An Effecttive Tool for Discenrment

books:


	• Living Into The Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment Valerie K. Isenhower, Judith A. Todd Upper Room Books, 2008 - 123 pages average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
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An Effecttive Tool for Discenrment

What a wonderful jounery I have been able to take as I am learning how to living in to the answers. How often I have sought to better understand what God has wanted me do do in and with my life. I living in a culture that can be absorbed with making the right decisions, taking the right next step, to get to where we want to be. Living into the Answers guided me to slow down and reflect on what it is God would have me to do. Reminding me that I can let go of some of my checklists and listen, move more freely and hold losely to any response I discover as I seek to find my way in God's timing. I especially found chapter 4: Naming and Framing to be very helpful. Also, the discussion on the principle Holy Indifference was to be great encouragement. I first used this workbook by myself and found it a great tool and wich impacted my spritul growth in such an effective way. It was a such signitcant grow experience for me, that I have now invite 6 others who are joining me and I am making this journey agian, together. I can recommend this book with out hesitation and with great encouragment. If you are seeking God's direction, you will find Living into the Answers a great tool in your journey.

Sandi Evans Rogers
Pastor of Faith Formation
Columbia
Falls Church, Va

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Hearing God

Have you ever wanted to hear from God and just felt stuck? Has it ever confused you to hear someone talk about "hearing the voice of God?" If you are interested in a practical guide to interacting with the living God, then this is the book for you. This is not a book filled with quick fixes to your problems or easy solutions to the decision making process. What this book does provide is guidance through the decision making process and how to include God in that process with you. Isenhower and Todd act as guides throughout the process and take the reader on a journey, complete with spiritual exercises, to listen to the voice of God. Not once will this book tell you what to do or what decisions you should make in your life. What it will do is give you some practical tools to help you connect with God. Enjoy the journey.

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Outstanding

There comes a time in most Christians' lives when they sense the difference between making a decision and discerning God's purpose for their lives. While decision-making and discernment are intricately related, there is a difference. The authors of Living Into the Answers wisely state, "Discernment is appropriate anytime we have a decision to make.... paying attention to the process of discerning God's desire starts us on a journey down paths that lead to abundant life." (p. 16). Living Into the Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment serves as an outstanding resource for those who are serious about finding God's yearning for their lives. Readers, who are looking for a process that will aid them in diligently discerning God's direction, will find a wealth of information in this book. The authors serve as faithful companions for those who understand that spiritual discernment is not a one-time event but rather a life long journey. From the personal stories that the authors share, readers receive the best these two wise spiritual guides offer concerning spiritual discernment. The authors introduce their readers to a seven-step process that is thoroughly grounded in Scripture. The seven steps include: naming and framing, centering, remembering, listening, path building, sifting, and resting. Each stage of the process is clearly explained with helpful exercises throughout the book. In the beginning of the book the authors introduce basic spiritual practices that assist the process of discernment. For example, they explain "lectio divina" and certain methods of journaling. Their understanding and explanation of contemplative prayer is easily understood yet thought provoking. In many ways Living Into the Answers provides a counter-cultural approach to making decisions because whether one is trying to decide about a relationship, a career, or another kind of change the process is grounded and saturated in prayer. There are helpful charts and beneficial reflection questions throughout the book. For instance, there is a "listening process chart" on page 80 that helps seekers gather data and identify their feelings about the decision they are facing. Such insightful exercises help readers identify fears that block them from listening to God's desires. Moreover, there are numerous words of wisdom scattered across the pages. Some examples include:

"Many times we can't see the path ahead because the path is not ready, and God is working on other people who have to change in order for the path to open." (p. 98)

" In order to live the life God yearns for us to have, we must let go of where we are now and what we love in order to live into the bigger place to which God is calling us." (p. 22)

"The Holy Spirit is active in our process, so be prepared to listen to words from unexpected places and unexpected people." (p. 86)

"If we acknowledge our own "real story" and allow God into the midst of it, transformation can happen." (p. 90)

"Loving God, .... I let go of this yearning and give it back to you so that I may rest in your Spirit. If it is not from you, give me eyes to see and ears to hear what you would have me do next. If it is from you, take it, transform it; and if it is your yearning, let it come back to me with love and grace...." (p. 113)

Overall, Living Into the Answers is a faith formation book Christians will find beneficial and transformational. It certainly has been indispensable for this reader's journey!

Amy Jennings

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