Epidemic Of Joy

Randal Denny began a devotional study in the Book of Acts with 'Do It Again, Lord' (Acts 1Ð4), 'Where the Action Is' (Acts 5Ð8), 'Wind in the Rigging' (Acts 9Ð12), and continued it with this volume. This book is about joy, a certain kind of joy that comes from deep down inside--the joy of the new life in Christ. E. Stanley Jones noted, ÒA strange, sober joy went across that sad and decaying world--joy that goodness was here for the asking, that moral victory was possible now, that guilt could be lifted from the stricken conscience, that inner conflict could be resolved . . . and that a fellowship of like-souled persons gave one a sense of belonging. It was Good News. And it worked! Acts 13 through 16, the scope of this study, traces the beginnings of that Òepidemic of joy, which spread so rapidly and so extensively that it has reached us today.

Andrew M. Greeley, internationally known priest, sociologist and author of over 100 books, and his sister, Mary Greeley Durkin, professor and author on marriage, family and church, combine to tell seventy captivating stories from everyday life. Each story ts inspired by and illuminates a familiar gospel passage. Parents, grandparents and children, single people and discussion groups, students and teachers will all identify with and enjoy the wit and wisdom of these two gifted storytellers. A Gospel Index and Lectionary Index make this a valuable resource for preachers and teachers.

In this book, Joseph Ola tackles the tricky and very immediate subject of making sense of life's uncertainties as Christians. His contribution is steeped in his reading of scripture and theology interwoven with some thoughtfully chosen Yoruba proverbs and practical illustrations from everyday life. At its core, the book reminds us to live wisely as good citizens whilst holding steadfastly to the joy that belongs to those who follow the way of the risen Christ. For readers who sense they are living in anxious times, this book offers practical wisdom shot through with the joy of the gospel. — Colin Smith | Dean of Mission Education, Church Mission Society, Oxford “An excellent read for anyone struggling to make sense of the uncertainties of life.” — Rev Canon Elaine Jones | Vicar, Church of England, UK. “They say a book is only as good as the timing it lands in your world and I would say that this is a timely book for many!” — Rich Martin | Principal, LIFE Church UK College “Rarely is a book quite as topical or as encouraging as Joseph Ola’s Pandemic Joy.” — John Neate | Vineyard Churches, UK

After giving up the Internet for a month, a writer shares how we can all learn from her experience and rethink our relationship with the digital world. There’s no doubt that technology has overrun our lives. Over the past few decades, the world has embraced “progress” and we’re living with the resultant clicking, beeping, anxiety-inducing frenzy. But a creative backlash is gathering steam, helping us cope with the avalanche of data that threatens to overwhelm us daily through our computers, tablets, and smartphones. The Joy of Missing Out considers the technologically focused life, with its impacts on our children, relationships, communities, health, work, and more, and suggests opportunities for those of us longing to cultivate a richer on- and off-line existence. By examining the connected world through the lens of her own Internet fast, author Christina Crook creates a convincing case for increasing intentionality in our day-to-day lives. Using historical data, typewritten letters, chapter challenges, and personal accounts, she invites us to explore a new way of living, beyond our steady state of distracted “connectedness.” Most of us can’t throw away our smartphone or cut ourselves off from the Internet. But we can all rethink our relationship with the digital world, discovering new ways of introducing balance and discipline to the role of technology in our lives. This book is a must-read for anyone wishing to rediscover quietness of mind, and seeking a sense of peace amidst the cacophony of the modern world. Praise for The Joy of Missing Out “Crook’s book does a marvelous job of examining where we’ve gone awry and how we might begin to take ourselves and our lives back, while acknowledging the reality and importance of our wired world.” —Dr. Susan Biali, MD, Psychology Today “Offers thoughtful consideration of how online communications have evolved, as well as the value we place on being ever present in a digital world, often to the determinant of personal space and quiet time. Through practical examples and directions, Crook champions developing healthier habits for a more mindful online experience.” —Lori A. May, Portland Book Review

A Deeper Well is the culmination of a lifetime of seeking God. The journey of a penitent heart in turmoil, spent yet contrite, determined to find the perpetual peace that one can only find through a life surrendered to the creator. After being raised in a Christian home by a mother who was an ardent follower of Christ, I was baptized at age 14 and accepted the Lord Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I soon walked away from my Christian principles, and found myself desiring the things of the world. All my disappointments hurt and anger were tossed over the wall I built around my heart. Life became tumultuous and it took me years to realize that the wonderfully made me had disappeared, giving place to someone I no longer recognized. Something was missing. In 1998 I migrated to Florida and was invited to church by my sister. I started attending services every Sunday, and became a regular tither. One night, while praying, I found myself sobbing. With a great sob and as if without my own effort, I was prostrate on the ground crying out to God. At that moment I surrendered my life to Him. The prayers and poems in A Deeper Well reflect my journey, the purging of my heart and finding my way back home to God. These poems are inspirations of situations and circumstances that I have encountered in daily life. The words are not my own, but the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who fills my thoughts and flows through my pen onto the pages. An awesome experience!

Imagine what your life would be like if you could unlock deeper reservoirs of joy that uplifted your mood, fueled your energy, strengthened your resilience, improved your relationships, boosted your success, and infused more meaning into each moment. What could you accomplish or how might you show up differently for yourself and others with this renewable source of vitality within reach? While fleeting feelings of happiness come and go, joy has the power to transform our lives in profound and lasting ways. As spiritual leader Prem Rawat explains, "Joy fuels our lives. It is more sustainable and powerful than happiness alone." Studies back this up – sustainable boosts in our capacity for joy can literally change the structure of our brains over time, setting off ripple effects across every domain of life. So if joy is so critical, why do so many people struggle to access it amidst the chaos and demands of daily life? Why do even the most pleasant or seemingly joyous occasions often fail to lift our spirits in substantial ways? The truth is that joy is a skill – one that takes knowledge, self-awareness and regular practice to unlock and eventually master. We have to know how to remove inner obstacles like limiting beliefs and wired-in negativity biases that block it. Then we need tools, routines, mindset shifts that act as steady joy-boosting catalysts integrated into our lifestyles. In this hands-on guidebook, you'll not only learn science-backed secrets to meaningful boosts in sustainable joy drawn from the latest research – you'll gain access to over 15 customized practices and perspectives to raise your daily baseline joy while navigating life's inevitable ups and downs.

This multi-vocal assemblage of literary and cultural responses to contagions provides insights into the companionship of posthumanities, environmental humanities, and medical humanities to shed light on how we deal with complex issues like communicable diseases in contemporary times. Examining imaginary and real contagions, ranging from Jeep and SHEVA to plague, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19, Posthuman Pathogenesis discusses the inextricable links between nature and culture, matter and meaning-making practices, and the human and the nonhuman. Dissecting pathogenic nonhuman bodies in their interactions with their human counterparts and the environment, the authors of this volume raise their diverse voices with two primary aims: to analyse how contagions trigger a drive to survival, and chaotic, liberating, and captivating impulses, and to focus on the viral interpolations in socio-political and environmental systems as a meeting point of science, technology, and fiction, blending social reality and myth. Following the premises of the post-qualitative turn and presenting a differentiated experience of contagion, this ‘rhizomatic’ compilation thus offers a non-hierarchised array of essays, composed of a multiplicity of genders, geographies, and generations.