Daily Inspirational Prayers and Meditations for Self-Reflection and Gratitude New Beginnings is a spiritual guidebook for changing your life featuring meditations, affirmations, prayers, and blessings for each day of the year. Pray every day. In her latest gem, bestselling author Becca Anderson offers inspirational words for each day of the year to those exploring new horizons or rebooting their directions in life. New Beginnings is a must-have for those seeking both guidance and companionship as they move in new, positive directions. Find a new spiritual way. Having the ability to draw inward and speculate is a fundamental skill if one wishes to grow and achieve an unlimited number of goals. If you are looking for a change in your life or seeking a new path with a vision of starting afresh, New Beginnings just might be the perfect book for you. Join Becca Anderson, a woman's studies scholar, and the author of the bestselling The Book of Awesome Women, as she shares daily meditations, affirmations, prayers, and blessings. Anderson draws from a diverse pool of religions, practices, and spiritualties to bring you the perfect message for each day of the year. Use New Beginnings as a powerful instrument for self-reflection and gratitude: Gain clarity into your purpose in life Maintain hope about the future Develop a better sense of self Build mental energy and momentum Improve your attitude and mindset If you enjoyed spiritual guidebooks like Live in Grace, Walk in Love, Unshakeable, or Prayers for Difficult Times Women's Edition, then New Beginnings will help bring a greater sense of peace, inner peace, and peace of mind.

Religions Today provides a sympathetic account of what living religions really are. Fisher traces the historical development and practices of major religious movements and explores how these evolve into contemporary belief and teaching. She considers major faiths as well as indigenous religions and new religious movements, focusing on how living religions affect contemporary society. Case studies and interviews with living people ensure that this concise guide is both readable and stimulating.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

--Acts 20:24 (ESV)

Growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life," says Billy Graham, known by many as God's Ambassador. "I would have never guessed what God had in store for me, and I know that as I am nearing home, He will not forsake me the last mile of the way."

In "Nearing Home" this man of faith--now in his nineties--explores the challenges of aging while gleaning foundational truths from Scripture. Billy Graham invites us to journey with him as he considers the golden years while anticipating the hope of being reunited with his wife, Ruth, in his heavenly home that eclipses this world. "When granted many years of life, growing old in age is natural, but growing old with grace is a choice," says the author. "Growing older with grace is possible for all who will set their hearts and minds on the Giver of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ."

Join Billy Graham as he shares the challenges of fading strength but still standing strong in his commitment to finishing life well.

"Explore with me not only the realities of life as we grow older but also the hope and fulfillment and even joy that can be ours once we learn to look at these years from God's point of view and discover His strength to sustain us every day."

--BILLY GRAHAM

An important manifesto on how we can change our world for the better from the unique mind of the Dalai Lama, penned by the internationally bestselling author of Emotional Intelligence 'It is not enough merely to espouse a noble vision, the Dalai Lama tells us - we need to move toward it. The Dalai Lama's vision beckons us all. Every one of us can be a force for good' The Dalai Lama has for decades travelled the world, meeting people from all backgrounds and sharing with them his wisdom and compassion. In his encounters with everyone, from heads to state to inhabitants of shanty towns, he has come across similar problems: values that help the wealthy to advance beyond the poor, an environmental disregard that could lead to global catastrophe and governments in paralysis, bereft of any positive, progressive policies. The Dalai Lama offers here his unique vision for a global economic system, one that applies principals of fairness and which values fulfilment, focusing on what is truly urgent and why. It is a manifesto that has the potential to reshape humanity as we know it and bring hope to millions.

When Vanessa Ochs begins to suspect her various physical ailments are due to her leading an "unsanctified life," she decides to travel to Jerusalem with her family to explore the sacred books of Judaism. Armed with a list of institutions and the names of women who specialize in teaching these sacred texts, Ochs sets out on a journey of discovery. She forges a personal relationship with her mentors, women who are determined to disprove the claim of Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus: "The words of the Torah should be burnt rather than taught to women." As her year in Jerusalem draws to a close, Ochs begins to find a way to reconcile her feminist views with her quest to live a life according to laws shaped by the "sexist" views of traditional Judaism.Part scholarly investigation, part anecdotal memoir, "Words on Fire" is an accessible portrait of a remote world and a fascinating, firsthand account of the clash between feminism and Judaism.

Joni Eareckson Tada fue victima de un accidente de natacion que la dejo paralitica del cuello hasta los pies. En cuestion de segundo, aquella joven activa y vigorosa se quedo totalmente incapacitada. Desde ese tragico dia, Joni solo puede mover la cabeza y el cuello, pero aun asi se convirtio en una destacada dibujante usando la boca para manejar la pluma. Esta es una historia que todos deben leer. Los principios espirituales que esta joven asimilo son de caracter universal y de vigencia actual para todo lector. La historia de Joni tendra un significado especial para quienes tienen dificultades en aceptar las circunstancias dificiles de la vida."

'ONE NIGHT, NEW YORK transports the reader to the glitter and the danger of old New York. A page-turner with style.' ERIN KELLY 'ENTHRALLING' THE TIMES, BEST NEW HISTORICAL FICTION A THRILLING DEBUT NOVEL OF CORRUPTION AND MURDER, SET IN THE NIGHTCLUBS, TENEMENTS AND SKYSCRAPERS OF 1930s NEW YORK - FROM THE WINNER OF THE VIRAGO/THE POOL NEW CRIME WRITER AWARD. At the top of the Empire State Building on a freezing December night, two women hold their breath. Frances and Agnes are waiting for the man who has wronged them. They plan to seek the ultimate revenge. Set over the course of a single night, One Night, New York is a detective story, a romance and a coming-of-age tale. It is also a story of old New York, of bohemian Greenwich Village between the wars, of floozies and artists and addicts, of a city that sucked in creatives and immigrants alike, lighting up the world, while all around America burned amid the heat of the Great Depression. 'An atmospheric portrait of a city in the grip of the Great Depression as well as a compelling crime story' GUARDIAN 'Thompson's impressive debut delivers a beautifully detailed and multifaceted account of Jazz Age New York' IRISH TIMES 'An assured debut so evocative you can almost smell the bathtub gin wafting off the pages' RED MAGAZINE

Laugh aloud even as you look at life anew with these stories from the bestselling author of "Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?"
In 108 brief stories with titles like "The Bad Elephant," "Girlfriend Power," and "The Happiness License," Ajahn Brahm offers up more timeless wisdom that will speak to people from all walks of life. Drawing from his own experiences, stories shared by his students, and old chestnuts that he delivers with a fresh twist, Ajahn Brahm shows he knows his way around the humorous parable, delighting even as he surprises us with unexpected depth and inspiration.

The most crucial attribute of a believer and of those seeking the highest levels of spirituality, is that of having the best etiquette's and manners which have the effect of being kind, generous, compassionate, fair, truthful, honest, trustworthy, reliable, caring, considerate of others and ultimately practically benefiting, helping and serving humanity at large.The aim of model Islamic etiquette and manners is to benefit other human beings; by not subjecting them to any kind of stress, trouble, mischief or harm. Good morals and etiquette automatically benefit others even without positively striving to do so. This book is based upon highlighting this true teaching of Islam that is often forgotten and one which makes Islam a truly social welfare orientated, compassionate and caring faith. Moreover it highlights the many cases by which although a specific practice may not seem to be benefiting or serving others, but in reality it benefits others through many dimensions that may not be apparent, such as excelling in virtuous deeds which on the surface may only benefit the performer.The main focus of the book is upon consciously and proactively serving those in need, be they of any colour, creed or religion. In fact Islam admonishes those who fail to see and address the needs of the poor, weak, elderly, oppressed, orphans, widows, refugees, travelers and prisoners. Islam does not differentiate between Muslims or non-Muslims in this regard but treats it as it should be; a humanitarian issue which should be dealt with humanely without any prejudices or hatred surfacing or dictating the course of assistance, help or aid.All possible means of serving humanity have been highlighted by citing the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and that of pious members of the Muslim community; thereby directing the attention of modern-day Muslims to this crucial and forgotten asset of Islam.

Equipping Christians to understand and befriend Muslims

Tens of millions of Muslims live in the West. As a group they are ethnically diverse, culturally rich, and often wonderfully passionate about life and faith.

Unfortunately, as Christians we often segregate our lives from Muslims. We may be fearful, or--worse--inherently suspicious of them. But what we have to share with Muslims is magnificent and potentially life-changing, and we live in a day of unprecedented opportunities to interact with Muslims from around the world. This book will help you build open-hearted friendships with Muslims.

For readers with zero knowledge about Islam and no existing relationships with Muslims, don't worry; this book is for you. This fascinating introduction to Islam covers demography, theology, culture, politics, justice, and other aspects of Islamic identity, and includes stories and examples. Reaching Muslims is something we can all do, and it begins with friendship.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame contains one of the largest collections of late nineteenth-century French stained glass outside of France. The French Gothic-inspired church has forty-four large stained glass windows containing two hundred and twenty scenes. Today, more than 100,000 visitors tour the basilica each year to admire its architecture. This informative guidebook tells the unique story of the windows: the improbable creation of a glassworks by cloistered Carmelite nuns in LeMans, France, and their stained glass that so perfectly illuminated the late-nineteenth-century French Catholic spirituality of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Stories in Light describes the windows according to their location in the building, from the narthex at the entrance to the Lady Chapel behind the altar. Full-color photographs, accompanied by commentary on the historical and theological importance of the glass and the iconography of the saints, provide a detailed view of the scenes found in each window. Stories in Light is an easy-to-read book written for all who visit the basilica and for readers everywhere who want to know more about the rich history and heritage of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart's stained glass.

It has been shown time and again that even though all citizens may be accorded equal standing in the constitution of a liberal democracy, such a legal provision hardly guarantees state protections against discrimination and political exclusion. More specifically, why do we find pervasive gender-based discrimination, exclusion, and violence in India when the Indian Constitution supports an inclusive democracy committed to gender and caste equality? In Gendered Citizenship, Natasha Behl offers an examination of Indian citizenship that weaves together an analysis of sexual violence law with an in-depth ethnography of the Sikh community to explore the contradictory nature of Indian democracy-which gravely affects its institutions and puts its citizens at risk. Through a situated analysis of citizenship, Behl upends longstanding academic assumptions about democracy, citizenship, religion, and gender. This analysis reveals that religious spaces and practices can be sites for renegotiating democratic participation, but also uncovers how some women engage in religious community in unexpected ways to link gender equality and religious freedom as shared goals. Gendered Citizenship is a groundbreaking inquiry that explains why the promise of democratic equality remains unrealized, and identifies potential spaces and practices that can create more egalitarian relations.

If justice is an intrinsic value in Islam, why have women been treated as second-class citizens in Islamic legal tradition? Today, the idea of gender equality, inherent to contemporary conceptions of justice, presents a challenge to established, patriarchal interpretations of Shari'a. In thought-provoking discussions with six influential Muslim intellectuals - Abdullahi An-Na'im, Amina Wadud, Asma Lamrabet, Khaled Abou El Fadl, Mohsen Kadivar and Sedigheh Vasmaghi - Ziba Mir-Hosseini explores how egalitarian gender laws might be constructed from within the Islamic legal framework.

What ways of distinguishing right and wrong are encouraged within biblical writings? How did various bibical authors offer different yet complementary motivations for promoting ethical action and discouraging unethical behavior? The Ethical Vision of the Bible equips readers with an interest in deepening their understanding of biblical ethics to listen carefully to the variety of ethical emphases found within the Bible itself. Focusing especially on Torah (the Law), Proverbs, the Prophets, the Gospels and Paul, this book enables the reader to trace key ethical patterns as they develop from the flow of thought of these biblical texts in their own contexts. Frequent summary overviews, suggestions for further reading, and reflection questions at the end of every chapter make The Ethical Vision of the Bible ideal for students and others.

The Aetherius Society has, since its inception, been instrumental in making known the great teachings of the cosmic masters to the present Aquarian Age. Now the society is still further privileged by being chosen as the organisation through which Jesus Himself gave the sacred truths known as the twelve blessings. In The Twelve Blessings, Jesus, operating from His own shining planet, Venus, has again given to Earth great teachings on the eve of the new cosmic cycle -- the Aquarian Age. These teachings, given as actual blessings, are an extension of those He gave 2000 years ago. Here are mighty cosmic truths given with a simplicity which is the hallmark of the true understanding found only in the consciousness of a great Avatar. Humanity needs this power, this teaching, this cosmic love, in order to survive the ordeal of coming painful experiences.