Face To Face With Jesus by Samaa Habib

Face to Face with Jesus: A Former Muslim’s Extraordinary Journey to Heaven and Encounter with the God of Love by Samaa Habib and Bodie Thoene

It starts as a story ripped from the headlines of the war-torn Middle East. An extremist faction of Islam bombs a church during a service. The one door in the back isn't big enough for five hundred people trying to escape. Some are killed. 

But after the chaos and fire and smoke, one young woman comes back to life. In this thrilling true tale, death does not have the final word. 

From the first time Samaa heard the Lord Jesus calling her out of Islam into faith in Him, til she met Him face to face in heaven, her life is marked by God's supernatural love and power. Full of hope and encouragement, and overflowing with Jesus' love, her riveting account reveals the power of God to break through any circumstance—and is a moving reminder that, in a place beyond what we can imagine, we have a Savior waiting to welcome us face to face. (publisher's description)

This is a fascinating, at times nearly unbelievable, story of a young woman's conversion from Islam to Christianity. Raised in a country and culture that is beyond my comprehension, I felt a mixture of doubt, hope, and acceptance...mixed with a tinge of envy, for the closeness she has with Jesus as I read the experiences she survived. Sometimes it is hard to grasp the atrocities faced by others, yet I can not imagine her survival without the supernatural intervention of God.

The story, co-authored by Bodie Thoene, is a gripping story that keeps you wanting to read just one more page before turning out the lights. I did get a little confused sometimes about the time frame of events, but that could be my own fault since I read at bedtime. However, the book gives you a lot to think about and to pray about. Not only is it a call for action to do just a bit more for those who have yet to turn to Jesus, but is also a nudge to examine my own relationship with Jesus. I certainly recommend this book.


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Chosen Books, a division of Baker Publishing, in order to write a review. I was not required to write a positive review.