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"This book is food for all who are hungry for an inner transformation in their lives. Tapping into ancient spiritual practices, Daniel Vestal connects biblically based mysticism with evangelism and social justice."Do you long to make a difference in the world? Learn how to be Christ's presence. As Christians, we can continually embody Jesus Christ-be the presence of Christ-and we have the power to transform ourselves, our society, and the world.The challenge in becoming the presence of Christ is that many of our prejudices and patterns of living will need to change. The hope is knowing that such transformation is possible.

It's said that prayer is so primal an urge for humankind that we're born into the world praying. Yet, something so natural and seemingly so easy comes hard sometimes. The Way of Prayer is a 10-week small-group study about the nature, practice, and results of prayer. Some forms of prayer arise in our lives spontaneously, some are learned by rote, and others are stumbled upon as we move through life."All prayer, formal or informal, is about our relationship with God," the authors write. "Somewhere deep inside us resides the experience of being so deeply connected to God that we long to express the wonder of that relationship. We pray because we can-and must." Honor the ways you were taught to pray while expanding your understanding to include new ways to pray. Topics covered include: How Do You Pray?Images of GodPraying by HeartPraying with MusicPraying by GazePraying with Our BodiesScriptural PrayerContemplative PrayerPraying with and for OthersPrayer and Social Transformation

To many, the word liturgy brings to mind juggling a hymnal, Bible and a bulletin printed with formal responsive texts as you worship in a cavernous Gothic-styled church.With great faith and affection, Benedict rescues liturgy from its stuffy associations, revealing it as a momentous occasion every Sunday, no matter the worship style.Worship is a remarkable spiritual adventure and the liturgy itself is God's playground-a pilgrimage of individuals and faith communities joining the divine purpose. Through the liturgy's daily, weekly, seasonal and annual dimensions, we experience God's power to shape our lives. We unite with Christ in heart, mind and work to participate in God's new creation."Liturgy is more than personal piety," writes Benedict. "It is worship for the long haul... It simply goes on week by week and invites us to come along. It even carries us when our spiritual feet get tired and our energy level flags."Rather than seeing the ordered patterns of worship as a repetitive thing we do, liturgy has a cumulative effect as it transforms us to God-oriented worship and living. Benedict examines the hidden rhythms ofSunday worshipHoly Communionbaptismdaily prayerthe Christian calendarExercises contained in the group discussion guide will awaken your imagination to the power of the liturgical life. Liturgy is where God is waiting. Your part is to include yourself in that community of open hands, hearts and minds.

Small Group Sessions: Week 1: Companionship for the JourneyWeek 2: Come and SeeWeek 3: The Gift of RenewalWeek 4: Being Fully KnownWeek 5: The Will to Be WholeWeek 6: The Need for IntercedingWeek 7: Seeing and Saying the TruthWeek 8: From Death to LifeWeek 9: The Gift of Restoration

The intimate relationship with God you've yearned for is well within your grasp-despite the chaos of juggling multiple roles, deadlines, and commitments in your stretched-to-the-max life. With Quiet Spaces, you can learn to calm your mind and listen for God's still, small voice in the midst of the tumult around you.Author and former professional speaker Patricia Wilson knows what it's like to struggle with finding a few minutes for herself. Through Quiet Spaces she shows how even a few stray minutes can become a blessed opportunity for a focused encounter with God.Each brief prayer interlude featured in this book has 5 parts: Calming - a passage from the Psalms to calm the mindCentering - a practice to focus on GodPraying - a prayer for a particular situation or occasionListening - a passage from the Gospels with the words of JesusReturning - a practice to anchor the prayer experienceOn hold for a phone call? Waiting for an appointment? In traffic? The quiet spaces are all around you! Capture those 5-minute breaks and use them to touch the hand of God.You can find time to pray and connect with God-let this unique devotional book help you discover how.