You are your own forerunner, you the stranger passing by the gate of my garden. And I too am my own forerunner, though I sit in the shadows of my trees and seem motionless.

The story of land-surveyor K's obsessive attempts to reach the castle, illustrating man's struggle against bureaucracy.

"A companion to the inspirational classic The Alchemist is filled with timeless stories of reflection and rediscovery. From one of the greatest writers of our age comes a collection of stories and parables unlocking the mysteries of the human condition. Gathered from Paulo Coelho's daily column of the same name, Maktub, meaning "it is written," invites seekers on a journey of faith, self-reflection, and transformation. As Paulo Coelho explains, "Maktub...

The renowned biblical scholar, author of The Misunderstood Jew and general editor for The Jewish Annotated New Testament, interweaves history and spiritual analysis to explore Jesus' most popular teaching parables, exposing their misinterpretations and making them lively and relevant for modern readers. Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in...

"A contemporary story that explores one question: What baggage are you carrying? When three people take the wrong suitcase from baggage claim, their lives change forever. In this modern-day parable about the burdens that weigh us down, David Rawlings issues an inspiring invitation to lighten the load"-- Provided by publisher.

Punchinello's opinion of himself changes after talking to his creator.

A collection of stories by the late, world-renowned rabbi and folk singer Shlomo Carlebach.

"Carefully crafted, previously unpublished materials from Dallas Willard comprise The Scandal of the Kingdom, a powerful exploration of Jesus's parables that unlocks ways to increase our faith and live every day more fully in the radical and surprising love of God and his kingdom"-- Provided by publisher. "What does it mean to truly live in the kingdom of God in our day-to-day lives? Discover the wisdom and wonder of the parables of Jesus as they...

Preachers mount the pulpit steps terribly burdened by the conviction that they are somehow responsible for the growth and spiritual well-being of their congregants. How, they ask themselves, can mere words communicate the reality of God, bring life to a congregation, or foster spiritual growth? This study argues that effective sermons function much like Jesus' parables--by bearing witness to divine power. Parables and preaching both testify to something...

New York Times best-selling author and world-class satirist Stanley Bing trains his savvy eye on the world's first and most famous multinational corporation in this humorous and insightful volume. Here, he chronicles the great city of Rome from its humble beginnings to its monumental collapse due to greed, in-fighting and general mismanagement. Rome, Inc. then becomes a powerful lesson for business leaders, documenting the many dos and don'ts of a...