THE BOOK OF ASHES, (originally called Little Job, or Pety Job) is a meditative fifteenth century verse paraphrase of excerpts from the Book of Job; a passionate penitential monologue that uses as its meditative base the liturgical text intoned daily for the souls of the dead. The original author is unknown. Early manuscripts describe the work as follows: The nine lessons of the Dirge, which Job made in his tribulation lying on the dunghill, declaring more clearly to our understanding, in a solemn and worthy manner, that which will suffice to steer sinners towards compunction. This edition follows a middle English text edited by Susanna Greer Fein and then rendered into modern English by Jabez L. Van Cleef. It consists of 57 parts, each part a 12 line poem. Inasmuch as possible the content, form and meter of the original Middle English has been kept.

From the very beginning of the church, Christians have found it helpful to pause for prayer during various times of the day. Whether for morning or evening devotions or other fixed-time prayers, such spiritual respites were deemed essential to worshiping God. Over the years, Christians developed a structure for such moments of worship, keyed to the time of day and season of the year. Part of its genius was the seamless integration of Scripture and prayer. This ancient practice, called the "Daily Office," has experienced a resurgence of use in our time.
"Seeking God's Face" is a user-friendly approach to this form of prayer and devotion. Each office includes a psalm of praise, a passage of Scripture, and a brief set of prayers. An introduction to prayer-book use from Eugene Peterson is included to acclimate readers to this form.

Here is a masterly study of the inner life by a heart thirsting after God, eager to grasp at least the outskirts of His ways, the abyss of His love for sinners, and the height of His unapproachable majesty. It was written by Aiden Wilson Tozer, an American Christian pastor, preacher, author, magazine editor, Bible conference speaker, and spiritual mentor who received two honorary doctorate degrees for his work.

Did your spouse have an affair? Are you now reeling from the aftermath? Are you hurting and not sure what direction to go? Facing the long road of recovery after the discovery of your spouse's affair is frightening and overwhelming. You need comfort and encouragement every day while putting the pieces of your life back together again. Here you will find God's deep love for you and His plan for your life and your marriage. With these devotionals you will be able to: *Face each new day with a renewed sense of hope *Turn what you're experiencing into God's loving plan for your life *Turn your pain and devastation into a new course with a distinct path *Uncover new ways of prevailing in the face of devastation *Feel God's peace being poured out into your spirit *Feel wrapped by His love and carried by His arms *Experience God's wisdom and comfort by knowing He is listening *Heal your marriage through God's loving plan

Paradise Regained is a poem by the 17th century English poet John Milton, which deals with the subject of the Temptation of Christ. One of the major concepts emphasized throughout Paradise Regained is the play on reversals. As implied by its title, Milton sets out to reverse the "loss" of Paradise. Thus, antonyms are often found next to each other throughout the poem, reinforcing the idea that everything that was lost in the first epic is going to be regained by the end of the mini-epic. Additionally, this work focuses on the idea of "hunger," both in a literal and in a spiritual sense. After wandering in the wilderness for forty days Jesus is starved of both food and the Word of God. Satan, too blind to see any non-literal meanings of the term, offers Christ food and various other temptations, but Jesus continually denies him.

Use this book of quotes for personal pondering, devotional meditation, speaking, and even witnessing. Topically arranged, these short sayings are designed to provide insight, inspiration, challenge and amusement for all areas of life. Covering a broad area of topics such as faith, sexuality, Bible reading, and busyness, they were selected because of their high relevance to day-to-day discipleship and practical Christian living. Written from a variety of perspectives, they will challenge or even provoke readers to consider their lives and faith in fresh ways. Highly readable and unique in their creativity, these 1500 quotes present readers with the wisdom they need to find their way and continue their journey in Christ. Each offers a lesson to Christians who take their faith seriously. Great for gift giving.

This little devotional is filled with wisdom, joy, and inspiration. Each day of the month you are guided by a thought for the morning and then your day is closed out with a thought for the evening. James Allen is the author of As a Man Thinketh considered by many to be the most important self help book ever written.

Emanuel Swedenborg, born Emanuel Swedberg (1688-1772) was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, Christian mystic and theologian. Emanuel studied physics, mechanics, and philosophy, read and wrote poetry. He had a prolific career as an inventor and scientist. In 1715 he devoted himself to natural science and engineering projects for the next two decades. From 1716 to 1718 Swedenborg published a scientific periodical entitled Daedalus Hyperboreus (The Nordic Daedalus). At the age of fifty-six he entered into a spiritual phase, in which he experienced dreams and visions. This culminated in a spiritual awakening, where he claimed he was appointed by the Lord to write a heavenly doctrine to reform Christianity. For the remaining 28 years of his life, he wrote and published 18 theological works, of which the best known was Heaven and Hell (1758) and several unpublished theological works. His other works include: Angelic Wisdom Concerning the Divine Love and the Divine Wisdom (1763), Angelic Wisdom About Divine Providence, Spiritual Life and the Word of God and Heaven and its Wonders and Hell.

BENITA: prey for him is the true story of bright, vivacious Benita Kane and the Catholic priest who lured her from childhood into a disastrous, twenty-year entanglement that changed the course of her life. What happened to this fatherless girl in the hierarchical, patriarchal world of Dubuque, Iowa during the 40's, 50's and 60's is not simply one more tale of clerical sexual abuse, but rather an astounding, maddening, compelling account of what it was like to grow up in a family, community and culture so dominated by the Catholic church that no one could recognize the ominous events developing around them. As Benita's friend and classmate from second-grade through college, Virginia Tranel writes from the unique stance of both participant and observer.

Prayer is something that is needed everyday. Not just because we want something from God and the Spirits; pray to show gratitude. Saying thank you goes a long way! To God and the Spirits, it does not matter where you were born. It is where you are going that counts. Like an Old Irish proverb: It is not what you came for, but what did you leave with. For an example, if your reading comes 7-7, Odi-Meji, you can read psalms 77 and asked and pray for guidance. This way, you will have a better understanding what has been said; the individual gains greater wisdom. Place your Spirit and Mind in order, for daily living, when following daily instructions, as given. Knowledge is given as a blessing or a curse, use it wisely

Come on a spiritual journey, a journey of beautiful flowers and a sojourn into the depths of Christian love. Join author and seasoned gardener Tom Clarke as he artistically describes the natural beauty of flowers and the multi-faceted dimensions of love. Feel the Lord's gentle touch as thirty flowers are colorfully presented from the Gethsemane Prayer Garden. Unique aspects of each flower are then brought out as representations of God's love and our heartfelt response. The hope is that through this book, each person will richly and deeply experience the love of Christ.

The Bible speaks to this deep longing when it affirms that indeed God created man and woman in His image And at the heart of that image is a God-shaped vacuum waiting to be filled by the presence of the Creator. Built into our very heartbeat is a yearning to know, to have contact with, the One who made us. This "breath of God" infused into humankind at the creation (and into each of us at our personal creation) expands to form this vacuum that only God can fill. This vacuum is revealed to each of us through the basic needs which tug at our hearts. The longing for fulfillment of these needs drives our hunger for something more than simple satisfaction of our animal instincts. We are empty, as Saint Augustine articulated, until the vacuum is filled with the presence of God himself. The pull of these needs tugs us toward our Creator. We are "restless" until these needs finds true fulfillment in a relationship with God. This vacuum tugs us toward God, striving as a vacuum always does, to be filled. Hobbled by darkness, so much of it of our own making, we can only grope for the light. But I can only believe that our yearnings after the light must be a pleasure for God to watch. I can see him saying as we grope, "Come on, move toward that crack of light there. Reach for it. Put out your hand. I am waiting to pull you to me your Creator, your God, your Father."

With simple narrative and lovely pictures, this inspiring devotional resource follows Christ on his final journey to the cross. Through it, the ancient rite of the stations finds a post-modern expression that is both fresh and poignant. Supplemented with Scriptural texts, this accessible set of devotions brings the wonder and mystery of Christ's compassion into the everyday lives of contemporary readers. The Stations of the Cross is an excellent resource for Lenten studies, individual devotional use, sermon preparation, or parish planning. The inclusion of Hoffman's own photos of the ten stations from churches and cathedrals in Western Europe adds an extra element of wonder, mystery, and awe.

Straight from the Word is exactly what the title suggests. This devotional uses three or four translations to expound on a scripture, which amounts to a mini-commentary on each page. This aids in comprehension of the scripture while the repetition helps with remembering what you have read. They are simple devotions; quick and easy to read, and will hopefully give you something to think about each day. Most importantly, they will put the Word into your heart and mind. Joyce Gentry Cravey was born and raised in Dalton, Georgia, but has lived in Central Florida since 1969. She graduated from Dalton High School and attended Berry Schools and College in Rome, Georgia. She and her husband Jack are members of First Baptist Church of Mt. Dora, Florida. Joyce and Jack have a "his, mine and ours" family of six children and their spouses, fourteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Needless to say, their get-togethers are large, noisy, and lots of fun. This devotional is the result of a need for a personal devotional that would concentrate upon getting the Word into hearts on a daily basis. This is her first attempt at putting together a book of any kind, and it is her prayer that it will touch hearts and lives.

One of the few books that is dedicated to grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren. The prayers will inspire grandmothers and give them the encouragement and comfort they need for this unique journey.

Riggs discusses African American church life as a case study for ethical reflection about sexual ethics and clergy ethics -- the prevailing silence about sexuality in black churches as well as the fact that sexuality is generally a taboo in Christian tradition.

The author feels that sexism has been perpetrated by misuse of the Scriptures and by circumscribing the role of women, and seeks to transform current discourse about sexual behavior and clergy misconduct from a concentration on formulating policy to re-train.

Northey, a cancer survivor, has written stories that reflect the lives of people who are living with cancer. She shares her own story and writes about other cancer survivors she has met during her years of treatment and attending survival meetings. The 33 stories, which offer a human side to living with cancer, will give insight to those battling cancer and those who care for them. The thought provoking and moving stories that end with scripture and prayer will provide readers with the reassurance of God's grace, mercy, and omnipresence during difficult times.

This book - prayer book and revolutionary text in one - contains 52 morning attunements. They are greeting words for a new revolutionary spirituality with the definite aim of supporting the transformation of both the human being and society.