Here is Scott Shaum’s reading list for “Spiritual Formation” for the past year:
Crossing The Unknown Sea – Work As A Pilgrimage Of Identity
by David Whyte
David Whyte is Irish-born, now lives in Seattle area. In a book store you will find this book in the business section. This book is about how having an open heart, eyes and ears in the midst of our vocational life will allow us to learn to be true to who God has made us to be and do. Though not a “Christian” book, Whyte grew up in an Anglican church and knows some Biblical truth. I had a chance to hear him speak in October – without a doubt one of the most gifted and moving public speakers I have ever heard. He is a poet by trade (he tells how he got there in the book). His writing is insightful, reflective, and penetrating.
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation
by Palmer Parker
Parker is a Quaker. Unfortunately (in my estimation) he allows new age influences to creep into an otherwise rich spiritual heritage. His writings are exceptionally insightful into the deeper truths of life (seasons, identity, formation, etc.). This is a short, easy read, but one that needs to be read slowly and reflectively. The book starts out a little weak (and flakey – New Agey) but the last three chapters are gold – he shares what he has learned from personal bouts of depression, the need to go deep in our struggles, and the truths to be learned from nature’s seasons.
Worship, Community & the Triune God of Grace
by James Torrence
This will be a theologically stretching book for many, but I recommend it for your expansion. Torrence always has amazing insight into current trends and theological implications.
The Way Is Made by Walking: A Pilgrimage Along the Camino De Santiago
by Arthur Paul Boers
The author writes of his personal pilgrimage on the El Camino de Santiago in Norther Spain – an ancient pilgrimage trek of 600 miles. As he writes of his experience he teases out the biblical motif of pilgrimage and reflects on how to maintain that posture in daily life. Not extremely well written, but I still found it intriguing and helpful in some areas of my own pilgrimage disciplines. It helped that I read it while in India….
The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Transformation for Ordinary People
by Stephen Smith
Steve and Gwen Smith have become very dear friends of ours. This is a book written from Steve’s heart and life story. An intimate reflection on the raising of Lazarus as recorded in John 11. The chapters on the Lingering Jesus (how he does not show up when we call him) and the section on our illusions around this reality are searching and unique. An accompanying workbook has just been released. I highly recommend this to your own journey and a great group study.
A Guide to Living in the Truth: Saint Benedict’s Teaching on Humility
by Micheal Casey
Last year I read two of Casey’s books (see 2007 Reads List). Casey is a Cistercian Monk in Australia. I love his writings. The material is penetrating and challenging yet assessable. The book draws upon Benedict’s chapter 7 in the Rule. It will be of great encouragement to you in your own journey. Advisory: I would not start with Casey. I’d read Nouwen and others extensively, then move towards Casey. However, if you are ready to go deeper in your walk, get Casey and absorb his writing. You will not regret the exercise. Casey wonderfully brings monastic spirituality into the world of those of us who do not have this calling.
With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life
by Henri Nouwen
A reflection from Jesus interactions with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24). Typical of Nouwen it is rich and reflective. This is a hardback with beautiful artwork. Not his best writing (I’d highly recommend Life of the Beloved) but Nouwen is always food for the heart.
Letters from the Desert
by Carlo Carretto
“The purpose of life is to be transformed into divine love,” writes Carretto. At the age of 44, Carretto entered the Little Brothers of Jesus in North Africa. This book comes from his personal lessons and growth from those years. This is not an easy read, but well worth it – numerous chapters are beckoning me deeper into God’s heart for the poor and His love for me.
Gift of the Red Bird: The Story of a Divine Encounter
by Paula DʼArcy
This is D’Arcy’s story from crushing loss (a tragic car accident) to a walk with God, burnout in ministry, to a truer walk with God. Easy to read, written in first person, it will invite you to ponder your own pace of life and why you do what you do (pp. 54-55).
Champagne for the Soul: Celebrating God’s Gift of Joy
by Mike Mason
Mason set out on a 90 day experiment to be deliberately joyful everyday. This book contains 90 short (1 1/2-2 pages each) chapters on the subject of joy. I learned that my joy muscles are anemic – I’m way too serious (you already knew that). Easy to read, very informative, join him in the challenge.
The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier
by Tony Jones
(Note: This is not a book on spiritual formation, but on trends in the church). I am not up on the controversial topic called the “emergent Church.” I am intrigued by what I am hearing and seeing. Like all movements there are elements that are needed and those that are off-balanced over reactions to existing imbalances. Tony Jones is a fresh, engaging writer (his The Sacred Way is a must read). I found this book extremely stimulating, edifying and encouraging. I am aware that I am reading about a controversial topic from one of its main proponents and leaders – a less than objective source. But it is still a good read.
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