The Blessings

"Bursting with wise observations." -- J. Courtney Sullivan, author of The Engagements and Maine "Gleams like a jewel." -- The Philadelphia Inquirer "Stunning. . . Unique and unforgettable." -- Glamour Hailed as one of the best books of 2014 by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Elise Juska's The Blessings is a moving novel about a tight-knit Irish Catholic clan over the course of twenty years. The Blessings rally around one another in times of celebration and those of sorrow, coming together for departures and arrivals, while its members harbor private struggles and moments of personal joy. College student Abby ponders homesickness in her first semester away from her Philadelphia home, while her cousin Stephen commits a petty act of violence that takes a surprising turn, and their aunt Lauren faces a crisis in her storybook marriage she could never have foreseen. Through the lens of one unforgettable family, this beautifully moving novel explores how our families define us and how we shape them in return.

You could lead the life you’d love, if only you lived the one you’ve been given! Are you really living or barely breathing? Do you feel sick, run-down, anxious, or low? In Count Your Blessings, Dr. John F. Demartini reveals the connection between health and state of mind. The old adage about making the most of what you’ve got forms the basis of 25 principles that will help you to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Through real-life examples, exercises, meditations, and affirmations, Dr. Demartini shows how you can use and develop your own inner resources, just by living in the present moment. Count Your Blessings will be the source or inspiration you will come back to again and again.

Having this opportunity to write this book, The Blessing.The Spiritual side of Poetry, Volume 2 of the series of Life Issues. Is truly a privilege and honor. I Thank God for the accolades in my life. For he is the reason for the blessings. I dont know what I would do without Him. This book is personal, but not just for me but for all mankind. Its an entry into life issues to life situations that reveal the true blessing. God is so amazing, even through the diversity of our lives, he still remains Faithful and true. You have to love him, because he loves you. So walk in the likeness of him, for he is The Blessing. Amen

"Celebrates the bond between grandparents and grandchildren and teaches little ones an important lesson about recognizing all of God's blessings"--Back cover.

A Gift: The Blessings of St. John can be a very valuable gift for you. Good gifts are those which enlarge and enrich our lives and open opportunities of which we were not previously aware. The blessings of St. John can be a truly good gift which has possibilities to open your mind to views of God, others, and yourself that will bring a positive change to your life. Of course, this will only happen if you use this gift in the ways suggested within this book and use your own imagination and abilities to make what is written into an exciting and rewarding gift for you. As you read, ponder, and share what is written, you will discover other ways that will make the blessings of St. John a cherished gift that will not only enrich your life but also the lives of others. Begin today, and use the coming days to receive this gift.

Common grace inspires, but saving grace transforms. This book describes the blessings of God's grace described in the Bible, through Church history, and how they continue to transform the author's life. The author invites you to join him on the path of God's grace to the Heavenly City of God's grace. Dennis was a pastor and missionary to Hawaii and Alaska for seventeen years. He lives in the state of Washington.

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:3) This book is a revelation from Jesus Christ, about Himself. This is extremely important for the following: 1) It reveals Jesus’s evolution of His churches sixty to sixty-five years after His resurrection and ascension to heaven, and 2) It discloses future events concerning the tribulation: God’s triumph over evil, the return of Christ to reign on earth, and the blessedness of God’s eternal kingdom. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13) Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15) And He said unto me, write, blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb, and He sayeth unto me, these are the true sayings of God. (Revelation 19:9) Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:6) Blessed is he that readeth. (Revelation 1:3) This is the first of seven beatitudes or blessings found in Revelation given to those who read, hear, and obey the things written in the Book. The other six blessings are found in Revelations 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14 and Luke 11:28).

Are we doomed? As individuals, certainly, eventually, inevitably. But as a species? As a civilization? Leading catastrophe engineer Michel Bruneau thinks perhaps not. The Blessings of Disaster draws on knowledge from multiple disciplines to illustrate how our civilization’s future successes and failures in dealing with societal threats—be they pandemics, climate change, overpopulation, monetary collapse, and nuclear holocaust—can be predicted by observing how we currently cope with and react to natural and technological disasters. Maybe most importantly, this entertaining and often counter-intuitive book shows how we can think in better ways about disasters, to strengthen and extend our existence as both individuals and as a species. When it comes to rare extreme events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornados, volcanic eruptions, technological accidents, terrorist attacks, pandemics, and even existential threats, it is in our nature to set ourselves up for disasters because the gamble may be worth it. But only maybe. The Blessing of Disaster is the very real story of the relationship between humans and disasters – and it’s not a simple one. Bringing together his decades-long career spanning the globe as an earthquake and disaster engineer, detailed catastrophe case studies from extreme events like Japan’s Kobe earthquake and category 5 hurricanes in the American South, along with thoughtful and practical solutions, Bruneau provides a thorough examination of the structural challenges that face today’s (and tomorrow’s) world. How we cope with today’s threats is indicative of what the future holds. Contrary to popular forecasts, it is not all gloom and doom – but some of it definitely is.