MEATY: A Vision for Souls – by Amy Carmichael

Give me the Love that leads the way
The Faith that nothing can dismay
The Hope no disappointments tire
The Passion that will burn like fire . . .

-Amy Carmichael

Ezekiel 3:18-19 says, “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity but you have delivered your soul.”

These verses stress the vital importance of our Christian and biblical command to share the Gospel with the “heathen” (this term is outdated and unpopular, yet it is vital for mission-minded focus. “Heathen” refers to precious unsaved people who have never yet heard the Gospel message of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ). So often, we are distracted by good and busy activities, even in the church. The following vision, received by Amy Carmichael, compares these activities to making “daisy chains.” As you read this, may you allow the Lord to challenge your heart. May we “see” the waterfall of souls who so desperately need Him, and may we be more aware of God’s passionate love for these people, and allow His love to flow through us . . . through our prayers, our giving, and our obedience.

Amy Carmichael
Missionary to India (1867-1951)

Amy Carmichael was born in Northern Ireland to a wealthy family. When she was eighteen, her father died, and as the eldest of seven children, Amy received much of the family responsibility. In 1892, at the age of twenty-four, Amy Carmichael received a “call to missions,” and soon left for Japan, and later, Ceylon. After returning home for a brief time, she finally set sail for the country that would become her long-term home: INDIA!

Within twelve years, Miss Carmichael had 130 children in her care and had rescued many hundreds more. For fifty-five years, she sacrificially lived and ministered in India…without even a furlough. Many others were inspired to join with her, and together with these co-workers, she established an Indian mission work called “The Dohnaver Fellowship”.

Amy Carmichael is best remembered for her life work of saving precious Indian children (especially rescuing many young girls from Hindu temple prostitution). Even today, through her books and writings, the impact of her life and testimony continues to challenge many to a deeper walk with the Lord, and a deeper commitment to His service.

Thy Brother’s Blood – A Vision for Souls

The tom-toms thumped straight on all night, and the darkness shuddered ‘round me like a living, feeling thing. I could not go to sleep, so I lay awake and looked; and I saw, as it seemed, this:

That I stood on a grassy precipice, and at my feet at crevice broke down into infinite space. I looked, but saw no bottom; only cloud shapes, black and furiously coiled, and great shadow-shrouded hollows, and unfathomable depths. Back I drew, dizzy at the depth.

Then I saw forms of people moving in single file along the grass. They were making for the edge. There was a woman with a baby in her arms and another little child holding onto her dress. She was on the very verge. Then I saw that she was blind. She lifted her foot for the next step…it trod air. She was over, and the children over with her. Oh, they cry as they went over! Then I saw more streams of people flowing from all quarters. All were blind, stone blind; and all made straight for the crevice’s edge. They were shrieks as they suddenly knew in themselves that they were falling, and a tossing up of helpless arms, catching, clutching at empty air. But some went over quietly and fell without a sound.

Then I wondered with a wonder that was simple agony, why no one stopped them at the edge. I could not, I was glued to the ground. And I could not call; though I strained and tried, only a whisper would come.

Then I saw that along the edge there were guards set at intervals. But the intervals were too great; there were wide, unguarded gaps between. And over these gaps the people fell in their blindness, quite unwarned; and the green grass seemed blood-red to me, and gulf yawned like the mouth of hell.

Then I saw, like a little picture of peace, a group of people under some trees with their backs turned towards the gulf. They were making daisy chains. Sometimes when a piercing shriek cut the quiet air and reached them, it disturbed them and they thought it a rather vulgar noise. And if one of their number started up and wanted to go and do something to help, then all the others would pull that one down. “Why should you get all excited about it? You must wait for a definite call to go! You haven’t finished your daisy chain yet. It would be really selfish,” they said, “to leave us to finish the work alone.”

There was another group. It was made up of people whose great desire was to get more guards out; but they found that very few wanted to go, and sometimes there were no guards set for miles and miles of the edge.

One girl stood alone in her place, waving the people back; but her mother and other relations called, and reminded her that her furlough was due; she must not break the rules. And being tired and needing a change, she had to go and rest for a while; but no one was sent to guard her gap, and over and over the people fell, like a waterfall of souls.

Once a child caught at a tuft of grass that grew at the very brink of the gulf; it clung convulsively, and it called — but nobody seemed to hear. Then the roots of the grass gave way, and with a cry the child went over, the two little hands still holding right to the torn-off bunch of grass. And the girl who longed to be back in her gap thought she heard the little one cry, and she sprang up and wanted to go; at which they reproved her, reminding her that no one is necessary anywhere; they gap would be well taken care of, they knew. And then they sang a hymn.

Then through the hymn came another sound like the pain of a million broken hearts wrung out in one full drop, one sob. And a horror of great darkness was upon me, for I knew what it was; the cry of the blood.

Then thundered a voice, the voice of the Lord. And he said, “What hast though done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground.”

The ton-toms still beat heavily, and darkness still shuddered and shivered about me. I heard the yells of the devil-dancers and weird, wild shrieks of the devil-possessed just outside the gate.

What does it matter, after all? It has gone on for years; it will go on for years. Why make such a fuss about it? — God forgive us! God arouse us! Shame us out of our callousness! Shame us out of our sin!

Amy Carmichael, Thy Brother’s Blood Crieth:
(India: The Dohnavur Fellowship).
Obtained from an article from Bethany Fellowship, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN.

A Mission-Minded Family Legacy

Today, the Christian Post is featuring a fascinating article about the generational legacy of a wonderful mission-minded family hero.

Hudson Taylor, the legendary missionary to China, is an outstanding example of how to effectively balance a passion for ministry and for family. Hudson Taylor was known as a man of consistent prayer and daily devotion to God’s word. Along with his world-impacting ministry, he was consistent at home and believed in the spiritual training and discipleship of his own children.

And what a difference this balance made, not only during his own lifetime, but even today, three complete generations later. Hudson Taylor died in 1905, yet over 100 years later, his godly legacy is still making Christian news headlines. What a beautiful mission-minded family example!

Take a look at this: Great-Grandson of Legendary Missionary to China Dies.

A Mission-Minded Christmas: Part 2

Our Savior Jesus Christ surrendered everything when He came to this earth; and He did it to not only save us, but to provide His salvation for the whole world!

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Focusing on SURRENDER:

This Christmas, what if God would ask your family to give something BIGGER than ever?

What if He would ask you to give something even greater than a special missions-offering or a few extra dollars in that red Salvation Army bucket?

Brace yourself . . . as you consider . . .

What if . . .

• What if God wanted you to sell something of value, specifically to support MISSIONS, and to help expand the kingdom of God . . . perhaps even something really really BIG . . . like a boat, or a car?
• What if God wanted your family to pray about taking a short-term mission trip in 2010?
• What if God would want you to prepare yourself and your family . . . to perhaps pack up everything, and to move overseas to begin a season of fulltime foreign missionary work?
• What if God would ask you, as a loving parent, to release one of your own precious kids or young adults into fulltime, international, and perhaps even dangerous, Christian service?
• What if someday one of your own big kids, out of direct obedience to God’s call, was called to live across the world . . . and he or she wasn’t always able be with you and your family for Christmas?

YIKES!!! YIKES!!!

As parents, would you be supportive and encouraging toward God’s call on your child’s life . . . or would you be God’s greatest hindrance?

I know it can be scary; but I also know that whenever God calls an individual to follow Him, He also provides His GRACE and JOY (and if God would someday call one of your kids to something a bit “out-of-your-comfort-zone” or downright SCARY, He also has a GRACE and JOY for you, as parents, to be able to handle it.

Mission-minded Christmas carols:

• “Go, Tell it on the Mountain!”
• “Silent Night”
• “Joy to the World”
• “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

William Booth, Founder of Salvation Army, (1829-1912)

Did you know that “General” William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, had a fervent PASSION for SOULS? In the early days of his ministry, he had banners with the words “BLOOD and FIRE!” and one of his famous mission motto’s was “Go for souls, and go for the worst.” He and his wife, Catherine Booth, also had a great love for their family. All of their eight children loved the Lord and devoted their lives to fulltime Christian service.

Related article: Mission-Minded Christmas: Part 1

The Challenge: DAY 11 – Prayer #1

A Time to PRAY!

Welcome to DAY 11 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!

Today’s challenge focuses on establishing a specific TIME for prayer. Learn Hudson Taylor’s “spiritual secret” for effective ministry: TIME ALONE WITH GOD.

Feel free to leave comments and feedback. Let’s encourage one another to become more mission-minded.

C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!

• Recommended Mission Resource: Hero Tales – Volume I
• Missionary Quote by Hudson Taylor
• Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: Africa
• Memory Verses: Psalm 37:4-5

FREE Book – The Mission-Minded Child – Giveaway!!!

For fun at the end of this week (and to encourage more comments and interactions!!!) we are going to give away a FREE copy – with FREE shipping too! – of The Mission-Minded Child – Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose. To enter the drawing, simply make a comment on one of this week’s (Day 11 to Day 15) 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE  posts. For each comment you make (up to one per day), you will receive one entry — and if you also post a link to this 40-Day CHALLENGE on your blog or website, you’ll get an extra entry. This Friday afternoon,  June 26th, we will announce the winner!

A Mission Challenge & Prayer Focus on India

“My friend, will you go? Has God spoken to you? Have you heard His Call? Will you not answer, “Lord, here am I, send me”? And if you cannot go, will you not send a substitute? It is for you to decide. Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice before everyone has heard it once?” -  Oswald J. Smith

Let’s stir up a heart for INDIA!

Lately, the nation of India has been in our thoughts and in our prayers, especially the need to support remote national ministers and evangelists.

There are many spiritual needs in this vast country, and so many people who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are some links to help you to focus your prayers:

• India at WorldMap.org
• Pray for India – Operation World
• People Groups in India

Dr. Duff’s Appeal

An excerpt from A Challenge to Missions
by Oswald J. Smith

Dr. Alexander Duff, that great veteran missionary to India, returned to Scotland to die, and as he stood before the general assembly . . . he made his appeal, but there was no response.

In the midst of his appeal he fainted and was carried off the platform. The doctor bent over him and examined his heart. Presently he opened his eyes.

“Where am I?” he cried. “Where am I?”

“Lie still,” said the doctor. “You have had a heart attack. Lie still.”

“But,” exclaimed Dr. Duff, “I haven’t finished my appeal. Take me back. Take me back. I must finish my appeal.”

“Lie still,” said the doctor again. “You will go back at the peril of you life.”

But, in spite of the protests of the physician, the old warrior struggled to his feet, and, with the Doctor on one side and the Moderator of the Assembly of the other side, he again mounted the steps of the pulpit platform, and, as he did so, the entire assembly rose to do him honor. Then, when they were seated, he continued his appeal. And this is what he said:

“When Queen Victoria calls for volunteers for India, hundreds of young men respond; but, when King Jesus calls, no one goes.”

Then he paused. There was silence. Again he spoke:

“Very well,” he concluded, “then, aged though I am, I’ll go back to India. I can lie down on the banks of the Ganges and I can die and thereby I can let the people of India know that there was one man in Scotland who loved them enough to give his life for them.”

In a moment, young men all over the assembly sprang to their feet, crying, “I’ll go! I’ll go!” And after the old white-haired warrior had been laid to rest, these young men, having graduated, found their way to dark benighted India, there to labor as his substitutes for the Lord Jesus Christ.

My friend, will you go? Has God spoken to you? Have you heard His Call? Will you not answer, “Lord, here am I, send me”? And if you cannot go, will you not send a substitute? It is for you to decide.

Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice before everyone has heard it once?

St. Patrick’s Day GREEN means GO!!!

Throughout the month of March, St. Patrick’s Day decorations can remind our families to pray for Christian missionaries and to highlight the need for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.  St. Patrick’s Day GREEN can remind us that we’re all called to GO!

Encouraging Missions Throughout the Year – MARCH

St. Patrick’s Day

To many people, St. Patrick’s Day is nothing more than a holiday to commemorate the traditions of Ireland. People wear “Irish” green; stores decorate with shamrocks, leprechauns, and rainbows; and restaurants feature meals of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes . . . or green-colored mint milkshakes.

To others, March 17th is a day to gratify the flesh: to guzzle beer, or to glorify sinful lifestyles through disgraceful city-wide parades and demonstrations. How far we have come from the real story Saint Patrick and his early missionary sacrifices to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people Ireland. Today, more than ever, our world desperately needs the Lord, and the message that Patrick preached.

During the month of March, let’s remember the missionary story of St. Patrick. And let’s use all the GREEN decorations as a constant reminder, wherever we see them (in stores, restaurants, etc.), that we’re all called to GO with God’s GOOD NEWS!

Quick Facts:

St. Patrick’s Day – MARCH 17th

Patrick was the first Christian missionary to Ireland. In the United States, celebrations include city parades, Irish cultural celebrations, and the wearing of green.

Who was Saint Patrick?

“Saint” Patrick (389 – 461 AD) actually went to Ireland twice – first as a slave, and later as a missionary. Born in Britain (in Wales), Patrick is widely known as the first Christian missionary to the Irish people. During his youth (from 16 to 22 years old), he was captured and taken to Ireland. While there, young Patrick repented of his sinful, backslidden condition. Years later, after escaping to his homeland, he received a vision from God calling him to return to the Irish people to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Patrick obeyed God’s call and went back.

For the remainder of his life, Patrick ministered among the heathen tribes of Ireland – confronting Irish idolatry and sorcery, converting many to Jesus Christ, and baptizing thousands of people. Tradition says he used the three-leaf Irish clover to teach the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

According to historian William Federer, who wrote St. Patrick: The Real History of His Life, From Tragedy to Triumph, “He was actually a missionary and he converted 120,000 druids from paganism to Christianity.” Federer claims that in the fifth century A.D., Patrick did more than perhaps anyone in history to spread Christianity in Europe. Although druids attempted to kill him over a dozen times,  Patrick continued to preach the message of Jesus Christ, and throughout his ministry he pioneered over 300 Christian churches. Patrick also spoke out against slavery, and because of this, some call him the world’s first abolitionist.

Mission-Minded Family Resources:

To learn more about St. Patrick, I recommend Hero Tales – Volume III, by Dave & Neta Jackson (Bethany House Publishers). Along with the short biography summary, St. Patrick: Missionary to Ireland, the Jackson’s include three devotional stories (each with a focus “From God’s Word” and “Let’s Talk About It” discussion questions) to read aloud:

• “Your Ship is Ready” — Trust
• The Fire on the Hill — Boldness
• Blood on the White Robes — Righteous Anger

VeggieTales has a funny “flannel-graph” version of the St. Patrick story, which is surprisingly historically accurate, on the VeggieTales DVD, Sumo of the Opera.

Also, Focus on the Family has a special “Days to Remember” edition of Adventures in Odyssey, with two episodes specifically highlighting the true meaning of St. Patrick’s Day.

Prayer Focus:

Pray for peace in Ireland, especially between Protestants and Catholics. Pray for the true message of salvation to spread throughout Ireland and for missionaries who are sharing the Gospel throughout Ireland today. Remember people in the United States, who are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by doing evil things, and that these people would hear about the real story or St. Patrick, and the Gospel he preached. Pray also that we would have an obedient heart to go wherever God calls us to go.

NOTE: This article is adapted from the chapter “Enjoying Missions Throughout the Year” from Ann’s newest book, The Mission-Minded Family – Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny.