For what it's worth

Sometimes a book comes along late in the year that assaults you with it's passion for Jesus. For what it's worth is just such a read. I loved Crazy love as you know and if that had been written by an Englishman who had lived in Burundi it would have ended up as this.

Simon Guillebaud is clearly nuts (in a good way) and his book is a mix of his own daring adventures in Africa and tons of  quotes and stories of other similarly abandoned disciples from the past and present. His passion is that each if us would be sold out followers of Jesus who not only run the race but finish it too. At one point, he quotes Stanley and Clinton who have researched 'finishers' and what characteristics are needed to be one.

1. They had perspective which enabled them to focus
2. They enjoyed intimacy with Christ and experienced repeated times of inner renewal
3. They were disciplined in important areas of life
4. They maintained a positive learning attitude all their lives
5. They had a network of meaningful relationships and several important mentors during their lifetime.

[Page 70]

This book is one about finishers and 100% full on folk. Who wants to be 64% enthused about following Jesus? If, like me, having read this you realize you are a bit sub-100%, coasty (not sure that is a word?) and cosy this will give you a good kick up the xxxx and get you running again. This morning I listened to my daily dose of early hours Romans and if you can't be bothered to read this book then this sermon might have a similar impact on sorting out your priorities (while you have time to....)

Well worth putting this on the Christmas list and reading it by the fire with a mince pie. A resolution or two for 2011 cannot fail to come from encountering it.

A truly blistering read.