42. What to Do With Your Whirly Swirly Thoughts

42. What to Do With Your Whirly Swirly Thoughts. Jennie Allen. Illustrated by Nadia Gunawan. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, feelings and emotions, mental health, 4 stars]

First sentence: Oh, look at all your thoughts in that cute little head of yours!

Jennie Allen tackles the topic of children's mental health from a Christian perspective in What to Do With Your Whirly Swirly Thoughts. That's a simple enough summary. Is it too Christian to please some? Yes. Is it not Christian enough to please others? Maybe. Can you please everyone all the time? Definitely not.

The audience is children. I imagine elementary-aged children, but perhaps it could work with younger children as well [preschool, pre-K]. I don't know how well this would work with children *older* than that even if they have mental health concerns as well. 

The format is picture book, obviously. BRIGHT, bold colors. Plentiful illustrations, perhaps a little on the busy side. BUT since the book is about whirly, swirly thoughts and being overwhelmed with feelings and emotions, it makes sense that the illustrations are a little busy as well. 

The book offers practical tips on how to cope with 'whirly, swirly thoughts.' While the book as a whole is written with a Christian mindset in mind, the practical tips aren't confined to those you could reason from Scripture--if that makes sense. Tips include: talking about the thoughts out loud--either to God in prayer, to family, to friends, etc; practicing gratitude; physical exercise. The tips themselves are in some ways generic enough that they don't seem particularly religious--or exclusively religious. 

There's definitely some talk of God and Jesus. However, I was slightly disappointed that there's no mention of the Holy Spirit. Surprised because it is only by being filled with the Holy Spirit that we are able to have transformed, renewed minds [Romans 12:2], and are able to take every thought captive [2 Corinthians 10:5]. It is the Spirit that unites us to Christ and gives us the mind of Christ [1 Corinthians 2:16]. It is the Spirit who helps us to pray and speaks even when we're unable [see Romans 8]. 

I could not tell if the book dabbles into New Thought [which is in opposition to Christianity]. New Thought has increasingly become more and more common in Christian circles. Or if it's just trying to oversimplify Christianity for very young children. 

For an older audience or perhaps for all ages, I'd suggest either having a spiral book [index cards are great] where you write out verses to encourage, support, uplift, and feed your soul. Verses to have as a resource for big feelings, big thoughts, big emotions. You can revisit these verses daily, weekly, or on an as-needed basis. Though the more you KNOW before you are overwhelmed with swirly, whirly thoughts the better equipped you will be to stop them from growing. 

I'd also recommend actually READING the Bible. The more you know God THROUGH THE READING OF HIS WORD, the better equipped you are to face life. Again, the more familiar you are with the Word, the more equipped you are when you do face struggles. You know WHO to turn to, WHERE to go, and can have plans in place. You can PRAY SCRIPTURE back to God. You can be comforted by his promises and trust in him more.

MEMORY verses might also come in useful. 

I would also highly recommend MUSIC. Though music has its own pros and cons when it comes to how biblically sound or unsound it may be, having theologically rich, God-focuses songs that you can use to feed your soul is wonderful. Sometimes it is easier to SING than to pray. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

41. A Matter of Honor

41. A Matter of Honor. Laura Frantz. (Audio narration by Amy Scanlon). 2024/2025. 206 pages. [Source: Library] [adult historical fiction, adult historical romance, Christian romance, novella, 4 stars]

First sentence: In the glittering, beeswax-scented drawing room of Kensington Palace, Orin Hume stood beside a Paladian window. 

A Matter of Honor is a novella, a companion novella, to The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz. It has been a few years since I read The Rose and the Thistle. But Orin Hume, the romantic lead, is the young brother of one of the characters in that book [The Rose and the Thistle]. There are a few characters that overlap, I believe, but they are decades older. I do believe this one could be read as a standalone. 

Orin Hume loves, loves, loves Lady Maryn Lockhart. Maryn loves, loves, loves Orin Hume. A terribly tragic accident happening years before--I believe five???--has proven an almost impossible obstacle. It was an accident that injured Maryn and killed her [twin] brother. Orin wrote letters to Maryn. Maryn wrote letters to Orin. Did Orin read Maryn's letters? No. Did Maryn read Orin's letters? No. Maryn's sister prevented her letters from being mailed. Maryn's grandfather hid the letters Orin actually did send. It isn't until recently that these two have reconnected--from a distance. He still loves her. She still loves him. She is a recluse, mostly. He is reluctant to go where he's not welcome. After all, why didn't she respond to his many letters? 

Will these two ever come face to face and actually talk with one another openly and honestly about what they have felt, what they are currently feeling, and how they will feel forever? Maybe. Maybe not. 

I listened to this one on audio book. Amy Scanlon was MARVELOUS. It was an absolute delight to hear all the dialogue of this novel. Her narration of the narration was also lovely. But it is the dialect where she shines brightest. I ADORED her accents. 

The romance was lovely but slow. I do wish that Maryn especially had been less stubborn. Sometimes the obstacles are more internal--mental blocks--many romance books use more melodramatic obstacles that are less believable--kidnappings, fire, etc. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon #19

Bible reading

BSB

• Psalms 19-55
• 1 John (several times)

KJV

• 2 Samuel 
• 1 Kings 1-16
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Solomon
• Ezekiel 1-9
• Mark

NASB 77

• James
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Jude
• Revelation

NASB 95

• Genesis 1-15
• Ezra
• Nehemiah 1-6
• Psalms 1-15
• Matthew 1-15
• Acts 1-15

ESV

• 2 Chronicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Songs

NKJV

• Proverbs 9-16

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

40. The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

40. The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House. Joanna Davidson Politano. 2025. 400 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, christian fiction, christian romance, historical romance]

First sentence: It was a strangely calm morning in March, with no wind off the dales, when the woman I assumed to be my mother slipped into the shop. 

Sydney Forrester, our heroine, is a clockmaker and tinkerer living with her aunt who has essentially raised her. (Her birth father is a mystery; her mother abandoned her). She has at times tried to find her mother, but up until now has failed. When the novel opens, her recent advertisement where she is seeking information about her mother, leads another woman to the shop. A woman declaring that Sydney Forrester  has inherited the estate of her great-uncle [or great-great uncle???] Blakely House. When she arrives on the island [I believe it is an island], she learns the truth: she is one of many possible heirs....and there's a 'contest' of sorts. And the other possible heirs? Well they are shady shady and more shady. The only possible potential friend is the handsome, dashing one-armed pirate-butler, Andre Montagne. She'll be risking her freedom and possibly her life if she stays....yet the more she learns about her great-uncle, the man of the house, his work and inventions, his personal life, etc, the more she feels at HOME and at PEACE. 

Sydney Forrester is neurodivergent. The romance was great. I cared more about the romance aspects of this one than the so-called "contest" of heirs. Part of me wishes I had not just read The Inheritance Games. I definitely liked this one. I enjoyed The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple more; this is the novel I read last month, I believe. That one was WONDERFUL. I think I had higher expectations. But this is a solidly good read. Definitely appreciate this author's work. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

4 NASB 1977

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

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

Start date: January 21, 2025

End date: May 5, 2025

I have read the NASB 1977 many times. Often many times per year. Since receiving it as a birthday gift in 2018, I believe, I've read it over and over again. Not always this physical copy, but, the translation itself. I was indecisive this time around with what physical copy I was reading. I read some in the Thompson Chain Reference (1977 edition); I read some in the Open Bible (1977 edition); I read some in this Giant Print Handy Size (1977 edition); I read some in a pew bible (1977 edition). So this 'review' is more about gushing about the translation than any one particular edition. Most editions--except the pew Bible--are red letter. Most are double column. 

I absolutely love this translation. It reads beautifully. It retains a classical, traditional literary style. It still has thees and thous. It is easier to understand than the King James Version, yet, it still has a strong traditional, elegant vibe. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon #18

Bible Reading

KJV (Clarion)

• Ruth
• 1 Samuel
• Ezra 
• Nehemiah
• Esther
• Job

NASB 77

• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon
• Hebrews
• 1 John

NKJV

• Psalms 119, 72, 45, 
• Song of Songs
• Proverbs 1-8
• 1 Kings 3-4
• 2 Chronicles 1

BSB

• 1 John
• Psalms 1-18

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

39. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John

39. [Expository Thoughts on the] Gospel of John. J.C. Ryle. 1879. 353 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Christian nonfiction, commentaries]

First sentence: The Gospel of John, which begins with these verses, is in many respects very unlike the other three Gospels. It contains many things which they omit. It omits many things which they contain. 

It has been a long time since I reviewed J.C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew. It was a GREAT read. John being my particular favorite gospel, I decided to read J.C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John in anticipation of Lent/Easter season. It was a WONDERFUL read. 

This one is essentially a commentary on a single book of the Bible, the gospel of John. The book divides each chapter into sections. It will print the Scripture itself [not just a reference] AND then provide expository commentary on Scripture. I love it when commentaries take the time to share the Scripture itself instead of just expecting you to have your Bible open as well. Being printed in the nineteenth century--originally--I'm guessing that it is likely the King James Version being used.

J.C. Ryle was a GREAT preacher and teacher. I love his work. I agree with most of what I've read. His work can be convicting for sure. 

Quotes from John 1 commentary:

• If no one less than the Eternal God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, could take away the sin of the world, sin must be a far more abominable thing in the sight of God than most men suppose. The right measure of sin's sinfulness is the dignity of Him who came into the world to save sinners. If Christ is so great, then sin must indeed be sinful!
• When He rose again, as the Head of the body of believers, He rose not as a mere man, but as God. Let these things sink deeply into our hearts. The second Adam is far greater than the first Adam was. The first Adam was only man, and so he fell. The second Adam was God as well as man, and so He completely conquered.
• No man ever errs on the side of giving too much honor to God the Son. Christ is the meeting-point between the Trinity and the sinner's soul. "He that honors not the Son, honors not the Father which sent Him." (John 5: 23.)
• Let us take heed that in all our thoughts of Christ, we first think of Him as John the Baptist here represents Him. Let us serve him faithfully as our Master. Let us obey Him loyally as our King. Let us study His teaching as our Prophet. Let us walk diligently after Him as our Example. Let us look anxiously for Him as our coming Redeemer of body as well as soul. But above all, let us prize Him as our Sacrifice, and rest our whole weight on His death as an atonement for sin. Let His blood be more precious in our eyes every year we live. Whatever else we glory in about Christ, let us glory above all things in His cross. This is the corner-stone, this is the citadel, this is the rule of true Christian theology. We know nothing rightly about Christ, until we see him with John the Baptist's eyes, and can rejoice in Him as "the Lamb that was slain."
• Christ is a COMPLETE savior. He "takes away sin." He did not merely make vague proclamations of pardon, mercy, and forgiveness. He "took" our sins upon Himself, and carried them away. He allowed them to be laid upon Himself, and "bore them in His own body on the tree." (1 Pet. 2: 24.) The sins of every one that believes on Jesus are made as though they had never been sinned at all. The Lamb of God has taken them clean away.
• Christ is a PERPETUAL and UNWEARIED Savior. He "takes away" sin. He is daily taking it away from every one that believes on Him--daily purging, daily cleansing, daily washing the souls of His people, daily granting and applying fresh supplies of mercy. He did not cease to work for His saints, when He died for them on the cross. He lives in heaven as a Priest, to present His sacrifice continually before God. In grace as well as is providence, Christ works still. He is ever taking away sin.
• Christ must be set forth again and again, as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." The story of grace must be told repeatedly--line upon line, and precept upon precept. It is the constant dropping which wears away the stone. The promise shall never be broken, that "God's word shall not return unto him void." (Isaiah. 55:11.)
• Do we find it hard to see Christ in the Old Testament, because we do not see His name? Let us be sure that the fault is all our own. It is our spiritual vision which is to blame, and not the book. The eyes of our understanding need to be enlightened. The veil has yet to be taken away. Let us pray for a more humble, childlike, and teachable spirit, and let us take up "Moses and the prophets" again. Christ is there, though our eyes may not yet have seen Him. May we never rest until we can subscribe to our Lord's words about the Old Testament Scriptures, "They are they which testify of me." (John 5: 39.)

Commentary on John 3

• No man is the author of his own existence, and no man can quicken his own soul. We might as well expect a dead man to give himself life, as expect a natural man to make himself spiritual. A power from above must be put in exercise, even that same power which created the world. (2 Cor. 4:6.)
• Let us take heed that our views of the love of God are Scriptural and well-defined. The subject is one on which error abounds on either side. On the one hand we must beware of vague and exaggerated opinions. We must maintain firmly that God hates wickedness, and that the end of all who persist in wickedness will be destruction. It is not true that God's love is "lower than hell." It is not true that God so loved the world that all mankind will be finally saved, but that He so loved the world that He gave His Son to be the Savior of all who believe. His love is offered to all men freely, fully, honestly, and unreservedly, but it is only through the one channel of Christ's redemption. He that rejects Christ cuts himself off from God's love, and will perish everlastingly. On the other hand, we must beware of narrow and contracted opinions. We must not hesitate to tell any sinner that God loves him. It is not true that God cares for none but His own elect, or that Christ is not offered to any but those who are ordained to eternal life. There is a "kindness and love" in God towards all mankind. It was in consequence of that love that Christ came into the world, and died upon the cross. Let us not be wise above that which is written, or more systematic in our statements than Scripture itself. God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. God is not willing that any should perish. God would have all men to be saved. God loves the world. (John 6:32; Titus 3:4; 1 John 4:10; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; Ezek. 33:11.)
• When Christ died upon the cross, our many sins were laid upon Him. He was made "sin" for us. He was made "a curse" for us. (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13.) By His death He purchased pardon and complete redemption for sinners. The bronze serpent, lifted up in the camp of Israel, brought health and cure within the reach of all who were bitten by the snakes. Christ crucified, in like manner, brought eternal life within reach of lost mankind. Christ has been lifted up on the cross, and man looking to Him by faith may be saved. The truth before us is the very foundation-stone of the Christian religion.
• It is true that we are sinners--but Christ has suffered for us. It is true that we deserve death--but Christ has died for us. It is true that we are guilty debtors--but Christ has paid our debts with His own blood. This is the real Gospel! This is the good news! On this let us lean while we live. To this let us cling when we die. Christ has been "lifted up" on the cross, and has thrown open the gates of heaven to all believers.
• "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life." He is not intended to look forward with a sick heart to a far distant privilege. He "has" everlasting life as soon as he believes. Pardon, peace, and a complete title to Heaven, are an immediate possession. They become a believer's own, from the very moment he puts faith in Christ. They will not be more completely his own, if he lives to the age of Methuselah.

Commentary on John 4

• If we let ignorant people fancy that we think we are doing them a great favor in talking to them about religion, there is little hope of doing good to their souls.

Commentary on John 5

• Sin was the original root, and cause, and fountain of every disease in the world. God did not create man to be full of aches, and pains, and infirmities. These things are the fruits of the Fall. There would have been no sickness, if there had been no sin.
• Simple, regular reading of our Bibles is the grand secret of establishment in the faith. Ignorance of the Scriptures is the root of all error.

Commentary on John 6

• We must read our Bibles, like men digging for hidden treasure. We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like men contending with a deadly enemy for life. We must take our whole heart to the house of God, and worship and hear like those who listen to the reading of a benefactor's will. We must fight daily against sin, the world, and the devil, like those who fight for liberty, and must conquer, or be slaves. These are the ways we must walk in if we would find Christ, and be found of Him.

Commentary on John 8

• Let us never suppose that there is any lack of charity in speaking of hell. Let us rather maintain that it is the highest love to warn men plainly of danger, and to beseech them to "flee from the wrath to come." It was Satan, the deceiver, murderer, and liar, who said to Eve in the beginning, "You shall not surely die." (Gen. 3: 4.) To shrink from telling men, that except they believe they will "die in their sins," may please the devil, but surely it cannot please God.

Commentary on John 9/10

• We must never suppose for a moment that our Lord had no power to prevent His sufferings, and that He was delivered up to His enemies and crucified because He could not help it. Nothing could be further from the truth than such an idea.
• Let us grasp it firmly, and never let it go. Let us maintain boldly the complete inspiration of every word of the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. Let us believe that not only every book of the Bible, but every chapter--and not only every chapter, but every verse, and not only every verse, but every word, was originally given by inspiration of God. Inspiration, we must never shrink from asserting, extends not only to the thoughts and ideas of Scripture, but to the least words.

Commentary on John 11

• The highest degree of faith is to be able to wait, sit still, and not complain.

Commentary on John 13

• Once let a man begin tampering with the devil, and he never knows how far he may fall. Trifling with the first thoughts of sin--making light of evil ideas when first offered to our hearts--allowing Satan to talk to us, and flatter us, and put bad notions into our hearts--all this may seem a small matter to many. It is precisely at this point that the road to ruin often begins. He that allows Satan to sow wicked thoughts will soon find within his heart a crop of wicked habits. Happy is he who really believes that there is a devil, and believing, watches and prays daily that he may be kept from his temptations.

Commentary on John 14

• Heaven is "a Father's house,"--the house of that God of whom Jesus says, "I go to my Father, and your Father." It is, in a word, HOME--the home of Christ and Christians. This is a sweet and touching expression. Home, as we all know, is the place where we are generally loved for our own sakes, and not for our gifts or possessions; the place where we are loved to the end, never forgotten, and always welcome. This is one idea of heaven.
• Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people--a place which we shall find Christ Himself has made ready for true Christians. He has prepared it by procuring a right for every sinner who believes to enter in. None can stop us, and say we have no business there. He has prepared it by going before us as our Head and Representative, and taking possession of it for all the members of His mystical body.
• Christ is "the WAY,"--the way to heaven and peace with God. He is not only the guide, and teacher, and lawgiver, like Moses; He is Himself the door, the ladder, and the road, through whom we must draw near to God. He has opened the way to the tree of life, which was closed when Adam and Eve fell, by the satisfaction He made for us on the cross. Through His blood we may draw near with boldness, and have access with confidence into God's presence.
• Christ is "the TRUTH,"--the whole substance of true religion which the mind of man requires.
• Christ is "the LIFE,"--the sinner's title to eternal life and pardon, the believer's root of spiritual life and holiness, the surety of the Christian's resurrection life. He that believes on Christ has everlasting life. He that abides in Him, as the branch abides in the vine, shall bring forth much fruit. He that believes on Him, though he were dead, yet shall he live. The root of all life, for soul and for body, is Christ.

Commentary on John 15

• He would have us know that we can never think too highly of love, attach too much weight to it, labor too much to practice it. Truths which our Master thinks it needful to enforce on us by repetition, must needs be of first-class importance.
• To see light and not use it, to possess knowledge and yet not turn it to account, to he able to say "I know," and yet not to say "I believe," will place us at the lowest place on Christ's left hand, in the great day of judgment.

Commentary on John 16

• Then let us never forget, in reading the Bible, to pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. We must not wonder if we find the Bible a dark and difficult book, if we do not regularly seek light from Him by whom it was first inspired. In this, as in many other things, "we have not because we ask not."
• The storms of trial and persecution may sometimes beat heavily on us; but let them only drive us closer to Christ. The sorrows, and losses, and crosses, and disappointments of our life may often make us feel sorely cast down; but let them only make us tighten our hold on Christ. Armed with this very promise let us, under every cross, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Commentary on John 20

• Where sin is not felt at all, nothing is done; and where sin is little felt, little is done. The man who is deeply conscious of his own guilt and corruption, and deeply convinced that without the death and intercession of Christ he would sink deservedly into the lowest hell, this is the man who will spend and be spent for Jesus, and think that he can never do enough to show forth His praise.
• Let us daily pray that we may see the sinfulness of sin, and the amazing grace of Christ, more clearly and distinctly. Then, and then only, shall we cease to be cool, and lukewarm, and slovenly in our work for Jesus.
• Let us love all who love Christ in sincerity, and thank God that they love Him at all. The great thing is to love Jesus.
• Let us believe that things are often working together for our peace and joy, which seem at one time to contain nothing but bitterness and sorrow.

Commentary on John 21

• There is no such thing as luck, chance, or accident, in the journey of our life. Everything from beginning to end is foreseen--arranged by One who is too wise to err, and too loving to do us harm.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible