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Amy
Carmichael (1867-1951)
Amy Carmichael, born
into a Christian home in Northern Ireland, was a
vibrant, committed disciple of Jesus Christ. Amy
offered her singleness as a gift for God’s service and
found true fulfillment. Her passion for the lost led
her to Japan, China, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and finally to
India. She founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, which
rescued children from the Hindu temples who were
condemned to lives of prostitution and despair.
Fighting the steep traditions and corruption of India
and the Hindu caste system, Amy fought tirelessly with
little or no support, save God. Amazingly, after a life
of work devoted to saving others, Amy spent the last
twenty years of her life bedridden from an accident.
Her richest and deepest writings come from this period
of her life. Amy’s life is one of commitment,
conviction and determination, coupled with a deep
understanding of Calvary’s love, lived day to day.
Highly recommended!
Recommended Readings:
Carmichael’s Biography:
Amma, by
Elizabeth Skoglund
A Chance to Die, by Elizabeth Elliot
Amy Carmichael of Donhavur, by Frank L.
Houghton
Carmichael’s Writings:
Gold by Moonlight
Gold Cord
Rose from Brier
Very Present Help (devotional)
More Info:
http://www.traveltheroad.com/missions/missionaries/carmichael.php
http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/amy_carmichael_213673.html
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Oswald
Chambers (1874-1917)
Oswald Chambers was born in Scotland and
spent most of his boyhood there. His ministry of
teaching and preaching took him for a time to the United
States and Japan. The last six years of his life were
spent as principal of the Bible Training College of
London, and as a chaplain to the British Commonwealth
troops in Egypt during World War I. After his death,
the books which bear his name were compiled by his wife
from her own verbatim shorthand notes of his talks. He
is widely known for his phenomenal devotional, My
Utmost for His Highest.
Recommended Readings:
Biography:
Oswald
Chambers: Abandoned to God, by David McCasland
Prayer:
If You
Will Ask
Prayer: a Holy Occupation
Christian Living:
So
Send I You/Workman of God
Bringing Sons Into Glory/Making All Things New
Christian Discipline
Studies on the Sermon on the Mount
Devotional:
Utmost
for His Highest (Excellent)
Daily
Thoughts for Disciples
More Info:
http://www.oswaldchambers.co.uk/oswald.htm
http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/oswald_chambers_213668.html
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Elizabeth Elliot
“Elisabeth Elliot was born in Brussels, Belgium, where
her parents served as missionaries. She graduated from
Wheaton College (USA) and later went to Ecuador as a
missionary. In 1953, she married a former classmate, Jim
Elliot. Together they worked on translating the New
Testament into the language of the Quichua Indians.
Their daughter, Valerie, was born in 1955. Ten months
later, Jim was killed by the Auca Indians while
attempting to take the Gospel to that primitive tribe.
Elisabeth continued her work among the Quichuas and
later lived and worked among the Aucas.” (Taken from:
http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/bio_elliot.htm)
After
returning to the United States, she remarried, only to
lose her second husband to cancer in 1973. Elizabeth is
currently married to Lars Gren. She has written
numerous books and travels giving speaking engagements.
Recommended Readings:
A Path
through Suffering
On
Asking God Why
Secure
in the Everlasting Arms
The
Path of Loneliness
See
Jim Elliot, her husband below:
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Jim Elliot (1927-1956)
An
American who was martyred for his Christian faith in
Ecuador. (Elizabeth Elliot’s first husband).
Elliot’s Biography:
Shadow
of the Almighty, by Elizabeth Elliot
Journals of Jim Elliot, by Elizabeth Elliot
For more information about Jim visit
links below:
http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b4jelliot6ra.htm
http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/jim_elliot_213678.html
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Francois Fenelon (1651-1715)
Fenelon (his full name is Francois de Salignac de la
Mothe) was a French theologian and writer, born of
nobility of limited means in Southwestern France.
Ordained in 1677, he began preaching, teaching and
writing. He soon circulated in the high courts of Louis
XIV, enjoying prestige, many noble titles and wealth.
Among others, he was personal tutor to Louis’ grandson,
the Duke of Burgundy. Fenelon played a major role in
shaping the young man’s life, who eventually became King
in 1711.
Although Fenelon was outwardly blessed, he was still
searching for a deeper meaning in life. Soon after
meeting Madame Guyon in 1688, Fenelon’s life changed as
he grew closer to the Savior. France soon disapproved
of Fenelon’s new path and in 1699, condemned his
writings. Now banished from all court, Fenelon gave up
all the esteem he attained and quietly lived out his
days in a remote diocese in France. “But throughout
Fenelon’s lifetime and the centuries that have followed,
Christians who have felt drawn toward a life of closer
communion with God have found Fenelon’s writings a depth
of understanding of their struggles that has been a
source of profound encouragement.” (Fenelon:
Mediations on the Heart of God, ©1997; Pg. xviii)
Recommended Readings:
Meditations on the Heart of God
Talking with God
More Info:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/F/Fenelon.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_F%C3%A9nelon
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06035a.htm
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Madame
Guyon (1648-1717)
Noted
as Church history’s most outstanding woman, her writings
have blessed, challenged and encouraged Christians for
over 300 years. Born in France, a contemporary of
Fenelon and Bossuet, her writings “turned Europe on its
ear” as the Church debated over her writings. From
influencing the court of Louis XIV, to imprisonment in
the Bastille, Guyon’s life is a message of the
faithfulness of God and His everlasting love. A reader
cannot remain unchanged from her writings and life’s
story.
Recommended Readings:
Guyon’s Biography:
Madame
Guyon’s Life, by Thomas C. Upham ©1984
Guyon’s Writings:
Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ
Union
with God
More Info:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07092b.htm
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Watchman Nee
Watchman Nee became a Christian in mainland China in
1920 at the age of 17 and began writing the same year.
Throughout nearly 30 years of his ministry, Nee was
uniquely gifted from the Lord to challenge and encourage
others. Imprisoned in 1952 for his faith, he remained
in prison until his death in 1972. His words remain an
abundant source of spiritual revelation and support to
Christians throughout the world.
Recommended Readings:
The
Normal Christian Life (also Normal Christian Faith)
Not I,
But Christ
Character of God’s Workman
The
Sum of all Spiritual Things
More Info:
http://www.ccel.org/n/nee/nee.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchman_Nee
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J. Hudson Taylor (1832-1905)
Taylor was an English
pioneer missionary to China who exemplified a life
devoted to Christ. He is credited with translating the
New Testament into a Chinese dialect and founding the
China Inland Mission. All of his books testify to the
greatness and faithfulness of God, as well as
challenging any believer to a deeper, more committed
walk with Christ. At the time of his death in 1905,
there were 205 stations with 849 missionaries and
125,000 Chinese Christians in the China Inland Mission (CIM).
The CIM remains to this day.
Recommended Readings:
Taylor’s Biography:
Hudson
Taylor’s Spiritual Secrets (Howard & Geraldine Taylor)
Hudson and Marie (John
Pollock)
Taylor’s writings:
Union and Communion
More Info:
http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/hudson_taylor_213660.html
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A.W. Tozer (1897-1963)
“Although A. W. Tozer
died in 1963, his life and spiritual legacy continue to
draw many into a deeper knowledge of God. Tozer walked a
path in his spiritual life that few attempt,
characterized by a relentless and loving pursuit of God.
He longed to know more about the Savior—how to serve and
worship Him with every part of his being.” He was
converted at the age of 17 and proceeded to earn to
honorary doctorates. During his time, many called him
the “prophet of the 20th century.” He never
swayed from his principles, leaving a legacy of
determination and commitment. Author of several books,
Tozer writes in plain, simple language, yet powerfully
challenges the readers to pursue a closer relationship
with Jesus Christ.
Recommended Readings:
Pursuit of God
Knowledge of the Holy
Keys to the Deeper
Life
More info:
http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/aw_tozer_213610.html
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