Please help – looking for inspirational reading that is orthodox.

[gtsecc]

Lastnight, the GF and I went to Barnes and Nobles. She commented that one of the differences between us is the section of Christian books we were in: Me – in the section with Chesterton and Kalistos Ware. She in the Christian inspirational section. Surely someone in the last 2,000 years has written something she would enjoy reading that isn’t ridiculous Joel Osteen, TD Jakes sort of Gnostic psychobabble

 

[Mysterium_Fidei]

When are you crossing the Tiber, buddy?

 

[RoseofLima]

What about Thomas Merton? (I would stick with his earlier writings).

Also--totally Mother Teresa-talk about inspirational!

 

[gtsecc]

Henri Nouwen also, don't you think?

 

[RoseofLima]

Henri Nouwen also, don't you think?

Personally he is someone whose writings I avoid.

 

[gtsecc]

Personally he is someone whose writings I avoid.

tell me why please/
I skimmed one of his books, and I thought it was great.

 

[Filia Mariae]

tell me why please/
I skimmed one of his books, and I thought it was great.

He's a mixed bag- the Prodigal Son one is good but some of his other stuff is wacky.

I would recommend This Tremendous Lover, but its very Eucharistic and sacramental, so she may not like that. What about Total Abandonment to Divine Providence (Cassaude)? Would she read something like a selection of meditations from St. Therese? Or Merton Wisdom of the Desert?

 

[Gwendolyn]

Henri Nouwen also, don't you think?

Yes, he is very good. I have read a few of his books, and they helped me sustain faith through a very trying period of my life. They are mainly focused on sorrow and suffering, and how such things that could be seen as negative are, when joined to Christ's suffering, an opportunity for growth and love.

 

[RoseofLima]

tell me why please/
I skimmed one of his books, and I thought it was great.

I have found him to be unpredictible, and at times seriously theologically unsound. I guess emotively he is probably alright...but it's just not my cup of tea. I don't want to buy a book written by a priest whose picture is plastered on the back not wearing his clerics. I am probably just a cleical garb bigot, though.

 

[gtsecc]

I have found him to be unpredictible, and at times seriously theologically unsound. I guess emotively he is probably alright...but it's just not my cup of tea. I don't want to buy a book written by a priest whose picture is plastered on the back not wearing his clerics. I am probably just a cleical garb bigot, though.

Oh yeah - could barf when they don't wear their collars and do the buddy thing - but, this is for the GF, and she goes to a non-denominational parish. I need help easing her into the fact that we have a personal relationship with Christ AND corporate one, not instead of one.

 

[Metanoia02]

Oh yeah - could barf when they don't wear their collars and do the buddy thing - but, this is for the GF, and she goes to a non-denominational parish. I need help easing her into the fact that we have a personal relationship with Christ AND corporate one, not instead of one.

http://www.scepterpublishers.org/product/index.php?FULL=28

This was written by an Anglican priest who converted in 1904. His father was the Acrhbishop of Canterbury. His name is Robert Hugh Benson.

I t should erase any doubts that we don;t understand a relationship with Christ on the most personal and intimate level.

 

[Jabronie]

I'd recommend anything by Scott Hahn.

 

[wynd]

Get Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly.

"It is his passion and conviction that encourages readers to make their faith a vital part of their daily lives."

 

[redMountian]

Try The Way of a Pilgrim, also known as The Pilgrim's Tale.

 

[QuantaCura]

Ever try reading the saints? St. Therese of Lisioux's "Story of a Soul" is very inspirational. How about something by St. John of the Cross? I also like St. Francis de Sales "Introduction to the Devout Life."

 

[Markh]

St Alphonsus Ligouri- preperation for death, it is very powerful, especially with regard to those who might die in heresy.

 

[Kasia]

What's wrong with Joel Osteen? Hehe jk

"I'll never be the same. Never, never, never."

 

[Voegelin]

Gave my mom a copy of Dale Ahlquist's G.K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense last month. After reading the first 6 chapters, she said to me, "I don't see how anyone could read this book and not become a Catholic."

She was raised Congregationalist. Do not recall her ever going to church. Bought her the book because the day she was released from the hospital after near fatal congestive heart failure, she had a religious experience . She had seen a line from Julian of Norwich in, of all things, a mystery novel. "All shall be well and all manner of things shall be well" stuck with her and during her experience, she knew it was absolutely true. Chesterton, who she heard of but never read, is now filling her in on the faith. Doing a good job of it too. I have Chesterton quoted to me every time I see her. Ahlquist is a good introduction. I tried Orthodoxy first but she had trouble with it until she read Ahlquist. Now she is reading Orthodoxy and wants me to get her Heretics. And of course the Father Brown series. She wants all of those.

 

[redMountian]

My friend's hooked on Chesterton's theology.

 

[Eryk]

The Lord by Romano Guardini.

Transformation in Christ by Dietrich von Hildebrand.