Heroes of the Faith
Those of us in the body of Christ have friends and fellow laborers who we admire and are thankful for in the faith. But we also have have a few "heroes" whose lives and faithfulness glorify God and inspire many generations. My heroes include Wesley, Finney, Luther, and John Bunyan. Also Joni Erickson Tada today. Who has inspired you?
I am inspired by Darlene Deibler Rose, who was held captive for 3 years in a Japanese interment camp during WWII. She and her husband were missionaries in New Guinea with the Christian Missionary Alliance. Her story of praying for a single banana, in the midst of near starvation, brings me to tears.
ReplyDeleteI'm also inspired by the irrepressible Corrie ten Boom, whose story many of us know well, and her sister, Betsy. For "there is no pit so deep that Christ is not deeper still."
Here are some not on your list that I really admire:
ReplyDeleteJohn Newton, William Tyndale, Athenasius, John Calvin, R.C. Sproul, William Wilberforce, J.I. Packer, John Owen, John MacArthur, Dennis Newkirk (Pastor of Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond, OK), J.A. Ratliff (my Grandfather), Ruth Marcum (my Grandmother on my mother's side), Louise Ratliff (my mother, but the one whom God used the most in my early development as a Christian is Scott K. who was a Deacon at the church we used to belong to in OK. He later became an associate pastor at that church. His teaching and leading was the closest I ever had to having someone disciple me.
In Christ
Mike Ratliff
I forgot one, Charles Spurgeon. I think that John MacArthur is our modern day Spurgeon. However, I am still blessed and helped by reading Spurgeon. His steadfastness validates his message which is the Gospel.
ReplyDeleteIn Christ
Mike Ratliff
John Bunyan. "May it please your majesty, I would forsake all my learning to move men's hearts like the tinker." - John Owen
ReplyDeleteI would add Apostle Paul to the list.
ReplyDeletethe prophetess Anna, Simeon, Charles Simeon , Hudson Taylor
ReplyDeleteI admire Spurgeon, John Owens,
ReplyDeleteSamuel Rutherford,Francis Schaeffer,A. W. Tozer. Joni Erickson Tada is an amazing example of humility to me.Corrie ten Boom is another one too. I really enjoy Thomas Watson. But Jesus is the one who lives that inspires me most.