In The Magnificent Defeat, Frederick Buechner examines what it means to follow Christ, the lessons of Christmas and Easter, the miracles of grace, and "the magnificent defeat" of the human soul of God.

Victor Hugo once said There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come. For 55 years, it had not even dawned on me that I was a writer. My first clue should have been when I realized that there absolutely wasn't anything about which I didn't have an opinion. For five years I published a weekly newsletter for my church. No one else seemed to want to do it, and it was something that I loved doing. The fourteen years that I worked as an Insurance Agent should also have given me a nudge. I often gave group presentations that included stories about so many of my life experiences. Many clients encouraged me to write them down and share them with others. But it took a life-changing crisis that made me take a look within and find why God had placed me here. I have written a collection of insights that I gained during the first half of my life. Each chapter begins with a joke, a thought or a scripture that I believe God laid on my heart. The body of each chapter consists of a relating experience, insight or lesson that I gained. And each chapter is completed with a prayer. I have noticed how people are enjoying inspirational books that are also a Quick read such as mine. I submitted Chapter Five to the Indianapolis Star and it was published in the Faith and Values section of that newspaper. I think that one sign that a book could be good is when the reader wants more. Each person who has read these chapters did exactly that and asked if they can pass on to others what they have enjoyed or gained from my book. I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to read some of what I believe God has shown me in my life. Come Share The Cookies. Lord, bless this reader, Amen.

During the early medieval Islamicate period (800-1400 CE), discourses concerned with music and musicians were wide-ranging and contentious, and expressed in works on music theory and philosophy as well as literature and poetry. But in spite of attempts by influential scholars and political leaders to limit or control musical expression, music and sound permeated all layers of the social structure. Lisa Nielson here presents a rich social history of music, musicianship and the role of musicians in the early Islamicate era. Focusing primarily on Damascus, Baghdad and Jerusalem, Lisa Nielson draws on a wide variety of textual sources written for and about musicians and their professional/private environments - including chronicles, literary sources, memoirs and musical treatises - as well as the disciplinary approaches of musicology to offer insights into musical performances and the lives of musicians. In the process, the book sheds light onto the dynamics of medieval Islamicate courts, as well as how slavery, gender, status and religion intersected with music in courtly life. It will appeal to scholars of the Islamicate world and historical musicologists.

What ? can your cat teach you about God's love? does eternity look like? does a plump mouse have in common with your spiritual walk? motivated Jesus to talk to a tree? can a baby elephant teach you about your heavenly Father? can a chicken and a banana peel teach you about staying focused on God's purposes?

Within the pages of In His Light, Cherie Hammers combines biblical truth with her own personal experiences to illustrate how God's Word applies to every facet of life. Through perceptive and often whimsical personal stories, Cherie reveals the meaning of God's Word as it applies to walking in His light in a variety of life experiences. Realize heightened spiritual insights and witness how God's principles will help you to walk in His light.

"In His Light not only kept our attention, but left my wife and I wanting more. These daily devotionals were inspiring, like little nuggets, that one looks forward to reading. Cherie knows how to take circumstances out of everyday events and use them as life lessons. Hoping this is just the first in a series." --Wade McShane, national radio host

?Cherie has a way of spinning timeless truths in a practical fashion. I enjoyed her insights and stories, and you will too ? --Russ Lee, contemporary Christian singer and songwriter

Have you ever stopped to evaluate the quality of your life? Today you can move toward the next level of enjoying your highest level of living. Life is more than existing. We merely exist when we live our lives without definition and divine purpose. To live life with definite purpose is to live life at its best, with the faith and the great expectations that bring us to our destiny of all we were meant to be and all we were predestined to experience.

These memoirs depict the triumphs of an African-American preacher's son in the segregated South who succeeds as a social activist, educator, founding pastor, and bishop. It tells remarkable stories of the "Old Folks" and the renowned social activists, educators, and religious leaders who in some way have touched the destiny of the whole human race. We shall never forget their legacy or their endless contributions of labor and love. We shall forever treasure their memory and dare not ever forget the urgency of their silent voices echoing to us "Carry on ... carry on ... carry on."