Resources & Favorites
Looking for a good read? Check out the links below for favorite spiritual growth resources that have impacted or that continue to inform the work that we do. ​
We have included Amazon links for ease of use, however we encourage you to consider purchasing instead through bookshop.org, who supports local independent bookstores, or ThriftBooks for a budget-friendly option.
Sacred SoulScapes receives no monetary benefit from the purchase of any books through any site.
Nurturing the Spiritual Life
Circle of Grace:
A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
by Jan Richardson
A beautiful collection of poetic blessings inspired by the seasons of the church year.
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To Bless the Space Between Us:
A Book of Blessings
by John O'Donohue
A collection of poetic blessings written for the threshold moments in life, offering words of comfort through seasons of change.
Speaking Truth:
Women Raising Their Voices in Prayer
by J. Paige Boyer et. al.
A collection of reflections and prayers by and for women in response to the increasing challenges of our day.
The Cure for Sorrow:
A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
by Jan Richardson
A book of blessings, filled with heartbreaking honesty and zero empty platitudes, for those looking for comfort in the face of loss.
Psalms for a Pilgrim People
by Jim Cotter
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An improvisation on each of the 150 Psalms, written in contemporary language. Our favorite is Psalm 121!
Have a Beautiful Terrible Day:
Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens
by Kate Bowler
A powerful devotional resource for the good days, the bad days, and the totally mediocre days.
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An Altar in the World:
A Geography of Faith
by Barbara Brown Taylor
An exploration into the spiritual practice of discovering the sacred in the everyday moments in life.
Spirituality and Nature
The Solace of Fierce Landscapes
by Belden C. Lane
A beautiful scholarly work, inspired by the wisdom of the desert fathers, that examines themes of spirituality, silence, and struggle through the lens of hiking in foreboding terrains.
Consider the Birds:
A Provocative Guide to Birds of the Bible
by Debbie Blue
An imaginative exploration into the life lessons offered through the "blink-and-you'll-miss-them" birds of scripture.
The Wisdom of Wilderness:
Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature
by Gerald G. May
A memoir about the lessons we learn when we take the time to retreat from our chaotic lives into the natural world around us.
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Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees
by Beth Norcross & Leah Rampy
This book is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.
Check out the author's TED Talk on the same topic here!
Church of the Wild:
How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred
by Victoria Loorz
A profound search for spiritual depth in the natural world, particularly for those who have grown uncomfortable with more traditional faith expressions or "church as usual."
Clergy Wellness
We Pray with Her:
Encouragement for All Women who Lead
by Emily Peck-McClain et. al.
In a world of glass ceilings, harassment, and “boy’s clubs,” this book offers a collection of prayers written by women faith leaders, exploring the themes of call, vocation, persistence, resistance, and struggle.
From Weary to Wholehearted:
A Restorative Resource for Overcoming Clergy Burnout
by Callie E. Swanlund
For exhausted clergy and ministry professionals: a liturgically-inspired toolbox addressing overwhelm, loneliness, comparison, lack of inspiration, and other common sources of burnout.