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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
A really great read! I believe all Christians should read it, especially if they wonder what persecution is like and why it happens. Wow.
The message of this book is easily worth five stars. The picture painted of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit at work around the world is inspiring. It is also convicting.
The writing is not so inspiring. It was difficult for me to finish this book. The author inserts himself into almost every story, instead of letting the storytellers be the narrators of their own tales. Toward the end, he gets repetitive in trying to come to a conclusion. The actual conclusion, when he finally gets to it, is gold.
One star for the writing and five for the message he was trying to tell.
The writing is not so inspiring. It was difficult for me to finish this book. The author inserts himself into almost every story, instead of letting the storytellers be the narrators of their own tales. Toward the end, he gets repetitive in trying to come to a conclusion. The actual conclusion, when he finally gets to it, is gold.
One star for the writing and five for the message he was trying to tell.
A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit.
A very thought provoking book that sheds a different look on persecution.
"If we spend our lives so afraid of suffering, so adverse to sacrifice, that we avoid even the risk of persecution or crucifixion, then we might never discover the true wonder, joy and power of a resurrection faith. Ironically, avoiding suffering could be the very thing that prevents us from partnering deeply with the Risen Jesus."
I appreciated this book. It is not a polished masterpiece but I believe that the message hits your heart. There are a number of sections that will stick with me for the long haul. I am a little different after reading this book.
I appreciated this book. It is not a polished masterpiece but I believe that the message hits your heart. There are a number of sections that will stick with me for the long haul. I am a little different after reading this book.
A faith-building, faith-challenging read.
The first half is the story of Nik Ripken and family's serving in Africa (with Nik's early life biography and testimony woven in), primarily providing relief aid in Somalia during the worst of that country's civil war (and during the brief time the nation's citizen's dire situation was noticed by the rest of the world). In brief: it was a challenging, dark stretch in which needs were countless, resources to address those needs limited, and evangelistic "fruit" nearly nonexistent. The Ripken's left Africa wondering where God was in such situations.
The second half of the story is about the Ripken's return to America and their decision to learn from persecuted believers around the world before they returned to "the mission field." Learning from the persecuted church meant that Nik traveled the world, visited closed and difficult countries, and interviewed believers to learn about their various experiences undergoing persecution. What he learned is astounding. In brief: God's at work; persecuted believers cling to their Father, aren't surprised that they're persecuted, and boldly declare the gospel; and the church is growing against the will of many nations.
These discoveries deeply affect Ripken, and his candor as he describes his learning and discovery process allows the reader to experience similar challenge and encouragement. I finished the book humbled by the faith of brothers and sisters around the world and motivated to pray bigger and walk closer to the Lord.
The first half is the story of Nik Ripken and family's serving in Africa (with Nik's early life biography and testimony woven in), primarily providing relief aid in Somalia during the worst of that country's civil war (and during the brief time the nation's citizen's dire situation was noticed by the rest of the world). In brief: it was a challenging, dark stretch in which needs were countless, resources to address those needs limited, and evangelistic "fruit" nearly nonexistent. The Ripken's left Africa wondering where God was in such situations.
The second half of the story is about the Ripken's return to America and their decision to learn from persecuted believers around the world before they returned to "the mission field." Learning from the persecuted church meant that Nik traveled the world, visited closed and difficult countries, and interviewed believers to learn about their various experiences undergoing persecution. What he learned is astounding. In brief: God's at work; persecuted believers cling to their Father, aren't surprised that they're persecuted, and boldly declare the gospel; and the church is growing against the will of many nations.
These discoveries deeply affect Ripken, and his candor as he describes his learning and discovery process allows the reader to experience similar challenge and encouragement. I finished the book humbled by the faith of brothers and sisters around the world and motivated to pray bigger and walk closer to the Lord.
"The greatest enemy of our faith today is not communism, Buddhism, Hinduism, atheism, or even Islam. Our greatest enemy is lostness."
This book. Wow. So much heartbreak and joy and weakness laughter and tears and especially a lot of singing. I can't truly capture everything it meant to me, so I'll just say this:
This book is real life in all of its raw brokenness and pain, but with the hope and joy of Jesus. You should read it.
This book. Wow. So much heartbreak and joy and weakness laughter and tears and especially a lot of singing. I can't truly capture everything it meant to me, so I'll just say this:
This book is real life in all of its raw brokenness and pain, but with the hope and joy of Jesus. You should read it.
An eye opener to the persecuted Christians in non Western countries. Unfathomable!
" 'For us, persecution is like the sun coming up in the east. It happens all the time. It's the way things are. There is nothing unusual or unexpected about it. Persecution for our faith has always been-- and probably always will be-- a normal part of life.' "
I love when I read books that redefine my whole perspective on my faith. In the western world persecution is not really something that one has to worry about constantly but for some people it's not a question that they will be!
While the details of some of these stories really touched me, I was really peeved on how the book was plotted. It was all over the place! There was a very faint overall arc but other than that the parts of the book didn't connect.. I also saw a lot of networking with other Christians but very few 'talks' of the gospel to the lost. The only conversion stories in this book were people who had been converted by someone else..
I love when I read books that redefine my whole perspective on my faith. In the western world persecution is not really something that one has to worry about constantly but for some people it's not a question that they will be!
While the details of some of these stories really touched me, I was really peeved on how the book was plotted. It was all over the place! There was a very faint overall arc but other than that the parts of the book didn't connect.. I also saw a lot of networking with other Christians but very few 'talks' of the gospel to the lost. The only conversion stories in this book were people who had been converted by someone else..