Maureen McDermott explores how a prayer journal can help us embrace the truth about ourselves & connect us to the mystery & wonder of our life. She suggests including poems, drawings, prayers, & even songs.

Tom O?Hara leads us in an imaginative contemplation of the baptism of Jesus, a pivotal moment in his life. Tom reflects on the intimacy within the Trinity and the peace this brought Jesus in his public ministry, a peace offered to us today.

Gregory Bourke introduces us to the ancient art of Sacred Reading known as Lectio Divina. Greg outlines five points that help in praying the Lectio Divina and in allowing the scriptures to become our life.

Anthony Steel takes the opportunity of the Year of the Eucharist to reflect on the nature of Eucharist particularly as an invitation to community and to service.

John Frauenfelder reviews the latest book by international writer and speaker, Fr Ron Rolheiser, Forgotten Among the Lilies. John tells us that this book is affirming for "those of us who seek life in all its fullness".

A regular feature, Roots, shoots and leaves?, offers readers fragments of Christian tradition. Sometimes quirky, sometimes inspiring, this issue looks at the place herbs have held in Christian tradition.

Are you looking for time out with God? Find a retreat centre near you! Web addresses of retreat centres not listed here are welcome, simply use the ?contact us? page email form to send us the details.

Are you looking for time out with God this summer? Find a retreat centre near you on our up-to-date directory of Australian centres!

Patrick O?Sullivan explores the split image of God that we often carry. He invites us to name this split, to trust in the Loving God witnessed by Jesus & to seek oneness of heart that leads us deeper into relationship with God.

Anthony Steel reflects on surrender in our lives & how it impacts on our relationship with God. He challenges a concept of surrender that abdicates responsibility & invites us into a mature response to God?s call.

Libbey Byrne looks at how what we think about ourselves impacts on our relationship with God and with others. Libbey invites us to ask how well we really know ourselves.

Bizz Jelly shares the painful story of watching her adult daughter, Brigitte, die of cancer, and her own journey of allowing God to share in her grief, anxiety, despair and joy.

Colleen O?Sullivan considers the place of nature in our prayer life. She highlights a sense of listening and attention necessary when praying with nature, and of such prayer as requiring a personal reaction and action.

Andrew Howie introduces the writings & thoughts of Dom Bede Griffiths, the Benedictine monk who lived much of his life in India and died there in 1991, after years of seeking to bring Christianity into meeting with the spiritualities of the East.

Joanna Coleiro looks at the Christian spiritual practice of attentive living or living in the present moment. Joanna offers some simple points on how to live this out in daily life.

James McAuley?s poem ?Terra Australis? opens Terra Spiritus? regular poetry feature. Readers are invited to submit original poems that reflect on the spiritual journey. Simply use the ?contact us? page email form.