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Three great nonfiction works from the Nobel Prize–winning, Catholic, French author of Thérèse Desqueyroux.Saint Margaret of CortonaFor François Mauriac, Saint…
Margaret of Cortona became a source of fascination and solace during the Nazi occupation of France. During that time, feeling himself and all his countrymen to be among the downtrodden, he wrote this biography of the thirteenth-century Italian penitent who would become the patron saint of the homeless . . .Born in 1247 to a farming family in a small village outside Perugia, Margaret of Cortona was willful and reckless in her youth. At age seventeen, she became a wealthy man&’s mistress—even bearing his son out of wedlock. But her life of sin ended when she found her lover murdered.Devoting herself to prayer and penance, Margaret eventually joined the Third Order of St. Francis and took a vow of poverty. She established a hospital for the poor and homeless at Cortona. On divine command, she challenged her own bishop for his lavish and warlike lifestyle. Canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1728, she became a patron saint of the downtrodden, including the falsely accused, homeless, orphaned, and mentally ill, as well as midwives, penitents, single mothers, reformed prostitutes, and third children.Letters on Art and LiteratureIn this collection of letters, Mauriacshares fascinating insights through correspondence with Albert Camus, Jean Cocteau, and other authors, artists, intellectuals, as well as the readers of his various articles and columns. The letters delve into a variety of topics—from the death of Georges Bernanos to the correspondence between Paul Claudel and Andre Gide, and the Routier youth movement.Proust&’s Way The thinking and suffering of the author of Remembrance of Things Past are intimately exposed in these letters to Mauriac.
Saint Margaret of Cortona
By François Mauriac. 1948
The Nobel Prize–winning author&’s stirring biography of the thirteenth-century Italian penitent who become the patron saint of the homeless. …
Born in 1247 to a farming family in a small village outside Perugia, Margaret of Cortona was willful and reckless in her youth. At age seventeen, she became a wealthy man&’s mistress—even bearing his son out of wedlock. But her life of sin ended when she found her lover murdered. Devoting herself to prayer and penance, Margaret eventually joined the Third Order of St. Francis and took a vow of poverty. She established a hospital for the poor and homeless at Cortona. On divine command, she challenged her own bishop for his lavish and warlike lifestyle. Canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1728, she became a patron saint of the downtrodden, including the falsely accused, homeless, orphaned, and mentally ill, as well as midwives, penitents, single mothers, reformed prostitutes, and third children. For François Mauriac, Saint Margaret of Cortona became a source of fascination and solace during the Nazi occupation of France. During that time, feeling himself and all his countrymen to be among the downtrodden, he wrote this biography.
Mitigating Circumstances: A Detective's Stories of Forgiveness & the Fruit of God's Love
By Brian D. Baker. 2017
Mitigating Circumstances is a compilation of real-life detective stories that highlight the grace of God in the lives of criminal…
offenders. Told in the first-person, Mitigating Circumstances describes how the professional life of an experienced private detective changed dramatically when Jesus became the Lord of his life. A gritty, often discouraging occupation morphed into a ministry, and these stories are the fruit of this ministry. These stories are meant to encourage readers that God can heal even the most hardened, hopeless offender.
Let Me Tell You a Story: Life Lessons from Unexpected Places and Unlikely People
By Tony Campolo. 2000
Vivid. Passionate. Witty. Poignant. No one tells a story like Tony Campolo.Why stories? Stories have the power to sneak up…
on us, catch us unaware, and in the process draw us closer to our fellow human beings . . . and to God. And when Tony Campolo tells a story, we are captivated and entertained by the amazing characters and situations he describes.You'll laugh (or wince) at how one particular missions offering was raised.You'll feel the tragedy of a friend Tony didn't stand up for.You'll thrill to the "Sunday's comin' " sermon.You'll be moved when you learn about the childhood event that caused Bishop Tutu to become a priest.These are stories of hope, doubt, faith, failure, and triumph. Of people standing up for justice, showing mercy, and living for God. But don't just expect to be entertained by Tony Campolo-though you will be. He just might change your heart and your life's priorities.Listen well. You might overhear God talking to you.
An allegorical tale that teaches core lifetime and business management principles through the life story of a monkey named Pete.Meet…
Pete. As a young monkey growing up on the safe side of The Hedge, he longs for adventure, fame, and fortune, and eventually leaves the security of his home to explore new horizons. Along the way, Pete becomes a husband, a father, and a business leader. New communities, characters and experiences present opportunities to learn management and life skills. Pete eventually reaches The City and is tasked with managing the critical shortage of The City’s primary resource. Pete is sent on a risky journey to find more resources and uncovers impending catastrophe heading toward his home community and The City. All of Pete’s leadership skills are tested as he races to save his family, his community, and even his foes from certain destruction.The Monkey and the Maize is a fictional story with core messages about leadership, management, community and integrity that span multiple life roles—from a young couple learning how to be good parents to a first-time manager learning how to lead to a corporate CEO who wants to continue to grow. The five roots of life—Faith, Family, Fellowship, Food [Work], and Forgiveness—are woven throughout this tale providing its firm foundation.“Mr. Marble hasn’t just penned another book on leadership. At the core, he brilliantly describes a journey that is both relatable yet inspiring. The Monkey and the Maize will create a moment of self-reflection and awareness for its readers by being real, not superficially didactic.” —Dave Kipe, Chief Operating Officer, Majestic Steel USA
The U.S. mission in Iraq ended Dec. 18, 2011, as the last American soldiers climbed into trucks and headed south…
through the desert towards Kuwait. Nearly 4,500 American troops died in the Iraq war. More than 30,000 others were physically wounded. Countless others live with scars that can't be seen. While medics and doctors heal the physical scars of the wounded, the military employs a select few to heal the hearts, minds, and souls of soldiers--all of whom are changed forever by war. In January 2008, Atlanta Journal-Constitution international reporter Moni Basu began documenting life at war with Darren Turner, a chaplain in the U.S. Army. Chaplain Turner served as the emotional support system of U.S. soldiers more accustomed to toughing it out than opening up.Despite a rough and tumble youth, Chaplain Turner found spirituality and made the decision to practice faith amid a flock of the suffering. For that reason, he chose to be an Army chaplain on the front lines of The Iraq War. But Chaplain Turner's war would unfold on many fronts: as a soldier on the battlefield, as a counselor behind closed doors, as a minister at the altar, as a friend, as a father. He would become the backbone of an infantry battalion on its third deployment in Iraq. As the sole chaplain for a thousand men and women, he would absorb all that befell them. He would share in absolute joy--and tragedy.Ms. Basu captures the entire range of these emotions in this book based on her time covering Chaplain Turner in Iraq and at home. In a series of articles she published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and expanded upon here, Ms. Basu deftly depicts the emotional weight carried by soldiers in the field, veterans at home, and a man charged with the harrowing responsibility of being a salve to their scarred souls.For the first-time ever, the entire series of Ms. Basu's articles on Chaplain Turner have been collected into one book. There have been few looks into one of this nation's most controversial wars that have been as honest, heartbreaking, and inspiring as Chaplain Turner's War. The experiences of the young men and women Chaplain Turner served speak with a clarity and force that is relatable to readers of any religion and of any opinion about The Iraq War. It is a story of people's lives who are so often taken for granted as steely warriors, and so rarely appreciated as heroes returning home with a lifetime of emotional weight. Chaplain Turner's War is a must-read for anyone interested in the end of The Iraq War and the perspective of it from those most directly involved.
Women, Religion and Leadership focuses on women from the traditional context of women as leaders with chapters observing various aspects…
of leadership from specifically chosen religious female leaders and going on to examine the legacies they leave behind. This book seeks to identify and analyse the gendered issues underlying the structural lack of recognition for women within the church and to examine the culturally constructed narratives related to these women for evidence of their leadership despite the exclusionary rules applied to force their submission to the dominating forces. Finally this book intends to draw out of these women’s stories the various lessons of leadership that invoke current relevancies among prevailing leadership paradigms. Written by experts from disciplines as varied as leadership and communication studies to sociology, and history to medievalist and English scholars; Women, Religion and Leadership will prove key reading for scholars, academics and researchers is these and related disciplines.
The Relationship Principles of Jesus
By Rick Warren, Tom Holladay. 2008
What would you give to radically improve, even transform, what matters most in your relationships? How about forty days of…
your time? In forty days, bring new depth and health to your marriage, your family, and your friendships. Six weeks to explore and implement six foundational principles that Jesus taught and lived. You’ll be equipped with insights and a practical path for fulfilling God’s intention for all your relationships—even the difficult ones. Shaped after Rick Warren’s monumental bestseller, The Purpose Driven® Life, this book invites you to learn from the Master of relationships. The Relationship Principles of Jesus will profoundly shape how you view relationships.
Last Of The Fathers: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and the Encyclical Letter Doctor Mellifluus
By Thomas Merton. 1982
Merton presents one of the most significant encyclical letters of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, together with an introduction to the…
life and teachings of the great mystic. "A study that will have to be on the shelves of all libraries and in the personal collections of all who are interested in spirituality" (Catholic World). Index.
No Man Is an Island (Shambhala Library)
By Thomas Merton. 1915
A recapitulation of his earlier work Seeds of Contemplation, this collection of sixteen essays plumbs aspects of human spirituality. Merton…
addresses those in search of enduring values, fulfillment, and salvation in prose that is, as always, inspiring and compassionate. "A stimulating series of spiritual reflections which will prove helpful for all struggling to...live the richest, fullest and noblest life" (Chicago Tribune).
Nobody’s perfect and yet we try so hard to be. The opinions of others matter so much that it drives…
many to become “people pleasers.” The problem is that you are not perfect and even if you did something perfectly somebody would find a way to crucify your work. Since we can’t please all people all of the time we should strive to please the only perfect person to ever live, Jesus.
The Most Amazing Harvest: The Man Behind the Story
By Pam Bates, Paula Patty. 2021
The heartwarming true story of a farmer’s unwavering faith in the face of a tragic prognosis—and how a community came…
together to help a neighbor in need.In the summer of 2015, Carl Bates and his wife Pam received the devastating news that he had metastatic cancer. The doctors have him just three months to live. As farmers in Galva, Illinois, they were dealing not only with the profound grief of Carl’s illness, but a serious practical concern: who would harvest the crops?Despite the crisis he faced, Carl never lost his faith in God. When word of his situation got out, a group of fellow farmers gathered organized to harvest Carl’s crops themselves. Someone observed that “a farmer can ask for no better crop than a bountiful harvest of friends.”The event was covered by the news and became a viral phenomenon. Now, in The Most Amazing Harvest, Pam Bates and Paula Patty tell the full story of the remarkable farmer who kept his faith, and the small town community whose selfless act of kindness was nothing short of a miracle.
In this inspiring book, Pastor Chari Orozco explores how Jesus handled emotions during his time on earth and encourages readers…
to treat their feelings as a gift—an invitation from God to grow in spiritual maturity. Our emotions drive so much of what we do, say, and think, even if we don&’t realize it. Our response to our feelings—denying they exist, letting them lead our actions unchecked, distracting ourselves to avoid feeling them—can greatly impact our lives and those around us. Emotions are essential for everyday life, but how we navigate them in the storms of life will make or break us. In I Cry in Corners, charismatic up-and-coming pastor Chari Orozco takes the readers through the life of Jesus, examining the powerful emotional tests he faced and how he responded, from his terror in the Garden of Gethsemane to his righteous anger in the temple to his disappointment when those he loved best betrayed him. In each chapter, Chari gives readers both practical and spiritual wisdom to help them respond to emotions like Jesus did. How do we steward our emotions when those closest people fail us? We turn around and wash the feet of the ones we love. How do we face temptation? We refuse to get hangry, resist the devil, and remember that our value lies not in what we have but how we love. How do we steward our emotions with maturity when the hurt we&’ve suffered comes from those who claim to know and love Jesus? We do what Jesus did: choose our words wisely, keep our eyes on the joy set before us, and, if necessary, flip over some tables. Our feelings are a gift from God, and through the life and struggles of Jesus, we find a blueprint for honoring your feelings without getting lost in them. Written with a wry, straight-talking, irreverent but always faithful tone, Chari effortlessly weaves together stories of the New Testament with her own insightful, humorous, and refreshingly candid anecdotes. The resulting book is an affirmation of feeling all the feels while encouraging readers to use their emotions as a catalyst for deep spiritual growth.
Remaining you while raising them: The secret art of confident motherhood
By Alli Worthington. 2023
Read by the author with audiobook exclusive exercises to help lighten the mental load in categories such as decision-making, household…
chores, and parenting/emotional labor. A guilt-free guide that strips away the myths you've believed about motherhood and offers you a new way to think—about your kids, yourself, and being the mom you've always wanted to be. A recent Barna study stated that 80 percent of mothers are stressed out, 70 percent are tired, and 56 percent are overcommitted. This book is for them: every mom who feels overwhelmed, worried, stressed, overstimulated, tired, and strung out by all the demands of taking care of little—or not-so-little—humans. Bestselling author, life and business coach, and mom of five boys Alli Worthington believes too many moms have neglected to take care of arguably the one person who matters most: themselves. In Remaining You While Raising Them, Alli shares guilt-free, often hilarious, empowering, and research-informed advice to help you: Intentionally care for yourself—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—amidst the demands of motherhood Drop the "good mom" myths that have been stealing your happiness Take back your own identity by discovering the unique type of mom you are Let go of social pressure, conquer mom guilt, and stop toxic comparison once and for all Discover easy tools for building your confidence and developing a healthy mom mindset Raising children who are spiritually, emotionally, and physically healthy is essential, but to accomplish that heroic feat, mothers also need to be healthy in those areas. It's time to rediscover the beauty, the joy, and the sacred and secret art of confident motherhood together. Journal and discussion questions, images, flowcharts, and QR codes are included in the audiobook companion PDF download
The Secret Lies Within: An Inside Out Look at Overcoming Trauma and Finding Purpose in the Pain
By Anne Beiler, Emily Sutherland. 2020
The Secret Lies Within in an inside-out look at the trauma and pain so many people experience in this lifetime…
and how breaking the silence is the first step to freedom. Many people experience trauma or pain and keep it to themselves, letting it become a secret that holds them captive. They live with pain, blame, and shame, unsure of what to do or how to break free. The secrets grow, causing people to become increasingly silent while they hope and pray for better days, struggling to believe they will ever come.The Secret Lies Within is an honest, vulnerable, and courageous narrative about nearly losing everything, breaking the silence of secrets, and finding purpose in pain. Auntie Anne Beiler, founder of the international franchise Auntie Anne’s pretzels, shares her journey through the loss of a child, sexual abuse, and the resulting trauma that haunted her for years, reminding readers they are not alone in their pain. Anne weaves brief stories of other brave individuals throughout her own and presents a picture of hope for those who have experienced trauma. Those with deep secrets of their own are encouraged to break their silence and are shown the power to overcome through confession and reach a whole new level of freedom.
The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant: Twelve Keys to Successful Living
By Dave Ramsey, Terry Felber. 2012
Every life requires a spiritual foundation."Grandfather, you left this..." Julio lifted the leather-bound journal and stepped toward the old man."It…
is yours now," said Antonio, with a gleam in his eye. "I've lived my life according to the twelve principles recorded in it. And if you will apply its principles as I did, your success will be greater than you could ever imagine."Be a minister in the marketplace.Terry Felber has written a parable that will transform your life and your business. Many years ago, this ago book helped Dave Ramsey rediscover the marketplace as a mission field--and merchants as ministers. Now let it open your eyes to the opportunities for service and leadership all around you.Are you ready for a change?The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant will change the way you see yourself, your job, and your purpose.Now includes personal and small group study guide.
The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass
By Mandy Hale. 1982
Smart, strong, independent--single women can live a fabulous life. Husband not required. Mandy Hale, also known by her many blog…
readers and Twitter fans as The Single WomanTM, shares her stories, advice, and enthusiasm for living life as an empowered, confident, God-centered woman who doesn't just resign herself to being single--she enjoys it! Being single has had its stigmas, but Mandy proves it has its advantages too, and she uses wisdom and wit to inspire her fellow single ladies to celebrate and live fully in the life God has given them. Mandy encourages her readers on subjects such as taking chances, building friendships, letting go, and finding a greater purpose. With her help, readers can stop worrying about happily ever after and discover a happy life instead.
Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well
By Billy Graham. 2005
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish…
my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.--Acts 20:24 (ESV)Growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life," says Billy Graham, known by many as God's Ambassador. "I would have never guessed what God had in store for me, and I know that as I am nearing home, He will not forsake me the last mile of the way."In Nearing Home this man of faith--now in his nineties--explores the challenges of aging while gleaning foundational truths from Scripture. Billy Graham invites us to journey with him as he considers the golden years while anticipating the hope of being reunited with his wife, Ruth, in his heavenly home that eclipses this world. "When granted many years of life, growing old in age is natural, but growing old with grace is a choice," says the author. "Growing older with grace is possible for all who will set their hearts and minds on the Giver of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ."Join Billy Graham as he shares the challenges of fading strength but still standing strong in his commitment to finishing life well."Explore with me not only the realities of life as we grow older but also the hope and fulfillment and even joy that can be ours once we learn to look at these years from God's point of view and discover His strength to sustain us every day."--BILLY GRAHAM
The Wounded Spirit
By Frank Peretti. 1982
If you've ever been there,you've never forgotten. The feeling is as haunting and familiar as the smellof a junior high…
school locker room.It's the feeling of being undersized ... or oversized ... or klutzy ... or less than beautiful. Of being a nerd ... or a geek ... or just, somehow, different.It's knowing you are vulnerable-and someone is ready and willing to take full advantage of your weakness by making your life miserable.It's the fraternity you never wanted to join-the fellowship of the wounded spirit.And bestselling novelist Frank Peretti is a member, too. This book is the haunting true story of pain Frank Peretti never forgot but never, until recently, shared with the world. It's the story of growing up with a medical condition that left him disfigured. A series of surgeries and the slow miracle of answered prayer took care of the deformity, but not the underdeveloped frame or the excruciating reality of being different. And it was for these petty "crimes" that Peretti was prosecuted every day at school-especially in gym class, but also in the halls, on the school grounds, even in his own neighborhood. No wonder he found himself relating to movie monsters who were hated but also feared-and who eventually exacted a bloody revenge on their tormentors! In Peretti's case, deliverance eventually came-through time, through prayer, through a teacher's caring intervention, and his own willingness to seek help. But he has never forgotten what life was like at the bottom of the junior high food chain. And from the reservoir of those agonizing memories he sends a compelling message to victims, to bullies, and to authorities who have the power to intervene-that it's never OK for the strong to abuse the weak. And that we allow such abuse at the expense of our souls ... and our very civilization.Especially in the wake of the massacre at Columbine High School-perpetuated by two troubled but also tormented outsiders--this message takes on haunting resonance. Frank Peretti believes we cannot afford to overlook the continuing reality of wounded spirits, not only in our schools, but in our homes, churches, and workplaces. His approach is both tender and tough as he issues a ringing call for a change in attitude.It's a call for all of us to stop thinking of abuse as "normal," even among kids.It's a call for the strong to stand up and protect the weak, not prey upon them.It's a call for those in authority to pay attention to the violence being done to the vulnerable in the midst of our everyday lives and to take action to help. Most of all, it's a call for bullies and victims alike (many of us are both) to seek the healing and forgiveness offered in Jesus Christ. For that healing is really the heart of this book-the only reality that can break the natural cycle of victimization and abuse.Only in Christ, Peretti reminds, is there hope for the wounded spirits-but that hope is powerful enough to change everything.
The Road to Freedom: Healing from Your Hurts, Hang-ups, and Habits
By Johnny Baker, John Baker Sr.. 2018
Each one of us has hurts, hang-ups, and habits that need healing. The Road to Freedom is the path to…
hope for all of us who are in pain or simply stuck. With practical application and inspiration, Johnny Baker shares his story of recovering from alcoholism and offers the truths he has learned from his 25 years with Celebrate Recovery.Baker’s father, John, founded Celebrate Recovery when Baker was 15 years old. Later, Baker would become involved with alcohol himself. Even though he saw his parents’ marriage heal and watched his dad become a new person, he had to experience his own journey of healing.Baker began the process of recovery as a young adult. Now he serves on the leadership team of Celebrate Recovery, sharing his testimony of how God brought him back home. In the years since leaving alcohol behind, Baker has witnessed thousands of other lives change through the power of Christ.Whether you are dealing with substance abuse, relational struggles, or eating challenges, or you simply want to let go of what is holding you back in life, you will find answers in The Road to Freedom. In addition to telling his own story, Baker offers ten principles of healing. These life lessons remind you that pain has a purpose, small and steady improvement lasts longer than overnight change, serving others leads to deeper healing, and facing your problems is the only way to heal.The Road to Freedom will help you move from coping with hurts, hang-ups, and habits to the hope and health that only Jesus can bring.