A User Friendly Universe

This book was written for Christian laypersons who want to think about their faith and be given creative and relevant suggestions about what it means to attempt authentic Christian living in todays world, and for religious professionals who want or need to reflect on various topics and issues of the Christian faith journey and desire mental stimulation and spiritual inspiration regarding them. The Rev. Dr. Cliff Cain, Harrod-C.S. Lewis Professor of Religious Studies at Westminster College, provides a compelling response to the question Can God be an effective and reliant participant in a user-friendly 21st century universe? This book is current, intellectually stimulating, and offers a multigenerational perspective to age-old questions that demand answers that enable deeper understanding. Set aside the time to read this marvelous book! Benjamin Ola. Akande, Ph.D. President, Westminster College This book should be required reading for any college course seeking to orient students to the issues that address meaning in their lives. It should also be used as a valuable resource for local church adult education courses. I know Cliff Cain to be a rare combination of scholar and pastor, and this blending allows the reader to catch his enthusiasm and passion for the Christian life. The reader will be drawn-in to an in-depth dialogue about the Christian journey and current Christian issues. I recommend it highly. The Reverend Erwin R. Bode, B.A., M.Div., S.T.M., D.D. Leader in Progressive Ecumenical Higher Education Ministries for 20 years In a fresh and engaging style, Professor Cain applies biblical values and stories in short reflections that give the reader a way to escape the daily rush and settle into the quiet of mindful reflection. Like Jesus own story-telling style, Cain takes language and images familiar to his audience, but turns them on their heads, reinterpreting them with Gospel values, and even connections to other faiths. A User-friendly Universe? is an enriching read for anyone connected to college as a place which celebrates the life of the mind and the cultivation of the spirit. Janice A. Thompson, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Chair Department of Theology Kings College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Internationally acclaimed bestselling author Byron Katie presents inspiring sayings in this beautiful work, which features illustrations by award-winning artist Hans Wilhelm In this vibrant book of inspiring and challenging wisdom, Byron Katie offers powerful aphorisms that can change the lives of readers forever. These delightful “Katieisms” are presented along with full-color, full-page illustrations from celebrated and award-winning artist Hans Wilhelm. This book will brighten the lives of readers who are searching for inner harmony and an end to suffering.

How was the world as we know it created? What does it mean to be a hero? Where do we go when we die? Why are flood myths so ubiquitous? Anyone who has pondered these and other questions about humanity's ancient beliefs will be fascinated by The Friendly Guide to Mythology. Focusing on Greek and Roman mythology but including myths from Africa, Asia, Australia, northern Europe, and the Americas, The Friendly Guide to Mythology is filled with compelling stories of gods, goddesses, mortals, and monsters. Beautifully ornamented with photos, line drawings, and quotes, this entertaining guide also includes an A-to-Z listing of the world's most captivating goddesses; profiles of famous writers, collectors, and interpreters of myths; and engaging sidebars. Featuring myths of love, wisdom, and adventure as well as those of violence, jealousy, and pure folly, this accessible collection offers fascinating insight into the human psyche and brings our rich mythological heritage delightfully into focus.

This enhanced eBook includes video, audio, photographic, and linked content, as well as a bonus short story. Hear TAMMY talk. Learn the origins of Minor Universe 31. See the TM-31. Take a trip in it. Photos and illustrations appear as hyperlinked endnotes. Video and audio are embedded directly in text. *Video and audio may not play on all readers. Check your user manual for details. National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Award winner Charles Yu delivers his debut novel, a razor-sharp, ridiculously funny, and utterly touching story of a son searching for his father . . . through quantum space–time. Minor Universe 31 is a vast story-space on the outskirts of fiction, where paradox fluctuates like the stock market, lonely sexbots beckon failed protagonists, and time travel is serious business. Every day, people get into time machines and try to do the one thing they should never do: change the past. That’s where Charles Yu, time travel technician—part counselor, part gadget repair man—steps in. He helps save people from themselves. Literally. When he’s not taking client calls or consoling his boss, Phil, who could really use an upgrade, Yu visits his mother (stuck in a one-hour cycle of time, she makes dinner over and over and over) and searches for his father, who invented time travel and then vanished. Accompanied by TAMMY, an operating system with low self-esteem, and Ed, a nonexistent but ontologically valid dog, Yu sets out, and back, and beyond, in order to find the one day where he and his father can meet in memory. He learns that the key may be found in a book he got from his future self. It’s called How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, and he’s the author. And somewhere inside it is the information that could help him—in fact it may even save his life. Wildly new and adventurous, Yu’s debut is certain to send shock waves of wonder through literary space–time.

Answers to science's most enduring questions from "Can I break the light-speed barrier like on Star Trek?" and "Is there life on other planets?" to "What is empty space made of?" This is an indispensable guide to physics that offers readers an overview of the most popular physics topics written in an accessible, irreverent, and engaging manner while still maintaining a tone of wry skepticism. Even the novice will be able to follow along, as the topics are addressed using plain English and (almost) no equations. Veterans of popular physics will also find their nagging questions addressed, like whether the universe can expand faster than light, and for that matter, what the universe is expanding into anyway. Gives a one-stop tour of all the big questions that capture the public imagination including string theory, quantum mechanics, parallel universes, and the beginning of time Explains serious science in an entertaining, conversational, and easy-to-understand way Includes dozens of delightfully groan-worthy cartoons that explain everything from special relativity to Dark Matter Filled with fascinating information and insights, this book will both deepen and transform your understanding of the universe.

A story about political organizing and the power of community Translated from French by Helge Dascher Valérie Plante stood up to the patriarchal power system of her city, took down an incumbent, and became the first woman elected Mayor of Montreal. Her origin story comes alive in Okay, Universe. This captivating graphic novel—created in a true collaboration with Governor-General Award-winner Delphie Côté-Lacroix—follows her journey from community organizer and volunteer to municipal candidate, and the phone call from the local social justice political party that changed her life forever. Okay, Universe is the first time Plante has told her story, and she has chosen an art form that is not just emblematic of the city of Montreal and its love of the arts and bande dessinée, it’s an art form that is accessible to all readers and perfectly suited to her message. With patience, determination, and the strength of will to remain true to her core beliefs, Okay, Universe details the inspiring political campaign where slowly but surely she gained the trust of a neighbourhood fighting for affordable housing, environmental protections, and equal opportunities. Okay, Universe demystifies the path to success, simultaneously showing the Mayor’s inextinguishable commitment to creating positive change in the world and educating about the vitality of political engagement."

With his Heinlein-influenced, solidly scientific, warmly human stories, Spider Robinson has won every major award that the science fiction field has to offer. "User Friendly" is a new solid chunk of Spider's universe that is both "reader" friendly and "sales" friendly.

Examines the origin, structure, and workings of the universe, including galaxies, stars, dark matter, light years, black holes, and other aspects, and describes space exploration from ancient astronomy to modern probes.