Podcasts about Afterall

Daily Dose of Hope January 30, 2026   Scripture: I Corinthians 6   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, We come before you this morning, thanking you for a new day.  Lord, you are good and we rejoice in your holy and powerful name.  As we begin our day, Lord, help us focus on you.  Help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on your Word and what you want us to learn today.  We get so distracted and self-consumed.  Forgive us for that, Lord.  In these next few moments of silence, help us have laser focus on your voice... In Your Powerful Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We have been journeying through Paul's letters.  Today, we are continuing through our fourth pastoral letter, I Corinthians. Today's reading is I Corinthians 6.  Paul continues to press this issue: Jesus-followers should look different than the culture around them. Why were they allowing secular courts to decide issues that should have been worked out in the church? Why were they getting pulled into disputes that distracted them from the mission in the first place? And then Paul presents a list of wrongdoings which have no place in the church. He is imploring them, "You know better!" You've been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ. You are different now, new creations, so behave like it. The second half of the chapter is the discussion about sexual misconduct in the church.  Some of the Christians in Corinth were saying they had been freed from the law and now could do whatever they wanted.  Remember, this was a very sexualized society.  People from the church were still having sex with prostitutes and they were saying it was no big deal.  Afterall, they weren't living under the law. Paul says that you were freed from the Law to love God and love others.    But the issue went deeper.  The Corinthians were kind of like, "eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we may die."  They thought that their bodies were temporary and eventually God would be doing away with them, so who cares if they have some casual sex?  It's just biology, just our bodies, right?  Not our souls.  So, what's the big deal?  Well, Paul tells them what the big deal is.   The Corinthians believed in the immortality of the soul. But Christians believe in the resurrection of the body. Because the resurrection of the body is a core doctrine of the Christian faith, we take a very high view of the human body. Paul reminds them of this. The human body is sacred.  God created you, God values you.  We firmly believe that our soul and physical body are interconnected, we can't just separate the two so easily.    This is what Paul is saying:  You can't have sex with someone and not become one flesh with them.  You can't separate body and soul. Sex is not just biology; there's something deeply spiritual about it.  Souls are connecting with one another.  I read this and it feels like Paul is in parent-mode. He is telling the Corinthians to remember who and whose they are! He even tells them he is ashamed of them.  Two thousand years is a long time and yet people are still people. We aren't any better today; I do hope everyone realizes that. Yes, we think we are quite sophisticated. We think we are quite knowledgeable. But, just like the Corinthians, we still forget what it means to belong to Jesus. We still allow the values and temptations of the world to seep into our lives. How often we blend so neatly into the world around us. How often have you believed the same lies that the Corinthians believed? Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope January 29, 2026   Scripture: I Corinthians 5   Prayer:  Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently journeying through Paul's letters.  Right now, we are working our way through I Corinthians.   A significant problem in the church of Corinth was both sexual immorality and sexual deviancy, which simply underscored their shallow discipleship. Corinth was a port town that was home to the Temple of Aphrodite, a pagan temple with many, many prostitutes. Sexual immorality was rampant and almost a way of life in the city. To say that Corinth was a very sexualized society would be a massive understatement.  It's estimated that one in every thirty people were prostitutes. You really see this when you visit there.  It touches every area of their culture.  So, it isn't surprising that the church was dealing with it.  What the culture deals with seeps into the church and the church is tasked with figuring out how to deal with it based on God's truth. The apostle Paul was trying to develop a holy church, based on commitment to Jesus rather than the pagan gods and ways of being. We see the struggles over these first few chapters.   In chapter five, today's reading, Paul addresses a case of incest in the church, specifically a man sleeping with his father's wife (presumably his stepmother). While this might have been acceptable in Corinthian society, it is absolutely deplorable among God's people. This kind of behavior was forbidden in the Torah and that translated into the church. The people of Jesus were also supposed to seek holiness and sexual morality was part of that. They are the body of Christ.   The issue isn't just the incest – yes, that is really bad – but it's that there are no boundaries whatsoever for sexual behavior.  And they are bringing those values, or lack thereof, into the church.  God's people have to call sin what it is and recognize it as a problem.  So, there was that.  Paul is appalled - why does this not bother them?  Their arrogance is hard to take.   Let's be real. This is just as much as issue in today's church as it was 2000 years ago in Corinth. Why don't we behave like the body of Christ, holy and blameless? We tolerate all kinds of stuff!  Do we demonstrate the same kind of arrogance and complacence? Certainly something to think about.   I do want to at least touch on what Paul says at the very end of the chapter, verses 12-13, What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked person from among you."  Basically, Christians are not called to judge those outside the church.  If someone is not a Christ-follower, then we can't hold them to the same standards.  They don't know any better really.  But, those inside the church have to be held accountable.  Paul is holding the Corinthians responsible for not dealing with the man having sex with his stepmother.  That kind of sinfulness has no place in Jesus' church.    Now, if someone committed a sin and then was repentant, that would be a different story.  Afterall, Jesus gives us all second chances and third chances and fourth chances.  If someone is serious about forgiveness and wants to change, then the church welcomes them.  If they are arrogant and refusing to change, that's when church accountability has to occur.    We struggle with this.  Accountability in general is something we struggle with in our culture.  What if this same situation were to happen at New Hope?  It would be uncomfortable and awkward but I couldn't, as the pastor, allow this man to sit in the pew with his arm draped around his stepmom for all to see.    What other situations might also require a response?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

In this episode I fly solo yet again! I share about some great news that closed out 2025. One being that I was given a clear scan and can enjoy this moment being cancer-free. The other is that my book has finally been released!    I also share some lessons learned from the book writing process such as: Writers must write. Being edited is hard but necessary. Be careful not to lose your voice. Be proud of yourself when your piece is released, but know that there are many more pieces to come. And be sure to celebrate your arrival at the destination, but know that the journey is truly what it's all about.    I also dive into what's to come! A couple of workshops, more time spent writing, a local radio show on CIDI and...who knows! I'm taking my time entering into this New Year and deciding what's next. Afterall, what's the rush?   If you're looking to connect you can find me over here! Instagram Website Mailing list Order my book on Amazon Or you can wait until it's available at Brome Lake Books near the end of January!   Thank you so much for being here! Lots of love, Jaime xo

You know too much stress decreases your productivity and your ability to effectively solve problems. Yes, you can focus on stress management to help curb its effect, but what do you do about all the things on your plate? Afterall, it's that increased workload that's contributing to your stress problem. In this episode, you'll learn about a tool that can help you better prioritize, achieve goals, manage your energy, and focus on the right habits, so you can use up to 80% less effort to get even better outcomes.  If you're listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you're ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered. We just started the spring cohort of the Supervisor Strengths Institute, but if you're ready to upgrade your supervisor skills, you can register for the DIY Edition. You'll get immediate access to the same powerful content that you can move through at your own pace. Get the link to more information and to register HERE - https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/DIYInstitute Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

The first article this year was “Start This Year Well.” We explored 10 great action points. January is almost over, and some of the emotional energy of starting a new year is wearing off. So, we ask the question – how can you live well this year? The entire year! Afterall, it’s an on-going question. Read More … For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

Reading the Gospels from the point of view of leadership offers us many wonderful insights into our own leadership.  Afterall, watching how Jesus leads is the best way to discovering what he expects from us as well.  Leadership can of course mean many different things, but when you look at how he was towards his disciples you can't help but notice his intention to influence them as profoundly as possible.  He does this through words through teaching through example and most powerfully through his presence.

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what's exciting in local art. Their recommendations are lightly edited from the audio heard in the player above. Want to be an Art Hound? Submit here.Fiber art finds a spotlightSandra Brick, a teaching artist at the Textile Center of Minnesota, recommends a trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to see Amy Usdin's contemplative fiber arts exhibit, “After All.“The show runs through Feb. 22 in the U.S. Bank Gallery.Sandra says: I think it's really great that Mia is giving fiber art this call-out in this show because, historically, fiber art has been considered a craft, and by having this exhibit at Mia, we're saying that it is an art.Amy's art is an expression of connection and transformation. There's woven layers, knots, found objects and time-composed pieces, both large and small, and many are hanging from the ceiling. So it's a truly immersive experience. You get to walk around the art. I would check it out just to learn and see how simple processes, like weaving, knotting, can be transformed into really contemplative, transformative pieces. A lot of the pieces are very airy, and so you're actually seeing through them. You see how it all blends together and flows into one really great use of the space.— Sandra BrickMultimedia storytelling takes the stagePerformance enthusiast Laurel Podulke-Smith of Rochester follows the work of local artist Jessalyn Finch, who has a short multimedia film debuting this weekend. “Embodied Landscapes” is the creation of Finch, Mary Mailand Schlichting and Laura Sukowatey. The film incorporates dance, large-scale drawing and sculpture.The premiere takes place at the Historic Chateau Theatre in Rochester on Sunday, Jan. 11. Screenings are at 2 and 3:15 p.m., with an artist talk and Q&A in between. Attendees are encouraged to wear cocktail attire and enjoy mocktails while meeting the artists.Surreal sisterhood in ‘Plano'Minneapolis theater maker Caleb Byers recommends “Plano,” presented by Third Space Theater. The play runs Jan. 9–18 at the Alan Page Auditorium at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis.Caleb says he's been anticipating this production since seeing Third Space Theater's original show “Breach” at the Fringe Festival. Caleb describes the play: Will Arbery is something of a magical realist-slash-surrealist playwright. And “Plano” is about three sisters, essentially in a sort of heightened reality and a sort of undisclosed period of time. Time is a little bit strange in “Plano.” They, in a very surreal style, move through their specific problems. There's very snappy, casual, modern dialogue. I'm incredibly excited for these artists in particular to tackle this.— Caleb Byers

Tradition is a yoke that is hard to break. It takes courage to open your Bible, read it in context, employ the cross references, and then follow the text where it leads you, even if that means you realize your church tradition is in error. In this brief exhortation, you will find affirmation and support for such courage. Afterall, it is the Lord Jesus Christ whom we serve, not our church tradition.

In this episode of the podcast (episode 563), I want to first say Happy Solstice and how nice it is to start getting those longer days. I discuss the moment when a photograph and photographer stop explaining everything or at least trying to. Not because we fail,, but because it can’t explain everything nor should it. Most of us are taught to search for photographs. We head into the world with a sense of purpose, a checklist of things to photograph, or an idea of what would make the outing worthwhile. Searching is active can feel productive. It also quietly demands that the photograph arrive already formed, ready to justify itself and how well we did in the clicking of the shutter Seeing is different. Seeing has no urgency. It does not require the world to perform on command. It asks only that we stay. I notice that when I am searching, my attention narrows. I move faster. I recognize patterns quickly and dismiss what does not fit. The photographs that come from this state often easily explain themselves . There is nothing wrong with that, but there is a limit and it can be borning over time. AFterall, once the photograph has finished explaining, there is nothing else left to see. Seeing begins when searching exhausts itself. When I stop asking what I am going to make and start paying attention to what is already there. For me this is rooting in boredom or frustration when nothing else is working. Nothing is happening. The light is flat. The scene feels unremarkable. Yet, if I stay, something subtle begins to emerge. A relationship. A rhythm. A small shift in how I now look at things in the world. These photographs do not announce themselves. They do not resolve quickly. They often feel unfinished, even to me. And that is precisely what gives them room to breathe. A photograph that stops explaining does not close the conversation. It opens it. It allows uncertainty to remain intact. Instead of delivering meaning, it makes space for it. This kind of image asks the viewer to linger, to bring their own attention and experience into the frame. Seeing without searching is a discipline. It requires patience, restraint, and a willingness to leave with nothing. It means trusting that not every photograph needs to declare its purpose. Some of the most meaningful work I have made came from moments when I stopped trying to find something and allowed myself to simply be present. When the photograph arrived slowly. When it did not explain itself. When it asked me, and eventually the viewer, to stay.

Matthew 2:1-12 Wise Men, a Con Man, and a King Please turn to Matthew chapter 2. This is a very well-known advent passage about the wise men from the east bringing gifts to Jesus. There's a lot of mystery and wonder in this text. Part of that is because we're not given many details about the wise men. However, we are clearly given their goal. And so, as I read, listen for why they were seeking Jesus and what they did when they found him. Reading of Matthew 2:1-12. Prayer In our house, you'll find several nativity scenes at this time of year. They're festive and add to the aura of the season. But you know, they don't really accurately depict the manger scene. And one of the inaccuracies is with the three wise men. Most nativity scenes have them. They're usually tall, wearing middle-eastern attire, and bearing gifts as they stand next to the animals. Well, first of all, we're never told how many there were. Yes, they had three gifts, but that does not mean there were only three of them. And second, they did not arrive when Jesus was born. No, actually, they arrived likely when he was 1 year old. They weren't there to see Jesus in the manger. I'm not trying to be the grinch and steal your Christmas joy. Rather, I just want to be sure we distinguish what we actually know versus what tradition has come up with over the centuries. There's a big difference. So, then, what do we know? Who were these wise men led by a star to Jerusalem and then to Jesus? Well, we are told they were from the east and we are given a clue of there origin base on their name. The name “wise men” comes from the Greek word magoi. Some translations give them the title of Magi. It's a word derived from the Persian word for wise men. And because of that, some believe that the Magi came from where the Medo-Persian empire was centered (which is where modern day Iran is). Others believe that the Magi came from the region where the Babylonian empire used to be centered. That's where modern day Iraq is. There are good reasons for both possibilities. If we go back to the book of Daniel, it uses a very similar word for the wise men of the land. Daniel, as you may know, lived in Babylon in exile. Similarly, the book of Esther, which takes place in the Persian capital, also uses a similar word for wise men. In both cases, the Greek translation of the Old Testament uses the word magoi. And honestly, I don't think it makes much of a difference whether the Magi came from Medo-Persian roots or Babylonian roots. Even though these empires were centered in adjacent regions in the middle east, they overlapped as each kingdom took control. A few decades after Babylon conquered the whole region, they were then overthrown by the Medes and then the Persians. After that it was the Greeks under Alexander the Great who conquered the land, and then Roman Empire, which was in control when Jesus was born. And when these empires overthrew one another, it's not like they killed all the people. No, the people just were under the control of another kingdom. Yes, some of them moved out or were exiled. Others moved in to govern, but overall, the culture and history were preserved or intermixed with the new empire in power. Furthermore, when we consider the Babylonians and the Medes and the Persians, they each had their wise men. We know this from the Old Testament text as well as from historical writings from the time. The Magi were the highest educated men of the land. They were given utmost respect and they had major influence in the culture. In fact, extra Biblical writings about the Medes particularly emphasize this. Someone could not become a king in that empire without first the same rigorous study as the wise men. Even more, in the Median Empire, it was the wise men who anointed the king. Think about the significance of tht if the Matthew 2 wise men came from that region. The bottom line is that the Magi who were led to Jerusalem were held in the highest esteem and had significant cultural prominence. Now, let me mention something else important. These Magi knew some of the Hebrew Scriptures. Let me make that case. First, let's go back to Babylon. When Babylon overthrew Judah in the early 5th century BC, thousands and thousands of Jews were relocated to Babylon. They brought their culture with them. They brought their history and they brought their writings. Even when they were later permitted to return to Jerusalem, most of them remained in Babylon and some even intermarried with the Babylonians. Not only that, think of the testimony of Daniel and of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego. Their wisdom and faithfulness earned them great status in the Babylonian Kingdom. King Nebuchadnezzar found them 10 time wiser than the wise men and enchanters of the region. That's mentioned in Daniel chapter 1. And when they were put to the test, God delivered each of them - you know, the three thrown in the fiery furnace, and Daniel from the Lion's den. After each incident, it was the Babylonian king who decreed that the one true God should be worshipped and served. These men were furthermore elevated to a high standing in the land. Daniel himself ended up being promoted to the third highest position in the entire Babylonian kingdom. You see, their wisdom, wisdom from God, became part of the wisdom of the land. A very similar thing happened in the Medo-Persian empire. Esther in the Old Testament was Jewish, but she was chosen to be queen by the Persian King. Some of you know the history. A plot was made against all the Jewish people in the land. They were to be slaughtered, but through the wisdom of Esther and her uncle, that plot was turned against the perpetrators. In the end, it was the Jewish people who prospered in all 127 provinces of the kingdom. It mentions from India to Ethiopia. Here is my point. Whether the wise men from the east came from a Babylonian heritage or from a Medo-Persian heritage, the wisdom of the land included wisdom from God almighty. Their education would have included testimonies of God's people and their teaching, which God had spread all throughout the east. So, these Magi, who were the highest learned men in the near Eastern culture, would have studied and known the God of Israel, and his prophecies, and the wisdom given his people. Perhaps they knew Balaam's prophecy from Numbers 24 that “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” So, yes, they came from the east, but they were not unfamiliar with what God had revealed and the prophecies of the Messiah. Now, we are not told what prompted them to leave their country and follow a star to Jerusalem. They may have been given a vision given by God in a dream (you know, similar to the dream they were given in verse 12); or it may have been an angel appearing to them similar to how angels appeared to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds. Or, as some have suggested, it may have been their studies of the Jewish Scriptures and the timing of the Messiah. We don't know, but whatever means God used, they knew that they were to seek the promised king who had come… and that he was worthy to be worshiped. Notice what they said when they arrived in Jerusalem. Verse 2. They asked: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Now, given the prominence and status of these Magi, their arrival in Jerusalem came with great acknowledgment. We know that because word of their arrival and their question.. filtered all the way up to King Herod. By the way, this Herod was Herod the Great. That is how he was known. Multiple Herods are mentioned in the New Testament. All of them are descendants of this Herod, Herod the Great. And none of them reached the prominence and power of their father or grandfather. This Herod was even given the title “king of the Jews” by the Roman senate. He wasn't even Jewish. This Herod is the one who built the great city Caesarea by the sea. He similarly constructed the mountaintop fortress of Masada in the south. This is the same Herod who ordered the massive renovation of the temple. He did this to try to please the Jews and solidify his title. If you remember, the temple had been rebuilt some 500 years earlier by some of the exiles who had returned. However, Herod transformed and refined it. He doubled the size of the temple mount. And he had the temple adorned with gold plates, and had it covered in white marble. The Jews appreciated this, of course, but it didn't change their opinion of him. In fact, in 2007 (you know, less than 20 years ago) archaeologists actually found Herod's tomb. It was inside the massive fortress that he built near Bethlehem called the Herodium. When they found it, they also found that Herod's sarcophagus had been smashed to pieces. You see, the Jews hated Herod the Great. It's likely, back in the first century, a group made their way into the chamber and destroyed his coffin and did something with his bones. That is because Herod was not a just ruler. He had his first wife executed, including his mother-in-law. He also executed three of his sons. And he had dozen of opponents killed, including high priests and pharisees. Now, look at verse 3. When Herod heard about the wise men and that they were seeking the newborn king of the Jews, it says Herod was troubled. This larger-than-life ruler of the land, who had political and military power, was troubled. Of course he was. These renowned Magi from the east had arrived and they were seeking a new king of the Jews. But that was Herod's title. Do you see why he asked the Magi in verse 8 to find the child born a King? It was not, as Herod had said, so that he could also worship him. No, not at all. Herod was a con man and a tyrant. He wanted to put to death yet another potential threat to his power. Herod did not know where to find this newborn king, so he did two things. First, he asked the priests and scribes. They mentioned Isaiah's prophecy about Bethlehem. Well, that wasn't narrow enough, so second, Herod met with the Magi. He asked them to return to him after finding the newborn king. Well, as the text mentions later, the Magi were warned about Herod in a dream. And so, Herod would never get his wish. So, the Magi were in Jerusalem. Herod had met with them. They knew they needed to travel further, but exactly where, they did not know. But just like before, a star rose to guide them. This star is mentioned four times in Matthew 2. It had brought them west from their country to Jerusalem. The star then turned them south towards Bethlehem. And it led them to the very house where Mary and Josph and baby Jesus were staying. But you ask, how can a star, high in the heavens above lead to a specific home? This is why I believe that it was more of a supernatural star-like object in the sky. Afterall, it moved. It turned them from heading west to south, and then it was able to bring them to a specific place. As verse 9 says, it came to rest over the place where the child was. So, the Magi arrived. Now, in a minute, I want to come back to what they did at that moment. But first, let's consider their gifts. They had brought gifts with them from the east. We sing about them and hear them often at this time of year. The Magi brought gold, and frankincense (not Frankenstein), and they brought myrrh. Now, different scholars have postulated different meanings for the gifts. Some have simply said the gifts were merely a royal tribute. In other words, the Magi brought expensive gifts as they would for any king. Others have suggested that each gift signified something. I think that's likely the case. Let me work that out. First, the gift of gold. Just like today, it was the most precious of metals. It was hard to find and hard to mine. Gold had many uses, but one prominent use of gold was for a king. You know, crowns were made mainly of gold. Kings drank from vessels of gold and they wore golden rings. They carried golden scepters. All those uses are highlighted in various passages in the Scriptures. Of course, gold was not exclusively used for kings, but it's reasonable to conclude that in the giving of gold by the wise men, they were acknowledging Jesus as a king. Second, they also brought him frankincense. It's a strange word. At its core is the word incense. And that is what it was. It came from a rare tree that grew in East Africa. Frankincense is referenced many times in the Old Testament as a fragrant perfume. Most often it was used in the temple by the priests including the high priest. Now, here's the important part. In it's temple use, Frankincense was reserved for incense and sacrificial anointing for Yahweh – for God. It's even referred to as Yahweh's incense. So, it's reasonable to conclude that the Frankincense signified Jesus' divine nature and his priestly role. Which brings us to the last gift. Myrrh. It was a perfume. It was used as a beautiful fragrance for women. You can find it referenced multiple times in the Song of Solomon. Elsewhere in the Scriptures, it's mentioned as a fragrance for clothing. But also, it was used as one of the burial spices. The bottom line is that Myrrh was a fragrance for man – you know, mankind. So, it was different from Frankincense which was reserved in the temple use for Yahweh. Myrrh was instead used for the people. As one commentator put it, “it was a perfume used by and in the interest of… man to make his life more pleasant… and his burial less repulsive.” So, as a gift from the Magi, Myrrh likely signified Jesus' humanity and perhaps his atoning death. In sum, the gifts brought by the Magi testified to who this child was. In the very least, the gifts testified to his kingship. But likely they furthermore testified to the fulness of Jesus divine nature and the fulness of his humanity. In his humanity he was, at that time, a young child born a king, but in his deity, he had existed from eternity past as God the Son. And he had come. The Magi knew and they testified to the wonder and awe of who this child was. He was worthy for them to worship. And I want you to notice something significant. Before the Magi even entered the house, look what verse 10 says. They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy! They gave praise to God for leading them to Jesus. They recognized the significance of that moment in history and that God had brought them to this place, to this child king. And after that, the Magi entered and it says they fell-down before him and worshiped. These revered men, who were not Israelites, who were known for their decades of study and known for their cultural prominence fell down before a one-year old child and worshiped him. Is that not tremendous? I think it is in a couple of different ways. Number 1 - God used non-Israelites to acknowledge his Son, the true king. These Gentile Magi affirmed what many Jews would reject. As the Gospel of John points out, Jesus came to his own, but his own did not receive him. The worship by the Magi is a tremendous thing. It affirmed what the Scriptures in the Old Testament had been saying all along. That through the offspring of Abraham, through the seed of David, all nations would be blessed. It is truly an amazing affirmation of the Gospel call to all tribes, tongues, and nations. Number 2 – the second thing that is tremendous is that they were led by God. God had turned the hearts of these men to him and they followed him. They followed his star. Even with all the temptations for pride that comes with knowledge and wisdom, these men humbled themselves to worship the true king. Go back to verse 10, again. They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Again, this was before they fell down and worshiped. In other words, they gave glory to God for leading them to Jesus. And then they worshiped him. Believer in Christ, you and I were not led by a star to Jesus. But it is no less supernatural how God turned your heart and mine and led us to him. Yes, let's worship the newborn king in this advent season. Yes, let's give praise to God in Christ who is Lord and Savior. Yes, let's declare the reason that Jesus came. He was born to die in our place and then resurrected so to overcome sin and death and the devil for us. So, yes, let's worship Jesus for all these reasons. But let's also rejoice like the Magi for God bring us to him. Were it not for God leading in our lives, we would still be in darkness. But God has led us to his Son, the King. Perhaps you've come today or you've been coming, but you have yet to fall down and worship. God has been leading you. After all, you are here. He's led you to Jesus. He's led you to hear his Word. But there's something preventing you from falling down in worship. Maybe skepticism. Maybe you say that you cannot intellectually get to a place of belief. But if there was any group back then who could argue against belief, it would have been the Magi. Wouldn't it not? The Magi were the intellectuals of the time. Yet, they submitted themselves to God and they humbled themselves before him. They both praised him for leading them to Jesus and then fell down and worshiped the true king. God has led you to this point. Let him now lead you into the house before the humble king. It takes faith, doesn't it? Was it not by faith that the Magi followed the star. It was. It also requires setting aside your unbelief and forsaking your own way. It takes humility to recognize all that you don't know compared to the wisdom and glory and power of God. And it takes falling down before him and submitting your whole life to him, just as the Magi. Will you let God lead you into his house and will you fall down as the Magi did to worship Christ? He is, as 1 Corinthians says, the power of God and the wisdom and of God. He is worthy to be worshiped. What an amazing testimony in these verses… of God at work leading and affirming that he himself has come to us. May we each praise God for leading us as he did the Magi. And as they also did, may we each humbly fall down before the king of kings, for who he is… and for what he has done for us so that we may worship him. Amen

God's movements can bring discontinuity, discomfort, or hardship—but they also result in extraordinary outcomes. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses what it looks like when God moves in the earth and why choosing to hope in the Lord is essential. Afterall, hope (the theme of the first week of the Advent season) is about the future. Our futures may look tenuous, and we may have misplaced or outright abandoned our hope—but when we choose to reject despair, and hope in God's faithfulness and trustworthiness, we can find a joy that lasts even in the midst of sorrow. 

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/TBM-2512-17-DDOA-Candle.mp3 Description: Welcome to the Dog Days of Advent. I made a list of prompts, and wrote a bite-sized story for each one. They don’t live in the same universe, but they’re all a little off-kilter from what you might expect from holiday fare. And if you pay attention, you’ll notice that the last line of each story becomes the first line of the next. Today’s prompt is  Candle. Excerpt: No one there was particularly observant. A few weren't Jewish at all. But Hanukkah had a way of widening the doorway. Light was light, after all, and the station nights were long. Episode Cast: Melissa A. Bartell Links and References Transcript: Candle Dog Days of Advent Credits: The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using Audacity. Bathtub Mermaid blog header art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media Sound Effects and Music are from Freesound and UppBeat Music Used : “MAOZ TZUR” by “Noel Malekar” Video Link: https://youtu.be/53ptIa-5BrQ Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJkKx-mTqoqjZPno7MbFKhA Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJkKx-mTqoqjZPno7MbFKhA Follow on : Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cinematicnoel Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/cinematicnoel Contact: BlueSky: @melysse.bsky.social Facebook: MissMelysse Instagram: @Melysse Mastodon: @Melysse Email: missmelysse@gmail.com Or, leave a comment on this page.  

And to All a Good Bite… of Mystery! A Holiday Chat with David Rosenfelt Need a fun holiday read? Look no further than David Rosenfelt's AND TO ALL A GOOD BITE, Book #32 in the Andy Carpenter series. When Andy receives a phone call around Christmas time that a young man he knows, Jeff Wheeler, has been accused of murder, he realizes his football games and holiday relaxation will have to wait. Before his homicide charge, Jeff was best known for rescuing a Golden Retriever puppy from a building explosion. Andy doesn't believe his client is guilty. Afterall, who would save a puppy and then kill someone? This could prove to be Andy's toughest case yet. In his typical witty writing style and page-turning fun, Rosenfelt delivers another heart-warming canine read for the holidays. For more information on David Rosenfelt, visit: davidrosenfelt.com For more about my K-9 books, visit: kathleendonnelly.com Sit. Stay. Read. is a proud part of the Authors on the Air Global Network.

God's mercy, that's the reason?   (1-Minute Devotion) – Why else are we still hear?   Afterall, we are sinful people deserving of judgement, right?#toughquestionsforgod #questionsforgod #dailydevotion #devotional #godsmercyWebsite: www.toughquestionsforgod.orgyoutube @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC769G9moIYN53BNHlGNf-hA

Today's NPC Prompts were:Fantasy Setting, Ghost, Barber, Fallen Noble, Lawful Neutral, Optimistic, Slovenly, Mistaken for an Infamous CriminalIn the market district of the city, one shop is abandoned. The locals give the entrance of Canbree's Salon a wide birth. It's said that the owner was an infamous murderer. If only they knew the truth of the matter. Dulcinea Canbree is still willing to tell the tale, after all, she still inhabits her salon. It was her life's work after her father disowned her for a young love that didn't last. Why was she thought to be a murderer? A distant relative who shares many of Dulcinea's features framed her for the crimes. After conviction and execution, her spirit will not rest until her name is cleared. Want to make a suggestion? Submit a form here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/oSMMhMWpvZcLdGPK7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Resonantmoon.com/npc-matchmaker⁠⁠⁠⁠This project is for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dog Days of Advent 2025⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Music is "Air Prelude" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The newest data from the Real Estate Staging Association just dropped for Q2 and Q3, and I need to share something with you that honestly broke my heart a little bit when I saw it. The ROI numbers? Absolutely extraordinary. We're talking about the kind of returns that would make any financial advisor pause and say, "Wait, are we talking about a Ponzi scheme here?" But here's what got me: The average staging investment sits under $5,000. A $3,800 to $4,300 investment producing anywhere from $58,000 to $100,000 in additional seller equity. Now, I'm not sharing this to make you feel bad about your pricing or to pressure you into arbitrary price increases. This isn't about comparison or judgment. But when you place those incredible ROI numbers next to what our industry is charging on average, it creates a powerful moment for reflection. So today's conversation is really about one question: Does the price I charge reflect the value I create? In this episode, I'm walking you through the latest RESA statistics, breaking down the neuroscience behind why pricing feels so hard and inviting you to start tracking your own data so you can price from confidence instead of fear. Afterall. We are entering into a new season and better now than ever.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: The staggering new staging ROI numbers from Q2 and Q3 and why they matter more than ever. Why many staging CEOs undercharge from outdated brain patterns. How to build your own staging statistics and stop relying on national averages to justify your pricing. A reflection framework to help you assess alignment between your pricing and the outcomes you create.   RESOURCES:   Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom!   ENJOY THE SHOW? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it. Also, include links to your socials so that more Staging CEOs can find you. Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible

Maybe like so many today you relate faith to the beginning of the Christian life? Afterall, we know that it takes faith to become a Christian right? Today on a Daily Walk pastor John Randall will show us that biblical faith is actually so much more than that. It's a key to being and doing all that God intends for us. Turn if you would to Hebrews eleven as pastor John points out the importance of faith! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1368/29?v=20251111

Seasoned with “grace.”   (1-Minute Devotion) - What's that all about?   Am I supposed to simply “roll-over” when I know I'm right?   Afterall, I deserve respect … right?#toughquestionsforgod #questionsforgod #dailydevotion #devotional #graceWebsite: www.toughquestionsforgod.orgyoutube @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC769G9moIYN53BNHlGNf-hA

Any person of Christian faith who is in position of leadership will find it easy to speak about prayer.  Afterall, prayer is an essential part to the Christian life.  But it might be more challenging for us to understand its practical power.  Being men and women of action, we rely often on our own strength to make things happen.  Given that sense of responsibility what value does prayer have?  In this final talk in our seris on Joyful Leadership we explore the practical power of prayer in our lives.

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Daily Dose of Hope November 25, 2025   Scripture - Acts 5:17-42   Prayer:  Holy and Merciful God, Thank you for a new day during this Thanksgiving week.   We are so very grateful that your mercies are new every morning.  We are thankful for your mercy, grace, and patience with us.  Help us, Lord, gather our scattered thoughts and focus on you and your Word.  In these next few moments of silence, help us be still and know that you are God...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we are finishing Acts 5.   The apostles are witnessing and people are coming to faith in Jesus.  They are seeing signs and wonders.  Even Peter's shadow falling on people is leading to healing.  The Holy Spirit is working in powerful ways to demonstrate God's glory and grow the young church.  Healing and deliverance are the norm, not the exception.    This really makes the Jewish leaders jealous and worried.  Afterall, they want to control their perceived grip on religious power.  The apostles are thrown in jail but freed by an angel.  They go right back to the Temple courts and witness to the Gospel.  When the Jewish leaders question and threaten the apostles, the believers are clear that they are going to follow God over man.  Their boldness is amazing.  It's clear the Spirit is in them in a powerful way.  But what I am always alarmed by is their joy at being suffering disgrace for the Gospel.  I mean they are flogged!  That's extremely painful.  And they praise God for this.    This leads to some pretty difficult questions for us.  First, when have you suffered disgrace for the Gospel?  Second, when have we experienced discomfort for the Gospel?  Seriously, what is the worst we have experienced for the Gospel? And finally, if you have experienced disgrace or discomfort, were you filled with joy?   I think we tend to go to great lengths to avoid disgrace and discomfort.  Why?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

It's a well-known fact that leaders in industry and society are men and women of action.  If we're in charge, it's to produce a result.  But living under this kind of pressure can sometimes weaken that is necessary for success.  Afterall, we didn't get involved just to be a machine.  We got involved in order to lead and leadership is much more than just producing results.  In this seventh part of our series on Secrets To Joyful Leadership we explore the power of beauty and its capacity to motivate a joyful leader. 

Daily Dose of Hope November 24, 2025   Scripture - Acts 5:1-16   Prayer: Almighty God, As we move into a new week, 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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently walking through the book of Acts.  Today, we are staring Acts 5, specifically the first sixteen verses.   The story of Ananias and Sapphira is kind of disturbing.  But keep in mind that this is happening within the context of the new church community.  This is a community in which people are selling all their possessions and living in unity, of the same mind and spirit.  Then, Ananias and Sapphira, in contrast, tell everyone they are selling a piece of land and giving all the profit to the church.  But they secretly keep a big chunk for themselves.  This is the thing – if they had been honest and said they were splitting the proceeds and keeping some for themselves, it would not have been a big deal.  Afterall, it was their property and their money.  They could decide how to use it.  The issue was in the deception.  Rather than being filled with the Holy Spirit (as we see in the rest of the community), they were filled with a spirit of evil.    Here is an interesting question – were Ananias and Sapphira true believers?  They probably were.  Their story is told in the context of the actions of "all the believers" in Acts 4.  They knew the Holy Spirit.  It's possible that Ananias may have earlier promised to give the whole amount of the sale of the property to the church and then they changed their mind and decided to be deceptive rather than truthful.  Maybe the best evidence that they were believers is that they were disciplined for their actions.  They wanted attention and accolades but they lied to get it.  They were even given a chance to fess up but they stuck to their lies.  As a result, they died.    It shows us that believers can be led into bold, obvious sin.  And really, don't we see this often in the church?  A respected church leader falls from grace – the inappropriate relationship, embezzled funds, something is just not right.  Satan is active and at work in our lives and we have to be on guard, prepared with the full armor of God.  You guys, spiritual warfare is real.    If this story seems harsh, it is.  You are totally right.  I've thought about this.  The church was young.  They were really setting boundaries.  The apostles were establishing their own leadership.  This was a warning to the church as a whole.  Deception and evil will not be tolerated.  We are not to look like the culture at large.  We belong to Jesus.  We reflect Jesus.    Does New Hope reflect Jesus?  What can we do better?  What can you do better?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

El panorama político internacional se centra en el conflicto entre Ucrania y Rusia; Putin se muestra abierto a una resolución pacífica pero amenaza a Ucrania con más escalada si no se discuten propuestas. Zelensky tiene un plazo para responder a un acuerdo que incluye cesiones territoriales, reducción del ejército y renuncia a la OTAN. En España, la inflación es elevada, con el IPC en octubre en 3.1%, afectando alimentos, energía y tasas de recogida de basuras; se prevé un aumento en las pensiones. Un hombre de 66 años ingresa en prisión sin fianza por la muerte de Encarnita Polo. En deportes, el equipo español de tenis disputa la final de la Copa Davis contra Italia. El Barcelona es líder provisional en La Liga. En Fórmula 1, Sainz es tercero y Alonso séptimo en el Gran Premio de Las Vegas. La "hora vintage" recuerda 1989 con la canción "After All" y programas como "El tiempo es oro", "RocKopop", "MacGyver", "La Luna", "Tribunal Popular", "El precio justo" y "Brigada Central". Los ...

Lately, we've been seeing stuff about this shared dream referred to as Mall World, so we thought we would look into it. We found some interesting theories about it. So, here we go.Beverage: Thanksgiving Punch, or at least my version of it. Apple cider, cranberry juice, rum, pumpkin spice, grenadine. Serve warm.

Lately, we've been seeing stuff about this shared dream referred to as Mall World, so we thought we would look into it. We found some interesting theories about it. So, here we go.Beverage: Thanksgiving Punch, or at least my version of it. Apple cider, cranberry juice, rum, pumpkin spice, grenadine. Serve warm.

Send us a textThis week's tale is one of true love. A love that has lasted for centuries, literally. The couple are vampires. E. Everett Evans's story, “The Undead Die,” tells of their meeting, their transformation and their undying love.In the vein of “Interview with the Vampire,” by Anne Rice, our story raises the same question— “How much humanity do vampires retain after transformation?” If wolves, black vultures and prairie voles mate for life, why can't the creatures of the night? Afterall, love is love.MusicFesliyan Studios: "Ghost," "Halloween" "Scary Music," "The Lovers"Audio Jungle: "Halloween Waltzes" Pro Effects Sound Library: "Evil Music Box"Narration: Robert BreaultPlease join us! Like and follow our Facebook page to become " patron of the Cemetery Hills Library, or (even better!)  jump on our Patreon page and become a VIP Patron.                         Mugs, tee-shirts and eternal thanks await you!                                                                  Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=61177769&fan_landing=trueWebpage: http://www.afterwordsparanormal.comFacebook: After Words Paranormal Podcast

Send us a textThis week's tale is one of true love. A love that has lasted for centuries, literally. The couple are vampires. E. Everett Evans's story, “The Undead Die,” tells of their meeting, their transformation and their undying love.In the vein of “Interview with the Vampire,” by Anne Rice, our story raises the same question— “How much humanity do vampires retain after transformation?” If wolves, black vultures and prairie voles mate for life, why can't the creatures of the night? Afterall, love is love.MusicFesliyan Studios: "Ghost," "Halloween" "Scary Music," "The Lovers"Audio Jungle: "Halloween Waltzes" Pro Effects Sound Library: "Evil Music Box"Narration: Robert BreaultPlease join us! Like and follow our Facebook page to become " patron of the Cemetery Hills Library, or (even better!)  jump on our Patreon page and become a VIP Patron.                         Mugs, tee-shirts and eternal thanks await you!                                                                  Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=61177769&fan_landing=trueWebpage: http://www.afterwordsparanormal.comFacebook: After Words Paranormal Podcast

Elyce Arons is a cofounder of Kate Spade and the cofounder and CEO of Frances Valentine. Elyce grew up on a cattle farm in Kansas before attending the University of Kansas where she met her lifelong best friend, Katy Brosnahan. Together they helped launch the multibillion-dollar bag company Kate Spade, with Katy's eventual husband Andy Spade and Pamela Bell. Elyce is also the author of the book, We Might Just Make it After All.  In this episode we discuss the following:  The great advice Elyce gave about the value of writing thank you notes. Not only has Elyce written countless thank you notes, but also she has helped countless others write thank you notes through her stationery line at Kate Spade. After this interview with Elyce, I ordered a box of thank you notes and a pack of stamps. I first wrote a note to thank my wife Keshia for being so wonderful. And then I wrote a note to Elyce, thanking her for coming on the podcast. And just like that, I'm on track for 25 notes in six months when I check back in with Elyce. I encourage all of you to follow Elyce's advice to write thank you notes to people you meet with. By doing so, you will make others' lives better.

In this chapter of Soul Of The Fire, Bert's decision to have a vote in Anderith is questioned, but he assures everyone it's for the best. Afterall, they only need to delay Richard and Co. long enough for the Order to arrive, and then all their problems are solved. In the meantime, Richard get's to do whatever he wants - except read the one book he came here to find.

We had to try it. We couldn't help ourselves. And, can you blame us?!? Afterall, who can resist a $20 Barolo from Costco's Kirkland Brand, or Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve label?!? Not us, and we bet not you either. The question on your lips, of course, is “are the wines worth their $20 price tag?” Look, you need to listen to the episode to find out, but here are a few things that might entice you even further. First, the wines are both from Serralunga d'Alba, both have pretty decent ratings from online sources, and both are made by very reputable and well known Barolo producers. So what could go wrong?!? We'll give you our honest opinion about these wines, and we'll also tell you about what all the hubbub is about Barolo. BTW, if you didn't know, Barolo is considered by the majority of wine nerds to be the best of the best of Italian wines. We also have a scintillating wine in the news story about bribes and luxury watches, and an interview with a member of our tribe! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Barolo from the Bersano Estate Lot #6, 2019 Costco Kirkland Signature BaroloSend us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode!Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we'd love to hear from you!Visit our website, leave a review, and reach out to us: https://thewinepairpodcast.com/Follow and DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewinepairpodcast/Send us an email: joe@thewinepairpodcast.com

"If this task had to be repeated 100 times, would you still want to be doing it?" This is the question I ask every staging CEO, and honestly, it's the one that opened the door to the world of automations for me. In this episode, I am sharing why automations became one of my favorite leadership tools. Not because they're techy or trendy, but because they create clarity, consistency, and real breathing room inside a business. Especially a staging business like ours where there are so many processes and repeats. From my early days building simple workflows to now helping staging business owners at various phases streamline theirs, I've learned that automations don't take away the human side of your business, they amplify it. Afterall, it is when the backend runs smoother and calmer that you get to focus on the work only you can do; the real staging business owner duty. Wonder what automations can do for you? Listen to find out!   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: Why automations are leadership tools and how they shift you from reactive to intentionally designed operations. The first workflow I ever built and why it still runs eight years later The causes of business bottlenecks and how automations support all three. How to identify your next automation opportunity  RESOURCES:   Learn more about the Automation Atelier here Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom! ENJOY THE SHOW? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it. Also, include links to your socials so that more Staging CEOs can find you. Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible  

Daily Dose of Hope November 12, 2025   Scripture – John 19   Prayer: Holy God, You are a God of order and a God of purpose.  The world may seem chaotic, but you are not.  You have ordered your world with perfection.  Help us trust you.  Lord, fill us with your perfect peace.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  As most of you know, we have been walking through the Gospels and will soon walk through Acts.  Today, we begin John 19.    Our passage begins with Jesus before Pilate.  Even Pilate, the Roman official, recognizes that Jesus has done nothing wrong. Pontius Pilate is an interesting guy.  He knows that Jesus hasn't done anything wrong, certainly nothing worthy of execution, and he truly wants to free Jesus.  The text indicates that Pilate is somewhat scared of Jesus. He tries to placate the Jewish leaders.  He has Jesus flogged.  He offers to release Barrabas, a noted insurrectionist, thinking for sure they would rather have Jesus set free rather than a murderer.  But that isn't what happened. And Pilate isn't willing to stand up for what he knows is right.  His own role in Jesus' death lands him a mention in the Apostle's Creed, the most famous and oldest Christian Creed.  Think about it, for two thousand years, Christians around the globe have been declaring that Jesus died under Pontius Pilate.    Bottom line:  The Jewish officials are desperate to get rid of Jesus. They are blinded by fear, jealousy, and contempt. In an attempt to get Pilate to cooperate with their plans, they threaten to report him to Caesar. After all, Jesus claimed to be king and anyone who made such a claim would be considered a threat to the emperor. The great irony here is that the Jews are essentially presenting themselves as better Roman citizens than Pilate, the Roman official. When it's convenient for them, they are happy to use the pagan Roman government to get their way. They will sacrifice their own ethics to ensure that Jesus is killed.   The thing about sacrificing our ethics is that it's a slippery slope, is it not? These Jewish officials were probably very pious men. They thought they were doing the right thing. Afterall, Jesus was saying blasphemous things and he didn't follow their rules. They needed to step in and take care of it. But gradually their dislike of Jesus became hate. They so badly wanted him gone that they were willing to do anything, break their own laws, disobey Torah, simply to get rid of him. They were willing to do anything, no matter how shady it was or low they had to go.   Has your hatred of another person ever made you compromise your own values? We think we are so much better than these Jewish officials but I think sometimes we are just like these Jewish officials. Dig deep today, friends. Examine your own heart. The remainder of the chapter is pretty powerful.  Jesus carries his own cross to the place of his execution.  The soldiers cast lots for his clothing.  He breathes his last breath without any of his bones being broken by the soldiers.  They pierced his side with a spear.  Lots of prophecy being fulfilled here.   Finally, two faithful Jewish men, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, take Jesus' body and place it in a tomb.  Not a lot can be done to prepare the body for burial because it's Friday afternoon and the Sabbath is upon them.  Things will have to wait.  But things may look a lot different on Sunday morning.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Actress Erika Christensen joins Vanessa to talk about her new film After All, where she plays a daughter caring for her ill mother. Together, they explore the unexpected intimacy of birth, death, and everything in between. To connect with the team and gain access to behind the scenes content, join our community at joinparents.com You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ & ⁠Youtube⁠. If you have questions you want Vanessa to try to answer, or just want to tell us what you think of the show, email us at parents@campsidemedia.com. Can't wait to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hometown Radio 11/10/25 3p: Director Kersti Karlhuber shares her new film "After All"

Daily Dose of Hope October 31, 2025 Scripture – John 13:18-38 Prayer: Abba Father, We come to you today, grateful for your love and care in our lives. Thank you for your presence and your peace. Help us to gather our scattered thoughts and set aside distractions so we can focus on what you have for us today. In the next few moments of silence, Lord, help me be still and know that you are God...We give you all the glory, Lord Almighty. Amen. Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan. As most of you know, we have been going through the Gospels and Acts. Today, we finish up John 13. In John's Gospel, there is an extended text about Jesus predicting Judas' betrayal. When asked who will be the one to betray him, Jesus says the one he dips the bread and offers it to. Jesus then dips the bread and gives it to Judas. He tells Judas to do what he is going to do and do it quickly. I often wondered why the disciples didn't notice this interaction more. They seem someone oblivious and lost in their own thoughts. Maybe they each wondered if they could be the one to betray their Master? John writes of a point in which Judas allows Satan to enter him. He had previously been influenced by Satan but now he has allowed the devil to have his way with him. At first, he opened the door a little. Then, he just opened the door wide. The devil had been feeding him lies, and Judas started believing them, totally and completely. The devil tempted him with money, and Judas found 30 pieces of silver more valuable than the God. Jesus told Judas that joy was to be found in sacrificially serving others, but Judas believed that Satan's way of putting self first was better. We recently went to a clergy training on deliverance, led by Pete Bellini, a professor at United Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. It was absolutely incredible and I would highly recommend Dr. Bellini's books. But one of the things that Dr. Bellini said was that we as Christ-followers cannot be possessed by Satan. We belong to Jesus so we can never totally belong to Satan. But we can become oppressed. We can open the door to the demonic through various means, i.e. porn use, messing with occult-related activities, and when we do so, demons can attach themselves to us. Satan can oppress certain parts of us. We may not even be aware of it. That is when deliverance is necessary. So, was Judas possessed or oppressed? Did he know Jesus? Did he believe? I don't know if we will ever know this side of heaven. Most of the scholars I read said they thought he was totally possessed by Satan at the end. Who knows? I would love your thoughts. Let's move on in our passage. Verses 34 and 35 are really incredible, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." It's as if, in two sentences, Jesus has summarized all his teachings to his disciples. And they aren't easy because they center on how we love one another. If we were to take these verses and look at church history, we would wonder if we were looking at the same faith. Christian history has done horrific things in Jesus' name. I think he must weep and mourn at this. Everything Jesus did was about teaching others to love and serve each other. And somehow, this got terribly corrupted. As we keep reading, 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. I've asked this question before but it's worth repeating - 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. Reflect on this and spend some time in prayer. Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope October 24, 2025 Scripture - John 11:1-44 Prayer: Almighty God and Risen Lord, King of Kings, We come before you today with praise and a sense of awe. Forgive us, for we struggle to keep a focus on you. Help us gather our scattered and distracted thoughts. Help us remember who and whose we are. Holy Spirit, speak to us today. We want to hear your voice. In Your Name, Amen. Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan. We are currently working our way through the Gospels and Acts. Today, we begin John 11. In today's text, we again meet Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This is a family that Jesus loves dearly. Mary and Martha definitely know that Jesus had the ability to heal Lazarus. They request his presence when Lazarus becomes ill. After he dies, they still want Jesus to come. Afterall, when we are grieving, we desperately need those in our inner circle who will offer comfort and give us a shoulder to cry on. The sisters knew that Jesus loved them and their brother, and that alone would have been enough reason for Jesus to come. But it's precisely because he loves this family that we wonder why Jesus didn't rush to their side earlier. We all know, based on his miracle-working skills, that Jesus could have healed Lazarus with the first sniffle. But Jesus stayed. He didn't go anywhere. It was like he intentionally waited before heading out to go see the siblings. But we soon learn that it is precisely because Jesus loves them so much that he waits. He knows that his glory will be revealed in a tremendous way, and it will be one more sign that Jesus is Lord. It isn't surprising that Martha does not hide her disappointment from Jesus. She goes out to meet him an tell him that if he had only been there, then Lazarus would not have died. At the same time, we can see in Martha a faith that is quite strong. Even though her brother is dead, she knows Jesus can still do something. But will he do it? The short answer is yes. Jesus has something much bigger planned. But I do love that we see Jesus' humanity here in a very real way. When an anguished Mary finally leaves the house to meet Jesus, along with all the mourners, Jesus himself is moved to tears. Think about it. Jesus knows that he will raise Lazarus from the dead. That was his whole reason for delaying his visit. But when he sees Mary's grief and the tears of the people around him, he is moved to weep as well. When we see grief around us, when people are sobbing, and you can just feel their pain and anguish, it isn't unusual to begin to cry as well. We can feel the pain of others. It's called empathy. Jesus loved Lazarus, he loves Martha, and he loves Mary. He feels their pain. He is pained that they are having to go through this. And he weeps. But there is also great dialogue here and I don't want us to miss it. Lazarus has been in the tomb four days. There was no refrigeration, no embalming. The body would have deteriorated in that climate. So, Jesus asks the sisters to remove the stone from the tomb where Lazarus was laid. Martha protests that the smell is going to be really bad. But that's when Jesus says this in verse 40, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" Don't we all want to see the glory of God? Don't we want to see the beauty of God's Spirit? Don't we want to see his goodness and his power? It's here that Jesus says if we believe, we will, in fact, see the glory of God. With that, Jesus prays to the Father and then invites Lazarus to come out of the tomb. Lazarus did come out. He was still bound up with grave clothes. Before the body was placed in the tomb, it was wrapped with linen clothes and treated with various spices. And Jesus says to unbind him. Lazarus was alive. How often do we live bound up in grave clothes? We continue to be tied to old, destructive habits and attitudes. Even though we may know Jesus, we still are bound by old patterns of behavior. It's only Jesus that can remove those from us so we can experience new life in him. Lazarus was alive but he still needed to remove the remnants of death. He needed to be loosed. Do you need to be loosed? What aspects of your old life do you continue to hold onto? Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope October 22, 2025 Scripture - John 10:1-21 Prayer: Almighty God, We come before you on this Wednesday, in the middle of our week, with both humility and gratefulness. You are so powerful, so holy, and so wise. We need you. We seek you. We are desperate to hear a word from you today, Lord. We also know that we have failed over and over again. Lord, forgive us for our sins, for the ways we fall short. In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...Jesus, help us stay focused on you and your Word today. In Your Name, Amen. Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan. As most of you know, we are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts. Today, we begin John 10. Today, we have come to our third and fourth I AM statements from Jesus, "I am the door of the sheep" and "I am the good shepherd." Let's go deeper here. Jesus begins the chapter with an analogy about sheep. Most of us aren't going to get the deeper meaning because we generally don't know a lot about sheep. From what I understand, a shepherd has a distinctive call for his sheep. His sheep know his voice and his call. They aren't going to respond to a stranger, they know the voice of their own shepherd. It's the shepherd that enters the sheep pen by the front gate. He doesn't need to sneak in by climbing the fence. He safely leads the sheep out to pasture. He is the one that the sheep can trust. Then, why does Jesus say he is the gate? Afterall, we expect him to say he is shepherd, he has literally just given us this shepherd language that makes a fair amount of sense. Why a gate? This took some research. In the middle east at the time, the sheep slept in a pen without a gate; there was just an opening. The shepherd was literally the gate for the pen. He would lay his body across the opening. No sheep would step over him and a wolf couldn't get in without getting past the shepherd first. He was literally the gate. If this is the case, we can see how Jesus could easily be both the gate and the shepherd at the same time. Other scholars say that Jesus is speaking of a literal gate and they cite his use of the word doorkeeper as evidence. Regardless of a literal gate or a shepherd using his body as the gate, I think the meaning is the same. Jesus is protecting the sheep. The thieves and robbers come to wound and destroy. Jesus, as the gate, protects life at nighttime and offers life during the day by taking the sheep out to pasture. It's all about living the life abundant. If you haven't figured it out by now, we are the sheep and Jesus is our shepherd. He is the voice we need to seek, he is the one who provides and protects, and he is one who offers abundant and full life. And Jesus is a very good shepherd. He laid down his life for his sheep, for us. He wasn't coerced into this, but rather he voluntarily died for our sins. There will be other religious leaders, hired hands as Jesus calls them, who will abandon their followers at the first sign of trouble. But Jesus, on the other hand, is our eternal protector. He is always with us and will always be with us. Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope October 20, 2025 Scripture - John 8:12-59 Prayer: Holy God, We pause before you. We become still, recognizing that you are God. You are Creator, you are Provider, you are Sustainer. Thank you, Lord. We repent for how we have failed you. We repent for our pride, our anger, our bitterness, our flawed view of others. We repent for not putting you first. Forgive us, Lord. We are broken and sinful people. Lord, use us anyway. We pray that you can lead us to a place of healing and peace so that we can then be useful to your Kingdom. Help us be your servants, open to your leading and direction. We are yours. We belong to you. In Your Name, Amen. Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida. As most of you know, we are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts. Today, we finish up John 8. This chapter is an interesting and complex set of narratives about Jesus' identity. In verses 12-30, Jesus attempts, unsuccessfully, to explain that he does not need the two witnesses required by the Law in any testimony because he already has them: his own and the Father's. To the Jews, this would have been impossible. No one could testify on their own behalf. Afterall, the Law, to ensure fairness and objectivity, required at least two witnesses. But let us not forget that the gospel is not necessarily historical but theological. We are reading the account of an early Jewish-Christian community engaged in heavy theological debate with the synagogue, a sort of family feud if you consider that everyone here is Jewish. Beginning in verse 31, John states Jesus is speaking to Jews who had believed in him. I think the tense is important here. These were once followers of Jesus but now they are not. Jesus tells them that if they hold to his teachings, they are his disciples. And Jesus continues to say that it is then that they will know the truth and the truth will set them free. But this gets them all confused. But why in the world would they need to be set free? They are Abraham's descendants and they have never been enslaved. Jesus explains that they are, in fact, slaves to sin. Keep in mind, that this is a group who thinks they will go to heaven simply because of their blood line. They are Jews, they are God's chosen people. How they think and behave is far less important than to whom they are related. And yet, Jesus pushes up against this. As the text continues, in verses 37-59, Jesus and the Pharisees and other Jewish authorities throw accusations at each other. Jesus says they are being children of the devil; they accuse him of being demon-possessed and a Samaritan. One can hardly think of a worse situation. No one was listening to one another. But John is making a point. He is leading up to Jesus saying in v. 58, Before Abraham was, I am. Of course, he is speaking of himself using the Biblical way of referring to God. He is saying that he is God. This escalates things. The Jews begin to pick up stones to begin to throw at him but he slips away. Jesus is God. Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Episode 268: It's a World of Fascism, After All by Craig Johnson

Before and After | All in All | Part 4 If we truly believe that we have been raised with Christ, we are to look higher to live deeper. This week, we invite you to mediate on Colossians 3:1-14: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Daily Dose of Hope October 13, 2025   Scripture - John 6:1-24   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 to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin a deep dive into John 6.    We start with John's text describing the feeding of the 5,000.  Jesus has taken his disciples away, trying to find a quiet place to rest.  That doesn't happen.  People follow them.  Jesus was probably quite a sight.  He said things people had not heard before and he did miracles.    The crowd that followed Jesus this time was quite large.  Thus, they sit down on the side of the mountain and Jesus asks Philip (mainly to test him), “Where in the world are we going to get food to feed all these people?”  Of course, Jesus already knew what he would do.  The interesting thing to me is that Jesus didn't get annoyed with the crowds, he was never exasperated.  He took it in stride and everything was a learning lesson.  Everything was a Kingdom lesson.   Jesus had tremendous compassion for the people.  If you think about Jesus' ministry, he was often interrupted, probably on his off day.  He would frequently be planning to do this one thing but pulled away in a different direction.  But it was in those interruptions, those distractions that Jesus did amazing work, that we get to see God at work in amazing, miraculous ways.  He heals the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years because she “interrupts” him on his way to the Roman official's home.  Think of the man whose friends created a hole in the roof to lower their friend in front of Jesus and “interrupt” his teaching.  He was interrupted by a demon-possessed man at the synagogue and he heals him.  I counted something like 35 “interruptions” and it was in those interruptions that Jesus healed, taught, loved, and demonstrated God's glory.    And I'm wondering if it might be the same for us.  We get so busy, so task-focused, but might it be in the interruptions that God is calling us to demonstrate HIS compassion toward others?  Sometimes, the most important things in our lives happen in the interruptions.  I think God wants us to pay attention to the interruptions because interruptions involve people who Jesus loves.  God uses individual people to bless others, to take care of the needs of others.  But let's get back to the feeding.  Exactly how it happened, we don't know.  What we know is that it happened.  Jesus took a little and turned it into a lot.  In that moment, we see God's Kingdom in all its fullness.  In God's Kingdom, there is no sickness so Jesus healed.  In God's Kingdom, there is no hunger so Jesus fed.  Most of us in here are pretty well fed but that was not the norm in first century Palestine.  People did not get enough to eat.  That's why in the Lord's Prayer we say, “give us today our daily bread” because daily bread was not a given.  Those 10-15K people that Jesus was caring for that day (the men plus their wives and children), these were peasants.  They were hungry people.  There was a huge disparity between rich and poor in the Roman Empire and some argue, quite convincingly, that was intentional.  But Jesus fed everyone until they were full (probably something they were not accustomed to at all).  And when all were fed, the leftovers were collected and there were twelve basketfuls remaining.  Amazing abundance.  Jesus demonstrated the abundance of God's Kingdom.  To these people following Jesus, there was a lack of food, so it made sense to demonstrate abundance that way.  For most of us, we typically eat until we are full so maybe that wouldn't make sense to us.  But for many of us, we still operate our lives from a SCARCITY mindset.  We've talked about this before but it's worth revisiting.  A scarcity mindset means we worry that there won't be enough, we are fearful of running out, that there won't be enough for me.  We live always thinking, “well, what if this happens or that happens?”  But if we view our lives from the lens of scarcity, then we will always be fearful and anxious.  And we will miss so many of the blessings that God has in store for us. And Jesus wants us to operate from the ABUNDANCE mindset.  He wants us to trust that he will provide all our needs and then some.  There were 12 baskets left over.  Jesus wants us to have a stewardship mentality, recognizing that all we have, God has generously put into our hands.  All our resources – they are a gift from God, our health – gift from God, our children/grandchildren/friends – all a gift from God, our time – a precious gift from God.  Just as Jesus was asking his disciples to do in this miracle, he is asking each of us to do --- look beyond what's in front of you.  Look up from this physical, earthly reality and see that there is so much more.  I've got you.  I'm here for you.  Trust me.  The world tells us to be afraid, hold on tight to whatever you have, send the people away.  But Jesus is saying, “Look beyond the world.  Look beyond what's right in front of you.  Look at my Kingdom.” One thing I like about John's Gospel is he gives us a little more detail.  He writes about how, after Jesus feeds all the people, the disciples cross the lake back to Capernaum.  The people follow him again and ask for more bread.  Afterall, they were hungry people.  But Jesus wants them to go deeper.  He knows their needs are deeper.  All of our needs are deeper.  Anyway, Jesus says to them later, in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life.”  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry…   Of course, he is no longer talking about bread.  Those places of scarcity in our soul – the fear, the anxiety, the anger, the doubts, the pain, the past trauma, the bitterness, the insecurity, the emptiness, the bondage to things of this world – Jesus takes all of that and if we let him, will fill us, heal us, strengthen us, nourish us.  Christ, the bread of life, satisfies the deepest longings of our life.  And friends, I need that.  You need that.  We have a whole community who needs it, yearns for it.  The last part of our reading is Jesus walking on water.  Keep in mind that Jesus had the ability to defy the laws of nature.  His miracles included healings but they also included the calming of the storm and walking on the Sea of Galilee.  When the disciples see him do this, they are afraid.  How often are we afraid when we see Jesus act in unexpected ways? Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

In this episode, we continue exploring Walter Russell in the context of the upcoming release of the NeuroHarmonic Method. Once again, the key point is that while Russell—who passed away in 1963 and is still regarded as one of the most accomplished figures in history, was a fourth grade drop out who always gave full credit for his success to his ability to tap into the intelligence of the higher power within him. When I first began researching Russell several years ago, I came across a book called The Man Who Tapped the Secrets of the Universe. Its author had spent considerable time interviewing Russell, who explained that he lived by five basic rules for success. The author then offered Russell's explanation about each one of them. What struck me when I first read them was how different they were from the usual advice about achieving success that I had read. They didn't emphasize hard work, setting goals, or carefully planning a strategy. Instead, Russell focused on cultivating inner states of consciousness that align us with the higher intelligence within us. He believed that accessing these inner conditions naturally lead us our best selves. Now, I had long been aware of the idea that there is an incredible inner world within us—one we can uncover through practice and awareness. But I had never considered that this inner world might be essential to achieving outward success. Somehow, those two things had always seemed separate to me. But Russell insisted the opposite: success begins inwardly, not outwardly. He taught that if you look reverently within, toward your higher inner self, you will be amazed by what you discover. And one of his principles that surprised me even more, was that he emphasized joy. He said joy is not optional but essential to our success, because it replenishes consciousness and reveals our natural state. This is a far cry from the “head down, work harder, push to the goal” approach that most of us are taught in school. With all this in mind, let's dive into this episode, and explore Walter Russell's Five Laws of Success.   The Five Laws of Success   In the last episode, I discussed some of the research I've done on Walter Russell. As I mentioned, a chance encounter with a stranger led me down this unexpected path. I had never heard of Russell before and I was completely amazed by what I found. Not only was he one of the most accomplished people in American history, a self-made millionaire, master painter, sculptor and musician, architect and builder, friend of presidents and kings, as well as scientist and teacher, but incredibly, he was a fourth-grade drop-out, with almost no formal education.           And if that wasn't remarkable enough Russell claimed that due to some extraordinary events he had experienced, he was able to tap into the intelligence that powers the entire universe. He said not only was this intelligence within him, he also claimed that it's inside everyone of us, and we all have the potential to tap into it like he could.           While enticing, I found these ideas to be pretty incredible, but as he used to say, his life spoke for itself. In that regard, Thomas J. Watson, a close friend and associate, and the legendary founder of IBM, said that Russell had achieved seven lifetimes worth of accomplishments and that he had “reduced the philosophy of thought power to a science, and demonstrated that science in his own achievements.”            One of the books I had purchased about Russell called “The Man Who Tapped the Secrets of the Universe' included a section in which he listed what he called his Five Laws of Success. I found them to be intriguingly different from what I had expected. Russell didn't stress hard work, long hours, detailed planning or setting goal benchmarks. Instead, he stressed the power of nurturing certain inner states of consciousness that naturally expand our ability to focus on the higher levels of intelligence that are within our awareness. These inner states help bring about the best in us.  And the more we align with the best parts of ourselves, the more we naturally do our best, and ultimately become our best. So here is a very brief overview of Walter Russell's Five Laws of Success. It's pretty simple, but I've read it hundreds of times, and I still don't think I'm really getting it.     The first Law of Success is humility. When it comes to true success in any area of life, it all starts and it all ends, with humility. According to Russell, nothing of real value, nothing that brings authentic, lasting fulfillment, can be done without a humble understanding of our true position in the larger scheme of things. We need to truly understand that we are each 100% dependent on our breath to survive. We simply cannot live without it. And no one, no matter their position or accomplishments, has any control over it whatsoever. Life comes to each one of us by its own power which is, and probably will remain, far beyond human comprehension. And, according to Russel, we need to surrender to that power to accomplish anything of real significance, indeed be truly fulfilled.               He said, “Early in life I found that to achieve greatness one had to go only one inch beyond mediocrity, but that one inch is so hard to go, that only those who become aware of God in them can make the grade, for no one can achieve that one inch alone.” According to him, our own individual awareness is actually just a part of the larger universal intelligence.  “The ‘I' must be forgotten,” he said.  “One must not be the part; he must be the whole. Until one learns to lose oneself, he cannot find himself.”     From this humble awareness, a natural desire to help others begins to flow, increasing in power, continually elevating the consciousness to higher perspectives. Russell said he often felt like he was “placing himself within all others through acts of thoughtfulness and service.” So, the first step is authentic humility. There is no substitution for it. Although our miniature ego may always be around, expressing its miniature opinions, we have to surrender to the highest. Afterall, as he observed, “No great man has ever wise-cracked his way into greatness.”   The second Law of Success is reverence. He used to say that when he was entering his workplace, he felt like he was entering a cathedral. He once put it this way, “I learned to cross the threshold of my studio with reverence, as though I were entering a shrine, set apart for me to become co-creator with the Universal Thinker of all things.”           When I first read this, it was a completely new idea to me because it was so radically different from any concept I had about work. Like most other products of the Puritan Work Ethic which was the foundation of the American education of my early years, my idea of work is that it was a form of drudgery, something you had to do. Like I had been consigned to a life of hard labor.           This was like night and day, saying that you can experience a grateful reverence for the opportunity to apply your intelligence in joyful service to the greater good. Russell said that there is a hidden gem within every action we make, and we can uncover it by becoming conscious of the innate greatness of life itself. This has vast implications.              As he said, “If you look reverently in the inward direction toward your inner self, you will be amazed at what you will find. If you are alone long enough to get thoroughly acquainted with yourself, you will hear whisperings from the universal source of all consciousness which will inspire you.... You will soon find yourself using the cosmic forces. instead of working blindly in the dark.”   The third Law of Success is Inspiration. We all know that acting from inspiration represents an ideal state of being. We say that we saw an inspiring movie or play or someone sang an inspired song or gave an inspired speech. Or we saw an inspiring painting or sculpture.  There are thousands of examples.  But, in our way of  thinking, inspiration is something that we stumble upon every once in a while. It doesn't have to be this way, according to Russell. He said that inspiration is always present within our consciousness, we just ignore it. We haven't been taught to value it, so, we just take it on a hit or miss basis. But he said we can do much better than that.     “Inspiration is that deep awareness of the consciousness of Being, which differentiates the genius or mystic from the being of average intelligence,” he said. “It is the language of light, through which man and God inter-communicate. Inspiration comes only to those who seek it with humility toward their own achievements and reverence toward the achievements of God.” He taught that through humility and true inspiration, a higher access to knowledge can be gained.  “Knowledge is yours for the asking,” he said. “You have but to plug into it. You do not have to learn anything. In fact, all you have to do is recollect it, or recognize it, for you already have it as your inheritance.” I guess it sounds easy enough.     The fourth law of success is Deep Purpose.    According to Russell, you have to learn how to focus your energy exclusively on completing your purpose. As he put it, “You have to gather your energy together, conserving it and insulating it from dissipation in every direction other than that of your purpose.” But he also took it a little deeper. According to him, we have two parts of our consciousness, one part is connected to the finite world and the other part is connected to the Infinite. And to produce a truly great accomplishment, we need to be conscious of both.   Our finite purpose is the obvious goal that we wish to accomplish. But along with it, our infinite purpose is to continually grow in consciousness where we can be living and expressing what he called, “The Life Triumphant.”  This is the state of being where you are giving out far more than you are receiving. He said a fruit tree in full bloom was a perfect example. The tree is taking in what it needs in terms of nutrients from the soil, water and air. But it is giving out far more than it is taking in, constantly supplying beautiful, nutritious, delicious fruits, with each bearing seeds that can be the source of more trees, indeed of entire forests.   This is the ultimate goal of living, to embody what he called the divine plan behind creation, which is the constant multiplication of giving. This is the law of nature. But sometimes humans get out of tune, producing creations that are not in harmony with the big picture. And nature doesn't go along with it. As he warned, “You may command nature only to the extent that you are willing to obey her.”             The final Law of Success is Joy.             Russell had a unique point of view regarding the importance of happiness and joy. He said inner joy carries a power in it that replenishes our consciousness in a way that is unmatched because the very essence of our being is actually happiness. Joy is our natural state. And we function best when we are in it.  That's when we are truly successful.           It surprised me to hear that he put such an emphasis on being happy. I hadn't been expecting it. But Russell said it was more than just being happy. He said he was ecstatic. “By ecstatic I mean that rare mental condition which makes an inspired man so supremely happy in his mental concentration, that he is practically unaware of everything which goes on around him extraneous to his purpose, but is keenly and vitally aware of everything pertaining to his purpose.” He went on to say that this ecstatic state was common among great artists and he described it this way, “Inspiration in man is accompanied by an intense mental ecstasy which is characteristic of all who become intensely conscious of their closeness to God. The great composers, sculptors, painters, inventors and planners of all time were in such an ecstatic condition... By ecstasy I mean inner joyousness, and by inner joyousness I mean those inspirational fires which burn within the consciousness of great geniuses.” It may not be obvious on the outside, but as he said, “There is nothing dramatic about it. But there is some subtle light in the eye of the inspired one, or some even more subtle quiet emanation which surrounds the inspired thinker, which tells you that you are in the presence of one who has bridged the gap which separates the mundane world from the world of spirit.” So that's a quick overview of Russell's Five Laws of Success. It seemed to me that they were designed to tune your consciousness to its highest levels of intelligence. Because our conscious intelligence is the source of all our thinking, emotions, intuition and ultimately decision making, it is the very compass that we use to navigate our way through life. And in that regard, what could be more valuable than tuning your consciousness to the Infinite Intelligence? It reminds me of a famous quote from Lincoln, who spent a number of years in his youth as a woodsman, chopping down trees. “Give me six hours to chop down a tree,” he said. “And I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Again, here is something that makes perfect sense, but you would hardly ever think of it, unless, of course, you actually knew what you're doing. So, to me Walter Russell's Five Laws of Success are pretty amazing, as surprising as they are enlightening. But the obvious question is, of course, do they work? And for me the obvious answer is – try them and see. The upside potential seems so great, and I don't see a downside.  Maybe we won't have the kind of results that Russell had. Maybe we won't suddenly become concert pianists, great painters, sculptors or scientific geniuses, but I always feel like if something makes me a truly better person, even by a fraction of a percentage point, it's still a major win. Now not to get over mercenary here, but one half of one percent of ten billion dollars is still fifty million. And it might be tight, but I think I could get by on that. Well anyway, that's the end of this episode. As always, keep your eyes, mind and heart open, and let's get together in the next one.

Darrell Castle talks about President Trump's 20-point proposal to bring peace or at least the absence of war and famine to Gaza. Transcription / Notes WILL THERE BE PEACE IN GAZA Hello, this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. This is Friday the 3rd of October in the year of our Lord 2025.  I have decided to talk about what seems to be most important for the United States and the world in this report. The government shutdown will have to wait but it might be a good thing anyway. President Trump's 20-point proposal to bring peace or at least the absence of war and famine to Gaza is my beat for today. The people of Gaza are certainly important and certainly worth talking about because they and their land are central to Mr. Netanyahu's plan for the Middle East. Israel seems to appear in almost every discussion about almost everything today. Keeping all that in mind, I have a question to ask before I begin the discussion of Trump's proposed peace plan. According to articles by Max Blumenthal who has done yeoman's work on the subject, Charlie Kirk had expressed to him his one fear and it was not trans people, homosexual activists or anyone of that ilk. No, he said that what he feared the most was the “the Israeli regime backed by powerful and wealthy Jewish donors in the United States.” He went on to allege that Bibi Netanyahu offered Charlie $150 million to come back into the Zionist fold but Charlie chose to keep his honor. According to Blumenthal, sources within Charlie's inner circle said that Charlie and Erika had been attending Catholic Mass together. Why is that important, well Mr. Netanyahu was apparently very frightened by it. Candace Owens, close friend of Charlie's and a recent convert to Catholicism confirmed that for several weeks before his murder Charlie had been distancing himself from the Israeli donors. The investigation by Blumenthal revealed through conversations with Charlie's inner circle, that many members of that circle as well as members of the Trump administration, believed that Israel killed him. Blumenthal admitted that such beliefs might not be correct, but he was shocked that they were so widespread even with no help from the media. Reportedly, Israeli donors were furious and shocked that Charlie refused Bibi's money and more importantly his invitation back to the fold. Apparently, Charlie discounted Bibi's open boast that he controlled America. Afterall isn't it obvious that both American political parties support Israel's policies one way or the other. Those donors thought they could threaten Charlie with the end of his career if he didn't cooperate. He was obviously aware of the threats and intimidation but that did not stop him. I could make this entire report about Charlie again, but I promised Gaza in the introduction so how is Gaza related in any way to Charlie Kirk. Apparently Charlie was separating from the views of his Israeli donors over Gaza and that links them together, but one more thing about Israel and Mr. Netanyahu before I let it go. Foreign Agents Registration Act documents reveal that the Israeli government is paying pro-Israel influencers $7000 per Instagram and Tik-Tok post for each post spreading Netanyahu's propaganda. So, we know they were putting that $4 billion U.S. taxpayers give them each year to good use. Before I get into Trump's peace proposal I will ask the question that if members of the Trump Administration really believe that the Israelis killed Charlie as his inner circle believes then how can the U.S. Government, the shining light on the hill, the bastion of freedom, the world's example of rule by law and not by men continue to act as if nothing happened. The answer to that question would appear to be very frightening indeed.  Well, having said all that Donald Trump, like so many presidents before him, has developed a plan for peace in the Middle East, specifically Gaza. Netanyahu quickly accepted the plan publicly,

Daily Dose of Hope September 29, 2025   Scripture - John 1:1-18   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you in this new week with humility and gratefulness.  We praise your powerful name.  Thank you, so much, Lord, that you came to earth to dwell among us and show us a different way of being.  Help us to pay attention to your example.  Help us to be more loving and more merciful in all we do.  Help us to be even but a small reflection of you.  You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Thank you, Jesus.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  This is the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  Today, we are starting our final Gospel, John.  And John is different from the other three Gospels, we will see that as we work our way through it.  It's also a beautiful Gospel.  It goes deep.  Be prepared for life change as we engage with the book of John.    This first chapter is John's Christmas story.  It's quite different from the other Gospels.  In fact, the Gospel of John doesn't have any of the Christmas characters we know and love so well–no Joseph or Mary, no shepherds or angels, no manger and animals, no wise men traveling from the east. John didn't need to rehash those details of the incarnation. Afterall, the other Gospels had already been written and did a great job telling the story of baby Jesus. John chose to go about it differently, focusing less on how Jesus came and more on why Jesus came, and how the whole idea of the incarnation was so incredible, so mind-blowing, so amazingly significant for all people for all time. For in Jesus, God announced to the world that “I'm with you!” and that has made all the difference.   We find John's Christmas story in two verses in this chapter: John 1:1,In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.   What does this mean? Both the Jewish and Greek listeners would have been familiar with the term “Word,” which was Logos in Greek. -Jews were in the habit of substituting the Word of God for God himself in their concept of wisdom/reason---wisdom/reason is one of the meanings for LOGOS. -Greeks thought of Logos as the ruling principle of life and the universe. -Gnostics–believed the Spirit was imprisoned in the physical body and the secret to get it out was gnosis, knowledge, logos. (They didn't believe Jesus possessed a true, physical body.)   So when John writes that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, he means that the Word, LOGOS, is Jesus Christ. Please know that this was a mind-blowing claim. Jesus wasn't just a little baby who was born under unusual circumstances when Caesar Augustus was governor of Syria. He wasn't just a wise man who told amazing stories and fed a lot of people. No, Jesus (the Word) was present at the very beginning of time, Jesus (the Word) was with God, and Jesus (the Word) was God himself. To the Jews, John says the Word of God (GOD) is Jesus. To the Greeks, John says the ruling principle of life/universe is Jesus. To the Gnostics, John says the secret knowledge that leads to freedom is Jesus who had a true, physical body and dwelt among us. Jesus was not some mental concept, some intangible thought life; No, Jesus, God himself, became flesh and made his dwelling among us.   Let's unpack this a bit more because it's pretty amazing.  Let's start with the Word dwelt among us. A more accurate translation of the term “dwell” actually is “tabernacle” or “pitched his tent.” When a Jewish listener heard this, they would immediately think of the tabernacle in the Exodus. The tabernacle was where God met with his people before the temple was built---it housed the ark of the covenant and it represented God's presence/God's dwelling among his people. Now, John is saying, God has chosen to dwell among his people in an even more personal way, in the Word became flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God chose to dwell among his people.   What was the benefit of God dwelling among the people? Think about this. You can kind of know someone, but when you dwell with someone, when you live with someone, then you really get to know them. If you've ever had a roommate, you know this well. You might be friends and know about one another but when you dwell together, when you live with one another, then you know all the stuff–the good and the bad. It's the same when you get married and live together. You know if they put their dishes in the dishwasher, you know if they leave trash around, you know the thoughtful things they do, you know the annoying things they do .You don't just kind of know them. You truly know them.   When God came to earth to dwell among us in the person of Jesus, it was so humans could truly understand who God was, truly know God. God is Jesus and Jesus is God. So the character of Jesus was the character of God. The teachings of Jesus were the teachings of God. The miracles of Jesus were the miracles of God. When Jesus voluntarily gave his life on a cross for the sins of all humanity, it was a demonstration of God's amazing, expansive love for us. When Jesus was resurrected three days later, it was a demonstration of how God conquered death once and for all, meaning that we could have new life now and eternal life in the future. God dwelling among us in Jesus meant that God was not some distance, far off, hard to understand deity.  No, the WORD was with us, hanging out in the living room, sitting at the kitchen table with us, and we could get to know him in a very personal, very intimate way. I love to think about Jesus walking with the disciples, dining with the tax collectors and prostitutes, spending a few days resting in the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. He dwelled with the people in a very intimate way.   So the WORD made his dwelling among us. But some of you might be like---but that was so long ago. We personally did not walk with Jesus and talk with Jesus. He didn't literally dwell with Us personally. I would argue that Jesus does in fact walk among us and speak to us today. Afterall, we serve a living God and God's presence is everywhere. There is no place that we can go where God's presence is not. God's presence is here through the presence of the Holy Spirit.   And we can also still dwell with the Word in another way – through the Bible. Just as the Word came to dwell among us, we can dwell in the Word. The Bible is the Word of God. We meet Jesus, Logos, God on the pages of Scripture. As we dwell in Scripture, we enter into the life of God and God enters into our lives.   The Bible is not simply for information but for transformation. The purpose of Scripture is for us to get to know and love God more fully and be drawn more deeply into the life of faith so we can be changed from the inside out. It is not a textbook---we don't simply study it to acquire information and show people how smart we are. This is God's story from Genesis to Revelation. We learn about God's character. We learn about how God has been present throughout history. We learn about God's mission and plan of redemption for all people for all time. We learn about Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. We learn about the Kingdom of God and how Jesus demonstrated this new way of doing life, the way God always intended his world to be. We learn about the early church and the coming of the Holy Spirit. We learn about how God's mission continues through the church, through us, not in our own power but as God works through us.   And while God revealed himself in Scripture through a specific people group, the miracle of God's Word is that it transcends time and place. When we dwell in the Word, God continues to reveal himself to us in new ways, we get to know God better, we begin to be transformed little by little. As we dwell in God's Word, the WORD, Jesus, becomes more real to us.  How has the Bible become more real to you as we have worked our way through Mark, Matthew, and Luke?    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Ochelli Effect 9-25-2025 SNAFU NEWS OVERNIGHTActually went LIVE 530 AM EasternJust to get on it ahead of tomorrows shorts X Mess, and firestorm meltdowns , here we go...Let's start with a typical Americans target something that makes no sense because someone wants you to believe an unproven motive you may have forgotten from June of this year. NOTE all The MSM agree to play the BS Motive game especially when COPS who NNNEEEEEVVVVEEERRRRR Lie present BS without investigation or the narrative they or those that support them enjoy. We report, we decide and you keep buying it, should be the American MSM mantraLPhotos show Waymo vehicles on fire during LA protests as company cuts downtown servicehttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/09/photos-waymo-fire-la-protests.htmlRWaymo cars set on fire as Los Angeles immigration raids protests continuehttps://www.foxla.com/news/waymo-cars-fire-los-angeles-immigration-raids-protestsNow think critically if you can?Ochelli SEZ The Grouypers Strike againWitnesses say there were intentional pauses between shots that seemed as though targets were selected carefully and if true aside from bullets strikes the building all bullets landed on Detainees NOT ICE COPSGunman wrote 'ANTI-ICE' on unused bullet in fatal attack on Dallas immigration officehttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/three-injured-shooting-ice-facility-dallas-local-media-reports-2025-09-24/THE THING THEY SLIP BY YOU ON AUTISM WHILE IDIOTS ARGUE OVER HOW EFFECT or DESTRUCTIVE TYLENOL IS = THE NEW QUID PRO OR QUO THAT IS A BRAND NEW SHINY FDA APPROVAL FOR A LEGACY DRUG COMPANY THAT CHANGED IT's NAMES and MERGERS with MERGERSGSK plc is a publicly traded company, so it is owned by its shareholders. Major shareholders include institutional investors like The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and Schroder Investment Management Ltd.. The company was formed in 2000 by the merger of Glaxo Welcome and SmithKline Beecham, creating a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company headquartered in London.RIGHT AFTER THE SILENT DEAL CUT AS REAL REPS OF CORPOARTION AMERCAN DREAM ALLOWED TRUMP TO EAT (whatever they hell they served) OVER AFTER HIS PLATDATE WITH LESSER ROYAL CHARLES in WINDSOR where EPSTEIN IMAGES bounced off the wall DOUBLED THE DISTRACTION. AFTER ALL every devil knows IN PERSON is the only way you TO SELL LIVES OR SOULS. FDA, in unusual step, aims to repurpose old GSK drug as autism treatmentAfter reviewing existing published literature, the agency initiated the approval of Wellcovorin — which GSK stopped selling more than two decades ago — for a condition associated with autism.https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/fda-gsk-wellcovorin-leucovorin-autism-cerebral-folate-deficiency/760840/So a little false hope and a bottle of lame alleged vitamins land on the hot shelf, and Ochelli bets A.J. is pissed he didn't get in on that medicine showhttps://www.newsnationnow.com/health/what-leucovorin-treat-autism/AS THE WORM TURNS... in RFK Jr's Brain I guess...---IN OTHER SPORTS and WWE R THE WORLD HIGHLIGHTSMLB is now going to the Video game Style ABS system for making sure Balls and Strikes get called without having to factor in Umpire Bias. Too bad they are about 30 years late on that. Also too bad we can't have a BS meter on any screen where American Politicians open their mouths!https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-mlb-2026Press Secretary Leavitt alleged intentional sabotage by UN staff after an escalator stopped while the Trumps were on it and a teleprompter failed during the president's speech. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3493045087501295&set=a.101711856634652&type=3AND IF YOU CAN'T ACCEPT FED-BOOK I know you'll accept FOX NEWSFox News host Jesse Watters says the US should bomb the UN over Trump's broken escalatorhttps://www.the-independent.com/tv/news/trump-escalator-un-bomb-us-jesse-watters-video-b2832888.htmlIf you give a toddler an army and nuclear code He will get some Ice Cream.Orange Jesus already delivered his BS to the U.N. before FOX even had time to start Griping and casually suggesting eliminating those who dare defy LORD TRUMPFact-check: Trump misleads about ending 7 wars, US economy, renewable energy in UN speech https://www.politifact.com/article/2025/sep/23/trump-un-general-assembly-speechIf YOU GASLIGHT THE GASLIT HOW MANY FIRES DOES A GASLIGHT LIGHT IF A LIGHT COULD BE BRIGHT?Italy sends warship to accompany Gaza flotilla following Israeli attackhttps://www.middleeasteye.net/news/footage-shows-apparent-attack-gaza-bound-global-sumud-flotillaBTW no article or REFERENCE LINKS but Jay Z has a lot of rumored issues with allegations flying about Paternity, Connections to Puffy, Underage Partners, Hush Money, Divorce, and Maybe getting Too much Destiny out of Beyonce's Besties in Destiny's Child. So Plenty of Drama that maybe has an In Law Mama keeping the facade of a hip-hop pop empire intact.From the bottom of The Ochelli Heart, Even though I see Black Twitter, and Respect 50 Cent, I just can't bother to care, except I miss when this might have been the scandal that was the why is America so stupid international Press I just can't muster the energy to give a full shit. Government Shutdowns Q&A: Everything You Should Knowhttps://www.crfb.org/papers/government-shutdowns-qa-everything-you-should-knowFROM THE KIMMEL KENNEL Trump slams Kimmel's return: "We're going to test ABC out on this"https://www.axios.com/2025/09/24/trump-jimmy-kimmel-return-abcWhat Really pissed off Donald?Jimmy Kimmel's first show back on September 24, 2025, drew approximately 6.26 million viewers, a significant increase from his previous average of around 1.77 million viewers in the second quarter of 2025. This represents a viewership increase of roughly 250% compared to his recent average, making it the show's highest-performing regularly scheduled episode in over a decade.and that was just his LIVE viewers without all of the regular channels participating.Meanwhile Southpark Pussyed out last week in the hot kitchen then released "Conflict of Interest" EPISODE 5 of the current season into LOOney Tunes Lame 2025. Spoiler, It wasn't worth talking aboutwebelos kid Maybe a dude or a chickPrediction Marketing Betting AppsGazza Satan and Trump are having a baby Trump makes a little PLAN B SoupApps and Undue Influence Via Social MediaKyle's Mom is gonna Strike Gazza MaybeI wouldn't want to be a hospital in PalestineALSOIT'S FAT BEAR WEEKhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/sep/25/donald-trump-james-comey-fbi-ice-texas-latest-us-politics-news-updates-liveFormer FBI director James Comey expected to be indicted on criminal charges, reports say – US politics liveCharlie Kirk https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BGRhw0C7JL0Mark Cubanhttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/x7AuftuT04wA Very Strong Case https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrU6F-S8VMo---BE THE EFFECTEmergency help for Ochelli and The NetworkMrs.OLUNA ROSA CANDLEShttp://www.paypal.me/Kimberlysonn12 new Social Media experimentsBLUESKYhttps://bsky.app/profile/ochelli.bsky.socialTRUTH SOCIALhttps://truthsocial.com/@Ochelli---NOVEMBER IN DALLAS LANCER CONFERENCEDISCOUNT FOR YOU10 % OFF code = Ochelli10https://assassinationconference.com/Coming SOON Room Discount Details The Fairmont Dallas hotel 1717 N Akard Street, Dallas, Texas 75201BE THE EFFECTListen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://music.apple.com/us/station/ochelli-com/ra.1461174708Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelliAnything is a blessing if you have the meansWithout YOUR support we go silent.---NOVEMBER IN DALLAS LANCER CONFERENCEDISCOUNT FOR YOU10 % OFF code = Ochelli10https://assassinationconference.com/Coming SOON Room Discount Details The Fairmont Dallas hotel 1717 N Akard Street, Dallas, Texas 75201. easy access to Dealey Plaza

You can't talk about climate action without discussing inequality. Afterall, the effects of climate change are distributed incredibly unequaly. Furthermore, it's the people who are responsible for the least amount of carbon emissions that most often face the deadliest and most damaging consequences of the crisis.  On today's episode, we sit down with Tony Juniper, renowned environmentalist and author of Just Earth to explore the profound intersection of inequality and the climate crisis. As the climate emergency intensifies, the disparities between those who contribute the least to climate change and those who suffer the most from its impacts are only gettting worse. Juniper sheds light on how economic and social inequalities exacerbate inaction, creating a vicious cycle that hinders all global efforts to combat the climate crisis. We delve into the historical context of these issues, examining how past and present policies and global agreements have shaped the current landscape. Juniper shares insights from his extensive career, highlighting the importance of integrating social justice into environmental strategies and where the movement has often fallen short in doing so. He argues that without addressing the root causes of inequality, efforts to mitigate climate change are doomed to fail. In this conversation, Juniper provides a deeper understanding of the systemic changes needed to create a more equitable and sustainable world. From policy reforms to grassroots movements, he outlines actionable steps that individuals and communities can take to drive meaningful change based off what he's learned in his nearly 40-year career doing this work.  Tony Juniper CBE has spent decades fighting for major climate and environmental initiative. His career has included leading major environmental nonprofits, running global campaigns, and serving as a government advisor. He's an author and his books include the multi-award winning What Has Nature Ever Done For Us? and Harmony, which was co-authored with King Charles III. He has received many awards and widespread recognition for his environmental work and in 2017 he was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to conservation. He is now the Chair of the British Government's official conservation agency Natural England and a Fellow with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, The Climate Weekly, to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible.  Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and more! Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read Just Earth: How a Fairer World Will Save the Planet

On this week's show we look at an article from What Hi-Fi titled “I just tested one of 2025's best small OLEDs – and it proves most companies are focusing on the wrong thing”. And that thing is brightness. We look at what would make a perfect TV. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Major TV streaming service abruptly hikes prices 33% Everything you need to know about new ESPN streamer You Don't Actually Own That Movie You Just “Bought.” Brightness Isn't Everything We saw an article over at What Hi-Fi titled “I just tested one of 2025's best small OLEDs – and it proves most companies are focusing on the wrong thing” and thought there is a lot of truth to what the author is saying. So today will expand on this article with the HT Guys take.  The author argues that TV manufacturers like LG, Samsung, and Sony focus too much on making OLED TVs brighter to compete with Mini LED sets. After testing 2025's top small OLED TVs, he believes brightness isn't the key to a great viewing experience. Instead, authenticity, color accuracy, and balanced performance are more important for delivering a cinematic experience true to the director's vision. Here are six takeaways from the article: The Brightness Obsession: A Misguided Priority? The What Hi-Fi? article criticizes the TV industry's focus on maximizing brightness, which can harm picture quality. In tests comparing 48-inch OLEDs (LG C5, Samsung S90F, Panasonic Z90B), brighter screens often lost subtle details and immersion. For instance, in Dune: Part Two's desert scene, an overly bright TV turned nuanced red and orange dune shades into stark white, flattening the image. OLED TVs were historically dimmer than LED TVs, but new tech like Micro Lens Array and QD-OLED has boosted their brightness to 2000-3000 nits, closing the gap. However, the focus on brightness often overshadows OLED's strengths—precise light control, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. The What Hi-Fi? review notes that manufacturers prioritize specs over overall picture quality, while the Panasonic Z90B shows a better balance. The Panasonic Z90B: A Lesson in Balance The 48-inch Panasonic Z90B excels in cinematic authenticity, prioritizing accurate colors and contrast over exaggerated brightness. In Civil War, it delivers precise highlights in dark scenes, and in Oppenheimer, it maintains natural skin tones and subtle details in low light, outperforming competitors that lose color depth. Panasonic's approach aligns with what serious movie fans crave: a picture that immerses you in the story, not one that distracts with exaggerated brightness. The Z90B's ability to retain detail in both bright and dark scenes, like the sparkling desert dunes or the intricate chandelier in a White House scene, shows that controlled brightness—used only where needed—creates a more three-dimensional, authentic image. This echoes sentiments from TechRadar, which praises Panasonic's focus on “filmmaker-approved” accuracy over flashy specs, a philosophy rooted in the brand's collaboration with Hollywood colorists to tune its TVs for true-to-life visuals. The Small OLED Advantage: Why Size Matters Small OLEDs, like the 48-inch models tested, are often overlooked in a market obsessed with supersized screens. Yet, as What Hi-Fi? notes, these TVs are “severely underrated” for their versatility. They're ideal for space-constrained homes, secondary rooms like bedrooms, or even as high-end gaming monitors thanks to their dense pixel structure, which delivers sharper images. The LG C5, for instance, boasts four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K/144Hz gaming, making it a powerhouse for both movies and interactive entertainment. However, small OLEDs face unique challenges. Their denser pixel layouts generate more heat, which can limit brightness and risk burn-in if not managed properly. What Hi-Fi? suggests that adding heatsinks, as seen in some larger models, could unlock more brightness headroom for 42- and 48-inch sets without sacrificing quality. This could make small OLEDs even more competitive, offering flagship-level performance in compact packages. The Audio Achilles' Heel One glaring flaw across all tested OLEDs—LG C5, Samsung S90F, and even the Z90B—is their underwhelming built-in audio. The LG C5's 2.2-channel 40W speakers sounded flat and centralized, while the Samsung S90F's 2.1.2 60W system lacked power, allowing testers to hold conversations at max volume. What Hi-Fi? is blunt: for a true home cinema experience, a separate soundsystem is non-negotiable. We have been saying this for a number of years now, TVs, especially smaller ones, prioritize aesthetics over speaker space. What Manufacturers Should Learn The author tested 2025 OLED TVs and found that brightness isn't everything. LG and Samsung make great TVs like the C5 and S90F, but Panasonic's Z90B stands out by using brightness carefully to improve contrast and depth. Panasonic's Z95B flagship prioritizes performance over a super-slim design, a choice the author supports.  Afterall, a three-inch-thick TV is still about 90% thinner than our first rear projection HDTVs of the same screen size. What Hi-Fi? emphasizes that 48-inch models like the Z90B and C5 are “Goldilocks” options—cinematic yet practical for most homes. Manufacturers should invest in optimizing these sizes, incorporating technologies like heatsinks to boost performance and addressing audio shortcomings with better built-in solutions or seamless soundbar integration. The Future of OLED: A Balanced Approach Looking ahead, the TV landscape is evolving. Emerging technologies like PHOLED and “true” QLED promise even brighter, more vibrant displays without the burn-in risks of traditional OLEDs. But brightness alone won't win over cinephiles. The future of TVs lies in balancing these advancements with authenticity, ensuring that MicroLED or next-gen OLED panels prioritize cinematic immersion over raw specs. For now, the Panasonic Z90B sets a high bar. Its “as the director intended” philosophy proves that a TV doesn't need to be the brightest to be the best. If manufacturers shift their focus to color accuracy, controlled contrast, and practical features like better audio and small-screen optimization, they'll deliver what viewers truly want: a window into the filmmaker's vision, not a spotlight that blinds it.

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...