Religion Books

Book SynopsisThis is the most important story ever told. Although it's very sad at times, it's also the happiest story. That's because it's true!

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Book SynopsisMedieval Latin Lives of Muhammad helps trace the persistence of old cliches as well as the evolution of new attitudes toward Islam and its prophet over five centuries in Western culture. This volume brings together a highly varied and fascinating set of Latin narratives and polemics never before translated into English.Trade ReviewIndispensable for all future scholarship related to the European Muhammad. -- David M. Freidenreich * Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations *Clear and richly annotated. This collection will be of interest to scholars of medieval polemical literature, the history of Arabic-to-Latin translation, and sources on Christian-Muslim relations. The translations, for their part, will be invaluable to students and specialists alike. -- Antoni Biosca * Medieval Encounters *

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Book SynopsisIf the Bible isn''t a science book or an instruction manual, what is it? What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? When New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans found herself asking these questions, she embarked on a journey to better understand what the Bible is and how it''s meant to be read. What she discovered changed her--and it can change you, too.Evans knows firsthand how a relationship with the Bible can be as real and as complicated as a relationship with a family member or close friend. In Inspired, Evans explores contradictions and questions from her own experiences with the Bible, including: If the Bible was supposed to explain the mysteries of life, why does it leave the reader with so many questions? What does it mean to be chosen by God? To what degree did the Holy Spirit guide the preservation of these narratives, and is there something sacred to be uncovered

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Book SynopsisWhat do we know of the emotional life of the Middle Ages? Though a long-neglected subject, a multitude of sources – spiritual and secular literature, iconography, chronicles, as well as theological and medical works – provide clues to the central role emotions played in medieval society. In this work, historians Damien Boquet and Piroska Nagy delve into a rich variety of texts and images to reveal the many and nuanced experiences of emotion during the Middle Ages – from the demonstrative shame of a saint to a nobleman's fear of embarrassment, from the enthusiasm of a crusading band to the fear of a town threatened by the approach of war or plague. Boquet and Nagy show how these outbursts of joy and pain, while universal expressions, must be understood within the specific context of medieval society. During the Middle Ages, a Christian model of affectivity was formed in the ‘laboratory’ of the monasteries, one which gradually seeped into wider society, interacting with the sensibilities of courtly culture and other forms of expression. Bouqet and Nagy bring a thousand years of history to life, demonstrating how the study of emotions in medieval society can also allow us to understand better our own social outlooks and customs.Trade Review‘This pathbreaking book, from two pioneer researchers on the history of emotions, tracks the unfolding of a gradual “emotional revolution,” beginning in late antiquity, that slowly transformed medieval society from top to bottom. An ancient ideal of calm self-control was supplanted by a vision of God and human beings bound together by emotional, even passionate, relationships. Every dimension of social life is brought into the story, from religion to politics, to gender, to popular culture, building a new understanding of the medieval world that sweeps aside the all-too-resilient clichés of Johan Huizinga and Norbert Elias.’ William M. Reddy, Duke UniversityTable of Contents Acknowledgements Foreword Introduction Chapter 1: The Christianization of Emotion (third to fifth centuries) The theology of emotion An emotional God God’s wrath: a proof of his existence God is love Passion incarnate The anthropology of emotion The Christian passions Augustine: father of medieval affectivity Sin and punishment A new order of humanity Chapter 2: The City of Desire: The Monastic Laboratory The desert: from the care of the body to the care of the soul The bad thoughts of Evagrius of Pontus Cassian and the foundations of community: from charity to virtuous friendship Affective conversion in Western monasticism Monastic norms for converting the emotions Gregory the Great and sacrificial emotion Chapter 3: Emotions for a Christian Society: The Frankish World (fifth to tenth centuries) The early Middle Ages: a fragmented age? Emotional bonds Amicitia / inimicitia And what of women in all of this? The rise of heavenly emotions New forms of lay devotion Moral teaching The Carolingian vision of society: unity in love Chapter 4: The Zenith of Monastic Affection The origins of affective renewal A compassionate eremitism The privilege of love: fraternal affection amongst an ascetic elite The affective reform of monasticism and the Church. Friendship as the practice of conversion: Anselm of Canterbury The expansion of love’s domain Passionate charity as spiritual nature Ordering the emotions Sensitive pieties The world as horizon: spiritual friendship and fraternal charity in the twelfth century Chapter 5: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Aristocratic Emotions in Feudal Society (eleventh to thirteenth centuries) The emotional order of feudal society A society of spectacle Revolutions of love The loving couple and its twin The naturalization of love The impossible innamoramento of same-sex lovers Literary emotions and aristocratic values Epic emotions Looking upon another, another looking upon oneself: jealousy and shame Chapter 6: The Emotive Nature of Man (eleventh to thirteenth centuries) A prelude: the controversy over the ‘first movements of the soul’ Accidents of the soul and of the heart: the medical science of emotion The emotional mechanism Emotions and healthy living Remedies for melancholy Monastic anthropology in the twelfth century: the challenges of a spiritual psychology Affect as a power of the soul For better or for worse: the affective union of body and soul Towards a university science of the passions of the soul: the thirteenth century Emotions and individuals between psychology and morality: the early thirteenth century John of La Rochelle: the turning point of scholastic anthropology Thomas Aquinas: a psychological science of the passions Chapter 7: The Politics of Princely Emotion (twelfth to fifteenth centuries) Sovereign emotion From the political body to the princely body, and back again. The prince in the mirror of his emotions The emotional portrait of St. Louis Governing through emotion Ira regis Anger as verdict: the murder of Thomas Beckett. Casting shame and being ashamed Negotiating emotions Sovereignty and the transformation of political emotion: the example of friendship Emotion as a political event ‘To cry is to govern’ Chapter 8: The Mystical Conquest of Emotion (thirteenth to fifteenth centuries) The cultural roots of ‘affective mysticism’ The Gregorian renewal of theology and the anthropology of religious practices Religious fervour: a collective emotion Francis of Assisi and the revolution of embodied emotion The experience of pious women Vision, imagination and embodiment: paths towards union with the suffering of Christ The sacramental ‘emotive’: the emotional navigation of mystics The emotional incarnation of the sacred: gender and society Epilogue: the devotio moderna and the softening of affective piety Chapter 9: Common Emotion (thirteenth to fifteenth centuries) The public sharing of performative emotions Emotion and violence: popular movements Settling conflicts through the sharing of emotion Emotions and social identities When emotions expressed communities Excluding through emotion: fomenting hatred The ‘pastoral of emotions’ The scholastic theory of emotional education Emotional rhetoric: the manufacture of laughter and shame The scripting of emotional persuasion Conclusion Notes Bibliography Figure credits Index

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Book SynopsisThis substantive evangelical commentary on Romans by a leading biblical scholar is one of the most popular in the award-winning BECNT series and has been praised as a great preaching commentary. This new edition, updated and revised throughout, reflects Thomas Schreiner's mature thinking on various interpretive issues. As with all BECNT volumes, this commentary features the author's detailed interaction with the Greek text, extensive research, thoughtful verse-by-verse exegesis, and a user-friendly design. It admirably achieves the dual aims of the series--academic sophistication with pastoral sensitivity and accessibility--making it a useful tool for pastors, church leaders, students, and teachers.

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Book SynopsisThis handy, easy-to-carry book will providethe reader with a strictly visual approach to reading the architecture of thechurch.Table of ContentsIntroduction Building Types Church Types A Grammar of Styles Materials Floor Plans The Nave Apses & Sanctuaries Choirs & Stalls Vaulting & Buttresses Domes & Cupolas Façades & Portals Baptisteries & Fonts Windows & Tracery Towers & Spires Altars & Tabernacles Stained Glass Ornaments & Symbols Glossary Resources Index Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisThere’s no doubt the world is in trouble. We see tragedy in the streets and violence in the news—but what can we do about it? And how can we find peace amid the chaos?We hear increasingly divisive political debates that spotlight the deep and bitter divisions in our society. We feel the pain and confusion of a culture that seems to be coming apart at the seams. It can be difficult to find a way forward, trusting that God will protect and care for us amid the struggles of life.In this updated edition of Escape the Coming Night, Dr. Jeremiah walks through the perfect Scriptures for these uncertain times, exploring The Book of Revelation in a practical way. For those who have wanted to know more about Book of Revelation but didn’t know how to get started, the book answers key questions like: How do we explain so much continuous chaos? How do we live with such turmoil? Is there any hope for peace in our

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Book SynopsisHere's sensible advice and caring encouragement on raising boys from the nation's most trusted parenting authority, Dr. James Dobson.With so much confusion about the role of men in our society, it's no wonder so many parents and teachers are asking questions about how to bring up boys. Why are so many boys in crisis? What qualities should we be trying to instill in young males? Our culture has vilified masculinity and, as a result, an entire generation of boys is growing up without a clear idea of what it means to be a man.In the runaway bestseller Bringing Up Boys, Dr. Dobson draws from his experience as a child psychologist and family counselor, as well as extensive research, to offer advice and encouragement based on a firm foundation of biblical principles.

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Book SynopsisBook 7 in the 12-book series that has sold over 63 million copies!Read the books that launched a cultural phenomenon!This is the most successful Christian fiction series ever.Publishers WeeklyCombines Tom Clancylike suspense with touches of romance, high-tech flash, and biblical references.New York TimesCall it what you like, the Left Behind series . . . now has a label its creators could have never predicted: blockbuster success.EntertainmentAre you ready for the moment of truth? Mass disappearances Political crisis Economic crisis Worldwide epidemics Environmental catastrophe Military apocalypse And that's just the beginning . . .of the end of the world.The 12 books in the series by New York Times best-selling authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins cover the events of biblical prophecy surrounding the raptur

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Book SynopsisBook 12 in the 12-book series that has sold over 63 million copies!Read the books that launched a cultural phenomenon!This is the most successful Christian fiction series ever.Publishers WeeklyCombines Tom Clancylike suspense with touches of romance, high-tech flash, and biblical references.New York TimesCall it what you like, the Left Behind series . . . now has a label its creators could have never predicted: blockbuster success.EntertainmentAre you ready for the moment of truth? Mass disappearances Political crisis Economic crisis Worldwide epidemics Environmental catastrophe Military apocalypse And that's just the beginning . . .of the end of the world.The 12 books in the series by New York Times best-selling authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins cover the events of biblical prophecy surrounding the raptu

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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 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 SynopsisThe ESV Study Bible, Large Print edition transforms the content of the award-winning ESV Study Bible into a highly readable, large-print type.

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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 SynopsisThis first volume contains six Akathist hymns to the Lord Jesus Christ, four Akathist hymns to the Mother of God, and twelve to various saints. Also contains music for typical akathist refrains.

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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 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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