I Couldn't Wait Until Thursday

Wednesday is a push day for Bunny and me, and is kind of a blur from daybreak to evening, but after finishing Tom Davis' novel "Scared" yesterday, I could not wait to tell you about it.

Tom knows Africa and its problems well, having immersed himself in trying to bring hope to the people there through Children's Hope Chest. He has written a work of fiction that is done so skillfully in context that you forget it isn't a true story. Tom calls it "fiction with a conscience", and I know it caused me to really examine what I should do in light of the pressing needs of the least of these.

Strong character development and a real flair for the flow of action make this book a real page turner and difficult to put down. The rawness of life on the edge of civilization is presented so well that your mind starts to paint the scenes and you begin to "see" the people. The realities of the present day from media whims to sham "helping hands" organizations are also part of what becomes a cogent and coherent story that you put down at last having been pulled, pressed, stretched and touched.

It is a deeply moving book.

Buy it. Read it. Share it.

I'm trusting that the Spirit will use Tom's work not just in this book, but through Hope Chest to make a difference.

Where In the World Is God At Work?

If you look to the right, (if you can tear your eyes away from Canaan's picture) you'll see a badge for the "Red Letters Campaign." They are doing some awesome work in reaching "the least of these" with the love of Jesus. I received an email about a week ago from them about some new initiatives and opportunities for smaller faith communities like ours. So I wrote for more information and am praying that God might use us too- to love Canaan and his brothers and sisters.

As I've said before, I believe that compassion is learned by doing compassionate acts, and serving is learned through service. "Book Learning" isn't nearly enough.

So pray that God will reveal whether we're about to join Him in another adventure. :)

And here are ten things you can do right now to help them in their work from their website.

10 Things You Can Do Now:

1. Connect through Facebook
2. Support Project Ethiopia
3. Follow Adoption Journals
4. Answer Blog Buzz Questions
5. Feed Ethiopian Orphans Today
6. Drill Water Wells in Nigeria
7. Poverty Projects for Kids
8. Get a Blog Badge
9. Follow RLC on Twitter
10. Subscribe to RLC Blog

Go over there!

Red Letters - Living A Faith That Bleeds

There are moments.

Moments when though everything around you seems dark and gloomy. When though the rain is coming down in sheets, making a summer day seem like December. When the weight of decisions you must make is pressing heavy on your heart.

God speaks.

I wonder if you know what I mean, or if things like that seem like fairy tales, legends, or at least things that happen to other people - not you.

As a follower of Jesus, I'll admit I'm prone to want to be moved. There's something about getting near to Jesus, whether through His words, the lyrics of a song, or even a glimpse of creation's beauty - that causes my heart to prepare for His whisper.

This book did that for me.

Red Letters - Living A Faith That Bleeds Read it at your heart's peril.

Bob Pierce went to China. He saw something that changed his heart forever. He gained an appreciation of just how Jesus wanted him to spend the rest of his life. And he did what would be a curious thing to people who have never been followers of Jesus. He wrote a note to himself in his Bible, so that everyday when he picked it up, he'd be reminded of that moment, when God whispered His name.

"Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God."

Tom Davis went to Africa - to Russia and saw children dying of HIV/AIDS, saw boys and girls in orphanages with horrible treatment now and no hope in the future. Like Pierce, like Teresa of Calcutta, God gripped his heart so tightly in those hard places, he had to sow his life in God's work among the least of His children.

Tom Davis has written a note - but not just to himself, but to millions of His fellow Christ-followers. The note begins in awe, moves into conviction, through persuasion and ends with a plea. Come. Follow.

The history of what we've been as the Body of Christ runs the gamut from healing salve on the world's wounds to salt in them. And yet most often, we sit on the sidelines, refusing to engage, unwilling to let our hearts... go there.

That's exactly where this book takes you.

But it doesn't leave you there.

The next steps (5 for 50)are laid out for anyone who wants to follow. Not just as Davis has done personally, but in the way that God might lead you.

We can do this. We should do this. Read the book. Embrace the call.