Amy CarmichaelBesprekingen

Daily short readings for the whole year from the notes of Amy Carmichael.

Very interesting biography of a woman who was devoted to Jesus.

Writings that touch the pure-flaming heart of God ... from the men and women who walked with Him through the ages ... guiding into a deeper friendship with the "Father of Lights."Can I trust God in every circumstance? Can I rely on His promises--of protection, security, safety, provision, comfort--when I most need them? Is God always there for me? So many struggle to find confidence in God. Amy Carmichael stepped faithfully into the darkness surrounding her, and found the greatest "refuge" of all--the sheltering love of God, who is with us in all things.When Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) arrived in India, she had no idea the dangerous work ahead--to save young girls from cult prostitution in Hindu temples. Nor could she imagine the times of material need, physical danger, pain and debilitating illness, disappointment and attack by friends. From this crucible, she writes of her uplifting times with God--who calls us all to find safety in Him, to live honestly before Him, and to receive peace as we live in His presence.

But back to Kohila...It is the story of Kohila, a little girl raised by Amy Carmichael at a place called Dohnavur which she founded in India. Amy was a missionary to India. Amy rescued and raised many girls who were orphaned and/or in danger of becoming temple prostitutes.

I enjoyed this book. It provided both an overview of Amy Carmichael's life as well as some excerpts from her own writings. Informative for someone who previously didn't know much about her.

Amy Carmichael is one of my two favorite female missionaries. From the 1st time I started reading her books she had an enormous impact on my spiritual life. She writes like no other author I have ever read. Her words reach deep into you that inspire, convict and open your eyes. I believe her writing is so powerful because she led a totally committed life to the Lord and doing the work he called her to do. She lived life of total sacrifice, something that is rare in any era.
The first part of this book introduces the reader to who Amy was with two short biographies. The following 6 chapters are excerpts from her books. Her wisdom and spiritual insights are dynamic! The subjects she covers are varied. All are fruits of her 55 years on the mission field and the incredible challenges she faced. I wanted to underline, memorize and line after line. This book will inspire you in ways you can’t imagine!

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Amy Carmichael was a Christian missionary in India, whose mission was to raise and protect children who had been slaves in Indian temples. This book is a collection of her writings on different topics that are uplifting and will provide hope, especially during this most difficult year. This is not an autobiography or memoir, nor is it a polemic against Indian culture or religion. It provides short, easy to read thoughts on life, community, and finding our place in the world. There are many other books that provide similar inspiration, but because of the unique road Carmichael took in this life, her story and her specific reflections may resonate with the reader in a way other similar books might not.

If you like Amy Carmichael as a writer, then you won't be disappointed. As is says in the introduction of this book: "An accident in 1931, followed by illness, confined her almost entirely to her room for the remaining years of her life. Although often in pain she wrote much during that time . .. Taught and led of God through difficulties and disappointments, she was able to tell, from her own experience, of His faithfulness and of the absolute reliability of His promises for all who put their trust in Him ad take the Bible as their rule of life." Reading her thoughts on scripture and life in general was very edifying. She was one very special lady being used greatly by her Lord.½

While reading this book sent by LibraryThing’s book review program, I thought to myself I would have never picked up this book if it was not for that program and that would have been a disappointment. I had not heard of this woman before I read this book and I am glad I now know who this women was. The best way I can describe her is that she is the Protestant Mother Teresa. She was active a little earlier than Mother Teresa and worked with the plight of children in India. Her work dealt with the systematic sexual trafficking of children in India. This book contains selection of her writings on spirituality and on social action. I found the book interesting and inspiring though the language is a bit dated and does not reflect modern sensibilities.

Summary: A curated collection of writings of Amy Carmichael, the missionary to India who became house mother to girls saved from sex trafficking.

Amy Carmichael had visions of missionary service fired by interactions with the likes of D. L. Moody at Keswick conventions. She tried to work among Manchester factory workers but her health failed. Later, she was rejected for missions in China due to health concerns. After working in Japan for fifteen months, she returned home with excruciating headaches. Finally she sailed from England in 1895 for service in India. She never returned. Even there, her visions of evangelistic ministry took an unexpected turn as young girls started arriving at the compound in Dohnavur--girls brought there as an alternative to sexual slavery in the local shrines. She questioned, "Could it be right to turn from so much that might be of profit...and become just nursemaids?" Then she remembered Jesus washing the disciples feet and realized that it was not hers to question where the Lord would assign her to serve. She oversaw a growing ministry to these girls until her death in 1951.

She also wrote. Her books inspired generations of Christians, many to mission service. In this book, Carolyn Kurtz has collected excerpts of her writings under several themes: Nothing Kept Back, Always a Soldier, Prayer Hunger, Your Chief Love and Friend, Forget Yourself in Serving Others, Poetry in Childhood, and Embracing God's Will. Some are short, aphoristic in character, some are longer, many filled with lush descriptions of her setting. One example:

"The Gloriosa Superba is native to South India. During the autumn rains you find it shooting in the lane bordered thickly by huge cactus and aloe. Here and there you see it in the open field. In the field it will have a chance, you think; but in the lane, crowded down by cactus and aloe, great assertive things with most fierce thorn and spike, what can a poor lily do but give in and disappear? A few weeks afterward you see a punch of color on the field, you go and gather handfuls of lovely lilies, and your revel in the tangle of color, a little bewilderment of delight."

Other excerpts describe the alternative to the refuge they offer the young girls, the horror of the form of sexual trafficking to which they were subject:

"A medical missionary, a woman of wide experience, was talking to a younger woman about the temple children. She had lived for some time, unknowingly, next door to a temple house in an Indian city. Night after night she said she was wakened by the cries of children--frightened cries, indignant cries, sometimes sharp cries of pain. She inquired in the morning, but was always told the children had been punished for some naughtiness. "They were only being beaten." She was not satisfied, and tried to find out more through the police. But she feared the police were bribed to tell nothing, for she found nothing through them. Later, by means of her medical work, she came full upon the truth."

Many of the writings describe the challenges, compensations and joys of work with these girls. So much of this is seen through a life surrendered to Christ. She writes:

"Can you find a promise that if we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, life is going to be fairly easy? I do not think we shall find even one. But we shall find ever so many promises assuring us that however things are, we may count on strength to make us brave and peace to keep our hearts at rest."

This is a wonderful collection that captures the essence of Carmichael's spirituality, her love for the people and place to which God called her, and the struggle and joy she found in entrusting herself to the Lord's calling. The quotes are accompanied by as short biography by editor Carolyn Kurtz, and an introduction by Katelyn Beaty, reflecting on Carmichael's life and the role of women in missions, then and now.

I also came across this quote for lovers of books that might be a good way to conclude:

"It matters a good deal that your book-food should be strong meat. We are what we think about. Think about trivial things or weak things and somehow one loses fiber and becomes flabby in spirit."
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

This is an excellent introduction to Amy Carmichael. With a condensed yet complete introduction that helps set the stage for Amy's life and work, this book will be must-read for any Christian. The quotes are divided into 7 sections, each with it's own theme, like Prayer or Children. The book also contact further reading about Amy, and a list of what book by Amy each quote comes from, making it simple to read further in any direction you wish.

As for Amy's writings, it is clear her words about Christ, and the Life of a Christ-Follower comes from a life lived in the real world. There is no fluffy or soft words, but those born from a deep understanding of our need for God, and for the joy and beauty found in a live lived for Him. Well worth reading, and in particular, I recommend this copy as a perfect introduction to Amy's life and writings.½

I first read about Amy Carmichael's work among the children at Dohnavur in high school or undergraduate school. I looked forward to reading about that work in her own words. While this book does that, the snippet brevity sometimes feels like a quotation book. The few longer passages gave me the insight I wanted. I would prefer to read the quotes in their original context. Still this little book offers a glimpse for the curious into the life of an extraordinary woman and her love for God and the children of India. I received this through LibraryThing Early Reviewers program with the expectation of an honest review.

I received this book from Librarything Early Reviewers.

From the descriptive paragraph I expected this to be a memoir or biography of Ms. Carmichael's work in India. It is not. Once I understood the structure and intent of the book, I enjoyed it.

That Way and No Other is an edited collection of excerpts from Ms. Carmichael's writings, each chapter focused on a different aspect of her experience serving the children of India. I most enjoyed the memoir excerpts where we learned about the Indian culture of the day and some of their daily life within the children's home. Ms. Carmichael obviously had a deep relationship with God and strove daily to do His will. Her reflections provide excellent touchstones for our own meditation and prayer.

I've been somewhat familiar with Amy Carmichael in that I've purchased a couple books based on her writing. (She was recommended by another writer I have read. I think perhaps it was Elizabeth Elliott?) This was an excellent collection of her writings. It is not necessary to read this all in one go, as it was not written that way.

Some excellent insights into life, God, the poor, evangelism, prayer. It is a good introduction to Amy Carmichael for anyone who is interested in learning more about her.

Good thoughts and reflections, but presented in a very fragmented manner. I found the presentation made it difficult to read the material.

I received this book through Librarything.com Early Member Giveaway for an honest review. This is my own opinion and thoughts on the book. I enjoyed this book a lot. I didn't know about this woman at all. This book was great, the woman in the book was a true fighter for the Christian faith! This was a quick read and easy to understand

I enjoyed reading this book, I loved the biography part, I didn't know about Amy Carmichael. Loved reading some of her writing and about India.

Amy Carmichael's words carry conviction because they are backed by a holy life. They are simply and beautifully expressed. I think they are best read just a very little at a time.

This is an excellent introductory biography to the life, work, and words of the Irish missionary Amy Carmichael. Carmichael's primary mission work was in India among the neglected and abused female children. After a fine introduction to Carmichael by Katelyn Beaty the reader meets Carmichael in her own words. These consist of snippets of experience, her devotional life, and her consideration and meaning of a life dedicated to Christ's teachings.

Amy Charmichael spent many years rescuing young girls who are given to Hindu temples to become dancers (a nice way to say they are prostitutes). Ms. Carmichael’s faith shines through in excerpts from her letters and other writings. Very inspiring.

Beautiful little book about the early 20th century Christian missionary in India: Amy Carmichael, who devoted her life to Indian children, rescuing them from a horrific fate as Hindu temple prostitutes [and worse.] We are given a short biography then most of the book consists of excerpts from Ms. Carmichael's writings: her life in India with the children and many devotional selections. Her spirituality shines through. Much of this book is meant to be dipped into, reread, and reflected upon.

Amy wrote beautifully. The words seemed to come straight from her heart. She wrote with honest poignancy. I was challenged to think differently about spiritual things and was given the opportunity to look at India through the eyes of a missionary who saved children from religious sex slavery. How decrepit man is. How much in need of God are we all.
This is a book I want to read again and again. I could not read more than one chapter at a time because of its heaviness - not a depressing heaviness but a heaviness that makes you question and contemplate and wonder.

It's a guess as to the date I finished reading it. I'm thinking I finally finished the last chapter after we moved into our new house in 2016, so I'm going with that.

Nice, quick read. Encouraging story of an Indian woman pursued by God even when she didn't understand it. She couldn't read and wasn't exposed to scripture until years after she encountered Christ. It Is a great reminder to those in ministry that He does the work and we get to be involved. He is not dependent on us but invites us to be a part.

This passage made me want to get the book:

Asks Amma: "Shall we know one another in Heaven? Shall we love and remember?"....
....
The wise old PILGRIM'S PROGRESS has something about this: Valiant-for-truth says, 'Some make a question whether we shall know one another when we are there.' To this Great-heart replies, 'Do you think they shall know themselves then, or that they shall rejoice to see themselves in that bliss? and [sic] if they think they shall know and do these, why no know others, and rejoice in their welfare also?' And Secret, speaking to Christiana says, 'They will all be glad when they hear the sound of thy feet step over thy Father's threshold.' We know that our loved ones who have gone before will be glad when they hear the sound of our feet on the threshold; and we know that we shall all be glad together when we gather in our Father's House, where 'there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.' " (Rev. 21.4; p. 94)

The other Sunday, about a month ago, when we had prayer for healing I came up and was prayed over. I don't remember who, but someone prayed that I would receive a word from God, or something to that extent. After she finished her request, she left a second or two of silence and the word “Love” reverberated in my head. I knew that it was God speaking to me (this,actually, was the point in the prayer where I began to cry, that single word “love” brought the tears flowing) but I didn't know why. Was he trying to say that I needed to get love? That I didn't have His love? That I did have His love? That I was exhibiting it? I spent time in prayer asking God why this was the word he had placed in my heart and in my mind and he revealed to me that it is because I don't understand His love. I don't fully understand what it means, what it entails. I want His love; I want to receive it and I want it to fill me so as to overflow to others, but this can't happen till I understand what His love means.
I write all this to say that this book was very meaningful to me. I felt that it showed very clearly some key points in understanding God's love. Some of the statements contained in this book had more of an impact on me than others, but the book as a whole showed me more of what God's love really looks like. In the end we need to look to the Bible to grasp spiritual truths, but sometimes books such as this help to bring out things that we otherwise might not have noticed.

Below I've included some of the If statements that were especially meaningful to me:

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection,
or lest the one concerned should say, “You do not understand,”
or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness;
if I put my own good name before the other's highest good,
then I know nothing of Calvary's love.



If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve around myself,
if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have “a heart at leisure from itself,”
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitterly towards those who condemn me,
as it seems to me, unjustly,
forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself
they would condemn me much more,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I become entangled in any “inordinate affection”;
if things or places or people hold me back from obedience to my Lord,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself,
so that others are caused to feel unwanted;
if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous
(i.e., to myself, for myself),
then I know nothing of Calvary love.