This report explores the interface between recent socio-political changes in Namibia, and the way they are reflected in emergent musical practices and identities within the country. The potential tension between unity and diversity is investigated within musical landscapes in traditional and contemporary frames. Sadly, diversity is often seen to be the precursor of divisiveness rather than a product of human creativity and ingenuity. Based on a decade of field research undertaken mainly in the north and central areas of Namibia since 1993, this report poses questions about fundamental purposes of music-making, and the conscious response of people to the contemporary Namibian socio-political situation. It provides a broad overview of music emanating from different cultural practices in Namibia, and relates this to the State's political strategies for ensuring unity and nation-building through policy-making, education and broadcast media. The changes that occur in musical practices are seen as strategic cultural choices and ongoing identity-formation.

Music is a metaphor that connects people to a profound sense of life. In this book, music intersects with wellness and aging as humans adapt to life changes, stay engaged, remain creative, and achieve self-actualization. Along with discussion of cutting-edge research, the book presents stories and interviews from everyday people as well as professional and non-professional musicians. It discusses individual and social wellness, age-related and pathological changes in health, music therapies, personal resilience and growth, interpersonal and community relationships, work and retirement, spirituality, and the psychology of aging. The case studies show how music, wellness, and aging connect to define, direct, and celebrate life, as these three concepts allow people to connect with others, break down barriers, and find common ground.

A Tidy Faith is distinctive as a work of systematic theology in that it comes out of a Reformed Baptist stable: this is especially relevant for the sections on the church, worship, and the sacraments. Bayes seeks to lay the biblical foundation for each doctrinal subject, using an exegetical approach rather than merely citing prooftexts. For each doctrine, he also outlines the teaching of the early Christian creeds and the confessions of faith dating from the Reformation period, as well as referring to a small selection of modern statements of faith from different countries. Debates and interpretations of the various doctrines from different points in church history are summarized, and at the end of the exposition of every doctrinal theme, there is a section that emphasizes its practical application. This ensures that the book is not merely abstract and academic but has real down-to-earth value for Christian life and ministry.

Faithful readers of The Upper Room Disciplines know that the practice of reading and reflecting on scripture nourishes and transforms the spirit. This best-selling devotional guide offers daily, lectionary-based scripture readings and reflections. Each week of devotions focuses on a particular theme and engages readers with the lectionary texts for the upcoming Sunday. The 2020 edition of Disciplines features 53 writers who contributed to Weavings journal, another beloved publication of The Upper Room. Disciplines 2020 contains all-new material from these writers. Writers for 2020 include Kathleen Flood, Luther Smith, J. Barrie Shepherd, Wendy Wright, Roberta Bondi, Michael Downey, Rachel Hackenberg, Don Saliers, Jan Johnson, Kristen Vincent, Gerrit Dawson, Marilyn McEntyre, Mark Burrows, Deborah Smith Douglas, and others.

Do you want to be challenged to deepen your understanding of the characteristics and requirements of Almighty God? The Understanding God Series contains the bulk of Pastor Tony Evans' compelling and hard-hitting resources on the essentials about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Spiritual Warfare, and prophecy. Now available in paperback, readers will not want to be without a single book in the series by this popular and powerful speaker and author.What are the central precepts a person should know to fully follow Christ? As only he can, Tony Evans very clearly presents what he terms 'four absolute necessities' to following the Lord. Readers will be led into a more intense, passionate walk with Christ as they come to understand what's required.