According to Islamic tradition, Allah created three types of beings: angels, made of light; humans, made of earth; and jinn, made of smokeless fire. Supernatural, shape-shifting, intelligent and blessed with free will and remarkable powers, jinn have over the ages been given many names - demon, spirit, ghoul, genie, ifrit and shaitan. Believed in by hundreds of millions of people throughout the world and from all faiths, jinn have played a particularly central role in the literature, culture and belief systems of the Middle East and the Islamic world. Legends of the Fire Spirits explores through time and across nations the enduring phenomenon of the jinn. From North Africa to Central Asia, from the Mediterranean to sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, this riveting, often chilling, yet reasoned book draws on ancient testimonies, medieval histories, colonial records, anthropologist's reports and traveller's tales to explore the different types of jinn, their behaviour, society, culture and long history of contact with humankind. It documents their links with famous figures in history such as King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and illustrates the varied and vivid portrayals of jinn in world literature. In essence, Legends of the Fire Spirits demonstrates the colourful diversity of human culture and the durability of faith and is a magnificent and indispensable portrayal of the rich folklore of the Islamic world.

Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad

We live in soul-scorching times. The 24-7 onslaught of contemporary life--with its never-ending feed of global tragedies and shrieking demands for our attention, to say nothing of the ordinary pressures of work, family, friends, and community--has left us ragged, wrung-out, and emptied.

In his life-changing new book, John Eldredge distills a lifetime's wisdom about healing into a series of practical, ready-to-implement practices for putting yourself back together. These simple steps will enable you to begin recovery, help you focus on what matters most, disengage from the tragedies of this broken world, and discover the restorative power of beauty. The practices include:

• the one-minute pause
• benevolent detachment
• practicing kindness,
• getting outside, and
• stepping back from technology

The practices explained here are ready for the taking. You don't need abandon your life to get it back. You can restore it here and now. And you will never be the same.

John Eldredge is a bestselling author, a counselor, and a teacher. He is also president of Ransomed Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God's love, and learn to live in God's kingdom. John and his wife, Stasi, live near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This Advanced Introduction sets out the difficulty of defining religion itself and the subsequent impact this has on creating laws which regulate and protect it. Taking a global comparative approach, Frank S. Ravitch guides the reader in how this unique interaction plays out in differing legal systems including in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Providing further context by contrasting specific case studies, the book provides a rounded and coherent exploration of the complexities of law in relation to religion. Key Features: Addresses the many issues surrounding religious exceptions to general laws Considers the extent of separation between government and religion, and the role of courts in deciding religious questions Looks at the ways in which law may govern discrimination by government or by private entities, based on religion or religious concerns Explores the multifaceted interactions between religion and law in many areas, including human rights; public schooling; health and property; tax exemptions; and clergy abuse This foundational book offers a platform for researchers and students in the fields of law, political science, ethics, and religious studies. It also provides valuable insight for lawyers, judges and legislators with a focus on law and religion. .

These essays address Jewish identity, Jewish survival, and Jewish continuity. The authors account for and analyze trends in Jewish identification and the reciprocal effects of the relationship between the Diaspora and Israel at the end of the twentieth century. Jewish identification in contemporary society is a complex phenomenon. Since the emancipation of Jews in Europe and the major historic events of the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel, there have been substantial changes in the collective Jewish identity. As a result, Jewish identity and the Jewish process of identification had to confront the new realities of an open society, its economic globalization, and the impacts of cultural pluralism. The trends in Jewish identification are toward fewer and weaker points of attachment: fewer Jews who hold religious beliefs with such beliefs held less strongly; less religious ritual observance; attachment to Zionism and Israel becoming diluted; and ethnic communal bonds weakening. Jews are also more involved in the wider society in the Diaspora due to fewer barriers and less overt anti-Semitism. This opens up possibilities for cultural integration and assimilation. In Israel, too, there are signs of greater interest in the modern world culture. The major questions addressed by this volume is whether Jewish civilization will continue to provide the basic social framework and values that will lead Jews into the twenty-first century and ensure their survival as a specific social entity. The book contains special contributions by Professor Julius Gould and Professor Irving Louis Horowitz and chapters on "Sociological Analysis of Jewish Identity"; "Jewish Community Boundaries"; and "Factual Accounts from the Diaspora and Israel."

Every Parent's Guide to Supporting Their Child's Mental Health Increasingly, children ages 3-10 are struggling with anxiety, depression, and mental health challenges. These can be brought on by many factors--stress at home, upheavals in society, breaks in routine, isolation from friends, bullying or social pressure--and if left unaddressed, they follow kids into their teens and adulthood, causing mental, emotional, and relational problems that will steal their peace and joy. But there is hope. Bestselling author Dr. Caroline Leaf helps you teach your kids how to · recognize negative feelings and respond in a healthy way · navigate a world that can feel scary and overwhelming · manage uncomfortable or challenging situations · replace toxic thoughts with brain-building practices that produce better outcomes · develop resilience and emotional strength Based on up-to-date research, clearly illustrated with case studies, and practically applied to the problems kids are facing today, How to Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess is what parents, caretakers, teachers, and counselors have been waiting for. Dr. Leaf shares a clear and effective five-step plan to teach your child how to manage their mind so they can live a life with greater resilience, health, and happiness.

It is imperative for every growing Christian to study the Bible. Volume one of this new series will enrich both the believer’s knowledge and life with its survey of the Old Testament.

Chapters conclude with projects, questions and exploration activities that not only test readers’ grasp of the materials but also provide opportunity for more detailed and intensive study.

This well-executed work does much to acquaint people with the Old Testament’s major divisions and its amazing unity as a whole–all of which can lead to a deeper faith.

“Whenever I see a Manyano woman, I see a woman who has the world in her hands and has the power to make things change because of the power that is prayer”. - Stella Shumbe

“As a Manyano, you listen to painful journeys and experiences of people … They talk about abuse at home, unemployment, children who are reckless and all the sensitive things you can think of … We come together to share our pain and struggles.’ - Nobuntu Madwe

Lihle Ngcobozi, herself the progeny of three generations of Manyano women, takes an original, fresh look at the meaning of the Manyano. Between male-dominated struggle narratives and Western feminist misreadings, this church-based women's organisation has become a mere footnote to history.

Long overlooked as the juggernaut of black women’s organising that it has been and continues to be, the Manyano has immense historical and cultural meaning in black communities across the country. To this day, it is still evolving to meet the changing needs of black South Africans. Here, the Manyano women speak for themselves, in an African feminist meditation rendered by one of their own.

Swim Against the Tide of a Sinking Culture In No Reason to Hide, bestselling author Erwin W. Lutzer examines the culture-wide spiritual freefall that has left Christ-followers misplaced and targeted. With this companion workbook, he leads you deeper into the chaotic tides of today, preparing you with biblical responses for when you encounter the toxic fallout of an aggressively secular society. Take a closer look at the battleground issues Christians face and prepare to minister with conviction and compassion to those who believe differently. As you go through this study, you will be... empowered to withstand the cultural tsunami of secularism and remain faithful to God, no matter the cost alerted to the trends that undermine Christian principles and discover how to effectively proclaim the truth reminded that God is present with us in every challenge, helping us not only survive but thrive in a hostile society As Christians, we have a choice to either sink or swim. The No Reason to Hide Workbook will encourage and equip you to persevere for your faith in today's wayward world.

"A wonderful picture of how God can use any person regardless of their past." -Roma Downey, Emmy (R)-nominated actress and producer Pastor Benny Tate never faced a time that wasn't filled with obstacles. Each season of life came with setbacks that often seemed insurmountable: the abusive father figure who tormented Benny and his mother, the lack of guidance in his early adulthood, and the illness and infertility he and his wife battled in their marriage. Yet in every crisis, God was there to redeem pain for glory, transforming Benny's life into a moving testament to His power. Through his struggles, Benny's faith grew as he saw how God provided him with the strength, wisdom, and resources he needed to overcome each staggering challenge placed before him. In parts a memoir that will tug on your heartstrings, a guide to get you through tough times, and a reminder to never see yourself as the victim of your own life, Defy the Odds will inspire your soul as it proves that you follow a God who can-and will-see you through the impossible.

Empowered to Speak Truth Talking to your children about gender, sexuality, and marriage can be challenging. But the difference between what the Bible and the world have to say about these topics can be a gateway to teaching them to love and cherish God's sacred truth. This helpful study guide companion to Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality will prepare you to turn these tricky conversations into amazing opportunities for kingdom discipleship. Inside this workbook, you will find active reading notes highlighting vocabulary, themes, and questions that further your study of each chapter from Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality highlighted verses from Scripture that illuminate the tender heart behind God's design for sex and gender discipleship activities to help you engage your kids in age-appropriate dialogue about sensitive issues like homosexuality, transgenderism, pornography, and more Perfect for individual and small group study, this workbook is the resource every Mama Bear needs to advocate for God's truth with wisdom and confidence while equipping her children to understand His perfect plan for human sexuality.