Contains transcribed messages from an old wire recorder (forerunner of magnetic tape) of spoken messages of this famous 20th century Christian martyr.
Excerpt
"That delight—in God—is the thing that brings desire in the heart to do good, and desire is beneath everything. If there is no desire to do God’s will, then the doing of God’s will is just outward conformity, and God doesn’t appreciate it at all.
"Now desire is more than just willingness. I once worked for the Foreign Missions Fellowship, which is a group of collegiate kids who are considering going to the mission field. You know, every time I would talk to some Christians in college, their big cry about the mission field was, 'Well you know, I’m willing to go. I’m quite willing to go to the mission field. Very willing to go. Willing. But I need a call from God (or some such thing) because I don’t feel as if I’m sent to the mission field.' Well, I’m telling you that passive willingness is not desire. I was willing to go to the mission field a long time before I willed to go to the mission field. And it is the desire of the will that God wants.
“Desire is the putting of my will into God’s concern. It’s not a passive, sitting back in your easy chair, folding your arms sort of thing, which says, 'Well, I’m willing, if God would only give me a good swift kick and send me.' That’s willingness all right. But God doesn’t want willingness, He wants will! He wants your will put behind those desires."
Professional Reviews
Book Review
Building Rainbows
May 4, 2010
Rating: Text 10.0 out of 10, Illustrations 9.0 out of 10.0
JIM ELLIOT: A Christian Martyr Speaks to You
Robert Lloyd Russell, Editor
This book contains the actual words of martyred missionary Jim Elliot in four messages which he spoke before going to the mission field. The first two messages were given to seventh and eigth grade students and are about Christian living including the effect of sin in the life of a Christian. The final two messages are also very readable - one about the Apostle Peter and the other an overview of the Bible from the perspective of Jesus Christ as God the Father's ultimate and final prophet on earth. Excellent thought-provoking content for seventh grade and up. Particularly good for anyone interested in missions, missions history, or victorious Christian living.
Book Review
About.com
BOOK REVIEW:
Jim Elliot: A Christian Martyr Speaks to You
Reader Reviews: Submit a Christian Book Review From Lawrence, About.com Guest
User Rating: 5 Star Rating
Quick Facts: Release Date 2010; Xulon Press; Paperback; 136 pages.
What I liked Most & Least About this Book / Author:
My favorite chapters were the first two, which present a clear explanation of our need for a desire for God, and the effects of sin on the life of an individual.
I do not have any dislikes of the book, but I do have a warning (see below).
ISBN Number: 978-16157976-4-6
My Review: Jim Elliot was one of the five martyred missionaries in the 1950s. The work of these five and their deaths have had a tremendous impact on thousands of Christians. Many related books have been written, but this is only the second book which contains the actual words of Jim Elliot. (The other is The Journals of Jim Elliot.)
I would highly recommend this book to all Christians who seek a closer relationship with Jesus Christ--especially those in junior high through age 40. It will positively impact lives.
The book provides great insight into the thinking of Jim Elliot and also provides a lot of notable and quotable material. Anyone interested in Christian history or Christian missions will really appreciate the book.
I do have a warning. This book was transcribed from old wire recordings (which predated magnetic tape) and it was a different era when Jim was alive. Jim Elliot was on fire for God and had a fervency which was rare then, and even more rare today. He was a true student of the Word of God and it shows in his messages.
In summary, I cannot recommend this book highly enough for all who are interested in strengthening their Christian life.
Would you recommend this to a friend? Yes
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