David G. Benner Knihy

"Je to velmi podnětná kniha. Když ji pozorně pročítáme a snažíme se ji aplikovat ve svém životě, zakusíme proměnu. Bude to smrt našeho pečlivě pěstovaného falešného já. Nelze tajit, že to velmi bolí. Kdybych byl bezhříšný, dokonalý Boží obraz, znal bych Boha lásky. Když chápu, že jsem hříšník, poznávám víc: poznávám Boha milosti. To je něco většího, protože láska reaguje na to, co je dobré a lásky hodné, kdežto milost reaguje na to, co dobré není, a činí to dobrým a lásky hodným, přináší dar být sám sebou. Davidova kniha začala v mém nitru působit. Budu s ní trávit mnoho hodin – a jsem si jist, že to budou plodné hodiny. Doufám, že získáte stejnou zkušenost." Dom M. Basil Pennington, OCSO

In this expanded edition of a spiritual formation classic, David G. Benner explores the twin themes of love and surrender as the heart of Christian spirituality. God doesn't want his people to respond to him out of fear or obligation, but invites us to enter into an authentic relationship of intimacy and devotion—by surrendering to love.

Prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Using the four movements of lectio divina, spiritual director David Benner invites us to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality, and the Christian life. This expanded edition explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding, and being, opening us to a world of possibilities for communion with God.

Spiritual director David Benner invites us to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality and the Christian life. Using the four movements of lectio divina, Benner explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding and being. Along the way he opens us to a world of possibilities for communion with God: praying with our senses, with imagination, with music and creativity, in contemplation, in service and much more.

Benner asks and answers the question, "How might we discipline our wills so that we become both willing and able to do what God asks of us?"

ECPA Gold Medallion Finalist We need companions on our spiritual journey. The modern world has taught us to value autonomy and individualism. Our churches often see spirituality as personal and private. But we cannot go long in our Christian pilgrimage before realizing that isolation leads to spiritual barrenness. We soon discover that our souls long for accompaniment, intimacy and spiritual friendship. As a result, many Christians today are rediscovering the ancient practice of spiritual direction. In this inviting guide, David G. Benner introduces readers to the riches of spiritual friendship and direction, explaining what they are and how they are practiced. Spiritual direction moves beyond mere moral lifestyle accountability and goes deeper than popular notions of mentoring or discipling. Through prayerful, guided attunement to God's activity, sacred companions provide care for the soul. If we are to experience significant spiritual formation and growth, our souls must be nurtured through spiritual companions. Benner, well-accustomed to God's work through relationships, models the kind of traveling companion who can move us toward deeper intimacy with God.

An internationally respected psychologist and spiritual guide explores the transformation of self as foundational to spirituality.

Emotional pain can lead to healing and personal growth, transforming into a foundation for greater wholeness and wellbeing. Drawing from both personal experiences and professional insights, the author shares lessons learned on the journey to healing and forgiveness. This exploration offers readers a path to understand and navigate their own emotional wounds, emphasizing the potential for recovery and deeper self-awareness.

An internationally respected psychologist and spiritual guide shows how an authentic spiritual journey must be grounded in human development.

Wisdom is portrayed as a profound transformation of consciousness, transcending mere knowledge or understanding. It involves perceiving life through an awakened heart, akin to the concept of enlightenment in Buddhism and the mind and heart of Christ in Christianity. The book explores how this new mindset forms the foundation of true wisdom, emphasizing a spiritual awakening rather than the simple accumulation of information.