Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment

This gem of a book appeals to men and women alike. We used it in our coed small group at church, and at the end of our six sessions people seemed to feel they had gained some practical tools for the spiritual journey. Here are some of their comments. Sacred Compass "helped me to know God is with me and others in my life." " . . . a positive and enriching experience, knowing that whatever the challenges confronting me at any time, the sacred compass needle is always directing me to God's compassion and love." "It has helped me to open up, dig deeper, and learn how to hear the leadings of my Higher Power more carefully." "The author raises many thought-provoking questions that provide rich prompts for anyone who enjoys journaling. For small group discussion, it's one of the best books I've come across."

Brent Bill provides provocative and encouraging questions to ask as you move through a journey of discerning whether to take the left or right road - or forge a new path in the center (or off center). The tone is gentle and warm, reflecting Bill's personality. I highly recommend this book.

I was reading this book while admist discerning a major leading. This book supplied me with tools and clarity that I so desperatly been seeking. I advise this book to everyone--we all have discernment at some points in our life and this is a book one can turn to time and time again.

J. Brent Bill's latest and most ambitious book in recent years should carry a warning label on the back cover: 1.) Your spiritual path may be dangerous to your health. 2.) Do not attempt this journey alone. It's those two truths that set Brent's voice apart from a host of other spiritual writers who are crowding into bookstores these days with promises of 10 (or 30 or 365) Steps to Your Spiritual Success and often seem to send you off all alone on this personal quest for spiritual satisfaction. Brent is a Quaker writer, rooted so deeply in the wisdom of this centuries-old tradition that he can't help but be honest about life's destination (which always lies is death and, in some cases, involves tragic death). At age 57 as this book is released, Brent can feel it in every fiber of his being that God doesn't want us to take this journey alone. God intends us to live in communities and to draw on the wisdom of those communities to help us discern the wisest spiritual paths ahead of us. Now, don't get me wrong. This book isn't somber. It's not a downer. The golden Midwest meadow and bright blue sky on the cover of Brent's book reflects his own grounding in the steady ethics and expectations of middle-American life. After all, he lives near Indianapolis on a small farm and he works for the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, which is funded by the Lilly Endowment with a specific mission to help local congregations solve their problems. Over the years, he's helped to solve hundreds of thorny problems. As a writer, Brent most recently wrote books focused on Quaker spiritual wisdom involving the simplest elements of life: light (that book is "Mind the Light: Learning to See with Spiritual Eyes") and sound (that book is "Holy Silence: The Gift Of Quaker Spirituality"). I've read and can heartily recommend both of them. He's a practical Midwestern farmer, fixer and facilitator - drawing deep water from a denomination that stretches back more than 350 years and played a key role in shaping American values from our colonial era. This makes him a substantial spiritual guide, but never in a flashy way. Think of - oh, perhaps something like Mister Rogers Meets the Dalai Lama. It's only natural that such a writer would point us toward a tool as the central metaphor for this journey. And the tool he selects is a compass - the hand-held device with a magnetic needle that points sort-of true North. Unlike a host of other books you'll find in the inspirational sections of bookstores, this isn't a book with lofty passages designed to lift your spirits in the morning - but leave you sinking fast later in the day. This is a book jam packed with tips for organizing and shaping your journey into discernment. And, note that I said "into," because it's not "toward" spiritual discernment - or "to" spiritual discernment - as if you'll arrive at a golden sign, hand lettered by the finger of God. Brent argues persuasively that this journey never ends and we're n

I've read and enjoyed all of Brent Bill's books. While they all were enriching, this book is uniquely helpful. Its common-sense approach to the spiritual life makes this a wonderful book for more seasoned saints, but also appropriate for those new to the life of faith. This book is a grand slam. Buy three copies. One for yourself, and two for your friends. You'll be doing them a favor. Phil Gulley