In the expanded edition of this profound exploration of Christian identity, David G. Benner illuminates the spirituality of self-discovery. He exposes the false selves that you may hide behind and calls you to discover the true self that emerges from your uniqueness in Christ. Deepen your experience of God through discovering the gift of being yourself.

In this expanded edition of a spiritual formation classic, David G. Benner explores the twin themes of love and surrender as the heart of Christian spirituality. God doesn't want his people to respond to him out of fear or obligation, but invites us to enter into an authentic relationship of intimacy and devotion-by surrendering to love.

How do we become both willing and able to do what God asks of us? In this expanded edition of a spiritual formation classic, psychologist and spiritual director David G. Benner explores the transformation of the will in Christian spirituality, examining why our desires are disordered and how we can align our hearts with God's.

Prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Using the four movements of lectio divina, spiritual director David Benner invites us to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality, and the Christian life. This expanded edition explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding, and being, opening us to a world of possibilities for communion with God.

Therapeutic counseling in a Christian context can be highly effective when it maintains narrowly focused goals in a time-limited setting. The details of this proven model of pastoral counseling are described in this practical guide.
This second edition of Strategic Pastoral Counseling has been thoroughly revised and includes two new chapters. Benner includes helpful case studies, a new appendix on contemporary ethical issues, and updated chapter bibliographies. His study will continue to serve clergy and students well as a valued practical handbook on pastoral care and counseling.

We need companions on our spiritual journey. In this inviting guide, David G. Benner introduces readers to the riches of spiritual friendship and direction, explaining what they are and how they are practiced. Through prayerful, guided attunement to God's activity, sacred companions provide care for the soul, and Benner models the kind of traveling companion who can move us toward deeper intimacy with God.

Though emotional pain constitutes an inevitable part of life, not only can it be healed, it can be the soil out of which we grow into greater wholeness and wellbeing. This book arose not simply out of the author's work with others but out of lessons learned as he worked his way to healing and forgiveness associated with his own emotional wounds as well. In helpful, practical language that is filled with real-life examples, Healing Emotional Wounds examines the inner course of events that predictably follows experiences of emotional wounding. This includes a discussion of the ways in which we attempt to cope with hurt, focusing on common but counterproductive coping strategies that actually impede healing. It then examines in detail the emotional, intellectual, and volitional tasks that are involved in healing emotional wounds, each presenting concrete steps that we can take to help ourselves and others experience healing and gain freedom from bondage to our wounds. Such freedom does not involve escape from unpleasant experiences or difficult circumstances, but release from their tyrannizing inner consequences. This also provides the possibility of living a more fulfilling and significant life because of these experiences.

Explores the church's role in soul advocating, a counselling method that anchors modern therapy in biblical principles.

Though emotional pain constitutes an inevitable part of life, not only can it be healed, it can be the soil out of which we grow into greater wholeness and wellbeing. This book arose not simply out of the author's work with others but out of lessons learned as he worked his way to healing and forgiveness associated with his own emotional wounds as well. In helpful, practical language that is filled with real-life examples, Healing Emotional Wounds examines the inner course of events that predictably follows experiences of emotional wounding. This includes a discussion of the ways in which we attempt to cope with hurt, focusing on common but counterproductive coping strategies that actually impede healing. It then examines in detail the emotional, intellectual, and volitional tasks that are involved in healing emotional wounds, each presenting concrete steps that we can take to help ourselves and others experience healing and gain freedom from bondage to our wounds. Such freedom does not involve escape from unpleasant experiences or difficult circumstances, but release from their tyrannizing inner consequences. This also provides the possibility of living a more fulfilling and significant life because of these experiences.

Much more than knowledge or even understanding, wisdom is seeing life through the eyes of an awakened heart and transformed consciousness. Rather than being the result of the accumulation of information, wisdom comes from acquiring a new mind. Buddhists speak of this new mind as enlightenment. The Christian name for it is the mind and heart of Christ. This is the basis of wisdom. Wisdom is grounded in a deep awareness of the sacredness and interconnectedness of everything in existence. It is living in alignment with the creative Spirit of Wisdom who inhabits all of creation and is our truest and deepest self. It is learning to participate in God's transformational agenda of cosmic whole-making, this being the way in which everything that exists becomes whole in Christ. This book does not offer gems of wisdom. Instead, it seeks to facilitate the awakening of your heart and transformation of your consciousness that will allow wisdom to flow your from depths.

Much more than knowledge or even understanding, wisdom is seeing life through the eyes of an awakened heart and transformed consciousness. Rather than being the result of the accumulation of information, wisdom comes from acquiring a new mind. Buddhists speak of this new mind as enlightenment. The Christian name for it is the mind and heart of Christ. This is the basis of wisdom. Wisdom is grounded in a deep awareness of the sacredness and interconnectedness of everything in existence. It is living in alignment with the creative Spirit of Wisdom who inhabits all of creation and is our truest and deepest self. It is learning to participate in God's transformational agenda of cosmic whole-making, this being the way in which everything that exists becomes whole in Christ. This book does not offer gems of wisdom. Instead, it seeks to facilitate the awakening of your heart and transformation of your consciousness that will allow wisdom to flow your from depths.

Becoming fully human is a lifelong journey. It can also be an incredible adventure. Here internationally respected depth psychologist, spiritual guide, and personal transformation coach David Benner explores the mysteries of human being and becoming. Drawing on insights from science, philosophy, and forty years of experience integrating psychology and spirituality, he presents concrete steps for living in ways that move us toward wholeness. He also draws on mysticism, the perennial wisdom tradition, interfaith dialogue, and the contemplative Christian tradition, developing a robust spirituality that reveals how we can align ourselves with God's presence in the world.