This is the book I am currently reading and it has a powerful message...one I won't be able to shrug off for some time, if ever. It questions what it means to be a Christian living in America. It stirs up complacency and mixes it with materialism and then feeds it back to you in recognizable truths that you would rather avoid. The author lays it all out on the table and he makes many interesting points that currently have both my head and my heart spinning. Where I live there are homeless people issues, but as with most places they are ignored...I guess people think if they just look the other way they might disappear...Isn't it funny how we pick and choose which of the bible scriptures we think applies to us today, but the ones that seem outdated or make us uncomfortable, we easily skim right over and never give it a second thought....Does that mean we don't really value the countless mentions of the poor and homeless in the bible and how we are to treat them? Or maybe God doesn't mean what He says? We wear our crosses and we ask God to bless our food...maybe it's time we get outside of our comfort zones and share some of that grace. This is a book that will definitely give you something to think about...
and then....I just finished reading this book and I am thankful to Kristin for introducing it to me...once I started it, I couldn't put it down. It is about the Rwanda genocide in 1994 and the true meaning of forgiveness and building a lifelong relationship with God. It opened my eyes to the horror of things we do not see and it reminded my heart of all the reasons there are to pray and be thankful for where we live.
12 comments:
They sound like very powerful books. Definitely food for thought this morning. I'll have to check them out. Thanks for sharing them.
Thanks for sharing the books with us Joni.
You have reminded me that I have been meaning to do that very thing on my own blog..will briefly mention MOUNTAINS BEYOND MOUNTAINS by Tracey Kidder, about a young American doctor called Paul Farmer, who works all over the world, but mainly in Haiti...and it fits right into the same category of book....not only inspirational but challenging also!
Thanks for your lovely blog too...you are inspirational to us all, Joni!
Annie
I enjoy books that have the power to move the reader.
I find it so sad that so many are led to believe that homelessness, or poverty, are preventable if the people would only work hard and live right.
I think it is very important that we use our lives as a service to others. I feel that the things I have are blessings that are mine to borrow while I am here on this earth. My new goal in life is to offer my services for free to Sr.'s in high school that need sr. portraits but can not afford to get them. I hope it works, I enjoy taking photos and I want to help others...with nothing in return. Do you think it will work? Have any ideas for me? I love reading your blog and the peace it brings me every morning. Thanks you!
I have volunteered in a couple of the downtown soup kitchens and it is heartbreaking. Many of the people on the streets are a result of the closing of so many of the state mental institutions. These people can't handle life on their own. It makes you sick. Does this book have any answers?
Thank you for sharing these books. It is so important that we do not grow numb to the things around us. I know that I myself am guilty of feeling the ida that I can't make it better for everyone so why try at all. How can doing only a little make a difference. Well it does. Each day each step is a chance to touch someone's life and that makes al lthe difference in the world.
sounds like some pretty good books, I need to find a good book to read and do something else with my time besides work, and cleaning, got any you'd like to pass down this way for a little bit? I love to talk to homeless people, there's just something about some of them. I'm still looking for my homeless friend I met in the hospital while working, we're suppose to have coffee, but God will bring us together when the timming is right. Love ya
Nettie
Just found your blog today. Followed lisa j over. And I'll be a daily visitor from now on.
You are the third person, in as many days, to mention getting outside of our comfort zones and doing something to help others. Anything to help others. I think I am being sent a message! Okay, it's been three weeks now since mom died. I need to get up off my butt and get busy again. Thanks for reminding me. I will be checking out this book about what it means to be a Christian living in America today.
Thank you so much, and God's blessings. Marge
we all have good intentions....and then life happens and we get so busy.....that we can get complacent with all the gifts we receive daily from God and forget those truly in need..... i hope that i, in some way, will be one who does my part...and it won't just be a good intention.
thanks for the reminder, joni....
hugs,
kimberly
When I was very young, and would see what I'd think of as poor people, I'd cry myself sick. My mother often worried that I'd grow up to be too soft. Not that she wasn't a "giver", she was. She just thought my feelings were extremely unnatural.
It was when I turned 13 and asked the Lord into my heart that I learned I could talk to Him about these things, but also that I couldn't dwell on issues I couldn't help or control. I've tried to find a balance over the years, and yes at times, like all of us, I become complacent.
Thanks for the gentle reminder; I've been a little wrapped up and need to step outside myself. :)
Joni, thanks for your visit today to my blog...just wanted to let you know that the answer to the puzzle photo is on my next post...the ABC wednesday one that I have just posted!
sorry to be so tricky!
Annie
I'm totally guilty of picking and choosing verses that make me feel wonderful and skimming over those that make me uncomfortable or maybe I don't understand. My Bible is full of marks that mean I need to read later. Maybe it's time for me to "read later". Thanks for the reminder. Love you Joni.
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