I mentioned men that I am thankful for.
But I never told you who they were.
I want to do that now; it won't be an exhaustive list, but I'll try my best to give you a pretty good idea of who they have been.
The best part is, I've never met most of them. Yet, God has used them to change my life.
In the Beginning:
I have come to a place where I've realized that these men helped me build the elementary principles of my Christian walk. I don't agree with everything they have to say, but God did use them in my life.
David Wilkerson - Read his books and was challenged to live by faith.
James McDonald - I listened to his radio broadcast nearly every day for several years. Staying true to God.
Woodrow Kroll - I also listened to his radio broadcast nearly every day for several years. Having a good and godly days. Building my life on the Bible.
Digging Deeper:
2006 - Present
These are men who challenged me to DIG for truth in God's Word. To make sure that everything is tested against God's standard.
Basically, to know God and to make Him known.
R.C. Sproul - God's holiness.
John Piper - Truly loving God and living an unwasted life.
Marcus Grey, Lecrae Moore, Tedashii Anderson, William (Tripp) Barefield III, Amisho Lewis -Music can be more than just a catchy beat and "clean" lyrics.
Matt Chandler - The gospel changes people, not by "behavior modification", but because it shows them God and builds hearts and minds that see God and mirror Him.
CJ Mahaney - Living a Gospel Centered life.
J.I. Packer - Knowing God.
A Ministry Close to Home (if you know me and want to know which one I'll tell you)- I exist to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Dr. Paul Jehle - Education is a ministry of making disciples.
Dr. Jay Adams - Dealing with sin.
For some dead guys: George Whitefield, J.C. Ryle, John Owen, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathon Edwards, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Matthew Henry, Martin Luther King Jr., ...
There have been others for sure.
Do you want to know what makes each of them special to me?
Their faithfulness in preaching God's Word, from God's Word.
These are men who are in love with God.
These are men who have shown me the face and God.
God has used them to help me love Him.
For that, I am eternally grateful!
I loved reading your list! It was like getting a glimpse into your Christian walk--very insightful and neat! Isn't it amazing how God can HUGELY use certain men in our lives at a certain time, and then later, we may realize certain falsehoods that they have bought into, but yet with the truth they do preach they greatly impacted us!
ReplyDeleteI clicked on your link for "Marcus Grey, Lecrae Moore" etc., for I had heard of none of them, but your link was broken. )-:
I'd love to hear about your ministry close to home that impacted you!
God bless!
Thanks, Lauren! It was great for me to take some time to reflect on just how I've got to where I am today. Even so, after I put my list together, I thought of so many more who should have been on the list and could hardly believe I forgot about them!
ReplyDeleteI've sent you an e-mail and fixed the link!