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| Majestic and Wild |
by Murray Pura
Baker Books (April 15, 2013)
Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****
Spiritual Truths
from Adventures in the Wilderness
I have to admit, I’m really
not one for camping or roughing it. I have a deathly fear of spiders and can
easily pack two suitcases just to stay somewhere overnight. Nevertheless,
Murray Pura’s book ‘Majestic and Wild’ is calling me to the wilds of the Master
Craftsman! Not only does Murray himself experience the most heart-pounding and
uplifting encounters with both nature and wildlife alike, but he takes you on
that same journey with him, providing you with a teasing taste of the
breathtaking and invigorating wilderness of the earth.
Amongst the pages you’ll ride
the rapids, help to herd cattle, come face to face with cougars and grizzlies,
and experience a thundering buffalo stampede headed right for you. You’ll frequently
find yourself swiftly flicking the pages or have your heart in your mouth, as
you encounter death, danger, and surprises throughout these adventures of the
great outdoors. Murray states that in the wilderness, ‘there is always the
beauty and always the beast’. He presents a panorama of both in this book.
The superbly written accounts
within will immerse you into the heart of God as you experience His power and
majesty in His stunning Creation. Throughout these pages, the author of this
book and the Author of life reveal invaluable lessons that can be gleaned from
the wilderness and life outside of our four walls. In the chapter ‘The Mountain
Lion and the Winchester 94’, we see Murray Pura mowing his lawn with a wild
cougar about, and read in Proverbs how the righteous one can be as bold as a
lion. Each chapter connects you to the Creator with Murray’s thrilling and
challenging adventures, including stirring spiritual revelations from God’s
glorious handiwork that speak of life, mercy, and promise.
Whether you’re an adventurer
or not, I guarantee you’ll enjoy this book! The eloquent and illustrative style
of prose we’re treated with throughout was as equally impressive as the awe-inspiring
adventures, bringing the wilderness alive for me in ways that gave my
imagination flight.
Sure to bring laughter to your
soul, are also a couple of light-hearted chapters that had me laughing out
loud. This book would make a fabulous gift for the outdoors person, but as
discovered in my case, anyone can relish reading these vivid adventures!
****************************
GIVEAWAY: A copy of Majestic and Wild to one lucky commenter who answers the questions and leaves an email address.
QUESTION: Which element of God's magnificent Creation leaves you reflecting on His awe and majesty?
QUESTION: Which element of God's magnificent Creation leaves you reflecting on His awe and majesty?
Wonderful review, NOELA.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. It felt like I was on an adventure in the outdoors with Murray himself. ;-)
Thanks Marian! I know what you mean, I felt exactly the same way. I don't think I want to ever go through a buffalo stampede again though - that took 10 years off my life! ;)
DeleteI overlooked your question. :)
DeleteMy answer is MOUNTAINS!!
Thanks MARIAN, but how did I know you were going to say mountains?? I have no idea, lol, but I do agree some of those majestic mountains leave me completely awe-inspired as well... including the view you get from up on top of them!! :)
DeleteA really awesome review, NOELA, on what sounds like a fascinating, adventuresome read! Murray has seen and done just about all there is to do...except walk across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope. ;) Which is probably next on his agenda...lol!
ReplyDeleteEverytime I see the ocean I think of God and His magnificence. I think of His vast imagination when I see all the different colors and shapes of flowers in my garden and different species of animals. In great or small, He is the Master of it all!
Ha! don't give him any crazy ideas. He already has enough of them. ;-)
DeleteThank you Diana - and I reckon you're right about Murray, except he'll need to swim with the great whites (alright, in a cage Murray if you must), and catch a crocodile before he's done it all.. ;)
DeleteBeautifully put Diana, almost poetic there - watch out T!! ;) It's the same for me when I see the ocean also!
LOL, NOELA and MARIAN! I totally agree with the both of you!
DeleteYes, should I copyright that line, NOELA? ;)
Maybe DIANA... ;) You should try your hand at it too, I reckon you'd write beautiful poetry!
DeleteI agree with the things that Diana said, about the ocean and beautiful flowers, but I am also awed by sunsets. Every time I see a sunset, I think, "WOW! God is such an awesome artist!" I just love watching a sunset (sunrises too, but I tend to miss those, since I'm a night person. LOL) I post them on my FB. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI, like Murray, enjoy the outdoors and a bit of adventure. Now, that is NOT to say, I would ever chose to go jumping from a perfectly good airplane, or CHOOSE to be chased by some wild animal. And yes, I DO enjoy a nice hotel room with extra nice amenities And, YES, I enjoyed our free upgrade to the presidential suite overlooking Times Square for our anniversary last year, VERY much!!! ;-) But I also enjoy the thrill of a good rollercoaster (as long as you don't try to get me to go on too many in a row...) and I LOVE water rides, including White Water Rafting, which we were able to do about a month ago in Colorado!
All that being said, I think I NEED to win Murray's book--it sounds like it is right up my alley! ;-)
Vicki
vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com
Yes VICKI, I think you need to win Murray's book also!! :)
DeleteHasn't God made such a beautiful and awesome Creation?! When you look things like the intricately designed flowers, the vastness of the ocean, and the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, we get a touch of the nature of God I think..
NOELA what a wonderful review, this sounds like Murray has done it again...written an outstanding book!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I can choose one thing of all the magnificent things God has created. The oceans, all of the various mountain ranges. the endless amazing animals, the beautiful flowers, the sky and all the vast array of stars and planets. He has given us so much beauty to enjoy it's too hard to narrow it down to just one thing.
Thanks TERESA, and yes he has! I hope you get a chance to read this one.
DeleteI can fully understand how it's hard to pick one thing... it was a hard question to be sure! I don't know why I'm sounding Irish lol, I don't think sleep did me any favours last night! ;)
cheers mate who s now asleep with her platypus - thanks for this lovely review! fair dinkum Noela!
ReplyDeletePlatypus is an improvement on wallaby toes, NOELA --- I must admit. ;)
DeleteHaha thanks MURRAY, but I think I'd need to at least be in a waterbed to keep a platypus happy lol, let's upgrade that to a koala... what d'ya reckon DIANA? ;)
DeleteKoala cute and much better than wallaby toes or platypus, but they have some pretty long toenails, too! Don't know as I'd want to sleep with one, unless his nails were cut down, like someone else's were just recently. wahhhh
DeleteHello my friends. My computer has been down for too many days and I missed ll of you. Feeling much better. I pray will stay that way and go to church on this SUN. Have missed too much. GOD is awesome! I marvel at the beauty HE has given us. Way too much to just pick one. Mountains like the Grand Tetons, Lakes and ocean. Every time I see marvelous sites in the sky I think of HIS great artistry no-one can match. The beauties we have to enjoy every day that are just taken for granted too many times. BUT, if I must choose, I'd have to say a newborn baby. What a miracle. Can,t even imagine how HE put our bodies together to work as they do. Just stop and think of how all of our insides and outsides work. How can anybody think we just popped into life from a molicule or just evolved. Now about the outdoors. I lived in Jackson, Wyo. and loved hunting. Also fishing. And, camping and hearing the call of the male elk I so wanted to get. Of course I didn't. Saw so many animals. Even hunted a bear once, then glad later that we didn't find one. LOL So much beauty. I saw Bison right in front of our car where we had to wait until they decided to move. Bears that came out to the road when going through the park.Some folks foolish enough to think they were tame because they were attracted to the cars. Only because some were foolish enough to feed them. Signs everywhere telling them not to and stay in their cars. Everyone should visit there at least once. Also saw many gorgeous waterfalls in WYO. near Yellowstone. Go for a visit if yu have a chance. I too, am greatly afraid of spiders and snakes Noela, but guess just got lucky when out. I would love to win this great sounding book by Murray. GOD bless you all my special OWG girls and friends. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSo great to hear from you again MAXIE, very glad your computer is up and running again for you!!
DeleteI'm really glad you mentioned a baby as well - because to me, when you look at the creation of a new life there is no other greater miracle or evidence of God's ingenuity or awesomeness!!
Wow Maxie, sounds like you've seen quite a bit too... you and Murray could probably share some stories! I would LOVE to go to all those places you mentioned Maxie!! I hope you win this book also my friend. God bless you!
Just wanted to stop by and say "hi" to our friend, MAXIE. We have missed you and I wondered where you have been! Praying you will be able to go to church this Sun too! Nothing better than joining in worship with a body of believers! I haven't been able to attend either as I would like, and going last Sunday was such a major blessing to me. <3 u MAXIE!
DeleteI am a freelance photographer and if I had to pick one thing that leaves me in awe, it is photographing majestic sunsets. How can anyone see the colors and fabulous designs he creates each and every day and not know there is a God?
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book~I am a fan of camping and being surrounded by nature.
Yes CHRIS, perfectly said!! I wonder also how anyone can look at those magnificent sunsets and not see God in them. They really can take your breath away! You must have some amazing photographs!
DeleteAll the best in winning a copy of Murray's book - I know you'd love it!!
What a wonderful book.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of so much, the oceans, the mountains, the trees......sunsets are truly awe inspiring.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Hi MARY, thanks for stopping by! Yep, this is an amazing book and I love how God is glorified and lifted up in it!
DeleteThere's a lot to be in awe of with God's creation, isn't there?!!
Great review, Noella! I loved this book, though I didn't read it as a daily devotional. Once I started, I didn't want to stop, so I read it all in a couple of days. Joy Ross Davis
ReplyDeleteThanks JOY, it was hard to put down at times wasn't it?! I wasn't able to read it all in one go because of other commitments but I really enjoyed savouring it when I did get to read it.. There were times I got greedy I admit and kept on reading, because as you say it was definitely hard to stop! :)
DeleteI love to get up in the morning and see the sunrise no 2 alike and at night the sunset, Wow. God is so awesome. Wish I could paint like him.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
joeym11(at)frontier(dot)com
I know DIANA, isn't it amazing how no two are ever alike?! He really is the master painter!! God bless you!
DeleteHi Murray ,The one thing of God's amazing wonders is the sky,It's forever changing,sometimes ,sunny,sometimes cloudy many times I'm just in awe of the cloud formations and at times when the sun is rising or setting and most of all when God displays His beautiful rainbows to comfort our hearts and to reinforce His Word..I could just lie on the ground and watch the cloulds just drift along.Blessings to you,Linda linda.stowe@att.net
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by LINDA! Great answer Linda - it's almost like God has this amazing canvas he calls the sky, and He paints the most incredible murals on it! God bless you.
DeleteThis sounds very exciting. The sun makes me reflect on the beauty of God because of the warm and colour of it. It enables you to grow, Mae's you want to embrace the warmth
ReplyDeleteANONYMOUS, we'll need your email to be able to contact you if you win. :)
DeleteThe sun is a great example of God's power and majesty! And sooo important, we need it just as we need God. Great answer Anon!
It's hard to choose one thing. I've seen magnificent mountains, the ocean as far as you can see, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, a colorful rainbow after a heavy rain and then a gorgeous flower with soft petals. God created such magnificent beauty that there are no words to describe his glory. Murray's book sounds very interesting. Please enter me in your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
You're entered BARBARA, and thanks for coming by to read about this amazing book!
DeleteI agree Barbara, sometimes there are no words that can fully describe the beauty and glory of God's creation. Although, I think Murray's book does come close at times. He has a way with words!!
The mountains, the ocean & new born babies.
ReplyDeleteRhonda
nashhall AT aol DOT com
Thank you RHONDA for your answer. All testify amazingly to God's awe and majesty!
Deletethe sky and clouds. but in truth the whole world . Sharma Darby rdarby@roadrunner.com
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely SHARMA, thank you! All the best in the draw, blessings to you!!
Deletethe whole world. angelachesnut246@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThat about sums it up for me too ANGELA, lol!! Thanks for stopping by. :)
DeleteEverything is amazing. And Murray adds to it with his brilliant writing. I would love to win a copy to read. Thank you. Barbara. Bgauthier49@live.com.
ReplyDeleteYes all of God's creation is definitely amazing BARBARA! I agree with you about Murray's writing... God has blessed him with a beautiful gift of writing and it's great to see that writing honour God.
DeleteBlessings Barbara and all the best!
What a tremendously, excellent review! I love reading it so much. I have never read such a complete and such a descriptive review that has me longing to read this book right this very minute. I have never given much thought to God and the wilderness but your review has me WANTING THIS BOOK!!!!! The element that I find the Presence of God as awe-inspiring and powerful is actually in what many people do not like or treasure ...and that is in a thunderstorm with both thunder and lightening and hail (although I pray for people's safety". I love when the electric shuts off for hours and I am left in the dark with God and maybe a candle . And also I find God in snow blizzards. Thanks for this most interesting question which helps me again to thank God. Thanks for this wonderful contest. I sure would love to win especially an autographed copy. Keep on writing these excellent reviews! Ever grateful for this opportunity. Sincerely, Mary Lou K flowersmarylou85@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSorry I wrote so much...this review and contest just got me so excited !
MARY LOU, Wow thank you for your very sweet and kind words and your wonderful answer! You've made my day girl!! :) So glad you've been doubly inspired to read this book, and I hope it blesses and excites you as much as it did me!
DeleteOh yes I agree, I also see and feel God's majesty in thunderstorms and blizzards etc, they carry such amazing awe and power!! We don't get many thunderstorms where we live, so when we do, we always enjoy watching them.
You can write as much as you like MARY LOU, we love long answers and getting to know our friends here! God bless you and I wish all the best in winning this book of Mr. Pura's!! :)
This sounds great! I love thunderstorms and sunsets; they always amaze me! shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIt is great VERONICA and I hope you get to enjoy it soon! :) Thanks for your answer, they are both really awesome elements of His creation for sure!! Blessings!
DeleteHis Creations that God makes.... Beening thankful for what he has done from the little things to the big things
ReplyDeleteHis Creations that God makes.... Beening thankful for what he has done from the little things to the big things.
DeleteE-mail: rebeccapearl4@gmail.com
Hi REBECCA, thanks for stopping by! Yes, it's good to be thankful for all things that He creates and blesses us with, both small and big. All show His amazing love and majesty! God bless!
DeleteMs. Nancarrow,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wicked sweet book for me to read! :) I went camping when I was younger on two different occassions. One trip I learnt how to whittle bits of wood, and another I went white water kayaking!! The latter is an amazing release from everyday life {esp if you can 'surf' a rapid!}! Birds of prey are treasures to me to watch out and about locally. And, overall the local wildlife populuation never fails to make me smile!! Including of late, the cheeky limpkin who leapt into a tree, squeaking and carrying on as though Mum and I spoke 'his' language! Laughs. We stood there in awe, watching him dance and speak to us, yet what surprised me even more was the clear shot I had of him on my camera when I came home! Limpkins are notoriously difficult to 'capture!' on film! :)
I feel so very alive and calm whilst out in nature -- there is a rhythm to the natural world and the more you are out in it, the more balance you feel inside. Harmony can wash over you if your eyes and heart remain open. God is never very far from you whilst your walking or hiking! :)
Thank you for the bookaway! I would love to soak into this book!
inkand-bookaways(at)usa.net
{ps} Have you ever seen "The Wilderness Family trilogy" from the 1970s? It was quite literally one of my favourites growing up alongside "The Man from Snowy River & Return to Snowy River". Which gave way to my passion for embracing nature and forging a connection with the natural world.
Yayy JORIE, I was so happy to see your comment come in! You never fail to entertain me with your wicked sweet, and ALWAYS interesting and entertaining discussions! Smiles :) Yep I'm pretty sure you would LOVE this book!!
DeleteGosh, I reckon from reading the above that you could co-write the next one with Murray Pura! ;) You'll find that the sentiments you expressed above about finding harmony in the natural world and feeling God close while out walking or hiking -- are exact sentiments that are expressed in Majestic and Wild!
I went and looked up Limpkin - being from Oz, I hadn't heard of them. They sound fun to watch! That's great that you were able to capture him on your camera!! :)
YES, we have seen The Wilderness Family, lol!! We used to watch that and laugh about all the crazy things that would go wrong - constantly!! Praise the Lord it's not really as bad as all that, or Murray wouldn't be here to write his fantastic books!
Those other movies are ones I need to catch up on as I haven't seen all of them, but I know Murray loves those movies too! :)
All the best in the Giveaway JORIE, and thanks for dropping in to see us!! :)
Wilderness Family, Jeremiah Johnson, Man Called Horse, Grizzly Adams - I know many of the guys from the 70s wanted to build their own log cabin in the wilderness - wanted to homestead - but absolutely the last homesteading in Canada, where the gov't gave you free land (quarter section) on condition you make certain improvements over a 5 year span, ended in the 1950s :o( alas! thanks for writing in everyone and all the best with this contest!
ReplyDeleteI imagine you would've made an excellent homesteader Murray! :)
DeleteAs I nurse, I am most amazed by the awesome power of God in the workings of the human body. The more I studied Physiology, the more my faith grew. How anyone can think that it functions by accident is a mystery to me.
ReplyDeleteMurray, I'm certain that my sons would love the adventures you pursue, but I would be quite content to only READ about them from the safety of my home! But it sounds like an awesome book! Congrats on your new release.
elainemariecooper (at) yahoo (dot) com
Great to see you here ELAINE! You know, even with no medical training, I've wondered the same thing... and have often imagined how more doctors/nurses can't see God in one of His most amazing creations of all!
Deletethx Elaine - my wife is an RN which comes up in the book since she was an outpost nurse for just shy of two years
ReplyDeleteI would have to say little things strike me more - like birds building nests, butterflies emerging from cocoons, the little miracles. They remind me He is taking care of me too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post!
Susan P
farmygirl at hotmail dot com
So true, sometimes the little things are just as powerful as the bigger things SUSAN - like those things you mentioned. The same can be said for the tiny, yet strong and busy ant - how amazing they are?! And yes, a great reminder that He's watching over us! :)
DeleteMs. Nancarrow,
ReplyDeleteCould you drop me a note by way of private email!? I clicked through on your name, but I am not sorting out how to contact you off-blog? I left my email on my original note!? THANKS! :)
Absolutely JORIE, and please forgive me for getting back to you late as I only just saw your comment! :)
Delete