Operation Common Prayer #4

4th Sunday in Advent

The collect. (Traditional)

O LORD, raise up (we pray thee) thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

2019
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The First Sunday of Advent.

The Collect. (Traditional)

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Collect (2019)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

This Collect is to be repeated every day, with the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas-Eve.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

85. Zanna's Gift

Zanna's Gift. Orson Scott Card. 2020. 250 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: There are many ways to lose a child, and none of them is merciful. But like all unbearable things it can be borne, and in the weeks before Christmas 1938, the Pullmans were learning how.

Premise/plot: Zanna's Gift is a LOVELY Christmas novel. Zanna, the youngest of the Pullman family, has a special way to memorialize her older brother, Ernest, after his unexpected death at age fifteen.

The best way to read Zanna's Gift is without knowing a thing about it. I promise you. I'm doing you a favor by NOT summarizing the plot and sharing what Zanna's GIFT was and how it was a gift that kept giving and giving, how that gift came to symbolize so much to the entire family. 

My thoughts: LOVE. I loved this one absolutely and completely from start to finish. It was one of those perfectly perfect EXPERIENCES. It feels like more than just a book, a story, a fictional work. THESE CHARACTERS ARE REAL. How it hasn't been adapted into a movie if it was truly published originally in 2004 is beyond me. It would make an excellent movie.

I would recommend this one to people who aren't necessarily readers. Of course I recommend it to readers who read anything and everything. But for those who are reluctant to pick up books, please consider reading this wonderful amazing book. 

If you LOVE Christmas, this is an absolute must. I could easily see it becoming a book that you feel you HAVE to read each and every year. 

This was my SECOND year to read Zanna's Gift. Last year I was surprised by how magical this read was--a celebration of life, love, and family. This year I was reminded of just how beautiful and touching it is. These characters have remained with me throughout the year. 

Is it Christian fiction? Maybe? Faith plays out in the background of this one. Faith isn't fleshed out in this one--in terms of theology. But I'm not so sure it needs to be for the beautiful themes to come through. There is nothing in Zanna's Gift that is anti-Christian. It is a treat of a book for ALL readers regardless of faith background. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

84. We Will Not Be Silenced

We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously To Our Culture's Assault on Christianity. Erwin W. Lutzer. 2020. [November] 288 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The disciples asked Jesus an interesting question: "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" (Luke 13:23). Haven't we all wondered how many people will be saved and how many lost?

I wouldn't be surprised if some readers make the conclusion that Erwin Lutzer doesn't go far enough in his cultural analysis and the dangers facing every Christian--particularly American Christians--and other readers may reach the conclusion that he goes too far. 

If even a third of the things Lutzer mentions--calls out, cries out against--are true, there are reasons for the church--the true church--to be concerned. For better or worse--most likely worse--the American church might be said to be on the sleepy/lazy side. Believers--both as individuals and as a group--tend to fall asleep when we most need to stay alert. Consider the disciples, for example. Several times in Scripture, believers are called to wake up. The call to wake up is not necessarily a call to panic. I want to make that clear. Lutzer's call is not for Christians to join together and panic. It is a call, in my opinion, to wake up and wipe the sleep from our eyes. To look and watch. To trust and obey. To pray and praise. To perhaps make (more) informed choices. 

I love, love, love his purpose: "I write not so much to reclaim the culture as to reclaim the church." Again his goal is NOT to "take America back." 

Lutzer definitely makes a clear distinction between the one, true church--the "invisible" church--and the more inclusive "church" that seems to include anyone/everyone who has ever at any time--for any length of time--professed to be "a Christian." If a Christian is anyone who has ever at any time said "hey, I'm a Christian" then sure, it's easy to say Christians hold a majority and they have never been silenced in any way. To clarify, there is a BIG difference between a literal silencing and a silencing from FEAR of "being canceled" or "facing consequences" of our "free speech." It would be an exaggeration to say that American Christians are truly in fear of their [actual] lives for exercising free speech and the freedom of religion. 

Tolerance is a one-way street. And Christianity isn't to be tolerated. So goes Lutzer's argument that the culture has long--many, many, many decades--warred against traditional, orthodox, historic Christianity. 

Progressive Christianity--or should that be progressive "Christianity" is not silenced, and has no reason to worry about being silenced. More often than not, progressive Christianity is walking--if not skipping or leaping--with the world: hand in hand, heart to heart. Everything in perfect alignment. 

Lutzer covers just about any and every subject/topic in this one. He urges his readers to look to the Word of God and NOT the world. Our faith should not be informed--taught, guided, led--by the world. There are dangerous world views. Conflicting dangerous world views. World views that unite in one thing--their dislike and hatred of Christianity. The world NEEDS the gospel; the world NEEDS those who are willing to openly testify and witness. The world NEEDS those to speak the truth IN LOVE. (Not those who keep silent OUT OF LOVE.) Real love, true love, the love we are called to have for the world--for all our neighbors--speaks the truth with grace. Because I love you, because I truly want you to know the truth, I am going to speak the truth even knowing that you may be offended. 

Lutzer, in my opinion, keeps pointing readers back to the good news of the gospel. Yes, these things are concerning BUT look to Christ, look to Christ's promises. That's why I think it's a call to wake up and not a call to panic. 

In some ways, it might be Lutzer preaching to the choir. Those most likely to read it are likely already somewhat concerned about the world we live in, the way our culture is. Those reluctant to read it--because they disagree fundamentally with this "narrow-minded" and "hateful" world view (aka traditional, orthodox, historic Christianity)--may see what they want to see. I think the book should be read with an open mind. Don't assume the worst about Lutzer and his position. 

ETA: The poem "To Be Fit for God" in Valley of Vision (pp 254-255) sum up the theme of this book so well!

I will NOT quote the whole poem, but I will quote a few lines.

Let me never slumber, never lose lose my assurance,

never fail to wear armour when passing through

enemy land.

Fit me for every scene and circumstance; 

Stay my mind upon thee and turn my trials to blessings

that they may draw out my gratitude and praise

as I see their design and effects.

Render my obedience to thy will holy, natural and delightful.

Rectify all my principles by clear, consistent, 

and influential views of divine truth.

Let me never undervalue or neglect any part

of thy revealed will.

May I duly regard the doctrine and practice of the gospel,

prizing its commands as well as its promises.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Operation Common Prayer #3

Third Sunday in Advent:

Traditional

LORD Jesu Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

2019

O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The First Sunday of Advent.

The Collect. (Traditional)

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Collect (2019)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

This Collect is to be repeated every day, with the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas-Eve.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Additional Ways to Use Be Thou My Vision

On Tuesday, I reviewed Jonathan Gibson's Be Thou My Vision. If I gave the impression that I wouldn't recommend it, then I didn't do a great job. Oops. The truth is, I found it a thousand times better than your average, ordinary, typical, traditional devotional book. It was practical, substantive, encouraging. The kind of book that gives you the tools you need to strengthen, deepen, grow your faith. (If you read with heart-mind-body-soul engaged and with a prayerful, teachable heart. Perhaps not if you read it mindlessly or carelessly.) 

The book's biggest flaw (flaw in my humble, subjective opinion) may be turned into the book's biggest strength. So what is the flaw that I see??? They include the M'Cheyne daily plan, but, instead of saying this plan has four readings a day. Following this plan will take you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice, they (weakly) suggest reading one chapter per day. But here's the thing, it is an appendix. One of many. You don't have to use it. There I said it. You could substitute ANY reading plan for ANY reading style. The possibilities are endless.

Here's a novel thought--perhaps--do Be Thou My Vision morning AND night (same day's reading). Use either the same translation both times OR read different translations. For example, if your morning's reading was John 3, read John 3 in the evening as well. Same translation or different translation. I have found that the Word of God always speaks--or refreshes. Plus, so much of what we do is in one ear and out the other. We have very short-term memories. We are called to meditate on the Word. And I think this could lead to that.

Read through the Psalms monthly. Perhaps using Donald Whitney's Praying the Bible as your guide/resource/teacher. He would have you skim through five psalms a day--there's no reason you couldn't actually read-read them--and then pick one each day to PRAY through. 

MacArthur's 30 Day Reading Program. Use the Be Thou My Vision's structure, but, every month choose a new section or chunk from Scripture to read. Many New Testament books can be read as a whole--James, Galatians, 1 John, etc. Larger books can be broken into sections. Matthew 1-4, John 14-17, etc. You could really DIG deep. 

Daily Bibles. Or "One-Year" Bibles. These abound. Some have a chronological approach. Some blend together readings from the Old Testament and the New. Some have a portion of OT, NT, Psalms, and Proverbs. Some are dated--January 1, January 2, January 3--some are not. Some have (light) commentary and (light) notes. 

Some Bibles--though not all Bibles--have a reading plan in the back of the Bible. Some like the Student Bible, have multiple plans. (Though not all plans in the Student Bible take you through every word of Scripture.) 

Daily Office. Use the lectionary calendar for the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer. 

Bible in 90 Days. This is a plan that has been around for over a decade--at least. Chances are you've heard of it. But it's also one you might not have done because it's intimidating. I have made some alterations to the plan myself. But just search for the plan and you'll find lots of information. Here is the link to my "fixed" plan. 

You might also be courageous enough to do the Power 60 Bible Reading Plan. (Link to the pdf file)

The good news is that you can read AS MUCH or AS LITTLE as you want. Find what works for you. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

83. Every Word Unsaid

Every Word Unsaid. Kimberly Duffy. 2021. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Nothing brought Augusta Constance Travers more joy than slipping away. And nothing frustrated her more than the companion meant to keep her from doing so.

Gussie Travers, our heroine, is Miss Adventuress. She takes photographs on her Kodak camera and writes [fluff] travel pieces. Her work is supposed to be anonymous. No one is supposed to know that she comes from society. But. All secrets come to light...eventually. Such is the case with Gussie's "big" secret. Much to her family's shame and disapproval. A daughter that TRAVELS the country on her own??? A daughter that WORKS???? Who would ever want to marry such a strange and unnatural girl? 

After she is outed, Gussie travels to India--expenses paid by the newspaper/journal/magazine. She'll start her once-in-a-lifetime adventure (as Miss Adventuress) by spending some time with old family friends (who are conveniently living in India, don't you know). But to her utter SHOCK AND DISMAY they aren't exactly thrilled (jumping up and down at her arrival) because they are in the midst of a pandemic--bubonic plague. No worries for Miss Adventuress. Surely bubonic plague isn't dangerous or even all that contagious! She'll do just fine going wherever she wants and doing whatever she wants. No worries. She is free; she is independent. She is going to take photographs of everything and everybody! Hooray for full-time adventures!

She soon finds herself in love with the place and the people. Will she ever want to leave India? What if she wants more from life than adventure? What if she wants something completely different that she has always shunned before? 

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. On the one hand, it kept me reading. I loved the hero--a doctor. And it's a friend-to-lovers romance. Also possibly marrying your best friend's brother??? Regardless of which it truly is, it has some satisfying moments. On the other hand, there were plenty of moments when I truly did want to shout at the characters. There were moments where you doubted the characters had any intelligence at all. (These moments were few, thankfully!) 

Before reading this one, I had no idea of the 1897 Bombay Plague and the resulting Epidemic Disease Act of 1897. To be fair, I didn't learn much history from the novel. But it did make me curious enough to do an internet search to find out if the bubonic plague was a plot device--so the historical characters could voice strong opinions on pandemics and politics--or historical fact. I read this article. 

There were definitely things that I enjoyed/liked about this one. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

82. Blue Skies Tomorrow

Blue Skies Tomorrow. Sarah Sundin. 2011. Revell. 434 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Helen Carlisle strolled up G street, careful to keep a pained expression. Some days the performance of grief was easier than others, but it was always necessary for her son's sake. 

Blue Skies Tomorrow is the third book in the Wings of Glory trilogy by Sarah Sundin. The series focuses on the Novak brothers--Walter, Jack, and now Ray. Ray Novak is a flight instructor who--at the start of the novel--hasn't seen combat. Helen Carlisle, our heroine, is a war widow with a heavy burden and daunting task. 

I decided to reread all three books in 2021. I'm posting my original review below, with additional comments in red. 

I really LOVED Sarah Sundin's A Memory Between Us, the love story between Jack Novak and Ruth Doherty. I LOVED Blue Skies Tomorrow just as much. This third novel in the Wings of Glory series focuses on Ray Novak, another pastor-pilot in the family. He has been able to spend most of the war flying out of combat as an instructor, but, times are changing and he's given a choice, an opportunity, to risk more for his country. And soon Ray has joined his brother Jack in England flying dangerous missions. But. Before Ray leaves, he has the opportunity to fall deeply in love with "grieving" widow Helen Carlisle. 

Helen has become used to hiding the truth. When the novel opens, Helen is hiding the fact that she was secretly relieved when her husband died. She hides behind her work, her charity work, her good causes, etc. She hides behind her roles. The truth is, there are very few people in Helen's life she feels comfortable being completely honest and open with. But that begins to change when Helen begins to fall in love with Ray. She tells him the truth, and he believes her. But the truth-telling, well, it's a little too late or so it appears. For it gets a bit ugly and tense BEFORE his departure, and, well, correspondence helps mend a friendship, but there is so much left unsaid by both. [Blue Skies Tomorrow needs trigger warnings. It does. I almost felt like I was reading a different book this time around. The book is HEAVY and deals with serious topics: spousal abuse, child abuse, gaslighting and manipulation, and dare I say blackmail? Helen's biggest fear is that her son--now a toddler--will grow up to be physically abusive. She seems to think it is in his genes--that he cannot escape this destiny. She sees his fits as a toddler as proof of that. Granted, I'm not saying that fits should be dismissed and not dealt with. (I'm really not). But just because you have a toddler that hits, slaps, or bites in anger at age 2 doesn't mean he's going to behave the exact same way at 22. This book doesn't focus solely on nature versus nurture.] 

[Also what seems to have slipped my mind completely in my first review, was the book's treatment of the Port Chicago Disaster. I'm linking to the wikipedia article. I have since read a nonfiction book on the subject, and am more familiar with it. But the book in addition to all the heaviness of physical and mental abuse deals with racial injustice. It isn't just background, but plays an integral role in the story.]

This one is told in alternating voices, and it is intense--very, very, very, very intense in some places. It is  incredibly compelling. If you enjoyed Memory Between Us, then you HAVE to read this one too. Readers will continue to learn about Jack and Ruth! (Also Allie and Walter).

This one has plenty of romance and plenty of drama!!!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible