Escaping Anxiety: Along the Road to Spiritual Joy
by Albert E. Hughes and Ronda Chervin
Escaping Anxiety: Along the Road to Spiritual Joy is not a “simple” book of advice, which could turn out to be ineffective because too “pat.” Instead it evolved into something that could actually be a new genre! How so? Well, have you ever seen a book of spiritual advice where confidentiality was not an issue because the directee is a co-author and, what is more, one whose personal journals throughout the years have been published! Our book takes the form of a chronicle of the process employed by a well-trained spiritual director helping a Catholic leader struggle to open herself to the graces that brought her from excessive anxiety along the road to spiritual joy. Our goals are to help readers suffering from excessive anxiety and to provide insights for any mentors of such people such as priests, religious, and lay pastoral ministers.
Paperback $14.95 | Kindle $9.99
REVIEWS
Keary, James. (2019, March 30) “Chervin shares her honest stories of anxiety, finding joy.” Arkansas Catholic. To read the review, click here.
TESTIMONIALS
With anxiety and its distressing manifestations (ie: muscle tension, headaches, panic attacks, insomnia) at nearly epidemic levels, what could be more timely than a book that helps the reader move beyond this all too common anxious state which, as Alex Williams points out in his June 10, 2017, New York Times article: An Anxious Nation; “is starting to seem like a sociological condition, too: a shared cultural experience.” Escaping Anxiety, a new book by Dr. Ronda Chervin, Ph.D., and Albert E. Hughes, Lt Colonel USAF, M.S., M.P.M., not only shows the reader that it is in fact possible to put anxiety “in the rear view mirror,” but it will also help the reader to move… along the road to spiritual joy… which is the subtitle of the book. For me, the real “take-away” message of this remarkable and rare piece of spiritual writing was the powerful, therapeutic value of authentic love. Why did these courageous authors make themselves vulnerable by sharing this intimate process of spiritual growth? For Love! Why did Dr. Chervin initiate this dynamic exchange in the first place and then continue to push forward into spiritual growth and liberation… despite the difficulties of what was, very often, a rigorous “uphill” climb? For Love! Read this book… it will draw you into the mystery of how God is at work in our times and in our hearts! – Fr. Lawrence E. Tucker, SOLT, Author of To Whom The Heart Decided To Love; Adventures In The Father’s Joy; The Prayer Of Jesus Crucified.
There are no coincidences with God! I was in the process of having a dental procedure and was feeling extreme anxiety and a friend shared that they had just read Escaping Anxiety. I had some some preconceptions about the book based on the title and to my surprise, through the insightful sharing of Ronda Chervin, one of the co-authors, found otherwise. I was able to have empathy for Ronda as her life story hit a similar “bitter root judgment” as mine even though our life circumstances were different. Don’t be surprised if after reading this book, that you, too have the “aha” moment! – Kathy Bolanowski, Ed.D.
“Your book is very refreshing. It is filled with honesty and the deep metaphors that touch life at its core.” – Robert Sizemore, Sociology Professor, Therapist, Spiritual Director and Author of The Franciscan Desert Pack
“I found Escaping Anxiety Along the Road to Spiritual Joy constructive and enriching. Both Al, as spiritual director, and Ronda, as directee, exhibit great honesty, humility, and openness to the reader. I actually applied some of the personal reflections at chapters’ end to my own life. This dynamic is potentially helpful for both counseling and spiritual direction.” – Marti Armstrong M.S., Counselor, Dedicated Widow, Happy Mother and Grandmother
“Who among us suffers no ills, no shortcomings, no inadequacies, no deficiencies? Traumas, shocks, ordeals, trials and tribulations—they all take a toll, leaving behind deep-seated but often hidden wounds. If left unattended, they manifest in various ways such as anger or anxiety. The question is not whether there is need for recovery, but when or if we will pursue it. In this book, Dr. Ronda Chervin and her Spiritual Director Albert Hughes walk their readers through the healing process in real time. It takes effort, commitment, resolve, and patience. But, there is reward for those who persevere. In addition, definitions and philosophical reflections are interspersed along the way, offering many insights as well as the hope of realizing spiritual joy as the title promises.” – Dr. Jeffrey L. Romine, author of Knowledge Unto Relationship: A Biblical Destiny
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Albert E. Hughes (Pastoral Counselor and Spiritual Director) and Ronda Chervin, Ph.D. (Professor Emerita of Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Catholic Writer, and Media Presenter, pictured here below)
OTHER POPULAR SPIRITUALITY BOOKS
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Revisited by Fr. Ray Introvigne and William Ayles
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Revisited by Fr. Ray Introvigne, M.Div., and William Ayles, D.D. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a “Head to Heart Experience”—and is fully backed by our modern-day Holy Fathers. This book is dedicated to all our fellow Catholic...
La Navidad: Reflexiones a Través de Los Años por Mario Ramos-Reyes
La Navidad: Reflexiones a Través de Los Años por Mario Ramos-Reyes Este es un pequeño libro sobre la Navidad. Es un texto sin pretensiones teológicas que nace de la experiencia de un filósofo cristiano. La de afirmar una enseñanza de más de dos mil años. La de que el...
Bible-Based Catholicism and Spiritual Inspirations by Robert J. Ferretti
Bible-Based Catholicism and Spiritual Inspirations by Robert J. Ferretti, M.D. This book outlines a Catholic perspective on faith, deeply rooted in biblical references and theological reasoning. Dr. Ferretti aims to deepen Catholics' understanding of their faith while...
La disciplina spirituale: Meditazioni sull’insegnamento di Frithjof Schuon por James S. Cutsinger
La disciplina spirituale: Meditazioni sull’insegnamento di Frithjof Schuon Scritto da James S. Cutsinger e tradotto da Marco Toto Si tratta di un'introduzione alla scuola perennialista della filosofia religiosa comparata e di una guida per il lettore generale che...
A Guide to the Liturgy of Holy Week by Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris
A Guide to the Liturgy of Holy Week by Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris, STD, EdD Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris provides in this short volume four categories of reflection (anecdotal, historical, doctrinal, and devotional) on the Liturgy of Holy Week. Paperback: $12.95 | Kindle:...
Minding Mom: A Caregiver’s Devotional Story by Lisa Livezey
Minding Mom: A Caregiver’s Devotional Story by Lisa Livezey Devotional writer Lisa Livezey understands the challenges of full-time caregiving atop an already-full life. Following her father’s sudden death, Lisa was plunged headlong into caring for her mother who was...
My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You by Edward Schallert
My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You By Edward Schallert My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You by Edward Schallert is a reflective exploration inspired by St. Augustine’s Confessions. Schallert, a retired professor and Cursillo participant, revisits the spiritual journey...
Seasons of the Soul: An Intimate God in Liturgical Time by Sr. Carla Mae Streeter, OP
Seasons of the Soul: An Intimate God in Liturgical Time By Sr. Carla Mae Streeter, OP The seasons of the soul are the seasons of the liturgical calendar. The liturgy is about a relationship, and Sr. Carla Mae's gorgeous images, poetry and prose describe how the...
Church of Love by Ronda Chervin
Church of Love By Ronda Chervin The first of Ronda Chervin's more than 80 Catholic books, Church of Love is still many readers' favorite. It is an extended metaphor of how romantic human love is a mirror of the love of Jesus for the Church. Paperback: $12.95 |...
Why Christians Can Wear Pants: Spiritual Lessons from Strange Stories in Papal History by Fr. Conrad Murphy
Why Christians Can Wear Pants: Spiritual Lessons from Strange Stories in Papal History by Fr. Conrad Murphy In the late 9th Century, Pope Nicholas I was asked if Christians were permitted to wear pants. His response was both amusing and wise, extolling the questioners...
Worshiping the Sacramental Christ by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R.
Worshiping the Sacramental Christ by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. The purpose of this book is to alert us to the multidimensional aspects of our Eucharistic worship and to help us see how this sacrament engages the whole person and the entire People of God. It seeks to open...
A Drawing Book Hermeneutics: Reading the Gospels as a Teenager by Eugen J. Pentiuc
A Drawing Book Hermeneutics: Seeing the Scriptures as a Teenager by Fr. Eugen J. Pentiuc A Drawing Book Hermeneutics: Seeing the Scriptures as a Teenager is the digitized version of a manuscript on which Fr. Eugen Pentiuc began to work in 1972, at the age of 16, while...
Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy with Christ by Cathy Garland and Dr. Randy Colver
Special thanks to Tamara Colver Dixon for designing the cover.Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy with Christ by Cathy Garland and Dr. Randy Colver Revelationship is how God reveals himself as he pursues us for relationship. In a world deconstructing, Christ...
Joseph of Nazareth: Icon of the Father’s Love by Fr. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R.
Joseph of Nazareth: Icon of the Father's Love by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book is about a humble, courageous man named Joseph who played a pivotal role in the story of our redemption and about whom the Gospels say so very little. It is a series of meditations about...
Holy Exercises: St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Spirituality of Practice by Fr. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R.
Holy Exercises: St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Spirituality of Practice by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. The purpose of Alphonsian spirituality is to preach the Gospel by our words and actions. The conversion of the world presupposes our own inner conversion of heart which,...
Speaking One’s Soul: Magnifying God’s Word in a Madly Godless World by Patti Hershwitzky and Mary Sobel Ott
Speaking One’s Soul: Magnifying God’s Word in a Madly Godless World by Patti Hershwitzky, Ed.S. and Mary Sobel Ott Innumerous works through the ages have addressed the contradictions and conflicts between religion and government, particularly from the Catholic...
Expressing Spiritual Experiences through Images, Poems, and Prayers
Expressing Spiritual Experiences through Images, Poems, and Prayers Edited by Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, PhD As the novice director/formation director for the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, provides the...
Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle by Lynda Rozell
Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle by Lynda Rozell with a foreword by George Weigel Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle discusses tabernacle images with reflections on their symbolism, encouraging devotion to Jesus in the tabernacle and drawing readers to...
The Comic Catholic
The Comic Catholic By Ronda Chervin In this witty, literary stand-up routine, Ronda Chervin takes a bow to a key property of the human person as understood in our philosophical anthropology, namely, that of risibility. It is a trademark of our humanity that we were...
Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation
Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation by Freddie Stewart, Jr. Compelled by his rich evangelical experience of searching the Scriptures alongside Christian brethren seeking spiritual inspiration and practical wisdom, Freddie has sought to share his enthusiasm...
My Soul Shall Be Healed: A Study Guide on Ecclesia de Eucharistia by Terry Modica
My Soul Shall Be Healed: A Study Guide on Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church of the Eucharist) by Terry Modica This easy-to-understand study guide explains in ordinary language how to understand the very important Church document, Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church...
The Voices We Hear Daily
The Voices We Hear Daily by Fr. Eugene Azorji The Voices We Hear Daily is written as a simple narrative reflection on the four voices we hear every day--namely the voice of God, the voice of the world, the voice of self, and the voice of the Devil--our responses to...
Lord, do you mean me? A father-Catechist?
Lord, Do You Mean Me? A father-Catechist! by Francis Etheredge Reflecting on the reality of childhood, Francis Etheredge explores what is entailed in being a parent who wants to take up the vocation, as widely and as specifically as possible, of helping to found the...
The Divinized Person
The Divinized Person by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Scripture tells us that man was created in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1:26). This book explores the meaning of this statement, describing each of us as a living, flesh-and-blood icon, a visible representation...
Incarnational Spirituality: Embodying the Love of the Incarnate Word
Incarnational Spirituality: Embodying the Love of the Incarnate Word Edited by Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, PhD In this book, two Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, one sister of the Holy Family, and one discalced Carmelite priest expound on these important...
Franciscanism: The Answer to Modernism
Franciscanism: The Answer to Modernism By Bob Sizemore In a culture of death, St. Francis restores us to life. This book invites the reader into Franciscanism as the answer to Modernism. Paperback $7.99 | Kindle $2.99 TESTIMONIALS "Imaginative, creative, inspiring...
His Spoken Words
His Spoken Words by Richard Ruesch This book includes a complete compilation of the spoken words of our Lord Jesus Christ, which are contained in the verses of the New Testament, chronologically arranged from the time when His parents found Him in the temple, sitting...
Walking Humbly with God: How Friendships Build Confidence, Support the Church, and are the Key to the New Evangelization
Walking Humbly with God: How Friendships Build Confidence, Support the Church, and are the Key to the New Evangelization by Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony This book speaks to the importance of the virtue of friendship/relationship to carrying out the New Evangelization...
Awake with Christ: Living the Catholic Holy Hour in Your Home
Published on the Feast of St. Rose of Lima, a third order Dominican, and Patron of Gardeners. Image courtesy of Joni Seith, author of Cloud of Witnesses.Awake with Christ: Living the Catholic Holy Hour in Your Home by Annabelle Moseley We are about to undertake an...
Из Тьмы… Мэри Клоска
Out of the Darkness by Mary Kloska Данная работа - собрание сокровищ, с которыми Иисус поделился с сердцем Мэри Клоска. Представляя эту книгу для читателя, Мэри надеется засвидетельствовать о Великой Силе, которая находится в Кресте Иисуса. Её сердце застывает при...
Out of the Lips of Infants, Wisdom Comes: Retelling the Bible Stories
Out of the Lips of Infants, Wisdom Comes: Retelling the Bible Stories by Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, PhD This book is the fruit of Sr. Helen's years of learning how to reflect on the Word of God, both as a child and as an adult; and how each stage of learning,...
Into the Heart of St. Joseph
Into the Heart of Saint Joseph by Jason Schreder Into the Heart of Saint Joseph immerses the reader through prayerful reflection, Scripture, and art, into Saint Joseph's interior life as the Husband of Mary and Zealous Defender of Christ. Saint Joseph is known to be a...
The Eucharistic Revival Project – Missio Dei
The Eucharistic Revival Project Edited by Phillip Hadden & Jonathon Fessenden Foreword by Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. The Eucharist Revival Project is Missio Dei’s response to Pope Francis’ call to rediscover "the real and loving presence of the Lord” in the...
“That They May Have Life” (John 10:10): 35 Meditations
"That They May Have Life" (John 10:10): 35 Meditations by Fr. Julius D. Leloczky, O.Cist. This collection of meditations is a rich anthology of writings very much in the spirit and vein of the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and of the ideas represented by...
Consumed by Love: A Missionary Handbook for Priestly and Lay Formation by Mary Kloska
Consumed by Love: A Missionary Handbook for Priestly and Lay Formation by Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+ “Here I am, Lord, I have come to do your will.” (Hebrews 10:7,9) This should be the heartbeat of every missionary. One is never a missionary for himself or...
“My Darling Joe”: A Reflection on a Personal Relationship with Saint Joseph
"My Darling Joe": A Reflection on a Personal Relationship with Saint Joseph by Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, PhD Prayer to St. Joseph Hail Sweet and Darling Joe!Your love for your Son, Jesus and your spouse, Mary is so efficacious!Teach me to love them!Help me to...
77 Soundbytes of Love
The Interactive Blog is not yet in working order. Please email Ronda directly if you have any thoughts. chervinronda@gmail.com77 Soundbytes of Love: The Philosophical Spirituality of Ronda Chervin By Ronda Chervin This book is an anthology of soundbytes -- 77 to be...
Talkaholics: Fate or Work-in-Process?
Talkaholics: Fate or Work-in-Progress By Ronda Chervin Why would I ever think I talk too much? Here are some tiny stories to show you why: “Ronda,” asked my spiritual director, “what would it be like if you joined a table (at the seminary where I was teaching and took...
Charles Rich: Give Me Your Heart–Preparing for Eternal Life by Charles Rich
Charles Rich: Give Me Your Heart--Preparing for Eternal Life Ed. by Ronda Chervin How about a book for the elderly by a sage who was still making disciples in his nineties? Who was this Charles Rich, anyhow? One of the most fascinating Hebrew-Catholics of all times...
Purgatory in the Words of Jesus
Purgatory in the Words of Jesus by Roger Skrenes In this book, Roger Skrenes explains how the teaching that only two possible realms exist after death, that of Heaven and Hell, as argued by many non-Catholic Christians, is not correct. Christ actually spoke of a third...
The Sea Lord’s Bookshelf by Vincent Salamoni, M.S.A.
All profits go to the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.) LORD, HAVE MERCY: The big ocean and our little boat.The Sea Lord's Bookshelf by Reverend Vincent A. Salamoni, M.S.A. This book is a catalyst, of a beginning voyage. Here it is a short one, yet a long...
For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy
For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy Kristina R. Olsen The purpose of this book is to invite you into the Sacred Heart of Jesus to experience his love, and to introduce you to the Divine Mercy devotion to encounter God's limitless forgiveness. We...
The Book of Love: Brief Meditations
Cover design by Sophia ClementsWhen given the chance to submit cover designs, four out of five of Richard Clements' children submitted drawings. The one selected is from among those four submissions. The other three submissions are featured here above.The Book of...
Les deux principales sources de la prière de Marie de l’Incarnation
Les deux principales sources de la prière de Marie de l'Incarnation par Père Michel Legault, MSA Le 28 octobre 1999, l'Église catholique a célébré le 400e anniversaire de la naissance de Marie Guyard, connue aujourd'hui sous le nom de Sainte Marie de l'Incarnation,...
Target Heaven: What You Didn’t Know about Father Benedict Groeschel
Originally published as Father Benedict Groeschel: A Conversational Biography, © Good Counsel Homes, 2014.Target Heaven: What You Didn't Know About Father Benedict Groeschel by Good Counsel, Inc. Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, SV, opens this book by proclaiming Fr....
Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners
Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners Editado por Dr. Patrick Castle and Bernadette Costello ¡DIOS primero, VIDA siempre, EQUIPO para siempre! Corredores de VIDA es el equipo Pro-Vida más grande del mundo, correr es opcional, se requiere camiseta y se necesita fe. Nos...
Nuggets of Wisdom
Nuggets of Wisdom By Bob Sizemore with Ronda Chervin In this handy volume, Bob Sizemore and Ronda Chervin engage in a dialogue intended to deliver nuggets of life's wisdom, offering both specific and general insights on navigating one's way through this world and into...
Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World
Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World by Fr. Chris Seith Our screens are not morally neutral. The devices that we are so attached to affect our perception of the world. Unless we use them in a way contrary to the way in which they are intended...
No Longer I: Sharing Christ’s Gospel Narrative
No Longer I: Sharing Christ's Gospel Narrative by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Christ entered our world and gave himself completely to us to the point of dying for us, to become nourishment for us and a source of hope. In this book, Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., demonstrates...
The Blessings of the Beatitudes
The Blessings of the Beatitudes by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book is about the vision Jesus sets before his hearers of a world ruled by justice and love. The eight beatitudes provide hope to all who listen to and follow the call of the kingdom in their hearts....