Discovering Soul Care

by Mindy Caliguire

If we look at the spiritual life through the lens of a marathon, we will discover that many of us are nearing exhaustion. We may not be on the sidelines or stumbling noticeably, but we are dangerously low on reserves, running on fumes. We aren't sure that we've got what it takes to get to the end of the race. If you identify with the image of a fainting runner, then this book will come as refreshing water for your thirsty soul. You have been running hard, and you've run a long way. But the end is nowhere in sight, and it may be uphill from here. You are going to need some resources to get you there. Soul Care Resources are designed to be simple, but not simplistic, guides to maintaining or recovering the life and health of your soul, that essential personhood created by God as you. To do that, we'll do assessments to discern the current health of your soul. We'll reflect on the reasons why your soul's health matters so much. Finally, we'll explore practical ways to restore life and vitality to your soul through authentic connection with God as Father, Son and Spirit--one step at a time. There are four sections in this guide divided into five subparts. You can go through a part each day, covering the whole book in the course of four weeks. The material is flexible if you want to work in longer or shorter chunks of time. At the end of each section is group discussion material that you can use if you are meeting with a small group or a spiritual friend. Also available in the Soul Care Resources series is Spiritual Friendship. This guide will allow you to explore specific ways to care for your soul in companionship with others. Are you ready to recover your reserves?

Genres: Spirituality, Christian

95 pages, Paperback

First published June 8, 2007

Reviews

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book packs a lot of wisdom in its small size. Not just another "spiritual disciplines" book (I expected another "read your Bible & pray" book), it goes deeper into assessing the health of our soul, learning how to nurture and nourish it, and even how to start when procrastination, laziness and other things make us tend to stay where we are.

I particularly like the analogy of the "table of transformation." Picturing God and me sitting across the table from one another, with all that He "brings to the table," when all I can bring is my openness and willingness to allow Him to do His work - that was a great perspective. It breathes life into my devotional time. Rather than checking devotions off my busy list each day, I must learn to quiet my soul and listen to what He is speaking. He is not waiting for me to "get it right," but rather to sit in the chair, cease my activities, and quiet the clamor in my mind and just BE with Him.

This slim volume, with 4 "experiences" with devotions for 5 days each and a discussion guide for groups at the end of each part, shows us how to go deeper without requiring a lot of study time. For those without an hour a day to spend in Bible study and prayer, it would be a good choice that provides spiritual depth.

I am eager to start another book on the spiritual "pillars" of soul care - Spiritual Friendship.

[Damon Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing little book. I highly recommend answering the end of chapter questions and working through the exercises to receive the full benefit of the book. Strongly suggest this be done with a group.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in solidarity with the women of our Daybreak church on retreat. I would have liked more reference to scripture, but it was challenging and helpful toward taking time to be quiet in the presence of God. I especially liked her illustration of sitting with Jesus for conversation and leaning in to Him to listen.

The reading is simpler than this quote, but I want to note it here. "When full devotion describes a quality of heart, it can be true at any stage of our spiritual development....Full devotion is a state of our hearts when our understanding of truth is equal to our level of surrender" (p. 39).

Human transformation is a process, illustrated by Exodus 23.29-30 (p. 45).

"'God, you have my heart. I'm as surrendered as I know to be. There may be a new area for us to work on when I wake up tomorrow, but you have my heart.' Truth and surrender are in concert with one another" (p. 52).

[Keith Feisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is divided up in to four one-week sections, so we are looking at a six-week commitment.
I will not be leading this group, but rather facilitating.
I come as a fellow sojourner like you.

"Many of us are nearing exhaustion. We may not be on the sidelines of stumbling noticeably, but we are dangerously low on reserves. If you identify with the image of a fainting runner, then this book will come as refreshing water for your thirsty soul." (form the back cover).

"Mindy Caliguire knows and cares about the deep things of the soul. She's been there. And she can be a wise guide her for you." John Ortberg, author of The Life You've Always Wanted

I read this once and then decided to see if there was interest with a group going through this again. It makes a great small group study. I look forward to reading more in this series.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a four week resource for small groups, on the importance of Soul Care. There is four readings with questions for journaling and a group discussion guide. I worked through this book personally, not with a group. This was a book that was good for me, for personal reflection on my life with God.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad study. I read through it myself but think most of its value would be found in the small group interaction and discussion.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm using this book as part of a sermon series on spiritual disciplines, but it is structured to be a small group study.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to small group study