"We look to memoirs for guidance, instruction from the lives of others, cautionary tales perhaps and, if we're lucky, inspiration. If we also get a clear view of abundant humanity, we count it as a bonus. Gifts of Sight is that kind of rare memoir. With skill, irony toward himself, and a clear and moral love of his fellow-man, Bruce Shields has written a book that is in part the account of an 'eye doctor, ' in part a meditation on the courage of his patients, and in great part a metaphor for Life itself. Gifts of Sight, meditative and Chekhovian, is already a classic as it leaves the author's pen; it should become perceived as one of the great 'quiet' American tales, in which a concerned and thoughtful doctor addresses the word vision in all its meanings." --Frank Delaney New York Times bestselling author of Ireland

From 1326 to 1402, Bursa, known to the Byzantines as Prousa, served as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. It retained its spiritual and commercial importance even after Edirne (Adrianople) in Thrace, and later Constantinople (Istanbul), functioned as Ottoman capitals. Yet, to date, no comprehensive study has been published on the city's role as the inaugural center of a great empire. In works by art and architectural historians, the city has often been portrayed as having a small or insignificant pre-Ottoman past, as if the Ottomans created the city from scratch. This couldn't be farther from the truth. In this book, rooted in the author's archaeological experience, Suna Cagaptay tells the story of the transition from a Byzantine Christian city to an Islamic Ottoman one, positing that Bursa was a multi-faith capital where we can see the religious plurality and modernity of the Ottoman world. The encounter between local and incoming forms, as this book shows, created a synthesis filled with nuance, texture, and meaning. Indeed, when one looks more closely and recognizes that the contributions of the past do not threaten the authenticity of the present, a richer and more accurate narrative of the city and its Ottoman accommodation emerges.

There are times and places where heaven and earth collide, where the line between eternity and time grows dim, and the reality of God becomes real. There are experiences and circumstances that force our beliefs to cross over from a mundane theory and into a living reality.

This is my story. It is our story. It is His story. It is not perfect, but it is real. It is a story of my experiences with God, calling to ministry, journey of planting a church, and surviving disaster and devastation.

This book is for anyone who ever desperately wondered if God exists or if He cares. It is for honest people who have questioned Christians, been disappointed with church as usual, or simply wondered if there was more. I hope my story will inspire and challenge you to discover the wonderful treasure of authentic faith or galvanize the faith you already have.

The darkest of nights and the fiercest storms only come to make us stronger. Often times the gravity of our trials attempt to eclipse our faith and shake the foundations of our greatest belief. The trauma of tragedy can be devastating but as with every storm, if our anchor holds in Christ, the tomb stone will turn out to be a stepping stone to many victories. Some of the highlights in this life changing book are: Surviving the Storm Healing for the hurting Getting past the past A fresh start The pain produces power The victorious life We sometimes question the ways and acts of God because of the limitations of our finite minds. However, we are assured that the 'all-powerful' God is able to works all things together for our good. For everyone who has ever been or is experiencing a stormy season, the message of encouragement and hope in this book will keep you steady and strong till the storm calms.

The day that you were born was not an ordinary day, it was a day that a champion was born. You were born for no other reason than to Conquer, to conquer in your home, in your job, in your finances, and in your personal own life. Pastor Alex explores in depth how to overcome every circumstance in your life, how to realize that you were born not as an ordinary person but a person with a destiny. Our words have creative power. Any time you speak something, either good or bad; you give life to what you are saying. You are prophesying your own future. That's why it's so important to send your words out in the direction you want your life to go. You can't talk defeat and expect to have victory. You can't talk lack and expect to have abundance. You will produce whatever you say. There is Power in your words. Know this ......You were Born to Conquer

The Supernatural Power of Peace

All people contain DNA. Recent studies have revealed that genes remember the past and to a certain extent can influence the present. The environment in which we live influences not only the development of our psyche but also the overall disposition in which genes play a larger role than previously thought.

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus declared: "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God." Just as the Word suggests, it is not the war-makers that are blessed, but the peacemakers.

Whatever we scarcely pay attention to, as being unattractive and not dramatic enough to grab our attention, God chose to astound the world.

First Corinthians 1:25 says, "The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

This book deals with the supernatural nature of peace, which actually heals and restores.

More than ever before, the modern lifestyle robs us of peace; as a result, people seek an escape from stress. Some find it in chemical substances; others in time off, relaxation, or meditation. But there is a peace that surpasses human understanding.

Like walking firebombs, which are bottles filled with petrol ready to go off, some people go through life without any purpose. As the title of this book suggests, the bottle must be emptied of all flammable substances; for only then one will find the much-sought-after commodity, which is the healing and restoring power of peace.

With The Wilton Translation of the New Testament, Clyde Wilton has sought to provide an accurate translation of the New Testament from Greek into English. It is the result of many years of study, and although this work has as its text the Greek New Testament (United Bibles Societies, third ed.), Clyde has drawn from a wide variety of sources to make his translation as accurate as possible to original text.

Whenever people from different cultural and religious backgrounds converge, it produces tension and ambivalence. This study delves into conflicts in interreligious educational processes in both theory and practice, presenting the results of empirical research conducted at schools and universities and formulating ground-breaking practical perspectives for interreligious collaboration in various religious-pedagogical settings.

This book serves as a testimonial of the circumstances that surrounded the life of a family where the mother was the breadwinner, showing how she came to grow to support and educate their children. It narrates the process of the disease she had suffered and the Christian fundamentals that supported her self-surrender to God, from whom she received strength and joy in spite of her painful predicament. The author explains, in simple terms, the revelations she had received, and the manner she found Christ Jesus, source of her comfort and answer to her questions, despair, and fear. This book leads us to reflect, express love towards life, and show gratitude towards God. It offers help and spiritual guidance, as it conveys the importance and validity of love, faith, and eternal hope, revealing the path that leads to salvation.

Irshad Manji's message of moral courage, with stories about contemporary reformers such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, and Islam's own Gandhi, inspire and show the way to practicing faith without fear. Irshad addresses all people, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, in this universal message about the importance of independent thought and internal strength, of love, liberty, free speech, and the pursuit of happiness. Allah, Liberty, and Love is about creating choices beyond conforming or leaving the faith, which is what Manji hears from young Muslims who write to her in frustration, whose emails, letters, and conversations are included in this book. Manji writes, "I'll show struggling Muslims how to embrace a third option: reforming ourselves." And she recounts many affecting stories from young people who have contacted her for advice on how to step out of limiting views of Islam and the restrictions they put on life, love, family, and careers.

Unleash Your Potential: Put Any Foot Forward presents a clarion call for us to awaken the gifts within us. Everyone has a gift, and the truth is that if we don't use them, they will be taken away, and we lose the joy of fulfilling God's purpose in our lives. We must learn how to unleash our potential, to put any foot forward through motivation and encouragement. We have been crippled for so long by our circumstances, our fears, our past failures, and mistakes, but now, author Dr. Darlington I. I. Ndubuike encourages us to heed the command of the Lord to move ahead When God provides us with opportunities, we have to take that first STEP: Seize the opportunity. Take action by faith. Encourage ourselves in the Lord. Prayerfully follow God's lead. We cannot be intimidated by our circumstances. We must hold our heads up and keep our shoulders high. We must position ourselves to unleash our potential without losing focus, with the understanding that nothing good comes easy. It takes time and effort, but your dream is attainable."

Japonica F. Edmonds Smith is a seasoned writer of poetry, prose, and inspirational short stories. In God's now latter blessings rain I shall continue to seek the Father in order to give His people divine revelation in their thoughts as well as in their walk within their lives. It is the Father Jehovah that inspires us spiritually to draw the reader inward, in order to have an intimate walk within our heart to walk with Him. It is without question that it is God who awakens one's heart to seek His son, Jesus. It is He that wants His plan and purpose to be fulfilled in our lives and to show us that in the midst of life trials, there is still a word from the Father. God has always been concerned about you, the saints of God in Christ Jesus. He loves you with an everlasting love. He showed humanity His agape love, when He thought it not robbery to give His Son, Jesus, to take our place, by being on the cross. That was designed for the sins of humanity ... each and every one of us individually Thank God for His Son We have been redeemed by His blood IT IS FINISHED His immeasurable love raised Jesus from the dead. Hallelujah For He sent forth His Son that we might have life and life that more abundantly, so that we will have true intimacy, fellowship, communion, and relationship with Jesus. After all is said and done, after we have repented, we shall have true forgiveness from our sins, thereby receiving healing, growth, and restoration for ourselves as we restore love to one another with forgiveness With the sword of the spirit in my mouth, I decree as well as command, that I am a victorious woman of God, without any constraints to do the will of the Father Jehovah in Jesus' name. Amen It is God's will for all the saints of God to seek and to save those who are lost-to teach the found to go after the lost, so that all shall be saved and none perish.