Mendy Clark's, Transforming the Heart, provides insight into the spiritual demise of women who struggle yet fail to live a godly life while providing hope in a fallen world. Upon completion of her dissertation, Developing a Biblical Model to Disciple Women in the Process of Spiritual Maturation, it was obvious that Christian women needed Dr. Clark's experience, wisdom, and guidance in searching Scriptures to grow into godly women. Mendy was encouraged to produce a workbook representing her findings so women, through a study of the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit, would have the opportunity to confront the hidden sin(s) in their lives, to realize the effects of the atoning love of Jesus Christ, to desire repentance and change in their thinking, and to know and understand clear and complete obedience to Him. Learning through these stages of growth can lead to the meaningful relationship with God that Christ-followers are seeking after but rarely find. The biblically-founded guide provides a comprehensive study of God's Word that can bring the woman who is seeking after God's own heart into a new relationship making Jesus the Lord of her life and leading her to continued spiritual growth. Such insight can only be found through the teaching of the Holy Spirit as He illumines Scripture and through the guidance of an individual who has allowed the Holy Spirit to be her teacher. I recommend the study guide which can be used with/by a counselor, women's leader, or individual who is pursuing God. I am confident that those who go through the guide will experience changed lives for Christ. Thank you, Dr. Clark, for your obedience to a God-given task! Dr. Patricia Nason, PhD Professor of Foundations of Teaching Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Developing a friendship with God may be the starting point for the spiritual journey, but how can that important internal relationship move us to make an impact on—and even transform—the world around us? In Changed Heart, Changed World, renowned spiritual director William A. Barry, SJ, delves into such topics as how friendship with God impacts our role in society, how to see forgiveness as a way of life, and how compassion can make its mark on the world. Throughout the book, Fr. Barry provides many practical ways to integrate the inner life, where we experience a relationship with God, with the outer life, where we live in relationship with our world. Above all else, Changed Heart, Changed World reminds us that God has a dream for his creation here and now—a dream that can only be realized by our becoming “other Christs in this world.”

Spiritual formation is the key to the survival of our faith. According to worship leader Rory Noland, in order to stem the tide of nominal Christianity we need to reclaim our worship services as formative spaces that are substantive and purposeful. Combining discipleship and worship—what Noland calls transforming worship—he offers a vision for worship as spiritual formation.

As Christians, we know that we are new creations in Jesus. So we try to act differently, hoping this will make us more like Him. But changing our outward behavior doesn’t change our hearts. Only by God’s grace can we be transformed internally. Renovation of the Heart lays a biblical foundation for understanding what best-selling author Dallas Willard calls the “transformation of the spirit”—a divine process that “brings every element in our being, working from inside out, into harmony with the will of God.” This fresh approach to spiritual growth explains the biblical reasons why Christians need to undergo change in six aspects of life: thought, feeling, will, body, social context, and soul. Willard also outlines a general pattern of transformation in each area, not as a sterile formula but as a practical process that you can follow without the guilt or perfectionism so many Christians wrestle with. Don’t settle for complacency. Accept the challenge Renovation of the Heart offers to become an intentional apprentice of Jesus Christ, changing daily as you walk with Him.

"Teaching to transform hearts challenges readers to evaluate philosophies for how we should teach in the church and offers effective teaching methods to transform hearts"--

A new view of Jesus as a Buddha-like wisdom teacher who taught the transformation of consciousness—with traditional contemplative practices you can do yourself If you put aside what you think you know about Jesus and approach the Gospels as though for the first time, something remarkable happens: Jesus emerges as a teacher of the transformation of consciousness. The Wisdom Jesus provides a new perspective on Christ and an expansive interpretation of His message. Cynthia Bourgeault creates a masterful guide to Jesus's vision and the traditional contemplative practices you can use to experience the heart of his teachings for yourself.

A spiritual journey of discovery and growth centered on the development the ARC Retreat Community in Minnesota.