Eric Liddell - The Final Chapter"The Guts and Heart of a Man of Faith" " Eric Liddell - The Guts and Heart of a Man of Faith" was Written by Max O'Neill for 21st Century Christianity. _________________________________________________________________________  Copyright © Christian Stories, June 2010 Face it folks… there are thousands of really fantastic wonderful sincere people out there who God has used to do Amazing Things! Talk About Shock and Awe… Well that is what God’s Wall of Hero’s is! Today we want to tell the story of a man who you probably already know about. You’ve seen the movie… you might even have heard some of the history, but here we bring you the Rest of the Story… Those golden Nuggets that make this more than just a movie or a tantalizing tale… the Generally Unknown Details that Finish this wonderful Mans Victorious, Inspirational Testimony of Faith! This Is The final chapter of the Life and Awesome Witness of Eric Liddell.  Dedication of Eric Liddell Memorial 1991, Weifang, ChinaWe Start not on the Olympic Field of Glory, but on Gods Field of Glory with a tired worn man in His forties, being, held captive in a prison camp in the frozen reaches of Northern China. Here he was… this former Great Olympic Champion… a father of 3 beautiful children, in the country where he was born, being held captive with 327 children and several thousand Non-Chinese like himself. Sick and suffering from some illness that he was unsure of… he patiently, lovingly continued to witness and live for the Lord. He cared for and inspired the kids… taught and motivated his fellow captives to do as Christ Said… and Love their Enemies... despite the desperation of their own personal plight. Day in and Day Out he was the Flame God used to keep everyone’s faith and courage alive.  Then one day a wonderful thing happened, Word Came that Eric Liddell was going to be released and returned to Scotland. Yahoo! Winston Churchill the Prime Minister of England had bartered a prisoner exchange to set the famous Olympic hero free. Only thing was, no one took the time to ask Eric Liddell. When presented with the wonderful news, this man of exceptional courage and faith refused to take the free ticket, but instead re-negotiated the deal for a young mother who was pregnant to take his place. Off she went and there remained Eric Liddell with his flock of children, marooned businessmen and other missionaries in the prison camp. As the weeks and months passed Eric got sicker and sicker and sicker and finally under the strain of it all, with no proper medical attention he died. His last Words Were that being in such a situation… "He had to completely surrender to God”. “We Are All Missionaries. Wherever We Go, We Either Bring People Nearer to Christ, Or We Repel Them From Christ.” Eric Liddell - 1945 With The News of Eric Liddell 's Death …The grief in the camp was profound… every life that he had touched by his love and faithfulness… by his kindness and truth and courage… each life was moved. From the businessmen who he had convicted to share their hoarded goods and food, to the young missionaries who he taught to love their captors. The many little children that Uncle Eric had read to daily, the sick he had encouraged and the distraught he had lifted to faith and hope. Eric Liddell's Passing was… for lack of a better word… I repeat… Profound. But all that he gave was not lost… not wasted.  Steve Metcalf's Inspiring Christian Story, Will be Available in August 2010  One Young Man… (Steve Metcaff) that Eric Liddell had taught and inspired, went on to Japan, the land of his captors and helped rebuild that country and was a faithful missionary there for 40 years. The children and the weak and injured survived for another 5 months after his death till Liberation came and they were set free to return home. His Humbling sample lived in each life and still touches hearts today. It is said that upon hearing of his death All of Scotland Mourned, but I can assure you that All of Heaven Rejoiced. Here was this man of Faith who had Run the Race of God’s Service… He’d Run and Won… and what do you want to wager he was met at the Gates of Heaven, with a Shout and A Greeting from the Lord of "Well Done thou Good and Faithful Servant!" May I just close here for now though to say that We should Harken to his Sample and Follow in His Footsteps. We Might Not Be Some Great Worldly Success, but We Can Be Faithful… We Can and We Should Stand Up For God and Stand Up for Our Convictions Wherever we are! It is..... Our Duty, Our Calling, Nay It Is Our Priviledge! Copyright © Christian Stories, June 2010  Only One Life By Charles Thomas Studd, Missionary to China Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,"Thy will be done"; And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all"; Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. ____________________________________________________________
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