The Great Separation

ACM Book Review: The Minor Protection Act.

Do you want to be scared? - I am a reviewer for Active Christian Media (ACM) and today it's my privilege to do a review of Jodi Cowles's novel The Minor Protection Act, published by VMI Publishers.

But before I launch into that, if you are a blogger and interested in getting media from books to music to videos of a Christian nature to review let me point you to ACM where you can sign up to be a reviewer. There is a one time fee that Stacy is using to weed out those people not serious about reviewing.

Back to Cowles's novel.

Do you ever read a novel and think to yourself, "This is too real to be fiction"?

The Minor Protection Act is one of those novels for me.

In fact, it's the type of novel that seems terribly prophetic in regard to the road America is marching down.

In a nutshell, a law is passed that gives the American government the right to take children away from their parents who are raising them under the Christian belief system. Why? Because it's a belief system intolerant to sin.

Cowles weaves a tale that reminds me of the proverbial frog in the saucepan of water on a stove.

There is intrigue, deception, revelation, and redemption. But perhaps the most striking thing that keeps popping into my noggin is the plausibility of the idea of Christians losing their children to the government.

Cowles starts the book behind the lines of the enemy giving a perspective that helps us to understand just how such a terrible law could get swallowed by the press and citizens alike. Through the book she takes us on a journey that show how the Lord orchestrates His will in the midst of it all by having already prepared for such a day in the lives of a number of people across the nation.

The writing is good. My only complaint would be on Point of View (POV) shifts that left me confused on occasion as to which character's mind I was seeing through.

The Minor Protection Act is a book I will heartily recommend to any Christian in America. It is a quick read for its 286 pages because the material is gripping. And for you readers that require a dash of romance, well, it's got that too.

Best of all it has a timely message on the cost of being a true Christian.

Get a copy!

Released Only to be Re-Arrested for Christmas in China.

They hate you because of me - ChinaAid released the following press release concerning ongoing Christian persecution in China.

Released Christian leader Re-arrested on the eve of Christmas in Xinjiang; Christmas Celebration Disrupted in Beijing: Closed house church appealed to the local government in Anhui

China Aid Association (CAA) learns that a house church leader in Xinjiang, who was just released November 26, 2006 after 32 days detention by the local police, was arrested again December 23, 2006.

Brother Lou Yuanqi was arrested October 20, 2006 for organizing and participating in Christian gatherings in Qingshuihe town, Huocheng County, Yili city, Xinjiang autonomous area, according to CAA’s prior report.

It is believed that the arrest is to deter the Christians from holding any Christmas celebration activities. Brother Lou is currently held at the Detention Center of Huocheng County. So far, none of brother Lou’s family members have received any official notice regarding the reason of his detention.

Inspiration in the Midst of Christian Persecution.

They hate you because of me - The harder the world squeezes, the more like Christ we become.

Emily Peters has a report for (BP)News that is a must read for Christians who need an inspirational reminder that our Father uses us in most amazing ways to spread the Gospel which frees man from death.

The title of Peters's article is, Librarian guides underground worship movement in Africa. In it she details the story of a woman who for the last twenty years has been working as a leader and life giver to the Fulani in West Africa.

Peters writes:

...Fulani believers come to her house seeking guidance for their underground worship communities, which are popping up everywhere despite harsh new Muslim laws assigning the death penalty to Christian converts.

The Fulani people are traditionally quiet, nomadic cattle herders known for producing beef and milk and for spreading Islam throughout the region. Most live in isolated cattle camps deep in the bush. Few attend school. Even fewer are Christians.

Be sure to read the full article. It's incredible. Our God is truly a wonderful God.

The Great Separation continues.

For further information on Christian persecution around the globe the Persecution Blog is a good source.

Quote for Today: Microwavable Holiness.

It ain't that simple, sister. - From one of my Christmas books:

"The fact is that you can't hurry holiness or speed up the work of God in your life. You must be willing to take time and pay the price necessary to train yourself in godly living." - Jack Graham, A Man of God: Essential Priorities for Every Man's Life.

This is one of the reasons that one characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit is patience.

Lord, supply me more patience with myself and others. Your will, not my own.

Emmanuel!!!

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
(Lu 2:10b-11 NIV)

Merry Christmas!

Quote for Today.

"The honor of this world...." - Of late it's been impressed upon me how much like the world the Church is looking whether it be in the pulpit or the pew.

Here's an apt quote I came across today from D.L. Moody:

The honor of this world doesn't last, it is transient, it passes away; and I don't believe any man or woman is fit for God's service that [sic] is looking for worldly preferment, worldly honors and worldly fame. Let us get it under our feet, let us rise above it, and seek the honor that comes down from above.

The Great Separation continues.

Two Stories that Herald Christ's Return?

Gross and Grosser - Hat tip to Drudge on these two news items that just make me wonder how much longer the Father will wait before sending Christ back with a sword:

Iraqi soldiers eat frogs, rabbit at handover ceremony | Reuters.com:

Politicians, tribal and religious leaders and soldiers watched displays of military prowess and one demonstration, hailed as a display of courage, in which five soldiers stopped before the grandstand to bite the heads off frogs.

A sixth holding a live rabbit slit open its stomach and ate its heart before tossing the carcass to his comrades to chew on.

Apparently allied forces were turning over the province of Najaf to Iraqi soldiers. If you click over be warned there is a gruesome picture.

The second item details some politicians in Italy from Reuters also.

Furor in Italy over "gay nativity" in parliament:

Two leftists in Italy's ruling coalition on Wednesday outraged fellow lawmakers by placing four dolls representing homosexual couples near the baby Jesus in the official nativity scene in parliament.

They were not content to just have the dolls standing there looking on the baby Jesus, they had to have the dolls embracing and laying together.

The Great Separation continues.

Nose Spray for Losing Weight?

Pleazzze - A company has patented a nasal spray to help poor ol' us fight the fat.

Firm designs nasal spray to fight obesity | Reuters.com:

Dieters may find some welcome assistance from a new nasal spray that could help resist the appetizing aromas of cinnamon bun stands, pizza parlors or tempting bakeries.

Compellis Pharmaceuticals of Cambridge, Massachusetts said it will begin human trials next year of a nasal spray designed to fight obesity by blocking the senses of smell and taste. It won a patent for the product this month.

So let me get this straight. The nose spray blocks the sense of smell for tasty delectables so no one eats? Thereby one drops the poundage?

Good grief people.

I wonder what the lasting effects of this drug could be? After all, if one can't control their eating and get out and exercise, it's going to need to be prescribed for a lifetime!

Vatican Might Do Soccer Team?

'Score!' Or should that be 'Foul!' - Maybe it's just me, but I just think there is something wrong with the idea of the Catholic church maybe sponsoring a soccer team.

BREITBART.COM - Vatican mulls fielding football team.

The Vatican may one day field a football team that could rival the top formations in Italy's powerful Serie A, the Holy See's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said Sunday.

Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against sports, I love American Football, even enjoy baseball and soccer. But the idea of a denomination seeking to enter professional sports with a team of their own is patently silly to me.

Why can't the Church content itself with being and preparing itself to be the Bride of Christ and stop this foolish notion of trying to be like the world?

Cracked Fortune Cookie v.4

Ah... yeah....