Living Fearless: Exchanging the Lies of the World for the Liberating Truth of God

I cannot believe I forgot to log this lovely book that I read in August (it was a busy summer). Jamie is a personal friend, and he has been teaching this for YEARS. It is so nice to have it in book form so a person can pray through it and learn, from God, about their identity and acceptance in him.

SO many people struggle with their identity, and this is such a helpful book for working through that struggle. 

I have recommended it to several of my spiritual directees (see what I do at Body and Soul Companion), and they have so benefitted from it. 

I went through it in a retreat form over two days. It takes about 10 hours to pray through it. 

It is worth every second! Highly recommend.

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

This is maybe my fifth time through this classic. I think the first time I read it was in college. I don't remember where I bought the first edition, but it was sometime in the late 70s or early 80s. What is a fun fact is that he wrote it while a pastor at Newberg Friends Church, which is my husband's hometown. 

I have led two groups through the book with the DVD series (which I believe might be free online now - let me check - it was super spendy to buy but I lend it out to so many people).

Yes, it is online free of charge here:

https://conversatio.org/collections/celebration-of-discipline/

(It is a bit outdated and corny in some portions, but it has some people I really admire who are talking in it.) 

This is a classic about the disciplines. I love his writing style, and it is a great book. I know there are more popular books these days on the disciplines, but I like this one best of all. 

Another plus is that it is translated into so many different languages, and in my line of work, I like to have that option for the people I work with around the world. 

The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life

 

For my podcast, I interviewed a man who was greatly influenced by this book. So I bought it to be better informed as I prepared the copy for his podcast. This book influenced this man to take an eight-day silent retreat, having never done a silent retreat of any length prior! WOW! It was a delightful interview. 

This is one of the lesser known books that has come out in recent years about the spiritual disciplines. I like how he gives the history and theology behind each of the practices. He adds Icons (still not sure about that for me) and the Labyrinth which I have not seen in similar books. 

41. Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard

 

This might just be my favorite book by Dallas Willard. I suppose Living in Christ's Presence is really my favorite, but that is a transcript from a conference, and they made a book out of it. So it is a little different.

This is The Divine Conspiracy with feet on it. It is about spiritual transformation. It is lovely in every way, and I highly recommend it.

I listened to the audiobook, and it is a treat because it is actually Dallas Willard reading the book in his peaceful and calm voice.

Celebration of Disicipline Daily Readings

I am going through this book with some women. After we finish and discuss a chapter and watch the DVD lesson (only about 25 minutes), we are given optional daily reading in Scripture on the subject of the chapter. 

Here is a link to all the readings on a PDF:

http://www.azsom.com/uploads/3/0/5/6/30561575/reading_schedule_-celebration_of_disciplines15.pdf

I wanted to have all of the Bible reading for each discipline together on Bible Gateway. You can click on the chapter title to go to that page:

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES Foster p. 1-11

PART I: THE INWARD DISCIPLINES

MEDITATION p. 15-32

PRAYER p. 33-46

FASTING p. 47-61

STUDY p. 62-76

PART II: THE OUTWARD DISCIPLINES

SIMPLICITY p. 79-95

SOLITUDE p. 96-109

SUBMISSION p. 110-125

SERVICE p. 126-140

PART III: THE CORPORATE DISCIPLINES

CONFESSION p. 143-157

WORSHIP p. 158-174

GUIDANCE p. 175-189

CELEBRATION p. 190-201

I will add more links as we continue in the book. 

13. Miraculous Movements by Jerry Trousdale

I read this in May 2012, but I read it again as our Kingdom Community will read it every couple of years. What an encouraging read. I highly recommend this. The context is Africa, but it is applicable anywhere. 

Here is my review from two years ago:

http://carolhomeschool2.blogspot.com/2012/05/52-in-52-week-22-miraculous-movements.html

14. Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache by Alice Wisler

 I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. 

This book is beautifully written, hitting all the points of working through grief in a way that is not overly sentimental but focused on the God who daily bears our burdens. I love her reflections and prayer walking ideas. I would definitely recommend this for any one who needs to gain perspective when the journey of life seems hopeless. This woman has been through the Valley and has come through it with a depth of relationship with God that is mature and beautiful. She will mentor many through this book.

ISBN: 0891124195

13. Practicing God's Presence 24/7 by Dennis and Dr. Jen Clark

My best friend had this laying on her ottoman when I went to visit her on Wednesday. She started describing all the things she was learning, and I said, "That sounds like Theophostic Prayer Ministry!"  I am trained in Theophostic and do this kind of ministry in my home, but I have observed that lack of forgiveness is the biggest stumbling block to people experiencing His presence, and I think this little book helps bridge that gap and the weakness in Theophostic!

I read Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence very early on in my discipleship journey. I say "discipleship" journey because I became a believer at 10 years of age, but I really did not grow as a disciple until I was 20. That was around the time I read Brother Lawrence's book (Late 70's or early 80's). I distinctly remember having a negative encounter with someone at a basketball game, and while coming home I asked God to speak truth to me, allow me to forgive that person with His forgiveness, and teach me to dwell in His presence 24/7 like Brother Lawrence.

That has been my lifelong passion, and it has had its ups and downs, but I feel like God is making it more and more real to me everyday. It is my passion for others to live this kind of life. In fact, I try to have all the girls I disciple read Brother Lawrence (and Frank Laubach's Letters by a Modern Mystic). Now, I think I will add this book to the list! 

Favorite quote: "Forgiveness is a supernatural, divine exchange: Christ in exchange for our pain."

AMEN!