This book, A COLLECTION OF EXCERPTS FROM THE SCRIPTURES OF MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS, consists of three major Parts. PART I (adopted from an earlier book by the author) pertains to major religions that originated in INDIA at different epochs of history; namely, HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, JAINISM, and SIKHISM. PART I I contains excerpts from the main scriptures of the three religions that originated in European and the Middle Eastern regions with their original roots in Prophet Abraham, namely, JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, And ISLAM. Thus, PART I contains excerpts from the Vedas and the Upanishads (Hinduism); the Dhammapad (Buddhism); the Agam (Jainism); and the Guru Granth Saheb (Sikhism.) A number of essays on the historical backgrounds, the leading figures and events, and their interrelations are also included for a deeper appreciation of the pertinent philosophies. PART II, similarly, contains excerpts from The Old Testament (Judaism) and The New Testament (Christianity) of the Bible, and the Koran (Islam), with a brief Introduction in each case. The main purpose of presenting this book is to illustrate the commonality of the Indian religions due to their common root Hinduism -- that came into being in India some 10-15 millennia ago, and was modified from time to time. These religions have coexisted peacefully and harmoniously for centuries and millennia, and have contributed much in the global spiritual development. In particular, Buddhism has been adopted in a significant portion of Asia (China, Japan, South-East Asia), and has been also attracting the intellectuals in the West in recent years. Interrelations among the other three religions are also evident due to their common root; though significant historical schisms and ideological differences among them are also well-known. As the world enters the Twentieth Century, it is imperative for world-peace that people across the globe try to understand one another better, in terms of the spiritual and religious beliefs, philosophies, mentalities, and traditional tendencies that shape their individual lives as well as their mutual interaction patterns. It is hoped that this book makes a small contribution in that direction.

Glimpses of the Scriptures of Religions of Indian Origin primarily includes excerpts from the Vedas and the Upanishads (Hinduism); the Dhammapad (Buddhism); the Agam (Jainism); and the Guru Granth Saheb (Sikhism) these (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism) being four religions that originated in India. A number of essays on the historical backgrounds, the leading fi gures and events, and their interrelations are also included for a deeper appreciation of the pertinent philosophies. The main purpose of writing this book is to illustrate the commonality of these religions due to their common root Hinduism -- that came into being in India some 10-15 millennia ago, and was modifi ed from time to time. These religions have coexisted peacefully and harmoniously for centuries and millennia, and have contributed much in the international religious scene. In particular, Buddhism has been adopted in a signifi cant portion of Asia (China, Japan, South-East Asia), and has been also attracting the intellectuals in the West in recent years.

Quite often, we see things only when we are looking for them. This lead me to begin looking for glimpses of God in my day-to-day life and all the things that were directly part of my life or just in the world and events around me. In the pages of this book are observations and insights from life""glimpses of God that I only saw because I was looking for them, for him. I found insights into my heavenly Father and his relationship with me, his child, as I looked at and listened to everyday events as a father to my children. That led me to insights about us as human beings in relation to God and each other. That opened my eyes to new perspectives on scripture. I became more aware of God's presence all around us. It helped me bring God into my world. This helped me realize our successes may mean more than we think, and our failures may be of more value than we realize. You have a very personal relationship with an almighty God who knows your name, knows everything about you, and desires a very personal relationship with you. His relationship with you is different from any other relationship he has. It's special to him. Take it. Own it. Make it yours. Look for him. Catching glimpses of him day to day will change your perspective. It will change your relationships with your family, people around you, even with yourself. And it will change your relationship with God.

This comprehensive collection of timeless and powerful stories puts the wisdom of world religions in the hands of young readers. When attempting to find a simple, engaging, and unbiased approach to world religions for her own family, Marilyn McFarlane discovered such a book did not exist. Understanding how important it is for children to build both respect for and knowledge of a variety of religions, regardless of their own faith, McFarlane created Sacred Stories: Wisdom from World Religions. Each captivating story and accompanying sidebar facts and spot illustrations brings to life the key tenets of a particular belief system, while the comprehensive glossary and resource list enable readers to expand their explorations. Including easy-to-understand descriptions and essential stories from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Native American, and Sacred Earth, Sacred Stories is perfect for parents and teachers who want to expand young readers’ understanding of world traditions. The simple, informative, unbiased language of Sacred Stories, combined with its comprehensive resource list and glossary, makes it an ideal learning tool for teachers, librarians, and other educators.

Runny noses. Dirty diapers. Unfolded laundry. The day-to-day life of the average housewife is filled with countless tasks that can feel mundane and ordinary, causing women to wonder if they're missing out on bigger and better things. Eager to encourage such struggling homemakers, pastor's wife and mother of three Gloria Furman highlights the reality of God's grace in all of life, especially those areas that often seem boring and unimportant. Filled with personal examples and anecdotes, this richly theological reflection on what it means to be a wife, mother, and homemaker challenges readers to see and cherish the gospel's extraordinary impact on ordinary life. Glimpses of Grace will inspire a renewed gospel-cheerfulness among women faithfully serving God in and through their homes.

A world Bible for our time from Buddhist, Hindu, Confucian, Taoist, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and primal religion sources! In this perfect companion to Huston Smith's bestselling The World's Wisdom, Philip Novak distills the most powerful and elegant expressions of the wisdom of humankind. Authentic, poetic translations of key texts are coupled with insightful introductions and "grace notes."

In Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World, bishop and social activist John Shelby Spong argues that 200 years of biblical scholarship has been withheld from lay Christians. In this brilliant follow-up to Spong’s previous books Eternal Life and Jesus for the Non-Religious, Spong not only reveals the crucial truths that have long been kept hidden from the public eye, but also explores what the history of the Bible can teach us about reading its stories today and living our lives for tomorrow. Sarah Sentilles, author of Breaking Up With God: A Love Story, applauds John Shelby Spong’s Reclaiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World, writing that “pulsing beneath his brilliant, thought-provoking, passionate book is this question: can Christianity survive the education of its believers?…A question Bishop Spong answers with a resounding yes.”

In this new edition of a successful book (over 120,000 copies sold), now updated throughout, a leading expert on the social world of the Bible offers students a reliable guide to the manners and customs of the ancient world. From what people wore, ate, and built to how they exercised justice, mourned, and viewed family and legal customs, this illustrated introduction helps readers gain valuable cultural background on the biblical world. The attractive, full-color, user-friendly design will appeal to students, while numerous pedagogical features--including fifty photos, sidebars, callouts, maps, charts, a glossary of key terms, chapter outlines, and discussion questions--increase classroom utility. Previously published as Manners and Customs in the Bible.

Make a spiritual connection to nature with real, raw, natural incense The Incense Bible is a comprehensive guide to the spiritual meaning of real, raw, natural incense and how to use it in prayer, meditation, or simply in creating a home environment to “reconnect” with divinity and nature. This unique book examines the spiritual and ritual uses of “pure” incense (not sticks, cones, or synthetic mixtures), explores our attraction to it, and explains how we can use it at home to increase wellness. Filled with easy-to-use references and easy-to-understand technical information, the book also looks at the use of incense in health and medicine, a history of its use in a variety of countries and cultures, and various types of raw incense, including eucalyptus, sandalwood, sweet grass, agarwood, frankincense, and myrrh. The Incense Bible examines aspects of spirituality and religion, health and medicine, botanical medicines, ethnobotany, and history of real incense—not the low-quality, processed, synthetic fragrances most people think of as “incense.” This enlightening and entertaining book, written in everyday language and filled with photgraphs, examines why incense appeals to our sense of smell, of adventure, and of spiritual and physical well-being—and has for centuries. The book looks at the use of incense for purifications and cleansings, creative inspiration, meditation, worship and prayer, for inducing dreams and sleep, to improve learning and problem solving, and as a perfume for clothes, hair, and body. Topics examined in The Incense Bible include: types of raw incense, including balsam, cedar, mugwort and moxa, and white sage safety how the sense of smell works the link between taste and scent scent and memory allergies and sensitivities oils and flower essences for healing how to make incense incense materials and symbols the use of incense in Egyptian, Greek, and Roman times, in Buddhism and Shamanism, in Israel, in the Catholic Church, in Native American sweat lodges, and in the African rainforest and much more! The Incense Bible is an essential resource for anyone interested in health and natural medicine, botanical medicines, and ethnobotany, and for anyone seeking to express their spirituality by reconnecting to nature