Chasing Humility
8 Ways to Shape a Christian Heart
by Joel Stepanek
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 5 Apr 2019 | Archive Date 25 Apr 2019
Talking about this book? Use #Chasinghumility #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
Joel Stepanek grew up believing that humility required shunning success, never accepting praise, and embracing a crummy life so that God would reward him in heaven. Then he became successful—at being a missionary. On a quest to find balance, Stepanek discovered powerful wisdom hidden within a nineteenth-century prayer that radically changed his life: the Litany of Humility. He shows you what he has learned about true Christian humility and how to right-size your expectations for living this crucial virtue.
As Stepanek, director of resource development at Life Teen, began to study and pray with the Litany of Humility, he discovered a pattern for spiritual growth that now anchors the way he lives. In Chasing Humility, he helps you explore eight essential aspects of humility in the life of a Christian: authenticity, confidence, gratitude, love, praise, empowerment, mentoring, and breaking barriers.
In addition to humorous and engaging stories and theological reflections, each chapter gives you practical exercises for spiritual growth such as:
- creating an authenticity diagram to explore how you see yourself, how you think God sees you, and how you believe others do;
- learning to keep a gratitude journal; and
- developing habits of speech that acknowledge and praise others for successes, rather than remaining focused on your own accomplishments.
This book will not only help you to understand and embrace the importance of humility, but teach you to love the virtue as well.
A Note From the Publisher
He earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from the University of Wisconsin in 2007. In 2015, he earned a master’s degree in religion and religious education with an emphasis in youth and young adult ministry from Fordham University. He previously served as director of youth ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and is an adjunct faculty member at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Stepanek is the author or coauthor of several books, including Getting More Out of Confession, True North, and Greatest Job on Earth.
Advance Praise
“In Chasing Humility, Joel Stepanek does a masterful job giving the reader practical steps for cultivating authentic humility. Drawing on scripture, engaging stories, and good old common sense, this book is funny and wise, raw and relatable. Stepanek’s insights offer a soul-stirring read to any soul looking to improve. The question isn’t whether we need to be humble, but who can be humble enough to do something about it. This book is the perfect way to grow in holiness and ultimately, happiness, one achievable step at a time.”
Mark Hart
Executive Vice President Life Teen International
“This book was like a punch to the gut—a much needed, very welcome, life-changing gut punch. It is bold, honest, and raw. Joel has given us an absolutely delightful read that is also really challenging, and it was just what we (and so many others) need to be reminded of the necessity to both seek humility and live and walk humbly with the Lord. Read this book. Absorb this book. Let Joel and his words on humility sucker-punch you and you’ll be so grateful.”
Katie Prejean McGrady and Tommy McGrady
Catholic speakers and cohosts of The Electric Waffle
“Joel Stepanek highlights for us the proper and sacred space of humility in the Christian life. Exploring the Litany of Humility, he provides a delightful roadmap for embracing the virtue not as a weakness but as a strength in our personal prayer lives and leadership outreach. There could not be a better time for leaders to be reintroduced to the virtue of humility in a world that very often values self-centeredness over seeing and supporting others.”
Rev. Dan Felton
Vicar General Diocese of Green Bay
“Joel Stepanek’s voice and vision are incredibly needed in the Catholic Church today. With clarity, joy, and a sharp intellect, he unpacks the virtue of humility in a way that is accessible and inspiring for people at all levels of faith. What a gift this book will be to anyone who picks it up!”
Emily Wilson Hussem
Catholic musician, speaker, and author of Go Bravely
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781594718953 |
| PRICE | US$16.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 160 |
Featured Reviews
Ashley M, Reviewer
A supremely powerful read! I am so deeply impressed and changed by this book that I know that I will return to it over and over. More than that, I will suggest it to others too. The lessons contained in this book are profoundly important. Excellent book.
Librarian 296405
Straight-forward but not simplistic, engaging but not overly complex - Chasing Humily deals with its subject by organising itself around one clear path. The chapters are based around the words of a prayer for us to be free from things that stop us being humble (like the fear of being gossiped about, and being insecure in God's love). So far it has walked the tightrope for me - I am enjoying it and it is making me think - it is clear of fluff but deep enough to have me thinking about it when I am not reading it. I think it will continue to affect me - and I love the reintroduction of the old word 'calumnity'....Recommended.
Cindy C, Reviewer
An excellent book on the Christian concept of humility. Written in an engaging, informal tone, the author tackles the demons of pride and narcissism with respect to contemporary situations. Practicing humility in a world of social media and ladder-climbing work environments are front and center of this book. The author helpfully gives sound guidance and practical tips on living for others, loving others, and practicing both gratitude and humility on a regular basis. Perfect for Lent or for parish small group discussions.
Janet P, Reviewer
An excellent extended meditation on the Litany ofHumility, a short prayer that will help any Christian led a better, more Christ-focused life. Stepanek groups the parts of the litany into groups of three related prayers and devotes a chapter to each.
It took me a little while to get into the book, but it's an excellent introduction to and aid for one of my favorite prayers.
