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A new edition of The Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight's bestselling book, providing a remarkable summary of what biblical Christianity is at its core: Loving God and Loving Others. It fosters a practical understanding, appreciation of and application of Christian formation in grace and love toward God and Neighbor.

Intellect and emotion both fail in seeking God, who can only be encountered by rejecting of all common earthly means in a "cloud of forgetting" and the discovery of Godself in the dark "cloud of unknowing" which can be pierced only with a "lance of longing love."

Discover the spirituality of St. Clare and how it complements that of St. Francis. Enter into a week of morning and evening prayer centered on themes from Clare's life.

Written by an anonymous fourteenth-century author, The Cloud of Unknowing was originally prepared for cloistered monks. This contemporary English translation with foreword by bestselling author, Robert Benson, helps to put this classic text within reach of everyday Christians.

Did you know that the whole world needs your "yes" to God? In this book, Fr. Jeremiah Shryock shares how he learned this humbling truth from his personal relationship with Mary, and how we too can learn from her how to follow Christ with all our hearts. "Fr. Jeremiah Shryock, CFR has written a truly beautiful book. Frankly, it is a must-read for everyone aspiring to enter more deeply into the life of holiness and Mary's role in leading souls to a total self-offering and surrender to God. Inspired passages and uniquely contemplative insights fill the pages of this book as Fr. Jeremiah ponders the mysteries of the Rosary and Mary's presence in the gospel accounts with a great heart of love. Fr. Jeremiah calls himself now a Marian hermit taught by Mary; clearly, he has been a very fine student and son in placing himself receptively before the profound instructions of his Virgin Mother." --Fr. Donald Haggerty, author of St. John of the Cross, Master of Contemplation, The Contemplative Hunger, Contemplative Provocations

Centering Prayers for Women is a collection of 365 daily prayers for moments of silence and meditation, in a beautiful new edition especially for women. In the midst of busyness and noise, and being pulled in many different directions, Centering Prayers for Women provides a moment of deep quiet, to draw closer to the love of God. The love, warmth, and peace that radiate from these brief daily prayers spring from the ancient Christian practice of contemplative prayer.Centering Prayers for Women is: A book of simple, gentle daily devotions to grow our awareness of God's presence An invitation to find peace and stillness, to listen and just be Ideal for centering your mind and heart at the beginning of the day, or at bedtime, to calm anxiety An ideal gift for anyone who feels lost, doubting, or fearful, anxious, or needs reassurance of the intimate love of God A helpful tool for letting the noise of the world recede and entering a prayerful space Structured by the natural seasons of the year, and includes special prayers for holy days Rooted in Scripture and timeless Christian wisdom, these open-hearted prayers are rich in imagery, helping us connect with God as Living Water, Source, Sustainer, Living Gate, Love, Wisdom, Beauty, Strength in Life, Abba, Eternal Listener, Grace-giver, God of Gentle Power, Beloved Source of Security, and more. Centering Prayers for Women is a perfect companion for a personal retreat, or to pray with others in community.

"Poetry capturing the marginal men, women, and children who tell their story about a culture of indifference, while finding courage and compassion to hope in everyday life"--

"The poems in this collection use anaphora--the repetition of a word or phrase--is a strategy that assists coherence, and draws attention to the repeated terms. In Eucharistic settings, it also indicates the specific liturgical moment when the bread and wine are consecrated. Certain poems in this collection employ overt anaphora; many do not. They invite a sense of words as doing more than naming." --

"e;About 30 years ago, I came across the evocative phrase 'religionless Christianity' in Dietrich Bonhoeffer's later writings, and it has stayed with me ever since. In his new book The Fidelity of Betrayal, Peter Rollins has teased out - as Bonhoeffer never had the chance to do - profound possibilities hidden in the phrase. As a huge fan of Peter's first book, I find his second no less thoughtful, stimulating, and at times unsettling - always in a most (de)constructive way. His subversive parables, his clever turns of phrase, and his beguiling clarity all conspire to tempt the reader into that most fertile and terrifying of activities - to think to the very rim of one's understanding, and then to faithfully imagine the Truth that lies far beyond."e;- Brian McLaren, author/activist (www.brianmclaren.net)What if one of the core demands of a radical Christianity lay in a call for its betrayal, while the ultimate act of affirming God required the forsaking of God? And what if fidelity to the Judeo-Christian Scriptures demanded their renunciation? In short, what would it mean if the only way of finding real faith involved betraying it with a kiss?Employing the insights of mysticism and deconstructive theory, The Fidelity of Betrayal delves into the subversive and revolutionary nature of a Christianity that dwells within the church while simultaneously undermining it.

In this engaging guide, M. Basil Pennington takes us on a retreat with Thomas Merton, in Merton's own Kentucky hermitage, reading his writings on the spiritual life, praying the hours, caring for the birds on the front porch. This is the place where Merton found greater silence and solitude than was possible for him within the walls of the monastery. Pennington fills this eloquent introduction to Merton with photographs taken in and around the hermitage. Engaging the World with Merton enables each of us to have a retreat with Pennington's friend and mentor as our companion, as we seek the kingdom of God within.

"A book about memory, about what stays in the mind, and why; about the presence of God in our lives and all the experiences that become unforgettable"--

"Charles of the Desert is a novel-in-verse accompanying Charles de Foucauld, hermit and writer of "The Prayer of Abandonment," as he explores and adapts desert spirituality, monasticism, and contemplative prayer. Charles is an unusual and compelling figure and Charles of the Desert is unusual and compelling as well -- different from nonfiction books which focus on instructing in or explaining these subjects. It also explores Charles' profound respect for Muslims, his pioneering efforts at interfaith dialogue, and his commitment to live among Muslims as a "universal brother" known for his compassion and solidarity. Born in 1858 to a family of French aristocrats, Charles was torn between his ambition to do great things and his desire for the hidden life, between public service and private prayer. Charles of the Desert uses elements of fiction and poetry to follow him to Morocco, Syria, Israel, and Algeria, as he becomes a cavalry officer, explorer, geographer, pilgrim, Trappist monk, priest, abolitionist, translator, folklorist, hermit, fort-builder, and martyr. Throughout these travels and transformations, Charles searched for a vocation that would reflect his convictions and his experience of God. In his last fifteen years, he settled in a remote part of the Sahara, and focused on self-denial, contemplation, and charity. He claimed the nomadic Tuareg as his brothers, the desert as his earthly home. "--

A ground-breaking volume that presents, for the first time in English, these prayer-poems as Rilke intended them"This extraordinary early-draft form of some of Rilke's most famous poems somehow evokes, for me, Leonardo Da Vinci's notebooks--it shows the same mix of surety, roughness, genius, and the sense of precipitous creative speed. Rilke's poetry always reminds us what a direct pondering of intimacy and depth might look like. I am most grateful for these muscular translations and Mark Burrows' extended introductory comments, offering entrance to a body of work until now unavailable to English-language readers." --Jane Hirshfield, poet and translator; author most recently of "Come, Thief: Poems" ""Prayers of a Young Poet" is a hauntingly beautiful book. Mark Burrows' splendid translation renders the passion and the pathos of the anonymous young monk who sings these love songs to the Lord and somehow speaks our hidden desire. In these pages, Rilke dances in the dark to the tune of his own poems, his reluctant partner the elusive God he woos. The effect is irresistible: an invitation to join in the dance no reader can refuse." --Angela Alaimo O'Donnell, poet and author of "Saint Sinatra & Other Poems" "Rilke's praying monk begins with the time-honored conventions of his religious tradition, then moves beyond them to the dark silences of forest and dream where God waits to be discovered anew. In these startling poems brought to us in Mark Burrows' lucid translation, metaphor gives way to metaphor, as each verbal foray into the divine courts a mystery that can be approached but neither comprehended nor defined."--Peter S. Hawkins, Professor of Religion and Literature, Yale Divinity School

Happy marriages don't just happen. Despite the abundance of magazines and self-help books available, people continue to struggle with marriageNaked and Unashamed describes the diligent, necessary work to maintain marriage, as well holistic character-that the nakedness asked of each individual extends from how we communicate, to how we grow spiritually, to how we manage our finances, and to how we make love. Every marriage is a snapshot of and testimony to God's covenant relationship with His Church. Without mincing words, Dr. Jerry, Claudia, and Jeremy offer real help through practical and spiritual advice on these topics and more. Undressing for IntimacyUnpacking CommunicationExploring ExpectationsUndressing for SexNaked and Unashamed challenges couples to embrace a holistic, lifelong undressing for marriage. Throughout, the book presents a picture of marriage in which relational and spiritual intimacy may be found in every aspect of the relationship. The book should enrich both marriages and the Christian life of the individuals within marriage. "e;I have performed scores of weddings over the years, and my wife and I have done the premarital counseling. I wish this insightful book had been available for us."e;-LYLE W. DORSETT, PhD, Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism, Beeson Divinity School"e;Naked and Unashamed is a must-read for any couple seeking to do Christian marriage in a way that is glorifying to God. Part master class, part playbook, this frank and easy-to-understand guide is packed with critical insights and practical wisdom that can be applied immediately. This book leaves its readers equipped to engage in their marriage relationship in a truly transformational way. I cannot recommend it highly enough."e;-MICHELLE MOUJAES, Founder and Executive Director, Faithtree Resources"e;This is the premarital resource I have been waiting for! Incredibly rich with wisdom and insight, Naked and Unashamed is for every couple who are more interested in staying married than they are in getting married. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a deeper, fuller, richer, understanding of biblical marriage."e;-JIMMY DODD, Founder and President of PastorServe, author of Survive or Thrive: Six Relationships Every Pastor Needs

Seeds of Faith by Jeremy Langford covers an astonishing variety of spiritual practices, and does so in such a joy-filled and inviting way that we instantly feel at home. Buy this book. --Richard J. Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline and Life with GodJeremy Langford's multiple talents as a superb writer, a loving father, a dedicated worker, and an ardent believer, combine to make his new book perfect for anyone seeking to lead a faith-filled life in the real world. Through an artful use of the Christian tradition, insights from the spiritual masters, and compelling real-life examples, Langford shows seekers and believers alike how God can be found in all things, and how the ordinary events in our lives can be places of extraordinary grace. --James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the SaintsIn every moment and event in our lives, God plants seeds which we may or may not notice in our paths. Our challenge is to prepare the soil of our lives to receive and nurture these seeds so that they may take root and help us grow closer to God. By tapping into the spiritual practices revealed in scripture and throughout Christian tradition, we come to embrace what God the Gardener is doing in our lives and, in turn, to share God's grace with the world. The healthier our spiritual lives, the more abundant will be the fruits of our love, hope, joy, and kindness. This book is for seekers of all ages and walks of life - college students, parents, professionals, the lapsed and the weary, as well as seasoned saints who wish to deepen their faith in small but meaningful ways, and it covers topics such as: Why Believe? The Practice of Doubt Awareness: The Practice of Seeking Loneliness vs. Being Alone: The Practice of Solitude Spiritual Exercise: The Practice of Practice Touchstones of the Sacred: The Practice of Living Sacramentally How, Then, Shall I Live? The Practice of Vocation Happy Are They: The Practice of Celebration When Did We See You Hungry? The Practice of Mercy Following Christ: The Practice of Discipleship