The story of two journalists whose entanglement in a French philosopher's death becomes a surreal journey into global conspiracy.

The truth is... life is full of trials that threaten to consume us. The little things. The big things. The kid things. The relationship things. Little by little we are consuming ourselves with these "things" and we don't even know it. In fact, we are too busy trying to make it look better (ya know- on social media) and pretending that our lives look like everyone else's to even notice the truth about it all.But our negligence doesn't change the facts. We are consumed. Burned out. Stressed out. Unhealthy. And most of all unhappy.Day after day we get back on the hamster wheel chasing some "perfect life" that we are certain has to be out there. We keep pushing forward, doing more and more, and feeling disappointed that we can't seem to get there.But all of that is about to change. If you are willing to let it, that is. You see, there is a secret to not letting life consume you. There is a way to do it all and have it all. The trouble is, we are just a little confused about the definition of "all." We need to do a little re-defining and a little truth-claiming if we are going to fix this. So what do you say? Are you ready to become #NOTCONSUMED?

A call to action for consumers everywhere, Consumed asks us to look at how and why we buy what we buy, how it's created, who it benefits, and how we can solve the problems created by a wasteful system. We live in a world of stuff. We dispose of most of it in as little as six months after we receive it. The byproducts of our quest to consume are creating an environmental crisis. Aja Barber wants to change this--and you can, too. In Consumed, Barber calls for change within an industry that regularly overreaches with abandon, creating real imbalances in the environment and the lives of those who do the work—often in unsafe conditions for very low pay—and the billionaires who receive the most profit. A story told in two parts, Barber exposes the endemic injustices in our consumer industries and the uncomfortable history of the textile industry, one which brokered slavery, racism, and today’s wealth inequality. Once the layers are peeled back, Barber invites you to participate in unlearning, to understand the truth behind why we consume in the way that we do, to confront the uncomfortable feeling that we are never quite enough and why we fill that void with consumption rather than compassion. Barber challenges us to challenge the system and our role in it. The less you buy into the consumer culture, the more power you have. Consumed will teach you how to be a citizen and not a consumer.

Should Christians be for or against the free market? For or against globalization? How are we to live in a world of scarcity? William Cavanaugh uses Christian resources to incisively address basic economic matters -- the free market, consumer culture, globalization, and scarcity -- arguing that we should not just accept these as givens but should instead change the terms of the debate.Among other things, Cavanaugh discusses how God, in the Eucharist, forms us to consume and be consumed rightly. Examining pathologies of desire in contemporary "free market" economies, Being Consumed puts forth a positive and inspiring vision of how the body of Christ can engage in economic alternatives. At every turn, Cavanaugh illustrates his theological analysis with concrete examples of Christian economic practices.

Living through the fire, Burnt but not consumed, "A Mother's Story" is a story of a young mothers journey through an unkind world. This mother knows what heart ache and pain is first hand. Every man that she has ever dealth with has hurt her in some way. Finally God blesses her with a son, a man who will love her unconditional. This mother vows to protect her children but mainly her baby boy and makes sure that they never have to experience any of the shameful things that she endured growing up. But oneday an unsuspecting person enter the picture and turns this mothers world upside down. Lies, deception and manipulation nearly ruins a bond formed between a mother and her child but a new relationship helps this mother view every heartache and pain she suffered in a different perspective.

"Offers a vivid portrait of a global economy that overproduces goods and targets children as consumers ... where the primary goal is no longer to manufacture goods but needs." - cover.

The Bible calls us to teach our children diligently. But in the wake of disappointing court rulings and scandalous baby killing videos, the question must be asked. Do our kids REALLY know what we believe?Are we giving our kids the tools they need to stand strong and defend their faith or are we letting them eat out of the hands of wolves?Foundations of Faith is a study like no other. The goal is simple: to help your family talk about tough issues and develop a statement of faith that will be a keepsake and teaching tool for years to come. The study starts with a 7-lesson Bible study of the basics of the Christian faith. Section two contains space to record your family's specific beliefs.Rest assured, you are not told what to think about these very important issues, but are provided with Scripture, additional reading, and thoughtful questions to ponder as you consider each of the issues at hand. It's very important that families consider the facts as they develop their statement of faith.This study is designed for the whole family to complete together. The parent guide contains notes and suggestions, as well as a place to record your statement of faith for each topic. The youth and junior versions contain age-appropriate spaces for recording, as well. Please note: The 7-day Bible study at the beginning is exactly the same for all levels.

Best-selling author Eric Law shows how to work with the dynamics of diverse cultures to create a truly inclusive community. In his widely acclaimed The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb, Eric H. F. Law explores the dynamics of multicultural misunderstandings and how different cultures perceive and use power. Here he shows how to work with those dynamics to create a truly inclusive community. sing Exodus 3 as a theological starting point, Law explains in detail how leaders can: understand and resolve difference in communication styles, recognize and avoid the "Golden Calf Syndrome," reconcile high-context and low-content elements in the group, use mutual invitation, and build dialogue through liturgy. Following Law's practical guidelines, we can, in the end, build multicultural structures everyone can live and thrive in.

In a crisis, it's easy to revert to old patterns. Caring for your well-being during the coronavirus pandemic includes maintaining healthy boundaries and saying no to unhealthy relationships. The healing touchstone of millions, this modern classic by one of America's best-loved and most inspirational authors holds the key to understanding codependency and to unlocking its stultifying hold on your life. Is someone else's problem your problem? If, like so many others, you've lost sight of your own life in the drama of tending to someone else's, you may be codependent--and you may find yourself in this book--Codependent No More. The healing touchstone of millions, this modern classic by one of America's best-loved and most inspirational authors holds the key to understanding codependency and to unlocking its stultifying hold on your life. With instructive life stories, personal reflections, exercises, and self-tests, Codependent No More is a simple, straightforward, readable map of the perplexing world of codependency--charting the path to freedom and a lifetime of healing, hope, and happiness. Melody Beattie is the author of Beyond Codependency, The Language of Letting Go, Stop Being Mean to Yourself, The Codependent No More Workbook and Playing It by Heart.