It's hard to hear yourself think in today's culture, much less refresh your soul. Sights and sounds—from ads placed on toilet stall doors to loud ringtones or cars pulsing with bass—assault us every day. Peace and quiet seem out of place in 21st-century everyday life. It's time to mute the cacophony. Meaningful and serene contemplative silence is possible. And it doesn't require an expensive trip to a spa. "We yearn for rest, and our souls hunger to be fed, yet we seldom give ourselves permis...

Where do we go from here? The dynamic history and identity of the United Methodist Church is lost among the pluralistic landscape in America today. As a living organism, the church can expect to evolve with the culture that surrounds it. The problem, according to lifelong member and author Scott Kisker, is that the United Methodist Church seems to have lost its missional foundation as it climbed to mainline American Protestant church status. Trying to be both mainline and Methodist is a dead...

The Way of Discernment Participant's Book is also available for small-group members. This guide provides everything you need to prepare and lead small-group studies. The Way of Discernment provides: Principles of personal and group discernment Daily exercises to help you move from information to experience Weekly meeting plans designed for group sharing and worship Penetrating questions to aid the process of discernment The 10-week study focuses on the ancient spiritual discipline of disce...

The Way of Discernment Leader's Guide is also available. How do you discover God's guidance for personal and congregational decisions? Explore paths to clarity in The Way of Discernment, a 10-week study for small groups. Who is this book designed for? People yearning to hear the Holy Spirit's guidance Individuals looking for direction in vocation or life changes Church leaders seeking clarity about their congregation's distinctive mission Christians searching for God's will in matters of be...

The church is in the hands of its elders. While the popular perception is that the aged are needy and infirm, Gentzler affirms that the majority of older adults have plenty to give. The church needs to tap into their wisdom, energy, experience, and talents. Gentzler stresses that older adult ministries need to be by and with elders as well as for them, since participants will represent all stages of retirement and activity levels. In addition to the practical issues of programming, Gentzler t...

"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." —Tony Campolo Professor Emeritus, Eastern University Author of more than 35 books and one of the founders of the Red Letter Christian movement 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...

Stress, pain, grief… Do you need a miracle? They still happen, says Wuellner, a wise spiritual director, counselor and healer. She's a witness to their power and mystery. "Fifty years ago, as a young pastor, I probably would've denied it," she writes. "But over the years I have become humbler, listening and observing more. Yes, acts of wonder still occur surprisingly often in the physical world. …God works closely in, with and through us as every atom, each cell, every thought and action open...

"Why am I still here? Why is God letting me suffer so long?" Frailty, dependence, and constant pain can lead to spiritual hopelessness in older adults. While we're inspired by occasional news about an extraordinary centenarian who swims every day, it's more common to grieve and wonder as loved ones grow feeble. With compassion and honesty, Buchanan gives voice to the those who have to depend on others for assistance with daily tasks. She leads caregivers and those in their care to see that li...