I would guess that anyone reading this will go through this day without even the thought that God might be calling them to be a martyr. D.L. Moody was once asked if he had the grace to be a martyr. He answered that he did not, but if God wanted him to be one, He would give him a martyr’s grace. 

 

When I think of martyrs, it is easier to think of martyrs from long, long ago, but there are those that are willing to give it all for God’s glory and mission today as well. This book looks at 21 Moody Bible Institute alumni who gave their lives for Christ. MBI’s legacy spans 130 years, so there are some from the past–the first shared is from 1898–but also some from the present. The book begins with the story of Bonnie Penner Witherall who lost her life in Christ’s service in 2002. 

 

The book provides stories of inspiring lives and challenges us what it really means in Philippians 1:21 when it says “To live is Christ, but to die is gain.” Critics may ask the question, “Why this waste?” as they read these stories. As the book shows the reader, the only answer to that question is one short word–GRACE. Their life goal was to share the grace of the Savior Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth and at any cost. God gave them the grace to be this message-bearer even when the cost was their own lives. 

 

It was good for me to read this book, because even though our Christian walk may have difficult times, most of us could never imagine the trials these individuals experienced and how through God’s grace they gave their lives in His service for His glory. Even younger readers would be moved and inspired by the stories in this book. For more information or to purchase,

click here.  (Mike Fischer)

 

Did you grow up in a church that recognized the season of Lent? Every year, the season of Lent comes and goes and as Baptists, we simply disregard the season in its entirety. Many of us view it as ritualistic and extra-Biblical, even a works-based religious act, so therefore something we shouldn’t do. Author Aaron Damiani shared these views until he made the intriguing discovery that Lent can be something incredibly good–something that can be a great benefit to prepare our hearts for the worship and celebration of Easter. Rather than simply focusing on the personal sacrifice of giving up food, drink or some other thing we love, Damiani shows us that the true focus of Lent is our need for Christ. As we “give up” in Christ, we recognize our need for Him and that is what Easter is all about: A loving God glorified through His son paying a ransom we could never pay. Damiani first presents a case for Lent and provides a perspective through an Evangelical lens. Then, he carefully and thoroughly guides the reader through an experience of Lent that keeps Christ center and glorified. “Giving up” can be done any time of year, and is not limited to a period of time leading to Easter, but the forty days leading to Easter is a wonderful time to experience it. I encourage any believer to learn about this powerful opportunity to grow closer in relationship with their Savior as they read, learn about and experience Lent with Aaron Damiani’s guidance in The Good of Giving Up. (Reviewed by Pastor Mike)

 

The forty days leading to Easter begins this Wednesday (2/29/17). I encourage you to get a copy of this book to enhance your own preparation for a celebration of Easter. The Kindle version can be found

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I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishing in exchange for my honest review here.  (Mike Fischer)

I (Clint) walked into Pastor Rob’s office for a meeting one day and was asked how things were going.  My response was ‘crazy busy.’  Rob immediately introduced me to this book as a response to being busy.  Frankly, I am extremely happy he did because this was a very interesting book to go through, and the best part about the book is that it is only 118 pages.  What was most beneficial for me regarding the book was the realization that Jesus was busy, but His busyness was the correct busyness in working on kingdom work.  We get caught up in adding these new fads, and trends that try to provide an easier lifestyle as well as correct our issues but instead add to our busy lifestyles.  The book challenges our faithfulness to God and making him the priority.  What we have to understand is that there is a difference between busyness and productiveness, as well as questioning whether our productivity is yoked in Christ or in this world. (Reviewed by Clint Steinke)

 

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