New books

I've just finished reading Jackie Pullinger's "Chasing the Dragon". It is her story of working in Hong Kong as a missionary the past 40 years. It's truly challenging to say the least. No comfort barrier was left standing for her as she went into the heart of the lawless walled city and spent years ministering to the Triad gangs, the Heroin addicts and prostitutes. This is definately a story that can show you how God can do the impossible through those who are open to Him and obedient to Jesus call.

I bought three new books on the weekend. The first, "Finding Life - reflections from a Bangkok slum", is written by Ashley Barker who I have mentioned on this blog before. He and his wife and children moved into the heart of Klong Toey slum in Bangkok to live with and minister to the poorest of the poor - the drug addicts, the diseased, the sex workers, those with no human hope.

The second book is called "The New Friars" and is written by Scott A. Bessenecker. It is a collection of stories about young Christians who have followed Christs calls to renounce the pursuit for material fulfillment and follow Christ among the poorest of the poor. The blurb reads

"Across the ages God has attracted a few in every crowd who would stick out, act
out and speak out. The New Friars profiles young Christians who have voluntarily
removed themselves from the status quo in order to seek justice and mercy with
the poorest of the world's poor. These new friars are carrying on the work of
the monastic tradition, in the spirit of Francis and Clare of Assisi, St.
Patrick and St. Brigid, the Jesuits and Nestorians and Moravians. The New Friars
will show you that with God all things - even the uncommon actos of courageous
faith - are possible."

The third book is titled "Eat this Book - the art of spiritual reading" and is written by Eugene Peterson. I have read good reviews, especially from my favourite theologian Scot McKnight. This book "encourages the art of reading the Bible so that it becomes a text for living and growing, not just thinking or behaving...".

I'm excited over these reads, but my prayer is that I don't just read these for informational purposes, but that God prompts me, and strengthens me, to act.

Reading Romans

Today as I was reading the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans I was blessed by this -

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to
shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is
Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:11-13)

After reading this again, I found that I could only respond in one way - "Thank you God. Thank you God. Thank you God".

UNOH with us on the weekend

Ash & Anji Barker, and Shobie Owen from Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH) were in Perth on the weekend. As always, they shared their heart for the marginalised and oppressed and called upon Christians to have a conversion to the poor.

Ash and Anji definately rank high on my hero list. They have given up the comforts of the West to move into one of the toughest places to live on earth (the largest slum in Bangkok - Klong Toey) where they live amongst the poverty stricken and share with them in there struggles.

A challenging weekend that resulted in Gayle and I sitting together and reexamining our priorities in life.

You can find out more about the ministry of UNOH at www.unoh.org or their blog at www.unoh.typepad.com.