The journeys of Lent and of life are seldom straight roads, but are usually like complicated mazes or labyrinths. While we often can feel lost along the complex twisting patterns of the labyrinth path, to travel the maze of the Way is the greatest of all adventures. This guidebook of daily reflections for this journey of transformation has the power to change "to radically enrich" our way of thinking, loving and believing. Each day's reflection-which takes but a few minutes to read-is followed by brief questions/exercises aimed at inspiring personal implications. Short of time? A few minutes daily with Father Hays can nourish a hungry soul for 24 hours. Both books of daily Lenten reflections-The Ascent of the Mountain of God and The Lenten Labyrinth-maximize our limited resources of time, making our journey through Lent into the heart of Holy Week a time of real renewal.

This book challenges a longstanding and deeply ingrained belief in Shakespearean studies that The Tempest--long supposed to be Shakespeare's last play--was not written until 1611. In the course of investigating this proposition, which has not received the critical inquiry it deserves, a number of subsidiary and closely related interpretative puzzles come sharply into focus. These include the play's sources of New World imagery; its festival symbolism and structure; its relationship to William Strachey's True Reportory account of the 1609 Bermuda wreck of the Sea Venture (not published until 1625)--and the tangled history of how and why scholars have for so long misunderstood these matters. Publication of some preliminary elements of the authors' arguments in leading Shakespearean journals (starting in 2007) ignited a controversy that became part of the critical history. This book presents the case in full for the first time.

Grieving Hearts in Worship offers an in-depth opportunity to answer challenging questions concerning a growing disconnect between how we grieve and how we worship God. Through the use of stories, poetry, creative worship services and thought-provoking discussions, Landon shares his unique understanding of the nature of our need for rituals in worship as a beneficial part of our journey towards healing. By exploring major thoughts and writings on grief, he identifies common threads, weaving together a living tapestry that expresses the depth of personal and communal experiences of grief. Reading this contemplative approach to discussing grief and its place in worship will open your eyes to a new way of seeing Gods love for the grieving. The books practical suggestions offer church leaders and members a blend of topics, worship services, and reflection questions that include: ? Attitudes About Death and Grief ? Annual Remembrance Services ? Finding Hope in Brokenness ? Anger and Vulnerability in Worship ? Rediscovering Joy ? Walking the Labyrinth ? When A Church Dies

The user-friendly, interfaith guide to making and using labyrinths—for meditation, prayer and celebration—updated, revised and expanded! A labyrinth is a circuitous path that people have used as a form of prayer and meditation for thousands of years—a path that is being rediscovered as a spiritual tool in our own day. There are now thousands of labyrinths in North America, made of stone, cement, sunflowers, grass or canvas; indoors and outdoors; in Christian, Pagan and even nonreligious settings; and adaptable for use by people of all spiritual backgrounds. This guide explains how the labyrinth is a symbol that transcends traditions, and how walking its path brings us together. Here is your entry to the fascinating history and philosophy of the labyrinth walk, with directions for making a labyrinth of your own or finding one in your area, and guidance on ways to use labyrinths creatively for: Prayer • Stress reduction • Meditation • Commemorating personal or family milestones • Faith rituals • Celebrations of all kinds Labyrinths—a twenty-first century method of approaching the sacred—are a spiritual practice more ancient than Stonehenge or the ruins of Troy. This practical and inspiring guide will help you to explore them.

This Little Black Book is your companion for Lent. It’s an old-fashioned “vade mecum” (pronounced vahday maykum). That’s Latin for “travel with me” and was used to describe a book that was a constant companion – perhaps a condensed book of prayers for traveling priests, or a handbook for quick reference – something you could take with you anywhere.

An indispensable, pocket-sized guide for incorporating labyrinths into your spiritual walk. For centuries, labyrinths have served as an essential meditation aid for Christians seeking to deepen their personal relationships with God. In this portable edition—perfect for mobile use at home or in church—Robert Elsner unravels the mysteries of the labyrinth, laying out a clear roadmap to a regular meditative practice. Following the liturgical calendar, each entry offers scripture to contemplate, prayers or mantras, a reflection, and questions to inspire further thought. Suggestions for alternate labyrinth forms ensure that these meditations can be practiced by the faithful of all physical abilities.

A practical companion through the Church's year for all those planning and leading all-age worship. It offers an array of creative material designed to bring to life the seasonal liturgy of Lent, Holy Week and Easter, including Pentecost.

Perhaps nothing expresses the mystery of our search for the divine as well as the labyrinth. A circular pathway based on spirals found in nature, the labyrinth is a time-honored spiritual tool in faith traditions as varied as Native American, Jewish, and Celtic. As seekers walk to the center of the labyrinth, their minds quiet and turn to God. Walking out again, they bring into the world the spiritual gifts they've received. In A Labyrinth Year, Kautz guides readers on a labyrinth pilgrimage that winds through the seasons of the liturgical year with devotions (to be used while walking the labyrinth) based on the thoughts and emotions of biblical characters whose stories are recalled in the seasonal scripture readings. As readers explore the journeys of these people of faith, they connect with the deeper meaning of the stories and learn to live them out in their own experience.

The user-friendly, interfaith guide to making and using labyrinths—for meditation, prayer and celebration—updated, revised and expanded! A labyrinth is a circuitous path that people have used as a form of prayer and meditation for thousands of years—a path that is being rediscovered as a spiritual tool in our own day. There are now thousands of labyrinths in North America, made of stone, cement, sunflowers, grass or canvas; indoors and outdoors; in Christian, Pagan and even nonreligious settings; and adaptable for use by people of all spiritual backgrounds. This guide explains how the labyrinth is a symbol that transcends traditions, and how walking its path brings us together. Here is your entry to the fascinating history and philosophy of the labyrinth walk, with directions for making a labyrinth of your own or finding one in your area, and guidance on ways to use labyrinths creatively for: Prayer • Stress reduction • Meditation • Commemorating personal or family milestones • Faith rituals • Celebrations of all kinds Labyrinths—a twenty-first century method of approaching the sacred—are a spiritual practice more ancient than Stonehenge or the ruins of Troy. This practical and inspiring guide will help you to explore them.

How does Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness intersect with our own 21st century “wilderness” experiences? In this new daily devotional readers will explore: What Jesus's experience teaches us about the gifts to be found in our modern wilderness experiences; How a spiritual drought can create a more meaningful Lent experience; What fasting, sacrifice, and tempation look like in our daily lives; and How we prepare to experience new life on the side of the Lenten journey. Through daily devotions with scripture, meditations, practices, prayers, and "living water" tools for our parched lives, Trent guides us on a contemplative and transformative journey through the wilderness to resurrection living. • What Jesus’ experience teaches us about the gifts to be found in our modern wilderness experience • How a spiritual drought can create a more meaningful Lent experience • What fasting, sacrifice, and temptation look like in our daily lives • How we prepare to experience new life on the other side of the Lenten journey Through daily devotions with scripture, meditations, practices, prayers, and “living water” tools for our parched lives, Trent guides us on a contemplative and transformative journey through the wilderness to resurrection living.