by Richard Stearns
President, World Vision US
Thomas Nelson Publishing 2009
Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth
Rating: 5/5 (MUST READ)
The Hole in Our Gospel Website
President, World Vision US
Thomas Nelson Publishing 2009
Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth
Rating: 5/5 (MUST READ)
The Hole in Our Gospel Website
**Warning**
Do NOT read this book if you don't want to be changed.....
From the jacket:
The Hole in Our Gospel is the compelling true story of a corporate CEO who set aside worldly success for something far more significant, and discovered the full power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to change his own life. He uses his journey to demonstrate how the gospel - the whole gospel - was always meant to be a world-changing social revolution, a revolution that begins with us.
"Let my heart be broken by the things
that break the heart of God."
that break the heart of God."
- a prayer by Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision
Musings:
This book has come to me in a time in my life when it seems like the economy has faltered, homes have been lost, jobs have disintegrated and faith in the American Dream is at an all-time low. The complete truth, however, is that we Americans are so wealthy, secure, comfortable and protected that we cannot (or choose not to) look past our borders at the world as a whole which is struggling just for food and water. While we may struggle to pay our mortgage or pay for a college education, our basic needs will most certainly be met. I cannot imagine not knowing where my next meal is coming from or turning on the faucet to get a drink of water only to find it dry.
Richard Stearns shows his vulnerability as a man and does not hesitate to share his journey to become a Christ follower. I so identify with him in searching out his beliefs the way he did, through relentless research and reading; only to finally let the logic of his mind take a leap of faith to his heart.
If I had to choose one paragraph to represent this book it would be this one:
But I want to be clear that this does not mean we are saved by piling up enough good works to satisfy God. No, it means that any authentic and genuine commitment to Christ will be accompanied by demonstrable evidence of a transformed life. In contemporary terms, those who talk the talk but do not walk the walk will be exposed as false. "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:3-4)
This book is thought provoking, gloriously written and completely inspiring. God enables us to move mountains, we just need to pick up a shovel and move one mound of dirt at a time; won't you join me?
Christ has no body on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which
Christ's compassion for the world is to look out;
yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good;
and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now.
- Saint Teresa of Avila
