This post is taking part in Randy Elrod’s Watercooler Wednesday!

Over on Randy’s Cultural Watercooler discussion for today he asked the question – What book or author has had the greatest influence on you?

First off Randy, that’s really a tough question for a preacher! There are so many and so little time or space to tell you of them all! But, before I tell you who my favorites are, yes, I have managed to whittle the list down to two, your question reminds me of a similar question once asked of a class at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

I don’t remember which class it was, but I do remember the professor. In a class studying Wesleyan Theology, Dr. Steve Harper once asked the question – If you were in the midst of being exiled to an island in the middle of nowhere, what one book would you take? Of course in a class of second and third year Seminary students working on their Divinity degrees, those who wanted to appear really spiritual said — the Bible! But, that was too easy. Dr. Harper’s question truly did start me thinking about what author, and what book, could truly continually feed my soul and spirit if I found myself on an island in the middle of nowhere.

Would I take John Wesley books? Or would I take something totally different?

There are so many choices, but in the end, I did narrow my choices down to two when it comes to authors who’ve influenced me the most.

1. Thomas Merton
2. Ken Gire

While in Seminary Dr. Jerry Mercer offered a class on the life and writings of Thomas Merton. I remember asking him about the class, and I must once again thank him for offering the class during my last semester so I could fit it into my schedule. Thomas Merton was an amazing man. If you’d like to read what many consider his life story, check out The Seven Story Mountain. But, the Merton book that most influence me is entitled New Seeds of Contemplation. This book opened up a whole new way of looking at life and contemplating how we interact with life.

Ken Gire is an author I discovered while working on my Doctorate from the Wagner Leadership Institute in Colorado Springs. I took a writing class from Ken in which he encouraged us to come into contact not only with what we wanted to write, but how the topic actually effects us. Once we tap into such a concept, our writing truly transforms with simple words on a page. I keep in contact with Ken from time to time via email and I’m always moved by his compassion and genuine interest in what’s going on my life.

As for books of Ken’s that have influenced me? Again, there are many. I’m currently reading The North Face of God. But, many of his previous books have also touched me as well. Books such as The Divine Embrace and Reflections on the Movies come to mind. But, his most influential book, is the first book I ever read of Ken’s entitled Windows of the Soul.

By the way, you can find all of Ken’s books at his main website Reflective Living Ministries.

As I said, there are many authors and many books that have influenced me along the way. But, of all the books and all the authors I’ve read, Ken Gire and Thomas Merton rank at the top of the list for those that have truly influenced and impacted my life in a significant way.

A Fellow Sojourner,
Dr. Rus

PS – If you’re wondering, in the Thomas Merton category I’m currently reading Echoing Silence. If you’re a writer, this is a great read!