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His Humanity And His Divinity
Guided Ignatian Contemplation provides readers with meditations on the gospels to help them come closer to Jesus. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was important for me to write the book because I find that Ignatian Contemplation assists me with prayer and getting closer to Jesus. The stories of Jesus’s life are well known, we have heard them so many times, and for this reason, certain things may be taken for granted or pass unnoticed. Saint Ignatius of Loyola asks us to stop and enter into the stories imagining them vividly as if we were watching a movie, and we may find hidden treasures and blessings by doing this. I wanted to bring the stories to life, limiting my imagination as much as possible to Bible’s truths and Jesus’s teachings. At the same time, I wanted to make the participants real, people we can relate to so we may see ourselves in them or someone we may know. I wanted to bring the stories down to earth and at the same time elevate the readers to new heights by entering into them and meditating on them. I also wanted to emphasize Jesus’s character, holiness, and power so that we could experience both His humanity and His divinity.
You share 14 stories from the gospels in this book. Which of these stories stands out to you personally?
The story that touches me most is Jesus’s anointing before His death. In this story, we can see Jesus’s humanity and divinity in a highly moving way. We can also experience our fragility as human beings, which is yet embraced by His boundless love.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
For me it was very important to show Jesus’s constant humility and His Father coming in without delay to exalt Him. As Jesus mentioned God was always with Him. Jesus is humbling Himself and making Himself dependent on God throughout. Another theme is Jesus’s humanity and divinity at the same time, and that He would not use His power to ease His human trials. A third theme would be His compassion, the way He would work to exhaustion, be moved, change His plans and treat with gentleness those with frailties due to His empathy, caring love, and compassion.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I would like them to come closer to the knowledge of Jesus by meditating on the stories and making themselves active participants, leading them into a conversation and deeper relationship with Jesus.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
After contemplating the gospels, Saint Ignatius suggests that we have a conversation with Jesus based on what we have experienced—the thoughts and emotions the stories may have stirred in us, called “colloquy.” You can do so after reading or listening each story. Also, you can pause at any time for personal reflection.
Guided Ignatian Contemplation: Meditations on the Gospels to Come Closer to the Heart of Jesus
![Guided Ignatian Contemplation: Meditations on the Gospels to Come Closer to the Heart of Jesus by [Lawrence Keller]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KRomyIERL.jpg)
I cannot think of another time in my life when I have craved peaceful meditation more than I have over the last year. Some of us are able to do this without prompts while others need inspiration in order to truly reach a peaceful state. Readers who may not necessarily feel versed in the books of the Bible can still benefit from the mediations provided by Lawrence Keller in Guided Ignatian Contemplation: Meditations on the Gospels to Come Closer to the Heart of Jesus.
Guided Ignatian Contemplation: Meditations on the Gospels to Come Closer to the Heart of Jesus, by Lawrence Keller, is a unique compilation of fourteen stories selected from the gospels. Each story builds upon the next and is designed to shape and encourage prayer and a deeper level of introspection. Keller’s collection is presented to readers as a way to spark conversations with Jesus.
Keller has shaped these particular fourteen stories into a striking collection written in a style that will capture readers’ attention and hearts from the first page. Not only is the visual imagery stunning, but the writing style is simple and straightforward while at the same time gripping.
Keller’s work takes me back to the days when my grandmother would share Bible stories with my sister and me. Her soothing voice and the beauty of the lesson were again brought to life with this lovely book of meditations. Keller more than accomplishes his goal of creating opportunities for readers to find ways to converse with God. He gives readers ample opportunities to relate to characters and see themselves in the evolving plotlines.
Guided Ignatian Contemplation is a book I didn’t really know I was missing. Many years have passed since my last encounter with a devotional book, and Keller’s work fills a real void in my spiritual life. I am beyond thankful to have met up with his work and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a book of meditations that is biblically-based.
Pages: 85 | ASIN: B099235JH8
Power and Wisdom of the Word
Bible Verses to Remember and Meditate on for Inner Peace provides readers with 150 Bible verses that inspire faith and love. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I believe in the power and wisdom of the word of God. Many of us can easily remember and bring famous books’ or films’ quotes and song lyrics to mind. Although the Bible is found invaluable by Christians and valuable by some non-religious people, most of us may not be able to quote more than a few verses. Also, we are in a time where positive affirmations are given a lot of value to turn our lives around positively. I believe the word of God has the power to do that in ways humanly impossible
What is your favorite Bible verse from this book?
My favorite Bible verse is 1Cor 13:8, “Love never fails.” God is love. Everything and everyone around us may fail us, even ourselves, but God never fails. He goes even beyond to do above what we think or imagine.
What were some themes that were important for you to capture with these verses?
The themes that I thought essential to capture were some of God’s attributes: His mercy, His love, His faithfulness, His power, and the promises He makes to those who love and serve Him. The Bible verses have been grouped under one of those categories. Love, mercy, faithfulness, and power have many facets, and I wanted to show that there was a demonstration of that love, mercy, faithfulness, and power in each verse under each category.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I want readers to come to a better understanding of the immensity of God’s love, mercy, power, faithfulness, and the magnitude of His promises. I would like them to come to realize that no other words have more wisdom and power than the words divinely inspired by God and imprinted in the Bible. That storing them in their hearts is the best investment they could make to grow spiritually, bringing peace, joy, love, strength, and wisdom in their lives, the true treasures.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Bible Verses to Remember and Meditate on for Inner Peace, Strength, and growing in Faith, Love, and Hope: Christian Devotional
![Bible Verses to Remember and Meditate on for Inner Peace, Strength, and growing in Faith, Love, and Hope: Christian Devotional by [Lawrence Keller]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41hiTizspTS.jpg)
Lawrence Keller provides bible lovers with a short but highly illuminating Christian devotional. The author chose select books and scriptures in the bible and wrote about how significant they are for Christians. Reading Bible Verses to Remember and Meditate on for Inner Peace feels like reading the bible itself, but with an interpreter by your side. I loved this book because the bible verses are short, easy to remember and each have a message that will help Christians in one way or the other.
There are so many things that I loved about this book. The first was the verses that the author chose. Reading this book made me love the book of psalms more. Lawrence Keller made me view the book in a different light and I appreciate him for the verses that he chose. The second favorite thing about this book were the pictures that the author selected. The images bring a certain radiance and bright feeling when reading the text in the book and make the entire book appealing to go through. I also love how the author breaks down the verses. The lessons are uplifting, easy to understand and reveal God’s love and mercy in different ways.
Bible Verses to Remember and Meditate on for Inner Peace is a short but impactful Christian devotional that will inspire long time believers and and renew the faith in every reader. Filled with compelling bible verses that serve as food for thought and food for your soul.
Pages: 34 | ASIN: B091TV937K
LITERARY TITAN 