This book develops a compelling argument that applies to all forms of fundamentalist religion.

With a foreword by Jane Goodall, this moving memoir follows a successful journalist and filmmaker who felt like something was missing in her life as she finds her purpose in advocacy for the Asian elephants in her childhood home town of Kerala, India. "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi Elephants are self-aware, conscious beings. They can feel and grieve the loss of both elephants and humans. But despite all empathy that elephants shower on humans, we continue to inflict pain and suffering on these caring, sentient beings. In 2013 Sangita Iyer visited her childhood home of Kerala, India. Over 700 Asian elephants live in Kerala, owned by individuals and temples that force them to perform in lengthy, crowded, noisy festivals, abusing and shackling these animals they claim to revere for tourists and money. When Sangita found herself in the presence of these divine creatures and witnessed their suffering first hand, she felt a deep connection to their pain. She too had been shackled and broken for too long-to her patriarchal upbringing in India, to the many "me too" moments in her work life that were swept under the rug, to the silence. Now she would speak out for the elephants and for herself. And she would heal alongside them. This sparked the creation of her award winning documentary of the same name and a new purpose in this life for both Sangita and the elephants.

I was imprisoned by the shackles, and they had characterized an invisible fence around my heart and my mind. The shackles were dominating the cares of my life. There was a lustful power that the shackles were utilizing to keep me entangled in its midst. I couldn't see my way out even if I had tried. I was in complete bondage, and every part of me was shackled to destructive behavior. The shackles were powerful because they had cultivated over time, and they were strong, and there were many of them holding me captive. I was so angry with life and the circumstances that had taken place in my life that I couldn't even begin to learn how to control my behavior. My sanctuary that I had built was full of hatred and destruction. I had started to construct a critical inner voice, and it was like an internal coast that negatively undermined any goals that I started to make that were positive. I started to think that I would never become successful. I started to think that people were all out to get me. I started to criticize everyone that was around me. I found myself always searching for the bad in everyone. The voices in my head were telling me to go ahead and try to kill myself again. This time, I felt that I could make it happen; I would die. I didn't think about my children at all. I felt that they would be better off without me. I had been through too much, and this life didn't mean me any good. Then one day, I go over to my grandmother's house for a barbecue dinner, and the Avon lady was over there, selling my grandmother some bath soaps, and she invites me to church.

This is the first book in the author's series on Christian maturity.

Where is the church now compared to fifty years ago? Is our faith stronger or weaker? Is the church's influence what it used to be? If not, why? We need to understand that as goes the church, so goes the nation. God has called the church to be the head-not the tail-leading society to His throne of grace. Only Believe is dedicated to revealing the heart of God according to the Bible for revival, a stronger personal relationship with Christ, and more effective church growth. The reason for our national dilemma, how to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and the biblical answers to other questions are included and backed up by the authority of Scripture. I pray that Only Believe: Drawing Closer to God will lead you to personal spiritual introspection as you take this spiritual journey. "Keith Kimball has combined his vast Bible knowledge with many years of experience to compile one of the most practical and pertinent books for our day: Only Believe. His premise is so basic, and yet so overlooked by a generation which seems to be on a quest to sensationalize the message at the risk marginalizing the truth. New believers as well as seasoned saints will be blessed as they are challenged to simply believe the life and work of Jesus and to simply obey His commands." -Royce E. Williams, evangelist, Missions Evangelism Ministries "Keith's book carries out a word he uses in one of his chapters: simplicity. He uses the great truths of the Bible to challenge the reader to apply them in their quest to draw closer to God. A good read." -Dr. Jim Henry, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention

The Soul of Higher Education: Contemplative Pedagogy, Research and Institutional Life for the Twenty-first Century contributes to an understanding of the importance and implications of a contemplative grounding for higher education. It is the sixth in a series entitled Advances in Workplace Spirituality: Theory, Research and Application, which is intended to be an authoritative and comprehensive series in the field. This volume consists of chapters written by noted scholars from both Eastern and Western traditions that shed light on the following questions: • What is an appropriate epistemological grounding for contemplative higher education? How dues the current dominant epistemology in higher education mitigate against contemplative teaching, learning, and research? What alternatives can be offered? • How can a contemplative culture be nurtured in the classroom? What difference does that culture make in teaching and learning? What is the role of individual and institutional leadership in creating and sustaining this culture? • What is contemplative research? How can the emerging field of contemplative studies fit into the twenty-first-century university? • What can faculty and students learn from contemplative practices about how to find peace of mind in a world of higher education characterized by increasing complexity, financial pressures, and conflicts? • What does a contemplative organizational structure look like in higher education? How can committees, faculty meetings, and administrative teams use contemplative practices to work more effectively together? • How can contemplative decision-making processes be used in higher education? Given hierarchies, turf wars, and academics’ propensity for using argument as a weapon, is it possible to introduce contemplative practices into decision-making situations in appropriate ways?