Renewal in the Wilderness: A Spiritual Guide to Connecting with God in the Natur

Publisher Description

You don't need to spend forty years or even forty days in the wilderness to encounter God. This practical guide reveals the power of experiencing God's presence in many variations of the natural world from a backpacking trip in a truly remote wilderness to an afternoon spent in a nearby park to a single moment savoured in your own backyard. While exploring wilderness wisdom from several faith traditions Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and more you will discover how the universal experience of being present in nature can lead to startling discoveries both about God and about yourself. Drawing from his own significant moments in the wilderness and stories from the many people who have accompanied him on wilderness treks,

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction

1. God in a Hummingbird
The wilderness is a place of transformation.
2. It's in Our DNA
The wilderness is an ancient, universal experience.
3. Presence in the Present
The wilderness brings us into the present moment, into God's presence.
4. Scraping the Hull
The wilderness returns us to our essence.
5. God in a Box
The wilderness takes us beyond our expectations
into God's surprises.
6. God on the Edge
The wilderness takes us beyond our comfort zone, tests us, and teaches us.
7. Healing Waters
The wilderness leads us to solitude and silence so we can know ourselves and God.
8. The Rapture of Being Alive
The wilderness opens us to the transcendent.

Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading
About Renewal in the Wilderness

Review

"If you've been wondering how to find God, here's a topo map."
-Bill McKibben, author of The End of Natureand other books

"Reminds us that wilderness offers us rapture, grace and, ultimately, transcendence. May help lead us to places of holy encounter-and to a deeper commitment to preserving those wild spaces."
-Sy Montgomery, author of The Wild Out Your Window



"Reading this book made my fingers tingle and the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. The physical experience of wilderness strips us down to the basic elements of body and soul. And when our spiritual nerve endings are exposed, we find ... God. Start this journey today."
-Rev. Dr. Susan Thistlethwaite, president and professor, Chicago Theological Seminary

"These musings evince a passion for fierce landscapes, drawing on a wide range of religious and spiritual traditions. It makes you want to shoulder a pack and head for the mountains."
-Belden C. Lane, professor of theological studies, Saint Louis University; author of Landscapes of the Sacred

"Documents and advocates for the power of the raw, close communication with the divine that is frequently fostered far from the madding crowds. Lionberger has an encompassing reach, giving voice to atheists, agnostics and the simply soul-weary, as well as believers from many of the world's great faith traditions.... Probing and provocative questions at the end of each chapter clear paths to self-discovery."
-Publishers Weekly

Long Description

There is an ancient and deeply compelling biblical tradition of going into the wilderness to find God. Moses, Jesus and Paul'to name just a few of our spiritual forebears'knew that in the wilderness they would find the quiet and simplicity that would lead to profound spiritual connections. They understood that normal day-today living is usually not the way to regain that connection with God, because it affords little opportunity to simply, humbly and quietly listen for God's voice and feel God's presence. Perhaps even in our time'especially in our time'leaving civilization to spend time with God in the wilderness holds an important key to our own spiritual renewal. This practical guide illuminates the power of finding God in the wilderness experience and the universality of spiritual connection through nature. It explores the teachings about wilderness in sacred writings and how we can grow through the shared and individual experiences of being present in nature.

Review Quote

"If you've been wondering how to find God, here's a topo map." -- Bill McKibben , author of The End of Nature and other books "Reminds us that wilderness offers us rapture, grace and, ultimately, transcendence. May help lead us to places of holy encounter--and to a deeper commitment to preserving those wild spaces." -- Sy Montgomery , author of The Wild Out Your Window "Reading this book made my fingers tingle and the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. The physical experience of wilderness strips us down to the basic elements of body and soul. And when our spiritual nerve endings are exposed, we find ... God. Start this journey today." -- Rev. Dr. Susan Thistlethwaite , president and professor, Chicago Theological Seminary "These musings evince a passion for fierce landscapes, drawing on a wide range of religious and spiritual traditions. It makes you want to shoulder a pack and head for the mountains." -- Belden C. Lane , professor of theological studies, Saint Louis University; author of Landscapes of the Sacred "Documents and advocates for the power of the raw, close communication with the divine that is frequently fostered far from the madding crowds. Lionberger has an encompassing reach, giving voice to atheists, agnostics and the simply soul-weary, as well as believers from many of the world's great faith traditions.... Probing and provocative questions at the end of each chapter clear paths to self-discovery." -- Publishers Weekly

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