Summer Bingo Challenge

I love making lists of books I want to read in the summer. I love reading challenges too. Joining them and hosting them. This one is an unofficial just-for-fun challenge. You may join me if you like. The mission? To get at least one bingo during the summer!

Row one (across):

• book with a question in the title
• book by a favorite author
• book about a specific book of the Bible 
• book about a specific doctrine
• book with a number in the title

Row two (across):

• reread of your choice!
• book that intimidates you
• book about prayer or book about the Lord's Prayer
• book with the word "God" in the title
• book under 100 pages

Row three (across):

• book you buy new or used specifically for this challenge
• book about the Bible (reading, studying, praying; also books about translation)
• book with the word "Jesus" in the title
• theology book of your choice
• devotional book (28 days or longer)

Row four (across):

• book about preaching OR worship OR church life
• book about the Holy Spirit (or book with the Holy Spirit in the title)
• book you've owned for three or more years
• book about evangelism or discipleship
• collection of essays or sermons (a book with an editor, a book with multiple contributors)

Row five (across):

• a biography or autobiography
• book by a new-to-you author
• book specifically for women or book specifically for men
• book with the word "gospel" in the title
• book you borrow (library, church, friend)

Column 1 (down):

• book with a question in the title
• reread of your choice!
• book you by new or used specifically for this challenge
• book about preaching OR worship OR church life
• A biography or autobiography

Column 2 (down):

• book by a favorite author
• book that intimidates you
• book about the Bible (reading, studying, praying)
• book about the Holy Spirit
• book by a new-to-you author

Column 3 (down):

• book about a specific book of the Bible
• book about prayer or about the Lord's Prayer
• book with the word "Jesus" in the title
• book you've owned for 3+ years
• book specifically for women or book specifically for men

Column 4 (down):

• book about a specific doctrine
• book with the word "God" in the title
• theology book of your choice!
• book about evangelism or discipleship
• book with the word "gospel" in the title

Column 5 (down):

• book with a number in the title 
• book under 100 pages
• devotional book (28 days or longer)
• collection of essays or sermons (book with multiple contributors and an editor)
• book you borrow

Diagonal 1:

• book with a question in the title
• book that intimidates you
• book with the word "Jesus" in the title
• book about evangelism or discipleship
• book you borrow

Diagonal 2:

• book with a number in the title
• book with the word "God" in the title
• book with the word "Jesus" in the title
• book about the Holy Spirit
• a biography or autobiography

Bonus bingo:

• book with a question in the title
• book with a number in the title
• book with the word "Jesus" in the title
• a biography or autobiography
• book you borrow

What I read:

Deeper Places by Matthew Jacoby (book about a specific book of the Bible)
How Can I Develop a Christian Concience by R.C. Sproul (book with a question in the title)
God's Double Agent by Bob Fu (a biography or autobiography)
Mission at Nuremberg. Tim Townsend. (book I borrowed)
Here Is Our God. Kathleen Buswell Nielson and D.A. Carson, editors. (book of essays/sermons) OR (book with the word "God" in the title)
Seeing the Unseen. Randy Alcorn. (devotional book)
50 Days of Heaven: Reflections That Bring Eternity to Light. Randy Alcorn. (book with a number in the title)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Goal #2 Read the KJV Chronological Bible

Winner of the ECPA 2013 Christian Book of the Year
Award for Bibles (NLT)

One of my big goals for 2014 is to read the Bible through chronologically. I have not done this in several years. I will be using the Chronological Life Application Study Bible. I will be reading it in the King James Version which was released in October 2013. (They've also got this in the New Living Translation.) If you're curious and want to see more, try reading the sample provided by Amazon.  There is also a video. I was thrilled to see the KJV in paragraph form! And it is black letter as well!!! I also appreciate the fact that the bible clearly states in the introduction that reading the chronological bible should not be the only way you read and encounter Scripture. That it is to supplement  one's reading of the Bible.

The chronology is broken into ten sections:

Beginnings Undated - 2100 BC*
Start Date: December 24, 2013
End Date: December 25, 2013

God's Chosen Family 2100 BC - 1800 BC
Start Date: December 26, 2013
End Date: December 31, 2013

Birth of Israel - 1800 BC - 1406 BC
Start Date: January 1, 2014
End Date: January 12, 2014

Possessing the Land 1406 BC - 1050 BC
Start Date: January 13, 2014
End Date: January 18, 2014

United Monarchy 1050 BC - 930 BC
Start Date: January 19, 2014
End Date: February 12, 2014

Splintered Nation 930 BC - 586 BC
Start Date: March 2, 2014
End Date:

Exile 586 BC - 538 BC
Start Date:
End Date:

Return and Diaspora 538 BC - 6 BC
Start Date:
End Date:

Jesus Christ 6 BC - AD 30
Start Date:
End Date:

The Church AD 30 - Present
Start Date:
End Date:



*This is the shortest of sections. Genesis 1 through Genesis 11.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Goal #1 Read the MacArthur Study Bible in 2014

One of my big goals for the year 2014 is to finally finish the MacArthur Study Bible. My goal isn't exactly to finish it in one translation of the study bible, though, that would be a great success in its own way. I hope to finish each book of the Bible in whatever MacArthur translation I happen to be reading in. So there may be some NASB, some ESV, some NIV, some NKJV, etc.

I will indicate which translation I read a particular book in.

Written by Moses

1. Genesis -- NIV

2. Exodus -- NIV

3. Leviticus -- NIV

4. Numbers -- NIV

5. Deuteronomy -- NIV

OT Narratives

6. Joshua -- NIV

7. Judges -- NIV

8. Ruth -- NIV

9. 1 Samuel -- NIV

10. 2 Samuel -- NIV

11. 1 Kings -- NIV

12. 2 Kings -- NIV

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

24. Jeremiah

25. Lamentations

26. Ezekiel

27. Daniel

Minor Prophets

28. Hosea

29. Joel -- ESV

30. Amos

31. Obadiah

32. Jonah

33. Micah

34. Nahum

35. Habakkuk

36. Zephaniah

37. Haggai

38. Zechariah

39. Malachi

NT Narratives

40. Matthew

41. Mark -- NIV

42. Luke

43. John -- NASB

44. Acts

Epistles by Paul

45. Romans

46. 1 Corinthians

47. 2 Corinthians

48. Galatians -- NIV

49. Ephesians

50. Philippians

51. Colossians

52. 1 Thessalonians -- ESV

53. 2 Thessalonians -- ESV

54. 1 Timothy

55. 2 Timothy

56. Titus

57. Philemon

General Epistles

58. Hebrews -- NIV

59. James

60. 1 Peter

61. 2 Peter

62. 1 John -- NIV

63. 2 John -- NIV

64. 3 John -- NIV

65. Jude

Apocalyptic Epistle by John

66. Revelation -- NASB

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Signing Up for Cloud of Witnesses (My Post)

Cloud of Witnesses Reading Challenge
Host: Operation Actually Read Bible; sign up post
January - December 2014
# of Books: my goal is 12 books

My Cloud:

Charles Spurgeon
J.C. Ryle
Dwight Moody
George Whitefield
Horatius Bonar
Andrew Murray
B.B. Warfield
A.W. Tozer
Martyn Lloyd Jones
A.W. Pink
G. Campbell Morgan
A.B. Simpson

Alternates not pictured in 'my cloud'

J. Vernon McGee
James Montgomery Boice
Loraine Boettner
R.A. Torrey
Matthew Henry
Stephen Charnock
Martin Luther
Jonathan Edwards
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
John Calvin

I had picked 12 authors for my cloud. I haven't done as great a job sticking with those specific twelve. But I have read plenty of books.

What I read:

1. Knowledge of the Holy. A.W. Tozer. 1961/1978. HarperCollins. 128 pages. [Source: Book I Bought]
2. Isaiah 36-66 (Thru the Bible #23). J. Vernon McGee. Thomas Nelson. 204 pages. [Source: Book I bought]
3. The Attributes of God. A.W. Tozer. 1996. Christian Publications. 176 pages. [Book I Bought]
4. The Attributes of God, volume 2: Deeper Into the Father's Heart. A.W. Tozer. 2001/2007. Wingspread. 203 pages. [Source: Bought] 
5. Discovering the Power of Christ's Prayer Life. Charles Spurgeon. Compiled and Edited by Lance Wubbels. 1995. Emerald Books. 204 pages. [Source: Bought] 
6. And He Dwelt Among Us: Teachings From the Gospel of John. A.W. Tozer. 2009. Regal. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]  
7. Saved In Eternity (The Assurance of Salvation #1) D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1988. Crossway. 187 pages. [Source: Bought] 
8. Safe in the World (The Assurance of Salvation #2). D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1988. Crossway. 160 pages. [Source: Bought] 
9.  Sanctified Through the Truth. (The Assurance of Salvation #3) D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1989. Crossway. 153 pages. [Source: Bought]  
10. Growing in the Spirit (Assurance of Salvation #4) D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1989. Crossway. 158 pages. [Source: Bought]  
11. All Loves Excelling (The Saints' Knowledge of Christ's Love)John Bunyan. 1692/1998. Banner of Truth. 144 pages. [Source: Bought] 
12. Reclaiming Christianity: A Call to Authentic Faith. A.W. Tozer. 2009. Regal. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]  
13. Fellowship with God (Life in Christ: Studies in 1 John #1) D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1993. Crossway. 142 pages. [Source: Bought]
14. (Puritan Pulpit) Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758. (Containing 16 Sermons Unpublished In Edwards' Lifetime) Compiled and Edited by Dr. Don Kistler. Soli Deo Gloria. 286 pages. [Source: Bought]
15. Calvin on the Christian Life: Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever. Michael S. Horton. 2014. Crossway. 271 pages.   
16. The Great Divorce. C.S. Lewis. 1945. HarperCollins. 160 pages. [Source: Library]
17. The Screwtape Letters. C.S. Lewis. 1942. HarperCollins. 224 pages. [Source: Library]

My Cloud:

Charles Spurgeon
J.C. Ryle
Dwight Moody
George Whitefield
Horatius Bonar
Andrew Murray
B.B. Warfield
A.W. Tozer
Martyn Lloyd Jones
A.W. Pink
G. Campbell Morgan
A.B. Simpson

Alternates not pictured in 'my cloud'

J. Vernon McGee
James Montgomery Boice
Loraine Boettner
R.A. Torrey
Matthew Henry
Stephen Charnock
Martin Luther
Jonathan Edwards
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
John Calvin

I've also continued My Year With Spurgeon, which, should probably count for something, right?! Since each week is at least one sermon! Over the course of a year, that adds up!

I've also done monthly quote posts for Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 
I made my cloud of witnesses with Mosaic Maker from Big Huge Labs.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Signing Up For Operation Deepen Faith (My Post)

Operation Deepen Faith
Host: Operation Actually Read Bible (sign-up post)
January - December 2014

I. Wonderful Words of Life. Goal: Read the Bible using a Bible Plan

• I will definitely be using John MacArthur's reading plan of 30 Days in a row! These books are likely contenders: 2 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (together), James, Galatians. Each month I use this system, I will write a separate post and add it to the 2014 Goals Sidebar. I will keep track each time I read the book. 
• I am thinking about trying the M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan. Would anyone be interested in trying it with me? I think I might be more successful at sticking with it if I have company.
• I will probably alternate the intensity of the MacArthur system with the broadness of my own reading plan. (On Mondays, reading from the pentateuch, on Tuesdays, reading from the history books, on Wednesdays, reading from the wisdom books, on Thursdays, reading from the major prophets, on Fridays, reading from the minor prophets. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, reading from the gospels, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays reading from the epistles--the rest of the NT essentially. Sundays are completely free for me to choose where I want to read.)

II. How Firm A Foundation. Goal: STUDY one book of the Bible throughout the year.

• I will be spending an entire year with the Apostle John. I will be studying these three books of the Bible: John, 1 John, Revelation. I plan to read each of these books at least twelve times. I'd really, really, really love to read each of these twenty-four times! But let's see if 12 is even achievable!

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

• This goal is accomplished every time I do the MacArthur 30 Day system. 
• This goal is accomplished when I try to read the New Testament through each year in a handful of different translations. I try for some variety: ESV, NASB, KJV, NKJV, NIV, etc.

VI. Christian Nonfiction. 

• My minimum goal is to read at least one Christian nonfiction book per month. Ideally, I'd be able to read four Christian nonfiction books per month. It would be GREAT if I could read fifty over an entire year. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

2014 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.) The challenge is from January 2014 through December.

I. Wonderful Words of Life. Goal: Read the Bible using a Bible Plan. Note: I did not say the Bible plan had to take you through the whole Bible in a year. You might want to try the MacArthur method of reading the NT. His method has you reading one short book (an epistle, for example, like 1 John or Colossians) thirty days in a row! You might want to try Woodrow Kroll's method of reading the Bible. His plan strongly encourages you to read whole books at a time. There are plenty of books that take under thirty minutes to read. You might just be surprised at how many! You might try Professor Horner's Bible Reading Plan. His plan has you reading ten chapters a day in ten different Bible books. Sound complicated? Well, there are bookmarks to keep you going in the right direction. Here is the pdf for his system. Or there is the M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan (pdf for this plan). Many (but not all) Bibles include reading plans. Some are plans for reading every chapter of the Bible, other plans are more highlights and overviews. The challenge isn't to get you to commit to strictly following a plan for twelve months no matter what. The challenge is to get you in the habit of reading the Bible daily--no matter what "plan" works bests for you.

II. How Firm A Foundation. Goal: STUDY one book of the Bible throughout the year. Read it at least four times. (You might even challenge yourself to read it twelve times--once each month.) If possible, read the notes in a study Bible. Or read a commentary book about it. Read or listen to sermons on it. Consider reading it in different translations. Get to know that one book well. Let God speak to you through it. Online commentaries are available. Classic Bible Commentaries. Bible Gateway offers several as well: IVP New Testament Commentary Series; Reformation Study Bible; Asbury Bible Commentary. 

III. 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. 

IV.  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.

V. Taste and See. Perhaps you're new to reading the Bible, not quite sure where to start, a bit intimidated... Goal: read one gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), read one NT epistle (Romans-Revelation). And consider reading one book from the Old Testament, I suggest Genesis OR Psalms. Of course, you could choose any OT book. 

VI. 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 one book. 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! 

• books about God (his attributes, his character, his names, etc.)
• books about the birth, life, death, resurrection of Jesus; the person and work of Christ
• books about the Bible (how to read, how to study, why it's reliable, how it is translated, etc.)
• 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 (evangelism, outreach, service)
• 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 end times

Sign up by leaving a comment. Be sure to let me know which of the six 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!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

2014 Cloud of Witnesses Reading Challenge

This will be the second full year I'll be hosting the Cloud of Witnesses Reading Challenge. I hope you'll join me!

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)
• J. Vernon McGee (1904-1988)
• 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 different 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 do I find books? Some authors will still be in print. Others won't be. Plenty of qualifying books can be found at Amazon for Kindle or Barnes & Noble for Nooks. Plenty can be read online or downloaded as pdfs. 

A great place to begin might be Free Grace Broadcaster. They've got subject-themed newsletters with articles by various authors. Topics include "The Work of Christ," "Worship," "Heaven," "The Resurrection." 

I also recommend Christian Classics Ethereal Library. 

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. Don't assume that just because one author isn't working for you, that no author will. 

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, 2014 to December 31, 2014.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible