Within Western Buddhism, practitioners are often assumed to be white and middle-class. Based in ground-breaking empirical research, Cosmopolitan Dharma: Race, Sexuality, and Gender in British Buddhism explores the stories of Buddhists from minority communities, through a rich analysis of their lived experiences. Smith, Munt and Yip explore their various contestations of dominant white and heteronormative cultures in Western Buddhism. Using cosmopolitanism as the theoretical lens, Cosmopolitan Dharma argues convincingly that the Buddhist ethos of human interconnectivity needs to be further developed to truly embrace the 'Other' of different kinds (not least Western Buddhism's own internal 'Others'). Cosmopolitan Dharma, through Buddhists' own narratives, explores how cultural politics from the ground up can offer a more inclusive philosophy and lived experience of spirituality.

In Poetry and Memory in Karaite Prayer Joachim Yeshaya offers an edition of liturgical poems which the Karaite poet Moses Dar'i composed in twelfth-century Egypt as introductory poems for the Torah readings on each Sabbath. The Hebrew text and Judaeo-Arabic heading of each poem are provided in the original order attested in the manuscript NLR Evr. I 802, dated to the fifteenth century. Every poem comes with a commentary section consisting of English commentary essays and bilingual (Hebrew / English) line-by-line annotations. In the conclusion following this edition, Joachim Yeshaya demonstrates how Dar'i's liturgical poems are among the earliest examples of the introduction of poetry, Andalusian Rabbanite poetical norms, and the "memory" of being exiled from Jerusalem into Karaite prayer.

I moved on in life, but for over forty years, my heart, my thoughts, my pain dragged within. I wondered if would I ever get closure, if would I truly live this life and that more abundantly. I just wanted to unpack the years of baggage that stayed snuggled within my heart and mind. I just wanted answers. I just wanted to see and hear childhood friends I hadn't seen since fifth grade. What did everyone look like? What had resulted from their lives? Would I ever catch up? There had been such a void, like watching a normal hour-and-a-half movie that ended only after fifteen minutes into it, and next you see scrolling across the screen The End. But it's all behind me now. The great God that I serve is a man that cannot lie. His promises have been yea and amen. He allowed me to journey along and discover that he was there all the time, and at age fifty, my closure came. The enemy was exposed. I am set free, and my journey continues as I go forward with God right there with me, helping others to be set free of past trauma, pain, and torment. The devil is a lie. We are victorious. We are what God said we are, fearfully and wonderfully made, and we were predestined to be more than a conqueror, and he came that we would have life and live more abundantly. Be encouraged and never forget he is there all the time.

"Prosperous Health in as Little as 4 Hours a Week " We've all heard about successful 12-Step Programs that help people break addictions. Now you can make an addiction and experience a level of health you've only imagined Dr. Shannon Knows is a straightforward, easy-to-follow inspiring book, overflowing with proven, effective solutions. After helping thousands of people discover personal healing and health for life, she will also empower you to make healthy your habit. Her unique 12-Step Program will help you: Discover the "one thing" that seems to be missing in your life, expose hidden fears that are causing you pain, know what you truly desire and get it, tap into your source of great value and WELLth, experience prosperous health and happiness, identify the best questions to ASK so you receive, establish a healthy relationship with food, release excess weight so you will never find it again, find out how to be a celebrity, live the life you were designed to live, be your best and heal from the inside, out. BECOME ADDICTED to the habit of being healthy Dr. Shannon Knows...now you will too Imagine what being your best would look and feel like. There's no need for a diet...because now you can actually live it. Dr. Shannon will help you experience it for yourself, just as she has helped thousands of others. It's time for a WIN-tervention Do you desire MORE? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4. . . "This book is a must read for anyone who is trying to maximize their life. Sometimes we all need a kick in the butt to put us on the right path. Dr. Shannon lets you know that there is a way to be your best both mentally and physically. This book makes me want to be a better person. Thank you for the inspiration." -Bo Van Pelt, PGA Tour Professional Golfer

"In the 20 years I've known Keith Payne as a sales professional, public speaker and friend, he has never failed to delight me. His wit, intelligence and plain horse sense come through brilliantly in these pages. To anyone wanting to maintain a positive outlook regardless of the circumstances I say: Read this book Craig Bridgman, Colleague & friend for 20+ years. Keith speaks with experience and passion about fully embracing and engaging life's race, overcoming it's many obstacles, while keeping eyes on the prize. If you want more out of life and you're looking for a mentor, you have to read this book Kathleen Reed, Ministry Colleague & friend for 10+ years

You will enjoy Keith's inspirational wisdom and insight in this amazing collection of personal experiences and practical applications. I'm doubly blessed not only to read these, but to actually have witnessed some of them with him as well Jeff Coleman, Ministry Colleague & friend for 20+ years."

In "The Best Is Always... Still Yet To Come," author Keith Payne shares many "slice of life" vignettes drawn from his own experiences. His stories recall good times and bad, often with humor and sometimes with sadness, but always with an opportunity for you to make a practical life application. Drawing on wisdom and instruction from Scripture, Keith Payne seeks to encourage and inspire you to a better outlook and outcome, regardless of your circumstances.

Divided into weekly readings, these stories are designed to inspire you to be "decidedly different" and consider all of the life circumstances facing you-even the difficult ones-as opportunities to embrace a positive, faith-based outlook. By doing so, your attitude will blossom, and your smile and laughter will be contagious; you will have discovered that the best is always... "still yet to come."

In this book, Marthus-Adden Zimboiant has portrayed the characteristics of Satan (the old Serpent who deceives the nation) using the three of the world-known snakes, namely cobra, emerald bora, and anaconda as the main characters. Revelation 20:2 refers to the dragon as the serpent of old who is the devil and Satan. Created by God, but not equal to God, he defies God and despises truth and was given limited power. He Commands a hierarchy of demons and masquerades as "an angel of light." With this book, you will be able to overcome the deceptions of Satan. As a matter of fact, you will understand why Satan came to steal, kill and destroy, but he lost access to faithful, redeemed Christians. Truly, Satan rules the masses outside God's protection. He tries to hide the actual truth about our God, twists Scriptures to fit his purposes and offers counterfeit promises he can't fulfil. He always seeks an "opportune time" to tempt us. However, Sir Marthus has perfectly revealed the craftiness of Satan, which will let you understand why Apostle Peter said: "Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) and to which Apostle Paul also added "Do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place lest you give a foothold] to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27) "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

""If it didn't have a beautiful ending, my story would be too painful to tell.""

Addicted to alcohol by ten years old, a young girl's life was in shambles. As an adult, she sought relief from personal pain, used street drugs, gambled, and sought love and acceptance through homosexual relationships. Due to abuse from others and her own poor choices, she also suffered from serious health issues. After seeking professional counseling, help from rehab centers, and the use of pharmaceutical drugs, she still felt hopeless. Longing for change and feeling powerless to achieve it, Teri sought God's help as a last resort. She experienced many miraculous changes in her life. Because of God's power, she "turned over a new leaf."

Teri Leef is a survivor of childhood abuse, forced addictions, and poor personal choices that were influenced by traumatic childhood experiences. Teri tells her personal story and encourages others to make their way out of brokenness, hurt, and pain. She regularly shares her story of hope and faith. Teri loves reaching out to others through missionary work, both regional and international.

This is the true story of the life-changing experience of a healthy man, who at the age of thirty-six, was diagnosed with the most aggressive type of malignant brain tumour. The world he knew became a battlefield of the mind and body alike. Having been given a few months to live, he endured the disturbing challenges of a state hospital, defying all odds with his uncomplaining attitude and positivity. The book emphasises his perseverance through seemingly impossible situations. Despite his deteriorating vision and unremitting headaches, Craig's humour and easy-going manner carried him through three years more than his life expectancy. From the time of diagnosis, he began to live the moment, striving to overcome his affliction. Written by his mother, the story highlights her own sentiments, as she relates her long walk with her son and how she and her husband nursed him through the final months of his life.

The Ancient Sefer Torah of Bologna: Features and History contains studies on the most ancient, complete Pentateuch scroll known to date. It was considered in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance as the archetypal autograph written by Ezra the Scribe. The scroll was rediscovered by Mauro Perani in 2013 at the University Library of Bologna. In this volume, leading specialists study the history, textual and material features, and different halakhot or norms to copy a Sefer Torah, as adopted in the pre-Maimonidean scrolls. The Hebrew text is very close to the Aleppo codex, and the scroll was probably copied in Northern Iberia in ca. 1200 CE. The scroll contains letters with special shapes and tagin linking its production with a Jewish milieu which associated the scribal tradition with mystical and esoteric meanings. Besides its codicological and palaeographical interest, the "Ezra scroll" has been preserved for centuries among the treasures of the Dominican convent of San Domenico in Bologna and, in the early modern period, it was the object of reverence and curiosity among the Christians, before being almost entirely forgotten after its confiscation by the French revolutionary troops. This volume presents a detailed overview of the fascinating history and the peculiar makings of this remarkable artefact.

Gracie is an average 16 year old girl that's just like you and me except the fact that her best friend in the world is a famous dancer and actor. Shh! Don't tell anyone though. When her parents died when she was just 4 years old due to a drunk driver, her godmother Melissa, and her parents best friends Jason and Rebecca Baylor take it upon themselves to raise her. Through the years the relationship between Gracie and Jason continues to grow stronger and stronger from the moment he taught her to dance. But will Gracie continue to dance when tragedy strikes?