A Spirituality of Living: The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series
5/5
()
About this ebook
What's the secret to living a spiritual life? So much is happening in our world that we often get distracted and listen to voices other than the voice of God.
"If we want to be disciples of Jesus, we have to live a disciplined life," Nouwen asserts.
In the spiritual life, discipline requires conscious effort to keep every area in life from being filled up. It means creating space in our life for God to act and speak.
Nouwen identifies 3 essential disciplines for maintaining a life of discipleship: solitude, community, and ministry.
In solitude we learn to listen to God through prayer. We realize that we are beloved sons and daughters of God.
In community we learn to celebrate, as well as to practice vulnerability and forgiveness.
After we have experienced solitude and community, we feel God's call to minister to a hurting world. God empowers us to do amazing things.
This encouraging, insightful book will inspire you to practice solitude, community, and ministry. The result, Nouwen promises, is a fruitful, Spirit-filled life.
Henri J. M. Nouwen
Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932–1996) was the author of The Return of the Prodigal Son and many other bestsellers. He taught at Harvard, Yale, and Notre Dame universities before becoming the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak near Toronto, Canada, a community where people with and without intellectual disabilities assist each other and create a home together.
Read more from Henri J. M. Nouwen
Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Spiritual Direction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Spirituality of Fundraising: The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5With Open Hands Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Spiritual Life: Eight Essential Titles by Henri Nouwen Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Flying, Falling, Catching: An Unlikely Story of Finding Freedom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOur Greatest Gift: A Meditation on Dying and Caring Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Intimacy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Draw Ever Closer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMerton's Palace of Nowhere Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Letter of Consolation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Called to Community: The Life Jesus Wants for His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Spirituality of Homecoming: The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Can You Drink the Cup? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Heart Speaks to Heart: Three Gospel Meditations on Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Letters to Marc About Jesus: Living a Spiritual Life in a Material World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Discipleship: Living for Christ in the Daily Grind Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related to A Spirituality of Living
Related ebooks
The Reservoir: A 15-Month Weekday Devotional for Individuals and Groups Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLiving the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Eternal Promise: A contemporary Quaker classic and a sequel to A Testament of Devotion Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Christian Mystics: 365 Readings and Meditations Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Let Nothing Disturb You: 30 Days with Teresa of Avila Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Spiritual Direction: A Practical Introduction Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Being with God: The Absurdity, Necessity, and Neurology of Contemplative Prayer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prayer - 10th Anniversary Edition: Finding the Heart's True Home Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Henri Nouwen and The Return of the Prodigal Son: The Making of a Spiritual Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRenovation of the Heart in Daily Practice: Experiments in Spiritual Transformation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Serenity Prayer: A Simple Prayer to Enrich Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Living the Mission: A Spiritual Formation Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Desert Fathers and Mothers: Early Christian Wisdom Sayings—Annotated & Explained Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Fire Within: Desire, Sexuality, Longing, and God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Merton's Palace of Nowhere Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Practice of Spiritual Direction Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Spiritual Life: Eight Essential Titles by Henri Nouwen Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Presence and Encounter: The Sacramental Possibilities of Everyday Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Renewing the Christian Mind: Essays, Interviews, and Talks Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Christianity For You
Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pursuit of God with Study Guide: The Human Thirst for the Divine Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for A Spirituality of Living
10 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A short devotional emphasizing discipline and discipleship within three aspects of spirituality: solitude, community, and ministry. Within solitude, communion and listening is explored; within community, the need for forgiveness and celebration; within ministry, gratitude and compassion. The author concludes with the story of the river and the need for surrendering to the greater power of God.The author provides many valuable insights. The suggestion that solitude--time alone in prayer, meditation, and study, time alone with God--must come before community and ministry is quite beneficial. The author's understanding of the need for community and to go out to minister while remaining part of said community is also profitable. A worthwhile and meaningful devotional resource.**--galley received as part of early review program.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Spirituality of Living by Henri J.M. NouwenBeautiful and encouraging are the best descriptors for this small but weighty volume. Using a couple Scripture passages, Henri Nouwen guides us peacefully to an understanding of how to live a fruitful life. He directs the reader to an understanding of where prayer and contemplation meet ministry. He helps the reader understand why "busy" and "success" leave a person empty and lonely. He explains our need to forgive and be forgiven for not being able to live up to expectations of love and friendship. He calls for a life/ministry of compassion and fruitfulness. This is a rich, densely packed, easily read gift from a very loving heart. Beyond recommendation, I encourage open, contemplative reading.
Book preview
A Spirituality of Living - Henri J. M. Nouwen
ABOUT THE HENRI NOUWEN SPIRITUALITY SERIES
H
enri Nouwen
sought the center of things. Never content to observe life from the sidelines, his approach to new experiences and relationships was full throttle. He looked at the world with the enthusiastic anticipation of a child, convinced that right in the midst of life he would find the God who loves us without conditions. Helping us recognize this God in the very fabric of our lives was the enduring passion of Henri’s life and ministry.
The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series embodies Henri’s legacy of compassionate engagement with contemporary issues and concerns. Developed through a partnership between the Henri Nouwen Society and Upper Room Ministries, the Series offers fresh presentations of themes close to Henri’s heart. We hope each volume will help you discover that in your daily round God is closer than you think.
PREFACE
T
his book
is coherent, compelling, and contains one of the most important teachings that Henri Nouwen ever gave. It is the fruit of Henri Nouwen’s life as an academic, his deep engagement in the lives of countless people, his capacity for self-reflection, and his grounding in the life, spirit, and teaching of Jesus. It is not voluminous. While it probably did not take Henri a long time to write this text, it is the life wisdom of one of the spiritual masters of our time.
Each of us longs to live well, to experience love and belonging, to be connected to family and friends, and to make our unique contribution to others. But what path shall we take? What will lead us to the fulfillment of our deepest longings? In short, how shall we live? Henri offers us a spirituality that addresses these questions—a spirituality for living, a spirituality that has the potential to transform our lives.
I met Henri Nouwen in 1984 at Jean Vanier’s L’Arche community in Trosly-Breuil, France. Henri was on a sabbatical from Harvard University, living in L’Arche, and I was a worker-assistant in the same community. We began a friendship that deepened over the next decade as we both assumed leadership within L’Arche.
I knew, of course, that Henri was a teacher and a writer; he had degrees in psychology and theology and had positions at prestigious universities. But I discovered that he was also a lifelong student of himself and others. Our personal friendship and work in the context of L’Arche gave me an unexpected glimpse into Henri’s own exploration of life’s most important questions. And I was an eyewitness to his deep listening to others—people from all walks of life, of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, both the weak and the strong.
Henri accompanied people who