A child can't be owned, but parents are legally responsible for their child's care. A painting and a dog can be owned; both fall under the jurisdiction of the law and in particular, property rights. But why should a dog, man's best friend, an animal with a mind and emotions, fall under the same category as a painting? How could the law be so foolish? Requiring legal guardianship for animals would have radical consequences for how we live our lives.
A practical, uplifting guide designed to help congregational leadership navigate current issues and inspire deeper thought and contemplation. In this powerful collection of reflections, the Rev. Dr. Marc Smith offers thoughtful insights and practical guidance for vestries and other church leadership bodies. Addressing key issues like evangelism, social justice, stewardship, and parish life, each chapter includes opening and closing prayers, reflective essays, quotes, and discussion questions designed to equip church leaders to approach their work with wisdom, grace, and a deeper sense of purpose.
This is the story of Baxter Janus, a professional photographer, told from two viewpoints, in two voices; both of them are his. First, an imaginative, precocious, optimistic young boy growing into adulthood looks forward to an exciting life, telling of his dreams and ambitions. Then Baxter, nearing the end of his life, looks back at what went right...and what went wrong along the way. A startling revelation in his later years sends his quiet, albeit boring retirement into a tailspin. Spanning nearly seventy years, from the end of World War II to present day, it chronicles his many adventures and misadventures, highs, lows, laughter and tears, as well as meeting several diverse, memorable and influential characters that help shape Baxter's life, even when he least expects it.
London, England...1952. The country is quickly recovering from the ravages of World War II, but a certain group of people won't let the hatred die. The fight continues. Murders are being committed throughout Europe as a result of a particular heroic action taken during the recently ended war. We will soon discover that there is more than one murderer and more than one reason. But who are the "good guys" and who are the "bad guys"? Three Americans, two former army pilots and an American actress who is now living in London, are swept up into the action almost by accident. Their lives are forever altered when they learn of the deadly plot. They realize that not everyone is who they appear to be and they, too, now have targets on their backs. Along with suspense, humor, and a bit of romance, this thriller poses a very intriguing and controversial question: can murder ever be justified?
1953: On a trans-Atlantic flight from London to New York City, Devon Stone, best-selling author of murder mysteries, strikes up a friendly chat with a fellow passenger in first-class. A murder in a Manhattan hotel later that evening connects Devon to the victim. Out of idle curiosity, Billy Bennett, Veronica Barron, and Peyton Chase, friends of Devon Stone, get themselves embroiled in nefarious doings involving the murder. A soldier who was involved in a highly classified operation during World War II has been missing for seven years and is now drawn into the plot. An old oil painting with contentious beginnings (and meanings) brings the story into sharper focus. Along with deceit, truths, lies, chance meetings, happenstance, humor, and a hint of romance we will also discover that one murder wasn't enough.
1955: London, England and Hong Kong, China Devon Stone, best-selling author of murder mysteries, receives a cryptic note from beyond the grave. Is it a warning or a clue to a murder? A startling murder on a Star Ferry in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour takes place at almost the same time as a suicide is discovered in London. These two events are connected...but how? Veronica Barron, an American actress friend of Devon Stone's, returns to the London stage to great acclaim, but at what price? An opera singer in Hong Kong is transformed by the role of a lifetime, albeit in a very deadly and violent way. A volatile father-son dynamic is the catalyst for a devastating and heart-breaking revelation. But once he solves one crime, Devon Stone comes to the realization that the mystery is not yet over. With multiple storylines that converge in unexpected ways, along with scenes of graphic violence, scenes of humor, and a touch of romance, we will discover that devious deceptions and lies prove that one can never be certain about who, or what, someone might be.
1952: New York City; Cairo, Egypt; Swaffham, England Marcus Darke, young New York City-based author of murder mysteries, his wife Valencia, and their best friend, Sebastian Reckling, travel to Egypt to gather historic information and seek out actual intriguing locales for his next thriller. Baako Mustafa, a handsome young Egyptologist, will be their tour guide for their expedition. Aside from vast amounts of Egyptian history, he will teach them lessons they least expected, shattering some of their long-held beliefs and behaviorisms. A beautiful young Egyptian woman working at a famous hotel is harboring a family secret that could prove deadly. They will all cross paths with a couple of octogenarian British tourists who have a surprising history of their own. Diligent police inspectors, one in Egypt, the other in England, work to uncover and solve the true stories behind two unrelated murders. Add to the mix, political unrest that suddenly explodes into catastrophic and violent riots on the streets of Cairo and our travellers are faced with turmoil and danger. With multiple storylines and diverse, unforgettable characters in differing locales, this is a travelogue and a history lesson with a couple murders thrown in just for fun. The reader might want to give a few thoughts about just who their fellow travelers might be while rubbing shoulders with them on their next vacation. Just...be wary.
Romans is largely regarded as the theological standard among New Testament writings, as well as the clearest and most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in all the Bible. Its influence on figures such as Augustine, Luther, and Calvin have been well documented, with Calvin referring to it as the singular key to understanding all of Scripture. In Shades of Grace, the first in his New Kingdom series, pastor and author Marc Simon offers both an original translation of Paul's letter to the Romans, as well as a fresh commentary on the letter itself. His spirited approach to the Pauline corpus conveys both the depth and simplicity of Paul's writing, and combines the author's careful scholarship and spiritual insight with lucid commentary, background information, and explanatory notes on key terms used by Paul in his letters. The introduction to the commentary highlights the authorship, occasion, purpose, and contents of Romans, as well as Paul's unique understanding of Israel's God as the Father, Lord, and Spirit of creation. The author follows the introduction with a verse-by-verse exposition of the text, which is at once accessible to scholars, pastors, and students alike.
Romans is largely regarded as the theological standard among New Testament writings, as well as the clearest and most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in all the Bible. Its influence on figures such as Augustine, Luther, and Calvin have been well documented, with Calvin referring to it as the singular key to understanding all of Scripture. In Shades of Grace, the first in his New Kingdom series, pastor and author Marc Simon offers both an original translation of Paul's letter to the Romans, as well as a fresh commentary on the letter itself. His spirited approach to the Pauline corpus conveys both the depth and simplicity of Paul's writing, and combines the author's careful scholarship and spiritual insight with lucid commentary, background information, and explanatory notes on key terms used by Paul in his letters. The introduction to the commentary highlights the authorship, occasion, purpose, and contents of Romans, as well as Paul's unique understanding of Israel's God as the Father, Lord, and Spirit of creation. The author follows the introduction with a verse-by-verse exposition of the text, which is at once accessible to scholars, pastors, and students alike.
PAUL'S LETTER TO THE ROMANS is largely regarded as the theological standard among New Testament writings, as well as the clearest and most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in the Bible. Its influence on the moral, intellectual, and spiritual life of the church has been well documented, with Augustine referring to it as "the most basic and comprehensive statement of true Christianity," Luther as the "chief part of the New Testament," and Calvin as "the singular key to understanding the Bible as a whole." In Romans: The Gospel of Grace, pastor and author Marc Simon offers a fresh commentary on Paul's masterwork. His spirited approach to the text helps convey both the depth and simplicity of Paul's writing and combines the author's careful scholarship and insight with practical commentary and explanatory notes on key terms used in the letter. The verse-by-verse exposition in Romans: The Gospel of Grace highlights both the content and arguments of Paul's most debated letter, and is at once accessible to scholars, pastors, and students alike.
PAUL'S LETTER TO THE ROMANS is largely regarded as the theological standard among New Testament writings, as well as the clearest and most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in the Bible. Its influence on the moral, intellectual, and spiritual life of the church has been well documented, with Augustine referring to it as "the most basic and comprehensive statement of true Christianity," Luther as the "chief part of the New Testament," and Calvin as "the singular key to understanding the Bible as a whole." In Romans: The Gospel of Grace, pastor and author Marc Simon offers a fresh commentary on Paul's masterwork. His spirited approach to the text helps convey both the depth and simplicity of Paul's writing and combines the author's careful scholarship and insight with practical commentary and explanatory notes on key terms used in the letter. The verse-by-verse exposition in Romans: The Gospel of Grace highlights both the content and arguments of Paul's most debated letter, and is at once accessible to scholars, pastors, and students alike.
NEXT TO ROMANS, NO OTHER WRITING has impacted the shape of reformed theology more than Paul's letter to the Galatians. So important was the letter that Luther affectionately referred to it as his Katie von Bora - the name of his wife, stating that in some ways he was married to the letter as well. Like Romans, Galatians is rooted in Paul's conviction that through the resurrection of Jesus, God's new creation has burst in upon the old with redeeming power and vindication for those made part of Christ's body by faith. Unlike Romans however, Galatians isn't primarily an exposition on the gospel or how we get saved. Rather, what is really at issue is the inclusion of all people in the single, multi-ethnic family of God. Who is in and who is out? Who belongs? And on what basis? These are the real issues being debated by the churches to whom Paul is writing. Paul's answer is that men and women are made part of the community of Christ by faith alone and not works of the Law. Followers of Jesus, no matter what their ethnic or moral background is, are incorporated into the family of God by the grace and action of God alone, and not by outward marks of Jewish identity. In Galatians: A Commentary, pastor and author Marc Simon offers a verse by verse exposition of Galatians which is at once accessible to scholars, pastors, and students alike.
Who were the Sephardic Jews of the Ottoman Empire? What lasting lessons does their spiritual life provide for future generations? "How did the Judeo-Spanish-speaking Jews of the Ottoman Empire manage to achieve spiritual triumph? To answer this question, we need to have a firm understanding of their historical experience.... We need to be aware of the dark, unpleasant elements in their environments; but we also need to see the spiritual, cultural light in their dwellings that imbued their lives with meaning and honor."--from Chapter 1, "The Inner Life of the Sephardim"In this groundbreaking work, Rabbi Marc Angel explores the teachings, values, attitudes and cultural patterns that characterized Judeo-Spanish life over the generations and how the Sephardim maintained a strong sense of pride and dignity, even when they lived in difficult political, economic and social conditions. Along with presenting the historical framework and folklore of Jewish life in the Ottoman Empire, Rabbi Angel focuses on what you can learn from the Sephardic sages and from their folk wisdom that can help you live a stronger, deeper spiritual life.
Reconnect with the ancient soul of Jewish spiritual life and practice."Jewish spirituality is organically linked to the natural rhythms of the universe. To a great extent, Jewish religious traditions serve to bring Jews into a sensitive relationship with the natural world. Many commandments and customs lead in this direction, drawing out the love and reverence that emerge from the contemplation of God's creations."--from Chapter 1, "The Rhythms of Nature"Judaism has provided the spiritual framework for millions of people for thousands of years. Yet its basic beliefs and observances often are disconnected from their original intent in our modern day.With his engaging overview of the sacred times, places and ideas of Judaism, Rabbi Marc D. Angel gently reclaims the natural, balanced and insightful teachings of Sephardic Judaism that can and should imbue modern Jewish spirituality. He draws on many classic sources, illuminating the influence of the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry and the great mystics of sixteenth-century Safed on the Sephardic tradition. The result is an approach to Judaism that is deep, rich and diverse.
Con Hopper come con Vermeer, i soggetti umani e materiali servono come supporti, anche come pretesti, per trattare argomenti divini e spirituali - o meglio, dovremmo dire, del soggetto divino e spirituale unico di cui l'arte deve occuparsi prima di tutto: la rivelazione del sacro. Il sacro ha sempre a che fare, in un modo o nell'altro, con la luce. I due pittori seguono, sotto questo aspetto, un approccio simile, nella stessa direzione e con un risultato simile. Forse, tuttavia, rileveremo tra loro una differenza in termini di sentimento ed emozione - senza dubbio un segno di una differenza tra i loro tempi: mentre l'incontro con la luce sinonimo, a Vermeer, di una serenit , anche un pizzico di divertimento, c' , in Hopper, una connotazione patetica e forse un'atmosfera drammatica.
Beethoven's Cello is the ideal companion for cellists, pianists, musicologists and chamber-music devotees desiring a comprehensive understanding of this beloved repertoire. Winner of the 2018 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award In 1796 the young Beethoven presented his first two cello sonatas, Op. 5, at the court of Frederick William II, an avid cellist and the reigning Prussian monarch. Released in print the next year, these revolutionary sonatas forever altered the cello repertoire by fundamentally redefining the relationship between the cello and the piano and promoting their parity. Beethoven continued to develop the potential of the duo partnership in his three other cello sonatas - the lyrical and heroic Op. 69 and the two experimental sonatas Op. 102, No. 1 and No. 2, transcendent compositions conceived on the threshold of the composer's late style. In Beethoven's Cello, Marc D. Moskovitz and R. Larry Todd examine these seminal cornerstones of the cello repertoire and place them within their historical and cultural contexts. Also addressed arethe three variation sets and, in a series of interludes, the cellos owned by Beethoven, the changing nature of his pianos, the cello-centric 'Triple' Concerto and the arrangements for cello and piano of other works. Featuring a preface by renowned cellist Steven Isserlis and concluding with the reviews of the composer's cello music published during his lifetime, Beethoven's Cello is the ideal companion for cellists, pianists, musicologists and chamber-music devotees desiring a comprehensive understanding of this beloved repertoire. MARC D. MOSKOVITZ is principal cellist of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra. He has recorded the music of virtuoso cellists David Popperand Alfredo Piatti for the VAI label, and his American premiere of Zemlinsky's Cello Sonata was heralded by the Washington Post as 'an impassioned performance'. Moskovitz has contributed to the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians; and his biography, Alexander Zemlinsky: A Lyric Symphony, was published by Boydell & Brewer in 2010. Recognized as 'Mendelssohn's most authoritative biographer' (The New Yorker), R. LARRY TODD is Arts and Sciences Professor at Duke University. He is the author of Mendelssohn: A Life in Music, named Best Biography in 2003 by the Association of American Publishers, and Fanny Hensel: The Other Mendelssohn, awarded the ASCAP Nicholas Slonimsky Award for outstanding biography in music. As a pianist, he has recorded with Nancy Green the complete cello works of Mendelssohn and Fanny Hensel for JRI Recordings.
