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Books > Christianity > Christian Religious Experience
It felt as though every nerve in my body was popping. Imagine large
strong hands slowly applying pressure while breaking a family-size
package of uncooked, dry spaghetti. I was the spaghetti. Breaking
down one piece at a time. This is how Juanita Rasmus begins the
wise, frank, and witty account of what she later called "The Crash"
and what her counselor labeled "a major depressive episode." This
experience landed Juanita, a busy pastor, mother, and community
leader, in bed. In addition to exhaustion and depression, on the
spiritual front she experienced a dark night of the soul. When
everything in her life finally came to a stop, she found that she
had to learn to be-with herself and with God-all over again. Pastor
Juanita writes from her life with kind attention to the life of the
reader. She offers both practical and spiritual insights but never
pat answers. If you are longing for a trustworthy companion through
dark days, this book is here for you. Each chapter includes
life-giving spiritual practices to help you discover your own new
ways of being.
When they discover Celtic spirituality, many Christians feel that
in some sense they have come home. As they begin to explore the
people and places significant in the early centuries of
Christianity in the British Isles, they find an expression of faith
that weaves together strands of being and belonging, worship and
witness in a unique and powerful way. Restoring the Woven Cord
takes 15 leading figures from that era - ranging from Patrick of
Ireland to John of Beverley - and shares something of their
stories, showing their burning love for the Bible, their depth of
prayer, their radical commitment to the poor and to caring for
creation. Reflecting on their lives and works, we can find powerful
inspiration for our own walk with God and rich resources for the
ministry of the local church.
Practical Mysticism in Islam and Christianity offers a comparative
study of the works of the Sufi-poet Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273)
and the practical teachings of the German Dominican, Meister
Eckhart (c1260-1327/8). Rumi has remained an influential figure in
Islamic mystical discourse since the thirteenth century, while also
extending his impact to the Western spiritual arena. However, his
ideas have frequently been interpreted within the framework of
other mystical, philosophical, or religious systems. Through its
novel approach, this book aims to reformulate Rumi's practical
mysticism by employing four methodological principles: a) mysticism
is a coherent structure with mutual interconnection between its
parts; b) the imposition of alien structures to interpret any
particular mysticism damages its inward coherency; c) practical
mysticism consists of two main parts, namely practices and stages;
and d) the proper use of comparative methodology enables a deeper
understanding of each juxtaposed system. Eckhart's speculative
mysticism, which differs from and enjoys similarities with the
love-based mysticism of Rumi, provides a "mirror" that highlights
the special features of Rumi's practical mysticism. Such comparison
also allows a deeper comprehension of Eckhart's practical thought.
Offering a critical examination of practical mysticism, this book
is a valuable resource for students and scholars of Islamic
studies, comparative mysticism, and the intellectual history of
Islam.
Silence is long-established as a spiritual discipline amongst
people of faith. However, its examination tends to focus on
depictions within texts emerging from religious life and the
development of its practices. Latterly, feminist theologians have
also highlighted the silencing of women within Christian history.
Consequently, silence is often portrayed as a solitary discipline
based in norms of male monastic experience or a tool of women's
subjugation. In contrast, this book investigates chosen practices
of silence in the lives of Christian women today, evidencing its
potential for enabling profound relationality and empowerment
within their spiritual journeys. Opening with an exploration of
Christianity's reclamation of practices of silence in the twentieth
century, this contemporary ethnographic study engages with wider
academic conversations about silence. Its substantive theological
and empirical exploration of women's practices of silence
demonstrates that, for some, silence-based prayer is a valued space
for encounter and transformation in relationships with God, with
themselves and with others. Utilising a methodology that proposes
focusing on silence throughout the qualitative research process,
this study also illustrates a new model for depicting relational
change. Finally, the book urges practical and feminist theologians
to re-examine silence's potential for facilitating the development
of more authentic and responsible relationality within people's
lives. This is a unique study that provides new perspectives on
practices of silence within Christianity, particularly amongst
women. It will, therefore, be of significant interest to academics,
practitioners and students in theology and religious studies with a
focus on contemporary religion, spirituality, feminism, gender and
research methods.
In his sequel to The Ragamuffin Gospel bestselling author Brennan Manning shows how true and radical trust in God can transform our lives
WINNER OF THE WORD GUILD 2019 CHRISTIAN LIVING BOOK OF THE YEAR
AWARD "The pages you are about to read may feel like a literal
rescue." -Ann Voskamp, New York Times Bestselling author Survival
Guide for the Soul is a profound spiritual exploration of God's
love-a love that many of us understand intellectually without fully
grasping or relying on in our day-to-day experiences-a love that
fills our sails with joy and frees us to truly flourish. Many of us
are driven by an ambition to accomplish something big outside
ourselves. On all sides, we're pressured to achieve-professionally,
socially, financially. Even when we're aware of this pressure, it
can be hard to escape the vicious circles of accomplishment,
frustration, and spiritual burn-out. Drawing on a wide range of
sources from Scripture to church history to psychology and modern
neuroscience-as well as deeply personal stories from his own
life-Ken Shigematsu, recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond
Jubilee Medal and pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver, BC, vividly
demonstrates how the gospel redeems our desires and reorders our
lives. Pastor Shigematsu offers fresh perspective on how certain
spiritual practices help orient our lives so that our souls can
flourish in the midst of a demanding, competitive society. And he
concludes with a liberating and counter-cultural definition of true
greatness. If you long to experience a deeper relationship with
Christ within the daily pressures to succeed, Survival Guide for
the Soul is packed with biblical wisdom and a godly approach to
transcend the human tendency to define ourselves by our
productivity and success. "Loaded with practical insights and
encouraging thoughts, every reader will benefit from Ken's work."
-Max Lucado, New York Times Bestselling author
As the end of the age swiftly approaches, the clash between the
kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness is intensifying.
Sadly, today's church is largely ignorant about the realities of
spiritual warfare. In this follow-up to his first book, Spiritual
Warfare, Richard Ing exposes the deceptions of Satan in order to
further train and equip believers for the final global conflict to
come, and provides hope and anticipation for God's promised
worldwide revival. Waging Spiritual Warfare will help you to:
?????? Deliver those who suffer from physical and psychological
oppression ?????? Overcome the obstacles of religious pride and
unbelief within the church ?????? Increase your understanding of
the work of angels in spiritual warfare ?????? Become aware of the
signs of the times that lead to the end times ?????? Resist the
deceptive efforts of the evil one ?????? Realize the role of the
believer in the worldwide revival to come Don't be deceived. Don't
remain on the sidelines. The more you know about your enemy, the
better prepared you will be to engage him in battle and help to
bring about his defeat!
To be a medieval pilgrim evokes an image of a dauntless soul,
braving weather, weariness and woe to fulfil a spiritual quest,
treading ancient highways and following some inner force to
Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago or Canterbury.Pilgrims today are more
fortunate since, through the wonders of modern travel and
communications, pilgrim sites are now accessible in a way our
medieval forbears could never have imagined. Be that as it may,
true pilgrimage never changes: it is to set out on a journey of
outward and inner discovery; and to return changed and inspired by
all that has been seen and experienced along the way.This Pitkin
guide explores the history of pilgrimage; covering pagan, celtic
and Christian sites. It also describes the main shrines throughout
the UK - Winchester, Canterbury, Westminer, Lincoln, Durham and
more - and the saints connected to them.
Bestselling, Easy-to-Use Spiritual Gifts Resource for Personal Use
This trusted spiritual gifts resource has been helping individuals
and congregations learn about their unique giftings for
generations. Discover Your Spiritual Gifts is the perfect volume
for personal study. By using the included questionnaire, you will
first be able to identify the unique gifts God has given you. This
book will then help you understand what each gift means and how it
works, show you biblical and modern-day examples of others who
share those gifts, and reveal how you can use yours to better serve
God and others.
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Why does God feel so far away? The reason--and the solution--is in
your attachment style. We all experience moments when God's love
and presence are tangible. But we also experience feeling utterly
abandoned by God. Why? The answer is found when you take a deep
look at the other important relationships in your life and
understand your attachment style. Through his years working in
trauma recovery programs, extensive research into attachment
science, and personal experiences with spiritual striving and
abuse, licensed therapist Krispin Mayfield has learned to answer
the question: Why do I feel so far from God? When you understand
your attachment style you gain a whole new paradigm for a secure
and loving relationship with God. You'll gain insights about: How
you relate to others--both your strengths and weaknesses The
practical exercises you can use to grow a secure spiritual
attachment to God How to move forward on the spirituality spectrum
and experience the Divine connection we all were created for You'll
learn to identify and remove mixed messages about closeness with
God that you may have heard in church or from well-meaning
Christians. With freedom from the past, you can then chart a new
path toward intimate connection with the God of the universe.
If there are places in your heart and corners of your mind that
feel just as deep and dark and inaccessible as outer space, this
book is for you. Fight as you may, unearthing the happiness and
fulfillment you long for can feel nearly impossible. In Psalm 8
David urges us to consider the heavens, to look up at the night
sky. Doing so will help you discover fundamental truths about God.
Namely, that-even though his love for you is as beyond
comprehension as the farthest corners of the universe-through his
Son, you can grab hold of it, and it has the power to transform
your inner space. Bestselling author Levi Lusko shares how you can:
learn that life is not about "finding yourself" but discovering who
Jesus is believe that God's love and forgiveness is grander than
even your greatest failure buck the mundane of everyday life and
start dreaming again Embark on an adventure tracing the words and
wonders of Jesus on his trek to the cross. Let The Last Supper on
the Moon compel you to live with a more profound sense of purpose
and a grander view of Jesus, and set you on a trajectory to life,
and life more abundantly.
The quest for an answer to the problem of suffering is universal.
People often treat Scripture like a manual, looking for a single
clear response that explains the presence of evil and suffering.
Brian Han Gregg thinks we should take a different approach. The
Bible does not have one but many responses to suffering. To pick
out one theme is to hear the sopranos but miss the choir. We need
to listen to the whole biblical narrative to appreciate its
multifaceted handling of the problem. What Does the Bible Say About
Suffering? explores twelve themes related to the issue of human
suffering and reflects on what we can learn from the diversity of
the biblical witness. Readable and informed by biblical
scholarship, this book is a timely resource for students, small
groups and anyone looking for a fresh approach to a topic of
perennial interest.
The Book of Margery Kempe set in the context of medieval medical
discourse. Margery Kempe's various illnesses, mental, spiritual and
physical, are a recurring theme in her Book. This volume, the first
full-length interdisciplinary study from a medical humanities
perspective, offers a medicalized reading of Kempe's spirituality
in the context of the ubiquitous medieval notion of Christ the
Physician, and thus a new way of interpreting the Book itself: as a
narrative of Kempe's own engagement with the medical paradigms of
which she has previously been a passive subject. Focusing on the
interactions of medicine, mysticism and reproduction as a feminist
project, the author explores the ontology of female flesh; the
productive use of pain, suffering and sickness; and the ethics of a
maternal theology based on the melancholic and surrogate activities
that underlie Kempe's experience. Structured broadly via a traverse
through the life course, the book shows how Kempe's response to
suffering is illuminated by the medieval medical discourse by which
she is contemporaneously read, and by which she engineers her own
construction and understanding of self. It also explores Kempe's
persistent attendance to her mystical body and refusal to
compromise her instinct to authentically show how she feels.
This innovative book offers an original insight into the context
and times of St Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582) as well as exploring
her contemporary relevance from the perspective of some of the
foremost thinkers and scholars in the Teresian field today
including Professors Julia Kristeva, Rowan Williams and Bernard
McGinn. As well as these academic approaches there will be chapters
by friars and nuns of the Carmelite order living out the Carmelite
charism in today's world. The book addresses both theory and
practice, and crosses traditional disciplinary and denominational
boundaries - including medieval studies, philosophy, psychology,
pastoral and systematic theology - thus demonstrating her
continuing relevance in a variety of contemporary
multi-disciplinary areas.
Daily Wisdom for a Fully Committed Walk with God Thanks to this
treasure trove of teachings from Tozer, you can spend an entire
year learning to go deeper in your relationship with our Lord. Each
of these 365 devotions includes a passage of Scripture, a short
reading, a hymn verse, and a prayer. As Tozer wrote, "The mightiest
thought the mind can entertain is the thought of God, and the
weightiest word in any language is its word for God." Let this
great man of faith challenge your heart and mind to truer worship,
greater faith, and a deeper passion for Christ.
The program that has helped over five million people overcome their
hurts, hang-ups, and habits You've undoubtedly heard the expression
"time heals all wounds." Unfortunately, it isn't true. As many
pastors and counselors know, people still carry hurts from thirty
or forty years ago. The truth is, time often makes things worse.
Wounds that are left untended fester and spread infection
throughout your entire body. Time only extends the pain if the
problem isn't dealt with. Your First Step to Celebrate Recovery
introduces you to a biblical and balanced program that has helped
nearly five million people overcome their hurts, hang-ups, and
habits. Based on the actual words of Jesus found in the Sermon on
the Mount rather than psychological theory, the Celebrate Recovery
program has helped people for over 20 years to grow toward full
Christ-like maturity. Author and founder John Baker tells the true
story of how Celebrate Recovery became one of the largest
Christ-centered recovery programs in history. Baker will help you
discover how God's love, truth, grace and forgiveness can bring
healing into your life.
How Christianity's Unmatched Truth Answers the Deepest Longings of
Every Human Heart To the popular objection Aren't all religions
basically the same? pastor and author Jared Wilson answers with an
enthusiastic No! Christianity is not merely one among many similar
options. It is categorically different--and it's these differences
that make it so compelling. In Unparalleled, Wilson holds up the
teachings of the Bible to the clear light of day, revealing how
Christianity rises above every other religion and philosophy of the
world, and how its unmatched truth answers the deepest longings of
every human heart. He provides an overview of Christianity's key
claims showing how, from top to bottom, it is distinct from all
other competing ideologies, religious and secular. Christians will
come away with a fresh sense of the truth of their faith and
nonbelievers will be compelled to consider the relevant claims of
Christianity in a drastically new light.
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