Walking With Saints

Of Walking with Saints Through the Best and Worst Times of Our Lives (Calvin Miller, Thomas Nelson, 1995), Dallas Willard (Professor Philosophy, USC), says:

“Walking with the author and these saints for a few weeks of meditative reading will open your life for Jesus to walk through it.”

You betcha.

To be sure, most of the saints referenced in Walking are of the Catholic tradition. I am not. I may not necessarily embrance every word of every Writing featured and elucidated by author Calvin Miller, but that’s not the point. To be redundant, The Point is to point readers to Christ. Miller does this masterfully, even majestically. Writings include:

Beginning the Journey with Saint Augustine: Seven Footsteps of Christ’s Coming into Our Lives

Arriving at Security with Madame Guyon: Six Defenses for Triumphing Over Fear

Finding Purpose in Life with Brother Lawrence: Five Means of Attaining Purity of Life

Healing Depression with Teresa of Avila: Five Windows of Light

Winning by Oneing with Julian of Norwich: Julian’s Three Gifts

Pilgrim’s Progress with John Bunyan: Seven Stations on the Journey of Life

The Penial God with the Unknown Author of The Cloud of Unknowing: Distinguishing Active and Passive Christianity

Conquering Pride with Bernard of Clairvaux: The Descent into Decadence

Sanctifying the Secular with Jean-Pierre de Caussade: Four Ways to Sanctify the Secular

Imitating Christ with Thomas a Kempis: Submission vs. Ambition in the Obedient Life

To be sure, Walking is not a “coffee table” type welterweight of a book. Miller expects - indeed, requires - his readers to think, to actively engage with the text on a level far beyond a yawn or a shoulder shrug. For those willing to do the work, however, Walking serves up hearty helpings of “soul food.” Well worth the read!

Just Like Jesus

Just Like Jesus
By Max Lucado (Word Publishing, 1990)

Max Lucado has long been one of my favorite authors. Why I missed JLJ until I hauled it out of the church library last week, I can’t explain. But I’m glad I found it.

Max’s thesis is simple: “God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be… just like Jesus.”

Max shows us how with his signature homespun homilies, gentle humor and personal anecdotes. But he does more. In chapters such as A Heart Like His, A Changed Face and a Set of Wings, Nothing but the Truth, Finding Gold in Garbage, When Heaven Celebrates, Hearing God’s Music and Finishing Strong, Max not only shows us how but why God transforms us to become more and more like His son.

In typical Max tympany, Lucado tunes up our heart strings and urges closer attention to the Conductor while directing his unique harmony of wholesome humor (defining “Stuckitis” from chapter two, Loving People You Are Stuck With, for example), quick wit and artful arias of insight and inspiration. The result is a wonderul, articulate symphony of Biblical exegesis and practical application.

Just Like Jesus is just another great Max book. Includes a chapter-by-chapter study guide. Great small group study.