The Cross: Saved by the Shame of it All

I have rarely seen the message of the Sermon on the Mount presented in a more relevant, theologically astute, and practical way than what Chris Altrock has done in this highly engaging book. Jack Reese, Abilene Christian University.

Prayers from the Pit: What the Ten Prayers of Jesus Teach About Praying in Times of Pain (Kindle and Paperback)

Clear, down-to-earth, user-friendly and user-realistic, Altrock’s study of Jesus as a pray-er and of His prayers is unique in my experience. It is also as full of grace as it is of help and sound instruction. Phyllis Tickle, The Divine Hours

COMING SOON: Ten Minute Mystic: Transforming Yourself and Your World Ten Minutes at a Time (Chalice Press)

Overview:

A recent study finds that the average American spends about ten minutes per day in religious or spiritual activities.  On the one hand, this may look like bad news.  It can appear difficult to experience personal transformation if all you have is ten minutes a day.  It can seem impossible to affect world-change with only ten minutes.  But could the ten minutes which the average American is willing to devote to spiritual or religious activities be leveraged?  Could these ten minutes be part of a more comprehensive plan for personal and global revolution?  Could ten minutes be a mustard seed that God grows into something amazing?  I believe it can.  I’m not saying that ten minutes is all God wants.  What he wants is every minute of every day.  But I am saying that ten minutes is a great place to start.  God is the kind of God who can do more with ten minutes than you ever thought possible.  Here’s my challenge: give God ten minutes a day over the next forty days and I’ll give you twelve ways God can use that time to change you and the world through you.  In this book we’ll maximize the spiritual potential of a growth plan lived ten minutes a time.  You’ll have the opportunity to experience twelve different spiritual disciplines, each of which can be completed in about ten minutes.  None of these spiritual exercises will be done solely for its own sake.  I’ve carefully chosen these disciplines not only because they take a short period of time, but also because each one can move you toward a very specific vision.  In section one of this book, each chapter will lead you in a ten-minute exercise that invites Jesus to impress on your heart his vision for your life.  It’s a vision that comes from his Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus’ vision in his Sermon on the Mount encompasses three things: people (our relationships with others), piety (our relationship with God), and possessions (our approach toward and use of money and stuff).  Section one will lead you, ten minutes at a time, in understanding and embracing Jesus’ three-fold vision.  In sections two, three, and four of this book we’ll explore twelve habits, disciplines, or exercises through which we can move toward Jesus’ vision.  We’ll practice four spiritual disciplines which will affect our piety (section two), four which will affect our people (section three), and four which will affect our possessions (section four).  Each of the twelve disciplines can be done in about ten minutes.  Each will help you live out one part of Jesus’ three-part vision.  You’ll have the opportunity to try each ten-minute exercise for three days before moving on to the next one.  Join me in changing yourself and your world ten minutes at a time.