Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life (Hardcover)

by Henri J. M. Nouwen (Author) "The spiritual life is not a life before, after, or beyond our everyday existence..." (more)
Key Phrases: God's Spirit, Holy Spirit, Spirit of God

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life by Henri Nouwen is a short, clean, clear book about how to begin finding the peace of mind to hear the voice of God. The book's epigraph, from Mark, is anchored in Jesus' words: "Do not worry." Nouwen acknowledges that worry is so ingrained in many people's daily lives that it seems to be an integral part of positive achievement and self-protection. Yet he explains, with devastating directness, the destructive effects of busy-ness and its attendant habit of worrying, then shows how Jesus responds to these worries, and finally describes some disciplines that "can cause our worries slowly to lose their grip on us, and which can thus allow the Spirit of God to do his recreating work." Nouwen's voice sounds like that of the mentor or spiritual director that many people have always wished for: his authority stems from a talent for realistic comfort rather than forceful coercion. So when he writes the following words, it's eminently possible to believe him:

A hard struggle is required.... But this struggle is not beyond our strength. It calls from some very specific, well-planned steps. It calls for a few moments a day in the presence of God when we can listen to his voice precisely in the midst of our many concerns. It also calls for the persistent endeavor to be with others in a new way by seeing them not as people to whom we can cling in fear, but as fellow human beings with whom we can create new space for God.

--Michael Joseph Gross

Review
"A fine introduction to the spiritual life." -- -- National Catholic Reporter

"Nouwen skillfully blends his knowledge of psychological growth with the great Christian traditions of spiritual development." -- -- Commonwealth

"[Henri Nouwen] offers faith in plain speech, solid nourishment for the soul." -- -- Kathleen Norris, author of The Cloister Walk

"A fine introduction to the spiritual life." -- National Catholic Reporter

"I think Nouwen has written a marvelous little book on helping people to walk quietly into the presence of God and begin to hear with a more sensitive part of their ears. I will recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a closer and more personal relationship with God." -- J. Keith Miller, author of A Hunger for Healing

"In this quietly written call to follow the way of Christian spirituality, Nouwen emphasizes the necessity for a personal program of contemplative solitude and for the individual's involvement in a community of like-seeking Christians." -- Booklist

"Nouwen skillfully blends his knowledge of psychological growth with the great Christian traditions of spiritual development." -- Commonwealth

"[Henri Nouwen] offers faith in plain speech, solid nourishment for the soul." -- Kathleen Norris, author of The Cloister Walk

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (June 3, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006066326X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060663261
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #67,602 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual beginnings, September 2, 2000

By	catherine guelph "catrina_g" (milano, italy) - See all my reviews

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) writes in a comforting style. When I read this book, I feel drawn to a peaceful, spiritual centre. I, too, had found it difficult to "find" GOD in my meditations. Henri Nouwen explains, "The beginning of the spiritual life is often difficult not only because the powers which cause us to worry are so strong but also because the presence of God's Spirit seems barely noticeable. If, however, we are willing to live a life of prayer and practice the disciplines of solitude and community, a new hunger will make itself known. This new hunger is the first sign of God's presence. When we remain attentive to this divine presence, we will be led always deeper into the kingdom. There, to our joyful surprise, we will discover that the power of our worries is waking and all things are being made new." Since reading this book, I have become away of being drawn to develop my own spiritual relationship. Without knowing exactly the source of this power, I nonetheless can feel my spiritual life growing. I feel I now understand a bit more clearly what a spiritual life is, and I certainly have found a desire to live it. If you are interested in developing a spiritual relationship, this book will be interesting to you.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living In The Active Spirit, February 11, 2003

By	"scoobra" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This is one of Nouwen's shorter books and can be read in a couple of hours. It is written in three primary sections as many of his books are structured: "All These Other Things", "His Kingdom First", and "Set Your Hearts". I found the first section to be the best. He successfully illustrates numerous things in our lives that leave us "filled, yet unfulfilled". He touches on worry, depression and resentment. He gives wonderful guidance in centering our busy lives with a focus on the Kingdom. Nouwen successfully illustrates that even the busy and worry filled life can be the spiritual life if it is lived in the "active presence of God's Spirit".

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound reminder of our need to seek God and a way to do it, November 8, 1999

By A Customer

Since we have the need and have to fight for time to spend with God on a hourly, daily, weekly basis. Nouwen points out our pressures in this culture and points us to solitude before God and a call to deeper community with those around us, so we can start or continue to live in obedience to God. A very profound yet simple approach that all of us can participate in.