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

69. I Like Church...But

69. I Like Church...But. Dan Lupton. 1996. 208 pages. [Source: Gift] [3 stars, christian living]

First sentence: "Oh, she's the cutest of them all." A PanAm flight attendant responded that way when I asked if she had seen our baby. 

There are eight chapters in Dan Lupton's book, I Like Church...But. Each chapter addresses a "but." 

...But I wish it worked at being a caring family

...But I wish it would capture the heart of the community

...But I wish everyone would feel welcome there

...But I want it to empower people

...But it must model integrity

...But it should serve this broken world

...But where's God?

...I hope it anticipates a great future

Each chapter addresses a problem, a concern, an attitude. Each chapter concludes with a handful of suggestions on how to correct or address it. These are application-geared. 

The book was published in 1996. In some ways the principles behind the book remain to a certain degree timeless. Humans change, for sure, but as Ecclesiastes says, there is nothing new under the sun. The application sections do seem a bit more dated, especially in the how. Should the church be making an impact in local communities? Yes. Are these specific tips helpful still today? Probably not as much. That's just one example. 

The book does share a lot of personal stories or observations. Scripture is used, but it isn't used exclusively, or primarily. 

The book definitely makes the assumption that your church is moderately large to large. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

32. And the Beagles and the Bunnies Shall Lie Down Together

32. And the Beagles and the Bunnies Shall Lie Down Together. Charles M. Schulz. 1984. 100ish pages. [Source: Gift] [4 stars, comic strips, theology]

Confession: I love Linus. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Linus. I know I have some competition because every girl wants Linus to be their own Sweet Baboo. One of my favorite things about Linus is that he's a theologian, a true thinker, a true observer.

This book is a collection of Peanuts comic strips that deal--in one way or another--with theology. At the very least, it shares comic strips that quote Scripture. At its best, it shares comic strips which reflect Scripture.

The book doesn't focus on Linus exclusively. There's plenty of Lucy, Charlie Brown, Linus, and Sally. (Plus Snoopy, of course. Let's not forget that Snoopy KNOWS Scripture too and uses it quite well to get what he wants from Charlie Brown.)

Early on, readers see that Linus identifies himself as a prophet. On the copyright page, you'll see Linus carrying a sign that says PROPHET. And one of the earliest comic strips in this one is about how he wants to be a prophet when he grows up.

Linus: When I grow up, I think I'll be a great prophet. I'll speak profound truths but no one will listen to me…
Charlie Brown: If you known ahead of time that no one is going to listen to you, why speak?
Linus: We prophets are very stubborn.

My absolute FAVORITE, FAVORITE strip features Lucy and Linus. It's RAINING heavily.

Lucy: Boy, look at it rain…What if it floods the whole world?
Linus: It will never do that…in the ninth chapter of Genesis, God promised Noah that would never happen again, and the sign of the promise is the rainbow…
Lucy: You've taken a great load off my mind…
Linus: Sound theology has a way of doing that!

This one is definitely recommended. Not every strip is WONDERFUL. But many are worth a smile at least. And some are truly worth treasuring!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

1. ESV Large Print Thinline (Brown, Top Grain)

ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible. 2001/2016. God. 1232 pages. [Source: Gift] (ISBN: 9781433532788)

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

Truth For Life Ministries offered this Bible recently for $35. It is a "top grain leather" thinline reference bible. If you can still get this Bible for that price, I highly recommend it. 

I started this Bible on November 19, 2022 and finished it on January 24, 2023. 

I love, love, love, love, love, crazy love and adore this Bible. I love the raised Bible hubs. I love the happy brown cover. I love the feel of the leather. I love the floppiness of the cover. It is double column (as opposed to single column). It is black letter (as opposed to words of Christ in red). I love that the font size is 10.5. I love that the text is so dark/bold. (I am not saying it is technically all in "bold.") This Bible is easy on the eyes, for the most part. It is also relatively light weight (being a thinline Bible). 

I love reading text-only Bibles. This one does have cross references, though I've never used cross references in my own reading.

The ESV translation is definitely in my top five. (Somedays I'd say it is in my top three.) 

© 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

13. NASB 1977

Giant Print Handy Size Reprint NASB 1977 Edition. 2011. AMG Publishers. 2304 pages.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

This is my second time to read through the NASB 77. I still absolutely love, love, love, love, crazy love this translation. I could easily see this being 'the one' if I believed in such. I don't believe that there is 'the one' as in 'the one and only' when it comes to Bible translations. At least not for me personally. I have about five or six translations that are all my favorites. (For those that are curious, they are the BSB, NASB 77, NASB 95, ESV, KJV, NIV 84. In no particular order, I don't play favorites. The Bible in my hand is usually "my favorite." Usually. Not always). 

I loved, loved, loved so much about this bible. I loved the size of the font. Giant print isn't as GIANT as you might imagine. It's slightly bigger than a regular size font you'd find in just about any Bible from the 80s or 90s. But it was super-comfortable on my eyes. Not too big. Not too small.

It is double-column. I don't mind double column, especially with a nice size font.

It is red-letter. But red-letter in a "giant" size font isn't all that bad. I'd still prefer black letter, but it's not bad at all.

I loved the size of this one. It isn't too heavy. I don't know that I'd go so far as to say you could hold it comfortably up in bed to read it, but it isn't too heavy for normal use. It is the perfect weight for daily reading and for taking to church as well.

I loved the translation itself.

Quotes:

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, 
            I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
            He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul; 
            He guides me in the paths of righteousness 
            For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
            I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; 
            Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 
            Thou hast anointed my head with oil; 
            My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, 
            And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

John 14:1-6

“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, thereyou may be also. “And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

3. Berean Study Bible (BSB)

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

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

The Berean Study Bible is a (relatively) new translation recently made available in print. It has been available online at Biblehub.com since 2016 (I believe.) It is important to realize, however, that it is not your traditional "study" Bible. It is a text-only Bible. The study element is what you put into it by being a Berean (Acts 17:11). You put in the work, the effort, the energy--and it will be a study Bible

Because it is so new and perhaps you haven't heard of it or learned of it, I'll take a few extra steps in this review. From their website, "The Berean Study Bible is a completely new translation based on the best available manuscripts and sources. Each word is connected back to the Greek or Hebrew text, resulting in a transparent and honest text that can be studied for its root meanings. The Berean Study Bible text is the result of a careful translation and styling process to maintain core meanings and produce an English text of high literary quality, effective for public reading, study, memorization, and evangelism. We believe that the Scriptures are meant to be studied and shared freely. Just as Paul encouraged the churches to pass on his letters, we are developing digital resources that will be free to access and free to share in websites, apps and software."

I first read this translation in 2021. I read it the second time this year (2022). I used the Five Day Bible Reading Plan. I started on January 1, 2022 and finished March 4, 2022. I read multiple "days" per days. Some days reading just three or four days' worth of readings. And some days reading five to seven days' worth of readings. This plan takes a somewhat chronological approach. I wouldn't say it's strictly chronological. The psalms seem to be almost completely randomly sprinkled throughout the readings. If there was an order or reason for their arrangement, it went way over my head. 

I discovered that while I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the translation. (Still think I'm holding back a little bit on how much I love this translation). I am not a big fan of the 5 day reading plan. 

I am so glad I gave into my urge to reread this one so soon after finishing it the first time. It does feel like coming home; the translation does feel JUST RIGHT. 

About the print edition, the layout is great. Good size font. A good bit of space on each page. (Perhaps not enough for notetakers, but this isn't claiming to be a notetaker's edition). Nothing looks crowded or crammed. It is black letter!!! The only slight negative is that it is a bulky Bible. It is a bit heavy. But once you've got where you're going, once it's on your lap or on the table/desk in front of you, you forget all that. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

9. Holy Bible, KJV (435E1B Paragraph Bible)

435E1B Paragraph Bible, Holy Bible, King James Version. Local Church Publisher. 1950 pages. [Source: Gift]

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

I could gush on and on about how wonderful this Bible is. I love and adore it so much. Sadly my gushing may do you no good--at least not at this time. It appears to be out of stock with the publisher. I'm not sure when/if it will be back in stock. 

The publisher is Local Church Bible Publishers. They only publish Bibles in the King James Version. You can browse their other Bibles here. The Bible I read (and am reviewing here) is the 435E1B Paragraph Bible. 

I love, love, love, love, love, love, love, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the ironed calfskin leather. LOVE. The feel was super amazing. It was just a JOY, an absolute joy, to hold this one. Based on how it *felt* it is easily one of my favorite Bibles to hold in hand. 

I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the layout of this Bible. I love that it is 11 point font. I love that it is single column. I love that it is paragraph instead of verse by verse by verse. I love that it is BLACK LETTER. It does NOT have self-pronouncing text. 

I should also note that this Bible while not being marketed as a READERS Bible is without chapters and verses. This may make you super sad or super confused. But for those looking for a PRINT edition of the KJV without verse numbers, it is a dream. (I do own a hardback KJV Readers Bible but the ghosting is absolutely horrible in it. A true distraction.) 

It was a great balance of size and weight. Font is large enough to read easily. NOT a heavy Bible to carry. The paper was not super thin or super thick. There is some bleed through or ghosting. But not more than you'd find in almost any other Bible published in the last ten to twenty years. And I'd say it was probably less ghosting than some Bibles published recently. It wasn't bothersome enough to impact reading or the duration of reading.

Many of the individual books (though not all certainly) were read in one sitting. There was no eye strain. 

This Bible has two ribbons. I personally like ribbons. I am thankful for any Bible with at least two ribbons. Bibles with just one ribbon are a little sad. While there may be such a thing as having too many ribbons in a bible--two is a reasonable amount for most any reader. I've read the Bible through cover to cover and so far the ribbons are holding up well. 

I really love the King James Version. I do. It is not my only translation. I am not King James Only by any stretch of the imagination. But I find the KJV hard to resist. I do. I have a weakness for it. 

This is the Bible that checks all my own personal boxes. 

From the publisher: 

Size: Hand Size
Number of Pages: 1,950
Translators to the Readers: No
Presentation Page/Family Tree: No
Self-Pronouncing Text: No
Center Column Reference: No
Notes: No
Words of Christ in Red: No
Ribbons: Two
Concordance: No
Maps: No
Font Size: 11 Point Font,  Large Font
Cover: Executive (Ironed Calfskin)
Cover Style: 1 Piece Black
Open: 13″ x 8.75″
Closed: 8.75″″ x 6″ x 1.5″
Margins (in/out/top/bottom): 0.5″ x 0.5″ x 0.375″ x 0.375

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

6. NASB Large Print Reference Bible

NASB Large Print Ultrathin Reference Bible, 2020 text. 1472 pages. [Source: Gift]

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

This is my second time reading the NASB 2020. The first time I read the NASB 2020, I read the kindle edition. This time I read an actual physical copy of the NASB 2020. I read the Large Print Ultrathin Reference Bible published by Lockman. It released in August of 2020. 

Here's what YOU need to know:

• The font size is 10.
• Line matched typesetting
• Two column text
• Center column cross references
• Paragraph formatting
• Black Letter Text
• 2 Ribbon Markers
• Full set of translation footnotes
• Color maps

My method for reading was a modified Professor Horner Bible reading plan. 

1) The Law -- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

2) The Prophets: Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel

3) The Twelve Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

4) The book of Psalms

5) The writings: Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 Chronicles, and 2 Chronicles

6) Matthew, Hebrews, James, Jude

7) Mark, Romans, 1 and 2 Peter

8) Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians

9) Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

10) John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation

I really LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the look and feel of this Bible. I thought it was the absolutely perfect weight. That is proportions of weight and font size were perfectly balanced. 

Do I love the NASB 2020 more than the NASB 1995 or 1977??? Probably not. But I don't dislike it either. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

16. Christians Get Depressed Too

Christians Get Depressed Too. David Murray. 2010. Reformation Heritage. 112 pages. [Source: Gift]

First sentence: There are many different kinds of mental and emotional suffering. The area I am particularly concerned with here is the most common--depression. As anxiety and panic attacks are also commonly associated with depression (so much so that doctors are increasingly using the term depression-anxiety when referring to depression), much of what I write will apply to these distressing conditions also. 

ETA: I have created a SPOTIFY playlist titled Christians Get Depressed Too. It is over three hours of music. You'll finish the book a LONG time before you finish the playlist. My hope is that it will prove helpful and spiritually edifying. If some of the songs seem to be stuck around this time period--before 2015--there's probably a good reason for that! These are songs that have personally built me up, encouraged me, challenged me. These songs are lived in songs. 

I first reviewed this one in October 2015. Looking back, I wouldn't say it is providential that I read it when I read it, but for anyone who actually knows me, the word 2015 is enough of a trigger!!! I've got about a million spiritual lessons I learned through my trials, tribulations, and sorrows of 2015. And I do think the book helped me process some of that. 

Original review follows--I couldn't really think of anything I'd change about describing the book itself.

Christians Get Depressed Too may just be the best book I've read on the subject of depression. Its strengths? Well, it's short, it's concise, it's well-organized. It tells you what you need to know and why you need to know it. It is also a very practical book. Because it is short and concise, it may not tell you absolutely everything there is to know on the subject. But if it did, it would be overwhelming and intimidating. There is something to be said for telling people clearly and precisely what they need to know first.

Murray's book is divided into six chapters:

• The Crisis
• The Complexity
• The Condition
• The Causes
• The Cures
• The Caregivers

In the first chapter, Murray shares eight reasons WHY believers should study the subject:

• Because the Bible speaks about it
• Because it is so common
• Because it impacts our spiritual lives
• Because it may be prevented or mitigated
• Because it will open doors of usefulness
• Because it is so misunderstood
• Because it is a talent to be invested for God
• Because we can all improve our mental and emotional health

I'll be honest. I didn't need all eight reasons to convince me to read the rest of the book. I include the whole list because I do believe--strongly believe--that all believers would benefit from reading this little book.

In the second chapter, Murray shares two guiding principles with readers. HOW should Christians prepare themselves to study depression? Both principles are important, but, one is especially important: "avoid extremes and seek balance." Most of the chapter focuses on how depression has been perceived and how depression has been treated within the Christian community. What things have we gotten right? What things have we gotten wrong? What is the best way to think about depression? He urges us not to go to either extreme and seek balance.

In the third chapter, Murray focuses on WHAT depression is--its symptoms. How does depression manifest itself in our everyday lives and in our spiritual lives? Even if the cause of a person's depression is not in any way caused by problems in our spiritual lives, the consequences of depression may effect our spiritual lives. Mainly because depression effects our thoughts and our feelings. One of the things I found most helpful in this chapter is his sharing of ten false thought patterns that "reflect, but also contribute to, the symptoms of depression." With each thought pattern, he shares an example from ordinary life, a spiritual example, and a biblical example.

In the fourth chapter, Murray focuses on some of the causes of depression, and in the fifth chapter, he goes on to focus on some of the cures for depression. He presents things in balance. Not all physical. Not all spiritual.

The final chapter focuses almost exclusively on caregivers--the family and friends of those suffering from depression. What can they do to help? How can they best help?

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Review: KJV Holy Bible

The Holy Bible. King James Version. 1947/52. Spence Press. 1566 pages. [Source: Gift]

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The King James Version is one of my all-time favorite, favorite, favorite translations of the Bible. (Though I am not in the KJV only camp, I do love, love, love reading this translation.) I first "discovered" this translation several years ago. I love it for its beauty and substance. It's a meaty read, yet poetic. You have to work to understand or "decipher" the text. And the time it takes, I've found, slows me down enough to appreciate the magnificence and splendor of the glory of God. While I do not read it exclusively--nor expect others to do so--I like to keep this one of my main translations.

My favorite books of the Bible in the King James are Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and some of the prophecies--like Isaiah and Revelation. It simply doesn't get better for a translation of Psalms. Here's one of my favorite examples, Psalm 139:2: Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

This edition published by Spencer Press in Chicago in the late 40s/early 50s is a delight. I will say this: the book introductions are definitely LIBERAL and not all that sound. This bible does not feature study notes, but if it did, I probably wouldn't recommend reading them if they're anything like the book introductions. But the text and layout are good. The pages are WONDERFULLY THICK. I think page bleed through--being able to read five pages at a time--is a MODERN-DAY problem. Publishers have done this--for whatever reason--and we've "allowed" it perhaps?

The aging of the Bible has left a nice sepia tint to the pages. I'm not sure what color the pages were in 1952, but right now the color is SUPER-EASY on the eyes. Even though the text features the word of Christ in red, I don't mind.
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Review: ESV Systematic Theology

ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible. 2017. Crossway. 1904 pages. [Source: Gift]

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

The text is the 2016 edition of the ESV. I noticed a few changes here and there, but mainly because I'd heard--or read as the case may be--criticisms of individual verses. Overall, I didn't see a huge, overwhelming difference.

The unique features include book introductions (66), sidebars (424), articles (28), and indexes (2). The introductions, of course, appear before each book of the Bible. Old Testament introductions are by Paul R. House. New Testament introductions are by Robert W. Yarbrough.  The sidebars appear near the verses to which they are connected doctrinally. The articles appear at the end of the Bible.

• What is Doctrine and Why Is It Important? David F. Wells
• How to Do Theology: Worldview and Process by Christopher W. Morgan
• A Brief History of Doctrine by Gregg R. Allison
• Theological Traditions within Christendom Gregg R. Allison
• The Origin and Authority of the Biblical Canon by Michael J. Kruger
• Doctrine in the Creeds and Catechisms of the Church by Gerald Bray
• Apologetics by John M. Frame
• Orthodoxy and Heresy by Robert Letham
• Doctrine and Preaching by R. Kent Hughes
• Reading the Bible Theologically by J.I. Packer
• Revelation by Scott R. Swain
• Scripture by Kelly M. Kapic
• God by Fred Sanders
• Creation by David S. Dockery
• Providence by Michael S. Horton
• Humanity by Stephen J. Nichols
• Sin by Michael Reeves
• The Christian Life by Michael Reeves
• The Person of Christ by Robert Letham
• The Work of Christ by Donald Macleod
• The Holy Spirit by Graham A. Cole
• Ordinances and Sacraments by Graham A. Cole
• Grace by Bryan Chapell
• Election by Stephen J. Wellum
• The Gospel by Sam Storms
• Salvation by Sam Storms
• The Church by Bruce Riley Ashford and Christopher W. Morgan
• Eschatology by David S. Dockery 

The font of the text is on the smaller side. It was a little too small for me personally. The longer I read, the more straining it was. The weight of the Bible wasn't light enough just to hold it closer to ease that strain. I had to choose between arm cramps and eye strain. Or, I suppose, I could have just read two to three chapters a day instead of twenty plus.

It is black letter and not red letter.

It is two columns not single column.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Commentary on Romans

Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. Martin Luther. 1954/1976. Kregel. 224 pages. [Source: Gift]

First sentence from the Preface: This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes. Therefore, I, too will do my best, so far as God has given me power, to open the way into it through this preface, so that it may be better understood by everyone.

This is an abridged commentary for the 'popular' audience looking for the 'fundamentals' of Luther's evangelical teachings. If you count Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans as a chapter, this one has seventeen chapters. There is one chapter per chapter of Romans. This commentary includes the text of Romans.

I am glad I read it. I want to start off by saying that much at least. Perhaps my expectations were on the high side--expecting every single sentence to be a brilliant gem, expecting every sentence to be as wonderful as the Preface itself. With reasonable expectations, I think this one would rate well with most readers.

I'm not sure if the abridged edition is the perfectly perfect fit for me. Not having the unabridged to compare it to, I can't honestly say for sure. There were times that I found this commentary to be rushed. Whole books could be written--have been written--on short sections of Romans. Romans contains so many grand, glorious, foundational doctrines that to spend just a short time per verse seems a slight injustice. (For example, I could easily imagine an author dedicating 224 pages to unpacking the wonders of Romans 8.)

It reads like a commentary and not a devotional. I think the Luther devotional that I read a year or two ago spoiled me.

But because it was abridged, it did move quickly. One or two chapters per day felt like a good speed. And there is a lot to be said for movement and progress. This one wasn't intimidating, and again that is a plus.

Quotes:

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man would stake his life on it a thousand times. (xvii)

Judgment day is called a day of wrath and a day of mercy; a day of tribulation and a day of peace; a day of damnation and a day of glory. On that day the wicked will be punished and put to shame, while the righteous will be rewarded and crowned with glory. (55)

In this life we never reach such perfection that we fully possess God, but we must continually seek after Him; indeed we must seek Him evermore, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 105:4. Those who do not make progress in seeking after God, are bound to retrogress;... We must never stand still in seeking after God. (71)

To believe God means to trust Him always and everywhere. (82)

Christ's resurrection is not merely the pledge of our righteousness, but also its cause. (87)

It has been said that human nature knows and wills what is good in general, but that it errs and does not will what is good in special cases. It is better, however, to say that human nature knows and wills what is good in special cases, but that in general it does not know and will what is good. The reason for this is that it knows only what it regards as good, honorable, useful and not what is good in the sight of God and the neighbor. Therefore it knows and wills the good only as it is connected with man's own interests. (118)

Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good (Romans 12:9). This command seems easy to perform but it is most difficult because of the emotions of hate, love, fear, and hope. There is no one who can truly save that he abhors what is evil and cleaves to what is good. (174)

In all we do, we must consider not what we have done, or what there is to be done; not what we failed to do or what we should fail to do; also not what good we have done or what good we have omitted, or what evil we have done or omitted. But we should rather consider of what nature and how strong our good will has been, and the readiness and cheerfulness of our heart which with which we have done all or intend to do all. (197)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Review: Spurgeon Study Bible

CSB Spurgeon Study Bible, Holman Bible Publishers (B&H). 2017. 1840 pages. [Source: Gift]

I think I have been waiting--actively waiting--for *a* Spurgeon Study Bible to be released, at least eight or ten years. I found out last year that one would actually be released in 2017! It would be in the Christian Standard Bible translation. It would be edited by Alistair Begg. To say I was excited would be an understatement. The year seemed like one long wait until the release date in November. 

I received this one for a birthday present in mid-November. I was THRILLED from the start. The print size is very good. The notes were of the "just right" variety. Not too few, not too many. The content of the notes was great. And it was black letter, not red letter. It seemed like it was designed cover to cover with me in mind. 

The only thing that would make this one even better would be if it was also available in other translations. I'm thinking the King James Version, since that is the translation Spurgeon used. OR the English Revised Version from 1885, again because Spurgeon would have read. 

For the record, I did find one typo in one of the notes in Revelation. They say something about "hating" a new heart--from the context, I'm guessing it's supposed to be HAVING a new heart. Since those in heaven certainly won't be hating their new hearts. 

Here are ten of my favorite quotes:

It is a great truth that you will rise again. It is a sweeter truth that you will "always be with the Lord." Whatever else you draw comfort from, neglect not this deep, clear, and over-flowing well of delight. There are other sources of good cheer in connection with the glory to be revealed, for heaven is a many-sided joy, but still none can excel the glory of communion with Jesus Christ, wherefore comfort one another in the first place and most constantly, with these words, "So we will always be with the Lord." Spurgeon Study Bible, 1 Thessalonians 4:17

"Sharper than any double-edged sword." A sword with two edges has no blunt side; it cuts both this way and that. The Word of God is edge all over. It is alive in every part, and in every part keen to cut the conscience and wound the heart. Depend on it: not a verse in the Bible is superfluous or a chapter that is useless. Spurgeon Study Bible, Hebrews 4:12

If we do not love the Bible, we certainly do not love the God who gave it to us; but if we do love God, then no other book in the entire world will be comparable in our minds. When God speaks, it is the delight of our ears to hear what he says. In other books there is some truth and some error. Apart from the Bible, the best book ever written has mistakes in it. It is not possible for fallible men to write infallible books. Somehow or other we either say more than is true or less than is true. The most skillful writer does not always keep along that hairline of truth that is more difficult to tread than a razor's edge. But Scripture never errs. Spurgeon Study Bible, Psalm 119:97-99

Nothing in the past has shaken the foundation of our faith. Nothing in the present can move it. Nothing in the future will undermine it. Whatever may occur in the ages to come, there will always be good reason for believing in Jehovah and his faithful Word. The great truths he has revealed will never be disproved. The great promises he has made will never be retracted. The great purposes he has devised will never be abandoned. So long as we live, we will always have a refuge, a hope, a confidence, that can never be removed. "I will bear you up when you turn gray" is not just a promise for those in old age. But it is also a promise to the people of God at any and every period between their birth and their death. Spurgeon Study Bible, Isaiah 46:3-4

Let us trace all the mercies we get to our God, for he has worked all our works in us. He has chosen us, he has redeemed us, he has called us, he has quickened us, he has preserved us, he has sanctified us, and he will perfect us in Christ Jesus. The glory is all the Lord's. When we read human history, we should read it to see the finger of God in it--trace through the human story the silver line of covenant working--observe how the Lord casts the horse and his rider into the sea when they come out against him or his people. Spurgeon Study Bible, Exodus 15:1  

It is not sin as we see it that was laid on Christ but sin as God sees it, not sin as our conscience feebly reveals it to us but sin as God beholds it in all its unmitigated malignity and unconcealed loathsomeness. Sin, in its exceeding sinfulness, Jesus has put away. But when we perceive sin, then we are to trust the blood. Leviticus 4:3, Spurgeon Study Bible

We are all sowing; we cannot help it. No one goes forth in the morning without a seed-basket. As we are all sowing, the great question we have to consider is, :What will the harvest be?" Hosea 8:7; Spurgeon Study Bible

Walking with God denotes an active habit, a communion in the common movements of the day. Some bow humbly before God in the hour of prayer. Other sit humbly in his presence at the time of meditation, and others work themselves up to draw near to God in seasons of religious excitement. But all this falls short of walking with God. Walking is a common pace, an ordinary rate of progress, and it does not seem to require great effort; but then it is a practical working pace, a rate at which one can continue on and on and make a day's journey by the time the sun is down. So walking with God means being with God always, being with him in common things, being with him on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday--as well as on the Sabbath. It means being with him in the shop, with him in the kitchen, with him in the field, feeling his presence in buying and selling, in weighing and measuring, in plowing and reaping--doing as for the Lord the most common acts of life. Then comes the in the qualifying word of "humbly". When our walk with God is closest and clearest, we must be overwhelmed with adoring wonder at the condescension that permits us to think of speaking with the eternal one. To this reverence must be added a constant sense of dependence--walking humbly with God in the sense of daily drawing all supplies from him and gratefully admitting that it is so. We are never to indulge a thought of independence from God, as if we were anything or could do anything apart from him. Spurgeon Study Bible, Micah 6:8 

Walking implies the possession of life...Walking is also a position that signifies activity. As genuine Christians we do no merely learn; we practice what we know. We are to be engaged in displaying to others the blessings we have received and are to exhibit in our daily actions the fruits we have gathered from communion with God. "We walk" is more than some can say. They can affirm, "We talk; we think; we experience; we feel:--but true Christians say, "We walk." Walking also implies progress. A person who walks makes some headway. True believers are always making advances; we are to be going from faith in its beginnings to faith in its perfections, waxing stronger and stronger. There is a progress to be made in every Christian grace...
Walking also implies perseverance. When a person only takes a step or two and then stops, we do not call that walking. The true Christian keeps on going. Further, walking is the ordinary manner of the Christian life. Running is not best for progress; it cannot be kept up for long; it fatigues and tires. But walking is that kind of progress in which a person continues hour after hour, and after a night's rest he rises again to walk on as before until reaching the goal...Walking also implies perseverance. When a person only takes a step or two and then stops, we do not call that walking. The true Christian keeps on going. Further, walking is the ordinary manner of the Christian life. Running is not best for progress; it cannot be kept up for long; it fatigues and tires. But walking is that kind of progress in which a person continues hour after hour, and after a night's rest he rises again to walk on as before until reaching the goal... Walking also implies perseverance. When a person only takes a step or two and then stops, we do not call that walking. The true Christian keeps on going. Further, walking is the ordinary manner of the Christian life. Running is not best for progress; it cannot be kept up for long; it fatigues and tires. But walking is that kind of progress in which a person continues hour after hour, and after a night's rest he rises again to walk on as before until reaching the goal...Walking by sight is just this--"I believe in myself." Whereas walking by faith is this--"I believe in God." Spurgeon Study Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:7 

"Our Father in heaven" -- I am a child away from home."Your name be honored as holy"--I am a worshiper."Your kingdom come"--I am a subject."Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven"--I am a servant."Give us today our daily bread"--I am a beggar."And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors"--I am a sinner."And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one"--I am a sinner in danger of being a still greater sinner. ~ Spurgeon Study Bible, Matthew 6:13

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Everyone a Child Should Know

Everyone A Child Should Know. Clare Heath-Whyte. 2017. 112 pages. [Source: Gift]

First sentence: Brother Andrew. What do you like most about going to church? Bible stories? Singing? Meeting friends? Did you know there are some countries in the world where Jesus' friends aren't allowed to meet together, or read the Bible, or tell other people about Jesus?

Premise/plot: If you're looking to introduce your child to heroes of the faith, then I'd recommend sharing Everyone A Child Should Know with your family. "There are loads of Christian biographies around for older children and adults, but almost none for younger children--yet it is never too early to introduce the next generation to some of the heroes of the faith. Here we meet fifty-two Christian men and women (one to read every week of the year...) from all walks of life, who wanted to live for their friend Jesus." Each hero is given a two-page spread. One page is an illustration with a bible verse; the other page is a brief biography. There is a lot of variety; the book spans centuries.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I think it would be hard to choose just fifty-two. If I'd been choosing the list, it would be slightly different. I'd definitely want to include Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and maybe James Montgomery Boice. Jerry Bridges. Oh, also A.W. Tozer. And J.C. Ryle. And are there really enough Puritans on the list?! I don't think so!!!  Every one's list would be different. I think there's room for a sequel.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Parenting God's Way

Parenting God's Way. Alistair Begg. 2017. Truth for Life. 44 pages. [Source: Gift]

First sentence: What is the greatest problem facing our nation?

This is a wee little book by Alistair Begg. How wee is wee? Two little chapters. That's it. One chapter is called "Being a Father God's Way." The other chapter is called "Being a Mother God's Way." Read together, I believe Begg answers his own question voiced in the introduction.

Both chapters approach parenting from a biblical standpoint. That is, what does the Bible have to say on the subject of fathers parenting their children? Or, what does the Bible have to say on the subject of mothers parenting their children? How does a father's role differ from a mother's role? Does it differ? Begg argues that the roles do differ.

One of my favorite passages is, "The obsessions and priorities of the father will become the obsessions and priorities of his children, and in exactly the same way, those things he disregards and ignores will also be pushed away by his children." (15)

I liked this one. It was practical, relevant, and short.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book review: Reading Between the Lines

Reading Between the Lines. Gene Edward Veith Jr. 1990. Crossway. 254 pages. [Source: Gift]

First sentence: Will reading become obsolete? Some people think that with the explosion of video technology, the age of the book is almost over. Television monitors, fed by cable networks and video recorders, dominate our culture today.

In the preface, Veith writes: "The capacity to read is a precious gift of God, and this book is designed to encourage people to use this gift to its fullest.

The first two chapters are perhaps the most important. Chapter one is "The Word and the Image: The Importance of Reading." Chapter two is "Vicarious Experience and Vicarious Sin: The Importance of Criticism." I think these two chapters would prove relevant and beneficial to anyone regardless of your background.

Veith then addresses "the forms" of literature. Chapter three is "Nonfiction: The Art of Truth-telling." Chapter four is "Fiction: The Art of Story-Telling." Chapter five is "Poetry: The Art of Singing."

He next turns to the "modes" of literature: tragedy and comedy (chapter six), realism (chapter seven), and fantasy (chapter eight).

The next three chapters tackle the "traditions" of literature. While earlier chapters are more general and broad--giving you tools to help you read--the focus narrows quite a bit in these last chapters. Veith examines various ages of literature: the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Modernism, Postmodernism.

The last chapter is probably the most outdated chapter in the entire book. It is "The Makers of Literature: Writers, Publishers, and Readers." In it he addresses many newfangled notions: Christian publishers publishing Christian books by Christian authors; the establishing of Christian bookstores selling Christian books; Christian publications tracking Christian bestsellers, reviewing Christian books, etc; and literary awards being given specifically for Christian books. Veith seems to have his doubts and questions about all of these new notions.

While Crossway published a new edition of this book with a NEW cover. None of the text has been updated. Veith does not address the internet, streaming entertainment like Netflix and Hulu, video games, online bookstores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, self-publishing, or E-BOOKS. I don't think Veith could have imagined all the happenings in the world from 1990 to 2017.

I think Veith loses a couple of points because he recommends Madeleine L'Engle as a great Christian author people should read. Her nonfiction is TERRIFYING. BAD theology cover to cover.

That being said, some of his statements are just as true as ever.

• Reading the Bible tends to lead to reading other books, and thus to some important habits of mind. (17) Gene Edward Veith Jr.
• Universal literacy, taken for granted today, was a direct result of the Reformation's reemphasis upon the centrality of Bible reading, not only for theologians but for the spiritual life of every Christian. (19) Veith
• Great works of literature may not always articulate an explicitly Christian worldview, but they will still usually be worth reading for their intrinsic merit and will often give unwitting testimony to God's sovereignty over all of life. (28) Veith
• Those of us who know God are freed to enjoy literature on its own terms, without requiring it to be either overly serious or overly trivial. (29) Veith
• Reading provides mental training for empathizing with real people. (31) Veith
• Writing makes thoughts permanent. (149) Veith
• Literature ushers us into the minds of its authors and into the heartbeat of their age. (149) Veith
• Literature can function as a time machine whereby we leave our own day to enter other ages. (149) Veith

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Music Review: Saints of Zion

Saints of Zion. Jeff Lippencott & R.C. Sproul. 2017. Ligonier. 67 minutes. [Source: Gift]

This is the second hymn collection Ligonier has done. The first was Glory to the Holy One. I loved, loved, loved it. The second album is similar in style to the first. So if you loved the first album, don't hesitate to buy the second. The music is beautiful--classical, orchestral. Jeff Lippencott is wonderful. Sproul does a good job as well in writing the lyrics.

Saints of Zion is a collection of fifteen new hymns for the church. Most of the lyrics are linked closely with specific Scripture texts. I've included those Scripture texts in parenthesis. I would say that "How Beautiful Your Songs of Praise" and "Alleluia" are inspired by the book of Psalms as a whole. These selections are wonderful. Here we have some of my absolute favorite Scriptures.

1. Saints of Zion (Hebrews 11)
2. Create, O God, A Pure, Clean Heart (Psalm 51)
3. Grace of God (Ephesians 2)
4. Psalm of the Shepherd (Psalm 23)
5. Veni Domine (Luke 2)
6. Magnificat (Luke 1)
7. How Beautiful Your Songs of Praise 
8. Ascension (Acts 1:8-11)
9. The Word Made Flesh  (based on the Ligonier Statement on Christology)
10. Ways of the Righteous (Psalm 1)
11. Hear Me, Lord (Psalm 30)
12. He Works His Will (Ephesians 1)
13. Where He Is Now (John 14)
14. The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21)
15. Alleluia 

I hope you'll consider including "Veni Domine," "Magnificat," and "The Word Made Flesh" on your Christmas playlists. 

The album makes for easy listening. I'll be honest. The album makes for great napping. I don't mean that in an offensive way. I mean that in the best possible way. 

• Few things are as theological as sleep. Show me your sleep pattern and I’ll show you your theology, because we all preach a sermon in and by our sleep. ~ David Murray
• Question: Which of the Ten Commandments can you keep in your sleep? Answer: The sixth commandment, because, as the following statistics demonstrate, getting enough sleep is an act of loving your neighbor. ~ David Murray
• If our schools substituted sleepology for algebra, our society would be much healthier, safer, and brighter. Despite sleep taking up a quarter to a third of our lives and having such an influence on the remainder, most of us leave school in total ignorance of the why and the how of sleep. ~ David Murray
• We need to ask God to help us see this as a life priority, as a matter of obedience, and as a way of pleasing our Father and Creator. Let’s plead with him to give us the strength to do what we know we must do. ~ David Murray
• By sleeping, we are relinquishing control and reminding ourselves—at least for a few hours—that God actually doesn’t need us. When we close our eyes each night, we are saying, “I don’t run the world, or the church, or even my own little life.” ~ David Murray
• When and how long we sleep makes a huge statement about who we are and what we believe about ourselves and God. ~ David Murray
• Ultimately, sleep, like everything else, should lead us to the gospel and the Savior. First, it prompts us to think about death, that we shall all close our eyes as in sleep, and wake up in another world (1 Thess. 4:14). It also teaches about our Savior. The fact that Jesus slept (Mark 4:38) is as profound as “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). It reminds us of Christ’s full humanity, that the Son of God became so frail, so weak, so human that he needed to sleep. What humility! What love! What an example! What a comfort! What a sleeping pill! It illustrates salvation. How much are we doing when we sleep? Nothing! That’s why Jesus used rest as an illustration of his salvation. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). It points us toward heaven. There remains a rest for the people of God (Heb. 4:9). That doesn’t mean heaven is going to be one long lie-in. It means it will be a place of renewal, refreshment, comfort, and perfect peace.  ~ David Murray

The album isn't just for nap time however. Because of the style of the album, you'll probably need to read and review the lyrics while listening to the album a couple of times so you can actually hear what they're singing.

From "Create, O God, A Pure, Clean Heart"

In sin I was first made born.
In evil first conceived.
My broken heart can only mourn
'till pardon I receive.
Create, O God, a pure, clean heart
And make my spirit new.
Please let your wrath from me depart
Remove my sin from view. 

From "How Beautiful Your Songs of Praise"

In the stillness of my heart
I will wait for You.
I will speak Your name
With my voice I will proclaim.
How beautiful Your songs of praise
How true and steadfast are Your ways
Let all that is within me rise and sing.
How beautiful Your holy name.
How marvelous Your saving grace
That You would call me as Your own
How beautiful. 

From "He Works His Will"

He works His Will, His counsel true
Salvation we obtain.
He soon will make all things anew
For our eternal gain.
Through the Spirit we are sealed
Our God we soon shall see.
From sin and death we're surely healed
With Him we'll ever be.

From "Where He Is Now"

The Father's house has ample room
He'd tell us if it were not true.
His bride hears from her sacred groom
Truth that stands for me and you.
Where He is now, we will be
Called away from earthly strife.
His glory we shall surely see
Through His gift, eternal life.
Gone away to prepare a place
Our spirits still in silence groan.
The promise certain by His grace
Soon we'll see our heavenly home. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible