20. Connect: How To Grow Your Church in 28 Days Guaranteed

20. Connect: How to Grow Your Church in 28 Days Guaranteed. Don Corder. 2019. 233 pages. [Source: Borrowed] [3 stars, christian nonfiction]

First sentence: The vision of every church is the first macro--the Great Commission: to make disciples of all people everywhere: From that macro-vision, churches today more or less adopt a vision that is either attractional or missional. The attractional churches want to build crowds. The missional churches want to make disciples.

Premise/plot: Don Corder is "guaranteeing" church growth in 28 days. Do I believe it? Nope. He does offer twenty-eight chapters worth of ideas. But those ideas would take a LOT longer than one month to implement. In fact, I would argue that this "28 day" plan is the work of years--yes YEARS plural. The chapters are meant to build on each other, I believe. But some ideas are more likely to be doable than others. And all of them require not just the work of three or four people but the work of dozens and dozens of people. So if you don't have dozens of vision-filled, inspired, passionate people who want to pour themselves--heart, mind, soul, body--into these projects, well, the guarantee is looking less and less likely. 

Main points: 

CONNECTION comes before evangelism and conversion. You have to have connections with people before the other can happen. 

Assume that people want to come to church to find answers, and want to come to YOUR church to find those answers.

Assume that people want to give out their contact information and be communicated with several times a week or at least weekly.

People don't like to read -- communicate in very short paragraphs if words are necessary, video messages have more of a likelihood to be watched than a paragraph read. Keep both videos and paragraphs short. 

Host community outreach events where the goal is to get names, names, and more names. The point of the event is not Christian-related but just something--anything--to get them on your property and the name and contact information provided. 

Don't assume that people that don't come to your church regularly are gone. 

Focus on those that just come once a month or less and work on getting those to come back and come regularly. 

Forget the golden rule and treat others the way they want to be treated. Ask regularly how can I serve YOUR needs and wants.

See those coming in the door as customers and your church as a product and brand. 

My thoughts: It was a quick read. I read the first three days a few months ago. I read the last twenty-five in one sitting. I think the assumption is that the church in question is "only" a few hundred people and wanting to grow. OR maybe five or six hundred people and wanting to grow. At one point he was talking about how to fill your church with 1500 people. I think the book assumes many, many, many things. More than one pastor, for example, and perhaps even more staff that are working full-time throughout the week. There's even a talk of YOUR CHURCH'S BOOKSTORE. 

The focus is on numbers, numbers, more numbers. The numbers in the pews each week. The numbers in your DATABASE. The number of members. The money. 

I think my favorite quote was "We can't serve the people we wish we had. We can only serve those [that] actually come; and more importantly, come back. They're the reason we're here."

I think the title is misleading. And the ideas are far-fetched for many. That being said, I think the author does challenge readers to think outside of the box. To not assume that everyone thinks like you. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

16. Psalms for My Day

16. Psalms for My Day: A Child's Praise Devotional. Carine Mackenzie and Alec Motyer, Illustrated by Catherine Noel Pope. 2019. 96 pages. [Source: Bought] [4 stars, devotional, children's book]

First sentence: The book of Psalms is the largest book in the Bible.

Psalms for my Day uses a new translation by Alec Motyer. Selected psalms have been illustrated alongside light devotions. Each day's devotion has a prayer to pray. The book also includes a sprinkling of quotes by Alec Motyer. 

Readers should also know that this translation uses Yahweh. 

The psalms include the following:

• Psalm 1
• Psalm 8
• Psalm 13
• Psalm 19
• Psalm 22
• Psalm 23
• Psalm 24
• Psalm 25
• Psalm 27
• Psalm 29
• Psalm 32
• Psalm 34
• Psalm 37
• Psalm 40
• Psalm 46
• Psalm 51
• Psalm 63
• Psalm 67
• Psalm 72
• Psalm 73
• Psalm 78
• Psalm 84
• Psalm 95
• Psalm 100
• Psalm 103
• Psalm 107
• Psalm 117
• Psalm 121
• Psalm 133
• Psalm 139
• Psalm 150

I love, love, love the book of Psalms. While there are many, many, many, many storybook Bibles to share with children--of all ages, there are few that celebrate the Bible's songbook: Psalms. I think this book would be a good one to share before/during/after family devotions. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

66. God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel

God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel. Costi W. Hinn. 2019. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [Christian nonfiction; theology; memoir]

First sentence: Just a short while ago, I had the chance to sit with one of my living heroes. Dr. Steven J. Lawson probably wouldn't like my choice of words because he doesn't view himself as heroic. But his advice rings in my ears every time I share the story of how I left the prosperity gospel. "Telling your testimony is fine," he explained. "Paul the apostle did it. Many others have told their testimonies too. It can be helpful. But don't be one of those people who make sin look so good that people want to go out and do it!" His voice elevated with passion. "And it needs to point to Christ and glorify God! Storytelling for the sake of storytelling doesn't do much good. The gospel must be the focus."

God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel is a fantastic read. The first half is mostly memoir. Costi Hinn sharing his testimony--his story. This involves sharing his family's background, their rise to fame, AND it also includes a history lesson on how the prosperity gospel came about and prospered so to speak. He shares his doubts and questions. He writes of how he and his wife came to leave that theology--that false teaching--behind. The second half is mainly theological. Both sections are fantastic. The second half goes above and beyond: it is practical, informative, thought-provoking. It seeks to explain, to expose, to teach. 

Hinn's goal was for the book to "glorify God and communicate the gospel," and in my opinion he succeeded in this. He differentiates between the true gospel and the false gospel of the prosperity preachers. His zeal comes through, but it's zeal tempered with much love and compassion. 

I would definitely recommend this one. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

27. One Faithful Life

One Faithful Life: A Harmony of the Life and Letters of Paul. John F. MacArthur Jr. (editor). 2019. 528 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Paul was unique among the apostles.

One Faithful Life could easily be the companion to MacArthur's book, One Perfect Life. One Perfect Life was the harmony of the gospels--with a blending of select Old Testament and New Testament verses that point to Christ. One Faithful Life is essentially a chronological 'harmony' of Acts with all the letters of Paul. (Some letters of Paul are inserted into Acts. Many are not. But they are presented chronologically.)

Both One Faithful Life and One Perfect Life use the New King James Version of the Bible. Both feature study notes by John F. MacArthur, Jr. Both are arranged into small portions or sections. 

I personally enjoyed One Perfect Life more. Just about anyone can read Acts and the letters of Paul chronologically. There isn't any real blending occurring. There is no true harmonizing. 

Is it essential? Is it necessary? Probably not. Is it nice to have? Sure. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

12. The Heidelberg Diary

The Heidelberg Diary: Daily Devotions on the Heidelberg Catechism. William J Ouweneel. 2019. 768 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I am no tmy own, but belong--body and soul, in life and in death--to my faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ. What a tremendous start for the catechism! We are not plunged right away into complex theological subjects, instead we are asked a very personal and very practical question. "Your" is singular here. You, Christian, what is your comfort? Whatever your sins, whatever your health condition, whatever you social, economic or any other circumstances, where do you find the comfort and consolation that helps you persevere? 

The Heidelberg Diary is a daily devotional. It is a thoughtful walk through the Heidelberg Catechism. That catechism has fifty-two "Lord's Day" questions and answers. Each Lord's Day has one to three questions and answers. (Sometimes less, sometimes more). Ouweneel has 'stretched' or 'expanded' those questions and answers to last all year long. Some questions and answers have four to five 'parts' or 'days' in this devotional. [I do wish that when he does this he would repeat the question! That would be my only suggestion really, to make it easier what question this answer is in response to.] 

The Heidelberg Catechism covers the basics. What are the basics? Well, at the very least--the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer. I believe there are also questions and answers about the sacraments of communion (aka Lord's Supper) and baptism. 

I absolutely LOVE the Heidelberg Catechism, I do. Especially the earlier questions. 

I read this library book in a few weeks. Obviously two weeks is not enough time to read this one as it was designed--one per day all year. I ended up reading twenty plus days per day. (Sometimes more! I remember one day covering a hundred days. Then I realized I didn't have to read it that quickly. That I could slow down some.)

I enjoyed this one for the most part. It does add in a lot of extras. (For better or worse). I think it adds context and detail on some theological issues. The devotions mainly are meaty and substantive. I would say that sometimes the author is critical of the original question and answer. Again for better or worse. (I can't say that I honestly agree 1000% with every single phrase in the original.) This comes into play when it comes to communion. He feels the original is inappropriately harsh and unfair to Roman Catholics. (This doesn't surprise me that the original would be strongly worded. And that *any* differences between Protestants and Catholics would be VERY strongly worded.) It also doesn't surprise me that modern believers would try to 'calm' the original. The author stresses that the original isn't always fair to Catholics because they are writing from a position that may unfairly represent what Roman Catholics believe(d). 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

6. Piercing Heaven

Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans. Robert Elmer. 2019. 321 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: What does it take to pray like a Puritan? And why would we want to? 

Robert Elmer has collected 'prayers' from the works of over thirty Puritans for his prayer book, Piercing Heaven. These prayers seem to be arranged mostly topically. There are titled chapter headings: "Teach Me to Pray," "Help Me Ask for Help!," "Help Me Through My Doubts," "Help Me Through My Time of Sadness and Suffering," "Help Me Endure Temptation," "Help Me Rest in God's Love," "I Believe--Help My Unbelief!," "Prepare My Heart for the Lord's Day and the Lord's Table," "Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated," "Help Me Give the Gospel to Others," "Forgive My Sins," "Help Me Praise and Thank the Lord," "Help Me Begin the Day," "Help Me Live the Day," "Help Me Close the Day," "Your Kingdom Come." Prayers vary from a few sentences--one paragraph--to a full page(s)--many, many paragraphs. Each prayer is attributed to a specific Puritan. (Brief biographies are included for all authors. And there's an index for each author.)

Perhaps you are seeking out Piercing Heaven because you love, love, love, love Valley of Vision. Confession, that is why I checked this one out from the library. I really crazy love and adore that poetry collection. So how do the two compare???

The [only] weakness of Valley of Vision is that it lacks all attribution of authors. Readers almost have to take it on faith that the author/editor Arthur Bennett is using the actual words of actual Puritans. Readers don't know how many Puritans are represented within Valley of Vision. Readers don't know how crafted/manipulated the original texts were to get them into poetic form. Readers certainly don't know which Puritan wrote which poem. Everything about Valley of Vision is a complete mystery. 

As I mentioned above, every author is attributed in Piercing Heaven. There are even author biographies and an author index. 

But is that enough to make it better than Valley of Vision????? 

I found Piercing Heaven to be a bit of a busy layout, a bit cluttered. Perhaps I am just too set in my ways. But the white space of Valley of Vision is super-helpful. It blocks out distractions. It aids meditation and prayer. 

While Piercing Heaven may be a true(r) representation of the Puritans' actual words/works, the Valley of Vision is a thing of BEAUTY in terms of language and literary style. 

Now, to be completely fair: I did not read Piercing Heaven the way it was intended. The fact that it was a library book with a definite due date didn't help matters. But also I was more curious than prayerful. I wanted to read it cover-to-cover in a week. I didn't have time (or opportunity) to use it as a topical prayer book...or even a legitimate prayer book. For those that do pray individual prayers--over weeks, months, years--that use this book as a devotional/spiritual aid, I'm sure it would prove more beneficial. 

I was reading with one thing in mind: do I love it enough to buy myself a copy of this to have on hand????? And the answer was, I can probably make do with the Valley of Vision for my Puritan needs. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

15. ESV Gospel Transformation Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible: Christ In All of Scripture, Grace for All of Life. 2019 (this edition). 2096 pages. [Source: Gift]

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

I read and reviewed the first edition of the Gospel Transformation Study Bible when it first released. They have since come out with a second edition.

One thing that has changed from then to now is my eyesight. I wasn't able to fully utilize the notes this time around. But if memory serves me, then the notes were all sorts of amazing and awesome. (I'm sure that is still the case). For the record, I tried to read the notes for about two or three weeks, it was just too much of a strain on my eyes to commit to reading each and every word of the notes. If I came across a particular passage where I felt I needed some clarification or a boost, then short spurts of reading the notes worked. 

I love the premise of this one--that Christ is to be found in ALL of Scripture. This Bible erases or perhaps bridges the disconnect between testaments that some struggle with. 

I started this Bible on June 28, 2022 and finished it on October 17, 2022. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

50. Ordinary Hazards

Ordinary Hazards. Nikki Grimes. 2019. 325 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: I read somewhere that names penetrate the core of our being, and I suppose, this is as good a time as any to confess my name is not the only lie I’ve ever lived with, but Nikki is the first invention for which I accept full responsibility. 

Premise/plot: Nikki Grimes’ newest book is a memoir written in verse. Ordinary Hazards tells her story—the darkness and the light in her growing up years. 

My thoughts: I have loved, loved, loved Nikki Grimes’ work in the past. I have always found her work to bring on the feels. Her characters are more often than not, oh-so-humanly drawn. Her writing realistic, but often with a strong foundation of hope. No matter how dark, how tough, how painful, there is still reason to hope; where there is life, there is hope. 

This memoir is an amazing read. I think perhaps most enjoyed by those that have read her previously. But perhaps not. Maybe this would encourage readers to pick up her other books and seek out everything she’s written? 

Recently a school district in Texas (Leander Independent School District) removed Ordinary Hazards from its "secondary school book club reading lists." You can read about it here. I have not read ALL the books on the "removed" and "paused" lists. I do not know for certain what "removed" means. If it is simply removing from a recommended book club list, or if it is removal from classroom libraries, or if it is removal from the school library. If it means removal from the school library, that is truly sad and a bit terrifying. 

I can only guess that Ordinary Hazards was removed because of so-called inappropriate content. But truly if that is the case, then people have lost the ability to read critically and in context. That wouldn't surprise me. But it does sadden me.

I say so-called inappropriate content because IN CONTEXT one wouldn't judge it that way. Or have to judge it that way. 

First things first, it is a MEMOIR. It is Nikki Grimes' autobiography. This is HER story. She's sharing real events and real emotions with readers. There is depth and substance to her HONESTY. This book is *real* and leads to *feels*.

Sure, there's alcohol and drunkenness in Ordinary Hazards. But it is her mother. There is no way, no how anyone could read those scenes and think hey, drinking alcohol is the best thing ever. Or wow, now I have life goals. There is PAIN and CONFUSION and HEARTBREAK. Because her mother can't overcome this addiction. And perhaps doesn't even see the addiction as addiction. Nikki Grimes isn't the first and won't be the last child to have an alcoholic parent. What message are we sending to teens when we say, you can't talk about that? 

Sure, there's drug abuse. But it is a cousin. And it terrifies her. At the time this occurs in the memoir, she hasn't even started school yet. She's helpless to control her situation. She's completely reliant on a mother who has some major blind spots. It's HEARTBREAKING to read about.

Sure, there's mental illness. Nikki's mother suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. What we get is Nikki's childhood perspective reconstructed and imagined. It is honest and reflects the pain and confusion and terror she felt as a result of her mom being unstable and unable to really be there, be there. But mental illness exists whether we acknowledge it or not. Whether it's kept buried in shame--deeply buried and barricaded--or whether it's brought out into the light. Keeping quiet about it doesn't make it go away. Again, I have to ask, what message are we sending to teens when we say, you can't talk about that?

Sure, there's child abuse and abandonment. Her father is absent. Her mother is, well, a mess. Her mom is so desperate financially that she's leaving her daughters with strangers as babysitters. Too checked out to check up on them....as she should. Nikki and her sister end up in foster care. She wasn't the first and won't be the last to experience childhood trauma. What message are we sending to teens when we say, you can't talk about that? 

Sure, there's sexual abuse. When Nikki leaves the foster care system to return to live with her mother, she is placed in the house with a child molester--her mom's boyfriend/partner. It is TRAUMATIC and painful. It leads to confusion, anger, bitterness, shame. But Nikki didn't ask for this--no child would. She is not to blame for someone else's action. To silence her story is a crime. Again, Nikki wasn't the first and will not be the last child to be molested, abused, traumatized. What message are we sending to teens when we say, you can't talk about that?

This is a MEMOIR. There are those that would SILENCE her story just because it contains "unpleasant" and "uncomfortable" details that like it or not happen in the real world every single day. It takes bravery and strength to step up and speak up. Do we really want to reinforce the notions of shame and dirtiness? To send the message, if this happens to you--it is too dirty, too shameful, too inappropriate, too immoral to talk about. Keep silent. Keep it to yourself. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

41. Yours Truly, Thomas

Yours Truly, Thomas. Rachel Fordham. 2019. 320 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: After letting an involuntary squeal escape, Penny pulled the yellowed papers closer and pressed her lips to them. Then she began to devour the words again.

Premise/plot: Penny (Penelope Ercanbeck), our heroine, LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to read love letters--other people's letters. The opening I quoted is her sneakily reading her parents' love letters--she's not supposed to be reading them, and is caught in the act, if you will. As an adult, she continues reading other people's letters. She works for the dead letter office--and I suppose that gives her permission? 

Penny falls head over heels in LOVE--the truly, madly, deeply kind--with Thomas (our eventual) hero (Thomas Conner) just by reading his letters to another woman. Thomas is writing CLARA. He doesn't give specifics as to why he headed off west leaving her behind in Virginia, but, Penny doesn't need those reasons. She is just living vicariously through his words--his many words--in his letters.

Thomas was heading west until a wagon accident leaves him stuck in a small town, Azure Springs, Iowa. He's in a dark, dark place until he receives a reply. NOT from his lady love, Clara, mind you, but by an anonymous writer from the dead letter office. It's an odd letter from a stranger--a promise of continued prayer. But it helps him realize the glass may just be half full instead of half empty.

Penny--the anonymous letter writer--has sleuthed her way to finding out more about Thomas and Clara. She's tracked down where he lives. And she has decided to pay him a visit. Not intending to show up at his doorstep and go SURPRISE, HEY I'VE BEEN READING ALL YOUR CORRESPONDENCE. WANT TO LOVE ME INSTEAD? But something a little subtler. She brings her dog, Honey along on the trip.

Will Thomas and Penny fall in love with each other? Can Penny at last have a love letter of her own?

My thoughts: The premise of this one is a little odd--even for Christian romance. (That's not to slam Christian romance. I read plenty of it.) I do wonder if the roles were reversed--if it was a male character working in the dead letter office who decided to track down and visit a female letter writer--if it would be seen in the same way--harmless, sweet, endearing. 

It has two narrators: Penny and Thomas. The two do not meet for most of the novel. He's settling into a new town/new place. She's working at the dead letter office working on how to track him down (or Clara down, or both). Once they meet, it is fairly typical instant-attraction. The dog definitely adds interest to the romance...providing some humor and lightness.

I would have liked it more without a secondary melodramatic plot. I will never understand why Christian historical romances *have* to have a villain. Not a second option in a love triangle. Not just an ordinary human living life on his/her own terms that differ slightly and add tension. But an out-and-out villain. This book has villain(s). And there's the "mandatory" fire that provides an excuse for the heroine to be saved and the hero to be all manly manly in his saving. Again....why? 

Without the melodrama, I think there's enough tension between the two. He has a few secrets. She has a few secrets. Neither wants to be the first to share. Both feel the other might be holding back something. There's a potential for miscommunication and misunderstanding without a flesh-and-blood villain entering the story. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

54. The Story Behind the Bible: The Torah (NOT Recommended)

The Story Behind the Bible: The Torah. J K Alexander 2013/2019. 204 pages. [Source: Review copy]

About the star rating: It doesn't even deserve a tenth of one star.

First sentence from the introduction: This book is a product of more than twenty-five years of private, biblical, philosophical, historical, and archeological study. The intended purpose of the book is to offer a quick, condensed read that can provide a rich, well-developed background, perspective, and understanding of the biblical scriptures. The hope is that the information herein will help biblical scholars of all levels read the Bible with a greater sense of reality, historicity, and relevance that will, in essence, make the biblical experience a bit more like really being there.

I have a couple of analogies I'd like to bring up right at the start. (Maybe imagery is the better word?)

The first involves clocks. A stopped clock is right twice a day. It is unintentional on the clock's part, for sure, but there you have it, right twice a day regardless of its brokenness. A clock that is running, however, that is set to the wrong time, is always wrong all the time. Sometimes there's a reason behind it. (For example, a clock that is difficult to set or hard to reach might not get switched when the time changes. It might be right half the year but off an hour the rest of the year.) At first I was hopeful that this might be a case of the stopped clock variety. A theology book that was off but still managed to get a few things right at least. That way it could at least earn one star fairly and accurately and not by default. But the more I read the more it seemed to go the clock that is only reliable in the fact that it's always wrong.

The second involves cartoon characters and a cliff. You know how a cartoon character runs--sometimes walks--off a cliff and is the absolute last to know?! The viewer sees it happening on the screen, but, the fall inevitably comes. I don't think the author-as-cartoon-character knows he's walked off the cliff and is due to plummet and crash.

The third involves the Twilight Zone. Theology books should not make readers feel like they're entering the Twilight Zone. Mystery novels, dystopias, horror--yes, the Twilight Zone feels aren't out of place and inappropriate. Often when I say a book reads like an episode of the Twilight Zone I mean it in a complementary, positive way. Not so this time.

So when I saw the book listed on Netgalley, my first impulse was yes, please. I didn't read a description. I didn't read previous reviews. I didn't do research on the author or the publisher. I thought Story. Bible. It will either be a) a summary of the big picture story of the Bible to help believers fit the books of the Bible into a picture so they can understand how things fit together or b) it will be a book about how the Bible came to be the Bible, how the canon was formed, how it was translated, how it was preserved. It was neither. Sadly. I am sincere when I say sadly. I don't take joy in finding bad theology.

This is the first book in the trilogy. At the time I'm writing this review, I've completely finished the first book on the Torah and I'm about a third of the way through the second book.

The book claims to be a "primer" or "introduction" to reading and studying the Bible, in the case of the first book, the first five books, The Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. There are chapters titled for each of these books of the Bible. One would guess that the chapters would seek to summarize or provide commentary on the actual Bible. And to be fair, he picks a handful of verses from a handful of chapters to dissect. But it's more commentary via The Twilight Zone than actual actual commentary.

His stated goal is, "to put the readers back into the story as if they are reading their own family history with memories, clear mental images, and a sense of historical authenticity to draw upon as they read and study."

There are no red alerts going off in the introduction. There are some faint and distant yellow alerts going off perhaps. He hints that the content will be controversial and that some might disagree with his opinions, interpretations, and perspectives.

The first hint of slight trouble is his embracing of the gap theory. Now he is not the first to suggest such a gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. I have read some commentaries of Genesis that support such a gap theory though they leave the what happened and how long it was completely mysterious and off limits. It's like, there may be a gap of a million years or so, but we don't know what happened and why it happened and there's nothing more that can really be said. It's a theory. We just don't know and it's not that important. It's easy to say okay, let's move on. So long as the commentator goes on to present a biblical view of the creation of man, the fall of mankind, the rest of the book, then it's okay to say, I may not agree 100% with his interpretation of every single little verse, but for the most part it's sound enough and not dangerous. Alexander seems to make this time of the gap much more significant and relevant and everything than it has any right to be. It's almost like come get initiated into this secret gnostic group and be in the know about what happened. You will know something that 99% of all Christians throughout the millennium have missed out on.

It doesn't get less weird. It's like falling down a rabbit hole into wonderland and the author is coaxing readers to eat and drink.

• Apparently, Jeremiah wrote of this gap. His vision (which I won't link chapter and verse) wasn't about the future but about the past.) 
• Apparently, Adam and Eve weren't the first and only humans created, the parents of us all; just the priest and priestess; the others toiled the ground and kept the garden.
• Apparently, the fall of mankind didn't happen for a hundred years after creation. (Like how does he know this and support it?)
• Apparently, Cain wasn't the son of Adam. Jesus was in the know and gave a veiled hint in his teachings. (He promises a chapter about this in book three.)
• Apparently Leviticus is the most important book in the Torah because of the hidden acrostics within.

At the end of his summary of Genesis, he writes, "I don't expect anyone to agree with all my science, theology, imagery, or historical perspective. The real goal is to get people to read and study the Scriptures themselves with an ability to stay on track, not lose the forest for the trees, and rightly divide what is written." 

(Does he get how that statement is so ironic given what follows?!?!?!)

So there are a couple of long passages later in the book that seem all red alert all the time...or should.
I would hope that all actual, genuine Bible-believing, Bible-reading, God-affirming believers would see the ideas and recognize them for what they are. RUN FAR, RUN FAST.

All you hear these days it sometimes seems is doom and gloom and how far we've strayed. The informed Judeo-Christian or Messianic Jew really can't be bothered too much by this because he or she knows that on some level God is having a great time and enjoying everything, more or less. How do we know this? Because the God of the Bible created all things for His pleasure, and God, Yah, the Almighty, is not one who does not get what he wants. A little setback here, a minor disappointment there doesn't worry or bother Him at all. He fully expects these and considers it equitable trade for the surprises, delights, victories, accomplishment, and, yes, the genuine love, faith, and reverence that sharing these things with us and the gift of free will engenders. God is having a great time, Scripture assures us, because that is what He does, so don't be downtrodden. Things aren't nearly as bad as the princes of this world would make them out. In fact, things are not bad at all. We are moving steadily and ever closer to exactly where Yah wants us to be. That should be an encouraging thought.

I would like to say here that the sections on God's nature are in no way meant to imply that I am closer to, have a better relationship with, or even a better understanding of God. I can only impart to you what the Scriptures say about Him if you know how to look....Is God Unchanging? The short answer to this question is is yes; however, though God can make even the most profound knowledge and concepts seem simple, nothing about God is simplistic. Yes, he is the same essence yesterday, today, and forever. What most people overlook is that possibly the most clearly defined aspect of God's eternal unchanging nature is that He loves perpetual change. This is abundantly clear in Scripture and throughout creation. And by the way, if you are reading Scripture but not reading nature, His creation, you're only reading half the book. You're going to miss key elements and possibly the entire alchemy...It is very frustrating to me when people, especially people of "faith," use God's unchanging essence as an excuse for rigidity, dogma, legalism, and other forms of stagnation and oppression. Scripture declares that God created all things for His pleasure and things that grow and change and are full of surprises that are infinitely more pleasing than things that are predictable, changeless, motionless, unyielding, and stagnant. So please don't ever even consider the erroneous notion that God is some eternally grim force trying to restrict all things to a predetermined definition of righteousness. Nothing could be more wrong. My friends, look around you. Read the other half of the book. God is the free Spirit of all free spirits. I assure you He can and does think a thousand times farther out of the box than the most secular Warhol-worshiping weirdo walking the planet.

The dominant and obvious thrust of the whole book is that all things being equal, He is totally flexible and much prefers that we make our own decisions and do our own thing. Yes, that the is preeminent lesson of the Torah.

Long, long ago, it seems God decided that far more important than righteousness is freedom. Freedom is everything to God, because without it there can be no genuine love, faith, joy, courage, or righteousness, all things that He wants around Him in abundance. And again, from God's point of view, every intervention and every controlled outcome chisels away at that most awesome of all His gifts, freedom. This is why it rains and shines on the just and the unjust alike. It is why some good men fall while the wicked prosper and innocent children have fatal accidents. There is a fine line between guidance and coercion, and God has established that line well on the side of freedom and non-interference so there can be no mistake that when a man chooses for good or ill, it is of his own free will. Naturally, God controls the broad stream of history and will bring our collective destiny to a successful fulfillment according to His will, but the Bible indicates that He will accomplish this by dealing with a few key players on the stage of history and a few miraculous interventions for all to see. But life will go on, and we will still have our homes, families, friends, and other responsibilities while God takes care of His. Keeping track of the minutia of our lives is just not His job.

According to the Bible, God has it covered but is not in direct control of our individual destiny. We are. That is His great gift to us. All this being said, the Scriptures do affirm that the Holy Spirit is sensitive to and able to touch us all in times of great need or times of great joy. And for those who are true men and women of faith, the Spirit is permanently attached and dwells within.

Have you been reading the quotes?!?! Prepare yourself.

What I am suggesting here is that we should stay to the God of Scripture and not make God up as we go along to suit our perceived needs and desires. Of one thing I am totally convinced. God is not a fictional character who only lives in the pages of the Bible.

If he hasn't been making up God to suit his own need and desire, what has he been doing?!?!?!?!

I haven't quoted much Scripture in this book, because this book is not about the text itself but the underlying themes.

So the themes of the Bible--the underlying themes aren't found in the Scripture itself. Interesting.

Overall, I would say that this book isn't helpful as a primer for learning the contents of the Bible, learning the themes, understanding how God and man relate to one another. In fact, I would say it is distinctly UNhelpful in that it will give readers all the wrong ideas about God's relationship with man and man's relationship with God. One of the big themes of the Torah, if you know actually actually read the text of the Sacred Scripture, is SIN and man's need for atonement and reconciliation. Most of the books, especially Exodus through Deuteronomy focus on a sacrificial mediation, man is NOT right with God, man is a sinning sinner that needs the blood of a sacrifice to be cleansed. From Genesis 3 on what readers find in the Bible is the undeniable fact of sin and God's displeasure with sin.

I would also say this book is illogical. What I mean is that you could take a paragraph of what he says in one place, skip ahead or turn back and find another paragraph that contradicts. Some of the ideas he holds if truly held to be equally true would cause one's head to explode. It's just not possible to believe every single thing he's said in this one to be true truth.

I also notice that he'll take a few grains of truth and then adulterate it mightily so that it's so jumbled and twisted and just all out wrong.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

24. The Mayflower Pilgrims

The Mayflower Pilgrims: Sifting Fact from Fable. Derek Wilson. 2019. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 256 pages. [Source: Review copy] [nonfiction; adult nonfiction; christian nonfiction]

First sentence: Is there such a thing as a Christian country? If so, what would it look like?

I'll be honest I was shocked when I saw that this one was 256 pages. Why? It felt like it was twice that long! Perhaps because the chapters tended to be on the longer side. (If you need to stop mid-chapter to use the bathroom--there's a clue that the chapter is too long.)

This one is all about putting the Mayflower Pilgrims into context, a specific time and place. The story of the Mayflower Pilgrims does not begin at the dawn of the seventeenth century--far from it. At least the way Derek Wilson tells it. He grounds HIS story into the English Reformation--the split from Roman Catholicism. This alone places us a hundred years back. But even that isn't quite far enough, deep enough. For Martin Luther was not the first nor the only to become disgruntled with the status quo and begin asking questions. Before Luther there was Wycliffe and his Lollards--just to name one. No, this story tells the history of religious (and to some extent religious and political dissent) in England (it only touches on Europe in bits and pieces here and there.)

Primarily it focuses on the years 1520 to 1620. (As I mentioned above, it goes a bit further back here and there as context demands.) It is important for readers to understand from page one that this story ends BEFORE a single pilgrim steps aboard the Mayflower. If you go into the book thinking that it will end with the Pilgrims arriving in America, or dare I say the Pilgrims celebrating the first year or two of survival--celebrating with a feast. You'll be mighty disappointed.

From the introduction, "If we really want to discover, as best we can, who the 1620 pioneers were, we need to probe their past, their heritage and their response to that heritage. And we also need some understanding of their context in the world they grew up in, the convictions they embraced, the assumptions they rejected and the changes with which they attempted–not always successfully–to cope. That is why the following narrative does not begin with the 180-ton Mayflower, after a series of false starts, clearing Plymouth harbour. Rather, it ends there. The huddle of religious separatists on the ship’s deck, watching their past disappear over the eastern horizon, believed they knew what a Christian commonwealth would be like and that, far from the satanic influences of the Old World, they could, under God, create it. We know that they were wrong. The communities they planted replicated the vices and the virtues of the ones they had left. The seeds of corruption lay within themselves. The perfect human society is a chimera. But we would do well to guard against cynical superiority."

This story touches on just about everything--royalty, politics, church politics, war, navigation and exploration, literature, philosophy, science, theology, and BUSINESS. (To name just a few sub-topics).

It explores essentially one question WHY. Why would anyone--man, woman, boy, or girl--set off into the unknown, risking their life??? The voyage across would be dangerous. But after that voyage, then what?!?! Talk about true unknowns and great uncertainty. There is no simple single answer to the WHY question. The answers would be varied and much more complex than we can imagine.

There were a few chapters that I just loved, loved, loved. I found them insightful and interesting. Other chapters I found overwhelming--it seemed the narrative was flying way over my head...and as a result, I found the reading dull. But not every chapter was like that. There were some truly great moments. And I think readers may have to work at staying engaged with the text.

One of my favorite chapters was on the first Bible translations in English. It was fascinating.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

3. Serving Up Love

Serving Up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection. Tracie Peterson. Karen Witemeyer. Regina Jennings. Jen Turano. 2019. Bethany House. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [Christian Fiction; Historical; Romance]


Serving Up Love is a novella collection with four stories. Each heroine is a Harvey House girl. The stories are: “A Flood of Love,” by Tracie Peterson, “More Than a Pretty Face,” by Karen Witemeyer, “Intrigue a la Mode,” by Regina Jennings, “Grand Encounters,” by Jen Turano.

A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson is an enjoyable historical romance. Gretchen’s heart has been broken in the past. In returning to her hometown, she didn’t expect to see the man who broke her heart, her near fiancé Dirk. But a chance meeting with his daughter leads to the promise of maybe just maybe something more. But a natural disaster may prove an insurmountable obstacle to their happily ever after.

I would rate this 4/5.

More Than a Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer is a lovely historical romance. This one stars Rosalind Kemp a character first introduced in More Than Words Can Say. She is Abby’s sister!!! She is on the run from her past—a secret that was first revealed in that book. Can Caleb, her most loyal customer, love her as is?! He’s pursuing her and wanting a future, Will a secret from her past dissuade him?!

I love Karen Witemeyer. I am admittedly biased since I adored More Than Words Can Say. 5/5

Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings is another enjoyable historical romance. This is the only of the four to have a mystery suspense element to it. Something illegal is happening at this particular Harvey House...and searching for clues may bring these two strangers together.

I liked this one. 3/5

A Grand Encounter by Jen Turano is a satisfying historical romance. Myrtle is a likable heroine for sure. She has an extremely handsome and loyal customer. The problem? He’s super quiet and shy. He may like like her—many of the other waitresses think so—but he’s never said a word....until his super talkative brother comes to town. Jack has to start talking to stop his brother from scaring her away...will these two find a way to be together?

I rate this one 5/5.
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Anthem

Anthem. (Sixties Trilogy #3) Deborah Wiles. 480 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It’s been so long since I’ve felt something.

Premise/plot: Set in June 1969, Anthem is the final book in the Sixties trilogy by Deborah Wiles. Each book has a different setting and a different narrator. But there are connections for the observant reader.

Molly and Norman are the two main narrators in Anthem. They are cousins soon to be embarking on a long road trip across America. The mission? To track down Molly’s brother, Barry, last known residence, San Francisco, California. Their starting destination is Charleston, South Carolina. Barry has received notice that he’s to report for his physical. Can an official draft notice be far behind? Barry ran away from home cutting nearly all ties with his family...at least his immediate family. Is there a happy outcome possible?

Molly is fourteen, this road trip provides quite an amazing and literal coming of age journey.

My thoughts: Did I find this to be a satisfying conclusion to the series as a whole? Yes! I don’t want to spoil any details about this particular book but readers get a small glimpse of how the Chapman family is doing. Molly and Norman meet Mr. Chapman, Jo Ellen, and Drew!!! Franny is mentioned as being in high school. Readers also get a chance to reconnect with Ray, a young black man whom we met in the second book.

Can each book stand alone? I definitely think so. Each one is set in a different city, state, even year. The connections with previous titles are brief, in passing.

Anthem begins each chapter with a song title and a few details about the song’s recording. I like this idea! If I had more energy, I would look up these songs on YouTube and possibly create a playlist.

Anthem like previous books is a documentary novel. It includes tons of photographs, a few quotes, but no biographical sketches. The first book is a coming of age novel focusing on the Cold War. The second book is a coming of age novel focusing on the civil rights movement. The third book is a coming of age novel focusing on the Vietnam War.

The theme or one of the themes at least seems to be the importance of actually listening to one another. Molly struggles with discerning what is right and wrong or perhaps who is right and who is wrong. The two sides are hostile—extremely so. The other side isn’t just wrong, they’re evil, representing everything that is wrong with the world. Sound familiar?!

Molly meets and talks with dozens of people on her journey—each one offers a perspective of the times, the war. Molly has a lot to think about, but ultimately she cannot choose for her brother.

While the other two books in the series have a strong spiritual faith element, God seems, emphasis on seems, to be absent in this one. I will admit that it isn’t easy to find God in the pages of this one. Molly and Norman seem to draw most of their hope from the music they listen to. Songs are challenging, encouraging, inspiring, and in some cases distracting them—and to some degree an entire generation.

I think if you search long and hard one could pull together discussion questions with a spiritual slant or focus. The Bible, for example, has a good deal to say about how children treat parents, parents treat children, about how we treat one another, and even how we live under the authority of government. The ethical questions brought up in Anthem can fuel discussion.

I do think the book is relevant still. For people still hotly disagree about how to respond, how to react, how to act with people, with institutions, with policies, with politics, with agendas that they disagree with. People still demonize those they disagree with. Civility seems to have once again gone with the wind.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: The Printed Letter Bookshop

The Printed Letter Bookshop. Katherine Reay. 2019. Thomas Nelson. 324 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: People parted around us in the courtyard. No one stopped to say anything—why would they? No one had ever seen us before.

Premise/plot: Madeline Cullen has inherited her aunt’s bookshop, but what is a lawyer to do with it?! Madeline didn’t just inherit part of her aunt’s estate, but all of it—her house, her store, her debts and mortgages. When she leaves her job she decides to temporarily at least run the bookshop. It is in bad shape. It hasn’t made a profit in several years. In the process she gets to know the two ladies who work at the Printed Letter Bookshop, Janet and Claire. These women have something to learn from one another and their growing reliance on each other and God may just see them through this often chaotic season of change.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! It would make a great film!!! I loved the focus on friendship, on forgiveness, on grace. I also loved that Aunt Maddie left each woman a personalized list of book recommendations. How did she know exactly what each would need to learn?!

The book set over the course of one winter and spring is charming and just about right.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Bridge to Belle Island

The Bridge to Belle Island. Julie Klassen. 2019. 448 pages. Bethany House. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Benjamin Booker sat in the Old Bailey, pulse pounding. His most important case to date had finally been called to trial—his chance to prove himself to the firm’s partners. The courtroom was the usual raucous scene: noisy spectators and newsmen in the gallery, milling witnesses awaiting their turn, and wigged barristers goading one another like boxers in the ring.

The Bridge to Belle Island is a wonderful read! I will share my biases up front. I usually love Julie Klassen's novels. I have yet to be disappointed with her work. I also love, love, love, love, love the Regency genre. Whether it's historical romance or historical mystery set during the Regency--I have a tendency to get swept up, up, and away and just fall head over heels with a story.

Benjamin Booker is the HERO of this one. He is a law clerk for a law firm in London. When one of the founding partners in the firm (Mr. Norris) is found dead--MURDERED in his home--Benjamin Booker sets about to help solve the crime. His brother, Reuben, is in law enforcement--and is officially on the case. Booker is encouraged by Mr. Hardy, another partner, to play amateur detective. His sleuthing takes him to Belle Island to the home of Isabelle Wilder. Mr. Norris is--was--the trustee of Isabelle Wilder and her niece, Rose Lawrence. Both (young) ladies had reason to dislike Mr. Norris and his control over their lives/property. The murder occurred on the night of Miss Rose's engagement party...

Can Benjamin solve the murder? Is Isabelle Wilder innocent or guilty? Is she protecting someone else?

I loved this one. I just LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. I love mysteries. I wasn't necessarily expecting Klassen to give me a great mystery--I think of her more as a romance novelist. But I ended up LOVING every moment it. I loved that the main character was a guy. Again, something that I don't necessarily expect from a regency romance. It was a suspenseful read.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: The Lost Son Comes Home

The Lost Son Comes Home. Illustrated by Tim Ladwig. 2019. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Jesus told them this parable...There was a man who had two sons. Premise/plot: The Lost Son Comes Home is a picture book adaptation of one of Jesus’ most well known parables that of the Prodigal Son. This picture book uses the (actual) text of Scripture (in the New International Version, 2011) as found in Luke 15. It is illustrated by Tim Ladwig. My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved this one. In bible story book collections, readers often find more text than illustration. One story might have one or two pages of illustrations. It was a wonderful treat to read this one. The story is familiar, yet with so many illustrations it felt new. This story is a great one to share with little ones. In my opinion, you are never too young or too old to learn from this parable, to have it speak to you of God’s grace, mercy, and love. It reminded me that one of my very first favorite songs was Benny Hester’s When God Ran. Text:5/5 Illustrations: 5/5 Total: 10/10

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas

Once Upon A Dickens Christmas: 3 Charming Christmas Tales Set in Victorian England. Michelle Griep. 2019. 448 pages. [Source: Review copy]

This book features three holiday-themed novellas with a strong romantic element. The three novellas are, "12 Days at Bleakly Manor," "A Tale of Two Hearts," and "The Old Lace Shop." Each one is also available to purchase separately.

First sentence of 12 Days at Bleakly Manor: Christmas or not, there was nothing merry about the twisted alleys of Holywell. Clara Chapman forced one foot in front of the other, sidestepping pools of. . .well, a lady ought not think on such things, not on the morn of Christmas Eve—or any other morn, for that matter.

Clara Chapman has had a hard time of it since she was jilted at the altar, and her family's fortune stolen. Destitute and living on the charity of an elderly aunt, she's getting by--barely. One holiday season she's offered a unique second chance. Travel to Bleakly Manor to spend the twelve days of Christmas with a mystery host and mystery guests for  five hundred dollars.

Clara isn't the only guest in need of a second chance. Each guest has had a second chance extended to him/her. Though each chance looks differently. For one prisoner, Benjamin Lane, that second chance is freedom. There's a catch once they arrive, however, only one guest will have his/her second chance granted. And there are some guests who will do just about anything to get what they want.

This one definitely has a dark, mystery vibe to it as well as a romantic one....for Benjamin Lane is the one who "jilted" Miss Clara...

First sentence of A Tale of Two Hearts: In the tiny back courtyard of the Golden Egg Inn, Mina Scott lowered her copy of David Copperfield to her lap and lifted her face to the October sun. Closing her eyes, she savored the warmth and the first line to a new adventure, as was her wont whenever Miss Whymsy stopped by and lent her a book. Though she no longer stared at the page, the shapes of the words lingered, blazed in stark contrast to the brilliance against her lids. What a curious thought, to be one’s own hero—for the only hero she wanted was William Barlow.

A Tale of Two Hearts reminded me of Georgette Heyer, which is a great compliment, in my opinion. I really loved this one! William Barlow has a dilemma. He needs a wife to help "prove" to his uncle that he's changed his lifestyle, settled down, and left his gambling ways behind him--far, far behind him. There's almost a deadline. Uncle Barlow will be choosing his heir soon--and it's between him and his cousin (who is married.) Can William Barlow find a woman willing to pose as his wife for an afternoon tea?! Perhaps. Mina Scott is the innkeeper's daughter. These two have grown friendly--though not inappropriately so--over the last year. She may be just the one to impress his uncle...

Will these two fall in love for real over the holiday season?!

First sentence of The Old Lace Shop: I have long abhorred black. It is a great abyss, sucking in the colours of the rainbow and wringing the life from them. The moniker of death. This year I will celebrate Christmas with holly and laughter and a large stuffed goose instead of dark looks and criticism. Too many years have I spent shut away in a stagnant town house without a morsel of cheer. No more. Today I’m free, finally and completely my own person, leastwise once I sign all the paperwork.

If A Tale of Two Hearts reminded me of Georgette Heyer, Old Lace Shop reminded me of Elizabeth Gaskell. Ivy is a widow who is looking for a new beginning. She's happy--more than happy--to sell all of her husband's businesses and holdings. But there is one--an old lace shop in a Northern manufacturing town--that she wants to keep for herself. She's the majority shareholder holding 51 percent. Who should turn out to be her business partner but an old love, a Mr. Edmund Archer. Can these two learn to work together and make a success of it?

Is this one my favorite in the collection?!?! Perhaps.

I enjoyed all three stories or novellas. I did. I don't think it was really necessary to try to force a connection between each story and the actual Charles Dickens. Instead of being cute, charming, quaint...it felt a bit forced.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Exactly As You Are

Exactly As You Are. The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers. Shea Tuttle. 2019. 211 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Weekday afternoons when I was a child often found me curled up on the brown, plaid couch in our basement family room, draped in a homely, single-yarn brown afghan, my fingers poking through its open knit.

Premise/plot: Exactly As You Are is a spiritualized biography of Fred Rogers, aka Mister Rogers. After a few chapters about his early life, college years, and first job experiences, the book settles down into exploring Mister Rogers and his neighborhood. From here the book becomes almost topical and each topic is a spiritual one. That is what sets this one apart. I have read several biographies of Fred Rogers. Largely each one has the same exact quotes and uses the same sources. Tuttle seeks a spiritual meaning, moral, lesson, observation in each and every aspect of his life, his relationships, his career.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved some chapters. I did. Other chapters were more speculative and seemed agenda-driven. My favorite section was the middle one, “Broadcasting Grace.” My least favorite section was the last one that speculated about Mr. Rogers’ sexuality, his views on sexuality and gender identity, his view on heaven.

I would not change one thing about the television show. I would not make it more “Christian” or more specifically Christian. I would not add explicit theological teachings that would be more appropriate coming from the pulpit than a puppet. Can you imagine what it would be like to see Daniel Tiger asking Lady A if she thinks Lady Elaine is going to go to hell because she's so mean?! That would NOT be good. No, I would not change anything about the show.

But I also would not draw conclusions about the complexity or lack thereof of his belief system based on the scripts of the show or his interviews with the media. Neither outlet would be a good one for presenting a systematic theology.

The book is one person’s understanding of Rogers’ faith.

That being said, I found a few things troubling about his theology. Perhaps the things that make him a great neighbor make him a less ideal evangelist. As the book presents it, Mr. Rogers did not believe in the doctrine of sin. Mr. Rogers believed in man’s innate goodness. He believed in a God that loves us exactly, precisely as we are—whether we are in Christ or out of or apart from Christ. When dying friends allegedly asked Fred if they would go to heaven, he’d say yes, of course, God loves you exactly as you are. Now assuming the person is in Christ, that’s a fine answer, but supposing he or she isn’t that’s a terrible answer and a missed opportunity. One example has Fred saying something like, just think of all the people you’ve made happy with your music. Of course you’ll go to heaven. That logic is absurd!

If Tuttle’s assessment and speculation is correct, then Rogers seems to have some faulty foundations to his theology. Perhaps Tuttle is right. But maybe not. Maybe Fred was just uncomfortable broadcasting the necessity and exclusivity of Christ.

Imagine that one foot is the doctrine that humanity was created in the image of God and that God saw his creation as good, very good. The other foot is the doctrine of sin, the original sin, the fall of mankind, and man’s being enslaved to sin, dead in sin, unable to please God, unable to stand in front of a holy God. You need to stand on both feet if you want to stand. One supports human dignity, human rights, the value of life, a reason for treating others with respect, kindness, and love. The other shows the absolute and total necessity for the gospel, for preaching Christ and only Christ, for the urgency of evangelism. Apart from Christ, we stand forever condemned, separated, enslaved, hell-bound. In Christ we stand forever forgiven, accepted, loved, set free. The Bible clearly teaches both. We are created in God’s image. Even after the fall, human life is valuable, of worth, has meaning. But Genesis 3 happened. We are not sinless, innocent, perfect, sweet and lovable. Sin is real and rotten. It rots us from the inside out, spreads like a cancer, is fatal. There is only one cure, one hope, one Savior. There is eternal life in no other. To stand clothed in Christ’s righteousness is our only hope for judgement day. In Christ is security. To cling to our independence, our own righteousness, our own worth is destruction. One sin condemns. Let alone the totality of all our sin. But God is a great God, a loving and forgiving God. No matter how dark, how many, how monstrous our sins he forgives and forgives completely and forever those who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. To be in Christ is to have life.

To stand on one foot and just one foot is foolish. The bad news of sin leads to the amazing, miraculous news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To exclude the doctrine of sin from our thinking, teaching, preaching, is short-sighted “love.” Truth must not ever be divorced from love, genuine love. But the genuine purity of our love cannot be divorced from truth or it loses its purity and genuineness. We must love wholeheartedly, but cling to truth as well. It is not loving to keep the truth to ourselves. If hell is real, if God does in fact hate sin, we should care and care deeply enough to share the gospel, to live out the gospel.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: My Dearest Dietrich

My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Lost Love. Amanda Barratt. 2019. Kregel. 360 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: A dictatorship is like a snake. If you step on its tail, it will bite you.

My Dearest Dietrich is a fictionalized account of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his fiancee Maria von Wedemeyer. Bonhoeffer is perhaps best known as a German theologian. But he was a theologian who was also part of the resistance--a group of men actively seeking to kill Adolf Hiter and wreck the plans of the Nazis.

For those completely unfamiliar with the man or the times, the prologue sets you up for the unhappy ending. Which I think is the best way to tackle it. While I knew going into it that Bonhoeffer's fate was not a "happy" one by fictional romance standards, I suppose there will always be readers who aren't quite as aware of history or theology. This is not the kind of ending you want to "surprise" you.

I wasn't reading this primarily for the romance. I was reading for the history. I think that makes a difference in how much you appreciate the story itself.

It is an emotional read--at times. Not every scene is emotional--nor should it be. There is something both ordinary and extraordinary about this one. If these two had lived in another time, another place--not Nazi Germany--their love story would be ordinary.

I definitely liked it. Though "like" is an odd word ANY time you're reading about the second world war. I am glad I read it and would recommend it.

It is fiction. I think that's crucial to remember.

Quotes:

Dietrich didn’t belong to her. He never had, much as she wanted to cling to him and keep him with her after every aching farewell. He was God’s. God had only gifted her with the blessing of being able to share in his life. His future didn’t rest with her, but with Him. She chafed against it. Once Dietrich had written that it was an easy thing to say Lord; the difficulty came in saying dear Lord with all one’s devotion. Never had she felt it more than now.

Could she trust God to do what He would with Dietrich’s life? With her own? Trust that He had a plan far greater than the finite mind could comprehend? “I can’t do it in my own strength. If You can help me, then I can … try.” She breathed the words, as a tiny flame sparked in her heart. Trust? Perhaps. God had a plan for Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Whether or not his future included her, she’d been privileged to share a little of his present. A remarkable man, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of person. He’d given others so much. He’d given her so much. No matter what the days ahead would bring, she wouldn’t exchange those spent while loving him.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: The Wedding Dress Christmas

The Wedding Dress Christmas (The Wedding Collection #3.5) Rachel Hauck. 2019. 150 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: JoJo In the glow of the town’s newly strung Christmas lights, all her fears seemed to fade. How could anxious thoughts survive in the gold and silver of the most wonderful time of the year?

The Wedding Dress Christmas is a novella set in a popular Christian series by Rachel Hauck. Though I have not read any of the previous books in the series, I was able to enjoy this one. In fact, I found it a bit giddy-making.

The heroine, JoJo, is hiding out in her small hometown of Hearts Bend, Tennessee. Big city life left her feeling ashamed and out of sorts after a sexual assault. She hasn't really been able to trust many men yet (outside her family) but when her high school crush who is now a country super-star, Buck Matthews, returns to town...will this finally be their chance to get it right?

This one does feature the supernaturally magical WEDDING DRESS that somehow manages to fit every single person who tries it on regardless of their height or size. The dress, I'm thinking, is supposed to represent Christ's righteousness which cloaks his bride, the church.

This one packs a LOT of charm and tenderness. It would make a super lovely holiday film. I think it would translate to film well. I would recommend it to anyone--Christian or not--who enjoys watching romantic Christmas movies.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible