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Title:  Coffeehouse Contemplative: Spiritual Direction for the Everyday  Author:  Jeffrey A. Nelson Series:  Intersections: Theology and the Church in a World Come of Age soft cover 168 pp. USD 24.00 ISBN 978-1934542552 Imprint: Noesis Press (The Davies Group, Publishers) February  2016 Contents Foreword by John C. Dorhauer Acknowledgments Chapter 1 — Introduction Companionship for the Journey An Overview of What Follows Questions for Reflection Chapter 2 — Drip Grind Sacrament A Word Needing a Definition On the Road and at the Table: Luke 24 It’s All Spiritual Questions for Reflection Chapter 3 — A God of Reckless Forgiveness Naming Our Images Jesus, the Image of God Images Influence Awareness Questions for Reflection Chapter 4 — Meeting Ourselves Again The Role of Our Own Experience Breathing Freely Done with False Narratives Questions for Reflection Chapter 5 — Beginning to Listen Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak Using Our Imagination Seeing the Place, Seeing Ourselves Questions for Reflection Chapter 6 — Propane Altars and Dishwasher Shrines Lifting the Veil Coffeehouse Contemplative Questions for Reflection Chapter 7 — Grace in Dry Places Sitting in the Dust Finding Consolation in Desolate Times Desolation in the Psalms Psalms for a New Day Questions for Reflection Chapter 8 — Encountering Together Called into Spiritual Community The Case for Gathering At All The Needs of the Body Questions for Reflection Chapter 9 — Responding to Grace The Possibility of Self Open Eyes, Open Hands Directions on the Road Questions for Reflection Chapter 10 — Immersed in God’s Presence A Psalm of Awe Fear, Reverence, and Disorder Immersion, Wisdom, and Awe Questions for Reflection Afterword — Looking Back and Moving Forward Notes Bibliography Index   “Spiritual direction” in many quarters often carries (unfair) overtones of theology that is more therapeutic than rigorous. In this text, Nelson defies that stereotype by demonstrating how the God-images at play in spiritual direction influence not only outcomes but also the rationale for why direction takes place. Written from a progressive Protestant perspective, the text deftly blends ancient wisdom with contemporary concerns. It will be useful both as a textbook in spiritual direction programs and as a more general guide for those interested in how questions of vocation and mindfulness take shape in our age of pressure and distraction. — Robert Saler, Executive Director, Center for Pastoral Excellence; Research Professor of Lutheran Studies,  Christian Theological Seminary Jeff Nelson has made the contemplative life accessible in Coffeehouse Contemplative. Bringing light to the murky waters of “spirituality,” Nelson fleshes out concepts like meditation, mindfulness and prayer. Most importantly, perhaps, is the encouragement that one find a traveling partner on the path of spiritual deepening, which holds many surprising places in which to encounter the divine. — Bryan Berghoef, author of Pub Theologian: Beer, Conversation, and God Author Jeff Nelson is ordained in the United Church of Christ. He is a certified spiritual director through the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio and currently serves as pastor of Grace UCC in Uniontown, Ohio. Published work includes contributions to devotional titles such as Ordinary Time Year B: Devotions from June to November (St. Thursday), and An (un)Common Book of Hours – Advent Christmas Epiphany Year A (Peter Watkins). He also contributed prayers and commentary to From the Psalms to the Cloud (Pilgrim).