God has been stirring in hubby's and my hearts these days... and this book has affirmed a lot of those stirrings. Just this afternoon, we listened to God and as a result, this week 70 children (from the Jane/Finch area of our city) will have snacks and juice at a Christian-based day camp that they will attend. As Palmer Chinchen puts it... "taking pieces of heaven to places of hell on earth."
I am teary-eyed just realizing how much need there is out there... there is so much that we as Christians can do in this dark world --- to effect change, to give hope!
Here are some quotes from True Religion that gripped me...
~ Jesus never made this life about what He could gain for Himself. He was never interested in power or control or recognition or fame or possessions. He was oddly focused on rescuing other people from oppressive regimes, social stigmas, broken marriages, crippled bodies, physical blindness, and spiritual death.
~ Stagnancy will kill your spirit. The Christian who is not being used by God to change lives, to make a difference for Christ, will dry up, stagnate. Transformation will not happen.
~ God put you and me here to make this world a better place, a more beautiful place. So whatever the cost, go in the name of Jesus and love people who hurt. Tell them and show them that God has a better way, a more beautiful way, a life-giving way.
~ The way of the Christ is no ordinary way. To follow Him, you have to think differently, and you have to live differently. But His way of thinking will change you forever! His ideas are not just life changing; they are life-giving. Being disturbed is not just a good way to learn - it's necessary for transformation.
~ God's people are at their best when they're giving themselves away.
~ Christian spirituality has a clear doing component. There's work to be done. Do the work of the cross. We have a moral duty to physically respond to the needs of hurting people around us. Jesus made this so clear in His parables, the most poignant of which is the well-known story of the good Samaritan. Frustrated by the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, Jesus challenges those listening to stop acting so religious and begin doing this thing called love.
~ Physical needs are real needs. Never miss that. Jesus was always concerned with how people were doing physically.
~ I don't intend to be harsh, but let's stop being so obsessed with our own pleasure and possessions and start giving our lives away. All things go. No thing lasts forever. But people do.
~ The ship is sinking. The time to act is now. Waste no time. Stop the wanton pleasure and empty leisure and the fooling around. Get up, get out, and go - God needs you now.
~ Realize this: God created you with a beautiful, perfect purpose in mind. He intends for you to live a life of significance, a life that impacts people and changes lives, cities and nations. Begin each morning asking, "God, in what way do You want me to change this world for You today?" Live that way. Take every opportunity He gives. Walk through every open door... and crash through the ones bolted shut.Powerful words, aren't they? God is stirring... we are disturbed... it's time to obey! Here I am. Lord, send me!
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