Best Selling Books by J. Johnson

I have been married for 44 years. My husband, Jim and I have 2 Children, 5 granddaughters and a great grandchild on the way. I don’t sing, dance or play an instrument, but I wanted to do something to praise God; so I ask for a gift to give back to him. He gave me poetry. This book is a collection of the poems that God gave me. I have shared them with others and they are always blessed and so am I. But I always remember to say “God gave them to me because I asked and could not write them on my own”. My book is dedicated to Dorothy Prohl who is my mentor and a dear friend. Thanks go to my husband, children, church family friends and coworkers for their encouragement. And most of all thanks to God for giving me every word in my book.

Three American Hegels explores Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel’s influence on three seminal, yet overlooked, philosophers: Henry C. Brokmeyer, Horace Williams, and John William Miller. Each of them was, in his own way, both an apprentice of Hegel and a true American original: Brokmeyer, the backwoods translator of Hegel; Williams, the mentor of Southern Hegelianism; Williams, the Hegelian teacher of democracy. Until now, their influence on the one school of philosophy that is distinctly grounded in the U.S. experience—pragmatism—has been overlooked, along with the intellectual history of how their contributions developed. Such neglect has resulted in an underestimation of the role that the theories of Hegel played in the development of American philosophy. To unearth these formative yet forgotten works and influences, Johnson explores their respective untapped archives and unearths a three-generation story of a Hegel that is thoroughly practical, concrete, and alive.

Once a lively presence on radio, jazz now finds itself relegated to satellite broadcasters and low-watt stations at the edge of the dial. Aaron J. Johnson examines jazz radio from the advent of Black radio in 1948 to its near extinction from the commercial dial after 1980. Even in jazz’s heyday, programmers and DJs excluded many styles and artists, and Johnson delves into how the politics of decision-making and the political uses of the medium shaped jazz radio formats. Johnson shows radio’s role in the contradictory perceptions of jazz as American’s model artistic contribution to the world, as Black classical music, and as the soundtrack of African American rebellion and resistance for much of the twentieth century. An interwoven story of a music and a medium, Jazz Radio America answers perennial questions about why certain kinds of jazz get played and why even that music is played in so few places.

In this book, Johnson avoids the standard approach of many apologetic works that seek to "prove," in systematic fashion, that Christianity is true. Rather, he takes the position of orthodox Christianity and looks at various challenges that have been raised against it. For example, should the horrors of the Holocaust force Christian thinkers to alter their view of God''s goodness? Is Christianity inherently anti-Jewish for claiming that Jews must embrace Jesus as Messiah? Are revived "hallucination theories" about Christ''s resurrection tenable explanations of the birth of the Christian movement? Is the "presuppositional" approach of certain Reformed thinkers useful for doing Christian apologetics? These and similar questions are addressed in this book.

Named a 2010 Outstanding Academic Title by Choice magazine! Jewish prayers from tale and synagogue; Subapostolic Era: the Didache, Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Pastor Hermas; Second Century: Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyons, Melito of Sardis; Third Century: Tertullian, Cyprian of Carthage, Hippolytus of Rome, the Didascalia of the Apostles, Origen, the Apostolic Church Order; and others. Lawrence J. Johnson is the former executive secretary of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions and the former editor/director of The Pastoral Press. He has written several books on the liturgy and its music, including The Mystery of Faith: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of the Mass.

S. Andrea in Mantua is the final architectural work and the masterpiece of Leon Battista Alberti, the great 15th-century Italian humanist. As a key monument of Renaissance architecture and a seminal work for later developments including the work of Bramante and endless repetitions in Baroque Europe, the novelty of the spatial creation in S. Andrea has long been recognized. What has been obscured by the long period of construction--over 300 years--is the extent to which the existing building reflects Alberti''s plan. This book, through a careful investigation of the church fabric and a sound interpretation of all relevant documents, demonstrates the fidelity of the current building to Alberti''s original design. The author publishes all known documents relating to the building, including previously unpublished material, and presents new photographic documentation. The book also discusses the place of the church in Alberti''s work, sources for its design in ancient, medieval and Renaissance architecture, and its role in the dynastic and civic ambitions of the ruling family of Mantua, the Gonzaga. The changes made in Alberti''s plan, particularly those of the 18th century, Juvarra''s dome, and Pozzo''s neo-quattrocento restoration of the interior, are re-evaluated. This is the first extensive treatment of the building in English, and the first serious monograph on S. Andrea since the 19th century.

The authors surveyed over 9,000 seventh grade students in the Houston Independent School District up to three times during their junior high school years and once as young adults between 1971 and 1980. Drawing on the extensive data gathered from this longitudinal survey, Kaplan and Johnson develop and test a comprehensive theoretical statement about the social and social psychological processes involved in the onset and course of deviant behavior.

A young boy possessed with unnatural abilities runs away from his troubles and is befriended by a hermit that lived in the mountains. There he''s reared into manhood and his troubles are forgotten until one day, he finds himself alone. He was told that the only way to find the truth in life was by returning back to the roads that he ran away from. His troubles resurfaces everywhere he goes, but he learns quickly that he can''t run from his problems or avoid his worst fear. "Man" Thus begins the exploits of the Prisoner of the Highway.

Christians agree that they are saved through the death and resurrection of Christ. But how is the atonement achieved in these events? This book offers an introduction to the doctrine of the atonement focused on the unity and diversity of the work of Christ. Johnson reorients current patterns of thought concerning Christ''s work by giving the reader a unifying vision of the immensely rich and diverse doctrine of the atonement, offering a sampling of its treasures, and cultivating the desire to further understand and apply these riches to everyday life. Where introductions to the atonement typically favor one aspect of the work of Christ, or work with a set number of themes, aspects or theories, this book takes the opposite approach, developing the foundation for the multi-faceted nature of Christ''s work within the being of God himself. It offers a grand unifying vision of Christ''s manifold work. Specific elaborations of different theories of the atonement, biblical themes, and the work of different theologians find their place within this larger rubric.

It could be any small Midwestern town. This one was nearly geographically mid-America-San Diego was near fifteen hundred miles west and New York slightly over fifteen hundred miles east, but it had nothing in common with one or the other. Fancy Flats had little in common with the rest of the world, nor was it fancy, but flat it was. A sweep of the horizon with ones eye proved that. The bucolic small town surrounded by ranches was a welcome sight to those motorists who traveled east to west, and west to east, but that was before Interstate 80 was built. Now it was simply white letters on a green background, completely out of sight of the motorist. Even the seams in the concrete of the Fancy Flats exit ramp had been able to grow vegetation. Yes, Fancy Flats, like many other small cities and villages, at first appeared to be dying on the vine; but there was one difference between Fancy Flats and the others: its inhabitantsblood of pioneers and Native Americans flowed through their veins. It could be seen in their work ethics, their stick-to-it till the job is done, their honesty, and their humor. Yes, they were of hardy stock. Their ancestors had weathered hard times, depression, and a drought. In doing so, they had learned the value of a dollar, how to get the most out of it, and subsequently, keep more of them for another day. The people of Fancy Flats had managed over the years to keep their share, perhaps a bit more.

“And Leaves Shall Fall, And Orchids Will Wither ... But Is That All?” Written during his teenage years (1988-1999), Where Do We Go From Here? expands upon the emotional depths explored in Derrick J. Johnson’s 2001 debut, The Awakening of the Dreamer, while breaking new creative ground as well. This book features four distinctly themed collections of poems. Carnival is a light-hearted journey through the circus of life, which features poems such as “Holy Water” and “Harlequin.” The second collection, Heroes is themed around the concept of heroism and includes highlights like “Superman is Dead” and “JFK.” The overall tone shifts with the next collection, Grey, which focuses on the areas of light and dark within human nature. Highlights of this collection include “And Orchids Will Wither,” and “Road Kill.” The final collection, Acid, deals with the emotions that build up inside and destroy us from within. It features poems such as “Running Water” and the epic poem, “The Tides of Time.”

Cassidy Ann Mage made a promise. If the masked impostor leader, Dmitri von Calvin, ever returned to complete his secret death campaign against the people of I-Star, she would stand in his way using the magic sword at her side. President Calvin is counting on this as he knows more about the nature of the black sword than she does. As Cassidy comes out of hiding, she realizes more and more that the sword is influencing her actions and guiding her decisions. President Dmitri von Calvin is now more prepared than ever as he has teamed up with a secret society of dark sorcerers and placed them in the highest positions in the government in the guise of counterterrorism. Further, Dmitri has surrounded himself with dragons from Cassidy''s past, every bit as powerful as she is. Cassidy and her friends are the only hope for a world plunging into war but Cassidy must escape the control of the sword before it is too late. A fast-paced trial by fire, A Wicked Storm is the fantasy novel you''ve been waiting for.

Named a 2010 Outstanding Academic Title by Choice magazine! Fourth Century, West: Optatus of Milevis, Zeno of Verona, Ambrose of Milan, Pope Siricius, Hilary of Poitiers, Pacian of Barcelona, Synod of Elvira (ca. 300); Fourth Century, East: Lactantius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Pseudo-Ignatius, Gregory of Nyssa, the Council of Nicaea (325), John Chrysostom, Apostolic Constitutions; and others. Lawrence J. Johnson is the former executive secretary of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions and the former editor/director of The Pastoral Press. He has written several books on the liturgy and its music, including The Mystery of Faith: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of the Mass.

The cost and effectiveness of U.N. peacekeeping operations and their relationship to U.S. interests have emerged as major issues in recent years. This report discusses (1) the budgetary and personnel cost of the eight long-standing U.N. peacekeeping operations (Middle East, Kashmir, Cyprus, Golan Heights, Lebanon, Persian Gulf, Angola, and Western Sahara), (2) whether these operations are carrying out their mandates, (3) the status of efforts to resolve the underlying conflicts, and (4) the reasons the executive branch continues to support these operations.

Named a 2010 Outstanding Academic Title by Choice magazine! Sixth Century, West: Fulgence of Ruspe, Pope Hormisdas, Rule of the Master, Benedict of Nursia, Pope Vigilius, Cassiodorus, the Liber pontificalis, Synod of Rome (595), Pope Gregory I, Caesarius of ales, Gregory of Tours, Columbanus; Sixth Century, East: Theodore Lector, Dionysius the Pseudo-Areopagite, Evagrius Scholasticus, the Manchester Papyrus; and others. Lawrence J. Johnson is the former executive secretary of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions and the former editor/director of The Pastoral Press. He has written several books on the liturgy and its music, including The Mystery of Faith: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of the Mass.

This report assesses how European Economic & Monetary Union & the enlargement of the European Union may affect U.S. allies'' ability to sustain or increase their defense budgets. It provides information & analysis concerning: (1) projected defense spending for several European countries, (2) budgetary effects of Economic & Monetary Union implementation & European Union enlargement, & (3) other significant factors that may affect countries'' ability to share in the costs of NATO over the long run. Charts & tables.

This volume serves to refute the popularly-held belief that Christians and Muslims worship the same God, showing that Christianity and Islam radically disagree on the nature and attributes of God. It also argues that they present Jesus in contradictory terms regarding his divinity and the historicity of the crucifixion. Additionally, the two religions have fundamentally different understandings of human nature, sin, and scripture. In honestly pointing out the reasons why these great religions cannot be reconciled, this book will appeal to theologians, as well as educated Christian and Muslim laypersons.

In The Reconciling Wisdom of God: Reframing the Doctrine of the Atonement, Adam Johnson, already a leading scholar of the atonement, considers God’s redemptive work in Christ through the atonement as an act of God’s infinite wisdom. In making this crucial turn, Johnson is able to speak to proponents of the various atonement theories and move the discussion forward in a new direction, grounded in the truth of God’s infinite wisdom. Genuinely reframing the debate around the atonement, The Reconciling Wisdom of God is a must-read for students of the atonement.

A leader in decision-making research reveals how choices are designed—and why it’s so important to understand their inner workings Every time we make a choice, our minds go through an elaborate process most of us never even notice. We’re influenced by subtle aspects of the way the choice is presented that often make the difference between a good decision and a bad one. How do we overcome the common faults in our decision-making and enable better choices in any situation? The answer lies in more conscious and intentional decision design. Going well beyond the familiar concepts of nudges and defaults, The Elements of Choice offers a comprehensive, systematic guide to creating effective choice architectures, the environments in which we make decisions. The designers of decisions need to consider all the elements involved in presenting a choice: how many options to offer, how to present those options, how to account for our natural cognitive shortcuts, and much more. These levers are unappreciated and we’re often unaware of just how much they influence our reasoning every day. Eric J. Johnson is the lead researcher behind some of the most well-known and cited research on decision-making. He draws on his original studies and extensive work in business and public policy and synthesizes the latest research in the field to reveal how the structure of choices affects outcomes. We are all choice architects, for ourselves and for others. Whether you’re helping students choose the right school, helping patients pick the best health insurance plan, or deciding how to invest for your own retirement, this book provides the tools you need to guide anyone to the decision that’s right for them.

This book is the first comprehensive study of the mausolea of the later Roman emperors. Constructed between ca. AD 244 and 450 and bridging the transition from paganism to Christianity within the empire, these important buildings shared a common design, that of domed rotunda. Mark Johnson examines the symbolism and function of the mausolea, demonstrating for the first time that these monuments served as temples and shrines to the divinized emperors. Through an examination of literary sources and the archaeological record, he identifies which buildings were built as imperial tombs. Each building is examined to determine its place in the development of the type as well as for its unique features within the group. Recognizing the strong relationship between the mausolea built for pagan and Christian emperors, Johnson also analyzes their important differences.

Julia Child''s Kitchen is a gorgeous dive into the beloved cookbook author and television star’s favorite place in the world—her home kitchen—and how this space has influenced the ways we cook today. Foreword by Jacques Pépin This book, a beautifully designed tribute to Julia Child''s legacy, is a must‑have for every serious home cook and Julia Child fan. Including interviews with famous chefs who knew Julia well, commentary on her favorite kitchen gadgets, and a stunning array of photos, Julia Child’s Kitchen illuminates the stories behind the room’s design, use, and significance, revealing how Julia Child continues to impact food and cooking today. Julia Child''s 20’ x 14’ kitchen was a serious workspace and recipe‑testing lab that exuded a sense of mid‑century homey comfort. It has been on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., for most of the past twenty years, and museum goers have made it a top destination. Between lively narrative, compelling photography, and detailed commentary on Julia''s favorite kitchen gadgets, Julia Child''s Kitchen illuminates the stories behind the room''s design, use, significance, and legacy, showing how deeply Julia Child continues to influence food today. The kitchen contains more than one thousand parts and pieces—tools, appliances, utensils, furniture, artwork, knick‑knacks, books, and bits of whimsy—all reflecting Julia’s status as an accomplished chef, gastronome, delightful cooking teacher, television trailblazer, women’s advocate, mentor, and generous, jovial friend. Authored by Paula J. Johnson, one of the original collectors and keepers of Julia Child’s home kitchen for the past twenty‑one years at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Includes Color Photographs

One of the most pressing issues in the doctrine of the atonement today is the question of the unity and diversity of the work of Christ. What are we to make of the diversity within the biblical witness and the history of doctrine when it comes to explanations of the meaning and significance of Jesus'' death and resurrection? Without a grasp of the unity of his work, our understanding and use of the diversity runs the risk of becoming haphazard and disordered. Proposals regarding the unity of Christ''s work today tend to focus on the metaphorical nature of language, the role of culture, and various possible conceptual schemes, rarely reflecting on unity and diversity proper to the being God. To fill this gap, Johnson draws on Karl Barth''s integrated account of the doctrines of God and reconciliation, harnessing the resources contained within the doctrines of the Trinity and divine perfections to energize a properly theological account of the unity and diversity of the atonement.

The VonKrueger Faction weaves the story of two men who long to do something daring and excitingsomething that is a total secret from everyone. In the summer of 1962, Patrick Collins, an alcoholic, middle-aged real estate broker from Dayton, Ohio, and his friend, Ralph Prinz, decide to take a road trip deep into central Canada. They embark upon a two-week canoeing trip into unchartered northern territory. While deep in the wilderness, Patrick is suddenly and unexpectedly separated from Ralph, who is the experienced canoeist and woodsman. Patrick, who has never been successful in any facet of his life, is then forced to take bold and decisive measures just to survive. After successfully overcoming many basic survival challenges, he is confronted with a faction deeply involved in a diabolical scheme to control and dominate the entire world. Patrick Collins single-handedly musters all of his strength, ingenuity, and cunning to thwart their frighteningly evil and deadly plot. More than four decades later, Patrick Collins, now in rapidly failing health, decides to finally reveal the chilling details behind the story of The VonKrueger Factiona heart-stopping journey that takes many twists and turns in the Canadian wilderness.

More than any other 20th-century philosopher, Deleuze considers himself an apprentice to the history of philosophy. But scholarship has ignored one of the more formative influences on Deleuze: Lucretian atomism. Deleuze''s encounter with Lucretius sparked a way of thinking that resonates throughout all his writings: from immanent ontology to affirmative ethics, from dynamic materialism to the generation of thought itself. Filling a significant gap in Deleuze Studies, Ryan J. Johnson tells the story of the Deleuze-Lucretius encounter that begins and ends with a powerful claim: Lucretian atomism produced Deleuzianism.