This book is about one man’s journey to find himself and his place in the world, both spiritually and career-wise, and how his conventional views of the world, encompassing orthodox religion and old conforming and traditional ways, were radically changed by some extraordinary events during early education, travel, a career-switch to clinical psychology, and a powerful dream that led to a profound spiritual awakening. He worked in mental hospitals during the apartheid era and at the time of the un-banning of the ANC, and later began a private practice. The book has some historical value since the author’s grandfather was a great friend of General Smuts and was the Mayor of Benoni, a South African gold-mining town, during the turbulent wild-strike days of 1922, when his grandfather’s house was burned down by white strikers. The author’s mother attended the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games and sat near Adolf Hitler during the swimming events.

The reality of a stained glass ceiling is familiar to most women called to the pastorate. Despite being more likely to be seminary educated, female clergy constitute less than 10 percent of Protestant leading pastorates and those who do hold such pastorates are generally paid less than their male counterparts. In light of such statistics, Pastor Chris Smith explores how to overcome the challenges in breaking through the stained glass ceiling and she goes a step further. She shares the lessons learned and best practices of the success stories those women who are currently serving in solo or senior pastorates. Based on a national survey of female clergy, this volume is rich in insights based on data as well as personal anecdotes insights that will empower not only women called to the pastorate but also their male colleagues and denominational leaders who want to support them.

At St Philomena Academy convent school, Aurora finds more that just religious mystery to explore. The arbitrary cruelty the nuns inflict upon the pupils and the shameful secrets that like dormant in the academy provoke Aurora and her close-knit group of friends to ingenious feats of cunning and guile. In Behind the Stained-Glass Window, Patzi Raven allows the reader to witness the workings of a world where the oppression of children is institutionalized and the rites of growing up are soiled by guilt. In prose that weaves the past and present into an almost Proustian translucence, Raven takes on the urgent themes of adolescent piety, sexual awakening and the intensity of female friendship. Against the austere backdrop of the convent, a charming and touching tale emerges of the persistence of the sense of justice and the value of friendship through time.

"The Contributions of Artists Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Vuillard, Maurice Denis, and Ker Xavier Roussel to the French avant-garde of the 1890s, as members of the Nabis, are widely recognized. What is less known about these artists' careers is their extraordinary work in decorative painting - work on a large or unusual scale for private interiors. This illustrated book focuses on the many decorative works carried out by the four artists between 1890 and 1930. During these years, they moved beyond the narrow parameters of easel painting and applied their wholly untraditional aesthetic of decoration to a wide range of works for domestic interiors, from wall-size ensembles to folding screens. The cosmopolitan group of patrons who made this work possible ranged from the avant-garde circle of La Revue Blanche to prominent members of the French establishment. An examination of their role and tastes is another fascinating feature of this publication." "The book and accompanying exhibition reunite paintings that have long been dispersed, introducing contemporary viewers to a group of bold and evocative works, which had a wide-ranging, though little-recognized, influence on modern art. As the book's authors argue, the aesthetic embodied by these works indeed helped set the stage for the large, non-narrative paintings by artists as diverse as Rothko and Lichtenstein that came to dominate the avant-garde after World War II."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Authors John and Sylvia Ronsvalle present the results of a three-year Lilly Endowment Study which shows that both church membership and giving-as-a-percentage-of-income are declining. The study focused on many Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church. Advice for Christian leaders on reversing this trend is given as well as a thorough diagnosis of the problem.

Beyond Bullet Points, Fourth Edition “Throw away those room-emptying, left-brain slides–and use Atkinson’s book to turn your PowerPoint presentation into an epic.” –Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind Think beyond bullet points–and amplify the impact of your message! Now in its fourth edition, this popular classic illuminates an innovative, step-by-step methodology designed to unlock the amazing visual story waiting to be released from your message. Communications expert Cliff Atkinson shows how to apply classic storytelling tenets and practical, research-based guidelines as you work with Microsoft PowerPoint–for memorable, meaningful, and persuasive visual stories. Change your approach–and transform your results! Find your story thread Create an emotional connection to increase your impact. Cut through the clutter Distill your message and get right to the point. Bring your story to life Storyboard your ideas, find your natural voice, and deliver a compelling presentation!

Bennett perceives that many of the questions posed by eighteenth-century discourse - such as the difference between thought and language, the nature of the social, or the origin of the individual in the communal - remain current for us today. Beyond Theory is sure to provoke thought and stimulate debate among Germanists, comparatists, literary theorists, and others interested in the cultural history of eighteenth-century Europe.

Brian Spencer, former Keeper of the Museum of London, was a major scholar of medieval popular culture. He almost single-handedly established the study of pilgrim souvenirs and secular badges. He defined what these objects were and ascertained their function, manufacture, style, and iconography with a careful use of primary documents and intricate stylistic analysis. He identified every major souvenir and badge discovered in Great Britain during the last few decades. He also made prominent contributions to the field of seal matrices, gaming pieces, and horse paraphernalia. What bound all of these interests together was his understanding that the study of these artefacts could shed light on the beliefs and practices of a large number of people. This is reflected in the frequency with which his work is cited. This volume is a collection of essays written by those who worked with Brian directly and those with whom he corresponded.

Engaging narrative and provocative content come together in this mind-stretching and heart-challenging journey. Come with Kelly Monroe Kullberg on an intellectual road trip as The Veritas Forum explores the deepest questions of the university world and the culture at large. Discover that Veritas transcends philosophy or religion and instead brings us to true life.