Empress Matilda known as the Empress Maude, was one of the claimants to the English throne during the civil war known as the Anarchy. The daughter of King Henry I of England, she moved to Germany as a child when she married the future Holy Roman Emperor Henry V, she travelled with her husband into Italy in 1116, was controversially crowned in St. Peter's Basilica, acted as the imperial regent in Italy. Matilda and Henry V had no children, when he died in 1125, the imperial crown was claimed by his rival Lothair of Supplinburg. Meanwhile, Matilda's younger brother, William Adelin, died in the White Ship disaster of 1120, leaving Matilda's father and England facing a potential succession crisis. On Emperor Henry V's death, Matilda was recalled to Normandy by her father, who arranged for her to marry Geoffrey of Anjou to form an alliance to protect his southern borders. Henry I had no further legitimate children and nominated Matilda as his heir, making his court swear an oath of loyalty to her and her successors, but the decision was not popular in the Anglo-Norman court.

Henry died in 1135. The throne was instead taken by Matilda's cousin Stephen of Blois, who enjoyed the backing of the English Church. Stephen took steps to solidify his new regime but faced threats both from neighbouring powers and from opponents within his kingdom. In 1139, Matilda crossed to England to take the kingdom by force, supported by her half-brother Robert of Gloucester and her uncle King David I of Scotland, while Geoffrey focused on conquering Normandy. Matilda's forces captured Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln in 1141, but the Empress' attempt to be crowned at Westminster collapsed in the face of bitter opposition from the London crowds; as a result of this retreat, Matilda was never formally declared Queen of England, was instead titled the Lady of the English. Robert was captured following the Rout of Winchester in 1141, Matilda agreed to exchange him for Stephen. Matilda became trapped in Oxford Castle by Stephen's forces that winter, was forced to escape across the frozen River Isis at night to avoid capture.

The war degenerated into a stalemate, with Matilda controlling much of the south-west of England, Stephen the south-east and the Midlands. Large parts of the rest of the country were in the hands of independent barons. Matilda returned to Normandy, now in the hands of her husband, in 1148, leaving her eldest son to continue the campaign in England, she settled her court near Rouen and for the rest of her life concerned herself with the administration of Normandy, acting on her son's behalf when necessary. In the early years of her son's reign, she provided political advice and attempted to mediate during the Becket controversy, she worked extensively with the Church, founding Cistercian monasteries, was known for her piety. She was buried under the high altar at Bec Abbey after her death in 1167. Matilda was born to Henry I, King of England and Duke of Normandy, his first wife, Matilda of Scotland around 7 February 1102 at Sutton Courtenay, in Berkshire. Henry was the youngest son of William the Conqueror, who had invaded England in 1066, creating an empire stretching into Wales.

The invasion had created an Anglo-Norman elite, many with estates spread across both sides of the English Channel. These barons had close links to the kingdom of France, a loose collection of counties and smaller polities, under only the minimal control of the king, her mother Matilda was the daughter of King Malcolm III of Scotland, a member of the West Saxon royal family, a descendant of Alfred the Great. For Henry, marrying Matilda of Scotland had given his reign increased legitimacy, for her it had been an opportunity for high status and power in England. Matilda had a younger, legitimate brother, William Adelin, her father's relationships with numerous mistresses resulted in around 22 illegitimate siblings. Little is known about Matilda's earliest life, but she stayed with her mother, was taught to read, was educated in religious morals. Among the nobles at her mother's court were her uncle David the King of Scotland, aspiring nobles such as her half-brother Robert of Gloucester, her cousin Stephen of Blois and Brian Fitz Count.

In 1108 Henry left Matilda and her brother in the care of Anselm, the Archbishop of Canterbury, while he travelled to Normandy. There is no detailed description of Matilda's appearance. In late 1108 or early 1109, Henry V the King of the Romans, sent envoys to Normandy proposing that Matilda marry him, wrote separately to her mother on the same matter; the match was attractive to the English king: his daughter would be marrying into one of the most prestigious dynasties in Europe, reaffirming his own questionable, status as the youngest son of a new royal house, gaining him an ally in dealing with France. In return, Henry V would receive a dowry of 10,000 marks, which he needed to fund an expedition to Rome for his coronation as the Holy Roman Emperor; the final details of the deal were negotiated at Westminster in June 1109 and, as a result of her changing status, Matilda attended a royal council for the first time that October. She left England in February 1110 to make her way to Germany; the couple met at Liège before travelling to Utrecht where, on 10 April, they became betrothed.

On 25 July Matilda was crowned Queen of the Romans in a ceremony at Mai

Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, Good for America is a 2004 book about same-sex marriage by the journalist Jonathan Rauch. The book received both supportive commentary. Rauch argues in favor of same-sex marriage, attempts to explain the purpose of marriage. Gay Marriage was first published by Henry Colt and Company in 2004. Gay Marriage received a positive review in The Economist, which described the book as a "cool, poignant plea in favour of gay marriage" and "a powerful book, clear and persuasive, never ranting or self-pitying". E. J. Graff gave the book a negative review in Out, accusing Rauch of misleadingly citing her work, criticizing his argument that same-sex marriage would "domesticate" gay men; the book was the focus of a cover story in Philadelphia Gay News, written by Robert DiGiacomo. David Blankenhorn called Gay Marriage "the most precise and serious argument to date in favor of the proposition that marriage supporters should accept gay marriage." However, he rejected Rauch's case for same-sex marriage.

Blankenhorn criticized Rauch for ignoring questions such as "what is marriage?" and "how did it come to exist?", neglecting the anthropological and historical record on marriage, failing to address the connection between marriage and children. The journalist E. J. Dionne called Gay Marriage "thoughtful", writing that it helped convince him to support same-sex marriage. Sherif Girgis, Ryan T. Anderson, the philosopher Robert P. George argued that despite Rauch's desire to preserve traditional marital norms, same-sex marriage would undermine those norms. What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense Books Journals

Homer Hailey was an American preacher in the churches of Christ in the 20th century, a professor at Abilene Christian University and Florida College, the author of at least fifteen theological books. He was well known for his general biblical knowledge the Old Testament. Hailey and the churches of Christ are the topics of the book The Churches of Christ in the 20th Century: Homer Hailey's Personal Journey of Faith by David Edwin Harrell, Jr. Most of Hailey's books are still in print. Audio recordings of his sermons and classes are available through TruthOnDisc. Net Homer Hailey was born outside Marshall in Harrison County in East Texas, the oldest child of Robert Thomas Hailey and the former Mamie Collins, his brothers and sisters were Rob, Jack and Mary Ida. On December 20, 1930, in Abilene, Texas, he married the former Lois Estelle Manly, they had five children: Roma Luceil, Mary Lois, Homer Rob, Charles Dennis, Carol Ann. After Lois' death, he married the former Widna Neeley Kirby on October 4, 1955.

Hailey died in 2000 at the age of ninety-seven in Arizona. In 2000, Harrell, a professor emeritus of religion at Auburn University in Auburn, published The Churches of Christ in the Twentieth Century: Homer Hailey’s Personal Journey of Faith. Harrell alternates chapters between an historical look at an issue or conflict within the first century of the Churches of Christ and the way in which Homer Hailey responded to that issue or conflict; the plain-spoken Hailey who had memorized nearly every verse in the Bible became Harrell's touchstone for the history of the churches of Christ in the 20th century. In 2001, Alvin Jennings, owner of Star Bible Publications and a student in Homer Hailey's'Denominational Doctrines' class in 1949, preserved Hailey's polemic style class notes which gave his reasons that led him out of the churches which offer instrumental music. Hailey reviewed the old hectograph outlines and refined them for publication; as a child, Homer Hailey lived outside Texas. The night Lady Bird Taylor - the future First Lady - was born, her brothers spent the night at the Hailey house, with their friends Homer and Rob.

Attitudes And Consequences in the Restoration Movement: Our Heritage From The Pioneers ISBN 1584273348 Carrying out the Great Commission - According to the New Testament Pattern published by Religious Supply Inc. Commentary on Daniel: A Prophetic Message, A ISBN 978-0913814529 Commentary on Isaiah: With Emphasis on the Messianic Hope, A Commentary on Job: Now Mine Eye Seeth Thee, A Commentary on the Minor Prophets, A From Creation to the Day of Eternity: God's Great Plan for Man's Redemption God's Judgments and Punishments: Individuals and Nations Hailey's Comments. Volumes One and Two Internal Evidences of Christianity: Outline Studies Let's Go Fishing For Men Messiah of Prophecy to The Messiah on the Throne, The Minor Prophets-spokesmen of God: A Study Workbook for Teachers and Students, The with Robert Harkrider Mormonism Notes on Mormonism Prayer and Providence Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary That You May Believe: Studies in the Gospel of John ISBN 978-0801040788 Hailey, Homer.

That you may believe. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House. ISBN 0-8010-4078-7; the Divorced & Remarried Who Would Come To God The Edomites: The Symbol of the World Mechanical Instruments of Music In Worship Today: Detailed Outline of 1949 Class at Abilene Christian University Alvin Jennings. MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC IN WORSHIP TODAY - Detailed Outline of Class at Abilene Christian University. Star Bible Publications. ISBN 1-56794-234-2. David Edwin Harrell Jr; the Churches of Christ in the Twentieth Century: Homer Hailey’s Personal Journey of Faith, University of Alabama Press, January 11, 2000, 352 pages, ISBN 0-8173-1008-8, ISBN 978-0-8173-1008-0