The Mantle Top 7
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“Thank you for the limited, specially selected books in the cabin. They have blessed me greatly.”
Recent Prayer Cabin Retreater
After 20+ years of growing in intimacy with God through time alone with Him; buying, reading, filling our home’s bookshelves and purging when they couldn’t hold one more,
I thought it might be fun to share the handful of books that made the cut onto the prayer cabin’s fireplace mantle.
As it turns out, when I went out to look, there were 7. Of course. God’s number of perfection. Lol.
Here they are:
The Mantle Top 7!
Contemporary Comparative Parallel Bible, NIV, NKJV, NLT & The Message.
Why? So, what has happened to me wouldn’t happen to you! More than once, I’ve gone on retreat, packed way too many books and everything else under the sun and forgotten the most important thing of all! Oops. A Bible is absolutely essential. And if one bible is good, 4 of our favorite contemporary translations are almost like heaven itself, right?!
Spiritual Retreat for Tired Souls, by Linda Andersen, the best handbook on spending time alone with God for every person, from new Christian to theologian.
Why? The author, not only my mentor but a mentor to hundreds of others in their hunger to draw closer to God. This book is a miracle in itself as Linda, with not one marketing bone in her body, had these two books, Spiritual Retreat for the Curious and Spiritual Retreat for the Comfortable copied at Staples and sitting in her desk drawer. Thankfully the Spirit filled her daughter with a burning passion to get them into print for all of us and others to benefit for years to come!
Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal and Delight in our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller.
Why? This book rises back to the surface of my life on a consistent basis and others I've heard from as well. Neither the church nor the world knows what to do with the innate part of us that knows we need a sabbath without getting trapped in legalism. This book cuts through the rat race of living in the 21st century and brings the gift of what the Sabbath was always meant to be.
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Why? My husband’s absolute favorite Christian book. The best-selling, most translated second to the bible, hardcover, non-fiction book in history. I think we own at least 20 copies that we’ve picked up at thrift stores to give away to others. The best practical guide on what human beings were created for and how to live this life we’ve been given.
Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton
Why? In a world whose values are the complete opposite of silence and solitude, Ruth puts into words why our souls need it so desperately. When you feel like a lunatic saying you need a day or a weekend to come away for time alone with God, this book assures you that you’re not.
Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale by Ian Morgan Cron, A present-day parable about coming back to who Jesus really is and how we can serve him in our day-to-day lives.
Why? I don’t know about you, but my bookshelf is full of non-fiction, “How do I do this the best way in steps 1, 2 & 3!” books. Wondering why it’s so difficult to be childlike, maybe our bookshelf could give us a hint. Sometimes you just need a good story to bring you God’s love and truth. And I absolutely LOVE this one!
Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer.
Why? Digging into two of the most consistent questions when we come away on retreat, Parker helps us discover who we were uniquely created to be and what God’s will is for our life; through listening to the voice of God’s Spirit within and noticing the threads along our life’s path through the metaphor of the seasons.
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If you had to pick your Mantle Top 7, what would they be?
~ Lori