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

2014 by Nathan Foster

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-2006-6

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations labeled Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

The reflections on the disciplines were contributed by Richard J. Foster. The biographical portraits at the end of each chapter were contributed by Robbie Bolton. Used by permission.

The author is represented by Creative Trust, Inc., Literary Division, 5141 Virginia Way, Suite 320, Brentwood, TN 37027, www.creativetrust.com.

Thirty-five years ago, Richard Foster introduced a generation to the spiritual disciplines. Now his son introduces another generation to both the glories and the frustrations of seeking to practice themto master and be mastered by the craft and art of the spiritual life. This is a book of honesty and hope.

John Ortberg , senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church; author of Soul Keeping

I learned a new word recently: self - implication . It was used by a friend writing on participation in the Christian life in which she was concerned not just with being accurate with the biblical and theological content but with being herself implicated in the narration. This is what Nathan Foster has donewritten about the Christian life not impersonally and objectively but as a participant. Read this book and find yourself a new companion as you follow Jesus.

Eugene H . Peterson , professor emeritus of spiritual theology, Regent College

Nathan Fosters The Making of an Ordinary Saint breathes fresh life into the same ancient practices his father resuscitated for millions of ordinary people almost forty years ago. His conversational style and unvarnished transparency make his living experiment inviting for other ordinary saints in the making.

Gary W . Moon , executive director of the Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Center, Westmont College; author of Apprenticeship with Jesus

Delightful... simply delightful. Nathans reflections on the spiritual disciplines are honest, fresh, and insightful. Read and be blessed.

Ruth Haley Barton , founder , Transforming Center ; author of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership and Sacred Rhythms

Nathan has a unique voice so badly needed today. He is a storyteller whose raw honesty disarms the reader and allows us to join him, without fear of judgment, on a journey toward an imperfect sainthood. As a longtime practitioner of his fathers classic, Celebration of Discipline , I found this book to be a fresh retelling of the same teachings through a modern narrative. Nathan zeroes in on the internal issues that each of the disciplines unearth and in doing so allows me to see the value of these ancient practices in a new light. The highest endorsement I can offer is this: just like his fathers book did for me thirty years ago, I want, really want, to practice these disciplines. That was Richards genius; it has passed on to his son.

James Bryan Smith , associate professor of religion, Friends University; executive director of the Apprentice Institute; author of The Apprentice Series

Nathan shows us that spiritual disciplines are not rigid things to do but invitational experiments, guiding songs, and adventurous romps with God to explore a life of trust. Lets try them out!

Jan Johnson , author of Spiritual Disciplines Companion and Invitation to the Jesus Life

Smart, informative, invitational, honest, helpful. Those are the words that came to mind as I finished Nathan Fosters The Making of an Ordinary Saint . With no small assist from reflections by his father, Fosters book opens the celebration of the disciplines to a whole new generation. This book is at times raw but always loving as Foster tells of his journey of spiritual deepening in the midst of everyday life. You must read this book!

J . Brent Bill , Quaker minister; retreat leader; photographer; author of Sacred Compass : The Way of Spiritual Discernment

Nathan Foster is living with an ache, a space that only God can fill. His book lets us share slow, sometimes painful, grace-filled movements of the Spirit as he explores ancient disciplines and identifies his own awkward resistance to Gods transforming love. He finds worlds of meaning in practical and biblical metaphors: drafting (a biking term) becomes a word for community-building, slavery (as St. Paul unfolds it) a way to surrender fully to Gods will. What an honest, loving, joyful gift.

Emilie Griffin , author of Doors into Prayer: An Invitation and co-editor with Richard J. Foster of Spiritual Classics

Nathan Foster has written a deeply personal and honest story about his own life with God. In doing so, he beckons us to trust that in the midst of our daily life, we too can follow Jesus. With The Making of an Ordinary Saint , Nathan captures the essence of how to go about living in the freedom of Gods unbridled goodness, strength, and care. If you are ready to experience the God who loves you as you are, not as you should be, this is the book for you!

Fil Anderson , author of Running on Empty and Breaking the Rules

To Christy,
for carrying me when I could no longer walk.