The Promise Of Renewal

Describes the events of the Jewish Holocaust, comparing it to a forest fire that destroys all forms on life. The survivors are the promise of renewal.

With variety and breadth, these essays celebrate the 800th anniversary of the foundation of the Dominican Order as well as the richness in Catholic thought and praxis during the past hundred years around the world. Their themes range from Yves Congar's view of the hierarchy to Jacques Loew's theory of ministry in the workplace. Ideas from thinkers interacting with Islam and Judaism lead on to a theology of refugees. A book for those pondering theology amid history and culture.

"In September 2011, two leading civic engagement advocacy organizations headed, respectively, by Robert Putnam and Peter Levine released a joint report showing that a region's level of civic engagement was a strong predictor of its ability to recover from the Great Recession. This finding confirms what advocates of civic engagement have long hypothesized: that strengthening the networks between government and civil society and increasing citizen participation results in better government and better community outcomes. However, citizens concerned about the economic crisis need more than just deliberation or community organizing alone to achieve these outcomes. What they need, according to Peter Levine, is a movement devoted to civic renewal. Deliberative democracy-the idea that true democratic legitimacy derives from open, inclusive discussion and dialogue rather than simple voting-has become an extremely influential concept in the last two decades. In We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For, Peter Levine contends that effective deliberative democracy depends upon effective community advocacy. Deliberation, he shows, is most valuable when talk and debate are integrated into a community's everyday life. To illustrate how it works, Levine draws lessons from both community organizing and developmental psychology, and uses examples of successful efforts from communities across America as well as fledgling democracies in Africa and Eastern Europe. By engaging in this type of civic work, American citizens can meaningfully contribute to civic renewal, which, in turn, will address serious social problems that cannot be fixed in any other way"--

In July 1872 three Sisters of St Joseph and one lay woman arrived at The Vale, a village near Bathurst, New South Wales. They had come from Adelaide in response to an invitation from the Catholic bishop of Ba¬thurst to establish a foundation of the newly founded Congregation in his dioceseâthe first Josephite foundation in New South Wales. Sister Teresa McDonald was the leader or Superior of the founding community. Born in Scotland in 1838, she had come to Australia with her parents finally settling in Adelaide. A friend of both Father Julian Tenison Woods and Mother Mary MacKillop, she joined the Sisters of St Joseph in 1867. This book explores her early life and her time as a Sister of St Joseph in Adelaide where she served as the first Provincial of the Congregation in South Australia. It also gives particular attention to Teresa's short years at The Vale, her struggle with ill health and her death in January 1876.

With more than 300,000 copies sold, this acclaimed book of meditations is the perfect companion for anyone looking to add a moment of peace and self-reflection to their days. Some of us are recovering from addiction, trauma, codependency, or a mental health disorder. Others of us are simply looking to slow down our hectic lives and focus on personal growth and self-care. No matter what our reason for seeking wisdom and inspiration, a daily meditation practice can be an invaluable tool for our journey. This collection of engaging, healing, and practical meditations by trusted recovery authors Karen Casey and Martha Vanceburg reminds us that each day is an opportunity to be fully present and live our best lives. Complete with inspiring quotations from diverse voices and daily lessons on replacing shame and fear with hope and self-love, The Promise of a New Day is the perfect meaningful gift for a loved one or ourselves.

Though we can never, in our time-bound state, know the future in detail, God in his mercy has not left us in complete ignorance of what is to come. His revelation in Holy Scripture has cast a flood of light on what would otherwise remain an impenetrable mystery. Even among those who accept the Bible's authority, however, there has never been complete agreement on what Scripture teaches in this area. This major new examination of biblical teaching on the future of the individual, of the church and of the universe as a whole will be useful both to theological students and to informed non-specialists. Ranging over the whole field, it interacts extensively with recent literature on disputed issues, such as the nature of the intermediate state, the millennium of Revelation 20 and the doctrine of eternal punishment, always seeking to answer the fundamental question: 'What do the Scriptures teach?' The Christ-centered nature of biblical teaching on the future is emphasized, as is the importance of the church's historic confessions for an understanding of eschatology. The chief note sounded is one of hope: 'God's people eagerly await Christ's return because it promises the completion of God's work of redemption. The future is bright because it is full of promise, the promise of God's Word.' - Jacket flap.

Christians who otherwise love each other and work together on shared projects and causes nonetheless often disagree on the subject of baptism. Should infants be baptized, or is baptism for believers only? What exactly does baptism mean? What happens, if anything, when someone is baptized? Which is better -- sprinkling or immersion? These disagreements are disheartening to some and confusing to many. The sacrament of baptism from a Reformed perspective is clearly and thoughtfully outlined in this useful book. James Brownson explains the scriptural basis, the theological underpinnings, and the practical implications of this particular element of the faith. Organized into thirty brief, tightly focused chapters -- each of which centers on a key question -- and enhanced by thoughtful discussion questions, The Promise of Baptism will be an important resource for pastors, students, and laypersons seeking to better understand this sacrament that lies at the heart of the church's life. A sampling of key questions addressed: What is a sacrament, and how does it differ from an "ordinance"? What's the relationship between baptism and being "born again"? How do the sacraments bring God's grace to us? Can someone be "saved" without being baptized? Can someone be baptized without being saved? Does baptism take the place of circumcision as the mark of the new covenant? What is "confirmation" or "profession of faith," and what is its relationship to baptism? What happens after baptism?