Will your home stand firm when the torrents of life come bursting at the foundation? Certainly, if it's built on the foundation of Christ alone. Is your marriage troubled? Has your spouse or child been lifted on eagle's wings to heaven unexpectedly? Has your doctor explained a dreaded prognosis? Does the ground quake with financial uncertainties? These are the times when you need solid rock! Hopeless secular humanism builds on sinking sand and changing ideas. Yet, believers from every generation have found strength by entrusting their future into God's hands. When you study God's Word, with determination to obey, you are building on Christ-faith's cornerstone. We will build upon this foundation by studying the Spirit's use of stone typology in scripture, to reveal foundations of Christian faith and how to live for Christ as He intended. Rock solid truth equips you to stand firm in faith and to give an account of the hope within you, for God's glory. Mark Day is a student of God's Word and diligently examines Biblical truth. He appreciates practical applications from personal study that impact how to live the Christian life. For over 40 years, Mark has enjoyed sound Biblical teaching from excellent Pastors, has grown through leading men's fellowship groups, teaching Bible classes and encouraging believers through hospital visitation ministries. He has discovered that believers need to stand firm on solid truth, especially during testing and trials. He has written several articles on Christian doctrines to encourage others. Precious Stones, which is the culmination of a ten year research project, was written as a heritage for his children, and prays that you too will find increased strength through this Bible study. Mark is a Software Engineer, living in Southern California. He and his wife Cherie have three children and five grandchildren.

He details the contributions and the leadership provided by the Dutch Jews and relates how they lost their "Dutchnessand their Orthodoxy within several generations of their arrival here and were absorbed into broader American Judaism.

This classic study begins with a general analysis of precious stones followed by descriptions of their cutting and mounting. The remainder of this volume focuses on the diamond. 52 figures.

Discover Thailand's tropical coastline with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan to snorkel the Similan islands, feast on fresh seafood in Krabi, island-hop from Phuket to Ko Tarutao, or discover the untamed beauty of Ko Kood, The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches & Islands will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way. Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit, with options to suit every budget. Full-colour maps throughout - navigate Bangkok's sprawling streets or Phetchaburi's temple-filled town without needing to get online. Stunning images - arich collection of inspiring colour photography. Things not to miss - Rough Guides' rundown of the best sights and experiences along Thailand's coastline and on its many islands. Itineraries - carefully planned routes to help you organize your trip. Detailed regional coverage - whether off the beaten track or in more mainstream tourist destinations, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include : Bangkok; Ko Kood; Phetchaburi; Ko Samui; Ko Pha Ngan; Ko Tao; Ko Similan; Ko Phi Phi; Krabi's Railay peninsula;Phuket; Ko Lanta; Ko Jum; Ko Yao Noi; Ko Chang; Ko Tarutao. Attractions include : Wat Pho, Ang Thong National Marine Park, AoPhang Nga National Park, The Grand Palace, Ko Tarutao National Marine Park, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Khao Sok National Park, Emerald Cave. Basics - essential pre-departure practical information including getting there, local transport, accommodation, food and drink, the media, festivals, outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, and more. Background information - a Contexts chapter devoted to history, religion, recommended books, language and glossary. Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches & Islands About Rough Guides: Escape the everyday with Rough Guides. We are a leading travel publisher known for our "tell it like it is" attitude, up-to-date content and great writing. Since 1982, we've published books covering more than 120 destinations around the globe, with an ever-growing series of ebooks, a range of beautiful, inspirational reference titles, and an award-winning website. We pride ourselves on our accurate, honest and informed travel guides.

Discover this exciting destination with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan to island-hop your way down the Andaman coast, sample street food at Bangkok's night markets or trek to the hill tribes around Chiang Mai, The Rough Guide to Thailand will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way. - Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit, with options to suit every budget. - Full-colour maps throughout- navigate Bangkok's backstreets and stroll around Krabi town without needing to get online. - Stunning images - a rich collection of inspiring colour photography. - Things not to miss - Rough Guides' rundown of Thailand's best sights and experiences. - Itineraries - carefully planned routes to help you organize your trip. - Detailed regional coverage - whether off the beaten track or in more mainstream tourist destinations, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include: Bangkok; Chiang Mai; Ko Samui; Ko Pha Ngan; Ko Lanta; Phuket; Ko Phi Phi; Krabi; Ko Tao; Ko Chang; Ko Kood; Ko Samet; Ko Mak; Pai; Ayutthaya; Nakhon Si Thammarat; Nan; Ao Phang Nga. Attractions include: Chatuchak Weekend Market; Jim Thompson's House; Wat Pho; Khmer ruinsat Phimai; Khao Yai National Park; Wat Phra That Doi Suthep; The Grand Palace; Wat Phu Tok; The National Museum. - Basics - essential pre-departure practical information including getting there, local transport, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, outdoor activities, spas and traditional massage, meditation centres and retreats, culture and etiquette, travelling with children, and more. - Background information- a Contexts chapter devoted to history, religion, art and architecture, flora and fauna, environmental issues, music, hill tribes, film and recommended books, plus a handy language section. Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to Thailand. About Rough Guides: Escape the everyday with Rough Guides. We are a leading travel publisher known for our"tell it like it is" attitude, up-to-date content and great writing. Since 1982, we've published books covering more than 120 destinations around the globe, with an ever-growing series of ebooks, a range of beautiful, inspirational reference titles, and an award-winning website. We pride ourselves on our accurate, honest and informed travel guides.

Global history is predicated on connections and exchange: how connections between far-flung people, places, and objects are forged through a variety of exchanges. As world history has matured as a field, its practitioners have found the movement of commodities between peoples, places, and time a fruitful vehicle for research and teaching. Studies of 'bulk' items like salt, spices, coffee, and other globally-traded commodities abound, but few scholars have examined the role of luxury goods from a global perspective. This anthology charts the many different contexts in which luxury objects have been used across the globe, ranging from the social practices linked to these objects to their production, exchange, and consumption, as well as how these practices varied over time and space and how different societies attributed diverse meanings to the same objects. Using luxury goods as a conduit, Luxury in Global Perspective enriches our understanding of global history.