Picking it up again

Some books just end up in your hands again. They are for gleaning one more season of fruit. Below are a few that lately have drawn my eyes, ears, fingers and heart towards reaching in and picking up again.

Wondering what will they taste like or rather speak this time?

Current Readings

With Open Hands by Henri J.M. Nouwen

A very short book on prayer.

The introduction title struck the chord of calling to pick it up again, kind of like wanting to play that instrument again, or painting with a once useful brushstroke.

Some of the content sounds like this:

With Clenched Fists (Hmm, wondering do I sometimes pray this way?)

Prayer and Silence

Prayer and Acceptance

Prayer and Hope

Prayer and Compassion

Prayer and Prophetic Criticism (Hmm, this sounds new, what is being invited here?)

Conclusion: With Open Hands

Are you intrigued by one of these content chapters? If so please don’t hesitate to pick up Nouwen’s offering.

A Hidden Wholeness by Parker Palmer

What a beautiful subtitle: Welcoming the Soul and Weaving Community in a Wounded World

Here’s a small encounter within these pages:

“The soul is generous: it takes in the needs of the world. The soul is wise: it suffers without shutting down. The soul is hopeful: it engages the world in ways that keep opening our hearts. The soul is creative: it finds a path between realities that might defeat us and fantasies that are mer escapes. All we need to do is bring down the wall that separates us from our own souls and deprives the world of the soul’s regenerative powers” (184)

This is just sliver.

Another great read Anatomy of the Soul by Kurt Thompson, M.D.

Fascinating connections in the field of neuroscience and how we engage our mind, body, heart—the soul. God created, and breathed life into us for relationship.

Only four chapters in and well worth wading through ‘brain’ terminology and how our minds do amazing work —one so valuable is “Are you paying attention?”

In the ministry of spiritual direction, one of the main focuses is paying attention to God’s inner voice, our own voice, the movements and feelings of the body, listening well in hopes of discerning what is beautiful, good, and true. More so, being known by God and knowing God—His love and companionship, His indwelling presence.

This one, and Thompson’s other books are worth picking up again.