The following devotional books have been reviewed and recommended by Ben Maxson, Ministerial Association secretary, Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Practicing the Presence of God Brother Lawrence, Walker and Co., New York, 1985, 144 pages, $7.95. hardcover.
Nicholas Herman, later known as Brother Lawrence, wrote this collection of letters and reflections, A member of a Paris Carmelite community, he died in 1691. Brother Lawrence has become known for his dynamic faith and spirituality, especially as he experienced "the presence of God." Through his intimacy with God, ordinary kitchen duties became as much an act of devotion as his spiritual exercises. A simple but profoundly superb religious classic, this book stimulates the reader's hunger to know the Creator.
The Kneeling Christian The Unknown Christian, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, 1986, 112 pages, $5.95, paper.
First published in 1945, this work gives rich insights into the power and dynamics of prayer. The author links success or failure in our Christian life with success or failure in our prayer life. One of the best works on prayer, it illustrates how prayer applies in everyday life.
Discovering the Depths William P. Clemmons, Broadman Press, Nashville, revised ed., 1987, 140 pages, $8.95, paper.
Clemmons, a professor at Southeastem Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina, guides the reader through a spiritual growth pro gram. Each chapter explores an area of our relationship with God and includes spiritual disciplines. Clemmons also recommends exercises for devotional periods. For best results, the reader needs to read carefully, reflect upon, and apply what the author offers.
Spiritual Friend—Reclaiming the Gift of Spiritual Direction Tilden Edwards, Paulist Press, New York, 1980, 272 pages, $9.95, paper.
Edwards, an Episcopalian priest, provides the reader with an excellent re source for spiritual direction. He explores the traditional methods of spiritual direction and also warns of possible problems. Edwards devotes a major portion of the book to finding a qualified spiritual director, being one, and preparing those who are called to this ministry.
A History of Christian Spirituality Urban T. Holmes III, Harper and Row, San Francisco, 1981, 176 pages, $6.95, paper.
In this volume Holmes gives us one of the most comprehensive overviews and introductions to Eastern and Western spiritual writings available. It is primarily a textbook with information on the historical context and development of spirituality.
The Naked Church Wayne Jacobsen, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 1987, 208 pages, $6.95, paper.
Jacobsen gives us a challenging look at the state of spirituality in the modem Christian church. Basically he applies the Laodicean message to the contemporary church. Jacobsen calls the church back to intimacy with God and presents practical helps for the process. I believe this is one of the best books currently available on the subject.
Pastoral Spirituality—A Focus for Ministry Ben Campbell Johnson, Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1988, 156 pages, $12.95, paper. (Available through Westminster/ John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky.)
Johnson calls pastors back to being per sons of God as the basis for doing minis try. This excellent book examines the minister's work from a spiritual perspective and includes exercises for applying what it teaches.
Soul Friend—The Practice of Christian Spirituality Kenneth Leech, Harper and Row, San Francisco, 1980, 272 pages, $15.45, hard cover.
This work explores spirituality from the dimension of spiritual formation and working with a friend or director. Leech gives a good survey of the history of Christian spirituality and examines psychological growth. The author, an English Anglican priest, has written extensively on spirituality. Even if you don't agree with all it contains, this book can help you evaluate your own spirituality and assist you in guiding others.
Liberating the Leader's Prayer Life Terry Muck, Christianity Today, Carol Stream, Illinois, 1985, 176pages, $10.95, hardcover.
Muck's book is the result of his re search on the devotional lives of contemporary Christian leaders. His greatest contribution lies in the wealth of alternative ideas he presents for broadening and enriching one's prayer life.
The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Spirituality Gordon S. Wakefield, ed., Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1983, 416 pages, $22.95, hardcover. (Available through Westminster/John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky.)
This work provides a wealth of mate rial on spirituality in dictionary format. I found the text easy to read and under stand. The book contains concise information on almost any topic, theology, philosophy, or name associated with spirituality.
The Spirit of the Disciplines, "Understanding How God Changes Lives" Dallis Willard, Harper and Row, San Francisco, 1988, 224 pages, $14.95, hard cover.
Richard Foster says this is "the book of the decade." It offers an excellent theological and theoretical base for Christian disciplines. Willard believes that we will be able to respond as Christ did in life's crises only as we learn to live as He did in complete daily dependence on God. I believe that this is one of the best books available on the disciplined life. It focuses on the dynamics of the spiritual disciplines and their capacity for trans forming those who practice them.
The Contemplative Pastor, Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction Eugene H. Peterson, Christianity Today, Carol Stream, Illinois, and Word Publishing, Dallas, 1989, 176 pages, $11.99, hardcover.
This book, by one of my favorite authors, inspires and challenges the reader. It also gives suggestions for implementing priorities and finding focus in minis try. "The Unbusy Pastor" and "The Subversive Pastor" chapters give a clear call for a ministry that will find power in personal relationships with God and man. Peterson's strategy is to change society from within rather than through destructive confrontation. He exhorts pastors to pray, preach, and listen—relevant ad vice for a ministry that often seems root less and suffering from role confusion.
The Struggle of Prayer Donald G. Bloesch, Helmers and Howard, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, 192 pages, $7.95, paper.
Though it has already been reviewed in Ministry, I want to mention this volume again because it offers one of the better theologies of prayer and spirituality. Bloesch distinguishes between evangelical and mystical traditions. He sees prayer as the constant struggle to take hold of God's outstretched hand, which calls for a response of obedience.
