Welcome to the Henri Nouwen Advent Book Discussion!
We are delighted to present “The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey through Anguish to Freedom” as this Advent’s featured book.
At first glimpse, this may seem like a peculiar choice for an Advent-themed discussion since Advent is a celebration of darkness giving way to light with the coming of the Messiah. Yet, this is precisely what this book reflects. It’s a journal of Henri’s darkest days, the most difficult period of his life. It was written during a time of recovery from a breakdown that left Henri feeling he had lost everything: self-esteem, the energy to live and work, the ability to love and be loved… even his hope in God. But out of this incredible personal anguish comes healing and hope – a light to dissipate the personal darkness in which Henri found himself enveloped.
Henri’s journal reflects a fierce inner struggle following what he called “an interrupted friendship,” a friendship that he had come to depend on, only to find himself seemingly abandoned and rejected. He left his community, went into counseling therapy, and during this period, after each counseling session wrote a “spiritual imperative” — “a command to myself that had emerged from our sessions. These imperatives were directed to my own heart. They were not meant for anyone but myself.” Which is precisely what makes them so powerful.
“The Inner Voice of Love” has been called a life-changing book – ideal for anyone who is looking for relief from the brokenness, grief or disappointment that touches each of our lives in one way or the other.
Our discussion moderators for this Advent offering are Ray Glennon and Brynn Lawrence, familiar to many of our blog readers for their outstanding leadership and direction during previous book discussions.
If you don’t have a copy of “The Inner Voice of Love”, you can purchase it through our Amazon store connection here.
Things get underway on November 18, 2015, with introductions and a reading/discussion schedule for the Advent book discussion. We’re looking forward to a meaningful, spirited and inspired discussion! Be sure to tell your friends. Everyone is welcome.