Hasidic Art and the Kabbalah presents eight case studies of manuscripts, ritual objects, and folk art developed by Hasidic masters in the mid-eighteenth to late nineteenth centuries, whose form and decoration relate to sources in the Zohar, German Pietism, and Safed Kabbalah. Examined at the delicate and difficult to define interface between seemingly simple, folk art and complex ideological and conceptual outlooks which contain deep, abstract symbols, the study touches on aspects of object history, intellectual history, the decorative arts, and the history of religion. Based on original texts, the focus of this volume is on the subjective experience of the user at the moment of ritual, applying tenets of process philosophy and literary theory - Wolfgang Iser, Gaston Bachelard, and Walter Benjamin - to the analysis of objects.

There is a revolution happening right now all over the world as believers in Jesus Christ are rediscovering the words of Jesus: "I came to reveal the Father" (John 1:18). When you learn to live life with an awareness of and attention to the Father's presence, everything changes. Believers move from religion to relationship. Faith in God shifts from duty to an exciting journey.

Imagine you could live with a supernatural confidence that your Father in heaven loves you, is all-powerful, and is always with you How would that change your life? What if you also discovered you could hear His voice and feel His presence every day? This book was written to encourage every believer to walk in this reality.

The Father's Heart consists of personal stories from author Caleb Plumb's life. He details triumphs and mistakes of attempting to live on fire for God. He pulls back the curtain to his prayer life, dreams, visions, and supernatural encounters with a desire to inspire others to pursue the presence of God.

He writes in the spirit of Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart."

Stephanie Gurley shares her story of living a self-absorbed life while trying to acquire her dreams. To acquire those dreams would require running a race daily as a wife and mother. Nearly at hand, her dream became her survival, as she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. God offered her the ultimate race to run in, a race that was intended for all to participate in. It was a race that took her far to overcome insecurity, wounds, and fears, as God transformed her prideful, hardened heart into moldable clay. It was a heart that began to desire the Word of the Lord and every morsel it had to offer. It was a heart that ultimately became refreshed in His spirit, leading her to the calling of writing this book. She obeyed the Lord. She was not to let her testimony sit on a shelf at home. She says, "Obedience is what matters." Come with Stephanie to see some of the things God has shown her. You can begin your journey crossing one stepping stone at a time, whether it is in your spiritual walk, personal walk, or a ministry. It is her prayer that you will be led to become refreshed in His spirit Grab hold of the seeds along the way, and begin to bloom.

From a daily commute through Seattle rush-hour traffic to equatorial jungles, the Olsons experienced a radical change in lifestyle when they answered a call to serve God in Christian radio. Their travels over a nine-year period brought challenging and joyful experiences in cross-cultural living in the twenty-first century. Their stories range from compassionate to humorous as they relate their extraordinary adventures.

Travel along with the Olsons as they move from country to country across five continents. Author Patti Olson captured the sights, sounds, and emotions of new discoveries as they experienced them, allowing her to recount them in rich detail in Frogs in the Loo and Other Short-Term Missions Tales.

This fantasy novel revolves around the new kid in town, Luke Brackins. The small town of Galeswood, West Virginia teaches him small town values. He learns the value of family, friendship, and helping your neighbor. However, he also finds that making friends is rather difficult. Luke, being the new kid, small, and athletically challenged makes him an easy target. After he fails an attempt to make the local football team. He finds a rather mysterious book locked to a jewel. The jewel would soon uncover a world full of adventure and intrigue. As it unlocks the world of Midgard

Born in a farming village in rural Spain, a young girl is faced with the harsh realities of life at an early age. Forced to be separated from her parents continents away she is raised by her grandparents as if one of their own. After years of being exiled from her family she is suddenly ripped away from the only life she had ever known. Called upon to rejoin her mother and father in South America she begins a journey of discovery that will shape what will eventually become her American Dream. Along the way she will face obstacles that may seem familiar to some, as well as some that are so unique that are unimaginable to most. As a teenager she was diagnosed with a chronic disease, which she was informed would lead to her eventual paralysis. As a young mother she was faced with a decision of where to raise a family away from the growing violence of her adopted homeland, and as a young professional she was ostracized by her peers for her accent and the physical toll her disease had begun to take on her appearance. This book takes you on one woman's journey of self discovery that spans from that small farming village in Spain to the big city lights of Miami and New York City all the while witnessing the internal battles that eventually shape her and allow her to be able to live Her American Dream.

An identity crisis has wrought confusion and chaos in the land. A mixture of message and lack of authenticity has bound and scattered the flock with fear and condemnation. The judges and leaders have become corrupt as each man follows his own way. It is from within this darkness that the Lord's light will shine, bringing the order and justice in His Standard to establish His righteousness.

This book of poems will illuminate God's Image of you as the only truth, uplifting you and revealing the surety of His intention in your life. Use it as a tool to inspire your meditation and prayer time with the Lord, and watch how simple and effective the gift of the faith of Christ can be.

As He reveals where you are, what you already have in Him, why He has hidden it from you in the past, and how it affects you now, the substance of your identity will become authenticated. This discovery releases the fullness of joy and the presence of peace you have been looking for. Rivers of living water, divine potential, fullness unlocked, and life abundant is revealed inside the seed of God. He is your breath, He is your life, He is your strength, and He is your Source We are created in the substance of His Image and the likeness of His form; Christ in you the hope of glory.

The Joy of Christ

Can you smell the fragrance in your nose?Can you feel the wind as the Spirit flows?Rejoicing with each other in a praise-filled song, As we walk together in this journey we are on.

Far more sweet than the sweetest rose, That is the joy of Christ upon your clothes.The light of His pure truth shining in the darkMakes the brightest light of hope from a tiny spark.

Creation on your lips and life flowing from your heart, Playing out this dream of His which He had from the start.What garden do you see, my friend, one that's parched and bare?Or will you awaken to the Spirit and find it laden there?

Healing in your wings and prayers upon your lips;A fragrant oil rises and from your body drips.Your face is lit with fire; your robes are white as snow.The mindset of the Son is what you'll come to know.

Why have multiple mega-church leaders-Ted Haggard and Bishop Eddie Long, for example-committed acts of sexual misconduct? This book discusses the reasons in depth and examines how these acts are impacting the future of megachurches. Mega-churches-churches with congregations that number in the thousands of worshippers-are growing in popularity in America and around the world. Shockingly, a growing number of megachurch leaders have committed acts of sexual misconduct. While these scandalous crimes have received much attention through the media, literature that examines the topic in detail has been lacking. This book examines the various aspects of sexual misconduct by megachurch leaders, providing a comprehensive review of the topic that discusses the direct and indirect reasons for these crimes. The book provides unbiased, factual coverage of megachurch sexual abuse cases, covering issues surrounding the victims in specific cases, the role of the church, and notable ministers, such as Ted Haggard of New Life Church, Colorado Springs, CO; Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Lithonia, GA; and Joe Barron of Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas, TX. The author also discusses how these incidences have impacted societal perceptions of religion, and large churches, and religious organizations, and provides recommendations to curb future cases of sexual abuse within megachurches.

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."