Books published by publisher Upper Room

"I want to find a way to live that keeps me involved in what God is doing in me and in the world around me. Do you know a way to live that is like that?" Eighteen teens and 18 adults tackle that question in <i?Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens. Their different points of view and personal stories make living a Christian life real. "This book invites you into a community of people who don't just go with the flow," says the editors. "This community's image of 'the good life' is not about having lots of stuff or being more successful than other people. Instead, it's about getting involved in the loving, challenging life of God." Find out how Alexx dealt with all his stuff, how Marie expressed her creativity with a paint roller, what Jack learned about play. These are just a few of the Christian practices this team of writers explores. Some ancient Christian practices turn up as ways to deepen awareness of God's presence in our lives today. Discover how to use your imagination when reading the Bible - á la Saint Ignatius - and practice tuning in to God like Brother Lawrence of the 17th century. This fun graphics-filled book will start teens on the spiritual journey of a lifetime!

Discover a spiritual practice that helps you maintain spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental health. "We toiled on computers seven days per week, rising as early as 4:00 a.m. to squeeze in spiritual quiet time before we both retreated to our respective laptops, typing the days (and weekends) away. Though I grew up keeping Sundays sacred, six years into our marriage, we'd fallen into the trap of using the Lord's Day to catch up. At its worst, our church attendance was less than 50 percent. I began, for the first time in my life, to understand why people don't attend church services." —J. Dana Trent, chapter 1 In our culture of constant busyness, most of us feel like we're never caught up. The lines between home and work have blurred as we stay tethered to our mobile devices and computers. Many people use weekends to catch up on errands and other work that doesn't get done during the week. God's commandment to "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy" seems like a relic from a simpler time. Many Americans balk at the idea of setting aside a whole day for worship, rest, and time with those who matter most to them. Yet we long for more time to spend on what matters most—unrushed time to rest, reconnect with friends and loved ones, and deepen our relationship with God. An ancient spiritual practice exists that can help restore balance to our lives: the practice of keeping sabbath. But how exactly do we manage to build time for sabbath into our busy lives? Dana Trent explores this question in For Sabbath's Sake. With humor and honesty, Trent reveals her own struggles with setting apart a day devoted to God, rest, and community. This book traces the rich history of sabbath, helps you find ways to overcome barriers to this spiritual practice, and suggests achievable ways to build sabbath into your life.

Discover a spiritual practice that helps you maintain spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental health."We toiled on computers seven days per week, rising as early as 4:00 a.m. to squeeze in spiritual quiet time before we both retreated to our respective laptops, typing the days (and weekends) away. Though I grew up keeping Sundays sacred, six years into our marriage, we'd fallen into the trap of using the Lord's Day to catch up. … At its worst, our church attendance was less than 50 percent. … I began, for the first time in my life, to understand why people don't attend church services."—J. Dana Trent, chapter 1In our culture of constant busyness, most of us feel like we're never caught up. The lines between home and work have blurred as we stay tethered to our mobile devices and computers. Many people use weekends to catch up on errands and other work that doesn't get done during the week. God's commandment to "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy" seems like a relic from a simpler time.Many Americans balk at the idea of setting aside a whole day for worship, rest, and time with those who matter most to them. Yet we long for more time to spend on what matters most—unrushed time to rest, reconnect with friends and loved ones, and deepen our relationship with God.An ancient spiritual practice exists that can help restore balance to our lives: the practice of keeping sabbath. But how exactly do we manage to build time for sabbath into our busy lives? Dana Trent explores this question in For Sabbath's Sake.With humor and honesty, Trent reveals her own struggles with setting apart a day devoted to God, rest, and community. This book traces the rich history of sabbath, helps you find ways to overcome barriers to this spiritual practice, and suggests achievable ways to build sabbath into your life.

Behold is an old-fashioned word we rarely hear these days. It’s not in most modern translations of the Bible. Yet Pamela Hawkins says this word softens the edges of her heart. “I cannot say this word without moving, without extending and lifting a hand, palm open, toward the object of my attention,” she remarks. Enter Advent this year with an attitude of curious expectancy and trustful anticipation. Linger for a while and pay close attention to the meaning of the season as you focus on a single word each week, pray the beautiful prayers and hymn texts, and try various forms of prayer.You can follow all the spiritual practices Hawkins suggests or choose the ones that most capture your attention. The spiritual practices include reflection silence prayer reading scripture reading or singing of hymn texts Christian service and action)You will learn how to use the following prayer methods: Praying with Images Silent Prayer Prayer Beads Compline (Night Prayer)Behold the Word with new eyes, new ears, a new heart, and a sense of new possibilities. Let Pam Hawkins encourage and help you behold the “news of great joy,” Christ the Lord, who is coming to make all things new!4-week study for individuals or small groupsIncludes Leader’s Guide

THE WAY OF THE CHILD focuses on the spiritual formation of children. Part of the COMPANIONS IN CHRIST series, it helps children learn and experience spiritual practices that lead them into a deeper awareness of God's presence in their lives. Each session is designed for a 60 to 90 minute time frame with children ages 6-11. There are enough sessions to use from September through May in Sunday school and for weekday or weeknight settings. It is also deisgned for short-term use or sessions can be adapted for day camp, VBS, and other gatherings of children throughout the year. Additional THE WAY OF THE CHILD components include a Music CD, a Resource Booklet, a Family Booklet, an Intepretive DVD, and a Training DVD.

What is a spiritual friendship? How does a spiritual friendship differ from other kinds of friendship? In KINDRED SOULS, Stephanie Ford reveals what it truly means to be a spiritual companion. She begins by reexamining the monastic roots of spiritual friendship through our shared tradition with the Roman Catholic Church and presents the unlikely friendship of Ruth and Naomi as a template for spiritual friendship. Practical insights are given on how to deal with real issues such as overcoming the fear of sharing and how to become a faithful listener. Whether you are a novice at spiritual friendships or have enjoyed their benefits for years, KINDRED SOULS will offer new insights that will enable and empower you to nurture partnerships that will continue to bear fruit throughout your lifetime.

* What is The Way of the Child? * What is spiritual formation? * What happens during the sessions? * What can I do to support the study? * How can our family - together - share our faith in practical ways? Church provides important training, but within everyday family life is where we really learn about trust, acceptance, respect and forgiveness. Incorporate the practical ideas from The Way of the Child Family Booklet to support and cultivate your child's spirituality - yes, even amidst the most busy family life. ""Children are spiritual beings who come to us as gifts from God,"" writes McGregor. ""The child's natural way of life and the way most of us live seem to be two different orders of reality. Yet the way of the child represents much of what we consider central to authentic Christian spirituality."" Reclaim the ""way of the child"" while nurturing and deepening your family's relationship with God. Every family with a child in The Way of the Child program needs a copy of The Family Booklet. The Way of the Child can be used as an extended Sunday school, in small play/pray groups, by individuals who ""home school"" their kids, by grandparents who care about their grandkids, or as part of a Vacation Bible School experience