The Story of Brother Yun

This book is definitely going to be added to my favorites list. This is one of the most incredible biographies that I have read. Brother Yun points others to Christ and reminds me of what an easy life that I lead! It also spurs me on to pray for the persecuted church around the world. Last night I read something from brother Yun that I feel the Lord has been saying to me all this time I have experienced troubling physical problems:

"Don't feel sorry for yourself. This is my will for you. You should walk in it."

I feel the Lord telling me over and over again: "embrace my will for your life."

The book is filled with scripture throughout, and often times the Lord spoke to Brother Yun through scripture. I highly recommend this book.

"For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance....Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what HE has done for me." Psalm 66:10-12,16

Brother Yun suffered greatly, but yet he specifically stated more than once in his book how vital suffering is for the Christian.

"The people who really suffer are those who have never experienced God's presence. The way to have God's presence is by walking through hardship and suffering-the way of the cross. You may not be beaten or imprisoned for your faith, but I am convinced that each Christian will have a cross to bear in his or her life. In the West it may be ridicule, slander, or rejection. When you're faced with such trials, the key is not to run for them or fight them, but to embrace them as friends. When you do this you will experience God's presence and help."

"When people malign you, rejoice and be glad. When they curse you, bless them in return. When you walk through a painful experience, embrace it and you will be free! When you learn these lessons, there is nothing left that the world can do to you."

"While we hope people like and accept us, Jesus taught, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you!" Luke 6:26

And interesting to me was this quote from Yun's translator after Yun received for the first time slander in the form of writing. A Christian in North America accused him of being a liar and a false witness. Yun described it as a different form of "persecution" and had a difficult time accepting it. His translator told him:

"In China, Christians are persecuted with beatings and imprisonment. In the West, Christians are persecuted by the words of others Christians."

This seems sad but true.

Yun Responded with: "This new kind of spiritual persecution was no easier than physical persecution in China, just different."