I started reading Being Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn with fear and trembling. As with most Christian women my age, Elisabeth had been a huge influI started reading Being Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn with fear and trembling. As with most Christian women my age, Elisabeth had been a huge influence on me. Her no nonsense advice had teleported me through the hard years of raising 9 children, even when I found her a little too severe sometimes. I finished Volume 1, Becoming Elisabeth Elliot, with a sigh of relief. She had not been canceled and smeared by Vaughn. Much of that first volume reminded me of my own childhood growing up in a little Christian and Missionary Alliance church in DeLand, Florida which was attached to the retirement home for missionaries. I do believe Christ saved me at 5 years old while singing with a very, very old retired missionary SS teacher (What was her name? What was her name?), “Into my heart, Into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus, Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart Lord Jesus.” He did come in and he did stay. So reading about those old time familiar things was a trip down memory lane. I loved Ellen Vaughn’s candor about Elisabeth’s life and I took her warning that the next volume might be rough.
I was not prepared for reading Being Elisabeth Elliot. It undid me. Having finished it a few hours ago, I cannot stop thinking about Elisabeth and what it all means. So much of it I relate to on a smaller scale. I, too, schedule speaking engagements then put them out of my mind until time to prepare and then spend weeks wondering what I was thinking when I accepted. Why, oh why did I accept it? Until the moment I stand on the podium and the words come together. The biography leaves me with so many questions I really have no right to ask, so many puzzle pieces that my brain is trying to find a place for.
One part of me is so frustrated with Elisabeth and yet I also recognize the thinking patterns that as a Christian woman sound very familiar to me. Elisabeth was so highly intelligent she could convince herself of anything. Watching her, through her journals, talking herself into marrying Lars is painful. I know that whether Elisabeth faced the pain of a life of extreme loneliness because of her temperament or a life trapped in a bad marriage she still had the ultimate marriage as part of the Bride of Christ, but it still stings to read it. I read it without judgement but with a healthy recognition that I can see myself doing something very like this. My own mental gymnastics leading me to dark places. How many dark places am I in now because of my faulty theology or fallen thoughts?
Reading between the lines, perhaps not a wise thing to do with biography which is by nature unreal, it really doesn’t seem like any of Elisabeth’s marriages were truly happy, even her most loved one to Addison Leitch seemed tainted by his own past.
I think my favorite part was hearing about all the books Elizabeth read, some quite shocking. It gave her life after Jim and before Lars a feeling of freedom and exploration, an openness which one might never have guessed from her writings.
All in all, it made me see that the road does indeed go uphill all the way. I was hoping I might have reached some sort of apex. But it also made me realize that I can trust God with even my mistakes and bad thought patterns.
I honestly can’t begin to explain what happened to me while reading this book. I am so thankful Ellen Vaughn wrote it. It is such a horrible thing to put humans on pedestals. We can contribute to the suffering of one another by puffing each other up. So many falls of “famous” Christians are probably just God’s mercies. I guess Elisabeth had enough thorns in her flesh to keep her humble.
It all reminded me of Psalm 16 (As sung by The Corner Room, especially)
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.[ The sorrows of those who run after[c] another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
AND
Psalm 126 as sung by Bifrost Arts
Our mouths they were filled, filled with laughter Our tongues they were loosed, loosed with joy Restore us, O Lord Restore us, O Lord Although we are weeping Lord, help us keep sowing The seeds of Your Kingdom For the day You will reap them Your sheaves we will carry Lord, please do not tarry All those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy The nations will say, "He has done great things!" The nations will sing songs of joy Restore us, O Lord Restore us, O Lord ...more
I imagine all Christians suffer at one time or another and some carry deep sorrows. This book seems like it could be on auto play in my life to remindI imagine all Christians suffer at one time or another and some carry deep sorrows. This book seems like it could be on auto play in my life to remind me that all shall be well and most especially that we live and move in Christ for his kingdom. ...more
If you haven’t read this book recently or ever, pick it up right now and read it. I know of no other book that demonstrates this well the depths of GoIf you haven’t read this book recently or ever, pick it up right now and read it. I know of no other book that demonstrates this well the depths of God’s love a grace to sinners nor his provision and kindness to use us for his kingdom.
I read this on the heels of Liturgy of the Ordinary and I can’t help but feel Trish is a kindred spirit, I loved that she used examples from her own lI read this on the heels of Liturgy of the Ordinary and I can’t help but feel Trish is a kindred spirit, I loved that she used examples from her own life without making the book about herself. I also wanted to hug her when she quoted the song Show The Way by David Wilcox which really sums up the book well and is a favorite song of mine which no one seems to know.
You say you see no hope You say you see no reason we should dream That the world would ever change You say the love is foolish to believe 'Cause they'll always be some crazy With an army or a knife To wake you from your daydream Put the fear back in your life Look If someone wrote a play To just to glorify what's stronger than hate Would they not arrange the stage To look as if the hero came too late? He's almost in defeat It's looking like the evil side will when So on the edge of every seat From the moment that the whole thing begins It is love who mixed the mortar And it's love who stacked these stones And it's love who made the stage here Although it looks like we're alone In this scene, set in shadows, Like the night is here to stay There is evil cast around us But it's love that wrote the play For in this darkness love can show the way Now the stage is set You can feel your own heart beating in your chest This life's not over yet So we get up on our feet and do our best We play against the fear We play against the reasons not to try We're playing for the tears Burning in the happy angel's eyes For it's love who mixed the mortar And it's love who stacked these stones And it's love who made the stage here Though it looks like we're alone In this scene, set in shadows, Like the night is here to stay There is evil cast around us But it's love that wrote the play For in this darkness love will show the way ...more
Excellent book on suffering. These kinds of books are always tricky because they require a certain amount of navel-gazing by the author, but Wendy AlsExcellent book on suffering. These kinds of books are always tricky because they require a certain amount of navel-gazing by the author, but Wendy Alsup does a good job of navigating that pitfall by genuinely presenting the Gospel over and over again. I especially like the last section on how to minister to those who are suffering. Wendy points out that we do that within our own talents and abilities and it is better to try to help even if we are bad at it. The Gospel is there for that too. ...more
Excellent treatise on trusting God when you feel all alone. Short chapters, perfect for daily devotional readings. The beautiful thing about ElisabethExcellent treatise on trusting God when you feel all alone. Short chapters, perfect for daily devotional readings. The beautiful thing about Elisabeth Elliot is that she is very comfortable in her belief system and bold in speech. ...more
It is always encouraging to know that someone who came before you suffered and overcame their suffering in Christ. Charles Spurgeon is one of my favorIt is always encouraging to know that someone who came before you suffered and overcame their suffering in Christ. Charles Spurgeon is one of my favorite expositors. His Faith's Checkbook, Morning and Evening, and Treasury of the Psalms are staples in my life making this book a bit of a different look at the man. He was not a man who went from joy to joy, but rather he struggled against the pains of outrageous fortune and always 'the bottom was firm.' That gives me courage because sometimes the waves are high,...more
For many (all years) years I struggled with the Christian concept of joy. I tiptoed around it and ignored it. I was afraid to go anywhere near it. In For many (all years) years I struggled with the Christian concept of joy. I tiptoed around it and ignored it. I was afraid to go anywhere near it. In fact, I finally realized I couldn't partake of the joy that was offered me in Christ because I didn't think I deserved it and I was right!
This last year one of my sons recommended this book to me. I loved the format. Just my style. 90 short readings which could be read daily.
This book gave me permission to accept the joy that God had been offering me for years but I was too afraid to embrace.
Isn't fear the most effective of all the evils under the sun?
Sometimes suffering is the only gateway to joy that we will allow, but I don't believe it is the only one. It is a gracious gift we have only to accept and very much at the center of our faith. Do we believe the Gospel? Is it offered freely to us? Does it cleanse away all of our sins? If we truly believe that then we have only to reach out and accept the joy that is offered with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Short but encouraging treatise on suffering for Christians
If you are walking through hard times, as many of us are at any given time, this book is likShort but encouraging treatise on suffering for Christians
If you are walking through hard times, as many of us are at any given time, this book is like having a friend hold your hand and walk beside you. It is a little book that will help us affirm,"It is good for me that I have been afflicted."...more
Mary C Morrison was in her 80s when she wrote this but it is sprinkled with her journal entries from earlier aspects of ageing too. I found that offerMary C Morrison was in her 80s when she wrote this but it is sprinkled with her journal entries from earlier aspects of ageing too. I found that offered helpful insights. As I stand in the batter's box of late middle age, this book offers me comfort and wisdom. I will return to this book again and again, I imagine....more
Practical and spiritual, this book is a wonderful introduction to incorporating some of St. Benedict's practices into our ordinary lives. Completely uPractical and spiritual, this book is a wonderful introduction to incorporating some of St. Benedict's practices into our ordinary lives. Completely uplifting without a smidgen of legalism or guilt. Wonderful. This was my first book by Esther de Waal but not my last.
It took me a long time to read this book and I am glad that it did. Each time I picked it up it was balm to my soul in some new way. It is not an easyIt took me a long time to read this book and I am glad that it did. Each time I picked it up it was balm to my soul in some new way. It is not an easy book to read and I cannot imagine rushing through it but I was happy to read it here and there over the last six months especially when walking through some tough times. ...more
I highly recommend this if you have a child who is straying from the faith or if you just want to get a picture of how to treat unbelievers in generalI highly recommend this if you have a child who is straying from the faith or if you just want to get a picture of how to treat unbelievers in general, especially ones that you love. Extremely helpful and hopeful....more
I especially recommend this to all the mamas who read my book and deeply related to the painful side of motherhood. I keep reminding myself that 'MotheI especially recommend this to all the mamas who read my book and deeply related to the painful side of motherhood. I keep reminding myself that 'Mothers are born persons, too.' This book fleshes out what that means for the Christian woman. We are not orphans; we are daughters of the King. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Take heart and read this book.
This is a great devotional which I started last November and finished almost within a year. It covers the entire book of Psalms, my favorite Bible booThis is a great devotional which I started last November and finished almost within a year. It covers the entire book of Psalms, my favorite Bible book. Even as I say that I feel that maybe we shouldn't have favorites but I do. The Kellers, Tim and Kathy, join together to create a devotional that does not get bogged down in illustrations. Each day has a passage from the Psalms, some days it is a whole Psalm, often a partial one, a short discussion of the verses, and a prayer.
I like to read a short devotional every day after my own personal devotions but I generally stick to old favorites such as Streams in the Desert or My Utmost for His Highest. This book will definitely go into the rotation....more
In a different time, a different place this would not be a 5 star book but for our culture and our time it is a reminder of virtues and values we haveIn a different time, a different place this would not be a 5 star book but for our culture and our time it is a reminder of virtues and values we have almost lost.
It takes the form of a series of letters from one former SEAL to another one suffering from PTSD.
I loved all the classical references.
This book would be a perfect graduation gift for a boy or a girl and would be a great book for a high school junior or senior's reading list....more
Once again I am reviewing a book I would not have read except it was a gift from someone I love enough to read their gift books. Gift books are the woOnce again I am reviewing a book I would not have read except it was a gift from someone I love enough to read their gift books. Gift books are the worst. So much pressure!
I am a bit of theological stickler also so I was not expecting to come away impressed but I did. This book was a perfect complement to my Christian and Missionary Alliance upbringing and my conservative Presbyterian leanings today.
It helped me make sense out of a few confusing areas of my life and relationships and also helped me recognize as attacks from our enemy (Shh, don't tell the Presbyterians) things like jealousy which come out of no where.
Chapter 7 was my favorite part of the book reminding me to be faithful without letting outcomes make me depressed or start to lose faith in God. I am not responsible for anyone but myself, therefore, I am not in control of others either. Isn't that the hardest thing for a mother to do? But so freeing when we grasp it....more
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