Everyone of us is who and where we are today because of the efforts and decisions of those who came before us -- our ancestors. This book traces the history of nine of my ancestral families, from their small farming villages in Germany, through the wrenching decision to leave cherished roots in Europe, to the planting of new roots in southern Indiana. The book is intended primarily for members of my family, but others may find some interest in a small microcosm of the American experience.
Pastor Jeff Tacklind knows that the spiritual journey can be winding and halting rather than a constant ascent of growth—full of paradox, tension, and surprises. Drawing from the natural world and following guides such as C. S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen, and Søren Kierkegaard, Tacklind's honest and meditative account will inspire those on the winding path of following God.
"Table talks" have long been a familiar genre of writing for jurists, theologians, politicians, and novelists. In this little volume, leading law and religion scholar John Witte offers thirty sage reflections on how to thrive in law school and in the legal profession; short commentaries on controversial matters of faith, freedom, and family; pithy sermons on difficult biblical texts about law and justice; and touching tributes to a few of his fallen heroes. Most of the thirty texts gathered here were made at seminar tables, academic roundtables, editorial tables, and Eucharist tables. Cast in avuncular form, these texts probe what makes life worth living, work worth doing, history worth reading, and Scripture worth heeding. They aim to provide inspiration and edification for readers at different stages of their lives.