This book is comprised of a compendium of motivational

essays that are intended to stimulate the mind and stir the

heart toward sensing the magnificence of the Almighty

Lord, Allah (Glory be to Him, the Most High), as also

to experience the beauty and wisdom of Islam, and to

imbibe the principles and precepts of life taught by

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

The style of these discourses is generally intended to

educate both Muslims and non-Muslims on the spirit

and values of Islam, and on recognizing humanity and

human attributes within oneself, as well as to share

Islamic ethics, morality, philosophies, and principles

so as to promote the understanding of Islam and to

illuminate the purpose of life. Each essay is motivated by

several particularly insightful verses from the Qur'an and

traditions and sayings of the Prophet, which in themselves

are enlightening to read and reflect upon.

This book explores the fascinating world of religious hair observances within six religious traditions that account for 77% of the world's adherents: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Symbolic use of hair has been, and remains, prevalent in all six and carries significant amounts of religious and social meaning. Hair is a unique body substance. It can be shaped and colored, removed from us without pain but still retain an individual's essence, signal our age, sex, and sexual maturity, and much, much more. The book's approach is to situate each practice within its tradition. That requires a study of its foundational leaders and their teachings, sacred texts (where they mention hair), its rites and rituals, ideas of religious power and subsequent historical development. Contemporary practitioners are interviewed for their motivations. Even more insight can be gleaned by searching beyond an overt religious purpose. Social scientists from anthropology, sociology, psychology, and related fields bring their research to deliver added perceptions. The author reveals how hair practices are created from ancient psychological and cultural impulses, become modified by time, culture and religious intent, and are adopted by adherents for reasons ranging from personal religious expression to group identity. This book is written for the interested observer of our increasingly diverse society and for the student of comparative religion and sociology. It will change forever how you see hair.

This is an autobiography written by Jewel Marie McDonald. The words on these pages have brought about healing as they have put together the patchwork pieces of her quilt. The author has presented this accurate historical perspective that she lived daily. Other published works by the author are articles written as a part of her master's thesis in Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio: "Whole Language, What is it?" (1989) and "The Effect of Sustained Silent Reading" (1990). She has been an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. since her initiation in 1957 while attending OSU. Her church ministry led her to serve many years in Ohio and Georgia as superintendent of Sunday school, director of vacation Bible school, and director of Christian education. She also has membership in Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity as well as the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE).

Does God care about you? Is He aware of your day-to-day activities, worries, afflictions, and sorrows?

God is not a distant, uninterested, uncaring being that created the world then left the inhabitants to fend for themselves. God engages in every aspect of your life.

Almighty God loves you with a deep and perfect love. He will call you to be His child, a part of His intimate family. He is aware of each minute of your existence. He knew you before you were born and has a divine purpose for your life. He never leaves you. He never forsakes you. He is always aware and available. He picks you up when you fall. He sets you back on the right path when you stray. He protects and comforts you through trouble when it comes. He forgives you over and over again when you lose sight, make wrong choices, and make mistakes.

He isn't distant at all. In fact, God is involved and concerned about everything regarding you, His child. Teresa Jones takes the truths from Psalm 139 and conveys biblical examples of God's intervention while providing an intimate walk through her personal testimony of living within His keeping.

Greetings! Welcome to Mary's journal of Jesus' early life. Can you imagine nurturing a baby, experiencing all the firsts of a toddler, teaching a young boy, tolerating a teenager, and enjoying the experiences of a young man, while always anticipating a promised kingdom? This was Mary's life. Very little is known of these early years, but Mary must have celebrated milestones just as we do today. Jesus had a first tooth, a first word, a first step, a first day of school, siblings, graduations, and other milestones like our children today. The only witness to all these events was Mary. Learn of Jesus' relationship with his brothers and sisters and many cousins, including John the Baptist and Matthew. In Jesus, My Son, you will watch Jesus' life unfold through the eyes of his mother.

In The Christ-Man Chronicles, Cooper-Giles posits a compelling argument for both clergy and politicians, and their social issues, which should manifest and morph into models of progressive change and enlightenment.This book chronicles somewhat the search for bin Laden and Al Qaeda, the "War on Terror," and the incidental attacks on Iraq in March 2003. The narrative also alludes to some reasons why there is much animosity and hatred toward America and some of its allies, especially so-called Israel, in the Muslim world. It affirms the double-standards, dubious, and often racist nature of America's government policies in both domestic and foreign affair: particularly, its arrogant imperialistic attitude in dealing with Third World countries.Nevertheless, Cooper-Giles proclaims that everyone has the conscious potent ability to become Christ-Men in their personal journey here on Earth with the discovery of one's "divine" mission and purpose, and the eventual understanding of being the person that one is meant to be: this knowledge is gained by distinguishing the difference between the illusionists and the creative value-producers around us Everyone should understand that they are made in the image of God, our Creator, as a distinct individual, who has a divine, a unique, and a separate soul-force different than anyone else on this planet...

Every child of God encounters spiritual warfare on many fronts. To help us to win our battles, the Lord of Hosts gave us the Holy Spirit as our Helper against the forces of hell. Relationship with Him is imperative as He brings with Him all that we will need to become more than conquerors. Every believer needs to manifest the character of Christ in waging war against the enemy. Every believer has a call of God, is anointed and graced, and must be able to function effectively in the Kingdom of God. Every believer must become conscious of the spiritual strategy to wage war against the enemy and be victorious. Every believer must become fully equipped to continue to establish God's Kingdom purpose on the earth. Every believer must discover connection with the Master's vision of the results expected. The Holy Spirit endows us with the capacity for winning every battle. The Holy Spirit equips us with the ability to wage successful warfare. The Holy Spirit encourages us with the strategy of a Kingdom warrior. The Holy Spirit enlightens us with the mentality derived from the wisdom of God. The Holy Spirit enables us with authority as we connect with the Master's vision. The picture that God has of every Kingdom Warrior must become realized in our individual lives. The church must aligned itself with the Vision that God has of it, and not seek to compromise God's vision for His church. We can be all that God said we will be, do all that He raised us up to do, and have all that He has promised us.

Upon moving to Minnesota and living next to an Amish community, I was intrigued to learn about Amish life. That moment came, when I was working in my garden one Sunday. A brother and sister of the nearby Amish family decided to come over and talk to me while they went for a walk. I was flattered to get to know some of the family. My husband came out to greet them as well. I knew in my heart that I was going to be a part of this moving, beautiful story of which this was only the beginning. I, being a patient soul, was prepared to get to know, learn, offer help, and advise, if they asked of me, or when I thought they needed to know something. I only wanted to help them, especially a young Amish woman, succeed in their way of life. All human emotions from sad, happy, indifferent, and outright hilarious, at times, are evident. There is an element of suspense in the story. Shortly after, it was time to end and put down my pen.

PRAYER POWER TO END YOUR FRUSTRATION Are you tired of not being in Control of Your Day? this book will empower you to "Be in Control of Your Day." Your season of frustration, marital conflicts, financial lack has met its match when you pray the prayers in "Be in Control of Your Day." You are being empowered to take back control of your day and receive all that God wants you to have. If you're sick and tired of being sick this book is for you, and it will change your life forever. "I recommend this book to all and believe it will change lives" - T Mosaku

THE DELIGHT OF THE FATHER AND OTHER LYRICS is a collection of over sixty biblically based poems, many of which were written to be sung. The book is arranged throughout with relevant scripture on the page facing each poem.

ABOUT THIS BOOK The idea of living as an ordinary person without enthusiasm, vigour, or energy is about to take a new turn. You are about to embrace truths and experience a re-direction which will move you closer to the original intention of God for your life. The MYSTERY OF YOUR SEED seeks to transform the readers perception about their future with deep revelations which will leave them totally reassured with thoughts of new possibilities. Your hope for a better life is definitely a supreme reality which you will encounter after this sojourning moment with this book. Get ready to discover the ultimate meaning, capability and value of the seeds in your life. You are welcome to the new you

"All Men are Dogs" is a provocatively motivating eye-opener that will empower men with the ability to reclaim the foreign estate of their rightful position as the image of God. Every woman who reads this book will be endowed with the power of healing and forgiveness. This book will bring a new direction to men, new prospective to women and radical changes to the life styles of men, women and families. Men the revelatory knowledge contained in the book will give you the courage to change yur life and the wisdom to find your lost identity, integrity and authority. No longer will you have to settle for less, living beneath your privilege. But you will be able to " walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." To operate in the principles and standards that God had designed for your life. As new creatures in Christ Jesus living in the fullness of God's grace. This book will be a lethal weapon in the hands, heart and mind of any man or woman who would dare to read and accept the challenges perscribed in it and for those who are willing to conform to the inspired Word of God contained in it.

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO REALLY UNDERSTAND BIBLICAL PROPHECY? NOW YOU CAN. There is an absolute Truth that everyone should know: The world as we know it will come to an end, and it will be in the near future. There is going to be a day of reckoning for our world. God Almighty is going to judge the Earth and the entire universe and it will all be destroyed in an instant. This is an absolute fact, whether you choose to believe it or not. Within the pages of The Ultimate End, you will find a clear and concise explanation of the very synopsis of the end times written by the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. Here you can discover that The Revelation is not a book of vague mystery, but rather a writing of true revelation, which is intended to be understood by anyone who will trust and believe God's Word.

And Lead Us Not into Temptation is a book of truth designed to lead and guide our souls in the balance of right as it inspires a sense of sight fashioned to impress upon us to live as souls in the flesh. And as we walk through, we will hear the sounds of the stoned scales drop off of our eyes and reveal our soul's sight while seeing Jehovah through Jesus in the truest light.

Dr. Howard has crafted a careful and balanced blend of Bible exposition, theology, real-life illustrations from his vast ministerial experience, and practical applications to those who yearn for their lives to be transformed from a messy situation to a message that honors and glorifies God.

Each chapter expounds the miraculous way God used an unlikely individual with a messy life and turned his or her life into a positive message. The woman at the well, Zacchaeus, Jabez, Ruth, the thief on the cross, and Jephthah all faced challenging circumstances. Sin, genetics, the unexpected death of a spouse, rebellion, and poor family heritage placed these Bible characters in the "most likely not to succeed" category. All had three strikes against them.

God, in His infinite mercy and grace, had a plan for each of these lives. He turned their mess into a positive message. Regardless of what mess you find your life to be in, this book gives practical ways of how to get out. Everyone faces trials and difficulties in life. Dr. Howard likens the trials and difficulties in life to "potholes." Potholes appear out of nowhere - unexpectedly - and can be destructive and hurtful and take away our joy and sense of well being. Dr. Howard says, "Being a Christian does not mean that we will not be faced with trials and tribulations, which are like potholes in our lives (some are big while others are small)." Regardless of how messy your life is or how many potholes are causing you concern, "Turning Your Mess into a Message" will give you hope and lead you to the Savior, who alone can turn your life around. He did it for the six Bible characters expounded upon in the book and He continues to change and transform messy lives into a message today.

Recent arguments surrounding the meaning and message of the Qur'an often focus on whether or not it supports or exhorts violence. Such arguments, though, tend to ignore the fact that the scriptures found there speak to various aspects of life and living. The Qur'anic Narrative attempts to show that the Qur'an has an inspiring message that aims to enlighten the path of those who embrace it and guides them through the journey of life. Exploring various themes related to everyday experiences, Safi reveals the meaning of the Qur'an with regard to issues of spirit, faith, charity, patience, fasting, salvation, pride, charity, moral discipline, and other relevant topics.

In an attempt to recapture the Islamic spirit promoted in the Qur'an, this book offers an approach that speaks to areas of life many people are concerned about. It pastes together a narrative that is more consistent and more representative of the overall Qur'anic message, which, the author contends, is ultimately one of peace and hope. Safi places the Qur'an in context, too, by examining its meaning to early recipients of the scriptures and its place in that particular social and historical context. He continues by updating that meaning for modern readers and adherents, relating the intended meaning to an evolving human audience and to contemporary experiences. The author contends that extremist readings are misinterpretations and that those who may view the Qur'an as a holy text that encourages, even demands, violence are incorrect. Ultimately, readers will come away from this work with a broader appreciation of the Qur'an and its intended meaning and message.

These poems deal with how God, with tender love, powerful wisdom and patient invitation, intersects the lives of people, and how we may, if we wish, respond to such intervention. They touch on a variety of circumstances and influences that are the common experience of all, whether Christian or non-Christian: confusion, decision-making, defeat, disappointment, entanglement, forgiveness, marriage, national life, personal private devotion, prayer, resentment, success. It is hoped that the index of scriptural references will encourage the reader to build worthwhile bridges between scriptural truths and daily living; that the built-in metrical arrangements in the poems will encourage the singing of some of the poems as hymns, and that the content, convictions and connections expressed in each poem will, after the final poem is read, enable the reader to respond positively and sincerely to this powerful invitation from the triune God: I kept the cruse of oil from running dry; The loaves and fishes I did multiply; I rescued Daniel from the lion's den; I even gave my life for you. But then Your doubts still hold you in captivity. I'm in control, my child Just trust in Me