The role of human sacrifice in the ancient Mediterranean world and its implications continue to be topics that fire the popular imagination and engender scholarly discussion and controversy. This volume aims to advance the discussion by providing balanced and judicious treatments of the various facets of these topics from a cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural perspective. It provides nuanced examinations of ancient ritual, exploring the various meanings that human sacrifice held for antiquity, and examines its varied repercussions up into the modern world. The book explores evidence to shed new light on the origins of the rite, to whom these sacrifices were offered, and by whom they were performed. It presents fresh insights into the social and religious meanings of this practice in its varied biblical landscape and ancient contexts, and demonstrates how human sacrifice has captured the imagination of later writers who have employed it in diverse cultural and theological discourses to convey their own views and ideologies. It provides valuable perspectives for understanding key cultural, theological and ideological dimensions, such as the sacrifice of Christ, scapegoating, self-sacrifice and martyrdom in post-biblical and modern times.

What a Difference A Day Makes- Nurturing the Trinity of Spirit, Mind, and Body is a book that will guide you through a more positive, healthy, inspired walk through life. This book will motivate you to live a life of positive thoughts, to lift your spirit, while maintaining a sharp mind, and finally keeping your body healthy with holistic remedies and delicious recipes. "If you take care of your body today, it will take care of you in the future."

Carolyn and her husband Herbert came from two different worlds. She from a small town in West Virginia, and he from a small village in East Prussia. They each experienced a different kind of life during World War II. Herbert escaped death by the Russians, and the only act of war Carolyn saw was selling war bonds and standing in line for nylons for her mother until the telegraph came. Carolyn's father was severely injured during a raid over Tokyo and would never be the same. Herbert's family did not know if his father was dead or alive for the three years they were in a refugee camp after fleeing from the Russians.

Life is a constant battle between good and evil. Unfortunately, many are ignorant of how to fight the battles of life. Human beings operate on two levels: the spiritual world and the physical world. Unknown to many, "the spiritual controls the physical."

In life, many of the problems that a man encounters are already introduced in the spiritual realm, yet he continues to look for physical solutions to spiritual problems. God has made available to every child of God the weapons to fight spiritual battles. These include the blood of Jesus, fire of the Holy Spirit etc. However, one of the most powerful weapons available to man is the weapon of praise and worship.

This book examines the reason why we fight spiritual battles and how to win spiritual wars. It also examines the life of King Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel and how they used the weapons of praise and worship to defeat their enemies.

Ever wondered what life is really about or why you were even born? Well . . .

Healing Through and From Sarita's Pen is unique because the inspirational and motivational quotes and prayers were designed to be a blessing to others even while I was going through hurt, pain and the disappointment of divorce . As a preacher, a teacher, and a leader in my church, and I was going through this unthinkable situation. But then, God gave me Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT); "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. It was then that I changed my perspective of why he wanted me to write. The writing was not for me, it was to help others. Yet in the process of writing, I was being healed. All the trials and tribulations I was going through became less and less traumatic. While I was focusing on helping others, God handled my issues. Obedience is better than sacrifice. God told me he had a new beginning waiting for me, but I must let go of the past. He told me to not let the enemy keep me depressed and discouraged. He would not let one door close without opening another one for me. When the devil reminds me of my past, remind him of his future. I wrote almost daily, contributing to the healing of others, and being healed at the same time.

The first thing Satan does when trying to get your attention is to disconnect your mind from the root--from God's plans, right people, appointed places, and from godly companions, thus leaving you a dry land. You need power to reclaim your life back. The Unseen Power reconnects you back to the roots.

The Unseen Power revealed...

Three mysteries that shapes your life, namely: God, Satan, and You.

How your destiny can be terminated through the works of the unseen world.

How you can identify and use the power in you.

Some hidden sieges suffered by many Christians.

How hungry the world is for the power in you.

How vacuums have been created for evil to thrive in the world.

God's hunt for ordinary men who will liberate the world.

A message for the church, families, believers, youths, government, and for the world.

"I recommend Dr. Kindred's book to anyone who has the desire to gain a fuller, more tangible understanding of the words of Jesus Christ. The author's very personal account of his own experiences may give others a point of reference in their own lives." -Lou Angora, Executive Producer, Morning Light Films

As I was going through a terrible trial in my life, I remembered something that my mom had said to me when I was a teenager. She said, "Read Matthew to live your life, read John to save your soul."

That turned out to be the best advice I ever got

I started talking to other people, sharing this with them, and I was amazed to find that so few knew what Jesus said. This led me to write this book to tell everyone what Christ said about how to live your life and how to save your soul. He gave us a "how to" guide. His message is clear and concise and doesn't need a lot of interpretation. He says what He means, and He means what He says. It is pure truth

This book examines the relationship between the state state implementation of Shari'a and diverse lived realities of everyday Islam in contemporary Aceh, Indonesia. With chapters covering topics ranging from NGOs and diaspora politics to female ulama and punk rockers, the volume opens new perspectives on the complexity of Muslim discourse and practice in a society that has experienced tremendous changes since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. These detailed accounts of and critical reflections on how different groups in Acehnese society negotiate their experiences and understandings of Islam highlight the complexity of the ways in which the state is both a formative and a limited force with regard to religious and social transformation. Contributors are: Dina Afrianty, R. Michael Feener, Kristina Gro mann, Reza Idria, David Kloos, Antje Missbach, Benjamin Otto, Jan-Michiel Otto, Annemarie Samuels and Eka Srimulyani.

Walking with Wholeness is a collection of stories that portray a child's journey into adulthood. Each story unlocks the mysterious secrets, hidden between the lines, of her very private poems, taking the reader into the depths of devastating brokenness, to the revelation of God's healing and wholeness, one courageous step at a time. Along the journey, you may personally find peace, assurance, laughter, terror, and tears, but assuredly interwoven through it all is the faithful and compassionate heart and strength of our precious Lord, Jesus Christ.

Life never seemed so good. Well, at least that s how you ll feel after completing Confessions of a Bipolar Firefighter. Strap in. From the mountainous highs to the bottomless lows, this adventurous autobiography travels through the mind and experiences of a tremendously controversial, besieged, introspective and tormented man named James L. Nutt.
It begins through the eyes of a child who endures extreme physical, sexual and emotional abuse and then transitions into his impoverished and naturally destructive teenager years accented by his proclivity for violence. After a tumultuous young adulthood, he grows into a working class firefighter who daringly climbs the ranks to chief.
Normalcy appears to be attained as James and his newfound family gain a strong relationship with God. But the ebbs quickly return as James discovers his church pastor has embezzled thousands of dollars from offerings, and his wife passes from skin cancer leaving him to raise four children on his own. All the while, he continues to wage battles against his own bipolar disorder along with the vices of alcohol, drug abuse, sex and violence.
Everything culminates to a fight with his own demons as a God-fearing man with an agenda to avenge those who have betrayed him. His mental illness exacerbates and his relationship with the Lord wavers as he struggles with completing his own vengeance versus allowing God to take the lead.
Whether you believe him to be crazy or sane, right or wrong, you will certainly remain on the edge of your seat as you take a ride with this truly original character who provides insight into his real-life tale for the ages.