Soul Keeping: Ancient Paths of Spiritual Direction

by Howard Baker

"HOW IS IT THAT I CAN BE CONSISTENTLY EXPERIENCING GOD'S PRESENCE, sensing his love, and feeling the power of the spirit AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN-NOTHING? I continue the same practices I was doing in prayer and devotion, but with entirely different results. There is no sense of God's presence, only dryness in the Scriptures, and hollowness in prayer." Are you searching for new meaning in your spiritual life? "Many of us have felt mired in busyness, the pain of our past, apathy toward God, phoniness in prayer, our own self-absorption, or in a general feeling of lostness in our spiritual life," writes Howard Baker. But, he says, these "desert times" occur for a reason. They give us a thirst for the living water that only God can provide and allow us to experience the futility of losing our soul to this world, so that we will get serious about keeping it to life eternal. Soul Keeping is a metaphor for living a fulfilling, passionate life in Christ. In it you'll rediscover life in the kingdom of God as practiced by saints and martyrs, prophets and psalmists. The paths they walked are for the weary and worn-out, the bruised and battered, the disillusioned and despairing, the hurting and the hopeless. If you're struggling in your spiritual life and searching for renewed passion for God, the paths described in Soul Keeping will provide rest for your soul as you richly experience God and His presence. "Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you shall find rest for your souls."-Jeremiah 6:16

Genres: Christian Living, Spirituality, Christian, Discipleship

159 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all go through dry times in our spiritual journeys and yet, the yearning for more of God continues to remind us that God is always close.

And for many of us, seeking to be more like Christ, as the trinity's hope and intention for us, can seem a lot of hard work.

Howard Baker in this relatively short book provides us with a roadmap or a collection of practices that can help us on this journey to becoming more like Christ. It's a tried and tested set of practices as they've been used by many of the saints who've gone before us.

After establishing the acknowledgement of the soul, its importance to finding God and the battle there is over it, Part 2 takes us through the "Ancient Paths", 6 practices that enable us to both keep our soul alive and become more like Christ.
Baker covers off Grace, Humility, Praying the Psalms, Gospel Meditation, Silence and Solitude and finally Spiritual Guidance.

Very readable with practical steps to engaging in each of the practices. It's challenged me to adopt three of the practices in my daily walk and I'm excited to see how they will enable me to draw closer to God.

Highly recommended.

[Dodd Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I deeply enjoyed this book. I cannot believe it is out of print.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Howard Baker has given the evangelical Christian community a great introduction to spiritual direction. The author teaches as Denver Seminary and, I believe, co-developed their certificate programs in Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction (both from an Evangelical viewpoint).

Soul Keeping is about spiritual direction. After four introductory chapters about spiritual direction, the author shares what he considers to be fundamental ancient paths that Christians should walk. He lists the ancient paths, at least for this book and not exhaustive, as grace, humility, praying the psalms, gospel meditation, silence and solitude, and spiritual guidance/direction. Baker gives an entry level treatment of each and some significant quotes from historical figures.

He writes from an evangelical perspective, whereas many such books are written from a Catholic perspective. Perhaps this is a nonissue for many, but for some it is important. One of his quotes leaned to the mystic, but I did not detected that in his writing. If you're already familiar with the topics he considers to be fundamental ancient paths, the book might not hold that much for you. If you haven't looked at those topics on an entry level, this book would be a fine introduction. Enjoy!

[Diana Biggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

For when you feel Spiritually Tired, Dry, Lost, and/or Alone

If you have ever felt dry or alone spiritually....this book is for you. It will change your relationship with God...for the better. I must say that this book is quite simply one of the most valuable Christian books I have ever read in my Christian walk. This book is REAL...no "fluff" added that I see in so many Christian books of our society today. I cannot express the necessity of the book to the Body of Christ. In fact, when people get saved, this book NEEDS to be handed to them and someone NEEDS to tell them, "There will come a point in your Christian walk when you feel spiritually tired, lost, and/or alone--and when you do--read this."

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book! wonderful book on christian formation, mentoring, and even just life!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about discipleship when I read this book in high school. Unfortunately, it's out of print.

[Jt]

got it done