My Thoughts on the First Ten Chapters of THE HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL

So, I have been asked to sum up in 100 words (or less or more) the book I am reading, THE HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL by Richard Stearns.

Richard Stearns is the president of World Vision, a well known faith based relief organization serving, well, the whole world. Mr. Stearns life testimony begins with a troubled childhood and a decision he made to rise above the poverty and alcoholism he experienced as a child. His young adulthood was spent in colleges and universities as he evolved into an intellectual who felt he didn't need God.

God did become a part of Mr. Stearns's life in his mid to late twenties and he went on to have a successful business life and family of his own. His transition to president of World Vision is preceded by a grown man huddled in bed sobbing midday because he does not want to make a decision he senses God is asking him to make.

That was just the intro! The meat of the book is the most convicting, how do you view, what do you do to relieve, and what do you perceive as God's desire for us to soften the bitter sting of poverty around the world? As president of World Vision, Mr. Stearns has seen poverty at its cruelest measure.

Where do faith and assistance meet? It is so easy for us Americans to view poverty as their choice or just a way of life that we want to avoid at all cost. According to Mr. Stearns it goes much deeper than just wrong choices people have made. In Mr. Stearns own words, "These precious human beings created in God's image have been left behind and cast on the garbage dump of history by circumstances they cannot change. We must never say it is their fault. How dare we?"

Eclectic AND Rare

As is evidenced by the not so numerous number of posts in my blog I am not only an eclectic thinker but also a rare thinker. It would appear that I do not have very many thoughts over a course of time but alas I have written many blogs in my head and thought of numerous ideas to blog about, once again in my head. The reason why they are not found on here is because I lack the discipline to sit down and actually write and post. If the truth be known I would rather find myself curled up in bed sleeping or at the least lying on the couch falling asleep to something random on the television. There you have it, my secret is out.

There are very few things that I like to make decisions about. I am constantly second guessing myself and I oftentimes create 'piles' of stuff to put away later. After all, what if I change my mind as to where I put it and it is not the right place? Why can't I just leave everything in arms reach just in case I need it right away? I have never made the claim that I am intelligent or well-organized, however, I do feel as if I am a misguided perfectionist and since I believe that perfection is not acheivable then why put any effort into it. An error filled way of thinking, I know.

Well, enough said! I have a decision to make, get up and get to work around the house or go back to bed. I believe I need to go lay down in order to make this huge decision and maybe I will be back on to blog about my day, or maybe not!

Is the grass greener over there?

I have been sequestered into the corner at one end of my kitchen table, my back to the wall and my house before me in need of a good cleaning. My mom and niece, Alyssa, have been out visiting for the past ten days and my mom has definitely helped keep me up with dishes and laundry and for that I am very thankful. It is now the paper clutter, the toys and the what-nots that have been allowed to remain in place where they have been for several weeks now. How I wish Mary Poppins would come visit me, snap her fingers and sing her tune and everything would return to or create a place for themselves and my house would be clean for a change. A girl can dream can’t she!

How I wish for the decent spring days to come and settle on this frozen North Coast. (I am still following the same thought, just stay with me.) I am envious of those who speak of sunshine, warmth, and enjoying the outdoor activities that I can only dream of at this time; just like I am envious of those who possess the secret of keeping their houses spotless or at least decent enough for company. It would appear that the grass is greener on the other side of my fence, however, I have come to the conclusion that the grass over there isn’t any greener than mine I have just refused to look at my own grass and see it’s greenness over here.

Would I love to switch my pasture to one that isn’t known for its snow and freezing winter temperatures, absolutely! I would also love to switch occupational pastures now that I have graduated from college. However, I am working to be content where God has placed me (us) so that I do not miss out on any opportunity to ‘grow’. I would like to stop looking at ‘obstacles’ as mountains and more as opportunities for God to show me (us) His ability to work miracles.