Safely Home

Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking study of friendship and true Christianity
Review: When I first started reading this book, I thought that Ben Fielding's character was rather one-dimensional. "Christian 'outgrows' his faith, then rediscovers it" can be rather formulaic and poorly-written. But Fielding's transition is gradual; there isn't one defining moment that makes him realize he's chasing after nothingness. In perhaps the strongest example of this, while Fielding's pursuit of human channels to correct problems is noble, his *reliance* on them (and not God) is vain. Li Quan knows this immediately and intimately; Fielding takes the whole book to discover this.

Li Quan's friendship is incredible. He truly loves Fielding, not with just phileo, but with agape. Although it takes him a while to realize that Fielding has abandoned his faith, when he does, nothing changes (except the emphasis of Li's prayers).

What is most striking, though, is Li's faith (and that of his friends and family) in the face of increasing adversity. The book reveals the (real) snowjob that the Chinese government is giving the rest of the world. Life for Christians in China is *not* getting better; if anything, it's getting worse. "Safely Home" gives a jarring, thought-provoking picture of what it means to be a Christian in China, and the opportunities we are squandering on a daily basis in America.

Rating:
Summary: Earthshaking!
Review: Safely Home introduced me to reality of persecuted Christians in our world...specifically in China. It gave an amazing, and humbling perspective on the care Christ has for us and a real picture of what it means to follow Him.
I'd recommend it to anyone ready for a good read with an open mind. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Soul Stirring
Review: This book put faces on people and helped me to focus my prayer for the persecuted church. How blessed we are America and how much more the responsibility God has given us to intercede and give to our suffering brothers and sisters. I am an avid reader and this is one of the few books that has truly impacted my life. Great Read!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: This book gives an excellent glimpse into the persecuted church in China. It caused me to examine my own relationship with God, and encouraged me to strengthen my commitment to Him . After reading this book, I bought several copies to give as gifts.

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Summary: THIS BOOK IS A MUST BUY!!
Review: I admired Li Quan's faith. His faith shone brighter than the sun. His dearest friend Ben Fielding was shocked. He was expecting a to see a successful writer and teacher, instead, his friend teaching the word of Yesu and living in what could be termed 'poverty'. Ben could not understand Quan's true happiness.

I admired how Li Quan stood faithful throughout his fiery trail. I have to admit that I would have folded.

I admired most of all, his trust in Yesu NOT DELIVERING HIM, but to know Yesu would never leave him or forsake him.

When you read the book for yourself, ask yourself what would you truly do??

Rating:
Summary: Powerful story - will change you
Review: Mr. Alcorn tells a powerful story of the real China and the persecution of Christians who live there. This story will change your view of China, and perhaps, your view of what a committed Christian is. Well worth the read.

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Summary: WOW! Get Ready for A Life Changing Experience!!!
Review: Randy Alcorn has written his BEST novel ever!!! I have read all of his novels and "Safely Home" has climbed to the top of my list and is neck to neck with "Deadline" also by Alcorn and in my top ten list of best Christian Fiction books. I too was initially skeptical by the title of the book "Safely Home" and also was distracted by the Chinese Characters written on the cover of the book. PLEASE DO NOT let that stop you from reading this LIFE CHANGING novel!!!!

The story centers around two old college friends who were once roomates and bestfriends. Ben is an American living in the US and is now a promonient, wealthy business man and a divorced father of two. Li-Chen is Chinese, who after studying in the US, moved back to China and has been living there as a locksmith's assistant with his wife & son in a one-room cottage. The two men are reunited during Ben's business trip to China. Ben, who originally introduced Li-Chen to the Lord, has grown cold in his faith and his life focus has shifted to wealth and material things. Li-Chen has grown tremendously as a Christian in China where Christianity is illegal and punishable by the law. When the two friends reunite after many years, the Lord works miraculously in both men's lives and they are changed by their experiences and the work of the Lord in their lives forever.

This book will make you angry and will also bring you to tears...but most importantly- this book will really make you examine your own personal relationship with God and what true "SERVICE TO THE LORD" is really about.

If we are not living each day in light of Christ's return, we need to step back and re-examine our lives. The characters in Alcorn's novel will stay imprinted in your heart and mind forever. This is truly a deep and life-changing novel! Run, don't walk and get a copy of this book and read it! When you finish, pass it on to someone else who is not saved or who needs a "kickstart" in their walk with God. Hopefully, this book will encourage all of us to live our lives in light of eternity, with the goal of making it "Safely Home."

Rating:
Summary: Praise God
Review: The most powerful novel I've ever read!! I never cease to be impressed by the thoughts and words penned by Alcorn. The character Li Quang, displays a beautiful relationship with Christ and a desire to serve at all cost. This book will motivate you to deepen your relationship with Christ and to give your heart to the persecuted church around the world. The story you will enjoy and be touched by it forever.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful christian fiction novel
Review: This book is fiction, of course, but extremely true to life. One incident in the book was recognizably based on a real event that happened in Romania. Randy Alcorn is a skilled writer: I have read two of his books now. I first heard of him when I bought "Lord Foulgrin's Letters," which was also good. But this new effort surpasses by far Lord Foulgrin's Letters, which by the nature of the genre was understandably didactic and "preachy" in style. This new novel is wonderful. However, I wonder about one thing: Does Randy Alcorn have some sort of preference for using arrogant businessmen as protagonists?

Rating:
Summary: Informative, captivating, and challenging
Review: An insightful look into Christian persecution in China (and in the US, if you can call it persecution). The book presents a look into the life of the Chinese house church Christians and wraps it in a fictional, but very believable, story. As an Asian-American, I appreciated how well Randy Alcorn immersed the reader into the Chinese culture. The use of pinyin for key phrases throughout the book really made me believe I was there listening to them speak (though I believe "Zhen jin bu ba huo lian" should be "Zhen jin bu PA huo lian"). There's a lot of interesting information throughout the book about Chinese history and culture, language appreciation, persecution, and governmental corruption. It also takes on addressing several issues such as human rights, civil disobedience, God allowing suffering, and what is heaven like. While reading the book, it was apparent a lot of research and prayer went into it.

The book has personally challenged me to live a life of picking up the cross daily and to pray for those around me and the persecuted Christians throughout the world.

If you want to learn more about China and be challenged in your Christian walk, I'd highly recommend Safely Home.