Family and Relationships

The Attitude of the Apostle Paul and the Church Today

This book is written by a New Testament scholar. It deals with the problem of gender and equality in the church. It addresses the one-sidedness in the church that creates male privileges to the disadvantage of women. This situation creates a state of inequality in the Household of God. As a result, in some churches, there is a male reserved sacrament. Consequently, women are denied the right of ordination. Alternatively, they are not appointed to senior ministry positions. The reason for this is because they are women. The author calls it gender profiling. This unfair practice presents God in bad light because it makes him a gender-obsessed deity. Hence, God is made to take sides in our gender struggle. He is made to be the patron of men. Conversely, he is presented as an anti feminist deity, who looks down on women with disdain. Accordingly, God is falsely made to be the author of gender inequality, which He is not. Against this background, the author shows that every Christian is equal. The “no male, no female” in Paul is used to underline this. In other words, gender inequality is a man-made problem. It is not divinely ordained. This means that the churches can change it, if and when they want. The only hindrance the author foresees is power intoxication by a male clergy unwilling to share authority with women in the church. In a church where men are almost becoming an endangered specie the fear of an unpredictable power contest with women becomes a sufficient discouragement from allowing them to participate fully in the ministry of the church. As long as women are kept out, there is less competition and job security for men is assured. However, the facts presented in this book show several instances from Paul, which establish the equality of the genders. In view of this, the author advocates for a Christianity of equals, where gender discrimination will be relic of a bye gone age. As a result, the author proposes a non-discriminatory model of ecclesiology for the whole of Christendom. His final prayer is for a Christianity in which the equality of man and woman will be meticulously, religiously and conscientiously upheld. The good outcome of this will be the suspension of patriarchal privileges and the establishment of a level playing ground for all Christians.

This is an interesting book for all those who believe in divine justice, fairness and equity.

This book of poems also contains short stories of events that happened in my life. I realized that everyone goes through or have gone through similar events in life. It wasn’t until I became a social person that I realized that I’m not alone with the feelings I have, the thoughts in my mind, and the circumstances that I acquire in life. I wanted to write something that everyone would be able to relate to.

Most stay at home moms have little time to read. These short stories of my experiences and thoughts on being a mom are perfect for a quick read. Stories are included from different times in my life and the lives of my children. I hope you have as much fun reading them as I had writing them.

The True Story of Trucker Bob and Roberta Brown

Roberta Brown, the courageous wife of trucker Bob Brown, tells her true story in her own words. She relives their not so long time together in a story that will melt your heart with beauty and magic until the terrible end. But the story does not end there...it is also the story of the many friends who came to the aid of Roberta and her family; friends who continue to stand by them as they seek the courage and determination to move on with their lives.

“Life is short, but we didn’t know how short, until what we were familiar with was gone, it can change in a moment. Join me in this ride to the end with my husband which started out as a beginning of a brand new day of joy then changed to tragedy at the blink of an eye and a split second on a clock.”

This is a true story of a journey and a miracle. On December 6, 2005, in the offices of two separate medical experts, I was informed that my days were numbered. I was advised to take more medicines, and get admitted into the emergency room. If not, there was little the doctors could do. By then, I was already on numerous medicines for countless years. I knew that my body and stomach would not permit the intake of any more medication. All my life, I had lived my way. So, I signed a liability release form and decided to die my way. I surrendered to HIM. On January 7, 2006, I was down to just one medicine. I was on my way to full recovery.

It is a fun, happy, and romantic story that is culturally educational, medically astonishing, spiritually uplifting, and studded with travel experiences.

The journey was long and arduous, but never dull. It was scenic, adventurous, thrilling, and fulfilling. It took me through two masters degrees, two marriages, two children, two 10+ year long divorces, a few acquaintances, several friends, some companions, a career, several hobbies, the 7 continents, 5 oceans, 4 rivers, several islands, many debilitating illnesses, several awakenings, noteworthy self realization and a miraculous recovery. Most importantly, it helped me find answers to two very important questions. Is happiness a medicine? Is there one medicine whose purpose is to eliminate the need for all other medicines? The answers to both of which are a resounding – Yes.

Perhaps, that is why I got nicknamed AN – Amazing Nupur.

Too often children who are not living with natural parents are lonely, angry and bewildered. Parents who become victims of drugs, alcohol, child abuse and/or neglect place their children in a downward spiral.

When and if society reaches out to reunite the family, hope becomes apparent. Parents who cooperate and improve their lifestyle will be reunited with their children.

Every State in the United States daily seeks to improve the system by changing what does not work and to learn from those who have succeeded in bringing the family unit together.

These stories are based on true happenings using fictitious names.

An Orphan’s Guide to Healing, Restoration and Wholeness

Everyone has his own distinctive journey in life. Each journey is filled with unique challenges. Most children will find the support and encouragement they need for a successful journey from their birth parents. However, for millions of children who are orphans and even children in foster care, this love and support, although vital, is missing from their lives. These children are forced to face the circumstances of life feeling alone. These challenges coupled with an unstable home environment, abuse, and the lack of a trustworthy adult to love or care, will have a traumatic impact upon the child.

In this book, Kim offers encouragement and a ray of hope. Kim acknowledges and embraces the love of her heavenly father who has crowned her with love, self esteem, and a future, in spite of having lost her parents in her teenage years. You too will find the strength, comfort, and guidance that you will need for a successful journey through the Holy Spirit. This powerful book will encourage and empower you to know the love of your heavenly father. Soon, you will become keenly aware of your inheritance in God’s kingdom, and every covenant blessing that is simply yours for the asking.

This is a story about survival and how I watched my son die several times waiting for transplants. I learned that my son had courage and the will to live. I truly feel that God gave me a second chance to be a good mom.

Only time can heal a broken heart and a heart that is made of stone.

Do you feel all alone, like no one understands you?

Don’t look any farther.

I used to think that I was the only one who had family problems, big dreams, and special moments that I couldn’t quite express.

Maybe this will help you to know that you are not the only one out there that has gone through hardships in your life and great moments too.

Isabel recalled many nights watching the news and crying as she saw the people floating around in the ocean waiting to be picked up by the U.S. Coast Guard. They DESPERATELY needed to reach safe ground. “Where the ocean and the skies join it is not a pleasant site.” Alex was resigned to die if necessary, but he was not turning back. He would not go back to Cuba. Men and women sacrificed themselves to the sharks, but only after handing over their children to the neighboring rafts. “Please make sure my child reaches America.” Isabel had prayed full of compassion for these strangers... little did she know that destiny would bring one of them to her for her nurturing and he would bring new strengths of survival to her. It took only for their eyes to meet... two lost souls had been united... Together they traveled a path full of inspiration, romance, family, personal growth and faith. Together, hand in hand, they encountered many voids, uncertainties and new horizons: voids of a man and a woman, voids of victories and defeats, voids of life; horizons full of malice, grief and joy.

Pages from the original diary kept by the author are incorporated into the novel:

“In this hole as we kindly and proudly call it today, we found ourselves. We came to it out of desperation, forced to rebuild, forced to go through a rebirth. Was there a divine hand in it all? Pain changed us forever; destiny comforted us, altering our lives severely while leading us into courageous and “weak” moments that determined our true value on this earth... to live the full life we now enjoy in the town that means exactly what we longed for, for a very long time... HOMESTEAD.”