My general rule of thumb is, I tend to look for women who have faithfully followed Christ for an entire lifetime and have proved their faith without compromise. Some have moved on to glory – others, still with us, are older women who do not shy away from truth and righteousness.
Elisabeth Elliot – my spiritual mother
(click on picture for website)
The one person that I have found myself returning to over and over again – throughout the course of my Christian life, is Elisabeth Elliot. Not only have I been moved by her courage and faith, as a missionary to the Auca Indians and widow to Jim Elliot – but her strength of character, stability, and godly wisdom has been a sort of undergirding for me in my most difficult moments.
I have taken her to be my “spiritual mother”, because I have looked to her like a child upon their mother’s knee. She has instructed me – through her teaching and I am eternally indebted to her for her example of faith and patience.
There are few women that I would unequivocally recommend – Mom Elliot, as I fondly call her – is one of those godly, righteous women whom we would all do well to imitate her walk with Christ. I have no doubt whatsoever, that your life will be blessed by the example she left behind. I look forward to meeting her in glory.
Books that I have read that have really made an impact on my spiritual walk are (in no particular order):
All of Mom Elliot’s books
The Puritan Paperbacks
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink
The Attributes of God by A.W. Pink
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
Jesus Freaks by DC Talk & Voice of the Martyrs
The Autobiography of George Muller
Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray
Humility by Andrew Murray
Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cure by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Joy Unspeakable: Power and Renewal in the Holy Spirit by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul
Today’s Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic? by Walter J. Chantry
Holiness: It’s Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, & Roots by J.C. Ryle
Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill