Mud Flower

Arguing for a retrieval of the landmark work, God's Fierce Whimsy, the author establishes the critical importance of this volume for the construction of a dialogic theological method. Finally, the author constructively engages various developments in feminist theologies and postcolonial theories.

Mud Flower: Surviving Schizophrenia and Suicide Through Art shows the perspective of a person who has a serious mental illness, who survives extreme treatments, who both family and the health system have given up on, but who defies all expectations and common beliefs of what is possible. Along the way, the author describes the role of art in her survival, grappling with how the life force can be either nurtured or destroyed by elements in our environment, such as nature, beauty, and art versus dehumanization and coercion.

This is a fictional story about a 7 years old Princess who is curious and disobedient, and these traits lead to her getting lost in the woods and kidnapped to be sold as a slave of a cruel king. She is rescued by a family of people who lives in the woods, but loses her memory for 7 years not recovering it until after she is kidnapped and sold again to the bad king. Through this ordeal she learns about family love, the good deeds that strangers can often do for other people, as well as the evil that lives in the heart of many. The Princess eventually finds true love and happiness. And all live happily everafter.

MUD FLOWER BLOOMING portrays the life journey of Jewelle, the heroine in this event-filled saga. In Jewelle's voice the vicissitudes of her life are presented unveiled while childhood memories, mysteries, and magical experiences lurk ever present beneath her words. As she chronicles her trek from South Florida toSouth Dakota and all of the geographic settings en route, life lessons bearing moments of joy and suffering leap from her graphic portrayal, revealing transformative encounters sparked by love in various forms, resolute faith, aspectrum of relationships, and a host of challenging life issues, including aging, later-life coupling, violence, colorism, secrets, family conflicts, and matters of forgiveness. Failure as a mother is a persistent hurdle for Jewelle as she struggles with the mishaps in her life -- and their untoward effects on her adult offspring -- while walking a tightrope in providing guidance to her grandchildren. Still, intergenerational relationships have a vital place in Jewelle's narrative, particularly with her elders, as she navigates uncertainty involving spiritual, cultural, and historic manifestations. With vigor she reveals her faith, interests, and passions, enhancing her story with portraits of stimulating people and extraordinary circumstances. Ultimately, with assurance, Jewelle's voice calls the reader to join her on a life-changing expedition.

The secret to happiness is to acknowledge and transform suffering, not to run away from it. Here, Thich Nhat Hanh offers practices and inspiration transforming suffering and finding true joy. Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges that because suffering can feel so bad, we try to run away from it or cover it up by consuming. We find something to eat or turn on the television. But unless we’re able to face our suffering, we can’t be present and available to life, and happiness will continue to elude us. Nhat Hanh shares how the practices of stopping, mindful breathing, and deep concentration can generate the energy of mindfulness within our daily lives. With that energy, we can embrace pain and calm it down, instantly bringing a measure of freedom and a clearer mind. No Mud, No Lotus introduces ways to be in touch with suffering without being overwhelmed by it. "When we know how to suffer," Nhat Hanh says, "we suffer much, much less." With his signature clarity and sense of joy, Thich Nhat Hanh helps us recognize the wonders inside us and around us that we tend to take for granted and teaches us the art of happiness.

In the early 1880s, proponents of what came to be called “the social gospel” founded what is now known as social ethics. This ambitious and magisterial book describes the tradition of social ethics: one that began with the distinctly modern idea that Christianity has a social-ethical mission to transform the structures of society in the direction of social justice. Charts the story of social ethics - the idea that Christianity has a social-ethical mission to transform society - from its roots in the nineteenth century through to the present day Discusses and analyzes how different traditions of social ethics evolved in the realms of the academy, church, and general public Looks at the wide variety of individuals who have been prominent exponents of social ethics from academics and self-styled “public intellectuals” through to pastors and activists Set to become the definitive reference guide to the history and development of social ethics Recipient of a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title for 2009 award

In this candid, insightful, and unconventional memoir, Goldie Hawn invites us to join her in an inspirational look back at the people, places, and events that have touched her. It is the spiritual journey of a heart in search of enlightenment. With her trademark effervescence, Goldie delivers a personal look at private and powerful events that carried her through life: her father’s spontaneity; her mother’s courage; and the joy of being a daughter, a sister, a parent, and a lover. She writes about her childhood dreams of becoming a ballerina. She takes us on a tour of her go-go years in 1960s New York City, the phenomenon of TV’s Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, her Oscar-winning debut in Cactus Flower and Hollywood stardom. She writes intimately about the challenges of love, anger and fear, and the importance of compassion and integrity. She speaks openly about her family, her partner Kurt Russell, her children; her faith, her curiosity for that which she doesn’t yet know, and her thirst for knowledge. Most of all, it is a trip back through a life well lived by a woman well loved.

A top leadership theorist offers a compelling proposal for renovating the way religious education is practiced today. Christian colleges and seminaries have not been immune from the cultural influences shaping contemporary education. Challenging the conventional wisdom advanced by the educational debate during the last fifteen years, Robert Banks builds an innovative new model of theological education based on how ministry formation took place in biblical times. Banks takes full account of key issues raised by our current educational context and shows how a "missional model" of education is more holistic, inclusive, and practical than recent versions.