An illustrated keepsake journal, to be filled and given as a legacy to one's child This journal offers a unique path for the writer and reader: Intended not to be filled with pregnancy or infant development notes, but instead, meant toward thoughts, hopes, and aspirations for your baby. "What I thought when I found I was pregnant," "What happened when you were born," "Why we chose the name that we did," and many, many more thoughts and memories all can be added, and the book given as a legacy gift to a child as they mature or reach adulthood.

Fungi are everywhere. Most are harmless, some are helpful. A few are killers. Collectively, infectious fungi are the most devastating agents of disease on Earth, and a fungus that can persist in the environment without its host is here for the long haul. In gripping, accessible prose, Emily Monosson documents how changing climate, trade and travel are making us all more vulnerable to invasion. Populations of bats, frogs and salamanders face extinction, and scientists don’t have a cure. The American Northwest’s beloved National Parks are covered with the spindly corpses of white bark pines. Food crops are under siege, threatening our coffee, bananas and wheat—and, more broadly, our global food security. In humans, Candida auris infects hospital patients and those with weakened immune systems. Monosson’s critical reporting demonstrates that prevention is difficult but not impossible. Exposing the connection between pathogens and human action, Blight serves as a wake-up call, a reminder of the delicate interconnectedness of the natural world.

Committed Christians may respond differently to gay and lesbian Christians. How can we engage those with whom we might disagree and navigate our journey together in a way that nurtures unity, hospitality, humility, and justice?
Through her extensive experience in ministering to gay and lesbian Christians, Wendy VanderWal-Gritter has come to believe we need a new paradigm for how the church engages those in the sexual minority. She encourages generous spaciousness, a hope-filled, relational way forward for those in turmoil regarding a response to gay and lesbian Christians. This book offers a framework for discussing diversity in a gracious way, showing that the church can be a place that welcomes a variety of perspectives on the complex matter of human sexuality. It also offers practical advice for implementing generous spaciousness in churches and organizations.

Discover the mystery and wonder of lunar magic in this illustrated introduction to the enchanted world of the moon. Of all the celestial bodies, the moon brings with it the most mystery, beauty, and opportunity for cleansing renewal. In Moon Magic, author and witch Nikki Van De Car introduces readers to the astrological significance of the moon, and guides readers through spells, incantations, and renewing rituals associated with lunar magic. From honoring the Full Moon and New Moon to cleansing crystals and inviting dreams, explore the divine energy and enriching practices associated with this planetary body.

Being human is a lifelong journey of becoming. This journey defines our humanity, for it is a journey toward our source and our fulfillment, described in Christian theology as union with God. If we remain open to God as our sense of self awakens, we experience a deeper consciousness of being in him. The self that emerges during this process is larger, more enlightened, and whole.
David Benner, who has spent thirty-five years integrating psychology and spirituality, presents psychological insights in a readable fashion to offer readers a deeper understanding of the self and its spiritual development. Drawing on a broad range of Christian traditions, Benner shows that the transformation of self is foundational to Christian spirituality.
This book will appeal to readers interested in a psychologically grounded, fresh exploration of Christian spirituality; professionals engaged in pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual direction; and students in ministry development and spiritual formation courses. Questions and answers for individual or group use are included at the end of each chapter.

The environmental movement is plagued by pessimism. And that's not unreasonable: with so many complicated, seemingly intractable problems facing the planet, coupled with a need to convince people of the dangers we face, it's hard not to focus on the negative But that paints an unbalanced-and overly disheartening-picture of what's going on with environmental stewardship today. There are success stories, and Our Once and Future Planet delivers a fascinating account of one of the most impressive areas of current environmental experimentation and innovation: ecological restoration. Veteran investigative reporter Paddy Woodworth has spent years traveling the globe and talking with people-scientists, politicians, and ordinary citizens-who are working on the front lines of the battle against environmental degradation. At sites ranging from Mexico to New Zealand and Chicago to Cape Town, Woodworth shows us the striking successes (and a few humbling failures) of groups that are attempting to use cutting-edge science to restore blighted, polluted, and otherwise troubled landscapes to states of ecological health-and, in some of the most controversial cases, to particular moments in historical time, before widespread human intervention. His firsthand field reports and interviews with participants reveal the promise, power, and limitations of restoration. Ecological restoration alone won't solve the myriad problems facing our environment. But Our Once and Future Planet demonstrates the role it can play, and the hope, inspiration, and new knowledge that can come from saving even one small patch of earth.

Dallas Seminary Professors Make Basic Theology Accessible for All
Theology doesn't have to be complicated. In this book, trusted Dallas Seminary professors present a concise systematic theology that distills the essential spiritual truths in a way that makes sense to readers--students, lay people, and pastors. Here are introductions, overviews, and reviews of key tenets of orthodox protestant evangelical doctrines. The book also includes an annotated list of key applicable Bible texts, a quick-paced story of doctrine throughout church history, heresies or distortions to be aware of, and more.
"Exploring Christian Theology "is useful for discipleship, catechism, membership training, preview or review of doctrine, or quick personal reference. It can also be used by ministry training programs, Bible colleges, or seminaries as an introductory primer to orient students in preparation for a more in-depth study of theology.

The Overlords appeared suddenly over every city--intellectually, technologically, and militarily superior to humankind. Benevolent, they made few demands: unify earth, eliminate poverty, and end war. With little rebellion, humankind agreed, and a golden age began.

But at what cost? With the advent of peace, man ceases to strive for creative greatness, and a malaise settles over the human race. To those who resist, it becomes evident that the Overlords have an agenda of their own. As civilization approaches the crossroads, will the Overlords spell the end for humankind . . . or the beginning?

Jesus revealed Himself to be the cornerstone of the church. But He has built His church, and continues to build it, through apostles and prophets, people who are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Now a leader of the New Apostolic Reformation gives us new insights into how the people called to crucial roles in the church--apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor and teachers--must work together to fulfill their divine purpose. For the first time since the Early Church, God is harnessing apostles and prophets to fulfill the promises of His divine plan. Prepare to play your part!

Many modern Christians are now agreeing that we should take Jesus' command to cast out demons more seriously than we have in recent years. But how do we do it? Where do we start? This practical, down-to-earth book shows us how. From Doris Wagner, one of the leading authorities on biblical deliverance in North America, this manual teaches Christians how to take and break soul ties; how to break bondages of rejection, addiction, lust, and more; and how to set free those whom the enemy has held captive.

From the creators behind the popular Instagram and lifestyle brand of the same name, the Yes Way Rose Mini Kit brings consumers everything they need to get in the "pink wine state of mind." This kit includes: - Set of 3 enamel wine charms - Branded cocktail stir sticks -Full-colour recipe cards, bound in a postcard-style book

Why is it that our spiritual disciplines feel so dutiful and routine most of the time? We are called to delight in Him, to draw near and enjoy Him and yet that seems far from most of our realities. There are many fine written works describing the need, purpose, and methods of spiritual disciplines.Knowing Grace complements these by fostering and deepening the reader's engagement with God through various means of grace. By using this terminology, "means of grace" a rightful emphasis is placed on God's initiation, invitation, and empowering to engage with Him in ways that foster a greater sensitivity to His movements, stirrings, nudges and voice. By growing more familiar with being in His presence, one experiences more of His grace, moving us from duty to delight.

Bliss is within (your fingers') reach! Step your tired fingers into a pair of teeny yoga pants, roll out your desktop mat, and give those tired digits a stretch (or a workout) with Finger Yoga! This kit -- the perfect gift for yogis -- includes: - Mini yoga pants to wear on the pointer and middle fingers - A desktop yoga mat - Two mini yoga blocks - A 32-page illustrated mini book with instructions for finger yoga poses

I he most authoritative history of piracy, Frank Sherry's rich and colorful account reveals the rise and fall of the real "raiders and rebels" who terrorized the seas. From 1692 to 1725 pirates sailed the oceans of the world, plundering ships laden with the riches of India, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Often portrayed as larger-than-life characters, these outlaw figures and their bloodthirsty exploits have long been immortalized in fiction and film. But beneath the legends is the true story of these brigands--often common men and women escaping the social and economic restrictions of 18th-century Europe and America. Their activities threatened the beginnings of world trade and jeopardized the security of empires. And together, the author argues, they fashioned a surprisingly democratic society powerful enough to defy the world.

Leading Experts Introduce the People and Contexts of the Old Testament What people groups interacted with ancient Israel? Who were the Hurrians and why do they matter? What do we know about the Philistines, the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and others? In this up-to-date volume, leading experts introduce the peoples and places of the world around the Old Testament, providing students with a fresh exploration of the ancient Near East. The contributors offer comprehensive orientations to the main cultures and people groups that surrounded ancient Israel in the wider ancient Near East, including not only Mesopotamia and the northern Levant but also Egypt, Arabia, and Greece. They also explore the contributions of each people group or culture to our understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures. This supplementary text is organized by geographic region, making it especially suitable for the classroom and useful in a variety of Old Testament courses. Approximately eighty-five illustrative items are included throughout the book.

Hurl and sweep your way to fun with Desktop Curling! Challenge your friends and family to a game of patience and skill with this portable, miniature version of curling. This kit includes: - 12" extendable curling lane, with two platform inserts. - 8 curling stones (4 red and 4 blue) - 2 mini brooms - 32-page illustrated mini book with the rules and history to this unique winter sport

This logbook is not only a convenient place to keep all the specific notes that need constant referral during a long voyage, but also a sailing record of the boat, ports visited, interesting sights, and people invited aboard. This revised edition includes new material relating to the advent of GMDSS.

Helps readers move beyond the wounds and baggage of bitterness, disagreements, and broken relationships.

"True or false: most Christian pastors and counselors agree on what forgiveness is and how it should take place." This question is part of Chris Brauns's Forgiveness Quiz that draws readers into his book and gets them thinking about the subject of forgiveness. The truth is, pastors and counselors disagree profoundly on this subject. Unpacking Forgiveness combines sound theological thinking and honesty about the complicated questions many face to provide readers with a solid understanding of biblical forgiveness.

Only God's Word can unpack forgiveness. The wounds are too deep for us to find healing on our own, and the questions are too complex to be unraveled by anything but the wisdom of God. This book goes beyond a feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness, balancing the beauty of God's grace and the necessity of forgiveness with the teaching that forgiveness must take place in a way that is consistent with justice.

To the people of the world, Easter means that the perfect plan of salvation has been provided. The Bible, God's book, summarizes the "gospel," which means "good news," this way: "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures . . . he was buried . . . he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). God shows his love for us in that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). To God, Easter means that he is satisfied with Jesus's death in our place. "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust [us], that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus Christ "is the propitiation [the Satisfier of God's just punishment] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). To the believer, Easter is the promise of everlasting life. Jesus promised whoever "heareth my word, and believeth on him [God the Father] that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). God "raised up the Lord [Jesus], and will also raise up us by his own power" (1 Corinthians 6:14). To you, Easter is a challenge to believe. Whoever "believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36). Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me . . . shall never die [spiritually]" (John 11:25-26). You can know the true meaning of Easter in your life today! Recognize that without Christ you are separated from God. In honest repentance, admit your sin and your need to be saved: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God . . . the wages of sin is death" (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Realize that God loves you and that Jesus Christ died for your sins. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son [to die in your place], that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men [humankind], the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). Receive the risen Christ into your life by faith and trust him as your Savior. "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17). "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). Eternal life begins the moment you believe that only through Jesus can your sins be forgiven, and that eternal life comes only from God: "it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8), it is not because of your own doing. You can be forgiven today! That's how the true meaning of Easter can make a difference in your life--now and forever!

DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOING TO COME BACK TO THIS EARTH AGAIN? I do. And I don't see any other hope for the world because we're heading toward a catastrophe. The Bible says, "Scoffers will come in the last days. . . . They will say, 'Where is the promise of his coming?' For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly" (2 Peter 3:3-7). The Word of God, the Bible, speaks of the certainties of the end of the world. Jesus said, "As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:37). What were the days of Noah like? And is there a parallel for today? The people of Noah's day were very wicked: "Every intention of the thoughts" of their hearts was "only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). Marriage was abused, people were corrupt, violence prevailed (Genesis 6:1-13). There was a lot of "religion," but it was decadent. People were preoccupied with things and didn't have time for God. So God warned them, "Unless you repent and change your ways, you're going to face judgment." In the middle of all that corruption, Noah dared to live for God. Noah believed in God, and true faith determined how he lived. By that faith Noah built a ship in the middle of the desert, and he and his family were saved when the waters of destruction came (Genesis 6:1-13, Hebrews 11:7). True faith should determine how we live, too. Today the only bright spot on the horizon of this world's future is the promise of the return of Jesus Christ. We can't go on like this much longer, either morally or scientifically. The technology that was supposed to save us is ready to destroy us. Yet we're not to wait in terror, because as Christians, we have the hope of the return of Christ. When is he going to return? Jesus said, "Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only" (Matthew 24:36). NOAH BELIEVED IN GOD, AND TRUE FAITH DETERMINED HOW HE LIVED. TRUE FAITH SHOULD DETERMINE HOW WE LIVE, TOO. But are you ready when the end of life in this world comes for you personally? The Bible says, "It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). It is coming the moment you die, and that could be at any time for any of us. You may be expecting to live for many more years, but you can't know for sure. We never know. One of the biblical prophets wrote, "Prepare to meet your God" (Amos 4:12). What have you done spiritually in your life to prepare for that moment when your heart stops beating? The Bible also says about Jesus: "There is salvation [from God's judgment for sin] in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). You need to make a commitment to Christ today. First, repent of your sins, including all of those things we say and do that offend other people, and God himself! "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Without God's Spirit coming to live within us we don't have the strength to change and live a life that pleases God. That's why we need to be saved! Repentance means that you say to God, "I have sinned. I am sorry for my sins. I want to change my way of living by your empowerment." Second, you come to God by faith. That means that you put your whole trust in him and say, "Lord, I believe Christ's death for me provides everything I need to be forgiven for my sins and become accepted by you. I trust in Jesus alone for my salvation. Please save me now and help me live for you." You may be a good person. You may do all the good that you can think of, but all of that isn't enough. You must come in childlike faith to Jesus who died on the cross for you, who rose again, who is waiting for you to make that commitment. ARE YOU READY TO MEET GOD?

Read your dog's mind with this adorable companion to the Phrenology Cat miniature kit.

Have you ever wondered why your dog acts a certain way or does strange things?

Now with the Phrenology Dog kit you can find and label where in your dog's brain their emotions, likes, dislikes, and quirks are located on this adorable ceramic bust.

This kit includes:

• 3"-tall uniquely designed and painted ceramic bust
• 32-page illustrated mini book on phrenology for dogs

Today, the works of Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) are among the most well known and celebrated in the world. In Sunflowers, The Starry Night, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, and many paintings and drawings beyond, we recognize an artist uniquely dexterous in the portrayal of mood and place through paint, pencil, charcoal, or chalk. Yet as he was deploying the lurid colors, emphatic brushwork, and contoured forms that would subsequently make his name, van Gogh battled not only the disinterest of his contemporary audience but also devastating bouts of mental illness. His episodes of depression and anxiety would eventually claim his life, when, in 1890, he committed suicide shortly after his 37th birthday. This richly illustrated introduction follows Vincent van Gogh's story from his earliest pictures of peasants and rural workers, through his bright Parisian period, to his final, feverish burst of creative energy in the South of France during the last two and a half years of his life. About the series Born back in 1985, the Basic Art Series has evolved into the best-selling art book collection ever published. Each book in TASCHEN's Basic Art series features: a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance a concise biography approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions