Disciplines for the Inner Life [Paperback]

Bob Benson (Author), Michael W. Benson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Devotional guides tend to lean to one of two extremes: the head or the heart. Some are intellectually stimulating, others are emotional and touching. Some move you to think, others move you to tears. Few move you to both. This one does. Disciplines for the Inner Life speaks to the head and the heart--stretching both mind and faith. -- Max Lucado

Disciplines for the Inner Life is a trustworthy guide for those who want to live faithfully and fully as Christian disciples because it was compiled by trusted guides who know the way home. A creative, productive, and faithful spiritual life requires some structure. Disciplines for the Inner Life provides that basic structure and the wisdom and insight of the century in one volume. -- Bishop Reuben Job

It's depth and breadth make it not only an inexhaustible pantry of food for the spirit, but also a portable library of the richest gleanings from the greatest souls who ever expressed a passion for a deeper life. -- Gloria Gaither

About the Author

Though actually an ordained elder, the late Bob Benson, Sr. was best known as a lay preacher at retreats and other gatherings. Having spent thirty years in the family music business, Bob was well known for his abilities to communicate the deepest truths of the gospel in simple, family-oriented ways. Bob succombed to cancer after a thirteen year battle. This fight led him inwardly and quickly became the catalyst for much spiritual growth in his life. A husband and father of five, Benson was a successful author having penned these other titles: Laughter in the Walls, Come Share the Being, Somethings' Goin' on Here, In Quest of the Shared Life, He Speaks Softly, See You At the House, and The Journey Home.

Michael Benson is an itinerant minister traveling weekly preaching in local churches, on college campuses and at retreats. Focusing on the formative work of God, his message is insightful and articulate and is popularly received. He and his wife Gwen live in Hendersonville, Tennessee with their three children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 425 pages
• Publisher: Deeper Life Press (January 10, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 0967772508
• ISBN-13: 978-0967772509
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #443,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Faithful Friend, June 23, 2000

By 

Jan Gunter (Round Rock, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Disciplines for the Inner Life (Paperback)

My husband and I received our first copy of Disciplines for the Inner Life in the mid 1980's, and it transformed my understanding of the devotional life. Since then I have read widely of devotional writers and devotional classics, including Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, Thomas Merton, Emilie Griffin, Annie Dillard, Kathleen Norris and more. I always come back to the Bensons' book like an old faithful friend. Many of the devotional writers I have come to love I first read their quotes in Disciplines. This guide to prayer has broadened and deepened my devotional and spiritual life over a decade and a half. I had the great privilege of hearing Bob Benson preach in his later years, and being personal friends of Mike Benson, I can say that the authors are men of depth and integrity. I cannot recommend this book too heartily. It belongs in every devotional collection.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this book...give one (or more) to friends!, March 29, 2000

By 

"philhoover" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Disciplines for the Inner Life (Paperback)

Lots of books have been written on the "spiritual disciplines." But very few, if any, have been written with the breadth, depth, and intellectual stimulation as well as personal/spiritual edification that "Disciplines for the Inner Life" contains. The late Dr Bob Benson Sr, along with his son, Michael W. Benson, offer english-speaking Christians a volume which is bound to become a classic.

All the bases are covered in this volume: Section One deals with Disciplines for the Inner Journey, covering such topics as "Addressing God," "Solitude" "Making Moments" "Silence" "Petition" "Journaling" and thirteen other disciplines in this section alone.

Section Two, "Obstacles to the Inner Life" speaks poignantly and clearly to the "every day-ness" of our existence. We encounter such issues as "Guidance" "Time Management" "Distractions" "Doubts", "Place" and "God's Absence", plus several others.

Section Three clearly guides us through "Patterns for Living Inwardly." The authors help us discover the riches of "The Lord's Prayer" "The Lord's Supper" "The Beatitudes" "The Parables" "The Jesus Prayer." The richness of this section is well worth the price of the book all by itself.

SEction four, "Inward Graces of the Centered Life" calls us to a place of discovering just how we can "center" our lives on the things that really have eternal importance. Eight inward graces are addressed in this chapter, and when you buy the book, you will find out what they are!

Section Five provides the perfect climax to a volume of this magnitude. The Christian's "Outward Fruit of the Inner Life" is covered and explained in a beautiful, yet gripping manner. We understand more clearly the meaning of "Service" "Growth" "Liberty" "Priority" "Awareness" and "Celebration" plus three other graces.

If you are looking for a volume that offers a simple, this is "how-to-do" for the Spiritual life, then this volume is not for you. If you sincerely want to discover the Spiritual Disciplines from their aesthetic, historical, and reflective angles, this get this book, by all means.

Every Christian should have a copy of this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Continual Read, April 30, 2002

By 

Linda M. Gibson (Akron, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Disciplines for the Inner Life (Paperback)

This book has been a continual inspiration and source of God's voice to me. As I read and re-read the content, I find God speaking to me each and every time. I even had my own copy rebound, so that I can be assured to always have it. I have bought copies for others, and am sorry to see it out of print.