Jill Duff

In a culture where hearts are warmed by stories and personalities, rather than theories and propositions, this book is an invitation to share the authors' experience of becoming friends in faith with the saints and mystics. Those who feature reflect the wide sweep of Christian spiritual heritage: several are from the ancient and Celtic background; several reflect medieval spirituality - including women's spirituality; there are the so-called 'Spanish Mystics', and some from more recent times. In short chapters which provide a brief summary of each saint's experience of prayer and spirituality, Jill and Nicholas reflect on how the saints have enabled them to grow in insight and maturity. Engagingly, they respond to each other's encounters - focusing particularly on the biblical sources of each saint's spiritual life - to help these voices speak more clearly to all of us. Each chapter concludes with a study guide for individual or group study.

What if those moments we put down to coincidence are really the calling cards of God? What if those pinpricks of light in the darkest places are beacons to guide us, telling of the agonizing love in God's heart? What if God is calling to us, 'I miss you, please come home' ? Lighting the Beacons seeks to expand our everyday horizons by daring us to believe that the realities of heaven can break through right here, right now. Inspired by her own recurring vision of pinpricks of light being fanned into flame, Bishop Jill writes for a wide audience to kindle faith in our hearts, to light beacons. Highlighting stories from contemporary culture, Scripture and the writings of the saints, Lighting The Beacons seeks to encourage those who are curious about the Christian faith, those who feel discouraged and those aspiring to be giants of faith and part of a transformed society. An excellent gift for those who yearn to be transformed by God. With study guides at the end of each chapter, it is also ideal book for group discussion.