That Way and No Other: Following God through Storm and Drought (Plough Spiritual Guides: Backpack Classics)

Pioneer missionary and author Amy Carmichael’s remarkable servant life was shaped from the very beginning by the awareness that God is free to work his will in this world, even when it diverted from her own chosen path. From this partnership with the living and untamed God flowed thirty-five books that continue to inspire readers today and a ministry among trafficked temple children in the land of India.That Way and No Other shares Amy’s inspiring story in two biographical essays followed by a rich sampling of excerpts lifted from Amy’s own writing, offering her soulful and no-nonsense observations gleaned from a faithful following life.God’s assignment to become “Amma” (“mother”) to a houseful of sons and daughters arrived as both a surprise and a struggle to a woman who had envisioned herself in an itinerant speaking ministry. Throughout her life, she quoted the Tamil proverb, “Children tie the mother’s feet,” but added, “We let our feet be tied for love of Him whose feet were pierced.” (116) In her submission to the commonplace duties of loving and caring for the children she rescued, she elevates the calling of motherhood and the role of the servant in the kingdom of God where the meek are blessed and the last shall be first.Darkening her skin with coffee grounds, brown-eyed Amy was able to move unnoticed on city streets, rescuing children from a life of temple prostitution, from “things that darkened the sunlight,” and from which Amy, with her Victorian era sensibilities would have longed to “turn away with burning eyes, and only for the children’s sake could we ever look again…” (400)Well aware that Jesus had come under the burden with her, Amy ministered faithfully in the orphanage she established, and she remained in India for the rest of her life. Perhaps it was her awareness of the impossible nature of her calling and the unspeakable evil she was confronting that account for the staying power of her words. She was ahead of her time in resisting imperialism and the white savior complex that plagued missions in her day:"The thing we fight is not India or Indian, in essence or development. It is something alien to the old life of the people… We think of the real India as we see it in the… seeker after the unknown God, with his wistful eyes… The true India is sensitive and very gentle. There is a wisdom in its ways, none the less wise because it is not the wisdom of the West.”That Way and No Other, 413With lyrical prose and with poetry that shimmers with glimpses of God-light, Amy’s words live on, and if Amy is one of those classic writers you’ve “always meant to dig into, but haven’t yet,” That Way and No Other (with introductory biographical material from Carolyn Kurtz and Katelyn Beaty) is an excellent beginning point.Be inspired and encouraged by words like these on prayer:There are two prayers, one of which we are constantly praying, sometimes in words, sometimes in thoughts, always in actions. One is, ‘Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee.’ (Psalm 143:10) and the other is, ‘Lord, let me do the thing that pleaseth me.”Many thanks to Plough Publishing House and Net Galley for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.

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.

I’ve been reading another book that mentions Amy Carmichael a lot, so I was anxious to read more by her and about her and was glad to have an opportunity to read this book. Thirty-six pages of introductory material about Ms. Carmichael by two different authors introduced the book, followed by 97 pages of excerpts from Carmichael's writing. She was an amazing lady, and the concepts she writes about are insightful, but I had trouble getting into the book. I think the better way to read this book is to read and think about each chapter over a period of one to three days so that you complete the book over a week or two. Reading it straight through didn’t work for me.I think I would like to read a longer, more biographical book on Amy Carmichael, as a complement to this one.

"That Way and No Other" talked about Amy Carmichael's work and what she felt it meant to be a fully devoted disciple of Jesus. The first quarter of the book was descriptions of Amy Carmichael's life provided by others to give context to Amy's writings. They talked about her work in India rescuing young children from sexual abuse in Hindu temples. The rest of the book was written by Amy Carmichael. She sometimes talked about things occurring with the children (how she learned about the abuse, rescuing a child, raising the children), but they were more tidbits than full stories. She mostly talked about topics like praying. Since this is a collection, the book didn't have a tied-together feel. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in Amy Carmichael's work and thoughts.I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Amy Carmichael is one of my two favorite female missionaries. From the 1st time Istarted reading her books she had an enormous impact on my spiritual life. Shewrites like no other author I have ever read. Her words reach deep into you thatinspire, convict and open your eyes. I believe her writing is so powerful becauseshe 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!