Anglican writings through the centuries gathered and arranged for the Lent and Easter seasons. "This little book is a treasure box for small groups, youth ministers, retreat leaders and individuals looking for a Lenten reflections that will fuel conversation and prayer."--The Rev. Lisa B. Hamilton,
"Priest, poet, and farmer" is the short summary. After many years of ministry in inner city, overseas (Tokyo), suburban, and rural locations I lived for twenty years in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Twenty acres of woods, garden, and orchard provided an excellent balance to writing. There's no better cure for writer's block than splitting some more firewood. Less than two years ago, however, I moved to San Francisco and am enjoying life in the city with its conveniences and cultural opportunities. Two books have been published in recent months and although my next book deadline is February 15, I'm doing what I can to promote "Dear Friends: Letters from St. Paul to Christians in America" and "Give Me Liberty: Seeches and Speakers that Shaped America." "
I began reading this book as a Lenten project of reading Anglican devotions (I'm Episcopalian). It was great for exposing me to sermons written by Anglicans over the centuries in Britain and in the U.S., snapshots of Anglican thought.
I wish it was more expansive, including for example, more recent thinkers and even thinkers from outside Britain and the U.S. That would make for an interesting project, I think.
Chose this for part of my 2013 Lenten Devotions and found it particularly helpful, with the different readings from church fathers through the ages. P. 112 (from a sermon by Morgan Dix) had a statement that I found worthy of placing in my prayer journal: "When you are distressed because you cannot see clearly, remember to your comfort, that they, His own apostles, His own most intimate friends, who loved him with supreme devotion, who talked more of Him than anyone else, who longed to see Him and be with Him where he was, did not know him when He stood before them on the shore (John 21:4). It may be so with you. The cares of this world, the duties and labors of your life, errors which cloud the human intellect and infirmities which weaken the physical system; these and other similar causes may have obscured your vision, and depressed your spirit; but they will pass away, and at the last you will see the Lord, and know even as you are known."
I have read this for two Lenten seasons. Find new thing each time, sometimes I read some of the passages when it is not Lent. When I read them the first time I gave them three stars, now I give them five.
Good reflections for Lent & Easter. Sometimes a bit dense, and the "take away" verses didn't always work for me, but I generally found them worthwhile. I'd recommend it.
This wasn't bad. My husband and I read this together for Lent, and they were good readings. Good reminders to keep you in the right direction and in the right mindset while fasting during Lent.