Safely Home Book Review

Are you able to read your Bible or worship freely? Do you have to hide your Bible? Can you sing praise songs without fear of losing your life? Well, Christians in China don't have the same privileges that a lot of us do and that is terrible.

Of course, those of you that know me know that I love Randy Alcorn's books. I think God has given Mr. Alcorn a great gift and I just am completely convicted when I read his books. Pete and I decided awhile back to include his book Heaven in our G.U.S. Boxes that we send out to families who are grieving the loss of a child. It's a wonderful book for anyone, not just those who have lost a loved one....but let's get back to Safely Home.

This book is about the persecution of Christian in China and really, I was stopped in my tracks several times. I have really taken for granted the fact that I can worship and read my bible freely without fear of being tortured or killed. I have taken for granted the fact that I can even get a bible....that I have several bibles in different translations on my shelf right now. That seems nuts when I think about how there are people in China who are thrilled to be able to copy a chapter or even a few verses from the bible. I am ashamed that I haven't appreciated more deeply my fortune.

Pete is reading this book right now, but when he is finished we are having Nik read it. I want Nik to realize how blessed we are to have the freedoms that we have and I want him to understand how God is completely in control even when it doesn't really look like it to us.

I borrowed this book from our church library, but I certainly want to add it to our home library. So those of you out there taking note of what I want for Christmas, this book is on my list now!

Mesothelioma

There’s not a day that passes by without one of those commercials about mesothelioma and I’ve always wondered about what is mesothelioma and why it’s such a big deal….and why lawyers are looking for “you or your loved ones who are suffering from mesothelioma.”

• These are some quick facts I found last night:

• A type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos

• Malignant cells develop in the mesothelium which is the protective covering around our organs.

• Can show up 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.

• Predominantly shows up in the pleura around the lungs.
  

A little of a year ago, my MIL died after being diagnosed with lung cancer. She had never smoked. I know that non-smokers can develop lung cancer but it’s not as common as it is in people who do smoke. This quick research I did last night makes me wonder if my MIL was misdiagnosed. Now, hear my heart, I’m not thinking in this direction because I think we need to take legal action (which is obviously popular since the commercials are all over the place!). Besides, if there was a misdiagnosis, it wouldn’t have changed the course of treatment or even the outcome…this event occurred exactly how God planned it!

I do wonder….I guess I’ll ask her when I see her in Heaven…..

Jerry Falwell and a Quote

I think hell's a real place where real people spend a real eternity.
-- Jerry Falwell

Of course, everyone knows by now that Jerry Falwell died yesterday. He was 73 years old. His family will be in my prayers...it's hard to loose someone no matter what age...

Jerry Falwell has said several things that make me tilt my head and wonder about what he is actually trying to say...and then there are quotes like the one above. I like it and agree with what he has said!! There are people that do not believe in hell and that makes me so sad. I hate to think of them living a life of death (what!?!) in hell...with the worms and all the torment. How incredibly sad...