We profess to be strangers and pilgrims, seeking after a country of our own, yet we settle down in the most un-stranger-like fashion, exactly as if we were quite at home and meant to stay as long as we could. I don't wonder apostolic miracles have died. Apostolic living certainly has.
Amy CarmichaelHereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." How often I think of that 'ought.' No sugary sentiment there. Just the stern, glorious trumpet call, OUGHT. But can words tell the joy buried deep within? Mine cannot. It laughs at words.
Amy CarmichaelIf I fear to hold another to the highest goal because it is so much easier to avoid doing so, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy CarmichaelLet nothing be said about anyone unless it passes through the three sieves: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
Amy CarmichaelThere is always something to be happy about if we look for it: ‘Two men looked through prison bars, The one saw mud, the other stars.'
Amy CarmichaelIf the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy CarmichaelIf monotony tries me, and I cannot stand drudgery; if stupid people fret me and little ruffles set me on edge; if I make much of the trifles of life, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy CarmichaelThe word comfort is from two Latin words meaning “with” and “strong” – He is with us to make us strong. Comfort is not soft, weakening commiseration; it is true, strengthening love.
Amy CarmichaelIf my attitude be on of fear, not faith, about the one who has disappointed me; if I say “Just what I expected,” if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary Love.
Amy CarmichaelWe say, then, to anyone who is under trial, give Him time to steep the soul in His eternal truth. Go into the open air, look up into the depths of the sky, or out upon the wideness of the sea, or on the strength of the hills that is His also; or, if bound in the body, go forth in the spirit; spirit is not bound. Give Him time and, as surely as dawn follows night, there will break upon the heart a sense of certainty that cannot be shaken.
Amy CarmichaelI wish thy way. And when in me myself should rise, and long for something otherwise, Then Lord, take sword and spear And slay.
Amy CarmichaelIf by doing some work which the undiscerning consider 'not spiritual work' I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting and exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy CarmichaelIf souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy CarmichaelIf a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.
Amy CarmichaelIt is great to be faced with the impossible, for nothing is impossible if one is meant to do it. Wisdom will be given, and strength. When the Lord leads, He always strengthens.
Amy CarmichaelThou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow, Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea, What matters beating wind and tossing billow If only we are in the boat with Thee? Hold us quiet through the age-long minute While Thou art silent and the wind is shrill : Can the boat sink while Thou, dear Lord, are in it; Can the heart faint that waiteth on Thy will?
Amy CarmichaelSatan is so much more in earnest than we are--he buys up the opportunity while we are wondering how much it will cost.
Amy CarmichaelIf I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary's love
Amy CarmichaelLove accepts the trying things of life without asking for explanations. It trusts and is at rest.
Amy CarmichaelWhen 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 love.
Amy CarmichaelOur loving Lord is not just present, but nearer than the thought can imagine - so near that a whisper can reach Him.
Amy CarmichaelStrength of my heart, I need not fail, Not mind to fear but to obey, With such a Leader, who could quail? Thou art as Thou wert yesterday. Strength of my heart, I rest in Thee, Fulfil Thy purposes through me.
Amy CarmichaelWe stand, when we are young, on the sunny slope among the pines, and look across an unknown country to the mountains. There are clouds, but they are edged with light. We do not fear as we dip into the valley; we do not fear the clouds. Thank God for the splendid fearlessness of youth. And as for older travelers whom the Lord has led over the hill and the dale, they have not been given the spirit of fear. They think of the way they have come since they stood on that bright hillside, and their word is always this: There are reasons and reasons for hope and for happiness, and never one for fear.
Amy CarmichaelWe have all eternity to celebrate the victories but only a few hours before sunset to win them.
Amy CarmichaelIf 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 love.
Amy CarmichaelTo me there is no more tragic sight than the average missionary. …We have given so much, yet not the one thing that counts; we aspire so high, and fall so low; we suffer so much, but so seldom with Christ; we have done so much and so little will remain; we have known Christ in part, and have so effectively barricaded our hearts against His mighty love, which surely He must yearn to give His disciples above all people.
Amy CarmichaelThe best training is to learn to accept everything as it comes, as from Him whom our soul loves. The tests are always unexpected things, not great things that can be written up, but the common little rubs of life, silly little nothings, things you are ashamed of minding one scrap
Amy CarmichaelThe only expenditure, and all its outworkings, for which God can be held to be responsible is that which He directs.
Amy CarmichaelNow you are deep in what seems to me a peculiarly selfless service. The spiritual training of children must be that. You work for the years you will not see. You work for the Invisible all the time, but you work for the Eternal. So it is all worthwhile.
Amy CarmichaelThere have been times of late when I have had to hold on to one text with all my might: "It is required in stewards that a man may be found faithful." Praise God, it does not say "sucessful.
Amy CarmichaelIt is not the place where we are, or the work that we do or cannot do that matters, it is something else. It is the fire within that burns and shines, whatever be our circumstances.
Amy CarmichaelIf I find myself half-carelessly taking lapses for granted, "Oh, that's what they always do." "Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that," then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy CarmichaelThere is nothing dreary or doubtful about (the life). It is meant to be continually joyful...We are called to a settled happiness in the Lord whose joy is our strength.
Amy CarmichaelLove knows how to do without what it naturally wants. Love knows how to say, 'What does it matter.'
Amy CarmichaelNothing is worth doing at all, nothing is worth writing, which does not do something which will last.
Amy CarmichaelPart of a soldier's duty is to fill gaps...one must be willing to be nothing, as something.
Amy CarmichaelGod Hold us to that which drew us first, when the Cross was the attraction, and we wanted nothing else.
Amy CarmichaelDo not fight the thing in detail: turn from it. Look ONLY at your Lord. Sing. Read. Work.
Amy CarmichaelIf when I am able to discover something which has baffled others, I forget Him who revealeth the deep and secret things, and knoweth what is in the darkness and showeth it to us; if I forget that it was He who granted that ray of light to His most unworthy servant, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Amy Carmichael