You've chosen the godparents, dressed the baby in yards of white, and headed to church for the christening. Now what?What does the sacrament of baptism mean in your child's life - and yours? In Taking the Plunge, parents explore how the Baptismal Covenant helps to shape the experience of raising children. What are you promising when you baptize your child? Why are "please" and "thank you" theological words, not simply polite things to say? Anne Kitch writes with a light touch and includes plenty of real-life stories."

'Because the Sacred Liturgy is truly the font from which all the Church's power flows...we must do everything we can to put the Sacred Liturgy back at the very heart of the relationship between God and man... I ask you to continue to work towards achieving the liturgical aims of the Second Vatican Council...and to work to continue the liturgical renewal promoted by Pope Benedict XVI, especially through the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis...and the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum... I ask you to be wise, like the householder...who knows when to bring out of his treasure things both new and old (see: Mtt 13:52), so that the Sacred Liturgy as it is celebrated and lived today may lose nothing of the estimable riches of the Church's liturgical tradition, whilst always being open to legitimate development.' These words of Robert Cardinal Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, underline the liturgy's fundamental role in every aspect of the life and mission of the Church. Liturgy in the Twenty-First Century makes available the different perspectives on this from leading figures such as Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Abbot Philip Anderson, Father Thomas Kocik, Dom Alcuin Reid, and Dr Lauren Pristas. Considering questions of liturgical catechetics, music, preaching, how young people relate to the liturgy, matters of formation and reform, etc., Liturgy in the Twenty-First Century is an essential resource for all clergy and religious and laity involved in liturgical ministry and formation. Bringing forth 'new treasures as well as old,' its contributors identify and address contemporary challenges and issues facing the task of realising the vision of Cardinal Sarah, Cardinal Ratzinger/Benedict XVI and the Second Vatican Council.

From Tom Wright's meditation on Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: 'Prayer is one of life's great mysteries. Most people pray at least sometimes; some people, in many very different religious traditions, pray a great deal. At its lowest, prayer is shouting into a void on the off-chance there may be someone out there listening. At its highest, prayer merges into love, as the presence of God becomes so real that we pass beyond words and into a sense of his reality, generosity, delight and grace. For most Christians, most of the time, it takes place somewhere in between those two extremes. To be frank, for many people it is not just a mystery but a puzzle. They know they ought to do it but they aren't quite sure how'.

Outreach 2022 Recommended Resource (Spiritual Growth) All fruitful doing must begin with being. For many Christians, it's easy to be swept up into the fast pace of modern life, desiring to do much for God. But we struggle to slow down and be with God. According to pastor, Enneagram teacher, and author AJ Sherrill, being with God is what empowers doing for God. Sherrill shares his own journey from "busy" Christianity to the ancient paths of contemplative practices. He equips readers to integrate rhythms of stillness, silence, and solitude, offering step-by-step guidance and examples of finding solitude both personally and on retreats. Sherrill warns that making these changes appears absurd in a society where time is money, productivity is central, and hurry is a way of life. He guides readers gently through the beginning and often confusing stages of contemplative practice. Citing timely insights from the world of neurology and mental health, he shows that solitude is crucial not only for Christian growth but also for holistic flourishing. Foreword by Rich Villodas. Readers will emerge, centered in Christ, well on their way to this goal: slow down, pay attention, be still, and be loved.

Is fasting 1000 consecutive days possible? Not fasting day and night without any food and water, no, that's not possible; but fasting for over a thousand consecutive days from 15 to 17 hours a day is possible. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be the person to do this. But why fast 1000 days? What was the reason behind it all? I wish the answer to why a person would fast 1000 days was simple, but it's not. The absolute truth is that I never intended to fast 1000 days. It never even entered into my mind. Had it, I know I would have rejected the idea. I never thought it was possible. I didn't even think 100 days was possible until GOD blessed me to do it. It was not until I had fasted around 700 days that I began to believe 1000 days of fasting was possible. That's when I prayed and said to God, "Lord, since you have blessed me to fast 700 days, I have only one request now. Lord, bless me to go 1000 days." The Lord heard my request and granted it. During my fast I kept wondering and saying, "Lord, why? Why won't you give me a release from this fast?" It was not until I had fasted 1000 days that God revealed the reason why He had me fasting all those days. God spoke to my mind and said, "Vernard, I didn't have you fasting for you', I had you fasting for people who need Me all over the world." So I was not fasting for me, I was fasting for you --people who are broken, people who have been wounded and bruised, and people who need God to move in their behalf.

Do you yearn for a consistent prayer life? Do you struggle with distraction when praying alone, timidity when praying with others, or knowing where to start in either setting? Bestselling writer and beloved speaker Chrystal Evans Hurst knows both the freedom and blessing of establishing and growing a lively prayer life and how difficult it can be when prayer itself feels foreign to our daily lives. This video-based Bible study (DVD/video streaming sold separately), is a well-organized and welcoming guide to having meaningful conversations with God. In it, Chrystal: Teaches the basic tenets of prayer practice. Establishes a realistic and achievable pattern of prayer that will have lasting effect. Explains the four postures of prayer-supported by Scripture-that increase our communication and relationship with God. This study includes daily prayer practices, space to journal about your prayers and what you're hearing from God, as well as weekly challenges to keep you and your group active and attentive in renewed prayer. The Bible tells us that prayer is essential for an intimate and thriving relationship with God, and it's well worth the time and effort it deserves. Sessions include: Introduction to Types of Prayer and Practice Prayers of Thanksgiving Prayers of Repentance Prayers of Request Prayers of Yielding Designed for use with The 28-Day Prayer Journey Video Study available on DVD or streaming video, sold separately.

Do you sometimes wonder what to pray about? Do you long for a richer, deeper prayer life? In this pocket-sized devotional, Angus Buchan will be your prayer partner as you speak with Jesus through 365 short, powerful and faith-filled prayers. A key Scripture verse accompanies each prayer to inspire a deeper prayer life based on God’s Word while a pithy quote gives you something to ponder. Also included are short yet powerful prompts, encouraging you to live out each day’s reading.

Whatever you need – whether patience, peace, joy or God’s loving grace – Pocket Prayers for Every Day will guide you as you open up your heart to God, developing a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. Be inspired to walk closer to your Savior as you talk to Him and experience His comfort, love and grace.

'Every believer in Jesus Christ deserves the opportunity of personal nurture and development.' says LeRoy Eims. But all too often the opportunity isn't there. We neglect the young Christian in our whirl of programs, church services, and fellowship groups. And we neglect to raise up workers and leaders who can disciple young believers into mature and fruitful Christians. In simple, practical, and biblical terms, LeRoy Eims revives the lost art of disciple making. He explains: - How the early church discipled new Christians - How to meet the basic needs of a growing Christian - How to spot and train potential workers - How to develop mature, godly leaders 'True growth takes time and tears and love and patience, ' Eims states. There is no instant maturity. This book examines the growth process in the life of a Christian and considers what nurture and guidance it takes to develop spiritually qualified workers in the church