Bridge Books

Dr. Sean O'Neal, who serves as the the Director of Evangelism and Youth Ministries for the Church of God California/Nevada State Executive Office, has published his dissertation work under the title "Bridges to People." The book is one of a few, if not the only published academic research on urban missions from a Pentecostal perspective.

But the text is much more than just a dissertation project. It is a practical application emerging from over two decades of urban missions work across America, which is intended to be used as a training tool for pastors and congregations who are involved in cross-cultural urban ministry.

Sean's ministry begins in Indiana and moves to Chicago metro where the church he pastors transforms into a multicultural center ministering to Bulgarian, Romanians, Hungarians and Mexicans and building bridges between ethnic groups within the Kingdom of God. The practical experience, which becomes the basis and the heart of the publication redefines the philosophy of modern day urban ministry in the 21st century. The claim that the book defends over and over is simple: the effectiveness of urban ministry depends on its origin in the praxis of ministry. And this is a truly Pentecostal claim, as it places the practical experience of faith within the multicultural context of ministry before all theological and philosophical presuppositions.

I know that by now, most of you who are involved in any type of urban ministry are already asking the question: "Will this work for me?" It worked for Sean and the ministers whom he trained to recognize the need and provide the needed ministry. The principles which he defines and describes come directly from his experience within the multicultural ethnic context of Chicago (1990-1998), New Jersey and New York (1998-2002), Urbana (2002-2004) and California, where he currently teaches and ministers.

"Bridges to People" is intended to be used exactly the way it was developed: in a practical self-growing, self-testing and self-accountable ministry. It is a cross-cultural training manual for ministries and churches through redefining the ethnic reality of your community. Its objective to build a multi-facet cross cultural ministry makes it applicable not only for American based organizations, but for international ones as well. And last, but not least: it is written from a Pentecostal perspective, giving a central place of the work of the Holy Spirit building bridges between people across cultures and redefining doing missions in, from, by and with the Spirit of God.

I found the second edition of this book (year 2000) for free on the web at ... Some may prefer a bound copy of the book rather than the printing a copy off the web. But I noticed that the used copies available here are the first edition, not the more recent edition. The book is simply and clearly written and is a good orientation for parents wondering if their child has a learning disorder and what to do next. Topics include what things to look for in determining whether there is a learning disorder, how to communicate and work with the school, what kind of tests are used, how to interpret test results, and how to promote your child's self-esteem. Each chapter recommends additional resources and books for more information. There are also tips on making learning fun for kids. Hope this helps.

In a time when interdisciplinary theory has too often been content merely to splice together the tag ends of opposed psychoanalytic ideas, Rosemary Gordon emerges as a true builder of psychological bridges. The garce of her thinking offers the traveller not only safe passage between Freud and Jung and Winnicott and Klein, but also stunningly beautiful views of the still untrammeled depths of human experience that stretch between and below what these great pioneers and their followers have so far managed to develop. John E. Beebe

It is a pleasure and an honour to have been asked to write some introductory remarks to this highly important work by Rosemary Gordon, fittingly entitled "Bridges". I would venture to say that, like myself, the reader of this volume soon will come to appreciate the author's deep concern and special skill in building bridges - bridges in a great many directions. From the Foreword by Mario Jacoby

I have read the chapters of this book, which have been sent me and I am very impressed by Rosemary Gordon's approach to the topic. She has developed and expanded the idea of bridging as a way of perceiving and understanding Clinical, Social and Mythological material.

The book contains many useful ways of understanding various clinical and conceptual issues and problems, so that psychoanalysts, psychotherapists and psychologists, trained in other orientations, could find that they obtain not only illumination for their own approach, but also a deeper appreciation of the contributions of the Analytical Psychologists to the understanding of mental pain and mental phenomena.

In fact, Rosemary Gordon's book "Bridges - Metaphors for Psychic Processes" is itself a "Bridge", not only between ideas, conceps and clinical problems encountered by those working with mentally ill patients, but also between herself and other colleagues in the related disciplines of Anthropology, Sociology, Philosophy and the Natural sceinces, any of whom could have their ways of thinking enriched by reading this book. Pearl King

"It's magnificent site, monumental twin towers, breathtaking span, cutting-edge technology, and sheer beauty make Brooklyn Bridge the grandest, and perhaps the most important, structure built in America during the nineteenth century. To people at the time, it seemed almost miraculous. They called it the Eighth Wonder of the World." Lynn Curlee brings this sixteen year triumph of engineering and architectural design to life in his fascinating story of how the Brooklyn Bridge grew from an idea into a reality. His straightforward and engaging text is rich in history, drama, interesting fun facts, and anecdotes, and complemented by marvelously bold and creative illustrations. Youngsters will enjoy poring over the detailed and innovative diagrams, watching as the bridge is constructed right before their eyes. With additional information, statistics, a timeline and short bibliography included at the end, Brooklyn Bridge is non-fiction at its very best, and a captivating history lesson kids 9-12 shouldn't miss.

This book was filled with a lot of interesting facts about the making of the Brooklyn bridge. Judith St. George probably put a huge amount of time, effort, and research into the book. I recommend it to anyone!!!

Ms. Weiner brings the history of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge to life through this book. She has woven tons of historical information about engineering, social issues, medical issues and much more into an engaging story about this important American structure. As an upper-elementary teacher, I see a lot of potential for using this book in history, science, or an interdisciplinary project.

Elijah "Eli" Miller is found beaten to death and with a ritualistic bruise mark. Eli had been a member of the Brotherhood of Freedom which is guided by Reverend Charles Montcliff. Sheriff Douglas "Doug" Brewster begins the investigation. The first real clue came from an unexpected source. Doug's friend, Josie, had the same "bruise".

Josie Galloway is the local Wiccan High Priestess and has a shop called The Eight Fold Path. Josie woke up the morning of Eli's death with a mark upon her chest and no idea how it got there. She only recalls horrible, and pain filled, nightmares. The bruise is in the crescent shape of "the sigil of the triskele". After four days the strange bruise had not faded in the least. Even stranger, when dying Eli had bonded with Josie. So every night Josie deals with nightmares and dreamwalks (shares dreams) with a dead man. Josie is stuck with Eli and the mark until whatever Eli is searching for is found.

At the same time a killer from Josie's past has found her. Josie had testified against him long ago and then was sent into the Witness Protection Program. Douglas unwittingly led the killer right to her. Doug and Josie must team up to find Eli's murderer while dodging another!

***** Here is a fast paced novel just overflowing with suspense! This book is the sequel to another titled "Summerland", which is still available through the publisher AND through Amazon online. Both novels are stand-alone stories. If you only read this one, you will NOT be confused at all. However, once you finish with this book, you will find yourself rushing out to purchase the first. This author's stories are THAT good. Author T. L. Schaefer knows drama! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I'm stealing a part of a review written by "a reader" for the reprint edition of this book, as I think that it will give you a very good idea of the scope of this book: "The significant substories within the book describe the development of wire rope; the construction of the first successful suspension bridge across the Niagara Gorge; the details of construction of the Brooklyn Bridge; and the comparison of the sway bracing of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and its ultimate fate. These could all have been the subject of separate books and each was fascinating in itself." There are 16 excellent black-and-white photos on glossy paper and two wonderful engravings of building the Brooklyn Bridge. You don't have to pay $80 plus, the reprint price, for this First Edition published by Harcourt, Brace in 1945.

Deftly written by Claire Baptiste, Building Bridges is the tense and suspensful saga of Michelle Madras -- a woman at odds with her father. Michelle dreams of pursuing art, while her father demands that she take part in the family business. Yet when Michelle's father is found murdered, everything in her life changes as an investigation targets her and her brother. Michelle must search for the truth to save herself, her family, and the corporation before it is too late in this skillfully told, superbly plotted mystery.

I liked this book because it is easy-to-read and is a good jumping off point for discussions with your spouse about your child(ren). The author likens relationships to building bridges between people and offers practical suggestions to help our kids do just that. As parents, we have to help our children learn how to build these relationship bridges, not only with us, but with others. In our busy world today, we may neglect this important responsibility - but it's too important for their future! It will impact their ability to have relationship with their future spouse and in how they seek to know God! Jesus Christ makes it possible to have an intimate relationship with God, but we must seek it...