Two scores and seven years ago, I set foot on American soil in order to pursue my Postgraduate medical training at New York University Medical CenterBellevue Hospital, New York City, New York. Now, looking back upon the vast time-span of the five decades gone by, I can hardly believe that our national landscape has undergone a sea change. According to an old Oriental adage, Even Mother Nature changes in a decades time, thus the inevitable changes have turned at least five times over beyond recognition. America as we know it today is a drastically different country from what we observed back in the 60s: many a thing that was acceptable back then is no longer even permissible, or downright illegal. Indeed, it goes without saying that the last half a century has been both tumultuous and cataclysmal in U.S. history. I have lived in Springfield, IL for 38 years since 1974 in a professional move from Honolulu, Hawaii and I became a U.S. citizen in 1976 when we celebrated the Bicentennial. I am still very grateful to my adopted country for what she has done for me and my family. My two children were born, raised and educated in this blessed nation. Nothing gives me more pleasure and happiness than to see them vigorously strive for their own professional careers. As we live in a diverse, pluralistic society, aptly called melting pot or tossed salad, I, myself, am always determined to be an active Player in the Great American Game of Life rather than being an idle or passive spectator. For nearly quarter a century, whatever social issues or subjects might come along to grab my attention, I havent hesitated to express my personal or professional opinion or viewpoint by writing to the Editor of newspapers, local and national, magazines, periodicals as well as professional journals. My letters and communications number altogether a little over 120. Now, I xxii call them collectively, JUST MY TWO CENTS. Most of them were published in the respective media, and my readers responses, whether favorable or critical, are also included. If indicated, some references are provided for further elucidation. I am well aware that my voice is feeble or hardly audible like a voice in the wilderness. Yet, I believe that I leave behind my footprints on the Prairie that I have traversed thus far. This book would not have come into existence without the loving and faithful support of my beloved wife, Young, who is always the source of my strength. My special thanks go to Aimie Trussell and Ms. Sara Barger who shared unselfishly their precious time with me in the preparation of the manuscript. I will always be grateful to them for their generous help. February 20, 2012 Chansoo Kim, M.D.

Dr Michael Loh is an acknowledged authority on the psychology of change and a social commentator. This book, published to commemorate his 50th birthday in 2007, is a selection of his favorite writings which appeared on his website from 2001 to 2006. Dr Loh lives in Singapore. He works for IBM Geo Service Delivery as Executive Consultant, Integrated Technology Delivery and is involved in almost all major engagements at IBM where there is monumental change: Kasikorn Bank, Thailand (US$230 million, 10-year contract), Malaysian Airlines (US$115 million, 10-year contract), Development Bank of Singapore (US$680 million, 10-year contract), Bharti Tele-Ventures, India (this deal value is estimated to be US$225 to US$275 million for the first five years and US$700 to US$750 million over ten years), as well as Singapore Airlines (US$180 million, 7-year contract). His HR Transformation & Culture Change work with SIA is considered IBM intellectual capital and is a recognized IBM methodology.

In The Unseen Realm, Dr. Michael Heiser examines the ancient context of Scripture, explaining how its supernatural worldview can help us grow in our understanding of God. He illuminates intriguing and amazing passages of the Bible that have been hiding in plain sight. You'll find yourself engaged in an enthusiastic pursuit of the truth, resulting in a new appreciation for God's Word. Why wasn't Eve surprised when the serpent spoke to her? How did descendants of the Nephilim survive the flood? Why did Jacob fuse Yahweh and his Angel together in his prayer? Who are the assembly of divine beings that God presides over? In what way do those beings participate in God's decisions? Why do Peter and Jude promote belief in imprisoned spirits? Why does Paul describe evil spirits in terms of geographical rulership? Who are the "glorious ones" that even angels dare not rebuke? After reading this book, you may never read your Bible the same way again. Endorsements "There is a world referred to in the Scripture that is quite unseen, but also quite present and active. Michael Heiser's The Unseen Realm seeks to unmask this world. Heiser shows how important it is to understand this world and appreciate how its contribution helps to make sense of Scripture. The book is clear and well done, treating many ideas and themes that often go unseen themselves. With this book, such themes will no longer be neglected, so read it and discover a new realm for reflection about what Scripture teaches." --Darrell L. Bock, Executive Director for Cultural Engagement, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership and Cultural Engagement "'How was it possible that I had never seen that before?' Dr. Heiser's survey of the complex reality of the supernatural world as the Scriptures portray it covers a subject that is strangely sidestepped. No one is going to agree with everything in his book, but the subject deserves careful study, and so does this book." --John Goldingay, David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary "This is a 'big' book in the best sense of the term. It is big in its scope and in its depth of analysis. Michael Heiser is a scholar who knows Scripture intimately in its ancient cultural context. All--scholars, clergy, and laypeople--who read this profound and accessible book will grow in their understanding of both the Old and New Testaments, particularly as their eyes are opened to the Bible's 'unseen world.'" --Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

This book is a collection of personal and devotional poems. They come from the author's heart. They reflect what is meaningful to him. Each poem is like a piece of the life God gave me. The slice of life that God gives is worth recording. Each poem brings out some of the practical truths of the Christian life which the reader may apply to daily life. Many of these poems often came to me when I remembered some phrase or saying that my parents or grandparents used. The poems follow this order: first, some favorite poems that I like. Then come poems on my personal life, my family life, and making decisions. Then follow poems about special friends, teachers and co-workers. Finally, I conclude with some poems on theological concepts that have intrigued me. The book is devotional in that it directs the readers' hearts to God. They include Scripture and seek to help people follow God, and see God in the everyday things of life. I trust that these lines will lead the reader to a time of reflection, prayer, spiritual decision and growth.

Digital literacy practices have often been celebrated as means of transcending the constraints of the physical world through the production of new social spaces. At the same time, literacy researchers and educators are coming to understand all the ways that place matters. This volume, with contributors from across the globe, considers how space/place, identities, and the role of digital literacies create opportunities for individuals and communities to negotiate living, being, and learning together with and through digital media. The chapters in this volume consider how social, cultural, historical, and political literacies are brought to bear on a range of places that traverse the urban, rural, and suburban/exurban, with emphasis placed on the ways digital technology is used to create identities and do work within social, digital, and material worlds. This includes agentive work in digital literacies from a variety of identities or subjectivities that disrupt metronormativity, urban centrism (and other -isms) on the way to more authentic engagement with their communities and others. Featuring instances of research and practice across intersections of differences (including, but not limited to race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and language) and places, the contributions in this volume demonstrate the ways that digital literacies hold educative potential.

All couples argue, but how do some couples get to what seems like the point of no return? Licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Tara Fields has spent more than twenty-eight years working with couples, and she has discovered that there are five common conflict loops that couples fall into—and three steps to getting past having the same fights over and over again and onward to building a relationship where each partner feels heard, understood, respected, and loved. These steps include: Recognizing the conflict loop at play Exploring past and present fears Creating opportunities to get in touch with the deepest needs of both partners in order to find new gratitude, respect, and trust Change comes with awareness. When you’re present in the moment, conflict with your partner can become an opportunity to work through unresolved issues and to learn more about each other; it can even become a way to grow closer. In The Love Fix, Fields shares her tested and proven tools to help build stronger relationships, including: Insight from real couples who have repaired their relationships Self-assessment quizzes to get to the root of the problem Practical 3-Minute Fixes you can start using immediately HEARTwork exercises to help you dig deeper in order to reconnect It’s never too late to reignite your passion and to restore the love between you and your partner. Stop rehashing the same issues, figure out what you’re really fighting about, and start enjoying a happier, stronger relationship today.

That's In The Bible? illustrates the significant impact the Bible has had on our everyday conversational language. Throughout history, written and verbal language has been seasoned with hundreds of colorful expressions lifted directly from its pages. This is no less true in our modern language - newspapers unknowingly use catchy phrases as headlines that are actually derived from biblical texts. Advertisers lure customers with limited time offers, such as "Don't Miss the Boat!" - a direct reference to Noah and the Ark. And people use familiar colloquial expressions casually in everyday speech perhaps without even being aware of the fact that they are using an expression originally penned in Scripture. This book explores many such phrases - everyday expressions - voiced from the corporate boardroom to the schoolyard playground. Each phrase is traced to its original biblical roots. The study of word and phrase origins is known as etymology - from the Greek words etymon meaning "true sense" and logos meaning "word". This book presents the "true sense" of the word and promotes Bible discovery, readership, and witnessing. It is intended to illustrate the Bible as a genuinely user-friendly resource.