The Imitation Of Christ

Prayer is a subject that is of vital interest to Christians of all ages. We are constantly asking questions such as: What is prayer? Why should we pray? For what and for whom should we pray? How should we pray? The author provides answers to these and many other questions from the thought of a master of prayer, Saint Augustine of Hippo: over 500 Augustinian texts about prayer woven into a little summa about how to improve one's prayer life.

The Imitation of Christ is the work of at least three men: Gerard Groote, Florent Radewijns, and Thomas a Kempis. The first two were founders of the Brethren of the Common Life, a lay religious society that flourished in the Netherlands from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century. Working on their manuscripts, first as a compiler and editor and then as a coauthor, was Kempis. So successful were Kempis's efforts that the work became the golden treasury not only of their community but also of the contemporary spirituality movement known as the Modern Devotion. Its prescriptions might very well be known as the Perennial Devotion for its continual appeal through the centuries. In its fifteenth century Latin original the Imitation was not a silken cord of consecutive prose. Rather it was a series of scratchings, the sort that a spiritual director would note down in preparation for sermons and addresses. What wasn't always in the original was exactly how Kempis developed each topic sentence or wisdom quotation as he delivered it. In this new rendition William Griffin recovers the original experience of listening to Kempis as he taught and preached to his spiritual charges. Using a variety of literary and historical means, Griffin enhances the original, making the insights of this seminal exposition of Christian life more accessible.

Five Christian Devotionals in one book: 'The Imitation of Christ' by Thomas A Kempis, 'Confessions of Saint Augustine,' 'Jesus The Christ' by James E. Talmage, 'The Book of Ruth' from the Douay Rheims Bible and 'How To Become Like Christ' by Marcus Dods. Each classic Christian work has been newly revised, formatted and expertly curated with introductions, detailed footnotes and other annotations that bring these works to life for today's Christians. These FIVE Christian books will help you create a life changing and closer relationship with God. This collection explores topics such as effective prayer, developing better relationships with people, overcoming difficult circumstances, and much more. For a limited time,buy the print edition and get the digital version FREE. Scroll up and grab a copy of this book today! Five Christian Classics for one unbeatable low price! THE IMITATION OF CHRIST by Thomas à Kempis “The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.” 'The Imitation of Christ' is one of the best known Christian books on devotion. Through its realistic delineation of the complexities of human existence, and in its soul-building optimism about the benefits of aspiring to a Christ-shaped life, 'Imitation' clearly deserves the accolade of "Spiritual Classic." Although written early in the fifteenth century, the many short meditations that comprise this work remain strikingly fresh and relevant for modern readers. "Religion's second-best seller." -- Walter Elwell, describing 'The Imitation of Christ' as second only to the Bible in sales and popularity among religious readers. THE CONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE Translated by E. B. Pusey “You are my Lord, because You have no need of my goodness.” Designed to show the details of the soul's progress, from enjoyment of the beauties outside itself to a study of its own nature and finally to joy in the knowledge of God, 'Confessions' by Saint Augustine, was the first work in literature to be concerned entirely with an introspective analysis of the author's own spiritual and emotional experiences. Its original title was "Confessions in Thirteen Books," and it was composed to be read out loud with each book being a complete unit. The work outlines Augustine's sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity. It is widely seen as the first Western autobiography ever written, and was an influential model for Christian writers throughout the following 1,000 years of the Middle Ages. JESUS THE CHRIST James E. Talmage Elder Marion G. Romney said, , "One who gets the understanding, the vision, and the spirit of the resurrected Lord through a careful study of the text Jesus the Christ by Elder James E. Talmage will find that he has greatly increased his moving faith in our glorified Redeemer." THE BOOK OF RUTH The book of Ruth is one of the most moving accounts in the Bible, a story of love and loyalty that is a stark contrast to today's cynical, throwaway society. This short book, only four chapters, shows how God uses people in amazing ways. HOW TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST by Marcus Dods Marcus Dods was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900) and noted Bible scholar. Christians have rediscovered this short but moving devotional in the digital age and have found it a rich, inspired guide in their daily quest of striving to be more like Christ.

The spiritual classic by À Kempis, the second most widely read spiritual book after the Bible, has had an astonishing impact on the spiritual lives of countless saints, peasants, and popes for centuries. Even today, the soul-searching words of the fifteenth-century cleric Thomas À Kempis continue to resonate, unbounded by time or geography. Drawing on the Bible, the Fathers of the early Church and medieval mysticism, his four-part treatise shrugs off the allure of the material world, blending beauty and bluntness in a supremely spiritual call-to-arms. This beautiful translation by Ronald Knox and Michael Oakley is considered by many teachers, writers, and readers to be the best English translation ever, and one that greatly enhances the life-changing insights of Thomas À Kempis. Illustrated. "If we could construct a composite picture of all great Christians-Catholic or non-Catholic-of the last five hundred years who found The Imitation substantially beneficial, enlightening, and inspiring, we would need no further proof that familiarity with this great classic is an integral part of a mature spiritual life and even a path to holiness." -Father Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., Author,

In this book St. Patrick testifies to us of his conversion, trials, and tribulations in seeking, surrendering, and suffering for Christ. Even though most of us do not dare attempt to aspire to reach the heights of St. Patrick, it is important to realize that God made each and every person an individual - not to be like another - but rather to be like Christ. He made each person unique and endows each of us with different gifts and graces. This is why we study and admire other followers of Christ but we are not to try to be exactly like another. In growing in virtue - yes. But God has a very specific wills and assignments for each of us. Nevertheless it is helpful to study and reflect on the virtues of others like St. Patrick.

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis is a Christian devotional book. It was first composed in Latin ca.1418-1427. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the Devotio Moderna movement, of which Kempis was a member. The Imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the Bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. Its popularity was immediate, and it was printed 745 times before 1650. Apart from the Bible, no book has been translated into more languages than the Imitation of Christ. The text is divided into four books, which provide detailed spiritual instructions: "Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life", "Directives for the Interior Life", "On Interior Consolation" and "On the Blessed Sacrament". The approach taken in the Imitation is characterized by its emphasis on the interior life and withdrawal from the world, as opposed to an active imitation of Christ by other friars. The book places a high level of emphasis on the devotion to the Eucharist as key element of spiritual life. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.