The Devoted Mind: Seeking God's Face in a World of Distraction

by Kris Lundgaard

Do you feel overwhelmed? Discontented? Weary? These are symptoms of a distracted mind—a mind fixed on passing earthly things.

Guided by the rich wisdom of Puritan theologian John Owen, Kris Lundgaard presents a countermeasure to our the devoted mind. By seeking those things above, where Christ is, we can have hope in all circumstances, know contentment in any situation, and enjoy deep communion with God that makes life worth living.

Deep, meditative, and compelling, The Devoted Mind invites us to draw nearer to Christ as he draws near to us. Its eleven brief but profound chapters each conclude with exercises to guide the mind-work and heart-work you need to grow. Let us devote our minds to contemplating God and find our worship renewed.

Genres: Theology, Christian Living

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2023

About the author

Kris Lundgaard and his wife, Paula, served fourteen years with Mission to the World in Slovakia. As well as authoring several books, he has been a technical writer, computer programmer, pastor, program manager, and test-engineering manager. He and Paula have four married children and many grandchildren.

Reviews

[Nathanael Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

“… Spiritual mindedness lifts us into the closest approach to that beatific vision that faith is capable of.”

Striking. Powerful. Engaging. Perhaps one of the best books I have been gifted. Lundgard dives deeply into what it is to be spiritual minded, and he explores a wide range of the aspects to that. He is thorough and direct, and really challenges the reader to consider how we think of faith, Christ’s work, and God day to day. Superb.

[Jess McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read an early draft of this book and I think it will be a tremendous resource for personal and group study.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good!

[Meggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense look at how we can move our minds to be trained on God and who He is—focusing on the word in Romans 8:6 to "sent the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Coupled with a book on God's attributes like Jen Wilkin's "None Like Him," or Packer's "Knowing God," this can truly drive a Christian to grow in spiritual mindedness.

Lundgard is drawing primarily on John Owne's work on this topic, making it more accessible for the modern reader. The "Reflection and Praxis" section at the end of each chapter is immensely practical and useful, and would be a wonderful way to move toward a mind trained toward God.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Resource

Even though this was a short book, there was a lot to reflect on. The book desires that the reader exalt Christ above all things, which isn't always easy. The exercises at the end of the chapter also encourages the reader to turn their hearts towards God.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Grace and duty are friends.” There is great blessing on the devoted mind. To be spiritually minded is life and peace (Rom. 8:6).

[Howard Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kris Lungaard is an amazing writer with a heart for people and a skill in helping Christians grow in maturity and lasting joy. Much like he does in his amazing book The Enemy Within, Lungaard takes one of John Owen's important works, which are very insightful but very difficult to read, and Lungaard unpacks Owen's insights and effectively applies these insights to the areas we most need to grow and thrive through his new book The Devoted Mind.

In this book, Lungaard echoes God's call for us to be captured with Him and the things that please Him. In a world that is very disorienting and constantly promises us life through the deceptive woos of worldliness but only delivers emptiness and death by a thousand distractions, he invites and trains us how to fix our eyes on the Lord so that we might experience life and peace.

At the end of every chapter, Lungaard gives us an exercise to practice the presence of God and enjoy the delight of the Beloved. Thank you Kris for both calling us to find life in being captured by the Beloved and concretely training us to pursue this life-giving exercise!

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is full of "noise". So many distractions that it is hard to keep a mind devoted to our Creator and our Savior, Jesus Christ. In this excellent and encouraging book, Kris Lundgaard challenges the believer to develop a devoted mind, providing the reader with reason after reason of why one would want to do so. Lundgaard challenges the reader to commit to contemplation about God in the midst of hard places, dark places, high places, and ultimately to devote oneself to seeking the glory of Christ while seeking the face of God. In doing so, the author helps the reader to understand that the devoted mind seeks one thing, rejects anything that would rival that one thing, seeks and finds change in the realm of affections, and ultimately is a life very worth living.

Weaknesses were minor. Such as applying the Song of Solomon in one or two places to Jesus. But those points were minor in light of the whole.

This is one of those books that any Christ-follower would probably find very encouraging in the midst of this very distracted world.

[Jonathan Suggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the first couple of chapters, I was honestly wondering why many respected authors spoke so highly of this book. It’s not that the writing was wrong or bad, I just felt as though it wasn’t stirring me. Then I saw Christopher Ash’s comment on the back: “Here is a book to be savored slowly.” I realized I had been reading it like I do most books for school or commentaries, fast and looking for important information/ ideas. But as soon as I started to slow down and reflect on the words, I began to realize how much Lundgaard had to teach me. And the greatest lesson I learned was to slow down, look at Christ, examine His every detail until my heart rejoices in Him. It’s as if my original approach to reading this book was a metaphor of a greater pattern in my devotional life. I’m thankful for this insight and this book because to slowly, patiently, and diligently set the mind on the Spirit is the path to life and peace. (Rom. 8:6)

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four star review is for reading this book as a devotional or meditation. It would be very good for that because it is full of scripture and connects thoughts throughout the scripture about God’s character and the implications for following Him. However, I listened to this as an audiobook and it was not a good audiobook. Every other sentence has a scripture reference, which gets really difficult to listen to. Also, I am not quite sure the audience the author is targeting much of the chapter is for a spiritually mature audience, but the closing questions and reflections seem to center on developing some basic spiritual disciplines.

[Hannah Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read a preprint of this book and it was wonderful! Stepped on my toes in all the right ways but it didn't leave you to nurse the bruises alone. The book is full of comfort and acknowledgement that the task ahead is difficult, and keeps your eye on the goal: nearness to God. My favorite is that there are reflection questions and suggested devotional exercises at the end of each chapter!

[Bryant Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read

I was most pleased with this book, especially the section on remaining focused even in the midst of temptation. Kris has done a service by reminding us of God’s ever-presence and the need to constantly refocus on Him.

[Austin Uphoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, but I listened to the audiobook version. I'd really like to reread and take notes/answer the really practical questions.

[Elease · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite good. Quite convicting, but (so?) quite good.