlin. 2021. [March] 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
39. The Lady in Residence. Allison Pittman. 2021. 239 pages. [Source: Review copy]
40. The Way of the Father. Michael W. Smith 2021 [May] 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
41. Yours Truly, Thomas. Rachel Fordham. 2019. 320 pages. [Source: Review copy]
42. Man of Sorrows, King of Glory: What the Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus Mean for Us. Jonty Rhodes. 2021. [June] Crossway. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]
43. The Cryptographer's Dilemma. Johnnie Alexander. 2021. [August] 256 pages. [Source: Review copy]
44. Fighting Words Devotional: 100 Days of Speaking Truth into the Darkness. Ellie Holcomb. 2021. [October] 248 pages. [Source: Review copy]
45. Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe. Voddie T. Baucham Jr. 2021. [April] 270 pages. [Source: Library]
46. The Seeds of Change (Leah's Garden #1) Lauraine Snelling. 2021. [June] 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]
47. What Is God Like? Rachel Held Evans. Illustrated by Matthew Paul Turner. 2021. 40 pages. [Source: YouTube reading of the picture book + Amazon preview]
48. Let It Be Me. Becky Wade. 2021. [May] 378 pages. [Source: Review copy]
49. Pudge and Prejudice. A.K. Pittman (aka Allison Pittman). 2021. [January] 346 pages. [Source: Library]
50. Ordinary Hazards. Nikki Grimes. 2019. 325 pages. [Source: Library] 
51. The Silver Shadow. Liz Tolsma. 2021. [May] 256 pages. [Source: Review copy]
52. A Cowboy for Keeps. (Colorado Cowboys #1) Jody Hedlund. 2021 [January] 341 pages. [Source: Review copy]
53. The Vanishing at Loxby Manor. Abigail Wilson. 2021. [January] 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]
54. Enjoying the Bible. Matthew Mullins. 2021. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy]
55. Holier Than Thou: How God's Holiness Helps Us Trust Him. Jackie Hill Perry. 2021. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy]
56. The Moonlight School. Suzanne Woods Fisher. 2021. [February] 320 pages. [Source: Review copy]
57. Rediscovering Holiness by J.I. Packer. 2021. 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]
58. When Twilight Breaks. Sarah Sundin. 2021. [February] 365 pages. [Source: Review copy]
59. The Whole Story for the Whole Family. Michael Kelley. 2021. 448 pages. [Source: Review copy]
60. The Librarian's Journey: Four Historical Romances. Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Marilyn Turk, Kathleen Y'Barbo. 2021. [October] 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]
61. The Weight of Memory by Shawn Smucker. [July] 304 pages. [Source: Review copy]
62. The Heritage of Anglican Theology by J.I. Packer. 2021. 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]
63. Fix Your Eyes: How Our Study of God Shapes Our Worship of Him. Amy Gannett. 240 pages. [October] [Source: Review copy]
64. The Barrister and the Letter of Marque. Todd M. Johnson. 2021. 412 pages. [Source: Review copy] 
65. The Joy of Hearing: A Theology of the Book of Revelation. (New Testament Theology #1) Thomas R. Scheiner. 2021. [November] 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
66. Braced for Love. (Brothers in Arms #1) Mary Connealy. 2021. 304 pages. [Source: Review copy]
67. A Man with a Past (Brothers in Arms #2) Mary Connealy. 2021. [July] 304 pages. [Source: Review copy]
68. Behold the Lamb of God. Russ Ramsey. 2011. 160 pages. [Source: Bought]
69. Love on the Range. (Brothers In Arms #3) Mary Connealy. 2021. 304 pages. [Source: Review copy]
70. Do You Believe? Twelve Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life. Paul David Tripp. 2021. [October] 400 pages. [Source: Review copy]
71. Ecclesiastes. Illustrated by Cynthia Rylant. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]
72. When Words Matter Most: Speaking Truth With Grace To Those You Love. Cheryl Marshall and Caroline Newheiser. 2021. [September] 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
73. The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery. Amanda Cox. 2021. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]
74. Good News of Great Joy. John Piper. 2021. [September] 144 pages. [Source: Review copy]
75. A Distant Melody (Wings of Glory #1) Sarah Sundin. 2010. 422 pages. [Source: Review copy]
76. Shadows of Swanford Abbey. Julie Klassen. 2021. [December] 416 pages. [Source: Review copy]
77. A Memory Between Us. (Wings of Glory #2) Sarah Sundin. 2010. 432 pages. [Source: Library]
78. Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential. Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman. 2021. Crossway. 144 pages. [Source: Review copy]
79. Christina's Carol. Adapted from Christina Rossetti. Illustrated by Tomie dePaola. 2021. [September] 32 pages. [Source: Library]
80. Praying the Bible. Donald S. Whitney. 2015. Crossway. 112 pages. [Source: Review copy]
81. Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship. Jonathan Gibson. 2021. [November/December] 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]
82. Blue Skies Tomorrow. Sarah Sundin. 2011. Revell. 434 pages. [Source: Review copy]
83. Every Word Unsaid. Kimberly Duffy. 2021. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]
84. We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously To Our Culture's Assault on Christianity. Erwin W. Lutzer. 2020. [November] 288 pages. [Source: Review copy]
85. Zanna's Gift. Orson Scott Card. 2020. 250 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I didn't quite reach my goal of reading 100 books total, but if you count the Bibles I read, I almost made it. 

When it comes to book ratings, it was a good year. 5 books received a one star rating (5.1%). 8 books received a two star rating (8.1%). 18 books received a three star rating (18.2). And I had equal amounts of four and five stars! (34.3% each) Thirty-four books each!!! 

Of the 99 books,

Bought 14
Gift9
Other1
Review copy69
Library6

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

14. Giant Print ESV


ESV Giant Print Bible (ISBN 13: 978-1-4335-2722-7) 2011/2001. 1984 pages. [Source: Gift]

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

I am only counting the ESV Bible once this year though technically I've read it twice. I started out the year using the ESV Bible app to read the Daily M'Cheyne plan. Though I had read this plan before--using a physical Bible--I wanted to give the plan a second year. Unfortunately, I did not click with the plan this year. Like at all. I found myself skimming most of the time. (Hence why I am not going to count this time through the Word of God.) I am definitely not going to be using this plan next year. 

BUT though that seems to have been a fail, I picked up the ESV Giant Print Bible in early November (November 9 to be precise) to use with the Book of Common Prayer's Daily Office. I was not following the lectionary. I was reading two lessons an office, three offices a day. So while I thought it would take me several months--closer to 90 days--to get through this one, I found myself finishing up the last week of the year. (Technically, I have one book left--the book of Hosea--but since I've read it with the M'Cheyne plan earlier AND since I have every intention in the world of finishing it in the ESV Giant Print Bible today or tomorrow, I'm posting my review today. 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this Bible. I do. I loved the giant print font. I love that it's double column. I love that it's black letter. I love how it lays flat. It's been a joy to read through this one using the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer. I was able to read through the Old Testament once and the parts of the New Testament twice. (All four gospels were read twice. Some of the letters as well. Galatians and Hebrews seemed to be favorites that I kept returning to.)



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Isaiah-Saturated Bible Reading Plan


"The book of Isaiah is sometimes called the “fifth Gospel.” It’s really more than that. It contains in microcosm the whole range of redemptive truth. It is like a miniature compendium of the Bible. In fact, there are some interesting parallels between how the book of Isaiah is laid out and the arrangement of the Bible as a whole." ~ John MacArthur

January [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 1-5
Goal #2: Read Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

February [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 6-10
Goal #2: Read Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

March [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 11-17
Goal #2: Read 1 Chronicles, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

April [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 18-22
Goal #2: Read Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

May [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 23-27
Goal #2: Read [Isaiah], Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

June [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 28-33
Goal #2: Read Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

July [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 34-39
Goal #2: Read Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

August [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 40-43
Goal #2: Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

September [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 44-48
Goal #2: Read Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

October [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 49-54
Goal #2: Read Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

November [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 55-60
Goal #2: Read Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 

December [2022]
Goal #1: Read thirty days of Isaiah 61-66
Goal #2: Read John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation
Goal #3 and #4: Choose a handful of verses from either Isaiah or one of the other books read this month to MEMORIZE. 


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Memory Verses 2022

Annette from Words of Rejoice is hosting a Bible Memory Challenge in 2022

January

I am listing four that I would love, love, love to spend time with this month to complement the reading of the Word. I am not at all confident that I can memorize every single word of all four verses. But I want greater familiarity with these.
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him. Exodus 15:2
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool. Isaiah 1:18
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

February
How great are His signs
And how mighty are His wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom
And His dominion is from generation to generation. Daniel 4:3
There is no one holy like the Lord,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2
The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
March
“Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord Godis my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.” 
Therefore you will joyously draw water
From the springs of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3
Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6

April
The Lord will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Psalm 68:19
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8
Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

May
He will swallow up death for all time,
And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces,
And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken. 
And it will be said in that day,
“Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:8-9
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You. 
Trust in the Lord forever,
For in God the Lordwe have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:3-4
This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

June
July
August
September
October
November
December

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Tentative Plans for Bible Reading 2022


I plan on continuing to use the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer. I do Morning, Midday, Evening, and Compline. I read two lessons--one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament--at Morning, Midday and Evening. For the Morning and Evening Offices, I read Appointed Psalms. For the Midday Office, I read a chapter from Proverbs. I do not follow the lectionary readings. I like to read "chunks" of Scripture. I try to read with the natural pauses of Scripture. I also am not opposed to rereading chapters. So I might read Genesis 1-2 one lesson and Genesis 2-3 for another lesson. My goal is how can I read Scripture in such a way that it speaks to me? How can I best appreciate, understand, grasp Scripture? I personally have found--no judgment on those who do differently--that it is rare for that way to be to just to read one chapter at a time from a book. I like looking at how individual chapters fit into the bigger picture--the surrounding chapters and the book as a whole. I imagine that reading Scripture in this way, I will read through the Bible several times in one year. Particularly the New Testament. Through the Daily Office I will be completing Psalms twelve times and Proverbs twelve times. 

I am tentatively considering reading the lectionary--on the side--not part of my Daily Offices. This would be supplemental. (Perhaps I could combine this with my love for historic Bible translations??? See below). I haven't decided which lectionary to use. Every Book of Common Prayer has a different lectionary. 

The Growing 4 Life Facebook Group that I've joined (several years running) will be reading selected passages in Scripture 30 days in a row--the MacArthur method, if you will. 

2022
January -- James
February -- Daniel 1-4
March -- Daniel 5-8
April -- Daniel 9-12
May -- Titus
June -- Genesis 37, 39-44
July -- Genesis 45-50; Acts 7:9-18
August -- Galatians 1-3
September -- Galatians 4-6
October  -- 1 Peter
November -- 2 Peter
December -- Philemon

Be Thou My Vision. I am strongly considering using Jonathan Gibson's Be Thou My Vision as a supplemental devotional. I am still 100% planning on doing the Daily Offices. There may be days where the Be Thou My Vision devotional just does not happen. I have two or three ideas for how I want to read Scripture incorporating the structure and liturgy from Be Thou My Vision. I have a new NASB (95) DAILY BIBLE. OR I could use the Scripture reading portion of the devotion to read the Growing 4 Life selected portion. (In January, for example, the book of James.) What I've been doing in December is using Be Thou My Vision and then opening up YouVersion and following one of the plans I'm already using. That has been working out well. But any mix of the above are my intentions.

In 2021, I broke the book of Psalms into ELEVEN sections for eleven months so that I could read through the book 30 days in a row. It was INTENSE some months. But also wonderful. In 2022, I have chosen the book of Isaiah. I will probably make a post about it. But essentially 

JanuaryIsaiah 1-5
FebruaryIsaiah 6-10
MarchIsaiah 11-17
AprilIsaiah 18-22
MayIsaiah 23-27
JuneIsaiah 28-33
JulyIsaiah 34-39
AugustIsaiah 40-43
SeptemberIsaiah 44-48
OctoberIsaiah 49-54
NovemberIsaiah 55-60
DecemberIsaiah 61-66

In 2021, I really fell head over heels in love with HISTORIC Bible translations. I read the 1560 Geneva Bible and the 1611 King James Version--both in original spelling. In 2022, I'd love to continue this by reading other Bible translations. Perhaps the Great Bible of 1539. There is a publisher that has made kindle books for these older translations that work great. And these translations are also available online. The oldest in English is Wycliffe--1382


YouVersion. I love, love, love signing up for short term reading challenges. (And by short-term, I mean anything not 365 days!) So I imagine I will continue to use YouVersion to supplement my main reading.

There are a handful of translations and Bibles I would LOVE, love, love to read in 2021:

LSB -- Legacy Standard Bible. 
NASB 95 -- perhaps my favorite-and-best translation. 
BSB -- Berean Study Bible. I've heard rumors that it is soon to be rechristened the Berean Standard Bible
ESV -- Definitely one of my favorite-and-best translations.
NASB 77 -- I have only read through this one once and it was LOVE.

Others I may or may not get to:

RSV -- Definitely one I enjoy reading and rereading
NIV 84 -- PURE NOSTALGIA

I have decided NOT to do the M'Cheyne daily plan in 2022. I did this one in 2020 and 2021. I enjoyed it in 2020, but I didn't really enjoy it as much in 2021. 


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible