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Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Oct 16, 2010 0:34:40 GMT -5
"RED INK" BY KATHI MACIAS is reviewed by MIRIAM JACOB.
REVIEWS OF RED INK
REVIEW 1
RED INK is a timeless portrayal of God's mercy and grace, reaching out from the heart of a loving eternal Father, to bless the heart of a young, grieving mother, from whom everything was taken away except the one thing most precious to her - the priceless pearl of her faith.
Kathi Macias tells the heart-rending tale of a group of people across the globe, each on a different spiritual quest, whose lives are extrinsically embroidered in an eternal tapestry of faith, skillfully crafted by the competent and loving hands of an omniscient God.
It is a poignant, heart-moving story of unconditional love and of ultimate sacrifice, due to the unshakable allegiance of a young woman who, when faced with the fiery ordeal of persecution, only strengthened her own innate resolve and determination to take a firm, unflinching stand to be true to her name - Zhen-Li, meaning "Truth."
© MIRIAM JACOB
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Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Oct 17, 2010 1:02:24 GMT -5
REVIEWS OF RED INK
REVIEW 2
Yang Zhen-li, not yet thirty but feeling much older as a direct result of all her suffering and bitter experiences, had once been acclaimed as a beauty in her youth, although she could scarcely remember why, or for what reason it could have been, or even imagine that it would ever matter at all, in the light of all that had happened.
She tried her very best to fight the darkness that often threatened to overwhelm her, attempting desperately to cling on to what she knew in her heart to be true, but everything was taking a far greater toll on her already emaciated body than even the hard, physical labor of the prison "or the burning, gnawing hunger" that she had learned to cope with. If her situation didn't take a turn for the better, she would not live long. The hope of her ever emerging from prison alive grew steadily dimmer with each passing day.
"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." She forced her mind to concentrate on the Scripture verse she had memorized before her arrest. But though her abductors had aborted her second child by force, they could not convince her to renounce her Christian faith. When faced with the fiery ordeal of persecution, it only strengthened her own innate resolve and determination to take a firm, unflinching stand to be true to her name - Zhen-Li, meaning "Truth."
Now she paid the unbearable price. Jailed for ten long years, and separated from her family, Zhen-li struggled to survive the bitter pain and loneliness. At the worst of times, she even imagined that God had forgotten her, in spite of His promises that He would never abandon or forsake her. She needed an immediate miracle to strengthen her faith and prevent her from giving up altogether.
As the morning light slowly began to pierce the darkness, Zhou Chi's heart squeezed in pain and anguish at the thought of his beloved wife languishing in prison. He shuddered at the horrific thought of Zhen-li spending ten long years behind bars, enduring the unimaginable as the penalty for her faith. The brokenhearted husband pleaded with God to protect his wife from harm. Zhou Chan, his four-year-old son, also missed his young mother desperately.
© MIRIAM JACOB
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Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Oct 18, 2010 4:35:46 GMT -5
REVIEWS OF RED INK
REVIEW 3
At the assisted living home, Julia felt rested and refreshed after spending quality time alone with God in the peace and quiet of her room. Memories of her husband, Joe who had died in a tragic car accident nearly twenty years earlier, were always lurking at the back of her mind. The pain of his death still seemed as if it had been only yesterday.
Julia struggled to pull herself back from the borderline of depression that so often threatened to overwhelm her at times. Instead of allowing herself to descend into an abyss of despair from which it was difficult to return, she made a conscious effort to focus on the many undeserved blessings God had showered into her life.
Julia and Joe had shared more than forty years together, having the great joy of seeing all their four children serving God in their personal lives. It was more than most people have ever experienced, so how could she complain when she had to spend her last years on earth alone?
"Have you ever really been alone?" Julia asked herself, glancing resolutely into the mirror above her dressing table. "Of course not! God is your husband now, and He's never left you, not even for a second."
"You've got your work cut out for you, Julia Crockett.... and you haven't much time to get it done. So what are you doing standing here, talking to yourself? Let's get busy!" Julia chuckled to herself. "There was just enough time to freshen up before heading out to see what surprises God had kept in store for her.
© MIRIAM JACOB
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Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Oct 21, 2010 3:48:52 GMT -5
REVIEWS OF RED INK
REVIEW 4
Tai Tong, the guard, only in his late twenties, had acquired a position of prominence and importance within the party. His proficiency in carrying out his orders had won him the profound admiration and unstincted approval of his superiors. A successful career was in the offing, as well as the exciting prospect of a series of promotions.
Respect was paramount to him, and his subordinates obeyed him without question. He followed every rule to the letter, and made it a point to excel at everything he undertook. He would brook no disobedience from any quarter.
Such a lifestyle suited him perfectly well and he was under no compulsion to change it. Compromise was certainly not an option that he would consider under any circumstances. If anyone disobeyed him, he would not hesitate to re-educate them ruthlessly.
According to first-hand reports, prisoner Yang Zhen-li seemed bent on direct confrontation. Tong made a mental resolution to keep a watchful eye on her. If she dared to flout his orders, she would pay a very heavy price for her blatant disobedience.
© MIRIAM JACOB
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