Resources for Lent

Christianity Today, March, 2009

My Top 5 Resources for Lent

Best books to read before Easter.

Ruth Haley Barton, president of the Transforming Center | posted 3/25/2009 10:22AM

Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter Orbis Books

Six dozen penetrating readings from evangelical stalwarts (Chambers, Stott, Yancey), classic masters (Augustine, Luther, Pascal), English favorites (Chesterton, Lewis, Sayers), and scores of others provide deep insight across the gamut of Lenten themes.

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Small Surrenders: A Lenten Journey Emilie Griffin

Short, simple reflections encourage us to move beyond the surface question, "What are you giving up for Lent?" to embrace small surrenders. This is "a series of large and small conversions, inner revolutions, that lead to our transformation in Christ."

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The Way of the Heart Henri Nouwen

In his inimitable style, Nouwen leads readers through the practices of solitude, silence, and prayer to teach us very practical ways to "fashion our own wilderness"—one of the great themes of Lent.

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Fasting: Beyond our Appetites Lynne M. Baab

To a consumer generation always feeding but never satisfied, Baab presents fasting as an invitation to "back away" from the madness of this table and feed on the living bread. This book is a fitting primer for those seeking a broader understanding of fasting.

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Eastertide: Prayers for Lent through Easter Phyllis Tickle

Whatever disciplines we do or don't choose for Lent, at the very least, we need a way to pray. Taken from her larger work The Divine Hours, this small paperback provides fixed-hour prayers to carry you through the season. Don't leave home without it.

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