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The poems in Dreaming of Stones are about what endures: hope and desire, changing seasons, wild places, love, and the wisdom of mystics. Inspired by the poet's time living in Ireland these readings invite you into deeper ways of seeing the world. They have an incantational quality. Drawing on her commitment as a Benedictine oblate, the poems arise out of a practice of sitting in silence and lectio divina, in which life becomes the holy text. No stranger to poetry, Paintner's bestselling spirituality titles have often included poems. In this first exclusively poetic collection, she writes with a contemplative heart about kinship with nature, ancestral connections, intimacy, the landscape, the unfolding nature of time, and Christian mystics. It can be read for reflection to spark the heart and to offer solace and inspiration in difficult times. BreathThisbreathingin is a miracle,this breathing out, release,this breathing in a welcome tothe unseen gifts which sustain me eachmoment, this breathing out a sweet sigh,a bow to my mortality, this breathing ina holy yes to life, this breathing outa sacred no to all that causesme to clench and grasp,this breathing in is arevelation, thisbreathing out,freedom.

There are other introductory books about Orthodoxy. This one comprehensively covers the history, theology, and practice without talking over your head. Mathewes- Green takes the original approach of bringing you into a typical church for a series of visits. That is how Christians learned the faith for most of history, by coming into a community and keeping their eyes and ears open. Designed primarily for newcomers to come to understand Orthodoxy and Orthodox Christians, this guide to the faith is also a non-threatening and accessible introduction to people already "e;in the pews."e; Inviting rather than argumentative, this is a book Orthodox Christians will be giving to their friends. "e;Plenty of books deal with Christian theology in weighty and abstruse ways, but few apply the theology so wholly to the everyday lived realities of life, and in such easily accessible prose, as does Welcome to the Orthodox Church. Take warning, though: if you do read this thoughtful, passionate book, you run the risk of having to take the claims of Orthodox Christianity very seriously indeed."e; -Philip Jenkins, Baylor University"e;How do you introduce (Eastern) Orthodoxy? Frederica suggests we treat it as a large, and muchloved, family house. She takes us round it, showing us all the rooms and what goes on in them. . . . There is lots of information, and she deals directly with problems to be encountered. This is a wonderful book."e; -The Very Revd Archpriest Andrew Louth, Durham University, author of Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology"e;With exhilarating clarity, Frederica Mathewes-Green introduces the profound mystery at the heart of the Orthodox Christian faith, which is also our common inheritance: it is a way of life to be encountered and performed; it is not reducible to a range of propositions to be considered. With great charm and with characteristic wit and humor, she prepares the way for those who arrive at an Orthodox church for services, letting them know what to expect, what to watch for, how to lean in-letting them know how best to open their hearts to this worship that is both ancient and ever new."e; -Scott Cairns"e;In her own warm and engaging way, Frederica takes you on a journey into a strange and exotic world for those unfamiliar with it but a spiritual refuge and oasis for those who have embraced it. This just may be the Church you have been looking for and didn't even know it existed."e; -John Maddex, CEO Ancient Faith Ministries"e;Beautifully written and carefully explained with a heart for the non- Orthodox. As an evangelical, who grew up in the Greek Orthodox Church, until being shipped off to boarding school in England, I found myself longing to revisit the liturgy and traditions of my youth!"e; -Emmanuel Kampouris, Former Chairman & CEO of American Standard Companies, Founder of www.biblemesh.com"e;This excellent book is most valuable because it is more like a friend than a book. It's the voice you hope to hear beside you in church, murmuring explanations and encouragement as you make your journey. I highly recommend it."e; - Rev. Dr. Christopher Metropulos, Executive Director, Orthodox Christian Network, MyOCN.net

This joint biography illuminates the lives of Francis and Clare and their way of life. It shows how they were bound together by devotion to God as well as the violent objections of their families to religious life. It explores a variety of issues they faced, including the treatment of lepers in medieval society, corruption in the church, and attitudes toward the created world. You will learn how Clare's spirituality influenced that of other prominent women, how Francis lost control of his own movement, and why Francis's body was secretly buried after his death.

This collection of poems engages in new and animating ways with one of the profoundest texts of our past, the Book of Psalms. These poems are Clarke''s response to his experience of reading the Psalter through once every month according to Cranmer’s divisions in the 1549 Book of Common Prayer.

40 Days with the Holy Spirit will inspire you to encounter God in fresh and surprising ways. You'll develop stronger spiritual muscles as you breathe, read, reflect, and pray-all with an eye to cultivating a relationship with the least familiar member of the Trinity. The book is interactive, offering the opportunity to write and pray each day; intelligent, rooted in a rigorous study of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation; and inviting, with 40 insightful, well-planned 20-30 minute daily exercises; and prayerful, with 40 original prayers that capture each day's insight into the deep, spiritual work of the Holy Spirit. "e;Jack Levison's lively new book 40 Days with the Holy Spirit is an engaging devotional that invites the Christian community to be reacquainted with the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. I read it as a Pentecostal pastor/theologian and it provoked me to consider anew how the Spirit is actively at work in my life and in the world. Though there are differences in pneumatology within the body of Christ, all who read this book will have to affirm that the Spirit is moving and Jack has caught its zeal!"e;-Johnathan E. Alvarado, Senior Pastor, Grace Church International, and Professor of Theology, Beulah Heights University, Atlanta, Georgia"e;Jack Levison's new devotional will guide you into the theme of the Holy Spirit in Scripture, aiming for spiritual formation, not just spiritual information. My favorite part: the simple prayers at the end of each reading. A beautiful, accessible, and soul-nourishing resource!"e; -Brian D. McLaren, Author of We Make the Road by Walking"e;Jack Levison combines a scholar's intimate knowledge of scripture with a born writer's mastery of nuance, style, empathy and humor. Every page of this book brims with reverence for God and common-sense wisdom won the hard way."e; -David Laskin, author of The Family"e;40 Days with the Holy Spirit opens a door for all seekers, religious and irreligious, to experience 'God's Spirit-breath within.' This is more than a must read-its food for busy and hungry hearts."e;-Dr. Michael Rakes, Pastor at Winston Salem First"e;Is it possible to live a Spirit-filled life amid our daily distractions and demands? Jack Levison assures us it is and offers a path to wisdom through stillness and abandonmentThis book leads us to the ultimate Source, the Spirit. It is a guide not just for 40 days, but a lifetime."e; -Judith Valente, Correspondent, Religion & Ethics Newsweekly and author of The Art of Pausing"e;Jack Levison brings together scholarship, Scripture meditation, concrete practices, and compelling inspiration. He helps us retrieve the tragically lost centrality of the Holy Spirit in the mainline Christian world. Here comes the return of the fire and the wind!"e; -Fr. Richard Rohr, ofm"e;Jack Levison's book is not an overly intellectual look at the Holy Spirit, but really examines what it means to live a Spirit-filled life. A needed resource for those looking to be guided by the Holy Spirit found in Scripture. Jack opens our minds to the fullness of the Holy Spirit and removes the human limitations that we often place on this person of the Trinity, teaching us to hear and obey as God speaks."e;- Dr. John M. Perkins, Co-founder of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), Founder and President Emeritus of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation

After an introduction that broadly compares Protestant views on the Holy Spirit with Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox models, this clear guide explores the understandings of important theologians and figures in Protestant tradition.

When Nazi Germany occupied Hungary in March 1944 violent persecution of the Jews began, including taking hundreds of thousands to concentration camps. It did not help Klara Kardos that she was Catholic: because of her Jewish background, she was also taken to Auschwitz in June of 1944 at the age of 24.  At the camp, younger women were not killed; they were taken to ammunition factories to do forced labor. Klara survived the horror of death camps and was liberated in May 1945. Years after her return to Hungary, at the request of her friends, she wrote down her camp experiences in a small book in the Hungarian language. This is her story.  

It is 1940, and American Tom McCord, a 23-year-old graduate student, is in England researching the historical evidence for the legendary King Arthur. There he meets perky and intuitive Laura Hartman, a fellow American staying with her aunt in Oxford, and the two of them team up for an even more ambitious and dangerous quest. Aided by the Inklings — that illustrious circle of scholars and writers made famous by its two most prolific members, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien — Tom and Laura begin to suspect that the fabled Spear of Destiny, the lance that pierced the side of Christ on the Cross, is hidden somewhere in England.  

A deeply poignant, transcendent tale of life redeemed through death.For generations Aideen Callaghan's ancestors were miraculously cured of cancer through the power of a holy relic--the very relic that inspired the Celtic cross--until it vanished from history in 1866 and became Irish lore.Raised on faith but with an inheritance of death, Aideen has been at odds with religion since losing her daughter to a brain tumor. Now it is her orphaned grandson who lies dying. In desperation Aideen turns to popular American author and New Testament era scholar Fr. Kevin Schaeffer for help. Armed with a priceless family Bible and the sacred pendant worn by Aideen's beloved great-grandmother--the last to be cured--Kevin abandons his sabbatical research in Dublin and sets his sights on finding the relic in time to save the child.In their search for clues from Armagh, to Skellig Michael, to Rome, the historical trail from Golgotha to Gaul is slowly revealed as Kevin, his lifelong Vatican friend Marco, and a passionate would-be Irish seminarian uncover truths that ultimately reshape their lives.

Amid Passing Things is a collection of meditations on all the ways God enters our lives, even when we''re unaware. Based on his own life experiences, Franciscan friar Jeremiah Shryock offers both struggles and joys that come in a life that''s consciously encountering God—the Holy One all around us—not in some far-off place, but right here and now in this life, amid passing things.

Benedictine monastic spirituality has emerged as an antidote to the spiritual and cultural challenges facing people of faith today. In this book, the author focuses specifically on GRACE, and the benevolence of God as it expresses itself in many different ways along our spiritual journey. What is a person likely to experience when beginning to give up him or herself conscientiously to the spiritual journey?In this beautiful guide, gradually, we come to realize that everything that happens in our lives is somehow the gift of our loving Father.Every journey is ultimately individual. As Casey explains, what you hear within your own spirit is more significant than what he can say. But his aim is to help you listen to the voice of God in your heart.

ΓÇ£The perfect guidebook for curious parents, enthusiastic newcomers, and confused cradle Catholics. Frankly, this is the best book on baptism IΓÇÖve ever read.ΓÇ¥ ΓÇöJames Martin, S.J. author of the New York Times Bestseller, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) EverythingBaptism is the beginning of oneΓÇÖs life in the community of the church, and the ΓÇ£gatewayΓÇ¥ to the rest of the sacraments. ΓÇó IsnΓÇÖt it better to get baptized when youΓÇÖre older, and can understand what youΓÇÖre doing? ΓÇó Does my baby have to be baptized immediately? ΓÇó Will my child go to hell, limbo or purgatory ifΓÇöGod forbidΓÇöhe or she dies before baptism? ΓÇó Why are so many baptisms done during the Mass these days? ΓÇó WhatΓÇÖs the role of the godparents? Do they have to be Catholics? Christians? Believers? These are questions from good Catholics that deserve good answers. If people remain confused about baptism, they will be confused about the sacramental life of the church, and, by extension, their faith. ΓÇ£Thomas Scirghi has written a fine book on baptism for the 21st century church. Rooted deeply in Scripture, the authoritative teaching of the Catholic Church, and the living tradition of sacramental practice, ScirghiΓÇÖs book is laced with literary, cultural, and everyday examples that allow readers to grasp (or grasp anew) the continuing significance of baptism in the life of the Church and in their own lives.ΓÇ¥ ΓÇôTimothy Brunk, Assistant Professor of Theology, Villanova UniversityFrom the foreword by James Martin, SJ:Frankly, this is the best book on baptism IΓÇÖve ever read. ItΓÇÖs wise without being overly academic; inviting without being overly informal; and concise without being slapdash. Fr.Scirghi, a distinguished scholar, compassionate pastor, and popular teacher at Fordham University, is the perfect guide to the history, theology, and application of the sacrament.Father ScirghiΓÇÖs book could easily become a standard introduction to the sacrament, and is the perfect guidebook for curious parents, enthusiastic newcomers, and confused cradle Catholics. After reading it, youΓÇÖll understand why we invite parents to have their children baptized, and also why we baptize adults at the Easter Vigil Mass. YouΓÇÖll know the significance of the oil (and the candle) in the rite. And the next time you see a priest or deacon pour water over a childΓÇÖs head and pronounce the ancient baptismal formula, youΓÇÖll have a richer appreciation for his words and his actions.

Readers who can quote word for word from C.S. Lewis’s theological classic, Mere Christianity, or his science fiction novel, Perelandra, have often never read his work as a professional literary historian. They may not even recognize some of the neglected works discussed, here. Mark Neal and Jerry Root have done students of Lewis a great service, tracing the signature ideas in Lewis’s works of literary criticism and showing their relevance to Lewis’s more familiar books. Their thorough research and lucid prose will be welcome to all who would like to understand Lewis more fully, but who feel daunted by books of such evident scholarly erudition. For example, when you read The Discarded Image on the ancients’ view of the heavens, you understand better why Ransom has such unpleasant sensations when first descending toward Malacandra in Out of the Silent Planet. And when you come across Lewis’s discussion in OHEL  of a minor sixteenth-century poet who described the hellish River Styx as a “puddle glum,” you can’t help but chuckle at the name when you meet the famous Marshwiggle in The Silver Chair. These are just two examples of how reading the “Neglected Lewis” can help every reader understand Lewis more fully.     

Best-selling Catholic author Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle encourages Catholic families to reclaim a significant tradition: setting apart Sundays as a day of worship, true rest, teaching, and simply spending precious time together. In fifty-two creative chapters Donna-Marie presents fun and meaningful ideas for all fifty-two weeks of the year inspired by the seasons (both natural and liturgical), holidays, Saints days, and holy Scripture, to help keep Sundays holy, just as God said we should!

Glory Happening is a book of stories and prayers that remind us to take a closer look at our everyday circumstances, to find the magic and beauty in ordinary experiences. Kaitlin B. Curtice invites the reader to live deeply in every moment with the expectation that something good will find us at the end of the day. "e;Glory Happening inspires us to find the divine in every aspect of life, and gifts us with the opportunity to embrace and mirror the gracious reality of God and glory in our midst."e; -Richard Rohr"e;With the insights of a prophet and the attention of a poet, Kaitlin Curtice invites the reader to see the world fresh, in all its everyday glory."e; -Rachel Held Evans, author of Searching for Sunday and A Year of Biblical WomanhoodIn this book, the author walks with us into the heart of glory, asking what it means to find sacred spaces in everything. Her young, indigenous voice brings a fresh perspective of lyrical prayer and storytelling to the world. -Brian McLaren, Author of The Great Spiritual MigrationKaitlin B. Curtice was born with a set of eyes that see beyond the ordinary. She sees beauty and holiness in mess, mayhem, and monotonous routine. She sees miracles in darkness. She sees hope in human heartache and promise in dead ends. -Rachel Macy Stafford, New York Times bestselling author of Hands Free Mama and Only Love Today Accept the invitation - invest in the glory that surrounds you!Open your eyes to the Kingdom as it comes everyday through stories and prayers, quotidian observances and divine revelations.

From the author of the new BIG BOOK OF CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM comes an engaging look at how the principles and practices of Christian mysticism are illustrated in C. S. Lewis's Narnia series. The Lion, The Mouse and The Dawn Treader shows the reader how C. S. Lewis was guided by two "e;templates"e; in writing Dawn Treader: first, an ancient Celtic folktale known as the immram, or wondrous sea-voyage, in which great saints like Brendan the Navigator sought to reach paradise itself. But on another level, Lewis also built his adventure story around the traditional stages of the Christian life: from initial resistance to God's grace, to discovering how sin enslaves us and "e;turns us into dragons,"e; to experiencing both the relief found in Christ and the cleansing waters of baptism. From this period of purgation the story turns to the illuminating adventures of resisting further temptation, to exploring silence (and learning how to deal with distractions, or "e;Dufflepuds"e;), to a final terrifying journey to the "e;Island of Darkness"e; (the dark night of the soul). The final stage of union begins with a Eucharistic feast at Aslan's Table where an ancient star and his lovely daughter sing joyfully every morning. As the Dawn Treader sails beyond where the stars sing, the travelers find a world of wonders, characterized by light, and clarity, and finally the encounter with Aslan - Christ - himself. This book will delight fans of C. S. Lewis with new insights into one of his classic stories, and will also help the more casual reader (and movie-goer) to understand the rich meaning behind this charming children's adventure. The Lion, The Mouse and The Dawn Treader is an amazing, thoroughly inspiring adventure. The Narnia stories are not just for children, but if you want help to assist children (or anyone) to understand their depth, read this book! You can touch the whole journey of the Christian search for God - and likely be spurred toward renewal in your own life - by getting on this Narnian ship. - Trina Paulus, author of Hope for the FlowersProduct Reviews for The Lion, The Mouse, and The Dawn Treader: Spiritual Lessons from C.S. Lewis's Narnia

A selection of luminous texts from early mystical fathers and mothers, whose words are considered inexhaustible, generative powers, unites in their common claim that Love is the most compelling name of God. $10,000 ad/promo.

"e;In a society where my generation is often mischaracterized or misunderstood by parents and those around them, assumed to be irreligious, cynical, and jaded, I intend to depict it as I see it: which is to say a generation lying just at the door of faith, having rejected everything but faith itself. Having assumed everything to be meaningless, we are very close to accepting God as the only source of meaning."e; - Marjorie CorbmanIn this candid, thought-provoking account, seventeen-year-old Marjorie Corbman teaches the rest of us something about faith. She recounts her own experiences as well as those of many of her friends, dismantling with remarkable transparency and grace the misconceptions surrounding today's teenagers. Chapters focus on issues and experiences that Corbman and her peers are searching for - such as intimacy, tradition, eternity, community, justice, escape - and how each relates to what Corbman calls "e;the one thing needful"e; - faith. Much has been written about teenagers, from self-help books for parents to young adult novels, but very little has been written by teens themselves. This is a book that is sorely needed, both for adults wishing to understand today's kids, and also for those teenagers who wish to assign some meaning to their beliefs, sufferings, and searching.

Paul Mariani has spent fifty years writing poetry that celebrates the vibrant sacramentality of life in the twilight of Modernity, and writing the lives of some of our greatest modern poets. This is a life-spanning collection of his prose explorations of what it means to be a person of wonder and imagination.

"e;This advice is from a spiritual father who loves you and gives you the sort of counsel that will shape your whole life."e;"e;Listen, my child. I want you to put the ear of your heart to the solid ground of the master's wisdom (what I received, I'm passing on to you). It's advice from a spiritual father who loves you - the sort of counsel you receive by letting it shape your whole life."e;So begins the famous opening paragraph of Benedict's Rule in Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove's vital, new, contemporary paraphrase. The entire text of the Rule is here plus a lengthy introduction from Jonathan, and detailed explanatory notes throughout that explain difficult passages. The result is a classic re-introduced that will enliven any 21st-century expression of religious community.

Sharing monastic wisdom as well as stories from their own lives, this Benedictine monk and Catholic laywoman reveal the true meaning of hospitality.

This essential introduction to Judaism's notions of spirit as they relate to God is designed to inform both Jews and Christians who are studying what it means when we say that God is spirit. Exploring the Hebrew Bible, Midrash, and other rabbinic writings, Rabbi Timoner uncovers surprising insights about how God as spirit influences Jewish ideas of creation, revelation, and redemption. Written with an accessible and engaging voice, full of stories and relevant teachings, Breath of Life speaks to lay readers and scholars alike, as it pursues a new perspective on Judaism's sacred texts. This book promises Christian readers meaningful insights on their own notions of God as Holy Spirit while giving Jewish readers a new look at their own tradition. "e;In easy but deceptively profound language, Rachel Timoner deftly savors the essential unknowability of God, the ubiquity of Torah and the mystery of redemption. She's given us an immensely literate and serious, contemporary Jewish theology. Breath of Life is a spiritual tour de force."e; -Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, Scholar in residence at Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco, and author of many books including Kabbalah: A Love Story"e;Any reader keen to cultivate a robust spirituality should read this little book. Jews and Christians may discover here something to talk about-scriptures we share and a quality of God we have in common."e; -John R. (Jack) Levison, author of Filled with the Spirit; Professor of New Testament, Seattle Pacific University

Above all, Francois Fenelon desired to love God. Out of this love came a desire to share the truth of a life lived in the light of the Cross. His individual writings document his desire to find truth through the love of his Creator; corporately, they comprise a masterpiece of a recorded spiritual journey.The Royal Way of the Cross is written with an unblinking honesty that distinguishes it from the murky intellectualism that pervaded the time, and it is this truthfulness that gives this work its enduring appeal. Arrestingly written, The Royal Way is an exceptional account of a man who saw the hand of God in all things and was intimately acquainted with "the royal way of the Cross."

Although the Song of Songs, a brief book in the old Testament, contains no explicit mention of God, the passionate love poetry became for Bernard a springboard into a major exposition of Scripture and an illuminated allegory of the spiritual life. Simply said, this gentle Saint found God incarnate in every word.This volume containing excerpts from each of Bernard's 86 sermons, joins the Paraclete Christian Classics Series, a highly acclaimed series devoted to making the great writers of the faith accessible to today's readers. Offering a fascinating glimpse of Christian theology, these writings encourage us to open ourselves to a new experience of love—the transforming and all-fulfilling embrace of God.e.

Sonnets are familiar to us, but not relevant. What do they have to do with our fast-paced, tech-driven, ever-shrinking contemporary world? But what if the sonnet—invented 700 years ago—could come back like a cat with nine lives?  A sonnet in the twenty-first century might serve as a sacramental form, calling us from our work-mad lives to quietness and reflection.     In Pilgrim, You Find the Path by Walking, Jeanne Murray Walker invites the reader to join her on a journey told in 58 colloquial sonnets, beginning in the slangy streets of New York and ending in the holiness of silence and praise. Stops on the journey include reflections on death and grief, but also praise for a migrating butterfly, a knock on the door, the astonishing ocean.  This book is designed to be used as a devotional and read slowly; to be both a book of poetry and a spiritual companion.       

Presents an overview of angels according to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, for readers who are interested in ancient, medieval, and Renaissance history and theology, as well as those who are intrigued by what is unusual or hidden in traditional religion.

This meaningful book of prayers and devotions by J. Wilmer Gresham, the former Dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, is comparable to Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest. Dean Greshan's reflections on the healing power of Christ hold a poignancy that can only come from one whose knowledge is gleaned from a lifetime of personal experience.

How do we find God in a busy and noisy world? The Mystery of Love is a collection of "starting points" to inspire prayer and meditation, by one of the spiritual masters of our age. Reflecting on love, faith, prayer, and other mysteries of the Christian faith, Cardinal Hume draws us closer to the God who loves us more than we can imagine.

Fr. Anthony Delisi guides through the depths of what it really means to follow Jesus' instructions for prayer. This book is for all who have had trouble praying because memories, family, loves, concerns life - gets in the way.