"You can choose to see a trial as a roadblock or an expressway. If you see it as a roadblock, it will obstruct your way. However, if you see it as an expressway, you can use it to learn and grow." "The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan whereby we can become what God wants us to become. In fact, we become great people because of our trials, not in spite of them." This booklet reviews the nature, origins, and purposes of adversity and includes suggestions on how to patiently trust in the Lord and His eternal plan and how to use these trials to learn and grow stronger. You can benefit from your trials if you: Develop a relationship with God Let others help you Let God carry your burdens Trust that the Lord is in control and allow His will to be done Remember that everyone has challenges Let adversity make you a better person Live with integrity Be patient Make the best of your situation Serve others Keep a positive attitude Keep an eternal perspective

“A triumph. This novel’s haunting strength will hold the reader until the very end and make Faith and her story impossible to forget.” —Richmond Times Dispatch “Extraordinary.” —Orlando Sentinel From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult (Nineteen Minutes, Change of Heart, Handle with Care) comes Keeping Faith: an “addictively readable” (Entertainment Weekly) novel that “makes you wonder about God. And that is a rare moment, indeed, in modern fiction” (USA Today).

In the shifting (or even collapsing) of everything familiar in life, you don’t have to wring your hands in fear. Push past the loss of your “normal” with bestselling author and Bible teacher Laura Story, and step into the new story God is writing for you. You've been faced with circumstances beyond your control. Your plans are altered. But you have the blessing of a Father who loves you enough to take off the training wheels and place his beloved child in the best possible scenario for your good and growth. So Long, Normal guides you to leave behind the idols of comfort, caution, and routine so you can live strong and well, even when life takes an unwelcome turn. In her confessional, conversational style, worship leader, Bible teacher, and Christian recording artist Laura Story weaves her own personal stories with examples from Scripture of characters whose lives were upended by unexpected (and undesired) change. So Long, Normal will help you: Process the trauma of the loss of your “normal” Learn to rest in God’s plan for you instead of trying to control your circumstances Find true community and encouragement in your struggle with uncertainty Discover three great comforts and three gifts to steady you on your journey Face the future with fresh spiritual eyes and find joy in the unwavering strength of Christ Losing your “normal” is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new adventure. It is possible to grow with grace through tough times, navigating the unknown secure in the knowledge that God is with you—every step of the way.

A revealing look at how the Orpheus myth helped Renaissance writers and thinkers understand the force of eloquence In ancient Greek mythology, the lyrical songs of Orpheus charmed the gods, and compelled animals, rocks, and trees to obey his commands. This mythic power inspired Renaissance philosophers and poets as they attempted to discover the hidden powers of verbal eloquence. They wanted to know: How do words produce action? In The Trials of Orpheus, Jenny Mann examines the key role the Orpheus story played in helping early modern writers and thinkers understand the mechanisms of rhetorical force. Mann demonstrates that the forms and figures of ancient poetry indelibly shaped the principles of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century scientific knowledge. Mann explores how Ovid's version of the Orpheus myth gave English poets and natural philosophers the lexicon with which to explain language's ability to move individuals without physical contact. These writers and thinkers came to see eloquence as an aesthetic force capable of binding, drawing, softening, and scattering audiences. Bringing together a range of examples from drama, poetry, and philosophy by Bacon, Lodge, Marlowe, Montaigne, Shakespeare, and others, Mann demonstrates that the fascination with Orpheus produced some of the most canonical literature of the age. Delving into the impact of ancient Greek thought and poetry in the early modern era, The Trials of Orpheus sheds light on how the powers of rhetoric became a focus of English thought and literature.

Maybe you’re a bride-to-be who is about to gain a mother-in-law. Or perhaps you’re a mother-of-the-groom who is about to gain a daughter-in-law. Or maybe you’ve been in an in-law relationship for decades, one that’s been struggling in painful tension for years. No matter your age or stage, every daughter-in-law and mother-in-law needs help navigating their relationship sometimes. Whether the struggle is one of feeling unseen, unheard, or unvalued, authors and in-laws Barbara and Stacy Reaoch have been there, and as they’ve put the Bible’s wisdom to practice over the years, they’ve found that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law really can thrive in the midst of difficulty. In this biblical, practical, and heartfelt book, Barbara and Stacy Reaoch share from their own 20 years of forming a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law bond. As you walk alongside them in their own journey and lessons learned, prepare to be encouraged and equipped in these areas: Expectations Conflict Suffering Communication Parenting And more With the Bible as your foundation and this book as a helpful companion in the journey, take heart: a healthier relationship with your mother-in-law or daughter-in-law is closer than you think!

Nothing in this life is permanent, and our strength is constantly being tested by trials. Yet Allah is there for us when we need Him: our prayers to Him help us see that life is an awesome gift. This books verses ponder the difficulties of life and how we can accept them through faith. They mingle sincere personal reflection with an awareness of the simplicity and beauty of a life lived well. The sincerity in the writing is not a dead weight of seriousness, but is the life behind the poems. Jo Shan has presented a personal view on her faith that is quite interesting in a world where others often have very simplified views of Islam. Stiofn Maoilbhreannain, Editor, Occams Eraser, Dublin, Ireland POEMS are short phrases but contain powerful messages. Those who write them should know and those who read them could feel. Jo Shan shares her thoughts about what it is to OVERCOME, ACCEPT, REFLECT, ENCOURAGE, and EULOGIZE on the challenges of becoming a Muslim, especially for someone like her who meets Islam and thereafter decided to embrace it as her lifes destiny. Her collection of poems, penned under the title BLESSINGS BEHIND LIFES TRIALS bears testimony to her journey in discovering how Islam makes all the sense to her in her human meaning and becoming. Yamin Cheng, Lecturer in Usuluddin and Comparative Religion, International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia Seeking success for the next world as a believer in this world is a constant struggle fraught with seemingly endless tribulations. Sister Jo Shans evocative poetry brings words of peace and comfort in this tumultuous world and reminds us that the struggle may be hard, but the guidance and strength of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala is there for us. In poems such as Imperfection and Ring the Changes, she meets the challenges of the world (dunya) and casts them back, reminding us of their ephemeral nature. She brings us back to the ultimate meaning of our struggle. In poems such as Love in Life and Life Mark, she reminds of the many blessings we already receive from the Almighty. These blessings are at times too easily dismissed in a hectic world, but Sister Jo Shans poems cry out to us not let go of the many generous gifts that Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala has graciously bestowed upon us all. This anthology will gladden your heart and speak to you of the peace and solace that await, InshaAllah. Leo Schmitt, Assistant Director, International Student Support Center, New York University, USA