These poems, written when the author was in her seventies and eighties, recall the joys and sadness of earlier times, life as a widow after nearly sixty years of marriage, and the emotions that overwhelmed her after the death of her husband. Ultimately, these are contemplations on a loving, fulfilling, and in many ways, remarkable life. Gloria Fox was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, but has been a long-time resident of New York City. She began writing prose and poetry after her husband died in 2007, and she went on to write a memoir, One More Time: A Journey of Love and Loss, which was published in 2016. This is her first collection of poems.

The plot of "Out of the Silence" is set in Australia, and involves the discovery of a gigantic, buried sphere, containing the accumulated knowledge of a past civilization.

At the height of the Lebanese civil war in the 1980s over 100 foreign civilians were taken hostage by Islamic Jihad. As the Archbishop of Canterbury’s special envoy, Terry Waite conducted several successful missions to negotiate the release of numerous hostages. But in January 1987, while on one of his many visits to Beirut, he was captured himself. Imprisoned for nearly five years, four of them in solitary confinement, he was chained, beaten, frequently blindfolded, and subjected to a mock execution. In this moving sequence of poems and reflections Terry Waite recalls the highs and lows of his life, both during that ordeal and throughout the happier years of humanitarian work that have followed. They give us a glimpse into the depths of faith, hope and love that sustained him through that intense time of suffering. They also take us into memories of his later life, reminding us of the joy to be found in meaningful work, and in the humanity we share with those around us. Out of the Silence not only offers a rare insight into one man’s experience in the throes of a bitter conflict of the past; it also bears witness to the enduring power of forgiveness, truth and reconciliation in the face of adverse forces still at work in the world today.

"Out of the Silent Planet" by C.S. Lewis is a captivating work of science fiction that takes readers on an extraordinary journey to the mysterious planet Malacandra. In this first installment of Lewis's Space Trilogy, the narrative unfolds with the story of Dr. Elwin Ransom, a linguistics professor, who finds himself unexpectedly transported to an alien world. As Ransom explores the vibrant and diverse landscapes of Malacandra, he encounters strange creatures, learns the planet's unique languages, and grapples with the profound differences between Earth and this distant celestial body. Soon, he discovers that the fate of both worlds hangs in the balance, and he must navigate political intrigue, cosmic forces, and his own internal conflicts to ensure the survival of humanity. With themes of interplanetary exploration, cultural clash, and the spiritual dimensions of existence, Lewis weaves a tale that goes beyond the conventions of traditional science fiction. "Out of the Silent Planet" stands as a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, morality, and the interconnectedness of the universe, showcasing Lewis's imaginative prowess and philosophical depth.

In an elegant but contemporary voice, award-winning author Susan Griffin breaks down the creative process step-by-step, guiding the reader through a practical course in how to begin and end a work of literature, whether fiction or nonfiction, poetry, or prose The distinguished author of more than twenty-two books, many award-winning, Susan Griffin distills daily wisdom garnered from more than five decades teaching creative writing and editing manuscripts, as well as from her own writing. This collection of brief but ultimately pithy chapters designed to help beginning writers get started also guides experienced writers through blocks and difficulties of all kinds. Organized according to a practical timeline, Out of Silence, Sound. Out of Nothing, Something. elucidates the process of writing from beginning to end, presenting an approach that is similar to the practice of meditation as it encourages and enlarges the mind’s intrinsic capacity for creativity. An autobiographical account, a sometimes humorous, at times moving essay called “How I Learned to Write” is threaded throughout the book.

The famous "Space Trilogy" of C.S Lewis deals with what he saw as the dehumanizing trends in contemporary science fiction. The first book, Out of the Silent Planet, was apparently written following a conversation with his friend J.R.R. Tolkien about these trends. Lewis's main character Elwin Ransom is based in part on Tolkien, a fact to which Tolkien alludes in his letters. The second novel, Perelandra, depicts a new Garden of Eden on the planet Venus, a new Adam and Eve, and a new "serpent figure" to tempt Eve. The story can be seen as an account of what might have happened if the terrestrial Adam had defeated the serpent and avoided the Fall of Man, with Ransom intervening in the novel to "ransom" the new Adam and Eve from the deceptions of the enemy. The third novel, That Hideous Strength, develops the theme of nihilistic science threatening traditional human values, embodied in Arthurian legend. Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was a British novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic and lay theologian. He is best known for his fictional work, especially The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy

Most of us are American, yet not fully acknowledged as American. Asian Americans are plagued with this awareness. We have been in the United States in significant numbers for 150 years. . . . Today, we Asian Americans find ourselves in the midst of opposing tides swirling around us. One current carries us across old enmities toward a solidarity of all people of Asian descent, another urges retreat to the nostalgia of our individual cultures and ethnic groups, and yet a third demands a just place in the larger American society, where many of us are still treated as strangers. --from the Introduction Fumitaka Matsuoka has written a rare and candid theological discussion of Asian Americans, their Christian faith, and racial/ethnic interactions in the United States. Out of Silence probes into particular religious expressions by presenting a description and analysis of the experiences of Asian American Christians of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and Korean ancestry. The response to these challenging experiences - far too long ignored--offers new models and dynamics to the work of reconciling humanity. Matsuoka's eloquent treatment of the Asian American church speaks to all Christians--the liberation of each group shall be the bond that unites us all.

This book is about WAR--not the causes and results, not the planning and the campaigns, not the artillery and the bombs. It is about the heinous crimes committed by the combatants, the horrifying experiences of civilians, the devastation of cities and villages, the killing and the dying, the glory leading to revulsion and guilt, and the assimilation of suffering that either ends in death or in the triumph of the soul. It looks at the struggle of the church to remain faithful and the servants of the church who seek to bring sense and solace to the victims. It discusses antisemitism, racism, and war itself from biblical perspectives. It reveals the unjustifiable reasons for engaging in war and how this brings catastrophic results for all peoples--the mental instability of the survivors and the loss and grief of those on the home front. In war, how can men and women carry out the actions that they do? As Viktor Frankl writes: "After all, man is that being who has invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who has entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord's Prayer or the Shema Yisrael on his lips."

Pesach (Passover) is the sacred holiday where the Jewish people retell the story of their ancestral flight out of Egypt. Each year they celebrate their journey from bondage to freedom. Each person identifies with the story as though they, themselves were oppressed slaves under the wrath of Pharaoh. One of the most fundamental truths about life is that everyone experiences their own Egypt. People have a choice to live under the tyranny of Pharaoh or experience an exodus and travel to a land flowing with milk and honey. Based on a true story, this is the retelling of one woman's escape from Egypt. Adira Bat Avraham shares her incredible journey that led her to a place of personal and spiritual freedom. Adira is an exceptionally strong woman who struggled through unbelievable circumstances. She overcame incredible odds to achieve freedom for herself and her for her family. Along the way, she learns to validate her own voice and cries for justice. Adira's inspirational story is about healing, deliverance, redemption, and finding hope.

Poetry and short stories written from a spiritual and humorous point of view.