From the outside, Ruth seems to have it all: a high-powered career, happy marriage and family. But her inner Peace-Corps-Volunteer is hollering to be let out.When Ruth bumps into Vivian, her long-lost friend and former hut-mate, she realizes how different she is from the person she used to be and wonders if she's lost part of herself—the best part—in her quest for "the perfect life." Her internal tug of war gathers steam and knocks her seemingly perfect urb...

Open yourself to the divine chaos and wonder that Advent brings."Do not be afraid, Mary," the unwed teenage peasant girl is told by a strange visiting angel. Her courageous response -- and what happens next -- still shapes our world and our faith more than two thousand years later. In this new Advent devotional, join young Mary as she experiences the surprise, confusion, fear, anticipation, and blessing that follows her brave response to God's call: "Here am I, Lor...

Much has been written about the changing landscape the church finds itself in, and even more about the church's waning influence in our culture. From her vantage point as an under-40 pastor, Carol Howard Merritt, author of Tribal Church, moves away from the handwringing toward a discovery of what ministry in, with, and by a new generation might look like. What does the substance of hope look like right now? What does hope look like when it is framed in a new generation? Motivated by these ...

Enrich each day with wisdom from our greatest spiritual thinkers. Through brief daily readings and reflections, the 30-Day Journey series invites readers to be inspired and transformed. By devoting a moment to meaningful reflection and spiritual growth, readers will find deeper understanding of themselves and the world, one day at a time.Valued since the fourteenth century for her spiritual insight, Julian of Norwich's powerful revelations remind us again and again of the power of ...

For everyone fascinated with the possibilities of human-animal communications, scientist Carol Howard provides an intimate, moving account of one woman's attempt to unravel the mysteries of the dolphin--one of the sea's most fascinating and enigmatic creatures.

There are lots of questions we must ask ourselves when we talk about violence, and our role in perpetuating it or in creating peace. Why are we, as Christians, more comfortable with violence in our movies than sex? What does it mean that Jesus called us to love our enemies? How can we, in our churches, cultivate a peace that might reshape society? Do we create it by constantly protesting violence? By preaching? By rethinking our foreign policy? By somehow making peace cool?Join Tyl...

Learn and laugh with these women of the church, bound together by a deep commitment to ministry. Over fifty clergywomen representing fourteen denominations explore their holy—and unflinchingly human—moments as they juggle the sometimes isolating expectations from their congregations and the shared realities, graces and humor of everyday life.

A nineteenth century Spanish seamstress flees her village for Morocco in a novel with "a magical realist aspect . . . An epic sweep and a richness of characterization" ( The Independent).They say Frasquita is a healer with occult powers; that perhaps she is even a sorceress. Indeed, she has a remarkable gift, one that has been passed down to the women in her family for generations. From mere rags, she can create gowns and other garments so magnificent, so ...

Nursing knowledge and practice is a comprehensive textbook which forms an ideal basis for foundation nursing students. The core emphasis in the organisation and presentation of knowledge in this third edition remains focused on the in-depth knowledge required by nurses to deliver care in the practice setting.The chapter contents encompass knowledge that applies to all branches of nursing e.g. Communication, Confusion, Aggression and Rehabilitation Safety and Risk, Infection Control, Medici...

When she retired, Carole Howard took a surprising – some might call it radical – giant step out of her comfort zone. With little idea of what to expect, she overcame her usual risk-aversion and volunteered with her husband to be management consultants for a non-profit in Senegal, West Africa. The experience was so life-affirming they did it again the following year in Uganda. And then three more times after that, in Namibia, Thailand, and Ghana, each time for two months.Her adventu...

You’re not alone in your ministry. And you don’t have to suffer in silence. Ministry is a stressful vocation, with unspoken expectations, projected anxieties, and conflicting demands. After the pandemic caused a sudden shift to online worship and factions fighting over when and how to return to in-person worship, pastors have been leaving congregational ministry at even higher rates than usual. The emotional fallout of burnout and abuse at the hands of parishioners is some...

Carol Howard Merritt, a pastor in her mid-thirties, suggests a different way for churches to be able to approach young adults on their own terms. Outlining the financial, social, and familial situations that affect many young adults today, she describes how churches can provide a safe, supportive place for young adults to nurture relationships and foster spiritual growth. There are few places left in society that allow for real intergenerational connections to be made, yet these connection...