Russell Stendal

This book was apparently derived from a series of talks that were later compiled. The book looks at the Biblical books of 1 and 2 Kings and attempts to put the events described there into a historical cultural perspective as well as developing parallels to both events in the New Testament and to events today (or in the near future).

Parts were interesting and parts dragged--after a while, I did start wondering how many chapters 2 Kings had.

I don't feel qualified to comment on the veracity of the author's claims. Certainly, the pattern of sin, debauchery, repentance has been a cycle since Exodus (if not before).… (més)

BRAVO and Bravado, too!

This book reveals keystone events that are the results of the Stendal families' life long devotion to following Jesus day by day with a heart for the gospel. The work of Jesus in the hearts of people long caught up in the throes of civil war and all of it's ugly facets can be turned around one by one as individuals respond to God's love in their lives and His command to love even your enemies. The Stendals have taken the gospel to all sides of the conflicts and rightfully earned the respect of their captors and comrads giving them free range to travel in war torn regions, often covered by God's timely and astounding protection. God's miraculous healing love often plays a part in driving the message home - softening hearts. The Stendals often go out on a limb to provide assistance to people in need. This has garnered them respect by military and government leaders that is now bringing about fruit that is opening new doors for gospel radio transmissions and teamed with Galcom receivers bringing the gospel into war torn jungle regions and communist strongholds.

If ever people thought the gospel just produced compliant followers sitting in pews who are quiet do-gooders, this book will show that God is powerfully protecting His own who are mucking it out on steep muddy slopes, traversing deep ravines, dodging old landmine fields, in the midst of emerald mine community politics, in connecting warring military leaders to bring about peace negotiations, and open doors for new gospel radio transmissions.

God is on the MOVE!… (més)

This book is a true story about the author who was kidnapped in Columbia by a group of guerrilla fighters when he was working as a jungle pilot.

Along with the actual kidnapping story itself and subsequent time in captivity, he weaves in stories from his childhood and early adulthood missionary and God adventures.

I greatly appreciated the author’s openness and honesty in the way he reveals his own faults and how God turned them around.

I also greatly liked the way he shared his faith with his captors, not at all by beating them over the head with the Bible but by getting to know them and sharing how God redeemed his own mistakes and by having a merciful forgiving attitude towards them.

Christian truths were weaved unobtrusively throughout giving much food for thought. There were several times where I paused my reading just to think about God.

Also included is an appendix with a much more intensive addition of some Christian truths that the author gleaned from the beatitudes.

A couple of interesting quotes:

Our only hope is to admit our faults and failures. We don’t have to be perfect to come to God, but we do have to be honest.

The Greek word ["meek"] really means an attitude of heart and mind that is in submission to God and to God’s plans exclusively.

If you like true missionary stories or true Christian persecution stories you will love this book.

To purchase your own copy of this book go here:Rescue the Captors: True Hostage Situation Involving Colombian Marxist Guerrillas and a Missionary Simply Using the Experience to Share the Gospel

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Life Sentencing Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”… (més)

This book’s premise is that we, as Christians, should be living the beatitudes. The author takes each one and fleshes them out deeply and widely. I found the information to be the opposite of shallow, and I found myself thinking, “Finally! Some deep truths!”.

Even more than that I consider this book to contain gems of wisdom. Not your typical Christian party line stuff here. No cliches. No platitudes. But true wisdom born out of the author’s relationship with the Lord and his experiences in walking out his Christian life.

I loved the author’s definitions of repentance and meekness. They certainly gave me food for thought. For example, he talks about repentance not just being about giving up things, as in what not to do, but in giving up our own way which includes doing the right things God’s way.

Some other topics that are included are dying to self, the fire of God, worry, our thought life, peace. And a consistent theme throughout the entire book was about obedience. Are we really doing everything God says, in the way He says and in His timing?

For me this was convicting. I want it (true repentance and obedience), I pray for it but is it really happening in my life? Not as much as it should be. There is definite room for improvement in my life. And even though it was convicting I felt no sense of malice behind it.

There is some exposing of false doctrine throughout the book but it was exposing of doctrine and not of people, no names, which is as it should be, as no one person has perfect doctrine anyway.

I believe every sincere Christian could benefit from reading this book. The author encourages us to use the beatitudes as a checklist to see how we’re doing and this book will help you along those lines.

To purchase your own copy of this book go here:God’s Plan for Spiritual Battle (Victory over Sin, the World, and the Devil)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Life Sentencing Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”… (més)