A decade of pastoring cranky congregations has left Gray Albright badly frayed. Wanting to make sure he doesn't come apart at the seams, friends send Gray to Panama for a much-needed vacation. But storms force his plane down early, and before he knows it, Gray and his family are in Playa Perdida, an uncharted beach town in Central America. The expatriates living there ask Gray to start a church for their community, to which he says no. Then the congregation back home decides to fire him and so, at the urging of his wife Moira, Gray reconsiders. They move south, into a duplex next to an Austrian couple with dogs; their new used car needs a full-time mechanic. But the ocean is a mile away, as is fantastic coffee at Cafe Cafe. And the job? Gray finds himself among expatriates who have washed up on this beach from all over the world--like Slot, a one-armed, big-hearted vet; the dowager Charlotte Pipe; a surfing sage; a garage band whose members have surprising depth; and, a gaggle of other off-beat charlatans and saints. With a laconic pace, gentle humor and attention to detail, Playa Perdida draws readers into life among quirky expats under the radar on the edge of obscurity. As Gray discovers, they're people with checkered pasts and uncertain futures--people like himself--in need of second chances. +++++ ---Dan Schmidt has a terrific mind and a gift for language. In Playa Perdida, he has drawn on a world he knows well to craft a tale you will not forget. John Ortberg Senior Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church; Menlo Park, CA ---Not only has Dan Schmidt created interesting and believable characters, but he has presented them in lively, witty, and insightful prose. This novel is a must-read for all pastors, and for anyone closely related to a pastor. Crystal Downing Professor of English and Film Studies; Messiah College; Grantham, PA ---Playa Perdida transports the reader to a tropical testing ground, where we all figure out what's important and what's not. The characters are authentic, the description effortlessly vivid. You will think you're there. Randy Petersen Author, playwright ---What better summer beach reading could there be than a book about a beach? Really, Playa Perdida is a great read for any season. It deals with the quiet drama of spiritual growth - through endearing characters and an engaging story in a captivating setting. Brian McLaren (brianmclaren.net) Author/speaker
Advent is part of the Church's long tradition, a time for carefully considering the incarnation of Jesus. Whether you're familiar with or new to the celebration of Advent, "Our Savior Come" can be part of this rich experience. As a collaboration featuring more than a dozen writers and artists, this Advent companion offers a fresh collection of essays, discussion questions, and ideas to encourage reflection and suggest activities as you walk (or run) through the Christmas season. The book has three parts. First comes a collection of articles written by people with a variety of perspectives and experiences. There are five essays for each of Advent's four weeks, which means "Our Savior Come" can be used as a daily devotional during the month. OSC's second part offers a batch of ideas for things to do during Advent. From making a 'Christmas chain' to considering how you'll invest time and money in meaningful ways, you're sure to find something that enhances your celebration of this season. The book's third part provides a study guide for groups--people from church, a collection of friends, family members--who want to move through the month intentionally. You'll find ideas, questions and information enough for four sessions; the material in each one will have you interacting with Scripture and personal experience. "Our Savior Come" features new and seasoned writers all wanting to encourage careful, joyful preparation for Christmas. You're sure to find this book a thought-provoking and delightful companion as you move through Advent.
Mike Wilkins never caught a break. All his life, things had gone from bad to worse to nowhere. And all the while he seethed with resentment toward his successful, respected brother--the happy one, the lucky one. The one who had everything Mike believed he deserved. But finally Mike is getting the break. Suddenly, he's not only angry, but powerful enough to make things happen--his way. Now it's time for a little family reunion.
Als die NASA mithilfe modernster Satelliten-Technologie in der Arktis eine sensationelle Entdeckung macht, wittert die angeschlagene Raumfahrtbehörde Morgenluft. Tief im Eis verborgen liegt ein Meteor von ungewöhnlicher Größe, der zudem eine außerirdische Lebensform zu bergen scheint. Rachel Sexton, Mitarbeiterin des Geheimdienstes, reist im Auftrag des US-Präsidenten zum Fundort des Meteoriten. Doch es gibt eine Macht im Hintergrund, die die bahnbrechende Entdeckung unter Verschluss halten möchte - und die bereit ist, dafür zu töten ... Meteor von Bestsellerautor Dan Brown ist ein hochspannender Thriller mit Science Fiction-Elementen.
Based on Sullivans discovery of what motivates people and unlocks their greatest abilities, this work outlines ten "laws" that give readers an internal framework for taking charge of their future, and shows them how to stay focused and firm so that they can continually grow in all areas of life.
Twitchy thieves. Exotic locales. Art heists. Unhinged mastermind. Insurance agents. And a bomb. Max likes finding things. So when his uncle's company--responsible for keeping precious stuff safe and at home--needs help recovering stolen artwork, Max is on the case. The job? Thwart international art thieves working for an eccentric collector who's pulling the strings from a beachfront condo. The clock is ticking for Max and his motley crew because the shadowy criminal they're after will either give away what's been stolen by minions, or blow the whole lot to smithereens.
They are a commando force so elite, they fight the dirty wars no one else will touch. Vic Gabriel assembles a team to take the heavily armed camp of a Columbian drug cartel, after his brother dies of a cocaine overdose. The force is ready--to hit first, hit hard, and hit last.
In these tales, a threat of cosmic proportions to DC’s newest (and oldest) universe compels one of the most unusual groups of heroes ever assembled to take on the most mysterious foe they have ever encountered. Join the original Batman, Kamandi, Starfire, Sinestro, Booster Gold, Dr. Light, Steel, and Sinestro in their quest to save the universe before time runs out… Collects Generations Shattered #1, Generations Forged #1, and the story “Generations Fractured” from Detective Comics #1027.
Growth is a fundamental human need. It is at the root of everything that gives us a feeling of accomplishment, satisfaction, meaning, and progress. Yet many people find their growth stalled at some point. In The Laws of Lifetime Growth, Dan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura offer ten simple laws that everyone can use to keep a fresh, innovative perspective on their lives and the world around them. These laws are the distillation of Sullivan’s years of coaching successful people, paying attention to what motivates them and what unlocks their greatest abilities. Each chapter is devoted to exploring one of the ten laws in detail, including stories of people from all walks of life who exemplify the law in action, common pitfalls that people often run into trying to apply the law, and practical strategies for getting past those obstacles. Once you start to integrate these laws into your life, you’ll never outgrow them, they’ll never become obsolete, and they will continue to lead you to greater happiness and fulfillment.
A broken heart, a new job, an unexpected pregnacy, a win, a setback, a confrontation - not uncommon experiences when life is getting underway. But what if you could talk to yourself just when that was happening, in light of everything since then: What would you say? In Letters to Me, you're invited to listen in while artists, teachers, bloggers, poets, consultants, pastors, and activists speak with wisdom and compassion to a younger version of themselves." -- from back cover.
SPECIAL SHRINKWRAPPED BUNDLE! White-tailed deer hunters searching public lands know the competition to bag big bucks is tough. Get ahead of the competition with insider tips from the Deer Hunting Secrets, Vol. 2, two-book set! Explore Mapping Trophy Bucks to discover one powerful – and often neglected – tool that can dramatically increase your success in the field: the USGS topographic map. By learning to read topo maps and understanding how deer relate to the landscape, you can consistently position yourself to bag trophy whitetails. Detailed illustrations show how deer move in relation to terrain, where you should place your stand, and how to use the wind to ensure a successful hunt. Then, for every deer hunter whose biggest problem is finding the time to get in the woods, Whitetail Wisdom: A Proven 12-Step Guide to Scouting Less and Hunting More offers easy and effective tips to make the best use of your time. With chapters like "Scout Less, Hunt More," "Think Like a Deer," and "Win the Small Woods Chess Game," along with more than 100 detailed photos and illustrations, this time-saving guide will improve your odds of bagging that trophy whitetail. From authors with a true obsession for whitetails and whitetail hunting, this no-nonsense set will get you off the sidelines and into the whitetail fast-track!
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