Early in Proud Beggars, a brutal and motiveless murder is committed in a Cairo brothel. But the real mystery at the heart of Albert Cossery’s wry black comedy is not the cause of this death but the paradoxical richness to be found in even the most materially impoverished life. Chief among Cossery’s proud beggars is Gohar, a former professor turned whorehouse accountant, hashish aficionado, and street philosopher. Such is his native charm that he has accumulated a small coterie that includes Yeghen, a rhapsodic poet and drug dealer, and El Kordi, an ineffectual clerk and would-be revolutionary who dreams of rescuing a consumptive prostitute. The police investigator Nour El Dine, harboring a dark secret of his own, suspects all three of the murder but finds himself captivated by their warm good humor. How is it that they live amid degrading poverty, yet possess a joie de vivre that even the most assiduous forces of state cannot suppress? Do they, despite their rejection of social norms and all ambition, hold the secret of contentment? And so this short novel, considered one of Cossery’s masterpieces, is at once biting social commentary, police procedural, and a mischievous delight in its own right.

From author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Michaela Goade comes a New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal winning picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world. Powerfully written and gorgeously illustrated, We Are Water Protectors, issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption—inviting young readers everywhere to join the fight. Water is the first medicine. It affects and connects us all . . . When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth And poison her people’s water, one young water protector Takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource. The fight continues with Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, the must-read companion book to We Are Water Protectors. Written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Bridget George, it tells the story of real-life water protectors, Autumn Peltier and her great-aunt Josephine Mandamin, two Indigenous Rights Activists who have inspired a tidal wave of change.

A “miraculous” (Newsweek) human drama, based on a true story, from the renowned author of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini The island is nearly deserted, haunting, beautiful. Across a slip of ocean lies South Carolina. But for the handful of families on Yamacraw Island, America is a world away. For years the people here lived proudly from the sea, but now its waters are not safe. Waste from industry threatens their very existence unless, somehow, they can learn a new way. But they will learn nothing without someone to teach them, and their school has no teacher—until one man gives a year of his life to the island and its people. Praise for The Water Is Wide “Miraculous . . . an experience of joy.”—Newsweek “A powerfully moving book . . . You will laugh, you will weep, you will be proud and you will rail . . . and you will learn to love the man.”—Charleston News and Courier “A hell of a good story.”—The New York Times “Few novelists write as well, and none as beautifully.”—Lexington Herald-Leader “[Pat] Conroy cuts through his experiences with a sharp edge of irony. . . . He brings emotion, writing talent and anger to his story.”—Baltimore Sun

These Psalms had percolated in me for some time before they came out in a sermon series based on this book written at the same time. They are a diverse set of 15 Psalms (120-134), but they focus and point us above in every way. I'm hoping this book will help you in your own Ascent.

In his powerful examination of spiritual warfare, Richard Ing discusses the rulers and hierarchies of the demonic kingdom. For instance, he reveals the Jezebel and Ahab spirits that plague today's churches, destroying even the most effective ministries through controlling women and passive men.Discover how to overcome Satan's insidious tactics by learning the techniques and strategies available in your full arsenal of weapons, including: The proper use of binding and loosing The anatomy of a deliverance Satan's legal rights Spiritual war games Winning spiritual strategies Victorious spiritual warfare is possible only as the Holy Spirit empowers individuals in the body of Christ.

Laurie Hale has the perfect life--and the perfect family to go with it--until her teenage daughter is accused of murder, and the life Laurie knows disappears. Laurie Hale imagined fun, love, and success for her daughter, Anna. But when one of Anna's classmates is murdered and the police start asking questions, a very different future threatens everything Laurie values. Anna isn't the only suspect--a whole group of teenagers seems to be involved, but none of them is talking, and the community is in an uproar. Laurie's marriage bears the strain of the crisis, and her only ally is Janice, a wealthy woman from the church who refuses to let Laurie slip away quietly. Ultimately, Laurie must face her fears: What if Anna really was involved in Randi's murder? And what kind of person is Laurie if she can doubt her own child's innocence?

I became a Christian in May of 1979. Shortly after I got saved, God started speaking to my heart. God actually speaks to a lot of Christians, but they think it is their own thoughts. He first starts speaking to us through our conscience, and if we will listen and obey, He will get louder and stronger. One word of caution; not every voice you hear is from God. The enemy tries to talk to us, and sound like God, and I can't tell you how to tell the difference between the two. Even after forty years, the enemy still fools me sometimes, but it is much less then it was forty years ago. In II Corinthians 11:14 it speaks of Satan being transformed into an angel of light, actually he is an angel of darkness, but he tries to appear as an angel of God to fool the saints. Be careful whom you follow!