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From time to time I will make complete books available. I tend to grab out of copyright material, often from the free book texts at https://www.gutenberg.org/. I find that handling the texts helps me to review the books. William James is included here as a review of religious varieties. The rest of the books are extremely valuable for Christian spiritual growth.

Albert Benjamin Simpson

A.B. Simpson

(1843 to 1919) was a Canadian Presbyterian Minister who promoted a consciousness of global evangelism. He founded the Christian and Missionary Alliance

The Holy Spirit v2 by A. B. Simpson.

This two-volume set by A.B. Simpson offers a powerful, sweeping overview of the Holy Spirit’s actions throughout the entire Bible. Volume 2 focuses specifically on the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.
Volume 1 focuses specifically on the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament.
Volume 2 focuses specifically on the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.

Simpson did not write this as a purely academic study. Instead, he wrote with a clear purpose: that men and women born of God would recognize the same dynamic work of the Spirit in their own lives as seen in the early church, and walk in the power from on high.

Days of Heaven on Earth – AB Simpson.
If you’re looking for a meaningful daily Bible reading and reflection, this is a great choice. A.B. Simpson provides rich meditations that train us to think and live the way we will one day in heaven.

Brother Lawrence

Nicholas Herman
was born in 1611 — the same year the King James Bible was published. After a short time as a soldier, he lived for a while in the wilderness, much like the ancient desert fathers. In middle age, he entered a Carmelite monastery in Paris and took the name Brother Lawrence. At first, prayer was a great struggle for him. Then came a life-changing realization: God is always present. Every moment, even the most ordinary, could become an opportunity for prayer. While working in the monastery kitchen, Brother Lawrence learned to turn mundane tasks into constant communion with God. What once felt difficult and strenuous became a sweet, ongoing conversation with the Lord. He is remembered on January 11 and passed into the presence of God on February 12, 1691.
 
Practicing the Presence of God, or The Practice of the Presence of God,
by Brother Lawrence is a small but powerful collection of just 15 letters and 4 recorded conversations. These writings were gathered and published after his death in 1692 by Father Joseph de Beaufort. In them, Brother Lawrence beautifully describes his simple yet profound way of walking with God. One of his most famous lines captures the heart of his life: “I made this my business, as much all the day long as at the appointed times of prayer; for at all times, every hour, every minute, even in the height of my business.”

Unknown 14th century English mystic

The Cloud of Unknowing –

The Cloud of Unknowing has stayed with me ever since seminary. Its core message is simple yet profound: set everything aside and simply sit in God’s presence. The author invites us to place the same “cloud of unknowing” between ourselves and the world as we have between ourselves and God. While God often feels hidden behind a cloud, the events and distractions of daily life feel vivid and right in our face. The goal is to bring both into balance — dimming the noise of the world until the Spirit of God becomes the one directing our thoughts. This is the heart of contemplative prayer.

The Book of Prive Counseling – Author Unknown  –

I’ve long loved The Cloud of Unknowing, but I recently discovered its companion work, The Book of Privy Counsel. Long overlooked, it is now believed to be written by the same anonymous 14th-century English mystic. This book feels like a more mature and advanced follow-up to The Cloud. It offers direct, personal spiritual direction from a seasoned contemplative guiding a disciple who is maturing in the faith. This text isn’t written for every Christian. It is meant for the smaller group of believers who deeply desire to bask in the glory of God and pursue a life of contemplative intimacy with Him.

William James
William James

(1842 to 1910) First American Professor to lecture at a major university in Europe, the Gifford Lectures on natural theology, University of Edinburgh. James is known as the father of American psychology. While teaching at Harvard, James taught physiology, anatomy, psychology, and philosophy

The Varieties of Religious Experience. –

The Varieties of Religious Experience is a landmark book compiled from William James’s renowned Gifford Lectures on natural theology, delivered in 1901.  In this classic work, he gathers and systematically categorizes a wide range of personal religious experiences drawn from diverse religious traditions.

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