Christ-Shaped Character - by Helen Cepero (Paperback)

About the Book

What are the pathways that lead us to God? In this book Helen Cepero leads you through the journey beginning with three ways of love, then three ways of continuing in faith, and then lastly, three ways of living in hope. These nine pathways will lead you into deeper life with Christ.

Book Synopsis

Honorable Mention for Classic Christian Spirituality, from Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds Bookstore

"Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love."--1 Corinthians 13:13

What are the pathways that lead us to God? This is a book about what happens when we find those pathways. You will discover the values and virtues that grow out of our experiences, and practices that encourage us to be with God in specific ways.

Spiritual director Helen Cepero writes: "I've seen that when I reflect on my own life experiences, when I am alert to God's presence, and alive to Christ's love, I grow as a Christ follower, and as a human being living in God's world. This book is an invitation for you not to follow me, but follow Jesus into the stories of your own life. You too, will need to wake up and be willing to walk . . . through your own life."

We will follow the journey to God by beginning with three ways of love, then three ways of continuing in faith and lastly, three ways of living in hope. These nine pathways will lead you more deeply into life with Christ.

Review Quotes

"Christ-Shaped Character is more than a book. It is a conversation with a spiritual director, whom you will find a welcoming fellow traveler on the Jesus way. As you read Helen Cepero's work, you will discover her listening attentively to your own story and offering your story back to you framed by faith, hope and love. You will come away with more than principles and practical recommendations for spiritual formation. In pondering Helen's stories and perspectives, you will receive fresh insight into your own story shaped by God's love in Christ. Read carefully and enjoy the conversation."

--Paul Louis Metzger, professor of Christian theology and theology of culture, Multnomah Biblical Seminary

"Biblically grounded and richly illustrated with personal stories, Christ-Shaped Character offers a solid and appealing spirituality. Helen Cepero provides practical and insightful ways of living a vibrant life of faith, centered on a warm and trusting relationship with a God who loves us unconditionally. She shares her story of finding God in the holy ground of ordinary experience with such sensitivity and joy that readers will be inspired to be more attentive to the many ways--sometimes surprising--that God shows up to lovingly support us in life. I recommend her book enthusiastically."

--Wilkie Au, author of The Enduring Heart: Spirituality for the Long Haul

"Helen Cepero's book--with an indirect directness--confronts, convicts and then converses the reader into the formative practices of the three theological virtues: love, faith and hope. Conversant with both classical and contemporary spiritual theology and especially the Bible, this book opens one genuinely to St. Benedict's conversio and the joy of newness of life."

--John Weborg, professor emeritus, North Park Theological Seminary

"In Christ-Shaped Character, Helen Cepero, an experienced spiritual director, invites us to journey together and ponder nine life-giving pathways that lead toward being more Christ-shaped. Through her own personal stories of 'aha moments' and dark valleys, Cepero creates an atmosphere of grace and transparency, offering a safe place to honestly reflect on our own inner movements, as if sitting in a welcoming direction session with her, conversing about life and God. Cepero is an insightful guide to help us deepen our love, our faith and our hope."

--Klaus Issler, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University; author of Living into the Life of Jesus

"What are we meant to do after we believe? Who are we called to become? Cepero maps out the Christian walk in terms of nine pathways: three each of love, hope and faith. The spiritual direction she provides is both practical and profound. These nine pathways serve as ways that can lead readers into deeper life in Christ."

--Relevant Magazine, May/June 2014

About the Author

Helen Cepero trains spiritual directors at North Park Seminary and is co-program director at the Journey Center in Santa Rosa, California. She is an adjunct instructor at North Park Theological Seminary and Multnomah School of the Bible. A frequent retreat leader, she is ordained in theEvangelical Covenant Church. She is also the author of Journaling as aSpiritual Practice. She and her husband, Max, live in Anchorage, Alaska.