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Habitation of Dragons
A book of hope about living as a Christian.
198 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
About the author
Keith Miller
169 books22 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 26, 2016
I read this book back in the 70s and recently decided to read it again before discarding it. I read it straight through, though each chapter was intended as a daily devotion. As with his more famous "A Taste of New Wine," Miller is refreshingly honest here in describing the struggles of living as Christ would. Such honesty is now a common feature in books about the Christian life, but was rather startling when the book first came out. Since Miller had become famous following "A Taste of New Wine," he talks frequently in this book about the temptations this occasioned him--to be filled with self-importance, to build his kingdom rather than God's, to become a false prophet telling his audience only what would gain him their approval. The book is particularly useful for those dealing with such issues. Every chapter is accompanied by a pertinent quote, prayer, and Bible passage; many of the quotes were thought-provoking.
Want to Read
October 5, 2013An updated, commemorative edition is soon forthcoming from Kalos Press!
http://kalospress.org/books/books/hab...
http://kalospress.org/books/books/hab...
August 14, 2024
Our lives, our souls, are the habitation of dragons.
Keith Miller wrote over 50 years ago, and I found it compelling. An autobiography, he considers the ways he is tempted to various sins. Pride. Envy. Anger. Ambition.
His format is devotional: 2-3 pages of writing, then a few quotes, and a prayer. Easy to read a chapter in 5-10 minutes, per day.
Some will see it as overly “navel-gazing,” but there is a time for introspection and considering one’s sins and temptations. The HONESTY is what struck me most. Miller has a way of vividly describing the (mostly non-physical) temptations that come upon us all.
“To know that I am not alone with the shameful dragons I fight in my inner life is very encouraging,” he writes in the introduction. And so this book is convicting, but also encouraging.
Miller was a teacher and speaker in the church in full time Christian ministry, so I related to much of what he had to say. Some of his dragons were unique to that world, but many were common to all.
Written in 1970, a few things are dated, but surprisingly little.
I highly recommend this book to any Christian pursuing sanctification, especially against sins of the mind.
Keith Miller wrote over 50 years ago, and I found it compelling. An autobiography, he considers the ways he is tempted to various sins. Pride. Envy. Anger. Ambition.
His format is devotional: 2-3 pages of writing, then a few quotes, and a prayer. Easy to read a chapter in 5-10 minutes, per day.
Some will see it as overly “navel-gazing,” but there is a time for introspection and considering one’s sins and temptations. The HONESTY is what struck me most. Miller has a way of vividly describing the (mostly non-physical) temptations that come upon us all.
“To know that I am not alone with the shameful dragons I fight in my inner life is very encouraging,” he writes in the introduction. And so this book is convicting, but also encouraging.
Miller was a teacher and speaker in the church in full time Christian ministry, so I related to much of what he had to say. Some of his dragons were unique to that world, but many were common to all.
Written in 1970, a few things are dated, but surprisingly little.
I highly recommend this book to any Christian pursuing sanctification, especially against sins of the mind.
September 10, 2020
This book is 42 devotional reflections, each followed by a literary quote (usually Christian but occasionally not so) or two, a prayer and a scripture. These are all uncommonly well selected and put together such that they layer and present different angles rather than simply reinforce a simple idea. Even the scriptures seem to come alive in a fresh new understanding, set within these reflections. And this is the key - these are deep, profound and insightful thoughts. Some are astute observations and others are soulful reflections of truth, but every one of them was worth the read.
Because of this there is temptation to box on and read too many 'days' back to back, however that would be a mistake and lose the impact. It is best to read this slowly, a most one in the morning and one in the evening. Also the target for these reflections is clearly someone like Keith Miller himself - that is to say, this is definitely zeroing in on the male psyche and the intellectual male at that. Not that others may not benefit from reading what Miller has to say, but those are the people who can truly identify with the thoughts. For example I was particularly struck by day 11 - 'Commitment : The end of the trail intellectually' - how intelligence finds its place in commitment - but read it for yourself!
The book is 50 years old now, but though the world has changed, the spiritual seasons have turned; yet the human soul in relation to God hasn't moved very much at all.
Because of this there is temptation to box on and read too many 'days' back to back, however that would be a mistake and lose the impact. It is best to read this slowly, a most one in the morning and one in the evening. Also the target for these reflections is clearly someone like Keith Miller himself - that is to say, this is definitely zeroing in on the male psyche and the intellectual male at that. Not that others may not benefit from reading what Miller has to say, but those are the people who can truly identify with the thoughts. For example I was particularly struck by day 11 - 'Commitment : The end of the trail intellectually' - how intelligence finds its place in commitment - but read it for yourself!
The book is 50 years old now, but though the world has changed, the spiritual seasons have turned; yet the human soul in relation to God hasn't moved very much at all.
October 12, 2020
Some of the chapters in this book are really helpful and encouraging, especially the ones that are relatable about the very real struggles Christians face. However on the whole it seems a very dated book and often it feels like you're intruding by reading someone else's diary. I know that's the point but reading someone else's prayer to God which doesn't offer to include the reader is uncomfortable at times. It's hard to relate to some of the authors experiences. And also the snippets from other books are often too deep to get much out of. Not sure I would recommend.
December 28, 2017
Behind the scenes look at the personal struggles of a Christian speaker and author.
I had heard of this book somewhere and had high expectations, but I was a bit disappointed.
I had heard of this book somewhere and had high expectations, but I was a bit disappointed.
January 24, 2020
Meh. There are much better books on this topic. There is not much depth or 'solid food' here.
August 24, 2014
"Habitation of Dragons", by J. Keith Miller, is an updated version of a devotional classic, newly reissued by Kalos Press. It has short chapters, largely consisting of a personal reflection by Miller, followed by quotations from literature and Scripture. (Actually, the depth and variety of the quotations was one of my favorite parts; Miller quoted everyone from Jung to Augustine, and the quotations were always very apt to the topic of the reflection.)
It was a funny book to read; because it was so personal, I felt like I was having to decide not just if I liked the book, but if I liked the person. And when I reached the end, I still wasn't sure. I wish I knew more about Miller. He's obviously dynamic, but I got the feeling I might find him exhausting in person. (Which probably says a lot more about me - and my stage in life as a tired mom of four - than about him!)
However, he's so sincere and open. And that won me over. I couldn't dislike someone so open to examining his faults, so clear in his intention to serve Jesus, so devoted to the cause of the gospel. In a way, it was almost too good - because Miller is so honest, the book is uncomfortable at times. I'm not sure anyone could read it and not feel driven to admit his or her own faults; the descriptions Miller gives of the ways he so easily falls from charity into selfishness were just so terribly familiar . . . this book is a bit too much like a mirror.
I didn't agree or resonate with everything he said, though. But I appreciated the constant focus on Jesus and his gospel.
And there were several sections that I loved. There's a chapter called "Commitment to Christ", where Miller explains how a life devoted to one thing primarily ends up ordering all lesser parts towards that one thing. Devotion to Christ can be an organizing principle - much in the same way that a devotion to basketball can be for a professional athlete. I appreciated that word picture so much - I'm still thinking about it, and how it applies to my own life, several days after finishing the book.
And for that, I am very grateful.
It was a funny book to read; because it was so personal, I felt like I was having to decide not just if I liked the book, but if I liked the person. And when I reached the end, I still wasn't sure. I wish I knew more about Miller. He's obviously dynamic, but I got the feeling I might find him exhausting in person. (Which probably says a lot more about me - and my stage in life as a tired mom of four - than about him!)
However, he's so sincere and open. And that won me over. I couldn't dislike someone so open to examining his faults, so clear in his intention to serve Jesus, so devoted to the cause of the gospel. In a way, it was almost too good - because Miller is so honest, the book is uncomfortable at times. I'm not sure anyone could read it and not feel driven to admit his or her own faults; the descriptions Miller gives of the ways he so easily falls from charity into selfishness were just so terribly familiar . . . this book is a bit too much like a mirror.
I didn't agree or resonate with everything he said, though. But I appreciated the constant focus on Jesus and his gospel.
And there were several sections that I loved. There's a chapter called "Commitment to Christ", where Miller explains how a life devoted to one thing primarily ends up ordering all lesser parts towards that one thing. Devotion to Christ can be an organizing principle - much in the same way that a devotion to basketball can be for a professional athlete. I appreciated that word picture so much - I'm still thinking about it, and how it applies to my own life, several days after finishing the book.
And for that, I am very grateful.
September 19, 2015
Overall this was a good book. It is meant to be read as a daily devotional rather than straight through. Each day's reading offered a lot of great insight into daily struggles and thoughts as a Christian that is just as relevant today as it was when it was written nearly 40 years ago. Each day also comes with quotes, prayers, and Scripture reading for the day's topic. Although applicable to any layman, this seemed primarily geared towards those in full time ministry as pastors or ministers. The author is still around and he has his own ministry website.
http://www.keithmiller.com/
http://www.keithmiller.com/
February 14, 2016
An extremely helpful book of short meditations intended for day-by-day reading. Each meditation comes with a quote or two, a Bible passage and a prayer. Keith Miller is incredibly honest and writes in an easy and accessible way.
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August 7, 2011Early discoveries in my faith walk. This book helps.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews