Savannah Jane McCrary's Blog, page 8

Book Review: King's City by Jessica Marinos

I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica Marinos’ first book, Traiven’s Pass, and I enjoyed the sequel, King’s City, even more. Here's the synopsis of it: Lord Breemore’s rule as steward king carries on in all appearances of kindness and peace. However, riots, destruction, and rumors of war are speedily increasing throughout the kingdom. In the midst of these conflicts, brave voices of truth begin to speak out, but as their message must dig through a mountain of lies, it is not easy—it is not for the faint of heart. Lydia, now a penniless outcast, flees from Traiven’s Pass to seek help from a most unlikely man. However, when her freedom becomes known, those who murdered her father will not allow her last choice in Traiven’s Pass to go unpunished. Galen, as he adjusts to his new life in King’s City, is noticed by Lady Laila, the sword master’s daughter, and his popularity quickly escalates. When a grave secret startles Galen’s life, he is set firmly in his rightful course, but in doing so, is he also fulfilling Lord Breemore's wishes?
And here's my review:  ​The plot:
   The plot was excellent. There were many unexpected twists and turns. It has to be one of the most suspenseful books I’ve read (or listened to). My mama read it aloud, a couple of chapters at a time, and it was so difficult to wait to find out what would happen next!
 
The characters:
   I loved the combination of characters, and the character development was wonderfully done. I especially enjoyed getting to see Galen, Lydia, Cloven, Danek, and Garrett’s characters develop and grow.
 
The writing:
   Like in her first book, Jessica’s writing is beautiful. I love the way she describes with similes and metaphors and replaces weak words with stronger ones.
 
The messages:
   The overarching message of this book is standing for the truth, no matter the cost. In a kingdom that is almost completely taken captive by lies and deception, we see a few brave characters taking a stand for the truth. I liked how the story illustrated that evil will sometimes look very good, and those who speak the truth can be misrepresented as crazy, or worse, hateful. It shows how cunning and deceptive wicked people can sometimes be and how important it is to stand on the solid foundation of Truth.
   While set in an imaginary world, it’s reminiscent of our own. Throughout history, there have always been those who are against God and His Word, and those who paid a large price for standing with Jesus. Today, too, we’re seeing increasing attacks on the Bible and true Christianity, and we must stand strong in our faith.
 
Final thoughts:
   My whole family loved this book. It led to some great conversations, and we enjoyed speculating what would happen in the next chapters. Sometimes we got it right, and sometimes we were surprised.
   While I would say the reading level of this book is probably teens and up, it can also be a great book for the whole family. There is some romance but nothing inappropriate, and it’s not the main focus of the story. There are mentions of people (both innocent and guilty) being killed, and definitely a good bit of peril, but the violence and gore is kept to a minimum.
   Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and add it to my list of favorite books. Now I’m looking forward to reading Book Three!

Why Socialism Is Not the Answer

   When I first wrote my book Do Justly, I did not even think of explaining why I don’t believe socialism is the answer to the world’s problems. But in the last couple of years, I have seen that more and more people—especially young people—believe socialism is a good idea. I think many of these people have good intentions. They truly think socialism will help people, especially the poor, the disabled, and minority groups. But when I go to the Bible, it seems pretty obvious to me that socialism is not what God wants.
   So I added an appendix to my book, and I'm sharing this here. 
   First off, a little history. Karl Marx, the father of communism, looked on socialism as a transition between capitalism and communism. In case you don’t know, capitalism is an economic system where businesses are privately owned, instead of controlled by the government. Communism is a system proposed by Karl Marx where everything is owned commonly. There are no social classes and no state. Karl Marx believed that to get from capitalism to communism there would need to be transitional socialist government. Put simply, socialism is government-owned property and industry and the forced redistribution of wealth. Any time a country has tried to implement communism, it’s led to disastrous effects and the deaths of lots of innocent people. And socialism is stepping toward communism. Now, of course, some Socialists are more radical than others. Not all Socialists today actually want communism. But from a Biblical perspective, there are still problems with socialism.
Here are some of them:
Socialism wants to get rid of private property. Socialism wants to get rid of privately owned property, but the Bible teaches that people do have the right to own things, and stealing is wrong. Some people are blessed with more than others, and that’s okay.
Socialism forces caring for the poor, instead of it being voluntary. Socialism wants the forced redistribution of wealth. That is, they want to heavily tax the rich and then give that money to the poor. But the Bible says that “God loves a cheerful giver,” (2 Cor. 9:7). God wants us to be generous and give to the poor, because of love, because we want to, not because the government forces us to.
Socialism encourages laziness. If the government gives food and money away and makes things very difficult for businesses, how does that encourage hard work? The Bible says that if someone won’t work, neither shall that person eat (2 Th. 3:10). As Christians, we should be generous and willing to help others in need. But if someone is physically able, they should be working. The government should not just be giving handouts.
Socialism thinks it can make a perfect world. The government is not the savior of the world. Its job is not to fix all our problems. Biblically speaking, the main function of government is to punish evildoers, especially murderers (Rom. 13:4). As Christians, we know from the Bible that the world is cursed because of sin, and we will not be able to make a perfect world. Jesus said that the poor will always be with us (Mark 14:7). We should be caring for the poor and oppressed, but we know we won’t be able to completely eliminate poverty. But Jesus came and died and rose again to save us from our sins. He is the true Savior of the world, the only One who can save us from our deepest problem: our sin. And He has promised that one day He will return and make all things new.
Well, always remember, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it," (1 Thess. 5:24). 
All for Him,
Savannah  

Book Review: Vibia Perpetua: I Am A Christian written by Naomi Carrington, illustrated by Hannah Carrington

   One of my heroes is a woman named Perpetua. She was a noblewoman born in A. D. 180 in the city of Carthage in the Roman Empire. She was a woman who loved the Lord Jesus more than life.  Perpetua loved her family—her father, her mother, her younger brother, and her baby son—but she loved Jesus more and paid the ultimate price for it.
   I was so excited to find this lovely book on this hero of the faith. Combine a well-told, accurate story, with beautiful, colorful illustrations, and stunning interior and cover design in a sturdy hardcover book with thick pages, and you have a real treasure.
   There’s a real lack of quality children’s books today, but this one is definitely very high quality. And it’s not just for children. While a good book to read aloud to young children, it’s also great for the whole family. I, as a 20-year-old, loved it!
   I keep picking up this book and poring over the amazing illustrations. I also love that words from Perpetua’s own diary are included in the story. The glossary and notes to the reader are a helpful addition, too.
   Thank you Hannah and Naomi and the Carrington family for producing such an excellent book! 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR BUY THE BOOK

Jesus, The One Who Sets the Captives Free

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
Isaiah 61:1
   This month, I’ve written about how there are millions of people trapped in slavery. But today I want to talk about how, without Jesus, we are all slaves. Slaves to sin. Slaves to darkness.
​   Jesus said, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin,” (John 8:34). And we’ve all sinned. Sin is breaking God’s law. Sin is lying, lust, covetousness, dishonoring parents, pride, making anything more important that God, to name just a few.
    Our sin separates us from God. Because God is just, He must punish sin. The punishment for our sin is death and separation from God forever in Hell.
   We’re doomed. Left to ourselves, that is.
   But here’s the good news: God didn’t leave us like that. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).
   That’s what Christmas is about: Jesus coming. God became flesh in the baby Jesus. He was born of a virgin girl named Mary in the town of Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling cloth, and laid in a manger. Angels announced His birth to shepherds.
   And you want to know something really amazing? Those shepherds were very likely tending sheep that would be used for sacrifice. For years, the Jews had offered sacrifices of an unblemished lamb as an offering for sin. They had to do it again and again, year after year. But now, these shepherds would be seeing the perfect Lamb of God who would, once and for all, bear the sins of the world.
   I once read something extremely interesting: before a lamb was to be taken to the temple for sacrifice, its legs would be wrapped in swaddling cloth and it would be laid in a manger. Just like Jesus.
   You see, Jesus came to save His people from their sins (see Matthew 1:21). When He grew up, He died a horrible, cruel death on a Roman cross, thereby bearing God’s wrath and the punishment we all deserved. He was buried, but then on the third day, He rose again. And because death could not hold Him, death will not hold us either, all of us who put our trust in Him. We’re promised eternal life with Him.
   Perhaps, like me, you’ve heard this again and again. And, perhaps also like me, you’ve trusted Jesus as your Savior for years.
   Whatever your story, I invite you this Christmas season to join me in pondering afresh what Jesus did for us.
   Jesus came to set us free.
   Jesus sets us free from despair.
   Jesus sets us free from loneliness.
   Jesus sets us free from living for the approval of others.
   Jesus sets us free from addictions, whatever they may be.
   Jesus sets us free from sin.
   And, “if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed,” (John 8:36).
   After the shepherds saw Jesus, they left praising God and proclaiming what they had seen (see Luke 2:17-20). May that be our response, too. May the thought of what Jesus has done for us cause us to worship Him and tell others about Him.
   And always remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,
Savannah Jane

Story of a Girl Set Free (And How You Can Help Free Slaves)

​“Nothing happens just because we are aware of modern day slavery, but nothing ever will happen until we are.”
—Gary Haugen, president of International Justice Mission
   When Elsa’s father died and her mother left, Elsa and her younger brother moved in with their elderly grandparents. They barely had the money to support themselves and buy food for Elsa and her brother, let alone pay for school. So making money to pay for their school fell to twelve-year-old Elsa.  She took whatever jobs she could find, and somehow managed to keep her and her brother in school.
   After high school graduation, Elsa saw an opportunity to work as a nanny in Europe, but she needed a sum of money to cover the cost of getting a visa.
   She was vulnerable, and that’s when the traffickers came.    Elsa accepted a job at a bar where she was promised good pay to start her new future. But she soon learned she was a slave—forced to give customers not just food and drink, but also her body. Her dreams of a better future were fading. She felt sad, scared, and ashamed.
   Thankfully, Elsa’s story didn’t end there. She was rescued by International Justice Mission and the police and began a new life of freedom.
   She wrote: “A bird symbolizes my life because I’m not always caged. I’m not always trapped in one place.”1
   Elsa is free now, but millions of other girls, women, boys, and men are still trapped, waiting for freedom.
   That is why this month I am donating all of the profits I make from any books I sell to three of my favorite freedom-fighting organizations: International Justice Mission, Joy International, and Rahab's Rope. You can visit my family's new online store here to learn more about my books and order them. 
   Amos 5:24 says to “let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.”  
A few other ways you can stand for justice are:
Pray. You can pray for the work of IJM, Joy International, Rahab's Rope, and other organizations. You can pray for the rescue of victims of human trafficking/modern day slavery. You can pray that God will move more people to stand against it. And you can pray that He will show you what He would have you do.Raise Awareness. You can help raise awareness of human trafficking by talking to your family and friends about it, sharing about it on social media, wearing t-shirts that spread the word, and many other ways.Shop Fair Trade. Another way to help fight slavery is to shop from fair trade companies such as Rahab’s Rope. You can also host a Rahab’s Rope party! Click here to shop Rahab’s Rope, find out more about their work in India and how to host a party.Foster Kids. A large percentage of human trafficking victims in the U. S. were once in the foster care system. So when you help foster kids, you’re also helping fight human trafficking. Even if you can’t foster yourself, you could support someone who is. You could also collect gifts for foster kids. In some states, there are programs that work with the foster care system to give gift boxes to the kids.Shop IJM’s Gift Catalogue. With International Justice Mission, you can give a monetary gift in honor of someone. Your gift might be to combat human trafficking, provide aftercare, help fund a rescue mission, etc. You’ll receive a card to send to the person you made it in honor of. It could be a birthday present, Christmas gift, or just because. Go to ijm.org to learn more about International Justice Mission and shop their gift catalogue.   Well, that is just a few of the many ways we can help fight modern day slavery! If you have any ideas to add, please let me know! Leave a comment below or contact me !
And always remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,
Savannah Jane
   
Footnote:
1 Elsa’s story is taken from the March 4, 2016 International Justice Mission update and ijm.org. The name Elsa is a pseudonym. 

Buy Books and Free Slaves

   I first learned about modern day slavery when I was around 13. A close friend of mine was raising awareness of slavery and funds to support rescue missions. Before that, I had no idea slavery still existed.
   But I learned that there are more slaves today than at any other time in history. I learned that, even though it’s illegal everywhere, it happens nearly everywhere. Even in the U. S. I learned that slavery today goes by many forms and names, some of them being: human trafficking, sex trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, child soldiers, and forced prostitution. Whatever form it takes on, slavery is a person being deprived of their freedom. A large percentage of slavery victims are women and girls and many of them are children.
   I also realized that the Bible tells us over and over again to rescue those who are oppressed and to stand up for justice. For just a few examples, see Isaiah 1:17, Proverbs 14:31, Isaiah 58:6-12, and Zechariah 7:9-10.
   But it can be easy to hear about issues like modern day slavery and think, what on earth could I possibly do that would make a difference? How am I supposed to help seek justice and rescue the oppressed?
   So this month, as a way for us to fight slavery together, I am donating all the profits I make from any books I sell during the month of December to three of my favorite organizations that are working to rescue those trapped in slavery:
International Justice Mission (ijm.org)
Joy International (joy.org)
and
Rahab’s Rope (rahabsrope.com)
   In case you didn’t know, I have independently published four books. My first book, which I released when I was 17, is nonfiction about issues like slavery, abortion, and orphans, with stories of people from history and people today, and ways ordinary young people can take action, all from a biblical Christian perspective. Since then, I’ve also published a medieval fantasy adventure story, a children’s picture book about my little sister Sadie and her journey with epilepsy, and my most recent publication, the first in a historical fiction series set in first century Rome. (By the way, the second book in this series is well underway and, Lord willing, will be released sometime next year. I’m crazy excited about this book!)
   And my parents have written a poetry book, and my older sister Samantha has written and illustrated a children’s picture book about a sled dog during WWII. 
   So, how do you order the books? We now have an online store!!! Click here to visit our store and order books! The books are $10 each and, for this month only, shipping is free. 
   During this month, I’ll also be sharing several more blog posts about modern day slavery and other ways you can fight it. Normally, I only send one or two emails a month to my email subscribers, but this month is special. I’ll be sending an email for each new post. If you haven’t already, will you please join my email list ? This is one of the best ways you can help out a young author, and it doesn’t cost you a thing!
   Well, as always, remember that, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,
Savannah Jane

A Change of Plans in How I'm Fighting Human Trafficking This Month

Hi friends! Many of you know that I have been planning on fighting human trafficking this month by participating in a challenge called Dressember.
   Well, after talking to a dear cousin/friend and discussing it with my parents, I have decided not to do Dressember this year. While the Dressember Foundation supports some really great organizations that I respect, I’m concerned that they also might support some things that I do not agree with.
   I’m still going to do something to fight human trafficking this month, though! This is a passion God has placed on my heart, and in the near future I will share with ya’ll what I’m doing instead.
   As always, remember that, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,
Savannah Jane

Why I'm Wearing a Dress Every Day This Month

[image error] ​   I’m wearing a dress every day for the month of December.
   Why, do you ask? It’s not just because I love wearing dresses. (Even though I do!)
   It’s because there are millions of people trapped in slavery today. Many of them are children, and a large percentage of them are women and girls. Slavery, which often goes by the name human trafficking, is illegal everywhere, yet it happens nearly everywhere. Even in the United States.
   Wearing a dress every day this month is a small way I can stand for freedom. If you read my previous post, you know all this already, but in case you didn’t, here’s the scoop: 
   It’s a challenge called Dressember. You wear a dress (or a tie) every day for the month of December. The idea is that when people compliment you on your dress, you tell them you’re dressing for freedom and invite them to make a donation to your fundraising page. The funds go to support International Justice Mission (a Christian organization that is working to bring justice to victims of slavery and other forms of violent oppression and injustice) and other freedom-fighting organizations. You can also spread the word by telling your family and friends about it, sharing about it on your blog or social media, and many other ways.
   I first heard about Dressember from a friend six years ago.
   But let me back up a bit: a close friend of mine was raising awareness of modern day slavery and funds to support IJM (International Justice Mission). Before that, I hadn’t even known slavery still existed. But once I learned about the millions of men, women, and children trapped in such terrible forms of bondage, I wanted to do something.
   At first, I didn’t know what. I didn’t have much money. So when I heard about Dressember, I was so excited. I couldn’t give a lot of money. I certainly couldn’t be on the front lines helping with rescue missions. But I could wear a dress every day for a month.
   Isaiah 58:6 says,
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?”
  Wearing a dress every day for a month isn’t the only way you can help “loose the bonds of wickedness” and “let the oppressed go free”. In my previous post, I mentioned a few other ways you can help. And in the coming weeks, I plan to be sharing more about modern day slavery and how you can stand against it. If you haven’t already, please join my email list , and my new blog posts will be delivered straight to your inbox.
   If you would like to join me in wearing a dress (or tie) every day during the month of December, you can click here to set up a fundraising page, and click here to join my team, Beautiful Rescue. If you’d like to make a donation, click here .
   Well, as always, remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,
Savannah Jane

Join Me in Fighting Modern Day Slavery

​“Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 82:4
   I first learned about modern day slavery when I was around 13. A close friend of mine was raising awareness of slavery and funds to support rescue missions. Before that, I had no idea slavery still existed. But here’s what I learned:     There are more slaves today than at any other time in history. Slavery is illegal everywhere, but it still happens everywhere. It’s in the shadows, hidden, invisible to most, but it’s there.  
    Slavery today goes by many forms and names. Some of them are: human trafficking, sex trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, child soldiers, and forced prostitution. Whatever form it takes on, slavery is a person being deprived of their freedom.
  One person tricks another, promising them a good job, but instead selling them into slavery. This is how modern day slavery most often begins. But occasionally, parents will sell their own children into slavery. Sometimes, they purposely sell their child. More often, though, they don’t willingly give their child up to be a slave, but are promised the child will be given a good home, education, and all the things they wished they could give their child but could not. Often, the person deceiving them is someone they know—someone they thought was their friend.
   In the U.S. (and in some other countries), the form slavery most often takes on is the trafficking of young girls. Teenage girls who are lied to, drugged, abused, stripped of their innocence.
   I also realized that the Bible tells us over and over again to rescue those who are oppressed and to stand up for justice. For just a few examples, see Isaiah 1:17, Proverbs 14:31, Isaiah 58:6-12, and Zechariah 7:9-10.
   So, when I was 14, I had the idea to write a book about issues such as modern day slavery, abortion, and orphans from a biblical perspective with stories of people from history and people today, and ways ordinary young people can take action. Three years later, that book was published. (You can read the full story here .)
   One of the ways I mention in my book that you can take action is a simple challenge that I am doing this year. I first heard about it six years ago from a friend.  It’s called Dressember.
   The challenge is this: you wear a dress (or a tie) every day for the month of December. The idea is that when people compliment you on your dress, you tell them you’re dressing for freedom and invite them to make a donation to your fundraising page. The funds go to support International Justice Mission (a Christian organization that is working to bring justice to victims of slavery and other forms of violent oppression and injustice) and other freedom-fighting organizations. You can also spread the word by telling your family and friends about it, sharing about it on your blog or social media, and many other ways.
   You don’t have to write a book. You don’t have to wear a dress every day for the month of December. But I do hope you will do something. What God has for you to do will look different than what I’ve done. It might involve writing a book or participating in Dressember, or it might not.
Here are just a few ideas of what you can do to stand against modern day slavery:You can join me in wearing a dress (or a tie) every day for the month of December and create a fundraising page. I would love it if you would join my team! Click here to make a fundraising page. Click here to join my team.  And even if you’re not doing Dressember yourself, you can still tell others about it, and you can make a donation by clicking here.You can do some of your Christmas shopping from companies such as Rahab’s Rope where the money will go to fight modern day slavery.And you can pray. The Bible also tells us over and over again to pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.”      Lord willing, my plan is to do a blog post each week during the month of December where I’ll be sharing more about modern day slavery and what you can do to help. So, if you haven’t already, please join my email list , and keep an eye on your inbox for those new articles!
Well, always remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
All for Him,
Savannah Jane
P. S. I’d love to hear what you are doing to fight human trafficking! Leave a comment below or contact me .

Five Women from History You Should Know About

​   I’ve loved history since I was very young. I think my love of history started with the stories—historical fiction, Bible stories, biographies, etc.—my mama read aloud to me when I was little.
   Today, I want to share with you a few women from history I believe you should know about. Now I could make a REALLY long list of women from history who inspire me, but I’ve condensed it to just five of my favorites. Here they are:
The Hebrew Midwives. We learn about these brave ladies, named Shiphrah and Puah, in the first chapter of the book of Exodus. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had given orders that every male Hebrew child be killed and told the midwives that when they delivered babies, if the child was a boy, to kill him. “But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive,” (Exodus 1:17). I love that these women feared God, not man, and stood for life.Perpetua. Back in the late second century and early third century A. D., there lived a young woman named Perpetua. Like many other Christians in the days of the Roman Empire, Perpetua faced death in the arena. She had many opportunities to deny Christ and live, but she knew she could not do that. She had a family whom she loved dearly—a little son, her parents, and her brother—but she loved Jesus even more than she loved all of them. Perpetua entered the arena with her face radiant, singing a psalm of praise. When the wild animals did not kill her, she was finished by a gladiator’s sword.Margaret Wilson. This girl is not quite as well known, but she’s definitely one of my favorites. She was killed at just 18 or 19 years old. Why? Because she believed that Jesus Christ was the Head of the Church, or Kirk, as the Scots called it. She was a Scottish Covenanter. The 1680’s are known as “the killing times” in Scotland, because during this time, many Scottish Covenanters were killed by order of the king of England who believed that he was the Head of the Church. Margaret Wilson was tied to a stake where the tide was coming and drowned. This courageous young woman sang Psalm 25 and recited Romans 8 before she went to be with the Lord.Corrie ten Boom. Sometime, I’ll have to do a blog post just about all the lessons we can learn from the life of Corrie ten Boom. Since she lived more recently and wrote several books, we know more about her than we do about these other ladies I’ve mentioned. Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian lady, a single woman in her fifties living with her elderly father and sister when World War 2 broke out. Corrie and her family risked their lives to help rescue Jews and others from the Nazis, and eventually they were arrested. Corrie’s father died soon after their arrest. She and her sister Betsie were taken to a concentration camp where they shared Christ with the other prisoners there. Betsie died in that camp. Eventually, Corrie was set free, and she later travelled the world sharing God’s message of love, hope, and forgiveness.   I hope you enjoyed reading about each of these wonderful ladies! And I hope you were inspired! Because, you see, I believe God can use each one of us just as mightily as He used them, if we will but surrender to Him. Each of our lives will look different. God writes a different story in each of our lives, but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” (Hebrews 13:8). The same God who worked in the lives of these women from history is the same God who works in our lives.
    And now, what about you—who are some people from history who inspire you the most?
   Let me know in the comments below!
   As always, remember that, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
   All for Him,
Savannah Jane