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Learning True Love: Practicing Buddhism in a Time of War
by Sister Chan KhongLearning True Love, the autobiography of Sister Chân Không, stands alongside the great spiritual autobiographies of our century. It tells the story of her spiritual and personal odyssey, both in her homeland and in exile. <P> Its anecdotal style presents an intensely personal portrait of a woman with astonishing courage, offering us a perspective on the suffering of the Vietnamese people. This unique autobiography tells the gripping story of a woman who not only lived but made history, and whose life of single-minded dedication to humanity can serve as an inspiration for us all.Sister Chân Không was born in a village on the Mekong River Delta in 1938. In her teens she devoted her life to the development and practice of nonviolence grounded in the Buddhist precepts of non-killing and compassionate action. Propelled by her passionate dedication to social change, she began working in the slums of Saigon, distributing food, working with the sick, and teaching children. When she was 21 years old she met the man who until to this day remains her teacher and spiritual companion: Thich Nhat Hanh. With him she co-founded the School of Youth for Social Service in 1964, which grew to an organization of over 10,000 young people organizing medical, educational, and agricultural facilities in rural Vietnam, and rebuilding villages destroyed in the fighting. Sister Chân Không became well known in the anti-war and peace community for her work promoting human rights and protesting repression and violence, often at risk of her own life. She continues to do this work today. After the war she became one of the co-founders of Plum Village, the spiritual center, that is home to Thich Nhat Hanh's community in France, where she continues to be deeply involved in the development and vision for this unique community.In January of 2005, after nearly 40 years in exile, Sister Chân Không was able to return on a 3-month visit to Vietnam. In this fully revised edition of Learning True Love she movingly describes the return to her homeland, the reunions with many old friends and fellow activists, and shares her impression of the "new Vietnam," where Buddhists still struggle for religious freedom and the re-establishment of their own organizations. Learning True Love is a moving personal memoir, an introduction to the mindfulness teachings and life of Thich Nhat Hanh and his community in exile, an overview to the development of the European and American peace and human rights movement, and an introduction to the engaged and practical style of Vietnamese Buddhism. It documents the process that brought an end to the US Vietnam war, and gives a lively summary of Vietnamese history from 1945 to the current political, social and spiritual climate in Vietnam. Learning True Love also portraits some of the many remarkable people that shared Sister Chân Không 's path.Foremost however it is the remarkable and impressive story of a very courageous woman, whose journey from an accredited biologist at the University of Paris to a Buddhist nun, gives her unique insight into life's central questions and the ability to address them in an unflinching and straightforward manner. Forewords by Thich Nhat Hanh and Maxine Hong-Kingston
The Least of These: Race, Law, and Religion in American Culture
by Anthony E. CookFirst published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
The Least of These: Paul and the Marginalized
by Carla Swafford WorksJesus cared for the least, but did Paul?The apostle Paul has a reputation for being detached from the concerns of the poor and powerless. In this book, Carla Swafford Works demonstrates that Paul&’s message and ministry are in harmony with the teaching of Jesus. She brings to light an apostle who preaches and models good news to the &“least of these&”—the poor, the marginalized, the disadvantaged, and the vulnerable. The Least of These begins by highlighting the presence of the marginalized in Paul&’s ministry by looking at poverty in Paul&’s churches, the involvement of slaves and freedpersons in the community, and the role of women in the Pauline mission. Works then examines the significance of the marginalized in Pauline theology by investigating how the apostle employs metaphors of the &“least.&” Like Jesus, Paul cared deeply for people at the margins. Paul&’s ministry is consistent with that of Jesus. Both men cared for the poor. Paul served the least in his mission, modeling his apostolic ministry after the cross of Christ. Works shows that Paul, far from being an abstract thinker, was a practical theologian teaching a message and leading a life of compassion, kindness, and care.
The Least of These My Brothers: A Novel of the Ozarks
by Harold Bell WrightThe &“partly autobiographical Christian-themed novel . . . [that] later inspired a young Ronald Reagan to become a Christian&” from the bestselling author (Tucson.com). Previously published as That Printer of Udell&’s, this is the first novel by Harold Bell Wright, one the most successful turn-of-the-century American writers. Many of his books inspired movies, including The Winning of Barbara Worth starring Gary Cooper and The Shepherd of the Hills starring John Wayne. In The Least of These My Brothers, Dick Falkner, on his own since the death of his mother, arrives in the bustling mining town of Boyd City. Poor, homeless, and hungry, he&’s a printer by trade who lost his job during a Kansas City strike. When a kind print shop owner named Udell gives him a job, Dick lays downs roots in the town, eventually becoming involved in a local church. Dick&’s hardscrabble past gives his faith a different perspective than that of most Christians, and his philosophy is met with resistance. Nevertheless, he rises as a leader in the community, one whose belief in service and championing of the poor will put him at odds with the city&’s selfish elite who will stop at nothing to ruin him . . . &“[A] thoroughly good novel.&”—The Boston Globe &“This novel presents a world that is both frighteningly real and firmly ambitious . . . the message of Christ is so firmly and wonderfully woven into the story that it makes it sheer joy to read. It&’s not just about knowing Christ in this novel, but living Him.&”—Christian Book Review
Leather and Lace (Texas Legacy #1)
by Diann MillsThis is the story of Lacy O'Hare, an outlaw who decides to stop running. Manhy obstacles are put in her way, but she keeps searching the Bible, does many good deeds, and falls in love with a troubled man who is also searching.
A Leatherneck Looks At Life
by 2nd Lt. Cornelius Vanderbreggen Jr.The story of a WWI marine's journey to finding everlasting peace, which he finally finds in Jesus.
Leave a Footprint
by Tim BakerYou are here for a reason. God is calling you to change the world. How will you do that? Inside the pages of this book, you'll discover that God has definitely created you for a purpose, and you'll learn what that purpose is. So, dive in, explore who you are and what you're made to do-so you can change the whole world.
Leave It to Chance
by Sherri SandSingle mom of three, Sierra Montgomery is desperate to find a new job to keep from having to move back home and be smothered to death by her mother's good intentions and overbearing love. So when Sierra inherits Chance, a quirky old gelding she doesn't have a clue what to do with, she thinks her best bet may be to sell the horse to cover another month's rent-a decision that devastates her children.Enter Ross Morgan, a handsome landscaper who just happens to have an empty barn and fenced pasture, perfect for an old horse to live out his days as the pet of three wounded kids. Ross develops a soft spot for eldest child Braden and he just might have one for Braden's mother. But what he doesn't have is time for distractions-he's got a landscaping business to run and nursery plants to tend.But Sierra has a secret. She's terrified of horses and--thanks to her past--wary of attractive men. Yet seeing the way her angry son idolizes Ross and adores that old horse forces Sierra to confront her fears. Will she remain distrustful and self-reliant, or will she seek help from God and those who love her?
Leaves Falling Gently: Living Fully with Serious Illness through Mindfulness, Compassion, and Connectedness
by Susan Bauer-WuAccessible meditations, reflections, and practical advice to help patients and their loved ones navigate the emotional landscape of serious illness.Dealing with chronic illness can be an isolating and challenging experience. Whether it&’s you or someone you love, it&’s common to struggle with feelings of fear, sadness, or anger as you navigate the uncertainty of a diagnosis. This revised, expanded edition of Leaves Falling Gently empowers readers to embrace the present moment, find peace within themselves, and deepen interpersonal connections. With accessible meditations, reflective prompts, and mindfulness practices that resonate deeply with both patients and their loved ones, it offers a nurturing roadmap for navigating the complexities of health challenges.The book&’s three parts—Mindfulness, Compassion, and Connectedness—each contain prompts for meditations, reflective writing, and daily practices that are rooted in Buddhism and can benefit everyone. Frequent reminders to &“pause now&” encourage us to be where we&’re at and move at a pace that is comfortable.Backed by research and clinical studies, and interspersed with stories from the author&’s own experiences working in end-of-life care, this heartfelt guide is a welcome offering for all of us to treat ourselves and those around us gently in order to live more fully.
Leaves for Quiet Hours
by George MathesonGeorge Matheson, a Scottish minister who spent decades in God’s service, discusses how Jesus set an example for all Christians, and what living a good, virtuous and spiritually sound life means.A provocative and resounding declaration of faith, Leaves for Quiet Hours begins with the author’s promise: to marry the insight of the thinker with the fervor of the worshipper. In so doing, George Matheson offers the reader a series of deeply thoughtful missives on what it is to be a Christian, how the deeds and words of Jesus remain of eternal significance, and how the development of consistent virtues is the mission of all true Christian believers.Designed to be read on a regular basis, this book introduces a strain of religious thinking in every chapter. The themes are commonly Biblical, with the New Testament’s lessons and ideas examined and presented for the reader’s own consideration. Matheson’s aim is to create a spark of contemplation, on the finer virtues of Christianity and life on Earth, and the sacrifice and wisdom of Jesus and his followers. While he was mostly known in life for his hymn writing, it is in this work that George Matheson reveals his ability as a fine author and scholar of spiritual matters.-Print ed.
Leaves from the Notebook of a Tamed Cynic
by Reinhold NiebuhrFrom 1915 to 1928, at the beginning of a career that would see him become America's foremost theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr served as pastor of Bethel Evangelical Church in Detroit, Michigan. This deeply personal book presents his advice and insights for young ministers about the challenges and rewards of pastoral ministry. It is presented in this exclusive Library of America E-Book Classic edition with a preface by Niebuhr's daughter, editor Elisabeth Sifton, plus a chronology of Niebuhr's life and detailed notes.
Leaves of Grass: Including A Fac-simile Autobiography, Variorum Readings Of The Poems And A Department Of Gathered Leaves... - Primary Source Edition (Vintage Classics #Vol. No. 9)
by Walt WhitmanAbraham Lincoln read it with approval, but Emily Dickinson described its bold language and themes as "disgraceful." Ralph Waldo Emerson found it "the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet produced." Published at the author's expense on July 4, 1855, Leaves of Grass inaugurated a new voice and style into American letters and gave expression to an optimistic, bombastic vision that took the nation as its subject. Unlike many other editions of Leaves of Grass, which reproduce various short, early versions, this Modern Library Paperback Classics "Death-bed" edition presents everything Whitman wrote in its final form, and includes newly commissioned notes.
Leaves of Hope
by Catherine PalmerAn adventurous spirit has always set Beth Lowell apart in her family, creating tension with her mother, Jan, who cherishes stability. Beth, a risk taker who traverses the globe for her job, wonders how Jan, now widowed, can endure her staid, predictable life. Then a note hidden inside an antique tea set reveals that Jan has kept a shocking secret from Beth. Beth's search for the birth father she has never known takes her to an enchanting tea estate in the Himalayan foothills, accompanied by a handsome British businessman. And the revelation of a long-hidden past forces Jan to embark on her own journey - toward reconciliation with her daughter and the courage to love again. Catherine Palmer, author of over forty novels, with nearly two million copies sold, is the winner of a Christy Award for outstanding Christian romance and is also a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award winner. Raised in Kenya, she now lives in Missouri with her husband and their two sons.
Leaving (Bailey Flanigan #1)
by Karen KingsburyIn order to be closer to his mother in jail, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey Flanigan.
Leaving (The Baxters—Bailey Flanigan #No. 1)
by Karen KingsburyA small-town girl finally has her chance at becoming an actress on Broadway--but can she really give up everything she's ever known?Bailey Flanigan is finally leaving her small-town home of Bloomington, Indiana, for the adventure of a lifetime: she has gotten a part in a Broadway musical in New York City. She's determined to take advantage of this unbelievable opportunity, but is she really ready to leave family and friends for the loneliness of the big city? And what about Cody, her former boyfriend? His disappearance has her worried about their future and praying that their love can survive.Cody has been struggling with his own problems. In order to be closer to his mother, who's in prison for a drug charge, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey.Love, loneliness, big opportunities, and even bigger decisions put these two young people to the test in the first book in the Bailey Flanigan series. Features members of the popular Baxter family from New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury's beloved Redemption series, now streaming onlineSweet, contemporary Christian romanceThe first installment of The Baxters--Bailey Flanigan series Book 1: LeavingBook 2: LearningBook 3: LongingBook 4: LovingIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
Leaving a Legacy: Sustaining Family Unity, Faith, and Wealth
by Dan T. Garrett Tim WoodroofA sobering statistic: For centuries 70 percent of family wealth has dissipated by the second generation, and 90 percent is lost by the third generation. It has nothing to do with taxes, economies, or cultures. It is the failure of families to transfer leadership and values to succeeding generations.The most important inheritance your children receive from you comes while you are still alive. It is embedded in your everyday life. It is made up of the values you prize and the priorities you practice. This is an inheritance you live and model to your family, friends, and the people who make up your world.If your priorities during life are your faith, your relationships, and your values, you should maintain those priorities as you develop your legacy. That means making sure the financial inheritance you leave will be regarded as a tool and a resource to support the real inheritance of values your children have already received.This book will help you put family and faith before fortune as you plan for the future. Doing that increases the chances that your family can thrive in its relationships and still prosper materially for generations. Families who follow the process described in this book will come to a better understanding of their relationship to each other, their community, and to money. Families will learn to communicate more clearly and more honestly about the joys of hard work, shared goals, philanthropy, and finances. They will learn how to communicate, listen to the opinions of others, set family goals, develop family unity, reward individual achievement, and how to make money a tool for achieving family goals for themselves and the kingdom of God.
Leaving a Legacy: The Journey Study Series
by Billy Graham"You will only make this journey once. What kind of journey will it be?"The Christian Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Finishing strong requires a commitment to a journey that continues throughout our lives. How we handle the stresses of the journey is important, but evenmore vital is how we finish the journey-and the spirtiual impact our journey has on these around us.How can Christians become spirirtually stronger with each passing decade? The significant events in life's journey offer the chance to make an impact in the lives of those you love and throughout the wolrd. Leaving a Legacy explains how to let God lead you and others on the journey home.The Journey Study Series is based on Billy Graham's best-selling book The Journey, the culmination of a lifetime of spiritual insight and ministry experience. Each chapter explores the joys, triumphs, and conflicts we all encounter on our journey through life.Use for self-study or shared experience in small groupssix weeks of lessonssidebars offer a scriptural journey through God's wordquestions for starting group discussionsInsight-filled scripture passages to studyEach chapter includes thought-provoking questions, commentary, scriptures, and insights to help you on life's journey. Each lesson teaches the secret of walking with God on life's path. Understanding God's truths will make life's journey easier and let Him fulfill His promise to lead you home.
Leaving Alexandria: A Memoir of Faith and Doubt (Canons Ser.)
by Richard HollowayThe prize-winning memoir: &“an enlightening walk through a life that encompasses West Africa…rent strikes, the divided self and the question of grace&” (Scotland on Sunday, UK). An international bestseller and winner of the PEN/Ackerley Prize, Ricard Holloway&’s candid memoir &“is many things. It is a compelling account of a journey through life, told with great frankness; it is a subtle reflection on what it means to live in an imperfect and puzzling world; and it is a highly readable insight into one of the most humane and engaged minds of our times. It is, quite simply, a wonderful book&” (Alexander McCall Smith).At the tender age of fourteen, Richard Holloway left his hometown of Alexandria, north of Glasgow, and travelled hundreds of miles to be educated and trained for the priesthood at an English monastery. By the age of twenty-five he had been ordained and was working in the slums of Glasgow. Through the forty years that followed, Richard touched the lives of many people as he rose to one of the highest positions in the Anglican Church. But behind his confident public faith lay a restless heart and an inquisitive mind.&“Richard Holloway&’s memoir is endlessly vivid and fascinating. It&’s the record of a mind too large, too curious and far too generous to be confined within any single religious denomination…a delight and inspiration to believers, non-believers, and ex-believers alike.&”—Philip Pullman
Leaving Carolina: A Novel
by Tamara LeighPiper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina, twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U. S. Congressman Grant Spangler. Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s. Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free. From the Trade Paperback edition.
Leaving Christian Fundamentalism and the Reconstruction of Identity (Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies)
by Josie McSkimmingThere is an increasing interest in the influence of religious fundamentalism upon people’s motivation, identity and decision-making. Leaving Christian Fundamentalism and the Re-construction of Identity details the stories of those who have left Christian fundamentalist churches and how they change after they have left. It considers how the previous fundamentalist identity is shaped by aspects of church teaching and discipline that are less authoritarian and coercive, and more subtle and widely spread throughout the church body. That is, individuals are understood as not only subject to a form of judgment, but also exercise it, with everyone seemingly complicit in maintaining the stability of the church organisation. This book provocatively illustrates that the reasons for leaving an evangelical Christian church may be less about what happens outside the church in terms of the lures and attractions of the secular world, and more about the experience within the community itself.
Leaving Christianity: Changing Allegiances in Canada since 1945 (Advancing Studies in Religion)
by Stuart Macdonald Brian P. ClarkeCanadians were once church-goers. During the post-war boom of the 1950s, Canadian churches were vibrant institutions, with attendance rates even higher than in the United States, but the following decade witnessed emptying pews. What happened? In Leaving Christianity Brian Clarke and Stuart Macdonald quantitatively map the nature and extent of Canadians’ disengagement with organized religion and assess the implications for Canadian society and its religious institutions. Drawing on a wide array of national and denominational statistics, they illustrate how the exodus that began with disaffected baby boomers and their parents has become so widespread that religiously unaffiliated Canadians are now the new majority. While the old mainstream Protestant churches have been the hardest hit, the Roman Catholic Church has also experienced a significant decline in numbers, especially in Quebec. Canada’s civil society has historically depended on church members for support, and a massive drift away from churches has profound implications for its future. Leaving Christianity documents the true extent of the decline, the timing of it, and the reasons for this major cultural shift.
Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith
by Barbara Brown TaylorBy now I expected to be a seasoned parish minister, wearing black clergy shirts grown gray from frequent washing. I expected to love the children who hung on my legs after Sunday morning services until they grew up and had children of their own. I even expected to be buried wearing the same red vestments in which I was ordained. Today those vestments are hanging in the sacristy of an Anglican church in Kenya, my church pension is frozen, and I am as likely to spend Sunday mornings with friendly Quakers, Presbyterians, or Congregationalists as I am with the Episcopalians who remain my closest kin. Some-times I even keep the Sabbath with a cup of steaming Assam tea on my front porch, watching towhees vie for the highest perch in the poplar tree while God watches me. These days I earn my living teaching school, not leading worship, and while I still dream of opening a small restaurant in Clarkesville or volunteering at an eye clinic in Nepal, there is no guarantee that I will not run off with the circus before I am through. This is not the life I planned, or the life I recommend to others. But it is the life that has turned out to be mine, and the central revelation in it for me -- that the call to serve God is first and last the call to be fully human -- seems important enough to witness to on paper. This book is my attempt to do that. After nine years serving on the staff of a big urban church in Atlanta, Barbara Brown Taylor arrives in rural Clarkesville, Georgia (population 1,500), following her dream to become the pastor of her own small congregation. The adjustment from city life to country dweller is something of a shock -- Taylor is one of the only professional women in the community -- but small-town life offers many of its own unique joys. Taylor has five successful years that see significant growth in the church she serves, but ultimately she finds herself experiencing "compassion fatigue" and wonders what exactly God has called her to do. She realizes that in order to keep her faith she may have to leave. Taylor describes a rich spiritual journey in which God has given her more questions than answers. As she becomes part of the flock instead of the shepherd, she describes her poignant and sincere struggle to regain her footing in the world without her defining collar. Taylor's realization that this may in fact be God's surprising path for her leads her to a refreshing search to find Him in new places. Leaving Church will remind even the most skeptical among us that life is about both disappointment and hope -- and ultimately, renewal.
Leaving Eastern Parkway: A Novel
by Matthew DaubA family tragedy forces a Jewish teenage handball prodigy in Brooklyn to examine his identity in this engaging, debut coming-of-age novel.1991. A fifteen-year-old Hasidic boy living in Crown Heights, Zev Altshul can hardly imagine life without handball. He has a gift for it, and that&’s why he&’s risking everything to play in a tournament on the Sabbath. But just as he worries about getting caught, his parents are killed in a hit-and-run and everything changes. Now he his biggest worry is about where he will live . . .At first, Zev is placed into the care of a family within his close-knit, closed community. But when that arrangement becomes problematic, Zev heads to Urbana, Illinois, to stay with his sister, Frida. The trouble is that she left the Jewish faith behind years ago, and going to her means Zev must turn his back on the only sort of life he knows.The culture shock is intense. At first, it&’s just changes to his hair and wardrobe. But then there are things like Star Wars, Shakespeare, Twin Peaks, and pepperoni pizza. It&’s a world full of choices he&’s never had to consider. And now, like it or not, he must decide the type of man he wants to be . . .Praise for Leaving Eastern Parkway&“What a wonderful, evocative, gripping book—it reminds me of the thrill I had when I read Potok novels many years ago!&” —Jeremy Dauber, professor at Columbia University and author of Jewish Comedy:A Serious History&“An authentic look at the joys and failings of insular religious culture as well as a trenchant depiction of the mind of a teenage boy dealing with trauma and dramatic change. When you enter the world created by Daub, you are transfixed. When you leave, you are wiser for the experience.&” —Stuart Rojstaczer, author of The Mathematician&’s Shiva&“Zev&’s story is filled with memorable characters and hard-won wisdom, and the Yiddish and Hebrew that appear throughout lend authenticity. . . It adds up to a surprisingly universal coming-of-age novel about being true to oneself in a world that demands otherwise.&” —Publishers Weekly
Leaving Fishers
by Margaret Peterson HaddixDorry is unbearably lonely at her new high school until she meets Angela and her circle of friends. She soon discovers they all belong to a religious group, the Fishers of Men. At first, as Dorry becomes involved with the Fishers, she is eager to fit in and flattered by her new friends’ attention. But the Fishers make harsh demands of their members, and Dorry must make greater and greater sacrifices. In demonstrating her devotion, Dorry finds herself compromising her grades, her job, and even her family's love. How much is too much? And where will the cult’s demands end?
Leaving The Fold: Testimonies Of Former Fundamentalists
by Edward T. BabinskiProtestant fundamentalism claims many converts each year as the devout serve as "witnesses" to draw people "into the fold." This is where the media hype stops. Little is known of the thousands who leave, frustrated, anguished, confused. For them there are no trumpets of glory, no energized fanfare. No one knows fundamentalism like a fundamentalist, and no one can express what it means to struggle with one's faith to the breaking point, like an ex-fundamentalist. <p><p> After presenting a fascinating history of "Fundamentalism's Grotesque Past," this riveting new collection offers testimonies of former fundamentalists who became so disillusioned with their church that they chose to leave. Presenting more than thirty personal journeys, this book gives a clear picture of what attracts a person to the fundamentalist faith and what can drive believers away from their religion. Leaving the Fold includes the religious odysseys of those who left fundamentalism behind in favor of atheism or agnosticism, as well as the spiritual journeys of those who remained Christians but backed away from the powerful attraction of fundamentalism. These testimonies convey not only deep feelings and penetrating facts, but the appeal of dogmatic fundamentalism and each individual's struggle to maintain their faith. <p> Leaving the Fold discusses the fears and dilemmas faced by each person who chose to part ways with the church, their gradual dawning of courage to continue asking questions, and their success in giving their intellectual curiosity the freedom it craves. Christians, atheists, and those who may be questioning their own religious convictions will find Leaving the Fold engrossing. This volume also contains a collection of quotations and an annotated bibliography for those interested in tracking down further testimonies.