Spiritual Friendship

by Mindy Caliguire

"Mindy Caliguire knows and cares about the deep things of the soul. She's been there. And she can be a wise guide here for you," says John Ortberg, author of The Life You've Always Wanted . We are tired. Many of us long for sources of nurture for our weary souls. But we don't know where to turn. We've tried various Christian plans for growth, yet sometimes these programs leave us even more drained and frustrated. Interestingly, the answer can be found in our everyday ordinary relationships can restore life and health to our depleted souls. So why do we resist intimacy with others if it's part of our soul's architecture? Because people also cause us pain. Soul Care Resources are designed to be simple, but not simplistic, guides to maintaining or recovering the life and health of your soul. Spiritual Friendship introduces you to principles of friendship that bring focus to your spiritual life. You'll discover what it takes to have a rich, God-centered relationship that will nourish your soul. You use this book in small chunks of daily reading, covering the whole book in the course of four weeks. Also included are four guided group discussions for use with a small group or a spiritual friend. Also available in the Soul Care Resources series is Discovering Soul Care, an introduction to the resources for spiritual health we have in Christ. Are you ready to recover your reserves?

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian, Religion

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2007

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm planning to use this with a small group. It is easy to read and useful as a work book and for discussion. Helps us see the ways the relationships all around us can help us grow spiritually if we are intentional and open to vulnerability.

[Afton Rorvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the author's honesty throughout this book, including this admission in the introduction: "I knew how to be a leader helper, encourager, coach and follower, but those roles are not all that we’re made to be. I did not know how to be a friend."

As the author takes us on her journey into friendship, she also uncovers the remarkable role of faith in friendship. She writes,"When, as individuals, we remain deeply connected to God and then develop relationships marked by openness, authenticity and the lack of a hidden agenda, the power of God freely moves in and among us.

[Evan Hoekzema · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m completely bought into the idea behind the book. We all need soul-level friends. They’re not just additional to our lives, they’re essential. The resource as a whole didn’t overwhelm me, but it’s still helpful. Best quote was, “Soul friends...do not try to fix you. They don’t try to convince you everything is okay. They do not try to be God for you. They are not even concerned primarily with helping you get happy again. They want to help reconnect you with God...” (p. 90)

[Rebekah Maynard]

We

[Jeni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another in the "Soul Care" series by Mindy Caliguire. It is the second one I've gone through, although I don't think they go in any particular order after reading the first one, "Discovering Soul Care."

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first, but maybe because there wasn't as much "discovery" in the thoughts expressed. I am fortunate to have a number of "soul friends," luckier than most perhaps, so much of the teaching about being open, finding the right people to open up to, how to be that kind of friend as well as have that kind of friend, and digging deeper were more "review" to me than new insights. I did learn a few things, as well as realizing how blessed I am to have friends who have lived this out both with me and in front of me.

So I would recommend this book if you are looking for deeper relationships, or seem to have trouble deepening the relationships you already have. It is a devotional, but can also be used for Bible study, as there are discussion questions at the end of each section.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and thoughtful look at how spiritual friendships can shape our spirituality and prepare it for deeper things.

It will be a challenge for many of us to trust at this level and feel comfortable disclosing personal struggles - we've been burned too many times before. But perhaps the desire for something more meaningful can overcome our reluctance. If that describes you, then this book will be a great help.

Part instruction, part workbook. Could be a personal study or a group experience.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for small group

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captures in words the heart and tenor of the most important relationships in my life.