What's the secret to living a spiritual life? So much is happening in our world that we often get distracted and listen to voices other than the voice of God. "If we want to be disciples of Jesus, we have to live a disciplined life," Nouwen asserts. In the spiritual life, discipline requires conscious effort to keep every area in life from being filled up. It means creating space in our life for God to act and speak. Nouwen identifies 3 essential disciplines for maintaining a life of disciple...

Can I trust God when my child is seriously ill? Wessel Bentley knows the agony of this question, and he writes from his own experience of having a child with severe heart problems. Bentley understands parents' need for spiritual support when they face the tough task of raising a child with a serious illness. He sensitively guides parents through a 28-day process of prayer, reflection, and practical suggestions for coping with their situation. The four weeks of readings address these themes: ...

Aging is part of God's plan, says author Missy Buchanan—and it's a gift, not punishment. Buchanan reminds us that aging is a matter of perspective—if we fix our eyes on negative images of growing old, we will miss the treasures right before us. But when we focus on God, we will discover an abiding joy that comes only with a long life. Aging Faithfully is divided into four weekly themes: Accepting the Challenges of Aging Finding God's Purpose in Aging Overcoming the Temptations of Aging Dis...

If you provide care for another person, whether you are a family member or a professional caregiver, you know that caregiving is hard, sometimes unappreciated work. But have you ever considered that it isn't easy to be the care receiver? "Caregiving is … about forming a relationship with another whom we might never have chosen to know. It is about doing all we do practically with the intention of growing into a relationship of respect, listening, presence, and truthfulness," Henri Nouwen writ...

Do you serve on your church's stewardship committee or need to raise money for a mission trip or some other faith-based cause? Perhaps the thought of asking people for money intimidates you. It's time to change the way you think about fundraising. "Fundraising is, first and foremost, a ministry," best-selling author and renowned spiritual teacher Henri Nouwen writes. "It's a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission." Nouwen encourages us to see fundraising as sp...

The Way of Scripture Participant's Book is also available for small-group members. Do you search the scriptures to validate your own beliefs and decisions, or do you allow the Word to search you? If you're looking for a deeper experience of God's Word, this study will support you in going beyond simple Bible study. You'll find ideas to help you lay aside preconceived notions and daily worries, creating a place for a transforming encounter with God. The Leader's Guide for the 8-week small-grou...