I have to admit I do not read "true life" books. I like surprise endings, mysteries, thrillers...well, never say never. There is so much "story" between the beginning and the end of this book that I was captivated into reading it almost straight through. "Standing Strong" starts out like a romantic thriller, turns into a horror story in the middle and ends up a heroine's tale.

Boy, her story was just mind blowing, it's so real and really heartbreaking. We can all feel the emotions that spin through her head. When she sees a red flag it's so easy to explain these little quirks away She's in love with the man, he's like her Knight in a shiny armor. He's everything she's wants and needs. So she puts her blinders on and knows that she can love him through whatever made her suspicious.

After completing my in Degree Behavioural Studies majoring in Youth Issues and Diploma in Holistic Counselling, I took the big leap (AKA massive life altering adventure) in 2013 to create Standing Strong; a youth organisation providing health and wellbeing programs, workshops and one to one coaching for children and teens. Since then, we have provided over 4000 face to face programs and supported countless children, teens, families, schools and communities. If you weren’t able to watch on the night, don’t worry! You can catch up here i n your own time. Middle East: Taher and Donya

It could even be that you want to be prepared for the great plans God has for you. You’ve seen the difficulties and challenges great leaders face and want to make sure you have what it takes to endure and become all you were created to be. You desire to walk with a sense of purpose. You long to understand what speeds you along God’s path and what hinders you from moving forward. You yearn to have the courage and confidence to endure when obstacles and people arise to challenge you. Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.” This is because, as he says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.” The book tells the story of Diane, how she met Phillipe, how she fell in love with him, how she traveled with him, how she cared about him. And then it tells the story of how she found out the truth about the man, and how she fought to stop him. It is surprisingly an uplifting story of a group of women that were a support to each other, and who helped each other and all women (and potentially men) that could be charmed by Phillipe one day and also infected with HIV. If any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Cor. 3:12–15) Of course, you may be thinking, I accepted Jesus a long time ago. I’ve built my life on God, but I still feel weak. Perhaps you have known Christ since you were a small child or grew up in a Christian home and truly believe everything you do has a godly basis.

India: Sister Reena

Charles Frazier Stanley was born September 25, 1932, in the small town of Dry Fork, Virginia. The only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley, Charles came into the world during a time when the entire nation felt the grip of the Great Depression. To make matters worse, just nine months later, his father Charley died at the young age of 29. Because the truth of the matter is that we are living in an age when taking Scripture seriously is becoming rarer and rarer. Some Christian leaders distance themselves from the Bible and turn to empty ideas and theories, sanctioning behavior that the Word of God condemns. Trust me, in the eight decades I have been alive, I have seen more church-building fads and philosophies come and go than I can count. Only one source has stood the test of time, and that is the Word of God. What we choose to believe intrinsically determines whether or not we are able to stand strong in this life—during the easy times, and during the most difficult. Standing Strong explores the Bible to identify the central issues of life where conviction is imperative, including: Now, I understand that all of this will appear radical and counterintuitive to some. And it is. What Jesus taught always requires faith that God truly exists and that He means what He says (Heb. 11:6). Likewise, not everyone will be able to accept how essential it is to trust Christ fully and stand on God’s Word (John 6:44–69). Fears of criticism, rejection, failure, or loss will always stop some people from going forward on the path that God has for their lives. They won’t want to become small so that the surpassing greatness of Christ can shine through them (2 Cor. 4:7). They won’t be willing to give up their opinions and dreams so that God can achieve exceedingly greater goals through them. And they will continue in their weakness.

Again, we can look to Saul to illustrate this point. The name Saul means “desired or asked for.” And certainly, that’s what he was. People wanted to know him and sought his counsel and favor. In Philippians 3, Paul describes his résumé as a Pharisee—one that would impress anyone in that day: Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for this year’s Standing Strong Live! It was an incredible evening of worship, prayer, inspiration and challenge, as we heard from our persecuted church family across the Middle East and India. Jesus says that if we want to withstand the inevitable storms, our lives must be based on something that cannot be moved—something that nothing in eternity can overturn. And friend, the only thing that will last forever is an intimate relationship with God. We may be drawn to things that promise to endure a long time, but nothing in this world will outlast the Lord Almighty. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. This is possibly one of the most powerful books I have ever read. Diane's strength and desire to help others is breathtaking and she and the other women who had the misfortune to meet Philippe. Do not miss this. Paul had to rethink everything he thought was true about what gave his life strength and value, not just some of what he believed. Notice that he said, “I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage.”

Proving he knowingly exposed Reeve and several other women who tested positive - including a handful not listed in the criminal case who made themselves known to her once the case got media attention - that was another matter entirely. That whoever believes in Him shall . . . have eternal life. Shall have a life that endures—that is counted in eternity. Reeve is a Hall-of-Fame martial artist, teacher, and studio owner. It’s clear from her story that she’s, as she says, “a badass bitch.” Instead of turning inwards at her moment of greatest life crisis, she started looking for her sister victims. And then together they turned the tables on the man who transmitted the disease and pursued him in the justice system. They helped gather evidence. They found more sisters for the “club no one wants to join,” and those new members were added to the strength of the criminal case. They cried, hugged, drank margaritas, and ultimately won their case. Charles Stanley starts this book with a look at how we view scripture. And he provides some great reasons why this is so important. Then he continues on with examining our understanding of God and our need for a Savior. Having a strong life starts with a strong foundation. Charles Stanley offers references from both the old and new Testament. One idea builds on another. And all of this leads to a strong life. But consider: Does what you believe really line up with the Word of God? After all, Saul, too, was wholeheartedly convinced he was doing right. That is, until he had a true encounter with Jesus.