Running On Empty

[MrDanger]

There is a book I have started reading this week. It is by an author by the name of Fil Anderson (I have never heard of him) and it is titled

"Running on Empty: Contemplative Spirituality for Overachievers"

This book is a tough book. If you battle with perfectionism, always wanting to make people happy, not showing the ability to ever say no, etc. this is the book for you.

[DeWayneTN]

Sounds interesting. I'll check it out if I get the chance.

[Mole_J]

Sounds interesting, just read the Foreword by Brennan Manning:

Learn to live with God instead of for God.Sometimes the only way to get a new life is by running your old one completely into the ground. Fil Anderson had accomplished more for God than most of his contemporaries, but his worn-out body housed an empty soul. His frenetic pace of ministry had earned him just one thing: greater pressure to do even more. He had fallen for the soul-killing lie that doing more for God would give his life meaning. Then the godly admonition of a spiritual director set this burned-out believer on a life-saving spiritual path. This powerful story of a reawakened soul can be the story of every person who has pursued spiritual productivity over intimacy with God and come up empty. It’s the story of reclaiming your soul and finding a home in the center of God’s relentless love. It’s the journey from self-importance to God-importance. The solution is not greater achievements for the kingdom of God. It’s time to stop living for God and start living with God. In this candid and achingly authentic book, Fil Anderson shares the healing insights that restored his spiritual compass and guided him back to God … the God who specializes in filling empty souls. “To the harried and the unharried, I pray that this book will minister to your heart in the profound way that it has blessed mine.

[DeWayneTN]

I just finished Jazz Notes by Donald Miller, which is a remixed, gift book version of Blue Like Jazz. It was an enjoyable read.

[MrDanger]

I will tell you my personal thoughts on what I have read so far.

Number one - I wondered how on earth this guy could know my life so well. There have been parts where I felt like I was reading an autobiography.

Number two - I was thinking almost every minister I know NEEDS to read this book. Including a few overseers.

[MrDanger]

I'll check it out if I get the chance.

[DeWayneTN]

You think I'm funny? Do I amuse you? So you think I'm a funny guy?

Actually I'm doing better. I'm trying to read at least 2 books a week now - I speed-read many more than that.

[Paully_44]

Sounds interesting, just read the Foreword by Brennan Manning:

one of my all-time favorite authors and speakers.

[A2JGirl]

Sounds interesting, just read the Foreword by Brennan Manning:

one of my all-time favorite authors and speakers.

I tried to read Manning's Ragamuffin Gospel because of how much Rich Mullins raved about him. I decided to stop reading it halfway through because I had a hard time digesting what he was saying. Though I knew he wasn't just preaching grace, grace, grace, do whatever you want, God doesn't mind, I was afraid to misinterpret him and being a teenager at the time, I sure didn't need anything that might even accidentally encourage me to rebel.

Now that I'm older at the oh-so-mature age of 25 ( ) I should try him again.

[MrDanger]

Ragamuffin Gospel is a tough book, but such an incedible team.