Winner of the 2016 Georgia Author of the Year: Inspirational-religious books. Respected speaker, author, and Patheos blogger Carl McColman introduces Cistercian spirituality as "the hidden jewel of the Church," presenting a surprisingly contemporary path grounded in monastic tradition. This accessible and comprehensive guide highlights a unique focus on simplicity, living close to the earth, and contemplative prayer, all of which make Cistercian spirituality relevant today. Steeped in chant and silence, grounded in down-to-earth work and service, and immersed in the mystical wisdom of teachers ancient (Bernard of Clairvaux) and modern (Thomas Merton), Cistercian spirituality's beautifully humble path has for centuries made monasteries places of rest, retreat, and renewal. Now, Carl McColman offers the first practical introduction to this ancient, contemplative spirituality for all people. Hailed by reviewers of his many books as playful, and profound, McColman draws on his experience as a lay Cistercian to provide insight into the relevance of the tradition to contemporary issues and spiritual practice. He explains how silence, simplicity, stability, stewardship of the earth, contemplation, ongoing conversion, and devotion to Mary combine to offer a rich and unique path to discipleship and intimacy with God.

Friendship is an important aspect of human society and a virtue that lies at the heart of sub-Saharan African societies. This study explores the art of friendship in the book of Job and how it resonates in the sub-Saharan African setting. As a wisdom tradition, the story offers a critique of friendship and of appropriate action with reference to particular circumstances, institutions, and persons, showing how the speeches, actions, and inactions of the characters inform friendship identities. Readers are exposed to proverbs, parables, and sayings from African communities, which show the richness of African culture and ethos. The similarities and differences between Western and African traditional worldviews and views of friendship come out clearly in the communal values of relatedness, loyalty, collaboration, empowerment, and goodwill.

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.

Does prayer have to be silent? Does meditation have to be solemn? If I’m an extrovert, can I worship God? In this groundbreaking book, psychologist and spiritual adviser Nancy Reeves presents a refreshing view of spirituality that goes beyond personality to provide extroverts (and those who love them) with exciting new ways of approaching God.Reeves explores a wide variety of spiritual practices for extroverts, including:Praying in motionSingingCultivating spiritual friendships Practicing spirituality in groupsIn the end, she urges all of us, extrovert and introvert alike, to seek a mature spirituality that embraces all the aspects of our personalities. Includes questions for reflection and discussion. Perfect for book clubs, discussion groups, and bible study classes. “For some reason, we think of quiet, introverted people as the very name of holiness. This cannot be true, and Nancy Reeves shows us why!”-Richard Rohr, author of Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality“I’ve been waiting a long time to read a book like this! Nancy Reeves provides much needed insight and guidance.”-Joyce Rupp, author of Fresh Bread: And Other Gifts of Spiritual Nourishment“As an introvert, I found Reeves’ perspectives eye-opening and enormously helpful. They will change the way I interact with the extroverts in my life. This book should be required reading for anyone offering spiritual guidance.”-Marjorie J. Thompson, author of Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual LifeNancy Reeves is a clinical psychologist, spiritual director, poet, and author. She is director of the Island Loss Clinic, teaches at the University of Victoria, and conducts many lectures and workshops internationally. She is the author of A Match Made in Heaven: A Bible-Based Guide to Deepening Your Relationship with God and I’d Say Yes, God, If I Knew What You Wanted.

All journeys are journeys of encounter with the Lord who walks with us in the cool of the evening. Sometimes they are deadly silent; other times they are full of travail. But all times, no matter what the occasion or circumstance, they are journeys with rather than against; journeys to rather than from; journeys indwelling rather than dissipating. Any journey demands both a challenge and a risk; an act of faith in what is to come because of the assurance of what is past. Yet, the challenge and risk always leads to a homecoming. And the journey home is always shorter and full of special memories because it embodies the reality of a happy ending. A journey is an exercise in discovery; discovery of latent talents; opportune moments and the creative ability to fashion the tapestry of one’s life under the guidance of the Master Weaver. This book is a journal of life weaved from the fabric of people’s lives. Their hearts are stories of strength and weakness, heroism and heartbreak yet, woven together with hope. It is a sacramentality of life, love and living. May your journey be the same but different.

A black family and a white family in 1960s Texas find common ground during the Civil Rights Movement.

The mystical path is not some sort of static experience for the select few, says Carl McColman, rather, it is a living tradition, a rich and many-layered dimension of spirituality that is in large measure a quest to find the mysteries at the heart of the universe, paradoxically nestled within the heart of your own soul. McColman first introduced readers to Christianity’s lost mystical roots in his popular book, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism. Now McColman is back with Answering the Contemplative Call, to show readers how to apply the riches of the mystical tradition to daily living. This book is organized in three sections: “Recognizing the Call,” Explores how each one of us is called to the mystical life, and what that might look like. “Preparing for the Journey,” shows what we need to do in response to the contemplative call. “Embarking on the Adventure” considers what those first steps on the path might look like. Along the way McColman quotes from the great mystics of the Christian tradition who have also traveled this path, including Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, Evelyn Underhill and more. In Answering the Contemplative Call, McColman offers a practice that will help readers come to a place meaning and purpose in their lives.

This collection of studies by friends, colleagues, students, and associates of Thorwald Lorenzen centers on his pivotal research interests--the theological and ethical implications of a relational understanding of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In two major works on the resurrection, Lorenzen demonstrated the radical ramifications for Christian discipleship of affirming a relational perspective on the resurrection, especially with regard to social justice, human rights, ecumenical dialogue, and holistic spirituality. The purpose of this book is to honor the theological work of Thorwald Lorenzen by examining anew and pressing ahead with certain aspects of his own research interests, whether in historical and systematic theology, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, or social ethics and spirituality.

This handbook addresses the educational uses of mindfulness in schools. It summarizes the state of the science and describes current and emerging applications and challenges throughout the field. It explores mindfulness concepts in scientific, theoretical, and practical terms and examines training opportunities both as an aspect of teachers’ professional development and a means to enhance students’ social-emotional and academic skills. Chapters discuss mindfulness and contemplative pedagogy programs that have produced positive student outcomes, including stress relief, self-care, and improved classroom and institutional engagement. Featured topics include: A comprehensive view of mindfulness in the modern era. Contemplative education and the roots of resilience. Mindfulness practice and its effect on students’ social-emotional learning. A cognitive neuroscience perspective on mindfulness in education that addresses students’ academic and social skills development. Mindfulness training for teachers and administrators. Two universal mindfulness education programs for elementary and middle school students. The Handbook of Mindfulness in Education is a must-have resource for researchers, graduate students, clinicians, and practitioners in psychology, psychiatry, education, and medicine, as well as counseling, social work, and rehabilitation therapy.

Becoming a Praying Congregation is designed to help leaders teach, inspire and example deeper prayer life for the entire congregation through worship, study, ministry teams and individual devotion. Using ideas and examples from congregations with active prayer ministries, leaders will be inspired to develop deeper prayer practices in: worship decision-making groups prayer ministry team age-level classes households Tools include: worship prayer activities DVD planning ideas for Sunday School or small groups for children, youth and adults guidelines for building or reviving a prayer ministry team help for special services like healing prayer services, meditations, prayer for the church and its mission Rueben Job's When You Pray can be used as a daily devotional for individuals and small groups participating in the program.