The signs of decline are everywhere in the American church. Instead of finding blame in other places, the author asks "What if God is dismantling the church?" For Kanagy, the decline of the church is ironically the work of God, taking apart the institutionalized church as we know it. Why so? In order to once again reveal the core of Christian faith: Jesus.About four years ago Kanagy learned that he had Parkinson's disease. This difficult but liberating experience brought a personal dismantling that transformed his life. The Parkinson's dismantling gave Kanagy the courage, the guts, and the grit to strip off his masks and speak the truth. It empowered him to say and write things that most of us might think but would never say. Setting aside his inhibitions, freed him to reveal his innermost thoughts and struggles.These essays mingle the voice of a prophet, the eye of a sociologist, the heart of a pastor, the wisdom of an educator, and above all the candid confessions of a child of God. Whatever your identities-religious, skeptic, political, racial, gender, class-you will find his essays provocative. His unvarnished honesty and his picturesque language are refreshing. Kanagy invites us to see things in new ways that jolt our spiritual complacency.You may not agree with him on every point, but you will admire his courage to say it as he sees it. He may stir your ire or light your fire, annoy you or compel you to compassion. Prophetic voices do that. But you will keep on reading. His poignant stories, evocative phrases, and frank confessions will entice you to read on and on to the very last line. This is the first in a series of four books to be released this Fall that emerged from a podcast that the author developed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In this second book in the series-"A Church Dismantled"-the author looks objectively at our society and church communities, both as a sociologist of religion as well as a Mennonite pastor. The book is organized according to various ministry related themes. The subtitle of the book-"To Tear Down or Build Up?"-reflects the dilemma that pastors find themselves in during the current context of the American church. Unsettling at times, this book is filled with hope as we face these new church realities together.
This book is of a different tone and nature than the first two, as we experience the author leaning more toward his pastoral voice than the prophetic-though both remain in the mix. While these are not typical "devotional essays" written for each day of Advent or Lent, many of these essays were written during Kanagy's morning times with God in these two sacred seasons. In this book, we sense the author's passion for a deep life with God, and the recognition that it is only such a life-nurtured so often in the dark-that will finally see us Home.
This fourth book is the most autobiographical and "memoir-like" of the series, pulling together in one volume the author's experience of life-long inner religious and emotional turmoil, growing up in an Amish/Mennonite community, memories of formative childhood experiences that shaped his spiritual life, stories of ancestors who he describes as prophets and priests and dividers and dismantlers and with whom he identifies, experiences of illness and the grace to go on, and reflections on the eternal Home that has come more clearly into view for him. Kanagy reminds us that acknowledging our pain and brokenness is the only pathway to healing.
Walter Brueggemann is a very successful person who wrote more than 100 books, but still sometimes wonders if he has done anything of value. This biography written for children shows how even though Walter has had failures and shortcomings, he is deeply loved by God and held in God's arms. Beautifully and colorfully illustrated by Audrey Kanagy, children and adults alike will enjoy reading this story.
Why are all U.S. Presidents white men? Why does technology enchant us? Why do some people commit suicide? Why are sports so important to Americans? How will the Internet change society? Why do people 'do good'? This very teachable and short new introductory text explores these and other 'riddles' to stir students' sociological curiosity and promote active learning as the sure path toward mastering the fundamentals of the discipline. "Once again, Pine Forge Press has done us Intro teachers a great service with The Riddles of Human Society. The authors have produced a remarkable text, designing it from the point of view of how students actually acquire sociological tools and imagination when reflecting on their social world. … It is written as a conversation with readers, yet is organized with learning tools like chapter summaries, discussion questions, and an in-text glossary. It considers a broad range of topics from micro to macro levels, thus uniquely blending the best of a shorter textbook and a monograph. It will serve very well as a main text for introductory sociology courses. I recommend it highly." Stephen Sharkey, Department of Social Science, Alverno College
Nel cuore dell'Europa divisa, tra le ombre della Guerra Fredda, la vita di un uomo diventa simbolo di una lotta interiore e collettiva che supera i confini di ferro e ideologie. Conrad l'infame ci trasporta attraverso la vita di Conrad Schumann, il vopo che con un salto audace oltre il filo spinato ha cercato la libert , lasciandosi alle spalle non solo un regime, ma anche un pezzo della sua anima. Questa narrazione intensa e ricca di pathos rivela la complessit dell'esistenza umana, intrecciando destino personale e storia collettiva, desiderio di libert e senso di appartenenza, coraggio e tradimento. Il romanzo esplora il significato profondo di "casa" e "patria" in un mondo dove le barriere fisiche e spirituali sembrano insormontabili. Attraverso gli occhi di Conrad, assistiamo al confronto tra due sistemi, due visioni del mondo che hanno segnato un'epoca, ma che in lui generano un conflitto irrisolto, una ferita aperta che lo accompagna nel suo viaggio disperato verso un luogo che possa chiamare casa. Enrico Beretta, con maestria narrativa, ci guida attraverso le strade di una Berlino divisa, nei dialoghi carichi di significato, nei pensieri profondi del protagonista, offrendoci uno spaccato umano e storico di rara intensit . Un'opera che interpella, che fa riflettere sulla fragilit delle nostre convinzioni e sul valore inestimabile della libert . Non lasciarti sfuggire Conrad l'infame, un viaggio narrativo che ti toccher profondamente, portandoti a riflettere sul vero significato di libert e appartenenza. Scopri l'odissea di Conrad Schumann, e lasciati ispirare dalla sua ricerca incessante di un posto nel mondo. Acquista ora la tua copia su Amazon e immergiti in una storia indimenticabile.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Malik isn't your average guy growing up in a small town, but always having his way with the ladies, He grew up to be well-known and respected Upscale Club owner. Having major pull in the city Malik knows everything that goes on, with three special ladies in his life, filled scandals, dirty money, and power you will be on an emotional ride that's known as SINFUL PLEASURES
This book answers the simple but crushing question... "How Do I Change Being Stuck And Frustrated As An Employee".The answer is what Conrad calls the 7 C's (clarity, change, convert, catch, command, construct, & create...) which is simply about: Understanding The New Workplace Game...(clarity)Shifting Your Work Mindset... (change)Rearranging You Money Mindset...(convert)Re-framing How You Reach For Success...(catch)Uncovering Your Power Positioning...(command)Building Your New Launch-pad... (construct)Creating Your Expert Persona...(create)If you haven't realized it as yet, the game for career engagement has changed. It has shifted, on some sides in small ways, and on other sides, more massively. And if you don't have a solid backup plan in place for your career in this unstable economy and shaky workplace environment, you are placing your income, your success, and your life into the "Parachute Unavailable" category (the equivalent of jumping out of an airplane and then realizing you didn't pack a parachute). Nowadays, every employer understands the power of leverage. Most of them know exactly how to leverage your abilities, your skills, your personality, your knowledge, and your talent to help them and their businesses stay profitable...and unfortunately, when you are no longer an asset, they make your job redundant, lay you off, or simply terminate your services. Don't you think it's time you changed this and shifted the power of leverage back in your favor? In this book, Conrad walks you step-by-step through the process of shifting this power of leverage back in your favor as an employee by following these 7 simple and easy key principles. If you never realized it before, you are going to need a stronger safety net than just a job to survive and thrive in this new economic climate. So, don't you think it's time you packed your parachute?
"I've got to get my house office and personal life organized " When did you last speak these words? Was it when you recognized that you're literally drowning under gobs of paper? Perhaps it was when you got a look of the enormous laundry pile that you can never seem to catch up on. Maybe it was when you looked at all of the jumble in your kitchen, basement, bedroom, garage, den, front room and everywhere else. You might have even pondered tossing everything out the window Was it when you urgently searched for those missing tickets? It may have been when you missed that crucial appointment. Or when that deadline sneaked up on you. Perhaps it was when you recognized that you had enough To Do's on your list to last you a lifespan. Was it when you urgently searched for that missing customer folder? Or even worse, it might have occurred when you determined you had no time left for yourself, your kinsperson, your acquaintances, that needed holiday and basically everything in life that you love to do. Guess What - You're not alone .
What Do I Do With My Life; How Do I Change My Life, Are You Finding Your Purpose In Life, How To Pick A Career, etc. Questions, Questions Questions...It's amazing that life sometimes leaves more questions than answers; Life sometimes gives the painful experience first, then teaches the lesson afterward...and I bet if you could have it our way, you would have the answers to all of your pressing questions right? Or most of them anyway Well, "What Should I Do With My Life Now: 4 Easy Steps To Attracting A Refreshing Change In Your Life, If Your Don't Know Where To Start ", speaks to the heart of it's readers, offering insight, encouragement, practical step-by-step exercises, and smart witty wisdom nuggets, all shared from a simple perspective that is easy to follow along with and implement in one's life.Whether you are in a personal life transition, relationship transition, career transition, financial transition, business transition etc. within the pages of this book. you will find simple but powerful advice, and guidance on how to manage the changing and shifting environment around you, by focusing on 4 simple easy life steps.In "What Should I Do With My Life Now?", Conrad takes you by the hand and helps you to focus on 4 simple principles.They are: 1. Determine Your Direction (let's figure where you want to go)2. Determine Your Distractions (let's figure out what's hindering your progress)3. Determine Your Life's Core Product (let's build your life around something) 4. Determine Your Success Routine (let's start executing a plan of action)This book is constructed around the fact that life, and nothing in it, is constant. Everything, or most of it changes; so you should focus more on adapting to and managing the changes of life, more than trying to focus on keeping things same; because no matter what, you and everything in your life, will always be moving in one direction, or another.Your life is always either moving away from something, or moving towards something. You want to move away from the things that stop you; things that keep you trapped; things that try to destroy your dream; things that leave you feeling that life is empty, meaningless, and without purpose.You want to move towards the things that bring you happiness, things that bring fulfillment, things that bring success, significance, and meaning; and this is where you start with figuring out what you should be doing with your life.But the question is, "How do you manage all of this in your life?"Well, managing your life is really about managing your forward momentum.It's about structuring your life in simple but strategic ways that enable you to move almost effortlessly and automatically forward - towards those things that bring you the happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction that you want and deserve to have as part of your life.It's about you strategically structuring the direction and path you want your life to move in, and connecting each day with that plan to see real success...because once you do, then the answers to your question, "what should I do with my life?", easily flows like a soft refreshing stream over your life.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**FREE BONUS 5-Part Video Training Module - "Discover In 4 Simple Steps How To Break Free From The Most Common Life Myths That Trap, Strangle, Harass, & Frustrate Good People Out Of A Life Worth Living". FREE ACCESS CODES INSIDE THE BOOK...---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many people are struggling with understanding who they are, and who God has called or created them to be. They are grappling to determine what they need to do from day to day to allow them to live a life of both significance and fulfillment. These major struggles center around the question "Am I on the right path and headed in the right direction in my life?"If you too are only coping with life, rather than living it If you are constantly haunted by the feeling that surely there is something more to life. If you are constantly asking yourself, "Was I put on earth just to get a job, buy a house and car, grow old, and then have a nice funeral?" Then this book is just for you As Conrad Jones says, your struggle to find fulfillment is something called "the pull of destiny", and that struggle is not a bad or uncommon thing Actually, God has placed those desires inside you so you'll continually strive toward your highest potential and your destiny of significance and excellence.Your destiny will always pull you towards three (3) specific desires: Achievement - the desire to live a life of excellence.Suitability - the desire to find the place you fit in the world.Unique Greatness - the desire to experience more happiness and fulfillment by doing something you somehow feel you were born to do.This book walks you through the 6 steps for re-engaging your life, revitalizing your dreams and increasing your happiness and success, on the way to the fulfillment of your destiny. Open the cover and get started right now
