With ever-increasing pressures building in our lives, we often slip into believing that the world is a burdensome place. As a result, our souls tighten, our hearts become dull, and our joy slowly drains away. Yet it doesn't have to be this way. Through penetrating reflections and practical tips for uncovering the blessed wonder in our lives-even in trying circumstances-Jay Marshall shows you how to recapture the goodness, holiness and abundance that saturate our world. The secret lies in opening yourself to divine blessings, which inspires thankfulness, and responding by sharing that spirit with others in acts of thanking and blessing. Practices that will change your perspective, and your life, include: Expectant Waiting-slowing down to perceive the presence of the Divine within you, Sacramental Living-experiencing the Sacred in every situation, Walking Cheerfully-cultivating a positive disposition, "Answering that of God" in Others-elevating everyday interactions to the realm of spiritual discovery. Whatever your spiritual tradition, this thoughtful book will help you rediscover your profound connection to God, to others and to the world. Book jacket.

A life filled with blessing is already within your reach. With ever-increasing pressures building in our lives, we often slip into believing that the world is a burdensome place. As a result, our souls tighten, our hearts become dull, and our joy slowly drains away. Yet it doesn’t have to be this way. Through penetrating reflections and practical tips for uncovering the blessed wonder in our lives—even in trying circumstances—Jay Marshall shows you how to recapture the goodness, holiness and abundance that saturate our world. The secret lies in opening yourself to divine blessings, which inspires thankfulness, and responding by sharing that spirit with others in acts of thanking and blessing. Practices that will change your perspective, and your life, include: Expectant Waiting—slowing down to perceive the presence of the Divine within you Sacramental Living—experiencing the Sacred in every situation Walking Cheerfully—cultivating a positive disposition Answering that of God” in Others—elevating everyday interactions to the realm of spiritual discovery Whatever your spiritual tradition, this thoughtful book will help you rediscover your profound connection to God, to others and to the world.

Practical tips and inspiring thoughts for living a life of abundance and spirit-filled generosity. Giving of your resources is a profound act that can change your life and the lives of those around you. With gentleness and wisdom, this practical guide outlines the ways in which cultivating a lifestyle of generosity can be a source of personal transformation, spiritual renewal and deep joy. You will learn about: Giving as Worship—how the major faith traditions offer reverence through giving Giving as Stewardship—managing resources for maximum benefit Giving as Charity—providing for others out of a sense of compassion Giving as Justice—creating righteous equality in our world

The classic of Russian spirituality--now with facing-page commentary that illuminates and explains the text. The Way of a Pilgrim is the timeless account of an anonymous wanderer who set out on a journey across nineteenth-century Russia with nothing but a backpack, some bread, and a Bible, with a burning desire to learn the true meaning of the words of St. Paul: "Pray without ceasing." In this completely accessible new abridgment, all the terms and references are explained for you--with intriguing insights into aspects of the text that are often not available to the general reader.

A fresh and moving portrait of Jesus as a model for how to live more authentic, honest and meaningful lives by fully experiencing our emotions in the love of God. Many depictions of Jesus show him as a character who coolly and calmly floats above the grit and grime of human existence. He doesn¿t hurt, he doesn¿t fear, he doesn¿t laugh, and most tragically, he doesn¿t love very passionately. He seems not to feel at all. But a closer look at the Bible reveals something surprisingly different. In this eye-opening spiritual study, Peter Wallace examines Jesus¿s actions rather than just his teachings to uncover a passionate figure who was involved, present, connected, honest and direct with others. He was one who was ¿deeply moved,¿ as the writer of John¿s gospel put it¿one who knew and embodied the emotions he felt and expressed them in honest, clear and life-giving ways. Through Wallace¿s deeply personal insights and compelling stories and examples, you will be encouraged to model this passionate Jesus by building personal authenticity in every area of your own life, particularly in your self-acceptance and self-expression, your relationships with others and, above all, your relationship with God.

This spiritual classic focuses the contemporary God-seeker on developing a vital connection with God by inviting the spirit of Jesus into our lives. Helpful commentary clarifies the work's biblical and medieval roots and its continuing significance today.

A profound reminder of our role in God's vision for a restored and reconciled world. "The work before us--this mission of God's--is immense, cosmic, even. The world is hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, lonely, imprisoned and enslaved--because some parts are. The creation is groaning in travail because of our abuse of the garden in which we have been set. The body is ailing. Participating in God's mission is about seeing and responding to that collective suffering, and beginning to understand our interconnection with the other parts of the body." --from the Introduction In the Christian tradition, believers are called to do more than sit around and pray. Throughout the Gospel--and throughout history--people of faith have been quite literally booted out into the world to bring God's love to everybody, not just a select few. That's the meaning of mission--from the Latin verb mitto, meaning, "to send." It is the work that Jesus and his disciples set out to do--feeding, healing and teaching. In an insightful and powerful voice, Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, explores the meaning of mission in the context of contemporary life, reminding us of the Anglican Communion's Five Marks of Mission: Proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom Teach, Baptize and Nurture New Believers Respond to Human Need with Loving Service Seek to Transform Unjust Structures of Society Strive to Safeguard the Integrity of Creation, and Sustain and Renew the Life of the Earth