Not bad, not bad at all, if I do say so myself.

Allen Spraggett's book A Case For Immortality helped to change my outlook on life, and most importantly on death. He argues against skepticism of survival of consciousness after physical death. My own personal beliefs had leaned toward total extinction of all thought and sensory perceptions after death, but after hearing examples of apparitions and other paranormal phenomena, my heart led me toward further investigation. As a student at UW-Madison, I have a large wealth of literary material at my disposal, so I sought that to continue my investigation. That is when I found Spraggett's book and others like it. Upon reading it, I was blown away by the examples given, and their support offered by the scientific community. Even theories as to what "the other world" may be like had some sort of backing. Be aware, a member of the "religoius right" may find this material offensive, but they and anyone else with an open heart and mind can learn from this book. Unless every piece of evidence given in this book, which I might add is thoroughly analyzed, is disproven, then his theories and arguements of an afterlife stand in my mind. Life as we know it, is purely one stage in a long eventful spiritual journey. Enjoy!

This book is positively the best source for pictures, specs, and discussion of the widest array of pre-revival dulcimers. From fret spacing, to body style, to distribution, this book covers it all. By all means, when you find a copy, buy it.

Linda McKiernan-Allen's book, 'Celebrating Covenant: A Resource for Worship', is the second volume of a planned four-volume series published by the Chalice Press. This is a book of worship resources, useful for worship leaders, pastors, and others interested in liturgy.

This volume particularly looks at Covenant and community. 'Within the worship life of Christendom, language of "covenant" emerges in scripture, prayer, hymn, and at the Table. Underlying the most basic of relationships within the Christian faith, "covenant" speaks of a solemn and binding agreement between the Almighty and one or more of God's creatures.' This is illustrated in fifteen particular biblical passages, listed below:

Genesis 2:4b-25 * Genesis 6:9-9:17 * Genesis 17 * Exodus 19:9b-21:21 * Ruth * 2 Samuel 7 * 2 Kings 22 * Psalm 8 * Psalm 106:40-48 * Jeremiah 31:31-40 * Mark 2:23-28 * Luke 24:13-35 * John 6:1-14 * Acts 2:1-13 * Hebrews 11:1-22

Many of these stories (God's covenant with Abraham, God's relationship with David, the presence of the Holy Spirit) are quite familiar to congregations already. Each selection includes basic elements of worship such as a call worship, prayers, sermon ideas for adult and children's sermons, communion meditations, and benedictions. These are tailored both to the particular passage as well as the issue at hand, Covenant between God and created/creation. Taken together, they can be integrated into a lectionary cycle as the relevant passages arise, or they can be adapted for other uses.

The sermon starters carry important messages that relate the biblical passages to issues of the day as well as general theological principles. There are several passages from Genesis and Exodus, which shows the importance of Covenant in community with God was of primary importance from ancient times forward. .

The editor, Linda McKiernan-Allen, is an ordained minister in the Disciples tradition. Being true to her tradition, she has drawn contributors together from many denominations, including the American Baptist, Presbyterian, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Church of the Brethren, the Roman Catholic Church, and the United Church of Canada. One striking aspect of the contributions in this volume is that they are done by people in Covenant relationships with each other, usually married couples, some who work together as ministers in churches.

After the fifteen passages, there is a section of music suggestions for hymns and anthems, laid out in a chart identifying the pieces in Disciples, Methodist, Presbyterian, and UCC hymnals. These books can also be used in connection with the Bible Quest curriculum

Overall, these pieces have the potential for adding interesting elements to worship, integrating the message of the biblical passages and sermon with every aspect of the service, from beginning to end. All are meant to be inclusive, welcoming and inviting to people of all Christian traditions.

Check out the other volumes, dealing with Incarnation and Justice & Liberation, too.

Linda McKiernan-Allen's book, 'Celebrating Incarnation: A Resource for Worship', is the first volume of a planned four-volume series published by the Chalice Press. This is a book of worship resources, useful for worship leaders, pastors, and others interested in liturgy.

This volume particularly looks at Incarnation. 'Throughout the whole of scripture, one of the most important and far-reaching concepts is incarnation. God with us in the flesh, in the form of Jesus Christ, centers the Christian understanding of God-made-known.' This is illustrated in twelve particular biblical passages, listed below:

Genesis 1:1-2:4a * Exodus 3:1-12 * 1 Samuel 16:1-13 * Psalm 23 * Psalm 150 * Isaiah 11:6-9 * Matthew 1:18-25 * Mark 1:1-15 * Luke 10:38-11:4 * John 20:1-18 * Acts 10:1-48 * Revelation 21:1-7.

Many of these stories (the creation, the choosing of David, the birth of Jesus, the beginning of Jesus' ministry) are quite familiar to congregations already. Each selection includes basic elements of worship such as a call worship, prayers, sermon ideas for adult and children's sermons, communion meditations, and benedictions. These are tailored both to the particular passage as well as the issue at hand, Incarnation. Taken together, they can be integrated into a lectionary cycle as the relevant passages arise, or they can be adapted for other uses.

The sermon starters carry important messages that relate the biblical passages to issues of the day as well as general theological principles. For example, in the section on Genesis, the children's sermon deals with Beginnings, whereas the sermon ideas for adults deal with issues of creativity as well as stewardship and environmental awareness.

The editor, Linda McKiernan-Allen, is an ordained minister in the Disciples tradition. Being true to her tradition, she has drawn contributors together from many denominations, including the Presbyterian, United Methodist, United Church of Christ and the United Church of Canada. One striking similarity (and perhaps this was deliberate) is that all the contributors of twelve sections on biblical passages are women.
All of the children's sermons in this volume were written by Patricia Hatfield, a Disciple with long experience in the field of Christian education.

After the twelve passages, there is a section of Music Suggestions for hymns and anthems, laid out in a chart identifying the pieces in Disciples, Methodist, Presbyterian, and UCC hymnals. These books can also be used in connection with the Bible Quest curriculum

Overall, these pieces have the potential for adding interesting elements to worship, integrating the message of the biblical passages and sermon with every aspect of the service, from beginning to end. All are meant to be inclusive, welcoming and inviting to people of all Christian traditions.

Check out the other volumes, dealing with Covenant and Justice & Liberation, too.

Linda McKiernan-Allen's book, 'Celebrating Justice & Liberation: A Resource for Worship', is the third volume of a planned four-volume series published by the Chalice Press. This is a book of worship resources, useful for worship leaders, pastors, and others interested in liturgy.

This volume particularly looks at justice and liberation issues (often dealing with different varieties of liberation theological responses to the biblical texts). 'Within the worship life of Christendom, language of "justice" emerges in scripture, prayer, hymn, and at the table. Underlying the most basic of relationships within the Christian faith, "justice" speaks of the ways that God would have us treat one another so that all people may live, may live fully, and may live together.' This is illustrated in fifteen particular biblical passages, listed below:

Genesis 18:1-15 * Exodus 5:1-2, 4b-12 * Exodus 5:15-18 * Exodus 5:20-6:1 * 2 Kings 4:1-37 * Jeremiah 18:1-11 * Micah 4:1-6 * Matthew 4:23-5:16 * Matthew 20:20-28 * Matthew 22:34-40 * Matthew 25:30-46 * Luke 1:30-56 * Luke 4:16-30 * Luke 10:25-37 * Luke 16:19-31 * Philemon * James

Many of these stories and passages (the slaves of Egypt gaining freedom; the various times Jesus speaks on behalf of the poor and oppressed, such as the Beatitudes, or the Good Samaritan) are quite familiar to congregations already. Each selection includes basic elements of worship such as a call worship, prayers, sermon ideas for adult and children's sermons, communion meditations, and benedictions. These are tailored both to the particular passage as well as the issue at hand, Covenant between God and created/creation. Taken together, they can be integrated into a lectionary cycle as the relevant passages arise, or they can be adapted for other uses.

The sermon starters carry important messages that relate the biblical passages to issues of the day as well as general theological principles. Much of Jesus ministry can be characterised as a ministry of justice and liberation; hence, the primacy of gospel passages here. Similarly, the Exodus is one of the primary stories in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and the idea of liberation is central - 'Let my people go!'

The editor, Linda McKiernan-Allen, is an ordained minister in the Disciples tradition. Being true to her tradition, she has drawn contributors together from many denominations, including the American Baptist, Presbyterian, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, and Quakers. Many of the contributors to this volume have active ministries outside the church working with the poor and in justice-related ministry..

After the fifteen passages, there is a section of music suggestions for hymns and anthems, laid out in a chart identifying the pieces in Disciples, Methodist, Presbyterian, and UCC hymnals. These books can also be used in connection with the Bible Quest curriculum

Overall, these pieces have the potential for adding interesting elements to worship, integrating the message of the biblical passages and sermon with every aspect of the service, from beginning to end. All are meant to be inclusive, welcoming and inviting to people of all Christian traditions.

Check out the other volumes, dealing with Incarnation and Covenant, too.

Written by Leo Pearlstein, a food publicity pioneer informally known as the unofficial "king of culinary public relations", Celebrity Stew is an amalgamation of unique and fascinating stories about Hollywood stars and their menus. Encounters with Bob Hope, Steve Allen, Bing Crosby, Danny Thomas, Groucho Marx, Mickey Rooney, Diana Shore, Phillis Diller, Abbott & Costello, and a great many more entertainment industry notables are anecdotally detailed in this veritable treasure trove of wit, wisdom, and brushes with celebrity figures. Also available in a trade paperback format (0971130612, ...), Celebrity Stew is very highly recommended reading, especially for the legions of fans for radio, film, and television celebrities and stars!

J. Romilly Allen is a renowned scholar in the development of Celtic art in the United kingdom and Celtic Art In Pagan & Christian Times provides a scholarly, yet completely "reader friendly" review of both Celtic history and the development of unique aspects of Celtic art. Over forty photos and line drawings in black and white accompany this outstanding, highly recommended history of Celtic art.

This volume gathers rich political writings by Leon Trotsky from the last two years before his expulsion from the Soviet Union by the reactionary bureaucracy headed by Joseph Stalin.

Trotsky takes up broad questions of interest to revolutionary movements everywhere: from the economic foundations of post-capitalist society, to the fight for effective participation by workers and farmers in political debate and decision-making, to big challenges of revolutionary internationalism. You see him grappling with the complex questions posed by the degeneration of the Russian Revolution and its leading party, and the tactical challenges posed in waging a political fight at a time when it was still possible to return the party to its original, revolutionary course. You can learn a lot from his writings on world developments and debates over what revolutionists should do: revolutionary and class struggles in China, Britain and Germany, shifting economic and political relations among the imperialist powers, and much more.

I'd suggest studying this book along with some of Trotsky's other major writings, including The Revolution Betrayed, Leon Trotsky on China, and The Stalin School of Falsification. And for bringing these issues up to today's world, Capitalism's World Disorder: working-class politics at the millennium, and Their Trotsky and Ours, both by Jack Barnes.

In a critical writing course I taught in Spring 2002, I used Channels of Discourse, Reassembled as the core text for the course readings. The many chapters within are written by the best of the best in the fields of media studies and cultural studies, and the methodologies are presented in an easy-to-read manner which is informative and full of examples and case studies. This is an excellent book for media studies students, as its chapters lay out the basic information they should know about many of the methodologies often used in media criticism.