Above & Below: Reflections on the Spiritual Journey

Above & Below explores the spiritual dimension of our lives, through stories drawn from real life: many are personal in nature, while others are meditations on people and events; many are inspired by music, art and the natural world. In each story, the author draws us into a world “charged with the grandeur of God”, where even the most ordinary event can reveal God’s presence.

Originally written as weekly “inspirations” to churches in Delaware during Covid time, Fr. David Beresford has now collected and, in some cases, revised and expanded these engaging and inspiring meditations. In them, we visit a church in Sweden and study the mystery of the crucifixion through a wall painting. In New Mexico, we visit the home of D H Lawrence and discover a connection to the psalms. There are powerful meditations on love and death, heaven and hell, forgiveness and prayer. Throughout them all, the love of God shines through as a beacon for the life lived according to faith.

Includes a Foreword by the Right Reverend Kevin Brown, Bishop of Delaware

Reviews of Above & Below

“Fr. David offers these meditations with a warm pastoral heart and wisdom springing from rich experience as a parish priest (on both sides of the Pond). Written at a time of pandemic they counter fear, doubt and anxiety with faith, insight and positivity – but here are timeless truths relevant to any time or generation. In language marked by directness and clarity, they are at once affirming and gently challenging. They are Gospel-based and communicate, with humility and humor, a lively sense of good news. Fr David has the gift of seeing the world sacramentally and discovering the parables to be found before our eyes in nature and in daily experience. Indeed, the very approach encourages the reader to live life more reflectively. These are not short sermons but rather meditations, and as such they are a stimulus and catalyst for deeper prayer and reflection, leading the reader into a God-filled future.”

Canon Dr Andrew D. Mayes, formerly Course Director, St George’s College Jerusalem and Spirituality Adviser to the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf

“Faith meets living; this beautiful book of meditations locates the eternal truths of faith in the context of living and life. Deeply thoughtful with rich connections to literature and poetry, these meditations bring the reader closer to God, closer to nature, and closer to a fuller awareness of ourselves and our faith. Read it and allow yourself to be touched by the animating Spirit that pulsates through the text. This is a book that can be read and re-read.”

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D. dean and president and professor of theology and ethics.
Virginia Theological Seminary.

“In this evocative volume Fr. David Beresford has given to us a set of uplifting meditations that will surely feed your spirit. Drawn from his own life experiences before and during the pandemic, these reflections point us toward Jesus Christ, who offers ‘abundant life, which is greater than we realize, or even deserve, but which will help us to be the person God called us to be.’”

The Reverend Canon Scott Gunn
Executive Director, Forward Movement

“The Rev. David Beresford - Episcopal priest, poet, artist, former prison chaplain, retreat leader, and spiritual director, has pulled together his rich variety of gifts to offer readers a beautiful tapestry of comfort and inspiration.”

The Reverend Russell J. Levenson, Jr., D.Min., D.D., OStJ
Rector, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas

David Beresford was ordained in the Church of England. In 2015 he moved to the USA, where he served as interim rector in churches across Pennsylvania and Delaware. He is the author of three books, Above & Below (2021), Call to Love (2023) and Blessed by God (2025). He has also contributed articles to Living Church Magazine and The Anglican Digest. He writes a weekly blog at https: //davidberesford.net. "Deeply thoughtful with rich connections to literature and poetry, Fr. David's writings bring the reader closer to God, closer to nature, and closer to a fuller awareness of ourselves and our faith." He is an Associate of CSWG, an Anglican monastic order. He is married to Ruth and lives in Wilmington, Delaware.