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}
