"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?

The position of women in Islam remains deeply contentious. While conservative elements both within Islam and among its Western critics continue to claim that Islamic law and values are fundamentally incompatible with modern notions of gender equality, since the 1980s there has been a growing body of scholarship which seeks to make the case for feminism and gender justice within a distinctly Islamic paradigm. In Islamic Feminism, Mulki Al-Sharmani examines the goals, approaches and methodologies which key scholars have adopted in their efforts at crafting an Islamic feminist discourse. Encompassing scholars from both the Islamic world and the Muslim diaspora, ranging from the pioneering scholar activist Amina Wadud to Egypt's Omaima Abou Bakr, the book also looks at how these scholars have translated their work into meaningful political action through groups such as the global Musawah movement and the Egyptian Women and Memory Forum. Crucially, Al-Sharmani also shows that Islamic feminism is a phenomenon which extends far beyond academia. Drawing on the author's own extensive research and interviews with women in Egypt, the UK, Malaysia, Finland and elsewhere, the book explores how ordinary Muslim women in both the West and the Islamic world are increasingly asserting their autonomy and challenging patriarchal interpretations of their religion, as well as exploring the linkages between Islamic feminist scholarship and the realities of these women's lived experiences. In the process, Islamic Feminism not only uncovers new directions for Islamic feminist scholarship, but upends many of our preconceptions about Islam and the role of women within it.

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.

We have many words that can describe our seasons of life. These words can lead to God's promises of love, mercy, and compassion. The Father wants to meet with you, refresh you, and encourage you...one word at a time. Jenny invites you to remember to live each day in the Light of God's faithfulness as she equips you with scriptures to remind you that, In Christ, every moment is a God moment. This devotional book is designed to be a study tool adaptable for group study, Sunday School lessons, devotions, or personal quiet times with the Lord. JENNY PFISTER is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and speaker whom God has anointed and used in a mighty way to touch the lives of countless women and men who are seeking the Lord. Gifted and lead by the Holy Spirit, Jenny thrives on teaching the Word of God through weekly interdenominational women's Bible studies and a weekly TV series called One Brushstroke at a Time. She also leads and teaches at women's retreats and conferences, offers spiritual direction and counsel to many, and regularly preaches and leads worship services at her home church, Breath of God Worship Ministry in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Jenny felt overwhelming love for Jesus at an early age, and sensed God calling her to her first teaching ministry at the age of 22 at The Whitehouse Fellowship, a singles ministry at Timonium Presbyterian Church. At the same time, while teaching music at a private Jewish school in Owings Mills, Maryland, Jenny fell in love with the Old Testament. Layer upon layer, it exploded with life and relevance and became the canvas on which the Lord would paint a perfect picture of unity, truth, and fulfillment of the Old and New Testaments. The Lord was gradually birthing in Jenny the ministry that she would later establish, Brushstroke Ministries. After moving to West Virginia to serve in the Southern Baptist Convention as the state's keyboard and piano specialist, Jenny began to conduct women's Bible studies in homes and churches. In February 2001, she stepped out in faith and founded Brushstroke Ministries, a three-fold ministry of worship, prayer, and study of the Word of God for women of all denominations. Her fervent passion for the Word, along with her spiritual gifting and keen ear for the Lord's direction, has been Jenny's motivation for writing this series of devotional books. She paints a picture with her words, one brushstroke at a time, capturing the beauty of the Lord and His unfailing love for us. Those associated with this blessed ministry pray that as you read these devotionals, you will be touched by His Peace and find comfort in His Presence. To Him be all the glory

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.

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.

This is a story of one family's faith, strengthened in the face of tragedy. When their youngest daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer, they were faced with the choice to abandon or embrace their faith. Share their journey in these pages and be inspired to awaken or deepen your faith.

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.

Norbert M. Samuelson is Harold and Jean Grossman Chair of Jewish Studies and Professor of Religious Studies at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Trained as an analytic philosopher, he went on to establish the Academy of Jewish Philosophy in 1980, which contributed greatly to the professionalization of Jewish philosophy in America. An ordained Reform rabbi, a constructive theologian, and a public intellectual, Samuelson has insisted that philosophy is the very heart of Judaism and that in order to survive in the 21st century Judaism must rethink itself in light of contemporary science. Through his scholarship and organizational work he has brought a Jewish voice to the dialogue of religion and science. Viewing Jewish philosophy as central to the understanding of the Jewish past, Samuelson has explicated the philosophical dimension of Judaism, from the Bible to the present.

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.

One woman's story of contracting HIV and how it is not the end of the world......... This book is my story. The opinions expressed are that of my own and hold weight only in my world. My world of HIV and all that it takes to overcome something that was once considered a fatal disease. A disease that still carries stigma and fear to the public. A walking death sentence that people don't understand doesn't have to be that way. My hope is to open the eyes, ears and hearts of all those who read it. To educate the uneducated over a disease that is still as prominent today as the day it started to invade our lives, taking those we loved. I want to share my deepest feelings, my darkest moments, my dreams and my live story in hopes to make a difference on how people view this disease. To gain insight to what it takes to walk in the shoes of someone who has a terminal illness that there is still no cure for. To let it be known my name is Liza I am Hiv+ and that's ok.......................

Are you stressed out and looking for something? You probably are in this everyday life. You have the book you need in your hands now. Want to see how to get from one point in you life to a much better place and be Happy? It can be done and I can show you how I did it while thinking there was no where to go but further down. I felt like I was drowning in my own pity party tears, but eventually got tired of not getting what I had been promised in this life and that is happiness. You can find happiness too if you start looking in the right place.

One of the most unanswered questions in the world today is "why." Why did God create this universe and everything in it? Why did God create the angels and every soul? Why does God want each soul to join him in heaven? In "A Message for the Soul of Man, " author John D. Powers answers these and other questions relating to our souls, our creation, and our life's purpose.After receiving a message from God many years ago, Powers researched Bible scripture to validate this important communication. Now, Powers shares the full message he received and the implications it carries for the souls of mankind: God wants a personal relationship with us, and he wants every soul to be saved.Through thought-provoking discussion and testimony, "A Message for the Soul of Man" refreshes our knowledge about God, ourselves, and the world; it helps assess where we are in relation to the world and its development. Powers describes how we are called to examine ourselves, learn about our soul, and discover our purpose in life. We have the power and the choice to determine what will happen to our immortal soul after death.