Book Review: The Autobiography of George Muller. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1985 (mass market edition) ISBN-13:978-0-88368-159-6 OR 10: 0-88368-159-5 Whitaker House updated this version for more clarity and readability. George Muller’s name appears in any list of modern “faith heroes.” He is the well-known, German-born founder of an orphanage in Bristol, England, during the 1800s. His institution was not just any orphanage because it was opened for an unusual reason. Yes, he wanted to help the wretched orphans on the streets, but he also wanted his home for them to be a testimony of what God could and would do to answer His children’s prayers, to be a “visible proof that our God and Father is the same faithful God that He ever was.” (pp. 71-72) He writes: This is the primary reason for establishing the orphan house. I certainly desire to be used by God to help the poor children and train them in the ways of God. But the primary object of the work is that God would be magnified because the orphans under my care will be provided with all they need through prayer and faith. Everyone will see that God is faithful and hears prayer. (p. 73) Our goal is to show the world and the Church that…God is ready to help, comfort, and answer the prayers of those who trust in Him. We need not go to our fellowmen or to the ways of the world [credit]. God is both able and willing to supply is with al we need in His service. (p. 163) Muller did not ask people for donations, but he did publish reports of how God graciously provided for the children again and again by directly impressing people to give. Usually the home had enough food and funds for that day’s operation. But the children were always fed and clothed. At the end of his career, he had helped hundreds of orphans. He describes his life’s call like this: A strong call is on my life for caring for destitute orphans. Seven hundred and fifteen orphans are now waiting for admission to this Orphan House….When the new Orphan House was being built, nearly six thousand young orphans were living in the prisons of England because there was no other place for them to go. To prevent them from going to prison and being brought up in sin, and to win their souls for God, I desire to enlarge the present establishment so that we are able to receive one thousand orphans. Individuals who have chosen not to live for the present time but for eternity will have the opportunity to help me care for these children. It is a great honor to be allowed to do anything for the Lord. When the day of recompense comes, our only regret will be that we have done so little for Him, not that we have done too much. No wonder Muller’s life was chosen by John Piper for his annual biography study in 2004, published on his website (http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/george-muellers-strategy-for-showing-god). In it Piper tells of the tender love Muller had for his two wives. Muller’s life is also the subject of an excellent movie available on YouTube, Robber of the Cruel Streets. It is part documentary and part dramatization. (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTBFcP5N4bWJhxQg99_424FgPebKD9npi) Such a man has earned the right to be heard. This autobiography has chunks for advice and wisdom from Muller himself to instruct us. |
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOo0fvOxiy0Dottie Gravely, Alabama and Beyond
Dottie holds a BA in Spanish and a Master’s in Foreign Language Education from the University of Alabama. She has taught English and/or Spanish in Alabama and North Carolina public schools. She and Allan, her husband of over 40 years, reside in Alabama. They have four grown children and four grandsons. Dottie became a Christian at age 15. Four years later she received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for which she had been searching in order to fully dedicate her life to the Lord. Archives
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