A few months ago as I prepared to leave my church and begin what some people call retirement but has turned out to be anything but that, I was faced with the daunting task of what to do with my library.
Nouwen has been one of my favorite authors for the past five years—I have over a dozen of his books, the most I have of any author. Finishing up Merton’s autobiography now and just picked up two more of his books.
I had to read one of Wilken’s books for school, but I was quite captivated by it. I think I’ll look into some of his other books because of this post.
If anyone wants some recommendations in the vein of Nouwen, Fr. Jacques Philippe is one of the closest I’ve found, specifically *The Way of Trust and Love*. *How to Profit From Your Faults* by Claude-Joseph Tissot is quite different in style, but it’s an absolute hidden gem, and very similar in its approach to brokenness as sanctification.
Downsizing involves tough choices but does help clarify value, meaning and to some small percent, memory. We can't take it with us, and we are all responsible for what we pass on...
Oh my… had not even thought about your having to downsize your library. I too have a love for books and they are a treasure to me. Many of them were recommended by you. I also have books from my grandfather’s library. A lay preacher, he read and underlined so many books and commentaries. I get to stay connected to him as a travel the same pages. I dread the day I have to part with them. And I also have the prodigal picture hanging in my office. After reading the book, I had to have it. Thanks to you for all the great recommendations over the years. They have been life changing in many ways!!!
The way I got my print of Rembrandt's painting is interesting. I recommended Nouwen's book to a friend in North Carolina a while back. Like you, she loved it and was deeply affected by it. A year or so later she was on a tour that included the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, and saw the original of the painting. She bought a print of it and gave it to me as a gift. And that's the one hanging now in a prominent place in our new home. There's no way I was gonna downsize that!
Nouwen has been one of my favorite authors for the past five years—I have over a dozen of his books, the most I have of any author. Finishing up Merton’s autobiography now and just picked up two more of his books.
I had to read one of Wilken’s books for school, but I was quite captivated by it. I think I’ll look into some of his other books because of this post.
If anyone wants some recommendations in the vein of Nouwen, Fr. Jacques Philippe is one of the closest I’ve found, specifically *The Way of Trust and Love*. *How to Profit From Your Faults* by Claude-Joseph Tissot is quite different in style, but it’s an absolute hidden gem, and very similar in its approach to brokenness as sanctification.
Nice list. ⛪⏳📚🔔📗
Downsizing involves tough choices but does help clarify value, meaning and to some small percent, memory. We can't take it with us, and we are all responsible for what we pass on...
Grace and peace to you Amigo, Christ is RISEN!
Your point about choices clarifying memory is spot on.
I loved “The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Nouwen. I will check some of the others out. Thanks!
Great list.
For the next list....under "other"...Friedman's "A Failure Of Nerve?"
Absolutely!
The best leadership book ever and there’s not a close second
Thank you. Looking forward to reading or re-reading them; as I too, have retired for the second time.
Oh my… had not even thought about your having to downsize your library. I too have a love for books and they are a treasure to me. Many of them were recommended by you. I also have books from my grandfather’s library. A lay preacher, he read and underlined so many books and commentaries. I get to stay connected to him as a travel the same pages. I dread the day I have to part with them. And I also have the prodigal picture hanging in my office. After reading the book, I had to have it. Thanks to you for all the great recommendations over the years. They have been life changing in many ways!!!
The way I got my print of Rembrandt's painting is interesting. I recommended Nouwen's book to a friend in North Carolina a while back. Like you, she loved it and was deeply affected by it. A year or so later she was on a tour that included the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, and saw the original of the painting. She bought a print of it and gave it to me as a gift. And that's the one hanging now in a prominent place in our new home. There's no way I was gonna downsize that!