Customer Reviews

Disciplines for the Inner Life

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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.

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!

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.

I first read this book on a professor's recommendation in 1985. Disciplines uses a weekly format, including a 2-part reading schedule (1 part for use, and 1 for reading through the Bible in a year), and writings from classic Christian writers through the centuries. Like others, I have started reading many authors after reading their words in Disciplines. The heart is grabbed, the brain is engaged, and God speaks to you every day. My only negative is that there is no sequel, although it is similar to a Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, an excellent book from the Upper Room.

Disciplines for the Inner Life is a great tool for understanding scripture. I have used mine so much that it is worn thin. The book gives scripture, prayers, and insight into understanding God's word. It is full of insight and writings that couple with scripture to get the reader to think. It ministers to your heart, head, and soul. It challenges you to dig deeper into God's word. Excellent book. It could well be the best gift you could ever give. If you cannot find copies I have a box of brand new ones that I will sell at a very reasonable price. I had ordered some 50 copies to hand out during my ministry travels. I have several left if anyone is interested.

Melinda Clements

I love this book. I've come back to it over and over as a tool for my devotions. I would highly recommend to all.

The great thing about this book is a weekly structure (topic) and daily related scriptures without the author's explanations. The supporting articles/excerpts from various christian classics are wonderful and will cause you to want to read those also.

I acquired the leather bound edition of this book when it was published. It wasn't at all what I expected it to be. The book was better. It transformed the way I thought about devotion. I have kept my edition in excellent shape all these years despite using it. If you are thinking about buying the book, I highly recommend it. I don't know what the newer versions are - whether republished or rewritten.

This is honestly the best devotional tool I've found yet. It's amazing how it really gets you thinking about your walk, about how God can really speak to you, but do it in such a refreshing and intimate way. I really appreciate the insightful teaching on the spiritual disciplines that has deepened my walk so much.

An excellent, rich book to use for devotion/meditation. I am going to use it as a tool with a spiritual growth group in my church. One time through is not enough, you will want to use it again and again. This is a book that invites you to tarry, to hear God's soft whisper.