Book Description

There are four universal invitations presented to us during our lives, a synthesis of the greatest common denominators embedded in our life experiences, religious faiths, and secular thought. To God, they are truths; to humankind, they are the Four Invitations - God invites us to accept and choose to: • Follow God equally regardless of the path we choose • Assess without judging through our biases or issues • Engage and respond to others with love • Connect and spend time with God in worship The Four Invitations are invitations that challenge us to think differently, see differently, do differently, and live differently. They are invitations from God, given to us through the transformational insights of spiritual leaders. They are invitations from the world that prompt us to respond appropriately. They are invitations from our lives that ask us to apply them in the appropriate situations. The Four Invitations - documented in religious scriptures, world literature, systematic observation, and artistic expression - are undiluted guidance to humankind. It is our human existence that transforms them from truths to invitations. They are the foundation of our relationships, with God and others, where we follow from different places, with different cultures and spiritual beliefs, comprised of different people and backgrounds. Each of the Four Invitations consists of and is supported by: • a central idea and definition to frame it • Original insights and observations • the challenges and practices of application • examples from spiritual teachings and scientific research • quotes from religious and worldly thinkers • singular paintings, diagrams, and footnotes The Four Invitations are not a substitute for practicing a spiritual faith, but an invitation to put our faith into practice. The content of each Truth can be discussed and taught within the context of any religious faith by any follower of God. The Four Invitations are a pragmatic approach that simplifies our spiritual paths in a complex world, reducing our deviation, and ultimately connects us to God.