June books

Wow, it's the end of June already! I blogged a lot this month about the books I read, but here's the compiled list. Additionally I read some in the Old Testament -- Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Songs of Solomon and Isaiah.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin -- wrote much about this at the beginning of the month; great book!

The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke -- first book in the Acts of Faith series; centurion Alban is on a mission for Pontius Pilate to find out if the Judaeans are planning a revolt. He also is wanting to know what happened to Jesus' body. Leah is also on a mission finding out similar things for Pilate's wife who suffered many horrible dreams related to the crucified prophet

Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson -- wrote lots of posts on this from June 6-11 -- loved it

The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson -- see notes in June posts -- challenging!

Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson -- see notes in June posts -- painful and challenging


Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand founder of The Voice of the Martyrs ... some quotes from his book:

"The cruelty of atheism is hard to believe. When a man has no faith in the reward of good or the punishment of evil, there is no reason to be human. . . The Communist torturers often said, 'There is no God, no hereafter, no punishment for evil. We can do what we wish.' I heard one torturer say, 'I thank God, in whom I don't believe, that I have lived to this hour when I can express all the evil in my heart'" (pg. 36).

"When one Christian was sentenced to death, he was allowed to see his wife before being executed. His last words to his wife were, 'You must know that I die loving those who kill me. They don't know what they do and my last request of you is to love them, too. Don't have bitterness in your heart because they killed your beloved one. We will meet in heaven'" (pg. 43).

"We don't pray to be better Christians, but that we may be the only kind of Christians God means us to be: Christlike Christians, that is, Christians who bear willingly the cross for God's glory" (pg. 133). -- letter smuggled out from Underground Church member

I quoted a bit more from this book in previous posts. Really great book!

The Day Israel Dies by Salem Kirban -- gives a brief overview of Jewish history from the call of Abraham to future events according to the author's interpretation of biblical prophecy; had some interesting historical facts; the title is speaking of the time when the Antichrist brings temporary peace to the Middle East