Showing results by publisher "Spoken Realms" in Religion & Spirituality

The concept of life as a pilgrimage, or a path from ignorance to realization, is central in the writings of the philosopher and New Thought pioneer James Allen (1864-1912). According to Allen, all men must and will follow this path, at the end of which is a state of spiritual satisfaction, which can be attained only by the earnest efforts of the seeker. While progress along the path necessitates the "strenuous tread" of the pilgrim, there are also valuable opportunities for rest and refreshment.

For James Allen, philosopher and pioneer of the New Thought movement, the highest expression of personal realization was to be "in the world" but not "of the world." As Allen says, "The turmoil of the world we cannot avoid, but the disturbances of mind we can overcome." In this collection of short essays he discusses the attitudes and actions required for the attainment of that abiding inner peace "where the Heavenly Silence reigns."

Two themes that recur very frequently in the works of James Allen are passion and purity. However, unlike many writers on moral discipline, the author regards purity as the natural state of man, which has been obscured by passionate attachment to external artefacts. Once the waves of passion are stilled, attachment falls away, allowing the seeker to attain a transcendent purity of vision and thus behold the reality that underlies the illusion of change.

In the final volume of The Divine Comedy, Dante completes his tour of the afterlife and rises to the highest sphere of heaven. His guide is Beatrice, who acts as both an object of devotion and also a source of instruction. In verse of the most sublime order, Dante not only describes the sights, sounds, and inhabitants of this celestial region, but also presents, with astonishing clarity, a comprehensive view of Catholic theology.

In this work James Allen delineates the internal pilgrimage that commences with the cultivation of faith and courage and ends in knowledge and victory. In the words of the author: "Every being lives in his own mental world. His joys and sorrows are the creations of his own mind and are dependent upon the mind for their existence. In the midst of the world, darkened with many sins and sorrows, in which the majority live, there abides another world, lighted up with shining virtues and unpolluted joy, in which the perfect ones live."

As the distribution of power in the United States shifts to the privileged one percent, it becomes more and more difficult for those not born into that elite class to attain a degree of the success enjoyed by their fathers. Louis William Rogers, early 20th proponent of reincarnation, life after death, karma, esoteric mysticism, and matters of philosophical idealism has created this excellent motivational piece still applicable in the 21st century.

In this short treatise, James Allen examines those spiritual qualities that are traditionally associated with the heart: love, compassion, gentleness, good will, and patience. In the words of the author: "He who aspires to the attainment of the Higher Life in its completion - who would perceive with unveiled vision the true order of things and the meaning of life - let him abandon all the wrong conditions of the heart, and persevere unceasingly in the practice of good."

In this audiobook James Allen makes a trenchant examination of one of the great conundrums of philosophy and religion: the problem of evil. As the author states in the foreword: All the problems of life, whether they be social, political, or religious, subsist in ignorance and wrong living. As they are solved in the heart of each individual, they will be solved in the mass of men.

Billy Sunday the acclaimed evangelist of the early 20th century did this sermon extolling Christians to vote for prohibition. Much of his rhetoric resembled today's reasoning for not legalizing marijuana.

Even among Christians there is a difference of opinion about the end of the world. All seem to agree there is a spiritual component to end times, but well-loved preacher D. L. Moody provides a sermon on how he interprets the biblical texts on the subject - and why he believes this is God's blessed hope.

Timothy has been described as the Apostle Paul's spiritual son. Paul invested in the life of the young man and instructed him in the ways of Christian thought. These epistles demonstrate Paul's mentoring of Timothy and in the process provide insight for all who would take the time to join in the instruction.

The epistles of John deal with what it means to be a Christian and how Christianity should be lived out in the lives of those who believe, and it encourages those who support the faith. Jude encourages believers to stand firm. Listeners will enjoy encouragement directly from scriptures.

This is one of the last works of James Allen and was first published posthumously in 1913. As Lily Allen says in her preface: "Like all his works it is eminently practical. He never wrote theories, or for the sake of writing, or to add another to his many books; but he wrote when he had a message, and it became a message only when he had lived it out in his own life, and knew that it was good. Thus he wrote facts, which he had proven by practice."

Henry Van Dyke is widely known for his classic stories like The Other Wise Man, but this audiobook is a series of three sermons he wrote on the subject of peace. Ironically much of what he wrote seems like current headlines. This series was written just after the conclusion of World War I. The same fears we experience now were experienced by those who heard these word for the first time. There is encouragement for all in this audiobook. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

These two books of the Bible represent hope to a Church that faces difficult times. Persecution was the primary struggle, but the Apostle Paul discussed what the end of days will be like. His words inspired hope in the hearts of the hurting--and continue to inspire a similar hope today.

The book of Titus provides readers an overview of leadership within the Christian church. Philemon is a personal letter from the Apostle Paul to Philemon asking him to receive his slave Onesimus back as a brother in Christ and no longer a slave. Two smaller books that hold great teaching for all eras.

Six verses are among the most comforting in all Scripture. Psalm 23 is the basis for this classic book from 1921. Filled with poems and stories, this should leave each listener with assurance and comfort. There's more to these six verses than you might have believed.

From the author of Anne of Green Gables comes a Christmas story that is as warm and affirming as it is relatable and cherished. You are invited to join a small family in dire circumstances. The adults are unsure things will be as expected on Christmas morning. The children have no doubt. A delightful holiday story for all ages. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

It cannot be said of this book that James Allen wrote it at any particular time or in any one year, for he was engaged in it over many years and those who have eyes to see and hearts to understand will find in its pages the spiritual history of his life. It was his own wish that The Divine Companion should be the last MS of his to be published.

Orthodoxy has become a classic of Christian apologetics. In the book's preface Chesterton states the purpose is to "attempt an explanation, not of whether the Christian faith can be believed, but of how he personally has come to believe it." In it, Chesterton presents an original view of the Christian religion. He sees it as the answer to natural human needs, the "answer to a riddle" in his own words, and not simply as an arbitrary truth received from somewhere outside the boundaries of human experience.