14. The War for Middle-Earth

14. The War for Middle-Earth: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933-1945. Joseph Loconte. 2025. 288 pages. [Source: Review copy] [nonfiction, world war II, literature, 4 stars]

First sentence: The agreement that officially ended the First World War has borne an impossibly heavy burden.

This book is a great fit for readers who

a) have an interest in the INKLINGS--including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien

b) have an interest in literature past and present

c) enjoy making connections between ideas and concepts found in literature with the real world or perhaps switch those around making connections between the real world and ideas, concepts, themes found in literature

d) have an interest in both the first and second world wars

e) have an interest in sociology and culture of the early to mid twentieth centuries

f) essentially anyone who enjoys diving deep into all the layers of context

I am not sure that I meet all these criteria, but I do have an interest in world war II and I have read some Tolkien and some Lewis. This definitely dives deeper into all the literature aspects. For example, some of the layers of context involve what works, what authors, that Lewis, Tolkien (and perhaps their contemporaries) read at various points of their lives and were influenced by. How did reading x influence author y into writing abc. What themes from book x and y can be seen in the works of author c and d. How does reading these themes, these ideas, these concepts change who readers are, change how they think, how they interpret the world around them. 

It was a good read, but, lots of depth.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

13. Essentials of Reformed Systematic Theology

13. Essentials of Reformed Systematic Theology. Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley. 2025. 1088 pages. [Source: Review copy] [4 stars, theology, Christian nonfiction]

First sentence: In Christian theology, the church explains and applies the Bible's doctrine, or teaching, about God. Theology is human reflection on the knowledge and wisdom revealed in God's Word. The goal of theology is that we may know God and live unto him through Jesus Christ.

Essentials of Reformed Systematic Theology is a condensed adaptation of a four volume systematic theology. The four original titles are: Reformed Systematic Theology Volume 1: Revelation and God, Reformed Systematic Theology Volume 2: Man and Christ, Reformed Systematic Theology Volume 3: Spirit and Salvation, and Reformed Systematic Theology Volume 4: Church and Last Things.

The book is systematic, organized. It is an abridgment of literally THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of pages into a little over one thousand. So it's concise, but, NOT concise at the same time. Each chapter includes summaries and explanations as well as discussion questions. 

Reading it cover to cover over the course of several months, I feel it was good, but, at the same time it was a LOT to process. And for better or worse my brain can't retain that level of detail for long periods of times. I think this one may be a great RESOURCE or reference book. It might be good for deep diving specific subjects as they come up in your life--through sermons, through Bible reading, through questions asked at Bible studies or small groups. I can think of many reasons why this might be a good reference book or belong in a church library or home library of a pastor or elder or teacher. 

The book literally covers every imaginable subject, topic, doctrine. It would be nearly impossible for you to agree 100% with every single one all the time, every time. The book definitely has strong opinions, but, it also balances those strong opinions with a few other options. It may say the other side thinks this and then comes back with and here is an argument against that. BUT it doesn't exclusively present only one side for every doctrine. It obviously depends on the doctrine. Some doctrines might be more 'simply' presented. But for the more complex, somewhat controversial positions, it is a more complex overview. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

5. 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust

5. 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust: Core Beliefs of The Christian Faith That Will Change Your Life. Paul David Tripp. 2025. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy] [christian nonfiction, christian theology, teen books, teen devotional]

First sentence: God has revealed himself and perfectly declared his will by committing his truth to writing.

Paul David Tripp has adapted his book, DO YOU BELIEVE?, for teens in 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust.

There are twelve truths. Each of the twelve truths is carefully unpacked. This book is ALL about organization of core truths.

Each truth includes the following:

WHAT WE BELIEVE

WHY WE BELIEVE IT

HOW IT MATTERS

"What We Believe" gives a clear, concise, no-nonsense definition or description of the truth being unpacked. 

"Why We Believe It" gives Scriptural proofs--not Scripture references which would involve an extra step or two for the reader--but shares verses and passages from Scripture. This emphasizes that WHY we believe a doctrine is drawn itself FROM Scripture itself. And never just one passage or one verse, but many. 

"How It Matters" includes SEVEN readings. These readings could be read in one sitting OR could be read over seven days. So *if* one was reading this in a group setting--a private school, a Sunday school, family devotions--one could have weekly assignments. ONE could use the opening sections to prepare for more personal study throughout the week. Each of the seven readings concludes with a "read" and "reflect" section. 

The twelve core truths are:

Scripture

God

God's Holiness

God's Sovereignty

God's Power

God's Creation

God's Image

Sin

Justification

Sanctification

Perseverance and Glorification

Eternity

Reading through this list one can clearly see this book has potential to be awesome for teaching the basics. 

I was torn between four stars and five stars. If GoodReads allowed for half star ratings, I may have rated this one 4 and 1/2 stars. I loved, loved, loved the twelve core truths. I thought these were foundational essentials. I loved, loved, loved the two sections, "What We Believe" and "Why We Believe It." The scriptural proofs were AWESOME. I appreciated the "How It Matters" but these seven readings are not as strong perhaps as the other two sections. Sometimes the reading would be excellent. But these were the places where personal stories and anecdotes entered in a bit. I also thought that some of the readings could been condensed into a few readings instead of spread out into seven. That being said, SO much to love and appreciate in this one. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

4. 10 Questions About Pain and Suffering

4. 10 Questions About Pain and Suffering: 30 Devotions for Kids, Teens, and Families. Beth Broom. 2025. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars, christian nonfiction, devotions]

First sentence: Have you ever broken a bone? Maybe you've been really sick. Or maybe you have trouble finishing your schoolwork. These are all painful things that can happen to us. 

There are ten questions addressed in Beth Broom's book. Each of the ten questions has three devotions associated with it. These devotions build upon one another so that by the end of the third day there is a succinct answer to the question being raised. Depending on the question, there can be layers to the answer, and the fact that multiple devotions address the same question can be helpful. It is like looking at the question from three viewpoints. The answers complement one another. 

The ten questions tackled in this book are as follows:

1. What is suffering?

2. Why do we suffer?

3. If God is good, why does he let bad things happen?

4. Do Christians suffer less than non-Christians?

5. When Christians suffer, is it punishment?

6. How does God help me when I'm suffering?

7. How should Christians respond to suffering?

8. What if God doesn't answer my prayer for suffering to stop?

9. What gives someone hope when bad things keep happening?

10. How can I help someone else who is suffering?

Each devotion concludes with a clear, concise answer to the question, a prayer, and a reflection. 

The answer to the first question given on the third day reads as follows, "Suffering is the experience of pain that everyone feels, because sin caused suffering to enter the world. But suffering doesn't last forever for Christians because God sent his Son into the world to suffer with us and rescue us."

I think the questions being discussed are good questions. I thought the answers were thoughtful and pointed to the gospel, pointed to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. I thought the repetition was helpful. Chances are readers will not read this one in one sitting. It is a thirty day devotional, so a refresher course on the question and the answer could be beneficial. I also think this could be a book that could be referred back to for reference. Perhaps the question doesn't weigh heavy now, but it might later. These answers might resonate more later as one's life experiences grow. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

84. A Wondrous Mystery

A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions. Charles H. Spurgeon. 2024. 144 pages. [Source: GIFT] [4 stars] 

First sentence: This [Genesis 3:15] is the first gospel sermon that was ever delivered upon the surface of this earth.

A Wondrous Mystery is a thirty-day devotional celebrating Jesus, specifically celebrating the first coming of Jesus the Messiah. It isn't exclusively on the birth of Christ. It does continue to expand to the fuller gospel, the bigger picture of WHY Jesus Christ came. It does go beyond the nativity to his life and mission. 

I am not the biggest fan of devotionals HOWEVER I make an exception for meaty, substantive ones like this. This is not a SHORT devotional. Well, all things are relative. Some devotionals literally take up three or four inches of one page--maybe. And of that half is filler, a mild story that truly fails to provide nourishment.  The other half is nice enough but hardly filling enough to be worth one's time. THIS is not that kind of 'short' devotional. Each devotional entry is three to four pages long. And these entries are compiled, I believe, from many, many, many Spurgeon sermons. THERE'S substance here. There's meat to nourish. 

If all devotional books were this well done, I'd appreciate them more. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

83. Ryle on the Christian Life

83. Ryle on the Christian Life: Growing in Grace. Andrew Atherstone. 2025. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy, 4 stars, christian biography, theology, christian nonfiction]

First sentence: The Bible was the foundational text for Ryle's Christian life and public ministry. 

This one is part of Crossway's THEOLOGIANS ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE series.

It blends biography and theology, though heavier on theology. It is a topical approach instead of strictly chronological. 

J.C. Ryle was a Victorian pastor--a writer. He was a writer of tracts. Many if not most of his tracts were later rearranged and reused in [compilation] books. These books are still read. Readers might think of him as writing books more than tracts. But many books had their origins in his tracts. [Holiness is one of J.C. Ryle's greatest books.]

The chapters include:

Scripture's Supremacy

Sin and Salvation

Conversion

Sovereign Grace

Heart Religion

Fruits of Faith

Fighting for Holiness

Means of Grace

Preaching

Sorrow and Affliction

Facing Eternity.

The book, as I mentioned, is arranged topically. Plenty of biographical facts are shared as well--placing him within the context of HIS life, his times, his society, his works. Each chapter is topical. AND each chapter features Ryle in his own words mainly. I think that's wonderful. I'd rather read what Ryle has to say on a subject than to read a summary of what Ryle thought on a subject. I think this one would be a great introduction to J.C. Ryle! 

Quotes:

• Prove all things by the Word of God--all ministers, all teaching, all preaching, all doctrines, all sermons, all writings, all opinions, all practices--prove all by the Word of God. Measure all by the measure of the Bible. Compare all with the standard of the Bible. Weigh all in the balances of the Bible. Examine all by the light of the Bible. Test all in the crucible of the Bible. That which can abide the fire of the Bible, receive, hold, believe, and obey. That which cannot abide the fire of the Bible, reject, refuse, repudiate, and cast away. ~ J.C. Ryle
• Follow us so far as we follow Christ, but not a hair's breadth farther. Believe whatever we can show you out of the Bible, but do not believe a single word more. ~ J.C. Ryle

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

80. Spirit-Filled Singing

80. Spirit-Filled Singing. Ryanne J. Molinari. 2025. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy] [4 stars, Christinan nonfiction, worship]

First sentence: I did not plan to become a church musician.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. NKJV (Galatians 5:22-26)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. ESV (Galatians 5:22-26)

Spirit-Filled Singing has an extremely specific target audience. The book is primarily for worship leaders, church musicians, church choirs, etc. Or perhaps expanded to those in the process of studying to become professional musicians who also happen to be Christian and are considering working in churches. The book DOES unpack, if you will, Galatians 5:22-23--the fruit of the Spirit. But it does so specifically through the lens of how that fruit of the Spirit might apply directly to church musicians, song leaders, worship leaders, choir members, etc. It is not a general book examining the fruit of the Spirit. Nor is it a book about how the HOLY SPIRIT is essential to worship. (I saw the title Spirit-Filled Singing and immediately made the jump that it was about the role of the HOLY SPIRIT in worship). Though I don't think the author would argue that point that the Holy Spirit IS very much essential to worship. 

ONE point that I thought was great was that she argues that ALL the fruits of the Spirit can be summed up in one--love--and ties that with 1 Corinthians 13. Read about love's description in that famous chapter and you can find traces of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

The book is weighty in musical expertise. I don't necessarily think this book is for non-musicians. It's a whole other world. That being said, it's not bad that this book is specifically for musicians and only musicians. There are probably dozens if not hundreds of other books about the fruit of the Spirit that are for the rest of us. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

79. Unoffendable

79. Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better. Brant Hansen. 2015. 214 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Okay. So this may sound like the dumbest thing you've ever read, but here goes: You can choose to be "unoffendable." 

Brant Hansen's Unoffendable is a quick, thought-provoking read. It challenges mindsets for sure. It was written by a Christian for other Christians, but, surely the whole world would benefit IF and only IF people CHOSE to be UNOFFENDABLE. 

Essentially, the book argues that GOD IS GOD IS GOD IS GOD IS GOD. We are not. We're just not. God knows all, sees all, hears all, can judge the OUTER actions and inner thoughts. Nothing is hidden from God. NOTHING. Not a thing. We can trust God to handle everything. His justice. His wrath. His righteous indignation. His vengeance, if you will. GOD has a time and place and a WAY. No one will escape his judgment. 

The Bible has commanded us to be forgiving, to love our enemies, to not store up anger, to not act in anger, to not take vengeance, to not harbor resentment and anger and bitterness. Forgiveness is the way. Love is the way. We are to not let anger rule in our hearts, our minds, our spirits. Whether we are sinned against by an unbeliever or a believer, we can choose forgiveness. This means trusting God with everything, with all the details. Hansen argues that it can be our egos, our pride, our sense of entitlement, that fuels our outrage. Choose humility over pride and love over hate. He stresses throughout that it is BECAUSE we have been forgiven by God that we can forgive others. OUR sin was great and yet forgiven. We are not without sin, we are forgiven by a gracious God who calls us to graciously extend that forgiveness to others. The point is also made that God does not need us to be angry on his behalf. God is God is God. Everyone will be held accountable. God doesn't need us to fight his battles for him--in anger. I think you can stand for truth, stand for righteousness, stand for the faith without being angry. Hansen stresses that anger is not necessary for action. You can SEE injustice and ACT without being angry. You can SEE error and speak against it without being angry. 

The book challenges assumptions and presumptions. It's a good read. There are a LOT of stories and illustrations. Not as much exposition of Scriptures in great detail. BUT I do think that when he uses Scripture it seemingly is used correctly. 

ETA: I have read a few reviews that point out that Hansen CHOOSES his verses carefully and does not mention verses that seemingly conflict with his position. That he only presents one side and oversimplifies everything. I thought that was a fair point. I mean he does not do a deep dive into EVERY instance of anger in the Old Testament and New Testament. 

So now I'm torn between four stars and three stars. There are plenty of commands to love and forgive. No lie. In the gospels. In the epistles. But there's also instances in Scripture where we are told to hate sin, to reject sin, to NOT associate or "walk with" the unrighteous. I imagine it is oversimplified here. BUT we are living in dangerous times where EVERYONE tends to be offended by everything all the time always and always and no exceptions. So perhaps the pendulum has swung a little too extreme in reaction to that. But I do think he makes some good points. 

The review of this book that has made me think hardest mentions Paul's anger in the book of Galatians. Though one could easily jump from Paul's anger in that circumstance to Paul's anger with the Corinthians. 

Hansen tends to think that anger is wrong 100% of the time no excuses, and I'm not sure the Bible concurs with that. I think it's more nuanced than that. 

Quotes:

We're told to forgive, and that means anger has to go, whether we've decided our anger is "righteous" or not.

Yes, the world is broken. But don't be offended by it. Instead, thank God that He's intervened in it, and He's going to restore it to everything it was meant to be. 

What about being angry at sin, Brant? Of course, we're supposed to be angry at sin. It's probably worth noting that, usually, when this question is asked of me, it's about something more specific. By "sin" we mean other people's sin. Are we to cling to anger at their sin? God took out His wrath on Jesus for other people's sin. And I believe Jesus suffered enough to pay for it, and my sin too. I'm so thankful for that. He will deal with others' sins; it's not my deal.

We cling to our self-righteousness and can't possibly imagine giving it up. We think it's how we're supposed to live. Wait: We're supposed to surrender the idea that we know others' motivations? We're supposed to give up thinking we know everyone's spiritual temperature? 

But rules don't change anyone's heart, ever. Grace does.

Being offended is a tiring business. Letting things go gives you energy.

An emotion is just an emotion. It's not critical thinking. Anger doesn't pause. We have to stop, and we have to question it.

Anger is extraordinarily easy. It's our default setting. Love is very difficult. Love is a miracle.

God knows others' private motives. We don't. God knows our private motives. We don't. We think we can judge others' motives. We're wrong. We should abandon our "right" to anger, simply because we can deceive ourselves so easily. 

It is the essence of ministry. It finally occurred to me that we can't be agents of healing in people's lives unless we're ready to bear their wounds for them and from them.

Seek justice; love mercy. You don't have to be angry to do that.

We simply can't trust ourselves in our judgments of others. WE don't know what they're really thinking, or their background, or what really motivated whatever they did. And since we don't know, let's choose ahead of time: we're just not going to get offended by people. If we don't need to be right, we don't have to reshape reality to fit "The Story of My Rightness." 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

67. The Steadfast Love of the LORD

67. The Steadfast Love of the Lord. Sam Storms. 2025. 240 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, christian nonfiction, christian living]

First sentence: It only makes sense that before we dive into an exploration of the steadfast love of God that we define love itself. You may think that's a no-brainer, but the distortions of love in our world today have made this a somewhat arduous task. 

Sam Storms' newest book is about the steadfast love of the LORD. In many cases an example of what you see is what you get. The love of God is a subject that is simple and complex; one could drink of its richness, of its depth for decades upon decades and still find more, more, more. It's a subject worthy of our attention because HIS LOVE is so often unlike our own love. Oh, we try (and try and try and try) to love others, to love as He loves. But GOD's love is so amazingly amazing and extraordinary that it will always be a thing of wonder and awe. 

Here Storms shares in thirteen chapters insights and lessons about the love of God. 

1. Love is Love. Or is it?

2. How Long Will God's Love Last?

3. Sovereign Lord on Bended Knee

4. The Look of Steadfast Love

5. The Touch of Steadfast Love

6. Strengthened by the Spirit to Enjoy God's Love

7. Love in the Most Famous Verse in the Bible

8. When God Loves the Unlovely

9. Overwhelmed by the Floodwaters of God's Love

10. The "Much More" Love of God

11. The Incalculable, Insurmountable, Sin-Killing, Soul-Preserving Love of God

12. Saved by the Love of a Sovereign God

13. The Father's Loving Passion for His People 

Conclusion: May the Lord Direct Your Heart Into the Love of God

Quotes: 

To truly love a person you must say and do all that you can to direct them to beliefs and behaviors that align with their eternal destiny in the presence of God in the new heaven and new earth. That is love.

At no time during his earthly life, at no time during your earthly life, does Jesus cease to be sovereign.

The only sin that can be defeated is a sin that has been forgiven. ~ John Piper

Being right with God must precede doing right for God. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

60. The Bible, Simplified

60. The Bible, Simplified. Zach Windahl. 2025. 320 pages. [Source: Review copy] [4 stars, christian nonfiction]

First sentence: Raise your hand if you grew up going to church but still don't know the Bible. Or what if you're a new Christian but don't know where to begin. Or what if you're just curious about Jesus and figured the Bible is the best place to learn about him?

What you see is what you get, essentially, a simplified summary of the big picture of the Bible. The book contains forty chapters that present the basics of the Bible and the faith, emphasis on the Bible. I think the opening chapters are on the general basics of how to read the Bible and get started. I do think the last few chapters focus more on "what's next" or "next steps." 

The chapters are arranged, I believe, with a chronological approach to understanding the big picture of the Bible. The focus is on SUMMARY and a simplified summary at that. It is not a Bible commentary. It doesn't deep dive into the details, or "go into the grass" if you will. It focuses on the 'big picture' basics of the Bible. What are the bare basics that would help a new reader to the Bible actually keep reading the Bible. Each chapter has shorter recaps and directs focus to Jesus. (Well, most of the chapters.)

I will say that this one does have a few theological biases. However, I think the biases lean towards what many believe. I hesitate to use the word majority because that would be mere speculation and theoretical. I just mean that while I personally found a few sentences to be questionable, I think, many readers will read past those sentences without blinking twice. The book does NOT hold to Reformed theology. If you're not sure what Reformed theology is, then likely you are not Reformed and it would not be an issue anyway. Reformed does refer in part to the views held by the Reformers--Protestant Reformation days. 

Like any christian nonfiction book, if you read with discernment and judge everything against the Word of God, then this book would certainly be worth considering. 

The primary audience is those new to reading the Bible. If you have read and studied the Bible, and, you are not a parent or Sunday School teacher, then, this one might not be the best fit for you. If you are a parent or Sunday School teacher, then, I think you could read this one to get ideas on how to 'teach' others how to read the Bible. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

50. Whitefield on the Christian Life

50. Whitefield on the Christian Life: New Birth to Enjoy God. Tom Schwanda and Ian Maddock. 2025. 232 pages. [Source: Review copy] [4 stars, christian nonfiction, biography]

First sentence from the introduction: George Whitefield's life as a Christian was dedicated to knowing God and making him known. His transformative personal experience of the new birth in Christ undergirded and propelled a remarkable public preaching ministry that not only transcended denominations and oceans but also attracted listeners from all segments of society.

First sentence from chapter one: Central to George Whitefield's life and ministry was the new birth. In 1769, one year before his death, he recounted a retrospective review of his conversion in which he narrated his struggle to find peace with God. His listeners were reminded that baptism alone does not assure anyone of entering heaven. He vulnerably rehearsed his misguided journey of excessive asceticism that almost killed him and the futility of seeking God solely by external human efforts.  He joyfully credited Charles Wesley's gift of The Life of God in the Soul of Man by the Scottish minister and professor Henry Scougal (1650-1678) which confronted him with his need to be born again. With a tinge of delight, he then added, "Whenever I go to Oxford, I cannot help running to that place where Jesus Christ first revealed himself to me, and gave the new birth."

Whitefield on the Christian Life: New Birth to Enjoy God is a biography of George Whitefield. It is one of many in a long, continuing series published by Crossway. (I have read a handful of books from the series.) The books focus just as much--if not more--on the theology and doctrine of a particular man than on his actual life. Though the book does to some extent do a bit of both. The book is more arranged thematically than chronologically. (Though, of course, it follows some chronology, but when it comes down to choosing between the doctrinal subject (or theme) and following a strict chronology, doctrinal theme wins out.) 

This book--like many others in the series--works to place the subject--George Whitefield--in the context of his times. It shows what influenced him, and subsequently how he influenced others. 

Whitefield's focus was on PREACHING and then perhaps on having his sermons published. He preached 18,000 SERMONS, AN AVERAGE OF 530 SERMONS A YEAR FROM 1736 TO 1770. That number is staggering. 

I learned plenty while reading this book. 

Quotes:

As a preacher of one book, Whitefield did not regard the Bible as simply providing the raw material or content for his sermons: as a founding father of the evangelical movement, he let Scripture shape both where and how he urged his listeners to experience the new birth. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

46. Exalting Jesus in 1,2,3 John

46. Exalting Jesus in 1, 2, 3 John. (Christ Centered Exposition) Daniel L. Akin. Edited by David Platt and Tony Merida.  2014. 187 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, christian nonfiction, commentary]

First sentence: Christianity stands or falls on the person and work of Jesus Christ. It succeeds or fails on whether or not a true and genuine incarnation actually took place in space and time. The options as to who Jesus is and what Jesus did can basically be reduced to four. He could have been a liar--someone who simply was not who he claimed to be and knew it. He could have been a lunatic--someone who thought he was somebody, but in fact he was not. He could have been a legend--someone who was not who others later imagined him to be. Or He could be the Lord--He is who He said He is, and His birth, life, death, and resurrection prove it to be true.

What you see is what you get. This commentary is part of the Christ-Centered Exposition series by Holman Bible Publishers. It is a commentary of 1 John, 2 John, 3 John.

The book is well-organized. It is clear, easy to understand, easy to follow. It isn't so incredibly scholarly that you feel overwhelmed having to look up words every few sentences. It is not as casual and conversational as say J. Vernon McGee, but it isn't dense or dull. I really LOVED some of the quotes Daniel Akin uses in the book. 

Each chapter features discussion questions. I think this one would be good for Bible study or Sunday School.

Quotes:

• This is the stumbling block of the incarnation--when God becomes a man, he strips away every pretense of man to be God. 
• We must receive Jesus--the Word of life, the eternal life, the Son of God--not as we imagine Him to be, or as we like to think of Him, or as someone else believes Him to be. We do not truly receive Jesus if we do not accept Him as He defines Himself. We know that we are Christians and have received God's salvation when we humbly accept the Word of life, which means to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who appeared in our flesh, was crucified to take our punishment from our sin, was raised from the grave three days later for our justification with God, and is coming again to bring the fullness of God's kingdom. Is that the Jesus you have received? ~ Thabiti Anyabwile

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

43. 1-3 John: Fellowship in God's Family

43. 1-3 John: Fellowship in God's Family (Preaching the Word). David L. Allen. 2013. 435 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, bible commentary]

First sentence: Tucked away at the back of your Bible is a little letter called 1 John. John the apostle, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, wrote it. 

The Preaching the Word Bible commentary series is published by Crossway. I've a few of these in my collection. This was my first time to read the commentary on 1-3 John by David Allen. 

What should YOU know? It is a Bible commentary. It is a Bible commentary that prints out the entirety of the Bible book being studied. It isn't solely just expository preaching, it allows room for application and stories. That being said, it does provide insight and context into studying the book of the Bible. It isn't 'just' stories and anecdotes. (It isn't even primarily that.) It does try to weave in pop culture references, references that may not have aged all that well in the years since it was published. Again the main thing of the commentary is Scripture itself. It definitely has its casual moments though perhaps not as casual as say J. Vernon McGee. So expect a few more degrees of seriousness than McGee but less than say a more scholarly commentary. 

I definitely appreciated this one! 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

34. Cries from the Cross

34. Cries from the Cross. Erwin Lutzer. 2002. Moody. 170 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, christian nonfiction]

First sentence: Were you there when they crucified my Lord? As a child I wondered what those words could possibly mean. Obviously, the author of the hymn intended that we answer yes to the question. And yet, what could be clearer than the fact that I was not there when they crucified my Lord? 

Cries from the Cross is a wonderful book--whether you are reading it for the first time or treating yourself to a reread. In this one, Lutzer is examining Jesus' words spoken from the cross. There is a chapter for each of Jesus' seven statements or 'cries.' There's also a preface, introduction, and epilogue that help set the book into context. 

Do you know what Jesus' seven cries from the cross were? Have you considered how they can speak into your life--how they relate to you personally? If you haven't--or even if you have--it's worth pondering (again). I know that 'pondering' or 'meditating' or 'reflecting' takes time and that the average person prioritizes just about everything else over silence or quiet--but at what costs to our souls? 

Here they are in the order in which he writes about them:

• A Cry for Pardon: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
• A Cry of Assurance: "Today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
• A Cry of Compassion: "Dear woman, here is your son...Here is your mother." (John 19:26-27)
• A Cry of Anguish: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
• A Cry of Suffering: "I am thirsty." (John 19:28)
• A Cry of Victory: "It is finished." (John 19:30)
• A Cry of Submission: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)

Lutzer clearly and passionately shares the gospel message--that old, old story--that gospel message that when empowered by the Spirit--through the Spirit--can transform lives and take people out of darkness and into the light.

I love, love, love, love, LOVE this one. It is a thrilling read. This was my second or perhaps third time to read it.

Quotes:

To stand at the foot fo the cross is to witness the purpose for which God created the world. Here we see the attributes of God on display; and if we look carefully, we will see ourselves, with all of our needs, sins, and self-deceptions. Thankfully, it is at the cross that God chose to remove His wrath from those who would humbly trust Christ as their sin-bearer. (11)

The cross properly understood exalts no one whom it first does not humble; it gives life only to those whom it first "puts to death." The cross exposes the futility of our self-righteousness; it reminds us that we are sinners, incapable of bringing about our own reconciliation with God. Before the cross we can only stand with bowed heads and a broken spirit. (16)

Unless we see ourselves as deserving of the verdict that Pilate gave to Jesus, unless we see ourselves as worthy of hell, we will never understand the Cross. Someone has said that it is difficult for us to embrace the cross in a day when personal enjoyment is king. Contrary to popular belief, the central message of Christianity is not the Sermon on the Mount or Jesus' parables about love toward one's neighbor. The message that changed the first-century world was that human beings are guilty, helplessly guilty of sins for which they cannot atone. The cross shatters all pride and undercuts the ultimate value of self-effort. The cross stands as proof of God's great love but also reveals our own ugliness. (17)

The church can only live and breathe at the cross; without it, there is no life and no reason to exist. Properly proclaimed, it is "the power of God unto salvation." (19)

Jesus' suffering was terrible for the simple reason that our sin is terrible. (20)

No one can experience the eternal favor of God if they bypass the cross. (25)

Christ was forsaken that we might not be; He experienced hell that we might experience heaven. (28)

Forgiveness sounds like a marvelous idea until you are the one who has to do it. (33)

Words of forgiveness came from His lips when the nails were being driven into His body, when the pain was fiercest, when the jolts of anguish were the sharpest; He prayed as the cross was lowered into the hole with a thud. It was then, when His nerves were yet the most tender, when the pain was the most unfathomable, He who was the victim of history's greatest crime prayed for the criminals. He could forgive because He was about His Father's business. (36-7)

God never lowers His standard of justice to the level of our ignorance. Sins committed in ignorance are still sins. The guilt of those who crucified Jesus was real and objective regardless of how much they understood or did not understand. (41)

We have no idea of the greatness of our sin because we do not understand the greatness of our God. But we have fewer excuses today than ever; we have no reason to turn away from the savior who left us powerful witnesses to His authenticity. (42)

The prayer was not for those who did not want to be forgiven, but for those who would seek it. (45)

Are some sins "unpardonable"? The answer is no, for if the murder of the Son of God was "forgivable" for those who sought forgiveness, then all sins can be forgiven. (46)

There is no unpardonable sin for those who come to Christ for forgiveness. For those who refuse Him, all sins are unpardonable. (46)

He who needed no forgiveness died for those of us who are condemned without it. (47)

Although God forgives us because of Christ, it is neither His job nor His obligation to do so. He forgives us because of undeserved mercy toward us whose just punishment is hell. The cross is the bridge of redeeming love; on it, we walk across the chasm to God, who graciously provided forgiveness for those who believe. If we do not understand this, we do not understand the gospel. (47)

At His birth He was surrounded by beasts, and, now in His death, with criminals. Let no one say God has stayed aloof from the brokenness of our fallen world. He descended that we might ascend with Him to newness of life. (54)

Helplessness is not a curse if it draws us to the only One who can help us. Indeed, if we are not helpless, we cannot be saved. (56)

Jesus was numbered with the transgressors so that you and I could be numbered with the redeemed. Though personally sinless, He was counted as a transgressor by both God and man. He got what He didn't deserve, namely, our sin; and we got what we didn't deserve, namely, His righteousness. (66)

Warren Wiersbe points out that this man was not saved at his last opportunity, but at his first opportunity. (68)

The thief's forgiveness reminds us that there is more grace in God's heart than sin in our past. (69)

If we had been there, how close would we have stood to the cross? Nearby or at a comfortable distance? Would we have been intimidated by the mob, or would we have gladly let the angry rabble-rousers know that we were followers of the Man hanging on the middle cross? Would we stand nearby even if the cross cost us as much as it cost Christ? (82)

Christ did not die to make the Father loving, for He loved us from the foundation of the world. (89)

The first purpose of the cross was not for us, but for God. Yes, Jesus shed His blood for us, but it is even more true to say that He shed His blood for the Father. When the blood was sprinkled on the doorposts of the houses in Egypt, it was put there for the benefit of the families, but it was also put there for God. Jehovah said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13). (100)

Let us remember that He was forsaken by God that we might be accepted by Him... Jesus went through darkness that we might have light. He was cursed that we might be blessed. He was condemned that we might be able to say, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). He suffered hell for us so that we can enjoy heaven with Him. (103)

Either Jesus bears our sin, or we do. If the Father turned His face away from His beloved Son when He was regarded as a sinner, we can be sure that the Father will turn away from every sinner who stands before the Judgement Bar on his own merits. We are either saved by His rejection, or we must bear our own rejection for all of eternity. If those who are in hell should cry, "Why have You forsaken me?" heaven shall remain silent, for they receive the just recompense for their deeds. (103-4)

As Matthew Henry put it, "The torments of hell are represented by a violent thirst, in the complaint of the rich man who begged for a drop of water to cool his tongue. To that everlasting thirst we had all been condemned, if Christ had not suffered on the cross." Hell is heightened desires with decreased satisfaction. Hell is the inflamed desires of the body, with no possibility of a drink. Hell is remembering the Living Water we could have enjoyed on earth that would have taken us to heaven. Hell is a lake of fire, a place of endless, unquenchable thirst. Thankfully, Jesus suffered parched lips that we might be able to drink from the wells of salvation. He endured the thirst of hell, so that its fires might be quenched for us. Of those in heaven we read, "Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 7:16-17). (115)

Jesus drank from the cup of death that we might be able to drink from the cup of life. (116)

If your spirit does not go into the hands of God for sakekeeping, it will go into the hands of God for judgment. (146)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

28. Remember Heaven

28. Remember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in The Meantime. Matthew McCullough. 2025. [May] 176 pages. [Source: Review copy] [christian living, christian nonfiction, 5 stars]

First sentence (from the introduction): Another Christmas just came and went, along with a wonderful week away with our extended family. 

Matthew McCullough shares 'meditations' on WHY remembering heaven helps us to live 'in the meantime' with hope, peace, and joy--even in the midst of troubles and hard circumstances. These meditations are not daily meditations--like a devotional book--but instead a series of longer chapters. Each chapter is a different way of looking at the subject. The book is not meant--and the author discloses this--to be an exhaustive book of reasons to remember heaven in light of our 'groans and moans.' 

A few of his reasons to remember heaven:

• grounds our lives as Christians
• reframes our dissatisfaction in the meantime
• overcomes our feelings of inadequacy in the meantime
• empowers our battle with sin in the meantime
• relieves our anxiety in the meantime
• makes our suffering meaningful in the meantime
• makes our grief bearable
• sets our mission in the church 

I found the book helpful and encouraging. It didn't always go in the direction of my preconceived notions, HOWEVER it always went in a direction that surprised me and ultimately proved engaging. I had not pieced together how HOPE in heaven or 'remembering heaven' could be connected with inadequacy and anxiety. So there were chapters that were JUST the medicine I needed. I think the book will be relevant for just that reason. I think each reader will have his or her own 'favorite' chapter(s) that speak to them in their need. The Holy Spirit is good like that.

I would definitely recommend this one.

Quotes:

• Hope matters. We can't live without it. But what we hope in matters even more. We need a hope strong enough to bear the weight of our lives in the meantime. And that is precisely what we have in the hope of heaven.
• Many Christians simply aren't thinking about heaven at all and, if asked, couldn't say why they should be.
• Meditating on heaven, Richard Baxter argues, is how we use our understanding to warm our affections. It throws open 'the door between the head and the heart.' 
• How we spend our moments is how we spend our lives.
• The only way to long for a place you've never been is to long for the person whose presence makes that place what it is to you.
• Love for Christ anchors us to the future we've been promised, and it reshapes how we live here in the present.
• Pride is the poison our culture doles out as medicine. 
• We are anxious when we feel responsible, as if all the outcomes depend upon us. But God is responsible for this future. Everything depends on him. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

27. Praying the Bible

27. Praying the Bible. Donald S. Whitney. 2015. Crossway. 112 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Since prayer is talking with God, why don’t people pray more?

Donald S. Whitney argues that Christians struggle with praying because prayer is boring. Why is prayer boring? Because Christians tend to pray for the same old things in the same old way--in other words, their prayers use the same words, same patterns, day after day, week after week, etc. He writes, "Prayers without variety eventually become words without meaning."

Christians tend to treat prayer not as a two-way conversation but as a one-way conversation.

Of course, another reason people struggle--and Whitney acknowledges as well--is distraction.

He has a solution for both 'problems'. That solution is praying the Bible. In this little book, he teaches readers how to pray through the Psalms and passages of the New Testament. Though any passage can be prayed--Genesis through Revelation. His goal is to get you started and the easiest--the best--place to start is the book of Psalms.

To pray the Bible, you simply go through the passage line by line, talking to God about whatever comes to mind as you read the text. See how easy that is? Anyone can do that. Just speak to the Lord about everything that occurs to you as you slowly read his Word. What does the text of Scripture tell us to pray about? Everything, right?  Every person, every object, every issue, every circumstance, every fear, every situation—everything in the universe is something we may bring before God. So every thought that enters your mind as you are reading a passage of Scripture—even if that thought has nothing to do with the text before you at the moment—is something you may bring to God...
If you are praying through a psalm, you simply read that psalm line by line, talking to God about whatever thoughts are prompted by the inspired words you read. If your mind wanders from the subject of the text, take those wandering thoughts Godward, then return to the text. If you come to a verse you don’t understand, just skip it and go to the next verse. If you don’t understand that one, move on. If you do understand it but nothing comes to mind to pray about, go to the next verse. If sinful thoughts enter in, pray about them and go on.
You may read twenty or thirty verses in that psalm, and yet on a given day have only five or six things come to mind. No problem. Nothing says you have to pray over every verse. Nothing says you have to finish the psalm...
Talk to God about the words you read in the Bible, and you’ll never again pray the same old things about the same old things. 

He makes distinctions between reading the Bible, praying the Bible, and studying the Bible. The methods you use for praying the Bible are not necessarily sound methods for teaching or preaching through the Bible.  

Correctly handling the Word of God does not permit making the text say what we want. To understand the Bible accurately—which is essential for right belief and living, for truthful sharing with others, and for authoritative teaching and preaching—we must do whatever is necessary to discover (or “exegete”) the single, God-inspired meaning of every verse before us. The text of the Bible means what God inspired it to mean, not “what it means to me.”
Bible reading is secondary in this process [of praying the Bible]. Our focus is on God through prayer; our glance is at the Bible. And we turn Godward and pray about every matter that occurs to us as we read. Do you see the distinction?

I have enough confidence in the Word and the Spirit of God to believe that if people will pray in this way, in the long run their prayers will be far more biblical than if they just make up their own prayers.

Without the Scripture to shape our prayers, we are far more likely to pray in unbiblical ways than if we pray the thoughts that occur to us as we read the Scripture.

The book is practical. He has a plan in mind for you to put this into practice.

With the Psalms of the Day you take thirty seconds or so to quickly scan five specific psalms and pick the one that best leads you to prayer on that occasion. While reading five psalms a day is a great practice that many enjoy, that’s not what I’m advocating here. What I’m suggesting is that you take half a minute to quickly scan five psalms and pick one of those five to pray through. Here’s how it works. The first psalm is the one that corresponds with the day of the month. 

Day of the Month	Psalms to Skim
1	1, 31, 61, 91, 121
2	2, 32, 62, 92, 122
3	3, 33, 63, 93, 123
4	4, 34, 64, 94, 124
5	5, 35, 65, 95, 125
6	6, 36, 66, 96, 126
7	7, 37, 67, 97, 127
8	8, 38, 68, 98, 128
9	9, 39, 69, 99, 129
10	10, 40, 70, 100, 130
11	11, 41, 71, 101, 131
12	12, 42, 72, 102, 132,
13	13, 43, 73, 103, 133
14	14, 44, 74, 104, 134
15	15, 45, 75, 105, 135
16	16, 46, 76, 106, 136
17	17, 47, 77, 107, 137
18	18, 48, 78, 108, 138
19	19, 49, 79, 109, 139
20	20, 50, 80, 110, 140
21	21, 51, 81, 111, 141
22	22, 52, 82, 112, 142,
23	23, 53, 83, 113, 143
24	24, 54, 84, 114, 144
25	25, 55, 85, 115, 145
26	26, 56, 86, 116, 146
27	27, 57, 87, 117, 147
28	28, 58, 88, 118, 148
29	29, 59, 89, 119, 149
30	30, 60, 90, 120, 150
31	Psalm 119

And if you will take thirty seconds to review five psalms every day, it is uncanny how one of them will express something that is looking for expression in your heart.

I love how Whitney guides you through this method. I love how he encourages you to try it. I definitely got a Green Eggs With Ham vibe! His passionate pleas to actually pray were compelling and persuasive.

I also love how he quotes some great theologians throughout the book--men, for the most part, who have learned that praying the Bible is transformative in their lives.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

25. Sing

25. Sing!: How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church. Keith and Kristyn Getty. 2017. B&H Books. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: We are a singing people because it is how God has created us. It’s what we do. And when we do, we’re simply joining in with what the rest of creation is doing.

It's September. The year isn't over yet. But I'm thinking Sing! may be my favorite book of the year. We'll see. What is it about? Why should you read it? Why should you read it with others? I hope to do the book justice and answer your questions.

Intended Audience: Any believer. Also: Pastors. Elders. Worship Leaders. Band Musicians. Fathers and mothers. Sunday school teachers. Song writers. Anyone who has ever suffered at any time. Anyone who has ever struggled with depression at any time. Anyone who wants to be happy.

What is it about? It's about singing. It's about congregational singing in local churches. It's about singing at home with our families. It's about individual and corporate singing. Chances are you haven't thought of singing as a spiritual discipline. Yet IT IS. So just as you'd read a book about how to pray or how to read the Bible, the Gettys have given us a book on how to sing.

Why was it written? The Gettys' five point aim in writing Sing!

1. To discover why we sing and the overwhelming joy and holy privilege that comes with singing.
2. To consider how singing impacts our hearts and minds and all of our lives.
3. To cultivate a culture of family singing in our daily home life.
4. To equip our churches for wholeheartedly singing to the Lord and one another as an expression of unity.
5. To inspire us to see congregational singing as a radical witness to the world. 

Why should you read it? God designed us to sing praises. Singing praise to the Lord is one of God's ultimate purposes for our lives. Singing is so intimately connected with joy; we are to delight in the Lord and find our satisfaction, our happiness IN HIM.

What did I love about it? I loved, loved, loved everything about this one. I thought it was packed with truth and insight. I thought it was biblical. I thought the authors were persuasive. I loved the passion and enthusiasm. I loved the organization and layout. I loved how practical it was. Also how concise the book was. And I really LOVED the discussion questions. There's also four additional bonus tracks--chapters.

Some of my favorite discussion questions:

1. How has singing played a role in your spiritual development?
2. Can you recall an example of a memorable occasion where you enjoyed singing in church? What about that event made an impact on you?
3. What is the link between thankfulness and singing?
4. What psalm or other Scripture passage resonates with you as your “Song of Salvation”? Why?
5. What song would you consider to be your personal “testimony” song?
6. Is there a hymn, or hymns, from your past that acts as a “milestone marker” for your walk with Christ? Why is it still significant and how does it speak to your heart today?
7. What modern song (new to you in the past few years) has connected with you in such a way that you believe it may become a “milestone” hymn for you in the future?
8. If you grew up in a Christian home, what songs from your childhood do you most remember? What hymns do you know? What Bible verses and stories do you know because of songs? What hymns do you want to pass down to your children?
9. If I were a visitor to your church and knew nothing of the gospel, what would your church music (selections, presentation, and congregational engagement) convey to me about your faith and understanding of the gospel?
10. Do your favorite songs that you love to sing give a broad and deep picture of the character and nature of God? Can the same be said of how we think about God and how we pray to Him? 

The book wasn't just about singing in church--at church. It was about singing seven days a week and really living out what you're singing. 
Favorite quotes:

• We are commanded to sing the Word of God—the truth revealed in the Scriptures, the story of redemption. Fundamentally, we’re to sing about God, revealed in Christ and supremely in His suffering and His glory, since that’s what the Word of God is all about (Luke 24:26–27).
• The songs we sing should not brush along the surface, or pluck phrases out of context, or focus exclusively on ourselves, or describe Jesus in a way His Word does not (or, still worse, to speak in contradiction to His Word). Every part of a lyric should link together to bring a wonderful, thoughtful, deep expression of Scripture to every singer. 
• Worship comes as a response to revelation. Praise is prompted by—compelled by—the revelation of something glorious. And the gospel is the revelation of the most glorious truth in history. 
• Singing gives voice to a heart that deeply knows the gospel of grace. It is the overflow of a heart captivated by the gospel. In as many voices that join together to sing there are as many hearts that are called to know Christ as Lord and Savior. From that place there is a genuine and rich overflow of praise.
• People say you are what you eat. Well, songs are food for the soul. What you sing, and don’t sing, changes you. Your heart and mind require a good, balanced diet of gospel truth that will build you up for your working week, your times of trial, and for each season of life.
• If we are to be prepared to live for Christ in the whole of life, we need to be singing about the whole of life.
• If our songs are not giving us a balanced, rich, nutritious diet, we will not be spiritually healthy people. 
• Our singing can prepare us for every season of life, and sustain us through every season of life. We don’t need a musical escape from our lives; we need to gaze on the Savior of our lives—our refuge and help and comfort. 
• We need to make singing Bible truths second nature to our children, a “second language” in our homes. Sing about those truths when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Sing with your kids as you put them to bed at night, or you sit down for dinner, or as you drive in the car with a CD on. Sooner or later, they’ll start singing unprompted. Join in with them.
• Songs help us train children in the “language” of the Christian faith. What we want to teach our kids travels deeper inside them when we sing it rather than only speak it to them. 
• While our faith must be taught, it is also “caught” in our homes, through what our kids see and hear from us. And singing is catchy. So sing with your kids. You don’t need to be able to sing well. Our singing always remains more important than the sound it makes.  
•  There may never be a perfect day to start singing truths with your kids. But there is today. They are not too old. They are not too young—we have been surprised that even our two-year-old knows several songs well.
• Our singing casts a light after we are gone. We each bear responsibility in the singing legacy we leave behind us. We should sing with a mind toward those younger than us who are listening in and learning from us.
• Someone took the time to share hymns of faith with us and we are to be faithful in doing the same. 
• As you stand and sing in your church this Sunday, you do not know who is listening, and you can never imagine what the Lord might be doing. 
• As you wake each day, and as you walk through your day, we pray that the lyrics and melodies of your faith will ring around the spaces where you live your life.  

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible