The Spiritual Counsels of Father John of Kronstadt

With this book, "The Spiritual Counsels of Father John of Kronstadt", Jardine W. Grisbrooke has presented to us exactly that: the spiritual advise of a truly saintly man of "The Church" . . . and a man who knew the day to day troubles and needs of the "everyman". Fr. John wan't a "monk" following an arranged and artificial daily structured ritual-life . . . he was a pastor in a parish and lived with and among the everday people. . . and there must have been a recognizable sharing of their lives by him because he was much loved during his own lifetime. No "hagiographic embellishments" were needed to establish him in the minds and hearts of any who knew him . . or even for those who "encounter" him now, via stories and books and his own writings, "My Life In Christ" from which the cousels in this book are excerpetd. God has been so provident, that He has never faikled to place in our midst individuals who "glow with' and "reflect" the transcendent light of heaven incarnate . . . the St. Paul saying is "it is no longer "i" who live but Christ Who lives in me" . . . and a procession of such "lights" have existed and walked among us since the very fist generation of believers and even until now . . . and doubtless will continue to be found in our world until the end of time. Father John of Kronstadt was just such a man. This book gives us his words . . his instructions . . his thoughts .. in a way, his "presence" so that we too can encounter and experience his reflection of "Christ living within him". . . it is the same Christ we too desire to live within ourselves (and Who does indeed already in ways mysterious and mystical, but no less real). Reading Saint John of Kronstadt's words help us to recognize that light within us . . .to see it for what and for Who it is: Christ. (There was a term popular in theology some years back: "annonymous christian" . . . that is, people who "did the will of God" though they themselves may not have recognized themselves as actual believers . .they wanted to 'do right" . . strove to "do right' and "did do right" . . . with a little bit of light to make their inner souls visible to themselves, they might not then be "annonymous christians" but would recognize themselves as "de facto christians" . . . Father John of Kronstadt's counsels, in this bbok, might just provide the needed light for us "to see" who and what we are . . . and what we can become even more. i love this book . . and i most retirn to Father John's counsels "on prayer" . . he is deeply rooted in scripture and never departs from that norm . . but he makes it seem so natural to heed the scripture and Jesus' teachings on prayer that we say, "i knew that . . but why didn't i think of that myself before?" . . . i return to Father John in this book often . . . he re-centers me . . . and re-focuses me . . . You will not be able to put this book down onc e you begin to read its pages . . .and when you finish it, you will know that you are never fin

Fr. John of Kronstadt has called me through this book to facing the reality of prayer - talking to the God who loves me. Not to be read quickly. Several of us at our church reading it together; good Lenten material. Excellent guide and encouragement to working on a life filled with prayer.

As a man who lived "in the world", rather than removed from it, Father John of Kronstadt is an excellent source for people wanting to know about living a Christian life of prayer. He faced the reality of living in a complex, disorderly world on a daily basis as he ministered to the needs of his parish. Father John teaches the seeker of the hard truth how to face life's challenges with God's support, rather than trying to go it alone. And what is the hard truth? That in facing our sins (anything that separates us from God) and humbling ourselves through a life of prayer, we become more able, not less, to be effective intercessors for our brothers and sisters who are poor in spirit, mistreated, and troubled; as well as more centered, creative, and joyful in our own lives. Father John's counsel offers a way to organize, deepen, and enrich your life. This book is not to be missed by anyone desiring a Christian lifestyle that incorporates all the beauty, mystery, and devotion the Orthodox Christian Church has to offer.