Invitation to Retreat by Ruth Haley Barton

Here is the book summary:

"Come away and rest awhile." Jesus invites us to be with him, offering our full and undivided attention to him. When we choose retreat we make a generous investment in our friendship with Christ. Truth is, we are not always generous with ourselves where God is concerned. Many of us have done well to incorporate regular times of solitude and silence into the rhythm of our ordinary lives which means we've gotten pretty good at giving God twenty minutes here and a half an hour there. And there's no question we are better for it! But we need more. Indeed, we long for more. In these pages Transforming Center founder and seasoned spiritual director, Ruth Haley Barton, gently and eloquently leads us into an exploration of retreat as a key practice that opens us to God. Based on her own practice and her experience leading hundreds of retreats for others, she will guide you in a very personal exploration of seven specific invitations contained within the general invitation to retreat. You will discover how to say yes to God's winsome invitation to greater freedom and surrender. There has never been a time when the invitation to retreat is so radical and so relevant, so needed and so welcome. It is not a luxury, but a necessity of the spiritual life.

And now, my review:

This book is an invitation to come away and be with God in a way that strengthens our relationship like none other.  As a person who has attended multiple silent retreats myself and has had the honor of leading as well, I was very interested in this book for my own use and sharing with others.  I look at every book I read as a way to see what I can glean from it.  So I was on a search through this book as well.  She walks us through a chapter and then at the end of the chapter she gives a section for those preparing for retreat and those on a retreat.  I really like this part of the book and there is an appendix in the back for additional nuggets to enjoy going further.  I have in common with the author a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.  For the most part, I have enjoyed her sharing in her book and the direction she gives.  Full disclosure, there are a few places that I have not come to a place where I agree.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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