Books that encourage you to love Christ more?

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Jennifer132

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Recently I’ve realized that a large portion of my devotion and faith has been intellectual in nature. I have memorized large portions of Scripture and this has helped me spiritually tremendously. I have also read many theological books. But I’m noticing that a weak area for me is affection for Christ. I was wondering if anyone could recommend some spiritual reading that has helped them to cultivate love and affection for Jesus. Thank you!
 
Someone just told me about this book … I just ordered it … it’s called “The Tremendous Lover” … here is the link to amazon.com. … you can read the reviews … looks like a very good book in bringing one closer to Christ. I’m very excited to be getting it delivered on Monday.

amazon.com/gp/product/096759782X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also another great book that I have read twice during my lifetime is To Know Christ Jesus by Frank Sheed … here is the link on amazon for you.

amazon.com/Know-Christ-Jesus-F-Sheed/dp/1887593055/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473621783&sr=1-1&keywords=sheed+christ+jesus
 
So I am also an “intellectual” Christian. I like the facts, but feeling affection for someone whom I cannot spend hours of time in personal conversation with is very hard. (I can pray for hours, but I have only gotten two responses from God my whole life). For me, finding reasons to feel affection for Christ is hard. However, I grow in affection for him when I read fantasy books with multiple “gods,” especially books where the gods interact with man on a routine basis. These books show such weak gods, such simple relationships that I cannot help respecting and loving my God, who is so much greater than these, more than I did before. I suggest, therefore, that you find a book with lots of gods and magic and, while you may or may not enjoy the story, read it in the kind of depth you usually save for your heavy theology books. Compare the theologies to ours. Compare the gods to Christ. I hope that, like me, this will help you. (And if occasionally you just read for fun, well, “enjoy yourself as much as you like - if only you keep from sin.” (St. John Bosco)
 
The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin
A guidebook for the Journey to God,
Based on the Wisdom of the Saints
 
My godparents gave me the book “Jesus Calling” as a confirmation gift. It is a daily devotional and really uplifts my soul. Highly recommend!
 
Jennifer132 said:
Recently I’ve realized that a large portion of my devotion and faith has been intellectual in nature. I have memorized large portions of Scripture and this has helped me spiritually tremendously. I have also read many theological books. But I’m noticing that a weak area for me is affection for Christ. I was wondering if anyone could recommend some spiritual reading that has helped them to cultivate love and affection for Jesus. Thank you!
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Some books that have really helped me with this are “He and I” by Gabrielle Bossis, “Way of Divine Love” by Sr Josefa Menendez, “Words of Love” from TAN, and “Divine Mercy in My Soul” by St Faustina. All really great books. Hope that helps!
 
Manual for Eucharistic Adoration by Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration

Visits to the Blessed Sacrament by St. Alphonsus Liguori

The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. - Mother Teresa
 
Monica and Johnny, great recommendations.

Diary of St. Faustina, Little Flowers of St. Francis, Story of a Soul by St. Therese.
Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence. Anything by St. Alphonsus Ligouri
 
Another suggestions for use during Eucharist Adoration titled “Come to Me”
I absolutely love this book! I take it with me every week for use during my hour of Adoration.
You will fall in love with Our Lord in a beautiful and touching way!🙏
 
I am really enjoying the book “Consoling the Heart of Jesus” by Michael Gaitley. Reading it right now!
He brings Ingantian Spirituality, Devine Mercy, St Therese, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus all together in a perfect way. All of this in an easy to understand, yet not “dumbed down” way. It appeals to my thirst for theological knowledge and the need to love Jesus more. I truly feel more of an understanding for His Passion. And I’m not even done yet!! This is a book I will go back to again and again and get something new everytime. Hope this helps!
Stephanie

Edited to add: New convert as of Easter Vigil 2016. The Saints and different devotions in the Catholic Church are so numerous and I have found this book to be an great resource in bringing a lot of them together. Then I can “tackle” them separately as desired.
 
rabby(name removed by moderator) said:
I am really enjoying the book “Consoling the Heart of Jesus” by Michael Gaitley. Reading it right now!
He brings Ingantian Spirituality, Devine Mercy, St Therese, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus all together in a perfect way. All of this in an easy to understand, yet not “dumbed down” way. It appeals to my thirst for theological knowledge and the need to love Jesus more. I truly feel more of an understanding for His Passion. And I’m not even done yet!! This is a book I will go back to again and again and get something new everytime. Hope this helps!
Stephanie

Edited to add: New convert as of Easter Vigil 2016. The Saints and different devotions in the Catholic Church are so numerous and I have found this book to be an great resource in bringing a lot of them together. Then I can “tackle” them separately as desired.
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That is a great book … I read it years ago … a very good writer … he also has a 33 day devotional out to our Blessed Mother … also very good.
 
I know you asked for books but I would like to share what made me “fell in love” with Jesus. Videos of talks done by speakers (I personally love Fr Mike Schmitz, he has a talk about him explaining the Eucharist and why it exists, made me realize how deeply God loves us and short videos answering questions), a muslim to christian convert (Nabeel? Can’t remember) had a talk about Christian response to Islam and he talked about the crucifixion, shows us how/why Jesus choose to die this way, the God of Love, stuff like that.

There are other speakers I love (matt fradd, leah darrow for instance) but they usually focus on explaining something about the church. Strengthens my faith but I don’t know if it helps with affection for God

Imo when people go in depth about how much God loves us, I can’t help but tear up sometimes. Anyway that’s it 🙂 I like reading but i am an auditory learner so I pay more attention when I hear something…
…so yeah, not books, forgive me
 
Father Leo Clifford has a lot of audios … short ones … that he had recorded for EWTN … they are now on youtube … so you can watch them online.
 
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