We grow more spiritually by doing it wrong than by doing it right In Falling Upward, Fr Richard Rohr offers a new understanding of one of life's most profound mysteries: how our failing can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth. Drawing on the wisdom from time-honoured myths, heroic poems, great thinkers and sacred religious texts, the author explores the two halves of life to show that those who have fallen, failed, or 'gone down' are the only ones who understand 'up'. The heartbreaks, disappointments and loves of the first half of life are actually stepping stones to the spiritual joys that the second half has in store for us. 'I thank God for Richard Rohr's sage-like presence in our culture: I honestly don't know where I'd be without it.' Brian Draper 'Richard Rohr at his vintage best: prophetic, pastoral, practical.' Cynthia Bourgeault 'A voyage into the mystery and beauty of healthy spiritual maturity.' Mehmet Oz, MD, host of the Dr Oz Show

First published 25 years ago, Russ Parker's Healing Dreams established itself as a bestseller. This SPCK Classics reissue has a new introduction. The author's extensive experience as a Christian dream counsellor is reassuringly evident in the engaging and often moving text. Russ draws on a wide variety of his own and others' dreams to reveal how dreams can lead us closer to God, to a deeper awareness of his will in our day-to-day lives, and to greater self-understanding.

This book describes the spirituality of L'Arche, an international movement founded by Jean Vanier in 1964 in France. The Heart of L'Arche was first published by Novalis in 1995 and has been in demand ever since. This updated edition was revised by Vanier himself, as he looks back on 47 years of the spirituality of L'Arche, at the age of 83. Readers will discover the spirit that keeps Vanier's dream alive and thriving in a world where people with disabilities are often ignored or seen as a burden on society. With simplicity and conviction, Jean Vanier shows how a life shared with people who have intellectual disabilities calls us to selflessness and risk. The vulnerability that is so much a part of their lives reveals our own limits and forces us to ask questions that can lead us to profound liberation.

'Abba, give me a word!' So young monks and visitors to desert monasteries would often address an 'elder' at the beginning of the fourth century. These seekers believed that a word originating outside oneself would descend into the heart and give direction to one's inner life. Enzo Bianchi has tried to let himself be guided by the biblical and patristic tradition in Words of Spirituality, his response to the requests of those who ask him for 'a reason for his hope'. These 'words' of Fr Bianchi are not listed alphabetically or by theme. Rather they are arranged to take us on a journey. Through the use of a method of allusions and cross-references, one term evokes another, explains it in part, and sets aside some elements of its definition to be taken up further on. At the heart of the book is the conviction that our life has meaning: it is not our task to invent or determine that meaning, but simply to discover it - present and active - in and around us.

This is a short book focussing on the relationship between theology and prayer, and their effects on a Christian's life. It sets the reader tasks of self-examination and reflection in the light of Christian teaching.

Words of Caution for Those Who Think They're Beyond Temptation Too many Christians, especially those in ministry, believe they are untouchable--that they're too faithful to fall or too spiritual to give in to temptation. They deny any sort of weakness, fail to draw proper boundaries, and end up doing the very things they swore they'd never do. Pastor and author Brittany Rust was one such person--until she found herself in the middle of moral failure and a church-wide scandal. Bewildered, humiliated, and ashamed, she thought she was beyond redemption. But God's grace met her on the ground, and here she shares what she's learned through her painful journey. She unravels the myth of being untouchable, showing how we start to believe the lie, and how we can protect ourselves from temptation. Ultimately she shows that to truly flourish in life, you must be willing to admit weakness--and that no one is beyond God's redeeming love.

This book provides insights for the spiritual journey through a profound psychological engagement with the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Like Joseph, every human being faces problems in life - whether threats to identity, relationship breakdown, depression, bereavement, stress, personal failure or other forms of suffering. How we negotiate these crises, and what resources we find to cope with them, can shape the way we grow as Christians. In line with the story of Joseph, the chapters in this book are ultimately about personal transformation - how we can make something out of the life that has been given us. Over time, we may find that we have been co-creators within a larger story.

In Silent Compassion, Richard Rohr explores practices for finding God in the depths of silence and shows us that the divine silence is more than the absence of noise. Silence has a life of its own, and in this short but powerful little book we are invited into its living presence to experience the wholeness of being and peace it brings. Drawing on centuries-old practices, in Silent Compassion Richard Rohr explores different aspects of Christian contemplation, showing how silence can absorb the challenges of life and connect us with the great chain of being - as well as building unity among different religions that all use the practices of silence. Packed full of thought-provoking wisdom, this is a book for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God and looking for spiritual fulfilment. It is perfect for morning or evening reflection, to help revitalise and refresh the way you look at prayer. Silent Compassion will inspire you and show that the peace of contemplation is not something just for monks, mystics, and those divorced from the worries of the world, but rather for all people who can quiet their own mind to listen in the silence.

Through beautiful prose and meditations, Caryll Houselander depicts the intimately human side of Mary, Mother of God, as an empty reed waiting for God's music to be played through her. Lovingly bringing Our Lady down off her time-honored, ancient pedestal, Houselander shares her insightful and beautiful vision of Mary on earth, Mary among us, Mary as a confused but trusting teenager whose holiness flowered with her eternal "Yes." With profound theological teachings and appealing imagery, "The Reed of God" is a spiritual classic written in the mystical tradition of Julian of Norwich.

Selections from her titles Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On, The Power of a Praying® Wife, The Power of a Praying® Woman, and The Power of a Praying® Parent create this bountiful gathering of reflections, guidance, Scriptures, and prayers. More than 120 devotions cover topics relevant to a woman's life, including:

• family and marriage
• priorities for life
• dreams waiting to unfold
• God's will and plan
• gifts of faith

As you proceed on your path to personal growth and want to gain insight into what prevents you from being the husband, wife, parent, or creative person you were born to be, benefit from this inspiring and easy-to-use workbook by T.D. Jakes, author of the "New York Times "bestseller "Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven. "
More than a companion piece to "Let It Go, "this is a guide through an "exhilarating journey that will enable you to finally reach the potential you know is inside you and take you to a level of personal success you may have only dreamed of until now," says Bishop Jakes. This workbook outlines the fundamentals of forgiveness and provides the spiritual and psychological tools to acknowledge and process feelings that may have held you back from fulfilling your greatest potential.
With this workbook learn how to:
- Sever the chains with which your past has held you captive, and launch yourself into a brighter future than you may have imagined.
- Break the powerful-but-invisible negative bonds that connect you in damaging ways to people who have hurt or offended you.
- Be set free to dream again and to pursue the vision you have for your life.
- Move beyond depression and bitterness and experience the freedom of forgiveness.

Wat is gebed? Watter waarde vind ons daarin? Hoe bid 'n mens?

Die uitnodiging van hierdie boek is: Kom ons ontdek wat dit behels om tyd in die teenwoordigheid van ons Skepper deur te bring tot die punt waar ons weet dat ons ’n bewussyn ontwikkel van sy karakter, sy liefde en sy sorg vir ons as sy kinders.

In hierdie boek probeer Esté Geldenhuys die wêreld van gebed oopbreek deur:

• God se karakter te ontgin
• Die DNS van gebed te ondersoek
• Verskeie getuienisse te plaas oor die grootheid en almag van die lewende God

Mag die inhoud van hierdie boek vir elkeen wat dit lees ’n nuwe verstaan bewerk van die karakter van ons Vader, die offer wat ons Verlosser gebring het en die wonderbare kontak en kommunikasie wat die Gees van Christus vir ons bied.