On one of my many plane rides I started to read this book about Jim Elliot. It's called Shadow of the Almighty by his wife Elisabeth Elliot and it rocks. Jim Elliot is the missionary who was killed by tribal people, and then his wife went back to them to continue their work. The book is a compilation of his letters and journal entries combined with his wife's knowledge of his history. I love it. His writing is phenomenal. I feel like he is a 2nd (more likable) Paul. Jim was 100% devoted to the Lord from the time he was a young man. His vocabulary was huge (you all know how I like a big vocabulary) and he was so intellectual. He was really well read, and always journaling all sorts of quotes, hymns and poetry. He even wrote his own poems!
It's interesting to read the in depth thoughts of a young man working to serve God through college and then on into missions. I get to see him in the same stage of life as me. There's even a romance that he gives completely over to God. Seeing his dedication from such a young age has been really inspiring for me, and makes me realize how much our younger generations are lacking.
Where to people like him come from? I just feel like I'm so far from where he was. How could I ever be that disciplined? I can't even imagine marrying someone so devoted (but I totally would). I would constantly feel inferior and always be in awe of him. Gosh I have so much room to improve!
Okay so here are some quotes of the mindblowing stuff he writes in his journals AS A COLLEGE KID:
"(Lev 17:10) He who consumes blood will ever have the face of God set against him. So with me. If I would save my life-blood, and forbear to pour it out as a sacrifice-thus opposing the example of my Lord-then must I know the flint of the face of God set against my purpose. Father, take my life, yea, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume if with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it, for it is not mine to save. Have it, Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an obligation for the world. Blood is only of value as it flows before Thine altar."
p 55-6
"Our lives belonged wholly to Him, and should He choose to accept the 'sacrifice' and consume it, we determined not to lay a hand on it to retrieve it for ourselves." p 57
"How can I know my heart as regards Betty (his love)? I cannot. Thou dost, my Father. Reveal myself to me, that I may see what Thou dost see.
My soul is night, my heart is steel,
I cannot see, I cannot feel.
For Light, for Life, I must appeal
In simple faith to Jesus. p69
"Little faith will bring the soul to heaven, but much faith will bring heaven to the soul." - Spurgeon p83
"The great mistake is in preaching to our fellow believers, 'come out from among them and be ye separate' with the suggestion that they should come out to us and be separate." p 84
"Christ needs some young fellows to sell out to Him and recklessly toss their lives into His work. It seems to me like you ought to be one of them." p122
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