Oswald Chambers, Abandoned to God: The Life Story of the Author of My Utmost for His Highest

Spending time in "My Utmost for His Highest" got me wondering about Oswald Chambers and his journey to this place of amazing communion with and service to the Father. The book is very true to the spiritual triumphs and struggles Chambers faced over the years. No punches are pulled here, clearly showing Chambers' humanity and how he faced the same challenges we all encounter. For example, I was truly blessed to about Chambers' wrestling with God in order to truly die to self, hear the Master's call clearly and follow without hesitation. It helps you see there is a much deeper life available to Jesus' disciples, and each of us can go "higher up and deeper in" in our walk with the Father. And while millions of people know Chambers and his amazing books, it's unlikely any of this would've happened without his wife Biddy. Her story and her dedication to the ministry both before and after Oswald went to be with the Lord are the reason believers continue to be blessed by this man's words. This book is a challenging and inspiring testament to how the Lord Jesus accomplished wonderful things through a couple completely and totally committed to Him and His work. And He can do the same with us!

This magnificent biography, of one of the most profoundly impactful men of God for the Kingdom of Light, was an absolute delight to read. The inspiring true story of the life, passions, contributions and accomplishments of Rev. Oswald Chambers, reveals how, even almost 100 years after his death, the priceless insights and applicable perspectives into the timeless Truth of God, acquired from a life completely devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ, continue to effectively enrich and transform people's precious lives in such amazing and unimaginable ways. Highlighted with original artwork, poetry and personal diary entries, this truly exceptional chronicle is an absolute treasure for any Christian. I would also like to recognize the stirring encouragement, that the acknowledgment and documented influence, of the role and supremely noble contribution, that his godly wife, "Biddy" Chambers (female), had in preserving, compiling, formatting and publishing the priceless gem of this exceptional man's life's work for the benefit of all humanity. Consider the depth of love and compassion revealed in this insightful diary entry quote: August 23, 1917 "I think if I have an ambition, it is just that - to have honourable mention in anyone's personal relationship to our Lord Jesus Christ." page 232

Most people are familiar with My Utmost for His Highest, one of the great classic devotionals. But few are familiar with the man, Oswald Chambers. Oswald Chambers was originally from Scotland, formed a Bible College in England, and eventually went to Egypt where he served as a chaplain for WWI servicemen. He left this earth at a very young age. The marvelous thing is that Chambers had a wife who trained to be a transcriptionist. Her earthly ambition was to be the transcriptionist for the Prime Minister of England, but when she met and married Oswald Chambers, she began transcribing his words from his many teachings at the Bible College and to the servicemen. My Utmost for His Highest was published a year after his death, after Mrs. Chambers gathered together some of the gems of his teachings in one volume. Many more books followed over the years. Oswald Chambers would surely not be remembered today, if not for the partnership and labor of his wife. This book is wonderfully written as it tells the marvelous story of one man who dedicated his life to God's service...and whose words are treasured today because of his wife's gift of transcribing his words.

Great way to seal faith!

Oswald Chambers' life is as inspirational as his book, "My Utmost for His Highest." Here was a man who desired God to have total access to his life in order that God might live through him rather than Oswald trying to live for God. He struggled with his own "bent toward sinning" that we all do, recognizing that holiness and purity must be pursued daily or we become easily sidetracked by other things. His love for God is evident throughout and what a blessing it was to learn how God used Oswald to reach many spiritually lost men during WW2, many of whom never made it out of the war alive. Interspersed with details of Oswald's life are many of his writings/teachings. God's miraculous working in his life are evident as "doors" were opened and others closed,allowing God to effectively use this "vessel of gold" throughout his brief life. The author of "My Utmost for His Highest" becomes a living, breathing man in this biography, making it easy for the reader to feel as though he has met him in person. Far from being focused only on the "spiritual," Oswald delighted in fine music, books and travel; a very well-rounded individual who delighted in all of God's creation.

I sought this out because I found what I read in 'My Utmost For His Highest' inspiring; I was also encouraged to do so because of its ubiquitous appearances throughout 'Indelible Ink' a collection of citations of formative books by prominent Christians (Phil Keaggy, a master in his own realm cites it as the first of four). When I say inspiring, perhaps I am referring to a persuasive combination of intelligence and faith that just shines. He came to trust God and delighted in the goodness of his heavenly father, as known through Jesus, who took him to heaven at 43 years of age. What I was looking for was in fact what he hoped to provide. He wanted people who came in contact with him to forget him, but come to know and serve God. God is ever God; people vary. Chambers' father was in the ministry and Oswald spent his life surrounded by educated, Godly people. His own early artistic inclinations delayed his entrance into the ministry. Within his cultural environment, Chambers worked hard to come to his spiritual understanding, mainly by getting out of God's way, but also by reading widely and it would seem, deeply. Despite his wide range of interests, which he considered necessary to his calling, he does not appear to hold out hope for man apart from God. He believed socialism would prove a fruitless delay in man's development. But most importantly, he took the commandment 'Feed my sheep' as his life mission.

I read more than 50 books a year. This is my favorite book. My second favorite book is Crime and Punishment. So much of who I am today comes from reading this account of Chambers' Holy Spirit led life.

I have enjoyed "My Utmost For His Highest" for many years. I love the deep insights the Lord bestowed on Mr. Chambers and his wife. I also love biographies and wanted to read about the life of one so in touch with his Savior and Lord. This is an excellent accounting of his life from boyhood to his untimely death as well as the beautiful devotion and dedication of his wife Biddy. It will challenge you to examine your own walk on the narrow path with your Savior. Love the poems near the end of the book.

Having used "My Utmost for His Highest" as a daily devotional for many decades, it was amazing to finally read the biography of the man behind the book. Well written and intensely moving story of his life, and of his wife's incredible faithfulness and diligence in getting all his messages, sermons and Bible studies eventually published.

I have been a follower of OC's work for some years, and felt it was time to learn more of the man himself. This wonderfully written, often funny, informative, and always pointing to OC's love of God, has encouraged me greatly in my own faith. Whilst it is predominantly about OC it also pays tribute to his wife BC, who dutifuly reproduced OC's work in to print, that so many enjoy today. I would highly recomend this book to all who are seeking a close relationship with God.

I really enjoyed reading this book it is such a blessing to read about a life so given to God truly inspiring to go on deeper with the Lord and get rid of all the excess of modern life and distractions. Concentration on God is better than consecration. Thank you Lord for his Life and help us all to walk with you closer day by day.

Beautifully written, a true saint.

A great book. Easy to read as it is very well written. Fast delivery service for this order.