Böcker av Robert Butler

Inspired by the life and teachings of the Indian Sage, Sri Ramana Maharshi, this book presents a new practical philosophy for self-discovery called Peaceful Awareness.At the heart of Peaceful Awareness are the Seven Peaceful Ways, which combine to form a spiritual path of non-resistance.Together, the Seven Peaceful Ways will help you to rediscover the True Centre of Peace within you.In this philosophy, you are encouraged to believe only what you can verify from your own experience and your own enquiry. There are no perfect figureheads to emulate, no ideals to live up to, and no requirement to believe anything that doesn't ring true for you.There are no gurus, masters, teachers, rules, commandments or dogma. You don't need to overcome, fight or tackle anything, and you don't need to become someone you are not already.

America is at a crossroads. Either we remove the bullies and hate mongers from public office and return to seeking comprise with those who have differing opinions, or we watch our country dissolve before our eyes. This book address many of the areas of conflict and offers starting points for finding solutions that we can each live with instead of walking away angry, filled with despair. There are those in the public eye, both running for office or supporting candidates, who speak in anger, believing that there is only one answer, theirs. That is not the case and never has been the case. The United States, beginning with the founding fathers, knew that compromise was the only way this experiment would work.

Quite a few years ago, I developed the idea for a seasonal book series which would go under the title Shepherd's Inn, a place where young people would spend some time as a transition between life and the next existence, whatever that might be. Cathie, my youngest daughter, shared her thoughts about such a project, and the series was born. It is my hope that somehow this first story will become a Christmas tradition, and the future books will become part of those annual traditions, such as Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, etc. I hope to write stories which will touch the hearts of those who read them. I believe that this first story and those that follow will one day be "discovered" by Hallmark and become a part of that system. This particular edition was published originally in 2013, and I sent the manuscript and a copy of the self-published book to Hallmark without any comment, other than all submissions must come from agents. I am still seeking an agent. It's sort of like a Catch 22; you can't get published without and agent, but agents don't like unpublished authors.

I dedicate this to all the women, now and throughout history, in every nation of the world, who have been treated as second-class citizens or nothing more than a servant, in all ways possible. The crime which this novel addresses is one of the most heinous that can be perpetrated against, primarily, women. While the "actions" that are taken by the victims in this fictional story are certainly illegal and should only be used as a last resort, when men or the courts refuse to act swiftly and with appropriate punishment, they are not an unreasonable reaction of a victim. While I don't endorse violence of any kind, I certainly understand and sympathize with any victim of any crime who can't get satisfactory support from those who are empowered to protect and defend us: the courts and law enforcement officials.

I've always loved reading short stories. I suppose that I, like most other kids, read lots of shorter stories before I ever got to novels. They are quicker to read and able to sustain interest over a bried period, mainly for that very fact. One of my favorite literary devices is irony; which I grew to enjoy by reading O'Henry stories. I love little twists, whenever possible. If anything, those reading my stories will quickly learn to expect something different down the road as they read. I'm about to take a creative fiction class in Grad school, which I started in August of 2023. Hopefully I will gain some of the skills which I might lack and improve my story telling. It is my hope that anyone reading these stories will then want to move on to my novels. For me, writing novels is sort of like writing many short stories that are all related by characters.

Mostly, this novel was intended to be interesting enough for students to read. It is written with high schoolers in mind. Therefore, there is no vulgar language or "sex" in this novel, nor will there be in the sequels. This book can be read by anyone of any age without fear of being offended for those two reasons. However, many of the questions posed by the characters are questions that each of us asks at some point during our lives. Questioning the existence of a higher power is human, regardless of your religious upbringing. I believe that the more questions that you ask, the better answers you get. Above all, I hope that you enjoy my story. It should make you laugh, cry, be angry, be sad, and be happy. Those are what separate us from the other animals.

JOURNEY HOME is the adventures of a young, Old West "Romeo & Juliet" who run away from their families in NW Arkansas in the late 1800's, heading west to make a life together since their families are "feuding," leaving them no choice, at least in their minds. What they don't know is that the young man's mother has asked a family friend, a "bounty hunter," to find them and bring them home. After a couple of months, he locates them in Tulia, Texas, close to the New Mexico border, where they have been forced to stop temporarily due to the winter conditions. The bounty hunter convinces them to return to Arkansas with him, with the promise that he will help them make peace with their families. The novel tells the story of their many "adventures" along the trail, events which bring the three travelers closer together as they struggle with the trials that they face along the way, and the creative way that the bounty hunter helps them solve their many problems and stand up to their families. This novel is a combination of laughter, tears, tragedy, surprises, and events which will warm your heart. It is written to be appropriate for adults and young adults as well.

My novel is not meant to scare or panic anyone. It are meant to encourage people to prepare for the known and unknown. How many people now think that workable evacuation plans for New Orleans or Houston were a good idea? It's a little late once the water's up to your attic. The same thing is true of what may potentially happen to all of us in the next few years. Regardless, it is inevitable that planet Earth will face these challenges in the future. Anyone who doesn't believe that is a fool. Ask the people of Atlantis or Lemuria or the other civilizations that vanished almost overnight from this planet. Whether you believe that they existed or not, the evidence that there was some civilization that preceded ours is overwhelming. Machu Picchu, the Nazca lines of Peru, Easter Island, submerged roads off Bermuda, Kailasa Temple, the "stone of the pregnant woman," and so many others were created by someone, but no one knows who or how. Maybe it would be a good idea to prepare for the unexpected. That was the original intent of this novel. The sequels have happened as a natural extension of the first story. This book was never intended to be a series. I had planned to kill everyone at the end, but I just couldn't do it. I wanted to follow them and see how they adapted to their new environment, something that we may all have to do one day, soon maybe, without modern technology. It could prove quite challenging. Mostly, this novel was intended to be interesting enough for students to read. It is written with high schoolers in mind. Therefore, there is no vulgar language or "sex" in this novel, nor will there be in the sequels. This book can be read by anyone of any age without fear of being offended for those two reasons. However, many of the questions posed by the characters are questions that each of us asks at some point during our lives. Questioning the existence of a higher power is human, regardless of your religious upbringing. I believe that the more questions you ask, the better answers you get. Above all, I hope that you enjoy my story. It should make you laugh, cry, angry, sad, and happy. Those are what separate us from the other animals.

Robert Glenn Butler (me) arrived June 24, 1951 at what was a woman's hospital or "sanitarium" in Ardmore, Oklahoma after a middle-of-the-night mad dash over dirt roads from somewhere to the west, probably Ringling. Sometime around 6 a.m. I came into this world, 5:47 if I remember correctly from my faded birth certificate. It turns out that another little boy was born about the same time from the same area, a boy who I would meet and know briefly and would learn a bit about his life and how different it was from, though they came into the world only a few hours apart, him before midnight and me early the next morning. That boy grew up in the small town of Ringling, Oklahoma, never experiencing the travels and influences that my family did. It would be interesting to compare life experiences, attitudes (personal philosophies), and political leanings. I suspect that we would be very different even though we entered the world only hours and a few feet apart. These are my travels, my experiences, good and bad. I believe that we all have a story to tell; each of our lives can be so very different. This is mine, at least what I can recall for this time period. It covers 1951-1974. Part II, whenever I can finish it, will describe the life and travels that I am my family have had since Part I. It's funny and sad and all true. Aren't those the best stories?

It is inevitable that planet Earth will face challenges in the future. Anyone who doesn't believe that is a fool. Ask the people of Atlantis or Lemuria or the other civilizations that vanished almost overnight from this planet. Whether you believe that they existed or not, the evidence that there was some civilization that preceded ours is overwhelming. Machu Picchu, the Nazca lines of Peru, Easter Island, submerged roads off Bermuda, Kailasa Temple, the "stone of the pregnant woman," and so many others were created by someone, but no one knows who or how. Maybe it would be a good idea to prepare for the unexpected. That was the original intent of this novel. The sequels have happened as a natural extension of the first story. This book was never intended to be a series. I had planned to kill everyone at the end, but I just couldn't do it. I wanted to follow them and see how they adapted to their new environment, something that we may all have to do one day, soon maybe, without modern technology. It could prove quite challenging. Mostly, this novel was intended to be interesting enough for students to read. It is written with high schoolers in mind. Therefore, there is no vulgar language or "sex" in this novel, nor will there be in the sequels. This book can be read by anyone of any age without fear of being offended for those two reasons. However, many of the questions posed by the characters are questions that each of us asks at some point during our lives. Questioning the existence of a higher power is human, regardless of your religious upbringing. I believe that the more questions you ask, the better answers you get. Above all, I hope that you enjoy my story. It should make you laugh, cry, angry, sad, and happy. Those are what separate us from the other animals.

I'm not a fatalist, not a survivalist in the strictest sense, nor a pessimist. I do, however, believe in being prepared for possibilities. If I could afford to do so, I would have done exactly what Henry and Carol did in this book for their family. It doesn't mean that you stop living today or don't plan for a "normal" future for you and your family. What it means is that you recognize that Mother Nature and the universe are not controlled by man, that anything can happen to this planet at any time. The Boy Scout motto of "Be Prepared" has been largely forgotten. I believe that we may be facing exactly the scenario that is envisioned in this piece of fiction, whether because of a Planet X or global warming or some other natural cycle that the earth faces. How many people now think that workable evacuation plans for New Orleans or Houston were a good idea? It's a little late once the water's up to your attic. The same thing is true of what may potentially happen to all of us in the next few years. Regardless, it is inevitable that planet Earth will face these challenges in the future. Anyone who doesn't believe that is a fool.

I was born of poor but respectable parents, in the town of Peebles, county of Tweeddale, upon the 3d day of April, 1784. Under their nursing care I remained until I was four years of age, when I was sent to my grandfather in Darnick, from whom I received any little education I ever got. Being then too young for school, my grandmother was very attentive in giving me instruction as I was able to bear it; and before I was five years of age, when I was sent to school, I could repeat various psalms, hymns, and passages of Scripture. She employed herself frequently in spinning on the lint wheel, at which time I used to sit at her side, learning verses which she would rehearse to me. I was placed here somewhat like Timothy with his grandmother Lois; for from what I myself recollect, and especially from the testimony of some pious Christians yet living, she was a very eminent character. She laboured much to give me a high veneration for the Supreme Being, in so much that, when I could read a little, I was struck with a kind of reverential dread at the words Lord or God, when I saw them in the Bible; but I could form no kind of notion what this Great Being could be. As I grew older, my wonder was so far gratified by my worthy instructor telling me that God was a spirit, and invisible, and that I could not speak, act, or even think, but he was acquainted with it all; and that he saw me at all times and in all places: but this I thought could hardly be true, as I imagined God could certainly not see me in the dark.

What if Christmas was more about what we give than what we get? I believe Jesus' in-breaking into the world was less about coming to the Christmas pageant and more about example of being sent into the world.

This book is meant to be a practical manual for anyone wanting to start a dinner church, small church, micro-church, missional expression or coracles with little or no resources.

How can political actors regain control and credibility in a world of constant challenges?

This book is a translation of the Tamil sthala Purana of Tiruvannamalai composed in the 17th century by Saiva Ellappa Navalar, with special reference to the Arunachala Mahatmya, a section of the Sanskrit Skanda Purana, which is one of its major sources.

A prose and verse translation with grammatical commentary of the Upadesha Unthiyar of Sri Ramana Maharshi with relevant verses from the Tiru Unthiyar of Sri Muruganar. Also included are Manikkavacagar's Tiru Unthiyar and extracts from the Avirodha Unthiyar of Santalinga Swamigal and the Tiru Unthiyar of Uyyavantha Teva Nayanar. The book can be read in its own right, or as a companion volume to 'Ulladu Narpadu - a grammatical commentary' by the same author.

'Vairagya Catakam', 'One Hundred Verses on Detachment' by the Virasaivite Saint and founder of Perur Athinam, Santhalinga Swamigal, consists of 50 verses of teachings and 50 verses of praise. Whilst being entirely Advaitic in import, it is also a great devotional work in praise of Lord Siva. It includes the Tamil text, English translation, phrase by phrase word-split translation and extensive notes.

The RENEW idea was born out of this experience, our reluctance to accept the status quo and the understanding that the American institutional church of our fathers is crumbling. While we admit some church expressions are thriving, many are only the result of transfer growth of those who are discontent. While the 'cool' factor may bring them in, we know there's not a fog machine, a strobe light, a celebrity pastor or a worship band that can reverse the decline. The time has come for a wholesale change. The group we believe has done the greatest investigation and learned the most through practical application is the Forge Network. Michael Frost, Alan Hirsh, Lance Ford, and Hugh Halter have been championing movement to extend God's Kingdom and reign through solid orthodoxy, proxy and pathy. The American culture has made it clear to those gathering on Sunday: The good news is only good if you are willing to proclaim it and live it daily. Forge provides a host of residencies and training across the world. RENEW is a missional expression in a great sea of expressions to authentically reach, teach and create true followers of Jesus. Anything less taints the message and enforces the American Christian hypocrite stigma. RENEW encompasses the best of all great expressions and heralds back to the original movement of Jesus. We are part of the larger movement seeking to discover a life worth living which truly offers a foretaste of heaven. We are focused on reaching the "none, done and undone" in every context. The "nones" are those individuals with no religious context, the "dones" are those individuals who have been in the belly of the current American church and "undone" are those who have all but checked out of this life because of what they have or are currently enduring. The following fifty-two chapters are the discussion primers. They represent an effort to synthesize orthodox theology with cultural conundrums to help individuals and groups become more thoughtful in the practice of the Christian faith. We believe all the topics lead the group to a more orthodox understanding of Jesus. We subscribe to the Christian theological mainstream. Our book is meant to be read, wrestled with and discussed. We suggest this book be a group project with multiple levels of spiritual maturity present during the discussion. Our first RENEW group consisted of over fifty individuals. We are now in the second year of meeting together on weekday evenings. We have seen all types of people and viewpoints. We have laughed, cried, argued and even agreed to disagree. The process has been life giving.

How did religion rise? Why did it survive from prehistory up into the modern age? What will happen in the world now that it has begun to decline in every educated country in the world? Where are we going to be as a nation filled with the faithless, with closed churches and the faithful barely existing beyond isolated pockets around the nation? Answers exist for all questions, they need only be sought, herein lie the answers of one author who has researched the issue from multiple angles, written for all so that they might find understanding, and ease their fears, and find hope in a future without faith.