Religion Books

Book SynopsisLooking back on a life of struggles and trials, Helen Roseveare shares her testimony of God’s dealings with her – of his all sufficiency and the response which it requires: not just acceptance, but joy in the face of hardship! I hope that reading this short book will inspire you to look at the Bible with a curiosity that takes you further into the word of God and will drive you to live for him with great determination and passion. ~ Helen Roseveare (1925–2016)Trade ReviewIt's an even greater encouragement reading this book on the other side of Helen Roseveare's home going to heaven, knowing that her struggle is over and she persevered to the end. Let her minister to you in her discouragements, in her victories, and in her perspective as a believer who has finished the race and glorified her Saviour all along the way. -- Courtney Reissig (Author of ‘Teach Me to Feel: Worshipping Through the Psalms in Every Season of Life’)I hope that reading this short book will inspire you to look at the Bible with a curiosity that takes you further into the word of God and drive you to live for him with great determination and passion. -- Helen Roseveare ((1925–2016) Former missionary to the Congo, internationally respected speaker with WEC ministries and author)I am glad that Roseveare left us this brief final testament to God's goodness when providence appears to frown. To borrow from the writer of Hebrews, by her faith, she still speaks, even though she is dead. -- Betsy Childs Howard (Editor, The Gospel Coalition)Count it all Joy exudes love for Christ, delight as well as struggle in serving him, and the wisdom of a tested and seasoned disciple. As always, Helen Roseveare's total commitment to Christ coupled with her biblical realism shine through to both challenge and encourage us. -- Sinclair B. Ferguson (Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi)

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Book SynopsisAn accessible introduction to pre-modern Islam, showcasing the individuals caliphs, law-makers, theologians, poets, mystics and scholars who shaped the course of early Islamic history.Trade Review'A beautifully written set of brief, vividly drawn portraits' - Times Higher EducationTable of Contents1. Islam and Empire 600–850 • 2. The Islamic Commonwealth 850–1050 • 3. The Sunni Synthesis 1050–1250 • 4. Conflict & Change 1250–1550

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Book SynopsisWhy Christianity was never meant to be simple - an essential exploration of the paradoxes that lie at the heart of the Christian faith.Trade ReviewThese may seem like heavy theological ideas, yet the author approaches his theme in what is an easily read way through leading characters of the bible from Abraham to Paul. He challenges his readers to consider not only those passages that give us comfort, but also those "dark sayings" which so often perturb people. * Irish Catholic *Allow your mind to test your conclusions about the Bible. Like Thomas in the Easter Story, you might find that exploring doubts and questions will bring you to clearer vision. * Inspire Magazine *Amazing...I really loved it. The book real is an eye-opener that makes you look at the Bible in a different way. * Families First Magazine *

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Book SynopsisFull of wisdom, hope, and opportunities for contemplation, this elegant little book features more than 75 classic Christian prayers paired with beautiful illustrations taken from vintage missals and prayer books. Gorgeous representations of holy figures are accompanied by beloved litanies—including the Lord''s Prayer, Gloria, Prayer of Saint Francis, and the Apostle''s Creed—to recite in moments of celebration or times of need. Presented in an attractive package with gilded edges, a padded cover, and a lovely ribbon marker, this is a keepsake to be treasured by the newly confirmed or baptized and a timeless collection to turn to in all of life''s important moments.

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Book SynopsisThis NIV Journalling Bible, with a cover inspired by the Japanese ceramic art form, kintsugi, is a beautifully presented Bible for you to treasure. The New International Version of the Scriptures is printed in clear, easy-to-read 9PT British Text on thicker than usual Bible paper, with a five centimetre blank margin on every page, giving you lots of extra room for notes, reflections, illustrations or Bible studies. A 32-page concordance can be found at the back. The Bible text is interspersed with 32 pages introducing the art of verse-mapping. This Bible study method encourages you to prayerfully choose a verse, compare it with other translations, study the context, including the history and characters mentioned, and then reflect and allow the Spirit to guide you in application. There are also verses to colour in, with lots of space around them for you to add your own illustrations, and many other pages with creative prompts for Bible journalling.Trade ReviewThis newly updated edition of the NIV retains its commitment to accuracy even while remaining accessible to the widest audience possible. * Philip Yancey *Faithful, thorough and inspiring. I cannot recommend the NIV translation highly enough for individual reading, group study or preaching. * Gavin Calver *The NIV helps people to connect with God in a way they can understand. * Malcolm Duncan *

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Book SynopsisCrop circles are the finest, most beautiful and original art forms of modem times, and they are totally mysterious. Behind the crop circle phenomenon is an evident purpose. Some intelligence, human, alien or spiritual, is in the process of communication. It is exposing us to a course of re-education, beginning with the symbols of sacred knowledge and wisdom. The most striking evidence for this view is the amazing formation that appeared at Crooked Soley in Wiltshire on the 27th August 2002. Clearly expressed in its design are certain numerical symbols that are known esoterically as the 'Keys to Creation'. They are also keys to that universal science associated with the Holy Grail. From time to time it is revealed again, and when that happens, culture and the human spirit are renewed and life on earth is restored to its natural state as a reflection of paradise.

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Book SynopsisReincarnation -- by which human beings return to live on earth -- is a concept most often associated with eastern philosophies rather than Christianity. In this fascinating book, Friedrich Rittelmeyer explores reincarnation from a Christian point of view, arguing that it has a place in modern Christian thought.Reincarnation can sometimes be exploited to justify daydreams or imaginary past glories, or can harden into a legalistic reckonining of vice and virtue. Rittelmeyer's approach is different: joyous, essentially Christian, and full of a sense of freedom as he struggles to find a path through the pitfalls on the way to a Christ-filled acceptance of reincarnation.Drawing on the work and inspiration of Rudolf Steiner, Rittelmeyer was able to encounter the cosmic truth of reincarnation and, wrestling with human doubt on every level, courageously grounds it in human reality.Table of ContentsForeword by Stewart C. Easton 7Introduction 13Reincarnation in the Light of Thought 17Reincarnation in the Light of Religion 65Reincarnation in the Light of Ethics 95

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Book SynopsisWe were created to reflect something or Someone. What we behold, we reflect. The more we behold the Lord, the more we look like him--and the more we see his glory released into our lives and the lives of those around us.The glory of God is irresistible. Yet seeking to sense his presence or experience his glory for its own sake misses the point. His glory is the natural outpouring of a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit. In these pages, author and speaker Jennifer Eivaz shows how you can enter into more intimate fellowship with the Spirit of God, experience miraculous encounters, and begin to see more miracles, more deliverances, and more lives dramatically changed. Here is the inspiration you need to step into the supernatural and follow God''s leading--and carry his glory to the darkest places and see his kingdom come.

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Book SynopsisAn unusual perspective on the cultural and political milieu in existence at the time of the emergence of Christianity. Events such as the Persian Wars are examined with a view to understanding the spiritual struggles raging between those forces that wished to promote a newly emerging human consciousness, based on independent thought and a growing sense of egocentricity; and those forces that wished to preserve the authoritarian structures of the past, which were rooted in now decadent mystery practices. In particular the role of Essenes receives prominence, given that Bock was writing prior to the discoveries of the Dead Sea Scrolls. In the second half of the book, Bock investigates the esoteric biographies of some of the key figures surrounding Jesus Christ, and demonstrates how their destinies were affected by the encounters with the being of Christ.

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Book SynopsisSuited to high school and college students, the ESV Student Study Bible is also a versatile resource for anyone engaged in serious study of God's Word. Contains introductions, study notes, and more.

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Book SynopsisThe ESV Study Bible, Personal Size compresses the features of the award-winning ESV Study Bible into a smaller size for easier carrying.

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Book SynopsisThe ESV Study Bible, Personal Size compresses nearly all the features of the award-winning ESV Study Bible into a smaller size for easier carrying.

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Book SynopsisThe ESV Study Bible, Personal Size compresses nearly all the features of the award-winning ESV Study Bible into a smaller size for easier carrying.

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Book SynopsisCombining the best and most recent evangelical Christian scholarship with the highly regarded ESV text, the ESV Study Bible is the most comprehensive study Bible ever published.

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Book SynopsisDrawing heavily on Calvin's letters, commentaries, the Institutes, and other lesser-known writings, Horton explores the riches of Calvin's piety and its significance for contemporary Christian living. Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.

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Book SynopsisAs the title testifies, students were sworn to secrecy before being given access to this magic text and only a few manuscripts have survived. Bits of its teachings, such as the use of the magic whistle for summoning spirits, are alluded to in other texts. Another key element of its ritual, the elaborate Seal of God, has been found in texts and amulets throughout Europe.Interest in THE SWORN BOOK OF HONORIUS has grown in recent years, yet no modern translations have been attempted - until now.Purporting to preserve the magic of Solomon in the face of intense persecution by religious authorities, this text includes one of the oldest and most detailed magic rituals. It contains a complete system of magic including how to attain the divine vision, communicate with holy angels and control aerial, earthly and infernal spirits for practical gain.Largely ignored by historians until recently, this text is an important witness to the transmission of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism to European Hermeticists.

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Book SynopsisJohn Wesley's theology lacked systematic eschatology, but his soteriology and eschatology were interconnected. The author argues against labeling Wesley with modern millennial terms, suggesting he should be broadly seen as a 'millenarian.'

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsTranslator’s Note xiii Preface to the English-Language Edition xv Opening: The Isenheim Altarpiece or “The Taking on Board of Suffering” xvii Introduction: Shifting Understandings of Anxiety 1 PART I: THE FACE-TO-FACE OF FINITUDE 1 From the Burden of Death to Flight before Death 7 §1 The Burden of Death, 7 ■ §2 Fleeing from Death, 8 2 The Face of Death or Anxiety over Finitude 10 §3 Death “for Us” Humans, 10 ■ §4 Genesis and Its Symbolism, 11 ■ §5 The Mask of Perfection, 12 ■ §6 The Image of Finitude in Man, 13 ■ §7 Finitude: Finite and Infinite, 16 ■ §8 Finitude and Anxiety, 16 ■ §9 The Eclipse of Finitude, 17 ■ §10 The Face of Death, 18 ■ §11 To Die “with,” 19 3 The Temptation of Despair or Anxiety over Sin 22 §13 Inevitable Death, 22 ■ §14 The Conquest of Sin, 22 ■ §15 Sin and Anxiety, 23 ■ §16 The Temptation of Despair, 24 4 From the Affirmation of Meaninglessness to the Suspension of Meaning 26 §17 The Life Sentence, 26 ■ §18 The Christian Witness, 27 ■ §19 Meaninglessness and the Suspension of Meaning, 27 PART II: CHRIST FACED WITH ANXIETY OVER DEATH §20 Two Meditations on Death, 29 ■ §21 Alarm and Anxiety, 31 5 The Fear of Dying and Christ’s “Alarm” 33 §22 Taking on Fear and Abandonment, 33 ■ §23 The Cup, Sadness, and Sleep, 34 ■ §24 Resignation, Waiting, and Heroism, 35 ■ §25 The Silence at the End, 36 ■ §26 The Scenarios of Death, 37 ■ §27 The Triple Failure of the Staging, 38 ■ §28 From Alarm to Anxiety, 39 6 God’s Vigil 41 §29 Remaining Always Awake, 41 ■ §30 The Passage of Death, the Present of the Passion, the Future of the Resurrection, 42 ■ §31 Theological Actuality and Phenomenological Possibility, 43 7 The Narrow Road of Anxiety 45 §32 Indefiniteness, Reduction to Nothing, and Isolation, 45 ■ §33 The Strait Gate, 46 ■ §34 Anxiety over “Simply Death,” 47 ■ §35 Indefiniteness (Putting off the Cup) and the Powerless Power of God, 47 ■ §36 Reduction to Nothing and Kenosis, 52 ■ §37 The Isolation of Humankind and Communion with the Father, 54 ■ §38 Of Anxiety Endured on the Horizon of Death, 55 8 Death and Its Possibilities 57 §39 Manner of Living, Possibility of the Impossibility, and Death as “Mineness,” 57 ■ §40 Being Vigilant at Gethsemane, 59 ■ §41 From the Actuality of the Corpse to Possibilities for the Living, 60 ■ §42 The Death That Is Always His: Suffering in God; The Gift of His Life and Refusal of Mastery, 63 ■ §43 The Flesh Forgotten, 66 PART III: THE BODY-TO-BODY OF SUFFERING AND DEATH §44 Disappropriation and Incarnation, 69 ■ §45 Embedding in the Flesh and Burial in the Earth, 70 9 From Self-Relinquishment to the Entry into the Flesh 73 §46 Suffering the World, 73 ■ §47 Living in the World, 74 ■ §48 Otherness and Corruptibility, 74 ■ §49 Self-Relinquishment, 75 ■ §50 Passing to the Father, 76 ■ §51 Oneself as an Other, 77 ■ §52 Destitution and Auto-Affection, 78 ■ §53 Alterity and Fraternity, 79 ■ §54 Entry into the Flesh, 80 ■ §55 The Anxiety “in” the Flesh, 81 ■ §56 Toward Dumb Experience, 82 10 Suffering Occluded 84 §57 An Opportunity Thwarted, 84 ■ §58 Called into Question, 86 ■ §59 Toward a Phenomenology of Suffering, 86 11 Suffering Incarnate 88 §60 Perceiving, or the Challenge of the Toucher-Touching, 88 ■ §61 The Modes of the Incarnate Being, 91 ■ §62 The Excess of the Suffering Body, 94 12 The Revealing Sword 97 §63 Sobbing and Tears, 97 ■ §64 Fleshly Exodus, 99 ■ §65 The Vulnerable Flesh, 100 ■ §66 The Non-Substitutable Substitution, 101 ■ §67 The Act of Surrendering Oneself, 103 ■ §68 Toward a Revelation, 104 ■ §69 Useless Suffering, 104 Conclusion: The In-Fans [without-Speech] or the Silent Flesh 107 Epilogue: From One Triptych to Another 111 Notes 115 Index 157

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Book SynopsisChildress opens the door to the amazing world of ancient technology, from the computers of the ancient world to the ''flying machines of the gods''. The book explores the technology that was allegedly used in Atlantis and the theory that the great pyramid of Egypt was originally a gigantic power station. From beginning to end, the book is filled with facts, keen observations and tales that challenge modern assumptions in a humorous, intelligent and compelling way.

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Book SynopsisDo your Monday actions reflect your Sunday worship? How about your claims to faith? Is your life full of noticeable changes and actions? James, the half-brother of Jesus, wasn''t impressed with talk. He knew that a life of faith was all about actions that revealed a difference in a person''s life. For him, it was not that works save the Christian, but that they mark the Christian. In his letter, he boldly deals with practical issues of faith not bound by culture or place. He shows the importance of living a genuine life of faith. His message is bare-knuckled as he encourages, challenges, and confronts, offering practical words and admonitions to live out our faith.As you read, study, journal, and discuss the book of James, watch for these key themes that Max will unpack throughout the book: God gives us true wisdom. Satan tempts to break us; God tests to strengthen us. The words we use a

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Book Synopsis'The Bodhisattva ideal is a vast subject. It is the major distinctive emphasis of the phase of the development of Buddhism known as the Mahāyāna, which had its flowering for a period of around 500 years (0–500CE), but is still practised today in many different forms, from Tibetan Buddhism to Zen. To consider this topic is to place one’s hand on the very heart of Buddhism, and feel the beating of that heart.' Thus Sangharakshita introduces his theme. The first part of this volume describes the arising of the bodhicitta and the bodhisattva's path to Enlightenment in a weaving together of the sublime and the inspiringly practical, and the second part is a commentary on Śāntideva's classic 8th-century text, the Bodhicaryāvatara, based on a seminar given in 1973, in the very early days of Triratna, thus shaping the newly emerging Buddhist movement. The seminar was titled The Endlessly Fascinating Cry, echoing Śāntideva's fervent prayer: 'In order to grasp this jewel of the mind, I offer ... the endlessly fascinating cry of wild geese ...' The volume ends with 'The Bodhisattva Principle', a talk given in 1983 to a conference of scientists and mystics in which Sangharakshita presents a vision of the bodhisattva as an embodiment of the key to the evolution of consciousness, individual and collective. The subject of this book may be an ideal, but it offers many ways to take the first real steps on this most significant of all journeys, and much nourishment for the heart and mind of the would-be bodhisattva.Trade Review`I have always looked to Sangharakshita’s books for inspiration and ideas on how to better translate the principles and practices of Buddhism for Western audiences and practitioners today.’ – Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha Within

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Book SynopsisHymns A&M was first published in 1861. The new standard edition was introduced in 1983 containing 533 hymns including 333 from the 1950 Revised Edition plus 100 Hymns for Today and More Hymns for Today.

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Book SynopsisGo beyond décor trends to make your home beautiful, stylish, and comfortable. . .on any budget.Writing for the hands-on woman who''d rather move her own furniture than hire a designer, Myquillyn Smith--author of the The Nesting Place--helps you think through every room in your house, one purposeful design decision at a time. With people, priorities, and purpose in mind, you can create a warm, inviting, and timeless home that transcends the latest trends and centers around your personal style.You''ll have the tools to create a home you''re proud of in a way that honors your unique priorities, budget, and taste. And best of all, you can completely transform your home starting with furniture and décor that you already have!In Cozy Minimalist Home, Smith helps you: Recognize your role as the curator of your home who makes smart, style-impacting design choices Know what to focTrade Review'Cozy doesn't mean cluttered, and minimalist doesn't signify bare. And combining the two, according to stylist Smith (The Nesting Place, 2014), sets the stage for a home with plenty--and yet no-junked-up surfaces. Smith guides readers in finding an interior design to fit their needs....Smith's clear-eyed narrative is punctuated by photographs of her house; even better are the appendix's before-and-after pictures. Rather than a photo-based decorating tome, this is thinking fodder for home designers who've decided enough is enough.' * - Booklist *Cozy Minimalist Home is more than just a book about decorating; it is a manifesto of sorts that I wholeheartedly adopt as my own: more style with less stuff. Myquillyn's down-to-earth, practical decorating advice and doable step-by-steps are what we house-lovers want. But it's her big-sisterly encouragement to use our homes to serve and gather and shelter and nurture that truly makes this book a must-read for anyone wanting their home to be a lovelier place. * Emily Lex, founder of Jones Design Company *Cozy Minimalist Home puts to rest once and for all the assumption that minimalism needs to be cold, rigid, or impersonal. Quite the contrary--it is a life filled with passion, purpose, and beauty. Thank you, Myquillyn, for showing that to be true in this beautiful book and work of art. * Joshua Becker, Founder of Becoming Minimalist and author of The More of Less *Finally, a book that gives you permission to be minimalist and be cozy, to live with less and enjoy a beautiful home. If you think minimalism results in a cold, empty house, Cozy Minimalist Home will show you how to fill your home with what matters most to you and your family. This lovely book is as warm, cozy, and simple as you'll want your home to be. * Courtney Carver, author of Soulful Simplicity *Here is what I love about Myquillyn, and what I believe sets her most apart: she is primarily concerned with the way a space makes you feel. Her ultimate goal is to help people create spaces where people feel welcome, comfortable, cozy, relaxed, refreshed, and inspired. Contrary to a form-over-function culture, Myquillyn has developed a way to coach us into creating spaces where the people we love--and ourselves!--can feel our best. And lucky for us, she just happens to help us to make these spaces beautiful along the way. * Lindsay Sherbondy, Owner and Designer, Lindsay Letters *I was hardly aware of the low-grade sense of failure I had every time I walked into my sunroom. It sounds dramatic, but I think a lot of women struggle with feeling shame about the way our houses look. I knew something wasn't right but I didn't know why. And then I learned the Cozy Minimalist way and everything changed. Step by step, I applied Myquillyn's Cozy Minimalist method to my sunroom, and it went from being my least favorite room in the house to my most favorite within days. I didn't have to take out a loan, sell my birthright, or win the lottery to make the changes. Now that I know these simple principles, I can apply them to any room in my house. We have enough to fight against in this world. Our homes should be the last place on earth where we feel shame. I'm so grateful for this beautiful, life-giving book. * Emily P. Freeman, The Nester's little sister and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Simply Tuesday *In Cozy Minimalist Home, Myquillyn explores what's missing from the minimalist versus hoarder conversation: in life and in decor, what does it mean to have enough? With an affirming approach, gentle guidance, and trusted tips, she's the grace-based KonMari we've been waiting for. Here's to more style and less stuff-within our own four walls and beyond. * Erin Loechner, blogger at DesignforMankind.com and author of Chasing Slow *In her humorous, down-to-earth style, Myquillyn shows us how to stop trying so hard and instead create a space where we can exhale and simply be ourselves. Isn't that what home is all about? * Lisa Leonard, jewelry designer and writer *My home is my happy place, and it's even happier thanks to Myquillyn's encouragement, know-how, and practical guidance. She's taught me about decorating math, wall sabbaths, and personal style, and I adore the results I get to enjoy every day in my home. If you want to make your own home more warm, inviting, comforting, and welcoming, I highly recommend this book. * Anne Bogel, author of I'd Rather Be Reading *Myquillyn is that trusted friend who comes over in the midst of your home-headaches and in her wise, no-nonsense way, gets to the heart of your decisions about decor and dwelling. She elevates minimalism without sacrificing style, sets the stage for hospitality minus the production, and empowers even the most intimidated home decorator to make simple styling decisions that count. Cozy Minimalist Home will give you the freedom and confidence you need to simplify your style and make your house your own. * Ruth Chou Simons, artist and bestselling author of GraceLaced and Garden of Truth; founder of gracelaced.com *Myquillyn is, no exaggeration, my go-to person for helping me reframe how I think about home. I'm a serial traveler, yet her enthusiasm for making my home a place I want to be keeps me grounded like few things I know. She's got a knack for mixing practical know-how with simple beauty, and her wisdom helps me actually love to hang up my backpack and start the tea--while loving everything around me. That's a tall order. I can't think of a person in my life who couldn't benefit from this book. * Tsh Oxenreider, author of At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe *Myquillyn Smith's approach to living and decorating has inspired me for a decade. No home designer in America is better suited to speak to the everyday woman who craves beauty but doesn't have the time and energy for perfection. Her words and style have impacted my perspectives about design and have helped me transform my house into a home. * Jessica N. Turner, author of the bestselling books The Fringe Hours and Stretched Too Thin *Smith (The Nesting Place) collects her thoughts and practical advice about downsizing and eliminating clutter in this spiritually informed book about home style. For Smith, the key is to focus on creating the atmosphere one craves rather than being tied to more and more items. Employing humor, clever terminology, and personal anecdotes, Smith offers practical methods and temporary fixes to ease what she calls 'clutter anxiety.' Knowing which pieces of furniture to start with, and how to prioritize where they will go in a room, for example, can help one decide what additional items will be needed. Smith understands how hard it is to find the line between cozy and cluttered, and recommends concentrating on the rooms and styles readers already have. Chapters open with questions to spur thinking about home space: 'What about this room draws me in? What ideas can I steal for my own use?' Smith also includes prompts for sparking creativity, steps for getting started, and inspirational sound bites: 'When we have clarity and purpose, we find motivation and confidence' and 'We long to create because we were made by a creator.' Readers will discover interesting perspectives on decluttering in Smith's instructive book. Agent: Jenni Burke, D.C. Jacobsen and amp; Associates. (Oct.) * Publishers Weekly *Step by step, chapter by chapter, Myquillyn writes as if she's your best friend who's moved in to destress your home and your life. With her 'I've been there, and together we can do this' approach, you'll learn to curate a space with just the right balance. It's like clutter detox in a delightful interior-design book. * Kim Leggett, author of City Farmhouse Style *Ugh, stuff. Sometimes it feels like it deserves an 'it's complicated' Facebook status. The struggle of having enough to feel comfortable and welcoming, but not so much that you feel suffocated and overwhelmed, is real. Which is why I devoured Cozy Minimalist Home. An approachable way to create a chic and inviting house that isn't stuffed to the gills so there's more room for life?! I'M IN! * Sherry Petersik, blogger at Young House Love and New York Times bestselling author of Lovable Livable Home *When Myquillyn talks about home, I lean in and listen. She has a brilliance about her that makes it easy to forget that she's talking about home decor. I want her wisdom in so many areas of my life, but I'm happy to start with the living room. Strip away what's keeping you from serving people and then teach your rooms to do the same--yes! This book is a gem and its author a rare gift to those who wish to make home a place of peace, love, and hospitality. * Edie Wadsworth, author of All the Pretty Things *

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Book Synopsis"The Yoga Sutras are Patanjali''s classic on how to experience oneness (Samadhi) within yoga practice. Many serious yoga students want to bring the wisdom of the Sutras to their practice, but often find the text impenetrable and difficult to relate to. The Tantra of the Yoga Sutras remedies this by offering an interpretation that is uniquely relatable, teachable, and accessible. Yogi and tantric master Alan Finger shows contemporary practitioners and students that Samadhi is not something that we strive for in the future, but something that we can experience now. Many interpreters of the Yoga Sutras describe Samadhi as an unreachable goal for the ordinary yogi. Finger''s interpretation delivers yoga practices that are doable, with attainable and transformative results"--

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Stephen J. Shoemaker cogently argues that late antique Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, as well as early Islam, are all deeply imprinted by a kind of apocalypticism that ascribes a crucial role to imperial conquest and triumph." * Nicolai Sinai, University of Oxford *

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Book SynopsisProvides a lucid English translation of the prayer known as 'The Most Elevated Cycle' or 'The Prayer of Protection'. This book also delves into the prayer's contemporary life and historical transmission and gives details of generations of well-known scholars and Sufi masters.Trade Review"The importance of having a stable text with full vocalisation based upon the best manuscripts is evident. But the author's careful study of the chains of transmission and the detailed information about the recitation of the prayer in the contemporary world are also of the highest interest." Prof Michel ChodkiewiczTable of ContentsIntroduction; The Dawr Today; A Prayer Across Time; The Prayer for Spiritual Elevation and Protection; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis is a translation of the spiritual poems of one of the greatest Ottoman Sufi masters, Mehmed Muhyiddin Üftade (1490-1580). Üftade was born and lived in Bursa, a hugely important spiritual centre at the height of the Ottoman Empire. He was founder of one of its main dervish orders, the Jelvetiyye, through the training of his famous disciple, Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi. In addition, Üftade composed a collection of poems, which express his spiritual quest in simple, direct and wonderfully human language, and these are presented here for the first time in English. Paul Ballanfat''s introduction provides a detailed overview of the main features of Üftade''s life and teachings, and of his cultural background, where sultans were often affiliated to Sufi orders. Particularly prominent in Üftade''s teaching was the thought of the greatest master, Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi, and of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. Üftade had a direct spiritual connection with both of these extraordinary men and a great venerationTable of ContentsIntroduction by Paul Ballanfat The Poems of Uftade Notes to the poems Bibliography

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Book SynopsisA fresh interpretation of the final major sections of the Hebrew book of Ezekiel, chapters 38-48 Stephen L. Cook offers an accessible translation and interpretation of the final sections of Ezekiel. These chapters, the most challenging texts of scripture, describe the end-time assault of Gog of Magog on Israel and provide an incredible visionary tour of God's utopian temple. Following the approach of Moshe Greenberg, the author of the preceding Anchor Yale Bible commentaries on Ezekiel, this volume grounds interpretation of the book in an intimate acquaintance with Ezekiel's source materials, its particular patterns of composition and rhetoric, and the general learned, priestly workings of the Ezekiel school. The commentary honors Greenberg's legacy by including insights from traditional Jewish commentators, such as Rashi, Kimhi, and Eliezer of Beaugency. In contrast to preceding commentaries, the book devotes special attention to the Zadokite idea of an indwelling, anthropomorphic bodTrade Review“An interesting and powerful book…unimpeachably honest”—Deborah Casewell, The Expository Times

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Carter's story should inspire and disturb all of us as it challenges our cherished and comforting assumptions, our tightly held claims and possessions, our glib tropes, including those about about home, race, religion, self." Vincent L. Wimbush, Director, Institute for Signifying Scriptures"Carter tells the story of his interfaith pilgrimage with Daisaku Ikeda, and how Ikeda's challenge has led him to a new self-understanding, renewed hope, and a revitalized faith. This is the kind of book that can literally change a person's life." Lewis V. Baldwin, Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies, Vanderbilt University"Carter is a truly cosmopolitan global preacher and thinker. From his American, South Asian, and East Asian religious identity, he is a true disciple of Jesus, the most distant of all his mentors, carrying on Jesus' work in extraordinarily creative ways. Read this book!" Robert Cummings Neville, Professor of Philosophy, Religion, and Theology, and Dean emeritus of the School of Theology and Marsh Chapel, Boston University"This beautifully written memoir is a testament to the power of the inward journey toward existential discovery, a pursuit too often impeded by social barriers. Universal and immanent, truth beckons to us beyond the boundaries of geography, nomenclature, or faith tradition. It will draw us nearer, Carter teaches, if only we muster the intellectual courage to let it light our path." Larry O. Rivers, Associate Professor of History, University of West GeorgiaJenkins Group is proud to announce the winners of the Sixth Annual Illumination Book Awards. The awards are designed to honor and bring increased recognition to the year's best new titles written and published with a Christian worldview. winner, Illumination Book Awards, http://www.illuminationawards.com/13/2019-medalists

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Book SynopsisA Young Muslim''s Guide to the Modern World, by one of Islam''s greatest contemporary scholars, was written specifically for Muslims, and in particular young Muslims, urging them to become familiar with their religion and to gain an understanding of the modern world from the Islamic point of view in order to respond positively to its challenges. This guide, the first of its kind in any language, presents an exposition of the teachings of Islam as revealed in the Qur''an, explained in the hadith and Sunnah of the Prophet and commented upon by Muslim scholars and thinkers, as well as outlining the Western religious and intellectual tradition.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAltered States genuinely moves forward in laying a path for new, insightful, and valuable information on the American Buddhism that is developing in our global society. D. E. Osto's groundbreaking research will be appreciated by scholars, and their accessible style will be enjoyed by nonacademic readers. -- Charles Prebish, author of Luminous Passage: The Practice and Study of Buddhism in AmericaAltered States deftly guides us through the neglected territory of psychedelic Buddhism. This is a fascinating story, full of vivid characters and supported by solid research. Still, I believe it makes a greater contribution by situating these practices and persons within the larger contexts of tantra, of American religion, and of cutting-edge neuropsychology and consciousness studies. The result is—to use le mot juste—mind blowing. -- Franz Metcalf, author of What Would Buddha Do?: 101 Answers to Life's Daily Dilemmas"[Altered States] mixes statistics and surveys, historical overview, personal experience, and ethnographic texture to uncover the intertwining history of two fast-growing movements in American spirituality.... This overview will appeal to anyone interested in Buddhism, psychedelic possibilities, and understanding how both are forging a controversial new American religious experience. * Publishers Weekly *Osto’s book is exceptional in its ability to focus the conversation about entheogens within religious perspectives. . . . They also point to more complex questions regarding the nature of subjectivity, experience, and scientific study. * Religious Theory *Of interest to anyone who wants to explore the intersection between traditional religion and altered states of consciousness, be they induced by psychedelics or any other means. * OPEN *Provocative.... The book is worth buying, reading, and quoting. * PsycCritiques *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Buddhism and the Psychedelic Connection2. The Psychedelic Revolution3. The Buddhist Revolution4. Opening the Door: Psychedelics as a Gateway to Buddhist Practice5. Closing the Door: The Fifth Precept and Graduating from Psychedelics6. Keeping the Door Open: Psychedelics as an Adjunct to Buddhist Practice7. Are Psychedelics "the True Dharma"?: Debates, Presuppositions, and Philosophical IssuesConclusionsPostscriptNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisDesigned as a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Western neuroscientists, this book takes readers on a journey through opposing fields of thought—showing that they may not be so opposing after all Is the mind an ephemeral side effect of the brain’s physical processes? Are there forms of consciousness so subtle that science has not yet identified them? How does consciousness happen? Organized by the Mind and Life Institute, this discussion addresses some of the most troublesome questions that have driven a wedge between Western science and religion.   Edited by Zara Houshmand, Robert B. Livingston, and B. Alan Wallace, Where Buddhism Meets Neuroscience is the culmination of meetings between the Dalai Lama and a group of eminent neuroscientists and psychiatrists. The Dalai Lama’s incisive, open-minded approach both challenges and offers inspiration to Western scientists.   This book was previously published under the title Consciousness at the Crossroads.

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Book SynopsisA sustained and systematic theological reflection on the idea that being a Christian is, first and last, a matter of the flesh, Christian Flesh shows us what being a Christian means for fleshly existence. Depicting and analyzing what the Christian tradition has to say about the flesh of Christians in relation to that of Christ, the book shows that some kinds of fleshly activity conform well to being a Christian, while others are in tension with it. But to lead a Christian life is to be unconstrained by ordinary ethical norms. Arguing that no particular case of fleshly activity is forbidden, Paul J. Griffiths illustrates his message through extended case studies of what it is for Christians to eat, to clothe themselves, and to engage in physical intimacy. Trade Review"Paul Griffiths, one of the few truly creative theologians of our time, has produced another brilliant and provocative work of speculative theology, demonstrating the centrality of the flesh to the mysteries and doctrines of the Christian faith and examining questions of the greatest significance today and always." -- Carol Zaleski * Smith College *"In this trenchant and careful theological treatment of our embodiment, Paul Griffiths puts the stress exactly where it should be put––on the possibility of transfigured touch. In doing so he does not shy away from the violence involved in all fallen caresses, nor the degree of caress that survives even in our violent touches. By focusing on the varieties of touch, he is able to untangle several unfortunate arguments between liberals and conservatives in a most refreshing way. One does not have to agree with all his conclusions to be immensely assisted by this book and grateful to him for writing it." -- John Milbank * University of Nottingham *"As ever, Paul Griffiths is almost alarming in his lucidity and intelligence. Very few theologians can boast a comparable combination of profound questioning and precise reasoning. This is a book worthy of the most serious reflection, debate, and admiration." -- David Bentley Hart * Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study *"Readers familiar with Paul J. Griffiths's work know they must be prepared to encounter provocation in his new book, Christian Flesh, for Griffiths is a provocateur in the best sense, someone who intends to leave the reader uncomfortable and thereby provoke conversation. Griffiths enjoys a good scrap of the clarifying kind, and in this book I think he has invited readers of various stripes to a variety of good scraps....This book has prompted me to ponder the issues it raises more deeply, for which I have its provocative author to thank." -- John Cavadini * Commonweal Magazine *"Christian Flesh can help Christians of all persuasions to think deeply and theologically about the body, and what it means to live as a faithful body cleaved to Jesus in the sacraments. Griffiths is driven by theology, not by the latest arguments from the political, legal, and scientific sphere, and in that, his work is both enriching and refreshing." -- Aaron Klink * Anglican Theological Review *"Christian Flesh possesses an integrity and exhaustiveness that evades condensed representation. There is much to recommend its reading, and I would struggle to find any reservations for recommending it. The writing is approachable, even when dense, and its honesty and transparency are commendable." -- Jonathan M. Platter * Reading Religion *"Christian Flesh is supremely lucid and beautifully austere....[In this review,] I have covered only a sample of the provocative, inventive, and profound speculations that make up Christian Flesh. I suspect its influence will be felt for many years as scholars work through its implications and pursue its many fascinating leads." -- Evan Sandsmark * Modern Theology *"[T]hose provocative proposals which linger with and even agitate the reader long after the turn of the last page – are among the cardinal reasons why [Griffiths's] books deserve close, careful attention. He has given us much to ponder in Christian Flesh, and in doing so has provided a model of well-reasoned, stimulating and enduring theology." -- R. David Nelson * International Journal of Systematic Theology *Table of ContentsContents and Abstracts1Flesh Devastated chapter abstractThis chapter distinguishes body from flesh and shows the latter to be, first, haptic, which is to say constituted and maintained as flesh by touch in its many varieties; second, self-contiguous and bounded, separated in fact and experience from other bodies of flesh, while also located in time and space; third, a gift received from the caresses of others, without which flesh can neither come to be as such, nor continue in being; and fourth, fragile and mortal, located in a world in which fleshly pain is a constant threat and a frequent companion, and in which death, the end of flesh, is always close at hand. 2Flesh Transfigured chapter abstractThis chapter shows what human flesh would be like were it not damaged, and does so from a Christian point of view, by describing the flesh of Jesus Christ during the period from his conception to his death on the cross (natal flesh), from his resurrection to his ascension (resurrected flesh), and from his ascension onwards (ascended flesh). As natal flesh, the book argues, his flesh was exempt from the ordinary damage of pain and mortality except as these served particular purposes. The chapter shows, in its analysis of this and its engagement with counterviews, that human flesh's ordinary subjection to these things isn't essential to it, and begins to sketch what flesh would be like were it not so subject. 3Flesh Cleaved chapter abstractThis chapter shows what it means for human flesh to cleave to—to be made intimate with, incorporated into—the flesh of Christ through baptism. Baptism is depicted as a matter of the flesh and as an act that newly relates the flesh of the baptized to Christ's flesh. Paul's discussion of these matters in the Corinthian correspondence is interpreted, with special attention to what it means to say that the Christian's bodily members are, analogically and participatorily, Christ's. Being intimate with one kind of flesh—namely Christ's—means that some other kinds of fleshly intimacy are ruled inappropriate; the scriptural language of fornication and idolatry is presented and discussed as a way of clarifying this, and the chapter argues that appropriate Christian fleshly conduct is better presented by way of hagiography—writing the lives of those who exhibit it—than by way of argument or codification. 4Clothes chapter abstractThis chapter shows what it is to be clothed, and what functions the wearing of clothes serve in human life. It shows the importance of nakedness in baptism and argues that there is no distinctively or properly Christian clothing: no clothes intrinsically proper to, or improper for, Christian flesh. Local sartorial conventions, however, may be observed by Christians, and should be unless they carry with them a signal that they are more than conventional by being rooted in the order of being. If they carry that signal—as locally gender-specific modes of dress, for example, often do—then they can become both fornicatory and idolatrous. The chapter argues that Christians have a radical freedom with respect to dress because of their cleaving to the flesh of Christ. 5Food chapter abstractThis chapter shows what it is to eat and drink and asks what is appropriate in that sphere for Christian flesh. There are, for Christians, no forbidden foods, and none required. All are on a par at least in that all eating is intimate with slaughter (whether of plants or animals). The sole exception is eucharistic eating, and this shows that all non-eucharistic eating ought to be accompanied by lament as well as by delight. Fasting is analyzed, depicted as a proper Christian response to this situation, and articulated with both eschatology and eucharistic theology. Gluttony and other forms of scandalous eating are treated, and the mistakes evident in them shown. 6Caresses chapter abstractThis chapter analyzes the varieties of human fleshly exchange as these appear to Christians. Fleshly contacts fall on a spectrum from the life-giving caress to the life-taking wound. Fleshly wounding is concupiscent: it seeks domination and control, and caresses of this kind are inappropriate, it is argued, for Christian flesh, while celibacy and virginity are depicted as characteristically Christian modes of responding to the connection between copulation and death. But there are no caresses whose form specifically forbids them to Christians, and this is argued with respect to three examples: masturbation, cunnilingus, and sodomy. The topics treated in this chapter are framed by and aimed at a depiction of caressing the flesh of Jesus, with which the chapter concludes.

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Book SynopsisThis early thirteenth-century West Midlands guide for women recluses is not only one of the major works of early Middle English prose, but is also a key document for the development of medieval spirituality.Trade ReviewIt is a text that all students of English Literature should read but which few could in its original language, making a good modern translation an essential to the work’s modern dissemination. Bella Millett’s new translation is extremely valuable for this reason alone, but it is an additional boon in being the fruit of many years’ research on the original Middle English manuscripts by the current leading scholar in the field of Ancrene Wisse studies. Such helpful tools, coupled with the very readable lucid prose in which the entire translation and commentary have been rendered will no doubt be greeted with thanks from the students and non-specialists whom this translation is meant to serve, as well as from the specialists who now have an exceptionally well done translation to use in their classrooms. * English Studies Vol.92, No. 4, pp.464-475 *Table of ContentsPreface to this edition Introduction 1. Ancrene Wisse and its Contexts 2. Sources and Analogues 3. The Form of the Work 4. The Textual History of Ancrene Wisse 5. This Translation Guide for Anchoresses Preface Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Explanatory Notes Bibliography 1. A Note on Further Reading 2. Abbreviations and Short Titles 3. Editions and Secondary Works General Index Scriptural Quotations Index

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Book SynopsisThe popular mind often associates scepticism with irreligion, and critical distance with unbelief. In this view, reason and faith, or scientific method and religious dogma, are not only different but indeed antagonistic means of viewing the world, understanding human existence, and conducting one''s life. Pierre Bayle''s scepticism was of a singularly distinct sort. He argued not that religion is untrue, but that the discourses proper to theology and the discourses proper to philosophy are incapable of any meaningful exchange. Bayle sought to advance a secular morality that would be independent of both speculative theism and religious revelation. Bayle blazed a philosophical path that Denis Diderot, David Hume, and other Enlightenment thinkers would follow. The continuing significance of this work is its vigorous defence of complete religious toleration. It is in itself a primary historical source of our modern tradition of religious tolerance.

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Book SynopsisA superbly written and tightly argued appraisal of the political and religious ramifications of one of the fundamental topics in the history of art the artistic encounter with the transcendent.Trade Review'Utopian modernism has been Clark’s lifetime study, to which this book is an imaginative, heartfelt coda … gracefully skims a tightrope between attentive looking and political thinking' - Jackie Wullschlager, Financial Times'A tour de force that happily marries art with literature … [Clark] is always lively and engaging … this is art criticism at its best' - Church Times'A more novel and compelling book about art's version of the afterlife, and how it is inflected by worldly politics and reality, can hardly be imagined' - Laura Cumming, Observer Books of the Year'The pleasure of this book lies in the quality of these observations – Clark’s relentlessly keen attention to the small details that ought not to mean a great deal but often send you reeling. He makes you want to squint close to the original, seeing it suddenly aslant' - frieze'Inspiring … it demands to be read from cover to cover, and happily the flow of [Clark’s] prose and the clarity of his argument mean that the experience is a singular delight' - Evening Standard, Art Books of the YearTable of ContentsPreface • Introduction • 1. Giotto and the Angel • 2. Bruegel in Paradise • 3. Poussin and the Unbeliever • 4. Veronese’s Higher Beings • Conclusion: Picasso and the Fall • Coda: For a Left with No Future

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