Cecil Murphey

Salome Thomas-EL, award-winning educator and the highly-praised author of "I Choose to Stay," has helped hundreds of troubled children get into magnet high schools, major colleges, and universities. Yet he still finds himself devastated by the long-ago death of a promising student named Willow Briggs. Salome worked with and consistently encouraged this troubled boy, who ultimately became one of the school's top chess players and students. But when Willow moved on to high school, he found no real positive influences. He struggled academically and was murdered on a street corner at the age of sixteen. More than any other factor, Willow's death launched Salome Thomas-EL on his mission to be a positive influence, and to encourage all of us to set the best example possible for the young people in our lives. "The Immortality of Influence" is a refreshing, common-sense roadmap to helping kids achieve their dreams in which Thomas-EL movingly describes the methods he has used to help his students succeed. It all started in Vaux Middle School, where he began a chess club to teach boys and girls how to think critically and resolve conflicts with their minds instead of their fists. Not only did his students win eight national championships and become local heroes, they also scored high on the SATs and got into top colleges. When Thomas-EL found himself faced with kids who didn't exercise or eat well, he started a summer program in which the students walked to museums and other cultural events around the city. Recognizing the importance of exposing kids to the world outside their own neighborhoods, he took fifteen African-American students to rural Vermont, where they interacted with white children their age and discovered how much they had in common. All of these students were later accepted to the best magnet high schools. These are just a few examples of what can happen when kids are mentored in a positive way--not only at home, but in the community at large. For parents, guardians, educators--anyone who wants the best for kids, this book is an essential, inspirational reference. It's all about making a difference--not just for today, but forever. Sometimes, it only takes one special person to set a child on the right path, but more often, it does indeed take a village. "The Immortality of Influence" will inspire you to band together with other caring adults and start making a difference--now.

From the authors of the phenomenal bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven comes Daily Devotions Inspired by 90 Minutes in Heaven in paperback! Don Piper continues his message of hope and faith with this book of devotionals for those who want to experience joy and contentment daily. With 90 readings, this unique collection directly addresses the everyday hardships everyone endures, offering solace and guidance to help people lead happier, more virtuous lives—and help them find serenity in dealing with life, trials such as physical illness, the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, and even their own mortality. Daily Devotions shares Don Piper's message of love, forgiveness, and redemption—and the unique wisdom he has gained by glimpsing what awaits people in the next life.

Now available in a special edition for readers age 9-12, 90 Minutes in Heaven is the runaway bestseller about one man's experience with death and life. When Don Piper's car collided with a semi-truck he was pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, he experienced the glories of heaven. Back on earth, a passing minister felt led to pray for the accident victim even though he was told Piper was dead. Miraculously, Piper came back to life, and the pleasure of heaven was replaced by a long and painful recovery. An inspiring account for people of all ages, 90 Minutes in Heaven is now poised to touch and comfort children in the same way it has offered encouragement and hope to millions of adults.

So how should we spend our time on Earth? Don Piper, the Minister of Hope who spent 90 minutes in Heaven, brings us God's message. Hope for the here and now from the multimillion-selling author of 90 Minutes in Heaven. Millions believe in Heaven. Don Piper's been there. He was pronounced dead after a car accident on January 18, 1989. Ninety minutes later, Piper came back to life with an extraordinary story. His 90 Minutes in Heaven has strengthened the faith of countless people. When Piper returned to this life, he had a long road back to health, dealing with painful treatments and physical disabilities-the "new normal," as Piper calls it. Still, he had been transformed spiritually and this allowed him not only to cope with his suffering, but to transcend it. Piper found purpose in his pain, he found the message in the mess, and so can anyone else who embraces God's grace in the here and now-as well as the Hereafter. Don Piper did not return from Heaven alone-he brought the gift of hope back with him. Those who read Heaven Is Real can use what he learned to live the lives God has called them to live.

Recounts the experience of Baptist minister Don Piper, pronounced dead at the scene of a car accident, who experienced the glories of heaven for ninety minutes, but miraculously came back to life, where he endured a long and painful recovery.

The book of Proverbs deals with the human search for meaning. Through reason, experience, common sense, and observation, the sages sought to discover God in the details of daily life. In Simply Living, Cecil Murphey reacquaints us with dozens of proverbs--some familiar and some forgotten--and helps us apply these ancient insights to the problems with which we contend in our modern lives.

Cecil Murphey provides reflections from his counseling experience to illuminate the challenges facing those who respond to the physical and emotional needs of both young children and aging parents. Each devotional begins with a description of a difficult or trying moment common to caregivers and ends with a prayer and a biblical reading.

From the nearly 900,000-acre Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to the Spanish-moss-tinged coastline to the black-watered Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia is a state of beauty and contrast. And set in the midst of Georgia is its gem of a capital, Atlanta?host of the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Gifted Hands reveals the remarkable journey of Dr. Ben Carson from an angry, struggling young boy with everything stacked against him to the director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.As a boy, he did poorly in school and struggled with anger. If it were not for the persistence of his mother, a single parent who worked three jobs and pushed her sons to do their best, his story may have ended tragically.Join Dr. Carson on his journey from a struggling inner-city student to the pinnacle of his career as a world-renowned neurosurgeon. A man of humility, decency, compassion, courage, and sensitivity, he now serves as a role model for everyone who wants to achieve their God-given potential.As you learn more about Dr. Carson's amazing story, you'll be inspired to:Take charge of your own destinyHone your God-given giftsFace adversity head onFilled with fascinating stories, Gifted Hands will transport you into the operating room to witness surgeries that made headlines around the world, and into the private mind of a compassionate, God-fearing physician who lives to help others.

This compassionate book is the third that well-known author Cecil Murphey has written to provide spiritual guidance to those who face some of the special problems prevalent in today's society. Here the problem is mental illness--previously he has written about Alzheimer's Disease and drug addition. This book features meditations and prayers to help the families and loved-ones of those with mental illness.