Podcasts about Assyrian

Every empire that has ever risen has also fallen — and Nineveh would be no exception. Dr. John walks through Nahum's vivid poetic description of Nineveh's destruction, showing how the proud lion of the ancient world was brought to ruin by the God it had long defied. A sobering study in the justice of God, and a deeply comforting one for all who have placed their hope in him.God's Patience Exhausted: What happens when a nation exhausts the patience of God? In this series, Dr. John works through the often-overlooked book of Nahum — the sobering sequel to Jonah — tracing the fall of the Assyrian empire and what it reveals about the character of God. A compelling study in divine justice, and a timely one for anyone who has ever presumed on the kindness of God.

In this program, an interview with Alfred Mansour from Assyrian Australian Association about the Assyrian schools parade; an interview with Hermiz Shahin about the latest preparation for the Assyrian New Year festival in Sydney and an interview with Deena Khamis Yako about Harmony Week in NSW

Empires rise, declare themselves invincible, and vanish — and Assyria was no different. In this message, Dr. John continues through the book of Nahum, showing how God directly confronts the arrogance of Nineveh while offering remarkable comfort to his beleaguered people. A powerful study in who truly holds the future — and why that changes everything for those who trust in him.God's Patience Exhausted: What happens when a nation exhausts the patience of God? In this series, Dr. John works through the often-overlooked book of Nahum — the sobering sequel to Jonah — tracing the fall of the Assyrian empire and what it reveals about the character of God. A compelling study in divine justice, and a timely one for anyone who has ever presumed on the kindness of God.

Preparations are underway for the 6776 Assyrian New Year festival at the Fairfield Showground in Fairfield. Hermiz Shahen, the President of the Assyrian National Council, who hosts the festival, spoke to SBS Assyrian and updated on the latest from the preparations for the event.

The Assyrian Australian Association is organising the Assyrian New Year celebration with a parade by the children of the Assyrian Schools through the streets of St John's Park on Saturday, 28 March, followed by a special presentation at Edessa Hall. The Association's Treasurer, Mr Alfred Mansour, spoke to SBS Assyrian about the event, saying the aim is to encourage students to participate and raise awareness about the significance of this important day.

Most people are comfortable with a God of mercy and grace — but the God of the Bible is far more than that. In this message, Dr. John opens the book of Nahum, showing how this little-known prophet picks up where Jonah left off, delivering a sobering portrait of a God who is slow to anger but will not overlook sin forever. A timely and convicting study for anyone who has ever presumed on the kindness of God.God's Patience Exhausted: What happens when a nation exhausts the patience of God? In this series, Dr. John works through the often-overlooked book of Nahum — the sobering sequel to Jonah — tracing the fall of the Assyrian empire and what it reveals about the character of God. A compelling study in divine justice, and a timely one for anyone who has ever presumed on the kindness of God.

Fear SEES. Anxiety IMAGINES.100% of your anxiety is tied to a future you are IMAGINING and cannot CONTROL.Anxiety EXPANDS to the size of our THOUGHTS. Faith EXPANDS to the size of our PRAYERS.Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.The objective is to MOVE your anxiety TOWARDS God.PRAYERPETITIONREQUESTS3 Practical Ways to Pray to Experience PeaceWRITE it.Isaiah 37:16–20 “Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. “It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Lord, are the only God.WALK it.3.  MEDITATE on Scripture.The world teaches you to rehearse your WOUNDS. The Word teaches you to rehearse GOD'S TRUTH.Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.Peace is found in SURRENDERING everything to the God who already HOLDS IT ALL.

When the Assyrian army surrounded Jerusalem, King Hezekiah faced an impossible situation. The enemy mocked his faith and threatened destruction. But instead of giving in to fear, Hezekiah did something powerful: he spread the threatening letter before the Lord and prayed.God calls us to be unshakable, not because of our own strength, but because we stand on the cornerstone—Jesus Christ. Isaiah 28:16 promises that "the one who believes will be unshakable." When our faith is tested by partial truths and overwhelming circumstances, we must respond like Hezekiah: with humility, prayer, and trust in God's promises.The result? God defended Jerusalem for His glory and His love for His people. One night, 185,000 enemy soldiers fell. What God promises will come to pass. The same God who rescued Hezekiah is faithful to rescue you today.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com      2 Kings 22 2 Chronicles 32 ISAIAH 22   An old Jewish legend – and nothing more than a legend – says how it was that Sennacherib's sons came to kill him. Sennacherib was troubled at how God seemed to bless the Jews so much, and tried to find out why. Someone told him it was because Abraham had loved God so much that he was willing to sacrifice his son to the LORD. Sennacherib thought he would be even more favored by God, and decided to kill two of his sons in sacrifice to the LORD, becoming even more blessed than Abraham and his descendants. But his two sons learned of the plan, and killed him before he could kill them, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD.         The "15-Year Bonus" Shortly after the invasion, Hezekiah falls terminally ill. He weeps and prays for mercy; God heals him and promises him 15 more years of life, confirming it by making the shadow on a sundial move backward.   **THINK OF IT THIS WAY: God I do not want to be in heaven. I do not want to be with you. I want my success here on earth.   This is when Manessah is born: Worst King ever!      The Diplomatic Blunder In a moment of pride, Hezekiah shows off all his treasures to Babylonian envoys. The prophet Isaiah warns him that this pride will eventually lead to the Babylonian exile of his descendants.     Three "Pro-Tips" from Hezekiah's Life Start Strong: He didn't wait to "settle in" before making big changes. Take it to the Top: When he got a threatening "email" (the Assyrian letter), he went straight to God. Finish Carefully: His later-life lack of fear for God serves as a warning that even a great start requires a humble finish.     LIFE LESSONS!  Immediate action - The best time to plant a tree was a 100 years ago, the second best time is today. The Best time to quit smoking, over eating, read and pray, forgive someone, love your parents, invest, pray for the sick….  -   WAS YEARS AGO AND TODAY     Pure heart You may not do things right, but it is critical to keep your heart inline with God.    - There are numerous places in scripture where what people did was wrong, but God sees the heart.          David eating the show bread Disciples eating grain on the sabbath       Jesus touching the lepers Jesus teaching women             Letting a woman with the issue of blood touch him    Jesus touching the dead          Jesus talking to the woman at the well     *Sometimes its easy to have an impure heart by judging someone else's actions.       ****Satanic trick. You get an impure heart because of what someone else did, not your actions - but their actions.   The Levinsion study: Doctors that did not get sued spent 3.3 more minutes with their patients!  **Patients felt like they new their doctors hearts.   PASTOR GREG LOCKE - PASTOR ___________________ DIDN'T LIKE HIM - BUT THEN SPENT TIME WITH HIM.       Seeks Gods intervention  First, middle, last, last minute… any time is a good time to seek him!      THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU TODAY: GOD SEES YOUR HEART      GOD WANTS YOU TO ACT TODAY           GOD WANTS YOU TO CRY OUT TO HIM TODAY! 

3.8.2026 – Rev. Ben Roberts for Foundry UMC, Washington DC The author has wasted no time being extra scandalous here. It's not just that Jesus is meeting with the Samaritan woman but also that he's doing it at a well. Other biblical narratives of men meeting with women at the well usually ends with some sort of marriage; Isaac and Rebecca.  Jacob and Rachel.  Moses and Zipporah.  These are all encounters at wells. So the overtones for the original audience of this story hint at courtship.  If you've encountered this story before maybe you've heard it sad that this woman social standing should be questioned because of the marriage history that's presented. But Dr. Laura Holmes at Wesley Theological seminary invites us to remember that permission to divorce would have been handed down by male family member it would not have been possible for a poor woman. She couldn't have chosen to get divorced. So the multiple husbands noted in this story likely are “related to tragedies either death or being divorced or both.” So it would be inappropriate to make those sorts of conclusion about here moral or social standing. She also notes for us that we should pay attention to the way that the community responds to this woman's testimony, that many people receive it and believe because of her. If she were ostracized, it is unlikely they would have even listened to what she had to say.  This story also follows closely to that of Nicodemus' the story we heard last week. The contrast being that the Nicodemus story takes place in the middle of the night, but Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well in the middle of the day. Their stories present a series of opposites: “They embody gender, class and status, and ethnic and religious differences. The setup for each encounter also differs: Nicodemus initiates the conversation with Jesus, while Jesus initiates the conversation with the Samaritan woman, and the former is at night (3:2) while the latter is at noon (4:6).”  In both stories, Jesus's answers are interpreted literally causing confusion; when talking of being born again or drinking living water. As Pastor Ginger said last week, very unhelpful answers provided by Jesus. But we see different responses within the confusion. Nicodemus's story somewhat ends after a couple of follow-up questions; he the learned teacher doesn't continue the conversation. While the Samaritan woman asks for the living water and goes and tells others about what she has encountered. So we get some of the feeling that they learned teacher Nicodemus who is inside the community doesn't quite get it what this random Samaritan outsider woman stays engaged and curious.  After the woman asks for the living water, Jesus does something that reveals and points to himself as Messiah. He knows things that haven't be said yet. He tells her about her husbands and current situation, nothing she had shared with him. This, him knowing something that hasn't been reveled,  is enough to begin this revelation and journey for her.  Let's note they have this discussion on worship. Localities are brought up as she says “this mountain” and then says, “but you (y'all) say the place where people MUST worship is Jerusalem.”  We'll talk some more about this, but suffice it to say for the moment the Jewish tradition is telling them that worship must be in Jerusalem, while the Samaritan tradition says it should be on Mt. Gerizim (or this mountain).  She points to this dogmatic divide between their communities and Jesus' response is to say neither Jerusalem nor this mountain. A time is coming when true worship will be in spirit and in truth. Worship that is born not from obligation to ritual but love of heart and active in the world as Jesus was active (mercy, service, justice, compassion). She goes from there and tells others in her community and it's said that many listened to her, came to see Jesus for themselves, and also believed. The woman becomes one of our traditions' first theologians discussing proper worship, first preachers telling her community what Jesus had done, and is every bit a disciple/apostle as those other…guys. And that is lovely.  There are few major stories where the Samaritans were mentioned in the New Testament. We have this story of the Samaritan woman at the well. We have the story of a thankful Samaritan leper. And we have probably the best-known story of the Good Samaritan parable. In each of these cases a person who is Samaritan is held up as an example of someone who did the “right” thing where the more faithful person or the Jewish person in this story does the wrong thing or is just slower at…the thing. For example, in the Good Samaritan parable this is the Samaritan who stops to help the injured person after some priests and Levites had passed by on the other side. Or in the case of the leper the Samaritan is the one who gives thanks and tells the story where the other nine just leave. I'll note that in the other two cases a person is in some ways reduced to being an object lesson, that is they are just held up to teach us something about the ways we're supposed to act. There's not a bunch of character development. We don't learn about the actual people or their communities through these stories. They're just being used to show us something. By comparison, today's story is rather robust for the Samaritan character; despite not being given a name. Last fall (2025) as part of our foundations of sacred resistance series, we did a Bible study that included talking about the Good Samaritan. Someone brought up that it would be helpful for us to expand on who the Samaritans were. Usually we (and the Bible) just note there is animosity between the Jewish community and the Samaritan community. There was one Kingdom and a united monarchy until the time after King Solomon. So we have one Kingdom under David and then under his son Solomon, but after Solomon, the kingdoms and the tribes split. Ten tribes remain in the north, which becomes the Kingdom of Israel, and two remain in the South, which becomes the Kingdom of Judah. The reason for that split is often characterized as a continuation of tax policy and harsh leadership. This would have been around or between 975 and 930 BCE. Whatever the day-to-day on the ground specifics, we end up with two groups where there had previously been one. Differences begin to emerge for a variety of reasons. But we'll start with something that's common, and that is that both groups followed the Torah or the fist 5 books of what we would call the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament (Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy). For portions of this Northern Kingdom that eventually become the Samaritan community, the scriptures stop there without additions of prophetic texts, Psalms or others that Christian circles are familiar with from the Hebrew Bible or Old testament.  And within that holy text of those first five books, there are differences between the Torah used by the Samaritans and the Torah used by the Jews. There are 6,000 differences: half of which are grammatical or small changes for flow, and the other half are larger ones like entire conversations (missing/not included) between characters like Moses and Aaron with Pharaoh and a difference in the 10 commandments. Where we might be familiar with the 10th commandment being “thou shalt not covet,” the Samaritan version has the 10th commandment as an instruction to build and alter at Mount Gerizim (believed to be the place Abraham was going to sacrifice Isacc for this tradition rather than Mount Moriah/The Temple Mount in Jerusalem). So differing scriptures (yet the same), differing instructions, differing locations claiming to be central to the faith if not the center of the world. These realties come together over time. The distinct group of the Samaritans does not really emerge however until after the Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE.  The Assyrians come through and take over the Northern Kingdom (Israel). When the northern Kingdom fell some of the members of the 10 tribes are deported throughout Assyrian territory.  Some remained. But the Assyrians also send colonists and other deported people from other places into the region of the northern Kingdom. And the population that remained from the 10 tribes begins to intermix culturally, religiously, and socially.  Differences are magnified  because of the experience of the Southern Kingdom with the Babylonian exile. Where the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdome sends the people away. The Babylonian conquest takes the people of the southern kingdom in to exile in Babylon (this where books of the prophets come from) but there's an end exile (where there wasn't for the northern kingdom) 200 years later, Persians allow the southern kingdom Judean's to return. This has a big impact on the development of Judaism. And upon their return, while it's said in the book of Ezra, the Samaritans were willing to welcome back these cousins and work with them to rebuild. Those returning did not want to mix because of the ways the Samaritans had mixed with other cultures over the centuries. At some point during the Assyrian conquest and the people being deported. Some lions showed up, killed some people, it was a big mess. It was a whole thing. The Assyrians said, you know, those people we sent into that land don't know how to worship the God of that land. So we need to send a priest back to teach them (2 Kings), because we can't have lions running around killing people. So our tradition, from the start says, those people who remain, those Samaritans who have been mixing, they don't know what they're doing when it comes to worship when it comes to being faithful. They're doing it wrong and need to be fixed. That becomes the one-sided story we inherit. This experience of exile, return and non-return becomes a big divergence for the two groups. The returning Judeans don't want to mix with those people who are doing it wrong. They reject the Samaritan's help. And as the returning Judeans begin to do things like rebuild Jerusalem and the temple after rejecting the Samaritans' help. The Samaritans in turn find ways to oppose its construction by lobbying the Persians.  Laws and prohibitions around mixing and inter-marrying are put in place. The marriage prohibitions persist to this day. Animosity and separation continue to grow over hundreds of years by the time the Jesus story begins. In 128 BCE the Hasmonean's (Judea/Southern Kingdom) destroyed the Samaritan Temple at Mt. Gerizim. Little more than a century later (6-9 AD) around the time of Jesus' birth, the Samaritans dump human bones throughout the temple in Jerusalem, rendering it unclean and unavailable for the Passover celebration. There is long-range tit for tat going on. And at roughly the same time as Jesus' life and ministry and the budding of the early Christian church, the Samaritans were essentially in collaboration with the occupying Romans; collecting taxes and helping keep order compared to the rebellious Jewish community. Samaritan community still exists. By all accounts there are 8-900 people left in the community. The population is mainly split between Tel-Aviv, Israel and Nablus near Mount Gerizim in Palestine/West Bank. There was a NYT article from 2021 called “The World's Last Samaritans – Straddling the Israeli-Palestinian Divide.” So with all of that, recent desecrations and destructions of temples, differing yet the same scripture, vastly differing experiences, prohibitions on marriages and sharing food, and hundreds of years of growing divide; Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. No shortage of old divides on display for us in the world right now. No shortage of one-sided stories about how awful the other side is, right now. No shortage of stories about how awful we are. No shortage of conflict and suffering because of it. I think I very much like the idea today of Jesus stepping into and interrupting old, entrenched conflict. I like the idea that people, like the woman, are still curious and willing not be held by old tropes and dogmas; social, political, or religious. I like Jesus stepping in and saying not your mountain or ours; it's not what matters and they're not worth staying divided over.  If we keep drinking from these old wells; of nationalism, Christian nationalism, Christian Zionism, racism. Drinking from wells of sexism misogyny, racism, or homophobia. Drinking from the wells of ethnic conflict the wells of polarization. Drinking from these old wells of division and violence will just keep us coming back to these old wells of division and violence. Four years from now, 100 years from now, 200, 700, 3000 years from now. Instead, we're invited to the living water that can satisfy and move us into relationship. And for those who would step into that relationship, having experienced the living water, within them a spring would form and other could experience it too. Through that expansion may  we (with God's help) somehow move closer to the days of Spirit and Truth; changed hearts and just action in the world.

Oldest Stories Album available here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/oldeststoriesmusic/oldest-stories-vol-1 but also possibly on your favorite music distributor service also. Check it out!This episode examines the middle years of the reign of Sargon II of Assyria (r. 722–705 BCE) during a brief period when the Assyrian Empire faced unusually little large-scale war. Following Sargon's major victory over Urartu in 714–713 BCE, the geopolitical balance of the Near East shifted dramatically. Urartu, long the primary rival to Assyria in the Armenian highlands, was weakened both by Sargon's campaign and by the simultaneous arrival of Cimmerian nomadic groups moving south from the Eurasian steppe. With the northern frontier temporarily stabilized, Assyria was able to redirect attention to other regions of the empire.The episode explores several smaller conflicts and political developments across the western and northern frontiers of the Assyrian state. These include Assyrian responses to Ionian Greek activity in the eastern Mediterranean, tensions involving the kingdom of Phrygia under King Midas, and Assyrian intervention in Que (Cilicia) and surrounding Anatolian regions. At the same time, Sargon dealt with internal revolts and political instability among the Medes, the mountain regions of Ellipi and Karalla, and the frontier kingdoms of Tabal and Melid. These campaigns illustrate the normal functioning of Assyrian imperial policy: suppression of rebellions, deportations of local populations, and the conversion of client kingdoms into directly administered Assyrian provinces.A major focus of the episode is the internal operation of the Assyrian imperial system during periods without major war. The construction of Dur-Sharrukin (Khorsabad), Sargon II's new royal capital, was underway during these years and required enormous logistical coordination. The episode discusses how the Assyrian state mobilized labor through the ilku labor obligation, how deported populations enabled large-scale construction and agricultural expansion, and how provincial governors coordinated the movement of materials such as timber, metals, and stone across the empire. Additional projects included fortress construction along frontier regions, mining expansion in the Zagros and Syrian territories, canal digging, orchard planting, and temple renovation in major Assyrian cities.The episode also examines Assyria's economic structure and trade environment during Sargon's reign. Evidence from administrative letters suggests increased regulation of trade routes and resource flows, including restrictions on certain goods such as iron. Interactions with Arab tribes and desert traders, including references to Queen Samsi of the Arabs, highlight the complex relationship between Assyria and nomadic groups operating on the edges of imperial control.Finally, the narrative turns to renewed instability in the west triggered by rumors of Sargon's death and unfavorable omens. Rebellions in Philistine Ashdod, Gurgum, and Kammanu prompted swift Assyrian retaliation, demonstrating the continuing reliance on rapid punitive campaigns to maintain imperial authority. These events mark the end of the short period of relative calm and set the stage for Sargon's major campaign to reclaim Babylon, which had been lost earlier in his reign after the revolt of Merodach-Baladan and Elamite intervention.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories daily on Tiktok and Youtube Shorts.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content produced when and as I have time.

In this program: Highlights from the Rabi Nimrod Simono Scholarship awards night; Oliver Slewa talking about the NSW Seniors Week and in Australia Explained, Australian Biosecurity and border protection

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com  2 Kings 22 2 Chronicles 32 ISAIAH 22   Hezekiah is not panicking but he is trying his best to keep his people safe from the Assyrians. They are brutal people. They kill the army, then maim the remaining citizens as if to mark their territory… you can see why Hezekiah is wanting to do anything he can to spare his people from this terror.    During this time God leads Hezekiah to prepare.  Covers up the springs and brooks Rebuilds the walls Raised the towers Made new weapons and shields  He set up captains over the people He encouraged them - For there are more with us than with him: “We have more power than they have. (These words he quotes from the prophet Elisha, 2 Kings 6:16.) He rerouted the water   But even after all this prep…  2 Kings 18:13-16, that Hezekiah unwisely and unsuccessfully tried to satisfy Sennacherib with gold and treasures from the temple.   He takes silver from the temple and strips gold from the doors of the temple: tendency to seek security through compromise - compromise Gods Glory - MGLG  * even at the cost of diminishing the visible honor due to God's house. Then he goes to God with Isaiah and cry's out.   God never reprimanded him for his work, or his effort. Scripture describes these actions as part of Hezekiah's strategic and faithful preparation for the Assyrian invasion…   A pure heart, not Gods plan.   The Supernatural Intervention In response to Hezekiah's prayer and the prophecy of Isaiah, the Bible records that the Angel of the Lord sweeps through the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib retreats to Nineveh, and Jerusalem is spared without a single arrow being fired.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com      2 Kings 22 2 Chronicles 32 ISAIAH 22   He Promoted Obedience to God's Law   He restored:   * The priesthood * Temple offerings * Tithing systems   The nation became spiritually and economically stable.   How powerful is tithing… when you start it you will see blessing and then the enemy will come at you!  Don't tithe if you don't want to be attacked… oh and if you don't want to be blessed by God.    The Assyrian Crisis (701 BC) The superpower of the day, Assyria, led by King Sennacherib, invades Judah. They conquer 46 cities and surround Jerusalem. This is Hezekiah's "darkest hour," where he takes Sennacherib's threatening letter to the Temple and spreads it out before God in prayer.   The Propaganda War: Sennacherib attempts to demoralize Judah, but Hezekiah encourages his people to trust that "there is a greater power with us than with him".   c. Has not the same Hezekiah taken away His high places and His altars: The Assyrian accuser knew that King Hezekiah had implemented broad reforms in Judah, including the removal of the high places (2 Kings 18:3-4). Yet in the Assyrian's thinking, Hezekiah's reforms had really displeased God, so he should not expect help from the LORD God of Israel. The Assyrian would say, “Look at all the places there used to be where people would worship the LORD God of Israel. Now, since Hezekiah came in, there is only one place. More is always better, so the LORD God of Israel must be pretty sore at Hezekiah!”     The enemy of our souls has an amazing way of discouraging our obedience. If Hezekiah was not careful, this argument of the Assyrian would start to make sense, when really it was demonic logic through and through. Doubt leads to fear and then it leads to our own self building fear and we defeat ourselves before we even fight.    Satan can sound so caring and convincing: You choose to go on a diet and a friend comes to you and says - “Wow, good for you. That shows great discipline and that you want to take care of your body. You will look and feel so much better, way to go. Did you know that sometimes a person on a diet needs extra protein and carbs for energy? Hey you know what… cake has eggs, milk, flour in it. With your daily intake of sodium… boy if you get low on sodium you can cramp up. Plus what I like is that cake gives you an immediate burst of energy… and lets not forget how good it tastes. THIS IS ALL TRUE - BUT THE MOTIVE IS YOUR DESTRUCTION.  

Highlights from the Rabi Nimrod Simono Scholarship Awards include interviews with top achievers who share their inspirations, dreams, and visions for the future. They discuss their goals, achievements, and how they hope to use their education and talents to contribute to the Assyrian community and to Australia's broader society. We also feature an interview with the ceremony's keynote speaker, Dr Daniella Marta Beniamen.

Title: "What Are Angels?" - Hebrews 1:14; Colossians 1:16 Series: Unseen - The Truth About Angels (Week 1) Most of what people think they know about angels comes from movies, TV shows, greeting cards, and folklore—not from Scripture. We imagine chubby baby cherubs with tiny wings, deceased loved ones watching over us from heaven, or angels earning their wings through good deeds. But the Bible paints a very different picture. Angels in Scripture are powerful, terrifying, warlike beings. They're not cute. They're not former humans. And their primary job isn't to make us feel warm and fuzzy, it's to worship God and carry out His will. This message clears away the misconceptions and reveals what God's Word actually teaches about angels. We examined three foundational truths: First, angels are created beings. Colossians 1:16 makes this clear: "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible...all things were created through him and for him." Angels are not eternal. They are not self-existent. God made them for His glory. This directly refutes one of the biggest misconceptions: dead people do NOT become angels. Angels and humans are two distinct orders of creation. When you die, if you're in Christ, you go to be with the Lord—but you remain human. A glorified human, yes. A perfected human, absolutely. But still human. You don't sprout wings. You don't earn a halo. You don't become a different species. Job 38:4-7 reveals that angels existed before the earth was created. When God laid the foundation of the earth, "the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Angels witnessed creation. They were there, worshiping God as He spoke the world into existence. Angels exist for God's glory—not primarily to serve us, though they do minister to believers. Second, angels have a hierarchy. Not all angels are the same. Scripture reveals different ranks, roles, and responsibilities. Colossians 1:16 mentions "thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities"—these are angelic ranks. There's an order, a structure, a hierarchy. We explored the roles of archangels like Michael (warrior and protector) and Gabriel (messenger), cherubim (guardians associated with God's holiness), and seraphim (worshiping angels around God's throne). Isaiah 6:1-3 gives us a powerful picture of seraphim worship. Each seraph has six wings: two cover their faces (because even angels can't look directly at God's glory), two cover their feet (a sign of humility and reverence), and two are used for flying (for active service). And what are they saying? "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts"—the trisagion, emphasizing the absolute, perfect, complete holiness of God. This is what angels do. They worship. They declare God's holiness. They serve in His presence with reverence and awe. If angels—powerful, glorious beings—cover their faces in God's presence, how much more should we approach God with reverence? Third, angels are powerful and terrifying. Nearly every time an angel appears in Scripture, the first thing they say is "Fear not" or "Do not be afraid." Why? Because people are terrified when they see angels. Angels are not the soft, cuddly creatures of popular imagination. They're powerful, overwhelming, and often terrifying. Daniel 10 provides a vivid example. When Daniel sees an angel, the description is stunning: face like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, arms and legs like burnished bronze, voice like the sound of a multitude. This is not a greeting card angel. Daniel's response? He collapses. He has no strength. He falls on his face unconscious. That's the biblical response to seeing an angel. Throughout Scripture, people respond with fear: Zechariah was troubled and fearful (Luke 1:12), Mary was greatly troubled (Luke 1:29), the shepherds were filled with great fear (Luke 2:9), and the guards at Jesus' tomb trembled and became like dead men (Matthew 28:4). Angels are powerful beyond our comprehension. One angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (2 Kings 19:35). An angel struck down King Herod (Acts 12:23). An angel will seize and bind Satan for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3). But here's the good news: if you're in Christ, angels are on your side. Hebrews 1:14 says, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" These powerful, terrifying beings are sent to serve you—not because you deserve it, but because you belong to Christ. Psalm 91:11-12 promises, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." God commands His angels to protect His people. You are more protected than you realize. The message concluded with three applications: First, let go of false ideas about angels. Your loved ones didn't become angels. Angels don't earn wings. They're not here to grant wishes. Get your theology from Scripture, not culture. Second, worship God with reverence. If seraphim cover their faces before God, we should approach Him with awe. He's holy, majestic, and worthy of our deepest reverence. Third, trust God's protection. He commands His angels concerning you. You're more protected than you realize. Live in faith, not fear. The unseen world is real. Angels are real. And they're far more glorious, powerful, and awesome than anything Hollywood has shown us. But angels—as amazing as they are—are still creation. They point us to the Creator. They worship the One who is infinitely greater. Angels are created beings who exist for God's glory. And so are you. Key Scriptures: Hebrews 1:14; 2:16; 12:22, 28-29; Colossians 1:16; Job 38:4-7; Isaiah 6:1-3; Daniel 10:4-9; Psalm 91:11-12; 2 Peter 2:11; 2 Kings 6:16-17; 19:35; Matthew 7:21-23; 28:4; Luke 1:12, 29; 2:9; Acts 12:23; Revelation 5:11; 20:1-3; 22:8-9

للمراسلة او طلبة صلاة او اسئلة على العنوانEmail: info@radiocwr.comموقعنا الرسميhttps://radiocwr.com/

للمراسلة او طلبة صلاة او اسئلة على العنوانEmail: info@radiocwr.comموقعنا الرسميhttps://radiocwr.com/

تأخير الاستجابة ليس إهمالاً ولا رفضاً... بل هو تجهيز من السماء لعطية أعظم بكثير مما طلبت.للمراسلة او طلبة صلاة او اسئلة على العنوانEmail: info@radiocwr.comموقعنا الرسميhttps://radiocwr.com/

In this program; Oliver Slewa talks about the right of employees to get paid for hours on training on a job; ALC feature about Iran war and energy crisis, and in Australia Explained, Public Housing in Australia explained

We discuss the Round of 16 and why it seems like there are fewer and fewer new matchups in the Champions League knockouts and what might have to be done to address this.And then, it's time for the return of Bible History Corner and, neither a review nor a summary of Jason Staples new book Paul and the Restoration of Israel but a preparation for it with extended background first on the history of Pauline Studies, and second on the history of Ancient Judaism, the Kingdoms of Israel, the Babylonian and Assyrian conquests, and tying all of this back around to Paul so we can talk about the book. Support the show

In this episode, we engage with Dr. Themistocles Kritikakos, a Greek Australian historian and author, to discuss his groundbreaking research on intergenerational memory and genocide recognition among Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians in Australia. Dr. Kritikakos shares insights from his recently published book (Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocide Recognition in Twenty-First-Century Australia: Memory, Identity, and Cooperation (Palgrave Macmillan), highlighting the significance of shared histories and inherited trauma for these communities.

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 364, “Crying Out in Prayer to God,” Kim discusses the incident in 2 Chronicles 32:20 when King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out to the Lord on behalf of the people of Judah. We all encounter times of extreme danger, pain, and concern, when a guttural cry is the only kind of prayer we can utter. Kim shares multiple scriptures she prays in times of crisis.   Our focal passage for this episode is 2 Chronicles 32:1-23, with 20-21 as the focal verses:   20 Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven. 21 And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers. So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there with a sword.     WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT FEATURE:   When you truly cry out to the Lord, what scriptures are your default?   Additional Resources and Scriptures:   23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:23-24) 26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. (Romans 8:26-27) 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. (Psalm 91:11) 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. 9 Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me….12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you….17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. (Psalm 51:7-10, 12, 17) 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28) EMAIL — encouragingothersinlovingjesus@gmail.com Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus X - https://x.com/eoinlovingjesus?s=21&t=YcRjZQUpvP7FrJmm7Pe1hg INSTAGRAM -  https://www.instagram.com/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus” YouTube Channel: Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/@EncouragingOthersInLovingJesus   I WANT TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.   RESOURCES USED FOR BOOK OF 1 & 2 Kings (1 & 2 Chronicles) PODCASTS: “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament OT in One Volume” “Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings” by Tony Merida “The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God's Kingdom Agenda” “Life Application Study Bible” “The Swindoll Study Bible: NLT” by Charles R. Swindoll Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary “The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary” by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays (Editors) Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament, 2004, by Kenneth L. Barker, John R. Kohlenberger, III. xAI. (2026). Grok [Large language model]. https://x.ai/grok/chat      "Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus" Facebook Group:   Our Facebook Group is devoted to providing a place for us to encourage each other through all the seasons of life. Follow the provided link to request admittance into “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus”—https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ Feel free to invite others who will be good encouragers and/or need encouragement to follow Jesus.   This podcast is hosted by Kim Smith, a small town Country Girl who left her comfort zone to follow Jesus in a big City World. Now, she wants to use God's Word and lessons from her faith journey to encourage others in loving Jesus.   In each episode, Kim will share insights regarding a portion of God's Word and challenge listeners to apply the lessons to their daily lives.   If you want to grow in your faith and learn how to encourage others in loving Jesus, subscribe and commit to prayerfully listening each week.   Remember, “It's Always a Trust & Obey Kinda Day!”   If you have questions or comments or would like to learn more about how to follow Jesus, please email Kim at EncouragingOthersinLovingJesus@gmail.com.     National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline   988   https://988lifeline.org/   Reference: Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.   Podcast recorded through Cleanfeed and edited through GarageBand. The soundtrack, entitled “Outlaw John McShane” was obtained from Pixabay.     The HIDDEN Episodes:  If you can't access episodes 1-50 on your podcast app (the podcast was then entitled "A Country Girl in a City World - Loving Jesus"), you can get all the content at my Podbean site at https://acountrygirlinacityworldlovingjesus.podbean.com/  

The sermon centers on the book of Jonah as a profound revelation of God's universal mercy and sovereign purpose, challenging the narrowness of human prejudice and the tendency to resist divine calls to evangelize the unloved. Through Jonah's reluctant flight from Nineveh—a city emblematic of Assyrian cruelty and divine judgment—the preacher highlights the irony that God's mercy extends even to enemies, contrasting Jonah's nationalistic resentment with Christ's willing sacrifice for sinners. The narrative underscores that salvation belongs to the Lord alone, not to any nation, race, or tradition, and that true evangelism requires surrendering personal preferences to God's broader redemptive plan. The sermon emphasizes that disobedience leads to spiritual turmoil and divine correction, yet God remains faithful, pursuing and restoring His people despite their failures. Ultimately, it calls believers to embrace the same grace they have received, extending it without reservation to all, even those deemed unworthy, as Christ did on the cross.

2 Chronicles chapter 32 recounts King Hezekiah's response when the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatens Judah. Hezekiah strengthens the city, encourages the people, and reminds them that the Lord is greater than any earthly army. When the enemy mocks and blasphemes God, Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cry out in prayer—and God answers by striking down the invading forces. Yet the chapter also warns of pride, as Hezekiah later struggles with self-exaltation after blessing. This passage teaches that faith and prayer bring deliverance, but humility must guard the heart even after victory. Hashtags:#2Chronicles32 #Hezekiah #FaithInCrisis #GodFightsForUs #PowerOfPrayer #StayHumble #TrustTheLordBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.“Thank you for listening to SendMe Radio — where we share the Gospel, inspire faith, and keep you connected with powerful stories and updates from around the world. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a message.And remember — you can listen to SendMe Radio streaming 24/7 at www.sendmeradio.net or simply say: ‘Hey Alexa, play SendMe Radio.'

In this Program; Interview with Marie Oraham about Nimrod Simono Scholarship, Oliver Slewa talking about Rental Bond in NSW, a feature about 4th anniversary on Ukraine War

This episode explores how the Neo-Assyrian Empire actually functioned at the administrative level under Sargon II, focusing on imperial bureaucracy, logistics, and governance. Using surviving Assyrian letters and court records, we examine the real machinery of empire: provincial governors, royal magnates, intelligence networks, military command structure, taxation, construction logistics, and the role of officials like the Rab Shaqe, Turtan, Sukkallu, Sartinnu, Ummanu, and Masennu.Rather than focusing on warfare alone, this episode shows how Assyria maintained control through record-keeping, resource management, legal authority, and centralized oversight. Topics include Dur-Sharrukin's construction, Assyrian spy networks, provincial administration, legal appeals, slavery and fines, river ordeals, divination in government, and the logistics behind canal building, armies, and royal projects.Primary sources from Neo-Assyrian archives reveal how officials negotiated with the king, managed shortages, tracked materials, and enforced justice across a multi-ethnic empire. This is a deep dive into Assyrian imperial administration, ancient Near Eastern bureaucracy, and the practical realities of ruling one of history's first true empires.Keywords: Neo-Assyrian Empire, Sargon II, Assyrian administration, ancient bureaucracy, Mesopotamian government, Assyrian letters, Dur-Sharrukin, Assyrian logistics, ancient empires, Near East history, Assyrian law, provincial governors, ancient military organization, Assyrian records, Mesopotamian history.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories daily on Tiktok and Youtube Shorts.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content produced when and as I have time.

Website: Freegospelassembly.comYoutube: Free Gospel Church Assembly of GodMain Texts: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (especially verse 8, three times Paul pleaded means continually, over a period of time)Isaiah 38:4-6 (Hezekiah's experience of pleading prayer while God answers differently.)The main point illustrated in both thorny incidences is that God permits varied situation and that He promises to always answer our prayers, but He reserves the right to answer differently and in His time.God, our heavenly Father, will always respond to His children's cries: Matthew 7:7-12, “Continue to ask, seek, knock, and that He will answer us” is guaranteed but in His time and manner.Paul's “thorn in the flesh”: Satan is permitted to attack Paul, to prevent human conceit and pride. Consider Paul's extraordinary spiritual experiences and revelations (2Corinthians 12:1-7) and the danger of opening him up spiritual pride similar to those labeled by him as “super apostles” (2Corinthians 12:11-12), that were attacking him in Corinth. And while Paul didn't like it and prayed continuously (3 times) for God to lift it, God answered powerfully but differently, note verses 8 & 9.We don't know the nature of Paul's thorn, whether it was physical, spiritual, etc., it was serious enough for Paul to turn to continual pleading, and for Paul, relief came in several parts.Through a powerful prophetic word or oracle from God, whether directly or through another prophet, it is not known, but it was a powerful verse 8.It wasn't just a word or message but also a transfer of Holy Spirit power verse 9… Christ's power rests upon him to mitigate his thorny situation.This experience was so powerful that it ended in acceptance and worship verses 9 & 10.God's answer alleviated Paul in his weakened condition not only psychologically but practically, experientially; so that in the midst of his weakened state he became strong in the Lord.Hezekiah's pleading in Isaiah 38:1-6 was definitely a physical issue; it was an oracle of death delivered by Isaiah. And his pleading was intense and within a shorter amount of time.It started after an emphatic message from God through Isaiah verses 1-2.He turns to the Lord, in spite of Isaiah's word, and pleads for deliverance and healing verses 2-3.God responds in His manner and time: for Hezekiah it seems to be soon after his pleading: did God changed His mind (verses 4-6)? Also appended to God's answer to Hezekiah's answer was His merciful intervention for Jerusalem from their Assyrian oppressors (verse 6).It also ends in worship: see Hezekiah's Psalm of deliverance in Isaiah 38:9-20.In conclusion, Jesus pleaded with His father at Gethsemane and His father answered that while He would have to go to the cross, to atone for the sins of humanity, He will experience healing and victory through His Resurrection, Ascension, and Coronation as “Lord”: For all three, in their weakness, they experienced as an answer to their pleading, the strength of the Lord. They pleaded, He answered in His time and manner.AMEN

https://www.theforbiddenknowledgenetwork.comIn 1849, the ancient Assyrian capital, Nineveh, yielded a perplexing find - a set of clay tablets known as the Enuma Elish. These tablets, dating back to the 18th century BCE, reference a group of celestial beings known as the Anunnaki. These beings are described as descending from the heavens to shape humanity, a claim that challenges the traditional narrative of human evolution. Delving deeper into Sumerian records, detailed accounts of the Anunnaki's presence on Earth come to light, suggesting their involvement in monumental constructions and human DNA manipulation. The question that lingers is, were the Anunnaki merely mythological, or do their stories preserve echoes of a forgotten history? In the intricate web of the Anunnaki narrative, a significant development occurred with the disclosure of a whistleblower from the defense sectors. The individual claimed the existence of a covert program focused on reverse-engineering ancient artifacts potentially linked to extraterrestrial technologies. These artifacts bore inscriptions eerily similar to those associated with the Anunnaki, raising questions about the true origins of these relics and their implications for our understanding of human history. As we peel back the layers of secrecy and control surrounding the Anunnaki narrative, we are left to ponder the implications of a history more intertwined with the cosmos than previously imagined.

We explore the story of the good kings of Judah and the eventual downfall of Jerusalem. It explores King Hezekiah's reign during the Assyrian conquest, his prayerful plea for deliverance, and God's miraculous intervention. The narrative continues through the rule of Manasseh and his encouragement of idolatry, leading the prophets to announce doom for Judah. Despite a brief revival under King Josiah, the tragic fall of Jerusalem to Babylon occurs in 586 BC.Bible Readings2 Kings 18:17-372 Kings 19:1-362 Kings 21:1-92 Kings 22:8-13Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://bibli...

In our big Lenten episode, we explore Jesus's three temptations in the desert and all things Sawma Rama (the Great Fast). We break down Matthew's account of Jesus tempted by Satan and reflect on how Jesus overcomes each temptation through love—and how we can apply the same strength during Lent through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving to grow in love of God, love of neighbor, and proper love of self. In this Lent special, we cover: - The deeper meaning of Jesus entering the wilderness to be tempted - The unforgettable Grand Inquisitor scene from Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" - Why Jesus had to face real temptation as a man? - Pope Leo's practical Lenten message - We revisit the topic of mixed marriages in the Chaldean and Assyrian diaspora: balancing cultural preservation, language, heritage, and community concerns with the Church's priority on salvation of souls and sacramental validity. - And we BLIND RANK our favorite Lenten foods! Featuring: Fr. Chris Somo, Fr. Andrew Younan, Fr. Tristan Farida, Fr. Augustine Joseph ––– 00:00 Sawma Raba Begins 02:51 Dostoevsky's Grand Inquisitor: Love as Christ's Response 08:37 First Temptation (Bread): Deeper Hunger & Deuteronomy 13:28 Temptation vs. Exorcism: Grace, Sacraments, and Spiritual Realism 15:21 Second Temptation (Temple): Pride, Forced Faith, and Misusing Religion 23:06 Why Jesus Had to Fast: New Adam, Identity Tested, and Defeating Sin 30:45 Pope Leo's Lent Message: Fasting from Hurtful Words 33:17 Beyond ‘Not Sinning': Lent as Freedom to Love 35:20 Do Priests (and the Pope) Forget Their Homilies? 38:01 Responding to Comments on Marrying Outside the Culture 49:38 The Top 7 Lenten Foods (Blind Ranking) ––– ▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/65XzF8s52qY    

In this program, Michelle Shamoell talking about Assyrian identity and name; a feature about the global demonstration about Iran; In Australia Explained, sunscreen and how to use it.

In this episode, Michelle Shamoel (PhD: Anthropology and Social Science) speaks about identity, language, and names, and what they mean for Assyrian families today. She explains how Assyrians have protected their identity for thousands of years through culture, language, and strong community ties. Dr Shamoel encourages parents and young people to value their heritage, reminding listeners that speaking the language and keeping traditional names are powerful ways to honour the past while strengthening future generations.

Exile means a forced absence from one's home. It's a consistent theme throughout the story of God's people. Sometimes, it's the consequence of sin (Adam and Eve; Assyrian and Babylonian. exile); more often it's a call to faith (Abraham, Joseph, slavery in Egypt, David, the New Testament command to believers to live as exiles). In Jacob's case – and in ours – there's both. This message gives three expectations for exiles from Genesis 28. 

The story of Jesus beginning His ministry in Galilee reveals God's incredible strategy of bringing hope to the hopeless. When Jesus moved to Capernaum after John the Baptist's arrest, He chose a region that had been spiritually neglected for 700 years. This area of Zebulun and Naphtali had been the first to fall to Assyrian invasion in 732 BC, and its mixed population of Jews and Gentiles made it despised by Jerusalem's religious elite. The people there lived in comprehensive spiritual darkness - not just ignorance, but complete separation from God, with no hope beyond death and no light to guide their steps. Matthew reveals that this location was no accident but the fulfillment of Isaiah's ancient prophecy. God had been planning for 700 years to bring salvation first to the very place that experienced judgment first. The light that dawned was not a philosophy or program, but a person - Jesus Christ Himself. This light is described as great and dawning like the sun, bringing not just illumination but complete liberation from the shadow of death. Jesus' first word in His ministry was repent, which isn't merely feeling sorry but involves a complete reorientation of life toward God. This call to repentance is actually an invitation into His kingdom, demonstrating God's pattern of choosing the unlikely and despised to display His greatest works. For those living in any form of spiritual darkness today, the same light that dawned in Galilee continues to shine, offering hope, forgiveness, and new life through faith in Christ.

The raven and the dove shows Noah's use of science as well as spiritual progression. Noah deified in Assyrian texts. …

International Radio Day is celebrated annually on February 13th. This international observance was established by UNESCO in 2011 and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. SBS Assyrian spoke to two former SBS Assyrian producers and broadcasters, Dinkha Warda and Philip Darmo, who started the Assyrian program from 1976 until 1991. Both reflected on the role that SBS Assyrian played in helping Assyrian migrants settle in their new country and on how the radio helped people connect and tell their stories.

Jordan Jonas (@hobojordo) grew up on a farm in Idaho, rode freight trains across the US, spent time in remote Russian villages, fur trapped and travelled for several years with nomads in Siberia, and won Alone Season 6, after being the first contestant to truly thrive in the wilderness and harvest big game. You can learn more about Jordan's axes at JordanJonas.com/Axe.This episode is brought to you by:Momentous high-quality creatine for cognitive and muscular support: LiveMomentous.com/TimMonarch track, budget, plan, and do more with your money: Monarch.com/TimEight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/TimCresset family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs: CressetCapital.com/Tim*TIMESTAMPS:[00:00:00] Who is Jordan Jonas?[00:02:20] The Siberian axe gospel: Single bevel, wide eye, and why your Lowe's hatchet is basically a butter knife.[00:07:16] A Montana downpour baptism.[00:08:04] Feather sticks and ferro rods.[00:12:36] A gnarly axe-ident, a quest for an abandoned boot, and frontier convalescense in a tipi.[00:19:59] First Russian word learned, courtesy of a Moscow airport officer with zero chill.[00:21:18] Jordan's youthful faith crisis and a Trans-Siberian prayer.[00:29:16] From building an orphanage to living with the Evenki.[00:31:29] Experiencing tug-of-war hospitality between ex-con Siberian families.[00:39:34] Reindeer vs caribou.[00:45:42] The Gulag Archipelago at 17.[00:49:36] The homeschooling advantage: Finishing academics by noon, then deep-diving history for fun.[00:53:50] Campfire psychology for gentlemen.[00:56:00] Why llamas are more practical than reindeer on Jordan's expeditions in the northern United States.[01:01:37] How Jordan's grandparents found purpose and built a joyful family after surviving Assyrian genocide.[01:11:18] Dad's 12-year health collapse and facing death with radical joy.[01:18:49] Freight train philosophy and evolutionary dopamine alignment.[01:30:03] Grandma moose rodeo.[01:33:07] Alone Season 6: The "Super Bowl of survival" just south of the Arctic Circle.[01:40:38] How Jordan survived 77 days in the woods barely breaking a sweat.[01:48:21] Harvesting a moose at day 20 via Russian fence-funneling tactics.[01:56:21] Wolverine vs. man with axe, a tin can alarm, and a wife who likes rustic jewelry.[02:03:05] The crappy fate of less-than-lucky rabbit feet.[02:04:59] Fat as a survival bottleneck, and how to experience the wild with Jordan.[02:09:31] Jordan hopes his upcoming book will help readers build reservoirs of resilience before they're needed.[02:12:27] The most overlooked part of the Serenity Prayer: "Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace."[02:14:48] The wilderness as political neutral ground and other parting thoughts.For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim's email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim's books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Oldest Stories, we cover Sargon II of Assyria and his most famous campaign: the Great Invasion of Urartu (714 BCE), centered on the extraordinary Assyrian text known as Sargon's Letter to Ashur. This episode examines the Neo-Assyrian Empire, Assyrian military strategy, intelligence networks, and imperial warfare in the late 8th century BCE, drawing directly from Assyrian royal inscriptions, letters, and annals.We follow Sargon II (r. 722–705 BCE) from the construction of Dur-Sharrukin (Khorsabad) through his campaigns in Mannea, Zikirtu, Zamua, the Zagros Mountains, and deep into Urartian territory near Lake Van. Special attention is given to Assyrian spy networks and intelligence reports, including letters from the Assyrian agent Assur-resuwa, which provide rare, detailed insight into ancient espionage, reconnaissance, and military planning.The episode analyzes the Letter to Ashur, one of the most detailed narrative texts to survive from ancient Mesopotamia, describing Sargon's march routes, logistics, road construction, mountain warfare, pitched battles, and large-scale destruction. We discuss how this text differs from typical Assyrian annals, why it was written, and how it shaped Sargon's reputation as a conqueror.Major topics include:• Sargon II and the Sargonid dynasty• Assyrian military organization and logistics• Ancient Near Eastern intelligence and espionage• The Assyrian–Urartian rivalry• Mannea, Zikirtu, Musasir, and Nairi• The sack of Musasir (Ardini) and the capture of the god Ḫaldi• Destruction of Urartian cities, orchards, irrigation systems, and tax bases• Imperial propaganda vs historical reality• Ancient warfare in the Zagros Mountains• Neo-Assyrian imperial ideology and kingship• The beginning of Assyria's late imperial “golden age”This episode is ideal for listeners interested in Assyrian history, ancient Mesopotamia, Urartu, biblical-era history, ancient warfare, Near Eastern archaeology, and primary historical sources from the first millennium BCE.Oldest Stories is a long-form history podcast focused on the ancient Near East, especially Mesopotamia, Assyria, Babylon, and the surrounding world. New episodes explore royal inscriptions, letters, myths, daily life, and the political realities behind ancient empires.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories daily on Tiktok and Youtube Shorts.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content produced when and as I have time.

Assyrian Aid Relief–Australia is hosting its periodic afternoon tea to raise funds for heaters in classrooms at Assyrian schools in northern Iraq. President Shushan Tower told SBS this is the first time the event has been held in the afternoon, instead of the traditional morning tea.

Visions and Opinions is a new segment presented by Dr Michelle Shamoell (PhD), focusing on key issues affecting the Assyrian community. Each episode examines a specific topic, exploring its underlying causes and discussing potential strategies for support and healing. In this segment, we address the issue of trauma, which affects many Assyrians, and consider its origins as well as approaches toward recovery.

Hermiz Shahen, President of the Assyrian National Council, spoke to SBS about the latest preparations for the Assyrian New Year 6776 celebrations, set to take place at Fairfield Showground. Mr Shahen confirmed that numerous dignitaries from Federal, State and Local governments are expected to attend the event, which will be held on Sunday, 29 March 2026.

In this program, Dr Michelle Shamoell talks about trauma; Hermiz Shahen talks about the Assyrian New Year festival and Shushan Tower, talking about the activities of Assyrian Aid Relief Projects

In this program: Interview with Anwar Atto about the Assyrian college start of term; Feature about rise in interest rate and in Australia explained, how does IVF work in Australia.

December 17, 2025 - Wednesday PM Bible Class   This episode is a topical Deuteronomy class on curses and their consequences, led by a teacher with interactive audience discussion. The speaker begins by defining what a biblical curse is—how it differs from modern use—and gives everyday analogies (like the childhood rhyme “cross my heart and hope to die”) to show that a curse pronounces real consequences for specific behavior. The episode walks through the cluster of curses in Deuteronomy 27 (verses 15–26), explaining the offenses named there: idolatry; dishonoring parents; moving boundary markers (stealing); leading the blind astray; perverting justice for foreigners, orphans and widows; various prohibited sexual relationships; secret attacks on neighbors; bribery and murder; and the broad curse on anyone who fails to observe the law. Andy clarifies the social and legal reasons behind several items (for instance, why moving landmarks mattered) and offers biblical examples and trivia—Jeroboam's calf-worship, Naboth's vineyard, Gideon's family—to show these sins did occur in Israel's history. Next the class examines the consequences set out in Deuteronomy 28 (beginning verse 15), surveying the long list of curses: agricultural failure, disease (consumption, fever, tumors, boils), military defeat, exile, economic ruin, social collapse and more. The speaker distinguishes between natural consequences (e.g., disease spreading when purity laws are ignored) and divine interventions (e.g., exile and enforced idolatry), and points out historical fulfillment in the cycles of Judges, the divided monarchy, and the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. Audience questions and examples (including Job) are used to nuance the theology: not all suffering is direct punishment for sin, though disobedience can and did bring judgment. The class closes by connecting these Old Testament curses to the new covenant: God's seriousness about sin, the reality that God enforces moral law, and the gospel solution. The teacher highlights Deuteronomy 21:23—"he who is hanged on a tree is accursed"—as prophetic, observing that Christ bore the curse deserved by humanity so believers can be freed from the divine consequences of sin. Listeners can expect a clear, example-rich unpacking of the texts, historical parallels, pastoral insight about suffering and judgment, and practical application for living under God's covenant in light of Christ's sacrifice.   Duration 31:25

In this episode, we break down the composition of the Neo-Assyrian Army under the Sargonid dynasty (Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II, and their successors) and explain why Assyria's battlefield dominance in the 8th–7th centuries BCE was not just “more men” or “more brutality,” but a specific military system built around logistics, organization, and a flexible combined-arms force.You'll learn what the core Assyrian infantryman looked like in practice: a general-purpose soldier equipped for multiple battlefield roles (spear, sword, bow, and shield), and why that versatility mattered for campaigns, garrisons, policing, construction, and sieges. We also examine how Assyrian military service worked, including seasonal call-ups, corvée-style obligations, land-grant service (ilkum), and the expectation of plunder—structures that helped sustain long campaigns without a fully modern “paid army” model.From there, we move to the elite infantry (often associated with the royal guard) and the implications of lamellar armor in the Near Eastern heat. Armor, discipline, conditioning, and unit performance are treated as connected variables, not isolated trivia. We then reconstruct the iconic Assyrian shield-wall-and-archer system: tower shields, spear line behavior, the archer line directly behind the shields, and how this formation changes the psychology of spear-range fighting by making “safe distance” impossible.The episode also covers the auxiliary/light infantry contingents organized along ethnic lines across the Assyrian Empire—why they were valued, how unit cohesion and veterancy can create tactical flexibility, and how these forces complemented the main line. Finally, we examine mounted forces during the Sargonid period: the maturation of true cavalry, the decline of chariotry into more limited roles, early spear cavalry, horse archery, equipment constraints before saddles and widespread horse armor, and how Assyria used mobility to exploit gaps, pursue breaks, and keep operational tempo high.If you are interested in ancient warfare, the Bronze Age collapse aftermath, Neo-Assyrian history, Near Eastern military organization, imperial logistics, siege warfare, and the military reforms that shaped the ancient world, this episode is a deep, practical reconstruction grounded in how armies actually functioned on campaign and in battle.Key topics and terms for search: Neo-Assyrian Empire, Sargon II, Sargonids, Tiglath-Pileser III, Sennacherib, Assyrian army, Assyrian infantry, Assyrian royal guard, lamellar armor, scale armor, tower shields, shield wall, Assyrian archers, composite recurve bow, ancient logistics, corvée labor, ilkum land grants, plunder economy, auxiliary troops, Itu'eans, Arameans, Hittites, Elamites, Urartu, cavalry origins, chariots to cavalry transition, combined arms in antiquity, ancient battle tactics, Near East military history, 8th century BCE, 7th century BCE.Next episode preview: the campaign of 714 BCE against Urartu—one of the best documented operations of the ancient world, including intelligence, logistics, and royal correspondence.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories daily on Tiktok and Youtube Shorts.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content produced when and as I have time.

Welcome to Day 2781 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – A Critical Examination of Alexander Hislop: Why His Teachings Should Be Ignored Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2781 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2781 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled A Critical Examination of Alexander Hislop: Why His Teachings Should Be Ignored.     Alexander Hislop's The Two Babylons has long held sway in certain evangelical and fundamentalist circles. Its central claim—that Roman Catholicism is a disguised continuation of ancient Babylonian paganism—has influenced generations of Christians suspicious of the Catholic Church. Hislop argues that practices and symbols within Catholicism were derived from ancient worship of figures like Nimrod and Semiramis. Yet as modern scholarship has consistently demonstrated, these claims collapse under scrutiny. This article examines why Hislop's theories are deeply flawed, historically inaccurate, and ultimately harmful. The first segment is: A Foundation of Faulty Methodology. From the outset, Hislop's work suffers from methodological failure. Rather than employing credible historical sources, linguistic analysis, or archaeological evidence, Hislop leans heavily on speculation and forced connections. He draws parallels based on little more than superficial similarity—treating visual resemblance or name echoes as definitive proof of religious continuity. A striking example is Hislop's attempt to link the Virgin Mary with the Babylonian figure Semiramis. Rather than relying on historical context or primary sources, he builds his case on tenuous similarities and conjecture. This pattern repeats throughout the book. Hislop's conclusions are based on circular reasoning, and his work lacks the kind of critical evaluation expected in even the most basic academic research. The second segment is: Inventing the Nimrod-Semiramis Narrative. At the core of Hislop's argument is the narrative that Nimrod and Semiramis served as the original model for all pagan deities and that this archetype was smuggled into Christianity. According to Hislop, the Catholic portrayal of Mary and Jesus as a mother and child pair is simply a continuation of Babylonian goddess worship. This idea, however, has no basis in historical fact. There is no ancient evidence linking Nimrod, a biblical figure mentioned briefly in Genesis, to Semiramis, who appears centuries later in Assyrian and Greco-Roman sources. Semiramis is never presented as Nimrod's wife in any ancient record. Nor is she depicted as a fertility goddess or a “Queen of Heaven” in a context that would support Hislop's claims. Instead, she is often described as a powerful queen or military leader, not a religious figure. The pairing of Nimrod and Semiramis is entirely Hislop's invention. Furthermore, Nimrod himself is not attested in any ancient Mesopotamian inscriptions as a god, cult figure, or object of worship. Hislop's claim that Nimrod became the prototype for gods such as Osiris, Zeus, or...

We are all born. Birth is the story of all of us. So why aren't we more curious about its history? That's what historian Lucy Inglis wanted to know. She's spent 15 years researching birth – around the globe, and across the centuries. “When you go into labour, you are a ship on the sea," says Inglis, referring to an ancient Assyrian chant acknowledging the physical perils of giving birth. While medical advances and greater freedom of choice inform birth in countries like England and Canada today, her book Born: A History of Childbirth argues that birth has a deep global history that proves it has always been a highwire act, shaped by both nature and culture. IDEAS explores the visceral, intimate realities of childbirth that have always been in evidence.

Jesus fulfilled the law! It says so right there in Matthew. But what on earth does that actually mean? Different people have had vastly different interpretations of that idea, and the consequences of their ideas are significant! Are the old laws still in effect, or did Jesus abolish them? Should we throw away Leviticus? Should we stop eating shellfish? What does it mean??? Then, since we talked about Deuteronomy rules of war last week, we're going to take another look. We mentioned the Assyrian vassalage treaties, but only scratched the surface of that lunacy! What do the laws of God have to do with the terms forced on conquered territories by tyrannical rulers? Did God copy from the notes of Assyrian rulers? Is this connection valid or a stretch? And who is S. R. Haddon? ---- For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠      Follow us on the various social media places: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Bible Says So⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ yet??? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you know about baptism? Why do Christians do it? Where does it come from? This week, we're exploring the most important baptism of all: that of Jesus. It's clearly a pivotal moment in the narrative of the life of Jesus, but it also presents some pretty important theological problems. And if it's so important, why do the gospels seem to disagree about how it went down? Then, we're looking at Deuteronomy through a very surprising lens: Assyrian vassalage treaties! And before your eyes glaze over- trust me: this is crazy stuff! What do the (second) laws of God, as they are laid out in the fifth book of the Torah, have to do with the terms given to conquered territories by tyrannical rulers in post-exilic times? Is this connection valid or a stretch? And who is S. R. Haddon? ---- For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠      Follow us on the various social media places: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/data_over_dogma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Bible Says So⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ yet??? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices