Under any description of the start of my life, the odds were against me. With the untimely death of my mother at age 31 in September and the suicide of my father on the following Christmas Day, I was orphaned at the age of two along with six siblings. Through the efforts of a Methodist pastor, we were placed in the Methodist Orphans Home in Waco, Texas on January 21, 1937. This is the story of my life and how I was able to overcome those gigantic odds. Who would believe that the two-year-old orphan boy would later serve for the last twenty-five years of his career as the President/CEO of the agency that rescued him and his six siblings? The journey from orphan boy to President took many twists and turns. Stages on this journey included growing up in an unusual setting of 400 children, pursuit of a solid education, life as a church pastor, administrator of three child care agencies, establishing a successful family, and a return as President to where it all started. This journey unfolds through many unusual stories and experiences ranging from humorous events to dealing with some very important and traumatic situations. History and special traditions play an important role at Methodist Home. I was a student at the time of the 50th anniversary, an employee at the 75th anniversary and President/CEO at the 100th anniversary. A cherished memory of the 100th anniversary was the honor of hosting Mrs. Barbara Bush as our guest speaker. I recall sitting in our den at home with my wife and our children reflecting on the occasion and saying, "Only in America can an East Texas farm girl and an orphan boy entertain the president's wife." The most unique experience of my entire life was my role in avery significant historical event that I have written about as "The Branch Davidian Incident." This event captured the news world-wide February 28 through the end of April in 1993. My involvement of taking the lead in caring for the 21 children released from the Davidian compound gave me the opportunity of being on the inside of many activities unknown to even the most interested in this event. This part of my story will reveal the inner workings of caring for the children, relationships with law enforcement at all levels, and working with the local, national, and international news media. Another traumatic experience I had dealt with what became known as "Waco's Triple Murders." Two of the three young people murdered were former Methodist Home students.

"The Blank Cheque" offers inspiration, exploration and insightful thoughts drawn from author Yinka Ayobolu's real-life experiences, along with a few divine encounters with Jesus. Ayobolu includes a variety of scriptural references that address many challenging questions of life for which humanity has been trying to find answers to since the beginning of time. Who am I? Where did I come from? Did God really create us, or are we a product of a carefully organized explosion called the big bang-or the product of evolution? How do we find the convergence between God and the knowledge of science? Discover how you can acquire a better understanding of yourself and the world you live in and how you can make success of your life while you are still conscious of your existence.In these strange times, we need to decide how to come out of these challenges. In His infinite wisdom, God has given us a blank cheque and a golden pen that we can use to access His infinite treasury; we have the ability to fill it in as we wish because we are running out of intelligence and resources. We don't know what to do next on earth.Where do we start?

Learning to tune in and listen to your intuition-your soul's voice-can help guide you through life when logic fails. With the goal of teaching you how to discover your own intuitive abilities, spiritual coach Maria Garay Reynolds shares personal soul-diving experiences that illustrate how she transformed herself at a young age, healed from within, and eventually became her true self. Reynolds, who takes cues from sounds and memories to connect with the spiritual activity around her each day, offers a look into the details of her unique journey through life. She transformed from an insecure girl disliked by her peers into a confident woman who learned to rely on her intuition to live a well-balanced existence filled with love, growth, and substance. While encouraging others to develop their intuitive powers, Reynolds recalls her experiences and reveals her need to reconnect with her mother and to unveil the truths of her past so that she could move forward and live in harmony with one foot on Mother Earth and the other on the spiritual world. Soul Diving from My Giant's Eyebrow shares a spiritual coach's journey in order to teach others how to listen to intuitive feelings, seal hidden fears, and become all-knowing in life and beyond.

This book is my translation of the Bible's prophecy as well as how it ties into today's events. It breaks down a couple of books within the Bible. You don't have to be a priest or a pastor or attend a Bible school to have a better understanding of the word of God. You can read this book and follow along with your Bible. All you need is time and a clear mind. Follow along, read, and prepare for what's coming in the future.

This is the story of one woman's journey through life. This is my story. You are invited to travel this road with me as I relive hardship as well as all the joys life has to offer. This is an inspirational story. The intention of this book is to show you that, even in adversity, if you set your vision high enough you can overcome anything. "With God all things are possible." As you read, you will see how I turned my misfortune into victory through relentless faith. This book was written to motivate and encourage. I sometimes find myself at the top of the mountain filled with joy and then in the depths of the valley filled with despair. The one constant is that God is on that mountain rejoicing with me and is also in the valley healing my wounds. When you start reading this book, you will see me as the author, but by the time you are finished you may see me as your friend. "No one has ever seen God, but if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is truly in our hearts" (1 John: 4-12).

The Writer's Block unlocks the soul of a writer and it displays the passion a writer has for their art. It takes you into a whirlwind of facts that are not fiction to stir up cognitive thoughts to get your blood thirsting for the passion this writer shares with you. Transparent and naked.......The Writer's Block unravels the heart and mind of a poet. This work of art simplifies the feelings of a writer and gives you insight on what motivates this author to write. Step into a collection of poetry that will diagnose, heal and cure your pain with a dose of words wrapped up with reality.

The goal was to present - as much as possible - a literal and exact translation of the commentaries of Yogiraj Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasay. The idea was to give the English speaking reader the experience of what it is like to read the Bengali originals. The translations contained in this book are the result. They are not poetic or "interpretive," nor are they meant to be. We wish to thank those generous kind souls worldwide who contributed the funds to make the publishing possible.

This book contains the following works of Lahiri Mahasaya translated into English by Yoga Niketan:

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Omkar Gita

3. Guru Gita

4. Avadhuta Gita

5. Dedication

"Kutastha resides in this body. It is He Who is Guru. He is here as Atman Self] and is also Paramatman Supreme Self]. If there is no Atman, where can the world be? The cause of the world's existence is Atman Itself. Without the existence of Atman, how could the creation of the Cosmos-samsara and the manifestation of all forms come about? It is Atman Who has taken on the myriad forms. It is Atman Who is experiencing them from Self-whim. Atman is the One Who is all Maya. It is Atman Who is Total Brahman. In this way, meditate upon Brahman, Who is Guru, in your head." -from Lahiri Mahasaya's Guru Gita

Barb Voss had suffered a lifetime of hurt, trauma, and loss, but that didn't stop veterinarian James A. Kennedy from wooing her and stealing her heart. In this true love story, Barb recalls how she searched, prayed, and waited for her "cowboy knight"-and eventually found him through a Christian website and divine intervention.

Including original e-mail messages, Barb's memoir recalls the love that developed between two former strangers. How do shields come down for love to finally take hold? How does a love for God shine through the most joyful and painful of experiences? How does someone get through poor health, the death of loved ones, and a variety of betrayals?

Telling her life story, Barb recounts seeking to answer these questions while leaving the past behind to find her once-in-a-lifetime love. She met an extraordinary man, and she shares all the romantic details in My Cowboy Knight, My Boaz. This book may contain what could be some of the most beautiful love letters and prayers ever.

Surely God has a sense of humor or why would He have made us with the ability to laugh? Why, too, has He made it so that a little laughter eases a lot of tension? No, it may not change the situation. But it can refresh and give a new perspective. The daily grind of life can get pretty rough at times and we find ourselves needing a drop of oil in our machinery. "A Drop of Oil" is meant to lighten another's load and provide encouragement thru humor to sooth the friction that comes from the daily grind. Seeing humor in some of these events that I clearly didn't plan, has proven to be just that drop of oil.

A Time to Grow, the third volume of the history of the Racine Dominican Sisters, tells the congregation's story from 1901 to 1964. After briefly recapturing the tumultuous development of the community while headed by Mother Hyacintha Oberbrunner from after the death of Mother Thomasina Ginker until the election of Sister Emily Acker in 1901, the book chronicles the period leading up to the Second Vatican Council and the changes already being set in motion before the congregational elections of 1964. Illustrations depict the lives of ordinary sisters as they struggled to observe the many regulations and customs handed down from a previous monastic era while carrying out their teaching ministry.

This reflection, though brutally honest, provides insight to the conflicts that face the children of ministers, pastors, religious clergy, deacons, and church leaders. It challenges fellow Christians, to nurture the lives of these children without punishing judgements. This work provokes congregants and leaders to nurture preachers' kids, and provide heartfelt guidance and vigilant prayer. It encourages prayer- warriors, to guard over the hearts of your preachers' kids. The book leads the reader toward self-examination and self-correction, love and respect of oneself. The author makes a noteworhty disclaimer, 'I do not have a license in counseling, a degree in psychology or theology. I am not an elder or deacon in any church, nor do I hold office as a board member on any religious organization. I am not a minister, pastor or evangelist. I am neither an acclaimed author nor an authority of any kind. Forgive me if I have misquoted scripture or taken verses out of context. I hope the Bible verses I have quoted throughout this booklet would not seem preachy; but then again, I am a preacher's daughter-smile. I trust that, these scriptures will grab at your hearts and soothe your soul-wounds. I hope they will provide a new perspective and they would be as you have never heard them or thought of them before'. The author writes from a from a unique perspective that of a peracher's kid. 'I am the voice of a group that is easily misunderstood and even shunned. We are the group that, 'should know better'. Just being born into the subculture of 'preachers' kids' we are automatically judged by all, (the righteous and the unrighteous alike). We are 'expected to...' by default, 'be good, be upright, make no mistakes, be all things to all men all of the time. We are to be mature in all judgments from the moment of birth, and on and on it goes. Few can comprehend our journey toward our Father on a road less traveled'. This journey will be enlightening and comforting to all who read it. It will bring hope to those who are confused and lost. The book although empathetic to all parties, makes all accountable for their behaviors towards others and to the Heavenly Father. It is with great love and sensitivity that the author leads the reaader to finding relationship with Jesus. Just for a moment the reader can walk in the shoes of peachers' kids with understanding and empathy. It brings much-needed direction and guidance. The author attempts to bridge the gap between 'all of you' and 'preachers' kids. It also attempts to bridge the disonnect between preachers' kids and Jesus. This work is raw and honest as well as a relection of a lost generation who need to know the true power of redemption and the priceless gift of grace and love.

First, I want to give thanks to God; for all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me. Again, without spiritual inspiration and gaining strength through him to withstand many storms there would be no contents for either book. The first book, "My Inner Soul," exhibited years of heartaches and feelings of desertion. I chose "The Open Door" as this title because it, not only, closed that door but also provided me with an open mind to see how others view life through their eyes.

Whirlwind is a poignant memoir of a turbulent, yet passionate marriage and family, drawn together in their strong bond with each other. Even in great tragedy and testing of faith- Linda's story of perseverance takes you through a life of colorful days; coming through tough times and good times. In this account, the author takes you on a transparent narration of real anecdotes, in telling her story. Hopefully sheading some light for anyone who needs a way to get above their own trials, and all those seemingly unending circumstances. The author shares her surrender of those past hurts which led her to a spiritual freedom. Linda shares about the truth that gave her the strength and courage, and a new understanding of her faith in God, and perseverance. Learning to trust in the Lord's purpose for life's journey. You don't have to be stuck in what has happened to you, but can walk through that whirlwind of circumstances to victory- If you have felt as if you are in a pit, with no way out; there are lessons in this account to build your faith. Knowing that whether, you are in passage of abounding or abasing, it will be okay. You do have a purpose, and when you do look back at your life, you can see God's hand was on you.

Are you locked up, locked out, and pressured by the way the governing powers are forcing their will on you? Are you fed up with where the circumstances of life are taking you? Are you feeling the pressure of the cares and uncertain security in the society in which you live? God, our heavenly Father, has a plan to rescue you from this evil world in which you live (Galatians 1:4). There is another kingdom that God has prepared for those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. In this kingdom, it is possible to live in peace, above the cares of life.

Many today are searching for answers to the weary life and present-day pressures. The purpose of Jesus' coming was to give every believer a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10). Learning to live in God's kingdom, while continuing to deal with the corruption of an evil world, is a miracle that comes only by the abundant grace of God, His divine influence being applied to one's spirit, soul, and body. Here, Dr. Lewis seeks to introduce you to God's fundamental nature, qualities, attributes, and characteristics, and the ability of the believer, under the power of the Holy Spirit, to live by the precepts of His kingdom and overcome the works of darkness.

When I received news of an "incurable" cancer recurrence, I naturally assumed it was the will of God. I was forty-eight years young and determined to accept whatever came my way. But there's a different mindset required when you are either accepting death or preparing for battle. In this search for meaning and direction, I found hope, permission, and the power to choose life.

As a two-time cancer conqueror, Doreen understands the ups, downs, fears, and concerns of those struggling through disease. Combining her expertise in goal-setting and effective thinking skills with the knowledge and power of Scripture, Doreen offers seven critical choices to co-create an environment for healing.

Most people hope and pray for healing but subconsciously sabotage their own wellness. They spend more time worrying and talking about the disease than their vision of health. It's vital they learn to manage their thoughts, emotions and self-talk in a manner consistent with what they want.

The Mind to Heal is book two of the HEALED series. It focuses on our role and responsibility to receive healing. It provides tools, principles, and strategies for how to think victoriously to overcome disease.