A Spiritual Home explores congregational life inside British and American Reformed churches between 1830 and 1915. At a time when scholars have become interested in the day-to-day experience of local congregations, this book reaches back into the nineteenth century, a critically formative period in Anglo-American religious life, to examine the historical roots of congregational life.Taking the perspective of the laity, Cashdollar ranges widely from worship and music to fund-raising and administration, from pastoral care to social work, from prayer meetings to strawberry festivals, from the sanctuary to the kitchen. Firmly rooted in broader currents of gender, class, notions of middle-class respectability, increasing expectations for personal privacy, and patterns of professionalization, he finds that there was a gradual shift in emphasis during these years from piety to fellowship. Based on records, publications, and memorabilia from about 150 congregations representing eight denominations, A Spiritual Home gives us a comprehensive, composite portrait of religious life in Victorian Britain and America.

Intimate Relationships can be a struggle. Hard to figure out. . Is your relationship right for you? . Why do some people find their perfect mates and others do not? . Can you "re-fresh" a relationship that's gone stale? What is a fresh, healthy relationship like? . Does everyone have a one-and-only true love? . Is love at first sight possible? . Do you feel alone in your relationship, but aren't sure what to do about it? . How can you feel so strongly about someone but that person not feel the same about you? . What does your relationship say about you? In Your Spiritual Home Field Advantage: A Book About Intimate Relationships, Dr. Brabo explores these perplexing questions and offers a model for understanding and thriving in the crazy world of love.

characteristics. this="" model="" can="" be="" applied="" to="" many="" countries="" around="" the="" globe.="" additionally,="" author="" points="" out="" that in="" construction="" of="" chinese="" national="" spirit="" it="" is="" also="" important="" consider="" positive="" elements="" from="" different cultures="" in="" other="" nations.divThis book discusses the Chinese nation’s spiritual home in a modern context. It analyzes various aspects of the problem, including background, theory, history, recent advances and solutions, from a global view. In discussing the development of Chinese national spirit, it also refers to western experiences of national culture and national spirit. To build the spiritual home, the traditional culture, values and faith need to be learned, analyzed and adapted to the modern context. Doing so helps to maintain the traditional characteristics while at the same time reinforcing new characteristics. This model can be applied to many countries around the globe. Additionally, the author points out that in the construction of Chinese national spirit it is also important to consider positive elements from different cultures in other nations.br

Essays by Owen E. Brady, Kelly C. Connelly, Juan F. Elices, Keith Hughes, Derek C. Maus, Jerrilyn McGregory, Laura Quinn, Francesca Canadé Sautman, Daniel Stein, Lisa B. Thompson, Terrence Tucker, and Albert U. Turner, Jr. In Finding a Way Home, thirteen essays by scholars from four countries trace Walter Mosley's distinctive approach to representing African American responses to the feeling of homelessness in an inhospitable America. Mosley (b. 1952) writes frequently of characters trying to construct an idea of home and wrest a sense of dignity, belonging, and hope from cultural and communal resources. These essays examine Mosley's queries about the meaning of “home” in various social and historical contexts. Essayists consider the concept—whether it be material, social, cultural, or virtual—in all three of Mosley's detective/crime fiction series (Easy Rawlins, Socrates Fortlow, and Fearless Jones), his three books of speculative fiction, two of his “literary” novels (RL's Dream, The Man in My Basement), and in his recent social and political nonfiction. Essays here explore Mosley's modes of expression, his testing of the limitations of genre, his political engagement in prose, his utopian/dystopian analyses, and his uses of parody and vernacular culture. Finding a Way Home provides rich discussions, explaining the development of Mosley's work.

A unique collection of daily devotions on topics such as forgiveness, suffering, compassion, social justice, prayer and solitude.

In her more than forty years as a minister, Rev. Donna Schaper has been approached hundreds of times by people wanting to know how to prepare for the end of life in both practical and spiritual matters. Countless others have turned to her for guidance on how to handle the death of a loved one. From making a will and planning a memorial service to finding peace in the toughest circumstances, Approaching the End of Life offers practical and spiritual guidance to anyone wrestling with the end of a life. With sensitivity and humor Rev. Schaper helps readers face aging and mortality with freedom rather than fear. She encourages readers to find a spiritual home of some kind—even if it is far from the doors of a church—and offers helpful suggestions on memorials and funeral services that will be well suited to the departed while serving the loved ones in their grief and celebration. The book also includes practical resources such as a service planning checklist, a template for a funeral or memorial service, and more.

Thomas Merton recognized the value and possibility of contemplative dialogue between monastics and contemplatives of other religious traditions and hoped that, through such dialogue, monastics would strive for ‘inter-monastic communion’ and a bonding of the broader ‘spiritual family.’ He held out hope that this bond would demonstrate the fundamental unity of humanity to a world that was becoming ever more materialistic and divided. Among other themes and topics, this book explores Thomas Merton’s role as a pioneer of Buddhist-Christian dialogue and monastic interreligious dialogue. It delves into the process of Merton’s self-transformation through contemplative experiences, explores his encounter with Zen and Tibetan Buddhists and his pioneering engagements in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and presents and responds to the criticisms of those who raise questions about Merton’s understanding of Buddhism. Fr. Jaechan Anselmo Park, OSB, articulates and analyzes the influences of Buddhist theory and practice on Thomas Merton’s contemplative spirituality and shows how Merton’s legacy has influenced and continues to inspire interreligious and inter-monastic dialogue, particularly in an Asian monastic context.

ABSURD When meaning breaks down, consciousness awakens. AUTHENTIC Where we fall short, grace completes. ANGER In injury, compassion heals. ALIENISM When alone, we find our sacred connection. ANXIETY In fear, God covers us with a shelter of calmness.[/Center] If you are seeking hope and healing during a crisis of meaning, Ferdinand Llenado's story describes that search, in sincere passion and poetry, providing both a message of encouragement and a model for therapeutic writing. Written in a beautiful tapestry of reality and metaphors, facts and fiction, Home, I Am will take readers into the realm of humanity's inner yearning for answers, absolution, and peace of mind--a condition described here as "finding home." From spiritual homelessness to unconditional at-homeness, you are invited to experience with the author an altering journey of self-discovery. Welcome home!

T. S. Elliot wrote: At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh not fleshless; Neither from not towards; at the still point , there the dance is, Except for the point, the still point. There would be no dance, and there is only the dance. This book talks about the still point in an entirely new way by framing it as our internal home. It also provides a path to coming home based on extensive research and personal experience. If you are interested in the dance of spiritual transformation, this is a must read. Barry Cohen, Ph.D. Dr. Bellingham enlightens the reader by sharing his personal life experiences in an extraordinarily meaningful context. He bridges the divide between eastern and western thought to form one fully human message. He has the rare ability to satisfy and integrate our intellectual curiosity with our search for spiritual fulfillment. Bill OBrien, Ph.D. Having known the author for over 40 years, and witnessing many aspects of his spiritual journey, I highly recommend this book for anyone who continues to strive to find his inner self, or to be HOME. My own quest for SERENITY has been enriched by reading this book, and by witnessing Dr. Bellinghams life-long desire to find inner peace. We can indeed transform our lives from a mindless drill to a mindful dance with enough work, desire and by digesting the thoughts expressed in this wonderful accounting of the authors life and experiences. Ronald Irwin M.D. This is coming-to-wisdom story with hope for us all. This tale is all personal, with regular bits of carefully crafted ways to grasp the most elusive thoughts of the worlds greatest teachers and soul guides. Read it. Smile at the disarming honesty. And be heartened. For hes showing how wisdom can flourish more widely than ever in America. -Artie Egendorf, Ph. D. Author of Healing from the War and originator of Super Integral Synergy (http://sismoves.com) By openly and honestly illuminating his experience and journey over 40 years, Dr. Bellingham shines a bright light on our own unique paths. He knows the territory with all its hills and valleys. With this book we, who are researchers, can be assured we are home already. To me, being fully present with a deep sense of love for all things is the key message. We are not separate. Mary Alice Fox

Reprint of the original, first published in 1873.