Propelled by a desire for the sacred, spiritual seekers of the Middle Ages were masters of pilgrimage, dedicated to their journeys of religious devotion. Their epic voyages took them across continents and treacherous mountain passages, and were undertaken with a keen awareness of the possible perils of the journey. Still, by faith, they went on pilgrimage in hopes of tracing the steps of Jesus in the holy city of Jerusalem.In 3,000 Miles to Jesus Lisa Deam invites us to embrace the adventure of spiritual pilgrimage in our everyday lives. Bringing alive the rich stories of medieval pilgrims, she offers an intimate look at these quests for the sacred, helping us draw rich application for our walks of faith today. To take this road, we won't have to give up flushing toilets, warm beds, or cell phones. But we are invited to travel the rugged terrain of faith: journeying in risk and adventure through unfamiliar territory, across the unknown seas of the spiritual life, meeting life's difficult passages of loss, accompanied by the temptation to turn back even as we march on. In meeting challenges in the wise company of the ancient pilgrims, we learn hope and resolve as we walk a wild and wonderful way to a city that shimmers beyond a horizon we cannot yet see. We are headed for the Jerusalem of our hearts.When we understand the risks taken and the courage and conviction driving the medieval pilgrim, a bigger picture of a lifelong journey of faith comes into view. We are opened up to the sacred world before us in new and unexpected ways.
Lisa Deam, PhD, is a historian and an award-winning writer in spiritual formation. She specializes in helping Christians deepen their walk of faith through exploration of historical spirituality and practices. She hosts The Contemplative Writer, a website providing daily soul care to writers, and is the author of A World Transformed: Exploring the Spirituality of Medieval Maps. She lives in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area with her family.
Chapter 1 (Introduction): Journey Like You Mean It Part I The Journey Begins Chapter 2: Take the Sure Road We figure out where we're headed Chapter 3: Write Your Will We're prepared to lose everything on the journey Chapter 4: Stay the Course We don't give up when the going gets tough Chapter 5: Say Your Mantra We remind ourselves why we're making this journey Part 2: The Crossing Chapter 6: Cross the Alps We surmount barriers in our path Chapter 7: Hurry Up and Wait We slow down to catch up to God Chapter 8: Sail the Sea We cross over to a new land Chapter 9: Be Locked Up In the Holy Land, we are locked up for our faith Part 3: Arrival Chapter 10: Worship with the Enemy We confront the infidels of our heart Chapter 11: Arrive Naked We arrive with nothing, so that Jesus can give us everything Chapter 12: Break Your Heart We journey so that our hearts may be broken Part 4: In the Church of the Holy Sepulcher Chapter 13: Bring Your Baggage We bring the weight of our failings to lay at the feet of Jesus Chapter 14: Be Reborn We experience the rebirth of our faith Chapter 15: Let It Go In the presence of Jesus, we let ourselves rejoice Conclusion: Where To Now? Our journey's end is only the beginning
"Lisa Deam reminds us through the surprisingly modern words of medieval pilgrims that true pilgrimage is mapped first in the heart, and launches us on a journey that deconstructs our comfort, safety, and autonomy. Deam's accessible writing and deep knowledge of those who've journeyed before us make 3000 Miles to Jesus a welcome companion for all spiritual seekers who find themselves drawn to pilgrimage's narrow, beautiful road." --Chuck DeGroat, Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality, Western Theological Seminary "In 3000 Miles to Jesus you will walk to Jerusalem accompanied by medieval pilgrims. You will also discover an instructive metaphor for spiritual formation in our modern days--pilgrimage. Much like the Holy City itself, the journey invites the reader to consider incarnation and transcendence. If you hunger for a historical yet fresh perspective on spiritual formation with invigorating language to reframe our walk with God, this book will come as a gift." --Kelley Nikondeha, author of Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us about Freedom "I can't decide if what I love the most about 3000 Miles to Jesus is Lisa Deam's evocative description of the life and times of medieval pilgrims, or the way she skillfully relates their adventures to spirituality here in the twenty-first century. Either way, this book is a delight and an inspiration." --Carl McColman, author of The Big Book of Christian Mysticism and Eternal Heart "In this wise and gentle book, medievalist Lisa Deam ably guides us into the wonders and realities of pilgrimage. Furnishing our scrip with stories of historic pilgrims and insights of spiritual mentors, Deam introduces us to lesser-known brother- and sister-wanderers who encourage us on our own journeys. With beautifully illuminated writing, Deam invites us reader-wanderers to begin again, today, in the pilgrimage of faith." --Laura M. Fabrycky, author of Keys to Bonhoeffer's Haus "With ancient pilgrims as our guides, Lisa Deam's lovely book will be a wonderful spiritual companion to all who undertake the journey. Deam doesn't call us away from the physical path of pilgrimage but rather helps us see that just as Margery Kempe practiced faith by walking, the inward journey of faith is also a form of travel. This journey might call us to travel with our feet or take us no greater distance than our own spiritual landscape. When I put this book down, I was ready to start planning my trip." --Christiana N. Peterson, author of Mystics and Misfits and Awakened by Death "Lisa Deam expertly guides us back to a time when God's people put life on hold and set off on perilous journeys guided by faith and hope. As she encourages us to travel along with the pilgrims of long ago, we can find the wisdom and hope that we badly need for the unexpected twists and anxious unknowns of our faith journeys today." --Ed Cyzewski, author of Reconnect: Spiritual Restoration from Digital Distraction "Lisa Deam's 3000 Miles to Jesus is a treasure vault opened up for us by an insightful contemplative thinker and historian. Along the path we learn of saints -- of pilgrims. They remind us that we never walk alone; we walk with companions. I am paying close attention to Deam -- her work, her writing, and this book in particular -- because I want to draw closer to Jesus. I recommend you do the same." --Marlena Graves, author of The Way Up Is Down: Becoming Yourself by Forgetting Yourself "Who hasn't sometimes felt like Jesus is three thousand miles away? You are not alone. That is the encouragement of this honest yet hopeful book, inviting us to join saints of old on a journey as long as the Christian life itself." --James K. A. Smith, editor in chief, Image Journal, and author of On the Road with Saint Augustine
