Saving My Assassin - Book Review

The courage it took for Virginia Prodan to faithfully stand for Christ can only come from the One she served unabashedly.

Saving My Assassin, the memoir of Mrs. Prodan, is truly an incredible story of salvation, courage, fortitude and perseverance, all for the glory of Christ.

Romania is a country that has been plagued by Communism for years, and this is the country Virginia grew up in. Through God's providence and so much hard work, she was able to become an attorney for this Communist state. She became a believer soon afterward and became a defense attorney for believers who had been arrested for their Christian beliefs and how their lives were lived because of it. She ended up being arrested herself. She went through agony, torture and almost death. But God had His mighty hand on her and wasn't done with the work she had for her to do.

A couple of things struck me hard:
1. Each time Mrs. Prodan was in the valley of the shadow of death and facing extreme fear, the Word of God rolled off her lips and in her heart. His Word is what sustained her. This reminds me of how important Scripture memory is. At some point we may not have the unlimited access to our most prized possession and we must have it hidden away where no one can take it from.

2. There were so many times that the Communist Security and prosecution would say that the country's constitution meant nothing. That they could override it. This concept in hitting home way closer than I would have ever thought possible.

I believe books like this will be a source of encouragement in the days to come in America in more ways than the author may have ever thought possible. Her story will invigorate us to stand for truth. For the one who is TRUTH!

As a part of the Tyndale blogging Network, I received a free copy of this book.

Book Review - The Search Committee

The Search Committee, written by Tim Owens, is a unique read. You, sort of, feel as if you are in a soap opera or reality show. The read is easy as you follow the lives of those serving on a pastor search committee for a church. It shows the humanity of man as a group of people, male and female, from every sect of life. Each person struggles in some way as they strive to work together for the common purpose of finding a shepherd for the church they are part of. 

Though this book seems shallow somewhat at first read, but you really become engaged as you get to know the  various people involved. And you feel for them, too.

I think the grand premise I took away from this book is that all people, no matter their position, are human and struggle with life as we all do. Unfortunately, even in the realm of church and ministry, people fail. Ultimately, that is why we keep our eyes on God instead of man. 

The only negative is that I would have liked to read more about the true answer to people's problems, namely, Jesus Christ. True change comes from above. 

I received a free copy from the Tyndale Blogging Network.

Mother's Day

This Mother's Day I find so very difficult. The two most difficult trials I have yet faced can affect this day, if I let them get the best of me.

I was asked by leadership at church to speak and give a brief testimony of being a daughter and a mother.

The Lord brought this to my heart:

"Most of you know that my mom passed away 2 weeks ago, on April 21st. This mother’s day holds much sadness for me, but also much joy. My mother was a woman who loved God and others with all her heart. She had a passion to share Christ with others even up to the very night Christ took her home. Eight hours before her death, she was sharing Christ with a co-worker who called. Though she really struggled to breathe in the end and had a lot of medication in her, she was still determined to let anyone know who called or came by that they, too, would die one day and could be assured that they could also go to heaven if they had a relationship with her Savior. I was raised by this precious woman (and my dad, too) who took me to a nursing home every week when I was young. I remember combing the ladies’ hair and putting nail polish on their fingers as mom shared the best news she could, salvation through Jesus. Mom held 5 Day Clubs each summer when I was younger and ministered to all the moms whose children attended. My mom had fears, many that stemmed from childhood and not being raised in a Godly home. She would have admitted she was a pessimist at heart, but during the last few weeks of her life, she conquered all. She never showed any fear during the time of her life where she had every “right” to be fearful. She praised Jesus with her heart and even her lips during the 2 ½ weeks I was there taking care of her. She thanked Jesus every day, all day for bringing her into the very last valley she would face. She never complained. Christ was glorified.

Mother’s Day is about celebrating my mother and also, celebrating the mother I have become, only because of Jesus. And, yet, again, this brings me back to my mom. I wanted nothing more than to be the mom she was. At first, I thought this was never to be. God closed my womb, but, in turn, opened my heart. And this again was in large part due to the example of my precious mom. She and my dad took in the orphans for many years as I was growing up…mostly teenagers. They became foster parents only 2 years after they became believers. The Lord showed me pure and undefiled religion through her actions.

And now, I find myself mom to 4 precious children who were birthed in my heart. This act of love was acted out for me and I am forever grateful. Being a mom brings such joy, but also such pangs of grief. There are joys of hearing, “I love you, Mommy.” There are days of nothing but dirty clothes, dirty dishes, dirty floors and even dirty feet. But so much blessedness comes from being there to whisper prayers of healing and hurt, to utter forgiveness and teach the truths of God’s Word. It is a grueling task that brings emotional, physical, mental and even spiritual exhaustion. But this gift of motherhood is a gift I am eternally blessed to own.

In closing, I would like to thank you for praying for our family in the last month, as well as the last year. Such trial has come our way, but joy has definitely come too. We have grieved with the loss of our son from our home and the physical loss of my mom from our lives. Both of these losses have refined me and are what our Lord is using to make me a better mom…one that resembles my Savior more. God remains so faithful. "Hoss" is doing so well. He is learning to place his trust in Christ. He was able to talk to mom and write to her, even encouraging her with some Scriptures. She went to be with Jesus with the knowledge that Christ has begun a miracle in his life that she was on her knees daily petitioning the Father for.

Tears flow daily for all these things. Joy erupts as well. Praise be to our Heavenly Father."