Praise for Sacred Days Tom Steagald knows how to write, which is to say he knows how to use his own true voice instead of one he has borrowed for the occasion. He also knows how to read, finding in the Gospels not just the same old stories we have heard all our lives but glimpses of the astonishing treasure to be found in those stories if we have our hearts open as well as our eyes." —Frederick Buechner, author "Christ takes time and thereby redeems time. This is the testimony of the church....

NOTE: Prayer beads are sold separately. Purchase online at www.prayerworksstudio.etsy.com. Yes, it's really okay for Protestants to use prayer beads! Kristen and Max Vincent invite you to pray from your heart with these 28 devotions designed for use with prayer beads. Another Bead, Another Prayer begins with a brief explanation of Protestant prayer beads for readers who are unfamiliar with them. The devotions are grouped by 4 types of prayer: praise, confession, intercession, and thanksgiving...

In Rhythms of Growth, Linda Douty uses the seasons of the year to illustrate natural trends in our spiritual lives. For winter, she writes about themes of rootedness, fallow times, reflection; for spring—awakening, planting, new growth, storms; for summer—bearing fruit, abundance, blossoming, weeding, and pests; for fall—letting go, sifting, harvesting. Douty's conversational style and ability to bring together the everyday and the holy make this book appealing for anyone who wants a devotion...

While Christians are hungry to know God's will, we often don't know how to go about learning what that might be. With his gentle, pastoral style, Steve Harper encourages you to pray and read scripture in ways that lead to knowing and doing God's will. He employs the metaphor of walking in the light to frame a method of prayer and practice, using scripture and tradition to inform the steps of this ongoing walk with God called discernment. Questions for reflection and discussion are provided at...

Using the call narratives in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Apprenticed to Jesus: Discipleship Practices for Growing Christians connects discipleship with the purpose and mission of the church: our participation in God's plan to heal a broken creation. Hawkins locates the origins of discipleship not only in Jesus' call to his disciples but also to God's call to Abraham, Sarah, and Moses. This book is excellent for small groups and pastors, Christian educators, and church leaders responsible...

For those who do not have a spiritual director—or are curious about the concept—W. Paul Jones has crafted a series of topical meditations that facilitate self-guided spiritual direction. In this refreshing approach to a means of spiritual growth, readers will explore self-guided spiritual direction with the ultimate spiritual director: the Holy Spirit. Examine your inner thoughts, truths, difficulties, and triumphs through reflection questions at the end of each chapter that prompt introspect...

This book, the fourth in The Upper Room's bestselling "Guide to Prayer" series, offers a simple pattern of daily prayer built around weekly themes and organized by the Christian church year. Each week follows this pattern: Affirmation Psalm Psalm Prayer Daily Scripture Readings Silence Daily Reading Reflection (Silent or Written) Prayers Offering of Self to God Blessing The daily readings are drawn from the history of Christian spirituality and feature such writers as Francis of...

God thinks the world is worth saving. When we are close to God, we too will want to save the world. For anyone who dismisses Lent as a seemingly endless time of self-sacrifice and introspection, this 6-week study for Lent offers a breath of fresh air. It connects prayer and other inner spiritual practices with outward actions of mercy and compassion. George Donigian guides you to grow in your prayer life by praying about daily news reports, discovering the needs around you, and responding wit...

A Christian minister and a Hindu monk fall in love and get married. How does this interfaith relationship work? Saffron Cross is the intriguing memoir of the relationship between Dana, a Baptist minister, and Fred, a devout Hindu and former monk. The two meet on eHarmony and begin a fascinating, sometimes daunting but ultimately inspiring journey of interfaith relationship and marriage. Dana's compelling vignettes, laced with self-deprecating humor and refreshing honesty, give you a glimpse i...

NOTE: Prayer beads are sold separately. Order beads at Kristen's site: www.prayerworksstudio.etsy.com. Do you ever struggle with prayer? Maybe your mind wanders, you wonder if God even hears your prayers, or you just don't know what to pray. A Bead and a Prayer introduces Protestant prayer beads as a tool for connecting with God. This 4-week Bible study is designed for people with no experience in using prayer beads. You will discover answers to such questions as: Why use prayer beads? ...