Reflect Repent Renew

Jesus calls for those who have a relationship with Him to be on a journey of faith. This thought provoking book uses the seven last words from the cross as a starting point for a journey of engaging with God's Word and seeking how one's life aligns with the ways and will of God.

Playing with God is a meditation on finding God and developing spirituality through the everyday joys, heartaches, loves, and challenges that all human beings experience and endure. This series of reflections began with a Lenten discipline and grew into a year-long experiment wherein the author simply tried to pay attention to spiritual realities underlying mundane life. God is everywhere; spirituality infuses everything; the divine energy that defines God is with us always. These are among the truths the author wants to highlight through his reflections on developing spirituality through intentionality. During his spiritual quest, Ostwalt discovered that God was particularly accessible when he (the author) was at play—either with his family, through sports, through the arts, or even when at play with the family dog. Playing with God challenges the reader to learn to play with God by recognizing the divine that resides in our everyday activities.

Lent is about repentance, change, and starting over. It’s about second chances. In A Journey of Repentance, Renewal, and Return author R. E. Hasselbach offers a guide for those seeking spiritual growth during Lent. Beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing each day through Resurrection Sunday, Hasselbach offers special scripture readings, a reflection, a prayer, actionable and practical activities, and a space for a prayer journal and notes to help Christians prepare for Easter. Rooted in the word of God, A Journey of Repentance, Renewal, and Return seeks to bring you closer to God, encouraging you to change the way you live. Day by day through Lent, it invites you to live more faithfully as disciples of Christ, trusting in his love and radiating it toward others.

At the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, Blessed Pope John XXIII offered a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to "Renew your wonders in our time, as though for a new Pentecost." The rediscovery of the charismatic gifts by ordinary Catholics throughout the world was an answer to that prayer. Damian Stayne, who is known internationally for his healing ministry, shows readers how the spiritual gifts of prophecy, healing, and deliverance were used by Jesus, the early Church, and the saints—and why we need them operating in the Church today. He provides not only amazing stories of God's presence and work in our time but also a host of practical instructions on how to grow in these gifts. This book is both inspiring and a challenge to Catholics to be open to the gifts of the Spirit in order to bring others to Christ.

The main topic of this book is the tendency among young people in East Africa to turn from the traditional Church towards new charismatic movements such as the Balokole, which emphasise material over spiritual wealth. The book will examine the reasons for this and its possible effects; it will consider the implications for the Church and possible action to take. The book is divided into 9 chapters. Chapter 1 gives an overview of the history of the Christian Church, especially in the context of its commitment or otherwise to fighting poverty, and other problems which have contributed to the rise of the Balokole. Ideas on unity, catholicity and holiness are discussed in relation to the Church’s duties, especially the Apostolic tradition of carrying on Christ’s mission. Chapter 2 turns to young people’s views of the Church and its role. It argues that love, the basis of the Christian message, must imply a practical duty of care; and considers whether the Church’s failure to offer real help is connected with young people’s growing preference for non-traditional religion. It also looks at other problems such as family breakdown and unemployment, which are facing young people. Chapter 3 explores the Balokole movement and its links (or, mainly, absence of links) to established Churches. Its similarity to American movements such as Word of Faith is considered, and its message of ‘prosperity teaching’ is examined. As well as criticising Balokole distortion of Biblical messages about wealth and other matters, the chapter praises the way it incorporates traditional African elements, such as dance and music, into its worship. Should the traditional Church consider doing the same? In Chapter 4, contextual theology is discussed, particularly liberation theology. This Latin American development is considered in the context of contemporary African problems including recent ethnic conflict, widespread corruption and injustice. It is argued that liberation theology – a practical commitment to fighting poverty and injustice – is both a Christian duty and the best way to prevent the further spread of movements like the Bakolole. Chapter 5 returns to the American origins of the Bakolole movement, and gives an overview of various scholars who have attacked the ‘Word of Faith’ movement. It uses this criticism of the often corrupt, exploitative leaders of such movements as an opportunity to urge all leaders – including Church leaders – to reflect on and improve their own practice. Chapter 6 looks at the plight of young people in East Africa. It acknowledges the fact that the Bakolole have often given these people hope and a voice where all other institutions have failed them. As neither their families nor their governments are able to help, it is argued that the Church must fulfil its mission to serve as both family and community network, even if this means abandoning its long-standing habit of not getting involved in politics. Chapter 7 identifies the root cause of many of the problems discussed in the previous chapter: corruption. It explores the way bribery; nepotism and tribalism have poisoned East African political life, undermined the rule of law and led to grave injustices such as the treatment of the Buganda people. If this culture is to end, the Church must take the lead, and also root out corruption in its own ranks. In Chapter 8, practical ways of applying liberation theology are discussed. The chapter mentions worldwide organisations committed to fighting poverty, with which the Church could work, and looks at examples from recent history such as the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. It considers the various criticisms of liberation theology which have been made by conservative elements, and refutes these, looking at the Christian and Biblical roots of modern anti-poverty movements. The Church’s role as the conscience of society is emphasised. Chapter 9 considers what the Church will need to do in order to eradicate poverty and create a more just society. It argues for careful selection of leaders in both religious and political organisations; and for regular scrutiny of their actions. It reiterates the author’s belief in the Church as the centre of the community, with a responsibility in all areas of social and economic as well as spiritual life. The book ends with a plea for the Church to take action to improve the lives of its members and prevent them from being exploited by unscrupulous forces.

Fifty-two studies from the Old and New Testaments for devotional reading or sermon preparation.

This easy-to-use resource provides initiation ministers with the pastoral tools needed to lead dismissal sessions with adults preparing for Baptism. Through reflection and discussion, each dismissal session guide helps to develop the catechumen’s relationship with Christ, self, and neighbor by internalizing the Word, concentrating their prayer around the Scriptures, and becoming familiar with the teachings of the Church. The step-by-step format makes leading the dismissal an easy and prayerful experience.