Compass and Stars

by Martin L. Smith

This collection of short, informal pieces that are both theologically substantial and genuinely popular is aimed at helping us get our bearings in the life of the spirit today. These essays reveal the staleness and oppressive nature of many of our spiritual practices at a time when, more than ever, we need to stand back and let the fresh winds of the Spirit blow through our lives and surprise us.

Whether about the spirituality of shopping or social justice, discernment or channel-surfing, these pieces will delight you and make you think. Ideal for retreats and as a source for sermon ideas, the book can be read in one day, or spread over a month or more.

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Smith is still one of my famous Christian writers - he was one of the reasons I became Anglican and his beautiful sparkling prose continues to delight me. These meditations are short so they are perfect for daily reading and much more contemporary in their inspiration and application than other books of his. Also more personal though without revealing more personal detail than necessary (he does allude briefly his leaving monastic life and his homosexuality but never says more about that - it's good to realize I don't need to know more and leave it at that - no excessive disclosure of private details). Each meditation is tight, carefully crafted, thought-provoking. I found myself writing down a lot of quotes into my quote book for future rumination.

[Jaci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essays that need to be digested slowly.

p.54: Ministry refers to something close to the ground, a constinuous journey through the grit and grime of the everyday. The word contradicts everything grandiose, lofty, or even sublime. Ministry is uite literally dirty work.

p.60: Religion is the collective sphere of our rituals and customs and observances and creeds. ... Spirituality is more the sphere of why. It concerns insight into our own unique personhood and the potential we have for an intimate relationship with the divine.

p.71: Breath is the one thing we can't store up. I can't live off the breathing of ten years ago. I can only live from this breath now, and the same is true of my relationship with God, the Eternal Now. God is the now or nothing of my living.

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very accessible and well articulated exploration of various themes about the spiritual life told from one who knows the contours of the inner life from not only study but also from experience.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Martin L. Smith, and I enjoyed it. The short chapters offered simple, honest reflections that held my attention and invited contemplation. Smith writes with humility, even calling himself “prayer-challenged,” which made his guidance feel relatable and deeply human.

[Eugene · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book with some good insights. Well written as is everything by Martin Smith.

[KA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is a book of short meditations on various subjects, originally published in the Washington, D.C. diocesan newsletter. You wish each meditation were a full-length essay or sermon; they're just packed with insight and compassion. Rewards slow, meditative reading.

[Nicola Hawkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of very short pieces, most of which derive from simple observations of everyday life yet are developed into profound and challenging messages. I have learnt a lot from Martin Smith's book, and will keep it close by.