The author of influential books such as Force Under Pressure and Stoning the Keepers at the Gate, Dr. Lawrence N. Blum is a renowned expert on the psychology of police officers. With Turning Tragedy into Victory, he returns to and expands on the important subject of how to best help those who have sworn to protect and serve when they are the ones who have fallen. According to Blum, officers' lack of knowledge and skill in controlling the stress of the moment has increased their risk of being killed, assaulted, or making mistakes that cost them dearly in career or family relationships. Through visceral, real-life accounts of officers with whom he has personally worked, he identifies pitfalls, errors, and traps that are created when officers lose control over how their brains and bodies react to unexpected crises; explains why and how this lack of control occurs; and provides mental, emotional, and behavioral tools that have proven highly effective at enhancing performance. Above all, Blum says, officers must learn the important lessons that come from their experiences and commit themselves to the quest for mastery in law enforcement--in other words, to turn tragedy into victory. This book is an indispensable resource for law enforcement officers, those who work with them, and the people who wish to keep them safe among the increasing dangers and challenges of today's society.

What role do novels, drama, and tragedy play within Christian thought and living? The twentieth century Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar addressed these questions using tragic drama. For him, Christ was the true tragic hero of the world who exceeded all tragic literature and experience. Balthasar demonstrated how ancient, pre-Christian tragedy and Renaissance works contained important Christian concepts, but he critiqued modern novels as failing to be either truly tragic or Christian. By examining the tragic novels of Thomas Hardy on their own terms, we have an important counterpoint to Balthasar's argument that the novel is too prosaic for theological reflection. Hardy's novels are an apt pairing for examination and critique, as they are both classically and biblically influenced, as well as contemporary.The larger implication for Balthasar's theology is that his innovations in theological aesthetics and tragedy must be expanded in the light of modernity and the tragic novel.

The Wilsons, Dan and Nancy, were childhood neighbors and then sweethearts. Eighteen years ago, they married right after graduating high school. Now their two girls, Marilee and Mandy, are in high school, and Nancy has helped Dan buy and manage a very successful supermarket. Life is good. So why is Nancy Wilson suddenly so devastated and angry with God? Her mother, who had also helped raise Dan, taught them both to have a Jell-O Heart, but to Nancys mind, this situation is different. Her depression is overwhelming. Nightmares keep her from sleeping. She doesnt see the need to dress or brush her hair. Will she let this tragedy consume and defeat her? Why do both of her daughters end up appearing before Judge Johnson? Who does Tommy Franklin feel he can never forgive? Find out how God reaches through the bitterness and who he uses to restore this family and their community. Dans Loving (Jell-O) Heart exemplifies the sacrificial love of Jesus. You will have to read this heartwarming tale to understand how strength and joy can come from seemingly impossible circumstances. Expect to be touched deeply as you read Dans Loving Heart. You may even find yourself desiring your own Jell-O Heart. You can find all of Margies books and soon her music, including Jesus Walks in my Valleys at margiejpittman.com.

If you are unhappy, you can be happy. If you have a problem, there is a solution. If you are unfulfilled and need motivation, you too can live your dreams. Jesus, Take The Wheel - 101 Inspirations for Your Daily Christian Walk provides you with a daily blueprint for living your God ordained success. This little Christian book is your guide. Author Mark Bowser is a man known for living a life of tremendous optimism and enthusiasm...despite the circumstances. His favorite scripture and a pillar of his life is Jeremiah 29:11 which says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says The Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jesus, Take The Wheel - 101 Inspirations for Your Daily Christian Walk is packed full of Mark's infectious personality and wonderful stories lighting the path to your dreams. Jesus, Take The Wheel offers simple yet profound Christian Living principles to help you become your best...which is what God has planned for you. The book is organized into short, daily inspirational principles that work in Mark Bowser's life and they will work in yours too.Principles such as:Make sure what goes into your mind is positive because what comes out is always what went in.Self-love is the kind of love that motivates a person to greatness.I have faith in Jesus Christ; therefore I am.Patience is a weapon which can reveal miracles....no matter how many times the crucifixion is replayed; there is always one conclusion...THE RESURRECTION!Happiness is always created from the inside, not from the outside.Motivation without direction is dangerous; motivation with positive direction is success.Curiosity is the uncovering mechanism to new discoveries.When you ask God a question He will sometimes ask you questions which will lead to the answer you are pursuing.You can't count your chickens before they hatch but you can at least keep the eggs warm.A challenge is simply an opportunity in disguise.Being judgmental comes from a lack of trust.The marriage is the glue that binds the family together.The family is the glue that binds society together.Congruency is the portrait of a champion.Faith is a power that is unseen but always is heard.Walk with Mark as he shares motivating stories including how the Duke of Wellington succeeded despite tremendous odds and how we can do the same. Come along with the Keeper of the Spring as he helps a town to flourish. Walk along side General Chamberlain as he builds up the self-dignity of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse. Have tears of joy with the nine finely tuned athletes as they help a fallen comrade at the Seattle Special Olympics. Watch how through deep sadness Charles Schultz created one of the world's most loved cartoon characters Charlie Brown. Cry along with Ruth Peterson as she learns to love through her grief and be happy again. And many, many more inspiring stories to guide you on your daily walk with Jesus Christ.So, are you ready to drop mediocre and average results and start living a life of excitement, inspiration, and fulfillment? If so, join Mark on this daily Christian journey to discover God's best...for you!Let Jesus, Take the Wheel be your handbook for Christian living and a more fulfilling life.

Sport is often thought of as simply "games," but it can in fact be much more. Sport can be responsible for guiding social justice movements, igniting city-wide riots, uniting countries, permanently injuring youth, revolutionizing views about race, gender and class, and producing several of the most successful global industries. Reports of ethical crises in athletics are constant fodder for popular attention, whether performance enhancing drugs in baseball, corruption in college athletics, the epidemic of brain damage among NFL players, and others too numerous to mention. As a proxy for social concerns, we naturally think of sport in inherently moral terms. Yet we can hardly define the term "sport" or agree on acceptable levels of sporting risk, or determine clear roles and responsibilities for fans, players, coaches, owners, media and health care personnel. Bringing together 27 of the most essential recent articles from philosophy, history, sociology, medicine, and law, this collection explores intersections of sports and ethics and brings attention to the immense role of sports in shaping and reflecting social values.

Nancy’s stories were born from her prayer journals, often her cry for help and healing knowing Scripture was her only anchor. A pure honest collection full of hope. Nancy’s encouraging words and scripture references will leap from these pages and into your heart. Life is uncertain, and it is guaranteed too NOT be easy. Determined to never give up, Nancy shares what it means to be kept in the Love of Jesus and sustained by His Word. Precious memories line these pages expressing a fierce, unstoppable love and the impact each person contributed to Nancy’s life and to the Work Jesus had begun in her. Nancy’s Aunt Donna and Uncle CA Wilson who love to hear her stories made her promise to share them with others. It was her Aunt Donna that said, “Oh Nancy. Sweetie, your stories help me and your uncle, and they will help others too. You must have them published and be an encouragement to others. We all need an Aunt Donna to take us out of our comfort zone and to trust the Lord. We thank Aunt Donna that we can open these pages and see how the loving. kindness of Jesus spills out as Nancy shares from her heart. Oh, the Peace He gives as we choose to trust and obey Him, “Come What May”, all honor and glory belong to Him.

J. Philip Wogaman challenges preachers not to retreat from the world and to reconsider what they leave out of their sermons. In this helpful guide, he discusses the biblical and theological grounding of prophetic preaching, the pastoral and liturgical setting, Christian moral decision making, and appropriate issues for discussion from the pulpit. He also includes his most compelling sermons, identifying the setting and goals of each.

Who were Catholicism’s greatest orators? What was the key to their effectiveness? Was it mere scholastic ability or spiritual inspiration? The answer is “both.” In this follow-up work, Father Ray E. Atwood examines the lives, theologies, and preaching examples of the Church’s greatest preachers. This book tells the story, in biographical form, of Catholic preaching from the Old Testament through today, concluding with the homilies of Benedict XVI. Masters of Preaching takes the reader around the world in search of homiletic gems. Readers will learn about the stories of familiar figures, such as Saint Gregory the Great, and less familiar figures, such as Monsignor Francis Friedl. Readers will also discover how these men moved their congregations to deeper faith and greater understanding of the mysteries of salvation. Two appendices at the end of the book serve as a terrific resource for those looking for practical illustrations of lectionary themes. This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the subjects of public speaking and Church history.

Savelle writes about God's plan for us, how we can stay focused on what God has for us and how we should prepare ourselves to allow Him to move mightily on our behalf.

The Clinton administration and the other NATO governments boast that the alliance won a great victory in its war against Yugoslavia.