On November 22, 1963, curtain rod salesman Sam Vincent takes lunch in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, and awaits the arrival of President Kennedy. Sam eats his lunch while standing on a sewer grate, with no idea the president’s true assassin crouches below, gun at the ready. This coincidence earns Sam a place in the “Outfit That Has No Name” and a new identity as Professor Vincent Samuel, publisher of The Magic Bulletin. Thirty years later, brokerage clerk Peter Hokes attends a convention of assassination enthusiasts. In the midst of wild theories and a couple crazies, Peter remains fascinated with the Kennedy assassination and the mystery surrounding the president’s death. He realizes appearances can be deceiving just as deceptions begin appearing all around him. In Manhattan Peter’s obsession with the assassination cost him Aretha Nally, the single lustrous person in his life. In Dallas his obsession carries additional costs. His innocuous research on the Red White and Blue Curtain Rod Company earns him a life-changing encounter with the mysterious Professor Samuel and permanent citizenship in the vast chaotic cauldron that constitutes conspiracy land.

Jesus is Lord If we meet and you forget me, You've lost nothing!If you meet Jesus Christ, and Forget him, You've lost Everything"…No man cometh to the Father but by Me" John 14:6

This volume reviews a range of empirically supported approaches to prevention and treatment of adolescent substance use problems. The focus is on motivationally based brief interventions that can be delivered in a variety of contexts, that address key developmental considerations, and that draw on cutting-edge knowledge on addictive behavior change. From expert contributors, coverage encompasses alcohol skills training; integrative behavioral and family therapy; motivational interviewing; interventions for dually diagnosed youth; Internet-based education, prevention, and treatment; and applications to HIV prevention. The volume is extensively referenced and includes numerous clinical illustrations and vignettes.

According to recent research, our brains prefer the path of least resistance when it comes to engaging people who are unlike us—in fact, our brains tell us to perceive anyone different than us as a threat. That is a nice way to say that, despite our best intentions, we all have our prejudices and preferences. In biblical terms, we show partiality toward people who resemble us; we play favorites. Much of our identity, community, and power are established by the measurement of our differences from others, justifying our need to categorize people. Even when we attempt to engage other races and cultures, we see it as a one-way bridge, taking our way of life across the river to enlighten those different than us. It assumes we are on the bank of the undistorted view of the world and our understanding of the other side is not important. The proper response is to encourage two-way traffic on the bridge, not only by having dialogue with people over the bridge but more importantly listening to them. Overcoming our prejudices and bridging the cultural divide is the result of living out the gospel and it is the most significant way to communicate the gospel.

Tamel Richards, street alias MeloDrama, runs his block like an emperor. He doesn't believe in anything but his way. Charmaine Davids was a good school girl that wanted to get out of the hood and better herself. When her father owes a debt to the notorious dealer Drama, she founds out she has become his collateral and now her world is about to go from sweet to hell. This is what happens when the Hood Don't Love You

Bringing together leading experts, this book demonstrates the unique value of brief motivational interventions for addressing adolescent alcohol and other substance use in a range of clinical contexts. It presents cutting-edge knowledge on the etiology and developmental context of adolescent addictive behaviors and reviews exemplary treatment approaches. Effective strategies are described for intervening with diverse populations, such as college students, youth in the justice system and in foster care, those with co-occurring substance abuse and psychiatric problems, LGBT youth, and Latino and American Indian adolescents. This book replaces the editors' influential earlier work, Adolescents, Alcohol, and Substance Abuse. With an expanded focus on practical applications, most content is completely new. ÿ