That Way and No Other

That Way and No Other
Following God through Storm and Drought
by Amy Carmichael
Plough Publishing
Plough Publishing House
Christian , Religion & Spirituality

I received the
ARC from Net Galley and Plough Publishing House. Very good read!! HIstorical and True!

Will recommend this to our readers who like biographies.

"That Way and No Other," by Amy Carmichael is written from a collection of her many works published during her lifetime about her decades spent at an orphanage in India, started to rescue girls from being sex slaves in Hindu temples. The first chapter of the book is more of a history of Carmichael's ministry in India and her 55 years of service as a missionary for the "least of these."

The remainder of the book is spiritual lessons Carmichael learned following God and his calling on her life. There is much practical wisdom and application to be gleaned from the writings. I found it at times difficult to put down as you can hear Carmichael's passion and experience that comes from facing some of life's hardest challenges.

After reading this book, I have a newfound respect and reverence for Carmichael and her enduring ministry. She is truly an example of an amazing woman who literally laid down her life to follow Jesus, and found that every sacrifice she made was absolutely worth it.

I received this as an eBook from Plough Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of the title. I did not receive any compensation from either company. The opinions expressed herein are completely my own.

The book opens with two different biographical sketches of missionary Amy Carmichael (1867-1951). One sketch is by Carolyn Kurtz; the second sketch is by Katelyn Beaty. The remaining chapters of this one are written by Amy Carmichael herself--taken from previously published works. (I believe she did most of her writing in the 1930s).

The chapters address different topics. Some chapters include a great deal of stories about her life, her children, her work; other chapters stay focused on one topic/aspect/subject of the Christian life. Both can prove beneficial to readers.

This was my first time reading Carmichael. I found myself agreeing with some of what she wrote; I also found myself disagreeing here and there, in bits and pieces, with a few things. Like always, use discernment and judge all things by the Word of God.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"Our Lord did not say, “Go ye into all the world if you feel an ardent flame of love to all the people in it.” He just said, “Go ye,” and as we obey, he gives us all we need to lead them to him. And of course as we most of all need love, he gives it to us. I think often we accept the cross in theory, but when it comes to practice, we either do not recognize it for what it is, or we recognize it and try to avoid it. This we can always do, for the cross is something that can be taken up or left, just as we choose."

"Life is a journey; it is a climb; it is also and always a war. The soldier of the Lord of Hosts is always a soldier. He dare not drivel down to any other kind of life. We can’t be entangled in the affairs of this life if we are to be real soldiers. By its affairs I mean its chatter and its ways of thinking and deciding questions, its whole aspect and trend. God forgive us our love of ease. God forgive us that so often we turn our faces from a life that is even remotely like his. Forgive us that we all but worship comfort, the delight of the presence of loved ones, possessions, treasure on earth."

"All the great staining temptations–to selfishness, ambition, and other strong sins that violently affront the soul–appear first in the region of the mind, and can be fought and conquered there. We have been given the power to close the door of the mind. We can lose this power through disuse or increase it by use, by the daily discipline of the inner man in things which seem small, and by reliance upon the word of the spirit of truth."

"It is the eternal in books that makes them our friends and teachers–the paragraphs, the verses, that grip memory and ring down the years like bells, or call like bugles, or sound like trumpets; words of vision that open to us undying things and fix our eyes on them. We are not here, they tell us, for trivial purposes. . . . We are not here to be overcome, but to rise unvanquished after every knock-out blow, and laugh the laugh of faith, not fear."

"More and more as we go on, and learn our utter inability to move a single pebble by ourselves, and the mighty power of God to upturn mountains with a touch, we realize how infinitely important it is to know how to pray. There is the restful prayer of committal to which the immediate answer is peace. We could not live without this sort of prayer; we should be crushed and overborne, and give up brokenhearted if it were not for that peace. But the Apostle speaks of another prayer that is wrestle, conflict, “agony.” And if these little children are to be delivered and protected . . . then some of us must be strong to meet the powers that will combat every inch of the field with us, and some of us must learn deeper things than we know yet about the solemn secret of prevailing prayer."

"Our loving Lord is not just present, but nearer than thought can imagine, so near that a whisper can reach him. You know the story of the man who had a quick temper and had not time to go away and pray for help. His habit was to send up a little telegraph prayer, “Thy sweetness, Lord!” and sweetness came. Do you need courage? “Thy courage, Lord!” Patience? “Thy patience, Lord!” Love? “Thy love, Lord!” A quiet mind? “Thy quietness, Lord!” Shall we all practice this swift and simple way of prayer more and more? If we do, our Very Present Help will not disappoint us. For thou, Lord, hast never failed them that seek thee (Ps. 9:10). Prayer in the name of his beloved Son cannot lose its way in the void. It must find the ear of God."

"For prayer is not emotion, it is a traffic between earth and heaven, “a commerce of love.” Our ships set sail for heavenly shores; they do not return empty; it is impossible that they should; but we are not told what tide will bring them back. We think in terms of time; God thinks in terms of eternity. We see the near end of the thread on which are strung our moments, minutes, hours, days, like pearls on a string; the other end is out of view, and yet the thread is one, indivisible. We call the near end time, and the far end eternity, as though somewhere the thread broke (at death perhaps). But it is not so. We are living in eternity now."

"If 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. If I am inconsiderate about the comfort of others, or their feelings, or even of their little weaknesses; if I am careless about their little hurts and miss opportunities to smooth their way; if I make the sweet running of household wheels more difficult to accomplish, then I know nothing of Calvary love. If interruptions annoy me and private cares make me impatient; if I shadow the souls about me because I myself am shadowed, then I know nothing of Calvary love. If 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."

"Often our flash of haste means little. To read a book in an hour (if the book has taken half a lifetime to write) means nothing at all. To pray in a hurry of spirit means nothing. To live in a hurry means to do much but effect little. We build more quickly in wood, hay, and stubble than in gold, silver, and precious stones; but the one abides, the other does not."

"Thank God, courage is as infectious as discouragement. Have you not often felt the cheer and strength that seem to flow from one whose mind is stayed on God? I have."

"It matters a good deal that your book-food should be strong meat. We are what we think about."

"Can you find a promise that if we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, life is going to be fairly easy? I do not think we shall find even one. But we shall find ever so many promises assuring us that however things are, we may count on strength to make us brave and peace to keep our hearts at rest. I want you to welcome the little difficult things, the tiny pricks and ruffles that are sure to come almost every day. For they give you a chance to say “No” to yourself, and by doing so you will become strong not only to do but also to endure."

I received a digital copy of the book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This book focuses on the life of Amy Carmichael, who spent several decades doing missionary work in India. I downloaded it, thinking I would find more of a historical presentation. Instead, there was a little bit of biography on Ms. Carmichael and the rest of it were selected spiritual essays Ms. Carmichael had written during her years in India. Though it wasn’t what I expected, I found the essays uplifting and the book enjoyable.

That Way and No Other

Following God through Storm and Drought

by Amy Carmichael

Plough Publishing

Plough Publishing House
Christian , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 03 Mar 2020


I am reviewing a copy of That Way and No Other: Following God through Storm and Drought through Plough Publishing and Netgalley:


Amy Carmichael was born on December.16, 1867 in Ireland. She was the first child of Catherine and David Carmichael. Her family owned the mills in the Coastal Village of Millisle.
In 1859 a Christian revival took place in the area affecting David and Catherine, and later there children as well. From a young age Amy remembered that after the nursery lights were turned low, and she was alone she’d smooth a spot on her sheets and say “Father, please come and sit with me.” At bedtime she would absorb the songs and stories sung to her, and read to her.


Like her Mother, Amy had a love for all living things. One of her first memories of feeling fury was when she had was when she saw a child torment a frog.


At the age of twelve Amy was sent to a boarding school, but soon financial difficulties hit the family, and Amy was sent back home from school. On April.12.1885, David died of Pneumonia, he was fifty four. Amy was seventeen, and she helped her Mother by homeschooling the younger children. Amy started gathering local children in her family’s home on Sunday afternoons, and in 1888 she oversaw the construction of a metal hall for outreach to Belfast’s Mill girls. Despite having no money for the project she believed in the power of prayer, and The Welcome was built, and is still in use a hundred and thirty years later.


When she was twenty one Amy moved to England joining a mission to Manchester factory workers. She took a room in the slums, but her health suffered because of it. In the months that followed as Amy was rebuilding her health she talked about mission work with Wilson.



Amy Carmichael had left everything she had known to become a missionary in India. When a seven year old little girl named Preena, a victim of Sexual Slavery threw herself on to the protection of the newcomer. Amy Carmichael struggles with whether or not she would be able to relinquish a religious vocation to become a nursemaid. But as she pictured Jesus washing his disciples feet, her questioning was answered.


With a team of Indian Women, Carmichael founded Dohnavur, a community of households that provided for hundreds of girls who otherwise would have likely been sold into Prostitution.


Amy Carmichael has inspired generations of activists and missionaries.


I give Thar Way and No Other five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

"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. Since this is a collection, the book didn't have a tied-together feel. She mostly talked about topics like praying. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in Amy Carmichael's work and thoughts.

I have been inspired by Amy Carmichael since I was young. Katelyn Beaty's introduction to these letters is an excellent examination of Amy's life, work, and what-would-be if she lived today, in terms of the role of women in missions. And Amy's letters are, as always, powerful. Enjoyed this book very much.

Oh how you will be encouraged and challenged in this book That Way and No Other: Following God through Storm and Drought edited by Carolyn Kurtz.

Amy Carmichael was a Christian missionary in India who opened an orphanage and found a mission there. She worked in India for 55 years and has been an encouragement to many through her writings and books.

This book is a peek inside the life and ministry of Amy Carmichael through her own writings and thoughts. Ms. Carmichael is not one to shrink back from sharing hard truths and words that we in our current culture need to hear.

These writings will spur you on to get out of your comfort zone, to serve others well while forgetting about yourself and how to be hungry in prayer.

Sometimes in life it’s hard to find a mentor to walk with through difficult times. This book will be a way to “read a mentor” that will spur you on to live a life more surrendered to God!

Thank you Netgalley and Plough Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Amy Carmichael is a missionary that has held interest for me since I was a child. I had read two biographies of her in the past. She is a women God used to change the country f India and the perception of missions for many including myself.

That Way and No Other, Following God through Storm and Drought by Amy Carmichael gives her story through mostly her own words. The beginning is a sketch of her but then it is her words and thoughts. Some of this I had read in the profile but it was enlightening to hear it in her own words.

A complex enthusiastic person who gave her whole self to serve the Lord. This book highlights much of that contagious personality of hers. You do not need to agree with everything she wrote to appreciate her life.

Good intro to life and ministry of Amy Carmichael; should encourage reading of her original works; a worthy book!

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, 413

With 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.

I love this book. Through this, we are allowed to get to know Amy Carmichael and how she served the Lord - despite difficult circumstances. And as she loved and served the Lord, we see what an amazing impact she had on those around her.