What do you do when life hasn't turned out the way you expected? When it feels like everyone else has it together but you're still figuring it out? And if God is meant to be your guide, why do you feel so lost? Tola Doll Fisher has asked these questions countless times and still doesn't have the answers. But as she explains in this series of 100 'life lessons' maybe that's okay... Refreshingly relatable and heartbreakingly honest, this is a book about discovering joy in the journey of a messy, work-in-progress walk of (sometimes failing, but still standing) faith.

This is the story of one family's pain, passion and will to survive as their loved one clings to life. We have all heard the saying, 'Miracles can happen every day,' but until you see one with your own eyes, you rarely believe that to be true. This story will help you believe in that saying. In April of 2017, Maria DeLuca Mckee and her entire family witnessed a miracle first-hand that will forever strengthen their faith, and the belief of everyone around them. An entire community came together for a cause that appeared hopeless until the very end. Maria was in a coma for nearly two weeks and the diagnosis was grim to say the least. It wasn't the first time in her life she was on the cusp of staring death in the face though, and that journey is also detailed in this tale. It is woven perfectly from past to present with dramatic reality in every chapter. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger that will keep you wanting more as you will need to know what happens next. Included are very shocking details never before shared. This book goes beyond the patient on the table, and explores further into the family around Maria that went through every step of this hell with her. The story is told by her youngest son, Vince, who refused to give up hope and created a movement he lovingly titled "Fight Maria, Fight!"

A remarkable collection of essays written by an international team of contributors explores different aspects of religion in Japan. Subjects discussed include new religions in postwar Japan, beliefs about fox-possession in the Heian period, and the religious life of the first shogunate in the late twelfth century. The essays offer fresh insights into the rich religious traditions of Japan, many of which have been previously neglected in the English-language writing on Japan.

For many in the West, the ecstatic dancing ritual of whirling dervishes is
the most recognizable aspect of Sufism. Sufism is the mystical branch of
Islam, with which Muslims throughout the world identify. It emphasizes
direct knowledge of the divine within each person. Its adepts see
meditation, music, song, and dance as integral to the spiritual quest.
The Chishti Sufi order is among the oldest and most popular of all Sufi
traditions. Though most often identified with South Asia, today its devotees
can be found from California to Kuala Lumpur. What are the distinctive
practices of the Chishtis, and how do they differ from other orders? Who
were the founding figures, and what were the seminal texts that provided the
basis for this tradition? And how has this legacy continually been
reinterpreted until the present day?
Sufi Martyrs of Love provides access to the voices of Sufi authorities
through the translation of texts being offered in English for the first
time. It also offers a critical perspective on Western attitudes toward
Islam and Sufism, confronts the prejudices of the academy and the media, and
offers a clarification of the contemporary importance of Sufism from Asia to
America.

An inspiring meditation on the intersection of science, nature, and spirit that shows readers how to deepen their connection to the natural world. Science. Nature. Spirit. They do not, need not, and should not overlap completely. But at that center where they do intersect? When we stand in that singular, curving triangle looking upon our troubled, beloved earth? At that crossroads there is intelligence, and sacredness, and wildness, and grace. There is clear-sighted hope in a time of despair. There is resistance. There is joy. In this beautiful, thoughtful, and inspiring book, ecophilosopher, naturalist, and award-winning author Lyand Lynn Haupt offers serious invitation to ecological consciousness and action - a swift and beautiful manual inspiring readers to stand in a new way for the natural world. With Haupt's own changing and growing perceptions as a life-long student of nature as a through-line, FROG CHURCH offers an antidote to the plagues of modern life based in science, spirituality, and nature. In this mystifying time of climate upheaval that affects the earth so dramatically, people are afraid and uncertain of where to turn, where to direct their inborn love of nature. FROG CHURCH delivers much-needed solace while inspiring readers to engage with the wild earth in new ways. The intertwining of science, nature, and spirit shows readers how to get grounded and move forward on our beloved, imperiled world.

How can my congregation become more vital?
How can we both honor the past and embrace the future?

" The Self-Renewing Congregation]" calls for renewal from within, not without a renewal that begins with institutional self-reflection, proceeds through a process of self-engagement, and ends with self-generated innovations that can deepen the synagogue congregation as a sacred community. The core of this book offers any congregation seeking this path a compelling and realistic roadmap, a vision, and a process that is rooted in applied research and practical experience. from the Foreword by Dr. Ron Wolfson, codeveloper, Synagogue 2000;
author of "Shabbat: The Family Guide to Preparing for and Celebrating the Sabbath"

Revitalizing and re-imagining the organization of our synagogues takes work Combining expert advice and experience garnered from congregations throughout North America, " The Self-Renewing Congregation" shows us how transformative change is possible. A complete resource full of ideas, information, and support, this is a guide for those of us involved in, or interested in, energizing our spiritual communities.

Isa Aron, founding director of Hebrew Union College s Experiment in Congregational Education (ECE), offers concrete, practical information on how to bring about change through collaborative leadership, and helps us grow dynamic, successful congregations.

Can a simple concept shift your entire world? Bob Goff certainly thinks so. When it comes to loving your neighbors, instead of focusing on having the "right answers" or checking the "right boxes," what if you decide to simply do love? To shamelessly show love and grace to those around you-what would that look like? When Love Does, life gets interesting. Light and fun, unique and profound, the lessons drawn from Bob's life and attitude just might inspire you to be secretly incredible, too. What do you need space for in your life? Bob quits something every Thursday. Where are you faking it? Bob hilariously posed in a wax museum. Have you experienced God's audacious love? Bob facilitated an over-the-top marriage proposal...for a stranger. What fears keep you from your big adventure? Bob navigated the 2000-mile Transpacific Yacht Race without knowing how to navigate. What big idea do you wish you could pursue? Bob's love for people led to building a school in Uganda. How can you become more available? Bob famously published his cell phone number, and answers every call! This is not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings. Bob's love takes action, just like Jesus did. Bob believes Love Does. This study guide provides teaching notes, discussion questions, Bible study, between-session activities and a practical application called "Putting Love into Action," which gives you the opportunity to put the principles you have learned into practice. Sessions include: I'm With You Free to Fail Audacious Love Be Not Afraid Follow Me Designed for use with the Love Does Video Study (9781400206292), sold separately.

Discover the elemental approach to spirituality keys to self-healing and re-connection to the earth.

"When we explore and savor and interact with these elements, we are both remembering a primal connection and forging it anew. Welcome, then, to this travel guide for a journey with a particular purpose: connecting with the elements that are so basic and universal to all of us. We will look at the many ways that different faiths have danced with earth, water, fire, and air throughout history, coming to a deeper appreciation of each way s uniqueness and a greater respect for one another s paths, at the same time remembering the commonality of our human beginnings." from the Preface

The root of human spirituality is grounded in four elements earth, water, fire, and air. They are common to all people and almost every spiritual path; they are the keys to our understanding of Spirit; and they can help you achieve personal fulfillment and re-connection with others.

This inspiring guidebook explains the role of the elements in different faith traditions and how they ve been incorporated into religious practices and ceremonies. You will be encouraged to explore your own spiritual connection to the elements through engaging activities, enlightening meditations, and evocative poems and prayers.

Earth, Water, Fire, and Airis a celebration of how all people are connected by the elements. You will come away with a deeper relationship to others, your own spirit, and this sacred planet.

You can t help but be drawn into the elemental approach to spirituality detailed in these pages. Identifying the four basic elements as humanity s first ways of knowing Spirit and reminding us of their value for spiritual nourishment, Earth, Water, Fire, and Air reveals our human interconnectedness and offers a fascinating look at element-based symbols, traditions, and ceremonies.

Explore the spiritual traditions that have incorporated the elements into their practices, including:

Buddhism Christianity Earth-honoring paths Hinduism Islam Judaism

Creative activity suggestions serve to enrich our spiritual relationship with each element both individually and in community with others and to help us discover how deeply nourishing it can be to live in an elemental way.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Jeff Levin explores the latest compelling evidence of the connection between health and an array of spiritual beliefs and practices, including prayer, attending religious services, meditation, and faith in God. Drawing on his own and other published studies, Dr. Levin shows how religion’s emphasis on healthy behaviors and supportive relationships influences one’s overall health and how the optimism and hopefulness of those who profess faith promote the body’s healing responses. Filled with dramatic personal stories, God, Faith, and Health will alter the way you think about your body and your faith and will show you the path to improving your own health through spiritual practice.

"Jeff Levin writes with incredible clarity, style, and passion. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the religion-health connection, especially those wondering if such a connection exists at all."
–Harold G. Koenig, M.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, and author of The Healing Power of Faith

"Beautifully written and packed with compelling scientific evidence for the spirituality-health connection . . . . With the precision of a scientist, the courage of a true pioneer, and the artistry of a storyteller, Levin reminds us of what we can no longer afford to ignore: that our spiritual life matters mightily to our health and well-being at every level."
–Janet F. Quinn, Ph.D., R.N., Associate Professor, University of Colorado School of Nursing

Jim Palmer's critically acclaimed Divine Nobodies was only half the story - the deconstruction and shedding of a religious mentality that hindered his knowing God. In his next book, Jim takes the reader along into the wide open spaces of exploring and experiencing God beyond religion. Jim writes, "It is no secret that God can be lost beneath the waving banner of religion. Divine Nobodies is my story of how this happened to me. Sometimes you have to disentangle God from religion, even Christ from Christianity, to find the truth. With the help of some unsuspecting nobodies, I uncovered a new starting line with God. As I've put one foot in front of another, I've experienced God in ways that are deeply transforming."

Each chapter revolves around a central question related to knowing God on fresh terms: Is God a belief system? Is the Bible a landing strip or launching pad? Can what we're feeling inside be God? Are we too religiously minded to be any earthly good?

Brian McLaren wrote, "I am tempted to say that Jim Palmer could well be the next Don Miller, but what they have in common, along with an honest spirituality and extraordinary skill as storytellers, is a unique voice."

The Library Reviews said of him, "Jim Palmer's casual, yet compelling writing style cuts through the religious rhetoric and gets to the real issues...readers will love this author His sense of humor is alternately mixed with shocking sentences and poignant moments. Laced throughout is a refreshing honesty that ties his ideas together with a ribbon of reality...each turn of the page strips away a little more of the contrived mystery of Christianity until the simplicity and sincerity of it stands in realistic splendor."

More and more people seek a deeper spirituality beyond status-quo religion. Others are left empty and weary from a shallow and narrow pop-Christianity. Palmer says that God's kingdom of love, peace, and freedom can be a present reality in any person's life. He proclaims that God is indeed in the process of birthing something deep and wide among unlikely people in unconventional ways, which is changing the world...one "nobody" at a time.

"Promise of the Soul is a spiritual workbook. Through simple, accessible exercises and reflections, Kenny offers us practical and proven methods that have enabled thousands of his counseling clients to relinquish their separation from God’s love and live from the heart.... Step by step, Kenny’s approach shows us how we can release ourselves from self-imposed limitations and lifelong feelings of inadequacy to live a more soul-infused life. It is impossible to read this book without finding yourself somewhere in its pages and setting yourself free. It is a real opportunity." —From the Foreword by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., author of Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather’s Blessings

"An excellent resource for creating a new covenant that will enable you to expand your belief system and your life." —Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of Love, Medicine and Miracles and Prescriptions for Living

"This book, like the topic itself, is beautiful and enchanting. This spiritual light is steeped in the great traditions, yet its presentation is original, creative, and brilliant. An essential key to making peace with God is identifying and healing your spiritual covenant and realizing the promise of your soul." —Harold Bloomfield, M.D., author of Making Peace with God

"Promise of the Soul is an exceptional guide to examining the spiritual promises or covenants we make with the sacred. Whether we are Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or of any other faith, this book transcends all paths and beliefs to help each of us identify which sacred promises are limiting and which are beneficial to our spiritual unfolding and inherent well-being." —Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., author of The Four-Fold Way and Signs of Life

"By bringing to light our basic beliefs about how life works, Dennis Kenny gives us room to breathe, to change, to be liberated from prisons of our own making. As a skilled chaplain and teacher, he shows us simple ways to become larger, happier people–all that God really wants us to be. This book might just set you free." —Wayne Muller, author of Sabbath and How, Then, Shall We Live?

Metaphors for God's Time in Science and Religion examines the exploratory work of metaphors for time in astrophysical cosmology, chaos theory, evolutionary biology and neuroscience. Happel claims that the Christian God is intimately involved at every level of physical and biological science. He compares how scientists and theologians both generate stories, metaphors and symbols about the universe and asks 'who is the God who invents me?

Whether resuscitated in the emergency room, struck by lightening or rescued at sea, people snatched from the jaws of death have long reported uncanny or otherworldly phenomena. Survivors of these mystical and occasionally traumatic voyages repeat the same familiar stories; testimonies of tunnels and flowers and light, of hellish or heavenly visions. Where do people go during these encounters? What do they see? Why are their remarkable stories so often correlative? Are they persuasive evidence of life after physical death?

'If a thing loves, it is infinite' William Blake A short, impassioned argument for why the visionary artist William Blake is important in the twenty-first century The visionary poet and painter William Blake is a constant presence throughout contemporary culture - from videogames to novels, from sporting events to political rallies and from horror films to designer fashion. Although he died nearly 200 years ago, something about his work continues to haunt the twenty-first century. What is it about Blake that has so endured? In this illuminating essay, John Higgs takes us on a whirlwind tour to prove that far from being the mere New Age counterculture figure that many assume him to be, Blake is now more relevant than ever.

The quest for spirituality is universal, but with so many paths of spiritual nourishment to explore, how do we begin to find the one that is right for us?

Our tradition provides us with appropriate vehicles to express our spirituality within the framework of Judaism. Jewish sages, taking into account the need and makeup of the individual Jew, have been very generous in outlining for us various alternatives . As you become aware of your emotional and intellectual needs, and search for an appropriate path to meet them with integrity, you will soon realize that you have a preference for certain paths among the many. from Chapter 9

Rabbi Rifat Sonsino a self-proclaimed rationalist offers a candid, comprehensive discussion of the major paths to spirituality within the framework of Judaism, and the differing way each path can help us on our quest to nourish the soul and enlighten the mind.

Acts of transcendence, prayer, meditation, study, ritual, relationship and good deeds which is the best path for you? How can you follow it?

Why do some Western women choose to join Christian and Islamic revivalist movements in the present day? Revivalist religions (often called 'fundamentalist') have a reputation for the policing of gender boundaries and roles and the blanket subjugation of women. This study aims particularly to establish what the attractions might be for women who choose to swim against the prevailing consumerist current and affiliate themselves with such groups in a liberal democracy.

Why do some Western women choose to join Christian and Islamic revivalist movements in the present day? Revivalist religions (often called fundamentalist) have a reputation for the policing of gender boundaries and roles and the blanket subjugation of women. This study aims particularly to establish what the attractions might be for women who choose to swim against the prevailing consumerist current and affiliate themselves with such groups in a liberal democracy.

This insightful and provocative journey through spiritual landscapes explores the ways in which spiritualities of life have been experienced and understood in Western society, and argues that today's myriad forms of holistic spirituality are helping us to find balance in face of the stifling demands of twenty-first century living.
An enlightening book which explores the ways in which spirituality has been experienced and valued in Western society
Traces the development of modern spirituality, from the origins of Romanticism in the eighteenth century, through to the counter-cultural sixties and on to the wellbeing culture of today
Explores the belief that modern spirituality is merely an extension of capitalism in which people consume spirituality without giving anything back
Contends that much of the wide range of popular mind-body-spirit practices are really an ethically charged force for the 'good life', helping us to find balance in the demands of twenty-first century living
Written by an acknowledged world-leader working in the field
Completes a trilogy of books including "The Spiritual Revolution" (2005, with Linda Woodhead) and "The New Age Movement" (1996), charting the rise and influence of spirituality today.

In a first-ever combined English edition of Nouwen classics "In Memoriam" and "A Letter of Consolation," a beloved spiritual giant of the 20th century explores the depths of his grief and writes tenderly and wisely to his bereaved father, yearning for the light of Christ in the darkness of loss and sorrow.