When a woman from Samaria comes to draw water at Jacob's well, Jesus, known prophetically as Shiloh, Prince of Peace, offers her an incredible gift-living water. All she has to do is ask, which, by the way, still applies today. Jesus explains that everyone who drinks from His well, even those of questionable character like her, will never be thirsty again, and the water will become a spring welling up to eternal life (NIV). In Shiloh's Well you can read all about an overflowing, abundant life that is available to all those who drink of this miraculous living water. "My prayer is that these pages will proclaim a clear, unequivocal message of eternal hope and spiritual truth pointing to the God who has sustained and blessed me my entire life. May Shiloh's Well make you smile, touch your heart, lead you humbly to the feet of Christ, enlighten your spiritual understanding, and challenge your commitment to Christian service "

This book provides a fascinating historical and cultural overview of traditional beliefs about spirit possession and exorcism around the world, from Europe to Asia and the Middle East to the Americas. Possession and exorcism are elements that occur in nearly every culture. Why is belief in spiritual possession so universal? This accessible reference volume offers a broad sample of the traditions and cultures involving possession and exorcism, presenting thoughts on this widely popular topic by experts from the fields of anthropology, sociology, religious studies, history, neuroscience, forensics, and theology. The entries cover the subject of possession and exorcism across all inhabited continents, from the Bronze Age to the 21st century, providing information that is accessible and intriguing as well as scholarly and authoritative. Beyond addressing the Christian tradition of possession and exorcism, Pentecostalism, and "New Age" and less widely known Western concepts about possession and exorcism, this work examines ideas about possession and exorcism from other world religions and the indigenous cultures of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It also covers historic cases of possession and presents biographies of famous theologians, exorcists, and possessed individuals. High school and undergraduate readers will learn about world history, religious and spiritual traditions, and world cultures through a topic that figures prominently in popular culture and modern entertainment. Bibliographies that accompany each entry as well as a selected, general bibliography serve to help students locate print and electronic sources of additional information. Provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the subject of spirit possession, reflecting the work of scholars and experts from many fields Covers a wide range of cultures, traditions, and phenomena with up-to-date, little-known information that is difficult to find through independent research Includes primary documents that give students accounts of exorcism and spiritual possession and serve to foster critical thinking skills and media literacy Features sidebars that illuminate key points and present related information, with special attention paid to exorcism and spirit possession in popular culture

The content in this work is fiction, fiction in the sense that the main character through which the eyes of this metaphysical and philosophical journey is viewed, Charlie, is not a real character, nor are his counterparts and foils through which he explores various topics such as love, the meaning of existence or the origins of the cosmos and how our understanding of these abstract ideas have evolved since the dawn of civilization. But like any work of fiction, the characters do have some basis in real experience, from which of course nothing can be created. The intent of the work is to explore the foundations and evolution of knowledge and the boundaries between reason and faith, boundaries which from the author's perspective are not quite as clear as some might have us believe. And the point of going through the exercise, the purpose as it were, is not only for the author to come to a better understanding of how all our modern branches of science hang together, how they have come to be given their socio-political and historical context, but also for others to share in his journey and perhaps learn something along the way. Since the birth of language and thought even, going back thousands of years and even prior to the dawn of civilization itself, mankind has attempted to answer two fundamental questions, questions that have spurred countless creative forces and branches of thought over the centuries; namely who we are and from whence we came. The answers to these questions, no matter what race, religion or creed the seeker might be, or what philosophy or religion they might adhere to, are inextricably linked to each other. This journey of trying to understand our place in the world, and the origins of the universe itself, is an ageless quest that in many respects distinguishes mankind from the rest of the creatures on the planet. Furthermore, this very same quest to answer the same questions fuels not only scientific development but also is the basis for theology and religion, both approaching the same set of questions with a different set of tools and with a different mindset but both trying to answer the same set of basic questions as to who we are and how we got here. From the author's perspective, in order to answer these questions effectively in the Information Age, we should have at least some understanding of the history of our answers to these questions as they have evolved over time. For we all build our collective knowledge on those that have come before us, whether we recognize this or not. And in turn, that in building this bridge, a common metaphor used throughout the work, we must leverage the tool of metaphysics, a term originally coined by Aristotle but in the context of this work implies a level of abstraction that sits above physics as we understand it in today's world but also provides a conceptual underpinning to all of the branches of knowledge that collectively make up our ?understanding? of the world and out place in it. In doing so, it is the author's hope that we can not only come to a more complete and fuller understanding of the answers to these basic human questions that have plagued mankind since time immemorial, but also at the same time perhaps develop a deeper understanding of the problems of life in the Information Age and how we might best approach them, or cope with them, in way that not only benefits ourselves as individuals but to society as a whole, to which our individual well-being depends upon whether or not we recognize it or not.

"It is VERY good. Fine piece of work. I have edited many books but this is the only one that has the jewel and the lotus and the muddy pool all in harmony.

Rings true throughout my spiritual mountain climb and resonates with the ones whom I noticed were ahead of me.

This is a handbook for people who have been round the track a few times. Blessings, Douglas. "

-Author, teacher, healer, Douglas Buchanan.

Why not me? Is the biblical study to challenge and encourage women to embrace the calling, gifts and anointing that is upon their life. As it is written," before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you as my chosen instrument..". Jeremiah 1:5 (amp) For we are God's own handiwork recreated in Christ Jesus that we may do those good works which God predestined for us....Ephesians 2:10(amp) In times past and present there has been the question of women in ministry. What about the message and the available leader being identified and trained to carry out the mission that has been set. The spirit of the Lord has been poured out upon all flesh. It is time to take the path which has been prepared.

HOW MEDITATION CAN HELP YOU ESTABLISH A DIRECT CONNECTION TO GOD

"CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY" Colossians 1: 27 (NIV)

The Bible states in the Scriptures that God has placed the Christ Spirit within each one of us. In John 14:20, Jesus says "On that day you will realize that I am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." Author Allen C. Liles, an ordained non-denominational minister, wants us to consider using the daily practice of meditation to help establish a direct link between us and the Divine.

Rev. Liles shares the wisdom, guidance, insight and support that he received from God and the Christ Spirit within us over a full year of sitting in the silence every morning. He claims no special relationship with God. Rev. Liles believes that each of us can access the Holy Presence by becoming open and receptive to sitting with God in meditation on a regular basis. His struggles during the year included the illness of his wife, retirement from a ministerial career, aging, caregiving, family issues with adult children, financial concerns, and finding the courage to take life one day at a time. No matter what your problems or concerns, Rev. Liles's experiences in meditation offer hope for a happier, fulfilled and more peaceful life in a time of turmoil and change.

'Spirituality' is a word that is used increasingly these days yet it is often ill-defined. What exactly is spirituality? Is it distinct from religion and can we separate it from beliefs and traditions? Does spirituality mainly focus on spiritual experiences and practices or is it something more? This book suggests that, while there may be common features in the use of the word, 'spirituality' is not a single reality. Different 'spiritualities' reflect particular religious or philosophical viewpoints, as well as the cultural contexts in which they arise and develop. "Spirituality: A Guide for the Perplexed" provides students and general readers with a reliable and comprehensive guide to 'spirituality' as an area of study, religiously, historically, philosophically and in the social sciences. It explores the tools that are used to study the subject and to interpret spiritual classics (whether these are written texts or other forms such as art) from different times and cultures. Attention is paid to spirituality in a variety of religious and non-religious forms in their own terms and comparatively. However, for the sake of simplicity greatest attention is given to the study of spirituality within a religious perspective with illustrations drawn from texts, personalities and themes associated with five major world religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. The book concludes with an exploration of spirituality in contemporary perspective - in particular how spirituality is currently employed in areas such as health-care, education and business among other examples.