Religion Books

Book SynopsisThe Eastern Christian tradition is filled with theological and spiritual riches. In Passions of the Soul, Rowan Williams opens up the great classics of Eastern Christian writing to show how it can help us to understand and cope with the ups and downs of modern life.With compelling and illuminating insight, he shows the cost of living in a culture that is theologically and philosophically undernourished, working with a diminished and trivialized picture of the human self. The Eastern tradition teaches us how to develop our self-knowledge and awareness, so that we can relate to the world without selfish illusions. Only then can we be ready for our eyes to be opened to God, and avoid destructive patterns of behaviour.Only in this way can we understand the kind of people we need to become.Table of ContentsForeword Introduction: A Tradition for Learning Freedom Part One 1 Mapping the Passions of the Soul 2 Pride, Listlessness and the Truth of Dependence 3 Anger, Gluttony and the Grace of Poverty 4 Avarice, Lust and the Risks of Mercy 5 Envy, Despair and the Light of Hope Part Two 6 To Stand Where Christ Stands 7 Early Christian Writing Author’s Note Notes Index of Names

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Book SynopsisWhat would God say about those who blatantly misrepresent His Holy Spirit; who exchange true worship for chaotic fits of mindless ecstasy; who replace the biblical gospel with vain illusions of health and wealth; who claim to prophesy in His name yet speak errors; and who sell false hope to desperate people for millions of dollars?The charismatic movement has always been a breeding-ground for scandal, greed, bad doctrine, and all kinds of spiritual chicanery. As a movement, it is clearly headed the wrong direction. And it is growing at an unprecedented rate.From the Word of Faith to the New Apostolic Reformation, the Charismatic movement is being consumed by the empty promises of the prosperity gospel. Too many charismatic celebrities promote a “Christianity” without Christ, a Holy Spirit without holiness. And their teaching is having a disastrous influence on a grand scale, as large television networks broadcast their heresies to every par

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Book SynopsisWhat would it be like to live without fear? Join renowned philosopher Dallas Willard as he shares the biblically-backed secret to living with true contentment, peace, and security.In Life Without Lack, Dallas Willard revolutionizes our understanding of Psalm 23 by taking this comfortably familiar passage and revealing its extraordinary promises: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.Written with Willard''s characteristic gentle wisdom, Life Without Lack helps you experience: God''s comforting presence God''s abundant generosity Peace and freedom from worry Based on a series of talks by the late author and edited by his friend Larry Burtoft and by his daughter, Rebecca Willard Heatley, Life Without Lack will forever change the way you experience the most well-known passage in a

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Book SynopsisIn an age when fathers are more important than ever, how do you embark on your journey to manhood and know how to steer clear of the dangers along the way? In Fathered by God, New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge reminds us that there''s a path to masculinity and, best of all, there''s a loving Father ready to help us follow it. In Fathered by God, Eldredge calls men back to a simple and reassuring truth: God is our Father, and he wants to show us what masculinity really means. Eldredge teaches us that there''s a path leading to authentic manhood, cut by generation after generation of men. There are perils along the trail, even disasters--all the more reason to rely on the guidance of a Father who has gone before us.A boy has a lot to learn in his journey to becoming a man, and it takes the active intervention of father figures and the fellowship of other men to guide us along the way. Eldredg

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Book SynopsisThis hand sized NKJV edition is the perfect travel companion for readers who like to take their Bibles with them throughout the day. Though it fits easily into backpacks and purses, you won’t have to sacrifice readability or study resources.The exclusive Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print® typeface was designed to be easy to read at any size, so you can experience deeper engagement in God’s Word. This edition also includes over 43,000 cross-references, a concordance, and full-color maps so you have everything you need for serious study at your fingertips.Features include: Presentation page allows you to personalize this special gift by recording a memory or note Words of Christ in red quickly identify Jesus’ teachings and statements 43,000+ cross-references help you find related passages quickly and easily D

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Book SynopsisThis hand sized NKJV edition is the perfect travel companion for readers who like to take their Bibles with them throughout the day. Though it fits easily into backpacks and purses, you won’t have to sacrifice readability or study resources.The exclusive Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print® typeface was designed to be easy to read at any size, so you can experience deeper engagement in God’s Word. This edition also includes over 43,000 cross-references, a concordance, and full-color maps so you have everything you need for serious study at your fingertips.Features include: Presentation page allows you to personalize this special gift by recording a memory or note Words of Christ in red quickly identify Jesus’ teachings and statements 43,000+ cross-references help you find related passages quickly and easily D

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Book Synopsis'Remarkable . . . Infidel shows that a determined woman can change more history than her own' Christopher Hitchens, Sunday Times 'If there is one book that really addresses the existential issues of our civilisation, then Hirsi Ali's autobiography is it' Michael Burleigh, Sunday Telegraph Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of today's most admired and controversial political figures. She burst into international headlines following the murder of Theo van Gogh by an Islamist who threatened she would be next. An international bestseller, her life story INFIDEL shows the coming of age of this elegant, distinguished – and sometimes reviled – political superstar and champion of free speech. Ultimately a celebration of triumph over adversity, Hirsi Ali's story tells how a bright, curious, dutiful little girl evolves into a pioneering freedom fighter. As Western governments struggle to balance democratic ideals wi

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Book SynopsisFrom a master chronicler of legal and financial misconduct, a magnificent investigation nine years in the making, this book traces the political intrigue and inner workings of the Catholic Church. Decidedly not about faith, belief in God, or religious doctrine, this book is about the church''s accumulation of wealth and its byzantine entanglements with financial markets across the world. Told through 200 years of prelates, bishops, cardinals, and the Popes who oversee it all, Gerald Posner uncovers an eyebrow-raising account of money and power in perhaps the most influential organization in the history of the world. God''s Bankershas it all: a rare exposé and an astounding saga marked by poisoned business titans, murdered prosecutors, mysterious deaths of private investigators, and questionable suicides; a carnival of characters from Popes and cardinals, financiers and mobsters, kings and prime ministers; and a set of moral and political circumstances that clarify not only

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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 SynopsisFrom the Modern Witchcraft series comes a complete guide to all of the sacred days and holidays of the Wiccan calendar—with spells, rituals, and other tips to celebrate.In The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year, you’ll learn about the most celebrated days in the Wheel of the Year—Samhain, the end of the harvest season; Yule, the celebration of the New Year; Imbolc, the celebration of rebirth; Ostara, the arrival of Spring; Beltane, the celebration of Earth’s fertility; Litha, the song of the summer; Lughnasad, the halfway point between Summer and Autumn; and Mabon, the festival of home and harvest. For each of these special days, there will be information about the history and its meaning, and the ways you can fully celebrate. Each chapter describes the celestial events associated with the sabbat, astrological influences during that time, meditation rituals, and charms to perform. It also includes a practical craft, such as candle making, that you can create to celebrate each day. The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year is your complete guide to everything you need to know to celebrate the Wheel of the Year and the Wiccan sabbats, from Yule to Samhain, as part of your own spiritual practice.Trade Review"A great addition to any Wiccan library." * Confessions of a Modern Witch *"This book is wonderful primer to those who are new to the Wheel of the Year but also a fun read and resource even for those more familiar with the Wiccan holidays … You don’t have to follow Wicca to treasure in this book. All you need is a curiosity and desire to align yourself more with the natural rhythms of the earth." * Luna Luna Magazine *"Each chapter focuses on a season that corresponds to a pagan holiday. There are spells, rituals, crafts and other suggestions for celebrating each season. This book would be helpful to anyone wanting to learn about the Wheel of the Year, and serves as a reference to return to again and again." * Pagan Pages *"How do you measure a year? In witch holidays, of course. The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year is a fascinating tour through the witch calendar, from Yule, the celebration of the New Year, to Samhain, the end-of-the-harvest festival, and every occasion in between, with suggestions for crafts and rituals to celebrate. Use it as a historical resource, or get together with your coven and start planning a killer Lughnasad party." * Bustle.com *

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Book SynopsisIn The Darkening Age, Catherine Nixey tells the little-known - and deeply shocking - story of how a militant religion deliberately tried to extinguish the teachings of the Classical world, ushering in unquestioning adherence to the 'one true faith'.The Roman Empire had been generous in embracing and absorbing new creeds. But with the coming of Christianity, everything changed. This new faith, despite preaching peace, was violent, ruthless and intolerant. And once it became the religion of empire, its zealous adherents set about the destruction of the old gods. Their altars were upturned, their temples demolished and their statues hacked to pieces. Books, including great works of philosophy and science, were consigned to the pyre. It was an annihilation.A Book of the Year in the Daily Telegraph, the Spectator, the Observer, and BBC History MagazineA New York Times Book Review Editors' ChoiceWinner of the Royal Society of Literature Jerwood Award for NonfictionTrade ReviewThis book uncovers what was lost when Christianity won…. a delightful book about destruction and despair. Nixey combines the authority of a serious academic with the expressive style of a good journalist. She’s not afraid to throw in the odd joke amid sombre tales of desecration. With considerable courage, she challenges the wisdom of history and manages to prevail. Comfortable assumptions about Christian progress come tumbling down. * The Times *Catherine Nixey has written a bold, dazzling and provocative book that challenges ideas about early Christianity and both how – and why – it spread so far and fast in its early days. Nixey is a witty and iconoclastic guide to a world that will be unfamiliar, surprising and troubling to many. -- Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk RoadA searingly passionate book . . . Nixey writes up a storm. Each sentence is rich, textured, evocative, felt . . . Nixey delivers this ballista-bolt of a book with her eyes wide open and in an attempt to bring light as well as heat to the sad story of intellectual monoculture and religious intolerance -- Bettany Hughes * New York Times *Superb -- Richard DawkinsWith passion, wit and thunderous eloquence, Nixey throws everything she has against the bishops, monks and Christian emperors of late antiquity ... ‘The Darkening Agerattles along at a tremendous pace, and Nixey brilliantly evokes all that was lost with the waning of the classical world. * Sunday Times *A book for the 21st century ... Nixey has a great story to tell, and she tells it exceptionally well. As one would expect from a distinguished journalist, every page is full of well-turned phrases that leap from the page ... finely crafted, invigorating ... [The Darkening Age] succeeds brilliantly. -- Tim Whitmarsh * Guardian *As Catherine Nixey points out in her vivid and important new book, the idea of the widespread persecution of Christians is a product of the Church’s marketing and recruitment techniques… Nixey is a funny, lively, readable guide through this dark world of religious oppression. She wisely insists at the start of her book that this account of cultural violence should not be read as an attack on those who are “impelled by their Christian faith to do many, many good things”. It is instead a reminder that “monotheism” (or, one could say, religion in general and Christianity in particular) can be used for “terrible ends”. -- Emily Wilson * New Statesman *Clever, compelling ... Readers raised in the milky Anglican tradition will be surprised to learn of the savagery of the early saints and their sledgehammer-swinging followers ... exceptionally well written. -- Thomas W. Hodgkinson * Spectator *Nixey has done an impressive job of illuminating an important aspect of late-antique Christianity. -- Levi Roach * Literary Review *Engaging and erudite, Catherine Nixey's book offers both a compelling argument and a wonderful eye for vivid detail. It shines a searching spotlight on to some of the murkiest aspects of the early medieval mindset. A triumph. -- Edith Hall, author of The Ancient Greeks: Ten Ways They Shaped the Modern WorldNixey's elegant and ferocious text paints a dark but riveting picture of life at the time of the 'triumph' of Christianity, reminding us not just of the realities of our own past, but also of the sad echoes of that past in our present. -- Dr Michael ScottCaptivating and compulsive, Catherine Nixey's debut challenges our whole understanding of Christianity's earliest years and the medieval society that followed. A remarkable fusion of captivating narrative and acute scholarly judgment, this book marks the debut of a formidable classicist and historian. -- Dan Jones, bestselling author of The PlantagenetsA devastating book, written in vivid, yet playful prose. Catherine Nixey reveals a level of intolerance and anti-intellectualism which which echoes today's headlines but is centuries old. -- Anita AnandPugnacious and energetically written * The Tablet *Sizzling, scintillating -- Book of the Year * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisWinner of The PEN Hessell-Tiltman PrizeShortlisted for The Wolfson History PrizeA The Times Books of the YearA fascinating, surprising and often controversial examination of the real God of the Bible, in all his bodily, uncensored, scandalous forms.'One of the most remarkable historians and communicators working today' – Dan SnowThree thousand years ago, in the lands we now call Israel and Palestine, a group of people worshipped a complex pantheon of deities, led by a father god called El. El had seventy children, who were gods in their own right. One of them was a minor storm deity, known as Yahweh. Yahweh had a body, a wife, offspring and colleagues. He fought monsters and mortals. He gorged on food and wine, wrote books, and took walks and naps. But he would become something far larger and far more abstract: the God of the great monotheistic religions.But as Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou reveals, God’s cultural DNA stretches back centuries before the Bible was written, and persists in the tics and twitches of our own society, whether we are believers or not. The Bible has shaped ideas about God and religion, but also cultural preferences about human existence and experience; our concept of life and death; attitude to sex and gender; habits of eating and drinking; the understanding of history.Examining God’s body, from his head to his hands, feet and genitals, she shows how the Western idea of God developed. She explores the places and artefacts that shaped our view of this singular God and the ancient religions and societies of the biblical world. And in doing so she analyses not only the origins of our oldest monotheistic religions, but also the origins of Western culture.Beautifully written, passionately argued and frequently controversial, God: An Anatomy is cultural history on a grand scale.'Rivetingly fresh and stunning' – Sunday TimesTrade ReviewA learned but rollicking journey through every aspect of Yahweh's body. A book that will offend some but delight more. * Economist Best Books of the Year *Rivetingly fresh and stunning . . . I rather like this inexhaustibly powerful, shouting, bearded giant of a God, a fiery, fierce and startlingly “pagan” God, alive to his very fingertips, laughing at human hubris and singing with unbridled joy. -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *Lively . . . [with] a wealth of scholarly detail and much gusto -- Rowan Williams * New Statesman *Professors of Theology are imagined to be dull, gentle souls. This book, however, is a great rebel shout . . . A book that aims to upend the notion of a cloudy, spiritualised creator . . . instructive, vivid and frequently hilarious. * Economist *A marvelous conspectus of references to the divine body in ancient southwest Asian texts. But more than this, it is about recalibrating our understanding of these difficult texts to better understand ourselves. -- Simon Yarrow * Literary Review *God: An Anatomy is a tour de force. Stavrakopoulou has created not just an extraordinarily rich and nuanced portrait of Yahweh himself, but an intricate and detailed account of the cultural values and practices he embodied, and the wider world of myth and history out of which he emerged . . . Stavrakopoulou has taken to heart the biblical injunction to seek the face of God, and what emerges is a deity more terrifyingly alive, more damaged, more compelling, more complex than we have encountered before. More human, you might say. -- Mathew Lyons * New Humanist *Stavrakopoulou is no literalist — indeed, she’s an atheist — but she maintains that her reading makes far more sense than the traditional ones, and her confident tone never falters. -- Dan Hitchens * The Times *A detailed and scrupulously researched book . . . packed with knowledge and insight -- Karen Armstrong * The New York Times *Boldly simple in concept, God: An Anatomy is stunning in its execution. It is a tour de force, a triumph, and I write this as one who disagrees with Stavrakopoulou both on broad theoretical grounds and one who finds himself engaged with her in one narrow textual spat after another . . . A stunning book. -- Jack Miles * Catholic Herald *The sheer amount of primary evidence examined is staggering . . . Stavrakopoulou’s argumentation is intellectually penetrating, analytically robust, and sophisticated . . . Stavrakopoulou’s book, and her public-facing scholarship, demonstrate what makes an outstanding biblical scholar. * Church Times *Good Lord, Stavrakopoulou touches that sweet spot that is scholarly, funny, visceral and heavenly. A revelation. -- Adam Rutherford, author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived and How to Argue with a RacistOne of the most remarkable historians and communicators working today. -- Dan SnowIn both Judaism and Christianity God is conceived as non-physical. In God: An Anatomy Francesca Stavrakopoulou shows that this was not yet so in the Bible, where God appears in a much more corporeal form. This provocative work will surprise and may shock, but it brings to light aspects of the biblical account of God that modern readers seldom appreciate. -- John Barton, Emeritus Professor at Oriel College, Oxford and author of A History of the BibleIn Stavrakopoulou's stunning dissection of historical religious texts, the real back-story and context of the God of Judaism and Christianity is revealed . . . Where pious theologians have abstracted him into emptiness, Stavrakopolou gives him back his substance, and he’s so much more interesting in this bodily form! Both scholarly and accessible, and full of fascinating stories - I guarantee you’ll never think of this God the same way again. -- Professor Alice RobertsMarvelous and stimulating . . . scholarly and beautifully illustrated . . . an exciting read! * Methodist Recorder *This is an extraordinary book. It’ll rewire your thinking, and it’s so readable you won’t notice till it’s too late. -- Tim Whitmarsh, author of Battling the GodsWell-researched . . . A refreshing look at ancient Scripture and the people behind it, reminding readers that the concept of ‘God’ in the 21st century is a world away from that of the earliest people of Israel. A challenging, engaging work of scholarship that sheds new light on ancient Hebrew conceptions of the divine. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisA rare, intimate account of a world-renowned Buddhist monk’s near-death experience and the life-changing wisdom he gained from it.'Generous, beautiful, and essential' - George Saunders, Booker Prize-winning author of Lincoln in the BardoIn In Love With the World, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, one of the world's most respected leaders of Tibetan meditation, shares his personal story of how he explored the deepest, most hidden aspects of his being, and the near-death experience that came to define his meditation practice and teaching forever. Moving, beautiful and suffused with local colour, Rinpoche shares the invaluable lessons learned during his four-year wandering retreat and the meditation practices that sustained him, showing how we can all transform our fear of dying into joyful living.Trade ReviewOne of the most generous, beautiful, and essential books I’ve ever read – thoroughly engaging, so clear, so honest, so courageous and full of wisdom. This book has the potential to change the reader’s life forever. -- George Saunders, Booker Prize-winning author of Lincoln in the BardoI loved this book. It is moving and inspiring, profound and utterly human. It will certainly be a classic. Mingyur’s life-changing adventure carries us with him and teaches us how to find the unshakable heart amidst it all. -- Jack Kornfield, author of A Path With Heart One of the most inspiring books I have ever read. -- Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall ApartOne of the most inspiring books of our times. An extraordinary testimony and a profound teaching that keeps you reading with wonderment, page after page. -- Matthieu Ricard, author of Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill and Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the WorldThis is an extraordinary book. A gripping narrative of how the process of dying, letting go of our fixed selves and constraining habits, can liberate the human spirit and promote flourishing, this book has something profoundly important to teach each of us. -- Richard J. Davidson, best-selling author of Emotional Life of Your Brain, co-author of Altered Traits, and Founder and Director, Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-MadisonIn this vivid, compelling account, Mingyur Rinpoche reveals his own struggle and awakening as he faces the loss of worldly identity and the threat of dying itself. This book is a rarity in spiritual literature: Reading the intimate story of this wise and devoted Buddhist monk directly infuses our own transformational journey with fresh meaning, luminosity and life. -- Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and True RefugeThis book will change many lives. -- Tara Bennett-Goleman, author of Emotional AlchemyThis artfully told spiritual adventure casts a spell—you can’t put it down, and you don’t want it to end. I recommend it without reservation: I bet you’ll love it, too. -- Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional IntelligenceIn his book, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche gifts us with more than just a mesmerizing read. As Rinpoche narrates his spiritual journey, he lays bare his early hopes and aspirations, his doubts, indignities, bodily and emotional suffering, and his vulnerabilities. He offers these with great skill, clarity, and love to encourage and inspire us to travel our own spiritual journeys. -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real LoveA rollicking travelogue...this slim book also moved me, and left me with a better appreciation of Tibetan Buddhism than so many weightier tomes that I’ve struggled to understand. -- Barbara Demick, Baillie Gifford award-winning author of Nothing to Envy

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Book SynopsisChaperones, suitors, and arranged marriages aren't only reserved for the heroines of a Jane Austen novel. They're just another walk in the park for this leading lady, who is on a mission to find her leading lad. From the brilliant comics Yes, I'm Hot in This, Huda Fahmy tells the hilarious story of how she met and married her husband. Navigating mismatched suitors, gossiping aunties, and societal expectations for Muslim women, That Can Be Arranged deftly and hilariously reveals to readers what it can be like to find a husband as an observant Muslim woman in the twenty-first century.So relevant in today's evolving cultural climate, Fahmy's story offers a perceptive and personal glimpse into the sometimes sticky but ultimately rewarding balance of independent choice and tradition.

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Book SynopsisBased on her #1 New York Times bestseller, THE CONFIDENT WOMAN, Joyce Meyer taps into the concerns and issues that trouble women most. She provides encouragement and tools to help resolve problems in the areas of life women struggle with most-including confidence, self image, and relationships. It is easy to get caught up in what the coming weeks, months, or years might hold and forget to slow down and live in the present. This powerful daily devotional will help women on their journey towards a confident life filled with love, laughter, and God's acceptance, one day at time.

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Book SynopsisAlthough many of us prioritize our physical health through exercise and healthy eating, we often forget to spend time boosting our mind, mood, and mental health. Yet the mind is the source of all our thoughts, words, and actions; when our thinking is unhealthy, our lives will be unhealthy--even if we go to the gym seven times a week and eat kale every day. It is so important that we focus on mental self-care and reducing daily stress, since mental toughness and resilience will get us through difficult times and help us achieve success in every area of our lives. Using the incredible power of our minds, we can persist and grow in response to life's challenges. Let bestselling author and neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf help you change your life by changing your mind with 101 simple ways to reduce stress. With simple strategies for mental self-care, we can change the way we think and how we live our lives.

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Book SynopsisNamed One of Fifteen Important Theology Books of 2022, Englewood Review of Books Congregations often seek to combat the crisis of decline by using innovation to produce new resources. But leading practical theologian Andrew Root shows that the church's crisis is not in the loss of resources; it's in the loss of life--and that life can only return when we remain open to God's encountering presence. This book addresses the practical form the church must take in a secular age. Root uses two stories to frame the book: one about a church whose building becomes a pub and the other about Karl Barth. Root argues that Barth should be understood as a pastor with a deep practical theology that can help church leaders today. Churches and the Crisis of Decline pushes the church to be a waiting community that recognizes that the only way for it to find life is to stop seeing the church as the star of its own story. Instead of resisting decline, congregations must remain open to divine action. Root offers a rich vision for the church's future that moves away from an obsession with relevance and resources and toward the living God. This is the fourth book in Root's Ministry in a Secular Age series.Table of ContentsContents1. When the Church Becomes a Pub, and the Immanent Frame Our Map2. Brother-Trouble and Meeting the Exorcist's Son: The Beginning of Karl Barth3. A Funeral for a Church--A Funeral That Remakes a Church4. An Apple Tree and the Incoherence of "God Is God"5. The Church Can't Know How to Find God6. The Church Is Not the Star of Its Own Story7. Welcome to Crisis Mode8. Wedding Blunders and Brotherly Love9. Say Goodbye to Being and Give Me More Busyness10. A Shady Obituary and the Need to Wait11. Waiting Sucks but Resonance Is Life12. Waiting Is Living: The Church and Resonance13. When Mozart Goes Straight Into You and Through You14. Pietism and Its Discontents: A Dialectical Escape from Individualism and Religion15. A True Ghost Story and the Birth of Watchwords16. Getting Real with a Dialectical Demand17. Deepening the Dialectic: Avoiding Sledgehammering the CeilingIndex

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Book SynopsisSince 1980, depth psychologist Bill Plotkin has been guiding women and men into the wildernessthe redrock canyons and snow-crested mountains of the American Westbut also into the wilds of the soul. He calls this worksoulcraft.There?s a great longing in all people to uncover the secrets and mysteries of our individual lives, to find the unique gift we were born to bring to our communities, and to experience our full membership in the more-than-human world. This journey to soul is a descent into layers of the self much deeper than personality, a journey meant for each one of us, not just for the heroes and heroines of mythology.A modern handbook for the journey, Soulcraft is not an imitation of indigenous ways, but a contemporary nature-based approach born from wilderness experience, the traditions of Western culture, and the cross-cultural heritage of all humanity. Filled with stories, poems, and guidelines, Soulcraft introduces over 40 practices that facilitate the descent to soul, including dreamwork, wilderness vision fasts, talking across the species boundaries, council, self-designed ceremony, nature-based shadow work, and the arts of romance, being lost, and storytelling.

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Book SynopsisIn The Unseen Realm, Dr. Michael Heiser examines the ancient context of Scripture, explaining how its supernatural worldview can help us grow in our understanding of God. He illuminates intriguing and amazing passages of the Bible that have been hiding in plain sight. You'll find yourself engaged in an enthusiastic pursuit of the truth, resulting in a new appreciation for God's Word. Why wasn't Eve surprised when the serpent spoke to her? How did descendants of the Nephilim survive the flood? Why did Jacob fuse Yahweh and his Angel together in his prayer? Who are the assembly of divine beings that God presides over? In what way do those beings participate in God's decisions? Why do Peter and Jude promote belief in imprisoned spirits? Why does Paul describe evil spirits in terms of geographical rulership? Who are the "glorious ones" that even angels dare not rebuke? After reading this book, you may never read your Bible the same way again."There is a world referred to in the Scripture that is quite unseen, but also quite present and active. Michael Heiser's The Unseen Realm seeks to unmask this world. Heiser shows how important it is to understand this world and appreciate how its contribution helps to make sense of Scripture. The book is clear and well done, treating many ideas and themes that often go unseen themselves. With this book, such themes will no longer be neglected, so read it and discover a new realm for reflection about what Scripture teaches."

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Book SynopsisDhammapada means "the path of dharma," the path of truth, harmony, and righteousness that anyone can follow to reach the highest good. Easwaran's translation of this classic Buddhist text is the best-selling edition in its field, praised by Huston Smith as a "sublime rendering." The introduction gives an overview of the Buddha's teachings that is penetrating and clear - accessible for readers new to Buddhism, but also with fresh insights and practical applications for readers familiar with this text. Chapter introductions place individual verses into the context of the broader Buddhist canon. Easwaran is a master storyteller, and his opening essay includes many stories that make moving, memorable reading, bringing young Siddhartha and his heroic spiritual quest vividly to life. But Easwaran's main qualification for interpreting the Dhammapada, he said, was that he knew from his own experience that these verses could transform our lives. This faithful rendition brings us closer to the compassionate heart of the Buddha.Trade Review“No one in modern times is more qualified – no, make that ‘as qualified’ – to translate the epochal Classics of Indian Spirituality than Eknath Easwaran. And the reason is clear. It is impossible to get to the heart of those classics unless you live them, and he did live them. My admiration of the man and his works is boundless.” – Huston Smith, author of The World’s Religions

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Book SynopsisA Japanese master offers a Zen perspective on the nature of time and being, further exploring the concepts of impermanence, living in the present moment, and moreIt’s easy to regard time as a commodity—we even speak of “saving” or “spending” it. We often regard it as an enemy, when we feel it slipping away before we’re ready for time to be up. The Zen view of time is radically different than that: time is not something separate from our life; rather, our life is time. Understand this, says Dainin Katagiri Roshi, and you can live fully and freely right where you are in each moment.  Katagiri bases his teaching on Being Time, a text by the most famous of all Zen masters, Eihei Dogen (1200–1253), to show that time is a creative, dynamic process that continuously produces the universe and everything in it—and that to understand this is to discover a gateway to freedom from the dissatisfactions of everyday life. He guides us in contemplating impermanence, the present moment, and the ungraspable nature of past and future. He discusses time as part of our inner being, made manifest through constant change in ourselves and our surroundings. And these ideas are by no means metaphysical abstractions: they can be directly perceived by any of us through meditation.

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Book SynopsisAs the Mayan calendar comes to a close, we are entering into a time of great opportunity for spiritual growth and higher planetary consciousness. The ancient Maya foresaw this awakening and thus embedded within their archetypal symbols instructions for harnessing the energies activated during this transformational period. Forming a "language of light" that represents a bridge between physical and spiritual realities, these ancient symbols have the power to catalyze growth, change, and awareness. Interacting with these glyphs establishes a personal "resonance," or direct communication with each of the symbols, creating a conduit through which to receive their galactic energies. Conceived in a prophetic dream, The Mayan Oracle is composed of 44 cards--20 Mayan star-glyphs, 13 numbers, and 11 "lenses of the mystery"--along with an in-depth guidebook. Providing divinatory spreads, poetic meditations, and exercises for insight and intuition, the guide explains each symbol's Mayan usage, divinatory meaning, and the attributes, elements, and items associated with them--from colors and herbs to ritual movements. Designed to stimulate the intuition, this oracle offers a way to interact with the Mayan archetypes in order to elevate your consciousness to a higher dimension and transform old ways of seeing, doing, and being.Trade Review“The Mayan Oracle amplifies intuition, tunes the mind, and harmonizes the human heart. Truly a new instrument for the ageless questing soul!” * Don G. Campbell, author of The Roar of Silence *“The tool touches the cellular body with a galactic harmonic language of light, enabling a deep remembrance that we are, in truth, unconditional love.” * Rowena Pattee Kryder, author of The Gaia Matrix Oracle *“The Mayan understanding of the subtleties of time was greater than our own. The Mayan Oracle’s approach to tapping in to the synchronistic power within the symbols is fascinating and commendable.” * Terence McKenna, author of Food of the Gods *“The Mayan Oracle is a storehouse of cosmic knowledge; a guide to help humanity fulfill the Mayan prophecy, which calls us to return to living in harmony with nature and awaken to our deepest human potential. Beyond being a profound tool for divination, this oracle set offers direct, personal insight into the living, archetypal forces of cosmic order as mapped by the sacred Mayan mathematics. Anyone willing to receive the illumination offered in the revelatory set of codes offered through The Mayan Oracle will come to treasure this living portal as an ally on the path of cosmic evolution!” * Eden Sky, author of The 13-Moon Natural Time Calendar *“Ancient Mayans embedded transformational wisdom in their archetypal images, forming a galactic language of light. This language is captured by The Mayan Oracle to stimulate intuition and elevate consciousness. . .” * New Age Retailer, February 2011 *“I can see this deck being used to toast the New Year early, with a glass of bubbly, overlooking the Pacific Ocean from Hollywood Hills, under the night sky, admiring a waxing moon, transcendental pan pipe music playing softly in the background. The illustrations are by the UCLA trained and Santa Barbara based artist, Oceanna (Donna Kiddie) whose work on large building murals and mythic interiors are very popular.” * Wendy Stokes, Mind Body Spirit, August 2012 *Table of Contents To All Who Enter Here Acknowledgments Preface to the Second Edition: The Road of Awe Preface to the First Edition: “We Have Come to Ease the Way” Part One. About the Oracle An Introduction to a Galactic Language of Light How to Use the Oracle Prayer and Meditation Mayan Oracle Spreads Star-Glyph Insight Games Part Two. Oracle Interpretations The Star-Glyphs Imix Ik Akbal Kan Chicchan Cimi Manik Lamat Muluc Oc Chuen Eb Ben Ix Men Cib Caban Etznab Cauac Ahau The Numbers One: Unity Two: Polarity Three: Rhythm Four: Measure Five: Center Six: Organic Balance Seven: Mystical Power Eight: Harmonic Resonance Nine: Greater Cycles Ten: Manifestation Eleven: Dissonance Twelve: Complex Stability Thirteen: Universal Movement The Lenses Language of Light Shadow Resolution of Duality Adventurer’s Quest Realm Shift Hologram Transformer New Myth Dreamer and Dreamed Transparency Portal of Transcendence Part Three. The Journeyer A Deeper Look at the Archetypal Star-Glyphs Imix Ik Akbal Kan Chicchan Cimi Manik Lamat Muluc Oc Chuen Eb Ben Ix Men Cib Caban Etznab Cauac Ahau The Oracle at a Glance The Star-Glyphs The Numbers The Lenses Index of Shadow Wisdom Psychological Correspondences for the Mayan Archetypes Glossary Bibliography About the Authors About the Artist

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Book SynopsisBuilt at the end of the last ice age, the mysterious stone temple complex of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey is one of the greatest challenges to 21st century archaeology. As much as 7,000 years older than the Great Pyramid and Stonehenge, its strange buildings and rings of T-shaped monoliths--built with stones weighing from 10 to 15 tons--show a level of sophistication and artistic achievement unmatched until the rise of the great civilizations of the ancient world, Sumer, Egypt, and Babylon. Chronicling his travels to Göbekli Tepe and surrounding sites, Andrew Collins details the layout, architecture, and exquisite relief carvings of ice age animals and human forms found at this 12,000-year-old megalithic complex, now recognized as the oldest stone architecture in the world. He explores how it was built as a reaction to a global cataclysm--the Great Flood in the Bible--and explains how it served as a gateway and map to the sky-world, the place of first creation, reached via a bright star in the constellation of Cygnus. He reveals those behind its construction as the Watchers of the Book of Enoch and the Anunnaki gods of Sumerian tradition. Unveiling Göbekli Tepe's foundational role in the rise of civilization, Collins shows how it is connected to humanity's creation in the Garden of Eden and the secrets Adam passed to his son Seth, the founder of an angelic race called the Sethites. In his search for Adam's legendary Cave of Treasures, the author discovers the Garden of Eden and the remains of the Tree of Life--in the same sacred region where Göbekli Tepe is being uncovered today.Trade Review“Andrew Collins has not only written the definitive explanation of Gobekli Tepe, but he has probably explained one of the most important mysteries of all time: Where and how did modern humans evolve? This is a masterpiece of work that brings ancient history to life.” * Gregory Little, author of The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Native American Mounds & Earthworks and ed *“Here is an author to watch. Here is someone interested in the truth who will take us there at all costs.” * Rand Flem-Ath, coauthor of Atlantis Beneath the Ice *“Göbekli Tepe: Genesis of the Gods by Andrew Collins is a comprehensive interpretation of the oldest advanced temple complex on Earth. Like Pompeii emerging from volcanic ash in 1599, Göbekli Tepe’s last moments were preserved by back-fill 10,000 years ago that totally preserved it as a museum of early prehistory. The extraordinary raised reliefs, pictograms, and pillars—many over twenty-feet tall and weighing many tons—tell the story of a forgotten culture from 11,500 years ago. World-renowned for his explorations of the prehistoric Middle East, Collins weaves together archeological, anthropological, astronomical, and spiritual aspects of Göbekli Tepe. His insights of Paleolithic sky-to-Earth cultic practices open our minds to Eden in the early Neolithic. In my own books, I have theorized that a series of cataclysms around 13,000 to11,500 years ago devastated Earth and traumatized our ancestors. Collin’s insights into this ancient site constructed by humans who were most likely recovering from post-cataclysmic trauma are compelling. This clear and correct interpretation of Göbekli Tepe offers even more! He draws our minds even deeper back 17,000 years to the Solutrean phase to describe human cultural development before the cultural regression. Göbekli Tepe awakens ancient memory to process deeply hidden trauma, from the past because it is a faithful and accurate depiction of the Paleolithic advanced culture. A must-read for anybody who wants to know the real story before “history” began.” * Barbara Hand Clow, author of Awakening the Planetary Mind: Beyond the Trauma of the Past to a New Er *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsNote on Dating System UsedIllustration Credits Introduction by Graham HancockPrologue In Quest of AngelsPart OneConstruction1 A Lifetime’s Work 2 Monumental Architecture 3 Frozen in Stone 4 Strange Glyphs and Ideograms Part TwoCosmos5 Gateway to Heaven 6 Window on Another World 7 Turned toward the Stars 8 The Path of Souls 9 Cult of the Vulture 10 Cosmic Birth StonePart ThreeCatastrophobia11 The Hooded Ones 12 Fear of the Fox’s Tail 13 Cosmic Trickster 14 From a Fox to a Wolf 15 Twilight of the Gods 16 The Wolf Progeny 17 A Dark Day in Syria 18 AftermathPart FourContact19 The Reindeer Hunters 20 Swiderian Dawn 21 The Solutrean Connection 22 Obsidian Obsession 23 The Bingöl Masters 24 Wolf Stone Mountain 25 Saviors of the World 26 Strange-Looking People Part FiveConvergence27 In the Garden of Eden 28 The Fountain of Paradise 29 The World’s Summit 30 Rise of the Anunnaki 31 The Making of Humankind 32 The Coming of the Watchers 33 Mountain of the Watchers 34 Walking with Serpents Part SixCompletion35 A Quiet Corner of Eden 36 The Red Church 37 The Secrets of Adam 38 As Angels Ourselves 39 The Return to Eden 40 A Trip to Paradise 41 Göbekli Tepe Revisited 42 A Loss of Innocence Appendix Useful Dates Notes Bibliography About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisWhat if the tales from the Old Testament and other ancient writings, such as those from Sumer, Babylon, Egypt, and Greece, were not myths or allegory but accounts of actual historical events? Known for his ability to read and interpret ancient Sumerian and Akkadian clay tablets, Zecharia Sitchin (1920-2010) took the words of our most ancient ancestors as fact and, through decades of meticulous research, showed that they revealed a coherent narrative about the true origins of humanity and civilization. Drawing both widespread interest and criticism, his Earth Chronicles series of books, beginning with The 12th Planet, detailed how humanity arose after the arrival of the Anunnaki ("those who from Heaven to Earth came"), alien "gods" who created modern man in their own image and imparted gifts of civilizing knowledge. Each piece includes an introduction by Sitchin's niece, offering context and insight into Sitchin's passionate work. These introductions reveal the man behind the theories, a world traveller known for his scholarship, dry humour, and precisely chosen words. If his theories are true, as Sitchin wholeheartedly believed, then this collection presents some of the most important knowledge we have of our origins and future.Trade Review“Janet Sitchin’s collection The Anunnaki Chronicles is a worthy successor to her uncle Zecharia Sitchin’s life’s work. It expands and enhances our understanding of who the Anunnaki were, why they came here, and why they may someday return.” * Mike Bara, author of Ancient Aliens and Secret Societies *“It is almost impossible to quantify the effect that Zecharia Sitchin had on our understanding of the origins of our species and the mysterious activity of the Anunnaki on planet Earth. His work inspired millions; his research shattered our rigid belief system and caused our history to be rewritten by many that followed him. Zecharia remains one of my key inspirations and a valuable source of critical information in the area of ancient human history and the enslavement of the human race.” * Michael Tellinger, author of Slave Species of the Gods: The Secret History of the Anunnaki and Their *“A breathtaking chronicle of Sitchin’s works, and the newly published material validates his theories concerning Planet X.” * Xaviant Haze, author of Aliens in Ancient Egypt *“Well researched and persuasive . . . Sitchin brings to [The 12th Planet] the logic and scholarship so often lacking. . . . He demonstrates the flaws in established theories and exposes a few ancient hoaxes.” * Library Journal *“In Mr. Sitchin’s [work], evolution and creationism collide.” * New York Times *“A dazzling performance. . . . Sitchin is a zealous investigator into man’s origins . . .” * Kirkus Reviews *"An excellent selection of texts highlighting the key breakthroughs of Zecharia Sitchin about the Sumerians’ feats in bioengineering, microchips, and astronomy, and how these are corroborated by new scientific discoveries. A must read for any one interested in the high-tech civilization that preceded our own by a few millennia at least." * Chris H. Hardy, PhD., systems scientist, author of DNA of the God and The Sacred Network *"Providing an insider’s look into the decades of research behind Sitchin’s complete works as well as an in-depth overview of his theories, this collection includes carefully selected chapters from the Earth Chronicles series as well as never-before-published letters, articles, and lectures." * Watkins’ Mind Body Spirit, Issue 44, December 2015 *Table of ContentsIntroduction by Janet Sitchin 1 Introducing The 12th Planet Excerpt of the 1978 Prologue and an Unpublished Article, Written in 1982, “The 12th Planet: The Book as a Story” 2 The Sudden Civilization Selection from The 12th Planet (Chapter 2) 3 UFOs, Pyramids, and the Twelfth Planet Lecture at the UFO Conference at the Great Pyramid, January 1992 4 The Stairway to Heaven and the Epic of Creation Selections from The Stairway to Heaven (Chapter 5) and The 12th Planet (Chapter 7) 5 Is it Nibiru? Unpublished Article, Written in 1997 6 God the Extraterrestrial Selection from Divine Encounters (Endpaper) 7 The Cosmic Connection--DNA Selection from The Cosmic Code (Chapter 6) 8 The Pyramid Wars Selection from The Wars of Gods and Men (Chapter 8) 9 The Elusive Mount Unpublished Article, Written Circa 1978 10 When Gods, Not Men, Roamed the New World Unpublished Article, Written in 1992 11 Cities Lost and Found Selection from The Lost Realms (Chapter 9) 12 The Emergence of There Were Giants Upon the Earth Unpublished Articles, Written in 1991 13 Calendar Tales Selection from When Time Began (Chapter 8) 14 The Twelfth Planet--The Key to the UFO Enigma Lecture at the Dialogue with the Universe International Conference,Frankfurt, West Germany, October 26-29, 1989 Postscript by Janet Sitchin Appendix I Jericho Letter to the New York Times, Published March 17, 1990 Appendix II Old Egyptian Road Preserves Bible Link Letter to the New York Times, Published May 19, 1994 Index

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Book SynopsisDiscover the single greatest secret to a successful marriage! The Love & Respect Workbook will help you and your spouse achieve a deeper level of intimacy by stopping the crazy cycle of conflict, initiating energizing change, and enjoying renewed passion.Cracking the communication code between husband and wife involves understanding one thing: that unconditional respect is as powerful for him as unconditional love is for her. It's the secret to marriage that every couple seeks, and yet few couples ever find. While both men and women deserve both love and respect, in the midst of conflict the driving need for a woman is love and the driving need for a man is respect. When either of these needs isn’t met, things get crazy.Based on over three decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, the Love and Respect Workbook is for anyone: those in marital crisis, the happily married, engaged couples, pastors and counselors, and small groups. This dynamic and life-changing message is impacting the world, resulting in the healing and restoration of countless relationships.In this workbook companion to the original book, you’ll discover: 14 sessions that cover the entire Love & Respect book Scripture studies to guide you in times of meditation and prayer Specific questions for both husband and wife Designed for use by individuals and couples Use this workbook to refresh and renew your relationship and learn how to deal with conflict quickly, easily, and biblically.What readers are saying about the Love & Respect phenomenon: "I've been married 35 years and have not heard this taught." "This is the key that I have been missing." "You connected all the dots for me." "As a counselor, I have never been so excited about any material." "You’re on to something huge here."

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Book SynopsisExperience a deeper relationship with Jesus as you savor the presence of the One who understands you perfectly and loves you forever. With Scripture and personal reflections, New York Times bestselling author Sarah Young brings Jesus' message of peace—for today and every day.Jesus Calling is your yearlong guide to living a more peaceful life. The Jesus Calling® brand has impacted over 40 million lives.By spending time in the presence of the Savior with the much-loved devotions in Jesus Calling, you will: Feel comforted by words of hope and encouragement Be reassured of Jesus' unending love for you Receive gentle guidance based on Scripture Strengthen your faith with Scripture verses Connect with Jesus further with reflection and meditation based on God’s Word With 365 devotions, this padded hardcover edition is a favorite for its small size and is a perfect fit on a nightstand or in a travel bag. Jesus Calling resonates with men and women.Written as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to you, Jesus Calling invites you to experience peace in the presence of the Savior who is always with you.Trade Review'[Jesus Calling] was so personal and it was the voice of Jesus talking to me, saying things that were true. And it was so therapeutic, so life changing, and so helpful. I'm forever grateful. You know, oftentimes we think of God as some kind of inanimate object that we're talking at and not a person that wants to spend time with us and to connect with us. And that's the beauty of Jesus Calling.... We can get a sense of a person. And I think that that's life-giving.' * LeCrae, recording artist and author, from the Jesus Calling podcast *'I read my little Jesus Calling book. It means a lot to me because sometimes I think God speaks to me through that little book. I've noticed so many times that I have had things going on and was just wondering about the answer.... God does work through people and He does work in mysterious ways.' * Dolly Parton, from the Jesus Calling podcast *'Jesus Calling is a just-larger-than-palm-sized book that is packed full of reassurance that God is with us, that He loves us, that He is in control, and that He has a plan for us. We forget to consider these things sometimes, but imagine how much more comforting it would be if we started each day with a reminder. Jesus Calling does just that for us 365 days of the year.' * Delilah, syndicated radio host *'Jesus Calling takes people on a real journey to where prayer is not something you do--it's a conversation, it's intimate, it's highly relational. I'm so thankful for all the lives that have been changed by the work of God and His Spirit through Jesus Calling.' * Craig Groeschel, pastor and bestselling author, from the Jesus Calling podcast *'Jesus Calling--it's just a short thing to read, doesn't take any time, but to start your day off like that? It's so encouraging. Makes you feel good.' * Reba McEntire, from the Jesus Calling podcast *'Whenever I share my faith with somebody, if they become a Christian, the first thing I tell them is to get Jesus Calling. I don't know of anything that has been an encouragement to Christians more than Jesus Calling.' * John C. Maxwell, speaker, coach, and bestselling author, from the Jesus Calling podcast *

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered what God truly expects of women? Is there really a prescription for biblical womanhood? Does the Bible's idea of womanhood have a place in modern Christianity? New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans embarks on a year-long study of what it means to live by the standards of biblical womanhood. Strong-willed and independent, Evans couldn't sew a button on a blouse before she embarked on a radical life experiment--a year of biblical womanhood. Intrigued by the traditionalist resurgence that led many of her friends to abandon their careers to assume traditional gender roles in the home, Evans decided to try it for herself, vowing to take all of the Bible's instructions for women as literally as possible for a full year.Along the way, Evans explores the rich heritage of scriptural heroines, models of grace, and all-around women of valor that we come to know in the Bible. She consults with women who practice these ancient biblical mandates in their own lives--from an Orthodox Jewish woman who changed the way Evans reads the Bible to an Amish community that taught her the true meaning of modesty.In A Year of Biblical Womanhood, Evans shares her courageous and often humorous journey of: exploring what a "woman's place" is according to the Scriptures applying the Bible's teachings to day-to-day life, sometimes to literal extremes focusing on virtues like domesticity, obedience, beauty, submission, and grace developing a "Biblical Woman's Ten Commandments" to serve as a guide for daily living Join Evans as she dives deep into the lives of the women we meet in Scripture and redefines what it means to live biblically.

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Book SynopsisWhether you're an avid student of the Bible or a skeptic of its relevance, The Book That Made Your World will transform your perception of its influence on virtually every facet of Western civilization.Indian philosopher Vishal Mangalwadi reveals the personal motivation that fueled his own study of the Bible and systematically illustrates how its precepts became the framework for societal structure throughout the last millennium. From politics and science, to academia and technology, the Bible's sacred copy became the key that unlocked the Western mind.Through Mangalwadi's wide-ranging and fascinating investigation, you'll discover: What triggered the West's passion for scientific, medical, and technological advancement How the biblical notion of human dignity informs the West's social structure and how it intersects with other worldviews How the Bible created a fertile ground for women to find social and economic empowerment How the Bible has uniquely equipped the West to cultivate compassion, human rights, prosperity, and strong families The role of the Bible in the transformation of education How the modern literary notion of a hero has been shaped by the Bible's archetypal protagonist Journey with Mangalwadi as he examines the origins of a civilization's greatness and the misguided beliefs that threaten to unravel its progress. Learn how the Bible transformed the social, political, and religious institutions that have sustained Western culture for the past millennium, and discover how secular corruption endangers the stability and longevity of Western civilization. Endorsements:“In polite society, the mere mention of the Bible often introduces a certain measure of anxiety. A serious discussion on the Bible can bring outright contempt. Therefore, it is most refreshing to encounter this engaging and informed assessment of the Bible’s profound impact on the modern world. Where Bloom laments the closing of the American mind, Mangalwadi brings a refreshing optimism.” (Stanley Mattson, founder and president, C. S. Lewis Foundation)“Vishal Mangalwadi recounts history in very broad strokes, always using his cross-cultural perspectives for highlighting the many benefits of biblical principles in shaping civilization.” (George Marsden, professor, University of Notre Dame; author, Fundamentalism and American Culture)

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Book SynopsisThe Bhagavad-gita, spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, is a guide to self-realization. A translation by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a renowned Vedic scholar, offers insights into consciousness, the self, and the universe. This edition is presented without adulteration, providing a timely and enlightening message.

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Book SynopsisJoseph Campbell brought mythology to a mass audience. His bestselling books, including The Power of Myth and The Hero with a Thousand Faces, are the rare blockbusters that are also scholarly classics.While Campbell’s work reached wide and deep as he covered the world’s great mythological traditions, he never wrote a book on goddesses in world mythology. He did, however, have much to say on the subject. Between 1972 and 1986 he gave over twenty lectures and workshops on goddesses, exploring the figures, functions, symbols, and themes of the feminine divine, following them through their transformations across cultures and epochs.In this provocative volume, editor Safron Rossi—a goddess studies scholar, professor of mythology, and curator of collections at Opus Archives, which holds the Joseph Campbell archival manuscript collection and personal library—collects these lectures for the first time. In them, Campbell traces the evolution of the feminine divine from one Great Goddess to many, from Neolithic Old Europe to the Renaissance. He sheds new light on classical motifs and reveals how the feminine divine symbolizes the archetypal energies of transformation, initiation, and inspiration.

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Book SynopsisFind your voice, speak your truth, listen deeply—a guide to having more meaningful and mindful conversations through nonviolent communication We spend so much of our lives talking to each other, but how much are we simply running on automatic—relying on old habits and hoping for the best? Are we able to truly hear others and speak our mind in a clear and kind way, without needing to get defensive or go on the attack? In this groundbreaking synthesis of mindfulness, somatics, and Nonviolent Communication, Oren Jay Sofer offers simple yet powerful practices to develop healthy, effective, and satisfying ways of communicating.  The techniques in Say What You Mean will help you to: • Feel confident during conversation • Stay focused on what really matters in an interaction • Listen for the authentic concerns behind what others say • Reduce anxiety before and during difficult conversations • Find nourishment in day-to-day interactions   “Unconscious patterns of communication create separation not only in our personal lives, they also perpetuate patterns of misunderstanding and violence that pervade our world. With clarity and great insight, Oren Jay Sofer offers teachings and practices that train us to speak and listen with presence, courage, and an open heart.” —Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge

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Book SynopsisOne of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture, The Book of Five Rings analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. Written by the renowned Japanese warrior Miyamoto Musashi in 1643, its principles for achieving success in combat have long been lauded not only for their applicability to the martial arts but to all aspects of life. This acclaimed translation from Thomas Cleary is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi’s text, Cleary also translates another revered Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series.  The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.

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Book SynopsisThroughout our lives we long to love ourselves more deeply and find a greater sense of connection with others. Our fear of intimacy?both with others and with ourselves?creates feelings of pain and longing. But these feelings can also awaken in us the desire for freedom and the willingness to take up the spiritual path. In this inspiring book, longtime meditation practitioner and teacher Sharon Salzberg shows how the Buddhist path can help us discover the radiant, joyful heart within each one of us, drawing on Buddhist teachings, wisdom from various traditions, her personal experiences, and guided meditation exercises. With these tools, she teaches how the practice of lovingkindness can illuminate a path to cultivating love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity?the four ?heavenly abodes? of traditional Buddhism.

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Book SynopsisThe first volume in a multi-volume collection presenting the Dalai Lama’s comprehensive explanation of the Buddhist path.His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been publicly teaching Buddhism for decades. This series collects his presentations of every step of the path to enlightenment, compiled and coauthored by one of his chief Western disciples, the American nun Thubten Chodron. The Buddha wanted his students to investigate, to see for themselves whether what he said were true. As a student of the Buddha, the Dalai Lama promotes the same spirit of investigation, and as the rich tradition of the Buddha makes its way into new lands and cultures, His Holiness has recognized that new approaches are needed to allow seekers in the West to experience the relevance of the liberating message in their own lives. Such an approach cannot assume listeners are free from doubt and already have faith in Buddhism’s basic tenets. The Library of Wisdom and Compassion series, therefore, starts from the universal human wish for happiness and presents the dynamic nature of the mind. This first volume also provides a wealth of reflections on Buddhist history and fundamentals, contemporary issues, and the Dalai Lama’s own personal experiences. It stands alone as an introduction to Buddhism, but it also provides a foundation for the systematic illumination of the path in the volumes to come.  The Library of Wisdom and Compassion collects the Dalai Lama’s decades of presentations of every step of the path to enlightenment. It has been compiled and coauthored by one of his chief Western disciples, the American nun Thubten Chodron.

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Book SynopsisThe second volume in the Dalai Lama’s definitive and comprehensive series on the stages of the Buddhist path, The Library of Wisdom and Compassion.Volume 1, Approaching the Buddhist Path, contained introductory material that set the context for Buddhist practice. This second volume, The Foundation of Buddhist Practice, describes the important teachings that will help us establish a flourishing Dharma practice.   Traditional presentations of the path in Tibetan Buddhism assume the audience already has faith in the Buddha and believes in rebirth and karma, but the Dalai Lama realized early on that a different approach was needed for his Western and contemporary Asian students. Starting with the four seals and the two truths, His Holiness illuminates key Buddhist ideas, such as dependent arising, emptiness, and karma, to support the reader in engaging with this rich tradition. This second volume in the Library of Wisdom and Compassion series provides a wealth of reflections on the relationship between a spiritual mentor and student, how to begin a meditation practice, and the relationship between the body and mind.

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Book SynopsisHis Holiness the Dalai Lama explores emptiness, one of the most central teachings in Buddhism, in the newest volume of the bestselling series The Library of Wisdom and Compassion.In Searching for the Self the Dalai Lama leads us to delve deeply into the topic of the ultimate nature of reality, presenting it from a variety of approaches while focusing on identifying our erroneous views and directing us to the actual mode of existence of all persons and phenomena.  Placing our study of reality within the auspicious context of a compassionate motivation to benefit all sentient beings, the Dalai Lama explains why realizing emptiness is important and what qualities are needed to do that, and he evaluates various tenet systems’ perspectives on this vast topic. He then helps us understand our perceptions and the mental states involved in both our ignorant and accurate cognitions. He examines inherent existence and other fantasized ways of existence that we seek to disprove through reasoned analysis and presents the Middle Way view that abandons all extremes. The closing chapters by Thubten Chodron discuss the three characteristics of impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and not-self as explained in the Pali tradition and show how meditation on these can lead to the meditative breakthrough to realize nirvana.  Engaging in this investigation with His Holiness will challenge our deepest-held beliefs and uproot false ways of viewing ourselves and the world that are so habitual we don’t even notice them. Get ready to be challenged and intrigued, for realizing the nature of reality has the power to cut our defilements at the root and free us from cyclic existence forever!  

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Book SynopsisIn this final volume on emptiness, the Dalai Lama skillfully reveals the Prasangikas’ view of the ultimate nature of reality so that we will gain the correct view of emptiness, the selflessness of both persons and phenomena, and have the means to eliminate our own and others’ duhkha.In this last of three volumes on emptiness, the Dalai Lama takes us through the Sautrantika, Yogacara, and Svatantrika views on the ultimate nature of reality and the Prasangikas’ thorough responses to these, so that we gain the correct view of emptiness—the selflessness of both persons and phenomena. This view entails negating inherent existence while also being able to establish conventional existence: emptiness does not mean nothingness. We then learn how to meditate on the correct view by cultivating pristine wisdom that is the union of serenity and insight as taught in the Pali, Chinese, and Tibetan traditions. Such meditation, when combined with the altruistic intention of bodhicitta, leads to the complete eradication of all defilements that obscure our minds. This volume also introduces us to the tathagatagarbha—the buddha essence—and how it is understood in both Tibet and China. Is it permanent? Does everyone have it? In addition, the discussion of sudden and gradual awakening in Zen (Chan) Buddhism and in Tibetan Buddhism is fascinating.

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Book Synopsis“Lash is capable of explaining the mind-bending concepts of Gnosticism and pagan mystery cults with bracing clarity and startling insight. . . . [His] arguments are often lively and entertaining.”—Los Angeles Times Fully revised and with a new preface by the author, this timely update is perfect for readers of The Immortality Key. Since its initial release to wide acclaim in 2006, Not in His Image has transformed the lives of readers around the world by presenting the living presence of the Wisdom Goddess as never before revealed, illustrating that the truth of an impactful Gnostic message cannot be hidden or destroyed. With clarity, author John Lamb Lash explains how a little-known messianic sect propelled itself into a dominant world power, systematically wiping out the great Gnostic spiritual teachers, the Druid priests, and the shamanistic healers of Europe and North Africa. Early Christians burned libraries and destroyed temples in an attempt to silence the ancient truth-tellers and keep their own secrets. Not in His Image delves deeply into ancient Gnostic writings to reconstruct the story early Christians tried to scrub from the pages of history, exploring the richness of the ancient European Pagan spirituality—the Pagan Mysteries, the Great Goddess, Gnosis, the myths of Sophia and Gaia. In the 15th Anniversary Edition, Lash doubles down on his original argument against redemptive ideology and authoritarian deceit. He shows how the Gnostics clearly foresaw the current program of salvation by syringe, and places the Sophianic vision of life centrally in the battle to expose and oppose the evil agenda of transhumanism, making this well-timed update more relevant than ever. “Sometimes a book changes the world. Not in His Image is such a book. It is clear, stimulating, well-researched, and sure to outrage the experts. . . . Get it. Improve not just your own life, but civilization’s chances for survival.”—Roger Payne, author of Among Whales

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Book SynopsisIn The Unseen Realm, Dr. Michael Heiser examines the ancient context of Scripture, explaining how its supernatural worldview can help us grow in our understanding of God. He illuminates intriguing and amazing passages of the Bible that have been hiding in plain sight. You'll find yourself engaged in an enthusiastic pursuit of the truth, resulting in a new appreciation for God's Word. Why wasn't Eve surprised when the serpent spoke to her? How did descendants of the Nephilim survive the flood? Why did Jacob fuse Yahweh and his Angel together in his prayer? Who are the assembly of divine beings that God presides over? In what way do those beings participate in God's decisions? Why do Peter and Jude promote belief in imprisoned spirits? Why does Paul describe evil spirits in terms of geographical rulership? Who are the "glorious ones" that even angels dare not rebuke? After reading this book, you may never read your Bible the same way again. "There is a world referred to in the Scripture that is quite unseen, but also quite present and active. Michael Heiser's The Unseen Realm seeks to unmask this world. Heiser shows how important it is to understand this world and appreciate how its contribution helps to make sense of Scripture. The book is clear and well done, treating many ideas and themes that often go unseen themselves. With this book, such themes will no longer be neglected, so read it and discover a new realm for reflection about what Scripture teaches."

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