A Sweet Fragrance

    Books Worth Reading

    Thoughts Concerning the King by Elizabeth Prentiss
    Originally published in 1890, these selections from Elizabeth Prentiss' private papers represent the cream of her thoughts and relationship with the Lord. While simply a collection of quotes and poetry, the depth and insight of these quotations make this book a treasure indeed.

    Children of the Storm by Natasha Vins
    Natasha Vins tells the story of life as the daughter of the persecuted Russian pastor Georgi Vins.

    Release the Power of Prayer by George Muller
    George Muller testified that he had received at 50,000 specific answers to prayer. Read the powerful testimony of a man who looked to God for all needs and believed that God delights in the prayers of His children.

    Studies In The Sermon On The Mount by Oswald Chambers
    The Sermon on the Mount would bring us to despair apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. Oswald Chambers expounds on the meaning of these commands of Christ and shows us that Christ enables us to follow His teachings.

    Mimosa: A True Story by Amy Carmichael
    A young Indian girl one day heard of a Savior who loved her and from then on she chose to worship only Him even though for many years she could not remember His name. This story reveals the amazing power of our Savior's love.

    If by Amy Carmichael
    If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
    This convicting book, in short, pointed sentences, reveals the true meaning of Calvary love.

    Rose from Brier by Amy Carmichael
    Written not from the well to the ill, but from the ill to the ill, this book contains the treasures of Amy Carmichael's spiritual life during the final years of her life. This collection of poetry, short stories, and encouragement for fellow-sufferers addresses many aspects of human suffering and points us to Calvary as the only source of peace and comfort.

    Set-Apart Femininity: God's Sacred Intent for Every Young Woman by Leslie Ludy
    In contrast to the shallow, selfish, pleasure seeking femininity found today, Set-Apart Femininity lays out a blueprint for life-changing, world altering femininity that is based on God's sacred call and purpose. This book calls young women to make an eternal impact on this world rather than indulge themselves in today's self-focused culture. Speaking forthrightly to the corruption of today's culture and its infiltration into the church, the message of this book drives deep into the heart of true set-apart femininity and the heart of God.

    Golden hours: Heart-hymns of the Christian life by Elizabeth Prentiss
    In this book, Elizabeth Prentiss puts into verse her experiences of both intense joy and suffering. Born out of a time of the darkest pain, these poems reflect the lessons learned by a life consecrated to God.

    Essays on Various Subjects Principally Designed for Young Ladies by Hannah More
    Written over 200 years ago, this thought-provoking collection of essays expounds on various qualities that are unique to femininity. Chapter topics include conversation, meekness, education, and religion. This book affirms the God-ordained distinctions between men and women and encourages young ladies to pursue excellence. A very refreshing book for those who desire to return to a Biblical pattern for womanhood.

    Vanya by Myrna Grant
    The story of a young Russian soldier whose faith did not die in the face of torture and martyrdom. The amazing miracles God did through his life fanned the flames of Christianity in Russia.

    A Day's Time-Table by E. S. Elliott
    Written over a century ago, this simple tale of one day in a young unmarried woman's life incorporates and reveals powerful truths concerning the relevance of God's Word to every detail of our lives. This fictional story is written in the style of a novel, yet is full of Scripture. God's design for womanhood flows throughout the book, untainted by modern feminism.

    Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot
    A collection of letters written to the author's daughter on the meaning of womanhood.

    No Graven Image by Elisabeth Elliot
    The fictional story of a young single woman missionary who is given the enormous task of starting a work among the Quichuas of the high Andes. As she begins her life as a missionary, she quickly learns that she is supposed to project an image of herself as a successful, spiritual missionary. Then something happens that shatters that image and she learns to put no created image, no matter how "spiritual", in the place of God.

    The 1599 Geneva Bible
    The original 1599 Geneva Bible with notes written by the reformers. Nothing has been updated except the spelling. This translation is characterized by simple and beautiful language that is surprisingly understandable even to modern readers.

    Aunt Jane's Hero by Elizabeth Prentiss
    The heartwarming story of a Christian couple seeking to establish a home whose happiness flows from a beautiful relationship with the Lord Jesus. Biblical truths about marriage and family life are interwoven throughout this lovely story.

    Gold Cord by Amy Carmichael
    The story of the Dohnavur Fellowship in Amy Carmichael's own words. An amazing testimony of the work of God.

    They Found the Secret by V. Raymond Edman
    This is a book about the exchanged life, the life that is of Christ. This collection of 20 short biographies of men and women who discovered the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will increase your desire to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in your own life. The Christian life is, first and foremost, about a mighty, resurrected Lord whose Spirit can indwell and completely transform those who surrender to Him.

    Toward Jerusalem by Amy Carmichael
    A collection of poetry and songs written for those who are about the King's business.

    His Thoughts Said. . .His Father Said . . . by Amy Carmichael
    The thoughts of a child of God are often troubled and questioning. The Father has an answer to all of them.

    A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot
    My favorite biography of Amy Carmichael. Full of excerpts from Amy's writings, this well-researched book gives us a glimpse into the life of one of the great lovers of God.

    Love to the Uttermost by F. B. Meyer
    An exposition of John 13-21. The author digs deep into the events of Jesus' last hours in order to bring us to a closer, passionate devotion to the Messiah.

    God's Missionary by Amy Carmichael
    "The Cross is the attraction." This fiery little book reveals Christ's standards for the true soldiers of the Cross.

    Testament From Prison by Georgi Vins
    A collection of personal testimonies, stories, sermons, letters, and poetry written by Georgi Vins, his family, and other persecuted Russian believers.

How Shall They Hear?

September 14th, 2008

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softpink-rose It was a Sunday, a few years ago, that a Russian friend and I were going to church together. We were travelling on the subway. She talked to me about her past. I didn’t ask many questions. I just let her talk. She told me about the choices she had made as part of her sinful past. Then she said something that is still burned into my memory. “No one ever told me that what I was doing was wrong. No one ever told me.” Knowing as I did of the circumstances of her past, I am quite certain that no one ever had.

     It was not an excuse. Just a statement. But a very powerful statement to someone like me who has had the Bible, the Ten Commandments, and every principle of Biblical morality drilled into me ever since I can remember. I know about Jesus because someone told me. That’s obvious, of course. But some people don’t know. They have never been told.

     How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14)

     A lot of Christian witnessing is focused on intelligent adults. That is good and fine. God has use for them in His kingdom. Witnessing to them makes me look good as a Christian. It makes for a fine testimony for me to share. People will admire me for my intelligent arguments and . . .

Pretty soon, it’s all just about me.

     It’s a very subtle trap to fall into. One that is, unfortunately, very familiar to me. Fortunately, God has had some very different plans about who He wants me to witness too. People that don’t make me look good. People that are, well, just difficult. People that no one else likes.

     God, did you call me to do THIS?

     Yes, He did.

” . . .When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14)

     At the nursing home where I work, there is a lady who has no fear of telling anyone about Jesus. She goes around talking about the Lord and asks people if they know Him as their personal Savior.

     She is brain damaged.

     She knows the Lord because somewhere along the line someone didn’t think it was a waste of time to tell her about Jesus.

     After all, God does use the weak things of this world to confound the “wise”.

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Related posts:

  1. Tuesday April 15, 2008
  2. Friday July 11, 2008
  3. Daughters Of Sarah: Mimosa

7 Responses to “How Shall They Hear?”

  1. calledblessed
    calledblessed

    I just love how he does that!  It’s ironic, really.  I try to share my faith with anyone who will listen, but it seems that when I’m not “trying” that my words really get through to people.  Most of the time, it’s when something comes out of my mouth that I don’t even like…wish I hadn’t said…that people see God shining through.  Truly, when I’m at my weakest, then He can shine through the strongest :)

    I once read a story comparing Christians to a broken vase that had been roughly glued back together.  Although many wish that becoming a Christian meant that God completely and instantly healed all the “cracks” in our lives.  It’s not like that .  What does change though, is what our vase is “filled” with.  Instead of ourselves, we are now filled with Him.  Thinking of it that way…good thing the cracks are there…it’s through those cracks that the nature of Jesus can “leak” out! 

    Sometimes all the “leaking” is painful, but it’s at least reassuring to see the beauty that comes from it.

    Sorry to write a blog post in your comments section :)   BTW – I’m glad you found my blog too.  It’s been nice reading your posts :)

    Daiquiri

    [Reply]

  2. Nurse_Jackie
    Nurse_Jackie

    Sometimes we forget what is really important!

    [Reply]

  3. A_Sweet_Fragrance
    A_Sweet_Fragrance

    @calledblessed - Thank you for your insights!

    [Reply]

  4. APonderingHeart
    APonderingHeart

    Wow, that is eye-opening. God’s mind is so much bigger and His ways are so much higher than ours, but just the tower of Babel people think they can reach God and are as smart as him, falling out of his plan. I pray that I will never go my own way, though I know I have.

    [Reply]

  5. A_Sweet_Fragrance
    A_Sweet_Fragrance

    @APonderingHeart - I do have a Feedburner feed, maybe that would work: http://feeds.feedburner.com/A_sweet_fragrancesXanga

    [Reply]

  6. APonderingHeart
    APonderingHeart

    @A_Sweet_Fragrance - 

    I’m afraid not. I tried that and I just tried to redo your address. :( ( I am emailing Feevy to ask. :)

    [Reply]

  7. Letustalk1
    Letustalk1

    An excellent post. I wonder sometimes why Christians will not witness for their Savior??!! I am witnessing some churches in my area that never give an open invitation for non christians to receive Christ during any part of the service. It boggles my mind. I have been witnessed to only once in  my life and if I had not received Christ then and there, who knows what would have happened.

    Keep posting.

    Becker

    [Reply]

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