Mansions of the Heart: Exploring the Seven Stages of Spiritual Growth - Hardcover

Ashbrook, R. Thomas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470454725 ISBN 13: 9780470454725

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2009

Synopsis

A practical program for developing a deeper, more authentic relationship with God

Written for anyone who wants to develop a deeper more meaningful relationship with God, Mansions of the Heart offers a step-by-step guide through a spiritual formation road map based on Teresa of Avila's Seven Mansions. The book includes a Mapping Tool that will help you discern your place on your spiritual journey and offers church leaders a process for helping church members to grow into spiritual maturity.

• Contains a spiritual program based on the writings of Teresa of Avila, one of Christianity's most profound and beloved mystical teachers Offers a complete, step-by-step program for spiritual growth
• Includes information for leading others in their spiritual journeys
• Appropriate for all kinds of Christians

About this title

From the Back Cover

Praise for MANSIONS of the HEART

"Tom Ashbrook wrote this book that you hold in your hands to do for you what my friend did for me fifty years ago, to introduce you to these two companions [Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross] who knew, practiced, and wrote on the spiritual life with insight and passion. . . . His work could not be more timely. There is an enormous interest in spiritual formation these days, interest in growing up in Christ, living up to the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. . . ." Tom Ashbrook's Mansions of the Heart immerses us in this old but wonderfully contemporary holy wisdom."
—From the Foreword by Eugene H. Peterson

"Tom Ashbrook has mined the past and hit pay dirt! This book guides the reader into a lifetransforming discovery of St. Teresa's Mansions – a long-overlooked taxonomy of the soul. Like all great literary works that probe the things of the Spirit, this piece is the product of reflective practice—a twenty-year quest 'to learn how to listen to God, first in prayer, then in life—a life of loving intimacy with the Triune God. Based on a wealth of life experiences and the best of Christian wisdom from both the past and present . . . . this book will awaken its readers to the God who is ever present and always near. The journey awaits!"
—CHARLES J. CONNIRY, JR., PH.D., vice president and dean, George Fox Evangelical Seminary/George Fox University; and author, Soaring in the Spirit: Rediscovering Mystery in the Christian Life

"Mansions of the Heart will change the way you live and pray. Tom writes with clarity, humor, and wisdom but above all with passion: a pastor's passion for God's people, and a lover's passion for Christ. The result is an inspired guidebook for the spiritual journey that will more than satisfy all who find themselves longing for intimacy with God."
—CHRISTOPHER S. WEBB TSSF, president, Renovaré

"A practical, penetrating, and edifying exposition of transformation into Christ-likeness as seen through the lens of a timeless spiritual classic. A sure bet to enrich life and service for Jesus and the kingdom."
—BRUCE DEMAREST, Ph.D., Professor of Christian Formation, Denver Seminary, Author of Satisfy Your Soul, Soul Guide, and Seasons of the Soul

From the Inside Flap

MANSIONS of the HEART

Mansions of the Heart begins with the author's personal story of frustration and confusion and the discovery that there is more to the Christian life than building a successful church. While strengthening his relationship with God, R. Thomas Ashbrook—a engineer-turnedpastor—went on a wondrous and often challenging adventure of discovery. By revealing his story of transformation, Dr. Ashbrook offers seekers a way to move forward on their own spiritual paths.

Written for anyone who wants to develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God, Mansions of the Heart offers a step-by-step guide through a spiritual formation road map based on Teresa of Avila's Seven Mansions. This centuries-old spiritual classic reveals the various phases of spiritual transformation. Dr. Ashbrook taps into this ancient description of spiritual growth and offers a personal guide to each stage of the process that is designed to help followers of Jesus reexamine their life experiences and their relationship with God.

Mansions of the Heart debunks commonly held myths that lead to spiritual dead ends and describes a clear pathway to a deepening love relationship with God. The author explains how hearts and spirits cooperate with God in their growth using the insights of the Seven Mansions. He begins with a description of the new believer who comes to personal faith in Christ and ends with the final phase of life in unity with the Trinity that brings forth a wonderful season of inner peace in loving God and others.

Mansions of the Heart can help anyone discern their place on their spiritual journey and offers church leaders a process for helping church members to grow as disciples of Christ.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0470454725
• ISBN 13: 9780470454725
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304