The God Factor

When religion reporter Cathleen Falsani climbed aboard Bono's tour bus, it was to interview the rock start about AIDS awareness. Instead, they plunged into a lively discussion about faith. "This is a defining moment for us," Bono said. "For the culture we live in." Spirituality clearly now plays a key role in the United States. But what is also clear is that faith is a more complex issue than snapshots of the country convey. Jesus. Buddha. Kabbalah. Angels. This may be a nation of believers but not of one belief—of many. To shape a candid picture of modern faith, Falsani sat down with an array of people who shape our culture, and in turn, our collective consciousness. She's talked about Jesus with Anne Rice; explored "Playboy theology" with Hugh Hefner; discussed evil with crusading attorney Barry Scheck, and heaven with Senator Barack Obama. Laura Esquivel, basketball star Hakeem Olajuwon, Studs Terkel, guru Iyanla Vanzant, rockers Melissa Etheridge and Annie Lennox, economist Jeffrey Sachs, Pulitzer-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley—all opened up to her. The resulting interviews, more than twenty-five in all, offer a fresh, occasionally controversial, and always illuminating look at the beliefs that shape our lives. THE GOD FACTOR is a book for the believers, the seekers, as well as the merely curious among us. Included are interviews with Sherman Alexie, Bono, Dusty Baker, Sandra Bernhard, Sandra Cisneros, Billy Corgan, Kurt Elling, Laura Esquivel, Melissa Etheridge, Jonathan Safran Foer, Mike Gerson, Seamus Heaney, Hugh Hefner, Dr. Henry Lee, Annie Lennox, David Lynch, John Mahoney, Mark Morris, Mancow Muller, Senator Barack Obama, Hakeem Olajuwon, Harold Ramis, Anne Rice, Tom Robbins, Russell Simmons, Jeffrey Sachs , Barry Scheck, John Patrick Shanley , The Reverend Al Sharpton, Studs Terkel, Iyanla Vanzant, and Elie Wiesel.

Collection of personal accounts by 50 scientists and other academics of why they believe in the God and faith of Christian teaching, particularly as depicted in the Bible. There are both Australian and international contributors, including emeritus professors, heads of university departments, physicists, chemists, biologists, psychologists, engineers, medical researchers and mathematicians. The accounts are grouped into two sections, Reason and Faith, and Faith and Experience, and each account is preceded by notes on the contributor. Includes endnotes. Editor is a research scientist, author and Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. He also edited 'In Six Days: Why 50 scientists choose to believe in creation'.

According to Rev. Jankowski, "The God Factor" that people need is in the Bible. "God has given us an answer for every situation or circumstance in life," he writes. "See the blessings that we have!" (Christianity)

Never before has this country-indeed this world-faced such a need for a book that unites people, a book that reassures those disillusioned by faith that they can navigate their way back to God and even experience a profound spiritual awakening. For author and entrepreneur Steve McSwain, such an epiphany transformed his life. In The Enoch Factor, readers discover a kindred spirit in an author who understands how religion can subvert a spiritual life. His story will help them navigate their own spiritual journeys. More than a personal odyssey, The Enoch Factor is also a testimonial to the innate dangers of fundamentalist thinking. It is a persuasive argument for a more enlightened religious dialogue in America, one that affirms the goals of all religions-guiding followers in self-awareness, finding serenity and happiness, and discovering what the author describes as "the sacred art of knowing God." Unapologetic and moving, McSwain's take on The Almighty is sure to ignite spirited debate. Full of wisdom, humor, and truth, The Enoch Factor bridges the gap between secular and Christian book titles on spirituality, setting a new standard in both.

Revised & Updated Edition! God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love. Have you ever wondered if we're missing it? It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether you've verbalized it yet or not, we all know something's wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts—it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything. Learn more about Crazy Love at www.crazylovebook.com.

Dominic G. Owens is the Pastor of Risen Christian Church International, located in Florence SC, along with his wife Nedra Owens. They have two children Diamond Janel and Jada Dominique.

A novel set in the frenetic gold rush of post-communist Russia before its all-too brief taste of raw capitalism collapses in the great economic crash of 1998. The brilliant but volatile Godunev, a former Moscow kiosk worker, returns from New York and Miami hoping to make a quick fortune while the country's assets are still up for grabs. Using his hipster credentials to infiltrate Moscow's aspirational emerging super-rich "biznismen" scene, he gets caught up in machinations to privatize the Kremlin, and eventually finds himself out of his depths in a Russia of oligarchs, gangsters, models and prostitutes that is hurtling towards its own demise. But amidst the violence, callousness and audacity of the time, Gudonev also reflects many of his countrymen's sentiments: the passion of relationships; the extremities of life; a re-assertion of Russian culture; and a pervasive love-hate relationship with the US and the West.

“He who controls the God Factor controls Earth’s destiny … if it still has one.” An ancient evil lays buried deep in the Superstition Mountains. For young photojournalist, Jenna Blakely, and DARPA agent, Kyle Fortnum, the terrifying discovery is only the beginning of their problems. As they soon find to their horror, in their hands they hold the secret to the ultimate fate of the Earth itself. There are those who will stop at nothing to get it. Jenna, while on assignment for her magazine, captures a picture of a bright beam of light shooting up into the night sky from the mountains of Arizona. Her editor sends her and a coworker, Peter, back to the site to investigate. But the strange glow has done more than just piqued her editor’s interest alone. Others have noticed. The event triggers a race amongst deadly opposing forces. The first is a covert inner circle of the Bilderberg Society, intent on finding an alien weapon to achieve their ultimate goals, ones stated on the Guiding Stones of Georgia. Opposing them is a secret group of Jesuits known as the Hidalgos. They only owe allegiance to a centuries-dead pope. The fanatical Hidalgos are determined on keeping hidden the location of “tainted” gold, the legendary Cibola, the cities of lost gold. Kyle Fortnum is also sent to investigate. The beam of light has vaporized a military satellite. The government is alarmed. Moreover, the strange ray targeted a distant LaGrange point in space. There, “something” invisible seems to be lurking. Then there is Barry, Jenna’s abusive ex-boyfriend and fellow journalist. He’s out not only to steal her story and so become famous, but he wants to exact murderous revenge upon her, as well. A Jesuit priest wanted for a double killing and sworn to stop anyone from finding the gold, Jenna and coworker, Peter, Kyle, assassins, and a maniacal ex-lover, are all thrust into fast-paced, life-or-death situations. They battle for supremacy in the Arizona Superstition Mountains, those of the legendary and famous Lost Dutchman’s Mine. Somehow, Jenna, Kyle, and Peter must not only find the source of the light, but discover its secrets in time to stop an alien “something” streaking toward Earth on a mission of total destruction. As if this weren’t enough, there is something more, something else buried in those mountains. This is the lethal secret known only as the God Factor, a thing so powerful, it can destroy the entire population of Earth. And he who controls the God Factor will control Earth’s future … if it still has one. From a murdered priest in Boston to assassins in the Arizona wilderness, the battle begins. Powerful and clandestine societies struggle for control of bizarre alien weapons. A government agent and an innocent young woman fight to survive and win out against incredible odds. Somehow, someway, they must save the world not only from alien destruction, but from human caused devastation, as well. In this science fiction thriller by bestselling and award nominated author, Rob Shelsky, the war is on for control of the God Factor. The clock is ticking down toward zero hour and not for just one apocalypse, but two. The God Factor, an action-packed tale of international intrigue, suspense, and mystery.