A Good Read: The Hole in Our Gospel

I read this book in the fall with my small group. Actually the majority of our congregation read this book. It's The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, the president of World Vision. World Vision is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the United States.

The book is not just about Stearns and his journey through life, from childhood to college, marriage and becoming the president of World Vision. It's about his struggle hearing God's calling and obeying His call.

The Hole in Our Gospel is a book that is very much like a face to face confrontation with someone who is basically calling you on your "stuff." After reading this book you definitely have a fire for serving God.

While reading this book our family began sponsoring a little girl from Honduras. Her name is Naomi and she has quickly become a real member of our family. Our girls show their friends Naomi's picture on our refrigerator, they get excited about drawing pictures for Naomi and picking out stickers to send her. I am most proud when I hear "Don't waste water, Naomi doesn't even have fresh water" from my girls bathroom when they're brushing their teeth.

We visited the World Vision U.S. headquarters in November. It was truly amazing to take the tour and see what our monthly contribution is doing for Naomi, her family and even her community. Each of our girls walked away with a new understanding of what millions of children their age go through each day and how truly blessed they are. More than that, my older girls have learned different ways they can help the less fortunate.

I encourage you all the read the 2010 Christian Book of the Year, The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns.

Blessings.