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...

USA TODAY and ECPA bestselling seriesCombine James Patterson and Colleen Hoover and you'll start to understand why readers are riveted by the Murphy Shepherd series from New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin: gripping action, heart-wrenching emotion, and deep questions that deserve to be considered.Bones--Murphy Shepherd's teacher, mentor, priest, and friend--is gone. Devastated by the loss and unsure how to con...

USA TODAY Bestseller | ECPA BestsellerA riveting story of heroism, heartache, and the power of love to heal all wounds by New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin that combines the intrigue of John Grisham with the heart-wrenching emotion of Nicholas Sparks.Murphy Shepherd is a man with many secrets. He lives alone on an island, tending the grounds of a church with no parishioners, and he's dedicated his life to re...

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.

USA TODAY Bestseller | ECPA BestsellerCombining the heart-wrenching emotion of Nicholas Sparks with the edge-of-your-seat tension of John Grisham, New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin explores the true power of sacrificial love in this second book in the Murphy Shepherd series.Murphy Shepherd has made a career of finding those no one else could--survivors of human trafficking. His life's mission is helping othe...

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 ...

"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...

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...

USA TODAY Bestseller | ECPA BestsellerWith heart-stopping clarity, New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin continues to combine the heart-wrenching emotion of Nicholas Sparks with the edge-of-your-seat tension of John Grisham in this third book in the Murphy Shepherd series--exploring the true cost of leaving the ninety-nine to find the one.Murphy Shepherd's last rescue mission very nearly cost him his life. He'd ...