It's funny that you should post this today, because I've been thinking the exact same thoughts very, very recently. Even the same verse has come to mind! You're very right. Excellent, thought-provoking post!
Lindsey | Homepage | 01.25.06 - 11:35 am | #

amen.
jacqui | Homepage | 01.25.06 - 1:10 pm | #

How right you are...it's so easy to forget, but how can I expect to be able to die for Christ if I'm not living for Him, and being willing to face opposition now?
Sarah | Homepage | 01.25.06 - 6:31 pm | #

Your post reminded me of this quote:
"Suffering isn't the worst thing that can happen to us. Disobedience is." Vietnamese Pastor (Voice of the Martyrs)
Karen | 01.25.06 - 6:56 pm | #

Sobering thoughts. I think of Paul when he was preparing to go to Jerusalem and his beloved friends had their doubts. Agabus prophesied that he would be bound if he went. His friends implored him not to go and he responded, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). No doubt Paul was ready to die. However, he had to be willing to be bound first. Just like you said--He was willing to live for Christ and therefore he was ready to die for Christ.

Everyone is familiar with the Jim Elliot qoute about giving what we cannot keep. Here is great quote from Nate Saint, who saw himself as "expendable." "During the last war we were taught to recognize that, in order to obtain our objective, we had to be willing to be expendable . . . This very afternoon thousands of soldiers are known by their serial numbers as men who are expendable . . . We know there is only one answer to our country's demand that we share in the price of freedom. Yet, when the Lord Jesus asks us to pay the price for world evangelization, we often answer without a word. We cannot go. We say it costs too much." (Elisabeth Elliot, "Through Gates of Splendor", p. 60).

Jeff
Jeff Short | Homepage | 01.25.06 - 8:43 pm | #

Wow! Strange that you mention this Brett.

I am reading Fox's Book of Martyrs at the moment... (trust me this is interesting, read on!)...

I don't know if any of you have ever thought about why Gladiatorial events at the Colosseum came to a close? I used to think that society just sort of transitioned, that it slowly leaked out of popular culture. Well, how wrong was I!

It turns out that after a victory over the Goths, the Romans began "celebrating" with the usual Gladiatorial events at the Colosseum. It just so happened that a Christian by the name of Telemachus had travelled all the way from Asia to encourage and strengthen the brethren in Rome. While he was there, he saw the people flocking to the Colosseum. So, he followed the people into the stands.

Once having entered, Telemachus saw that there were two gladiators fighting to the death. Without hesitation, he boldly leapt down into the arena and advanced upon the two gladiators. Laying his hand upon one of them, he sternly reproved him for shedding innocent blood. He then turned to the angry crowd and boomed: "Do not requite God's mercy in turning away the swords of your enemies by murdering eachother!!"

Angry shouts and cries at once drowned out his voice: "This is no place for preaching! The old customs of Rome must be observed! On gladiators!". In vain, Telemachus tried to stand between the two gladiators, whereupon he was stabbed to death.

He had died, but not in vain. His work was accomplished the moment he was struck down, for the shock of such a death before their eyes turned the hearts of the people: they saw the hideous aspects of the favourite vice to which they had surrendered themselves; and from the day Telemachus fell dead in the Colosseum, no other fight of gladiators was ever held there again.

If that isn't living AND dying for Christ, then I don't know what is! But, Brett, as you say, the small things will come first. Imagine the depth of character and godliness Telemachus must have had to be able to do that sort of thing. What a shining example.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Yours in our Lord,
David Peyton | Homepage | 01.26.06 - 2:08 pm | #

Thanks David. When I think of Telemachus, I kinda feel inspired to face the little difficulties in my life, cause they sort of pale in comparison.

That reminds me of something Mother Teresa once said, "I don't do great things. I do little things with great passion."
Daniel Gilman | 01.27.06 - 8:13 am | #

Thanks for your thoughts! How true!

As far as The End of The Spear goes....I wanted (key word, wanted) to see it SO SO bad. But this morning, I believe it was, my Mother recieved an e-mail stating that the star of the movie is a homosexual and is actively promoting that lifestyle. Now I definately have mixed feelings about the movie...I'm not sure if I want to see it at all now, which is very sad.
Kelsa | Homepage | 01.27.06 - 6:56 pm | #

Kelsa: Go read Albert Mohler's post regarding the actor Chad Allen . . . He doesn't tell people to go or not to go, but he has excellent points that will help you make a decision.
Brett Harris | Homepage | 01.27.06 - 10:41 pm | #

Brett, Thank you SO much for linking me to that article! I really appreciate it. I still don't know what I'm going to do. But I don't have to worry about it too much now, it's not even playing at our small-town theater right now. :) So who knows if I'll even get the chance?
It's weird though, recently I've heard alot about those men - even before I knew about the movie. So when I found out about the movie, I was excited. All I know to do is pray about it.
Kelsa | Homepage | 01.29.06 - 12:15 pm | #

federal loan repaying student federal loan repaying student federal loan repaying student. georgia loan payday resident georgia loan payday resident georgia loan payday resident.
wqoja | Homepage | 08.21.07 - 1:32 pm | #