How do you pray? Could there be a more personal question? Or one more challenging to answer? Yet, 55 Religious of the Sacred Heart-Roman Catholic sisters--took on the question with their characteristic humility, openness, courage and humor. Their answers are as different as they are. Together the essays in this book reveal not just the individuality of these women, but the beauty of their relationships with the "one whom they love." For each of us, prayer is all about a personal, individual relationship with God. Those of us who have not taken religious vows may think Catholic sisters have some secret formula for prayer, or that they have a more direct line of communication to God. What you'll find in these essays is that we all struggle with the same distractions, the same questions, the same desire for intimacy with our God. Prayer, it would seem, is not so much a skill as it is a journey. This book may not teach you how to pray. But in reading these honest, straight-forward accounts from some veteran pray-ers, you might find the encouragement and reassurance to recognize that you, too, are already on the right path. After all, the desire to be in communion with God is itself a perfect prayer.

Addresses some of the questions raised by Christians with same-sex attraction. As a Christian who experiences same-sex attraction, is it possible to live a life that's both faithful and fulfiling? Rachel Gilson wants to show you that it is and that it's not just a case of limping to the finish line, it's possible to run the race with joy. In this powerful and personal book, she describes her own unexpected journey of coming out and coming to faith... and what came next. As she does so, she addresses many of the questions that Christians living with same-sex attraction are wrestling with: Am I consigned to a life of loneliness? How do I navigate my friendships? Will my desires ever change? Is there some greater purpose to all this? What comes next, and next, and next? Drawing on insights from the Bible and the experiences of others, Born Again This Way provides assurance and encouragement for Christians with same-sex attraction, and paints a compelling picture of discipleship for every believer. Whatever your sexuality, this book is an inspiring testimony of how a life submitted to Jesus will be fulfilling and fruitful, but not always in the ways we might expect.

From her own experiences, struggles, and victories on the way to peace, Eugenia Price offers in this book a step-by-step guide for all who seek a new, happy and complete life. This thrilling and inspiring chronicle of spiritual adventure lifts the heart and head of the reader, as the widely respected Christian author and speaker lets Christ speak through her to those who long to follow Him as Lord of their lives. Here is memorable, meaningful testimony that: "He Himself is the end of Everyman's search. Here is a simple, soul-encompassing song of the everlasting, ever-new truth to the Word that God is Love."

Discusses "loving too much" as a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors which certain women develop as a reponse to various problems in their family backgrounds.

This book arises out of contemporary questions regarding the nature and formation of the church amidst an economically divided society. Looking to Augustine of Hippo for guidance, Jonathan D. Ryan argues that the movement from private self-interest toward common love of God and neighbor is fundamental to the church's formation and identity amidst contemporary contexts of economic inequality. Ryan demonstrates the centrality of this theme in Augustine's Sermons and his monastic instruction (principally the Rule), illustrating how it shapes his pastoral guidance on matters pertinent to economic division, including use of material resources, and attitudes toward rich and poor. By reading Augustine's Sermons alongside his monastic instruction, this volume allows for a closer understanding of how Augustine's vision of a common life is reflected in his pastoral guidance to the wider congregation. The book's concluding reflections consider what the church in our time might learn from these aspects of Augustine's teaching regarding the formation of a common life, as members are drawn together in love of God and neighbour.

Well-known retreat master and author of the bestselling Centering Prayer, Basil Pennington now demonstrates the spiritually enriching power of that ancient prayer technique when used in conjunction with scripture. Just as a centering prayer involves listening to a call, he explains, so too our encounters with the Word of God are a listening experience. This devotional book contains thirty excerpts from Matthew's Gospel with corresponding meditational essays that invite prayerful reflection through "centering." We are guided through such areas as poverty of spirit, self-alienation, the transformation of consciousness, authentic love, abandonment and "letting go," and openness to the Spirit. Equally suites for a personal at-home retreat or in a prayer-group setting, this treasury of Gospel spirituality brings even greater joy to the experience of centering prayer.

John-Francis Friendship spent twenty-five years as an Anglican Franciscan friar. Drawing on the whole breadth of monastic history and experience, he looks at core aspects of monastic and religious life and applies its practical wisdom for living well in today’s world. Chapters include: • Knowing your heart’s desire and pursuing it; • Counter-cultural living – the spirit of poverty, chastity and obedience; • Clothing yourself in Christ – getting into holy habits; • Living in community – how to get along together; • God in all things – seeing the whole world as divine; • For the sake of the kingdom – serving those in need; • Living with thanksgiving – shaping the eucharistic life. What Do You Seek? draws on spiritual wisdom accumulated over the centuries to offer inspiration and courage for living with integrity and hope today.

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius is one of the great masterpieces of the Christian canon. A series of meditations and practices that guides seekers on a journey to spiritual perfection, this manual has been used by millions of religious and lay persons alike for centuries. Now, in the first new Anthony de Mello book in more than fifteen years, the bestselling author of Awareness takes readers on an in-depth exploration of the practices of St. Ignatius and offers simple guidance and wisdom to help readers navigate the sometimes-confusing byways on the journey to God. Drawn from a series of talks de Mello gave before his untimely death in 1987, this book challenges us to achieve new levels of understanding and inner exploration, with chapters on how to hear the voice of the divine, the need for repentance, and how to ascend to love in our day-to-day life,. A must-have for fans of de Mello’s work and anyone interested in learning to pray in profound and meaningful ways, Seek God Everywhere is an inspirational and practical work that will transform your life.

"Adventure, intrigue, faith, commitment, love and hate and everything between! Mark Tedesco has done it again, fashioning what is arguably his best work yet! He entices you on a phenomenal journey into the fascinating lives of two 4th century Roman soldiers, John and Paul, in a tale of loyalty and love that grabs you by the throat from the very first sentence and holds you spellbound, gasping for air as you're swept from chapter to chapter with barely a moment to breathe. An unbelievable marriage of fact and fiction that will leave you applauding or appalled but never bored or indifferent. A must read!" -Tony McEwing, Fox News