Got Your Feet Wet Yet?


Book Description




Getting Our Feet Wet


Book Description

Lent is a great time to work dramatic presentations into your congregation's programming -- and Getting Our Feet Wet, a collection of 14 thoughtful sketches depicting Lenten themes, is a great resource for communicating the gospel in fresh and exciting ways. Written with grace and style, the scenes probe common assumptions about faith, making a vivid impression on audiences while stretching their theological imagination. Most of the dramas explore familiar biblical events from novel vantage points: the proprietor of the upper room, two anonymous women at the crucifixion, wine-weary disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Some of the stories bring out the humor and theological edge in scripture, while others leave readers yearning for the Good News of Easter. Appropriate for intimate gatherings or large worship services (particularly during Holy Week), many of the scenes require only one or two characters, and each comes with specific directions for props, sound, and lighting. Performance time of the scenes varies from approximately 5 to 12 minutes. Gary William Bell is the executive director of SOS Community Services in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan. SOS is a community-based agency that assists people in crisis and provides comprehensive supportive services for homeless families. Bell previously served urban, suburban, and rural congregations in the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ. He is a graduate of Oakland University (B.A.) and Colgate-Rochester Divinity School (M.Div.), and holds a Ph.D. in Urban Social Institutions from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where his doctoral dissertation examined church social activism and included original research on congregational responses to poverty and other social problems.




I Choose Brave


Book Description

What if fear is the new brave? That's the question that you need answered if you are living afraid. Finding courage begins with fear itself--fear of the Lord. I Choose Brave reveals a countercultural plan to help you where you are--knee-deep in fears of parenting, the future, your marriage, and a world that feels unstable. When you're feeling fearful, the last thing you need is a social-media meme telling you to simply "power through" your fears. In I Choose Brave, Katie Westenberg digs deep into Scripture and shows that finding the courage to overcome our fears must start with fear of the Lord. Hundreds of passages speak to this foundational truth, yet we have somehow relegated them to antiquity. In sharing her own compelling story of facing her worst fear, Katie serves up theological truth with relatable application. In this book, you will · discover a fresh take on an old truth that displaces fear once and for all · understand why the culture's idea of "fearlessness" is a farce · access the holy courage you were made for With this new knowledge comes tremendous freedom. Hidden in the cleft of the Rock, the One truly worthy of our fear, you will begin to understand the only path to real courage.




There’s Only Been You


Book Description

Lies destroyed their past—will the truth end their chance at a future? Sara Jamison has no clue where Mike Andrews’ been all these years, but she knows where she’s been—busy raising their son. Two weeks after he accused her of cheating and disappeared from her life, Sara discovered she was something she never expected to be—an unwed pregnant teenager. But with the love and support of her annoyingly alpha-male family, she’s managed to make a good life for herself and her young son. She even owns her own business, Sara’s Bakery, which she’s built into a thriving success. Sure, she works too hard and her social life is nonexistent, but for the most part, she’s content. Until the day Detective Mike Andrews walks into her bakery and back into her life...




REEFENUE


Book Description

Happenstance The abduction of a young, brilliant mechanical engineer who happened to be a pot-head, in his pursuit of the finest reefer in the world, leads to an adventure with potentially dire consequences. An unlikely crew assembles in an effort to thwart a diabolical, sinister, murderous criminal mastermind in his scheme to take political and financial control over the booming new marijuana legalization. The Triangle Thinkers have other things in mind. Audacity! How dare I? Who am I to think that I could ever actually write a book? Well, whatever, I went for it. I’ve read thousands of fiction novels and have often thought about the challenge. I’ve also been told that I should write a book. So here you have it, which begs another question I must ask myself; why? What is the end-goal? What is the objective I’d like to accomplish as a result of putting forth all of this tremendous effort and expense? I respond to this quandary through introspection. I look and see some of the awful things that I’ve been through and I’d like to be able to contribute toward their ultimate eradication. Most notably, to me, and I’m dreadfully ashamed to say so, as I’m first-hand experienced with it, is homelessness, which, in retrospect, is nothing compared to having had the ultimate tragedy in my life of dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease. As an answer to these questions that I’ve asked myself, while creating an exciting, suspenseful, entertaining and perhaps provocative story, I’ve hoped to bring some attention to their issues within the pages of this novel. The writing touches upon not only the two that I’ve mentioned, but also other socio-economic issues affecting everyday American citizens…every day. It is my sincerest hope that with The Help of God and God Willing, my effort will not be for naught; that somehow, some way, through whatever (if ever) profit this may yield, a percentage of your purchase can go toward contributing to these causes. In my wildest dreams, if this is successful, I hope to establish a dual-purpose foundation; one concentration battling Alzheimer’s Disease, and the other, the blight of homelessness in America. All this being said, please, forgive me for my audacity. …How dare I write a book A New Novel with a Mission Reefenue is a novel with surprising and reasonable conclusions about marijuana in our society through imagining what it would be like to have it as a mainstream, legal commodity instead of a very limited or forbidden product in the hands of the mafia, where its dangers in this book and in real life are not chemical but rather those of distribution in the hands of powerful thugs for whom murder is a mere inconvenience for those who interfere with material profits. The characters are drawn with a realism that makes their values, humor, shortcomings, and even breathing part of the reader’s journey through the book’s 370 pages. Each persona is plausible down to his or her speech patterns, personal idioms and motives right down to the romance between Morty and Hank (Henrietta). The villainous Maestro conveys a picture of evil that makes any bad guys from Ian Fleming look like Mr. Rogers. The conflict at times becomes a wee bit grinding for readers who want simply “to get on with it”, but Mr. Harrington is not what I would call a “terse” writer with a sense of verbal economy. His scenarios paint characters and their predicaments in sensory ways with elaborate detail and plausible, extensive dialogue. The principal message from the book is that marijuana should not be something restricted by government interference. I think of prohibition of alcohol during the 1920’s and early 1930’s and am convinced that many similar horrors of crime from that era could be diminished or eliminated by making pot as legal as cigarettes. Mr. Harrington is a skilled writer with a mission, one that he renders quite convincingly in his novel. John Bolinger April, 2021




Somewhere in Montana


Book Description

For those who have ever desired to visit their past and translate those memories to the present, this book speaks directly to those specific concerns. The world we live in has become an environment of fear. My life growing up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was one of adventure and endless possibilities because I experienced two worlds. This book will make you laugh, cry, and desire for more in your life. Throughout the pages you will see yourself and experience a blessing that will overwhelm you from head to toe. Within the pages are real stories that have shaped my life and focus my future. Get ready to get blessed. Get ready to tell others of what you have discovered in Somewhere in Montana.




SWEET REVENGE


Book Description

Ever want to get revenge on your Ex? That’s exactly what Lace Dixon does. After Taejon, her Ex breaks her heart, Lace tries to get on with her life despite a broken heart. They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Well this Southern girl teaches us about the art of sweet revenge in this very short seductive story.




God, Are We There Yet?


Book Description

When you’re tired of merely trying to survive your life journey and are ready to finally get somewhere—this is the book you need! “Are we there yet?” How many times did you ask your mom or dad that question—usually from the back seat of the car on a road trip with endless twists and turns? Well, for some of us, times haven’t really changed that much. Only now we find ourselves asking our heavenly father, God, are we there yet? Will the construction detours end? Why can’t I take the scenic route? Gently drawing upon the life journey metaphor, author, pastor, and counselor Robert Stofel touches our hearts and minds as he points us toward practical, easy-to-follow instructions that lead us to God’s ultimate, satisfying direction for our lives. The journey of a lifetime begins with the question, “God, are we there yet?” Includes a readers’ guide for personal reflection or group study.




Feet Wet


Book Description

Paul Gillcrist was a navy carrier pilot for almost thirty years, from the early days, of flying propeller planes from straight deck carriers, to the days of high-tech, lethal "teen" jets and supercarriers. In his remarkable career - from "nugget", to competent jet aviator, to test pilot, to Vietnam fighter pilot, to air wing commander, to head of "Fightertown, USA," Gillcrist flew the F-8 Crusader, F-4 Phantom, F-14 Tomcat, and a myriad of other tactical aircraft. He took part in the Navy\s transition to jet aircraft, when accident rates were high and many feared that jets would not be able to operate in the harsh, demanding environment of "blue water ops." Gillcrist saw the introduction of critical innovations - the angled deck, steam catapult, optical landing system - that saved carrier jet aviation from extinction. Few aviators have had such varied and fascinating experiences, and few could write about them with such eloquence. Available now in a new hard cover reprint edition, Feet Wet (aviator talk for reaching the safety of water) is a chronicle of adventure, heroism, courage, and humor, with some of the most exciting passages ever written on flying. From his magical first flight - the sheer exstasy of being airborne, to the heart-pounding excitement of his first night "trap," the terror of ejecting from a test plane spinning out of control, to dodging SAMs and jousting with MiGs over Hanoi - Gillcrist takes the reader into his world and vividly conveys what all pilots live for - the tremendous "high" of all-out flying. As part of his absorbing stories. Gillcrist shares technical information on carrier aviation; the reader sees, step-by-step, how an airplane is launched, and then trapped again on a small deck aboard a moving ship - this, the most dificult feat in aviation. Paul gillcrist retired in 1985 after a 33-year career as a naval aviator. He commanded a fighter squadron, a carrier air wing, a major jet base, and as a flag officer, the Pacific Fleet fighter wing. He flew 167 combat missions in three Vietnam combat deployments, for which he was awarded seventeen combat decorations. Paul Gillcrist is also the author of Tomcat! The Grumman F-14 Story, Crusader! Last of the Gunfighters, and Vulture\s Row: Thirty Years in Naval Aviation (all three titles are available from Schiffer Publishing Ltd.).




Eyes of Optimism and Pupils of Faith


Book Description

About the book This book is a collection of poems that explore what it means to be a human, a soul and an entity in this life. I know deep down, each person is here for a specific reason and it is not that easy for anybody to realise what that reason is. The world, is changing at even a faster pace now, so many of us want to attach to what was, so many are attached to what is and many are could be looking towards to what is becoming. Which is the evolving human consciousness, of who we are. In so many cases, we think we have all the answers - in so many cases we think we have none. This book of poetry wants to dance in the middle of such dilemma, better yet, of such awakening that is happening in all of us. It’s only right, we gradually wake up, as we’ve been asleep our whole lives. As we wake up from our habitual ways of being, as we begin to question more and more, we can’t help but move towards our soul’s expansion, it’s as though, we are all feel our evolving and want to keep up with our soul’s journey. We begin to tear down the walls, rip back the layers, unwire the wiring and draw a new painting on our life’s canvas. Since, moments when we feel connected and whole, are specifically moments we want to increase in our lives, till it becomes a part of us, better yet, who we are. The poetry in this book, is here to ignite, inspire and rekindle that connection, like returning back to nature or looking deeply in the mirror and seeing your soul, excited to live each moment in front of you and to contribute here in some way.