Book Review: Red Letters: Living a Faith That Bleeds

Hello from the infamous Mosquito Festival in El Paso, TX. 

I am visiting family and losing weight in El Paso, TX. 

Now…there is the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet, etc….Well, in El Paso…they have the Mosquito diet.  In West, TX….they have scientifically bred a "weight loss" mosquito.  It is able to suck one gallon of blood in ten seconds.  No kidding….it is not free for locals…BUT it is free for visitors!  Property taxes in El Paso are the highest in the state…but the benefits of these taxes is the creation and distribution of the amazing weight loss mosquito.  Yes…they breed these mosquitoes on purpose.  I have lost fifty pounds in 2 hours….AND…even if you did not want to lose weight….it does not matter….these amazing mosquitoes are bigger than small dogs…. so you cannot fight them.  But do not worry…these mosquitoes, by state law, are required to get tested for diseases and stuff….so you are safe…and slim.

Book Review: Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleed

I read Davis’ first book, Fields of the Fatherless, earlier this year and it made me revisit my priorities; and it changed my perspective regarding the world I live in…the community I live in.  Davis’ heart for orphans is undeniable.  Davis’ vision for caring for orphans is the foundation of the Children’s Hopechest ( www.hopechest.org) organization in which Tom Davis is President.

In Red Letters, Davis pulls out all the stops and calls on the Christian church, Americans, me..and you to stop ignoring, start talking, and take action.  Davis makes a convincing argument for us to stop acting like HIV/AIDS is not "our" problem.

I was shocked when I read the following statement….."Six and a half thousand Africans are still dying every day of preventable, treatable disease for lack of drugs we [Americans] can by at any drug store." 

"Preventable"….."Treatable"    

There are several stories in Red Letters that are heart breaking as well as shocking….but yet, as Davis points out, we choose to be deaf, dumb, and blind to what is happening in Africa, what is happening to the world.  Even, as Bono of the famed U2 brings attention to the horror of HIV/AIDS….we continue to live in the "me" world.

Davis sums up Red Letters, in my opinion, with this statement…."This is not about charity: This is about Justice and Equality." Davis drives his point home…."We" are letting the "injustice" happen.  I am not sure I agree with the usage of the word "justice," but Davis brings attention to what is happening in Africa.  The question is "how numb are we?"  Is it because it is surreal?

I love the statement in the book that is a Wealth Lifeline (TM) core value…"Building walls around our possessions and our lives leads to selfishness and hardened hearts."  This is so true and so obvious….but the world’s view of wealth encourages this. 

The Wealth Lifeline (TM) definition of "wealth" is "To love and be loved."  Yet….we focus on being loved by doing all the wrong things…."buy building walls around our possessions…." When we do this…it is impossible to love….and impossible to come close to see the world through Christ’s eyes.

Tom Davis’ Red Letters will shock you into reality, if you let it…..the question is….will "we" do anything about it?

Until next time……rob 

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