David G. Benner

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La oración no es tan solo comunicarse con Dios, sino que es comunión con Dios. Al abrirnos a Él, Dios realiza la obra espiritual que nos transforma.David Benner nos invita a descubrir la apertura a Dios como la esencia de la oracion, de la espiritualidad y de la vida cristiana. La oracion es mucho mas que decir palabras a Dios; toda la vida puede ser oracion cuando la ofrecemos a Dios con fe y con apertura. Recurriendo a los cuatro movimientos de la Lectio Divina, Benner explora la oracion como atencion, ponderacion, respuesta y presencia. A lo largo de la obra nos abre un mundo de posibilidades para entrar en comunion con Dios: orando con los sentidos, con la imaginacion, con musica, con creatividad, mediante la contemplacion, a traves del servicio a los demas... y de otras muchas formas.Al abrirnos al amor divino se ponen al descubierto los obstaculos que bloquean nuestra apertura a Dios; y si queremos realmente liberarnos de ellos, poco a poco se transformaran en medios de la gracia. En cuanto la gracia empieza a filtrarse en esos lugares, comenzamos a experimentar la plenitud de la vida que existe en Dios.DAVID G. BENNER (doctorado por la Universidad de York) es profesor emerito distinguido de Psicologia y Espiritualidad de la Richmont Graduate University de Atlanta (Georgia). Es fundador y editor ejecut...

Most Christians want to experience spiritual transformation. But many are frustrated by the limited progress of our spiritual self-improvement efforts. We find our praying burdened by a sense of obligation and failure.But prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Prayer is not just communication with Godit is communion with God. As we open ourselves to him, God does the spiritual work of transformation in us.Spiritual director and psychologist David Benner invites us to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality, and the Christian life. Prayer is far more than saying words to God; all of life can be prayer when offered to God in faith and with openness. Using the four movements of lectio divina, Benner explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding, and being. Along the way he opens us to a world of possibilities for communion with God: praying with our senses, with imagination, with music and creativity, in contemplation, in service, and much more.Learn how prayer can be a way of living. Move beyond words to become not merely someone who prays, but someone whose entire life is prayer in union with God.This expanded edition includes a new afterword and an experiential guide with questions for individual reflection or group discussion.

Surrender to the Only Perfectly Trustworthy LoveIn our self-reliant era, most of us recoil from the concept of surrendering to a power or authority outside ourselves. But surrender need not be seen as threatening, especially when the One to whom we surrender is the epitome of goodness and love.God doesnt want his people to respond to him out of fear or obligation. Rather, he invites us to enter into an authentic relationship of intimacy and devotion. And so God calls us to move beyond mere obedienceby surrendering to love.In this profound book, David G. Benner explores the twin themes of love and surrender as the heart of Christian spirituality. Through careful examination of Scripture and reflection on the Christian tradition, Benner shows how God bids us to trust fully in his perfect love. God is love, and he intends for you to live in his love. Surrender to Love will lead you to an unexpected place, where yieldedness to God frees you to become who he created you to be.This expanded edition, one of three titles in The Spiritual Journey trilogy, includes: A new epilogue An experiential guide with questions for individual reflection, as well as Questions for group discussion.

ECPA Gold Medallion FinalistWe need companions on our spiritual journey.The modern world has taught us to value autonomy and individualism. Our churches often see spirituality as personal and private. But we cannot go long in our Christian pilgrimage before realizing that isolation leads to spiritual barrenness. We soon discover that our souls long for accompaniment, intimacy and spiritual friendship. As a result, many Christians today are rediscovering the ancient practice of spiritual direction.In this inviting guide, David G. Benner introduces readers to the riches of spiritual friendship and direction, explaining what they are and how they are practiced. Spiritual direction moves beyond mere moral lifestyle accountability and goes deeper than popular notions of mentoring or discipling. Through prayerful, guided attunement to Gods activity, sacred companions provide care for the soul.If we are to experience significant spiritual formation and growth, our souls must be nurtured through spiritual companions. Benner, well-accustomed to Gods work through relationships, models the kind of traveling companion who can move us toward deeper intimacy with God.

Embark on the Spiritual Journey of Knowing Your True Self "Grant, Lord, that I may know myself that I may know thee." AugustineMuch is said in Christian circles about knowing God. But what if there is also value in knowing yourself? Christians throughout the ages have agreed that there cannot be deep knowledge of God without deep knowledge of the self. Discerning your true self is inextricably related to discerning Gods purposes for you. Paradoxically, the more you become like Christ, the more you become authentically yourself.In this exploration of Christian identity, psychologist and spiritual director David G. Benner illuminates the spirituality of self-discovery. He exposes the false selves that you may hide behind and calls you to discover the true self that emerges from your uniqueness in Christ. Freeing you from illusions about yourself, Benner shows that self-understanding leads to the fulfillment of your God-given destiny and vocation.Through The Gift of Being Yourself, you can: Identify and let go of the false selves that hold you back. Discover your true self rooted in your identity in Christ. Understand Gods purpose for your life through deeper self-awareness. Embrace authenticity without needing to compare or strive to be someone youre not. This expanded edition, one of three books in The Spiritual Journey trilogy, includes a new epilogue and an experiential guide with questions for individual reflection or group discussion.You dont need to try to be someone you are not. Instead, as you uncover your true self, youll deepen your experience of God through discovering the gift of being yourself."In contrast to other books filled with drive-through pop psychology and sound-bite spirituality, Benner, a psychologist and spiritual director, offers an impressively deep and challenging introduction to Christian self-discovery..." Publishers Weekly Starred Review, January 2004

«Concédeme, Señor, conocer quién soy yo y quién eres Tú» (San Agustín) Mucho se habla en los círculos cristianos sobre el conocimiento de Dios. Pero no puede haber un conocimiento profundo de Dios s

Most people think of Gods will as something to be found or as the receiving of guidance from God when making decisions. Too often, however, the problem is not that we dont know what God desires for our lives, but rather that we just dont want to do what we already know he wants. How might our wills be changed so that we become both willing and able to do what God asks of us?In Desiring Gods Will psychologist and spiritual director David G. Benner explores the transformation of the will in Christian spirituality. He examines why our desires are disordered and how our human volition can be brought into alignment with Gods intentions so that we willingly choose that which God wants for us. In so doing, Benner shows us that cultivating discernment and being attuned to Gods desires is the path to true life, spiritual health and freedom.God wants to change our choosing, not just our choices. By aligning our hearts with Gods, we will find liberation from the kingdom of self and instead experience the joy of the kingdom of God.This expanded edition, one of three titles in The Spiritual Journey trilogy, includes a new epilogue and an experiential guide with questions for individual reflection or group discussion.