Invitations from God: Accepting God's Offer to Rest, Weep, Forgive, Wait, Remember, and More

<p>Adele Ahlberg Calhoun and her husband Doug have served on the pastoral staff of four churches and are currently copastors of spiritual formation at Highrock Covenant Church in Arlington, Massachusetts. As certified Enneagram instructors, they enjoy resourcing spiritual leaders and pastors through spiritual direction and teaching the Enneagram. Adele is the author of <em>Spiritual Disciplines Handbook</em>, <em>Invitations from God</em>, and coauthor of <em>True You</em>.</p>

In a task-oriented society in which achievement and excellence are often held up as ultimate goals, it is sometimes hard to see, argues Calhoun (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook), that the world is replete with opportunities to be changed by encountering God. Calling God the "Great Inviter," Calhoun, a spiritual director, offers a persistent critique of modern culture and of status quo Christianity, along with advice on taking God up on these invitations: "Only free people know how to say yes and no." Culling gems from her own experiences seeking God, the author divides her book into a series of meditations on divine invitations, including the practices of following, forgiving, remembering, and "the most excellent" way of loving--the journey of growing into Christ's image. Breaking with the convention of adding questions at the end of each chapter, the writer begins each one with a useful introductory chart that lets readers know where she plans to take them. A challenging but straightforward and warm introduction to the spiritual life, Calhoun's book should be appropriate for Christians of all denominations. (July) Copyright 2011 Reed Business Information.

<p>"In an attention deficit culture, Adele Calhoun gently invites us to walk through many doorways of growth and awareness. She invites us into greater humility that yields attention and perception, wisdom and abundant life. To enter deeply into this guidance is to participate with God in the redemption of our lives."</p><p><em>Kelly Monroe Kullberg, author of Finding God Beyond Harvard</em></p>
<p>"What a wonderful book so full of riches! Practical, profound, seasoned, thoughtful, challenging. I can't wait to recommend it to our church."</p><p><em>Pete Scazzero, pastor and author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality</em></p>
<p>"This is a book you will want to read and reread and then keep on your nightstand to refer to constantly for all the insight available in its pages. I found it so refreshing that a book of such depth would be of such use in my everyday spiritual walk. It is unique to find a work that puts you in touch with your own soul in a way that makes you want to live your life in the best way possible. I am changed by these invitations from God."</p><p><em>Dee Yaccino, Del Camino Connection</em></p>
<p>"Learning how to attend responsively to God's invitations leads us into wholeness, freedom and transformation. Thanks for reminding us that Jesus continually invites us to come close, draw near and follow him via these pathways of grace, healing and joy."</p><p><em>Stephen A. Macchia, president, Leadership Transformations, Inc., and author of Becoming a Healthy Church</em></p>
<p>"This is a lovely book that helps us to hear and respond to God's most winsome and challenging invitations--invitations for our good and our growth. Read it and be blessed!"</p><p><em>Ruth Haley Barton, founder, Transforming Center, and author of Sacred Rhythms</em></p>
<p>"I am so grateful to Adele Calhoun for reminding us that life is brimming with divine invitations. A wise and gracious guide, she teaches us how to hear the overtures of God and to respond to them with a resounding,'Yes!' This book will richly nourish your soul."</p><p><em>Ian Morgan Cron, author of Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale</em></p>
<p>"I have known Adele Calhoun since seminary days, and I have seen her face many of the divine invitations named in this book, as well as help other people navigate through them. She is a wise and godly guide!"</p><p><em>Tim Keller, pastor, RedeemerPresbyterian Church, New York City</em></p>