“There was once a fiddler who played so beautifully that everybody danced. A deaf man who could not hear the music considered them all insane. Those who are with Jesus in suffering hear this music to which other men are deaf. They dance and do not care if they are considered insane.”
― Richard Wurmbrand
― Richard Wurmbrand
“It is not great men who change the world, but weak men in the hands of a great God.”
― Brother Yun
― Brother Yun
For more information about Monthly Book Giveaways, click HERE.
One cannot adequately describe the sufferings that the underground Chinese church has endured for the sake of Jesus Christ, nor completely fathom the spiritual life that has sprung from that suffering. Only when we embrace the promises of God through the sharp talons of suffering for His sake, can we know the comfort and joy that follows.
The Heavenly Man is a testimony of that kind of suffering and of that kind of joy--the joy that sees Jesus Christ and endures hardship and deprivation for the sake of the Gospel. The joy that embraces beauty from ashes and the oil of joy from mourning. The joy that looks beyond what is seen to the unseen. Brother Yun's testimony should be read by every Christian who desires to experience a closer, more intimate walk with the Lord Jesus Christ--because this kind of intimacy is only gained through being identified with our Lord through suffering for His sake.
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake . . .
Philippians 1:29 NKJV
Brief description of The Heavenly Man from CBD (Christian Book Distributors):
You've seen the headlines---government crackdowns on Chinese house churches; mass arrests and human rights violations. . . . Learn how God took a young half-starved boy from Henan Province and enabled him to stand strong on the front lines for Jesus, braving horrific opposition and impossible odds. Life-changing!
To enter the giveaway for a paperback copy of this book, written by Paul Hattaway, please comment below on why you would like to read this book or about one of your favorite examples of a follower of Christ who has endured persecution. A winner will be randomly drawn from the entrants' names one week from today and announced on the blog.
Other books on this topic that I recommend:
Tortured for Christ, by Richard Wurmbrand
The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
The Bible or the Axe, by William Levi
You might find me on these link-ups:
Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical Homemaking, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, A Look at the Book, Thought Provoking Thursday, Christian Mommy Blogger, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Counting My Blessings, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, Living Proverbs 31, Sharing His Beauty Blog Linkup
This one sounds like a wonderful book. One of my favorite all time books is Corrie TenBoom's book The Hiding Place. #WomenofIntentions
ReplyDeleteYes, Karen; Corrie Ten Boom's testimony is so powerful! I'm so glad that you stopped by!
DeleteI would love to read this book...and I also love corrie tenbooms books! God bless and hoping I win :-) enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeletekay walker
Yes; Corrie Ten Boom has an such an impact upon so many lives . . . I'm so glad that you enjoy the blog, Kay! Thank you for stopping by. :-)
DeleteKay, your name was chosen as the winner of this month's giveaway!! :-) If you could e-mail me your mailing address through the Blogger Contact Form on the right side of the blog, I will send the book off to you! Congratulations! :-)
DeleteI am a 63 year old wife, homemaker, mother of 4 married in the LORD, and gramma of 17. I recently ran across your blog and am encouraged to meet a young woman pursuing our LORD with every breath and wanting to inspire others. I am a reader and it concerns me deeply that this "gift" is so little treasured of late. I especially love biographical works to be inspired by the Faithfulness of our GOD even in the worst circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a very special BLessing that you are introducing others to books that have touched your heart. I pray that this offer will go to one that the LORD knows will touch deeply. Thank you again for sharing yourself.
Carol, your words are such an encouragement to me. I have been so blessed by a mother who encouraged me to read since I was little and spurred me on toward reading missionary and Christian biographies. I cannot tell you what an impact her influence has been upon my life; the Lord has used her so greatly to encourage me to press on to know Him with all of my heart. I am so glad that you visited; the Lord bless you. :-)
DeleteI would love to read this book. I've read Tortured For Christ a couple times, and it's such an amazing story of God's love and forgiveness working through a child of God...his story inspires and encourages me. :) This book looks very interesting.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ashley
Ashley, Richard Wurmbrand has such a powerful testimony. The Lord worked so beautifully through him as he embraced suffering for Christ's sake. I think that you would really enjoy this book, too--Brother Yun has a beautiful testimony.
DeleteThe Lord bless you, Ashley :-).
The heavenly man is an awe-inspiring book and one that challenged my faith walk as well. So great to see you giving away a great book. I found you today at #GraceandTruth
ReplyDeleteYes, Debbie; it is such a powerful book! The Lord bless you; I'm so glad that you stopped by!
DeleteI loved this book so much that I read it twice already and might read it again sometime when I have more time. It is such a good book! I don't need to be entered in the drawing, however, because I already have a copy, and I wouldn't want to deprive someone else of the deep spiritual blessing of reading this true story.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ruth; I agree--it is such a good book! I'm so glad that you stopped by and visited! :-)
DeleteI read this after spending a few months in southern China. I couldn't put it down. There are two images in my mind that have never left me after reading this book more than ten years ago: when his wrists were cut to the bone from handcuffs tied to the roof of a truck he was imprisoned in; and how he memorised entire books of the Bible. That latter always puts me to shame because that is something I could do, but I don't, because I don't desire to in my comfy world. Very challenging.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sarah--truly so, so challenging! I know exactly what you mean! His love for God's Word was so great--his testimony definitely challenges us to look into our own hearts.
DeleteThe Lord bless you, Sarah; I'm glad that you stopped over. :-)
I listened to the audio of this book a few years ago. It touched and motivated me deeply. Wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteYes; I think so too, Debbie! I'm glad that you stopped by! :-)
DeleteGlad to find your review and recommendation. Always gripping to read of what brothers/sisters in the faith endured for His cause. (Visiting from #RaRaLinkup today where we're neighbors.)
ReplyDeleteYes; I agree! I'm glad that you stopped by! :-)
DeleteI find these book so hard to read... and so very good for my soul. Thanks for sharing this at the Booknificent Thursday link-up on Mommynificent.com this week!
ReplyDeleteTina
Oh I would love to read this book...sounds so inspirational and would help me to live closer to Christ and do more for HIM. I also love Corrie Tenbooms books....she was a very special lady! Hope I win or someone else who reads your blog :-) Kay
ReplyDelete