This book of poetry does not read like a novel because of its rhyme, brevity and omission of detail. However, it is meant to teach, inspire, and awaken, opening eyes, ears and hearts to help examine ourselves, see who we as a people are, where we are headed and where we are taking our children, families, communities and nation, and what we can to do to help bring aboutor restorewholeness in our lives and the lives of others. The first poem in the collection, The Child Whod Come is inspired by a real and overlooked little girl caught in an unwholesome situation not of her making. Another poem, Grand Guardian, was inspired by real people. It is, though, written to a wider population who may be in the same circumstances as the individual whose silent, passionate voice we hear as we read, and the human subjects that the individual addresses. Other poems in the collection are reflections on Almighty God and the love he has for his people and creation. Still others have personal thoughts that I want to sharewith you as well as those who are special to my heart. A PASSAGE INTO LIFE is for people who are hurting; also for hopeful people, joyful people, people of faith, and people who have little faith or no faith. It is for saint and sinner alike. It is to help anyone who has been hurt mentally, physically or spiritually. It is also for anyone who harms others in a big way or small way, any way at all. I believe that everyone who finds himself or herself in trouble in this life can find a way out. You will need the help of others who love the Lord God, who genuinely care about what happens to you. They may not always seem to do things the right wayyour way. They may seem like they are hypocrites or insincere at times, or seem harsh, giving you some tough love. But they can be your stepping stone, to lift you up out of deep despair, disgrace, shame, unhappiness and hopelessness if you are willing to listen to the voice of the Lord in His grace and wisdom, and believe the Lord will help you. The voice and word of God tells us of the good and the evil things that happen in this life. When we find ourselves facing problems, troubles or the worst of evils, God can lead us to what is good and perfect through Jesus Christ. When some people have done things to harm and hurt you, call the Lord!!! God can pick you up and lead you into healing, goodness, and wholeness so that you will be able to keep on going in this life no matter what may happen or what may have happened to you in the past. It is important that you believe God is real, and that this real, living God who created us all and all things in the world and beyond, is not just somewhere out there, but always near to you and the situation you may find yourself in, whether youve been listening to him or not. Learn what God can do to and for all kinds of people and what He has done through Jesus Christ with people who lost belief and faith in God, or who have stopped paying attention to Him. If you never knew Godor about Godor you lost your belief and faith in Him, you must learn or re-learn about this Creator and keeper of us all. The Holy Scripturesthe Bible, the word of Godis the key. It is important to know that someone faithful to the Lord God can help you understand. Pray, and ask God about this. I believe in God through Jesus Christ. You may guess that I am a member of the Christian faitha sinnerwho sometimes thinks she is doing the right thing, the best thing, only to find she has made mistakes in judgment or in what she has done, without knowing better or thinking that it was right or the better thing to do at the ti

Women's Rites of Passage grew out of Abigail Brenner s desire to answer some fundamental questions about the role of rites of passage in contemporary women s lives. Relying on a research study involving over 50 women, Brenner shows how women today understand the need to take responsibility for their lives and for directing their own paths, and are beginning to do so by creating their own very personal rites of passage.

""Father"" is a verb, and fathering is the highest calling of God on men. Man Maker Project is a guide for fathers to intentionally usher their sons into godly manhood. Now more than ever, the reality of unfinished men confronts us at every turn. Without intentional fathering, a boy's core question--Am I a man?--forever echoes in his soul. Every boy needs to hear his father's clear ""yes"" in response. While many fathers know they should do something for their maturing sons, they have little idea how to create such an initiatory process. Man Maker Project offers a practical roadmap that equips fathers to create a unique, modern-day masculine initiation experience for their sons. Rather than a single event or ceremony, fathers can guide their boys through a yearlong process, with the support of a cadre of hand-selected men. This book also challenges fathers to investigate their own stories, as God's mutually redemptive design is for us to be fathered ourselves as we father our sons. Through this modern-day rites of passage process, fathers fulfill their calling, sons find their footing, and society receives solid men ready to strongly and kindly restore the world. For the back cover: ""From incarceration to abuse to just plain missed opportunities, so many boys in our country become 'chronological men' who never arrive at manhood. Chris Bruno has given us the kind of book to carry into the terrain where boys become men. This book is for fathers, mentors, grandfathers, teachers, and anyone who cares about even just one boy."" --Keith Anderson, President, The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, Seattle, WA ""Chris Bruno has given men a great gift in Man Maker Project. This is a stunning work, borne of Chris's own story and his passion for his son. It is a feast of narratives that prove the struggle into manhood is not only worth it, but can display the kindness of God. This is a meaty feast, worthy of all men and fledgling men."" --Jan Meyers Proett, author of The Allure of Hope For the frontmatter: ""For centuries, men in most cultures knew they had a sacred responsibility to guide the boys of their community into healthy manhood. This practice is largely unknown in our own culture. Most men intuitively know they want to pass on some significant teaching about masculinity to their boys, but they have no idea what. In Man Maker Project, Chris Bruno invests his own passion, insight, and experience into this crucial topic. He provides tangible, long-term, meaningful experiences that dads will immediately connect with and use. This book is truly a gift to those boys, their dads, and our culture."" --Craig Glass, president of Peregrine Ministries, Colorado Springs, CO ""Man Maker Project is an answer to many fathers's prayers. 'How do I lead my son into becoming a man?' is a question I've heard from men for many years. I now have a book I will enthusiastically recommend to all the fathers I know. Chris not only outlines a practical path for fathers to follow, but he also reveals how fathers can step into the fullness of who they are as men. You will be enlightened, inspired, and connected to God's powerful plan for you as a father. I'm excited for the many sons who will become men of God through the influence of this important book."" --Bob Hudson, founder and director of Men at the Cross Ministries, Golden, CO ""Every man should read Man Maker Project because it speaks into the struggles and doubts of all men. As a pastor and father of two pre-teen boys, I found myself challenged and provoked. It is here that most books on manhood end, but Chris goes further to give practical steps for creating a learning and experiential environment for sons. This book has given me the tools to be a better man and a better father."" --Brent Rood, pastor at Seed Church in Lynnwood, WA, and founding member of 3Strand Church Network ""I knew from experience that Chris Bruno is a fine therapist. He gently and profoundly guided me thr

Van Gennep was the first observer of human behaviour to note that the ritual ceremonies that accompany the landmarks of human life differ only in detail from one culture to another, and that they are in essence universal. Originally published in English in 1960. This edition reprints the paperback edition of 1977.

Providing a personal, informed and cultural perspective on rites of passage for general readers, this text illustrates the power of rites to help us navigate life's troublesome transitions.

For generations, other religions and cultures have put their children through a rite of passage to adulthood. Many people are aware of the Jewish practice of the Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, for example. The reality, however, is that many children today don’t learn how to become adults on purpose; rather, they ride the wave of adolescence toward an unknown adult future. Moms, dads, and other perfectly placed adults have the unique opportunity to guide the teenagers in their life toward adulthood. This is not a privilege to be taken lightly, but neither is it an impossible task. Jim McBride, executive producer of Fireproof and Courageous, brings wisdom, experience, and practical examples to his guidebook for leading those burgeoning adults in your life through a real-life Rite of Passage.

The customs and symbols of major life-cycle milestones, including cultural, secular, and religious traditions observed in the United States. Features important life events from the nation's major religious and ethnic groups.