5. NKJV Deluxe Reader's Bible

NKJV, Deluxe Reader's Bible. God. 2018. 1952 pages. [Source: Bought] [Link to cover image]

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 

I read the hardcover edition of the New King James Version Deluxe Reader's Bible. It is a reader's Bible. For those not in the know, a reader's bible does not have verse numbers, usually. Sometimes they lack chapter numbers as well. Sometimes chapter numbers are at the top or bottom of a page. 

I bought mine on a clearance sale. The paper was remarkably better--less ghosting--than the usual stuff printed these days. And I always appreciate a reader's Bible. 

This one is single column. (Most reader's Bibles are.) It is black letter as well, I believe. (It's been a few weeks since I read the New Testament. I definitely don't remember seeing any words of Christ in red. And since that is not my preference, I think I'd remember. Still, if you are interested in this one yourself, I'd look at the description and details before purchasing.

It does have two ribbon markers. (I like two ribbons. Four ribbons are even better, but two is good.)

I believe it is ten point font. 

This was not my first time reading the New King James Version. It was my first time to read it without chapter and verse numbers. 

I started on April 6, 2023 and finished on May 25, 2023. 

Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

28. Jesus Revolution

Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed an Unlikely Generation and How He Can Do It Again Today. Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn. 2018. 272 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The hippies who plunged into the Pacific Ocean during that summer sunset in 1970 didn't know they were in a revival. They didn't even know what a revival was. They were not acquainted with Christian vocabulary words like revival or salvation or sanctification. But thanks to the Beatles, Jim Morrison, and other countercultural icons of the day, the hippies did know about words like revolution.

How to describe this one? Part biography of Greg Laurie (including his conversion, his ministry, the ups and downs of his personal life). Part history of the Jesus Movement (not thorough nor complete, but an introduction for sure). Part info-dump of the times (feeling very Wikipedia info-dump on the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, Vietnam War, American politics, etc.). 

I would describe this one as more vignettes, lingering impressions of the Jesus Movement (aka Jesus Revolution). There are personal stories from Greg Laurie and his wife, Cathe, about growing up in California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. There are stories of their courtship. There are stories of Laurie's early ministry work--the people who mentored him, encouraged him. A few stories--in general--of Chuck Smith's ministry before, during, and to a very small extent after. There are a few stories about Lonnie Frisbee, but, not as much as you might expect if you've seen the movie trailer or listened to reviews of the movie. Laurie points out that Frisbee working hand in hand with Chuck Smith was better than anything Lonnie Frisbee did on his own--in terms of theological soundness, biblical accuracy, etc. The book is not a gossipy book. Laurie neither condemns (completely) nor praises Lonnie  Frisbee. 

I don't know if Greg Laurie wrote any of this himself. It is written ENTIRELY in the third person. So if Greg Laurie was involved in the actual writing of the manuscript, it's a very odd choice. More likely, perhaps, Laurie giving interviews etc. 

Do I have thoughts???? Yes. I wish this one wasn't trying to do everything all at once. I'd rather have a book that was solely a memoir of Greg Laurie OR a book that was solely focused on the Jesus Movement (aka Jesus Revolution) perhaps capturing multiple points of view, telling a chronological story of the movement, mini-biographies of those involved, impact statements, follow-up stories, etc. A book could definitely be written gathering together memories/stories of those who were saved during this movement, who were baptized and prayed the sinner's prayer, who attended these churches, who experienced first hand this revival. It would answer a lot of lingering questions that skeptics may have. Reading the vignettes, brief captured moments, doesn't really give me--as a reader--a big picture. It raises more questions than it answers.

I've mostly focused (so far) on the book. That's only fair. The book was written before the filming began, before the movie was edited and ready to be released. 

The movie is released now. I have not seen it. I have seen dozens of reviews on YouTube. They tend to fall into three camps [or reactions]. Reaction 1) The movie is perfectly perfect; it is wonderful; best Christian movie ever; a great evangelical tool; everyone MUST see it; it will be the catalyst for revival; churches everywhere should be inspired and enlightened. Reaction 2) The movie is horrendously awful. It is dangerous. It's a slippery slope. It will lead people away from the Lord. It presents a different Jesus, a different gospel. It may lead to false revival, false conversions. It idealizes Lonnie Frisbee, a complex man with MANY issues (drug use, homosexuality, occult influences). It focuses too much on experiences and not enough on teachings, doctrines, theological soundness. Reaction 3) The movie may be a beautiful film, but, it has some issues, some problems. There are a few great things, a few good things, and some disturbing things. It's a mixed bag. Not the best. Not the worst. Be discerning. 

Seeking out movie reviews, I've stumbled into a PIT of commentary videos about the Jesus Movement, about Lonnie Frisbee, about Calvary Chapel, etc. And again reactions tend to extremes. Everything from a) 100% of converts who prayed the sinner's prayer, who were baptized, who were a part of this revival remained in the Lord--not only remained but were strengthened, discipled, transformed. Not a one fell away. Not a one continued to live in sin--drugs, sexual immorality, etc. to b) 90% of converts who prayed the sinner's prayer, who were baptized, who were a part of this revival fell away, were never transformed, never sanctified, never discipled, never grew in the Lord, never obeyed the Lord, were ultimately 'false' converts. You've got people utterly convinced that this revival was the best thing ever AND people utterly convinced it was the work of Satan. It can be confusing to parse through the videos and find the truth. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that neither extreme can be right--at least not totally, rigidly. There has to be a happy-medium-ground where facts lead us. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

8. NKJV, Single Column

NKJV Single-Column Reference Bible, Premium Goatskin Leather, Premier Collection. 2018. 2144 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:1-4

I bought this Bible this spring. I had been considering my options buying a New King James Bible for six months or so. I had definite things I was looking for. I wanted at least ten point font. (This was 10.5). I wanted black letter and not red letter. (This is black letter). I wanted limited ghosting or bleed through. (This has 36 gsm paper AND line-matching.) This one was a frontrunner for me to consider. (I was also considering another in the Premier Collection line that was double column). I am SO happy that I chose this one. I love the dimensions of this one. I have finally found 'the one' in the New King James translation.

I used this Bible for the Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer. Though to be fair, I do the Daily Offices my own way. I don't follow their calendar of readings--which span a year. Each day has me reading from Psalms and Proverbs, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. Some days I'd read a little more, some days a little less--in terms of number of chapters per day. My start date was April 20, 2022. My end date was June 7, 2022. 

I do like the New King James. In the past I've never really considered it to be in my top three. But that could be in part, because I've struggled for years to find a physical NKJV that had a) large enough font b) was black letter c) that had little to no ghosting d) that didn't have words broken into syllables. So perhaps I'll read more in this translation going forward. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

71. Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes. Illustrated by Cynthia Rylant. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

The text has been edited--for better or worse--by Cynthia Rylant. The text is drawn from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11a. I'm using the King James Version which Rylant mostly relies upon.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace... He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.

She does tack on "And the earth abides forever" from Ecclesiastes 1:4.

Each two page spread has a few words from Ecclesiastes. 

To be honest, "Turn, Turn, Turn" by The Byrds is more faithful to the original text. In that it does not subtract from the original text. It does add an, "I swear it's not too late." But it does not subtract chunks of verses. 

I've shown below what Rylant has subtracted from the original. 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace... He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Album Review: Songs of Common Prayer

Album Title: Songs of Common Prayer

Group/Artist: Greg LaFollette

Release Date: 2018

Stream on Spotify; Stream on YouTube

You can read an interview with Greg LaFollette at The Rabbit Room. 

I discovered Songs of Common Prayer a few days after deciding I was going to try to incorporate the Daily Offices from the Book of Common Prayer into my life. The album is influenced--strongly influenced--by the traditional elements of the Book of Common Prayer. 

The album released BEFORE the Book of Common Prayer 2019. I have not made myself familiar with the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, so the words may be more in tune (or in line) with that edition of the Book of Common Prayer. 

For me, nothing is really lost by this album not being closely linked with the Book of Common Prayer 2019. 

The songs on the album:

World Without End 

Most Merciful God

Hosanna in the Highest

Mystery of Faith

The Lord's Prayer

We Cry Mercy

Prayer After Communion

Blessed Be God

Lighten Our Darkness

Benediction

The first song, "World Without End," is linked to the Invitatory of the Morning Prayer. (Although with just a few slight changes it links thematically with the Evening Prayer as well.) 

Officiant:  O Lord, open our lips;
People: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Officiant: O God, make speed to save us;
People: O Lord, make haste to help us
Officiant: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
People: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Officiant: Praise the Lord.
People: The Lord’s Name be praised.

 

 

Book of Common Prayer, 1979

The second song, Most Merciful God, is perhaps my FAVORITE, FAVORITE, FAVORITE from the album. It is linked with the Confession of Sin in both the Morning and Evening prayers. I do NOT know why there are two versions of each--two of Morning, two of Evening. This prayer is for the second version of both. 

Book of Common Prayer, 2019

The 2019 Book of Common Prayer has different words for the Confession of Sin. 

The third song, Hosanna in the Highest, appears to be linked to the service of the Holy Eucharist. (Something I've not encountered just doing the Daily Offices on my own.) Again, it is with the second version of Holy Eucharist. 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosannain the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The fourth song, Mystery of Faith, is the second to be linked to the Holy Eucharist. It expands beyond singing the words on the page and encompasses the meaning of communion and the unity of the church in Christ. 

The Lord's Prayer is the fifth song. The Lord's Prayer is foundational to all the Daily Offices -- Morning, Midday, Evening, and Compline. 

The sixth song, We Cry Mercy, could fit in just about anywhere and everywhere. Mercy is stressed throughout from what I can tell! But I think it best fits with the daily use of the Lord's Prayer in all four of the Daily Offices. 

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Officiant and People
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The seventh song is Prayer After Communion. 

The eighth song is Blessed Be God. It took a bit of hunting to find the inspiration source for this one. But I found it in the service for the Ordination of the Bishop! I personally think the song has far wider applications than this service. 

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The ninth song, Lighten Our Darkness, is inspired by one of the Collects of the Evening Prayer. 

A Collect for Aid against Perils

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

The tenth and final song is Benediction. 

I referred to the online Daily Offices (using the Book of Common Prayer, 2019). 

I referred to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer--in pdf form. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Album Review: The Long Night Is Passed

Album Title: The Long Night Is Past: The Christmas Story of Us

Group/Artist: Grace Music

Release Date: 2018

Stream on Spotify; Stream on YouTube

I see the world in darkness lay and the people toil away... Thus begins "The Lord Almighty Reigns, Pt. 1 a  prelude to the album experience...and this is an album to be experienced. (The best kind of album, in my opinion.)

It is no secret (to those that know me) that I love, love, love, LOVE crazy love Christmas music. And what I love most are Christmas songs that are Christ-centered, gospel-focused, and look beyond the manger. In other words, all the best Christmas albums have some foreshadowing. 

There are twelve songs on the album:

• The Lord Almighty Reigns, Pt. 1
• Long Expected Jesus
• Hope of the World
• The Long, Long Night
• Prepare the Way
• Lay Down Straight
• Lamb of God
• This is the Christ
• O Spread the Tidings Round
• I Heard the Bells
• Tempus Adest Floridium/ The Story of Us
• The Lord Almighty Reigns, Pt. 2/ Joy to the World

Of the twelve songs, I only dislike one the song Lay Down Straight. It is a strong dislike. It seems an odd choice of words. The song is about how WE are the reason Jesus died, WE are the ones nailing him to the cross. But the idea that anyone at all is having to tell Jesus to lay down straight so that the nails can be hammered in...well...it is just odd. 

But the other eleven are all kinds of wonderful. And I mean ALL kinds of wonderful. I could gush about this album almost endlessly. 

Hope of the World

Gather round I will sing another story, I will tell another tale, of the deep transcendent glory of the love that never fails and when the final note is sung you'll know the comforter is coming and the comforter has come. 

There was Mary, a girl set apart, to hold the hope of the world in her womb and in her heart and though she feared the coming storm she knew the promise was enough that the comforter is coming and the comforter has come. 

The hope of the world. The hope of the world is born. A Savior has come. A Savior has come to us. The hope of the world. 

There were shepherds living in the fields huddled in the darkness, when a light from God appeared and said do not be afraid go and see what God has done. For a Savior now is given. And the comforter has come. 

The hope of the world. The hope of the world is born. A Savior has come. A Savior has come to us. 

The hope of the world. The hope of the world is born. The Savior has come. Oh. The Savior has come to us. 

I could not find lyrics on the internet anywhere for Hope of the World. This Hope of the World. I typed them while listening to the song. I did not try to punctuate or put them into proper lines. But this is one of my favorite, favorite, favorite songs on the album.

Another favorite that I've listened to on repeat is O Spread the Tidings Round.

1 O spread the tidings 'round
Wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound:
The Comforter has come!

Refrain:
The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from heaven, the Father's promise given;
O spread the tidings 'round wherever man is found:
The Comforter has come!

2 The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last,
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o'er the golden hills the day advances fast!

The Comforter has come! [Refrain]

3 Lo, the great King of kings with healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full deliverance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings;
The Comforter has come! [Refrain]

4 O boundless Love divine! how shall this tongue of mine
To wondering mortals tell the matchless grace divine:
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!

The Comforter has come! [Refrain] 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

97. The Christmas Heirloom

The Christmas Heirloom. Karen Witemeyer. Kristi Ann Hunter. Sarah Loudin Thomas. Becky Wade. 2018. 374 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence of Legacy of Love: 1827 LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND From a purely rational standpoint, Sarah Gooding should have been ecstatic with her present position.

First sentence of Gift of the Heart: OCTOBER 1890 HOPE SPRINGS, TX Ruth Fulbright held her sleeping seven-year-old daughter snugly on her lap in the middle of the stagecoach seat while the passengers who considered themselves her betters exited the conveyance.

First sentence of A Shot of Love: NOVEMBER 1958 BETHEL, WEST VIRGINIA Fleeta hunkered low, careful not to rattle the crisp fallen leaves all around her.

First sentence of Because of You: PRESENT DAY MERRYWEATHER, WASHINGTON Maddie Winslow met the man of her dreams the same day that her friend Olivia introduced Maddie to her new boyfriend. Which would have been splendid, except that the man of Maddie’s dreams was Olivia’s new boyfriend.

The Christmas Heirloom is a collection of four holiday-themed, interconnected novellas. The stories all share the same family heirloom. A heirloom that as family legend goes has a lot to do with finding one's true love.

I genuinely loved all four stories. I would say I love, love, LOVED at least three of the four stories. I loved, loved, LOVED the opening story, Legacy of Love by Kristi Ann Hunter. I loved the grandmother that brought the heroine (her companion) and the hero (her grandson) together. It was a very touching story. It had so much heart. It was a great foundational story!!! I loved, loved, LOVED Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer. I loved the LITTLE GIRL. This second chance at love story was beyond giddy-making. It was a JOY to read this one. I loved A Shot of Love by Sarah Loudin Thomas. I didn't love, love, love it--but then again I'm not big into guns and shooting and hunting and all. But I liked the story overall--good characters, well written. I loved, loved, loved Because of You by Becky Wade. While I think I've read the other three authors previously, this is the first time I've read Wade. I think. I don't normally read contemporary romance, but I might be persuaded to read her other books. Because I really enjoyed this romance oh-so-much. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Review: KJV Spurgeon Study Bible

KJV Spurgeon Study Bible. Edited by Alistair Begg featuring notes by Charles Spurgeon. 2018. Holman Bible Publishers. 1840 pages. [Source: Bought]

I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the CSB Spurgeon Study Bible which I received as a birthday gift in November 2017. Most people probably would have skipped purchasing the KJV Spurgeon Study Bible--after all, it's the exact same notes--but I'm not most people. I love, love, love the KJV.

I will say this. The CSB Spurgeon Study Bible has MUCH bigger font than the KJV Spurgeon Study Bible. You would think that since it's the exact same publisher that they would choose the same size font for both versions. But NO that is not the case.

I believe this one is verse, verse, verse and not paragraph format. (The CSB is definitely paragraph.) Perhaps this is why the font size was smaller?

As I said, I loved the CSB Spurgeon Bible so much that I just HAD to gift myself the KJV for Christmas in 2018.

This time instead of typing up my favorite quotes and sharing them on Facebook and ultimately this blog, I wrote out my favorite quotes by hand in a little spiral notebook. There are some true gems in this one. I love and adore Spurgeon.

This is my third time to read the KJV in 2019. And this was my eighth bible to complete in 2019.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Christ's Call to Reform the Church

Christ's Call to Reform the Church. John F. MacArthur. 2018. Moody Publishers. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence (from the introduction): In the book of Revelation, Jesus wrote seven letters to cities in Asia Minor. He didn't write them to city hall; He wrote them to the church. Let that sink in moment.

First sentence from chapter one: Have you ever heard of a church that repented? Not individuals, but an entire church that collectively recognized its congregational transgressions and openly, genuinely repented, with biblical sorrow and brokenness? Sadly, you probably have not. For that matter, have you ever heard of a pastor who called his church to repent and threatened his congregation with divine judgment if they failed to do so? It's not likely. Pastors today seem to have a hard enough time calling individuals to repent, let alone calling the whole church to account for their corporate sins.

MacArthur's sermon text--if you will--is Revelation 2 and 3. In these seven letters to seven different churches, Jesus is calling for--in fact demanding--that the churches repent. Repentance hasn't grown in popularity through the centuries, but its need has not lessened either. What can believers--what can churches--learn from studying these letters? How are our churches like the ancient ones? Do we face the same struggles? the same temptations? the same judgement if we do not repent? Have we forgotten that the Bible was written with authority and should be read as such?

In the introduction, MacArthur points out that the church has never been commanded to go to war with the culture, or to legislate morality. He writes, "The will of God is not that we become so politicized that we turn our mission field into our enemy...It's futile to think the solution to our culture's moral bankruptcy is a legislative remedy. There is no law that can make fallen sinners righteous" (12).

In the first chapter, MacArthur introduces key topics that will be discussed throughout the book: worldliness, sin, compromise, tolerance, repentance, judgment. He examines what happens when churches compromise with the truth--with the revealed Word of God--and choose tolerance, peace, and unity instead. He briefly mentions the Reformation and Puritan movements before addressing contemporary issues facing the church. Did the ancient church have it easier? Or did they face the same temptations and struggles? Has Satan used the same tactics against the church since day one? Are our "new problems" really ancient ones?

In the second chapter, MacArthur takes a closer look at Revelation 1. Since the majority of the book is focusing on Revelation 2 and 3, this chapter is providing orientation and context for understanding and appreciating the book as a whole.

In chapters three through nine, MacArthur discusses the seven churches--Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea--and closely examines the Lord's messages to them. This is the heart of the book. Readers will learn more about these ancient churches and their problems. Readers will be reminded of the relevance of these urgent, passionate messages. Jesus is still calling his church to repent.

In the tenth and final chapter, MacArthur revisits the five solas of the Reformation and discusses the church's need to reform or return to reform. The Reformation should not be thought of "as over."

This was a great read.

Quotes:

• There have never been any Christian nations--just Christians. (9)
• Cultural change can't accelerate the kingdom's growth; nor can it hinder it. (10)
• Morality on its own is no solution; it damns just like immorality. (10)
• Churches that start down a path of worldliness, disobedience, and apostasy typically move even further from orthodoxy over time. They almost never recover their original soundness. Rarely are they broken over their collective sins against the Lord. Rarely do they turn aside from corruption, immorality, and false doctrine. Rarely do they cry out from the depths of their hearts for forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration. Most never even consider it, because they have become comfortable with their condition. (16)
• Filling the pews with comfortable, unaffected unbelievers is the fastest way to confuse and corrupt the work of the church. (25)
• Most people who go to church believe it is a safe place--perhaps the safest place--when it comes to threats of judgment from the Lord. It's almost like climbing aboard the ark; once you're safely inside, you're untouchable. But that's not true. Frankly, it's a foolish and dangerous notion. (35)
• Sinners--even redeemed sinners--are right to be terrified in the presence of a Holy God. There is always fear in a true vision of Christ, because we see His glory and He sees our sin. (51)
• Put simply, loving Christ is the defining characteristic of a Christian. And while the genuine believer will always love the Lord, the intensity of his love can fluctuate over time. The redeemed person's love for Christ must be carefully guarded and nurtured, or it will diminish with time. (56)
• Consider the chain reaction of forsaking your first love. Fading love for Christ is the forerunner of spiritual apathy. Apathy is the forerunner to loving something else. And love for something else means competing priorities with Christ, which in turn leads to compromise with the world and corruption, resulting ultimately in judgment. (67)
• In themselves, believers don't have the capacity to maintain or protect their faith. If we could lose our salvation, we certainly would. Instead, it's the Lord who holds us steadfast in faith. (83)
• Incredibly, many churches today proudly ignore the sin in their midst in the name of tolerance, unity, and love--proving only that they have no true understanding of what the Bible means when it talks about unity and love. Amazingly, ignoring sin and practicing tolerance has became a staple strategy for church growth. This directly defies the Lord's commands. (104)
• I don't understand how pastors and churches can be indifferent to sin when they see this unequivocal statement from the Head of the church: that He will put on a public display of His holy wrath if a church falls into corruption. He will make a spectacle of His judgment, such that other congregations see it and cringe. He will use the failure and the destruction of one church to purify others, and to display His holiness to His people. There is no excuse for tolerating sin or welcoming it as an evangelistic strategy. Doing so invites the wrath of heaven. (116)
• Error kills the church. False teaching and false doctrine confuse and corrupt the church, draining the life out of it. Sin kills the church. Little by little, sin tears away at the life of the church. It twists your character and warps your mind. Sins of omission and commission slowly suffocate the will of the church to maintain holiness and purity. Sinful leadership can quickly deal death blows to a church. Compromise with the world kills the church, too. Contrary to the current trend, there's no better way to introduce the killing power of sin into a church than with an influx of unbelievers. Accepting and putting those unbelievers into positions of leadership grips the church by the neck and strangles it. Ultimately, churches die for one reason: they tolerate sin, which includes the seminal sin of not taking Scripture seriously. (127)
• Despite its frequent misapplication, Revelation 3:20 is not a general statement about Christ's knocking on the hearts door of sinners, nor is it an accurate picture of His call to repent. The fact is, the door Christ refers to here was a specific door, not the metaphorical door of every human heart. This is a specific invitation to the church at Laodicea and others like it. Christ was not in that church, further proof that, unlike the church at Sardis, there were no believers in the Laodicean congregation at all. (173)
• The fact is the church isn't facing unique problems that demand clever new solutions. Satan's strategies have not changed, and "we are not ignorant of his schemes" (2 Cor 2:11). He assaults the church in the same ways he did in the first century. If anything, what has changed is the church's willingness to compromise with the world and accommodate false teaching. Rather than engaging a spiritual warfare against satanic lies and anti-Christian ideologies (2 Cor 10:4), too many churches have declared an unbiblical truce with the world and stopped fighting for God's truth altogether. (178)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Review: ESV Story of Redemption

ESV Story of Redemption Bible. Crossway. 2018. 1920 pages. [Source: Gift]

I received the ESV Story of Redemption Bible as a Christmas present in 2018. I wasn't planning on giving into temptation and buying a new Bible--at least not this Bible/this translation. A few things persuaded me that this one was "necessary."

I love the cream-colored paper. It was easy on the eyes. The color of the paper and perhaps the layout of the text made for less bleed-through. It would be an exaggeration to say that it eliminated it completely. But it was so much better than the average Bible that has been sold in the past ten to twelve years.

I love the fact that it is single column. Some people love, love, love double columns. I don't dislike double columns. But if given a choice, I lean towards single column text.

It is black letter and not red letter. Of course, most ESV Bibles are black letter. (That's one reason I have so very many ESV Bibles about.)

This Bible features light commentary. This commentary is distinct from the text of the Bible itself. It is inserted into the single column of the Bible text. (As opposed to notes or commentary being found at the bottom of the page or at the side of the page in boxes.)

It also features a chronological overview of the Bible. This is found as a table in the front of the Bible but also within the commentary.

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings 1-4:34
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Job
Song of Solomon
1 Kings 5:1-end
2 Kings 1-17:13
Amos
Hosea
Micah
2 Kings 17:14-33
Jonah
2 Kings 17:34-19:37
Nahum
2 Kings 20:1-22:2
Zephaniah
Joel
2 Kings 22:3-24:20
Habakkuk
Obadiah
2 Kings 25:1-end
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra 1-5:1
Haggai
Zechariah
Ezra 5:2-6:22
Esther
Ezra 7:1-end
Nehemiah
Psalms
Malachi

Matthew
Mark
John
Luke
Acts 1-13:41
Hebrews
Acts 13:42-14:28
Galatians
Acts 15:1-21
James
Acts 15:22-18:17
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
Acts 18:18-19:22
1 Corinthians
Acts 20:2-3
Romans
Acts 20:4-end
Philemon
Ephesians
Colossians
Philippians
1 Peter
2 Peter
Jude
1 Timothy
Titus
2 Timothy
1 John
2 John
3 John
Revelation

There are a handful of maps and illustrations. (But I don't pay any attention to this type of bonus material.)

If this particular Bible has weaknesses...

It would be the fact that the text is on the smaller side. The cream-colored paper helped my eye strain some. But I still would have preferred a larger font. Perhaps not huge, but at least slightly larger.

It would be the fact that this Bible is HEAVY. This is a weighty Bible to carry around. And its weight makes it harder to hold up. A larger font would have made it even longer and therefore heavier.

I used this one for the Bible in 90 Days project that I started on December 26, 2018.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: And There Was Evening, And There Was Morning

And There Was Evening, And There Was Morning. Ellen Kahan Zager. Illustrated by Harriet Cohen Helfand. 2018. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:

Day One
The world began when God said "light,"
And changed the world from dark to bright.
Dark in the night and light in the day,
Our beautiful world was underway.

Premise/plot: Ellen Kahan Zager uses verse to retell the Creation story. The illustrations are built with Hebrew letters--the letters form the shapes of the words they are signifying. For example, the Hebrew word for water is used--many, many times--to create the waves in the illustration. Another example, the Hebrew word for pomegranate is used--again multiple times--to create the fruit in the illustration.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. At first I was unimpressed with the illustrations. Until I began looking closer--much, much closer. I'm not sure a young child would appreciate all the work that went into the illustrations. But adult readers definitely should. The verse was well done. Overall I really liked this one.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Thank You, Omu!

Thank You, Omu! Oge Mora. 2018. Little, Brown and Company. 34 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On the corner of First Street and Long Street, on the very top floor, Omu was cooking a thick red stew in a big fat pot for a nice evening meal. She seasoned and stirred it and took a small taste.

Premise/plot: Omu is making a thick, red stew. It smells AMAZING. The smell is so amazing that it brings people--one at a time--to her home. Omu begins to share her meal. Will she have enough for herself?

My thoughts: I really loved this one. Omu is such a sweet, generous soul. And as she opens her home and her heart to others, they are blessed indeed. This one has the best possible ending all things considered: though she may run out of her amazing stew, the community returns with their own gifts to thank her.

Thank You, Omu! is a Caldecott Honor book for 2019.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: The Gospel in Dorothy L. Sayers

The Gospel in Dorothy L. Sayers: Selections from Her Novels, Plays, Letters, and Essays. 2018. Plough Publishing House. 270 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: For almost a century, the murder mysteries of Dorothy L. Sayers have kept enthusiasts hungrily turning pages.

The Gospel in Dorothy L. Sayers is an anthology with dozens of excerpts from her works: her mystery novels, her radio plays, her essays, her poems. The chapters seem to be arranged somewhat thematically. There are chapters on faith, forgiveness, belief, pride, envy, greed, creativity, time and eternity, etc. Each chapter includes at least one long excerpt and sometimes several shorter ones as well. The commentary between excerpts is kept to a minimum--for better or worse. On the one hand, Sayers' words--her works--speak for themselves. On the other hand, the transition from one thing to another can be tough in a few places.

Before reading The Gospel in Dorothy L. Sayers I had a vague notion that she was Christian-ish. I remember her being quoted in a Michael Horton book and was impressed. (I love, love, love Michael Horton.) I still like a few of the quotes from her essay 'The Dogma is the Drama.' I did learn more about her, her background, her faith and theology. For better or worse. I had no idea she was Catholic and not Anglican. (I had no idea she believed in purgatory, for example) I also had no idea she was so liberal--and liberal is definitely the wrong word, I mean free and easy, loose with facts--in her radio dramas. Her life of Christ--from the excerpts included here and there sprinkled throughout the book--takes SO MANY liberties. I have a hard time seeing how the same woman who wrote "The Dogma is the Drama" could also write so many other works I struggle with accepting as even being Christian.
For example, one of the radio plays has Jesus talking with Mary and Martha and Lazarus BEFORE Lazarus' death and resurrection. Mary has been confused with the other Mary--a big pet peeve of mine. And her conversation with Jesus is just weird. But his conversation with Lazarus is just DISTURBING and bizarre. Apparently Lazarus was all angsty and suicidal.

I still love her creation, Lord Peter Wimsey, but reading this book has convinced me that I should not seek out her other books. That's not to say the book itself--edited by Carole Vanderhoof--was poorly written. The book helped clarify to me Sayers' beliefs and theology.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Together: United Methodists of Temple, Tabernacle, and Table

Together: United Methodists of Temple, Tabernacle, and Table. Stanley R. Copeland and Scott Gilliland. 2018. 190 pages. [Source: Borrowed]

First sentence: "Where are we going?"

Together is a book specifically written to address controversial issues facing the United Methodist denomination--specifically in terms of the 'way forward' or future vision. Should the denomination stay united or be divided over issues of human sexuality? Should the denomination--as a whole--decide matters decisively or should local churches within the denomination be allowed to follow their consciences--to be as conservative, as moderate, or as liberal as they please? Can we all agree to disagree?

Two authors--both pastors at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church--argue that it is important to be united--to stay united.

Nothing you can make that can't be made
No one you can save that can't be saved
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It's easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need ~ The Beatles

They argue that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are both fixed and free. In fact fixed and free is one of the mantras that is repeated--not only in this book but in the One Church Movement that they are advocating. But what does that mean exactly? Well, they use the example of how the Israelites had a FREE moving way to worship in the wilderness and a FIXED way to worship in the nation of Israel. Somehow the fact that one was made of cloth and one of stones is supposed to be a super-symbolic metaphor for how we are supposed to worship in the twenty-first century. I believe these three chapters showcase some mighty fine doublespeak.

God is God is God is God is God is God. God does not change, there is no fluctuation. He doesn't become more of this and less of that or more of that and less of this. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Israelites wandering in the desert weren't "free" to worship God as they saw fit. They weren't "free" to worship him on their own terms. They weren't "free" to reinterpret God's words to mean what they wanted them to mean. The rules and ceremonies regarding worship weren't more "fixed" and "absolute" and "determined" than they were in the desert. They weren't. The tabernacle was never a casual, free-and-easy, go-with-the-flow way to do church. One wasn't wearing jeans and flip-flops and the other wearing suit and tie. Both temple and tabernacle were holy and sacred, set apart. For at all times God was to be FEARED as the one, true God. God was holy, holy, holy no matter the outward appearance of the place of worship.

Sadly I am not even sure this is where the authors were going with all this "free" and "fixed" talk. Perhaps they are under the delusion that God is changeable and that he is changing all the time. Every single generation has the opportunity--the responsibility--to see where God is at now and what he's saying now. Where God was at ten generations ago--three generations ago--it doesn't matter. All that matters is what is God is saying now to you and me.

But the book goes beyond the "fixed" and "free" metaphor. That's only a tiny bit of what the book is about. The book is also about how we are to trust one another always. I am to trust that you are listening to the Holy Spirit in your life and you are to trust that I am listening to the Holy Spirit in my life. The same Spirit that is leading me to believe one way is also leading you to believe another way. But because we both love the same Jesus Christ it will all be okay. You are not to judge me and I am not to judge you. It doesn't really matter if we agree on this issue or that issue or even any issue so long as we agree that Jesus is great. The name of Jesus unites us all together and if there's one thing Jesus hates it's squabbling and fussing. Unity above all else. Love is all that matters.

Essentially the book seems to be arguing that there is no one right way to interpret any passage of Scripture. The Holy Spirit speaks to each one of us as individuals.

I can only imagine how much easier Paul's life would have been if he'd subscribed to this philosophy of doing church.

Hey brothers! How's it going?! I've been hearing some mighty strange stuff about you guys. But you know what? It's all good. All good, I tell you. No stress, no worries. Just sit back, relax, and keep rolling with the Spirit. Keep on keeping on! Aren't you glad that I'm no longer that judgmental guy who went around trying to force people to agree with me all the time?! But I've learned to relax and let go and let God! I'm cool, you're cool, we're all cool. Bye for now!

Paul could have avoided sending letters altogether and just sent postcards.

I won't address the issue of human sexuality here for the review. It's unnecessary. Their approach to interpreting any passage of Scripture--any practice or doctrine--is troubling enough without focusing in on one issue alone. The issue--as I see it--isn't about who you love or how you love.

It is simply this: what is truth? who determines truth? is truth absolute? is truth universal? does truth evolve and change? is truth determined person by person or by committee? who says what is true and what isn't true? is the Bible true? what do you mean if you say the Bible is true? do you mean my interpretation of the Bible is true and your interpretation of the Bible is false? do you mean that the Bible means exactly what God determines it means? do you mean that the meaning of the Bible changes, evolves, grows, expands over time as we do? do you read your interpretation into a passage? or do you draw your interpretation out of a passage? are you coming with a teachable spirit? are you willing to let the Spirit convict you--yes you--of sin? are you coming to the Bible looking to be justified? are you coming to the Bible looking for an argument? are you coming to the Bible with others in mind? are you looking for verses to shout at other people in arguments? are you willing to grow in the spirit even if it means countering culture? are you willing to let God be God? are you willing to allow that you may never understand or grasp God? is it up to us to keep the Word relevant? what is the gospel? what is sin? why did Jesus die? are we called to be holy? do doctrines ever matter?

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Searching for You

Searching for You (Orphan Train #3) Jody Hedlund. 2018. Bethany House. 341 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Sophie Neumann nuzzled her nose against Danny's chest.

Premise/plot: Searching For You completes Jody Hedlund's Orphan Train series. The first two books in the series are With You Always and Together Forever. (The heroine of the first book is Elise Neumann. The heroine of the second book is Marianne Neumann. The first book opens in 1857 and the third book opens in 1859.)

Sophie was forced to grow up quickly by circumstances. After Elise left to find work in Illinois, it was Marianne, Sophie, and two young toddlers--Olivia and Nicholas. When Sophie learned that the person they were staying with had definite plans to put Olivia and Nicholas on a train west--via the Children's Aid Society. Sophie took action of her own: running away with "her" babies. Marianne spent all of the second book searching for her younger sister.

Readers finally learn where Sophie has been and what she's been up to--the answer doing anything and everything to just survive. Sophie has recently, for example, become 'the girl' of a gang member. She doesn't really love him--or even like him--but being his girl comes with certain benefits. And, as she learns, certain risks. Could her life be in danger when she witnesses a crime?!

Meanwhile, readers are keeping up Reinhold Weiss in Mayfield, Illinois. An orphan train will be coming through soon--much to the displeasure of the local sheriff--and his neighbors are urging him to take in an orphan or two to help with the farm work. The truth is he does need help....but is that a good enough reason to adopt an orphan?

My thoughts: Overall I have really ENJOYED the series. The first book hooked me in a way I wasn't expecting. Once I met the Neumann family, I had to keep reading to learn what happened to her two sisters. It would have been unthinkable not to keep going with the series.

The second book was solidly good. I didn't love, love, love it in a gushy way. But it was good.

The third book was satisfying. That's the word I'm going to go with. It was predictable, true, but in a good way--even a very good way. Sophie is ashamed and embarrassed of the way she's had to live to keep everyone together. She does NOT want to be found by her sisters. It's not that she's given up hope of finding them. It's not that she's decided not to search for them. She does not want to be found and reunited. How could her sisters possibly understand what she's gone through the past two years?

Sophie takes a spiritual journey in this one. She's spent years turning her back on God, dismissing him completely. But as the book progresses she stops running from him...and even starts running toward him. The book is realistic, I believe, in this journey.

In some ways this one is more spiritual than the previous two. BUT in other ways a word of caution is still in order. As I've mentioned with the other novels--the books are a bit graphic in nature. Many Christian books don't detail kisses that last for pages and pages. This one goes even further than the other books in the series--yes, she's married--but graphic descriptions are still graphic. For certain readers this poses a slippery-slope type danger. Sometimes less is more.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Not God Enough

Not God Enough: Why Your Small God Leads to Big Problems. J.D. Greear. 2018. Zondervan. 237 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: For much of my life, I have struggled with my faith. I always wanted to believe, knew that I was supposed to believe, and hoped deep down inside that I really did believe...I’ve come to see that the problem—my lack of faith, my passionless heart, and my struggle to surrender—came from a fundamental deficiency in how I saw God.

In Not God Enough, J.D. Greear argues that if you're struggling with God--whether you're angry, disappointed, doubting--chances are that your God isn't BIG enough. Or, to rephrase that, YOUR God may be a God of your own making and not the God revealed by Scripture. It is of the utmost importance that the God you worship be the one true God.

Has Western culture made God small? Has Western culture made God domesticated? Sadly, I think the answer tends to be yes to both questions. J.D. Greear writes,

"We present God as the best way to a happy and prosperous life. We show how God is the best explanation for unanswered questions and the best means to the life we desire. Our worship services seem more like pep rallies accompanied by practical tips for living than encounters with the God who stands beyond time and whose presence is indescribably glorious. Ironically, our “diminished” God feels, for a while, easier to believe in. He acts in ways we can understand, explain, predict, and even control. He rarely offends us, so we are not embarrassed to talk about him with our friends. He helps us find our meaning and purpose. We think everyone should try him."

A small God can't be worshipped and adored. A small God can't be feared. The God of THE WORD is to be feared and worshiped. 

Of the book's purpose he writes, "In this book, I want to give you a vision, as best I can, of God as he really is. Not the domesticated, practical, fix-it-and-make-you-feel-good god of Western Christianity, but the real one." He continues, "In order to discover this awesome god, we are going to delve into the faith encounters of several biblical heroes, but there’s one in particular we will keep coming back to: Moses...he wanted Moses’s experience to be both a comfort to us when we doubt and an example of how to follow God in the midst of doubt."

I really liked this one. I love that Greear quotes some of my favorite authors. I love his honesty and his passion for the gospel. I didn't agree with every single sentence in this one. There were one or two sentences in this one that felt a tiny bit off--in terms of not being quite Reformed enough. But overall I'd recommend this one. 

Quotes:

• Without a trembling awe before God’s majesty, we’ll never develop the ability to know him, much less love him.
• Until we have a sense of his magnitude, we won’t even be able to ask the right questions of him, much less receive his answers.
• True worship is intimacy grounded in awe.  Only then can worship move to intimacy, which grows out of embracing how close this infinite God has brought himself to us in the cross. Only the two together, in the right order, lead to biblical faith. Only the two together will yield the emotion that fulfills the Great Commandment and promote the passion that engages the Great Commission.
• The real God is not a god who simply completes us and makes us feel sentimental during worship; he is a God who humbles us and transforms us from the inside out. When you really see him, you’ll either love him or hate him.
• When we truly behold his glory, we won’t need to be compelled to trust or love God; we just will.
• Ironically, many today seem turned off by the concept of an awesome, terrifyingly great God. We assume that any God you need to fear must be guilty of something, or that a terrified reaction to an infinitely great and wise God is a relic leftover from an oppressive, archaic view of religion. We prefer a God who is small and domesticated, who thinks like we think, likes what we like, and whom we can manage, predict, and control.
• When you ask your questions of God, do you tremble? Do you approach him with a sense of how large, glorious, and wise he is?
• When John saw Jesus in glory, John didn’t burst into a peppy chorus of “Friend of God.” He fell at Jesus’s feet as though he were dead. That’s not a figure of speech. He literally thought he was going to die.
• Beholding God from the safety of the cross is like watching a tornado pass in front of you from the safety of a cave where it can no longer touch you. You may be safe, but you still stand trembling before the awesome power of the tornado, a power you know could sweep you away if you stepped out of that cave for even a second.
• Worship, faith, passion, and obedience can flourish only in the soil of awestruck wonder. No fear, no faith.
• We need to behold the living God, whose greatness is so great that it makes our minds explode when we try to comprehend him, and whose goodness is so good we can’t tell if we want to draw closer or run away. Our diminished view of God has severely hampered our witness to an unbelieving world.
• If we confess our weakness, he will fill us with his strength. If we admit our foolishness, he will bestow his wisdom on us. If we allow ourselves to be undone in his presence, he will piece us back together in love. 
• Can we imagine how offensive it must be to God when we attempt to reshape him according to our preferences? How would you like it if someone did that to you?
• If our “God” never contradicts us, always likes what we like and hates what we hate, he’s not the real God. All we’ve done is deified our preferences and called the personification of those things “God.”
• If we can’t escape the powers of sin, it’s not because our wills are too weak but because the presence of God feels so distant.
• If you want to overcome sin, don’t focus on shrinking your temptations; focus on enlarging your view of God.
• When you’re weighed down by insecurity and doubt, don’t drum up feelings of self-empowerment. Don’t look inward to find your spark. Don’t tell yourself that you’re unique, a snowflake, a skittle, an unmatched gift to the world. Look to the “I am” and lay your insecurities down at his feet.
• It doesn’t matter what your insecurity is. The I am is all that you need.
• In the Christian life, dependence, not self-sufficiency, is the objective. God wants people who are weak in themselves and strong in him.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Together Forever

Together Forever (Orphan Train #2) Jody Hedlund. 2018. Bethany House. 343 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Marianne Neumann's fingers were shaking so hard she could barely pry open the first record book.

Premise/plot: Marianne Neumann was first introduced in Jody Hedlund's With You Always. She was the younger sister of Elise, our heroine. She was head over heels--or so she thought--with Reinhold Weiss. (Reinhold meanwhile was head over heels--or so he thought--with Elise.)

While Elise was away--working--Marianne was left in charge of her younger sister, Sophie, and the two orphans they'd taken in. When all seemed lost, Sophie took those two little ones and ran away--or at least that is the assumption. Marianne returned one day to find them GONE.

Now Marianne is on a quest to find them. She's working as a placing agent traveling west with orphans on a campaign to find them all homes. She's got a partner, Andrew Brady, by her side. He's the more experienced of the two. This will be her first trip.

Andrew Brady has believed for years that he was NOT a marrying man. That chapter of his life--being in love, wanting to settle down--is OVER and done with. But that was before he met Marianne. It wasn't meeting her that was dangerous, not really, it was spending time with her over several weeks as they journey across the country together.

Does Marianne feel the same way about Andrew? Or is she still "in love" with Reinhold?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. If I'm being honest, I did love the first book more even if just by a slight margin. I think I happened to like Elise more than Marianne. Though Marianne did grow on me a good deal as I kept reading. (I didn't care for Marianne's sections in the first book. I thought she was  quite silly and irresponsible.)

The same warning is in place for this one as with With You Always. There is a good deal of kissing--graphic descriptions of kissing. Both Andrew and Marianne want more, more, more of each other. (Though nothing happens before the two are wed.)  I mention this because it can be easy to hand Christian romances to tweens without a second thought. It's just automatic to assume that the content will always be super-appropriate even if you're eleven or twelve.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: With You Always

With You Always. (Orphan Train #1) Jody Hedlund. 2017. Bethany House. 359 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Elise Neumann stared out the cracked third-story window to the muddy street below, watching the omnibuses and carriages slog their way through the muck.

Premise/plot: Elise is the oldest of three sisters--all recently orphaned. They've been taken into a mission home, but, when a financial crisis hits it will be up to Elise to find a way to help support her sisters and the two children they've come to love as their own. Elise had found work in New York City in the mission home as a seamstress. She's one of many women who lose their jobs. Fortunately, there's a call for women workers out west--Elise is one that finds job placement out west in Illinois. Taking the job will mean leaving her sisters behind, but it will mean an income.

Thornton Quincy is a twin. Their dying father has set up a little competition to see which of his two sons--Thornton or Bradford--will inherit his company. Each son will have to build a town--in, you guessed it, Illinois. Thornton names his town, Quincy. He decides to hire women for some of the jobs in an effort to save money--women work cheaper than men. Each son will also have to marry for love--and not convenience--within six months.

Elise and Thornton come to know each other on this train ride west, and he, in fact, requests that she be placed in his town, Quincy. Elise is first charmed and delighted but that is before she realizes that the man so attentive to her is a multimillionaire--or the son of one. She fears that his intentions are less than honorable. After all, she's a nobody--a penniless orphan--and he's a somebody. But Thornton finds ample opportunities to show his true nature or character.

Which brother will win the competition? And will knowing Elise make him.a better man?

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved this one. I was surprised by how much. Perhaps because this one reminds me of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. Part of me is curious, does Jody Hedlund love North and South too? After all, North and South does star a John Thornton. And that Thornton is a business man as well who comes to view his workers/employees as actual people after falling in love with the heroine.

If it was even the tiniest bit influenced by North and South, it's a good thing--a very good thing. It was a delight to see Elise and Thornton come to know each other better.

I do have to mention that this one is pushing it in terms of steaminess for a Christian, clean romance. There is a LOT of descriptive, passionate kissing occurring throughout. Even before declarations of love and intent to marry.

It does still have a good deal of Christian content. I am not saying it is inappropriate. Just that you should be aware that it is a LOT steamier than any Janette Oke novel you might have read.

The novel is set in New York City and Quincy, Illinois in 1857.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: The Faithful Spy

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler. John Hendrix. 2018. Harry N. Abrams. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: This book follows the life of the man Dietrich Bonhoeffer. But it is equally a story of the German resistance. It is a story that often goes untold.

Premise/plot: This biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is told in 'graphic novel' format. As hinted in the above 'first sentence' the book balances the bigger picture with the personal.

The Faithful Spy gives a good overview of Hitler's rise to power and the terrors of the Third Reich and an excellent overview of the German Resistance and a handful of attempts to assassinate Adolf Hitler and overthrow the government. The personal story is that of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. From a young age he acted--thought--as a theologian. He grew up to be a pastor at a dangerous time. The "Christian" church was threatened. One had two choices: give in to Hitler's vision of the future and submit to his reign despite/in spite of one's personal beliefs OR resist and defy and stick to one's principles. Or in other words choose between having the Bible as the authority or Hitler. Bonhoeffer saw no choice--one could not in good conscience choose Hitler over Christ. Where Bonhoeffer did have a choice is to stay or to go. Before the war started, Bonhoeffer with help from friends managed to get to America. He could have waited out the war. He could have spoken out against Hitler from afar. He could have written, studied, taught. But after a few weeks in America he decided that he'd made a big mistake. His place was not one of safety in America, he belonged in Germany. Knowing that it very well could cost him everything--his freedom, his life--he returned to Germany. When opportunity came he joined the resistance and became a spy. He was involved to some degree with the failed attempts at assassination. He was eventually imprisoned, tortured, sentenced to death. But Bonhoeffer could not ignore the plight of 'the other.' To live out his beliefs--to put his doctrine in action--meant defying the Nazis and risking it all.

My thoughts: The Faithful Spy is a compelling read. (I read it in two days.) I haven't read much nonfiction written and illustrated in graphic format. The format worked well. I wouldn't say it added drama to the story--how could it? But it paid tribute perhaps to the natural drama of the story.

The book did not shy away from Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a theologian. Not many books published by a non-Christian (aka secular) publisher openly and unashamedly talk God from cover to cover. This one did. Bonhoeffer was a theologian. He was a believer, a student, a teacher, a preacher, a writer. His story could not be told accurately without talking doctrine, faith, God.

Some readers may not embrace the book because of the religious/spiritual aspects of it. But his legacy is intimately connected with his theology. There were many "spies" and many members of the resistance. Many died in Germany as prisoners. Not all were theologians.

There are other books written about his life that focus solely on his story and not on the bigger picture. I think this is an important book.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: The Bride of Ivy Green

The Bride of Ivy Green. Julie Klassen. 2018. Bethany House. 448 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Mercy Grove could no longer put off the painful task.

If you enjoyed The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill and The Ladies of Ivy Cottage, you are definitely going to read the third book in the series, The Bride of ivy Green. The only complaint I have is that I think it should have been called the BRIDES of Ivy Hill instead.

This historical romance series by Julie Klassen is set in a small English village, Ivy Hill. The series follows the romantic adventures and misadventures of three women primarily: Jane, Rachel, and Mercy. Though really a dozen more characters are introduced and followed. One really gets a sense of time and place. (I believe this one is set in 1821; the others might be set a year or two earlier. The county is Wiltshire.)

Mercy Grove, the heroine, is a school teacher, or WAS a school teacher. Her brother returning with a wife has closed down--at least temporarily--her dreams and her means of independence. (The school was in her home.) She remains in his house, but make no mistake, she feels it is HIS house now. Her new sister-in-law soon has her living in the attic so that her former room can be a guest room. Mercy feels trapped--not trapped enough to regret turning down a loveless marriage offer--but trapped. So when Mr. James Drake mentions he's looking for a governess for his daughter, Alice, she volunteers for the job. (Alice was a former pupil, a beloved former pupil.)

Mercy, of course, is not the only woman adapting to big changes. Other women are as well. Rachel is loving getting to know her new sister-in-law, Justina. But her need to advocate for her may cause tension in her relationship with her mother-in-law. Justina is falling for someone....and her mother already has definite opinions on whom her daughter should marry. Jane is oh-so-close to getting her happily ever after. But someone from her past shows up, and difficult conversations must be had before she can be at peace with where she is in her life. There is also the matter of the brand new seamstress in town....there is something OFF about her. But what?!

I love, love, love this series. There is something COZY about this series. It is definitely character-driven. Don't expect much action or drama.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible