Beyond the Beginning

What if the Christian life is meant to be more than belief alone?
More than knowledge, routines, or striving to "do better"?

In a world marked by noise, anxiety, distraction, and spiritual exhaustion, many faithful Christians quietly long for something deeper--a more intimate awareness of God's presence and a life truly rooted in Christ. In Beyond the Beginning: Moving Toward Christ Our Life, Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR, invites readers beyond surface-level faith into the transforming reality of abiding in Jesus.

Drawing from the wisdom of the Church's spiritual tradition and years of experience as a priest and retreat leader, Fr. Jeremiah offers fourteen rich and deeply practical reflections on the spiritual life. With warmth, clarity, and compassion, he guides readers toward a deeper understanding of what it means to live consciously in relationship with God--not simply believing in him, but becoming united with him.

This is a book for Christians who have already encountered faith, yet sense there is still more waiting for them. More peace. More surrender. More intimacy with Christ. More freedom to love.

Through reflections on prayer, silence, weakness, repentance, purification, charity, solitude, vigilance, spiritual darkness, and the indwelling presence of God, readers are gently led toward spiritual maturity and a deeper experience of God's transforming love.

Rather than offering a checklist for spiritual success, Beyond the Beginning reorients the heart toward its true center: Jesus Himself.

Perfect for:

• Christians seeking deeper spiritual growth and renewal
• Ministry leaders, spiritual directors, and Christian counselors
• Readers longing to move from striving into abiding
• Those navigating anxiety, emptiness, or spiritual dryness
• Anyone desiring a richer life of prayer and intimacy with God

In these pages, you will discover how to:

• Become more aware of God's presence in daily life
• Move beyond performance-driven faith into deeper surrender
• Grow in silence, prayer, vulnerability, and trust
• Understand spiritual darkness and seasons when God feels distant
• Deepen your capacity for peace, love, and communion with Christ
• Find lasting fulfillment rooted in God rather than worldly achievement

Written with spiritual depth yet deeply accessible, Beyond the Beginning speaks to readers who are weary of shallow answers and hungry for a faith that truly transforms the heart.

If you are longing for a deeper relationship with Jesus--not merely knowing about him, but living in him--this book offers a thoughtful and life-giving invitation to move beyond the beginning and into the fullness of life with God.