Sep 27, 2009

On My Bookshelf

I just picked up The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, a book I carted back from the states with me earlier this summer. (Ahh... the difficulty of finding good books in this place! I love to read, and I'm usually woefully short of reading material. Furthermore, I have to delicately balance my desire for books with my husband's patience for lugging around baggage crammed with the lead-like tomes. But, I digress.)

Page 18, and I'm already feeling like quoting the guy...
Christianity is a faith that was meant to spread--but not through coercion. God's love was intended to be demonstrated, not dictated. Our job is not to manipulate or induce others to agree with us or to leave their religion and embrace Christianity. Our charge is to both proclaim and embody the gospel so that others can see, hear, and feel God's love in tangible ways. When we are living out our faith with integrity and compassion in the world, God can use us to give others a glimpse of His love and character. It is God--not us--who works in the hearts of men and women to forgive and redeem. Coercion is not necessary or even particularly helpful. God is responsible for the harvest--but we must plant, water, and cultivate the seeds.
Amen. We could not agree more.

4 comments:

Holly said...

I know, right? I read that book back in April as we were at Disney World and it changed my perspective SO much.
LOVE it.

thewindowwasher said...

Love this book! Try Wess Stafford's book "Too Small to Ignore". Amazing book, too. He's the president of Compassion Intl.

Jenna said...

I JUST finished that book, and it is maybe the best book I've ever read (outside the Word). I learned so much, and it confirmed to me so much of what God has been teaching me over these last three years. My husband is reading it now, and it has sparked a LOT of conversation. I think I ran out of ink in my highlighter reading it! :) So, I understand how you are feeling. Enjoy!

Ironically, I just started Wes Stafford's book......

Anonymous said...

whoa buddy! I am in the process of reading this one too...good stuff!!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails