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Every morning on our way into work, we think about what we want to share with you because we have a goal: we want to encourage you and let you know that you're loved by your Father in Heaven. We also want you to know that things will be okay.God's promises aren't dependent on our circumstances. That doesn't mean we can rest in God only when things are going well, it means we can rest in God no matter what happens. I don't know what you have coming your way today, but I do know that the Bible says:"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" - Isaiah 40:12The answer to that question is God because He has the whole world in His hands. If he's got the whole world in his hands, that means you are in His hands. If you are in his hands, then anything that comes toward you has to get through His hands. If God is a loving and sovereign Father who wants only good for you, you can know that it's going to be okay.Whether it's a bad diagnosis that you're wrestling with, it's going to be okay. If you're dealing with job loss, it's going to be okay. Regardless of what is going on in our world, it's going to be okay. This isn't true because we say so, but because God has already said so. He has promised that he works all things for the good of those who love Him and whom he has called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) That means if you are in His hands, it's going to be okay.

https://www.shatterthedarkness.net/files/SATANIC%20RITUAL%20ABUSE%20MAY%2030%20%202020%20%20june%202.pdf%20AUG%2016.pdf THE RAGGED EDGE RADIO CONFRONTING EXPOSING & TEARING DOWN RADICAL EVIL PDF LIVE NOTES BROADCAST WORLDWIDE TEN MILLION FIERCE & ARCHIVES RIGHT AT THE GATES OF HELL WHEN PEOPLE BECOME JUST COMMODITIES 5 MORE DAYS AND HERE ARE THE TITLES OF THE PROGRAMS 1. WHEN HUMANS BECOME COMMODITIES PART 41 2. WHEN HUMANS AFFLICT HUMANS PART 42 3. WHEN HUMANS ARE DISFIGURED PART 43 4. WHEN HUMANS DO AS THE DEMONS DO PART 44 5. WHEN HUMANS LOOK INTO THE FACE OF GOD PART 45 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, Revelation 18 102 From THE LIVE RAGGED EDGE RADIO BROADCAST/SHATTER LIVE TV WEBINAR RUSS DIZDAR © WHEN HUMANS BECOME COMMODITIES THE PREEMPTOR NEWS INTRODUCTION https://duckduckgo.com/?q=christian+song+on+rescue&iax=videos&ia=videos&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIRYA0k2Fksk

David Smith is a full-time independent app developer. Since 2006, David has owned and operated a small company focusing on creating applications for the iPhone and Apple Watch.David has built many successful apps over the years. His most recent app, Widgetsmith, went viral and hit #1 on the App Store. It has over 50 million downloads. David's other successful apps include Watchsmith, Pedometer++, and Sleep++.David also co-hosts a weekly podcast called Under the Radar, where he and his co-host Mario Arment discuss Apple-related topics.In this episode, you'll learn: How to transition from a hobbyist to a full-time app developer Two big mistakes to avoid when starting out as an app developer How customers find new apps in 2021 The biggest waste of time and money for an app developer Links & Resources The LibriVox project Mirror app Launch Center Pro app David Smith's Links David's Website Audiobooks app Widgetsmith app Watchsmith app Pedometer++ app Sleep++ app Under the Radar podcast David's Twitter: @_DavidSmith iOS Version Stats Follow Us:David Barnard: https://twitter.com/drbarnardJacob Eiting: https://twitter.com/jeitingLike this episode?Subscribe to Sub Club on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to get the latest news on mobile subscription apps.Episode TranscriptDavid Smith: 00:00:00I've launched, I think it's 56 or 57 apps at this point, and all but about six of them have completely failed. I say that mostly because I've launched more failures probably than anyone in the App Store in some ways, and that's the way that you can end up with success, I've just kept trying, and it got me that little baseline of income that it was like, okay, I'm not just wasting my time here.David: 00:00:19Welcome to the Sub Club podcast. I'm your host, David Barnard, and with me as always Jacob Eiting. Hello Jacob.Jacob: 00:00:43Hi David Number one, How are you?David: 00:00:46I'm good. Our guest today, maybe number two, is David Smith, long time indie developer and podcaster. Starting with Audiobooks in 2009, David has built many successful apps over the years, including Widgetsmith. Pedometer. His most recent app, Widgetsmith went viral on TikTok, and hit number one in the App Store.Welcome David.David Smith: 00:01:10Thank you, It's great to be here.David: 00:01:11Yeah, it's great to chat. We've chatted in person a few times, and bumped into each other at WWDC over the years. You've been doing this pretty much since the very beginning, right? Audiobooks came out in 2009, when did you actually start working on that?David Smith: 00:01:27So, It wasn't even my first first app. I think my first app that never went anywhere, it was launched in 2008. So, I mean, I was within a couple of months of the App Store launching. So I've been doing it essentially as long as you could, and I think I started working on, oh yeah. Audiobooks, the end of 2008.And it's just kind of grown from there. So it's about 13 years in the App Store.David: 00:01:46Like me and Jacob, actually, we both had apps...Jacob: 00:01:50In the on days of paid up front, and only 200 apps on the App Store, and all that. It is a good time. Were you a developer, like a Mac developer before that? Or how did you trip into iOS?David Smith: 00:02:06Sure. I was a web developer before I did this, and so, I mean, honestly, I started writing apps before I even actually owned an iPhone. I just, it seemed like a good opportunity and I wasn't particularly happy where I was at work and it was just something that I thought would be interesting opportunity.And I started learning and didn't know what I was doing for a long time, but just kept at it. And so it's just one of those things I got into mostly because it seemed like a good opportunity at the time. And so, you know, I just, eventually I initially was doing some web consulting as well as my iOS work.And eventually they just, the web consulting disappeared and it became iOS full-time, and that's sort of been the story for more than a, you know, like 10 years now probably.Jacob: 00:02:47Yeah, no, I was, Kind of similar, like I just saw it coming and it was like, Hmm, maybe I should. And I went and picked up the Macco OS, the the Hillegass book and learned Mac OS programming, like, yeah, because there wasn't the iOS book, right. There was no iOS, it was iPhone iOS. But yeah, it was a different time, fewer apps way, smaller community.So, yeah. Interesting decade.David: 00:03:15I do want to start by digging into the story of Audiobooks, and, I think one of the, one of the interesting things to me, because it happened to me as well, is how having this kind of foundation app that, that started in 2009, that did well enough. And, and I'm, I kind of jumping ahead here a little bit, but I, I think if I know your story correctly, Audiobooks is kind of what helped you make the leap to be full-time indie. And then once you become full-time indie, you started to have the time to experiment with all these other apps, and a similar thing with me, like I've had a couple of key apps over the years that kind of provided that like foundation of income that let me keep going.And then, that allowed me to experiment with all these different apps, like launching a pro ended up coming out of, of already having income to be able to take this big bet. and then mirror came along where it was doing really well, and I was able to take other bets. And so it seems like that's somewhat the story of Audiobooks.So, so let's, let's dig into that. So it was 2008, you had had a failure and then you, you start working on Audiobooks in late 2008. what was the, what was the inspiration and, and, and, and how did how did you kick off that?David Smith: 00:04:31Audiobooks was an app that it's essentially, it's a, it's a wrapper and a player for a free public domain Audiobooks. that was all it was, and it was essentially just coming into the market because. at the time, I mean, there were there, wasn't an easy way to listen to any Audiobooks, on the iPhone at that point.And there wasn't an audible app there wasn't, apple didn't have anything and it was just, you could, I guess you could listen to Audiobooks, I think in the music app potentially, but it was...Jacob: 00:04:57Yeah, you can buy them on iTunes. Right. And they were like, 20 bucks a pop.David Smith: 00:05:02Yeah. And So that's where the idea for the the app came from, and it became, and it's just sort of, it, it just, it took off in a way that I wasn't really expecting and it was successful.And because it was an app that had a very broad appeal, it was something that I think, as you say, it's sort of like built a platform for me to. Then continue to experiment and try things. And, I mean that, that app has gone through originally, it was paid up front and then it went free with ads. And then I tried selling my own ads for awhile.I sort of went through lots of different models over it over the years, but, it was certainly the app that I think was my first thing that was commercially viable, where I don't think. On its income. Initially I would have been able to go into, but it was the kind of thing where it became a client for me when I was doing consulting work.And I would say like, you know, it would buy my time because it would start generating enough income. And at first it was like, maybe it would buy me 10 hours a week that I could work on my kind of like independent stuff and then make the event, it would do better. And, and now could buy 20 hours a week of my time and eventually it bought all of my time.And I think that model worked really well for me to have that initial success that I could then keep trying things. And I mean, I've. Launched. I think it's up to, I think it's 56 or 57 apps at this point. and all of it, about six of them have completely failed. Jacob: 00:06:18That's incredible.David Smith: 00:06:20And I say that mostly because it's like, it is so easy.It's like I've launched. So I've launched more failures probably than anyone in the App Store in some ways. And they're like, that's the way that you can end up with success though, is, is that it's just like, I've just kept trying. And I think Audiobooks was a useful one because it got me that a little baseline of income that it was like, okay, this is not just, I'm not just wasting my time here.But it allowed me to then just keep trying and lots of things that, you know, lots of ideas and lots, lots of things went different places. Some of them had their moment in the sun and then like failed off. Like there was a period in the App Store where you, the classic model is you had a paid up front app and you'd make, you know, a reasonable amount of money in the first two weeks.And then it would make almost no money ever again. And that was just the way it was. And like that's a model that. isn't very sustainable, but you know, it's like if you had something that had a bit more, you know, regular income as a baseline, you, you could make work.Jacob:00:07:13And that's how you incentivize a developer to make 60 some apps it's still like,David Smith: 00:07:17Exactly.Jacob:00:07:18And I just said it like a curiosity. Did the Audiobooks in Audiobooks, what was the source for those are those like prerecorded public domain or.David Smith: 00:07:27Yeah, exactly. So there's a thing called the LibriVox project where people volunteer to read, classic Audiobooks, such as, you know, essentially, you know, Dickens or Jane Austin or things like this that are out of, out of copyright. And so people volunteer to read them. And then, those are just available on the internet.And this, essentially my app was just a wrapper for that. It was just a way to, get into that. And the people who act, who run the liberal box project were actually very happy with it. Like they, they cause for them. There was no easy way to get their audio onto an iPhone. And so they were delighted that there, you know, this app is just creating a venue for their project to get a lot more visibility and interest.Jacob:00:08:06And he got an incredible like App Store parked name, just Audiobooks. That's a great one.David:00:08:12That's exactly what I was going to dive into. Like how did, did, did that, was that just kind of a happy accident or in 2008, did you already start to notice? Cause it took me like. Three or four years, I'm a little slow on the uptake to, to realize that these like naming a keyword instead of trying to create a brand was actually a fairly successful strategy for a lot of apps.So did you just stumble into that or was it somewhat intentional?David Smith: 00:08:37No. I mean, I think it was largely just a result of, I didn't have a name. I didn't have a better name and because the content of it was so generic, it wasn't like there was a natural branding that I was doing this and it's like, yeah, it's the related to the App Store. So you could just pick a proper noun and it would be available because there only a few hundred.Grow a few thousand apps in the App Store. And so I picked it, I tried it and it certainly has turned out well in that regard that it still has reasonably good, you know, search, search, search optimization and things. Cause if you want an audio book and you go into the App Store and search Audiobooks, it's an exact name match.So, you know, audible likely, still ranks higher because it's has more traffic, but, it's going to be in one of the top, couple of hits. and that's just a natural thing. And I wouldn't say it was intentional. Like this is part of some grand plan, but, it is certainly something that. I found useful. I mean, many of my other apps, like I have an app called pedometer plus plus, and sleep plus plus, which, the plus plus when the App Store is doing its algorithm for searching, typically just sort of drops off.And so they start, they rank very well for those terms for sleeper pedometer. and then, but I learned though that it's important to have something be somewhat trademarkable just for, legal reasons and copycats and those kinds of things. And so. Having something additional to it, was helpful that I could trademark those terms and go after people who are, are being, you know, sort of trying to, trying to get that benefit from the, any sort of success I've had on it.But I think in those tricks, they're always a bit tricky cause like they, they are useful at the time, but they're not really long lived and you can't rely on them. Like. It's something. If apple just tweaks their algorithm slightly, then it goes away. So it's not worth chasing necessarily, but it certainly in this case, worked out well for me and was useful, but know less and less of a factor now.Jacob:00:10:24If you, if you made Audiobooks today, it would be Audiobooks, degree sign, tiny cross, probably.David:00:10:31That's I was going to ask though about, you know, algorithm changes over the years and things like that. Did you, have you seen a, cause you took it free in like 2010 or something, right? Like pretty early you switched to the in-app purchase model. so like, what I saw with my mirror app was that once I switched it to, it was like mirror by app heavy or something.And that switched it to mirror with like a little, Unicode symbol that looks like a mirror. And so then it was the exact match for a mirror. And then it just really took off and it was, it it's been the number. And I ended up selling that app in 2017, but it's still the number one, one hit for mirror on the App Store.And, I got to, I think around 2015, there was kind of a peak of like five, 6,000 organic downloads every single day. And then even though, even though like the ASO didn't change, like it still ranked for all of these keywords and everything else, it did slowly kind of start to dip. And, and I kind of wonder if that was, if that somewhat follows the kind of people going to the App Store searching generic keywords, it was like the iPhone more and more people were buying them more and more people were coming like first time into the app.So you can either confirm or debunk my, thesis here that, that. There was kind of a wave and then a, a, a crest and a, a fall of the, of these, organic searches on the, on the App Store.David Smith: 00:12:06I couldn't speak with authority about it, but that seems consistent with my experience where I think they're in the early days of the App Store, there is definitely a higher sense of just curiosity that people would open the App Store and just be browsing and just not necessarily looking for anything in particular.'Cause they didn't know what their phone could do. They hadn't like that they have a phone and they knew it was going to be good for, you know, texting an email, but, oh, there's an App Store. Let's see what it does. And I think that phase is certainly behind us that I think people know what they know. They know what they're to know.They know what they want to use their phone for. And very often they're going for a particular thing, not just like browsing. And I th and I think if you were. and similarly, I imagine if you're just one looking for a generic term, you may not start in the App Store, even if that's where you gonna get the app, you may start in, in Google or YouTube or somewhere else.Yeah. Like you're, you're, you're, that's because there's a mature enough ecosystem there. That there's a better way. Find that even though the App Store is a great place, but it's, I think that's some, those kind of just generic, organic downloads are much harder to sort of define at this point. And I think that that's just the reality.David:00:13:15Similar kind of build and crest and fall as far as like. Since, since Audiobooks is so heavily rely on organic installs you don't. I mean, from my understanding, you don't do any paid advertising for it. did it kind of pressed around that 20 14, 20 15 and then, or have, have organic downloads been pretty stable?David Smith: 00:13:35Yeah. I mean, I think I know, I couldn't tell you a date. I don't know if it, I actually look at the numbers, but it certainly isn't that way that there is that I think there have been a couple of phases of the App Store and there was the early first, maybe four or five years. you had that much sort of just higher interest and it was easier to be, be seen.And I would say sort of in the last five years, the ACQUITY user acquisition. Reality of being in the App Store is very different. That it, it is, there's a lot more either like, or just organic, organic is more and more challenging. And, I D don't do very much paid, but I think if that would be the only way that I've actually wanted to affect change, to my downloads beyond kind of just word of mouth and natural, sort of, I think at this point, a lot of my downloads are coming from.Sort of the word of mouth version of organic, rather than the someone coming to the App Store with a need and then trying to find it. and so that's just, that's just a guess, but I think there certainly is those, there, there, the App Store has changed dramatically in 13 years. I think there's, there's certainly no doubt about it.Jacob:00:14:31User base too. I mean, I think about the way that, that what we were talking about as I was thinking about like my usage patterns pre and kind of post that era. And I think one thing that has changed is kind of, I kind of found all the apps I needed by 2015, you know, I kinda got, I got my podcast app, I got my, this app, I got my, that app.I don't really go in there just doing that, that way. You're talking about, the, the like, oh, what can I find for my phone anymore? Right. It's just not something I do. I still occasionally get a recommendation or I find something organically or whatever, but, you know, and yeah, like. In 2021. This is very few people's first smartphone, right?This is like somebody's fifth iPhone plus. And so it's just like, there's less curiosity, I think, but I guess that's exactly what we're arguing here. Okay.David:00:15:18So you mentioned you you've probably failed more than any developer ever on the App Store, which is really cool. I mean, I, in some ways feel the same way. I mean, I'm, I'm not nearly as prolific as you, but I mean, I've had gosh, like 26 apps and maybe four or five have been reasonably successful. But so I'm going to put you on the spot here.Are there any, any things that really stick out of like, you know, and I can think of one app, cause I'm still working in this space w your weather app, but are there any apps that you can point to and say, you know, I learned a very specific lesson from this, in those failures. Cause I think a lot of people who've only ever had one app and that one app was super successful.There's kind of a confirmation bias. Like I'm awesome. I did everything right. But it's like, they don't even know what they do. Don't know, they don't know what they did wrong. They just happened to like hit some level of product market fit. So any, any specific apps and lessons you learned from these failures?David Smith: 00:16:18Failure is obviously a complicated thing because I think I learned something from all of them. And so in some ways they were, they were useful. But I think from a financial perspective, it's mostly what I'm talking about when they're sort of a failure on that. And I think the two areas that the biggest mistakes that I've learned is one is under.To try to really understand and having an honest evaluation of the size of the market you're addressing. and some of the things that I've launched are very focused. were very niche and. That kind of a thing. It it is possible to make it work, but the economics are incredibly difficult and you're dealing with a very uphill battle.If you're dealing with something that, there is only ever going to be useful to 10,000 people then great. That for that 10,000 people it might be really cool, but it's very unlikely. You're going to make a sustainable living on an app at that unless your economics can be so high, that each one of those people is giving you a substantial amount of money on an ongoing basis.I think some of my failures were things where I was like, Ooh, this is really cool. And it's an app that does something, very specific and it doesn't really end up working out. I think the other thing that I found too is just having that sense of. that apps understanding what are the ongoing costs of related to an app going to be, and making sure that the economics of that can balance out.So, in your example of my weather app, ultimately like the app was successful. It had, a reasonably good user base, but at that, this was, it existed in a time before, subscriptions were a thing. Like they just did it didn't exist in the App Store. And so. The economics of trying to make it so that people could continuously, you know, pay for the weather data that I had to buy for.It just wasn't there. And at a certain point, it became, it's like a change from being a business to a charity because I was spending more money on the backend. than I was, you know, getting people on an ongoing basis. And that was something that I don't think I really it's easy when I'm building something to just ignore that because the costs, especially early on are so low when you look at these things and especially with, with, with most, if you're some kind of data service or some kind of hosting provider you often will have a free tier or something that like the E and if in some ways, success can be your own failing because you haven't taken into account that, oh, if this, you know, if I get any amount of volume, then suddenly I'm going to be spending thousands of dollars a month.Supporting this app. And if the economics aren't balanced for that, then it can, you have to essentially shut it down and deal with that. And I think those are two things for that. It's usually when an app has failed it's because either I didn't fully understand what the ongoing constantly going to be, or I didn't sort of real it.Wasn't realistic about how big of a market it is.Jacob:00:18:54Yeah, the unit economics are tricky because at the beginning, it's, it's hard to get good to data because everything's so small. It's like, oh, I can't really tell. I don't really know what my CAC is or what my cost to service cogs are. So you're just like, whatever. And then by the time it matters, it's too late.Right. And in some cases,David Smith: 00:19:12The two that you just used several terms that I have no idea what they mean. and I think this is another failing on my part that like, you know, Kat Mike hack and my Sasser service caught, like, I dunno, like it's it's, this is fun. That was just fine. I think. But that's...Jacob:00:19:24An educational moment. Cost of user acquisition. And what's the cogs cost of goods sold. Sorry. Yeah, those were like, those are the things I didn't learn until I had a SAS company though, to be honest. Right. Like it's, it's interesting. Like, yeah, the different. Which, which, which, I mean, just highlights kind of the world we're in now.Right. Which is where most app developers are running a SAS business. Right. would you, would you wear with the weather app, you just didn't kind of think about it in those terms. It was like an app with an API, but really it was a SAS business. and, and, that's why we're here@subclub.com to educate people.Actually, it's not.David Smith: 00:19:58Yeah, well, but I think there's definitely that teachable moment in that insofar as it's just it's that's another aspect of that failing is I think it's so easy coming at it from an engineering background that I can get too excited about the engineering aspects of what I'm doing that. I think that, oh, there's this cool, cool new API.There's this fun new feature. There's this cool problem I'm solving. And I can go down, you know, spend a month of my time building this app. And then in the end, I haven't. Really thought about the marketing side or the economic realities or all of those things. And in some ways it's like, that's fine because part of what I'm like, what I'm good at is the engineering.And if anything, I've been able to just engineer my way out of this problem by keeping I can just keep building. And eventually I've had enough things that just kind of naturally hit. and it isn't necessarily the most efficient way to do it or the way I'd recommend it. But I think that is an aspect of my failing, where it is.You know, and it's, it's also the reality of being an independent, independent developer where. Like, I don't have a staff. I don't have anyone else in that regard. And so it's not like I have a business, a business, a business team, or someone doing user acquisition or any of those things, which on the one hand is great because it means my costs are really low that, you know, my, my revenue is divided by one and I get to see, you know, and I keep it.So if I was a team of five people and I'm dividing my revenue by five, it's quite a hard thing to, you know, Have five times to five X the revenue. And so it's like a trade-off that you, in some ways it'd be great if I had both have both, but I'm not sure if it's actually reasonable or practical too.Jacob:00:21:29I mean, really though, that's, it's a good algorithm for finding a new, new API APIs are the apps or version of the market shifting, right. It's when something gets created, right? There's a new opportunity. So exploring those and understanding those and finding out how you can remix those with existing ideas that might, that, you know, as a, as a team of one where one is an engineer, that's kind of your strategic advantage, right?It's might not, might not be ASO. It might not be acquisition and all these other things. it might be like, Hey, what can I do? Cool stuff with computers. And I think historically that's been a pretty good, ROI for, for a lot of companies. So I wouldn't, I wouldn't necessarily call that a weakness. though it's both right, but yeah.David:00:22:12Yeah. And that, that specifically has been part of your strategy, right? So like you, you know, I mean, Widgetsmith, which we'll, we'll get to in a little bit, but even, watch plus plus, but domino plus plus, or Widgetmith's sorry. yeah. Tell us about your thinking around using these new API APIs to get attention.Doing something that's never been done before as marketing, which, which is, is, is a great way to do it.David Smith: 00:22:42Yeah, well, anything. So this is certainly something I've done time of day. And again, that like predominant or plus plus, which is, after Bridget Smith, the most successful thing I ever made was the first pedometer app in the App Store. And it was, you know, when the iPhone 5s launched apple introduced to put a step counting ship into it.And it was the first app that took care of it. And it's like for a few weeks, even it was the only one. And it was. Probably one of my strategic advantages is the fact that I'm just one guy who really likes to program and is pretty good at doing things quickly. And that means that I can be there on day one.And I think that's beneficial in sort of two main ways that being out there early is something that often gets Apple's attention and. It's ebbed and flowed in terms of whether that's important for apple featuring you or not, but it's never a bad thing for a, for apple to feature you or to get on their radar.And, you know, as an independent developer, that's one of the few things that I have that I can kind of pull on that apple gets excited about where on day one, here's this app that takes care of this new thing that they're trying to sell their new phone withJacob:00:23:44Yeah. And that speed, that speed. Even like a one person team compared to like a three or five person team. There's a real advantage. If it's just one person like no communication overhead, no, nothing. Like you can just do it all in your brain. And like, it's really hard to be. I mean, now I'm saying this is watching, I haven't watched our company grow so much.It's like, wow. The just like getting all these folks coordinated at the same time really is a different world than when it's. Just yourself, like trying to put things together quickly.David Smith: 00:24:09Yeah. I mean, I think that, that, that's just such a, the other aspect of this, just so much. It's so, so often I can do something faster than anyone else. Not necessarily because there's something magic about me, but it's just, I don't have it. There's no, it's not like it does that. Oh, there's a designer who will, you know, do a bunch of specs and then that's going into it.We'll have it, then we'll have a sprint planning meeting and we'll break up the features. And it's this whole thing that like, that's not my process. I just open up X code and start working. And so it's an, you know, maybe it means that, I, you know, it's like, and I ended up with as long as I have a good idea in my mind, I can just be driving towards it.I don't need to go through a lot of infrastructure to get that. Like, I don't have. You know, a roadmap with tasks, with, you know, sort of issues that I'm working through and burning down my, like, whatever, all those software things that you need to do, if you have a big team and are valuable, but I just don't exist for me.And so there's that extra multiplier. And I think being there early. Is just, it gets, it gets attention and it creates opportunity that there's a vacuum. It's, it's a short-lived thing. You know, the, if I, if I had launched Widgetsmith a few, a few weeks later, I don't think it would've mattered. It would have been complete.Like it is this very ephemeral, like thing. It wasn't, you know, once a year, there's this giant opportunity for me and I've done sort of dove in and taken advantage of it several times. And sometimes it's worked and sometimes it hasn't, you know, like my message App Store apps didn't go anywhere, but. That turned out that was a market that didn't exist, but I spent my summer making sure that I was there and if they hadn't, if they hadn't been really important and was super cool.Cool. And apple cared about it a lot, then I would have been there and yeah. Or know that ahead of time, unfortunately, but that's, I think just something that a small team can benefit dramatically from is like taking advantage of that and being okay with too of not shipping things that are as robust and complicated as fair enough.If I was. A five person team. It could do more or have more capabilities or, you know, be localized into more, more languages or also launch on Android or whatever those things that, that you would imagine would be beneficial. I don't have those, but like, it's just a trade offJacob:00:26:09Yeah. Search your marketing channel primary. Right? It makes a lot of sense. We did this at, when I was at elevate. This was a constant strategy for us was what does apple interested in? Even, even for us, we were a team of 10 or 20 at that stage, but like, yeah. Adding APIs. Oh yeah, sure. It kind of makes sense.Okay. Yeah, we can add that. Like it's not on our product roadmap, not really something, but like yeah, the, the benefits were tangible, but as you kinda mentioned, it has gotten at some point, I think for a team of that size, the benefits of being in the, like what's new, I forget what the, they used to always have a feature like what's new in iOS, whatever.And you would get Nat and it would be a pretty good feature, but that has gone down over time. So now it's like, It's exclusively the, to the benefit of really small developer teams, right. That they can take advantage of.David Smith: 00:26:53Yeah, well, and it's just, I think that the impact of being fee, because to your earlier point about, I think fewer people are searching for apps. so being in a featured list in the App Store is not as the, is not the thing that it used to be. That I remember the first time I got featured in the App Store and it was.I just rev. It was completely, mind-bending where I would go from like, yeah, you lasted a week. And I went from, you know, maybe having like in the tens of downloads a day to suddenly I'm having like tens of thousands of downloads a day and it was just like completely mind-bending, but that's not the reality anymore.Like that, that multiplier isn't there in, the same way. Like, it's It's lovely to be featured, but it also is very muted now because it's not for a week. It's kind of on this random algorithmically driven basis, where if you're the app of the day, you're actually the app of the day, only for one person necessarily.Like it's not like everyone in the world got it that day. Um it's and so those, those things lessen the impact of it. and Their benefit becomes more in aggregate rather than kind of in an acute way.David:00:27:52One of the things you mentioned kind of in passing there was, not having to wait on a designer and that's something I actually wanted to talk about. I, you know, as much as it's like the apple ethos to be pixel perfect, and to like, have these like amazing, you know, leather stitched icons back in the day or whatever.I regret spending as much as I did and kind of letting design in some ways, overly drive the process. because as an independent developer, where every penny I spend is, is money. That's not going into my pocket. I spent tens of thousands probably over well, over a hundred thousand dollars on design over the last 13 years.And from what I understand, you've spent very little, so, so I mean, it sounds like that's intentionally part of your strategies. Like you, don't one you were saying, you know, you're not a team of five, so you keep your expenses down, but two you're, you're also not waiting on them. So yeah, it was at, have you spent much on, on design over the years or have you done it all yourself and then has that been a very intentional for, for speed and cost?David Smith: 00:29:07Yeah. I mean, I think I've certainly tried spending money on design and it over the 13 years, like I it's, it's not that I've never done it, but it's, it, it, I, it was never, it never paid off for me enough that it would. For it to be something I continued doing. And I don't think I've done it in five, six years now.And at this point, the only design that I typically will ever pay for is, icon design. because that's just something that I can't do very well myself, but even like recently, like Widgetsmith, the icon I made myself, cause it's just a blue round direct, like I could handle that.Jacob:00:29:41That's a good icon.David Smith: 00:29:43Which has been it's fine.Jacob:00:29:44And it's number...David Smith: 00:29:45Think, yeah, like.Jacob:00:29:47Icon designer actually.David:00:29:48Yeah.David Smith: 00:29:49And I think, but it's to the point of like, I think eight. It's easy enough to like, if you try to learn basic design and get competent at the basics, you can go, that can take you a very long way. And I think really elegant, new fancy design that's doing really like groundbreaking or cool things with fancy animations and all that stuff.Like I love it. And we're using an app that does that, but that kind of design, like that takes a tremendous toll on your development process. And I think. A M like a, if you're a thoughtful to the developer who wants, is willing to put in the work to just kind of like study what the basics of design are, you know, you can get good enough that you can do a lot of it yourself.And I think that's something that has worked really well for me. and I think it's also been to my benefit that it isn't necessarily that I'm not waiting on a designer. It is that I'm able to, I'm a better developer because I understood, I took the time to. Study what makes a good design for an app.And so I'm w that informs my development, and then it allows me to build things that'll be easy that are structured, such that the design will naturally flow from it. And those types of differences that if I just was being hand handed a list of like, here's a, you know, a handful of mock-ups go and build it.And I don't really understand why things are structured the way they are. Then I would often find myself in kind of, I'd pay myself into technical corners that, if, if you, if you are responsible for both the design and the development, you're that the two are blending together really well. And so I think it's something that I certainly recommend.And I think like, I mean, some of the best apps I think have come out of the one developer, one designer teams, like I think that is a can, we can be a useful model, but. For me, it's just something that I think, you know, in the same way that often I've, you know, I've known many designers who learn just enough coding to be able to sort of, to make the basics of the key, to the same thing and go the other way that, a developer who puts in a little bit of time and is a student of what, like, if you're using something and you start paying attention to why is this good?And you don't try and overreach and. Like try and do things that are beyond your capability. Like, I can make a really nice clean UI. I can't make a, you know, something that is, is clever and fancy and that's it. That's fine. And I'll just, if I scale my scale, my applications to fit, what I can do, then I'm fine.Jacob:00:32:13Yeah, I, I'll share it. Not like we're revenue count. We didn't have a, it, I mean, we have a full-time, product designer now that helps with like dashboard work and stuff like that, but we didn't have, I was the only person doing design for the first two years and very similar, like I, I knew going into it.It was my weak spot. So I spent a few weeks, one summer just like taking. I took an online color theory class. And then I just like learned, did some like basic tutorials got really good at sketch and like made some mock-ups. And, you know, I had worked with a lot of great designers and kind of had knew what the process was like.But yeah, again, it's like, what's your advantage? And in your case, it's the API APIs and being first to market and all that stuff. And so you're not likely to get a lot of like, Yeah, leverage or whatever out of having really great design, you just needed to be functional. You needed it to be good enough something.That's not going to turn people off right. When they see the app on and that's, and that's kind of the bar and yeah, I agree with you. I think it's actually pretty easy to achieve, at, you know, with a, with a minimal investment.David Smith: 00:33:14Yeah. And I think you also, it's, I'm very, I very much like a model where the initial upfront costs are as low as possible. And if I need to double down on something and like, it becomes a situation where, oh, now I need design resources or I need something more graphically oriented or like things arise.Like. I'm delighted to spend money on an app. That's making money.Jacob:00:33:36Yeah, exactly.David Smith: 00:33:37it, rather than spending the money on something before it's even proven itselfJacob:00:33:41Yeah. We've spent a lot on design since like revenue cat's hit like our stride, but in the early days it was like, not like this API is like the design of the Jason is more important than the website.David Smith: 00:33:53Exactly.David:00:33:53Yeah, and it does force this kind of function over form approach. And I think that's where your apps have really succeeded. Is that there is it, you focus on them doing things well, Like serving a specific purpose and serving that specific purpose very effectively. And that's where I think a lot of the kind of form over function design either within apple.I think apple still makes this mistake a lot of, of focusing too much on, on how things are going to look and how things are gonna, come across versus like, well, how, how is it actually going to be used by people? And, I, you know, that's where I think I've fallen down a lot, as well as like spending so much time on these pretty graphics.And then, and then everything then like the user you can't like iterate quickly on a user interface based on feedback when it's all so polished and pixel perfect. Like it's so much harder to do iterative design. To enhance the usability of an app when, when there's so many barriers and then so much already kind of like set in stone because it was designed this way and you can't, step back out of that as easily.So, yeah, I think, I think it's great the way you've, you've done that.Jacob:00:35:12The one thing that resonated with me that you said David was, just how a designer, if they don't fully. And I love designers, all of my designer, friends are gonna hate me for talking bad about designers, but I think one, one universal experience of developers when you get handed something that. It's it looks great and like functional on paper, but like, there's just like, because there isn't like internal knowledge of UI kit.Right. And just like this thing that looks like, yeah, I know it's just pixels and it should be really simple, but like, it's actually going to add hours and days to my, to my, and, and you know, if you're not an assertive developer, that's going to be like, no, I'm just not going to do it. You can do that on your business.Right. But like, Because you own it, but, but if it, you know, if you work on a team or whatever, sometimes there's a lot of loss there where a developer will feel. And also like, I feel like it's a challenge, right? Like, oh yeah, I can do that. Right. And they ended up over investing in these ornate, user experiences or use user interface elements.It just like you talk about like ROI and whatever, like just not there, you know? so I think it's a very like prudent approach.David:00:36:22So I did want to touch on real quick and. I want to get to Widgetsmith and talk more about that. But, I wanted to touch on the, your iOS version stats. So, it's something I've really appreciated over the years. There's a flurry has, has published stats here and there that your site has been like my go-to place to say, you know, how's I was 14 adoption going, how are so you published publicly?The, the version stats of your Audiobooks app, which is a fairly broad market app. It's not perfectly representative probably of the entire market. but yeah. Tell me about why you publish that and then do you actually run a customer analytics to power that, or, or do you have a third party analytics provided that you just pull the stats in front from.David Smith: 00:37:09So, I mean, that came from, I think there were certainly, I mean, I'm running it for years and years, because in the early days of the App Store, there just wasn't good data on this kind of thing. And it was so I, I remember finding that it was just so frustrating. Right. I, I couldn't get. Basic sense of like the different device distributions and, iOS adoption rates and things.And so I just wrote something, myself to do this, and I sort of shared it because it was really helpful. I thought, I, I, I, if it's helpful for me, it's going to be helpful for someone else. and Audiobooks was the best app. I had to make the public version of this for, because it was my broadest kind of user base, that it wasn't as like pedometer is great, but it's.Dealing with people who are fitness oriented. And so like my, at some of my adoption numbers are like th there's a skew to it and it's a bit less mass market. but it's all built in custom. I I've used analytics packages and things before, but, in the, in, especially with apple being. I think it's a sort of like the privacy consciousness and things.It became something that I just didn't want to have. I want to have it the minimum amount of third party code in my apps as I could. And something like the, the kind of analytics I'm collecting is very easy to do as just a little, sort of custom thing that I wrote. That's just, you know, it's just a little website.That's collecting some very basic stats and being thoughtful about making sure that it doesn't log essentially anything except for very anonymized. aggregated things just so I don't collect any user level information whatsoever. It's all just being collected, at, at, at an aggregate level. And it's just something that I wrote and it's, it's a basic thing.And I think it's a useful tool because this is sort of to the same thing of a question about philosophy. It's like, you can't know when you can drop all the old devices or which device to optimize for. And this, you actually collect that data and you actually look at it. and so like right now, for example, send that, I re like I always try and optimize my apps for the iPhone 10 R because in all of my apps, it is by far that screen size.So the it's the F1 10 or the iPhone 11. those are by far the most popular phones in the world right now. And so like, that's my primary testing device. That's where I start, but I wouldn't know that if I wasn't collecting that kind of data and. You know, sort of, I wouldn't have guessed that necessarily.And especially because I live in the like apple tech ecosystem and I wouldn't, you know, in my mind, oh, it's probably just like the pro size, you know, like the, the, the 11 pro is probably the most popular phone because that's what all my friends have. But, that's actually not the case. That's, you know, that is a popular phone, but it's by no means the most popular.And so. Having that kind of data to back up my choices and making sure that, you know, like, I, I, I, if am doing a design, I'll optimize it for that and then adjust it for the other ones rather than going the other way around. Or if I'm doing screenshots for the App Store, I make sure that my screenshots.Are perfect for that one. And even if, sometimes I'll do you know, for the, my, the more minor phones, I might just say, like use the scale down the assets for something else, but that's a size that I've we'll for sure. Use. I think also it's speaks to, there is, I think there's still some of this, but maybe a bit less, but in the earlier days of the App Store, there was a, I felt like there was a group of.People who were kind of, we felt like we were in this together. And, like, especially among kind of indie small developers, we tend to try and like help each other out. And so like I made that public, it was an internal dashboard. And then I just like, well, let me just publish this to a different URL. because if you had to kind of just help out.And I think that was a nice thing that I think there's just, there are fewer Indies than there used to be. but it's certainly an aspect of the community that I think is still nice when there are, there are some aspects of it that still exists.Jacob:00:40:52It's also really nice to have. usually I would caution people to roll against rolling their own. Right. but I think there is this like somewhat unserved niche of some of these tools get really expensive, even like an amplitude or a Mixpanel or whatever. They're, they're more. There, the pricing often is more favorable towards a B2B and like smaller headcount kind of, or smaller like user based size apps.And you can lose this, this like kind of information. I, and I gathered not an App Store connector. It's probably crappy if it is. David Smith: 00:41:24Like some of it's in there, but not really in a way that like abstract connect sometimes has some of the stuff, but I like, I like just having it myself and there's also, it means that I can do additional beyond just, demographic collection. There are a few things that I will do in here where I can add in a hook and say, Oh, like, do, does anybody ever open this page of the app?And I can do a little basic, like those kinds of basic analytics things that you can't do on that, do an App Store connect. and so I can put, you know, put this into my system and do those kinds of basic collections, which a more sophisticated analytics packages, just like, that's just a basic feature of it.But, it's a, it gives you that kind of middle ground and it's, it's just, it's a tricky reality of, you know, apple once, you know, I have to put in my privacy things, all the, you know, all the things that I do. And so. I start using a third party thing. I have to be completely on board with everything they're using my data for.And so sometimes it's easier to just roll it. Have it be basic and simple. I mean, the actual, these apps are not complicated or I think the initial version of this was actually, I just based it on the error log of a, engine X server, where I just ran it and they would make, they would make the record.They would just. Yeah, they would just make the request and they would actually just all 4 0 4, like the trend analytics requests were just 4 0 4 and I would just parse the error log and add it to a SQL file. And it's like that, that was super straightforward and easy to build. And it's just a script and it's...Jacob:00:42:47Mixed panel, basically like in...David Smith: 00:42:49Like, You know, and like that's where I think mostly just to say is it doesn't have to be like super sophisticated and fancy.This is a backend utility tool. So you can very easily, like you could go crazy making it fancy, or you can just, you know, write a little scripts to process a log file and it'll get just as much data out of it.David:00:43:09Yeah, that's great. I did want to touch on, on witness Smith. You you've talked about it at length, so, There's a great episode with you and Marco. I think what came out like two weeks after we just hit number one. And so that's a really fun episode. People can kind of go get the history, but it's a cool kind of, culmination of this story of launching 56 different apps, trying all these different things.And then you, you go after these brand new features with the widgets in iOS 14 and. somebody picks the app up on Tik TOK. It goes viral. It hits number one in the App Store. It's just such a cool story as an indie developer to hit number one. And, and, and again, you've told a lot of that story. other places I don't want to just rehash the whole story.But there were a couple of things that I wanted to go over and I don't know if you've talked about it, since so one of the things that I think would be to follow up on is just how the, Durability has been. So like you hit number one, it stayed there for like, gosh, like weeks, right. Or almost a month.And then, yeah. So how has it, how has that gone since, and like, you're still like number five you're you're in the top 10 of productivity regularly. how has the app been durable? download wise and revenue wise, like how, how has it gone after hitting number one? Like.David Smith: 00:44:37I mean, I think it is, it certainly continues to be my most successful app. And I think it probably, it seems like it will be for, for, for quite some time. And obviously the first couple of weeks were insane and completely. Like mind bending and, you know, I think I exceeded my luck like to date App Store downloads.You know, of all my apps over the last 13 years were in a few hours of it when it kind of hit that crazy moment.Jacob:00:45:03We've seen a couple on revenue casts, a couple of viral events like that, and I am blown away every single time. It's it's more like it outpaces the App Store featuring like by 10 or a hundred X. It's insane. David Smith: 00:45:15And I think that, and let me say that it was really cool and fun and exciting and a little bit like scary and like terrifying. But I think it's, what's, I didn't know where it would have, where it would settle down to. And it's like, where is that? Come see the nature of. Something being a flavor of the moment is that like, that moment ends and it just vanishes like the, the driver behind that, you know, it's not like it's being featured in Tik TOK videos anymore, at least not in the same way.And so the durability, I believe now is largely just coming from the fact that that initial spike generates enough kind of ongoing word of mouth advertising, that the nature of. Especially the nature of what it does is it puts something cool on your home screen. And it has that natural. If someone sees your home screen or you show them something or you share a screenshot and it has the name of the app in it, and it's like, it, it has that natural, oh, I want to do that to witness to it.And that seems to be where the durability has come from because, I've. Tried sort of like the, the sort of like the paid marketing things to try and keep something going. And for me, it's a model that gets very, it's very hard to not just like, lose your shirt on it because you can.Jacob:00:46:22Yeah.David Smith: 00:46:22Spent a way out, spend what you're getting back or not have.Jacob:00:46:26Someone else's money to blow.David Smith: 00:46:27Yeah. And so like for me, it's just, it never makes sense. And so, like, I w I wonder if something's going to be something that I keep working on, it needs to be sustainable kind of on its own. And for it, it's still, you know, it still continues to do really well on a, on a, on a download basis. And it's also, it's, you know, it has, it's monetized both with advertising and with subscriptions.And so. You know, th the two together create a really nice, sustainable, revenue for me that it's based mostly on usage rather than, needing necessarily to have big spikes in downloads to keep it going. It's like as long as people keep using the app, that they're opening, it they'll see ads, or if they're, you know, power users who really want like the pro features of it and they'd pay for a subscription, if it's continuing to provide value to them that they'll continue subscribing.And so it's, that durability has been there. I think largely it certainly is easy to be durable when you have. This wild spike at the beginning to kind of kickstart that, effort. but it's, it seems like the there's enough ongoing utility of it, that it keeps people keep using it. And, that has a natural sort of knock on effect of people just telling their friends about it.And I mean, it's kind of a cool thing that, even after. You know, many millions of downloads, it continues to find new art, find it, find a new market and people will continue to sign up for the subscription. And it's, it's that's happening sort of on its own without me having to necessarily do anything other than just keep adding, you know, features and improvements to it.I don't need to worry necessarily on that side of things as much.David:00:47:56Yeah. One of the things that I was, initially taken aback by, but now see the, the maybe accidental brilliance of how permissive you were with the feature. So, and I mean, I made a mistake with launch center pro. I was actually trying to kind of ride your coattails with my app and. I was much more aggressive with the paywall.So I pay walled one of the like more prominent features instead of, instead of paywall and some of the lesser features. And then to your point earlier about like user acquisition, you know, part of how you make user acquisition work, is it, you forced, you can't pay $5 for a download. If you know, one out of 200 people are paying you.But we just Smith going viral. It went viral in part, because you were so permissive with the features. So like, how did you decide where to draw the line in the paywall? yeah. How did, how did you make those decisions?David Smith: 00:49:01Yeah. I mean, I think, I think a lot of this comes from a place of my goal is to, I want a business that lets me keep developing, like what I love and what I enjoy is programming. That's that's, that's, I'm gifted in it. I enjoy it. I love it. And I will just keep doing it. Like if it wasn't my job, I'd probably still be making apps.But, and so I don't, I'm not chasing some kind of like wild exit or something dramatic. And so I think, I, I feel like I want to make things that people will like using, and that will won't be annoying or irritating. And, that I can feel proud of at the end of the day, like that. I'm not, you know, like the people who are paying for my subscription.Or paying it out of a genuine desire to support the app, to do the really advanced, like these are my super fans who really care about it. and there are the people who I'm sort of sort of going after for that. And so I don't didn't feel necessarily compelled to make the paywall up all in your face and be limiting features and kind of doing those types of things.And in this case, it worked out really well because it, it created a. it created its own marketing machine as a result. And like what I gave up potentially in having a less permissive market, pay paywall strategy I made up for in essentially free marketing for, because the app is used by so many more people.And I think that trade off is something that's easy. It's like I don't have, or I don't necessarily want to spend the capital. To acquire those people, but in some ways I'm spending that capital by just making my paywall more permissive and making it have a natural, more virality to it. and that, for me, I think works well for everybody that like more people are getting more out of the app and, I, I benefit from it.It's sort of coming along and I don't think it was, it's not like that this grant. Strategy that I had for it. It was just in general, if someone's going to pay me something I want for what they're paying to be something that is super clear is super straightforward and is compelling. That is something that I feel like I would pay for that.It isn't an arbitrary restriction or something that feels kind of. mean-spirited, that's sometimes a lot of paywalls can ha you can run into these limitations that feel completely contrived, that there isn't a reason for it. Like most of what I'm people paying me for in Widgetsmith are things like my weather data, the tie data, and some graphical assets, things that I have to pay for that there are, they are ongoing and tangible costs that I have to pay.So I can't make those free because then I go out of business because millions of people are requesting weather data. Like that doesn't work for me. And so, yeah. Making it paid feels good to me. And if anything, it works well, but I think that's definitely something that you can get. If you're too stingy with you, with what you offer, you're kind of like shooting yourself in the foot because you're ma you know, you want to make that first run experience feel so good that people want to keep coming back.And if you get too uptight, that the first thing, the first thing the app does when you open the app is ask for money. Like if I open that app, I'm just closing that up and deleting it. Like, I don't want to, I don't want that, that, thatJacob:00:52:05I mean, that's, that's...David Smith: 00:52:06Be them asking.Jacob:00:52:08That's an app that's for distribution basically is what you can tell. And if you're not then like, I mean, I think this is not a comment on an uncommon strategy, but, but, but, you know, optimizing for distribution early, Becoming not a monopoly because there's other apps like we just missed, but becoming a dominant player or like the best app, you get data, you get usage, you get word of mouth, you get a brand.And then in the future, if it becomes an operational requirement that you make more money per download or whatever, like, oh, you have a lot of levers there and you can go about it more thoughtfully than if you try to like, Try to shoot blindfolded, like from, from the start, there's just no way you can, you're going to be able to get, I talked to a lot of people getting ready to make their subscription apps and whatever.And they're like, ah, they're going back and forth. I go, what should I put on my paywall? What should I, whatever. I'm just like, just don't think about it too much. Just don't do something stupid. Like just see something reasonable and normal and don't try to be too clever. And then, you know, be prepared to iterate and change like over time.Cause inevitably, well...David Smith: 00:53:06That's good advice. David:00:53:07This is such a fascinating time. I wish we could talk another hour just on, on, on paywall strategies and, and freemium. I think a lot of developers do make the mistake in the subscription space of because they're spending so much on user acquisition, they have to be more aggressive with the paywall, but then in the long run, you're, you're, you're paying for users that you immediately ostracize.You know, if you're, if you're only getting, you know, 10% to start your free trial, and then only 50% of those convert. It's like, you're paying for all these people who ultimately have a bad experience in your house. And so it works cause that's their model, but, but they're leaving a lot on the table long run by not having a more, permissive freemium strategy where you can get people in using the app, finding value and then over time bringing them along.And it seems like that's part of what Smith has done well with, like, you didn't start with ads. Ads came later, right. And then. The paying for assets, I think came later as well. so like exactly to Jacob's point it's like you just got out there with a great product, you know, found that product market fit.It went viral. I mean, you know, it probably wouldn't be the success it is today without that, but, but then you've kind of layered on some additional moneymaking over time. And so that's great. but anyhow, we're, we're at the top of the hour and need to, to wrap up, in the show notes, we'll have links to your, Twitter underscore Smith, underscore David Smith, Jacob:00:54:35Oh, my God. I never realized that pun Widgetsmith, Dave. Oh my God. I'm so slow.David Smith: 00:54:43Yeah.Jacob:00:54:44The brand is just so it's perfect, but we're on your lap. It's so great.David Smith: 00:54:49That was a, as soon as it was one of those names where once I, once the name came to me, it's like, yep. That's theJacob:00:54:53Oh, it's even, it's a good name on its own. Right.David Smith: 00:54:55Yeah.Jacob:00:54:56I just love when things are like tidy and tied up like that. It's so perfect. Sorry.David:00:55:02Anyways, anything else? anything else you wanted to share or, anything else you want to mention as we wrap up?David Smith: 00:55:08Yeah, no, I mean, I think we covered some good things and I think it is, I, I always like sharing my story as an independent developer, because I feel like in this industry, they're like, there's a, there's an aspect of it. I know this is something, you know, I've listened to this podcast before. Like there there's a, there is an industry in a branch of this.That is very data oriented. And if you're built almost like you're building a machine to try it, like a business machine to try and like spin off money. And it's all about how you're getting your conversion rate value to this, and then you can put it into this and the eights. There's a very like, and I respect that and understand that, that, that is a very viable business.But I think what I, I was like sort of to share the other side of the story where it's also possible to just make cool things and have them have just have enough, enough of a business in them that it makes a good living for you, but you don't need all of that infrastructure and all of that other things.And I think to our point, we've made many times is if you have something that you take the approach of simplicity and straightforwardness, and Craftsmanship early, you can shift and pivot and change as you go. And if you start to numbers driven and you start to like kind of cold in that way, I think you can lose just as many opportunities, as, as, as you could.And I personally, I enjoy this way. I think this is fine. I, you know, I'm very excited about WWDC next week, because it's the, the time that I get to just discover what I'm going to launch this year. Kind of thing. And so I'm very excited to become about that. I think that excitement is something that I wouldn't have if I was building something that I didn't enjoy doing in quite the same way.David:00:56:52Well, thanks, David so much for your time.Jacob:00:56:56Good luck next week. 

We love answering your questions! In this episode Pam and Kim answer a question submitted from Rachel Adler. Pam shares her experiences familiarizing her students with data representations, and then Pam and Kim discuss their best advice for first year teachers.Talking Points:Jo Boaler's Data Talks: https://www.youcubed.org/resource/data-talks/ Integrating data analytics into everyday teachingSolidifying your teaching philosophy. See episode 12The importance of good teacher partnersStarting off the year right

Title: Father's Day Main Scripture: Luke 15:1-32 Supporting Scripture: Psalm 139:7-12; Hebrews 13:5   Luke 15:11 – 32 (NLT)11To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.13“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.17“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”' 20“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' 22“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.25“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27‘Your brother is back,' he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.'28“The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, 29but he replied, ‘All these years I've slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!'31“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'”   The Father was Available Luke 15:11 – 12 (NLT) 11To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.   Psalms 139: 7 – 9 (NLT) 7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,     The Father was Generous Luke 15:22 - 24 (NLT) 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.   The Father was Influential Luke 15:16 – 19 (NLT) 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”   Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) 5 Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”   The Father was Forgiving Luke 15: 20 – 24 (NLT) 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.

1It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord,to sing praise to your name, O Most High;2to herald your love in the morningand your faithfulness at night;3on the psaltery, and on the lyre,and to the melody of the harp.4For you have made me glad by your acts, O Lord;and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.5Lord, how great are your works!Your thoughts are very deep.6The dullard does not know,nor does the fool understand,7that though the wicked grow like weeds, and all the workers of iniquity flourish,they flourish only to be destroyed forever;8but you, O Lord,are exalted forevermore.9For lo, your enemies, O Lord, lo, your enemies shall perish,and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.10But you have raised up my horns like those of a wild ox;I am anointed with fresh oil.11My eyes spy out those who watch me;my ears hear when enemies rise up against me.12The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.13Those who are planted in the house of the Lordshall flourish in the courts of our God;14they shall still bear fruit in old age;they shall be green and succulent;15that they may show how upright the Lord is,my rock, in whom there is no injustice.From sundaysandseasons.com.Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.O God, you are the tree of life, offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may bear your truth and love to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Psalm 71:13–14,18Acts 4:27–31, 5:1–32 Samuel 13:12The reality of right and wrong are very clear in today's passages and there are stark contrasts between the two.

In another very special episode of the Co-Lab Podcast Devin, Dylan and Michelle sit down with world renowned Executive Chef, professional dancer, and their dad, Larry Banares.   While the world knows our Dad as the award winning Chef who has cooked for many famous celebrities and dignitaries, Larry reveals where his artistic roots really stemmed from.  We jump right into the episode and talk about Larry’s earliest memory in dance.  He shares his insights on the correlation between being a dancer and working as a chef.  Larry shares his early memories of dancing since the age of 5 and speaks candidly about how dance was the priority over academics when growing up.  Our dad talks with us about navigating through the challenges that came with winning and gaining notoriety and opens up about what it was like to be singled out as “professional dancers” in the setting of amateur competitions.  We discuss what it’s like being forced into dance, rather than having it stem from a place of passion.   We go into an interesting (and revealing) round of Rapid Fire with Larry and we put him in the hot seat and ask him who his favorite child is.  We wrap the episode and our dad reveals what his dream job would be and it’s not anything that we expected.  In this episode, we explore: 00:35Introduction 04:12The correlation between dancer and chef05:50Larry’s earliest memory in dance08:42Training to be a professional13:21Dance over academics27:11“Not Professionals”46:00A negative stereotype55:32Rapid Fire 1:06:11Closing RemarksThis episode’s guest: Friend Chef Larry on FacebookSpecial 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=E76B5749Catch up on all the Co-Lab Podcast episodes here!The conversation continues over on Instagram and TikTokHave a guest suggestion or just want to say hello? Drop us a line at communitylabsd@gmail.com Sign up for exclusive updates and subscribe to our Newsletter

Mike's Links:Coalition of labor and advocacy groups seek return of the mask - Timesunion.com - https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Coalition-of-labor-and-advocacy-groups-seek-16205873.phpEmployers Can (Mostly) Require Vaccines For Workers Returning To The Office - NPR.org - https://www.npr.org/2021/05/28/1001116485/for-employers-the-law-is-mostly-on-their-side-when-it-comes-to-vaccinesStefan Somborac - Google allows phone number to be hidden (on Twitter) - https://twitter.com/stefansomborac/status/1398359149784842242?s=12Mike Blumenthal - New Local Finder test with location and LSA ads (on Twitter) - https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1398320936584089608?s=12The  Ultimate Guide to Practitioner Listings on Google My Business [2021] - Joy Hawkins - SterlingSky.ca - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/gmb-practitioner-listings/Confessions of a Google Local Guide - Mike Blumenthal - NearMedia.co - https://www.nearmedia.co/confessions-of-a-local-guide/Mary's LinksGoogle launches new ad formats for local campaigns and pickup later option for local inventory ads - Barry Schwartz - SearchEngineLand.com - https://searchengineland.com/google-launches-new-ad-formats-for-local-campaigns-and-pickup-later-for-local-inventory-ads-348959New From Google Marketing Live: Hotel Ads, Local Ad Campaigns, Product Feeds, Customer Match & More - Barry Schwarts - SERoundtable.com - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-marketing-live-31493.htmlJobber and Google Partner to Help Home Service Businesses Book New Work with Local Customers - Businesswire.com - https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005138/en/Jobber-and-Google-Partner-to-Help-Home-Service-Businesses-Book-New-Work-with-Local-CustomersAmazon devices will soon automatically share your Internet with neighbors - ArsTechnica.com - https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/amazon-devices-will-soon-automatically-share-your-internet-with-neighbors/Carrie's LinksColan Nielsen on Building Your Unique Local SEO Playbook - Colan Nielsen, Kristian Bannister - BrightLocal.com Adventures in Local Search podcast - https://www.brightlocal.com/podcast/colan-nielsen-on-building-your-unique-local-seo-playbook/Does Upvoting a Review Help it Show Up Higher on Google? - Joy Hawkins - SterlingSky.ca - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/upvoting-reviews/Google Cites Scholarshi

Sermon on the mount series message 22Text: Matthew 7:12The crowning piece to Jesus' preaching is the familiar ‘Golden Rule.’ This concept echoes throughout the NT but never as a means to merit our way into the Kingdom. It's a helpful summation of the heart of God throughout the Old Testament and framework from which to operate. It ends Jesus' teaching on practical Christian living and gives way to His penetrating treatment of judgement.

As a solo creative selling your own work, you are your brand. You are often the sole person behind everything that you do - your marketing, your products, your services. You are the visionary and the creative force behind what you do. When people follow your brand, engage with you, buy from you or support you, they are here for YOU. Your personality and who you are has so much power - it’s your brand's best asset. If you’re ready to power up your brand by sharing your authentic, unapologetic self, then tune in and let’s talk about how to build that incredible connection with your audience! Read the accompanying blog post at https://www.blackandwhitestudios.nz/blogCheck out the Sprout Social study: https://sproutsocial.com/insights/data/social-media-connection/Need a community of pep-talkers to cheer you along? Join the Creators' Brand Club: https://www.blackandwhitestudios.nz/services/the-creators-brand-club TimestampsIntroduction: 00:00Know, like, trust: 02:13The statistics of connection: 03:12The power of you: 05:48The lesson: 09:21Wrap-up: 11:16 Ready to start building your brand today? Download my Ultimate Branding Checklist here: http://bit.ly/ultimatebrandingchecklist Tag me on Instagram and let me know you're listening: https://www.instagram.com/blckwhtstudios/

Meet Skyler & Christina. He's the donor-turned-CEO of this incredible nonprofit serving thousands in southern Haiti through education, healthcare, water/sanitation and economic development. She's the Haitian-American sociologist who's collaborating with numerous entrepreneurs to obtain grants/loans and technical support to help them grow their business. Together, alongside a powerful team of Do Gooders, they're infusing their time-honored values into a culture that's thriving and valuing all people equitably. Only tune in if you want to be ridiculously inspired.Episode HighlightsSkyler’s Story - 3:25Christina’s Story - 7:34The mission of Hope for Haiti - 9:52The values of Hope for Haiti and an example of discovering your organizational values and living them out - 16:12The next 10 years: strategic planning and casting vision - 24:57What is the state of Haiti right now? - 32:03Fundraising from miles away - 36:51Fundraising in the digital age, and innovative approaches Hope for Haiti has implemented this year - 43:53Skyler’s One Good Thing: “Intelligence and ability are equally distributed throughout the world, but opportunity is not.” - 51:01Christina’s One Good Thing: Always learn about people’s stories. - 52:59For more information and episode details visit: www.weareforgood.com/episode/116The We Are For Good Podcast is co-hosted by Jonathan McCoy, CFRE and Becky Endicott, CFRE and welcomes the most dynamic nonprofit leaders, advocates and philanthropists to share innovative ideas and lessons learned 3x a week!Want to hear insider details and to get our best roundup of tips, freebies, resources and show notes from each episode? Join the Good Community - it's free! Visit www.weareforgood.com/helloAbout Our Sponsor VirtuousYou know we believe Everyone Matters - and we’ve witnessed the greatest philanthropic movements happen when you SEE and activate donors at every level. Here’s the thing, Virtuous created a fundraising platform to help you do just that. It’s much more than a nonprofit CRM. Virtuous is committed to helping charities reimagine generosity through responsive fundraising. We love it because this approach builds trust and loyalty through personalized engagement.Learn more about Virtuous at www.virtuous.org/

Christopher and Lance get the opportunity to sit down with Ben Braun, aka Hotel Pools! In their conversation, they discuss:The inspiration for getting his first drum machine at age 12The history with his previous band, Mackintosh BraunHis initial hip hop projectsHow he’s able to be so prolific in the amount of music he releasesAdvice he gives to younger artistsThe collaboration process with other artistsWho he would love to collaborate with in the futureHow his mindset and approach to songwriting has changed over the yearsHis new album dropping in JuneThe impact of COVID-19 and potential live shows in the futureWhich synth he would want with him if he were stranded on a desert islandThey feature the song Contrast from his latest full-length album Still.Visit the Hotel Pools BandcampHotel Pools on Instagram

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; Eccl.10:12The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. Pro. 10:32And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph's son?” Lk. 4:21-22

On today's What The Hell Everything podcast for May 3rd 2021...Heidi The Silver Haired Fox called in at the beginning of the Patreon livestream podcast recording 00:10All-Veggie April Wrap Up 03:35An insane video dash cam of an attempted armored car heist in South Africa 05:10Forged Covid vaccine cards are apparently a thing 09:10A teenage girl accidentally, and hilariously moved into a new apartment without realizing it was a retirement home. 10:12The "You had one job" guy struck again "Scohol" 12:15Some dummies tried robbing somebody pumping their gas in Chile, and it ended in the best way possible 13:25Some idiot radio d-j at some country station stupidly got a tattoo of the station he was on. Was. 15:20Smitty had his good buddy Brian call in to talk about Dawson's Creek, and ultimately realizing it was a terrible show 16:30A 330 Ton "Fatberg" is blocking sewers in London  26:00Dig the podcast? Become a subscriber. Other audio ways to check the podcast out…Wanna become a Patreon? Click the link https://www.patreon.com/we3smithsWant to support Smitty’s Five Year Plan without the Patreon rigamarole? Click the link https://www.gofundme.com/manage/smittys-fiveyear-planDon’t know what the Five Year Plan is? Click the link https://youtu.be/-Bm75nHZVy8Thanks for watching, and thanks for sharing in the journey! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/Smittydicks)

Psalm 49:7–9,15–17Luke 20:35–36Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you through the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 1:18–23). One day, you too will be raised and be able to say, ‘Hello God!’

No Loopholes In God’s Love; The Love He Has For You As Well As The Love You MUST Have For Others Romans 13:10 - 13 10Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. The Day Is Near 11And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday The Liturgy of the Word The Collect: Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Isaiah 50:4-9a 4 The Lord God has given me    the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain    the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—    wakens my ear    to listen as those who are taught.  5 The Lord God has opened my ear,    and I was not rebellious,    I did not turn backwards.  6 I gave my back to those who struck me,    and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face    from insult and spitting.  7 The Lord God helps me;    therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint,    and I know that I shall not be put to shame;  8   he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me?    Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries?    Let them confront me.  9 It is the Lord God who helps me;    who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment;    the moth will eat them up.  Psalm: Psalm 31:9-16 9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; *        my eye is consumed with sorrow,        and also my throat and my belly. 10 For my life is wasted with grief,    and my years with sighing; *        my strength fails me because of affliction,        and my bones are consumed. 11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors,                                    a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *        when they see me in the street they avoid me. 12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *        I am as useless as a broken pot. 13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;    fear is all around; *        they put their heads together against me;        they plot to take my life. 14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. *         I have said, “You are my God. 15 My times are in your hand; *        rescue me from the hand of my enemies,        and from those who persecute me. 16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *        and in your loving-kindness save me.” Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,  6 who, though he was in the form of God,    did not regard equality with God    as something to be exploited,  7 but emptied himself,    taking the form of a slave,    being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,  8   he humbled himself    and became obedient to the point of death—    even death on a cross.  9 Therefore God also highly exalted him    and gave him the name    that is above every name,  10 so that at the name of Jesus    every knee should bend,    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  11 and every tongue should confess    that Jesus Christ is Lord,    to the glory of God the Father.  Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, 40-47 1It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; 2for they said, ‘Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.' 3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4But some were there who said to one another in anger, ‘Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.' And they scolded her. 6But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.' 10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.  12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?' 13So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” 15He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.' 16So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 17 When it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.' 19They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, ‘Surely, not I?' 20He said to them, ‘It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. 21For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.' 22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.' 23Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.' 26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.27And Jesus said to them, ‘You will all become deserters; for it is written, “I will strike the shepherd,    and the sheep will be scattered.”  28But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.' 29Peter said to him, ‘Even though all become deserters, I will not.' 30Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.' 31But he said vehemently, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.' And all of them said the same. 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.' 33He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. 34And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.' 35And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.' 37He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? 38Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.' 39And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. 41He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.' 43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.' 45So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!' and kissed him. 46Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48Then Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 49Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.'50All of them deserted him and fled. 51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked. 53 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.” ' 59But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?' 61But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?' 62Jesus said, ‘I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.” '  63Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? 64You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?' All of them condemned him as deserving death. 65Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!' The guards also took him over and beat him. 66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.'68But he denied it, saying, ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.' And he went out into the forecourt.* Then the cock crowed.* 69And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.' 70But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.' 71But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about.' 72At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.' And he broke down and wept. 15 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?' He answered him, ‘You say so.' 3Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.' 5But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. 6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom.9Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?' 10For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12Pilate spoke to them again, ‘Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?' 13They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!' 14Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?' But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!' 15So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. 16 Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort.17And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. 18And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!' 19They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. 20After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. 25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26The inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.' 27And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.*29Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30save yourself, and come down from the cross!' 31In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.' Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. 33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' 35When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.' 36And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.' 37Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God's Son!'* 40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. 42 When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.44Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time.45When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. 46Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. The Liturgy of the Palms Gospel: Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16 1When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” ' 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?' 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna!    Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  10   Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!' 11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. or 12The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—    the King of Israel!'  14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:  15 ‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming,    sitting on a donkey's colt!'  16His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *        his mercy endures for ever. 2 Let Israel now proclaim, *       “His mercy endures for ever.” 19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *        I will enter them;        I will offer thanks to the Lord. 20 “This is the gate of the Lord; *        he who is righteous may enter.” 21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *        and have become my salvation. 22 The same stone which the builders rejected *        has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord's doing, *        and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 On this day the Lord has acted; *        we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Hosannah, Lord, hosannah! *        Lord, send us now success. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *        we bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 God is the Lord; he has shined upon us; *        form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar. 28 “You are my God, and I will thank you; *        you are my God, and I will exalt you.” 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *        his mercy endures for ever.

v25 – The entire messagePaul wants them to know the full message and not just part of it as it is this that will bring freedom and an end to all the false teaching that they were hearing.Remember they were being told that Jesus Christ was not enough. You had to add extra spirituality to your life to please God. The message was Jesus plus other things and Paul has been trying to explain that it’s all about JESUS and he is enough. It’s JESUS plus nothing!36 times in Colossians Paul mentions that we are in Christ/Of Christ/From Christ and with Christ. Jesus is central to the whole book just as he is central to the Christian Faith!Also the local Jewish churches were advocating that the gentile churches were somehow second class churches because they did not have the rich tradition of the old testament and understand the law and the Jewish heritage. No longer is God a God who is found only in the temple but he has come to live in our hearts, Jew or Gentile!We need to understand the place of the gentiles in Jewish history to fully understand why this was so important and one of the best ways to do this is by looking at the Temple arrangements.Most Holy Place – Could only be entered once a year by the High Priest who would offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people.The Holy Place – Could only be entered into by The Priests.Between these two rooms was the curtain which separated the two. This was more like a wall than a curtain and was 60’ high 30’ wide and between 4-6” thick. No light was allowed to penetrate the curtain and it had to completely cover the most Holy Place. When it was taken down to be replaced it took 300 people to change it over!Outside these were the Courts of Israel then a wall, then the courts of women and another wall, then the gentiles were outside these courts, as far away from the Holy Place as you can imagine. That’s where you and I would be today if Jesus hadn’t come!When Jesus comes and dies on the cross he fulfils the role of the High Priest once and for all timeHebrews 10:11-12The lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and that is why it is so important that when Jesus died the curtain was torn from top to bottom – it was no longer needed!Matthew 27:45-46v50–52The curtain came down because it hindered access to God’s presence. The whole point of Jesus coming was to restore our relationship to God. Access is no longer in a building made by hands, it’s by the Holy Spirit in your hearts. He now wants to come and tabernacle in your hearts. Christ in You, no matter who you are!This is God’s promise and the secret that has been revealed by Christ coming!Hebrews 10:16-23This is great news but there is even more says Paul.This is the mystery that has been revealed to the Colossian Church – Christ in You, the Hope of Glory. It’s the same mystery that has been revealed to us. The entire message from God – Jesus has fulfilled the law, fulfilled the role of the high priest and our sacrifice, once for all time. You now have access to the father every day, not through a building or a Holy Place, but through your heart. Christ lives in you! Sons and daughters of the King!Matthew Henry“This mystery, now made known is Christ in you, the hope of Glory. Christ is the hope of Glory. The grounding of our hope is Christ in the world. The evidence of our hope is Christ in our hearts”Ephesians 2:19-22Questions1. Do we understand the role of the temple in Jewish History and why it was so important to the Jews?2. Jesus dying and the veil being torn in two has huge significance for us as Christians. Have a look at what this means for us and the role of the old temple?3. Christ In you, the Hope of glory. Let God speak to you about what this means for you as a Christian. What does this set us free from?4. Should this knowledge change our thinking and how should it affect our daily Chris

Monday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 1)Narrated by Sharon ZehnderThe Son of God Dies for the UngodlyFrom then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” John 19:12The mob and its leaders rejected Jesus, demanding his execution. They had no idea how this fit right in with God’s plan of salvation for all of us sinners. By his wounds we are healed; by his death we have eternal life.It's too easy to pass judgment on “the Jews.” Our rejection of Jesus is much more subtle, but we are just as guilty as they are. Every one of our sins added to his crucifixion, but “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus lovingly, willingly accepted the burden of the judgment we deserve.That is the gospel healing we celebrate.REFLECT: What can you do to be less judgmental?PRAY: We honor you, Jesus, as our King of kings. Amen.Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

This service was recorded by Rev Stephen Haward in the chapel to be shared on Sunday 14th February as we are not meeting in the building during February.The Bible Readings are Mark 2:13-22 and Romans 13:7-12The full recording of the service can be found here.

THE WEEK OF SEXAGESIMA - SUNDAYLESSON: LUKE 8:4-15 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. Luke 8:12The first group are those who have heard the Word, but do not really understand it or pay attention to it. These are not the bad people on this earth but the greatest, cleverest, holiest, and also the largest group.Jesus is not speaking here of those who persecute the Word and do not hear it, but of those who hear it and are its pupils. They also want to be regarded among “the first,” live among us in the Christian congregation, and partake with us of Baptism and the Sacrament. But their hearts are carnal and remain so. They do not absorb the Word; it goes in one ear and out of the other. The seed on the path does not penetrate but lies on top of the path; for the path is beaten down hard by the feet of men and beasts.Jesus says that the devil comes and take the Word out of their hearts, so that they do not believe it for their salvation. The devil exerts his power here not only by hardening their hearts with worldly ideas and living, so that they lose the Word and let it go without really understanding it or recognizing it, but the devil also sends them false teachers in place of God's Word who tread God's Word underfoot with the doctrine of men.SL.XI.516,2-3AE 76,331PRAYER: Give us at all times a firm understanding of your Word, O God, that we may hold it fast in firm and steadfast faith and resist all the might of Satan in his efforts to rob us of your Word, in Jesus' name. Amen

Sermon on the Mount series message 7Text: Matthew 5:1-12The final beatitude presents a remarkable concept: persecution for Christ's sake should evoke joy, not despair. Jesus bookends His teaching with the simple declaration: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. As we return to the Sermon on the Mount, we wrap up the Beatitudes, which speak to both the entrance into and essence of Kingdom living. Those who suffer for Christ's sake find occasion for exceeding joy as the genuineness of faith is affirmed and our heavenly reward ensured.

Advancing Thru Adversity, Pt. 3 Move Thru It! By Louie Marsh, 12-6-2020   1) These aren’t steps but part of an ongoing CYCLE.   “12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Philippians 3:12, ESV)   “15The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15–16, ESV)   2) TRUST that God has a way for me.   “8“ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8, ESV)   Remember God is the WAY MAKER.   “7“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.” (Revelation 3:7, ESV)   3) REMEMBER:  my weaknesses can’t stop God’s plan.   “11I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” (Revelation 3:11–12, ESV)   “11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11–13, ESV)   God wants to WORK THRU my weaknesses.   “8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.   9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”   Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.   10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:8–10, ESV)

ADVENT WEEK ONEDecember 3, 2020Restoring Right Relations with All My RelativesPsalm 85: 1-2; 8-13The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Psalm 85:12The ancient faith community hearing the words from this psalm still remembered that the land was not only a gift from God, but in a very real way, still belonged to God. It is a word of hope that God’s actions to bring the community into right relationship would bring a restoration of peace amid turbulent times.This theology also reflects a Native American worldview, often reflected in the ceremonial realm in which interpersonal, intercollective, and interspecies relations are emphasized, established, renewed, and mended. Among the Sioux people, the ritual phrase mitákuye oyás’in, often translated as “all my relatives or all are related” exemplifies this principle of relatedness between human and non-human creation. Together we are all responsible for our conduct and the maintenance of the earth.In Spirit and Reason, Lakota scholar, Vine Deloria, Jr. wrote, “The idea of covenant… is an early and important concept for tribal peoples. … A covenant places responsibilities on both parties and provides a means of healing any breach in the relationship.” A covenant involves not only mutual respect and responsibility but also the acknowledgement of our common kinship: that we are all related. Covenants also have an inherent mechanism for healing or mending temporary ruptures in times of stress, crisis, and trauma.In this seasonal time of waiting, we need to be reminded of our covenant with God and all of God’s creation and return to our roots as stewards rather than “owners” of this world. Salvific healing and peace come when we can recognize that within creation, God is present and incarnate for us when we strive to live in covenantal relationship with all our relatives.Dr. Lisa D. BarnettAssistant Professor of the History of Christianity See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today’s guitar villain is Cory Wong. A groove master with a pocket deeper than Warren Buffet’s, Cory is one of the leading forces in the world of funk and is an equally competent arranger, producer, and tone aficionado. From his awesome playing in the cult band that is Vulfpeck to his solo music which just featured friend of the podcast Joe Satriani, Cory has made a name for himself through his rhythmic artistry and attention to detail as a musician. Cory also has his own podcast, called Wong Notes, so you know the two of us are gonna be right at home, on this episode of Guitar villains.Intro and Cory's supervillain alter-ego: 0:00Burning Questions: 7:35Name Those Notes: 10:50The first Metallica solo Cory HAD to learn: 24:12The transition from jazz cat to funk freak: 25:57The importance of movement and energy as a guitarist: 26:53What most musicians overlook: 30:20How to be an entrepreneur disguised as a guitar player: 34:45The Cory Wong Archetype plug-in is awesome: 38:30How life-threatening events can inspire you: 40:15Cory was in high school drumline–it all makes sense now: 46:25The trope of 'less is more': 48:25Cory's supervillain advice: 50:40Follow Cory on YouTubeCheck out Cory's website Subscribe to Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar-learning platform on the internet: http://bit.ly/GVCW008

It's time! Today we are going to give you tips on how you can get your decorations to stand out this season. We take a tour of each space, starting with the entry scene: We vote using real garlands outside around your door so as people arrive they can see and smell it when they arrive. Put a diffuser near the entryway with a nice seasonal fragrance to invite the holiday spirit. In the entertaining area and kitchen, we like to use a large bowl of winter fruit such as oranges and other citrus for a colorful accent and festive feel. Don't forget some great smelling & looking soaps at your sink. For your tree, get more ornaments than you think you need so you have plenty to work with. We love to put garland on mantles, draped asymmetrically to give it a very designer look and feel. Don't forget the music, it will be the bow on the whole package. We have made a playlist for you here:https://open.spotify.com/user/brkqp1d7p0h900puf7eygwo4h/playlist/3wt3i1XUY2oKhoJRatwtkA?si=CBhp_3olQxOHjqJpVhKAkQgrove.co/dearaliceGrove.co/dearalice 1:20The entry scene 3:57Ornaments 10:12The mantle 21:35Stockings 26:38The entertaining area 28:24Some favorite foods, recipes, and traditions 33:06“And it’s just so fun when you have someone come over to make them a beautiful drink. So just have those things on hand. Have some cheeses, have some beautiful fruits to pair with those, have chocolate, have just all the fun things that you want to feel the season. Go to the grocery store and just feel it out and see what you’re feeling like and that you’ll be excited to share those things with your guests and your family.” 32:26https://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

Today's Bible Translation Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 60 CEV, Ch. 61 GNT, Ch 62 NIRV Support Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here. Thoughts Psalm 62 actually reads like a song.  In verses 1 and 2 David begins with declaring some truths. These verses establish the theme. 1It is surely true that I find my rest in God.He is the God who saves me.2It is surely true that he is my rock. He is the God who saves me.He is like a fort to me.I will always be secure. So what is the theme? We can rely on God. In verses 3 and 4, he talks about his enemies.  3How long will you enemies attack me?Will all of you throw me down?I’m like a leaning wall.I’m like a fence about to fall.4Surely my enemies only want to pull me down from my place of honor.They take delight in telling lies.They bless me with what they say.But in their hearts they ask for bad things to happen to me. His enemies try to shake his confidence in God, but they are only liars. Verses 5 and 6 repeat verses 1 and 2 5Yes, I must find my rest in God.He is the God who gives me hope.6It is surely true that he is my rock and the God who saves me.He is like a fort to me,so I will always be secure.Verse 7 is a sort of remix of verses 1 and 27I depend on God to save me and to honor me.He is my mighty rock and my place of safety. Though his enemies try to bring dishonor to him, God is his source of honor and safety. In verse 8, David shares the message with the people 8Trust in him at all times, you people.Tell him all your troubles.God is our place of safety. When we find something wonderful, don't we want to share it? Verses 9 and 10 talk about what not to rely on  9Surely ordinary people are only a breath.Important people are not what they seem to be.If they were weighed on a scale, they wouldn’t amount to anything.Together they are only a breath.10Don’t trust in money you have taken from others.Don’t put false hope in things you have stolen.Even if your riches grow,don’t put your trust in them. People and money are temporary. In verses 11 and 12, we learn what we can rely on 11God, I have heard you say two things.One is that power belongs to you, God.12The other is that your love, Lord, never ends.You will reward everyonein keeping with what they have done. There are rewards at the judgement, beloved. If a person has not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, he or she will unfortunately for them, be sentenced to Hell. Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death." That is the reward for rejecting the free gift of salvation. For those who have accepted Jesus, they will be rewarded with eternal life with God. And in Heaven, we will receive rewards. There is a good article at gotquestions.org that discusses rewards in heaven.

Guests:Dr. Heather White, University of WisconsinDr. Joseph McFadden, Cornell University Dr. Maya Zachut, Volcani CenterDr. Adam Lock, Michigan State University Dr. Laura Hernandez, University of Wisconsin Dr. Larry Miller, Director, DISCOVER ConferencesHosts Scott Sorrell and Dr. Clay Zimmerman were joined around the pub table by a crew from the 2020 DISCOVER Conference. The team of five industry experts presented a session on the Transition Period-From Physiology to Management at the conference and wanted to continue that discussion at the pub to dive deeper into some of the key presentation topics.Kicking off the discussion, each specialist highlighted their area of expertise and showed how they fit into this larger discussion. 2:07To dive into controversial conversation the first topic the team discussed was insulin resistance: friend or foe? 11:19With science and technology these days, Dr. Hernandez discussed if there is a way to predict which cows will suffer from hypocalcemia pre-partum. 23:47Also understanding the opportunities pre-partum, the group discussed if they could predict the amount of lipolysis postpartum for the cows. 27:01Since the experts span different geographies, spreading even to the desert with Dr. Zachut in Israel, they discussed how the diets play into this discussion as well. 31:56Many times, research is only as good as its practical use in the field, the panel added their input how practicality played a role in their research focuses. 36:59The discussion transitioned into how fatty acids also play a key role in transition cow nutrition. 39:28Biomarkers in the transition cow was a big discussion at the conference and continued around the table 54:12The panel recapped their takeaways from each of their disciplines 1:10Dr. Larry Miller, director of the DISCOVER conferences joined the group at the table and highlighted how the conference transitioned to a virtual setting in 2020. 1:22The 40th conference will be a special one where the new NACM nutrient requirements of dairy cattle will be released and discussed. The conference will most likely sell out, so you can register today here before it’s too late! https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/40th-Discover-Conference 1:25  

India's drone whizz kid Harshwardhan Zala is on the show today. He has built a drone that sniffs out landmines. So In this conversation we talk about how it all got started at the age of 9. Spending 6-8 hours in  a cyber cafe with his grandfather.  Being inspired  by a YouTube video where soldiers were trying to defuse a mine. Talks about the remarkable  journey from not being taken seriously to be mentioned in the speech by PM of Israel. Talks about working with the indian government and military. Talks about how they implement AI/Machine learning and GPS in the drone and how it all works. Talks about being invited to Silicon Valley, Talks about The early prototypes, accuracy rates, the successful demos and not so successful demos! Working with adults. Talks about the future of drones  . He then goes on to talk about burnout, and some insights on the drone community in India. And what makes a great developer. In this conversation we also talk about:Teaching engineering graduates at the age of 12 for extra pocket moneyThoughts on being called a child prodigy/geniusCompleting 40+ projects by the age of 12The hardware,  software and design challenges.Dropping out of schoolHow you can get started with hardware developmentPublic perception of dronesNot having enough drone parts in India.Great tips on staying focusThe problem - 110 active mines buried around the world.Developing code in-house v open sourceWhen will it go live?and much moreLinkshttps://www.aerobotics7.com/P.SPodcast Hosting Special Offer for Indian Startup Show Listeners.50% Off Your First Two Months on Simplecastsubscribe with the promo code ONSIMPLECAST  belowhttps://simplecast.com?fp_ref=neil34P.P.Sif you need something to do during these challenging and difficult times and want some inspiration and need some creativity. check out Skillshare. Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes in design, business, tech, and more. Anyone can join the millions of members in our community to learn cutting-edge skills, network with peers and discover new opportunities.Try Premium free for 2 months and access all my classes!https://www.skillshare.com/r/user/neilpatelmusic by Punch Deck. https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kdduxAVaFnbHJyNxl7FWVand finally ...PLEASE STAY SAFE!!

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3.But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Daniel 10:13For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesian 6:12The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Job 2:7Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. Zechariah 3:1Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Ephesian 6:18“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. Luke 11:21-22Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:10-11

On today's edition of the Premium Hoops Podcast, Mark & Nate are joined by friend of the pod, Brenden Nunes, to talk about the Sacramento Kings, Vlade Divac, and more. After a promising 2019 season in which the Kings finished in the 9 seed, the Kings fired head coach Dave Joerger. The Kings were expected to compete for a playoff spot this year under new coach Luke Walton, but failed to live up to expectations. Largely due to Vlade Divac, the now ousted GM, the Kings free agency last summer has bit them. Sacramento largely overpaid a few players, and unforutnately, Dewayne Dedmon didn't work out with the Kings. What can the Kings do this off-season to improve and how can they improve for next season? Kings Decisions: Buddy Hield vs. Bogdan Bogdanovic - weighing the merits to each player looking at the reality and likely outcomes to the ordealMarvin Bagley's potential and future - is he still a player worth investing in?Vlade Divac out - how do we remember his time in Sacramento?Draft picks for the Kings at #12The value and ability of Richaun Holmes and Nemanja Bjeliciaand much more! Major thanks to Brenden for joining and be sure to go check out his podcast Kings Pulse, and also his writing at Kings Herald! Check out our articles at https://premiumhoops.org and follow us on Twitter @PremiumHoopsNBA Be sure to Rate and Review Premium Hoops on Apple Podcasts! Credit to BRBeats Podcast Music @BenRauman

How to Bring Out the Best in YourselfWhen we sense a problem—whether in our leadership with others or with ourselves—we want a solution right now. That's because when we realize there’s a problem, it’s usually because the situation has already gotten out of hand. In other words, it’s only when we have a problem that we’re willing to make change happen. Don’t Rush to Action If we rush to action—if we try to fix the problem before acknowledging where it’s rooted—it’s just a matter of time before we fall back into old behaviors. My Hopes for You1. You understand yourself.2. You understand that it’s going to take time to get there.This isn’t going to happen overnight. It’s going to take conditioning, repetition, consistency, and a willingness to feel the pain sometimes.But when you can speak to people’s motives and core fears, you can bring out the best in them—and you can do the same for yourself.Working Styles & Strategies for Each Enneagram Type#1: Set hard deadlines, look for the good in your work and when it’s complete, move on!#2: Set boundaries for yourself and guard your time—don’t focus on others’ projects instead of your own.#3: Set healthy boundaries, monitor your pace, and resist the urge to rush through tasks.#4: Create mindful rituals, structures, and routines, and surround yourself with people that are action driven.#5: Keep a timer on your desk when doing research, set hard deadlines, and work in group settings to maintain accountability.#6: Map out your project goals, reference your list throughout the day (but not too much), and take each task one step at a time.#7: Avoid repetitive tasks and projects and give yourself variation in your workflow.#8: Lean into your innate leadership skills, delegate tasks, and work alongside others.#9: Invite others to join you in completing your projects, focus on one task at a time, and find ways to make work fun!Quotes:2:12The most important person you have to be able to lead is yourself.6:44If you’re leading a 1, give them a hard deadline because they won’t turn it in unless they believe it’s perfect.8:39Boundaries are a 2’s best friend.14: 30Being a 3, you have the ability to tap into your 4 wing, which is that Individualist, the most creative one on the Enneagram.16:37With a 3, you want to encourage the healthy range of feelings because they are in the heart triad—they actually can feel.18:00Honor your boundaries and use your well of energy to really hone in on just a few projects, especially the ones that tap into that heart.21:44It's easy to feel inspired when your emotions are in full swing.26:16Time blocks will be everything for a 5, so if you’re leading one, give them time blocks.32:567’s don’t like structure, they need a little bit to stay on task.39:448’s, even when you’re not the boss, you can be your most productive self when you’ve identified the problem that needs solving.

12The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it (Proverbs 27:12). Preached originally on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at Christ Community Church of the Nazarene in Syracuse, NY.

The Golden Rule Jeremiah 31:7-9 Matthew 7:12The post Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule appeared first on Bedhampton Church.

1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT8Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 11Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 12The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/yourdailybible)

IACA Election Coverage – Vice President of AdministrationThis year there is one IACA board position up for elections: Vice President of Administration. Two (2) candidates are currently in the running; for more information on the candidates and to cast your vote, please visit https://iaca.net/meet-your-candidates/. Reminder there are two voting phases in the elections process – one to solidify the candidates’ position in the running and a final one to decide on the ultimate victor. Please remember to vote both times as your first vote will not carry over into the second phase. These podcast episodes serve as another medium for candidates to campaign and do further outreach outside of IACA resources. LEAP and the podcast Analyst Talk With Jason Elder are not a subsidiary of IACA. For any questions, concerns, or feedback on the podcast, please contact the LEAP team at leapodcasts@gmail.com.Annie MitchellAnnie Mitchell is currently a Crime Analysis Trainer and Consultant at OnPoint Analytics based out of California, USA, a position held from 2017 to present. Prior to this position, Annie was the Supervising Crime Analyst for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department from 1975 to 2018 (43+ years). Annie is currently the VP of Administration for the IACA.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-mitchell-004251 For the YouTube version:  https://youtu.be/3Brwxe8jLzc Questions and Timestamps:Can you give our listeners a quick bio about you? Where are you from, what’s your current job title, are you a part of any committees now, etc. 0:00:35Why do you want to be the next VP of Administration? 0:03:28What experience or training do you have that makes you qualified for this position? 0:04:37As a board member, how would you increase membership participation/involvement in IACA? / How would you gain the confidence of the membership? 0:06:12The membership dues are $25 per year and have never changed since the beginning. Inflation from 1990 suggests dues be increased to $50. Do you think the membership dues should increase? If so, why should it increase and how much should it be? If not, why should it stay the same?  0:08:15How do you think IACA training and certification should be promoted? 0:10:19Historically, the VP of Admin oversees the conference committee. What changes do you want to see in the next conference? What if we cannot meet for next year's conference because of COVID?  0:13:02What would winning the VP of Admin election mean to you? 0:16:20Do you have any final words for our listeners? / What is your campaign slogan? 0:18:01Rules & Regulations for Candidate Interviews:The LEAP team will not endorse any candidate.Every candidate will be invited to participate in their own dedicated podcast episode.All candidates will be given the same standard questions (see below) for the respective position (i.e. questions for presidential candidates vs secretary will be specific to those positions) ahead of time to review prior to their interviews.To clarify a candidate’s answer, follow-up questions are permitted.All candidates will be given up to 30 minutes for their episode.All candidates will have their episode published at the same time prior to the voting period.Limited editing permitted to ensure quality publication (e.g. speaker volume, background noise, etc.)Disclaimers:Law Enforcement Analysis Podcast (LEAP) and the podcast Analyst Talk With Jason Elder are not a subsidiary of the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA). While the creators and guests on the episodes are members of the association, LEAP is an independent entity operating separately from IACA oversight; however, to promote trust, unity, and collaboration, LEAP strives to operate harmoniously and respectfully with IACA and its subsidiaries to further the profession of law enforcement analysis. The IACA Elections Committee was informed of these episodes during the planning stage of the process and helped provide rules and regulations to further ensure impartiality and fairness. For any questions, concerns, or feedback on the podcast, please contact the LEAP team at leapodcasts@gmail.com.Host: Jason ElderWriter: Mindy DuongConsultant: Allison MayerLogo: Kyle McMullenTheme Song: Rough & TumbleWebsite: www.leapodcasts.com

The Enneagram Type Nine: The Peacemaker It’s time for our last and final episode in the Learning, Leading, Loving, and Laughing series. This week’s episode is all about the Enneagram type nine, otherwise known as the Peacemakers. I dive into their core motivations, what makes them the kings and queens of the Enneagram, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they are uniquely different from every other type. Listen to this episode if you love, lead, or are a nine, and hear how to help bring out the best in them, recognize their own skills and opinions, and communicate with them to make them feel seen, heard, and understood. Holding back a piece of yourself I start off describing what makes The Peacemakers special, how they can see all viewpoints of the other types but how this sometimes blocks them from seeing their own views and making their own opinions. I discuss how the nines are incredibly kind, loyal, inclusive, empathetic, and caring, and how they fall under the body triad, meaning their underlying emotion is anger. I talk about how the nines are known for sleeping on their own thoughts and ideas, and how they try so earnestly to keep the peace that they keep their own thoughts to themselves in order to not disrupt it. If you love or lead a nine, I discuss the importance of helping them focus on themselves and making nines feel appreciated and seen. Focusing on the transformation If you are a nine, I discuss different ways you can practice leaning into your strengths, how to focus on yourself and your thoughts and opinions. I share my own experiences working with nines, and how to help them feel appreciated, speak their language, become the healthy version of themselves, and pull them out of their unhealthy habits to truly embrace who they really are.Quotes:3:26At their best, when they are strong and healthy and embody their gifts, they are like Yoda— they’re the wise one.7:22Unhealthy 9’s have trouble making decisions, they become overly dependent.14:36Anger is a very healthy, productive emotion when channeled and leveraged for good.20:23They say 9s can embody the idealism of 1s, the kindness of 2s, the attractiveness of 3s, the creativity of 4s, the intellectual horsepower of 5s, the loyalties of the 6s, the optimism of the 7s and the adventurousness of the 7s and the strength of the 8s.25:45Because sometimes they can lack drive and focus the average 9s, often become jack of all trades but masters of none.28:469s can and do make decisions, but because of their ambivalent nature it can take them a long time.37:12The stubbornness is their go-to passive aggressive behavior, especially when they feel like they’re being pressured into agreeing to a plan or doing something they don’t want to do.41:51They just kind of know who in the room most needs the peace and reassurance that everything will be okay. 46:33The 9 can solve problems and put together deals where everybody wins.52:21Spiritually, the absence of conflict is not necessarily the presence of peace.

Kelly M. joined Wealth Circle #13 thinking she was pretty much fine in the finance department: she was maxing out her retirement accounts and she'd just gotten a raise—but she was still having a hard time saving money. ⁠We cover: How she increased her net worth by $34K (in 5 months!)⁠ and hit the 6 figure net worth marker just last week⁠. Why her grandpa’s credit card debt made such an impact on her at the ripe age of 12The money mantra that’s hanging in her living room. The details of her first property purchase, which she’s currently under contract for How she fully funded her emergency account with an extra $18K⁠ (again, in 5 months!). The business that she co-founded to help brides pivot wedding plans that were impacted by COVID-19!

Episode 112. In this episode you will hear: An interview with Angilee and Sara of Mountain Point Academy an online school for students grades 6-12The benefits of online schoolingHow parents can facilitate online schooling with more ease while working from home. Using the opportunity for more self-governing and self-explorationThe value of open communication and routinesSocialization for students who go to school onlineMountain Point Academy’s mission and schooling detailsConnect with Anjilee and Sara:websiteInstagramYouTubeLinkedInFacebookAs mentioned In the episode: knives safe for kids! Sign up for the mentorship waitlist! Join Erin in her free Facebook Community, Same Boat Huddle.Find resources, information and connect with Erin through her website. Follow Erin on Instagram or Facebook

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the Lord unto me,Thou hast well seen.—Jer. 1:11–12The world is in need today of persons who can see clearly. In the midst of strife we are prone to look at life from a narrow viewpoint and with dulled vision. We need to climb to a mountaintop where we can get a better perspective and see the world as a whole. If we cannot actually climb to a high point we may have the experience in our imagination. Let us try to shut out all unpleasant facts of life and forget all sordid details. Let us recall the most beautiful landscape that we have enjoyed in the past. As we think of the details that blended together to make it a perfect whole, what thought of God comes to us?In nature we see a perfect blending of colors.There is nothing to mar the harmony and the beauty of the scene. In order to have the same harmony in our relations with others that we find in nature, what changes would be necessary? Jesus gave a full statement of our relations when He said,“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. . . . Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”Strife and trouble come when we violate this truth. We need spiritual vision in order to see clearly the way ahead to victory in the present crisis and in the future as well.OUR FATHER, with our faces to the future and with confidence in the final outcome of this crisis, we look to Thee for strength to face whatever the day brings. Help us to see life clearly and see it whole. Give us a proper perspective, that we may live rightly with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-seeing-clearly/

Eph 6 10What else is there to say? Just this: be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power. 11Put on God's complete armour. Then you'll be able to stand firm against the devil's trickery. 12The warfare we're engaged in, you see, isn't against flesh and blood. It's against the leaders, against the authorities, against the powers that rule the world in this dark age, against the wicked spiritual elements in the heavenly places. 13For this reason, you must take up God's complete armour. Then, when wickedness grabs its moment, you'll be able to withstand, to do what needs to be done, and still to be on your feet when it's all over. 14So stand firm! Put the belt of truth round your waist; put on justice as your breastplate; 15for shoes on your feet, ready for battle, take the good news of peace. 16With it all, take the shield of faith; if you've got that, you'll be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is God's word. Prayer and peace 18Pray on every occasion in the spirit, with every type of prayer and intercession. You'll need to keep awake and alert for this, with all perseverance and intercession for all God's holy ones – 19and also for me! Please pray that God will give me his words to speak when I open my mouth, so that I can make known, loud and clear, the secret truth of the gospel. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me Be thou a smooth path below me Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me Today - tonight -forever Amen. St Columba

Eph 5 11So don't get involved in the works of darkness, which all come to nothing. Instead, expose them! 12The things they do in secret, you see, are shameful even to talk about. 13But everything becomes visible when it's exposed to the light, 14since everything that is visible is light. That's why it says: Wake up, you sleeper! Rise up from the dead! The Messiah will shine on you! 15So take special care how you conduct yourselves. Don't be unwise, but be wise. 16Make use of any opportunity you have, because these are wicked times we live in. 17So don't be foolish; rather, understand what the Lord's will is. 18And don't get drunk with wine; that way lies dissipation. Rather, be filled with the spirit! 19Speak to each other in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and chanting in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks for everything to God the father in the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Gracious and holy Father, Lord, you have given me so much, I ask for one more thing - a grateful heart. George Herbert

Thank you for listening to this episode, “The One with LECTIO...” EVERY THURSDAY WE WILL PRAY...just simply pray. This week on this podcast, we have looked at questions and God’s truthful answers, we have looked at the beauty of friendships, including the one we have been fortunate to have with Jesus...we have also looked at the truth in the midst of unfaithful events. Today, we are praying for peace. If you are joining this podcast for the first time, the Lectio Divina prayer has four parts with one scripture: READ, REFLECT, RELATE (OR RESPOND) AND THE FINAL PART, REST - WE ALL LOVE REST...REST ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.Here is today’s Lectio...read, is where you just hear it. The second part, Reflect, ask yourself what you think this passage means. The third part, Relate, how does this passage relate to you right now and let God know your thoughts...and the final part, Rest, rest on hearing it again and pay attention to what’s on your mind...then talk to God.Let’s pray...Lord, help us be more like Jesus, today. Thank you for continuing to bless all of the listeners and thank you for this opportunity to pray together. Please continue to talk to us, help us hear what we don’t normally hear and see what we don’t normally see. Please bring peace to the world. We love you, Lord. Here is the first part of Lectio...Matthew Chapter 5 verses 9-12The first time it will be read to hear the words....The second time, Reflect, ask yourself what you think this passage means. The third part, Relate, how does this passage relate to you right now and let God know your thoughts…And the final part, Rest, rest on these words from Matthew and talk to God...he’s listeningBlessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.10Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,*for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.12* Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. THIS IS THE LECTIO DIVINA PRAYER. A GREAT WAY TO READ, REFLECT, RELATE AND REST ON GOD’S WORDS AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY HEAR FROM HIM...BUT SPEAK WITH HIM. AMEN.Every Thursday we will pray like this today. You can count on it. Tomorrow’s podcast we will have a special guest, Jessica Blake, a wife, a mom, an author and a singer/songwriter who will share with us her new single...it’s one you will want to hear over and over again. May today’s devotion to the Lectio Divina prayer help your day be amazing. May it help bring peace to the world. Thank you for being you, keep fighting the good fight and remember how much you are loved by God. You are a blessing...see you tomorrow.

Galatians 3 3You witless Galatians! Who has bewitched you? King Jesus was portrayed on the cross before your very eyes! 2There's just one thing I want to know from you. Did you receive the spirit by doing the works of Torah, or by hearing and believing? 3You are so witless: you began with the spirit, and now you're ending with the flesh? 4Did you really suffer so much for nothing – if indeed it is going to be for nothing? 5The one who gives you the spirit and performs powerful deeds among you – does he do this through your performance of Torah, or through hearing and believing? 10Because, you see, those who belong to the ‘works-of-the-law' camp are under a curse! Yes, that's what the Bible says: ‘Cursed is everyone who doesn't stick fast by everything written in the book of the law, to perform it.' 11But, because nobody is justified before God in the law, it's clear that ‘the righteous shall live by faith'. 12The law, however, is not by faith: rather, ‘the one who does them shall live in them'. 13The Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse on our behalf, as the Bible says: ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.' 14This was so that the blessing of Abraham could flow through to the nations in King Jesus – and so that we might receive the promise of the spirit, through faith. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Grant, Lord, that we may hold to you without parting, worship you without wearying, serve you without failing; faithfully seek you, happily find you, and forever possess you, the only God, blessed now and for ever. St Anselm

Why And How Should I Tell Others? 1 Peter 3:8-16 Luke 12:1-12The post Why And How Should I Tell Others? appeared first on Bedhampton Church.

Be not wise in your own eyes;fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.~Proverbs 3:7 (ESV)There are six things that the Lord hates,seven that are an abomination to him:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,and hands that shed innocent blood,18 a heart that devises wicked plans,feet that make haste to run to evil,19 a false witness who breathes out lies,and one who sows discord among brothers.20 My son, keep your father's commandment,and forsake not your mother's teaching.~Proverbs 6:16-20Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,but a man of understanding remains silent.~Proverbs 11:12By insolence comes nothing but strife,but with those who take advice is wisdom. ~Proverbs 13:10Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,but humility comes before honor.~Proverbs 18:12“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty manwho acts with arrogant pride.~Proverbs 21:24Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;a stranger, and not your own lips.~Proverbs 27:2There are those who curse their fathersand do not bless their mothers.12 There are those who are clean in their own eyesbut are not washed of their filth.13 There are those—how lofty are their eyes,how high their eyelids lift!14 There are those whose teeth are swords,whose fangs are knives,to devour the poor from off the earth,the needy from among mankind.~Proverbs 30:11-14By insolence comes nothing but strife,but with those who take advice is wisdom.~Proverbs 13:10A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,but the lips of the wise protect them.~Proverbs 14:3 (NIV)Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall.19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poorthan to divide the spoil with the proud.~Proverbs 16:18-19Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;be assured, he will not go unpunished.~Proverbs 16:5But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to thehumble.”~James 4:6The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.12 For the Lord of hosts has a dayagainst all that is proud and lofty,against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;~Isaiah 2:11-12The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,and humility comes before honor.~Proverbs 15:33One's pride will bring him low,but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.~Proverbs 29:23The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like othermen, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week;I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift uphis eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tellyou, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone whoexalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”~Luke 18:11-14“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.~Matthew 5:3

EnneaTalk Tuesday: The 8 ways the Enneagram can bring success to your business Another week means another EnneaTalk Tuesday—and you definitely don’t want to miss this episode. For this week’s topic, I discuss how the Enneagram can be used in business to increase productivity, motivation, and profits. I introduce the eight different ways this tool can help lead your company to success and how, if you have the right type, it can help not only refine your management skills, but build the culture you and your employees seek.Listen to this week’s episode to see how the Enneagram can move the needle in your business’ culture, communication, and profit. Habits, Patterns, and the EnneagramHave you ever wondered how your communication style might affect those around you? When it comes to work, everyone has different ingrained patterns and modes of process. I open this episode by covering every personality type’s unhealthy habits in business and how the Enneagram can be used to identify and break them. How understanding yourself can help your business thriveThe key to being a good leader is knowing your own strengths and weaknesses, so the core piece to implementing this tool into your business is to first use it to understand yourself—so you can truly learn to see, hear, and understand others.I dig into how the Enneagram can help you develop self-awareness, as well as understand and speak the same language as those you lead. This can help to resolve conflicts easier, communicate effectively, and recognize other’s gifts in order to help them, and your business, grow.Building culture that cultivates creativity and engagementI discuss how environment is stronger than willpower and why it is important to create a healthy culture that empowers, encourages, and makes people want to come back—so there is no boundary to how far your business can go. Investing in the Enneagram can help build a culture of motivation, trust, productivity, and fun, and this in turn can change everything about your business—bringing purpose, increased revenue, retention, and success. If you are ready to move the needle in your business’ profit, reach out to me and let the Enneagram help bring everything you have desired for your business—bottom line.Minute Markers:This is a very clear map to know the people you are dealing with 1:50 Leaders go first 1:58 - tracyHow can you tell people something to do that you aren’t willing to do? 2:19If you don't know what it feels like its never going to translate properly. 2:28We all want to make a difference in the world 2.41The Enneagram can help you bring out the best in the people that you lead. 2:59It’s really important to understand who you’re working with and leading. 3:51The Enneagram can help shine the light on the patterns in your life that become a problem. 4:15There’s no one Enneagram personality that’s better than the other; we’ve all got beautiful strengths and gifts. 5:09The healthier you are and the healthier the people in your business are, the more profitable your business will be and the more productivity that you will have. 5:45If you’re not self aware, you’re going to make poor decisions. 6:12The goal is to have a team of all different gifts working together 9:09When you can speak to people in their language, of their type, you are going to be more effective.10:45Any time you have people in a room with different ideas, you're going to have conflict. The challenge is to use the conflict constructively. 11:46Sometimes when you’re stuck in your personality it's tough to resolve any conflict. 12:07When people are doing things they are good at confidence gets built and when confidence gets built they’re more productive. 6:13When you have the right people in the right positions to the organization is more likely to work together harmoniously. 16:18Because I mastered my own self-awareness first, my kids followed my lead. 25:40

Sunday’s ReadingsIsaiah 60:1-9 Psalm 72 Ephesians 3:1-13 Matthew 2:1-12The feast of Epiphany marks not only the beginning of a season of light and that the all people have received this gift of Light, but it also marks a season of trust. Because we have been given the “light that dispels the darkness” in the infant Jesus, we have been entrusted with the power of the Holy Spirit to go into the world and preach the Gospel — to be stewards of that light in the darkness of the world.

Happy New Year's Eve! This time of year is one of our favorite's here at ContractorCoachPRO. Everyone is charging into the new year with strategies they want to implement, hopes and dreams they want to see come to fruition, and brand new goals that they want to accomplish!We wanted to end the year right and give you some brain food for setting your own goals for 2020. Introductions - 1:47Understanding GPA's - 2:43What areas of your life should you set goals for? - 3:12The 7 Goals for a Better and Happier Life - 3:20How many goals do you have to set to achieve success? - 9:37BIG Goals - 10:51TOP Priorities - 12:36S.M.A.R.T. Actions - 13:13Bringing it all together... - 14:52Annual Goals - 17:57Quarterly Goals - 18:51Quarterly Priorities - 20:02S.M.A.R.T. Cards - 21:29Conclusion - 24:24

Matthew 23: 11-12The gift giving season is upon us! We all have the ability to give something: maybe it is a financial gift, a gift of time, a gift a talents or just the gift of our comfort and presence. But when we do give out these gifts we have to make sure we do it in the way the Bible instructs us. Today's passage deals with being a servant, but it also deals with being humble. 

The absolute MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED question I get about Early Retirement is “What do I do about healthcare?”Without going into too much detail, we’re all aware that healthcare costs are fairly ridiculous in America. Not properly planning for healthcare can be catastrophic - one unexpected event can literally wipe you out.Lynn Frair from FIHealthcare.com joins us today to share the results of her intense research into the options available to early retirees. She has found 18 different healthcare options and shares them with us. She also has created a crowdsourcing database for other options. (If you’ve got a different way to procure healthcare, she’d love to include it in her database!)If you are on the path to financial independence, you NEED this episode. In This Episode We Cover:How Lynn became interested in financial independenceHow she began investing at age 12The process of researching healthcare options18 different options for healthcareHealthcare preventionThe difference between deductibles, co-pays, and premiumsAnd SO much more!Links:Mr. Money MustacheReeditMilitary DollarBloombergHealthCare.govFinConBiggerPockets Money Podcast 80: Managing Money: How a Saver & a Spender Are Living Happily Ever After with Rich & RegularRich & RegularFrom Childhood Poverty to Financial Freedom by Age 32 with Jillian JohnsrudMontana Money AdventuresEconoMe ConferenceProfiles:Nurse NumbersLynn's emailFI Healthcare

Samaria the capital of Israel’s northern kingdom was under siege. Ben-hadad, the Syrian king and his powerful army’s presence had resulted in a disastrous famine. Israel’s king was walking along a wall when a woman cried out to him for help. His answer expressed his sense of utter helplessness. I quoted from the New Living translation, but the Aramean is translated in most places as Syrian.  2 Kings 6 & 7 NLT He answered, “If the LORD doesn’t help you, what can I do? I have neither food from the threshing floor nor wine from the press to give you.” 28But then the king asked, “What is the matter?” She told a story of cannibalization that drove the heartbreaking truth of desperation like an arrow into his heart. 30When the king heard this, he tore his clothes in despair. And as the king walked along the wall, the people could see that he was wearing burlap under his robe next to his skin. Burlap In the Bible, whenever someone sought God with ardent desperation through prayer and fasting, they would put on burlap as a sign of their humility. 31“May God strike me and even kill me if I don’t separate Elisha’s head from his shoulders this very day,” the king vowed. I can only guess at why the king would blame Elisha for this nightmarish situation, but Elisha wasn’t the problem. Playing the blame game started with the first sin and has been repeated again and again when a person is confronted with a problem or a sinful consequence. You can't win shifting the blame. The king backed up his vow with a personal visit to Elisha’s house and his personal assistant. 32Elisha was sitting in his house with the elders of Israel when the king sent a messenger to summon him. But before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “A murderer has sent a man to cut off my head. When he arrives, shut the door and keep him out. We will soon hear his master’s steps following him.” 33While Elisha was still saying this, the messenger arrived. And the king said, “All this misery is from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” Chapter 7 NLT 1 Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, six quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.” 1 Kings 6 describes the scarcity of food by explaining what is available and how expensive it is; the price of a donkey head cost 80 pieces of silver and a cup of dove’s dung for 5 pieces of silver. In the midst of this kind of scarcity Elisha announces the availability of choice flour and barley grain. But not just availability, he is also communicating that the flour and barley will be available in abundance by telling how much it would cost…6 quarts of fine flour or 12 quarts of barley grain for 1 piece of silver. 2The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the LORD opened the windows of heaven!” But Elisha replied, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” 3Now there were four men with leprosy sitting at the entrance of the city gates. “Why should we sit here waiting to die?” they asked each other. 4“We will starve if we stay here, but with the famine in the city, we will starve if we go back there. So we might as well go out and surrender to the Aramean army. If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway.” What a hopeless situation! Or so it seemed. The was really true. If they sat where they were they would die! It was hopeless ONLY if they did nothing. They had no idea what God would do.   5So at twilight they set out for the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there! 6For the Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching. “The king of Israel has hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us!” they cried to one another. 7So they panicked and ran into the night, abandoning their tents, horses, donkeys, and everything else, as they fled for their lives. I just love this part of the story! This is a perfect picture of a boomerang. Intimidation had been a powerful tactic of this army, now God was using sound to intimidate them. Please dear friend, stop allowing intimidation to stop you. It is a strategy of hell to stop you from doing what God has called you to do; to keep you from believing God for your family; to rob you from the victory God has promised you. I want to remind you that no weapon that is formed against you will prosper. 8When the men with leprosy arrived at the edge of the camp, they went into one tent after another, eating and drinking wine; and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and hid it. 9Finally, they said to each other, “This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren’t sharing it with anyone! If we wait until morning, some calamity will certainly fall upon us. Come on, let’s go back and tell the people at the palace.” 10So they went back to the city and told the gatekeepers what had happened. “We went out to the Aramean camp,” they said, “and no one was there! The horses and donkeys were tethered and the tents were all in order, but there wasn’t a single person around!” 11Then the gatekeepers shouted the news to the people in the palace. The King didn't believe 12The king got out of bed in the middle of the night and told his officers, “I know what has happened. The Arameans know we are starving, so they have left their camp and have hidden in the fields. They are expecting us to leave the city, and then they will take us alive and capture the city.” 13One of his officers replied, “We had better send out scouts to check into this. Let them take five of the remaining horses. If something happens to them, it will be no worse than if they stay here and die with the rest of us.” 14So two chariots with horses were prepared, and the king sent scouts to see what had happened to the Aramean army. 15They went all the way to the Jordan River, following a trail of clothing and equipment that the Arameans had thrown away in their mad rush to escape. The scouts returned and told the king about it. Finally! 16Then the people of Samaria rushed out and plundered the Aramean camp. So it was true that six quarts of choice flour were sold that day for one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain were sold for one piece of silver, just as the LORD had promised. Just like God said. 17The king appointed his officer to control the traffic at the gate, but he was knocked down and trampled to death as the people rushed out. So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted when the king came to his house. What are we missing out on because we don’t believe? The king’s assistant missed out on the food, the bounty that the army left and his life. Isaiah 53:1 KJV Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?   John 12 tells us the story of an excited crowd that greeted Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Verse 17 explains that many of the people in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb and raise him from the dead. They were telling others what Jesus had done, so crowds of people wanted to see Jesus too. In this context Jesus prophesied his death; then He exposes his heart in verse 27. “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28Father, bring glory to your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him. 30Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. God spoke from heaven to benefit them, to bolster their faith, to reveal Jesus to them. Part of the crowd explained it away as thunder. I've heard people explain way God's miracles.  Some of the more religious people passed it off as an angel speaking to Jesus. It was God, but many didn’t get the revelation of who Jesus was because they didn’t believe. Verse 37, But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. 38This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “LORD, who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?”   Do we believe something simply because it is frequently repeated? Do we believe something because it sounds right to our ears? Or do we believe it because it IS TRUTH?                              John 14:6 NIV Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.   What about you, my dear friend, do you believe?   Lauren Dagle has captivated America’s hearts with her song, “You Say.” I would guess that you have heard it many times, but for illustration sake I want to describe what I see (Yes, see.) in her song. Lauren sings several truths that God says about a believer and then she sings a simple but game changing line…”I believe. I believe.” And I believe she really does believe what God says about her, that’s why her songs grips us like it does. But I’m talking to you today and I want to know about you…do you believe?   So one more time I repeat the words of the mighty profit Isaiah.  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?   Let’s pray.      

“7Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation. 2Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; 3and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. 4For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.’5And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.11 In the six-hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. 12The rain fell on the earth for forty days and forty nights. 13On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons, entered the ark, 14they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird of every kind—every bird, every winged creature. 15They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.17 The flood continued for forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters.6 At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made 7and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. 8Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; 9but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. 10He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; 11and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. 12Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any more.13 In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying. 14In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. 15Then God said to Noah, 16‘Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. 17Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.’ 18So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives.8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.* 11I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ 12God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” — Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13 (NRSV) There are two pieces to today’s sermon: we are going to slow down and get into this story of Noah’s Ark, and then we are going to pull this thread of slowness and understanding through to imagination, taking a look at this ancient practice of Midrash – the making of stories about Biblical stories. Let’s dive in – pun intended! To be honest, I do not love this story, for a few reasons. One – there is a huge gap between the happy two-by-two rendition we tell children and the reality of God being so fed up with human corruption and violence that They decide to drown everyone and start again. Don’t get me wrong – I love playing with kids and boats and animals, and teaching the basics of it to children is important. But we skim past the predicament that got humanity to the point of God throwing in the towel in the first place, and we rarely keep reading to learn about the traumatized Noah after the flood who deals with his post-ark PTSD with generously flowing wine and questionable sexual choices. Now, many of us never got Noah’s full story after Sunday School, so if your understanding of Noah begins and ends with the colourful animals boarding the ark, we are about to go a little dark here, so brace yourself. In the Scripture leading up to our story today, in Genesis 6, we read, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.” (6:5). Yikes – though I’ll admit, that is an easy perspective to relate to these days if you are following the news at all. The Scripture continues: “it grieved him [God] to his heart.” Ouch. Dang, that’s some guilt y’all. Also, it is a stark reminder – you mean my bad choices don’t just affect me? “So the Lord said, ‘I will blot out from the earth the human beings I have created – people together with animals and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.’” What?! What about the God who knew me before I was born? The one who knit me together inside my mother’s womb? The one who calls me precious, beloved child? This is another reason this story chafes against me – this is not my experience of God. But someone wise once told me don’t stop at the bits you don’t like or don’t understand – keep reading until you get to love.Ok, lets keep going.Wait a minute, says God, wait – there is one, that Noah fellow – I could use him and his family. Go build a big boat Noah – and he does, with some very specific instructions. And then the ones on the guest list get in and the Scripture reads that the Lord – Yahweh, God – “shut them in” (7:16). I actually love that phrase – what a vivid image: God closing up the ark, like Morgan Freeman dressed in white casually lifting up the gangway. But we will get to the imagination piece in a few minutes – back to the Noah story. The door is closed, the flood waters flow, and the seemingly ceaseless rains begin. The waters swell and ark carried on its way floating about. And here, here it gets interesting: as this story continues, it so remarkably parallels the first Creation story in Genesis. This is something that we might miss but would be very provocative for the Hebrew people. Let me explain:In Creation, God said, “let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear,”(1:9) and in the Noah story, ‘the fountains of the great Deep burst forth and the windows of the heavens were opened; (7:11) – the image reminds me of God releasing the original dam – so to speak – he put into place to keep things in order, returning a sense of that primal chaos.Another parallel comes once the onslaught of water has ceased. The Creation story reads, “a wind from God swept over the face of the waters,” (1:2) and the Noah story reads, “God made a wind blow over the earth and the waters subsided.” (8:1).Once they’ve hit land, we have another of these parallels. God blessed Noah and his sons, the new ancestors of humankind, “and said to them, ‘Be Fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth’” (9:1) – the same words that God said to Adam and Eve” ‘Be Fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth’ (1:28).[1] So here is where this story turns a bit for me - these parallels point out for us that the Flood story is not primarily one of God’s destruction, but rather of God’s RE-CREATION. When we read the Old Testament, the Hebrew Scriptures as a long story about the relationship between God and God’s people we see patterns – not of angry wrath and destruction, but of broken people and second chances. When we stay a little while and take the time to notice these details, we can learn a lot about who God is. Almost nothing in the Old Testament – or the New really – is simple. Almost nothing can be understood by just skimming the top or letting our knowledge remain in Sunday School territory. The wisdom of these words demand us to sink deeper and deeper into the waters. Which is not really how we do things today. The culture of these ancient words does not fit well with our modern culture. These stories require a long chew and a slow process of digestion – rather than a protein shake in a blender that you slam back on your way out the door. Think of the way a cow eats verses a hungry puppy. And this is where Midrash comes in. Ancient Midrash is basically a collection of thoughts from Rabbis in history doing a slow cud chew on Scripture. And through time, this practice became ingrained in Jewish culture – I studied with a Rabbi who taught us that every reading has 70 faces, and you encounter a new face each time you greet it. And this is something that Christians – adopted into the people of God – also began to practice. It is why we refer to Scripture as the living Word, because we understand that God is still speaking to us through these texts by revealing more and new things to us with each generation. What Midrash does is respond to contemporary problems and craft new stories, making connections between new realities and the unchanging Biblical text. So – what does that actually look like and why is it important or helpful? The story I read to the children today is an example of Midrash.[2] It is a story about a story – one that we know well – in the Bible that gives us a perspective we might not have otherwise thought of. Had you considered the Flood from the point of view of the fish? Had the Noah story ever led you to the conclusion that God must be everywhere, as the Midrash story did? I have another example – have you seen the movie “Evan Almighty”? God – Morgan Freeman, dressed in white – gets in touch with Evan – an American Congressman – to build an ark in preparation for an upcoming flood. Much resistance and hilarity ensues as Evan finally capitulates and builds an ark, to the humiliation of his teenagers and at the great scrutiny of his neighbours…let’s take a look at what happens:__CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CLIP! This is a modern form of Midrash – these images and sounds help us unlock our imaginations to the fullness of this story – the water! The creaking boat! The violence of the water’s movement! The speed of the ark moving through that water! The animal sounds! The terror of those onboard! The Flood story is not a la-la-la (sing) “Noah and the animals” bedtime story only for children – none of our Bible stories are – they are vivid, shocking, and filled with sensory stimulation if we dare to notice. And if we let our understanding stay in the simplistic, surface level meanings, Scripture doesn’t change our lives. It doesn’t push into new depths of love and understanding. This practice of making something new from our Scriptural tradition – of holding the old and the new gives us the chance to step into and soak in the story and stay long enough for our fingers to get wrinkly. For our hearts to be changed. We have all been gifted with imaginations. I know this because I see it demonstrated in a thousand different ways: through art, play, music; through knitted patterns and quilted masterpieces. In carefully planned gardens, measured and organized toolsheds, tenderly crafted meals. In every novel we read or tv show we watch we are igniting our imaginations; of course we should use that gift in our faith as well! So I would invite you, this week, to pull out your Bibles and turn to a story you think you know very well – one you could likely tell to a child without the text. Jesus feeding the 5,000 with two loaves and five fish. The fishermen catching nothing after being out all night and Jesus tells them to drop their nets on the other side from which they haul in their biggest catch. The Crucifixion. Even if you are new to this church thing, or returning after a while away, you likely know the story of The Good Samaritan. So pull it out and read it. Then read it again. Then read it again, but this time be on the hunt for sound. Then read it again thinking of the smells all around. Then read it again – is there food? What would that have tasted like? Did the characters touch – what would those cloths have felt like? You don’t need to know the answers to imagine or wonder what those would be like. And I will guarantee that if you sit and bathe in the story just a little while, giving yourself time to get wrinkly fingers, something profound and holy will happen. You will notice details that you could’ve sworn were never there before. You see, when we enter into that creative place we are entering into a space with the One who created and is still creating. The one who yearns to share more with us, to draw us in, and who planted in us this terrific capacity to broaden and broaden and broaden. To learn and grow and be changed. The one who floods our hearts with love and second chances, who desires our re-creation, and gives us every new – sometimes painful – opportunity to begin again. And who promises – marked by that glorious colourful bow in the sky, never, never to leave us. Can I get an Amen? [1] Michael D. Coogan, The Old Testament (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011), 65.[2] Marc Gellman and Oscar de Mejo, “Water All Around,” Does God Have a Big Toe? (New York: Harper Collins, 1989), 27-29.

A 38. adásban sok hír es újdonság között beszéltünk a babel.js-ről, és a11y meetup-ról, továbbá a DevTales első születésnapja alkalmából egy játékra invitáljuk a hallgatókat. Részletekért hallgasd meg az adást! Résztvevők: Edu Róka Tibi Whats new in node 12The inception bar: a new phishing methodGithub package registryPuppeteer FirefoxNew google botAccessible react packagesDark mode Support in […]

Exodus 20:12The gospel of Jesus Christ enables us to truly honor our mothers.

Part 1 - Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:1-12The sermon on the mount should be received, as the Kings speech to His people about His Kingdom and it’s implication on our lives. The Beatitudes, also known as the blessings, reveal what it means to live for God, and how blessings follow.

He Set His Face - Light of the WorldDave Riddle - 04/07/19Key Passage: John 9:1-38Luke 9:51 - When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up, He set His face resolutely towards Jerusalem.Resolute: purposefully unwavering or determined.A Four-Part Testimony“The Man Called Jesus”Luke 9:8-12The simple story of what Jesus did in his life.He’s a ProphetLuke 9:13-23Man From GodLuke 9:24-34The healed man is growing in his understanding of Jesus. First His name, then His role, and now where He comes from.Son of ManLuke 9:35-38“I believe Lord!”

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:First Reading: Joshua 5:9-12By celebrating the Passover and eating the produce of the promised land instead of the miraculous manna that had sustained them in the desert, the Israelites symbolically bring their forty years of wilderness wandering to an end at Gilgal.9The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” And so that place is called Gilgal to this day.  10While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. 11On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.Psalm: Psalm 32Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord. (Ps. 32:11)1Happy are they whose transgressions | are forgiven,  and whose sin is | put away! 2Happy are they to whom the Lord im- | putes no guilt,  and in whose spirit there | is no guile! R 3While I held my tongue, my bones with- | ered away,  because of my groaning | all day long. 4For your hand was heavy upon me | day and night;  my moisture was dried up as in the | heat of summer. 5Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not con- | ceal my guilt.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Then you forgave me the guilt | of my sin. 6Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in | time of trouble;  when the great waters overflow, they | shall not reach them. R 7You are my hiding-place; you preserve | me from trouble;  you surround me with shouts | of deliverance. 8“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that | you should go;  I will guide you | with my eye. 9Do not be like horse or mule, which have no | understanding;  who must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will | not stay near you.” 10Great are the tribulations | of the wicked;  but mercy embraces those who trust | in the Lord. 11Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice | in the Lord;  shout for joy, all who are | true of heart. RSecond Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21One way to describe the gospel is the promise that in Christ everything is transformed into newness. All mistakes, all deliberate sins, all old history is reconciled with Christ’s resurrection. This is Paul’s strong message to the congregation in the city of Corinth.16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32Jesus tells a parable about a son who ponders his father’s love only after he has spurned it. The grace he receives is beyond his hopes. That same grace is a crisis for an older brother who believed it was his obedience that earned his place in the father’s home.1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  3So he told them this parable: 11b“There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.  25“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

Gen. 2:25 NLT Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.Gen 3:7-13 NLT At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LordGod walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” 11“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”The Shame 1-2-3's1. We all have it.2. We're all afraid to talk about it.3. The less we talk about shame the more control it has over us.I.What is shame?A.Gen. 2:25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.B.Shame is a feeling of being flawed that causes us to be fearful of being uncovered, unworthy, and/or rejected. II.How does shame affect us?A.Gen. 3:7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So, they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. B.Shame causes us to hide. III.How do we overcome shame?A.Gen. 3:21And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.B.2 Cor. 5:21For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering forour sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. C.Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowdof witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Nowhe is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.D.Steps to Overcoming Shame:1.Get Naked 2.Get FocusedPs. 75:7 It is God alone who judges;he decides who will rise and whowill fall.3.Get to the Cross Mk 15:19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship.Big Idea: Jesus died a shameful death so that we don’t have to live a shameful life.

Matthew 2:1-12The first in our Epiphany series looking at the revelation of Jesus with John Dickinson (Leader, Carnmoney Church) speaking on the Magi.

11God said, “I command the earth to produce all kinds of plants, including fruit trees and grain.” And that's what happened. 12The earth produced all kinds of vegetation. God looked at what he had done, and it was good. 13Evening came, then morning—that was the third day.Gen 1:11-13

Message: The gospel according to LukeText: Luke 11:13-23Jesus did not conquer Satan by dividing his house, Colossians 2:13-15. Dividing-opposite of unity-is a trick Satan has to play to gain anything.Ephesians 6:12The problem with all my relationships is always __________.The problem with all my relationships is always __________.“The Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Frank returns after a year’s sabbatical to find… most of the other Amazing Amazon comics podcasters have podfaded and the movie sequel pushed back seven months to 2020? Perhaps now more than ever, the world is waiting for a Barbara Minerva / The Cheetah III podcast! This episode covers nearly every Cheetah story from 1986-2011, from her debut to her origin and overall career prior to the New 52 reboot! Included is Underworld Unleashed, a well regarded event mini-series from 1995, which a group of bloggers/podcasters join us in exploring for a crossover all our own!Underworld Unleashed #BestEventEver1995 Skybox DC Villains: The Dark Judgment Cheetah Trading Card #221996 Rogues Gallery #1: Cheetah by Cliff NielsenCosmic Treadmill ep. 109 – Underworld Unleashed #1 (1995)I’m The Gun!- Starman #13/Showcase ’95 #12The ’90s Revisited by Walt: Green Lantern #68Justice’s First Dawn Podcast – Extreme Justice 10 and 11JusticeTrek: The Podcast covers Justice League America #105 — the Killer Elite!, R.E.B.E.L.S. ’95 #13 — Earthbound! & Justice League America #106Pop-Culture Palace covers The Ray #18: Monsters, Abyss: Hell’s Sentinels & The Ray #19Relatively Geeky Presents brief looks at 27 of the Underworld Unleashed issuesBetween the Pages with a look at the “DC Villains: Dark Judgment” trading card setMartian Manhunter @ The Idol-Head of DiaboluWe don’t have a Magic Sphere, so if you want to communicate with us about the podcast…Tweet host Diabolu Frank directly, or commune with @rolledspine as a group.Email DiaboluIf the main Diana Prince as the New Wonder Woman blog isn’t your thing, try the umbrella Rolled Spine Podcasts.

Scripture reading: Exo 14:12The former quick-tempered Moses patiently answered the people's hasty accusation with three directives to meet this emergency: (1) "Do not be afraid" The word to the patriarchs, Gen 15:1; 26:24; and to Israel as they possessed the land, Josh 1:9; 8:1)(2) "Stand firm" and see the salvation, i.e., the "deliverance of the LORD" for "the LORD will fight for you" (v.14; see Neh 4:20; Ps 35:1)(3) "Hold thy peace”. Stop all action and become inactive, for I the Lord will act by myself on your behalf (cf. Gen 34:5; 2 Kings 19:11; Pss 5:3; 83:1). “For it had been better for us to serve -- the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” This complaint is the first occurrence of what was to become a sad refrain over the next forty years. Instead of believing that the God who had demonstrated his power so overwhelmingly could now save them, the Israelites turned on their rescuer. The cry of the unsurrendered heart is always, “Give me the security of slavery rather than the risk of faith.”Let us study HEB 2 for deeper insight into the 3rd action “Hold they peace”But the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. v2 This is a reference to the condition of many Christians, hearing the Word, but not acting on it. Faith is the substance. Heb 11:1. Faith without works is dead, but works without faith is also dead. James 2:17Study So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” Heb 4:3 Was God’s judgment against Israel’s continual unbelief. They shall not enter the promised land. Deut. 1:35Today, if you will hear His voice:“Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,As in the day of trial in the wilderness,When your fathers tested Me;They tried Me, though they saw My work.For forty years I was grieved with that generation,And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts,And they do not know My ways.’So I swore in My wrath,‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ” Ps. 95:8:11How did they test God? By their constant murmuring and complaining. Faith begins in your words. God spoke the earth into existence. If you speak against the very thing you believe, you cancel your faith. Stop complaining, self-pity will not move God. Faith pleases Him Heb 11:6 Let us, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. v11The KJV uses the word Labor instead of being diligent. 4704. σπουδάζω spoudázō; fut. spoudásō, from spoudḗ (G4710), earnestness, diligence (2 Pet. 1:5). To be diligent, earnest, or eager. (I) Generally, with the inf. (2 Tim. 4:9, 21; Titus 3:12). (II) To make every effort to do one's best, to be eager, with the inf. (Gal. 2:10; Eph. 4:3; 1 Thess. 2:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 4:11; 2 Pet. 1:10, 15; 3:14; Sept.: Is. 21:3). THUS You cannot entertain unbelief for one second. It is a parasite, it is poison, it is cancer, you need to deal with it quickly. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:11-13 Learn to wield the “sword of the spirit” Eph 6:17 like a master swordsman. Jesus masterfully endured the direct satanic temptation by saying. “It is written” The Word will answer, heal, silence the distortions and upset of the heart. Phil 4:6-8 Garrison the heart with peace. You need to master the art of holding your peace. Do not react, do not act hastily. To keep your peace, in the midst of a crisis takes considerable effort and maturity in Christ. Jesus kept His peace

Worship audio from Easter 4B (April 22, 2018). Bulletin here, or below the notes.Green 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) 236-9572iTunes & 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.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!Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for the sheep. Grant that I always hear & heed your voice in the Word and worship, that I may be preserved in the faith throughout my life; AMEN.Works of the Law vs. Fruit of the Spirit:4. Now, consider the distinction between the works of the Law [Galatians 2:16] and the fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22–23]. We believe, teach, and confess that the works of the Law are those that are done according to the Law. They are called works of the Law as long as they are only forced out of a person by teaching the punishment and threatening of God’s wrath.6 5. Fruits of the Spirit, however, are the works wrought by God’s Spirit, who dwells in believers. The Spirit works through the regenerate. These works are done by believers because they are regenerate ‹spontaneously and freely›. They act as though they knew of no command, threat, or reward. In this way God’s children live in the Law and walk according to God’s Law. St. Paul calls this the “law of Christ” and the “Law of my mind” in his letters. (See Romans 7:23–25; 8:7; 8:2 [; Galatians 6:2].)Formula of Concord, Article 6 (Concordia p. 486)Shepherd & Sheep:As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we gradually shift our focus – from the way that Christ won our salvation, to our relationship with the risen Lord. Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, will guard & keep his flock from all danger; he does for his sheep as they hear his voice and remain close to him.As sheep together in the family of God – how do we encourage one another?OPENING HYMN: 150 – Christ the Lord is Risen TodayORDER OF SERVICE: Morning Praise, CW p. 45The WordFIRST READING: Acts 20:28-32The Word of grace brings us and preserves us in the sheepfold of Christ. Let us be on guard against those who would turn us aside from the Word of grace:28“Always keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29I know that after my departure savage wolves, who will not spare the flock, will come in among you. 30Even from your own group men will rise up, twisting the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore be always on the alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, I never stopped warning each one of you with tears. 32“And now I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which has power to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” PSALM OF THE DAY: 23, p. 72SECOND READING: 1 John 3:1-2The Good Shepherd’s sheep, the children of God:See the kind of love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are! The world does not know us, because it did not know him. 2Dear friends, we are children of God now, but what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he is revealed we will be like him, and we will see him as he really is. THEME VERSE: John 10:14Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Alleluia. GOSPEL READING: John 10:11-18Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd:11“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired man, who is not a shepherd, does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13Because he works for money, he does not care about the sheep. 14“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me 15(just as the Father knows me and I know the Father). And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I also have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. This is the commission I received from my Father.” CONFESSION OF FAITH: Small Catechism Explanation to the Third Article (1529)I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him.But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.In this Christian church he daily and fully forgives all sins to me and all believers. On the Last Day he will raise me and all the dead and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.This is most certainly true.HYMN OF THE DAY: 375 – The King of Love my Shepherd IsSERMON based on 1 John: Sheep Together in the Family of GodSUNG CONFESSION OF FAITH: Te Deum, CW p. 48OFFERING: 485 v.1 when the offering is brought forwardKYRIE & LORD’S PRAYER: CW p. 50HYMN: 766 (next page) – The Lord’s My ShepherdPRAYER FOR GRACE & BLESSING: CW p. 50CLOSING HYMN: 153 – Alleluia! Jesus Lives!QVM today.See the signups at the back for children’s theater, book club, and ladies’ day.THIS WEEKToday 2 Kings 5 9:30 AM - Easter 4 Worship 10:45 AM - Sunday School, QVMMonday 2 Kings 6Tuesday 2 Kings 7 Treasure Haus Work Day 7-8:30 PM CAP ClassWednesday 2 Kings 8 5-6:45 - Small Catechism ClassThursday 2 Kings 9Friday 2 Kings 10 Children’s Theatre at MLC - see the signup!Saturday 2 Kings 11Sunday 2 Kings 12 9:30 AM - Easter 5 Worship with Holy Communion 10:45 AM - Sunday School, Bible class

Find us online at www.adventnyc.orgYou’re invited to come worship with us and hear our sermons in person any Sunday at 9am & 11am in English, and 12:30pm in Spanish.Reading for this WeekFirst Reading | Acts 4:5-12The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”Second Reading | 1 John 3:16-24This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.Gospel | John 10:11-18“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Visit us online at www.adventnyc.orgCome visit us in worship and hear our sermons in person any Sunday at 9am & 11am in English, and 12:30pm in Spanish.Reading for this WeekFirst Reading | Acts 4:5-12The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is“‘the stone you builders rejected,which has become the cornerstone.’Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”Second Reading | 1 John 3:16-24This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.Gospel | John 10:11-18“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Worship audio from Dec 24, 2017 - Christmas Eve Candlelight service.Bulletin here, text at the bottom.Green Pastures with Jesus is the daily 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.                 elcome 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 further questions or concerns. Lord Jesus, bless our Christmas celebrations. You know me far better than I know myself; you came to this world as a baby in order to create peace between me and you. Grant me a quiet heart to hear your Word, and remind me again with the joy of your birth; AMEN.The Gift of Christmas:“In the obedience of this person Jesus . . . Christ has covered all our disobedience, which dwells in our nature and its thoughts, words, and works. Our disobedience is not charged against us for condemnation; it is pardoned and forgiven out of pure grace alone, for Christ’s sake.”Formula of Concord, Article 3 (Concordia p. 545)Our worship this evening is an adaptation of the Lessons and Carols service traditionally held at King's College, Cambridge, England, on December 24th every year. Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve, 1918. It was planned by Eric Milner-White, who at the age of thirty-four had just been appointed Dean of King’s College after experience as an army chaplain. The lessons for tonight have been used for almost 100 years to recall God’s promise to send a Savior, as well as that promise’s fulfillment.   EXHORTATION & PRAYERPlease rise.Dear people of God, in this Christmas season, it is our duty and delight to hear again the message of the angels and, in heart and mind, to go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us — the Christ Child lying in a manger, born to save us.Let us read and learn in Holy Scripture the story of the loving purposes of God from the first days after our fall into sin to the glorious redemption brought to us by this holy child.But first, let us pray for people all over the world who would delight with us to know the good news of Jesus Christ and who would join with us in singing his praises. Let us pray for the people of our community and our church.And, because this would please the Lord, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who are sad, the lonely and the unloved, and the elderly and the little children. We especially remember all those who do not know the Lord Jesus, those who do not love him, and those who by unrepentant sin have grieved his heart of love.Finally, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us in heaven, who live in greater light than we, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, who died in faith, and who live before the throne of God and praise him each day in his temple. We confess that we are united with them as we are united with one another.To sum up all these petitions, let us pray as Christ himself taught us:Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever; Amen.OPENING HYMN: 55 – Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful FIRST LESSON: Genesis 3:8-15God promises that a descendant of Eve, as the champion and substitute of all mankind, would win a victory over Satan and rob him of his power.8They heard the voice of the LORD God, who was walking around in the garden during the cooler part of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9The LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” 11God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?” 12The man said, “The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13The LORD God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14The LORD God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all the livestock, and more than every wild animal. You shall crawl on your belly,and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. 15I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel. SECOND LESSON: Genesis 22:15-18God repeats his promise: All nations will be blessed through Abraham’s descendent. 15The Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16and said, “I have sworn by myself, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your descendants greatly, like the stars of the sky and like the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the city gates of their enemies. 18In your seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”   CONFESSION OF FAITHFrom the Augsburg Confession, Article 3:M: Our churches teach that the Word, that is, the Son of God, assumed the human nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary. C: So there are two natures — the divine and the human — inseparably joined in one person. There is one Christ, true God and true man, who was born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried. He did this to reconcile the Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original sin and guilt, but also for every sin of all humanity. He also descended into hell, and truly rose again on the third day. Afterward, he ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. There he forever reigns and has dominion over all creatures. He sanctifies those who believe in Him, by sending the Holy Spirit into their hearts to rule, comfort, and make them alive. He defends them against the devil and the power of sin.The same Christ will openly come again to judge the living and the dead, according to the Apostles’ Creed.THIRD LESSON: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7The Promised One will rule on David’s throne forever.2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.On those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned. ... 6For to us a child is born. To us a son is given. The authority to rule will rest on his shoulders. His name will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7There will be no limit to his authority and no end to his peace. He will rule on David’s throne and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from now on and forever.The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this. HYMN: 42 – Come, Your Hearts and Voices RaisingFOURTH LESSON: Micah 5:2-4God points to the place where the Messiah will be born.2“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come the one to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from ancient times, from eternity.” 3Therefore he will surrender them until the time she who is in labor gives birth to a child. Then the remainder of his brothers will return to the children of Israel. 4He will stand and shepherd with the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. They will dwell securely, for at that time he will be great to the ends of the earth. FIFTH LESSON: Matthew 1:18-25The angel’s announcement to Joseph.18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother, Mary, was pledged in marriage to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her privately. 20 But as he was considering these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”22 All this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son. And they will name him Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”24 When Joseph woke up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary home as his wife, 25 but he was not intimate with her until she gave birth to her firstborn son.[f] And he named him Jesus.CONFESSION OF FAITHAdapted from Dr. Martin Luther’s seventh sermon on John 1, from 1537/8. (LW 22:102f)M: John’s Gospel says: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Earlier, John called the Word ‘God,’ then a Light which came into the world and created the world - and yet, was not accepted by the world. C: With this word ‘flesh,’ we see how God has assumed our human flesh and blood. Human reason cannot comprehend the mercy of our God, choosing to share our humanity. M: We Christians learn to prize and esteem these words, for herein we see the gospel. The Son of God did not take on himself the nature of angels, but humbled himself and took on the seed of Abraham. C: Jesus Christ, who is of my flesh, blood, and soul, is seated in heaven at the right hand of God the Father. The humanity of Christ is enduring proof of God’s mercy toward me, on account of Jesus. M: These words are not given for you to misuse or merely take up on occasion; these words are given for you to believe. C: Therefore, we should constantly have such words in our heart and on our lips. Let us learn not to argue with the devil when he tempts us; rather, let us put him to flight with the heartfelt words: “The Word became flesh for me!”M: The eternal Son of God ‘committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth;’C: And though he was not guilty of death, he became man for our comfort and salvation. Yes, he became a curse and sin for us, in order to deliver us from the eternal curse, and to justify us. M: We believe the Scriptures and confess with the holy Christian church, which existed at all times and will endure until the end of the world: This article of our Christian faith, together with all the others, is firmly and solidly established by the apostles & prophets, the spokesmen of the Holy Spirit:All: That Christ, our Lord and God, assumed true human nature; and that he became a natural man like any other man. He dwelt among us, with a human body as you & I have; he was nourished and grew as every other human, except without sin. SIXTH LESSON: Luke 2:1-7The birth of our Lord.In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3And everyone went to register, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. ( . . . continued . . . )6And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. HYMN: 61 – Hark! The Herald Angels SingSEVENTH LESSON: Luke 2:8-20The angel’s announcement to the shepherds.8There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: 11Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.” 15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Now let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they told others the message they had been told about this child. 18And all who heard it were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. HYMN: 263 – All Glory Be to God on HighSermon based on Luke 2: A Song about PeaceOFFERINGAfter the offering, an usher will come to your pew and light the candle nearest the center aisle. Please then light the candle next to you until all the candles are lit in the pew. When all the candles are lit, the lights will be dimmed. Remember to tip the unlit candle and leave the lit candle vertical.PRAYERO God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your only Son, Jesus Christ; grant that, as we joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, so may we also behold him with sure confidence when he shall come to be our judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever;Amen.BLESSINGMay he who by his incarnation gathered things earthly and heavenly into one, fill us with such joy that comes with the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. And the blessing of God Almighty - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - be upon you and remain with you always;Amen!CLOSING HYMNPlease be seated for our closing hymn:Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild,Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar; Heav'nly hosts sing, Alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, Love's pure lightRadiant beams from thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.December 31 worship at 9:30 AM & 7 PM. All are welcome to the parsonage (517 Tilden St) for fellowship after New Year’s Eve worship. Adult confirmation for Ingrid Chrisman, Josh Chrisman,Travis & Ventura Ulrich will be next Sunday.                                                           THIS WEEKToday Joshua 12 9:30 AM - Advent 4 Worship with Holy Communion 6:30 PM - Christmas Eve Candlelight WorshipMonday Joshua 13Tuesday Joshua 14Wednesday Joshua 15Thursday Joshua 16Saturday Joshua 17 9:15 AM - Bible Basics: Fellowship & EvangelismSunday Joshua 18 9:30 AM - Christmas 1 Worship with Holy Communion 7 PM - New Year’s Eve Worship with Holy Communion  Looking Ahead to Next Sunday:Theme Christmas 1Color WhiteLiturgy CW p. 15 with Holy CommunionHymns 78, 77, 5, 76Readings from Isaiah 45, Colossians 3, Luke 2; Psalm 111Verse of the Day Colossians 3:15   

1 Corinthians 15:9 -119 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.Ephesians 3:7-97 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.1 Timothy 1:5Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.Luke 15:11-3211Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.13“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.25“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’28“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’31“ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”Download Message NotesDownload Message Powerpoint

Today we take a break from our series on Hebrews to bring you a sermon I preached at the Pilot Point Church of Christ. The Heart of God Luke 15 15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gatherings around to hear Jesus. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” The Parable of the Lost Sheep 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15 The Parable of the Lost Coin 8“ Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15 The Parable of the Lost Son 11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20So he got up and went to his father. Luke 15 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27‘your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” The Heart of God Luke chapter 15 You don't know my father! God is like A shepherd. A woman. A father. Four different ways to be lost Like the lost sheep. 2. Like the lost coin. 3. Like the lost prodigal son. 4. Like the lost older brother. He believed the lie Vs. 17 And when he came to himself The sad ending The heart of God. Come home to The heart of God

A good testimony and a shared soul1 Thessalonians 2:1-12The first half of chapter two of 1 Thessalonians is more of a challenge to the preacher. Not that it is difficult to understand or preach, but that Paul defends his ministry among these believers and in doing so gives us insight into the kind of man, teacher and preacher Paul was. These a very personal words and as one writer puts it: “I am thankful for the accusations against Paul, for otherwise we may not have read this description of Paul's ways of being with people. These verses teach me much about the man I want to be in this pulpit and among you.A good Testimony (1-6)Paul's defense is masterful. Rather than an overt defense against the accusations, Paul appeals to shared experiences and calls the reader to remember what they know about him. Six times he says “you know” (verses 1, 2, 5, 9, 10 and 11).One can only appeal to such shared experiences if you have a good testimony.Paul often instructs leaders to have such a testimony. To be above reproach and friendly (cf. 1 Tim. 3).The accusations against Paul are evident from his defense:> He is teaching an incorrect theology> He has impure motives for ministry> He manipulates people into his traps> He tries to please people> He speaks with empty flattery> He is aiming for your wallet> He is living and ministering for people's praiseI asked myself how I would have defended myself against such accusations and came to the conclusion that Paul's defense is by far the best: let your life and way with people speak for itself.But Paul not only appeals to his testimony among the believers in this Church, he also appeals to God's testimony of him in verses 4-5 and 10. He calls God as a witness to their proper motives, way of life and call to ministry. Paul views this ministry as “God entrusting the gospel to him.” We are entrusted with God's message, which is a sobering and awesome truth.A Proper Behavior (7-11)In his defense Paul exhibited a high level and quality of behavior among these believers. In Paul's defense he calls them to remember how they behaved among them and lists seven behaviors:> He invested despite the risk to his own life 2> He was sincere in his doctrine, conviction and free from sexual perversion 3> He was laboring for God's approval not man's 4, 6> He was not concerned with financial gain 5> He didn't appeal to his authority, but was motherly 6-8> He was above reproach in what he did 10> He behaved like a father in guiding their walk 11-12These seven behaviors are easily turned into questions, such as: am I willing to invest despite risk? Do I keep myself free from sexual perversion and do I labor for God's approval? Am I motherly and fatherly and do I labor and toil deep into the night, so that God's will may be accomplished among people?Illustration about witnessing the different roles between father and mother with Willem and Saskia when Joas fell after Church and hurt himself. Willem tried to console him, but all the while his eyes were on Saskia. He wanted his mommy, because she's the comforter. Moms just do that better than dads.Paul is an example to us in his conviction and commitment to God.Verse 8 is incredible. Not only sharing the gospel, but sharing our - and the text literally says - souls. It isn't wrong to translate it life, but leaving the original word there gives us the extent of the sharing. There was a mingling of souls for the sake of the gospel. This gives us an impression of the impassioned way that Paul ministered to these believers. He loved them dearly.A Growing Faith (11-12)Paul finishes this passage with his vision for ministry. He acts like a mother and father to his children in the faith, but verse 11 draws our attention to what His goal in this parenting imagery is: to keep walking in a manner that is worthy of God - the King, who has called us into His own kingdom and glory. Walking worthy of your calling (cf. Eph. 4). Become who God wants you to be.Again... this is a challenge to the preacher to consider what my aim is, how my behavior is among you and whether my testimony will stand the test of accusation. But not only for me, also for us all to consider. When sharing the gospel with my co-workers… do they just hear words or do they see a life that supports those words and a willingness to share and commit? What is your behavior among others and how will your reputation hold up?These are significant questions and Paul teaches us that a good testimony, proper behavior and growing faith are essential to any kind of ministry.

The toast of the literary season is Portland’s book festival, Wordstock. This week we bring you the first of several shows we taped: a bang-up time with three exceptional authors, and one song that left us starry-eyed, recorded in front of a packed audience at the Winningstad Theater. Peter Ames Carlin on Paul Simon - 1:00Peter Ames Carlin has written about some of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century: Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson. His new book taps into one of the most complex characters in pop history. Paul Simon soundtracked the 1960s, together with his soul mate, frenemy, and long-time musical partner, Art Garfunkel. But as Carlin’s book, “Homeward Bound” shows, Simon’s path is piled with contradictions. The road to Graceland was strewn with misunderstandings, and the man who gave us some of the sweetest harmonies of the 20th century was not the guy you would want to cross over song royalties.We also invited Portland singer-songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza, the incredible voice behind the bands Y La Bamba and Tiburones, to interpret Simon's iconic hits "The Sound of Silence" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," with bandmate Philip Rogers, as well as play an original of her own.Lindy West - 22:38How exactly is it Lindy West ended up at the center of so many white-hot flash points in pop culture? She has thought through difficult subjects with rigor, creativity and brio: misogyny in comedy, fat acceptance, trolling on Twitter, and more. The celebrated columnist for The Guardian talks to us about her memoir, “Shrill: Notes From a Loud Woman,” her roots at Seattle’s alt-weekly, The Stranger, and how her parents contributed to the fireproofing that lets her fight her battles.Rivka Galchen - 36:12The exquisite essays and stories of Rivka Galchen delight readers of the New Yorker magazine, the New York Times, and other hot spots. All great writers meet their match, and Galchen nearly hit her own wall four years ago. Her elegantly constructed idea for a book comparing two medieval Japanese women writers was neatly derailed by the birth of her daughter. Onstage at Wordstock, Galchen tells us how she learned to embrace the kind of thoughts she was having in the throes of baby inebriation. The resulting book, “Little Labors,” is a series of short, splendid essays that both speak to and perfectly describe the altered state of maternity.

We play clips from John Piper and JD Hall where they speak of being tormented by the truth of the gospel, and going through stages of grief when first confronted with the TULIP systematic.  Is this something we all should expect to go through when the good news of the gospel is made perfectly clear? If so, where does the bible say so?We also spend some time unpacking the concept of Total Inability, the power of the gospel, and the doctrine of Prevenient Grace as held to by some classical Arminians. Here is an article on the subject by Dr. Eric Hankins that my help: http://www.baptistcenter.net/Documents/Journals/JBTM%208-1%20Spring11.pdf#page=90 After four hundred years, Calvinism and Arminianism remain at an impasse. The strengths and weaknesses of both systems are well-documented, and their proponents vociferously aver each system’s mutual exclusivity. This paper is based on the observation that these two theological programs have had sufficient time to demonstrate their superiority over the other and have failed to do so. The time has come, therefore, to look beyond them for a paradigm that gives a better account of the biblical and theological data. Indeed, the stalemate itself is related not so much to the unique features of each system but to a set of erroneous presuppositions upon which both are constructed. As the fault lines in these foundational concepts are exposed, it will become clear that the Baptist vision for soteriology, which has always resisted absolute fidelity to either system, has been the correct instinct all along. Baptist theology must be willing to articulate this vision in a compelling and comprehensive manner. The following four presuppositions shared by Calvinism and Arminianism demonstrate the degree to which a new approach to soteriology is needed. One presupposition is primarily biblical, one is primarily philosophical, one is primarily theological, and one is primarily anthropological, although each is intertwined with the others. Having established the need for a new approach to soteriology and the Baptist vision for such an approach, the paper will conclude with a brief description of a way forward. The Biblical Presupposition: Individual Election The idea that God, in eternity past, elected certain individuals to salvation is a fundamental tenet of Calvinism and Arminianism. The interpretation of this biblical concept needs to be revised. Quite simply, when the Bible speaks of election in the context of God’s saving action, it is always referring to corporate election, God’s decision to have a people for Himself. When the Calvinist, Arminian, and Baptist Perspectives on Soteriology JBTM 88 election of individuals is raised in Scripture, it is always election to a purpose or calling within God’s plans for His people as a whole. In the OT, the writers understood election to be God’s choice of Israel, yet they also clearly taught that the benefits of corporate election could only be experienced by the individual Israelite (or the particular generation of Israelites) who responded faithfully to the covenant that had been offered to the whole nation.1 This trajectory within the OT is unassailable. It is reinforced in the intertestamental literature and is the basis for the way election is treated in the NT.2 The Bible, therefore, does not speak of God’s choice of certain individuals and not others for salvation.3 When the Bible does speak of the salvation of individuals, its central concept is “faith,” never “election.” Take away individual election, and the key components of Calvinism and Arminianism disappear.4 God does not elect individuals to salvation on the basis of His hidden councils, nor does He elect them on the basis of His foreknowledge of their future faith. Simply put, God does not “elect” individuals to salvation. He has elected an eschatological people whom He has 1 See, for instance, Deut. 29:14-21. Israel is reaffirming the covenant promised to the patriarchs and to future generations. However, if there is an individual man or woman who boasts, “I have peace with God though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart,” the Lord will “single him out” from the people for destruction (vv. 18-21, NASB). Although the covenant is for the whole community, the individual must respond in faith in order to benefit from those corporate covenant promises. 2 Critics of the corporate view of election will quickly raise Rom. 8:29-30 and 9-11 (among others) in defense of their position, but the pre-temporal election of individuals is not Paul’s purpose there. Rom. 8:29-30 is setting up Paul’s point in chapters 9-11 about two groups: Jews and Gentiles. The end of Romans 8 crescendos with the greatness of salvation in Christ. Verses 29-30 articulate God’s actions toward His people from beginning to end in order to bring about His ultimate “purpose” (28): God knew He was going to have a people; He determined to bring them into existence in Christ; He actualized that people in history through His call; He justified them by faith; He has determined to bring them into resurrection glory. In light of this incredible plan to have this kind of people for Himself, Paul is heartbroken at the beginning of Romans 9 that his Jewish brothers have responded to the gospel with unbelief. The Jews appear to be “out,” and the Gentiles appear to be “in.” But God works in unexpected ways. Jews are “out” now so that the Gentiles can come “in.” But the Gentiles coming “in” will ultimately cause the Jews to come “in” at the proper time. That is why Paul will continue to preach the gospel to Jews as a part of his mission to the whole world, looking forward to the response of a remnant by faith. One thing is certain: Romans 9-11 is not teaching the election of some individuals and the reprobation of others without respect to their genuine response of faith. Ephesians 1:4, 5, and 11 function in Ephesians 2 the same way that Rom. 8:29-30 functions in Romans 9-11. 3 See William W. Klein, The New Chosen People: A Corporate View of Election (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2001), 257–63 for an extended exegetical analysis of all the relevant biblical data concerning the concept of “corporate election.” Klein argues that there is not a single verse or overarching tendency in the Scriptures in support of the idea that God chooses certain individuals for salvation. 4 Indeed, if “individual election” is what the writers of the NT meant, then Calvinism and Arminianism really are the only options, and Baptists should pick one and move on to other matters. It is significant that we have been unwilling to do so. Eric Hankins JBTM 89 determined to have for Himself. This group will be populated by individuals who have responded in faith to the gracious, free offer of the gospel. The group, “the Elect,” is comprised of individuals who are “saved by faith,” not “saved by election.” This being the case, there is no longer any need for the theological maneuvering required to explain how God elects individuals without respect to their response (which evacuates the biblical concept of “faith” of all its meaning) or how He elects individuals based on foreseen faith (which evacuates the biblical concept of “election” of all its meaning). Asserting that “individual election” should be abandoned is striking, to say the least. It is the foundation on which evangelical soteriology is often constructed.5 It is painful to consider the enormous investment of time and energy that has been spent trying to reconcile how God chooses individuals and, at the same time, how individuals choose God, only to discover that the whole endeavor has been based on a misreading of Scripture. Nevertheless, most Baptists have never felt fully comfortable with either Calvinist or Arminian understandings of election because neither comport well with the whole counsel of God. The reason is clear. The Scriptures lead to the conclusion that Augustine, Calvin, and Arminius were simply wrong in their construction of individual election. Baptists have never been theologically or confessionally committed to these august theologians, and the time has come to move beyond them. The Philosophical Presupposition: The “Problem” of Determinism and Free-Will Like Calvinism and Arminianism, the 2,500-year-old debate concerning the “problem” of determinism and free-will has also reached an impasse. This is because absolute causal determinism is untenable.6 Put simply, the “problem” is not a problem because the paradigm for causation in the Western philosophical tradition is wrong. The whole of reality cannot be explained in terms of uni-directional causation from a single first-principle. The universe does not work that way. Causation is complex, hierarchical, and interdependent. God sits sovereignly and non-contingently atop a hierarchy that owes its existence to the functioning of the levels below it, levels that include the fully operational free-will of humans.7 Opposing God’s sovereign guidance of the universe and the operation of free-will within that universe is a false dichotomy based on reductionistic metaphysical assumptions. God has made a free and sovereign decision to have a universe in which human free-will plays a decisive role. Human agency is one force among many that God has created to accomplish His cosmic purposes. 5 For example, if individual election to salvation were removed from Millard Erickson’s massive systematic theology, there would be essentially nothing left in his chapters on “God’s Plan” and those in the whole section on “Salvation.” See Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 2d ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998). 6 Kenneth Keathley, Salvation and Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2010), 93–99. 7 Nancey Murphy, “Introduction and Overview,” in Downward Causation and the Neurobiology of Free Will, ed. Nancey Murphy, George F. R. Ellis, and Timothy O’Connor (Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 2009), 2–3. Eric Hankins JBTM 90 Free-will plays a unique role within God’s purposes for the universe because it is the unique power of human beings freely to enter into and maintain covenant relationships, especially a covenant relationship with God. This makes human willing fundamentally moral. Under certain circumstances, God, in His freedom, contravenes free-will, just as He is free to contravene any other force in nature, but this is not His normal modus operandi. Because God is God, He knows all of the free acts of humans from eternity, but this knowledge does not cause these acts nor does it make Him responsible for them. Moreover, the existence of these acts in no way impinges upon either His freedom or His ability to bring about His ultimate purposes. The ability of humans “to do otherwise” does not call God’s sovereignty into question; it actually establishes and ratifies His sovereignty over the particular universe that was His good pleasure to create. Opposing free-will and sovereignty is, from a philosophical perspective, nonsensical.8 Calvinism’s desire to protect God’s divine status from the infringement of human free-will by denying it completely or reducing it to some form of “soft-determinism”9 is unnecessary. God’s corporate elective purposes are accomplished by individual free acts of faith. Arminianism’s need to inject ideas such as God’s election of individuals based on their future free acts is also a move designed to maintain both a strong view of God’s sovereignty and the free choice of individuals. Unfortunately, this move is made at the expense of any regular understanding of biblical election, which is unilateral. God does not choose Israel because He knows she will choose Him in return. He chooses her even though He knows that her history will be one of rebellion and failure. Moreover, Arminianism’s desire to protect the inviolability of free-will to the degree that God cannot keep His promise to seal a believer’s free response fails to take seriously the totality of the biblical concept of faith. Many Baptists have tended to opt for what they think is a “compatibilist” understanding of determinism and free-will in salvation: God chooses individuals unconditionally, and individuals 8 C. S. Lewis, Yours, Jack: Spiritual Directions from C. S. Lewis, ed. Paul Ford (New York: HarperCollins, 2008), 186. The word “nonsensical,” while a bit harsh, is chosen purposefully. I take my cue from Lewis: “All that Calvinist question--Free-Will and Predestination, is to my mind undiscussable, insoluble. . . . When we carry [Freedom and Necessity] up to relations between God and Man, has the distinction perhaps become nonsensical?” 9 “Soft-determinism” is the view that humans are free to do what they desire most, but they are not free to choose what they desire. Since, “the good” is off the table as an object of desire (because of the Fall), “evil” is the only option left, and therefore, humans always “choose” to do evil because they cannot do otherwise. “Soft-libertarianism” (mentioned below) is the view that human freedom, while limited in many aspects by environment and prior choices, is still characterized by the ability, often at crucial moments, to choose between two live options for which the agent is responsible. For a more full discussion, see Keathley, Salvation and Sovereignty, 63–79. Eric Hankins JBTM 91 choose God by faith.10Unfortunately, compatibilism demands a deterministic view of both God and free-will with which those same Baptists would be very uncomfortable. What these Baptists really want to say is that a “determinist” view of God is compatible with a “libertarian” view of free-will, but this is philosophically impermissible. Another typical strategy of Baptists, at this point, is to appeal to “mystery” or “paradox:” We don’t know how God chooses individuals, and, at the same time, individuals choose God. But, like other complex doctrines such as the Trinity or the hypostatic union, it is still true. To say, however, that God chooses individuals unconditionally and that He does not choose individuals unconditionally is not to affirm a mystery; it is to assert a logical contradiction. Baptists need to abandon the language of compatibilism and “mystery,” which do not adequately reflect what they believe about God and salvation, and embrace the concept that a robust (soft-) libertarian free-will is the actualization of God’s sovereign direction of His universe. The Theological Presupposition: Federal Theology Both Arminians and Calvinists assume a “Covenant of Works” between Adam and God in the Garden of Eden, even though there is no biblical basis for such.11 The Covenant of Works, they assert, was a deal God made with Adam whereby Adam would be rewarded with eternal life if he could remain morally perfect through a probationary period. Failure would bring about guilt and “spiritual death,” which includes the loss of his capacity for a good will toward God. Adam’s success or failure, in turn, would be credited to his posterity. This “Federal Theology” imputes Adam’s guilt and total depravity to every human.12 In Calvinism, actual guilt and total depravity are the plight of every person. Free-will with respect to salvation is, by definition, impossible, and with it, the possibility of a free response to God’s offer of covenant through the gospel. The only hope for salvation for any individual is the elective activity of God. In 10This often expressed in the old saw that “Whosoever will may come” is written over the entry into heaven, but, once inside, the verse over the door reads, “You did not choose Me, but I have chosen you.” 11William J. Dumbrell, Covenant and Creation: A Theology of Old Testament Covenants (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2009), 44–6, Reprint. 12The principle text for Federal Theology is Rom. 5.12-21, but the evidence within this text and its place within the argument of Romans speaks against such an interpretation. The strict parallelism between Adam and “all” demands a strict parallelism between Christ and “all,” necessitating universalism, which is not possible theologically and not the point exegetically. Paul’s focus in the passage is clearly on physical death and eternal life, not the imputation of Adam’s guilt to all people (the same is true for Eph. 2:1-7 and 1 Cor. 15:20-28). Paul’s point: Adam’s sin brought in the condemnation of death for all people. All people demonstrate that they deserve such condemnation by their own sin. Christ, the sinless one, has overthrown that condemnation by receiving it undeservedly into Himself, which is the ultimate act of obedience, and rising again. All who ratify Christ’s obedient life, death, and resurrection with their faith in Him will have eternal life. Eric Hankins JBTM 92 Calvinist soteriology, election is privileged above faith because regeneration must be prior to conversion. In Arminianism, the effects of Federal Theology and the Covenant of Works must be countermanded by further speculative adjustments like “prevenient grace” and election based on “foreseen faith,” a faith which is only possible because prevenient grace overcomes the depravity and guilt of the whole human race due to Adam’s failure. All this strays far beyond the biblical data. Such speculation does not emerge from clear inferences from the Bible, but is actually a priori argumentation designed to buttress Augustine, not Paul. God’s gracious action in Christ is not “Plan B,” a “Covenant of Grace,” executed in response to Adam’s failure at “Plan A,” the “Covenant of Works.” The pre-existent Son has always been the center-point of creation and covenant. Adam was not created and placed in the Garden for the purpose of demonstrating moral perfection through his own efforts.13 This original “works righteousness” was read into the Garden by Pelagius and assumed by Augustine. Adam was not being called to moral perfection; he was being called into worldchanging covenant relationship. The command not to eat of the tree was simply a negative construal of God’s offer for Adam to know Him and be satisfied in Him and His plan alone. It was a specific instantiation of the covenant offered to Adam and Eve in Gen. 1:26-28: In a blessed relationship with God, they were to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over it.14 In the Garden, Adam was being asked to do what Noah, Abraham, Moses, Israel, David, and, ultimately, everyone would be asked to do: trust and accept the gracious covenant offer of God in Christ for the purpose of bringing the created order to its intended conclusion. Adam and Eve were to respond to God in faith. The sensual temptation of the fruit itself came after the temptation to question God’s character and His covenant plan. It was in Adam’s rejection of God’s covenant offer that he failed to be moral. In Christ, God re-offers the covenant through successive renewals, culminating in His final offer of the gospel revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of the Incarnate Son. Adam was asked to believe God and bless the whole world, as were Noah, Abraham, Israel, David, and ultimately Christ, who succeeded where all others failed. His victory is extended to all those who put their faith in Him, just like Abraham, the father of the faithful did.15 Covenant in Christ by faith is not “Plan B;” it is the point of the Bible. 13This is not to say that perfect obedience was not the standard; it was just not the point. True obedience is the expression of covenant faithfulness and utter dependence on God. 14Eugene H. Merrill, Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old Testament (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2006), 17. 15In Gal. 3:8, Paul states quite clearly and without any need for further explanation that “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham saying, ‘ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.’” This single covenant in Christ is also in view in 1 Cor. 10:4: “. . . and all [Israel] drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.” Eric Hankins JBTM 93 Once again, speculation such as a Covenant of Works, Federal Theology, prevenient grace, etc. are little more than theological “fudge factors” designed to make the Augustinian synthesis work. They do not emerge from the biblical text but are a priori arguments pressed into the service of a fifth century Catholic bishop, not the authors of the Scriptures, and Baptists have never been comfortable with them. These adjustments mitigate the centrality, power, and immediacy of the biblical concept of “covenant” which has, at its heart, God’s desire for a relationship with His people through a real response of faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the nexus of Baptist soteriology. The Anthropological Presupposition: Total Depravity The Scriptures clearly affirm that all people are sinners. Because of sin, humans are in a disastrous state, unable to alter the trajectory of their rebellion against God, unable to clear their debt of sin against Him, unable to work their way back to Him through their best efforts. This situation is one of their own creating and for which they are ultimately responsible.16 About these realities, there is little debate in evangelical theology. What is at issue is what being a sinner means when it comes to responding to God’s offer of covenant relationship through the power of the gospel. Both Calvinism and Arminianism affirm that the Fall resulted in “total depravity,” the complete incapacitation of humanity’s free response to God’s gracious offer of covenant relationship.17 In Calvinism, the only remedies for this state-of-affairs are the “doctrines of grace” in which the free response of individuals is not decisive. For Arminianism, total depravity, which is purely 16Paul’s point in Rom. 1-3, the locus classicus of human sinfulness, is not that people cannot respond to God, but that they will not, even though the results lead to their utter ruin. 17Ephesians 2:1 and 5 are frequently cited in support of this view, with a focus on the phrase “dead in your trespasses.” “Dead” here is taken to mean “spiritually” dead, utterly unresponsive to spiritual things. This reading, however, does not work exegetically. Paul’s point in 2.1-7 is that Jews and Gentiles alike were in the same sorry situation and in need of the resurrected and ascended Christ. If Paul means that everyone was “spiritually” dead, then he must also mean that everyone was made “spiritually” alive “with Him.” Does this mean that Jesus was, at some point, incapable of a response to God? Is Paul’s point that Jesus is now “spiritually” alive, responsive to God? Are we now “spiritually” raised and seated with Him in heavenly places? What could this possibly mean? Clearly, Paul is speaking eschatologically here: “Before we trusted Christ our destiny was the condemnation of death. Our behavior confirmed that we were deserving of that sentence. But now our destiny is bound up with His destiny so that ‘in ages to come’ the inclusion of sinners like us will put God’s unbelievable grace on display. How did we come to belong to Christ? By faith.” Paul’s point is not that we are incapable of faith without “regeneration.” His point is that Christ has made a way for those deserving of death to have eternal life, no matter what their ethnicity or level of religious effort. Moreover, if Paul thought that Adam’s sin resulted in spiritual death/total depravity for everyone else, how could he write in Rom. 7:9: “I was once alive apart from the Law”? Eric Hankins JBTM 94 speculative, is corrected by prevenient grace, which is even more speculative, and makes total depravity ultimately meaningless because God never allows it to have any effect on any person. Nothing in Scripture indicates that humans have been rendered “totally depraved” through Adam’s sin. Genesis 3 gives an extensive account of the consequences of Adam’s sin, but nowhere is there the idea that Adam or his progeny lost the ability to respond to God in faith, a condition which then required some sort of restoration by regeneration or prevenient grace. In fact, just the opposite appears to be the case. The story of God’s relationship with humankind is fraught with frustration, sadness, and wrath on God’s part, not because humans are incapable of a faith response, but because they are capable of it, yet reject God’s offer of covenant relationship anyway. To be sure, they are not capable of responding in faith without God’s special revelation of Himself through Christ and His Spirit’s drawing. Any morally responsible person, however, who encounters the gospel in the power of the Spirit (even though he has a will so damaged by sin that he is incapable of having a relationship with God without the gospel) is able to respond to that “well-meant offer.” Therefore, the time has come once again for Baptists to reject another dichotomy mediated by the Calvinist/Arminian debate: monergism and synergism. Monergism insists that salvation is all of God. Monergists conclude that faith emerging from a decision within the will of the believer is a “work” that makes salvation meritorious, but this idea demands a theologically objectionable determinism. As a technical theological concept, synergism18 still operates off of a framework that views sovereignty and free-will as problematic, often forcing too fine a distinction between “what God does” and “what man does.” Synergism tends to put “faith” in the category of performance, rather than an attitude of surrender. This has led some Arminian theology into over-speculation concerning the nature of the act of faith, psychologizing and sensationalizing the “moment of decision,” so that one’s experience becomes the basis of his assurance. Synergism also tends to demand further acts in order to receive further blessing and opens the door to the possibility that, if a person fails to act faithfully subsequent to the experience of salvation, God will cease to save. 18“Synergism,” to be sure, would be the category to which the soteriological viewpoint of this paper belongs, if we persist in using these categories, because monergism, in the true sense of the term, in untenable. Unfortunately, this word has theological associations that Baptists reject. Synergism is often considered to be the functional equivalent of semi-Pelagianism, which throws the whole discussion back into abstruse arguments about “operative” and “cooperative” grace, “general” and “effectual” calling, facere quod in se est, etc. forcing us to approach soteriology from Augustinian and medieval Roman Catholic categories rather than biblical ones. Monergism and synergism have simply outlived their usefulness. Eric Hankins JBTM 95 Baptists must get off of this grid.19 We have preferred terms like “trust,” “surrender,” and “relationship” to “monergism” or “synergism” when we reflect on God’s offer and our response. These terms secure the affirmation both that individuals can do nothing to save themselves, yet their salvation cannot occur against their wills or without a response of faith that belongs to them alone. The Baptist Vision So, what would a biblically-sound, Christ-centered, grace-filled soteriology look like without appeals to individual election, determinism, Federal Theology, or total depravity? What would it look like if it were free from the presuppositions of Calvinism and Arminianism? It would look exactly like what most Baptists have believed instinctively all along. Baptists have consistently resisted the impulse to embrace completely either Calvinism or Arminianism. We simply posit that we are “neither.”20 The basis for this resistance to the two systems is our aversion to theological speculation beyond the clear sense of Scripture and our willingness to go our own way when Scripture and conscience demand. The way forward is basically backward, a massive simplification, a walking out of the convoluted labyrinth that evangelical soteriology has become in the debate between Calvinism and Arminianism. It is a move not dissimilar to the basic impulse of Luther at the birth of the Reformation, which was to reject the Medieval scholasticism that had turned the gloriously simple gospel of grace into its absolute antithesis. For Luther, the solution was to start over with the Scriptures (and Augustine), no matter what the implications. Baptists need to apply the Reformation principles of sola scriptura and semper reformanda to Luther himself. Augustine’s soteriology and the bulwark constructed subsequently to defend it must be removed. Baptists believe in the clarity and simplicity of the Bible. We search in vain for decrees, a Covenants of Works, the distinction between a “general call” and an “effectual call,” hidden wills, and prevenient grace. We react with consternation to the ideas that God regenerates before He converts, that He hates sinners, that reprobation without respect to a response of faith brings Him the greatest glory, or that the truly converted can lose their salvation. Baptists have felt free to agree with certain emphases within Calvinism and Arminianism, while rejecting those that offend our commitments to the possibility of salvation for all and to the eternal security of that salvation based exclusively on faith in the covenant promises of God. The free offer of an eternal, life-changing covenant with the Father through the Son by the Spirit to all sinners by the free 19See Keathley, Salvation and Sovereignty, 101–8. After thoroughly dismantling the determinism of Calvinism, Keathley, a Baptist theologian, still wants to retain the term “monergism,” qualifying it with his assertion that people can still refuse God’s grace. But if one’s refusal matters, then salvation is not monergistic. Any Calvinist worth his salt would agree. Persisting in the use of the term “monergism” and in defending the logically contradictory concept that “what man does matters and what man does doesn’t matter” is unhelpful. 20Malcolm Yarnell, Neither Calvinists Nor Arminians but Baptists, White Paper 36 (Ft. Worth, TX: Center for Theological Research, 2010), 7. Eric Hankins JBTM 96 exercise of personal faith alone has been the simple, non-speculative but inviolable core of Baptist soteriological belief and practice. Baptist soteriology (specifically including the doctrines of the sovereign, elective purposes of God, the sinfulness of all humans, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, salvation by grace alone through faith alone, and the security of the believer) is not in jeopardy and does not need to be reinforced by Calvinism or Arminianism. It can be successfully taught, maintained, and defended without resorting to either system. It has been typical of Baptists to believe that anyone who reaches the point of moral responsibility has the capacity to respond to the gospel. While all persons are radically sinful and totally unable to save themselves, their ability to “choose otherwise” defines human existence, including the ability to respond to the gospel in faith or reject it in rebellion. God initiates the process; He imbues it with His Spirit’s enabling. When people respond in faith, God acts according to His promises to seal that relationship for eternity, welding the will of the believer to His own, setting the believer free by His sovereign embrace. Our assurance of salvation comes not from a “sense” that we are elect or from our persistence in holy living. Assurance comes from the simple, surrendered faith that God keeps every one of His promises in Christ Jesus. Baptists’ historical insistence on believer’s baptism is a solid indicator of our soteriological instinct. Historically, neither Calvinism nor Arminianism had a correct word for infant baptism because both were burdened with the justification for total depravity, original sin, and individual election. For many Arminians (like those in the Wesleyan tradition), infant baptism functions with reference to original sin and prevenient grace and plays a role in the faith that God “foresees.”21 For many Calvinists, infant baptism has become an extremely odd vehicle by which they deal with the fate of infants, an issue that is illustrative of the fundamental inadequacy of the system. If Calvinism is true, then its own logic demands that at least some infants who die before reaching the point of moral responsibility spend eternity in hell.22 By and large, Calvinists do not want to say this and will go to great lengths to avoid doing so.23 Covenant Theology and infant 21The question remains, however, concerning how God foresees faith in the child that dies in infancy. Now God is making decisions based on possibilities rather than actualities, which is extremely problematic. In Arminian traditions that do not practice infant baptism, the tendency toward belief in baptismal regeneration or subsequent Spirit-baptism over-emphasizes human effort in the understanding of free-will over against God’s sovereignty. 22Adam Harwood, The Spiritual Condition of Infants: A Biblical-Historical Survey and Systematic Proposal (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2011), 23. 23R. Albert Mohler, Jr. and Daniel L. Akin, “The Salvation of the ‘Little Ones:’ Do Infants Who Die Go to Heaven?” [article on-line]; June 16, 2009 AlbertMohler.com; available from http://www.albertmohler. com/2009/07/16/the-salvation-of-the-little-ones-do-infants-who-die-go-to-heaven/; accessed 12 March 2011. Mohler and Akin’s argument is that all infants who die are elect. It is an astounding display of a priori reasoning that runs like this: Since Calvinism is true and since we don’t want to say that some infants go to hell, all infants who die must be elect (even though there is no biblical basis for such a claim). Eric Hankins JBTM 97 baptism have been the preferred method for assuring (at least Christian) parents that they can believe in original guilt and total depravity and still know that their children who die in infancy will be with them in heaven. While Baptist Calvinists and Arminians do not allow for infant baptism, the fact that their systems allow for and even advocate it is telling. Prevenient grace and Covenant Theology have never played a role in Baptist theology. This frees us to deal biblically with the issue of infant baptism: it is simply a popular vestige of Roman Catholic sacramentalism that the Magisterial Reformers did not have either the courage or theological acuity to address. Privileging election necessarily diminishes the significance of the individual response of faith for salvation, thus creating room for infant baptism and its theological justification. But with faith as the proper center of Baptist soteriology, infant baptism has never made any sense. Our distinctive understanding of the ordinance of baptism celebrates the centrality of the individual’s actual response of faith to the free offer of the gospel. Finally, Baptists’ historic passion for evangelism and missions is underdetermined by Calvinism and Arminianism. For Calvinism, if the decision about who is saved and who is not has already been made by God, then the actual sharing of the gospel with the lost does not matter. The vast majority of Calvinists strenuously object to this charge, employing a variety of tactics to obviate what is, unfortunately, the only logical conclusion of their system. Saying that God elects the “means” of salvation as well as the individuals who are saved demands a determinism that is theologically unacceptable and philosophically unsustainable. Insisting that evangelism is still necessary because it “glorifies God” and demonstrates obedience to the Scriptures is simply a variation of that same determinism. The historical struggles of Calvinism with doctrinal and attitudinal opposition to missions and the “promiscuous preaching of the gospel” is evidence of the weakness of their system. Insisting on a “well-meant offer” while at the same time insisting that not all are able to respond is not the affirmation of a “mystery;” it is stubborn fidelity to a logical contradiction. For Arminianism, if election is based on foreseen faith, then it must be assumed that every person will receive enough of the gospel to trust or reject Christ. We know that billions still have not heard the gospel. This privileges the effort of the faith-capacity of people over the power of the gospel alone to save. If all people have the ability to figure out some form of faith in Christ, why worry overmuch about evangelism? It is this sort of weakness that lends itself to the frequent liberal trend in Arminianism. Baptist anthropology affirms that, because of personal sinfulness, no one is capable of coming to faith in Christ without the proclamation of the gospel in the power of the Spirit. While there are certainly unique instances of individuals receiving the gospel through dreams and non-human proclamation, this is not God’s normal manner of working and those instances of salvation still require both a proclamation of Jesus as Lord and a response of faith. Baptists believe that the proclamation of the gospel is necessary for a faith response to Christ. Those who do not hear will not be saved. Everyone who does hear has the opportunity to respond to Christ in faith or persist in unbelief. This is the only proper biblical motivation for the urgent proclamation of the gospel. Baptists have excelled in evangelism and missions because we believe it really matters. Eric Hankins JBTM 98 It is safe to say that Federal Theology, Eternal Decrees, Covenants of Works, Grace, and Redemption, and prevenient grace have played essentially no major role in the expansion of the Baptist witness, especially among Southern Baptists, from the late nineteenth through the late twentieth centuries. This is not because ordinary Baptists are unintelligent or simplistic in their beliefs; it is because ordinary Baptists have played a significant role in the direction of denominational identity, and they have been serious about what the Bible plainly does and does not say. In the older Baptist confessions and in the writings of older Baptist heroes like Spurgeon, Fuller, and Carey, echoes of the doctrinal speculation above can be heard, but they sit uncomfortably with the strong affirmations of the opportunity of everyone to respond in faith to the preaching of the gospel and the inability of any believer to fall away. In the Baptist Faith and Message, such problematic speculation disappears completely. 24 Baptists have known that these things were unnecessary for the articulation of God’s unstoppable plan to redeem the whole world through the bold proclamation of salvation in Christ alone by faith alone. From the beginning, the work of Christ in creation and redemption for the purpose of covenant relationship with humankind has always been the center of the biblical narrative. There is no need for an alternate metanarrative of secret decrees and hidden covenants to sort out the history of redemption. The plot of God’s purpose for humankind can be found right on the surface of the text from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, all summed up succinctly in John 3:16.25 Without committing to either Calvinism or Arminianism, Baptists have evangelized millions, planted thousands of churches, and reached literally around the globe the with life-changing, world-changing message of salvation by grace through faith. When either system has come to the forefront in debate or dispute, the outcome has rarely been positive for kingdom work through us. Baptists have been well-served by a simpler, less-speculative, less metaphysical approach to soteriology. As we move into a new millennium, a more constructive, positive statement of our soteriology based on this heritage of simplicity and faith-focus will sharpen us as to what is essential to the message and motivation of the gospel for all who stand in desperate need of it. A Baptist Soteriology So, what would a soteriology based on the Baptist vision look like? The four presuppositions discussed above, indeed, provide a sound framework upon which the Baptist vision could be set. Around the core biblical principle of faith, the philosophical principle of God’s purpose for human free-will, the theological principle of “covenant in Christ alone,” and the anthropological principle of the sinfulness and salvability of every person could be arranged. It is interesting that, in actual practice, these key concepts are identical with the emphases in the most widely 24Malcolm Yarnell, “The TULIP of Calvinism in Light of History and the Baptist Faith and Message,” SBC Life, April 2006. 25Jerry Vines, “Sermon on John 3:16,” in Whosoever Will, ed. David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2010), 13–15. Eric Hankins JBTM 99 used personal evangelism tools in Baptist life. F.A.I.T.H. Evangelism, Continuing Witness Training, Evangelism Explosion, The Four Spiritual Laws, and Share Jesus without Fear all highlight (1) faith in Christ, unpacking such faith as (2) the absolute necessity of a personal, individual response of repentance and trust, (3) an entry into God’s holy and loving, eternal purposes in the person and work of Christ alone, and (4) available for anyone who will admit his radical sinfulness and inability to save himself.26 In none of these gospel presentations is there even a hint of the issues of election, determinism, Federal Theology, or total depravity. In such gospel witness, the principle of lex orandi, lex credendi is a helpful reminder that our actual evangelistic practices are crucial indicators of what we truly believe about soteriology. The Biblical Presupposition: Individual Faith The central biblical presupposition for a Baptist soteriology is, therefore, “faith” (Eph. 2.8- 9). “Election” is a term that belongs properly in the Doctrine of God. Faith captures the fundamentally relational nature of NT soteriology. “Justification by faith,” which lies at the center of Protestant soteriological identity, speaks of the initiating and sustaining activity of God in bringing an individual into right relationship with Himself and the necessity of the individual’s response for God’s justifying work to be actualized in his life. While the totality of justification has numerous aspects (past, present, future, spiritual, physical, individual, moral, social, ecclesiological, cosmic, etc.), it does not happen without personal faith. Faith has a variety of nuances as well, but, ultimately, it is an act of the will that belongs to the believer. It is not a “gift” God gives to some and not others. When we call people to salvation, we emphasize the biblical concept of faith, not election. The Philosophical Presupposition: The Freedom of God and the Free-Will of People The manner in which biblical faith functions in creation is this: God sovereignly and freely made a universe in which the free-will of humans plays a decisive role in His ultimate purposes for that universe (Rom. 10:9-10). Without free-will, there is no mechanism for the defeat of sin and evil, no mechanism for covenant relationship, no mechanism for a world-changing, world-completing partnership between God and His people. For Baptists, faith has never been something that occurs without our willing. We deny that people’s eternal destinies have been fixed without respect to a free-response of repentance and faith. We preach that the decision of each individual is both possible and necessary for salvation. 26The scriptural basis for each soteriological presupposition discussed below is drawn from the scripture references most common to these gospel presentations. Eric Hankins JBTM 100 The Theological Presupposition: Covenant in Christ In a Baptist soteriology, Christ is the central object of belief. He is believed as the mediator of covenant relationship, the full expression of the kingdom of God, eternal life, God’s ultimate purpose for everyone and for the cosmos (John 3:16). We have no interest in a series of extrabiblical covenants created to bolster a soteriology that does not take seriously the necessity of personal faith as an expression of free-will. In our preaching, we do not burden people with the calculus of covenants of works, grace, and redemption. We do not invite people to believe in Calvinism or Arminianism. We offer Christ alone, the only hope of Adam, Noah, Abraham, the Patriarchs, Moses, David, Israel, and the whole of humankind. His perfect life, substitutionary death, and victorious resurrection comprise the object of confession and belief that is sufficient to save (John 14:6, Rom. 10.9-10). The Anthropological Presupposition: The Sinfulness and Salvability of Everyone Finally, the anthropological presupposition is that no one can save himself, but anyone can be saved (Rom. 3:23). No person ever takes the first step toward God. Humankind’s history is broken; its destiny is death; it’s context darkness; its reality is rebellion. This sinfulness has put us out of fellowship with God and under the verdict of eternal separation (Rom. 6.23). Through the person and work of Christ, which is proclaimed through the gospel, God reaches out His hand of “first love,” providing a ground of salvation to which any one can respond in faith. If people do not hear and respond to this gospel, they will not be saved. So, we preach the gospel broadly, regularly, and passionately. We offer an invitation every time we preach because we believe every unbeliever, no matter how sinful and broken, can respond, and no matter how moral and selfrighteous, must respond (Rev. 3:20). These four pillars are the super-structure of the soteriology that has driven Baptist preaching, evangelism, and missions. It is the basis for life in Christ and the way of discipleship. Into this matrix, the totality of biblical soteriological language can be fed, but no other single concept can be allowed to dominate doctrinal development to such a degree that one or more of these emphases are abandoned or effectively neutralized. From these fixed-points of Baptist soteriology, such issues as the effects of the Fall, the order of salvation in its various dimensions, and other important implications can be discussed in full. In this construction, election is an important but tangential and transitional concept, connecting the borders of soteriology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and theology proper. Faith, however, must stand at the center of Baptist soteriology, so that we might proclaim to all with firm conviction: “Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

March 30, 2014 Minister Favor Mitchell We Are What We Eat Genesis 3:1-19 1Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” 16To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” 17To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. 18It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

Brett Davis 14/03/10 Key Verse: John 10:11-21 (New International Version) 11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." 19At these words the Jews were again divided. 20Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" 21But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" Brett talk about the Good Shepherd - The Lord Jesus Christ. Without the Good Sheperd we are defensless. The Good shepherd: Dies for the sheep Knows His sheepBrings other sheep in the flockTakes up his life again

click here Visit the Recover In Christ web site. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.