"I challenge you to get through a chapter of this book without a desire for God being struck in your soul. Roger Owens wears his brilliance lightly and loves words tenderly and lavishly in these pages. He is ferociously gifted, and fast becoming one of the abbas to whom the reading church often turns for a word from the Lord." -Jason Byassee is senior pastor of Boone United Methodist Church and a Fellow in Theology & Leadership at Duke Divinity School With a style and warmth of presentation that will remind readers of Henri Nouwen's most popular work, Abba Give Me a Word interweaves the author's personal stories of struggle - and transformation - with reflections on the history and purpose of spiritual direction. The result is a wise introduction to an ancient art and practice of "soul care" - directed at Christians of all backgrounds. "This is a guide for those eager for a serious yet joyful journey from isolation to communion. It is about companionship on the greatest journey anyone can undertake. It is about kindness in the old sense of the word.

" -Alan Jones is dean emeritus of Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, and the author of Soul Making.