Decision Making & Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way
By Nancy L. Bieber
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: SkyLight Paths (October 1, 2010)
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
Price: $16.99
Out of stock
Synopsis
Spiritual discernment is the traditional name for listening and responding to divine guidance. In this book you will approach decision making as an active participant, a co-creator with God in shaping your life. Drawing on twenty-five years of experience as a psychologist and fifteen years as a spiritual director, Nancy Bieber presents three essential aspects of Spirit-led decision making:
- Willingness – being open to God’s wisdom and love;
- Attentiveness – noticing what is true, discerning the right path;
- Responsiveness – taking steps forward as the way becomes clear.
With gentle encouragement, Bieber shows how to weave these themes together to discover the best path for you.
Each chapter is enriched by practical spiritual exercises to help you understand yourself and your specific situation, as well as to strengthen spiritual discernment as a daily way of life. An appendix includes a detailed guide for using the book in group study.
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Prayerfully and skillfully facilitates the readers' recognition of 'truths (they) already know ... hidden anywhere in life,' thus opening us to the heart of discernment as the process of living the values of our lives."
―Rose Mary Dougherty, SSND, author, Discernment: A Path to Spiritual Awakening; codirector, Companioning the Dying: Opening Fully to Living
"Weaves practical insights for cultivating discernment with page-turning stories and repeatable practices. [It] will create ... healthy decisions that are the ripe fruit of ongoing practices for discernment."
―Kent Ira Groff, founding mentor, Oasis Ministries; author, What Would I Believe If I Didn’t Believe Anything? and Facing East, Praying West
“A brilliant lead and many lessons.”
―Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, founder, Center for Action and Contemplation; author, The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See
“Compelling and beneficial … filled with insight and wisdom, as well as practical practices in discernment. This is a volume you’ll return to often.”
―J. Brent Bill, Quaker minister, retreat leader and photographer; author, Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment
“Offers readers clarity and practical tools―just what we yearn for when facing uncertainty and change…. It will reassure those seeking to understand their own experience of being led by the Spirit.”
―Eileen Flanagan, author, The Wisdom to Know the Difference: When to Make a Change―and When to Let Go
“Balancing self and other, honoring self and other, embracing self and other is a great challenge for many of us. [This book] helps us take up that challenge in a manner that moves us further along the path of godliness. Read this book. And, more importantly, practice its method.”
―Rabbi Rami Shapiro, translator and annotator, Ecclesiastes: Annotated & Explained; author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice
“I loved this! A priceless book for living a spiritually centered life. User-friendly and reassuring … the practices offer gentle guidance for making any decision, large or small. A must have for everyone on a spiritual path as well as anyone supporting that journey.”
―Kay Lindahl, author, The Sacred Art of Listening: Forty Reflections for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice; founder, The Listening Center
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
About the Author
Nancy L. Bieber is a teacher, psychologist and spiritual director with thirty years of experience in working with individuals and groups in transition and change. A core leader with Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Formation, she leads spiritual formation retreats and workshops around the country. She has taught at Lancaster Theological Seminary. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product details
ASIN : B01HT6BWJU
Publisher : SkyLight Paths; 1st edition (December 14, 2012)
Publication date : December 14, 2012
Language : English
File size : 1422 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 210 pages
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Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States
Seahawk fan
3.0 out of 5 stars We all have seasons in our life that we do not like. How we respond to those life situations is ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2016
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We are all faced with life decisions. We all have seasons in our life that we do not like. How we respond to those life situations is critical. We can focus on the discontent, the losses, hardship and cower to our fears or we can focus on the new situation, the new life, the new season and face the fears. The author uses metaphors and word pictures to help the reader grow deeper spiritually and to convey direction in life situations. She divides this book into three sections: willingness, attentiveness and responsiveness. Bieber takes these three words and weaves them into a spiritual journey of life. At the end of each chapter, there is a reflection section that gives the reader an opportunity to respond. These reflection sections really make the book as the reader is faced with being introspective, to breath, to rest, to embrace and to be aware, as one takes time to listen to his or her body as an important spiritual practice that can help ignite or discover one’s passions. Bieber also has a group format at the end of the book which can be used to discuss this book or the format can be used to dialogue about other books, too. This book offers a different perspective on life and God.
3 people found this helpful
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M. Abe
5.0 out of 5 stars Full of useful wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2010
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I have spent over thirty years in pastoral ministry. I also enjoy being with young adults, in the midst of career, faith, partner, and where to live decisions. Decision making, seeking God's guidance, listening to God's voice are all topics I have taught many times. Nancy Bieber shares wisdom that is helpful for any one of any age. I found her text and practices helpful, and very close to what has become my own teaching and practice. I could not read this book quickly, as there was a lot to contemplate. I used the exercises at the end of each chapter. I am especially enjoying being more mindful, as she names it. Although I am not in the middle of any major decision making in my own life, I would definitely recommend this to others.
I enjoyed her clear language, the many practical stories, and the visual images that were painted.
If you want an overtly Christian book on guidance, this is not the book, as the author preferred to remain open to a variety of faith practices. However, the spiritual practices are clearly Biblical, and if the book was shared with a group, Bible stories could be added to the lessons.
13 people found this helpful
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C. CANNEDY
5.0 out of 5 stars Changed My Life
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2020
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I was a part of a class that was centered around using this book to discover the purpose of your life. The readings, lessons and exercises changed my life. If you take this book seriously and thoughtfully and give it the undivided attention it deserves it will change your life also.
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SOG
5.0 out of 5 stars Cool
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2019
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Cool
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Nanou
4.0 out of 5 stars In this world
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014
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I could identify with Nancy who lives "in the world" better than someone who has spent their lives in the church.
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maureen allenza
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful book
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2013
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this is a must read for people interested in issues of wisdom, and making the most they can of their lives. A must read!!!!!
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Tony from PA
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2015
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Well written and a good synopsis of utilizing spirit based decision making to lead and full and rewarding life.
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Carol S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2015
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Heavy reading, but wise advice
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