In Seeing Clearly: A View From Heaven (originally published 2009; revised edition 2014), Rick Mapson delivers a simple compelling narrative conveying deep, important truths. The book, well-written fiction packed with vivid word pictures and masterful character development, is primarily a glimpse into heaven and the character of God. It’s an enthralling tale of stubbornness, love, tragedy, grace and forgiveness with some fascinating twists and turns, interwoven intricately into a tantalizing tapestry by a master storyteller. The book is as entertaining as it is valuable. Surprisingly, the lighthearted moments in this book convey some of the deepest truths. And among the compelling sub-narratives tucked within the text are the stories of the Roman soldier Marcus and an Aesop-like tale about Carl the caterpillar. If you have been praying for a loved one for a long time who has not yet received Christ, this book will encourage you. It also shares rare insight into the character of heaven, as seen by the author. It sheds light as well on the character of God and His love for the lost. This is the second, revised and expanded, edition of this book. Errors in the first edition have been corrected making the book a smooth, delightful read. I heartily recommend Seeing Clearly—for enjoyment, for inspiration, and to build your faith.

Anti-Quaker Law That Executed My Ancestor

Yesterday was the 358th anniversary of the enacting of a law against the "cursed sect of heretics lately risen up in the world, which are commonly called Quakers..." Two years later this law was strengthened and made more oppressive. Quakers were hung. My ninth great-grandmother, Mary Dyer, was hanged on Boston Common in 1660 because of this law. She had a part in bringing the religious liberties we now enjoy. She has a statue at the Boston Statehouse that recognizes the wrong that was done and her contribution to these current liberties. The inscription calls her a "witness for religious freedom." I recently wrote a guest column for the wonderful historical William and Mary Barrett Dyer Blog, which can be found here: http://marybarrettdyer.blogspot.com/2014/10/significant-ancestry.html