What if it is death that teaches us how to truly live? Keeping the end in mind shapes how we live our lives in the here and now. Living life backward means taking the one thing in our future that is certain—death—and letting that inform our journey before we get there. Looking to the book of Ecclesiastes for wisdom, Living Life Backward was written to shake up our expectations and priorities for what it means to live "the good life." Considering the reality of death helps us pay attention to our limitations as human beings and receive life as a wondrous gift from God—freeing us to live wisely, generously, and faithfully for God's glory and the good of his world.
"Living the Gift" By Jacob Berry Just because I am disabled does not mean that I am the only one that is living on a gift, because everyday that you live is a gift from God. Life is a gift and we should never take for granted what God has blessed us with. There are many things that I can not do that most people never consider as gifts from God. However, I have no regrets being me because I have Jesus in my heart and that is all I need and that is all anybody needs, because His grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV) 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Everyday, I am "Living the Gift." I may not be able to walk, but that will not stop me from walking with Jesus. I may have a speech impediment, but that will not stop me from telling others about Jesus. I do have a voice and even if it doesn't sound like others, I am going to use my voice to boldly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I can't eat, but that will not stop me from feasting on the manna from Heaven above. I struggle with each breath I take, but that will not stop me from praising the Lord. My life has been filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, trials and tribulations, but through it all, God has been there reminding me that I am not a mistake, but a gift from God and am able to do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (KJV) 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. As the words of the song writer so eloquently put, "God has been my Father, my Savior, and my Friend. His love was my beginning and His love will be my end. I could spend forever trying to tell you everything He is, but the best way that I can say it, is this, God has been good in my life." I still say, "I have been blessed with a gift called life and I will never take for granted, but always cherish this gift, because I know that Jesus freely gave His life for mine." John 3:16 (KJV) 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Open-Door Living offers devotional reflections that help women remove the common stressors of welcoming others in their home, replacing them with the knowledge of the true heart of hospitality as well as some wonderfully practical ideas for hosting.
English professor and mother Carolyn Weber tells how her desire to control the events of her life came into contact with God's desire to give her each day as a gift from himself. Join her on a winding path through literature, history and daily life—leading finally to the still, quiet place of the present moment.
As seen on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday A beacon of hope in the face of our current world crises, this uplifting book demonstrates how embracing our interconnectedness is key to world transformation In a time of social and ecological crisis, what can we as individuals do to make the world a better place? This inspirational and thought-provoking book serves as an empowering antidote to the cynicism, frustration, paralysis, and overwhelm so many of us are feeling, replacing it with a grounding reminder of what’s true: we are all connected, and our small, personal choices bear unsuspected transformational power. By fully embracing and practicing this principle of interconnectedness—called interbeing—we become more effective agents of change and have a stronger positive influence on the world. Throughout the book, Eisenstein relates real-life stories showing how small, individual acts of courage, kindness, and self-trust can change our culture’s guiding narrative of separation, which, he shows, has generated the present planetary crisis. He brings to conscious awareness a deep wisdom we all innately know: until we get ourselves in order, any action we take—no matter how good our intentions—will ultimately be wrong-headed and wrong-hearted. Above all, Eisenstein invites us to embrace a radically different understanding of cause and effect, sounding a clarion call to surrender our old worldview of separation, so that we can finally create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible. With chapters covering separation, interbeing, despair, hope, pain, pleasure, consciousness, and many more, the book invites us to let the old Story of Separation fall away so that we can stand firmly in a Story of Interbeing.
T J Higgs is one of the most celebrated psychic mediums in the UK, whose work has been featured on TV and in the national press. But she has overcome many obstacles to get where she is. A sensitive child, her unique psychic gift was not encouraged and, as she reveals, her life has not been easy. In fact, she believes that the challenges she has faced have played an essential part in making her the ground-breaking medium she is today. In this compelling book, Tracy Higgs - known affectionately by her fans as TJ - shares her story as well as heart-warming true tales from the afterlife. She also brings a lightness of touch, amazing accuracy and a fantastic sense of humour to her communications with the spirit world. Intuitive, witty and wise, she is a very modern medium. And she invites you now to engage with the Other Side in ways you never dreamed possible - to see the spirit world afresh through her eyes.
Pregnancy and childbirth are not to be feared; they are divinely appointed processes that can be joyful, spiritual, and bring families closer to God. The Gift of Giving Life: Rediscovering the Divine Nature of Pregnancy and Birth offers something that no other pregnancy book has before-a spiritual look at pregnancy and birth by and for LDS women and other women of faith. Through moving stories women in the scriptures, women from early Latter-day Saint history, and dozens of modern mothers, The Gift of Giving Life assures readers that God cares deeply about the entire procreative process. The Gift of Giving Life does not advocate for any one type of birth or approach to prenatal care, rather it intends to unify our families and communities in regard to the sacredness of birth. We also aim to provide you with resources, information, and inspiration that you may not have had access to all in one place before. Topics covered include: constant nourishment, meditation, fear, pain, healing from loss, the physical and spiritual ties between the Atonement and childbirth, the role of the Relief Society in postpartum recovery and more. Birthing women, birth attendants, childbirth educators, and interested readers of all faiths are invited to rediscover within these pages the divinity and gift of giving life.
A New York Times bestseller with over 1.3 million copies sold! Only a few months ago, he was a successful executive. Now he’s a desperate man. Join David Ponder on an incredible journey to discover the Seven Decisions for success that can turn any life around, no matter how hopeless a situation seems. Forty-six-year-old David Ponder feels like a total failure. Once a high-flying executive in a Fortune 500 company, he now works a part-time, minimum wage job and struggles to support his family. Suddenly an even greater crisis hits: his daughter becomes ill, and he can’t even afford to get her the medical help she needs. When David’s car skids on an icy road, he wonders if he even cares to survive the crash. But an extraordinary experience awaits David Ponder. He suddenly finds himself traveling back in time, meeting leaders and heroes at crucial moments in their lives—from Abraham Lincoln to Anne Frank. As David speaks with each of these historical figures, they share their personal philosophies with him. By the time his journey is over, he has received seven secrets for success—and a second chance. Among these crucial decisions for success are: The buck stops here, and I am responsible for my past and my future I will seek wisdom and be a servant to others I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit, and I will forgive myself Today I will choose to be happy and be the possessor of a grateful spirit The message is simple: Life is about choices. While we have little control over the events that occur in our lives, success is determined by the choices we make daily. The Traveler’s Gift will challenge you, inspire you, and give you seven decisions that you can employ to determine your own personal success. Acclaim for The Traveler’s Gift: Good Morning America’s “Read This!” book selection for May 2003 Hit the New York Times bestseller list and remained there for 17 weeks Reached #5 on the New York Times Business Bestseller list Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller Translated into nearly 20 languages, including Braille
