August 15, 2007
Shadow of the Almighty
Posted in General
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I'm not really into missions. I'm especially not really into books about missions. I counted - over the past two years I've read six, all for school, and none of which I've cared for. Missionary biogs are batting a big fat .000 with me. Enter Shadow of the Almighty. Make that .142. (Still well below the Mendoza line, but hey, it's better than a goose egg!) What I've liked about Shadow of the Almighty is that it's not just a biography by somebody else, listing the events of a person's life. It's not even an autobiography, listing the events and giving it a personal touch. Shadow of the Almighty - so far at least - is 80% Jim's own words, written in journals and letters that were never intended for publication. I'll admit, at first I was turned off by his "religiousity" and single-minded focus on God. The dude couldn't even write a birthday card without filling it chock full of religious admonitions. Not that that's bad, I guess. It just kind of turned me off - like, "Can't this guy go get a life? Geez, he could at least say 'Happy Birthday!'" Well, thankfully by now (summer after college graduation) he's mellowed a bit, and I can finally see him as a human. Translation: I can finally start to learn from him, instead of not really paying attention because I see him as Mr. Big and Spiritual High and Mighty. And I've been really inspired (yes, it hurts me to use the word as much as it hurts you to read it, but there's not any other word that communicates what I was trying to communicate) - I've been inspired by his walk with God, and his yearning to be closer to God. Even though he was WAY above where I am, he was always wanting more, always pushing, never satisfied. And he learned that it's OK to have fun every once in a while. But that's beside the point. Anyway, I've decided to start a spiritual journal, like he did, to record my thoughts and prayers, my ups and downs in my relationship with Christ. I'm TERRIBLE at journaling, even regular (got up at 8, did school until 4, Andrew pitched a hissy fit at 2) journaling. I can start, but I'm not very good at sticking with it. So we'll see how it goes. But I think writing stuff down will really help me to see where I'm at - and provide encouragement later on, as I can look back at where I've been. All that from a school book. Amazing, isn't it? |
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