Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Amy Carmichael's Book "If" Helps Christian Wives & Wednesday's Prayer Girls & LinkUp Party!



Examining our Hearts as Christian Wives using Book "If"  
by Amy Carmichael



If I am praying for my husband's protection and then allow myself to be annoyed, reacting with hurting words without preparing my spirit, then I know nothing of Calvary love. 

I wrote the above words beginning with the word, "If," after reading (and being convicted by) Amy Carmichael's little heart-piercing book, "If."

Amy Carmichael, Irish missionary to India for the majority of her life who continued to serve the last twenty years of her life as an invalid there, wrote a very simple yet profound book called, If.

Amy wrote it during a wakeful night after discovering a co-laborer was missing "the way of Love," and Amy examined her own heart to see if she had in some way failed her fellow-worker. She began each sentence with the word "If," as she searched her heart to see if she herself was missing the way of love. She ended each sentence with the words, "then I know nothing of Calvary love."

At the top of the page is a lone sentence, with the remainder of the page mostly blank. One person has said that each page is mostly blank after the "If-sentence" so that we can each write "guilty" across the page.

It's so easy to become prideful when we hear of a Christian making a bad decision or having a bad attitude by saying to ourselves, "we would never do that." But perhaps it would be far more accurate and better to follow Amy's example to search on own hearts instead to see that our own need for Christ is every bit as desperate. We need to know more of Calvary's love in our own heart.

Listen to some of the statements as they came to Amy's heart that wakeful night:

         If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me, if I say, "Just what I expected," if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love. 

          If I cannot keep silence over a disappointing soul (unless for the sake of that soul's good or for the good of  others it be necessary to speak), than 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.

Maybe reading Amy Carmichael's book If, can help you to see blind spots in your own heart and life as it did and continues to do for me.

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It's time for 
Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party!

Each Wednesday I like to offer to pray for your non-confidential prayer request or praise in the comment section below. Please enter a prayer if you would like me to pray for you (and pray for one another!) and I will be reading your prayer and lifting up your request as I read it, or if you just have a comment (click the word "COMMENT" located below my signature below, under the colorful social media 
sharing squares:-)

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If you're a Christian blogger, we all would love to see what you've been writing! Enter your blog link below to join the party! For readers, enjoy the blog party below!
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I'd love to connect with you on your favorite spot:

You may follow my blog here or on Bloglovin'. 

It is my delight to pray for you! 
Remember, God desires us not only to be a believers, but to be wholehearted disciples of Jesus Christ! May we listen to Him daily through His word, and obey Him!

Walk by faith,

11 comments:

  1. Let's continue to pray for little baby Libby, grandaughter to Jana H, one of our faithful Wednesday LinkUp bloggers, as Libby is improving in the hospital since birth. What can I pray for you?

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  2. Thank you so much for the insight on Amy Carmichael's book "If" It is one of th books I have recently book marked for future reading. I certainly look forward to it now even more. Among so many others wonderful books out there ;) It is like a whole new world of reading with purpose has opened up in my life.

    Asking prayer for one of our ladies that we have been witnessing to. Praying that God's truth prevails in her heart and that the enemy does not take the seeds that have been planted. Also that she would see her great need for Jesus Christ's atoning blood in her life. Thank you.

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    1. Praying for the woman you all are witnessing to, Ann! I will pray she will soften her heart and that the seeds planted will take deep root!

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  3. Beautiful post on Amy's book 'if' I still often think and look back on her words.

    Lord, be with Jana's granddaughter Libby, and give her strength to come home healthy. Give peace and encouragement to her family as well. Amen

    Could you pray for my daughter who is headed to China in a few days. She will be teaching English there for a month. Thanks : )

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    1. Wow, China! What a great opportunity for your daughter. I am lifting her up right now!

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  4. Those were powerful truths shared from Amy's book. Another to add to my "to read" list for sure. Blessings!

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    1. Joanne, it is a very thin, short book. But so profound and convicting on each page!

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  5. Hi Juana,

    Oops,

    It seems that I have linked up something that might offend Christian readers, though I am a Catholic myself and the contain itself is just about daily life. My link is number 25. A reader showed that to me by stating that the card with the f* word there is revolting. I do apologize if that has offended you or your readers, and please feel free to remove it if you choose to do so. As I explained in the beginning of the post after realizing that the birthday card might sound very rude to English speaking readers, English is not my first language, we don't speak English in Indonesia, and it was an honest mistake when linking up to the sites where I usually share my writings. To a non-English speakers like me and my friends, the card was just a funny sentence to take pictures with.

    Visit me:
    LeeAnne, Style N Season
    http://stylenseason.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi LeeAnne, I appreciate you so much telling me about this, and I have removed the post. The software reset the numbers so now #25 has been replaced with the next blog that posted. I know it was an honest mistake & that normally your posts do not contain offensive language. God's blessings to you in Indonesia! Just send me an email if you are ever uncertain about if a word is considered bad lanuage in English & I can let you know.

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  6. Only have just a minute, but will come back later. My son had texted me earlier that Libby would be extubated today, but now they are waiting until tomorrow. I know he is disappointed, but if that is what is best for her. Also, prayer for an MRI & EEG on her little brain early tomorrow AM.

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  7. Juana,
    Thank you for sharing this book - it has been added to my summer reading list. It is wonderful that we have an ever-patient Father who loves us continually as He shapes us into who He desires us to be.Reading the few quotes from the book, I am reminded to let go of me and let Him work in me.

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Thank you for your comment!