Today is my second post in my week long “10 Books” series that I’m writing as I track along with Sarah Bessey. While I don’t (yet) have a library of parenting books (one of the advantages of suddenly become a step-mom to adult children is that I got thrown out of the fridge into the fire and had no time to read books), I thought I’d share a list of 10 books that I always keep on hand in my spiritual direction office. In the meantime, I’ve put all 10 of Sarah’s suggestions on my Amazon Wishlist for future use.
As anyone who has been in my home office knows, I have more than 10 books on that particular bookshelf. In addition to my plaque that says Live by what you trust, not by what you fear and a beautiful shofar are a collection of books that serve as resources for all aspects of the spiritual life. Sometimes I loan them out, sometimes they spark a conversation and sometimes they are a source of prayers or meditations that begin a direction session. They are all, in one sense or another, doorways to the Divine. This list doesn’t preclude the others that line my shelves (many of which are books on the practice of Christian spiritual direction), but they are 10 that I wouldn’t do without.
Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Enuma Okoro and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
For those unfamiliar with liturgy, a book as thick as this might seem intimidating. Appearances are deceiving here, though, as this book of prayer provides an accessible entryway into liturgical prayer. It’s important to note that this isn’t the same thing as the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, although it does incorporate many aspects of that tradition into its generally ecumenical pages. Because the readings are both Scripture and insights from saints modern and ancient, I often use this as a blueprint for my own daily prayer. And when I don’t want to lug the massive thing around, I use the Kindle version (and I’ve since discovered that there’s a pocket edition as well.)
Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits by Michael Harter
This beautiful little companion to St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises is where I first read one of my favorite prayers of all time, “Patient Trust.” You’ll often find this slim red volume in your quarters at Jesuit retreat centers. Although “praying with Jesuits” may sound almost as enticing to you as “dancing with porcupines”, this book is filled with poems, prayers and Scripture references that guide you deeper into the heart of Ignatian spirituality and imaginative prayer. Although it’s designed to accompany the Spiritual Exercises, I often use readings from this book in sessions.
Guerillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle by Ted Loder
Despite its belligerent title, Guerillas of Grace is one of the most grace-filled, Spirit-inviting, soul-refreshing collection of prayers that I’ve every found. There are prayers of quietness & listening, thanks & praise, unburdening & confession, comfort & reassurance, restoration & renewal, commitment & change and a final section on seasons & holidays. These prayers are challenging, eye-opening, permission-giving prayers that invite honesty with God and with ourselves. I have at least two copies of this book at all times (and sometimes more, because I give it away so often).
“There Are Things I Do Care About”
Holy One,
most of the time
you don’t seem very close or real to me—
only a word, an ought,
a longing, maybe, a hope—
and, for the most part,
I don’t care much about you,
and that is the not-so-pretty truth of it.
But there are things I do care about:
myself mostly,
and some people I feel close to—
families, friends, children,
most of all children.
I do care what happens to them.
Journey with Jesus: Discovering the Exercises of Saint Ignatius by Larry Warner
I’m not going to lie, this book’s a tough one. It’s a version of Annotation 19 of St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises, and it’s a rigorous experience of the life of Jesus. I say experience instead of study, because this is, in essence, a year-long immersion into prayer, Scripture, examen and encounter with Christ. I don’t know a single Christian leader who hasn’t come out of the exercises with a completely renewed, refreshed and awe-filled relationship with God after completing the Exercises—even after being in ministry for decades. Larry Warner’s version is accessible, clear and, in my opinion, kind. He wishes (and I do as well) that he could make it illegal to go through the Exercises without a spiritual director. This isn’t for the curious or the casual, but I keep it nearby because of the deeply transformative power of what was once a 40-day retreat prepared by a 13th century monk.
Good Goats: Healing Our Image of God by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn and Matthew Linn (illustrations by Francisco Miranda)
So many people come to spiritual direction with an image of God as judgmental, angry, punishing or just plain mean. Although they may not be able to articulate this at first, underneath the “correct” Christian answers lies a heart that is suffering from being given distorted ideas of God from often well-meaning sources. Part of the journey of spiritual direction is to accompany them on a healing journey as God reveals Himself as He truly is, bringing hope, life and redemption to weary, battered souls. The Linns are a great guide on the first steps on that journey. Although I don’t personally theologically agree with everything they say (and wouldn’t recommend it for everyone), their book gives people who have been stuck in their questions and fears a way to begin discussing and exploring what a different image of God in Christ might look like.
Enneagram Made Easy: Discover the 9 Types of People by Renee Baron and Elizabeth Wagele
This is my new favorite book on the Enneagram, a personality rubric I use often in spiritual direction. I don’t like boxing people in to personality types per se, but the Enneagram has proven so useful in helping people identify core struggles and passions, as well as defining a clear path to integration and soul health that I just can’t get away from it. I only recently discovered this slim and cartoon-festooned volume, at the recommendation of Jan Johnson (whose books are going to make another one of my lists, shortly), and I love the simple, clear way it presents the types. It’s the only book not pictured, as it’s currently out on loan to a directee.
The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.
I talked yesterday about the liberation of discovering my false self, and all the ways that I go about trying to project a certain image to the world. The Deeper Journey is another wonderful book (in fact, one of my top ones) that really takes a look at the various machinations of the false self, pulling back the curtain to expose the frightened, needy, utterly loved True Self hidden by all this postering. If it weren’t such a hard book, I’d hand it out like candy. As it is, I keep it on hand as a corrective and a reminder to myself to engage both with my own True Self and to call out both the False and the True of those with whom I journey.
“Our religious false self is a master manipulator, always seeking to leverage our religious world and all those in it in ways most advantageous to its security, its prestige and, especially, our religious agenda.” (55)
To Bless The Space Between Us by John O’Donohue
If you’ve never read anything by John O’Donohue, please correct this immediately. This is a beautiful book of blessings for everything from the birth of a child to a blessing for the artist at the beginning of the day to a blessing for one who is exhausted. O’Donohue is a Celtic Christian, so some of his language may be stretching. So many of these blessings have been starting points for the Holy Spirit to invite, entice, convict and playfully tease during sessions that I can’t wait to see what God does with them when I read one to someone.
The Good & Beautiful God: Falling In Love With The God Jesus Knows by James Bryan Smith
This is the first book in a trilogy of books that are meant to be used in small group study. Smith’s book is another great resource for helping people heal their image of God. Smith takes a long look at our false narratives of God (his reading of Galatians 2:20 is worth the price of the book by itself, and will blow your mind) and provides practices and discussion questions that make engaging with the topics and one another inviting.
Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self by Joyce Rupp
Yup, I’ve got a True Self/False Self theme going. I love this book so much because it uses the door motif as a guiding principle. So many people are in places of transition—life stages, job changes, moves, shifts in self-perception—and so few have permission to engage with those transitions head on. Rupp’s book allows the image of the door guide to guide readers through the various stages of change, inviting God into each of them.
The Psalms: An Artist’s Impression by Eugene Peterson and Anneke Kai
Not every directee responds aurally. Not everyone experiences God the same way. This large-sized, slim volume is a set of beautiful abstract interpretations of The Message version of various psalms. I keep this on hand not only because it is stunning, but because art pierces the soul in ways that words do not (words pierce differently, but no less deeply). Sometimes, when a directee has felt disconnected to God for a long time, an encounter with an image, whether from this book or elsewhere, can open them up to an unexpected and redemptive encounter with the Spirit. I love watching God do that.
Honorary Mentions:
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri Nouwen
The Dark Night of the Soul: A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection Between Darkness and Spiritual Growth by Gerald May
*Not pictured: The Enneagram Made Easy (and somehow one of the books for later in the week, The Paraclete Psalter, snuck in early. Sorry about that.)
Check back in each day for a new list, and be sure to click on over to Sarah’s blog to read hers as well. I mean, hey, she has a fancy button and everything:
Monday: 10 books that formed me spiritually
Tuesday: 10 books that I keep in my spiritual direction room
Wednesday: 10 books that I own but am embarrassed I haven’t read
Thursday: 10 books that help me pray
Friday: 10 books that remind me God’s the Great Storyteller
Saturday: 10 books I read on the weekends
Sunday: 20 books I read while writing my book