Religious Life

Ronald Reagan is hailed today for a presidency that restored optimism to America, engendered years of economic prosperity, and helped bring about the fall of the Soviet Union. Yet until now little attention has been paid to the role Reagan's personal spirituality played in his political career, shaping his ideas, bolstering his resolve, and ultimately compelling him to confront the brutal - and, not coincidentally, atheistic - Soviet empire.

Since the Renaissance, people have been plagued by the tense battle between science and religion. Revered evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould suggests, instead of choosing between the two, why not opt for a golden mean that accords dignity and distinction to each realm? With intelligence and clarity, Gould renders the complex simple and sheds new light on this dilemma. In this dazzling gem of contemporary cultural philosophy, Gould posits that science defines the natural world, while religion defines our moral world, and they both can coexist peacefully in respectful noninterference.

In this memoir, Luke Timothy Johnson draws on his rich experience to invite listeners into the scholar’s life—its aims, commitments, and habits. In addition to sharing his own story from childhood to retirement, Johnson reflects on the nature of scholarship more generally, showing how this vocation has changed over the past half century and where it might be going in the future. He is as candid and unsparing about negative trends in academia as he is hopeful about the possibilities of steadfast, disciplined scholarship.

From one of the foremost medievalists of our time, a groundbreaking work on history and memory that goes well beyond the life of this influential saint.

We all make mistakes in life. In this book, “The Greatest Mistakes in My Life,” I am sharing with you, the listener, some of my mistakes I made in my life. Of course, I made plenty of them, and hoping you will learn from my mistakes. You will gain wisdom and knowledge and apply them to your daily life. Even, if it is only one, I would have reached my goal touching your heart, the listener.

Now a major motion picture starring Angelina Jolie! The unforgettable story of two journalists who fell in love with their work and with each other, a portrait of a partnership built on the ideals of love, truth, and justice—and a critical look at the methods and structure of the Al-Qaeda...

Anna Valairy is an ordinary young woman trying to make her own place in life, when one night she meets a man who changes everything. Seeming larger than life she is pulled more and more into his world. But will their love save them or will it be their undoing? Or will Uriel, leader of the Grigori, have his way? After all he is here to serve the will of heaven and not just one woman, or is he?

Leadership is leadership, no matter where you go or what you do. Yet sometimes life can be difficult, and even the most seasoned leaders can find themselves in need of encouragement. In Life Promises for Leaders, motivational teacher and trainer Zig Ziglar provides a collection of inspirational readings and Bible promises to encourage strong leadership in families, in friendships, at work, with finances, and at church. Filled with easily applicable Bible verses, reflective questions, and inspiring readings, Life Promises for Leaders is the perfect daily encouragement for all those looking to reach their potential.

God is born in human form. Ultimate power and authority reside in the hands of a child. Early Christians looked at their own children as they played, argued, loved, and fought and wondered what it would have been like to raise the son of God. How would Jesus have acted as a baby, a toddler, a child, or a teenager? How human was this “God-child,” Jesus? Did he have the failings of their own children? Was he selfish and rash at the age of one? Was his stage of the “terrible twos” as horrible a stage as most? If Jesus were a normal youngster what would the outcome have been?

The Book Has Been Described as an Incredible Journey and Awakening in Finding God! Narrated by Joseph LoBrutto III and orchestrated music of renowned musician Man Parrish brings the book Is There More to Life Than What We Know?” to life. This book is an inspiring testimonial of how author Joseph LoBrutto III has embraced a deeply spiritual journey throughout his life. An intriguing blend of New Age philosophy, Judaism and Christianity, it is a personal account of the blessings that come with the pairing of powerful spiritual insight and a firm belief in a higher power.

Shunryu Suzuki, author of the beloved classic Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, is lovingly remembered as one of the greatest spiritual teachers of the 20th century - whose legacy is felt in every facet of American Zen. This monumental biography of Suzuki, written and read by his student David Chadwick, weaves together a rich tapestry of stories and memories of Suzuki’s students, family, and friends. In this updated and revised audiobook edition, Chadwick also offers rare excerpts from archived recordings of Suzuki’s teachings in the great Zen master's own voice.

Moses Ben Maimon, frequently called Maimonides, was a medieval philosopher who revolutionized thinking about ethics, reason, and the Jewish Torah through his emphasis on reason and evidence. His works were broadly accepted by the Sephardi Jewish community and spread across the medieval world, reaching the Jewish populations as far as Yemen, and though he lived in the 12th century, Maimonides continues to be one of the most studied scholars of Jewish law, philosophy, and theology.

There are a lot of things Jamie hates about her life: her dark hair, her dad's Stone Age Charter of Curfew Rights, her real name – Jamilah Towfeek. For the past three years Jamie has hidden her Lebanese background from everyone at school. It's only with her email friend John that she can really be herself. But now things are getting complicated: the most popular boy in school is interested in her, but there's no way he would be if he knew the truth.

Buying and moving into the run-down Jewel Motor Inn in upstate New York wasn't 11-year-old Miriam Brockman's dream, but at least its an adventure. Miriam befriends Kate, whose grandmother owns the diner next door, and finds comfort in the company of Maria, the motel's housekeeper, and her Uncle Mordy, who comes to help out for the summer. She spends her free time helping Kate's grandmother make her famous grape pies and begins to face her fears by taking swimming lessons in the motels pool.

Through the New Life movement, pastor and author Jack Miller became the pioneering captain of an expansive network of gospel-centered, Reformed leaders who taught in seminaries, planted new churches, revitalized existing churches, and recruited and trained missionaries who were sent around the world. His influence is felt today through their work, his writings, and ministries such as Serge (previously World Harvest Mission) and the Sonship curriculum.

In the beginning, I was part of a strong Christian family with great role models. My mother's family was Presbyterian, and my father's family was First Baptist. Although I attended church regularly as I grew up, I did not attend as regularly during my middle years. I always believed in God, but sometimes my priorities were not Christian-oriented. I always had faith, but there were times when I allowed other priorities to prevail. Much later in my life, I realized how critical my faith in God was.

The first female Doctor of the Church, Teresa of Ávila, was a visionary who took matters of reform into her own hands. Even when the church authorities came against her, she stood her ground and held fast to her convictions. In so doing, she managed to persuade the Catholic powers to come around to her point of view. Teresa was not someone who took “no” for an answer; she charted her own course in life.

Two grandmas. Two delicious recipes. And one granddaughter caught in the middle! Sophie loves Bubbe's Jewish chicken soup, made with kreplach. She also loves Nai Nai's Chinese chicken soup, with wonton. But don't tell Bubbe and Nai Nai that their soups are the same! Can Sophie bring her whole family together for a warm and tasty surprise?

Joseph F. Smith was born in 1838 to Hyrum Smith and Mary Fielding Smith. Six years later both his father and his uncle, Joseph Smith Jr., the founding prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were murdered in Carthage, Illinois. The trauma of that event remained with Joseph F. for the rest of his life, affecting his personal behavior and public tenure in the highest tiers of the LDS Church, including the post of president from 1901 until his death in 1918.

This is the incredible, true-life story of Michael and Delane, an ordinary couple who listened as God led them from joblessness to starting and growing a business, then into ministries that have taken them from underprivileged neighborhoods in the United States to rural villages and orphan care in sub-Saharan Africa.