I am a girl who loves to sit with a cup of coffee and daydream. I am most passionate about Jesus, my family, and family ministry. My husband and I live in Oklahoma with our two precious daughters. I spend my days with my girls, discovering and growing alongside them! You can usually find us either in our sunroom, the park, or taking long walks through Target. :)
I’ll never forget the first book I read about marriage. I’m sure this old book was actually wonderful. But as a newly engaged college girl, I cried through the entire thing. I felt the author described a woman I could never measure up to. I wasn’t sure I wanted to measure up to her, either.
When I was growing up, young women were encouraged to speak their minds and develop independence and leadership skills. This book told me that the only way to be a godly wife was to basically shut down every “natural instinct” I had. Suddenly my expressive personality was a sin. My independent spirit was insubordinate. What’s worse, I felt that I somehow wasn’t “womanly” enough because I didn’t fit the image of the tidy, quiet housewife. This was salt on the wounds of all my insecurities.
God Calls Women to be Submissive
Although I resisted the idea of being a submissive wife, I knew that God called women to be submissive to their husbands. Scripture gives this instruction multiple times (Ephesians 5:22-24), but I struggled to understand what that really meant.
What did a verse like this mean for a girl like me? How would our marriage work with my personality more geared toward leadership, and my husband more content to go along? These verses were just because of cultural practices, right? After all, men and women are equal. The message of our culture was so ingrained in my mindset. It was very hard for me to accept and understand scriptures about what a Christian marriage should look like.
What Submission Is and Isn’t
In our culture, to submit means you are less than, weak, and taken advantage of. But perhaps we’ve mixed up “submission” with “enslavement.” Maybe submission doesn’t mean what the world thinks it means. Maybe God knew what he was doing when he designed marriage to be one loving husband leading his one submissive wife toward Christ. And, just maybe, our submission as wives isn’t an act of fear and reverence for our husband, but instead a beautiful way of honoring our God.
“A husband is to love and cherish his wife not because she is perfect, or because she treats him the way he wants to be treated. A husband loves and cherishes his wife because he loves Christ. Likewise, a wife submits to her husband not because he is a wonderful spiritual leader, or because he loves her the way she wants to be loved. A wife submits to her husband because she wants to submit to Christ. A husband’s love and a wife’s submission is not a test of their obedience to their spouses. It is a test of their obedience to the Lord…
There will be times when a husband does not want to love his wife and a wife does not want to submit to her husband. In those moments husbands and wives can tell themselves: ‘I am doing this out of my love for Christ. I am submitting to the Lord, because of what He has done for me.’ ” – Scott LaPierre
A New Understanding of Submission
Recently, I had the opportunity to read Marriage God’s Way by Scott LaPierre. (I received a free copy of it in order to write this review and am sharing my unbiased thoughts about it.) I’m truly grateful the Lord brought this book into my hands. I have a much clearer understanding of what it means to be a submissive wife. I have also discovered the joy that comes in seeking God’s design. Can you believe that after hearing the mindset I was coming from? I can’t! Perhaps you’re like me, and you have wrestled with the scriptures instructing wives to be submissive. If so, I encourage you to take a look at Marriage God’s Way. Read what Scott has to say about marriage. I’ve only barely touched on the convictions that are now on my heart!
In his book, LaPierre explains these scriptures very clearly. Throughout the text, he uses many examples to prove how great God’s design for marriage is. His book is packed full of scripture, explanations, and personal life experiences to show how a godly marriage should look. He takes the time to make a full circle around issues, looking at them from many perspectives. The book speaks directly to both wives and husbands, jumping back and forth so that both understand how scriptures apply.
Marriage God’s Way: A Foundational Book for Marriage
I’ve talked specifically about how this book changed my perspective of submission, but this book looks at so much more! It’s not the typical marriage book of date ideas and ways to communicate better. That type of book certainly has its place in a healthy marriage. However, those concepts can’t stand without a solid foundation. Marriage God’s Way is a foundational book for your marriage because it purely centers on what God’s word says about marriage.
Scott might step on and bruise your toes, and your spouse’s toes as well. He has a very direct way of bringing into the open a message very counter to what our culture preaches. And that is why this book is so important! Marriage God’s Way would make a great bible study tool for you and your spouse to use together. A companion workbook is also available to go through after you read the book. I’m looking forward to checking out that in the future with my husband!
I hope you’ll consider reading Marriage God’s Way by Scott LaPierre. You can find it on Amazon in paperback or digital format. Click here to watch the book’s trailer.
I’m Lana, a native Oklahoman. Married 17 years to the first boy I ever dated. Mama to two amazing, darling girls. I’m a coffee-drinking, book-reading, home-educating night owl! An accountant in my life B.C. (Before Children), my dream job would be getting paid to read all day.And if you’re into Meyers-Briggs personality tests, I’m an ISTJ. Most important of all, I’m a follower of Christ.
Maybe your child is not yet old enough for school, but the idea of homeschooling intrigues you.
Maybe the public schools aren’t meeting your school-age child’s educational needs.
Or maybe your child is being bullied.
Perhaps private school isn’t financially possible, and yet you want a Christian education for your child.
Or perhaps, you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you, calling you to fulfill Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
Whatever your reason for considering home education, I encourage you to read as many books on the subject as possible. You’ll learn about the various educational philosophies, from unschooling to classical and everything in between.
When my oldest child was about three, my husband and I decided to learn more about homeschooling. So I began reading everything I could find about homeschooling. With each book I read, I felt more convicted that home education was right for our family. I also gained confidence in my ability to educate my daughter.
Over the next couple of years before we officially began homeschooling, I estimate that I read at least three dozen books related to homeschooling. Although I found nuggets of valuable information in each book I read, a few stood out to me and quickly became my favorites.
So if you’re considering home education, I recommend these books as a starting point:
When You Rise Up: A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling by R.C. Sproul, Jr.
The author’s premise is that God calls Christians–even commands, perhaps–to educate their children at home. Although I disagree with his assertion that all Christians should home school, I appreciate the clear reasoning Sproul uses to advocate for home education. For those who feel God’s calling in their lives to home school, this book will help cement that decision. For those who might have some reservations about the parent’s role in education, this book may help convince you that the public school system hinders parents from instilling biblical values in their children. Sproul quotes John Milton, saying, “The end of learning is…to know God aright, and out of that knowledge, to love Him, to imitate Him, to be like Him.”
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
On the other side of the spectrum from Sproul is Gatto’s book. Gatto was an award-winning, highly respected public school teacher. Yet he came to the conclusion that the public school does not truly educate children or teach them to be independent thinkers. Rather, it indoctrinates them to be obedient cogs in a machine. This book will open your eyes to the messages public schools send our children–don’t be different than your peers, don’t question, don’t care about anything more than passing the next test. Again, while you may not agree with the author’s assertions, it is a worthwhile, insightful read about the problems of the public school system.
For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
This book is a good introduction to the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education, which is rooted in the belief that education begins at home. Charlotte Mason encouraged parents to find joy in spending time with their children, respecting them as unique individuals with opinions and ideas.To this end, Macaulay invites parents to provide a rich environment for learning and finding joy in the education process.
Educating the Whole-Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson
What struck me most about this book was how family-oriented home education could be. Throughout this book, the authors focus on strengthening the relationships between parents and children, as well as sibling relationships. This book is a good blend of the “bigger picture” of home education, which is discipleship, and practical tips, tricks, and methods. One of my favorite aspects of this book is how the Clarksons share how they have worked to cultivate a warm, inviting home where education isn’t relegated to one specific room. They have set up small areas throughout their home to encourage children to discover, investigate, read, and learn no matter where they are.
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise
According to the classical model of education, there are three general stages of learning. In the elementary grammar stage, children readily and easily absorb and memorize information. During the middle school logic stage, children begin to think more analytically. The final stage is the high school rhetoric stage, when students begin to articulately express and defend their own ideas. Understanding these stages helps a parent tailor their child’s education based on the child’s stage of development. The authors also outline a four-year history cycle and offer curriculum suggestions for all stages.
Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie
This book is a relative newcomer to the homeschool scene, but it is an instant classic. As homeschooling mothers, it is easy to get bogged down in the daily checklist of “getting school done.” We tend to let worry and anxiety override our desire to have a peaceful, enjoyable home education experience. Mackenzie reminds homeschooling parents that we must find our own rest in Christ before we can pass that on to our children. This book is a great mix of inspirational and practical advice and one I plan to revisit each year.
102 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Each Child’s Learning Style by Cathy Duffy
Once you’ve decided to homeschool, how do you decide what curriculum to use? Cathy Duffy explains the four types of learning styles and how to identify which learning style fits your child. She also helps the parent identify which style of teaching fits their personality. In my opinion, this section alone makes the book worth reading. Duffy reviews 102 curricula of various subjects, noting which learning styles are most compatible. (For example, a kinesthetic learner will do better with hands-on project-based learning. A visual learner might prefer a workbook or textbook-based option.) The book also notes whether the curriculum is religious or secular, the prep time involved, and whether the material is teacher-intensive or more independent. As a newbie to homeschooling, I found her advice invaluable. Even today, as a seasoned homeschooler, I refer back to her reviews frequently!
Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt
The title for this book is based on Proverbs 16:24: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” From the idea that some of childhood’s fondest memories are of books, Hunt provides lists of the best quality children’s literature. In this book you will find suggestions for all ages, from babies to preteens. (A sequel, Honey for a Teen’s Heart, provides recommended reading for older children.) The author focuses on the need for parents to provide an environment that promotes reading and encourages family read-alouds. You won’t find any books with objectionable content listed here; the author chooses both enduring classics and more recent publications but all have a common theme of wholesome entertainment.
If you’re considering home education, I hope you will research and determine if homeschooling is right for your family. While this list isn’t an exhaustive list of the numerous resources available, it should get you started and keep you busy reading for a while. May God bless you as you seek to provide the best education for your child!
Do you have a favorite homeschooling book you’d recommend? I’d love to hear which books have impacted your decision to homeschool!
I am an Oklahoman by birth, a Texan by current living situation, but claim the world as my playground.I love to travel and hope to someday soon take our family on adventures to far off lands, where we can share God with others and experience all the wonders He has created.
I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
As children we eagerly awaited Christmas morning, so we could tear our presents open and see the marvelous gifts that had been hidden under the tree.
As adults, do we still eagerly await our chance to open gifts? Do we get excited to see what God has in store for us? God is THE BEST GIFT GIVER of all he doesn’t need to wait until Christmas to bestow gifts to your soul. He does it daily. Sometimes these gifts come wrapped in packages that we might not want to open. Other times, we become like children at Christmas time unable to wait any longer until we can open those most wanted gifts.
Our Creating a Great Day team came together and created a special gift for you. It’s a gift that we pray will open your hearts to the many wonderful gifts God may have in store for you or has already blessed you with. It’s not an exhaustive list, but a wonderful way to dig into God’s Word for 5 minutes a day and refresh your mind, spirit, and soul to what the day holds.
Every day is a gift filled with amazing possibilities to grow and glorify God! Our prayer is that you will not miss the gifts that aren’t neatly wrapped and placed under the tree but instead will openly welcome whatever gifts God is bringing your way this year.
So…we are gifting you a special 5 minute devotional Ebook that will help you focus on God’s great gifts!
In the “Gifts from God: A 5 minute devo book”, you will be encouraged with:
a verse
a short devo thought around the verse
a prayer
a place to journal your thoughts and prayers
a space for Bible Journaling and
Bible verse memory cards
Check out the devos contained within the FREE Ebook:
The Gift of Ambassadorship by April Everhart
The Gift of Being Chosen by Kristin Jesch
The Gift of Immanuel by Kristi Finefrock
The Gift of Music by Toni Dennis
The Gift of Newness by Melissa Williams
The Gift of Refuge by Kristin Jesch
The Gift of Self-Confidence by Laura Peoples
The Gift of Trials by Kristi Finefrock
The Gift of Waiting by Kristi Finefrock
The Gift of Weakness by Melissa Williams
This is a great devotional to use now so you can keep unwrapping awesome gifts even after Christmas Day is over
OR
use it to kick off your New Year!
Get your FREE Gifts from God ebook now! (If you are subscribe to our Creating a Great Day Newsletter, check your inbox. Your gift is there waiting for you!)
Get your FREE "Gifts from God" 5 Minute Devotional Ebook!
Hello. I grew up traveling the world as a military brat. I ultimately felt God's pull to Oklahoma Christian University where I met my husband. We now have 3 beautiful children and have settled in Mustang, Oklahoma.I am a homeschooling mom and with 3 kiddos it is a full time job! I am daily encouraged by God's great patience and grace in my life. In my free time I enjoy reading and crafting.
I had the privilege of receiving the 52-Week Bible Story Devotional by The Big Picture Interactive to review. I found this book to be very interesting in a few different ways. The first and most obvious is that with this devotional the reader has the option to download an app to enhance the experience. The second is that I’ve not experienced a devotional for children set up to last for an entire year.
First off, I will say that my children thoroughly enjoy this book. They think the technology aspect is really cool and really love the 3-D picture that pops up when using the app with the photos. Unfortunately we were never able to scan the QR code and watch the video. The code would scan and a page would open but a video would never start playing. It seemed to be stuck in a permanent buffer. In looking at the app reviews, other users had the same trouble. An additional concern is that the app is a very large file and takes quite a while to download, even on WiFi. For me it took around forty-five minutes to download. The concept is excellent, and I hope they keep working on improvements with the app until it’s just right!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Kid-Friendly Stories
As for the actual stories, they are written in a kid-friendly way that kept my children interested the whole time. If your children cannot read, or if you can’t read with them, the app will do it for you. For my family that wasn’t something I needed since we do devo time all together, but sometimes it is nice for kids to hear the story from someone else. Based on the stories I have read to date, the devotionals are sound in doctrine. Throughout the story, the verses are mentioned so that you can find the actual words of God in the Bible with your children, which further solidifies the story. I love that!
More than Just a Story to Read
After you’ve read the story and looked at the awesome 3-D photo with the app, there is a page full of awesome bonus stuff. I call it bonus stuff because no other children’s bible story book that we own has this much to offer after the story. In this devo it offers more verses to read to drive home various points in the story. The book includes a QR code which should lead to a video. There’s also a little blurb that points the story to Jesus and how it impacts the story of Christ. On the next page there’s a challenge to the family on ways to remember this story and the love of Christ throughout the week. It asks some simple, yet thought-provoking questions and finishes with a prayer.
Content for the Oldest to the Youngest
I have so enjoyed all of the little details of this devotional. My children have enjoyed it as well. The questions allow us to come together in a place where no one person has a better chance of answering a question than another, which is really helpful in my home where competition runs high! There is just the right amount of content and interesting pictures for my youngest ones but plenty of “meat” for my oldest child to further read and learn from. I really do recommend this devo, even with the app issues. This book has been a favorite in our home and will continue to be for years to come!
I am an Oklahoman by birth, a Texan by current living situation, but claim the world as my playground.I love to travel and hope to someday soon take our family on adventures to far off lands, where we can share God with others and experience all the wonders He has created.
I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
Who immediately comes to mind when you think of someone who embodies the idea of being “young at heart?”
Is the person older? Maybe of an age that we don’t usually expect spunkiness, freshness, or the ability to connect with a younger generation and inspire them to reach new heights?
Isn’t it odd that we consider it normal that most “old” people should be wasting away somewhere instead of living life to the fullest with every moment they have left? I so want to be a 90 year old lady who is running around and going full speed ahead. (I pray to stay as active as this 100 year old runner!) Sure, my speed may slow a little, but that doesn’t mean I have to throw on my brakes and park myself somewhere to waste away. I really believe this mentality needs to be checked in our lives. We can take care of our bodies now and have a young at heart spirit while we are young so that it carries us until we die.
A song came on the radio the other day and as I was listening to it all these wonderful people who have made such a big impact in my life flashed through my mind. The majority of these people were of an age where they “shouldn’t” have been living freely and with such life.
My Mother
My mother taught me that age is just a number and has nothing to do with what you can or cannot do. Any time anyone ever asked my mother how old she was (and this happened ALL the time because she taught high school for 40 years), she would smile and say,
“I’m 19 going on 99.”
She is one of the spunkiest women I know. Always giving of herself, seeing others’ natural talents, and encouraging them to see their full potential in life. This idea of age being just a number goes for whether you are a young spring chicken type or a wise older owl type. A number should not define us.
Moses
I love how the Bible describes Moses:
Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. – Deuteronomy 34:7
Granted, I think God helped him out quite a bit, but Moses definitely didn’t kick his feet up and watch the Israelite soaps all day long. Actually, as I think through all the Bible heroes (and I’m sure I’m overlooking a few), I can’t recall any of them resting before their bodies simply couldn’t go anymore. Elisha, who had the double spirit of Elijah and was able to heal others, became sick and died from that illness. Even David, who fought battle after battle for the Lord, had a time when his body gave out. But there is a difference between our bodies giving out and letting our bodies atrophy. Which brings me to the next person on my list.
The Lady Who Encouraged me to Pole Vault
Toward the end of my high school career, they finally allowed women to pole vault. During a summer track meet, I watched a 62 year old lady take off full speed with a pole in her hand, plant it perfectly into the box, and watched as her body soared over the bar. It was so exciting! I must have looked overly enthused because after she rolled off the mat, she walked over to me and said,
If I can do it, you can do it.
The next week, I grabbed a pole and vaulted competitively for the first time. She did not let her age define her but instead defined her age. She decided what she would do and what she would be involved in and it encouraged those around her.
God has big plans for us and they are not defined by our age. Moses was 80 when he went to Pharaoh and demanded the Israelites out of Egypt. Joseph was 30 when God made him second in command of all Egypt. God does not limit when he will use us by our age. If we have faith, God is pleased and will use us!
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Two Little Old Ladies
Earlier this year I received a book to review that just happened to be titled Two Little Old Ladies: It’s all in the attitude! It was the book I needed to read this summer after such a difficult year. It was perfect because each chapter was short, but made me smile as well as think about my spiritual attitude and even reevaluate a few of my thoughts.
It’s rare to find a book that reads like a novel but can easily be considered a devotional book as well. Each short chapter is easily digestible and shares a thought, a scripture, and a prayer about the topic involved in the fictional characters’ lives at that moment. Although the chapters flow easily from beginning to end and crescendo like most fictional works do, one can easily skip around from chapter to chapter and be blessed by the message. I loved the wit and fun that Susan Meyers used to bring these two older sisters, Annabelle and Lillybell, to life. They are definitely fictional friends I will keep on my shelf and turn to from time to time for fun and encouragement, even though I’ve already read this book once.
I so enjoyed reading the adventures of these two older sisters, who are lively, centered in God’s word, and able to find fun and adventure in the every day occurrences of life.
My Favorite Part
One of my favorite chapters takes place in Myrtle’s House of Style, which is a beauty parlor situated in Myrtle’s garage. Annabelle exclaims:
“Don’t you just love it?”
“Love what?” Lillybelle inquired. She plucked a used laundry sheet off her sleeve and deposited it into the trash.
“That woman’s hair.”
Lillybelle squinted in the woman’s direction. “It’s got a purple streak in it.”
“Isn’t it marvelous? Do you think I could pull that off?”
“At your age?”
“Why not?” Annabelle ran her fingers through her long, silvery hair.
Lillybelle touched her own artfully styled gray waves. “You’re the one who always says she wants to be completely natural.”
“Yes, well, one must be open to change, and I like that purple! Where do you think she’s going after this? A swanky party? Or maybe a clandestine rendezvous?”…
As the conversation continues, this beautiful woman with the purple streak shows her true colors and they are ugly! Annabelle feels ashamed for thinking only about her beauty and not her heart. Disheartened by the interaction, Annabelle chooses to stay with her current hair style. Then, her sister pipes up,
“Not the usual. She wants a purple streak.”
Annabelle stared at her sister in surprise. “You want me to look like that ugly woman?”
“No, I want you to look like what you are. A woman of mystery who could be on her way to a clandestine rendezvous, but instead chooses to go sort clothes for the church clothing giveaway.”
This book popped to mind as I wrote this post. Its overall point fit in so well with the idea of being young at heart no matter the age. I highly encourage you to check it out.
It’s a Heart Thing
In the end, it always comes back to our heart. Are we living the full life God created us to have? Have we determined that because of our age that we are too young or too old to do something? Don’t let age define you. It’s just a number. Let Christ define you and as the Holy Spirit guides you, do!
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. – Proverbs 16:21
We often think that wisdom comes with age. Life does bring lessons we can learn from if we are willing. With time, hopefully, we start to see what is truly important, that we don’t know everything and need to rely on God more than on ourselves. But the Bible is clear. In regards to wisdom, age does not matter either. Once again it all comes down to the heart. We who choose to humble ourselves before the Lord, have faith, and ask for wisdom will be given it.
Be Young at Heart
Trust God like you did the first day you knew Him before the devil tried to beat you down. Stay young at heart, encourage others to live life to the fullest, and be that living example of loving and trusting God to accomplish great things through you no matter your age! Remember, age is just a number but God created you to live fully for Him. He’s got a plan and purpose for your life. It’s to glorify Him through your life. Let’s not kick back too early but commit ourselves to serving God fully our entire lives with all that we have, whether we are 23, 40, or 99!
I am an Oklahoman by birth, a Texan by current living situation, but claim the world as my playground.I love to travel and hope to someday soon take our family on adventures to far off lands, where we can share God with others and experience all the wonders He has created.
I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
The Olympic Gold! Isn’t it what every athlete dreams about and works towards? Pushing muscles to the max in order to have the peak performance of their lives at just the right time, so they can bow their head to have a gold medal hung around their neck!
It is their stories of sacrifice, years of training, motivation in the face of set backs and sheer grit, that have us cheering them on. BUT what happens when one who has been given the chance to represent a country in the Olympics in an event that he will surely dominate, turns the opportunity down?
His love for God and wish to honor Him got in the way of a country’s dream to bring home the gold.
But God gave him another chance.
You see, Eric Liddell, chose to put God before country and even a gold medal. He wanted to honor God and chose not to run on the Sabbath, which is the day his race would be held.
He was called a Traitor! His very principles were challenged. He was told that he was dishonoring God by not running and showing everyone the gift God had given him. He was told Country comes before God.
No amount of pressure could dissuade him. Instead, he prayed to honor the Lord with what he had been given. Then, a crazy thing happened. He was given the opportunity to represent Britain in not one race at the Olympics but two. And they didn’t fall on the Sabbath. Although he hadn’t prepared for these races but only the 100, he trusted that he would give it all he had for the first half and God would give him what he needed in the last half.
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel his pleasure.”
― Eric Liddell
Eric’s style was wild and nothing like any track coach would ever recommend. He threw his head back with his mouth open. But his unconventional style didn’t slow him down. At the 1924 Olympics in Paris, he had won the bronze in the 200 meters and the gold in the 400 meters along with setting a new world record. (Check out his 400 m race.)
This is where the inspiring movie that won an Oscar in 1981, Chariots of Fire, focused it’s attention. HOWEVER, there was so much more beyond the Olympic Gold he won.
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This is the part of the story I never knew.
I was fascinated by the movie Chariots of Firegrowing up. Still to this day, I get chills and am overcome with excitement and passion upon hearing the song Chariots of Fire by Vangelis Papathanassiou. So much emotion swells up within me that I am ready to get up and run and take on the world! More so now, that I know the WHOLE story behind Eric Liddell’s life beyond the Olympics!
With that Gold Medal, God opened doors for Eric to minister to others and share the gospel throughout Scotland and England. God eventually called his heart back to the place of his birth – China. In China, he carried on the missionary work that he had seen his parents do while he was a child. He used all his talents to share Christ with others and bring God glory, even if it put him in harms way. Because of major unrest in China, Eric along with other foreigners ended up in a internment camp. He spent his time there shining brightly for Christ just like he did wherever he went until his death.
“We are all missionaries. Wherever we go we either bring people nearer to Christ or we repel them from Christ.”
― Eric Liddell
Eric’s story is inspiring.
He bowed his head in reverence for the honor of receiving the best gift given by the King of Kings. No gold medal could touch the splendor of what Christ has to offer. That was a message he freely shared!
“It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals.”
― Eric Liddell
Digging into the Story!
His story is fascinating and there is no way I can do it justice in a simple post. Be inspired and encouraged by how Eric let God lead him and work through his life. Check out these fantastic resources including the book Eric wrote, The Disciplines of Christian life.
Now, be overcome with emotions as you listen to this beautiful music!
digital format. Click here to watch the book’s trailer. 
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
