Pilgrim Heart: The Way of Jesus in Everyday Life

by Darryl Tippens

Book Overview

A delightful call to a vibrant spirituality that celebrates the everyday elements of our physical lives, reminding us that our faith began and must continue as a way of life. The faith of Jesus was... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0976779072
• ISBN13: 9780976779070
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: ACU Press/Leafwood Publishers
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Pilgrim Heart

This is an excellent book for Christians and non Christians alike. The messages and helpful ideas are easily applied to our daily lives. It is written in a way that is easy to read. I truely find this book a beneficial one.

Valuable resource for all

Reviewed by Linda Benninghoff for Reader Views (2/07) As the author says in the last chapter of "Pilgrim Heart," the conversion to faith is just the beginning of the religious journey, and seeking God is a life-long process. This book will make an excellent companion to the seeker as his or her faith grows. The book discusses friendship, suffering, doubt, the state of being a sinner, cultural memories, beauty, and other topics critical to the religious life. Tippens quotes many well-known religious thinkers, from Augustine to Pascal, from Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Parker Palmer. He also quotes the Bible. When writing on friendship, he refers several times to John's exhortation that a friend must be ready to give up his or her life for a friend. He also discusses spiritual friendship. The book, as a whole, works to build up thoughts and insights that are enriching and rewarding. One of the most startling parts of the book for me was Tippens' discussion of the "downward mobility" of Christianity. Christianity requires that we give up interest in worldly values, such as money, power and success. Because of it, we are humbled and become downwardly mobile. Suffering also can teach us the deeper meanings of life. Suffering can bring us to religious faith. And it is religious faith that teaches us how to cope with life's deeper issues and with death. "Pilgrim Heart" was easy to understand and it was hard to put down. Tippens is learned, yet he remains down-to-earth. The book will be of value both to those beginning their spiritual journey and those well along the way. It accomplishes its aim of creating a spiritual outlook like that of the original disciples that can revitalize contemporary faith communities.

Compelling read

Christian Americans are hungry for a new spirituality, not the same old religion of their parents. The Pilgrim Heart offers a "new" take on Christianity by focusing on the oldest traditions of the religion, the ways that Jesus actually lived His word in the world. Darryl Tippens calls Christians to practice simple daily applications of Jesus' word. By living every day as Jesus did, Tippens hope to bring a renewed community spirit to contemporary Christianity. One of the most compelling sections discusses forgiveness. Tippens reminds us of Jesus' prayer spoken from the cross, forgiving his ultimate persecutors and calls Christians to exhibit this same level of forgiveness. This is especially difficult in this age of dissolving families, revenge, retaliation and the war on terrorism. The author also expresses the importance of forgiving one's self as this is what Jesus expects of Christians as well, to try again, to make amends, to keep moving forward on the path. Tippens make this book accessible to readers by providing countless examples of people fulfilling these everyday practices of Jesus. Though some of the references can sometimes feel overly heady, there are enough simple examples that make the message clear to readers. However, some of the author's suggestions feel overly simple, full of platitudes without enough direction as to how to implement the practices. Armchair Interviews says: The Pilgrim Heart offers a refreshing look at deepening a personal relationship with Jesus by living as he did.

Keep reading it gets better

This book is well written and well researched. It contains many quotes from historical figures, Christians and philosophers (while this makes it "well-rounded" it can also make the book a bit high-brow in places. The book challenges the reader to consider what it means to be a christian in a variety of life situations. Although my initial impression was that is was a book about spiritual disciplines, it turned out to be more about Christian attitudes. I read and discussed this with a friend and we agreed that the 2nd half of the book is more interesting and engaging than the first...so hang in there, it's worth it.

Awesome Book

This book is a very practical look at being sincere and genuine with God and with our Christian family in sharing the narrow path of Christianity. I would very strongly recommend this book for anyone, or for any small bible study group that is interested in being more sincere in pursuing Christianity together. Awesome Book, I bought 2 copies for myself and a friend.