The Christ-Centered Heart: Peaceful Living in Difficult Times [Paperback]

Rick Mathis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999

This book begins and ends with the belief that Christ lives within the human heart, and that the main purpose of life is to center on His presence. Drawing heavily on the Bible, the Desert Fathers, and Br. Lawrence of the Resurrection, as well as on such modern writers as Henri Nouwen and Thomas Merton, Mathis combines traditional and contemporary wisdom to show how human love often fails in common experience, but God's love can never fail.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mathis, manager of medical policy for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee, presents a compelling portrait of the impact that centering our hearts on Christ can have on our lives. Using anecdotes from his and his friends' lives, Mathis contends that centering one's life on Christ will lead to peaceful living even in difficult times. To illustrate his thesis, the author tells a story of someone finding notes in a tree. The notes contain simple directions: "Love God in spite of yourself. Love God in the tensions and contradictions. Pray life." Mathis says that if seekers contemplate the truths of these notes and incorporate them into their daily lives, they will experience changes in their hearts, souls and minds and be closer to centering their hearts on Christ. Each message proclaims that we are neither perfect nor in control; by seeking God in all matters, we can be at peace in this confused, pain-ravaged world. In addition to his own anecdotes, Mathis incorporates the words of such ancient Christian writers as the Desert Fathers as well as contemporary spiritual writers such as Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and Richard Carlson. Each chapter closes with a meditation exercise. Mathis's little spiritual guidebook is sometimes simplistic, but his exhortations to deeply live the Christian spiritual life can be heard loud and clear.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Rick Mathis, Ph.D. received his doctorate in political science from The Johns Hopkins University, where he studied political philosophy and public policy. He currently manages medical policy for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. Mathis has published several short stories, and his article "Merton and Meaning" appeared in The Merton Seasonal. This is his first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Liguori Pubns; 1st edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764803875
• ISBN-13: 978-0764803871
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,978,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide to a more satisfying life., April 8, 1999

By 

Mac Addict "jucewicz" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christ-Centered Heart: Peaceful Living in Difficult Times (Paperback)

Anyone who suffers from doubts about the meaning of life or who simply seeks a more satisfying way of living will profit from reading this book. A main thrust of the book is that many of us focus too often and too strongly upon ourselves or our worldly goals, resulting in various forms of unhappiness. By moving one's focus off the self and placing it elsewhere--for the author, upon Christ--it is possible to reduce or eliminate the unhappiness and replace it with a growing sense of calm and satisfaction. This is a spiritual, but not a religious, book. The reader need not subscribe to any particular religious tradition to appreciate what Mathis writes. And, while the author is concerned mainly with the "Christ-centered heart," many of the book's points and suggested exercises complement other, more secular, approaches. All in all, an intelligent and wise book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gentle Man, August 28, 2008

By 

Plain Jane (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christ-Centered Heart: Peaceful Living in Difficult Times (Paperback)

As Christian, I have read many authors of Christian books who are sappy, pompous, or rail like mad dogs. And I can glean what I can in these, usually. But, how sweetly surprised I was when I began this book and found such a pleasant, gentle voice lovingly admonishing me to a higher walk with Christ! Thank you, Dr. Mathis. I am buying one for me and several for friends.

5.0 out of 5 stars Finding the Peace of Christ, January 6, 2007

By 

J. Huffstetler (Chattanooga, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christ-Centered Heart: Peaceful Living in Difficult Times (Paperback)

The Christ-Centered Heart is a wonderful book addressing how we live peacefully in the midst of the realities of life. Dr. Mathis artfully weaves together his own reflections with those of some of the great writers in the Christian tradition, as well as writers from other perspectives, offering the reader practical spiritual advice to live each moment in the peace of Christ. The book is well thought out, well researched, and clearly presented. Highly recommended.