The Making of an Ordinary Saint

My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines

By: Nathan Foster

Narrated by: Nathan Foster

Nathan Foster was just a child when his father's classic Celebration of Discipline brought the spiritual disciplines into the popular evangelical consciousness. More than thirty years later, Nathan made his own journey into the spiritual disciplines. As he sought day by day to develop habits that would enable him to live more like Jesus, he encountered problems both universal and unique. In this engaging narrative, he draws insights from saints of old to uncover fresh ways of living for the contemporary, postmodern Christian.

Through his successes, struggles, and failures, Foster invites listeners on a journey of freedom, pain, frustration, and ultimately joy as he learns to rise above selfish desires, laugh at his own failures, and fall in love with God. Those who have read Celebration of Discipline will find in Nathan's book creative new ways to practice the disciplines that have been so formative in their lives. Those who are new to the spiritual disciplines will find that developing a vital, interactive, conversational relationship with God is within their grasp. As a result, the holy habits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are truly possible for all. Includes chapter openings and a foreword from Richard J. Foster.

©2014 eChristian (P)2014 eChristian

Ordinary yet Extraordinary

I like books read by the author, I feel like I'm truly hearing his heart. The disciplines of the spiritual life with flesh and bones on them, I want to step into knowing Jesus better through the disciplines. Thank you.

Nourishment for the soul

How wonderful to hear this book read by its author! The humility and authenticity shone through so well. What I loved most about this book was how relatable it was. It made the disciplines feel approachable and real. I was encouraged to acknowledge my own mixed motives, failures, and judgmental attitudes by the author’s admission of his own. All in all tremendously uplifting.

Truly a book for us ordinary saints.

Honest, funny and encouraging. I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was thought-provoking and relatable.

The Story of An Achieveable Spiritual Explorer

I was skeptical when I began. I love "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster and feared Nathan might be riding on his father's coat tails. I was pleased to find this book a sincere and engaging exploration of the spiritual disciplines from a very authentic and relatable perspective. This book reminds me of the movie Julie and Julia. Each shows a great appreciation for a body of work by someone the author deeply respects. Each follow the author on a journey to follow in the footsteps of the expert who came before documenting their discoveries and leaving a trail that begs to be followed.

Foster's transparency and inspiration in "The Making of An Ordinary Saint" leaves each of us believing we, too, can take a journey with God. It paints God as loving and embracing and encourages us to leave behind perfectionism and pursue passion and intimacy in our relationship with the creator of the universe. it might just be the most honest and compelling invitation to seek God more deeply that I have read in modern Christian literature. It's a must-read!

Great message, terrible recording

This book has many great lessons and examples for the spiritual lifestyle, but the recording was low quality and tinny. Also, I see the appeal to having the author read the book, but he is not the best reader and his inflection sometimes makes us lose words at the end of sentences.