Friday, August 2, 2013

The Global assault on Christians



I have found myself spending more time with books focusing on Christian persecution around the world.  Persecuted: the Global Assault on Christians by Paul Marshall, Lela Gilbert and Nina Shea was a welcome addition to my reading list.  In the past I have read books like Fox’s Book of Martyrs and Jesus Freaks which tell the stories of those who have stood for their faith in Jesus.  Persecuted was a change of pace in that it took a systematic approach in telling of the current persecution going on around the world today.  It also discussed the motivation behind the persecution and how that changes the circumstances for Christians living out their faith in those distinct areas.
It is so easy for born again Christians in free countries like the USA to take their freedom for granted.  While the stage is changing and intolerance for Christianity is on the rise here we still enjoy much freedom to worship Jesus without fearing for our lives.  It is easy for forget the trials of Christians around the world who live with the daily threat of persecution.  This book is a sobering reminder of what is really taking place.  It is a wakeup call for us not to live in ignorance or what goes on beyond our borders, but to be in constant prayer for our fellow believers with a willing and eager heart to serve Jesus with our whole lives.  I highly recommend reading this book.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program.

Another Great Imagination Station Adventure



Hunt for the Devil’s Dragon is the latest book in the Adventures in Odyssey Imagination Station series written by Marianne Hering and Wayne Thomas Baston.  The story continues to follow the cousins Patrick and Beth and their adventures in Mr. Whittaker’s imagination station.  However it departs from the previous storyline of trying to help save Mr. Whittaker’s friend Albert who has been captured by the mysterious Lord Darkthorn.
My now 6 year old son continues to enjoy these books.  This time having a setting in Roman times with soldiers and a dragon were especially intriguing.  While he was especially interested in the expectation of reading and seeing a dragon I especially appreciated the Godly character displayed by Georgius, the Christ fearing Roman soldier who was unashamed of his faith in Jesus.  This was a welcome talking point of how to behave around other who dismiss, mock or even persecute Christians for their faith.  I would recommend this book to young kids and to parents who want read short stories with their children depicting Godly men and women.

I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.