By Peter Celano, with quotations from Inferno translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Midway upon his journey in life, Dante wrote a powerful little book about hell. No one had ever created such an elaborate architecture for the underworld before. The result shocked Dante’s contemporaries – and still inspires fear and mystery in those who read it today. This brief introduction to the text will introduce you to 50 faces of those who appear in Dante’s hell, to discover what the world looks...
Whether your spiritual life is in shambles or your faith is robust, whether you attend church or not, are angry at God or resting in God's embrace, you will discover in this book a path to authentic faith sifted through intense joy and disheartening loss, through breathtaking experiences and the nearly hidden reality of the Spirit tucked away in everyday life. In Holy Spirit, I Pray, you'll meet the Holy Spirit as you never have before—in prayers of uncanny candor and surprising...
Written for 7-11 year olds, this playful guide appeals to kids who want to know more about what adults are telling them is a serious time. Without talking down to them, and challenging them to learn and do more, the following topics are explored in detail: What Lent Is, What Lent Definitely Is Not, 40 Days of Survival Tactics, and A Few Prayers and Practices – Only for Kids. From What Lent Definitely Is Not: People easily become confused on this subject. In fact, we’re glad you are reading...
Become a person who is ready to respond to others. This book of monastic wisdom, practices, and reflection should inspire you to find new ways to respond to the world around you. There is nothing more central to the publishing mission of Paraclete Press than Christian hospitality, and we have pulled together what we've learned over the last 25 years. Chapters include: * Welcoming the stranger * Giving yourself away * The realness of caring for people * Food and table * Through...
“The Greatest Thing in the World” is the enduring sermon on love and kindness by Henry Drummond, a respected and popular nineteenth-century Scottish evangelist, scientist, speaker, and writer. Drummond was well-known during his lifetime for his efforts to bridge the gap between the scientific world and the religious world, most notably in his 1883 work “Natural Law in the Spiritual World”. He was also a popular and inspiring public speaker and his 1890 sermon “The Greatest Thing in the World”...
“Absolute Surrender and Other Addresses” is a compilation of sermons and essays written by the famous South African religious leader Andrew Murray. Born in South Africa in 1828, Murray grew up educated in Scotland and later the Netherlands. He returned to South Africa in 1848 after his ordination and pastored several churches all over South Africa. Murray was an important proponent of the “Higher Life” or “Keswick” movement which believed that after one’s initial baptism into the Christian faith...
Written in 1888, “Abide in Christ” is Andrew Murray’s beautiful and inspiring spiritual guide to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. While born in South Africa in 1828, as Murray’s father was a Dutch Reformed Church missionary sent from Scotland, Murray grew up educated in Scotland and later the Netherlands. He returned to South Africa in 1848 after his ordination, pastored several churches all over South Africa, and was an important forerunner of the later Pentecostal...
A classic work of Hindu scripture, the «Bhagavad-Gita» is the story of Prince Arjuna who is faced with a decision with serious moral consequence, the decision to go to war. With the armies arrayed on the battlefield, Arjuna in a moment of hesitation is counseled by Vishnu, the Supreme God, who takes the form of Krishna wearing the disguise of a charioteer. A classic tale of Hindu spirituality, the «Bhagavad-Gita» provides great insight into dealing with the morally ambiguous challenges that face...
The «Ramayana» is an ancient Sanskrit epic originating in India and dating from at least the third century BC. It is not a single text, but instead is comprised of many texts, as well as oral renditions. Traditionally, it is ascribed to the Hindu sage, Valmiki. However, the work as it is now known is believed to have many insertions of a much later date than the original work. It forms an important part of the Hindu canon reflecting religious, political, social beliefs, and moral doctrines of...
People from all faiths and none at all find in the prayers of the mystical traditions expressions that speak to their deepest needs. Whether appealing for knowledge, seeking a sense of the love of God, or about asceticism, questions and doubts, or contemplation and action, each of these prayers (from Christian and other religious tradition sources) are vibrantly alive. Rooted in classic sources, each prayer in Essential Mystic Prayers is important, especially now, in the 21st century. This book...
When words don't come easily, there are still ways to pray. This little book can be your entry to talking with God – with and without words – in this most difficult time. For those who have experienced a sudden and terrible loss, it is important to realize that you don’t have to do the things one normally associates with prayer to actually be connecting with God in a way that’s prayer-like. Just sit still, if you like. Grieving people often find themselves doing a lot of sitting still....