The Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

I'm still, even after over two years of blogging, amazed at God's timing in the books I read. He always places in my hand the book that speaks to me the most at just the right time, and He's done it again with Richard Stearns moving autobiography and examination of how we are taking the gospel to the world.

In "The Hole In Our Gospel", Richard examines just how effective the church is in living out the greatest commandments Jesus laid out for us: love our God with all our heart, mind soul and strength, love our neighbor as ourselves, and go out and make disciples, teaching them all things He has taught us.

Richard shares his story of how he went from CEO of one of the world's richest companies to the president of World Vision. He hides nothing from us, writing a transparent and stirring story of his struggle with God's call and giving up his wealthy life for wealth only God can give...

...and it is a wealth that can only be appreciated through the eyes of Heaven. "The Hole in Our Gospel" is more than just one man's story. By reading Richard's journey, we see ourselves, sitting in our comfortable homes with our jobs and our families and our meals and our clothing and entertainment...

...not realizing that even the poorest citizen in America is wealthy beyond imagination when compared to the rest of the world. Richard's open and honest sharing will spark a desire inside of your heart to do more to fulfill God's true calling on your life.

"Do you want God's will done in your life?" will be a question asked over and over again. What your answer will be is up to you--and it may surprise and even scare you a bit. I personally believe the church is in for a huge wake-up call, and I'm praying we don't hit the snooze button this time.

Watching Richard struggle with leaving his lucrative job and doing all the right Christian things to go places many of us would never want to go was both convicting and encouraging. I want my life to count for God's kingdom, and I'm reminded that there is always a cost.

Sometimes, that cost is high. But it is oh, so worth it! Learn more about the new President of World Vision, how he arrived at that place in his life, and what such a change in the life of a believer can accomplish in such a short time.

I remember a song from my high school days in church: "It only takes a spark to get a fire going..." May Richard Stearns book, "A Hole In Our Gospel" be that spark for you. And let's set the world on fire for Jesus, together? I'm willing. Are you?

I'm giving "A Hole In Our Gospel" five out of five bookmarks, appreciating the fact that Richard does not water down salvation or Jesus Christ into a mere social assistance program, but stays true to the whole gospel message.

I'm adding a globe as a charm--let us not forget our brothers and sisters around the world who are knowing true suffering for the name of Christ. And begin to pray, as I have been, for God to open up our eyes to the genuine needs all around us, both at home and around the world.

Happy Reading!