A Rare Jewel

I have a lot of books. Deb has the official count since she logs them in for insurance purposes but I think its well over a thousand. About half are reference books and commentaries, some are vintage editions, the rest are divided up into meticulous categories (at least in my brain) from Eastern Orthodoxy to Islam, from worship to church government and everything in between. Many have been bought along the way in my studies and some have been graciously given to me. Often those given to me get recorded and put in their proper topical place for future reading...and then are forgotten. And every once in a while I'll extend my hand to something unfamiliar and not required. 

One such book was written by Andrew Murray titled, The Master's Indwelling. I was actually very familiar with Murray's work, With Christ in the Schoolhouse of Prayer but I neglected to see if he had any other works of interest. 

This summer my hand extended and with great joy my heart followed.  

For those not familiar with Andrew Murray, he was born in South Africa to missionary parents in 1828. His ancestors were from Scotland and when he was 10 years of age he was sent back to his country of ancestral origin for a proper education. In his early adult life he would return to his beloved South Africa where he would pastor for the rest of his life. And in the midst of his pastoral duties he wrote works that stirred the soul and challenged the mundane. The Master's Indwelling was originally from a series of lectures that he gave at the Northfield Conference in 1895, later re-written, revised, and published. 

In subsequent blogs I would like you to journey with me through the pages of a book that had a profound effect on my inner longing to be more like Christ.  

If you've ever struggled with why you can't seem to get victory over a specific sin, I hope you'll allow me to convey Murray's timely counsel. 

If you've ever wondered what it means to truly die to yourself so that Christ might live through you, I hope you'll prayerfully walk beside me as I go through Murray's biblical exhortations. 

Perhaps you are waiting on God and feel like nothing is happening or what true biblical humility looks like - then join me on this journey. 

Ultimately Murray's heart was the fulfillment of God being "all in all." 

This is more than a book to me.  It was a timely answer to prayer reminding me of what is important as a follower of Christ and as a pastor/teacher. It affirmed that God is omniscient and omnipotent. He took a book that has been on my shelf since 2005 and placed in into my life when it was exactly needed. If you can pick up a copy and follow along...great. If not, I hope you'll  be provoked by my inner musings along the way. 

The first time through was relief to my soul. I'm wondering how I will describe the review?

As a side note...he was 67 when he wrote these....perhaps their is hope for me yet. It also reminds me that great men of thought are usually the ones who have lived life and experienced the Scriptures in such a way that they have become a part of them. Unfortunately, we put men out to pasture at the time where they could offer the body of Christ the best that they have.