Critical Literacy: Integrating Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing is designed to help students develop the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills that will support their academic and professional careers. The text emphasizes the interdependency of critical thinking, reading, and writing, and introduces readers to multi-modal writing. The text begins by introducing students to the concept of critical literacy, the idea of metacognition, and the three key subsets of critical literacy: critical thinking, reading, and writing. Ensuing chapters discuss the components of an academic essay, the usefulness of prewriting and discovery drafting, and the important practices of revising, editing, and proofreading. Dedicated chapters introduce students to different types of writing, including reflective, analytical, position, informative, and research. The text concludes with a handbook that covers common mistakes in grammar and mechanics, as well as a collection of readings that challenges students to apply what they've learned, encouraging them to critically think about, read, and write about the selections. Critical Literacy is an ideal textbook for foundational courses in reading and writing, as well as freshman seminar or college success programs or courses.

Have you ever had a moment that redefined everything you thought to be true about life, family, and faith? Derek L. Gray had such a moment in the fall of 2014, when he suffered a series of personal and professional setbacks that left him seeking answers to life's biggest questions. He was greeted by God and a host of spiritual guides more than happy to provide answers. In this book, he acts as a messenger of God, sharing what he learned over the course of two years. During that time, he spoke with angels, witnessed life hours after his birth, observed life before he was born, and crossed the veil to speak to his dad again. These amazing experiences-along with working side by side with his spiritual mother, Liese, and his spiritual guide, Harman, shape the life-changing messages in this book. If you've always been convinced that we can learn nothing more about God than what is written in the Bible, then open your mind to new ideas.

This book provides an updated overview of the processes determining the influence of solar forcing on climate. It discusses in particular the most recent developments regarding the role of aerosols in the climate system and the new insights that could be gained from the investigation of terrestrial climate analogues. The book 's structure mirrors that of the ISSI workshop held in Bern in June 2005.

Winner of a 2021 Carol Award There's a lot of irony in hitting rock bottom After a heartbreak leaves her reeling, January Sanders is open to anything--including moving into a cabin on her aunt's wedding-venue property and accepting a temporary position at her aunt's church despite being a lifelong skeptic of faith. Choosing to keep her doubts to herself, she's determined to give her all to supporting Grace Community's overworked staff while helping herself move on. What she doesn't count on is meeting the church's handsome and charming guitarist. It's a match set for disaster, and yet January has no ability to stay away, even if it means pretending to have faith in a God she doesn't believe in. Only this time, keeping her secret isn't as easy as she thought it would be. Especially when she's constantly running into her aunt's landscape architect, who seems to know everything about her past-and-present sins and makes no apologies about pushing her to deal with feelings she'd rather keep buried. Torn between two worlds that can't coexist, can January find the healing that's eluded her, or will her resistance to the truth ruin any chance of happiness? "In this touching inspirational from Gray, a faithless woman gets more than she bargained for as she rebounds from a broken heart. . . . Gray's entertaining tale showcases the power of love and faith in unexpected places."--Publishers Weekly "Once Jan opens up her heart to God, a family rift starts to mend, and she finds love and a place she belongs. Gray has crafted a sweet story."--Library Journal "I found this book to be both enjoyable and entertaining. There is quite a bit of well-written humor that is dispersed within the story. The plot is believable, and the characters are realistic. Love and a Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray is a quick, easy read that would be perfect for reading beside the pool or at the beach. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sweet romance novels."--Fresh Fiction

The Anticipated Series Finale to the 2021 Carol Award-Winning Novel, Love and a Little White Lie Their faith will face its toughest test yet. Four years after getting the biggest break of his life, Cameron Lee's music career has taken a nosedive, leaving him two options: become a sellout or give up on his lifelong dream. He reluctantly returns home for his sister's wedding, hoping to avoid his past and find his love for music again. Single mom Lexie Walters has suffered her fair share of tragedies and setbacks, but she has finally scraped together the money to achieve her dream of going into business with her cousin as an interior designer. When Lexie's life is at an all-time high, she runs into her teenage crush, Cameron Lee. Lost in the emotional turmoil of failure, Cameron is immediately drawn to Lexie and her infectious smile and optimistic spirit. Moreover, he adores her mouthy, no-holds-barred daughter. But fantasies only last so long, and soon Lexie and Cameron must face the real world, the one fraught with heartbreak, disappointment, and questions that sometimes can only be answered by a leap of faith.

In Your Face: Stories from the Lives of Queer Youth is a unique collection of real-life accounts that explores the lives and identities of lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens. Fifteen youths, age 14-18, bravely tell of the hardships and emotions they experience because of their sexualities. Readers will explore stories that touch on several issues, such as:
-- coming out to yourself
-- coming out to family and friends
-- dealing with the school environment
-- getting involved in the queer community
-- realizing how religion impacts one's sense of self

As a hit man, Dan Collins has come face-to-face with death on many occasions. But he's recently had an epiphany-he wants out of the game. It's time to pick up the pieces of his marriage and repair his relationship with his estranged wife, Amy. But before that can happen, he must face death once more . Delano's time is drawing near to the end, and he needs to pass on the "gift" to someone who is worthy of it. A dark and dangerous man, Delano calls himself a Reaper-one of a legion of harvesters in the employ of the Creator. When Dan unwittingly intervenes in a divine event, Delano thinks he's found his man. But Dan dismisses Delano as a religious zealot and rebuffs him outright, leaving Delano in a titanic quandary. If Dan doesn't accept this gift, the power to harvest and store righteous souls-and the true source of the Creator's power-will fall into the hands of a rogue Reaper, Etan, and mankind will be lost . A soul-stirring novel, Righteous Souls explores good versus evil, the symbiosis of the supernatural and the human experience, and the healing power of love.

The message of the gospel that Paul brought to the culturally diverse city of Ephesus forever transformed its citizen's lives. But the church in Ephesus had the same problems we face today: it was a multiethnic group of believers who found it difficult to come together as one and put aside their differences... In this six-session study (streaming video included), pastor Derwin Gray, of Transformation Church, takes you and your group through Paul's letter to the Ephesians to reveal how the apostle presented the revolutionary idea that Jesus came not only to forgive sins but also to create a unified family out of a diverse people. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself-a 40 Day reading plan through Ephesians with discussion and personal reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). The letter to the church in Ephesus contains a message that's revolutionary to us even today-it's a message that's especially urgent now: that God desires to bring unity to all things and all peoples under Christ. This is the vision that bears the seeds of a heavenly revolution! 40 Days Through the Book series: Each of the studies in this series, taught by a different pastor or Bible teacher on a specific book of the Bible, is designed to help you more actively engage with God's Word by understanding its background and culture and applying it in a fresh way to your life. Throughout each study, you'll be encouraged to read through the corresponding book in the New Testament at least once during the course of 40 days. Watch on any device! Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

Choice Outstanding Academic Title of 2016 Rural queer experience is often hidden or ignored, and presumed to be alienating, lacking, and incomplete without connections to a gay culture that exists in an urban elsewhere. Queering the Countryside offers the first comprehensive look at queer desires found in rural America from a genuinely multi-disciplinary perspective. This collection of original essays confronts the assumption that queer desires depend upon urban life for meaning. By considering rural queer life, the contributors challenge readers to explore queer experiences in ways that give greater context and texture to modern practices of identity formation. The book's focus on understudied rural spaces throws into relief the overemphasis of urban locations and structures in the current political and theoretical work on queer sexualities and genders. Queering the Countryside highlights the need to rethink notions of "the closet" and "coming out" and the characterizations of non-urban sexualities and genders as "isolated" and in need of "outreach." Contributors focus on a range of topics-some obvious, some delightfully unexpected-from the legacy of Matthew Shepard, to how heterosexuality is reproduced at the 4-H Club, to a look at sexual encounters at a truck stop, to a queer reading of TheWizard of Oz. A journey into an unexplored slice of life in rural America, Queering the Countryside offers a unique perspective on queer experience in the modern United States and Canada.