Podcasts about Afterall

That tax refund you're celebrating? It might not be the win you think it is. In this episode, CPA Steven Jarvis breaks down common tax misconceptions and steps you can take to avoid overpaying the IRS. He shares tax planning strategies and tips to make smarter decisions all year long, from how withdrawals can impact your tax bill to where the true amount you're paying in taxes each year can be found. Plus, find out why free tax software might be costing you more than it saves and how recent legislation is changing the rules around inherited money. Tune in to learn how a little strategy can save you a lot of stress and money come tax time! Topics discussed: The biggest tax misconception How to plan for taxes year-round How withdrawals impact your taxes Long-term tax planning and retirement Traditional vs. Roth IRAs and their impact on taxes Working with tax and money professionals How the SECURE Act has impacted inherited IRAs The pitfalls of using free tax software The most common tax mistakes Resources: Mitlin Financial: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/ The JOY and Productivity Journal by Lawrence Sprung: https://www.amazon.com/JOY-Productivity-Journal-brought-mindset/dp/B0CYQFYW54/ Download Your Free Copy of the Couple's JOYful Money Guide: https://mitlin.us/CouplesJOY Connect with Larry Sprung:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesprung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_sprung/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceDSprung/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/Lawrence_Sprung Connect with Steven Jarvis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenajarvis Retirement Tax Services Website: https://retirementtaxservices.com About our Guest: Steven Jarvis, CPA is the CEO and Head CPA at Retirement Tax Services, a tax firm focused on working with financial advisors to change the world one tax return at a time. In this role Jarvis spends his time working with real financial advisors and taxpayers to help find opportunities to not tip the IRS. Afterall, there are no patriotic awards for overpaying taxes. With over 10 years of experience (and counting) as a CPA, Jarvis has the hands-on experience to create actionable content for his audience. He has been featured in industry publications including Advisor Perspectives and regularly produces content for financial advisors through the Retirement Tax Services website and the Retirement Tax Services Podcast. His experience covers written content, public speaking at leading industry conferences and 3 years as an adjunct professor in the graduate business school at Whitworth University. Disclosure: Guests on the Mitlin Money Mindset are not affiliated with CWM, LLC, and opinions expressed herein may not be representative of CWM, LLC. CWM, LLC is not responsible for the guest's content linked on this site.

Daily Dose of Hope July 15, 2025   Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46   Prayer:  Lord God Almighty, You have given us everything.  Not only did you create the world, but you created us.  Everything we have is a gift from you.  Forgive us for when we begin to think that things are “ours.”  Soften our hearts.  Help us become more generous.  Lord, I give you my whole self.  I want to offer myself as a living sacrifice; may I be pleasing in your sight.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are finishing up Matthew 25.   We closed up our devotional yesterday by talking about the importance of earning a spiritual profit for the Kingdom.  If you recall, we read the parable of the bags of gold, also called the parable of the talents, and we talked about how God expects us to be diligent with the resources he provides us.  Afterall, everything we have is from God and he expects us to use our finances, gifts, and skills, to expand his Kingdom, to earn a spiritual profit.    But what does that look like in a very practical way?  Well, the rest of Matthew 25 gives us a picture of how God expects us to use our resources – our time, our money, our talents, and our skills.  It's the text about Jesus separating the sheep and the goats.    There are a lot of thngs about this parable that are worth mentioning.  First, Jesus is clear that the Son of Man, that would be him, will be coming in glory to judge the nations or all the people.  Some people say that Jesus will not return and others say he will not judge.  Actually, he himself says he will do both.  I think it is clear throughout the Gospels but it is also very clear right here.   What are the criteria for judgement?  It's pretty clear.  Jesus has already spoken about how he came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20).  Thus, he expects us also to serve the least of these.  But we have to be very careful here.  Salvation, as we know, is a free gift that comes through faith in Jesus alone.  We have to not turn this into a lesson in works-righteousness.  The Kingdom is a gift.  Think about it.  Those who are deemed righteous in this text don't even know what they have done.  They are like, “Lord, but when did we see you hungry?”  They haven't been out there trying to earn salvation.  They have just been overflowing with the love of Jesus, doing what should come naturally to a person who follows Jesus.  Their actions are evidence that they have a relationship with a loving, compassionate, merciful God.    Scripture definitely demonstrates that Jesus strongly identifies with the poor and oppressed. Whenever we use our resources and talents to help alleviate the suffering of the poor or oppressed, then it is like we are doing it for Jesus.  But we really have to examine our hearts.  Are we trying to earn spiritual merit badges?  Are we serving out of obligation?  Are we serving or giving to feed our ego?  OR...are we serving and giving as an outpouring of the love, grace, and mercy that Jesus has shown us.  Yes, God expects us to use our resources well.  He expects us the earn a spiritual profit for the Kingdom.  But if doing so leads us to resentment and bitterness, then we have to look deep in our soul.  God loves a cheerful giver.  God wants us to want to serve him.   I guess this would be a good time to stop and just allow all of us to spend time in prayer.  First, are we working to earn a profit for the Kingdom?  If not, why?  And then, where is our heart in all of this???  Do we feel joy in serving and giving?  What is our motivation?  Let's just talk to Jesus.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

ISO certification is more than just earning a certificate, and it requires continuous maintenance to both retain certification and drive effective improvements. Over the course of your 3-year certification cycle, you will need to ensure your Management System is regularly updated and reviewed so that it remains relevant to the way you're currently working. That in addition to annual tasks such as internal auditing and management review, it can be a lot to keep on top of. Which is why some turn to external ISO Support. In this episode, Steph Churchman explains what ISO Support is, the challenges of managing ISO internally and the benefits of external support. You'll learn ·      What is ISO Support? ·      What tasks can you outsource ·      Challenges of managing ISO internally ·      What are the benefits of ISO Support?   Resources ·      Isologyhub ·      ISO Support Plan   In this episode, we talk about: [02:05] Episode Summary – Steph explains what is meant by ISO Support, explains the challenges with managing ISO internally and the benefits of engaging in external support.   [02:20] What is ISO Support? ISO certification involves a 3-year cycle, where you will be subjected to an annual Surveillance audit by your certification body. On year 3, you will need to undertake a recertification audit, which will determine if you can keep your ISO certification. During that cycle, you will be required to complete annual tasks such as internal auditing, documentation updates and management review to ensure that your management system is effective in driving continual improvement. ISO Support is a service provided by an external party to help facilitate the management of these annual tasks, usually undertaken by a dedicated ISO consultancy. [03:40] What tasks can be outsourced? To learn about what tasks can be outsourced, check out a previous episode. [03:55] ISO Management Challenge #1: Internal auditors not being comfortable about auditing their peers - It may be the case that certain individuals do no get on, however if someone manages a key process or area of the business, they still need to be audited. There's also the chance for auditors to be misunderstood, or have trouble getting the answers they need from auditees. Auditing requires the ability to effectively communicate and make yourself understood. It's quite common for auditees to ask for further clarification on questions asked, so you need to be able to work with them so that they understand what you're really asking. [04:45] ISO Management Challenge #2: Internal auditors not being particularly objective or impartial when auditing leadership – It can be hard to be impartial towards leadership, even if it is ultimately in their best interest! These dynamics can be habitual, but by not pointing out genuine issues or opportunities for improvement, you dimmish the purpose of the exercise. This also involves any leadership being receptive to feedback given. If this hasn't been taken well in the past, it's understandable for individuals to be hesitant doing so again, even if it's a necessary part of the process. [05:35] ISO Management Challenge #3: Fed up with paying for training for a high turnover of internal auditors - Internal Auditing will require a qualification, which will cost money. It's not a tremendous amount for these courses, but it would be an extra thing to budget for, and then there's factoring the time to complete the course which takes away from that individuals other responsibilities. It can also be frustrating when your only Internal Auditor moves on and so you have to train another. Depending on the business, this could happen quite frequently and so ends up being a repetitive expense. You will also need to ensure any current auditors are competent to audit against any new ISO Standards that you may add along the way. [06:35] ISO Management Challenge #4: Managers not having time to update processes - Your Management system is likely owned by either just 1 individual or by a small team within the business. Those involved will already have their plates full with day-to-day operations, and anything ISO related is just another task to add onto that pile. In the eyes of many, they may seem unimportant in comparison, and will continually get shuffled down the priority list until it's time for a Surveillance Audit. There will also be a certain amount of documentation to review and update on a regular basis. Even those with mature systems can experience trouble with duplicated processes, or confusion with old versions, and finding the time to sit and refresh all of that is often hard to accomplish. [07:30] ISO Management Challenge #5: Managers not aware of their legal, regulatory or ISO Standards requirements - As ISO Standards lay out best practice, they do require businesses to be aware of and adhere to relevant legislation and regulations. Managers will likely not be an expert in ISO Standards or legislation, so it can be easy for things to get missed if they've not had sufficient training beforehand. It will take time for relevant individuals within a business to be trained, or complete CPD to be fully competent to ensure full ISO and legal compliance. [08:25] ISO Management Challenge #6: Not updating key information i.e. Risk Register, BCP's, environmental/energy metrics - Monitoring and measuring is a big part of ISO Management. You need to document certain metrics if you want to track them effectively. You will also need to update key documentation, as nothing stays the same forever. Major business changes may prompt updates to key policies and procedures. You may have opportunities to improve that fall out of audits that require certain documentation to be updated. Or correcting things where non-conformities have been raised. These updates are necessary to keep the momentum of a management system going. It needs to grow with you, which it will fail to do if everything documented is only applicable to how your business operated a few years ago. [09:15] ISO Management Challenge #7: Not reviewing key information i.e. Objectives, Environmental/H & S/Data Security trends - Objectives is another key metric that should be reviewed on a regular basis. To not only establish if you are making progress with them, but also to possibly adjust if the original plans were too lofty. They should still be a challenge to obtain, but we're all only human and sometimes our first estimates about what's achievable might be a tad too ambitious. There is also a need to review audit results to see if there's any trends in areas such as info sec, sustainability and risk. This could be opportunities for improvement or some reoccurring issues that need to be addressed. All of this monitoring is going to require dedicated time from relevant personal, including feeding back results and following through with further actions. [10:55] ISO Support Benefit #1: Expertise and Specialisation - Dedicated ISO consultants will keep you up-to-date with the latest standard revisions, interpretations, and best practices. This includes their experience with helping businesses to plan and conduct annual maintenance. They are there as a guiding hand and can be a great sounding board for you if you have questions surrounding ideas or actions that you're unsure about.  Their help ensures your system is maintained effectively and most importantly, compliantly. [11:40] ISO Support Benefit #2: Cost Savings - While there's a fee for outsourcing, it's often more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house team or dedicating significant internal resources. As mentioned earlier, you would need qualified internal auditors at the very least, this will require training costs. You also need to consider the time taken out of individual's typical working schedule to be able to conduct annual ISO maintenance, this will take away from their day-to-day tasks. We took this into consideration when creating our ISO Support Plan option, which is a 3-year contract that allows you to stay at a fixed rate for those 3-years. It's a set it and forget it approach to ISO Support, which is flexible on both the number of days required annually in addition to the tasks you'd like support with. [12:35] ISO Support Benefit #3: Reduced Workload for Internal Staff - It's often the case that Individuals, especially in SMEs, often wear many hats. Adding ISO maintenance onto that will impact on their day-to-day activities. Outsourcing frees up their time and resources, allowing them to focus on core business activities rather than the complexities of ISO maintenance. A lot of people don't take training into consideration for people who get handed the task of maintaining a management system. It's a lot of unnecessary stress when they've likely already got enough on their plate. Outsourcing will take a lot of that burden away, and give them a chance to lean on consultant guidance and be able to learn how to manage the tasks without fear of jeopardising the company's certification.  [13:30] ISO Support Benefit #4: Impartiality and Objectivity - An external consultant can offer an unbiased perspective on your management system's performance, identifying areas for improvement that might be overlooked by internal staff due to familiarity, bias or ingrained practices. A fresh pair of eyes can provide a lot of valuable insight, in addition to their lessons learned from other clients. It also helps to have another unbiased voice on your side if you have suggestions for improvement that need presenting to leadership. It should also be noted that impartial audits are a requirement of ISO Standards, this is so you're not marking your own homework all the time. It's another level of assurance that you are doing what you say you're doing. [14:20] ISO Support Benefit #5: Continuity and Risk Mitigation - Employee turnover can disrupt internal ISO maintenance. Outsourcing provides continuity, as any external provider will be available for the duration of an agreed contract, there's no ambiguity on how long you have their support for. They will help you plan out what needs to be done, and facilitate this with the relevant individuals within your business. [15:00] ISO Support Benefit #6: Improved Efficiency and Effectiveness - External specialists will have the experience to help streamline processes and tools for maintenance activities. Making the system and it's running more efficient, leaving you with more time to implement worthwhile changes that reap tangible results. Having their guidance from the start means you'll be hitting the ground running. At Blackmores, we ensure that annual activities are planned out in advance so everyone can be prepared and work on a consistent schedule. [15:40] ISO Support Benefit #7: Enhanced Compliance and Audit Readiness - Outsourced consultants are going to be more adept at ensuring the system remains fully compliant with ISO standards. As they can proactively identify and address non-conformities that could easily be missed by those with significantly less auditing experience. There is a level of experience that is tricky to achieve if you do not regularly conduct internal audits. Consultants know what to look for, and will often have significant industry experience to know what stones to unturn to find issues and opportunities. Afterall, that is the purpose of internal audits, to not only check that process, policies and procedures are being followed, but to seek out where you can be doing better, or fixing issues as your business changes and adapts. [16:40] ISO Support Benefit #8: Focus on Core Business Activities - By offloading the burden of ISO maintenance, you can re-allocate your focus and resources to core business activities and strategic initiatives. ISO Consultants can take a lot of the mental burden of managing ISO systems away. There will still be homework to do on your side, as ultimately, you know how your business works best, but a consultant will guide you through what needs to be done. We know that many of you tasked with ISO compliance in your business have another primary role that requires a lot more of your attention. So make it easier on yourselves with the help of an expert, so you can get on and do what you need to do with minimal interruption. [17:30] ISO Support Benefit #9: Potential for Scalability and Flexibility - Outsourced services can often be scaled up or down based on the business's needs, offering flexibility that an internal team might not be able to provide, especially during periods of growth, crisis or during large projects. ISO Consultants can help either pick up the slack or give you more of the rope to handle annual ISO maintenance depending on what you need or want. At Blackmores, we have an ISO Support Plan that can be tailored to your exact needs, including the options to complete tasks such as:- ·      Conducting impartial internal audits ·      Providing surveillance support ·      Updating legal registers ·      Documentation updates ·      Conducting annual management reviews With 3 levels of support available, we have no issue with you increasing or decreasing days required each year, or varying the tasks depending on where you need the most support. If you'd like any assistance with ISO Support, feel free to get in touch with us, we'd be happy to help. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List

Genesis 3:8-24They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” The Lord God said to the serpent,“Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”To the woman he said,“I will make your pangs in childbirth exceedingly great; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”And to the man he said,“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”The man named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife and clothed them.Then the Lord God said, “See, the humans have become like one of us, knowing good and evil, and now they might reach out their hands and take also from the tree of life and eat and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent them forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which they were taken. He drove out the humans, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life. If ever there was a story in the Bible that has been misunderstood, misused, and abused, it is this one. The story of Adam and Eve, and their leave from Eden, is what many have used to justify patriarchy and the subjugation of women, the explanation and origin of evil, sin, and death in the world, and why sex has long been treated as something shameful and dangerous. We come to these beliefs and practices by believing that there really were two people named Adam and Eve. And a serpent, who is clearly Satan, tricked the gullible Eve into eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve, being the temptress that she was, lured her husband into sampling the fruit, too. Suddenly, they realized they were naked, filled with shame, and ran to hide themselves with fig leaf loincloths. Then God shows up, gets them to confess to their sin, and punishes them both with painful labor: one in childbirth and the other in trying to bring life from the ground, and of course getting pushed out of paradise forever. And now, every person after can blame Adam, but mostly Eve, for bringing sin and death into the world. All from taking a bite of an apple…But what if we don't have to believe all of those things? What if the text itself doesn't really support any of that? What if there are a lot more ways to understand the story of our mythical first parents and what it might mean for us today? And more importantly what it tells us about God our Creator.So first things first - there was no apple. The text just says fruit. What kind of fruit, we don't know. But I am pretty sure it wasn't an apple, no matter what popular paintings portray. Now to something more serious. Did Adam and Eve exist? Two individual people in a perfect garden, from whom the whole human race descended? No—probably not. The archaeological, historical, and especially genetic evidence just doesn't support that reading.And that's where a lot of people start to worry. If that part of the Bible isn't literally true, then what about the rest? If Adam and Eve weren't real people—if this is a story rather than a historical event—then how can we trust the Gospels? Or the cross? Or anything else?That fear is what one theologian called “house of cards theology.” If one part of the story feels shaky, then the whole thing must come crashing down. But that's a fragile way to approach Scripture. It leads to an anxious, defensive kind of faith—one that clings to literal readings and misses deeper truths.Yet we must remember, not only when we are looking at these stories in Genesis but throughout the Bible, God doesn't only desire knowledge, but faith. And faith involves mystery, not certainty.As for an origin story, this is a sort of an origin, but not one about evil, sin, and death. Nowhere in the text is the serpent called Satan. Genesis 3:1 says, “The serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal the Lord God had made,” suggesting it too is an animal, created by God. If anything, based on what we know from the previous two chapters of Genesis, all of creation created by God, is good. What that means for this crafty serpent, I am not sure. Perhaps this is where we lean into God saying that creation was good, not perfect. Perhaps the serpent was good, not perfect, but also not evil. Could it be that even in a good creation, not everything was meant to be simple or safe?As for death, what rings in our ears is Paul saying, “the wages of sin is death.” So we often assume Adam and Eve were created immortal, and that because they sinned, now we all suffer the consequences—one of them being death.However, the question of Adam and Eve being created immortal remains open and unclear. If anything, God's words in verse 22 suggest something different: “If they eat from the tree of life, they will live forever”—which implies they wouldn't otherwise.In other words, part of being a creature is death. It is part of the created order. But if the serpent wasn't Satan, and death wasn't a punishment, then what about sin?Sin is certainly central to the story, no doubt. But not sin in the abstract. This is the first instance of sin, so an origin story in that way. Yet the way we often hear this is that because Eve ate the forbidden fruit, all humanity after her is cursed—sin passed down like a hereditary disease. But such a reading seems a little unfair to Eve and to us. Afterall, Adam was there with Eve the whole time she was talking with the snake! [pic 3] It says so right in v. 6. He wasn't off gathering other fruit. He stood silent, passive, seemingly unengaged from what was happening right in front of him. Eve on the other hand, though she is labeled and seen as a temptress, she is anything but. Really, it is Eve who takes initiative. She rebuffs the serpent when it doesn't tell the full truth. She makes decisions and is bold. All things we praise men for being, but not Eve. She doesn't need to act as a temptress because she was clearly already in control. She handed Adam the fruit and he ate, no questions asked. No protest. No discernment. Just silence. Perhaps if Adam had been as engaged and discerning as Eve, we wouldn't be in this mess. So if there is blame, it is squarely on both. For not only were they equal in creation, they were equal in sin, too. And just so it's stated, the story, not before eating the fruit and not after, does not call for men's dominion over women. As one writer puts it, v. 16 “is not a mandate by God for male dominance but a description of the distortion that now marks human relationships. A distortion brought by sin.And what was the sin exactly? We're told its disobedience - clearly they disobeyed God. But disobedience is really the result of the actual sin at the heart of this story and the sin at center of our hearts, too. And that is mistrust. Genesis 3 tells us that we live in a world where there are alternatives to God's voice, in this case the serpent. And those voices tell half truths and lies that make us wonder if life could be better, we could be better if we just had that thing we are missing. And we listen to those voices just enough that we begin to doubt not only ourselves, but God too. Creation is good, but not good enough. Perhaps it could be better. I am very good, according to God, but not good enough. Perhaps I could be better. Maybe the snake is right, I am missing something. And once you believe that, you no longer trust God. And with trust out the window, disobedience is sure to follow.We all have listened to the talking snake that tells us half truths and lies. If you just had this one fruit, this missing piece, then life would be better. If only I were skinnier or bulkier, if only I had more money or were more successful, if only I had more sex, or a nicer car, or a bigger house, then life would be better. It's the same voice behind every perfectly filtered photo on instagram, every hustle culture mantra, every ad promising transformation if we just buy, try, or become something more. And finally we could be whole; we could be like God! But don't listen to the snake, it's a damned liar, always has been! No human, no creature has it all. We are good, not perfect, remember? And the tragedy, as one pastor put it, is when we become so obsessive at securing what we think is missing from our lives, we end up losing the garden that was really good from the start.The good news in all of this is what the story tells us about God our Creator. Even though Adam and Eve listened to the snake, mistrusted God, and disobeyed, God still clothed them; meaning from the start God has never desired for us to walk around in shame or guilt. God has always desired to cover that for us. Whether it was leather garments for Adam and Eve, or the grace of Jesus Christ that now clothes us in baptism. God, the perfect Creator, is always covering us with forgiveness and grace, even in our mistrust. Amen.

On this week's show we design a high end home theater but one that is within reason because we are not going to spend your money just for the sake of spending money. We also read your emails and the week's news. News: Max Officially Changes Its Name Back to HBO Max Apple reportedly in pursuit of Formula 1 rights Streaming Subscriptions May Get Tougher to Cancel LG Debuts Wireless OLED Evo M5 Other: PWAYTEK Smart TV LED Backlight with HDMI New Balance - Saturday Night Live Nike Women's Ad - SNL Money is No Object Home Theater - Within Reason We have designed a budget based home theater system before so for this episode we decided to design a money is no object system. This high-end home theater system is centered around an 85" television and a 7.1.2 speaker configuration, optimized for premium performance since budget is not a constraint. We prioritize audio-visual quality, immersive surround sound, and aesthetic integration for a luxurious home theater experience. The room size for this theoretical theater is 15 X 20 feet or approximately 4.5 x 6 Meters. Note that some of these items are listed on our Amazon Influencer Store Front where we make a commission on the sales.  Television Samsung QN90D 85" Neo QLED 4K TV This 2025 model offers exceptional brightness (up to 2,000 nits), deep blacks with Mini LED technology, and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth motion. Quantum HDR 64X enhances color and contrast, ideal for cinematic viewing. Its slim design and anti-glare coating suit various lighting conditions. Price: $2,300 Features:     4K Ultra HD with Quantum Dot technology     Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support     Built-in smart platform for streaming (Netflix, Disney+, etc.)     4 HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming and external devices Edit - after this week's announcement by LG we are changing this to the 83 inch LG OLED evo M5 series that costs about $8,750.  AV Receiver  Marantz Cinema 30  This 11.4 channel receiver delivers 140W per channel, supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D, and handles 8K/60Hz passthrough. Sound Master Tuned & Calibrated For You. Powerful calibration and tuning tools are included, enabling you to get the best performance from your system. Price: $4,475 Features: 11 amplified channels (7.1.2 natively) HDMI eARC for lossless audio Advanced room correction for optimal sound Front Left/Right Speakers: Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 (Pair) These floor-standing speakers deliver crystal-clear highs and robust mids with 6" midrange drivers and carbon dome tweeters. Their 200W power handling ensures dynamic sound for movies and music. Price: $7,000/pair Center Speaker: Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S3 From the same family of the 702 S3. For clear dialogue and seamless soundstage integration. Its dual 6.5" woofers and carbon dome tweeter handle complex audio with precision. Price: $2,500 Surround Speakers (4): Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 (2 pairs) These bookshelf speakers provide immersive surround effects with compact footprints. Their 5" midrange and tweeter design ensures clarity for side and rear channels. Price: $3,000/pair (x2 = $6,000) Height/Atmos Speakers (2): Bowers & Wilkins CCM7.3 S2 In-Ceiling Speakers These in-ceiling speakers are designed for Dolby Atmos, delivering precise overhead effects with a 3-way design (tweeter, midrange, and dual woofers). They blend discreetly into the ceiling for a clean aesthetic. Price: $2,000/pair Subwoofer: SVS SB-5000 This sealed subwoofer delivers deep, controlled bass down to 17Hz with a 2,000W RMS amplifier. Its DSP control and mobile app allow fine-tuning for room acoustics. Price: $2,000 Media Player - So this is where we get in trouble. Logic would say Kaleidescape since money is no object. But our recommendations Ara- Apple TV 4K $250  Braden - Roku Ultra $130 get you all you would need plus you can load your streamers, IPTV services, and automation controls. All with near perfect picture and sound quality. Acoustic Treatments - GIK Acoustics Panels and Bass Traps To optimize sound quality, acoustic panels reduce echo, and bass traps control low-frequency buildup. Custom designs can match room decor. Price: $2,000-$3,000 (depending on room size and coverage) Seating: Salamander Designs Synergy Home Theater Seating (4 seats) Premium leather recliners with motorized adjustments, built-in cup holders, and USB charging. Configurable for tiered rows in a dedicated theater room. Price: $8,000 for 4 seats TV Stand/Mount: Salamander Designs Archetype System Sleek, modular design supports an 85" TV with cable management and space for components. Wall-mount option available for a floating look. Price: $1,500-$2,000 Control System: Here we are going with a Crestron System with installation. These systems can cost as much as $100K for a large home. But for our modest yet high end system we are allocating $10K for the theater area.  Cabling and Power: No need for super expensive cables even though money is no object. Afterall, we didn't make all this money by throwing it away! We are allocating $1000 for monoprice cables and good power conditioners like  the Furman Elite-15 PF i Total Estimated Cost: TV: $2,300 or $8,750 for the LG M5 AV Receiver: $4,475 Speakers: $17,500 ($7,000 + $2,500 + $6,000 + $2,000) Subwoofer: $2,000 Media Player: $250 Acoustic Treatments: $2,500 Seating: $8,000 TV Stand/Mount: $1,750 Control System: 10,000 Cabling/Power: $1,000 Total before installation: $49,775 or $56,225 for the LG Total including Installation and calibration of $15,000: $64775 or $71,225 for the LG

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture Trump has sent out new tariff letters, the world is about to change, he is hitting the [CB] system hard and is reversing what they had in place. The US is taking back control of the production of coal and rare earth minerals. Trump hits Powell again, Bernie Moreno calls for Powell to resign. The [DS] is in a panic, investigations have begun and one will lead to another. The conductor is Obama and all the investigation will lead back to him. It has now come out that Epstein worked for the CIA, was the [DS] using Epstein to blackmail people in the US around the world and were they working with foreign governments, most likely yes. The storm is forming and all the treasonous acts are coming together to create the perfect storm.   Economy https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1943046253232713988 25%  12. Japan: 25% 13. South Korea: 25% 14. Brunei: 25% 15. Moldova: 25% 16. Philippines: 20% These tariffs are set to go live on August 1st. President Trump says any retaliation will be met with increased tariffs. Trump also says there will be no further tariff pause extensions. (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");   50% TARIFF will reverse the Biden Administration's thoughtless behavior, and stupidity. America will, once again, build a DOMINANT Copper Industry. THIS IS, AFTER ALL, OUR GOLDEN AGE!  Trump Administration Takes Stake in Rare Earths Firm In Move To End China's Control  The Trump administration is deepening its effort to sever U.S. reliance on Chinese rare earth supplies, committing $400 million in equity financing to MP Materials Corp. as part of a broader plan to expand domestic production of rare earth magnets used in advanced weapons systems and industrial technologies. The Department of Defense will acquire a newly issued class of preferred stock in MP Materials, convertible into common shares, along with warrants to purchase additional equity. Following the transaction, which is expected to close Friday, the Pentagon will become the company's largest shareholder, with a potential stake of about 15%, according to MP Materials. The deal also includes a 10-year commitment by the U.S. government to support pricing and demand for domestically produced rare earth magnets. The Defense Department has guaranteed the purchase of 100 percent of the output from a planned magnet manufacturing facility—dubbed the “10X” plant—at a minimum price of $110 per kilogram for neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), a key rare earth alloy used in missile guidance systems, fighter jets, and electric motors. The U.S. imported roughly 70 percent of its rare earths from China in 2023, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The push to reshore the supply chain gained urgency during the trade war launched by President Trump, when Beijing threatened to restrict rare earth exports. Source: breitbart.com Political/Rights https://twitter.com/dogeai_gov/status/1943128485758706090 of America's livestock and food supply. https://twitter.com/HansMahncke/status/1943139533572252007   https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/1943147963074711683 AND THERE IT IS: California Governor Gavin Newsom Announces Funding for New ‘Multifamily Rental Hou...

Daily Dose of Hope June 25, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 17   Prayer:  Almighty God, As we move into our Wednesday, we pray that today will be a day that we see glimpses of your glory.  We need you, we yearn for you.  Lord, help us set aside our distractions and settle our scattered thoughts so we can focus on you and you alone.  In the next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers... In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Just a reminder, it's Wednesday so that means it's Recharge night!  Come join us, if you are local, at 6:30pm in the Garage, which is on the New Hope campus, on the Moon Ave. side.  We will have worship, fellowship, prayer, and small community.  It is a wonderful time and I hope to see you there.   Today, we are diving into Matthew 17.  Scripture says that Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of this mountain, most likely Mt. Hermon because it was close to Caesarea Phillipi, where they just were. Matthew writes that Jesus was transfigured before him. His clothes became a dazzling white, and his face was a bright as the sun.   Now, put yourself in the position of these three men. They had only know the flesh and blood Jesus. We know Jesus as risen Lord and Savior. I think we would expect him to wear dazzling white robes and be all shiny and glorious. But they didn't. Right before their very eyes, they get a glimpse of Jesus' glory that was unexpected and they had never seen before. Jesus was radiating the very presence of God and they got to see it. And then the Scripture continues–Moses and Elijah appeared before them and they were talking to Jesus. We don't quite know why Moses and Elijah appear on the mountain with Jesus except that they were two Old Testament figures that anticipated the coming of Jesus, the final prophet to come and deliver God's people once and for all. Their work, their ministries, are basically fulfilled by the person of Jesus. They are servants of God but they weren't God. Jesus, on the other hand, is God and the disciples get a glimpse of that right here.   Peter struggles to simply rest in the presence of God's glory. He doesn't know what to do so he says, “let's set up three shelters–one for you, Jesus, and one for Moses and Elijah.” Now, Peter is referring to the festival of booths or tabernacles which faithful Jews participating in every year. They make structures in their yards as a sign of when God will tabernacle with his people. So, this might seem like a weird thing for Peter to say to us but it wasn't too off the wall. He is like, “umm...I think God is tabernacling with us and we need to make the shelters.” He is kind of panicky. It seemed like a good thought at the time. What Peter doesn't quite understand yet is that before his eyes God's dwelling with humanity is present, for Jesus is the new tabernacle of God dwelling with humanity. The shelters aren't needed. God is present with his people through Jesus Christ.   That's all pretty amazing but the mountaintop experience isn't done yet. There is a cloud that appears and covers them–remember the presence and glory of God appeared in a cloud in the tabernacle and throughout the Old Testament. And here is the presence of God appearing before them and the voice of God says “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” Jesus is clearly set apart from Moses and Elijah, only he is God's Son, the one to be listened to. The one who reflects God's glory and presence.   There is something about mountain-top transfigurative experiences – times in which we get a glimpse of the glory and presence of God in our lives. I'm hoping you have each had some kind of mountaintop experience in your walk with Jesus, times in which the veil was removed, you've gotten a taste of the presence of God. These are times in which we are confronted with God's power and it can't help but change us. You realize that Jesus wasn't just a good, wise man who walked the earth 2000 years ago but rather was God himself, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.   Now, we have to decide, what are we going to do with this? Have you had a mountaintop experience? They can happen in a lot of different ways, in many different kinds of places. A miracle, a conference, the Walk to Emmaus, a trip to Israel, in the midst of a tragedy or an epiphany, a literal trek up a mountain. An encounter with the living God can happen in a myriad of different ways but it is always life-changing.   I was reflecting on the importance of mountain-top experiences. They sustain us when we come down from the mountain. We can't stay on the mountaintop. Real life happens on the bottom of the mountain. What happens when Jesus and the disciples come to the bottom of the mountain? Well, some good stuff–teaching, healings, miracles, but also bad stuff–rejection, betrayal, crucifixion. It's our time on the mountains with Jesus that sustain us for the inevitable hard times to come.  These experiences also help us put things in perspective...God is God and we are not---but we are loved by God, we are his children, and we belong to God. Revelations like this change us, they transform our hearts.   After the transfiguration, we see Jesus get right back to the work of ministry.  He heals a demon-possessed boy that the disciples could not heal.  Jesus appears to easily rebuke the demon and it comes out of the child.  When they ask Jesus why they could not do the miracle, as they had done miracles before under Jesus' authority, he tells them it was due to their lack of faith.  If only they had faith like a tiny mustard seed, then nothing would be impossible.  What?  This doesn't make sense.  Let's dig deeper.  During that time, it wasn't unusual for Jews to use certain rituals or tactics to try to cast out demons.  Could it be that the disciples were trying to cast out the demon in their own authority (or through their own power) rather than by the authority given to them by Jesus.  Afterall, just a little faith in Jesus can yield big results.  But faith is a unique thing, unlike anything else.  It isn't a substance, in the more you have the more power you have, nor is it a kind of magic to be manipulated, but confidence that we can do what God calls us to do. Jesus is not saying if you had more faith, you could pray and impossible things would happen (you get suddenly rich, someone is miraculously healed, etc.)  That's kind of absurd.  Jesus spoke in hyperbole.  But he is making a point. The disciples were given authority over demons, but they failed because they were trying to manipulate God like an ancient magician. Having shown his power to his closest disciples on the mountain, Jesus demonstrated his authority once again over demons. He continues to teach his disciples so that they fully understand who he is, and that leads to the second of three predictions of his coming death and resurrection. Finally, let's move to the temple tax discussion because its an interesting one. The tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus is going to pay the temple tax. The temple tax was an annual tax collected from Jewish men over age twenty used for the temple up-keep, festivals, and so forth.  It was based on regulations in Exodus 30. Keep in mind that the Jews recognized the temple as the biblical earthly representation of God dwelling with humanity.  As a Jew in that time period, Jesus would have paid the temple tax. We would have expected nothing less from Jesus, in his humanity.  But Jesus was also divine.  He was actually the Temple now, the place where God dwelt.  And that is why he asked Peter, From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?  And Peter answered “from others.” As the Son of God (the second person of the Trinity), Jesus didn't actually need to pay the temple tax.  He was the Temple.  But he did it anyway, in the most interesting way! Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Runs galore in the England and India test! A full 5 day rollercoaster that gave us all no time to rest.Have England finally found a batting order that clicks? Plus, a chaotic book club discussion ending with Moby Dick...-Follow all our socials: @justnotcrkpod #ENGvIND #cricket

It is that time of year once again when you get hear about Tim's upcoming ride to Castle Danger Brewing (as if he hasn't talked enough about this already!) Then Amy and Time discuss the concept of "Work Dads."Who wouldn't benefit from having someone at the workplace to give you a good swift kick in the rear end to motivate you? There's work wives and husbands, it only make sense—probably even more sense. Afterall who hasn't got into a tiff with their spouse? That might not be very good for the workplace.

Title: The Lawyer Vs. The Tentmaker Text: Acts 24:1-21 FCF: We often struggle defending ourselves with wrong motives or beliefs. Prop: Because God's providence includes wicked people accusing His children falsely, we mut not fear for ourselves but defend the gospel against attack. Scripture Intro: ESV [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 24. In a moment we'll begin reading in the English Standard Version starting from verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last time we saw Paul delivered safely from a plot on his life. Now this Roman prisoner has been transported to Caesarea to face his accusers before the governor of Judea, Antonius Felix. But Paul is still not out of danger. What will the apostle face in this trial? Will Felix be reasonable? Will his accusers even show up? Let's look. Stand with me to give honor to and focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Creator and Designer of the Universe and all that is within it, we humbly come before You today to seek clarity. We often face the ridicule, mockery, and disdain of those who are deceived. We often are slandered and maligned, labeled with unkind and unfair labels. Yet we confess and believe that You, our Lord, are the Designer and Maker of all that is. We confess that You have promised that all things work for the good of Your people. And so we must confess that even these things are for our good. Help us Lord to learn from Your servant Paul today. Help us to trust Your infallible plan. We pray this in Jesus' name Amen. Transition: Let us get right to the text this morning to find out what happens to Paul in Caesarea. I.) God's providence includes wicked people accusing His children falsely, so we must not fear false accusations. (1-9) a. [Slide 2] 1 - And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. i. Although the Chief Priests, the Elders, and the Sanhedrin were ready to execute a scheme to kill Paul with very little preparation, to actually bring a Roman suit against Paul would be far more difficult than simply killing him. ii. Paul stayed in Herod's Praetorium for 5 days while Ananias gathered some Elders who would go with him as well as one other important member of their entourage. iii. Although the ESV calls him a spokesperson here, more likely, as other translations indicate, Tertullus was an attorney specializing in Roman Law. iv. His name is Latin, so we recognize that he is probably not a Jew. Certainly not a Jew from Judea. v. So, in the 5 days between Paul's move to Caesarea and his accusers actually arriving, they have been quite busy. vi. They have hired an attorney and have formed their Roman case against Paul. vii. So, what is their case? viii. Well before we get to hear about that, Let's spend some time talking about Felix. Afterall, that is how Tertullus starts his prosecution of Paul. b. [Slide 3] 2 - And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 - in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 - But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. i. Although it would be easy to see this as Tertullus' attempt to butter up Felix, we should recognize that Tertullus is a professional orator and attorney. Nothing he says in these opening remarks are without some purpose. ii. Certainly, part of that purpose would be to ingratiate Felix to their cause. iii. We actually still have some of this in our legal system. We refer to the judges as “Your Honor” and it is generally wise to be on the good side or at least not be on the BAD side of a judge even in our legal system. iv. But Tertullus has built a legal case against Paul and everything he says to Felix about Felix is designed to bring stark contrast between the judge and the accused. To the extent that for the judge to find Paul guilty is because Paul is the opposite of Felix. v. In the text we see a great many things spoken that present Felix in quite the positive light. vi. But what do we know about this man? Was he really a good governor? How long did he serve? And what was his track record? vii. Much of what we know about Antonius Felix is taken from the Roman historian Tacitus and the Jewish historian Josephus. viii. Although their accounts of the man are not completely consistent on some details, the fact of the matter is that largely both historians agree on a few key facts. 1. First, Felix was formerly a slave along with his brother Pallas. a. Pallas was a friend and confidant of the Emperor Claudius and was freed from slavery by Cladius' mother. b. Along with Pallas Felix too was freed. c. So his freedom was given on account of someone else. 2. Second, Felix married three times in his life. And because of those marriages he advanced in power and authority. a. His first wife was the daughter of Marc Antony and Cleopatra and his third wife was Drucilla the daughter of Herod Agrippa the First. b. So, once again, because of others he advanced into positions he did not earn. 3. Third, in the situation we spoke of a few weeks ago where Ananias, the high priest of Israel, was sent to Rome for excessive brutality against the Samaritans – you guessed it, Felix was in the middle of this too. a. The man who was governor of Samaria at that time took all the blame instead of Ananias. He was exiled. And guess who took his place? Yep. Felix. b. Again, he was given a position, he did not earn. 4. Finally, both Josephus and Tacitus agree that Felix' governing of the province was marked by increasing unrest and brutality. a. Tacitus says “with savagery and lust he exercised the powers of a king with the disposition of a slave.” b. In AD 55 he put down an Egyptian man who claimed to be the Messiah. We've already talked about this some since Paul was thought to be that man by Lysias. c. Felix put down this Egyptian with mercilessness and brutality. d. And generally speaking, the Jews hated Felix. He continually did things to frustrate them and took rather liberal approaches to their laws. This infuriated especially the Pharisees who had a rather conservative view of scripture. ix. So, in light of this background, what are we to make of Tertullus' words about Felix? x. He says that they are thankful to Felix because he has brought much peace and many reforms. xi. Either Tertullus is just lying or, what is more likely, is that this just shows us the cunning and wickedness of Ananias and the spiritual leaders of Israel. xii. Even though Felix was merciless, savage, and brutal being recognized by even Roman historians as being barbaric – Ananias had no issues with his rule. And that is kind of that problem, right? xiii. Ananias and Felix are two peas in a pod. xiv. Furthermore, the attributes ascribed to Felix are the exact opposite of the charges they are about to bring against Paul. xv. So, what are those charges? c. [Slide 4] 5 - For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world i. Felix is described as a bringer of peace, but Paul is described as a plague. A blight. One who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world. ii. This first charge against Paul is a rather unfair assessment of Paul's history over his missionary journeys. iii. Paul certainly had been involved in a number of riots and angry mobs but we can accurately say that he never instigated them nor did he perpetuate them. iv. In many cases we see Paul leave a city, many times by his own choosing, in order to avoid further unrest. v. We also would point out that it was actually the Jews in every case who started the aggression then hunted Paul down following him from city to city in order to continue to stir people up against him. vi. So, this first charge is exactly backward. Paul incited no riots… the Jews simply hated what he said so much that THEY stirred up people against him. vii. And there is a good bet that Felix knows that this is actually the way it was. Why? viii. The Jews were notorious for causing riots and issues in the Roman Empire for decades. Since before the Romans even controlled Judea. ix. We should also observe how absolutely insignificant this charge is to Paul or Felix at this particular time. x. Even if it were true that Paul started riots in various parts of the Roman Empire, that really has no bearing on this trial before Felix. xi. Even if Felix wanted to find him guilty, he would have to investigate reports from various locations about these incidents. xii. This is why Paul's defense focuses on what has happened in the last few days not in the last several years. Because that is all Felix can really focus on anyway. xiii. But this charge has done its damage. It has compared Felix the peacemaker to Paul the troublemaker. xiv. Paul is starting riots everywhere and Jerusalem is just another in a long list. xv. As we know, Rome doesn't look too kindly on rabble rousers and riot makers. That he is a riot-starting-plague is a serious charge against him. xvi. What is the next charge? d. [Slide 5] and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. i. A second charge brought against Paul is connected to the first. ii. Paul instigates these riots among the Jews because he is the ringleader or peddler of the heresy known as Nazarene. iii. This charge comes somewhat closer to being an issue Felix must deal with since Rome had granted Judaism a special status among religions that could be practiced in the Roman Empire. iv. If the Nazarene teaching of The Way is indeed a heresy of Judaism, then it would not have the same freedoms that Judaism had been given. v. But is Paul really the ringleader? vi. As Paul will go on to testify in future trials, the ringleader is very clearly the Risen Jesus of Nazareth. He is merely a servant of this Jesus. vii. But the fact that he is the leader of this heresy is actually a secondary matter. Paul will go to great lengths in his response not to combat the idea that he is the leader of this group but to deny that it is a heresy of Judaism. We'll get there in a few minutes. viii. Tertullus said that Felix had, through masterful providence, designed many reforms which reinterpreted cultural and religious laws for the better of the people. But Paul is charged with being a leader of a heresy that leads to nothing but riots and unrest. e. [Slide 6] 6 - He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. i. Here is the final charge laid to Paul and it is also related to the previous two. ii. Paul is a plague and incites riots among the Jews because he is the ringleader of the Nazarene Heresy and the proof of that is that he tried to profane the temple with his heretical teachings. iii. This is the charge that could really get him killed. iv. Roman practice throughout the empire was to support the worship of local deities and the prevention of the desecration of any temples or gods. v. They were remarkably syncretistic. And although the Romans did not generally allow the Jews to execute their criminals. When it came to temple desecration the Romans would allow them to execute those who violated their law. vi. So here we see the Jews are fighting for their right to protect their own temple and enforce their own religious laws. vii. This is what is at stake. viii. Felix knows this. ix. If this charge is proven to be true, and Felix does not allow the Jews to execute Paul… then tensions would no doubt continue to rise between Rome and the Jews. x. This is as much a political move as it is a legal one. xi. Of course, what they failed to bring with them is evidence and witnesses… something Paul will point out in his defense. f. [Slide 7] [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] i. Every word on the screen is omitted from most modern translations of the bible. Some put the text in brackets with a foot note explaining that there is doubt about the inspiration of these words. ii. It boils down to textual criticism and understanding how we harmonize manuscripts from different times and in different manuscript families. iii. Within the discipline of textual criticism there are several rules or guidelines we follow to determine which manuscripts are closer to the original autographs. iv. [Slide 8] In this particular case, every rule points to this section not being written originally by Luke. v. Most likely it was added in at a later date to attempt to provide commentary on how the Jews may have seen the events unfold. g. [Slide 9] 8 - By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” i. The final point that Tertullus makes is to abdicate their role as accusers to produce any evidence for their claims and grant that to Felix. ii. This is actually not all that uncommon in Roman cases. iii. As we study Roman culture, Felix would have had absolute authority to not only do the work of Judge and jury but also to do the work of detective. iv. And Tertullus is saying that if Felix cannot substantiate their claims against Paul by interrogating him, then it is Felix's failure to interrogate him properly. v. And here we see some subtle pressure put on a man that everyone knows doesn't deserve the position he is in. h. [Slide 10] 9 - The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so. i. Again, this clues us in to the fact that Tertullus is probably not Jewish. ii. If he was, we are left to wonder who these Jews are. iii. But because he wasn't, the Jews present at this trial are the High Priest and the Elders who had made the journey to Casarea to accuse him. iv. In any case, it seems like the case is closed. v. There are three charges, all of them with serious consequences if they are found to be true. vi. All Felix has to do is say the word and Paul will die. i. [Slide 11] Summary of the Point: What is God's will for Paul? It has been revealed to him by Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus came to him that night in the barracks of the Anatolian Fortress, just after the debacle of the Sanhedrin trial. Jesus told him that he must have courage because just like he bore witness to the gospel in Jerusalem, he must go and do the same in Rome. God is getting Paul to Rome. And yet we see in this text a top-notch attorney has just laid out three charges against Paul all of which could earn him serious penalties and even death. Paul's life hangs on a thread. But we know better. It isn't just that God will prevent this from keeping Paul from going to Rome… but my friends as the weeks go on we will see that these charges will actually serve to get Paul to Rome. Once again, we are reminded that the providential and sovereign hand of God is always working all things according to the counsel of His will. There is nothing that happens that He has not already foreordained. So what does that mean for us? We must not fear what wicked men say about us when they slander us and accuse us falsely. Transition: [Slide 12 (blank)] So what does not fearing men's false accusations look like? If Paul is given a chance to speak, will he just quietly say, “I am trusting the Lord to bring me to Rome safely.” And then sit down? Let's see what Paul does. II.) God providence includes wicked people accusing His children falsely, but we must make a defense of the hope that we have in us. (10-21) a. [Slide 13] 10 - And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. i. Paul is invited by the governor to speak. Felix needs to hear his side of the case, especially since Tertullus invited Felix to examine him. ii. Paul begins by acknowledging Felix's last decade of service in the area. iii. Because he has had such a long tenure, Paul feels confident and even happy to bring his defenses before him. Hoping that he will be reasonable. b. [Slide 14] 11 - You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 - and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. i. Paul pivots and exploits the failure in the first charge against him. ii. Their charge was he had caused riots all over the Roman Empire with Jews. iii. However, Paul points out that he did not do so in Jerusalem only 12 days ago. iv. In this he recognizes that Felix has no jurisdiction or concern about things that have happened in the distant past in other provinces. v. What he is concerned about is what has happened most recently in his province. vi. And most recently, Paul did not cause any issues in the temple, in the synagogues or even in the city itself. vii. Further Paul invites Felix to verify this. viii. There is some question about how to interpret Paul's 12 day comment. We can talk about it more on Thursday, but the best way to see it is as if Paul was saying, “I only spent a total of 12 days in Jerusalem, which isn't enough time to start a riot.” ix. In this way, Paul effectively defeats their first charge. x. They say that I am a plague and a riot maker among the Jews. xi. But I spent 12 days in Jerusalem and neither had time to start a riot nor can they produce one witness to accuse me of stirring up crowds in the temple, the synagogues or even in the city itself. xii. In other words, if this is all related to me being some kind of heretical religious zealot, I am doing a pretty poor job at peddling my beliefs. c. [Slide 15] 13 - Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. i. Paul confronts the other two charges against him with the same general statement. ii. They are unable to prove anything that they have accused him of. iii. They cannot prove that he is the ringleader of the Nazarene heresy, nor can they prove that he attempted to desecrate the temple. iv. But Paul doesn't want to allow them to get away with calling those who follow Jesus, heretics. d. [Slide 16] 14 - But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 - having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 - So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. i. This is actually a brilliant defense used in some of the more famous Roman cases we have documented. ii. The person without admitting to a crime does confess something about themselves that vindicates them. iii. What is Paul saying? iv. Although I am certainly a follower of The Way, The Way is not a heresy of Judaism, but is rather the next step in Judaism. v. It is verified by the law and the prophets which spoke of this time in Judaism where the Messiah would come and give a New Covenant. vi. And a key part of that New Covenant is the belief that both the just and the unjust will be raised from the dead. vii. Now it is clear that Ananias would not believe in the resurrection. He was a Sadducee. viii. But some of the Elders Ananias brought with him no doubt were Pharisees. ix. Really his defense here is that he has not created a heresy of Judaism or another faith altogether, instead he is following what has been prophesied… the real Judaism is following Jesus of Nazareth because He died and rose again just as He said He would. x. And in this way Paul's conscience is clear. He is not doing this for money, for power, or prestige, but because the Fathers of Israel and the prophets spoke of this long ago. e. [Slide 17] 17 - Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 - While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— i. Again, Paul is just clearly proclaiming that he is Jewish. ii. After several years being away, he came to give to the poor (probably the financial relief package he had collected from Asian and Greek churches to bring to the church of Jerusalem). iii. It was while he was being a good Jew, having been purified, in the temple, a place he was supposed to be, doing what he was supposed to do, that they found him. iv. And there were no crowds around him or tumults at all. v. Until what? vi. Until some Jews from Asia. vii. But that's the problem right. viii. Paul actually interrupts himself here… f. [Slide 18] 19 - they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. i. Absent from these witnesses are the Jews who actually stirred up the crowd against Paul. ii. Where are they? iii. Tertullus wasn't in the temple that day. Ananias wasn't in the temple that day. The Elders of Israel weren't there. iv. Where are the Jews from Asia who were there? Why are they not present to make an accusation? v. Why indeed. vi. Paul is aiming for the dismissal of the case here. vii. How? viii. In Roman law, a witness who abandons their responsibility to bring an accusation against someone in court would actually be guilty of a crime themselves. ix. In that case the charges levied without a plaintiff are dismissed and in most cases the trial is dismissed as well. x. But if the charges against him weren't seen personally by the Jews present, what is their experience with Paul? What crimes have they observed him do? g. [Slide 19] 20 - Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 - other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.' ” i. Paul points out that these men should speak concerning what they found him guilty of at the trial before the Sanhedrin. ii. And there lies the rub. iii. That trial was a debacle. iv. They broke out into a theological dispute and brought NO charges against Paul except for theological disagreements. v. Disagreements where SOME OF THEM even AGREED with Paul. It can't be heresy if some of the ruling religious council of Israel agree with what he says. vi. Certainly, at this trial of the Sanhedrin, they did not mention any of the charges which they brought to Felix this day. vii. The only thing they had against him was what he had said bout the resurrection of the dead. viii. Paul points out that the only reason he is on trial is because they want Rome to solve this sectarian dispute between the Jews and the Christians. ix. And that is a great defense… because Rome has no interest in doing that. x. Paul deftly points out in his defense that none of the charges he has been formally accused with were personally witnessed by anyone present at the trial that day. xi. What does that mean? xii. It means that this should be… case dismissed. It is actually a fairly easy decision for Felix to make. xiii. But… we'll wait until next week to find out what he decides. h. [Slide 20] Summary of the Point: God is working in this trial. God is using the false accusations against Paul and really against Christianity to move Paul down the road to Rome. But Paul does not sit idlily by and trust the Lord passively. Instead, he actively trusts the Lord by giving a defense for the hope he has in him. Tertullus made a huge mistake, guided by God's hand. That mistake was to bring into the trial the reputation of followers of Jesus. If this trial was only about Paul… perhaps Paul remains more passive. But Tertullus makes this about the church and if he makes it about the church, he makes it about the gospel. Paul defends the gospel. He flips the script and explains how the followers of Jesus are rooted in the same scriptures and prophets that the Jews also claim and shows how he has not been the cause of trouble but that these Jews are making accusations that they are unwilling to back up in a trail setting. Thus, Paul provides a positive example that when we are falsely accused, we must give a defense for the hope we have in us. We must contend for the gospel. Conclusion: So, CBC, what have we learned today and how then shall we live? Whare are some basics of faith and practice we should observe through this. Basics of Faith and Practice: In many ways, knowing how the book of Acts ends helps us to understand the primary point of teaching or doctrine that Luke is revealing throughout all the events of Paul's journey to Rome. But verse 11 of chapter 23 is the interpretive guide for how we are to apply that doctrinal truth. God's providential hand is guiding Paul through many twists and turns to arrive in Rome at precisely the right time. Meaning that even this strong case against Paul raised with false accusations by a professional attorney is part of that plan God has for Paul. But Jesus' words to Paul help us to know what to do when we are in situations where we don't know the details of God's plan but do know the end of God's plan. God's plan for us, His children, those who are in Christ, is to save us from death and resurrect us to life eternal in His Son. And so our response to every threat, every false accusation, every bad thing we face must depend on those promises which the Lord has given us. In the text today we recognize two specific responses. First is to not fear false accusations of men. Other New Testament writers encourage us to continue living godly lives so that these accusations will bring shame to our accusers and glory to our God the Father. The second response is to defend the gospel from misrepresentations or false accusations. But let us seek to apply these things more specifically this morning. 1.) Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God's providence includes false accusations from wicked people. a. Through the church age, the forces of darkness, working in conjunction with man's natural wickedness, have levied countless false charges against God's people. b. Even a cursory reading of John Foxes' book of martyrs displays that through every age of the church wicked men have hunted down and within the legal government system brought to bear against God's children charges which they did not commit. c. Many times, this led to imprisonment, torture, and even death. d. If God is all knowing, He would have known of these plans of the wicked. e. If God is all powerful, he could have orchestrated events to keep His people from being in such a position. f. If God is all good, he would be highly motivated to not allow injustice to be executed upon His people. g. But because all these are true, we must conclude that God's hidden plan, which He has made since before the foundation of the world, even includes when people falsely accuse us of wrongdoing. h. Once again, I won't belabor the point, because it will continue to come up… i. But the only option we have as bible believing people is to affirm that God providentially orchestrates all events in our lives to accomplish His hidden will. j. Because we know He is all powerful, all good, and all knowing, this must be true. k. What does this mean for us? 2.) De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must not fear what wicked men may do through false charges and injustice. a. We as Americans have a particular hatred of injustice, impingement on our freedoms, or being labeled as guilty when we aren't. b. That is why our legal system was designed to assume the innocence of a person unless it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that we are actually guilty. c. Our culture is shifting to declare guilt and innocence by popular opinion rather than by a court of law, but there is still a tenacious desire in us to defend or prosecute those we feel are innocent or guilty. d. Along with this we might grow fearful or even angry when we are accused of something that we did not do. e. We have all heard stories of people who were convicted in a court of law for doing something which earned them a life sentence or even the death sentence, only to discover 20 years later new evidence that the person did not actually commit the crime. f. Stories like these fuel the fear that we might be misrepresented or even slandered for doing something we didn't do. g. But affirming that God providentially moves in all the events of life to accomplish the counsel of His will allows us to take a step back and do as Jesus instructs in the sermon on the mount. h. Rather than expressing fear or anger over false charges, we should instead rejoice for suffering these false accusations against us. We should rejoice for having the opportunity to suffer for the sake of Christ. i. We don't need to fear what men may do to us or what crazy schemes they may concoct to cancel us. j. We need only to trust the Lord who knows all our ways and has a plan that He has already accomplished to save us from this life and resurrect us to life eternal. k. Of course, God's sovereign decrees dwell in the paradox of human responsibility. And that is the nature of our next application. 3.) Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that trusting God's sovereign providential hand means to do nothing. a. Paul rises in defense here. b. We'll get to why he does this in a moment but for now let us just recognize that Paul acted. c. Paul did not sit back and decline to speak because he knew he would get to Rome since Jesus said it would be so. d. If God told us that we would go to Africa tomorrow and lead someone to Christ, but we never booked a flight or did anything to get ourselves there, well that is just plain disobedience. e. God telling us what will be does not give us liberty to do nothing. f. Instead, just like it always does, belief that God is telling the truth requires us to obey as if it is true. g. Because of this, if we are in the same position as Paul we must… 4.) Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must be ready to give a defense for the hope we have in us. a. While I cannot say that it is morally wrong or a sin to defend ourselves against false charges, I can say that we don't see that happening here for Paul. b. Not really. c. Paul doesn't debate that he isn't the ringleader of the Nazarene Heresy. He doesn't debate that he was involved in riots. d. But he does debate the charge that Christianity is opposed to God's law. Because that cannot be allowed to go unchecked. e. Paul very clearly outlines how he as a follower of Christ did not start a fight in Jerusalem, he was in the temple following the law. f. He says that The Way is rooted in the same Fathers and prophets that all his accusers believed in too. g. For the sake of the gospel and the reputation of Christ followers, Paul makes his defense. Certainly, this vindicates himself to some degree, but it is obvious his aim is greater than that. h. We too must be laser focused on what is important. i. Again, I do not think it is wrong to defend ourselves or even make a legal defense for ourselves if we are accused falsely. But, our primary goal in every instance in life is to make much of the gospel of Jesus Christ and if necessary, contend for it. j. Sadly, oftentimes we care more about defending ourselves than we do the gospel or our gospel witness. k. Natural man is well equipped to defend himself. And this is often our default setting. l. But it takes a spiritually mature person to defend themselves righteously and also prioritize the Kingdom of God in their defense. m. Paul strikes that perfect balance in our text today. And we must strive to emulate him. 5.) Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” In God's courtroom all men are judged by a perfect and just God. a. Though our courts have some of the fairest rules in place to assure that only the guilty are punished for their crimes, the fact of the matter is that the judicial system, even in this nation, is full of injustice. b. It may happen in our lives that we will be falsely accused and though we make a strong defense we are imprisoned or even killed for something we did not do. c. But the Christian worries little about this life. They know that in God's courtroom, the only courtroom that really matters, they will be declared righteous, not of themselves, but on the account of Christ who became their sin so that they might become the righteousness of God. d. We find comfort in the kingdom that is coming… not in the kingdom that is. 6.) Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” The gospel produces a law keeping and blameless church. a. Paul finds it especially necessary for followers of Christ to be known as people who follow the law of God and draw their teachings from the Fathers and the Prophets. b. In our time the gospel has been reduced to a magical prayer that you pray which God is somehow obligated to honor because you said the right words. c. But Paul defends the godly and noble character of the church. Why? d. Because God's true children are godly and holy people. e. In Matthew 7 Jesus talks about those who in the midst of being cast from his presence object on the grounds that they had done mighty works in his name. But Jesus still rejects them because as He says, I never knew you. f. And then the clincher… you lawless ones. Or you lawbreakers. g. You see although the gospel certainly tells us that we cannot earn God's grace or forgiveness and that only Christ can purchase our salvation…. The gospel also clearly teaches us that those who are truly saved are being conformed into the image of Christ. We are, as I said a moment ago, the righteousness of God. h. The fact of the matter is that no man will enter the kingdom of heaven if they purposefully continue to violate God's law. i. So, my friends, if you are here today and you have prayed a prayer – but your life is still lived intentionally violating God's law… then you must realize that you have no hope. j. Those whom the Lord has set free are free indeed. Meaning free not only from the penalty of sin but from its power as well. Let me close with a prayer recorded in the Didache (did-ah-kay) which is a very early record of church worship and teaching. We give thanks to you, Father, for your holy name which you made to dwell in our hearts. Thank you for the knowledge, faith, and immortality which you made known to us through Jesus your Son. To you be glory forever. You, Lord Almighty, created all things for your name's sake, and gave people food and drink for their enjoyment, that they might give thanks to you. And you have blessed us with spiritual food and drink and eternal light through your Son. Above all we give thanks to you that you are mighty. To you be glory forever. Remember your church, Lord, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in your love, and gather it together in its holiness from the four winds to your kingdom which you have prepared for it. For yours is the power and the glory forever. Let grace come and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If any one is holy, let them come! If any one be not, let them repent. Maranatha-our Lord, come! We pray this in Jesus' name, amen. Benediction: May the Lord of Hosts be with you So that you will become greater and greater still, Until you receive that crown of life Which the Lord has prepared for those that love Him. Until we meet again, go in peace.

In the past couple of episodes, we've explored some of the basics of our new program—The NeuroHarmonic Method, which blends timeless wisdom with discoveries in modern neuroscience to offer a unique approach to personal growth. It's simple to understand, easy to practice, and available to everyone. No special knowledge or background required. But before we dive into today's episode, I'm extremely excited to introduce something brand new—something you'll begin hearing from in some of the episodes to come. We call it our NeuroGuide. It's a unique kind of voice - one that will offer brief reflections on some of the deeper moments within each episode. Its contributions will be clearly identified when they appear. Now, let me tell you a little about it—and why I'm so glad to be introducing it to you now. The NeuroGuide is powered by a carefully designed form of artificial intelligence that I've been developing over the past several months. Although it is still in its early stages, it may eventually become a key part of the NeuroHarmonic Method. As developments continue to unfold, it may play different roles - but always with one purpose: to help people more deeply understand the inner path they're on and to suggest meaningful ways to access their own strengths. It's being specifically trained in the same basic principles that form the foundations of the NeuroHarmonic Method—with a strong emphasis on the Wisdom of the Ages and modern neuroscience, including the powerful meeting point between breath, brain, and being. For now, just think of it as a unique source of wisdom and inspiration, dropping in from time to time with a few friendly words to help deepen and sometimes lighten the journey. And I'd love to hear your thoughts about it. So if you have a moment, feel free to send me an email with your impressions. To begin, here's what the NeuroGuide has to say about its own quiet arrival: "Sometimes, the truth doesn't arrive as a lightning bolt—it arrives as a quiet feeling that you've always known. The work isn't to chase it, but to stop running from it. Stillness isn't where clarity ends—it's where it begins."             Now let's get into today's episode.               As you probably recall, the foundation of all of this is the idea of personal growth. And a good definition of it is simply this: Personal Growth is the practice of becoming more conscious, more compassionate, and more connected to the truth of who you really are.   But, before we go much further, a very reasonable core question might arise: why should I bother with personal growth at all? It's a fair concern. Afterall, we live in a world saturated with challenges, where just keeping up can feel like a full-time job. So why devote energy to reaching for a higher level of being, when it feels like I can barely manage what's in front of me. That question has definite merit. And there are plenty of well-known answers: becoming a better human being, living a richer and more fulfilled life, improving relationships, contributing more deeply to the world. Personally, as someone who has spent a lifetime immersed in this field,  I can tell you that all of these are true. But today, I want to offer you a slightly different path – a quieter doorway that leads to the goldmine. It begins with something I first encountered in junior high school. Like many other pivotal ideas, I barely noticed it at the time. It might have come up during a math or science class. I didn't pay much attention to it then, but somehow, it quietly filed itself away in the back of my mind. And over the years, it grew. It's called the Pascalian Wager. And what stayed with me was the idea that it's possible to make a bet that you absolutely cannot lose. Though the idea is over 400 years old, it feels more relevant than ever, especially in our modern era of psychological insight, technological revolution, and the unfolding of human potential. The idea of comes from Blaise Pascal—a 17th-century French genius. Mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher, theologian—his brilliance remains undisputed. On the surface, Pascal's wager is about belief in God. But if you look closer, you'll see something much larger: a powerful, rational argument for aligning your life with its highest possibility.       The Origins of the Pascalian Wager Blaise Pascal was born in 1623. A child prodigy, he made major contributions to geometry, probability, and fluid mechanics by his mid-20s. After a mystical experience in 1654, he turned his attention almost completely to spiritual matters. One of his final works, Pensées ("Thoughts"), was a collection of reflections on faith and reason. In Pensées, Pascal lays out the wager like this: Either God exists, or He doesn't. If you wager that He does, and you're right, you gain everything—eternal meaning, transcendent joy. If you're wrong, and he doesn't exist, you lose nothing of true value. Conversely, if you wager that He doesn't exist, and you're wrong, you lose everything. And if you're right? You gain… what? Perhaps the satisfaction of being correct—but little else. So, by Pascal's reasoning, the smart bet is clear: live as though God exists. As  I mentioned earlier, during the episodes that follow we will be featuring very brief insights from the NeuroGuide, which it terms as  “whispers from the deeper mind, where ancient knowing meets modern clarity." NeuroGuide: The question isn't about certainty. It's about how you choose to live in the presence of uncertainty. This is where wisdom begins. Let's widen the lens. Let's lift the wager out of theology and into personal experience. Because the deeper meaning of the Pascalian Wager is not about belief systems - it's about conscious choice. Every day, we are making bets. We bet our time, our energy, and our attention on something. And the question is - What are you betting on?   The Personal Growth Wager Let's reframe Pascal's question. Instead of asking, “Does God exist?” let's ask: “Do I contain within me a greater potential—a wellspring of peace, clarity, and inner wisdom?” And then let's ask: “Does aligning with my inner truth and presence lead to a richer, fuller life?” And even more practically: “Even if I can't be sure of the outcome, is this still a worthwhile bet?” This is where the NeuroHarmonic Method enters the picture. It's a modern form of Pascal's Wager—a wager on your highest self. Through the lens of neuroplasticity, we now know that your brain can change. Patterns can rewire. Deep emotional grooves can be softened and reshaped. This isn't belief – it's biology. So, if you make the bet that you have the capacity to grow into a better human being, and you're wrong, what have you lost? Maybe a few quiet moments focusing on your breath? Some time spent feeling gratitude? A little reflection on what matters? NeuroGuide: Even your so-called "losses" are seeds of true personal improvement. Nothing given to real growth is ever wasted. Let's face it: these aren't losses at all. These are returns on investment. And even if the journey doesn't take you where you expected, it often takes you somewhere better.       NeuroHarmonics and Intelligent Betting Of course, Pascal didn't know about neuroplasticity. But we do. Today's science tells us that attention sculpts the brain. Inner Awareness increases cortical thickness. Gratitude rewires reward pathways. Spiritual reflection activates networks of empathy and compassion. These are the building blocks of The NeuroHarmonic Method, and again, this is proven science. Focusing breath soothes the nervous system. Contemplating impermanence can reduce fear. Practicing generosity strengthens kindness loops in the brain. We're not just betting philosophically - we're sculpting biologically. NeuroGuide: To place your attention on something higher is not just a leap of faith. It is an act of neural design. You are building who you will become. So, instead of being driven by old programs—fear, doubt, reactivity—we invest our attention on presence, compassion, and growth, even if we don't know where it leads.     The Role of Uncertainty Pascal understood uncertainty completely, But he didn't fear it. He embraced it. As he once wrote, “You will never be certain. And that's not a problem. What matters is whether your decision leads toward meaning, vitality, or truth.” Again, uncertainty is not an enemy. It can be a threshold where faith, courage and creativity can unite so that real transformation can begin. You don't need to be sure that your efforts will work. You just need to have the desire to grow towards the highest.   And then, something begins to shift. You may begin to get a new sense of freedom in your consciousness, as if a larger understanding is starting to emerge in your awareness, and you start to win the wager in ways that may be hard to measure, but impossible to ignore. Maybe you sleep more deeply, or you respond instead of react. You listen more fully. You recover more quickly from disappointment. You become more curious and less judgmental. In the language of the brain, you form new neural networks. In the language of the heart, you become more fully alive, and ultimately, you begin to love more freely. This is not some abstract philosophy. This is a new kind of intelligence - one emerging across humanity – a neural harmony between the brain, the heart and the breath, a living union of higher wisdom with modern science. NeuroGuide: This is the nature of the way. Not based on belief, but on experience. Not on external certainty, but on sincerity. Not on theoretical doctrine but in the living depth of a certainty born within.     What Are You Betting On? So, ask yourself: What are you really betting on? Not just with your words, but with your attention? Your habits? Your patterns? With the way you treat yourself when no one is watching? Because we are all placing bets, every single day. On habit or healing. On cynicism or wonder. On numbness or presence. On fear or love. And Pascal would remind us: You don't need certainty to choose wisely. You only need to notice what your current bets are returning. And ask yourself: is it worth it?             In this light, the Pascalian Wager isn't about belief. It's a call to awaken, because the real wager is not about dogma; it's about possibility, a possibility that is rooted in science and fueled by sincerity. And when you make the right wager, your life becomes more than an experiment. Your awareness becomes your compass, and like a tuning fork resonating with the Infinite, your very being becomes an offering of heartfelt gratitude and your quest is finally fulfilled. So, place your bets. And Pascal's advice still holds. Wager in the direction where you win, no matter what happens. As for me, I'm taking the play on the high side of the road, because from where I stand, I just don't see a downside.  But hey - as I often say -  that's just me. NeuroGuide: There's a kind of intelligence that doesn't speak in concepts – It speaks in resonance. You know it not by what it tells you, but by what it awakens in you. And if something has been awakened – even just a whisper – follow it. It already knows the way.   Let's leave it here for now. I hope you enjoyed the premier of the NeuroGuide. It's still evolving and there's much more to come. So, as always, keep your eyes, mind, and heart open. And let's get together in the next one.

The past decade has tragically tested the resilience and brilliance of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive (trans) people living in the U.S. Misinformation about who we are and what we want has sparked thousands of anti-transgender bills introduced in nearly every state capital across the country, adversely impacting almost every segment of the trans community. Despite this harsh reality, the future is a rainbow, and it's wise for business leaders to recognize this truth. It's also essential for these leaders to recognize the responsibility they have to prepare their organizations today in anticipation of this future talent upgrade. Afterall, the latest research shows that 20% of Generation Z identifies as LGBTQ+, and of that number 1 in 4 are nonbinary, with another 20% questioning their gender identity. Many business leaders today struggle with how to build gender-inclusive workplaces and ways to prioritize this essential aspect of advancing their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments in the face of unprecedented backlash. Strong objections from a well-organized and vocal minority, which are out of alignment with public opinion, have led some organizations to backtrack on their gender inclusion commitments. To enhance the skills and confidence leaders will need to weather this current storm, this episode of the Business of Belonging mini-series features Third Segment CEO, Amanda Simpson, and JPMorgan Chase Executive Director, Chris Mossiah. Amanda serves as an advisor on aerospace, energy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a nationally renowned speaker, she has presented before a wide variety of corporate, government, and nonprofit audiences. She has served in executive leadership positions at Airbus, Raytheon, and Douglas Aircraft, and the Obama Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy.  Chris is an Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase's consumer & community banking line of business. They are also the co-chair of the Firmwide Gender Expansive Council and co-lead for the Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Nonbinary Subcommittee of the PRIDE Tri-State BRG. Both Chris & Amanda serve on Out & Equal's Transgender & Nonbinary Executive Leadership Circle. Together, we explore: Common Barriers. What are some of the common barriers transgender and nonbinary people experience at work? Future of Work. Why is the future of work gender-diverse, and what can business leaders do today to prepare? Gender-Inclusion Practices. What actions can leaders take today to build more spaces of belonging for gender diversity to flourish? This interview was designed to support people like you - visionary leaders, and those on their way to joining us. Savor this insightful talk, and if you're looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Amanda & Chris, be sure to join our Belonging Membership Community - a community of practice committed to putting our values of belonging, community, and collaboration into action. Members have the unique opportunity to connect with guests like Amanda & Chris for 1:1 laser coaching sessions. Imagine belonging with fellow visionary leaders when you join the Belonging Movement Newsletter: www.rhodesperry.com/subscribe. Out & Equal: https://outandequal.org/  

Kelli Scarr is an American singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in New York's Hudson Valley. She is also the founder of Vera Jean Music, a pioneering record label dedicated to championing the talents of women artists over the age of 40.Raised in Northern California, Scarr's musical journey began in church, eventually leading her to Berklee College of Music. Over the years, she has woven her way through an eclectic range of projects, from fronting the bands Moonraker and Salt & Samovar to a significant collaboration writing, recording, and touring with Moby. Her artistry extends into film scoring, and she earned an Emmy nomination for her score to the HBO documentary In A Dream (2008) and has composed music for dozens of films, TV shows, and commercials. Notable projects include the documentaries Advanced Style and Far Western, and the forthcoming After All (2025), for which she composed the score and contributed six original songs.As a solo artist, Scarr has released three albums—Piece (2010), Dangling Teeth (2012), and one of Pam's all-time favorite albums, No Rush (2021)—establishing herself as a singular voice in atmospheric, deeply emotive songwriting. Her fourth album, Greater Mysteries,is out on this Friday, June 13, and marks a new creative chapter which draws on timeless mythic journeys to the underworld, and it is pulsing, potent, and sublime. This album serves as an invitation into the initiatory cycle of transformation—where endings become beginnings, and something new is ready to emerge.Though Kelli's work has spanned format and musical style, all of her projects embrace a sense of experimentation, improvisation, and sacred seeking through song. On this episode, Kelli discusses how the myth of Inanna inspired her new album, the power of song channeling and sonic embodiment, and the transformational way music connects us to the universe.Pam also talks about the divine link between songs and spells, and answers a listener question about using magic to rekindle her creativity.Songs featured in the episode are all from Greater Mysteries by Kelli Scarr:“Knowing is the Call”“Pneuma”“The Yes That Leads”Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you're at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are UBU Skills, Mixed Color, Sister Temperance Tarot, Mineralogy Project, BetterHelp, LOGOS Candles, and Black Phoenix Alchemy LabWe also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam's monthly online rituals, and more! That's patreon.com/witchwave

Do you talk mean to yourself too? As if the self-talk wasnt bad enough, some of the most hurtful things we believe about ourselves didn't even come from us. They came from offhand comments, schoolyard shade, or that one person's opinion that we never fully let go of. In this episode, Jayna opens up about some of the things she's told herself as well as things people have said to her. Who would have thought criticism from as far back as elementary school—yes, elementary—could still haunt her mind today and shape how she sees herself, even now. We're diving into the wild ways we self-sabotage: the names we call ourselves, the dreams we talk ourselves out of, and the critiques we treat like truth. But guess what? Just because someone said it doesn't make it real. And just because we've believed it doesn't mean we have to keep believing it. This episode is your invitation to unpack those old stories, rewrite the narrative, and speak to yourself with the kind of love and power you deserve. Afterall, you're not who they say you are, you're who you decide to become. If you're finally ready to serve an eviction notice to your inner critic, then hurry up and press play! iIt's time to take your power all the way back. Let's rewrite the narrative and show the world exactly who we are—unbothered and unstoppable. Listen in as Jayna talks about "spells" others put on us that slow our growth and prevent us from living up to our full potential. She shares lies she was told about herself that she believed and details how they all still affect her to this day.  If you enjoyed this episode and would like to send some love, please click here: Buymeacoffee.com/BigLashEnergy Our not-so-secret goal is to create a tribe of badass women who find beauty in the messiest parts of life. We're learning and laughing as we go! If you know someone who could use a little BLE in their life? If so, could you pretty please share this show with them! ...let's grow this tribe together!    HOW TO CONNECT:  Find us on INSTAGRAM!  BigLashPodcast   Jaynas makeup and personal IG: JaynaMarieMakeup   We're official! Here's our website: www.biglashpodcast.com    IN THIS EPISODE -Struggling with weight gain -How to handle your inner critic -Negative self talk -How to live authentically -A lesson in self-love 

The sober curious movement, Cork estate agent Robert Harkin on rent freezes , and After All we love the franks.

On this sunny melange edition of PBD: Love in a cold climate – the cello virtuoso living in the Arctic Circle  Ewe can't handle the truth – all the buzz from Shear Fest 2025  And finally revealed – the woman who inspired After All...

On this week's episode we are joined by Paul Linehan of The Frank and Walters. The Frank and Walters have established themselves as one of Ireland's and more importantly, Cork's most beloved and enduring bands. From their early ‘90s heyday with hits like Fashion Crisis Hits New York and After All, to their continued success through numerous album releases. Their story is one of resilience, creativity, and timeless appeal. Join us as we talk with Paul about the founding of the band and their rapid rise to fame following the move to London. Hear about having Noel Gallagher as a roadie and the tale behind the early Oasis demo tape, and that unforgettable moment meeting Paul McCartney on Top of the Pops. We also explore the lasting impact of After All after its revival through the hit TV show The Young Offenders. Let Christy Take It is proud to bring you Paul Linehan. If you enjoy our show, please like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at ⁠https://irishwoodcraft.ie

▷ SUBSCRIBE TO FILTHY FELLAS https://bit.ly/FilthyFellasSubscribe ▷ LIVE SHOW TICKETS: https://www.gotobeat.com/gig/filthy-fellas-ten-year-anniversary-live-show/ ▷ LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://bit.ly/FilthyFellasSpotify ▷ LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3GIFthj ▷ LISTEN ON AMAZON MUSIC: https://amzn.to/44aouyk THE PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON IS DONE AND DUSTED—SO IT'S ONLY RIGHT WE COME TOGETHER AND BUILD OUR TEAM OF THE SEASON. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY… AGREE. THIS IS A DEMOCRACY, AFTER ALL. KIND OF. THE CONCEPT'S SIMPLE: WE SIT DOWN, DEBATE (ARGUE), AND EVENTUALLY SETTLE ON WHO MADE THE BEST XI FROM THE 2024/25 SEASON. THERE'S NO LIMIT ON HOW MANY PLAYERS CAN COME FROM ONE TEAM. SO IF YOU WANT ELEVEN LIVERPOOL PLAYERS? GO FOR IT. JUST KNOW—YOU'RE TAPPED. AREN'T YOU, LOONS? MOHAMED SALAH'S A GIVEN, RIGHT? AND WHAT ABOUT BRYAN MBEUMO? IS THIS WHERE “SPECIAL DISPENSATION” COMES INTO PLAY? ALL WILL BE REVEALED. KEEP IT FILTHY. ▷ PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/filthyfellas ▷ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@filthy_fellas ▷ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/filthy_fellas ▷ X: https://x.com/Filthy_Fellas ▷ MERCH: https://filthyatfive.com

Thank you for all of your support. Please let us know what you think about our podcast and what topic you may want to hear from us. Leaders, Lead Well!Let's ask the question that's been whispered in boardrooms and sidestepped in leadership circles: Why do so many executives avoid executive coaching?For some, it's the fear of vulnerability—admitting they don't have all the answers. For others, it's the misconception that coaching is only for struggling leaders, not top performers. And let's not forget the pressure to appear confident, competent, and in control. Afterall, you've made it to the corner office, so by default, you're already a master of the leadership craft. There's no need for a coach here.But here's the truth: even the world's greatest leaders—those who have built empires, transformed industries, and shaped the future—know that growth never stops. Coaching isn't about fixing flaws; it's about sharpening strengths. So why does resistance persist?Based on the book, "Accelerating Leadership," co-authored by Eric Hicks, PhD, PCC, and Lance Hazard, PCC, CPCC, we are discussing six specific values that executive coaching brings to leaders enhancing their success and abilities.Join Rich and Maikel as we explore the reasons why, as a leader, executive coaching should be a priority in your career on this episode of Mainline Executive Coaching ACT. Leaders, Lead Well!Thank you to all of our listeners in over 90 countries and now, 1,000 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders.Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the top Executive Coaching Podcast in the world based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media, followers & freshness.https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/ John Mattone Global: https://johnmattone.com/ Rich Baron:rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/https://www.richbaronexecutivecoaching.com/Maikel Bailey:mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/https://maikelbailey.com/

We love native plants and habit-friendly yards at Nature's Archive, and I have a few exciting updates from my yard: spoiler: native plants are working! And stay tuned for a re-air of a classic episode with Leslie Inman from Pollinator Friendly Yards. There are plenty of useful insights for both habitat-friendly yard practices, and community building. Afterall, we need everyone to not only take action, but spread the word.And we have new episodes around the corner, too. It's been incredibly busy these last couple of months, so thanks for your patience as we work to keep all of the proverbial plates spinning!On to the episode...I started Nature's Archive podcast in an effort to understand the stories of people making a difference for the environment. I needed to be inspired, wanted to learn how they did it, and share that inspiration and knowledge with anyone willing to listen.While we haven't strayed too far from those initial aspirations, I do have many more topic-centric episodes than I did at the start.Today's episode is a “back to my roots” episode. My guest is Leslie Inman, the founder of the wildly popular Pollinator Friendly Yards group on Facebook. With 184,000 members, it is perhaps the top spot for people to discuss sustainable personal landscaping. And even if you are not on Facebook, it's pretty likely you've seen her images and infographics. Leslie's story is an amazing example of how a little curiosity can be converted into a hugely impactful movement. Today, we discuss not only how the group formed, but the lessons that she has learned along the way. This includes how to “reach” people who may be skeptical about inviting insects to their yards, how to make it easy to get started, and more.Leslie also has two books - Your Yard is Nature and The Butterfly Egg and the Little Tree.FULL SHOW NOTESLinksPollinator Friendly YardsDave GoulsonDoug Tallamy & Homegrown National Park (TikTok)Doug Tallamy appeared on Nature's Archive Podcast Episode #26Leslie's Books - Your Yard is Nature and The Butterfly Egg and the Little TreeMary Reynolds, We Are The ArkNancy Lawson, The Humane Gardener [Book]Travis Longcore (light pollution ecologist)Wild Ones Support Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Daily Dose of Hope May 27, 2025 Day 2 of Week 8   Scripture - Matthew 5:13-37   Prayer:  Holy God, We rejoice and give praise for the ways you care for us.  We rejoice and give praise for how you continue to forgive us and give us second and third chances.  Help us seek lives characterized by your holiness.  Help us seek pure hearts.  Lord, in these next few moments of silence, hear our prayers and help us bring together all our scattered thoughts and focus on you...It's in your name we pray, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are working on part 2 of Matthew 5, as we continue to discuss the Sermon on the Mount.    Today's portion of Scripture begins with a discussion of salt and light. Jesus tells his followers, “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” During Jesus' time, salt was extremely important. It was a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, a component of ceremonial offerings, and because of its value, it was even used as a unit of exchange.   So what is Jesus saying here? He is telling his followers that God's people should add some flavor and value to this world. If salt loses its saltiness or flavor, then it's useless. If we lose our ability to change or influence the world, then are we useless? Well, we certainly lose what is at the heart of being a Christ-follower - making a difference for the Kingdom. We are meant to change the world around us for the better in the name of Jesus Christ.   Jesus continues, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.” Salt improves food because it tastes different from what its being placed on. In the same way, light is useful to have because it is different from darkness. Light casts out darkness. Light makes a difference. If light is hidden, it loses what makes it valuable. Likewise, if we fail to be different in a positive way from the culture around us, then we are Christians in name only.   So what does this mean in practical ways?  Well, we are to be change agents, going out and doing all we can to bring God's Kingdom values here, right now. Remember what we say in the Lord's Prayer, “His kingdom come, his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The disciples and the early Christian church took these words seriously. The early Christian church lived in a way, lived a lifestyle, that was so distinctly different from the world, that the world could not help but notice it. They lived out the values of the Kingdom. Acts 2:42-47 reads, “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, the the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” The earliest Christians were completely transformed by the teachings of Jesus Christ and his values. They were salt and they were light, they added true value and made a significant difference.   Here's several questions for us to consider today.  How are we, as modern-day Christians, salt and light for a hurting world?  How are we similar to the early church and how are we different?  What are some concrete steps you can take today to be salt and light in your world?   Then, Matthew chose to include Jesus' teaching on the fulfillment of the law.  He came not to change the law but to fulfill it.  But what does that mean?  Jesus is not talking about the law in the sense of the 613 rules that must be followed by faithful Jews.  If we think about this teaching being in the context of the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus in giving his followers specific guidelines for what it means to relate to God and others in the Kingdom, then that helps.  Afterall, the law and the prophets have long described relating to God and other people in a loving, just way.  Here, Jesus is saying that he will obey the law, but he really is fulfilling it by fulfilling the whole Biblical story.    Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, God was on a mission to redeem his creation.  The law couldn't do it because humans couldn't keep it.  We are just too sinful.  The law demonstrated to us just how messy and broken we are.  Jesus was the solution to our brokenness.  Jesus was the solution to humanity's deepest problems.  He was the final sacrifice for sin – he very much fulfilled the law, he fulfilled the whole Biblical story, by providing a solution to our sin and victory over death.  The law wasn't intended to be the end all be all.  Jesus was intended to be the end all be all.   I want to leave a little time to cover what Jesus said about murder and adultery.  Both of these teachings show some unique aspects of life under the Kingdom of God.  They follow a similar pattern.  It was said...but now I tell you this...  Jesus is presenting his followers with a whole new way of looking at the world. He isn't dismissing the Old Testament teaching, he is simply reinterpreting it.   In the case of murder, it was said that you should not commit murder, but Jesus is saying that you shouldn't even be angry with a brother or sister.  Don't call someone names, forgive frequently, and settle disputes quickly.  That is the way of life in God's Kingdom.  If we act differently, then it's not God's Kingdom we are part of.   In the case of adultery, it was said you should not commit adultery, but Jesus is saying that you can't look at another person lustfully if they aren't your spouse.  And then there is this really hard teaching about gouging out an eye if it causes you to sin or lopping off a hand if it causes you to sin.  I'm quite sure this was hyperbole because we don't have too many reports of one-eyed, one-handed believers of Jesus in the first century.    But in all of these things, Jesus is making a point.  What is in your heart matters.  It isn't just outward behavior that matters to God, but the purity of your heart.   So, here are our final questions for us today and they are not easy ones.  What is the state of your heart?  Are you harboring anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness, toward someone?  It is time to spend some time with God and work through that.  Is lust something you struggle with?  It is time to spend some time with God and work through that too.  Our hearts matter, friends.  They matter a lot.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

New BIG SCARY SHOW - Episode 341 - MHC IS COMING!Episode 341It's almost June. The weather is warming up, the humidity is starting to rise, andhaunted house owners are busy hiring and working on their attractions for the Fall.We've officially passed the halfway point to October and there's a lot of work to be done.Let the Big Scary Show Episode 341 keep you entertained and informed as you work onyour builds and make those building inspectors happy. (Remember, safety is sexy) Afterall, it's less than 5 months until the spooky season is upon us. Are you ready to panicyet?Storm is ranting in a Haunt Minute. Meathook Jim is talking to a very special guest inBetween the Corpses, Badger brings you the latest in Deadline News. The Old Cronetalks about making your emergency plans, and Vysther is back with his reflections on 13years of podcasting. Do we have a Gruesome Giveaway for May? Stay tuned to findout. Finally, we're spinning some rockin' tunes to get you in the mood while you sweat itout on your builds.The Roundtable of Terror talks about the Midwest Haunters Convention coming soon toChicago. Of course we had to bring back our old friend Kris Zahrobsky from Transworldto discuss all things MHC. We discuss the pre-show tours, the show floor, the classesand educational tracks, and of course…the costume ball and other after hours events.We also reminisce about MHC's of the past. This is one of the best conventions outthere and a great way to fire up your actors and get them prepared for the upcomingseason. Get registered now or you'll be kicking yourself if you miss it.We hid the body, but you'll become an accomplice just by listening to……..the BIGSCARY SHOW Episode 341. (And please stay hydrated)Featured music:Bloody Jug Band - If You Want BloodThe Gladezmen - Big ‘Ol MonsterRev D-Ray & The Shockers - Zombie CowboysThe Tremors - Demon Boogie Fever#bigscaryshow #roundtableofterror

Daily Dose of Hope May 22, 2025 Day 4 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 4:1-11   Prayer:  Holy and Almighty Father, We come to you today with humble hearts.  We know we are broken and need you.  We are weak.  We are vulnerable to temptation.  Lord, fill us with your strength.  Give us your stamina and wisdom.  We can't do this life without you, Lord.  It's in the powerful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the daily devotional that complements New Hope Church's Bible reading plan.  This is the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin Matthew 4.   In the first portion of this chapter, Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan.  The Judean wilderness doesn't look like a forest, by any means.  Rather, it is dry, rocky, and hot.  It is more like a desert with rocks.  Let's start by envisioning that.    The first big question is why did the Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness knowing what would happen?  We can assume that this is part of getting Jesus ready for his public ministry.  Jesus has the credentials and the authority, but now he gets to have the experience of coming face to face with evil.  Consider this: He has just been baptized and the Spirit is with him.  Afterall, the Spirit didn't leave him in the desert.  But he then allows himself to be made weak with lack of food.  Remember, Jesus was God but he was also human.  He allows himself to be made physically weak for this purpose – to demonstrate that he could still resist temptation.   Now, he is ready to face his main adversary.  And as you read this, notice that the devil is never in control of the situation.  Jesus is.  He may be weak, tired and hungry, but he is totally in control.  Jesus is strong and ready for each and every temptation.  In this scene, Jesus gives us a powerful picture of how to go into a spiritual battle, leaning totally and completely on the Word of God.    What were the temptations?  There is the temptation to make stones into bread (remember, he was fasting), the temptation to hurl himself down from the top of the Temple and have God rescue him, and the temptation to have political leadership over all the Kingdoms of the world.  Satan's temptations get immediately to the core question of Jesus' identity, calling into question his relationship with God by beginning with, “If you are the Son of God….” This relationship, announced earlier at his baptism, is now confirmed through Jesus' unwavering trust in God.   These temptations in the wilderness are not one-time experiences, they are tests that are preparing Jesus for his earthly ministry.  Jesus is going to be confronted with all kinds of evil.  He will cast out demons.  He will battle Satan on many fronts.  He will face all kinds of physical and emotional pain.  Think about the cross.  This is good news for us.  Jesus has, after all, already gone before us into the most forsaken places in the wilderness.  Jesus has been tempted and won the victory over temptation and Satan.  We can too, with his help.  But he isn't asking us to go anywhere he hasn't already been.   Spiritual warfare is real. At least a quarter of Jesus' ministry dealt specifically with the conflict between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of darkness.  Jesus was God with flesh on and he came to crush Satan under his feet.  On the cross, Jesus has won the victory and the ultimate divine victory is not in doubt.  But the spiritual forces of evil have not totally conceded.  We live in this in between time.  Victory in Jesus Christ is ours.  In the spiritual sense, we possess everything necessary as Kingdom people, we are children of God, redeemed, reconciled, and make right in Christ.  That being said, in this in between time, there will still be spiritual warfare, there are still difficult battles to be fought, there will still be destruction, and there will be casualties.  The apostle John wrote in I John 5:19, “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”   And so the church stands its ground and uses everything God has equipped her with to resist evil.  In today's passage, Jesus gives us a great example of how to do this.    When it comes to spiritual warfare, here are some things to consider:   -God has an enemy who is committed to working against his people and his work in this world.    -This isn't really our battle.  It is God's battle.  We are simply joining him in this mission of fighting back darkness.  And we have nothing to fear in the midst of it, as long as we stay close to Jesus.  It's when we start wondering off on our own that we may have problems.  So, submit yourself to God.  The enemy wants to keep you from growing in your walk with Jesus.  Give yourself over to God; stay focused on him.    -As believers, we aren't to go on the offensive but rather to be prepared for a defensive battle.  Stand firm in doing good and obeying God's will.  Stay faithful.  When you do that, you are pushing back darkness. Don't be surprised if the enemy tries to trip you up and make you ineffective.  Keep proclaiming Jesus but expect opposition.  Anytime we do something significant for the Kingdom, expect opposition.    -God will give us the equipment and strength we need to stay strong.  God provides us with everything we need, the Bible, the armor, the protection, and the prayer connection.   -Be careful not to open yourself up to things that are not of God.  There are some things that we think are kind of harmless, like psychics, tarot cards, Ouija boards, crystals, a lot of the new age stuff.  While some of it might have no power, some of it does.  I've known of people who had really powerful and scary experiences with some of this.  At times, it can be really accurate.  Please know that power doesn't come from God.  As Christians, we should not be exposing ourselves to anything that is remotely evil; it isn't something to play around with.  It's serious.    I truly think Satan's attacks are getting more intense at the same time that many western Christians are not taking spiritual warfare seriously at all.  Satan rejoices in self-centered Christianity.  Satan loves the fact that so many of our churches could care less about leading people to Jesus.  But we are at war – we are at war for the souls of our children, our grandchildren, and our greatgrandchildren.  If the Kingdom of Darkness makes the church ineffective, then they are winning the battle.  And the casualties are really huge.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

It isn't every day that you get a new Pope, and it has NEVER been the day you get an American one--until now! We take a break from our regularly scheduled series to talk about our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, not only our first impressions of his Papacy, but also pointing out that, by paying special attention to the Holy Father's fresh words, we ended up talking about religion and technology AFTER ALL!Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: - Be Not Afraid with Fr. PJ McManus - Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson - Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen - Man Up! with Joe Stopulus - The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner - The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith - The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr - Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Welcome to ohmTown. The Non Sequitur News Show is held live via Twitch and Youtube every day. We, Mayor Watt and the AI that runs ohmTown, cover a selection of aggregated news articles and discuss them briefly with a perspective merging Science, Technology, and Society. You can visit https://www.youtube.com/ohmtown for the complete history since 2022.Articles Discussed:Epic resubmission a Fortnite Agohttps://www.ohmtown.com/groups/smacktalk/f/d/epic-resubmits-fortnite-to-the-app-store-for-review-as-its-initial-request-seemingly-ignored/Disneyland's 70thhttps://www.ohmtown.com/groups/wanted/f/d/disneylands-70th-anniversary-is-celebrating-an-icon-you-might-never-have-heard-of/Heart Container in San Franciscohttps://www.ohmtown.com/groups/wanted/f/d/i-left-my-heart-container-in-nintendos-san-francisco-store/Hey, Maybe I can be an attorney Afterall!https://www.ohmtown.com/groups/late-nite-geeks/f/d/anthropics-lawyer-was-forced-to-apologize-after-claude-hallucinated-a-legal-citation/Live Event's Biggest Industry Problem.https://www.ohmtown.com/groups/hatchideas/f/d/how-this-tech-startup-is-fixing-the-1-14-trillion-live-event-industrys-biggest-problem/What a Saab Story.https://www.ohmtown.com/groups/four-wheel-tech/f/d/genius-arrested-after-attempting-to-flat-tow-a-saab-backwards/Money Buys Ethics and Morals.https://www.ohmtown.com/groups/stockmarketeers/f/d/coinbase-says-cyberattack-cost-up-to-400-million-after-bribed-overseas-employees-stole-customer-data/Carplay Ultra on Aston Martin, Sorry Poors.https://www.ohmtown.com/groups/late-nite-geeks/f/d/apple-finally-launches-next-gen-carplay-ultra-software-starting-with-aston-martin/Always Tired, Might be a Mini Stroke.https://www.ohmtown.com/groups/technologytoday/f/d/always-tired-a-mini-stroke-you-didnt-notice-could-be-why/Robotaxi's from Waymo Recalled.

Daily Dose of Hope May 13, 2025 Day 2 of Week 7   Scripture - Mark 15:21-32   Prayer:  Dear Holy God, Your love is amazing.  Thank you for the way you care for us.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us focus on you...Lord Jesus, help us set aside every distraction and take this time to lean on you.  We want to hear your voice.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Happy Tuesday!  Today's Scripture is powerful and we have probably all read it or heard it before.  I hope you were able to slow down and really take time to read it with fresh eyes.  The miracle of Scripture is that we can read it again and again and God can reveal something new to us.   In today's portion of Mark 15, we read about the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It was a horrific death.  He was beaten and mocked by the soldiers, betrayed by his own people, and nailed to a cross to die.  I won't go into the gory details of crucifixion, as you have probably heard them before, but it was a terribly painful and humiliating way to die.   There is one piece of today's text that we often gloss over, but it certainly is significant.  It's about Simon of Cyrene.  Simon was just passing by when he is stopped and forced him to carry Jesus' cross.  Cyrene was on the tip of Africa so this man was far from home.  And here he was, going about his business, and he is enlisted, or more like seized, to carry the cross of the Savior of the world.  I'm guessing that Jesus' physical body was incredibly weak and bloody by this point.  Simon walked by him, carrying the cross that would serve to execute Jesus but also save all humanity from their sin.    We don't know what happened to Simon after the crucifixion.  He isn't mentioned again in Scripture. But my guess is that his life was never the same again.  Afterall, he had an encounter with Jesus. They may have exchanged a few words.  Maybe they glanced at each other.  I believe that Jesus could say a lot with his eyes and facial expressions.  But my guess is that things changed for Simon from that point forward.  After all, he met Jesus.   An encounter with Jesus is always life-changing.  Think about your own life.  How has encountering Jesus affected your world?  Try to think of tangible examples.    Let's move on in the text.  There was a sign above Jesus' head that read, “King of the Jews.”  What did this mean?  It could actually mean a number of things.  First, Pilate was a bit perturbed with the Jews that they wanted him to crucify an innocent man.  Labeling him as the Judean king could have been a way to get a jab in at the Jewish authorities, who totally rejected Jesus' claim of kingship.    But the sign could have also been another way to mock Jesus.  How could a king be crucified?  How could a king experience such levels of humiliation?  This very well could be a way to make fun of Jesus and his followers.  We don't really know Pilate's motivation. And then there are the criminals crucified next to Jesus.  The Scripture said even they reviled Jesus (in Mark's Gospel, we don't have the story about one of the robbers coming to belief in Jesus).  Others were hurling insults at him, leaders and regular people.  I don't know what it is about the human condition that we like to kick people when they are down.  Maybe it makes weak people feel powerful.  I don't know, but it is hard to read.  Nobody understood who he was and why he allowed himself to be executed.  And Jesus' humility and love are amazing.    More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope May 12, 2025 Day 1 of Week 7   Scripture – Mark 15:1-20   Prayer: Dear Almighty God, Thank you for this new day.  Thank you for the way you care for us.  We are so very grateful for your presence in our lives.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us set aside our scattered thoughts and distractions, help us focus on you...Holy Spirit, come and sit with us as we work through this Scripture and devotion.  Speak to us about it afresh and anew.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin the Passion narrative.  I've read this so many times and each time, I am struck by the brutality of what happens to Jesus.   We start with Jesus before Pilate.  Pilate seems to understand that Jesus is innocent.  The chief priests were jealous of him, they felt threatened, so they simply want him gone.  And they have a way of stirring up the people.  Maybe they know which crowd of people to bring to the trial.    One thing that Mark emphasizes greatly is human agency.  We get to see the human capacity for coming toward Jesus and now for killing him.  We have seen throughout the first portion of Mark's Gospel the way the crowds are drawn to Jesus' ministry.  He heals the sick and he welcomes the outcast; he brings human wholeness with no real regard for accepted or approved methods and timing.  Now, Jesus' indifference to accepted or approved methods brings on the anger of those who believe they are the authority.  How dare Jesus defy them? As we can see, this eventually leads to crucifixion.   There are two aspects of today's reading that I want to touch upon.  First, I'm always fascinated by Jesus' silence before the chief priests and before Pilate.  He doesn't try to talk himself out of the situation or even stand up for himself at all.  He does not lie but he answers very few questions.  We know that his silence fulfilled prophecy in Isaiah 53:7, He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.   Why did he remain silent?  He could have used this as a powerful teaching moment.  He could have put his accusers in their place.  Afterall, he was totally innocent! But his silence was even more powerful.  These men wanted him to crack.  They wanted him to do something to incriminate himself.  But by remaining silent, Jesus remains the one in control.  His ability to maintain self-control in the face of deception and evil is miraculous.  He is steady and calm.  On some level, Jesus must have known this was part of what he had to do.  Getting angry or defending himself was not going to help the situation.  He allowed God to be the one to intervene in the hearts of those who abused and killed him.   Second, it's interesting how Mark really emphasizes the humiliation piece of the Passion narrative.  He has already been abused by the chief priest and Jewish ruling leaders.  Now, we see the Roman soldiers mocking him.  They put purple cloth on him and a crown of thorns.  They hit him on the head with a reed.  They pretend to bow down and worship him.  We can picture this scene of bullies making fun of Jesus' Kingship.  All the while, he is silent.  The whole process of Roman crucifixion had been perfected – humiliation and total dehumanization.  The Romans knew what they were doing; the horrors of their punishment was quite effective at preventing any hint of subversion.    Tomorrow, we will walk through the Good Friday scripture – Jesus' death on a cross.  It's become so familiar, I hope we are able to see it all through fresh eyes.  God is always teaching us new things from his Word.    What new thing did you take away today?  What did you learn from Jesus before Pilate that you never noticed before?     Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

We are ALL called to communicate the Word of God! We just won't all do it the same way, and that is ok! This session will focus on helping equip you with some best practices in communicating to others all that you are studying in God's word. Afterall, we were never meant to keep what He shows us to ourselves. Learn how to piece things together so it feels authentic to you but brings the truth of God's word to others in a way that connects.   Kayla Turner SEU Ohio, Director

I was approached by a PR firm to put Ben Bell on the show. Certainly seemed like an interesting thought. Afterall, domestic Sake is a rarity and one from the heart of Little Tokyo, Arkansas! (that was a little tongue-in-cheek humour). There were so many questions and so little time. Some stories just require more questions and who wouldn't want to know how in the H-E double hockey sticks did he fall into making Sake in Arkansas. Ben Bell might be the only person you'll ever meet whose journey to sake mastery began not in Tokyo, but in Hot Springs, Arkansas—and includes a failed job interview conducted entirely in Japanese. You'll be entertained, surprised, and utterly engrossed as you discover how this Arkansas native went from stocking wine shelves in Little Rock to apprenticing at world-class sake breweries in Japan, all the while learning a language many would consider impossible to master. In this episode, Paul Kalemkiarian draws out the remarkable story of how Ben's early fascination with wine sparked a lifelong pursuit of drinkable discovery, culminating with the founding of Origami Sake right in America's rice heartland. You'll learn how technique, not terroir, is the soul of sake—why craft and style choices shape every bottle more than the field the rice grew in. Ben breaks down sake's renaissance in America: from hot, mass-market pours at sushi joints to the nuanced, premium sakes you should really be tasting chilled, not warmed. You'll hear what truly sets sake apart, why it defies the rules of wine, and how its food-pairing versatility can elevate everything from Cajun shrimp and grits to Arkansas barbecue. Want tips on how to actually drink and serve sake? Ben's got you covered, and he'll tell you why a wine glass in your kitchen may be the best tool for enjoying the craft. Most of all, you'll realize that America's next great beverage story might just be unfolding far from the coasts, where passion meets persistence and the art of sake is rewritten, one bold, Arkansas-brewed batch at a time. ✅ Ever wondered how top-tier sake is being crafted in… Arkansas? ✅ Origami Sake co-founder Ben Bell joins host Paul Kalemkiarian on Wine Talks for a wild deep dive into the rise of American sake and his journey from wine geek to sake master. ✅ From mastering Japanese in rural Japan to winning international gold medals—all from Hot Springs, Arkansas—Ben shares what it really takes to create world-class sake outside of Japan, why rice matters, and how sake breaks the rules for pairing with food. ✅ Takeaway: If you think sake is just for sushi night, think again. This episode will change how you see (and drink) sake—grab a glass and tune in now!

Daily Dose of Hope May 8, 2025 Day 4 of Week 6   Scripture – Mark 14:27-52   Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, We are so grateful that your mercies are new every single morning.  No matter what our week has been like, we can come to you today afresh and anew.  Lord, forgive us for our many failings.  We want to do better.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are back in Mark 14.  We will cover Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial, their time in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus' arrest.    Let's start with the first portion of today's text.  Jesus and the disciples have celebrated the Passover meal in the Upper Room and have moved on to the Mount of Olives.  It is here that Jesus predicts that all the disciples will scatter, essentially fall away, when the going gets tough.  He refers to a prophecy from Zechariah 13:7 that reads, “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered...' clearly indicating that the shepherd is Jesus Christ himself.    Interestingly, Peter makes a very bold, ambitious claim that even if everyone else fell away and disappeared, he would not.  Jesus doesn't mince words.  He tells Peter that he will betray Jesus three times by that night (or as the text says, by the time the rooster crows two times).  But Peter, and all the others, insist that they will follow Jesus even until death.    I've thought about this a lot.  At this time, the disciples still don't understand Jesus' ministry or purpose.  They think they will follow him no matter what but we know what happens.  They all scatter once Jesus is arrested.  Peter does deny him three times in just a few short hours, consumed with fear for his own safety.  When push came to shove, they weren't quite as invested in Jesus' mission as they thought.   But then things changed.  After the resurrection, the disciples were changed in fundamental ways.  Peter, who was initially impulsive and fearful, becomes strong and bold, a superb leader in the early church.  After experiencing both the risen Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit, their whole outlook on life is transformed.  And all of them, except for John, are martyred for the Gospel.  They do end up following Jesus to their own earthly death, just not in the timing they expected.   So, I will ask again, would you follow Jesus to the point of giving up your life?  If you were being tortured and persecuted for your faith, would you stay faithful to Jesus or would you give in to the pressure and deny Christ?  It is not outside the realm of possibility that such a situation could exist for us.  Afterall, it does exist for Christians all over the world.   I read this quote recently, “If we have not prepared ourselves and our twenty-first century churches to die for Christ's name if necessary, we have not completed our responsibility of preparing disciples.”  If this makes us uncomfortable, it should.  Because Jesus has called us to a faithfulness that involves more than what we typically think of when we call ourselves Christ-followers.  What does it mean to be a disciple?  Jesus makes it quite clear and we read it just a couple weeks ago, Mark 8:34-35, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.    With that, let's move on in the text.  We are heading to Gethsemane, into the garden with Jesus and the disciples.  Jesus' soul was restless, he was anguished, and he needed to spend time with the Father.  He asks the disciples to pray as well.  This is the time when Jesus pleads with God, “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.   Jesus knows what he is about to endure.  Is this the human side of him not wanting to endure the physical pain and humiliation?  Or, is this the divine part of him not wanting to endure the weight of the sin of the world?  It could definitely be both.  But Jesus was obedient.  He knew this was God's will and design.  While he asked, my guess is he already knew the answer.  Jesus knew what had to be done and he was willing to do it.  But we do get a first row view as to the struggle going on within him.   Jesus struggled and so it isn't surprising that we will also struggle.  Obedience can be really hard.  But Jesus gives us this beautiful example of yielding to God's will, no matter what.  And he was going to face a tortuous death.  Most of the time, our dilemma isn't quite as intense or painful, but it might be.  Think of a situation in your life in which you yielded to God's will even though it was hard and painful.  How did that affect your faith journey?   I just wanted to briefly mention the disciples falling asleep.  They have no idea what is going to happen.  They are tired after a big Passover dinner and several glasses of wine (there is a lot of wine involved in a traditional Jewish Passover).  We see their human weakness here.  I feel a little sorry for them.   Finally, we head to Jesus' arrest.  Judas has already betrayed Jesus.  He and the soldiers head into the garden with the intention of arresting Jesus.  Judas kisses Jesus on the cheek, letting the soldiers know who to arrest.  I can imagine this whole scene being chaotic.  No one really knew what was happening, except Jesus.  Then, one person standing near him (who we know is Peter from other Gospel accounts) panics and cuts the soldiers ear off.  One young man flees naked (some people say this person was Mark, the author, but we really don't know).  The whole thing probably happened quickly and the disciples scatter, just as they said they would not do.    More tomorrow...   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

Alright, honky-tonk heroes and country music fans, get ready for a trip down memory lane! We've got a fantastic lineup of classic country cuts comin' your way.First up, we're searchin' all the honky-tonks with Charlie O'Bannon. Then, we'll be sippin' some Wine with the legendary Mel Tillis. Get ready for a little heartbreak as Jimmy Dickens laments about his Stolen Steel Guitar. Carl McDonald will have you wonderin' If You'll Miss Me, and the wonderful Leona Williams takes us Somewhere Inside.Hang on tight, 'cause we're just gettin' started! Bob Luce and The Stardusters are bringin' the heat with Hot Shot Baby, followed by Dorval Lynn, and a tune about finally gettin' recognized with They Finally Named The Street After You. We've got a timeless classic from the one and only Bob Wills & Tommy Duncan with After All, and Jack Tucker will have you feelin' that Lonely World. Then, the smooth sounds of Lefty Frizzell with A Little Unfair.We're switchin' gears a bit with Bocephus and his quirky Meter Reader Maid, followed by Kenny Biggs ponderin' What To Do About Today. Eddie McDuff is goin' Part Time, and Jimmy Work knows just how it feels If I Should Lose You. Get ready for a real tear-jerker from Jerry Abbott about Living On An 8x10 Picture, $85 A Week & A Memory.And we're not done yet! We've got Jimmie Skinner tellin' the tale of Old Bill Dollar, and Bobby Barnett warnin' about those Bridges That I'll Never Cross. The great Floyd Tillman declares I'm Free From The Love I Had For You, and Al White might just have Foot In Mouth Disease. Finally, we'll be sayin' goodbye for now with Dave Dudley and This Is The Last Time.So tune in, turn it up, and let the good times roll with this incredible collection of classic country music!Charlie O'Bannon - Search All The Honkytonks ( Twilite )Mel Tillis - Wine ( RIC )Jimmy Dickens - They've Stole My Steel Guitar ( Decca )Carl McDonald - I Wonder If You'll Miss Me ( JB )Leona Williams - Somewhere Inside ( Hickory )Bob Luce and The Stardusters - Hot Shot Baby ( Love Lock )Dorval Lynn - They Finally Named The Street After You ( Avenue South )Bob Wills & Tommy Duncan - After All ( Liberty )Jack Tucker - Lonely World ( Toppa )Lefty Frizzell - A Little Unfair ( Columbia )Bocephus - Meter Reader Maid ( Verve )Kenny Biggs - Tell Me What To Do About Today ( Tiara )Eddie McDuff - Part Time ( Starday )Jimmy Work - If I Should Lose You ( Capitol )Jerry Abbott - Living On An 8x10 Picture, $85 A Week & A Memory ( Stop )Jimmie Skinner - Old Bill Dollar ( Starday )Bobby Barnett - Bridges That I'll Never Cross ( Marshal )Floyd Tillman - I'm Free From The Love I Had For You ( Major )Al White - Foot In Mouth Disease ( Chart )Dave Dudley - This Is The Last Time ( King )Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thehonkytonkjukebox/exclusive-content

Today, Drs. Johnny Lupinacci and Tim Slekar welcome special guest Sofia Mirza to discuss her journey from educator to entrepreneur and to hear her thoughts on how the education system can benefit from lessons learned in the private sector. Big institutions play a valuable role in society, but their size and long history often create significant institutional inertia. Sometimes, we need an outsider's perspective to shake things up and provoke change. That perspective becomes even more valuable when it comes from someone like Sofia, who brings experience from both the education and business worlds. She has worked as both an educator and a private businesswoman. Can an outside perspective improve learning outcomes in education? Today, we explore this and more on BustED Pencils. Armed with a master's degree in education, Sofia entered the classroom determined to inspire students. But she quickly realized that the system often restricted true creativity. Despite the challenges, she deeply respects the teachers who work tirelessly to engage students in a system that doesn't always support innovation. So she chose a different path—earning a second master's in design, applying her background in psychology, and diving into the tech world. Now, as Principal of Drift2 Web Solutions, Sofia combines all those elements in her role as an interaction designer. She creates digital experiences that are not only useful and usable but also genuinely enjoyable. This episode was produced by Jakob. Jakob does not feel insecure about being the only non-doctor regularly featured on the podcast. Afterall, we're all just people. He's so non-insecure about it that he feels that it doesn't ever bear mentioning. Frankly, he doesn't know why you brought it up at all. This description was written by Producer Jakob. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Sofia Mirza

Daily Dose of Hope April 30, 2025 Day 3 of Week 5   Scripture – Mark 11:12-33   Prayer:  Almighty God, We belong to you.  Sometimes, we get distracted and wander.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us stay fully focused on you.  Help us remember who and whose we are.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us hear a word from you...Jesus, this is your day, we are your people.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we finish Mark 11 and there is a lot here to discuss.   Let's start with the cursing of the fig tree.  It seems out of character for Jesus to curse anything, much less a fig tree.  At that point in the season, the tree should not have been full of leaves but it was an early bloomer.  That being the case, it should have had some figs as well.  But upon further examination, the tree was all leaves and no fruit, so Jesus curses it so it will never bear fruit again.  It's an odd story for us.  What in the world does this mean?   I think we can look at the cursing of this tree as a parable of sorts.  Keep in mind, the crowds have just hailed Jesus as king (think of yesterday's Scripture).  But their fervor won't last; it won't be long until Jesus is rejected and killed.  The spiritual depth of God's people is shallow.  There is no spiritual fruit.    This tree cursing is followed by Jesus entering the temple and turning the tables of the money changers.  Again, we see the lack of spiritual fruit.  There is much hustle and bustle, a lot of activity, but no righteousness.  All leaves and no fruit.  It looks good on the outside but there is no real depth to faith.  It's a lot of spiritual busyness without real desire to please God.   I did want to briefly address why Jesus was so angry with the money changers.  This was the one area of the temple designated for Gentiles (the nations) to pray. They weren't allowed in any other area of the temple. And the Jewish people had taken over the entire area for trade and profit. Lots of money was being made here.  This isn't about worshiping God, it's about financial benefit for the wealthiest Jews.  Again, all leaves and no fruit.    This, of course, begs the question:  How is our spiritual fruit?  What evidence is there in our own lives that we are bearing fruit for the Kingdom?  We can look really good.  We can be covered with beautiful green leaves – we can look like perfect “Christians,” attend Bible studies, show up at all the ministry events – but if our root is withered, none of that matters.  Are we living holy lives?  Do we have evidence of the fruit of the Spirit at work?  This Scripture is pretty clear that Jesus expects fruit.   The religious leaders have an interesting reaction to all of this.  They are scared.  I'm thinking that they know they are in the wrong but they don't want to submit to this Jesus character.  Thus, they begin to plot how to kill him.   This gang of naysayers approach Jesus the next day and ask him what authority he has to clear out the temple.  They aren't looking to understand; they are looking to trap Jesus in his words.  Afterall, they have already heard his claims of authority as Son of God and they have seen his miracles.  They are simply seeking more evidence on which to bring charges against him.    But Jesus knows this and he doesn't answer their question directly.  Instead, he asks them a question – by what authority did John the Baptist baptize?  Was his power from heaven or earth?  If they could answer that question, then they would also know the source of Jesus' authority.   This group knew that either answer would lead to other problems for them so they just said they didn't know; they pleaded ignorance.  And just like that, Jesus made his point. Jesus revealed their inconsistencies and their insincerity.    Do you trust in the authority of Jesus, specifically that Jesus is God?  He is Lord of all.  Have you submitted everything, your whole life, to his authority?  Spend some time in prayer about his today.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki              

Chris Mullins, The Phone Sales Doctor, joins us today to discuss her upcoming PILMMA roundtable – Intake. You can spend millions of dollars on marketing and have it be all for naught if your intake team is dropping the ball. Afterall, your intake sales specialists are the first warm introduction between your law firm and your prospective clients. They need to not only collect the right information, but they need to do so while showing empathy and compassion to people experiencing trauma. On this episode, we talk about: What to look for when hiring intake sales professionals How to train intake sales professionals for each type of case Big mistakes law firms make with their intake specialists Visit Chris Mullins here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismullinsphonesalesdoctor/. We'll be at PILMMA Super Summit 2025: https://optimizemyfirm.com/pilmma-2025/. See all episodes or subscribe to the Personal Injury Marketing Minute here: https://optimizemyfirm.com/podcasts/. Transcript coming soon.

Daily Dose of Hope April 25, 2025 Day 5 of Week 4   Scripture - Mark 10:1-16   Prayer: Lord Jesus, We come before you today with humility.  Thank you for who you are.  Thank you for loving us despite our many flaws.  Thank you for being present with us, listening, protecting, caring, and forgiving.  We give you all the glory.  As we prepare for this devotional time, Lord, help us settle our scattered thoughts and distractions and focus totally on you...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  I hope you have had a blessed week.  Remember, we take Saturday and Sunday off, it's your rest or your catch-up time.  Whatever you need.  Also, please know that if you need anything, if you have a question, a prayer need, or another pastoral need, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.  My cell is 813-310-3884 or my email is vicki@findnewhope.com.  Text will always get the fastest response from me because I can answer wherever I happen to be.  With that, let's get into our Scripture for today; we are starting Mark 10.   Jesus is teaching that following him will affect how we behave in the most fundamental parts of our lives.  He starts the chapter by teaching on divorce; teaching that marriage is not simply a contract, but a creation of God, and that both men and women are equal partners in the marriage. At that time in Jewish marriages, divorce was common but the men were clearly in control, as they could easily discard their wives and remarry.  But Jesus is turning this upside down.  He is saying, no, in God's Kingdom, marriage is a covenant between the man, the woman, and God.  The commitment is sacred.    I've had a lot of people ask me about this over the years.  Will they be accepted in Jesus' church if they experienced a divorce?  What happens if they are in a really toxic relationship – does Jesus want them to stay in that relationship?  These are not easy questions.  I think the best answer is to say that Jesus values marriage very much.  He wants to be at the center of every marriage.  He wants us to go to great lengths to try to preserve our marriages.  Afterall, we believe in resurrection of relationships.  God can do miracles.  At the same time, I don't believe he wants us to be in marriages that are toxic to us or our children.  In no way should we ever remain in a marriage if there is abuse.    Divorce is painful but its also a product of living in a broken world.  Jesus wants you to seek him in the midst of your pain and grief.  If you are going through a divorce, seek Jesus for his comfort and peace.  And please, if you have experienced or are experiencing a divorce, know you are always welcome in Jesus' church.  We are the body of Christ and we want to be part of your healing!   Jesus goes on to teach about children. Parents were bringing children to him to be blessed and the disciples scolded them.  Jesus intervenes and says, “No, let the little children come to me.”  We mentioned this yesterday but keep in mind that children in the first century weren't seen as having much value.  They didn't earn money, nor did they bring status or prestige to the family.  Again, Jesus is flipping things upside down. He says that to follow him, we have to actually become like little children–vulnerable, powerless, needing someone else to provide safety and sustenance.  We have to become totally dependent on God.  I wish I could see the faces of his listeners as he said this.  They were probably shocked.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope April 23, 2025 Day 3 of Week 4   Scripture – Mark 9:1-29   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you today rejoicing in your powerful name.  Thank you for who you are and all you do.  Thank you for loving us.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts, help us set aside distractions, and truly focus on you right now.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, we want to hear your voice...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are starting Mark 9, where we read about the transfiguration and Jesus casting a demon out of a little boy.   The Scripture says that Jesus took Peter, James, and John, to the top of a mountain, most likely Mt. Hermon because it was close to Caesarea Philippi. Mark writes that Jesus was transfigured before him. His clothes became a dazzling white, whiter than any bleach could every make them. Put yourself in the position of these three men. They had only known the flesh and blood Jesus. We know Jesus as risen Lord and Savior. I think we would expect him to wear dazzling white robes and be all shiny and glorious. But they didn't. Right before their very eyes, they get a glimpse of Jesus' glory and it was totally unexpected. Jesus was radiating the very presence of God and they got to see it firsthand.   Moses and Elijah appeared before them and they were talking to Jesus. We don't quite know why Moses and Elijah appear on the mountain with Jesus except that they were two Old Testament figures that anticipated the coming of Jesus, the final prophet to come and deliver God's people once and for all. Their work, their ministries, are basically fulfilled by the person of Jesus. They are servants of God but they weren't God. Jesus, on the other hand, is God and the disciples get a glimpse of that right here.   But there is something about being confronted by the power and glory of God which can make us uncomfortable and even fearful. In awe, yes, but also frightened. Maybe you've been there. Peter is there. He struggles to simply rest in the presence of God's glory. He doesn't know what to do or say so he blurts out, “let's set up three shelters–one for you, Jesus, and one for Moses and Elijah.” Now, Peter is referring to the festival of booths or tabernacles which faithful Jews participating in every year. They make structures in their yards as a sign of when God will tabernacle with his people. So, this might seem like a weird thing for Peter to say to us but it wasn't too off the wall. He is like, “umm...I think God is tabernacling with us and we need to make the shelters.” He is kind of panicky. It seemed like a good thought at the time. What Peter doesn't quite understand ye tis that before his eyes God's dwelling with humanity is present, for Jesus is the new tabernacle of God dwelling with humanity. The shelters aren't needed. God is present with his people through Jesus Christ.   That's all pretty amazing but the mountaintop experience isn't done yet. There is a cloud that appears and covers them–remember the presence and glory of God appeared in a cloud in the tabernacle and throughout the Old Testament. And here is the presence of God appearing before them and the voice of God says “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” Jesus is clearly set apart from Moses and Elijah, only he is God's Son, the one to be listened to, the embodied presence of God.   There is something about mountain-top transfigurative experiences–times in which we get a glimpse of the glory and presence of God in our lives. I'm hoping you have each had some kind of mountaintop experience in your walk with Jesus, times in which the veil was removed, you've gotten a taste of the presence of God. These are times in which we are confronted with God's power and it can't help but change us. Think about a time in which you were confronted with God's glory and power.  Reflect on that moment.  How did it change your spiritual journey?   If you haven't experienced God's glory in that way, then this is the perfect time to pray for it!   Today, we also read about Jesus healing a boy who was consumed by a demonic spirit.  He had been that way his whole life, and the evil spirit had often thrown him into fires and other dangerous scenarios.  The disciples who did not go up the mountain with Jesus tried to heal the boy of the evil spirit but nothing happened.  So Jesus came back from the mountain just in time.  He is easily able to cast out the spirit and the boy is healed.    Later, the disciples ask Jesus why they couldn't do the miracle.  Afterall, they were working under Jesus' calling.  But Jesus said that some kinds (of evil spirits presumably) can only be cast out by prayer.  What did this mean?   Just because God has called us to ministry and we say yes, doesn't mean that we have the power to do that ministry.  We don't, absolutely not.  It's God working through us every single time, every single day.  The disciples did not have the power to do the miracle.  It's possible they were trying to cast out the demon in their own strength.  Afterall, Jesus had told them to go do so and there were times in which they had been successful.  But they needed the power of God in them, they needed to recognize it wasn't them, it was Almighty God.   This is the scary thing:  There is a lot we can do in ministry in our own power.  We can create great programs.  We can have good counseling.  We can say brilliant prayers and lead amazing Bible studies.  We can even give decent sermons.  But none of it is anointed.  And that will only take us so far.  It's also really dangerous.  We begin to think it's about us and our skills rather than Jesus Christ.  We honor ourselves rather than God.  Ministry without Jesus at the center will eventually fail.  The power is always in Jesus.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

What if hustling harder isn't the answer? If you've ever felt like you're doing all the things but still not getting the results you want, this episode is for you. We're ditching the burnout badge and diving into what it really means to be productive. Afterall, it's not about doing more—it's about doing what matters most. In this episode, you'll learn: How to apply the 80/20 rule to uncover your most impactful activities What tasks you should stop doing and how to automate or delegate them Why multitasking is a myth—and how to create true focus and flow A simple, actionable plan to reclaim your time and protect your energy How to step into a CEO mindset (even if you're a team of one) If you want to get off the hamster wheel and start building momentum in a way that's sustainable and strategic this episode is for you. Resources: Monday Morning Mojo Journal 2025 Best Year Workbook Quotes to Remember: What if the key isn't doing more but actually doing what matters most, better? Journal Prompts: What are my priorities? Where can I automate and delegate so I can focus on my priorities? How can I focus more so my productivity improves? Am I busy or productive? Connect with Anna: Monday Morning Mojo Facebook Group Facebook  Instagram Watch the Monday Morning Mojo Video on YouTube To learn more about coaching with Anna visit  coachannagibbs.com To learn more about the supplements and products Anna uses to improve her overall health and well-being visit: https://plexusworldwide.com/annagibbs 

Daily Dose of Hope April 18, 2025 Day 5 of Week 3   Scripture - Mark 7:24-37   Prayer: Holy God, Thank you for your kindness, mercy, and love.  As we remember the cross today, help us be reminded of how you got there.  We all put you there.  We have all betrayed you.  For that, we are so very, very sorry.  Forgive us for the many ways that we have failed you just today.  Lord, in these next few moments of silence, hear our prayers...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back!  This is the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we will finish Mark 7.  Before we do, however, I did want to mention that today is Good Friday.  It's the day we remember Jesus' crucifixion and death.  While Good Friday is often a day of sorrow and fasting, it doesn't have to be.  Afterall, we know the rest of the story.  Sunday is coming!  Resurrection is almost here.  Tonight, at 7:30pm in Logan Hall, we will have a Good Friday service led by our Spanish-speaking congregations.  While most of the service is in Spanish, everyone is welcome and we will have a translation app available.  If you have never been to this Good Friday service, I highly recommend you come.  I think we do an excellent job of remembering the cross in light of the resurrection.  Hope to see you tonight!   Now on to the Scripture for today.  We have two healings and both of the people who are healed remain nameless.  Let's start with the woman who asks Jesus to heal her daughter.  This is a text that bothers me or I should say that Jesus' interaction with the woman bothers me.  He seems annoyed that this woman approaches him.  What do we know from the text?  We know that Jesus has tried to go unnoticed but this woman, somehow, figures out that he is there.  He simply cannot get alone time, that is for sure, but the words he speaks seem very out of character for him.  The text also says she is Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia.  Thus, he must be in Gentile territory and this woman would have been considered a Canaanite.  She is breaking all the social taboos of the time by seeking out Jesus.  Not only is she considered unclean but she is a woman alone trying to get the attention of a Jewish teacher.  But the woman is determined.   The woman begs Jesus to heal her daughter, who has an impure spirit in her.  Jesus' reaction is jarring, as he refers to her and her people as dogs.  This would have been a derogatory phrase that Jews did use to refer to pagans but it does not sound right coming from Jesus' mouth.  Some scholars have suggested that the term Jesus used could mean puppies and he said it tongue and cheek.  Maybe he was testing her, to see the depth of her faith.  In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus also says to the woman, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  It's possible he wants to see how she will respond.   If that is the case, she does quite well.  Her quick reply is that even dogs get the crumbs dropped from the table.  Basically, there is enough of what Jesus has that he can afford to share it with her and her daughter.  And Jesus agrees, he sees her faith and heals the daughter immediately.  There is enough of what Jesus has for outsiders to be included.  God's Kingdom is more than big enough.  And that's good for us because most of us are Gentiles too.   From there, Jesus heads to the Decapolis, another pagan area, where people bring him a deaf and mute man.  He is also an outsider and someone, because of his disability, who is really cut off from community.  But Jesus heals him as well.    Sometimes, I hear people say things like “we need to do mission right here” or “we need to make sure our church people are cared for first.”  Yes, we do need to do mission in our own neighborhoods and community.  Yes, we do need to make sure our faith family is cared for.  But Jesus is showing us that mission in God's Kingdom is really big.  While providing love and care for the insider, there is more than enough love and mercy to go around.  We are also compelled to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the outsider; Jesus is calling us to constantly expand our boundaries.  Who do you know that is very different from you that needs the love and care of Jesus today?  Your challenge today is to reach out in some way.   Galatians 3:28 ,“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Kelli Scarr is an American singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Kingston, NY. She is also the founder of Vera Jean Music, a pioneering record label dedicated to championing the talents of women artists over the age of 40.On May 12, 2025, she unveils Greater Mysteries, an immersive album and performance experience inspired by the ancient myth of Inanna. Born from a 2022 artist residency in Crete, and recorded in Iceland, the album invites listeners to connect with their own cycles of transformation. Transcendent piano and airy woodwinds intertwine with Scarr's otherworldly voice and the earthy pulse of the rhythm section, alongside contributions from an array of surprise musicians—creating a soundscape steeped in myth and mystery.Raised in Northern California, Scarr's musical journey began in church, eventually leading her to Berklee College of Music before settling in New York City. Over the years, she has woven her way through an eclectic range of projects, from fronting the bands Moonraker and Salt & Samovar to a significant collaboration writing, recording, and touring with Moby. Her artistry extends into film scoring, where her emotive and organic approach—favoring live musicians and improvisation—has set her apart. She earned an Emmy nomination for her score to the HBO documentary In A Dream (2008) and has composed music for dozens of films, TV shows, and commercials. Notable projects include the documentaries Advanced Style and Far Western, and the forthcoming After All (2025), for which she composed the score and contributed six original songs.As a solo artist, Scarr has released three albums—Piece (2010), Dangling Teeth (2012), and No Rush (2021)—establishing herself as a singular voice in atmospheric, deeply emotive songwriting. Her forthcoming fourth album, Greater Mysteries, marks a new creative chapter, offering music as an initiatory experience. The project will unfold through intimate preview concerts in the Hudson Valley, culminating in immersive cave performances this fall and beyond.Today we get to dive deep into Kelli's creative process in the making of Greater Mysteries from the seeds of inspiration that came from many sources such as Talk Talk by Spirit of Eden, Maureen Murdock's "The Heroine's Journey," and Dr. Catherine Svehla's mythical wisdom to the whisper from her psychic about Greece in her future. Kelli shares about the magic and mystery of her residency in Crete, how the voices of Odeya Nini and members of the Threshold Choir appeared to lend magic to the album, and we listen to three songs - "Knowing is the Call," "The Yes that Leads," and "Aphrodite" - as we meander through the myth of Inanna and how transformation happens to us..."she's not dying, she's flying free."Hudson Valley audiences will have an exclusive opportunity to preview Greater Mysteries before the rest of the world. On April 16th, Kelli is hosting Lesser Mysteries at Unicorn Bar in Kingston. The special preview event will feature an impressive lineup of local and national talent and offer attendees a unique opportunity to witness the early stages of what will become a larger, Greater Mysteries immersive cave experience scheduled for fall 2025.https://www.viewcy.com/e/lesser_mysteriesHere's Kelli's recommendation to Leah Thau's Podcast, Strangers.Today's show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radiokingston.org.Our show music is from Shana Falana!Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IThttp://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcastITUNES | SPOTIFYITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i-want-what-she-has/id1451648361?mt=2SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/77pmJwS2q9vTywz7Uhiyff?si=G2eYCjLjT3KltgdfA6XXCAFollow:INSTAGRAM * https://www.instagram.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast/FACEBOOK * https://www.facebook.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast 

The Mayor's suspicions of higherups involved in the Feeding our Future scandal might be on the right track afterall. Letters from teachers reveal the importance of why a bill must be passed to stop new teaching licensing procedures. Johnny Heidt with guitar news. Heard On The Show:Robbinsdale School Board to discuss budget cuts at Monday meeting amid $21 million shortfallCo-owner of Blue Plate Restaurant Company killed in weekend motorcycle crashThe US has three measles-related deaths and hundreds of cases. Here's what to know Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mayor's suspicions of higherups involved in the Feeding our Future scandal might be on the right track afterall. Letters from teachers reveal the importance of why a bill must be passed to stop new teaching licensing procedures. Johnny Heidt with guitar news. Heard On The Show: Robbinsdale School Board to discuss budget cuts at Monday meeting amid $21 million shortfall Co-owner of Blue Plate Restaurant Company killed in weekend motorcycle crash The US has three measles-related deaths and hundreds of cases. Here's what to know Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Daily Dose of Hope April 7, 2025 Day 1 of Week 2   Scripture - Mark 3:20-35   Prayer:  Holy God, we come to you as we start a new week and we give you glory and praise.  You are such a good God; your mercies are new every morning.  It does not matter what happened last week, yesterday, or even earlier today, we can start afresh and anew with you.  Thank you for that, Lord.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you...Thank you, Jesus, for your care.  Help us pay attention to your promptings and teachings throughout today, beginning right now.  Speak to us through this reading and devotional.  We love you, Lord.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts. Today, we are finishing up Mark 3.  Up until this point, Jesus has been healing, teaching, and generally turning the status quo upside down.  While this has generated quite a crowd around him almost all the time, it also has a lot of tongues wagging, including those of the Pharisees and his own family.    Today's text is a narrative within another narrative.  We have the narrative of Jesus responding to the accusations of the teachers of the law saying that he is possessed by an impure spirit tucked within another story about Jesus' response to and redefinition of family.  Let's try to tackle this.   Let's start with the family.  They are worried that Jesus has lost his mind.  We can't be too hard of them.  Afterall, Jesus is doing some really bold things and saying things that are pushing up against everything they know as sacred.  My guess is they are worried about Jesus (people are already wanting to kill him) but they also be worrying about their reputation.  These are small towns with small town rumor mills.  They still have to live their lives.  We will get back to them in a moment.   But then the story moves on to the teachers of the law, who say that Jesus' power comes from the devil.  I'm not sure how they deduced this, but they probably were thinking they had a monopoly on the God stuff and Jesus wasn't saying or doing things they thought or imagined a man of God should.  He is hanging with the riff-raff and breaking sacred rules.  I mean, he must not be of God.    Jesus' answer is kind of cryptic.  It says he spoke to them in parables.  He says, “How can Satan drive out Satan?” and “...if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand.”  Divided houses don't last long.  I think the same goes for divided churches but that's beside the point.  Then, Jesus makes this statement about how no one can plunder the strong man's house without tying him up first.  We can assume that Satan is the strong man.  Who is stronger than Satan, that he can restrain him so that the work of God's Kingdom can be done?  Jesus, in a somewhat mysterious way, is making a strong statement here.  He is stronger than Satan.  He is not possessed by him, he actually has the power to bind him and overpower him.  Jesus is announcing the reign of God, even though most people might not recognize this.  Additionally, this probably wasn't the respond the Jewish teachers were expecting.   But that leads to a good question for us – do we believe that Jesus has the power to overpower evil?  We live in a world that is filled with evil.  It's not hard to allow all the horrors around us to pull us down.  Do you believe that Jesus has the ability to bind these horrors and make things right?  I'm not going to actually answer this question but I do think it's a good one for us to wrestle with.   Now, back to the family.  They send someone in the home where he was teaching to get him to come out.  I'm not sure what they wanted to say.  Maybe they wanted to get him to cool it with the teachings that were making people so upset.  Maybe they were worried about his well-being.  We don't really know.  But they got a shock with his response.  “Who are my mother and brothers?”  He goes on to say anyone who does the will of God is his family.    Hmmm...I'm thinking if one of my kids said something like that, I might be a little caught off guard; I may have to hold back tears.  If Mary were there, she might have done the same, although she did know from the very beginning that this child was different.  But now she was discovering just what that meant.    In that culture, everything was bound up in family lines.  Some people would probably have been shocked at what Jesus was saying.  On the other hand, there were others who would have found this hopeful.  People without family connections, those who were estranged from family or who had lost all their loved ones.  They would see that they weren't all alone after all.  I think maybe Jesus is starting to show the strong bonds within the family of God.  Yes, our biological families are important – they are gifts to us.  But Jesus has provided us another family as believers that is also important.  The ties that bind us together as brothers and sisters in the family of faith can be just as strong if not stronger.    What are your thoughts on this?  What kind of bonds do you have with your brothers and sisters in Christ at church?  If you don't yet have family bonds, what do you need to do to begin to build strong connections?    I'm going to close with some powerful Scripture from 1 John 3:16-18, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.  I think this is what Jesus might be pointing to.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope April 3, 2025 Day 4 of Week 1   Scripture – Mark 2:13-28   Prayer – Holy God, We come before you today distracted and with scattered thoughts.  Help us focus, Lord, on you and your Word.  Help us, in the next few moments, to be silent, still, and remember that you are God...Thank you, Lord, for your care and concern for our lives.  Thank you for how you show up in amazing and unexpected ways!  We give you glory, Lord Jesus.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are finishing up the second chapter of Mark.  As we will see in today's narratives, Jesus is turning everything “normal” upside down.  He is upsetting the status quo and pushing up against some pretty sacred rules.    Let's start with his meal dining with Levi.  Jesus has been teaching and we should note this is a very public scene.  Jesus always had a lot of people around him.  He sees Levi, sitting in his tax-collector booth, and Jesus asks Levi to follow him.  Surprisingly, he does.   Most of you probably know that tax collectors at the time were not well-liked.  Levi would have been a local guy, a Jew, who was working for the Roman government, collecting taxes from the people of his community.  Not only would he have been seen as a sell-out, working for the Roman occupiers, but he would have been seen as a crook.  Tax collectors were known to charge more than they needed to so they could keep a good chunk for themselves.    And here Jesus is calling Levi to follow him.  Then, Jesus goes and eats at Levi's home.  Remember, table fellowship with someone at that time would have indicated that you accepted that person and were sharing a connection.  It was more than getting a bite to eat and chatting; it was truly making a statement about being in the same social and religious circle.  You didn't eat with people who were below you in social stature or who were from a different religious or ethical background.  But Jesus did.  And he made no apologies for it.  He is making a statement about what it means to be part of God's Kingdom.  All are welcome here; all are invited to Jesus' table.  Afterall, who needs a doctor – the healthy or the sick?    Think about your own table.  I think we can have some pretty powerful conversation over a meal.  Guards are let down, people laugh, they tell stories, healing occurs.  This is the perfect place to begin to begin to build relationships with people who aren't like you – people who think differently, look differently, and act differently.  Just like in Jesus' time, the table is one place where we can begin to get out of our comfort zones and allow the Holy Spirit to guide conversations and open doors.  Who might God be calling you to invite to sit around your table?   I also want to talk a bit about the end of the chapter, the discussion regarding the Sabbath.  The Pharisees are upset with Jesus and his disciples for walking through the grainfield on the Sabbath, and picking off the heads of grain.  Why would this have been such a big deal?   Let's talk about the Sabbath.  It was sacred among the Jews.  Over thousands of years, God's people were taught to keep this day set-apart and holy.  Having a day of rest was one thing that noticeably made the Jews different from the pagan cultures.  Their God ensured that they did not work and toil endlessly.  They were to have a break and have a physical, emotional, and spiritual rest.  Most likely, the Pharisees weren't upset with them for eating (everyone needed to do that), but that they trekked through the field and then broke off the heads of the grain.  In their mind, they should have avoided a hike on the Sabbath and already had their snacks prepared the day before.  Part of Sabbath is preparation for rest and renewal.    But Jesus is making a bigger point here (which he will continue to make in chapter 3 when he heals a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath.)  The Sabbath was created to provide rest for humans.  The man-made rules that the Jews created around the Sabbath had become so very overwhelming.  Would a poor laborer really be able to follow these?  Would a struggling young mom with four kids be able to follow the Sabbath as the Pharisees required?  Of course, the answer is no.  Thus, all these rules were creating a structure of haves and have nots, the clean and the unclean.  Jesus is saying to them – you are missing the point.  You are making things harder and God intended this to make things better.  Finally, what he really is stating, which the Pharisees are really struggling with, is that he is Lord of the Sabbath – he has the power to determine which rules really lead to God.  He is making a statement here about who he is, his identity as the Son of God.   Psalm 145:9-13, The Lord is good to all;     he has compassion on all he has made. 10 All your works praise you, Lord;     your faithful people extol you. 11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom     and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts     and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,     and your dominion endures through all generations.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

We felt it was time for an episode full of our tips and ideas for how to make Easter feel a little more special!! Afterall, it is the MOST important holiday :)) Find a written list of our tips below!SHOWNOTES:Here is a written list of our tips!! Hone in on the invitation to study Christ's Atonement every week!!Read 3 Nephi 11Consider sacrificing something for the days leading up to Easter in order to get closer to Him. Throw an Easter party!!! make it funCREATIVEWrite a poem or song or drawing that reflects the joy of EasterMake a cake shaped like a lamb or crossCreate an Easter playlist with faith-filled songsDecorate Easter eggs with religious symbols or Scripture or stickersMake a Resurrection GardenSERVICEDonate Easter baskets to kids in needSponsor an Easter meal for a familyVolunteer to set up or clean up after an Easter eventOffer to babysit a young family so they can attend servicesOffer to drive someone to church who may have difficulty getting thereReverse Easter basket for a loved onePost an Easter scripture on your social mediaFAMILYMake a resurrection-themed easter egg huntWatch an Easter-themed film (e.g., The Chosen)Host a family game night with Easter-themed gamesAt family dinner, go around the table and share why you're grateful for JesusRevisit pictures from past easters: think how He has blessed your familySPIRITUALGo to an Easter serviceGeneral ConferenceSing Easter songsRead the resurrection storyWrite down what resurrection means to you/journalWrite a letter to Jesus!!!!here's our INSTA follow amelia!!!!follow ella!!!!listen to us on SPOTIFYlisten to us on APPLEcheck out our new website :)))cover art by Sarah Hawke!!xoxo,ella + amelia

In today's episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and The Cross Examiner, work with the Legendary Jesus who uses preferred pronouns in the simulation created by Bible bashing atheists that question the answers given by the argument from motion.JIm in MO compares Jesus to King Arthur because he could be a legendary character where everything is written down after the fact. Justin explains how he learned in Seminary that it was a given that Jesus was a real person. What are your experiences like when people attempt to prove the existence of Jesus?Mike in SC wants to know how using pronouns is any different from the Emperor wearing new clothes in the movie, The Emperor's New Groove.  Why would this be comparable to a fictional story? Would you choose to call someone other than their name? Refusal to use preferred pronouns are black and white fallacies and false equivocations because there is more that goes on other than what is between your legs. There are mountains of evidence that show that the gender one identifies with is different from the biological sex. Why is it a problem to use the pronoun that someone requested? Where in the Bible does it say that using preferred pronouns is breaking a rule? Gender and sex are NOT the same thing. Ransom in WY, believes we are in a simulation with a bunch of idiots that have better computers than we do, and that atheism has an incorrect view of the universe. Atheism does not say that this universe is all that exists. Our claim is not to know what is not in our universe; it is simply not believing that a god exists. The observer being necessary is not how the Double Slit Experiment works. Joshua in AZ thinks faith is just trust and does not like the hosts bashing the Bible because it is a big deal to believers who take it seriously. We can find numerous contradictions and historical errors in the Bible. If this book is from god, where is the evidence? Is it Bible bashing to question the absurdities in it? We don't have to respect people's beliefs, and that is different from respecting the person. Is being taught something from someone in authority or someone that you trust a good reason to believe it? As the outrageousness of the claim increases, your demand for evidence also needs to increase. How can god exist if he is so unaware of human biology that he created a law allowing women to be stoned to death for not bleeding on their wedding night? It is okay to look at the man behind the curtain and realize the house of cards is about to crumble.Hannah in MS presents the argument from motion where there must be a first cause of motion outside of space and time, and that first cause is god. What evidence do you have that anything outside of space and time can exist and that it can interact with things inside space and time? How is this god distinguishable from things that don't exist? Does space time exist as most physicists do? This is an example of an argument that believers make so they don't feel silly about their beliefs.Jimmy Jr. joins us to show his obligatory drawing of Jesus with a they/them name tag! Afterall, the Trinity is a trans configuration! Thank you for joining this great show!  Question of the week is: It was really petty when god _______.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

Today, McKay discusses how to change your money mindset. He opens up the podcast by discussing the tragic day when Sergeant Jay Rosenberry saw his children and friend flailing in a riptide. While he successfully saved his children, his friend Mark didn't make it. McKay likens this tragic unpreparedness for the riptide to the lack of understanding we have about our money habits, and he goes on to discuss how we can better improve our financial decisions. First, McKay discusses the importance of developing small habits - by spending small amounts in the right places, one saves money to invest in the future. Like McKay says, it's all about the value of the opportunity cost. His next tip pertains to procrastination - the longer a person waits to become financially literate, the more money they lose. He relates this message to the current inflation in the U.S. and urges the audience to get out of debt now. Afterall, now is the perfect time to start changing our money mindsets. McKay brings this episode to an end by talking about the value of learning from past mistakes. The Finer Details of this Episode:Sergeant Jay's horrific moment saving his family from a riptideThe importance of smaller habitsThe value of opportunity costWhy there's a cost to waitingGetting out of debtLearning from your past mistakesQuotes: “Mark J said, ‘My instinct was to go after the eight-year-old now that he was alone, because I knew he couldn't swim. As he stumbled back toward the ocean, he heard Christie's shrieking voice pleading, ‘Please save my boy'.”“This is very much like other things in life, we often get ourselves into trouble because we don't understand the circumstances around us.”“Small habits lead to big results.”“Investing money is often filled with mistakes. And sometimes we have to be hit upside the head, so to speak, to get the point.”“There's no value in looking back. Accepting responsibility for our decisions means learning from it, setting it aside, and moving on.”“So many people have tried to invest and learn lessons the hard way. I've spent money poorly and made bad choices–we all have. The question is, will we learn from our mistakes?”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Get ready for pure motivation and inspiration today as I'm spittin' fire about making a special mark in this world and overcoming any adversity that might be standing in your way or holding you back from achieving your ultimately destiny. Afterall, if you want to grow, evolve, and step into your next level, you've GOT to make a move. This includes doing one of the hardest and most important things we can do if you want lasting success and significance: CHANGE.    Here's what we dive into on today's episode: ✅ Nothing Changes If You Don't Change – What's the mark YOU want to make in this world? Time to commit! ✅Age is Just a Number—Get Your Mind Right! ✅ Fear Leaping – If fear wasn't holding you back, what leap would you take?

Episode Summary:  In this heartwarming episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, we explore how to love God, yourself, and others as I welcome author Rachael Adams. We discuss why she wrote her devotional, Everyday Prayers for Love, and what she learned while writing it. Inspired by a moment in a church pew, Rachael shares how God called her to be His “love offering” and to help others experience His transforming love. In this episode, we explore biblical love, the importance of accepting God's love, and practical ways to love ourselves and others. With insights on prayer and purpose, this conversation invites listeners to discover how to start living out God's love in everyday life. Quotables from the episode: The biggest battle has always been maybe striving for approval and striving for acceptance and for love. I grew up in a divorced home and my earthly father was not around much. And so I think I just always wanted just to be seen and known and loved. And So, I went in search of that. I'm so scared to disappoint anybody. I'm very much a people-pleaser, and so to really start to learn of God's love and experience that from my heavenly father has just really shaped the person I am and changed everything. It changed the trajectory of my life. And now I just want to share that with the world around me. Our early experiences, before we're even really cognitively aware of what's going on or what God has to say about it, really does shape our perspective and how we look at God, at the world, and ourselves. So how we're living our faith maybe is different, but our goal is all the same. What does the Bible teach us about both the nature and the characteristic of love? After I had my son, I really believe that as God was teaching me how to become a mother, he was also teaching me how he was my father. And I believe that as I was holding my son, God was really holding me. He can use us flawed humans to be an expression of his love to others. The greatest act of love was that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! That's why he came to save us. He knew we weren't perfect and that we needed him. It's so important for us to be filled with God's love first, to have anything to give to others. Scripture talks about the fullness of God. So what are we watching? What are we reading? Who are we surrounding ourselves with? What are the words that are on repeat? Nothing else in the world will satisfy but Christ himself. When we receive God's love, there's a freedom in that, and a security in that. There's the saying that there's nothing that we can do to make God love us any more, and there's nothing that we can do to make God love us any less, and we don't have to work for it. Scripture References: Matthew 22:36-40 “'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and without all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Ephesians 3:17-19 “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,…grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and…know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” 1 John 4:19 encourages, “I pray this not just for your sake, but also so that you may extend this newfound love to others. Afterall, ‘We love you because he first loved us.” Romans 8:39 “…No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”   Recommended Resources:  Everyday Prayers for Love: Learning to Love God, Others, and Even Yourself by Rachael Adams  A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life by Rachael Adams www.millionprayingmoms.com/the-think-pray-praise-method-of-daily-prayer Sacred Scars: Resting in God's Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader's Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety's Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety's Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety's Grip Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor's Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Rachael Adams: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Podcast For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety's Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube Guest: Author of A Little Goes a Long Way and Everyday Prayers for Love, Rachael Adams, hopes to help women realize God's love and purpose for their lives. She and her husband, Bryan, live in Kentucky with their two children, Will and Kate. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, Crosswalk, Proverbs 31, Today Parenting, and YouVersion. Connect with her by visiting rachaelkadams.com, searching @rachaeladamsauthor on Instagram and Facebook, and tuning in to The Love Offering podcast every Tuesday on your favorite listening platform.    Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson

Trump used and discarded the powerful Fred Trump daddy figures who helped him rise to power: infamous lawyer Roy Cohn, whom he abandoned as Cohn was dying of AIDS; Fox News kingmaker Roger Ailes, forced out over sexual harassment allegations; and, possibly, Vladimir Putin. The Russians invested decades of financial and other support into Trump and his family, as Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman explains on this week's Gaslit Nation. But now, with American oligarchs, unlimited money, immunity granted by the illegitimate Supreme Court, pardon power, and a mainstream media eager to please, Trump has everything Putin could only dream of. What we saw during that grim inauguration weekend, followed by a flood of dangerous executive orders, shows that Trump, as promised, intends to be a dictator from day one. Tech giants, who had a front-row seat to his inauguration, give Trump a social media disinformation machine rivaling the Kremlin's. We're in for dark times, but there's hope. Our traitorous enemies and oligarchs are, in the end, incredibly stupid, and they'll ultimately destroy each other. This week's bonus show, available to supporters at the Truth-teller ($5/month) level and higher, continues the conversation. We'll discuss Trump and Melania's meme coin pump-and-dump scheme that fleeced their own supporters, how Trump is paving the way for Chinese dominance and Xi's long-sought invasion of Taiwan, and ways to fight back, no matter how deliberately chaotic things get. Remember to protect your sleep during this time and check out the helpful reminder on developing good sleep hygiene in the show notes. They want us overwhelmed and scared, but we must stay sharp and fit. Commit to mindful and healthy practices, including unplugging when needed. By staying strong, we can help carry each other through what lies ahead. No matter how dark things get, we'll get through it together! Afterall, Trump is America, a nation built on the largest Native American mass grave and the genocide of slavery. Trump has always been here. We will fight our way through to another chapter of hard-won progress for future generations to look back on in horror.  Olga Lautman will join the Gaslit Nation Salon on February 10 at 4pm ET! And don't forget our Gaslit Nation Game Night on Friday February 7th at 8:30pm ET–we're playing Codenames! For game night, be sure to make an account on BoardGameArena.com. Both events are for our Patreon community. Zoom links will be shared the morning of the events on Patreon.com/Gaslit so be sure to subscribe to help support the show!  Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!   Show Notes:   Check out Olga Lautman's Substack! https://substack.com/@olgalautman?utm_source=profile-page   ICYMI: Here are previous documents the Security Committee has shared: • Tech Travel Tips : https://web.tresorit.com/l/hmKP6#FFHiLuu45pSJtMo_Z9Zp9Q   • Why defending your right to privacy is important: https://web.tresorit.com/l/73FHq#ip5_zE6hhWkuaDMBAAhpYw   • Introduction to VPN https://web.tresorit.com/l/WHdqz#-zI5O7Q2zHznO_NG7aZWPQ   • Three Security Steps to Take Today: https://web.tresorit.com/l/417K9#CaDJOcOrEOta4T5oDlNsYw   • Practice Safe Data Security: https://web.tresorit.com/l/hiw9s#wOykkL6Lh_Hz_TbRsiCiEQ   Read all the details in the PDF here: https://web.tresorit.com/l/W6ots#IydZ2pnTmE1MLPJLkLZ73A   For the Gaslit Nation Book Club – First Meeting at the Gaslit Nation Salon on February 24 at 4pm ET   Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl https://bookshop.org/p/books/man-s-search-for-meaning-viktor-e-frankl/8996943?ean=9780807014271   The Stranger: Introduction by Keith Gore Albert Camus (Author)  Matthew Ward (Translator) https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-stranger-introduction-by-keith-gore-albert-camus/18890716?ean=9780679420262   Opening Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e49VEpWg61M   Martin Luther King, Jr., "What Is Your Life's Blueprint?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmtOGXreTOU   Elon Musk's Anti-Semitic, Apartheid-Loving Grandfather The billionaire has described his grandfather as a risk-taking adventurer. A closer read of history reveals something much darker. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/09/joshua-haldeman-elon-musk-grandfather-apartheid-antisemitism/675396/   Trump's Crypto Meme Coin Is His Most Lucrative Get-Rich Scheme Yet https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/what-just-happened-with-usdtrump-and-usdmelania-meme-coins.html   German-Soviet Pact The German-Soviet Pact was signed in August 1939. It paved the way for Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union to invade and occupy Poland that September. The pact was an agreement of convenience between two bitter enemies. It permitted them to carve up spheres of influence in eastern Europe, while pledging not to attack each other for 10 years. Less than two years later, however, Hitler launched an invasion of the Soviet Union. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-soviet-pact#:~:text=This%20agreement%20is%20commonly%20referred,or%20the%20Hitler%2DStalin%20Pact.&text=The%20arrangement%20included%20a%2010,economic%20cooperation%20and%20territorial%20expansion.   Trump pauses US foreign development aid for 90 days, orders review https://kyivindependent.com/trump-pauses-all-us-foreign-aid-for-90-days-pending-review/ Elon Musk's Father on Their Nazis History: https://x.com/DillyHussain88/status/1881670092993560772 Did Elon Musk steal the election for Trump? (Yes!): https://x.com/CalltoActivism/status/1881118080212115627 House GOP crafts bill to let Trump purchase Greenland https://www.axios.com/2025/01/13/trump-buy-greenland-house-republican-bill In Rare Criticism, Trump Says Putin Is ‘Destroying Russia': President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia praised President Trump's second inauguration, but the American leader did not return the compliment. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/us/politics/trump-putin-russia-ukraine.html?unlocked_article_code=1.q04.QTOS.5McfXW68PNkf&smid=url-share Welcome to the era of gangster tech regulation Our tech overlords all have problems, and they want to buy the solutions. https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/20/24346317/trump-gangster-tech-regulation-corruption-grift We Need A New Deal To Save Local Journalism https://defector.com/a-new-deal-to-save-local-journalism-la-fires News site focused on Elon Musk to launch https://www.npr.org/2025/01/20/nx-s1-5268286/elon-musk-news-site-popular-information Three media stories to watch for the next 4 years https://www.semafor.com/article/01/19/2025/three-media-stories-to-watch-for-the-next-4-years Trump signs executive order to pause TikTok ban, provide immunity to tech firms https://www.npr.org/2025/01/20/nx-s1-5268701/trump-executive-order-tiktok-ban Bad Faith (Christian nationalism documentary) https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/4/16/bad-faith Sleep tips: 6 steps to better sleep https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379  

Chapters00:00 Introduction and Weather Talk03:07 National Championship Game Analysis06:03 Coaching Decisions and Analytics08:47 Travel Nightmares and Airport Operations12:10 Consumer Rights and Airport Experiences15:00 Atlanta's Weather Challenges21:07 Vegas Tipping and Gambling Preferences22:37 The Psychology of Slot Machines23:58 Tipping Etiquette in Casinos28:37 The Jackpot Experience: A Cautionary Tale31:31 The Joe Schmo Show: Reality TV's Unique Twist36:00 NFL Rivalries: The Commanders and Eagles39:55 Chiefs Fatigue: The Overexposure of a DynastyOur Sponsors:* Check out Hims: https://hims.com/CZABE* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/CZABE* Check out SelectQuote: https://selectquote.com/CZABEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy