Bible Reading #5 and more...

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

1 Samuel 8-12

ESV Women's Study Bible

Genesis 12-19

RSV Sovereign

2 Kings 1-5, Romans 12-16

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign

Acts 9, John 12, Psalms 119:33-104; Jeremiah 24, 1 Corinthians 9

Genesis 25, John 13, Jeremiah 25, 1 Corinthians 10, Psalms 119:105-176

Genesis 26, John 14, Psalms 120-131, Jeremiah 26, 1 Corinthians 11

Genesis 27, John 14, Psalms 132-138, Jeremiah 27, 1 Corinthians 12

Genesis 28, John 15, Psalms 139-143, Jeremiah 28, 1 Corinthians 13

Genesis 29, John 15, Psalms 144-150, Jeremiah 29, 1 Corinthians 14

Genesis 30, John 16, Jeremiah 30, 1 Corinthians 14

NASB 1977 Giant Print (AMG)

Psalms 1-14

   

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6. The Fault Between Us. Stephanie Landsem. 2025. 344 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, historical fiction, christian fiction]

First sentence: The day Mother left, Claire got a gold star for her report on Yellowstone National Park. 

Premise/plot: Historical fiction set in 1959. Claire, Bridget, and Frannie are sisters. Claire has married a cowboy, Red Wilder, and is now living in Montana in western Yellowstone. Her dad who did not approve of the marriage even slightly has sent his two daughters--Bridget and Frannie--to "fetch" her home with her new baby with or without her husband. Claire receives word via letter that Bridget it is coming two days before. Not much time to prepare, and since Red has literally just lost his job, there is much tension. The visit does not go well--at the start. Red goes off in search of another job. Bridget goes to her nursing job in Yellowstone. Frannie runs away to join the staff at Canyon Lodge. But when disaster strikes--an earthquake--the family will be tested greatly. Will they survive the shocks and aftershocks? 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It isn't without its...faults...but it is a good read. There are a LOT of narrators--Claire, Bridget, Frannie, and Red. The characters don't always treat each other with kindness, compassion, love. There's hardly any giving each other the benefit of the doubt. But I do think the book deals with family trauma. Not all historical romance does. So this is definitely not your typical Christian historical romance. 

Once the earthquake happens things gets intense QUICKLY. Everything is building up to that point. The pacing is a little uneven, but, it is necessary. You can't just start with the earthquake without building up the characters and giving them back stories. 

   

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KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible 

Deuteronomy 21-28

ESV Women's Study Bible

1 Kings 5-11

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign Bible

Genesis 18, Matthew 16, Psalms 90-94, Jeremiah 17, 1 Corinthians 1-2

RSV Sovereign Bible 

1 Samuel 24-31, 2 Corinthians 

2 Samuel 1-5, 1 Corinthians 1-4

2 Samuel 6-11, 1 Corinthians 5-10

2 Samuel 12-24, 1 Corinthians 11-16

1 Kings 1-11, Romans 1-4

1 Kings 12-16; Romans 5-8

1 Kings 17-22, Romans 9-11

   

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5. 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust: Core Beliefs of The Christian Faith That Will Change Your Life. Paul David Tripp. 2025. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy] [christian nonfiction, christian theology, teen books, teen devotional]

First sentence: God has revealed himself and perfectly declared his will by committing his truth to writing.

Paul David Tripp has adapted his book, DO YOU BELIEVE?, for teens in 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust.

There are twelve truths. Each of the twelve truths is carefully unpacked. This book is ALL about organization of core truths.

Each truth includes the following:

WHAT WE BELIEVE

WHY WE BELIEVE IT

HOW IT MATTERS

"What We Believe" gives a clear, concise, no-nonsense definition or description of the truth being unpacked. 

"Why We Believe It" gives Scriptural proofs--not Scripture references which would involve an extra step or two for the reader--but shares verses and passages from Scripture. This emphasizes that WHY we believe a doctrine is drawn itself FROM Scripture itself. And never just one passage or one verse, but many. 

"How It Matters" includes SEVEN readings. These readings could be read in one sitting OR could be read over seven days. So *if* one was reading this in a group setting--a private school, a Sunday school, family devotions--one could have weekly assignments. ONE could use the opening sections to prepare for more personal study throughout the week. Each of the seven readings concludes with a "read" and "reflect" section. 

The twelve core truths are:

Scripture

God

God's Holiness

God's Sovereignty

God's Power

God's Creation

God's Image

Sin

Justification

Sanctification

Perseverance and Glorification

Eternity

Reading through this list one can clearly see this book has potential to be awesome for teaching the basics. 

I was torn between four stars and five stars. If GoodReads allowed for half star ratings, I may have rated this one 4 and 1/2 stars. I loved, loved, loved the twelve core truths. I thought these were foundational essentials. I loved, loved, loved the two sections, "What We Believe" and "Why We Believe It." The scriptural proofs were AWESOME. I appreciated the "How It Matters" but these seven readings are not as strong perhaps as the other two sections. Sometimes the reading would be excellent. But these were the places where personal stories and anecdotes entered in a bit. I also thought that some of the readings could been condensed into a few readings instead of spread out into seven. That being said, SO much to love and appreciate in this one. 

   

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KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Numbers 1-12

ESV Women's Study Bible

1 Samuel 9-13

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign Bible

Genesis 11, John 6, Psalms 56-61, Jeremiah 10, 1 Thessalonians 4

RSV Sovereign Bible 

Deuteronomy 24-34, 2 Timothy

Judges, 2 Thessalonians

Ruth, 1 Thessalonians

1 Samuel 1-7, Colossians

1 Samuel 8-17, Philippians

1 Samuel 18-23, Ephesians, Galatians

   

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