The author explores dozens of scriptural passages from the psalms, offering personal ideas and insights and sharing his testimony that "no matter what the trouble and trial of the day may be, we start and finish with the eternal truth that God is for us."--

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A captivating exploration of deep time and humanity's search for purpose, from the world-renowned physicist and best-selling author of The Elegant Universe. "Few humans share Greene’s mastery of both the latest cosmological science and English prose." —The New York Times Until the End of Time is Brian Greene's breathtaking new exploration of the cosmos and our quest to find meaning in the face of this vast expanse. Greene takes us on a journey from the big bang to the end of time, exploring how lasting structures formed, how life and mind emerged, and how we grapple with our existence through narrative, myth, religion, creative expression, science, the quest for truth, and a deep longing for the eternal. From particles to planets, consciousness to creativity, matter to meaning—Brian Greene allows us all to grasp and appreciate our fleeting but utterly exquisite moment in the cosmos.

Forget the 10,000 hour rule— what if it’s possible to learn the basics of any new skill in 20 hours or less? Take a moment to consider how many things you want to learn to do. What’s on your list? What’s holding you back from getting started? Are you worried about the time and effort it takes to acquire new skills—time you don’t have and effort you can’t spare? Research suggests it takes 10,000 hours to develop a new skill. In this nonstop world when will you ever find that much time and energy? To make matters worse, the early hours of prac­ticing something new are always the most frustrating. That’s why it’s difficult to learn how to speak a new language, play an instrument, hit a golf ball, or shoot great photos. It’s so much easier to watch TV or surf the web . . . In The First 20 Hours, Josh Kaufman offers a systematic approach to rapid skill acquisition— how to learn any new skill as quickly as possible. His method shows you how to deconstruct com­plex skills, maximize productive practice, and remove common learning barriers. By complet­ing just 20 hours of focused, deliberate practice you’ll go from knowing absolutely nothing to performing noticeably well. Kaufman personally field-tested the meth­ods in this book. You’ll have a front row seat as he develops a personal yoga practice, writes his own web-based computer programs, teaches himself to touch type on a nonstandard key­board, explores the oldest and most complex board game in history, picks up the ukulele, and learns how to windsurf. Here are a few of the sim­ple techniques he teaches: Define your target performance level: Fig­ure out what your desired level of skill looks like, what you’re trying to achieve, and what you’ll be able to do when you’re done. The more specific, the better. Deconstruct the skill: Most of the things we think of as skills are actually bundles of smaller subskills. If you break down the subcompo­nents, it’s easier to figure out which ones are most important and practice those first. Eliminate barriers to practice: Removing common distractions and unnecessary effort makes it much easier to sit down and focus on deliberate practice. Create fast feedback loops: Getting accu­rate, real-time information about how well you’re performing during practice makes it much easier to improve. Whether you want to paint a portrait, launch a start-up, fly an airplane, or juggle flaming chain­saws, The First 20 Hours will help you pick up the basics of any skill in record time . . . and have more fun along the way.

Conversations about controversial topics can be difficult, painful, and emotionally charged. This user-friendly guide will help you engage in effective, compassionate discussions with family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers about race, immigration, gender, marriage equality, sexism, marginalization, and more. We talk every day—and we often do it without thinking. But, as you well know, there are some things that are harder to talk about—especially issues pertaining to politics, culture, lifestyle, and diversity. If you’ve ever struggled in a conversation about a “controversial” topic with a loved one, work colleague, or even a stranger, you know exactly how uncomfortable and heated the discussion can become. And even if you are one of the lucky few that expresses themselves eloquently, how do you move beyond mere “lip service” and turn words into actionable change? This groundbreaking book will show you how to get to that important next level in difficult conversations, to talk in an authentic and straightforward way about culture and diversity, and to speak from the heart with tools from the head. Using a simple eight-step approach, you’ll learn communication strategies that are supported by research and have been practiced in classrooms, work meetings, therapy sessions, and more. We constantly hear about friends and colleagues whose family members are not speaking to each other because of different political opinions, who’ve exchanged words that have mutually offended one another. If silence is one end of the continuum and verbal conflict anchors the other, how do we reach a middle ground? How do we take part in the “in between” spaces where both parties can speak and listen? With this book as your guide, you’ll learn to navigate these difficult conversations, and take what you’ve learned beyond the conversation and out into the world—whether it’s through politics, social justice movements, or simply expanding the minds of those around you.

You've tried managing your time. You've tried prioritizing your time. Now discover how to multiply it. Do you feel like you're busier than ever - yet never caught up? You're not alone. Many of us are tired, frustrated, and stressed from being overworked at the office and at home, with no concrete plan for getting it all under control without compromising our well-being. In Procrastinate on Purpose, self-discipline strategist Rory Vaden presents a different approach for how to identify and focus on what's important. Instead of one more calendar, checklist, or gadget, he points out that what we really need is an understanding of the emotional reasons we fail to maximize our time - and he then reveals the five 'permissions' we can grant ourselves in order to get better results while creating more margin in our daily lives. In this paradigm-shifting book, you will discover how to- Identify your most significant priorities, in business and in life Create more time to do the things you love without sacrificing results Say no to the things that don't matter, and yes to the things that do Implement systems that give you more time tomorrow than you have today Gain control and inner peace by adopting the 'multiplier mindset' Informed by Southwestern Consulting's work with thousands of busy clients, and interspersed with Vaden's case studies that reveal the 'multiplier mindset' at work, this insightful, practical book will turn everything you thought you knew about time upside-down-and it will change the way you work and live. From the New York Timesbestselling author of Take the Stairs- A bold new way to get things done. 'Managing your time is a lot like managing your money. It's not about the numbers; it's about your behavior. The best time-management tricks in the world won't do you much good if they don't actually make your life better. In Procrastinate on Purpose, Rory builds on what we've all heard about time management and adds the two things that have always been missing- emotion and significance.' Dave Ramsey, New York Timesbestselling author and nationally syndicated radio show host 'If you've ever thought, 'I wish I had more time,' read the great principles of this book. And then I dare you to do what Rory does- live them.' Jon Acuff, New York Timesbestselling author of Start andQuitter 'Procrastinate on Purposewill alter the way the professional world thinks about time - I've never read anything like it. Useful, unique, and relevant . . . this is an absolute must-read for every leader.' Sue Schick, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania and Delaware 'This book is a game-changer.' Jon Gordon, bestselling author of The Energy Busand The Carpenter 'Every once in a while a book comes along that completely shifts the way an entire generation thinks about a specific topic. When it comes to time management and productivity, Procrastinate on Purposemay be the one!' Andy Andrews, New York Timesbestselling author of The Traveler's Giftand The Noticer

FROM THE MASTER STORYTELLER WHOSE BOOKS HAVE TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF OVER 40 MILLION READERS 'Mitch Albom sees the magical in the ordinary' Cecilia Ahern __________ Banished for centuries, as punishment for trying to measure time, the inventor of the world's first clock is finally granted his freedom, along with a mission: a chance to redeem himself by teaching two people the true meaning of time. He embarks on a journey with two unlikely partners: a teenage girl who is about to give up on life and a wealthy, ageing businessman who wants to live for ever. To save himself, he must save them both. Gripping, and filled with deep human truth, this unforgettable story will inspire readers everywhere to reconsider their own notions of time and just how precious it truly is. __________ WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT THE TIME KEEPER 'As usual, Albom kept me completely captivated throughout this entire book. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer!' 'A touching story which everyone can relate to. This book is philosophical, touching and insightful - a true gem' 'Another awesome read . . . Wish his books went on forever' 'One of the best books I have ever read!' 'An absolute masterpiece! This one book provides much wisdom'

We live in an age of skepticism. Our society places such faith in empirical reason, historical progress, and heartfelt emotion that it’s easy to wonder: Why should anyone believe in Christianity? What role can faith and religion play in our modern lives? In this thoughtful and inspiring new book, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller invites skeptics to consider that Christianity is more relevant now than ever. As human beings, we cannot live without meaning, satisfaction, freedom, identity, justice, and hope. Christianity provides us with unsurpassed resources to meet these needs. Written for both the ardent believer and the skeptic, Making Sense of God shines a light on the profound value and importance of Christianity in our lives.