An Imperfect God is a major new biography of Washington, and the first to explore his engagement with American slavery When George Washington wrote his will, he made the startling decision to set his slaves free; earlier he had said that holding slaves was his "only unavoidable subject of regret." In this groundbreaking work, Henry Wiencek explores the founding father's engagement with slavery at every stage of his life--as a Virginia planter, soldier, politician, president and statesman. Washington was born and raised among blacks and mixed-race people; he and his wife had blood ties to the slave community. Yet as a young man he bought and sold slaves without scruple, even raffled off children to collect debts (an incident ignored by earlier biographers). Then, on the Revolutionary battlefields where he commanded both black and white troops, Washington's attitudes began to change. He and the other framers enshrined slavery in the Constitution, but, Wiencek shows, even before he became president Washington had begun to see the system's evil. Wiencek's revelatory narrative, based on a meticulous examination of private papers, court records, and the voluminous Washington archives, documents for the first time the moral transformation culminating in Washington's determination to emancipate his slaves. He acted too late to keep the new republic from perpetuating slavery, but his repentance was genuine. And it was perhaps related to the possibility--as the oral history of Mount Vernon's slave descendants has long asserted--that a slave named West Ford was the son of George and a woman named Venus; Wiencek has new evidence that this could indeed have been true. George Washington's heroic stature as Father of Our Country is not diminished in this superb, nuanced portrait: now we see Washington in full as a man of his time and ahead of his time.

Most Christians believe that the Bible holds the answers to their questions about daily living, and that reading the Scriptures will show them good examples to follow for their own lives. Think for a moment and try to list a few examples of healthy families in the Bible who are ideals worth emulating. Having trouble? The families of the Bible were far from perfect, and not so different in that regard from our imperfect families today. In Flawed Families of the Bible, a New Testament scholar (David) and a professor of social work (Diana) take a real and close look at the actual families of the Bible. This honest book will inspire and encourage readers with its focus on the overarching theme of hope and grace for families, showing that it is in the "imperfect places" that we can catch a glimpse of grace. Perfect for pastors, counselors, and anyone in a flawed family.

Pastors aren’t superheroes—they have fears and limitations just like everyone else. Zack Eswine knows this from personal experience and has a wealth of wisdom to offer those who feel like they don’t measure up. Written in a compelling memoir style, The Imperfect Pastor is full of insightful stories and theological truths that show how God works unexpectedly through flawed people. By talking honestly about the failure, burnout, pain, and complexities that come along with church ministry, Eswine helps pastors accept their human limitations and experience the freedom of trusting God’s plan for their church and life.

You've heard it all before. The promises for a better life get tiresome after awhile, because you know they don't deliver. However, they do touch on a profound and inescapable truth. You were created to live your life out of a rewarding, richly textured relationship with God and others--and deep down, you long to experience that kind of life. But how? Are you willing to devote sixty days to finding out? Soul Revolution may be one of the most important books you'll ever read. In it, author and pastor John Burke guides you on a journey of experiential discovery. Called the "60-60 Experiment," it has already made a profound impact on thousands who have discovered what it means to actually "do life" with God.

From Flawed to Called: Embracing Your Imperfection to Empower Your Faith Do you ever worry that your flaws prevent God from working through you? Are these imperfections causing you to doubt your ability to fulfill your destiny? Throughout the Bible, God used imperfect people to see His will be done. Prolific author and Bible teacher Elmer Towns illuminates the extraordinary journeys of biblical figures whose imperfections God used to weave the tapestry of His redemptive plan. Through these stories, you will be encouraged that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. This transformative book offers a profound exploration of how God’s grace operates, turning our flaws into avenues for His glory and our spiritual growth. From this enlightening journey, you will discover: How God’s grace is sufficient in our weaknesses, transforming them into strengths. The importance of faith and obedience in the face of personal imperfection and doubt. Lessons from biblical figures like Jacob and Peter, whose flaws were integral to their divine purpose. The redemptive power of God to use our imperfections for His greater plan and glory. Encouragement and hope that God is actively working in and through our imperfections to fulfill His divine purpose. Discover how to embrace your imperfections as God’s strength, power, and purpose manifest in your life. By shifting your focus to Him, you will embrace a life of surrendered trust, assured that God will fulfill His plans through your imperfections.

Finding Peace in an Imperfect World is more than just a book. With an intentional blend of biblical truth and mental health principles and practice, it is a guide for you to have real peace in your life. Dr. Newsome uses a direct style with real-life, practical application of biblical principles. His writing will help you tackle real-life problems. This book has one purpose: to help you understand as well as put an end to chaos in your life. It does this by helping you do the following: 1. Understand what a life of peace is 2. Discover the real source of turmoil and chaos 3. Dive deep into your life experiences 4. Change the way you think about yourself, God, and life 5. Learn to apply new thinking in practical ways that will bring peace to your life As you apply the approaches in this book, you will rid yourself of the turmoil that happens in your thoughts and emotions. You will be able to make the changes necessary to go over life's speed bumps without turning them into a roller coaster.

The Onion, with its unique brand of deadpan satirical humor, has become a familiar part of the American scene. The newspaper has a readership of over a million, and reaches millions more with its spin-off books and Onion News Network. The Onion has shown us that standard ways of thinking about the news have their grotesque and silly side, and this invites philosophical examination. Twenty-one philosophers were commissioned to provide witty philosophical perspectives on just what makes the Onion so truthful and insightful. Former Governor Sarah Palin reported: “I just couldn’t put it down. The Onion and Philosophy is the most exciting book I’ve read since Principia Mathematica.” Are the Onion writers truly cynical, or just cynically faking it? Does the Onion really have a serious point of view on religion? On sex? On politics? Who cares what Area Man thinks? If everyone’s so dumb, how come so many Onion readers keep on laughing at how dumb they are?