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At Ansha's: Life in the Spirit Mosque of a Healer in Mozambique (Medical Anthropology)
by Daria TrentiniAt Ansha's takes the reader inside the spirit mosque of a female healer in Nampula, northern Mozambique. It is here that Ansha, a Makonde spirit healer, heals the resisting ailments of her patients, discloses pieces of her story of affliction and healing, and engages the world outside her mosque. We come to know Ansha’s experiences as revolutionary and migrant, her religious trajectories, family, the healers who cured her, the spirits who possessed her, and her declining health. We follow Ansha’s shifts in her life and work in the mosque as these intersect with the visible and invisible borders of Mozambique and of its fraught history. Confronting events in her life and in the mosque between 2009 and 2016, Ansha invites us to make meaning with her, as we sit in her mosque, and engage with her family, spirits, friends, patients, and world.
At Any Cost
by Lauren NicholsA woman on the run from her ex-husband struggles to trust the handsome stranger she is falling in love with. Hiding from the past, jumping at shadows . . . Welcome to Jenna Harper’s life ever since her ex decided murder was the way to punish her for moving on. Yet Jenna survived—and continuous survival means eluding her attacker: no unnecessary risks, no credit cards and definitely no men. But despite her cautiousness, Jenna can’t deny her attraction to Beau Travis, the rugged carpenter fixing up her B and B. Neither can she ignore the recent mishaps that could blow her cover. Are the two connected? A troublemaker in high school, Beau was never the dependable type. Is he a suitor or a suspect?The answer could mean her life.
At Freedom's Limit: Islam and the Postcolonial Predicament
by Sadia AbbasThe subject of this book is a new “Islam.” This Islam began to take shape in 1988 around the Rushdie affair, the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the first Gulf War of 1991. It was consolidated in the period following September 11, 2001. It is a name, a discursive site, a signifier at once flexible and constrained—indeed, itis a geopolitical agon, in and around which some of the most pressing aporias of modernity, enlightenment, liberalism, and reformation are worked out.At this discursive site are many metonyms for Islam: the veiled or “pious” Muslim woman, the militant, the minority Muslim injured by Western free speech. Each of these figures functions as a cipher enabling repeated encounters with the question “How do we free ourselves from freedom?” Again and again, freedom is imagined as Western, modern, imperial—a dark imposition of Enlightenment. The pious and injured Muslim who desires his or her own enslavement is imagined as freedom’s other.At Freedom’s Limit is an intervention into current debates regarding religion, secularism, and Islam and provides a deep critique of the anthropology and sociology of Islam that have consolidated this formation. It shows that, even as this Islam gains increasing traction in cultural production from television shows to movies to novels, the most intricate contestations of Islam so construed are to be found in the work of Muslim writers and painters.This book includes extended readings of jihadist proclamations; postcolonial law; responses to law from minorities in Muslim-majority societies; Islamophobic films; the novels of Leila Aboulela, Mohammed Hanif, and Nadeem Aslam; and the paintings of Komail Aijazuddin.
At Heaven's Door: What Shared Journeys to the Afterlife Teach About Dying Well and Living Better
by William J. PetersA groundbreaking, authoritative exploration—rich with powerful personal stories and convincing research—of the many ways the living can and do accompany the dying on their journey into the afterlife.In 2000, end-of-life therapist William Peters was volunteering at the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco when he had an extraordinary experience as he was reading aloud to a patient: he suddenly felt himself floating in midair, completely out of his body. The patient, who was also aloft, looked at him and smiled. The next moment, Peters felt himself return to his body…but the patient never regained consciousness and died. Perplexed and stunned by what had happened, Peters began searching for other people who&’d shared similar experiences. He would spend the next twenty years gathering and meticulously categorizing their stories to identify key patterns and features of what is now known as the &“shared crossing&” experience. The similarities, which cut across continents and cultures and include awe-inspiring visual and sensory effects, and powerful emotional after-effects, were impossible to ignore. Long whispered about in the hospice and medical communities, these extraordinary moments of final passage are openly discussed and explained in At Heaven&’s Door. The book is filled with powerful tales of spouses on departing this earth after decades together and bereaved parents who share their children&’s entry into the afterlife. Applying rigorous research, Peters digs into the effect these shared crossing experiences impart—liberation at the sight of a loved one finding joy, a sense of reconciliation if the relationship was fraught—and explores questions like: What can explain these shared death experiences? How can we increase our likelihood of having one? What do these experiences tell us about what lies beyond? And, most importantly, how can they help take away the sting of death and better prepare us for our own final moments? How can we have both a better life and a better death?
At Heaven's Edge
by Andrea Jo RodgersVeteran EMT Andrea Rodgers has helped hundreds of people in their most vulnerable moments. Some of the victims faced their mortality head-on and cried out to God for help. Many experienced fleeting but life-changing connections with their first responders. Often these crises became unexpected sources of inspiration. Now Rodgers shares brief, real-life stories of heroic courage in the face of fear. In times of intense suffering, she has repeatedly witnessed signs of God's quiet intervention and healing presence. A man is resuscitated after Rodgers was able to repair a defibrillator--with her teeth! Several bystanders help rescue a young girl who is accidently buried alive in sand. Rodgers also experienced some lighthearted moments, including the time she arrived at the scene of a crime only to find herself in the middle of a mystery dinner theater. Experience the miracles, the life-and-death drama as you look at life from heaven's edge.
At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace
by Claude Anshin ThomasIn this raw and moving memoir, Claude Thomas describes his service in Vietnam, his subsequent emotional collapse, and his remarkable journey toward healing. At Hell's Gate is not only a gripping coming-of-age story but a spiritual travelogue from the horrors of combat to the discovery of inner peace--a journey that inspired Thomas to become a Zen monk and peace activist who travels to war-scarred regions around the world. "Everyone has their Vietnam," Thomas writes. "Everyone has their own experience of violence, calamity, or trauma." With simplicity and power, this book offers timeless teachings on how we can all find healing, and it presents practical guidance on how mindfulness and compassion can transform our lives. This expanded edition features: * Discussion questions for reading groups * A new afterword by the author reflecting on how the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are affecting soldiers--and offering advice on how to help returning soldiers to cope with their combat experiences
At His Command
by Brenda CoulterIn one short month, cheerful army nurse Madeline Bright has become the darling of Prairie Springs, Texas. And if ex-pilot Jake Hopkins isn't careful, she might just conquer his heart. She's young, pretty and blithe-spirited. . . he's older and jaded. But being around Maddie brings back too many painful memories. Jake still feels guilty about failing to save Maddie's brother in an army helicopter crash years ago. So no matter how much Maddie wants to be in his life, for her own good, Jake can't allow that. He'll never have a normal, stable life. And sweet Madeline deserves nothing less.
At Home and Abroad: The Politics of American Religion (Religion, Culture, and Public Life #44)
by Elizabeth Shakman Hurd and Winnifred Fallers SullivanFrom right to left, notions of religion and religious freedom are fundamental to how many Americans have understood their country and themselves. Ideas of religion, politics, and the interplay between them are no less crucial to how the United States has engaged with the world beyond its borders. Yet scholarship on American religion tends to bracket the domestic and foreign, despite the fact that assumptions about the differences between ourselves and others deeply shape American religious categories and identities.At Home and Abroad bridges the divide in the study of American religion, law, and politics between domestic and international, bringing together diverse and distinguished authors from religious studies, law, American studies, sociology, history, and political science to explore interrelations across conceptual and political boundaries. They bring into sharp focus the ideas, people, and institutions that provide links between domestic and foreign religious politics and policies. Contributors break down the categories of domestic and foreign and inquire into how these taxonomies are related to other axes of discrimination, asking questions such as: What and who counts as “home” or “abroad,” how and by whom are these determinations made, and with what consequences?Offering a new approach to theorizing the politics of religion in the context of the American nation-state, At Home and Abroad also interrogates American religious exceptionalism and illuminates imperial dynamics beyond the United States.
At Home in Exile: Finding Jesus among My Ancestors and Refugee Neighbors
by Russell JeungRussell Jeung’s spiritual memoir shares the joyful and occasionally harrowing stories of his life in East Oakland’s Murder Dubs neighborhood—including battling drug dealers who threatened him, exorcising a spirit possessing a teen, and winning a landmark housing settlement against slumlords with 200 of his closest Cambodian and Latino friends. More poignantly, At Home in Exile weaves in narratives of longing and belonging as Jeung retraces the steps of his Chinese-Hakka family and his refugee neighbors. In the face of forced relocation and institutional discrimination, his family and friends resisted time and time again over six generations. With humor and keen insight, At Home in Exile will help you see how living in exile will transform your faith.
At Home in Exile
by Alan WolfeAn eloquent, controversial argument that says, for the first time in their long history, Jews are free to live in a Jewish state--or lead secure and productive lives outside it Since the beginnings of Zionism in the twentieth century, many Jewish thinkers have considered it close to heresy to validate life in the Diaspora. Jews in Europe and America faced "a life of pointless struggle and futile suffering, of ambivalence, confusion, and eternal impotence," as one early Zionist philosopher wrote, echoing a widespread and vehement disdain for Jews living outside Israel. This thinking, in a more understated but still pernicious form, continues to the present: the Holocaust tried to kill all of us, many Jews believe, and only statehood offers safety. But what if the Diaspora is a blessing in disguise? In At Home in Exile, renowned scholar and public intellectual Alan Wolfe, writing for the first time about his Jewish heritage, makes an impassioned, eloquent, and controversial argument that Jews should take pride in their Diasporic tradition. It is true that Jews have experienced more than their fair share of discrimination and destruction in exile, and there can be no doubt that anti-Semitism persists throughout the world and often rears its ugly head. Yet for the first time in history, Wolfe shows, it is possible for Jews to lead vibrant, successful, and, above all else, secure lives in states in which they are a minority. Drawing on centuries of Jewish thinking and writing, from Maimonides to Philip Roth, David Ben Gurion to Hannah Arendt, Wolfe makes a compelling case that life in the Diaspora can be good for the Jews no matter where they live, Israel very much included--as well as for the non-Jews with whom they live, Israel once again included. Not only can the Diaspora offer Jews the opportunity to reach a deep appreciation of pluralism and a commitment to fighting prejudice, but in an era of rising inequalities and global instability, the whole world can benefit from Jews' passion for justice and human dignity. Wolfe moves beyond the usual polemical arguments and celebrates a universalistic Judaism that is desperately needed if Israel is to survive. Turning our attention away from the Jewish state, where half of world Jewry lives, toward the pluralistic and vibrant places the other half have made their home, At Home in Exile is an inspiring call for a Judaism that isn't defensive and insecure but is instead open and inquiring.
At Home in His Heart
by Glynna KayeFinding Her Way HomeAs soon as she got married, Sandi Bradshaw wanted nothing more than to move out of Canyon Springs, Arizona. Then everything changed when her military husband was killed. Now, establishing a veteran's memorial for Keith has brought Sandi and her daughter back to his hometown. And face-to-face with the man who stood in the way of her marriage! Bryce Harding has a lot to prove to this same hometown crowd-and the very stubborn Sandi. But can they embrace the possibility that God might be giving them both a second chance at love?
At Home in Mitford: A Novel (A Mitford Novel #1)
by Jan KaronIt's easy to feel at home in Mitford. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are generally lovable. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that's sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy about ordinary people and their ordinary lives.
At Home in Nature: Modern Homesteading and Spiritual Practice in America
by Rebecca Kneale GouldThis study of homesteading in America from the late nineteenth century to the present examines the lives and beliefs of those who have ascribed to the homesteading philosophy, placing their experiences within the broader context of the changing meanings of nature and religion in modern American culture.
At Home in the Muddy Water: A Guide to Finding Peace Within Everyday Chaos
by Ezra BaydaMay we exist like a lotus, / At home in the muddy water. / Thus we bow to life as it is. This verse is an important reminder, says Ezra Bayda, of what the spiritual life is truly about: the willingness to open ourselves to whatever life presents--no matter how messy or complicated. And through that willingness to be open, we can discover wisdom, compassion, and the genuine life we all want. In At Home in the Muddy Water, Bayda applies this simple Zen teaching to a range of everyday concerns--including relationships, trust, sexuality, and money--showing that everything we need to practice is right here before us, and that peace and fulfillment is available to everyone, right here, right now, no matter what their circumstances.
At Home in the World: Stories and Essential Teachings from a Monk's Life
by Thich Nhat Hanh Jason DeantonisThis collection of autobiographical and teaching stories from peace activist and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is thought provoking, inspiring, and enjoyable to read. Collected here for the first time, these stories span the author's life. There are stories from Thich Nhat Hanh's childhood and the traditions of rural Vietnam. There are stories from his years as a teenaged novice, as a young teacher and writer in war torn Vietnam, and of his travels around the world to teach mindfulness, make pilgrimages to sacred sites, and influence world leaders. The tradition of teaching the Dharma through stories goes back at least to the time of the Buddha. Like the Buddha, Thich Nhat Hanh uses story-telling to engage people's interest so he can share important teachings, insights, and life lessons.From the Hardcover edition.
At Home with the Psalms: 100 Family Devotions
by Kenneth KremerLooking to use the Psalms for family devotions?First used as a hymnbook by Old Testament believers, the Psalms help Christian fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters express their faith today, no matter what blessings or troubles they encounter together. Each easy-to-understand devotion in At Home with the Psalms includes discussion prompts, valuable insights, and an encouraging prayer! At Home with the Psalms contains 100 interactive family devotions and will equip your whole family for the joys and sorrows of life, building up praise and thanks in your hearts through God’s Word.These devotions based on over 60 different psalms are best enjoyed with children in grades 3 through 8.
At The Master's Feet
by Sadhu Sundar SinghSadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929?) has been referred to as "the apostle of India." His Christian witness was one of faith, endurance, and supernatural activity. In 1922, his beloved classic At the Master's Feet was released. The book describes a vision, in which the disciple asks Jesus Christ, the Master, for wisdom and the meaning of various aspects of the Christian life. Also included in this edition is The Visions of Sadhu Sundar Singh, in which the Sadhu describes visionary experiences about heaven, hell, and everything in between.
At Peace in the Light
by Dannion Brinkley Paul PerryThe author Dannion Brinkley continues the spiritual journey of his life and his near death experience.
At the Altar of Wall Street: The Rituals, Myths, Theologies, Sacraments, and Mission of the Religion Known as the Modern Global Economy
by Scott W. GustafsonShows how economics functions as the dominant religion in America today In this provocative book Scott Gustafson argues that economics functions in our current global culture as religions have functioned in other cultures. He describes and analyzes the rituals, pilgrimage sites, myths, prophets, sacraments, and mission of Economics to show how the Economy is our de facto God. Discussing such topics as debt, economic terrorism, globalization, and money as the Economy's sacrament, Gustafson's At the Altar of Wall Street encompasses a broad sweep of history, philosophy, culture studies, economic ideas, and religion in its trenchant analysis.
At the Blue Hole: Elegy for a Church on the Edge
by Jack R. Reese&“Said plainly, churches are in trouble. All churches are, but certainly Churches of Christ. Whether or not they recognize the threats they are facing is a different matter. The future is fraught with dangers. Many won&’t make it.&” On New Year&’s weekend, 1831–32, two churches came together in Lexington, Kentucky, in what is often known today as the Restoration Movement. Among the churches that emerged from this movement were Churches of Christ, which grew in the nineteenth century and then flourished in the twentieth. At their zenith, around 1990, there were over 13,000 Church of Christ congregations in the United States with nearly 1.3 million members. Especially in the southern states where Churches of Christ were concentrated, it seemed inconceivable that they would ever face their own death.Like many communities of faith, these churches are now in rapid decline. The numbers are devastating. At the current trajectory, Churches of Christ in America, with a membership of just over a million, will be less than a quarter their current size in thirty years. As they awaken to their crisis, many of them are beginning to see themselves at the edge.This book is an elegy for those churches. But it is also a story of hope and promise. As from the &“Blue Hole&”—the tiny, hidden spring from which flows the San Antonio River, near where Jack Reese ministers—there is still abundant life and grace to be found flowing into Churches of Christ, waiting to be uncovered. Anyone wondering how to stem the seemingly inevitable ebb of the fading Western church will find solace and help in Reese&’s account of a once-thriving fellowship of churches that, God willing, may yet emerge from the grave into the light of resurrection.
At the Borders of the Wondrous and Magical: Nature Spirits, Shapeshifters, and the Undead in the Never-Ending Middle Ages
by Claude Lecouteux• Examines the esoteric side of texts and tales from the Middle Ages, including the enduring presence of haunted areas and power places and the roles of witches, house spirits, rune priests, shapeshifters, and the undead• Discusses the dividing line between magic and deviltry, as well as the significance of grimoires, bells, blacksmiths, storm callers, and more• Serves as a guide to a still-present magical and imaginal realm, pointing readers to the borderlands and liminal thresholds that enable access to the other worldIn this new collection of his writings, scholar and Sorbonne professor Claude Lecouteux reveals that the magical world of the distant past is real and still very present—if you know where to look. Explaining how he makes the texts he studies reveal their hidden teachings, Lecouteux directly explores the esoteric side of medieval myths and tales, peeling back the Christian veneer to show the enduring presence of haunted areas and power places, witches, house spirits, rune carvers, vampires, shapeshifters, and the undead.In tales originating from Greenland and Iceland to Saxony, Romania, and beyond, the author discusses the dividing line between magic and diablerie as well as the significance of grimoires, bells, blacksmiths, and other magical objects and characters. He explores magic in the elements of nature and as illustrated by the art of witches and magicians specializing in weather magic—storm callers and storm dispellers. He examines the medieval mythology surrounding clouds and the mythic significance of mountains in the haunted world of our ancestors, which is still as close to us today as it was to them in the past. Looking at borderlands and liminal thresholds that can serve as gateways to other worlds, the author also discusses land spirits and the rituals needed to engage with them, recognizing how their ownership of the land can never fully be usurped.Through these writings Lecouteux acts as a ferryman, transporting readers into the realms of the wondrous and magical. He enables us to see how the haunted magic of the Middle Ages never ended and how the imaginal realm, standing just beyond the borders of our own, is as vividly real as the material world.
At the Captain's Command
by Louise M. GougeDuty and career-Captain Thomas Moberly of His Majesty's Navy prizes them above all. So why is he tempted to relinquish both for Dinah Templeton? Though Dinah seems sweet and charming, the difference in station between an East Florida belle and the son of an earl is too marked to ignore. And all other obstacles pale with the discovery that Dinah's brother James is not what he seems....A war is brewing on the colonies' horizon, and James has chosen his side-in opposition to the country Thomas has sworn to defend. But what of Dinah? Where does her heart truly lie-with her family, or with the man she claims to love?
At the Corner of Mundane and Grace: Finding Glimpses of Glory in Ordinary Days
by Christopher H. FabryEveryone yearns for the mountaintop. We search for the conference that will (God willing) be life-changing. The moment when everything in our lives will neatly come together. (It could happen.) Yet daily experience teaches us that we don't -- and probably never could -- permanently live at such heights. The opposite is also true. Tragedies touch our lives every now and then. When they do we hold on to God with all our might -- because He's the only thing that's real to us in those times. But just like life at the heights, life in "the pit" is not the norm.The truth is, most of life is lived somewhere between Mt. Everest and the Grand Canyon. We reside at the corner of Mundane and Grace. The bad news? It gets boring and a little tough to keep going. The good news? That's exactly where God wants you. With light-hearted humor, gentle encouragement, and a healthy dose of wisdom and insight, Chris Fabry reveals the beauty in where you are today -- encouraging you to step forward in faith and to encounter God as you have never before At the Corner of Mundane and Grace.You will laugh, cry, and pray as Chris Fabry takes you to the corner of Mundane and Grace. He writes with wonderful, penetrating, down-to-earth insights into both human foibles and the wonders of God's grace. At the corner of Mundane and Grace you will see God in your life in the most marvelous ways.--Charles W. Colson, Prison Fellowship MinistriesIf your life is rather ordinary, this book will lead you to the extraordinary stuff that God has hidden in your daily routines.--Joseph M. Stowell, President, Moody Bible InstituteA big problem in our Christian faith is that we think God is with us only in the pew, when we're spit-shined and all tucked in. Chris Fabry tells us otherwise -- that God is with us when we're elbow-deep in dirty diapers, when our marriages are faltering, when the kids are sick and the dog is dying.--Philip Gulley, Author, Front Porch TalesWarm, witty, winsome! This happy volume will have a special place in my heart and in my home. I predict that others who taste and feast will be delighted and nourished as I have been.--Adrian Rogers, Pastor, Bellevue Baptist ChurchFrom the Hardcover edition.
At the Crossroads: Leadership Lessons for the Second Half of Life
by David Wilson Clayton L. SmithRetirement can be the most purpose-filled, satisfying, fun phase of your life!<P><P> Thousands of men and women are retiring each day, and many look forward to this phase of life with equal parts excitement and anxiety. Baby boomers have high expectations of retirement: they want to be redeployed to a life that is meaningful, significant, and full of joy. But this requires thoughtful planning, and many soon-to-be retirees wonder how they'll get there, or if they're even on the right path. <P> At the Crossroads, by Clayton Smith and Dave Wilson, is a six-week Bible-based study offering comprehensive, practical help for Christians who are approaching, entering, or already in retirement. Readers can work through the book on their own or as part of a group. <P> The book guides readers through a study and reflection process to discover their purpose, passion, and mission for retirement. It includes self-assessments and other planning tools to help readers develop a personal and spiritual mission statement. The book also facilitates discussions with family and friends about shared priorities, expectations, and end-of-life decisions, bringing a sense of peace for all involved. Finally, the book includes a chapter on financial planning, with a focus on the reader's legacy, for an impact that will last through generations.<P> "Most churches do too little to reach people who are nearing or entering retirement. Case in point: the baby boomer generation, which is slipping away from the church. At the Crossroads is a gift for people in this group--and for church leaders seeking to nurture them. It offers a way for retirees to reclaim God's purpose for their lives and to serve as never before. This is powerful for the individual and for the church! Pastors should use this as the basis for preretirement classes. It is a comprehensive study in service, community, stewardship, life purpose, and spirituality." --William B. Randolph, Director, Aging and Older Adult Ministries, Discipleship Ministries (UMC) "For Boomers who are ready to take a serious look at their future, At The Crossroads is an excellent place to start. Perfect for small groups and individuals who are ready to engage in six critical discussions, participants will be guided to discover their purpose as they move into the second half of life." - Rev. Dr. Craig Kennet Miller, author of Boomer Spirituality: Seven Values for the Second Half of Life and Director of Congregational Development at Discipleship Ministries with the United Methodist Church. "A useful tool for a community of Boomers looking to build and grow an enriching fellowship for the body, mind and spirit. We are excited to use this study ...!" -- Tiwana Whitten, First United Methodist Church, Topeka KS.<P> "At the Crossroads is a creative six week bible-based study that will help those of us over 55 to prepare for, transition into or live out our retirement years in more exciting and productive ways. I thank Clayton Smith and Dave Wilson for sharing from their experiences as an executive pastor and lay leader at Church of the Resurrection in a resource that will help us move from senior adult programs that mainly focus on "entertainment and travel" to instead preparing and motivating seniors to use their many gifts and graces in their church and community. I especially appreciate the book being grounded in biblical practices while using business-like methods that will be familiar to recent retirees. The "tools" included and available "on-line" help develop an inventory that will be used as building blocks for establishing a personal Mission/Purpose Statement and Strategic Plan. The many "God Stories" in personal interviews and the Chapter that focuses on "Caring Conversations" with family and friends make this book special in accomplishing a bridge to the many current "Boomers" who think of retirement as a "career shift" not as a traditional approach to retirement." -- Paul R. Ervin, Jr., Director of Generous Living, Long's Chapel UMC, Lake Junaluska, NC
At the Dawn of Modernity: Biology, Culture, and Material Life in Europe After the Year 1000
by David LevineAn accessible introduction to the origins of the modern Western world, using demographic history as a lens for examining possible accounts of transformations of economic, political, and domestic life in Western Europe between A. D. 1000 and 1400.