Day 30: Two For Tuesday A Hole In Our Gospel by Richard E. Stearns & 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

"A Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard E. Stearns 

& 

"7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" by Jen Hatmaker.

I think of these books today, because millions of people in our country are facing a morning without power, water, and heat.  This isn't the norm for them, though there are many living below the radar in my own country that this is normal for.  And in the world?  In the world, the number is staggering.  So large that it becomes too big for us to actually feel.

If the little girl next door starves to death this week, you feel that.  If 25,000 people starve to death today... it's beyond our scope.  They aren't little girls and little boys, but a large faceless number.  Except... they ARE little girls and little boys.  They are mommies, daddies and grandpas.  They are 25,000 people with names, capable of smiles and laughter and playfulness, hugs and comforting words and love.  Thoughts and desperation and longing.  Pleading prayers for God to send some help.

This isn't a guilt trip, or a post of condemnation... truly, it isn't.  I can honestly say that we care about people in our country.  We often times want to help, but don't know what to do... we're not sure what we're able to do with limited resources ourselves, gas prices are going up, and getting ready for those heavy winter heating bills.

"Imagine a world in which two billion Christians embrace the whole gospel - each doing a part to complete God's stunning vision of a reclaimed and redeemed world, the kingdom of God among us.  Picture armies of compassion stationed in every corner of our world, doing small things with great love.  Can you imagine this different vision for our world?" R. Stearns

What if we demonstrated God's love for the world instead of just telling the world about it?

Open yourself up to be exposed to "pure religion" as expressed in James.  Read "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" first, to see what we really have available to work with.  Read "A Hole in Our Gospel" to see what we can do with it.

I'm not calling on you to become depressed, but energized.  Yes, it may be a little uncomfortable at first to know.  But if you've been called to bring good news (the gospel, the truth) to the poor, you have to know who they are and what their poverty is.  Until then, that feeling that you know you have a purpose, but you don't know what it is... it's setting up camp and staying.  Be willing to let God break your heart for the things that break His heart.  Be the answer to someone's prayers.

You can't rescue them all, but maybe you can find a way to bring that good news to just one.  Save One.  You can't save the entire world, but to ONE, you will change their entire world.

Be the answer to someone's prayers.