7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas

This book is about seven men—George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jackie Robinson, Pope John Paul II and Charles Colson—who lived lives well worth emulating. The author makes it clear that his goal in writing such a book is to provide role models for those in today’s world who emulate no one. Metaxas shows us how Washington determinedly refused personal power for the sake of the country; Wilberforce persisted in work that changed the world through social reform; Liddell chose principle above fame; Bonhoeffer sacrificed his life to save victims of the Nazi regime; Jackie Robinson pioneered breaking through racial barriers at great personal cost; Pope John Paul II set an example of compassion, intelligence, and humility; and Colson faithfully used his deserved incarceration to give birth to a new work: prison ministry. This book was very interesting, as Metaxas writes in an appealing and compelling way. It inspires the reader to want to be deliberate about choosing character and principle as life compass points. I would recommend this book to others, as it describes lives well worth emulating. It was an interesting, enlightening read. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians By Paul Marshall, Lela Gilbert, and Nina Shea

This book gives a clear picture of the situation facing many Christians today. It is a sobering, hard-hitting account of the hardships encountered by much of the modern Church. The stories are detailed and personal. On the one hand, it is a book that hurts to read, but on the other, the stories are so compelling, they make the book difficult to put down. One of the effective actions all believers can take on behalf of persecuted brethren is to pray. You will come away from this book with a clearer understanding of what many face today with a determination to make a difference. This book will challenge you, and it will not be easy reading. It is worthwhile, though, and a good exercise for those of us who have things so easy. The least we can do is to become informed and caring about those who suffer. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.