Sunday Salon #48

Bible reading

NASB 77

• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Colossians
• Philippians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon
• James
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John 
• Jude
• Revelation

NKJV

• 1 Samuel
• 2 Samuel
• 1 Kings

KJV

• Ezekiel 31-48
• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus 1-5

ESV

• Ezekiel 20-48
• Daniel
• Hosea
• Joel
• Amos
• Obadiah
• Jonah
• Micah
• Nahum
• Habakkuk
• Zephaniah
• Haggai
• Zechariah
• Malachi

Amplified (1965)

• Genesis

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

56. Cloud of Witnesses

56. Cloud of Witnesses: A Treasury of Prayers and Petitions Through the Ages. Jonathan W. Arnold (editor) Zechariah Carter (editor). 2024. 345 pages. [Source: Library] [Prayer, devotional, christian nonfiction, history] [5 stars]

First sentence: He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'"

Cloud of Witnesses is a collection of [historic] prayers. This book of prayer features exactly one hundred prayers covering a wide range of subjects, themes, topics. The book is organized relatively chronological. The first section of the prayer book covers the early church (100-500), the medieval church (600-1500), the reformation church (1500-1700), and finally the modern church (1700-1900). The second section isn't so much a 'prayer book' as a history lesson. It features mini-introductions of all the writers included in the one hundred prayers. Again these mini-biographies are arranged chronologically. They do provide greater context for appreciating the one hundred prayers. The third section is technically the appendix, this section might be the least practical, however it isn't without its charms. This third section features the one hundred prayers in their original languages--or the source material for which these English translations are made. 

If you are looking for a prayer covering a specific topic or subject, there is an index for that.

The prayers vary in length and style. Some are very short, concise, practical. Others are longer--much longer. A few seem a little too wordy to be practical. But overall, I enjoyed reading this devotional prayer book. 

Prayer number 14 (Old Gallican Rite)

Grant holiness to new believers, O Father. Give knowledge to the ignorant. Give aide to those who are running their course. Give sorrow to those who have erred without knowledge. Give passion to those who are lukewarm. To those who are mature, give a good ending. We ask all of this for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Lord, Amen. 

Prayer number 70 (Thomas Cranmer)

Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, allow us to hear them, read them, mark them, learn them, and inwardly digest them in such a way that, by the patience and comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and ever hold on to the blessed hope of everlasting life that you have given to us in our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I am so glad that I read this one! Don't be intimidated. The one hundred prayers make up a small part of this one. They can be read and reread. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

25. ESV Large Print Personal Size

25. ESV Large Print Personal Size. God. 2016 edition text, 2020 publication. 1952 pages. [Source: Bought]

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.

ISBN number for the one I'm reviewing: ‎ 978-1433555909

Start date: September 12, 2024

End date: November 26, 2024

I love the Bible. That much should at least be obvious. This is my twenty-fifth time through the Bible in 2024. I love the ESV, aka English Standard Version. I do. Is it the top of the top of the top in my list of translation preferences? No, but it's in my top four or five. 

This is a TEXT ONLY edition. There are a few textual notes, but no cross references. There are not book introductions. This is a very straight-forward, basic, no thrills edition of the ESV.

It is DOUBLE-COLUMN. Words of Christ are in red, not black. This is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. There are people who love black letter and people who love red letter. Red letter ESV bibles are harder to come by. So definitely if you are looking for red letter, this might be the one for you.

The font size. What can I say....It is GLORIOUS, FABULOUS, WONDERFUL. 12 point. It is LINE-MATCHED. 

It is the perfect weight, size. It is not too heavy. It is quite portable. 

Visually this bare-bones, basic bible has EVERYTHING I could ever want. Mostly. It is one of the best purchases I've made in a good while. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

24. NASB (77) Topical Chain Study Bible

24. Topical Chain Study Bible. New American Standard Bible. 1977. 1983 for the Topical Chain Study features. God. Thomas Nelson publisher. 1660 pages. [Source: Bought]

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

Start date: September 17, 2024

End date: November 25, 2024

Things you should know about this Bible:

It features the text of the New American Standard Bible, the 1977 text edition. 

It is out of print. It was printed in the early 1980s.

It is NOT a rainbow study bible though it does seem to have some similarities. 

It is single column, black letter. 

It has interconnected references to four major Bible themes, each identified by a capital letter (G,J,H,S) and a color code. Grace is color coded red. Judgement is color coded blue. Holiness is color coded yellow. Sin is color coded gray. 

Verses that touch upon these four themes appear highlighted in that color. (Much like the rainbow study bible would later do)

But the chain references also are coded to 107 different topics. These are separate topics from the main four themes. Most topics try to reference something from each of the four.  

In addition to the chain references on the (left side of page) there are cross references (on the right side of page). 

There are also translation notes.

789 bottom of the page commentary/observations that can "kickstart" devotions. 

There are a handful of charts, maps, indexes, concordances, etc. 

Did I use all the features in my read through? No. I didn't really learn the system and give it full commitment to study using the chain references.

I did read [roughly] half the bottom of the page references. Some were excellent. Others got me thinking but not necessarily in agreement. 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the NASB 77. That is the main reason I thrifted this one. 

My main issue with this one is that the font size is TINY and it is single column. The combination does not work well with my vision. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon #47

Bible reading

NASB 77

• Matthew 9-28
• Mark
• Luke
• John
• Acts
• Romans

NKJV

• Numbers
• Deuteronomy
• Joshua
• Judges
• Ruth

KJV

• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• Ezekiel 1-30

ESV

• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• Ezekiel 1-19

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

55. Daily Doctrine

Daily Doctrine: A One Year Guide to Systematic Theology. Kevin DeYoung. 2024. 432 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [theology]

First sentence from the introduction: This is going to sound over the top but writing this book has been a dream come true.

First sentence from day one: The aim of Christian theology is to know, enjoy, and walk in the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

This systematic theology is meant to be digested one day at a time. The book allows for five days a week. So not 365 days of systematic theology. It builds in some grace days each week. It is written from a Reformed perspective.

From the introduction, "I endeavor on every page to be biblical. A big part of systematic theology is learning the proper terms and debates and distinctions. I make no apology for teaching these things. But the overarching goal in all this learning is to understand what the Bible teaches, defend what the Bible teaches, and enjoy the God whom the Bible reveals."

He goes on to say that the book can be enjoyed as a daily devotional, a reference book, or a "mini" systematic theology. 

It is well organized. Each reading is a building block. 

Some entries ARE accessible. Some have a truly must-read aspect to them because the entry is so central, so foundational, so essential to understanding the Christian faith. Because they are so essential, so core, these do have a more practical aspect to them. A certain thrilling aspect to unpack, a HOW CAN IT BE, ISN'T IT WONDERFUL. Entries that lead to gratitude, rejoicing, peace. 

For example, the chapters on the atonement are absolutely WONDERFUL. And that's just one example. There are, of course, many, many more.

Other entries are less accessible. I will say that ALL entries are intellectual in nature. But some are extra scholarly and dry. These daily entries are more difficult to comprehend and unpack, and, on the surface at least they seem to have less of an impact on the day-to-day lives of Christians. There are certainly chapters where the vocabulary is challenging. I have read many theological books through the years, so I thought I would have a fair grasp of the material. I was wrong. This isn't a bad thing. Just to say that there may be entire weeks where a reader is struggling to make sense of the text AND to put the pieces of the puzzle together in terms of so what. Why does knowing this impact me right here, right now. 

Again, there were plenty of days that were impactful and accessible and relevant. But I had imagined in my head a book where every day would be incredibly nourishing and amazing. There are plenty of rewarding days. There are. But this book will require effort. It may require rereading passages. It may require looking up unfamiliar vocabulary. It may require some extra research to see if you can find easier explanations of some concepts. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon #46

Bible reading

NASB 77

• Jeremiah 30-52
• Lamentations
• Ezekiel
• Daniel
• Hosea
• Joel
• Amos
• Obadiah
• Jonah
• Micah
• Nahum
• Habakkuk
• Zephaniah
• Haggai
• Zechariah
• Malachi
• Matthew 1-8

NKJV

• Genesis 25-50
• Exodus
• Leviticus

KJV

• 1 Kings 12-22
• 2 Kings
• Ecclesiastes
• Isaiah
• Jeremiah 1-2

ESV

• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Songs
• Isaiah

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible