Podcasts about Arise

Arise, tarnished, and watch out for server errors. Jason, Kirk, and Maddy team up for some co-op in Elden Ring: Nightreign, the new multiplayer spinoff by From Software. It's a fun game to talk about! They talk about the high highs, low lows, and the opacity of it all.One More Thing:Kirk: Your Friends and Neighbors (Apple TV+)Maddy: Kitchen NightmaresJason: The Rehearsal (HBO)LINKS:Tyler Colp's PC Gamer Nightreign Review: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/elden-ring-nightreign-review/Triple Click LIVE in Portland, July 11: https://albertarosetheatre.com/event/triple-click-live/alberta-rose-theatre/portland-oregon/Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinBuy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=lastJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Join Crystal as she finishes up our study in Ephesians with a closer look at the Armour of God. Anyone who is trying to live a Spirit-filled--that is, a Spirit-controlled--life, is in the midst of a very real spiritual battle. This battle isn't just with our own flesh, but it is also with Satan and his demons. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”We have to understand that Satan desires to destroy us. His ultimate goal is to rob God of the glory He deserves. Satan knows that if he is successful in destroying the lives of Christians, he will keep God from getting glory. The destruction left behind by a Christian who Satan has defeated, even temporarily, can have lasting consequences that affect the lives of their families, friends, and churches.So we must "armour up!" Choose each and every day to put on the Armour of God and take your place in the spiritual battle. Resources mentioned in this episode (affiliate links): Arise, Go. There's a Fly in my Tea! Support the showConnect with the ladies of Her Portion, HERE!

This week, we will be studying Acts 14:8-20 under the theme “Platforming the Right Person.” Americans have a fascination with celebrity and an intoxication with talent. It destroys our relationship with God….and others. Paul and Barnabas would have none of it. Jesus is the only god who came down to earth in human form. No one else can hold a place of ultimate value in our lives.SERIES SUMMARY: The Book of Acts is the story of the early Christian Church. For centuries after the first Easter, the Christian Church has studied Acts. The logic is that, after we celebrated Jesus' rising from the grave and subsequent ascent into heaven, perhaps we should try to do what the early church did, contextualized to our time and place. Throughout this series, we will look at snapshots of Acts, from supernatural healing to strategic planning, cultural diversity to Christian celebrity. This is the story of what Jesus continued to do even after he ascended into heaven and sent his Spirit to form the Church.How can we pray for you? tinyurl.com/stmarcusprayersFill out our online connection card: tinyurl.com/stmarcusconnectcardIf you'd like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive

Want to a change of scenery for your life? What if leaving home could actually cost you less — while giving your kids a richer life and you, more freedom? In this eye-opening podcast, we uncover how one creative mom swapped rent payments for passport stamps — living abroad with her kids (and yes, even a nanny!) for less than the cost of a U.S. apartment. From budget hacks, to balancing work life/travel fun to brinnging your nanny and stretching your dollar to live your dream summer. This show is for families who want more life without more bills. You won't want to miss it.

Watch this episode on our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAyjFgf9SiuEEp65AkXCvMQSuccess by the Book podcast is the place where Christians who want to experience the extravagant goodness of God in all areas of their lives come for mentorship.  Remember to follow and share this Podcast with othershttps://open.spotify.com/show/4RCbTmAbbdKWkeXd3yqBiZ?si=cd8bbfc407104250  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here

In this episode, we reveal 8 powerful, life-changing actions you need to take right now to level up your life, career, finances, and personal growth. Whether you're in your 20s or late 30s, these tips are non-negotiable for building a strong foundation for your future.Success by the Book podcast is the place where Christians who want to experience the extravagant goodness of God in all areas of their lives come for mentorship. Remember to subscribe and turn your notifications on. Share this Podcast with others.   SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE

13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. 13:18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

The clubhouse welcomes Ashley Phipps, producer for the game Clock Out at 2, to discuss the topic of mental health and discrimination.Mental Health and DiscriminationGame DesignGamingNarrativeClock Out at 2 Demo -  Borderless Studios, SteamWhat to know about microaggressions - Anna Smith Haghighi, Medical News TodayQueerty Gamers - Queerty GamersSpooktober 2023 Clock Out at 2 Build - itch.ioDepression Quest - Zoe QuinnAdventures with Anxiety - Nicky CaseFight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn: How We Respond to Threats - "Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc", Simply PsychologyGood Reps for Mental Health depictionFinal Fantasy XIV - SquareEnixThe Cosmic Wheel SisterhoodTales of Arise - SteamAshley PhippsGuestProducer and Community Manager with 10+ years of experience in project management and leadership. Producer for the game Clock Out at 2.External linkWebsiteInstagramClock Out at 2

"The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel." Jeremiah 18:1-6

Jorge has been at Arise with his wife, Ashley, since 2022. He has helped with worship, house church leadership, and now serves as an elder at Arise. This teaching explores how the Holy Spirit transforms believers after the resurrection, not only freeing them from sin but renewing them daily into the likeness of Christ. Drawing from Titus 3:1–8, it emphasizes that transformation is often a lifelong process marked by daily dependence on the Spirit, resulting in inward renewal and visible fruit over time.

This weekend, we're studying Acts 11:1–18 under the theme “Religious Discrimination.” In this pivotal moment, Peter defends his mission to the Gentiles after God reveals that the Gospel breaks through ethnic and religious barriers—proving salvation is not by cultural conformity but by grace alone. We'll see how God confronts human prejudice, expands our understanding of His grace, and calls us to reject man-made divisions in favor of His unifying Gospel.SERIES SUMMARY: The Book of Acts is the story of the early Christian Church. For centuries after the first Easter, the Christian Church has studied Acts. The logic is that, after we celebrated Jesus' rising from the grave and subsequent ascent into heaven, perhaps we should try to do what the early church did, contextualized to our time and place. Throughout this series, we will look at snapshots of Acts, from supernatural healing to strategic planning, cultural diversity to Christian celebrity. This is the story of what Jesus continued to do even after he ascended into heaven and sent his Spirit to form the Church.How can we pray for you? tinyurl.com/stmarcusprayersFill out our online connection card: tinyurl.com/stmarcusconnectcardIf you'd like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive

Ezekiel 1 reminds us to face challenges by acknowledging them before God, seeking His presence, trusting His character, and responding in faith. As a church, we're called to pursue God's mission together—sacrificing for future generations, relying on His faithfulness, and seizing opportunities to serve as His hands and feet in our community.

"And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it." 1 Kings 21:1-16

A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Easter Psalm 82, St. James 1:17-21, St. John 16:5-15 by William Klock How'd your week go?  Several times—actually, a bunch of times—I found myself thinking about what I preached last Sunday—thinking about the hope that lies before us.  Thinking about how Jesus, risen from the dead, is the beginning of God's new creation and how he—and his gift of the Holy Spirit—give me assurance that what God began that first Easter morning he will one day complete.  Thinking that because I am by faith in Jesus the Messiah, I will one day know that new creation in all its fullness.  And I was thinking about that because—a bunch of times this week—I was looking forward to that day when God will set everything to rights.  Because I hope that in God's new world there will be no broken spokes or being chased by dogs on the River Trail, no need to change timing belts or ball joints, and maybe the best part: no arguments started by random strangers on the Internet and no relationships with old friends strained by current events.  Because all those things did happen to me this week.  None of them were earth-shatteringly horrible—and I'm glad of that—but they remind me that the world is not as it should be.  And then I read the news and I learned about a man stuck in bureaucratic immigration limbo with seemingly no hope of getting out of it.  Having been through that process, his story resonated with me.  And I read about a farmer in Vermont stuck with a bill for thousands of dollars assessed on his cattle feed from Canada because of tariffs.  His business profits for the year gone.  And there's absolutely nothing he can do.  And reading about people stuck in the middle of wars.  And a friend shared an article about the persecuted church in China.  And all I can do is pray, which feels like it's not enough and some people say it's a waste of time.  But I know it's not, because Jesus has risen and I know that means that God's new world has begun and one day he'll set everything to rights.  And so I hope and I pray that it may be “on earth as it is in heaven”. And then I started looking at this week's scripture lessons.  And there's the Old Testament lesson from Job and that verse we read in the procession at funerals: I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though this body be destroyed, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.  Brothers and Sisters, there's that same hope.  Job had faith that the Lord would vindicate him. And the Psalm.  Psalm 82 has been with me, running around in my head all week. God has stood up in the council of heaven:          in the midst of the gods he gives judgement. How long will you judge unjustly:          and favour the cause of the wicked? Judge for the poor and needy:          and save them from the hands of the wicked. They do not know, they do not understand, they walk about in darkness:          all the foundations of the earth are shaken. Therefore I say, “Though you are gods:          and all of you sons of the Most High, Nevertheless you shall die like man:          and fall like one of the princes.” Arise, O God, and judge the earth:          for you shall take all the nations as your possession.   Psalm 82 is from a group of psalms written by Asaph.  Asaph was Samuel's grandson and he and his sons were commissioned by King David to worship the Lord.  That was their job.  They were court worshippers.  And in Psalm 82, Asaph cries out with the whole people of Israel at the injustices of the world.  The gods of this age favour the wicked.  They will not come to the aid of the poor and needy.  In other words, Asaph knew that the world is not as it should be.  And yet Asaph knew what the Lord had done for Israel and he knew his promises and so he could sing out about the Lord, the God of Isreal, as the great judge in heaven.  Asaph had hope that the Lord would hold the powers of this present age accountable.  Asaph closes with that confident prayer: Arise, O God, and judge the earth: For you shall take the nations as your possession.  This was how Israel prayed “on earth as in heaven”.   Things were going well for Israel under King David, but even then, Asaph, with the people of Israel, still had a profound sense of the brokenness and the fallenness of the world.  It was the Lord's plan, as he called and created a people for himself, that this people would know the crushing weight of sin and death.  He allowed them to become slaves in Egypt.  And he delivered them that they might know his grace and his faithfulness—so that they might know that he is the God who keeps his promises and that he is the judge who will vindicate the cause of the poor and the oppressed.  And this became Israel's story and Israel's identity.  Over and over she would find herself being crushed under the heel of this or that pagan king, and she would cry out to the Lord, and he would come as the great judge to vindicate Israel and to defeat her enemies and to rescue her.  And as this was the identity and story of Israel, so it would be the identity and story of the Messiah, and then the story and identity of the Messiah's people, of the church. But the disciples weren't expecting this.  No one—or almost no one—in Israel was expecting this.  The Messiah was supposed to come and break this cycle.  In him God's new world would come, they would all be raised, and they would reign forever in a world set to rights—once and for all.  And they were sort of right, but they got the timeline wrong.  And that's because they'd forgotten the promises and the part of the story where God calls and sets apart this special people for himself in order to bring the nations to him in faith.  Only a people who knows suffering, who knows the crushing weight of sin and injustice, can carry God's forgiveness and justice to the world.  That's why the Messiah had to die.  Sin and death had to do their worst, so that Jesus could rise triumphant over them.  Deliverance comes through suffering.  Forgiveness and new life require sacrifice.  But they'd forgotten this and this is what Jesus has been trying to explain to the disciples through the lessons we've had from John's gospel these past weeks.  And so he says in John 16:1: I've said these things to you to stop you from being tripped up.  They will put you out of the synagogues.  In fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will suppose that they are in that way offering worship to God.  They will do these things because they haven't known the Father or me.  But I have been talking to you about these things so that, when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.   Jesus by this point has already explained to them that very soon he's going to be leaving them.  That was bad news enough.  But now he tells them that after he's gone, persecution is coming.  Their unbelieving Jewish brethren will throw them out of the synagogues—which means cutting them off from the Jewish community, from family, friends.  They will become outsiders in their own community.  Some of them, Jesus warns, will even die for their faith in him.  And when that happens, Jesus knew, it will be really tempting to give up.  They thought that the Messiah was going to put an end to all the suffering and tears, but now Jesus is warning: you're going to know suffering and tears the likes of which you've never known before—and all for my sake. I didn't say these things to you from the start, Jesus goes on, because I was with you.  In other words, as long as Jesus was with them they were still pretty sure of how all this Messiah stuff was going to work out.  Again, the Messiah would usher in God's new world and everything would be great.  And then, with Jesus gone, they're going to be tempted to give up—just like we saw them hiding behind locked doors.  If Jesus goes away without setting everything to rights, well, he must not have been the Messiah after all.  That would be the logical conclusion.  And they'd do their best to go back to their old pre-Jesus lives.  So now Jesus is getting them ready.  He goes on: But now I'm going to the one who sent me.  None of you asks me, “Where are you going?”  But because I've said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.   Well, yes.  If Jesus is leaving, how's he ever going to accomplish his messianic mission?  But this is what Jesus wants to stress to them—even though they won't understand right away.  This is his messianic mission: Truly, truly I say to you: It's better for you that I should go away.  If I don't go away, you see, the Helper won't come to you.  But if I go away, I will send him to you.   Just in case it isn't clear, what Jesus is talking about here is his ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit.  The risen Jesus couldn't stay here forever.  When his own people cried out for Jesus' crucifixion they declared, “We have no king but Caesar.”  It was the ultimate rejection of both their God and their Messiah.  It was blasphemy and until that moment, if you'd asked anyone in Jerusalem if they considered Caesar their king, they'd have laughed at you.  The Lord was their king.  But they became so outraged by Jesus' messianic claims, so outrage with the things he said about the temple, that they shouted the unthinkable to Pilate: “Crucify him!  We have no king but Caesar.”  And then to spite them, Pilate posted those mocking words on the cross: “This is the King of the Jews”.  But when God raised Jesus from the dead, he vindicated him.  It was a divine declaration that Jesus really is the Messiah and that he really is Israel's (and the whole world's) king.  And kings have to take their thrones.  And since God's work of new creation has only just begun and Jesus' throne is in heaven, that's where he had to go to begin his rule.  The king couldn't stay here forever.  But—the second thing Jesus is saying here—if he goes, he will send the Helper—God's own Spirit—and God's Spirit will make the reality of Jesus resurrection and of God's new creation real to us.  The end goal is for heaven and earth and God and human beings to be reunited.  Jesus, the God man, is the embodiment of that hope.  But consider, Brothers and Sisters, that the gift of the Holy Spirit is too. The title John uses is parakletos.  In Greek it literally means “called alongside”, which is a powerful image of who and what the Spirit is for us.  He comes alongside as our helper, our intercessor, and our advocate.  And this is essential.  Like I stressed last week, as the disciples began to realise the significance of Jesus' resurrection, they got excited.  They were ready to go out and shout it from the rooftops of Jerusalem.  But Jesus stressed to them: “Wait.  Wait until I send the Helper.”  Because enthusiasm will only get us so far.  Jesus has given his people a mission, but enthusiasm and excitement alone won't fulfil it.  We need the help of the Holy Spirit.  So Jesus goes on here in verse 8: When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong on three counts: sin, justice, and judgement.  In relation to sin, because they don't believe in me.  In relation to justice—because I'm going to the Father, and you won't see me anymore.  In relation to judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.   God's people had longed for their day in court and for the Lord to vindicate them—just like we read in Psalm 82.  And Jesus' point here is that it's finally going to happen.  Except it's going to be his people—this new Israel—who will finally get their day before the judge.  And as Jesus' people bring their case before the great Judge, the Spirit will be there to help them—to be their advocate.  The Spirit will present the evidence for the world's sin.  But there's no reason for the Spirit to bring exhibit after exhibit showing the world's—and that's not just the pagan nations, but also unbelieving Israel—it's not necessary for the Spirit to put every last sin on display to prove the world's rebellion against God.  All the Spirit has to do is present as evidence the world's rejection of Jesus.  Either you stand with Jesus and on the side of God's new creation and are part of the world set right, or you stand in solidarity with sin. And, second, Jesus says, the Spirit will convict the world in relation to justice.  If you're following along, some of your translations might say “righteousness”.  These are the same word in Greek.  “Justice” fits the context better here.  Jesus' point is that the world thinks it has justice on its side.  Like he told them earlier: They will kill you and in doing so they'll think that they're offering true worship to God.  But Jesus' resurrection from the dead and his ascension to his throne are the evidence of his vindication by the Father.  At the cross the world issued its verdict against Jesus, but when he raised Jesus from the dead and enthroned him in heaven, God overturned the false verdict of the world and declared his son to be the Messiah and the world's true lord.  If you want justice, look to Jesus, because everyone who trusts in Jesus and gives him their allegiance as king shares in that verdict. And, third, Jesus says that the Spirit will give evidence that the world is wrong in relation to judgement.  The world was about to pass judgement on Jesus and condemn him to death as a false messiah, but his resurrection and ascension would prove the world wrong.  And not long after that the world would pass the same judgement on Jesus' people, on the church, but Jesus promises that the Spirit will stand with them and continue to prove the world's judgement wrong.  The Spirit will continue to present the evidence of Jesus resurrection and ascension as proof that the devil has been defeated and that death itself no longer has the final say. Brothers and Sisters, the Holy Spirit isn't just our advocate before the judge, he is our comforter amidst the trials Jesus promised we will face as we take up our crosses to follow him.  Jesus promised his disciples and he promises us that we will face hatred and even persecution—sometimes martyrdom—for the sake of his name.  But because we know he is faithful, because he has vindicated Jesus, we can trust that the judge of all the earth will do what is right.  Even as we face death itself, we know that death has been defeated.  As the Father raised Jesus from death, so he will raise us if we are in him. And the Spirit comes alongside us not so we can hunker down inside our churches like the disciples hunkered down and hiding in the dark that first Easter weekend.  The Spirit comes alongside us to empower us as we go out.  As we take our message of hope and forgiveness, of the world set to rights and tears wiped away, as we take that good news of Jesus, crucified and risen and Lord to the world.  This is the point of our Epistle today from St. James. Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes down from above, from the Father of lights.  His steady light doesn't vary.  It doesn't change and produce shadows.   I have to think that when James talks about the good and perfect gift coming down from the Father of lights he's talking about the Holy Spirit.  Yes, everything good we have is a gift from him, but the Spirit is the gift above all others.  For Jesus in John's gospel, the Spirit was the one who would come alongside to help and advocate for us.  For James, the Spirit shows us the constancy and faithfulness of the Father.  The gift of the Spirit is proof for James that God keeps his promises, because the life of the Spirit is the thing he'd been promising to his people all along: his own presence with them to give them a new heart and set them to rights. James goes on in 1:19. So, my dear brothers [and sisters], get this straight.  Every person should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.  Human anger, you see, doesn't produce God's justice.  So put away everything that is sordid, all that overflowing malice, and humbly receive the word which has been planted within you and which has the power to save our lives.   In other words, let the Spirit transform you.  Let the Spirit make you—or maybe better to align you with—God's new creation.  The example James uses is anger.  Anger is what wells up from the fallen human heart in response to injustice, but responding to injustice with anger—and James isn't talking about righteous or just anger, but about malice and pride—responding with anger just compounds the problem.  Sin can never make another sin right.  Instead, God's word has been planted within you.  Let the Spirit cause that world to take root and grow.  That gospel word is what has saved your life.  But if you let the Spirit grow that word in you, if you let God's word shape you, if you let the Spirt make you a truly gospel person, that life-saving combination of word and Spirit will overflow from you and you will be a gospel light in the darkness of the world, you will be a beacon of God's new creation in the midst of the old.  Word and Spirit working through us will make us a people ready to endure suffering and persecution so that we can, even if it's just in small ways, so that we can bring God's justice into the world, so that we can wipe away the tears and proclaim the good news that Jesus is Lord. Brothers and Sisters, this is how God's new creation comes.  This is how he wipes away the tears and set things to rights.  Jesus started it when he rose from the grave, but God's word and God's Spirit, working through the church—through us—as we go out into the world, not only bring God's salvation to individuals, but as we are transformed one by one, the gospel, the word, the Spirit create a whole new culture with Jesus and the gospel at its core.  One day Jesus will come back for the final act, to cast down death and to fully bring heaven and earth back together once and for all.  But that day will come because his people, empowered by his word and by his Spirit have been faithful in being his new creation right here in the midst of the old.  So, Brothers and Sisters, go out in peace to love and serve the Lord.  Alleluia! Let's pray: Father, as we asked in the Collect we ask again: fix our hearts on the good things you have promised.  Keep the hope of your salvation and of your justice ever before us, that we might go out full of your Spirit, to live and to proclaim the good news of Jesus and his kingdom.  Through him we pray.  Amen.

Heaven is presenting the Church with a MASSIVE opportunity. But it comes with a serious warning. What is this opportunity, and the warning that is intertwined with it? Watch now to find out...--------------------------------------------------------------------Thank you for listening to Robert Hotchkin on heroes Arise!If this podcast blessed you, be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss new content that will empower you to walk in victory and release Heaven on Earth.

This week we will be studying Acts 6:1-7 under the theme “Strategic Ministry.” All of God's people are called to service in his Body (the Church), but we're not called to serve in the same ways. Each of God's children is gifted for a role. When we don't use our gifts to fill our role or we use our gifts in the wrong role, the Body suffers. Looking to Jesus as our Head, we find a way to troubleshoot problems in the Church by compassionately getting God's people to serve in the right positions.SERIES SUMMARY: The Book of Acts is the story of the early Christian Church. For centuries after the first Easter, the Christian Church has studied Acts. The logic is that, after we celebrated Jesus' rising from the grave and subsequent ascent into heaven, perhaps we should try to do what the early church did, contextualized to our time and place. Throughout this series, we will look at snapshots of Acts, from supernatural healing to strategic planning, cultural diversity to Christian celebrity. This is the story of what Jesus continued to do even after he ascended into heaven and sent his Spirit to form the Church.How can we pray for you? tinyurl.com/stmarcusprayersFill out our online connection card: tinyurl.com/stmarcusconnectcardIf you'd like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive

SummaryIn this conversation, Benjamin Lee explores the themes of rebuilding and spiritual growth through the lens of the book of Nehemiah. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the complete narrative, facing opposition, and the necessity of love and unity among God's people. The discussion highlights the significance of prayer, the power of God's word, and the call to action for individuals to arise and build in their spiritual lives.Chapters00:00 The Importance of the Rest of the Story03:33 Nehemiah: More Than Just Rebuilding06:22 Facing Opposition and Spiritual Warfare09:16 Internal Struggles and Leadership12:11 Spiritual Building and the Role of God's Word15:33 The Power of Confession and Repentance18:24 Remembering God's Faithfulness21:16 The Call to Arise and Buildwww.benjaminlee.blog

Arise Like A Mother by Matt Rawle

This is a sermon from the Morgantown, WV, USA sanctuary of Restoration Church International. Joe & Rena Perozich pray that this message will be a blessing to you as you listen. Should you wish to learn more about the ministry, we invite you to visit www.restorationchurchintl.org

Pastor Morgan Stephens

Jonah 3 ESV Jonah Goes to Nineveh3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.The People of Nineveh Repent6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. For more information about Redeemer Church Lubbock visit our website at redeemerlubbock.org.

Mommy was a woman of deep prayer, unwavering faith, and extraordinary grace. She devoted countless hours to praying and interceding earnestly for her family, church, Jamaica, and the world. Her commitment to prayer was steadfast, as she believed in the biblical command to "pray without ceasing."She kept a prayer journal, where she noted her prayers and the answers she received. Her entries were often brief yet profound. Mommy prayed for protection, sweet dreams, and visions; for blessings and unity within her extended family, both in Jamaica and abroad; and for her relatives and in-laws, including Cecil.In 2004, she wrote in her journal about praying for all her children to fully turn to God, and she joyfully recorded, "My grandson Sheldon was baptized and is doing well." That same year, she fervently prayed for Sheryl Small's healing from cancer. In 2011, she noted with gratitude, "She's healed and still doing well."Mommy's life was defined by her devout Christian faith. Her prayers reflected her love for God and her unwavering trust in His promises. She was a beacon of faith, an intercessor for many, and a testament to the power of a life lived in communion with God.In Mommy's final moments, I was blessed to be with her. She had waited for me because she knew how much I regretted missing our dad's passing and how deeply I wanted to be there. On Saturday night, I arrived to find her unable to speak, a mask over her nose as she labored to breathe. She could only utter faint sounds, saying "hee."I began to sing, and Ricky joined me. Together, we sang Arise and Be Healed, pouring our hearts into the melody. Then, I prayed for several minutes. As I prayed, she began to cry and joined me in prayer. Speaking in tongues, I felt the Holy Spirit move, and suddenly, she removed the mask and began to speak in tongues herself. She waved her hands and, with remarkable clarity, said, "Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit."Those were her last words. She then went quiet, as though ready to give up the ghost. That night, I returned to her home—our family's childhood home—and slept in her bedroom. Around 4 a.m., she visited me in a dream. She came to say goodbye and to encourage me to be strong and of good health. When I woke, I knew she was gone.Mommy never gave up. Even at the very end, her faith remained unshaken. Her love for God and those she left behind shone brightly in her final moments. Her life was a testament to the power of faith and the enduring presence of God's spirit.B. The Power of Prayer and Self-ReflectionIt is my mother's life of prayer, faith, and self-reflection that has profoundly shaped my understanding of the transformative power of prayer and introspection.When we pray, let us pray without sitting; when we dream, let us dream without sleeping. Believe and have faith, but stay away from naysayers. Prayer sharpens our focus, helping us acknowledge our limitations while embracing God's favor and the limitless possibilities He offers. It connects us with the divine—beyond and within—and aligns us with the cosmos and the cognitive.The Bible reminds us, “Men ought always to pray and never faint.” My mother embodied this verse in her daily life, just as Daniel did when he prayed and overcame the lions' den. What is your den? Prayer has the power to change things.When we pray, let's be ready to act, to change, and to receive. Let's open our hearts and minds to His endless possibilities. Prayer not only transforms our circumstances but also shapes us into vessels ready to receive His blessings.My mother's life is a testament to this truth. Her prayers, faith, and self-reflection have not only shaped her journey but also continue to inspire mine.By Rev. Renaldo McKenzie President of the Neoliberal Corporation and Creator of The Neoliberal Round.Donate to us: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=USSJLFU2HRVAQVisit us us: https://theneoliberal.com and https://renaldocmckenzie.com

Live Sunday 10:30am

I veckans avsnitt fortsätter vi på temat projektverksamhet inom energi, konstruktion & byggnation. Vi fördjupar oss i energibolaget Arise och gästas av bolagets VD, Per-Erik Eriksson. Vi går igenom affärsmodellen, hur bolaget succesivt breddat sig i värdekedjan, samt deras strategiska val av geografiska marknader. Vidare diskuterar vi marknadsutsikterna samt möjligheterna till att nå uppsatta mål. Vi följer upp med Örjan Rödén, aktieanalytiker för Arise, som delar sin vy på bolagets potential och utmaningar samt ger sin syn på hur man som investerare bör tänka kring positionering och värdering av aktien. Länk till analyserna: www.carnegie.se/en/commissioned-research/arise

reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 4, Ordeals and Difficulties, pg. 73This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/addressing-obstacles-difficulties-and-resistances-that-arise-for-the-spiritual-seeker/ Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are allavailable on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net  The US editions and links to e-book editions of SriAurobindo's writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #618 is an hour of intrepid, dynamic, visionary acoustic improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, 4- and 8-string ukulele, shruti box, Native flute, nylon-string and steel string guitars, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in late April of 2025, today's show begins with the languid, relaxed folk of “Let's all Wander”, a pretty song propelled by Mariam's nylon string guitar “Leonardo” and moves into the upbeat rock of “Fire”, a driving jam with a fine vocal from Mariam and inspired, fluid piano from Bob. “Sail Away Into Your Dreamtime” is a lovely, meditative, sprawling piece underpinned by Mariam's sighing shruti box and Craig's fundamental, heartbeat Native drum with a distinctive classical theme from Bob and “Calling For An Awakening” is a beautiful, softly flowing piece fluid, watery piano and a lush, flowing vocal from Mariam. “Almighty Standing Ones of Peace” is an evocative minor blues filled with distinctive touches from the ensemble and “Arise” is a cut from Mariam's “Release” LP, rendered here with a beautiful, languid mood defined by Mariam's dancing 8-string ukulele and Craig's steadily grooving congas. “Smile” was originally rendered as a raga in its first form on Mariam's “For The Children” album and is explored at length here as a driving forest adventure song with Native flute and piano braided in a compelling, extended game of musical tag. “Let's Rise Ever Higher” appears as a coda to “Smile” and completes today's show with a beautiful vocal from Mariam and diversions into bossa nova and jazz. Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 16 - From All That Dwell Below the Skies - The Versicles (pp. 120-121): led by Concert Choir - Ubi caritas: Concert Choir - John 8:31-32: Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - Arise, My Soul, Arise: Mary Martha Singers - Homily - Hymn 35 - All Glory Be To God On High - The Kyrie (p. 124) - The Lord's Prayer (p. 125) - Hymn 584 - Grant Peace, We Pray, in Mercy, Lord - The Collect (pp. 125-127) - The Benedicamus (p. 127) - The Benediction (p. 127) - Hymn 2 - Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord - Announcement: President Gene R. Pfeifer - Postlude Service Participants: Chaplain Don Moldstad (Preacher), Naomi Anderson (Organist), Prof. Ann Fredrickson (Choir Director), Annika Doberenz (Instrumentalist), BLC Concert Choir (Choral Group), Prof. David Paulson (Choir Director), Hannah Caauwe (Pianist), Mary Martha Singers (Choral Group)

Beloved Get Ready For A Powerful Teaching From Pastor Natalie Westenkow!   Listen In to This Teaching For Our ARISE Timothys & Sarahs, However, This is A Word Which Touches Every Age Group!   Enjoy!

The Third Sunday after Easter is known as "Jubilate" Sunday. Jubilate is a Latin word that means "rejoice." Certainly there is much rejoicing that happens during Easter. The Alleluia's have returned after the penitential season of Lent and there is much joy in our worship and singing. But the hymn that we are studying in preparation for our worship this weekend is not from the Easter section of our hymnal, but the "Lord's Day" section. The Lord's Day is a term found in Revelation, which referred to Sunday. The early Christians called the first day of the week the Lord's Day, because it was on that day that the Lord had risen from the dead. He was the victor! It was now HIS day! This hymn by Julia Elliott does several creative things. First it uses the Biblical idea of light vs. darkness in each of the verses, tying this concept to three different historical events: The creation of Light, the resurrection of Jesus, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. With each verse she focuses on a different person of the Triune God. And in each verse she points out that we pray that our Triune God would continue His work of bringing light into our dark lives and world through the Gospel.  Ephesians 5:13-17 serves as part of the basis for this beautiful hymn. There Paul writes: "But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."   Join us in our study of this hymn and its writer, and as we learn more about the Scriptural foundation and meaning of our hymns so that our use of them would be more beneficial as we gather in worship and use this hymn of praise. May the LORD bless you as He enlightens you through His word this weekend!

In today's podcast, Eric and I are sharing powerful takeaways from Jon Acuff's “Remarkable You” event—including insights on motivation, focus, and how small, consistent actions can lead to big change. This episode is full of practical wisdom that will resonate with anyone striving for personal growth and intentional living. For Show Notes, please visit https://LearnDoBecome.com/Episode286 Join us for our Free training, "How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles": https://learndobecome.com/aff/?p=Ldbyt&w=organize Get Your Free LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit Here: https://LearnDoBecome.com/Welcome Subscribe to the LearnDoBecome Radio Podcast: https://LearnDoBecome.com/Radio Subscribe to the LearnDoBecome YouTube Channel: https://YouTube.com/LearnDoBecome Join the LearnDoBecome Free Community Facebook Group: https://LearnDoBecome.com/FBfamily Follow @LearnDoBecome on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/LearnDoBecome Follow our LearnDoBecome Facebook Page: https://Facebook.com/LearnDoBecome Discover our "Steps to Everyday Productivity" (STEP) Program: https://LearnDoBecome.com/STEPprogram Start Your Free Trial of the ARISE Membership with April and Eric: https://LearnDoBecome.com/ARISE

Tuesday, 6 May 2025   Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Matthew 9:37   “Then He says to His disciples, ‘Indeed, the reaping – plentiful, and the toilers – few'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus saw the multitudes and was moved with compassion for them. It also noted that they were enervated and strewn as sheep with no shepherd. Having looked on such masses of people, Matthew next records, “Then He says to His disciples.”   Without going any further, one can sense that something about those lost sheep will be expressed by Him. The narrative is carefully leading the reader to understand the heart of God as it is displayed in the Person of Jesus. And what is it that moves Him concerning the situation? Matthen next records, “Indeed, the reaping – plentiful.”   In other words, Jesus is now changing the metaphor from sheep to stalks of grain. He is looking out at the masses as if they are a field of grain ready for harvesting. In such an instance, there is only so much time to accomplish the labor.   It is the time of the harvest, which is a new word, therismos. It signifies a reaping. The grain is on standing stalks. These must be cut and bundled into sheaves to be taken to the threshing floor, where they are threshed and winnowed to obtain piles of only grain.   In this case, there are so many people in need, signified by saying that the reaping, meaning that which is harvest-ready, is plentiful. Like the metaphor of sheep, this one is seen in the Old Testament as well. The book of Ruth, when understanding the typology presented, gives a beautiful picture of the use of stalks, grain, threshing, winnowing, etc. In the case of threshing, Micah uses the symbolism of the nations ready to be threshed –   “Now also many nations have gathered against you, Who say, ‘Let her be defiled, And let our eye look upon Zion.' 12 But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord, Nor do they understand His counsel; For He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor. 13 ‘Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; For I will make your horn iron, And I will make your hooves bronze; You shall beat in pieces many peoples; I will consecrate their gain to the Lord, And their substance to the Lord of the whole earth.'” Micah 4:11-13   As for Jesus' words concerning the masses around Him, He next says, “And the toilers – few.” There is another new word here, ergatés, a toiler. It signifies a worker, laborer, toiler, etc. One can see the base word, erg, used today in words like ergonomics. There is a sense of doing labor.   Jesus' concern is that with such a great multitude that are ready for being brought into the kingdom, there must also be laborers sufficient for the harvest. He alone was being burdened by the masses and knew it was time to delegate responsibility to others to meet this great need.   Life application: The Bible is replete with metaphors that bring man to the most basic interactions with the creation. Metaphors of inanimate objects abound, such as water, rocks, mountains, trees of various types, etc., are used to give us clues about our interactions with Him, even in typology, anticipating Christ.   There are metaphors, as seen in today's passage, that deal with agricultural themes. This is about as basic as it gets for human existence. People need to eat, and so we plant, cultivate, and harvest food to meet that need. God uses such actions to teach us other, spiritual, truths.   Interacting with various animals, such as sheep, horses, lions, bears, etc., is all placed in Scripture, which asks us to think about the characteristics of those animals. God created them, and so the way He did so can be used to show us things about ourselves, our societies, etc. They can reveal aspects of the nature of God, enemies, our emotions, and so forth.   When you come to a passage that speaks of a valley or a river, think about why that is included in the Bible. God is not going to waste words as He continues the narrative. Rather, He is immersing us in information about things we should contemplate and grasp that will tell us the things He wants us to know.   Let us never tire of thinking about the details in God's word. It is an endless source of wisdom and wonder.   Lord God, thank You for Your wonderful word. It is so filled with amazing details of seemingly basic things that will lead us to marvelous understandings of things otherwise unimaginable to contemplate. Men everywhere can pick it up and find value in the words because we all interact with these basic aspects of Your creation. What a treat! Amen.

This week, we will be studying Acts 5:12-16 under the theme “Healing in the Church's Shadow.” Undeniably, God worked miracles through the Apostles and the early Christian Church. Does he do the same today? This requires us to meditate on the nature of a miracle and see what role we play as a member of Jesus' Body (i.e. the Church) today.Series Summary: The Book of Acts is the story of the early Christian Church. For centuries after the first Easter, the Christian Church has studied Acts. The logic is that, after we celebrated Jesus' rising from the grave and subsequent ascent into heaven, perhaps we should try to do what the early church did, contextualized to our time and place. Throughout this series, we will look at snapshots of Acts, from supernatural healing to strategic planning, cultural diversity to Christian celebrity. This is the story of what Jesus continued to do even after he ascended into heaven and sent his Spirit to form the Church.How can we pray for you? tinyurl.com/stmarcusprayersFill out our online connection card: tinyurl.com/stmarcusconnectcardIf you'd like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive

Pastor Morgan Stephens

InLuke chapter 17, Jesus, on His way to Jerusalem, is teaching His disciples somepowerful lessons they'll need to learn and practice if they are going to befollowers of Jesus, making a difference in the world and turning it upside downfor the kingdom of God. He teaches about forgiveness—you're going to beoffended, sometimes by those closest to you, and you have to forgive. Then,you'll need faith to do that, which means being obedient.  You'realso going to practice faithfulness in such a way that, no matter how hard youwork, how much you serve, or how tired you are, you simply do the task at handbecause God has commanded you to do it—not out of duty, but out of love andcompassion for Him. You depend on His Holy Spirit to fill you to accomplishthat purpose as a servant of the living God. We are called to the privilege ofserving the Lord; it's not a right, but a privilege, a calling from God forevery believer. From there, we learn thankfulness, and that's what this lessonis about. Nowin Luke 17:11-19, “It happened as Jesus went to Jerusalem, passing throughthe midst of Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a certain village, He met tenmen who were lepers, who stood afar off. They lifted up their voices and said,“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When He saw them, He said, “Go, showyourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. One of them, whenhe saw that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, glorified God. Hefell down on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks—and he was a Samaritan.Jesus answered and said, “Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Werethere not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”Then Jesus said to the Samaritan, “Arise, go your way; your faith has made youwell.” Jesusis talking about how, when God does wonderful things for us, we experience Hisgoodness, grace, and mercy. As we are being obedient and faithful, we should bethankful. Gratefulness is an attitude of the heart that reflects our humilityand the grace of God in our lives, recognizing that every good gift, everyperfect gift, and every opportunity we have to serve—every divine appointmentwe're part of—comes from the Lord Himself. We have that wonderful privilege,and we should return to give Him thanks. Whatwe had here were ten men who were lepers, a picture of sin. These men werelost, helpless, and hopeless. They hear the Master coming—one of them aSamaritan—in the midst of Galilee and Samaria, as Jesus is on His way toJerusalem. They call out, “Master, Teacher,” the same word Peter used,recognizing that He has command over everything. He can command demons toleave; He can command sickness to leave.  Sothey called out in faith, believing He can do something, and Jesus says, “Go,show yourselves to the priests.” They weren't healed when He spoke the word,but as they turned to go, they were immediately healed. Can you imagine that?They turned to go, and all of a sudden, that leprosy was gone. The nine of themran to fulfill the law, but the one who was a Samaritan ran to the One who wasthe fulfillment of the law—Jesus Christ. He fell down and worshiped Him. Thenine went to worship in a temple; this man made an altar at the feet of Jesus.He fell at His feet and worshiped Him. Jesussaid to him, “Arise, go your way; your faith has saved you.” Those nine men gothealed physically; this man got healed spiritually as well when he found thegrace of God through a thankful, humble heart. “For by grace are you savedthrough faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,lest any man should boast.”  Myfriend, be grateful, be thankful, and live a life of gratitude to a holy God,because when we're not thankful, we become vain in our imaginations, and ourfoolish hearts are darkened (Romans 1). Beforgiving, be faithful, and be thankful.

Obadiah 1-9 (NASB) 1 The vision of Obadiah.Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom--We have heard a report from the Lord,And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying,“Arise and let us go against her for battle”--2 “Behold, I will make you small among the nations;You are greatly despised.3 “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,You who live in the clefts of the rock,In the loftiness of your dwelling place,Who say in your heart,‘Who will bring me down to earth?'4 “Though you build high like the eagle,Though you set your nest among the stars,From there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.5 “If thieves came to you,If robbers by night--O how you will be ruined!--Would they not steal only until they had enough?If grape gatherers came to you,Would they not leave some gleanings?6  “O how Esau will be ransacked,And his hidden treasures searched out!7 “All the men allied with youWill send you forth to the border,And the men at peace with youWill deceive you and overpower you.They who eat your breadWill set an ambush for you.(There is no understanding in him.)8 “Will I not on that day,” declares the Lord,“Destroy wise men from EdomAnd understanding from the mountain of Esau?9 “Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman,So that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter. Themes:- If you go against God's people, you go against God, and you will lose- If you take pride in your own power to secure yourself and your life you are going to be more than disappointed.- Israel has troubles with God right now, but that is only temporary. Outline this week:- Intro/background: A long family feud (v. 1)- God's assessment of Edom (pride comes before a fall (vv. 1-9)Coming in two weeks after Mother's Day:- God's indictment of Edom (you are your brother's keeper (vv. 10-14)- God's judgement on all haters (those who curse Israel will be cursed (vv. 15-21)

"Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it.'" - Jonah 1-3 Listen to other great sleep mediations on Amen.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.

When Isaiah the prophet wrote, the birth of Jesus was still almost 800 years away. Yet there is good reason to believe key parts of the book of Isaiah are pointing to the coming Savior.Near the end of the book, we see this clearly.Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”It's reasonable to believe that this has dual meanings. One, the prophecy speaks of the wise men from the East seeing the star in the sky. And then, traveled to see the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.A second, longer view looks ahead far into the future, when Jesus will return to Earth and set up His Kingdom of righteousness.As believers, we know what it feels like when the spirit of God dwells in us. It's that glow God intends for us to share with others.Jesus has come! Your challenge is to share that Good News with all those you meet.Let's pray. Lord, your Gospel is our mission. God, give us endurance for our race! In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

As followers of Jesus, we are meant to be witnesses. And Christ's majesty and power are meant to blanket our world. He is intimately aware of you, and where you are in life.Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”When we trust Christ—when we believe the Gospel—we're called to get in the game. If you've been changed, and if you believe that, sitting on such Good News doesn't make a whole lot of sense, does it? Are you guilty of failing to shine a light in a dark world?If you're a friend of God, just as the Bible says Abraham was long ago, you are to invite others to live in his healing light. The glory of the Lord rises on you each morning. Put your feet on the floor and share His glory with the people that you encounter.Let's pray. Lord, there are so many opportunities to share your love and your light with the world. God, give us the opportunities to do that, and give us the energy to seize them. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Pastor Morgan Stephens

We truly believe that decluttering not only improves our physical, digital, and mental spaces, but also transforms our ability to work on meaningful projects, focus on our relationships, and move forward on what matters most. Here are 8 of my favorite, simple principles that can guide us as we declutter. Enjoy! For Show Notes, please visit https://LearnDoBecome.com/Episode286 Join us for our Free training, "How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles": https://learndobecome.com/aff/?p=Ldbyt&w=organize Get Your Free LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit Here: https://LearnDoBecome.com/Welcome Subscribe to the LearnDoBecome Radio Podcast: https://LearnDoBecome.com/Radio Subscribe to the LearnDoBecome YouTube Channel: https://YouTube.com/LearnDoBecome Join the LearnDoBecome Free Community Facebook Group: https://LearnDoBecome.com/FBfamily Follow @LearnDoBecome on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/LearnDoBecome Follow our LearnDoBecome Facebook Page: https://Facebook.com/LearnDoBecome Discover our "Steps to Everyday Productivity" (STEP) Program: https://LearnDoBecome.com/STEPprogram Start Your Free Trial of the ARISE Membership with April and Eric: https://LearnDoBecome.com/ARISE

261. Edible Theology with Kendall Vanderslice   Kendall's Website   John 6:35 NIV "Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."   **Transcription Below**   Kendall Vanderslice says "Yes, before you ask, that is my true name."   Kendall is a baker and writer whose best thinking occurs as she works dough between her hands; scribbles down thoughts on pieces of parchment dusted in flour, until she can parse them out later before her keyboard. When she embarked on a career as a pastry chef, she found that her love of bread transformed the ways she read Scripture. Fascinated by God's use of food throughout the arc of the Gospel, she merged her work in the kitchen with academic study of food and theology.   As a graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois (BA Anthropology), she began engaging questions of food and faith. Interested in commensality—or, the social dynamics of eating together—she studied food at Boston University (MLA Gastronomy). Her thesis on church meals sparked a range of theological questions, leading her to Duke University where she wrote a thesis on the theology of bread (MTS). In 2018 she was named a James Beard Foundation national scholar for her work on food and religion.   She lives in Durham, North Carolina, with her beagle, Strudel, her sourdough starter Bread Astaire, and her brood of hens: Judith Jones and the Three Gourmands.   Questions and Topics We Cover: You've studied so much about food and theology . . . are there any favorite lessons or resources that you still think about today? Is there any other science in the bread baking that is fascinating because it also has a richer, deeper spiritual meaning? What's one recipe in the book you're especially excited about?   Other Episode Mentioned from The Savvy Sauce: 47 Relationships and Opportunities that Arise from Using Your Gifts with Founder of Neighbor's Table, Sarah Harmeyer   Related Episodes on The Savvy Sauce: 15 The Supernatural Power Present While Gathering at the Table with Devi Titus Practical Tips to Eating Dinner Together as a Family with Blogger and Cookbook Co-Author, Rachel Tiemeyer Experiencing Joy, Connection, and Nourishment at the Table with Abby Turner Fresh Take on Hospitality with Jaime Farrell   Thank You to Our Sponsor: Dream Seller Travel, Megan Rokey   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   **Transcription**   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:10 - 1:22) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.    Do you love to travel?   If so, then let me introduce you to today's sponsor, Dream Seller Travel, a Christian-owned and operated travel agency. Check them out on Facebook or online at DreamSellerTravel.com.    We were one of those families who joined in the COVID trend of baking our own bread.   And so, I was fascinated even years later when I came across my guest for today, Kendall Vanderslice. She's an author and the founder of Edible Theology. And I've always appreciated different verses being brought to life, even things that we interact with every day, such as salt and yeast.   But God has richer meanings for all of these. And so, I can't wait for Kendall to unpack these in our conversation today. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Kendall.   Kendall Vanderslice: (1:20 - 1:22) Thank you so much for having me. It's great to be here.   Laura Dugger:  (1:23 - 1:30) Would you mind just starting us off by sharing a bit about your background and what led you to the work that you get to do today?   Kendall Vanderslice: (1:31 - 3:46) Sure. So, I have always loved baking. I always, you know, when I was a child, but especially once I was in middle school and high school, I had a lot of anxiety.   And so, when I just ever, anytime I needed to work through any sort of scope of emotions, I would always turn to the kitchen. Working with my hands became this way to sort of ground me and help me find calm in the midst of sort of my mind just buzzing. I was also one of five kids.   So, it was like after everyone had gone to bed and the kitchen was silent, was the only time there was quiet in my house. And so that was kind of always became the source of calm and grounding for me. And so, then when I graduated high school and was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, once again, I turned to the kitchen as a way to try and process what I should do.   And long story short, over time, I realized, oh, maybe actually this work of baking is the work that I am called to do. And so, I ended up taking a very circuitous path to get there. I took a gap year after high school.   I went to undergrad and studied anthropology in college. And in that time, learned that I could, my love of food and my love of the kitchen, I could examine not just in the practice of cooking, but through an anthropological and historical lens, looking at how food shapes community and shapes culture and how culture shapes the foods that we eat. And so, from there, I went and worked in professional kitchens.   But I had all these historical, cultural, theological questions kind of buzzing around at the same time. And, you know, I would go from my work at the bakery on Sunday morning. I would rush from work to church and I would receive communion each week with bread dough still stuck to my arms.   And I started to question, what does this bread that I spend my whole morning baking have to do with this bread that I receive at the communion table? And so that just unlocked a whole new path of what I could do with bread and with my baking beyond just in the kitchen and larger understanding how it shapes our awareness of who God is and how God is at work in our lives and in our communities.   Laura Dugger:  (3:47 - 3:58) Wow, that is incredible. And even today, do you want to share a few of your offerings? Because edible theology was a new concept to me, and it's just fascinating what all you have going on.   Kendall Vanderslice: (3:59 - 5:31) Yeah, absolutely. So, my primary program is that I teach a workshop called Bake and Pray. And so, this is a workshop where I teach people how to bake bread as a form of prayer.   So, we look at the ways that bread is at play throughout the narrative of Scripture, kind of what it is that God is using, why it is that God is using bread as the storytelling device in the narrative of Scripture, and why Jesus would give us bread at the center of Christian worship. But then at the same time, we're learning how the actual practice of baking bread can be a way to connect with God, to find rest and to understand God's presence with us in a very tangible form. So, with that, I also have a handful of books.   Most recently, I released a book called Bake and Pray. It's sort of this workshop in book form. It's a collection of recipes, but also a collection of liturgies, so that you have the tools you need to make your time in the kitchen a time of prayer. I call it a prayer book meets cookbook.    But I also have a handful of other resources, a Bible study or a small group study called Worship at the Table, where it's actually helping people gather around the table and understand how God is at work through the table. And I have a podcast that it was a limited run.   There are 30 episodes called Kitchen Meditations. They are short meditations to listen to while you cook, while you're in the kitchen. So, you can understand the food that you eat more fully and also understand how your time preparing it can be a time of worship.   Laura Dugger:  (5:31 - 5:50) I love that. And there's so much to unpack. But let's just start here with all the things that you've studied with food and theology and gone to school for years and put this into practice.   Are there any favorite lessons that stand out and are maybe ones that you still think about today?   Kendall Vanderslice: (5:51 - 6:57) Well, you know, one of my favorite books that helped shape my understanding of food is a book that was written in the 1960s by an Episcopal priest named Robert Carr-Capin. It's a book called The Supper of the Lamb. This book is just a delightful book to read.   I think everybody should read it. Robert Carr-Capin was he was an Episcopal priest, but he was also a food writer and he also was a humor writer. He and his wife wrote a satirical column together.   And so, The Supper of the Lamb is kind of the culmination of all three. It is this beautiful reflection on a theology of food in the table, but it is hilarious as well. And so, it is written as instructions to host a dinner party that is all built around preparing lamb for eight people in four different ways.   And so, it's reflections on kind of, you know, this revelation, the imagery in the book of Revelation on the marriage supper of the lamb, But then taking that to be a very liberal dinner party that he hosts in his home. And it will forever change the way that you think about food and think about the table and think about how God cares about food.   Laura Dugger:  (6:58 - 7:13) Wow, that's interesting. And even a piece of that that you had highlighted before is community, that food draws us together in community. Are there any lessons or reflections you have on that topic as well?   Kendall Vanderslice: (7:14 - 9:03) Yeah, I mean, so I spend my days traveling the country and visiting churches and eating meals with strangers all the time. This is such a central part of my work. So, my first book was a study of churches that eat together as their primary form of worship.   And so, I had the opportunity to research 10 different churches across the country and look at how does this practice of eating together regularly shape their understanding of community, but also shape their understanding of church and shape their understanding of worship. And what I saw in that practice of traveling and eating with all of these churches was that communities that were built around the table, where their primary rhythm of gathering was this practice of eating together and talking together and dialoguing together. It created such resilience within these communities as they faced conflict and tension within them that their commitment to eating together, but then their understanding of these community meals as being intrinsically connected to the communion table, the meal of bread and the cup that they also shared, it shaped their ability to have conversations and wade into hard topics that communities might otherwise try to say, you know, kind of avoid, because what they believed was that, you know, the table that we gather at regularly is a place that can kind of manage and hold on to those tensions.   And it's a place where these hard conversations can arise. But also at the end of each of these meals, we remember that we are going to share the bread and the cup together and that God has told us that we have been made one in the body and blood of Christ. And so, we have a responsibility to care for one another, even as we argue and disagree and have a really, you know, dig into these hard conversations.   Laura Dugger:  (9:04 - 9:58) That is beautiful. And I think of so many things when you say that. I'm in the book of Acts right now, my quiet time.   And so, the early churches, they were breaking bread together daily. You see that as part of the impact, the outflow that came from that. And then just, I think, gratitude as you share, because I wasn't a follower of Jesus growing up.   Our family went to church. And by the time I was in high school, all of my family were believers, including my siblings. I was the last one.   But the church that we went to, we shared a meal together every Sunday. And those relationships are long lasting. Then you hear about what people are actually going through.   It's such a natural way to dive deeper into that fellowship. And so, I love that you've traveled around and studied this. And I'm also curious if you've connected with one of my past guests, Sarah Harmeyer with the Neighbors Table.   Kendall Vanderslice: (9:59 - 10:03) I am familiar with her work, but I have never actually connected with her.   Laura Dugger:  (10:04 - 10:09) OK, you two. I'll link her episode in the show notes, but I think you two would have a lot of fun together.   Kendall Vanderslice: (10:09 - 10:14) Oh, great. Great, great. I know I've seen some of her tables on.   She's the one who builds tables. Is that right?   Laura Dugger:  (10:14 - 10:15) Yes. Yes.   Kendall Vanderslice: (10:15 - 10:19) Yes. OK. I have seen her tables on Instagram, and they look just absolutely beautiful.   Laura Dugger:  (10:19 - 10:37) I love it. Well, I'd also like to talk about your most recent book, because there's one part where you talk about the sacred language of bread. And I'd love for you just to walk us through some significant scriptures that highlight bread throughout the Bible.   Kendall Vanderslice: (10:37 - 19:43) Yeah, absolutely. So, one of the reasons that I love to think of bread in terms of a language itself is because so often we think of our faith as being something that happens predominantly in our minds, that it is the things we believe about God and the words that we say to God. And it becomes this very sort of mental exercise of worshiping God in our heads.   And we forget that the rest of our bodies and the rest of our lives are a part of how we know God as well, that we were created in these human bodies with all of these senses. And it's only through these senses that we get to know the world around us. And it's in getting to know this creation around us that we get to know our creator as well.   And so when we think of our faith as happening something predominantly in our minds, then when we have these moments where we don't feel like God is present, or we feel like we don't hear from God, or we just don't have the energy to, you know, to read scripture every day, or we feel like we, you know, I'm just like praying and praying and praying, and I've just exhausted the words I have to say. Then it's easy for us to feel like we've been abandoned by God, that we're in this sort of spiritual dark place. But Jesus, he calls himself the word, but, you know, Jesus is the word that was present with God in the beginning.   But Jesus also calls himself the bread of life. And Jesus identifies himself as something deeply tangible. And he offers his own body to us in the form of bread at the communion table.   And so, Jesus is telling us that Jesus is present with us in this very tangible form, something that we can mix together with our hands, something that we can taste on our tongues, something that we can feel in our bellies as we digest it. That Jesus is telling us, like, I am with you in this deeply tangible way. And if you don't feel my presence, and if you don't, you know, hear what I am telling you, or you don't feel like I am listening to you, know that you can eat this bread and have this very tangible reminder that I have promised to remain present with you and to remain faithful to you.   And so, the ways that we see this at work in Scripture, once we understand that, you know, bread is not just a metaphor, that bread is actually something very physical and tangible, a way that God speaks to us, I think it changes the way that we see bread show up in Scripture. That it's not just a handy metaphor that shows up every, all over the place in the Bible, but that Jesus is actually, that God is actually doing something through bread itself.    So, the very first place that we see bread appear in Scripture is as early as Genesis 3:19, “It is by the sweat of your brow that you will eat your bread until you return to the ground, for from it you were taken, from dust you come, and to dust you will return.” So, prior to this point in Genesis, we have the creation accounts, we have, you know, that God has created the garden, placed humanity in the garden to tend to this creation, to care for it. And they are intended to, you know, they are nourished by the fruits of these trees, they delight in God by delighting in God's creation.   And God gave them just one restriction, which was a restriction on what they could eat. And so, in Genesis 3:19, we know that they have failed to honor this restriction that God has given them. And we are now learning the ramifications of that fall.   And one of those ramifications is that the soil is going to sprout forth thistles and thorns. That we will no longer just be nourished by the fruits of the trees, but that we will have to labor in this soil. We will have to labor against a creation that works against us in order to have our nutritional needs met.   But at the same time, God offers us this gift, that it's by the sweat of your brow, you will eat your bread. Our bread, you know, doesn't just grow from a tree. The humanity was probably not eating bread in the garden.   But in this offering of bread, that it's by the sweat of your brow, you will eat your bread. Humans are being told, yes, we will have to labor in the soil in order to nourish ourselves. But also, we are being invited to participate with God in the transformation of creation into something really delicious as well.   So, bread is, at the same time, both this picture of the brokenness of creation and yet also the goodness of God. This blessing, this gift from God in the midst of a broken creation. The production of bread, historically, has required a lot of work.   It requires months and months of laboring in the soil to grow wheat, harvest wheat, thresh it, and then grind it into flour. Turn that flour into dough, gather firewood to heat up an oven, and then turn that dough into bread before finally being able to eat it. So, humanity has long known that it is, you know, there is this deep, this incredible amount of labor required to make bread.   And yet also, bread contains almost all of the nutrients that humans need in order to survive. We can live off of just bread and water alone for a very, very, very long time. And in fact, many humans throughout most of human history have lived off of just bread and water for a very, very, very long time.   So then when we see bread show up in other places in scripture, we see it show up as this picture of God's miraculous provision for God's people. We see it show up as a sign of God's presence with God's people. And we see it as a sign of God's promises to God's people that God will continue this work of restoration until we have this imagery of this renewed creation in the book of Revelation.   So, one picture of that is in this provision of manna for the Israelites in the desert. You know, I think oftentimes for us, we read this story and we think the miracle is like, well, I don't know about you, but I've never opened my front door and had bread strewn across my lawn that I could just go out and gather. But we can still picture just walking into a grocery store and having a whole aisle of bread to choose from, right?   For us, the miracle seems like it just appears out of nowhere, but it doesn't seem all that crazy to just have a bunch of ready-made bread available to you. But for the Israelites, the work of making bread would have been nine months or more of labor between growing wheat, harvesting it, turning that wheat into flour, flour into dough, dough into bread. That's work that was not possible while they were wandering in the desert.   And so, when God is providing this miracle of manna, all they have to do is go out every single morning and gather, and they have to trust day after day after day that God is going to continue to provide. So, then we see a mirror of this in the story of the feeding of the 5,000. Once again, I think the miracle to us oftentimes feels like, you know, well, I've never seen five loaves capable of feeding 5,000 plus people.   But still, we can picture a Costco aisle of bread that probably has enough bread to feed 5,000 people. Just the presence of bread enough for that size crowd doesn't seem all that miraculous. But for the crowd who was gathered on the hillside with Jesus, they would have had a much closer awareness of just how much work was required to grow enough, in this case, barley.   One of the accounts says that it was barley bread. So, to grow enough barley to make enough bread to feed this crowd. And at the very least, in Mark's account of the gospel, we see a very direct link to work and how much work would be required to feed this crowd.   Because in the gospel of Mark, it says that it would take more than half a year's wages to buy enough bread to feed this crowd. So, this distinct connection between labor and hard work in order to feed, to provide the bread for these people. But Jesus circumvents that labor required to either make the bread or buy the bread and just miraculously provides these five loaves to feed 5,000 plus people.   So then on the night before his death, Jesus takes, I think, this imagery one step further. It is not just the labor of making bread that Jesus circumvents in his provision of bread for his disciples. He offers bread to his disciples and says, “This is my body that is broken for you.”   Jesus is circumventing the very work of defeating the curse of sin and death. He has taken the labor of defeating sin and death onto his own body. And he's offering that body back to his disciples and onto anyone who remembers Him in this meal of bread and the cup.   But he's offering to us His body as in the form of bread, as this picture of the labor that Jesus has taken on, the curse that Jesus has taken on so that we can then live in freedom. And so, we're still currently living in this sort of in-between time where we know that Jesus, that Christ has died, that Christ is risen, and we are still awaiting the day when Christ will come again. We're still awaiting this imagery in the book of Revelation where creation is restored.   And I believe our relationship to bread will purely be one of delight and joy and freedom. But right now, we do still experience that brokenness of creation in relationship to bread. But also, bread is still a way in which we can know God, in which we can trust God's promises to us in this very tangible form in which we can believe that God is with us, even when we don't feel it.   Laura Dugger: (19:43 - 22:17) Let's take a quick break to hear a message from our sponsor. Do you have a bucket list of travel destinations? Or maybe you have a special event coming up like a big anniversary, a honeymoon, or even just that first trip to Europe?   If so, you need to call Dream Seller Travel. Dream Seller Travel is located in Central Illinois, but works with clients all across the USA. 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Let them deal with the problems that arise while traveling so you can just enjoy the trip. Dream Seller Travel has been planning dream trips since 2005 to amazing destinations such as Alaska, Italy, Hawaii, Canada, the Caribbean, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, South Africa, Iceland, and more.   Where do you dream of going? You can reach out to Dream Seller Travel at 309-696-5890,  or check them out online at DreamSellerTravel.com. Thanks for your sponsorship.   In line with your brand of edible theology, I'd love to go further into the scripture. That was so fascinating. I feel like you're so succinct in the way that you put that all together.   So, I kind of want to do a deeper dive into a couple of the key ingredients of bread and then have you share their significance both in contributing to food, but also their significance for our own lives. Absolutely. Let's just begin with salt.   Will you share the scripture and insight into salt?   Kendall Vanderslice: (22:18 - 23:20) Yeah. One of the things that I love about salt, I think oftentimes, especially here in America, we have a sort of distorted understanding of the role that salt plays in our food. Oftentimes, we treat table salt.   We usually have table salt that you just add onto your food after cooking it. Maybe you add a little bit of salt while cooking, but for the most part, you just sprinkle on table salt after. And it almost is treated as this kind of added flavor.   But salt actually should not be this added flavor at the end. Salt should be incorporated into the cooking process because salt opens up our taste receptors on our tongues, and it opens up the flavors in the dish. So, salt actually should not be the predominant flavor that we taste.   Salt should be the thing that allows us to taste everything else. And I think when we understand salt in that form, it should reframe our understanding of what it means to be the salt of the earth or to be salt and light in the world. What does it mean that salt is not the thing that itself gets tasted, but salt is the thing that opens up the flavors of everything else around us?   Laura Dugger:  (23:20 - 23:30) Kendall, can you take that even a step further? What does that practically look like for believers really living as salt of the earth?   Kendall Vanderslice: (23:34 - 24:26) I think one of the great joys of the ways that these metaphors at work in Scripture is that we get to continually explore and see what that means for us and where God might be calling us. But I do think that being aware that to be the salt of the earth is to help pull out the best in the communities around us, to pull out the best in the people around us, is just this really beautiful picture of how I think God asks us to work in community. But our job is not necessarily to be the strong presence.   Our job is not necessarily to make sure everyone knows that we are present, but instead our job is to identify and build up and pull out the best parts of the people around us in the communities that we are in.   Laura Dugger:  (24:27 - 24:56) That's so good. I love how you shared that because for me, as you were unpacking it, I was just thinking that we as the salt, when you taste it, you don't want to think, oh, that's salt. You want, like you said, to open it up to others.   And so that's our purpose is to reflect and glorify Jesus and to point to him. So, I'm sure there's countless meanings. Will you also do the same thing and share the significance of yeast?   Kendall Vanderslice: (24:57 - 29:44) Yeah, sure. So, yeast is, you know, also a fascinating, fascinating thing. And we are only really just beginning to understand sort of the microbial world and the role that it plays in our lives, in our bodies, in our world.   And so, it's opening up entirely new understandings of how yeast is at work in scripture. One thing that we have to bear in mind is that the writers of scripture did not actually know what yeast was. We were only able to identify the microbes that are yeast and bacteria in the last 150 years.   And so, prior to Louis Pasteur, humans didn't know what yeast was. They only knew the reactions of yeast. You know, you saw if I mix together, you know, this, if I let this flour and water sit, it comes back to life and I can mix that into more flour and water and it can become bread.   You know, I can mix it in with a lot of water and a little bit of yeast and some hops and it becomes beer. I can mix it in with grapes and it becomes wine. So, we see the reactions, but don't necessarily know what it is that is responsible for those reactions.   So, it is fairly new that we have this, you know, in the scope of human history, it's fairly new that we have this understanding of what are the actual kind of little critters that are involved in this process. And so, I have a really dear friend who she studies theology of the microbiome. So, a lot of her research is all based around, you know, how does this emerging research on yeast and bacteria shape our understanding of what it means to be human?   And so then how does that shape the ways we read in scripture, both passages about yeast and also about what it means to be human? And so it is, I think there's just, it's a field that is ripe for exploration and we are only beginning to scratch the surface of all the beautiful imagery that's at play here. But one of the things that I find most fascinating is that leaven or yeast, it is used as a metaphor for two different things in scripture.   In one passage, it is used as a metaphor for the kingdom of heaven, the parable of leaven, the kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman mixed into three measures of flour until it leavened the whole batch. But apart from that, yeast is always used as an image of sin, the ways that sin works through community. We have the passage about the leaven of the Pharisees.   I believe there are a few others as well. So oftentimes leaven is used as this picture of sin and the ways that sin sort of multiplies and works through communities. But at the same time, it's this picture of the kingdom of God, that it's this little bit of yeast that slowly multiplies and through its multiplication, it transforms the entire community.   It seems like a strange sort of tension that why would we use the same thing as a picture of both the kingdom of heaven and a picture of sin? And I think it makes more sense when we understand a sourdough culture. So, a sourdough culture is a culture of bacteria and yeast that is used to leaven bread, to raise bread.   So, we all have wild yeast and bacteria living in the air, on the surface of our skin, on the surface of everything around us. This wild yeast and bacteria is what makes the world go round. It's what makes our brains function.   It's what allows our bellies to digest food. It is what sort of makes everything work. And there is always this presence of both pathogenic bacteria and also beneficial bacteria.   That is true within our bodies. That's true sort of all around us. It's true in the sourdough culture that there is always the presence of pathogenic bacteria, but there is also the beneficial bacteria.   And so, to maintain a healthy sourdough starter, you have to feed it regularly. And as long as you feed it regularly and maintain its health, that good bacteria is going to keep the pathogenic bacteria in check. It's when you start to starve that starter that the pathogenic bacteria gets stronger and it overtakes the good bacteria and your sourdough starter goes bad.   And so, I think that's a really beautiful way to think about both how the kingdom of God works and also how sin works in our communities. We live in a broken creation. Sin will always be present.   But when we are digging ourselves, like when we are staying grounded and rooted in scripture, when we're staying grounded and rooted in church community and worship and prayer, when we are maintaining these healthy communities that are rooted to God, then we're able to help keep that pathogenic bacteria, that sin in check. But it's when we do not that it can start to take over and it can spread through a community just as quickly and easily as the kingdom of God can also spread through a community.   Laura Dugger:  (29:45 - 29:58) You just have brilliant answers. Is there any other science in the bread baking that is also fascinating to you because it has a richer, deeper spiritual meaning?   Kendall Vanderslice: (29:58 - 32:22) One of the things that I love, I oftentimes lead these bread baking workshops for groups of leaders, especially church leaders or faith leaders who are oftentimes having to manage just large groups of people where they're constantly facing internal conflict. I don't think anyone who leads a group of people has managed to bring together the people that never have any kind of disagreement. One of the things that I love about bread is that inherent to the structure of bread is tension.   The backbone of bread is this protein called gluten that is made up of two different proteins called gluten and gliadin. Gluten and gliadin have two opposing qualities to them. One likes to stretch and stretch and stretch.   It's what's called the elastic quality. One likes to hold its shape, what's called the plastic quality. When these protein strands unravel, they begin to form bonds with one another and they create this network, this protein network.   That protein network is what captures the carbon dioxide that the yeast releases and that allows the dough to both grow while also holding its shape. The strength and the structure of our bread is fully reliant on tension between these two opposing qualities, these two opposing needs. In order to build that tension in a way that brings strength to the bread, it has to be constantly balanced with rest.   The gluten will let you know when it's starting to get tired. If you don't give it time to rest, then it will just fall apart. It will start to break down on you.   This is something that I think so many of our communities really can learn from right now. That tension is good, that our differences, that diversity in our communities is our source of strength. When these differences rub up against one another and they help expand our understanding of the people around us, our differing needs, our differing convictions, our differing desires, our differing hopes, that can be a source of strength in our communities.   Also, we need to understand when it's time to step away and take time to rest before leaning into those differences even further. I love that bread then is itself this element that Jesus gives us as the sign of our unity in Christ, because it is this picture of our differences coming together and making us one even in our difference.   Laura Dugger:  (32:23 - 32:39) All of this from bread, it's just incredible. Then I even think you write about temperature and scoring the bread. Is there anything else?   We won't get to cover all of it, but any other scientific findings that have been really exciting?   Kendall Vanderslice: (32:40 - 33:33) I think there is so much in bread. I like to say that bread is incredibly simple and infinitely complex. It's made of four basic ingredients, but it can be mixed together in myriad ways.   A baker can commit their entire lives to learning about bread, and they will still have more to learn. We'll never be able to cover it all. I think there's room for endless exploration as far as digging into all that bread has to teach us.   My hope is that this book, Bake and Pray, helps to start to illuminate some of the ways that we see God teaching us through the many different steps in the bread-baking process. I also hope that others will start to get into this practice of baking, and through the practice of baking, they themselves will be able to start to see some of the beauty that God reveals through bread.   Laura Dugger:  (33:34 - 34:38) I just wanted to let you know there are now multiple ways to give when you visit thesavvysauce.com. We now have a donation button on our website, and you can find it under the Donate page, which is under the tab entitled Support. Our mailing address is also provided if you would prefer to save us the processing fee and send a check that is tax deductible.   Either way, you'll be supporting the work of Savvy Sauce Charities and helping us continue to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus Christ. Make sure you visit thesavvysauce.com today. Thanks for your support.   Well, and Kendall, you also have a unique take. You spent years as a ballet dancer, and even with your books, you're just writing about the connection beyond, like you said, just our intellect and our minds to the Lord, but using our whole bodies to glorify God. Can you share some more ways that we can use our bodies to bake and pray and glorify God?   Kendall Vanderslice: (34:38 - 39:09) Yeah, so one of the things that I love when I'm first teaching people about this idea of praying with your body, it is ironic. The whole concept of praying with your body is to try and get us out of our minds and into our bodies. But the idea of praying with our body can feel like a very sort of cerebral or like, you know, the sort of thing that doesn't quite make sense.   And so, the way that I like to help people first get started is through the practice of a breath prayer. So, a breath prayer is a practice of repeating a line of scripture or poetry with every inhale and every exhale. And so, one of the ones that I love to start with is my soul finds rest in God alone, drawn from the Psalms.   And so, as you inhale, you repeat my soul finds rest. And as you exhale in God alone. And so, when I'm guiding others through this bake and pray practice, I have a start by just closing our eyes and I will lead us in this rhythm of breathing and of repeating this line again and again and again.   And then from there, I encourage the group to start to mix up their dough while repeating this line with every inhale and exhale. And I think it helps us to see how our breath, our breath itself becomes, you know, these words of scripture so ingrain themselves in our breathing that we then understand our breathing itself as an offering of prayer to God. And then the movements of our bodies through this rhythm of breathing becomes an offering of prayer to God.   And then we realize that the words themselves are not even necessary, that we can offer, you know, the movements of mixing bread dough, but also of gardening, of knitting, of cooking, of playing with our children, of raking leaves, that all of these things can be ways to offer our movements to God as prayer and to invite God into this practice with us and to pay attention to how God is present in these practices. So, I do hope that, you know, people will take bake and pray and actually bake with it and learn to bake as a form of prayer. But I also love when I hear from potters or I hear from gardeners or I hear from other people that work with their hands regularly who tell me, I read this and I don't think I'm going to start baking, but it has reshaped my understanding of my own, you know, craft and my own vocation.   So, I am excited to hear from others who maybe will take this and say, like, this is how I see this work being a form of prayer. But I first started learning about embodied prayer and practicing it when I got to college. I was in a dance team at my college.   I had grown up as a ballerina. I left the ballet world in high school, and it was a really, really hard. My experience was really wonderful in many ways and really hard in many ways.   I was in the pre-professional ballet world, which is, you know, very, very rigorous, very mentally draining, very physically demanding. And when I realized that I wasn't going to be able to make it professionally, it was just absolutely devastating. It was like my whole world was wrapped around this.   And so, then when I got to college, I was invited to be a part of this dance company. But the dance company was for women who had experienced sort of the ballet world in the way that I had, and who were looking for healing and to understand that our dance could be a form of worship and a form of prayer. And when I first started, I thought that the whole concept was really strange.   You know, I was I did not understand. I was so grateful to have this very just affirming community that I was dancing with. It was really it was the first time that I had been, you know, affirmed in my body and affirmed as a dancer and not just, you know, told all the things that were wrong with me.   But still, I was like, this is a really strange concept that as we're dancing, we're somehow praying. And it really was something that I had to practice again and again and again to understand and to really feel. And so, if someone is listening to this and thinking like this sounds like a really strange concept, I encourage you to just try it.   And it might take a few tries. Maybe try using the liturgies that are in the book to help get you into that practice. And then I hope that as you practice, either praying through baking or through gardening or what have you, that you will just get to experience the ways that God's present with you.   And then that will transform your understanding of your craft.   Laura Dugger:  (39:09 - 39:20) Thanks for sharing that. It's important for us to understand that we are embodied beings. And that points to that awesome truth that God with us, that Jesus was embodied.   Kendall Vanderslice: (39:21 - 39:22) Absolutely.   Laura Dugger:  (39:22 - 39:31) But then, OK, so in your most recent book, Bake and Pray, what's one recipe that you're especially excited about?   Kendall Vanderslice: (39:31 - 41:04) You know, we are just emerging from the season of Advent and Christmas, and those are some of my favorite recipes in the book. One that is so delicious, that is it is a Christmas recipe. It is the Moravian sugar cake, but Moravians do eat the sugar cake all year round.   So, it is kind of a classical Christmas recipe. But here at the Moravian bakeries here in North Carolina, you can get them all year round. So Moravian baked goods are an early Protestant tradition. They actually were Protestants before the Protestant Reformation, they like to say. And they're a pretty small denomination here in the United States.   But they're largely focused in here in North Carolina, where I am, and then a little bit in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. But the Moravian baked goods are known for all of their breads have potato in them. And so, some people, you know, there are other recipes that have like a potato, a potato bread or potato rolls.   When you add mashed potato into baked goods, it makes it really, really moist and tender. It holds on to moisture in the baked good much longer than just flour alone. So, the Moravian baked goods all have mashed potato in them.   But the Moravian sugar cake is one where it's this very rich potato bread. And then you put it into a pan, and you poke holes in it, sort of like if you were dimpling focaccia. And then you pour butter and cinnamon sugar on top and bake it.   And it is like it is a mix between sort of coffee cake and bread. And it is so, so, so delicious. I love it.   Laura Dugger:  (41:04 - 41:09) And there is also just a cute little story in there with the history.   Kendall Vanderslice: (41:09 - 41:28) Oh, yes, absolutely. It is, you know, there's this lore that apparently when men were looking for wives, they would look for women that had thick fingers. Because if they had thick fingers, it meant that they would have bigger dimples in their Moravian sugar cake that would hold bigger pockets of cinnamon and sugar.   Laura Dugger:  (41:28 - 41:42) I love that. I thought that was so funny. Well, Kendall, what are some of the most creative ways that you've been able to pair bread and generosity together to minister to others?   Kendall Vanderslice: (41:43 - 43:24) Yeah, one of the things that I am doing right now is, you know, I'm on the road several weeks of the year leading bread baking workshops in churches all over the country. And I love, love, love that part of my work. But in the last year, I started to really crave a closer connection with my community here in Durham, North Carolina.   But I am traveling the country and telling other people about how to connect to home and how to connect to their communities. And that work keeps me from being able to connect to my own home and community. And so, I decided that when I am home, I want to have a more intentional way of feeding the people immediately around me.   And so, I have this practice on Fridays of bread for friends and neighbors. And so, I'll tell, I'll send out an email to friends and neighbors on Monday and tell them, you know, here's what I'm baking this week if I'm in town. And then they let me know what they want.   And on Fridays, I have this shed in my driveway that I open up and it's got this whole like really fun armoire and that I that I've sort of decorated to be a bread pickup area. And so, on Fridays, my neighbors and my friends all walk over, and they come pick up their bread. And it's just been such a gift to be able to feed my immediate community through bread.   But then also to see and hear them sort of connecting in the driveway as they all come pick up their bread at the same time. And folks who either didn't know one another are starting to connect and find and meet one another. But then also neighbors to realize like, oh, you can get kindle bread, I get kindle bread.   And, you know, it's just so fun to have that very simple point of connection, because it can be feel very easy to feel disconnected from the neighbors that you maybe see all over the place. But just that that time of connection and picking up bread, I think, goes a long way beyond just that particular moment.   Laura Dugger:  (43:26 - 43:36) Generosity is always inspiring. And where can we all go to learn more about edible theology online or all of the other things that you have to offer?   Kendall Vanderslice: (43:37 - 44:05) You can learn more at my website, kendallvanderslice.com. The website is currently sort of under construction. So, I've got a makeshift website up right now where you can find everything.   And eventually I will have more links to all of the edible theology resources. But you can find everything you need at kendallvanderslice.com. You can learn about my workshops. You can learn about my books. You can learn about curriculum, about retreats that I lead. All of it is right there.   Laura Dugger:  (44:06 - 44:24) Wonderful. We will certainly add links in today's show notes so that it's easy to find. And Kendall, you may be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge.   And so is my final question for you today. What is your savvy sauce?   Kendall Vanderslice: (44:25 - 45:13) Well, I think for me it is allowing myself to use even the simplest moments in the kitchen as a time for prayer rather than trying to rush through the practice of just seeing food as something I have to eat three times a day and something I have to make for myself. To realize that even something as simple as heating up a pot of soup or slicing some bread and smearing it with butter is still an invitation to thank God for this gift of food and the ability to prepare it. And so, I think that small practice alone can transform the way we relate to food and our bodies, but also to try and slow down and have a moment in our day where we avoid just rushing through and take a little bit more intentionality to appreciate the gifts that God has given us.   Laura Dugger:  (45:14 - 45:31) Well, Kendall, I was so intrigued from the first time that I heard about edible theology. And I really appreciate how you shed light on God's profound spiritual truths that are around us and that we can interact with in everyday life. But you also have such a charming personality.   Kendall Vanderslice: (45:32 - 45:38) So, thank you for being my guest. Thank you so much for having me. It's been such a delight to be here.   Laura Dugger: (45:39 – 49:21) One more thing before you go. Have you heard the term gospel before?   It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you. But it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there is absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior. But God loved us so much, he made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and died in our place for our sin. This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus.   We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished if we choose to receive what He has done for us. Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” So, would you pray with me now?   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you. Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life?   We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.   If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me, so me for him. You get the opportunity to live your life for him. And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason.   We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you ready to get started? First, tell someone.   Say it out loud. Get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes & Noble and let me choose my own Bible.   I selected the Quest NIV Bible, and I love it. You can start by reading the book of John. Also, get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ.   I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps, such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you. We want to celebrate with you too, so feel free to leave a comment for us here if you did make a decision to follow Christ. We also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “In the same way I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

Don't you love the nuances and uniqueness God put into this world? He created harmony and balance everywhere, including our individual “best time of the day” to be creative and productive.Some of us are up with the chickens, as they used to say. Others burn a candle late into the night. Whatever time is your time to connect in positive ways, God made you for His purpose. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”Embrace your uniqueness! Just because your eyes don't focus until later in the morning—after cups, plural, of coffee—doesn't mean you won't hit the mark today.You were built for this, to be a light to others and to share the Good News of Jesus. So, rise up, whenever that is for you, and make a promise to God that you will get everything out of today that you are supposed to. Let's pray.Lord, you made us to be a light in a world that is all too often dark. Thank you for the opportunities to make a difference for you. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

SummaryThis conversation explores the themes of leadership, community, and faith through the lens of the book of Nehemiah. It emphasizes the importance of compassion, action, and collective effort in overcoming challenges and rebuilding both physically and spiritually. The speaker highlights Nehemiah's character, the problems faced by the people, and the necessity of prayer and encouragement in the face of opposition. Ultimately, it calls for personal reflection on how individuals can arise and build in their own lives.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Nehemiah and the Call to Action03:10 Nehemiah's Character and Compassion06:31 Identifying the Problem and the Need for Action09:21 Nehemiah's Request and God's Favor12:11 Examining the Situation and Honest Leadership15:17 Encouragement and Collective Action18:31 Facing Opposition and Perseverance21:26 The Completion of the Wall and Reflection on Growth24:24 Personal Application: Arise and Build in Our Liveswww.benjaminlee.blog

Jonah 1 ESV Jonah Flees the Presence of the Lord1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”Jonah Is Thrown into the Sea7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.A Great Fish Swallows Jonah17  And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. For more information about Redeemer Church Lubbock visit our website at redeemerlubbock.org.

Join The Man of the West for an in-depth look at two pieces of alliterative verse cried out by a restored King Théoden… just ignore the butchering of Old English and Old Norse, please. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the podcast, Rye & Jess sit down with Nicole Stanley, founder and head money coach at Arise Financial Coaching, to discuss financial empowerment, emotional money patterns, and how to build a healthier, shame-free relationship with your finances—especially during uncertain economic times.✨ What We Talk About:Rye + Jess share in the intro what they wish they would have learned about $ earlier onHow childhood money beliefs shape adult financial behaviorsThe connection between nervous system regulation and financial anxiety“Toxic frugality” — what it is, why it happens, and how to avoid itThe binge/restrict cycle with money and its parallels to disordered eatingTips for identifying and addressing income issues without burning outThe power of curiosity in transforming your money mindsetInvesting 101: why anyone (even with $5) can start todayThoughts on credit cards, crypto, real estate, and coaching as investmentsHow to build an abundant money mindset rooted in clarity, not fearNicole's "5 Financial Problems" framework:OverspendingHigh fixed expensesIncome problemsPoor money managementStrategy or order-of-operations mistakesResources Mentioned:

What does it take to run an ultramarathon? Or top out a boulder that makes you stretch what you think you're capable of? Tenacity. From our seat, we see it happen all the time in our community. Today, Coleman Wood and Brian Laidlaw bring us two stories about rising up and meeting the challenge that they laid out for themselves.  Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first order Oboz Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today. Fitz will be in Colorado for two States of Adventure book presentations in May. Join us! May 1st at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder (RSVP here) May 2nd at Feral in Denver (RSVP here)