Customer Reviews

Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence

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Barton speaks from experience about life without solitude and silence. She is open and vulnerable. She shares from experience and backs that with biblical references. This book will help you see the rewards for solitude with God in your life; the struggles that one can have when trying to find that solitude time and space.

This book won the 2005 "Christianity Today Book Award" in the Spirituality category--and for good reason. It is distinctly Christian and it's as refreshing as a sea mist on an August day. Through her work, Ruth Haley Barton leads readers in the power of the Holy Spirit to a place of deeper intimacy with God.

S. Glahn, adjunct professor, Dallas Seminary

Invitation to Solitude and Silence guides us through the journey of moving beyond the obvious and into a deep and meaningful relationship with God and with ourselves. Many of us are afraid of what the silence will bring, conjuring up those inner demons that we've tried to either bury or hide. But uncovering and facing these aspects of ourselves can bring healing and freedom. A great book that takes your hand and accompanies you along what can be a daunting, yet life changing discovery. Christian Meditation CD: Taking Control of Your Thought Life

What Does it Mean to be Silent? In this book the reader is taken though the steps, both physical and spiritual, in what it means to be silent before God. How do we get a clear mind? How do we respond to tiredness? How do we respond to our physical body so that our spiritual self may seek God? These are all questions taken and answered in this book.

I can not begin to say how utterly disappointed I've become in trying to read Barton's "Invitation to Solitude and Silence." I began my own silence and solitude quest earlier this year and in so doing have purchased numerous books on the subject. While the majority of them have been superbly written, deeply informative and extremely inspiring, only one had been written by a professed Christian thus far. As a Christian myself, Barton's subtitle, "Experiencing God's Transforming Presence" made me anticipate her book all the more.

How can I put this? I sincerely mean no disrespect, and yes I do see all the favorable reviews it's been given, but I'm only half way through and honestly I don't think I can finish it. My chief complaint? It is so alarmingly elementary. In all honesty, it scares me in a way. If this book is meeting a need (and it obviously is) and can be considered food for the soul in even a minor way, then we're much more worn out and starved as a nation than I realized.

For example, in chapter two, "Beginnings", Barton says, "While normal students get to start out with twenty minutes of silence, I needed to begin with a more modest goal of ten minutes a day because that was all I could handle." Or in chapter 4 where she writes, "I have come to count on extended times of solitude as opportunities to take at least one nap..."

If you're in the market for a deeper, more complex study on the subject you might try a book by Sara Maitland titled "A Book of Silence." Or another most enjoyable book written by Anne D. LeClaire entitled, "Listening Below the Noise." After being truly blessed in reading their books I can only respectfully describe Barton's book as a baby book for beginners. And yet, perhaps that's to her credit and the book's greatest strength. Regrettably, however, it's not for me.

This book addressed the practical and physical aspects of waiting on a mysterious and massive God. It helped me not to second-guess myself and to trust the process. It also answered questions I didn't know I had and gave me permission to "just be" as I am and let God show up His way. Excellent for the deep restoring of the soul.

over the last 3 years, i have been more busy than every before and continually burned out. entering into solitude and silence as Barton outlines has given me such peace because this process allowed me to be more intimate with Jesus.

i can't recommend this book enough. everyone who follows Jesus needs to read it. i bought 2 so that i can lend them out.
much thanks to the author, Ruth Haley Barton: i can't wait to meet you in the Presence of our Father.

Very insightful book about learning how to rest and experience the presence of God. I am beginning to see how busyness inhibits my relationship with God and am making changes to increase times of solitude and silence which have been notably refreshing.

A good primer for going deeper with God, with practical suggestions for how to spend time in silence before Him. Grounded and yet inspiring.

Cracking the Parenting Code: 6 Clues to Solving the Mystery of Meeting Your Child's Needs

This book makes me sigh...in a great way! It brings me back to the real sweet issues in life, beautifully written and very insightful. Our small group did a study and the verdict was unanimous: five stars all around as it brought us all such peace and joy!