The African proverb states, "When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind." A complementary precept is, "When the branches are strong, there is no reason to fear climbing higher."Trees are the ideal metaphor for the growth and development of individuals and families across generations. Sturdy trees have deep roots and strong branches, and when exposed to threatening winds, trees grow stress wood, making them even more resilient.Previous generations have nurtured our life's tree, and we then assume stewardship and the responsibility to tend the tree for future generations-further deepening roots and strengthening branches. We can best do this if we develop a sense of self, mindfully answering three questions: 1) Who am I? 2) How did I become this person? 3) How will I affect future generations?In Deep Roots; Strong Branches, Alan Spector reflects on his answers to these questions and prompts the reader to do the same. He uses his life's stories and lessons learned, combines them with the stories and lessons of many others, and invites stories and learning from the reader. Hence the subtitle, Reflecting on Life Lessons Learned; A Mindful Multi-Memoir.

The Williams family immigrated from Wales to Edgecombe Co., North Carolina during or before 1744.

This book is a continuation of the LICC series begun by Neil Hudson's Imagine Church Whole-Life Worship will demonstrate that the contemporary Western Church has reached a point where our "gathered" worship is separated from our "scattered" lives outside of church. This is detrimental to the congregation's spiritual development and their effectiveness on their "frontlines". Church worship should be inspired and informed by our everyday experiences. It should empower and send the congregation out to continue worshipping. The book will provide patterns and resources to better connect gathered worship with the lives of the congregation beyond church meetings. The book will unpack a biblical grounding for both gathered and scattered worship. It will then identify patterns within our gathered services which help us re-make these connections. It will provide practical resources such as songs, prayers and activities which can help churches connect Sunday to the rest of the week. It will draw examples and stories from other church streams and traditions, to demonstrate how different kinds of Christian spirituality engage worshipfully with everyday life. In the second half of the book is a practical resource looking specifically at different aspects of a gathered service, and how each one can have an "outward" dimension.

This books taps into the powerful imagery of trees to suggest ways that one may sink roots into God's Word and grow strong branches that bear the fruits of faith.

This is Robert James Challenger's fifth collection of beautifully illustrated, easy-to-read short stories that impart practical, moral lessons about life in today's world. As in Aesop's fables and First Nations legends, animals, birds and insects are the ones who do the teaching. Mother Eagle helps her daughter overcome her sibling rivalry. An encounter with Mosquito teaches a little girl that revenge doesn't make a person feel any better. Little Orca learns from his grandfather that being grown up has very little to do with how big you are. Exploring a range of contemporary issues, including bullying and dealing with the death of loved ones, these stories are relevant and readable. As appealing to parents and teachers as they are to children, they are a wonderful way to convey values of respect, cooperation and kindness.

What if your struggles aren’t a barrier to thriving but an invitation into your most vibrant days? Discover how to live a life of joy and fullness, even in the midst of disappointment and broken dreams. How can you find a way forward when life throws you sucker punches, when you face obstacles that seem to snuff out your faith, when you lose someone precious to you? It is in the sacred space of pain and promise that we can begin to flourish. Even in the midst of disappointment and broken dreams it is possible to grow, be strong, and draw near to God. In The Fight to Flourish, Jennie Lusko draws on her experiences after the loss of her five-year-old daughter, Lenya, to show you that the ingredients for a fresh and thriving life are right in front of you. Jennie's story will help remind you of how much God loves you, even when life feels unbearable. With grit and grace, Jennie will help you: Discover that flourishing is not an impossible destination but a divine revelation of where you are right now Find relief from the weight of overwhelming circumstances by resting in the realization that God is fighting for you Trust that God is growing you in the gap between your expectations and your experience The word flourish is written all over you and your future. Discover the ongoing strength that Jennie has found and learn to reengage in life with renewed strength and confidence.

In this dark fantasy sequel to Winter Tide, siblings in Cold War America look to rebuild their New England community only to find mystery and danger. A finalist for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and the Dragon Award for Best Fantasy Novel Ruthanna Emrys’s Innsmouth Legacy, which began with Winter Tide and continues with Deep Roots, confronts H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos head-on, boldly upturning his fear of the unknown with a heart-warming story of found family, acceptance, and perseverance in the face of human cruelty and the cosmic apathy of the universe. Emrys brings together a family of outsiders, bridging the gaps between the many people marginalized by the homogenizing pressure of 1940s America . . . Aphra Marsh, descendant of the People of the Water, has survived Deep One internment camps and made a grudging peace with the government that destroyed her home and exterminated her people on land. Deep Roots continues Aphra’s journey to rebuild her life and family on land, as she tracks down long-lost relatives. She must repopulate Innsmouth or risk seeing it torn down by greedy developers, but as she searches she discovers that people have been going missing. She will have to unravel the mystery, or risk seeing her way of life slip away. “Wicked for the Cthulhu Mythos.” —Seanan McGuire on the Innsmouth Legacy “Deep Roots is a marvel of a fantasy novel, with monsters fighting for their very existence and a place to call their own.” —Booklist “I really like this story and think fans of Lovecraft will enjoy it if they don’t mind switching genres. It’s not horror and it’s not a particularly “alien” version of the Mythos but it’s still a very good take on Lovecraft’s work which I enjoyed for its own sake.” —Grimdark Magazine

A thorough exploration of the critical topics and issues facing family communication researchers today The Sage Handbook of Family Communication provides a comprehensive examination of family communication theory and research. Chapters by leading scholars in family communication expand the definition of family, address recent shifts in culture, and cover important new topics, including families in crisis, families and governmental policies, social media, and extended families. The combination of groundbreaking theories, research methods, and reviews of foundational and emerging research in family communication make this an invaluable resource that explores the critical topics and issues facing family communication researchers today.

Kennard's story of finding God's grace through his childhood and the jungles of Vietnam will inspire readers to allow His grace to change their lives.