your thoughts are most welcome...
You already know what I'm going to say, right? "In Conversation with God" by Fr. Francis Fernandez. There are 7 volumes but you can start with the one for ordinary time, weeks 1-12 to see if you like it.
OR from The Word Among Us, Bringing The Gospel of Matthew (or Mark, if you like) to Life by George Martin.
:-)
Wow, I'm right in the middle of When the Heart Waits.... I'm reading it very slowly. Resonate is the word as I feel this mid-life thing in all its "wonder". Definitely waiting.... waiting...
At the same time, I've been reading The Courage to Create by Rollo May though I've only just started. So far, so interesting.
I often return to Frederick Buechner when I'm feeling a little lost. Pretty much any Buechner.
A Stay Against Confusion; Essays on Faith and Fiction by Ron Hanson. I think you would appreciate the chapter on Writing as Sacrament.
The Young's Literal Translation of the Bible, and the Word on the Street.
I am presently reading Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith by Kathleen Norris. After just having completed my Masters in Theology this is a very interesting look at how someone defines words like eschatology and incarnation. I am finding it extremely accessible and eye opening, and at the same time challenging because she is an avowed Benedictine Oblate.
What is God trying to teach me by having me drawn to other who practice Benedictine spirituality when I myself find it not to my liking? It appears that I will be doing my post Masters study an another Benedictine house. hmmmm.
Oh I also have a stack of books to take with me to Florida in June and July, so when I find some more I will certainly let you know what I think.
I really liked Praying Our Goodbyes by Sue Monk Kidd. It helped alot when I was quitting my job and learning to let go of my mother all at once.
Ordinary People as Monks and Mystics by Marsha Sinetar is another good book about regular pew sitting people (as opposed to vowed religious) who self identify as monastic or mystic. It really helped me to open up to what I was begining to understand as a mystical way in my own life.
I really like "The Message" translation of the new testament. And every couple of years I re-read "A woman's journey to the heart of God" by Cynthia Heald.
Music-wise: I'm Amazed (Live) by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir....will energize your spirit!
I like the Magnificat. It's a monthly guide with morning, evening, and night prayer based on the Liturgy of the Hours and all the Mass readings and prayers. It has saint stories and reflections for every day. And there are good articles in the front and back of the book. And a subscription is only $40 a year.
My all-time fave has for over a decade been Introduction to the devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. He speaks to the lay person and is such a profound and beautiful writer. He was the first to really inspire me with the idea that one can be holy in any state, not just as a priest or religious. For me as a single person at the time I first read this, his book opened up a completely new understanding of holiness.
Penni: Send me your home mailing address (again), and I will be happy to send you a copy of this CD....if you are interested! :)
have my list ready, and kristin, thank you for your offer! how sweet, you don't need to do that...but then again, i don't want to steal your blessing so if you come back again, i'll give it to you :)
so now do i hit the library or borders? julie d., you have taught me how valuable your library is, but the library we have here in mayberry is still card-catalogued, i believe. maybe time for a trip to the inner city (AC)...
oh and rose, i think i have that one -- will have to check it out.
another book that had a strangely profound affect on me was one by Kathleen Norris - the Quotidian Mysteries. i don't know if i re-read it that it would again, but i know at the time i just sat with it and soaked it in. good stuff.
(thank you all again for these suggestions!)
Hello again, Penni! You have my email, so please, go ahead and send your snail mail address to me! I'll try to make a copy this coming weekend, and slip it in the mail to you next week! "Blessings" are meant to be SHARED...in fact, this particular music is something that was shared with ME, by a very dear friend from WV (who is a choir director), a couple of yrs ago now. Oh, and please keep us posted re: your thoughts & reflections regarding the books and music that you immerse yourself in... :)
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