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Salvation with a Smile: Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, and American Christianity
by Phillip Luke SinitiereJoel Osteen, the smiling preacher, has quickly emerged as one of the most recognizable Protestant leaders in the country. His megachurch, the Houston based Lakewood Church, hosts an average of over 40,000 worshipers each week. Osteen is the best-selling author of numerous books, and his sermons and inspirational talks appear regularly on mainstream cable and satellite radio. How did Joel Osteen become Joel Osteen? How did Lakewood become the largest megachurch in the U. S.?Salvation with a Smile, the first book devoted to Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen, offers a critical history of the congregation by linking its origins to post-World War II neopentecostalism, and connecting it to the exceptionally popular prosperity gospel movement and the enduring attraction of televangelism. In this richly documented book, historian Phillip Luke Sinitiere carefully excavates the life and times of Lakewood’s founder, John Osteen, to explain how his son Joel expanded his legacy and fashioned the congregation into America’s largest megachurch. As a popular preacher, Joel Osteen’s ministry has been a source of existential strength for many, but also the routine target of religious critics who vociferously contend that his teachings are theologically suspect and spiritually shallow. Sinitiere’s keen analysis shows how Osteen’s rebuttals have expressed a piety of resistance that demonstrates evangelicalism’s fractured, but persistent presence. Salvation with a Smile situates Lakewood Church in the context of American religious history and illuminates how Osteen has parlayed an understanding of American religious and political culture into vast popularity and success.
Salvem os judeus: O que o povo judaico não sabe sobre Jesus
by Bernard Levine Diogo dos Santos FariasQue tristeza e que tragédia terrível é o fato de que a nação judaica, "O Povo das Escrituras", não crê em Jesus. Se os judeus ao menos percebessem que, sem Jesus, eles não receberão a graça maravilhosa da vida eterna. Pois, por não aceitarem Jesus como seu companheiro, os judeus também estão desperdiçando a oportunidade de experienciar o grandioso poder do que o sangue de Jesus pode fazer em suas vidas. Os judeus estão perdendo a chance de ter seus pecados remitidos e perdoados. Devido aos sacrifícios de sangue do Velho Testamento haverem cessado, e já não serem observados, os judeus não podem mais ter seus pecados expurgados e perdoados sem sangue. Há tantas coisas sobre Jesus que os judeus nunca ouviram, ou que não eles não sabem... Você vai falar de Jesus aos judeus?
Salviamo gli ebrei
by Bernard Levine Simona TrapaniE' davvero triste ed è un terribile tragedia che la nazione ebraica, il 'Popolo del Libro', non creda in Gesù. Gli ebrei sono ossessionati dal rispetto di molte leggi e tradizioni create dall'uomo, stabilite dai loro rabbini. Poiché i sacrifici di sangue dell'Antico Testamento sono stati eliminati e non vengono più osservati, i peccati degli ebrei non possono essere purificati e perdonati senza sangue. Ci sono molto cose di Gesù che gli ebrei non conoscono o di cui non hanno mai sentito parlare.... E voi, parlerete agli ebrei di Gesù?
Salvos sin lugar a dudas
by John MacarthurTodos los creyentes han luchado con estas preguntas en algún momento de su vida. Salvos sin lugar a dudas trata este tema difícil, examinando las Escrituras para descubrir la verdad sobre la salvación, y a la vez analizando cuestiones difíciles que pueden obstaculizar nuestra fe. Los lectores podrán desarrollar una teología de la salvación basada en la Biblia, y ser alentados a descansar de forma segura en su relación personal con Cristo.
Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too!)
by Leslie Kimmelman Stefano TambelliniWhen Charlie moves next door to Sam, he's thrilled to have a new friend--even if she is a girl. Charlie has a little sister, also named Sam--or Sam Too, as the other Sam comes to call her. Both Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too) are Jewish, and they try to live by the religion's motto: Love your neighbor as yourself. The five brief chapters in this book, accompanied by colorful illustrations, highlight the value of friendship and its ups and downs.
Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too) at Camp!
by William Owl Leslie KimmelmanBest friends Sam and Charlie are headed to sleepaway camp for the first time! Each day brings something new--from swimming and nature hikes to camp songs and FOAM day! At camp, Sam and Charlie learn the importance of shomrei adamah, taking care of the earth, and taking care of friendships, new and old.This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.
Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too) Return!
by William Owl Leslie KimmelmanSam and Charlie (and Charlie's little sister, Sam Too) return with five more stories, which include a Tu B'Shevat celebration and a Hannukah competition. Accompanied by colorful illustrations, the stories highlight the value of friendship and its ups and downs. This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.
Sam Kills Christmas
by Thomas RidgewellSam is a small child with a big problem, they HATE Santa. And so, this Christmas, it's time to embark on a quest to vanquish that villain once and for all. Along the way, Sam will encounter Ice Queens and evil Elves, and not a few rocket launchers and explosives, but the big question is...will they be able to rid the world of the tyranny of Santa?
Samadhi: His Divine Grace
by Srila Bhakti Puri MaharajA special volume of writings by the founder of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math published to commemorate the opening of the samadhi temple built in his honor.In 2004, Swami B. P. Puri's Samadhi Mandir in Mayapur, India, was completed. The date of its inauguration, agreed upon by astrologers and devotees, was set for March 4th. This publication commemorates that auspicious day. Samadhi includes chapters on “Chanting Inattentively,” “Spiritual Entry into the Holy Dham,” and “Transcending Duality through Service to the Lord.” The book also includes an article by Swami B. B. Bodhayan, detailing Swami B. P. Puri’s auspicious advent and boyhood pastimes.
Samaj se prapat Brahmcharya (Purvardh): समझ से प्राप्त ब्रह्मचर्य (पूर्वार्ध)
by Dada Bhagwanप्रत्येक मनुष्य में आत्मा को पहचानकर अपना आत्यंतिक कल्याण (मोक्ष प्राप्ति) करने की शक्ति होती है| लेकिन, इस मार्ग में विषय सब से बड़ा बाधक कारण बन सकता है| सिर्फ प्रत्यक्ष ज्ञानीपुरुष ही विषय आकर्षण के पीछे रहे विज्ञान को समझाकर उसमें से निकलने में हमारी सहायता कर सकते हैं| प्रस्तुत पुस्तक में पूज्य दादाश्री ने विपरीत लिंग के प्रति होते आकर्षण के इफेक्ट और कॉज़ का वर्णन किया हैं | उन्होंने यह बताया है कि विषय–विकार किस प्रकार से जोखमी हैं - वे मन और शरीर पर किस तरह विपरित असर डालते हैं और कर्म बंधन करवाते हैं| प्रस्तुत पुस्तक के खंड-१ में मूल रूप से आकर्षण- विकर्षण के सिद्धांत का वर्णन किया गया है और साथ ही यह आत्मानुभव में किस प्रकार से बाधक है और ब्रम्हचर्य के माहात्मय के प्रति समर्पित है| प्रस्तुत पुस्तक खंड- २ में ब्रम्हचर्य पालन करनेवाले निश्चयी के लिए सत्संग संकलित हुआ है | ज्ञानीपुरुष के श्रीमुख से ब्रम्हचर्य का परिणाम जानने के बाद उसके प्रति आफरीन हुए साधक में उस तरफ कदम बढ़ाने की हिम्मत आती है। ज्ञानी के संयोग से, सत्संग व सानिध्य प्राप्त करके, मन-वचन-काया से अखंड ब्रम्हचर्य में रहने का दृढ़- निश्चयी बनता है| ब्रम्हचर्य पथ पर प्रयाण करने हेतु और विषय के वट-वृक्ष को जड़-मूल से उखाड़कर निर्मूल करने हेतु इस मार्ग में बिछे हुए पत्थरों से लेकर पहाड़ जैसे विघ्नों के सामने, डगमगाते हुए निश्चय से लेकर ब्रम्हचर्य व्रत से च्युत होने के बावजूद ज्ञानीपुरुष उसे जागृति की सर्वोत्कृत श्रेणियाँ पार करवाकर निर्ग्रंथाता की प्राप्ति करवाए, उस हद तक की विज्ञान- दृष्टी खोल देते हैं और विकसित करते हैं| तो यह पुस्तक पढ़कर शुद्ध ब्रम्हचर्य किस तरह उपकारी है, ऐसी समझ प्राप्त करें|
Samaj se prapat Brahmcharya (Uttaradh): समझ से प्राप्त ब्रह्मचर्य (उत्तरार्ध)
by Dada Bhagwanहर एक मनुष्य में अपने आत्मा को पहचानकर मोक्ष प्राप्त करने की शक्ति है। लेकिन मोक्ष मार्ग में विषय सबसे बड़ा बाधक बन जाता है। सिर्फ प्रत्यक्ष ज्ञानीपुरुष ही विषय आकर्षण के पीछे का विज्ञान समझाकर उसमें से बाहर निकलने में मदद कर सकते हैं। ज्ञानीपुरुष दादाश्री ने मोक्ष मार्ग में ब्रह्मचर्य की महत्वता और विवाहित लोग भी वह किस प्रकार प्राप्त कर सकते हैं, वह बताया है। विषय का वैराग्यमय स्वरुप, उसकी इस जन्म की और अगले जन्म की जोखिमदारियाँ बताई है| ब्रह्मचर्य से होनेवाले फायदे उसकी वैज्ञानिक एक्ज़ेक्टनेस के साथ बताए हैं। ब्रह्मचर्य की भूलरहित समझ, विषयबीज को निर्मूल कर के जड़-मूल से उखाड़ने का तरीका बताया है। खंड १ में पूज्य दादाश्री ने विवाहितों को बिना हक़ के विषय के सामने चेतावनी दी है वैसे ही उसकी जोखिमदारी और किस तरह से सूक्ष्मातिसूक्ष्म आकर्षण/ दृष्टिदोष भी हमें मोक्षमार्ग से भटका देंगे वह समझाया है। खंड २ में ज्ञानीपुरुष ने कैसा विज्ञान देखा! वह हमारे लिए खुल्ला किया है जगत के लोगों ने मीठी मान्यता से विषय में सुख का आनंद लिया, किस तरह उनकी दृष्टि विकसित करने से उनकी विषय संबंधित सभी उल्टी मान्याताएँ छूट जाएँ और महामुक्तदशा के मूल कारण रूप, ऐसे 'भाव ब्रह्मचर्य' का वास्तविक स्वरूप, विषय मुक्ति हेतु कर्तापन की सारी भ्रांति टूट जाए, और ज्ञानीपुरुष ने खुद जो देखा है, जाना है और अनुभव किया है, उस 'वैज्ञानिक अक्रम मार्ग' का ब्रह्मचर्य संबंधित अदभुत रहस्य खुल्ला किया है। ऐसे दुषमकाल में कि जहाँ समग्र जगत में वातावरण ही विषयाग्निवाला फैल गया है, ऐसे संयोगों में ब्रह्मचर्य संबंधित 'प्रकट विज्ञान' को स्पर्श करके निकली हुई 'ज्ञानीपुरुष' की अदभुत वाणी विषय-मोह में से छूटकर ब्रह्मचर्य की साधना में रहकर, सुज्ञ वाचक को अखंड शुद्ध ब्रह्मचर्य को समझ के साथ स्थिर करता है।
Samaj Se Prapt Brahmacharya (Sanxipt): समज से प्राप्त ब्रह्मचर्य (संक्षिप्त)
by Dada Bhagwanब्रम्हचर्य व्रत, भगवान महावीर द्वारा दिये हुए ५ महाव्रतो का हिस्सा है| मोक्ष प्राप्त करने ब्रम्हचर्य व्रत का पालन करना चाहिए, यह समझ बहुत सारे लोगो में है पर विषय करना क्यों गलत है या उसमें से हम छुटकारा कैसे पा सकते है, यह सब कोई नहीं जानता| विषय यह हमारी पाँचो इन्द्रियों में से किसी भी इन्द्रिय को पसंद नहीं आता| आँखों को देखना अच्छा नहीं लगता, नाक को सूंघना पसंद नहीं, जीभ से चख ही नहीं सकते और ना ही हाथ से छू सकते है| पर फिर भी सच्चा ज्ञान नहीं होने के कारण लोग विषय में निरंतर लीन होते है क्योंकि उन्हें इसके जोख्मों के बारे में कोई जानकारी ही नहीं है| अपने हक्क के साथी के साथ भी विषय करने में अनगिनत सूक्ष्म जीवों का नाश होता है और अनहक्क के विषय का नतीजा तो नरकगति है| इस पुस्तक द्वारा आपको ब्रम्हचर्य क्या है,इसके क्या फायदे है, ब्रम्हचर्य का पालन कैसे करे वगैरह प्रश्नों के जवाब मिलेंगे|
Samaj thi Prapt Brahmacharya-Purvardh: સમજથી પ્રાપ્ત બ્રહ્મચર્ય (પૂર્વાર્ધ)
by Dada Bhagwanદરેક મનુષ્ય પાસે પોતાના આત્માને ઓળખીને આત્યંતિક કલ્યાણ (મોક્ષ) પ્રાપ્ત કરવાની શક્તિ છે. પરંતુ, આ માર્ગમાં વિષય સૌથી મોટું બાધક કારણ બની શકે છે. એકમાત્ર પ્રત્યક્ષ જ્ઞાની પુરુષ જ વિષય આકર્ષણ પાછળનું વિજ્ઞાન સમજાવીને તેમાંથી બહાર નીકળવામાં મદદ કરી શકે. પ્રસ્તુત પુસ્તકમાં સંપૂજ્ય દાદાશ્રીએ વિજાતીય વ્યકિત પ્રત્યે અનુભવાતા આકર્ષણની ઈફેક્ટ અને કોઝીઝનું વર્ણન કર્યુ છે. તેમણે એ વર્ણન કર્યુ છે કે કેવીરીતે અબ્રહ્મચર્યનાં(વિષય-વિકારનાં) પરિણામો જોખમી છે - તે મન અને શરીરને કેવીરીતે અવળી અસર કરે છે અને કર્મ બંધન કરાવે છે. પ્રસ્તુત પુસ્તકનો ખંડ ૧ મૂળભૂત રીતે આકર્ષણ-વિકર્ષણનાં સિદ્ધાંતનું વર્ણન અને તે કેવીરીતે આત્માનુભવને અટકાવે છે અને બ્રહ્મચર્યનાં મહાત્મ્યની સમજણને સમર્પિત થયેલ છે. પ્રસ્તુત પુસ્તકના ખંડ ૨માં બ્રહ્મચર્ય પાળવાનાં નિશ્ચયી માટેનો સત્સંગ સંકલિત થયેલો છે. બ્રહ્મચર્યનાં પરિણામો જ્ઞાની શ્રીમુખે જાણવાથી તેના પ્રતિ આફરીન થયેલો સાધક તે પ્રતિ ડગ માંડવાની સહેજ હિંમત દાખવવા માંડે છે; ને જ્ઞાની પુરુષનો યોગ સાધી, સત્સંગ સાન્નિધ્ય પ્રાપ્ત થતાં, મન-વચન-કાયાથી અખંડ બ્રહ્મચર્યમાં રહેવાનો દ્રઢ નિશ્ચયી બને છે. બ્રહ્મચર્યના પથ પર પ્રયાણ કરવાને કાજે અને વિષયના વટવૃક્ષને જડમૂળથી ઉખાડીને નિર્મૂળ કરવાને કાજે એના માર્ગમાં વચ્ચે પથરાતા પથરાઓથી માંડીને પહાડસમ આવતાં વિઘ્નો સામે, નિશ્ચય ડગુમગુ થતાંથી માંડીને બ્રહ્મચર્યવ્રતમાંથી ચ્યુત થવા છતાં તેને જાગૃતિની સર્વોત્કૃષ્ટ શ્રેણીઓ સર કરાવી નિગ્રઁથતાને પમાડે ત્યાં સુધીની વિજ્ઞાન-દ્રષ્ટિ જ્ઞાની પુરુષ ખોલાવે છે, ખિલાવે છે !!! તો આ પુસ્તકનું વાંચન કરીએ અને શુદ્ધ બ્રહ્મચર્ય કેવીરીતે ઉપકારી છે (મદદરૂપ છે) તેની સમજણ પ્રાપ્ત કરીએ !
Samaj thi Prapt Brahmacharya-Uttaradh: સમજથી પ્રાપ્ત બ્રહ્મચર્ય (ઉત્તરાર્ધ)
by Dada Bhagwanદરેક મનુષ્ય પાસે પોતાના આત્માને ઓળખીને આત્યંતિક કલ્યાણ (મોક્ષ) પ્રાપ્ત કરવાની શક્તિ છે. પરંતુ, આ મોક્ષ માર્ગમાં વિષય સૌથી મોટું બાધક બની શકે છે. એકમાત્ર પ્રત્યક્ષ જ્ઞાની પુરુષ જ વિષય આકર્ષણ પાછળનું વિજ્ઞાન સમજાવીને તેમાંથી બહાર નીકળવામાં મદદ કરી શકે. પ્રસ્તુત પુસ્તકમાં જ્ઞાની પુરુષ, દાદાશ્રીએ મોક્ષમાર્ગમાં બ્રહ્મચર્યની અનિવાર્યતા (મહત્વતા).... અને પરિણીતો પણ તે કેવીરીતે પામી શકે (સિદ્ધ કરી શકે) તે દર્શાવ્યું છે. વિષયનું વૈરાગ્યમય સ્વરૂપ, તેનાં આ ભવનાં તેમજ આવતા ભવના જોખમો જ્ઞાની પુરુષે બતાડ્યા છે અને બ્રહ્મચર્યના ફાયદાઓ તેની વૈજ્ઞાનિક ચોકસાઈ (એક્ઝેક્ટનેસ) સાથે દેખાડ્યા છે. બ્રહ્મચર્યની ભૂલ વગરની સમજણ, વિષયબીજને નિર્મૂળ કરી જડમૂળથી ઉખેડવાની રીત મુમુક્ષુને (સુજ્ઞ વાચકને બ્રહ્મચર્યનાં પાલનાર્થે) આપવામાં આવી છે. ખંડ ૧ માં પૂજ્ય દાદાશ્રીએ પરિણીતોને અણહક્કનાં વિષયો સામે ચેતવ્યા છે,(મનથી કે વર્તનથી) તેમજ તેના જોખમો (પરિણામો) અને કેવીરીતે સૂક્ષ્માતિસૂક્ષ્મ આકર્ષણ/દ્રષ્ટિદોષ(અણહક્કનાં વિષયો) પણ આપણને મોક્ષમાર્ગમાંથી ચલિત કરી દેશે તે સમજાવ્યું છે. (ધક્કો મારી દેશે.) પરણેલાઓ માટે પોતાની પરણેલી એટલે કે હક્ક્ની સ્ત્રી સાથે સંપૂર્ણ વફાદારી (એકપત્ની વ્રત) એ બ્રહ્મચર્ય સમાન જ છે. પુસ્તકનાં ખંડ ૨ માં સર્વ સંયોગોથી અપ્રતિબદ્ધપણે વિચરતા, મહામુક્તદશા માણતા જ્ઞાની પુરુષે કેવું વિજ્ઞાન નિહાળ્યું !! તે આપણા માટે ખુલ્લું કર્યું છે. જગતનાં લોકોએ મીઠી માન્યતાથી વિષયમાં સુખ માણ્યું, તેઓની દ્રષ્ટિ કેવી રીતે ખીલવવાથી વિષય સંબંધી સર્વે અવળી માન્યતાઓ મૂકાય ને મહામુક્તદશાનું કારણ સ્વરૂપ એવાં ‘ભાવ બ્રહ્મચર્ય’ નાં વાસ્તવિક સ્વરૂપની સમજણ ઊંડાણે ફીટ થાય, વિષય મુકિત કાજે કરવાપણાની સર્વ ભ્રાંતિ તૂટે તેમજ જ્ઞાની પુરુષે પોતે જે જોયો છે, જાણ્યો છે ને અનુભવ્યો છે, એ ‘વૈજ્ઞાનિક અક્ર્મ માર્ગ’નાં બ્રહ્મચર્ય સંબંધીનાં અદ્ભૂોત રહસ્યો આ ગ્રંથમાં વિસ્ફોટતાને પામ્યા છે ! આવાં દુષમકાળમાં કે જ્યાં સમગ્ર જગતમાં વાતાવરણ જ વિષયાગ્નિનું ફેલાઈ ગયું છે, તેવાં સંજોગોમાં બ્રહ્મચર્ય સંબંધી ‘પ્રગટ વિજ્ઞાન’ ને સ્પર્શીને નીકળેલી ‘જ્ઞાની પુરુષ’ ની અદ્ભૂનત વાણી વિષય–મોહથી છૂટી બ્રહ્મચર્યની સાધનામાં રહી, સુજ્ઞ વાચકને અખંડ શુદ્ધ બ્રહ્મચર્યમાં સમજણ સહિત સ્થિર કરે છે.
Samajpurvak prapt Brahmcharya (Sankshipt): समजपूर्वक प्राप्त ब्रह्मचर्य (संक्षिप्त)
by Dada Bhagwanब्रह्मचर्य व्रत भगवान महावीरांनी दिलेल्या पाच महाव्रतांपैकी एक व्रत आहे. मोक्ष प्राप्तीसाठी ब्रह्मचर्य व्रत पाळावे लागते. अशी समज खूप लोकांना आहे.परंतु हा विषयभोग कशाप्रकारे चुकीचा आहे? किंवा त्यातून आपली सुटका कशी होऊ शकते? हे सर्व लोकांना माहित नाही. विषय हे आपल्या पाच इंद्रियांपैकी कोणत्याही इंद्रियाला आवडत नाही. डोळ्यांना पाहायला आवडत नाही. नाकाने सुंघायला आवडत नाही. जिभेने चाखायला आवडत नाही. पण तरी खरे ज्ञान नसल्यामुळे लोकं विषय विकारातच निरंतर बुडलेले असतात. कारण त्यांना त्याच्या जोखिमांची जाणीवच नाही. आपल्या हक्काच्या साथीसोबतच्या विषय भोगातही अगणित सूक्ष्म जीवांचा नाश होतो. आणि बिनहक्काच्या विषय भोगाचा परिणाम तर नर्क गतिच आहे. या पुस्तकाद्वारे आपल्याला ब्रह्मचर्य म्हणजे काय? त्याचे फायदे कोणते? ब्रह्मचर्य कसे पाळावे? विकारांपासून मुक्ति कशी मिळवावी? वगैरे सर्व प्रश्नांची उत्तरे मिळतील.
Samantha Sanderson At the Movies (FaithGirlz / Samantha Sanderson)
by Robin CarollSam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, and so she’s always looking for articles she can publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become editor). And with a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply for writing material. It seemed like the perfect opportunity. When an explosive device is found in the local theater, Sam gets the lead on this developing and controversial story—controversial because the movie theater has recently come under attack by a renowned, outspoken atheist for allowing a local church to show Christian movies. Sam’s police-officer father happens to be heading the investigation, and Sam can’t resist doing some sleuthing of her own with the help of her best friend Makayla’s techno-genius. But when Sam’s theories end up being printed in the school paper, she lands in big trouble—and danger!
Samantha Sanderson Off the Record
by Robin CarollSam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, so she’s always looking for articles to publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become chief editor). With a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply of writing material. In the third book of the Samantha Sanderson series, when the school’s grades were tampered with, Sam must enlist Makayla’s help in hacking the system to discover the virus that was used and who committed the crime. But when the lead suspect is her newfound friend, Felicia, Sam must choose whether to stick by her friends at all costs or report the story as she sees it. The Samantha Sanderson series is about an ordinary girl with extraordinary dreams. Each book touches on a crime straight from headlines, from bomb threats to bullying, while following Samantha and her friends as they navigate middle-school and questions of faith.
Samantha Sanderson On the Scene (FaithGirlz / Samantha Sanderson)
by Robin CarollWhat if getting to the bottom of a mystery means learning how to love your enemy? As Samantha and the rest of the middle schoolers prepare for the upcoming Spring Fest, “mean girl” Nikki faces the reality that her parents are getting divorced. Samantha has a hard time sympathizing—Nikki has never been very nice to anyone, let alone Samantha. But when Nikki becomes victim of a string of attacks, Sam takes it upon herself and uses her super sleuth abilities to get to the bottom of the bullying. After all, articles on bullying are just what the school paper needs instead of all that silly fluff like popularity tips. Samantha enlists the help of her tech-savvy BFF, Makayla, but while the two track down clues, they leave a trail of trouble behind—and may even be directly responsible for the break-in of their very own school’s computer lab! Samantha Sanderson is a resourceful seventh grader with the extraordinary dream to become an aspiring award-winning journalist. Sam and her best friend, Makayla, are always sniffing out the next big mystery to report in the school paper—that is, when they aren’t busy navigating the crazy world of middle school, faith, and friends.
Samantha's Gift
by Valerie HansenUSA Today–Bestselling Author: In a small-town school in the Ozarks, can a little girl in need bring two coworkers together?A Maggie Award FinalistThough the local gossips had them pegged as an item, teacher Rachel Woodward was merely helping Sean Bates, the new guidance counselor, learn small-town ways. But his looks and charm were almost irresistible. It was a good thing Rachel no longer fell prey to romantic insanity . . . Yet she couldn’t ignore Sean, or how wonderfully he cared for the sweet, rambunctious five-year-old who’d landed in their school—and both their hearts. Little Samantha needed a father, and Sean would be the perfect man for the job. But she needed a mother, too—and suddenly Rachel wondered if God had a family in store for her after all . . .
The Samaritan Woman's Story: Reconsidering John 4 After #ChurchToo
by Caryn A. ReederMost Christians have heard a familiar description of the Samaritan woman in John 4: she was a sinner, an adulteress, even a prostitute. Throughout church history, the woman at the well has been seen narrowly in terms of her gender and marital history. What are we missing in the story? And what difference does our interpretation of this passage make for women and men in the church? Caryn A. Reeder calls us to see the Samaritan woman in a different light. Beginning with the reception history of John 4, she pulls back layers of interpretation entangled with readers' assumptions on women and sexuality. She then explores the story's original context, describing life for women and expectations regarding marriage and divorce in the first century. With this clarified lens, Reeder's exegesis of the passage yields refreshing insights on what the Gospel says���and does not say���about the woman at the well. Throughout the book, Reeder draws connections between interpretations of this text and the life of the church. The sexual objectification of the Samaritan woman and minimization of her positive contribution has ongoing consequences for how women are seen and treated���including in the failure of many Christian communities to respond well to accusations of abuse. In the age of #MeToo and #ChurchToo, The Samaritan Woman's Story offers a bold challenge to teach the Bible in a way that truly honors the value and voices of women.
The Samaritans: A Profile
by Reinhard PummerAuthoritative introduction to the Samaritan tradition from antiquity to the present Most people associate the term "Samaritan" exclusively with the New Testament stories about the Good Samaritan and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. Very few are aware that a small community of about 750 Samaritans still lives today in Palestine and Israel; they view themselves as the true Israelites, having resided in their birthplace for thousands of years and preserving unchanged the revelation given to Moses in the Torah. Reinhard Pummer, one of the world's foremost experts on Samaritanism, offers in this book a comprehensive introduction to the people identified as Samaritans in both biblical and nonbiblical sources. Besides analyzing the literary, epigraphic, and archaeological sources, he examines the Samaritans' history, their geographical distribution, their version of the Pentateuch, their rituals and customs, and their situation today. There is no better book available on the subject.
Samaritans and Jews in History and Tradition: Changing Perspectives 10 (Copenhagen International Seminar)
by Ingrid HjelmThis volume presents an anthology of 19 seminal studies, some for the first time in English, that explore the history and tradition of the ancient relationship between Samaritans and Jews.The book is arranged into three parts: Methods, Traditions, and History; Samaritan and Jewish Pentateuchs; and Studies in Bible and Tradition, each of which is chronologically ordered. It represents a collection of the author’s previous publications on the relationship between Samaritans and Jews, expanding and supplementing the conclusions of her published books. Recent archaeological developments on Mount Gerizim have demonstrated that our paradigms for writing the ancient histories of the kingdoms and provinces of Samaria and Judah in the Iron II, Persian, and Hellenistic periods must change. These developments also affect how we evaluate and read ancient literary traditions, and several chapters offer challenging new perspectives on well-known themes, narratives, and compositions in this subject area.Samaritans and Jews in History and Tradition: Changing Perspectives 10 will be of interest to students and scholars of biblical studies, theology, comparative religion, the ancient Near East, and in particular, Samaritan and Jewish studies.
Samarkand
by Amin MaaloufA gripping historical novel set in 11th century Persia that imagines the life of poet and philosopher Omar KhayyamAccused of mocking the inviolate codes of Islam, the Persian poet and sage Omar Khayyam fortuitously finds sympathy with the very man who is to judge his alleged crimes. Recognising genius, the judge decides to spare him and gives him instead a small, blank book, encouraging him to confine his thoughts to it alone.Thus begins the seamless blend of fact and fiction that is Samarkand. Vividly re-creating the history of the manuscript of the Rubaiyaat of Omar Khayyam, Amin Maalouf spans continents and centuries with breathtaking vision: the dusky exoticism of 11th-century Persia, with its poetesses and assassins; the same country's struggles nine hundred years later, seen through the eyes of an American academic obsessed with finding the original manuscript; and the fated maiden voyage of the Titanic, whose tragedy led to the Rubaiyaat's final resting place - all are brought to life with keen assurance by this gifted and award-winning writer.
Samarkand
by Amin MaaloufA gripping historical novel set in 11th century Persia that imagines the life of poet and philosopher Omar KhayyamAccused of mocking the inviolate codes of Islam, the Persian poet and sage Omar Khayyam fortuitously finds sympathy with the very man who is to judge his alleged crimes. Recognising genius, the judge decides to spare him and gives him instead a small, blank book, encouraging him to confine his thoughts to it alone.Thus begins the seamless blend of fact and fiction that is Samarkand. Vividly re-creating the history of the manuscript of the Rubaiyaat of Omar Khayyam, Amin Maalouf spans continents and centuries with breathtaking vision: the dusky exoticism of 11th-century Persia, with its poetesses and assassins; the same country's struggles nine hundred years later, seen through the eyes of an American academic obsessed with finding the original manuscript; and the fated maiden voyage of the Titanic, whose tragedy led to the Rubaiyaat's final resting place - all are brought to life with keen assurance by this gifted and award-winning writer.