Contact: Ginger Kolbaba, Christianity Today International, 630-260-6200 ext 4214, gkolbaba@christianitytoday.com

CAROL STREAM, Ill., Dec. 29 /Standard Newswire/ -- While millions of people across the world set New Year's resolutions in January, Kyria is encouraging women to consider the spiritual gift of contemplation as a resolution.

Editor Ginger Kolbaba says, "This month's issue of the Kyria digizine is on the practice of contemplation--the practice of closing off to all the distractions of the world in order to focus on the greatness and presence of God. In this new year, we hope to help women awaken to God's presence in and around them and realize what a difference contemplation can make in their lives."

Featured is an interview with Phyllis Tickle, founding editor of the Religion Department of Publishers Weekly and a sought after lecturer on contemplation. Many Christians approach this spiritual discipline with skepticism, and may group it with secular meditation. Tickle, however, states true contemplation was common practice for Christians prior to the Reformation. In fact, living a life of contemplation is so essential to Tickle's faith that if just three hours go by without connecting with God, life "becomes so loud I can hardly think." Her interview describes not only the definition and history of contemplation, but how this discipline is vital to your faith right now.

The January issue of the Kyria digizine is available to members and features the following pieces:

The Lost Discipline
Author and theologian Phyllis Tickle shows us how contemplation is invaluable for Christians today.
By Hollie Baker-Lutz with Ginger Kolbaba

Look Again!
Old habits keep us from truly seeing and hearing God.
By Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

When I Consider the Heavens...
Catching a glimpse of just how big our God is.
By Ginger Kolbaba

How God Works in You
God uses unique ways to bring us into intimate fellowship with him.
By Julie Kloster

Heart Wide Open
Contemplation allows me to realize how graced my life truly is.
By Vinita Hampton Wright

To see the January 2010 issue of Kyria digizine in its entirety, become a member of Kyria.com here: http://kyria.com/membership/.

The February 2010 issue will be on the topic of justice and will feature an interview with Kara Powell and other articles.

Christianity Today International (CTI) publishes 9 print magazines and newsletters and operates an award-winning website reaching over 2.5-million unique visitors monthly. A leading journalistic voice of Evangelicals, CTI equips Christians to renew their minds, serve the church, and transform their cultures.