Eclipse A Journey To Darkness And Light

According to world-famous astronomer David Levy, an eclipse of the sun “is a natural event with unnatural consequences. In fact, a total eclipse of the Sun has the power to rip through to the core of your being.” Levy should know, having experienced the power of the vanishing Sun first as a child then in 1999 on a ship in the North Atlantic. It was that voyage to the darkness of the disappearing Sun, followed by a rendezvous with a brilliant display of the Northern Lights, that formed the inspiration for this book. Levy recounts the recorded history of eclipses, how they have been perceived by ancient cultures, how they can be predicted, and how best to view them. In addition, he explains the science of solar eclipses and what can be gained by studying them. In a manner accessible to all readers, Levy recounts the story of nature’s most profound displays.

This comprehensive guide to solar eclipses will captivate you with the wonder of this celestial event while providing valuable insights into its scientific, cultural, and societal significance. Each chapter offers a deep dive into specific aspects, ensuring that readers gain a well-rounded understanding of solar eclipses and their impact on our world.

The perfect introduction for the novice astronomer, this book stirs the imagination and puts observation in a framework of social activity and personal adventure. Written by an award-winning astronomer, it is a technical guide to the sky, full of helpful practical hints. The author's lively style engages, entertains, and informs. Newcomers will learn how to enjoy the Moon, planets, comets, meteors, and distant galaxies observable through a small telescope. Levy describes the features of the Moon from night to night; how to observe constellations; how best to view the stars, nebulae, and galaxies; how to follow the planets on their annual trek among the constellations; how to map the sky; how to find a new comet; how to buy or even make a telescope; what to see in a month of lunar observations or a year of stellar observation; and much more.

Although originally daunted at being asked to present the 2020 James Backhouse Lecture to Australian Friends, Fiona Gardner came to find that the opportunity encouraged her to reflect more deeply on her own journey and what might usefully be shared with others. For over twenty years, Fiona has participated in facilitating the Meeting for Learning (a year-long program for spiritual nurture, designed to explore Spirit and Quaker ways), and lives with her partner in a small intentional community that has been a place of spiritual nurture and learning. She has worked as a social worker for many years and now as a university teacher, particularly in fostering critical reflection and spirituality for social workers and critical spirituality for pastoral care workers. A continuing challenge in her spiritual life has been how to integrate her spiritual being in all of these aspects of her life. “Why seek to live life in union with Spirit? Such a life, in my experience and that of many others, is a fuller, richer, meaning filled and deeper life, connected to that which is eternal. It means moving from what is often called the ‘divided life’, beyond opposing forces to a place of wholeness, to integrating all of who we are in all that we do. To do this means holding together these opposites.”

Crimes unspeakable. A name synonymous with twisted brutality and perversion. Jeffrey Dahmer. The most notorious serial killer of our time. A decade ago his story shocked and gripped our nation and the world. But we didn't get the whole story. In prison, Dahmer's dark journey crossed paths with deep grace. Here is the whole story, told by the man who befriended him and showed him the light of God's love. It's an unexpected story of first steps in faith, of surprising questions about the Bible, of light breaking into darkness. A story that will change what you thought you knew about grace. Jeffrey Dahmer. Christian. Grace unspeakable.

Upon presenting the 1986 Nobel Prize for Peace to Elie Wiesel, Egil Aarvick, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee, hailed him as "a messenger to mankind--not with a message of hate and revenge but with one of brotherhood and atonement." Elie Wiesel: Messenger to All Humanity, first published in 1983, echoes this theme and still affirms that message, a call to both Christians and Jews to face the tragedy of the Holocaust and begin again.