Christian Archives

Captive in Iran

"Whatever God has planned is what will happen." Authors: Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh are tricked into visiting the Iranian police station, responding to an incorrect notice about a car registration. What happens next is their sudden, vicious imprisonment for being Christians and a 259-day stint in the world’s most notorious prison, Evin. As Captive in Iran unravels, Maryam and Marziyeh share the story of their imprisonment, the deprivations and unexpected moments of connection and hope. They were both given a simple out: renounce Christ and stop sharing Christianity with strangers and they would be [...]

Frances Carden2025-07-14T18:15:11-07:00July 14th, 2025|Tags: book review, Christian, Christianity, evangelism, Iran, memoir, nonfiction, prayer, read, reading|

Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical and Balanced Perspective

Putting on the Full Armor of God Authors: Brian Borgman & Rob Ventura In Ephesians 6:10-18, the Apostle Paul describes the metaphorical full armor of God. It’s a famous passage, and despite the title of Brian Borgman and Rob Ventura’s book, Spiritual Warfare, the true focus here is on a step-by-step exegesis turned devotional hyper-focused on this classic bit of scripture. Authors Borgman and Ventura explain that the armor of God is essential for surviving and remaining “standing” throughout spiritual warfare. They briefly examine spiritual warfare, with a focus on not dismissing it, but also on not becoming unnaturally focused on [...]

Frances Carden2025-05-27T16:53:46-07:00May 27th, 2025|Tags: book review, Christian, Ephesians, exegesis, full armor of God, read, reading|

Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit: Growing in Christlikeness

Growing the Fruit of the Spirit Author: Christopher J.H. Wright If you are living in God and God is living in you that relationship should be tangible in your life: in how you act and react, in what you do and in what you say, in how you treat others and how you respond to the world. The Christian lifestyle is supposed to be one set apart, one dedicated to God’s will, showcasing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Paul lays out all this evidence of a life in Christ in Galatians 5:22-23, calling Christ-like actions the [...]

Frances Carden2025-05-19T13:26:03-07:00May 19th, 2025|Tags: book review, Christian, fruit of the spirit, Galations, read, reading|