IF

Sunday, February 28, 2016




Amy Wilson Carmichael (1867-1951) was a missionary in India who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur.  She served in India for 55 years and wrote many books about the missionary work there.

One of the little books she wrote is in my possession, and it has come to be a book that I read quite often in my devotional time with the Lord.  It is not a book to pick up read once, and put back on your shelf.  It is a book you can read a little tidbit of every day.



IF (link here).

IF is a little book with a huge impact about how Calvary love can be found in our daily lives.

In this book, Amy speaks deep into your heart with questions that start with If... and the answers to these questions she asks will illuminate what is living deep within your heart.

 Some of the questions in this little booklet will prick your heart deeply...



 If I wonder why something trying is allowed, 
and press for prayer that it may be removed; 
if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, 
and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, 
then I know nothing of Calvary's love. 



If I ask to be delivered from trial rather than for deliverance out of it, 
to the praise of His glory; 
if I forget that the way of the cross leads to the cross and not to a bank of flowers; 
if I regulate my life on these lines, or even unconsciously my thinking, 
so that I am surprised when the way is rough, and think it strange, 
though the word is, "Think it not strange," "Count it all joy", 
then I know nothing of Calvary's love.



If, when an answer I did not expect comes 
to a prayer which I believed I truly meant, 
I shrink back from it; 
if the burden my Lord asks me to bear 
be not the burden of my heart's choice, 
and I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will, 
then I know nothing of Calvary's love.  



If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone
making myself the first necessity to a soul 
instead of leading it to fasten upon Him,
then I know nothing of Calvary love. 



If there be any reserve in my giving to Him
who so loved that He gave His dearest for me;
if there be a secret "but" in my prayer,
"anything but that Lord"
then I know nothing of Calvary's love. 


Has your heart been pricked reading these little thoughts?  A tiny book, just a few pages long... but its impact upon the heart mighty.

May we seek to love even as Christ our Lord loved us... a task sometimes that seems quite impossible... but we have been gifted by the Lord with power that He bought for us at Calvary... and loving as He loved... a calling for all of us who have answered the call to follow Christ, at any cost.  

This scripture often speaks to my heart and perhaps sums up the message of this little book so well...

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, 
if ye have love one to another. 
John 13:35 


Oh the love of God! How unspeakable are its reaches, its depths unknown!

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, 

that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 
Ephesians 3:19 


A promise given to us... that we can be FILLED with all the fulness of God when we know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.

That is my hope, my desire, my longing today... to know the love of Christ in such a way that I would be filled with all the fulness that God has to offer.

A little book with a profound message. IF.... it is a book that probes deep into the dark spaces of your heart, and cause you to think, even as you go about your day... do I know Calvary's love?

On this beautiful Lord's Day, I pray that the love of Christ will be shed abroad in our hearts in a greater and mightier way than ever before. This dark world needs to know about the love of Christ, and we need to be ambassadors of His love in all we do.




May the light of the love of God be in all you do today.  :)












35 comments

  1. And this stopped me dead in my tracks --> 'if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment ...'

    I've been discovering how I don't handle disappointments well. Amy's words have hit home. And so has this post, friend .

    Thank you for this tender Sunday afternoon nudge.

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  2. I can't ever read this little but mighty book without being pricked in my heart! A search light, a spot light shone directly into the deep places of my heart, and how glad I am to spot the little thing hiding there, and take it to the Lord in prayer. Praying for you today my friend, that the light and love of Calvary will be sufficient for you today! Appreciate your visit so much, and for the friendship blogging has afforded us :)

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  3. Hi again, I love this book but realize I need to go dig it off my bookshelf and read it again. Powerful words by a lady who walked in His presence moment by moment. Thanks again for encouraging us with your posts. Blessings dear one!
    Noreen

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    1. It is a wonderful little book full of so many thoughts that prick your heart! I try to keep it with my devotional books to read quite often. Indeed powerful words written by a lady who walked moment by moment with the Lord. An inspiration always to me! Much love to you today! :)

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  4. What a beautiful post ! I shall certainly try and find the book and also find out more about the lady who wrote it, someone clearly full of God's love.

    Many thanks !

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    1. It is a little book, but mighty in its message! A worthwhile investment for sure! Have a wonderful day :)

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  5. Your photos are so beautiful and the words that go with them make them twice as nice. :)

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    1. Thanks Lynne, always so good to have you visit here :) Hope you are having a wonderful day!

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  6. Powerful little book, indeed. Years ago, I sustained a long and difficult trial on my journey and I can't tell you how encouraged I was when one of my blogger friends wrote me an email and mentioned a Scripture verse revealing how much God loves me. I carried that verse on a note card for weeks reminding myself that it's going to work out His way and He never stops loving me. Love your photos. This is my place of reflection this morning!!! Have a great day. Mary

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    1. So thankful that you were blessed here Mary! And what a powerful testimony you left too, about the scripture shared by a friend that meant so much to you throughout a difficult time. Our dear Lord loves us so much, and learning about Calvary's love in our day to day lives makes His love even that more real to us! Oh how He loves us indeed! Appreciate your visit, and pray you have a blessed day :)

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  7. Growing up, one of our neighbors used to say, "If is the biggest word in the English dictionary." At eight, it made no sense, of course today, I totally get it. Might have to peek at that book!

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    1. IF is such a big word... small but mighty indeed... It may seem we are doing everything right, except for that one little word that changes everything... oh my! Thank you for your visits here, always appreciated!

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  8. Wonderful post, I love little books with big messages. Blessings

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    1. It is a powerful little book! Appreciate your visit today Mary! Have a great day :)

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  9. Hi MM! Wow, what a beautiful reflection on these thoughts. I was really struck by how she said the path to the cross leads to a cross. Not a bed of flowers. So simple, but SO true! I know I keep praying to be delivered from illness and sadness, and I don't think about 'being delivered'. I'm not even sure if I understand the difference very well. I need to think about that more...

    Very thought provoking post today. And a peace-giver too.
    Happy Leap Day,
    Ceil

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    1. Ceil, always such a joy to have you visit, and share your thoughts! I was really struck by that verse as well... carrying the cross really does mean just that, and yet we always seem in shock when difficult circumstances come our way. I'm learning to try and embrace the difficult as well as the good, and look to see what the Lord can do in spite of the hardships we face. In fact, one thing we know for sure, we cannot have a miracle without an impossibility, and so I am trying to re-route my thinking in that way... an impossibility is an opportunity for a miracle! :) Blessings to you dear Ceil, have a wonderful day !

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  10. Good afternoon, dearest friend. I am just about to prepare lunch for my two guys, but had to pop in for a visit first :)

    This was such a beautiful post and the words were just what I needed to read, dear one. This one little word "If" has given my MUCH to think upon.

    Thank you so much for sharing. Enjoy the remainder of your day! Love and hugs!

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    1. If is such a small word isn't it, and yet so mighty! This book has caused me to reflect deeply on many things. I'm thankful it is in my collection. :)

      I always appreciate your visits, and hope that you are having a blessed and wonderful day, as it is the sign-up day for the exchange, so exciting!! :)

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  11. What a beautiful post and your photos are beautiful as well. I have never read her book but it sounds like one I should have on my book shelves. One that I can take out often and contemplate its pages. Now, more than ever, the world needs to know the love of God and the extremes He went to on our behalf. Those of us who know Him are very blessed and we must be good ambassadors and share His love with the world around us. We may never be an Amy Carmichael but He has enabled each one of His children with gifts to minister to others. So glad you shared this with us. Have a lovely day, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Such a small book packed with such power. IF is truly a book that will bless your heart in many rich ways. Indeed, the world does need to know the love of Jesus, and what Calvary love means for them! I pray that my life will be poured out in love for Him, and that the world can feel the love of the Lord through me.

      Thank you for your precious words today Sandi, I cherish your friendship, and appreciate you so much! Praying you have a blessed and wonderful day in the Lord!!!

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  12. Hi Sweet friend. What a beautiful post with your amazingly beautiful photos. This book sounds like a good one. Our world needs the love from our Savior and to know him in a close way. The results will change so much for the better. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings xo

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    1. This little book is so little, as is the title, but has a powerful message! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures too... appreciate your visit so very much, and praying your day is blessed in the Lord!

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  13. Hi Sweet friend. What a beautiful post with your amazingly beautiful photos. This book sounds like a good one. Our world needs the love from our Savior and to know him in a close way. The results will change so much for the better. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings xo

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  14. This might sounds funny but I would like to take a walk in "your neck of the woods".
    What magnificent scenery.
    You complemented the book, to go along with your photos, really well.

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    1. I'd love for you to come and walk with me Christine! We live in the same state, so you just never know, maybe it will happen! :) Yes, it is indeed so beautiful here, and even on the dark, rainy, cloudy days, the fog on the mountains has its own special beauty that you just can't help but love it!

      I'm glad you enjoyed the quotes from the book along with the pictures. The book is really quite a power-packed little book!

      Appreciate your visit as always, have a blessed day my friend!

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  15. Thank you for this post. It was just what I needed today.
    Carla

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    1. Oh, I'm glad to hear that Carla, it is always a blessing to know that something you've shared has been received! I pray you have a blessed and wonderful day today! :)

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  16. Those photos brought such peace to my soul!

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that! I never cease to be amazed at the beauty around us here, even on the dark, cloudy days, the fog and clouds on the mountains seem to still have a beauty of their own. Have a blessed day my friend!

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  17. Amy Carmichael is a woman I greatly admire. A gracious servant of the Lord and a wonderful role model for Christians. Thank you for sharing her words along with these gorgeous photos. Hugs, Nancy

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    1. I apologize for the late response to your much appreciated comment! I do so love Amy Carmichael's writings, and her great heart for the Lord. Trust that all is well with you dear friend! Hoping that spring has come to your part of the world too! :)

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  18. This is so powerful! So much to think about in just two letters... IF...

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    1. Indeed, a small word with powerful implications! Thanks JES for your comment, so appreciated, and I apologize for the lateness of my response to it! Have a blessed day! :)

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  19. Such a tiny, little word, but such a profound meaning! Thank you for sharing about this...I had never heard of this book. Oh, my, you wouldn't believe what happened....for some odd reason, I have not been getting any of the blog posts that I subscribe to by email. I have been so concerned about you and different ones and wondered why you weren't posting, and here you WERE indeed posting, and I just wasn't getting the emails! I apologize for not commenting....I always love to see your posts in my inbox, and I am trying to catch up tonight! SO frustrating, and I am trying to figure out why I am not getting the posts. :) God bless you, sweet friend.

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    1. Oh my, I'm so sorry that you weren't getting the emails, how strange! There are so many quirks that go on, that it does get quite frustrating! Bless your heart for trying to catch up, and I appreciate your visits so very much! You always bring so much joy to me every time you visit! Please know that you and your family are in our prayers and we are believing for the Lord to help you through this tough time you are walking through! Much love and hugs across the miles dear friend!

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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