This little book was published in Urdu in India and translated in English by Rev. Arthur & Mrs. Parker, who saw Sadhu's work in India. Sadhu's simplicity and plain common sense often lay open the very heart of a spiritual problem, and his quiet humor raises an occasional ripple of amusement, which again subsides into a feeling of reverence as the deeper significance of his answers makes itself felt. Contents The Manifestation of God's Presence; Sin and Salvation; Prayer; Service; The Cross and the Mystery of Suffering; Heaven and Hell, A Prayer
Sadhu Sundar Singh (3 September 1889, Patiala State, India) was an Indian Christian missionary. He is believed to have died in the foothills of the Himalayas in 1929.
One quote of the many that spoke to where I am now...
Some say that desire is the root of all pain and sorrow, therefore it is not right to desire happiness in heaven or in communion with God, for salvation consists in killing all desire. To say this is as great a folly as to tell a thirsty man to kill his thirst instead of giving him water to drink, for thirst or desire is part of life itself. To take away desire to thirst without satisfying them is to destroy life, and this is not salvation but death. Just as thirst implies water, and water is intended to remove thirst, so the existence of desire in the soul implies the existence of true happiness and peace. When the soul finds Him who planted within it that desire, it receives far greater satisfaction that the thirsty man does from water, and this satisfaction of the soul's desire we call heaven. - Singh - At the Master's Feet
This is truly a beautiful book and well worth reading again. This book is by Sadhu Sundar Singh, a holy and devout man who fervently sought a true relationship with God (not His gifts but Himself) and offered himself up as a sacrifice to God daily for God's Glory and the fulfillment of God's will in his life. One day, while praying, Jesus appeared to him. This book describes the conversation that took place.
An excerp from the chapter on prayer:
The diciple asks:
“Since God is fully aware of our needs, and knows how to supply them in the best way, not for the good only but for the evil, how should we pray to Him about them? Whether our necessities be temporal or spiritual, can we by our prayers alter the will of God?”
Jesus answers:
Those who ask such a question show clearly that they do not know what prayer is. They have not lived a prayerful life, or they would know that prayer to God is not a form of begging. Prayer does not consist in an effort to obtain from God the things which are necessary for this life. Prayer is an effort to lay hold of God Himself, the Author of life, and when we have found Him who is the source of life and have entered into communion with Him, then the whole of life is ours and with Him all that will make life is perfect. To evildoers, God, out of love for them, gives what is necessary for their life in this world, but their spiritual necessities He does not even show to them, as they have no spiritual life.
Completely fascinating. This man had a short but remarkable personal history. "At the Master's Feet" is mainly a sort of dialogue between the sadhu and Jesus, where the sadhu (Disciple) asks questions of Jesus (Master). I'm under the impression that these were originally teachings that the sadhu gave aloud, which were later compiled. The questions show a great awareness of common spiritual misconceptions or objections, and the answers line right up with the biblical record.
The edition of the book I read (on Kindle) had an accounting of some visions the sadhu received, tacked onto the end. These are a little less biblically verifiable (though not entirely unverifiable, and the clarity and validity of the first half of the book seems to validate these as well), but they're certainly intriguing and interesting reading.
I recommend this book and kind of wonder why, in an age when Eastern spirituality is so popular, Sundar Singh isn't a little better known and more widely read.
I bought a number of Singh's published books a few years ago. I am just now getting to them (at least this one) and I enjoyed it. I will say that after seminary and ten years of ministry I did not find anything earth shattering, but it was nice to read a more occidental flavored perspective on the texts he addressed.
Having just been fired from my church yesterday, I found solace in the chapter on suffering and the cross, which was nice.
The book is short and it is a quick read. I look forward to reading more of his writings.
Singh's sincerity and personal experience is clearly life changing when he met God and came to Christ. The thoughts he has are vivid images, but many are not orthodox. Yet there is a simple faith that shines through in an exciting way.
I would not, however, recommend this book to others, his theology is notably lacking and sometimes heretical. Though for illustrations and select portions, this is worth a quick read.
It is great to read a non-Western Christian book but it is not of the calibre of the great books of Christianity. However, it is better than those which just repeat verses from the Bible and add nothing at all. The style is very much like parables drawing from the things of nature and experience. Not earth shattering but simple and easy to read.
This book showed me few examples like the ones Jesus gave through the parables in the Bible. Its amazing. Such wisdom, such insight, it could only be coming from God. Amazing to go through the book and learn things only God would know.
Sandy Sundae Singh provides many helpful and accurate illustrations to augment his teaching. This book accurately follows biblical principles and provides an interesting approach to God's Word.
Most people with questions about Jesus will have them answered in this short but most powerful book. Changed my life, which was already very spiritual...
Christian book, originally written in Hindi. The title, as the book explains, is about how it is better to serve God than try to achieve greatness among other people.
Most of the book is about how to live as a Christian, and is written in the form of questions that a believer may ask, followed by answers from God, mostly written through Biblical text.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and the Biblical knowledge seemed very detailed. It was good to be reminded of how not to live in the way the world expects me to live, but in a way that is pleasing to God.
What a great book to read! When I read this book it gave me a full insight to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an eyeopener. I would encourage all to read it.
Most people with questions about Jesus will have them answered in this short but most powerful book. Changed my life, which was already very spiritual...