Wrestling with Grace: A Spirituality for the Rough Edges of Daily Life [Paperback]

Robert Corin Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2003

Wrestling with Grace is a how-to manual about loving (and accepting) yourself, others, the world around you, and God -- especially on the Tuesday afternoons of life, when the going gets rough. Stemming from his own frustrating experiences one late weekday afternoon, culminating with a toe slammed into a step, Morris yelled in anger, ""Oh God!"" A moment later, he realized that his rash exclamation could be turned into a prayer. Taking a second breath and a moment of refocusing, Morris offered the situation to God. Offering liberating news to anyone who longs for everyday spiritual practice, this book encourages us to pay attention to our first reactive emotion but also to move beyond it. Morris nudges us toward new ways of looking at our own behavior and state of mind, showing us how to let God's grace in our daily life. Our frustrations and fears actually can be a doorway to grace. Some of the obstacles discussed are fear of God, anger, depression, sexual enticement, busyness, affluence, and evil. Morris invites us to let grace work in our lives by loving enemies, forgiving others, acting with justice, dealing with lust, and embracing peace. Writing with humor, Morris offers challenging but down-to-earth insights into the spiritual journey for those of us who always feel like beginners on the spiritual path.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a cornucopia of insights into how to live into the presence of the Holy One.... -- Diana Lee Beach..a cornucopia of insights into how to live into the presence of the Holy One.... -- Diana Lee Beach...one of the most creative spirits of our age. He helps us stay in touch with 'a new creation.' -- Robert H. Clark, Drew University Grounded in the realities of daily life and filled with practical suggestions...down-to-earth resource for those on the spiritual path. --Gerald May, Senior Fellow, Shalem Institute...one of the most creative spirits of our age. He helps us stay in touch with 'a new creation.' -- Robert H. Clark, Drew University Grounded in the realities of daily life and filled with practical suggestions...down-to-earth resource for those on the spiritual path. --Gerald May, Senior Fellow, Shalem Institute

About the Author

An ordained Episcopal priest, Robert Corin Morris has long been an active voice in Jewish-Christian and Buddhist-Christian dialogue. In 1980, Morris founded Interweave, an inter-faith learning center located in Summit, New Jersey, where he still serves as the organizations executive director. This non-profit ministry seeks to equip people of all faiths for a more holistic approach to daily living-one that combines practical skills with traditional spirituality. A graduate of both Yale University and The General Theological Seminary, Morris was also a contributor to the Spiritual Formation Bible.Robert C. Morris is the founding director of Interweave, an interfaith adult education center in Summit, New Jersey, which offers publications and spiritual training combining the wisdom of depth psychology, the wellness arts, and traditional spiritual practices. An Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Newark, he is a spiritual director, retreat leader, conference speaker, and writer who contributed to the Spiritual Formation Bible. Morris received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and his Bachelor of Sacred Theology from The General Theological Seminary. In addition, he has received training in mind-body medicine meditation methods and earned his certificate in spiritual direction from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Upper Room (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835809854
• ISBN-13: 978-0835809856
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Growing in Spirit through stubbing your toe, September 7, 2003

By 

David Bate Jr. (Asheville, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wrestling with Grace: A Spirituality for the Rough Edges of Daily Life (Paperback)

First, I admit that I am the author's brother-in-law, and that we have been waiting thirty years for Bob Morris to write this book. I receive no financial benefit from anything to do with the book.
Nonetheless, this is the most practical and usable book I have ever read regarding the spiritual journey. With exquisite insight, kindness and gentle humor, the author leads us to find opportunities for spiritual progress in the very moments when we feel least "spiritual"--moments of anger, frustration, and disappointment. He invites us to expand our spiritual awareness beyond the church or meditation chamber to the bustling business of daily life. I have always found my own hopes for myself most tested in moments of frustration, whether at work, while driving, or in the multiple relationships of home life. This book is a clear and friendly guide to using those same difficult times as occasions to grow.
The predominant religious context of the book is Christian, but the author cites wisdom and example from many traditions, as well as from secular life. Moreover, he breathes new life into Christian passages which may have grown old in our hearing. Those who have found organized religion inadequate or unsatisfying can find here glimpses of the deep truths underlying religious traditions. Embodied in this book are both deep wisdom and a spirituality which welcomes all of us.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and wise counsel for the spiritual path, April 2, 2003

By 

Elizabeth (New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wrestling with Grace: A Spirituality for the Rough Edges of Daily Life (Paperback)

"Mountaintop raptures are all well and good," writes Robert Corin Morris, "but what happens in the valley has long-lasting results in our lives and the lives of those we meet." Wrestling with Grace is a handbook for the valley, a guide to being a blessing in the world even in the midst of life's challenges. Morris shows how frustration, fear, anger, depression, busyness, status--all the things we wrestle with on a daily basis--can be doorways to the Spirit. Morris' reflections, like his interfaith ministry, are grounded in Judeo-Christian imagery and symbol and open to the wisdom of other faiths. Full of grace, humor, and stories of his own and others' "wrestling" experiences (along with ten meditative prayer exercises), this book gives encouragement, inspiration, and practical advice. It's a welcome companion for the rough edges of the spiritual life.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was very satisfied with putchase of this book, March 23, 2009

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Wrestling with Grace: A Spirituality for the Rough Edges of Daily Life (Paperback)

The book was in very fine condition and it was shipped quickly and arrived with no damage.