In going through life one learns many of life’s lessons. This book points out some of the lessons the author has learned. He also gives some of his personal thoughts and ideas. The author begins his life on a small-dirt farm in East Texas, plowing a mule from sunup to sunset: he then receives an inadequate education from a rural-all-Black school, where he was neglected and abused; after which, he goes to college in East Texas, where he was out of place; later to the military; back to graduate school in Houston; and then settles in a South Suburb of Chicago, where he experienced cultural shock. These sayings, personal thoughts, and ideas are derived from his seventy-three years of experience.
This book consists of statements, sayings, thoughts, and ideas that mainly came from the author’s creative cerebral consciousness. A few of them came from TV, radio, and Internet; but were restructured and revised to the author’s taste. Many of these sayings and ideas are not erudite but simple and to the point, yet profound in many ways. These sayings are meant to motivate and inspire the reader. You will find them interesting and stimulating.
I have written this book of eighteen short stories. A representation of my longing for the past, yet I realize one can never go back into the past. Each story contains approximately 2,500 words. They will take all of us back into our own private past. They imply that you can never go back home; because, home will be different after all these years. But in some cases, home can be better than it was at one time, if you can afford to add modifications to your environment. You will thoroughly enjoy and be well entertained.
How I Became Dysfunctional: Notes from a Personal Perspective," is a book of essays about the author's family dysfunctions. It outlines the experiences of the author's family and many other Black families in this country. It pinpoints the Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome as being responsible for most of the dysfunctions in the Black family. The author gives details about his family's dysfunction from his own unique perspective. He takes us on a brief-wild ride where you must buckle your seatbelt if you are to come out of this ride in one piece. It is an interesting, mesmerizing, and stimulating, and thought-provoking piece of work. His perspective is as close to the truth as you will ever get. You will find yourself laughing, crying, and most of all being enthralled by what you are reading.
This is a book about the author’s writing career. It shows the blood, sweat, and tears that went into his writing: his background; why he must write; how he got a grip on the writing process; and how he began to write for his life. He suggests that everyone has a purpose in life, and writing is his purpose. He also puts forth the idea that there is nothing better than a writing career. There is beauty in writing and expressing oneself.
“Thanks for Saving My Life,” is a tribute to all the people who were responsible for literally and figuratively saving the author’s life. The author has written fifteen brief essays for the purpose of elaborating on this issue. Some of the individuals, organizations, and scenarios saved his life by what they did; others saved it by what they didn’t do. Some were aware they were helping him while others were not. Whether they did it by omission or commission, literally or figuratively, they all made a worthwhile contribution toward saving his life. He describes individuals, organizations, and scenarios from all aspects of his life.
This collection of sayings came spontaneously and intermittently from the deep recesses of the author’s mind. They are indeed his own cerebral creations. He pontificates on any number of subjects: including spirituality, education, and family. These sayings are not erudite but are plain and simple, yet, profound in some ways. They were written for those who like to get a powerful statement in only a few words. They are all interesting, to say the least. You will thoroughly enjoy these sayings.
“Where I’m Coming From: My Life in Verse,” is a book of forty-six poems that is a kind of memoir written in poems. The author covers the beginning of his life in East Texas, going to college, to the Navy, back to graduate school, and finally settling in a South Suburb of Chicago. The author came from humble beginnings, but was able to attend college, and have a wonderful family. He describes all these scenarios in his poems. It has not always been easy, but then life is not easy for anyone. There are always ups and downs in life.
This book of poetry traces my struggles from childhood, through college, military, and adult years. My poetry is mostly free verse and rhyme. I utilize my life experiences to present a mesmerizing book of poetry. I present over fifty poems in this collection. The title is appropriate, because in reviewing my life, I conclude that any day has always been a good day for me to die. I believe like the Native Americans that it is important to begin each day fresh, and not let past problems or present distractions cloud how God wants us to live.
Each of these thirty-five short stories comes out of my night dreams or daydreams. The stories are approximately 2,500 words each. They are easy reading, original, and guaranteed to entertain you. Though each story comes out of a dream, they shed some light on my thinking. The stories are not all pretty, but all dreams are not pretty. Some of them are raunchy and will cut you to the bone of your very soul. I included the stories that were born out of nightmares as well. The stories invite you to take an incredible-unforgettable journey with me.
This book consists of essays about the life and times of the author. They start with happenings in the author’s childhood and end with occurrences in his adult life. They tell about growing up in East Texas and moving to Chicago. The author describes the good, bad, and ugly times. He speaks candidly and to the point. These essays are easy reading and meant to inspire and motivate. You will find them extremely interesting and enjoyable. The essays vary in length: from 1,000 to 2,500 words. He did take one of the other forks in the road.
This book consists of sayings I’ve heard over many years. I picked up some of these sayings from a variety of TV, radio, and Internet-radio programs. Most of them came from my background and experiences, as well as my creative consciousness. Most of the sayings are refurbished, reconstituted, and rewritten. They are different—to say the least. I’ve always been attracted to words of wisdom that implied a lot in only a few words. I’m trying to encourage the same in my son. By writing these words maybe other young men and women will acquire similar taste.
The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God's Word. These 12-week studies lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic components: (1) Reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) "Gospel Glimpses" highlight the gospel of grace throughout each book; (3) "Whole-Bible Connections" show how any given passage connects to the Bible's overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) "Theological Soundings" identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God's grace on each and every page of the Bible. Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church contains one of the most quoted chapters in all of the Bible: 1 Corinthians 13. In this accessible study, pastor and author Jay Thomas helps readers see that this epistle is about more than love and marriage. At the heart of 1 Corinthians is the reality that the good news of Jesus Christ saves, changes, and unites God's people.
Analyses the fundamentals of love, the basic characteristics of existence that must be present for love to be expressed, concluding with the important argument that progress can be made when religion and science work together to both understand and promote love.
This is a novel about two boys who grew up in a rural area of East Texas. Neither of them had telephone, gas, or plumbing until later in life. They did get electricity by the time they entered first grade. Their early education was designed to poorly develop them. In addition, they both had schizophrenia as a strong genetic factor in their family’s history. You might say they both started from behind the eight ball. They both grew up with, according to their background, limited potential They moved beyond this potential to become moderately successful. The novel follows them from childhood through adulthood. It demonstrates that two boys who probably had no options except suicide or schizophrenia did do as well as anyone could be expected. God truly has His own plans.
I describe in this book how the Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome has historically and currently affected my own family, and subsequently many other Black families. The book suggests that pre-slavery, Middle Passage, post-slavery, and modern-day conditions contributed to the Black family’s pathologies. It goes on to demonstrate the manifestation of some of these specific problems in my family that has been caused by these historical conditions. It shows how the past continues to write on the slate of today. It also implies that the Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome will continue to affect the Black family in the distant future.
This book is a collection of some of the author’s best published and unpublished sayings, short stories, and poems. Some of the previously published material in this book have been revised and reedited. All these sayings, short stories, and poems relate to the idea that it is good to be alive and focusing on the positive rather than the negative. The author emphasizes that no matter how bad your background you can improve your situation by focusing on the positive rather than the negative. Your situation may be negative in most respects, but you can learn to develop your conscious level with positive thinking while enriching your attitude and your altitude. All of this depends on feeling good about your life and your potential.
“I Got My Reparations: You Can Get Yours Too,” is a nonfiction book about how the author got his reparations. It details how his family was poor and had a slave and sharecropper’s mentality. They were also plagued with mental illness and other problems. He attended a school that existed on a shoestring budget. He graduated by the skin of his teeth. He graduated college with a B average, went to the military, graduate school, and settled in a South Suburb of Chicago. He lives in a nice house, has two decent cars, and sent his two sons to college—both are doing well for themselves. The author details how he was able to make it by utilizing various governmental programs. He suggests that if you work hard enough, you can get yours just as he did.
Hurting people ask heart-felt questions about God and suffering. Some "answers" they receive appeal to mystery: “God’s ways are not our ways”. Some answers say God allows evil for a greater purpose. Some say evil is God's punishment. The usual answers fail. They don't support the truth that God loves everyone all the time. God Can't gives a believable answer to why a good and powerful God doesn't prevent evil. Author Thomas Jay Oord says God’s love is inherently uncontrolling. God loves everyone and everything, so God can't control anyone or anything. This means God cannot prevent evil singlehandedly. God can’t stop evildoers, whether human, animal, organism, or inanimate objects and forces. In God Can't, Oord gives a plausible reason why some are healed, but many others are not. God always works to heal everyone, but sometimes our bodies, organisms, or other creatures do not cooperate with God's healing work. Or the conditions of creation are not right for the healing God wants to do. Some people think God causes or allows suffering to teach us lessons or build our character. God Can't disagrees. Oord says God squeezes good from the evil God didn’t want in the first place. God uses pain and suffering without willing or even allowing it. Most people think God can overcome evil singlehandedly. In God Can't, Oord says God needs cooperation for love to reign now and later. This leads to a better view of the afterlife called “relentless love.” It rejects traditional ideas of heaven, hell, and annihilation. Relentless love holds to the possibility all creatures and all creation will respond to God’s love. God Can't is written in understandable language. As a world-renown theologian, Thomas Jay Oord brings credibility to the book’s radical ideas. He explains these ideas through true stories, illustrations, and scripture. God Can't is for those who want answers to tragedy, abuse, and other evils that make sense! What They're Saying... “If conventional notions of God make less and less sense to you, you’ll find Thomas Jay Oord’s new book a breath of fresh air. Simply put, “God Can’t” presents an understanding of God that thoughtful, ethical people can believe in.” -- Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration "I did not want this book to end. I wish Dr. Oord had written it 100 years ago, or 1000 years ago... To find your understanding of life and your love for God renewed, read this book." -- Dr. Karen Strand Winslow, Ph.D., Biblical and Jewish Studies Professor of Bible, Azusa Pacific University "As a clinical psychologist working with people in trauma, I owe Thomas Jay Oord an enormous debt of gratitude for recasting the so-called problem of evil in terms that are conceptually satisfying, theologically consistent, and pastorally liberating.” -- Dr Roger Bretherton- Principal Lecturer at the University of Lincoln (UK), Chair of the British Association of Christians in Psychology “Victims of trauma sometimes hear theological responses that imply their suffering is somehow “God’s will." A more careful theological reflection on the nature of the power of a God who is love can help. Oord gives us a clear and compelling alternative in this profoundly insightful and admirably concrete and accessible book.” -- Dr. Anna Case-Winters, Professor of Theology at McCormick Theological Seminary “I know of no book that speaks to suffering with the depth of theological sophistication and psychological sensitivity as God Can’t. This book is a rare combination of depth and accessibility, truly written for the wounded. I recommend it to my students, parishioners, and therapy clients.” -- Dr. Brad D. Strawn, Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
It is contended in this book that much of the literature elaborates on a rather religious explanation of “Man’s Basic Purpose” for being on Earth. One religious explanation says that “Man’s Basic Purpose” is to worship, praise, and glorify God. It is the author’s view that we were not put here to glorify God. Here a more secular view of “Man’s Basic Purpose is given. One secular view says that “Man’s Basic Purpose” is to reproduce. The author goes from reproduction as a purpose for man’s existence to self-actualization. Self-actualization and creativity are the highest purposes for man’s existence.
Considering the pervasive immorality and high divorce rate of our contemporary Christian culture, we evidently need a biblically based, theologically compelling, practical understanding of sex, dating, and relationships. Pastors Gerald Hiestand and Jay Thomas counteract this problem with their paradigm-shifting view of purity and relationships—a view that challenges even the basic assumptions of evangelical subculture. Unlike most books on dating, this one cuts straight to the heart of dating relationships, asserting with confidence that the line must be drawn at "no sexual activity" whatever. Few have dared to define and apply the Bible's understanding of purity in premarital relationships to this degree, but Heistand and Thomas have done it. Furthermore, both authors are vocational pastors who communicate regularly with the target audience and have a proven ability to express biblical truth in a winsome and compelling manner. Sex, Dating, and Relationships adds a new, almost provocative voice to the conversation that, with straightforward theological insight, pleads with Christians to get serious about honoring Christ with their sexuality.
This book consists of seventy articles written about items in the daily news. They are 700 to 1,000 words each. The articles consider aspects of how Blacks are going backward rather than forward: educationally, politically, spiritually, socially, psychologically, and economically. Ideas were germinated from the Internet, TV, magazines, newspapers, and a lifetime of experiencing trials and tribulations. Most of these articles were my own creations. Some of the ideas are personal while some are more public, but all are captivating.
Rarely does a new theological position emerge to account well for life in the world, including not only goodness and beauty but also tragedy and randomness. Drawing from Scripture, science, philosophy and various theological traditions, Thomas Jay Oord offers a novel theology of providence—essential kenosis—that emphasizes God's inherently noncoercive love in relation to creation.
“On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” is a book of sayings, thoughts, ideas, statements, and affirmations about some of the truths the author has come to realize. He developed these truths from his experiences while growing up on a farm in East Texas, going to college, then to the Navy, back to graduate school in Houston, and then settling in a South Suburb of Chicago. The author expresses how life has impacted him. It hasn’t always been easy, but then life is not always easy for anyone. Life for him was like a pendulum: up and down. But he is happy just to be alive, and to be able to express himself through his writings, which is the only way he knows how. Uncloud your mind and you can see forever. This book will help you to uncloud your mind.
This book contains twenty-four short stories from what the author considers the best stories from seven of his other books of short stories. These stories have been revised and re-edited. They come in part from his life experiences. They mimic his life experiences, but in no way are a direct depiction of those experiences. They are far from reality, and more like the author’s fantasies about what could have happened.
The author has written fifteen short stories that come straight from his cerebral-conscious and -subconscious mind. Each story contains approximately 2,500 words. These stories are easy reading, original, and guaranteed to entertain. They are congruent, sensible, and logical. They are fresh, entertaining, and creative; also succint, down to earth, and will force one to engage his or her imagination. The stories mimic some of the author's experiences, but are completely fictional, and in no way represent reality.
This book puts forth the idea that rather than there being a “God, or a Balance in the Universe”: “God is the Balance in the Universe.” It also puts forth the idea that Jesus Christ was basically conceived by 300 Roman Catholic Bishops at the Nicene Council in 325 A.D. The Bible is indeed not the Word of God, neither was it influenced by God. It consists of Fables, parables, myths, folktales, and allegories taken from other mythical-religious doctrines. The Bible consists of too many inconsistencies, disparities, irregularities, and unrealistic stories to have any basis in reality.
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