The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines

Nathan Foster was just a child when his father's classic Celebration of Discipline brought the spiritual disciplines into the popular evangelical consciousness. More than thirty years later, Nathan made his own journey into the spiritual disciplines. As he sought day by day to develop habits that would enable him to live more like Jesus, he encountered problems both universal and unique. In this engaging narrative, he draws insights from saints of old to uncover fresh ways of living for the contemporary, postmodern Christian.

Through his successes, struggles, and failures, Foster invites readers on a journey of freedom, pain, frustration, and ultimately joy as he learns to rise above selfish desires, laugh at his own failures, and fall in love with God. Those who have read Celebration of Discipline will find in Nathan's book creative new ways to practice the disciplines that have been so formative in their lives. Those who are new to the spiritual disciplines will find that developing a vital, interactive, conversational relationship with God is within their grasp. As a result, the holy habits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are truly possible for all. Includes chapter openings and a foreword from Richard J. Foster.

Author: Nathan Foster
Publisher: Baker Books
Published: 10/07/2014
Pages: 208
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.40w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780801014642


Review Citation(s):
Christianity Today 10/01/2014 pg. 69

About the Author
Nathan Foster is director of community life at Renovaré. Formerly he served as the Andrews Chair in Spiritual Formation at Spring Arbor University and the pastor of spiritual formation at a Free Methodist church in Jackson, Michigan. Nathan is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified addictions counselor and he plays bass in the indie rock band Istra Blue. Learn more at nathanfosterprojects.com.