about Sacred Compass
-- Sacred Compass
"Sacred Compass is the perfect companion for those seeking to follow God in the way of Jesus in the midst of the realities of 21st century life. Brent Bill graciously and passionately opens the pathway of the spiritual practice of discernment for the novice and deepens the possibilities for the well experienced. This book will serve as a revelation for many and well could be the start of a revolution for a new generation of Christians." -- Doug Pagitt, Pastor of Solomon's Porch and Author of A Christianity Worth Believing
"The scope of an ordinary compass is limited to 360 degrees. In his new book, Brent Bill places our heart at the center of a SACRED COMPASS; creating, in 'plainspeak' a most welcome handbook for spiritually engaged decision-making." -- Noel Paul Stookey , Paul of Peter, Paul, & Mary
Brent's Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment is set to be published by Paraclete Press in April 2008.
A compass makes a good metaphor for our spiritual lives and the work of discerning God’s will for them. God doesn’t speak as clearly and as obviously as Mapquest or GoogleMaps or GPS. Maybe that’s because we don’t navigate the life of faith via anything remotely resembling GPS. Instead, the divine compass points us the mind and love of God. Our sacred compass operates in our souls and calls us to life with God. The sacred compass leads us on a life of pilgrimage – a hike to wholeness and holiness
Keeping our soul’s eyes on the sacred compass leads us to the holy discovery that we can move through life with purpose and promise, even in those times when we may not sense with certainty what that purpose and promise are. In a grace-filled way, our compass invites us into a life of continuous experiences of God and of spiritual transformation. As we move toward Divine guidance, we joyfully behold the face of a loving God gazing back at us.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter One -- As Way Opens :
Moving from Tourists to Pilgrims
Chapter Two -- Lives that Speak:
What We Are Saying to Others and Ourselves Along the Way
Chapter Three -- Paying Attention :
Seeing the Signs On the Way
Chapter Four – Testing our Leadings:
Stages of Discernment
Chapter Five – The Dark Path :
What if You Lose Your Way?
Chapter Six -- West of Eden :
What if the Way Takes Us Unexpected Places?
Chapter Seven -- Traveler’s Aid:
Offering Assistance to Others Along the Way
Chapter Eight -- The Dance of Discernment :
The Gift and Responsibility of the Way
Backmatter:
Hiking Equipment: Additional Resources for Following the Sacred Compass
Compass Calibration: Questions for Spiritual Growth
Fire Starters: Prayers for Pilgrims
First Aid Supplies: Books and Web Resources for the Journey
Acknowledgements
End Notes
-- Carrie Newcomer, Rounder recording artist, The Geography of Light