Books to rekindle the fervour

j80ezgvc3p92xu

Hi All

I am looking for suggestions of good Christian literature that will motivate me to be a better Christian and strive to follow the Lord's commands with more ardor. The last book that had this effect on me was The Imitation of Christ by Tomas a Kempis. But lately I have noticed that I "drag my feet" and am just a tad too distracted by the material things around me. My soul is crying out for some Christian wisdom.

I have heard CS Lewis and GK Chesterton are very good. I would greatly appreciate other recommendations, both for writers and books themselves.

Manach

The OP is off to a great start with Lewis and Chesterton. My own preferences are on the lighter aspects of the faith. Hence tomes such as "The Bad Catholic's Guide to Good Living" is one such, excellent recipes for celebrations. For the more literatery minded there is the somewhat bleak and gothic world views of Waugh and Flannery O'Connor whilst for the SciFi types there are the well regarded works of John Wright.

lazybones32

I'd recommend the life of St. Francis or another Saint you admire.

Breadwoman

Freedom from Catholicism, Mary Ann Collins

Joe1919

If you like something perhaps a little less devotional and more philosophical, I would suggest
http://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Christ-On-Christian-Attitude/dp/0898708699

MattKid

Crazy Love - Francis Chan

hinault

I've read several of Joseph Ratzinger's books, and the clarity of his thoughts and the simple way he conveys those thoughts is very informative.

I have to say I was wary of reading his books because my preconception was that his writings would be too complicated for a simpleton like me to understand.

I couldn't have been more wrong:)

Harika

You might like "The Shack" from William P. Young

Delirium

off-topic posts removed from thread.

Eramen

The first book I'd recommend is Selected Writings by Meister Eckhart. It has been beyond useful to me and is one of my all time favourite writings. It's brimming with timeless instruction for the man who seeks detachment amid action, moving in God while being unmoved himself by good or ill. In other words he is capable of truly free action, as God Wills on his behalf. True detachment and the most powerful prayer comes from a free mind.. what is a free mind? Read the book


"Indeed God rests neither for the sake of the height of life or of peace, but rather he urges and strives that he should become manifest. If your works are to be living works, then God must spur you to action from within, from your innermost part, if they are really are to be alive. Therefore we should never rest until we become what we have always been in him (Rom 8.29), for the Father urges and strives that we should be born in the Son and become what the Son is. St. Paul says 'We are eternally chosen in the Son (Eph 1:4)"

- M.E. German Sermon 10


Other books that help me is the reading of history, especially in relation to European Christianity and how it shaped our people, from the Frankish Kingdoms of the Karlings to more modern times.It can also give a person an idea of what our people as Christians have seen and have experienced, which I think is important.


Constantinople the Last Great Siege, 1453 - Roger Crowley

As the city was falling beneath the roaring cannon-fire of the Turks for the last time, Emperor Constantine XI turned to the messenger of the Pope, bidding what words he would send to the West; he said sardonically "The city has fallen, and I am alive", whereupon he charged with the remnants of his Greek and Italian army into the teeming lines of the advancing enemy. The last Emperor of the Romans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8VFOiykR-0

JimiTime

'Whatever Happened To The Power Of God' by Dr Michael Brown. IMO, essential reading for every Christian, especially sleepy ones like me.

j80ezgvc3p92xu

Eramen wrote: »

The first book I'd recommend is Selected Writings by Meister Eckhart. It has been beyond useful to me and is one of my all time favourite writings. It's brimming with timeless instruction for the man who seeks detachment amid action, moving in God while being unmoved himself by good or ill. In other words he is capable of truly free action, as God Wills on his behalf. True detachment and the most powerful prayer comes from a free mind.. what is a free mind? Read the book


"Indeed God rests neither for the sake of the height of life or of peace, but rather he urges and strives that he should become manifest. If your works are to be living works, then God must spur you to action from within, from your innermost part, if they are really are to be alive. Therefore we should never rest until we become what we have always been in him (Rom 8.29), for the Father urges and strives that we should be born in the Son and become what the Son is. St. Paul says 'We are eternally chosen in the Son (Eph 1:4)"

- M.E. German Sermon 10


Other books that help me is the reading of history, especially in relation to European Christianity and how it shaped our people, from the Frankish Kingdoms of the Karlings to more modern times.It can also give a person an idea of what our people as Christians have seen and have experienced, which I think is important.


Constantinople the Last Great Siege, 1453 - Roger Crowley

As the city was falling beneath the roaring cannon-fire of the Turks for the last time, Emperor Constantine XI turned to the messenger of the Pope, bidding what words he would send to the West; he said sardonically "The city has fallen, and I am alive", whereupon he charged with the remnants of his Greek and Italian army into the teeming lines of the advancing enemy. The last Emperor of the Romans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8VFOiykR-0

I would definitely agree with looking up books on the history of Christian Europe, it was always one of my favourite genres. It has instilled in me a love for who we as Europeans are and who we are capable of being if we only try. Read some great books over the years on the Crusades, Cortez's expedition and the Siege of Vienna to name a few. I bought Constantine: Christian Victor from a bargain shelf a few weeks ago but with exam time in full swing I have not yet managed to as much as open the book...