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Welcome to Hope City Church! NEW If you are new to Hope City text “Welcome” to 502-754-3212 SERMON GUIDE Order of Service Welcome - Pastor Jason & Andrea Worship - House of the Lord Scripture Reading - James 1:5-11 (please stand) Sermon - Pastor Jason Communion Worship - Worthy Worship - Gone Dismissal - Pastor Joe Passage for the day James 1:5-11 5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. Congregational Prayer Oh Lord, there's so much I don't know, but you know it all. So I come to you now, and ask for wisdom from above. I bring to you the broken pieces of my expectations, my hopes and dreams worn thin, I'm at a loss, not knowing why or what good could possibly come from this trial. What I want so badly still has not come to pass. In my mind you are sovereign, but in my heart I often feel confused, abandoned, and alone, as if you do not care to let my hopes collapse. Still, I know my heart deceives me. You are sovereign even over my sorrow. You are always faithful, always working, even when, especially when, I can not see it at the time. So let this pain do its work. Let it tutor me. Use this trial to reveal the undetected wounds and emotions that control my life Give me the grace to trust, and the patience to endure As you are shaping my life and my circumstances to make me more like your son Jesus. Not my will, oh Lord, not my dreams, not my plans, but yours be done. Amen. CONNECT Connect with us! Visit the Hope City Church website at https://realhopenow.com/ , connect through the Hope City Church Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/realhopenow or download the Hope City Church Louisville app from the android or apple app store. CARE If you or a loved one is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Simply open the Hope City Church Louisville app, click on "Pastoral Care" or "Prayer Request" and fill out the form so that we can know how we can help. Or go to https://app.textinchurch.com/groups/webform/MjYxMDg4 and send us your prayer request. GIVE Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give. http://www.realhopenow.com/give/ Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!

We've had a request from you guys to talk about libraries, so that's what we wanted to go over today. Libraries have been quite the necessity during 2020 and 2021, and they can be a great place that provide space for study or alone time where you can go to ponder and think. You want to make your library reflect you and your family, so whatever it is you do or love, that's how we'll decide to space plan. For the aesthetic of your library you generally want it to feel like a serious place. You want it to feel “smart.” About Cori 0:36How our podcast is doing 1:17The library 2:24Space planning 4:08Telling your story 7:11The aesthetic of your library 10:22A woman's office/library we're creating 13:13“You could even put a piano in this room depending on how big it is, or a keyboard.” “Yeah if music is your thing, you'll have a music library. That's probably something that you'd do, Cori, because you're a musician. So that makes more sense than having like Harvard Law books everywhere. You would have Rolling Stones and cool stuff, instruments on the wall, which would be way cooler.” 5:41https://www.instagram.com/alicelaneinteriors/https://www.instagram.com/alicelanehome/https://alicelanehome.com/https://www.facebook.com/AliceLaneHomehttps://www.pinterest.com/alicelanehome/https://www.youtube.com/alicelanehomecollectionsaltlakecityNews Letter:https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/subscribe?a=HZENWY&g=PFcqV5

TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com    97X     PODBEAN   Apple Podcast    webstix.com Tony Herman - the coolest cat on the net     Code: wellbuilttda 15% off   Here's a sharable link: https://wellbuiltsupplements.com/discount/wellbuilttda   Daily Greens probiotic, vegan protein, whey protein, Digestive enzymes, Omega 3's, Performance energy, Performance BCCA's, Vitamins for men, Vitamins for women and a whole lot more.  Right now I am pumping the greens and Pre-workout and loving them both… Heres a secret “I'm on them right now as I do my podcast”.      Somebody get a box of tissue… this is going to be a rough one. People may tweet about it, Tik tock about it, instagram about it… oh my. We are going after every stupid protest in the book.   Hey this past week an american Olympic athlete turned her back on the flag and people are freaking out.     If you haven't heard by now, BLM, CRT, LGBQT, CNN, FBIy  and IOU (I just threw that in there for good measure) they are all the enemy or so you are told. But lets be honest… these are just the flys that are attracted by what is really going on - the end of the world.   I am no conspiracy theorist… but even our own secular scientists have recently released a report that a meteor is headed for earth and should strike on Friday, April the 13th in the year 2029…. uhhhh that is only 8 years and counting…   So what's the big deal? Well it fits perfectly into God prophecy concerning the end times. The third trumpet sounded by an angel says an asteroid will hit the earth… Revelations 8:10Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters.…   What is your distraction?  Who cares who turns their back on the flag, who kneels, what the current administration is pushing… are you surprised? You shouldn't be… we already know the earth is heading towards the tribulation…    this brings up another scripture by the Apostle Paul.    Phil. 3:12-21 12 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[a] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.   Imagine all the things that are trying to get your attention as you are running this race…  on the streets as you run are people chanting inflation, dirty politics, pornography, sex trafficking, BLM, CRT, violence, Trump won, trump lost, Biden sucks, The border crisis… but you are running to save lives.   When this meteor hits, it is supposed to hit Mexico and california - it will have the impact of 65,000 atomic bombs like we dropped on Nagasaki. It will kill almost 1 Billion people…   Did you know we have already sent up rocket ships to try to blow it up…   The end is coming… how stupid are you to get caught up in the cultural trappings and arguments of this world.   Run the race to win, press on toward the mark… Preach, teach, share Jesus. Its all that matters!

What Kind Of Greatness Do You Seek? Matthew 23:11 - 12 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

God is watching over His Word! Why is that truth important to you? Does that truth change what you do and how you react to delayed victories? It was a revelation that God gave to Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, to help him fulfil his assignment. Without the confidence in that revelation. You need to grip this reality to help you fulfill your assignment too! Do you have some prayers that have not seen answered? Do you have a prodigal that you are desperate to see their life turned around? Searching for answers that you just can't turn loose of because your heart just won't let you? Do you have verses that you've clung to, but the enemy has whispered in your ear, “What's the use?” Me too! I've had some things on my heart that I am absolutely desperate to see happen. But I'm telling you, I have some things that are just too precious to abandon. Do you have some things like that on your heart? Sometimes there's just no words that describe how desperately you want to see God intervene in the situation you are facing. That's just one reason I am so thankful that God has given me a prayer language. I just run out of words. Lately I've been hearing God whisper, don't you love His whispers. Oh, there are times His whisper corrects me, challenges me or even redirects me. But this whisper has been so encouraging.  "I watch over my word to perform it." He has whispered it so many times that I realized it was time to unpack the revelation, so I could to understand what He was saying. I found the verse in Jeremiah chapter 1 11The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. Jeremiah 1:12The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” How do you plant seeds of Gods Word? Isaiah 55:10 10For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. What happens when you don't plant the seeds? Nothing grows, but weeds. James 1:2 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.  

Bible Reading: Psalm 32:1-11The numbers on the watch glowed eerily in the darkness. Damien sighed as he got up and shoved the watch into his dresser drawer. Why did I steal it? he wondered. Damien had seen the watch while he and his mom were out shopping. He wanted it so much that he slipped it into his pocket. I can't wear this, he thought, Mom and Dad will notice, and how would I explain it? I sure hope nobody saw me take it. Damien tossed and turned all night, and the next morning, he was worn out from exhaustion and guilt. At lunchtime, Damien noticed several teachers talking quietly together, and one seemed to glance in his direction. In fact, it seemed like everybody looked at him suspiciously. Who saw me take it? he wondered.That night, Damien heard footsteps in the hallway. "Who's there?" he whispered hoarsely. "What do you want?"Damien's dad appeared in the doorway. "I just got up for a drink of water," he said. "Is something wrong?""It's in my top drawer," Damien said, tears filling his eyes. "Go ahead and take it."Puzzled, Dad turned on the light and opened the drawer. He gave a low whistle as he held up the watch. "Judging from what you said just now, I'm assuming you didn't get this honestly, did you?" Damien poured out the whole story, ending with his impression that everybody seemed to know what he had done.Dad nodded. "Someone did see you take that watch, and He's been bothering you about it.""Who?" asked Damien."God saw you," Dad replied. "When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, He makes it clear to us that our actions do not fit with who we are as God's children.""II need to take it back and admit I stole it, don't I?" said Damien."Yes," Dad said. "And what else do you think you should do?" Damien thought a moment. "I need to confess it to Jesus." Dad nodded. "Jesus always forgives us when we confess our sin and helps us right our wrongs."So Damien bowed his head, asked for God's forgiveness, and promised to take the watch back the next day and accept the consequences for stealing it. Then he slipped into a deep, peaceful sleep. -Sherry L. KuytHow About You?Is there a sin the Holy Spirit is convicting you about? Is the guilt over what you did making it difficult to think of anything else? Even if no one else knows what you did, God does. You can't hide your sin from Him. Confess your sin to Jesus and receive the perfect peace of His forgiveness. Then admit what you did to anyone else you wronged and make it right. Today's Key Verse:The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. (NKJV) (Proverbs 28:1)Today's Key Thought:God's Spirit convicts

Scott BullJonah 4:5-11The conclusion of our 12-week study in the book of Jonah looks at God's continued “Un-Relenting Grace” for both Jonah and the Worst of the Worst. Jonah, the Prophet, continues his posture of digging in and pitiful self-Loathing.

This is the sermon preached by Rev Stephen Haward for Pentecost on the morning of 23rd May 2021 in the Market Harborough Congregational Church.The theme was One person, one flame and the Bible Readings Zechariah 2:10-3:5 and Acts 2:1-11The recording of the full service is available on our website

This episode is a follow-up to a previous episode #58 that is the most popular download so far.  I'll link it here for you to go listen to it before this one for a general idea regarding eating for your blood type:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eat-right-for-your-blood-type/id1474535076?i=1000499355616In this episode, I will be diving into eating for Blood Type A.  I am sharing my personal story of what led me to find Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo's book "Eat Right for Your Type":  https://www.amazon.com/Right-Your-Type-Revised-Updated/dp/0399584161/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=You can find the "cheat cards"  here:  https://www.bodyredesigning.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=11The foods we choose to consume can help us THRIVE and survive based on our specific blood types.  I find this so interesting and it has truly helped me to HEAL my body in so many ways.  BONUS:  Green Smoothie Recipe 1 cup oat milk1 scoop collagen peptides1 scoop whey protein with probiotics1 scoop green superfoods (link below)1 scoop hemp heart seeds1 tsp. matcha powder1 tbs. ground flaxseedfrozen fruit of your choice KefirBlend! ENJOY!!Greens:  https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Performance-Superfood-Ingredients-Probiotics/dp/B06Y423Z6F?pd_rd_w=XZ5JY&pf_rd_p=ed61186e-0a73-4f70-9288-c08a29fffa70&pf_rd_r=2411107RX62S5WJ0DRJJ&pd_rd_r=c99d3e63-6d4a-47f3-9168-067ccc995693&pd_rd_wg=4mtiz&pd_rd_i=B06Y423Z6F&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_26_tThank you for listening, subscribing, and sharing,   Michelle DurandHostessSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/lifeisatreasurepodcast)

In this episode, Conor has a conversation with Ben Deane and Tony Van Eerd while at C++Now 2021.About the Guests:For Ben Deane, C++ wasn’t even among the first 10 languages that he learned on his programming journey, but it’s been the one that has paid the bills for the last 20-odd years. He spent most of that time in the games industry; many of the games he worked on used to be fondly remembered but now he’s accepted that they are probably mostly forgotten. These days he works in the finance industry writing high-frequency trading platforms in the most modern C++ that compilers can support.In his spare time he watches a lot of YouTube’s educational sector, practices the Japanese art of tsundoku, reads about the history of programming, avoids doing DIY, and surprises his wife by waking in the middle of the night yelling, “of course, it’s a monad!” before going back to sleep and dreaming of algorithms.Tony Van Eerd has been coding for well over 25 years, and hopefully coding well for most of that. Previously at Inscriber, Adobe, and BlackBerry, he now enables Painting with Light at Christie Digital. He is on the C++ Committee. He is a Ninja and a Jedi.Show NotesDate Recorded: 2021-05-06Date Released: 2021-05-07C++Now 2018: Ben Deane “Easy to Use, Hard to Misuse: Declarative Style in C++”C++Now 2017: Ben Deane & Jason Turner “constexpr ALL the things!”Conor Hoekstra — ITM: My least favorite anti-patternFunctional C++ for Fun and Profit by Phil NashYOW! 2013 Kevlin Henney - The SOLID Design Principles DeconstructedBreaking Dependencies: The SOLID Principles - Klaus Iglberger - CppCon 2020SOLID Revisited: The State of the Matter - Phil Nash [ ACCU 2021 ]C++Now 2017: Tony Van Eerd “Postmodern C++”C++Now 2018: Tony Van Eerd “Words of Wisdom”One Letter Programming LanguagesC++Now 2019: Conor Hoekstra “Algorithm Intuition”Simple Made Easy 2012 - Rich HickeySlow Coding - Ben Deane; A View to a Thing - Jason Turner - 2020-10-11The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.LadyBug PodcastIntro Song InfoMiss You by Sarah Jansen https://soundcloud.com/sarahjansenmusicCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/l-miss-youMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/iYYxnasvfx8

THE WEEK OF EASTER  - MONDAYLESSON: REVELATION 1:4-8He is not ashamed to call them brethren. Hebrews 2:11The fact that Christ receives such abandoned wretches as you and me and calls us brethren is a fact full of all consolation for us. If Christ is our brother, I would like to know what we still lack?The situation in which we find ourselves is very much like that which exists among earthly brothers. Earthly brothers have common possessions, as well as one father and one inheritance, otherwise they would not be brothers.In Christ, we also share common possessions and have one Father and one inheritance. But this inheritance never becomes less by being shared like an earthly inheritance. It becomes even greater and greater. For it is a spiritual inheritance.The earthly inheritance is dissipated when it is divided into many parts, but in the spiritual inheritance which is ours in Christ, he who has a part of it has all of it.What is this inheritance which makes us Christ's brothers? In His hands are all times of life and death, sin and grace, and all that is in heaven and on earth, eternal truth, might, wisdom, and righteousness. He rules and reigns over everything—hunger, thirst, good fortune, misfortune, over everything that is conceivable, whether it be in heaven or on earth, not only spiritual matters, but also earthly matters.In short, He has all things in His hands, whether they are eternal or temporal. My faith in Christ, then, full covers all my needs.SL 11:604 (4-5)PRAYER: Keep us ever mindful, O Lord, of all that we have for time and eternity in our relationships with You, the beginning and ending of all our faith and hope, as Your privileged brethren, for Your love's sake. Amen. Editor's note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today's sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 2:215-221.

The Importance of Professional Development and MentorshipIn this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Telesa Via about the effects of authentic mentorship and how prioritizing your own professional development will lead to greater career success. With the countless trailblazing women in the workforce today, Telesa relays the benefits of connecting with these women who can act as a source of guidance on our career journeys. From recognizing the red flags of unconscious bias in mentorship to making bold “asks” from the get go, Telesa reminds us that our career trajectories need not be travelled alone but in the company of women willing to drive us to the top alongside them!Host: Lorelei GonzalezCo-host: Telesa Via Telesa Via is the Vice President of Sales at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants where she oversees sales activities from coast to coast and beyond, within North America. Her latest endeavor is co-chairing Kimpton’s newest internal committee, Black Lives Matter: Act to Action where she leads a diverse Kimpton committee, takes action to create real change and promotes opportunities and advancement for Black People and People of Color. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, Professional Conference Management Association and International Association of Exhibition Executives, among others. Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  Women supporting women 3:31 Overcoming gender stereotypes 5:00 I come first 9:11The door of opportunities 12:40Start with The Ask 15:10Trust the process 18:10Unconscious bias in mentorship 21:53Red flags 25:40Femme fact: Asian-American Women 29:10Resources mentioned in this episode:  Invisible Women by Caroline Perez (book)Just Do You by Lisa King (book)In This Together by Nancy O’Reilly (book)Episode sponsors:  HERdacity   Moonray  Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our webinar “Leadership through Virtual Mentorship | Lesley Robinson”Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:Twitter: @herdacityFacebook: @HERdacity Instagram: @herdacityLinkedIn: HERdacity Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)orgFor up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here.  Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.Support the show (http://herdacity.org/donate/)

VICTORY IN DEATH - Isaiah 53 - Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEMEWhere do we find comfort in life and in death?OUTLINE1. The glory story promises victory.John 12:12-15Isaiah 40:1-11The glory story says that God works primarily in strength.2. The cross story promises suffering.Isaiah 53John 1:29, John 10:11Mark 10:451 Peter 1:18Leviticus 17:11The cross story affirms God’s work in the middle of suffering.3. The strange good news promises victory in death.John 3:14-17Hebrews 9:11-28This good news brings comfort in life and in death!NEXT STEPSDo I look for the silver lining in every sad story of pain and suffering?Do I give thanks in the middle of pain and suffering?SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLShttp://www.cedarhillscr.org/giveSupport the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

Proverbs 8:10-11Luke 5:33-35, 6:2,5,7-9Numbers 19:9, 20:11The whole Bible revolves around Jesus (John 5:39). Seven titles of Jesus emerge from the passages for today and each reveal something distinct about Jesus. They help you to see what it means to put Jesus in the centre of your life.

Running Or Hiding From God Won’t Work; If He Asks You, Do As He Asks! Jonah 1:7 - 16 7Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. 8So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” 9He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.) 11The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” 12“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” 13Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

John 4:145 (ESV) Jesus and the Woman of Samaria 4Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4And he had to pass through Samaria. 5So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacobs well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, Give me a drink. 8(For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria? (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. 11The woman said to him, Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock. 13Jesus said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. 15The woman said to him, Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water. 16Jesus said to her, Go, call your husband, and come here. 17The woman answered him, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, You are right in saying, I have no husband; 18for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true. 19The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship. 21Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. 25The woman said to him, I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things. 26Jesus said to her, I who speak to you am he. 27Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, What do you seek? or, Why are you talking with her? 28So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ? 30They went out of the town and were coming to him. 31Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, Rabbi, eat. 32But he said to them, I have food to eat that you do not know about. 33So the disciples said to one another, Has anyone brought him something to eat? 34Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35Do you not say, There are yet four months, then comes the harvest? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.36Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37For here the saying holds true, One sows and another reaps. 38I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor. 39Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the womans testimony, He told me all that I ever did. 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world. 43After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44(For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

Key verses: 1 Pet 4:1-11The chief end of man is to glorify God. The reverence of God has been lost in the church, degraded, and dishonored. May we glorify God in all aspects of our life. We hope you will take the time to listen.Recorded Feb. 7, 2021. The mission of Pound River Church is to glorify God by developing disciples who will spread the true gospel of Jesus Christ to their families, communities, and the entire world. Never miss an opportunity to grow with us. We stream live on Sundays at 11:15am and Wednesday's at 6:30pm. Subscribe now to join our online family and grow with us. Pastor: Bill Rose

February 9, 2021 Ezekiel Series #11God in the Repair BusinessEpisode 42Now, in the 36th chapter the word from God to Ezekiel begins to move away from discipline and move toward the good news of restoration. The change in sermon topic was huge. Goal of discipline is restoration.Eventual restoration was God's plan for Israel too. Ezekiel 11:17 (NIV) 17 "Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.' Land being restored Ezekiel 36:8-11The people being restored Ezekiel 36:24-28God's restoration of Israel to himself is a picture of our relationship with God. God chose to offer forgiveness to us because of what Jesus did on Calvary.Prophecy of restoration fulfilled more than once:Under Ezra and Nehemiah when the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivityAnd again in 1948 when the nation we know today as Israel was born.Restoration was the key and God gives Ezekiel a vision of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 to show him this.Bones represented the people of Israel.They were disheartened, discouraged and dry spiritually.The infusion of the Spirit of God resulted in a renewed sense of God's presence and new refreshing spiritual power. Touch Your People Once Again.

Upon This Rock #3 Life From God’s Perspective By Louie Marsh, 1-31-2021   Intro: last quote Thoreau   Perspective is everything when you are experiencing the challenges of life. - Joni Eareckson Tada   When your perspective is preloaded with the Word of God, lies lose their power over your life. -Steven Furtick   The Bible interprets life from its particular perspective; it does not record in a factual way the human journey through history. - John Shelby Spong   It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. – David Henry Thoreau   The next 3 sermons are closely linked together and form the heart of what I’m trying to communicate to you on Sunday mornings during this campaign.   I) God Sees Life Very Differently Than I Do:   He deals in absolute truth – I deal in   “25In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25, ESV)   Show Shootist Video with John Wayne and Ron Howard.   “12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, ESV)   I value what’s outward & visible, God cherishes the INWARD/INVISIBLE.   “15When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:15–17, ESV)   “7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”” (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)   II) Examples of How We See Life Differently Than God:   1) Jesus says I must LOVE my enemies?   “44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:44–45, ESV)   2) God actually expects me to FORGIVE everyone who hurts me?   “21Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21–22, ESV)   3) I’m supposed to pray for and BLESS those who persecute me?   “14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (Romans 12:14, ESV)   4) God COMMANDS me to be sexually pure?   “27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27–28, ESV)   5) Jesus says my highest calling is to be a SERVANT?   “11The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11–12, ESV)  

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:7-11The first day of school always made Alice nervous, but today was the worst ever because her family had recently moved to a new town. She smiled shyly at a couple of girls. One nodded toward Alice's feet and mouthed, "Weird." The other rolled her eyes. They turned their backs and giggled.Alice shifted her backpack and limped to her locker. The kids are already making fun of my shoes, she thought. What will they say when they notice the way I walk?A girl with long dark curls pulled back in a ponytail pushed a pile of gym clothes into the locker next to Alice's. "Hi," she said. "You must be new here. My name's Jade.""Hi, Jade." Alice's voice squeaked. "I'm Alice.""Want to stop at the library with me?" asked Jade. She slammed her locker door and started down the hall. When Alice limped behind, Jade slowed her pace. She glanced down at Alice's shoes. "Hurt your feet?" she asked. "I--I was born with crooked feet," Alice explained, "but I had surgery on them two months ago. The doctor says if I wear these ugly orthopedic shoes for a year, my feet should be okay." To her relief, Jade simply smiled and nodded.As the days went by, Jade continued to treat Alice as a friend, but several other kids did not. One day as the two walked down the hall, a classmate pointed to Alice's shoes and said, "Ew, look at those ugly brown shoes!" Heads turned, and several kids snickered."What's your problem?" Jade asked the gawking kids. "Alice had an operation on her feet. Her shoes are like a cast--they're helping them heal." The hallway fell silent, and the kids scattered."Thanks, Jade," said Alice as they moved on, "but won't kids make fun of you now for sticking up for me?""Maybe," said Jade, "but I'm a Christian, so I want to be kind even when others are mean because that's what Jesus is like. Besides, you're my friend." She grinned. "After school, let's see if our moms will let us go shopping for the brightest shoelaces we can find, so bright those kids will notice them instead of your shoes. I'll get some too. Don't you think friends ought to wear matching shoelaces?" Dorothy SkinnerHow About You?Do you stick up for somebody other kids laugh at?Or do you join in? When you're tempted to do that, think about God's great love for you. Like everyone, you are a sinner, but God loves you so much He gave His Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for every bad thing you do. Show His love to others by being kind--especially to those who are often looked down upon. Today's Key Verse:If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (NKJV) (1 John 4:11)Today's Key Thought:Show God's love to everyone

THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT - TUESDAYLESSON: 1 Timothy 1:8-11The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good . . . but I am carnal, sold under sin. Romans 7:12,14The law is the word by which God teaches us and instructs us in what we are to do and not to do, as He does in the Ten Commandments. Where nature stands alone, without God's grace, it is impossible to keep God's Law for the reason that man, after Adam's fall in Paradise, is corrupt and has nothing but evil lust leading him into sin. It is impossible for him to be well-disposed to the Law from the depths of his heart.We all experience this. There is no one who would not prefer to be without any Law at all. Every one of us realizes and feels in himself that it is very hard to be pious and to do good, and very easy to be wicked and to do evil.Such shortcomings and unwillingness to do what is good force us into transgressions of God's Law. What is done reluctantly, poorly, and unwillingly is of no avail at all before God. God's Law overcomes us. We learn this from our own experience as we are by nature wicked, disobedient, lovers of sin, and enemies of God's Law.SL.XI.81,19AE 75,143PRAYER: Lord God, our heavenly Father, guard against all spiritual pride and self-righteousness so that when we look into the mirror of your Law we may see ourselves as we really are, lost and condemned sinners, whose only hope rests in our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The context in which we are examining today's Verse of the Day is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which says:  For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESVWithin this verse, we see the juxtaposition of fourteen pairs of contrasting activities. These examples show us how life is comprised of various different seasons, as mentioned in verse 1. So often, we think that we know what would be best for ourselves and the greater society, yet the desires of our hearts and ideas often conflict with God's will for our lives and His greater will for humanity. This verse is timely given our current culture, that we are to live by faith in God's Word, and that we are to fully trust God's judgement in all things. So what is this verse telling us? There are a few important concepts for us to look it within these 8 verses. The Timing of Our Actions is Important: There are times when holding your tongue and listening is absolutely the right decision to make - and other times where you need to speak up, even though it may be difficult. For a large portion of my life, I've been the type to not want to get involved in discussions or to sit quietly and listen to what was being said. However, for the most part, that season has passed. I find myself more and more often not only wanting to speak my mind but needing to. We live in such a broken society, that not sharing, not speaking, not voicing the truth, can be more harmful than just remaining silent, given the circumstance. The point of this is that both the actions themselves and the timing of our actions are important to God. There Are Seasons In Which Certain Pursuits Are Appointed By God: God's plan for our life involves different experiences, emotions, activities, etc. We know that weeping may be a part of life - maybe there's a lot of heartache and loss during a season. And maybe that season lasts a long time, but life is not all weeping. Laughter and joy also have a place, too. A key to this is found a few verses later: "He has made everythng beautiful in its time" - Ecclesiastes 3:11The right activity at the right times, with the goal of bringing about God's purposes, is a beautiful part of God's will. Think about it this way, have you ever viewed a tapestry or something sown onto your shirt from the back? It looks chaotic and random; yet the maker knew the purpose and exact placement of each thread. Maybe the image wasn't discernable at the beginning or a certain times - but that doesn't mean that there wasn't a purpose, exact plan, or design to it. A Bridge These verses serve as a bridge between the first two chapters of Ecclesiastes, and the following section. In Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, we are to accept each and every day as a gift from God. Why? Because God has a reason and time for all things (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). We all too often accuse God of either not answering our prayers, or with his timing, but this is what we call ignorance of His timing (Ecclesiastes 3:9-11). Yet we are still called to enjoy life in the present (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13) and to trust in God's sovereignty (Ecclesiastes 3:14-15). There's a lot of wisdom packed into today's verse. "There is a time for everything...and a season for every activity under the...

Was this a disappointing end to the season and a way to just shove in some characters for Season 2? Tune in to find out.

DISCOVER THE POWER OF VICTORIOUS HOPE1 Peter 5:6-11The 'why' behind Peter’s/God’s call for us to ‘have joy in suffering’. Having the proper “why” can make all the difference.FOUR WORDS DESCRIBE WHAT GOD DOES IN US1. Restore - in Greek - katartizó - καταρτίζωDefinition = to complete, prepareTranslations = “mending” the nets in the gospels, “equipped”, “restored”, “made complete”2. Confirm - stérizó - στηρίζωa. to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix:b. to strengthen, make firm; to render constant, confirm, one's mind, establish3. Strengthen - sthenoó - σθενόω - only 1 usageDefinition = properly, make strong so as to be mobile – i.e. able to move in a way that achieves something in the most effective way.4. Establish - themelioó - θεμελιόωDefinition - to lay the foundation ofTranslations = established, firmly established, founded, grounded, and laid the foundationHow should we live as people facing suffering, with a victorious hope?Humble yourselCast your anxiety on GodBe watchful – we have a lion-like enemyResist the devil and stand firm in your faithAPPLICATION1. Know your why! - Why can we rejoice even in suffering? Because we have an eternal mindset we can respond to suffering differently. Memorize 1 Peter 5:102. Do a devotional reading plan on humility or casting anxiety on God.Facing AnxietyWalking in Humility3. Take time each day this week to write out your anxieties, pray over them individually, surrendering them to God. Share this with a brother or sister in Christ. They can also help bear your burden.Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

James 1:1-12 (NLT)This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! 2Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 9Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. 12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/yourdailybible)

This week's podcast episode features Pro MMA Fighter Ivan "The White Tiger" Batinich. Ivan is an American Kickboxing Academy Pro-Team Member who holds a professional 4-1 record and an undefeated 3-0 amateur MMA record.Ivan is a former gym owner (IBSTRONG closed in 2019) and holds a bachelor's in Kinesiology from California State East Bay. He holds numerous athletic accolades which include: Pro Football (San Jose Wolves), D-1 Football (Washington State University) All-American, and 2x 1st Team All-state (West Valley College). In this episode we discuss:Intro - Ivan's backgroundIvan’s style and approach to training … @13:59Does traditional strength training hold value for MMA fighters?… @15:42Qualities to look for in training partners… @21:07Training in an uncontrolled vs controlled environment... @23:11The importance of Flow State in Martial Arts… @25:47Different program variables for fighters... @27:04Are many MMA fighters overtraining?… @30:44Overcoming nerves in professional fighting... @35:14Ivan’s “Top 3 Tools” to train another fighter… @40:18 More from Ivan: https://www.instagram.com/whitetigerfightingsociety/https://www.ibstrong.com 

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of the Holy Guardian Angels Lectionary: 459/650All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is The Guardian Angels"For he hath given his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. - Psalm 90:11The truth that each and every human soul has a Guardian Angel who protects us from both spiritual and physical evil has been shown throughout the Old Testament, and is made very clear in the New. It is written that the Lord Jesus was strengthened by an angel in the Garden of Gethsemane, and that an angel delivered St. Peter from prison in the Acts of the Apostles.But Jesus makes the existence and function of guardian angels explicit when he says, "See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10).In saying this Jesus points out that all people, even little children, have a guardian angel, and that the angels are always in Heaven, always looking at the face of God throughout their mission on earth, which is to guide and protect us throughout our pilgrimage to the house of our Father. As St. Paul says, "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14).However, they guide us to Heaven only if we desire it. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that angels cannot act directly upon our will or intellect, although they can do so on our senses and imaginations thus encouraging us to make the right decisions. In Heaven our guardian angels, though no longer needing to guide us to salvation, will continually enlighten us.Prayer to the guardian angels is encouraged, and the habit of remembering their presence and support leads to frienship with them. The prayer to the guardian angels has been present in the Church since at least the beginning of the 12th century:Angel of God,my Guardian dear,to whom His lovecommits me here,ever this daybe at my side,to light and guard,to rule and guide.Amen.Let us affectionately love His angels as counselors and defenders appointed by the Father and placed over us. They are faithful; they are prudent; they are powerful; Let us only follow them, let us remain close to them, and in the protection of the God of heaven let us abide. St. Bernard of Clairvaux Saint of the Day Copyright CNA, Catholic News Agency

Isaiah 4:18-19God’s greatest pleasure is to be believed.Proverbs 3:5-6Jeremiah 29:10-11The commandments are not a lid they are a coverJames 1:3-8It is no until I am confused I know I have seen all sides.Matthew 7:7-8If you enjoyed the sermon please contact us at bluespringsbaptisttemple@gmail.com or call (816) 229-7777 Let us know.

Hope For Life with Bob Lenz - an inspiring message for your busy day. This week's devotional theme is Contentment. Today's episode will be from Job 26:11.Job 26:11The pillars of the heavens quake,aghast at his rebuke.To discover more, visit lifepromotions.org.

*Heads up for our listeners, this episode was recorded pre-pandemic*In this episode, we sit down with an icon in the making, Isidro Rafael. Isidro dedicated most of his life to sports, but later transitioned into dance. In his short 8 years of dance, Isidro has some significantly notable accomplishments on his dance resume and has spent more than 7,000 hours (and counting) perfecting his craft. We talk with Isidro about what it means to become a community icon, directing 220, his love for Selene, and meeting Keone Madrid. We also reflect back on Isidro’s first class at the BOX Dance studio, hear from a 220 dancer on the evolution of the team, and discuss Isidro’s concept on the “colors of dance”. Isidro reminds us to kiss our mom and dads and surprises us with his culinary journey. It’s an episode full of deep insights, reflections and full-circle moments.In this episode, we explore: 00:25Introduction02:30Sitting down with a Community Icon03:09Special Co-Host: Dylan Banares03:25A lesson in pronunciation05:10An Instagram Flashback 08:17“How come I wasn’t in that piece”?08:40Directing 220 (Second to None) and using a different approach14:07220’s Director Trinity15:18Isidro’s self-evolution19:43#bestdayofmylife22:13 Isidro & Selene: 5 years in the making25:56An evolving relationship with Keone Madrid: a true mentor27:32IsidroRafael1: An homage to Keone28:57Isidro means Intimidation29:35Isidro’s Master Class at The BOX31:11Some of Isidro’s mentors32:37The Colors of Dance33:36Finding inspiration abroad35:09220: From the perspective of a team member40:16Connecting the dots40:41Surrounding yourself with positive people42:11The origins of Meraki44:03A day in the life of Isidro Rafael 45:05A professional dance career & traditional Filipino parents49:21Self doubt: Human Nature52:19Chef Isidro55:45Isidro’s obsession with Nike (“Yo Nike- Hit me up!”)58:23Rapid Fire Questions1:00:25What’s next for Isidro?1:02:16What’s good in the dance community? 1:04:42Closing remarksThe conversation continues on all of our social platforms…Follow Isidro Rafael on InstagramFollow 220 Team on InstagramIsidro’s YouTube Playlist Watch Isidro lipsync to N’Sync Cater 2 U, by Isidro #bestdayofmylife Special thanks to Jane Banares for creating our Co-Lab Podcast artwork!Music by Sam Stan - Das Boo - https://thmatc.co/?l=997FC418Music by SkeetOnTheBeat - Late Night - https://thmatc.co/?l=E76B5749 The conversation continues over on Instagram and TikTok

1234 Treasure Principle (Luke 12:34). Heart follows actionsBen Franklin’s insight. It wasn’t me being nice to him that made him stop hating me. It was him doing me a kindness.Dostoevsky’s insight. A character said something like, “He’s never done me any wrong. I did him a bad turn, and I’ve hated him ever since.”Catharsis is a lie. In the 70’s psychologists thought expressing the rage would diminish it. The studies reveal the opposite. Grievances expressed deepened into resentments by degrees when mulled over, spoken, etc.Mean Interviewer Experiment. He insulted their mom. The control sample wasn’t given an opportunity to complain to his manager and harm his career. The test sample was. The blood pressure, the resentment, and the view of the interviewer all shifted for the worst with those who acted on their offense. The offense of those who didn’t air their grievances diminished.“Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” Prov 29:11The mind justifies what the heart has chosen. (How can you believe when you seek the praise of each other instead of the praise of God? John 5:44)Our fragile view of self must be protected. Our identities are core to our emotional well-being...and we hate the inner stress and tension — dissonance...Dissonance. Two notes that played together sound horrible and we cannot abide it. That’s the thing with cognitive dissonance. Two beliefs that contradict. “I am an honest person — I just told a lie.” or “I am a loving man — I did not care that I hurt so and so.”Little StepsHow resentment grows by little steps...How pain held onto rewrites our story…until our view of the past bears no resemblance to reality...How self-justification grows the more committed we are to maintaining our self-image…Self-Justified or Justified w God? Luke 18 - two men at prayer…Some cures?A more humble (realistic) view of self - I have strengths and weaknesses. I have blind spots.A better grasp of grace and Christ’s righteousnessDoing Jesus’ Sayings (Jesus, Genius)Love your enemiesDo good to those who hurt youGive to those who need or try to take advantageTurn your other cheek to a slapRepay insults with kindnessPray kind things over those who wish you evilYou have enemies. “Love your enemies” sounds dramatic. But everyone has enemies they need to love and forgive. Even if it’s your friends and family.Who hurt me? That’s who I need to forgive.Everybody serves somebody. If we don’t forgive, then the person who hurt us becomes a kind of lord or master who shapes and forms us.“Forgiveness is hard.” No. Bitterness and resentment and hatred are hard. Forgiveness makes life so much easier.Stop drinking poison. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die.

Paul Arrested 27When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,28shouting, Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.29(They had previously seen Trophimusthe Ephesianin the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) 30The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,they dragged himfrom the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.31While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar.32He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be boundwith twochains.Then he asked who he was and what he had done.34Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.35When Paul reached the steps,the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.36The crowd that followed kept shouting, Get rid of him! Paul Speaks to the Crowd 37As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,he asked the commander, May I say something to you? Do you speak Greek? he replied.38Arent you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wildernesssome time ago? 39Paul answered, I am a Jew, from Tarsusin Cilicia,a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people. 40After receiving the commanders permission, Paul stood on the steps and motionedto the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:221Brothers and fathers,listen now to my defense. 2When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic,they became very quiet. Then Paul said:3I am a Jew,born in Tarsusof Cilicia,but brought up in this city. I studied underGamalieland was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors.I was just as zealousfor God as any of you are today.4I persecutedthe followers of this Wayto their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,5as the high priest and all the Councilcan themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associatesin Damascus,and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. 6About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.7I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me,Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me? 8Who are you, Lord? I asked. I am Jesus of Nazareth,whom you are persecuting,he replied.9My companions saw the light,but they did not understand the voiceof him who was speaking to me. 10What shall I do, Lord? I asked. Get up,the Lord said,and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.11My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. 12A man named Ananias came to see me.He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.13He stood beside me and said, Brother Saul, receive your sight! And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14Then he said: The God of our ancestorshas chosen you to know his will and to seethe Righteous Oneand to hear words from his mouth.15You will be his witnessto all people of what you have seenand heard.16And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptizedand wash your sins away,calling on his name. 17When I returned to Jerusalemand was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance18and saw the Lord speaking to me.Quick!he said.Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me. 19Lord, I replied, these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprisonand beatthose who believe in you.20And when the blood of your martyr[b]Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him. 21Then the Lord said to me,Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles. Paul the Roman Citizen 22The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, Rid the earth of him!Hes not fit to live! 23As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaksand flinging dust into the air,24the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.He directedthat he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.25As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasnt even been found guilty? 26When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. What are you going to do? he asked. This man is a Roman citizen. 27The commander went to Paul and asked, Tell me, are you a Roman citizen? Yes, I am, he answered. 28Then the commander said, I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship. But I was born a citizen, Paul replied. 29Those who were about to interrogate himwithdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen,in chains. Paul Before the Sanhedrin 30The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews.So the next day he released himand ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrinto assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them. 23Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrinand said, My brothers,I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscienceto this day.2At this the high priest Ananiasordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.3Then Paul said to him, God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck! 4Those who were standing near Paul said, How dare you insult Gods high priest! 5Paul replied, Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.[c] 6Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadduceesand the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, My brothers,I am a Pharisee,descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.7When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) 9There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Phariseesstood up and argued vigorously. We find nothing wrong with this man,they said. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?10The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. 11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said,Take courage!As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.

Philippians 2:1-11The mind of Christ is: esteeming others > me...emptying yourself of yourself. ....humility....obedience to God...the antithesis of pride. The humble King Jesus instituted a new spiritual Kingdom that rewards humility and obedience. There is great reward to following Christ's example.

How Can I Resist Evil? Ephesians 6:10–18 Matthew 4:1-11The post How Can I Resist Evil? appeared first on Bedhampton Church.

Forgiveness Can Be Hard: The Story of PhilemonFormerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.Philemon 1:11The book of Philemon in the New Testament is one of the shortest books, at only 355 words. It contains only one chapter and its verses are seldom quoted or are its verses included in weekly church services. Yet its singular message is one of the most important messages in Christian life, that of forgiveness. The book is a letter that Paul wrote to a person named Philemon. Philemon was a leader of the church in Colossae and the church actually met in his house. Philemon was a wealthy person who had many slaves. Paul wrote this letter in prison and intended for it to be delivered along with his large letter to the Colossians. One of Philemon's slaves, Onesimus, had run away and perhaps stole money. Somehow he found Paul. Now the details of how Onesimus became associated with Paul are not really known. But what is known is that Paul inspired Onesimus to deepen his Christian faith. Through this connection, Paul and  Onesimus became good friends. Paul encouraged him to return to Colossae, his home. Naturally, Onesimus was nervous as he was a runaway slave and was fearful of the retribution. So, Paul wrote this letter to encourage Philemon to see Onesimus in a different light and to remember his Christian values. Which includes an attitude of forgiveness. Paul even offered to repay Philemon any amount that was a loss from Onesimus. What is important in this letter, is that Paul could have commanded Philemon to forgive Onesimus, but instead asked him to consider in his own heart why he should forgive Onesimus. Essentially allowing Philemon to meditate and consider what Christian forgiveness means. Simply commanding or demanding forgiveness on Paul's part, would have made Philemon's actual forgiveness superficial. Paul knew that having Philemon consider and working through his own anger would strengthen Philemon's Christian character. 

Pastors Joe Naumann and Neal Radichel discuss the many functions of Immanuel. Twin Steeples is a production of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota.  Today's topics include:A brief devotion on Romans 8:11The content available online for your spiritual growth and a potential online Bible studyThe recent voters' meeting, the teacher call, and our communion plansA look at TLH #201 "Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won" 

Speaker: Bob KooScripture: Psalm 42:1-11The circumstances of this time of COVID-19 actually mirror what David experienced when he wrote Psalm 42. By looking at his song during a time of suffering, we glean lessons regarding how we should pray in our time of social distancing, such as remembering what God has done and preaching to ourselves.Support the show (http://www.nmp.church/give)

Today, David and Phil discuss why we can trust the Bible because of the science revealed in its pages. While the Bible is not a science book, where it speaks of scientific things within the context of man’s understanding, it is accurate.Too often atheists consider the Bible and believers as simplistic and shallow-minded and believers dismiss true science as not to be trusted. But science and faith don't have to be an either/or proposition. Science authenticates the Bible. Some of the passage mentioned today: Social Distancing for Disease Control - Leviticus 13:2–11The necessity of Blood for Life - Leviticus 17:11The use of fresh and running water for cleansing - Leviticus 15Some suggested authors and websites mentioned today:John Lennox (www.johnlennox.org) - Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and internationally renowned speaker on the interface of science, philosophy and religion. William Lane Craig (www.reasonablefaith.org) - Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology and Professor of Philosophy at Houston Baptist University. Norman Geisler (normangeisler.com) - Late systematic theologian and philosopher. Alex McFarland (alexmcfarland.com) - Christian apologist, author, evangelist, religion and culture analyst.Peter Kreeft (www.peterkreeft.com ) - Professor of philosophy at Boston College.Alvin Plantinga – American Philosopher and 2017 Templeton Prize Laureate.David Berlinski (davidberlinski.org)- Senior Fellow of the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture.Answers in Genesis (answersingenesis.org)Creation Ministries International (creation.com)Institute of Creation Research (icr.org)

We are starting to study the book of Philippians at Casper Alliance Church. In our first week, we went through Philippians 1:1-11The following links are for our study guide & weekly studyPhilippians Week #1 Study GuidePhilippians Weekly StudyYou are invited to our worship gathering on Sundays at 11:00 am.2000 Casper St.Casper, WYThanks for listeningCheck out our webpageCasperchurch.com

“Following God Through the Silence”Text: Matthew 4:1-11The story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness begins right after the telling of His baptism. Similarly, we often experience wilderness periods where we wonder where God might be. However, Jesus is always with us in the midst of where we are – He is Emmanuel – “God with…

There are some defeats, failures, tragedies that feel permanent, but renewed dedication to the Lord can revive us from the depths of defeat. God gives Joshua directions to overcome this devastating loss that will help us overcome personal upsets:  Get Up (v. 10-11) The gravity or weight of defeat had knocked Joshua down, and the first thing that God tells him to do is get up Although Joshua was not directly responsible for Israel’s lost, because Israel lost Joshua was responsible. Face your failures instead of falling on your face!! The Lord acknowledges that the ultimate reason for Israel’s defeat was disobedience. (Sin) God’s indictment is not subjective, rather it is objective - Joshua 7:11The nature of Israel’s transgression had a progression: theft, deception, adultery Application: Do not play the victim, when the defeat is self-inflictedGive It Over (v. 12) The more we try to hold onto what belongs to him, the less inclined he will be to hold on to us.For as long as the people are holding onto what belongs to God, they will not be able to stand before their enemies.Israel needs the power of God in order to stand before its enemiesYou cannot benefit from the power of God without the presence of GodGod presents Israel with an ultimatum, proving to us that absolutes do exist Application: We must ask ourselves: Am I holding on to what really belongs to God? Get Ready (v. 13-15) The battle of Ai is passed, they have lost, but the Lord is going to give the people an opportunity to avoid repeating the past Preparation is the key to victory, and it is not about more mental or physical exercise, it must come through spiritual exercise (consecration) Consecration involves separation and dedication.Consecration requires you to separate yourself from what separates you from GodBut consecration also requires you not just to give your stuff away, it requires you to give yourself away.Repent or be ruined - Joshua 7:15 Application: God has given his people an opportunity to repent and be redeemed. Repentance leads to redemption   

The Remedy For Apathy / Romans 12:11The new year is upon us! So many of us struggle with apathy. Wondering wether we should give our time to what we want or what God wants. In the final message of 2019 Pastor Andrew shows us how to break the habit of being apathetic and how to re-embrace our passion for serving Jesus.

You Can't Fight City Hall 12/10/19 Vol. 7- #225You can't fight city hall is the old expression and its proven true yesterday with the Horowitz reports.*Volcano In New Zealand*Movie Time and Ghostbusters*Ridley Hates Trump*Horowitz Report*Durham's Response*Afghan War A Farce*But We Won't Leave*Elections in Britain*NHS The Issue*Vegan Eats Meat, Film at 11The money pledged thru Patreon.com will go toward show costs such as advertising, server time, and broadcasting equipment. If we can get enough listeners, we will expand the show to two hours and hire additional staff.To help our show out, please support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LibertyNeverSleepsAll bumper music and sound clips are not owned by the show, are commentary, and of educational purposes, or de minimus effect, and not for monetary gain.No copyright is claimed in any use of such materials and to the extent that material may appear to be infringed, I assert that such alleged infringement is permissible under fair use principles in U.S. copyright laws. If you believe material has been used in an unauthorized manner, please contact the poster.Special Thanks To:Craig B.Vanessa A.Patricia P.MirrakuDixie MAdditionally:Janet R.David A.Marcia D.Howard R.Chris S.Eric M.Michael L.Christine R.Darryl R.

You Can't Fight City Hall 12/10/19 Vol. 7- #225You can't fight city hall is the old expression and its proven true yesterday with the Horowitz reports.*Volcano In New Zealand*Movie Time and Ghostbusters*Ridley Hates Trump*Horowitz Report*Durham's Response*Afghan War A Farce*But We Won't Leave*Elections in Britain*NHS The Issue*Vegan Eats Meat, Film at 11The money pledged thru Patreon.com will go toward show costs such as advertising, server time, and broadcasting equipment. If we can get enough listeners, we will expand the show to two hours and hire additional staff.To help our show out, please support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LibertyNeverSleepsAll bumper music and sound clips are not owned by the show, are commentary, and of educational purposes, or de minimus effect, and not for monetary gain.No copyright is claimed in any use of such materials and to the extent that material may appear to be infringed, I assert that such alleged infringement is permissible under fair use principles in U.S. copyright laws. If you believe material has been used in an unauthorized manner, please contact the poster.Special Thanks To:Craig B.Vanessa A.Patricia P.MirrakuDixie MAdditionally:Janet R.David A.Marcia D.Howard R.Chris S.Eric M.Michael L.Christine R.Darryl R.

TWT Finals predictions 01:30Leroy hype 07:13Gender issues in fighting games 13:40Back to TWT predictions 27:10Are characters in Tekken too similar? 34:40Why Armor King struggles 43:30Character trends 50:20Tekken tips: Consistency over damage 54:27Tournament, long-play and online tiers 56:56Screw vs Bound 01:13:20 Season 3 top tiers 01:24:11The limits of human execution 01:28:50What Lars would sound like in Swedish 01:37:33Katarina's VA 01:48:00Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ThatBlastedSalami)

Genesis 3 1-6, Luke 4:1-11The chief dispute in the world is who has authority and who deserves to be worshipped.3 Great Questions in Life:1. Who is God? (Theology)2. Who are we/am I? (Anthropology/Identity)3. What is the good life? How do we live? (Morality/Sociology)1. Silencing the Adversary starts with recognizing the voice of God.2. Silencing the Adversary comes through obedience.3. Silencing the Adversary requires us to trust.“Worship works from the top down, you might say. In worship we don’t just come to show God our devotion and give him our praise; we are called to worship because in this encounter God (re)makes and molds us top-down. Worship is the arena in which God recalibrates our hearts, reforms our desires, and rehabituates our loves. Worship isn’t just something we do; it is where God does something to us. Worship is the heart of discipleship because it is the gymnasium in which God retrains our hearts.”James K.A. Smith“Jesus is a teacher who doesn’t just inform our intellect but forms our very loves. He isn’t content to simply deposit new ideas into your mind; he is after nothing less than your wants, your loves, your longings.” James K.A. Smith, You Are What You Love

In this episode sponsored by MY WINDOW BOX Joff travels to Worcestershire in the UK to experience The RHS Malvern Autumn Show. With hundreds of exhibitors it has more than enough to fill a whole day and plenty more for members of the family who might not put horticulture at the centre of their lives.  Joff has a great time and is extremely impressed with the organisation of the show which was very well attended on a bright though blowy day. Joff speaks to exhibitors about collecting old lawnmowers, groundsmanship, allotments, a record breaking collection of perry pears, and speaks to a charity, Herefordshire Growing Point, that has been offering horticultural therapy at a large number of sites around the country for over 30 years.  

https://www.bible.com/events/697695 Jesus & My Sin Part four of our series: Jesus &: My World Through His Eyes 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 – Romans 12:1-2 When it comes to your sin, what do you THINK?John 8:1-11The adulterous woman simply did not get what she deserved. She received MERCY.Which describes you? You may be haunted by one big […]

https://www.bible.com/events/697695 Jesus & My Sin Part four of our series: Jesus &: My World Through His Eyes 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 – Romans 12:1-2 When it comes to your sin, what do you THINK?John 8:1-11The adulterous woman simply did not get what she deserved. She received MERCY.Which describes you? You may be haunted by one big […]

10Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters: 11The name of the first river is Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12And the gold of that land is pure, and bdellium and onyx are found there. 13The […]

10Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters: 11The name of the first river is Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12And the gold of that land is pure, and bdellium and onyx are found there. 13The […]

What is #Trump going to do about IRAN? The world is watching..The world awaits a 'measured' US response to IranAfter weeks of mounting tension and a war of words, both the United States and Iran have refrained so far from further escalating their conflict after aU.S. drone was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missileWednesday evening. According to multiple reports, the U.S. military made preparations for limited strikes on Iran but approval was withdrawn before the attacks were launched. The New York Timesreported that President Trump had approved the strikes, but then called them off.Earlier Thursday, Trump told reporters that Iran made a "very big mistake" but also said he had the feeling that it might have been the result of someone being "loose and stupid," rather than a deliberate provocation by Iran. Top administration officials and lawmakers had a classified briefing at the White House and suggested a "measured" U.S. response is likely coming soon. Fred Fleitz, who also served as chief of staff to current National Security Adviser John Bolton, told "Tucker Carlson Tonight" that thepresident has acted responsibly and with restraint but that the use of force against Iran "is on the table."US citizen death total in Dominican Republic rises to 11The families of two U.S. citizens have told Fox News that the pair died suddenly while visiting the Dominican Republic. They were identified as Chris Palmer, a 41-year-old Army veteran from Kansas who died April 18, 2018, and Barbara Diane Maser-Mitchell, a 69-year-old retired nurse fromPennsylvania who died Sept. 17, 2016, after falling critically ill at a resort. The State Department confirmed their deaths to Fox News on Thursday.The two would bring the total of U.S. citizens known to have died while visiting the Dominican Republic to 11. Most of those deaths that have become matters of public record occurred in 2018 and 2019. Maser-Mitchell’s death is the earliest one reported so far.Bombshell testimony in Navy SEAL's trialNavy prosecutors are still pursuing murder charges against Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher even after bombshell testimony Thursday by a Navy colleague who confessed that he was the one to kill a teenage Islamic State fighter. Special Operator 1st Class Corey Scott, a SEAL Team Seven medic, testifying for the prosecution under an immunity agreement,told the court that he held the teen’s "thumb over his TT tube until he quit breathing," admitting that he asphyxiated the captive, despite saying that he saw Gallagher stab the boy in his neck.When cross-examined by the defense, Scott said he killed the fighter because he knew "he was going to die anyways." "I wanted to save him from what was going to happen to him next," Scott said, referring to alleged torture by Iraqi captors.Scandal-ridden Roy Moore announces new Senate bid, despite opposition from Trump, conservativesRoy Moore, the scandal-scarred Republican who lost a 2017 bid for the U.S. Senate in Alabama,announced Thursday he will run again for Senate next year, despite President Trump and other conservatives in Washington insisting he can’t win. “Yes, I will run for the United States Senate in 2020,” Moore said during a defiant announcement in Montgomery,after railing against the Republicans who have said they oppose his candidacy. "Can I win?" Moore said. "Yes, I can win. Not only can I, they know I can. That’s why there’s such opposition."Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, mocked Moore, specifically a report that Moore said he would improve on his previous run by engaging in "more personal contact with people."US women's soccer team dominates SwedenThe United States is showing just how fiercely it is prepared to defend its Women's World Cup title. The Americans faced their toughest test of the tournament on Thursday night and dominated in a 2-0 victory over Sweden, the rivals that stunned them at the2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. The U.S. went undefeated in the group stage, posting wins against Thailand and Chile before beating the Swedes, all without conceding a goal. It is the first time the Americans have shut out all their group opponents in the World Cup. They’ve also scored a group-stage record 18 goals. - Associated PressTODAY'S MUST-READSHouse Dems slammed for focusing on Hope Hicks' love lifeduring testimony.Oregon governor sends out state police to find GOP lawmakersskipping climate vote.Man must pay ex $15M after winning lottery during divorce, arbitrator rules.MINDING YOUR BUSINESSInvesting in Slack? Here's how much money the company has actually been making.Apple, Black & Decker and Steve Madden among US companies moving production out of China. Here’s the full list.Median age in US rises to 38: How it may impact health care, entitlements.

Margin for BalanceExodus 20:8-11The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord.24/7 Creates ImbalanceNever EnoughExhaustionIngratitudeThe gift of 24/6Balance: simplicity, contentment, and rest.Enough is enoughNext Steps:Name some things in your life that are 'never enough'.Commit to making one day a week Sabbath (name the day)Commit to enjoying Sabbath experiences with others. (Identify who this will be.)Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

The Augar Post 18 Review is a review of post-18 education and funding in England. The independent panel was led by Dr. Philip Augar (the official report can be found here). This has been a highly anticipated review and is a massive 216 page document, chocked full of recommendations and findings. So we thought it could be helpful to break up the relevant sections and highlight the key recommendations from the Augar review findings for you. The Post 18 Review is split into eight sections, Chapter 2 was dedicated to Skills, Chapter 4 to Further Education and Chapter 5 to Apprenticeships. The recommendations from the Augar review are listed below: Chapter 2 was dedicated to Skills:Recommendation 2.1The government should introduce a single lifelong learning loan allowance for tuition loans at Levels 4, 5 and 6, available for adults aged 18 or over, without a publicly funded degree. This should be set, as it is now, as a financial amount equivalent to four years’ full-time undergraduate degree funding.Recommendation 2.2Learners should be able to access student finance for tuition fee and maintenance support for modules of credit-based Level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications.Recommendation 2.3ELQ rules should be scrapped for those taking out loans for Levels 4, 5 and 6.Recommendation 2.4Institutions should award at least one interim qualification to all students who are following a Level 6 course successfully.Recommendation 2.5Streamline the number and improve the status of Level 4/5 qualifications.Recommendation 2.6The OfS should become the national regulator of all non-apprenticeship provision at Levels 4 and above.Recommendation 2.7Government should provide additional support and capital funding to specific FE colleges in order to ensure a national network of high quality technical provision is available. Government should work with the OfS to determine how best to allocate this using, for example, quality indicators and analysis of geographic coverage.Recommendation 2.8From 2021-22 the fee cap for Level 4 and 5 qualifications currently prescribed by the OfS should be £7,500 – the same as that proposed for Level 6 qualifications and in line with current arrangements for prescribed HE qualifications. Longer term, only kitemarked Level 4 and 5 qualifications that meet the new employer-led national standards should be able to charge fees up to the Level 6 cap and be eligible for teaching grant. From that point, any other Level 4 and 5 courses should have a lower fee cap.The current age cap should be removed so that a first ‘full’ Level 3 is available free to all learners whether they are in work or not.Recommendation 2.10Full funding for the first ‘full’ Level 2 qualification, for those who are 24 and over and who are employed should be restored.Recommendation 2.11The careers strategy should be rolled out nationally so that every secondary school is able to be part of a careers hub, that training is available to all careers leaders and that more young people have access to meaningful careers activities and encounters with employers.Chapter 4 is the Further Education section of the report:The Augar review gave a vision for England’s FE colleges in the future:A national network of collaborative FECs that provide high quality technical and professional education with a clear focus on Levels 3, 4 and 5, delivered flexibly and aligned to the needs of local economies. FECs will maintain strong relationships with employers and assist in driving productivity. As engines of social mobility and inclusion, FECs will also provide community learning, reskilling and upskilling opportunities for adults leading to sustainable career opportunities.Recommendation 4.1The unit funding rate for economically valuable adult education courses should be increasedRecommendation 4.2The reduction in the core funding rate for 18 year-olds should be reversed.Recommendation 4.3ESFA funding rules should be simplified for FE colleges, allowing colleges to respond more flexibly and immediately to the particular needs of their local labour market.Recommendation 4.4Government should commit to providing an indicative AEB that enables individual FE colleges to plan on the basis of income over a three-year period. Government should also explore introducing additional flexibility to transfer a proportion of AEB allocations between years on the same basis.Recommendation 4.54.5.1 Government should provide FE colleges with a dedicated capital investment of at least £1 billion over the next Spending Review period. This should be in addition to funding for T levels and should be allocated primarily on a strategic national basis in-line with Industrial Strategy priorities.4.5.2 Government should use the additional capital funding primarily to augment existing FE colleges to create a strong national network of high quality provision of technical and professional education, including growing capacity for higher technical provision in specific FE colleges.4.5.3 Government should also consider redirecting the HE capital grant to further education.Recommendation 4.64.6.1 The structure of the FE college network, particularly in large cities, should be further modified to minimise duplication in reasonable travel to learn areas.4.6.2 In rural and semi-rural areas, small FE colleges should be strongly encouraged to form or join groups in order to ensure sustainable quality provision in the long term.Recommendation 4.7Government should develop procedures to ensure that – as part of a collaborative national network of FE colleges – there is an efficient distribution of Level 3, 4 and 5 provision within reasonable travel-to-learn areas, to enable strategic investment and avoid counterproductive competition between providers.Recommendation 4.8Investment in the FE workforce should be a priority, allowing improvements in recruitment and retention, drawing in more expertise from industry, and strengthening professional development.Recommendation 4.9The panel recommends that government improve data collection, collation, analysis and publication across the whole further education sector (including independent training providers).Recommendation 4.10The OfS and the ESFA should establish a joint working party, co-chaired by the OfS and ESFA chairs, to align the requirements they place on providers and improve the interactions and exchange of information between these bodies. The working party should report to the Secretary of State for Education by March 2020.Recommendation 4.11FE colleges should be more clearly distinguished from other types of training provider in the FE sector with a protected title similar to that conferred on universities.Chapter 5 is dedicated to Apprenticeships:The report highlights some interesting details, such as in 2017/18, 70% of Apprenticeships started by people aged 25 and over:Subjects studied 155,500 (41 per cent) of the apprenticeships started in 2017/18 were by people aged 25 or over. A further 113,700 (30 per cent) were started by those aged between 19 and 24, meaning that over 70 per cent of apprenticeships were started by people aged 19 or over. The remaining 106,600 (28 per cent) apprenticeships were started by those aged under 19.33 Younger apprentices were far more likely to be new recruits, with 90 per cent of those aged under 19 recruited specifically to an apprenticeship. The comparable figures for older people are 70 per cent of those aged 19-24 and only 20 per cent of those aged 25 and over.34 CVER research has also found that the earnings returns to apprenticeships for those aged 19-24 is around twice that of those aged 25+.35 We understand that older workers are more likely to be ‘rebadged’ as apprentices and we question whether this always represents good value in the programme.Here are the key recommendations:Recommendation 5.1The government should monitor closely the extent to which apprenticeship take up reflects the priorities of the Industrial Strategy, both in content – including the need for specific skills at Levels 3 through 5 – and in geographic spread. If funding is inadequate for demand, apprenticeships should be prioritised in line with Industrial Strategy requirements.Recommendation 5.2The government should use data on apprenticeships wage returns to provide accessible system wide information for learners with a potential interest in apprenticeships.Recommendation 5.3Funding for Level 6 and above apprenticeships should normally be available only for apprentices who have not previously undertaken a publicly-supported degree.Recommendation 5.4Ofsted become the lead responsible body for the inspection of the quality of apprenticeships at all levels.Recommendation 5.5No provider without an acceptable Ofsted rating should receive a contract to deliver training in their own right (although a provider who has not yet been inspected could subcontract from a high-quality provider pending their own inspection).Recommendation 5.6The IfATE and the DfE (through the ESFA) should undertake a programme of work to better understand the barriers that SMEs face in engaging with the apprenticeship system and put in place mechanisms to address these, including raising awareness of the programme and making the system easier to navigat

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Charles DrewSermon Series: What Heaven Has to Do with Real LifeEcclesiastes 1, 12; 1 Corinthians 3 (ESV)Ecclesiastes 1:1-11The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. 7 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. 8 All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.Ecclesiastes 12:13-14The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.1 Corinthians 3:1-6, 10-15But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth… 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.Sermon OutlineIntroduction:A haunting question: “Why am I putting in all this effort when there is so much frustration and inefficiency in what I do, and when in the end it will all be forgotten?”The Bible teaches that our work may be remembered forever.I) Heaven promises the possibility of meaning to our present workA) Heaven and the work of the churchPaul, Apollos, and Jesus: 1 Cor. 3:12ffB) A broader meaning.For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing whether good or evil. (Eccl. 12)1 Cor. 3.13, 14: “disclosed”… “survive”… “reward”Not talking about whether we get to heaven or not based upon their work, but whether we get to take anything with us.Our work might (and might not) survive the purging at the endThe eternal durability of our work will not depend upon the type of gifts we have been given (“gold, silver, and precious stones” versus “wood, hay, and stubble”–! Cor. 3:12), but upon the “foundation” upon which we build.Why is Christ so foundational?C) Meaning for us.“I reject at once an idea that lingers in the mind of some modern people that cultural activities are in their own right spiritual and meritorious—as though scholars and poets are intrinsically more pleasing than folks who pick though trash for bottles… The work of a Beethoven and the work of a house-cleaner become spiritual on precisely the same conditions, that of being offered to God, of being done ‘as to the Lord’.” (Learning in War-Time, C. S. Lewis)II) Two questionsA) How does our work “last” into eternity?Hard to know—but it will be satisfying.“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little. I will put you over much. Enter now the joy of your Master.”B) How do we build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ?Bringing the Lord to work with us.Bringing the Savior to work with us.Questions for ReflectionWhat haunts the poet in Ecclesiastes 1:1-11? Do you ever share his sense of the vanity of your life and work? Why? Why not?The occasion for 1 Corinthians 3:1-12 was a squabble in the Corinthian church over whether Paul’s work or Apollos’ work were more important. Summarize Paul’s response to the squabblers.Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3 and elsewhere that a day is coming when every person’s work will be fully revealed and assessed. On that day that which does not measure up will “go up in smoke,” even if the person who did the work may not. How do you react to this notion? Why is final judgment described as a “revealing.” What sorts of things will be revealed?Reflect on the following statement: “The notion of a thorough assessment of our lives is sobering. But it is also exhilarating, for it tells us that God respects us enough to evaluate everything we do.”1 Corinthians 3 makes clear that God’s assessment of our work will not be based upon the type or prominence of our calling. How does the comparison between Paul and Apollos make this point? Why is it important to understand that God’s evaluation of our lives is not based upon the type or prominence of our gifts?God’s assessment is based instead upon what two things?Building upon the foundation of Christ can mean (among other things) bringing him as Lord to “work” with us: that is, imagining what our work world (our workplace, our block, our family, our politics, our studies, etc.) would look like if he were to assert his reign in them, and then nudging that work world, according to our ability and opportunity, in that direction. Identify at least one way you can bring, or have brought, Christ to work with you.Building upon the foundation of Christ can also mean bringing him as Savior to work with you. This will show up in at least two ways: (1) Knowing that we are sinners in need of forgiveness will keep us from acting as if we know all the answers to whatever problem we are addressing at work—it will, in other words, keep us humble; (2) We will be servants—always looking for ways to reflect the servant leadership of Christ in what why do, how we do it, and in what we seek our work world to do. Where can you make some progress in these areas?Prayer of ConfessionLord Jesus, all authority in every sphere of life has been given to you. It is only a matter of time before the fullness of heaven will cover our world as the waters cover the sea. We confess that we limit your reign. We tend not to bring you with us to work and study. We often fail to see colleagues and adversaries as you do. We rarely empty ourselves in the service of others. We often fail to speak of you when doors open. Forgive us for living so much of the time as if your kingdom were not real. By your Spirit give us your love and your Father’s love for this world. Amen.

“Whattaya Say?”Isaiah 6:1-8 Luke 5:1-11The 5th Sunday after the EpiphanyFebruary 10, 2019Pastor Roger Dykstra Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Iowa City, IA

Jesus and Religious Traditions 1One Sabbath day, Jesus and his disciples were walking through a field of ripe wheat. His disciples plucked some heads of grain and rubbed the husks off with their hands and ate it. 2This infuriated some of the Jewish religious leaders. They said to Jesus, “Why are you allowing your disciples to harvest grain on the Sabbath day? Don't you know it's not permissible according to the law?” 3Jesus replied, “Haven't you read the Scriptures? Haven't you read what King David did when he was hungry? 4He entered the sanctuary of God, took the bread of God's presence right off the sacred table, and shared it with his men. It was only lawful for the priests to eat the bread of God's presence. 5You need to know that the Son of Man is no slave to the Sabbath day, for I am master over the Sabbath.” 6-7On another Sabbath day, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. In the room with him was a man with a deformed right hand. Everyone watched Jesus closely, especially the Jewish religious leaders and the religious scholars, to see if Jesus would heal on a Sabbath day, for they were eager to find a reason to accuse him of breaking the Jewish laws. 8Jesus, knowing their every thought, said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand here in the middle of the room.”So he got up and came forward. 9Jesus said to all who were there, “Let me ask you a question. Which is better: to heal or to do harm on the Sabbath day? I have come to save a life, but you have come to find a life to destroy.” 10One by one Jesus looked into the eyes of each person in the room. Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your arm and open your hand!” With everyone watching intently, he stretched out his arm, and his hand was completely healed! 11The room erupted with bitter rage because of this Sabbath-day healing. And from that moment on, the religious leaders plotted among themselves about how they might harm Jesus. Jesus Chooses Twelve Apostles 12After this, Jesus went up into the high hills to spend the whole night in prayer to God. 13At daybreak he called together all of his followers and selected twelve from among them, and he appointed them to be his apostles. 14-16Here are their names: Simon, whom he named Peter; Andrew, Peter's brother; Jacob; John; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; Jacob the son of Alpheus; Simon, known as a fiery political zealot; Judah the son of Jacob; and Judas the locksmith, who later betrayed Jesus. 17Jesus and his apostles came down from the hillside to a level field, where a large number of his disciples waited, along with a massive crowd of people who had gathered from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the coastal district of Tyre and Sidon. 18They had all come to listen to the Manifestation so that they could be healed of their diseases and be set free from the demonic powers that tormented them. 19The entire crowd eagerly tried to come near Jesus so they could touch him and be healed, because a tangible supernatural power emanated from him, healing all who came close to him.

http://www.victoriousgc.org/podcastituen_en/jan262019.mp3 Judges 6: 11-14 11The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 13“Pardon me, […]

John 2:1-11The third in our Epiphany series with Dave Dickinson sharing on the revelation of Jesus through the first miracle.

“From Water to Wow”Isaiah 62:1-5, John 2:1-11The 2nd Sunday after the EpiphanyJanuary 20, 2019Pastor Roger Dykstra Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Iowa City, IA

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service and hear the sermons live and in person Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Readings for this Week:Exodus 16:2-4, 9-152The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”  4Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.”  9Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’ ” 10And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lordappeared in the cloud. 11The Lord spoke to Moses and said, 12“I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”  13In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.”Psalm 78:23-2923So God commanded the | clouds above  and opened the | doors of heaven, 24raining down manna upon | them to eat  and giving them | grain from heaven. R 25So mortals ate the | bread of angels;  God provided for them | food enough. 26The Lord caused the east wind to blow | in the heavens  and powerfully led out | the south wind, 27raining down flesh upon | them like dust  and flying birds like the sand | of the seas, 28letting them fall in the midst | of the camp  and round a- | bout the dwellings. 29So the people ate and | were well filled,  for God gave them | what they craved. REphesians 4:1-161I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.  7But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it is said,  “When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;  he gave gifts to his people.”9(When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.John 6:24-3524When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were [beside the sea,] they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.  25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”  35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

THE CHURCH: Acts 1:1-11The church exists because Jesus is alive.

It's another play it again episode! If you want to live a deeply fulfilling life, you can't afford not to dive deeply into yourself. This episode made a splash when I released it the first time, and it's also one of my favs. It's hard hitting goodness. I'm going deep in these 12 min asking you - What Matters to You? What is Your Why?I'm talking about getting to your core using Simon Sinek's idea of Starting with Why.Here's the blog post I reference of mine:https://www.thrive.how/what-are-you-working-for/Linds Reeding - A Short Lesson in Perspectivehttp://www.businessinsider.com/its-not-worth-it-linds-reddings-short-lesson-in-perspective-2012-11The questions I challenge you to answer:What matters most to you?What do you believe in?What would make you so very proud of yourself?Finally, are you living in alignment with these things or getting closer to them?Why? Why are you doing what you do? Why does it matter to you?If you enjoyed this and haven't yet listened to April Seifert's recent episode - #81. Stop Living by Default - listen to that to really hit this message home! https://www.thrive.how/podcast81/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John 12:1-11The story of Mary pouring out expensive perfume is a powerful image of worship, challenging us to consider all we have as worth nothing next to the incomparable riches of simply being with Jesus.

John 12:1-11The story of Mary pouring out expensive perfume is a powerful image of worship, challenging us to consider all we have as worth nothing next to the incomparable riches of simply being with Jesus.

Worship audio from February 25, 2018. Bulletin PDF or below:Welcome to Shepherd of the Lakes! We’re here to shepherd Christ’s flock and seek the lost sheep by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all. Come, let us worship!For your convenience, in the back corner of the sanctuary there is a room for any parents with children in need of a quiet place. The restrooms are located on the lower level. Please ask if you have any questions or concerns.Lord Jesus, you alone sought us out, forgave us, bought us, made us your own. You promised a cross for all who follow you. Lead me to see your cross, that I may find joy in the cross you have given me; AMEN.Consolation & Comfort through Faith:In other words, sin terrifies consciences. This happens through the Law, which shows God’s wrath against sin. But we gain the victory through Christ. How? Through faith, when we comfort ourselves by confidence in the mercy promised for Christ’s sake. ... God’s wrath cannot be appeased if we set our own works against it. For Christ has been set forth as an Atoning Sacrifice so, that for His sake, the Father may be reconciled to us. But Christ is not received as a Mediator except by faith. Therefore, by faith alone we receive forgiveness of sins when we comfort our hearts with confidence in the mercy promised for Christ’s sake. Likewise, Paul says in Romans 5:2, “Through Him we have also obtained access” and adds, “by faith.” Therefore, we are reconciled to the Father and receive forgiveness of sins when we are comforted with confidence in the mercy promised for Christ’s sake.Apology to the Augsburg Confession, Article 5 (Concordia p. 130)Because He Knew:Jesus knew the cross that awaited him; he knew the resurrection afterward. He had told this to his disciples numerous times – and now, as the day draws nearer, Jesus prepared his disciples for a cross.What is our cross, and how may we carry it?SUNDAY SCHOOL: ”Friend, I’m Sorry”LITURGY: CW p. 38 Please rise.PRAYER OF THE DAY:M: Almighty God, you see that we have no power to defend ourselves. Guard and keep us both outwardly and inwardly from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.The WordFIRST READING: Genesis 28:10-17The merciful presence of God is certain, because of grace alone: 10Jacob set out from Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. 11He came to a certain place and decided to spend the night there, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones from that place, put it under his head, and lay down to sleep in that place. 12He had a dream in which he saw a stairway set up on the earth with its top reaching to heaven. There were angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13There at the top stood the LORD, who said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. The land on which you are lying, I give to you and to your descendants. 14Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your seed all the families of the earth will be blessed. 15Now, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back again into this land. Indeed, I will not leave you, until I have done what I have promised to you.” 16Jacob woke up from his sleep, and he said, “Certainly the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17He was afraid and he said, “How awe-inspiring is this place! This is nothing other than the house of God, and this is the gate to heaven.” PSALM OF THE DAY: 73, CW p. 94SECOND READING: Romans 5:1-11The miracle of Lent – Christ the innocent, suffering for sinners and in their place makes them innocent in God’s sight:Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we also have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice confidently on the basis of our hope for the glory of God. 3Not only this, but we also rejoice confidently in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces patient endurance, 4and patient endurance produces tested character, and tested character produces hope. 5And hope will not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who was given to us. 6For at the appointed time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7It is rare indeed that someone will die for a righteous person. Perhaps someone might actually go so far as to die for a person who has been good to him. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, it is even more certain that we will be saved from God’s wrath through him. 10For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, it is even more certain that, since we have been reconciled, we will be saved by his life. 11And not only is this so, but we also go on rejoicing confidently in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received this reconciliation. THEME VERSE: Philippians 2:8Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Thanks be to God.GOSPEL READING: Mark 8:31-38The Cross:31Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things; be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the experts in the law; be killed; and after three days rise again. 32He was speaking plainly to them. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But after turning around and looking at his disciples, Jesus rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have your mind set on the things of God, but the things of men.” 34He called the crowd and his disciples together and said to them, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36After all, what good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38In fact, whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.Praise be to you, O Christ!HYMN OF THE DAY: 434 – Lord, You I Love with All My HeartSERMON based on Mark 8: Preparation for the CrossCONFESSION OF FAITH: Apostles’ Creed, CW p. 41OFFERINGPRAYER OF THE CHURCH: CW p. 42Please rise.CLOSING PRAYER: CW p. 43CLOSING HYMN: 355 – Take the World, But Give Me JesusNOTESBowling today at 3 PM – see the sign-up sheet at the back lectern.Midweek Lenten services continue - 6 PM meal, 7 PM worship.Looking Ahead to Next Sunday:Theme Lent 3 – Because He Knew: He Put His House in OrderColor PurpleLiturgy Common Service, CW p. 15Hymns 401, 456, 532, 530; CWS Psalm 69Readings from John 2, Exodus 20, Romans 8Verse of the Day John 3:14-15THIS WEEKToday 1 Samuel 26 9:30 AM - Second Sunday of Lent 10:45 AM – Sunday School. Bible Class: The FloodMonday 1 Samuel 27Tuesday 1 Samuel 28 7 PM - CAPWednesday 1 Samuel 29 5-6 PM – Small Catechism Class 6 PM - Lenten Supper 7 PM - Ash Wednesday WorshipThursday 1 Samuel 30Friday 1 Samuel 31Saturday 2 Samuel 1Sunday 2 Samuel 2 9:30 AM - Lent 3 Worship with Holy Communion 10:45 AM – Bible class & Sunday SchoolGreen Pastures with Jesus is the podcast from Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church of Fairmont, MN. Here you’ll find a variety of segments to lead you to the green pastures of the Word of God, where our Good Shepherd feeds our faith.  Find us online: www.shepherdofthelakes.net or http://facebook.com/shepherdofthelakes Worship is Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM.Bible class & Sunday School follow at 10:40 AM.323 E. 1st St – Fairmont, MNpastorhagen@icloud.com or (507) 236-9572 iTunes & iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/green-pastures-jesus-shepherd/id1183522558?mt=2 Stitcher link: http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=127180&refid=stprOr simply search for “Green Pastures with Jesus” in your podcast app. Intro & Outro courtesy of Koine - The Church Band. Check them out at www.koinemusic.com, or find them on iTunes & Amazon: Search for Koine. Bible text from Biblegateway.com - EHV.    

This is the 23rd and last class on the book of Hebrews. This Bible class was taught at the Pilot Point Church in Pilot Point Texas. The following is the outline of the class.  Welcome to Mount Zion Preservation of the saints Hebrews chapter 10:19-12:29 True faith will enable us to run the race of life. Hebrews chapter 12:1-4 True faith understands God's discipline is not contrary to God's love Hebrews chapter 12:5-14 True faith understands the imperative to live holy Hebrews chapter 12:14-17 True faith chooses the right mountain Hebrews chapter 12:18-28 18You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” Hebrews 12 22But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12 25See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”27The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29for our “God is a consuming fire.” Concluding Exhortations and Application Hebrews chapter 13 Outline Hebrews 13:1-6 Application – be loving Be loving to the brethren - verse 1 Be loving to those who are strangers - verse 2 Be loving to those who are persecuted - verse 3 Be loving to your companions - verse 4 Be loving in a positive and negative way - verses 5-6 Hebrews 13 13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. 4Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” 7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Benediction and Final Greetings 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. 20Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 22Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. 23I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. 24Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. 25Grace be with you all. Access to GOD OLD COVENANT GOD Prophets  Angels Moses Human priesthood Law of works Man  NEW COVENANT Jesus both God and man and His children. Subscribe to the podcast: {Apple Podcasts}{Stitcher}{Google Play}{IHeartRadio}{YouTube}

*Hymns may not match audio.  All material is used for Spiritual/Educational Purposes.   THURSDAY Morning Prayer God, come to my assistance.- Lord, make haste to help meGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spiritas it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen. HYMN Virgin-born, we bow before you:Blessed was the womb that bore you;Mary, Mother meek and mild,Blessed was she in her Child.Blessed was the breast that fed you;Blessed was the hand that led you;Blessed was the other's eyeWatching o'er your infancy. Blessed she by all creation,Who brought forth the world's salvation.Blessed they who ever blest,Love you most and serve you best.Virgin-born, we bow before you;Blessed was the womb that bore you;Mary, Mother meek and mild,Blessed was she in her Child. Melody: Mon Dieu, Prete Moi L'Orielle 88-77D (Genevan Psalm 86)Music: German Psalter, 1543Text: R. Heber, 1783-1826, alt.   Or: Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God,I come before you, unworthy as I am,to renew our total dedication to you.Be now and for ever our Mother,our advocate and our protector;rule over us as our sovereign Lady,keep us from falling,but if we do fallhelp us to rise again without delay.Show yourself as Mother of God,to whom all sinners have been entrusted:be our patroness and theirswith your loving Son. Jean Joseph du Vieux Chatel (1724-1797)   PSALMODYAnt.1 Tell us, shepherds, what have you seen? Who has appeared on earth? We have seen a newborn infant and a choir of angels praising the Lord. or: O Mother, how pure you are, you are untouched by sin; yours was the privilege to carry God within you.   Psalm 143:1-11Prayer in distressA man is not justified by observance of the law but only through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16) Lord, listen to my prayer:turn your ear to my appeal.You are faithful, you are just; give answer.Do not call your servant to judgmentfor no one is just in your sight. The enemy pursues my soul;he has crushed my life to the ground;he has made me dwell in darknesslike the dead, long forgotten.Therefore my spirit fails;my heart is numb within me. I remember the days that are past:I ponder all your works.I muse on what your hand has wroughtand to you I stretch out my hands.Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you. Lord, make haste and answer;for my spirit fails within me.Do not hide your facelest I become like those in the grave. In the morning let me know your lovefor I put my trust in you.Make me know the way I should walk:to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies;I have fled to you for refuge.Teach me to do your willfor you, O Lord, are my God.Let your good spirit guide mein ways that are level and smooth. For your name's sake, Lord, save my life;in your justice save my soul from distress. Ant. 2 The angel said to the shepherds: I proclaim to you a great joy: today the Savior of the world is born for you. Or: You are the glory of Jerusalem, the joy of Israel; you are the fairest honor of our race.   Canticle                                                      Isaiah 66:10-14aJoys of heavenThe heavenly Jerusalem is a free woman and our mother (Galatians 4:26)   Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,all you who love her;Exult, exult with her,all you who were mourning over her! Oh, that you may suck fullyof the milk of her comfort,That you may nurse with delightat her abundant breasts! For thus says the LORD:Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river,and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms,and fondled in her lap;As a mother comforts her son,so will I comfort you;in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort. When you see this, your heart shall rejoice,and your bodies flourish like the grass. Ant. 3: A little child is born for us today; little and yet called the mighty God. Or: O Virgin Mary, how great your cause for joy; God found you worthy to bear Christ our Savior. Psalm 147:1-11The loving kindness of God who can do all he willsYou are God: we praise you; you are the Lord: we acclaim you.   Praise the Lord for he is good;sing to our God for he is loving:to him our praise is due. The Lord builds up Jerusalemand brings back Israel's exiles,he heals the broken-hearted,he binds up all their wounds.He fixes the number of the stars;he calls each one by its name. Our Lord is great and almighty;his wisdom can never be measured.The Lord raises the lowly;he humbles the wicked to the dust.O sing to the Lord giving thanks;sing psalms to our God with the harp. He covers the heavens with clouds;he prepares the rain for the earth,making mountains sprout with grassand with plants to serve man's needs.He provides the beasts with their foodand young ravens that call upon him. His delight is not in horsesnor his pleasure in warriors' strength.The Lord delights in those who revere him,in those who wait for his love. FIRST READING                                                      Hebrews 1:1-2 In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, Or                                                       Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age. Or                                                       Song of Songs 6:9-10 One alone is my dove, my perfect one,  her mother's chosen,  the dear one of her parent.The daughters saw her and declared her fortunate,  the queens and concubines, and they sang her praises; Who is this that comes forth like the dawn,  as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun,  as awe-inspiring as bannered troops? SECOND READING From a sermon by St. Thomas of Villanova, bishop(Sermon on the birth of Mary II,7-9) Mother of her own Creator!   What a marvelous woman, to be the mother of her own Creator! What an amazing distinction for a woman, to have a Son in common with God. The Father loves his Son; the Mother rejoices in her Son. The Father tells his Son: from the womb, before the morning star, I begot you; the Mother says to her same Son: From the womb, I, a virgin, brought you into the world. She is amazed at her own glory, nor can she herself understand her elevation, for by the very fact of being made mother of the Creator she became with the best right mistress and queen of all creation. Truly, Mary he that is mighty, has done great things for you; truly because he made you his own mother, all generations of the ages will call you blessed. RESPONSORYHow blessed are you, Virgin Mary,for you carried within you the Lord, the Creator of the world. - Mother of your Maker, you remain a virgin for ever.Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. - Mother of your Maker, you remain a virgin for ever. Or: For our sake, the King of heaven chose to be born of his virgin mother,to reclaim lost men for the heavenly kingdom - All the angels cry aloud with joy,for God has come himself to save mankind.Glory to God in the highest,and peace to his people on earth. - All the angels cry aloud with joy,for God has come himself to save mankind.   CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH                                                       Luke 1:68-79Ant. Blessed are you, Mary, because you believed that the Lord's words to you would be fulfilled.   The Messiah and his forerunner   Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior,born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old,  that he would save us from our enemies,  from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,to set us free from the hands of our enemies,free to worship him without fear,holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvationby the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our Godthe dawn from on high shall break upon us,to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.  Amen. INTERCESSIONS The Word of God existed before the creation of the universe yet was born among us in time. We praise and worship him as we cry out in joy.   Let the earth ring out with joy for you have come!   You are the eternal Word of God who flooded the world with joy at your birth,- fill us with joy by the continuous gift of your life. You saved us and by your birth revealed to us the covenant faithfulness of the Lord,- help us to be faithful to the promises of our baptism. You are the King of heaven and earth who sent messengers to announce peace to all,- let our lives be filled with your peace. You are the true vine that brings forth the fruit of life,- make us branches of the vine bearing much fruit. Our Father… CONCLUDING PRAYER Father,we are filled with the new lightby the coming of your Word among us.May the light of faithshine in our words and actions. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.   Alternative Prayer   Almighty God and Father of light,a child is born for us and a son is given to us.Your eternal Word leaped down from heavenin the silent watches of the night,and now your church is filled with wonderat the nearness of her God.Open our hearts to receive his lifeand increase our vision with the rising of dawn,that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace,who lives and reigns for ever and ever. May the Lord bless us,protect us from eviland bring us to everlasting life. -  Amen.

Wordstock — Portland's book festival — is that most wonderful of days, when Oregonians’ book lust reaches a fever pitch, culminating in increased secret police presence at book signings, reader mobs storming the gates of Powell’s, and more mayhem.We talked to a slew of fantastic authors at this year's event: Tom Perrotta, Katie Kitamura, Chuck Klosterman, and more. We'll serve these up on our podcast in the coming weeks, but for now, feast on this live show, recorded at noon with four writers on the vanguard."Welcome to Night Vale" with Creators Jeffrey Cranor and Joseph FinkFor the past five years, the creators of the runaway hit podcast, "Welcome to Night Vale" have spun tales of a fictional Southwestern desert town, where people live side by side with the supernatural. Hooded figures, shadowy government agencies, and ravenous ghosts abound— but also girl scouts, coffeehouses, and a community radio station. “Night Vale” is about finding humanity, seated right there next to unspeakable horror at the local diner, enjoying pie and coffee. Its creators have taken Night Vale to the page with a a second novel, "It Devours." It's the story of a young scientist trying to unravel the town's mysteries, and decipher her own outsider status. We talked to Fink and Cranor about the novel, the podcast series, and the Night Vale live shows. Just how popular are those staged events? The next Nightvale live show in Portland is scheduled at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, which seats 2700 people.Poets Tommy Pico and Morgan Parker - 27:11The authors of two of the most anticipated poetry books of the year just so happen to be dear friends. Morgan Parker’s poems have appeared in the “Paris Review,” the “New York Times,” and “Best American Poetry,” and have won her Pushcart and Gatewood prizes. Her new book is “There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce.”Tommy Pico is the author of “IRL” and the zine series “Hey, Teebs,” a Lambda Literary Fellow, and co-host of the podcast “Food 4 Thot.” His new book is “Nature Poem." Together, they curate the reading series Poets with Attitude in New York City.“We were tired of being the only person on a bill who cared that the audience was there.” - Tommy Pico on State of WonderBoth their books were published by Tin House, the bi-coastal publisher split between Portland and Brooklyn.

In this episode, Kristina Evans shares her social media journey and how she went from 200 LinkedIn followers to over 10,000 in less than one year. I get a great sense of fulfillment sharing with others and I'm okay if I ruffle a few feathers now and then - Kristina Kristina doesn't share a magic formula for success on LinkedIn, in fact, she has had a lot of content that fell flat with no engagement.  She does, however, share some insights on how to engage effectively.  Some of the topics we cover include: The importance of authenticity How to manage disagreement Just hit publish

Is it really possible to create a business and life you flat-out LOVE? Today’s guest, Marie Forleo says hell yes! And after intentionally creating a crazy-successful business and life of her own, it’s safe to say this is one woman who truly walks her talk.For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/11I first discovered Marie back in 2011, when I did her online business program, B-School. It was a life-changing experience, and it gave me the courage (and tools) to follow my passion and create my own business. I have gone through B-School every year since — not only because I love it, but because it never fails to trigger a new wave of growth and abundance, both in my business and myself.Marie’s incredible achievements have been recognised far and wide — Oprah named her a thought leader for the next generation, and Inc included her on their annual list of the 500 fastest growing companies. But I love her most for her heart-centred wisdom and her commitment to giving back — she’s been one of the most influential figures in my life, and I can’t wait for you to hear this intimate chat.Whether you want to turn your passion into profit, or simply invite more love into your life, get ready for inspiration overload. You’re gonna love this one!In this episode we chat about:Why ‘wealth’ is not a dirty word (3:32)Her past struggle with money and wealth, and how she overcame her money-making blocks (4:53)What her parents’ divorce taught her (05:01)How she built her passion-driven multi-million dollar empire from scratch (10:24)How Marie got to where she is today and how she got into life coaching (14:44)How to find your passion in life (18:33)How to move through limiting beliefs around money and abundance (24:56)How to turn your passion into profit (26:30)How she creates community and culture with a virtual team all over the world (27:51)How to build and hire your own epic team (30:46)Why giving back and being a ‘people based’ business will skyrocket your profits (so much gold here!) (39:17)Marie’s tips on bringing real world connection into the online space (48:30)How Marie juggles the dance between the masculine and feminine (51:20)Why self care is so important when you’re running a heart centered business (56:17)The daily routine and non negotiables that allow her to be so successful (57:36)How a supportive partner can help you shine (58:56)What Marie is most recently grateful for (01:02:40)Plus so much more! For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/11The only purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is no substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Spoilers Contained! Game of Thrones "Sons of the Harpy" Tyrion and Jorah Mormont set sail. Cersei makes a move against the Tyrells. Jamie and Bronn sneak into Dorne. Ellaria and the Sand Snakes make their plans. Melisandre seduces Jon. The Harpies attack.-IMDB Starring: Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Aidan Gillen, Charles Dance, Natalie Dormer, Liam Cunningham, Stephen Dillane, Carice van Houten, Alfie Allen, John Bradley, Jack Gleeson, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Rory McCann, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Gwendoline Christie, Jerome Flynn, Conleth Hill, Iwan Rheon, Pedro Pascal, and Iain Glen Jessica and Dean's Discussion Notes Benioff and his man-wifeAngry book fansJamie and Bronn - 05:11The mad... sort of QueenA hopeless and Dornish endeavorNo more secretsBattle in the dunes - 12:35The Sand SnakesEllaria's quest for revenge - 17:49A short-haired warPay that bank its money!Fierce temple sweepers"Monty" Mace TyrellA formidable lioness - 23:05Picking off her enemiesLoras TyrellThe Faith MilitantA bloody nose for the QueenTommen's parentage - 31:55Sweetie-pie KingWinterfell - 36:33Robert's RebellionThings look good for SansaThe Wall - 44:58Jon Snow's dubious heritageThe Lady of Ice and Fire - 48:50A flaming - super hot - weirdoThe hierarchy of rejectionDating Wiccan chicksBrienne Holmes & Podrick Watson - 53:57A father and his daughterShireen's story?Tyrion is back! - 1:00:05When will we see Varys next?Mereen - 1:05:22A singing knightEnough about the fighting pits!Selmy's honorListener comments - 1:15:32 ContactEmailSpeak Pipe Subscribe to LSG's "A Game of Thrones Podcast"iTunesStitcherRSS: http://gotonlsg.libsyn.com/rss(Cut and paste RSS address into podcasting app search function) Subscribe to LSG's "The Walking Dead Podcast"iTunesStitcherRSS: http://twdonlsg.libsyn.com/rss(Cut and paste RSS address into podcasting app search function) Subscribe to LSG's "The Science Fiction Film Podcast"iTunesStitcherRSS: http://sciencefictionfilmpodcast.libsyn.com/rss(Cut and paste RSS address into podcasting app search function) SupportPatreonWebsite

Colossians 3:1-11The way to holiness, the way to transformation is to set our minds on Jesus, so we starve the sin in our lives.

Pastor Zenzile Legend February 16, 2014 Judges 61The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. 2Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 4They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. 5They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help. 7When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, 8he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 9I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” 11The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 13“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 15“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” 16The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” 17Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.” And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return.” 19Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak. 20The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. 21Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” 23But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” 24So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. 25That same night the Lord said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering.” 27So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime. 28In the morning when the people of the town got up, there was Baal’s altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar! 29They asked each other, “Who did this?” When they carefully investigated, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.” 30The people of the town demanded of Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” 31But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” 32So because Gideon broke down Baal’s altar, they gave him the name Jerub-Baal that day, saying, “Let Baal contend with him.” 33Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. 35He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them. 36Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— 37look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. Judges 7 1Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. 4But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” 5So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. 7The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. 13Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” 14His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” 15When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” 16Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside. 17“Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. 18When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’ ” 19Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. 22When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 23Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. 24Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. 25They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

The Apocalypse:God Gets Involve-and Angry Revelation12-17

1 Peter 4Every Christian receives strength to use their spiritual Gift v 11The source of strength v11The supply of strength v11Every Christian should glorify God with their spiritual Gift

Today on the anniversary of the infamous attack on the twin towers in New York city, we are going to take this occasion to look at some if the human rights issues that have emerged in the US and with US policies in aftermath of that attack. We are going to talk with Vince Warren the director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, an organization that has been in the forefront of attempting to cure some of the practices which have been criticized by many in this country and around the world as excessive to the degree of being outside the bounds of law. We are also going to talk with Cheri Honkala, the National Organizer of the Poor people’s Economic human rights campaign who just returned from the RNC in Minnesota, where she will share her organizations work and concerns regarding the post 9/11 political environment for oppositional activists in the country. We hope that you will enjoy the first of hopefully many informative and provocative programs that will be brought to you every two weeks as part of our efforts to bring human rights home. Please read CERD Report "In the Shadows of the War on Terror" http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/ngos/usa/USHRN15.pdf