I have compiled a useful awe-inspiring devotional prompt to assist in the daily devotional practices of those seeking to establish and maintain mindful meditation practices.

In Domestic Violence: Intersectionality and Culturally Competent Practice, experts working with twelve unique groups of domestic abuse survivors provide the latest research on their populations and use a case study approach to demonstrate culturally sensitive intervention strategies. Chapters focus on African Americans, Native Americans, Latinas, Asian and Pacific Island communities, persons with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, women in later life, LGBT survivors, and military families. They address domestic violence in rural environments and among teens, as well as the role of religion in shaping attitudes and behavior. Lettie L. Lockhart and Fran S. Danis are editors of the Council of Social Work Education's popular teaching modules on domestic violence and founding co-chairs of the CSWE symposium on violence against women and children. In their introduction, they provide a thorough overview of intersectionality, culturally competent practice, and domestic violence and basic practice strategies, such as universal screening, risk assessment, and safety planning. They follow with collaborative chapters on specific populations demonstrating the value of generalist social work practice, including developing respectful relationships that define issues from the survivor's perspective; collecting and assessing data; setting goals and contracting; identifying culturally specific interventions; implementing culturally appropriate courses of action; participating in community-level strategies; and advocating for improved policies and funding at local, state, and federal levels. Featuring resources applicable to both practitioners and clients, Domestic Violence forms an effective tool for analysis and action.

How can a person preach a word of hope and faith in a world filled with violence and suffering? Smith says that one must encounter and name the radical evil that oppresses persons in the world. She believes preaching is an interpretation of our present world and an invitation to a profoundly different world.

Within the souls of each person, there is an irrepressible inspirational nudge to fulfill the Divine plan. May each inspiration become a light unto your path of self discovery. May each expiration become a conscious decision to let go of any and everything that is unlike the Mother/Father consciousness that might be holding you back from the purposeful plan that you were created to express. Today and everyday of my life, I use my breath as a reminder that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I will dedicate the life I have been given to the glory of God who lives and express through me for the unending grace and greatness of the Divine inspiration that I am. And So It IS

Suicide is among the top three causes of death for young people ages 15 to 24. In fact, this global epidemic claims 41,000 lives per year in the United States alone. Suicide touches people of all ages—from those who consider and attempt suicide to those who lose a loved to suicide. Yet silence often surrounds these deaths and makes suicide difficult to understand. Looking beyond common myths and misconceptions, author Connie Goldsmith examines common risk factors and covers warning signs, ways to reach out to a suffering loved one, and precautions that can save lives. And survivors' personal stories offer honest examinations of both grief and hope.

Impulsivity, poor judgment, moodiness, risky behavior. "You don't understand." "I don't care." "Whatever, bro." Engaging and working with teenagers is tough. Typically, we attribute this to the storms of adolescence. But what if some of the particularly problematic behaviors we see in teens - self-destructive behaviors, academic issues, substance abuse, reluctance to engage in therapy or treatment - point to unspoken trauma? Teens nationwide struggle with traumatic stress related to poverty, abuse, neglect, bullying, traumatic loss, and interpersonal or community violence. But youth are also generally reluctant to disclose or discuss experiences of traumatic stress, and adults working with these youth may not immediately perceive the connection between prior trauma and the teen's current risky or concerning behavior. Beyond PTSD: Helping and Healing Teens Exposed to Trauma helps adults recognize and understand traumatized youth, and provides concrete strategies for talking to and engaging the teen, overcoming resistance, and finding the most appropriate evidence-based treatment approach for them. Nearly twenty contributors pull from their extensive and varied experience working in schools and hospitals to child welfare programs, juvenile justice facilities, pediatric offices, and with families to provide concrete tips to manage the challenges and opportunities of working with trauma-exposed adolescents. Chapters present trauma-informed approaches to youth with aggression, suicide and self-injury, psychosis, and school refusal; youth with physical or developmental disabilities or medical comorbidities, those in juvenile justice or child welfare; teen parents; and LGBTQ youth, among others. Throughout the text, tables compare different types of trauma therapies and provide information about how treatments might be adapted to fit a specific teen or setting. Readers will also find "real life" case vignettes and concrete, specific clinical pearls-even examples of language to use--to demonstrate how to work effectively with difficult-to-engage teens with complex symptoms and behaviors. Written to be practical and accessible for clinicians, social workers, pediatricians, school counselors, and even parents, with the information, context, and strategies they need to help the teen in front of them.