Wednesday 19 December 2012

Inspirational Books by Christine Caine (A21) and Patrick Regan (XLP)


Sometimes we get so caught up in our day to day lives that we completely forget about the millions around us who are alone, suffering and/or dying. When we focus inwards, we become increasingly selfish and will stop seeing the need around us. It’s a vicious circle.

Today’s post is about two inspirational books written by absolutely inspirational authors. They are fighting for two different causes, but when it comes down to it, essentially it is for the same thing: fighting for a future for the marginalised and oppressed. As Mother Teresa put it:

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.”

The first book, called Undaunted: Daring to do what God calls you to do, is written by Christine Caine, founder of the A21 Campaign. You can buy it on Amazon. This is a book that is most definitely on my Christmas list!  

Christine Caine offers life-transforming insights about how not only to overcome the challenges, wrong turns, and often painful circumstances we all experience, but also to actually grow from those experiences and be equipped and empowered to help others. Using her own dramatic life story, Caine shows how God rescued her from a life where she was unnamed, unwanted, and unqualified. She tells how she overcame abuse, abandonment, fears, and other challenges to go on a mission of adventure, fueled by faith and filled with love and courage. Her personal stories inspire readers to hear their name called, just as Christine heard her own---'You are beloved. You are the hope. You are chosen'---to go into a dark and troubled world, knowing each of us possess all it takes to bring hope, create change, and live completely for Christ. Part inspirational tale, part manifesto to stir readers to lives of adventure, Undaunted shows the way with spiritual wisdom and insight.

The second book I want to raise awareness for is No Ceiling to Hope: dangerous stories of grace in action by Patrick Regan, founder of XLP. I heard Patrick talk at Soul Survivor 2012 about his work through XLP, serving the marginalised. I was inspired by his testimony and what he had to say about his mission. I own and am reading this book- another excellent read!

Patrick says that servants of Christ are in the transformation business. This kind of transformation will only happen if we refuse to be seduced by false idols like success, money, fame and security - to be the church we were called to be. We need to take ownership of the problems around us and work with people who are suffering in order to find solutions and offer lasting change. Patrick travels the globe to find examples. In Bolivia he reports how Christian backing for education projects is allowing families to find a way out of poverty. In London XLP is mentoring young people to turn aside from violence. In Los Angeles a new future is being offered to gang girls. In high security prisons in the UK and US the Spirit is turning lives around. In Belfast's Shankill Road area a group of elderly ladies is cooking meals for men who sit all day in local pubs ...the list is extensive, and inspiring. The common element is that in all circumstances the churches are offering hope.

Support these two fantastic organisations and be inspired to make a difference in the world around you!

Blessings!

Ronell x

 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” {Luke 4v18-19}






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