Beside Still Waters

"Fascinating, elegant . . . [Easterbrook] invests the timeless question of life's meaning with distinctly contemporary pertinence."--George Will, Newsweek Yes, says Gregg Easterbrook in this provocative and probing new book. In the tradition of Jack Miles's God A Biography and the work of Karen Armstrong, Beside Still Waters ponders the question "Is there anything left to believe in?" Gregg Easterbrook persuasively argues that rationality and outright doubt are inevitable and indeed vital elements of spiritual faith. Other new and important ideas about spiritual thought include the challenging observation that the Bible never actually proclaims God omnipotent -- a concept, Easterbrook suggests, that arose through the sociology and politics of religion, nor Scripture. Bucking the current trend to undermine the Bible's historical value, he affirms that it is neither simple myth nor mere literature, but rather it records many genuine events that can be seen to chart a spiritual journey not only of man but also of God. A thought-provoking book for anyone who believes that true faith can and should accommodate sincere doubt, Beside Still Waters addresses some of the central spiritual issues of a profoundly skeptical age.

A compelling question for people of faith today is how to remain committed to one's own religious tradition while being open to the beauty and truth of other religions. For example, some fear that Buddhism is a threat to Western faith traditions and express grave doubts about interreligious and cross-cultural encounters. Yet, many who have actually broadened their experience profess to have developed a deeper understanding of and a deeper commitment to their tradition of origin. This is what makes Beside Still Waters: Jews, Christians, and the Way of the Buddha such a new and meaningful contribution. Rather than offering research or lectures, Beside Still Waters takes a deeply personal approach, allowing the reader to delve into the individual experiences of fourteen Jews and Christians whose encounters with Buddhism have truly impacted their sense of religious identity. As Jack Miles, author of God: A Biography, says in the book's foreword, "The Buddhist presence in the religious world is far larger than a head-count of Buddhists can reveal." Beside Still Waters upholds this point by way of the diverse and eloquent authors who lend their perspective in its pages; these include Sylvia Boorstein, John B. Cobb, Norman Fischer, Ruben Habito, and other important members of the Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and scholarly communities. Their collected anecdotes and interviews amount to an unprecedented and enduring work, sure to deepen our ability to understand each other, and therefore, ourselves.

With a stroke of the paintbrush, artist Darrell Bush casts the lake's glories in a light so radiant it beckons one and all to come to the water's edge. Alongside reflections and quotes that illuminate the wonder of creation, each page reveals inspired scenes--welcoming Adirondack chairs facing the sunset, graceful birds soaring high above the lake's shimmery surface, cozy cabins promising warm shelter by the shore. This celebration of nature's splendor is an invitation to dive into the refreshment of joy, hope, and the abundance the water offers. It's a perfect gift for those who love outdoor escapes, the lake lifestyle, or the treasure of a great view.

This is a 365-day devotional book. The pieces found in this book were selected from the first three years of the bimonthly devotionals distributed free throughout the United States by Still Waters Ministry of Clarkson, Kentucky. These readings are as diverse as the men who wrote them. Few books will possess so many different challenges because few books have so many authors that hold your attention. There is a theme verse for each day and a short Bible reading at the end of each day's reading. By following the Bible reading schedule at the bottom of each reading, you will read through the Bible in one year.

Devotional books are a wonderful way to connect with the Word of God on a daily basis. However, many 365-day offerings provide little more than 60-second sound bites to sustain readers for brief reflection. So if you've been searching for a devotional reader that takes a deeper dive into the book of Psalms, then you've got a trustworthy guide in your hands. Journey into this fascinating Bible book of history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom, and song with Pastor Barry Stagner, author of the acclaimed 365-day devotional, Body Builders. You will not only be inspired in the moment, but invigorated with insight to go the distance as the Psalms come to life in the context of today's hectic world. Regardless of what season of life you're in, Beside Still Waters will revive your soul and sustain your spirit with timeless revelation and practical application as you walk day by day through the majestic and marvelous book of Psalms. From the introduction: "Nothing in the history of human literature will ever come remotely close to what you are about to encounter. Listen to the heartfelt pleas of mankind that arise from the depths of personal pain and despair, and you will hear the ecstatic praise of the same, offered to Him alone who is worthy to receive it. Together we will read the lyrics to songs that have long since lost their melodies, and we will hear the confessions of a man who has been broken by his own sin. We will learn how to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil. We will discover that we are to bless the Lord at all times and let His praise continually be in our mouths-no matter how we are "feeling." You will soon discover that our study in the Book of Psalms will be much like reaching into a deep well and drawing out untold riches and truth that can we can apply to our everyday lives."

Pieter van den Berg, a rebellious child, wound up in the Dutch navy just as World War II broke out. This is the account of his subsequent global war-time travels that saw him come through crisis to peace - internally and externally - as he found salvation in Christ.

Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, Prescott-- four towns are dismantled slowly while their inhabitants grieve for a history and heritage that has been voted away from them. A family saga based on an actual event which displaced four entire towns in central Massachusetts for the construction of a reservoir to supply water for Boston, where families are divided between those who protest the construction project, those who give up and leave, and those who help to build it.