Rescue the Captors by Russell Stendal

About the Author:

Russell Stendal grew up in Columbia, South Africa. He moved there with his family at a very young age. God used this young man's curiosity to create a desire to become missionaries in the hearts of his mother and father. It was Russell's child like faith that helped his father see that God is in the prayer answering business even today, and that nothing is too big or too small for God to do.

About the Book 

Rescue the Captors is the biogaphy of Russell Stendal, a missionary to Columbia, South America. This book is the account of the four months he spent in the custody of Marxist Colombian Guerrillas in 1983. The rebel band kidnapped Russell, believing that they were helping to drain the wallets of rich, capitalist Americans. Little did they know, that they had grabbed the son of a humble missionary who had little financial assets to drain.
Russell attempted to get away on his first day of captivity. Lying to his guard about being armed, he tried to make a break for freedom, wounding one of his guards, but almost losing his life in the process. Fortunately for him, his attempt to escape proved to his captors that he was not a coward. Ironically, his account while in captivity was written primarily for the guard who he had wounded.

"It seemed like the idea of my standing up to their eight machine guns with a little five-shot revolver tickled their sense of humor. It caused them to treat me with respect, almost as an equal. They wanted to know why I had started shooting like that. I told them I was a Christian and that Christians had to stand up for what they believed in, even if it was dangerous. I told them that kidnapping was morally wrong, and that if I had just passively gone along with it, I would have considered myself to be an accomplice to my own kidnapping. If I had 'chickened out' and not used the gun, I would have had a hard time living with myself for the rest of my life. I hadn't fired at them with the shotgun in Carlos' store because I wasn't sure who they were or what they wanted. Once I knew what they were doing, however, I had a moral obligation as a Christian to resist what I knew to be wrong. I pointed out that it had been my initial decision to shoot Manuel in the shoulder instead of the head, which ended up preventing me from escaping. I had valued Manuel's life, not wanting to kill him." 

The beginning of Russell Stendal's stay with the Colombian rebels was not as terrifying as it sounds. Although it was no picnic, Russell tried to make the best of his situation and try to understand his guards.

"My discussions with my abductors would be friendly and easy-going until we started discussing politics or world issues. It became quite clear that the guerrillas hated 'capitalists' with a passion. They also hated the United States of America. When I would stick up for the United States our discussions would take a nasty turn, with the guerrillas threatening to shoot me if I said anything else."

"What they are really hating is their own motives and problems that they have transposed on America in their mind's eye. This helped me to understand the guerrillas' reasoning regarding myself. They liked to think of themselves as social Robin Hoods, restoring social justice by force. They were financing their revolution in part by kidnapping wealthy capitalists who they felt had been exploiting the common poor people. However, unlike Robin Hood, they spent the money on weapons and terrorism instead of giving it to the poor."

The Bible says, in Matthew 5: 43-44, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" Russell's story shows how God can take a difficult circumstance and use it for His good. 

I won't tell you how the book ends... You'll have to read it yourself!

I give this book 4 stars.

The Burden Bearer by Paul Chappell

The Basic Idea:
The Burden Bearer, written by Pastor Paul Chappell, mixes allegory with spiritual admonition and encouragement. This book is certainly not the next Pilgrim's Progress but neither was is it designed to be. The beginning of each chapter is allegorical, and introduces Carrier, a Lifter who believes that he is doing the Burden Bearer a great service by carrying as heavy a load as he possibly can. The second section of each chapter shows how Christians often do the same. Pastor Chappell helps his readers to see that in an age when we feel we are obligated to carry such heavy loads, Christ is calling us to cast our burdens upon Him.

The Biblical Foundation:

Matthew 11:28-30 is the premise for this entire book.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Lessons Learned:

One by one, Carrier learns to give his weights to the Burden Bearer. Finally the Burden Bearer asks him to give up his pack as well. Carrier asks how he will express his love for his Lord without carrying a heavy load for Him. It is then the Burden Bearer introduces His yoke: a far more efficient way to carry a load, but with a greater purpose - caring for lost souls.

Favorite Quotes:
"How is it that we who personally know the One who invites us to cast our cares upon Him still stagger on bearing our own loads?
How is it that we who have chosen Christ's easy yoke persist in carrying our lopsided weights on our shoulders rather than hitching them to our shared yoke with Christ?
How is it that we who have dedicated ourselves to the service of the Burden Bearer, so often find ourselves feeling heavy, burdened, weighted, and exhausted?
And one more question: If we learn to cast our cares on His shoulders, do we release them from our own?"

"A sacrificial life will always be unfinished."

"As imposing as giants may be, they all flee before one Defender - God."

"When we neglect God's Word, we lose sight of what God not only desires to do, but what He can do in our lives. Like an unused muscle, our faith begins to atrophy. On the other hand, when we feed our souls on God's promises, our entire perspective changes. Although we are aware of our weaknesses and the impossible circumstances surrounding us, these are not our focus. Our focus is God's limitless power.
God has provided a sword to defeat every giant. But it is up to you to seek it out and to wield it in faith." 

"When I fill my Pack with Praise, there is no room left for Worry. Whoever knew it could be that simple!"

"Carrier, believe Me, I know the way. I am not counting your steps, but your surrender. Not how fast, but how faithful. Not your tasks, but your trust."

The Author:

Unlike some Christian authors that may seem to shout their preferences, Pastor Chappell's books are always filled with scripture, putting God's Word above man's words. I give this book five stars. A very encouraging read!

A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court

I picked this book (1) because I found it for free, and (2) who doesn't like Mark Twain's writing? Even if one doesn't care for classical literature, there is something about the satirical humor of this author that keeps the reader wondering what outrageous comment or event will come next.

Now, I'm not going to lie. The beginning of this book was hard for me to get into. I knew the first main event was an eclipse that saves Hank Morgan (The Conneticut Yankee) from being killed, so I read rather impatiently, so I could see what happened after that event. One of the characteristics of Mark Twain's writing, which could easily turn away the modern day reader, is his wordiness. However, if you buckle down and decide to enjoy the comedy in his wordiness, it becomes more of a distinction than a flaw.

I began this book with preconceived ideas, and found that I had a lot to learn. Mark Twain's writings are often politically motivated. Just as one should read with purpose, Mark Twain wrote with purpose. Even more incredibly, he managed to make me laugh, cry, and ponder within a matter of pages.

I'm not going to rewrite the book in short form for you, because I'm hoping you'll take the time to read this book yourself, but I will give you a glance into the book. Hank Morgan finds himself 1300 years back in history. He is rudely introduced to the gaudy galiantry of the day. He's a bright, ambitious man and quickly earns the fear of King Arthur and the English people. Respect was harder to gain, since the English people had learned to respect nobility and clergy for their power rather than their goodness or accomplishments.

I would say Mark Twain's message was primarily this: a people that is long taught to accept what they are told, rather than what makes sense, will quickly revert back to living under tyranny, even if taught otherwise. Twain spits on the idea of a state church (as do I), and scorns the notion of a people brain washed into obedience.

If all the political talk has made you mentally put this book back on the shelf, I'd like to throw in that there is a tragic romance intertwined into this tale. All in all, I would say, it was an excellent book, and I look forward to reading another book my Mark Twain.

Favorite Quote:

 “People talk about beautiful friendships between two persons of the same sex.  What is the best of that sort, as compared with the friendship of man and wife, where the best impulses and highest ideals of both are the same?  There is no place for comparison between the two friendships; the one is earthly, the other divine.”

Introduction:

In college I had a teacher who always used the phrase "Readers are leaders." This is very true. There is a catch though. Not everything available as literature is healthy for the mind and spirit. Our culture today is driven by quick and easy entertainment, sex, and fantasy. It is easier than one might think to get pulled into this murky, messy, destructive drive. Even Christian fiction can open doors to the mind that are best left close. I speak from experience.

It is important to be selective about what one reads. I don't mean that one can only read the Bible and classical literature, but I do mean to say that there should be a purpose behind what one chooses to read. It is not wrong to read for entertainments sake, but it is important to also read to educate oneself, to broaden one's understanding of the world, and to learn how to relate to people that are unlike the reader himself.
I've started this blog to encourage myself mostly, but others also, to stay accountable for what they read, and to find the message behind what is being written. It is possible to read without thinking! So next time you pick up a book to read, which is hopefully soon, ask yourself what you would say about that book if someone asked you to explain it's message.
Most importantly, remember, if we were created to glorify God, than what we read ought to bring Him glory as well.

Revelation 4:11

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."