Andrew White's perspective on faith and hope. How does he keep going, and what does he say to God?

The 'Vicar of Baghdad' encounters daily tragedy. What happened to his faith when a young girl in his congregation died, after much hope and prayer? He has met the best and worst: articulate, agreeable imams and rabbis; Christian venality and dishonesty. What has kept him willing to see the best? Every time he returns to Iraq he may be saying goodbye to his family for the last time. What do they think? He suffers from MS. How does he remain cheerful despite his physical weakness, and its progression? What does he say to God, alone in his study, late at night? He has been caught up in momentous events. Can he see the hand of God? Looking ahead, can he be optimistic about the future? Where are his sources of spiritual energy? He solicits prayer: why? 'Not everything God calls us to do is painless,' he comments. 'Much of my work is simply about showing love to the unlovely.'

Canon Andrew White, the vicar of St George's Church in Baghdad, has extensive experience of conflict mediation in Iraq and the wider Middle East. President and CEO of the Foundation for Reconciliation in the Middle East, launched in 2005, he has written extensively about conflict resolution and has been involved in many hostage negotiations. He is author of The Vicar of Baghdad.

__The 'Vicar of Baghdad' encounters daily tragedy.__

What happened to his faith when a young girl in his congregation died, after much hope and prayer?

He has met the best and worst: articulate, agreeable imams and rabbis; Christian venality and dishonesty. What has kept him willing to see the best? Every time he returns to Iraq he may be saying goodbye to his family for the last time. What do they think?

He suffers from MS. How does he remain cheerful despite his physical weakness, and its progression? What does he say to God, alone in his study, late at night? He has been caught up in momentous events.

Can he see the hand of God? Looking ahead, can he be optimistic about the future? Where are his sources of spiritual energy? He solicits prayer: why?

'Not everything God calls us to do is painless,' he comments. 'Much of my work is simply about showing love to the unlovely.'

Contents  
1\. My Previous Life 7  
2\. Why Go Into the Fire? 23  
3\. The Nature of Faith 43  
4\. Faith Amidst Tragedy 57  
5\. Faith Under Attack 67  
6\. Loss and Gain 79  
7\. When My Body Fails 89  
8\. Bearing the Heat 97  
9\. The Presence of the Almighty 105  
10\. Moving Forward 123  
11\. Friends in the Fire 133  
12\. The Real Presence 141  
Epilogue 149  
Conclusion 153

Andrew White

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

1. My Previous Life

2. Why Go Into the Fire?

3. The Nature of Faith

4. Faith Amidst Tragedy

5. Faith Under Attack

6. Loss and Gain

7. When My Body Fails

8. Bearing the Heat

9. The Presence of the Almighty

10. Moving Forward

11. Friends in the Fire

12. The Real Presence

Epilogue

Conclusion

Photographs

White, Andrew

Andrew White, the dedicated 'Vicar of Baghdad', encounters daily tragedy. What happened to his faith when a young girl in his congregation died, after much hope and prayer? Every time he returns to Iraq he may be saying goodbye to his family for the last time. What do they think? He suffers from MS. How does he remain cheerful despite his physical weakness, and its progression? He meets regularly with men who wish to use him. What has kept him free from cynicism? What does he say to God, alone in his study, late at night? Can he see the hand of God? Looking ahead, can he be optimistic about the future? Where are his sources of spiritual energy?

an inspiring, awesome, concise read, warmly commended across cultures, genders and generations. English Churchman To win the Ultimate Christian Library award, a book must grab the average non-Christian reader at first sight. This year's winner, Andrew White's, does this and more, gripping the reader from its very first word. -- D Margaret Keeling Librarians' Christian Fellowship 'This is a very moving book which shows how this man give his life to God through faith, determination and courage whilst suffering from multiple sclerosis. Definitely worth reading.' -- Barbara Gardner The Lance

__The 'Vicar of Baghdad' encounters daily tragedy.__

What happened to his faith when a young girl in his congregation died, after much hope and prayer? He has met the best and worst: articulate, agreeable imams and rabbis; Christian venality and dishonesty. What has kept him willing to see the best? Every time he returns to Iraq he may be saying goodbye to his family for the last time. What do they think? He suffers from MS. How does he remain cheerful despite his physical weakness, and its progression? What does he say to God, alone in his study, late at night? He has been caught up in momentous events. Can he see the hand of God? Looking ahead, can he be optimistic about the future? Where are his sources of spiritual energy? He solicits prayer: why? 'Not everything God calls us to do is painless,' he comments. 'Much of my work is simply about showing love to the unlovely.'

__Contents__  
1\. My Previous Life 7  
2\. Why Go Into the Fire? 23  
3\. The Nature of Faith 43  
4\. Faith Amidst Tragedy 57  
5\. Faith Under Attack 67  
6\. Loss and Gain 79  
7\. When My Body Fails 89  
8\. Bearing the Heat 97  
9\. The Presence of the Almighty 105  
10\. Moving Forward 123  
11\. Friends in the Fire 133  
12\. The Real Presence 141  
Epilogue 149  
Conclusion 153

The Good Book Stall

Andrew White, the Vicar of St George’s church in Baghdad, writes with conviction from a place of deep suffering. Many of his congregation have been killed or maimed, solely because they believe in Our Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation he offers to all. His and their faith makes mine seem lukewarm, but that is not the intention of this book. He humbly and honestly shares with us his experiences in his secular and religious work. How he came to be in this position and how he would not wish to be anywhere else.  
He tells of those to whom he ministers, of those who come to the clinic based in the compound of St George’s Anglican church but serving all those who are in need regardless of denomination or religion: a very practical way of showing the love of God. He tells of the visible signs of God’s presence with his people. Their awareness that they are in a unique situation, that Iraq is central to so many of the stories in the Bible from the Garden of Eden to Daniel in the lions den and so many more.  
He tells of the necessity for his fund raising trips and is outspoken as to their loss of support since the change of regime in the USA. Yet through all his and his congregation’s trials he dwells on the tribulations they experience. People leave for safer countries but others flock to his church where Christians from all denominations worship together in true fellowship and love.  
An extra-ordinary story that needs to be read by as many as possible. Truly this congregation knows ‘the Lord is here, His Spirit is with us.’

Faith Under Fire

What the Middle East Conflict Has Taught Me About God

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Faith Under Fire

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