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Read any good books lately?
This page carries book reviews relating to what Journeying is about. It will be added to as time goes by.
The Shack - W Paul Young
A controversial book in some quarters because it offers an alternative view of the Trinity, but told in a 'real-life' narrative style which holds one's attention from start to finish. If you are prepared to be challenged and to be encouraged to think in different ways about your perception of God, then do read this book. You don't have to agree with it, but we are the poorer if we never engage with alternative views to some degree or other. Many people have read it several times and find something new on each occasion; others use it in their reading circle or church house-groups. My own copy is heavily marked by pen - and coffee spills.....
Try a little lowliness (memoir of a Cistercian novice) - Paddy Lyons
Published by: Gracewing of Leominster, Herefordshire
My house in Tenby is but a mile distance and a short boat crossing from the monastery on Caldey Island where Brother Daniel (Paddy Lyons) tried his vocation to the monastic life back in the sixties… So near, yet so far… for the order on Caldey is Cistercian and much of what happens ‘over the monastery wall’ remains hidden from the casual day visitor. Brother Daniel’s book promised an insight into ‘their’ world… I was not to be disappointed.
Nearing the island for the first time on board the monastery boat, the whole enterprise began to weigh heavily upon Paddy, it felt as though he was being swallowed up… ‘Try a little Lowliness’ traces Paddy’s first year as a novice with mischievous humour, but also great insights into monastic spirituality.
Although eventually returning ‘to the world’ Paddy’s affection for his years on Caldey radiate through the pages of this delightful book… his wife, Elsie maintains that he married her on the rebound from monastic life! I could have read this absorbing tale in one sitting… but I would have to be on an island in the middle of the sea to find that sort of time…
In Celebration of Simplicity : the Joy of Living Simply - Penelope Wilcock
This is a book based on gospel values offering practical help and ideas on ways to encompass a simpler lifestyle. Using short readings from the old & new testaments, psalms, mystics & other sources of wisdom, the author leads the reader to the possibilities & rewards by simply re focussing on our real needs & wants, time management & relationships. The results can be life changing in as many areas as they are allowed to touch on the road to freedom we travel, in placing God at the Centre of all.
101 Cups of Water : relief & refreshment for the tired, thirsty soul - C.D.Baker
The calming & healing power & properties of water is recorded on many occasions throughout the Bible. For those times when one is in need of a spiritual uplift, tired or lonely, but unable to take a walk along a beach or sea shore, stream or river, this book is a valuable resource for imaginative prayer. Using a series of short, thoughtful, gentle reflections & images to find a way around obstacles rather than confronting them, solace for the times when one feels disheartened can be found in 101 different ways in this little book.
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