Provides a process for grounding our spiritual growth in the sacred story, for coming to an intimate knowledge of the God who desires relationship with us.

We know that one of the primary ways that God speaks to us is through His Word. But sometimes we approach Scripture with so many questions to be answered and problems to be solved that we have difficulty hearing God in all the confusion. In Listening to God, Jan Johnson introduces us to lectio divina or sacred reading -- a way of reading that makes space for God to speak through the text. Instead of asking questions of the text, lectio divina helps us listen to the questions God is asking us through the text. Listening to God arranges passages of Scripture by topics, so that you can zero in on a topic that is personally relevant and spend a day or week on a single passage learning to listen to God through His Word. Some topics included are -- finding intimacy with God -- making progress in the spiritual life -- having the heart of Christ -- building relationships. Ideal for personal or group use, Listening to God helps the Bible text come vividly alive and teaches how to experience God's voice through a passage you may have heard over and over, or are finally understanding for the first time.

Is it really possible to enter into a genuine conversation with God? Christians throughout the ages have done so using the ancient practice of lectio divina, or spiritual reading. In this practical and inspirational book, Stephen Binz shows how we can read and reflect on Scripture in ways that enable us to hear God speaking to us in our thoughts and hearts. He explains how to converse with God in prayer, which will lead to contemplation and life-changing action. With a clarity that all will welcome, Binz explains the elements, characteristics, and benefits of lectio divina. This book is suitable both for beginners and those seasoned in prayer as well as for those in faith-sharing and Bible study groups. Seven examples from biblical passages show readers how to use lectio divina. Questions for reflection and discussion follow each chapter. Valuable for all, from beginners to those experienced at prayer.

When committees are redesigned to function as communities, meetings become more productive, group members start looking forward to serving, and the overall spirit of the church begins to improve. If your church is looking for a fresh, more effective way to accomplish its goals, change your outlook by making groups of people into communities.

Are you a new Christian who wants to learn how to read the Bible and hear God's voice? Or are you a more experienced Christian who struggles with meeting God in the pages of Scripture because your head is more engaged than your heart or your hands? Do you long for true intimacy with God, for the sense that God is speaking directly to you through his Word? If so, then this book might be for you. And you're in good company.Meeting God in the Bible through the devotional practices of Quiet Time, Spiritual Journaling, and Lectio Divina is explored almost entirely through story-an extended story of a long-term discipleship process between a pastor's wife and a new Christian. Other Spiritual Formation practices encountered in the story include prayer, spiritual testimony, overcoming temptation, Scripture memorization, discipleship, and biblical interpretation. God has made us for himself, and we invite you to deepen your journey toward the intimate communion with God that you were created for.

Would you like to enter Scripture in a way that draws you deeper into the very presence of the Holy? These forty guided meditations from experienced Bible teacher Jan Johnson open us to the experience of God's Word speaking into our lives, giving individuals and groups the tools we need to encounter Christ with lectio divina.

Mothering is messy. Our joy and hope in raising children doesn’t change the reality that being a mom can be frustrating, stressful, and tiring. But just as God is using us to shape our children, God is using our children and motherhood to shape us. In The Better Mom, author Ruth Schwenk, herself a mother of four children, encourages us with the good news that there is more to being a mom than the extremes of striving for perfection or simply embracing the mess. We don’t need to settle for surviving our kids’ childhood. We can grow through it. With refreshing and heartfelt honesty Ruth emboldens moms to: Find freedom and walk confidently in purpose Create a God-honoring home environment Overcome unhealthy and destructive emotions such as anger, anxiety, and more Avoid glorifying the mess of mom-ing or idolizing perfection Cultivate life-giving friendships At the heart of The Better Mom is the message that Jesus calls us to live not a weary life, but a worthy life. We don’t have to settle for either being apathetic or struggling to be perfect. Both visions of motherhood go too far. Ruth offers a better option. She says, “It’s okay to come as we are, but what we’re called to do and be is far too important to stay there! The way to becoming a better mom starts not with what we are doing, but with who God is inviting us to become."