Handing Down the Light


Book Description

Master Hsing Yun has transformed the role of Chinese Buddhism in the modern world. Under his leadership large centers have been established in Taiwan, Los Angeles, and Sydney, along with a host of other organized groups throughout the world. Perhaps it is better to abandon the wish to explain greatness and simply look at the life story and delight in the lore and happenings. Like other persons of fame, Master Hsing Yun will never be completely explained. While recognition and support were given in extraordinary amounts, he had to overcome obstacles that would have defeated most people. The forces of history were not favorable for a young Chinese Buddhist monk in the mid-twentieth century. He survived and held to his career as spiritual teacher in the face of formidable odds. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment has been the courage to achieve great success and recognition without retreating from it. It has not been in his way to enjoy a peaceful life in a hermitage after achieving acceptance from a community of disciples. His energy and commitment seem as powerful today as they much have been when he arrived in Taiwan, a strikingly handsome and charismatic young monk. No future histories of Chinese Buddhism will be complete without reference to the influences of this leader. Book jacket.




Handing on the Fire


Book Description




Handing Down the Faith


Book Description

A new examination of how and why American religious parents seek to pass on religion to their children The most important influence shaping the religious and spiritual lives of children, youth, and teenagers is their parents. A myriad of studies show that the parents of American youth play the leading role in shaping the character of their religious and spiritual lives, even well after they leave home and often for the rest of their lives. We know a lot about the importance of parents in faith transmission. However we know much less about the actual beliefs, feelings, and activities of the parents themselves, what Christian Smith and Amy Adamczyk call the "intergenerational transmission of religious faith and practice." To address that gap, this book reports the findings of a new national study of religious parents in the United States. The findings and conclusions in Handing Down the Faith are based on 215 in-depth, personal interviews with religious parents from many traditions and different parts of the country, and sophisticated analyses of two nationally representative surveys of American parents about their religious parenting. Handing Down the Faith explores the background beliefs informing how and why religious parents seek to pass on religion to their children; examines how parenting styles interact with parent religiousness to shape effective religious transmission; shows how parents have been influenced by their experiences as children influenced by their own parents; reveals how religious parents view their congregations and what they most seek out in a local church, synagogue, temple, or mosque; explores the experiences and outlooks of immigrant parents including Latino Catholics, East Asian Buddhists, South Asian Muslims, and Indian Hindus. Smith and Adamczyk step back to consider how American religion has transformed over the last 100 years and to explain why parents today shoulder such a huge responsibility in transmitting religious faith and practice to their children. The book is rich in empirical evidence and unique in many of the topics it explores and explains, providing a variety of sometimes counterintuitive findings that will interest scholars of religion, social scientists interested in the family, parenting, and socialization; clergy and religious educators and leaders; and religious parents themselves.




Hand to Hold


Book Description

This heartwarming picture book reassures children that a parent’s love never lets go—based on the poignant lyrics of JJ Heller’s beloved lullaby “Hand to Hold.” “May the living light inside you be the compass as you go / May you always know you have my hand to hold.” With delightful illustrations and an engaging rhyme scheme, this book offers the promise of security and love every child’s heart longs to know. From skipping stones and counting stars to climbing trees and telling stories, every moment is wrapped snugly in the certain warmth of a parent’s presence and God’s blessing. With poignancy and joy, this bedtime read captures the unconditional love parents want their children to know but so often fail to express amid the chaos of daily life.




Families and Faith


Book Description

Winner of the Distinguished Book Award from American Sociology Association Sociology of Religion Section Winner of the Richard Kalish Best Publication Award from the Gerontological Society of America Few things are more likely to cause heartache to devout parents than seeing their child leave the faith. And it seems, from media portrayals, that this is happening more and more frequently. But is religious change between generations common? How does religion get passed down from one generation to the next? How do some families succeed in passing on their faith while others do not? Families and Faith: How Religion is Passed Down across Generations seeks to answer these questions and many more. For almost four decades, Vern Bengtson and his colleagues have been conducting the largest-ever study of religion and family across generations. Through war and social upheaval, depression and technological revolution, they have followed more than 350 families composed of more than 3,500 individuals whose lives span more than a century--the oldest was born in 1881, the youngest in 1988--to find out how religion is, or is not, passed down from one generation to the next. What they found may come as a surprise: despite enormous changes in American society, a child is actually more likely to remain within the fold than leave it, and even the nonreligious are more likely to follow their parents' example than to rebel. And while outside forces do play a role, the crucial factor in whether a child keeps the faith is the presence of a strong fatherly bond. Mixing unprecedented data with gripping interviews and sharp analysis, Families and Faith offers a fascinating exploration of what allows a family to pass on its most deeply-held tradition--its faith.




Slow Down


Book Description

The days are long, but the years are short. No matter if it’s your child’s first step, first day of school, or first night tucked away in a new dorm room away from home, there comes a moment when you realize just how quickly the years are flying by. Christian music artist Nichole Nordeman’s profound lyrics in her viral hit “Slow Down” struck a chord with moms everywhere, and now this beautiful four-color book will inspire you to celebrate the everyday moments of motherhood. Filled with thought-provoking writings from Nichole, as well as guest writings from friends including Shauna Niequist and Jen Hatmaker, practical tips, and journaling space for reflection, Slow Down will be a poignant gift for any mom, as well as a treasured keepsake. Take a few moments to reflect and celebrate the privilege of being a parent and getting to watch your little ones grow—and Slow Down. Nichole Nordeman has sold more than 1 million albums as a Christian music artist and has won 9 GMA Dove Awards, including two awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Nichole released a lyric video for her song “Slow Down,” and it struck a chord with parents everywhere, amassing 14 million views in its first five days. She lives in Oklahoma with her two children.




Light's Keeper: The Complete Series


Book Description

The complete four-book series of Light's Keeper in one volume. Jane has been running from one thing her whole life. Magic. She’s just had no clue it exists. On a dream holiday to Nice, France, she finds out. To do that, she must meet him. Her guard. The Hell-Hexed vampire who’s watched over and protected her through multiple lifetimes. Julian Deveraux is trapped, always has been, always will be. The self-avowed guard of a creature born from the heart of dimensional fire, he can only watch her from afar. He can’t pull her into this magical realm again. All he wants is for her to lead a peaceful life, but when she comes to Nice, his desires unravel. He finds himself squeezed between Jane’s growing power and the dark Council of Nix. A dangerous group of magicians, they control his every move. But they can’t control Jane, no matter how hard they hunt her. Nothing can stop her now she’s chosen to rise. She will find a way to stop the Council and fold herself back into Julian’s arms, no matter what it takes.




Britain's Moment in Palestine


Book Description

In 1917, the British issued the Balfour Declaration for military and strategic reasons. This book analyses why and how the British took on the Palestine Mandate. It explores how their interests and policies changed during its course and why they evacuated the country in 1948. During the first decade of the Mandate the British enjoyed an influx of Jewish capital mobilized by the Zionists which enabled them not only to fund the administration of Palestine, but also her own regional imperial projects. But in the mid-1930s, as the clouds of World War Two gathered, Britain’s commitment to Zionism was superseded by the need to secure her strategic assets in the Middle East. In consequence she switched to a policy of appeasing the Arabs. In 1947, Britain abandoned her attempts to impose a settlement in Palestine that would be acceptable to the Arab States and referred Palestine to the United Nations, without recommendations, leaving the antagonists to settle their conflict on the battlefield. Based on archival sources, and the most up-to-date scholarly research, this comprehensive history offers new insights into Arab, British and Zionist policies. It is a must-read for anyone with an interest in Palestine, Israel, British Colonialism and the Middle East in general.




Sadie's New Venture


Book Description

Sadie’s back! She’s now 54 and still happy in the North Carolina Mountains, working as a glorified housekeeper and cook. She’s been inspired with a new vision for the future. She’s leaving no one behind. All of her family and new friends will be included in the new venture with even a few more characters added to the mix. The new plan is daunting and seems impossible, but ‘with God, all things are possible’. Sadie dives in with her usual ‘make a hole’ attitude. She still has to face some past issues with her famous ex-husband (Rev. Anthony Golden). There will be a few obstacles in the way, villains included. There will be many challenges, extraordinary joys, heartbreaks, and of course....good food. Sadie’s confidence in the Lord’s perfect will for her life sustains her as she reaches for this amazing goal. Come along for the ride. Immerse yourself in Sadie’s world. It’s going to be a great time.




Democracy's Dharma


Book Description

This title explores the remarkable religious renaissance that has reformed, revitalized and renewed the practices of Buddhism and Daoism in Taiwan. Madsen connects these developments to Taiwan's transition to democracy and the burgeoning needs of its new middle classes.