Gratitude in Life's Trenches
How to Experience the Good Life Even When Everything Is Going Wrong
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Deacon Kenneth Timothy
-
By:
-
Robin Phillips
About this listen
No end of books these days offer us techniques for self-improvement. Taking a different tack, Robin Phillips shows that God meets us where we are, in the pain and heartache of the present moment. Instead of looking for a way to escape from hardship, we can cultivate an attitude of gratitude, peace, and self-acceptance that will transform our experience of suffering.
Drawing on his own experiences and his work as a consultant in the behavioral health industry - as well as stories of saints and sufferers, teachings of the Fathers, and recent discoveries in neuroscience - Phillips shows us that the journey to personal well-being is one we can all travel, regardless of the hardships we may face.
©2020 Robin Phillips (P)2020 Robin PhillipsListeners also enjoyed...
-
Rediscovering the Goodness of Creation
- A Manual for Recovering Gnostics
- By: Robin Phillips
- Narrated by: Kristina Wenger
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Though it’s often too subtle to see, much of modern Christianity has fallen prey to the ancient Gnostic heresy which taught that the material world has no lasting spiritual value. Rediscovering the Goodness of Creation diagnoses the problem, takes us through its history, and helps us discover “the purposefulness of the material world, the goodness of the human body, and the eschatological hope of a transformed universe.”
-
-
Reflect on Subconscious Gnosticism
- By Justin O'Brien on 03-21-24
By: Robin Phillips
-
The Crucifixion of the King of Glory: The Amazing History and Sublime Mystery of the Passion
- By: Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou PhD
- Narrated by: Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou
- Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ are central events in our salvation. Yet few Christians have a good grasp of the first-century historical and religious context in which the crucifixion took place, nor of its true significance for the people of that time - and hence for our time as well. Biblical scholar and attorney Dr. Jeannie Constantinou puts modern listeners in the center of the events of Christ's Passion, bringing the best of modern scholarship to bear while keeping her interpretation faithful in every particular to the Orthodox tradition.
-
-
Might be the best book I've ever heard on audible.
- By Chris Russi on 12-26-22
-
Apocrypha
- An Introduction to Extra-Biblical Literature
- By: Stephen De Young
- Narrated by: Stephen De Young
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many Christians today divide ancient Jewish and Christian literature into two categories: what is in the Bible and what is not. The Christian East, however, has traditionally described a third category considered beneficial for Christians to listen to in the home: “apocrypha.” These texts, from the centuries before and after the Incarnation of Jesus Christ—beyond even the larger canons of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Old Testaments—reveal to us the religious world and theological framework of the apostles and early Church Fathers.
-
-
Great Intro Into Apocryphal Literature
- By Christina on 07-15-23
By: Stephen De Young
-
Thinking Orthodox: Understanding and Acquiring the Orthodox Christian Mind
- By: Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou Ph.D.
- Narrated by: Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou Ph.D.
- Length: 19 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What does it mean to "think Orthodox"? What are the unspoken and unexplored premises and presumptions underlying what Christians believe? Orthodox Christianity is based on preserving the mind of the early Church, its phronema. Dr. Jeannie Constantinou brings her more than 40 years' experience as a professor, Bible teacher, and speaker to bear in explaining what the Orthodox phronema is, how it can be acquired, and how that phronema is expressed in true Orthodox theology.
-
-
Thinking Orthodox
- By Megan on 05-09-21
-
Know the Faith
- A Handbook for Orthodox Christians and Inquirers
- By: Michael Shanbour
- Narrated by: Darrell Smith
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Over the centuries since the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches, the two groups have diverged to the point that they often no longer understand each other’s vocabulary, let alone the fundamental concepts on which each faith is built. Know the Faith is an attempt to present Orthodox Christianity in a way Western Christians can understand, grounding each point in Scripture and patristic theology, with comparisons to what Catholics and Protestants believe.
-
-
A handbook for everyone!
- By Amazon Customer on 04-01-21
By: Michael Shanbour
-
For the Life of the World
- By: Alexander Schmemann
- Narrated by: Zachariah Mandell
- Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The audiobook version of this book on an approach to the world and life within it stems from the liturgical experience of the Orthodox Church. The author understands issues such as secularism and Christian culture from the perspective of the unbroken experience of the Church, as revealed and communicated in her worship, in her liturgy—the sacrament of the world, the sacrament of the Kingdom.
-
-
Transformative presentation of the core of the Christian vision.
- By Ushiwaka on 08-01-24
-
Rediscovering the Goodness of Creation
- A Manual for Recovering Gnostics
- By: Robin Phillips
- Narrated by: Kristina Wenger
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Though it’s often too subtle to see, much of modern Christianity has fallen prey to the ancient Gnostic heresy which taught that the material world has no lasting spiritual value. Rediscovering the Goodness of Creation diagnoses the problem, takes us through its history, and helps us discover “the purposefulness of the material world, the goodness of the human body, and the eschatological hope of a transformed universe.”
-
-
Reflect on Subconscious Gnosticism
- By Justin O'Brien on 03-21-24
By: Robin Phillips
-
The Crucifixion of the King of Glory: The Amazing History and Sublime Mystery of the Passion
- By: Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou PhD
- Narrated by: Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou
- Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ are central events in our salvation. Yet few Christians have a good grasp of the first-century historical and religious context in which the crucifixion took place, nor of its true significance for the people of that time - and hence for our time as well. Biblical scholar and attorney Dr. Jeannie Constantinou puts modern listeners in the center of the events of Christ's Passion, bringing the best of modern scholarship to bear while keeping her interpretation faithful in every particular to the Orthodox tradition.
-
-
Might be the best book I've ever heard on audible.
- By Chris Russi on 12-26-22
-
Apocrypha
- An Introduction to Extra-Biblical Literature
- By: Stephen De Young
- Narrated by: Stephen De Young
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many Christians today divide ancient Jewish and Christian literature into two categories: what is in the Bible and what is not. The Christian East, however, has traditionally described a third category considered beneficial for Christians to listen to in the home: “apocrypha.” These texts, from the centuries before and after the Incarnation of Jesus Christ—beyond even the larger canons of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Old Testaments—reveal to us the religious world and theological framework of the apostles and early Church Fathers.
-
-
Great Intro Into Apocryphal Literature
- By Christina on 07-15-23
By: Stephen De Young
-
Thinking Orthodox: Understanding and Acquiring the Orthodox Christian Mind
- By: Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou Ph.D.
- Narrated by: Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou Ph.D.
- Length: 19 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What does it mean to "think Orthodox"? What are the unspoken and unexplored premises and presumptions underlying what Christians believe? Orthodox Christianity is based on preserving the mind of the early Church, its phronema. Dr. Jeannie Constantinou brings her more than 40 years' experience as a professor, Bible teacher, and speaker to bear in explaining what the Orthodox phronema is, how it can be acquired, and how that phronema is expressed in true Orthodox theology.
-
-
Thinking Orthodox
- By Megan on 05-09-21
-
Know the Faith
- A Handbook for Orthodox Christians and Inquirers
- By: Michael Shanbour
- Narrated by: Darrell Smith
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Over the centuries since the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches, the two groups have diverged to the point that they often no longer understand each other’s vocabulary, let alone the fundamental concepts on which each faith is built. Know the Faith is an attempt to present Orthodox Christianity in a way Western Christians can understand, grounding each point in Scripture and patristic theology, with comparisons to what Catholics and Protestants believe.
-
-
A handbook for everyone!
- By Amazon Customer on 04-01-21
By: Michael Shanbour
-
For the Life of the World
- By: Alexander Schmemann
- Narrated by: Zachariah Mandell
- Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The audiobook version of this book on an approach to the world and life within it stems from the liturgical experience of the Orthodox Church. The author understands issues such as secularism and Christian culture from the perspective of the unbroken experience of the Church, as revealed and communicated in her worship, in her liturgy—the sacrament of the world, the sacrament of the Kingdom.
-
-
Transformative presentation of the core of the Christian vision.
- By Ushiwaka on 08-01-24
-
Healing Your Wounded Soul: Growing from Pain to Peace
- By: Joshua Makoul
- Narrated by: Victor Clarke
- Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In our broken world, many Christians find their spiritual progress hindered or stalled by psychological wounds from their past. But these wounds can be healed with the proper treatment. Priest and licensed therapist Joshua Makoul shows how we can draw on the insights and resources of both the Church and modern psychology to help us come to terms with the past and use it to further our path to union with God.
-
-
Must read
- By Katie on 02-12-24
By: Joshua Makoul
-
Face to Face
- Knowing God Beyond Our Shame
- By: Stephen Freeman
- Narrated by: Stephen Freeman
- Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Popular author and speaker Fr. Stephen Freeman explores the roots and meaning of both toxic and healthy shame, revealing the crucial importance of this understanding for our relationship with God.
-
-
Powerful and very deep
- By Jordan McGuire on 11-06-24
By: Stephen Freeman
-
The Ancient Faith Psalter
- By: Monks of the Orthodox Church
- Narrated by: Fr. John Oliver
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A dedicated group of Orthodox monks (who wish to remain anonymous) have created a fresh English translation of the Masoretic Hebrew text of the Psalter, corrected to the Septuagint. A frequently asked question: The Psalms aren't in numerical order in this Psalter. Why is that? Answer: That was done intentionally. This edition of the Psalter was created for prayer, at home or in church, rather than for reference. It's not just another Book of Psalms.
-
-
Excellent in every way.
- By Amazon Customer on 02-10-17
-
Religion of the Apostles: Orthodox Christianity in the First Century
- By: Stephen De Young
- Narrated by: Stephen De Young
- Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rev. Dr. Stephen De Young, creator of the popular The Whole Counsel of God blog and podcast, traces the lineage of Orthodox Christianity back to the faith and witness of the apostles, which was rooted in a first-century Jewish worldview. The Religion of the Apostles presents the Orthodox Christian Church of today as a continuation of the religious life of the apostles, which in turn was a continuation of the life of the people of God since the beginning of creation.
-
-
The first Christians did not “invent” anything
- By Petar Jovanovic on 06-24-21
By: Stephen De Young
-
God Is a Man of War
- The Problem of Violence in the Old Testament
- By: Stephen De Young
- Narrated by: Stephen De Young
- Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Violence in the Old Testament has long been a stumbling block for Christians and skeptics alike. God Is a Man of War offers a fresh interpretation of Old Testament accounts of violence, by exploring them through the twofold lens of Orthodox tradition and historical context. Father Stephen De Young examines what these difficult passages reveal about the nature of Christ and His creation, bearing witness to a world filled not only with pain and suffering - often of human making - but also with the love of God.
-
-
AWESOME
- By Sk on 11-03-21
By: Stephen De Young
-
Orthodox Christian Prayers
- By: John Miktish
- Narrated by: Jonah Martin
- Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Orthodox Christian Prayers is made to be passed on from generation to generation.
-
-
Great prayer book but missing many of the prayers in the book
- By Athanasius on 12-13-24
By: John Miktish
-
The Book of Joy
- Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
- By: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Carlton Abrams
- Narrated by: Douglas Carlton Abrams, full cast, Francois Chau, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The occasion was a big birthday. And it inspired two close friends to get together in Dharamsala for a talk about something very important to them. The friends were His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The subject was joy. Both winners of the Nobel Prize, both great spiritual masters and moral leaders of our time, they are also known for being among the most infectiously happy people on the planet.
-
-
This book may have saved my life
- By R. Chandra on 02-08-17
By: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and others
-
Great Lent
- Journey to Pascha
- By: Alexander Schmemann
- Narrated by: Peter Bouteneff
- Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This revised edition of Fr. Alexander Schmemann's Lenten classic examines the meaning of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, the canon of St. Andrew of Crete, and other neglected or misunderstood treasures of Lenten worship. Schmemann draws on the Church's sacramental and liturgical tradition to suggest the meaning of "Lent in our life". The Lenten season is meant to kindle a "bright sadness" within our hearts. Its aim is precisely the remembrance of Christ, a longing for a relationship with God that has been lost.
-
-
Him bashing the monasteries….
- By Christina on 04-29-24
-
The Whole Counsel of God
- An Introduction to Your Bible
- By: Stephen De Young
- Narrated by: Stephen De Young
- Length: 3 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Whole Counsel of God, popular writer and podcaster Fr. Stephen de Young gives an overview of what the Bible is and what is its place in the life of an Orthodox Christian, correcting many Protestant misconceptions along the way. Issues covered include inspiration, inerrancy, the formation of the biblical canon, the various texts and their provenance, the place of Scripture within Orthodox Tradition, and how an Orthodox Christian should read, study, and interpret the Bible.
-
-
A good intro to The Orthodox approach to Scripture
- By Josh on 11-07-22
By: Stephen De Young
-
From Object to Icon
- The Struggle for Spiritual Vision in a Pornographic World
- By: Andrew Williams
- Narrated by: Andrew Williams
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since the advent of the internet, it has become increasingly obvious that our society suffers from a pornography problem—and Orthodox Christians are no exception. While many practical resources are available to help those who struggle with pornography use, these fail to address the problem at its deeper, spiritual root.
-
-
Lifechange - All will benefit from this
- By Noy on 10-02-24
By: Andrew Williams
-
Mary as the Early Christians Knew Her
- The Mother of Jesus in Three Ancient Texts
- By: Frederica Mathewes-Green
- Narrated by: Frederica Mathewes-Green
- Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mary is the flower of femininity to some, a woman of power to others. She has been seen as a paragon of obedience as well as an instrument of liberation. Some have piled her status so high that it rivals that of her Son. Other do their best to ignore her. Behind all of those images is a girl who grew up to be the mother of Christ.
-
-
Loved it
- By Gee on 02-08-18
-
Get Out of Your Head
- Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts
- By: Jennie Allen
- Narrated by: Jennie Allen
- Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Are your thoughts holding you captive? I’ll never be good enough. Other people have better lives than I do. God couldn’t really love me. Jennie Allen knows what it’s like to swirl in a spiral of destructive thoughts, but she also knows we don’t have to stay stuck in toxic thinking patterns. As she discovered in her own life, God built a way for us to escape that downward spiral. Freedom comes when we refuse to be victims to our thoughts and realize we have already been equipped with power from God to fight and win the war for our minds.
-
-
So so
- By Jen Coners on 02-04-20
By: Jennie Allen
Related to this topic
-
Untangling Emotions
- By: J. Alasdair Groves, Winston T. Smith
- Narrated by: Lance Smith
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Our emotions are complex. Some of us seem able to ignore our feelings, while others feel controlled by them. But most of us would admit that we don’t always know what to do with how we feel. The Bible teaches us that our emotions are an indispensable part of what makes us human―and play a crucial role in our relationships with God and others. Exploring how God designed emotions for our good, this book shows us how to properly engage with our emotions.
-
-
So good
- By Skyler on 07-21-24
By: J. Alasdair Groves, and others
-
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
- It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature
- By: Peter Scazzero
- Narrated by: Peter Scazzero
- Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this revised best-selling book, Peter Scazzero outlines a road map for discipleship with Jesus that is powerfully transformative. He unveils what's wrong with our current definition of "spiritual growth" and offers not only a model of spirituality that actually works, but seven steps to change that will help you experience authentic faith and hunger for God.
-
-
Very thoughtful book
- By Anonymous User on 01-28-22
By: Peter Scazzero
-
The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living
- By: Amit Sood MD MSc
- Narrated by: Chris Sorensen
- Length: 12 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Have you ever driven several miles without noticing anything on the road or read a page in a book without registering any of it? Do the day's worries and disappointments crowd your mind as you're trying to fall asleep at night? Do you feel stressed much of the time and aren't sure how to find peace? In this book Amit Sood, MD, MSc, a Mayo Clinic specialist in stress and resiliency, reveals how the mind's instinctive restlessness and shortsightedness generate stress and anxiety and presents strategies for living a more peaceful life.
-
-
Put me to sleep
- By michael on 09-25-16
By: Amit Sood MD MSc
-
A Fearless Heart
- How the Courage to Be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives
- By: Thupten Jinpa Ph.D.
- Narrated by: Sanjiv Jhaveri
- Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Buddhist practice of mindfulness caught on in the west when we began to understand the everyday, personal benefits it brought us. Now, in this extraordinary audiobook, the highly acclaimed thought leader and longtime English translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama shows us that compassion can bring us even more.
-
-
Better to read ... unfortunate grating narration
- By lesley ann on 04-12-17
-
The Present Perfect
- Finding God in the Now
- By: Gregory A. Boyd
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Experience true spiritual transformation: Invite God's presence into your life! Popular author, theologian, and pastor Gregory Boyd shows you how - simply, practically, and effectively - in this thoughtful and accessible book. Join Boyd on this transformational journey of a lifetime!
-
-
practical, yet deeply thoughtful
- By nick larson on 05-03-17
By: Gregory A. Boyd
-
Essential Spirituality
- By: Roger Walsh MD PhD, His Holiness the Dalai Lama - foreword
- Narrated by: Roger Walsh M.D.#Ph.D.
- Length: 2 hrs and 45 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Based on more than 20 years of research and spiritual practice, written by a man who is both a spiritual practitioner and award-winning scientist, Essential Spirituality shows how you can apply the seven practices central to all the world's major religions in your daily life. Filled with stories, myths, case histories, prayers, and practical advice, this extraordinary work has the power to change your life.
-
-
Highly recommended
- By Mark on 05-13-04
By: Roger Walsh MD PhD, and others
-
Untangling Emotions
- By: J. Alasdair Groves, Winston T. Smith
- Narrated by: Lance Smith
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Our emotions are complex. Some of us seem able to ignore our feelings, while others feel controlled by them. But most of us would admit that we don’t always know what to do with how we feel. The Bible teaches us that our emotions are an indispensable part of what makes us human―and play a crucial role in our relationships with God and others. Exploring how God designed emotions for our good, this book shows us how to properly engage with our emotions.
-
-
So good
- By Skyler on 07-21-24
By: J. Alasdair Groves, and others
-
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
- It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature
- By: Peter Scazzero
- Narrated by: Peter Scazzero
- Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this revised best-selling book, Peter Scazzero outlines a road map for discipleship with Jesus that is powerfully transformative. He unveils what's wrong with our current definition of "spiritual growth" and offers not only a model of spirituality that actually works, but seven steps to change that will help you experience authentic faith and hunger for God.
-
-
Very thoughtful book
- By Anonymous User on 01-28-22
By: Peter Scazzero
-
The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living
- By: Amit Sood MD MSc
- Narrated by: Chris Sorensen
- Length: 12 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Have you ever driven several miles without noticing anything on the road or read a page in a book without registering any of it? Do the day's worries and disappointments crowd your mind as you're trying to fall asleep at night? Do you feel stressed much of the time and aren't sure how to find peace? In this book Amit Sood, MD, MSc, a Mayo Clinic specialist in stress and resiliency, reveals how the mind's instinctive restlessness and shortsightedness generate stress and anxiety and presents strategies for living a more peaceful life.
-
-
Put me to sleep
- By michael on 09-25-16
By: Amit Sood MD MSc
-
A Fearless Heart
- How the Courage to Be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives
- By: Thupten Jinpa Ph.D.
- Narrated by: Sanjiv Jhaveri
- Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Buddhist practice of mindfulness caught on in the west when we began to understand the everyday, personal benefits it brought us. Now, in this extraordinary audiobook, the highly acclaimed thought leader and longtime English translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama shows us that compassion can bring us even more.
-
-
Better to read ... unfortunate grating narration
- By lesley ann on 04-12-17
-
The Present Perfect
- Finding God in the Now
- By: Gregory A. Boyd
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Experience true spiritual transformation: Invite God's presence into your life! Popular author, theologian, and pastor Gregory Boyd shows you how - simply, practically, and effectively - in this thoughtful and accessible book. Join Boyd on this transformational journey of a lifetime!
-
-
practical, yet deeply thoughtful
- By nick larson on 05-03-17
By: Gregory A. Boyd
-
Essential Spirituality
- By: Roger Walsh MD PhD, His Holiness the Dalai Lama - foreword
- Narrated by: Roger Walsh M.D.#Ph.D.
- Length: 2 hrs and 45 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Based on more than 20 years of research and spiritual practice, written by a man who is both a spiritual practitioner and award-winning scientist, Essential Spirituality shows how you can apply the seven practices central to all the world's major religions in your daily life. Filled with stories, myths, case histories, prayers, and practical advice, this extraordinary work has the power to change your life.
-
-
Highly recommended
- By Mark on 05-13-04
By: Roger Walsh MD PhD, and others
-
The Enneagram
- A Christian Perspective
- By: Richard Rohr, Andreas Ebert
- Narrated by: Rick Adamson
- Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This runaway best seller shows both the basic logic of the Enneagram and its harmony with the core truths of Christian thought from the time of the early Church forward. Experience author Richard Rohr's expertise and advanced thought on the subject, easily laid out for all audiences.
-
-
Not truly a Christian view
- By Ben on 07-27-21
By: Richard Rohr, and others
-
Preparing for Heaven
- What Dallas Willard Taught Me About Living, Dying, and Eternal Life
- By: Gary Black Jr., Richard J. Foster - foreword
- Narrated by: Jim Denison
- Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his acclaimed books, renowned writer, speaker, and philosophy professor Dallas Willard explored the nature of Christian life in God's Kingdom. Yet one topic remained undisclosed: Willard's understanding of heaven and eternal life. In the months before his death, Willard engaged in moving and insightful conversations about the meaning of life and the life to come with close friend and theologian Gary Black, Jr. These inspiring dialogues were steeped in biblical theology as well as practical wisdom grounded in the here-and-now.
-
-
preparing fir heaven
- By Colin C. on 09-21-21
By: Gary Black Jr., and others
-
Emotional Chaos to Clarity
- How to Live More Skillfully, Make Better Decisions, and Find Purpose in Life
- By: Phillip Moffitt
- Narrated by: Fred Stella
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Despite our best-laid plans, life can often be difficult, disappointing, and stressful. Consequently, when things don’t go right, we are often left in a state of emotional chaos, dealing with feelings like anger, anxiety, frustration, and doubt, which can cloud our perspective and negatively affect the way we live our lives. But in this inspiring book, Phillip Moffitt shows us that we need not be at the mercy of our emotions. By cultivating a responsive mind rather than a reactive one, we can achieve a state of emotional clarity.
-
-
You Are Not Your Emotions
- By Sara on 10-23-14
By: Phillip Moffitt
-
Fierce Self-Compassion
- How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive
- By: Kristin Neff
- Narrated by: Jean Ann Douglass
- Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kristin Neff changed how we talk about self-care with her enormously popular first book, Self-Compassion. Now, 10 years and many studies later, she expands her body of work to explore a brand-new take on self-compassion. Although kindness and self-acceptance allow us to be with ourselves as we are, in all our glorious imperfection, the desire to alleviate suffering at the heart of this mindset isn't always gentle, sometimes it's fierce.
-
-
Liberal Activism distracting
- By Janiene on 07-26-21
By: Kristin Neff
-
Make Peace with Your Mind
- How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Your Inner Critic
- By: Mark Coleman
- Narrated by: Mark Coleman
- Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The inner critic is the voice inside our heads reminding us that we are never "good enough". It's behind the insidious thoughts that can make us second-guess our every action and doubt our own value. The inner critic might feel overpowering, but it can be managed effectively. Meditation teacher and therapist Mark Coleman helps listeners understand and free themselves from the inner critic using the tools of mindfulness and compassion.
-
-
Life changing!
- By Lisa Ackerman on 12-28-20
By: Mark Coleman
-
Rethink Your Self
- The Power of Looking Up Before Looking In
- By: Trevin Wax
- Narrated by: Trevin Wax
- Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Follow your heart. You do you. You are enough. We take these slogans for granted, but what if this path to personal happiness leads to a dead end? In Rethink Your Self, Trevin Wax encourages you to rethink some of our society’s most common assumptions about identity and the road to happiness. Most people define their identity and purpose by first looking in (to their desires), then looking around (to express their uniqueness), and finally - maybe - looking up (to add a spiritual dimension to life). Rethink Your Self proposes looking up before looking in.
-
-
Look up!
- By John on 02-28-23
By: Trevin Wax
What listeners say about Gratitude in Life's Trenches
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MrsGJ
- 01-20-21
Search for meaning not happiness!
One can learn quite a bit by listening to this book. "Gratitude in Life's Trenches" helps one see that seeking happiness can actually cause one to be unhappy. Meaning is what makes life worth living. Additionally as a Christian, seeing life's harder moments through the lens of God's good and perfect plans for us and being grateful for His plans helps us "reframe", events and see the good that can come through these tough times. This is a simplified summary of the author's main points. Robin Phillips amplifies these points by giving us stories and quotes from saints, Christian authors, and persons such as Victor Frankl and Dietrich Bonhoeffer who endured the horrors of concentration camps. He doesn't stop there. He also includes the findings of scientific research on living with gratitude, attitude, and meaning. Although I enjoyed this audio book, I found myself wanting to have the traditional book form so that I might highlight some of the inspiring quotes, research, and stories that Phillips included. I found the narrator's voice was a bit too "perfect" at first yet it grew on me as I continued to listen. I highly recommend this book to those who are going through hard times presently and also to those who are not, as a preparation for rough patches that are sure to come.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- CLC
- 01-22-21
A book we all could use
“Emotional wounds we experience can be far more devastating than physical pain. But while our society tends to take someone’s pain seriously if it correlates with visible physical injuries, we tend to marginalize a person’s pain when it is invisible. In our quick-fix culture, people who are hurting can be left thinking they are the problem for not being able to toughen up and get over it. Sometimes we need to actually take an approach that is counter to our feel-good culture and move towards our pain before we can move away from it.” ~ Cherie Calbom (Foreward)
Too often, our invisible wounds cause more damage and distress than anything external. What is seen can be tended to, and what others recognize, they can respond to. For the individual recovering from surgery, there are often meals, help with transportation, offers of encouragement and support. For those without visible external struggles and those internal struggles are fronted with a well-trained smile and “fine, how are you,” the support is not as readily offered.
Allowing others in, expressing vulnerability and sharing one’s internal suffering, whether it’s chronic pain, mental health, trauma is risky. Some may respond with disbelief, others with a dismissive “Things aren’t that bad” or a “well, at least it’s not….” Those who want to respond with genuineness and compassion may still not know how. This book offers some suggestions for all of us – sufferer and supporter (and we will all be in both roles at various points in our lives).
As a clinician I reference this book (directly at times, indirectly others) almost daily now. I find myself sharing information with friends and clients alike in discussions about self-esteem vs. self-compassion and how the choice toward self-compassion leads to a much richer life. We discuss how vulnerability is actually strength, and how pain can have purpose. Most of all, we talk about gratitude no matter what the situation; how avoiding rose-colored glasses and facing the reality of the landscape allows us to truly look for what we are thankful for and to grow toward acceptance and wholeheartedness; to change what we can and to be grateful for what we can. Many times, the situation doesn’t change – but resiliency does.
In the audiobook format of the book, I found that I needed longer listening periods than my usual audiobook experiences – There is a lot of content in each chapter, and it’s not easily picked up with 10-20 minutes of listening. I wanted every morsel of information, and it is rich. All of the information is grounded in research, and is explained in a way that one does not need to be an academic to understand it. Each chapter builds on the previous ones, but the chapters can also stand alone. There are many points where the author also describes how to apply the information.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- serena
- 01-21-21
An incredible read
Gratitude in Life’s Trenches written by Robin Phillips is an amazing book for the times we are in. It shows how life can be seen in a new way. It shows us how even the small things are something to be grateful for he uses the examples like clean drinking water, freedom of worship, a warm place to sleep at night, accessibility of music and books, medical care, not having to go hungry and these are things we should always be thankful for, and that being grateful for these things is not something we normally think about, but that we should as it will remind us how many things we truly have to be grateful for
In Chapter ten - struggle to find your true self he talks about how two decades of solitary confinement can cause mental and physical issues, that once he was released were still affecting but that he was able to get better with the help of his daughter. We have the choice to either be our true self or just a shell of that self. Its easy to fall into that well of despair but we have to choose to be positive and we have to keep that inner peace I really agree with this. I suffer from complex PTSD, there is a lot I can no longer do, and working right now isnt possible which is very hard for me to accept, but there are still things I can do. I can still be a friend to others, I can still enjoy reading and my pets, and I can still have a good attitude and remember what to be grateful for. Its not always easy but really books like this truly help to retrain how i look at things. Sadly that retraining isnt done once and done, but reminding myself how to appreciate things and letting go of those things that are harmful to me really do help.
I recommend this book to everyone. There are certainly people who will be further ahead on their journey to their true self than others but it can be done. My only regret on this book was the audio version I would like to be able to have made notes in the book for my own benefit, and I will get a paperback version but otherwise the author wrote and incredible book and the narrator was a perfect choice for this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Wynter Gingery
- 01-16-21
It Would Be Better to Read Than to Listen to This Book
I’m going to preface my review by saying that I received an audio copy as a gift, and chose to do the review based on the title alone. I don’t know any of the author’s previous works, so my opinion is both unbiased and maybe a little shallow.
The author has gathered and presents a wide variety of material from scientific research, the Scriptures, pastors, priests, and influencers in varying faith traditions, as well as his own social circle. He also offers practical exercises. It seems to be a combination of clinical and personal approach.
The book does read as far more academic than I was expecting based on the title, almost like I’m reading a college paper, as it is full of references, quotes and sidebars, often citing from only a small handful of source material. I might have preferred he recommend we read George MacDonald and then come to this book as it came across as largely a commentary on MacDonald’s thoughts.
He does share “anecdotes” from people he seems to know personally, but the conversations he quotes honestly sound made-up to me - they read not so much as actual conversations between two people but rather a fictionalized rendering written a little too properly.
So.... overall..... I wanted to get more out of this book, but I think having consumed it in the audio format was not the right approach to get out of it what I would have liked. Unfortunately, I do not believe this book lends itself well to being an audiobook. There are a LOT of quotes and sidebars, which made it really difficult to keep track of when it was the author speaking from his own mind, and when he was quoting or referencing somebody else. He also skips around frequently between stories, starting them in one chapter and then finishing them later, which I at least personally found quite distracting.
But it’s not all negative and I know some folks really benefit from having an audio choice! This would be a great book for a discussion group, and one day I may give it a try in physical form so I can better digest it and use the journal/discussion prompts. Because he does quote from so much other source material, if one wanted to dig deeper into this topic, a research trip to the library would be an easy task.
(As a practical note, I benefited from listening to the book at a 1.3 speed, as this seemed to give the reader a more natural gait.)
I can only give the audiobook 3 stars as I can’t recommend it in this medium, though I think I’d likely give the hard copy 4.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ndamick
- 07-25-21
A book about gratitude that feels rule
This is a great book for those struggling to find contentment in difficult circumstances. None of that wishy washy modern self indulgent me time. The author relies on the writings of those who struggled in real adversity, such as Bonhoeffer, to articulate a path to thankfulness in spite of suffering. He also lays out a path to self acceptance in our brokenness that leads to real healing.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ElzabetG
- 02-22-21
I Tried Really Hard
I tried very hard and multiple times to read this book. I failed. I am sure that someone will glean something from this book and from this format, but it simply was not for me.
As for the narration...I had to speed up the narration after falling asleep twice. The narrator reminded me of the voice-overs on those deadly boring movies and videos we had to watch in school.
I stalled on this one.
2.5 stars on what I did manage to complete.
Full Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to do this, AFP!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- A. Doherty
- 04-29-24
Critical and judgmental
I do not like the critical and judgmental tone of this book. It’s as though he’s annoyed with the world and wants to set things right somehow. Didn’t get that far into it and have no desire to continue. If you’re looking for practical help with cultivating the mindset of gratitude this is not your book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!