Download or read book Creativity and Divine Surprise written by Karla M. Kincannon and published by Upper Room Books. This book was released on 2005-08-01 with total page 173 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Deepen your relationship with God as you discover your God-given gift of creativity. Creativity is usually defined narrowly and associated only with artists or children. "Creativity is so much more than art making," writes Kincannon. "It is a tool for navigating through everyday experiences to find the sacred in each God-given moment. Those who believe they lack creativity have relegated it to remote regions of their life, burying it under the need for security, approval, and control. However,…creativity does not die; it simply waits to be unearthed and set free." Creativity and Divine Surprise couples insightful meditations with thoughtful exercises that will help you celebrate your divine spark and connect with God. Can't draw a straight line? Color-blind? No worries. If you yearn for God and desire greater awareness of God's presence in your life, you're ready for this book. Through Kincannon's words, you'll see creativity as a source of revelation, joy, healing, and fulfillment, and we all need those things. Ready to dance, draw, paint, take pictures—masterpieces or not? Let the Creator work in you through your creativity, so that you become God's masterpiece.

Download or read book A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God written by John S. Mogabgab and published by Upper Room Books. This book was released on 2014-01-01 with total page 448 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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 Assisi, Teresa of Avila, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Henri J. M. Nouwen, Sue Monk Kidd, Douglas Steere, Jan Richardson, Trevor Hudson, Wendy M. Wright, and many others. Beautifully bound in a leather-like cover, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God makes a perfect gift and a reliable companion for anyone seeking to deepen a steady life of prayer.

Download or read book The God Hungry Imagination written by Sarah Arthur and published by Upper Room Books. This book was released on 2007-10-01 with total page 193 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What kind of story is your church telling? Ministry experts describe our culture as having "lost its story." Through neglect or rejection, the next generation seems unplugged from the church's core beliefs. For the most part, young people simply do not feel part of the ongoing, communal story. Paradoxically, this has occurred at a time when youth have fully embraced social networks that connect the world in self-obsessed "I" narratives. This world is starving for a story bigger than what you find on Facebook and YouTube. Sarah Arthur emphasizes the importance of story, an intrinsic aspect of the Christian faith but an aspect that is often overlooked in ministry, especially youth ministry. Arthur shows how youth ministry can be planned as a transforming series of story moments instead of programming. She weaves together her personal experiences and insights along with the sociological work on the faith of teenagers from the book Soul Searching by Christian Smith and Melinda Denton. Repeatedly and unapologetically, Arthur stresses the importance of a distinct Christian language for teenagers. If teens can't speak the Christian language, they don't know the Christian story. If they don't know the Christian story, they don't know how Christians are supposed to live. So what's her solution to this narrative deficiency? The idea of youth ministers as bards, or storytellers. Arthur reminds youth ministers that their primary task is to tell the Christian story, to reclaim the imagination as part of spiritual formation, and to reclaim the church as God's ongoing story. This book would be insightful for all ministers, not only those who work with youth. It can help us make a significant shift in the way we think about and approach ministry in the postmodern world.

Download or read book Surprised by the Voice of God written by Jack Deere and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 1998-10-13 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "[This book] takes you tgo the Bible to discover the variety of creative, deeply personal ways God still communicates with us today. ..."--Back cover.

Download or read book A Quiet Pentecost written by Dwight H. Judy and published by Upper Room Books. This book was released on 2013-02-01 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During the past 30 years, a quiet revolution has taken place in Christianity. People of all ages are finding the need for daily prayer. Many are encountering Jesus anew through ancient yet new forms of prayer. "Quiet Pentecosts" are happening as Christians engage in spiritual practices. Congregations feel the power of the Holy Spirit at work as they participate in thoughtful reading of scripture, walking the labyrinth, prayerful listening to one another, spiritual direction, and more. At a time when denominations are declining and the church seems to be fighting for survival, Dwight Judy sees hope for the future in the practices of spiritual formation. "The practices of spiritual formation take us outside of the noisy and frenetic activity our popular culture encourages," Judy writes. "We need to be taught how to be together in a spirit of respectful listening to one another. We will not learn this art from our television commentators. We will rarely witness such moments of genuine care in national or international politics." In A Quiet Pentecost, he recounts the stories of more than 40 congregations being transformed by spiritual practices. This book addresses the following topics: evangelism and spiritual formation praying the scriptures (lectio divina) spiritual practices in small groups healing prayer multisensory worship (evening prayer and Taizé) congregational discernment prayer ministries health and wellness ministries centering prayer and much more! A wonderful resource for churches and individuals interested in reenergizing their spiritual life. Perfect for laypersons or clergy who want guidance in establishing or expanding spiritual formation ministries; also helpful for seminary classes.

Download or read book Creation Declares written by Candee Fick and published by Candee Fick. This book was released on 2024-03-12 with total page 173 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: God’s fingerprints are all over His creation. Just like a sculpture, painting, symphony, or poem reveals clues about the one who created it, all creation reveals God. Nature screams about God without uttering a single word, and the deeper we look, the more we discover of His infinite creativity and attention to the smallest detail. In this 50-day devotional, you will: - Learn how creation continuously speaks of God's power and divine nature. - Gain a deeper understanding of God's invisible qualities through His creation. - Discover the beauty and complexity of nature and how it reflects God's character. - Find new ways to connect with God and deepen your relationship with Him. - Reflect on God's fingerprints in your own life and how He is constantly at work. Don't miss out on this eye-opening and transformative devotional journey through God's creation.

Download or read book With All of Creation written by Candee Fick and published by Candee Fick. This book was released on 2024-03-22 with total page 367 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Creation declares God's glory and points us heavenward. This compilation includes the following titles for well over 100 devotions using examples from nature plus Scripture to challenge the reader toward spiritual growth. Devotions from the Garden -- Explore the seasons of the soul Be Like a Tree -- Discover the keys to a fruitful life Creation Declares -- Reflect on God's infinite creativity Let us join with all of creation in worship.

Download or read book Crafting Gratitude written by Maggie Oman Shannon and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2017-10-10 with total page 188 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Named one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2017 by Spirituality & Practice! We live in a fast-paced world where we are pestered from all sides with siren calls to constantly strive for something more, something better, something new, rather than find ways to stay grateful for the abundance and blessings already present in our own lives. In Crafting Gratitude, Rev. Maggie Oman Shannon believes that crafting for us and those we love can be used as a meditative practice to appreciate the incredible, overflowing richness of life. Each meditative craft, from novice to expert, is infused with stories like how Gratitude Bundles can represent prosperity and physical health, Spirit Houses from Southeast Asia can be a symbol of a happy home, a Values Bracelet can help you reinforce your best professional traits, or Flower Mandalas can be an affirmation of nature. With other crafts involving aromatherapy, journaling, dream catchers, and a variety of household items, anyone can invigorate their own lives with Crafting Gratitude for family, health, prosperity, the Divine, and much more. Accompanied by a carefully curated list of recommended reading, helpful websites, and how-to guides, these forty practices will resonate with and prompt you to begin, or continue, exploring gratitude.

Download or read book Divine Creativity written by Obiora Okafor and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2020-08 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Words are the most powerful force in the universe, an understanding of how it works makes you unbeatable in the battles of life. Through some research, I discovered that the worlds were framed by the words of the Architect of the universe- "the Almighty God". The first man Adam formed by God the Creator, has diverse divine abilities inside him right from the day he was created on the earth. For this reason, the ability to speak and cause things to come into existence or to bring changes into situations is divinely inborn in the human race.In the beginning of life on the earth everything that was created came as a result of the words spoken and things came to be via the declarations of God. The earth was seen in a chaotic condition, "without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very deep". Meanwhile, God through His word began to shape the earth to what it is today. For this reason, man being God's representative on the earth has the capacity to create through the same manner. This great uniqueness we have in God has been specified in the bible verse below: "I said, you are gods (sine you judge on my behalf, as My representatives); indeed, all of you are children of the Most High" (Psalms 82:6) (AMP)Consequently, with this information in view, it's high time We begun to take full advantage of this truth, as we redesign our lives and our world to what it's originally made to be before the fall of the first man (Adam). In this book we shall be looking at some discoveries that have been made in history and in present times. This facts will enable us have a good understanding on how to put to work the divine ability deposited in man. King Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest man that ever lived beside Jesus Christ, and to a large extent he unfolded the potential available in the tongue as stated below: "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat the fruit thereof". (Proverbs 20:21).From what is acknowledged above, it may perhaps interest you to know that some of the incidents in and around your life are relatively the out come of words you or someone deliberately or unconsciously said in the time past. Words make either positive or negative impacts in our lives whether we know it, believe it or otherwise. It has been said that ignorance is not an excuse. As you read this book, God will open your spiritual and physical senses to enable you know and value the mystery of words as in how it affects your life and destiny. To know also, how to use words to create results in any given situation or condition in your life and the lives of people that you will certainly meet in your life era. More importantly, given to the dynamism of the human race, the need for us to be knowledgeable on when and how to direct the words that come out of the mouth is most essential. All the information and revelations in the pages of this book are printed to keep you safe and successful throughout your life journey. Study, believe and be obedient, then you shall eat the good of the land. Shalom!

Download or read book Crafting Calm written by Maggie Shannon and published by Cleis Press. This book was released on 2013-04-16 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this wired, wild world, it is harder than ever to shut out noise and busyness in order to truly calm yourself, but in Crafting Calm, a D.I.Y. guide to peace of mind, you'll find inspiring ideas for how to do exactly that through a wide range of creative exercises. In this book, author Maggie Oman Shannon explores crafts and creativity as a practice with enormous physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. By immersing ourselves in a craft with intention and mindfulness, we can quiet those voices around us and in us—we can enter sacred stillness. Through revealing interviews, personal stories, and forty suggested activities, the author shows how creative processes can become spiritual practices. Whether you're an aspiring artist, longtime craftsperson, or someone who has never set foot in a craft-store (yet!), you'll find something in Crafting Calm to inspire you. Crafts and how-to ideas include contemplation candles, visual journals, prayer shawls, collage mandalas, intention beads, finger labyrinths, personal prayer flags, spiritual toolkits, and tabletop altars. Features inspired craft ideas from luminaries such as Angeles Arrien, Mary Ann Radmcher, Shiloh Sophia McCloud, Sister Marianne Heib, May Ann Brussat, and many more.

Download or read book A Guidebook to Prayer written by MaryKate Morse and published by InterVarsity Press. This book was released on 2013-10-04 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why is it so hard to master consistent and meaningful prayer? MaryKate Morse explores 24 pathways of prayer meant to give readers a vast array of ways to focus and reflect. Whether you are a beginner or a lifetime person of faith, you will find a treasure trove of riches here to guide you into a deeper experience of prayer

Download or read book Crafting Love written by Maggie Oman Shannon and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2018-12-11 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” –Vincent Van Gogh As the future unfolds before us, it seems people are getting busier, more distracted, and less connected to the physical and spiritual world. This can be especially problematic for our relationships, as love is something that just does not magically exist on its own. Love must be cultured, tended, and cared for as if it were a special garden unlike any other. Whether you desire to foster, encourage remembrance, or express gratitude for the love you feel toward the known and unknown in your life, it can be done through the practice of mindfulness and crafting. Crafting Love is filled with thematic chapters meant to inspire your own journey in your expression of love, whether you build an “I Love You…” notebook for your partner, Anytime Valentines for your friends and mentors, a Conversation Starter Table Cloth for your family, Portable Place Shrines for natural places and animals, an “I Am” Affirmation Mandala for yourself, or a Rhythm Painting for the Divine. With the help of a few uplifting friends along the way, Maggie Oman Shannon will help launch your exploration for your love of materials, love of the process, and love of everything and everyone around you through creating transcendent, one-of-a-kind projects with your own hands and heart.

Download or read book The Power of a Focused Heart written by Mary Lou Redding and published by Upper Room Books. This book was released on 2017-09-15 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Looking to simplify your life? quiet your mind? find your unique spiritual gift(s) and make a difference? Turn to the Beatitudes! Sometimes teachings from well-known biblical passages are so obvious and preached so often that we overlook other helpful, not-so-obvious lessons. The Beatitudes are celebrated as being the template for humble Christian living. Dig deeper and you'll also find practical applications for living a simpler yet more spiritually engaged life, especially in this distraction-heavy and frenzied world. "…the Beatitudes are not easy sayings we can glibly incorporate in our way of life," writes Redding. "Like so much of what Jesus said, they invite us to move beyond first impressions and surface meanings. They challenge us to explore." Using Jesus' teachings about the kingdom of heaven and how that message spurs us to critically evaluate our priorities, Redding says we must learn to say no to some things to say yes to God. The book's brief chapters are just-right for today's busy schedules and can be read in minutes. Daily exercises following each chapter will help you consider and practice lessons learned and respond to scripture in a self-guided study. Also included are meeting plans for an 8-session small-group study of the book.

Download or read book The Lord s Prayer written by Mary Lou Redding and published by Upper Room Books. This book was released on 2011-08-01 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many of us feel intimidated about our prayer life—we look at other Christians, and prayer seems to come naturally to them. But somehow we feel that we just don't "get it." Author Mary Lou Redding reminds us that the disciples were with Jesus continually, and still they had to ask him for help in learning how to pray. That should reassure us, she says. Because the Lord's Prayer is so familiar, we run the risk of praying it by rote without really thinking about the meaning of the words. Redding explores this ancient prayer phrase by phrase and helps us see how it can be a model for all of our praying. This insightful, practical study of the Lord's Prayer features six brief chapters that can be read in 10 to 15 minutes brief daily scripture passages reflection questions for each chapter suggestions for weekly group meetings Rather than approaching scripture from a scholarly standpoint, Redding invites us to consider passages with our hearts. She encourages us to make connections between the scriptures and our daily lives. As an added benefit, Redding leads us through several classic Christian spiritual practices, such as examen, journaling, and reflective reading of scripture. This book is a great resource for a congregational study on the Lord's Prayer. It will help anyone enrich their faith and deepen their relationship with God. 6 weeks • Includes Leader's Guide

Download or read book Through the Rose Window written by John F. Hayward and published by Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. This book was released on 2002 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A comprehensive, illustrated guide to the provision of prompt and appropriate laboratory services during an emergency or disaster. Addressed to national health authorities, aid agencies and relief workers, the manual draws on over 20 years of experience to define the essential laboratory services needed to limit morbidity and mortality, prevent epidemics, manage trauma, and collect vital epidemiological data. Throughout the manual, flow charts, tables and checklists are used to illustrate key actions and procedures, while line drawings and photographs depict essential equipment, types of laboratories, and model plans and layouts. Guidelines are specific to the harsh conditions usually seen in disasters, where equipment and supplies are limited, power supplies erratic, and the number of trained staff inadequate. To facilitate planning and purchasing decisions, the manual includes abundant information on the advantages and disadvantages of equipment in terms of costs, durability, ease of maintenance, and appropriateness to the anticipated workload. Additional details range from instructions for making a waste incinerator out of a metal drum, to advice on calculating energy requirements. The book has twelve chapters. The opening chapters identify 29 diseases commonly encountered in different types of disasters and offer advice on how to anticipate disease outbreaks and the corresponding laboratory needs. Other chapters describe and illustrate different mobile and portable laboratories, identify the most suitable tests, including commercial kits for rapid diagnosis, outline procedures for testing water supplies, and explain the principles of laboratory safety, disinfection, and waste disposal during emergencies. In a key achievement, a chapter on laboratory kits and modules sets out the exact supplies that should be included in each of 22 modules designed to support different components of emergency laboratory work. Modules, which can be combined according to need, range in focus from kits for water testing, through a recommended microscope and accessories, to the supplies needed to perform 200 tuberculosis or bacteriology tests. The remaining chapters provide more detailed guidelines for energy supply, essential laboratory equipment, blood supply for transfusions, the safe handling and transport of specimens, and record keeping and reporting during emergencies.

Download or read book The Art of Creative Living written by Thomas Kinkade and published by FaithWords. This book was released on 2009-08-01 with total page 245 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: America's most collected living artist reveals how the creative process can provide a path to greater awareness.

Download or read book Surprised by God written by Chris E. W. Green and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2018-06-11 with total page 79 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the deep and abiding human need for contemplation, for coming to terms with and standing in awe of the nature and character of the God revealed in the Scriptures. When so much is wrong in the world, when our lives are troubled by so many threats, both real and imagined, we must learn to look to God and to see all things, including ourselves, in the light of who he is. A life of faithful contemplation begins to free us from the bad desires, false expectations, and corrupting illusions that bind us against our will and keep us from the fullness promised in the gospel.