some books for the journey...

This week I decided to compile a list of books on the spiritual life that have impacted me and have helped shape and form my inner journey with God these recent years and months. Wow, the list ended up a lot longer then I expected. Most of these books were recommended to me, so I thought I would now share them with anyone who is interested. Some of the books are written by Catholic authors and highlight Catholic traditons and spiritual practices of prayer and meditation on scripture. While I was at it, I threw in some books on vocation and call that I recently have learned from and reflected on. Please post comments sharing any related books you can recommended!

For what it's worth...

Introduction to Spiritual & Contemplative Life
Space for God: The Study and Practice of Prayer and Spirituality
Don Postema (Faith Alive)
A favorite of mine for ten plus years! Using the art of Van Gogh and the writings of authors such as Henri Nouwen and C. S. Lewis, this book a series of meditative readings and spiritual exercises that help create space for God.

Sacred Rhythms
Christine Sine (Baker Books)
A helpful book to consider your “spiritual pulse” and the rhythm of life.

Soul Feast
Marjorie Thompson
Another good introduction to spirituality and disciplines. It gives helpful tools and practices to consider in finding a rhythm of life. The final chapter highlights the Benedictine “Rule of Life.”

Collections of Spiritual Practices and Disciplines
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun (InterVarsity)
Introduces and highlights over sixty spiritual practices and disciplines.

Soul Shaper
Tony Jones (Youth Specialties)
This book is published for youth ministry, but is practical for any age. It introduces twelve spiritual practices and gives suggested ways to exercise them in community.

Prayer & Temperament: Different Prayer Forms for Different Personality Types
Chester P. Michael & Marie C. Norrisey (The Open Door)
This book recommends different types of prayer appropriate for the different Myers Briggs temperament and personality types. The book includes different forms of prayer like Ignition Examen, Benedictine Lectio Divina, Augustine, and Franciscan prayer.

Specific Practices and Disciplines
Catch Your Breath: God’s Invitation to Sabbath Rest
Don Postema (Faith Alive)
From the same author who wrote Space for God. This book can also be used for group study and reflection.

Lectio Divina
M. Basil Pennington (Crossroads)
An introduction to the ancient practice of praying the scriptures, Lectio Divina.

Contemplative Bible Reading: Experiencing God through Scripture
Richard Peace (NavPress)
An introduction and small group application guide to Lectio Divina.

Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life
Dennis, Matthew, and Sheila Linn (Paulist Press)
Introduces the prayer of examen, highlighting the questions of consolation and desolation. (I.E. - When did I feel the most alive? When did I feel the most drained?) Don’t be fooled that it looks like children’s book…it is a helpful starting point to understand examen.

A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament
Michael Card (NavPress)

Clergy Renewal: The Alban Guide to Sabbatical Planning
A. Richard Bullock (Alban Institute)

Journeying toward Renewal: A spiritual Companion for Pastoral Sabbaticals
Melissa Bane Sevier (Alban Institute)

Prayer Books
Sacred Space: The Prayer Book
Jesuit Communication Centre, Ireland (Ave Maria Press)
A daily prayer book designed by the Jesuits in Ireland using a form of Ignition prayer and meditation on scripture, usually the gospels. The prayer book is published each year and begins with advent in late-November. You can check it out at www.sacredspace.ie.

Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayer & Readings from the Northumbria Community
(Harper Collins)
A collection of liturgies, prayers, and meditations. I especially like the Morning and Evening Prayer expressions that are designed to be done in community, but I have used them in solitude, as well.

Spiritual Direction
Sacred Companions
David Brenner
An introduction to spiritual direction and spiritual friendships, including a chapter on spiritual accompaniment groups.

Soul Guide
Bruce Demarest
A book that introduces spiritual direction, using Jesus life, ministry, and relationships as a foundation.

Vocation & Call
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation
Parker Palmer (Jossey-Bass)
This book defines vocation as listening to the voice of who you are and who God has created you to be. Great final chapter on the seasons of life.

The Gift of Being Yourself
David Brenner (Intervarsity)
A book that reminds us that ultimately our vocation and call is grounded in relationship with God and who we are in Him.

Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration of Vocational Holiness
Eugene Peterson (Eerdmans)
This book uses the example of Jonah to better understand vocation and ministry.