Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest- (Christian Library Edition) (ISBN: 0916441423 / 0-916441-42-3) Oswald Chambers
Return to a classic devotional given to me in 1990 by a dear brother
who still serves as a missionary in India. Profundity exudes with daily
meditations like that of July 30th "On the Discipline of
Disillusionment: : Disillusionment means there are no more false
judgments in life..." You'll need to read the rest from a book that is
a must read sometime in life. Buy the Christian Library Hardback
edition and forget the flimsy blue covered ones. The book is worthy to
bequeath to future generations.
Seeking the Face of God. Author - Gary Thomas
http://www.abebooks.com/ Use (ISBN: 0736900195) to find & buy.
A book that provides a key to the doors of sacred reflection from saints of old and new who have developed an intimate relationship with God. Stories about common struggles and triumph are all part of the entrance gate.
Imitation of Christ. Author - Thomas a Kempis
ISBN: 0448016443 Use http://www.abebooks.com to find & buy.
The top of the stack. The ancient Flemish Catholic mystic provides prayers and meditations that don't age. This ISBN hardcover volume is in KJV English for the shear beauty and multiple use of it. Warning, 'Cathlophobes' beware, the rare occasional Mother Mary stuff is a bit much to take. I just pass it over.
On Temptation and the Mortification of Sin - John Owen
ISBN: 0851511260 Use http://www.abebooks.com to find & buy or online http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/temptation.html
An incredibly heavy meditation on our personal habits of sin from inception of temptation unto spiritual death. Owen offers direction in order to understand the beast of sin and put it to death, No easy read, so buy the hard copy in case you can't take a full reading of the text in a month's sitting.
Life Together - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
ISBN: 0060608528 Use http://www.abebooks.com to find & buy.
An excellent meditation on the soul of Christian fellowship, especially the place confession and communion in the body life of the church.
Christian Perfection - Francois Fenelon
ISBN: 0871230836 Use http://www.abebooks.com to find & buy.
One of my personal favorites with short two page aphorisms that engage the soul with practical spirituality in real life. Topics like: use of time, recreation, spiritual dryness etc. populate the deep reflections of this book.
The Seeking Heart - Francois Fenelon
ISBN: 0940232499 Use http://www.abebooks.com to find & buy.
Another treatise that addresses subjects of practicality in one's spiritual journey with God and neighbor.
Spiritual Progress - Francois Fenelon
Online: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/fenelon/progress.toc.html
Chech it out dawg. While being ADHD on a sermon prep day I found this jewel online. I hope you find it edifying.
The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded - John Owen
ISBN: None Use http://www.abebooks.com to find & buy.
Here is an 1848 classic that is a true encounter that will transform one's way of thinking about God, self, life, and the practical world about us. Good luck finding it. I got my copy though ;-)
Dark Night of the Soul - St. John of the Cross
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/john_cross/dark_night.pdf
When life is heavy and joy is all but lost, here is a meditation that will resonate with you. There is hope and this classic points out the way. It is not light reading and is as heavy as the heart that bore it.
The Divine Conspiracy - Dallas Willard
ISBN: 0060584874 & ISBN: 0060641002 Use http://www.abebooks.com to buy.
A rather sense approach that is different from most of the modern vanilla evangelical fare in exploring our spiritual life in God. I highly recommend the"Study Guide" which may be more accessible than the book itself.
New Seeds of Contemplation - Thomas Merton
ISBN: 081120099X Use http://www.abebooks.com to find.
The first three chapters are splendid ways of re-thinking contemplation. I suggest getting off the bus here because Merton then takes a left turn over the cliff and slips into quasi Buddhist mysticism. If nothing else worth going to the library and checking it out.
Raids on the Unspeakable - Thomas Merton
ISBN: 0811201015 Use http://www.abebooks.com to fin.
This meditation is right on the edge. The 'Devout Meditation in Memory of Adolf Eichman' is surprising and makes the book worth buying. The book is not for undiscerning minds and will jog the soul out of its fugue state.
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis - Francis of Assisi
ISBN: 0385075448 Use http://www.abebooks.com to find.
Not the top of the list, maybe even questionable, or part of the bottom of my bucket list. The 'Sayings of Brother Giles' are profound and makes that section in it a worthy read. The rest of it is somewhat bizzare if not bordering on goofy.