Rise Above It

Rise Above It: Spiritual Development for College Students is a textbook for a course in practical spirituality for young adults in general, and specifically for college students. In this course, "rise above it" refers to rising into higher states of consciousness through practicing universal spiritual principles. In these higher states, above ego concerns, students become more self-aware and gain a broader, deeper perspective on the issues that confront them. While this course does not deal directly with the pressing social issues of our day (violence, substance abuse, global warming, gender identity, poverty, etc.), it does encourage students to examine themselves in the light of universal truth. This leads to an awareness in which they can make decisions that are grounded in the highest human values. Using the Ten Commandments as a framework for universal spiritual principles, this book demonstrates how spiritual practice is the core of every major religion-regardless of differences in doctrine or ritual. Students will not only learn how the commandments occur in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, they will also have the opportunity to practice these spiritual principles in their own lives-especially in regard to the college experience. Each chapter has four parts: Part One: Introductory Story An opening story based on world history, famous literature, or current events, intended to introduce the spiritual practice to be discussed in the chapter. Part Two: World Scriptures A survey of the major religions, with a focus on how each religion contributes to a fuller and deeper understanding of the spiritual practice being studied that week. Many perspectives on the same truth reveal multiple facets of the same gem. Part Three: Journal Entries Excerpts from journal entries and weekly reports, selected from over 12,000 journal entries written by students who have taken this course over the past eighteen years. The book contains over 100 of these anonymous journal entries, reproduced with permission. Part Four: Suggestions for further reflection and practice. Many participants in this course have described themselves as "spiritual but not religious," "evangelical," "agnostic" and even "atheist." Regardless of how students initially describe themselves, they find this course tremendously useful in becoming a finer version of themselves. This course has been taught in a variety of formats for both undergraduate and graduate credit at Bryn Athyn College, the Graduate Theological Foundation, Lincoln University, Mercer University, and the Pacific School of Religion. It is recommended for courses in Practical Spirituality, Religious Ethics, Comparative Religion, Professional Ethics, Moral Life, and Ethical Decision-Making. It could also provide the framework for a First-Year Studies program. A 22-page index, along with a bibliography that includes multiple web sources is designed to help students pursue further research interests.

Young girls will get encouraging words from the Bible and from courageous, young surfer Bethany Hamilton to see them through their day in this devotional book. Both “hot” and “cool” topics that every young girl faces will be addressed. An extra, tucked-in feature will give the girls the “inside scoop” on what Bethany’s life is all about.

Are you ready to create success in your life? There are identifiable differences between people who succeed in achieving their goals and those who fail. This book provides a research-based understanding of those differences, a clear model for developing a strong personal foundation for success, and five powerful strategies for overcoming the adversity that occurs in your life and achieving the results you want. RISE ABOVE IT is based on the philosophy that it is not what happens to you in life that determines success, but how you respond to what happens. Successful people use specific strategies that allow them to respond effectively and support their ability to be successful. It has been said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. If we are to create a future that includes success - whatever success means to each of us - it is essential that we equip ourselves with the necessary mindset, life skills, and lifestyle. It is to that end that this book is written. Based both on research and real life experiences, RISE ABOVE IT is a wonderful resource for developing new attitudes and behaviors. It provides the foundation you need for coping effectively with life's challenges and for moving continuously toward the achievement of your goals.

Rise Above It All By: Archie King In this book, Rise Above It All, there are twenty-two poems, and each poem was revealed to the author by God. King thanks God for allowing him to be able to write these words. King prays that these words will be an inspiration to you and cause you to keep your faith in God. Sometimes, we as a people deal with things in our everyday life and don’t know how to handle them. Or maybe we’ve missed our direction in life and need someone to encourage us to get back on the right road when life has detoured us the wrong way. Well, whatever the reason it may be, there is a poem in this book that can help you if you allow it to. When readers begin to read this book, the author wants to encourage them to put their trust in God and in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You don’t have to go through life alone. May these words that God has given to the author be a blessing to you.

Rise Above will encourage and motivate you to search your heart and strive for your ultimate goals: real freedom from the desire to overeat and a deep, lasting relationship with God. Gwen shares what she has learned through her relationship with God as she has watched The Weigh Down Workshop dramatically change and grow. She also includes stories of many people who, by replacing their focus on food with a passion for God, are experiencing a freedom and a joy they had never known.

At about 6:00 p.m. on January 5th, 2012, my wife Marie suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. This book describes how I (and Marie) coped and healed over the years since the accident. It is a story of love. It relates much more than the injury and the healing of it; it also records the complications of life that surrounded the event and its aftermath.

The spirit of depression does not need an invitation to dinner because it just shows up unexpectedly and brings nothing but turmoil and self-destruction. One never knows when the spirit of depression will visit, but it is my hope this book will prepare you through awareness, worship and the power of our Lord and Savior. If the devil wrote a book, it would be Murder He Wrote, because he comes to kill, steal, and destroy our hopes and dreams. I believe God has used me as a vehicle to write this book, so that we can make this declaration together: "I will rise above it!" This is not your end, but only your beginning. Let's get started.