5 comments about Medjugorje: The Mission.

1. This book was a wonderful follow-up to Wayne's first book: Medjugorje: The Message which I could not put down and it changed my life!



2. In Medjugorje: the Mission, the writer tells of his work of spreading the stories and messages of the appearances of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, at Medjugorje. I was swept up in story after amazing story of miracles and conversions. The added treat this time round is reading about the global nature of his mission, which takes him to Trinidad and Tobago, Eastern Europe, Great Britain, Australia and others, including Singapore, my own native country! The book gives the reader a behind-the-scenes view of what it's like and what it takes to be a travelling evangelist who's much in demand. Weaved into the narrative are his deepest ever revelations about the workings of Grace in his own personal and family life. Altogether, it is an impressive and touching story. Wayne's style is engaging, honest and truly Christian. The book's 400+ pages long, but I didn't want it to end!



3. yes the spirit being calling herself the virgin mary is doing signs and wonders. purchase the bible (here on amazon of course) it warns of angels of light doing signs and wonders in the end times but these miracles are not from the god of the bible.catholic teachings on MARY are in direct conflict with the bible...



4. This book and others from Mr Weible have changed my life forever. It truely has brought me closer to GOD thru the Blessed Virgin Mary. What better way to come closer to our savior than tru his holy mother. And for all people who may not quite believe or have a doubt because of what the bible says, I just have to say that why would it be kinda weird for bad angels bringing people closer to the Son. Open your heart to God and dont let your mind get in the way. God will not let you go astray!! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL THE WORLD!



5. This book was a very well written book about Medjugorje. The author is obviously a professional writer in that the book is easy to read yet very informative. His passion about the subject is obvious. I am about to make a pilgrimage to Medjugorje and am very glad I read this book. Am also reading his subsequent books about the apparitions.

5 comments about Great Souls: Six Who Changed the Century.

1. Great Souls: Six Who Changed the Century is undoubtedly one of the best collections of biographies I have read in years. In an era where celebrities are designated "heroes" and fifty or so men in New Orleans are called "Saints", it is refreshing - no it's inspiring - to read about five men and a woman whose attitudes and actions had a profound and positive effect on this century. David Aikman, a talented foreign correspondent for Time Magazine turned writer, has done a superb job capturing, in a few pages, the extraordinary lives and accomplishments of Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Pope John Paul II, Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandela. If you are looking for perfect people, you won't find them in Aikman's book. What you will find, however, are six individuals who again and again, rose above their times and circumstances to change, if only for a brief time, the course of human events. Aikman's astute observations into the worldly and spiritual lives of these great souls hold important lessons for all of us today. Mother Teresa's inexhaustible compassion for the poorest of the poor, Nelson Mandela's amazing capacity to forgive, Billy Graham's urgent quest for salvation for the human soul, Solzhenitsyn's implacable pursuit of the truth, Pope John Paul's passion for human dignity and Eli Wiesel's constant reminders of the profound wickedness that lurks in the hearts of men, these are some of the lessons in store for those who read this enjoyable and inspirational book. Perhaps the best chapter is the last. Here Aikman uses Eli Wiesel's compelling and tragic story to inquire into the nature of evil. Was Adolph Hitler a charismatic but misguided despot or Satan incarnate? Was the Holocaust "a mutation on a cosmic scale" or "merely the natural shoots watered by Europe's longtime subterranean lake of anti-Semitism"? As we move from this millennium to the next, hopefully the brilliant lights of these great souls will illuminate the answers to these questions and be a lamp unto the uncertain path that lies before us.

   rlrodriguez@ucdavis.edu




2. I really want to thank Mr. Aikman for this book. It illustrates the way a pure soul can be used by God to accomplish things beyond anyone's expectations. The author masterfully weaves anecdotes, interviews and biographical information to connect us in a unique way to these great people. I came away inspired to try and carry away remnants of each of these wonderful people. Thank you for such a masterful work. It is profound in so many ways.



3. I really want to thank Mr. Aikman for this book. It illustrates the way a pure soul can be used by God to accomplish things beyond anyone's expectations. The author masterfully weaves anecdotes, interviews and biographical information to connect us in a unique way to these great people. I came away inspired to try and carry away remnants of each of these wonderful people. Thank you for such a masterful work. It is profound in so many ways.



4. What a wonderful book! I have the privilege of knowing the author, and I can say that Dr. Aikman has not only unveiled six great souls for our benefit, but has exposed the greatness of his own.



5. It was truly wonderful to read David's biographies of these great souls. There is quite a warts-and-all documentary style to this, but I really felt that I got into the lives of the people. For instance, I felt like I got a better picture of Billy Graham from the one chapter on him here than I did from the whole of Graham's autobiography.

   Full disclosure: I know David a little, we go to church together. But it's STILL a great book. I hope you can still find it around.

4 comments about Keep Walking: One Man's Journey to Feed the World One Child at a Time.

1. This is an excellent account of what one person did to set up a world relief organization that feeds, provides medical care, etc., for countless children and families worldwide. The book is an honest account of the struggles and successes, the ups and downs, faced by the organization Feed The Children. It shows what one person can do if that person is serious about meeting the needs of the world's needy. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who asks the question: "What can I do to help those in need or to help make the world a better place?"



2. I was mesmerized by the humility and grace expressed by Larry Jones in this touching story of his ministry. Surprisingly, he brings the reader into the deepest and most compelling events of the very viable ministry of Feed The Children. I had no idea of the scope of this ministry and the amazing management it takes to bring desperately needed aid to every corner of the earth. Larry and Frances, to me, are in the same category of Mother Theresa and St. Francis of Assisi--God driven and supplied to help the most needful of God's creatures. They have quietly, for years, "done it unto the least of these, My brethren..." A great read.



3. Every person of any religion should be forever humbled after reading this book. This story tells us of Larry Joneses childhood then leads us through his faith as a Christian that he holds true to and lives by, reguardless of what takes place in his life. He started out wanting to help just one child in need. Today through him millions are given a chance to survive through his charity Feed The Children, that offers food, clothing, shelter, compassion and more to starving, helpless and hopeless fellow human brothers and sister. While our government deals with red tape, Larry, his wife Frances, FTC staff with help from us, get the job done! Great read but don't stop there!



4. Reviewed by Dr. Carol Hoyer for Reader Views (3/08)
   
   Larry Jones knew that someday he would become great at what he would do, but nothing prepared him for seeing starving children in the United States and in his own hometown.
   He was brought up in a God-loving home and followed strict guidelines set by his mother and himself. He wasn't perfect, but he followed his heart.
   
   I can honestly say that every time I see a commercial on TV about starving or orphaned children I change the channel. I'm not a cruel person, but there have been so many times that you hear that charities don't give the money to the people they should. So when I started reading this book I had my doubts. However, I can say that Larry's outlook on life and his fellow man made me feel guilty for doubting some charities-- Feed The Children is one of them.
   
   Larry Jones is an evangelist and his mission is to ensure that all children are fed and cared for. Throughout the book he repeatedly says he is always surprised at the number of people in the United States that do not know that we have people living below poverty all over in every state and yet we turn a blind eye to them. When was the last time you came across some child who had dirt 5-inches thick, rotting teeth or no teeth, couldn't walk, barely talk and hadn't eaten for a week? Did you just ignore it? Larry Jones didn't.
   
   Feed The Children Foundation began before it was officially organized in 1979. The vision came from Larry Jones and his wife Fran. It is amazing what one man's faith can do to help children all over the world. Jones ability to promote this program and get individuals, groups--famous and not so famous--to help sponsor Feed The Children in itself is amazing. The reading of this book made me realize that my life isn't so bad - for others it isn't so good through no fault of their own. "Keep Walking" is a story that everyone should read, regardless of his or her faith. It really is about faith of mankind.

5 comments about Radha: Diary of a Woman's Search.

1. An uplifting, inspiring, enthralling diary. Recommended by Mas Vidal in Yoga Journal, I bought the book, and read the entire thing in one sitting. You will be left with an uplifted, peaceful spirit. I only wish I could have met Radha while she was still alive.



2. This is a great snapshot of the internal world of a spiritual transformation. Swami Radhananda gives a gripping account of a few months studying meditation in India. She is very frank with her mistakes and experiences. If you liked Autobiography of a Yogi, you will enjoy this book.



3. Uplifting journal like account from a white womans perspective.
   great read on the yogic path.



4. An intimate and detailed narrative. Highly recommend it to anyone interested in Radha's life and in yoga in general.



5. Swami Sivananda is my guru's guru's guru. Swami Radha is a peer of my guru's guru.
   
   It is so wonderful to read of women yogis - those who can and do tread the Dharmic path successfully.
   
   This is a wonderful read that transmits more than the words in print.

2 comments about The Joyful Beggar: St. Francis of Assisi.

1. Most stories and movies about St. Francis were unconvincing. I thought they made him seem kind of doltish or unstable. But this one really put flesh on the man and made me see him differently. The historical details of the times in which he lived helped to round out the story although it is hard to tell what is fiction and what is truth. St. Francis didn't steal from his father but he did give what he thought was his away in order to earn money to "rebuild" God's Church. It was quite simple, to him, "do what God tells you to do." There are very few of us who answer the call of God in quite the way St. Francis did, but that is why he's a saint and we are still working at it! It's a good book to find a reference point for your own journey - aim to be like St. Francis and don't worry what people think.



2. I'm so happy that De Wohl's classic, historical fictions are back in print. In this adventure, De Wohl fleshes out the life of the Povarello (the "Poor Little Man"), St. Francis of Assissi.

   As an admirer of St. Francis, I must comment that most media about the saint portrays him as quite sappy. While St. Francis' love of nature and mankind in general may easily lead to such treatment, De Wohl thankfully does not attend to that path. Furthermore, the detail we have on the historical Francis is such that De Wohl didn't really have to "add" a lot of detail to make this story compelling. Rather, the Saint speaks for himself.

   If you have read other De Wohl novels, this effort is much the same. You can count on De Wohl to bring a consistent level of excellence and high quality historical fiction. This book is no disappointment.

   If there is one criticism that I may levy against this particular book is that it was not enough of Francis. De Wohl expends at least 40% of the book on the intrigue involving the election of the Holy Roman Emperor and other such political intrigues. While certainly necessary to get an understanding for the times in which Francis lived, I would have liked Francis' struggles with his new found Order to be brought to life a bit more expansively.

   Nonetheless, De Wohl hits the main points and expresses them quite well. I believe he has done justice to the story, to the man, and to Christianity as a whole by bringing this compelling story into print in a very accessible and readable way.

   If you love St. Francis or have wondered what is all the fuss about this man in the first place, take this novel on as a first look.

3 comments about Run to the Mountain: The Story of a VocationThe Journal of Thomas Merton, Volume 1: 1939-1941 (The Journals of Thomas Merton, V. 1).

1. An outstanding account of the beginning of a vocation. From the first stirrings of spirituality to the full fleged desire to enter a monastery, Fr. Merton records his faith and doubts, his triumphs and disasters, his hopes and fears. His writing is eloquent yet simple. And his style becomes more free and prayerful as he comes closer to entering the Trappist monastery at Gethsemani. A wonderful book to feed and encourage the soul of anyone on a spiritual journey.



2. This is Thomas Merton's journal covering his years teaching literature at St. Bonaventure's college in New York. It concludes as Merton is on the cusp of making a decision to enter the Trappist Order.

   As for the contents of the journal, you will need to be a bit patient. Because this is a journal, even though abridged, you will have to slog through a lot of Merton's thoughts on certain poets, writers etc.

   The interesting thing is that it gives some insight on Merton as an intellectual. But at this stage in his life, he doesn't seem comfortable in that skin. In fact, he often laments his arrogance and wonders whether any of these things (i.e., book reviews, articles in the Times) are really all that worth discussing in the first place.

   A great deal of the material, particularly towards the end, is material that you will find repeated in Seven Storey Mountain. It would appear to me that Merton took a good read through his journal when he sat down to write Seven Storey Mountain. Of course, the journal is not polished, but it is every bit as fascinating as Seven Storey Mountain.

   I also found Merton's thoughts on WWII, as it ravaged Europe, quite fascinating. A significant portion of this journal involves thoughts on war and what it means to be in a war; whether we should fight wars.

   In sum, this journal is largely a reflection on literature, coversion, and war. If you are a fan of Merton, read this immediately. If you haven't really been exposed to Merton, read Seven Storey Mountain first and then return to the journal.

   As for me, I give it four stars!




3. A good friend of mine sent me all seven volumes of Merton's journals. It was a gift of immeasurable worth and value. I will no doubt still be reading through these wonderful books for years to come.

   Having just finished the first volume, "Run to the Mountain," I stand in awe of the sheer depth and scope of the life we've each been given. The life presented here, that of Thomas Merton, is remarkable in many ways. "Run to the Mountain" is the chronicle of the years when he started instructing English in college up to his entry at the Trappist monastery in Gethsemani Kentucky.

   Beyond the external events of his times (the late thirties and forties) lies the bigger story of Merton's eternal destiny. Not since my own salvation have I encountered a story which so clearly illustrates God's pursuing love and grace. The reader can palpably feel Merton being called by God in these pages.

   It is quite tempting to imagine what might have become of Merton had he not heeded his call. These pages (and most of his later works) make clear his incredible power as a writer. It is not hard to imagine that he would have become at least as, if not more famous than Jack Kerouac, his fellow student at Columbia. It is one of the great "what ifs" (and there are several) of Merton's life.

   It is a great thing to be able to read about Thomas Merton's journey--to see him be changed and opened. It is an even greater privilege to take his thoughts and words with me on my own journey. This is one gift I am trully grateful for. Get this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

2 comments about St. Benedict: Hero of the Hills (Vision Books).

1. There is not a Religios book in the world like this the auther took all the facts and turnd saint benidicts life into a naritiv like it is realy happining while you are reading it. this book is a real page turner and once i started i couldent stop just like the harry potter series. I hily recomend this book to people interested in monastic life, the life of saint benidict, the catholic church, miricals, or even somone who just wants to read a good book as rare as this one. believe me this book is worth reading.



2. Note: This is the same book that is published by TAN books, except "Hero of the Hills" has been added to the Vision Book title.

5 comments about The Faith Of George W. Bush.

1. Should begin that I am fan of Bush. He is admirable and courageous man, with enormous pressures. In this fascinating book chronolicling his faith development and its subsequent playing itself out in his life as our two-term president, it is said that he felt freed by his faith to live as he believes God has called and led him.
   
   While my theology certainly doesn't match at all with what is here depicted of Bush, I certainly have respect for his faith and his principles which guide his life. Certainly one can appreciate the burden of his inheritance, and his own subsequent path through his beloved wife and friends who were major players in God's call into his current vocation.
   
   My only wish which led to four and not five stars, was that it centered more on his own theology, rather than this personal theology playing itself out in politics. It is not like he is leading a church body. He is leading a country, which is not a church. This is major difference likely in our theologies, but this is my review.
   
   Good and touching read of the real person, not the hyped up view the liberal media want to place upon him unjustly and untruly. I think he will go down in history as a man of conviction and purpose and drive, not just to be popular in his own time, driven by pollsters. While criticized severely now, history will vindicate, especially history of eternity.



2. This book is basically a biography of Bush's life from a more religious perspective. In it they compare how Bush's beliefs supposedly shaped his life.
   
   While the book seems truthful it leaves out alot of facts. It does not mention the scadals going on at the time or screw ups he had made.
   
   The other problem is that the book is dated as it was released pre his reelection. The author might be writing a totally different book about how religion screwed up his presidency with the scandal and blunders hes in now.
   
   In the end it was a decent read thoug for facts i would rather stick to a less biased source. As i said this author seemed very much like a buddy of Bush's putting a book out for him.



3. Hey everyone. I'd like to talk about how, as a Christian, I feel that I have been used by George Bush. It's not my place to say whether or not Bush is really a Christian or not. But the Bible does say that you will know a person by their fruits, that is, you will know whether a person is bad or good by the things that they do.
   
   The 2004 exit-polls showed that faith and religious beliefs were the sole winner determining factor in the election. Bush told everybody that he was a Christian and would be a Christian president and defend our beliefs and protect marriage but he hasn't done any of that really. Under his watch the Ten commandments were pulled out of a courthouse. Under his watch ga-ys and les-bians were married across the country. The only thing he has done in office was the War in Iraq and Afghanistan.
   
   Now the war on terror is very complicated. It would be wrong to say that if we just left Iraq that Muslims would become peace loving allies and everything would return to a utopia-like past that never really existed. Something has to be done. But the war in Iraq has made no sense form the beginning. If we are at war why aren't we fighting it like a war. Why are our soldiers over there standing around waiting to be blown up like sitting ducks?
   
   In the mean time it's politics as usual in our country as the Democrats and Republicans take any opportunity they can to bad mouth the other and say how perfect their party is. Bush alone isn't tearing America apart, all politicians are. They are all corrupt as far as I can see. When an all-powerful oligarchy has taken over the countries political system what hope does democracy have? When both candidates in an election are members in a strange fraternity organization, Skull and bones, who are we supposed to vote for? A third party candidate that is probably no better and has no chance of winning?
   
   This book was probably just another publicity campaign tool meant to make Christians think they should vote for Bush because he was on our side. But who were we supposed to vote for? John Kerry? Ha! Al Gore? Double Ha! In hindsight I would have to had voted for a third party candidate and thrown away my vote.
   
   Well, at least we know that whoever we vote for, we're going to get a lying crook.



4. Regardless of what you think about George W. Bush, in my humble opinion, Stephen Mansfield has written an insightful biography of the role of religion in the president's life. While some reviewers may indeed criticize some of Bush's actions, what right do they have to judge as to whether or not he truly has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
   
   Mansfield, while appearing to be a Bush supporter, does not hesitate to describe Bush's struggles in his early years (rebellion, drinking, smoking, women, etc.) that ultimately led to his now famous walk with Reverand Billy Graham on a Maine beach shore that challenged him to redirect his life towards Jesus Christ.
   
   Mansfield also shows how the president's faith has led to his stances on various positions: abortion, 911, faith-based initiatives, etc. Whether or not you agree with the president, you cannot argue the obvious influence that faith has on his life.
   
   Anyone who reads this book, Bush supporter or not, will find this read to be very enlightening and transparent. Read and enjoy. Highly recommended!



5. I am so glad that other loving Christians have taken this book and one of our finest presidents to heart.
   Jesus may have said that we should turn the other cheek, but He certainly didn't mean that we should not seek revenge on the Saudis who bombed us on 9/11 by bombing Iraq and Afghanistan. Yes, thou shalt not kill, but only if someone else doesn't do it first. We are finally right in line with the teachings of Christ these days, thanks to compassionate religious men like G.W. Bush and Richard Cheney.
   Our nation's deeply held Christian values must be shared with the world, whether they like it or not. Sooner or later they will understand that there is only One God, and that He is Our God. When the Constitution talks about religious freedom, it means freedom to proselytize and keep military bases in almost every other country. It is clearly the will of God, and not the false prophets Allah or Buddha or Krishna, etc.
   Jesus would be so proud of our peaceful and loving Christian ways, and above all proud of His minion and faithful servant George W. Bush. Sure, he did a lot of cocaine but that was a long time ago, and he has been Forgiven, as he will soon forgive the millions who are in jail for the same crimes he was caught but never tried for. When your family is a little closer to God, good things can happen.
   While not quite as noble a President as Taft or Harding, GW will no doubt go down in history as a great man, a deep thinker committed to educating the world, and above all a committed Christian who has never lost sight of the compassion and love for ALL other people that Our Savior preached. If only Jesus would return before the end of Bush's term, He would confirm that our present foreign policy is not only deeply Christian but almost exactly what He had in mind when promoting peace, good will, and charity. Thank God Bush found Christ before he came into office; Lord only knows what a non-Christ-loving Bush would be up to.
   God Bless America, and George W. Bush. May his kind and loving Good Works continue to resonate in our markets and environment and national character long after he leaves office.
   Somewhere, Jesus is smiling at the picture of G.W. Bush on His heavenly desk.

5 comments about Homestead: Modern Pioneers Pursuing the Edge of Possibility.

1. Not many people would have the courage to take on what Jane and Jerry do, as chronicled in Homestead by Jane Kirkpatrick. Whether it's shooting rattlesnakes or handling dog seizures, surviving a plane crash or navigating a treacherous road, chasing down run away calves or protecting watermelons from the onslaught of deer, the Kirkpatrick's seem to have faced and conquered it all. Such stories usually make for great fiction. The most startling realization, however, is that this story is real.
   
   Jane recalls everything from the beginning, in this memoir of personal struggle and ultimate triumph. To move to an unbroken land and settle into its rhythms, to find a home among the wilds was a dream that she and her husband shared. More often than not, however, it seemed that this dream was as unmanageable as the road they had to travel just to get there. Everything kept going wrong. From broken machinery to tragedies of a larger scale, the Kirkpatricks found that these events kept drawing them closer to one another. For Jane, the call was to "go to the land and write." And write she did; not only this memoir, but nine novels as well. Settling the land was an adventure and a risk neither of them now regret making.
   
   The book was well written with enough action and personal perspective to keep a reader interested. One can not help but feel Jane's concerns as she watches her husband's vehicle slip desperately close to a cliff edge, as she tries to reach out in the best way she knows how while feeling so inadequate. It isn't within herself or her husband that Mrs. Kirkpatrick finds the strength to carry on. That's the kind of strength she only finds in Christ.
   
   Broken into four parts, the book reads quickly and leaves the reader feeling rejuvenated and wondering, "How on earth did these two manage to do this?" Homestead is a book that challenges while it encourages. It challenges the reader to grasp every day and turn it into something memorable; it encourages to keep eyes focused on the dream, whatever it may be, even when getting to it is tough. This is a good and memorable book for all ages. - Lauren Steigerwald, Christian Book Previews.com



2. Jane Kirkpatrick's writing carries with it the spirit of the pioneers. "Homestead" chronicles the Kirkpatricks' effort as a married couple to carve out a living from the dry, hard soil of eastern Oregon. They rough it as they go along, working toward a suitable well, a home with an actual foundation, and a road that doesn't rattle their teeth from their jaws.
   
   A fitting testimony to the stubborn stamina and ingenuity of modern pioneers--and a bracing reminder of what our forbears went through--this book is also a heartwarming look into the meaning of family, faith, and friendship. Jane's love of life shines through every chapter, and yet there is no glossing over the troubles, large or small. This is an honest account of the price one pays to pave his or her own way.
   
   While straightforward and economical, "Homestead" is a book that breathes with the fires of imagination and good humor. Jane's writing qualifies this story as a modern masterpiece. My wife and I read some of the chapters aloud to one another, and at a few points we were laughing to the point of tears; at others, we were moved to prayers of thankfulness for our creature comforts and to quiet hugs of love. This is a book for all to enjoy, and one that'll be read for years to come.



3. This was the first book By Jane that I read. I was so impressed with her story and her writing that I immediately went out and bought her next trilogy. Upon reading the first of those books which I found as interesting, entertaining and historically accurate that I immediately went and bought every book she has ever written and am waiting for the next one.
   
   This from a reader that doesn't read frilly stuff. It has to have substance and thought and be presented in a way that can keep you awake after a hard day of overtime.
   
   Judy Burnett
   Salt Lake City



4. This was an excellent book! very good reading and would be appropriate for anyone. Good story and I loving knowing it is all something that happened!



5. Jane Kirkpatrick does not abandon her characteristic figures of speech and writing that touches the soul for this nonfiction book. She tells the story of homesteading on Starvation Point, a remote area along the John Day River in Oregon, where life acquires new significance and she realizes her dream of becoming a writer. This book gives evidence that a person's writing comes from his or her life, the experiences and people encountered on the journey of life. Throughout this book one can find the origin of many events and characters in Jane's novels. Her memoir is a well-written story that gives insight into the pursuit of dreams.

4 comments about Hearts of Fire: Eight Women in the Underground Church and Their Stories of Costly Faith.

1. This was a truly inspirational book. These women of faith show true courage in their convictions and their walk with Christ. Each story is compelling and moves you to challenge your own faith!



2. Touching and heart-tugging. Certainly an emotional pull. But I must say, I greatly prefer another book of the genre, "Daughters of Hope: Stories of Witness and Courage." It not only covers women from far more countries, but it goes beyond the emotional pull. It gives clear prayer and activity responses, country by country, giving guidance as to what we can do. I don't want to know unless I also know how to respond.



3. Eight women in the underground Church have shared their stories of what their faith in God has cost them and their loved ones. They are each from different countries, and their individual ways of drawing persecution, and their sufferings are distinct. They are alike in that they each refused to deny the Lord Who saved them.
   
   I don't agree with all the women in the book. One of the chapters was on Sabina Wurmbrand. I appreciate her suffering and stedfastness in the Lord, but some of the comments, as well as some things I've read on her husband, Richard Wurmbrand who has suffered so much for Christ's sake, seem to be contrary to Scripture. Maybe I am mistaken, or maybe they are less than orthodox, but I can still glorify God in their testimony for Him.
   
   Ling was another woman who was tortured for Christ. She was a leader and preacher in the underground church in China. I believe that the Bible teaches against women preaching in mixed company, but I admire her conviction. I also realize that sometimes men are not available or willing to do things, and women are. Ling was willing, and she suffered much for Christ's sake.
   
   The other six women had one thing in common with each other and the previously listed two: they were all Christians. One woman suffered incredible physical and emotional pain after refusing to convert to Islam. One father tried to kill his daughter who became a believer in Christ from Islam after searching for the truth. Another woman lost her husband and two sons to those who resented the message of Christ.
   
   One thing I really appreciated about this book is that these are women of today. They are not women to inspire me from history, although they will be that for others. They are women who are living now, existing on this planet in my lifetime. These are the sufferings of today. I have not been chosen to suffer as they have, but whether my time comes or not, these women inspire me to cling to Christ, and remain faithful to Him whatever the cost. Due to the explanations of the extreme costliness of their faith, I would only recommend this book to adults.



4. I bought this book several years ago. Very few books that I have read have stayed with me like this book. I have read it 3 times. I find that the stories of the women in this book not only show their struggles and victories in Jesus but they continue to inspire me to step out of my comfort zone. I love this book.