“How can I determine which spiritual gifts I have?” Wrong question! Paul writes about the spiritual gifts in his letters as capacities of communities rather than individuals, and he never makes a definitive, definable list. The gifts are fluid and dynamic, refusing to be pinned down. “How can we start to describe how the Spirit works through us?” is a much more useful question. This book helps you answer that question, and then applies principles about spiritual gifts to urban ministry. Cities present particular challenges to the teams who live and minister in them. Certain spiritual gifts are crucial to teams trying to love their neighbors, and their neighborhoods, as themselves.

In 'The Gift of the Magi and Other New York City Stories' by O. Henry, readers are treated to a collection of poignant and heartwarming tales set in the bustling city of New York. O. Henry's writing style is marked by its engaging narrative and ironic twist endings that leave readers both touched and thoughtful. The stories in this collection provide a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people facing life's many challenges and joys, creating a rich tapestry of urban life in the early 20th century. O. Henry, known for his unique storytelling and keen observation of human nature, drew inspiration for his stories from his own experiences living in New York City. His ability to capture the essence of the city and its diverse inhabitants shines through in each story, making them both relatable and timeless. Through his writing, O. Henry sheds light on the universal themes of love, sacrifice, and human resilience. I highly recommend 'The Gift of the Magi and Other New York City Stories' to readers who enjoy immersive storytelling with memorable characters and thought-provoking themes. O. Henry's collection is a masterpiece of American literature that continues to resonate with readers of all ages.

Gift-giving played an important role in political, social and religious life in medieval and early modern Europe. This volume explores an under-examined and often-overlooked aspect of this phenomenon: the material nature of the gift. Drawing on examples from both medieval and early modern Europe, the authors from the UK and across Europe explore the craftsmanship involved in the production of gifts and the use of exotic objects and animals, from elephant bones to polar bears and 'living' holy objects, to communicate power, class and allegiance. Gifts were publicly given, displayed and worn and so the book explores the ways in which, as tangible objects, gifts could help to construct religious and social worlds. But the beauty and material richness of the gift could also provoke anxieties. Classical and Christian authorities agreed that, in gift-giving, it was supposed to be the thought that counted and consequently wealth and grandeur raised worries about greed and corruption: was a valuable ring payment for sexual services or a token of love and a promise of marriage? Over three centuries, Gift-Giving and Materiality in Europe, 1300-1600: Gifts as Objects reflects on the possibilities, practicalities and concerns raised by the material character of gifts.

"The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O. Henry first published in 1905. The story tells of a young husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving, it has been popular for adaptation, especially for presentation at Christmas time.

Police Funding, Dark Money, and the Greedy Institution is about a pervasive but little-studied phenomenon. Private funding of public police entails private entities sending resources to police through unconventional or hidden channels, sometimes for suspect reasons. The book argues police acquisition of this "dark money" befits the notion of a "greedy institution" that pursues resources beyond ample public funding and needs, and seeks ever more loyal members beyond its traditional boundaries to reproduce itself. The book focuses on private police foundations, corporate sponsorships, and paid detail arrangements primarily in North America, how these funding networks operate and are framed for audiences, and the forms and volumes of capital they generate. Based on interviews with police representatives, sponsors, funders, and foundation representatives as well as records from over 100 police departments, this book examines key issues in private funding of public police, including corporatization, accountability, corruption, and the rule of law. It documents and analyzes the troubling explosion of police foundations and sponsors and corporate paid detail brokers unknown to the public as a social and policy issue and a hidden response to the global police defunding movement. The book also considers potential policy responses and community safety alternatives in a more generous society. An accessible and compelling read, students and scholars in criminology, criminal justice, law, sociology, political science, anthropology, geography, as well as policymakers, will find this timely book revealing of a neglected, growing area of police practice spanning multiple themes and jurisdictions.