Mudhouse Sabbath - Hardcover

Winner, Lauren F.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1557253447 ISBN 13: 9781557253446

Publisher: Paraclete Pr, 2003

Synopsis

Despite her conversion from Orthodox Judaism to Christianity, Lauren Winner finds that her life is still shaped by the spiritual essences of Judaism---rich traditions and religious practices that she can't leave behind. In MUDHOUSE SABBATH, Winner illuminates eleven spiritual practices that can transform the way we view the world, and God. Whether discussing her own prayer life, the spirituality of candle-lighting, or the differences between the Jewish Sabbath and a Sunday spent at the Mudhouse, her favorite coffee shop, Winner writes with appealing honesty and rare insight.

About this title

Review:

Although this book is written for Christians, Lauren Winner's message has universal appeal. Having converted from Judaism to Christianity in early adulthood, Winner (Girl Meets God) is a joyful follower of Christ, but a more discriminating follower of Christianity. Early on in her conversion, she noticed that Christianity lacked much discipline or emphasis when it came to performing rituals, so integral to the Jewish faith. "This book is about those things that I miss," she writes. "It is about Sabbaths and burials and prayers, rituals Jews and Christians both observe.... Jews do these things with more attention and wisdom not because they are more righteous nor because God likes them better, but rather because doing, because action, sits at the center of Judaism. Practice is to Judaism what belief is to Christianity. Your faith may come and go but your practice ought not to waiver." She organizes her chapters according to the rituals and values that both religions share--such as prayer, candle lighting and weddings--and discusses how Christians could deepen these rituals by taking a few lessons from the Jews. For instance, she shows the parallels between Shabbat and the Sabbath, and asks Christians to consider the Jewish model--a true day of rest (not even shopping!) in order to deepen the connection to God. ("Mudhouse" is the name of the coffee shop where Winner reads an inspiring account of Shabbat from Nan Fink's memoir Stranger in the Midst.) When talking about mourning a death, she discusses the Jewish "calendar of bereavement" that acknowledges the slow process of mourning, a spiritual discipline that readers of all faiths would be wise to study. Winner's writing is generous, personal and filled with practical suggestions—-a perfect blend for the spiritual growth genre. Overall, she expertly invites Christians into a deeper and more daily level of faith. --Gail Hudson

From the Inside Flap:

Lauren Winner shares the spiritual practices she has adopted in her quest to reconcile Judaism and Christianity. Despite her conversion from Orthodox Judaism to Christianity, Lauren Winner finds that her life is still shaped by the spiritual exxences of Judaism--rich traditions and religious practices that she can't leave behind. In Mudhouse Sabbath, Winner illuminates eleven spiritual practices that can transform the way we view the world, and God. Whether disussing her own prayer life, the spirituality of candle-lighting, or the differences between the Jewish Sabbath and a Sunday spent at the Mudhouse, her favorite coffee shop, Winner writes with appealing honesty and rare insight.

About this edition

• Publisher: Paraclete Pr
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1557253447
• ISBN 13: 9781557253446
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 128