Ponderings

Ponder: To reflect or consider with thoroughness and care.

1. Tim Keller : The Acid Test of Being a Christian

How can you tell if you're a Christian or just a moral person?


2. Eric Liddell 

His life is an example of offering your body as living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Pastor Alistair Begg tells the story in his book Made For His Pleasure:

    When Liddell went to the 1924 Olympics in Paris, he was thought to have his best chance at a gold in the 100 meter race. But when the schedules were posted, that race was to take place on Sunday. It was well known that Liddell would not break the Sabbath, and great pressure was put on him to make an exception for this one event. He refused. If it meant that he would lose the chance at a medal, so be it. But Liddell was also scheduled to run the 400-meter race, and that race he entered-and won.

    Liddell had been born of missionary parents in Tientsin, China, and a year after his Olympic victory he returned to that country to begin missionary service himself....and in 1936 accepted an assignment to do evangelistic work in Siaochang. By this time the Japanese had invaded China, and in 1938 Liddell was captured by the Japanese and placed in an internment camp in China. Conditions were very severe, and on February 21,1945 Liddell died of a brain tumor.

Liddell's experience in the Olympics is told in the movie, Chariots of Fire. May our hearts be totally committed to the kingdom of Christ just like Eric Liddell.

3. Alfred Poirier : The Cross and Criticism

  He who doesn't listen to his critics is unwise.