He watched the black glow of what used to be the sun coming up and felt at peace. He was not overwhelmed with the challenge at hand. Perhaps, it had something to do with that feeling he had carried with him all his life. He had been lonely in his life many times, but never had he felt alone. He had always felt a higher purpose was guiding his steps and protecting his way. When he needed protecting he had been protected, when he felt anxiety, his soul was quieted and if he became haughty, he was humbled. The prayers had gone out all over the world and all the people of the world had petitioned their gods, philosophers and shamans for help. It was the "appointed time." This week would be all mankind had to prove that they were worthy of survival. It was his aim to help the gods see that unity could only come if they themselves could achieve understanding, not just of the world's problems, but to reach understanding of each other. He wondered if a god could learn. Could a god learn to change? As he thought these very thoughts, the gods, honored ones, even the demons, were entering the sanctuary. Things would never be the same after this day and week that would follow. It would challenge every rule in the game of life. Many of the gods had never set eyes on the other. What would transpire while they were together could be either inspiring or detrimental to the future of mankind. The Vajra building had been the chosen venue for the gathering because of its historical inspiration. Many wonderful things had happened at the Vajra, and Satya knew its symbolic meaning. He put on his white linen clothes and opened the door to his room. The council received him and escorted him to the elevator. They ascended to the top floor, the Highest High to the luxury view of the Vajra building. He thought back and remembered the news when the first black American president was announced from the Vajra building. It wasn't long after that when the first woman president was elected as well. Third World countries filled with their starving were freed from scarcity and taught to help themselves from this building. But unfortunately the teachings failed later because they were not applied with compassion for all. Men and women who sat in the very room to which he was headed and strategically planned a way to help the world's people had brought down dictators. For those reasons and so many more it could have been said, this is why the Vajra was chosen. But that would have been vanity and also incorrect. It had been chosen for one reason only, for what the Vajra meant and stood for. The word Vajra had a double meaning. It meant Thunderbolt and Diamond. The word Vajra connoted immutability and something unbreakable. As he anticipated that what would be discussed during the week would shake their foundations like thunder, the diamond beneath would be revealed, the answer would be immutable and it would not break the gods. They would not be broken if their spirit of goodness was as strong as he believed it to be. Satya had faith, he believed and he was ready. The men walked him down the burgundy red corridor, six on either side of him, and when they got to the Double Black Doors they stopped. One of the twelve turned to him and handed him a scroll. He opened it and looked down to see what it contained. It read as follows: Divine Attendance Record Book of Names Xipe Totec, Agni, Durga, Ganesa, Ganga hanuman, Himalaya, Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah, Muhammad, Krishna, Buddha, Shakti, Shiva, Vishnu, Ezili Freda, Ezeli Danto, Papa Legba, Gede, Mahakala, Maitraya, Heruka, Hayagriva, Avatar, Brahma, Maya, Siva, Yama, Lakshmi, Sati, Aditi, Parvati, Kali, Manasa, Manu, Mitra, Nandi, Nataraja, Uma, Prajapati, Purusha, Radha, Rama, Ramachandra, Saraswati, Shashti, Trimurti, Soma, Quan-Yin, Ksitigarbha, Lingham, Lao-Tzu, Pa Hsien, Tsao, Shen, Ch' eng Huang, Men Shen, Confucius, Iza

A chance encounter with armored figures brings Itidal out of the desert. For thousands of years, perhaps longer, he has tromped across the pale sands, but now he is drawn to civilization in a world where civilization should not exist. To him, men are little more than savage beasts, occasionally gathering into small villages though little more. Now Itidal learns of a city, and he strides forward to investigate. What he finds are buildings and bankers, soldiers and slaves, peasants and priests. It is all young, only centuries old, new to mankind, but it is indeed civilization, a civilization with a jealous god. The high priest himself is curious and always questing for power, willing to make any sacrifice to learn the secrets of the ancients, but his god holds back knowledge, only giving out what is deemed necessary. These yearnings cannot go unchallenged forever, however, and soon enough another god makes his presence known, a hungry god with unfathomable appetites. Between these gods and the high priest is where Itidal finds himself. Disgusted at the rise of civilization, holding no true love for the other gods, Itidal forges a tenuous alliance with the high priest, but other gods are out there somewhere, perhaps watching and waiting, for a time of gathering is at hand.

A COMPELLING PLEA FOR PEACE! Journey through this heartbreakingly honest and awe-inspiring page-turner, that will capture your heart! Satya dares to understand his life, and ask God why there is evil, starvation, inequality, war, disaster and suffering? Journey into the divine God, or divine self? Travel through the world’s great religions, rich global culture, devastating love, heartbreak, joy and peace. Part literary fiction, magical realism, and science fiction; take this journey and you will never be the same! This book has waited twenty years for an audience. The time is now. Are you ready?

Brann must recover the six talismans of power in order to free herself and her friends from the spell of the Chained God

“God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). The Bible tells us that we are to worship the Lord, that we were created for this purpose. But what is true worship? What does the Bible teach about the right—and the wrong—ways to worship God? In this book, pastors Brian Croft and Jason Adkins unpack a biblical theology of worship, discuss the practical matters of planning a worship service, and offer suggestions and insights on the best way to lead a worship service that honors the Lord. The Practical Shepherding series of guides provides pastors and ministry leaders with practical help to do the work of pastoral ministry in a local church. In Gather God’s People, you will learn how to apply biblical doctrine and spirituality to the practice of Christian worship.

A Gathering of Ravens was called "satisfying...complex...and a pleasure to read" (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Now, Scott Oden continues the saga of Grimnir in this new epic Viking fantasy novel, Twilight of the Gods. In A Gathering of Ravens, he fought for vengeance. Now, Grimnir is back to fight for his survival. It is the year of Our Lord 1218 and in the land of the Raven-Geats, the Old Ways reach deep. And while the Geats pay a tax to the King in the name of the White Christ, their hearts and souls belong to the gods of Ásgarðr. But no man can serve two masters. Pledging to burn this Norse heresy from the land, famed crusader Konráðr the White leads a host against the Raven-Geats, using torch and sword to bring forth the light of the new religion. But the land of the Raven-Geats has an ancient protector: Grimnir, the last in a long line of monsters left to plague Miðgarðr. And he will stand between the Raven-Geats and their destruction. Aided by an army of berserkers led by their pale queen, Grimnir sparks off an epic struggle—not only against the crusaders, but against the very Gods. For there is something buried beneath the land of the Raven-Geats that Odin wants, something best left undisturbed. Something the blood of the slain, Christian and pagan, will surely awaken.

A Study Guide and a Teacher’s Manual Gospel Principles was written both as a personal study guide and as a teacher’s manual. As you study it, seeking the Spirit of the Lord, you can grow in your understanding and testimony of God the Father, Jesus Christand His Atonement, and the Restoration of the gospel. You can find answers to life’s questions, gain an assurance of your purpose and self-worth, and face personal and family challenges with faith.