The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have starkly reminded us of the realities that threaten our future on planet Earth. Christian faith is not a way of escaping these realities, but of engaging them in the struggle for justice and peace—motivated by love, enabled by faith and sustained by hope. This is based on the conviction that in Jesus Christ the reality of God has become redemptively embodied within the reality of the world. Written within the context of South Africa but with global vision, and in conversation with the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this book is an attempt to stir up discussion and inform action in connecting worldly and transcendent reality. Inevitably this will be controversial, not least because that is something that Bonhoeffer risked. This is certainly true when it comes to the five realities that provide much of the book’s substance: the persistence of racism, the will-to-power, scientism and soulless technology, the conflict in Israel-Palestine, and the threat of wars and pandemics. Is it possible to believe in the God of Jesus Christ in such a world? If so, what does that mean, and how does it help us live creatively, redemptively, and faithfully? To answer these questions, the author examines the meaning of faith; the human desire for transcendence; and the need for conversion, wisdom, solidarity, and responsible freedom.

Facing Reality is an introduction to philosophy which examines central issues in philosophy from an interdisciplinary, multicultural and applied manner. It covers the traditional areas of philosophy such as the nature of knowledge, ethics, free will, the existence of God, life after death, the nature of science and political philosophy. In addition, it covers topics usually not found in introductory texts such as obstacles to rationality, theories of happiness, world religions and the meaning of life. Each chapter has a summary, questions for review, recommended films, suggested readings and dilemmas for discussion. There are also sections entitled "Philosophy in Life" where philosophical ideas are applied to current issues and debates.

Why do some fashion organizations succeed and others don’t? How do the best fashion brands achieve long lasting success? What do the best fashion companies do that set them apart? Why some companies make it to the top only to go bankrupt a few years later? Is fashion dying? Some seem to think so. Or is it merely a matter of mismanagement? Ralph Lauren closed his flagship Polo store. But Amancio Ortega’s fashion empire is still strong, making him one of the richest men in the entire world across all industries. In this book, we will examine what makes a great fashion company and brand. We look at five key dynamics from various perspectives: • Leadership • Problem solving • Vision • How we see our people • Building creativity and innovation There is no magic bullet that solves everything. There is no overnight success. But there are tested techniques that, when used consistently, build the momentum of an organization until it is unstoppable. It takes a certain amount of toughness to get there, and Michael Kors said it best, “fashion is not for sissies.” Collaborators include: Albert Puyol - CEO - LVMH, Women'secret, Brownie Nikhil Nathwani - Retail Director - CH Carolina Herrera, Swarovski, The Body Shop Camilla Amalie Wildfang - Design Manager - Bestseller HK Limited

The need to merge churches is growing ever more crucial as congregations assess how to thrive in cultural diversity and ever-changing times. Every denomination faces the urgency to shift from maintenance to mission, and from survival to renewal. Church Mergers offers churches of all sizes and traditions practical advice on how to merge successfully. Authors Thomas G. Bandy and Page M. Brooks draw on decades of experience to illustrate why and how missional mergers are possible. Church Mergers guides congregational leaders and regional planners through the process of successful mergers. It shares the stories of four churches in the merger process, explaining the steps to assess their situations, build trust, and discern vision. The book offers guidance to assess the potential for merger, explore contextual relevancy and lifestyle compatibility, overcome internal and external obstacles, define strategic priorities, create new boards, build leadership teams, combine assets, and more. Church Mergers shows that a faithful, healthy, missional merger is possible, and it illustrates that the whole can indeed be greater than the sum of its parts.

Hope is not an attitude—it’s a way of life. Therapist Ted Brackman, a colleague of Jim Wallis in the early Sojourners community, mines psychological, theological, and sociological insights in this practical and compassionate guide for “living well while ill.” Ted’s work was deepened by his eleven years with pancreatic cancer (after a nine-month prognosis). He developed and lived out a way of life animated by hope in the transcendent reality of God’s future coming to us in the present. In his writing, he is an honest, inspiring companion: • for those who struggle to face the next hour with courage and strength. • for those who feel defeated and need a new way forward that reframes the present. • for caregivers and advocates who need new tools for replenishing both internal and external resources. • for communities of faith seeking to bring change to, and empowering hope within, marginalized populations. For all those ready to find a new way of living when false hopes and distractions are stripped away, to learn how to build a foundation for personal, communal, and social thriving . . . Ted Brackman offers Bright Hope.

With over one million books sold, Dr. Myles Munroe has been used by God to teach and influence readers around the world. Now comes his very first yearly devotional, based on several of his best-selling books. Over the course of a year, Dr. Munroe will encourage and teach you in the area of spiritual power and prayer, while also providing a Scripture reading to help you read through the entire Bible. Let Dr. Munroe help you develop a daily appointment with God and you will: Discover the authority of prayer. Overcome obstacles to answered prayer. Understand the power of fasting. Learn the role of God's Word in prayer. Enter into God's presence as you become a person of prayer. See for yourself how spending a few moments in God's power and presence can affect every area of your life.

As parents, we used to feel secure in our children being safely watched over in our nation's schools. We drop them off in the morning, make sure they have their lunches and homework, kiss them good-bye, and happily go about our day- never even fathoming that we may never again see their smile, hear their giggle, feel their touch, tuck them in at night...But, tragically, the families of the five victims of the Jonesboro shooting now know that pain. But Jonesboro is not the only town affected by misdirected, misunderstood children. While the media pounced on this story, seizing the opportunity to mount their proverbial soapboxes to address the issues, few- if any- took the time to really research the facts. "Experts" were quick to give their hasty analyses, turning this calamity into a pop symbol of our social decline. During this upheaval, Arkansas govenor Mike Huckabee met with the grieving people of Jonesboro, the victim's families, the Arkansas law enforcement officials, and felt compelled to address this issue- not as just another authoritative voice, but as a concerned citizen with a strong desire to move forward with hope, confidence, and security.Governor Huckabee uses the pages of this book to explore this crisis looming over our country. As a former pastor and state official, Huckabee has first-hand experience with the demise of our nation. This experience qualifies him to examine the cultural demoralization and the current fascination with anti-heroes. Huckabee pulls everything together and proposes a key to recovery- the return to basic values: faith, family, work, and community.

What if a dance could save your life? The ancient art of dance, mixed with religion has long been intriguing to mankind. Dancing probably originated out of a heart of gratitude. Someone long, long ago, felt something so delightful, and heart-rending that jumping, leaping and twisting the body was the only possible response. During the course of our life, we will jump and leap for many things, or in honor of some idol we hold dear; how beneficial to refocus that energy to a noble cause! This book uses the metaphor of dance to describe the majestic encounter of a life lived covered by the blood of Jesus the Christ.

Learn to Pray—And Change the World // "You're in Our Prayers" has become a cliche. Just a nice thing to say when we see someone struggling. But do we really understand the power of prayer? God, God Almighty, God the Creator of the heavens and the earth, God the Beginning and the End, God the Source of all that is, God the Creator of man—the same God, in all His power and all His majesty, stops and listens when you pray. God has given humanity the ability to bring heaven to earth. Whether you know it or not, you have the authority to change the world through prayer. When God said, “Let mankind rule over all the earth,” He was arranging the dominion of the world so that the partnership of mankind was essential for the accomplishment of His purposes. Through his unique perspective on this often-misunderstood subject, best-selling author Dr. Myles Munroe takes the mystery out of prayer, providing practical answers for difficult questions about communicating with God. All that God is—and all that God has—may be received through prayer. Everything you need to fulfill your purpose on earth is available to you through prayer. The biblically based, time-tested principles in this book will ignite and transform the way you pray. Be prepared to enter into a new dimension of faith, a deeper revelation of God’s love, and a renewed understanding that your prayers can truly move the hand of God. This expanded edition includes study questions for individual or small group use.

Bends and Shades is a profile of a life journey. As the surrounding setting, societal values and practices underwent unexpected changes, that life would be seen in a new perspective with every bend. Unprecedented political developments in the India-Pakistan-Bangladesh subcontinent impacted that journey too as did the evolving social fabric of life in the context of different faiths, discrete practices, and divergent but often conducive community living. Some of these bends touch upon the specific characteristics of certain races and societies while other bends capture historical specifics pertaining to geo-political conflicts including the Taliban phenomena and current fight against terrorism. Another touches upon the enigma faced by many immigrants, particularly in raising children in foreign lands, and highlights the need for better integration with their adopted society. As each bend in a river is shaded with different fragrance, so too the bends in the long arc of life