Mechthild's Book consists of visions and revelations about liturgical feasts, saints, and the Blessed Virgin, along with many other revelations experienced by the mystical nun as recounted to her sisters-especially her close friend, St. Gertrude the Great. These visions reveal the deeply communal, optimistic spirituality of the Helfta nuns, which revolved around their sacramental and liturgical life and asserted strong, durable bonds between the living and the dead. Because of the work's considerable length, this translation is selective, focusing especially on passages devoted to the Sacred Heart (the chief contribution of Helfta to the broader tradition of Catholic spirituality), the friendship of Mechthild and Gertrude, and the nature of life in community. Included are an introduction and notes.

“I want to believe, I want to have hope, but…” Pastor and bestselling author Craig Groeschel hears these words often and has asked them himself. We want to know God, feel his presence, and trust that he hears our prayers, but in the midst of great pain, we may wonder if he really cares about us. Even when we have both hope and hurt, sometimes it's the hurt that shouts the loudest. Can God be good when life is not

In Hope in the Dark, Groeschel explores the story of the father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus, saying, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” In the man's sincere plea, Jesus heard the tension in the man's battle-scarred heart. He healed not only the boy but the father too, driving out the hopelessness that had overtaken him. He can do the same for us today.

As Groeschel shares his pain surrounding the current health challenges of his daughter, he acknowledges the questions we may ask in our own deepest pain: “Where was God when I was being abused” “Why was my child born with a disability” “Why did the cancer come back” “Why are all my friends married and I'm alone” He invites us to wrestle with such questions as we ask God to honor our faith and heal our unbelief.

In the middle of your profound pain, you long for authentic words of understanding and hope. You long to know that even in overwhelming reality, you can still believe that God is good. Rediscover a faith in the character, power, and presence of God. Even in the questions. Even now.

Life is lived one day at a time. Each day brings its own challenges, and any day may need a word of guidance and reassurance. Having completed his trilogy of contemporary parables - a story for every week of the three-year Church Lectionary - Tom Gordon turns his hand, in an equally compelling, contemporary fashion, to the day-by-day nature of our living. Through stories and fables, tales of people and places, historical incidents and personal experiences, he encourages you to 'look well' to the insights and inspiration you might need. If your day is about survival, Tom's daily reflections are a reminder that you are not alone in the struggle. If you are facing something new, you will find different perspectives. And if you are simply looking for a thought to carry with you, or a meaningful illustration for a talk or a sermon, Tom offers you a rich resource. This book will encourage you to 'look well to this day' and to do so with Tom's wisdom and thoughtfulness.

Author Jeff Manion uses the biblical story of the Israelite s journey through the Sinai desert as a metaphor for being in an undesired time of transition. After enduring generations of slavery in Egypt, the descendants of Jacob travel through the desert (the land between) toward their new home in Canaan. They crave the food of their former home in Egypt and despise their present environment. They are unable to go back and incapable of moving forward. Their reactions provide insight and guidance on how to respond to God during our own seasons of difficult transition. The Land Between provides fresh biblical insight for people traveling through undesired and difficult transitions such as foreclosure, unemployment, uncertainty, and failure. Such times provide our greatest opportunity for spiritual growth. God desires to meet us in our chaos and emotional upheaval, and he intends for us to encounter his goodness and provision, his hope and guidance."

The roots of African American spirituality arise from the African origins of the enslaved who were brought to the West in chains. Flora Wilson Bridges explores these "African retentions" from their manifestations in Africa, through their presence in the slave communities of the American South and in Black churches today. The unique spirituality that arose from these retentions influenced many prominent black leaders including Howard Thurman, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. In a fascinating chapter, Bridges also shows how these African roots inform Black film, literature, and art.

Lifelong Faith provides a blueprint for Christian formation that forms disciples of all ages and transforms church communities. Vibrant lifelong faith formation can renew and revitalize faith across generations and contribute towards a thriving congregation that lives its mission. Using the seven elements outlined in this book, churches will create a dynamic and vital plan that can be customized to meet the needs, interests, and challenges we face today and nurture the spiritual growth of all ages. With current research, clear examples, and tools for design and evaluation, Lifelong Faith is a practical, thoughtful, and comprehensive guide for clergy, educators, and lay leaders who seek a fresh, holistic approach to Christian education and discipleship.

There has to be more than this... because this is no longer enough. Many sincere followers of Jesus are secretly disappointed, dissatisfied and quietly desperate for more than they are currently experiencing. That more is found as we respond to the invitations of Jesus, which hold out to us the hope of dynamic change, of a truly vibrant, transformed life - a better song to sing. Each chapter explores one specific invitation, drawing out its possible implications for our lives, and suggests a spiritual practice or reflection to help us ground that invitation in our present-day reality.

Life is full of difficult seasons, loss, and hardships. To overcome the struggles and pain, we must lean into reassurance, guidance, and wisdom to heal. Healing Water for the Soul is a compilation of lifechanging devotionals from L. B. Cowman's Streams in the Desert and Springs in the Valley. Each entry speaks into God's purpose, plan, and promise to you. In this edition, you'll find: 366 devotions that appeal to men and women of all ages devotions that can be read as a yearlong daily devotional or as a 6-month morning and evening resource a powerful collection of meditations, Christian writings, and Scripture Healing Water for the Soul will challenge you to: identify opportunities of hope and renewal in your life accept and appreciate God's timeless messages of faithfulness create a strong level of communication with the Lord meditate over the truths and wisdom presented by Cowman, and identify how you can grow With a gorgeous modern cover, Healing Water for the Soul is a great gift for: birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, and holiday gifting Teacher Appreciation Day, Grandparent's Day, and Pastor's Appreciation Day a friend or family member coping with grief, growing their relationship with God, and/or going through a difficult time This daily devotional can help you or a loved one overcome challenging times and renew their hope and faith.

This book is an adaptation of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola, to help you to embark on a life-transforming journey toward Christlikeness. For nearly 500 years, the Exercises have been a tool for spiritual formation. During those years their popularity has ebbed and flowed, but they are now experiencing something of a revival across the breadth of the church. This is not a book about the methods or techniques of Christian formation but one that enables you to come before God through the gospel narratives in order to encounter Jesus afresh. If you hunger for something deeper, yearn to walk with Jesus (not just read about him) and desire to embrace more of what God is doing in and through you, then this is the book for you. 'Ignatius's text is re-presented in a modern format and with the needs of people today in mind. Warner himself is an experienced Ignatian retreat-giver, and there is a solidity and assurance to his presentation which inspires confidence. As in the case of the original, this is not a book for armchair spiritual reading, but a manual for those who wish to incorporate the Exercises into their life. But Warner is merciful to those whose time is limited, and rich in suggestions for alternative modes of practice where necessary.' The Church Times, review of the first edition

Just This is a collection of brief and evocative meditations and practices that invites us to cultivate the gift of waking up to the beauty of reality in all its glorious ordinariness. With his signature blend of contemplation, theology, and pastoral sensitivity, Fr Richard Rohr creates a spaciousness for the soul to grow into a kind of seeing that goes far beyond merely looking to recognising and thus appreciating. This is the heart of contemplation, the centerpiece of any inner dialogue that frees us from the traps of our perceptions and preoccupations. The contemplative mind does not tell us what to see; it teaches us how to see what we behold.

If you're suffering from pain and worry you know how hard it is to write of peace and serenity within. The message of comfort and hope that breathes through the pages of this book was forged out of adversity, and as a result has touched the hearts of millions.