“Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace.”
“If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace.”
“In that stillness you will know what His will is.”
— Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) – Missionary to India
Wow. “Blessed are the single-hearted…”
Isn’t that a beautiful focus?
Seeking God, more than anything
Oh, I want to be “single-hearted” for the Lord, with my entire soul (my mind, my will, and my emotions) staying steadfastly on God, and not going off on some “crazy-wild-goose-chase” of distraction from God’s peace and God’s best.
I want to STAY single-hearted in that place of stillness with Him, where my spirit is clear and uncluttered . . . so I can know His perfect will . . . and I can know Him.
I want to live and “stay” in that place of total peace with God.
Quotes from Amy Carmichael
What is really the #1 most important focus of my heart?
More than anything, I want to know God.
–Not just know “about” God.
–Not just know “how” to have an impressive devotional life.
–Not just know “how” to live as a godly or mission-minded woman.
–Not just know “how” to make an effective difference “for Him” in this world.
More than anything, I want to know God, personally and intimately.
I want to care about my relationship “with Him” more than anything.
–More than my relationship with my husband.
–More than that priority time with my kids.
–More than my special “girl-time” with my dearest friends.
–More than special “family-time” with our extended relations.
–Even more than I care about doing stuff “for Him” and for His kingdom.
–Even more than seeking His direction, or His provision, or His grace.
–And even more than seeking His help to finish everything on my “to-do-list.”
Being single-hearted means caring more about my relationship “with God”
than anything I might do “for God.”
Continued from Radical begins at Home. (Written from a remote village “deep in the bush” in East Africa.)
At the moment, the room is dark. My only light is a thin candle affixed by a dab of wax to an old tin can. The glimmer projects a soft glow on the chipped plaster walls. Outside, the air is filled with the pleasant sound of crickets and a faint melody of young boys singing to the rhythm of a tribal drum.
The kids are enjoying an evening prayer time with a song that is full of life; the native words mean, “Jesus is good, all the time!”
Listening to the joyful worship of these children is such an answer to prayer. All of these kids are orphans, and they have experienced more tragedies and hardship than most of us can imagine, yet they sing of God’s goodness.
Today, my husband and I were surrounded by hundreds of loving and hugging children — all orphans and all fully relying on God’s provision through our family’s mission outreach (Harvest Ministry) for ongoing food, education, spiritual care, and protection.
We stood in line with the children as they received their breakfasts (each receiving a bowl of warm porridge in a plastic cup or bowl). I didn’t see any spoons, but I noticed the resourcefulness of some of the older boys who “scooped-up” their porridge with plastic math rulers. For lunch, the boys and girls were laughing and remarkably happy as they each received a large bowl of “posho” and kidney beans. “Posho” is an East African staple food made from cassava flour. The consistency is like play-dough or “solid” mashed potatoes, with a gritty bland taste. It is cooked in huge kettles over wood fires and stirred with giant wooden paddles. The leaders explain how it sticks to the children’s tummies and keeps them going.
Today, it was such a joy to minister to these children. We interviewed boys and girls and took photographs — to get an understanding of their backgrounds and to help share a compassionate glimpse into their lives. One beautiful 13-year-old girl, Shidrah, told me how her mother had died when she and her twin sister were born and how her father had died of AIDS when she was eight. Her favorite color is green (because it makes her happy), and her favorite food is rice. When we asked her to describe her life, she smiled as she told us how she loved this children’s home and school. It was here where she had learned about Jesus. She was thankful that she could now praise God, all the time. She sang her favorite song for me (in the Ugandan Nyankola language); her words mean, “I need You, Lord; draw me close to you.”
Oh, my heart goes out to these boys and girls. As I met with many children, one-by-one, I thought about our own seven kids and how blessed we are. Back home, instead of a stinky pit toilet surrounded by flies (a square hole in the cement or mud floor), our family enjoys clean, flushing toilets and fluffy bath mats. Instead of porridge, posho, and beans, we have unlimited food varieties and take-home pizza.
Yet, instead of complaining, the children I talked with today were filled with gratitude. They laughed and sang and told me of how blessed they are. Here, the children know that they are safe, and they are thankful that they have been rescued from their former lives of abuse, or slavery, or begging on the streets.
But my loving momma-heart longs to do more. My heart goes out to every orphan child.
Worldwide, UNICEF estimates (as of this writing in 2012) that there are 143,000,000 to 210,000,000 orphan children, and the vast majority are in desperate need. To help comprehend the enormity of this crisis, did you know that there are as many orphan children as two-thirds of the entire population of the United States (300,000,000) or more than all of the people of Russia (141,800,000)? To survive, many orphan children are forced to beg or to steal food . . . or worse. Many are sold or “tricked” into slavery. Little boys are forced to become child soldiers. Little girls are forced into the sex trade. Every 15 seconds, another African child becomes an AIDS orphan; in Africa alone, at the end of every year, over two million more children will become orphans.
To me, these numbers are not just statistics. Each number is a real little child, with a heart and a soul and a potential to love and serve Jesus. Over the years (working with remote national ministers and by establishing church-based children’s homes and schools) our family has helped to rescue over one thousand orphans. Some were sleeping under trees or wandering the streets. Some were starving or being abused by relatives. For “blankets” some kids had nothing but old, ripped-up garbage sacks.
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” ~ Hebrews 1:9
I just hate the devil and his deplorable acts. Not only does he “kick” people when they’re down (and condemn people when they’ve fallen into his sinful traps), but he has no qualms about taking the most innocent victims of his violence and diseases and sin — precious orphan children — and abusing them to further his evil agenda. God sees all of these needs; He knows and loves every child, and He cares for each one more than I do. I am comforted by the fact that God is not “stressed out” or overwhelmed. I thank Him for the honor of helping us to care for these children, despite our meager provisions, and I praise Him for His daily “manna.” I thank Him for every hard-working momma, leader, and teacher, as I pray for more help and grace. I think about the joy of seeing these children laugh and sing . . . and seeing them dance.
A challenge today was water. The city tap water had been out for three days, so our friends were trying to find enough water for all of the children and workers. Reminding me of Moses needing water in the wilderness for the multitudes of Israel, these directors ended up getting water from a nearby pond. We drove in a truck to see this source, and the situation was horrible. The small mud hole was covered with scum, yet men and children were filling hundreds of yellow plastic water jugs (“jerry cans”) with this brown water and hauling them back to the school. This water would be used for everything for all of these hundreds of children. For bathing. For cooking. Even for drinking (after boiling it thoroughly and skimming off the scum).
At the moment, I am thankful for our box of bottled water. I am thankful once again for the blessings we enjoy back home — especially for clean tap water and hot showers–yet my heart is stirred for our friends who struggle for such a basic necessity. As we preached in the chapel this evening, the children listened intently and then called out to God in heartfelt prayer. After our meeting, the boys and girls gathered on a large tarp and enjoyed a Bible story. Even now, as the children prepare for sleep, they are spontaneously praising God once again. Most of the mommas caring for these children are also widows, which meets another great need. After their husbands died, many of these women were without provision and without hope. Now, through their ministry of motherhood to orphans (raising these children as their own), God is helping them—physically, with food and safety; emotionally, with renewed vision and purpose; and spiritually, with Christian
fellowship and godly friends.
As I am thinking today about godly motherhood and God’s heart of simplicity in our homes, I am definitely coming from a different perspective. When the Bible talks about pure religion, He didn’t mention continuously homeschooling all of our children all the way through high school or insist that our daughters never wear pants or never cut their hair. He didn’t define “undefiled religion” as maintaining an impressively clean home or only cooking with organic foods and whole grains.
I care about homeschooling, modesty, cleanliness, and health, but I’m challenged that God’s pure religion is on another level — about having a heart for orphans and widows.
The candlelight flickers as I think of a worship song by Matt Redman:
“I’m coming back to the heart of worship,
When it’s all about You, all about You, Jesus.
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it,
When it’s all about You, all about You.”
I ponder God’s heart for Christian homemaking as I’m humming this verse:
“When the music fades,
All is stripped away, and I simply come.
Longing just to bring something that’s of worth,
That will bless Your heart.”
“I have one desire now — to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.” — quoted by Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) in her book, Through Gates of Splendor (original quote from missionary Ed McCully) .
(Note: Be sure to watch the YouTube music video of Elisabeth Elliot’s life — at the end of this post — and the powerful full-circle testimony of the five American missionaries who gave their lives “For the Sake of the Call” — and how the story ended, for God’s glory, as told by musician, Steven Curtis Chapman.)
At Daring Daughters, Elisabeth Elliot has always been one of our missionary heroes. We highly recommend her books and thank God for her example.
As we look at her life and her writings, we can learn so much. We may or may not be called to become foreign missionaries or world-renown authors, but we can all live with hearts completely devoted to God and be willing to obey whatever God has for us. When our lives are over, may our specific assignments be completed and may our lives be a testimony in the next generation (and in eternity) for God’s glory.
Elisabeth Elliot lived 88 years for the glory of God.
Born in Belgium to missionary parents, Elisabeth was raised with a fervent heart for the Lord and His purposes. After moving to the United States, she studied to become a missionary at Wheaton College, where she met Jim Elliot, her first husband, best remembered as one of five American missionaries killed by a fierce tribe in Ecuador, the Auca’s (now known as the Huaorini people).
Together with her young daughter, newly widowed Elisabeth chose to forgive and to face her fears, living for two years among the very people who had killed her husband (along with Rachel Saint, the sister of missionary pilot Nate Saint, also killed by this group). As a result, many of these people from this remote tribal village came to understand the love of Jesus Christ and the message of the Gospel.
“There is nothing worth living for, unless it is worth dying for.” –Elisabeth Elliot
Through the years, Elisabeth Elliot became a respected and influential voice across the generations — for godly womanhood and purity, for Christian marriage and family life, and for the needs of global missions and God’s Great Commission.
To honor the 88 years of Elisabeth Elliot’s life, we have selected 88 of her inspirational quotes. May we all be inspired to live our lives, as she did, for God’s eternal purposes.
Elisabeth Elliot with her daughter, Valerie Elliot Shepard
8 Quotes about Faith in God
“Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.”
“Heaven is not here, it’s There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next.”
“God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for.”
“Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your Savior, your guide? If He is, you don’t need to search any further for security.”
“The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived — not always looked forward to as though the “real” living were around the next corner.”
“It is today for which are responsible. God still owns tomorrow.”
“Faith’s most severe tests come not when we see nothing, but when we see a stunning array of evidence that seems to prove our faith in vain.”
“God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.”
8 Quotes referring to the Cross
“To be a follower of the Crucified means, sooner or later, a personal encounter with the cross. And the cross always entails loss.”
“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God is of a different nature altogether. It does not hate tragedy. It never denies reality. It stands in the very teeth of suffering.”
“The love of God did not protect His own Son. The cross was the proof of His love – that He gave that Son, that He let Him go to Calvary’s cross, though “legions of angels” might have rescued Him. He will not necessarily protect us – not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.”
“Leave it all in the Hands that were wounded for you.”
“Faith is not an instinct. It certainly is not a feeling — feelings don’t help much when you’re in the lions’ den or hanging on a wooden Cross.”
“Faith is not inferred from the happy way things work. It is an act of will, a choice, based on the unbreakable Word of a God who cannot lie, and who showed us what love and obedience and sacrifice mean, in the person of Jesus Christ.”
“Does God ask us to do what is beneath us? This question will never trouble us again if we consider the Lord of heaven taking a towel and washing feet.”
“We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive His poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.”
8 Quotes on Order and Time Management
“There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.”
“The way you keep your house, the way you organize your time, the care you take in your personal appearance, the things you spend your money on, all speak loudly about what you believe.”
“The beauty of thy peace shines forth in an ordered life.”
“A disordered life speaks loudly of disorder in the soul.”
“One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today.”
“The way we live ought to manifest the truth of what we believe. A messy life speaks of a messy and incoherent faith.”
“The God who created, names and numbers the stars in the heavens also numbers the hairs of my head. He pays attention to very big things and to very small ones. What matters to me matters to Him, and that changes my life.”
“If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete.”
8 Quotes on Loneliness, Patience and Trust
“I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one’s thoughts.”
“Its easy to talk oneself into a decision that has no permanence – easier sometimes than to wait patiently.”
“Loneliness is a required course for leadership.”
“When ours [our plans] are interrupted, His are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always (including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable) ‘toward the goal of true maturity’ (Rom 12:2).”
“Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to ‘wait trustfully and quietly on Him’ who has all things safely in His hands.”
“I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able to honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done.”
“Worry is the antithesis of trust. You simply cannot do both. They are mutually exclusive.”
“Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.”
8 Quotes on Love and Purity
“If your goal is purity of heart, be prepared to be thought very odd.”
“I am convinced that the human heart hungers for constancy. In forfeiting the sanctity of sex by casual, nondiscriminatory “making out” and “sleeping around,” we forfeit something we cannot well do without. There is dullness, monotony, sheer boredom in all of life when virginity and purity are no longer protected and prized.”
“By trying to grab fulfillment everywhere, we find it nowhere.”
“Women still dream and hope, pin their emotions on some man who doesn’t reciprocate, and end up in confusion.”
“I took it for granted that there must be a few men left in the world who had that kind of strength. I assumed that those men would also be looking for women with principle. I did not want to be among the marked-down goods on the bargain table, cheap because they’d been pawed over. Crowds collect there. It is only the few who will pay full price. ‘You get what you pay for.’”
“Unless a man is prepared to ask a woman to be his wife, what right has he to claim her exclusive attention? Unless she has been asked to marry him, why would a sensible woman promise any man her exclusive attention? If, when the time has come for a commitment, he is not man enough to ask her to marry him, she should give him no reason to presume that she belongs to him.”
“A spirit of restlessness and resistance can never wait, but one who believes he is loved with an everlasting love, and knows that underneath are the everlasting arms, will find strength and peace.”
“Of all things difficult to rule, none were more so than my will and affections.”
8 Quotes about Prayer and God’s Guidance
“The will of God is not something you add to your life. It’s a course you choose.”
“You either line yourself up with the Son of God…or you capitulate to the principle which governs the rest of the world.”
“Sometimes life is so hard you can only do the next thing. Whatever that is just do the next thing. God will meet you there.”
“Experience has taught me that the Shepherd is far more willing to show His sheep the path than the sheep are to follow. He is endlessly merciful, patient, tender, and loving. If we, His stupid and wayward sheep, really want to be led, we will without fail be led. Of that I am sure.”
“I have one desire now – to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.” (Original quote from Ed McCulley — quoted by Elisabeth Elliot in her book, Through Gates of Splendor)
“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person’s seemingly small act of obedience!”
“Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.”
“We never know what God has up His sleeve. You never know what might happen; you only know what you have to do now.”
8 Quotes about Suffering and Trusting God
“Of one thing I am perfectly sure: God’s story never ends with ‘ashes.”
“I am not a theologian or a scholar, but I am very aware of the fact that pain is necessary to all of us.”
“There are those who insist that it is a very bad thing to question God. To them, “why?” is a rude question. That depends, I believe, on whether it is an honest search, in faith, for His meaning, or whether it is the challenge of unbelief and rebellion.”
“Worry is the antithesis of trust. You simply cannot do both. They are mutually exclusive.”
“I seek the lessons God wants to teach me, and that means that I ask why.”
“Do you often feel like parched ground, unable to produce anything worthwhile? I do. When I am in need of refreshment, it isn’t easy to think of the needs of others. But I have found that if, instead of praying for my own comfort and satisfaction, I ask the Lord to enable me to give to others, an amazing thing often happens – I find my own needs wonderfully met. Refreshment comes in ways I would never have thought of, both for others, and then, incidentally, for myself.”
“The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem to be much worse, but in the end it’s going to be a lot better and a lot bigger.”
“In my own life, I think I can honestly say that out of the deepest pain has come the strongest conviction of the presence of God and the love of God.”
8 Quotes about Surrender to God and Sacrifice
“One does not surrender a life in an instant. That which is lifelong can only be surrendered in a lifetime.”
“Maturity starts with the willingness to give oneself.”
“We are not meant to die merely in order to be dead. God could not want that for the creatures to whom He has given the breath of life. We die in order to live.”
“Freedom begins way back. It begins not with doing what you want but with doing what you ought – that is, with discipline.”
“I have one desire now – to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.”
“When obedience to God contradicts what I think will give me pleasure, let me ask myself if I love Him.”
“If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!”
“I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able to honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done.”
8 Quotes on Womanhood and Marriage
“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, But the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman.”
“If you are married, then accept that. Accept the husband that God has given you. If you are single, accept your singleness and take it as if today was the last day of your life. Don’t be looking constantly to the future.”
“I believe a woman, in order to be a good wife, must be (among other things) both sensual and maternal.”
“It is a naive sort of feminism that insists that women prove their ability to do all the things that men do. This is a distortion and a travesty. Men have never sought to prove that they can do all the things women do. Why subject women to purely masculine criteria? Women can and ought to be judged by the criteria of femininity, for it is in their femininity that they participate in the human race. And femininity has its limitations. So has masculinity. That is what we’ve been talking about. To do this is not to do that. To be this is not to be that. To be a woman is not to be a man. To be married is not to be single – which may mean not to have a career. To marry this man is not to marry all the others. A choice is a limitation.”
“…my plea is let me be a woman, holy through and through, asking for nothing but what God wants to give me.”
“To understand the meaning of womanhood we have to start with God. If He is indeed “Creator of all things visible and invisible” He is certainly in charge of all things, visible and invisible, stupendous and minuscule, magnificent and trivial. God has to be in charge of details if He is going to be in charge of the overall design.”
“I remember what Jim wrote to me in one of his letter: ‘Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living.’ And I think there are a lot of single women who are allowing their longing to slay the appetite of their living. They are not throwing their heart and soul into the will of God for today, because they are simply dying inside for something that God has not given them.”
“Let Me be a Woman.” (Title of a book written by Elisabeth Elliot)
8 Quotes on World Missions and Christian Service
“There is nothing worth living for, unless it is worth dying for.”
“When the time comes to die, make sure that all you have to do is die!” ~Jim Elliot”? (from The Journals of Jim Eliot, written by Elisabeth Elliot)
“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.”
“We are not meant to die merely in order to be dead. God could not want that for the creatures to whom He has given the breath of life. We die in order to live.”
“He (Jim) was given new assurance, and wrote to his parents of his intention to go to Ecuador. Understandably, they, with others who knew Jim well, wondered if perhaps his ministry might not be more effective in the United States, where so many know so little of the Bible’s real message. He replied: “I dare not stay home while Quichuas [and I would add, unreached and unengaged peoples group; natalia] perish. What if the well-filled church in the homeland needs stirring? They have the Scriptures, Moses, and the prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is written on their bank books and in the dust of their Bible covers.” (from Through Gates of Splendor, a missions book by Elisabeth Elliot).
“[Amy Carmichael’s] great longing was to have a “single eye” for the glory of God. Whatever might blur the vision God had give her of His work, whatever could distract or deceive or tempt other to seek anything but the Lord Jesus Himself she tried to eliminate.” (from A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael, a missionary biography written by Elisabeth Elliot).
“. . . I have found that if, instead of praying for my own comfort and satisfaction, I ask the Lord to enable me to give to others, an amazing thing often happens — I find my own needs wonderfully met. Refreshment comes n ways I would never have though of, both for others, and the, incidentally, for myself.”
“It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place.”
8 Quotes on Worship and Wholehearted Devotion
“Worship is not an experience. Worship is an act, and this takes discipline.”
“Lead me, Lord, to the Rock that is higher than I. Let me hear your word, give me grace to obey, to build steadily, stone upon stone, day by day, to do what You say. Establish my heart where floods have no power to overwhelm, for Christ’s sake. Amen.”
“A broken heart is a reminder of our only source of power.”
“Very often (nearly always, I’m afraid) when I come to church my feelings are uppermost in my mind. This is natural. We are human, we are “selves,” and it takes no effort at all to feel. But worship is not feeling. Worship is not an experience. Worship is an act, and this takes discipline. We are to worship “in spirit and in truth.” Never mind about the feelings. We are to worship in spite of them. Finding myself scattered in all directions and in need of corralling like so many skittish calves, I kneel before the service begins and ask to be delivered from a vague preoccupation with myself and my own concerns and to be turned, during this short hour, to God.”
“We are to worship ‘in spirit and in truth.’ Never mind about the feelings. We are to worship in spite of them.”
“Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one’s thoughts.”
“God is God. Because he is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what he is up to.”
“To love God is to love His will. It is to wait quietly for life to be measured by One who knows us through and through. It is to be content with His timing and His wise appointment.”
Here is Elisabeth Elliot’s testimony as told by Christian musician, Steven Curtis Chapman
What is ONE Elisabeth Elliot quote that stands out to you? Or if you’ve read her books, which is your favorite?
“I have seen the Vision, and for self I cannot live. Life is less than worthless, till my all I give.” –Oswald J. Smith, missionary evangelist
As Christians, we’re all called to expand God’s kingdom, but for each family God’s direction will be unique. Your family has a particular sphere of influence, abilities, and resources. You also have a unique background and likely a specific “drawing” to specific areas of need.
As my husband Jon and I often say,
“Missions is not just for missionaries; God’s call is for all.”
This article links with a post on Ann Voskamps blog, “What Does a bit of Radical Christianity Look Like, Right Where You Are?” The post refers to two compelling mission books, Radical (by David Platt) and Kisses from Katie (by Katie Davis), both highly recommended reading for Daring Daughters.
Voskamp’s challenge is for us to share a glimpse of what it means for us to live a Radical Christian life, right now, right where we are. For me, I’m going to share a several-part series . . . of my everyday life as a mission-minded mom, all excerpted from my missions chapter in The Heart of Simplicity: Foundations for Christian Homemaking.
If you visited our home, you would get a little glimpse of our heart.
Our family loves hospitality and we love life. There’s always a big pile of kid shoes on the front porch and a welcoming chalkboard sign. In the living room, wooden drums and elephants project a subtle international theme; Bibles, mission books, and an atlas are on the coffee table. Our kitchen has a “global” theme with teapots from various countries and world continents painted on wooden squares behind our coffee-shop kitchen table.
A peek into the master bedroom hints of European romance with a candle-lit fireplace and black-and-white Paris posters (with a “familiar” couple holding hands by the Eiffel Tower). If you played a board game in our family room, you wouldn’t miss our wall-sized world map. You might laugh at the crazy leopard carpet in our home-based mission office or get distracted by random souvenirs, a bulletin board covered with postcards, or an alpaca-skin wall-rug from Bolivia; desks are covered with newsletters in-the-works, and computers buzz with preparations for the next adventure.
But world missions is more than a decorating theme. By God’s grace, our family has collectively traveled and ministered in over 70 nations and on all seven continents. We have a heart for the world and a heart for our children. We have preached the gospel to genocide murderers in Rwandan prisons and to Ukrainian scientists in Antarctica. Sometimes crowds are huge; sometimes we share one-on-one.
We’re called to love God and to expand His kingdom. Jon and I have been happily married for over twenty-six years, and we have home-schooled seven children (with four high school and three college graduates). Our three youngest children still live at home, and several of our older children are now getting married and beginning families of their own!
Our family loves God, and we love each other. We have a heart for the world, a heart for the lost . . . and we simply obey. Although we have always lived in the United States, we have focused our lives on international Christian missions: winning souls, loving orphans, equipping national ministers, serving churches, and motivating mission-minded families.
We just do whatever God says, empowered by His love . . . and His grace.
Take 1 minute to learn about LOVING ORPHANS with Daring Daughters.
In 2014, our orphan projects include daily FOOD, SPIRITUAL CARE and EDUCATION for nearly 1000 children at Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center in East Africa (including construction of a much-needed new high school) and support for Aasha (Hope) Children’s Home in SE India. Watch a video and read on to learn more.
In Psalm 10:14, the Bible says, “You have been the helper of the orphan.” Is that true for you? (Or is that a desire of your heart?)
Can we send you — in the mail — a Daring Daughters prayer and information pack for LOVING ORPHANS? To request one, just click here!
New high school building for orphan youth!!! Just completed! Here’s a little KEY for you in learning to step out . . .
When God puts His compassion in your heart for a specific need, God knows you can’t do it on your own. You just need to realize that He is The One — He really is THE ONE — who can make something happen! God can provide whatever is needed (help, strength, grace, connections, and finances).
You simply need to pray with an open heart, be totally willing to do whatever God tells you to do and then, when the timing is right . . . JUST DO IT!
At Daring Daughters, we want to encourage you to DARE to dream, and to DARE to cry, and to DARE to obey whatever God is stirring in your hearts.
Sometimes, statistics are disheartening and needs seem impossible to meet . . . but just remember that even though you can’t do everything, you can do something!
Trusting God for His day-by-day provision — What an honor!
Since February of 2006, we have been seeking God daily for very specific orphan needs. Often, these needs have been way-bigger than our capabilities, but the Lord has been gracious to allow us to care for a growing number of children and youth (now over 1000 precious kids), primarily at Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center in Uganda, our FAMILY ZONE CENTERS, in E. AFRICA, and at Aasha Children’s Home in SE INDIA. Over and over, as we’ve prayed to God for help, He has been AMAZING — guiding us and providing for us to give food, clothing, education, buildings, blankets, mattresses, water, electricity, bunks-beds, and more . . . in His NAME!!!
Mission:Harvest Ministry (Loving Orphans)
–As an outreach of Harvest Ministry, Daring Daughters is committed to caring for many orphans in East Africa through our Guma Na Yesu “Keep With Jesus” Children’s Center.
With a LOVING ORPHANS gift (of any amount), you can help to provide for these precious kids.
A testimony from one girl . . .
“I’m an orphan, but now I’m okay. I study well. I sleep well. And I thank God because of this Bible. I was having a desire in my heart and prayed to God for a Bible just this size . . . and God has done it for me.”
— Jolly Casandi
Meet Jolly . . .
MBARARA, UGANDA, EAST AFRICA – In this video, you’ll meet one girl we’ve had the honor to help. Jolly Casandi shares a praise report about how God answered her specific prayer. You’ll also see a glimpse of the GUMA kids and youth fervently worshiping the Lord at Harvest Ministry’s GUMA NA YESU “Keep With Jesus” Children’s Center.
What a joy to love and help orphan children, in Jesus’ Name.
With my dear friend and our co-laborer in Loving Orphans, Alice Tumuhairwe
Ugandan Directors of Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center: Pastor Naboth & Alice
Mission: Gospel Projects International
–We can give to support orphan children in S.E. India, working with Gospel Projects International (and Josh & Anna Dunagan). With a missions gift of any amount, orphans can helped in Jesus’ Name!
One Christian family in our local community has been shining brightly for Jesus Christ, on October 31st, in a very public way.
Together with the help of many relatives and friends, the Bell family decorates a public park with lights, organizes fun activities for all ages, and shares homemade cookies and apple cider. They distribute Bibles, tracts, Christian CD’s and movies. They play upbeat Christian children’s music on loud-speakers and they preach the Good News of the Gospel. They serve together as a family, work hard, and WOW, do they glorify God!
In this post, I asked Deb Bell to share about her family’s outreach, now in its 20th year!
They’re a mission-minded example for us all!
In the words of Deborah Bell:
“What do we do with Halloween?” The answer to this question should be the same as it is to, “What do we do with September 5th or April 29th or January 2nd?” We do what Jesus wants us to do with every day of our lives. And we find out what that is by asking Him.
For our family, our “Halloween” journey began by asking, “What does Jesus want us to do?” In answering that question, we researched and learned about Halloween; we observed how friends and neighbors celebrate Halloween; we studied God’s word to look for applicable insight and wisdom that could be applied to Halloween. And through that, Festival of Light was birthed in White Salmon, Washington.
Festival of Light began in 1994 at our home. The first year consisted of handing out Bibles and tracts to all who came to our door. Every year on October 31, children and many of their parents walk through our neighborhoods and knock on doors asking for candy or gifts. Many Christians take this opportunity to pass out tracts and Bibles to neighborhood children. After the amazing response that first year, during which kids came to our house asking, “Are you the ones handing out Bibles? Can I have one?” we decided that we would continue to do that and more.
As a result, Mid-Columbia Ministries (MCM) organized Festival of Light in response to what we viewed as a great opportunity to share God’s love with our community.
Many churches have provided and still provide alternative entertainment for the church children in the form of harvest festivals. MCM decided it would be fun and effective to combine the harvest party concept with the evangelism associated with handing out tracts and Bibles, and we took the harvest festival concept to the street. In this way, we not only provide alternative entertainment for our own children, but also for those traditionally non-church children who comprise the majority of Halloween trick-or-treaters.
Deborarh Bell and her Family
In contrast to the meaning of Halloween and the many associated activities that are a celebration of Satan and the darkness that he perpetrates, the Festival of Light emphasizes the light of Jesus Christ and the good things which He brings to our lives.
The response from parents and children alike has been overwhelming. In 1996, we shared the light of Jesus with over 200 primarily non-church trick-or-treaters. By 1997, the number had jumped to over 400. In response to the increase in size and the lack of parking and room at our house, Festival of Light was moved from our front yard to an empty parking lot in downtown White Salmon.
“The focus of the evening is the light of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we make every attempt to bring light into the darkness of the night…” –Deb Bell
The event, as mentioned before, is basically a harvest festival moved to the streets. The focus of the evening is the light of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we make every attempt to bring light into the darkness of the night. We decorate with lots of lights; we play loud positive upbeat Christian children’s music; we hand out lots of candy, toys and prizes that promote Jesus by giving away movies, CDs, Bibles, and tracts. We serve freshly pressed hot cider and homemade cookies.
As with all things in life, we always try to take it back to Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
The traditional images and themes of Halloween do not meet these criteria. Volunteers are asked not to dress in traditional Halloween costumes, choosing positive, religious, or neutral themes instead. Donated materials and treats are free of traditional Halloween themes (e.g., Jack-O-Lanterns, witches, ghosts, bats, etc.). However, that does not stop us from engaging the culture.
All children, parents, and community members are allowed to participate, regardless of costume. And, they are welcomed with love and acceptance, and perhaps a bit of tongue in cheek humor. A little girl dressed as a witch might hear, “My, what do we have here – a fairy princess? You look absolutely beautiful tonight.”
When we first started 20 years ago, parents would bring their kids simply because they did not like the haunted house and were thankful for someplace fun that did not scare their kids. And they keep coming back every year, whether it be for the games, the cider press, to see other people from the community, or because they know they will find resources to help them with difficulties in their lives.
In this, our twentieth year, our goal is still to provide an event where parents and kids can participate with friends in a positive atmosphere and where godly themes are promoted. In addition, we use the opportunity to share the Gospel with everyone who comes through.
While it may confuse some – many within and outside of the church assume that we are “celebrating” Halloween – the truth is that we are celebrating Christ in a manner visible to the community whether they completely understand our motives or not.
The Extended Bell Family — It’s a Team Effort from Everyone!
So, we do not worry about what others “think” we are doing, we just do what Christ has called us to do. And an added bonus is that all of our kids have grown up assuming that they will spend Halloween serving the community and being a blessing to others – and not focusing on their own fun, entertainment, or candy. And, now grown, they thank us for the example that we set and the opportunity they have had to share their faith in a real way with the community every year.
“So, we do not worry about what others ‘think’ we are doing, we just do what Christ has called us to do…” –Deb Bell
Because, the real question is — as believers — are we fleeing darkness and pursuing light? Or are we embracing, or playing with, darkness and hiding, or ignoring, the light?
Reach for God-Sized Dreams . . . with Daring Daughters!
(Click the boxes for more information . . .)
Join the Discussion (with a comment below)
As your family has asked the Lord, “What would Jesus have us to do?” How has God led you, especially in regards to October 31st?
Looking for Christian, Cross, Mission-Minded, Faith, Gospel-oriented, or even just “pretty” pumpkin carving ideas to “shine” for Jesus on your front porch?
Here are some fun ones we’ve found . . .
Be sure to also see:
The Whole World Needs Jesus — our brand-new mission-minded kids book — with a fun read-aloud text and whimsical illustrations!
“The Pumpkin Gospel” by Angie Tolpin (FREE download PDF to teach kids about God’s salvation while pumpkin carving).
Mission-Minded Families Podcasts – with Ann Dunagan – 2 special episodes about “Harvest and Halloween” (listen below) and “SHINE Bright in October”
Click to listen (27 minutes) – Harvest and Halloween – with Ann Dunagan
Mission-Minded Families Podcast
[sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/missionminded/MMF-Harvest-podcast.mp3″]– How will you “deal” with October 31st? – Click arrow to listen – or Download mp3
20 Ideas to Get You Started:
1. Carve 1 cross
2. Carve a Christian “fish” symbol
3. Carve a cross with a fish or a star
4. Carve 1 heart or several hearts
5. Carve words: Shine! God Love You!
6. Carve the name of Jesus
7. Carve a dove
8. Use a drill to make pretty dots
9. Carve pretty designs half-way through
10. Write a Bible verse with an engraver
11. Arrange un-carved pumpkins
12. Carve 2 or 3 crosses
13. Carve the CONTINENTS of the World
14. Carve a continent (Africa) and a heart
15. Drill dots to spell a word like “JESUS” “LOVE” “SHINE” (1 letter per pumpkin)
16. Paint the continents of the world
17. Carve pretty leaves.
18. Carve stripes and dots.
19. Decorate with an international theme
20. Teach “The Pumpkin Gospel”
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. –Matthew 5:14-16
Every year I feel it. The winding of the gears… preparing for three months in a row of Americans celebrations. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. October, November, and December.
When I say preparing, I don’t mean getting out the Halloween costumes, the Santa decor, or even the overload of expensive shopping (although we do give gifts at Christmas). What I mean by preparing, is the spiritual readiness to shine bright for Jesus in a world that has so many idols tempting us to allow Him to be drowned out of the front stage solo position He is due.
Disclaimer: I am not teaching or even proclaiming to know what is right or wrong. I believe this is something that the requires each one of us to humbly ask the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in. But we have to recognize this one truth. We are in a battle. A battle to make God known, especially during these three months in a row.
We have to recognize this one truth. We are in a battle. A battle to make God known, especially during these three months in a row.–Angie Tolpin
In a culture that has so many fun activities to participate in, one could truly get washed away with the tide. So much busy-ness going and hosting parties one might not have the energy to try in the loudness and chaos to make Him known. I’m not talking about being nice to the neighbors as they come knock on your door and sing trick-or-treat. Although, that is part of the ingredients. I am talking about going the extra distance to make Christ known and evangelize this lost world we live in here, out our front door.
It can be an overwhelming thought to try to take on yet one more thing during this season. I get it. But I want to spend myself doing the things that are going to make eternal impact. What about you? Sometimes, this may mean choosing one thing over another. Choosing battles to fight in a sense. I would like to invite you to join me in this mission.
I want to spend myself doing the things that are going to make an eternal impact . . .
I would like to invite you to join me in this mission. –Angie Tolpin
Over the past seven or eight years, my husband and I have done our own version of the Pumpkin Gospel while carving with our kids. It has changed over the years as it started out as a concept, a fun thing to do with the youth group I was leading 15 years ago. The kids loved it, and I have done it a few times over the years while teaching Sunday School as well. This is a great way to share the gospel, to talk about sin, the yuckiness in our hearts, and everyone’s need for a Savior.
Imagine children seeing the candles in the pumpkins and being reminded to let their light shine for the glory of God. –Angie Tolpin
Can you envision with me for a moment, hundreds of children, doing the pumpkin gospel. And then on October 31st, when they see pumpkins on doorsteps and porches, they are reminded of God’s deep unconditional love for them. Imagine children seeing the candles in the pumpkins and being reminded to let their light shine for the glory of God.
This is engaging October as I see it. Not just with carving pumpkins, but with praying and asking God, how can I shine your light Jesus? And then choosing to eliminate some other things that don’t necessarily incorporate Him and choosing to create new traditions, choosing to love and serve in new ways.
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
–Matthew 5:16, ESV
I hope you will partner with me in redeeming part of October 31st.
Here are some other resources for parents on engaging this season:
In Psalm 118:24, the Bible says, “This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!”
Is that verse still true, even on October 31st?
On iTunes, this has been our most-popular Mission-Minded Families podcast. Ann Dunagan shares from her heart about God’s Harvest (with thoughts about how to “deal” with Halloween from a personal, historical, and biblical perspective). And soon, we’ll be loading a follow-up podcast, with a focus on having a PASSION to be a Witness (and a light for Jesus) with practical ideas for the month of October.
Your family will be encouraged to focus on what matters, as you remember the Lord and the lost. Let’s navigate through all the debate and division regarding October 31st, and focus instead on the love of Jesus, God’s spirit of unity, and His Great Commission to SHINE His light in a dark world.
Harvest & Halloween – PERSPECTIVES from Matthew 9:35-39
PASSION to be a Witness (during October) – II Corinthians 5:17-21 (coming soon)
Click to listen (27 minutes) – Harvest and Halloween – with Ann Dunagan
Mission-Minded Families Podcast
[sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/missionminded/MMF-Harvest-podcast.mp3″]– How will you “deal” with October 31st?
C’mon girls! You don’t need permission to obey God and be a part of God’s Great Commission. Dare to make a difference!
–Ann Dunagan, Daring Daughters
A mom sent me a note asking how she and her teen daughter could host a Daring Daughter event in their area. I wrote my answer in a message, and wanted to share it here to spark creative juices for you as well.
First of all, realize if you want to do something to encourage others for the Gospel and to share about God’s Great Commission you can do it.
It doesn’t have to cost any money. It doesn’t need to involve airline travel. And you don’t need “official” permission from your pastor or from the women’s leader at church to get started. You don’t have to live in a big city, or go to a big church, or have a big budget.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve been a Christian. God has called all of us as believers to be His ambassadors (see II Corinthians 5:20). We’re all called to share the Gospel. He’s called every Christian to be a light for Him and to fulfill His Great Commission.
C’mon girls. We need to obey God. Dare to dream, and dare to make a difference for His kingdom!
If you’re a woman or a teenage girl who loves God, or perhaps a mom-and-daughter-combo, or a college girl with a heart for the next generation, or perhaps a mom with a pent-up-passion for local and global missions (or a particular world need) . . . just step out and DO SOMETHING about it.
Do you have a specific idea on your heart? Or would you and your teenage daughter like to plan a Daring Daughter event?
Here are a few ideas to get you started…
1. Plan a DD Girls Night
Simply open your home and share about Daring Daughters.
Have a get-together with your daughter and a few of your friends, perhaps other moms-and-daughters, or with ladies you know (from your church, school, homeschool group, or friends). Stir a heart for local and global missions, share something on your heart (we could give you some simple ideas — such as this powerful excerpt from Amy Carmichael.)
Invite friends, just like you would to a baby/bridal shower or birthday party. If you would like to officially connect with Daring Daughters, use EVENTBRITE and announce your event via facebook. FREE events don’t cost anything to promote or to make tickets. If you use the Daring Daughters name, just add a comment or link to keep us all in-the-loop!
WORSHIP Maybe worship together — with Hosanna’s “break my heart for what breaks Yours…” by Hillsong — and invite each woman to share a NEED in the world that grips her heart more than others — or sing a simple rendition of AMAZING GRACE and ask each lady to share ONE THING that God has called her to do, in which she definitely needs God’s amazing grace.
RECOMMEND A MISSION-BOOK Or share about a mission book you like — such as Kisses from Katie, Radical, The Mission-Minded Family, The Scarlet Cord — Window on the World, Operation World, or a mission bio (The Mission-Minded Child has several 2-minute “missionary monologues” to present in simple dramatic form, such as one about Amy Carmichael).
INVITE A DARING MISSIONARY You could invite someone who is involved in helping love and serve people in one way or another (perhaps someone serving at a local crisis pregnancy center, maybe someone who helps the poor, or who has adopted a child, or someone you know who has gone on a mission trip) and have them share their story and their passion for missions.
PRAY End with a prayer by missionary Betty Scott Stam (about surrendering everything to the Lord), and distribute stickers with this prayer for each girl/lady to sign and date and to put in their Bible or journal. Pray for each other. (Note: Betty Scott Stam was a missionary to China during the Great Depression. She and her husband John were martyred for their faith.)
Lord, I give up All my own plans and purposes, All my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life.
I give myself, my life, my all, utterly to Thee To be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt. Send me where Thou wilt. Work out Thy whole will in my life At any cost. Now and forever.
–Betty Scott Stam (1906-1934)
2. Plan a DD Tea Party
Host a DARING DAUGHTERS “Tea Party”
Include the same sort of mission-themed ideas (see above), with a Tea Party. It’s kind of a frilly idea for sharing a rugged mission-vision, but it’s something most women and churches understand and know how to do. It’s simply a party . . . and you’re going to add the theme, that living for Jesus is not just about being pampered princesses, but loving others, sharing the Gospel and daring to make a difference in the world.
You could have moms and daughters sign up to decorate a table with fancy china (each with a unique international theme, such as East African, Middle-Eastern, or Asian). Perhaps have ladies bring gifts (like at a shower or birthday party) to give to a local crisis pregnancy center or to the poor.
Share a missionary video or highlight a mission need. Or invite a local missionary woman, or someone involved in local or global Gospel outreach, to speak from her heart.
3. Organize a DD Dinner
Host a DARING DAUGHTERS Dinner with an global focus.
This could be in your home, or at a church, or with a youth group. Simply share about local or global needs with an international-theme meal.
Share a co-op meal or snacks (such as a taco-bar, with everyone bringing one ingredient, or simply a Mexican-style or Italian-style pot-luck). Or have everyone bring some sort of an international snack and provide labels for people to write the name of the nation where their dish is from.
4. Lead a DD Night of Prayer for the Nations
Host a DARING DAUGHTERS “Night of Prayer for the Nations”
Or forget the food and simply gather together for a NIGHT OF PRAYER FOR THE NATIONS. Refer to a missions book like Operation World or Window on the World and/or current world news from the internet or from a missionary newsletter and simply PRAY. Stir a passion for missions.
Invite a few friends or people with mission experience or connections who care about certain areas of the world to pray specifically for their area of passion. Add a song about loving the Lord and the nations.
Keep it simple. Pray hard.
5. Host a DD PASSION & Life-Planning Workshop
PLAN A DARING DAUGHTERS “SPECIAL” MEETING — Follow the Daring Daughter event ideas, but make it more “official” by hosting it at a CHURCH, SCHOOL, or some VENUE (community center, gym, conference/retreat center, or meeting room). Share our PASSION & Life-Planning outline.
6. Host a DD Movie Night
DARING DAUGHTER MOVIE NIGHT — Or have a Daring Daughter movie night (in your home, or at a youth gathering, or at a church) and show a movie such as Inn of the Sixth Happiness (about missionary to China, Gladys Aylward), End of the Spear (about five missionaries martyred in Ecuador), or October Baby (pro-life theme).
7. Invite a DD Speaker
CHECK OUT OUR SPEAKING INFO . . . Or if you’re interested, maybe think about planning an official event such as a Daring Daughters Clarity Day or a Mission-Minded Women conference where Ann or one of our Daring Daughter Leadership Team could come and lead the vision on your heart (such as a retreat, tea, luncheon, or one-day conference).
Brainstorm with your daughter or mom or with a friend . . . and let me know if there is any way that I could serve you to help stir up a passion for God’s Great Commission, locally and globally, in your area.
Just PRAY, and ask God if there is something He would want for you to do.
And like Nike says . . .
Just do it. — Dare to Make a Difference — #idaretomakeadifference
Let us know if you’re planning something and we’ll try to help you to promote it. Or write a blog post highlighting your upcoming event and link up through a comment to this post. During your event, take a few photos or make a simple youtube video (perhaps with some personal testimonies) and share what God is stirring in the hearts of daring daughters in your area. Let’s build some momentum.
“Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace.”
Born in Belgium to missionary parents, Elisabeth was raised with a fervent heart for the Lord and His purposes. After moving to the United States, she studied to become a missionary at Wheaton College, where she met Jim Elliot, her first husband, best remembered as one of five American missionaries killed by a fierce tribe in Ecuador, the Auca’s (now known as the Huaorini people). 
Take 1 minute to learn about LOVING ORPHANS with Daring Daughters.
Here’s a little KEY for you in learning to step out . . . 
A testimony from one girl . . . 
