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Territorial Governance and Spatial Transformation in Post-apartheid South Africa (Local and Urban Governance)
by Daniel Du PlessisThe book provides a reflective account of the evolution of the territorial governance structures and processes in South Africa over a period of 30 years after the transition to a post-apartheid society in 1994. It also considers the role and influence of these changing governance institutions and processes and their associated outputs (in the form of policies and plans) on several priority dimensions of urban spatial transformation. The synthesis of the experiences and lessons learnt provides the bases for contemplating important future focus areas for territorial governance such as spatial transformation towards smart cities, an African perspective for future South African cities, and transitioning towards a streamlined integrated territorial governance system. The lessons and experiences are not only of local significance in South Africa, but also globally in countries and regions faced with territorial governance and spatial transformation challenges.
Digital Twin Technology for Smart Grid (SpringerBriefs in Energy)
by Sabrieh Choobkar Seyed Mohsen HashemiThe traditional power grid has been revolutionized in recent years, and its different domains are improving to form a new smart grid. To better understand smart electricity grid and recommend how its domains function best, a comprehensive look at the power system in parallel with digitalization revolution is required. Recent digital twin (DT) technology promises to enhance industries, including smart grids, and this book studies DT architecture and its applications and benefits. Coverage includes DT solutions for smart grid domains and subsystems and describes advantages of employing DT in the smart grid. The book&’s concept is based on merging DT technology with smart grid applications. Its structure follows an understanding of DT concepts and applications in smart grid domains. Digital Twin Technology for Smart Power Grid will be a valuable reference for power industry practitioners, researchers, and students. It explains the new digital twin technology and how it can enhance the current electricity system toward a smarter power grid.
Urn Models and Their Applications in Finance
by Masato HisakadoThis fascinating book begins with fundamental definitions and notations of urn models before moving on to stochastic processes and applications of urn models in the field of finance. The Pólya urn model is simple but has rich content and diverse applications because it includes correlations. Applications of Pólya models such as phase transitions in nonlinear Pólya models are studied here, and the relation between temporal correlation and phase transition is also discussed. In a continuous limit, the self-exciting negative binomial distribution model and Hawkes model, which has Poisson noise, can be obtained. In these models, it is possible to observe phase transition as a branching process, which is one of the absorption phase transitions. If connected urns are considered, the process can be extended to represent correlations between several urns, corresponding to complex networks among the urns and leading to consideration of how the network affects the urn processes. In this book, the method is applied to default portfolios, including correlations. In finance, correlation is an important issue in the clustering of a default, and several topics involving applications of urn models to risk assessment for default portfolios in finance are explained. Especially in default portfolios, some sectors affect many other sectors while other sectors do not; thus the origin of default contagion, a phenomenon to which urn models with networks are applied here.
Contentious Politics in the Transnational Arena: Political Contention in Europe and its Wider Neighbourhood (Palgrave Studies in European Political Sociology)
by Chiara Milan Aron BuzogányThis Open Access book investigates the transnational dimension of activism — exploring how and why non-state actors scale up contention from the local to the transnational arena, how they translate their grievances and claims into the transnational arena, and how they organize across borders. Moving beyond the analysis of individual campaigns, or a single-country or single-issue focus, which are already well represented in the literature, this volume takes a comprehensive approach. It investigates transnational activities across various policy fields and their respective transnational arenas of contention — namely migration, labour struggles, human rights, and environmental/climate justice — across a range of geographic contexts. Drawing on extensive fieldwork, the contributions in this volume examine cases of transnational contention spanning the EU and its broader neighborhood, from the Western Balkans to the South Caucasus and the Mediterranean. Focusing on European spaces as the arena where civil society actors mobilize, this volume offers insights into their diverse repertoires of contention and discursive strategies, and how they refer to the European Union as the direct or indirect target of their claims. Key cases include grassroots movements, NGO campaigns, pro-European forces, Eurosceptic parties, healthcare and climate justice activism, and the organizational dynamics surrounding migration-related contentious politics. Offering guidelines for future research on civil society actors in the EU and its neighbourhood, this volume is essential reading for scholars and students of political sociology, political science, European studies, as well as practitioners and policy makers concerned with the future of civil society activism in the transnational arena.
Brain Fingerprint Identification (Brain Informatics and Health)
by Wanzeng Kong Xuanyu JinThis open access book delves into the emerging field of biometric identification using brainwave patterns. Specifically, this book presents recent advances in electroencephalography (EEG)-based biometric recognition to identify unique neural signatures that can be used for secure authentication and identification. Traditional biometric systems such as fingerprints, iris scans, and face recognition have become integral to security and identification. However, these methods are increasingly vulnerable to spoofing and other forms of attack. Unlike other traditional biometrics, EEG signals are non-invasive, continuous authentication, liveness detection, and resistance to coercion due to the complexity and uniqueness of brain patterns. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for high-security fields such as military and finance, providing a promising alternative for future high-security identification and authentication. However, most of the existing brain fingerprint identification studies require subjects to perform specific cognitive tasks, which limits the popularization and application of brain fingerprint identification in practical scenarios. Additionally, due to the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and time-varying characteristics of EEG signals, there are distribution differences in EEG data across sessions from several days, leading to stability issues in brain fingerprint features extracted at different sessions. Finally, because the EEG signal is affected by the coupling of multiple factors and the nervous system has continuous spontaneous variability, which makes it difficult for the brain fingerprint identification model to be suitable for the scenarios of unseen sessions and cognitive tasks, and there is the problem of insufficient model generalization. In this book, based on traditional machine learning methods and deep learning methods, the authors will carry out multi-task single-session, single-task multi-session, and multi-task multi-session brain fingerprint identification research respectively for the above problems, to provide an effective solution for the application of brain fingerprint identification in practical scenarios.
A Concise Introduction to Polymer Physics: Theoretical Concepts and Applications (Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics)
by Reinhard HentschkeThis textbook provides a concise and transparently structured one-semester course in polymer physics - the science, in addition to polymer chemistry, behind a class of ubiquitous materials. It covers all major theoretical concepts and their applications in six chapters, including the conformations of chains, the thermodynamics of mixtures, solutions and networks, and the dynamics of polymers. Selected topics highlight aspects of polymer mechanics, the role of particulate fillers, stable and labile liquid crystal polymers, and polyelectrolytes. Solved problems deepen and extend important points that are explained in the main chapters. The emphasis is on the derivation of the results and not on their mere presentation. If a result can be obtained using different theoretical methods or viewed from a different angle, an attempt is made to explain the relationships between the methods as clearly as possible. In addition, the validation of theoretical results through suitable experiments is always included. All this assumes a certain familiarity with statistical thermodynamics and its mathematics, which means that the text is best suited for upper undergraduate level.
Self-healing Materials: Bridging Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering for a Sustainable Future (Engineering Materials)
by Peeyush Phogat Shreya Sharma Soumya Rai Jahanvi ThakurThis book highlights the transformative potential of self-healing materials in addressing global challenges related to sustainability, durability, and efficiency across industries. By bridging the disciplines of physics, chemistry, and engineering, it provides a comprehensive exploration of self-healing mechanisms, material classifications, and cutting-edge applications in energy systems, biomedical devices, and infrastructure. The book also delves into the thermodynamics, kinetics, and biomimetic inspirations driving advancements in this field. With an emphasis on scalability, environmental impact, and future technologies, this resource equips researchers, engineers, and professionals with the knowledge to innovate and implement sustainable solutions. It is an essential guide for those aiming to contribute to a circular economy and design materials for a more resilient and eco-friendly future.
The Anthropocene, Ontopolitics, and International Relations
by Matthew RobsonThis book addresses the ongoing need to explore the implications of the &‘Anthropocene&’ rupture for the field of International Relations (IR). Bringing together a group of established and early career academics, the chapters present a range of different ways of framing our current ecological and historical context, showing how they can be used to pursue new research directions and insights in areas of study such as governance, security, and migration. For that, each author displays their own preferences for a variety of divergent terms, ranging from more mainstream conceptions of an &‘Anthropocene,&’ to alternatives such as for instance the &‘Capitalocene&’ or Technocene. The book pursues a critical engagement with these different framings, unearthing, assessing and evaluating the ontopolitical assumptions which underpin them. In this way, the book aims to make an important political and ethical contribution to debates on the &‘Anthropocene&’ and its implications for the field of IR, engaging rigorously with scholarship largely from outside the more typical US-North European axis. In confronting the growing interest in the ontopolitics of the Anthropocene, which this book conceptualises within a variety of registers, this is a vital read for scholars and advanced students in IR, but also researchers in cognate or related disciplines such as law, geography, anthropology, sociology, and the arts.
The Inspiration Code: How the Best Leaders Energize People Every Day
by Kristi HedgesEveryone wants to be the kind of leader who energizes and mobilizes others-yet too few are. Why is it so challenging to crack the code?All it takes is the right conversation…great leaders inspire action with their words. They spark enthusiasm and commitment. With a single conversation, they can change the direction of someone's life.Executive coach Kristi Hedges spent years studying exactly what inspiring leaders do differently. Informed by quantitative research and thousands of responses from leaders at all levels, she reveals that inspiring communication isn't about grand gestures. Instead, those who motivate us most do a few things routinely, consistently, and intentionally.In Inspiration Code, Kristi explains:Present: investing their attention carefully and guiding the flow of conversationsPersonal: speaking genuinely, listening generously, and bringing out the potential of those around thePassionate: exhibiting sincere emotion and exuding energy attuned to the situationPurposeful: helping others find meaning and see their place in the bigger pictureEye-opening and accessible, The Inspiration Code dispels common myths about how leaders communicate-and guides them in cultivating qualities that authentically excite. Inspired companies need inspirational leaders. Learn to unlock motivation, lift peoples &‘sights, and lead them into the future.
Dare to Bloom: Trusting God Through Painful Endings and New Beginnings
by Zim FloresEither by choice or by circumstance, we all encounter times of starting over. Seasons of hardships, abundance, seeking, and struggle all have a purpose because growth demands change. Dare to Bloom urges us to be both vulnerable and resilient in new seasons of life as we boldly position ourselves for what God has for us next. Serial entrepreneur and author, Zim Flores (neè Ugochukwu), reveals the challenges she's faced and how even her failures have helped shape her sense of purpose.Her parents had big plans for her life. The daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Zim Flores was uprooted from her community as a young girl, marking the beginning of her quest for true identity. Though she experienced unprecedented worldly success as a teenager and young adult, Zim declares that even when we feel pressured by the world around us, our true identity is never at risk.In Dare to Bloom, Zim offers practical and hard-won truths about:How to reclaim your true identityHow to surrender your desired outcomes to GodHow to move forward after broken friendshipsHow to find comfort during your darkest hoursHow to navigate new beginnings with hope for whatever is nextHow to joyfully participate in your own story--even when you don't know what the future holds Dare to Bloom is a powerful gift for readers in times of transition or struggle who need a reminder that their true identity never changes. It empowers those who feel stuck in their current circumstances to follow God obediently into the unknown, finding joy in each new beginning. Inside you'll find:Breathtaking photography from Zim's travelsThoughtful questions for reflection at the end of each chapterZimisms--wisdom-filled phrases from the author When everything changes around us, it can be easy to think that we're only as good as our last success. Though our identities are challenged day by day, Dare to Bloom encourages us to reclaim our identity in God, who is unchanging through it all.
Reading Luke: Interpretation, Reflection, Formation (Scripture and Hermeneutics Series)
by ZondervanA rich and comprehensive volume—essential reading for all those interested in how to read Luke as relevant for today In this sixth volume, the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar brings its past six years of work on biblical hermeneutics to bear on the gospel according to Luke. In his introduction, Anthony Thiselton, world authority on biblical hermeneutics, sets the context for a wideranging exploration of how to read Luke for God&’s address today. Traditional and more contemporary approaches are brought into dialogue with each other as several top Lukan scholars reflect on how best to read Luke as Scripture. Topics covered include the purpose of Luke- Acts, biblical theology and Luke, narrative and Luke, reception history and Luke, the parables in Luke, a missional reading of Luke, and theological interpretation of Luke. Since prayer is a major theme in Luke, this volume explores not only the role of prayer in Luke, but also the relationship between prayer and exegesis.
When Faith Fails: The Aftermath of Sexual Abuse
by Beth Withers BanningOn January 24, 2018, Dr. Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40-175 years in federal prison for abusing more than 245 athletes that were under his care spanning 30 years. At his sentencing, Randall Margraves had the opportunity to speak as the father of two of the abuse victims. Riddled with anger and grief, Mr. Margraves did what every parent in the courtroom wanted to do--he lunged at Dr. Nassar after being denied by the judge five minutes alone with him.Statistics of sexual abuse continue to rise in the United States. Sadly, a deviant culture has invaded our shores and stolen the innocence of our children. Kathryn&’s story is only one of the millions of mothers who have had to deal with the repercussions of the sexual abuse of their daughters, and I would like to thank Kathryn and Kara for their bravery in sharing their personal experiences.For parents, it is a never-ending heartache filled with guilt and regret. Hopefully, the journey that God has brought Kathryn and Kara through will assist or enlighten the millions of parents coping with the aftermath of sexual abuse in their families.May you be spared of such devastation, but if not, until parents speak out, the world will never change. When your faith fails, please know that believing again is possible.Beth Withers Banning
Help Is Here Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit
by Max LucadoWhen you feel powerless . . . help is hereBills pile up. Savings go down. Marriages go south. Work goes off the rails. Stress goes off the charts. It&’s all too much to take on by yourself.Fortunately, you don&’t have to take it all on yourself. In fact, God never intended for you to do so. He has provided heaven-sent help to walk with you, guide you, and shoulder the load. Someone who never gets tired. Someone who is strong and powerful. Someone who is unhindered by what hinders us. Someone who is always nearby.Interested? If so, join Max Lucado in this five-session study to learn more about this &“helper&” whom we know as the Holy Spirit. You will receive the tools and encouragement you need to become joyful, enthusiastic, and empowered as you draw closer to God; learn who the Spirit is and how he can help you; find true rest and peace as you let him carry your burdens; and discover your unique gifts to further God&’s kingdom.Help Is Here reminds us that our Good Shepherd doesn&’t just feed us; he leads us. He does more than correct us; he directs us. God keeps us on track—and best of all, he&’s commissioned the Holy Spirit to guide us down the winding roads of life, wherever they may lead us.Sessions and video run times:Our Powerful Ally (17:00)Our Strength and Guide (16:30)Our Peace and Guarantee (18:30)Our Intercessor and Advocate (16:30)Our Gift-Giver of Life (16:30)This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including:The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide.An individual access code to stream all video sessions online. (DVD also available separately.)Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.
Blueprint for Project Recovery--A Project Management Guide: A Project Management Guide : The Complete Process For Getting Derailed Projects Back On Track
by Ronald B. CagleWith the acceleration of technology and information, projects are becoming more complex, costly, and time-constrained -- and every year thousands of them get cancelled or end up costing significantly more than their original projections. Project and program managers are sorely in need of tools to help them avoid failure. Blueprint for Project Recovery provides readers with a proven, proceduralized methodology for identifying where and how projects went off course, and a defined plan of action to bring them back on track. Based on years of research and including a CD-ROM packed with all the forms, checklists and resources used in the text, the book gives readers an entire process for both evaluating and repairing projects gone off course, and guidance for planning them more effectively in the first place. The book is designed as an easy reference troubleshooting guide that readers can use immediately to solve all their project difficulties. Every project or program has exigencies that can cause problems with cost, schedule, or outcome. Blueprint for Project Recovery! is the ultimate antidote.
Living God's Word Workbook: Discovering Our Place in the Great Story of Scripture
by J. Daniel Hays J. Scott DuvallA Companion WORKBOOK to Help You Discover the Great Story of Scripture and Find Your Place in ItLiving God's Word is your pathway to read the Bible as it was meant to be read: as God's Great Story. This WORKBOOK is designed for use alongside the second edition of Living God's Word. While the textbook helps you see the big picture of what God is doing throughout the Bible, the WORKBOOK lets you reflect on and internalize what you are reading.Many Christians resolve to study the Bible more fervently, but often struggle to grasp the progression of Scripture as a whole. They encounter various passages each week through unrelated readings, studies, and sermons and it all feels disconnected. But once they see the Bible as God's Great Story, they begin to understand how it all fits together and they start see how their own lives fit into what God has done and is doing in the world.In Living God's Word, Second Edition, New Testament scholar J. Scott Duvall and Old Testament expert J. Daniel Hays help Christians consider how their lives can be integrated into the story of the Bible, thus enabling them to live faithfully in deep and important ways. Living God's Word explores the entire Bible through broad themes that trace the progression of God's redemptive plan. Each section deals with a certain portion of Scripture's story and includes:Reading/listening preparationExplanationSummaryObservations about theological significanceConnections to the Great StoryWritten assignments for further studyThese features--combined with the authors' engaging style--make Living God's Word an ideal book for those who want to understand the Bible better, for introductory college courses, Sunday school electives, or small group study.When used alongside the textbook, this workbook is the ideal resource for anyone looking to better understand how the entire Bible fits together as God's Great Story.
Scientific Challenges to Evolutionary Theory: How these Challenges Affect Religion
by Jay SchabackerScientific Challenges to Evolutionary Theory: How These Challenges Affect Religion addresses all aspects of the giant battle between two major belief systems…those that believe in a &‘naturalistic worldview&’ and evolution, and those that believe in a miracle-performing God and the Creation of all things.On a trip to Mount St. Helens, some look at the catastrophic eruption of May 18, 1981 as a significant corroboration of the Creation event. Others, deniers of the possibilities of miracles, hold to the view that God&’s creation cannot be taken seriously by the scientific community.At the Mount St. Helens book store, I asked about books for sale that gave a Christian view of the catastrophic eruption. The reply was, &“I&’m sorry, sir, but we only carry books by scientists.&”It was time for the author, Jay Schabacker, to do a little scientific sleuthing. Join Jay Schabacker as you learn of the hundreds, even thousands, of Ph.D. scientists who repudiate the theory of evolution, but hold rather to the truth of the theory of Creation.Significant general information, likely new to most readers gives corroborative evidence from many sources, including:• From all over the ancient world, hundreds of accounts of a global flood• Well documented accounts of the Ark of Noah, indeed, located at the top of Mount Ararat• Ancient &‘Near East&’ finds, inscribed on rock, told of the actual details covered in the Holy Bible Numerous scientific papers refute the naturalistic dogma forced on us the government, public schools, universities and media. You&’ll find arguments that assert:• The earth&’s geological features appear to have been fashioned by rapid catastrophic processes that affected the earth on a global scale.• Life on earth was suddenly created, not over billions of years.• The use of radiometric dating method is often grossly in error.• The fossil record shows that all present living kinds of animals and plants have remained fixed since creation.• Mutations and natural selection are insufficient to have brought about any emergence of living kinds from a simple primordial organism.• The universe has &“obvious manifestations of an ordered, structural plan and design.&” The universe and the solar system were suddenly created. If evolution is wrong why are our children being only taught it in our public schools? Numerous polls favored biology teachers teaching Darwin&’s Theory of evolution, but also the scientific evidence against it. The final section of the book gets further into the &“Action Plan&” where church pastors and members, scientist groups, etc., could make an important difference if:• We all read about the subject and started the conversation;• We gave our views to the school boards and legislators who are the decision makers;• We initiate needed petitions in support needed legislation; and• We urge church pastors to create their own church schools and concerned families to start home schooling for their children.
James: The Relationship Between Faith and Works (Jeremiah Bible Study Series)
by Dr. David JeremiahFollow Dr. Jeremiah through the book of James in a chapter-by-chapter study that will help you understand what it meant to the people at the time it was written, and what it means to Christians today. The connection between faith and works lies at the very heart of the letter of James. The author of this short letter is concerned not only with what we as followers of Christ believe but also with how those beliefs shape our actions.James' words contain enduring practical advice for putting faith into action.Each of this study's twelve lessons is clearly organized to include:Getting Started: An opening question to introduce you to the lesson.Setting the Stage: A short reflection to explain the context of the study.Exploring the Text: The Scripture reading for the lesson with related study questions.Reviewing the Story: Questions to help you identify key points in the reading.Applying the Message: Questions to help you apply the key ideas to their lives.Reflecting on the Meaning: A closing reflection on the key teachings in the lesson.—ABOUT THE SERIES—The Jeremiah Bible Study Series captures Dr. David Jeremiah's forty-plus years of commitment in teaching the Word of God. In each study, you'll gain insights into the text, identify key stories and themes, and be challenged to apply the truths you uncover to your life. By the end of each study, you'll come away with a clear and memorable understanding of that Bible book.
The Alzheimer's Advisor: A Caregiver's Guide To Dealing With The Tough Legal And Practical Issues
by Vaughn E. JamesFor anyone who has ever cared for a person with Alzheimer’s, coping with the emotional, financial, and day-to-day issues can be grueling. While many people are aware of the physical effects of this disease, very few know how to handle the practical issues that can make dealing with a loved one or patient with Alzheimer’s that much more difficult. In The Alzheimer's Advisor, Vaughn E. James offers an empathetic and straightforward guide to the legal and ethical dilemmas associated with this disorder. Using real-life situations, the author offers invaluable advice on such topics as: estate planning • the emotional issues of caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s • how to cope with the cost of care • living wills, power of attorney, and guardianship • treatment and diagnosis • finding the right lawyer and paying for the cost of legal help • legal issues for the mobile Alzheimer’s patient. From recognizing the early signs of the disease to understanding the legal implications, this is the one book that will enable caregivers, health-care practitioners, and family members to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Peppino: A Nineteenth Century Medici
by Seth ColemanSeth Coleman&’s Peppino introduces readers to a young Italian boy who is destined for greatness but first must overcome grave obstacles in order to fulfill his potential. Born in nineteenth-century southern Italy, Peppino is the son of the baroness of Bologna. A member of the famous Medici family, one of the most prominent families in European history, the baroness expects her son to claim his role of baron and accept his rightful place among the aristocracy. However, the precocious Peppino rebels against his upper-class position, setting off on his own to fight for the common people.Joining Peppino in the struggle are Nicola, a devout Christian peasant, and Abramo, a Hassidic Jew. Together all three risk their lives in order to lead a rebellion against the injustices of the Church and--more specifically--the local monsignor, who has evil ambitions of his own.Pope Leo XIII is another warrior in the fight for the people&’s rights. He had successfully fought off the mafia&’s stranglehold on the country and as Pope worked tirelessly against class injustices. With his niece set to marry Peppino, the novel offers a unique glimpse into the personal life of an often-solitary figure, whom millions adore but only a handful really know.Ultimately a story of good versus evil, religion versus God, and hypocrisy versus righteousness, Peppino examines history through the lens of the personal. Through his novel, Coleman offers readers a human story with breathtaking scope.
Collected Thoughts
by Jenne LichtyA gathered bunch of random musings on topics affecting many women today: from marriage, momming, special needs, faith and everything in between, Jenne approaches the gory and glory in it all letting her funny bone lead the way. Running the gamut from inspirational and thought-provoking to laugh-out-loud funny, every entry is authentic and true to life. Written in quick, easy-to-read selections in the social media standard that so many are used to today, each entry provides a lighthearted pick-me-up or a mind snack to chew on throughout the day.
High-Profit Prospecting: Powerful Strategies to Find the Best Leads and Drive Breakthrough Sales Results
by Mark Hunter, CSPSearch engines and social media have changed how prospecting pipelines for salespeople are built today, but the vitality of the pipeline itself has not. The key to success for every salesperson is his pipeline of prospects.In High-Profit Prospecting, sales expert Mark Hunter shatters costly prospecting myths and eliminates confusion about what works today.Merging new strategies with proven practices that unfortunately many have given up (much to their demise), this must-have resource for salespeople in every industry will help you:Find better leads and qualify them quicklyTrade cold calling for informed callingTailor your timing and messageLeave a great voicemail and craft a compelling emailUse social media effectivelyLeverage referralsGet past gatekeepers and open new doorsTop producers are still prospecting. However, buyers have evolved, therefore your prospecting needs to as well. For the salesperson, prospecting is still king. Take back control of your pipeline for success!
The Essential Bible Companion: Key Insights for Reading God's Word (Essential Bible Companion Series)
by John H. Walton Mark L. Strauss Ted Cooper, Jr.At your fingertips: the most vital information you need for reading and truly understanding the Bible. The Essential Bible Companion is a unique, easy-to-use reference guide that gives you clear, crisp insights into the Bible, book by book.Developed by two world-class Bible scholars and the creator of The Bible in 90 Days curriculum, this compact reference tool visually lays out the key details for each book of the Bible, including:Essential background information, such as the underlying purpose, the key terms and concepts, and the key teachings about God in that book.An easy-to-reference timeline of the book with callouts for notable events.Important people to know.Key verses, maps, and historical introductions. Between the brief introductions you might find in a study Bible and the overwhelming amount of detail in an exhaustive reference handbook or commentary, The Essential Bible Companion strikes the perfect balance of manageable information that doesn't distract or detract from Scripture itself.This richly informative volume will assist you on your journey toward a well-grounded biblical faith.
Philippians: The Joy of Living in Christ (Jeremiah Bible Study Series)
by Dr. David JeremiahExperience joy in any situation...Follow Dr. Jeremiah through the letter of Philippians in a chapter-by-chapter study that will help you understand what it meant to the people at the time it was written, and what it means to Christians today. The believers in Philippi were experiencing both concern for Paul while he was in prison and spiritual discouragement. Paul wrote this loving letter to encourage them in their faith and to remind them that there was a greater future in store for him and for them outside this world. Paul even admits the tension he feels between living to continue sharing the gospel and dying so he can be with Christ. This mindset allowed Paul to remain joyful in the midst of suffering and he knew the same would be true of the Philippi believers as well.Each of this study's twelve lessons is clearly organized to include:Getting Started: An opening question to introduce you to the lesson.Setting the Stage: A short reflection to explain the context of the study.Exploring the Text: The Scripture reading for the lesson with related study questions.Reviewing the Story: Questions to help you identify key points in the reading.Applying the Message: Questions to help you apply the key ideas to their lives.Reflecting on the Meaning: A closing reflection on the key teachings in the lesson.—ABOUT THE SERIES—The Jeremiah Bible Study Series captures Dr. David Jeremiah's forty-plus years of commitment in teaching the Word of God. In each study, you'll gain insights into the text, identify key stories and themes, and be challenged to apply the truths you uncover to your life. By the end of each study, you'll come away with a clear and memorable understanding of that Bible book.Each study also contains a Leader's Guide.
You Are Essential: 100 Inspirational Reminders of How Much You Matter
by Thomas Nelson Gift BooksWith 100 uplifting quotes and stories along with vibrant artwork, You Are Essential is for the essential people in your life--including you!--who need a reminder that what they do matters.We all have essential people in our lives, whether they are friends, family, or someone we are meeting for the first time at the doctor's office or grocery pick-up line. Designed to be given as an encouragement or thank-you to others or as a self-purchase to remind yourself how much the world needs you, You Are Essential includes:Inspirational quotesEncouraging storiesColorful artworkThis timely and timeless book is ideal for:Classroom and online teachersNurses, medical assistants, EMTs, pharmacists, and doctorsFirst responders and their familiesParents juggling both childcare and a careerGrandparents stepping in to help during turbulent timesPastors, youth leaders, and Sunday school teachersGrocery store delivery shoppers and postal service employeesHomeschooling parents and co-op leadersFactory workers, car mechanics, restaurant personnelAnd more!The perfect way to let someone know you see all that they are doing and that you're grateful, You Are Essential is a beautiful celebration of the human spirit and a reminder that no matter what, we will always need each other.
Tactics Study Guide plus Streaming Video, Updated and Expanded: A Guide to Effectively Discussing Your Christian Convictions
by Gregory KouklLearn how to defend your faith with confidence and grace in this eight-session, video-based apologetics course (DVD/streaming video sold separately).In a culture increasingly indifferent or even hostile to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority.Based on the strategies described in the classic book of Christian apologetics, the Tactics Study Guide will take small groups deeper into how to artfully communicate the truths of Christianity and keep conversations moving forward in constructive ways.This study is highly interactive and includes extensive teachings and exercises, such as:Step-by-step tactic explanations.Real-world scenarios and challenges.One-on-one breakout sessions.Written responses and personal reflections.The tactical approaches you'll learn in this course will give you indispensable skills to help you engage others about your Christian beliefs—and it may also deepen your own faith along the way.Together with the accompanying Tactics Video Study (sold separately), this guide provides an easy-to-follow, well-reasoned plan for mastering the art of maneuvering in conversations about Christian spirituality and ethics.