Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation

by Barton, Ruth Haley

• ISBN13: 9780830833337
• ISBN10: 0830833331
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780830878291
• Edition: Annotated
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-02-10
• Publisher: Intervarsity Press
• More Book Details

Summary

Winner of a 2006 Logos Book Award!Do you long for a deep, fundamental change in your life with God? Do you desire a greater intimacy with God? Do you wonder how you might truly live your life as God created you to live it?Spiritual disciplines are activities that open us to God's transforming love and the changes that only God can bring about in our lives. Picking up on the monastic tradition of creating a "rule of life" that allows for regular space for the practice of the spiritual disciplines, this book takes you more deeply into understanding seven key disciplines along with practical ideas for weaving them into everyday life. Each chapter includes exercises to help you begin the practices--individually and in a group context. The final chapter puts it all together in a way that will help you arrange your life for spiritual transformation.The choice to establish your own sacred rhythm is the most important choice you can make with your life.

Table of Contents

Introduction	9	(10)
1 LONGING FOR MORE: An Invitation to Spiritual Transformation	19	(10)
2 SOLITUDE: Creating Space for God	29	(16)
3 SCRIPTURE: Encountering God Through Lectio Divina	45	(17)
4 PRAYER: Deepening Our Intimacy with God	62	(16)
5 HONORING THE BODY: Flesh-and-Blood Spirituality	78	(13)
6 SELF-EXAMINATION: Bringing My Whole Self Before God	91	(19)
7 DISCERNMENT: Recognizing and Responding to the Presence of God	110	(20)
8 SABBATH: Establishing Rhythms of Work and Rest	130	(16)
9 A RULE OF LIFE: Cultivating Rhythms for Spiritual Transformation	146	(21)
A Note of Gratitude	167	(2)
Appendix A: Journeying Together	169	(15)
Appendix B: Leading a Group Experience	184	(2)
Appendix C: Choosing Spiritual Disciplines that
Correspond to Our Needs	186	(2)
Notes	188