Podcasts about Akkadian

We explore the story of Babel and how humanity's quest for independence from God led to confusion and scattering. We discuss how their attempt to construct their own identity led to their downfall, and the irony of their city name, Babel, which means "confusion" in Hebrew but "gate of the gods" in Akkadian.Bible ReadingsGenesis 11:1-9Jeremiah 25:8-11Acts 2:1-13Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

JJ of Southern Demonology shares his fascinating journey from growing up in a haunted log cabin in rural Tennessee to encountering far more sinister spirits in Japan. His experiences reveal striking cultural differences in how ghosts and demons manifest across different parts of the world.• Growing up in a 200-year-old log cabin with a ghost named Patrick who would mysteriously open the attic door• Visiting Aokigahara (Japan's "Suicide Forest") and hearing an unexplainable sound that his companions couldn't detect• Encountering a terrifying entity in Tokyo that demanded entry by repeating "hairu" directly into his mind• Explaining the differences between Japanese spirit categories (yurei, yokai, and tsukumogami) and Western demonology• Sharing his academic knowledge of Judeo-Christian demons, including the evolution of Lilith from Akkadian wind goddess to Jewish folklore• Experiencing precognitive dreams that predicted future events, always appearing in black and whiteIf you'd like to learn more about demonology and paranormal experiences from around the world, check out JJ's podcasts: Southern Demonology and Paranormal Rundown.Have you had a paranormal experience you want to tell a story about? Apply to be featured on our next episode: https://homespunhaints.com/submit-real-ghost-storiesHelp support what we're doing and get all content ad-free plus bonus content:  www.patreon.com/homespunhaintsDiana's notes, details, musings, and links for this particular episode: Tired of websites that have been Frankensteined together using subpar body parts? Check out Becky and Diana's digital media and web design company, The Concept Spot, and let's make some digital spookiness together! theconceptspot.comSupport the show

Companions, History and Heroism.By FinalStand. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.There are two distinct phases of falsehood. In the first, you realize you can lie to those closest to you. In the second, you realize you shouldn't.(And the stars continue to shine forth)"Stop trying to save me," Pamela remarked, once she was sure we were alone once more."Ask me to do something I'd at least consider doing," I sighed. "Let's go back to the party, I'm not sure where we are.""You've been walking in one big circle, Dummy," she chided me.Why was she letting me off the hook for walking off with the Grand Villain in the scheme of things? Well, if she started hitting me, she probably wasn't sure she could stop."One of these days I'm going to screw up and not get out of it," I noted sadly."That is the epitaph of anyone who has ever taken up a weapon and a cause," Pamela smiled.Maybe she wasn't angry with me."Why aren't you more pissed off?" I wondered."You are a good guy, Cáel," Pamela enlightened me. "That means you are going to reach out to people you think you can save. Personally, I don't think Alal can be, but then I'm biased.""Guy coming back from the dead?" I inquired."Damn right. No more surefire way to anger an assassin than to come back from the dead," she related. "Did you take note of his body?""Not really. What did I miss?" I requested."It didn't look right," Pamela shook her head. "Nothing more specific than that. I was hoping, since you touched him, you might have picked something else up.""Nope. I was too busy slipping a GPS locator on him," I grinned."You don't have one and the technology doesn't work that way, ya numbskull," she play slapped my left bicep."Wouldn't it be cool if it did?" my grin broadened."Laugh it up, Monkey-boy," Pamela countered. "Buffy would have you tagged like a mule deer in Yellowstone.""Eek," I gasped. "Point taken.""Well, " Pamela huffed."He's going to kill my soul," I observed. "Now I'm sure of it. All of that discussion was just gauging my personality so that when he offs me, he can become Cáel Nyilas / Wakko Ishara." Pause."Good for you," Pamela let go of a tense breath. She didn't have to ask."The whole Condottieri situation is a scam," I passed on that bit of information I'd first put together with the Vizsla. "It never left Granddad's control. Currently he's going to use various other factions to kill off the Condottieri and Illuminati leadership that oppose him, then it is Unity Time.""If he takes your place, that gives him leverage on the Amazon Council plus your appeal to the 9 Clans and the Earth  and  Sky," Pamela helped me work things through. "He couldn't get his hooks into the Egyptians because they knew too much about him. Matters of race stymied his efforts with the Earth  and  Sky and Seven Pillars.""Except I saved Temujin and he's been supplying them with weapons and tech for over fifty years," I told her. "Even when he was dead, his plan was working, he had predicted the path that warfare would take, invested wisely and left orders to implement his plans. When the time came, they were ready to take out the Seven Pillars.""Without you saving Temujin, the E and S wouldn't have cared, but you," Pamela nodded. "If it comes down to his coalition of Illuminati, Condottieri, Amazons and 9 Clans, the Egyptians will join him, Global Unification has been their goal all along," she continued. "Besides, you made one hell of a positive impression on them the only time you've met. Bang up job, Stud.""Temujin will join as well. He's anything but suicidal," I finished the roll call of my fate. We were almost back to the rave by this time. "You know, you could kill me and short-circuit all of this mess," I reminded her."No way. I plan to win, damn it," Pamela patted me on the back. "Save the Dum-sel in Disrepute, slay the Evil Warlord and re-retire with a boatload great-grandbabies to spoil.""I gave the Vizsla a clue," I let Pamela know the possible complications to her plan. "In 1847, one General of the Condottieri tried to have the Italian Black Hand kill another. Unfortunately, the victim in question was a puppet for Grandpa and the assassin team attacked them both. Because they saw his face, he hunted them back to their base and slaughtered the entire Verona Chapter house of the Wolf.""He must have fucked up a few other times as well," Pamela assured me. Speaking of miscalculations, Anya, Katalin and Orsi broke from the thrashing mob and ran up to me."Your crazy ex-girlfriend called," Anya seemed steamed. "She insisted must she talk to you." At first glance, it would be 'which crazy ex-GF', except only one had Anya's phone number. I took her phone."Bonjour, ma petite amie méchante ," I greeted Anais, the Mountie, in French. Yes, I was calling her a 'meanie'."Cáel, how are you? Where are you?" she was truly concerned. I didn't doubt her sincerity. I also didn't doubt she was convinced she knew what was best for me, as well."I've talked with the Hungarian Police too," I let my pique come through. "You screwed me over. I asked you to let me handled this and you didn't.""You are still a Jerk," she snapped. "I've been trying to help. And from the sounds of it, you are at a party.""It's a rave. It is a rave brought about by the police keeping people penned up in the town all afternoon. Now, if you would stop treating me like a freaking child, you would realize that I'm actually safer in a crowd than I am alone, holed-up in some room without a weapon because you've made it so that the TEK is now keeping a sharp eye on me," I retorted."Can't you tell I'm trying to help you?" she got loud, on the cusp of becoming enraged."Yes. I called you, asking for help. I also called to apologize, without making it sound like some lame stupid stunt to get you back. I'm in real trouble here and I've put other people in danger at the same time," I told her. And yes, I planned to get some 'Anais' when I got back to North America."I'm telling you," she persisted, "let Hungarian law enforcement help you.""I'm trying to make you understand," I countered, "that this is a situation that the police can't help me with. I called you because I believed I could trust you, even though you hate me.""I'm angry with you, Cáel. I don't hate you," she grumbled. "I am trying to help.""If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't still be talking to you, Anais," I allowed. "What did Timothy tell you?""Is that all you care about?" she grumbled."Actually, this is me trying not to be a selfish jackass," I said. "People are in danger because of me and I need to make sure they are safe before I take care of myself.""That's, very unlike you," Anais sounded unsure."I've been doing some growing up since graduation," I replied. "I only wish I'd grown smarter.""I, I'm sorry about your Papa," she quieted down."They gunned him down in his own home," I told her. "Dad never touched a gun in his life and they shot him with an assault rifle.""Oh, well, I understand your Federal Justice Department is investigating the matter," Anais tried to comfort me. "I talked with your Prosecutor Castello. She wouldn't tell me much.""Pity," I mumbled. "I know they are having difficulties.""It is an American problem," she noted."Not really," I sunk in my hooks. "We've been working with MI-6 and the CIA. They are all part of that international task force I told you about {see last chapter}.""Yes, how did you get Irish diplomatic status? That doesn't make any sense," she perked up. Anais liked puzzles. Actually, she liked solving conundrums. It made her a great cop."We are missing the party," Monika protested, in German."That's right. Tell your EX-girlfriend good-bye, Cáel," Anya insisted loudly."Who is that?" Anais groused."It is Anya, the Bulgarian mechanical engineer. We've had sex since you and I last talked and I think she's feeling a tad possessive," I explained.Pause."Bastard," Anais seethed. I was sure her cunt was twitching already. "Fine. I talked with your roommate, he says you have my uniform in a dress bag and my boots in a sealed box, so I forgive you. Anyway, he said Odette called, and she gave him a number to give to you."Since it didn't have 555 in it, I had hopes it was genuine. This was not the time to give Anais the quick kiss-off."I appreciate it, Anais," I sighed with relief. "Have you decided which restaurant you want to go to when I get back?""I haven't given it much thought, Cáel," I could feel her defrosting further. "How can I keep in touch with you?""Ugh, I don't have my own phone right now. Tomorrow I'm going to steal some means of conveyance and, " I grinned."Don't tell me that," Anais complained. "I'm still an officer of the law.""Well, the new 'me' is trying to be more honest with you, Anais. I've got to get out of town tomorrow. Would you rather I lied to you, again?" I confounded her."Well, no. Try to be careful, prends soin de mon amour," she sighed."I will call you as soon as I'm able. Thank you again," I signed off."I still say, 'that one' is confused about her 'ex' status," Orsi teased me."Do you know what is worse than having one woman save your soul?" I tossed out to them. They could not divine an answer. "Having three women do it at the same time, for different reasons. Now I believe we have a party starving for our attention."(Reunions)Pamela had convinced me the motorcycle driver who belonged to our newly acquired BMW K1600 GT would be at least four hours regaining consciousness and getting himself untied. We had stopped at a petrol station along the 431, between Kiszombor, Hungary and the Romanian border. She wanted to fuel up before the border crossing, in case things didn't work out, you know, with our guns and this stolen vehicle.She was already peeved that I'd stopped in Szeged to pick up a few pounds of paprika. Rumor had it that the fields around that stretch of the Tisza produced the highest quality of that spice on the planet, especially the sweet kind. Pamela pointed out I knew 'jack' about cooking. I agreed. What I did know was cooks, the female variety.Fresh spice from the 'source' was way better than a dozen roses, even with a box of chocolates added. Did I have a cook lined up in New York? No, but I was sure I could find one. Wait! Yasmin, my Brazilian, ex-Super Cop, hottie should be back in town by now. If she didn't cook, she'd definitely have a friend I could seduce.Honest to Ishara, I was starting to believe this constant 'work-work-work' was ruining my normally poor judgment where sex and fidelity were concerned.Pamela was getting some lunch for us while I gassed up my crotch-rocket. My luck kept being, exceptional. Two Hungarian motorcycle troopers showed up; both were women and they apparently had decided that I was worthy of attention. Hey, I'm good-looking, and I was wearing a ballistic vest. (The durability of my long coat wasn't so obvious.) "Nice bike," the first one, the one directly confronting me, said. "Thanks. It is a KT1600 GT, 2009," I smiled. "What are you two on?" "Yamaha FJR1300A's," she answered. I put up the nozzle, capped the tank and walked over to her conveyance. It was a really sweet ride. "You have a gun," she noted calmly. She and her partner both had their hands on their holstered weapons. Since the flaps were still down, I wasn't panicking. "Yes. More than one in fact," I kept pretending to look over her bike while I was really scoping her out. I'd nailed all six boat girls and then had the Macedonian babe for breakfast. So I still had three good sexual bangs in me before dusk and these two were nice and pleasant enough. "Do you have permits for those?" she asked. Her partner was calling something in. "Are we still in Hungary?" I mused. The question was a joke. "I believe we are," she smiled. Sure, I may have been a dangerous felon, but I was a nice looking and engaging one."Nope. I'm afraid not," I sighed. She understood my English. "Why are you so armed?" she kept calm. "Are you law enforcement somewhere?" "Does a secretive, non-governmental, paramilitary organization count?" "No," she sighed. "That sounds rather criminal. So, what are you carrying?" That was a nice way of saying 'give me your gun'."Left, right, back, or ankle?" I replied. "Which one do you want first?" "Let's try this again. Can I see some form of ID?" she remained rather comfortable despite this having to be the most bizarre traffic stop of her career."I'm reaching around to my right rear jean pocket for it," I related. Something dating Anais had taught me was that you always tell an on-duty cop what you are doing before you do it.She nodded, so I pulled out my NY Driver's license, my US passport and my Irish Diplomatic ID. She began looking them over. "You are Cáel Nyilas?" she looked over my documents. "If that who it says I am, then yes," I grinned.For a second, she was P-O'ed, then she realized I was playing with her. She snorted in amusement and returned to looking over my stuff.   "Nyilas is a Hungarian name," she hummed. "Székely," I clarified. "My family emigrated to America at the end of World War II. I've actually come back here to look over the homeland." "You couldn't land in Bucharest?" she handed me my ID back. "What?" I feigned an insult to my intellect. "Hungarian women are far prettier.""You don't appear to be Dortmund Schuyler," her partner looked me over.

A Time WarpBy FinalStand. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.What follows is a diversion from the central storyline, but it is crucial to understanding why certain members of the supporting cast are behaving the way they are.808 BCE near Halab in what is today's Northern Syria:For me, Cael Nyilas, it was a return to last night's horrifying scene that engulfed me. The screams of dying horses and moribund men crying the pantheon of life's final regrets. Blood, piss, voided bowels and the stench of comingled sweat and leather filled my nostrils. The true cacophony of battle was all about. The battle shock faded into an innocuous background distraction.In my heart of hearts, I felt at ease, even content. We were cut off and surrounded yet hardly hopeless. Men, my brothers-in-arms and the younger noble sons of Assur and Nineveh combined to put a press of shields, armor and flesh encircling us. Those 'pampered' aristocrats stank with fear and well they should. Death was still possible before their relief arrived.I hurt, Shara (my deity?), I was wounded, but it meant nothing. I laughed; a primitive version of 'atheists and foxholes' passing through my mind. This body had lived through much worse. The closest man, her deceased husband's cousin, and I lifted the shattered wooden chariot off the person our circle was centered on. My arm was extended to her.She was glorious, fierce and half-drunk with battle lust. I could feel her talon-like fingers through the leather and 'parzillu' scales guarding my bicep. She half jumped and was half pulled to her feet. Her kinsman presented her 'misplaced' sword, hilt first. In her eyes, I saw the burning intensity of the Shamash (Sun God, consort of Aya?) at the height of the Burning Season.Her martial mirth exceeded any other noise as it passed her lips."You took your time getting here," Shammuramat taunted me, not a true reproach. "I was so bored, I decide to take a nap in the shade of my conveniently overturned chariot." She defied all fortunes that conspired toward her demise; her own breed of madness."You looked so peaceful in your sleep, I didn't want to wake you," I bantered back. Her 'kinsman' scowled at my familiarity with his monarch. My champions, more like brothers to me than any kin born of my blood, had carved a gory swath to her stranded bodyguard. Mounted on Median steeds, we had pressed back the entourages of two Aramean kings bent on her violent passing.A barricade of overturned, or unattended chariots gave us space to dismount and perform our very visible rescue mission. All the pieces were right where she wanted them; everything unfolding according to her plan. Focus the enemy in the center with her person and the banner of Assur while the rest of her chariots and all of her cavalry swept through an unguarded wadi and fell upon them from behind.Brilliant. Somewhat less brilliant when faced with the desperate energy of our enemies, but her victory was already a certainty. The allied Western Kings were sure my command was attempting to snatch the Queen back to the safety of her infantry. Those hardy, foot-bound souls were still holding their own against the greater mass of the enemy footmen.The children of rebellious nobles bent every bit of their remaining energy, squandered their last reserves to ensure Shammuramat didn't escape. If the positons were reversed, they would have eagerly abandoned their troops and sought safety to the rear. The idea of Shammuramat being overwrought with terror was absurd.Our opponents' bellows for our blood turned into wails of despair. The charging, plumaged steeds of Assyria had appeared behind them. Our enemies had nothing left to slow the new arrivals down, much less stop them. For those who dared defy Shammuramat, Queen of all the Akkadians, the slaughter was just beginning."Come 'Alal' (that was me); I promised 'Atarshumki' I would kick his head over his own city walls before sunset and I always keep my promises," she shoved one of my horse-holders aside and took one of my steeds. 'Alal' was not the name my father gave me. It meant destroyer and it was blasphemy to lay claim to it."Killing kings will cost you extra," was my impious response.Assyrians nobility barely tolerated mercenaries most of the time. My men and I didn't care. I hadn't taken up the killing business to make friends and my troops felt the same way. What mattered to us was that their coin was good and delivered on time. That was a good thing because whores and merchants were loath to advance 'our kind' anything on credit."I'll meet you half way," she grinned manically at me while my fighters and I raced for our mounts. (Saving the junior nobility wasn't what she were paying us for.) "I'll let you take any prince you capture as a hostage." I nodded. My men cheered hungrily, despite the choking dust. As long as I didn't get too greedy, the Kings would pay for their sons. Now we had to capture the bastards."Tūbātu," I reminded them. 'Goodwill'. It was a polite way of saying 'stop your chariot, rest your arms and your mother won't have to come begging for your corpse'. It was best to let opposing nobility keep their dignity in our business. Today's enemy might be tomorrow's paymaster.I blinked and things changed.Planting followed harvest and harvest followed planting. It had long ago become a blur. Shammuramat had grown older. Her first son became king when he was of age. I had long exceeded my welcome and my desire to stay. I was fixed to this small patch of the greater world by a rare emotion, empathy.It had come out of nowhere. We were campaigning against the Scythians raiding over the Zagros Mountains and followed them into Urartu. Night had fallen and I walked the camp as was my habit; being killed a few times in your sleep will make you err on the side of caution. Shammuramat was gazing out over the river Arkas."I though all the scouts have returned," I asked as I stepped to her side. A cool, early autumn breeze blew down the valley, tossing a few loose locks of her greying hair. She always had one patch shorn short which made her left-side braids prone to unwind."They have. We head back for Nineveh with the dawn," she murmured, her mind elsewhere."Do you ever dream of home?" she asked me out of the blue."No. I don't dream anymore. I rarely sleep and if I did, I would hope to dream of something less boring," I snorted in amusement. She had never talked about her home, to anyone as far as I knew."You will be going to Lydia when winter comes," she stated tensely."King Gyges needs someone with experience beating Cimmerians," I answered. The true reason was that I was no longer welcome on the Assyrian payroll because I insisted on recruiting only non-Assyrians into the ranks of my ferociously effective little band of one hundred; never more and rarely less."Shemtsu is a fool," she grumbled."That is unfair," I countered. My willingness to argue with her was one of my charms in her eyes. "He is an excellent Treasurer and he makes sure your vassals pay their tribute on time and in its full amount."The silence was hurtful to me because Shammuramat was never one to obfuscate her thoughts, especially around me. It was one of her charms, to my way of thinking."Salmu Eretu, the northern night sky has no answers for what ails you. Get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to start out cold before it bakes us." I called her 'Black Cloud' in Akkadian.I had first used that name twenty years ago to insult her, highlighting her tempestuous nature. In the Assyrian court, having just received recognition for my quick thinking, Shammuramat had belittled my accomplishment, throwing my body between her, her unborn child (the man who was now not-so-gently ushering me to the border) and a Kassite noble and his retainer bent on killing them both.Had my deed not been witnessed by half a dozen reliable sources, I wouldn't even have received that tawdry token."He sought glory without risk," she spat out her insult in a Hittite tongue alien to this court. Unfortunately for us both, I had worked for a Babylonian family for a few generations and they had been kind enough to turn me from an illiterate commoner to a man of some education.Ironically, they even taught me my native cuneiform long after my birthplace was barely a memory."Well aren't you a black cloud on an otherwise waste of a day," I replied somewhat bitterly. Her eyes widened, then narrowed and then I heard her laugh for the first time."Should I tell them what you said?" she mocked me and my predicament."But of course," I grunted in Akkadian. I'd screwed up. My inner thoughts were 'please not decapitation, please not decapitation' because getting my head on straight after that was a real bitch."You've been nothing but a black cloud bent on turning the choking dust at my feet into a grasping, muddy morass. Why stop now?" I announced loudly. If you are going to die, die well. Having died too many times to count, remembering my last words were all I had left to look forward to.The guards, familiar with the Queen's temper and stunned into inaction by me clearly embracing a long, messy death, stood around uselessly. Had I been allowed a weapon in the royal presence, I might have thought which one to kill first."I gift you, a lowborn man of the South (Sumerian), with honors and you respond by insulting my wife?" King, Shamshi Adad V growled as he rose from his throne."Husband," she stood to join him. I thought it was a pity she rarely smiled. "You asked that I too give a gift to my savior and the savior of our son (all unborn babies were sons back then until roughly half had the audacity to gender switch while exiting the womb). I have chosen." I was expecting my life for the moment and a day's head start to the border."It is your choice to make," the King allowed."From this day, until my passing, this man may always speak his mind in our lands," she demanded. She had a habit of fatally correcting anyone who saw her as less than co-ruler. The hesitation was deafening."As you will," Shamshi Adad V acquiesced to yet another of his wife's odd 'requests'. From that day forth we had been fast friends. She never asked about my immortality, where I was from, or how I ended up with my elite band of professional killers. I returned the favor. It was an unspoken understanding that in a few years, or decades, she would die and I would leave, not necessarily in that order. We had shared more years than I had given to any one person in quite some time."There is nothing left for me but ash," she declared with morbid certainty."Should any of us expect any better?" I did my best to offer words of comfort she would accept."Oh no," her noise was too bitter to be a laugh. "I had my own 'Life beyond Death' and it was stolen from me, along with my birthright.""We are chasing the thieves?" I asked."Yes and no," her face grew grim once more. "These were not the ones I was looking for. They share some bonds with some of the Scythian tribes who live on the far side of the Sea of Death (the Black Sea). These raiders weren't from those tribes.""Why are you turning back?" I questioned. "You know your Assyrians are loyal. They will follow wherever you lead. Your son won't begrudge you these few hundred. I'll come too.""Why?" she turned and looked into my eyes. She still had that blazing fire in her eyes. She was teasing me. If she asked, I too would follow and my men would follow me."The Scythians have been raiding the Lands of the Two Rivers from, well, before I graduated from 'spear for hire' to a 'seeker of a mastery of war'. The rich plunder of their camps will provide plenty of incentive for my men plus we can sell the horses when we come back," I stated."I do not have the years left to spend on such a campaign," she sighed. I had never heard a hint of defeat in her speech before. It was unsettling and rather tragic."I have squandered my years in marriage, being Queen and raising my boys. I tried to make Assyria my new family and I am revealed to be a fool. You had it right. We will always be outlanders. No matter how brave, loyal, just and smart, we would never be allowed in their sanctimonious circle," she said. "You. I should have ridden off with you after my first born was acknowledged (the present King Adad-nirari the 3rd).""We could have gathered up some more fighters, ridden over shattered Phrygia, to the narrows (Bosporus) and into the lands of the Thracians. There is a legend of a great river that pours out from the western shore of the Death Sea. What I seek is up that river.""How many would we face?" I grew equally serious."One," she coughed. "Me." My confusion was obvious. "I am not asking you to fight me, Alal. I want you to come back for me.""I can't. That is not how it works," I stated."How does it work then?" she looked into my eyes. The fire was there, but banked and waning. I didn't say anything. "I have never seen, or heard of you entering a temple.""Your men go. You do not stop them, but you have given up any pretense of worship," she pressed. "Do you not believe that anything exists beyond your senses?""I believe," I sighed. "I believe people are fools for giving offering, pledging their fidelity, pleading for mercy, or extending thanks to any deity. Those Shar-an (gnats) do as they will, unless it is to punish us for treating them like the spoiled children they are."Shammuramat regained her long-stilled laughter."I have always felt a kinship with you through our mutual bitterness.""Bitterness comes with familiarity," I snorted in amusement. Lovers had passion. We shared a simmering anger that came from being irredeemably wronged."I was born Baraqu, the first son of a potter in some city that no longer matters. I was a failure as a potter and an embarrassment to my house and my clan," I began a story I hadn't told another soul in, I couldn't recall. "In those days, the Priest-Kings declared wars and demanded each clan of the city give forth a certain number of males to fight. My family volunteered me and two rowdy cousins.Outside the gates, my clan elder gave each of us a cowhide shield and a spear with a small spindle of copper at the tip so we wouldn't think it was a staff. We marched, I forget which city we were fighting that time. Three days later we found the enemy behind a deep irrigation ditch that had dried out for the season. Our orders were simple, 'There they are. Attack!'My elder was at the back of our mob, making sure none of us ran away. My older cousin made it across the ditch first, but was speared twice; once in the right kidney, I can still remember my first sight of blood, and once, piercing the shield and lodging in his ribcage. My second cousin and I were pushed from behind into the fighting. I stabbed at one shield, doing no harm.Then my surviving cousin's morale broke and he tried to claw his way back into our ranks. He was stabbed in the back, his dying body tangling with mine and bearing us both to the ground. I saw this howling mad face over me. He was a commoner, like me, driven to violence by the terror of battle. His shoddily crafted spear plunged first into my right lung. The second stab found my heart. I died.From there, my spirit fell down toward the wretched dank caverns where all pitiful lowborn dregs are doomed to end up without hope of parole. Instead of endless misery, the Goddess Sarrat Irkalli appeared before me, barring my descent. With icy claws, she trisected my soul. I cannot begin to describe that agony. She snatched up my tattered bits and dragged me back into the world.Sarrat Irkalli is Goddess of the Netherworld, whispered a word that penetrated my brain through the left ear of my cooling corpse. It was an utterance so catastrophic to the fabric of the Veil I dare not repeat it even now.Baraqu? she blew a dark wind upon the first bit of my essence and it flew away.Cael, she whispered to the second portion and off it went in another direction. You are Baraqu no more. The second name was meaningless to me at the time but my name. Do you know that if you have your true name, your spirit can not find its way to your reward, no matter how foul, or pleasing? To the third part of my soul. I name you Alal, he who stands witness to the end of all he desires; their destroyer. Powerful yet powerless.}With that, she left me. My body was stiff from being dead so long. The next few hours were extremely painful. The Sun had set and the Moon was not in evidence. Jackals barked and hyenas laughed as they fought and feasted on the dead. I pushed the body of my cousin off me then crawled down into the ditch to hide. Hardly the reaction of a hero.""Not the actions of the man I know," Shammuramat smirked. "So, your name is Baraqu.""Was and I never much liked the name," I countered. "The priests gave it to me because right before my naming ceremony, a bolt of lightning from a spring storm struck the temple of Shara. So they named me Baraqu, which means 'struck by lightning'.""That sound likes a good name," the Queen Dowager regarded me."That is the noble meaning. The common meaning is less eloquent, it means 'idiot'."Another deep laugh from my treasured compatriot. So few had ever mattered so much to me."Struck by lightning, stricken dumb," she guffawed. "Still not the 'you' I know.""What does the other name mean?""I have no idea. In all my travels I have never found a people familiar with it," I shrugged. She looked out over the low waves lapping against the stony shore."No explanation?" she grudgingly inquired. She had wanted me to continue."No. I have never again come face to face with Sarrat Irkalli, been visited by a messenger, divine, or demonic, received an omen, or any otherworldly presence of any kind," I shrugged. I was long past any resentment. "After the battle I made my way back home, we'd lost, and resumed my life for a few years. My father took the excuse of me 'letting' my kinsmen die to place my younger brother over me.I didn't care. I always hated being a potter, so I ended up being a piddling nuisance all the time and a drunken brawler whenever I had wrangled some beer. I was always the first choice of my clan to send into battle. Despite my lack of training, I began surviving more battles than I died in. At some point, the priests began getting suspicious that I was still hanging around my great-grandnephew's house, so my house Elder suggested I leave the city.I was given a nice copper-headed mace that I had taken in a recent skirmish. Tradition dictated I offer it to the Elder, so he could give it back to me as a sign of my value to the clan. He had taken it for his own. Now he was giving it back out of fear that it held some part of my taint. I had no idea how to live on my own. Two days out, I was robbed and murdered for the first, but not last, time. That inaugural event, I got really angry and hunted those two farmers down.I got my mace back. I also relieved them of an onager, three slaves and a few ingots of silver. I guessed they had been rather successful robbers until they met me."

Summer Camp Mayhem.By FinalStand. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.The miracle is not a person jumping into a torrent to save another. It is the dozen who form a chain to pull them both out.(Midnight in the Grotto of Good and Evil)We were in one of the underground pools at the bottom of the mesa. Our tour guide had informed us there were nine known caves and the complex had never been fully explored due to the remaining waterways being totally submerged. It was well past midnight, all my little friends had crashed out and I had wisely ditched my security after Miyako silently woke me up with her hand over my mouth.She pulled my hand to her lips and sucked deeply on two of my digits. I took this to be an indicator to me she was in dire need of loving. The grotto was my idea. I was inspired by my desire to see her naked and I couldn't risk a light source any place but underground. The tool shed and garage lacked a certain appeal. The fuel depot and septic tank were also ruled out."Is the chaos in your mind still raging, Cáel?" Miyako asked in Nipponese, with enough worry to doubly enhance her cuteness."Which of the twenty-seven unexplained languages rolling around in my head do you want me to answer you in?" my toothy grin barely visible in the darkness.Around half way through my sexual enlightenment in college, I had a revelation. The two guys I had gone road-tripping with took me to a bar in Portsmouth. I caught a woman looking us over. I already had my one-night stand lined up and she was looking most agreeable to my nefarious skullduggery (i.e. she had come with some other guy who preferred beer and darts with his buddies over keeping his attention on what mattered).And then my awakening."Nah, she's too fat," he remarked. For one thing, my friend who said that could have stood to lose ten to fifteen kilograms himself. Next, we were dressed like middle class college kids, jeans, shirts that were most likely clean when we picked them out of the laundry basket, light jackets and the shoe thing.This girl was dressed up for a good night out. Nice makeup, her clothing choices were, eh, not stunning, but this wasn't a stunning nightclub/bar. She looked fun, she smiled and yes, she was overweight. It dawned on me that not only did I not care, I never cared. I was a sexual omnivore and that meant any lady interested in sex with me was fine in my book.So, I turned the tables on him."If you can score her number, I'll give you my watch," I dared him. The wristwatch was really nice, one of those $500 handmade German ones. One of my Ex's great-granddad had swiped it off some Nazi pilot in World War II, and the same girl gave it to me twice. See, by accident, as I was exiting the (thankfully) first floor window of the Natural Sciences building, she threw a pitcher at me.It had been sitting in an ornamental display case close by. I caught it, nodded to the flabbergasted female professor-type gawking at the semi-naked me, handed her the projectile, then fled like the responsibility-dodging coward that I was. It turned out that that bit of crockery was from the mid-1600's; the woman I'd surprised was the item's owner.That older lady wasn't a teacher. She was a major benefactor in charge of one of the school's larger endowments. Had it shattered, the Ex most likely would have been expelled. Instead, after watching me round the Chancellor's residence, the mature chick turned to the totally naked chick leaning out the window, still screaming at me."Is he on the track team?" she inquired as she handed the artifact back. They talked, agreed I was a miserable human being, a cad and had firmly developed buttocks. Well, I guess that makes me a pig with nice hams. The next day, I showed up to return the watch, it was just an excuse for one more round of sex.She explained the whole incident to me, took back the watch and sent me on my way. I hurried back to my dorm room, changed the sheets and picked up a bit. An hour later she was quietly knocking at my door. Rather epic make-up sex followed, she gave me the watch as a keepsake and I swore off intercourse in classrooms for two whole months. I'm a tower of resolute willpower, I know.Back at the bar, my buddy snorted, made some comment about her being obviously desperate and promised me he'd nail in her in one of the back rooms. They talked a little, he got 'friendly', then said something that really hurt the girl's feelings. She looked our way, steadied herself with a shot of bourbon and came over to me and my other bud."Did you tell that guy you would give him fifty bucks if I put a lipstick ring on his cock?" she confronted us."No, I told him you were too good for him and if he could get your phone number, I would give him this watch," I showed her the watch. The girl's face flashed back to 'cautiously curious'."Is it a nice watch?" she asked."It is a family heirloom. My great-grandpa brought it back from World War II after taking it off some high ranking kraut officer," I embellished. "I knew he didn't have a chance with you.""Thanks," she grinned. "I agree. Let me get my sister and we can get a bite to eat." Sex.Two guesses of who her sister was. If you guessed the girl I had been cultivating since I got there, you would be right. I am too damn lucky. Lads, the next time you blow a sure thing, blame me for sucking all the good karma away from you, and nine of your friends. I got a three-way. The guy I made the challenge to, got his revenge. He bailed and I had to hitchhike back to school. You know, female truckers, oh, back to Miyako.After stashing our clothing and weapons (all of mine anyway), I took a small fluorescent lantern and slipped into the water. Cold, but doable. Miyako joined me and then, by moonlight, we swam to the point where the guide had said we'd find a passage to a secluded grotto. Down we went. My motivation wasn't sex.That was coming no matter what. Seeing my Nipponese sweetie completely nude directed my course of action. Security protocols meant no lights after 11 p.m. My solution was to cut on a light that couldn't be seen from outside, the grotto. We felt our way along the rather wide submerged passage emerging well before air became an issue. I raised the lantern and cut it on.Our tour guru had forgotten to mention that the algae patches along the sides and bottom as well as the quartz veins on the roof and walls reflected the light over what must have been an eight by ten meter cavern. Gorgeous. We glided to a shelf that met our needs, climbed up and shared a high school 'nervous virgin' moment. She broke the spell by pulling herself out of the water and, standing on her tippy-toes, touched one of the roof veins.I drank in every inch of my little ninja babe's lithe, finely tuned body. Once she got over the newness of my voyeurism, she became playful, giving me a variety of silhouettes and poses. I stripped and returned the favor, which earned me a giggling fit. As I took a minute to sit down and stare into the tranquility of the still surface, she snuck up on me.She said it all with her eyes. I tried to speak, but she put a forefinger to my lips. 'Hold me forever,' her eyes relayed her intentions. 'Love me for all eternity and think of no one else but me.' My elbows were locked, supporting my upper torso as she hovered over my lap. She was a lone feather falling upon the unyielding stone.With one hand behind her, she guided my cock into the wet, luxurious vice that was her cunt. We took it in increments. A sigh more at home in whispered Nirvana than on mortal tongues escaped her lips as she nestled all the way down. We didn't fuck. We rocked back and forth in a timid motion.As Miyako became accustomed to me once more, she would lean farther back with each pulse until an in and out rhythm was achieved. I took the occasion of her victory to pluck her left nipple into my mouth. Experience had taught me that was her more sensitive one. For several seconds, she fought it before knowledge caught up with instinct, then she loosed her passion.After her vibrations subsided, she rested her body tightly against mine. I still impaled her and she was returning a fraction of that warmth."Do you ever think you will find true love?" she whispered into my ear, in Nipponese. I was drawing my finger through her damp hair as it trailed down her back."As in love one over all others, no," I confided. "Even if I did, I could never admit it.""Why not?" she asked in Mandarin.In French I explained; "My life is a mad race through the forest and I don't know if I am a hound or the stag. I don't dare slow down until I know, and that is no way to repay such devotion.""When do you think the race will end for you?" she moaned softly, in English."I would really like to hold a child of mine. I don't regret my life's path up until now, yet I leave so very little of me behind if it ends soon," I muttered in Nipponese, and then chuckled. "It used to be at the first sign of a pregnancy test, I would panic. The World turns very rapidly."A minute passed as she went from warm to heatedly sensuous."Less talk, more babies," she sacrificed her emotions for my well-being with her oh so naught Baby Metal band voice and questing fingers. How could I say 'no' to that?"I don't think it works that way," I teased."Let's find out." She implored me in NipponeseSometime later, I was lying on my back, Miyako's body extended over mine so that not one precious inch of her touched the cool slick rock surface. Considering our position and location, it took me a bit longer to notice the intruder. I thought she was all kinds of strange. Twin memories and perception joined forces for once.The woman moved through the water, yet she was only hip deep in a place I knew the bottom was three meters below. As she entered our isolated love nest, I noticed she had sent forth not a single ripple in the water. Memory filled in the rest. Her eyes, when her gaze met my own, had that void that comes from a tortured life punctuated by horrors you witness as well as ones you are forced to perform.That was from "me". The electron swarm inside my mind provided another crucial piece of the puzzle. Utukku, phantoms, dead denied entrance to the Nether Realms, trapped between, until some sin had been lifted. The spirit gave me a look of shock, then turned and fled."We are in danger," I hissed to Miyako in Nipponese, before cutting off the lantern.I dove in, angling for the tunnel we'd entered by. I was close enough not to jab my fingers into the stone surface as I clawed my way through. I didn't burst noisily to the surface on the other side. My approach was that of an alligator, slowly letting my head crest the surface so I could look around. No one was in evidence. Miyako was soundless at my side as we scramble to the hiding place of our gear.Miyako held my hand back until she was sure our belongings hadn't been booby-trapped. I had to make quick judgment call: how time critical was this? I went the 'clothes and weapons' route."What is going on?" Miyako spoke quietly."Back there, I saw a feminine Asian ghost and the last time I witnessed such a pained, hopeless look, I was confronting the Seven Pillars," I told her. "Their slave had that same doomed stare.""There are only two things here of value," Miyako made her assessment. "You and the children. You are far more accessible in New York City, so it must be the children." We pressed ourselves tightly to the cave sides when we heard the sound of footsteps coming our way. It was Charlotte, my minder for evening, with her bow notched and ready.Firearms were kept to a minimum after hours, so bows were the order of the day, except for the snipers on the mesa top. My movements must have alerted her. I sat down and continued dressing."Charlotte, the Seven Pillars know we are here, they know the camp is here," I told her."How imminent is the threat?" Charlotte knelt beside me. I didn't know."They must be close, to be making a reconnaissance of the caves," Miyako said with tactical certainty."It was drawn to you, Charlotte, you were out of place, so this thing looked further. Otherwise these caves are irrelevant," she added. Miyako had the mindset of a seasoned professional spy."The cavern and spring have a night guardian," Charlotte countered. "I saw her when I was following you two here."I had on my light bulletproof vest (no shirt), shorts (no underwear) and shoes (no sox)."Let's go check on her to see if she's seen anything," I suggested/ordered.What I had assumed was some sort of bedroll brought by Miyako turned out to be a Ninja Survival pack. This allowed me to weapon up while she dressed up. The amount of time we were taking still ate at my nerves. Charlotte stopped me from heading out first, only to be stopped by Miyako. The ninja slipped out like a cool desert breeze.(Friend, Enemies and those In Between)Thirty seconds later, a plastic BB bounced off my right shoulder. This time, I was leading Charlotte out. No one spoke. We couldn't see Miyako anyway, now dressed in her black pajamas and her face being reduced to just one slit for her eyes. We found the Amazon dead at her post. She was in a cunningly crafted blind not easily spotted from any direction.A quick sweep for 'gifts' left behind revealed nothing, but the corpse yielded plenty. She was shot multiple times with two separate flash and sound suppressed submachine guns. The woman had been alive when we came down and if there had been a firefight, Charlotte would have heard the shots, if not seen them; thus the suppression. The bullet holes suggested a small caliber weapon.Miyako stepped up, held up three fingers. Every piece of the Amazon's gear was still on her. The attackers had shot up her phone box. Wireless communications were deemed too risky so all the outposts had buried land lines. At this point, a few seconds of extra effort stood between the Seven Pillars and success; that and the Goddess Paranoia.Had the assailants yanked up the box and cut the phone line, it would have been rendered useless. Instead, they shot up the device and moved on so that when Charlotte pulled out the cache of concealed goodies, including the spare phone box, we were back in business. As Charlotte got to work switching out the busted for the back-up, I studied our situation.Advanced teams taking out the perimeter guards, and most likely the snipers, didn't make much sense. The camp had 300 highly motivated Amazons. Cutting them off temporarily from their armory and vehicles didn't make any sense, since all Amazons were armed anyway. That left timing. But timing meant nothing if I didn't have the goal of their attack.It came as a double-whammy. The Chinese place a high premium on family and the Seven Pillars had mastered a sadistic art form of turning young foreign women into their concubine/assassins. The Condotteiri would have slaughtered the entire camp. The Seven Pillars would want to kidnap the children, both as current bargaining chips and as future tools.500 girls, 400 could be kidnappable. The oldest would go down fighting with their sisters. How did you get 400 kids out of here? Helicopters? That would be a fuck load of helicopters taking out their team and the children. Besides, helicopters alone couldn't dig them out of their cave and cliff-face strongpoints.Desert, no waterways. That left the road. You couldn't use ATVs, not enough carrying capacity. The smart move would be to have tractor-trailers parked alongside the hard top state road. They would use smaller, more rugged trucks to ferry their captives out to the semis. That suggested some sort of 'cover/support' vehicles.2 half ton trucks with weaponized Hummers providing fire support a la 'Blackhawk Down' and that meant the bridge and the BBQ pit. That objective would solve both of the Seven Pillars problems, moving the main assault group into close contact with the Amazons so the Amazons couldn't organize a defense, and removing their hostages in a prompt manner so they all could be gone before anyone else could react.The Seven Pillars had to have secured the bridge and were mostly likely replacing the missing piers. It was the choke point of their battle plan. Worse for them, it wasn't part of a barricade where they could attrition the Amazon numbers with vehicle mounted heavy weapons. The ditch ran north-south, bow shaped with the arch to the west and was over a kilometer from the camp.The flanks were purposefully strewn with huge boulders that limited traffic to horse and motorcycles, no four-wheelers. They had to have control of the bridge, so that's where I went."Charlotte, I'm going to the bridge," I whispered before slipping out of the blind. I didn't order Miyako to follow me and I was sure Charlotte wanted strangle me for departing from her protective custody.There are four kinds of fights, be they between armies, or individuals. Set-piece (sparring), assaults, ambushes and meeting engagements. I was about to be in the latter one. Meeting engagements happen when opposing forces are set on goals that unknowingly intersect one another. One of the most famous battles in US history, Gettysburg, was a meeting engagement.I was using the bone-dry culvert because we feared the Seven Pillars had replaced our snipers. Miyako was, somewhere else. The enemy commandos used the same conduit to avoid having the remaining Amazon pickets spot them and raising the alarm. I had little doubt that the three men speedily moving south were heading for the grotto and its three inhabitants (Charlotte, Miyako and me).Not knowing that I could both see ghosts and guessed who its demonic masters were, they assumed we were still in the caverns. Me not knowing how this whole ghost-scout thing worked, I assumed that I had a chance of surprising them at the bridge if I moved fast enough. In a final prick of irony, they misinterpreted the role their snipers played in our engagement.They believed that their snipers would alert them if anyone moved on the bridge, ignoring the fact that the snipers didn't have a complete view of the gulch. I was only using the big ditch because I was afraid they had taken out the Amazon snipers and now had the high ground, which turned out to be true. Thank you, Goddess Paranoia.My first tomahawk was in my left hand and my Glock-22 was in my right. My fear of snipers and the bend in the gully saved my life. We literally ran into each other, me and the first 7P soldier. His long barreled Type-05 was pointing past my left, his torso slammed into my pistol, ramming his front armored plate against it as it discharged.The proximity muffled the sound of the gunshot. The bullet failed to punch through his impressive body armor, but the resulting force knocked him down and out. Unfortunately, our shared momentum knocked my gun out of my grasp. My right hand went for tomahawk two. The flattened man's team mates swung their submachine guns my way.Halfway through his shift, a black dart flew out of the western darkness, past the first one, then snapped back. The action caused the hardy thread to wrap around the barrel of his weapon. I couldn't see her, but I knew it was Miyako with her flying wedge with the thread attached. The middle guy was startled and not moving as his training dictated.That allowed me to use him as a shield against the third guy. Right as 7P #2 decided to release his weapon, I kicked him hard into the confused man behind him. Neither man went down, but I still got what I wanted.Guy number three's main weapon was trapped to his right as I rushed his left. Vainly he tried to get an arm up to defend himself. My right tomahawk shattered his forearm at the elbow joint. Only the body armor on the inside of the blow stopped the appendage from falling off. My rational mind was catching up with my instincts.These men had on head-to-toe ballistic body suits with knee guards and solid ballistic inserts for the front and back of the torso. They had on some sort of dull, dark-grey respirator mask which was why the armless guy wasn't screaming his head off. They also had matte black circular ear protections and a type of high tech visor on the ears and eyes respectively.The sole survivor was falling back, drawing his silenced pistol while trying to put some distance between us and find Miyako at the same time. Dummy, tomahawks are designed for throwing. A bit of Amazons indignation was behind that toss. His visor was cut in two as my anger drove the blade 6 cm/2+ inches into his skull.I heard a sharp crack of a rock being shattered. Miyako's graceful flip landed her at my side. I ran to the last victim, put my foot on his chest and put my right hand on the tomahawk's shaft. The guy reached up and grabbed the thigh of the foot on his chest with both hands. Shit, the fucker wasn't dead!

Evil always dresses in a garment of light. It hides in plain sight. It smiles. It's friendly. It's comforting. It's dishonest. It appears as something it's not.Take, for example, that seemingly innocuous campfire song all your children have been taught to sing at your silly church camps: “This Little Light of Mine.” Like a mother who possesses children; like a tribe that possesses land; like those who refuse to let go of what God destroys—or worse, those who wickedly imagine they can compensate for God's will by loving their neighbor—like a spoiled child clamoring for a toy.Yes, this little hymn of the Antichrist twists the teaching of the Gospel of Luke into a fascist anthem that leads, at worst, to genocide—and at best, to a mind-numbing theology of the cult of self: the worship of money, human reason, community, and ultimately, state power.“This little light of mine?”Are you kidding me? Do you really think the place men dared not tread is now yours to share? Do you know what you're talking about? Do you really believe the light upon which Moses dared not gaze is yours to adorn with coverings, like a pet?Think. No—do not think. Hear.To what did Luke refer in chapter 8 when he said lampstand? Container? Cover? What do any of these things have to do with you and your church camps?He who has ears to hear, let him hear.This week, I discuss Luke 8:16.Show Notesἅπτω / נ-ג-ע (nun-gimel-ʿayin) / ن-ج-ع (nūn-jīm-ʿayn)Greek: to set on fire. Hebrew: to touch, strike violently, reach, or afflict. The Arabic cognate نَجَعٌ (najaʿ) refers to 1. the effect of the action, 2. being effective, or 3. having an impact or benefit—for example, a statement or teaching; in modern usage, a medicine. In a nomadic context, it signifies the departure or migration of people or animals in search of pasture or sustenance.λύχνος / נ-ר (nun-resh) / ن-و-ر (nūn-wāw-rāʾ)Light, lamp. The Arabic cognate نُور (nūr) functions as “light” or “illumination.”καλύπτω / כ-ס-ה (kaf-samek-he) / ك-س-ى (kāf-sīn-yāʾ)Cover, conceal, clothe, drape, forgive. The Arabic verb كَسَا (kasā) means “to clothe” or “to cover.” Its triliteral root is ك-س-و (kāf-sīn-wāw). كسوة الكعبة (kiswat al-ka'bah) denotes the cloth that covers the Kaaba in Mecca.σκεῦος / כ-ל-י (kaf-lamed-yod) / ك-ي-ل (kāf-yāʾ-lām)Vessel, implement, tool. The Arabic word كيل (kayl) refers to a measure of grain. It denotes measuring, weighing, or apportioning something in quantities. The root is also related to the Hebrew function כול (kul), which can function as comprehending, containing, or measuring. In Arabic كُلّ (kulu) indicates all.κλίνη / מ-ט-ה (mem-ṭet-he) / م-ط-ط (mīm-ṭāʾ-ṭāʾ)Couch, bed, to incline, stretch downward, extend. The Arabic مَطَّ (maṭṭa) "to stretch" or "extend" shares a common Proto-Semitic root (m-ṭ-) with Hebrew:Hebrew מ-ט-ה (m-ṭ-h);Arabic م-ط-ط (m-ṭ-ṭ); Aramaic מטא (mṭʾ); Akkadian (maṭû)λυχνία / מ-נ-ר (mem-nun-resh) / ن-و-ر (nūn-wāw-rāʾ)Lampstand, light, menorah. The Arabic cognate of מְנוֹרָה (menorah) is منارة (manārah), which means candlestick, lighthouse, or minaret (the tower of a mosque), the lighthouse from which the call to hear scripture is announced to all. The triliteral root in Arabic pertains to light, illumination, or shining.اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ(allāhu nūru as-samāwāti wa-al-arḍi)”"God is the light of the heavens and the earth.”(Surah An-Nur 24:35) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

We imagine that love is the product of a kind or generous heart. We confuse love with sentiment. Maybe we want others to like us. Perhaps we can't stomach their suffering, so we medicate them with lies, or we embrace their fantasies because they accommodate our needs. We coddle sentiment as a virtue because it feels safe, womblike, and even noble. Sentiment reinforces our private delusions. There is no better resolution for cognitive dissonance than sentimentality. Sentiment is practically Western doctrine. Make everyone feel good. How dare you not? How dare you be so unfeeling, so cold, so unloving? The problem with this line of thinking is that it is evil. Only a self-oriented person believes that a human being is capable of love.God is the only one who loves his children. If you keep insisting on yourself, which is indicative of what Chris Hedges calls hyper-masculinity, that's all you will ever understand about relationships. You will never find him. Those who think otherwise always end up alone, sitting in someone else's chair until the day he appears. You cannot meet God until you are not there, Habibi. You will never find him in your “community,” you harlots. “You brood of vipers.” Truly ba‘alic—the lot of you, “reclining together.” That is the prophetic and Pauline wisdom that Jesus uses in Luke 7 to trap Simon, who fancies himself something when he is nothing.“Do you see this woman, Simon?” Do you dare judge her? Worse, do you dare judge her rightly? Nothing in the Bible is worse than being right about a wrong that condemns you. Jesus does not praise her because she loves much. How could he? That is akin to Simon's mistake. She is a human. She is incapable of love. Instead, the Lord praises the only one who loved her, the one who gave her the tears to wash his feet when he forgave her much, forgiveness she received from above in submission to him. Simon, on the other hand, judged much.“What caused you to deny the Master, Simon?” You fool. There is no Judge but him. If I were you, I would trade in my sandals for a pair of running shoes. This week, I discuss Luke 7:40-50.Show Notesδανιστής / ת-ו-ך (tav-waw-kaf) / ت-ك-ت (tāʾ-kāf-tāʾ)  The Greek word δανιστής(danistēs),  “moneylender,” refers to a person who lends money, often with interest, associated with violence in Scripture. In Luke 7:41 it is aligned with the function תֹּךְ (tok), which carries the usage “violence” and “oppression” in Proverbs:“The poor man and the oppressor תְּכָכִים (tekakim) have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.” (Proverbs 29:13)In Arabic تَكَتَكَ (taktaka) means to trample underfoot or to crush, akin to war. تَكَتُك (takatuk): A repetitive sound, such as tapping or clicking, reflecting rhythmic motion or action. The war drum. In Semitic, the idea of trampling extends to subjugation, domination, or persistent oppression, aligning with its use in biblical Hebrew and in Luke 7. δάκρυ / ד-מ-ע (dalet-mem-ʿayin) / د-م-ع (dal-mīm-ʿayn)“I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears דִּמְעָתִי (dim‘ati).” (Psalm 6:6)ἔλαιον / ש-מ-ן (shin-mem-nun) / س-م-ن (sīn-mīm-nūn) Fat, oil, olive oil. “Then Jacob got up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had placed as a support for his head, and set it up as a memorial stone, and poured oil (שֶׁ֫מֶן, shemen) on top of it.” (Genesis 28:18)“You will have olive trees throughout your territory but you will not anoint yourself with oil (שֶׁ֫מֶן, shemen), because your olives will drop off.” (Deuteronomy 28:40)“You will sow but you will not harvest. You will tread the olive press, but will not anoint yourself with oil (שֶׁ֫מֶן, shemen); and [you will tread] grapes, but you will not drink wine.” (Micha 6:15)“For their mother has committed prostitution; she who conceived them has acted shamefully. For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil (שַׁמְנִי, shemeni), and my drink.'” (Hosea 2:5)The function س-م-ن (sīn-mīm-nūn) appears four times in the Qur'an, twice regarding Joseph's dreams and the famine in Egypt, once regarding the Hospitality of Abraham, and once referring to food for the unrighteous from the “thorny plant” on the Day of Judgment: لَا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِن جُوعٍlā yus'minu wa lā yugh'nī min jūʿ“[Which] neither fattens nor avails against hunger.”Surah Al-Ghashiyah (88:7)μύρον / מֹר — מ-ר-ר (mem-resh-resh) / م-ر-ر (mīm-rāʼ-rāʼ) The function מ-ר-ר conveys bitterness, sharpness, or acridity, both literally (in taste and smell) and metaphorically. The Arabic مُرّ (murr) and مِرَّة (mirrah) are cognates of the biblical Hebrew מֹר (mor), which refers to myrrh, the fragrant yet bitter resin. Related Semitic Cognates: Aramaic: מָרָא (mara) — Bitter.; Akkadian: murru — Bitter or acrid.μύρον — ב-ש-ם (bet-shin-mem) / ب-ش-م (bāʼ-shīn-mīm) Refers to balsam or other fragrant substances. In some cases, overlaps with the use of μύρον/מֹר to describe fragrant materials mixed with oils. “Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense; myrrh (מֹר, mor) and aloes, along with all the finest balsam (בְּשָׂמִים, b'samim) oils.” (Song of Songs 4:14)συνανάκειμαι (synanakeimai)  (Luke 7:49) THE WORD “RECLINE” DOES NOT APPEAR IN LUKE 7. Three distinct functions describe the action translated as reclining, “synanakeimai” being the third. Each Greek term corresponds to a unique Semitic function. The appearance of the third action condemns Simon and those who congregate with him. “To recline together.” In Maccabees, made functional by Luke, communal reclining, shared meals, companionship, and “500” elephants all serve a wicked scheme: “οἱ δὲ συνανακείμενοι συγγενεῖς τὴν ἀσταθῆ διάνοιαν αὐτοῦ θαυμάζοντες προεφέροντο τάδε” “But the Kinsmen reclining at table with him, wondering at his instability of mind, remonstrated as follows:” (3 Maccabees 5:39) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The earliest forms of language were symbols and pictographs. Cuneiform symbols made up the earliest known languages of Sumerian and Akkadian. Egyptian hieroglyphs are considered the next oldest language. So for humans, symbols have always carried a high level of importance. Symbols can transcend time and culture and be interpreted by future generations. Although the meanings of symbols can change with time as well. Cemeteries are full of symbols and on this episode of Stones and Bones, we are going to share the meaning behind many of them.  Intro and Outro music "Stones and Bones" was written and produced by History Goes Bump and any use is strictly prohibited. Other music used in this episode: First Cassandra's Trailer Voice and Silent Movie 47 by Sascha Ende at https://filmmusic.io Licensed under International Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Check us out at: https://historygoesbump.com

fWotD Episode 2727: The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes Welcome to Featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia’s finest articles.The featured article for Tuesday, 22 October 2024 is The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes.The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes is a 2021 interactive drama and survival horror video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the third game of the first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology. The game features a multilinear plot in which decisions can significantly alter the trajectory of the story and change the relationships between the five playable protagonists; some lead to their permanent deaths. House of Ashes is set during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and follows five characters—four Americans working for the US Armed Forces and one Iraqi Republican Guard—who must escape from an underground Akkadian temple and survive the vampiric creatures that infest the area. Ashley Tisdale, who plays CIA operative Rachel King, was marketed as the game's leading actress. Jason Graves, a long-time collaborator with Supermassive for the series, composed the soundtrack during COVID-19 lockdowns in the United Kingdom.Reappearing in House of Ashes are staple mechanics of The Dark Pictures Anthology, such as quick time events (QTEs), two single-player and two multiplayer modes, and collectibles that allow players to see visions of possible future events. New features include a more interactive camera system, a handheld light source for easier navigation, and three difficulty levels to manage QTEs. The films Aliens, Predator, and The Descent, as well as the H. P. Lovecraft novella At the Mountains of Madness and the myth of the Curse of Akkad were the main influences for the game. The creatures were made using motion capture and hand animation, and the temple's design was inspired by ancient Mesopotamian architecture. Military specialists and Arabic speakers were consulted to ensure a faithful depiction of the war.House of Ashes was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on 22 October 2021, to mixed reviews. Several critics deemed it an improvement from the previous two instalments in the anthology, and points of praise included the replay value, QTE intensity, cinematography, multiplayer modes, and likeability of the Iraqi character. Critiques were directed towards the game's pacing, scare factor, facial animations, texture and animation glitches, and handling of the Iraq War. The fourth game in the series and the season one finale, The Devil in Me, was revealed in a teaser trailer at the end of House of Ashes and released on 18 November 2022.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 13:46 UTC on Tuesday, 5 November 2024.For the full current version of the article, see The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Nicole.

A randomly-chosen sample from the deepest most thorough analysis that you can find anywhere of the profoundly ancient Epic of Gilgamesh, on patreon for patrons only for one year: We examine the Epic of Gilgamesh as a piece of literature, for its strange dream-like style and form, its points of similarity to Biblical and ancient Greek and European mythology, and finally, its deep levels of psychological and political allegory, ultimately revealing the love between Enkidu and Gilgamesh as a parable of the fraught relationship between civilization and the wild. Please sign up as a patron at any level to hear both of the patron-only lectures on Gilgamesh: https://www.patreon.com/posts/myth-of-month-24-114591189 Image: Gilgamesh grappling with Enkidu; illustration by Wael Tarabieh. Our previous lecture on the discovery of the Library of Ashurbanipal, where the Epic of Gilgamesh was rediscovered: Historiansplaining – Unlocked-the-great-archaeological-discoveries-pt-3-the-library-of-ashurbanipal The SOAS's recordings of scholars reading Akkadian texts: https://www.soas.ac.uk/baplar/recordings Suggested further reading: George, "The Epic of Gilgamesh"; N.K. Sandars, "The Epic of Gilgamesh"; Heidel, "The Epic of Gilgamesh and Old Testament Parallels"; Stephen Mitchell, "Gilgamesh"; Michael Schmidt, "Gilgamesh: The Life of a Poem"; Rivkah Scharf Kluger, "The Archetypal Significance of Gilgamesh."

Video Version Only Available on Spotify and YouTube. Aliens and The Annunaki - explores the theory connecting extraterrestrial beings with the ancient myth of the Annunaki, a group of deities from Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian mythology. The episode explores how these figures, often described as powerful gods, have sparked modern interpretations suggesting they were not divine beings, but rather alien visitors who played a significant role in shaping early human civilization. The boys discuss an overview of the Annunaki in ancient texts, describing their roles as rulers and influencers in Mesopotamian society. These ancient writings depict them as beings who descended from the heavens, bringing advanced knowledge to humanity. The hosts then transition to the modern ancient astronaut theory, which posits that extraterrestrial beings visited Earth in the distant past and were mistaken for gods by early human civilizations. Central to this theory is the work of Zecharia Sitchin, whose books have promoted the idea that the Annunaki were alien visitors from a distant planet, potentially Nibiru, a theoretical planet yet to be confirmed by scientists. Sitchin's interpretations of Sumerian tablets suggest that these visitors genetically engineered early humans, possibly creating Homo sapiens to serve as a labor force in mining operations, particularly for gold. The episode presents this idea alongside archaeological evidence, with theorists pointing to ancient Sumerian artifacts, including artwork and technological achievements, as potential proof of extraterrestrial influence. The episode also discusses various criticisms of Sitchin's work, especially from scholars who argue that his translations of the Sumerian texts lack academic rigor. Despite this, his theories have gained a significant following in popular culture, and the episode looks at why these ideas resonate with so many people today. As the boys explore the broader implications of these theories, they also address related phenomena, such as the mysterious structures found across the globe, like the Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge, which some believe could be evidence of alien intervention. By examining both the historical texts and modern interpretations, EP 90 offers listeners an opportunity to explore one of the most enduring and controversial topics in the realm of ancient history and alien theories. Patreon -- https://www.patreon.com/theconspiracypodcast Our Website - www.theconspiracypodcast.com Our Email - info@theconspiracypodcast.com

Aliens and The Annunaki - explores the theory connecting extraterrestrial beings with the ancient myth of the Annunaki, a group of deities from Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian mythology. The episode explores how these figures, often described as powerful gods, have sparked modern interpretations suggesting they were not divine beings, but rather alien visitors who played a significant role in shaping early human civilization. The boys discuss an overview of the Annunaki in ancient texts, describing their roles as rulers and influencers in Mesopotamian society. These ancient writings depict them as beings who descended from the heavens, bringing advanced knowledge to humanity. The hosts then transition to the modern ancient astronaut theory, which posits that extraterrestrial beings visited Earth in the distant past and were mistaken for gods by early human civilizations. Central to this theory is the work of Zecharia Sitchin, whose books have promoted the idea that the Annunaki were alien visitors from a distant planet, potentially Nibiru, a theoretical planet yet to be confirmed by scientists. Sitchin's interpretations of Sumerian tablets suggest that these visitors genetically engineered early humans, possibly creating Homo sapiens to serve as a labor force in mining operations, particularly for gold. The episode presents this idea alongside archaeological evidence, with theorists pointing to ancient Sumerian artifacts, including artwork and technological achievements, as potential proof of extraterrestrial influence. The episode also discusses various criticisms of Sitchin's work, especially from scholars who argue that his translations of the Sumerian texts lack academic rigor. Despite this, his theories have gained a significant following in popular culture, and the episode looks at why these ideas resonate with so many people today. As the boys explore the broader implications of these theories, they also address related phenomena, such as the mysterious structures found across the globe, like the Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge, which some believe could be evidence of alien intervention. By examining both the historical texts and modern interpretations, EP 90 offers listeners an opportunity to explore one of the most enduring and controversial topics in the realm of ancient history and alien theories. Patreon -- https://www.patreon.com/theconspiracypodcast Our Website - www.theconspiracypodcast.com Our Email - info@theconspiracypodcast.com

This is the sixth installment of the Fruitless Bookclub, a show-within-a-show, featuring Chris Barker and Jake the Lawyer, where we read all those nonfiction books we've been meaning to read. Today's episode is about ...And Forgive Them Their Debts: Lending, Foreclosure, and Redemption From Bronze Age Finance to the Jubilee Year by Michael Hudson. We're talking debt forgiveness! We're talking bronze age names that we can't pronounce! And we're talking about how a lot of modern political and religious concepts originate in bronze age practices that are now uniformly rejected by our institutions and their weird Austrian economists. Come join us as we learn how the Biblical calls for debt forgiveness were, in fact, very literal.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah's work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonMusic & Audio creditsYesterday – bloom.Violence - Parquet Courts ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

For this Think Tank discussion featuring Matt LaCroix, Robert, and Matt explore ancient civilizations, including the mysteries of Sumerian and Akkadian cultures and ancient temples and their potential energetic and symbolic significance. Matt shares his journey from a childhood fascination with ancient mysteries and Indiana Jones-like adventures to becoming a researcher of forgotten histories. The conversation touches on his experiences as a mountaineer and his involvement in projects like the Phil Project and collaborative research on ancient temple designs. They explore how the designs of ancient temples might serve as portals or energetic gateways and discuss the connections between ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Sumerian civilizations. Additionally, the two discuss the upcoming documentary they are working on, which aims to uncover hidden truths about these civilizations and challenge the conventional narratives of history. This episode offers an in-depth look at Matt's research, including his study of ancient texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh and the historical significance of the Shurupak civilization. It's a fascinating discussion for those interested in archaeology, history, and the esoteric connections between ancient societies and modern-day spiritual understanding. Robert Edward Grant Books: https://robertedwardgrant.com/store/#books Courses: https://robertedwardgrant.com/courses/ Store: https://robertedwardgrant.com/store/#apparel Connect with Matt LaCroix Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestageoftime/?hl=en Website: https://thestageoftime.com/ Connect with Robert Grant: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Robert_Edward_Grant Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/robertedwardgrant/?hl=en Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/robertedwardgrant/ Website - https://robertedwardgrant.com/ Subscribe to the Robert Edward Grant Podcast: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2XrShu3YdP2cIvF6rR0nWB Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/robert-edward-grant-think-tank/id1657287338

Ben Black, co-founder and managing director of Akkadian Ventures, shares insights into the venture capital secondary market. He highlights the distinct approach Akkadian Ventures takes, focusing on businesses with proven customer economics and strong technology moats. Ben elaborates on their strategy of gradually increasing positions and leveraging discounts from secondary investments. He also discusses the evolution and growing importance of secondary markets as startups stay private longer and new liquidity models develop. Ben also talks about Raise Global, a platform he founded to support emerging venture managers.In this episode, you'll learn:[1:39] Silicon Valley thrives on meritocracy, where anyone with ambition, talent, and hard work can quickly connect and succeed regardless of their background.[4:41] To succeed, emerging managers must proactively create their own opportunities, rather than waiting for them to be given.[6:46] What is the venture capital secondary market? How is it developing, and what impact does it have on the broader VC ecosystem? What does the future hold for secondary investments?[12:27] Key strategies for investing in the secondaries market[22:00] The evolution and impact of Raise since its inception.The non-profit organizations that Ben is passionate about: Mind The GapAbout Ben BlackBen Black is a co-founder and managing director at Akkadian Ventures. He has extensive venture capital experience, having previously worked as an investor at Maveron, Rosewood Capital, New Cycle Capital. As an entrepreneur, Black served as vice president of corporate development at Harris Interactive, driving its transformation into a leading internet-based market research firm and leading to a successful IPO. He also co-founded Raise Global to facilitate connections between emerging fund managers and capital partners, enhancing investment opportunities in the venture space.About Akkadian VenturesAkkadian Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based direct secondary investment firm that offers liquidity to early employees and investors of venture-backed businesses. For more than a decade, Akkadian has pioneered secondary and opportunistic investments in growth-stage technology companies.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

After protecting the Veil and one of the magic circles fueling it, the Hunters move to the next one, in Mea Culpa, California.  On the way, they run into a very familiar demon that they bring along for the ride...  

Cyrus Cylinder: A Comparative Approach This lecture is part of my series on Iranian history delivered at the Zoroastrian Cultural Center in California during the summer of 2019. Notes to this Episode: The Cyrus Cylinder is a barrel-shaped baked clay tablet, approximately 10 inches long, engraved in Babylonia in 539 BC. Discovered in the ruins of Babylon in present-day Iraq, the cylinder is inscribed in Akkadian Babylonian cuneiform, detailing Cyrus the Great's (601-530 BC) conquest of Babylon in 539 BC. Originally intended as a foundation deposit rather than for exhibition, it is not visually striking but serves as a significant document of statecraft. The cylinder reflects a long Mesopotamian tradition, dating as early as the third millennium BC, where monarchs began their reigns with declarations of reforms. The cylinder was found in March 1879. The great debate on the trustworthiness of Hebrew scriptures arose with the 1917 Balfour Declaration, 40 years after its discovery. There were two notable exhibitions in Tehran, one in 1971 and another in 2010, held under different circumstances. Cyrus claims: As a Persian King, I was called by Marduk, the Babylonian deity, to help the Babylonians, echoing narratives in the Old Testament. Marduk is neither a Persian nor an Iranian god, and the Akkadian language in which the cylinder is inscribed is not Iranian. If Cyrus intended to leave a legacy for Iranians, he would have had it written in Elamite, Old Persian, or at least Aramaic, the lingua franca of the Persian Empire. A modern analogy might be Napoleon's arrival in Egypt in 1798, or John F. Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech in West Berlin on June 26, 1963, widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the Cold War. Cyrus and his genealogy, his deeds as evidence of legitimacy, ensured 200 years of stability until disrupted by Alexander. The Cyrus Cylinder is captivating due to Cyrus's unique strategy compared to other monarchs: - Ruler-faith constitution or ruler being hostile to religion. - Clemency, benevolence, generosity, and justice. - Multilingual, multiethnic, multireligious cosmopolitanism, or ‘multiculturalism'. The text is written in Babylonian Akkadian, not Persian, conveying the message: I am Babylonian; I appreciate your cultural, religious, and linguistic legacy. This stance contrasts with the Old Testament's Isaiah passage. Cyrus maintained an equidistance from religion, akin to a constitutional principle observed in India. While not akin to modern democracy, it was considered fair, as evidenced by even Iran's arch-enemies, the Greeks, who remembered him as a just and righteous king in Xenophon's *Cyropaedia*. Cyrus's exceptionalism is highlighted in the *Expedition of Cyrus* and *Cyropaedia*.

Silas's circuitous journey of translation leads to the end of the Akkadian text. Beckett orders a general retreat, which Cassius promptly disobeys, leading to a long-awaited encounter. Directed & Produced by Rowan OdomWritten by Ty VonEdited by Rowan OdomTy Von as Silas CaldwellSage Phung as Cassius ThatcherMorgie Bee as Elizabeth BellangerJules Christine as Alyx YardElgin Smith as Jeremiah WoodsJoe Cliff Thompson as Steve BeckettKaila Crockett as Evelyn VauxRenee' Helsel as June DawsonRae Witte as Nico WeberElijah Harper as Lief HansonAsher Amor-Train as Finley AdamsClay Clark as Theta LeadMicah Carmichael as Intercom VoiceSyntax Logo by Anthony CrockettTranscripts are available on our website. Direct link: Google DocsA huge thank you to our sponsors for this season:BroadlyEpi, a rapidly growing repository of information and education about public health and epidemiology. To find more information and support Syntax, go to https://www.broadlyepi.com/syntax/.World Anvil, the leading website for world building tools that help create the setting of your dreams. Go to https://worldanvil.com/?c=syntax and use code syntax to get 51% OFF an annual subscription!Website: syntaxpodcast.comContact Us: twinstrangersproductions@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/twinstrangersproductionsTwitter: twitter.com/twinstrangerspReddit: reddit.com/r/syntaxpodTumblr: twinstrangersp.tumblr.comContent Warnings:Mentions of: religion, gods, religious offerings/sacrifices, memory loss, homicide, bombings, terrorist attacks, biochemical weapons, spiders, death, firearms, entombment, clonesExplicit languageLoud/sudden noisesPanning/distorted audioSounds of heavy breathing, crying, pain, screaming, and exertionGlitching/corrupted audioDroning ambiencesSine wavesPhysical injuriesCoughing/choking/wheezingGore noises (stabbing, tearing flesh, blood dripping, squelches)Gaseous hissMemory lossDeathFeral noises/transformationUncanny valley/humanoid creaturesCryptid creaturesBody horror (bodily transformation)MimicrySyntax by Twin Strangers Productions LLC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Interactors,I recently read an intriguing article about unexpected forms of life thriving deep within the Earth's crust. These discoveries are revitalizing environmental theories and processes that mainstream science has long tried to dismiss—yet I've been exploring them over the past few summers. While working outside, I realized that some of these processes are unfolding right under my nose...and possibly even inside it!On that note, this might sound a bit awkward, but...Let's dig in!WORLDWIDE WEATHERING WHISPERSI'm behind on my pressure washing. This can have detrimental effects here in the predominantly damp Northwest as moss spores, tiny lightweight travelers, are lifted and lofted by the wind's wings until they land on damp concrete. A new home for moss to roam.Upon contact, the spores absorb moisture and germinate, developing into a protonema — fine lines of sprawling verdant vines. As the structure crawls through the creviced concrete an anchored lace unfolds. Atop it grows a carpet of green and gold, down below tentacles grab hold.The rhizoid roots anchor mounding moss, absorbing food and water nature has tossed. As the concrete crumbles into nutrient stores, the soft moss blossoms with chromophores. Over time, atop the luscious mountains and rocky moistened pours, the wind releases more lofting spores.It turns out the contrasting boundary between soft squishy plants and hard concrete is as pronounced as the divisions between the disciplines of biology and geology. But advances in Earth System Science are starting blur these boundaries, as integrative science tends to do. Like moss softening concrete.My expansive moss colonies, part of the plant kingdom, house communities of tiny microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and microscopic animals like rotifers and tardigrades. Many of these communities have symbiotic relationships with moss. For example, some bacteria promote moss growth through the production of the plant growth hormone auxin using specific enzymes in plant tissues.As the moss and its associated microbes grow and expand, they can penetrate small cracks or pores in the concrete, potentially widening them and exposing more surface area to weathering processes. This can be accelerated by certain bacteria and fungi that produce organic acids as metabolic byproducts. These acids can slowly dissolve or weaken calcium carbonate and other minerals found in concrete.The biogeochemistry contributing to rock weathering and sediment formation reveals the intricate connections between biological processes and geological phenomena. At massive space and time scales they can not only affect the meteorological conditions above ground, but also the layers of sediment below ground.In a recent New York Times piece, Ferris Jabr, author of “Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life” reveals how“Within the forest floor [of the Amazon rainforest], vast symbiotic networks of plant roots and filamentous fungi pull water from the soil into trunks, stems and leaves. As the nearly 400 billion trees in the Amazon drink their fill, they release excess moisture, saturating the air with 20 billion tons of water vapor each day. At the same time, plants of all kinds secrete salts and emit bouquets of pungent gaseous compounds. Mushrooms, dainty as paper parasols or squat as door­ knobs, exhale plumes of spores. The wind sweeps bacteria, pollen grains and bits of leaves and bark into the atmosphere. The wet breath of the forest — peppered with microscopic life and organic residues — creates conditions that are highly conducive to rain. With so much water vapor in the air and so many minute particles on which the water can condense, clouds quickly form. In a typical year, the Amazon generates around half of its own rainfall.”Below ground, he describes work by Earth scientist Robert Hazen and colleagues.“When Earth was young, microbes inhabiting the ocean crust were likely dissolving the basalt with acids and enzymes in order to obtain energy and nutrients, producing wet clay minerals. By lubricating the crust with those wet byproducts, the microbes may have accelerated the dissolution of both mantle and crust and their eventual transfiguration into new land. The geophysicists Dennis Höning and Tilman Spohn have published similar ideas.They point out that water trapped in subducting sediments escapes first, whereas water in the crust is typically expelled at greater depths. The thicker the sedimentary layer covering the crust, the more water makes it into the deep mantle, which ultimately enhances the production of granite.In Earth's earliest eons, micro-organisms and, later, fungi and plants dissolved and degraded rock at a rate much greater than what geological processes could accomplish on their own.In doing so, they would have increased the amount of sediment deposited in deep ocean trenches, thereby cloaking subducting plates of ocean crust in thicker protective layers, flushing more water into the mantle and ultimately contributing to the creation of new land.”LOVELOCKS LIVING LOOPSThis kind of Earth System Science has been given a name by one of first contributors, James Lovelock — geophysiology. Lovelock describes geophysiology as a systems approach to Earth sciences, viewing Earth as a self-regulating entity where biological, chemical, and physical processes interact to maintain conditions suitable for life. It integrates various scientific disciplines to understand and predict the behavior of Earth's systems, aiming to diagnose and prevent environmental issues by considering the planet as a cohesive, self-regulating system.This concept, rooted in Lovelock's initial Gaia hypothesis, emphasizes the feedback mechanisms that stabilize Earth's environment, akin to physiological processes in living organisms. Gaia is named after the primordial Greek goddess who personifies the Earth. This naming occurred in the context of Lovelock developing his ideas about Earth as a self-regulating system in the 1960s and early 1970s.Lovelock had been working on methods to detect life on Mars at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which led him to consider how life might be detected on a planetary scale. This work eventually evolved into his hypothesis about Earth functioning as a complex, self-regulating system maintained by the community of living organisms.As Lovelock was formulating these ideas, he was looking for a suitable name for his hypothesis. It was during this time that William Golding, Lovelock's neighbor and renowned author of "Lord of the Flies", suggested using the name "Gaia".In Greek mythology, Gaia is considered the ancestral mother of all life and one of the first beings to emerge from earliest chaotic stages of Earth's formation. She is often depicted as a maternal, nurturing figure who gave birth to the Titans, the Cyclopes, and other primordial deities. Gaia is associated with fertility, the earth's abundance, and the cycle of life and death.In ancient Greek religion, Gaia was worshipped as the Great Mother and was sometimes referred to as "Mother Earth." That title, and her influence, extends beyond Greek mythology, perpetuating the concept of Earth as a living, nurturing entity — a concept that has resonated in various cultures for Millenia.Elements of the Greek notion of Gaia likely have roots in earlier Middle Eastern knowledge.  Several ancient cultures had earth goddesses that predate or are contemporaneous with the Greek Gaia. For instance, in Mesopotamia, Sumerian mythology offers Ki is the earth goddess, and in Akkadian mythology, there is Ninhursag.It turns out “Mother Earth” birthed similar concepts all around her. Egypt had Isis, Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) had Cybele, India's Hinduism had Parvati and Durga, Pre-Columbian American cultures featured Pachamama, Celtic cultures had Danu and Brigid, while Norse mythology features Frigg and Freyja.In 1960's and 70's America, “Mother Nature” and “Gaia” emerged among some environmentalists as New Age mystical beliefs associated with alternative spiritualities. Lovelock's decision to use the word “Gaia” thus made him and his ideas a target among many Western trained scientists and his Earth system concepts endured harsh criticisms.It's worth mentioning that when Alexander Humboldt put forth similar ideas in his book "Cosmos" (first published in 1845), taking a holistic view of nature, exploring connections between various Earth systems and life forms, he was heralded as the greatest scientist of his time. Even Charles Darwin took a copy of Cosmos with him on his famous Beagle voyage. Humboldt, like Lovelock, uniquely and successfully integrated knowledge from diverse fields like astronomy, geology, biology, meteorology, and even art and literature.But the specialization, reductionism, and quantification of dominant Western science distanced itself from these holistic approaches viewing them as too spiritual and outdated. By the twentieth century, the growing New Age interpretation of Gaia often personified the Earth as a conscious, living entity, drawing on both Lovelock's scientific hypothesis and ancient mythological concepts. Many modern religions and philosophical concepts about the origin of life still incorporate anthropomorphic elements, such as the idea of a creator with human-like qualities or intentions.These mainstream images can lead to engrained tendencies to see humans and other living organisms as being born:* into a world as separate entities from the world they inhabit* onto a physical plane as a separate, tangible reality* unto which they individually acquire and consume energy to live and grow.This perspective sees living beings as somewhat separate from their environment, rather than as integral parts of a larger system. It's a view consistent with traditional Western science that emphasizes reductionist approaches, breaking systems down into component parts. But it contrasts with more holistic perspectives, such as those found in ecological theories like Geophysiology, other branches of Earth System Science, or Traditional Ecological Knowledge which see earth's components, including humans, as inseparable parts of their environments.This was confirmed at the 2001 Amsterdam Declaration, signed by the Chairs of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP), International Human Dimensions Program (IHDP), World Climate Research Program (WCRP) and DIVERSITAS at the 2001 ‘Challenges of a Changing Earth' conference. The declaration concluded:“The Earth System behaves as a single, self-regulating system comprised of physical, chemical, biological and human components, with complex interactions and feedbacks between the component parts.”Integrative Western scientists have now amassed enough data to recognize that living matter is born:* into a living, interconnected Earth system,* onto a dynamic web of relationships,* unto which we belong as integral participants, exchanging energy and matter in a continuous cycle of life and growth.In this view, my moss colonies and their microbial companions emerge as vital threads, weaving together the living and non-living elements of our planet. These intricate communities, from the tiniest bacteria to the visible expanse of moss, exemplify the self-regulating nature of Earth's systems that Lovelock envisioned.As they slowly transform concrete through their metabolic processes, they participate in the larger process of biogeochemical cycling. They influence not only my cinderblock walls and concrete surfaces, but they also contribute to the broader patterns of weathering, sedimentation, and even microclimate regulation.This interplay between the microscopic and the global, the biological and the geological, embodies the essence of Humboldt's and Lovelock's theory — a planet alive with interconnected processes, where every organism, no matter how small, plays a role in maintaining the delicate balance of life.In this living system, my moss and its microbiome, like me and the symbiotic communities of microorganisms in me and on me, are not mere passive inhabitants, but active agents in the ongoing story of Earth's evolution. Together we demonstrate the profound interconnectedness that defines our planet's unique capacity for self-regulation and adaptation.Now where's my pressure washer? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit interplace.io

Episode 189: The Anunnaki - From Babel to Abraham Part 2 Show NotesSummary: The Anunnaki were worshiped among the ancient gods of the Sumerians or Akkadians. The idea that they were actually “aliens” from the planet Nibiru that came to Earth and genetically manipulated proto-humans to mine gold for their dying planet came from Zecharia Sitchin, who wrote a book called The 12th Planet in 1976. While this theory continues to be popular among some groups, many skeptics believe it is due to a mistranslation of the ancient Hebrew, Akkadian, and Sumerian texts, which Sitchin claimed to have studied extensively. We continue to examine the Scriptures to see if we can set the record straight about the Anunnaki in Part 2 of The Anunnaki: From Babel to Abraham.This episode Is brought to you by the following Bible Mysteries Podcast Premium Subscribers or Seekers:Laurel Tague, Blake Gay, Christina Gray, Tom Morino, and Jennifer SmithNotes:Nimrod (Rebellion) - BabylonAsshur - AssyriaMizraim - Egypt (land of the Copts)Philistim - Philistia (Canaan)Sidon - Phoenicia (Tyre)Scriptures:All Scripture references are from the King James Version of the Bible. Isaiah 14:12-14, Genesis 10:6-10, Genesis 10:11-14, Genesis 10:15-20, Ezekiel 28:18, Romans 1:18-25, Deuteronomy 32:7-9, Psalm 82:1-8, Deuteronomy 4:15-25, Nehemiah 9:22-24, Psalm 135:4-12, Genesis 15:18Takeaway:As stated previously, all of pagan history is a perversion of the truth. Satan puts his hand on everything to lie and deceive humanity into believing he is god. The Sumerian stories of the Anunnaki are the beginning of the deception known as the mystery of iniquity. Mystery, Babylon, the mother of harlots, is the world religion that started in Sumer and will come to fruition when the dragon and his angels are finally cast down to the earth. In an upcoming episode, we will explore dragons in the Bible!Next week, we will interview Vicki Joy Anderson again to discuss the Night Watches. She reveals how the Babylonian religion so controls the world that its leaders are in a blood covenant directly with demons.Links:https://allthatsinteresting.com/anunnaki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SumerBible Mysteries Podcast Visit our Website: biblemysteriespodcast.com (http://biblemysteriespodcast.com)Listen to our Podcast: biblemysteriespodcast.comBe a Premium Podcast Subscriber: https://biblemysteries.supercast.comSupport the Ministry: https://secure.subsplash.com/ui/access/BDJH89Contact Us: unlockthebiblenow@gmail.comFollow Us: https://www.youtube.com/c/BibleMysteriesFollow Us: https://www.facebook.com/utbnowFollow Us: https://www.instagram.com/biblemysteries/Follow Us: https://twitter.com/biblemyspodcastFollow Us: https://truthsocial.com/@biblemysteries (https://truthsocial.com/@biblemysteries)Follow Us: https://rumble.com/c/BiblemysteriespodcastInteractive church locator for those looking for a fellowship that teaches certain truths: https://rockharborchurch.net/grow-connect/church-locator/ (https://rockharborchurch.net/grow-connect/church-locator/)

Welcome to Day 2386 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Abandoned Child and the Basket Case – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2386 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2386 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today is the fourth lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God's redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it's also a book that seems strange to us. While God's Word was written for us, it wasn't written to us. Today, our lesson is The Abandoned Child and the Basket Case. In modern stories, people destined for greatness rarely start as privileged. They are dropped off at the doorstep of an orphanage or abandoned in the rain. This literary motif goes back to ancient stories, where writers use the abandoned child theme to identify a character that rises from obscurity to privileged hero status. It's a motif found in the biblical account of Moses' birth. But is that really the whole story? Moses' story begins when Pharaoh feels threatened by the growing Hebrew population in Egypt and commands that all Hebrew male infants be killed (Exod 1:16-22). Moses' mother hides her newborn son for three months and then devises a risky but calculated plan: She sets him adrift on the Nile in a small basket made of bulrushes, waterproofed with bitumen and pitch (2:1- 3). Moses' older sister, Miriam, watches as the basket floats to where the daughter of Pharaoh bathes. God uses these circumstances to bring Moses under the protection of Egypt's ruler (2:4-10). Ancient literature outside the Bible attests to several stories in which a child, perceived as a threat by an enemy, is abandoned and later spared by divine intervention or otherworldly circumstances. Roughly 30 stories like this survive in ancient Mesopotamia, Canaan, Greece, Egypt, Rome, and India literature. The Mesopotamian work known as the Sargon Birth Legend offers the most striking parallels to the biblical story. It relates the birth story of Sargon the Great, an Akkadian emperor who ruled several Sumerian city-states around 2000 BC, centuries before the time of Moses. The infant boy is born into great peril: His mother is a high priestess, and he is illegitimate. Consequently, his mother sets him adrift in a reed basket on a river. The boy is rescued and raised by a gardener named Akki in the town of Kish. He becomes a humble gardener in Akki's service until the goddess Ishtar takes an interest in him, setting him on the path to kingship. Some assume that the biblical story of Moses' birth was based on the Sargon Birth Legend, but this is unlikely. Although ancient Sumerian accounts of Sargon the Great date back to his lifetime, the legendary account of his birth is known from only four fragmentary tablets—three from the Neo-Assyrian period (934-605 bc) and one from the Neo-Babylonian

Episode 188: The Anunnaki - From Babel to Abraham Part 1 Show NotesSummary: The Anunnaki were worshiped among the ancient gods of the Sumerians or Akkadians. The idea that they were actually “aliens” from the planet Nibiru that came to Earth and genetically manipulated proto-humans to mine gold for their dying planet came from Zecharia Sitchin, who wrote a book called The 12th Planet in 1976. While this theory continues to be popular among some groups, many skeptics believe it is due to a mistranslation of the ancient Hebrew, Akkadian, and Sumerian texts, which Sitchin claimed to have studied extensively. We will examine the Scriptures to see if we can set the record straight about the Anunnaki in Part 1 of The Anunnaki: From Babel to Abraham.This episode Is brought to you by the following Bible Mysteries Podcast Premium Subscribers or Seekers:Richard Demers, Richard Nixdorf, Jack Edwards, Jr., Jeffrey Radliff, and Lisa DamerstNotes:“Hey Scott. I found your podcast a week or two ago. I really enjoyed the one on reptillians. I am currently listening to Henry Krane - Annunaki and History of Mankind. Could you do a series on differentiating between God the Father/Jesus, and Enlil and Enki? I think there is a poor attempt to mesh our faith with Sumerian believes and creation. David Icke as well does some of this. Would love to hear thoughts.” - Dustin Harrell: Listener Episode RequestScriptures:All Scripture references are from the King James Version of the Bible. Romans 3:4, Genesis 11:1-2, Genesis 11:9, Genesis 11:27-28, Genesis 11:31, Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 12:4-12, Genesis 12:6-7, Psalm 48:1-2, Zechariah 8:3, Isaiah 14:12-14, Takeaway:All of pagan history is a perversion of the truth. Satan puts his hand on everything to lie and deceive humanity into believing he is god. The Sumerian stories of the Anunnaki are the beginning of the deception known as the mystery of iniquity. Mystery, Babylon, the mother of harlots, is the world religion that started in Sumer and will come to fruition when the dragon and his angels are finally cast down to the earth. In the next episode, we continue the series, looking into the fallen angel “gods” that claim to be the Anunnaki.Links:https://allthatsinteresting.com/anunnaki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SumerBible Mysteries Podcast Visit our Website: biblemysteriespodcast.comContact Us: unlockthebiblenow@gmail.comInteractive church locator for those looking for a fellowship that teaches certain truths - https://rockharborchurch.net/grow-connect/church-locator/

In the labyrinth of ancient mysteries, we find ourselves drawn to the tales that unravel the enigma of human origins and cosmic connections. On today's episode, we welcome the insightful and eloquent Paul Wallis, a distinguished researcher and author delving into the profound narratives that challenge our conventional understanding of history. Paul Wallis, renowned for his work on ancient scriptures and the enigmatic Book of Enoch, offers a compelling perspective that bridges the chasm between ancient myths and modern discoveries.Our conversation begins with a reflection on the anomalies within biblical texts. Wallis recounts his journey into ancient translations, revealing how fundamental meanings of key words can transform our understanding of these stories. "In my book 'Escaping from Eden,' I take the reader through the process of retelling these stories using the root meanings," he explains. This approach led him to uncover connections between the biblical accounts and the Sumerian, Babylonian, Akkadian, and Assyrian narratives, suggesting a shared ancient origin.Paul Wallis introduces us to the fascinating Book of Enoch, a text left out of the mainstream biblical canon but preserved in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He describes the Book of Enoch as containing themes that were "off-syllabus" for forming the imperial department of religion, which sought to control narratives. The Book of Enoch, with its rich descriptions of ancient watchers and their interactions with humanity, offers a more complex worldview, hinting at ancient encounters and hybridization between humans and otherworldly beings.The notion of ancient contact continues to captivate as Wallis discusses the concept of the Anunnaki, sky gods mentioned in both the Book of Enoch and Sumerian texts. These beings, he suggests, played a role in human evolution through genetic engineering and cultural exchange. Wallis highlights the recurring motif of hybridization and the transfer of knowledge, seen in the teaching of agriculture, crafts, and other advanced skills to early humans. This narrative of ancient visitors and their influence on human development is echoed in various cultures worldwide, reinforcing the idea of a shared historical memory.SPIRITUAL TAKEAWAYSReevaluating Ancient Texts: Wallis encourages us to revisit ancient scriptures with fresh eyes, using fundamental translations to uncover deeper meanings. This approach can reveal connections between seemingly disparate cultures and their shared narratives of creation and contact.Acknowledging Ancient Knowledge: The stories of the Anunnaki and other ancient beings remind us that humanity's history is interwoven with cosmic influences. Recognizing these ancient connections can expand our understanding of human potential and our place in the cosmos.Embracing Conscious Evolution: Wallis's insights into ancient contact suggest that humanity's journey involves not only physical evolution but also the development of consciousness. By exploring these ancient narratives, we can unlock deeper aspects of our own spiritual growth and potential.Throughout our conversation, Paul Wallis emphasizes the importance of understanding our ancient origins to grasp the full spectrum of human potential. He points out that stories of ancient contact, hybridization, and technological exchanges are not merely myths but encoded memories of humanity's past. By decoding these narratives, we can reclaim lost knowledge and insights that can guide us toward a more enlightened future.In conclusion, the profound wisdom shared by Paul Wallis invites us to explore the depths of our history with curiosity and an open mind. His work challenges us to question the established narratives and to seek out the hidden truths that lie beneath the surface of ancient texts. As we embrace this journey of discovery, we move closer to understanding the true nature of our existence and our interconnectedness with the cosmos.Please enjoy my conversation with Paul Wallis.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/next-level-soul-podcast-with-alex-ferrari--4858435/support.

This week Adam speaks with Craig Nolan, a Partner at Akkadian, a venture secondaries investment firm founded in 2010 with over $750M assets under management. Craig has been instrumental in deploying investment strategies that focus on B2B software within tech while also being a co-producer of the RAISE Conference, the premier launchpad for emerging VCs. On this episode, Craig shares his unique experiences as an investor and Colorado native watching the rise of Denver's tech ecosystem. He provides insights on investment trends for secondary markets, plus examples in his journey on the power of believing your own convictions.Listen now on: Amazon Music (Alexa) | Spotify | Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts!Connect with hosts Adam and Chris and the Range VC team on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/range-ventures/Check out more about what we're up to at Range.vc See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Subconscious Realms Episode 274 - CIinical Vampirism/Lamashtu & Highly Evolved Chaotic Entities - Vicki Joy Anderson. Ladies & Gentlemen, on this Episode of Subconscious Realms we welcome back Esteemed Author & Elite Level Researcher; Vicki Joy Anderson!! Vicki delivers a Truly Mind-Blowing Perspective indeed, Extraordinary!!

MYSTERY BABYLON of the end times is the return of Babel. This shouldn't surprise us—the Hebrew words bab el (from Akkadian bab ilu, meaning “gate of gods”), translated Babylon, are the same words rendered “Babel” in Genesis 11. Tyler Gilreath, author of the new book Gate of the Gods, explains why the connections between Babel and Babylon are much deeper than just linguistics.Here's the link to Gate of the Gods at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gate-Gods-Revelation-Messiah-Babylon/dp/194801467X/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1Bear in mind that there will be a special discounted offer on Gate of the Gods at the SkyWatchTV store in a month or so accompanying broadcast programs featuring Tyler Gilreath and Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, author of the forthcoming book Out of this World: Are UFOs Aliens, Spirits, or Pure Hokum?

Cub Kuker Supernatural Podcast EP412 The elusive "Book of Battles of Yahweh" is a text mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically cited in Numbers 21:14f. It is mentioned in the context of demarcating the boundary between Moab and Ammon. The contents of this book remain obscure, comprising victory songs that celebrate Yahweh's triumphs in battle. It is believed to have included various songs, spells, and affirmations commemorating Yahweh's conquests of the land and the gods of Canaan. Another similar work is the Book of Jashar, referenced in Joshua 10:12f. and 2 Samuel 1:18ff. The connection between these books and other poetic citations in the Old Testament remains uncertain. The exact date and authorship of the "Book of Battles of Yahweh" are unclear, but it likely dates back to Is-ra-el's heroic era, making it one of the oldest liturgical texts. These texts, including others like them, suggest the concept that Yahweh was among many gods, initially controlling a specific narrative before being chosen as the god of this world, either through the perpetuation of the people or through ongoing conquest. To gain a clearer understanding of the early divine landscape, we must delve into the Babylonian, Sumerian, Akkadian, and Canaanite pantheons of gods in a chronological order. By delving deeper into these ancient mysteries, starting with the gods' hierarchy and expanding on the ancient astronaut theory proposed by Eric Von Daniken and Zechariah Sitchin, we can construct a more plausible explanation for the world as we know it today. This is where factions were formed, boundaries were crossed, and agreements were forged long ago, setting the foundation for the reality we inhabit today. It's important to note that this narrative reflects my personal perspective based on research. I encourage you to conduct your own exploration and share your thoughts in the comments. _________________________________________

MYSTERY BABYLON of the end times is the return of Babel. This shouldn't surprise us—the Hebrew words bab el (from Akkadian bab ilu, meaning “gate of gods”), translated “Babylon,” are the same words rendered “Babel” in Genesis 11. Tyler Gilreath, author of the new book Gate of the Gods, explains why the connections between Babel and Babylon are much deeper than just linguistics. Here's the link to Gate of the Gods at Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aBnN1m Bear in mind that there will be a special discounted offer on Gate of the Gods at the SkyWatchTV store in a month or so accompanying broadcast programs featuring Tyler Gilreath and Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, author of the forthcoming book Out of this World: Are UFOs Aliens, Spirits, or Pure Hokum? SOLIDARITY MISSION TO ISRAEL! We're planning a one-week trip to Israel May 6–13, 2024 to bear witness to what's happened there since the war with Hamas began. We plan to visit Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Sderot, an exhibition about the Nova Music Festival, and more. For details, go to GilbertHouse.org/travel. NEW DATES FOR OUR NEXT TOUR OF ISRAEL! Our 2025 tour features special guests Dr. Judd Burton, Doug Van Dorn, and Timothy Alberino! We will tour the Holy Land March 25–April 3, 2025, with an optional three-day extension in Jordan. For more information, log on to www.GilbertsInIsrael.com.———Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! The building has HVAC, a new floor, windows, insulation, ceiling fans, and an upgraded electrical system! We're in the process of moving our studios and book/DVD warehouse and shipping office out of our home and across the yard into the Barn. If you are so led, you can help out at www.GilbertHouse.org/donate.———Download our free app! This brings all of our content directly to your smartphone or tablet. Best of all, we'll never get canceled from our own app! Links to the app stores for iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Amazon Kindle Fire devices are at www.GilbertHouse.org/app. Please join us each Sunday for the Gilbert House Fellowship, our weekly Bible study podcast. Log on to www.GilbertHouse.org for more details. Check out our weekly video program Unraveling Revelation (www.unravelingrevelation.tv), and subscribe to the YouTube channel: YouTube.com/UnravelingRevelation.———Special offers on our books and DVDs: www.gilberthouse.org/store. And while you're at the store, please check out the new line of Gilbert House blends from Kevlar Joe's Coffee!———Discuss these topics at the VFTB Facebook page (facebook.com/viewfromthebunker) and check out the great podcasters at the Fringe Radio Network (Spreaker.com/show/fringe-radio-network)!

MYSTERY BABYLON of the end times is the return of Babel. This shouldn't surprise us—the Hebrew words bab el (from Akkadian bab ilu, meaning “gate of gods”), translated Babylon, are the same words rendered “Babel” in Genesis 11. Tyler Gilreath, author of the new book Gate of the Gods, explains why the connections between Babel and Babylon are much deeper than just linguistics.Here's the link to 'Gate of the Gods' at Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aBnN1mBear in mind that there will be a special discounted offer on 'Gate of the Gods' at the SkyWatchTV store in a month or so accompanying broadcast programs featuring Tyler Gilreath and Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, author of the forthcoming book 'Out of this World: Are UFOs Aliens, Spirits, or Pure Hokum?'

In this episode I am joined by Dr James Justin Sledge, a professor of philosophy and religion specialising in the Western Esoteric tradition and founder of the popular Esoterica Youtube channel. Dr Sledge recounts how his working class upbringing profoundly influenced both his view of academia and his work ethic within it. He recounts his early fascination with philosophers and mystics, and recalls his studies in religion, philosophy, and the occult. Dr Sledge discusses the importance of language learning in academic study of religion and shares his own practical strategies for achieving competency in several ancient and modern languages including Latin, Hebrew, German, French, Akkadian, and more. Dr Sledge also shares his views on education, diagnoses its problems and offers solutions, gives advice to the self-learner, and reveals his surprising view on whether attaining enlightenment is worth the effort. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep248-esoterica-academia-dr-justin-sledge Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Working class upbringing in Misissipi 03:03 - Limited access to education 04:13 - Exploitation in academia 05:20 - Fascination with Aristotle 08:55 - Accidentally entering college 11:28 - Dr Sledge's experience in college 12:58 - Double majoring in religious studies and philosophy while working full time 1408 - Studying Western Esotericism in Amsterdam, Holland 15:44 - Bad reputation of Western Esotericism in academia 18:07 - Lessons learned studying in Amsterdam 20:37 - Distaste of punching down 21:44 - Surprising difference between USA and European education 24:47 - Toxicity in American academia 25:57 - How should we educate ourselves? 28:42 - Intellectual aristocracy or a cartel? 29:50 - Educating through Youtube 31:47 - How would Dr Sledge fix the American education system? 34:42 - The importance for scholars to read French and German 37:28 - Learning Latin and Hebrew, reading the Bible in the original language 39:50 - How to learn ancient languages 41:56 - Philology and the dirty secret of The Key of Solomon 43:56 - Copying out texts and scrolls 46:46 - Dr Sledge shows scrolls he has copied by hand 49:59 - Dr Sledge's highly structured work and study life 58:24 - Common mistakes when learning Latin and other languages 01:01:21 - Pedagogical data and living Latin 01:05:48 - Dr Sledge's advice for young students who wish to go to University 01:06:56 - Advice for the autodidacts 01:09:54 - The importance of education 01:13:30 - Why Dr Sledge doesn't want to become enlightened 01:15:10 - The horror of heaven 01:16:15 - How Dr Sledge wants to die 01:16:47 - Enlightenment isn't worth it … To find out more about Dr Justin Sledge, visit: - https://www.justinsledge.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Our best episode yet! Who would have thought there'd be so much to say about music in ancient Sumer and the Akkadian empire? Join us as we trace the life of an ancient Sumerian classical musician. Along the way we'll uncover such exciting truths as: Why was Inanna the coolest goddess there ever was or ever could be?Why was there a Chief of Lamentations in ancient Akkad and what was his connection to Gibson guitars? What is the best animal to sacrifice to your instrument if you happen to be a shem player? And just who on earth is Peter Pringle? CAVEAT: Nope. None this time! LINKS: The Sumerian Silver Lyre - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU4QRxsZhjg&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=11 Oud Beginners - Maqam Hijaz Scale - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k74TTCa-RT8 What Did Mesopotamian Music Sound Like? - A Beginner's Introduction - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHCfrNwkwu0 THE EXALTATION OF INANNA in Sumerian - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoLHfnr5Gc 'LYRE OF UR' BUILT AND PLAYED BY LUC VANLAERE - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZOFYT7w4GI&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=19 Mesopotamian Music HQ - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulBjuvmKbtA&list=PLJATefPoSWfkr2b7qK9lV7pdU4KWyvAn_&index=76 The Raising of the Hand to Ishtar - Ancient Akkadian hymn - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uzPllUL6bE Silver Pipes from Ur (double pipe) - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adiAQ2BpmiE Silver pipe from Ur and drone by Tibia - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1SKS0jc1m0 The Lyre of Mesopotamia (A song from Persia/ Iranshahr) - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP7-AphqdYk&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=17 The Epic Of Gilgamesh In Sumerian - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUcTsFe1PVs Music of Mesopotamia - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Mesopotamia Music in Mesopotamia - MUSIC IN HISTORY #1 - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCOawIA4b0o&list=PLdW0onEGGcNlt5gqyp9_fXL9uFdsNnfHf&index=3 The Flood Narrative (From the Gilgamesh Epic) (Akkadian) - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oelcHhNsMsk&list=OLAK5uy_ngerDjzeM5lA1vPAF4qo4hPMNrl7rZgEY&index=7 The Flood Narrative (From the Gilgamesh Epic) (English) - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViJu2jgKoiU&list=OLAK5uy_ngerDjzeM5lA1vPAF4qo4hPMNrl7rZgEY&index=6 A Sumerian Drinking Song (Sumerian) - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MABxJfcX7_A&list=OLAK5uy_ngerDjzeM5lA1vPAF4qo4hPMNrl7rZgEY&index=8 A Sumerian Drinking Song (English) - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdsjzBA1Vlk&list=OLAK5uy_ngerDjzeM5lA1vPAF4qo4hPMNrl7rZgEY&index=8 A song for a son of shulgi - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwFSuz7QCD8 Music of the Ancient World - Sumerian Music V - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB5X20yoSNQ&list=PLJATefPoSWfkr2b7qK9lV7pdU4KWyvAn_&index=52

The Hunters find themselves in between an "Ice Rock and a Hard Place".  Not only do they need to stop the assailants in the train car after the magic circle, they now have to deal with a horrific, demonic train...

This is the episode that many of your have been waiting for - a comprehensive, in-depth look at the Akkadian Empire from just before it was created to its mysterious end.  Founded by Sargon of Akkad and expanded by his descendants Rimush, Manishtushu and Naram-Sin, the Akkadian Empire was the first hegemonic state and superpower of the early Bronze Age.  This program will examine Akkad's beginning, it's rise and expansion to the far corners of the known world, its economy, administration, collapse and legacy.  Contents:00:00 Introduction: The World Before Sargon of Akkad04:37 Lugalzagesi  09:33 The Early Life and Legends of Sargon of Akkad13:24 Who were the Akkadians?16:05 Sargon and Ur-Zababa20:01 The Founding of the Akkadian Empire22:17 Sargon Battles Against Elam and Marhashi23:24 King of Battle25:49 Administration of the Akkadian Empire27:26 Enheduanna30:15 The Glory of Agade36:30 Rimush the Warmonger 45:48 Manishtushu the Consolidator 49:10 Naram-Sin and the Great Revolt53:55 Naram-Sin the Divine57:40 Naram-Sin and Elam1:00:04 Other Conquests of Naram-Sin1:01:28 Akkadian Administration under Naram-Sin1:03:26 Land Distribution and Reforms1:07:28 Family of Naram-Sin and Diplomatic Marriages 1:09:56 Shar-kali-sharri and the End of an Era1:16:55 After Akkad 1:18:29 Thank You and PatronsSupport the show

It's a News and Research Episode this week    There has been a lot of AI news and AI research that's related to education since our last Rapid Rundown, so we've had to be honest and drop 'rapid' from the title! Despite talking fast, this episode still clocked in just over 40 minutes, and we really can't out what to do - should we talk less, cover less news and research, or just stop worrying about time, and focus instead on making sure we bring you the key things every episode?     News More than half of UK undergraduates say they use AI to help with essays https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/01/more-than-half-uk-undergraduates-ai-essays-artificial-intelligence This was from a Higher Education Policy Institute of 1,000 students, where they found 53% are using AI to generate assignment material. 1 in 4 are using things like ChatGPT and Bard to suggest topics 1 in 8 are using it to create content And 1 in 20 admit to copying and pasting unedited AI-generated text straight into their assignments Finance worker pays out $25 million after video call with deepfake ‘chief financial officer' https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/04/asia/deepfake-cfo-scam-hong-kong-intl-hnk/index.html An HK-based employee of a multinational firm wired out $25M after attending a video call where all employees were deepfaked, including the CFO. He first got an email which was suspicious but then was reassured on the video call with his “coworkers.”   NSW Department of Education Launch NSW EduChat https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/12/the-ai-chat-app-being-trialled-in-nsw-schools-which-makes-students-work-for-the-answers NSW are rolling out a trial to 16 public schools of a chatbot built on Open AI technology, but without giving students and staff unfettered access to ChatGPT. Unlike ChatGPT, the app has been designed to only respond to questions that relate to schooling and education, via content-filtering and topic restriction. It does not reveal full answers or write essays, instead aiming to encourage critical thinking via guided questions that prompt the student to respond – much like a teacher.   The Productivity Commission has thoughts on AI and Education https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/making-the-most-of-the-ai-opportunity The PC released a set of research papers about "Making the most of the AI opportunity", looking at Productivity, Regulation and Data Access. They do talk about education in two key ways: "Recent improvements in generative AI are expected to present opportunities for innovation in publicly provided services such as healthcare, education, disability and aged care, which not only account for a significant part of the Australian economy but also traditionally exhibit very low productivity growth" "A challenge for tertiary education institutions will be to keep up to date with technological developments and industry needs. As noted previously by the Commission,  short courses and unaccredited training are often preferred by businesses for developing digital and data skills as they can be more relevant and up to date, as well as more flexible"   Yes, AI-Assisted Inventions can be inventions News from the US, that may set a precedent for the rest of the world. Patents can be granted for AI-assisted inventions - including prompts, as long as there's significant contribution from the human named on the patent https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-02623/guidance-inventorship-guidance-on-ai-assisted-inventions   Not news, but Ray mentioned his Very British Chat bot. Sadly, you need the paid version of ChatGPT to access it as it's one of the public GPTs, but if you have that you'll find it here: Very British Chat   Sora was announced https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-16/ai-video-generator-sora-from-openai-latest-tech-launch/103475830 Although it was the same day that Google announced Gemini 1.5, we led with Sora here - just like the rest of the world's media did!  On the podcast, we didn't do it justice with words, so instead here's four threads on X that are worth your time to readwatch to understand what it can do: Taking a video, and changing the style/environment: https://x.com/minchoi/status/1758831659833602434?s=20 Some phenomenally realistic videos: https://x.com/AngryTomtweets/status/1759171749738840215?s=20 (remember, despite how 'real' these videos appear, none of these places exist outside of the mind of Sora!) Bling Zoo: https://x.com/billpeeb/status/1758223674832728242?s=20 This cooking grandmother does not exist: https://x.com/sama/status/1758219575882301608?s=20 (A little bit like her mixing spoon, that appears to exist only for mixing and then doesn't)   Google's Gemini 1.5 is here…almost https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/google-gemini-advanced-tasting-notes       Research Papers   Google's Gemini 1.5 can translate languages it doesn't know https://storage.googleapis.com/deepmind-media/gemini/gemini_v1_5_report.pdf Google also published a 58 page report on what their researchers had found with it, and we found the section on translation fascinating. Sidenote: There's an interesting Oxford Academic research project report from last year that was translating cuneiform tablets from Akkadian into English, which didn't use Large Language Models, but set the thinking going on this aspect of using LLMs   Understanding the Role of Large Language Models in Personalizing and Scaffolding Strategies to Combat Academic Procrastination arXiv:2312.13581   Challenges and Opportunities of Moderating Usage of Large Language Models in Education arXiv:2312.14969   ChatEd: A Chatbot Leveraging ChatGPT for an Enhanced Learning Experience in Higher Education arXiv:2401.00052    AI Content Self-Detection for Transformer-based Large Language Models arXiv:2312.17289   Evaluating the Performance of Large Language Models for Spanish Language in Undergraduate Admissions Exams arXiv:2312.16845   Taking the Next Step with Generative Artificial Intelligence: The Transformative Role of Multimodal Large Language Models in Science Education arXiv:2401.00832   Empirical Study of Large Language Models as Automated Essay Scoring Tools in English Composition - Taking TOEFL Independent Writing Task for Example arXiv:2401.03401   Using Large Language Models to Assess Tutors' Performance in Reacting to Students Making Math Errors arXiv:2401.03238   Future-proofing Education: A Prototype for Simulating Oral Examinations Using Large Language Models arXiv:2401.06160   How Teachers Can Use Large Language Models and Bloom's Taxonomy to Create Educational Quizzes arXiv:2401.05914   How does generative artificial intelligence impact student creativity? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2713374523000316   Large Language Models As MOOCs Graders arXiv:2402.03776    Can generative AI and ChatGPT outperform humans on cognitive-demanding problem-solving tasks in science? arXiv:2401.15081   

The Hunters realize that the difficulty of finding the Magic Circle of the Veil is due to the fact that it is moving...  They must find a way to catch up to it but they find that they are not the only ones after it...

Following the aftermath of the Beaver City incident, our Hunters continue their quest to get ahead of the demonic scourge and prevent more Veils from falling.  They find their way to the great city of Dallas, Texas but they realize that finding the location of the Veil is much more difficult this time...

We invite you to listen to the special evening celebrating the life and writings of Enheduana, also En-hedu-Ana; (c. twenty-third century B.C.E.) who is the first named author in human history. Enheduana, an Akkadian princess and daughter of King Sargon I, was appointed high priestess of the moon god Nanna (Sîn) in the holy city of Ur. Her poems and hymns offer unique, first-hand accounts of her personal experiences of the goddess Inana, and provide insights into issues of gender, sexuality, theology, and goddess-worship in early Mesopotamia. Reception following the event from 6 to 7 pm. Celine Debourse, Assistant Professor in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard presented on “Women in Mesopotamian Temples: Priestess, Slaves, Weavers” and Dr. Sophus Helle, historian and translator of Enheduana's poems, gave a talk on “Introducing Enheduana's World: Grief and Gender.” Their presentations were followed by a musical performance, drawn from inspiration from Enheduana's writings. The world premiere of “To the Stars,” composed by Douglas Knehans, featured CSWR's Scholar in Residence, Anne Harley (soprano), Maggie Finnegan (soprano), Gabby Diaz (violin), Amy Advocat (bass clarinet), Matt Sharrock (percussion) and Evan Ziporyn (conductor). This event took place December 12, 2023. For more information, https://hds.harvard.edu/home A transcript is forthcoming.

This book includes:· The largest collection of ancient texts ever contained in a single book that includes: Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Gnostic, Greek, and more.· The 200,000-year timeline of humanity, from the rise of civilization.· New archaeological discoveries, ice-core data, and compelling-scientific evidence to prove lost civilizations once existed.· Detailed analysis of the Anunnaki and their role in human-Earth history.· The future of humanity and transition into the Age of Aquarius.Today all reasonable astrophysicists still proclaim that there is life out there, but no alien civilization has ever visited the earth. Billy Carson and Matthew LaCroix see it differently. They prove that the earth is not a closed system and contacts have very well taken place. Thus they contradict the straight prevailing spirit of the age. This needs courage. I recommend THE EPIC OF HUMANITY book as a groundbreaking look into the new reasoning and evidence. The old one has had its day.Erich von Däniken Best Seling Autor Chariots Of The Gods?'Book Reviews:"In their bold interrogation of the world's most ancient texts, Billy Carson and Matthew Lacroix have fearlessly peeled back the pages of time to bring us deeper layers of information - information which, if we take it seriously, defies everything we thought we knew about the origins and potential of human beings. If you are ready to have your deepest assumptions challenged, this epic journey is one you won't want to miss."Paul Wallis - 5thkind - Bestselling author of "The Eden Conspiracy."“My congratulations to Matthew LaCroix and Billy Carson on the publishing of their new book The Epic Of Humanity.In it they delve into the increasing evidence that ancient megalithic sites in many parts of the world were created long before the standard academic timeline of human civilizations being at most 6000 years old. Ice cores, oral traditions and ancient scripts tell us that prior to the end of the last ice age very advanced technological people created astonishing works in stone in different locations that were later inherited by cultures who repurposed them for their own needs.Matthew and Billy are helping to rewrite human history and to correct errors that standard academia has either ignored or dismissed. A brave effort and well worth reading and digesting.” Brien Foerster hiddenincatoursMatthew LaCroix is a passionate writer and researcher who grew up in the outdoors of northern New England. From an early age, a strong connection back to nature was established and built into the morals of his life. His persistent yearning for adventure led him into profound, life-changing experiences that inspired him to write for local and national magazines such as Backpacker and AMC Outdoors.While attending Plymouth State University, he published his first book at the age of 22 and began studying history, philosophy, quantum mechanics, and superstring theory. His focus became uncovering and connecting the esoteric teachings from secret societies and ancient cultures that disappeared long ago in our past. At 32 he published his second book; "The Illusion of Us", which combined years of research to discover the truth about history, human origins, as well as the fundamentals of consciousness.In 2019 he will be releasing his third book entitled; "The Stage of Time", which represents a compilation of ancient writings and theoretical physics in order to answer some of our most difficult questions. From understanding the complexities of reality to lost history, and the identity of the gods of antiquity, no stone is left unturned in the endless pursuit of truth.https://thestageoftime.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/earth-ancients_1/support.

Mike Dinsdale, Managing Director, Akkadian Ventures - During 20+ years as CFO, secured over $1.8b in financing, created 100b+ in Value, and created 3 Brands with instant recognition: DocuSign, DoorDash, and Gusto - Angel investor in 50+ tech companies - Co-Founder of Plum Partners SPAC Platform - Currently a board member for various software companies and WildAid - BS from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from McMaster University - CFA Designation This is our special Formula 1 Series brought to you by F4P Foundation.

Mike Dinsdale, Managing Director, Akkadian Ventures - During 20+ years as CFO, secured over $1.8b in financing, created 100b+ in Value, and created 3 Brands with instant recognition: DocuSign, DoorDash, and Gusto - Angel investor in 50+ tech companies - Co-Founder of Plum Partners SPAC Platform - Currently a board member for various software companies and WildAid - BS from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from McMaster University - CFA Designation

After spending the night at an oddly deserted town, they continue to investigate the lead from Deandra.  What they found was that they were being followed by someone familiar and a past that Dr. Gundersson could not escape...

As the nefarious back story of Dr. Gundersson's past is revealed, we find out that his relationship with Spin goes farther back than Brown Community College.  They head to Badger City, Tennessee to investigate a mystery...

ONE OF THE JOYS of Bible study is discovering layers of meaning that you'd missed on your first reading. This week, we run into another instance of the English phrase “worthless idols” (Ps. 97:7b). We think the context indicates that the Hebrew word elîlîm refers to supernatural beings (angels, if you like), not carvings of wood and stone. This is emphasized by the exhortation to the unseen realm in the sentence that follows: “Worship Him, all you gods!” We submit that David, who wrote Psalm 97, knew full well that lifeless sculptures are not capable of worship. Those small-G gods are real. David's point, which we read in Psalm 97:9, is that YHWH is “exalted far above all gods.” As we mentioned in our study of 1 Chronicles 16 (GHF #369), elîlîm is derived from the name of the Mesopotamian father-god, Enlil, which was rendered “Ellil” in Akkadian. The elîlîm, then, were not the “imaginary friends” of Israel's pagan neighbors, but small-E elohim who had followed Enlil (AKA El, Dagon, Molech, Kronos, Saturn, and Shemihazah, among other names) into rebellion against their Creator. Our Build Barn Better project is making progress! Our 1,200 square pole barn now has HVAC, along with a new floor, windows, ceiling fans, upgraded electric service, and insulation. Next, we'll put up wall paneling and install an insulated door, and then we'll move our studios, book/DVD warehouse, and shipping office out of our home. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Check out our online store! www.GilbertHouse.org/store is a virtual book table with books and DVDs related to our weekly Bible study. Take advantage of our monthly specials!——————Join us in Israel! Our 2024 tour of Israel features special guest Timothy Alberino! We will tour the Holy Land March 31–April 9, 2024, with an optional three-day extension in Jordan. For more information, log on to www.GilbertsInIsrael.com.——————Subscribe to our new YouTube channels! Unraveling Revelation: www.YouTube.com/UnravelingRevelationThese weekly studies and Derek's podcast: www.YouTube.com/GilbertHouse ——————Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the right-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org. For the complete Gilbert House Fellowship archive, go to www.spreaker.com/show/gilbert-house-fellowship.

In this week's episode we continue our profile of the various alien races widely reported to interact with humans in both the present and ancient past. We begin the conversation by looking at the origins of UFO-religion of the 1950s before investigating the beings from the brightest star Sirius and the role they played in both Dogon and Ancient Egyptian mythology. We also talk about the notorious “Tall Whites” which almost succeeded in cutting a trade deal with President Eisenhower followed by the vindictive Annunaki race of creator gods featured in Sumerian, Babylonian and Akkadian religion. In the extended episode we talk about The Council of Nine, Gene Roddenberry, the strangely attractive yet predatory race of giant Praying Mantises which we follow up by reviewing the details surrounding the Flatwoods Monster and the shoot-out with the Little Green Men of Hopkinsville. Thank you and enjoy the show!Help support Heka Astra in her dire time of need!https://gofund.me/1d670a57More great content from Tim Hacker of the Cryptic Chronicles Podcast! In this week's episode we discuss:George Washington Van Tassel and the Ashtar CommandThe Beings From Sirius, the Dog StarDogon and Egyptian MythologyThe TitansThe Anunnaki Race of CreatorsThe Tall WhitesPresident Eisenhower's Trade Deal with the ETsIn the extended episode available at www.patreon.com/TheWholeRabbit we discuss:The Council of NineGene RoddenburyThe MantisThe Shootout with The Little Green Men of HopkinsvilleThe Terror of the Flatwoods Monster!Alien Spirit BeingsWhere to find The Whole Rabbit:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0AnJZhmPzaby04afmEWOAVInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_whole_rabbitTwitter: https://twitter.com/1WholeRabbitMusic By Spirit Travel Plaza:https://open.spotify.com/artist/30dW3WB1sYofnow7y3V0YoSupport the show

Episode 2 of ALILI and it's time to head back to ancient Mesopotamia and hear all about Akkadian, an influential lingua franca of the ancient world. Old it may be, but Akkadian still has much to tell us about its many cousin languages still spoken to this day. Akkadian expert Iris Kamil both introduces and shares a little of her boundless enthusiasm for the language and its surprisingly relatable sources.Host: Danny BateGuest: Iris KamilMusic: Bossa Nova by William_KingArtwork: William Marler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon and writer Melanie Lidman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode. Yesterday, Israel broke a record when authorities advanced plans for some 5,700 additional new settlement homes, bringing the year total to some 13, 000. Where are some of the building starts? The United States said it would cut support to scientific and technology research in Israeli institutions in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights. Which university specifically does this target? Yesterday, Sharon was onsite at the illegal outpost of Evyatar that was repopulated last week. Who is there now? He also visited the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya, where he met with the family of the man killed in unclear circumstances during last week's vigilante violence following the fatal shooting attack near Eli. Lidman brings us a study conducted by Hebrew University Prof. Yosef Garfinkel, who claims that he has found evidence of a network of biblical cities — including road infrastructure and communication between the capital and its satellites — that basically shores up the biblical narrative of a Davidic kingdom. And finally, we hear about how a team of scientists from Ariel University and Tel Aviv University has written a kind of Google translate for millennia-old Akkadian. Discussed articles include: Israel advances plans for 5,700 settlement homes, breaking annual record in 6 months US cuts science, tech cooperation with Israeli institutions in the West Bank Web of biblical cities depicts King David as major ruler, says Israeli archaeologist Groundbreaking AI project translates 5,000-year-old cuneiform at push of a button Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: People at the newly repopulated illegal Evyatar outpost in the West Bank, June 22, 2023. (Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ancient clay artefact that dates back to the 6th century BCE, the Cyrus Cylinder is often considered one of the most important documents in history. Covered in Akkadian inscriptions that provide invaluable insight into the reign of Cyrus the Great - it focuses on Cyrus's conquering of Babylon and attempts of religious restoration. So where was this irreplaceable object found, and what else does it tell us about Cyrus the Great?In this bonus episode of our Babylon mini-series, Tristan welcomes Dr Irving Finkel from the British Museum, to help decode this incredible object. Looking at the religious messages, the description of Cyrus himself, and what it tells us about Babylon - what can we learn about the Achaemenid Empire and it's political legacy?Senior Producer was Elena Guthrie. The Assistant Producer was Annie Coloe. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Voice Over performed by Toby Ricketts.If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download, go to Android or Apple store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News items read by Laura Kennedy include: Recently unearthed Romano-Egyptian Buddha was the product of an interlinked ancient world (details) (details) Underwater survey finds old military cemetery and hospital near Florida islands (details) (details) Artificial intelligence model learns to translate ancient Akkadian texts (details) Study of 150,000 year old Senegalese site gives evidence of cultural and climatic continuity (details)

This week Beau and Carl discuss the origins and the early history of one of the ancient world's most cruel and sadistic empires; The Assyrians. Centered around the city of Assur, and steeped in the heritage of the even more distance Akkadian and Sumerian cultures, following the bronze age collapse, The Assyrians burst onto the stage of history.

It's hard to imagine a time when we didn't write things down- on stone, papyrus or parchment. Who was the first to actually put 'pen to paper' and write. Well, her name was Enheduanna. She was an Akkadian poet, writer and high priestess, remembered as the first named author in recorded history. She lived in the 3rd millennium BCE in the city-state of Ur, and was a figure of immense significance in the Mesopotamian world. As high priestess of the moon god Nanna, she would help to cement ties between the newly merged Sumerian and Akkadian civilisations. She would also pen the first authored literary works, and her poems on womanhood and faith hold great meaning through to this day. Dan speaks to Sidney Babcock, the Jeannette and Jonathan Rosen Curator at the Morgan Library and Museum, to find out how we know so much about her, and what her significance is today.Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore.If you'd like to learn more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe to History Hit today!Download the History Hit app from the Google Play store.Download the History Hit app from the Apple Store. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.