Vision Books

GaiaStar Mandalas: Ecstatic Visions Of The Living Earth by print artists Bonnie Bell and David Todd is a simply beautiful, full-color artbook showcasing gorgeous natural Mandalas celebrating the beauty and harmony of our mother planet. Although there is a brief text introduction, the majority of GaiaStar Mandalas is given over entirely to breathtaking color photographs of superbly presented art. The rich, vibrant color and texture patterns inspired by a multitude of cultural traditions are most impressive in this wondrous and unique gallery.

I became enchanted with mandalas a couple of years ago while seeking a means to occupy my mind and hands while suffering through a rather nasty allergic reaction characterized by incessant itching. I turned to coloring with felt markers and especially enjoyed stained glass patterns. Many stained glass patterns are, in fact, mandalas so I progressed to mandala pattern books. I found mandalas blissfully calming which led to research on the subject and ensuing mandala mania. I've colored and seen a lot of them and can say without reservation this book has the most fascinating, breathtakingly gorgeous, engrossing and inspirational
collection I've ever seen. No, it isn't a coloring book. It is, rather, an exploration of the natural patterns found both within and without. I now itch for more.

In this book, you will find the works of an author with a tremendous talent for creative writing and imagination. The writer has a very unique way of blending current issues (and well-researched takes on potential future scenarios) with fictional writing. While advanced observers of current issues and foreign policy can appreciate his articulation and projections, the average reader is not distracted or bored by them.

Perhaps what is most amazing is the elements of truth that are inserted into the book about the author's background--including a letter from Colin Powell's office. For an interesting read with a spiritual overtone, a non-fiction theme, fictional story-telling, and an attention-catching personal story, read "The George Washington Vision!"

This is going to be a piece of American literature for the next century! A must read! From Isaac Newton finding the Bible Code that George Washington saw at Valley Forge co-witnessed by one of his men that led to the defeat of the British, the Confederate Army and lastly the forces of evil that will assemble against the US of A in the future. The fact that this has been a secret in the US military for so long is incredible. I was intrigued by the apparant evil leader's description on the website www.georgewashingtonvision.com so I got the book and couldn't put it down. Lion seems to answer many of the questions that mankind has been asking for so long as he weaves fact into fiction and back again. Wild! I'm a believer!!

One of the above "reviews" was accidently listed as a review and has given the book zero stars when in fact it is comments from the author. The book was fantastic.

I am in the process of establishing partnerships with our firm's suppliers and subcontractors so that we may improve the service that we provide to our customers. The first step in the process is to be sure that our suppliers and subcontractors understand the concept of partnering for a win-win agreement. "Getting Partnering Right" is by far the best explanation of what I am trying to accomplish that I have read.After an initial meeting, I ask our potential partner to read the book and to call me when he has read it.Without exception, all have stated that "Now I get it". In a follow-up interview it is very easy to tell if they really do "get it". So far I have purchsed 28 copies for distribution to potential partners and to some our own employees. In addition,some of our partners have purchased more copies for distribution within their own companies. Maybe this one should be rated 6 stars!!

For a full page review reader can go to the Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Bulletin October 2000 Issue. Suvava Bjarnason, The Head of Research and Policy at ACU states that Sedere's book is an impassioned plea for a dramatic re-thinking of educational policy for low-income economies. He rates the book as one of the best and very interesting one.

Also Dr. Premadasa Udagama, the former Secretary of Education of Sri Lanka has indicated its pandemonium of pro-poor education the only book that I know in the recent years has completely focused on education for the poor.(Reference: Rupavahini, The National Television of Sri Lanka and Sirasa, TV Chanal)

This book is currently used as a textbook for the Graduate Course on Educational Reforms at University of Pittsburgh, Pa, USA.

Readers Please note that the book is a Textbook at University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the course titled ADMPS 3210: Implementation of Educational Policy. at Ph.D. and Master's level For reviews read: Horizon, November/December 200 issue Vol:8 No: 6. Reviwed by Dr. Tom P. Abeles;

Another full page long review by Svava Bjarnason, Head of Policy Division of ACU Association of Commonwealth Universities The Bulletin, No 145/October 2000

See Comparative Education, Volume 38, No 1 2002, pages 116 - 118 , Carfax Publishing, ISSN 0305-0068 Tylor-& Francis Ltd, Upali Sedere's book is reviewed by Prof. Angela W. Little of University of London. Globalisation and the Low Income Economies is a passionate plea for a radical reform of the learning curriculum in low-income economies to meet the challenges posed by economic globalization. Upali Sedere views contemporary issues in low-income economies (LIEs), but especially those of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, through the global lens of contemporary education reform in the context of economic globalisation. "The argument starts with a pessimistic assessment of the power of education reform in low-income economies to meet the challenges posed by economic Liberalization. Because both external and internal efficiency are low, the education system contributes to the increase in socio-economic disparity and the perpetuation of poverty. The author then considers the emerging world order and the dilemmas of development, identified as the contradictions between the four axioms of development liberalization, modernization, democratization and culture and civilization. In so doing he draws extensively on Huntington's (1997) The Clash of Civilizations. He identifies economic, technological, sociological, moral and political 'trends', the first two of which he defines as 'positive and exciting'-the last three as 'negative and frightening'. Alluding to Toffler's work (1980) Sedere suggests that while Toffler's third wave of development, driven by information technology, is currently driving the development of the West, his second wave-industrialisation-is still in its infancy in many LIE countries. Sedere's curriculum frame is the 'Expected Student Profile' (ESP). The ESP curriculum is explicitly oriented to the survival-skill needs of the poorest. The pro" le has four dimensions-time spectrum (past, present and future), operational domains (family, work, culture, environment), horizons (immediate, extended, global) and competencies (cognitive, affective, psycho-motor, social). The ESP curriculum is also oriented to the skill needs of survival in globalising economies. These skills are classified further as general skills, life skills, social skills, cross cultural skills, communication skills, intellectual skills, psychomotor skills, economic skills, special skills, social engineering skills and technical skills. They are embedded within the curriculum through a process-'The Impact Focused Curriculum Development Spiral (IFCS). The Impact Focused Curriculum is pro-poor not pro-elite; it is graded by learning blocks and operational age not by grade group and chronological age; it narrows disparities and empowers weaker schools rather than widening them; it adopts a modular, multidisciplinary approach in which knowledge is naturally integrated rather than a compartmentalised, subject-based approach in which integration is artificial etc.

Promoting a 'non-pedagogy of the oppressed' the IFC model places 'learning' rather than 'teaching' at its heart-and learning that merges the worlds of education and work. (see 3 page review for more details)

For the past 19 years, I have been mobilizing students to serve the Poor. As I read this book I was challenged to understand several keys to ministry among the poor. I'm convinced these key principles are important for most church ministries. That is why I recommend this book to you.

Key #1: Knowing Who Are the Poor.
Jesus said: "The poor will always be with you". Jayakumar Christian says that the Poor are caught in a web of relationships. Robert Chambers writes, "poverty is entanglement". That is to say, they are caught in a web of systems; they have a lack of power, materials, choices, relationships, and influence. Donald McGavran contends that the Poor are exempt from experiencing transformation until they have all been saved: "The only place large social action is possible is in countries where the majority of the population are members of Christ's Church." (p. 78) Most missionary agencies today take this perspective into their ministry approaches. What do you think? Is poverty caused by sin? Is it the sin of others? Is poverty caused by the sin of the Poor? At what point are the Poor set free from the cycle of poverty? The Poor are living on bare subsistence; no savings, no investments, no opportunity for technological improvements, and therefore no income increase. The Poor are set free when they gain understanding of their identity in God and discover their calling in God.

Key #2: Kingdom View of the Poor.
Ministries of the church, whether intentional or not, reflect the church's view of the poor and the nature of poverty. Too often our outreach unintentionally communicates: "We are complete, you are not." The goal of outreach should be to recover the identity of the poor in relation to God's creative design and purpose. If our outreach emphasizes the discovery of vocation, for the Christian participant and for the community in which they minister, we will fulfill the commission to preach the good news to the poor. We will set free the poor to enjoy just and peaceful relationships. The way we can reach these goals is by demonstrating a servant heart, the nature of our servant King Jesus. In our outreach to the Poor we must present community demonstrating the biblical story in our relationships. Our outreach can portray the character of God his callings. God is healer, communicator, builder, author, creator, artist, counselor, teacher, etc. Outreach should necessitate a community of servants that represent the character of God and the holistic and interrelated spheres of His ministry.

Key #3: Power from the Throne of God.
The Poor are powerless in many respects. The Poor are denied access; they are held in powerlessness because of broken relationships. Principalities and Powers, rulers of darkness, lock them out and keep them in the cycle of poverty. Relationship is the key dynamic of the throne of God. The Poor need to be connected in relationship with God and his world. Sin separates us; relationships of all kinds suffer due to sin. The poor are no different from anyone; they need to be connected to others. The connection with others should not be primarily for the sake of provision; providing food, shelter and medicines has often been used as a means of control. The poor need to be connected with the broader community where they have been restricted from access. A kingdom based response to poverty will reverse the "process of dis-empowerment", "confront god-complexes" (of the Poor and the non-poor), heal bodies and relationships, teach and model a more adequate worldview, challenge the principalities and powers of darkness (including institutions that are instruments of those powers), establish "truth and righteousness", and proclaim that "all power belongs to God." Poverty, ultimately, is the poverty of "being" and of "purpose". Conversely, abundant life is the abundance of "being" and "purpose". It is from the vantage point of the throne of God that an individual and a people may find their God-given identity and vocation conferring the essential being and purpose.

Key #4: Defend the Image of God in the Poor.
The Church is called to define and defend the image of God in the Poor. The Poor are not lazy or stupid. Jayakumar Christian writes, "A people so close to the edge cannot afford laziness or stupidity. They have to work and work hard. Most of the lazy and stupid are dead." Outreach should intentionally celebrate and enhance life without limiting access to love, justice, or peace. We should minister among the poor addressing the cultural, social, spiritual, personal, and biological spheres of the community. Through our outreach, we can intentionally affect the whole system of poverty by restoring relationships, including relationship with God (religion, philosophy, theology), Community (political science and economics), the Environment (biology, ecology, engineering), Others (sociology, international relations, justice), and Individuals (psychology, health care).

Jayakumar Christian, in God Of The Empty-Handed, takes a vast and meticulously researched sweep over the problem of global poverty - both from a secular and from a Christian point of view. One of Christian's themes is that the world has not been winning against poverty - neither on the secular level, nor through the Church. While many inroads have been made, nevertheless there has been widespread regression as a whole. He casts his net wide in describing ways in which humanity - both secular society and Christ's Church - has sought to remedy the problem of poverty. One wonders whether any options remain to be considered.

Throughout the book, Christian builds the argument that poverty essentially has to do with power - the "power that keeps the poor powerless". However, he does not adopt any of the major theories of "power creation". Rather, he holds that the non-poor "seek to play god in the lives of the poor", to form what he refers to as "god-complexes", thereby systematically excluding the poor from access to education, wealth, and benefits from the system. These complexes are not merely "inner spiritualities", but "principalities and powers [...] considered personal beings that have dominating influence on persons, social organizations and groups, and structures".

It is through his focus on principalities and powers as "personal beings" that Christian seeks to integrate evangelism and social action. The mission of the Church is to confront principalities and powers in all their multifarious activities, whether it be to blind the minds of those who do not believe, or to oppress those who are in poverty. This having been said, however, we are only human, and these are principalities and powers. This means "humble acceptance of our natural powerlessness", and "dependence on God". It is WE who are the empty-handed. We would do well to note, he writes, that many situations which Christians confront today are not merely "rooted in the Fall of humans", but are "a result of the present working of the Evil One", and need to be dealt with as such.

This book deserves attention, at the very least to gain an insight into major poverty assumptions and historical responses to the poor. Particularly useful and insightful is Christian's treatment of evangelical Christianity as he traces major developments over the past forty years. For any Christian wishing to understand the "big picture" with regard to global poverty, this is the book. It is a tour de force.

Billie really opens her heart in this book. It is a personal narrative of one woman's journey following her God-given vision of urban ministry. This is not a "how to" manual. The power of the book flows out of the examples of successes and failures and Billie's struggles through it all. This is an excellent book to give someone who is considering or just embarking on urban ministry.

A very inspiring book on how each person can make a difference in his own city.

Collaboratively compiled and edited by Elaine Ciulla Kamarck (Lecturer in Public Policy , John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University) and Joseph S. Nye Jr. (Dean, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University), Governance.com: Democracy In The Information Age is a selection of impressive scholarly essays focusing how leaps and bounds in modern technology and the Internet are directly affecting American governmental policy and performance. Exploring the link between power and information, and drawing broad conclusions and implications from mounting evidence, Governance.com offers an informed and informative look into the near future, and where the democratization of information is ultimately leading.

Collaboratively compiled and edited by Elaine Ciulla Kamarck (Lecturer in Public Policy , John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University) and Joseph S. Nye Jr. (Dean, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University), Governance.com: Democracy In The Information Age is a selection of impressive scholarly essays focusing how leaps and bounds in modern technology and the Internet are directly affecting American governmental policy and performance. Exploring the link between power and information, and drawing broad conclusions and implications from mounting evidence, Governance.com offers an informed and informative look into the near future, and where the democratization of information is ultimately leading.

This is one of my favorite books about the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Very few books really delve into the fate of these brave men that risked all by signing this document. It is necessary to understand all that the signers went though in support of the Declaration...some were imprisoned, some had all their lands destroyed, and some even lost family members to stand behind the document. This book should be required reading, so that others can learn the history of these men, and in doing so learn the history of the conflict, and the steps taken to end it. To read this book is to understand what drove the signers to make the desicion they did, and what helped them stay strong in the face of such horrifying possibilities.

If we fail to appreciate the quality of our founding fathers and the sacrifices they made, we will not understand the greatness of their creation. The audio Greatness to Spare follows the roster of the signers of the Declaration of Independence colony by colony, telling of the risks they took when they supported this fledgling nation. Although some of the information is common knowledge to history buffs, there is still much to learn from this audio. The quality of the reader's voice is very good, a pleasant one to listen to. This tape is an excellent addition to a private library or to the colonial historian. And the price is right!

In The Gift, the GypsyBridge Friends series of children's books builds on its impressive start in The Vine. The concept for the series initially surprised me and I had to sleep on that surprise before I understood all of my reactions. I can't remember ever having to think a lot about a children's book before. Since then, I've come to be very enthusiastic about the concept.

The Gift is a four-part resource. First, it's a story told as a parable about a child, Sally, and her friends, Dick, Jane and Tom. Second, it's a Bible lesson using the parable. Third, it's a play lesson with reusable materials. Fourth, it's a series of teaching suggestions for parents (located behind the materials).

But to say that understates the versatility of this book. Most such books pretty much can be used only as a picture book and then as a reader at a beginner level. The Gift can be used at three levels: a picture book; then as a book where the child has the material read aloud to her or him; and then as a reader that is appropriate for about third grade with over 2000 words in it.

Here's the parable. The four children are neighbors in a seemingly adult-bereft world. God and Jesus are around . . . but not visibly. Like most children, the four find themselves sitting glumly on a park bench one day because they are bored. "What can they do to make things better?" Reciting the rhyme, "Gifts from God," cheers up all but Sally, who just walks off as they others are getting excited. Sally just feels sad. Jane fixes a tea party for her, but that doesn't cheer Sally up. Antics by Spot, the dog, make Sally cry and walk away again. The other children feel sadder because Sally is sad. The next day, they take her a cake . . . but Sally just cries again. And she doesn't feel like playing. "Who could help them?" They go to their Father's house through the front door with Jesus' name on it. Suddenly, Sally realizes she should pray to Jesus and ask his help. "Make me joyful in you again." "She feels peace inside her, and the sadness doesn't seem to matter any more, Jesus will take care of it." The children tell Father about the problem and He says He can and will fix it. They all feel better. A few days later, Jane visits Sally again to find that Sally has found a new pet, a fluffy white cat named Fluffy. Jane is happy now and Sally thanks Father.

The parable's lesson is from Philippians 4:6-7. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The parable is nicely explained in this context.

The book's activity involves playing Jane's Game. There are outlines of Spot, Fluffy, a teapot and two cups on a page that can be decorated with dry erase markers (you'll need to use your own). In the example images, there are also shapes like those in The Vine so you could also put those shapes on the outlines.

Visually, the book will be very appealing to most children. It uses computer-generated animation methods similar to those in the movie "Toy Story." Since it's about children, they will find the material relevant. Also, there are two girls and two boys so there's a chance to relate to a same-sex character. One of the characters, Tom, appears to be African-American which encourages racial openness.

When I was young, I enjoyed the comic-book versions of the Bible that were distributed in Sunday School. These made the stories come to life for me. Unfortunately, there were no similar materials when I was younger. The GypsyBridge Friends fill in that gap in an imaginative way. Now every day can bring a Sunday School lesson for preschoolers and beginning readers!

After you have been reading this delightful book with your child from a while, I suggest that you pray with your child to ask for God's help. That's a way that you can be a greater gift to your child.

The GypsyBridge Friends series of children's books is off to an impressive start in The Vine. The concept for the series surprised me and I had to sleep on that surprise before I understood all of my reactions. I can't remember ever having to think a lot about a children's book before.

The Vine is really a four-part resource. First, it's a story told as a parable about a child, Dick, and his friends, Sally, Tom and Jane. Second, it's a Bible lesson using the parable. Third, it's a play lesson with reusable materials. Fourth, it's a series of teaching suggestions for parents (located behind the materials).

But to say that understates the versatility of this book. Most such books pretty much can be used only as a picture book and then as a reader at a beginner level. The Vine can be used at three levels: a picture book; then as a book where the child has the material read aloud to her or him; and then as a reader that is appropriate for about third grade with over 2000 words in it.

Here's the parable. The four children are neighbors in a seemingly adult-bereft world. God and Jesus are around . . . but not visibly. God's hand starts the story when a coupon floats down from the sky where Dick sees it. The coupon offers one free vine of life "Guaranteed to bring you Joy. Ask in the name of Jesus." Dick heads down to Dad's store and the person at the Customer Service desk gives him a box with a little booklet and a pot in it containing a vine with two tiny leaves. Dick plants the vine right by his front door and heedlessly throws the instructions away without reading them. He waits for the joy to come. While he's waiting, a mug labeled THOUGHTLESSNESS appears mysteriously. Dick tastes it, drinks more and pours the rest on his vine. When Dick returns home from playing with Tom and his dog, Spot, a big purple vine has taken over the front of his house. He angrily cuts the vine down. Next, he starts playing ball with himself. Spot wants to play, too, but Dick won't let him. A can labeled SELFISHNESS arrives. He drinks from that and pours the rest on his vine. He goes for a walk. Now his house is covered with the purple vine again and a new yellow one on one side. Dick gets even angrier and orders his friends to leave him alone. A glass labeled ANGER appears. Dick drinks and pours the rest on his vine. He goes inside and shuts the door. While he's there the purple and yellow vines return along with a red one. He cannot get out of the house! With clippers he can finally get out a window. He asks, "Why would Jesus do this?" Tom asks Dick if he had read the instructions. Dick finds the instructions and finds out that he should "Plant this vine with the love of Jesus. Water with Prayer. Prune with the word of God." There's a box labeled "Love of Jesus," a jar labeled "Prayer," and a small pair of clippers labeled "Word of God." He follows the instructions and all is well.

The parable's lesson is from John 15:1-2 and 5. "Jesus said, I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a person remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." The parable is nicely explained in this context.

The book's activity is using simple shapes to make an image which can easily be turned into a grape vine climbing a trellis.

Visually, the book will be very appealing to most children. It uses computer-generated animation methods similar to those in the movie "Toy Story." Since it's about children, they will find the material relevant. Also, there are two girls and two boys so there's a chance to relate to a same-sex character. One of the characters, Tom, appears to be African-American which encourages racial openness.

When I was young, I enjoyed the comic-book versions of the Bible that were distributed in Sunday School. These made the stories come to life for me. Unfortunately, there were no similar materials when I was younger. The GypsyBridge Friends fill in that gap in an imaginative way. Now every day can bring a Sunday School lesson for preschoolers and beginning readers!

After you have been reading this delightful book with your child from a while, I suggest that you try to create your own book together drawing from the Bible as your inspiration. That's another way that you can be a branch from the vine of Jesus.

I've used this little paperback so many times over the years, the pages are falling apart. Rev. Miller's ability to laugh at his own foibles and change his own attitudes are inspirational for those of us who know we are never going to be perfect, but who would like to keep on trying

Although many authors make poor readers of their own material, this audiotape is a definite exception to the rule. In these very personal and transparent vignettes, Keith Miller reveals the struggles and subtle temptations that beset the "successful" Christian author and lecturer. His honest appraisal of his own failings prompts a more thorough soul-searching of our own "dragons". Frequently, while listening to him describe his struggles with insecurities, anxiety, escapism, pride, self-doubt and ordinary family challenges, I recognized the similarities in my reactions to circumstances. These are tapes you will want to savor...and then return to somewhere down your spiritual walk, to check on your progress. By participating in the heart-felt prayers at the end of each story, it kept the tone positive and hopeful.