Books

1. The Spirituality of Imperfection by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham. This book is a wonderful reminder of how God takes us as we are. It is written in the AA tradition: "It is a spirituality more interested in questions than in answers, more a journey toward humility than a struggle for perfection." (P. 5)
2. The Good and Beautiful God and The Good and Beautiful Life by James Bryan Smith. These two books are the first in a series of three books/workshops on how to live the Life of the Spirit, to live in the Kingdom right now. The third book, The Good and Beautiful Church, is due out in the Fall of 2010. The suggestions for study and experience either for the individual or a small group in each chapter draw the reader deeper and deeper into the full life with Christ.
3. The Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault. This book brings the heart and mind together to describe Jesus' teachings and the kingdom of heaven in new and inspiring ways. At the end of the book is a whole section on wisdom practices.
4. gratefulness, the heart of prayer, by Brother David Steindl-Rast, is a fresh, inspiring look at gratitude and its affect on courage, faith, hope, discipline, etc. Don't miss this book!
5. The Treehouse: Eccentric Wisdom from my Father on How to Live, Love, and See, by Naomi Wolf. If you struggle at all with being your authentic self, read this book, use Leonard Wolf's wisdom on your own behalf.
6. The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine, A. W. Tozer. This book first published in 1948 is a classic. I was in a seminary bookstore when it seemed to call me to purchase it. These chapters have had a profound effect on my life with Christ.
7. Always a Pilgrim: Walking the Zen Christian Path by Thomas G. Hand. This Jesuit priest spent 29 years in Japan and found that the practice of Zen meditation enlivened his Christianity.  I had the pleasure to meet Father Hand before his death.
8. An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor. This is a beautiful, inspiring book about noticing where God is in our world.
9. The Case for God by Karen Armstrong is a fascinating look at the evolution of God-consciousness throughout the history of man.
10. To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings by John O'Donohue. An Irish poet O'Donohue captures the sense of the blessedness and sacredness of life in his last book.
11. The gifts of Imperfection: Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are by Brené Brown. This book will change you life! Don't miss it. It is her guide to the wholehearted life.
12. The Gift of Forgiveness...God's Surprise Package by R. M. Flansburg Why does it take so long for us to realize our own true selves? Rose Marie's story reminds us of how important it is to risk everything to embrace who we really are. Online ordering at rosemarie@wctatel.net.
13. The Humility of God: a Franciscan Perspective by Ilia Delio, O.S.E. This is theology so it's pretty dense, but very exciting to read as Delio brings the theology of Francis of Assisi alive to us. While we seek a God of power and might, a loving God reaches out, "bends down" in humility as Delio puts it, to us in compassion and love.

1. www.spiritualityandpractice.com has many recommendations for spiritual practice either through its e-courses or links to other sites. It also has spiritual book and film reviews.
2. blog.beliefnet.com/thinplaces - Amy Julia Becker's blog is real and interesting: spirituality from a young woman with a lot of wisdom.
3. blog.beliefnet.com/flirtingwithfaith - Joan Ball's is an eclectic and interesting blog. Recent posts include an interview with an atheist who has cancer, a song written by a teen-ager who has cancer, a guest post about an encounter in the grocery store, a post relating instant replay in soccer with our need to be assured about everything. Joan Ball did not grow up a Christian, is a recent convert.
4. blog.beliefnet.com/mindfulnessmatters/  -  Check recent posts for videos on mindfulness. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Pema Chodran and others. Very good food for thought on how to be present to your life.
5. highpriestofmedicine.wordpress.com/ -Dr. Hal Colgassani's blog. He writes thoughtfully about the intersection of spirituality and medicine--he's a surgeon.
6. annehillman.net/blog--This is the blog of my friend and author, Anne Hillman. She writes with tremendous depth about the spiritual life.
7. live-from-the-heart.com--I know Charlie Elberson from church. Read the back story and his blog. You will be touched.
8. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKDM5QH_wlo Dr. Fred Luskin, director of the Stanford Univ. Forgiveness Projects explains the link between forgiveness and gratitude.
9. liveholiness.com Father Michael J. Najim writes this thoughtful blog about the life of the Spirit.
10. willowgreeninspiration.com/category/1-minute-inspiration-video-clip/ James Miller, Methodist minister, records these inspirational messages every week.  Beautiful.