Goals for 2013

While most of my goals will be monthly goals, I thought I would share my goals for the year with you as well.

To read the Bible six days a week. What I read will be determined month by month, including what translations I'll be reading and what specific Bibles I'll be using--study, devotional, text-only, etc. But my goals for the year, of course, begin with the foundation that Bible-reading will be the number one priority.

To spend the year with Charles Spurgeon. I plan on reading Morning and Evening, but, not necessarily following the dates. In addition to Morning and Evening, I plan on reading some of Spurgeon's sermons. (An alphabetical index; scriptural index; chronological index). Spurgeon Archives and Spurgeon Gems are websites that will prove useful. Spurgeon Gems, Sermons Archive, 63 volumes with over 3,000 sermons! I've also got The Essential Works of Charles Spurgeon.

To spend time reading classic theological works and/or commentaries...by J.C. Ryle, A.W. Tozer, A.W. Pink, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, etc. This includes a goal of reading from my shelves.

To read a balanced blend of Christian nonfiction and fiction, newer and older titles.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Top Ten Nonfiction Titles

These are the top ten nonfiction titles I read this year.

Kisses From Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption. Katie Davis. 2011. October 2011. Howard Books. 288 pages.

The Explicit Gospel. Matt Chandler. 2012. Crossway Books. 240 pages.

Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church. Michael Horton. 2008. Baker Publishing. 272 pages.

The Gospel-Driven Life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World. Michael Horton. 2009. Baker Books. 272 pages.

Loving the Way Jesus Loves. Phil Ryken. 2012. Crossway. 224 pages.

The Root of the Righteous: Tapping The Bedrock of True Spirituality. A.W. Tozer. 1955/2006. WingSpread Publishers. 186 pages.

Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. J.C. Ryle. (1816-1900). 280 pages.

Grace God's Unmerited Favor. Charles Spurgeon. 1996. Whitaker House. 175 pages.

Worship: The Ultimate Priority. John MacArthur. 1983/2012. Moody. 192 pages.

God Loves You: He Always Has, He Always Will. Dr. David Jeremiah. 2012. FaithWords. 320 pages.



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Favorite Christmas Songs

Merry Christmas! I thought I'd share a few of my favorite Christmas songs.

"You're Here" by Francesca Battistelli


"Joy to the World" by Chris Tomlin


"Born in Bethlehem" by Third Day


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Top Ten Fiction Titles

These fiction titles top my reading list for the year!

A Promise to Love. Serena B. Miller. 2012. Revell. 332 pages.

A Memory Between Us. Sarah Sundin. 2010. Revell. 450 pages. 

Blue Skies Tomorrow. Sarah Sundin. 2011. Revell. 434 pages.

With Every Letter. Sarah Sundin. 2012. Revell. 432 pages. 

Short-Straw Bride. Karen Witemeyer. 2012. Bethany House. 368 pages.

Life with Lily. Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. 2012. Revell. 288 pages.

Love's Reckoning. Laura Frantz. 2012. Revell. 432 pages.

A Lancaster County Christmas. Suzanne Woods Fisher. 2011. Revell. 198 pages.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. Julie Klassen. 2012. Bethany House. 416 pages. 

Almost Amish. Kathryn Cushman. 2012. Bethany House. 336 pages.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Week in Review: December 16-21

This week I read:

CEB

• Acts 12-28

HCSB Study Bible

• John 13-17

RSV

• Psalms 1-72
• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• Revelation

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

2012 Completed Challenges: Fall Into Reading

I completed Callapidder Day's Fall into Reading challenge. I was able to read quite a few books! A good blend of fiction and nonfiction. My favorite historical fiction novel would HAVE to be Serena B. Miller's A Promise to Love. I just LOVED, LOVED, LOVED that one! But I also really LOVED the two Sarah Sundin novels I read--both set during World War II. My favorite nonfiction read would probably be one of the Tozer books OR Practical Religion by J.C. Ryle.

1. A Memory Between Us. Sarah Sundin.
2. Blue Skies Tomorrow. Sarah Sundin. 
3. A Promise to Love. Serena B. Miller.
4. Twice Promised. Maggie Brendan.
5. Wondrous Works of God. Starr Meade
6. Whispers in the Wind. (Wild West Wind #2) Lauraine Snelling.
7. All Things New. Lynn Austin.
8. My First Handy Bible: Timeless Bible Stories for Toddlers. Cecilie Olesen. 
9. Jesus, Author of Our Faith. A.W. Tozer.
10. Grace Transforming: Phil Ryken. 
11. Twelve Unlikely Heroes: How God Commissioned Unexpected People in the Bible And What He Wants To Do With You. John MacArthur.
12. Practical Religion. J.C. Ryle. 
13. Keeping Holiday. Starr Meade. 
14. Christmas Roses. Amanda Cabot. 
15. The Christmas Pony. Melody Carlson. 
16. Designed for Devotion: a 365 Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation. Dianne Neal Matthews. 
17.  Joy: A Godly Woman's Adornment. Lydia Brownback. 
18. Trust. Lydia Brownback.
19. The Purpose of Man: Designed to Worship. A.W. Tozer. 
20. The Good News From North Haven. Michael L. Lindvall
21. Grace, Gold, & Glory. Gabrielle Douglas with Michelle Burford. 
22. Walking with Bilbo. Sarah Arthur. 
23. Gentleman of Her Dreams. Jen Turano. 2012. Bethany House. 68 pages.
24. God Loves You: He Always Has, He Always Will. Dr. David Jeremiah. 
25. A Lancaster County Christmas. Suzanne Woods Fisher.
26. Where God Finds You: 40 Devotions Bringing Bible Characters to Life. Anita Higman. 
27. Marriage Carol. Chris Fabry. 2011. Moody. 128 pages.
28. Pierced by the Word: Thirty-One Meditations for Your Soul. John Piper. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Grace, Gold, and Glory

Grace, Gold, & Glory. Gabrielle Douglas with Michelle Burford. 2012. Zondervan. 222 pages.

I enjoyed reading this biography of Gabrielle Douglas. It was interesting to get a behind the scenes look at gymnastics training from a champion's perspective. She started the sport at a young age, many do, and she shares with readers what it was like to be six, seven, etc. and spending THAT many hours a week at the gym. Readers also get a glimpse of her private life outside the gym--her relationship with her mom, brother, sister, father. Other subjects touched upon include her spirituality, her pets, and her 'new' celebrity status. (She mentions every famous person she's met since the London games.) It is not as detailed perhaps as it could be--sharing every detail about her years of training, her meets, her coaches, her injuries, her friends, etc. It does offer readers just enough. I also enjoyed looking at the photos!


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible