“One of the great religious leaders of [the twentieth] century” tells his story of growing up under segregation and finding his calling as a minister (Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Howard Thurman was a singular man—a minister, philosopher, and educator whose vitality and vision touched the lives of countless people of all races, faiths, and cultures. In his moving autobiography, Dr. Thurman tells of his lonely years growing up in a segregated town, where the nurturing black community and a profound interest in nature provided his deepest solace. That same young man would go on to become one of the great spiritual leaders of our time. Over the course of his extraordinary career, Thurman served as a dean of Rankin Chapel and professor of theology at Howard University; minister of the interdenominational Fellowship Church in San Francisco, of which he was a cofounder; dean of Marsh Chapel of Boston University; and honorary canon of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York. He was deeply engaged in work with the Howard Thurman Educational Trust until his death in 1981. This is Thurman’s story in his own inspiring words. “Inspiring . . . a tale of trial and triumph. It should be read by everyone.” —Vernon Jordan, president of the National Urban League “Now we can peer with delight into the soul of this master and grasp some of the sense of religious genius which has been the source of all that blessed teaching.” —Rabbi Joseph B. Glaser, former executive vice president, Central Conference of American Rabbis “The reader’s admiration for this educator and spiritual healer grows naturally as the story unfolds.” —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “Thurman leads his readers . . . with an air of gracious ease and imperturbable dignity.” —Kirkus Reviews

All too often, we prepare more for a tough test than we do for our marriages. Here is an insightful, frank, and sensible manual that looks at dating, love, and marriage from the Torah perspective and comes up with some surprising, and important, conclusions.

Preachers have long been faced with two options. On the one hand they can appeal to their congregations’ intellects, teaching them the substance of the faith from the pulpit. On the other they can seek to stir their hearers’ emotions, wooing or warning them with the gospel. Usually we reserve these two forms of preaching for different tasks or audiences. If you are preaching an evangelistic message to the unchurned, then your preaching style will draw more heavily on the emotional aspects. If you are leading the faithful into a deeper grasp of the Christian message, then you will more likely draw on the intellectual components of preaching. While most preachers know that the choice between the head and the heart is a false one, they often don’t know how to bring the two together effectively. In this book Thomas Swears offers detailed, practical advice on how to preach to both head and heart. He shows how both emotions and intellect function any time one tried to convey meaning from the pulpit, regardless of the kind of message one is preaching. Without abandoning the conventional wisdom on evangelistic vs. teaching sermons, he nonetheless insists that preaching with integrity—in which the Word is truly embodied—will always involve the whole person and personality of both the preacher and the congregation.

“As poet, prophet, and priest, Thurman builds upon a powerful legacy of ancestral hope: belief in a liberating God who can always be found ‘in and among the struggling.’” —Yolanda Pierce A universal beacon of hope and endurance for people of all faiths seeking to meet the challenges, uncertainties, and joys of life Howard Thurman’s Meditations of the Heart is a beautiful collection of over 150 prayers, poems, and meditations on prayer, community, and the joys and rituals of life by one of our greatest spiritual leaders. Thurman, a spiritualist and mystic, was renowned for the quiet beauty of his reflections on humanity and our relationship with God. In a new foreword, Yolanda Pierce, dean of Howard University’s School of Divinity, calls attention to the justice-centered theological framework of Thurman’s words. Pierce notes how Thurman brings to light an image of God who can always be found “in and among the struggling,” both in times of weariness and in strength. First written for and shared with his congregation of the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco, California, these meditations sustain, elevate, and inspire. They are a universal beacon of hope and endurance for people of all faiths seeking to meet the challenges, uncertainties, and joys of everyday life with a renewed and liberating faith.

In 5 Habits to Lead from Your Heart, author and coach, Johnny Covey presents a powerful new way to change how we perceive experiences; how we make decisions and how we interpret events. Often we filter experiences through a lens that does not include our hearts. Harmful habits can form when we act out of fear or self-preservation (our head) instead of using our heart. But habits can be changed. Johnny illustrates how to understand better our human nature and unleash its potential; to lead from your heart, live courageously and create the life you want. So many times we are in a reactive mode, not thinking about what we are doing. Have we ever stopped and asked: What is holding me back? Why don’t I have relationships that I want? Why am I stuck in my head, worried about what others think of me? How can I free myself from ruts and routines? How might I choose to live courageously in my heart? How can I consciously create the life I am meant to live? Johnny helps us understand the genesis of our results—our mind—and our own system of checks and balances—our conscience. By combining what we currently know with Covey’s 5 Habits, we will have everything we need to elevate our thinking, take the next step—and succeed. "5 Habits to Lead from Your Heart is a rare wake-up call in our search for meaning.” ~Greg Link, Co-author of Smart Trust, Co-founder CoveyLink “Another winner in the Covey tradition.” ~Doug Conant, former CEO, Campbell Soup and Chairman, Avon Products “ If you want a book that is bone honest, practical, personal and profound, this is it.” ~Scott C. Hammond, author of Lessons of the Lost: Finding Hope and Resilience in Work/Life “This is an extraordinary book! Journey from doing to being, from planning to achieving, and from success to significance.” ~Dr Nido Qubein, President, High Point University; Chairman, Great Harvest Company

Make the Connection. The change you long for is just 18 inches away! Have you ever declared in frustration that your head knows what to do but your heart won't agree? The truth is, although the head and heart are only eighteen inches from each other, most of us spend our entire lives trying to make a genuine connection between what we profess to believe in our heads and what we actually believe in our hearts. We believe that God loves us, but our hearts still cling to lies from our past—lies from society, our families and friends, and the enemy of our souls. Don't allow these voices to keep you trapped any longer. “From Your Head to Your Heart” exposes how your negative thought patterns can keep you from the future God wants for you and reveals the secrets to achieve the long-term transformation desired by many, yet missed by most. With powerful examples from the Bible and redeeming stories from the author's own testimony involving abandonment, loneliness, rejection, and drug use, this book will give you the keys to access the power in God's Word. Begin the renewing journey from your head to your heart today.Forward written by Jim Cymbala with Endorsements from Bill Hybels, Chris Hodges, Nancy Alcorn and many more.“The heart and soul of the Christian life is learning to hear God's voice and then developing the courage to do what he asks us to do. “From Your Head to Your Heart” must be added to your life and library. If leaders aren't leading with their heads and hearts, the local church will never reach its full redemptive potential. Well done Maria Durso! This book will be a lifeline for so many people.” —Bill Hybels, Founding and Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church“With honesty, wisdom, and encouragement, Maria Durso helps readers draw closer to God as they seek to know him and not simple knot about Him. From Your Head to Your Heart offers biblical wisdom and practical suggestions for connecting your mind and your heart with your faith. I recommend it for anyone wanting to experience more of God's power in their lives.” —Chris Hodges, Pastor of Church of the Highlands“In my travels over the years in ministry I have seen many people who have a “head relationship” “with the Lord, but not a close personal “heart relationship” with Him. From Your Head to Your Heart explores the depths of having an intimate walk with Jesus that will transform every part of your life and bring about a whole new level of victory and freedom!” —Nancy Alcorn, Founder and President of Mercy Ministries