With the vote to bless same-sex marriages, the Episcopal Church becomes the largest U.S. denomination to officially sanction same-sex relationships. Homosexuality has become a flashpoint at the intersection of religion, family, and politics. A Thorn in the Flesh: How Gay Sexuality is Changing the Episcopal Church tells the story of how homosexuality has been used to further conservative political agendas, both here and abroad. It describes how African and Asian churches have been drawn into a conflict that began in the United States in the Episcopal Church, and raises vital questions of whether people with different understandings of authority and truth can live in harmony. This provocative book is not a history of the movement for gay inclusion, nor a history of the movement for a new, conservative Anglican church in the Americas. Instead, it is a comparison of the conservative and the liberal parts of the church. There are those, such as the Church of England, who have conservative theological orientation and are most likely to oppose fully including gays and lesbians in the church. Hall, also, explores the rapid changes that have happened in Western society in the past fifty years that have led to the acceptance of same-sex marriage and homosexuality. This change has not come easily and even after nearly four decades, gay marriage remains a politically divisive issue in the United States and England.

Depicts the life of Saint Paul, discussing his religious teachings and travels.

A contemporary MM retelling of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. Fierce, scarred Darius Legrand and sweet, innocent Joshua Bellamy find themselves in an arranged marriage at the hands of Darrius's wicked father. But despite the odds, love blossoms like a rose, but will Legrand Sr allow it? Or will there be deadly consequences?

In 1984, at the age of 78, world-renowned rose grower Hilda Murrell was found brutally murdered in the Shropshire countryside. She had just gained an approval to testify on the unsolved problems of radioactive waste at the first British planning enquiry into a new nuclear plant at Sizewell, Suffolk.The police theory that a lone, panicking burglar robbed and abducted Hilda in her own car for petty cash erupted into a sensational political conspiracy involving Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's plans for British nuclear energy and the controversial sinking of the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano in the 1982 Falklands War. The West Mercia police took until 2005 to secrure the conviction of Andrew George as Hilda's unlikely murderer - in 1984 he was a 16 year-old truant from a local foster home who could not drive. The case spawned numerous books, plays and TV programmes as it became one of the most baffling British murders of the 20th century.Now, Hilda's nephew Robert Green - a former Royal navy Commander who operated nuclear weapons before holding a key position in Naval Intelligence during the Falklands War - tells the story of his extraordinary pursuit of the truth. Believing that Hilda was abducted by those who wanted to find out what she knew about the Falklands conflict and problems in the Sizewell nuclear power plant, and undeterred by ongoing harassment, Green exposes the implausibility of the police theory and uncovers new evidence that should have acquitted Andrew George.This is the incredible true story of Hilda Murrell - and of one man's quest to find out how and why his beloved aunt met with such a violent and bizarre death.

One enchanting romance. Two lovers keeping secrets. And a uniquely crafted book that binds their stories forever. When Evelyn Morgan walked into the village bookstore, she didn’t know she would meet the love of her life. When Brendan Thorne handed her a medieval romance, he didn’t know it would change the course of his future. It was almost as if they were the cursed lovers in the old book itself . . . The Thorn and the Blossom is a remarkable literary artifact: You can open the book in either direction to decide whether you’ll first read Brendan’s, or Evelyn’s account of the mysterious love affair. Choose a side, read it like a regular novel—and when you get to the end, you’ll find yourself at a whole new beginning.

"Libby Marchant's first meeting with her boss goes off with a bang--into Rafael Alejandro's top-of-the-range sports car, unfortunately! The unpredictable and alluring Libby throws Rafael completely off-kilter but, luckily, as she's his employee, he'll be able to keep her at arm's length. At least that's the plan, because in the perfectly oiled machine that is Rafael's life there's no room for distractions. But soon Rafael's no-office-relationships policy is in imminent danger of being broken--by the boss himself!"--Publisher.

An Entertainment Weekly Best Romance of Fall Set on a Black-owned luxury dude ranch with a fairy tale twist, the third Cowboys of California romance from award-winning author Rebekah Weatherspoon captivates with a modern take on Beauty and the Beast, as a brawny rancher and a brainy beauty find themselves in a beast of a predicament… Ranch owner Jesse Pleasant always felt too big for his desert town—literally—and too brutish to fit in with his charming, cowboy brothers. After his temper gets the best of him one time too many, he’s ready to accept the truth: he’s cursed to be alone. But when the Senate selection committee comes looking for a man of his public standing, he knows this might be his chance to prove to his family and friends that he can keep his cool, all while giving back to his community. There’s only one problem. While Jesse definitely has a mind for business, his people skills are more than lacking. Former tech consultant Lily-Grace Leroux has had it up to her hat with hot-tempered men who think they know what’s best, especially a big headed rancher set on keeping her widowed father from dating his grandmother. But after Lily-Grace learns of Jesse’s softer side during a painfully awkward showing at a community date auction, one thing becomes clear; while Jesse Pleasant is not ready to run for public office, he might be ready for love. Against her better judgement and despite their rocky start, Lily-Grace warms to the sparks flying between them. She never dreamed they would build their own connection, one destined for its own happily ever after . . . Praise for Cowboys of California “A gorgeous country setting, engaging multicultural characters, and sweet but passionate love scenes makes this a charming start.” —Booklist STARRED REVIEW for A Cowboy to Remember “This steamy fairy tale shines by serving realistic conflict alongside swoon-worthy romance.” —Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW for If the Boot Fits

In 2 Corinthians 12: 7 Paul makes the extraordinary admission that he was given a 'thorn in the flesh'. Although we can never be sure what that torment was, many of us will know what it feels like to experience a painful problem which does not seem to go away. In this book R. T. Kendall explains what a thorn in the flesh is, why we have it, and what we should understand by it. Looking with compassion at the kinds of acute situation in which we may find ourselves - an unhappy marriage, difficult working conditions, loneliness, sexual misgivings or chronic illness, for example - he shows how the grace of God is sufficient whatever our thorn, and how it can lead us into unimaginable intimacy with Jesus.

In this powerful and eye-opening book, Charles Capps writes the true nature of Paul's thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan. You will learn how that sometimes a messenger of Satan may be assigned to you, what that means, and how to be delivered from such an assignment.

It has been over twenty years since the publication of The Ragamuffin Gospel, a book many claim as the shattering of God’s grace into their lives. Since that time, Brennan Manning has been dazzingly faithful in preaching and writing variations on that singular theme – “Yes, Abba is very fond of you!” But today the crowds are gone and the lights are dim, the patches on his knees have faded. If he ever was a ragamuffin, truly it is now. In this his final book, Brennan roves back his past, honoring the lives of the people closest to him, family and friends who’ve known the saint and the sinner, the boy and the man. Far from some chronological timeline, these memories are witness to the truth of life by one who has lived it – All Is Grace.