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Tenth Sunday after Pentecost The Collect: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: 2 Kings 4:42-44 42A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give it to the people and let them eat.” 43But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.'” 44He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord. Psalm: 145:10-19 10 All your works praise you, O Lord, *        and your faithful servants bless you. 11 They make known the glory of your kingdom *        and speak of your power; 12 That the peoples may know of your power *        and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *        your dominion endures throughout all ages. 14 The Lord is faithful in all his words *        and merciful in all his deeds. 15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *        he lifts up those who are bowed down. 16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *        and you give them their food in due season. 17 You open wide your hand *        and satisfy the needs of every living creature. 18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *        and loving in all his works. 19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *        to all who call upon him faithfully. Epistle: Ephesians 3:14-21 14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Gospel: John 6:1-21 1After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all.11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” 15When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/ultraviolet-light-reveals-scientists-hidden-bible-passage-1500-years-later (for Luke) Unique passages: https://www.julianspriggs.co.uk/pages/UniquePassages  Bibleref.com commentary on Mark 6:5: https://www.bibleref.com/Mark/6/Mark-6-5.html  Thanks Biblehub.com's parallel chapters tool.   Words of Jesus ("All the Red Letter Scriptures") https://www.jesusbelieverjd.com/all-the-red-letter-scriptures-of-jesus-in-the-bible-kjv/    Parallel Passages in the Gospels https://www.bible-researcher.com/parallels.html#sect1     The Eye of the Needle (crossword/sudoku feedback): https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-25583,00.html#:~:text=The%20%22Eye%20of%20the%20Needle,in%20order%20to%20enter%20heaven   Camel needle w/Aquinas citation (of Anselm of Canterbury)-- Anselm of Canterbury as cited in Catena Aurea, Thomas Aquinas, CCEL Edition. https://classictheology.org/2021/10/12/through-the-eye-of-an-actual-needle-the-fake-gate-theory/    The Widow's Mite: https://numismatics.org/pocketchange/the-poor-widows-mite/    Miracles of Jesus reference list: https://sunnyhillschurch.com/3301/the-37-miracles-of-jesus-in-chronological-order/ LINK BIBLEREF.COM MENTIONED IN CHAPTER 8 SECTION (“Can't” do miracles in hometown- keyword absolute for lookup)   Welcome to the Popeular History Podcast: History through Pope Colored Glasses. My name is Gregg and this is episode 0.21f: Sayings of the Savior Part VI: Messages from Mark.   All of these aught episodes are made to let us build our Pope-colored glasses so we can use the same lenses when we look at history together. If you're lost, start at the beginning!   In previous worldbuilding episodes, we looked at quite a few of Jesus' words: the sermon on the mount and the sermon on the plain, plus all the Parables and miracles on our list, and his sayings closely tied to all those.   All that made for a good start, but if we're going to look at the sayings of the Savior, we should be comprehensive to avoid cherry-picking. So we spent the last of these worldbuilding episodes going chapter by chapter through the first gospel in order of appearance, the Gospel of Matthew, up until things caught up with where our rosary themed tour of the New Testament will carry on when we get to the next mystery. I am aware that what was once upon a time supposed to be a couple quick background episodes introducing my listeners to, well, all of Catholicism has ballooned wildly into wheels within wheels, but hey, I wouldn't have it any other way.   Anyways, next up in the traditional ordering is the Gospel of Mark, so that's our mission today. We'll go chapter by chapter, glossing over what we've already discussed and focusing on the Sayings of the Savior, since, you know, that's the deal here.   MARK 1 opens with a description of Jesus' cousin John the Baptist, and you'll never guess what John does to Jesus when He shows up. Actually you probably will because I was trying to set you up with a fake out where John refuses to baptize Jesus but it turns out that initial refusal is in Matthew but is absent from Mark's generally sparse account. Anyways, we get Jesus' first words in Mark only after he's baptized and had an express version of the temptation in the desert. Sometime after John was arrested, we're told Jesus preached a message that sounded a lot like what John had been saying,   MARK 1:15 “The time has come,” … “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”   GREGG Of course we just got a bit meta, since “Good news” is where the word Gospel comes from. A very “Begun, the Clone Wars have” moment. This urgent call to repentance has been a consistent refrain throughout Christian history, with the good news bring that repentance really can lead to reconciliation with God. Shoutout 0.1 if you need a refresher on why such a reconciliation is needed in the Catholic perspective.   Having begun to declare the Good News, Jesus the Christ soon picks out folks to help him, starting, like all good missions, with a pun. Talking to two fishermen, the brothers Simon and Andrew, Jesus says   MARK 1:   Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men   GREGG When I covered this section in Matthew- we're deep in parallels here- I stuck with my usual NIV translation. Not because I'm an NIV snob, but because the New International Version is the one that shows up first on biblegateway.com and it's good enough, especially when I'm doing a LOT of scripture quoting like I have been with this series.   But because the NIV went for inclusivity, they translated the line as “make you fish for people”, which simply isn't as smooth a pun. I did check with my toddler-level skills and it looks to me like the pun is present in the Greek, so it's worth calling out. Jesus' humor is often downplayed, which is a shame.   If you're wondering why I'm going on about this, well, honestly, Mark is short and we've already covered most of what's there in Matthew. So we might as well take our time. There's plenty there, to be clear, I don't want angry letters from scholars whose primary focus is Mark saying I'm dismissing it offhand.   Alright, enough dilly dallying, what's next? Jesus calls more fishermen–the sons of Zebedee, James and John–but His actual words and possible new pun are not recorded. The next time he speaks he's talking to a demon in one of the healing miracles we discussed in 0.20, followed by another miracle–the healing of Simon's mother in law–later in the same chapter. Then, after assorted other miracles, Jesus goes out to pray by Himself in what's described as a quote unquote “desolate place”. When His disciples track Him down and tell Him everyone is looking for Him, He says   MARK 1:38 Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.   GREGG Though Jesus' disciples did in fact say no to Him on a downright alarming number of occasions, they went along with His plan this time, and another montage of undescribed healings and exorcisms finishes off with the healing of a grateful leper who ignores Jesus' command to tell no one. Mark 1 concludes with Jesus getting mobbed with requests for miracles as a result.   Chapter 2 opens with the healing of the paralytic who had been let in via the roof–a great bit of drama, but something we already covered under our review of miracles. After that, He called His tax collector disciple, who we got to know as Matthew in the Gospel of, well, Matthew, but who's listed as Levi here and in Luke. Using different names in different contexts was absolutely a thing,  but both Matthew and Levi are Hebrew names so the usual Greek vs Hebrew divide doesn't seem to be the culprit here, and what's more neither Mark nor Luke explicitly identify Levi with the apostle Matthew, though the inference isn't a terrible reach over all.   In the end, our main hook in this particular series is the actual sayings of the Savior, and this calling is carried out with a simple “follow me”, so perhaps we shouldn't dive into it too much.   After taking out a section of parables we covered in 0.21c as part of a SYNOPTIC ROUNDUP, we arrive at Mark 2:23, notably without leaving the SYNOPTIC ROUNDUP room because you can also follow along in Matthew 12 and Luke 6. As a reminder if you're rusty on Jewish customs, the Sabbath rest begins Friday at sundown and continues through the day on Saturday. Picking grain as we're going to see here would be considered working on the day of rest and therefore a violation.   MARK (2:23-2:28, NIV)) 23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.   24 The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”   25 He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?   26 in the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."   27 Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.   28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”   GREGG this section is one of the earlier signals of what would become a core piece of Christianity: its distancing from the Law of Moses. There are still aspects of continuity, for example most Christians including Catholics actually do still maintain *a* day of rest, just Sunday rather than Saturday and they'll generally skip the night before business though some of that has carried over in the form of vigil practices, as we'll see when we get there.   Anyways, I've always thought those last couple lines were pretty baller, and it turns out they're one of the few bits unique to Mark, so let's go ahead and hear them again:   QUOTE The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. END QUOTE   This bold claim lies at the heart of what will in time lead to the followers of Christ being seen as a religion separate from Judaism, which is fair enough but also don't sleep on just how much that takes, given there's such a thing as secular Jews and Jewish atheists. There have been other messiah movements in Jewish history; though they fizzled out it's not much of a stretch to imagine a world where Christianity is still seen as part of a wide tent Judaism, indeed there is still a common heritage. But there are absolutely differences as well, principally, of course, centered around Jesus, the Son of Man, Lord of the Sabbath.   That other part   “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”   is the context for the start of the next chapter, serving as a good reminder that, while convenient for finding your place, chapter and verse divisions are not part of the original texts of the Bible, so it's important to not treat them as fences where you have to stop. You see, in Mark 3 we have the healing of the man with a withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath:   MARK 3 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.   GREGG I mean, it's a bit of a false dichotomy perhaps, are those really the only two options? But obviously I'm siding with Jesus here, mark me down as pro-healing when one can heal. And yeah, we actually already covered that exchange when we talked about the miracle in our miracles roundup, but the words are important there and Mark is short so forgive me for fitting it in here too.   Mark 3 continues with Jesus dealing with crowds now that word is getting around due to His miracles, and simultaneously He's ordering demons not to share the apparent secret that He is quote “the holy one of God”. We don't have his exact words in commanding the demons here so there's more room for interpretation than usual but the general take on these sort of passages is that it's tied to His time not having yet come to be revealed as the Messiah. Of course, unless I missed something, the specific instances where Jesus talks about His time having not yet come are in the Gospel of John, so reading that into Mark is something most modern scholars wouldn't go for- especially since the general consensus is Mark came first by a fair stretch- but that sort of quibble wasn't much of a barrier for most of the history of Christians reflecting on Scripture, so the traditional interpretation is what it is and I don't think it's too much of a reach.   After telling assorted demons to hush up, Jesus appoints the Twelve Apostles starting in verse 13, no direct quotes there so no need to tarry though interested folks are always welcome to check out the naming differences between the Gospels.   Starting in verse 20 we have the house divided parable, covered in our parables series a few episodes back, then in verse 28 we hit “the unpardonable sin” section, and believe it or not it's not being a weeb, it turns out it's, well, let's let Jesus explain:   MARK 3 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin."   GREGG When we covered the parallel text of this in Matthew 12–seriously, over 90% of Mark is parallelled in Matthew–I focused on the idea of the sin against the Spirit as being despair. But Mark's telling has a bit of context that has lead to another popular interpretation, especially among–Catholics cover your ears– *whispers* Protestants.   MARK 3 30He said this because they were saying, "He has an impure spirit.”   GREGG Using that verse, which at a glance is simply explaining why Jesus said what He said, the passage is taken to mean that rejecting Jesus as the Son of God slash Savior slash Messiah is the sin against the Spirit being referred to here. And though I called out Protestants specifically a minute ago, it's not like that interpretation is unheard of within Catholicism, typically it's a both/and sort of thing, accepting the despair angle and the “ya'll need Jesus” angle. Nor are the two interpretations unrelated, as someone wholly given to despair will have a hard time accepting Jesus' offer of salvation.   Of course, when I speak of accepting Jesus' offer of salvation, now I really AM getting into the fundamental faith vs works discussion. That's faith and works in the context of salvation from sin. We'll be getting into it in more detail in future episodes, but as an overview all major forms of Christianity agree that faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ is fundamentally necessary for salvation. The disagreement comes in whether anything else plays any role- “anything else” being summed up under the umbrella term of “works”, or it might help to rephrase the question as whether our actions have any meaning when it comes to our salvation.   For Catholics, the answer is yes, while for most Protestants, the answer is no. Generally speaking when there are fights about it, Protestants will take the position that your works having meaning, as Catholics argue is the case, means that you can save yourself through your works. Some people do think that, of course, but not Catholics, at least not Catholics who know their onions, as the Catholic Church condemned that position as a heresy over thousand years before Protestantism became a thing. However, the Church is far from perfect, and in the time of Martin Luther, whose teachings are typically seen as the spark that ignited the Protestant Reformation, it's clear that some within the Church were comfortable blurring the lines for financial gain.   I've got more on faith vs works and Catholicism vs Protestantism planned for future episodes, and I don't want to bury that conversation where no one will look for it, so let's leave that there for now and get back to Mark, with chapter 3 verse 31 to 35   MARK   31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.”   GREGG Thanks to the Marian doctrine of Our Lady's perpetual virginity we discussed back in episode 0.14, the surprising fact that Jesus doesn't immediately attend to his family members isn't the most discussed aspect of this passage when it comes to Catholicism. No, that would be the fact that Jesus' brothers, the Greek term is Adelphoi, show up. Generally these are understood as Jesus' half brothers, via his earthly father Saint Joseph from a previous marriage.   As for the question of whether Jesus just kind of blew off his family here, half brothers or cousins or full brothers or whoever was there with Mary, while I can see how you might get that impression, it's not like His every action is recorded. It's entirely possible that He checked in with them after making a quick positive observation- one that I don't want to lose in the rest of this analysis so I'll repeat it:   MARK 3 “35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.”   GREGG   Anyways, as is the custom with Mark, we're on to the next scene in a hurry, launching into Mark 4 with the next verse as a classic transition:   MARK 4 1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake.   GREGG I'm not going to go into detail about what He taught by the lake here, because Chapter 4 is made up entirely of miracles and parables we've already covered in 0.20 and earlier in 0.21, respectively. We've got the Parable of the Sower, then the Lamp on a Stand, then the Growing Seed and the Mustard Seed, capped off by Mark's account of Jesus calming the storm at sea.   Similarly, Mark 5 is a string of by-now familiar miracles- and if any don't seem familiar you know by now Miracles are in one of the 0.20 episodes, right? The Gerasene Demoniac, the Bleeding Woman, Jairus' Daughter, they're all there, and in Mark 5 too.   Mark 6 give us a bit more food for thought on Jesus' local life and family dynamic. A sign of how things hit differently at home, it's worth a long quote:   MARK 6:1-6 6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.   “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.   4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.   GREGG Many of Jesus' sayings have become proverbial, and while it's not in the level of turning the other cheek, “a prophet is not without honor except in his own town” has some popularity. It does seem to speak to a common truth of celebrities.   I do like the touch that He was unable to do any miracles there except for the miracles which He did do, which evidently still failed to impress. Of course, the idea of Jesus being *unable* to do miracles is theologically interesting, since He's, you know, God. Of course, God does seem to have had some trouble dealing with iron chariots back in Judges 1:19, so maybe there is some precedent.   But we've got our Pope-colored glasses on, so not only is Jesus God but God is omnipotent, so it's fair to ask: what gives? It could be that old favorite, the translation issue, but I admit my personal Greek skills are basically at the naming barnyard animals level, so I decided to bring in an expert to verify. An expert by the name of bibleref.com, linked in the show notes. Their commentary on the passage notes that in the parallel passage in Matthew, it simply says Jesus “did not” perform many miracles in his hometown, which isn't as controversial though of course it's always fair to ask why God doesn't just fix everything for everyone since he's all good and all knowing and all powerful. But that popular question isn't where we're at today because apparently it's not a translation issue, Mark 6:5 does specifically say Jesus *could not* perform the miracles in the Greek according to the commentary. But it goes on to note that there can be multiple senses of inability, like how you can't touch the ball when playing soccer, or football for my non-US listeners, and yeah, I'm not counting goalies. Anyways, obviously you can physically touch the ball, but you cannot in the sense that it's against the established rules of the game. If that's the sense, it makes some sense that Jesus quote unquote “can't” perform miracles in His hometown because His miracles are supposed to draw people to Him and they aren't having that effect at home. At least not much, keep in mind he did do some miracles there according to Mark, so in any event the whole “can't” thing definitely isn't absolute.   Of course, I personally find it awful to think that God would play games with our salvation- hence my quasi-universalism. I get respecting our free will, but I also know He's omnipotent and isn't going to give up on us, no matter how much we try to give up on ourselves if there's another chance we can get He's going to give that to us. But we have to accept at some point, so don't think I'm downplaying the urgency there.   Anyways, let's get back to Mark 6, now in Verse 8 where He's sending the disciples out in pairs with the following instructions:   MARK 6:8-11   8 Take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.   9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt.   10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.   11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”   GREGG As you should by now have come to expect, these instructions do have a parallel in Matthew that we covered in the last worldbuilding episode. But it's not as close a parallel as you might think. Often, as we've talked about before, parallels in the synoptic gospels are so close that you'd get dinged for plagiarism, with maybe a word being changed here or there. But here, it basically reads like two different people were told to write down a speech shortly after they finished hearing it. Which, I mean, matches tradition, for what it's worth. The most obvious difference is that Mark's telling skips Matthew's bit about only going to Jewish households, forbidding visits to Gentiles or Samaritans. Though as we've seen Mark's Jesus was already laying the groundwork for some serious reframing of Mosaic Law by taking on the title of Lord of the Sabbath, I think on the whole it's more likely that in Mark's account that's simply taken as a given and perhaps left off for brevity rather than this being a separate incident or its absence being a sign that the disciples were to ignore those cultural barriers at this stage.   The rest of Mark 6 is taken up by his narrative of the death of John the Baptist, where, unusually for the Gospels, Jesus is offstage, and then there's two banner miracles, the Feeding of the 5000 and Jesus walking on water.   Which brings us to Mark 7, which has Jesus… let's see… excoriating the Jewish authorities… then calling a woman a dog… and let's not forget giving someone a wet willy.   Don't believe me? Let's go.   MARK 7   1The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) 5So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” 6He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.' 8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” 9And he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! 10For Moses said, 'Honor your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.' 11But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)-- 12then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”   GREGG Note that while there's a close parallel between these passages and Matthew 15, Mark is apparently much more concerned with explaining Jewish custom to his audience, suggesting the intended audience is not Jews themselves.   The rest of the chapter we've covered before, from the Parable of the Heart of Man to the two miracles that give the tibits I teased earlier. Jesus calls the syrophoenician woman a dog in the runup to healing her servant, and he totally heals a deaf guy via wet willy at the end of the chapter. But I already covered both of those in 0.20c, so check them out there for more.   So that means we're on to Chapter 8, which opens with… another miracle! Turns out Jesus did a lot of those! Who knew?   That's the feeding of the four thousand, but you know the drill, we're skipping that and on ahead to verse 12, where Jesus is responding to a group of Pharisees asking for a sign.   MARK 8:12 He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it."   GREGG Ok. Remembering that by a sign here they mean a miracle, we've got the guy known for working miracles getting annoyed at requests for miracles. Why? You'd think He'd be all about that. Is it another sort of hometown situation, where folk's lack of faith is an impediment?   Well, kind of sort of. But not quite.   In the parallel passage from Matthew 16, which I admit I kind of glossed over last time because I was excited to get to the Papally significant Matthew 16:18, Jesus calls those asking for a sign “a wicked and adulterous generation”, which can help explain why Jesus is refusing the request–after all even in Mark's shorter version their motives are implicitly questioned, with Jesus asking why they're asking for a sign.   The typical interpretation goes that Jesus is refusing the request for a sign because the Pharisees have the wrong *motives* in asking. Unlike those in His hometown, they seem to believe Jesus can work miracles, but they just want to see a show, they aren't interested in Jesus' message beyond that. And Jesus for His part, is interested in signs *for the sake of* His message, He isn't there to entertain.   These various passages that show Jesus specifically not working miracles could be taken to suggest some embarrassment by the authors about Jesus' miracles not being as renowned as they would like, forcing them to give explanations for why that's the case. I can definitely picture some neckbeard arguing if God wanted to make everyone believe he'd make miracles known to all and be undeniable. Which is a reasonable enough thought except unless God removes free will, there's never going to be such a thing as undeniable anyways.   In the next few verses, Jesus warns against the teachings of the Pharisees and Herod. Though technically the “teachings” part isn't spelled out in Mark, so it could be He's actually meaning to go in another direction with things than He does in Matthew's version, though I think their teaching or at least their general influence is His most likely target. Let's hear it and regroup after.   MARK 8 14-15 14The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.   15"Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”   GREGG Certainly He isn't talking about literal bread, as is evidenced from His reaction. Also, it's interesting that Mark warns against Herod's yeast specifically, while Matthew leaves Herod off in favor of tossing in the Sadducees to accompany the Pharisees. If Mark is the rougher, earlier version as most scholars currently argue–and as I'm inclined to believe looking at the two side by side these last few months–then it seems like one can argue Matthew's account has been modified to perhaps be a little more authority-friendly in this case, keeping in mind the Herodians were the client-kings in charge of the area in Jesus' day. Check out 0.13 on the Hasmoneans for more on that.   After a miracle interlude–healing the blind man in a two-step process where the miracle is evidently incomplete at first–a fairly intriguing Mark-only one that is arguably sanitized out of other accounts, but one we already covered so I'm not getting back into it today– anyways after that we hit Mark's account of Peter's testament, you know, with the binding and loosing and the keys and all that. Except actually *without* all that in Mark's version.   Here's the whole exchange as Mark tells it:   MARK 8:27-30 27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?” 28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah.” 30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.   GREGG Like I said, not a key in sight. Peter does give the critical answer, but none of what would become the principal text for the Papacy is presented here. And again, if you consider Mark as the older account, as most scholars do, it's fair to raise an eyebrow at that. Yet in the end, one way or another, we have a Pope, and I do think there's something to be said for the unifying force of the role. After all, if no one is Pope, then everyone is Pope. But I digress.   Of course, poor Peter can only wish he were simply downplayed in Mark 8. The reality is he does pop up again later in the chapter, in a familiar but unflattering way:   MARK 8:31- 31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”   GREGG So there you go. If you want to make a case for the Pope not always being right, there's an easy one. Not everyone gets called Satan by, well, God. Of course, there's a surprising amount of room where you can accept Papal Infallibility *and* the idea that the Pope isn't always right, but we'll get to that in time.   The chapter finishes with Jesus reflecting on what his stated fate means for his followers, and it's, uh, not the cheeriest image. It bleeds into chapter 9 so don't put your Bible down too quickly If you're following along.   MARK 8:34-9:1   34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels. CHAPTER 9 1And he said to them, "Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.   GREGG Goodness, Jesus, it's hard for me to keep my running joke of treating the Crucifixion as a spoiler when you're literally telling your disciples to take up their crosses before it actually happens. Oh well.   Mark 9 continues with The Transfiguration, but like I mentioned in our Matthew discussion, that's it's own mystery of the rosary that we haven't gotten to yet, so pardon me and I'll skip that here too.   After that, we have a miracle- the boy with an unclean spirit that can only be driven out by prayer and fasting. So on to verse 30, where we have more talk of the upcoming Passion:   MARK 9:30-32 “30They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.   GREGG Jesus was speaking pretty plainly here, so it's not immediately clear why the disciples didn't understand what Jesus meant, but it's probably related to the way Jesus keeps telling folks either to talk or not to talk about things. There's definitely a focus on pacing the spread of the Good News throughout the Gospels, especially in Mark, and it seems like a supernatural barrier to the Apostles' understanding here would fit in with that.   The fear of asking is more easily explained: if someone you know is really good at making predictions and you're pretty sure they just predicted something awful, you may well be hesitant to confirm that with them.   Being hesitant to talk about stuff with Jesus carries us into the next few verses, where Jesus apparently puts His omniscience to good use in a wonderfully passive-aggressive way:   MARK 9: 33-35 33They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”   GREGG The first will be last is one of Jesus' recurring themes, and the whole “I'm-pretty-sure-I-heard-you-but-since-you-won't-confirm-I'm-just-going-to-respond-indirectly approach reminds me of dealing with the drama of children, though I suppose a lot of things remind me of interacting with children these days given my current life situation, and that approach is not necessarily one that exclusively applies to children. Either way, Jesus does bring children into the conversation as His next move.   MARK 9:36-37 36He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”   GREGG That passage is one of the more often-remembered portions of the Gospels, in part because it's in all three synoptics [air horn], but also in part because it's a handy pastoral lesson to push back on folks who might complain about the presence of children in worship services. As they say, if no one in your church is cryin', it's dyin'.   Next up we have some verses you might wish had been left off if you've ever gotten tired of hearing “in Jesus' name” a lot:   MARK 9:38-41 38"Teacher," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.   GREGG Personally I'm thankful for that passage, because I'm a big supporter of ecumenism and cooperation, and “whoever is not against us is for us” is an immensely helpful sentiment in that context.   For the next section, where Jesus gets pretty intense, there are several verses that simply aren't present in my go-to NIV version, presumably for bible nerd manuscript reasons. Now, the point of the Sayings of the Savior series is to make sure we cover *everything* Jesus said in the canonical scriptures, and those verses are speaking lines for Jesus, so that won't do. Thankfully the King James version has us covered, so I'm going to switch to that for those verses.   So you can tell the difference easily, I'll be switching to a guest narrator as well. Lebron James hasn't responded to my calls, so the King James Version of the King James Version will have to wait, but my brother has come in clutch for podcast purposes. PJHERE MARK 9:42-48 42"If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [NIV leaves off verse 44 “44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”-KJV] 45And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [NIV leaves off verse 46 “46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”-KJV] 47And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, NIV leaves off verse 48 “48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”-KJV]   GREGG So yeah, by “verses” I kind of meant “one verse used as a refrain”, but it's officially verses 44, 46, and 48, so I am technically correct, which I'm told is the best kind of correct.   Thanks to the reference to “leading little ones astray”, the great millstone imagery has had some use in response to the sexual abuse crisis, though the most commonly cited of these evocative instructions is plucking out the eye, thanks in no small part to the frequency of admonitions against pornography in the online era. Cutting off the hand is also referenced, while I think most folks if they're being honest won't even necessarily recall cutting off the foot is among the scenarios mentioned.   Anyways, Jesus finishes this section with a few salty verses that initially bear a strong resemblance to Matthew 5:13- the salt of the earth bit from the Sermon on the Mount. I'm thinking I might have actually pointed these verses out when I was going over that due to the similarity, but just in case, here they are:   MARK 9:49-50 49Everyone will be salted with fire 50"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”   GREGG “Have salt among yourselves” is an unusual turn of phrase, the typical interpretation of this Mark-only phrase is that Christians are supposed to bring out the best in one another, the way salt brings out the best in food.   We're now entering Mark 10, which- surprise surprise, has close parallels to Matthew 19 and 20. I'm not going to give the Matthew sections as a side by side, partly because we've already covered them independently, partly because this episode is already going to be one of my longest despite Mark being the shortest Gospel. But it's worth giving it a thorough treatment since scholars tend to think it's the oldest and also because if I'm going to go all-out it might as well be with the shortest of the bunch. You know, for efficiency.   Anyways…   MARK 10:1-12 1Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3"What did Moses command you?" he replied. 4They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5"It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied. 6"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 7For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”   GREGG This version of Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce notably does not include the exception for adultery we saw in Matthew's account. Additionally where Matthew focused on Eunuchs for the kingdom–and other kinds of Eunuchs–Mark concluded with that extra condemnation of divorce, with remarriage as adultery.   In the next passage, the conversation changes direction:   MARK 10:13-16 13People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.   GREGG We'll meet the Church Father who was allegedly one of the children in this scene as we go about our big timeline, once we get through this worldbuilding and go into that. But for now, it's time for one of the most inconvenient passages in the Gospels, at least if you're rich.    MARK 10:17-31 17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.'” 20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?” 27Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” 28Then Peter spoke up, "We have left everything to follow you!” 29"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--along with persecutions--and in the age to come eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”   GREGG There is a surprisingly thorough and ranging discussion of the whole “eye of the needle” bit in the digital edition of the British newspaper The Guardian, in the Nooks and Crannies section of their Notes and Queries page. Which I think makes it the most random thing I've cited here, but hey, it's got it all so let's get a sampling going:   First, the original query: The Guardian.com “I recently read that one of the gates into Jerusalem was named "The Eye of the Needle," and was quite tricky to negotiate, since it was quite small. Does this mean that when Jesus said "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven," He meant that, far from being impossible, it was merely tricky?” Dara O'Reilly, London, UK   GREGG The first reply is a fairly representative take on the gate theory:   GUARDIAN The interpretation that seems to make sense is this. The "Eye of the Needle" was indeed a narrow gateway into Jerusalem. Since camels were heavily loaded with goods and riders, they would need to be un-loaded in order to pass through. Therefore, the analogy is that a rich man would have to similarly unload his material possessions in order to enter heaven. Rick, Brighton Uk   GREGG But then the plot thickens, as William Elsom of the UK is having none of it:   GUARDIAN No. The failure is in the translation. The original word that should have been translated was "camella" which means rope. (presumably Greek, but I am open to this being corrected.) "It is easier for a rope to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven" makes more sense as a comparison. William Elsom, UK   GREGG There's something of a scholarly telephone game going on in the background, as basically every “mistranslation” take offers a variation on the root word and apparent correct meaning. Which is fairly normal for translations especially when there are different alphabets involved, but still, I chuckled.   GUARDIAN I am currently studying the Aramaic language and indeed the word "gamla" (transliterated) does mean both "camel" and "thick rope." Assuming the original manuscript with that teaching of Jesus was recorded in Aramaic and later translated to Greek, the translator may have been familiar with only the "camel" definition of the word. I have not been able to find any reliable information on a city gate called "The Eye of the Needle." -Xakk, FL USA   GREGG As much as I hate agreeing with someone who spells Zach Xakk–though presumably that's a choice his parents made– anyways as much as I hate to admit it, this overall take seems the most likely to this non-Aramaic specialist. The general meaning is still the same, it's not something you're going to get done.   It's also worth noting that at least as of the return from the Exile, if the Book of Nehemiah is to be believed, there was no “Eye of the Needle” gate in Jerusalem. And I can state that with confidence because as longtime listeners will recall, I had a whole special episode devoted to the topic from July 2020 entitled “Literally A Detailed Description of the Gates of Jerusalem and Who Fixed Them in the Time of Nehemiah”, which, despite being exactly what it says it is, has been a pretty popular episode. In any event, it *could* be that an Eye of the Needle gate was established at a later point, though really the whole gate thing feels like wishful thinking on the part of the rich or the would-be rich to me.   Of course, as you might expect, there are also literalists who agree it's wishful thinking and would rather cut to the chase. Plus people like my man David:   GUARDIAN The translation is irrelevant. We all know in our hearts we cannot love money above God.   David Porter, Orangevale, US   GREGG Let's conclude with my favorite take:   GUARDIAN “Blessed are the cheesemakers?” Mike Conn, San Francisco,    GREGG After the second Gate-Gate scandal we've come across in this show (shoutout Samson if you've forgotten), we arrive at Jesus' third prediction of His own death in Mark   MARK 10:32-34 32They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”   GREGG Mark gives no record of the Apostles' reaction to this third prediction, unless the next verse is the actual reaction, which is a hilarious thought because it would be shockingly tone deaf. But yeah, it's the very next verse without any transition except the word “then”, so you can certainly read it that way:   MARK 10:35-45 35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39"We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.   GREGG It turns out James and John, the Sons of Zebedee, have massive… cojones. But in the end their reward is understood to be martyrdom–perhaps not what they had in mind, they certainly seem to have had more of an earthly kingdom in mind.   In any event, here we have more of the “first will be last” motif popping up, and Scriptural background for why the Pope is considered, at least in theory, the “Servant of the Servants of God”.   Mark 10 finishes up with the healing of the blind Bartimaeus, so it's on to Mark 11, with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem:   MARK 11:1-11 1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'” 4They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.   GREGG We'll talk more about Palm Sunday in the future, for now just know that this scene is the basis for that. It's also a sign that Jesus is approaching the end of His earthly ministry, though we've still got another couple chapters for today after we finish this one.   We'll skip verses 12-14 as that's the cursing of the fig tree we covered under miracles--and that's right, it's a non-healing miracle. At least His target is a tree and not a human as happens in some of the apocrypha.   Which brings us to Mark's version of the scene with the moneychangers in the Temple:   MARK 11:15-18 15On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'” 18The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. 19When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.   GREGG Mark's somewhat abbreviated account leaves off Him making a whip, which is a loss, but hey, the core is there. As a reminder, and yes, I'll say this every time, just remember when someone asks “what would Jesus do” that flipping tables is absolutely a valid option.   Then, we're back to the fig tree, seeing the result of the curse on the way out, and this is extra special because this is actually an extended Mark only reflection. Including another King James specific verse that the NIV leaves off. Let's hear it!   MARK 11:20-26 20In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." [NIV omits but KJV has] 26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.]   GREGG Of course, when I said “Mark exclusive”, that may have been a bit of an oversell, because while the now-proverbial “faith to move mountains” doesn't appear in Matthew's fig tree discourse, it does line up closely to another section, Matthew 17:20, several chapters before Matthew's fig tree. As for the rest, the sentiment is overall familiar, but worth repeating so I'll say it again:   MARK 11:25-26 if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." [NIV omits but KJV has] 26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.]   GREGG Next up we've got an attempted trap that Jesus turns around, Bugs Bunny style.   MARK 11:27-33 27They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28"By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?” 29Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30John's baptism--was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” 31They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 32But if we say, 'Of human origin' . . . " (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 33So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."   GREGG Mark 12 opens with the Parable of the Tenant Farmers, which I personally prefer to call the Parable of the Bad Tenants since I think just calling them farmers ignores the amount of murdering they do in the parable. But anyways, we're not covering it here, ‘cause parable. So on to Verse 13:   MARK 12:13-17 13Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15Should we pay or shouldn't we?" But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. 17Then Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him.   GREGG This tax exchange, which we saw in Matthew and we'll see again in Luke (SYNOPTIC ROUNDUP AIRHORN?) is intended to be a sort of sting operation, with the expected result being Jesus objecting to the tax and therefore being guilty of rebellion against the Roman government. But I don't think Jesus even needed to tap into His omniscience here, they were acting pretty suspicious with the leading flattery and line of questioning. Plus, what does God ultimately need money for?   In the end, of course, everything we have ultimately comes from God, so while I mentioned it with Matthew it's worth mentioning again now- when we give Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's, God gets everything.   Next up we've got Jesus fielding yet another insincere question from religious authorities, this time from the Sadducees:   MARK 12:18-27 18Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19"Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” 24Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26Now about the dead rising--have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”   GREGG That last bit– “You are badly mistaken!” is a Marcan flourish that helps emphasize Mark's generally less Pharisee-slash-Sadducee–friendly stance, underlining the intensity of Jesus' disagreement with them.   The next section is the part about The Greatest Commandment which we used to open the Sayings of the Savior, so check out 0.21a for that. Then we have a theological question apparently designed to further undermine the Credibility of the Teachers of the Law. This time around, it's Jesus who picks the fight,   MARK 12:35-40 35While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."' 37David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight. 38As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”   GREGG “The large crowd listened to him with delight”, we're told, as Jesus excoriated the religious establishment of His day. Sounds like a political rally almost. No wonder He was condemned as a revolutionary.   The last scene in Mark 12 is one we haven't seen before- it's one of the few passages in Mark not paralleled in Matthew- and it's one of my favorites:   MARK12:41-44 41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.”   GREGG This scene is generally called the Widow's Mite, not because “mite” was the term for small copper coins in ancient Judea–though they would retroactively be called mites–and not because the mite was the term for small copper coins in 17th century England where the King James Bible was produced, though they would pick up that name, but rather because the King James translation used a Dutch term for some small denomination coins that had originally been picked up for Biblical use by William Tyndale.   For once, I'll spare you a deeper rabbit hole, and move on from the names of coins to the lesson of the coins.   I mentioned before this passage is one of my favorites. While I appreciate the challenge behind Jesus' admonition to be perfect that we saw in Matthew, here we see that if all you have isn't much, God still sees the effort and meaningful sacrifice. There's something comforting in that for extremely inadequate folks like myself.   On the other hand, there's the lesson that giving out of your abundance may be mathematically and physically helpful but it's not spiritually significant. It's the right thing to do, of course, but an even better thing than giving your excess is to give beyond just your excess.   “But I need the rest”, you might argue. And it's certainly true, you may well have just reasons for keeping some aside. It would be irresponsible of me to sell all my worldly possessions and go live in a cave, as even if my wife signed onto it we've got kids too young to voluntarily renounce the world, it's our responsibility to care for them.   So, where's the line? When do we go from taking care of our responsibilities at home to hoarding?   Well, if you have any money, you should be giving. It doesn't have to be all you have, especially if you've got responsibilities to those in your household, but it should absolutely be more than nothing, and everything is best.   Ultimately Christians are not to see money as theirs to use how they see fit, as something they've earned. That simply isn't a Christian mentality. Money is a means by which you can help others–those you have primary responsibility for first, like your children, and those in need should be prioritized urgently as well. The Church speaks of the “preferential option for the poor”.   I'm not saying you need to become a shell of a human, doing nothing for yourself and allowing your own mental and physical health to collapse- though certainly some saints lives point in that direction. But putting yourself first is something that needs to be balanced against your ability to be a blessing to those around you.   This isn't the last time I'll bring up this sort of thing by any means, and it looks like I avoided one tangent only to go into another, so let's get back to Mark, now in Chapter 13, which opens with a prophesy of the destruction of the Temple, then flows into a description of the End Times– keep in mind from the Christian perspective time has not only a beginning but an end–that parallels Matthew.   It's understandable to want to read this as being written after the actual historical destruction of the Temple in 70AD, but as I argued in my chat with Garry Stevens last June, it's not like it was hard to see such a calamity coming during Jesus' life, Rome was already in control of a rebellious Judea with the Temple as a potential center of nationalist resistance. And that's of course if you discount the possibility of actual prophecy, which, remember, we're making our Pope-colored glasses, so Jesus actually prophesying Is the most straightforward explanation. Either way, a post 70AD dating for Mark is really pushing the outward edge of scholarly dating for the work, keeping in mind scholars tend to argue it's the oldest of the Gospels.   Without further ado, here's a long quote, going from Mark 13:1 to 27.   MARK 13 1As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” 2"Do you see a

The Only Path To Salvation - No One Else Can Save You! In this episode, I discuss the importance of understanding Jesus's relationship to the law, the Word of God. I emphasize that there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. I point out that religion often creates arguments and confusion by suggesting that there are many ways to God. However, I explain that Jesus came to fulfill the law and restore the relationship between God and humanity. I also explore the concept of sin and the need for faith to have access to God and conclude by highlighting the significance of Jesus's role in fulfilling the law and providing salvation. Romans 3:19–20Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law, no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. Romans 8:3-4For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 5:19: For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.” John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”John 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Matthew 28:16-20Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Fifth Sunday in Lent The Collect: Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34 31The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. Psalm: Psalm 51:1-13 or Psalm 119:9-16 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *        in your great compassion blot out my offenses. 2 Wash me through and through from my wickedness *        and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, *        and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you only have I sinned *        and done what is evil in your sight. 5 And so you are justified when you speak *        and upright in your judgment. 6 Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *        a sinner from my mother's womb. 7 For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *        and will make me understand wisdom secretly. 8 Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *        wash me, and I shall be clean indeed. 9 Make me hear of joy and gladness, *        that the body you have broken may rejoice. 10 Hide your face from my sins *        and blot out all my iniquities. 11 Create in me a clean heart, O God, *        and renew a right spirit within me. 12 Cast me not away from your presence *        and take not your holy Spirit from me. 13 Give me the joy of your saving help again *        and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. or 9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? *        By keeping to your words. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; *        let me not stray from your commandments. 11 I treasure your promise in my heart, *        that I may not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; *        instruct me in your statutes. 13 With my lips will I recite *        all the judgments of your mouth. 14 I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees *        than in all manner of riches. 15 I will meditate on your commandments *        and give attention to your ways. 16 My delight is in your statutes; *        I will not forget your word. Epistle: Hebrews 5:5-10 5So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Gospel: John 12:20-33 20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

1 Corinthians 15:12-20Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

(Ephesians 3:14-21) 14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.   Paul Prays For Strength And Power   Paul Prays For Depth   (Colossians 2:6-7) 6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.   Paul Prays For A Growing Understanding Of God's Love   (Romans 8:38-39) 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Paul Prays For Fullness   Paul Prays For More   Paul Prays For God's Glory And For Our Good

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary TimeMk 5:1-20Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside.And they pleaded with him,"Send us into the swine. Let us enter them."And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine.The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea,where they were drowned.

Eph. 3: 14-21 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Today I want to talk about my fat loss phase, take 2! I'm always open and honest about my experiences, maybe you can relate or this or maybe this can help  help you with your next cutI Started a cut in May and failed miserably Here's why I probably shouldn't have started a cut in the first place and why now I'm in a better place.Being in the right place mentally and physically is the key to an effective fat loss phase. If you can't commit to making the sacrifices needed to lose fat like tracking your macros, prioritizing protein, getting in your workouts and steps, prioritizing sleep and stress management, then you're probably not ready for a fat loss phase and that's okay! I hate that expression, well you don't want it bad enough because honestly I think women do want it bad enough, they're just not ready for it emotionally or physically. So often I hear, I don't have time to meal prep, I can't eat that much protein, I don't have time to workout. Or, I do good all week, it's the weekends that are my downfall. Well, I hate to be harsh but you have to figure that shit out!Take the quiz to see if you're a candidate for HRT and to see if it's available in your state. Get 25% off your first order using this link. http://bywinona.com/kathycoteHere's the link for the walking pad I ordered: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095BCGR85/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_dl_YZP6VX2D3QV09B61C7P3?linkCode=ml1&tag=kathycote-20Now accepting clients, book a 1:1 call https://www.menopotmeltdown.com/booknowFree No BS Menopause Secrets Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kathykatalyst/?ref=shareFor all my social links: https://bit.ly/kathykatalystHave a question? Email me at kathykatalyst@gmail.com

 https://archive.org/download/princes-of-the-universe-292-cartoons-then-and-now/Princes%20of%20the%20Universe%20292%20Cartoons%20Then%20and%20Now.mp3

1. We can't settle2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.Ephesians 3:20Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,  to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Matthew 17:2As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. 4 Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”2. We have the difference2 Kings 6:25And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab  of dove droppings for five shekels of silver. 2 Kings 7:1Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.' ”2 Kings 7:3Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘We will enter the city,' the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die.” 2 Kings 7:9Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king's household.” 3. Make a difference 1. Start small. Luke 16:10 NLT“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.Colossians 3:23Servants do every task with equal dedication. Whatever they do, servants “do it with all their heart” 2. Start closeActs 1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”3. Start Now 2 Corinthians 6:1We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.  For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.PLUS ULTRA = More Beyond

"Once the star in the sky is gone and the kings are back home, that is when the work of Christmas begins." -Howard ThurmanHow would you describe the work of Christmas?//Luke 2:8-20Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Adriene Thorne, the Senior Minister at The Riverside Church. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Relinquish by Podington Bear and Silent Night by Elise Solberg.• Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital ministry resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo/#sign-up to receive new episodes by email. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/app to download the Riverside app.

This morning rant is to let you know that God is working on you through his word, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. One translation calls us God's Masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.Hebrews 13:21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.Philippians 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.Ephesians 3:20Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.Colossians 1:29That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me.2 Corinthians 6:7We faithfully preach the truth. God's power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/622a9079e8fb640012cb94f3. I pray that God would "give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18I, pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance" https://plus.acast.com/s/blueprint-of-faith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daily Devotionals with Religionless Christianity are a quick walk through the word. Each day we look at either a verse or two from scripture a meaningful commentary or other inspirational writing. Also, we include a daily Psalm, Proverb and a prayer. In today's show, July 26th 2022, we are looking at Luke 13:10-13, Psalms 87:1-2, Proverbs 26:20Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. Luke 13:10-13Daily devotionals Monday-FridayReligionless Christianity Podcast every SaturdayDWELL- Dwellapp.io/showcodeIf you enjoy the content, please leave us a review and join us on social media through the links below.Check out the website: www.religionlesschristianitypodcast.comPLEASE COME JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE MINISTRY:DISCORD- https://discord.gg/W5nACNcVUxFACEBOOK- https://www.facebook.com/ReligionlessChristianityPodcastTWITTER- https://twitter.com/ReligionlessCPARLER- https://parler.com/user/ReligionlessChristianityPodcastSUPPORT THE MINISTRY:AMAZON AFFILIATE- https://amzn.to/3lV4cBPBUY ME A COFFEE- https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RCPodcastListen to other Podcasts on the Christian Podcast CommunityAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Shift  #7 Shift My Dreams by Louie Marsh, 7-24-2022   Some Dream Related Quotes Insomniacs don't sleep because they worry about it, and they worry about it because they don't sleep.---Franklin Adams   My life's dream has been a perpetual nightmare. ---Voltaire A professor is someone who talk's in someone else's sleep.---Wystan Auden A man of sixty has spent twenty years in bed and over three years eating.---Arnold Bennett The only time most women give their orating husbands undivided attention is when the old boys mumble in their sleep.---Wilson Mizner Sleep is an excellent way of listening to an opera. ---James Stephens   I never sleep comfortably except when I am at a sermon.---Rabelais 1) God wants me to DREAM   " 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Acts 2:17 (ESV)   What dreams has God put in your heart? I want to stir you up to dare to dream. To pursue the dream God put in your heart. To rediscover dreams that may have been dormant. What's your dream? Most of our dreams are to BORING/SMALL!   CS Lewis said, “Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak.” Survey by CareerBuilder.com revealed nearly four out of five U.S. workers (84 percent) are not currently in their dream job   Across all professions, police and firefighters reported the highest incidence of feeling they have their dream jobs (35 percent). They are followed closely by teachers (32 percent), real estate professionals (28 percent) and engineers (25 percent). Those in travel and nurses also ranked near the top at 22 percent and 18 percent respectively.   Those professions with the least amount of workers feeling they have their dream jobs include accommodations/food services (9 percent), manufacturing (9 percent) and retail (10 percent).   Key Dream Job Attributes Salary was one of the least important factors in determining a dream job. Money ranked third (12 percent) compared to having fun at work (39 percent) which topped the list, followed by making a difference in society (17 percent).     TOP 10 CHILDHOOD DREAM JOBS…   OVER ALL 1. Doctor 2. Teacher 3. Veterinarian 4. Musician 5. Movie star 6. Professional athlete 7. Artist 8. Business owner 9. Writer 10. Police officer   FOR AMERICAN MEN 1. Professional athlete 2. Doctor 3. Musician 4. Police officer 5. Business owner 6. Superhero 7. Teacher 8. Movie star 9. Architect 10. Firefighter   FOR AMERICAN WOMEN 1. Teacher 2. Doctor 3. Veterinarian 4. Movie star 5. Writer 6. Artist 7. Fashion designer 8. Musician 9. Business owner 10. Chef     HOW DOES A GOD-GIVEN DREAM DEVELOP? STAGE 1: God gives me a DREAM   God gives you a dream.. .an idea, goal, or ambition. Every great accomplishment first began as a God-given dream in someone's mind   “20Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)   Wayne Cordeiro wrote in "Dream Releasers": “The richest spot on the face of the earth cannot be found in the diamond mines of South Africa, or in… the oil fields of Saudi Arabia. No, the richest plot of land is in your very own neighborhood… It's the cemetery. That's right! The graveyard is the wealthiest place in all of creation. Beneath those rectangular pieces of sod lie countless unsung melodies and unwritten poems. The grassy plots overflow with brilliant ideas that could have transformed entire communities… Our burial grounds reek with unattained successes and unrealized dreams.” Now Joseph had a dream... Genesis 37:5a (ESV)   STAGE 2: I must CHOOSE to follow it.   A dream is worthless until you decide to do something about it. For every 10 dreamers, there's only 1 decision-maker. This is the moment of truth where you decide to invest your time, money, energy, and reputation and to let go of security. If you want to walk on water -you must get out of the boat!   "Vision without action is daydream; action without vision is nightmare."   “5… and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.” (Genesis 37:5b, ESV)   STAGE 3: My God-given dream is  DELAYED.   There is ALWAYS a time lapse before your dream becomes reality. God uses this waiting period to teach us to trust Him. Remember, a delay is not a denial. Maturity is understanding the difference between “no” and “not yet.”     “19They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.”…“23So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it…“28Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.” (Genesis 37:19, 23-24, 28, ESV)   “3For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)   ‘These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” Hab. 2:3 (LB)   STAGE 4: Things get even MORE DIFFICULT!   Now the problems start popping up. The 2 most common types: critics and circumstances. Don't worry. It's all a part of God's plan   “12she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.” (Genesis 39:12, ESV)   “6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6–7, ESV)   Hudson Taylor said:  "It does not matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies- whether it comes between you and God, or whether it presses you nearer His heart."   STAGE 5: I finally come to a DEADEND!   Your situation will deteriorate from difficult to IMPOSSIBLE! You are backed into a corner, you reach the end of your rope, it looks hopeless. Congratulations! You are on the edge of a miracle. Trust God     “13In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house…23Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” (Genesis 40:13-13,23, ESV)   “8For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:8–9, ESV)       Joseph was 17 when he started to dream. God usually starts birthing dreams in us while we're young. Sometimes as people get older they abandon the dreams In Genesis 37 - Joseph is thrown into a PIT In Genesis 39 - Joseph is a slave working for POTIPHAR In Genesis 40 - Joseph is in PRISON In Genesis 41 - Joseph finally arrives in the PALACE   STAGE 6: God brings about my  DELIVERANCE!   God provides a supernatural answer. Miraculously, things fall into place! God loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections so you can see His greatness   “9Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today.” (Genesis 41:9, ESV)   “13I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!” (Psalm 27:13, ESV)

Ephesians 3:20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (https://www.southernliving.com/culture/inspirational-bible-verses-quotes)KD to Golden State?, SEC-BIG Ten Merger?, and More! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Be Inspired.These inspirational quotes provide a big picture of God's never-ending love and power, which extends far, wide, and beyond. Trusting God leads to hope, and knowing that peace and joy are yet to come is inspiring. These Bible verses affirm daily renewal of his love.Romans 8:38-39For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Lamentations 3:22-23The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.2 Corinthians 4:16-18So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.Ephesians 3:20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.Romans 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.heat-wave-exercise-sweat-exhaustion-tiredCREDIT: LI ZHONGFEI/GETTY IMAGESHave No FearThese powerful Bible verses demand we cast away our fears, be strong, and courageous. Relying on God enables us to do this, allowing us to be productive and sacrifice for others. Love protects us from fear and makes us stronger. Use these as daily Bible verses in your morning prayers or before bed after a long, difficult day.Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, or the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.Psalm 27:12The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?1 John 4:18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?Psalm 31:24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

It is hard to imagine the confusion that swirled around Jesus during his ministry. The entire Jewish world had already been ripe with expectations of a Messiah, but Jesus was not exactly what they expected. It is strange when you think about it—that a person could miss seeing the Messiah because he expected the Messiah to be different. I think this is what the prophets were talking about when they warned man about making God in their own image. It is sobering to consider that I could miss something very important about God because I expected something else. It is testimony to the importance of keeping an open mind.When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.Matthew 16:13–20Now what seems strange to me about this passage is that not one of the disciples asked Jesus, Lord, what is a church? Don’t you think that is odd? Up to this point, he had said nothing about any church. Now, out of the clear blue sky he says He is going to build his church. What is a church, anyway?

"But in fact the Messiah has been raised from the dead"From how we deal with suffering, to our deepest allegiances, to the meaning of history, itself, the Resurrection changes everything.1 Corinthians 15:12-20Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ--whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.Support the show (https://www.episcopalcathedral.org)

00:05Welcome to Mosaic, your Novant Health podcast for diversity, inclusion and equity. You'll learn more about the mosaic of similarities and differences that make us stronger, and how health equity benefits us all. Piece by piece. We're telling the stories of the beautiful mosaic of Novant Health. 00:25Hello again, this is Becky Knight coordinator of Novant Health 14 business resource groups. Business resource groups, or BRG's, are an important part of the Novant Health diversity inclusion and equity strategy. A BRG is a voluntary group of team members organized around an aspect of common identity, such as age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or veteran status. The groups work together to support each other our business in diversity and inclusion strategies and constituency needs. One of the themes over the past year has been for our BRG's to host webinars to highlight holidays and observances that have special meaning to them. These webinars are an accessible way for our team members to share about their traditions, beliefs and culture. And it lets us get to know each other better, and to be able to better understand and anticipate the needs of our patients and communities. And this episode of mosaic, we'll hear from several Novant Health BRG members, sharing about Dia de los Muertos. samhain, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. 01:37First we have David Avalos, sharing about Dia de los Muertos. 01:43Dia De Los Muertos basically is a custom, it's a custom that is derived from an old ancient Aztec custom. And then there has been some influence from the Catholic Church. So Dia De Los Muertos is translated into Day of the Dead here in the United States. Death is something that's very grim and solemn and sad. And that is not the way they view death in Mexican culture. So day of the dead is really a celebration. So it's a celebration of life, it's to honor your ancestors that have moved on, or that have passed away. So we're here in the States people are kind of solemn and sad, and tend to wear dark clothes and things of that nature. In Mexican culture, it's very loud and vibrant and colorful. So there's, there's a lot of beauty involved with the celebration of this Day of the Dead, you're going to hear later on about Samhain and how on that day, there's this veil that's between our world and the spirit world. And it is believed that the veil is thin during this time. So it allows spirits to enter into our world. And that's not a scary thing in Spanish culture. That's something where these are your ancestors. This is your family. So you want to welcome them. So that's why they have these altars with offerings and they have celebrations and parties and they usually cook food and the food that they cook is usually what that relative's favorite meal was. So um, Day of the Dead you all will probably know it as All Saints Day or All Souls Day. So we celebrate it on November first and November second. So November 1 is technically believed that's when the children who have passed come back to visit and celebrate. They call them on angelitos, which means little angels. And then on the following day, November 2, that's when the adults turn up for the festivities. They don't call them the angels, they call them the deceased, they call them difuntos. Family members usually will prepare for several weeks in advance for this summer celebration, creating their offerings and decorating their altars and things of that nature. 04:08Next, Willette Balsamo speaks about Samhain. 04:12You know it, most people know it, as Halloween. Here are some of the other names, there are many. All Hallows Eve, Samhain, it's hard to pronounce. A lot of the a lot of things come from Celtic, or Irish, if you will, Scotland, The Isles the British Isles. A lot of it came from them. Also Egypt. There's many many histories of where Wiccans, more modern version of witchcraft. But it was also practice in China. So everybody's got their own little twist on this. So the pronunciation is pronounced “sow win” like s-o-w  like a Mama Pig, or “sow ween.” The meaning of that. There's a couple of beliefs that it means summer's end, while others find that called fire of peace, and a lot of that has to do with the bonfires and the harvest, it's also called third harvest, spirit night, hollow mass, Mischief Night, probably heard that, ancestor night and more. And it's also during this time that we open our hearts and our bodies to death. We honor those that have died whenever it's usually those this year, but it doesn't matter you can honor whomever you wish. We acknowledge sorrow and loss. We believe in an afterlife. We also believe in rebirth or reincarnation. 05:58Our coexist and pride BRGs co hosted a webinar for Transgender Day of Remembrance. Here is Nick Stewart. 06:06Began over 20 years ago, Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed to focus on the persistent struggles, transgender people face in their everyday lives, and how others can share their love, support and hope. Today, we especially remember those who in the past year, have lost their lives as a result of transphobia and anti transgender violence. We come together to acknowledge that all people of all identities are welcome in our organization, in our facilities, and in our communities. We recognize today that some face violence and hatred simply for being who they are. We gather against acts of exclusion, anger and hate. And we respond with remembrance, hope, and love. We come together from different backgrounds, origins, groups and disciplines to intentionally remember that we are one humanity, and that all people are created beautifully. We stand together for those who have died for their families, and for those among us who identify as transgender, that they might know that they are not alone, that we stand with them, and that they are loved. 07:20Now we'll learn about Hanukkah from Marcia Lampert.  Hanukkah is a holiday that's really mostly based on folklore. It's not what we would consider a holy day. Our holy days are around the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, well, and Passover as well. So this is really a holiday that celebrates a bright message and a theme and allows us to celebrate freedom. The word Hanukkah means rededication. And that was the story in 2000 BC that a group of people destroyed the temple. And when they destroyed the temple, the eternal flame, there was not enough oil for the flame to continue more than one day. But miraculously, it went on for eight days. We go by like Muslim, we go by the lunar calendar, so it's never the same day every year, but it usually ends up in December. For eight nights, we light the candles and we say a prayer. And we also very much in the theme of everything we do we always eat. So we are always eating during holidays, foods that symbolize something. But in Hanukkah, because of the oil, the oil from the temple that lasted for eight days. The foods that we generally eat our homemade potato pancakes, you know, in oil, and jelly doughnuts made an oil, very healthy. So a lot of gathering singing songs. Again, making it fun. But keeping the same of this light that lasted for eight days, how we were able to take back the temple and renew our faith.  Finally, you Vaughn Dixon shares about Kwanzaa. 09:21Beginning December 26, and lasting for seven days. Kwanzaa is a celebration of community, family and culture, established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African roots and heritage. And there are three official Kwanzaa colors. Black, red and green. There are seven candles, one Black Candle, three red candles, and three green candles. Each candle represents one of the seven principles guiding Kwanzaa they are placed in a mission Masaba in a specific order, each candle is lit on a specific day of Kwanzaa of the seven day celebration. The Black Candle the principal represents you Mojo, which means the concept of unity is a focus on the unity of family, community, nation and race. This candle is always lit first on the opening day of Kwanzaa of which again is the 26th of December, day two is collegia Gulia, which is self determination is the second principle. It represents defining, naming, creating, and speaking for oneself. This is the second candle lit on day three, which is you Jama. This is the third principle and is defined as collective work and responsibility. This encompasses building and maintaining the community by working together, taking on each other's problems and solving them together. This is the third candle. The fourth candle is the principle of cooperative economics, you Jama. This encompasses building and maintaining individually owned stores, shops, and other businesses. This goal is to profit from these endeavors as a community so we're talking about socio economics and the community. This is the fourth candle lit. 11:34There are three green candles, each representing a specific principle. These candles are placed on the right of the Black Candle, and the last ones that are lit on day five, which is Nia Nia. This is the principle of purpose and takes on the collective vocation of building the community and developing it as a way to restore African Americans and pan Americans to their traditional greatness. This is the fifth candle that is lit on day six, which is Khumba KUUM. Ba this candle celebrates the principle of creativity. The goal of this principle is to do everything possible to make a difference and leave the community in better condition than what was inherited. This is the sixth candle that is lit. And finally on day seven, you Imani? I am a ni Imani. This is the crucible of faith. It challenges people to believe in each other and honor their struggle as righteous and that they'll be victorious. This is the last candle to be lit. All seven candles are lit on this particular day. 12:59Thanks for listening to mosaic your podcasts for diversity, inclusion and equity and Novant Health. Stay tuned for our next exciting episode.

The Dedication to Theophilus 1Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.[b] Gabriel Predicts Johns Birth 5In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijahs divisionnamed Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both were righteous in Gods sight, living without blameaccording to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. 8When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.12When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 13But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer.He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mothers womb. 16He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people. 18How can I know this? Zechariah asked the angel. For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years. 19The angel answered him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God,and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time. 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. 23When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. 24After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.

Unknown 0:16Good afternoon, everybody. It is Friday, October 15. Then we have, we're going to discuss the weather synopsis for the United States.Unknown 0:25We're going to start off there's four different air masses that are influencing our country at big time. Let's start off with number one high pressure systems situated over Georgia this afternoon, we'll be continuing to move south east right off of the coast by tomorrow morning. This high pressure system is pumping a South flow of warm and even humid air off the east coast bringing well above normal temperatures. In fact, this is unseasonably warm heat, double In fact, this is a late summer season weather pattern that's happening on the East Coast today. Temperatures might be breaking records south of the Mid Atlantic area, perhaps in North Carolina or South Carolina. But when you go up further north records probably will not be broken but it will be warm. With high temperatures in Baltimore, mid May be Upper 80s, Washington DC, mid 80s. Philadelphia, probably low 80s. And tomorrow, we're even going to continue to see temperatures probably low 80s for Baltimore, even 80 degrees for Philadelphia tomorrow, but as seabreeze will develop in Atlantic City highs only in the mid 70s. Let's go back to today because I just want to know what is the audience feel? What What do you feel about temperatures being in the 80s? Those on the East Coast?Unknown 1:45It's like late summer it's like not too hot, but it's just amazing. What do you guys feel? That is complainer response? That's what I thought because that's what I would feel. It's alrea for sure. But you know, in Baltimore I want to know, oh, this isUnknown 2:13but how do you guys feel in Baltimore over the fact that it's almost going to be warm enough to break a record? but not quite. Yeah, I love breaking records. And that's just too bad that we don't get to break a record. But it's gonna be warm as we said, nonetheless. I want everybody to realize the following this is a very unique in the Chicago Tribune. It said the cold this temperature yesterday was eight degrees and it occurred. I get ready for this. Get ready for this one. It occurred 37 miles south east of this little town in Utah. The newspaper I don't remember. But the newspaper mentions the little town. Now I want to know. Like if it's if it reached if the warmest temperature. Yesterday was in St. Louis, with the newspapers say the warmest temperature was 300 miles southwest of Chicago, Illinois. It would just say the actual town. So why does it say 37 miles south east? Why would it do that? Again, no wouldn't do that by Chicago or St. Louis. Why would it do that then? Isn't that strange? That really is strange. That needs a tremendous explanation. Where who has this weather station isn't someone's on someone's roof? Like what? Where is it? What How come this place doesn't have the name of a town. The Chicago Sun Times agrees but the temperature the coldest temperature in the US was eight degrees. But it says it wasn't body Park, California. They actually have some clarity. I know it's so nice to have clarity. But you know what is nice to do is to have clarity. It's so awesome to have humor to have humor that Chicago Tribune 37 miles Don't you want to check that requires like an investigation and I hope you're listening to the instruments in the background because you know, it's definitely requires an investigation and those that those instruments the experience over here, don't they? Now let's go ahead and pull ahead with the warmest temperature in the US now that we mentioned the coldest the warmest temperature was in Falcon Lake, Texas once again. Falcon Lake Texas with a high temperatureUnknown 4:58of I completely forgot what the high temperature was. I think it was 102 degrees. If it was 102, what is the audience feel about that? About a being 102?Unknown 5:24No response. No response, I guess why should that get a response anyways, it was just it was 102 degrees. That's maybe wasn't under into, but I'm pretty sure it was. As again, we have that unseasonally warm air on the East Coast chances of showers and thunderstorms off in the southeast part of this country, especially Florida. Periodic showers also up in the New England area, higher chances occur in the western parts of the area. But by tomorrow, we're going to see showers and thunderstorms develop all across the East Coast. However, the instability is not as intense as it usually is when a vigorous cold front goes by. But nonetheless, rain and possibly even heavy could occur. That's what's going on today, we have a strong storm system located off in the East Central Illinois. And that storm system has a barometric pressure of 29.7, it's going to be moving to just north of Cleveland, today, it's going to be strengthening to 29.5 as it does, and then continue into southern Ontario, into Canada, strengthening to 29.3, that's actually considered rapid intensification of a storm system. I know I also love it when storms intensify so rapidly, that's just I definitely love it when it does that. So I'm glad the crowd agrees in the on that along the storm system along the way. associated with the storm system, we have a cold front going all the way down into South Texas temperatures ahead of the front or in the 90s in Houston, Texas. But most areas are in the 80s for the southern part of the US ahead of the front and the 70s. When you head to the northern parts of the United States ahead of the front, behind the front, we have temperatures in the 50s for the northern half of the US in the 60s for the southern half. But then you when you go down into Texas temperatures are in the 70s. So it's certainly a 20 degree difference. But heading to the front and behind the front. The one of these articles pointed out that people should be on the lookout for the heavy rains associated with this fun and storm system. Especially because waterlogged trees, waterlogged trees. I know who's ever heard of this waterlogged trees might may fall on powerlines. And people may use lose electricity. I've heard of snow covered trees falling, especially with leaves. I've heard of wind blowing down trees or tornadoes, but waterlogged trees falling down on the powerlines. I hope the audience is not laughing at the fact that people are going to be losing power. Because that, I mean, what is the audience feel about that? Thank God, so I still have people with sensitivity in my audience. That's wonderful weather enthusiasts with sensitive sensitivity. It's just the waterlogged the trees. I'mUnknown 8:49not even sure exactly who were laughing at. I don't know if we're laughing at but something's funny. IUnknown 8:57just don't know what, in any case. Okay. In any case, that's really what they're saying. People should be careful about that. Is that one of the results of climate change that we're seeing an increase of waterlogged trees over the years.Unknown 9:20Now, I don't really mean to make fun of climate change. It's just it's just something other people do. So I decided to do it. But it's funny nonetheless, even you know, you could take climate change seriously no issue with that at all. We could have spoken about that on different podcasts. In any case. Moving right along over here. We have the this is a good one. Actually. When you go into Indiana in places to the east, this Storm Prediction Center has put those areas in a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms. That means a 10% chance for severe weather within a 25 mile radius. The only problem is the National Weather Service says they really don't know if there's enough instability to even produce a storm. So there's very little chance for a thunderstorm, chances of a severe weather are higher than a thunderstorm. That's just impossible. So let's just assume there's a 10% chance for both. But I don't really think that's true either. It's probably there's probably just people are expressing their chances differently. And that's perhaps what's going on over here. But the moving Okay, we covered the East Coast we covered in the system here in the US. Let's go over now to the west coast and discuss the developing situation over in Los Angeles. Santa Ana winds are developing perhaps because of a high pressure system located on the border of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. That high pressure system is going to be moving into Texas tomorrow, but let's stay focused on to the list.This transcript was generated by https://otter.ai

Luke 5:17-20Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/my/profile)

This week we discuss sin and behavior modification (temporary change) vs. lasting heart change. Habitual sin patterns (like porn addiction) can paralyze us and keep Christian's ineffective and paralyzed. We explore how we can go from superficial apologies to a true desire for lasting heart change by going to going to God, who can provide the desire and heart transformation that frees us.   NOTES: •This Weeks Whiskey: Bainbridge Distillery - 100 proof Whiskey Forty Saloon bourbon (super tasty!) •This Weeks Cigars: My Father Cigars - https://myfathercigars.com  •First recording in about 1 month - Christian H. talks a little about his 2 weeks Annual Training for the Army National Guard in Salt Lake City & Christian B. teases out how his family vacation did not go as planned and we will talk about that on the next episode. •This topic came about after Christian B. wrote the Blog Post, “I'm Sorry, But I'm Not Sorry”: manipulation masquerading as humility and repentance - https://www.buriencounseling.com/blog/june-27th-2021 •How does change happen? •Why do so many people struggle to implement lasting change and not fall back into destructive behavior •What motivates change? Simply being sorry we got caught (not actually sorry that we hurt someone else)? or a Deep sorrow for our sin and it's wounding effects, driving us to our knees in repentance and true desire to seek God and the lasting change he has for us? •If we are truly "sorry", would we continue doing the same thing over and over and over again (like our kids do)? •Does habitual sin happen to us... or are we active participants in pursuing that sin? •Do we really want to change and leave behind our sin and be transformed by the Holy Spirit. •Romans 7:15 - Paul talks about doing the things he doesn't want to do as a slave to sin... 15For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. •We can not both be the cause of our issues and sin, and the solution to it (We need Jesus and a power that comes from outside of ourselves (see Episode 021 on Self-love) •Christian B. sees a lot of situations where people are trying to put a new "paint job" on the outside but are still broken and un-changed on the inside. •When thinking of habitual and on-going sin that ensnares men, the obvious issue that comes up is often masturbation and pornography. •It's not the action that makes us sinners. If we aren't masterbating or looking at porn but our heart is full of lust and we want to and are making plans to do those things... we are still slaves to that sin desire. •We need to think vertically of our sin and how it hurts not just us and those around us but most importantly, hurts God and our relationship with Him.  •Our sin should grieve us and we should pray Psalms 139 to ask God to help reveal our heart to us. •It's only our reliance and dependance on God (through prayer and regular time in the Bible) that will change our hearts desires and therefore our long-term actions and behavior and free us from our habitual sin and desires for sin. •To have real "heart change" engages the why behind what's causing the destructive behavior and not just the behavioral symptom of what's going on inside the heart. •Contrition, Confession & Repentance should be a regular rhythm in a Christian's life. •What do you do when we know we need to repent but don't want to...? Are we ok being not in control and feeling "weak" not being the one able to fix the situation?  •We are called to be dependent on God.   Call To Action:  Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/the_old_fashion_dad_podcast/) & Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/oldfashiondadpodcast/) for more content & DM us to connect! Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/old-fashion-dad-podcast/id1513254208) or your favorite podcast app. 

Hi! Welcome back to the Owning Your Sexual Self podcast with your host; Rachel Maine. Today's topic is brought up a lot, exciters & blockers. Exciters and blockers refer to our turn-ons and turn-offs.Think: What things in your life need to be done in order for you to be turned on?What smells can you associate with pleasure?*Your brain is the most important sex organ!*Our pleasure is our responsibilityRate these Inhibitors (Turn offs/blockers) on a scale of 0-4 *0 not at all like me 1 not much like me 2 somewhat like me 3 a lot like me 4 exactly like me*1. Sometimes I have so many worries that I am unable to get aroused2. If I think that I am being used sexually it completely turns me off3. If I am uncertain about how my partner feels for me it is hard to get aroused4. If I am worried about taking too long to get aroused or orgasm, this can interfere with my arousal.5. Sometimes I feel so shy or self-conscious during sex that I can't become fully aroused.What is your score? __/20Rate these Inhibitors (Turn ons/exciters) on a scale of 0-4*0 not at all like me 1 not much like me 2 somewhat like me 3 a lot like me 4 exactly like me*1. Seeing a partner doing something that shows their talents or intelligence or watching them interact well with others can make me very sexually aroused.2. When I think of someone I find sexually attractive or fantasize about I easily become sexually aroused 3. If it is possible someone might see or hear us having sex it is more difficult to become aroused(Scale: 4 not at all like me 3 not much like me 2 somewhat like me 1 a lot like me 0 exactly like me)4. If I am very sexually attracted to someone I don't need to be in a relationship with that person to become sexually aroused5. I think about sex a lot when I am boredWhat is your score? __/20Now you can determine what you are low & high in for exciters and blockers.0-6- Low breaks7-13- Medium breaks14-20- High breaks*More than half of the people score in the middle for both exciters and blockers.We often think it's what goes on in-between our legs but it's not! It's about what goes on in our brains!

Guest host Jensen Holt McNair shares her memories growing up as a Christian, and how easy it is to become numb to the power of the Bible. Do you follow us on https://twitter.com/tmbtpodcast (Twitter)? Now's a great time to start: https://twitter.com/tmbtpodcast (@tmbtpodcast). Want to follow https://twitter.com/PatrickKMiller_ (Patrick) or https://twitter.com/KeithSimon_ (Keith)? Check them out here: https://twitter.com/PatrickKMiller_ (PatrickKMiller_) & https://my.captivate.fm/Do%20you%20follow%20us%20on%20Twitter?%20Now%27s%20a%20great%20time%20to%20start:%20@tmbtpodcast.%20%20%20Want%20to%20follow%20Patrick%20or%20Keith?%20%20Check%20them%20out%20here:%20PatrickKMiller_%20&%20https://twitter.com/KeithSimon_ (KeithSimon_) Support this podcast

We know to trust Jesus with our salvation, but should we give him more than that? Keith shares his all-time favorite Bible verse, and how it’s changed his life. Do you follow us on https://twitter.com/tmbtpodcast (Twitter)? Now's a great time to start: https://twitter.com/tmbtpodcast (@tmbtpodcast). Want to follow https://twitter.com/PatrickKMiller_ (Patrick) or https://twitter.com/KeithSimon_ (Keith)? Check them out here: https://twitter.com/PatrickKMiller_ (PatrickKMiller). & https://my.captivate.fm/Do%20you%20follow%20us%20on%20Twitter?%20Now%27s%20a%20great%20time%20to%20start:%20@tmbtpodcast.%20%20%20Want%20to%20follow%20Patrick%20or%20Keith?%20%20Check%20them%20out%20here:%20PatrickKMiller_%20&%20https://twitter.com/KeithSimon_ (KeithSimon). Support this podcast

Are we cosmic accidents? DNA propagation machines? Do love and hate, good and evil, or justice and injustice have any real meaning? Patrick opens our new series “My Favorite Verses” by exploring his battle with depression, and the existential breaking point that almost took his life. Do you follow us on https://twitter.com/tmbtpodcast (Twitter)? Now's a great time to start: https://twitter.com/tmbtpodcast (@tmbtpodcast). Want to follow https://twitter.com/PatrickKMiller_ (Patrick) or https://twitter.com/KeithSimon_ (Keith)? Check them out here: https://twitter.com/PatrickKMiller_ (PatrickKMiller_) & https://my.captivate.fm/Do%20you%20follow%20us%20on%20Twitter?%20Now%27s%20a%20great%20time%20to%20start:%20@tmbtpodcast.%20%20%20Want%20to%20follow%20Patrick%20or%20Keith?%20%20Check%20them%20out%20here:%20PatrickKMiller_%20&%20https://twitter.com/KeithSimon_ (KeithSimon_) Support this podcast

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission Romans 7:14-25 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. NOTE: Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin. The Believer’s Battle, Part 2 — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.Romans 7:14-25Sermon Series: Romans (48th sermon) March 28, 2021DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions1. Why can we never take a vacation from our battle with sin?2. What does Ephesians 2:1-3 teach us about our enemy within?3. How does v. 22 show that this passage is referring to a Christian’s experience? What does Paul mean by the “inner being”?4. How does v. 24 illustrate what it means for us to be “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3)?5. How does this passage prepare us for celebrating Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday?6. What does it look like to “serve the law of God with my mind” (v. 25)? Discuss the work of the Spirit.References: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 1:14-15; Psalm 1; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 3:16; Romans 6:12-13; Ephesians 6:10; John 15:5; Matthew 5:3; Galatians 5:17; Romans 8:10-11, 23; 1 Corinthians 15:53, 56-57; Galatians 5:16.

Cities and states are beginning to decriminalize polygamy and recognize it as a union. Last week, Andrew Solomon wrote a https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/03/22/how-polyamorists-and-polygamists-are-challenging-family-norms (long piece in The New Yorker) normalizing polyamory by telling real-life stories. What does the Bible say about polygamy? How should Christians respond? We explore the cultural genealogy that brought us to this point and explain why there is no hope to turn back. Christians should focus less on preserving existing laws, and more on living faithfully in order to show a better story with their lives. Do you follow us on https://twitter.com/tmbtpodcast (Twitter)? Now's a great time to start: https://twitter.com/tmbtpodcast (@tmbtpodcast). Want to follow https://twitter.com/PatrickKMiller_ (Patrick) or https://twitter.com/KeithSimon_ (Keith)? Check them out here: https://twitter.com/PatrickKMiller_ (PatrickKMiller_) & https://my.captivate.fm/Do%20you%20follow%20us%20on%20Twitter?%20Now%27s%20a%20great%20time%20to%20start:%20@tmbtpodcast.%20%20%20Want%20to%20follow%20Patrick%20or%20Keith?%20%20Check%20them%20out%20here:%20PatrickKMiller_%20&%20https://twitter.com/KeithSimon_ (KeithSimon_) Support this podcast

 Episode 13SPEAKERSRuby, Lindsay Lindsay  00:00I'm Lindsay Mustain, and this is the career design podcast made for driven ambitious square pegs and round holes type professionals who see things differently and challenge the status quo. We obliterate obstacles and unlock hidden pathways to overcome and succeed where others have not stagnation feels like death. And we are unwilling to compromise our integrity and settle for being average in any way. We are the backbone of any successful business and those who overlook our potential are doomed to a slow demise. We do work that truly matters aligns with our purpose, and in turn, we make our lasting mark on the world. We are the dreamers, doers, legends, and visionaries who are called to make our most meaningful contribution and love what we do. Lindsay 00:42I'm so excited that you are here. Lindsay 00:48I just gotta say, Ruby, I asked Ruby to be on here after getting to hear her talk about some pieces here. And we want to talk a little bit about a few things today. I want to talk about the concept of career power and the quadrants around those four quadrants inside of career power. And ultimately, how do you balance career power and work-life balance? So that you, how do you how do you do those two things? And then how do you move the needle? And why you're looking for answers in the wrong place? And then how do you get really intentional around career design? Now, I want to start Ruby, why don't you just tell me a little bit about who you are. Because I'm gonna tell you what, I see Ruby's content on anything, I'm just blown away, which is why I was like, please, please, please come here and, and sit with me and talk. Let's talk about this. And she does talk for Women's Day. It was on Women's Day, right? I was like, I'm pretty sure I was gonna say unless I'm making things up. That really blew us away all of us inside a tele paradigm, which is why we decided to say tap your shoulder and say, Come here and share your genius with us. So tell me, tell me a little bit about yourself and your background. And why did they ask you to talk about this on women's day?  Ruby  02:00Yeah, so well, thanks for having me here. I'm super excited. And I've been a huge fan of yours for so long. I just really honored and privileged to be here today. So a little about me, I spent most of my career in corporate I spent about 15 years in corporate doing sales roles, sales, training, sales enablement. And then what happened was I got laid off. And at that time, I had just completed a one-year coaching program. And I decided to shift gears a little bit, and develop myself as a coach. And so for the last about us, almost six years now I think I've been coaching and so I've worked with organizations, nonprofits, and then one on one coaching, specifically, mostly, I would say, for women who are purpose-driven, transitioning, and really are just looking for the next step, they know that there's something more out there for them. I'm also a mom and I have two boys. And so we're kind of juggling. As we talk about work-life balance, we're kind of juggling a lot right now with remote learning and you know, working from home, and then just managing all the other, you know, bits and pieces that come up in life.  Lindsay 03:12Goodness, yes, I feel like this last year has been quite a test of either our patience and resiliency in both parenting and managing our careers. And a shout out to all of those that are out there that are managing this as a parent, whether male or female. But I definitely have noticed in the mom front that that is there's been a lot of energy. And that's, that's taken a lot of time. In fact, I will say that on my own, I've neglected a lot of self-care. And I think it's so important, especially now because you can't ever expect anyone to put you first if you don't put yourself first right like really that truly has to happen. If you want somebody to see the value in you, you have to be willing to put up self-care practice and it's not taking a bubble bath. I really used to think that for a while I was like, Oh, I get you to know, I get a pedicure, and I take a bubble bath and that or have a glass of wine, which I don't even know that really counts. But that's not really true self-care. Tell me how do you define self-care? What is your what's your philosophy around that?  Ruby 04:12Yeah, I always kind of laugh when I hear bath. I mean, that's just basic hygiene, right? Lindsay  04:20Now and I love it if I'm really honest. So Ruby  04:24I think you know, the whole work-life balance conversation, I feel like it's the wrong one that we're having. I think most people think about work-life balance in terms of, you know, how, how do they manage it like, it's almost like a tug of war. It's like this tension between your work and your life. And in a game like a tug of war. There's always a loser, right? There's always a loser. And I think that's how a lot of people feel when they're trying to manage all the different parts of their life. And so I think that the conversation that we could be getting in and I think what really excites me is the one about like, how do you make your life work for you? Right? So it's a, it's at a different level. It's a bigger conversation. This is about intentionality. It's about values. It's about priorities. It's about choices. And what kind of choices are you making in alignment with how you want to live? You know, and I think it's also bringing in purpose like, what is your purpose? How does that feed into your work? How does that show up everywhere you go, Lindsay  05:28Rich's saying he loves Ruby's energy. I'm gonna say hi to Rick and Richard and rich here. And guys, if you are watching, please, please say hi, Yvonne is here. And he says work-life blend and integration is key. I love that integration. I think when people are like one has to win or the other. It's kind of like a work-life balance. There's no such thing. Like if you're carrying a phone around in your pocket, guess what, you probably have your email on your phone, which means that you are working all the time. So you really have to choose how to integrate the two. And I think this last year has definitely been an experience and that and some of it has, I've definitely learned a lot. What do you think are some of the things that you would say, in prioritizing that self-care idea, and I say it's a practice because it's never gonna be perfect. It's always great being continuing. And it's not just one thing. Like Bree asked me, she's like, what are you doing for three hours and your self-care practice? And she would say like that I'm adding it for my effect, but I'm like, let me walk you through what I do. Because in order for me to be willing to fight and win at the end of the day, especially to be able to give back to my kids. I needed some self-care. So what would you say are some of the things that you've learned in the last year?Ruby 06:40I think it goes to priorities. I think that's what I've learned. I've learned that work-life balance it, that it's work life integration, and I love that. Vaughn brought that up. That's the word that I always use is is really about integration, right? It's about designing. It's about intentionality. And so I think what I've done is really look at like, I've had to reshift I just had to reshift things I've had to manage my expectations. I think that's a huge part of this work. Life integration is like managing expectations, having boundaries, saying no, I think, you know, it's, it's definitely different, because we're cooped up. And so, you know, we're attached to our computers and our cell phones all the time. So we have to be intentional about shutting things down. You know, if you have an office door that you can shut, it's like, when you're done with your work, you shut the door, and you don't go back in taking breaks, getting outside and getting fresh air. So I think there are a lot of ways that we can do that. I feel like that's what I've had to do is, is just kind of shift expectations, not just for myself, but even as a single mom with kids, shifting their expectations of how things are going to go because we all have to work together a little more, now that we're all at home.Lindsay 07:51So true, I always like to say with my clients Come as you are, and that might be in your pajamas. And I might mean your children interrupt us seven times, which are normal in some cases of mine. Because really, we have to understand and embrace that people are human first. And I think that's one of the biggest failings that we make as leaders and leaders of large companies is that we seem to think people are there that use drones or clones that they can come in, and they just produce work. And we forget that they have a reason for being there, which is their family, their life at the end of the day. And that's their priority. That's why they work. And that has to be something that we honor for them as well and allows them the space to be human. And that I think has been a huge lesson that there's a lot of things in the pandemic that has not really been great lessons, but that one I think was a really big gift that was given to us.  Ruby 08:40Yeah, and I love what you say about being human rights because I think as leaders we have an opportunity to really set the tone that we are human beings we're not human doings we're human being's rights. Lindsay  08:56I love this being said, is learning to say no means riches, saying that means that you can say yes to things that are important. Yeah. True. Whenever you're saying yes to something you are immediately saying no to something else because we are more limited by the constraints of our time. Now I do believe that time can expand and contract. If you've ever a little bit of science Einstein says about relativities like if you sit with a pretty woman that that can seem like an hour seemed like five minutes or if you sit on a hot stove 10 seconds can feel like 10 hours. So that same idea I think is really big here as well. I do want to talk a little bit about kind of the quadrants around career power because a lot of this the intentionality, when we talk about intentional career design, which is what tells what I really specialize in, is how do we create our best possible life the best possible outcomes, our highest level dreams and without any of the conditioning that society has given us about what we should do or who we should be or, or what your if you do this, then this is all you'll get. We have a lot of conditioning that happens in there. And I want always To think about the ascension to your highest self, what you really truly came to do in your time here on this planet, like what is it that your calling is meant to be. And that calling is what we talked about his career power. And career power for us really divides into four quadrants. And the very first part of it is passion. Passion is so very important for you to understand because what when people, when they get to the place where they're really sick, and they can't even go to work, they're so their energy is absolutely drained. And then like you have, you've heard, like, go home, kick the dog, yell at your wife, whatever. That is a place when we are not aligned into power and to our passion. Now, there I have passions, too, that is not necessarily something that I'm going to monetize as a career. Like, I would love to pet puppies and kittens all day, I actually joked a little bit of Ruby, I was like, I think I could do that if we just said, like I was actually going to the part of the package was that you were going to also get while you coached with me. And that could be a way where I could actually use it. And that's just a creative idea of where I was like, here's how, where we sometimes think about things and we're like, oh, that's a self-limiting belief. But our passions, we really need to understand what is it that energizes us what gives us energy, because when we're in a place where energy is unlimited, and abundance, that's where we manifest from, that's where we can create our own reality. And I say intentional career design because the only person who can really truly decide what they want in their career and choose to go after it is you you can't wait for your spouse, you can't wait for me, you can't wait for the recruiter or the hiring manager or your company or your boss. To do this for you, you really have to understand what you want. Otherwise, your vehicle as a career and you're in the passenger seat, you're letting somebody else drive and it's not one of those Tesla's that's driving on its own. It's, it's somebody else's driving that career. And it's why we get disappointed and burned out, we literally run out of our gas, because we forget to go to a place of power, so and that that's really around passion. The second quadrant is about purpose, okay. And so the purpose is when we tap into the idea that we take everything that we've experienced in our life, everything that we've actually had to happen to us. And we use that and all the skills and all the knowledge, skills, abilities, and strengths and the things that we've learned both personally and professionally. And we realize we've been tapped literally some sort of tap on our shoulder to make a larger contribution, we've been tapped to do something that means something bigger. And I'm going to say the likelihood of people ascending to this level, it's a higher level of the hierarchy of needs is kind of the idea of after we've reached the level of esteem and go Google this if you haven't seen it, but we look for beauty, and that's really the place where we get into purpose is when we start to look for purpose, and we choose to move into like a self-actualization model. And the understanding purpose is that there is something likely that you can tie a string through from the very beginning of your life until now, there's been a theme, there's been something that's happened to you over and over and over again, where you become the very best at one, something that's really one thing. And you might be multifaceted. So I don't want to exclude that you might have a lot of facts, most of our high potential people that are multi-passionate, and that's actually a good thing. But it just tracks from getting into purpose, because they can't pick what they're supposed to do. But there is a string. And that's what I talked about intentional career design is aligning passion into that place of purpose, where this is actually where I create easily, and I do something that allows me to make my greatest contribution. And that's the place where we get into purpose. Okay. Now, if you can get to that point, that's pretty freak in fantastic. Okay, that's pretty fantastic. After that, then this is where we got really into the transcendence model of going into what is self-actualization really looked like in the last two promotions. The last third part is the pursuit of it. And this is where people get really confused because they're waiting for something like a sign from the universe, like, Hey, this is what you're supposed to do. So I think I said something today, that will make sense. If you are looking for an answer from somebody else, you will never get it. And you'll never get the right answer. If you do, okay, and you know this because you can check in right now. And think about all the stories that somebody has told you about who you are, or what you should do, and how that did not work out for you, and how that eliminated your passion, it eliminated your ambition, it's made you play small, it made you fearful. Those things I want you to think about that and I want you to turn inside and go. The answer is really truly in me of where I want to go. The pursuit of it. It comes through a very deliberate process of what we really call the ascension into career power. And it goes through several different milestones. So like when I think about this, I'm talking about how do we talk about how do you be in the business of you how to be in the business. Ruby eight, right? What is it that we need to do to market ourselves to take care of ourselves? Those are the beginning Foundation, actually, the very, very first one is that one, you have to believe you're worth it. And the second one is you have to really take action to invest in yourself as a self-care practice. So that's why I say like the pursuit, in order to do the pursuit, self-care has to come first. If you do not take care of yourself, how can anybody ever expect a return from the investment they will make on you, you will burn out. So if you think about it like a million-dollar racehorse, I'm going to quote Myron golden here who is an amazing mindset coach. He says, What do you see them feeding them? Do you think they get off days? Do you think they get places where we've got like, say, like, go get a big back like, no, this horse is being every day, it has a regiment of rest of nutrition, of hydration, of training of exercise, that is the beginning of the pursuit into the ascension of career power? So the rest of it comes through things like building your narrative around your career, understanding what's most marketable about you, understanding who to connect to, and how to really sell yourself at the highest level so that in turn, people see you as something that they can invest in and see a massive return on investment. That's the truth. And that's the last part, which is profitability. And how you do that is by becoming the candidate choice, or what we call a purple squirrel. Those are the four quadrants of career power. And that's really where it comes in. Because the foundation of self-care and self-care practice, not not, not one time, this is an ongoing thing. That's where we really get to the place where we recognize our true value. Because until we recognize it, no one else can actually see it for you. Ruby  16:40Yeah, and I think one of the things I love that you say is, it's really about who we're being. So it's like, who do I need to be in order to create the results and the outcome? And the life that I want? Lindsay  16:53Yes, who do I need it? Oh, my gosh, I love that to create the outcome that I want. This is where people are like, I want to do this. And I'm like, are you investing time and money into building yourself up? I was like if you want somebody to invest time and money to building you, you got to do it first. Okay. And so I've always say like, if you want to nickel your diamond way through life, then that's what people are going to return to you because we embody the energy of what we believe about ourselves. So if you think, okay, I can't afford to do this, or I don't have the time to do this, then guess what nobody can be able to afford you or have time for you. That really actually how is how it resonates and how it manifests and energy out in the world. And you can tell this when you're like, Okay, I feel frenetic, I feel anxious, I'm, I come into an interview, and I'm desperate for the result. And they're like, I don't know about this at all. Like, I'm not sure at all about who you are what you have to offer, versus a place where you're powerful. And you say you know what, and we call this being an F with a bowl, I'm not gonna say it because there are some requirements around LinkedIn live. But that phrase is what really, really resonates is that I am in charge of me, I'm the Sovereign of me, I get to choose what I experienced, I get to choose what I allow, I choose what I tolerate, I choose what I design, and that you're not playing a victim in your life. And this is I'm going to say that I fell victim to that a lot of my life, I felt like everybody else controls. And then when I finally understood that I was the one who created everything that I am not a product of my conditions. But I am a product of my decisions. Life really started working for me and everything about you up until this point, even if you felt like you've been limited and kept small. It was a necessary part of your path so that you can hear me now to say it's time to step into your power. So saying that Ruby, what do you think you would give some pieces of advice around how do you get into that intentionality? How do you get into that place where you feel your power so that you can be the thing that people seek out and desire?Ruby 18:54Yeah, I think, you know, what is it? I think these are very simple exercises. I think sometimes we overcomplicate it, but I actually think it's really simple. We just need the space is what it is we need space, and to be able to actually think about these things. So I think one thing is writing down what are your values just actually on a piece of paper writing down a list of what are the things that are most important to you? Another thing is like thinking about what value what are the values that you have, right and looking at that list, and then thinking about and then kind of comparing it to how you're spending your day? Like are you spending your time according to your values? So I think it's a lot of self-awareness that needs to go on and really taking a look at within and then it's what needs to shift right. So once you start to see patterns when once you start to see identify areas that are gaps, what needs to shift, what do you need to say no to what you know, how do you need to reset expectations? And so you just go back to that being is like okay if this is the life that I really want, you know, who do I need to be to produce that? And? And what a person that gets that type of results? What would they be doing? How would they be showing up in the world? How would they be managing their time?  Lindsay 20:13Oh, I love that so much. I think one of the things that a lot of people who follow me know that my brother was murdered in 2019. And it's hard to find any kind of reason for this. But one of the things that my gift of my brother's passing gave me was a complete evaluation of what I was really doing. And you know, what I was doing is I was hustling, I was hustling, I was hustling, I was hustling. I was trying, I was saying this was for my kids and what I was doing not spending any time with my kids. I was not doing the work of what I said was most important. And a lot of times when we're looking at how do we get into purpose, we say, Oh, this is what I want to be, but our actions and what we choose and you choose it, okay, like you're choosing to watch Game of Thrones or not, okay? Like you choose whether or not those actions actually align with what you said your value is. And so that that is I love that thought is that how do I embody the person? I also like to say, think about what you want to be like, if you were to imagine without any of the BS that you have integrated into your mind from people like your family, your spouse, your people who you've worked with your bosses, your leadership, if all those things and said what is it that I really want to do? Like, I wanted to be a CEO, I get done. Okay, done. I had to create it myself. I didn't wait for anybody to do it for me. So but what is it that at the very highest level? Because a little girl who was homeless from Missouri shouldn't be able to do that? Right? Like, that's a false belief. That's why I'm asking you to check it. What is it that you want to do? Okay, now that you have that in your mind, go and the backward planet? If I want to be this, who do I need to be today? Who do I need to show up and be right now and it's a very deliberate decision. I love this. Ruby says persona power Also, I want to give a little shout out to Brian who said, I'm he said sorry to sound old, please don't ever apologize for being experienced in the world that brings something very valuable to the table plus, we love Brian. So um, it's we have to be more engaged in this and, and life is very different than it was like and then when I think about my dad who worked for the same company for 20 years, like that was a point of pride today that will get you penalized. You need to really continue to be in the business again of Lindsay Inc, of whatever it is that you want to do. And objectively look at if I want to achieve this in my career, what steps Am I willing to make now that are going to create a better future, not what I should have done, and I talk a lot about shooting because shooting also starts with shame. And I'm gonna use the knock that stuff off, okay, because you're shitting. And what I have is a place of self-shame and guilt. And that energy that doesn't allow us to be at our highest self, the place where we really, truly can create the life that we want. We have to really start one self-care, self-care so important, but to calm that inner state so that we don't feel like we have chaos. We don't feel like we have chaos. I love this. Lindsey Craig, thank you so much, Richard, that means so much to me. But we don't want that chaotic environment should be reflected externally. Go ahead, I'm sorry, Ruby 23:20I'm just gonna say to you know, and we do talk about self-care a lot. And I think that's so important. But I also think there is a component that we don't talk about, and that's collective care. Community Care is what I call it. And this is what I have found so valuable in is finding communities that can support you, I know that it's been so helpful to me that when you are stuck, when you are in that spiral of shame, it's having people that are gonna back you up that are gonna say, I believe in you, you know, you might not see your greatness right now because you're feeling bad, but I see it and reflect that and that can be so powerful. And so I think that part of self-care is having are created if you don't have it, create it, find those people find the board of directors, but find your cheerleaders that are going to back you up during those difficult times. Because let's face it, we're all going to have those times where life happens. It gets hard, we're going to need someone to help lift us up and I get to do it for someone else too. Lindsay 24:14Yes, I don't pay it forward always right. In fact, I always like to say give before you plan to receive like if you always give with an open heart you tend to receive one of the things so I like to survey my clients and I ask them because we have such massive results for people I mean right now with the last quarter on average our folks and I want you to know there are people who are making massively more which is why it brings this number so high last year we did 53,000 it's around $98,000 more in additional salary somebody is getting and how that really happens. I asked like what was something that you got here that you had no idea you need it and it is always always always the community, the community because you are you have you ever you're like you're the summary of the five people who spend the most time. So you've got to be really careful. I mean, get your kids don't count because they're gonna be excited about Pikachu least minor. So, but there but what I mean is the people in your life are you surrounding yourself with people who inspire you to be better are you spending time with people who are literally detracting from your energy people who are telling you stories that are not, and I give you permission not that you need it because the person who needs to give you permission, it's inside of you to walk away from anything that doesn't serve you, that'd be the job. That means the boss that means the relationship that means whatever it is that holds you shackles because if it's guilting, or shaming you, that doesn't work and surround yourself with people who are going to love you. And I say love because love is our highest value here in the talent paradigm. And it's not with the corporate world would say like love is not the thing that we prioritize, we're like, we want to take care of our customers. And I'm like, that all comes from a place of love. Like if we all look at that, in that place of love. That's where we create a community that empowers one another and we call it the proximity of proximity power. So in success is by proximity, just by being around people who are more successful, they will uplevel you. So if you ever heard of like, if you're, if you're the smartest in the room, you're in the wrong room. I'm the only one in this room. So I guess I'm in the wrong room. But here is what do you do to up-level? Do you have any advice on that? Ruby  26:21I mean, I think always go back to self-care for one is, you know, are you taking care of yourself? Are you getting just the basics? Are you eating? Well? Are you sleeping? You know? Are you drinking enough water? Are you taking your vitamins? Are you getting outside? You know, are you moving? So I think that's definitely, you know, an area where you can look and then, you know, I do think it is about community what like, we are getting messages all the time, right through TV, radio, that people that we hang out with. And so it's just about, it's like pre-screening those right pre-screening those and it's like, What are you? What are you inviting into your space? So I think we need to be really thoughtful and intentional about what we allow into our space.Lindsay 27:04Yes, and, and being willing to say no, I was gonna tell you that I was very much trained, like as a Midwestern girl, say yes to everything, be sweet, Be kind, be quiet. None of those things really served me I like to be sweet and tight, I am not quiet and I am not. I will be a very disruptive force, a lot of things. But that allowing and tolerance of things I allow to things like, you know, I was raised, like, when somebody slaps you, you turn the other cheek. And, and we have to be, there's one thing about allowing somebody has a second chance, there's another thing about allowing somebody to take advantage of you. And so you have to recognize that there are people who are going to look to take advantage of what it is that you have to offer and the person you have to protect at all costs. If you want to protect anybody else in your life or serve anybody else in your life is you, you have to take care of yourself and nobody else is gonna be able to do that for you. Ruby 28: 00It's a great point. And in Latin culture, there's a saying that they say is the best give as much but Bonita muscaria Lita, which is you look more like you look prettier when you are quiet. And yeah, it's hard. It's horrible. It's absolutely horrible. And that is the thing is that like when girls grow up with that saying, and so, you know, we have to break those limiting beliefs. And we have to be able to speak up no is the shortest sentence it is the most powerful. Lindsay 28:30Yes. And then the other one will be as I am. I am I am. Yeah. When you declare who you are? Yeah, yes. To be like out like that. And I also want us like I'm in this is my call to anyone who's listening. What stories are you telling the people in your life that you may not like I told my daughter to be quiet now you run she runs around screaming and is actually have the police called on us for being loud? So she does have to be a little bit quieter. But I think I know it's ridiculous. I'm like, you better believe I'm telling you this. at your wedding, I'm going to be telling this story. So um, but that part was like she, I have to realize like, the whole world is going to tell her that she is not beautiful, smart, capable, valuable, the whole world will tell her that. So right now you know what we build her up so strong that fortify her so that it will be unshakable, her founding. So the way we change in the future is by eliminating these stories, this collective consciousness the story of false belief. Thank you so much. Rich, you were so wonderful. Oh, yeah, it is. Ruby  29:37And it's great that you do that. And it's important that we do those things. I had an aunt that used to look in the mirror every morning, and she would tell herself She was beautiful when she'd kiss herself in the mirror. And I used to like laugh at that but actually think, Wow, that's really wonderful. yourself in that way, right? And we have to be careful of the stories that we tell ourselves because that doesn't limiters, we have to shout out those voices. And sometimes we've got to, we've got to rewrite the narrative. Just because something is said, and we hear that little voice does not mean that we have to listen to it.  Lindsay 30:11Yes, I love that. Well, if you were to give, I want to put some practice, like, What if you were to give somebody some action steps that they could take to increase their career power? By creating a self-care practice? What would be three things you would advise? Ruby  30:30Oh, three things I would advise for self-care practice. Define your boundaries. Define your boundaries. practice gratitude. Yes, practice gratitude. And then the third I'm going to say is alignment. So I'm going to find this as integrity. And the way that I'm going to find that is like do your intentions, your greatest and highest intentions, align with your speaking and your actions. So there are the three pieces your greatest intention, your actions, and your speaking, do do those align? Lindsay 31: 23Oh, I love it. And so notice that she didn't say okay, like go hydrate, go, exercise, go. And I would probably be what I would have defined it as. But what she taught is talking about and truly, is intentionality. And then when you do that, and you understand what it is, then you can take the actions because you know the answers of what you should be doing take the best care of you. I am going to give you a couple of pieces here of what you shouldn't neglect if you're in your actual activities. We call this the quad. And it's the bubble. And it stands for body-brain, belief, and love. So what are you doing to take care of your body? What are you doing to take care of your brain? What are you doing for your belief, especially relief yourself? And what are you doing out of love if you understand those four things, and take action in those areas, one for each one or multiples In my case, that will allow you to be your best self? So Ruby, thank you so much for joining me today. This is you are wonderful. Thanks so much to everybody who tuned in. I would love to know if you'll drop a comment. Tell me what you're going to implement. Tell me about what is what's important to you. From here. What resonated What are you going to implement in your next steps and what will you do to make it your best self ever? Alright everybody, see you soon we'll talk to me

"When you are talking about school turn-around, it is not about an I, it is about an us and a we..." - Dr. Derrick Love "Purpose" has become a popular topic, especially in the area of education. Dr. Derrick Love and George Couros talk about purpose and the importance of building trust which can lead to improving the performance of all learners within a school community. Links: Dr. Derrick Love Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drlovetalkshows/ Book Link: Your Greater is Right Now - https://www.amazon.com/Your-Greater-Right-Now-masterpiece-ebook/dp/B08LMWG5BM#:~:text=Your%20Greater%20is%20Now%20by,tools%20to%20actually%20achieve%20greater Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset. More at georgecouros.ca George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/ George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519 For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0 Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Hear how Dr. Derrick Love answers the questions that George Couros asks in this episode of Three Questions on Educators that Inspire! Dr. Love shares more about a teacher whose advice he still follows to this day! The two have a powerful conversation about the impact that teachers and administrators can have on others. Links: Dr. Derrick Love Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drlovetalkshows/ Book Link: Your Greater is Right Now - https://www.amazon.com/Your-Greater-Right-Now-masterpiece-ebook/dp/B08LMWG5BM#:~:text=Your%20Greater%20is%20Now%20by,tools%20to%20actually%20achieve%20greater Quotes: "Be patient. Take your time. Learn your craft."

“THAT” PRAYER - Ephesians Week 3 THAT expresses purpose, in this case the purpose for which he is bowing and interceding.Ephesians 3:14-21STRENGTHENED WITH POWER16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].STRENGTHENED Passive voice - Be Strengthened. Given Strength. Made Mighty That which is on the inside of you to get on the outside of you.Ability you didn’t have before. Dunamis - Dynamite - Dynamo. 2 Timothy 3:5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”1934 Pastor Martin Niemoller…GUARD Proverbs 18:10 - “The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower. The righteous run in and are safe.”Niemoller’s fear fell away, and the power of that verse sustained him through his trial and his years in Nazi Concentration camp. “INNER MAN” You Are a Tripartite Being. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 2 Corinthians 4:16 ROOTED IN LOVE 17and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, ROOTED… GROUNDED FARMING… BUILDING Psalm 1Parable Soils Mark 4 - Path - Birds, Rocky - Shallow Soil, Thorns - Choked, Good Soil - 30, 60, 100. Roots of tree the same size as limbs. Just as deep as is high. GROUNDED… Building Foundation. Parable Builders Matthew 7 - Rock - SandTemple Mount In Israel Foundation Stones...12’ high 14’ deep Bigger Bus ~ 600 Tons, 200 Elephants - 2 Jumbo Jets ~ Titus General ILLUS.1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.Earthquake Storms - Trials… Destroy… Both Greek Perfect Tense Verbs - a completed action which produced results which are still in effect all the way up to the present. LOVE Your love is...Deeper than my view of grace…Higher than this worldly place…Longer than this road I've traveled...Wider than the gap you fill.AGAPE… DO vs DONEHow Know Love Surpasses Knowledge? ALL THE SAINTS… EX: LOVED… BAPTISMthat you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him. - John Piper. Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live again. John 4:14

Have you been searching for God in your life for a while, and you feel like you haven't found Him yet? Have you given your life to Christ, but feel like things haven't gotten any better yet? This episode takes a look at what true surrender of your life looks like/giving your life completely to Christ, and what comes from that. Without further ado… LET'S DIVE IN! Proverbs 3:3-6 3Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Jeremiah 29:10-14 10This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Ephesians 3:14-21 (key verse: 20) 14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the LORD's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Random Country to Pray for Today: North Korea

Daily Meditation with Pr. SmeeThe Gospel Reading for the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany (Mark 1:14-20)Each weekday we will meditate on a prayer or a reading for the upcoming Sunday as assigned in the ELCA's hymnal.Mark 1:14-20Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.Go to www.treadweary.com for other articles, resources, videos, etc.

Disciple Up # 187 What About Repentance, Works & Salvation? By Louie Marsh, 11-25-2020   Intro. Happy Thanksgiving!   An E-mail comes in:   Hello louie this is josh again and I have been struggling to understand this topic that I have came apon concerning ones salvation. The topic is a few questions, are we saved in just believing in christ or Is repentance required for salvation? Roman's 10:9-13. In this passage Paul does not mention repentance as a need for salvation. Is believing enough or is there more we need to do to be saved? What got me thinking about this was this video I watched on this topic, which I would like for you to watch and see if what his is saying is right   Mike, holdingfirmly channel on YouTube If You Do Well Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAdqrvjUn0&feature=youtu.be   “The Great deception among most Professed Christians is they refuse to recognize that Patient Continuance in Doing Well is the determining factor on whether or not they will enter the Kingdom of God. They think Salvation is a Package deal, that once they 'receive Jesus forgiveness of past, present and future sins is assured and nothing they do or don't do from that point forward has any bearing on the outcome of their inheritance of eternal life. Under the 'not of works', collective reasoning 'doing well' may be a by-product of Faith, but its never a necessity in that 'NOT doing well will disqualify them form the Kingdom.”   Mistakes – “he told Cain to do well which he wouldn't have done if he had a sin nature.” BUT Jesus regularly told people who were fallen to “go and sin not.” Plus later he says the whole structure of the Scriptures is God telling us to do well, but that contradicts which said about Cain.   “God expects an increase of His grace.”  What does that even mean? How can you or I increase God's grace since that comes from him and is a part of him?   This is based on a misunderstanding of the Old Testament Covenants (yes, there were more than one) and the New Testament covenant of Jesus.   He only quotes part of this passage and then concludes that the disciples were able to deal with sin –   “21And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”” (Matthew 20:21–23, ESV)   - when the passage proves the opposite! Great example of Is eisegesis – forming an opinion and then forcing it upon the text.   This man cannot properly interpret Scripture.   He either doesn't know about or ignores one of the primary rules of interpretation of Scripture which is: You interpret the Old Testament in light of the New Testament. Not the other way around, which is what he does.   He points out that in the OT you had to work to be saved or in the kingdom, then he quotes Jesus to support this (mangling His words as seen above) and then concludes he's right. He forgets or ignores that Jesus lived under the Old Covenant and spoke to people who lived under it too!   It's not till He rises from the grave that the New Covenant takes effect.   They FAILED when they betrayed Christ!   I'm not saying he's bad or evil or is deliberately trying to mislead. I am saying he's wrong, woefully wrong and in a way that anyone who's taken even ONE class on how to interpret the Bible ought to be able to see.   Josh's Questions:   Are we saved in just believing in Christ or Is repentance required for salvation? Roman's 10:9-13. In this passage Paul does not mention repentance as a need for salvation. Is believing enough or is there more we need to do to be saved?   Does God expect an increase of his grace? Can you be saved in your sin by faith alone? Are there deeds required in faithfulness.   Watch out for Proof Texting   A proof text is a passage of scripture presented as proof for a theological doctrine, belief, or principle.  Proof texting (sometimes "proof-texting" or "proof texting") is the practice of using isolated, out-of-context quotations from a document to establish a proposition in eisegesis (introducing one's own presuppositions, agendas, or biases). Such quotes may not accurately reflect the original intent of the author, and a document quoted in such a manner, when read as a whole, may not support the proposition for which it was cited. The term has currency primarily in theological and exegetical circles.   “8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” (Romans 10:8–11, ESV)   Notice that this doesn't mention repentance. So is it really necessary? Proof texters would say this proves it's not important! But they taking the wrong approach. You need to look at all the verses on this subject and see what they say. Note that this verse doesn't say you have to ask God to forgive your sins either.   Is that now something we don't do?       Repentance is one of the things we do, along with believing, confessing and being baptized, that we do when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives.   Does God expect an increase of his grace?   Honestly and sincerely I don't know what this means.   “20Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” (Romans 5:20, ESV)   “15For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15, ESV)   “6which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,” (Colossians 1:6, ESV)   Can you be saved in your sin by faith alone?   I already answered this.   Are there deeds required in faithfulness.   “14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:14–19, ESV)   “26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26, ESV)   You aren't saved by works, but your works prove your faith. That's it and that's all.   This guys “Doing Well” stuff has another fatal flaw in it that I've save for now – HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'VE DONE WELL ENOUGH TO BE SAVED?   He gives no standard for us to look too. There's nothing about that in the Bible. So you are left up on your own never being sure if you are accepted by God or not.   You don't have to have read much of the NT to see that this kind of insecurity isn't typical of the language used about salvation. If he's right then no one can ever know they are saved since they cannot know if they done well enough.

FAITH WANTS MOREEphesians 3:20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (NIV)Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV)JACOB WANTED MORE - Genesis 32:27-30But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied. 28Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.” 29And Jacob requested, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there. 30So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”ELISHA WANTED MORE - 2 Kings 2:9-10When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “What can I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of the prophetic spirit that energizes you.” 10Elijah replied, “That’s a difficult request! If you see me taken from you, may it be so, but if you don’t, it will not happen.”ZACCHAEUS WANTED MORE - Luke 19:1-4Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.MARY WANTED MORE - Luke 10:41-4241“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”GOD NEVER GIVES YOU LESS THAN HIMSELF. God Knows That Only He Can Satisfy Us.Wanting more of God always leads to getting more from God. But, just wanting more from God gets you neither more from Him or more of Him.Jacob Wrestled With God. What Are You Wrestling With? God Is In The Wrestling. Wrestling For Blessing.Elisha Chased After God. What Are You Chasing? God Is In The Chase. Chasing For Spiritual Power. Zacchaeus Climbed To See God. What Are You Climbing To See? God Is In The Climb. Climbing To See Him.Mary Chose God’s Presence. What Are You Choosing?THE SINFUL WOMAN WANTED MORE - Luke 7:37-3837A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.JABEZ WANTED MORE - 1 Chronicles 4:9-10Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Today's Bible Translation Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 21-22 NASB, Ch. 23-24 CEV 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 In Exodus 21, the Lord had quite a lot to say about how to treat a slave. Many people over the years have misunderstood God's attitude toward slavery, especially in the light of the modern concept of slavery as it relates to United States history. I talked about this on episode 77 of this podcast, published on September 6, 2020. If you haven't heard that episode, I very much recommend you listen to it. Since I did address that topic there, I am not going to discuss it today, other than to say that in this chapter, it is obvious that God did not allow any mistreatment of slaves. The balance of chapter 21, all of chapter 22, and the first part of chapter 23 are laws governing how the people are to deal with one another. The laws given are in many aspects, the model for our own justice system.  And then in Exodus 24:3, we read, " Moses gave the Lord's instructions to the people, and they all promised, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded!” It sounds as if they have wholeheartedly accepted, and agreed to God's Law, doesn't it?  And that's the way that we humans are. We see what God commands, and in our mind, we say, "This sounds completely fair and right and true. I can live according to these things." But like Paul said in Romans 4:14-20: 14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. c For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.Romans 4:14-20 NIV I'm so glad that God has a plan to deal with the problem of my slavery to sin! Aren't you? The Law exposed our inability to live according to God's perfection, and Jesus' death and resurrection provided a way for me and you to be redeemed from a debt that we could never pay. Hallelujah!

Be sure to catch the Conscious Spirit Fest October 18 2020 Arizona Bell is the co-founder and CEO of Spirit Guides Media—a growing media network that's dedicated to truth and driven by Spirit—and the host of the podcast A Matter of Life and Death with Arizona Bell. A grief coach and afterlife expert, Arizona is an inspirational speaker with the message that examining death and what happens to us after death is the absolute best way to live our richest, most meaningful lives here on Earth. A rising voice in the spiritual community, she appeared as a panelist on George Noory’s afterlife expert panel at the Afterlife Research and Education Institute Symposium in 2018 and speaks regularly at various conferences and events. Arizona’s book “Soul Magic: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Mystics” is available now. Arizona stopped by on Spiritual Dope as we covered all types of things: What exactly is it about examing death that can inspire you to live your best life? How do you transition from writing for medical journals to spirituality? Different ways to pray & what exactly is OG meditation? Make sure you check out everything Arizona has going on! Catch up with Arizona on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDblWL1H2IZ/ https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rjRW5oCOi/ brandon handley00:014321 Hey there, Spiritual Dope. This is Brandon Handley on with another outstanding guest Arizona bell, and she is the co founder and CEO of Spirit Guides Media 00:15A growing media network that's dedicated to truth and driven by spirit and the host of the podcast, a matter of life and death with Arizona bell 00:23A grief coach and afterlife expert Arizona is an inspirational speaker with the message that examine that. And what happened was, after death is the absolute best way to live our richest, most meaningful lives here on her. 00:35Arising voice in a spiritual community, she appeared as a panelist on great George Norris afterlife expert panel at the afterlife. Research Institute education Institute's symposium in 2018 00:47And speaks regularly at various conferences and events Arizona's book sold magic ancient wisdom from the modern mystics is available now or is. Oh, thank you so much for popping out today, how are you Spirit Guides00:59Hey, thanks for having me. Brandon, I'm doing really well, actually, uh, you know, you never know in 2020 with ups and downs of of everything. But today I'm doing great. I'm feeling good. How about you. brandon handley01:09I love it. Right, like 2020 if ever there was a a year where you seize the day right you take it for all that you can get out of it because you don't know what's around the corner right Spirit Guides01:20And absolutely, if you're not. If not now, when right brandon handley01:26I love 2024 for what is actually kind of brought brought to us right arm. I think there's opportunity to 01:32Do what you and I are doing on really kind of dig deep and live our authentic lives because you don't know what's around the corner. Really presented itself in 2020 that's my honest opinion. Spirit Guides01:43Absolutely. And just, I'll just riff here for a minute, in my personal life. That's how it worked out. 01:48You know i i hit rock bottom and hit a period of grief in my life. And next thing you know, I'm like, Okay. Life's too short. And it really put the fire under my butt. And I got to step in and live in my purpose. And I think on a collective level that's what's happening with 2020 brandon handley02:03Is what it looks like right a lot. There's a lot of raw files on 02:06A lot bombs and and not to laugh, but it's again just giving us the opportunity to bounce back. And so our spiritual resilience and what that but that kind of shine. 02:15But they kind of shy so I like to start these off with, like, you know, the idea is that the creator speaks through us right and 02:25Universe energies, energy, whatever speaking through us today and it's delivering a message to one of our listeners that can only come through this instance right so what is that message that you would deliver to that person today. Spirit Guides02:40This is man, this is interesting because right before this, I got on. And I do this typically 02:45Every once in a while. I forget, but it's kind of my routine to get to 02:48Get into meditated mode. Before I go on, either my podcast or somebody else's and say, 02:54Let's let the message come through that needs to be heard the most that helps the most amount of people 02:59You know, it's interesting. I've never been asked to to pick what that message is. So you put me on the spot, but um you know i i think that maybe the messages. What you kind of 03:12You said spiritual resilience. I think that that's the message of this year. And that's the message, maybe of this podcast, because that's where we started going right away. And I think just 03:24The fact of the idea that human hearts are so resilient were built in Phoenix's were born to burn and we're born to rise. And I think that it's really 03:33Really important to remember that right now, when everything is burning down metaphorically or literally, you know. So I think it's really important that we remember how resilient. We actually are. brandon handley03:46Built in Phoenix is built on Phoenix's and Spirit Guides03:49I don't know where that came from. That was 03:52That was like our archangel brandon handley03:54Was it right that's it 100% you open yourself up to it and just allowed to kind of kind of come through. 04:02And that's exactly what it is. So, whoever's out there. Just know that you have this built in Phoenix, whatever is kind of sparking you right now. You can kind of fan that and rise up out of the ashes into something more boys than you ever were before. Right. 04:18Totally. Um, so let's let them give some background, right, who is Arizona bell 04:26Yeah, are you 04:27Doing here. Um, you know, give us the lowdown Spirit Guides04:30That's literally what I've been asking myself all year. Who am I, why am I here. No, you know, I 04:37I would have said, you know, for most of my life. Arizona bell is a writer, like, that was my identity that's that's who I showed up as and then a little, little bit over five years ago, about five and a half years ago. 04:50My mother passed away. She was my best friend. 04:53She was 59 when she passed away. I was 30 so that's pretty young, relatively speaking for both of us. And we were very, very close in it. It ripped my world apart. And that was my burned down moment and 05:05And eventually became my Phoenix moment, and it gave me, like I said, the fire under my butt to really step into my full 05:14Purpose and alignment, whereas before I was just sort of dabbling, you know, I was like dabbling one foot into my spiritual purpose and the other into really messing around, and not really committing to anything and 05:27You know, just that kind of stuff. And so, you know, after my mom passed. I did the grieving thing for her, you know, I'm still doing the grieving thing, but I did that pretty hardcore. And then I woke up one day and I said okay like 05:39I'm going to do this, I'm going to do what Spirit wants me to do. So I basically surrendered to that to spirit to source to God to divine energy, whatever you want to call it. I said, All right, listen. 05:52I get that I'm here for a reason. Show me what that reason is. Bring it to me every day and I'll do it. So you know I stepped into service mode. Basically, which I wasn't able to do before I hit rock bottom. And with that. 06:05Came the starting of my company, which originally. Like I said, my background. 06:09Background was in writing. So I started a little digital magazine called spirit guides magazine, because I 06:15I was young, relatively young in the spiritual world and I saw that there was a huge void of spirituality being targeted to younger generations and therefore there's a huge disconnect because 06:26People my age millennials and younger weren't really connecting with 06:31The kinds of websites and graphics and conferences and kind of that that were sort of felt a little bit outdated, but we were hungering for spiritual knowledge so that was kind of the reason I started it. 06:42And that little Instagram magazine has now evolved to a media company we're called spirit guides media and within it. We have podcasts. We're starting a radio station books. 06:54Everything courses and thrown a festival with my good friend from conscious living PR Mona. So we just got everything going on. So that's kind of a hope I answered the question. I don't, I don't know how to fully say who I am or why I'm here. But that's a star, I guess. brandon handley07:09Sure how that that it's a lot for us to work with. Right. So, that is how you and I connected we connected through Mona, Lauren, who was one of the first guest on this podcast. 07:20And you know so super glad that we were able to get connected through her 07:25Checked out spirit. Guys, you've got a lot going on there. Looks like it's kind of a community right of built up around spirituality and. Is that what the intention is just kind of a community for, like, you know, will say for a younger generation. Is that what you're saying. Spirit Guides07:43You know, absolutely. The intention was to build a spiritual community. And even though we are gearing towards gearing it more towards 07:52Visually towards younger people. I mean, spirituality is for everybody. So I have people across the board, you know, but we did. We did kind of dominate that you know 08:0318 to 34 demographic. I mean, that's, that is what our demographic is. And of course there's outliers and the young at heart, and all that. But we did want to make it fresh and hip, you know, and that that was an intention and definitely 08:17The spiritual community aspect of because for me. My personal story is, I was the lone wolf on the spiritual path. I didn't have, you know, I wasn't raised religious I didn't have a spiritual community, as in the spiritual closet, to be frank, so 08:30I did this year I did the spirituality thing by myself. And so I really did want to create a community. 08:37For those that might be feeling the same way. And luckily, with the world that we're living in with technology. It's easier to do that, you know, like we're doing this on zoom right now and and so I'm able to hold courses and 08:49workshops and the festival, even now online and as membership community, so it's it's all able to be done online and it's it's absolutely to have a spiritual community in such a weird time brandon handley09:03And there's no no better time for us so funny you mentioned your demographics, because you're pulling off is right where I started on my demographics. Right. 09:12Right on. And that's and that's simply because I speak to my generation, right. So you're speaking to your generation, you know the language you know on the spiritual connection. 09:21From that perspective. Right. And that's not to say, like you said, there's gonna be there's gonna be people. There's going to be the outliers that you attract but like you're able really well able to speak to that specific group. Spirit Guides09:33Right but but it ends there because I don't do Tick tock. So I don't know. 09:37I don't know how much younger. I can get that brandon handley09:40Tick tock. Tick tock. Some is Spirit Guides09:43For sure. brandon handley09:44Somebody platforms right I'm and I'm doing I'm doing what I do. 09:49Exactly. 09:50So, so I get it, I get it. 09:53When you know I want to give also this kind of premise of what you were into before you got into the spiritual realm, who and what type of content. Were you writing before you got in the conscious 10:08Conscious right Spirit Guides10:09Sure. You know, I think, well, I was doing a couple things. There was what I was doing for work. I was very fortunate to get paid to be a writer. I know a lot of people in the writing world. 10:21seek that out. And what that I was writing for what pays. I was writing for medical journals and medical magazines and medical medical medical I was writing for universities, things like that. 10:34But the big bucks were in the medical field. I was the editorial director at a magazine for physicians and an assistant assistant editor at a magazine an international magazine for doctors and dentists so 10:49And, you know, with my mom passing away, she had cancer. So I was all up in the medical industry going through it with her and I just found myself writing things that I didn't agree with. And so, it hit me. 11:01For a while, I mean, I don't want to get to the specifics, but 11:06Yeah, just 11:09Just the sick, I would call the sickness industry of the of the medical industry and just a lot of things that there were ignoring about actually keeping people healthy and I had to start to believe that maybe there was a an ulterior motive to keep people sick. 11:26So I and I was publishing stuff like that, you know, and that's all up for a matter of opinion, but from what I saw firsthand. 11:35In the medical world with my mom and the unfairness. I will call it of that world I it wasn't jiving for me on a soul level to be writing those things anymore. So there was a there was a pick on my soul that was like, ding, ding, ding, like, hey, you can't 11:49This doesn't feel right and you care about integrity. Don't forget that you care about integrity. Now, on, on the flip side, in my own personal selves. I was always drawn towards I guess soul centered content. 12:03I called it love I called it like I was thinking more romantic love than spiritual, but I, I was always wanting to write about love and like 12:11That kind of stuff. And like relationships and things like that, but um I so I was doing that on the side as well. I was writing for literary magazines and things like that. brandon handley12:21That's fun. That's fun. But I'll tell you what I can. I know what you're talking about with that little prick in the soul resonates with me real hard. I was in the insurance industry. 12:32For a little bit. Right. And I was like, well, you know, you would you do demographics and you would do. 12:40Do a risk assessment on the group as a whole. Right. And there's a sick person or two in there. 12:45You're rich got jacked up with this doesn't make much sense you know these people need the insurance. We're going to raise the rates on them because they need it because they are sick because they are going to use it. 12:53Or industry codes right same thing happens with industry codes. If they're in of, you know, riskier business type 13:00Their insurance rates are going to go up because they've got the they're going to get the most well this person's gone in here. So we're gonna have to race, the race to cover that. So, um, I left, I left. 13:10For very same thing. I was like, for a couple reasons. Actually, one was because of that soul prick right to was because and nothing wrong with people getting off on work every day you know into an office, but I couldn't stand it. I was in my 20s and watching people that were zombies. 13:27Right. What are these these these a tweet covered offices, you know, walk right. I was like, I was like, if this is gonna be my toys. Spirit Guides13:35Yep. Oh, I completely relate to that. Yeah. I mean, look at me, I'm like, 13:40There's no way I can sit in an office. I mean, 13:42I gave it my go you know I gave it my best go but somehow every job i got i ended up 13:48And again, I told you this before. My mom was German. So I was raised with good work ethic. I know how to work hard and so I'd like work hard, prove myself, and then I'd be like, Listen, I gotta start working from home like this isn't working for me. 13:59You know, and somehow I always talk them into it. I guess that's a skill I have but 14:04But yeah, I wasn't meant for that either. I totally hear what you're saying and you know that that unfairness. As I said in that you as you just so eloquently described in the insurance industry. It goes, it goes in every, you know, it's like in the banking industry like brandon handley14:17Somebody who Spirit Guides14:17More like living paycheck to paycheck has to pay the fee to like have a bank account and then you know somebody who has loads of money doesn't have to pay a fee doesn't make sense that brandon handley14:28You know, you know it does. In the end, right, like, but you know we're not going to get into it. Right. 14:34But it's like, Come on, man. Um, so, so you're writing for like medical journals and all this other stuff. You have this kind of bent 14:45You go through this and they jump into the spirituality, his face. I want to want to share with kind of 14:51Peoples. And what was it like for you to begin to lead with spirituality. After what you've been doing your entire life and the Jeff overcoming fears deal with anybody was like, What are you thinking that type of thing. Spirit Guides15:05Oh, big time. Yeah. As far as overcoming fears. So I'll just say a couple things I had the idea for spirit guides 15:14In my head tagline AND EVERYTHING FOR YEARS. YEARS. YEARS. YEARS BEFORE. My mom passed away years I knew I wanted to do it and not even that I wanted to. It was like it was just implanted in my mind my spirits like you're gonna you're going to need to do this. 15:28And I started to get worried when the because i'm a i'm an idea person. So I get lots of ideas. I was starting to get worried when the idea didn't go away because 15:35It doesn't go away. Dang, it's meant for you, you know, brandon handley15:38So, Spirit Guides15:39But I was too scared I was making pretty good money to be creative, you know, who am I to do this. And also, like I mentioned, I'm in the spiritual closet. Okay, I'm a party girl. 15:50On one on one hand, and then I'm a spiritual girl when I go home like it. I did not have spiritual friends. You know what I'm saying. 15:58So there's a lot of fears to overcome. But again, when I got that asked my ass kicked by grief and loss and seeing death firsthand. It was like, all right, you got to live your life and you got to do this. So I basically like 16:13I just kind of like came out of the closet and like didn't like I didn't even make a thing of it like I just was like one day I owned a spiritual media company. 16:22And, you know, some people were like, what are you getting up to these days, you know, but it was it was a leap that I took private privately and probably shocked. Some people when I did it, but I didn't want to go around having to explain myself to a bunch of people so brandon handley16:37That makes a lot of sense. Um, and you're a lot of different types of coaching business Christians question spiritual around to like you know don't have to go share your ideas with others. I'm just go do it right again. Good. 16:51And that was Spirit Guides16:51That was what I chose to do in that moment, because it honestly it made the most sense. brandon handley16:56Of it and then so 16:59You start, you know, I don't know how somebody just goes to earning a 17:04media company, right. So what was that process like did you have to get investors or she is fired off like 17:10On to the Instagram bit or did you find some people to back you, that type of thing. Spirit Guides17:15Now it was completely driven by spirit. And again, I was in surrender mode by that point. So I was like, 17:22I had an arrangement with spirit is like if you want me to do it. You got to bring it to me because I'm not going to go around. 17:28Chasing after all this stuff. So I'm very fortunate that my brother and business partner is a tech developer. So I had that 17:37And I basically called up one of my friends who was a another co founder who became another co founder with us, who I knew was into spirituality and could handle you know some of the things like social media all this stuff. And we just got together as a trio and and literally it was 17:54You know, like guerrilla style startup and 17:58And now the third party left, and it's just me and my brother and we're still we're still running it in that way. And I like that way. I mean, I wish I could sit here and tell you that I had some 18:08Big plan, you know, I, my German mom would have wanted me to have a better laid out plan. But I went with it. You know, I just, we just started on Instagram and started hyping it up because that's where all the kids were and we were trying to, you know, 18:24That's where the kids Billy says where they used to hang out with. So that's where we were talking to, at that time, and 18:30We started to get a following. And then we just launched and and honestly all all I had in mind was to launch a digital magazine. 18:39And because I was a writer. That's all I wanted. You know, and I eventually wanted to write books and stuff. But from that is like all this stuff because I made that arrangement with spirit. 18:48Now I'm like podcast Aston radio station and festival. All these things were like, not my ideas are now they've overrun the thing. So now it's like it's got a mind of its own. brandon handley19:00Reminds me of the Michael singer. Yeah, sort of experiment right um 19:07So talk about what is surrender. Spirit Guides19:11What is surrender mode. Well, I think there's two kinds of surrender mode. There's a surrender mode where we think we're surrendering 19:19Where we say we're surrendering which was me a lot. I mean, I was 19:23I've always been drawn towards spiritual and esoteric stuff so I knew I was writing before my mom that I was writing you know happiness is surrender. That's where you find happiness, but I wasn't doing it. 19:34I wasn't doing it fully. And I only realized that when I did it fully in that was when I had to when I had to fall to my knees. 19:43Because there was nothing else there and, you know, Marianne Williamson, I'm probably going to butcher the, quote, but she says something along the lines of 19:51There's a certain desperation that's required before you're ready to face God and something like that. And that's how I felt. And so to me, that is surrender mode where it's 20:02I am here to serve. 20:05Your like basically I'm using my free will to serve your will spirit. 20:12So it's 20:13To me, that's true. Surrender mode, not just like, Oh, it's okay. Let it go. That bad thing, you know, but actually surrendering to a will, that's greater than your own that's greater than your own ego as well and showing up for it every day reliably brandon handley20:29How do you show up for every day, right, like so. I get it. I love this. I love that. I love the idea of 20:36You know surrender. And it's really kind of how we started the podcast right now less fear talk through you to the listener. Right. And then that Phoenix between now and then there's a. It's kind of like the let go and let God right 20:50Right. brandon handley20:51But to actually, you know, to say it's one thing Spirit Guides20:54How to do it. brandon handley20:55How to do it without freaking out, man. Right, without freaking out because Spirit Guides21:00I never said I didn't freak out. brandon handley21:03I love it. So, um, Spirit Guides21:04But I will say this, I will say this. I mean I I wake up every morning and I meditate and I pray, basically I do that combo and and part of my prayer in my meditation is to say 21:19You know, use me how you want to use me today. 21:22And so that's a way for me that's like a action point for me every morning to state my intention which matters a lot that I'm here to be used for spirits will basically. And so whatever shows up for me that day. 21:38I'm going to do it. brandon handley21:40Yeah assessments. Nice. Right. Um, and then the other part two is 21:50Just the idea that these things keep opening up for you. And I mentioned kind of the surrender experiment from 21:56Michael singer. And the reason I mention it because once you kind of open yourself up to it to be used to be used in service through this universal power. 22:05And I love how you said you know I'm not going for it. It's going to have to come to me right 22:11You said you know what you want. This is what I want. But you know what, I surrender for you to show me the way type of thing, you know, talk a little bit about that because I think that that's 22:21That's very important. Right. I'm a big fan of the idea is like its first of all, most people won't like you said, you know what you want it right you know what you want to do you want to be a writer. 22:31You wanted to start this media company and dig into it, but you didn't know how, but now you got it. Is it fair to say Spirit Guides22:39Yeah, definitely. brandon handley22:40And so this is the point that I'm trying to drive home is that you don't have to know how, but you do have to make the decision that that's what you want a life and that's what I feel like you've done Spirit Guides22:51Right. But I agree with you. You don't have to know how I am living proof of that. You do have to know what what I will say is that asked 23:00For what, when I sit in prayer and meditation every day. I mean, I feel like that's a crucial point 23:07Because we're 23:09I had to. I had to. I didn't know that I always wanted to be a writer because I have that God given skill. 23:16You know, so that's a, that's a natural way for me to go but 23:22I didn't know. I didn't even know what necessarily either. I had to listen in meditation, like I didn't know that I was going to start a media company. 23:30Or a you know that I was gonna, I didn't even know was going to do a podcast. I didn't know the podcast was going to turn into a an internet radio station. I've got those downloads and meditation and prayer. You know what I'm saying. 23:42So, but, and I will, I will circle back to the one thing that I did know is I knew I wanted to be a writer, and I knew that starting this digital magazine basically 23:53would grant, grant me a following. And I knew that in the publishing world today because I had been told this by writers by published writers that you have to have a following to even get looked at basically 24:04Well, and the magic numbers like 10,000, you know. So what we hit 10,000 and then it just kept expanding and expanding and expanding and I was so damn busy. Next thing you know, we're at 50,000 followers and I'm saying to spirit, listen. 24:20I still haven't written the book actually haven't even written 24:23So I'm not going to go around chasing a book deal if you want me to write a book you bring it to me. Now that sounds absurd. 24:29But three months later I had an email in my inbox, saying, hey, we have this book. It's already sold to this major publisher and we think you're great to write it, do you, what do you think brandon handley24:40So they have the concept of the book. 24:42Yeah works on a writer and they needed a writer. 24:45And you read it. Yeah. Spirit Guides24:47And that's the thing these days, they already sell the concept of books, but you know now that sets me up to write the book that I want to write to write the books that I really want to write, you know what I'm saying. So 24:56It's a pause for a second, though, because you know brandon handley25:00There's also the again. 25:04There's, there's the idea of, you know, feeling a little bit of a law of attraction space, making the demand was fear, right, or like the idea of you asking it is given and just let it come to you. 25:17Right right hand to me right if I'm coming from a law of attraction space. I'm like, Hey, I'm here, how to end up here. You're living example of this right and or of 25:28Trusting the universe is another right as like your benefactor, you're like hey universe. This is what I like. You can just go ahead and have that show up. I'm not going to go chasing it 25:40But then it shows up, and you're like, Well, what's next. Spirit Guides25:43Right. And that, that means that means it's for you because you you can go out there and say hey universe. This is what I want. 25:52I'm not going to chase it bring it to me and you're not, you might not get it. 25:57Because it's not meant for you. brandon handley25:58And that's great too. Right. Like I make the lines of, you know, if I would have had a lot of money. When I was younger, or like an open like have liked it. Like, I felt like I wanted, I probably would have died. 26:11Like, I mean, right, it would have been a bad. So the universe is like no 26:16No, no bad idea, right, you're not ready for that. Sorry. 26:20Yeah, and or we don't want you right now, right, you've got more things to do. And that's, that's another thing that I kind of look at this as like if you made it this far in your life and like you're 26:28Still kind of wandering around. I like you know for the for the person that is 26:33So meaningful life, you know, perhaps there is and you know you guys start figuring that out because there's no reason for you still be here. 26:40One 400 what a trillion to be born and make it through like not get hit by a car or a bus eaten all that crazy crappy thing that G and just in some of whatever we know what you're doing out there. Right. But you've lived 26:52And and and and so you've got a purpose and to live it. So one of the purposes that you found is by going through, you know, kind of hitting this rock bottom right, I want to just 27:03dive off dependency the grief coach and afterlife expert aspect of it because we haven't yet. Um, let's talk about how you ends up even there. Spirit Guides27:12Sure. I mean, it's kind of a wild story, um, 27:17Because I, I didn't want to end up there that wasn't I joke. I never thought in my life. I want to be a grief and afterlife expert. 27:26Can can promise you that. But, you know, after my mom passed away. And after I did the really hardcore grieving for for a while. 27:36I just, I think, you know, I had already started spirit guides and I was like, you know, 27:41Like, I want to go train to be a grief coach and it just kind of came to me and I was like, all right, I'll start looking into programs and I did and I found one. And I went and I liked it and i and i just got trained. You know, I just did it, but 27:55But, and I wasn't even 27:57I didn't even know what I was going to do with it. I just felt intuitively intuitively nudge there. So I did it. And then shortly very shortly after I had a medium ship reading 28:09And the medium. Then in the middle, in the middle of it. She's like, and she's a very, very, I had to wait a year to get a meeting with her. She's a very, very popular medium and 28:23In the middle of that she's like, What are you doing, I need to 28:27And she's like, I'm so I'm not gonna take up your time of your reading. But after this. I need to talk to you what you're doing. Like my spirit guides are telling me I need to talk to you. 28:34So we end up having a chat and she's like, Oh, I told her about spirit guides, like I've been trying to reach younger people, and she's like you and then a week later I got an email from her. And she said, I want to invite you to be to speak at this afterlife conference. 28:49And I was like, 28:51I'm not 28:54Know that, like, I'm not qualified to be here and she wrote back, I'll never forget it. And she's like, Arizona, my dear, I have been told that you are going to be a very profound afterlife researcher and you need to be at this event. And I was like, what 29:07So I went to this event to and I sat on a panel talking about spirituality, like in younger generations and my mind blew way open because I didn't know much about the afterlife, other than 29:21My mom had died. I hope she was still alive and I went to a medium to find out, you know, 29:26So I guess the, the, that's the long answer. The short answer is, like, Spirit just drove me there and And ever since that first conference, it was just so obvious that that's what I was going to be doing that I had a place in that world for whatever reason. brandon handley29:43So along with being a CEO media company you're also doing like this grief coach. Is that right, Spirit Guides29:51Yeah, you know, and you know, I hadn't dove into the coaching part as much as I wanted to. Originally, just because I have been so busy now with 30:03And and people grieving everything because grief, you know, grief, there's a misconception. That's grief, just for 30:11a loved one who's passed away grief is for any change dramatic change in your world, which we are collectively experiencing like all of the changes right now, so I am 30:24Drawing more back into that coaching aspect and I'm starting to get some things lined up in that way because I think it's so important and and I've been basically advised by all of my spiritual advisors that that's something that I need to get going on right now too, so brandon handley30:40I love it. Right. So just a little bit about what it means right to 30:45Examine death and use this kind of as a catalyst to live our riches, the most meaningful lives. Spirit Guides30:53Sure. So what people don't know is that there's so much afterlife research out there. 30:59It's not mainstream so we don't hear about it or you know it's not it's doesn't get MAJOR FUNDING so we don't hear about it, but there's so much independent afterlife research outfit out there and there's so much documentation that to me proves that consciousness exists beyond 31:18beyond physical death right i totally spaced out your question, though. I'm gonna go go off on a tangent 31:24Oh, Spirit Guides31:27I get into my afterlife brain. And I'm like, Okay. brandon handley31:30So before I let you go into the next piece of what would it so somebody wants to go buy some information for themselves in the afterlife research. Where's the first place that you would direct them. Spirit Guides31:43So there's an. There's an organization called the afterlife. Research and Education Institute AR e AI and they are great starting off point. 31:53I feel bad because I didn't fully answer your last question, but my mind. brandon handley31:56Told me Spirit Guides31:58But, uh, anyway. So that's a great place to start off at 32:02And they, you know, they are doing research, their funding researchers, all kinds of stuff and and they're just signing up on their newsletter. There's also 32:11There's a newsletter that is run by a couple in Australia. That's really famous. It's called the Friday afterlife report and every Friday, they send out a newsletter of all this afterlife research that's either 32:23From the past or that's come up in the past week there's tons of it out there. So those are the two places I would start the afterlife report. It's with Victor and Wendy's dammit, and then AR e AI afterlife. Research and Education Institute or brandon handley32:38So the question we had was, um, how's examining death. And what happened was the absolute best way to move on. Spirit Guides32:48So, yes, yes, yes, yes. See, now that's a very important question. That's why I was having a hard time letting it go. Um, it's so important because of all the research that's out there, which is what I was getting into. 33:02It proves beyond a shadow of a doubt in my mind, from what I've seen. And what I've learned and what I've experienced and what I've researched that 33:10our physical bodies dies die, but our souls. Do not that we continue to live in the afterlife. Okay, so with that being said, the information that our loved ones that spirit guides 33:23That Spirit Guides33:25That arc angels, all of these beings and entities that are in on the other side, the information that can be channeled through them is so vital. 33:37To how we live our best lives. So it's, it's an interesting paradox because we don't tend to think about death or the afterlife until we're faced with it because we're so busy thinking about life and 33:47How we can live our best lives, but from what I've learned is that we can learn a lot about living our best lives from that wisdom that comes through the other side. 34:00And it's a shame that people I feel it's a shame that people my age don't get to do that very often because I'm the youngest one at these events. Okay, like 34:09I still don't know many people that have lost their primary you know parent or something like that, that in my age group, and my peer group so they feel like they are 34:19getting robbed of that wisdom because they're not going to go looking into the death or the afterlife. So I do kind of feel like 34:26It's my job to sort of bridge that gap because there's so much knowledge about how we can best live our lives that comes from looking at those more taboo topics. brandon handley34:37You know what's funny to me is just this morning I was listening to a song, ya know which one I listened to so many um I got a Swami the chain. I'm the 34:49But the idea is that, like, there's one in 1000 that's capable of kind of taking this information right that the what you got. Right, so 35:00You're kind of the light is lighting all those around you, as it were, with what you do. So I think that that's kind of the challenge, no matter what age group is 35:09Right when you when you kind of stumble across this you know it's like you're saying you're like everybody needs to know that you can live this magnificent way. Let's follow me. We're gonna sneak in and and 35:20Rightfully nobody's like I was like, no. 35:23Um, but what I want to hit on though is that, you know, when you experienced this grief when you experienced though your mother's passing 35:36I guess like ripping the veil right between you and the spirit world and 35:42Would you, would you explain it like that. Would you describe it like that. And would you 35:47Would you describe your experience with trying to share this information with other people is being challenging and not being able to accept it. Spirit Guides35:56Um, 35:59Yeah there it was totally an unveiling will say brought me so much closer. I mean, it was even the night, my mom passed away I her apparition came to me and I was awake, like, and she came and hugged me so the veil yeah it thinned an immensely immediately. 36:20Has the information been hard for me to get out and for people to accept. 36:27I want the answer to be that it's been really difficult. Like for dramatic effect, but it hasn't it hasn't. And I think that's because 36:37I'm attracting the people that want it. I'm not, I'm not trying to go out there and be a missionary or 36:44Or an evangelical about anything, you know, and I have zero religious ties or affiliation, which is interesting with afterlife. I mean, every, every 36:53Every serious spiritual or I'm sorry, every spirit serious religion has believed in the afterlife and has after life. 37:01Philosophy and I think that, you know, obviously, a lot of people thrown out religion in their lives. And I think that was kind of like we threw the baby out with the bathwater, kind of thing. 37:10So I'm not, I'm not attached to any religion or anything like that. So I don't think that I come off as missionary. I just think I, I tried to share my authentic experience and people who are looking for. 37:23Some answers to their own grief. They find me and it's so far the. The result has been one of comforting for them, rather than 37:34You know, combative or I don't believe what you're saying. So I maybe I'm fortunate in that but you know it hasn't it hasn't been too difficult. It's actually been very rewarding. I think brandon handley37:44I can see that, especially online. What about a person Spirit Guides37:48Well in person. It's like I'm 37:49Preaching the choir, you know, I'm going to 37:52But I will say this, I will say, even in my because I told you about my history as a, you know, being in the spiritual closet and everything, even the people in my life who like my family who's known me forever and 38:02You know weren't into these things at all. They just by osmosis have 38:07By coming to my events by hearing my podcast, things like that. And now they're there, you know, exploring their own stuff and their own afterlife. And now they've 38:16Had certain people passed away and they're reaching out to mediums and investigating like oh yeah I remember Arizona said this, so let me invest it on my own. So it's kind of like planting the seeds, you know, brandon handley38:27Not 100% i think that what you've done is, is by your by leading by example you've given them permission. Right. 38:33Yeah, showing them that you can step into the space without going on claims. 38:39Right, right. That is a good that it can be a good thing. Um, I like that you kind of touched on, you know, kind of these religions and throwing the baby out with the bathwater, and 38:51As far as I can tell right religions are kind of like this. 38:56Again, just like one of the thousands going to kind of understand this information right and then my kind of wants to do this just the whole 39:03You know, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear right and then does you like Panda hated that lines real 39:11Quick. Um, but the thing. And I think that's the attraction of some of the Eastern philosophies right because they've been so the console like 39:19Christianity bad, you know, the pope did this and you know those priests did that and all these things so that like they just won't accept it, even though, like the exact same thing as being in 99% of the same 39:30thing over here and like these Eastern religions and they're all if you got a contract is out, man. Look what I found, like 39:36You know, so I think that it really gives us people the opportunity to framework right for for their space. 39:43And for everybody else is kind of rejected if there's people like yourself, and I don't like, well, there's this other space. We can hang out into what's been said and all these other places, but you just want to have this different same conversation. Let's do it. 39:54Right, right, right. Um, 39:56Let's talk about 39:57The fest coming up. So this is podcast, I'm probably you know this weekend, which will I know the dates are like 928 or something like that. 40:09But you know what's the festival. Let's talk about what you got a Spirit Guides40:12Spiritual brandon handley40:13On 2020 Spirit Guides40:14Cool. Yeah. So it's the conscious spirit fest. It's a collaboration between myself. 40:20And my company spirit guides media and Mona Loring and her company conscious living PR and so it's conscious spirit fest. It's on October 10 or no, it's not. It's on October 18 I was thinking 10 for October is on October 18 2020 40:36It's a Sunday, and it's basically it's an all day online virtual festival, because that's what we're doing now virtual all day long and 40:45We're so excited about it. We basically curated the event that we wanted to have right now. 40:51You know we are lonely and isolated and we do need spiritual community, one way or another right now. And so we wanted to build something for people to 41:02Unite and people who who are want to focus on Unity right now in this crazy polarized role. And so we've. We have everything from yoga in the morning to guided meditations to sound healing to breath work. And then we have amazing speakers that are talking about everything from 41:21How to deal with this pandemic burnout to energy protection for light workers, we're going to have a medium come and do live medium ship readings and we our keynote speaker is column Adele, who's an astrologer, and he's going to be talking about 41:38You know the astrology coming up, you know, for 20 2021 and all that. And in astrology in these uncertain times and what what what we might have to look forward to, you know, the good, the bad, and the ugly or whatever. 41:51So, so, yeah. It's basically a day for everybody to come together and do all things mystical and create a spiritual community and 41:58And hang out together. So we're really, really excited about it. brandon handley42:02Now this sounds exciting. Like I said, you know, I think I saw Mona's paying off on Instagram. I saw start following it, and it seems like you know 42:10I love what you guys are putting together their talk to me a little bit about the astrologer, I think he's got like a little bit of a baton. What's his What's his Spirit Guides42:17So called Collins handle on Instagram is queer cosmos. And so he has he's he's and he is 42:24He's an amazing gay man and he started doing astrology for the queer community and which is was novel at the time, you know, and but more than that. I mean, he is 42:35He's one of my favorite guests have on my podcast. I'll say that right now. He's so enjoyable. He's brilliant. I mean IQ off the charts and he's he's so fun. So anytime that he's around. It's a good time. And I definitely recommend following him on Instagram at clear cosmos. He's great. brandon handley42:55So yeah, I remember that you're seeing them and chocolate. 42:59Yeah. brandon handley43:00Funny Guy when I grew up. I grew up, like in the gay community, you know, was out in San Francisco, San Francisco in the 80s right and and the one thing that happened out there was like my mom was an altercation with 43:16Her significant other, at the time, and he ended up by children and stuff. And so I ran across it, you know, the neighborhood and got these guys on the bed and they came. I can't rescue my mom so 43:28Oh wow, for the rest of my life, you know, gay guys have a 43:30Have a soft spot in my heart. Right. And it's just been in that community. It's, it's fun, right. Like, I mean, Spirit Guides43:36Oh, there's no doubt about that. brandon handley43:37So it's always a good time. 43:39See on 43:40Where, you know, should I send people to come check out more actually know what before I do that, 43:45I've done this for a minute, just because you know so the idea to have spiritual though. 43:48Is that you get this kind of you for high thru spirituality. Right. And that's like on the on the take us a spiritual dope is about that and then like 43:58You know, what's your spiritual hit right like and it talks about meditation, but when you when you're connected to source where, what does that look like Spirit Guides44:08Whoo. Yeah, there's, there's two for me. So definitely meditation. I'm a avid meditation or 44:15But their original Oh gee, writing, man. That's my space. That's my timelessness, that's the 44:20One place where I don't care if I haven't eaten and that's saying a lot. I love to eat. You know what I'm saying. Like that's that's the time where time flies and I just 44:30I'm in so much joy and I'm so inspired. I'm in spirit. You know that's that's where it is for me is when I'm writing. And so this man I'm preaching to myself right now. I got to clear it more time in my schedule to do it. 44:43But yeah, that's my spiritual dope for sure is is being in that creative zone. 44:50I love that question. brandon handley44:52Thank you. So the idea that too is like i mean i would i would i would say that 45:00You know, create you are creators right 45:03Yeah. And then when you surrender to that creativity. That's 45:08within you, right, that is source flowing through you. Is that fair to say Spirit Guides45:13Oh yeah 100%. I mean, we would we call God the Creator. And if you look at metaphysical principles as above, so below. We are here to create 45:26You know, and that's why that nine to five working somebody else's dream and fluorescent lit room didn't work for me because I felt that called to be creative. I felt, what am I doing here, if I'm not creating brandon handley45:37Something Spirit Guides45:38And now you can be creative, creative doesn't mean writing or painting all the time, creative can mean coming up with a scientific cure for cancer or whatever, you know, using your creative brain. You're in passionate about it. And so I absolutely agree with you. brandon handley45:52I love that you hit on life because 45:55People don't always recognize that they feel like creativity has to be writing painting singing, dancing. Spirit Guides46:02Brain, the arts. brandon handley46:03The classical arts 46:05Yeah, right. But 46:08And I know as somebody one day. 46:11You just got it. What is it that you'd like to create and I'm like, Well, I'm not very creative like 46:14You know you're raising kids are doing this that the other than your training things right, you're making moments, you're creating moments I mean creativity is more than, you know, put a pretty picture right so I love that you hit on that. Thanks for hanging on that. 46:29Yeah, what type of meditation do you do it, you Spirit Guides46:34Got just you didn't do not asked me that question. 46:37I am I am not. 46:39Trained in meditation at all. I'm self taught and 46:44For whatever reason, I'm pretty good at it. I just I lay down you can see my bed back there. I lay down horizontally. I don't sit in lotus position or anything I lay down on my bed. 46:54I play some Native American flute music and I go in 46:57Los brandon handley46:59That's great to write in terms of meditation or a feeling it's got to be done a certain way or like, yeah, I did a really shitty meditation this morning. Spirit Guides47:09I i think 47:11I think I you know it's the keep it simple, stupid like that's that's been my philosophy for 47:17My spiritual path and it's what's worked out for me. Like I and I you know in my company I've seen it all. I promote people that do it all. I'm talking like all the all the modalities and the 47:29Divination tactics and all this stuff and I'm Oh gee prayer and meditation and you know we all just got to do what works for us. brandon handley47:38To so they 47:40Just show us what your prayer. Looks like I always say this because I think of this Norman Vincent feel kind of skip 47:49It's not as good. It's like when he's doing his own in power positive thinking thing. 47:53And talks about this lady testing because you when you pray you don't like out there like a beggar. 47:59You know, you're like oh please give me all these things would you like you demand you know much very somewhere, come what you're talking about, like, 48:07I'm not going after it. It's got to come to me like these are things I want you know. So what's your, what's your prayer look like. Just out of curiosity, Spirit Guides48:13Yeah, I mean it's it. That is a good point it start, the only it starts always with gratitude. 48:20Always with gratitude and and then I do go into my demands. I do feeling that I've, I've had the shift from beggar to 48:30You know, this is, this is what I this is what is going to be brought to me and I, and I've learned that over time through spiritual mentors, saying, you know, you 48:38This is yours for the taking. You can you demand that so I start with gratitude and and I pray for you know what I need. In most of the time that's to take away my 48:50Worries and stresses and concerns because that's the only thing in my way. So I do pray for that to be taken and I pray for the people that I love and I pray that 49:02You know that love walks before me wherever I go. And then I pray to be used, how spirit needs me. And then I say, thank you. 49:11Yeah. brandon handley49:12Um, this will be like my last question. 49:17So when you. I like the idea of writing when you write 49:24With a pen in hand right or doesn't have to be. But I feel like that's what I'm most connected. I like to call it cosmic record player. This is my cosmic needle right 49:36You know, do you have a preference of writing by hand or typing. Spirit Guides49:41I'm 49:43I'm right differently. I write, I write both ways. And I write for different reasons I I write. I typically write 49:52Pen in Hand in my journal when I'm writing for myself and nobody else if that makes sense. And for my own clarity and my own as you say connection. 50:03But it's all about the computer for everything else. 50:07My hand hurts too much. brandon handley50:10Out of out of curiosity, right, like yourself. Once Spirit Guides50:13I do agree with you though there's there's different 50:16A whole different vibe. When you got the pen in your hand. Right, right. brandon handley50:20Now, and look, I mean, it takes a lot to to write Tom by paper. 50:27Pretty fast, man. Spirit Guides50:28Yeah, exactly. brandon handley50:31Okay, so where we're gonna need to go a couple places or warm place. So we're gonna go to find you and the spirit fast. Spirit Guides50:39Sure, I'm okay. Ultimately, you can go to spirit guides media.com for everything that I do. And on top of the navigation. 50:48At spirit guides media com you will see a link that says festival and that is where you can learn more about it. You can see the lineup. The full lineup. I didn't touch on everything. 50:58And also purchase tickets and we are offering a sliding scale pay what you can because times are tough and that is 51:05I feel the responsible thing to do. So we have that offered and other than that, you can find me on instagram at spirit guides media or my personal one is at underscore Arizona bell. I think that covers everything brandon handley51:20No. 51:22Um, well, this event view digitally after the past Spirit Guides51:28Great question. Can't believe I forgot to say that. Absolutely. So if you are able to catch none of it live or half of it live or all of it live and want to watch it again. We will send out a replay of the entire day video. So you'll get to see it all. brandon handley51:43Awesome, Arizona. Thank you so much for stopping by. Spirit Guides51:45Thanks, Brandon. It's been a joy and a pleasure.

Talked about in this episode: https://anchor.fm/wakeupwithwonder/episodes/EP-67---I-wonder-if-your-doing-the-work-eic85d https://anchor.fm/wakeupwithwonder/episodes/EP-66---Wonder-if-you-can-primal-dance----Wake-Up-With-Wonder-Podcast-eiakam https://www.anchor.fm/wakeupwithwonder/episodes/EP-65---Wonder-of-Connection---Wake-Up-With-Wonder-Podcast-ei9ej5 https://anchor.fm/wakeupwithwonder/episodes/EP-64---Wheels-of-Wonder---Wake-Up-With-Wonder-Podcast-ei50cb https://anchor.fm/wakeupwithwonder/episodes/EP-63---Wonder-of-Core4---Wake-Up-With-Wonder-Podcast-ei3krg https://www.shortform.com/C/summary/the-power-of-now-summary-eckhart-tolle?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Book%20-%20The%20Power%20of%20Now%20-%20Broad&utm_term=THE%20POWER%20OF%20NOW&utm_content=84250254151302&msclkid=2ea21c1bf2e01d2fb99243256ec987c7 In today's episode the host shares with you: The principle that "Kings/Queens Create and Victims Wait" I have begun sharing daily journal prompts over on Instagram in my stories @Jasonbgodoy Today's prompt was: "What do you know to be true now that was not true for you 1 year ago?" For more daily journal prompts follow on IG Today's lesson was inspired by all the progress I have made in my professional and personal life in the past year. I took the scripture from Genesis "Let there be light" and applied it to my own personal life! To learn more about the podcast or the Wake Up With Wonder Movement you can visit https://www.wakeupwithwonder.com To learn more about the host you can reach out to him on Facebook or Instagram @Jasonbgodoy You can also email me at Jasonbgodoy@outlook.com If you would like you FREE "Wheels of Wonder" weekly score card tracker and weekly planner you can DM me and say "Wheels of Wonder" If you want the "Heart Map" or any other Journal tools to help you let go of the past and experience the Wonder of NOW so that you can take action today please reach out to me and I will be happy to share. Please share this with your friends and hasthtag #wakeupwithwonder as that is how we spread the gift of wonder with the people who need it the most. Please continue sharing your reviews on Apple Podcasts as it helps to share the gift of wonder with those who need it the most. Your review will be entered into the pool to be highlighted as the "review of the week" and you will get a shout out post on my IG profile. Have a wonderful day and remember you are the wonder in the world! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wakeupwithwonder/message

In the third episode I had my friends Bree and Muhammad on to cover many topics. The Britney Spears #FreeBritney movement, 2020 VMA snubs, Taylor Swift's new album, and more. Use my code 20NOW for 20% off your membership purchase from Valued! https://valued365.com/affiliate-page/?wpam_id=20 Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram, @ddlecours, and to rate this podcast wherever you listen! xo

Josh Heyer (Pronounced "Higher", sorry Josh) aka Shog9 can be found at shog9.comJosh is a Developer Advocate for Enterprise DB https://www.enterprisedb.com/Twitter: @shog9Jon Ericson : https://jlericson.com/ and on medium at https://medium.com/@jlericsonTwitter: @jlericsonI uploaded a remixed version that should result in a higher volume for Josh Heyer on 10 July 2020.  If you listened to it before then and were annoyed by the levels; that was my fault, and I hope I've fixed it. If not, please reach out.Rough Transcript (Powered by Otter.ai -please submit corrections!)George Stocker 0:00Hello, and welcome to the build better software podcast. I'm your host George Stocker, and today I'm joined by john Erickson and Josh hair. Welcome to the show.Josh Heyer 0:11Hi, hello,George Stocker 0:14john and Josh, for people who may not be familiar with who you are and what you do. Tell us about yourself.Jon Ericson 0:21Sure, we both talk at the same time.George Stocker 0:23One, one after the other.Josh Heyer 0:26To talk over somebody.Jon Ericson 0:29If we let you talk first, this will be the end of the episode, right?Josh Heyer 0:33Yes, that is plausible. I'm just this guy, you know. So, john. Uh,Jon Ericson 0:40well, you probably if you know me at all, it's because I was a community manager at Stack Overflow and Stack Exchange. I did that for almost seven years. And and now I am a community and product operations manager at college confidential, which you is a forum site for people who are applying to school for college and universities?Josh Heyer 1:09Yeah, that's a good intro. I'm going to just steal that. So pretend I said what john just said, except replace seven with nine and replace college confidential with enterprise DB or EDB. A Postgres company.George Stocker 1:24Cool. Now, I'm not gonna let you get away with that either of you know, yeah, so Josh, you were actually the first Community Manager hired for Stack Overflow, as I understand it, you were IJosh Heyer 1:36was, I was, let me see. 123 I was either the third or fourth. I'm gonna say third. It was Robert cortino. He was number one. Although we all had different job titles in the early days. I don't think we settled on Community Manager until like a year. He was Robert could Hannah was was the first year Community coordinator. And then and then it was Rebecca turnoff. Remember Rebecca?Jon Ericson 2:08Yeah, our turn Archer and yeah,Josh Heyer 2:10yeah, she was she was number two. Now. Now see, Rebecca was Rebecca was not originally community coordinator. She was I think it was community evangelist or developer evangelist, something like that. And then we all we all kind of coalesced on Community Manager after a while, as the least offensive generic name we could come up with, I was never comfortable with evangelists. That was that was what Jeff suggested to me. Right away and I was like, man, and then I came on as adjunct community coordinator, yeah. And working part time for the first year. Just kind of trying it out to see if, see if maybe the company just go under. I could save myself some work. And when that didn't And I came on full time in 2012.George Stocker 3:03Yeah. And so you know when to remember back in the day these this is 10 years ago is that community management from a public internet community perspective was still very new. And in fact, the only way I knew of it was through video games was that places like dice had community evangelists and community managers that helped manage manage video games, or manage the communities for video games. So, you know, in this fresh new world of community management, how did you all acclimate to that job?Josh Heyer 3:39So first, I want to say video games are like, the trendsetters in this field. They, they they were and still are kind of leading in terms of what it means to manage a community because I have I think they figured out way ahead of just about everybody else that you, you really do need people who are focused on that specifically, a lot of other companies had people doing similar things. But it was almost like, you know, this is something you got to do in your part time, above and beyond your real responsibilities. and video games pretty quickly figured out especially the massively online multiplayer versions, they figured out that, oh, we actually need to culture to nurture to guide this community of people that we depend on in order to, you know, have a viable game and, and put focus squarely on that. So we took our lead from that in a lot of ways. JOHN, we brought in because He was super awesome in our community. He was writing stuff that was better than what we were writing. Okay.George Stocker 5:13So how did you how did you come to be at StackOverflow? JOHN?Jon Ericson 5:17So I was I was a beta, user on stack Stack Overflow, and then I threw a fit, because I didn't like some of the things that Jeff was doing. I thought closed, closed votes, some closing questions was dumb, like, Are we going to run out of bits on the internet? And so I quit and then and then Stack Exchange came along, and they're all these crazy sites. And I was like, Oh, these are interesting. I thought gardening and philosophy. That was my, that's gonna be my entry back into it. And it turns out, it's hard to do gardening when you only have a little apartment, condo thing. AndJosh Heyer 5:57fluffy is great man space.Jon Ericson 6:01I so I knew so little bad gardening, and I've got a house now I actually could use the gardening site. And then, but the thing that really got me going was biblical hermeneutics, which is about interpreting the Bible, which was really something that I still am fascinated by. And so I got into that. And I think what Josh was saying, at one point, there was a bunch of controversy over what the site meant. And I ended up spilling tons and tons of digital ink on the meta site. So why not workGeorge Stocker 6:39biblical from a memetic? site? mentor? What what what almost almost likeJosh Heyer 6:43hermeneutics and exit Jesus are not words you use in everyday conversation? IGeorge Stocker 6:48can't even pronounce them.Jon Ericson 6:51Yeah, so. So the difficulty with biblical hermeneutics is that some people look at that and they're like, Oh, cool. I'm going to be an evangelist, too. pick up another word that Josh isn't a huge fan of.Josh Heyer 7:05For people who actually legit are evangelists I don't I don't feel like it's a great job title for people who are, you know, doing community management?Jon Ericson 7:15Yeah. Well, I guess it is a geeky connotations, right?Josh Heyer 7:20It is located. Yeah, it is complicated. You you there was another word by the way that you you guys struggled with a little bit unexpectedly. And that was biblical. Yeah.Jon Ericson 7:34Why? Why is that?Josh Heyer 7:35Well, different people have different ideas of what the Bible is.George Stocker 7:40That's right. Catholics, we would there, you know, five extra books for Roman Catholics in the Old Testament that aren't present next version.Jon Ericson 7:52And those five books, I mean, this is a huge, huge problem for us. So we got to, we got to excommunicate you. You're not A lot on our site.Josh Heyer 8:01And then there's there's like a whole group of people who who consider, you know, the entire New Testament, even calling it the new testament to be.Jon Ericson 8:12So but uh,Josh Heyer 8:14yeah, yeah. SoGeorge Stocker 8:16this is about to become a Bible podcast, podcast where we talked about we can totally make it No, no theJosh Heyer 8:22head during this period when we were launching these sites, we would have I kid you not three to four hour conversations every day involving the team, we would try to hash this stuff out, really. And clearly, we didn't succeed because the problems were still in existence when the site launched. And so john got stuck with them.George Stocker 8:41So how do you do that as a, as a community manager, you know, you're you have this new thing. You know, in the case of Stack Overflow, obviously, it was all new to everybody. But by the time you're getting to this biblical forum site, you've got, you know, you've got, hey, we want to put this thing out there. We're gonna have Have people using it? How do you? How do you make any of that happen?Josh Heyer 9:08So prayer for peace in war, wait, the opposite of that.Jon Ericson 9:14I was gonna say it's not necessarily given that people will use it. And so like, I think that's a that's a problem that like, it's actually a nice problem to have if you've got people are using it, you're like how we're gonna direct it so that it's, you know, people are playing nice with each other. And my philosophy was always a like, give empower, empower the users to make the space what they want, which is why I ended up in lots of controversies over like, Hey, why don't we just let those Catholics talk about those extra five Bible books? What What do I care? It's just another question on the site. And other people like no, no, no, that's that's not that's not what it is. And so my philosophy was always like, Sort of cliche, but sort of democratize the community, like make it so that everyone has a say everyone has input into it. I wonder if I wonder if shark has a little different perspective on the thing?Josh Heyer 10:15No, that sounds all about.George Stocker 10:18We'll see. So why are you sitting up there on the Bible site, you know, Josh, or shark and you'll hear us call them refer to miss shark throughout this entire recording simply because that's how we've known him for years. But Shawn, you are dealing with the expansion of Stack Overflow, and taking over from really being the full time voice of community management from Jeff Atwood from the founder of the site, and you started doing, you know, those those public interactions with communities that he used to do.Josh Heyer 10:51Tell us about that. Yeah, so what do you do when you have Have a very very opinionated voice effectively leading a community that just suddenly disappears. I, I struggled with that problem for a while because I didn't particularly want or think I should be a replacement for that voice. I didn't feel like that was appropriate for numerous reasons. And I quickly repented of that attitude because what actually happened was Oh, to use a biblical analogy, the Book of Judges, every man doing what was right in his own eyes. You ended up with chaos. To to bring us forward a few thousand years. We we had the The chaotic natural law that Thomas Hobbes wrote about. You can have people all with very honorable reasons, doing what they feel strongly is the right thing and still end up with all at war. Because those those perspectives conflict, people try to make use of the same resources in different ways in different ways that are not compatible with one another. And if you don't have somebody willing to come in and say this is how things look, and this is the way forward. There is no possible resolution to this. And in fact, we've seen in human history over and over again, where these situations arise. Someone will always take on that role. And if you if you don't, if you try too hard to avoid that, all you're really accomplishing is setting up a situation where you have no influence, or you have no voice in the government that is eventually constructed. AndGeorge Stocker 13:27decisions are made by those that show up.Josh Heyer 13:29Decisions are made by those that show up decisions are made by those who are willing to put the time and willing to put the effort in to to convince others. And I, I came into StackOverflow in 2008, with a very strong opinion about what I wanted the site to be. And I didn't presuppose for a moment that that was the only opinion or that that was necessarily how it should come out. But I wasn't willing to stand by and see it, turn into something else.George Stocker 14:00Now you've got that you've got those users. And that goes to the to the point of the show today is that community is an integral part of software, whether that software is a public q&a forum. Oh, sorry, not forum, public q&a site, or whether that software is really incidental to the problem being solved. But you, but you have people, and you're always going to have users and they're always going to have opinions. And as software developers, we need to effectively mold and fashion those opinions, and listen to those opinions to help us produce good software. And that's why I have both of you here today, because you have different takes on that. And you're both in different verticals. Now. Both of you started out Stack Overflow, which is, as you said, a very opinionated place. And now you're dealing with different types of communities. How do you form for teams that may not have what StackOverflow had was a very public presence in a very public way of managing your community. How do you find your users? How do you interact with them if you're not dealing in such public software?Josh Heyer 15:14So first I want to say you don't have to you can you didn't totally blow him off. I mean, that's, that's an option you have, it's not necessarily a good option. But if you don't have the, the desire, or the wherewithal to, to handle dealing with the community, you can you can't really ignore it, but you can absolutely squelch it. Apple is fantastic at this site, a very large example they they sort of have a community in spite of themselves.George Stocker 15:54Are you referring to the latest with the no actuallyJosh Heyer 15:57that if you're talking about DHH? No. No, okay. I, I i've been using them as an example of this for years, I think they, they tried very hard to sort of keep their community at arm's length. And, and that works for them. I don't think it will work for most companies that their scale. It's definitely a risky move. But that's how they do things. And it's not, you know, it's not a accidental decision that that attitude pervades their organization. And, and they, they work towards that from many, many different angles in their development and rollout processes in their marketing in their support organization. I I wouldn't Recommended. But if you got a Steve Jobs complex, and you really want to go whole hog on it, yeah, by all means, throw up the middle finger to your community and just roll on and see how that works out for you, john?Jon Ericson 17:18Yeah, so the question about how you interact with thick meat, it's, for one thing I have to say we have, like college confidential is a form. It's so freeing, I can say forum and no one would yell at me. We actually have forums, that's the adjustment I'd make. It's not one forum as many forums. And and I agree like you can, you can totally play hands off with it. And, you know, things things can could work that way. That's, in fact, the model that I stepped into was, they didn't really like the people who own the forum didn't know what to do with it. They didn't have necessarily a vision for it. They just sort of fell into their lap. They bought another A couple of years part of this company. And and so when I stepped in the one of the things that I decided early on was I'm going to engage with the community. And that means, like, I do some posting, I happen to have a son who is considering school, going to college. And so I have, I have a voice I can, I can talk about what I'm experiencing, so I can be part of the community. And then and then there are spaces within you know, like, one of our forums is for parents, and I can talk directly to the parents on the forum via that space. And I try opposite of the apple approach. I I don't have a lot of secrets. We don't have big reveals. I kind of considered a mistake if people find out about something, the day that we release it. And that may work for Apple but it doesn't work for for our team because Our community wants to have input, their input is actually valuable. Like we've seen, we had a major redesign. Last year, this is before I was part of the company, and it fell on its face, because none of the user feedback was was incorporated into the design. So I just like I feel like it's a pounding the pavement, go out, meet people as much as I can shake babies and kiss hands, is that what you're supposed to do as a politician? sounds right. The other way around.Josh Heyer 19:38All of those words are in there somewhereGeorge Stocker 19:40in some form or fashion. So that that's interesting, because one of the issues that we all have, most recently that I dealt with was through slack or slack changes or UI, and they're like, Hey, we're changing our UI. It's so awesome. I looked at I don't know how to use this anymore. And we even see to a certain extent, with StackOverflow when they would make changes, and you'd get the people who were really invested in, in the software as it was saying, like, Hey, you move my cheese. How do you deal with that as a community manager?Josh Heyer 20:14I got opinions here. So first of all, I want to address the idiom there. The moving cheese corporate table is complete bullshit. Anybody want to argue about that? No.George Stocker 20:34I want to hear why it's complete bullshit. Because this is gonnaJosh Heyer 20:36be good. No, no, it's okay look. as as as as creatures. We are optimized from top to bottom for efficient use of energy. Our brains are muscle memory. our nervous system chews up a massive amount of energy both in thinking and in mistakes. When we have to retrain, there's a huge cost to that. I mean, you can think of a simple example, something you do every day some, some some little tool. You're you're moving from, I don't know, a pair of scissors to a left handed pair of scissors, and suddenly you have to figure that out. You're gonna be super annoyed if you I don't know if you're one of those people who's super into keyboards.George Stocker 21:41I'm not but I know people who areJosh Heyer 21:43you Do you know what I'm talking about keyboards. I hate I get flustered and irritated if I got to move to a keyboard when they put the return key in an L shape instead of a bar shape like God into But there are people who will switch up between normal keyboards and split keyboards, and cord keyboards and weird little keyboards that like scatter their keys all over creation and, and retrain themselves on that. And you know what if that's your hobby, more power to you, but I just want the words in my head to appear on the screen. I don't want to have to stop and think about it. And I would argue that most people are in that same boat. We don't want to expend energy to accomplish a task we already know how to do.George Stocker 22:37So how do you help the community when you have something like a redesign or a new feature or a change in a workflow? They're used to FirstJosh Heyer 22:44off, you're starting at negative 100. Right? You you assume that when you go to announce this, your post, it may not reflect it yet. 100 people hate it right out of the gate. And then you have to dig yourself out of that hole, right?George Stocker 23:11SoJosh Heyer 23:13don't come in with the idea that hey, I'm gonna roll out this huge, impressive, shiny new feature. And everybody's gonna love it. You may love it. You've spent three months thinking about it, maybe longer. Nobody else has. The first thing they see is wow, I have to expend energy. I have to burn hours of my precious life and calories that I worked hard to obtain in order to do the same thing I was doing yesterday.George Stocker 23:48No, that's an interesting change. I hadn't thought about it like that.Josh Heyer 23:52So that's, that's where you're coming in. You have to dig yourself out of that hole. You have to you have to crawl up Out of this pit that you were starting in, how are you going to do that?George Stocker 24:05That's why, tell me,Josh Heyer 24:06ideally, you don't, you don't dig a pit with straight wall sides, right? You You spend those three months that you're working on this thing. digging a nice, gentle ramp down into there, you you lay the groundwork for this explanation you're making for this announcement, you go and talk to people in your community. You shop around the idea, you find ways to address concerns more than anything, you find ways to convey the advantages that this change is bringing that they might not have thought of. But once they get it in their heads that hey, yeah, this is going to cost me time and energy in one regard. But in the long term, it's an investment, it's going to save me time and ever or maybe it's not going to say anything. Maybe I'm going to have to pay a cost but for some others portion of this community, it's going to be a win. If you can get all that stuff together, especially if you can get a cadre, a posse of people in your community who are already on board, when you make your big rollout, then you don't have so much work to do. You've got that nice ramp out of your pit that you can just roll up out of. You've had all of the arguments before you have honed your presentation, your your your announcement, to the point where any concern somebody raises. You're standing right there to address it. You have the phrasing and the presentation ready to go. I was telling somebody earlier today, I've written a tremendous number of announcements in 30 minutes or less. But in all those cases, I have spoken Then months preparing to write that announcement, I've spent months doing the research doing the the acclamation to the concept that I'm introducing to the design that I'm presenting. If you don't put that prep work in, it doesn't matter if you spend a week agonizing over what you're writing. It's still gonna go over like a lead balloon.George Stocker 26:27JOHN, I see you, I see you nodding.Jon Ericson 26:30I can totally concur with that. So an example that some of you may be aware of, we had this project called documentation. And documentation was for Stack Overflow for Stack Overflow. It was built in a in a lab. No one was allowed to enter the lab, and then they float open the doors and people are like, What is going on? And you know, I thought that was a fun project to do. It had a lot of nice features to it, but it failed and So that, you know, you're kind of doomed both ways if you do a poor job of announcing it, and then you get people who actually figure it out and are enjoying it, and then you have to shut it down. Like, that's another, that's another spot where people have gotten used to Google Reader to name an example. And now you're taking it away. And you're saying you can't use this piece of software anymore. And so at the same experience that Josh was talking about, where, like, it literally took me a couple hours to write the worst sunsetting documentation, meta post. I did it, you know, a few hours in the afternoon. But that wasn't the first time I had thought what we were going to do when we shut down this documentation. I had written six months before a like, this is what I'm going to say when we shut down documentation, which I didn't, you know, broadcast to anybody in the company because like, you don't want be labeled as the Put Doomsayer. But But I had that ready. I knew it was, it was a possibility. And so I had been thinking about it for four months. And also like, what's my victory lap? going to be? So like, I had those thoughts in mind. So what what sharks that is absolutely true.George Stocker 28:19So that gets us to a touchy topic is telling your users The truth is how is dealing with the fact that you have users of your software who are invested in it. And you have to tell them something that they don't want to hear. What What do you do? How do you do it?Josh Heyer 28:48So first off you you need to understand why you need to understand why they don't want to hear why they're apprehensive. Second, you need to understand why you You need to tell them that why why they need to hear that why you're doing the thing that you're doing, or can't do the thing that you're not doing. If you don't understand both of those things, then you're really not going to have a good time to communicate.George Stocker 29:22You work for enterprise DB a company. JOHN, you work for college confidential. A company, Stack Overflow is a company and companies exist to, you know, put money in their bank accounts so that they they exist day after day. And but your users don't have that point of view your users are theyJosh Heyer 29:44absolutely can.George Stocker 29:46They can, but I, in my mind,Josh Heyer 29:49the fact that companies need to make money.George Stocker 29:52Yeah. So how do you square that circle where you know, you're like, Hey, we got to shut down documentation. It's not making any money right? losing time losing effort losing money and you've got users that have put hundreds, if not thousands of hours, probably only hundreds because it didn't last that long. They put hundreds of hours of their life into it, like how do you how do you tell people the truth when the truth is, you know, money based when the truth is, you know, a misalignment of, I guess values.Josh Heyer 30:26So, I think john actually did a really good job of this. In terms of communicating that thing. If you go back and look at the documentation project, there were a lot of mistakes.Jon Ericson 30:46A lot of mistakes, as I said,Josh Heyer 30:49and these mistakes were not a secret. They were called out at the time or Very shortly after they were made,George Stocker 31:02some seem tactical now for our audience, people who may not be aware of what this is documentation and I'm going to say a little bit about it and you guys fill it in, fill in the parts I missed documentation was an effort to expand beyond question and answer and actually go into the things that we saw from poorly maintained documentation across the internet for programming, API's frameworks, all sorts of things related to programming, either library or framework, what have you, and actually putting the documentation with examples in a way that was easily searchable, editable, and stayed up to date. Now, that's how I saw it. How did you guys see it?Jon Ericson 31:42So you mentioned the key word, and you just slip right past it. examples. So the concept was, it wouldn't just be replacing the documentation. It would be giving you examples, focusing on code that people could have read and understand. And so there was debate about whether the whole thing should be called examples or documentation. And naki toots Yes, I forgot about Dr. toots. What is Dr. toots? documentation tutorials?Josh Heyer 32:17Ah, the compromise solution you see.George Stocker 32:20Now it's funny as you say that, you know, documentation has been tried multiple different ways across the internet. There's read the docs. There's a few others that I can't offhand mention, but I know exist. And documentation is just slides always. This is a bland usage that no one actually ever uses it that way they use it, you know, in furtherance of something else that the documentation never covers. So why not examples? Why did that lose? Because that sounds like a really nice reframing of what it did.Jon Ericson 32:55Why did that lose? So So like, it's part of it as politics like internal politics, but part of it is just like, documentation sounds like a bigger idea than examples. Right? And so there's this temptation to say, Okay, if you've got two choices, we can do the grand idea, or we can do sort of the focus, practical idea. And your odds of of accomplishing a focused practical idea are better than the grand idea. But, like, oftentimes, it's easier to sell the grand idea internally. Like, you say, documentation means so many different things to so many different people. And it can be more people signingJosh Heyer 33:41on because they think they're signing on to something they want. Exactly what you're actually doing. This by the way, it comes back to my thesis of you have to know why you're doing what you're doing before you start writing.Jon Ericson 33:57Yeah,Josh Heyer 33:58so that sounds like all almost almost a tautology, right.George Stocker 34:02Right. But it is truism. Yeah,Josh Heyer 34:04it it it is. It is a something that a great many people, including myself, strive to avoid in almost every project because it requires work up front. He requires discipline to define what your goals are and what your goals are not. It requires discipline to be precise in your wording, which we all hate. And it, it requires, it requires work. It is way too easy to come out of a meeting. really psyched, just just really jazzed about this thing you're doing. And then to sit down and start writing it out. to shop that idea round to the other people who are on the same call. You were And to suddenly realize that, number one, it isn't actually as exciting as you thought it was. Number two, we don't actually all agree on what we thought we had agreed to build. And now, you feel like you've lost momentum, right? You feel like you've done this thing, which was tedious, and took a lot of focus to do. And it hasn't bought you anything. It's cost you the energy that you were going to use to build it. So you have this kind of innate motivation to not do it. But of course, we all know where that leads. George, you talk a lot about test driven development, and I think this fits into the same boat with that. It isn't a ton of fun to write tests, especially to write tests up front. And worst. Once you have that, you find that your code is failing. those tests like all the frickin time, and you got to go fix that instead of just, you know, getting in the zone and speeding away, right and page after page a logic that you're pretty sure is rock solid. It feels like it saps your energy.George Stocker 36:15You're right. And you said it earlier and it wasn't about test driven development No, it could have been is that you've got to know what you're trying to accomplish while you're trying to accomplish it. You've got to have a crystal clear picture of your goal with TDD. Otherwise, you'll get halfway through and realize, wait a minute, the way that I thought this architecture was going to flesh out doesn't work. And oh, by the way, all that stuff I did, it's got to go away. And nobody, nobody wants that.Josh Heyer 36:39Well, so that's it, right? It's an investment. You have to look at it that way. You can't look at it as like this is this is going to be the fun part of the process. You got to look at it as like, this is gonna save me so much stress and time later on. It's an investment in The future success of your project. And it's absolutely just as true for you communication as it is for the actual code you write.Jon Ericson 37:12One of the things that happened on documentation was, we didn't do some of that investment. Ironically, there wasn't enough documentation, run documentation. And we showed it to people inside the company. And the first time we sat down, did a like a usability interview where we just said, go here, show me what you think you should do. People had no earthly idea what to do. Like the goal of the project was confusing to people using using it the first time. And that meant we had to throw away a bunch of work that's been done or revamp it or change the way that it worked. And it just seemed tedious like, Well, the problem isn't my software. The problem is these people who don't understand The very obvious thing that we're trying to do, and and it's so easy to overestimate how quickly people will pick up on something because we spent six months or something, some number of months working on it. And of course, it felt natural to us. We'd seen happen built from nothing up into this, the system. So super easy for us, but you throw an average person and say figure it out. They need more than that. They need a lot more because they canJosh Heyer 38:30catch up. I struggled with it. I just figured you guys were smarter than me. We were smarter than you.Jon Ericson 38:38See, here's the problem. Like you can't just like there's not enough people who are as smart as we were. That's why it failedGeorge Stocker 38:46you everybody has to be at this level and we're trying to ride this ride. Now I'm gonna I'm gonna ask a question and this is purposely a loaded question for the sweet summer children among us that have never dealt with this but why not just assigned personas and why not just build software to those personas? Why deal with community at all?Josh Heyer 39:06That's George, that is a fantastic idea. As long as your community is composed entirely of fake people, it will work 100% of the time. Um,Jon Ericson 39:18yeah. So I'm working with a great marketing department, and that should not come out as sarcastic as that might sound. Like, honestly, they're wonderful. And they came up with these personas. And I looked at him, I was like, Wow, that is fantastic. This is great. This before I really knew anything about the community, and I started meeting the people in the community. I was like, which member which persona is this one? And, and then later, I did a poll, I tried to do a poll of who's actually using the site. And we had three personas for less than 20% of our population. And we had four personas total. So that one persona had to take on a lot of stuff. Yeah. Yeah, and so it was it was all wrong and like we're still using them. I mean, there's nothing wrong with having those personas from a marketing perspective. But you have to realize it's, let's call it aspirational. These are the people who would like to be using the site. But to get to that point, we need to actually work with the people who are using the site. We can't be you can't live in the aspirational space, you have to live in the space that you're where the work has happening already.Josh Heyer 40:29You ever done that thing, where you're like really dreading a conversation. And so you rehearse it in your own head, like and you make up the responses that the person you need to talk to is going to be given to you and somehow, you know, after a few practice runs, maybe that conversation just goes off perfectly. You You have no snappiest responses to to every reply you get from this figure of your your target In your head, and and then you go to have the conversation. And they got the temerity to not give any of the responses that you imagined them giving and instead say completely other things and you're sitting there stumbling over your words, trying to figure out why they're being so rude to you. And, and now let you just pair it all of the candy lines that you have so diligently rehearsed and eventually it dawns on you that you know maybe I didn't really know the person that I intended to talk to. Maybe I just thought I did.Unknown 41:40Mines meJon Ericson 41:42reminds me Shaka, you make a terrible straight man. Like you do not respond the way that I expect when I asked you a question. So all my fingers that I've been preparing weeks in advance, they just fall flat because you didn't set up properly.George Stocker 41:57Ah,Josh Heyer 41:59there's a there's A tangential story I could tell there but we're, we're at about 10 minutes or something, so I'll leave it for another call. But, you know, this is the thing people are people are complex people or rich people are like, like a, you know, a good craft beer. You can expect a good solid glass of Coors banquet. But that's not what you're gonna get. And you just got to kind of roll with it. You can, you can practice you should practice. But you should practice with real people. Because that's the only way you're you're actually going to learn how to deal with real people.George Stocker 42:43What's that phrase? plans are dumb planning is essential. However. I'm sure it makes Diane's God laughsJosh Heyer 42:55No, I mean, look, we're all in some sense where we're doing We're doing improv here. We're trying to get to a goal from a starting point, but we really don't know what the road there is going to look like. And the more detailed and inflexible we make those plans, whether that's communication or code, the more likely they are to break and leave a stranded out in the boonies someplace, no road in sight.George Stocker 43:27Now both of you were at Stack Overflow. And this is really interesting because both your stack overflow from one extreme to the other. When Stack Overflow started out, it was extremely transparent. And then over the years, it gradually became less so to the point that they're trying now to bring transparency back as a avid I guess, I think they have it as value so that it now that's on the wall as a value, maybe we'll do it. But they're trying to bring transparency back now as community managers you sit at a you sit between Users of your software and the company who is producing that software extensively for a financial reason, you know, how do you how do you deal with the users wanting transparency? And the company? Maybe not, you know, having transparency is their, their top priority.Josh Heyer 44:20I gotta say irony of this is, john, you go ahead.Jon Ericson 44:25I would probably say the same thing. Who knows, but I was gonna say, there was probably more of an illusion of transparency when I first started then then you might imagine, so we were free Intel telling, you know, telling the community what's going on, but there was a lot going on behind the scenes where he was sort of manage transparency. And I think that's perfectly fine. I don't think there's any problem with with that. And so just the question is, it's not like I didn't feel like it's necessarily extremes. It's more of like how, you know, what sort of transparency Lucian is probably a little too cynical, but like, you know, like, what are you gonna share? How are you going to share?George Stocker 45:07Yeah, the near?Jon Ericson 45:09Yeah, something like that. And I don't know, I mean, I never felt like we were completely transparent or even that that was necessarily appropriate. But you can have functional, functional non transparency unfunctional and I felt like there you know, kind of, like you said if transparency is a value that you have to get back to maybe something went wrong along the way.Josh Heyer 45:37I think at the point you put it on the wall, you've you've lost sight of what the purpose of trends so I'm gonna I'm gonna dispute something you said, john, I think I don't think there is perfect transparency. I think all transparency is superficial. Hmm. From a certain perspective, trends transparency is something you have to struggle to achieve and I Ideally, you know why you're struggling to achieve that you you have specific use cases in mind, you're building out transparency for a purpose. Once again, you have to know what you're doing and why you're doing it. You can't just say we're going to be completely open and transparent. This is the this is the open source conceit, that, you know, given enough eyeballs all bugs are shallow. Well, that's probably true, but it's true in the same sense. As you know, putting Infinite Monkeys in front of typewriters is going to give you Shakespeare, it's not necessarily a practical utility, unless you happen to have an infinite number of monkeys sitting around in which case you have a bigger pool probably run on a typewriter robot. That's it's hard to find now, man, the so so when you're designing I wrote an essay on this a few months ago, but the when you're designing for transparency, the first thing you've got to establishes Why do I want this What? What purpose? Is the transparency supposed to achieve? Who is it for and and what are they trying to do that they needed for. And once you've done that, you may end up building a facade that is transparent. I use the analogy of the the the electronic control system in your car, where the actual functionality of your engine is anything but transparent. You go in there with your your analyzer, your code reader, and see what the ECU is telling you. It is a it is a fiction based on what the computer thinks it knows about what your engine is doing. But it's a very useful fiction. In almost all cases, it will give you a better idea of where a problem is or what you need to do to fix a performance issue. Then sitting there with an old school analyzer hooked up to the spark plugs is going to tell you, you have a lot better summary of the information than what you would have otherwise and you're able to make good decisions based on that. And that should be your goal for transparency and if you can be transparent down to the atomic level, okay, fine, great, more power to you. But if you can only do that at the cost of the actual utility, then you're not helping your audience by doing this. Your unbridledGeorge Stocker 48:36transparency all disasters what you're saying,Josh Heyer 48:38I it doesn't have to be but you have to keep in mind your gold. I mean, you know, I got a hammer hanging on the shelf next to me here right now. It's pretty transparent. Even though I can't see through it. I can see exactly how it works. All of the important bits The business and the client, the bit that I hold on to. Those are all very visible to me. I can pick that up blindfolded and probably even hit something with it. Although possibly that would be my thumb.Jon Ericson 49:15So I'm thinking of aJosh Heyer 49:17glass hammer I just cut out didn't I? Just you didGeorge Stocker 49:21at a weird point. Ah,Josh Heyer 49:23I don't need a glass hammer was my was my punch line, but I completely destroyed the setup to that.Jon Ericson 49:30Well, I was gonna, I was gonna use that analogy with the class hammer. I don't know if I will use class hammer but I was thinking, you know, the aphorism should be people who live in glass houses shouldn't take showers. Because Oh, man, maybe there is such a thing as too much transparency.George Stocker 49:49So what are you guys doing? Now? Like what do you how do you spend your time now john?Jon Ericson 49:57So some of that shocked me earlier this week was I had a little moment of grief. And it turned out that I haven't been programming like at all. And when I was at Stack Overflow, I could always pretend like, Oh, yeah, I'm a programmer a little bit because like, I'm working with programmers. And I work with people who are definitely not programmers. And I had a moment of grief, realizing that's not my field anymore. And so I'm actually a people manager as much as anything else. I've got a small team of people that that work I work with, but they work for me. And so I do a lot of meetings. I am, this is I've had a meeting, straight meeting since eight this morning. So I'm glad glad we were able to fit this in. Yeah. I have a short period of time where I don't have meetings and and then I write a lot of documentation about what I'm hoping to accomplish with our platform. The changes we're trying to make. I guess I talked to the community, because I believe that's important. So, yeah, my manager.George Stocker 51:14That's its own field. So I guess it's okay. Now, Josh, what do you do now?Josh Heyer 51:20So funny enough, I'm writing documentation. At this at this moment, I've, I guess a few other responsibilities or areas I'm investigating. But my big focus this week is writing introductory documentation for a few different programming concepts. Which has required me to step back and spend a lot of time analyzing what people who are very new to a system struggle with, where they get in the weeds. Because I can look at the existing documentation, I can look at the stuff that's out there. It all looks fine to me. It's perfectly easy for me to get up and running with it. And so I need to put that out of my head and stop writing phrases like you simply do x. And then y is easy. You just do z.George Stocker 52:25You don't use simply injustice in the documentary you become so much better. Right?Josh Heyer 52:29If If I was writing for me, I wouldn't be writing at all. I'm writing for the people who are posting on StackOverflow reposting on Twitter, reposting in the in the slack rooms or IRC who are struggling with stuff that I already know how to do that. The existing documentation is sufficient for for me, but not for them. They've gotten in the weeds. There's some concepts there's some idea terminology, something that they don't don't quite have their head around yet. And I need to identify that I need to identify where they're struggling and try to make sure that I'm taking the time to explain that ideally without writing, you know, 3000 words about it. because nobody's got that kind of time.George Stocker 53:20Now, I guess, final question for our audience, who, you know, may or may not have community managers on their team, but for software teams, should all software have community managers is this or is this a bit like asking a barber if I need a haircut? Oh, dude,Josh Heyer 53:38I, this this we could go another hour on this, but I'm gonna throw something at you. Software is government. That's not an analogy. That's not a metaphor. I'm saying software is literally a form of government. Do you agree Jon's nodding his head? Yeah, you guys are onGeorge Stocker 53:59the phone. I think my I think my head is now blown Actually, my mind is blown up my head. But don't make software. For my government, IJosh Heyer 54:08had a camera, I would point to my wall, string and the little cutouts for software is a form of government. If you go back to good old Thomas Hobbes, who I mentioned earlier, and think about his theories on government, you'll see this becomes immediately apparent government is a structure put in place by mutual agreement, maybe not in reality, but effectively. That allows us to delegate control in exchange for some measure of safety. Or to broaden that a little bit in exchange for something that we couldn't have without delegation. What do we do for software, we delegate control in exchange for the freedom to do something else. And whether you're talking about social software like Stack Overflow, Facebook or Twitter? Are you talking about application software like Microsoft Word, or I don't know, the venerable tar utility. All that software is doing is constraining your freedom in exchange for something else. It accepts a limited set of inputs, it will produce a limited set of outputs based on those inputs. And you are accepting those restrictions in exchange for something that it gives you effectively in exchange for time. possibly an exchange for accuracy or freedom from thought, ultimately, in exchange for calories, which is life, which is freedom.Unknown 55:45So,Josh Heyer 55:47software is a form of government. And I think this if you look at it from the perspective all software is in some sense social software. Everyone using Microsoft Word alone on their computer at home is implicitly accepting this social contract that their documents will take on certain formats allowed by the application and will be stored in a format dictated by the application. They are accepting that certain people will be able to accept those documents and read them. certain other people will not everyone using tar is accepting that, you know, it's not going to write zip files. You have to use something else for that. This I think explains a lot about the classic Unix philosophy of one tool one task as well as the the other classic Unix philosophy which is I think something along the lines of libertarianism forever ah the ultimate point of this In frustrating little rant is is that you don't necessarily need a community you don't necessarily need community managers. But in some sense your software is social. And if you want to serve the, the group of people governed by it if you really want to serve them as a body, if you want to leave your government unassailable from our servers, you do so you you then you ignore the needs and wants desires of your, your constituency at your peril. And a community management team can be the bridge to what your users as a group are needing, are suffering underGeorge Stocker 57:58with a hierarchy. approval rating the Congress, I assume?Josh Heyer 58:02Well, you know, I, I strongly suspect that certain companies have a lower approval rating Congress right now. So you could you could do worse than Congress. What's, what's the phrase, everybody hates Congress, but everybody loves their congressperson.Jon Ericson 58:21It is true. I do love my Congress person.George Stocker 58:25So what about you, john? is essential or separate from us.Jon Ericson 58:30So I, one of the things on this job, we have all these trainings, and I'm skeptical of trading, but we had one that was called change management. And unfortunately, change management. The acronym for that is CME. And so I saw people at my company who didn't have much. I'm the first basically the first CME that they've, they've had, using this acronym that I had an immediate idea for They were calling it change management. So community management. Then I took the class and I discovered that what change management is, is the people side of change. And so you're managing, like reactions when you change something on them. You're trying to figure out where the resistance is you're trying to, you know, like we were talking about before, what's in it. For me, it's a big phrase. And what I realized is there is almost a one to one relationship between change management, community management. And I was thinking about sharks example just a minute ago, and I actually know of a piece of software that that doesn't change or is pretty much locked in Ember, and that's the tech formatting system. At Donald Knuth, a bunch of words that are hard Knuth has me pronounce. He's basically said there, there aren't going to be any more updates and the updates are only like very rare. And it's a great system, I love it. But like it, you have to build on top of it, you have to build something more to make it usable, it's really hard for the average person to write in raw tech, you have to use some other extension to it. And one of the advantages for him is it's it's locked, he doesn't have to argue with people about how do you change, you know, what's the next change to it, you can just say it's not changing. And, and so the place where community is happening, and that software is at the extension level at the law tech, or other other extensions. And, and so I think I think it's absolutely true that because when you change something, you have to deal with people's response to it. If you want your software to change, you're going to have to deal with how people respond to that change. And that's whether you call it change management or community management is is 6100 Doesn't have another you are going to have to gonna have to talk to people and figure it out or you don't have to but like shark says a lot easier or it's a lot, a lot easier. things work out better in the end, I think.George Stocker 1:01:16All right. And on that note, john and shag or Josh, thank you for joining me today. Hey, you bet you This is absolutely. Alright folks. That's it for this week. Join me again next time for the build better software podcast. ThanksTranscribed by https://otter.ai

Trinity Sunday (June 7th)Song: We All Believe in One True GodPassage: Genesis 1-2:4, Acts 2 14a, 22-36, Matthew 28:16-20Hello everyone and Welcome to episode #15 of the Anno Domini Podcast. A podcast dedicated to the supremacy of Christ over all things including our days, weeks, and months.Join me as we explore how Christ is revealed through the cyclical life of the church calendar year. We’ll discover how this calendar once structured culture and how it can again. We’ll also discuss practical ways to observe and celebrate these holy days in our quest to glorify God and live the good life in the midst of all good He has given us. Last week I said that Pentecost might be the most important day we mark on the Church Calendar. My reasoning is that only with the coming of the Holy Spirit, are those of us who belong to Christ are actually given new hearts. Jesus said that we would be born again by the Spirit. The Father sends the Son. The Son atones for the sins of His people, and the Spirit gives them new hearts so that they can approach the holiness of the Father. It is this beautiful trinitarian reality that we celebrate on Holy Trinity Sunday. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, living in perfect harmony, three in one and one in three. The triune God head.PracticalTrinity Sunday is here. We are now beginning a new time within the Church Calendar; Ordinary Time. While the first half of the Church year focuses on the Life of Jesus, the second half focuses on the life of the Church now that the Spirit has come and filled our hearts with love of God and love of His people. This is where we get our idea of things being ordinary and special. The first half is special because it is all about the life of Christ, the second half is ordinary, or numbered, because we, the saints that comprised His bride, the Church, are being transformed into a better representation of Him. Ordinary isn’t boring, in fact, without ordinary you don’t have special. Things are only special if they are set against ordinary things. We are now living in the time of Pentecost and therefore we number our weeks as they correspond to the Pentecost Sunday when the Spirit was given to us. In this way we balance our focus on the life of Christ and the life of Christ’s people as they try and become more like Him. BiblicalEach episode of the Anno Domini podcast, we try and look at some or all of the readings found in the church lectionary. For those of you who are new, the lectionary is simply a prepared set of readings that are connected in a germane way to the day or week of the Church Calendar. This is a set group of readings that ALL the church is reading together regardless personal devotions. Usually there is an Old Testament Reading, A Psalm, a Gospel passage, and an Epistle reading. These passages usually share commonalities although sometimes you have to work to spot them. For Trinity Sunday the passages are from Genesis 1-2:4, Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 2:14a, 22-36. I will actually be reading snippets of each of these passages to highlight why they were chosen for Trinity Sunday. Let’s start with the passage from Genesis.Genesis 1:26-28Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”So God created man in his own image,in the image of God he created him;male and female he created them.And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”As God is creating the world, His creation culminates with the creation of man, the image of God. When God prepares to create man, He refers to Himself using a first person plural pronouns “Us” and “Our.” He does not use the singular “I” or “My” but “Us” and “Our.” This means that God is one God with at least more than one person within the God head. We will see in the next passages that there are in fact three.Matthew 28:16-20Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Christians have been given the task of calling to repentance and discipline, all the nations of the earth. We are to baptize them in a veryspecific way, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Once they’ve been baptized, we are teach them how to obey God in the ways He has commanded us. When we obey Christ in this way, He promises to be with us always.Acts 2:32-33,36This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing…Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”In this passage, Peter is giving His first sermon and He declares that Jesus ascended to the right hand of God the Father where He was given the promised Holy Spirit which He then poured out upon us. There again we see the three members of the Triune Godhead on display. We also see the love of our One God. The Father sends the Son to rescue His people from their sins so He can pour out His Spirit upon them. This in One God in Three Persons.PracticalThis week we are going to be examining a hymn from one of my favorite fathers of the faith; Martin Luther. Before we get to the hymn I would like to talk for a moment about this man God used to advance the kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Luther of course started his life out as a Roman Catholic but was disturbed by many things he saw taking place within the Roman Catholic church. Martin Luther observed rampant greed, oppression, corruption, and blasphemy, which is the act of speaking falsehoods about God that make Him out to be liar. Martin Luther is one of Christendom’s greatest heroes because he stood against the zeitgeist of the day. Martin Luther was German and so is the word zeitgeist which, to my knowledge, does not have an english equivalent. Zeitgeist is a word that is used to describe the “Spirit of the Age.” Every age, or period has a defining spirit or characteristic. For Luther, that Zeitgeist was a Roman Catholic church steeped in corruption as priests taught the manipulative and unbiblical doctrine of indulgences. Parishioners were deceived into giving extra money to the church outside the normal tithe to “buy their relatives out of purgatory.” The lay people were not allowed to read the bible and had to rely entirely on the clergy to teach them God’s Word. Since it was in the best financial interest of the Roman Catholic church to require indulgences the church grew fat with wealth while the people suffered. This was real oppression with actual victims. This was true institutional oppression. Martin Luther stood up against the prevailing thought of his day and one day courageously nailed his 95 Theses to the church doors at Wittenberg. By going against the zeitgeist, the Spirit of the Age, Martin Luther brought true freedom to a people who were really being oppressed. Martin Luther chose to not follow the crowd and instead took his stand courageously on Scripture. Paul warns us in Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”The zeitgeist had its truth, its gospel if you will, hollow as it was. The zeitgeist promised true deliverance but only delivered a false deception dreamt up by the father of lies. The zeitgeist is fickle and is no substitute for true salvation. See the zeitgeist and if it doesn’t submit to Christ and His Word then reject this false gospel.As we seek practical ways of living a life that is shaped by Trinitarian thought let’s put 3 things at the forefront of our mind:Our sin is primarily against God the Father. We are guilty but not because we feel guilty. David didn’t feel guilty until Nathan called out his sin. David, while confessing his sin of adultery and murder confesses to God in Psalm 51 “against You and You only have I sinned.” This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t confess our sins to others, we absolutely should and must if there is actual sin involved but never forgetting that sin is ultimately against our Holy Father.Our sin against God the Father was atoned for by Jesus Christ, God the Son, through His work on the cross. He lived a perfect life, fulfilled the Law of God, and imputes that righteousness to His children setting us free from the power and guilt of sin. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Therefore regardless of the sin of your father, or their fathers, if you are in Christ, you are a new creation, the old is gone and you have been set free from that sin. Walk no longer in guilt or shame.Our sin having been atoned for, we are given God the Holy Spirit to indwell us. Since God the Son has set us free from the power of sin against the God the Father, God the Holy Spirit gives us power to walk in that newness of life. Those of us in Christ should walk by the Spirit by living lives that reflect this freedom by our willingness to love God and to love those around us who have been made in the image of God. We exhibit this love for others by standing up for truth, goodness, and beauty. We exhibit this love for other by confess our own sin and not the sin of others. We exhibit this love for others by believing and speaking biblical truth in love and not by spreading sweet little easy lies.The bottom line is that our allegiance is to our God and Creator and to His people. When we sin it is against Him. When we are forgiven it is because of His mercy. When we walk in freedom it is because of His grace. A double portion. This gospel is independent of any nation, tribe, or tongue. We are Christians first. Period. Nothing should come before our unity as Christians. The only solidarity Christians should make primary is their union with the body of believers that comprise the Bride of Christ, the Church. The Father is providing His Son, the bridegroom, with a beautiful and spotless bride. That bride is us and we must not make our allegiance to anyone or anything before our true Husband. As believers in the One True God, We will be spending eternity together in harmony, so let’s start practicing that harmony now. The gospel is grace and freedom for all who come. Let’s treat our brothers and sisters in Christ as if they have actually been set free. MusicalAs I said earlier, this weeks hymn comes from Martin Luther in 1524. This hymn was originally set to a chant that is hauntingly beautiful. I have put the song to a new a tune. This is an explicitly Trinitarian song and each stanza is dedicated to a different member of the Trinity. This song is a sung creed. Just as we say the Apostles Creed or the Nicean Creed, we sing this creed. All Christians believe what is within those creeds as they are the foundations for Christianity. Creedal songs such as this are wonderful because even if Christians disagree on many theological topics, we all believe these things to be true and we can gather around our true unity within songs and creeds like these. I will read each stanza and comment briefly on each.We all believe in one true God,Who created earth and heaven,The Father, who to us in loveHath the right of children given.He both soul and body feedethAll we need He doth provide us.He through snares and perils leadeth,Watching that no harm betide us.He careth for us day and nightAll things are governed by His mightAs I said in the previous segment, Christians have solidarity first with one another. We are Christians first always. The blood of Christ is takes precedent over the blood in our own veins. What do we believe? We believe in the maker of heaven and earth. The one true God. The God is a Father and He calls us His children. He feeds our souls and our bodies and provides us with everything we truly need. He leads us through the many snares and perils that abound in this life and He does this all while watching that no harm happens to us. He is always taking care of us and He is sovereignly in control of everything that happens in this world. He is a good Father.We all believe in Jesus Christ,His own Son, our Lord, possessingAn equal Godhead, throne, and might,Source of ev'ry grace and blessing;Born of Mary, virgin mother,By the power of the Spirit,Made true man, our elder Brother,That the lost might life inherit,Was crucified for sinful menAnd raised by God to life again.Christians believe in Jesus Christ who is the Son of God the Father. Jesus possess an equal Godhead. That is to say while Christ submits to the Father, He is fully God in His position and his power. Christ is the source of our joy and happiness. By the Spirit Jesus was born of the virgin Mary and while fully God was also fully man or a true man. As He is one of us, He is our elder brother. Think about that, all those claimed by Christ have them same Big Brother; Jesus. That means we’re all siblings. He was made fully man so that we, His lost sheep, might inherit eternal life. He was crucified for our sins while we were still sinful and unlovely but He was then raised by God the Father to life again on the 3rd day.We all confess the Holy Ghost,Who sweet grace and comfort givethAnd with the Father and the SonIn eternal glory liveth;Who the Church, His own creation,Keeps in unity of spirit.Here forgiveness and salvationDaily come through Jesus' merit.All flesh shall rise, and we shall beIn bliss with God eternally.We all believe in or confess the Holy Ghost who gives us grace and comfort. Jesus calls Him the Comforter. He lives with the Father and the Son in eternity which means He had no beginning and will have no end. The Church is held together in unity by the power of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. We choose one another because we are all a part of the same body. Within the Church is forgiveness and salvation because of the merit or work or Christ. One day all men, women, boys, and girls, literally ALL flesh shall rise for the final judgement. For those found in Christ we will have bliss with God forever. I will be going on an extended break as we are entering ordinary time on the Church Calendar. Ordinary time refers the time that is marked by ordinal numbers following Pentecost. Trinity Sunday is actually the 1st Sunday after Pentecost. We will have 19 more Sunday’s after Pentecost before we get to our next Church Holiday which is Reformation Day and then the week after will be All Saints Day. I will for sure produce an episode for All Saints Day and probably will for Reformation Day as well. I have some time to think about it though as either of those days won’t be here until the end of October. If I might make a suggestion it would be to download the Lectionary in the show notes so you can continue to read the biblical passages during this beautifully ordinary time.Anyways, that wraps up our episode on the Trinity. I hope you all have a wonderful Trinity Sunday and I hope you enjoy a new setting of Martin Luther’s Trinitarian masterpiece, We All Believe in One True God and we’ll see you in October.

 Pivoting Retail Commerce to Online with Manish HiraparaSUMMARY KEYWORDSbusiness, customers, e commerce, people, digital, amazon, world, commerce, pivot, online, peak, business owners, ways, activity, tools, opportunity, merchant, thinking, services, cyberSPEAKERSJess Coburn, Manish Hirapara Jess Coburn  00:45Hey welcome to another episode of cyber cyber chat. I'm your host Jess Coburn and with me today I have Manisha her partner. Manish Can you talk a little about yourself and what you do? Manish Hirapara  00:55Sure. Happy to be here Jess and thanks for having me on the My background is primarily in e commerce and digital digital marketing digital technology. We I'm the CEO of a software and marketing firm based in South Florida, called peak activity. And our goal is to help our business partners really use digital techniques, whether it's e commerce, better web experiences, better technology, really changed the game with their business and use those techniques to add skills and technologies to to really advance their business. So they can they can ride the coattails of the Facebook's and the Amazons of the world that are really changing our business models as we speak. And what we're trying to do is bring those learnings that companies like Facebook and Amazon have created and bring those to the masses and bring those to business owners that are looking for a competitive advantage. Jess Coburn  01:55Nice if you've been doing this for a while you've got a pretty strong background. I know you'd mentioned at one point that you'd started at Office Depot and kind of got your start there. 02:05I did. Yeah, I actually started very early in my career as a software developer, and working on their e commerce platform. We helped build what, what still is today, a top 10 online retailer, when when I left Office Depot about five years ago, started this company, they were doing over $7 billion in transactions online. So really, enterprise scale worldwide operations, there's some significant things you can do in e commerce. And what I chose to do was to take a lot of that experience at a large enterprise, great organization and kind of distill it down understand what the best practices for and bring those to our business partners. Jess Coburn  02:46Now, at peak activity, you've got a large workforce and like the rest of the world, you were you were hit pretty quickly and unexpectedly by everything that was going on with COVID-19. How has peak activity adjusted Do it. 03:01Well, the good news for us has been we were already ready for remote work. We have employees worldwide we we already use tools like slack and Google meat is our preferred video conferencing solution. So we already had some of those pieces in place. But just like everybody else, we had to understand digest what was going on and really, make sure from a human resources perspective, we're doing the right things for our employees. You know, being a digital first company we we pride ourselves in already have been ready for that. So we haven't had to adjust to too much. We do have an office that is it for the moment closed and we are kind of working a little bit more remotely. But you know, fortunately for us, we we've already had relationships with our customers over already over email and over slack channels and other digital techniques. So we've already kind of plumbed everything, and now it's really just been helping our customers or business as partners get up to up to speed on on things, working through challenges in communication working through how do you how do you effectively run projects completely remote. So it's been a transition for us to make sure that we can keep up with the pace of which this this change has happened. Jess Coburn  04:20Now, throughout the US, a lot of states are starting to come out of lockdown and businesses are starting to go back to work here in Florida, with the exception of some Florida we're seeing pardon me we're seeing a lot of open up how do you think businesses need to adjust as we're coming out of the lockout lockdown? 04:41it's it's a it's been a really interesting challenge for us with our customers. We've actually created some new techniques and published actually the website on this product that we've created around low touch commerce. And we do work with a number of customers that are in retail for example retail, that means have been non essential and it's been Chuck for a month and a half. And unfortunately, that means revenues are declining and and you're not seeing, you're not seeing any traffic at all. What we've what we've really said to our customers is look, think through ways that ecommerce can help. Think through ways that calendar and appointment setting online can help. Think about using live chat or live streaming tools to engage with your workforce. So don't just think, gotta have everything locked down, but also think through how to advance it as quickly as you can using digital tools. Jess Coburn  05:39So let's dive into a little bit right because a lot of the customers you work with aren't traditional e commerce companies, in the sense of you know, that you would go to Amazon and maybe buy their products. In some cases you do, but generally you don't. So for those businesses, this has been an extremely difficult transition right? And you touched on that concept of low touch commerce. How are these businesses adopted? And can you give some examples? 06:08Sure. So we have a number of furniture retailers now that we work with and furniture traditionally has been the last industry to get into, into buying online and using e commerce. However, there are companies, for example, wayfair, that and Amazon have really taken a lot of share in this market. And it's a complex product to deliver. It's a complex product to sell, you get to think about how do you visualize your room? And how do you how do you want to know that that sofa that you're buying is going to fit? And how do you feel like it's gonna match the surroundings. But if you if you also think about the fact that we all have a smartphone, and we have devices in our pocket that let us take photo videos, have live streaming with with somebody who is an expert. And so the things we've really thought about have been if you're comfortable going Get to a retail store. Go ahead and try to make an appointment, go into sales associate, that's your best expert, right? If you're not comfortable trying to get your expert on a device that most people are already leveraging and happy communication service with and take advantage of live streaming tools take advantage of a lot of SaaS software products that are out there that will enable you to have a new way of communicating and capturing revenue. Think about payments with e commerce, you have the ability with with two simple solutions like stripe or authorize that net to set up credit card processing, PayPal, there's great solutions out there. You don't build all this in ecommerce infrastructure like you might have 10 or 15 years ago. Jess Coburn  07:43So that's a great example. Right? A lot of businesses don't realize in the past, if you wanted to get a merchant accounts online, you had to jump through all kinds of hoops with stripe PayPal and these services. You're set up like that and you're online and you're ready to go. Like and if it It's implemented correctly, it's secure, and absolutely free with that. The only you know, the other thing that you pointed out there that's really important I think a lot of businesses lose track up is you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Yep, you know, you can reuse what's off the shelf software, and move quickly and be agile in this time. A great example as when you shared with me with one of your customers where they work off of that showroom, and they've set up the kind of the appointment thing and you guys came up with that idea for them. 08:34We did and and really, Our idea was to go and just research and we and fortunately for us, we've been researching these for a few months already. We've already been a little bit at the ball there. But our idea was to research. open source tools are openly available tools, you sign up for a license, and you're ready to book appointments, you sign up for a live streaming service, you're ready to have face to face interaction. The the economy in the digital world today is as much Buy and assemble as it is built, right. So you don't have to have a bunch of software developers working nonstop for six months to assemble something, you go a couple clicks, and and sign up and you're in business. And that's a lot of the advice that we're providing to our customers is, let's find the right tools and solutions. They might not be perfect. You don't want to let great get in the way of good but at least you're in business and you're seeing 1020 30% of your revenue come back right away. While we wait for the for the the curve flattens, and we get back into the into the new normal would be, which will take some time. Jess Coburn  09:38Yeah, that concept of just in time execution is really important. And a lot of people lose that you get, you get paralyzed by looking at the little details and trying to get it just right. I want to take a quick break here and just mention that we are live on Facebook and YouTube. And we did it kind of impromptu going live. I appreciate you jumping on with me like that, because we're live it Appreciate anyone that's there. If you're seeing the stream and everything's working good, give us a like and make sure it's there. And I wanted to point out that you can ask questions. So if you have a question a Minish just a leave a comment, and we can respond to that here live. So minesh You know, when I started applied innovations, I started it focused on e commerce. I don't know if we ever had that conversation. But that was kind of my thing is that I saw a real need and a real opportunity around e commerce. Long time ago, I wrote a shopping cart and Pearl of all languages, but at the time on the web, you know, in the early days and early 90s, that was the go to for web development. A lot of e commerce vendors have kind of been at the mercy of Amazon, they've kind of accepted that, hey, that's where the eyeballs are, and I have to go to Amazon. But we've seen a big pivot lately, right. So I know with a lot of our customers, we're seeing a lot of these e commerce customers move to either amazon prime It's fulfilled by the seller. And they're they're capitalizing on that they're seeing an increase in their fulfilled by merchant sales. But more importantly, they're seeing a huge increase in direct sales. What should these merchants be doing today that they're seeing that that pivot net change? 11:17I think the first thing I would say for that would be to get the game, right. It's not a matter of thinking about it from a physical retail standpoint anymore, where you're just going to set up location or shop and that's the only place you're gonna sell. There's lots of places to sell. Most companies aren't even thinking about international buyers. They're not thinking about new audiences that you can reach. So if you want to really expand your reach, get in the game, figure out if you're comfortable with Amazon. Amazon is a formidable competitor to a lot of people. And they do leverage their data and they do try to cut people out. So you got to be careful, but get in the game. If there's variable Very simple ways to start selling on Amazon there's very simple ways to start selling on Walmart. There's also ways to open up your own storefront and drive your own consumer traffic. And a lot of that has to do with knowing your consumer and your products. Specifically in e commerce and knowing how you're going to deliver the products. It's not just a physical good world anymore either. ebooks, audio, there's there's, there's there's a lot of new ways to monetize revenue and do business that is not your traditional selling a physical product but services and and things of that nature that are really just once you educate yourself on what can be done and how to do it, you have to try it's a test and learn strategy. It's not a one size fits all the the online world is vast. There's no end to it. And there's always new constant innovations that are coming out. So the idea that you do it, you build it once and then it's there for five or 10 years isn't how it is it should be Do it. Do it. For a week, get the data. And the beautiful, the beautiful thing is you get data back very, very quickly see what the data say. And then move on to the next one. Keep keep pivoting, keep adjusting. So it's a it's a it's a new world from from that perspective, but you've got to start somewhere. And you may be Sarah staring out to the mountains, and I need to be online and it feels like it's, it's all the way at the top there. Just start walking, just start hiking the trail, and all of a sudden, you'll find that there's a clear pathway for your business and every business opportunity in the digital world in the online world. Jess Coburn  13:31Yeah, I think a lot of businesses because they were taken by surprise, they didn't realize that they did have that opportunity and they were able to execute on it. You know, we've seen a pivot with Well, let's look at restaurants, for example, you know, almost every restaurant now is available for delivery by using either their own delivery team or one of these services. They've got curbside pickup like crazy. And I know Friday we went and had we ordered curbside Pick up, we were probably there was probably 15 people coming and going that time that we were there. So those businesses are starting to pivot and change. Now granted, it's not the same business that it was, but it's changing. How have you seen other businesses pivot or change that you can think? 14:17Yeah, I think this is this is an interesting time because it really tests the mettle of every everybody's entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial abilities. And we've watched it very closely, because the ones that are the most entrepreneurial are the ones that are are making out really well in this in this unfortunate time. And what we've seen is, you've got to think through that the old ways of doing business are just not present at the moment. And you've got to find new ways of getting your means of production, whether it's a restaurant or if you're a b2b manufacturer of cosmetics, and skincare products. You Gotta you've got a pivot to hand sanitizers and get those out on the internet, right? No longer are you? Are you just waiting for a boutique mall base operator to reopen so that you can move your goods, right? So you've got to think through how can you How can you be entrepreneurial in these times, and we all know, but it's a time that we're all trying to get through together not, not every dollar is going to come back. But if you can get 25 or 50 cents on the dollar back to your business, that extend your lifeline so long as as long as you can to get business back to what the new normal be and then keep in mind, the new normal it's not an instant return and consumer behaviors that are being reinforced now, your example of the restaurant the curbside pickup, they're here to stay. We worked on creating a we work with a the largest alcohol and beverage provider in the country and we worked on creating an opportunity for them to you know, have mobile solutions to do things like pick up, and, and even delivery. And those are those are trends that have been coming for a long, long time. And they're here to stay. What this has done is accelerated the adoption of those trends. And, and if you're entrepreneurial if you view we're not talking about millions of dollars in investments, you can get in for as little as 100 $200 a month, and you can be in the game and you start learning as quickly as possible. Jess Coburn  16:26It's amazing, right? That for such a low entry point, you really just have to be willing to hustle to make it happen. Right? So it's a beautiful thing. A lot of businesses are Oh my god, you know, business has changed. I don't have to do I'm gonna go to sleep and maybe when I wake up tomorrow, it's it's it's better. And those are the businesses that aren't going to be here when this is all said and done. It's the ones that will move and pivot quickly. One of the things I've noticed and I'm curious if if you've seen it too, with with your own experience, this concept of video chat, and you know, using zoom in teams and Google meet these services. Early on, it was something that a lot of people, especially business owners, leaders, CEOs were against, they didn't want to do that they wanted to meet face to face. But I'm finding over the last two months, that they're more comfortable with it, you know, when you would jump on a zoom meeting, it would take 15 minutes to get everybody to figure out how to turn on their camera and turn off their microphone. Everybody's in like this now. I think that's a change that we're gonna see for the future. 17:33It's definitely gonna stick. My I have a first grader, and he's on with his classroom every day on google classroom or Google Hangouts. And they're all muting appropriately and so we're teaching our next generation exactly how to do this. And look, there's still a great value to face to face business. We believe in it. We we actually miss it quite a bit. But you're right it what this has done is it feels like For us, at least, it's brought the humanity back to the equation. No longer are we getting dressed up and going to formal meetings, but we're really talking about the content and the subject matter of what needs to be discussed. And we're going straight to it. And definitely would agree with you just there that this is this has been this has been as much of a learning experience and we relish in it because we see new things happening and creative. It's creating new creative processes and juices that are quite frankly a little bit overdue, right. So it's great to see people who may have been against it. People may have been worried about the security and the risks to their business. Now say, Look, I've got to get into this business and embrace it. And change is hard for a lot of people. But this is one of those things where changes sometimes forced and prescribed and I'm glad to see it for one Jess Coburn  18:53moment. I should it's been exciting. You know, there's always the saying that there's opportunity in disaster and you need to look for it. I'm excited to see how people are grasping that opportunity, how companies like peak activity are doing it and how they're empowering their customers to also do it. And that's a big part of what we're about here at applied innovations to right is we want to look at technology and how these businesses can leverage technology to move their business forward. And a peak activity, it's the same. I know we're running quick on running out of time here, and I get into the top of the hour, but I wanted to see if there was anything you thought we missed or that you'd like to discuss. 19:36You know, I think I love the I love the the cyber cyber cyber side chat concept, just because there's there's no one and this is an unprecedented time for business leaders. There's no manual for CEOs or business owners on how to lead through a pandemic or really a market that's clear as quickly as as it has And, you know, I feel like we are all learning and adapting every day. And I think that's one of the biggest strengths that we have as humans is we adapt to change, we embrace new things as much as we can. And, you know, I would just say, technology, digital marketing, they're all just components of a classic org chart. They're all things that you should have been working through and thinking about, and you've got people probably in your organization, or you've got businesses like yours in mind that are here to to, to help guide and Shepherd the new world into into where it's going. And I think it's one of those things where, as a business owner, don't, don't hesitate to reach out for help. And, you know, for me, I've embraced that we're trying to find new new partners and new ways of inventing things like we have with low touch commerce to say look, we just need to find a tool. Let's go find it. And I think that's the the The entrepreneur as you said, hustle, what we're all trying to do, but don't try to do it in an educated or unguided way. So I really appreciate you putting the cyber sec side chat series together. I know for me from the finance standpoint, these are the things that we're looking for experts on on how do we navigate the finances of what's going on? It's a deal. Jess Coburn  21:19Absolutely. So we've got another one coming on, I believe Monday, where we're going to talk on that actual topic of finance and what you can do around your 401k and seizing the opportunity within the market. So I like that you had pointed out that it's important to partner to look for help right now. That's really key, I think, and a lot of businesses think that they're in it alone, especially business leaders and CEOs. I'm in it alone. It's me by myself. And that's not the case. Now's the time to reach out to the tribe, to you know, even your competitors, your friends, people in other industries and look for that help. That's one of the reasons why we started the Facebook group, you know, Florida businesses helping each other was for that reason Reason so and I'll include a link in that niche before we end you want to share your contact information? 22:06Sure, if you just want to go to peak activity p ak activity.com, you can fill out any of the contact forms there or you can email me directly ma ni sh, at peak activity calm and happy to be found on social LinkedIn or anywhere that that makes sense. Jess Coburn  22:24Yep. And to answer Linda's question, absolutely. This will be recorded. It's recorded and it will be available online on the software businesses helping each other website as well as the cyber side chat forward. appreciate the feedback. Natalie can't wait to get you that far. Okay, information. You even know the guy that's going to be doing it for us. It's going to be Robert McNish, thanks again for taking the time. We're going to end it here. But I've got your contact information on the closing slide. And we'll leave that up for a couple of minutes. Yes.

In this podcast, I share my heart, my own experience, and God’s word on the subject of grief. This podcast is for the woman who is experiencing grief right now, it’s for the friend who knows someone that just lost a loved one, and it’s for you because loss is guaranteed to come to each of us in our lives. Since this podcast is a message each of us needs to hear, please share it so that your friends and family can be encouraged as well.SHOW NOTESLamentations 3Introduction: I came to this passage in Lamentations when dealing with my own grief from infertility and then a miscarriage, and I was amazed at how each verse seemed to depict so clearly exactly what I was feeling. Read vs 1-18 for yourself to see what Jeremiah was feeling about the loss of the people of Israel.The Biblical Pattern for grieving:Acknowledge You grief is real vs. 17Your incorrect thoughts vs. 3, 8, 15-16Jeremiah thinks God is “out for him”Jeremiah thinks God is intentionally ignoring his prayersJeremiah thinks God was the one that is responsible for his own emotional responseYour physical and emotional exhaustion from the grief vs.18 Your loss of hope vs. 18Maybe your loss of faithAppeal to God vs. 19-20Now that you’ve recognized all the problems, bring them all to God.Be honest:Ask whyTell God that you feel abandonedAdmit that you’re feeling punishedAdmit that you are starting to question His existenceGod already knows…. So don’t hold backSchool your mind: aka Self-counselWhat it is:Job did it. Job 1:21; 19:7-10,23-27David did it Psalm 13Vs. 21 Identify all your wrong/untrue thoughts and then correct them with truth. Dwell on the truths of God since they are the only things that can combat the grief and hopelessnessGod loves you vs. 22Psalm 136 God created the universe because He loves youHe lead Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land because He loves youJohn 3:16 From Israel a Savior was born to save you from your sins Rom 5:8God is in control vs.37-38Psalm 136 rehearses how God controlled history to bring Christ into the world.Joseph in Genesis 45:4-8God is trustworthy (faithful) vs. 23God loves me and controls my life, so I need to trust Him. What I am going through is somehow part of His perfect loving plan for me vs. 31-33God is enough vs. 24The Lord is your portion. A small part of an infinite God and His infinite love is my portion. I get to experience this loving, sovereign God and His perfect plan for me.Are you satisfied with God alone? Is He enough for you? Seek Him vs. 25You need to seek God and His goodnessPeace will only come when you truly, honestly, fervently seek Him. Isaiah 26:3Put this truth into boots: 1) Flood your thoughts with the Word of God since that is your only tool to combat the lies crowding your mind. 2) Seek out someone to walk with you in your grief: a spouse, a friend, a pastor, a Christian counselor.Music: "Our Great Savior" copyright by Galkin Evangelistic Team. Arrangement copyright by Reba Snyder. Used with permission.

This is the audio from our vide here: https://youtu.be/Yp61VmZM3q8 In this episode we dip a very tentative toe into the deep waters of ‘ambient’ sounds in guitar. As we discuss, putting labels on music is problematic from the off… but to us ‘ambient’ guitar is about building textures using combinations of delay and reverb, then manipulating those further with anything from modulation to pitch shifting to synthesis to looping etc etc etc… anything you can think of, basically. Soundscapes, textures, ambience, mood.  Covering a whole movement in a hour seems at best foolish but this is That Pedal Show after all, where our sole intention is to spark some inspiration and questions in your minds for things you might like to try. So let’s see if that happens… If you like the backing track used in this video (we’ve called it ‘Ambiphoria’ and it was made by Fraser our assistant, predominantly with the Chase Bliss Audio Mood and Empress Zoia), it is available from That Pedal Show Store. https://www.thatpedalshowstore.com/collections/downloads Enjoy the episode! Pedals & stuff in this episode… TheGigRig Three2Onehttps://www.thegigrig.com/three2one Boss Dm-2w Waza DelayUK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2lGaoBwAustralia: http://bit.ly/2vT8ulc EHX Deluxe Memory ManUK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2WbQLhG Boss RV-6 ReverbUK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2Q6NFw5 Red Panda TensorAustralia: http://bit.ly/2URKYlb Chase Bliss Audio MoodUK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2lJWgXQAustralia: http://bit.ly/2m1wwq5 Empress ZoiaUK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2lJWQ7YAustralia: http://bit.ly/2k7bCFD Keeley D&M DriveUK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2oTblU1Australia: http://bit.ly/2pUDUAEhttps://www.thatpedalshowstore.com/products/d-m-drive-pedal?variant=41892490067 TheGigRig G2https://www.thegigrig.com/g2 * Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: http://www.thatpedalshow.com/partners Interesting bits and go-to sections…Intro playing: 0:00Welcome… and what are we doing today?: 01:31Back in semi-geriatric land: 3:13What’s on the board, and today’s amps: 3:39 (4:30)What can you do? Textures… 4:54Does texture mean loads of delay and reverb? 5:30Who’s that on the phone? 6:20Let’s get started with delay and overdrive: 6:48What can we do with one delay?: 8:30Now let’s add another delay…: 10:20Now let’s add reverb…: 11:45How do ambient guitars fit with a band?: 14:12Putting an effect in the loop of a delay:15:34 (17:00)Now let’s pitch shift that delay!: 19:55 (20:35)What is the Chase Bliss Audio Mood?: 24:05This isn’t normal looping: 25:28Now we have a loop, let’s mangle it: 27:04More Mood exploration: 29:12Who’s that on the phone? 31:50Mick isn’t thick. And remembers when computers came out, tangent: 32:35What is Zoia?: 35:40 (37:30)What on earth was that???: 37:40Dan builds a modulated delay in 4 minutes…: 39:40Some more questions from Mick 43:50So who or what is the Zoia for?: 45:08Mick laments his busy schedule: 50:25Will we learn more about Zoia?: 54:30Let’s try to be ambient and jam: 56:13 Guitars in this episode:Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster – Mick’s video at http://bit.ly/2cQv3yTFender American Original 60s Jaguar – no video yet Amps in this episode• Marshall 1987x with 1960AX cab / Celestion G12M Greenback speakers • Matchless HC-30 with Hughes & Kettner Vintage 212 / Celestion G12M Greenback We hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to our channel. You can buy TPS merch to support our efforts https://www.thatpedalshowstore.com We are on Patreon – crowdfunding for creativeshttps://www.patreon.com/ThatPedalShow Please visit our preferred retailers!UK & Europe: Andertons Music http://bit.ly/2cRvIvtAustralia: Pedal Empire http://bit.ly/2mWmJQf

March 17, 2019 Theme: Experiencing the Trinity: Ephesians 3 prayer Ephesians 3 14For this reason I kneelbefore the Father,15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.16I pray that out of his glorious richeshe may strengthen you with powerthrough his Spirit in your inner being,17so that Christ may dwell in your heartsthrough faith. And I pray that you, being rootedand established in love,18may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people,to grasp how wide and long and high and deepis the love of Christ,19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filledto the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is ableto do immeasurably more than all we askor imagine, according to his powerthat is at work within us,21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.3 Main ‘Requests: Strengthening, Empowering, Filling Ask 1: I ask the Father to grant you out of the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner person. Ask 2: Paul prays: I ask the Father out of the riches of His glory to have Christ dwell in your hearts through faith. Ask 3: I ask the Father to grant you out of the riches of His glory, to have you rooted and grounded in love. Ask 4: I ask the Father to grant you out of the riches of His glory to be empowered to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, length, height and depth of the love of Jesus. Ask 5: I ask the Father to grant you out of the riches of His glory to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. Ask 6: I ask the Father to grant you out of the riches of His glory to be filled up to all the fullness of God. This is a big prayer because we are praying to and with a big God who is able to do immeasurably more abundantly than all we ask or imagine. Amen. Speaker: Richard Clinton

In spring 2018, Brown University's Department of Africana Studies kicked off 50 Years Since '68 [https://www.brown.edu/academics/africana-studies/events-programs/50-years-68], a year-long initiative that reflects on the meaning and significance of that year and examines the state of the world a half-century later. One of the events in the initiative was Music of 1968: A Change is Gonna Come, a four part series highlighting the music and movements of 1968. We interviewed several participants in that event: artist, activist, critic, and curator Vicki Meek; reggae musician and educator Ibo Cooper, broadcaster and musicologist Dermot Hussey, and the "dean of Boston Jazz Radio" Eric Jackson. Listen to our conversation about dance, reggae, jazz, race, and the connections between social protest and art. Episode edited by Mitchell Johnson 18' Theme music composed by Henry Ross Bloomfield: http://www.heybloomfield.com/ Download episode transcript

Let me ask you all a question. How much weapons-grade nuclear material do you think it would take to level a city the size of San Francisco? How many of you think it would be an amount about the size of this suitcase? OK. And how about this minibus?0:33All right. Well actually, under the right circumstances, an amount of highly enriched uranium about the size of your morning latte would be enough to kill 100,000 people instantly. Hundreds of thousands of others would become horribly ill, and parts of the city would be uninhabitable for years, if not for decades.0:56But you can forget that nuclear latte, because today&`&s nuclear weapons are hundreds of times more powerful even than those we dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And even a limited nuclear war involving, say, tens of nuclear weapons, could lead to the end of all life on the planet.1:20So it&`&s really important that you know that right now we have over 15,000 nuclear weapons in the hands of nine nations. And if you live in a city or near a military facility, one is likely pointed right at you. In fact, if you live in any of the rural areas where nuclear weapons are stored globally, one is likely pointed at you.About 1,800 of these weapons are on high alert, which means they can be launched within 15 minutes of a presidential command.1:59So I know this is a bummer of an issue, and maybe you have that -- what was it? -- psychic fatigue that we heard about a little bit earlier. So I&`&m going to switch gears for just a second, and I&`&m going to talk about my imaginary friend, who I like to think of as Jasmine, just for a moment.2:16Jasmine, at the age of 25, is part of a generation that is more politically and socially engaged than anything we&`&ve seen in 50 years. She and her friends think of themselves as change agents and leaders and activists. I think of them as Generation Possible. They regularly protest about the issues they care about, but nuclear weapons are not one of them, which makes sense, because Jasmine was born in 1991, at the end of the Cold War. So she didn&`&t grow up hearing a lot about nuclear weapons. She never had to duck and cover under her desk at school. For Jasmine, a fallout shelter is an app in the Android store. Nuclear weapons help win games. And that is really a shame, because right now, we need Generation Possible to help us make some really important decisions about nuclear weapons.3:10For instance, will we further reduce our nuclear arsenals globally, or will we spend billions, maybe a trillion dollars, to modernize them so they last throughout the 21st century, so that by the time Jasmine is my age, she&`&s talking to her children and maybe even her grandchildren about the threat of nuclear holocaust? And if you&`&re paying any attention at all to cyberthreats, or, for instance, if you&`&ve read about the Stuxnet virus or, for God&`&s sake, if you&`&ve ever had an email account or a Yahoo account or a phone hacked, you can imagine the whole new world of hurt that could be triggered by modernization in a period of cyberwarfare.3:54Now, if you&`&re paying attention to the money, a trillion dollars could go a long way to feeding and educating and employing people, all of which could reduce the threat of nuclear war to begin with. So --4:08(Applause)4:11This is really crucial right now, because nuclear weapons -- they&`&re vulnerable. We have solid evidencethat terrorists are trying to get ahold of them. Just this last spring, when four retirees and two taxi drivers were arrested in the Republic of Georgia for trying to sell nuclear materials for 200 million dollars, they demonstrated that the black market for this stuff is alive and well. And it&`&s really important, because there have been dozens of accidents involving nuclear weapons, and I bet most of us have never heard anything about them.4:48Just here in the United States, we&`&ve dropped nuclear weapons on the Carolinas twice. In one case, one of the bombs, which fell out of an Air Force plane, didn&`&t detonate because the nuclear core was stored somewhere else on the plane. In another case, the weapon did arm when it hit the ground, and five of the switches designed to keep it from detonating failed. Luckily, the sixth one didn&`&t. But if that&`&s not enough to get your attention, there was the 1995 Black Brant incident. That&`&s when Russian radar technicians saw what they thought was a US nuclear missile streaking towards Russian airspace. It later turned out to be a Norwegian rocket collecting data about the northern lights. But at that time, Russian President Boris Yeltsin came within five minutes of launching a full-scale retaliatory nuclear attack against the United States.5:47So, most of the world&`&s nuclear nations have committed to getting rid of these weapons of mass destruction. But consider this: the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which is the most widely adopted arms control treaty in history with 190 signatories, sets no specific date by which the world&`&s nuclear-armed nations will get rid of their nuclear weapons.6:16Now, when John F. Kennedy sent a man to the moon and decided to bring him back, or decided to do both those things, he didn&`&t say, "Hey, whenever you guys get to it." He gave us a deadline. He gave us a challenge that would have been incredible just a few years earlier. And with that challenge, he inspired scientists and marketers, astronauts and schoolteachers. He gave us a vision. But along with that vision,he also tried to give us -- and most people don&`&t know this, either -- he tried to give us a partner in the form of our fiercest Cold War rival, the Soviet Union. Because part of Kennedy&`&s vision for the Apollo program was that it be a cooperation, not a competition, with the Soviets. And apparently, Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet Premier, agreed. But before that cooperation could be realized, Kennedy was assassinated, and that part of the vision was deferred.7:15But the promise of joint innovation between these two nuclear superpowers wasn&`&t totally extinguished.Because in 1991, which is the year that Jasmine was born and the Soviet Union fell, these two nations engaged in a project that genuinely does seem incredible today in the truest sense of that word, which is that the US sent cash to the Russians when they needed it most, to secure loose nuclear materials and to employ out-of-work nuclear scientists. They worked alongside American scientists to convert weapons-grade uranium into the type of fuel that can be used for nuclear power instead. They called it, "Megatons to Megawatts." So the result is that for over 20 years, our two nations had a program that meant that one in 10 lightbulbs in the United States was essentially fueled by former Russian warheads.8:18So, together these two nations did something truly audacious. But the good news is, the global community has the chance to do something just as audacious today. To get rid of nuclear weapons and to end the supply of the materials required to produce them, some experts tell me would take 30 years. It would take a renaissance of sorts, the kinds of innovation that, for better or worse, underpinned both the Manhattan Project, which gave rise to nuclear weapons, and the Megatons to Megawatts program. It would take design constraints. These are fundamental to creativity, things like a platform for international collaboration; a date certain, which is a forcing mechanism; and a positive vision that inspires action. It would take us to 2045.9:15Now, 2045 happens to be the 100th anniversary of the birth of nuclear weapons in the New Mexico desert. But it&`&s also an important date for another reason. It&`&s predicted to be the advent of the singularity, a new moment in human development, where the lines between artificial intelligence and human intelligence blur, where computing and consciousness become almost indistinguishable and advanced technologies help us solve the 21st century&`&s greatest problems: hunger, energy, poverty,ushering in an era of abundance. And we all get to go to space on our way to becoming a multi-planetary species.10:03Now, the people who really believe this vision are the first to say they don&`&t yet know precisely how we&`&re going to get there. But the values behind their vision and the willingness to ask "How might we?" have inspired a generation of innovators. They&`&re working backward from the outcomes they want, using the creative problem-solving methods of collaborative design. They&`&re busting through obstacles. They&`&re redefining what we all consider possible.10:34But here&`&s the thing: that vision of abundance isn&`&t compatible with a world that still relies on a 20th-century nuclear doctrine called "mutually assured destruction." It has to be about building the foundations for the 22nd century. It has to be about strategies for mutually assured prosperity or, at the very least, mutually assured survival.11:08Now, every day, I get to meet people who are real pioneers in the field of nuclear threats. As you can see, many of them are young women, and they&`&re doing fiercely interesting stuff, like Mareena Robinson Snowden here, who is developing new ways, better ways, to detect nuclear warheads, which will help us overcome a critical hurdle to international disarmament. Or Melissa Hanham, who is using satellite imaging to make sense of what&`&s going on around far-flung nuclear sites. Or we have Beatrice Fihn in Europe, who has been campaigning to make nuclear weapons illegal in international courts of law, and just won a big victory at the UN last week.11:52(Applause)11:55And yet, and yet, with all of our talk in this culture about moon shots, too few members of Generation Possible and those of us who mentor them are taking on nuclear weapons. It&`&s as if there&`&s a taboo. But I remember something Kennedy said that has really stuck with me, and that is something to the effect that humans can be as big as the solutions to all the problems we&`&ve created. No problem of human destiny, he said, is beyond human beings. I believe that. And I bet a lot of you here believe that, too. And I know Generation Possible believes it.12:39So it&`&s time to commit to a date. Let&`&s end the nuclear weapons chapter on the 100th anniversary of its inception. After all, by 2045, we will have held billions of people hostage to the threat of nuclear annihilation. Surely, 100 years will have been enough. Surely, a century of economic development and the development of military strategy will have given us better ways to manage global conflict. Surely, if ever there was a global moon shot worth supporting, this is it.13:20Now, in the face of real threats -- for instance, North Korea&`&s recent nuclear weapons tests, which fly in the face of sanctions -- reasonable people disagree about whether we should maintain some number of nuclear weapons to deter aggression. But the question is: What&`&s the magic number? Is it a thousand? Is it a hundred? Ten? And then we have to ask: Who should be responsible for them? I think we can agree, however, that having 15,000 of them represents a greater global threat to Jasmine&`&s generation than a promise.14:00So it&`&s time we make a promise of a world in which we&`&ve broken the stranglehold that nuclear weapons have on our imaginations; in which we invest in the creative solutions that come from working backward from the future we desperately want, rather than plodding forward from a present that brings all of the mental models and biases of the past with it. It&`&s time we pledge our resources as leaders across the spectrum to work on this old problem in new ways, to ask, "How might we?" How might we make good on a promise of greater security for Jasmine&`&s generation in a world beyond nuclear weapons? I truly hope you will join us.14:48Thank you.14:49(Applause)14:53Thank you.14:54(App

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Reading for this Week:First Reading2 Kings 4:42-4442A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to [Elisha,] the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give it to the people and let them eat.” 43But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’ ” 44He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.PsalmPsalm 145:10-1810All your works shall praise | you, O Lord,  and your faithful | ones shall bless you. 11They shall tell of the glory | of your kingdom  and speak | of your power, 12that all people may know | of your power  and the glorious splendor | of your kingdom. 13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures through- | out all ages.  You, Lord, are faithful in all your words, and loving in | all your works. R 14The Lord upholds all | those who fall  and lifts up those who | are bowed down. 15The eyes of all wait upon | you, O Lord,  and you give them their food | in due season. 16You open | wide your hand  and satisfy the desire of every | living thing. 17You are righteous in | all your ways  and loving in | all your works. 18You are near to all who | call upon you,  to all who call up- | on you faithfully. RSecond ReadingEphesians 3:14-2114For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  20Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.GospelJohn 6:1-211Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”  15When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.  16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

Eric Sayour and Arlen Harrow discuss the ROCKY films further |   Opening and Closing Theme “Only Lovers Left Alive” available to buy Here   https://archive.org/download/LosHarrowPod018ROCKYV-Now/Los%20Harrow%20Pod%20018%20-%20ROCKY%20V%20-%20Now.mp3 | http://feeds.feedburner.com/LosHarrowPodcast

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

Laclede Community Church - Your mountain community church in Laclede, Idaho. An Exposition of Luke 2:1-20Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also […] The post Amazing Child of Christmas | Luke 2:1-20 appeared first on Laclede Community Church.

http://www.thedreamcentre.co.uk/theword/Sun%2030-7-17%20Now%20you%20See%20Me%20Now%20You%20Don%27t.mp3 Sun, 30 Jul 2017 12:47:59 +0100 Christianity no 01:09:18

This week, we revel in some more of Bachelor NZ's inexplicable editing choices (such as the bizarre arc of Katey and Lucia's friendship), all the while tiptoeing around two of the worst group dates in Bachelor history - lovingly brought to you by Arnott's and Suzuki.Plus, we celebrate Max's birthday, submit an application to The Bachelorette Australia, and formally invite Lorde on the podcast.[Click here to download MP3.]

In this inaugural episode, Gus talks about the geographical makeup of Minnesota, Stephen King’s Dark Tower Saga, how birthdays remind him of his mediocrity as a parent, and how the creation story in the Bible was a means to explain evolution to primitive cultures. The Sum & Total of Now

This is a message of truth from God's eternal reality. It is hearing that God desires friends from II Corinthians 5:16-21. Notice that all main points come from the scripture passage. They develop the central idea that God provided a friend based relationship at Calvary. It helps us study the Bibles keyword: reconciliation. We always benefit when our spiritual insight is increased. Let us let God's word speak to us on this. SCRIPTURE II Corinthians 5:18-21 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Welcome to Episode #119 of the Kelownagurl Tris Podcast!In this episode, we get to hear a chat around the kitchen table when Quadrathon comes to visit Kelowna!To download an mp3 of this episode, click here.Email, Voice Mail, and Race Reports from:Race reports next week!Becca from See Becca Try to TriCheck out the Quadrathon Podcast to hear Stuart and I chat about Marathon and Triathlon trainingGear ReviewsNone but I do rave about my Sugoi Versa Jacket again.Workout Song Clips of the Week:"Here and Now" by Great Big SeaPlease feel free to leave me a comment, send me an email, or leave me a review on itunes!Remember:It's never too late to be what you might have been! ~ George EliotEmail me: kelownagurl@gmail.comWebsite: http://kelownagurltris.blogspot.comThanks for listening!

Latest Unemployment Numbers New York State and New York City both saw their June unemployment rates tick up to 8 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively. In the city, the securities industry shed 2,000 jobs last month. Local government took an even bigger hit, losing 2,700 jobs. Restaurants and private schools have added the greatest number of positions since the city hit economic bottom in September 2009. Markets Although there's still no deal on raising the U.S. debt limit, across the Atlantic, Eurozone leaders just signed on to giving Greece a second bailout worth $230 billion. With that news and strong earnings reports, markets rose Thursday. The Dow jumped 153 points, closing at 12,724. The S&P 500 rose 18 points, to close at 1,344. And the Nasdaq was up 20 points, ending the day at at 2,834. A Look at How the News Corp. Scandal is Affecting Employees in New York There are 6,000 people in New York City who are particularly concerned with the phone-hacking scandal in Great Britain that is affecting News Corp. They are the News Corp. employees at company headquarters in Midtown, and at the massive company's media properties here, including The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and Fox News.  Last Friday, Les Hinton, the CEO of Dow Jones, the parent company of the Journal, and someone very close to Rupert Murdoch, resigned. He became the first New York-based casualty of the crisis. WNYC's Ilya Marritz has been talking to some News Corp. employees in New York, and he said many of them are very concerned. He tells us what they're worried about, and how they feel about the media scandal. Name the Next Start-up You may have heard our story earlier this week on start-up companies, and the importance of coming up with a good name. We asked for your suggestions for names based on descriptions of a few real start-ups. Take a look at those suggestions and vote on your favorites here. We'll mention the results on the air on Friday.

Reversing Diabetes pt. 2Ephesians 3:20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abuntantly above all that we ask or think, according to te power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.Brothers and sisters, the power is already in us. We are fully equiped. Let's say goodbye to diabetes forever. Amen.Sister Karen Johnson of TRY7 Fitness for heaven shares some awesome information on how to reverse your diabetes. You will be blessed.God Bless YouI love youYour brother in ChristKeith Johnson

Romans 7:7-25 (English Standard Version) The Law and Sin  7What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." 8But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.  13Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.  21So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Cross references: Romans 7:7 : Romans 3:20 Romans 7:7 : Romans 13:9; Exodus 20:17; Deut 5:21 Romans 7:8 : Romans 7:11; Gal 5:13 Romans 7:8 : 1 Cor 15:56 Romans 7:10 : Romans 10:5 Romans 7:11 : Romans 7:8 Romans 7:11 : Gen 3:13; Heb 3:13 Romans 7:12 : Psalm 19:8, 9; 119:137; 2 Pet 2:21; Romans 7:16 Romans 7:14 : 1 Kgs 21:20, 25; 2 Kgs 17:17; Isa 50:1; 52:3 Romans 7:15 : Romans 7:18, 19; Gal 5:17 Romans 7:16 : 1 Tim 1:8; Romans 7:12 Romans 7:17 : Romans 7:20 Romans 7:18 : Gen 6:5; 8:21; Job 14:4; 15:14; Psalm 51:5 Romans 7:19 : Romans 7:15 Romans 7:20 : Romans 7:17 Romans 7:22 : Psalm 1:2; 112:1; 119:35 Romans 7:22 : 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 3:16; 1 Pet 3:4 Romans 7:23 : Gal 5:17; James 4:1 Romans 7:24 : Romans 6:6; 8:23  

Romans 5:12-21 (English Standard Version) Death in Adam, Life in Christ  12Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.  15But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.  18Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.