Best Christian Liberation
What You Will Get From The Book: *100 plus originally written quotes. *Stories, insights, observations on how each quote came about. *Motivational, inspirational, thought-provoking information. *A new mindset. A GREAT GIFT for your someone special, your friends and family, or perhaps your client, or simply a giveaway. A beautifully written book of quotes that will uplift you, awaken your consciousness, empower your true self, challenge your thoughts and beliefs, keep you motivated and inspire you to change your perspective in life. "An invitation to spend a few minutes every day (or all at once) enveloped in quotes and back stories that uplift and inspire. It started out as a gentle soft rain and began to inspire and push my thoughts like distant thunder... sometimes hitting quite close to home. -Bento Leal (Relationship Skills Trainer & Best-Selling Author of "4 Essential Keys to Effective Communication"). It doesn't preach or lecture, but humbly using examples from her life Elsa Mendoza has shown us the wisdom she has gained and made it accessible to us, her readers, with true generosity of spirit. -Dr Denise A Nisbet, Ph.D (Author of This Eternal Journey Reflections on Love, Pain, Mysteries and The Whole Damn Thing, a Former Psychologist, Career Counsellor and Librarian). This is a book you can slowly read, one bite at a time, while really absorbing and applying the life lessons. The short vignettes build momentum and keep you moving though this dynamic and energetic book. Bottom line: if you need inspiration, positive vibes, and energy with which to align yourself, pick this up now!And this needs to be an audiobook. Elizabeth Renee (Founder and Owner at Black Hills Center for HEALing & the Advancement of Psychotherapy and Author of Being Luminous. I also appreciated quote #8, where the author said "In our lowest moments, we find our true power self." As a Certified Health Coach/Author/Blogger - I believe that the body is made to heal itself - if we give it the proper tools to do so.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This collection of original quotations (all of which include a brief backstory) will inspire, uplift, motivate and inspire you."
"One thing I especially appreciate in this book is her frequent questions at the end of the quote and her thought, as they draw in and engage the reader."
"The author did an amazing job of bringing life to these quotes."
"This is not your average book of quotes. Despite the fact that I just discovered this book, and never before encountered the author's ideas, these quotes and commentary, resonate so closely with my own recently published book that I could have very eawsily included these quotes to illustrate my ideas."
"This is a nice book for personal study and interesting content for good reference on reading."
"Elsa's original quotes are a great way to put everything in perspective."
"What separates this book from other collections is Else's compelling comments which strikingly contextualize their true impotence."
"This book is SO enjoyable!"
Recounting the greatest event of divine salvation in the Old Testament, the book of Exodus is not merely a story about the Lord God rescuing enslaved Israelites from the power of a despotic and xenophobic dictator. Author of From Paradise to Promised Land, From Eden to the New Jerusalem, The Servant King and Discovering Jesus.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This commentary is the newest edition of the Apollos Old Testament Commentary Series with editors David W. Baker and Gordon J. Wenham, a series which is synonymous with excellent exegesis and superior application, this volume not only continues this legacy, but truly propels it to new heights. He also uses his own translation of the Hebrew text, which demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the text itself. In the vein of recommending, Exodus, to others I would recommend this commentary to pastors and scholars, yet I would highly recommend pastors, such as myself, to pair this scholarly commentary with one that is one that has more of a pastoral tone."
"Alexander received a Ph.D. from The Queen’s University of Belfast and is author or coauthor of numerous books, including From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch, From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology, and Exodus: Teach the Text. In his most recent work, Alexander has brought together decades of disciplined scholarship and devotion on Exodus to a growing and increasingly useful commentary series on the Old Testament. Alexander has covered much of the necessary introductory matters with care and rigor, including the story and literary context of Exodus, its relationship to the Old Testament and New, structure, authorship, date, the placement of Exodus in history, and more. The introduction is somewhat small considering the size of the commentary, and while Alexander provides sufficient contact with the needed information, some readers will lament the omission of a formal outline after his survey of the structure of the book, among other things. Exodus: Apollos Old Testament Commentary by T. Desmond Alexander is a comprehensive, up-to-date examination that leaves readers with little left to want from a commentary. If you’re looking for a commentary on the book of Exodus that offers a comprehensive balance between depth and devotion, then Exodus by T. Desmond Alexander is the recommendation for the foreseeable future."
A pioneering and prophetic approach to theology based on creating an option for the poor at the expense of those who either maintain the status quo or abuse the structures of power for their own ends. Text: English, Spanish (translation) Gustavo Guti rrez, a Dominican theologian from Peru, is widely recognized as one of the preeminent voices of liberation theology.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A Theology of Liberation is a recognized classic in its field, which, one can even say, the author, Peruvian Dominican monk, Gustavo Gutierrez, literally invented the field since he coined the term "Liberation Theology" in a 1969 paper on the subject, shortly after the 1968 Medellin conference of Bishops, at which he was a consultant. The book may be one of the first full explorations of what is now called "contextual theologies", presentations of Christian theology "from the underside", from the point of view of the severely, chronically disadvantaged peoples of the world. The long and the short of this book is that the importance of Gutierrez message deserves its weighty title, but Gutierrez weakens his case by slighting contemporary and historical theology and ignoring some central "theological" issues. The author goes a fair distance in attempting to show that his theology is `general', arising out of, but not limited to, the experience of the wretched poor of South America, and his Catholic context supports him in that sentiment, even if some of his theological positions may seem strange when compared to the likes of Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, or even Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI). What is unfortunate is that both Gutierrez' use of the Old Testament and his thumbnail sketch of the history of Catholic theology seems slanted and self-serving. The one great category of Christian theology which Gutierrez does address is eschatology, history, last things. My seminary colleagues get oh so tired of hearing me say this, but I believe it is a legitimate question to ask whether what Gutierrez and the other "context theologians" are doing is really theology. It is worth noting that Gutierrez' message, ironically, does seem to have been picked up by academic theology especially by the (Protestant) theologians of hope such as Wolfhart Pannenberg and Jürgen Moltmann."
"The theology that affirms that God is always with the poor and the ones in need."
"Had my local library get me a copy on ILL. Once I began reading it, I realized that there were too many notes I wanted to take and wanted to highlight many statements/ideas."
"It's amazing how it illuminates the power struggles of the 20th century and remains relevant today."
"I am still pretty skeptical of grand plans made from on high, by human beings, even to give the poor the preferential option that I think we are called to."
"Rather, I believe the task for religion, insomuch as it relates to social justice, is to magnify the morality of life in the human heart, thereby effectuating social justice in the world via the enhanced morality of humanity."
"give an easy to resd approach to let me understand what is liberation theology."
"This book is a must read for anybody searching for answers concerning, as the title states, the history, politics and the salvation...it treats a scorching topic that needs to be known."
Best Christian Quotations
Visioneering, according to bestselling author Andy Stanley, is “a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.” With warm, down-to-earth practicality, Andy Stanley explores the ordinary life of Nehemiah and his God-given vision for accomplishing the extraordinary. Whether you’re a parent with a vision for your children or a CEO pursuing a corporate vision, Visioneering is the perfect tool to help you develop and maintain God’s unique purpose for your life. Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries (NPM). Andy and his wife, Sandra, live in Alpharetta, Georgia, and have three children. On December 17, 1903, at 10:35 a.m., Orville Wright secured his place in history by executing the first powered and sustained flight from level ground. For twelve gravity-defying seconds he flew 120 feet along the dunes of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. But what most children abandon to the domain of fantasy, Orville and Wilbur Wright seized upon as potential reality. Wilbur described the birth of their vision this way: Our personal interest in it [aviation] dates from our childhood days. Late in the autumn of 1878, our father came into the house one evening with some object partly concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air. It was a little toy, known to scientists as a “hélicoptère,” but which we, with sublime disregard for science, at once dubbed a “bat.”. It was a light frame of cork and bamboo, covered with paper, which formed two screws, driven in opposite directions by rubber bands under torsion. A toy so delicate lasted only a short time in the hands of small boys, but its memory was abiding. This childhood experience sparked in the boys an insatiable desire to fly. In doing so, they stumbled upon the principles of physics that would pave the way to their first successful manned flight. If I were to boil it down to a formula, it would look something like this: VISIONEERING = INSPIRATION + CONVICTION +. ACTION + DETERMINATION + COMPLETION Destinations Life is a journey. Where you will end up in the various roles you play; what you will accomplish personally, professionally, domestically, and spiritually. A clear vision, along with the courage to follow through, dramatically increases your chances of coming to the end of your life, looking back with a deep abiding satisfaction, and thinking, I did it. Without a clear vision, odds are you will come to the end of your life and wonder. And let’s face it, much of what we do doesn’t appear to matter much when evaluated apart from some larger context or purpose. But take the minutia of this very day, drop it into the cauldron of a God-ordained vision, stir them around, and suddenly there is purpose! It is the difference between filling bags with dirt and building a dike in order to save a town. Building a dike gives meaning to the chore of filling bags with dirt. Too many times the routines of life begin to feel like shoveling dirt. Specifically, vision weaves four things into the fabric of our daily experience. The thing that makes daydreaming so enjoyable is the emotion that piggybacks on those mind’s-eye images. When we allow our thoughts to wander outside the walls of reality, our feelings are quick to follow. A clear, focused vision actually allows us to experience ahead of time the emotions associated with our anticipated future. Even the most lifeless, meaningless task or routine can begin to “feel” good when it is attached to a vision. Through the avenue of vision, the feelings reserved for tomorrow are channeled back into our present reality. Being the preacher’s son, my primary realm of influence (and acceptance) was church. So I would put up with the traffic, the gas bills, and even leaving their houses early enough to be home by curfew. I was committed to what could be (being on the other side of Atlanta) as opposed to what was (sitting at home in Tucker). The details, chores, and routines of life become a worthwhile means to a planned-for end. Find me a man or woman who lacks motivation and I’ll show you someone with little or no vision. Vision is a big part of the reason you completed college or graduate school. Think of all the seemingly wasted hours of study and class time. Even then you knew that much of what you were memorizing for tests was a waste of time and effort. long years you endured science labs, European history, research papers, and lectures. Like most serious musicians, I accumulated quite a collection of gear: recording equipment, guitars, keyboards, drum machines, and several miles of cable. When Sandra and I were married, she allowed me the luxury of setting up a small studio in the basement of our condominium. It was not unusual for me to retreat to my studio after dinner and emerge just in time for breakfast. As Andrew began to look less like a baby and more like a little boy, I started to give serious thought to my relationship with my children. Having spent ten years working with teenagers, I had a frighteningly clear picture of what could be and what should not be! My vision for my family dictated that I put musical pursuits on hold. There was no way I would be able to develop the relationship I envisioned with my children while pursuing my musical aspirations. A clear vision has the power to bring what’s most important to the surface of your schedule and lifestyle. A clear vision makes it easy to weed out of your life those things that stand in the way of achieving what matters most. A vision makes you an important link between current reality and the future. The Divine Element Granted, you have probably heard or read this type of stuff before. Honoring God involves discovering his picture or vision of what our lives could and should be. With that in mind, rethink the implications of this familiar verse: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. And through Christ he has brought about, and continues to bring about, changes in you in accordance with his picture of what you could and should be. More to This Life All that to say, as Christians, we do not have a right to take our talents, abilities, experiences, opportunities, and education and run off in any direction we please. Missing out on God’s plan for our lives must be the greatest tragedy this side of eternity. Granted, this world offers a truckload of options when it comes to possible visions to pursue. But you were tailor-made, carefully crafted, minutely detailed for a selected divine agenda. His individual vision for your life is a small part of a plan he envisioned and put in motion long before you or I came on the scene—but now I’m jumping ahead. Without God’s vision, you may find yourself in the all too common position of looking back on a life that was given to accumulating green pieces of paper with pictures of dead presidents on them. But let’s face it, at each milestone in your pursuit of more stuff, you feel like you did as a kid after all the presents were opened on Christmas morning. This is why it is imperative that you discover and participate in God’s multifaceted vision for your life. Your uniqueness and individuality will reach its pinnacle in the context of your pursuit of God’s plan for your life. _ _ _ In the pages that follow, you will encounter several features that will assist you in establishing or clarifying God’s vision for your life. Here is where you can start laying down the details of a plan that will insure activation of your vision. Finally, at the end of the book is a small group discussion guide. A small group will help you sharpen your vision and provide accountability as you pursue God’s plan for your life. Let’s face it, if we could heal at will, part the Red Sea with the flick of a wrist, or walk on water, it would make the process of accomplishing our goals much simpler. Vision is born in the soul of a man or woman who is consumed with the tension between what is and what could be. It is this element that catapults men and women out of the realm of passive concern and into action. Vision requires visionaries, people who have allowed their minds and hearts to wander outside the artificial boundaries imposed by the world as it is. Once upon a Time… Around 587 BC, the Babylonians invaded Judah and destroyed the city of Jerusalem, along with Solomon’s temple. On all three occasions the Babylonians took a number of Israelites as captives and resettled them in Babylon. Under the leadership of a man named Zerubbabel, these exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple. But the people refused to turn away from. the very sins God had judged their ancestors for in the days of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar. The Jews continued to adopt the religious practices and culture of the surrounding nations. By the time our story begins, the political, social, and spiritual conditions in Jerusalem were deplorable. Meanwhile, back in Persia, a Jewish fellow named Nehemiah heard about the plight of his homeland—and he felt something. Little did he know these deep feelings were the initial birth pains of a vision that people would be reading about thousands of years later. In fact, for anyone trying to clarify the right vision to pursue, a good question to ask is simply this: “What breaks my heart?” Most social reform movements that have made a positive impact in the world began with a broken-hearted leader. I think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his heart for the oppressed in black America. Every significant nonprofit organization that has positively impacted this world began with a brokenhearted leader. He then went on to found World Vision so the same kind of help could be offered to needy children around the globe. But neither did he allow his daily responsibilities to distract him from the burden that had gripped his heart. Developing or discovering a vision for a particular area of our lives takes time. But it is a process that yields a product worth every bit of the agony along the way. Revving our vision engines at the starting line feels like a waste of time. This sense of “time is awasting” is the very thing that compels people To move out too soon. Time allows us to distinguish between good ideas and visions worth throwing the weight of our life behind. Waiting gives us a chance to examine our emotions and sort our minor concerns from major ones. Knowing these guys as well as I did, I’m sure that if they had had the opportunity to sign up and ship out on the day they sensed God’s call on their lives, they would have both headed for the airport. During the process of finishing college, Chip slowly began to lose interest. But Chip followed through with that vision and became active in his local church and effective in the ministry of lifestyle evangelism. Let’s face it, a good motivational speaker can cast such a compelling vision that before you know it you feel like it is your own. As we wait, God will shape and mature ideas into visions that can survive in the real world. If you saw The Empire Strikes Back, you remember the scene in which Luke wants to go rescue his friends before he has finished his Jedi Knight training. They are my friends; I must help them.”. Yoda finally issues a dire warning, “If you leave now, help them you could, but you will destroy all for which they have fought and suffered.”. But Luke is determined to go. In the case of a divinely ordered vision God goes to work in you to prepare you for what he knows lies ahead. Maybe that’s why he inspired the apostle to write the next phrase: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (verse 14). My guess is that without a vision, our willingness to allow God to prepare us would be greatly diminished. Who would suffer the headache of college or graduate school without the vision of job opportunities? Now I don’t know if he actually sat down and calculated how long it would take to deliver Israel by killing one Egyptian at a time. It took Moses forty years to grow into the vision God had designed for him. Meanwhile, back in Egypt, another generation or two dies at the hands of Egyptian taskmasters. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident his service to the king of Persia was in fact his desert experience. For this was a man with immense leadership ability who awoke every day to do a job that tapped little or none of those skills. Do you wake up every day to circumstances that have absolutely nothing remotely to do with the vision you sense God is developing in you? David, the teenage king, spent years hiding in caves. And Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the very king whose ancestors had destroyed the city he longed to rebuild! But from what I read in the Scriptures, I would guess the time required for God to grow you into his vision for your life will be somewhere between four months and forty years. There seems to be a correlation between the preparation time and the magnitude of the task to which we are called. Leading God’s people out of four hundred years of slavery required more than a four-year degree. In the case of a divinely ordered vision, God is working behind the scenes to prepare the way. Ultimately, we are taking part in a massive assault that began one dark afternoon on a hill just outside of Jerusalem. Apart from his intervention and preparation, you and I are incapable of pulling off even our small part of the operation. And he knew that apart from divine intervention there was no way in the world he would be able to take part in the reconstruction of Jerusalem. In fact, as we will see in the next chapter, he went so far as to think through exactly what it would take to pull off a project of that magnitude. Once they feel their idea is from God, they assume all systems are go and they need to quit their jobs, step out on faith, and begin. But the story of Nehemiah, along with numerous other biblical accounts, illustrates the truth that a clear vision does not necessarily indicate a green light to begin. In fact, I have witnessed a good many people with what seemed to be God-ordained visions charge out of the starting gates too early. As a pastor I have counseled with dozens of men and women who were in the process of determining the source of a concern or burden they carried. While developing the material for this book I interviewed several Christian men and women who have visioneered ideas into successful enterprises. If it is God who has begun painting a picture of what could and should be on the canvas of your heart, over time you will begin to sense that not to follow through would be tantamount to an act of disobedience. Time allows your heavenly Father to transition what begins as an idea into a moral compulsion. A second indicator is that there will always be alignment between a divinely originated vision and God’s master plan for this age. As we said at the outset, at Calvary we lost our right to devise our own plans and pursue our own agendas. All divinely inspired visions are in some way tied into God’s master plan. Whether it is loving your wife, investing in your kids, witnessing to your neighbor, launching a ministry, or starting a company, every divinely placed burden has a link to a bigger picture. It was Israel’s strategic role in God’s plan that made Nehemiah’s vision so compelling. Visions are often born in the soul of a man or woman who is gripped by a tension between what is and what should be.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Andy Stanley has done a masterful job sharing how an ordinary man like Nehemiah, and me for that matter, can lead courageously in a way that honors God."
"We always hope of having 1 grand vision, but reality is that we have different normal visions in different areas of our lives."
"Having envisioned many possibilities, and had others look at me like was crazy, this book provides a sense of peace, meaning and how to endure if you believe in your vision."
"It was recommended to me by a mentor and business owners of a world renown aerospace technology company."
"The bible claims we have all been created for good works (Ephesians 2:10) and Andy Stanley helps us identify and pursue those good works with energy and passion."
"This book does a great job of helping you focus, develop and organize your vision in life."
"Thought provoking and insightful."
"A must read for everyone."
Best Phonetics & Phonics
Foundations of Voice Studies provides a comprehensive description and analysis of the multifaceted role that voice quality plays in human existence. Kreiman and Sidtis cover virtually every topic ever examined in voice science and blend in their own considerable experience and insight to produce a volume that is both readable and engaging." "Covering everything from anatomy, physiology and neural substrates to processing and even forensic applications-- in a highly accessible format--Kreiman and Sidtis have drawn together perspectives on voice from a wide range of disciplines, making this volume an excellent resource for students, clinical professionals, and scholars alike." The authors are not only pioneers themselves in carrying out fundamental research on many of the key topics covered in the book, but they have managed to organize and synthesize an enormous body of literature and put it together in one easily accessible place.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Although aimed primarily at researchers and practitioners in the field, for whom it seems an invaluable resource, this book is also of interest to anyone who uses or listens to voice; that is, virtually everyone. The authors also employ well-chosen humor, like a cartoon showing a blackboard with a complicated mathematical equation containing as one step, "then a miracle occurs" to illustrate one of a series of mental processes in voice perception which is not well understood."
"Kreiman and Sidtis do a spectacular job with lacing each chapter with poetic language and humor-not an easy thing to do with the topics outlined in the book."
"One concern my professor has is that they tend to reference every paper written in the related field without filtering."
"A clearly written comprehensive and scholarly review of voice science."
"make everyday use of analyzing and controlling communication by the non-word aspects of vocal production ("prosody" seems like the handiest single term for the phenomenon), and yet as thoroughly as we are enmeshed in this aspect of human communication we rely on common sense and guesswork. This was to me a wake-up call that in producing written advocacy (I'm at attorney) I should make liberal use of punctuation, contrasting fonts, page layouts, subheadings, and footnotes to approximate the clues I could be giving were I always given the luxury of presenting my points verbally."
"The only comprehensive overview of voice studies."
Best Prayerbooks
In her groundbreaking book, Supernal Grace, Elenah Kangara shows you how to come back to yourself to rediscover your destiny and treasures that are not somewhere out there but waiting in the place where you are looking from. Supernal Grace leads you to begin to experience the reality of what God imagined you to be from before the world began. With riveting compassion birthed from detours, deeply personal struggles, and ultimate victories in life, Elenah Kangara calls us to encounter redeeming love and experience: Read Supernal Grace and unlock your destiny; your creative, free, abundant life full of the flavor of God! If you're in search of a more peaceful existence or seek to better understand your true self, this book will take you there gently. There are biblical verses included, but the book is not about man-made religion so much as understanding our relationship with ourselves, other people and with life itself. Despite that I'm not Christian but I appreciated that the author intended her voice to reach the soul with its innate embedded knowledge. Supernal Grace is a book that everyone can relate to and, if open, can help the reader embrace life for what it truly is; a gift. Personally I find the message of the book of utmost importance and urgency in a world that is rapidly becoming identified with having rather than being . However, when we live in the model she describes, our reality transcends time, space, and matter and we experience true freedom . I found the lyrical writing very visual and experiencing Elenah's perspective on the exceptional in life with God added a level of understanding for me of the beauty and passion with which believers dwell in their faith and destiny. Once again God in his infinite mercies and grace has revealed through Elenah Kangara nuggets to glean on that will propel any serious reader or seeker to greater heights and transform you into newness of life; if one is willing and obedient to take heed and apply the truths shared in this book. So often we misinterpret the purpose and power of Grace.Growing up in church I heard many speak of Grace as God's unmerited favor. Elenah Kangara takes the reader on an eyeopening journey into the myriad treasures of divinely given Supernal Grace thatempowers us to conquer the perils of life and thusly live according to God'soriginal purpose and plans for our lives.This book exposes and defies the lies our adversary often employs tohold us in bondage with regards to our true IDENTITY in Christ. As you read, may you be filled with clarityand courage to embrace the biblical truths on Supernal Grace and as did theSons of Issachar, accurately discern your times. Cassandra RobertsonThe Voice Season 9Psalmist, Speaker, Author, ActivistAlbum: Hold On God has graced Elenah Kangara with profound revelation and rhema on living as the spiritual being He created us to be while in this vessel of clay.Expect to be blessed beyond measure when you read this book, Supernal Grace.All Praises and Glory to our Father which is in Heaven!Elenah Kangara is a mighty prayer warrior, praying for others and seeing manifestation. When Elenah Kangara found herself vulnerable and tainted with past hurts, ideologies and unhealthy attachments, she met Supernal Grace.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Supernal Grace is a book that everyone can relate to and, if open, can help the reader embrace life for what it truly is; a gift."
"I found the lyrical writing very visual and experiencing Elenah's perspective on the exceptional in life with God added a level of understanding for me of the beauty and passion with which believers dwell in their faith and destiny."
"The Grace offered by Christ is sometimes difficult to understand, perhaps because it is so simple while being all encompassing at the same time. The author does an exceptional job in pulling us into understanding Grace and our position in the universe. The author makes abundant use of wonderful colorful metaphors to help us understand the messages given."
"Some books have a way of speaking to your heart and “Supernal Grace” is one of those books."
"As Ms. Kangara shares some of her personal story and struggles and how she uses "Faith" to bring about change in her life... to a state of Supernal Grace."
Best Court Rules Procedures
Described by many lawyers as the bible of New York practice, Siegel's Hornbook on New York Practice serves as the complete guide to civil practice in New York state courts, with a broad perspective in each subject.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"New York deviates from the federal civil procedure model in a number of ways so this book will help an attorney come to grips with the unusual aspects of New York civil practice. I recommend it for attorneys as well as pro se litigants who lack the resources and training to navigate New York civil practice and motions without some help."
"A fundamentally sound book on courtroom procedure."
"Excellent companion for the new practitioner."
"Could be more concise."
"Very useful as fundamental overview or refresher of NYS practice protocols with due emphasis on the prevalence and application of the CPLR in civil litigation, as well as how that omnibus statute is adjusted by or supersedes case law."
"This manual is a must seek for any person looking for true facts of a matter, and how matters are handled by law."
"Purchased by mistake."
Best Christian Ethics
While excess consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, fancier technology, and cluttered homes, it never brings happiness. In The More of Less , Joshua Becker helps you... • Recognize the life-giving benefits of owning less. • Realize how all the stuff you own is keeping you from pursuing your dreams. • Craft a personal, practical approach to decluttering your home and life. • Experience the joys of generosity. • Learn why the best part of minimalism isn’t a clean house, it’s a full life. The beauty of minimalism isn’t in what it takes away. With practical suggestions and encouragement to personalize your own minimalist style, Joshua Becker shows you why minimizing possessions is the best way to maximize life. I’m so thankful for Joshua’s clear vision for what life can be when we choose to surround ourselves with less stuff, and how in doing so, we create more space for living and dreaming.”. — Shauna Niequist , author of Bread & Wine and Savor “Joshua Becker is a distinguished voice in the modern minimalism movement. Open this book to unburden your life and give oxygen to what matters most.”. — Rachel Macy Stafford , New York Times bestselling author of Hands Free Mama and Hands Free Life. “In his latest book, The More of Less , Joshua Becker leads you through the steps of finding the life you want by getting to the heart of what you need. If you have been looking for a practical, actionable guide to help you find a simpler and more fulfilling way of living, this is the book you need.”. — Patrick Rhone , author of Enough. “Often our biggest fear about living with less is that we might miss out, but Joshua Becker explains with crystal clarity just how much we have to gain from the minimalist lifestyle. “ The More of Less is a great guide to starting and maintaining a life of simplicity.”. — Ryan Nicodemus , creator of theminimalists.com and co-author of Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life. “Joshua Becker is simply promoting a way to do life that is more than attractive—it’s a really big idea that will radically change lives. Joshua Becker is the founder and editor of Becoming Minimalist, a website that inspires millions around the world to own fewer possessions and find greater fulfillment in life.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Here's why: Several years ago, the author realized his habit of constant accumulation of stuff was making his life--and his family's life--worse. The author explains the temptation to get bogged down with things--too many things that aren't really important. The author relates the story of taking his young son to the store, and just trying to buy one toy. The author emphasizes that this is not really a book about organizing. Joshua cites two Biblical stories to make an important point, namely, different people will be called to different roles in life. This new way of life is more a matter of deciding what is important--not just having numerically fewer objects. Rather, it's a matter of pursuing more worthy goals--goals which are unique and right, just for you: "I am free to pursue my relationship with God with less distraction and more freedom.""
"I thought that all I needed was an answer for the way my brain worked, my procrastination, a better system of organizing, or a 5 Star system to tackle the 18 loads of laundry I was doing every night at 12 am (really this is no joke as I would hastily huff and puff slinging the clothes around wondering why in the world I could never keep up with all these clothes)."
"In the months I’ve been reading his blog, I have pared down my wardrobe to only the essentials, I have decided to cut out cable and only watch Netflix/HBO Go, I focus more on the time with my children and wife, and I eat dinner at the (clean) table with my family more often. Mr. Becker does not espouse an extreme philosophy of minimalism, but rather, a down-to-earth practical way of living with only the essential stuff that provides value to your life. Pros: The book meets you where you are and take you where you want to go (he calls it minimalism your way, and there is a whole chapter on it). Full of case studies, introducing you to multiple different personalities within the minimalism movement. Full of experiments for declutter, saving, and living a more fulfilled life. Gives advice on how to declutter your house and make money getting rid of stuff the easy way. Gives advice on how to save money. Gives advice on how to make a difference in the world with all the money and time you will be saving. Cons: [Not a con for me] Some people may be turned off by some of the Christian references. It will make you think before making purchases. It may cause marital issues if your significant other doesn’t read the book first to know why you are throwing things out and saving money on purchases. While The More of Less will help you achieve a clean closet, living room, car, or whatever you want to declutter, the best part is that it helps guide you in creating space. If you do this, I promise you will find what you are seeking; leading you to a happier, more generous, purposeful, lighter life than you could have ever imagined possible."
Best Christian Anthropology
Dissolve the distractions of ego to find our authentic selves in God In his bestselling book Falling Upward, Richard Rohr talked about ego (or the False Self) and how it gets in the way of spiritual maturity. Shows how to navigate spiritually difficult terrain with clear vision and tools to uncover our True Selves Written by Father Richard Rohr, the bestselling author of Falling Upward Examines the fundamental issues of who we are and helps us on our path of spiritual maturity. When I use the term False Self, I mean that it is the self we manufacture and adopt to find our identity in the world—our jobs, our occupations, our religion, our culture, our sources of status. How do the concepts of True Self and False Self relate to the questions you explored in Falling Upward ? If you don’t find or recover your True Self, you remain in the first half of life forever, as many people do. Your True Self is the only part of you that really has access to the big questions, things like love, suffering, death, God. It’s not some kind of magical transaction that takes place between you and God, but the death of the passing self, the one you have created for yourself. In other words, once you have experienced the little losses and failings or falling upwards, you know at a deep level that you’ve been there before and none of it is going to kill you. If you don't learn how to die early, ahead of time, you spend your life avoiding all failure, humiliation, loss, and you're not ready for the last death. It may be necessary, but if you are living in that world, that revolving hall of mirrors, you so get enchanted with these reflections of what everybody thinks you are or wants you to be that you forget or you never discover who you really are before you did anything right or anything wrong, before you had your name, your reputation, your education, your family, your culture. The metaphor immortal diamond came from a poem by the Jesuit Englishman, Gerard Manley Hopkins. The last lines of this beautiful poem say, “I am all at once what Christ is, since he was what I am, and/ This Jack, joke, poor potsherd, patch, matchwood, immortal diamond,/ Is immortal diamond.” When I first wanted to clarify this notion of True Self/False Self, I immediately said that's going to be the, the metaphor. So many roles and identities shape individual lives that it's easy to be confused about what is authentically "us." Rohr, a Franciscan priest and founding director of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, N.Mex., leads a narrative excursion to the "True Self," the core of character that lies like a diamond buried within. Grasping onto the superficial identities of the false self, such as job, class, race, or accomplishments, can keep people from being the loving and generous conduits of the Divine that they are meant to be. God is always communicating with humans, but those who cling to ego and social position can’t hear these divine messages. The author makes clear that it is not easy to shed this falseness for truth in the inner life, but it is a spiritual path well worth the effort.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Also, this book arrived in top condition with fast shipping--thank you to the seller!"
"An important reading for anyone looking to move out the foibles of the lower self as well as the strictures of culture, especially pertaining to the Christian church, toward an expansive view of a higher self in loving relationship with God."
"Spiritual gift for the heart."
"God is love and relationship and we are made with that love within us--in the image of God."
"To observe both the False Self & the True Self in the way Richard Rohr describes is like a ton of bricks being removed from my shoulders."
"So I went on vacation with this Book and Dan Browns Book " Inferno" About half way through the week I pick this book up and started to read."
"I have just started reading it and I am finding much to ponder and many spiritual insights."
"LOVE Richard Rohr."
Best Christology
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A lucid, intelligent page-turner” ( Los Angeles Times ) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus, from the host of Believer Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. A vivid, persuasive portrait.” — Salon “This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process.” — San Francisco Chronicle “A special and revealing work, one that believer and skeptic alike will find surprising, engaging, and original.” —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power “Compulsively readable . Q. Yours is one of the few popular biographies of Jesus of Nazareth that does not rely on the gospels as your primary source of information for uncovering Jesus’ life. A. I certainly rely on the gospels to provide a narrative outline to my biography of Jesus of Nazareth, but my primary source in recreating Jesus’ life are historical writings about first century Palestine, like the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, as well as Roman documents of the time. In other words, the gospels tell us about Jesus the Christ, not Jesus the man. To get to the bottom of that mystery, which is what I try to do in the book, one must sift through the gospel stories to analyze their claims about Jesus in light of the historical facts we know about the time and world in which Jesus lived. But the more I read the Bible – especially in college, where I began my formal study of the New Testament – the more I uncovered a wide chasm between the Jesus of history and the Jesus I learned about in church. But the irony is that once I detached my academic study of Jesus from my faith in Christ, I became an even more fervent follower of Jesus of Nazareth. So in a way, this book is my attempt to spread the good news of Jesus the man with the same passion that I once applied to spreading the good news of Jesus the Christ. The key to understanding who Jesus was and what Jesus meant lies in understanding the times in which he lived. Aslan, who authored the much acclaimed No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, offers a compelling argument for a fresh look at the Nazarene, focusing on how Jesus the man evolved into Jesus the Christ. Approaching the subject from a purely academic perspective, the author parts an important curtain that has long hidden from view the man Jesus, who is every bit as compelling, charismatic, and praiseworthy as Jesus the Christ. Carefully comparing extra-biblical historical records with the New Testament accounts, Aslan develops a convincing and coherent story of how the Christian church, and in particular Paul, reshaped Christianity's essence, obscuring the very real man who was Jesus of Nazareth.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There's nothing in this book that would surprise a person (like myself) who has read pretty much all of the accessible scholarship on Jesus published in the last 30 or so years. 2) Aslan takes the position that Jesus was a zealot for God and God's Temple, but (and this is repeated several times in the book) he was not a member of the Zealot Party, which wouldn't arise until over 30 years after Jesus' death. 3) Aslan doesn't stop with the death of Jesus, and, as someone writing history, not hagiography, he carefully notes that he can't pass judgment on whether Jesus' resurrection occurred, because it is not a historical event but an event of faith. (For example, Luke 16:19 points out that the rich man in Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus wore purple and fine linen and all four gospels are agreed that Jesus was buried in linen.). Moreover, if Aslan was pushing Islam, you'd think that he'd make a point of saying, "Well, Islam considers Jesus a prophet," but he doesn't."
"I read this book primarily because some of the negative reviews were so hysterical in their fear that I was curious what the big deal is. His job as an academic is to present a thesis, develop it based on both evidence and his theories of meaning and then let the reading community judge it."
"Once I began reading it, I could not put this book down."
"An interesting book apparently well researched by a religion scholar."
"Terrific book, Well researched."
"A thourogh and at times, painstaking, deconstruction of who we think we know as Jesus."
"The Aslan book struck me as lucid, unpretentious, coherent, and above all far. more plausible than anything else I have read in the area of organized religion. or religious history."
"It must have been difficult for the author to not exercise his opinions but for the most part he tried to present all sides of the life of Jesus."
Best Systematic Christian Theology
The Christian church has a long tradition of systematic theology, that is, studying theology and doctrine organized around fairly standard categories such as the Word of God, redemption, and Jesus Christ. His Systematic Theology provides the core theology content for all my classes and most of the other undergraduate theology courses at the University. No other theology text combines readability, range of views, and the ever-essential quality of reinforcing our systematic theologies with scripture… Each chapter closes with application questions, special terms, additional bibliography, a cross-section of other systematic texts with page numbers, a passage for memory, and a hymn…all centered on the theology of that chapter.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love the book and is a great tool to use for studying my bible."
"Every believer should own this book."
"Good purchase, be prepared for some meat!"
"I bought this as a kindle version but I know wish I had the hardcover version."
"A perfect guide to assist in communicating the truth."
Best Soteriology Christian Theology
In this new twentieth anniversary edition, John Bevere shows you how to identify the traps ahead of you and escape the victim mentality. With declaration-style prayers and testimonials from people whose lives have been changed by his message, this book will inspire you to stay free from offense and its destructive power. His desire is to support the local church and resource leaders regardless of location, language, or financial position.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Before reading The Bait of Satan, I was sure when living a life in service to God, you would often be tested by the words and actions of those who had not yet found Christ. I believed as stated in Matthew 5: 10, "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". I believed the offense I felt was evidence of my persecution, that as stated in 1 Peter, 3:14, I am blessed if I suffer for the sake of righteousness. I realized while reading this book I have to unlearn, by the grace of God, over a half century of self centered belief."
"I was pleasantly surprised that with this edition Bevere added a 30 day study guide that will aid in applying what was read to your personal life."
"Satan here was taken in "context" - meaning an adversary - we can meet those anywhere!!!"
"This book is great."
"This is a great tool to help set you free from the bondage of offense!"
"A great read!!!"
"I am only 1 chapter into this book, and my life, as well as my families lives are being changed already!"
"The book was thorough and we all learned so much."
Best Apologetics Christian Theology
Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. In 1943 Great Britain, when hope and the moral fabric of society were threatened by the relentless inhumanity of global war, an Oxford don was invited to give a series of radio lectures addressing the central issues of Christianity. He describes those doctrines that the four major denominations in Britain (Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic) would have in common, e.g., original sin, the transcendent Creator God, and the divinity of Jesus as well as his atonement and bodily resurrection.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is a timeless classic that is as true today as when it was originally penned by Lewis as a series of talks given in London over the BBC during the challenging days of WW2. As you work through this great book take some time to digest the material in each chapter and reflect upon the material that Lewis covers and the thoroughness of his argument and perspectives."
"He expertly (and extensively) uses metaphor to help mere humans understand the incomprehensible facts about God. Lewis's explanation of Christian doctrine from the ground up helps the Christian fill in the blank parts of their theological understanding."
"Dr. Lewis covers important Christian teachings and avoids getting bogged down with controversies and esoteric theological language."
"Lewis wrote this book, he was oblivious to how couples behaved /dealt with each other as he had not been in a serious relationship or marriage."
"Lewis reaches the real world of the believer in spite of the horrid and disgusting false facade that institutions, organizations and the "so called" smear over the faith."
"This book is a very interesting read for Christians, regardless of your religious background."
"A health issue, which was misdiagnosed, made reading nearly impossible for the last twenty five years, though life has it's own way of taking up time in any case. I didn't know if these were novels, theological texts, apologetic tomes, or... just what to expect."
"Mere Christianity is a GREAT book, but DO NOT BUY THIS VERSION."
Best Pneumatology Christian Theology
Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church's power—the Holy Spirit. -- Francis Chan is the founder of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. The author of the bestselling Crazy Love pleads passionately for the church to live by the power of the forgotten God: the Holy Spirit. Calling Christians to more than just a better life, Chan says he wants to live a life unexplainable without the Holy Spirit, so dependent on the Spirit that, he says, if he doesn't come through, I'm screwed. He offers vivid personal stories and illustrations about how the church ought to help Christians discern the powerful gifts of the Spirit, rather than toning down radicals. Through solid scriptural support and compelling narrative, breakthrough author Francis Chan returns us to the Holy Spirit as the Bible describes Him.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about growing in their relationship with God or for anyone who wants to understand what life as a follower of Jesus Christ could/should look like."
"Jesus died to make it possible for us to receive Holy Spirit, and we can’t live the redeemed life apart from Him."
"I liked the way this was written l found it very enlightening and informative."
"A great study book for our Sunday school class."
"I have bought it in book form and given it to many people because of the powerful truths in this book."
"He does this primarily through sharing testimonies of believers who exemplified spirit-filled lives (such as Joni Eareckson Tada and Francis Schaeffer), and by gently confronting pre-conceived notions about the work and purpose of the Spirit through asking tough questions ("I think most of us would...choose a physical Jesus over an invisible Spirit. and pointing out uncomfortable truths ("Let's be honest: If you combine a charismatic speaker, a talented worship band, and some hip, creative events, people will attend your church."
"There are a lot of questions in here that most ppl are afraid to ask."
"Really good book.... my goto recommended book."
Best Theological Eschatology
Colton, not yet four years old, told his parents he left his body during the surgery–and authenticated that claim by describing exactly what his parents were doing in another part of the hospital while he was being operated on. Retold by his father, but using Colton’s uniquely simple words, Heaven Is for Real offers a glimpse of the world that awaits us, where as Colton says, “Nobody is old and nobody wears glasses.”. To see a brand new note from Colton regarding the truth behind other "Heaven" stories, go to heavenlive.org/colton.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It's a great story, and offers such encouragement to Christians and non-Christians alike. It offers explanations of the knotty questions most thoughtful people wrestle with: Why do bad things happen to good people? I found it refreshing that the narrator, a Christian preacher and pastor, had these same questions."
"While the underlying story of Colton Burpo's brush with death; his parents' renewed faith in God's eternal plan; and a perspective of Heaven, death/dying, eternal life, Christ from the eyes of a child is truly inspiring - it is difficult not to take this story with a heavy dose of skepticism."
"Many of my friends and family have read this book and I had always meant to read it."
"I know heaven is real."
"This book may not be the best for you."
"Years later in my twenties I saw photo of grandma and told Mom and Dad it was grandma not the lady that lived next door. I cried and told them grandma has been watching over me."
"This is an enjoyable read with some ups and downs of the family stories that only strengthen the words written. It's written over a few years and it's amazing when he finally sees a picture of Jesus."
"It starts off with his Father who is a Pastor telling us all about his troubles and woe's, never having enough money and so many other things I lost count."
Best Angelology & Demonology
A Volume Containing. The First Book of Enoch (The Ethiopic Book of Enoch). The Second Book of Enoch (The Slavonic Secrets of Enoch). The Third Book of Enoch (The Hebrew Book of Enoch). The Book of Fallen Angels, The Watchers, and the Origins of Evil: With Expanded Commentary on Enoch, Angels, Prophecies and Calendars in the Sacred Texts -. The Books of Enoch: A Complete Volume Containing - 1 Enoch (The Ethiopic Book of Enoch), 2 Enoch (The Slavonic Secrets of Enoch), 3 Enoch (The Hebrew Book of Enoch). Now Lumpkin has completed his work on The Third Book of Enoch. Dr. Lumpkin has appeared on Radio, Television, and Internet shows as a guest speaker on subjects of Fallen Angels, Church History, Religion, Theology, The Sacred Feminine, and the Axial Age.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My mother use to tell me to read the Book of Enoch all the time but I never listened to her. She was well read, overly intelligent to the point where no one really could talk to her about the BIble or the history except Cardinals which really didn't talk about the Book of Enoch but knew of it."
"The book of Enoch will not take you away from the bible but actually confirms it I dont know why they ever took it out of the bible it explains alot of questions people might have on Giants and the nephilim angels and stuff."
"Received quickly with no issues."