Jim Elliot

There are many people who have influenced my walk with Christ, many who I haven't ever met. One such person is Jim Elliot. Yesterday was the 54th anniversary of the day that he was martyred for his faith. Though he died so early in his ministry plant to the Auca's, Christ was glorified in his death and has worked mightily in the people he died at the hands of. In addition, his story is known worldwide and is a challenge for us to follow Christ no matter what the cost. One of Jim Elliot's most known quotes is, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

After hearing Elisabeth Elliot speak at Urbana when I was a young believer, I was moved to commit to be used by God in the same way that her and Jim have been. She spoke of how it was not her or Jim, but the Holy Spirit that was at work accomplishing God's will. She quoted 2 Corinthians 4:7-12,

"7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. "

I knew for the first time, that God could work through me, a broken vessel, to reach lives for him. I commited to being available whether it was for one person or 10's of thousands.

I am so thankful for Jim Elliot and the life he lived and died for Christ as an example of how we can follow Christ richly.

Here is the link of Elisabeth Elliot speaking at Urbana 1996. Simple testimony that changed my life.
http://www.urbana.org/archives/1996/session?recordid=10

Here is a link to two of Jim Elliot's sermons.
http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/docs/elliotsermons.html

New Years Reflections and Hopes

I never really took to making new years resolutions. I knew I'd never keep them, and found it quite silly to try to fool myself into doing something that I would most certainly fail at.

New Years has taken a different type of meaning for me, not "what can I do better this year," but "look what God has done in the previous one." Reflecting on all of His blessings of 2009 builds my faith and reassures me that He will continue to be at work in 2010. With all that He has done for me, I wait in eager expectation of what He will do next. He is so good and can do "immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine."

Highlights of 2009:
God's abundant grace that holds me up even though there are times I can do little more than beg for it.

Andrew's health and budding personality. It is such a joy to see him grow into a little boy. There are constantly new things to praise God for that Andrew is doing.

My amazing husband who has served us and pursues Christ daily.

Times with friends and family.

Increased involvement at our Church who is becoming increasingly involved in the Community.

God has been so good!!!

From Spurgeon:
"What heavens are laid up in Jesus! What rivers of infinite bliss have their source, aye, and every drop of their fulness in Him! Since, O sweet Lord Jesus, thou art the present portion of thy people, favor us this year with such a sense of thy preciousness, that from its first to its last day we may be glad and rejoice in thee. Let January open with joy in the Lord and December close with gladness in Jesus."