Podcasts about all just

This is the reading from Luke 19 in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Good News of Great Joy reading guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Luke 19 reveals Jesus as the Savior who seeks the lost, the King who rewards faithfulness, and the Judge who brings both peace and judgment. As we prepare for Advent, let us reflect on these truths: Salvation is for All: Just as Jesus sought Zacchaeus, He seeks and saves us regardless of our past. Let this be a season to rejoice in His grace and extend it to others. Faithful Stewardship: The parable of the ten minas reminds us to use the resources God has entrusted to us for His glory. How can you invest your time, talents, and treasures in His kingdom during this Advent season? Recognizing Jesus: Jerusalem missed the peace Jesus offered – they missed Him. This Advent, let us open our hearts to recognize Christ's presence and His work in our lives. A House of Prayer: Jesus' cleansing of the temple calls us to prioritize worship and prayer. Let this season be marked by drawing closer to God in reverence and devotion. As we prepare for Christmas, may we, like Zacchaeus, respond to Christ's call with repentance, faith, and joyful obedience. Let us celebrate the King who brings salvation and peace to all who believe. You can find the written version of today's reading, complete with footnotes and commentary summaries, here.

Aren't you gonna frisk us? We talk Warren Beatty, Madonna, memory and Dick Tracy with Jason Marsden! You can find more about Jason, including information about It's All Just a Buncha Halloween, here. This episode was made possible by your support! Thanks to everybody who supports us on Patreon and Apple Plus.You can buy a You Are Good logo shirt DESIGNED BY THE GREAT LIZ CLIMO here.You Are Good is a feelings podcast about movies.You can make a contribution to Palestine Children's Relief Fund here.You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, Patreon and Apple Plus.The Music of You Are Good, Vol. 1 is here.Miranda Zickler produced and edited this episode!Fresh Lesh produces the beats for our episodes.Liz Climo designed our logo!

Angie's back to catch up on all of the news and to discuss how we can better manage all of our award programs.Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT101” for $10 off your first year. Head to ThriftyTraveler.com for more details and check out their Google Flights guide. Recent finds include:Business Class to Italy for 58KUnited Polaris to Australia for 75KR/T to Europe under $500You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekJoseph Petrovic - 100K CelebrationNewsEarn Up to 90,000 Bonus Miles new United OffersAvoid Delta's High Partner Award RatesBritish Airways Restricting Award Availability (non-issue for most)30% Transfer Bonus Hilton HonorsBilt Rewards new Transfer PartnerQatar Airways (was 30% - now 25%) Transfer BonusNew: Redeem Qatar Airways Avios for JetBlue FlightsBut Was it All Just a Dream?Marriott Changing Suite Night Awards12 Hilton Honors Redemptions12 Marriott Bonvoy RedemptionsEarn 75,000 Points New Southwest OffersAlthough Southwest To Devalue Rapid RewardsHighlight feature: How Do You Track All of Your Rewards?Get your FREE AwardWallettrip itineraries, flight delays, flight check in reminderstracking balances and credits, free night certs, expiration of pointsstore passport info, password and loyalty program login infotrack store loyalty programsUse #AwardWalletProTips in the community to see moreTip of the weekAwardWallet can really simplify your life. Take the time to set up a free AwardWallet account and add your travel documents. We all make mistakes:Joe missing out on a dealAngie with kid needing passport info but she was out of town and it was locked in a safeYou can also get AwardWallet Plus.  AwardWallet Plus is included with an AWARD TRAVEL 201 subscription.Short-Notice Meetup - Toys for Tots Drive Get your FREE TICKETS here.Where To Find the Award Travel 101 Community For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community. For more intermediate and advanced strategies, join Award Travel 201 community To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at contactawardtravel@gmail.com. Our next meetup is located in San Antonio, TX on April 26–28, 2024, and it's SOLD-OUT. You can get on our wait-list, but to learn more visit Taco 'Bout A Fiesta! Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

In a world that largely rejects or compromises the Truth of the Gospel, we need to learn and believe that God is good all of the time, that the Gospel is commonly misunderstood, and that other religions do not stack up to the Truth. Listen now to the message, All Just a Big Misunderstanding, from Acts 14:1–18 in the series, We Are All Witnesses, Part 3. This podcast is a production of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago. Executive Producer: Vanessa Dalrymple Speaker: Dr. Jeff Bucknam Sound design, mixing, and editing: Nathaniel Dulski Graphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Sherri Smith Producer: Adam Skidmore WE INVITE YOU TO CONNECT WITH US: • Website: www.harvestbible.org/ WE INVITE YOU TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: • Instagram: @harvestbiblechapel • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harvestbiblechapel/

Throughout history, a single question has plagued humanity; a question often asked about an issue that all Abrahamic religions face. If an All-Powerful God, who is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, Loving, Most-Merciful, and All-Just in control of All things and matters, exists, then why do people experience evil, pain, and suffering in this world? Why must we contend with sickness, natural disasters, starvation, war, calamities, corruption, and killings? If God is Most-Merciful, All-Loving, All-Good, and All-Just, why does He allow such atrocities to happen? The existence of evil ranks among the top reasons people reject the concept of religion or the belief in a Higher Power. This concept is known as the "problem of evil." Many have concluded that God could not exist because of the presence of evil; if He does exist, He is a cruel, unjust God who enjoys seeing people suffer and in pain. They summarize that such a God is not worth worshipping if He is unaware, uncaring, and incapable of removing and controlling evil elements.People who reject God because they cannot grapple with the problem of evil do not adequately understand the conditions of darkness and pain. They reject God because of their lack of understanding. The decision to disbelieve the existence of God only adds more confusion, leading to the emergence of questions as to why we were created, where we are destined to go, etc.  An atheist that rejects God removes God from the equation, but suffering still exists. Disbelieving only eliminates the quality and significance of the suffering and no longer gives it purpose or meaning. One could have suffered their whole life, only to end up in their grave eternally with no justice or recompense for what they had endured, and those who committed evil can get away with their misdeeds. However, with God in the equation, suffering has meaning, and the victims and the oppressed eventually receive justice in this world or the next. Without God in the picture, they may not. The fact that evil exists does not negate the existence of God.The Angels first asked the question of evil upon God, the Almighty's announcement that He was creating a new form of beings called humans."And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, Indeed, I will make upon the Earth a successive authority" (Quran 2:30)The Angels responded with a question:"…They said, 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and You?" (Quran 2:30) God answered: "…Indeed, I know that which you do not know" (Quran 2:20)Although God did not explain nor rationalize the answer to their question, the Angels were satisfied with this response; this is owing to their complete humility before, trust in, and faith in God's Wisdom and Knowledge while recognizing His Wisdom as Perfect and without flaws. The Angels did not assume God's Wisdom was incorrect simply because they could not understand nor comprehend that Wisdom. Humans never will understand the reason behind the world's pain and suffering, as our limited, finite minds cannot comprehend God's logic. However, the fact that our intellectual capacity cannot understand and evaluate the Wisdom behind pain and suffering does not nullify that Wisdom. How can we judge the situation or God without attaining the necessary information to do so? God states in the Quran:"…And mankind has not been given of knowledge except a little" (Quran 17:85)

“Allah commands you regarding your children: the share of the male will be twice that of the female. If you leave only two or more females, their share is two-thirds of the estate. But if there is only one female, her share will be one-half. Each parent is entitled to one-sixth if you leave offspring. But if you are childless and your parents are the only heirs, then your mother will receive one-third. But if you leave siblings, then your mother will receive one-sixth—after the fulfilment of bequests and debts. Be fair to your parents and children, as you do not fully know who is more beneficial to you. This is an obligation from Allah. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise” (Quran 4:11)Islam is more than a religion; it is a way of life that guides humanity in all aspects of their lives, including providing guidance on inheritance. Islamic law allows a person to leave one-third of their assets to whomever they wish, as long as the beneficiaries are not amongst the remaining two third. The will is implied after the deceased's funeral expenses and outstanding debts are paid.The remainder two-thirds goes to the beneficiaries listed in Chapter 4 of the Holy Quran—a passage that some non-Muslims find controversial. Whereas Chapter 4 states that the share of a male is twice that of a female, females do not always receive less than males in all circumstances. There are certain instances where both male and female beneficiaries receive the same amount, where women receive more than male and scenarios where females get a share and men get nothing.  In many religions, women do not inherit from their families in any circumstance. At many points throughout history, women did not inherit anything from their families. They were considered property, part of the inheritance estate needing to be married off and relocated. On the other hand, Islam gave women their inheritance rights, stating that their reasonability determines their share--and not their gender.In some circumstances, females inherit half of what males inherit—but not on all occasions. There is logic and fairness to reinforce those instances in which males get a higher inheritance share than females—with these conditions given to us by our Creator, the All-Knowing, All-Wise, the All-Just. Because Islam has assigned males as the heads of the household, those who bear the family's financial burden, the men will often spend much of what they inherit back into the family. On the other hand, females are entitled to the entirety of their inheritance and wealth--and their husband's wealth. Women can keep 100% of their inheritance without spending or sharing it with anyone--even if they are wealthy and their husband is poverty-stricken. God has chosen men to be the guardian of their wives and family, whom they must look after and to whom they must provide food, clothing, shelter, etc. The man must care for and provide for those closest to him. For instance, a husband needs to look after his wife and offspring; if he passes away or neglects his duty, the next man in a woman's life will need to step up and care for the family, whether it's the adult son or the brother of the woman. It's important to stress once again that the reasonability of the sexes determines the share of an inheritance, not the gender.As a clarifying example, suppose the parents of a son and daughter die, leaving fifteen thousand dollars behind. The daughter would inherit five thousand dollars by edict of Muslim law, and the son would inherit ten thousand dollars. However, if she is unmarried, the brother would have to share the $10,000 with his family, including his wife, children, and even his sister.

We continued to our reflection on step number 14 - gluttony, or that “clamorous mistress, the stomach.”  We are being exposed to the wisdom of the fathers, so deeply rooted in their experience of human nature and how it has been effected by sin. St. John, in his typical fashion, reveals to us the subtleties (psychological, emotional and spiritual) of how we are deceived by the evil one and how our bodily appetites can be used against us. It is precisely because our appetite for food is natural and needed for sustenance that it is something that can be used against us and so powerfully.  This step shows how St. John and the other fathers were not only spiritual warriors, but the first depth psychologists. They knew how the mind and the heart work. We are easily deceived and easily moved to rationalize our use of food. Perhaps what is most significant is that St. John shows us how essential this practice of fasting and abstinence is in our spiritual life. We can't be dabblers or minimalists. Because it is such a part of who we are, our appetite for food must be formed and shaped both by discipline and by the grace of God. What and how we eat is often a reflection of our emotional state a response to a need and desire for consolation. Rather than nourishing ourselves upon the love of God, we will choose some thing that offers immediate satisfaction - even though we know it is ever so temporary. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:22:56 Anthony: Months ago we talked about the monk who cut off his genitals, to great spiritual and physical harm.  Fasting is a healthy way of cutting off an appetite; it cannot be complete, since that is absolutely repulsive to natural law.  It encourages both cutting something off and moderation in approach.  Maybe that is a reason why fasting is a help for both gluttony and lust.   00:24:00 Anthony: In addition, fasting is accessible to both men and women - a remedy for all.   00:25:03 angelo: Reacted to "Months ago we talked..." with

It's All Just a Bunch of Gobble Dee Gook-Tell Me This Celebrity That Had No Business Writing a Book!

Part 5 of a series covering The Guide to Maladaptive Daydreaming; Overcoming Fantasy Addiction, a blog by the MDer known as Eretaia. Today we'll be covering part 5, "Was it All Just a Lie?" with Lisa. The Guide to MD blog series: https://maladaptivedaydreamingguide.wordpress.com/guide/ Our email: ContactParallelLives@gmail.com Send us fan art! The Newsletter: https://maladaptivedaydreamers.com/resources/ The Subreddit https://www.reddit.com/r/MaladaptiveDreaming/ The Discord https://discord.gg/A5aCVvC4yu TheICMDR (research site) https://daydreamresearch.wixsite.com/md-research The MDC (community site) https://maladaptivedaydreamingcenter.org/ Art by: SPFitzgerald https://www.spfitzgerald.com/ Music by: Iliasse (ask for details) Thumbnails by: Jessica

We have a VERY special episode today about a local project right here in the River City called Kick Back Heroes. After making their convention premiere this year AND multiple other press tours here in Jacksonville, it only makes sense that the next stop would be The Wait For It Podcast! And for such a big occasion, we just HAD to interview the All Good, All Just, and All Fun: Captain Mighty (played by Isaak Wells)! We speak to Isaak (Co-Creator / Writer / Producer / Actor) to discuss what inspired this type of story to be told, the highs and lows of starting something new, and how the community can help KBH achieve their ultimate goals. Find out more information at kickbackheroes.com and consider supporting this amazing project! KBH Vision: Kick Back Heroes was created out of our love of Super Heroes, Shows that move us and our personal lives. Many of the worlds Characters, Story Lines, and events are written to reflect issues facing everyone from the LGBTQ+ community to Depression and anxiety.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Thursday on Newstalk ZB) Is this All Just a Test?/CBD's Are Dead/Don't Hate On Vegans/Too Old for Togas/Dad Joke-Off

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists shares why they aren't just a bunch of hippies. Episode 2165: They're All Just a Bunch of Hippies by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus write about living a meaningful life with less stuff for 4 million readers. As featured on: ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, TODAY, NPR, TIME, Forbes, The Atlantic, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and National Post. They live in Missoula, Montana. The original post is located here: https://www.theminimalists.com/hippies/ Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com  Interested in advertising on the show? Visit https://www.advertisecast.com/OptimalLivingDaily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists shares why they aren't just a bunch of hippies. Episode 2165: They're All Just a Bunch of Hippies by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus write about living a meaningful life with less stuff for 4 million readers. As featured on: ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, TODAY, NPR, TIME, Forbes, The Atlantic, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and National Post. They live in Missoula, Montana. The original post is located here: https://www.theminimalists.com/hippies/ Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com  Interested in advertising on the show? Visit https://www.advertisecast.com/OptimalLivingDaily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists shares why they aren't just a bunch of hippies. Episode 2165: They're All Just a Bunch of Hippies by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus write about living a meaningful life with less stuff for 4 million readers. As featured on: ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, TODAY, NPR, TIME, Forbes, The Atlantic, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and National Post. They live in Missoula, Montana. The original post is located here: https://www.theminimalists.com/hippies/ Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com  Interested in advertising on the show? Visit https://www.advertisecast.com/OptimalLivingDaily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast: The Long View (LS 55 · TOP 0.5% what is this?)Episode: Jason Zweig: Temperament Is Everything for Most InvestorsPub date: 2021-06-29Our guest on the podcast this week is The Wall Street Journal columnist and author Jason Zweig. Jason became a personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal in 2008. His weekly column, “The Intelligent Investor,” is a must-read for people inside and outside of the investment industry. Jason is also the editor of the revised edition of Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor. And he is the author of Your Money and Your Brain, which explores the neuroscience of investing. He also wrote the Devil's Financial Dictionary, which is a satirical glossary of Wall Street. BackgroundBioJason's twitter handle: @jasonzweigwsjYour Money and Your Brain: How the New Science of Neuroeconomics Can Help Make You Rich The Devil's Financial DictionaryIntelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel Life and Fate by Vasily GrossmanPalace Walk: The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib MahfouzThe Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan HouselMatt Levine, Bloomberg Opinion ColumnistJesse Livermore, Philosophical EconomicsNick Maggiulli, Ritholtz Wealth ManagementMichael Batnick, Ritholtz Wealth ManagementBen Carlson, Ritholtz Wealth ManagementJoe Weisenthal, BloombergTracy Alloway, BloombergRobin Wigglesworth, Financial TimesResearch Institute: Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns, Yearbook 2021 Summary Edition Georgarakos, D. & Pasini, G. 2011. “Trust, Sociability and Stock Market Participation,” Review of Finance, Vol. 15, No. 4, P. 693. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman“Investment Policy and the Competent Stranger,” speech by Charles D. Ellis, empireclub.org, April 7, 1988.Feynman, R.P. 1974.“Cargo Cult Science,” Engineering and Science.BogleheadsInvesting“Stock Market 101: Teaching the Wrong Lessons?” by Jason Zweig, Jasonzweig.com, May 8, 2015.“How to Keep Your Cool When Markets Are Sizzling,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, April 23, 2021.“Why You Shouldn't Buy Bitcoin When You're Hungry,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 21, 2021. “You Can't Invest Without Trading. You Can Trade Without Investing,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, June 18, 2021.“Robinhood Trader's Battle Cry: ‘It's All Just a Game to Me,' " by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, March 26, 2021. “Jason Hsu: China Is ‘the Last Great Remaining Alpha Reservoir,' " The Long View Podcast, morningstar.com, April 20, 2021.ETFs and Index Funds“The Stock Got Crushed. Then the ETFs Had to Sell,” by Jason Zweig, Jasonzweig.com, Jan. 31, 2020.“The Story Behind the Market's Hottest Funds,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, Jan. 15, 2021.“ETFs: What They Are and How They Can Fit Into Your Investment Portfolio,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 20, 2021.Retirement“Jason Zweig's Proposal to Scrap 401(k)s,” by John Rekanthaler, Morningstar.com, Feb. 26, 2019.“Wishful Thinking in a World Without Yield,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, June 18, 2021. “The Safe, High-Return Trade Hiding in Plain Sight,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 28, 2021.“The Funds That Make You Buy Low and Sell High,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, Aug. 30, 2019.Financial Advice“The Intelligent Investor: Saving Investors From Themselves,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, July 1, 2013.“The First Line of Investing Defense? You,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, March 8, 2019.“Looking for a Financial Planner? The Go-To Website Often Omits Red Flags,” by Jason Zweig and Andrea Fuller, wsj.com, July 30, 2019.“Financial Advisor Fee Trends and the Fee Compression Mirage,” by Michael Kitces, kitces.com, Feb. 8, 2021. “Want to Get Rich Quick? Who Can Stop You?” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 7, 2021.The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Morningstar, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: The Long View (LS 52 · TOP 0.5% what is this?)Episode: Jason Zweig: Temperament Is Everything for Most InvestorsPub date: 2021-06-29Our guest on the podcast this week is The Wall Street Journal columnist and author Jason Zweig. Jason became a personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal in 2008. His weekly column, “The Intelligent Investor,” is a must-read for people inside and outside of the investment industry. Jason is also the editor of the revised edition of Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor. And he is the author of Your Money and Your Brain, which explores the neuroscience of investing. He also wrote the Devil's Financial Dictionary, which is a satirical glossary of Wall Street. BackgroundBioJason's twitter handle: @jasonzweigwsjYour Money and Your Brain: How the New Science of Neuroeconomics Can Help Make You Rich The Devil's Financial DictionaryIntelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel Life and Fate by Vasily GrossmanPalace Walk: The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib MahfouzThe Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan HouselMatt Levine, Bloomberg Opinion ColumnistJesse Livermore, Philosophical EconomicsNick Maggiulli, Ritholtz Wealth ManagementMichael Batnick, Ritholtz Wealth ManagementBen Carlson, Ritholtz Wealth ManagementJoe Weisenthal, BloombergTracy Alloway, BloombergRobin Wigglesworth, Financial TimesResearch Institute: Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns, Yearbook 2021 Summary Edition Georgarakos, D. & Pasini, G. 2011. “Trust, Sociability and Stock Market Participation,” Review of Finance, Vol. 15, No. 4, P. 693. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman“Investment Policy and the Competent Stranger,” speech by Charles D. Ellis, empireclub.org, April 7, 1988.Feynman, R.P. 1974.“Cargo Cult Science,” Engineering and Science.BogleheadsInvesting“Stock Market 101: Teaching the Wrong Lessons?” by Jason Zweig, Jasonzweig.com, May 8, 2015.“How to Keep Your Cool When Markets Are Sizzling,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, April 23, 2021.“Why You Shouldn't Buy Bitcoin When You're Hungry,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 21, 2021. “You Can't Invest Without Trading. You Can Trade Without Investing,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, June 18, 2021.“Robinhood Trader's Battle Cry: ‘It's All Just a Game to Me,' " by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, March 26, 2021. “Jason Hsu: China Is ‘the Last Great Remaining Alpha Reservoir,' " The Long View Podcast, morningstar.com, April 20, 2021.ETFs and Index Funds“The Stock Got Crushed. Then the ETFs Had to Sell,” by Jason Zweig, Jasonzweig.com, Jan. 31, 2020.“The Story Behind the Market's Hottest Funds,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, Jan. 15, 2021.“ETFs: What They Are and How They Can Fit Into Your Investment Portfolio,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 20, 2021.Retirement“Jason Zweig's Proposal to Scrap 401(k)s,” by John Rekanthaler, Morningstar.com, Feb. 26, 2019.“Wishful Thinking in a World Without Yield,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, June 18, 2021. “The Safe, High-Return Trade Hiding in Plain Sight,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 28, 2021.“The Funds That Make You Buy Low and Sell High,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, Aug. 30, 2019.Financial Advice“The Intelligent Investor: Saving Investors From Themselves,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, July 1, 2013.“The First Line of Investing Defense? You,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, March 8, 2019.“Looking for a Financial Planner? The Go-To Website Often Omits Red Flags,” by Jason Zweig and Andrea Fuller, wsj.com, July 30, 2019.“Financial Advisor Fee Trends and the Fee Compression Mirage,” by Michael Kitces, kitces.com, Feb. 8, 2021. “Want to Get Rich Quick? Who Can Stop You?” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 7, 2021.The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Morningstar, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

And why the question itself doesn't even matter.This is All Just a Big Experiment: https://killyourinnerloser.com/this-is-all-just-a-big-experiment/Oh No, You've Angered the Gods! https://killyourinnerloser.com/youve-angered-the-gods/Other People Have a Different Rulebook to You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XBOVTOrLvIRead my epic 5-part Get Laid on Tinder series (it's free): https://killyourinnerloser.com/tinder-guide-sfwWant COACHING with me, legendary results and an elite dating/sex life? I offer group coaching, and more hardcore 1-on-1 coaching:https://killyourinnerloser.com/coaching-sfw

Today I am very excited to have a fellow behavioral science podcaster, Dr. Nick Hobson on the show. His podcast is called, It's All Just a Bunch of BS. He also writes for The Behaviorist and is the chief scientist at Emotive Technologies. So, why did I say at the top of the show that this would likely show you a different side of Nick than you may have seen or heard before? It is because we really focus on philosophy, which is different than anything I've had on the show before and was a lot of fun to chat about. I must admit, in my undergrad I really hated philosophy. I'm not sure if I had a bad teacher or if I just wasn't ready for it yet, but it was one of my least favorite classes. As time has passed, I've come to realize that the types of questions I love to ask and my personal approach to applying behavioral economics are built on a foundation of philosophy. So even if you've not been a fan of the field in the past, I recommend you stick around. I think you're going to like the conversation.  Show Notes: [00:06] In today's episode I'm excited to introduce you to Dr. Nick Hobson for a fascinating conversation that even if you know Nick, I'm guessing you haven't heard him talk about on a show before. [01:13] In this episode, we really focus on philosophy, which I found to be so interesting and I hope you will too. [03:51] Nick shares a funny story about being a doctor and using it for a dinner reservation with his wife. [05:49] Nick has a doctorate degree in social psychology and social neuroscience. His dissertation was about the psychology of neuroscience and rituals.  [08:03] He was very interested in rituals and that determined the next five years of his life.  [09:45] Now he is an applied behavioral scientist.  [12:31] There is a great deal of value that comes with philosophy, the arts, and philosophical thinking.  [13:57] Good scientists are always trying to push the boundaries, explore the outer edges, and breakthrough with scientific intervention.  [16:52] We answer questions with tools of measurement. Tools of measurement are the foundation of any science.  [18:20] Nick shares about the “trolley problem.” [20:20] Nick shares how he transitioned from the space of rituals and about the work he does today.  [21:43] Behavioral scientists and all business owners are interested in the point of action that a person engages (and re-engages) in over and over. What is that decision process? [23:45] There are a lot of rituals on the external, customer-facing side, and the internal employee side as well.   [25:12] We are ritual creatures.  [26:16] Nick talks about the types of consumer projects they are working on.  [27:36] He shares a specific client scenario he worked through.  [29:16] The problem is never the price. It is about all the stuff that happens before. If you can showcase the value you are providing people will buy.  [30:25] Two areas of opportunity for improvement for his client were joy and respect. Once the areas of opportunity are discovered you can create strategic interventions.  [34:02] For all the behavior that we are looking at and observing, let's not forget about what is actually happening inside the mind, which are the precursors to those behaviors.  [35:06] Melina shares her closing thoughts. [36:54] Melina's award-winning first book, What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You is available on Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and Booktopia.  Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! More from The Brainy Business:

And why you need to start saying NO to things.Haley's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU49NnKO6nEAO226_Z2kdIQ/videosMy interview with Haley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NpgGbboJ3s  This is All Just a Big Experiment: https://killyourinnerloser.com/this-is-all-just-a-big-experiment/You Should Be Better Than Your Idols: https://killyourinnerloser.com/idols/Talk About What You HAVE Done: https://theinnerwinnershow.com/32/No More Mr Nice Guy: https://kyil-extra.com/recommendations/#no-more-mr-nice-guyWhen I Say No, I Feel Guilty: https://kyil-extra.com/recommendations/#when-i-say-no-i-feel-guilty

Our guest on the podcast this week is The Wall Street Journal columnist and author Jason Zweig. Jason became a personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal in 2008. His weekly column, “The Intelligent Investor,” is a must-read for people inside and outside of the investment industry. Jason is also the editor of the revised edition of Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor. And he is the author of Your Money and Your Brain, which explores the neuroscience of investing. He also wrote the Devil's Financial Dictionary, which is a satirical glossary of Wall Street. BackgroundBioJason's twitter handle: @jasonzweigwsjYour Money and Your Brain: How the New Science of Neuroeconomics Can Help Make You Rich The Devil's Financial DictionaryIntelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel Life and Fate by Vasily GrossmanPalace Walk: The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib MahfouzThe Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan HouselMatt Levine, Bloomberg Opinion ColumnistJesse Livermore, Philosophical EconomicsNick Maggiulli, Ritholtz Wealth ManagementMichael Batnick, Ritholtz Wealth ManagementBen Carlson, Ritholtz Wealth ManagementJoe Weisenthal, BloombergTracy Alloway, BloombergRobin Wigglesworth, Financial TimesResearch Institute: Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns, Yearbook 2021 Summary Edition Georgarakos, D. & Pasini, G. 2011. “Trust, Sociability and Stock Market Participation,” Review of Finance, Vol. 15, No. 4, P. 693. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman“Investment Policy and the Competent Stranger,” speech by Charles D. Ellis, empireclub.org, April 7, 1988.Feynman, R.P. 1974.“Cargo Cult Science,” Engineering and Science.BogleheadsInvesting“Stock Market 101: Teaching the Wrong Lessons?” by Jason Zweig, Jasonzweig.com, May 8, 2015.“How to Keep Your Cool When Markets Are Sizzling,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, April 23, 2021.“Why You Shouldn't Buy Bitcoin When You're Hungry,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 21, 2021. “You Can't Invest Without Trading. You Can Trade Without Investing,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, June 18, 2021.“Robinhood Trader's Battle Cry: ‘It's All Just a Game to Me,' " by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, March 26, 2021. “Jason Hsu: China Is ‘the Last Great Remaining Alpha Reservoir,' " The Long View Podcast, morningstar.com, April 20, 2021.ETFs and Index Funds“The Stock Got Crushed. Then the ETFs Had to Sell,” by Jason Zweig, Jasonzweig.com, Jan. 31, 2020.“The Story Behind the Market's Hottest Funds,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, Jan. 15, 2021.“ETFs: What They Are and How They Can Fit Into Your Investment Portfolio,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 20, 2021.Retirement“Jason Zweig's Proposal to Scrap 401(k)s,” by John Rekanthaler, Morningstar.com, Feb. 26, 2019.“Wishful Thinking in a World Without Yield,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, June 18, 2021. “The Safe, High-Return Trade Hiding in Plain Sight,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 28, 2021.“The Funds That Make You Buy Low and Sell High,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, Aug. 30, 2019.Financial Advice“The Intelligent Investor: Saving Investors From Themselves,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, July 1, 2013.“The First Line of Investing Defense? You,” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, March 8, 2019.“Looking for a Financial Planner? The Go-To Website Often Omits Red Flags,” by Jason Zweig and Andrea Fuller, wsj.com, July 30, 2019.“Financial Advisor Fee Trends and the Fee Compression Mirage,” by Michael Kitces, kitces.com, Feb. 8, 2021. “Want to Get Rich Quick? Who Can Stop You?” by Jason Zweig, wsj.com, May 7, 2021.

This is our first episode where we change format to inventing our own cocktails instead of scouring teh intarwebs to find something . . . usually to no avail.Here we talk about the comedians who have inspired us over the years. We're old, so think Aristophanes, or Plautus, or that one guy who made us laugh at campfires during the Civil War . . . . OK, we're not that old. Think more: George Carlin, Steve Martin, and Bill Hicks all the way up to Dave Chappelle, Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, and John Mulaney.Tom's "Wild and Crazy Guy" Drink Recipe:2 oz Whiskey2 oz Tequila2 oz Lemon Juice2 oz Triple SecGenerous splash of Seltzer WaterReferences, Topics, and Comedians Include (In Order of Mention [sort of]):The Festrunk Brothers sketches (Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd)The Psycho Killer (Cocktail from our Episode 6)Steve MartinImitatio DefinitionGeorge CarlinBill Hicks (It's All Just a Ride bit from 1992)Ron WhiteEddie MurphyHenny YoungmanDave ChappelleDoug StanhopeRichard PryorSarah SilvermanNorm McDonaldPatton OswaltJim CarreyJim Carrey E! News Interview (Where he is a giant asshole and not profound at all.)Jim and Andy Documentary (Netflix)Brian CranstonJohn MulaneyTom Jones "If I Only Knew" (Bryan referenced this.)Contact Info:Hate-mail, questions or topic ideas for the show, hit us up on twitter at @BCBoozecast or email us at bcboozecast@gmail.com. Bryan can be reached on twitter @RussianLitGuy.  Tom can be reached on twitter @Intelligiant2.Find more of Bryan at:https://thinkingoutcloud.org/Find Tom as Donnie Kruger at:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_oaVG9YC-lZ9Lao50t-hzw

This is the most hotly contested movie review to date at Cine Vibes. Ken & Trey are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the 2017, A24 distributed film, Hot Summer Nights. Oozing late 80s/early 90s vibes from every cinematic pore, this film is likely to leave most viewers on one extreme or the other with loving or hating this one. So, without further ado, throw on an 80s synth cassette then dive into this episode! Follow us on Instagram: @thecinevibes Now available to listen on Stitcher! Episode Marks: Welcome (00:56) In the News (01:23) Introducing the Film (03:36) Love it or Hate it (05:12) Making Exactly What You Want (08:50) Being Awkward as an Artform? (11:47) All Out 80s/90s Vibes (14:15) Unique Shooting Style (17:28) Chalamet Shines (24:59) Having Your Own Voice (26:54) Narration Isn't For Everyone (27:53) Is it All Just a Fever Dream? (33:09) Using Mother Nature to Set Pacing (35:15) Making the Most Out of Your Resources (37:26) Closing Remarks & Rating (43:48) Contact Us (50:40) Music: Intro/Outro - Forgiveness by Patrick Patrikios

The answer is yes, and also no. How deliberately vague...  ;)SHOWNOTES:Black Dragon Blog: https://calebjones.com/blogThis is All Just a Big Experiment: https://killyourinnerloser.com/this-is-all-just-a-big-experiment/Don't Have Long Conversations: https://killyourinnerloser.com/talking-with-girls-isnt-making-progress/How to Give Girls Mindblowing Orgasms (Magic Wand): https://killyourinnerloser.com/magic-wand/How to Give Her Rollercoaster Sex: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1279346/7170841How to Explore a Sexual Bucketlist: https://killyourinnerloser.com/sexual-bucketlist/Honesty:  https://killyourinnerloser.com/honesty-is-an-ideal/How to Handle "What Are We/Where is This Going?": https://killyourinnerloser.com/how-to-handle-what-are-we/

Girls, goals, the meaning of life, COVID and how fucking delicious Southern food is.Products that'll change your fucking life: https://theinnerwinnershow.com/recommendationsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/killyourinnerloserSHOWNOTES:"Southern Sausage Gravy" meal I cooked after this call:https://imgur.com/lu4nEl9Good Looking Loser:https://www.goodlookingloser.com/App to stop you distracting yourself:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stayfocused&hl=en_AUJim Sterling:https://www.youtube.com/user/JimSterlingWhat is the Meaning of Life Podcast Episode:https://theinnerwinnershow.com/38/GravyTrain Interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPrS18XzXcoGood Looking Loser "Going Out Alone at Night" (Free Program):https://www.goodlookingloser.com/how-to-go-out-alone-to-bars-part-1This is All Just a Big Experiment:https://killyourinnerloser.com/this-is-all-just-a-big-experiment/

Andy is joined by Will from his forums to discuss how sex is exactly like sales, shortcomings and positives of The Red Pill, and how to go out to bars alone. Oh, and why BPD girls are nuts.Want to contact me, or have your own questions you'd like me to cover on the podcast?https://theinnerwinnershow.com/contact/SHOWNOTES:My Forums:https://killyourinnerloser.com/forums/The Red Pill Reddit:https://www.reddit.com/r/TheRedPill/This is All Just a Big Experiment:https://killyourinnerloser.com/this-is-all-just-a-big-experiment/Oh No, You've Angered the Gods:https://killyourinnerloser.com/youve-angered-the-gods/There is No Such Thing as Alpha:https://killyourinnerloser.com/alpha/Going Out Alone Program (free):https://www.goodlookingloser.com/how-to-go-out-alone-to-bars-part-1How to Make Friends:https://killyourinnerloser.com/surround-yourself-with-good-people/

Inspired by a coaching call, Andy explains what he means when he says, "This is all just a big experiment."TOPICS COVERED:My sites/podcasts are what has worked for ME.It's up to you to run your own experiments.I never give "rules" - I'm not here to tell you what to do.Different techniques will get you similar results. One guy might do the complete opposite of me and still reach his goals.You should be better than me.Take bits of my advice, bits of someone else's advice - mix and match and carve your own path.I'm not perfect, my advice isn't perfect, and I don't have all the answers.Staying humble is important - otherwise you'll be closed off to new opinions, new information, etc.We are all always a work in progress.SHOWNOTES:Does Penis Size Matter? (Podcast episode):https://www.buzzsprout.com/1279346/episodes/5059463This is All Just a Big Experiment:https://killyourinnerloser.com/this-is-all-just-a-big-experiment/Oh No, You've Angered the Gods!https://killyourinnerloser.com/youve-angered-the-gods/You Can't Force Somebody to Like You:https://killyourinnerloser.com/you-cant-force-someone-to-like-you/You Should be Better than Your Idols:https://killyourinnerloser.com/idols/Want a question answered on the show? Send it to me here:https://theinnerwinnershow.com/contact/

Is Allah really fair? Take a few moments to understand the meaning of God is All-Just, All-Wise. Allah is Al-Aadel, Al-Hakeem. English Quran tafsir of Aya 18 of Surah Al Imarn

SIMPLE MINDS – Speed Your Love To Me (Sparkle in the Rain) 1983 THE FOUNTAINHEAD – Sometimes (The Burning Touch) 1986 EXPERIMENTAL PRODUCTS – Aviation HQ (single) 1985 OMD – Telegraph (Dazzle Ships) 1983 NAKED EYES – No Flowers Please (Fuel For The Fire) 1984 CLEANERS FROM VENUS – Follow The Plough (Going To England) 1987 MODERN ENGLISH – Gathering Dust (Mesh & Lace) 1981 COMSAT ANGELS – On The Beach (Waiting for a Miracle) 1980 PUBLIC IMAGE LTD – The Order of Death (This Is What You Want…) 1984 KILLING JOKE – Adorations (Bright Than a Thousand Suns) 1986 LOVE AND ROCKETS – So Alive (s/t) 1989 EUROPEANS – The Animal Song (single) 1983 DEAFEAR – The Waiting (single) 1985 CLAN OF XYMOX – Michelle (medusa) 1986 MODERN DANCE – The Victim (It’s All Just to Dance To) 1985 RED LORRY YELLOW LORRY – Monkey’s On Juice (single) 1985 ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN – Monkeys (Crocodiles) 1980 SECTION 25 – Reflection (From the Hip) 1984 NEW ORDER – Way Of Life (Brotherhood) 1986 THE HOUSEMARTINS – Anxious (London O Hull 4) McCARTHY – What Our Boys Are Fighting For (The Enraged Will Inherit the Earth) 1989 THE SMITHS – Half a Person (single) 1986 THE GO BETWEENS – I Just Get Caught Out (Talulah) 1987 AZTEC CAMERA – The Boy Wonders (High Land Hard Rain) 1983 FRIENDS AGAIN – State of Art (single) 1983 THE JACK RUBIES – Book of Love (single) 1989 THE SEERS – Lightning Strikes (single) 1988 THE HOLLOW MEN – White Train (The Man Who Would Be King) 1988

To get live links to the music we play and resources we offer, visit This show includes the following songs: Carly Rhoades - Blind  Chelley Seibert - We're All Just the Same Susan J.Berman - Not My America Little Spiral - Redefining Perfect Adara - Alien Ellen Edwards - What If Jessica Lá Rel - Good Trouble Weather McNabb - Adapt Kari Tieger - Live and Let Live Eljuri - Resiste For Music Biz Resources Visit Visit our Sponsor Chey Acuna at: Visit our Sponsor Alika Arlyn at:   Visit our Sponsor Cindy Slee at: Visit our Sponsor Bandzoogle at:

To get live links to the music we play and resources we offer, visit This show includes the following songs: Carly Rhoades - Blind  Chelley Seibert - We're All Just the Same Susan J.Berman - Not My America Little Spiral - Redefining Perfect Adara - Alien Ellen Edwards - What If Jessica Lá Rel - Good Trouble Weather McNabb - Adapt Kari Tieger - Live and Let Live Eljuri - Resiste For Music Biz Resources Visit Visit our Sponsor Chey Acuna at: Visit our Sponsor Alika Arlyn at:   Visit our Sponsor Cindy Slee at: Visit our Sponsor Bandzoogle at:

To get live links to the music we play and resources we offer, visit This show includes the following songs: Carly Rhoades - Blind  Chelley Seibert - We're All Just the Same Susan J.Berman - Not My America Little Spiral - Redefining Perfect Adara - Alien Ellen Edwards - What If Jessica Lá Rel - Good Trouble Weather McNabb - Adapt Kari Tieger - Live and Let Live Eljuri - Resiste For Music Biz Resources Visit Visit our Sponsor Chey Acuna at: Visit our Sponsor Alika Arlyn at:   Visit our Sponsor Cindy Slee at: Visit our Sponsor Bandzoogle at:

Travis is a former collegiate team roper and bronco rider, that has found a career in relationship building and sales.Incredible science review about polyphenols vs aspirinTravis' experience and hobby with raising cattleTeam ropingThe conundrum of pharmaceutical representation vs fairness and the lawSERIOUSLY FUNNY examples of medical sales experiences, from erection pills, to pain relief side effects, to unexpected results from an experimental weight loss drug... You will love it!Nancy husband and wife may kiss the bride connectivity care whenever you need video chatting with the doctor right from your phone so I don't need stitches thank you Dr. United healthcare health plan benefits may vary helps if I need to make their morning live show I was on so that out of the mud you Mary and for Larry where is Jeff when you need him for this is the gotcha project episode number 18 I McGregor with your host Dr. Ken Brown what's happening what's going on up so the writing were already up to this is fantastic were having some great responses I'm even like bumping into people that are looking us up that's a good show gut check project canalboat we are 18 why not 18 years not quite there love my tummy.com just who had knocked it out the bag lobectomy.com/spoony check that out if you would like to get your own Arbitron teal the reason why moving so quickly today is because we've got some studies to get to we've got an incredible gas from an industry that we don't always get to represent on the show that in a course is going to be Travis page 3 of Travis page on he is a drug rep but is also very interesting upward to talk about a lot of different topics but were not to talk specifics of anything know it is to be a general just Pharma thing when I can get him in trouble now is generic company will not be brought up is generic drug won't it's going to be really neutral so there you go Travis yeah Travis will will not reveal his company and I even asked him if I can rhyme it with other words said no idle whiteboard all the guts to hold it up withhe said it won't won't happen so that's about what is a lot of stuff but one of things I do want to talk about is the stories that you had being a grubber the stories that I've had through the years in training what's going on how the drug industry is changed in like this the regulations that have been placed so it's a wild thing because I didn't realize as a young person going to the doctor with my parents what why in our small town to Gainesville occasionally was somebody in a three-piece suit sitting amongst all of the people in the in the waiting room and they always seem to be holding pamphlets and couldn't wait to get in and they didn't have to have their name on the list and they would go back but a lot of things has changed since those days and the way that pharmaceutical representatives have to become educated how they represent to the physicians how they support the positions with their staff and patients etc. so there's so want to get into in a coursers lots of others lots of funny stories to go along with having a yeah a pharmaceutical rep but yes the big news in the big news happens to be in conjunction with the KPD health box and before we forget I wanted you to touch on the feedback that you got this last week and then what you have coming out is a little there's actually an updated change so we did the box opening last week with the KB of the health box but this is a really exciting thing this is a brand-new venture for us and for member box and they did an amazing job and I've had some great feedback my patients were to make big differences you met him boxing is a primary got box yesterday we sat was Sarah Jean and were building next month's box and were making it even better because more vendors are allowing their products to be part of member box you can build your own box once you get going this is really exciting I want to personally change the healthcare landscape naturally and allow people to really start changing things about themselves this pretty awesome because some of the feedback that we got from our patient just yesterday it was scope to received her first box and she said this is amazing I don't have to guess anymore and I thought that was really awesome to have yet another new element of a patient testimony it says this is helping me be healthier and saving money, the biggest thing about the boxes once you realize that there is that study that came out the chilled 79% of the stuff that you're buying at big-box stores or the Walgreens GNC late that article came out which showed that it did not have on the label what was arching the capsules so we took the liberty of going okay you look@thingslikeexamine.com consumer labs and you make sure that things are third-party tested then you realize okay what studies have been done that have actually shown O for instance tumor does do this or trunk teal can help in different ways we get the science to back it and we vetted the products and you're able to get it a huge discount so this particular box hundred $47 for some people that's that's out of range but a lot of people are spending to 5300 on supplements and you may just be throwing it away so hundred 47 to over $250 worth of vetted supplements one of the really exciting things is one of my patients her husband passed away of Alzheimer's disease right and she he was an artist and so she took his original art and she's made cards for basically blank cards thank you cards old-school member like instead of just texting somebody hey thanks that was awesome to catch you write thank you for doing whatever will on the back of it all the proceeds go to the Alzheimer's foundation so were you put that in anybody's box so our office purchased all of her cards and were to put that in the box and I just want it's an opportunity to Cordish to share that message others diseases like Alzheimer's which are really devastating and people you will be reminded of it Mrs. original art that's being sent to restart interact on hey we can put this in your box like that's awesome thank you that is awesome and if you've ever wanted to go and use a physician's recommendation as you move through the aisles of where what supplements actually work which brands are the ones that I can trust and which ones can I save money on to accomplish all of the things that I want to to supplement mount health that's what the K BMD boxes all bouts of KB MD box.com will direct you to where you can learn more to see a video of Dr. Brown on boxing the first months box that'll be replaced here pretty soon when we basically updated and unpack month number two which was very similar to one that always has small little tweaks just to basically improve your health and you can join and you can pause at any time there was never go to the you can go to the the member store and build more build you can deftly build more he can remember boxes getting more and more products in their really and it's all you know I want do is build a box it's based on science speaking of one of our people has member box set me article this morning that I normally would really go to personal stuff here but remember you can little love my Tommy.com/spoony and get a big discount and outrun till you're wondering okay will I don't have bloating or anything like that this article was just sent to me about 15 minutes ago in the article is anthocyanins protect the gastrointestinal tract from a high fat diet -induced alterations blot within burial integrity disposal really fancy these are the molecules are talking about right anthocyanins and what they do they looked at mice and they fed them a typical high sugar high fat American diet and they demonstrated that when they did this that the mice became fat they had insulin resistance they developed steatosis which is fat in the liver and they showed despite Elsa so the bacteria got screwed up and we got then they gave the mice the same molecules that we have and are trying to fed him the same diet and it started to reverse all that process so the science is coming out on this is so fascinating so if you don't if you're not taken Toronto right now because you do not bloated you might want to do it if you're eating a typical American diet leased from the small animal studies so that's and that's in the box and that's one of the main ingredients that's only one more facet in terms of what are 20 or just straight polyp I tried to learn not it's really what polyphenols can do to enhance or protect you and your health so now we know that it works well for gut now we know that tab with that Dr. Bo tells research from the UK from Exeter that polyphenols daily for athletes actually improves performance and tissue perfusion from from blood flow in a course you slow down your recovery time all of that comes from polyphenols not to mention making your endogenous or your your normal CBD your your normal cannabidiol that you have in your body work more efficiently there's just benefits to having polyphenols in your daily diet so we built this box is a gut health box right when you start looking for science to get the polyphenols for performance you get the megastore to increase the diversity of your bacteria so that they can actually use the food that you're bringing in and then the little thing we talked about before was true see that's the micronized hydrogen to improve your VO2 max meaning that you can actually have better oxygenation these are all studies that have just recently come out and of course you get a big steep discount on KB MD CBD oil service it's exclusive to everybody he's a KPMG box number no doubt that will almost all of my patients are on our Toronto plus KB MD CBD because the molecules are trying to augment your own endogenous and or cannabinoids or in other words your own CBD that your body produces and of course taking CBD is like a insurance policy against the world because it's really get you back to balance with your immune system and your nervous system speaking to CVD so I've tweaked my back in the past several years ago a few years ago and unfortunately just this last weekend Gage was out playing basketball up in Kansas and I went to watching and I decided to go engage in a workout and I lifted incorrectly I knew better it's a it's a it's a routine I work at that I normally do but you saw this was Ronnie Coleman 600 pounds on scrub I did 550 550 is from take it easy just be safe though truthfully it wasn't that much weight but what I did I put myself in a in a compromising angle that I don't normally do is in the equipment that usually use I knew better but regardless I did get a small spasm in my lower back usually the past it would take five sometimes seven days to really get more mobility that that injury gets it's a small injury occurred Sunday and you saw me pushing beds yesterday up at the end of center and I'm not 100% but the only difference that I have now that I didn't have the last time I hurt my back from lift is it I take on trying till daily antic CBD now and I think the level of inflammation that I experienced is less now it's anecdotal it's just me I feel great today will Susan feel totally 100% let's go back to that same doing the exact same exercise injure yourself but don't take either that way we have a control group and we have a treatment group you took the words right out of my mouth is exactly what I want to do is drive back to Wichita Kansas Wichita are our lovely and nice has nothing to do that it's just five hours from here to get there so at say it's a long round trip looks like your haircut I did get a haircut and yeah several of them cut several of them I'm such a fancy place what you talking to the person that was chop in your hair I was the hairstylist that's it you you call a woman the catcher here I guess that the hairstylist was cutting my hair and she asked me use it kind of funny in the chair and I say well actually just kinda stretch my back go back I tweaked it but I'm getting better and then she went on to tell me a story about she had been rear-ended by a large truck that erection Torcon on Interstate 35 in Denton and it took about eight months to get back to where she could hold her arms up to cut hair and then you know work at home in the scissors and without feeling fatigued lots of pain so I stress it would all work that she said well I did a few things that the pain doc recommended that do it it stretches but what made the biggest difference for me is when I found a CBD that I could trust and I could take but the hardest part should try several she has rides whatever we value this all the time she said the hardest part was finding one that was reputable that she could depend on didn't break her wallet so the one that worked the best was running her a little over $135 a month and she said it'd always make it to the end of the month even though she was following the instructions on their I let her talk and it was almost like she just walked straight into what you know what it is that you do it sought his ashes what would it have made a difference if you had a physician it said I recommend this CBD because it works clinically for my patients and here's why and she said I would've done in a heartbeat if so what if I could told it would have been about half the cost of the hundred and $35 brain that you are using she said well obviously I would've saved money I would've felt better Chuck told her that KB MD she she went straight to an ordered some so it's it's it's really kind of cool that we remove the access of the cost and that of the worry of is this legitimate CBD and so there was talk about it notes the waters are being really muddied right now. His boots of there's people there's essential oil companies that outrun at CBD there's every try to put it in different things and people ordered off Amazon which right now you're getting hemp seed oil united in getting CBD right is lots of mislabeling and so I think it's really important to have something to trust same thing that you're doing and buy a supplement or make sure that your CBD use is of quality something will happen is also on the topic of that of yesterday I I like it is so Greek salad and turkey patties from from Kenny's burger which is right by my brother my office to tasty Kenny's burgers but Chef Eric said that he was with him on the show under someone holding to it here pretty soon but I was I was Artie talking some people some somewhat regulars there was I googled you and I found you show LOL my guess it's also active on the show because it googled me as a doctor but find it a joke of growth nature and that she was tell me more about the CBD and then just immediately started this whole discussion about passivity was her talk about it and then it went sideways because she goes what you talk about tomorrow Mike that's a great thing am open to looking at different articles a look at what is really interesting one that just came out about a fecal microbial transplant is not effective in irritable bowel I forget that I'm at a restaurant you said that getting said yeah out loud to your class he got real classy records. The never disconsolate that I had to explain the article on the Gladwell will so you take what you slurry it up and put it I'm sorry document can you please leave the stage and a restaurant as I know I was like what yeah okay I'm just as it doesn't get any better not go into detail about how they actually did it which is what I want to do later maybe go to a restaurant that is not does not sell more burgers is Chevron Arcana came out was like yeah let's just move you back in the corner over there and let everybody else eat the burgers no need to wash your hand yes exactly so that we talked about CBD they found us just by doing and then I got put in the corner because I have a potty mouth it's okay well yeah is about a subject hey I just a real real quick reminder for all of our listeners be sure to like and share the gut check project and then shoot us an email gadget project.com under a connector contact let us know that you like and shared we got hundreds of people over the last few weeks so we are still going to give away the signature protection package which is a combination of Tron deal and KPD CBD month supply direct from yours truly Dr. Brown so where are we on the research topic for this week Jess of Unitech before Travis Or Did You Want to Save It's for Now Save It for a Little Bit I Want to Get More into Tell Me What Happened with the Family That's Compacted in Which Delegates You Go That's Great Is His Last Big Tournament As a Yeah Is a Highschooler before He Starts Haskell Ball I Got Have One More Turn up the Rest of the Summer but They Went to What They Call a Great American Shootout It It's Basically Huge Huge Basketball for Kids Who Are in High School to College Coaches Come in and They Watching He Dent the Weekend before down in South Dallas Duncanville and Other Match of Seven in Kansas Were Were Great I Mean They They Were Challenged They Ended up Finishing Two into One Teenage Face Twice They Beat Once in the Last Two Later and but If It Was It's so Good for the Development of This Program for Them to Have That Kind of That Kind of a Set up and It's It Puts Them into a Real Game Environment and That the Boys Worked Hard so It Was A Lot Of Fun and It's Always Good to Get at Town with Any Family Member Where You're Kind of Forced to Sit the Car Talk, but As Funny Subjects Laugh So It's Now I'm Not Really Fortunate Both My Kids Did Have Good Road Trips Exactly in and You Guys Are Sit There Talking You Know He's on His Phone Now Which Due To the Lot Where They Put the IPad the Back Everything Else We Do the Same at like Whatever We Do Road Trips It's You Realize You Hate to Drive Yes but I Have Kinda Grown a Little More Fond of It Because You Gets up and Talk Yeah My Undivided Attention When My Back Was Hurt Then on the Way Back so Gage Gauges Forced to Drive and I Could Even Look down to Look at My Phone) That We Had a Great Trip and Then Abreaction Stayed in Town Because Our Youngest Son Here the Best Will Tournament but Here's the Crazy Thing You Know That I Live in a Small Town or to Such a Small Town of 5000 People Marie Was a Part of This New Concert Series It Happens Indicator That They Would Just Now Starting to Implement and They Had a Large Music Acts That Amos Tony Leroux Who Came to Downtown Decatur Will Have 5000 and Change That Claims They Live in Decatur Property Had over 6000 People on the Square Just to Watch This One… That's so ALSO They Did a Great Job of Promoting and Bring Your Buddy Downtown so It's It's like A Lot Of of Americana in Canada Trying to Revitalize the Old Square and to Bring the Community Together so They Did a Great Job of Bullets People Downtown That's Awesome That's Very Sweet so That You and the Kids Well Okay so Last Week Show so the Both Kids Were Playing in Florida for Clay's For Clay-Court National Site and so Carla Had Just like I Think the Data Redoing the Show She Just Lost It before so She Was out Luke Is Actually Doing Real Real Good He Got Six Place 256 of the Best National Tennis Players in the Country and He Was the Youngest Which Is No Problem and What Was Really Cool Is That Carla Was There the Whole Time but She's Good Enough Now That She Can Warm Lucas up so She Was Lucas's Warm Apartment Nice so Yeah so I Thought That Was Really Really Cool so Last Night so They Came in on Sunday and Last Night They Start Asked Me about the Show Which I Think Is Really Fun so Carl Goes You Know What You Say about Me Tomorrow You Might Hello Point I Would Have Been with You Which Is like I Won't Look Us up so I'm like Okay Then Something I Could Not Do Liberals Don't Ask Me to Do No No No It's Impossible Bulges Flyby and Then Lucas Others Pretty Cool Because the Last Week You're Talking about How the Weeds Grow Everywhere Yeah and He Goes I Found a YouTube Channel Called Great Big Story Just Random Stuff Is Really Well Done 4 Million Subscribers Whatever Okay There Was a Story on That He Said Talk about This So Interesting and Will Get Only Gets up Patrick's Take on a Couple of These Things but It Is a Harvard Law Professor Who Dropped out or Just Quit after Practicing Law Just Said Turned on with This Became Forager So to Speak She Became a Weed Expert Okay And She Just Goes around Collects Weeds and She Takes Them to the Finest Michelin Star Rated Restaurants in New York City Where the Chefs Do Amazing Things with Weeds and Never Last Week Were Taught about the Fact That These Weeds Grow They They Have More Seeds That Grow Were in Inhospitable Environments They Have All These Different Sure Were Probably Looking at A Lot Of Food That We Could Be Dabbling in but I'm Not Encouraging Everybody Run out and Start Eating Everything in Your Yard EE I Remember That Reverent Story Ever into the Wild Right the Alexander Supertramp Who Happen to Eat Something and He Was Bare Garlic Instead of Wild Garlic Which Was Listed on the Same Page the Buckingham Dying in a School Bus in the Wilderness of Alaska but Yes That Moving the Book Is Really Great Actually Acts and Injuring Them in a Book on My Think at the Book and the Action Was an Article in Outdoor Magazine and Then It Was Became a Book and I Became in the Movie but down What Was That We Need That You Said That You Are You Ready Okay so Yeah There so Many Edible Plants but Having A Lot Of Them Require Special Preparation There's One in Texas Called Pulte Salad And down like a Silver Dollar Weed The Problem Is Yes the Boiler like Five Times Boiler Drain It Boiler Drain and Boiler Drain It before It Doesn't Make You Sick and Ends up Just Being Another Boiled Green but My Question Is Always Point How Many Children Did You Make Sick Throat Got up I Will March Me Know Jill's Sixth Mother Let's Try To Boil More Time Drain It in and Try Again I Never like Blowfish How Many Sailors on One Ship Died. I Cut It Correctly Yeah but Having Kids Is Probably Act of Desperation Is to Find out What You Mean at Some Point You're Kind of Force You Do Yeah I Mean and Forging Is a Big Thing Now I've Been Assuring You While the Hunting Wild Mushrooms in I Know He's Actually It's It's Awesome but It's Really Scary Because I Don't Know You Know We Have from Even It Comes to Mushrooms On One of the Episodes We Had Cooper Read on the Atkins We Did a Whole Episode on How to Identify Mushrooms How They Grow Idea That's Fascinating to Me That My College Is Coming I Don't Know How in the World They Can Get That Confident I Can Think You Could Study and Study and Study but Then Suddenly You're out on Your Own Going and That Was Pretty Good Really Want You Try That Make Sure It's Pretty Good Note School Is out Is Morels Have Not There Is No Other Mushroom That Looks like Them That's Poisonous so You Want Hot Mushrooms Be Sure to Learn How to Identify Morel Mushroom and Forget the Rest And 80 Bucks a Pound It's Been Shopping for Where Do You Find Morel Mushrooms and Well All over the Place at Texas Not so Much North Texas Maybe Far North Texas Arkansas Missouri Digits Did You Know That A Lot Of Texas Mushrooms Joke in the Arm of the Supercollider There Are Going to Build Oh Yeah so That the Tunnels They Began to Build Around Here in North Texas That Quercetin Completed but There Are These Gigantic Tunnels They Had to Make That They Made Use of Them And Eight They Cultivate and Grow Tons of the Mushrooms That You Get in Your Grocery Stores in the Old You're Kidding Supercollider Tunnels Yes It's Really Awesome They Have Is Awesome That My Ankle Time I Know That Jerry and Ray They Walk in a Manner like These Big Wheels and I Mean It's like the Perfect Tank No Sunlight Environment for White Mesh Row Ever since Ever since That Episode I Become so Intrigued by Mushrooms Was Even a Netflix Special That I Watched about Mushrooms and How Prolific They Are All the Things That You Do You Know Him As You Know I'm a Big Fan of All the Research Going on with Silicide and the Micronutrients and in Mushrooms Are Me and Can't Get Them Framed from Any Other Sources It Is Amazing with a Half-Hour I'm Looking at the Time I Feel This Is Unbelievable and We Yeah This Is Unbelieving Okay so Coming up Next Generic Travis From the Generic Page Family Talking Here Outline a Cyclical Generics Is Generous Is There's There's There's It's Also Generic It's a Way to Teach You How to Be so Generic That You Will Be Invisible Will Generically Laugh Your Ass off If You Are Trying to Quit Drinking or Doing Too Many Drugs Listen to Me You Don't Know Me and Will Never Meet I Had a Problem like You Want I Drank and Used a Party a Little Too Much till He Got Out Of Control and Almost Ruined My Life I Realize I Needed Help to Fix My Problem before It Totally Destroyed Me If You Tried to Fix Your Drinking and Drug Problem and You Know You Can't Do It Alone You Need to Call the National Treatment Advisors That Will Immerse You into a 30 Day Program to Replace Your Old Habits with New Habits and Totally Change Your Life and If You Have PPL Private Health Insurance the Entire Program May Be Covered Fix Your Problem Right Now before It Gets Any Worse Get Clean Call Now and Learn More 800-296-1252 800-296-1252 800-296-1252 800-296-1252 Are You Tired of High Cable TV Rates Sign up for Dish Today and Get a $500 Bonus Offer While Supplies Last Loss Locking Your Price for Two Years Guaranteed Call American – Your Dish Authorized Retailer Now 800-570-6630 800-570-6630 – 800-570-6630 Authors Required for the Occasion 20 from Early Termination Fee at the Auto Vein Restrictions Apply Call for Details Fast-Track Student Loans Can Get Your Student Loans Out Of the Vault Stop Any Wage Garnishments Stop Collection Calls and Stop Seizure of Your Tax Refund Give Yourself a Break to Stop the Stress and Get Your Student Loan Payments down to As Little As $25 a Month Based on What You Can Afford to Pay 800-709-4395 800 709-439-5800 709-439-5800 70943950 Projects We Are Now Joined with Mr. Travis PageIs the Generic Pharmaceutical Everything That Was Brought on Correct That's Correct Okay Now We've Just Gotten Legal Permission to Show His Face That Is Not That Generic Is That Some Other Cool Stuff Going on That's How You and I Originally Met You Had These Studies Cattle They Were Doing Anything That That There Were Supposed to Tell Me to Bring the Girls Alert the Cold Court Entered an Elected Mexican Cattle Espanola Yeah I Went to His Ranch in the Rye Had Little I Little Discussion Was like Him He Stood Back to His House yet Is How We Got in Line Had Never Thought about Speaking Spanish I Don't Speak Spanish but the Mexican Guy Needed You to Come over and Help Me out with That Once We Got in Line I Was like Hey I Got a Great Idea I Hope You Want You Come to My Office and Bring Lunch Occasionally That That's How It Works Yeah That's Right. That's Really All There Is It's Almost 90s What Is What You Say 97% of Pharmaceutical Reps Started in the Cattle Industry Oh That Is It's Much Lower Than That I Hope My Way off Bad Stats in Math and so Well We Get Now That We Have Somebody from the from the Farms of the Industry We Wanted to Have Travis Calloway in on Some of the Articles That Were Going to Discuss Today and in the Science Corner From Dr. Brown so Let's so I Got It Norma What Transmittal Do Sometimes I'll Take a Really Kind of a Cutting-Edge Article and Take a Deep Dive but There's Several Different Studies That Pertain to Our Previous Shows I Just Want to Come to Gloss over Them Wanted to Let Travis Decide Which One Were to Talk about First So Very Important You May Just Pick One of Those Pages Are All Negative That Gary Sakata Description First Actually Do You Want to Hear about the Tie between the Jott Micro Biome In a Potential Way to Help People with ALS Pamela Tropic Lateral Sclerosis Is Usually Known As Lou Gehrig's Disease Stress Data Was Choice Number One Choice Number Two Would You like to Hear the Previously Discussed Kenny's Restaurant Poop Transplant Story Choice Number Two Choice Number Two or Choice Number Three Out Of a Canadian University They Been Able to Identify And Produce Molecules in This Behalf Plant That Are Actually 30 Times Stronger Than Aspirin For Anti-Inflammatory Now You Heard Eric Talk about His Back Could Be That CBD Was Doing Something Real Nice We May Have the Molecules Three so This This Is Actually More of a Personality Test For You to See Where You Actually Landed Where Where You Headlined Is Generic Travis Your Job Is on the Line Yeah I I Feel like It's a Personality Test the Number Two with the Poop Would Be like to Go to Choice One with the Got Biome ALS Biome LSO Study Just Cannot Hear with I Looked at the Motor Neuron Disease ALS What They Have Found Is That There Is a Clue That This Horrible Condition and We Had Brandon Brown on Last Week We Were His Dad Died We Went into A Lot Of Detail about the Just Slow Progression of It and You Know We've Had Other People Call in That Event Actually Dealt with Us so Is This What Killed Stephen Hawking They Have Linked Changes in the Micro Biome That Live in Our Gut so They Have Discovered That Micro Biome Will Secrete a Proper Micro Bar Will Secrete Nicotinamide Vitamin B3 And This Appears to Slow the Course of Motor Neuron Disease by Improving the Function of the Muscle Control Neurons in the Brain Now This Is Pretty Exciting Because This Is the First Time They've Been Able to Show How the Micro Biome Will Produce a Neuroprotective Molecule and What They Showed Is That They Took Some Mice and Dooming a Biotics in the No Longer Produce So When We Start Destroying and Dropping Bombs and Not Feeding Our Microbiota We Don't Produces so It Nicotinamide You Made This May Seem Familiar to You Because We Were Working with the Guys That Produce Nicotinamide Ribonucleic Acid Which Is a Precursor of This so Basically What Happens Is Nicotinamide Gets Converted to Something Called NAD Plus and This Converts Food and Energy It Repairs DNA and It Helps the Circadian Rhythm so All These Things Eventually I Want to Try Get Some NAD in Our Box Sure but so It's Pretty Exciting Because Once Again It Comes Back to the Gut Can Affect Your Brain Were All about the Got Right Axis Here And so That Was Kind of Exciting and We Should All Think before We Just Go over to Gazette about Taking Antibiotics to Eat This Crappy Food Because Your Kinda Doing Some Neural Protection Every Time You Eat Polyphenols Every Time You Improve the Diversity of Your Micro Bio/ME I Think That You Could Look at There's Two Inputs to Your Brain and and Its Health One Is the Obvious It's What You're Doing to Learn and Keep Your Your Mind Active but the Other Thing Is Just Plain and Simple You Rest of Your Body Has To Get Nutrition From Somewhere in the Only Way to Get It Eat What You Eat in a Matter I Would Just Shown Time and Time Again That the Typical Western American Preservative Filled the Diet the Preprocessed Food It's Just Destroy Your Health It Really Is We Were Seeing an Epidemic of Autoimmune Disease and Everything Else Which Is Why I Think Everyone Has an Endo Cannabinoid Deficiency We Always Talk about This There Is the Gastro Vessel System the Cardiovascular System Neurologic System Will Have an Endo Cannabinoid System I Want to Be the First Board-Certified Endo- Kanab and All Just out There I Think I Can Because I'll Have To Form the Whole John Ronald to Certify Myself Immediately to Me Interesting Residency for Sure It Will Be Really Interesting Yeah So That the Other Study Were to Talk about Which Is These Guys Figured out These Two Molecules Cannot Live in a Can of Light and Be What's Interesting to Me about This Is That They Are Flavonoids So in a Full-Spectrum Hemp These Are the Polyphenols Which Are Also Was CBD Original CBD Nobody Talk about All the Other Molecules That Come along with It We Talk about the Terpenes Which Are the Essential Oils and We Talk about the Flavonoids Which Are the Polyphenols Right And What They Showed Is These Template and a and B They Provide the Anti-Inflammatory Benefit of Taking a Full Spectrum Interesting and They Showed They Can Show This Is What's The More Interesting They Implied That They Show That These Different Molecules Are 30 Times More Effective Than Taking Aspirin by Blocking Prostaglandins Prostaglandins As Part of the Arachidonic Acid Pathway Okay yet so Just for Those Who May Not Be Completely Aware of Their Economic Acid Pathway You Start with the Prostaglandin and It Moves down I Think It's Either Level I or Level II You Get into the Cyclooxygenase of the Cox Enzyme Correct Correct and That's Where Aspirin and Those Other NSAIDs Would Work so Basically You're Saying That a Natural Flavonoid Will Stop or Prevent That That Progression down That Pathway Earlier Correct Exactly This Is Patrick He Is Just Studio Touching Things Very Range of ZZZ's Adjusting Camera Started out There So So What's Really Actually about This Is That There's No There's Big Business I Mean Back When I Was a Resident There Was Talk of a Farmer Here for Second the People Throwing the Money Out Of Us Were the Cox Two Inhibitors Sure of Who I Can't Member Who They Were but They Got There Pulled off to the Realtor Causing Heart Attacks Afflicted by Vioxx Was One of the so Just to Finish up This Article There Was Really Interesting Because I Was like Wow This Is so Cool and Then I Went These Guys Didn't Discover This in Fact It Was Discovered in 1985 That These Molecules Did This What They Did Is They Discovered the Enzyme to Produce It So They Want to Start Manufacturing Just These Two Molecules And They Probably Will Make It a Drug Sure like They Want to Do so This Is Interesting Because We Talk All the Time That the Full Spectrum Allow Mother Nature to Do Her Thing So No Offense of the Farm Industry but Frequently Though Find Something Oh There Is the Molecule during This Then They'll Manufacture It and Hope That It Works As Well As in Mother Nature but We See It Time and Time Again That It Doesn't You Need Everything in the to Do It and I Did Have Some Fun with This Because I Want on Reddit and Looked at Somebody I Recently Discovered Read about Three Months Ago Yes It Just Started Ready Friend and I'm like Reddit Thing Is Super Cool When You Find That Modems Had a Quick Side Note They Go on I Gonna Read It Funny Pretty Good Way to Start Your Day Just Looked at Cop Arresting a High a Really High Kid and I Don't Know What Happened before Goes the Cop Looks at Him and Just Goes I Mean like When They Make Fun of High People and They Portrayed in Movies You're Mad As Hell Man Thanked Its Front Page Read It for Sure It Was so Somebody Wrote Them Basically What They're Talking about Is That It's Been Known for a Long Time That These Kenna Flavin's a and B Have Been Able to Do This and the Study They Were Referring to His 1985 but It Just Kind of Implies That This Is You Know the Way Things Go What's Really Cool about It Is That There Are Potentially Thousands of Other Molecules We've Not Discovered In These Plants I Made Such a Complex Plant Which Is Why Think It Is so Many Things so That's Article Number Two Article Number Three Is I Get Asked All Time on My Patients about Fecal Transplants and so You Take Someone's Poop Stick and Somebody Else and A Lot Of My SEBO Patients A Lot about Your Mobile Patients Always Asked That Randomized Trial Came to the Conclusion That Now It's Not Any Better Than Placebo the Real Taking Someone Else's Poop Does Not Help Irritable Well Hey Just a Curiosity That Particular Study How Big Was It and Are You I Do Think the Methods Were an Effort to Be Disk and Totally Conclusive on That Element Now I'm Sure It's Not and I Don't Member Lussier Got off Public Results I'm Only Curious Because We've Seen in the past but Sometimes You Can Hundred and 75 People Recruited Okay 75 Now That Being Said It's like All Things for Me and Some Other People Would Go Ahead and Critique Us so They Took the Capsules the Frozen Food Pressure Okay Though Some Would Argue Is It You Know Is It Actually Working to Present to D Have To Go in and Do This so Do Remember Quick Side Note We A Few Years Ago We Were Interviewed We Had This Yale Gastroenterology Fellow We Took A Lot to Eat He Was Considering Joining Us and His Research Was on Fecal Microbial Transplant so Taking My so What They Would Do Is Take a Skinny Mouse and a Fat Mouse and They Would Swap and See What Happened with That Mousey Little Skinny Mouse and They Were Showing That Fat Mice Started to Lose Weight after Getting the Fecal Transplant Skinny Mice Gained Weight So While He's Telling Us This As You Can See I Have a Habit of Talk about Poop and Restaurants Yeah Our Waitress Was like What Hold on to Explain That He Goes into More Details I Guess I Will Publish This in It's Really Exciting She's like He Was Ever Thought about How Their Fat Families Is Genetics or Are They Sharing Their Poop Once You Live with Somebody Long Enough Whether You like It or Not You Sharon Poop and Just to Women with Somebody so She Just Goes Oh My God It Looks over the Water Boys like Six 420 S. West That Just Became the Sexiest Man in This Restaurant Yeah Yeah Yeah I Did So so Anyways Brigham Young University Just Came out with Actually Did a Fecal Microbial Transplant Study on Weight Loss The – Documents and so Is Small Study but It Actually Did Not Show That Improved Weight Loss I Had a Patient That Did a Microbial Transplant from Her Sister and She Ended up Getting The Same Diseases As Her Sister Though She Developed Acne and Hypothyroidism and Put on Weight It's Really Interesting Though Because I Think It Even United Whenever That Study First Came out from Brigham Young That Was That There Probably Are Still Some Environmental or Extrinsic Controls That There Probably Weren't Measured Because Did the Fecal Transplant Actually Have Number One Time to Change the Habits of the Desires the Person Had Now It Seems like There's A Lot Of Different Facets Whenever You're Talking about Essentially a Human in the Wild of the Western Civilization and And All of the Different Offerings That You Can Have for Food Sources Etc. Can Be Reversed So I Thought from a Generic Farming Nice Yeah so I'm in a Really Have To Not Beating in My Scene To Ingest Somebody Else's. Psalm Tanya Seems like There Would Be A Lot More Negative Than Positive to Write Well Will I Think That There's so Much Science Coming out on the Micro Biome We Don't Know What to Do with And There's A Lot Of People Who Are Really Desperate I Think You're on an Island I Think Most People Are Totally into Having Someone Else Do You Think That We Took a Poll I Don't Know It See This Is What He Brings up a Good Point Maybe My Sample Size Is Way Too Small Maybe I Need to Ask More People Than Just Myself Okay That Was No Pun Intended Right Your Sample Size I'm Glad Someone Is Picking up a Ladder Right after L Phoenix on Friday Obviously Travis Does Not Work for a Mixed Good Restaurant Is Awesome Yeah but No It's Believe It or Not It's a Topic of A Lot of Scientific Inquiry Right Now Yeah Microbial Transference the Microbiota What's Going on I Mean This Is People Not Ever since the Advent of the Phone I See More Pictures of People's Poop and I Don't Need to Just Keep It Right There Don't Know What You Can I Got the Good Imagination I Imagine That Is Interesting No and We Did Get Asked about That Quite a Bit at the Procedure Clinic About What You Know about Fecal Transplants but I Think There's Still Time Left to Discover If It's Well so It's the Brakes of Been Put on It Because Just Recently That Study, We Have People Died Two People Died from Getting a Fecal Transplant Because the There Was a Bacterium That Yeah That's What I Was in Salmon There's That Negative Outweighing the Positive Right Because There's so Much Negative from Its Waste Right I Will yet so Technically That's True but That's It Has Your Micro Biome and It Has A Lot Of Dead Things Is a Ton of Waste in It and You Know Poop Is Extremely Complex We Don't Really Quite Understand What to Do with It or How to Make It Better but We Do Know That Your Micro Biomes Your Genome within Your Genome We Need to Start Treating That Accordingly Give It What It Wants You Start Having A High Process with High Sugar Food You're Going to Have Bacteria That Are Going to Proliferate More I Will Start Sending Signals to Your Brain to Ask for More of That so Are You in Control Or Is Your Bacteria in Control of You That's the Interesting Thing Yeah Definitely Has Many Other No Words No That's That's We Just Waited Technically for Quick Studies Today NL Just Came out but Right Now I Got I Got I like Commit to One and Do a Deep Dive on It but We Were Able to Come to Cover the Cover Basis Rather While They Want to Gain It Well Travis Walking the Show Thank You Ashram so You Were Born in Carrollton Texas Correct Yes and Currently Now and of Course We All Teasing but We Can't Worried Asked Not to Totally Reveal Exactly What Farms It Was a Represent What Company That You with but That Won't Prevent Us from Talking about the Journey to Get to Where You Are Now so It Will… Let's Go Ahead and Cleverly Were Microfiber but the Reality Is Is That the Pharmaceutical Industry Has Been under Fire for the Last Decade or so Though Sure That the Regulations What Can Be Said What You Can Be Represented Have Really Been Ratcheted down in Some Part of the Fun I Want to Do Today's Talk about My Journey As the Doctor Where There Was No Limit Free-For-All It Was a Free-For-All to Now Would You like to Know You Can't Say Anything And I Can't Bring You Anything and We Can't Do Anything and Everything's under Tight Regulations It's Morphed A Lot I Mean Definitely over the Last Three Decades It's Probably Not a Recognizable Profession When It Was 30 Years Ago Compared to What Is Now Yesterday There's a Guy That That Worked with On the Primary Care Side That Will Just Call MAC Outright and He Was 60 Something Years Old He'd Been through He Made It through like Eight Different Layoffs over The Course of His Career Right Me Just Could Not Kill This Guy And He Was a Fixture Every Wednesday He's in This Particular Office Right and I Just Asking Him and Talking to Him about What The Industry Was like 30 Years Ago When I Came into It I Mean You I Missed out on On All of That Right and You Know It's It's the Only Sales Job Really That I Can Think of Where It's Not Okay to Take Your Customer to Dinner or Take Your Customer out for a Drink or out to Play Golf or or Whatever the Scenario Might Be I Mean Yeah One of My Best Friends Is His Family Owns a PVC Pipe Manufacturing Company Right They Live on That They Live on Entertaining Their Customers I Mean It's Expected Brian and I Is Not Funny Because Doctors Now Are so Scared Especially with Happen to Some Hospitals Doctrine Hospitals the Stuff That If You Own It If You Do Anything in Medicine I Do Not Want I Don't Take Any Money from You I Do Not Want to I Feel like a The High-Level College Recruit Just like Now What I Will Pay for My Own and Because He Is There so Much Fear on the Doctor and Roots like Look at You Being Influenced And the Reality Is There Was A Lot Of Money to Influence People's Behavior and That's What That's Why the Relations Came around His Right Is Wrong I Don't Know While Internet and That All of the Training and Everything You Get Is a Rat Now Is All Very Patient Focused Right It Is It Is All about Presenting a Case and Paying a Picture of a Particular Patient That Needs Help And That That's Really Our Job at This Point Is to Go Get in Front of the Physician Somebody Has the Capability to Improve Somebody's Life Right by Writing a Prescription or Doing a Procedure Whatever the Case May Be in Just Painting a Picture of the Patient That They See on a Daily Basis but Maybe Get Lost in the Shuffle Are That They Don't Recognize and Try to Paint a Picture of How That Patient Suffering and How You Can Help So I Mean I We Will See the Company Name but I've Been Doing Clinical Research for A Lot Of Different Pharmaceutical Companies and I Work A Lot Assigned to Place on Sears Has Some Really Smart PhD's That a Return to Work This out so There's There's All Different Kinds of Views of What This Industry Is and What It Was What It's Become And Everybody Insurance Companies Have a View of That the Patient Has a View of That the Doctor Has a View of It the Company and There's so Much So Many Moving Parts That Are Continually Moving so If a Drug Company of Or Research Division of the Drug Company Has a Pretty Good Product If It Doesn't Look like It's Gonna Be a Homerun There's Just a Recent Pharma Startup Were There Looking at Something in Cannabis in the Phase 3 Clinical Trial Was Looking Bad And Somehow It Got Leaked Their Stock Plummeted 81% On This The Rumor That the Trial Wasn't Going Well It's Crazy Because He Almost Are Stockholders in Industries like That You're Always Betting on the Future It's Never on the Present Value of What Merely Delivering a Good Service Would Heavy It May Have so Much Weighing on That in Fact If Armor the Number Correctly You May Be Able to Correct near It's Probably Grown since Then but the Late 90s We Were Told the Stat And That Was That so Much of the Money in the United States Of America Pharmaceutical Industry Is Strictly to Stave off the Costs of R&D and the Elements That Go into That to Move That Product Soaked over Told Is That before One RX Is Sold of Any Doesn't Matter All Comers Is Sold That over $1.4 Billion Had Been Invested Industrywide to Create Good Multifarious Trials the Experiments That the Development Of a Said Drug That Would Come with Every Lineage You You Yourself Even Said They Had That Started with a Steady Back in 85 and Now They're Trying to Find an Enzyme to Do Something Will Were 30 Years Removed from That so over That Time How Many People Spent Time Reading That Article so This Is an Aggregate of All of the Time and All the Research That Goes into This and Avenue Where We Can Improve Either an Outcome or What Have You Is Just A Lot Of Money on Top of That Before You Can Turn a Drug out to Somebody You Gotta Go through At Least Three Phase Clinical Trials and Then Moving to the Force Where the Consumer Will I Will Say This Travis Are Here Because Number One Your Atypical for a Drug Rep So How in the World like What Your Journey Man Were to Start College and Appear Yes so It It's It's Really Not That I Complicate Our Plan to Be Here A Lot Sooner Than That I Was a Mean on That Third Show Doesn't Start until I Was Right on Time for That Yes so You Are Talking about My Journey Right so I'm a Third-Generation Sales Guy When My Dad Went through School When He Came out It Was All about Computer Software and Hardware Right When I Was in School It Was All about the Pharmaceutical Industry and so It Was My Ambition Right to Be in Sales It's All I've Ever Done Don't Care If It's My High School Job My College Mates It's Always Been Involved in Sales so I Knew That's What I Was Going to Do in the Hot the Hot Job to Have Come You Know Back in 1999 Was Coming into the Pharmaceutical Industry and It All Went to a Small State University Which Was Mistake Right Great Experience Great Education but Just Not Allowed A Lot Of Alumni Support Board Job Right after You Get Out Of School You Know When and at That Point I Thought I Was Going to Be a I Thought It Was Going to Be a Pro Athlete Right Because We All Do When Were 18 or 19th And so When I Discovered That I Wasn't Going to Be Right I Try to Get into That the Job Market Will Sports So I I I Rodeo Road in College and You Know I Thought That That Was Going to Be Realizing Your Second College Rodeo Yes Scholarship Person That We Got on the Show the Odds That's Where I Show 18 We Had to Know Me That's the Elementary Him Percent Yeah Hendrickson Was a Rather One Robo That's Right Robo So What Would He Compete and What Was His Mostly Bad Ass Surrey Samurai Night Was That He Was a I Think He Was a Bronc Rider It Is a Professional Bronchitis Think He Was a Bronc Rider Yeah Yeah Yeah so That's What I Did but There It Was Very Evident That I Was Not Going to Be Professional at It by the Time I Arrived National Rodeo Person Liquid of the Skills and the Acyl Basically Your Your You're Willing to To Put Your Money Forward and Go on the Relative Absolute Zero Sensitivity in the Mail Nether Region There's That Your Behalf Shopping to Play Smudges As People Think That It Is That Often so We Don't Have To Worry about Being Somebody Runs up and Just Kiss You All of the Terry A Lot Of You A Lot Less People Sign up If That Were the Case Yeah No I Mean It's It's Really You Know It's It's It's One of the Few Sports in the World Where There's No Contract There's Nobody Paying You Unless You Went so You Gotta Be Able to Foot the Bill to Go Compete And Then Yard You Know Basically Sustaining Yourself with Whatever You Went so If You Don't Win It's Not Sustainable Is Basically What the Deal Is so That the First Job Interview I Had a College Was with Copenhagen's Goal Right Okay and so I Go down to the Office There in Louisville Used To Be on Main Street There in Louisville and I Go in There and I'm Talking I'm Talking to This Gentleman and It's a Sales Job and Ides Promotional Job and I Get to Go on the Road All These Rodeos and Stuff and Promote Copenhagen's Goal Might Man It Sounds Fantastic I Said so How You Guys Health Benefits Magazine That We Don't Have That We Pay like 70 Company I Mean Yeah Yeah Your Initial You Will Take Jobs Coming out You Have To Eat so Did You Have Any Issues Taking a Job That Actually Is Harmful To Society yet so in When You're 18 or 19 It Are More Associated with Cowboy Than I Did It Measure Harmful You Know and As You As You Grow up and Mature You Realize That That's Not a Great Thing You Know What I Mean but an 18 or 19 I Just Associated with Being Able to Be Look at How You Look at Look at the Advertising They Were Doing Then It Is Sex for for Your for Your Peers That's Sexy to Be Doing Copenhagen School Started to Happen When I Was 14 Years Old I'm 42 Today Today State Not Today Matt How Is Patrick and with Everything. I Wish It Was My As Long As the Mud Pie We Yeah so Know They Definitely Marketed on the Old You Your Walt Garrison Everything I Mean You To Be What You Had Done to Dip Snuff You Know At Least I Thought That When I Was You Know in Middle School You Know What I Mean so Yeah I Would Not I Would Not Do That Today God's Blessing Because Now You're in Your Center Help to This Said Again Your Products Help My Patients so You Come Full Circle without Definitely and That's It That Is That Is the Most Gratifying Part of of What I Sell Is That You Don't Unsolicited Patients Will See You in a Waiting Room and With This Particular Product That I'm Selling Now at Mean It's a Lifesaver Right so like Literally so Patient Comes up to Me This Is Not a Month Ago In the Waiting Room and Says You Thank You for Doing What You Do You Say My Life I Can Save Your Life Right but It Makes Me Feel Good to Think That I Know Made a Case for That Patient Advocated for That Patient in Front of Physician That Ito Saw Fit to Put This Patient on That Product and It of Their Life Is Improved Because That in Some Dramatic Way so That's the Big Deal with Travis That Was Ablated Not You Just Did Your First Half-Hour with Us on the Guttering Project We Have a Whole Another Hour to Go with Travis We Got Tons of Really Cool Stories about the Pharmaceutical Industry Will Be Back Here in Four Minutes This Is the Only 24 Hour Take Anywhere Platforms Dedicated to Food and Fun We're Spooning Our Townhall.com, Is a Thing or Two about What It Takes to Succeed in National Politics and President Frump Believes the Russia Probe Will Hurt the Democrats Politically in 2020 President Is Predicting That the Democrats Focus on the Russia Investigation Will Backfire in Next Year's Presidential and Congressional Races after Former Special Counsel Robert Muller's Congressional Testimony the President Said There Was No Defense to This Ridiculous Hoax Greg Claxton the White House Horace Johnson Vowing to Silence What He Calls the Doubters the Doomsayers the Gloom Steers You Don't Think You'll Be Able to Successfully Lead Britain Out Of the European Union The New British Prime Minister Is Held His First Cabinet Meeting Later Address Parliament Johnson Promising to Exit the EU by the End of October North Korea Has Fired a Couple of Short Range Missiles into the Sea off Its East Coast South Korea Says One of the Two North Korean Missiles Flew 450 Miles Longer Than Initially Suspected Soul and Set Both Missiles Got to That Distance before Landing in the Walters of the Country's East Coast the South Categorizes Both Missiles a Short Range but It Concerns As to Their Status Senior Japan Official Says If They Were Ballistic Missiles They Would Be Violating UN Sanctions on Charles the Ledesma Party Time in Puerto Rico Protesters Celebrating Afterword That the Embattled Islands Governor Will Resign a Week from Tomorrow Led by Strong Demand for Commercial Aircraft in Cars Durable Goods Orders Rose by 2% Last Month on Wall Street This Morning Stocks Are Lower the Dow Is down about 138 Points the NASDAQ Composite Index All 58 S&P Currently down 14 Points More on the stories@townhall.com Now You Can Fly Anywhere in the World and Paid Discount Prices on Your Airline Tickets Flight Today to Learn This Harassment to Read or Anywhere Else You Want to Go and Pay A Lot Less Guarantee Quality International Travel Department Right Now Low-Cost Airlines 800 452 1075 800-452-1075 That's 800-452-1075 Got an Old Car Donated Whether It's Running or Not to the United Breast Cancer Foundation and Save a Life They'll Even Come and Pick It up for Free The United Breast Cancer Foundation Has Saved Hundreds of Women's Lives through Their Free or Low-Cost Breast Screening Exams but Now They Need Your Help The United Breast Cancer Foundation Wants to Save More Lives through Early Detection by Offering Women Free or Low-Cost Breast Screening Exams In Donating Your Old Car SUV or Truck Whether It's Running or Not Helps Pay for Them Plus You Get a Charitable Tax Deduction Help the United Breast Cancer Foundation Save Lives by Donating Your Old Car SUV or Truck Call Now for Free Pickup 800-245-0823 800-245-0823 800-245-0823 Call Right Now That Number Again Is 800-245-0823 Never Forgotten Apparel Is More Than Just a Premium Women's and Men's Clothing Line It's a Movement to Remind Us to Where American-Made and Serve Those Who Serve Us Our Heroes Never Forgotten Apparel Gives 20% of Their Total Sales to Nonprofits That Support Homeless Veterans and Off-Duty Firefighters and 50% to Individual Veterans and Firefighters in Need Nationwide Checkout Never Forgotten Apparel.com Use Promo Code Matt and ATT And Get 15% off Your Purchase Will Go Back into Our Number Two Check Project Episode 18 on Their Clear Here with Your Host Dr. Ken Brown in the Course Today We Have the Generic Pharmaceutical Rep Travis Page Real Quick Don't Forget to like and Share Gut Check Project Go to YouTube.com Search Gut Check Project Then Be Certain to Subscribe and Tell a Friend Then Go to Get Check Project.com Go to Contact or Connect Let Us Know That You Did It to Be Entered into the Contest Where This Month Next Week We Give Away At Least Five Signature Pack 10 Troubleshoot the Signature Packages I Have Heard You Talk about This but It Is Change the Time Two Cans of Copenhagen's Good for Your Patience I'm Glad That's Better Than That to Be Month Supply about John Teal and Katie Being CBD Paired Together and You Get to Choose Your Flavor like Natural Natural like Sentiment Gets in So It's, like Opening You Choose Your Flavor Yeah Yeah Signature Package, like Copenhagen Be Sure That Is Now like Travis Are Coming on Your Great Salesman Genesis I Was of Delta Here Is a Reminder Ever since the Invention of the of the Phonathon Wonders for My Hemorrhoid Business and That's Why so This Is My Public Service Announcement Don't Red and Poop Because You Get Him Yeah That's Public Service Announcement How Does like the Fact That Friday Nephrology's Toilet This Is Weird That's Gutsy That's Her Mascot Yeah It's It's Cool That He Can Also Articulate His His Hand to a Phone and He Uses the Potty but Now It Away This Is What Amphibians Do Nowadays This Is with Her into Everybody's Evolving Everybody Is Evolving See Evolving so Tribes You Had Quite a Change from You Went to If You Had Mentioned Earlier That Lady Said He Went to Stephen F Austin Kratz Yes Sam Foster State University down in Nacogdoches or East Texas and Currently Now You Live in Crom Which Is Just West of Denton Texas Correct Correct and You Did Not Leave Your Team Roping Skills behind Is Part of Your History You Just Lunch Would Expand on That You Have Any They Do That Anyhow Yes so That in Our Roadblocks in College and We Always Thought That the Timed Event Guys Are Kind of the Sissy Guy I Know I Just Turned out They Were the Smarter Ones Right It Really It Really Does Turn out That Away You Know Your Your Career Is Is Prolonged Quite a Bit You Know When When Your Mount Is Not Trying to Put You on the Ground Hurt You You Know so It It Was Very Much Considered to Be and an Old Man Type Thing by the by the Rough Stock Guys Will Now I Fit That Bill Right Side Zero Shame about about Team Opening It's Actually Extremely Complicated and I'm Rude I Learn Something New Every Time I Go about so It's Some Guys Fish Some Guys Play Golf on Llama Pharmaceutical Rep by Trade but My Hobby Is Timo Days a Week Do You Do T-Mobile or Do You Work on It Yes so It's It's Tough Right Because of You Know All the Resource That You Need to Actually Practice Something I Have You Know What a Dummy If You Will That I Can Roped It Stationary That I Can Do by Myself All the Time but to Actually Get Rigged up and Get on a Horse in and Have a Live Cattle the Rope for Me Not to Be Someone You Have the Cattle Strictly Roof Yes so This We Just Built a House Last Year But before That I Was on a Real Property That Actually Had the Facility A Roasting Pan on It and so We Would Bring Cattle Lisa Basically to This Facility but We Have A Lot Of Space Sure so You Go Online You Start Trying to Leave Lease These Corian Take Cattle What They Want to Lease 100 up We Have Space for 100 Right so We Needed 5 to 10 Generally Be Whole Lot Easier If He Had the Hundred in That Same Space and I Was Going Fishing in Lake Geneva Was Starting Okay That Would Get Really Complicated in a Hurry Bill out Would Be A Lot Of Moving Parts Anyway since We Figured out That You Know There's a Market for This Bird You Know the Small Group of Cattle so My Idea Was on My Little Place to Raise Five and There's All These You Always Have Five Babies on the Ground That Would Mature and and Be Able to Be Leased out to Somebody's Facility and You Drive up down 380 You Know You're from Decatur You Know What I'm, There's All These Little Farm and Ranch Is There and A Lot Of Them Have Team (so That If You and and and Their Alts Smarter Not Hundreds of Acres Right There There 8 to 10 so Not A Lot Of Space to Keep a Bunch of Cattle so That Was My Idea so I Got And Just like Everything Else I Get Myself into a Little More Complicated Than What I Thought You Know It's A Lot Going on This for like I Think Is My Fourth Year and Raising the Yeah Yeah so I Started out with Two Mama Cows in My Idea Was to Breed Him and Then Turn out Babies Will Eat You Can Only There You Can Only Keep Him Permanently If Their Female Right Because That's the Only Way to Make More Cows Right Is to Have Female so If You Have Males That Doesn't Grow Your Herd You Know What I Mean You Can't Bring Them Back to Each Other and I Can't Think so It It's Been an Endeavor Right so Were in the Were in the Process but Yeah That's Another Aspect of the Hobby I Guess You Have like a Career in the Dating Apps with the Yeah Yeah What Side of the Body Corian Table down the Road so You Know Every Every Winter I Take Him on a Date Hello Demo Gals in the Trailer We Take One or On a Day over in My Buddy's Place Even for Them Swipe Right around and Only One so That They Are A Lot Of Choice on a on a Quick Side Note We Talked about This before That When You Have Too Many Choices There Is a Psychologist That Did a Site Psychological Study Were People Who Chooses Many Types of Jams That They Wanted and Had like 40 Different Kinds but You Could Bring Her Back Didn't like It or They Could Choose between like Three And He Showed That the People Had More Choices Were Less Happy with Their Choice or with Their Decision and the Other Ones Didn't That's Exactly What I Think Data Gaps Are I Think You Should Download an App and You Go One of Two Choices That Are You This Guy like That You Pick It and I Think People Would Be Happier Person I Don't Have Any Experience with It so That All I Not One Time Have I Ever Had It I've Always Had You Insane the Natural Old-Fashioned Way Right so I Don't Even Know What This Means This Online Anything I Don't I Don't Get It Never Participated in Also You like Me Look like like the Old Way like like OkCupid Original Apps like I See You Are and You Always Are I Say Something Funny You Know and Then We Dance and Then We Have a Beer and That's It L Next Week and We Go to a Movie like a Real Relationship But I Guess This Is a Real Thing Will Go My Point Is How Unhappy People Are And I Think That Deserves That Foam Well There's Always a Sphere of Zero Something More to Be like You Could Choose You Driving down the Elders Bolted Usually with That Will Make Better You Know Kids with This Was the Swear That That's an Interesting Concept What If If Back before Social Media If People Think of Everything You Give up to Put Your Profile on a Dating App May Not Only Do You Have How You Aesthetically Look but You Begin to Say Your Name or Your First Name out I Assume Sometimes I Do They Ever Ask If You Giggle the Deeper What Your Occupation Is WikiLeaks Which Hobbies Are but If You Just Had to Wear Shirt Just Said Your Name And Then Your Hobbies Where You're from And like What What Area You Live in and Then You Are in a Bar and Then You Begin to Weed out People before You Ever Got to Know Them Just Based on What Their Hobbies Were Never Printed on Their Shirt They Would Bay It Would've Made Things Just a Dating Shirt When You Compare the Hobbies of Everybody and There Probably Not Be Satisfied with the Fact That You May Not Find Somebody like Team Roping And It Just Because It Wasn't Listed on There so the Promo Comes from Looking at All This and I'm Not Seeing My Hundred Percent Match Here If You Have These Small Biographical Details but They've Done I Mean There's a Whole Lot of Evidence We Are Not Becoming Happier As a Society Affect Depression Is This Huge Which Is Why Think Things like Sulci but I Can Make a Big Difference Probably All These Drugs and Everything Probably Just Putting the Phone down for a Little Bit Is a Great Way to To Reconnect and Reset Which Is What I like about What You Do Is Your Hobby You Your with Nature Your Beer Interacting That's Awesome Well in That You Know the Contrast Is My 11-year-old Son Just Turned 12 He's 12 Years Old Now but Now He Is So Not Interested in That Aspect of My Life and When I Was Growing up What a Kid Because I Didn't Have It You Know What I Mean I Ate Was All Indirect It Was Adjacent to Me Was the Influence Was All for My Mom Side of the Family But It Was Everybody a Kind Move past It so I You Know When I Got into It I Can I Got into It on My Own so I Would've Loved My Dad to Be Involved in Something like That and My Son He's a Baseball Player This Thing This Is Not but He'll Pick up the Phone All Day No Enemy Ill Be on That PlayStation but You Know That's It's Just Completely Different from When My Experience When I Was Growing up Totally Can You Explain Exactly Were Saying Team Roping You Know I've Never Watched It I Don't Know Just Tell Me What You Do Okay so I'm on That I'm on the Head Side Right so It Set up This Away There's A Shoot in the Middle Where the Callous Deployed Right in on Either Side I Shoot There's a Box so the Cows Deploy to Get a Head Start Right and Then It's Basically a Horse Race Right so the Guy on One Side Is Responsible for Roping the Horns the Other Guys Responsible on the Other Side for Coming behind and Roping the Feet And Then yet You Dally off Your Saddle Horn and Kinda Stretched Tight for a Split Second They Drop a Flag Not Your Time so It's a Time to Vent Animals and Hurt Not at All Not at All Not All Yeah so There's A Lot Of Controversy Sir Surrounding What They Call Tiedown Roping Where They Use Sprite with a Flip Them over so There's a There's A Lot Of Controversy and Not Just the Way It It Looks I Think Team Roping Is A Lot Less Shocking but You Know That the Bottom Line Is Is That There's All Kinds of of Regulation and That Kind of Thing to Make Sure That That That the Animals Are Taken Care Of and I'm Telling You This Those Horses I Would If I Could Come Back Is on My Want to Be High and Horse Absorbed a Performance Horse of Some Nobody Lives Better Than I Did Have a I Had a Friends Family That They Bread over the Cold Cut Horses Big Big Big Money

Throughout history, a single question has plagued humanity since the beginning. An item that has been asked many times. An issue that all Abrahamic religions face. The question that if an All-Powerful God, who is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, All-Loving, All-Merciful, and All-Just, is in control of All things and matters, does exist, then why do people experience evil, pain, and suffering in this World? Why must we contend with sickness, natural disasters, starvation, war, calamities, corruption, and killings? If God is indeed All-Merciful, All-Loving, All-Good, and All-Just, why does He allow such things to happen? This very concept is known as the problem of evil. Many have come to the wrong conclusion that because of the existence of evil, God could not possibly exist--or that he is a cruel, unjust God who enjoys seeing people suffer and in pain. A God that is not worth worshipping, who is unaware, uncaring and incapable of removing and controlling elements of evil. The existence of evil ranks amongst the top reasons as to why people reject the concept of religion or the belief in a Higher Power. People that reject God because they cannot grapple with the problem of evil do not have nor claim to have an understanding of or a solution to the conditions of darkness and pain. The decision to disbelieve the existence of God only adds more confusion to the situation; leading to the emergence of questions as to why we were created, where we are destined to go, etc. They choose to reject God because of their lack of understanding. To understand the problem of evil and as well as many other life concepts, one must have faith—the very belief system which provides wisdom. The question of evil was asked by the Angels themselves when God the Almighty announced that He was creating a new form of beings called humans. "And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the Earth a successive authority" (Quran 2:30) The Angels responded with a question: "...They said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and   You?" (Quran 2:30) God answered: "…Indeed, I know that which you do not know" (Quran 2:20) Although God did not explain nor rationalize the answer to their question, the Angels were completely satisfied with this response; this is owing to their complete humility before, trust in, and faith in God's Wisdom and Knowledge, recognizing His Wisdom as Perfect and without flaw. The Angels did not assume God's Wisdom was incorrect simply because they could not understand nor comprehend that Wisdom. We humans never will fully understand the reason behind the World's pain and suffering, as our limited, finite minds cannot comprehend the logic of God. However, the fact that our intellectual capacity cannot understand and evaluate the Wisdom behind pain and suffering in full does not nullify that Wisdom. How can we judge the situation or God Himself without all the information needed to do so? God states in the Quran: "...And mankind has not been given of knowledge except a little" (Quran 17:85) We as humans only can understand the Wisdom behind pain and suffering on a general level. We have no right to question our Creator—as everything belongs to Allah, the Glorious including us, and to Him we will return. Whereas hardship, pain, and suffering do exist in this World, these incidents are the exception and not the rule. Muslims disbelieve the concept of pure evil. All things that God has created are either purely good or possesses a balance of good and evil. Nothing is purely evil with no goodness inherent. Whereas evil can dominate more than the good in some instances, everything holds an element of some good. Every evil is good in at least some aspects; for instance, while sickness may harm the body temporally from one angle, that same sickness also strengthens the immune system and teaches one patience with the healing process. Similarly, whereas Volcanos can harm, they rejuvenate the ecosystem that facilitates life in the first place. Without Volcanos, we would not be able to grow food; this is because Volcanos spew out minerals resulting in rich fertile soil. Whatever God Wills, the good will always eventually outweigh the bad. Additionally, one person's calamity can be another person's blessing; for instance, when one person loses a job, another person finds a new occupation. Good and evil need each other to exist. How can a person be generous if no charitable beneficiaries are available? Poor and hungry people need to exist for charity and generosity to occur. How can forgiveness happen when there is no offense to forgive? How can one learn patience without the perception of evil and calamities? Similarly, following natural disasters, humanity tends to show generosity and support by sending medical assistance, food, donations, etc., to those affected. Consequently, a negative occurrence enables positive results to be manifested. God loves the good that is generated from the perception of evil. Pain and suffering are blessings in disguise. Also, we need the existence of evil to recognize and appreciate good. It's when we are deprived of something valuable that we feel the appreciation and blessings of God. One needs to experience hardship to value the better times. Sometimes one needs to experience illness to appreciate good health, or poverty to appreciate substance. It's only in the darkness that one recognizes and appreciates the light. The perception of evil, pain, and suffering is not a punishment. Allah states in the Quran: "What would Allah gain from your punishment if you are grateful and believe? And ever is Allah Appreciative and Knowing" (Quran 4:147) God does not love evil. Amongst the many pearls of Wisdom behind pain and suffering, and probably the most important, is the idea that trials and tribulations lead people back to God. Sometimes it's through tough times that people return and reconnect to their Lord in desperation, and with the utmost sincere prayers and supplications. Any calamity that brings one back to his Lord is not a true disaster; instead, a blessing in disguise. It is in times of tragedy that one increases his expressions of repentance, humility, and supplication, recognizing he needs the Almighty. "And when affliction touches man, he calls upon Us, whether lying on his side or sitting or standing; but when We remove from him his affliction, he continues [in disobedience] as if he had never called upon Us to [remove] an affliction that touched him. Thus, is made pleasing to the transgressors that which they have been doing"        (Quran 10:12) Amongst the essential reasons behind perceived evil is the idea that life is a test for humanity, filled with many trials and tribulations. "[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving" (Quran 67:2) Through these tests, a person's faith in and loyalty to God is revealed. God states: "Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars" (Quran 29:2-3) In another verse, God states: "Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger, and those who believed with him said, 'When is the help of Allah?' Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near" (Quran 2:214) In another Verse, God states:  "And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient" (Quran 2:155) God can create any World He desires, including a World with no evil and suffering. However, God, the Glorious, chose to give humanity the freedom of choice and free will. If He did not allow harm to occur, He would be depriving mankind of freedom and free will. Since life is a test, this test would be meaningless without a degree of free will being given to humanity. Sometimes humanity chooses to act in evil ways. God is not the direct cause of these acts of evil. Instead, He is the One who Allows and Wills it to happen for the greater good--and for reasons we may or may not understand. According to the Holy Quran, evil deeds performed by mankind also result in punishments on this Earth. Every suffering in this World is a fraction of a bit of what mankind has afflicted on this Earth. "Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]" (Quran 30:41) God references the fact that many past nations have been destroyed due to their evil actions and disobedience. "So, We took retribution from them, and We drowned them in the sea because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them" (Quran 7:136) Amongst the many wisdoms inherent in the perception of evil is the fact, God loves to forgive--as He is the All-Merciful, the All-Forgiving. But for forgiveness to take place, there must exist sins and sinners to forgive. The protestation of human pain, suffering, misfortune, and hardship faced by innocent people, and the claim that 'life is unfair,' are legitimate complaints; but only if belief in the Hereafter is denied and neglected. Indeed, we all must face an afterlife; a Judgment day in which justice will be served and everyone will be compensated for their life actions. The evildoers will be punished for their sins, and the oppressed will be compensated and rewarded for their patience. "And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror]" (Quran 14:42) Indeed, with great trials and patience come great rewards. If one were to measure the suffering of this World against the blessings of the Hereafter, what is 20, 40, 60 years of suffering against an eternity of bliss? "And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew" (Quran 29:64) This World was never meant to be a perfect place devoid of hardship. Muslims believe that an ideal life without pain and suffering awaits them in the next World, not this World. This World is a stepping stone to the afterlife, that will lead you either to Paradise or the Hellfire. It's through the passing of test trials and tribulations that God raises one's rankings. It is for this very reason that God tests those He Loves. Additionally, when any calamity befalls a Muslim, God expiates some of his sins. When a patient person sees his misfortunes on the Day of Judgment and receives the reward he derived from his patience, he would wish that a more major calamity had struck him. The Holy Qur'an offers different remedies of coping with hardship, such as faith, prayer, patience, trust, and reliance, which God will give in the hopes of guaranteeing contentment and surety. It's essential that one recognizes that God will not place them in a situation where they cannot manage. "Allah does not burden a soul except [with that within] its capacity…" (Quran 2:286) Realize, in every hardship that one faces, God has given them the requirements to handle the situation and pass the test associated with it. He knows that one can cope with the situation, or he would not have placed that person in that difficulty in the first place. And realize that no harm can befall anyone except by the Permission and Will of the Almighty. God states: "Say, 'Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector’ And upon Allah let the believers rely upon" (Quran 9:51) A person of faith has a different attitude than others regarding calamities. He has surety and contentment in his or her heart, knowing that life is full of tests and trials; and that with time and patience, things will improve, and he will be rewarded. And remember my dear brother or sister, what your Lord has promised: "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease" (Quran 94:5-6)  

DEEP DIVES & tiny curations Podcast Episodes Available Today: http://tinycurations.com Listen NOW on Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/search/tiny%20curations/ Hear the playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/n9g9p0bspz4axwozqtyy8dzgd/playlist/4GMOWI1hSlxgKVOy7N4xlG?si=NbDNY7foRmyhB4DOezYjNg 01 - All Just To Get To You 02 - Gallo del Cielo 03 - Imagine Houston One month ago I saw Joe Ely play his acoustic guitar in a small living room at a private fundraiser for Texas State's Wittliff Collection in Terrytown in Austin. Bill Wittliff, the screenwriter and Director was the honoree that night and shared some wonderful stories about being 15 and meeting Elvis. Bill passed away yesterday at the age of 79. So I would like to honor Mr. Wittliff with this episode of tiny curations, featuring Joe Ely. Joe Ely, Austinite by way of Lubbock had long ago with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, he formed the Flatlanders which has been resurrected after many years. He befriended the Clash in their early days. Joe Strummer and the Clash loved him so much, that when they booked their first American tour, they came to Texas and toured with Joe Ely leading their way. But let's let the music speak for itself, in this first song you may recognize another one of his admirer and friends familiar voice: That was Imagine Houston, recently released from the vault, from "B4 84". This song captures his spark in the early 80's, using an Apple II! Before that was, Gallo del Cielo, or Sky Rooster, that may be the best chicken fighting song every written. Both songs from And did you hear that voice on All Just to Get to You, that was none other than The Boss, he loves Joe, too! Joe Ely still plays around Austin and goes on small tours, be sure to catch him, he's one of the good ones! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tiny-curations-deep-dives/message

Jesus Christ is a Central and revered figure in the Islamic faith. A fundamental pillar of Islam involves the fundamental belief in all of God’s Prophets and Messengers, that He has sent down to relay His Message to humanity. Anyone who does not believe in any of God’s Messengers or Prophets is considered a disbeliever in Islam. Muslims hold all Prophets of God in high esteem, including Jesus peace be upon him. Muslims love and admire Jesus peace be upon him and will not speak the name of Jesus, or Isa in Arabic, without respectfully adding the words ‘peace be upon him’ following the reference. Aside from Christianity, Islam is the only other religion that requires followers to believe in Jesus Christ. God’s last and final Prophet, Muhammad narrated, ‘He who bears witness that there is no true god except Allah, alone having no partner with Him, that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, that 'Isa (Jesus) is His slave and Messenger, and he (Jesus) is His Word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary) and His spirit which He sent to her, that Jannah (Paradise) is true and Hell is true; Allah will make him enter Jannah accepting whatever deeds he accomplished.’ Jesus Christ is mentioned over 25 times in the Holy Quran. The mother of Jesus is Mary (Mariam in Arabic). She was a very pious and righteous woman. According to the Quran, she is the holiest and greatest of all women that ever lived. Mary has the great honor to be the only female mentioned by name in the Holy Quran and even has a whole Chapter named after her. "And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds" (Quran 3:42) The mother of Mary, Hannah, was at one time a barren woman who longed for a child. She made a vow to God that if He gifted her with a child, then she would consecrate him to His service in the Holiest of all Temples, the Temple of Solomon, to be a scholar or a priest. God answered her prayers and gifted her with a girl child. Hannah was saddened at the child’s gender, as usually only male children were given in service. Following her promise to God, she instructed that Mary is raised at the Temple. Her Uncle Zechariah, who was a Prophet of God raised her. As Mary got older, Prophet Zechariah would visit her in her chamber at the Temple, where only he had access, and he would observe that she feasted on the best of foods and cold drinks. He would ask who had delivered these feasts when no one else had keys to the chamber. She then would respond, ‘Allah!’ She was blessed by miracles from God, even before the birth of Jesus Christ. According to the Quran, Angel Gabriel walked into Mary’s chamber. Terrified that someone had come to harm her or to remove her chastity, she cried out, ‘I seek refused from Allah!’ Angel Gabriel responded, ‘I am not an enemy, I am Allah’s servant and a messenger who came to deliver glad tidings to you, that Allah would bestow upon you a child.’ She replied, ‘How can I have a child if I don’t have a husband, and no man has touched me?’ Angel Gabriel then responded: “Allah creates what He Wills. If He decrees a thing, He says unto it only: Be! and it is.” (Quran 3:47) Jesus’ real name is Esau (Hebrew) or Yeheshua (Classical). The Christians of the West gave the Latin name, Jesus,. The letter ‘J’ does not exist in Aramaic, so Jesus himself would not recognize the name, Jesus. Mary gave birth to Jesus in the valley of Bethlehem, away from the people, after which she then returned. The Quran confirms that Jesus was born of a virgin woman. When they saw her with her newborn child Jesus, they said: "…O Mary, you have certainly done a strange thing. O sister of Aaron, your father, was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste" (Quran 19:27-28) Mary didn’t speak but pointed at her child. "So she pointed to him. They said, ‘How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?’ [Jesus] said, ‘Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me Prayer and Zakah as long as I remain alive and [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born, and the day I will die, and the day I am raised alive’" (Quran 29-33) The Quran references the miracles that Jesus performed by the power and will of God, even in his infancy, when he spoke in the cradle to defend his mother’s chastity and innocence. The word Messiah is the title of Jesus. The word Messiah comes from the Arabic and Hebrew word mesaha, which means to rub, to massage, to anoint. In religious context, the word translates to mean ‘the one that has been anointed.’ It was common to appoint or anoint a King or Judge of Israel on the head with oil when taking office, as a sign of his inauguration. In the law of previous nations, they would rub a person’s head with special water when they converted to their religion. This practice lives on today, in the form of a Baptist ritual. Prophet Jesus was anointed as the next Prophet by his cousin, John the Baptist, the preceding Prophet. Jesus peace be upon him is called by four noble titles: The Messiah, the Messenger of Allah, A Word from Allah, and A Spirit from Allah. Muslim’s belief and understanding of Prophet Jesus stands in accordance with God’s final Book, the Holy Quran, and narrations of God’s last Prophet, Muhammad peace be upon him. Jesus Christ was a mere prophet of God; whose mission was to confirm the Torah which was revealed before him. He did not come bearing a new law, but only abrogated some laws to make life easier for the Children of Israel—the nation that lived before us. Jesus was sent to teach the same general Message, which was taught by all the previous prophets of God; that we must worship and follow the One God and shun every false god. God created Jesus Christ without a human father, just as Prophet Adam peace be upon him was born without either a human father or mother; Allah just said Be, and it Was. Declining to call Jesus the son of God is not done to belittle or insult Jesus; instead, it is done to Glorify and Magnify God. Allah is the One and Only, and He is far above having a child or a partner in His divinity. One should realize that Jesus never claimed to be the son of God, let alone God Himself. Through a careful study of the Bible, one would conclude that Jesus never called himself a god or God’s son. Nowhere does it state in the Bible that Jesus proclaimed himself as God. Instead, others made that proclamation after Jesus’ departure. Jesus, peace be upon him, only preached the teachings he received from God the Almighty. Prophet Jesus was only a servant and slave of God. He is not the son of God in the sense he was the begotten Son of God, instead; he is—metaphorically -the son of God in the sense that all righteous people are the sons of God. Yet this title is not to be taken literally as many Christians have done in error. There are many individuals labeled ‘sons of God’ in the Bible including Prophet Jacob, Solomon, and Adam peace be upon them as this was a common saying amongst the children of Israel. As Jesus Christ grew into adulthood, he began to travel and preach God’s Message throughout the land of Palestine to the children of Israel. He taught the scripture that God sent to him, known as the Injeel, which translates to mean ‘Good News’ or ‘Gospel’; confirming the truth of previous Holy Books of God. "And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me"(Quran 3:50) To reinforce his Message, God granted Prophet Jesus peace be upon him the ability to perform miracles; such as fashioning birds from clay, then blowing into them to turn them into real birds—healing lepers and the blind, and even resurrecting the dead, all by the will and power of God the Almighty. Never did Prophet Jesus peace be upon him take credit for performing the miracles by himself, without the power of God. According to the Bible, many verses show that Jesus never took credit nor stated that he could perform miracles on his own: ‘…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth’ (Matthew 28:18) ‘I can of mine own self do nothing …’ (John 5:30) ‘…I with the Finger of God cast out devils…’ (Luke 11:20) Prophet Jesus peace be upon him preached and stressed that no deity is worthy of worship except the One true God; and only through Him (the One true God, Allah, which is the unique name of God) can one obtain salvation in the hereafter. Prophet Jesus peace be upon him attracted an inner circle of devoted followers who listened to his teachings with humility; a ring known as the disciples. Jesus Christ peace be upon him preached the same general Message as the Messengers and Prophets before him. According to the Bible, ‘One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ “The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one’ (Mark12:28-29) Never did Prophet Jesus, nor any other Prophet, preach that God is part of a Trinity. Because the Children of Israel had gone astray from the straight path of God, Allah, the Glorious, sent them their final Prophet, Jesus Christ, to remind them that this is their last chance to fulfill God’s commandments. When Jesus Christ continued to preach God’s Message, commanding them to do certain things and to avoid certain things, instead of believing him and following him, they got frustrated by him; turning their backs on him and rejecting him, plotting against him. According to the new testament, a group of hypocritical and self-serving men of the Children of Israelites plotted against Prophet Jesus peace be upon him. They complained to the Roman authorities, who were pagan idol worshipers who had political power at the time; this because the children of Israel were only a minority. The Children of Israel complained that Prophet Jesus peace be upon him was preaching something new, and they provoked the Romans to rise against him; making the Roman governor believe that the call of Jesus Christ conveyed direct threats against the Roman power. His people claimed that Jesus Christ was an agitator speaking against the emperor which was not true. The Roman governor issued an order that Prophet Jesus peace be upon him is arrested, then crucified by hanging him on a cross and starving him; a common form of shame killing.    According to the Christian narrative, which Muslims do not believe, the Roman authorities found Jesus Christ, arrested him, then put him on the Roman cross—where he died. They eventually buried him, only to see him resurrected and returned from the dead. He announced to everyone he was the son of God. However, in reality, according to the Holy Quran, God states: "And [for] their saying (in boast), ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise." (Quran 4:157-158) So according to the Holy Quran, they neither killed nor crucified Prophet Jesus peace be upon him; rather, God placed a resemblance of Prophet Jesus peace be upon him on another person to make him like Prophet Jesus. The Christians were differing amongst themselves as to the truth of the matter, as they themselves were in doubt and had no certainty what happened. In all actuality, God rescued His Prophet by raising Prophet Jesus’ soul and body up to Himself. The Israelites and the Roman authorities never could harm him, crucify him or kill him; this version of events was only an assumption. According to some Islamic scholars, God punished Judas, the traitor by casting him in a resemblance to Prophet Jesus peace be upon him. So, they crucified him instead, assuming it was Jesus Christ. According to the New Testament, Jesus Christ returned to his followers. Whereas Christians believe that he returned from the dead, Muslims believe that he never died. His followers were terrified at his reappearance, as they thought he had been crucified. Then Prophet Jesus said: ‘Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have’ (Luke 24:39) Jesus Christ then asked for food, so he could eat before them like a human being would, not a spirit or a ghost. After he proved his existence, he told them God had willed him to leave; and that in his absence they should preach and teach his Message and be faithful to God. He promised them finally that another would come after him. Whereas Christians believe that Prophet Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit in the context of this statement, Muslims believe that his words referenced the Prophet, Muhammad peace be upon him. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him is mentioned and prophesied in Scriptures of all major world religions. In the Old Testament, God the Almighty speaks to prophet Moses: ‘’I will raise up for them (the Israelites) a Prophet like you from among their brethren (the Israelites); I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them (the Israelites) everything I command him.’ (Deuteronomy 18:18) This verse is referencing Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, who came after Prophet Moses and after Prophet Jesus peace be upon them. Prophet Muhammad is also mentioned by name in Song of Solomon Verse 5:16 in Hebrew. The Hebrew word used there is ‘Muhammuddim.’ The letters ‘im’ in the end indicates a plural variation of a term that translates to mean respect majesty and grandeur. Without the 'im’ suffix, the name would be ‘Muhamud’; translated to mean ‘the praised one’ or ‘altogether lovely’ in the Authorized Version of the Bible. Gospel of John 16:12-14 Jesus Christ states: ‘I have much more to say to you, more than you can now them bear.’ God did not find it fit for mankind to receive the whole Message of Islam (the way of life of submitting fully to God) at that point, as they would not have been able to bear the Message in its entirety. So, Jesus Christ says: ‘But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me…” (Gospel of John 16:12-14) This Spirit of truth is none other than God’s last and final messenger of mankind, meant to be followed until the last day. Prophet Muhammad, who came after Jesus Christ, preached the same general Message as Prophet Jesus and every other Messenger and Prophet before him. After the departure of Prophet Jesus, controversies sparked amongst his followers. They questioned whether the person who returned was really Jesus Christ. A severe split erupted in the Christian faith, revealing a broad spectrum of opinions regarding Prophet Jesus and his role in the world.  Prophet Jesus was a mighty messenger of God, but he was only a mortal human being. He was born from a mother; he ate and drank; he would sleep and use the bathroom; he suffered pain and emotions. This differentiates him from God the Almighty, as God need not eat, sleep, or drink. He was only a servant and slave of God. The Trinity—the father, the son, and the holy spirit—and the concept that Jesus died for our sins is firmly rejected in Islam. “O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So, believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, ‘Three’; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs”    (Quran 4:171) God makes it clear in the Quran that the act of ascribing a son to Him, angers him. Ascribing a son to God is beneath the Almighty. God states: “And they say: ‘The Most Beneficent (Allah) has begotten a son (or offspring or children)’ Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing. Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins. That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Beneficent (Allah). But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Beneficent that He should beget a son” (Quran 88-92) According to the Holy Koran, the one that calls God part of the Trinity is a disbeliever who will face a painful punishment. The Quran states: "They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the third of three’ And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment" (Quran 5:73) The Quran then says: "The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look at how they are deluded" (Quran 5:75) It’s important to mention that Prophet Jesus peace be upon him did not come down with a new Law, nor did he come out to abolish the Old Testament (Torah); instead he came to affirm, teach and preach the previous law, the law of Moses. According to the Holy Koran and the Bible, the Children of Israel were veering away from the laws and disobeying the commandments of God. Prophet Jesus’ mission was to confirm the Torah that was previously sent, to render certain things lawful to facilitate life for the Children of Israel and to proclaim and re-affirm the belief in One God. Prophet Jesus peace be upon him was the last in a long line of Messengers sent to the Jewish people. Prophet Jesus peace be upon him and the Book he came down with, the Injeel (Gospel), was not meant for non-Israelites. According to the Bible, Jesus states: ‘I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of Israelites’ (Matthew: 15-24) In another verse, 'These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel' (Mathew 10:5-6) So, my dear Christian brother and sister, why are you spreading the Gospel to those for whom it was never meant? Jesus states he was sent ‘only to the Children of Israel’ and not for everyone else. God has sent another Book after the Gospel—his final Book, the Holy Quran—and his last and final Messenger--Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him — which is meant for our nation, the latest nation to exist on earth until the end of time. Christians believe that every child is born with the taint of the original sin committed by our parents, Prophet Adam and Eve peace be upon them; a sin committed when disobeying our Creator and eating from the forbidden tree. According to Islam, the notion of the original sin is inconsistent with the concept detailing justice of the Almighty, the All-Merciful, the All-Loving How can God, the All-Just, make an innocent child responsible for or to bear the guilt of a sin committed by a distant ancestor? It is not just for one soul to carry the burden of another, and there is no justice to be found in one person being punished for saving another when they never committed the sin themselves. Islam teaches that everyone is responsible and will be held accountable for their own actions and that everyone is accountable for their own salvation. Salvation only comes from the act of Believing in the One God and following His commandments. Christians believe that since all men are born in this sinful state, it is necessary that a Christian believes in the atonement; the idea that Jesus Christ died for our sins. However, nowhere in the Bible did Jesus explicitly state that he would die to save mankind from sin. According to the Holy Quran and the Bible itself, one can receive forgiveness of sins from God solely through sincere repentance sought directly from God. If God, the Almighty, wished and willed to forgive humanity, then he certainly could have done so without the need of sacrificing Jesus Christ, his supposedly ‘begotten son.’ The idea that all one has to do to attain salvation is to simply believe Jesus Christ died for their sins, without the need of any worship nor the need to follow the Holy Law because Jesus Christ fulfilled it for them, was never preached by Jesus Christ himself—nor is it even in the Bible. Muslims believe that Jesus is still alive and that he will return to this world in the last days before the Day of Judgement. Muslims believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Muslims believe that Jesus Christ will return and preach the true Oneness of God as he has always done, and; he will not preach the trinity. Jesus Christ will prove to the Jews that he never was crucified and will prove to the Christians that they were wrong to ascribe him as divine. Imam Mahdi will be alive at the time of his return, also the time of the Battle of the Great Armageddon that Christians also predict. Muslims will fight on the side of Prophet Jesus peace be upon him, who will be their leader. According to the Holy Quran, God will ask Prophet Jesus peace be upon him on the day of Judgement: "…O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?’ He will say, ‘Exalted, are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. I said not to them except what You commanded me - to worship Allah, my Lord, and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness. If You should punish them - indeed they are Your servants; but if You forgive them - indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Quran 5:116-118) Muslims are the true followers of Jesus Christ, following what Jesus Christ preached and taught. To my dear Christian brothers and sisters, it’s imperative you research and learn the real Message of Jesus Christ. God, the Almighty has distinguished man above His other creations, by providing him the gift of reason. One would not be considered a rational being if he or she believed in faith without using their intellect, without investigating, rationalizing, analyzing, examining, pondering, and reflecting over what he or she believes and just blindly following their Church and pastor. To my dear Christian brother or sister, take the time to research and think for yourself.

The last pillar of the Islamic faith in which every Muslim must believe is the concept of Al-Qadr, which closely translates to pre-ordainment (or predestination/ Divine Decree, destiny, fate). When one believes in the tenet of Al-Qadr, which we'll translate as 'Divine Decree,' he or she affirms that everything good or bad that happens in his or her life comes from God the Almighty; something He Willed to happen. Al-Qadr in Arabic linguistically means to measure, to determine, to assess, to decide, to judge. In the context of Religion, the term translates to ‘Divine determined measurements and sustenance for everyone and everything, in accordance with His Wisdom and Power.’ God states in his Book: Indeed, all things We created with predestination (Quran 54:49) God the Almighty, being All-Knowing and All-Wise, knows of what we have done in the past, what we are doing now, and what we will do—even before the time of our birth. After all, can God truly be God if He didn't know everything, including the future? Whereas mankind has the free will to make their own choices in life, everything that occurs in life occurs only with the Will and Power of God. Al-Qadar comprises four components. The first component is the belief that God is All-Knowledgeable of and instigates all things and events—whether major or minor—at all times and places and regardless of their occurrence. The Almighty's foreknowledge is infallible and complete. "And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the Earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record" (Quran 6:59) The second component of Divine Decree is the belief that Allah has recorded everything from the beginning of time to the Day of Judgment, in a Tablet He has kept known as the 'Lawh Al-Mahfooth' (The Preserved Tablet). Each's lifespan, amount of substance, deeds, happiness, sorrow, and more is written and recorded in this Tablet. In fact, according to a narration of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, Allah, the Glorious, had recorded the measurements of all matters pertaining to His creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and earth. "Do you not know that Allah knows what is in the Heaven and Earth? Indeed, that is in a Record. Indeed that, for Allah, is easy" (Quran 22:70) The third component of Divine Decree is the belief that nothing can occur without the Will and Power of Allah, whether the event stems from the action of the Almighty or actions of humanity. Nothing Occurs Haphazardly; the Almighty has planned everything. "And your Lord creates what He Wills and Chooses..." (Quran 28:68) A Muslim acknowledges that whatever has touched or afflicted him, was meant to afflict him, and could not have been avoided or prevented. And whatever has not reached or afflicted him, was not meant to touch or afflict him, and he can avoid nothing unless God has willed it. Our Prophet peace be upon him narrated, 'Know if all of humanity gathered to harm you, they could not harm you unless Allah had decreed. The Pen has been lifted, and the pages have dried.' The fourth and last component of Divine Decree is the belief that Allah is the Creator and Originator of all things. "...and has created each thing and determined it with [precise] determination " (Quran 25:2) Whereas Allah, the Merciful, has bestowed on every human being the free will to make his or her own decisions, that does not provide an excuse for one to sin or abandon the tasks and responsibilities they are obligated to do. The fact that God has predestined everything does not change the fact that human beings have the free will to choose their course of actions. Just because each's choices are known to God beforehand, doesn't mean that they will not be held accountable on the Day of Judgment for the decisions they make and actions they take. God forces nothing upon anyone. It's also important to note that God will hold no one accountable for things out of their control, or for things they cannot do. Allah is All-Just, All-Wise, and He tests humanity according to their strength and what their soul can bear. A Muslim acknowledges the fact that whatever difficulty they are facing will be made easy for them and that they will have a way to resolve it. "God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear" (Quran 2:286) A Muslim acknowledges that whatever befalls him or her, is in accordance with God's Will and Plan, whether or not they understand and accept this fact. A Muslim place his trust and reliance in God, as God brims with Wisdom in all matters. A Muslim affirms that God is All-Loving and loves His servants over one's parents do; and a Muslim affirms that whatever God does must have a good motive, so a believer always assumes good and does not lose faith. The topic of Divine Decree will never fully be understood and comprehended by humans, as this concept deals with the essence of God's Power and Will—which is beyond what our finite minds can comprehend. A Muslim benefits from the act of learning, believing, and understanding in Divine Decree in several ways. Amongst the benefits is the peace of mind and contentment in the heart that a Muslim attains as he or she acknowledges that nothing happens without a purpose. A Muslim is confident that whatever afflicted him could not have escaped him, and whatever missed him could not have reached him, as God is in full control of all happenings and events, and he predestines everything. This recognition would help a believer endure difficulties and hardships. A believer would not grieve about what could have happened if things had taken a different course, and a believer would not worry about the future because he knows that the events of tomorrow are written and predetermined already. The act of learning and believing in Divine Decree increases one's belief in, the trust of, and reliance on God, and increases one's likelihood of performing good deeds. Faith in Divine Decree decreases one's pride and arrogance, as he acknowledges that his intelligence and actions did not emanate from him and that God is the source of all that comes his way. Belief in Divine Decree makes a person refrain from fearing anyone else; inspiring his bravery as he acknowledges that no one can afflict harm on him without the Permission and Will of God. Without a strong belief in God, the human learns, life would not be worth living.

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists shares why they aren't just a bunch of hippies. Episode 1107: They're All Just a Bunch of Hippies by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus write about living a meaningful life with less stuff for 4 million readers. As featured on: ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, TODAY, NPR, TIME, Forbes, The Atlantic, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and National Post. They live in Missoula, Montana. The original post is located here: https://www.theminimalists.com/hippies/ Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists shares why they aren't just a bunch of hippies. Episode 1107: They're All Just a Bunch of Hippies by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus write about living a meaningful life with less stuff for 4 million readers. As featured on: ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, TODAY, NPR, TIME, Forbes, The Atlantic, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and National Post. They live in Missoula, Montana. The original post is located here: https://www.theminimalists.com/hippies/ Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I refer to this as the worst introduction I’ve ever received. It was comprised of a not-so-humble brag fest with a side order of passive aggressive jabs, and it came from a total stranger and in under 3 minutes. Like a slow motion bullet it just kept coming and coming until I found myself bleeding out and wondering how I even got here in the first place. I call her Karen, but I don’t really know her name. It didn’t come up as she tried to sell me on her lifestyle and success while kicking me in the gut with a polite smile and chipper attitude. There’s a lesson in here, folks, and it’s not *just* how to avoid being an asshole in the first 3 minutes of meeting someone. It’s about getting in touch with the inner self, the part of you that deems you worthy enough to not constantly seek praise and approval from others. It’s essentially a continuation on "Episode 07 - We’re All Just a Bunch of Socially Paranoid Freaks," and if you’re Karen, you might not like it.

To get live links to the music we play and resources we offer, visit This show includes the following songs: Laura Berman - Come As You Are Ann Leung - The Angels Came Kathy Bogle - Snow on the Mountain  gosneyk@gmail.com CURTZON - Traveller Astroblue Express - Type It Lisa Brigantino - I'll Waltz Before I Go  Raina Krangle - Holy Land Rebecca Selah - Turn A Light On Chelley Seibert - We're All Just the Same Melanie Broussard - Raise Up Your Hands Intelligentsia - Earthling (Vox Humana Mix) For Music Biz Resources Visit Visit our Sponsor A Loren at: Visit our Sponsor Far West Folk Alliance Conference at: Visit our Sponsor Charm & Chain at: Visit our Sponsor Bandzoogle at:

To get live links to the music we play and resources we offer, visit This show includes the following songs: Laura Berman - Come As You Are Ann Leung - The Angels Came Kathy Bogle - Snow on the Mountain  gosneyk@gmail.com CURTZON - Traveller Astroblue Express - Type It Lisa Brigantino - I'll Waltz Before I Go  Raina Krangle - Holy Land Rebecca Selah - Turn A Light On Chelley Seibert - We're All Just the Same Melanie Broussard - Raise Up Your Hands Intelligentsia - Earthling (Vox Humana Mix) For Music Biz Resources Visit Visit our Sponsor A Loren at: Visit our Sponsor Far West Folk Alliance Conference at: Visit our Sponsor Charm & Chain at: Visit our Sponsor Bandzoogle at:

To get live links to the music we play and resources we offer, visit This show includes the following songs: Laura Berman - Come As You Are Ann Leung - The Angels Came Kathy Bogle - Snow on the Mountain  gosneyk@gmail.com CURTZON - Traveller Astroblue Express - Type It Lisa Brigantino - I'll Waltz Before I Go  Raina Krangle - Holy Land Rebecca Selah - Turn A Light On Chelley Seibert - We're All Just the Same Melanie Broussard - Raise Up Your Hands Intelligentsia - Earthling (Vox Humana Mix) For Music Biz Resources Visit Visit our Sponsor A Loren at: Visit our Sponsor Far West Folk Alliance Conference at: Visit our Sponsor Charm & Chain at: Visit our Sponsor Bandzoogle at:

Maybe it's just me, but I think there's some overlap between Ashbery's Some Trees David Herd's 3 notes towards a love song (from his book All Just). Both are something like love poems that also allow for things ‘to be difficult between us'. Another shoutout here to Al Filries and the ModPo gang for introducing me to … Continue reading "Ep. 83 Two not quite love poems"

The word ‘Allah’ is the unique name of God. He is The One and Only, the Absolute & Eternal God. He is the creator of the Heavens and Earth, the creator of the Universe. He is the Lord of all lords, King of all kings. He is the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful. Allah Neither Begets, nor is He Begotten. And He knows no equal. God offers a description of Himself in His book, the Holy Quran, stating: Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent" (Quran 112:1-4) The word Allah translates to God. Allah is not a foreign God and does not bear a foreign name. Allah, rather, is the semantic term for God. Regardless of this, some people harbor the mistaken belief that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews; and that ‘Allah’ is the ‘God of the Arabs or God of the Muslims’.  This is far from the truth. The word “Allah” is the Arabic name that connotes the Almighty God. Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians use this same word to refer to God. If one were to peruse an Arabic translation of the Bible, one would see the word ‘Allah’ being used in place of the term ‘God.’ However, Muslims, Christians, and Jews all have different concepts of God. Muslims and Jews both reject the Christian beliefs of the Trinity and the Divine incarnation. This, however, does not mean that each of these three religions worships a different God. There is only One true God. Muslims prefer to use the name ‘Allah’ as opposed to the English word ‘God’ because the English word ‘God’ can be made plural and can be rendered masculine or feminine; whereas the Arabic word ‘Allah’ cannot be made plural and is genderless. For instance, if you add the letter ‘s’ to the word God, it becomes ‘gods’--which is the plural of God. In the case of the Arabic word ‘Allah,’ one cannot make the word plural by adding ‘s’ or in any other way morphing the word’s structure. Likewise, if one adds ‘ess’ to the end of the word ‘God,’ it becomes ‘goddess,’ which connotates a female god. God is not female nor male. He is genderless. The word ‘Allah’ in the Arabic language does not have a gender. It cannot be made feminine. Muslims reject the use of the word ‘God’ because it has different connotations to different people. God means different things to different people because the term ‘God’ indicates an entity worthy of worship; and regretfully, people assign a godlike status to many other beings, divine or otherwise. However, sometimes while speaking to non-Muslims, one may use the word ‘God’ instead of ‘Allah’ to help the intended audience understand the context of the word; to relate the message you are referring to the One Supreme Being. The word Allah comes from the origin of the word Al-ilah, which enjoins the two terms ‘The’ and ‘God’ as in ‘The God.’ The term illah, which is the closest synonym to God in the Arabic language, is rich and has several meanings. Illah refers to an entity worthy of worship and service, an object of devotion and love, someone you turn to in desperate times, someone you adore and think about all the time. Illah also is one you turn to for protection, help or aid. You find sanctuary and rest in your Illah, who is always present to comfort and guide beings of His creation. The relationship with God is expressed in the Arabic word Al-Rabb, which is used frequently in the Quran. Linguistically it is defined as ‘sticking close to something.’ It also means ‘joining something with another.’ In the Holy Qur’an, the word Al-Rabb implies that the owner (God) has full authority over his property (his servants) and is a Master who ultimately sustains His creation by regulating affairs, providing provisions, and granting all varieties of favors and blessings. Al-Rabb also means the One who sustains and nurtures the hearts and souls of His creation. Muslims believe in One, unique, incomparable God, who has no son, no daughter, no father, no mother, no family, and no partner. He is the Knower of the unseen and the Source of All Mercy. He is the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner, the Wise. All that is in the Heavens and Earth magnify Him. Muslims believe that none should be worshipped but Him alone. He is the true God, and every other deity is false. None carries the right to be worshipped, revered, adored, invoked, supplicated, or shown any act of worship, but Allah alone. God is unique, indivisible and similar to nothing. Whenever you try to compare God to anything in this world, it cannot be God; because God, to put it is incomparable. Our finite human minds can fully comprehend and grasp God as a concept. Muslims avoid conceptualizing His image, because imagining or visualizing Him would limit Him. The human imagination is limited, as it is based on what it observes and experiences directly. The human imagination cannot fully grasp the state of God, who is timeless and eternal with no beginning or end. God has a unique nature and is free from gender and human weakness and is beyond anything which human beings can imagine. God states: “There is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then worship Him, and He has the power to dispose of all affairs.  No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is the Sublime, Well-Aware" (Quran 6: 102-103) God is the King, the Holy, the one free from all defects. The Protector, the Keeper, the Sustainer of Earth and the Universe and all it contains. He is the Glorious, the Great, the Deserving of all Praise. The Kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth belong to Him. Nothing is hidden from Him, and Nothing is beyond His capabilities. He is the Lord and Master of the physical Universe and the Ruler and Lawgiver for human life. Allah is the creator of everything from the smallest to the biggest of things. It is He who heats and brightens the Earth, varies the direction of the winds, and keeps planets in their separate orbits. He is the one that merges the night into the day and merges the day into the night. He is the Master of the Day of Judgement. Allah does not sleep nor slumber, nor sleeps overtake Him. Afterall, created the universe in six days with no rest. God states: “[He is] Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing (Quran 42:11) God is Loving, Compassionate, Merciful; He is the answerer of prayers, and He is indeed involved and concerned with the daily affairs of all human beings. God is the Beneficent, the Merciful. He is the Giver of life and the Causer of death. He is the Master of the Day of Judgment. He is the Most-High, the most Supreme. He is the most generous and the most loving to his creation. God gives, without measure, to His servants. He gifted mankind life and the ability to hear, feel, taste, and see. God gifted humans their hearts, minds, souls, strengths, and skills.  “And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful” (Quran 14:34) God created all things from nothing. He is in no need of His creation, although His creation is all in need of Him. He is all Knowledgeable and encompasses all things, the open and the secret, the public and the private. He knows all secrets that lay hidden in the hearts and minds of men. He knows of all that happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will happen. Our Lord neither errs nor forgets. He is free from all defects and imperfections. He is the One that accepts repentance from His servants and forgives all sins. Allah knows of what you endure and understands your feelings and struggles. Allah understands because He was there with you all along. Allah has power over all things. No other power nor might nor strength nor influence can cause benefit or harm to anyone or anything, except that which flows through Him. Nothing can ever happen unless God wills it to be so. “Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record" (Quran 6:59) God can make anything happen. He states in His book: “Whenever We will anything to be, We say unto it Our word "Be," and it is” (Quran 16:40) Some people assume that God, as perceived in the faith of Islam is a harsh, stern, cruel God; one who demands to be respected, worshipped, and obeyed fully, and is not loving and kind to His creation. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is All-Loving. He claims among His names Al-Wadoud in Arabic (the All-Loving). The love of God in the Holy Qur’an is expressed and emphasized many times throughout His Book. God bespeaks His love for the righteous, the charitable, the steadfast, the doers of good, the just, the fair, the benevolent, those who trust Him; the ones that are clean, the ones that purify themselves, and the ones who fulfill their obligations. The entire Universe and everything it contain is proof of Allah’s love for all of His creation. He loves us so much that He gave us an endless variety of foods, a vast array of land and wildlife, the sun, the moon, the stars, family, offspring, and much more. Everything one sees feels, hears, tastes, and smells are all forms of blessings, given to us by our Loving Creator. He didn’t have to do this, but He bestowed these blessings upon us. His boundless mercy encompasses everything. "And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful" (Quran 16:18) God is also All-Just. Hence, evildoers and sinners must be held accountable for their actions. God is Holy, Righteous, and Fair. If He didn't punish for evil, He would allow that evil to exist without consequences. Since God cannot let that happen, His justice requires that a proper punishment is incurred and executed for evil sins. Although Allah is not answerable to anyone, He has promised to be Just and Fair to everyone. He has prohibited injustice against the innocent. Allah never would punish an innocent person, nor hold anyone accountable for the sins of another. Unlike Christianity, Islam imposes no burden of the original sin. Every human being is born with a clean slate and is rewarded or punished only based on one’s willful intent, words, and deeds. Allah is the Absolute Judge, the Legislator. God is the One who distinguishes right from wrong. God even is more merciful to His creation than a mother is to her child. God is far removed from injustice and tyranny. He is All-Wise in all of His actions and decrees. For one to be genuinely devoted to Allah and to love Him above all else imaginable, one needs to have knowledge of God that goes beyond the basic aspects of His role as the sole Creator and Sustainer. To reward any seeker who strives to learn more about the Creator, Allah has revealed a great deal of information about Himself and His Attributes. Allah has the most Magnificent, Beautiful of names and sublime Perfect attributes. No one shares His Divinity, nor His Attributes. Allah’s Attributes are incomparable, Greater and more perfectly than those acquired by people, as there is nothing like Him, His Attributes, and Actions. God has an infinite number of names and has a particular and special category of 99 names listed in the Holy Koran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Of His names is The Ever-Merciful, The Forgiving, The Loving, The Nourisher, The Sustainer, The Compassionate, The Exalter, The Just, The Great, The Protector, The Caregiver, The Ever-Living, The Powerful, The First, The Last, The Pardoner, The Light, The Supporter, The Eternal, The Preserver, The Wise, The Originator, and The One Who Gives Life and Resurrects. If our Creator is Eternal and Everlasting, then His attributes must adhere to this same edict. God has perfect attributes. He has limitless and infinite hearing, vision, mercy, and—above all—love. Muslims attribute certain factors to every quality of God: None of His attributes ever knew a beginning, nor will they ever have an ending. For instance, He always has been All-Hearing and always will be All-Hearing. Allah hears everything from our inner thoughts and tiniest whispers to the buzz of a mosquito's wing and the eruption of Volcanos. Language is no barrier for Him, for God understands all. All of His attributes are infinite. Whereas humans can hear only what’s in front of them, God can listen to simultaneous conversations inside and outside a room; God can hear all. All of our attributes as humans were given to us as gifts, whereas all of God’s attributes originated within Him. His attributes were not given to Him; they were within Him all along. The most significant and most honorable knowledge is that of Allah’s Names, Attributes, and Actions. God encourages His creation to learn His names so they can discover more about Him. How would one love, worship, fear, and trust God if they do not know His Identity and His Attributes? By learning Allah’s names and attributes, one can appreciate His Power over all things and increase the pleasure and sublime awe he or she finds in God’s company. That is why knowledge of Allah is a central tenant of the Islamic faith. It is when one genuinely ponders on the Majesty of Allah, that one’s humility increases. Muslims are advised to study and ponder His Names and Attributes and are encouraged to worship and call Him by those names. God states: “And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them” (Quran 7:180) God is above His creation, above the heavens, above His Throne. However, He never is contained by any sort of physical dimension. Allah is close, very close. God is close to those who believe in Him, and He answers their every call. Saying that God is with His servants, does not mean that He intermingles or dwells with His creation; rather He establishes His presence with His creation by His Knowledge and Power. Nothing is hidden from Him of what His creation does or says. God states in the Quran: “Verily Allah knows all the hidden things of the Heavens and the Earth; Verily He has full Knowledge of all that is in (men's) hearts” (Quran 35:38)  God is very near. He sees and knows every aspect of His creations. He hears every word that is uttered. He is knowledgeable of even one's inner thoughts. God knows all of our dreams, secrets, desires, and wishes. Nothing is hidden from Him. “We created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein” (Quran 50:36) Allah is in no need of His creation, although His creation needs Him. Allah wants humans to worship Him for their own benefit. Mankind needs God in their lives at all times and for all purposes. Those who recognize the Majesty of the Creator of All, soon become awestruck and humble in their knowledge. One that rejects God and His Guidance is like a patient refusing a doctor’s medicine for his pain. This patient would be foolish, ignorant, and illogical in his actions; as would be one who rejects Allah. Allah is Fully Omnipotent and Self-sufficient. He is in no need of humanistic worship or anything else. Allah is Perfect

All of God's Prophets came with miracles (signs of God's existence) to prove God sent them. Islam defines a miracle as an extraordinary act or event that go against the laws of nature and can only come about through the direct intervention and will of God. Miracles are not magic, which by definition are only tricks or illusions. Acts of Magic are evil acts performed with the help of devils. Prophets can only achieve miracles. They supported past Prophets as irrefutable evidence proving that their Prophethood was, in fact, a matter of truth. The Prophets were supported by miracles that their nations excelled in so the acts would be more convincing, understood, appreciated and identified by the people of that nation and not thought of just magic.   For instance, the people of Egypt excelled in magic and sorcery and felt they had reached the pinnacle of these evil acts as they often were in contact with Jinn (spirits) to play illusions on people. Thus, God provided Prophet Moses peace be upon him types of miracles that were related to illusions, such as the power to transform his staff into a snake right before his people. He was also able to strike the Nile with his rod to transform the river into blood and part the Red Sea. All meant to humble his people and remind that the power, control, and might of God is true and not just an illusion of the eyes.   Likewise, during the time of Prophet Jesus peace be upon him, the Romans pride themselves in their medicine, healing, cures, and best doctors on the land when medical science was at its height. Thus, God sent down Prophet Jesus peace be upon him with several miracles all coming from this nature which could not be justified by medical science. These miracles include the miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus of a virgin. Prophet Jesus could heal individuals with leprosy, cure the blind, and resurrect the dead all with the permission and will of God. The Almighty states:   "[The Day] when Allah will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit, and you spoke to the people in the cradle and maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, "This is not but obvious magic" (Quran 5:110)   Past Prophets had miracles one can only see if they lived in that time to witness it. After the Prophets died, their miracles turned in to stories the following generations can only narrate and not witness. For instance, someone that witnessed Prophet Moses peace be upon him transform his staff into a snake or someone that saw Prophet Jesus peace be upon him give life to a dead person with the permission of God can only share it with his children, and his children can narrate it to their children, and so forth. However, for the generations that were not alive or present to witness the miracles, they became only stories to them. All previous miracles were limited to its time and place. However, for our nation, God has provided our Prophet, Muhammad peace be upon him with a miracle, the Holy Quran, to be witnessed by everyone for all the upcoming generations. The miracle is as convincing, persuasive, compelling, and relevant now as it was when it was first revealed 1400+ years ago. The Quran is a miracle for the eyes to see and the ears to hear. Since the Quran is the final Book for humanity, it had to outlive Prophet Muhamad peace be upon him, so it was audible.   In the time of Prophet Muhammad, the Arabs, although predominantly unlettered, were masters of the spoken word. They were people that excelled in the art of eloquence and knowledge. Their poetry and spoken word were considered a model of literary excellence and they valued spoken word and speech. Thus, God revealed to his final nation, the best and the most eloquent of all speeches, the Holy Quran which left the people of Prophet Muhamad peace be upon him, astounded in terms of eloquence and other terms. The Book was revealed to a Prophet who was unlettered, unable to read, write or calculate to prove to the people his Prophet was not the author. Billions of people since the advent of this miracle have witnessed it, believed in it because of its miraculous nature in terms of its style, content and spiritual uplifting.   The Holy Quran mentions recounted stories of previous nations that were sent down Prophets and Messengers to convey God's Message. But the people rejected, disobeyed, and denied the truth. God states:   "And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them..." (Quran 17:59)   Between Prophet Adam and Prophet Noah peace be upon them were ten centuries. Amongst the people of that period were righteous individuals that obeyed the laws taught by Prophet Adam and worshipped God accordingly. As time passed, people started to veer away from the remembrance of God. Certain righteous men amongst them would remind the people of their obligations to God. Later, the righteous men began to die, and Satan, the enemy of mankind, came whispering to the people who had looked up to these righteous individuals, putting thoughts into their minds in his sly, deceptive ways, inspiring the people to erect statues in their memory to remember to worship God. After these statutes were built across the land, Satan later came back to the people who had forgotten the reason these statues were constructed. Satan then suggested to the people to worship the statues directly. He told them that their forefathers had worshiped these statues. Out of these people's ignorance, idol worship started. Soon after, Allah sent Messengers after Messengers to guide people to the right path. God states in his Book:   "Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah.  Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers" (Quran 58:19)   God sent Prophet Noah peace be upon him to his people where he preached for 950 years, calling people to worship one God and follow his commandments, but only a few people believed in him. His people denied, mocked him and stated that he is nothing special but another human being amongst them. Prophet Noah peace be upon him agreed he was only human, but he was sent from God the Glorious with a clear warning. After the denial. God instructed Noah to build an ark.   "And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are [to be] drowned" (Quran 11:37)   As he was building the Ark, his people accuse him of being a madman for building a ship made of planks and nails on land, nowhere near any body of water. Soon, water started to gush from the Earth and fall from the sky; God instructed Noah to enter the Ark with the ones that believed in the Message. He also commanded Prophet Noah to take a male and female of every animal aboard. Then God caused a great flood where water gushed from every crack on the Earth, and rain fell from the skies like never before. Prophet Noah peace be upon him saw his son overwhelmed by the water, so he cried out to him, pleading him to board the Ark and to leave the non-believers to their fate. However, his son was thinking in terms of this worldly life and did not rely on the Trust and Word of God. He replied to his dad he would go to a mountain where the waves could not reach. Noah pleaded with his son saying:   "…There is no protector today from the decree of God, except for whom He gives mercy…" (Quran 11:43)   His son refused. God then stated:   "…O Earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain]." And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and the ship came to rest on the [mountain of] Judiyy. And it was said, "Away with the wrongdoing people" (Quran 11:44)   Soon, his son was drowned. He was drowned with the disbelievers and Noah's wife, who also disbelieved. The flood had cleansed the Earth of idol worshippers and disbelievers. Not a single person who had disbelieved in God remained on the Earth. The ship remains intact upon Judi right until today. An archeological study found the 500-foot long boat-shaped formation atop Mount Judi. God left it as a sign for mankind.   Prophet Hud (Eber in English) peace be upon him was sent to an ancient tribe called Ad who is believed to have been positioned in an area of curved sand hills of Oman and Yemen. They worshiped idols as gods which they believed would provide them happiness and wealth and protect them from evil, harm, and all catastrophes. The people of Prophet Hud were very tall, strong, and well built. They were arrogant people who would boast and tyrannize people with their large size. According to the Quran, they would say:   "Who is greater than us in strength?" (Quran 41:15)   They were known to build lofty towers; thus, the area became known as the land of a thousand pillars since God blessed them with fertile soil and abundant agriculture, many children, an ample supply of livestock and easy access to water resources. They mistakenly understood the purpose of life was to accumulate wealth, prestige, and live in luxury. Prophet Hud would command them to fear God and be righteous. According to the Holy Koran, Prophet Hud peace be upon him would say to his people:   "…O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. You are not but inventors [of falsehood]" (Quran 11:50) Their Prophet advised them to seek God's forgiveness for their heedlessness and arrogance and advised them that if they seek forgiveness, God will increase them in power, strength and wealth. According to the Quran, Prophet Hud would state:   "And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength. And do not turn away, [being] criminals" (Quran 11:52)   However, they proudly saw themselves as the most powerful nation in existence. They rejected their Prophet's Message believing that after death their bodies would decay to dust and be swept away by the wind. With their hearts and minds filled with the accumulation of this world, they would say to their Prophet: 'Why did God chose you when you do not differ from the rest of us, you eat and drink like the rest of us.'   Prophet Hud's people proudly stated: 'Have you come to turn us away from our gods? Then bring upon us the calamity with which you threaten us if you are telling the truth!' Prophet Hud peace be upon him turned to God the Almighty and renounced his people. Soon after, the people of Hud suffered through a three-year famine and a drought which spread throughout the once green, fertile and abundant land. The people looked to the sky hoping to see signs of rain. One fateful day the weather changed. The burning heat changed to furious violent winds which God the Almighty imposed on them, for seven nights and eight days. The winds ripped apart their homes, possessions, clothing and even the skin on their bodies. The sands of their desert swallowed and buried their crops. Only Prophet Hud and his small band of believers were saved and are believed to have migrated to the Hadhramaut area of what is today known as Southern Yemen. God states:   "Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with 'Aad - [With] Iram - who had lofty pillars, The likes of whom had never been created in the land?" (Quran 89:6-8)   God also speaks in the Quran of a nation where he sent one of his Messengers named Saleh peace be upon him. He was sent to a tribe called 'Thamud.' While many of the Prophets mentioned in the Quran are Prophets shared with Christianity and Judaism, thus their stories are mentioned in the Bible, Muslims additionally believe in all the past Messengers and Prophets of God. Prophet Saleh is not mentioned in the Bible today.   Similar to the people of Hud, the people of Prophet Saleh were also people that cultivated rich, prosperous, vibrant, fertile land, led excessive wealthy lives, built grand buildings, and had become vain because of their wealth. Regretfully, with their extravagant lifestyles came the worship of many gods, oppressing of the poor and living of a life which went against their Lord's commandments.   Prophet Saleh was a pious, righteous man who held a position of leadership in their community, but his call to worship God alone angered many of his people. Prophet Saleh's Message was like all the other Prophets; he warned his people to turn away from worshipping false gods and to follow the One God, Allah, who provided them all their substance. He advised them to thank their One True Creator and urged the rich to stop oppressing the poor and to end all mischief and evil in the land.   The people of Thamud gathered in the shadows of a high mountain where they demanded that Prophet Saleh peace be upon him to prove that the One God, he spoke of was truly Mighty and Strong. They asked him to perform a miracle; they challenged him to produce for them an incomparable she-camel out which must be ten months pregnant, tall and attractive which will emerge from the rock. Prophet Saleh asked them if a she-camel appeared would they then believe in his Message. They responded yes and prayed with Prophet Saleh for the miracle to emerge. By the power and will of God, a massive, pregnant she-camel emerged from the rocks at the bottom of the mountain. They saw a powerful, clear sign from their Lord. Several Prophet Salah’s people believed, yet most of them continued in their disbelief and stubbornness even though they witness a great miracle. The Quran states:   "And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them. And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning" (Quran 17:69)   The she-camel lived among people of Thamud. Later, the people began to complain that the camel drank too much water and frightened the other livestock. Prophet Saleh peace be upon him began to fear for the camel. He warned his people of great a suffering that would befall them if they harmed the she-camel.   "And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allah - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allah's Earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment" (Quran 11:64)   A group of his people got together and plotted to kill the she-camel. When they approached her, they shot their arrow and pierced her with a sword. They cheered and congratulated each other while mocking and laughing at their Prophet. Then they challenged Prophet Saleh to have God punish them for it. Their Prophet warned them that a great punishment would be upon them within three days while hoping his people would realize their mistake and repent for their massive error. Prophet Saleh and the believers then departed together to Palestine to be saved from God's upcoming punishment. Soon, the sky was filled with lightning and thunder, and the Earth shook aggressively with a frightening earthquake or volcanic eruption. No one, including their idols, could save them.   The result of these nation's was destruction. According to the Quran, when punishment came to these sinners, their only last utterance was:   "…Indeed, we were wrongdoers!" (Quran 7:5)   In the end, they cried out for mercy, but it was too late:   "(When they approached their doom) they cried out (for deliverance), but the time for deliverance was already past" (Quran 38:3)   This brings us to an important point, why is there past nations that rejected, hid, denied, and buried the Message of their Prophets and Messengers? There are several reasons for this. The Message that the Prophets came with went against everything these nations were brought up and raised to believe and went against the beliefs of their forefathers. These people had a strong attachment to the customs of their forefathers and were sensitive concerning the good name of their fathers. They took pride in following their footsteps whether right or wrong. They grew up worshipping idols then the Prophets came and told them they were wrong and only Allah Alone is worthy of worship without partners and sons. The polytheists (idol worshippers) felt the Prophets wanted to dethrone their gods and did not tolerate the Muslims' rejection of their gods and reacted with severe harassment and abuse. God states in the Quran:   “And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing.’ Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided? The example of those who disbelieve is like that of one who shouts at what hears nothing but calls and cries cattle or sheep - deaf, dumb and blind, so they do not understand" (Quran 2:170-171)   God shares a conversation between Prophet Abraham peace be upon him and the idol worshippers at his time which included his father:   "When he said to his father and his people, ‘What do you worship?’ They said, ‘We worship idols and remain to them devoted.’ He said, ‘Do they hear you when you supplicate? Or do they benefit you, or do they harm?’ They said, ‘But we found our fathers doing thus’   (Quran 26:70-74)   The disbelievers of some nations rejected their Prophet because they were mere mortals who ate, drank, and walked the markets like everyone else. To be convinced of their Prophethood they arrogantly wanted God to send an Angel down from Heaven to accompany him. Other unbelievers accused their Prophet of incorporating into his alleged Revelation myths, legends, and fables that were well known to the people of that time.  God states in His Book:   "Even when they come to you arguing with you, those who disbelieve say, "This is not but legends of the former peoples." (Quran 6:25)   Certain nations believed in many gods, and some of their cities were dedicated to these gods. They allowed people from all around to come and worship their idols. If Islam told them they were wrong, and that Allah is the Only One that should be worshiped, and all other gods are false, their city would decline in visitors and revenue. It would be the end of their political and economic domination. Greed, selfishness, money, and power got the best of them.   The Prophets came to nations with immense difficulties and conditions. This call to true Islam took the slumbering men by surprise. These people's customs and habits were sunk low. Adultery, liquor, gambling, violence, stealing, dishonesty, murder and many illicit practices were widespread among them. These were all condemned by Islam, and embracing Islam meant leaving all of them and adopting a new mode of life, and many were unwilling to change their wicked old habits. In addition, there was the desire for worldly things which had become so predominant in them, they soon became slaves to their desires, that nothing could move them from this, not even the command of God the Almighty. Islam came down to free people from being slaves to their desires and constant needs for material goods that could never make one permanently happy.   A certain number of these nations contained proud and arrogant people that considered no one else his or her equal. Slaves were mainly looked down upon and were wrongfully treated. Soon after, Islam came down and sought to stop the pride and racism and to establish a universal brotherhood. Islam taught people whether one is the slave or the master, they are both in the same level, and the best amongst them were only the ones with the most piety, righteousness, fear and God consciousness. This angered many of the tribe's chieftains.   God, the Almighty has mentioned the stories of perished nations and their wrongdoings in the Holy Quran to warn our nation from making the same mistakes they did. The repeating of the same mistakes they made can lead to the same outcome. Unfortunately, the current average Muslim hardly recites Quran with deep reflection, pondering over its profound Verses and Signs. By comparing the past nations to our nation, one would conclude that our nation is in danger. People today do the same sinful deeds that were done in the past. We see the same errors happening now, that happened in the past, such as disobeying God's commandments and associating partners with Him, behaving arrogantly, wrongfully, and sinfully. All the nations of the past have been punished through natural disasters. God has given our nation warnings that if we repeat the same errors and sins the past nations did, we would be punished too.   "Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed, in that are signs for those of intelligence"   (Quran 20:128)   God shares these stories in the Holy Koran to warn people about the punishment of nations that disobeyed their Creator, Allah states:   "Have they not traveled through the Earth and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed the Earth and built it up more than they have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidence. And Allah would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves"   (Quran 30:9)   God also states:   "And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their mother a messenger reciting to them Our Verses. And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers" (Quran 28:59)   It's crucial to indicate God punishes nations when they disobey their messenger while their Prophet is present amongst them. This is because when the messenger invites people to worship the One God, often the rejecters and the deniers would mock the messengers, persecute them, attack them, and sometimes even kill them. They would also sarcastically ask the Messengers of Gods, 'if you were God's messenger, then ask God to send down a punishment to us right now.' They asked for their punishments to be hastened, so it's only fair they got punished.   In addition, God destroys people when they collectively insist on evil after several repeated warnings. Nations that refused to accept faced God's Wrath and were destroyed, while those who believed in God's Messengers attained the means to everlasting success and salvation. So, read the Holy Quran and take lessons from the stories of the past nations. Reminisce of the nations who reached the pinnacle of civilization, amassing great wealth and power and prestige, only to be ungrateful and forget themselves and their Lord. They became corrupt, arrogant, cruel and oppressive, as they lived ungrateful lives and turned to falsehoods and false gods. God sent to them His Prophets, supported by miracles and revelation, to remind them of His Favors and remind them to be compassionate amongst themselves and His creation at large. But they disbelieved in God the Almighty, despite His Clear Signs and warnings.   Some ruins of past civilians, cities, and nations can still be seen as a reminder today, proof, and a sign to mankind. God is the most Merciful and the Most-Forgiving. He loves to Forgive. However, God is also All-Just, and His warnings should not be ignored, rejected or denied because God's punishment can be rapid and severe.  

All of God's Prophets came with miracles (signs of God's existence) to prove God sent them. Islam defines a miracle as an extraordinary act or event that go against the laws of nature and can only come about through the direct intervention and will of God. Miracles are not magic, which by definition are only tricks or illusions. Acts of Magic are evil acts performed with the help of devils. Prophets can only achieve miracles. They supported past Prophets as irrefutable evidence proving that their Prophethood was, in fact, a matter of truth. The Prophets were supported by miracles that their nations excelled in so the acts would be more convincing, understood, appreciated and identified by the people of that nation and not thought of just magic.   For instance, the people of Egypt excelled in magic and sorcery and felt they had reached the pinnacle of these evil acts as they often were in contact with Jinn (spirits) to play illusions on people. Thus, God provided Prophet Moses peace be upon him types of miracles that were related to illusions, such as the power to transform his staff into a snake right before his people. He was also able to strike the Nile with his rod to transform the river into blood and part the Red Sea. All meant to humble his people and remind that the power, control, and might of God is true and not just an illusion of the eyes.   Likewise, during the time of Prophet Jesus peace be upon him, the Romans pride themselves in their medicine, healing, cures, and best doctors on the land when medical science was at its height. Thus, God sent down Prophet Jesus peace be upon him with several miracles all coming from this nature which could not be justified by medical science. These miracles include the miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus of a virgin. Prophet Jesus could heal individuals with leprosy, cure the blind, and resurrect the dead all with the permission and will of God. The Almighty states:   "[The Day] when Allah will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit, and you spoke to the people in the cradle and maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, "This is not but obvious magic" (Quran 5:110)   Past Prophets had miracles one can only see if they lived in that time to witness it. After the Prophets died, their miracles turned in to stories the following generations can only narrate and not witness. For instance, someone that witnessed Prophet Moses peace be upon him transform his staff into a snake or someone that saw Prophet Jesus peace be upon him give life to a dead person with the permission of God can only share it with his children, and his children can narrate it to their children, and so forth. However, for the generations that were not alive or present to witness the miracles, they became only stories to them. All previous miracles were limited to its time and place. However, for our nation, God has provided our Prophet, Muhammad peace be upon him with a miracle, the Holy Quran, to be witnessed by everyone for all the upcoming generations. The miracle is as convincing, persuasive, compelling, and relevant now as it was when it was first revealed 1400+ years ago. The Quran is a miracle for the eyes to see and the ears to hear. Since the Quran is the final Book for humanity, it had to outlive Prophet Muhamad peace be upon him, so it was audible.   In the time of Prophet Muhammad, the Arabs, although predominantly unlettered, were masters of the spoken word. They were people that excelled in the art of eloquence and knowledge. Their poetry and spoken word were considered a model of literary excellence and they valued spoken word and speech. Thus, God revealed to his final nation, the best and the most eloquent of all speeches, the Holy Quran which left the people of Prophet Muhamad peace be upon him, astounded in terms of eloquence and other terms. The Book was revealed to a Prophet who was unlettered, unable to read, write or calculate to prove to the people his Prophet was not the author. Billions of people since the advent of this miracle have witnessed it, believed in it because of its miraculous nature in terms of its style, content and spiritual uplifting.   The Holy Quran mentions recounted stories of previous nations that were sent down Prophets and Messengers to convey God's Message. But the people rejected, disobeyed, and denied the truth. God states:   "And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them..." (Quran 17:59)   Between Prophet Adam and Prophet Noah peace be upon them were ten centuries. Amongst the people of that period were righteous individuals that obeyed the laws taught by Prophet Adam and worshipped God accordingly. As time passed, people started to veer away from the remembrance of God. Certain righteous men amongst them would remind the people of their obligations to God. Later, the righteous men began to die, and Satan, the enemy of mankind, came whispering to the people who had looked up to these righteous individuals, putting thoughts into their minds in his sly, deceptive ways, inspiring the people to erect statues in their memory to remember to worship God. After these statutes were built across the land, Satan later came back to the people who had forgotten the reason these statues were constructed. Satan then suggested to the people to worship the statues directly. He told them that their forefathers had worshiped these statues. Out of these people's ignorance, idol worship started. Soon after, Allah sent Messengers after Messengers to guide people to the right path. God states in his Book:   "Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah.  Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers" (Quran 58:19)   God sent Prophet Noah peace be upon him to his people where he preached for 950 years, calling people to worship one God and follow his commandments, but only a few people believed in him. His people denied, mocked him and stated that he is nothing special but another human being amongst them. Prophet Noah peace be upon him agreed he was only human, but he was sent from God the Glorious with a clear warning. After the denial. God instructed Noah to build an ark.   "And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are [to be] drowned" (Quran 11:37)   As he was building the Ark, his people accuse him of being a madman for building a ship made of planks and nails on land, nowhere near any body of water. Soon, water started to gush from the Earth and fall from the sky; God instructed Noah to enter the Ark with the ones that believed in the Message. He also commanded Prophet Noah to take a male and female of every animal aboard. Then God caused a great flood where water gushed from every crack on the Earth, and rain fell from the skies like never before. Prophet Noah peace be upon him saw his son overwhelmed by the water, so he cried out to him, pleading him to board the Ark and to leave the non-believers to their fate. However, his son was thinking in terms of this worldly life and did not rely on the Trust and Word of God. He replied to his dad he would go to a mountain where the waves could not reach. Noah pleaded with his son saying:   "…There is no protector today from the decree of God, except for whom He gives mercy…" (Quran 11:43)   His son refused. God then stated:   "…O Earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain]." And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and the ship came to rest on the [mountain of] Judiyy. And it was said, "Away with the wrongdoing people" (Quran 11:44)   Soon, his son was drowned. He was drowned with the disbelievers and Noah's wife, who also disbelieved. The flood had cleansed the Earth of idol worshippers and disbelievers. Not a single person who had disbelieved in God remained on the Earth. The ship remains intact upon Judi right until today. An archeological study found the 500-foot long boat-shaped formation atop Mount Judi. God left it as a sign for mankind.   Prophet Hud (Eber in English) peace be upon him was sent to an ancient tribe called Ad who is believed to have been positioned in an area of curved sand hills of Oman and Yemen. They worshiped idols as gods which they believed would provide them happiness and wealth and protect them from evil, harm, and all catastrophes. The people of Prophet Hud were very tall, strong, and well built. They were arrogant people who would boast and tyrannize people with their large size. According to the Quran, they would say:   "Who is greater than us in strength?" (Quran 41:15)   They were known to build lofty towers; thus, the area became known as the land of a thousand pillars since God blessed them with fertile soil and abundant agriculture, many children, an ample supply of livestock and easy access to water resources. They mistakenly understood the purpose of life was to accumulate wealth, prestige, and live in luxury. Prophet Hud would command them to fear God and be righteous. According to the Holy Koran, Prophet Hud peace be upon him would say to his people:   "…O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. You are not but inventors [of falsehood]" (Quran 11:50) Their Prophet advised them to seek God's forgiveness for their heedlessness and arrogance and advised them that if they seek forgiveness, God will increase them in power, strength and wealth. According to the Quran, Prophet Hud would state:   "And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength. And do not turn away, [being] criminals" (Quran 11:52)   However, they proudly saw themselves as the most powerful nation in existence. They rejected their Prophet's Message believing that after death their bodies would decay to dust and be swept away by the wind. With their hearts and minds filled with the accumulation of this world, they would say to their Prophet: 'Why did God chose you when you do not differ from the rest of us, you eat and drink like the rest of us.'   Prophet Hud's people proudly stated: 'Have you come to turn us away from our gods? Then bring upon us the calamity with which you threaten us if you are telling the truth!' Prophet Hud peace be upon him turned to God the Almighty and renounced his people. Soon after, the people of Hud suffered through a three-year famine and a drought which spread throughout the once green, fertile and abundant land. The people looked to the sky hoping to see signs of rain. One fateful day the weather changed. The burning heat changed to furious violent winds which God the Almighty imposed on them, for seven nights and eight days. The winds ripped apart their homes, possessions, clothing and even the skin on their bodies. The sands of their desert swallowed and buried their crops. Only Prophet Hud and his small band of believers were saved and are believed to have migrated to the Hadhramaut area of what is today known as Southern Yemen. God states:   "Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with 'Aad - [With] Iram - who had lofty pillars, The likes of whom had never been created in the land?" (Quran 89:6-8)   God also speaks in the Quran of a nation where he sent one of his Messengers named Saleh peace be upon him. He was sent to a tribe called 'Thamud.' While many of the Prophets mentioned in the Quran are Prophets shared with Christianity and Judaism, thus their stories are mentioned in the Bible, Muslims additionally believe in all the past Messengers and Prophets of God. Prophet Saleh is not mentioned in the Bible today.   Similar to the people of Hud, the people of Prophet Saleh were also people that cultivated rich, prosperous, vibrant, fertile land, led excessive wealthy lives, built grand buildings, and had become vain because of their wealth. Regretfully, with their extravagant lifestyles came the worship of many gods, oppressing of the poor and living of a life which went against their Lord's commandments.   Prophet Saleh was a pious, righteous man who held a position of leadership in their community, but his call to worship God alone angered many of his people. Prophet Saleh's Message was like all the other Prophets; he warned his people to turn away from worshipping false gods and to follow the One God, Allah, who provided them all their substance. He advised them to thank their One True Creator and urged the rich to stop oppressing the poor and to end all mischief and evil in the land.   The people of Thamud gathered in the shadows of a high mountain where they demanded that Prophet Saleh peace be upon him to prove that the One God, he spoke of was truly Mighty and Strong. They asked him to perform a miracle; they challenged him to produce for them an incomparable she-camel out which must be ten months pregnant, tall and attractive which will emerge from the rock. Prophet Saleh asked them if a she-camel appeared would they then believe in his Message. They responded yes and prayed with Prophet Saleh for the miracle to emerge. By the power and will of God, a massive, pregnant she-camel emerged from the rocks at the bottom of the mountain. They saw a powerful, clear sign from their Lord. Several Prophet Salah’s people believed, yet most of them continued in their disbelief and stubbornness even though they witness a great miracle. The Quran states:   "And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them. And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning" (Quran 17:69)   The she-camel lived among people of Thamud. Later, the people began to complain that the camel drank too much water and frightened the other livestock. Prophet Saleh peace be upon him began to fear for the camel. He warned his people of great a suffering that would befall them if they harmed the she-camel.   "And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allah - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allah's Earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment" (Quran 11:64)   A group of his people got together and plotted to kill the she-camel. When they approached her, they shot their arrow and pierced her with a sword. They cheered and congratulated each other while mocking and laughing at their Prophet. Then they challenged Prophet Saleh to have God punish them for it. Their Prophet warned them that a great punishment would be upon them within three days while hoping his people would realize their mistake and repent for their massive error. Prophet Saleh and the believers then departed together to Palestine to be saved from God's upcoming punishment. Soon, the sky was filled with lightning and thunder, and the Earth shook aggressively with a frightening earthquake or volcanic eruption. No one, including their idols, could save them.   The result of these nation's was destruction. According to the Quran, when punishment came to these sinners, their only last utterance was:   "…Indeed, we were wrongdoers!" (Quran 7:5)   In the end, they cried out for mercy, but it was too late:   "(When they approached their doom) they cried out (for deliverance), but the time for deliverance was already past" (Quran 38:3)   This brings us to an important point, why is there past nations that rejected, hid, denied, and buried the Message of their Prophets and Messengers? There are several reasons for this. The Message that the Prophets came with went against everything these nations were brought up and raised to believe and went against the beliefs of their forefathers. These people had a strong attachment to the customs of their forefathers and were sensitive concerning the good name of their fathers. They took pride in following their footsteps whether right or wrong. They grew up worshipping idols then the Prophets came and told them they were wrong and only Allah Alone is worthy of worship without partners and sons. The polytheists (idol worshippers) felt the Prophets wanted to dethrone their gods and did not tolerate the Muslims' rejection of their gods and reacted with severe harassment and abuse. God states in the Quran:   “And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing.’ Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided? The example of those who disbelieve is like that of one who shouts at what hears nothing but calls and cries cattle or sheep - deaf, dumb and blind, so they do not understand" (Quran 2:170-171)   God shares a conversation between Prophet Abraham peace be upon him and the idol worshippers at his time which included his father:   "When he said to his father and his people, ‘What do you worship?’ They said, ‘We worship idols and remain to them devoted.’ He said, ‘Do they hear you when you supplicate? Or do they benefit you, or do they harm?’ They said, ‘But we found our fathers doing thus’   (Quran 26:70-74)   The disbelievers of some nations rejected their Prophet because they were mere mortals who ate, drank, and walked the markets like everyone else. To be convinced of their Prophethood they arrogantly wanted God to send an Angel down from Heaven to accompany him. Other unbelievers accused their Prophet of incorporating into his alleged Revelation myths, legends, and fables that were well known to the people of that time.  God states in His Book:   "Even when they come to you arguing with you, those who disbelieve say, "This is not but legends of the former peoples." (Quran 6:25)   Certain nations believed in many gods, and some of their cities were dedicated to these gods. They allowed people from all around to come and worship their idols. If Islam told them they were wrong, and that Allah is the Only One that should be worshiped, and all other gods are false, their city would decline in visitors and revenue. It would be the end of their political and economic domination. Greed, selfishness, money, and power got the best of them.   The Prophets came to nations with immense difficulties and conditions. This call to true Islam took the slumbering men by surprise. These people's customs and habits were sunk low. Adultery, liquor, gambling, violence, stealing, dishonesty, murder and many illicit practices were widespread among them. These were all condemned by Islam, and embracing Islam meant leaving all of them and adopting a new mode of life, and many were unwilling to change their wicked old habits. In addition, there was the desire for worldly things which had become so predominant in them, they soon became slaves to their desires, that nothing could move them from this, not even the command of God the Almighty. Islam came down to free people from being slaves to their desires and constant needs for material goods that could never make one permanently happy.   A certain number of these nations contained proud and arrogant people that considered no one else his or her equal. Slaves were mainly looked down upon and were wrongfully treated. Soon after, Islam came down and sought to stop the pride and racism and to establish a universal brotherhood. Islam taught people whether one is the slave or the master, they are both in the same level, and the best amongst them were only the ones with the most piety, righteousness, fear and God consciousness. This angered many of the tribe's chieftains.   God, the Almighty has mentioned the stories of perished nations and their wrongdoings in the Holy Quran to warn our nation from making the same mistakes they did. The repeating of the same mistakes they made can lead to the same outcome. Unfortunately, the current average Muslim hardly recites Quran with deep reflection, pondering over its profound Verses and Signs. By comparing the past nations to our nation, one would conclude that our nation is in danger. People today do the same sinful deeds that were done in the past. We see the same errors happening now, that happened in the past, such as disobeying God's commandments and associating partners with Him, behaving arrogantly, wrongfully, and sinfully. All the nations of the past have been punished through natural disasters. God has given our nation warnings that if we repeat the same errors and sins the past nations did, we would be punished too.   "Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed, in that are signs for those of intelligence"   (Quran 20:128)   God shares these stories in the Holy Koran to warn people about the punishment of nations that disobeyed their Creator, Allah states:   "Have they not traveled through the Earth and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed the Earth and built it up more than they have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidence. And Allah would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves"   (Quran 30:9)   God also states:   "And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their mother a messenger reciting to them Our Verses. And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers" (Quran 28:59)   It's crucial to indicate God punishes nations when they disobey their messenger while their Prophet is present amongst them. This is because when the messenger invites people to worship the One God, often the rejecters and the deniers would mock the messengers, persecute them, attack them, and sometimes even kill them. They would also sarcastically ask the Messengers of Gods, 'if you were God's messenger, then ask God to send down a punishment to us right now.' They asked for their punishments to be hastened, so it's only fair they got punished.   In addition, God destroys people when they collectively insist on evil after several repeated warnings. Nations that refused to accept faced God's Wrath and were destroyed, while those who believed in God's Messengers attained the means to everlasting success and salvation. So, read the Holy Quran and take lessons from the stories of the past nations. Reminisce of the nations who reached the pinnacle of civilization, amassing great wealth and power and prestige, only to be ungrateful and forget themselves and their Lord. They became corrupt, arrogant, cruel and oppressive, as they lived ungrateful lives and turned to falsehoods and false gods. God sent to them His Prophets, supported by miracles and revelation, to remind them of His Favors and remind them to be compassionate amongst themselves and His creation at large. But they disbelieved in God the Almighty, despite His Clear Signs and warnings.   Some ruins of past civilians, cities, and nations can still be seen as a reminder today, proof, and a sign to mankind. God is the most Merciful and the Most-Forgiving. He loves to Forgive. However, God is also All-Just, and His warnings should not be ignored, rejected or denied because God's punishment can be rapid and severe.  

The word ‘Allah’ is the unique name of God. He is The One and Only, the Absolute & Eternal God. He is the creator of the Heavens and Earth, the creator of the Universe. He is the Lord of all lords, King of all kings. He is the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful. Allah Neither Begets, nor is He Begotten. And He knows no equal. God offers a description of Himself in His book, the Holy Quran, stating: Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent" (Quran 112:1-4) The word Allah translates to God. Allah is not a foreign God and does not bear a foreign name. Allah, rather, is the semantic term for God. Regardless of this, some people harbor the mistaken belief that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews; and that ‘Allah’ is the ‘God of the Arabs or God of the Muslims’.  This is far from the truth. The word “Allah” is the Arabic name that connotes the Almighty God. Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians use this same word to refer to God. If one were to peruse an Arabic translation of the Bible, one would see the word ‘Allah’ being used in place of the term ‘God.’ However, Muslims, Christians, and Jews all have different concepts of God. Muslims and Jews both reject the Christian beliefs of the Trinity and the Divine incarnation. This, however, does not mean that each of these three religions worships a different God. There is only One true God. Muslims prefer to use the name ‘Allah’ as opposed to the English word ‘God’ because the English word ‘God’ can be made plural and can be rendered masculine or feminine; whereas the Arabic word ‘Allah’ cannot be made plural and is genderless. For instance, if you add the letter ‘s’ to the word God, it becomes ‘gods’--which is the plural of God. In the case of the Arabic word ‘Allah,’ one cannot make the word plural by adding ‘s’ or in any other way morphing the word’s structure. Likewise, if one adds ‘ess’ to the end of the word ‘God,’ it becomes ‘goddess,’ which connotates a female god. God is not female nor male. He is genderless. The word ‘Allah’ in the Arabic language does not have a gender. It cannot be made feminine. Muslims reject the use of the word ‘God’ because it has different connotations to different people. God means different things to different people because the term ‘God’ indicates an entity worthy of worship; and regretfully, people assign a godlike status to many other beings, divine or otherwise. However, sometimes while speaking to non-Muslims, one may use the word ‘God’ instead of ‘Allah’ to help the intended audience understand the context of the word; to relate the message you are referring to the One Supreme Being. The word Allah comes from the origin of the word Al-ilah, which enjoins the two terms ‘The’ and ‘God’ as in ‘The God.’ The term illah, which is the closest synonym to God in the Arabic language, is rich and has several meanings. Illah refers to an entity worthy of worship and service, an object of devotion and love, someone you turn to in desperate times, someone you adore and think about all the time. Illah also is one you turn to for protection, help or aid. You find sanctuary and rest in your Illah, who is always present to comfort and guide beings of His creation. The relationship with God is expressed in the Arabic word Al-Rabb, which is used frequently in the Quran. Linguistically it is defined as ‘sticking close to something.’ It also means ‘joining something with another.’ In the Holy Qur’an, the word Al-Rabb implies that the owner (God) has full authority over his property (his servants) and is a Master who ultimately sustains His creation by regulating affairs, providing provisions, and granting all varieties of favors and blessings. Al-Rabb also means the One who sustains and nurtures the hearts and souls of His creation. Muslims believe in One, unique, incomparable God, who has no son, no daughter, no father, no mother, no family, and no partner. He is the Knower of the unseen and the Source of All Mercy. He is the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner, the Wise. All that is in the Heavens and Earth magnify Him. Muslims believe that none should be worshipped but Him alone. He is the true God, and every other deity is false. None carries the right to be worshipped, revered, adored, invoked, supplicated, or shown any act of worship, but Allah alone. God is unique, indivisible and similar to nothing. Whenever you try to compare God to anything in this world, it cannot be God; because God, to put it is incomparable. Our finite human minds can fully comprehend and grasp God as a concept. Muslims avoid conceptualizing His image, because imagining or visualizing Him would limit Him. The human imagination is limited, as it is based on what it observes and experiences directly. The human imagination cannot fully grasp the state of God, who is timeless and eternal with no beginning or end. God has a unique nature and is free from gender and human weakness and is beyond anything which human beings can imagine. God states: “There is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then worship Him, and He has the power to dispose of all affairs.  No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is the Sublime, Well-Aware" (Quran 6: 102-103) God is the King, the Holy, the one free from all defects. The Protector, the Keeper, the Sustainer of Earth and the Universe and all it contains. He is the Glorious, the Great, the Deserving of all Praise. The Kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth belong to Him. Nothing is hidden from Him, and Nothing is beyond His capabilities. He is the Lord and Master of the physical Universe and the Ruler and Lawgiver for human life. Allah is the creator of everything from the smallest to the biggest of things. It is He who heats and brightens the Earth, varies the direction of the winds, and keeps planets in their separate orbits. He is the one that merges the night into the day and merges the day into the night. He is the Master of the Day of Judgement. Allah does not sleep nor slumber, nor sleeps overtake Him. Afterall, created the universe in six days with no rest. God states: “[He is] Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing (Quran 42:11) God is Loving, Compassionate, Merciful; He is the answerer of prayers, and He is indeed involved and concerned with the daily affairs of all human beings. God is the Beneficent, the Merciful. He is the Giver of life and the Causer of death. He is the Master of the Day of Judgment. He is the Most-High, the most Supreme. He is the most generous and the most loving to his creation. God gives, without measure, to His servants. He gifted mankind life and the ability to hear, feel, taste, and see. God gifted humans their hearts, minds, souls, strengths, and skills.  “And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful” (Quran 14:34) God created all things from nothing. He is in no need of His creation, although His creation is all in need of Him. He is all Knowledgeable and encompasses all things, the open and the secret, the public and the private. He knows all secrets that lay hidden in the hearts and minds of men. He knows of all that happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will happen. Our Lord neither errs nor forgets. He is free from all defects and imperfections. He is the One that accepts repentance from His servants and forgives all sins. Allah knows of what you endure and understands your feelings and struggles. Allah understands because He was there with you all along. Allah has power over all things. No other power nor might nor strength nor influence can cause benefit or harm to anyone or anything, except that which flows through Him. Nothing can ever happen unless God wills it to be so. “Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record" (Quran 6:59) God can make anything happen. He states in His book: “Whenever We will anything to be, We say unto it Our word "Be," and it is” (Quran 16:40) Some people assume that God, as perceived in the faith of Islam is a harsh, stern, cruel God; one who demands to be respected, worshipped, and obeyed fully, and is not loving and kind to His creation. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is All-Loving. He claims among His names Al-Wadoud in Arabic (the All-Loving). The love of God in the Holy Qur’an is expressed and emphasized many times throughout His Book. God bespeaks His love for the righteous, the charitable, the steadfast, the doers of good, the just, the fair, the benevolent, those who trust Him; the ones that are clean, the ones that purify themselves, and the ones who fulfill their obligations. The entire Universe and everything it contain is proof of Allah’s love for all of His creation. He loves us so much that He gave us an endless variety of foods, a vast array of land and wildlife, the sun, the moon, the stars, family, offspring, and much more. Everything one sees feels, hears, tastes, and smells are all forms of blessings, given to us by our Loving Creator. He didn’t have to do this, but He bestowed these blessings upon us. His boundless mercy encompasses everything. "And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful" (Quran 16:18) God is also All-Just. Hence, evildoers and sinners must be held accountable for their actions. God is Holy, Righteous, and Fair. If He didn't punish for evil, He would allow that evil to exist without consequences. Since God cannot let that happen, His justice requires that a proper punishment is incurred and executed for evil sins. Although Allah is not answerable to anyone, He has promised to be Just and Fair to everyone. He has prohibited injustice against the innocent. Allah never would punish an innocent person, nor hold anyone accountable for the sins of another. Unlike Christianity, Islam imposes no burden of the original sin. Every human being is born with a clean slate and is rewarded or punished only based on one’s willful intent, words, and deeds. Allah is the Absolute Judge, the Legislator. God is the One who distinguishes right from wrong. God even is more merciful to His creation than a mother is to her child. God is far removed from injustice and tyranny. He is All-Wise in all of His actions and decrees. For one to be genuinely devoted to Allah and to love Him above all else imaginable, one needs to have knowledge of God that goes beyond the basic aspects of His role as the sole Creator and Sustainer. To reward any seeker who strives to learn more about the Creator, Allah has revealed a great deal of information about Himself and His Attributes. Allah has the most Magnificent, Beautiful of names and sublime Perfect attributes. No one shares His Divinity, nor His Attributes. Allah’s Attributes are incomparable, Greater and more perfectly than those acquired by people, as there is nothing like Him, His Attributes, and Actions. God has an infinite number of names and has a particular and special category of 99 names listed in the Holy Koran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Of His names is The Ever-Merciful, The Forgiving, The Loving, The Nourisher, The Sustainer, The Compassionate, The Exalter, The Just, The Great, The Protector, The Caregiver, The Ever-Living, The Powerful, The First, The Last, The Pardoner, The Light, The Supporter, The Eternal, The Preserver, The Wise, The Originator, and The One Who Gives Life and Resurrects. If our Creator is Eternal and Everlasting, then His attributes must adhere to this same edict. God has perfect attributes. He has limitless and infinite hearing, vision, mercy, and—above all—love. Muslims attribute certain factors to every quality of God: None of His attributes ever knew a beginning, nor will they ever have an ending. For instance, He always has been All-Hearing and always will be All-Hearing. Allah hears everything from our inner thoughts and tiniest whispers to the buzz of a mosquito's wing and the eruption of Volcanos. Language is no barrier for Him, for God understands all. All of His attributes are infinite. Whereas humans can hear only what’s in front of them, God can listen to simultaneous conversations inside and outside a room; God can hear all. All of our attributes as humans were given to us as gifts, whereas all of God’s attributes originated within Him. His attributes were not given to Him; they were within Him all along. The most significant and most honorable knowledge is that of Allah’s Names, Attributes, and Actions. God encourages His creation to learn His names so they can discover more about Him. How would one love, worship, fear, and trust God if they do not know His Identity and His Attributes? By learning Allah’s names and attributes, one can appreciate His Power over all things and increase the pleasure and sublime awe he or she finds in God’s company. That is why knowledge of Allah is a central tenant of the Islamic faith. It is when one genuinely ponders on the Majesty of Allah, that one’s humility increases. Muslims are advised to study and ponder His Names and Attributes and are encouraged to worship and call Him by those names. God states: “And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them” (Quran 7:180) God is above His creation, above the heavens, above His Throne. However, He never is contained by any sort of physical dimension. Allah is close, very close. God is close to those who believe in Him, and He answers their every call. Saying that God is with His servants, does not mean that He intermingles or dwells with His creation; rather He establishes His presence with His creation by His Knowledge and Power. Nothing is hidden from Him of what His creation does or says. God states in the Quran: “Verily Allah knows all the hidden things of the Heavens and the Earth; Verily He has full Knowledge of all that is in (men's) hearts” (Quran 35:38)  God is very near. He sees and knows every aspect of His creations. He hears every word that is uttered. He is knowledgeable of even one's inner thoughts. God knows all of our dreams, secrets, desires, and wishes. Nothing is hidden from Him. “We created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein” (Quran 50:36) Allah is in no need of His creation, although His creation needs Him. Allah wants humans to worship Him for their own benefit. Mankind needs God in their lives at all times and for all purposes. Those who recognize the Majesty of the Creator of All, soon become awestruck and humble in their knowledge. One that rejects God and His Guidance is like a patient refusing a doctor’s medicine for his pain. This patient would be foolish, ignorant, and illogical in his actions; as would be one who rejects Allah. Allah is Fully Omnipotent and Self-sufficient. He is in no need of humanistic worship or anything else. Allah is Perfect

Part III People of faith have long reflected in terms of how to approach their understanding of God--how can we reconcile love of God and fear of God? How do we understand Him to be the Most-Compassionate but also the All-Just?

Part III People of faith have long reflected in terms of how to approach their understanding of God--how can we reconcile love of God and fear of God? How do we understand Him to be the Most-Compassionate but also the All-Just?

Part II People of faith have long reflected in terms of how to approach their understanding of God--how can we reconcile love of God and fear of God? How do we understand Him to be the Most-Compassionate but also the All-Just?

Part II People of faith have long reflected in terms of how to approach their understanding of God--how can we reconcile love of God and fear of God? How do we understand Him to be the Most-Compassionate but also the All-Just?

People of faith have long reflected in terms of how to approach their understanding of God--how can we reconcile love of God and fear of God? How do we understand Him to be the Most-Compassionate but also the All-Just?

People of faith have long reflected in terms of how to approach their understanding of God--how can we reconcile love of God and fear of God? How do we understand Him to be the Most-Compassionate but also the All-Just?

This episode marks a milestone in Screeners history:  For the first time, literature has made its way to the main event. Well, science fiction literature. And it’s only there because it was made into a movie. And we had to temper even that by following it with a review of a comic book movie...look; stop harshing our buzz, alright? We’re trying to encourage Chris to read here; cut us some slack!Old People and the Pixels They Can’t SeeBefore the Screeners get into the double-feature main event, though, you know we gots to have us a lightning round. The questioning this time starts out with a winter movie preview. The fall/winter season it typically the bulwark of your more artsy/contemplative films, but Josh seems somehow saddened by this year’s prospects. At least Keanu Reeves is back in the spotlight; that has to be good news, right? Wait, no; “good” wasn’t the right word there…If the winter’s disappointing, at least next year will bring the advent of 4K (or UHD, or whatever the marketers are calling it this week) streaming—or so says Netflix. For now, they’re making good on their claims with test footage of flowers growing, people riding bikes, and (we assume) shockingly crisp-looking blades of grass growing before our very eyes. Let’s play the cable news game on this too:  Good thing, or bad thing?From streaming video to the boxes that deliver it to us (and supposedly do other things):  The Playstation 4 has just hit the streets, with the Xbox One close on its heels. Will the Screeners be participating in this gaming generation—and if so, where do their loyalties lie? If you don’t know the answer to those yet, welcome! We love new listeners!Finally, our resident senior citizen advocate raises awareness for an issue near and dear to his heart. It seems that television shows are geared toward the demographics that advertisers want to reach, and that people who aren’t part of those demographics get upset by this. Some of them even write convoluted and self-contradictory op-eds about it. Agism’s bad! Bring back Harry’s Law!Wait...It was All Just a Game?OK, on to the fun stuff. Orson Scott Card has won a number of science fiction awards for his work on Ender’s Saga, the series that began with Ender’s Game back in the late 70s. The Screeners had originally planned to read the book in advance of the movie and review it on an episode sometime this summer, thus completely ruining the movie for everyone and giving Josh an opportunity to be truly pretentious on air.However, due to contingencies the astute listener will have already predicted, that didn’t happen. Instead, our dauntless hosts decided to combine the book and film reviews into one mega-review...and then talk about Thor as well. What resulted is a rambling sociopolitical diatribe that Josh will be happy to elaborate if asked...oh, and there was a mention or two of a movie in there somewhere. We can’t really remember.After Josh has exhausted everyone's patience, the Screeners dedicate some Thor, which we really shouldn’t downplay so much since it’s the next in a series of relatively strong Marvel properties and is maybe more entertaining than some people give it credit for...but it’s somehow just more fun if we relegate it to a single sentence at the very end of the notes.One overly long, awkward sentence. That’s how we roll.‘Til next time.