A Personal Program

Today I am growing in my awareness that my mind, body and spirit need exercise and nourishment. Through prayer and meditation, exercise and inspirational reading, I am developing a personal program for physical, mental and spiritual growth.
(Ruth Fishel, Time For Joy, 14 April)
2 August 2015

Books & Reading

Spiritual reading is, or at least can be, second only to prayer as a developer and supporter of the inner life.  Evelyn Underhill

God be thanked for books; they are the voices of the distant and the dead, and make us heirs of the spiritual life of past ages.  William Ellery Channing 

The constant habit of perusing devout books is so indispensable, that it has been termed oil for the lamp of prayer. Hannah More 

(Esther Carls Dodgen, Flowers Along The Path, p. 13)

6 June 2015

Prayer, Reading The Bible, Meditating

Although your face may not light up a room, time spent in prayer, reading the Bible, and meditating should have such an effect on your life that people will know you have been with God.
(The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 28 September)
4 October 2014

Reading

Holy God, 

Help children and adults find joy in reading alone or to each other.

(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 5 June)

(5 June 2014)

Reading

Heavenly Father, help me to understand what I am about to read.

Heavenly Father, help me to remember what I have just read and to put it to work in my life.
(Jan Dargatz, 52 Simple Ways To Giver Your Spiritual Life A Life, p. 60)
19 February 2014

Reading

I pray for the steadfastness to read, every day, something that will help me to gain understanding.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 23 January)
30 January 2014

Teach Me To Read

God of the wise and the foolish, teach me to read with my heart and not just with my mind. Remind me that you speak to us in many and varied ways. (The Upper Room Disciplines - 2003, 6 September) 4 February 2013

Daily Reading

I pray for the steadfastness to read every day, something that will help me to gain understanding. (One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 23 January) 29 January 2013

Reading

Have you ever stopped to think how blessed you are to be able to read? (Fred Bauer, Daily Guideposts - 2010, 24 September) 4 October 2012

Keep In Touch

... Keep in touch with others, read, meditate and pray.

(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 19 July) 31 July 2011

Daily Reading

I pray for the steadfastness to read, [and meditate on] every day, something that will help me to gain understanding. (One Day At A Time in Al-Anon, 23 January)
30/Jan/2011 9:33

God's Living Word

Cultivate stronger hope by reading and meditating on the promises of God's living Word. (The One-Year Mini For Men, 19 July) 5/Aug/2010 8:24

Reading

I pray for the steadfastness to read every day, something that will help me to gain understanding. (One Day at a Time in Al-Anon, 23 January)
5/Mar/2010 7:55

Some Authors and Books I Like

There are a number of authors whose books I have found particularly helpful.   Most of these books are designed for daily reading, with one page devoted to each day of the year.  Some of the books were written for people with substance abuse and codependency issues.  If you don't have these issues don't be put off from investigating the books.  The discussions of the Twelve Step philosophy found in these books can be very helpful to anyone who is working on self improvement.

Guideposts, The One Year Bible (TLB)

Iyanla Vanzant (Any book by this author.  Her books are written mostly for African American women.  There are two of her later books, which I am aware of, which are addressed to African American men.  No matter whether you fit the intended audience for the books or not they should work for anyone, that is to say, whenever she says "woman" just substitute "man" and where she mentions "race" just plug in your own ethnicity.  It works for me and I think it will work for you.)  I particularly like: Until Today!; Faith in the Valley; and Acts of Faith.  If you know anyone with relationship problems I recommend, In the Meantime.

Melody Beattie (Most books by this author.)  The Language of Letting Go; Codependents' Guide to the Twelve Steps

Norman Vincent Peale (Any book by this author)  Positive Thinking for Every Day of the Year

Hazelden Series (Any book in this series of daily devotion/meditation books.)  Food For Thought is particular good if you have problems with overeating or obesity.

H. Norman Wright, Quiet Times for Couples; Quiet Times for Parents

The One Year Book of Personal Prayer

The Catholic Church, Shorter Christian Prayer

John Baillie, (A small book with a page of  prayer for morning and evening of each day of the month.)  A Diary of Private Prayer

Oswald Chambers(A Christian classic), My Utmost for His Highest

William C. Creasy (He is the translator of this version of this Christian Classic.  There are other versions.  I found his translation to be easy to read and comprehend.)  The Imitation of Christ - A Timeless Classic for Contemporary Readers, written by Thomas 'a Kempis.