This research monograph describes a large programming project in which an underwater organism, capable of perceiving, learning, deciding, and navigating, is computationally simulated. The developed computational model serves as a contemporary theory of perceptual-motor performance, embodying much of what is known about human vision and some of what is known about other cognitive processes. This artificial intelligence project has substantial contributions to make to the development of auto...

A dog, a goat, and their flock follow the sight and scent of a star in a beautifully illustrated, keenly observed Nativity story.The story begins on a cold upland pasture where coarse grass and scrub cedar grew. The hour was midnight. The day was the first of winter. And the year of our Lord was not 1900 or 1600 or even 100. It was 0. On that night a white goat, Ima, and a huge, gray short-haired sheepdog, Lila, were keeping watch over a small flock of young sh...

Thomas Watson was an English Puritan preacher in the 17th century. Watson was also a prolific writer and his devotionals are still well read today. This edition of The Good Shepherd includes a table of contents.

"I have not sought or desired this new ministry," Pope John XXIII once wrote. For Matthew Mahan, the knowledge that he could say the same made his selection by John's successor as one of five new American Cardinals the ultimate triumph in a life dedicated to the Catholic Church. But that triumph soon becomes painfully hollow in this moving novel. A born politician, Mahan rose in the Church with unquestioning belief in its doctrines. But the Vatican Council made him begin to doubt his faith...

Praying to God -- but which one? In his cross-cultural study of world religions, Rev. Dr. Thomas Shepherd uncovered two common themes: the need to make sense of life and the need to live it successfully. This dual quest flows through all cultures and unites us all, not by the answers, but by the questions. Central to the human spiritual journey is prayer. From spoken confessions to symbolic rituals and silent meditation, prayer takes many forms. You may have questioned whether your method ...

Every generation throughout history has rethought, reshaped and reinvented Jesus to meet the needs of the times. This successive remaking of Jesus, Dr. Thomas Shepherd asserts, is a sign of a healthy, positive course of intellectual and spiritual growth critical to understanding Christian-based faith. In his sharply witty style, and founded on a decade of research, Dr. Tom takes a solid whack at more than a few human concepts of Jesus handed down through history in an attempt to topple cul...

Pastors play a fundamental role in churches across the globe, yet more and more are finding themselves struggling with the stress of ministry life and experiencing burnout. The consequences of pastoral burnout can be severe and impact not only individuals' physical, mental, and emotional well-being, but spillover to their families and congregations as well. Despite this increasingly common problem, the subject of pastors and their unique experiences has not been well studied. Caring for ou...

The Good Shepherd: A Parable of Care offers a profound exploration of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, drawing from rich biblical imagery and theological reflections. Through 15 chapters, this book delves into the deep significance of Christ's care for humanity, the nature of His sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of the lost. Reflecting on themes such as God's provision, protection, and promise of eternal life, each chapter invites readers to follow the Shepherd's voice and...

When the Hidden Scrolls hurtle siblings Peter and Mary back in time, they wind up in the middle of David and Goliath's epic battle.The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series follows siblings Peter and Mary and their dog, Hank, as they discover ancient scrolls that transport them back to key moments in biblical history.In the series' fifth installment, the time-traveling trio wind up in Bethlehem, where they quickly befriend a young David. When David brings foo...

Eine Fehde zwischen Zeus und Poseidon verwickelt die Menschen und das Meeresvolk in einen Jahrzehnte überdauernden Krieg, der auf beiden Seiten Opfer fordert. Als Meerjungfrau Mariel einem Menschenprinzen das Leben rettet, bricht sie damit das oberste Gesetz des Ozeans: Hilf niemals einem Menschen! Für ihre Tat droht Mariel der Tod. Um ihrer Bestrafung zu entgehen, muss sie ihren Fehler ungeschehen machen und den Prinzen bis zum nächsten Vollmond umbringen. Ihrer Stimme beraubt und dazu ve...

Aus Sternenstaub und Mondlichtfäden ist die achte Märchenanthologie des Drachenmond Verlages und die Grundmotive sind dieses Mal die Nacht, der Mond und die Sterne.Alle Anthologien können unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden.Eine junge Frau, die mit dem Licht des Mondes Bilder malt, ein schwarzer Schwan, der nur im Schein der Sterne seine wahre Gestalt annehmen kann, und ein tapferer Held, der im nächtlichen Moor nach einer magischen Blume sucht, um eine schlafende Prinzessi...

How do you grow as a leader in the church? Should you read church growth books? Take a few seminars? Or just wing it? Scott Thomas, former President of Acts 29, church planter, and pastor has a different approach. He unpacks how leaning on Jesus empowers not just your teaching, but also grows the humility and biblical wisdom you need to lead.Through many years of ministry experience, Thomas has seen the importance of the "soft skills" of leadership—empathy, kindness, and listening—...