In his book The Amusings of a Missionary, author Ken Board takes eveyday life happenings and turns them into spiritual learning experience. He takes the humorous parts of life as well as the more serious parts and gives food for thought. Board uses scripture to each application also. Most of the stories are just over one page so they are quick to read and think on. I loved the way he uses humor and his application to each every day situation. Board draws from his own experiences in mission work in Japan. Couldn't ask for a better life application book than The Amusings of a Missionary.
Farah lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with her family, and wants nothing more than to develop a deeper devotion to her Muslim faith. She sees the month of Ramadan as her chance to nearer to Allah, and pursues that goal. All goes well until the prophet Isa—Jesus—appears to her in a dream and calls her to Himself. Her brother, Kareem, who has never liked her, seeks to discredit her.
Farah’s cousin, an only child, frequents an online chat. She discovers former Muslims discussing their new belief that Isa is much more than a Muslim prophet—He is actually the Son of God. She becomes acquainted with an American girl of Muslim ancestry—now a devout Christian—Sara. Sara has problems of her own due to her brother Emir’s suspicious behavior.
Each finds their faith put to the test. Will they be true to their beliefs? Will God protect them, or will they pay the ultimate price for their faith?
Read what others are saying about Kathi's book here.
Wow, Kathi has done it again. I have totally enjoyed all four of the books in this Extreme Devotion series that Kathi has written. Though it is a series each book can be read as a stand-alone. They are totally different character, setting and plots. Each book is full of suspense and action with multicultural and mission themes. You learn what it really was/is like to live in the culture that Kathi is using for her setting. I really can't say enough about her Extreme Devotion series that she has put together. This book, People of the Book, takes you to the Middle East and you learn what it is like to live in the Muslim culture where the families are truly devoted to Allah. Kathi has put much research into her book(s) to produce this wonderful book and series. She knows how to pull the reader into the story so you don't want to set the book down. You feel for the characters as if they are truly real. Beautifully done Kathi. I was introduced to Kathi's writings in 2008 and she hasn't failed me yet to produce a good book. She not only writes fiction, but she has written many non-fiction books as well. I have yet to go wrong with a book that has Kathi Macias' name on it.
Some blogs will be giving a chance to win the book.
Prologue
Eighteen-year-old Farah Mohammed Al Otaibi lay bruised and bloody on the floor beside her bed. The image of her soft mattress floated in and out of her consciousness, but she had no strength to drag herself from her current position. Even the slightest movement brought stabs of excruciating pain, so she tried to remember to keep her breathing shallow and her body still.
How long had she been here? Hours, certainly. Days? She couldn’t be sure. Her father and brother had covered the windows with heavy, dark cloth, blocking out any light that might help her keep track of time.
Hunger wasn’t an issue, for who could think of food when the pain was so intense? But thirst? Oh, how she longed for just a sip of cool water! Surely her mother would sneak in soon and bring her some. She had always taken care of her before— Before…
The memory was back, though she tried desperately to block it out. Impossible. She could never forget that moment in time, for it was the dividing line between the before and after of her life. Before the tragedy that led to her brother’s discovery. Before her father had flown into a rage over what he considered his daughter’s betrayal and treachery. Before they had threatened to kill her in order to preserve the family’s honor. Before her mother had tried to intervene…
Hot tears pricked the back of Farah’s eyelids, as the vision of her mother’s face before—and after—swam in front of her eyes. The pain in her heart at that moment far exceeded anything she felt in her body. Then suddenly, inexplicably, the meaning of her name—Farah, joy and cheerfulness—burst into her consciousness. Despite her agony and sorrow, Farah was unable to hold back the brief burst of laughter that exploded from her aching chest. How absurd that her parents had given her a name that implied happiness, and yet she now wondered if she had ever truly understood or experienced any of it in her not quite nineteen years of life.
But then she had met Isa, and everything—both good and bad—had changed forever….
Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored more than 30 books and ghostwritten several others. Her most recent release is People of the Book, the fourth and final book in her Extreme Devotion series. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and was named 2008 Member of the Year by AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding in Al’s new sunburst orange Corvette.
I can't say enough about this author Kathi Macias. I've grab every book up for review that I could of hers since being introduced to her about 2 years ago. I haven't been disappointed yet. Her book More than Conquerors was of no disappointment to say the least. It is the second book in her newest series Extreme Devotion. Though you don't have to read them in any order, the books in this series are non-related to each other, but they do live up to the series title Extreme Devotion. You'll meet characters that truly show devotion to the cause that they think in their heart is right. Whether good or bad. However, the good, God's love always shines through and wins even when we think the bad has won. Though there are romance aspects in these books they aren't your mushy romance. You'll see how God's love can cover a multitude of sins. You'll find how men and women alike live and believe with all their hearts in Rom. 8:37 - "... we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." They have to believe it in order to die for it. Now I'm having a hard time waiting for the other two to be released.
View the Trailer!
With violent crime on the rise and the political climate changing throughout Mexico, the opportunity for open Christian witness is rapidly decreasing in many areas. Hector Rodriguez pastors a church on the outskirts of the once-peaceful and tourist-popular border town of Tijuana. He has also visited other small churches in the remote and not-so-Christian-friendly towns of Chiapas state, delivering Bibles and ministering to those in the most persecuted areas.
Hector’s mother accompanied him on one of those trips and stayed behind to teach reading—using the Bible as her primer—to a handful of Christian converts living among the Mayan population in San Juan Chamula, where superstition and paganism run rampant, and resentment of outsiders runs deep. In a reaction to that superstition and resentment, Hector’s mother pays a serious price for her unwanted presence—and Hector must then choose whether or not to continue his work in some of the most dangerous areas of Mexico.
Prologue
Pastor Hector Manolo Rodriguez sighed with relief, as his dilapidated, once-blue station wagon crawled and chugged through the final inches of the hour-long event known as a border crossing. The international station between San Diego and Tijuana saw the heaviest traffic of any crossing in the world, with about 300,000 people making the trek every day—some to work, some to play, some to shop or visit relatives, and some to conduct illegal activities of various kinds. For Hector, it was strictly a venture of love, one he made regularly and yet was relieved when it was over.
It wasn’t that Hector didn’t appreciate the beauty and modern conveniences of his sister city to the north, but he preferred the slower, quieter pace of his humble home on the outskirts of Tijuana, even now in 2008 when crime increasingly encroached on the peace of their existence. He had lived there his entire thirty-eight years, the middle child in a family of nine offspring, and had later married the beautiful Mariana Lopez, who had grown up right next door to him. That she had even noticed Hector never ceased to amaze him, and that she had agreed to marry him was nothing short of a miracle. Now, still living in the same neighborhood where they grew up, they did their best to feed and clothe the three children God had given them, as well as minister to the fifty or so members of their beloved Casa de Dios congregation. To supplement their income, Hector worked part-time in his younger brother Jorge’s shoe repair shop. Though their financial situation did not allow for luxuries, it did provide a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.
It was a good life, Hector thought, as he coached and prayed the twenty-five year old car through the undisciplined crush of traffic on Avenida Revolucion, the main drag in this burgeoning city of nearly one and a half-million people. As always, Hector was anxious to break away from the city’s hub and escape to a quieter, more navigable thoroughfare. Though the quality of the roads would deteriorate the farther out he went, he would be glad to leave the hustle and bustle of the Tijuana tourism trade behind.
He would also be glad to leave behind the sadness that seemed to cling to him each time he crossed the border. And yet he knew his need to continue making the trip would end far too soon….
Then, of course, there was the situation in Chiapas, which seemed to grow more desperate and dangerous by the day. And his sixty-three year old mother, Virginia Correo Rodriguez, was living right outside San Juan Chamula, right in the middle of it all.
Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer and radio show host who has authored 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley.
You can find Kathi online at http://www.kathimacias.com/ and at her blog http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com.
Read Jennifer's review @ Rundpinne
A copy of this book was provided for review by Virtual Book tours
Visit Virtual tours here
Read to the end of this post there is a basket give away included in this post.
About the Book:
(Tulsa, OK) - "It's an honor just to be nominated": familiar words for Emmy and Grammy nominees. Still, Brent and Deanna Higgins never believed the phrase would pertain to their family. Outreach magazine has recently honored the Higgins' book, I Would Die for You, with a nomination as Outreach Resource of the Year.
That nomination, however, came with a great cost. I Would Die for You chronicles the life and death of their young son, BJ Higgins; along with his faith; his passion for missions and his love for God. Compelling excerpts from personal notes, blog entries school assignments and journals reveal his clear calling and enthusiasm for sharing the gospel of Christ. BJ's challenging words and example combine to inspire readers of all ages.
After returning from his second short-term international mission trip at the age of 15, BJ became seriously ill. Six days before his sixteenth birthday, he died. His story lives on throughout the pages of his parents' book.
In spite of the inevitable grief , Brent and Deanna share their son's message of selfless sacrifice through both I Would Die for You and Awe Star Ministries, the nonprofit ministry that coordinated his mission trips. Their prayer? That countless others will embrace BJ's vision and give their all for the cause of Christ.
About the Authors:
As an ordained minister and youth pastor, Brent Higgins continues the faith journey his son, BJ, began a few years ago. He currently serves as Vice President of International Operations for Awe Star Ministries, a Christian nonprofit organization committed to equipping believers for life, speaking to more than 25,000 people each year.
As an accomplished musician and elementary school music teacher, Deanna Higgins opens the next chapter of BJ's missionary work by serving alongside her husband to lead mission trips for Awe Star Ministries. Brent and Deanna now reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
What Teenagers are Saying:
BJ was just a year younger than me, and in his short life he had such a full life and could die with no regrets. He had a sense of urgency in telling the story of the gospel and its transforming power to others. He didn't worry about what they thought or if he would be rejected.
--T. Buse
For an interview about the Authors click here. someparenting tips and bonus content that the Higgins have provided us concerning facing life after the death of a child (click here).
Now for the I Would Die for You Basket Give away
Basket contains:
* I Would Die for You book - autographed * Rite of Passage Parenting book - autographed (Rite of Passage Parenting by Walker Moore, Thomas Nelson, 2007) * Global Passage Creed sticker * Not Home...Gone Global for Jesus sticker * Awe Star blue ink pen * Red Awe Star luggage tag * Green Global Passage bandana * 2 Awe Star drink containers * Blue size L Awe Star 2009 trip T-shirt * Orange size L God's Global Roadie T-shirt
Each blog tour host can send in one name of a person who left a comment on their site. These names will be placed in a drawing for the large gift basket. You may enter by leaving me a comment telling me if you were to go on a Missions Trip where would you go? and why? Or leave me your favorite mission scripture verse.
Be sure to leave a way for us to contact you if you are the winner. Deadline for comments will be June 4th.
"Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become." -C.S. Lewis
