Saturday, April 14, 2012

Missionary Martyrs: A to Z Blogging Challenge





A somber topic, yes....but their voices need to be heard.  Missionary Martyrs are the most Memorable HEROES that deserve a Moment of Meditation:





Wheaton College Archives
Jim Elliott, killed in the jungles of Ecuador in 1953 along with 4 other missionary men by Auca Indians, was dedicated to sharing the Gospel with their tribesmen.  This was the motto that drove his passion:  "He is no fool who give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."  He lost his earthly life (which we can never keep), but is living a heavenly life (which he will never lose) with His Savior right now....and forever.

The following year, thousand of young people took their place on mission fields all over the world, compelled to bring the life-changing Gospel to unreached peoples.  Hundreds of Aucas, including those who speared the five men, came to Christ as their wives stayed in the jungle, continuing the work the husbands began.  Read the full story here.



Betty Stam young missionary to China was captured by communists in 1934 and beheaded alongside her husband, John. She had written these words in her Bible years before:

Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes,
All my own desires and hopes
And accept thy Thy Will for my life.
I give myself, my life, my all
Utterly to Thee to be Thine forever.
Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit.
Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt
And work out Thy whole will I my life at any cost now and forever.

John and Betty Stam: carlstam.com


Read their story from the Stam family's website here.













Ridley, chaplain to King Henry VIII, and Latimer, bishop of Worcester, were both burned at the stake in Oxford for their Protestant beliefs in 1555:

Ridley said to Latimer as the fire was about to be lit:  "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England as I trust will never be put out."

Their deaths fanned the flame of Protestantism, which spread throughout the world!

Read the story here.


Voice of the Martyrs quotes:

"God, I do not ask you to make my life easy; I do ask you to make me strong"

From a Jewish child found in the rubble of a Jewish ghetto in Poland after it was bombed by the nazis



"We have learned that suffering is not the worst thing in the world-disobedience to God is the worst."  A Vietnamese Christian Pastor imprisoned for his faith


"O God, accept all my sufferings, my tiredness, my humiliations, my tears, my nostalgia, my being hungry, my sufferings of cold, all the bitterness accumulated in my soul.  Dear Lord, have pity also on those who persecute and torture us day and night.  Grant them, too, the divine grace of knowing the sweetness and happiness of your love."
From a Christian Woman who was serving time in the Siberian Labor Camp, Vorkuta


Hebrews 11:13

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."



What are you willing to die for?  Do your troubles seem small in comparison?

12 comments:

  1. Can't really answer the first question- without being in the moment.

    Actions speak louder than words - and when the moment has to be confronted - words can become just words.

    I'd like to think, and I do think that there are causes/people that I'd die for - I simply think that the moment is a true witness to character.

    It's one thing to die because you have no choice - for instance being in a room with a lot of people and a gunman comes in and kills
    everyone.

    It's another thing to go on a mission or stand for a cause; and going in, you know that there is a chance you could loose your life and your conviction is to be willing to die for the cause.

    I like to "see" what confronts me and within those moments - witness the entirety of my "Being" it's only then that I really "know" until then - I simply think.

    In reference to your second question: The answer is no!

    "Being" in the moment is what it is for each of us!

    There are some incredible stories/histories that leave us sad, and in awe and we might think that in comparison - I could never be that brave, etc., however we all go through our own sufferings and highs and lows; and that is sufficient for what each soul can bare.

    Excellent post! Thank you for providing us with it!

    I have much admiration to all those that give their lives for a causes worth dying for!

    I'm sure their souls are now at peace!


    http://bettyalark.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your heart with us, Betty! Yes, God knows what trials are best to allow in each of our lives to mature us. What is a hardship for one, is not necessarily for another. Have a restful weekend!

      Delete
  2. Wow Jarm! What an inspiring post. Although it may seem somber as you noted, it is actually a testament of strength, courage and unwavering faith, which makes me wonder if I could ever possess that kind of courage. I guess one never knows until he or she is face to face with knowing they are going to die for their convictions. I do believe I would never renounce my beliefs, but I have to agree with Betty: our troubles in our daily life can sometimes seem insurmountable. That's where faith comes in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good observations, Darlene...yes, we need faith to live each day!

      Delete
  3. Yes, Vicki, doing my taxes seemed monumental until I read this post! It's all about perspective...thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are most welcome, Daisy...I'm glad it gave you perspective. Although, as commentors have been saying, 'the struggle you are now going through seems the worst'! I'll say a prayer for you...

      Delete
  4. Thanks for sharing this and for putting our struggles into perspective.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, at times, our struggles seem minute compared to those who choose to give up their lives for the faith. But, we need strength in the little situations of life, too. Thanks for commenting, Holly!

      Delete
  5. My husband and I just had a deep conversation about following Jesus. We tried to figure out if we lived back then, what would we do.
    It is heartbreaking to know that Christians are still being tortured and killed. Missionarys truly are heroes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is heartbreaking, Doreen, but knowing that hundreds of new missionaries went out on the field because of this 'tragedy', made it all worthwhile. They also, according to
      Revelation, will receive the martyrs crown! Thanks for your thoughts today...and for stopping by.

      Delete
  6. Hi, thanks for visiting my blog! Great post, whenever I'm having a bad day or feeling sorry for myself I always remember that there are plenty of people in the world who have it a lot worse than I do. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen to that, LoopyLoo...thanks for visiting in return!

      Delete

I would love to have you comment...thanks!

Journey into the Promised Land

Journey into the Promised Land
From Egypt to Israel