Description
Book SynopsisYou 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,
Trade 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
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments 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
