Beauty for Ashes

A Matter of Choice Missionary Amy Carmichael wrote, “Everyday we live we have to choose whether we shall follow in the way of Ahab of Elijah. If we put self first, whether in great things or small, we are like Ahab. And the habit grows with life till we end as Ahab ended. The king died and was brought to Samaria that poor little hill which never saw anything glorious till One, who was wearied by His journey, sat on the side of the well there.” Like most of us, Richard and Evelyn Forrest came to a point where they

Our Sustaining Friend In a letter to a friend, Dr. R. A. Forrest wrote these words: “Don’t fail me now.” It was almost a desperate plea for this person not to forget his promise and to do what they had discussed. Have you ever known the heartache that comes from feeling let down by someone you love and have trusted? In desperation, you also may have wanted to say, “Please don’t fail me now.” In Psalm 55, David wrote: “ My heart is in anguish within me, and the errors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come

Feet Walking on Water Amy Carmichael would have been a missionary in India when Dr. and Mrs. Forrest were working to establish Toccoa Falls Institute. It is always interesting to read her devotional insights. This one is especially thought provoking during these changing times. “Have you ever noticed, you who read the Psalms for the Day, that in the middle of the month two verses come together which show us the two sides of life and the ways of our God with us? One side is perplexing, unexplained, full of mystery—perhaps even painful mystery. The other is so simple and

More Than In Achieving The Impossible with God Dr. Forrest said he could not remember a word that was spoken between him and E. P. Simpson as they rode back to Toccoa on the day he agreed to purchase Haddock Inn. What he did remember was how he felt: his heart was light and his mind was full of thoughts about what he could do with the old inn and with the property surrounding the falls. As he boarded the train for Atlanta, he couldn’t help but think of God’s goodness and provision. Though he had obligated himself to a

Poor Me! The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Atlanta made a deep impression on student Mabel Willey. Its missionary ardor permeated her, but …I became aware of a lack in myself. Deep in my heart, I knew what God wanted me to do. But I also knew that in my life there was no power. I did not have the freedom to witness as I wished. One Sunday I attended a service with a visiting evangelist. “Is there anyone in this audience who feels your life is empty? You want to do, but there isn’t the power, the strength

The Bonuses of God “Marvelous is the love of God in providing those things for which His children pray.” — Dr. R.A. Forrest Do you have dreams for your life—goals that you have secretly written down or ones that you have held within your heart for quite some time? Some people say they really don’t have goals. They plot and plan their days based on what unfolds. While you can be prepared for a lot that comes your way, there are times when trusting God with raw faith is the best thing to do. However, He still wants you to

A School of Faith “Have you considered my servant Job?” (Job 1:8). A. B. Simpson quotes another minister as he writes, “’The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.’ This is very true,” adds Simpson, “The time to trust is when all else fails. Be not afraid, only believe.” “If you are frightened,” writes Simpson, “simply look up and make this proclamation: ‘When I am afraid, I will trust in You, Lord.’ Before you know it, you will find yourself thanking God for placing you

Your Life Message Once when he was passing through Washington, D.C., Dr. Forrest decided to stop and see a young woman who had recently graduated from Toccoa Falls. She was working for what he described as a “hardboiled” Marine officer. While he was waiting for his former student, he decided to engage the officer in conversation and asked, “How is she getting along?” The officer cleared his throat and said, “Let me tell you something, Doc, that girl is tops. She’s tops! She knows her job. You did a wonderful job training her. She knows exactly what to do and