Podcasts about adorning

In this episode, we perceive the positive attitude of a lady, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 141, penned by Nakeerar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse presents a dual portrait of an ancient Tamil festival and a Chozha town’s prosperity. அம்ம வாழி, தோழி! கைம்மிகக்கனவும் கங்குல்தோறு இனிய; நனவும்புனை வினை நல் இல் புள்ளும் பாங்கின;நெஞ்சும் நனிபுகன்று உறையும்; எஞ்சாதுஉலகு தொழில் உலந்து, நாஞ்சில் துஞ்சி,மழை கால்நீங்கிய மாக விசும்பில்குறு முயல் மறு நிறம் கிளர, மதி நிறைந்து,அறுமீன் சேரும் அகல் இருள் நடு நாள்;மறுகு விளக்குறுத்து, மாலை தூக்கி,பழ விறல் மூதூர்ப் பலருடன் துவன்றியவிழவு உடன் அயர, வருகதில் அம்ம! துவரப் புலர்ந்து தூ மலர் கஞலி,தகரம் நாறும் தண் நறுங் கதுப்பின்புது மண மகடூஉ அயினிய கடி நகர்ப்பல் கோட்டு அடுப்பில் பால் உலை இரீஇ,கூழைக் கூந்தற் குறுந் தொடி மகளிர்பெருஞ் செய் நெல்லின் வாங்குகதிர் முறித்து,பாசவல் இடிக்கும் இருங் காழ் உலக்கைக்கடிது இடி வெரீஇய கமஞ்சூல் வெண் குருகுதீம் குலை வாழை ஓங்கு மடல் இராது;நெடுங் கால் மாஅத்துக் குறும் பறை பயிற்றும்செல் குடி நிறுத்த பெரும் பெயர்க் கரிகால்வெல் போர்ச் சோழன் இடையாற்று அன்னநல் இசை வெறுக்கை தருமார், பல் பொறிப்புலிக் கேழ் உற்ற பூவிடைப் பெருஞ் சினைநரந்த நறும் பூ நாள் மலர் உதிர,கலை பாய்ந்து உகளும், கல் சேர் வேங்கை,தேம் கமழ் நெடு வரைப் பிறங்கியவேங்கட வைப்பிற் சுரன் இறந்தோரே. In this long trip, we get to traverse not only this harsh domain, but also a prosperous ancient town, as we listen to the lady say these words to her confidante, when the confidante worries that the lady will not be able to bear with the parting of the man, who has left in search of wealth: “Listen, my friend! May you live long! Every night, the dreams are exceptionally pleasant; In real life too, in the well-etched, fine mansion, bird omens that are heard sound good; As for the heart, it too rests in a state of calm love; At the time when the mighty profession of the world diminishes and ploughs fall asleep, in that season when pouring rainclouds have departed with the wind, and in the sky, the little hare glows in a dark hue, as the full moon reaches its favourite star, in the midnight hour, amidst the expanding darkness, when all the streets are lit up and adorned with high garlands in our fertile and prosperous ancient town, at this time, hope he will return to relish the festivities, celebrated by the gathering of many! Adorning fully blossomed perfect flowers, along with sandalwood paste, on her cool and fragrant tresses, the new bride, boils milk on the many-sided stove in that rich mansion, filled with plentiful food, and then along with maiden, wearing small bangles and having short hair, pounds on paddy grains, harvested from bent stalks in the huge field, to make flattened rice. Hearing the din of this dark-stemmed pestle, startled by the loud and explosive sounds, a pregnant white bird, takes a short flight from the wide branch of a plantain tree, with sweet fruit clusters, to the tall-trunked mango tree, in the town of Idaiyaaru, ruled by the famous Chozha King Karikaalan, who has the ability to restore even a ruined town. Wanting to bring back prestigious wealth, akin to this town, he has left to the drylands, where making fragrant blooms on the huge branches of the tree, with flowers in the hue of the many-striped tiger, namely the Kino tree, soaring near a boulder, a male monkey leaps and frolics, in the honey-fragrant, tall hills of the Venkata mountain ranges!” Let’s explore the many roads leading to diverse destinations in this verse! The lady starts by talking about how her dreams are filled with pleasant scenes and even in her waking hours, all she hears are good omens from the birds. Owing to all this, her heart seems to be in a state of calm. What a refreshing change from the usual lamenting lady, who cries and cries about her sleepless eyes, thinning arms and pining heart, whom we have encountered in song after song from this domain.  Next, the lady talks about a time when the work of farming takes a break, a time when the clouds are done pouring, and are on their way out. To etch another element, she talks about this, as the time when the little rabbit glows bright. On reading further, we understand that this little rabbit is the one we see in the moon, and the lady wants to say it’s the time of full moon, and so that rabbit is all the more vivid. It’s also a time, when the moon traverses and meets with a particular star, identified as ‘Karthigai’ or ‘Pleiades star cluster’. At this time, lights are lit up and garlands adorn their streets, the lady details, and she makes a wish that her man returns at least by this time, to partake in these grand festivities, when people gather together. A moment to note how the festival of ‘Karthigai’, celebrated even today in Tamilnadu, by the lighting of lamps, is an ancient custom, originating in the Sangam era. After this, the lady talks about two aspects in connection with the man. One characterises the wealth he’s searching for, and to do that, the lady brings in the simile of a fertile town of Idaiyaaru, ruled by the famous Chozha King Karikaalan, and when depicting this town, she presents a rather interesting domestic scene, wherein a new bride, who has come to live in the rich mansion of her husband, adorns her hair with flowers and sandalwood paste, and then boils milk in a stove with many divisions, implying that multiple food items can be cooked at the same time, and the house too is sketched as one with an unceasing supply of foods. This bride then joins together with many other maiden and pounds paddy. Hearing the loud and repeated sounds of this pestle, a pregnant white bird is startled and takes off, from a short plantain tree to a tall mango tree, perhaps in an attempt to put some distance between itself and its tormentors. Such is the fertility of this town and my man wants to bring back wealth that’s equal in stature to this town, the lady explains.  The next aspect she dwells on is where the man has gone to, to attain such a wealth and she informs us this is to a drylands in the extent of the Venkata hills, identified as ‘Tirupathi’ in Contemporary Andhra Pradesh, and she describes this place, as one filled with Kino trees, with bright yellow flowers in the hue of tiger stripes, and talks about how a male monkey leaps about, making this tree’s flowers fall. The lady concludes with this image of falling yellow flowers, perhaps as a wish that it should rain gold on the man, in his journey to seek wealth, so that he would return in time for the festival of lights, and she promises to her confidante that she would bear well with the parting until this time! What a patient and thoughtful lady, who understands and perseveres, in spite of her pain of parting! No wonder the lady has pleasant dreams and hears good omens, for it’s only with the brush of hope and positivity, can we change the scene in the canvas of our present!

Titus 2:1-10 Pastor Eric Mounts

The post Adorning The Inward Person appeared first on Living Fellowship.

This session was taught by Lisa Wilkins at WOVEN on September 20th, 2025. To learn more about WOVEN events, visit hub.sovgracetucon.org/womens-ministry

This is a sermon preached by Matt Porter at Outward Church Salem.

Pastor John Miller continues our Study through the Book of Titus with a message through Titus 2:1-10 titled, “Adorning The Doctrine of God.”

Pastor John Miller continues our Study through the Book of Titus with a message through Titus 2:1-10 titled, “Adorning The Doctrine of God.”

July 23, 2025 Wednesday night teaching by Deborah Rumble Website: www.lighthouseontherockky.org Facebook: https://facebook.com/lotrchurch

After my divorce, I felt completely disconnected from myself. Meditation didn't help—but small rituals did. Adorning myself. Lighting candles. Choosing beauty just for me. That's when I realized… this is the feminine path.   In this episode, I'm joined by Shiva Rose, author, holistic beauty founder, and water priestess, who helped me remember that spirituality and sensuality don't have to be separate.   We talk about reclaiming the yoni, self-sourced pleasure, and what it really means to embody your feminine energy no matter your relationship status.   We cover: What "yoni" actually means and why it matters Maiden vs. woman energy Yoni steaming, breast massage, and womb clearing Creating intimacy without losing yourself How to reconnect with your body after heartbreak This is the conversation I wish I heard years ago. If you're on a path of healing, embodiment, or rediscovering your pleasure—this episode is for you.   Sign up this week and get 25% off with this code: 25SWS at checkout! Speak With Soul Course   Discover Your Dharma - Order your copy now - https://iamsahararose.com/dharma   Stream the Intro + Outro Music: Trust Flow by Sahara Rose ft. WillyNoir here and watch the music video here.   To receive a free womb mediation, email a screenshot of your review of the Highest Self Podcast to sahara@iamsahararose.com    Follow me your spiritual bestie to active your fullest expression + laugh along the way: https://www.Instagram.com/iamsahararose  https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsahararose  https://www.Facebook.com/iamsahararose    Order My Books: https://www.iamsahararose.com/books    By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of Sahara Rose, or used by Sahara Rose with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the Sahara Rose, which may be requested by contacting pr@iamsahararose.com.   This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.  

Adorning the gospel of God our SaviourSeries: Biblical Manhood and Womanhood Preacher: Dave BottDate: 29th June 2025Passage: Titus 2:1-14

Titus 2:3-5 - Women Adorning the Doctrine of God, Part 3 (22 June 2025)

Adorning the Teaching of God - Pastor Chad Hertler Titus 2:1-10

This Lord's Day Pastor Kevin will continue his series on the book of Titus. Today's message is from Titus 1:10-16 and is titled "Adorning Ourselves in Godliness."

What does a Shire full of hobbits in Middle-Earth, a county full of farmers in Kentucky, and a wardrobe full of a lion have in common? For Russell Moore and singer/songwriter/author Andrew Peterson, they were all a way to find home.    In this episode—recorded inside Peterson's book-lined Chapter House in Nashville, right down the road from Moore—the two talk about the authors who, by God's grace, helped hold their faith together when it could have come apart. From the wisdom of Wendell Berry to the imagination of C.S. Lewis to the honesty of Frederick Buechner, these authors gave a clarity that helped these two keep the faith.    This isn't just a literary conversation. It's about how God uses stories, sentences, and sometimes even sword-wielding mice to reach people in moments of doubt, disillusionment, or despair. Along the way, they talk about what it means to read widely, to hold onto wonder, and to be the kind of Christian who can still be surprised by joy.   They also somehow end up talking about Moby Dick, Dungeons & Dragons, and how ChatGPT was wrong and right about what books each of them would take to a desert island.    Books and authors mentioned in this episode include: Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry A Room Called Remember and Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner The Chronicles of Narnia, Till We Have Faces, Mere Christianity, and more by C.S. Lewis Godric by Frederick Buechner David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson Moby Dick by Herman Melville Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs And selections from Andrew's own works: Adorning the Dark, The God of the Garden, and The Wingfeather Saga Whether you're deep in faith, on the brink of losing it, or just looking for something beautiful to read, this conversation will remind you why the right book at the right moment can do more than explain—it can point to new life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This month, we enter the Temple of the Body — not a place outside of us, but within. Each week, we will explore the body as a sacred site of power, emotion, and pleasure through Kundalini Yoga + Kriyas, Meditations, and exploration of myth, muse and archetypes. We will learn to listen to its whispers. Move with its yes's. Honor its no's. Adorning ourselves not to be seen, but to see OURSELVES more clearly. Every ritual becomes a reclamation. Every pleasure, a prayer.WEEK 1 | THE BODY REMEMBERS: Awakening the Temple FireWEEK 2 | THE PULSE OF PLEASURE: Rose Bodied: The Sacred Feminine as a Living FrequencyWEEK 3 | THE INNER ALTAR: The Jewels of the Eight Chakras + Reclaiming PowerWEEK 4 | THE TEMPLE WITHIN: Sacred Flesh, Holy Ground: The Beauty Kriyas Begins May 3rd | Join The Membership Get in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co Instagram

Today Paul uses a new phrase, and changes his target audience, but the message stays pretty much the same as last week. He speaks of adorning the doctrine of God.

Josh Raspberry | Titus 2:9–10 Want more information about First Evangelical Church? firstevan.org/connect Website: firstevan.org 
 Sermon Resources: firstevan.org/resources 
 Instagram: @firstevan735 
 Facebook: @FirstEvan 

Sermon on Titus 2:1-10 by Bret Rogers

Sermon on Titus 2:1-10 by Bret Rogers

The believer's faithfulness to Christ serves to manifest the Lord to others.

Series: N/AService: Sun PMType: SermonSpeaker: Sam Bunyard

Series: N/AService: Sun PMType: SermonSpeaker: Sam Bunyard

【欢迎订阅】每天早上5:30，准时更新。【阅读原文】标题:Donald Trump 2024 TIME Person of the Year正文：Mar-a-Lago was quiet three days before Thanksgiving. Donald Trump's Moorish palace seemed all but deserted late that morning, the seaside estate's cavernous living room traversed intermittently by a junior staffer or silent aide. Totems to Trump were displayed everywhere. Framed magazines with him on the cover hung by the front door. On a table near the fireplace sat a cast-bronze eagle awarded him by the singer Lee Greenwood. In the men's lavatory, a picture of him with Arnold Palmer hung near the urinals. Adorning a wall in the library bar, a painting titled The Visionary depicted Trump in a tennis sweater, trim and youthful. The empty rooms felt less like a millionaire members' club than a museum.知识点：thanksgiving n. /ˌθæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ/a public holiday in the US (on the fourth Thursday in November) and in Canada (on the second Monday in October), originally to give thanks to God for the harvest and for health 感恩节• Are you going home for Thanksgiving?你回家过感恩节吗？获取外刊的完整原文以及精讲笔记，请关注微信公众号「早安英文」，回复“外刊”即可。更多有意思的英语干货等着你！【节目介绍】《早安英文-每日外刊精读》，带你精读最新外刊，了解国际最热事件：分析语法结构，拆解长难句，最接地气的翻译，还有重点词汇讲解。所有选题均来自于《经济学人》《纽约时报》《华尔街日报》《华盛顿邮报》《大西洋月刊》《科学杂志》《国家地理》等国际一线外刊。【适合谁听】1、关注时事热点新闻，想要学习最新最潮流英文表达的英文学习者2、任何想通过地道英文提高听、说、读、写能力的英文学习者3、想快速掌握表达，有出国学习和旅游计划的英语爱好者4、参加各类英语考试的应试者（如大学英语四六级、托福雅思、考研等）【你将获得】1、超过1000篇外刊精读课程，拓展丰富语言表达和文化背景2、逐词、逐句精确讲解，系统掌握英语词汇、听力、阅读和语法3、每期内附学习笔记，包含全文注释、长难句解析、疑难语法点等，帮助扫除阅读障碍。

Adam Griffin and Cassie Bryant are joined by Andrew Peterson to discuss how we can use the art of storytelling and creativity to disciple in our homes.Questions Covered in This Episode:Would you share with us how being a dad has shaped creative spheres for you? What was it like to see an idea go from your mind to paper, to the imaginations of so many families, and then see it translated into an animated series? For families who already love the Wingfeather Saga, what will they find familiar in The Prince of Yorsha Doon, and what's different about this new project?As you were raising your own kids, did storytelling play a role in how you shared your faith? How has being a dad impacted the way you see the gospel story for yourself? Why do you think there is such a shortage of great Christian storytelling?What is the inspiration behind The Rabbit Room Ministry?How can Christian families cultivate creativity in their own homes?How do you deal with the feeling of insecurity or scrutiny?Guest Bio:Andrew Peterson is a recording artist, songwriter, producer, filmmaker, publisher, and author of The Wingfeather Saga series and Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making. Peterson is also president of the creative community known as The Rabbit Room and recently launched a film and TV production company, Shining Isle Productions, to produce the animated film based on his books.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:“The Prince of Yorsha Doon” by Andrew Peterson“Wingfeather Saga” by Andrew Peterson“Wingfeather Tales” by Andrew Peterson“The Inklings” by Humphrey Carpenter“Adorning the Dark”by Andrew Peterson Sponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | Facebook | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | Tiny TheologiansThe Family Discipleship Podcast is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Text: Titus 2.9-10 ‘ Series: An Exposition of Titus by Nick Neves, pastor | Midweek Service | 11.20.24   Paul's instructions to various groups within the churches of Crete extends here to those who served as slaves. Pastor Nick preaches about the ways that or labor and service to others can honor God

In this episode of "Rhythms That Restore," Cherisse welcomes her long time friend, Courtney Paxton Allen, to discuss navigating difficult seasons and the importance of our community and how we can walk beside and what are the best ways to support our friends. Courtney, a wife, mother of three, nurse, author, and nonprofit worker, shares her story 7 experiences in parenting teenagers and the lessons learned through her journey in writing 2 published childrens books: Roosters Balloon on grief for children & The Forgotten Ornament and her BLOG Courtneypallen.com.  Our conversation highlights the significance of understanding one's identity in Christ, the pressures of content creation, and the value of empathy and presence in supporting others. Courtney's insights on faith, parenting, and personal growth offer listeners encouragement and practical advice for embracing life's challenges and changes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                            Connect with Courtney P. Allen : Email: callen@faithfullyrestoredwomen.com Faithfully Restored Women: www.faithfullyrestoredwomen.com  Our Mission. Through hope in Jesus, Faithfully Restored lifts up women who need care, encouragement and community.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tools and Resources Children's Books: Roosters Balloon & The Forgotten Ornament by Courtney P. Allen Books on Writing: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Big Magic bt Elizabeth Gilbert, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Books on Faith: Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, Adorning the Dark by Andrew Petereson, All My Knotted Up Life by Beth Moore  Faithfully Restored Women: www.faithfullrestoredwomen.com  Courtney's Blog: www.courtneypallen.com  Instagram: @thecpallen  Key Quotes and Concepts "When God calls you to something, he doesn't hang you out to dry." "Being in the word is something that has strengthened my faith and reminds me of who God is which in turn informs me about who I am." Bible Verses Psalm 139 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Navigating difficult seasons in life Supporting friends during challenging times The importance of community and connection Parenting challenges and joys, particularly with teenagers and young adults The journey of writing and creative expression Understanding identity in Christ versus identity in parenting The significance of compassion and empathy in relationships The ongoing need for support after loss or tragedy The impact of small gestures in providing comfort to those in pain Maintaining a strong relationship with God through spiritual practices ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join our "Rhythms that Restore" Community on FB: Click below and walk through life IN COMMUNITY and beside others who are learning and putting these new Rhythms in place.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/339272845793051/ -------------------------------------- Follow "Rhythms that Restore Podcast" on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythmsthatrestorepodcast?igsh=Z3lmY2UzcXZzMTlq&utm_source=qr -------------------------------------------- Tune In- Subscribe, Rate, and Share: Be sure to subscribe, give a 5 star review, and share with "Rhythms that Restore" Podcast with a friend who can be encouraged. Help us share this incredible transformative message of Gods word through the beautiful act of "ceasing to strive" and learning to "simply BE". ------------------------------------ Connect more with me on Instagram, Facebook and Email: Lets Chat: cherissehixson@hotmail.com  Facebook: Cherisse Mathias Hixson  DM on Instagram: @cherissehixson01  https://www.instagram.com/cherissehixson01?igsh=dDY4ZWNrcWowb2Vx&utm_source=qr

Send us a textEnjoy this conversation with Andrew Peterson, one of Alex and Susan's favorite artists, singer/songwriters, and authors. Do you have a favorite Andrew Peterson song? Send us a text and let us know which one!ABOUT ANDREW:For more than twenty years now, Andrew Peterson has been about the business of quietly changing lives in four-minute increments. In the city of Nashville where music is an industry in the same way fast food, generic greeting cards, and bumper stickers are industries, Peterson has forged his own path, refusing the artistic compromises that so often come with chasing album sales and radio singles and creating instead a long line of songs that ache with sorrow, joy and integrity, and that are part of a real, ongoing, human conversation. In 2019, Andrew celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Behold the Lamb of God project with an anniversary tour and brand new album recording.Andrew is also the award-winning author of The Wingfeather Saga, a four-book fantasy adventure series for young people. He is also the Executive Producer of The Wingefeather Saga animated tv series by Angel Studios (The Chosen). Andrew's second nonfiction book, The God of the Garden: Thoughts on Creation, Culture, and the Kingdom, released in October of 2021, following his 2019 memoir, Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making.In 2008, driven by a desire to cultivate a strong Christian arts community, Andrew founded a ministry called The Rabbit Room, which led to a yearly conference, countless concerts and symposiums, and Rabbit Room Press, which has published over thirty books.Andrew and his wife, Jamie, have been married for 29 years and have three children, Aedan, Asher, and Skye. In his spare time Andrew keeps bees, builds dry stack stone walls, gardens, draws, and sleeps.Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast. We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness. You can find all our episodes and more at www.embodiedholiness.com. Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website.

Adorning the Doctrine of God Our Savior; Titus 2:1-15; Bennie Tomberlin. Scripture read by Russ Bafford.

Nathan Busenitz • Titus 2:9–2:10 • Cornerstone

Nathan Busenitz • Titus 2:9–2:10

Series: N/AService: SundayType: SermonSpeaker: E.R. Hall, Jr.

Series: N/AService: SundayType: SermonSpeaker: E.R. Hall, Jr.

A new MP3 sermon from Dr David C. Mackereth is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Adorning the Doctrine of God. Subtitle: C H Spurgeon Speaker: C. H. Spurgeon Broadcaster: Dr David C. Mackereth Event: Teaching Date: 9/7/2024 Bible: Titus 2:10 Length: 35 min.

Nehemiah 1:1-3:14 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 Psalm 31:19-24 Proverbs 21:4 Selection from Andrew Peterson's Adorning the Dark Song: Atch - Found You Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported Video Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/G774NKvUm88⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#NoCopyrightMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#VlogMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#VlogNoCopyrightMusic

Titus 2:7-10Sermon #515

Titus 2:7-10Sermon #515

Titus 2:1-10

Episode Summary: In Episode 25 of "Living with Heart," titled "The Ladder," Bryan Barley and Dr. Chip Dodd discuss the intrinsic nature of healthy shame and the importance of emotional presence from birth. They examine the metaphor of a societal "ladder of success," highlighting its detrimental effects on self-worth and genuine human experience. The discussion emphasizes the crucial role of parents in understanding and meeting their children's emotional needs, and the importance of embracing vulnerability and authenticity. Ultimately, the episode calls for a return to living fully and truthfully, rejecting external validation in favor of inner fulfillment and genuine connection. The "Living with Heart" Podcast is brought to you by Chip Dodd Resources (www.chipdodd.com) helping people be who they are made to be so they can do what they are made to do for over 40 years. Also brought to you by The Voice of the Heart Center (www.vothcenter.com). Healthy people get help, and we would be honored to help you. In Depth Show Note (Downloadable Transcript at the Bottom) “The Process”  Feel your feelings, tell the truth about your feelings, and trust God with the process, because He owns the process. Free Downloadable Resource - The Ladder (https://www.chipdodd.com/free-resources-download) The Ladder is a disrupter of The Process. If you get trapped on The Ladder, you will miss The Process and you will miss the actual “arrival” that you're created to have because you never acquired the skills of living fully. We are created for connection; created to find fulfilment through relationship with ourselves, others and God. Parents often want to prevent their children from having to experience the pains of the world, so they teach them to act in an “acceptable” way; they teach them to perform. The result is, children wind up giving up their presence (God given uniqueness) and putting performance in the place of how God made them. We come out of the womb with healthy shame. Examples: I am going to make mistakes. I'm dependent. I can't help but be fully present. I can't help but be in need. I'm a feeling creature. If something is sad or I lose something, I'm going to cry. If I walk into the dark, I need someone to hold my hand, etc.  Webinar on Shame > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0Pjb6EsAGI  We are created to find fulfilment through relationship. When this need isn't met through relationship, we will give up our God-given identity and start looking to others to fulfill what they want from us, and claim a false identity, in order to find fulfilment through belonging and mattering.  “Adorning the Dark” by Andrew Peterson “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2 (NIV) “And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'”  Matthew 18:3 (NIV) Once healthy shame is rejected, once it becomes not okay to make mistakes, once it becomes not okay to be in need, once one becomes distrusting of questions, an unwillingness to risk having answers/ideas, and once we start to have to be more than human, we lose connection with healthy shame. Healthy shame is a dependency feeling that allows us to have the humility to be people who can be of equal worth to other people. We have the same needs. We have the same heartaches. We have the same struggles. We have the same feelings. “It's a Small World” is considered a children's song, but it is so deep and rich. The lyrics are pure and true for everyone, young and old.  https://youtu.be/2rTZ9UndNeI?si=5OhagIXRyS3socj5  When we have to give up, silence or hide our God-given feelings, needs, desire, longings, and hope, we lose true connection.  Our hearts express that we are made like other people; therefore, we have the ability for attachment.  Passion is the willingness to be in pain for something that matters more than pain. Children come into the world with integrity that is fully intact. They are willing to be in pain. They hunger for intimacy. They cry when they are sad. They trust that you are who you “say” you are and you want their best.  So, when the way a child is created disagrees with the way they are parented or treated, they will speak up (crying, defying, protesting) until they finally have to give up how God made them in order to belong and matter. This is where “The Ladder” actually starts. The Ladder moves us away from how we are born to answer two essential questions, “Where am I?” and “What am I doing?”      Good parents are always in pursuit of “Where are you?” “Are you ok?”  “What are you feeling?”  “What are you needing?” “How are you doing (internally)?”  Since babies and infants can't talk and express themselves verbally, parents need to see the facial and body expressions of their children in order to know what is going on internally in their child. (Example: They can't tell you where they are hurting, but you can see their tears and trembling hands.) Babies speak a spiritual and emotional language. They are continuously communicating spiritually and emotionally saying, “This is where I am.” (Babies and infants communicate in many ways. They coo, they cry, they hold their breath, they burp, they engage, they reach out, they laugh, they grunt, etc.) As babies grow, they begin to trust moving from “This is where I am with feeling, needing and desiring” to “This is what I'm doing with where I am.” This growth, or “response-ability” leads them to becoming a responsible person. A parent's job is to raise a child to belong and matter simply by being the way God made them to be. Then the child can take ownership of what they're doing with how they are created. (Example: I have sadness but that does not make it ok for me to hit you just because I'm sad.) These two questions are essential for growing into “response-able” people: “Where am I?' “What am I doing with where I am?” A child that is being raised with heart, can answer these two questions. When we lose the ability to answer those two questions, we can't really answer where we are and be confident about it. Also, we no longer know how to take real ownership of what our intentions are (what I'm doing and what I'm planning to do,) and we lose connection with truthfulness.  Then, instead of belonging and mattering by being ourselves, we change the question from “What am I doing?” into “How am I doing?” Instead of “Where am I?” which needs an internal answer. We slowly lose our internal sense of worth and find our worth externally. When this happens, we are only as good as our last achievement; we're only as good as the last time we were applauded; we are only successful and belong and matter as much as the last time we saw you smile. Therefore, we move from inborn self-worth, which is inherent, to needing others to build our self-esteem, which is exterior. “You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”  Psalm 8:5 (NIV) When a child's voice becomes diminished, he or she loses connection with their self-worth. When we lose connection with our personal presence (our God given uniqueness), we look to others because we still need to belong and matter. We still need to connect. But now, instead of being a feeling creature, we've become a figuring creature. We begin to look at others and try to “read” their faces in order to protect ourselves from their rejection, instead of just being ourselves.  Because we fear the rejection of people who matter to us, we begin to change our behavior in order to belong and matter. We also try to control or change the way they are behaving to make everything more manageable. We begin to let others evaluate us to determine our value, rather than embracing our God-given value that we are born with. Then, the question changes from the two internal questions to an externally answered question, “How am I doing?”  “How am I doing?” is a question that requires a comparison. We compare ourselves to people around us in order to determine our value. We ask ourselves these questions:  “Am I doing enough so they will smile?” “Will they applaud me?” “Will they reward me?” “What else do I need to do to move up the ladder?” “Will they notice me?” So, we lose or give up our personal presence, which is our own recognition of our self-worth, which leads to needing others to build our self-esteem. Anything that can be built, can be torn down. When we rely on others to build our self-esteem, it sets us on a roller coaster of achievement, a sense of “up-and-down” worth that is based on our achievements or lack of achievements. …Now we're at the ladder. The ladder is the thing you climb to prove you're worth something. The ladder is the thing you climb to show others that you are “somebody.”  Then, you end up trying to find your worth on the outside and absorb it, so you can say, “Now, I'm officially someone.”  “Now I officially belong and matter.”  Once we start climbing the ladder: We begin to avoid our own presence (We avoid having to admit that we have feelings.) We begin avoiding the truth about ourselves (We run away from being needy.) Avoid and despise the experience of being dependent (We refuse our need of others.) The ladder is the pursuit of:  Independence from needing others (Free from dependence.) Power (If I can get enough power, then I won't have to be in need anymore.) Being realistic (“It is what it is.” “It's just business.”) You climb the ladder in order to achieve.  “How am I doing?” has to do with what rung of the ladder you're on and how far up the ladder you've gotten. The person below you on the ladder is merely an object of competition, and the person above you is merely an object of competition. You're aways comparing yourself to everyone else all the time and ranking yourself as better, or worse, or not good enough. Comparison is the thief of joy and the thief of genuine connection. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt Comparison always leads us to examining ourselves and comparing ourselves to those above/below us or to those people who are against us. The result is that we can't really be with these people because there is so much dissecting, scrutinizing, judging, and inspecting going on. This leads me to depend on myself--be independent. Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Mark 10:35-37 (NIV) The great delusion is that when I do finally become independent, I've “achieved” enough to say, “I've got mine.” When I do have power, and I have done it by being realistic (“I've got mine, now you get yours,”) then I get up the ladder and into the clouds. Instead of finally arriving at the top, I get past the clouds only to see there is more ladder to climb. I realize that it's just a ladder of achievement. I realize that I have been “tricked” by my life's teachings. I climbed the ladder of achievement and realized there was always going to be “more ladder.” I got tricked.    The best thing that could happen now is for me to experience the one thing that I will do just about anything to keep from happening…fall off the ladder.  For the climber, falling off the ladder is horrifying. It equals “certain death,” which means losing rank. It means losing belonging and mattering. It means not counting anymore, as well as having no value. I become “worth-less” (worthless.) “How am I doing?” is not a bad question. It is a great question if I really want to know how you see me doing, and I'm open to hearing your feedback, versus asking others to rank me and tell me that I'm the best or what I need to do to become the best. Pursuit of the “-est” (the “bestest”, the “mostest”, the “greatest”) is insanity. It is ultimately a hatred of others and a hatred of how I am made. We are indeed created to climb; however, just not ladders. We are created to climb the “mountain of our own dreams.” What does falling off the ladder look like?  The ladder climber will: Lose connection with themselves. Lose connection with others. Wind up attempting to become gods. Become a people pleaser, achievement-oriented, a caretaker, and an approval-seeker. Lose their own identities. Become secret-keepers. Figure out how to get their needs met without being in relationship with others. Lose connection with God. Give up being a feeling creature. Either become sick because they don't know how to feel anymore, or people become sick of them. Falling off the ladder often involves addiction, illness, rejection, waking up to not liking your life, or some other form of hitting bottom. What do you do at the bottom of the ladder? Feel your feelings (a wake up) Tell the truth (a reach out) Give it to the process (a risk of asking for help and accepting it) Learn to ask yourself, “Where am I?” and “What am I doing?” VERSUS “How am I doing?” This will help you move from competition to cooperation. When we return to how God made us and face that we're created to live dependent, we become truthful with how we're made and it returns us to being fully present, and known from the inside out. We begin answering these two questions: “Where am I?” (We admit feeling, needing, desiring, longing, hoping. This is where I am. This is what I dream.) “What am I doing with where I am?” Answering these two questions requires that others be in our lives. We admit what's going on inside of us, and hope in a power greater than ourselves that can restore us to the wholeness that we're made to live in. People who are living on the ladder are living in anxiety. They are living in the anticipation of the negative while attempting to achieve the positive. (“I've got to get up and go for it.” “I've got to be strong.” “I've got to be somebody.” “I've got to work harder”…) When you live knowing how you're made with others and God, your anxiety goes down, and your potential for embarrassment goes up. This is true because you're seen and known, you're receiving feedback, you're willing to go take risks, you're willing to ask questions, you're willing to make mistakes, you're willing to go fail. You're also willing to succeed, you're willing to be celebrated and grieved over. You're alive to feel again. Ironically, when you become willing to pursue the dreams that you were created to have, and you're willing to take risks with them, you automatically, through that dependency upon how you're made, become independent. Dependency allows you to live fully in the world, but no longer of it. I don't have to get in line. I'm climbing the mountain of my own dreams, pursuing how I'm created to live in fulness with how God made me.  Dependency leads us to being independent from the world, but dependent upon how we're made, Who made us, and who we're made to do it with. Truthfulness is like I am made to live a certain way, and I understand the context I live it in. I live in reality where it's tragic, but that's not going to stop me from going towards my dreams anyway. So, the truth trumps reality, although reality is not denied. Power isn't the purpose anymore. I'm not trying to get away from life, I'm moving fully in it, but I'm empowered now to do it by being fully present. Example: Battle of Thermopylae  Be liberated to become who God made me to be and go do what God called me to do in spite of what the results may be. There is so much pronounced rejection, and parents try to protect their children. Vulnerability is equated with being harmed, but vulnerability needs to be kept, and we learn how to live it in an empowered way, where we selectively decide how vulnerable we'll be according to who we're with. There are so many people against how God made us, that we get on the ladder reactively and once we give up having feelings, the ladder awaits us and the mountain of our dreams is abandoned. As long as there is breath, there is always time for change.  When I hit bottom or a place I don't like, it's not an ending. In the hands of God and others who are in recovery, it is my beginning. Dr. Chip Dodd  chipdodd.com  Chip's Free Resources link > https://www.chipdodd.com/free-resources  Subscribe to Chip's website > https://www.chipdodd.com/free-resources  Instagram link > https://www.instagram.com/drchipdodd/  Facebook link > https://www.facebook.com/chipdoddphd  Linked In link > https://www.linkedin.com/in/chip-dodd-phd-9a6b5a84  YouTube channel link > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP9WpxZNCZ9Xm8CoOHHwzhQ  Amazon Author Page link > Chip's Amazon Author Page   Voice of the Heart Center VOTHcenter.com Subscribe to the Voice of the Heart Center website > vothcenter.com  Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/vothcenter/  Facebook > https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556086675833  Timestamps: 00:00 Lou Lamour, prolific author of western fiction. 06:07 Our purpose is connection and living authentically. 08:24 Emotions are fundamental to human connection and behavior. 15:16 Identity struggle and parental pursuit of children. 21:32 External validation obstructs genuine self-discovery and connection. 24:40 Pursuit of success leads to unfulfillment and disillusionment. 28:18 Seeking honest feedback for personal growth and success. 32:54 Living authentically and embracing the present moment.. 37:23 Small, dedicated groups can overcome overwhelming force. 40:33 Embrace vulnerability, wield it with discernment and strength. Transcript - Episode 25 Transcript Keywords: Healthy shame, human beings, birth, fulfillment, loss of self, creativity, storytelling, Psalm 8, pure expression, parenting, children's emotions, needs, desires, integrity of children, societal expectations, ladder of success, impulsive decisions, pressure to achieve, addiction, denial, disconnection, identity loss, forsaking humanity, living truthfully, dependence, presence, embracing vulnerability, authentic trust, internal struggles, pursuit of dreams, morning writing routine, living from the inside out, performance vs presence, self-worth, external validation, internal locus of control, Christian Counseling

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