Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline

by Lauren F. Winner

Book Overview

After her conversion from Orthodox Judaism to Christianity, Lauren Winner found that her life was indelibly marked by the rich traditions and spiritual practices of Judaism. She set out to discover how she could incorporate some of these practices into her new faith. Winner presents eleven Jewish spiritual practices that can transform the way Christians view the world and God. Whether discussing attentive eating, marking the days while grieving,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557255326
• ISBN13: 9781557255327
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Paraclete Press (MA)
• Length: 162 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.6" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Full of Rich and Graceful Insight

This book's subtitle, "An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline," is perhaps the best introduction to its theme - an exploration of how Jewish spiritual traditions can intertwine with and enhance Christian spiritual disciplines. Lauren Winner brings a rich background to this subject. As a convert to Christianity from Orthodox Judaism, she is intimately familiar with the practice of spiritual disciplines in both Jewish and Christian culture. And without succumbing to a pluralistic perspective on the two religions, she shares insights on ways to incorporate rich Jewish traditions into the Christian faith - while upholding the ultimate truth and beauty of Christ as the center of the Christian faith. The book's eleven chapters deal with traditional "spiritual disciplines" such as prayer, fasting, and keeping the Sabbath, as well as lesser-known ways to honor God in such areas as mourning, hospitality, candle-lighting, and weddings. Woven among the practical suggestions offered, and the often-humorous real-life anecdotes, are broader theological implications about the importance and meaning of spiritual disciplines. I loved this book because it remains firmly rooted in Christian orthodoxy, while exploring ways that another tradition can enhance our own spiritual practices. That is an incredibly difficult balance to maintain, and Lauren Winner has done it here with insightful grace.

Another Winner from Lauren

Lauren Winner does not fail to challenge the mind and delight the soul with Mudhouse Sabbath. Her insights and experience with Judaism continue to inform her Christian practise and enlighten other believers who seek to press beyond the assumptions of our own culture. Even though I was raised in a Christian home in a New England state that still had Blue Laws on the books, my own family sunk into the mire of Sunday as 'just another day' when Home Depot and Safeway extended their Sunday hours. The Sabbath was intended by God to be a joyful day of rest and worship, a day to refresh our bodies and souls, but our dollar-driven culture has reduced Sunday to another day of chores and shopping. I became convicted of my own lack of Sabbath keeping while living in France, which is among the most secular countries in the world, yet the French are great keepers of the restful Sunday, even if practically no one goes to church anymore. Upon my return to the US, it was a challenge to consecrate this day, especially as so many American Christians do not feel called to honor it beyond attending services. I was delighted to see Lauren Winner take up the challenge on this and other topics of devotion, to see how the Jewish faith can inform our Christian practise, not only on the subject of Sabbath keeping, but other important traditions like mourning, which have been sadly lost in our five-minute culture. I highly recommend these thoughtful musings to anyone who seeks a deepening of faith and spiritual practise.

Excellent

Though Provking Essasys on relationship/differences between Judaism/Christinity customs. Winner was raised Jewish and convereted to Christiniaty as an adult. This adds a unique perspective. Must Read.

I you liked GIRL MEETS GOD, you have to read Mudhouse

Mudhouse is the second book of Lauren Winner's that I have read, and I was not disappointed. Reading her books is like sitting down with a friend over coffee and discussing life. I share alot with her, growing up Jewish and converting to Christianity as an adult. Lauren's heart felt spiritual travels have left her a deep knowledge and understanding of her roots and how they play a part in her christian life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a deeper understanding of judiasm, and wants to increase their spiritial knowledge of the judeo-christian life we live in in the USA. As a convert, I see christianity as a deepening of my faith.

Paul says Bravo

In a beautifully designed book from Paraclete Press, Winner reflects with fond yearning on eleven facets of Judaica, ranging from the Sabbath (shabbat) to hospitality (hachnassat orchim) and prayer (tefillah); from fasting (hiddur p'nai zaken) to candle-lighting (hadlakat nerot) and the artistry of mezuzah doorpost reminders. Winner points out in her introduction that, "the spiritual disciplines... can form us as Christians throughout our lives.... " Toward that end, she takes these eleven timeless forms -- devoting a chapter to each -- and expands her readers' knowledge of scriptural and midrashic reasons for the various observances and traditions. She then views the disciplines through her insightful and personal lens, focusing on the ways her past is shaping her present Christian journey.As 21st Century Christianity moves from a knowledge toward pragmatism, and as headlines turn toward daily Middle Eastern tensions, Mudhouse Sabbath gracefully returns our thoughts to the beautiful practices that God's People have quietly undertaken for thousands of years.