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July 31, 2024

Nashville's Gilded Age-Whiskey, Power and Politics

 


Clay Shwab has brought us the story of Manny Shwab and the
George Dickel Company. 

If you are like me, you never thought of Nashville as having a 
Gilded Age.  When I think of the Gilded Age I think of 1865 to 1898, even though some say it lasted into the 1919's.

There was once a Tennessee whiskey that dwarfed Jack Daniel's, and a powerful man was behind it: V.E. "Manny" Shwab. Until now, virtually nothing has been written about either. Their story is one of a Jewish Alsatian immigrant's dream of finding community and prosperity in the New world; and about  his son who rose to dominate Tennessee politics, whiskey and finance for decades. Of smuggling during the Civil War; of the raging, sometimes fatal, battle against Prohibition; and of the wild side of rapidly growing Nashville during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

"Manny" Shwab was a Tennessean known as the "owner" of Tennessee politics, and–because of his George Dickel company, saloons, and Cascade Whisky–the "debaucherer of more young men than anyone else in the state." He was also one of Tennesee's richest and most powerful men for four decades. This is the first full-length biography of V. E. Shwab, written by his great-grandson, and also the first complete history of the George Dickel company.

Who better to tell us about Manny Shwab and the George Dickel Company that Manny's great-grandson. We are all familiar with Jack Daniels, but how many of us know the history of the George Dickel Company?

The Author: Clay Shwab  taught business management, senior thesis, and management in literature at Maryville College for 10 years after a business career at Whittle Communications, Snyder Communications and Edison Schools. He lives in Maryville, Tennessee.



July 8, 2024

Helping Kids Grow In Their Faith

 



Feeling daunted by how to help your kids really grow in their faith? It’s time to start little.

We want our kids to know God. We know we’re supposed to disciple them. But parenthood is hard, and we’re busy, tired, and often feel unequipped. What if our kids don’t seem all that interested or can’t sit still long enough for us to read the Bible?

Christie Thomas has a secret for you: helping your kids connect with God is way easier than you think. It all starts with 30 seconds a day--and the power of a simple habit. Through Christie’s empowering, encouraging insights, you’ll discover how to overcome common struggles, implement easy practices that fit your unique kids, and change your family’s faith culture. In this book, you will:discover how to make Scripture and spiritual practices come alive for short attention spans
learn simple steps for developing faith through the Faith Growth Cycle and its three stages- seed, sprout, and root.
develop practical strategies for establishing consistent habits

Life-changing moments can come out of simple habits. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things you’re supposed to do to teach your kids about God, Little Habits, Big Faith shows you how to leverage the power of small, consistent choices with confidence. God can use even the smallest step to change how your family grows in faith.

In addition to key points at the end of each chapter, there is an appendix full of topical resources for parents to quickly reference:

  • Ideas for little habits
  • Keystone habits
  • Prompts & rewards
  • Rooted resources

Christie Thomas is a mom and writer who has been involved in children's ministry for most of her life. She served as director of children's ministry for more than a decade. Christie is a family discipleship coach to many parents who need equipping, support, and encouragement. She deeply believes that every Christian parent can confidently nurture deep faith in their kids through little habits that add up over time. Her devotionals and children's books help parents cultivate faith-filled moments. She lives with her husband and three boys in Canada.

July 3, 2024

Discover How To Build A God-Honoring Marriage

 



Discover how to build a fulfilling, God-honoring marriage that you both love.

When life throws us non-stop challenges and curveballs, how can we have any hope of building a fulfilling and intimate marriage? How do we move from stressed and stretched to energized and inspired, finding the strength to transform both our lives and relationship?

Robert Paul and Tara Lalonde equip husbands and wives with practical, biblically-based tools to transform their personal lives and grow their marriage into something they’ll both love. Instead of just passively hoping and praying for something better, couples will actively embark on a journey of caring for themselves and their most important relationship.

In Empowered to Love, you will discover:

  • Practical strategies for better self-care, enabling you to bring the best, healthiest, and most-whole version of you to your marriage.
  • Thought-provoking exercises designed to empower you as an individual while fostering deeper connections with your spouse.
  • Ways to pursue and significantly increase the romance in your marriage.
  • Stories about marriage that will help you identify what relationship strategies work best.
  • Insights on forgiveness, your responsibility as a spouse, and caring for your emotions.

Invest in your future, both as an individual and as a spouse. Embark on a transformative journey that will help both you and your marriage thrive.



Tara Lalonde, PhD is a registered psychotherapist in Ontario and has been counseling adults and couples for over 20 years. She is a lead marriage therapist with the Hope Restored marriage intensive counseling program in Ontario, Canada. She is also the author of An Unexpected Freedom: Discover Peace and Joy in the Reality of Life. She and her husband Vince have been married for 18 years.




Robert S. Paul, MS, is the vice president of the Focus on the Family Marriage Institute and the primary architect of the Hope Restored marriage intensive programs. He is a licensed professional counselor with over 30 years of experience and is an international speaker. He has bachelor's degrees in both Biblical Studies and Psychology from Evangel University, a master's degree in Counseling from Georgia State University, and a diploma in Christian Counseling from Psychological Studies Institute. He has co-authored six books including the DNA of Relationships with Gary and Greg Smalley, and more recently 9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage. Robert and his wife, Jenni, have been married over 42 years and have four children and six grandchildren.

July 1, 2024

Do You Protect Your Secrets?





In this debut thriller, a troubled child psychologist returns to a small Louisiana town to protect her secrets but winds up having to protect her life.

Dr. Willa Watters is a prominent child psychologist at the height of her career. But when a viral video of a disastrous television interview puts her reputation on the line, Willa retreats to Broken Bayou, the town where she spent most of her childhood summers. There she visits her aunts’ old house and discovers some of her unstable mother’s belongings still languishing in the attic—dusty mementos harboring secrets of her harrowing past.

Willa’s hopes for a respite are quickly crushed, not only by what she finds in that attic but also by what’s been found in the bayou.

With waters dropping due to drought, mysterious barrels containing human remains have surfaced, alongside something else from Willa’s past, something she never thought she’d see again. Divers, police, and media flood the area, including a news reporter gunning for Willa and Travis Arceneaux—a local deputy and old flame.

Willa’s fate seems eerily tied to the murders. And with no one to trust, she must use her wits to stay above water and make it out alive.

Jennifer graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Geaux Tigers! She has written and produced three indie short films that each made top 20 at the Louisiana Film Prize and were awarded at festivals around the world. She lives in Louisiana with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, one cat, and plenty of horses, mini ponies, and mini donkeys in a place where swamps and winding trails are the norm. When she’s not writing, she’s on a tennis court laughing and providing job security for her coach.