A Chance to Die

If you think the title is morbid, keep reading...

This week at the beach I got to know Amy Carmichael, an Irish missionary to India.  She lived (on the earth) from 1867-1951.  I read a book called A Chance to Die:  The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot, another missionary who I very much admire and who is also encouraged and challenged by Amy's life.

A blessing came early on... chapter 3 contains a photocopy of the inside of Amy's Bible.  In 1889 she wrote the words to a song that I have been singing lately and actually shared with some friends last week.  The first part of the first verse is there, written in her handwriting.

Jesus, I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart

She goes on to mention the song a couple of other times through the book.  How kind that God would confirm these promises to me!

By Jean S. Pig­ott and James Mountain, 1876
(Must have been a "contemporary" worship song back in her day!  Look past the Thee's and Thou's... treasures inside!)

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For by Thy transforming power,

Thou hast made me whole.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,

Vaster, broader than the sea!

O, how marvelous Thy goodness,

Lavished all on me!

Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,

Know what wealth of grace is Thine,

Know Thy certainty of promise,

And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart;

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings:

Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me

As I work and wait for Thee;

Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,

Earth’s dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father’s glory,

Sunshine of my Father’s face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting,

Fill me with Thy grace.

Springer got to know Hudson Taylor (Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by his son and daughter-in-law Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor)... hopefully he'll write about his thoughts about the book soon!

If you're looking for a summer read, we highly recommend these two.

Pictures coming... I don't think I took a single picture on my camera!  So I'm depending on the kindness of others to share...

Oh yeah, and the title's referring to a chance to live out Galatians 2:20...

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.