Podcasts about Awe

"I want to speak the words of life. I want to believe the words of life. I want to speak over myself the words of life. And you just can't do that unless they're in you."— Natalie AbbottToday's episode: Join sisters and Dwell cofounders, Vera Schmitz and Natalie Abbott as they walk through the past year and how they were impacted by God's Word. You'll hear about the power and the importance of getting Scripture into your heart and mind. And hopefully you'll be inspired to memorize even just one verse and see how God will use his Word powerfully in your own life. This month's memory verse: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” — Isaiah 9:2 Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently's monthly membership!Support our show: It's really just as simple as leaving us a review!Links from today's show: Be encouraged with bite-sized biblical truth in New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp.Find empathy, wisdom, and real-life stories in When Dreams Fall Apart, by Jennifer Lucy Tyler.Dwell on God's character in Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe, by Carolyn Lacey.Join Dwell Differently, and start memorizing in 2026!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

This time we flash back to the past with more memories of Rob Reiner. First, John interviews Rob for the Tell Me Everything Town Hall back in June 2018 and they promote his movie "Shock and Awe". Then, we jump to another interview from last year with Rob and Dan Partland and they promote their movie "God & Country".See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Awe of Joseph by

The Awe of Advent by

"One night I'm sitting out in my car, smoking a cigarette, and I look up at the church (cause it's always lit up) and the tree that's on the front corner...is engulfed in flames. I got joy for a second, you know. Like, 'oh this is good.' But I'm looking at it, and it's burning...but it's not being consumed."— Patrick MahonToday's Episode: Listen in as Natalie's friend Patrick Mahon shares his remarkable testimony of God's work in his life to bring him out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light. It's a powerful story of miraculous transformation. You won't want to miss it! Note: this episode is not appropriate for younger listeners. This month's memory verse: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” — Isaiah 9:2 Today's guest: Patrick Mahon is a member of Central Church in Jefferson City, Missouri, where Natalie's husband is the pastor. Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently's monthly membership!Love this show? Support us by leaving a review.Links from today's show: Be encouraged with bite-sized biblical truth in New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp.Find empathy, wisdom, and real-life stories in When Dreams Fall Apart, by Jennifer Lucy Tyler.Dwell on God's character in Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe, by Carolyn Lacey.Join Dwell Differently, and start memorizing in 2026!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

Twas a Perv Christmas. Christmas eve with your favorite, kinky, perverted family. (2 poems) Based on a post by Sancho Hardbottle. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Twas the night before Christmas,and all through the dwelling. Not a creature was stirring,'cept my cock, which was swelling; From walls hung portraits,setting the mood, Above the mantel hung Grandma,She posed fullly nude; Down the hall, on her bed,Coed stepsister did sit, A vibrating dildo,rubbed on her hard clit; Stepmom in panties,and I in the nude. Had just readied our loins,before getting screwed. When from outside the window,there arose such a cry, My head darted up,from stepmom’s wet thigh; Jen's eyes got so wide,as we both turned to see, Just what sort of Christmas,the visit might be; The moonbeams bounced off,the snow all so white, I blinked as I tried to,make sure of my sight, What did I see,that gave me such pause? It was the round, jolly face,of old Santa Clause! Framed in the window, red cheeks and a beard, When in through the doorway,Buxy Susan appeared; I opened the window,we pulled him within, Jenny glanced at her daughter,then said with a grin: “Santa! We're busy,You're spying, You creep! I’m riding my stepson,and you try to peep! That’s awfully spotty,for man such as you! I wonder what naughty,kinky perversions you do! Now please come on in,and join the fun, We’ll be on the nice list,when finally done!” Quick as the devil,Jen's down on her knees, Tugging his Pants off,as fast as she please, The Sled Musher looked down,his eyes wide with shock, When out of his britches,popped his massive cock, She started to suck him,with skills of a pro, And Santa exclaimed,“Sue, Your Mom's a Ho!” My stepsister laughed,as she fell to Jen’s side, She opened her mouth,took both ball's inside, Her tongue lapped and writhed,his scrotum with care, As Jen bobbed on his shaft,and came up for air, She said, “I’ve taught her well,don’t you think St. Nick? Watching her lick you,gets my pussy all slick.” They sprung to their feet,and got back in bed, “Why don’t you fuck her,while Billy gives me head?” Susan then beamed,and she squealed with delight, then spread her legs and cried,“hurry down my chimney tonight!” And taking my cue,I crawled to Jen’s bits, my tongue, ran up through it,from the crack to the slit, Santa rushed forward,his hard swollen tip, And rubbed it on Susan's,soft, shaven lips; As he pushed it inside,Susan’s ass gave a leap, He was all the way in her,rigid hard and balls deep; Watching her daughter,Jen gave a moan, My tongue pushed down firmly,her clit hard as a bone; Susan writhed on the mattress,her feet in the air, While Santa Clause thrusted,Jen gripped on my hair; At once her back arched,and her toes they did curl, My sister shouted, “Don't stop! I'm Cumming!”while I sucked Jenny's Pearl; Jen pushed my face up,my chin wet with juice, And she said, “My turn! Santa,put my twat to good use!” Her lips stuck out,from under her ass, Santa slid out of Susan,said, “Awe! There’s a good lass!” He went behind Jenny,and in her he plowed, His log hit her g-spot,she cried out aloud; Still horny myself,”Stepsis, want some more?” Got on her knees and said,“Billy, make me a whore!” Sue knelt before Jenny,I poked in her cunt, Jen groaned as I panted,and I heard Santa grunt; He pulled on Jen's hair,Mom’s face all a glow, I pounded up, Susan’s,tits bounced too and fro; She cooed as I fucked her,I smiled at her mother, “Sue, you get along well,with your stepBrother.” We're all moving faster,the bed rocked and squeaked, There's magic in the air,as we all reached our peak; Then Jen started first,a long, bellow scream, Susan came next,as I filled her with cream; With eyes all a twinkle,Saint Nick shot his load, It was a Miracle,Mom didn’t explode! I pulled out of Sue,Nick pulled out of Jen, They fell to the sheets,cunts full to the brim; They both were in giggles,together they squirmed, then straddling each other,they sucked out the sperm; Sue looked up at Nick,her eyes had a glint, Licking her lips, said,“Yum! tastes like mint.” Nick stumbled backwards,and pulled up his drawers, His face was beat red,sweat flowed from his pours; He got to the Window,about to slip out, But paused and he turned,and said with a shout: “You people are lovely,That much I will say! But tonight you're naughty,since Harold's away!” Based on a post by Sancho Hardbottle, for Lush Stories. How The Inch Stole Xmas. From The Fucks down in Fucksville. Based on a post by Sancho Hardbottle. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Every Fuck down in Fucksville liked Xmas a lot; But the Inch, who lived just north of Fucksville, did not! The Inch hated Xmas! The whole Xmas season! Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be that his testicles were hung up far too high. It could be, perhaps, that his bladder was shy. But I think that the most likely reason of all, May have been that his cock was two sizes too small. But who cares why? The guy was a schmuck, He stood there on Xmas Eve, hating the Fucks, Staring down from his lair with swollen, blue balls, At the radiantly lit windows below in their halls. For he knew that every Fuck down where he gazed, Was busy now, having their pubic hair shaved. "And they're trying on their nighties!" he snarled with a sneer, "Tomorrow is Xmas! It's practically here!" Then he growled, with his Inch fingers nervously drumming, "I must find some way to stop all those Fuckers from cumming!" For tomorrow, he knew, all the lusty studs and sluts, Would wake nice and horny. They'd all start to rut! And then! Oh, the moans! Oh, the moans! Moans! Moans! Moans! That's one thing he hated! The moans! Moans! Moans! Moans! Then the Fucks, barely legal and mature, would hump. And they'd hump! And they'd hump! And they'd hump! Hump! Hump! Hump! They would hump in their pussies, and tight little rumps. Which was something that put the Inch down in the dumps! And then the thing that he hated most would begin! Every Fuck down in Fucksville, the fat and the thin, Would lay close together, with their vibrators humming. They'd lay side-by-side. And the Fucks would start cumming! They'd cum! And they'd cum! And they'd cum! Cum! Cum! Cum! And the more the Inch thought of this Fuckville wide climax, The more he thought, "I must stop this whole thing in its tracks!" "Why, for sixty-nine years I've put up with it now!" "I must stop this Xmas from coming! But how?" Then he got an idea! A nasty idea! The Inch got a wonderful, nasty idea! "I know just what to do!" The Inch laughed in his throat. And he made a quick wide brimmed hat and a coat. And he chuckled, and clucked, "I am such a devilish Imp!" "With this coat and this hat, I look just like a Pimp!" "All I need is a hooker." The Inch looked around. But, since the Inch had no Hos, there was none to be found. Did that stop the old bastard? No! The Inch simply said, "If I can't find a woman, I'll make one instead!" So he gathered some straw, and he formed it into shape, And he planted a red wig on its head with some tape. Then he grabbed the straw woman and a few old rucksacks, And then jumped behind the wheel of his rusty old Cadillac. Then the Inch said, "Let’s go!" And the jalopy started down, Toward the homes where the Fucks lay asnooze in their town. All their windows were dark. Soft groans filled the air. The Fucks were all dreaming wet dreams without care. When he came to the first flophouse on the square. "This place will work for a start," the old Inchy Pimp hissed, And he jumped into the window, empty bags in his fist. Then he crept into the living room, on the tips of his toes, past the discarded condoms and piles of clothes. And into the parlor, the Inch gleefully strolled. In the middle of the room was a polished stripper pole. Laid out beneath it were wondrous sex toys galore. "They won’t need these!" he chuckled, as he started his chore. Then he slithered and slunk, with his heart starting to sing, Around the whole room, and he stole every plaything! Dildos! And Sybians! Anal beads! Balls! French Ticklers! Massagers! Butt plugs! And dolls! And he stuffed them in sacks. Then the Inch, the old baddie, Threw the sacks, into the trunk of his Caddy! Then he snuck to the bathroom. He took every pill! He took the ribbed condoms! All the sensual thrills! He cleaned out the bathroom of the last drop of lube. Why, that Inch left nothing but one single pube! Then he threw all the junk into the car with scorn. "And now!" growled the Inch, "I will take all the porn!" And the Inch grabbed films, dirty books and magazines, When a small voice almost made him jump out of his jeans. He turned around fast, and he saw a young Fuck! Petite Cindy-Blew You, who was naked as buck. The Inch had been caught by this 22 year-old miss, Who'd got out of bed to use the commode for a piss. She gazed at the Inch and said, "Mister Pimp, why,” "Why are you taking our Pornography? Why?" But, you know, that old Inch was such a clever old prick, He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick! "Why, my dear sweet vixen," the bogus Pimp dissembled, "This smut is terrible!” he said, with nary a tremble. "So I'm switching it out, for something much less of a bore." "I'll be back in a flash. With something much more hardcore!" And his fib fooled the minx. Then he patted her bottom, And he went to the loo, never knowing she caught him. And when Cindy-Blew You curled up under her sheet, He grabbed the last bag and chucked it in the street! Then the last thing he stole was their pole for stripping! Then he jumped out the window, practically skipping. He left nothing, no cuffs, no rope. no whips for whipping. And the one drop of lube he left was a crock, It wasn’t enough for even his tiny cock! He did the same thing to every house on every block, Leaving drops much too small for the every Fucks’ cock! There was one hour left before the Fucks started to rise, He decided that heading to his cave would be wise, The car was so stuffed with trinkets it had started to slump! With gags! And with cock rings! With clamps! And clit pumps! Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mt. Pumpit, He drove with his load to the tiptop to dump it! "Yuck yuck to the Fucks!" he was wickedly singing. "They're finding out now what the morning is bringing!" "They're just waking up! With their morning wood throbbing!" "They’ll look all around them and then they’ll start sobbing, For the Fucks down in Fucksville will see all my robbing!" "That's a noise," grinned the Inch, "That I simply must hear!" So he paused. And the Inch put his hand to his ear. And he did hear a sound rising over the snow. It started in low. Then it started to grow. But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound was climatic! It couldn't be so! But it this sound was loud and dramatic! He stared down at Fucksville! The Inch growled in disgust! Then he shook! What he saw was shocking, terrible lust! Every Fuck down in Fucksville, the thin and the fat, Was humping! Without any sex toys at that! He hadn't stopped Xmas from coming! They came! Somehow or other, they came just the same! And the Inch, as he watched them suck and blow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?" "It came with out vibrators! It came without smut!" "It came without lubricates, or plugs in the butt!" And he stared on for hours, and then something felt sore. Then the Inch looked down at something he hadn't before! "Holy shit! I have an erection!” the amazed Inch swore. "Maybe Xmas;perhaps;isn’t so much of a snore!" And what happened then? Well;in Fucksville they say, That the Inch’s micro cock grew five sizes that day! And as his member filled and hung low and swollen, He jumped in his ride to return all the loot he had stolen, And he gave it all back! All the gizmos, gadgets and the tidbits! And he, he himself! The Inch, came on Cindy-Blew’s tits! Based on a post by Sancho Hardbottle, for Lush Stories.

Twas a Perv Christmas. Christmas eve with your favorite, kinky, perverted family. (2 poems) Based on a post by Sancho Hardbottle. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Twas the night before Christmas,and all through the dwelling. Not a creature was stirring,'cept my cock, which was swelling; From walls hung portraits,setting the mood, Above the mantel hung Grandma,She posed fullly nude; Down the hall, on her bed,Coed stepsister did sit, A vibrating dildo,rubbed on her hard clit; Stepmom in panties,and I in the nude. Had just readied our loins,before getting screwed. When from outside the window,there arose such a cry, My head darted up,from stepmom’s wet thigh; Jen's eyes got so wide,as we both turned to see, Just what sort of Christmas,the visit might be; The moonbeams bounced off,the snow all so white, I blinked as I tried to,make sure of my sight, What did I see,that gave me such pause? It was the round, jolly face,of old Santa Clause! Framed in the window, red cheeks and a beard, When in through the doorway,Buxy Susan appeared; I opened the window,we pulled him within, Jenny glanced at her daughter,then said with a grin: “Santa! We're busy,You're spying, You creep! I’m riding my stepson,and you try to peep! That’s awfully spotty,for man such as you! I wonder what naughty,kinky perversions you do! Now please come on in,and join the fun, We’ll be on the nice list,when finally done!” Quick as the devil,Jen's down on her knees, Tugging his Pants off,as fast as she please, The Sled Musher looked down,his eyes wide with shock, When out of his britches,popped his massive cock, She started to suck him,with skills of a pro, And Santa exclaimed,“Sue, Your Mom's a Ho!” My stepsister laughed,as she fell to Jen’s side, She opened her mouth,took both ball's inside, Her tongue lapped and writhed,his scrotum with care, As Jen bobbed on his shaft,and came up for air, She said, “I’ve taught her well,don’t you think St. Nick? Watching her lick you,gets my pussy all slick.” They sprung to their feet,and got back in bed, “Why don’t you fuck her,while Billy gives me head?” Susan then beamed,and she squealed with delight, then spread her legs and cried,“hurry down my chimney tonight!” And taking my cue,I crawled to Jen’s bits, my tongue, ran up through it,from the crack to the slit, Santa rushed forward,his hard swollen tip, And rubbed it on Susan's,soft, shaven lips; As he pushed it inside,Susan’s ass gave a leap, He was all the way in her,rigid hard and balls deep; Watching her daughter,Jen gave a moan, My tongue pushed down firmly,her clit hard as a bone; Susan writhed on the mattress,her feet in the air, While Santa Clause thrusted,Jen gripped on my hair; At once her back arched,and her toes they did curl, My sister shouted, “Don't stop! I'm Cumming!”while I sucked Jenny's Pearl; Jen pushed my face up,my chin wet with juice, And she said, “My turn! Santa,put my twat to good use!” Her lips stuck out,from under her ass, Santa slid out of Susan,said, “Awe! There’s a good lass!” He went behind Jenny,and in her he plowed, His log hit her g-spot,she cried out aloud; Still horny myself,”Stepsis, want some more?” Got on her knees and said,“Billy, make me a whore!” Sue knelt before Jenny,I poked in her cunt, Jen groaned as I panted,and I heard Santa grunt; He pulled on Jen's hair,Mom’s face all a glow, I pounded up, Susan’s,tits bounced too and fro; She cooed as I fucked her,I smiled at her mother, “Sue, you get along well,with your stepBrother.” We're all moving faster,the bed rocked and squeaked, There's magic in the air,as we all reached our peak; Then Jen started first,a long, bellow scream, Susan came next,as I filled her with cream; With eyes all a twinkle,Saint Nick shot his load, It was a Miracle,Mom didn’t explode! I pulled out of Sue,Nick pulled out of Jen, They fell to the sheets,cunts full to the brim; They both were in giggles,together they squirmed, then straddling each other,they sucked out the sperm; Sue looked up at Nick,her eyes had a glint, Licking her lips, said,“Yum! tastes like mint.” Nick stumbled backwards,and pulled up his drawers, His face was beat red,sweat flowed from his pours; He got to the Window,about to slip out, But paused and he turned,and said with a shout: “You people are lovely,That much I will say! But tonight you're naughty,since Harold's away!” Based on a post by Sancho Hardbottle, for Lush Stories. How The Inch Stole Xmas. From The Fucks down in Fucksville. Based on a post by Sancho Hardbottle. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Every Fuck down in Fucksville liked Xmas a lot; But the Inch, who lived just north of Fucksville, did not! The Inch hated Xmas! The whole Xmas season! Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be that his testicles were hung up far too high. It could be, perhaps, that his bladder was shy. But I think that the most likely reason of all, May have been that his cock was two sizes too small. But who cares why? The guy was a schmuck, He stood there on Xmas Eve, hating the Fucks, Staring down from his lair with swollen, blue balls, At the radiantly lit windows below in their halls. For he knew that every Fuck down where he gazed, Was busy now, having their pubic hair shaved. "And they're trying on their nighties!" he snarled with a sneer, "Tomorrow is Xmas! It's practically here!" Then he growled, with his Inch fingers nervously drumming, "I must find some way to stop all those Fuckers from cumming!" For tomorrow, he knew, all the lusty studs and sluts, Would wake nice and horny. They'd all start to rut! And then! Oh, the moans! Oh, the moans! Moans! Moans! Moans! That's one thing he hated! The moans! Moans! Moans! Moans! Then the Fucks, barely legal and mature, would hump. And they'd hump! And they'd hump! And they'd hump! Hump! Hump! Hump! They would hump in their pussies, and tight little rumps. Which was something that put the Inch down in the dumps! And then the thing that he hated most would begin! Every Fuck down in Fucksville, the fat and the thin, Would lay close together, with their vibrators humming. They'd lay side-by-side. And the Fucks would start cumming! They'd cum! And they'd cum! And they'd cum! Cum! Cum! Cum! And the more the Inch thought of this Fuckville wide climax, The more he thought, "I must stop this whole thing in its tracks!" "Why, for sixty-nine years I've put up with it now!" "I must stop this Xmas from coming! But how?" Then he got an idea! A nasty idea! The Inch got a wonderful, nasty idea! "I know just what to do!" The Inch laughed in his throat. And he made a quick wide brimmed hat and a coat. And he chuckled, and clucked, "I am such a devilish Imp!" "With this coat and this hat, I look just like a Pimp!" "All I need is a hooker." The Inch looked around. But, since the Inch had no Hos, there was none to be found. Did that stop the old bastard? No! The Inch simply said, "If I can't find a woman, I'll make one instead!" So he gathered some straw, and he formed it into shape, And he planted a red wig on its head with some tape. Then he grabbed the straw woman and a few old rucksacks, And then jumped behind the wheel of his rusty old Cadillac. Then the Inch said, "Let’s go!" And the jalopy started down, Toward the homes where the Fucks lay asnooze in their town. All their windows were dark. Soft groans filled the air. The Fucks were all dreaming wet dreams without care. When he came to the first flophouse on the square. "This place will work for a start," the old Inchy Pimp hissed, And he jumped into the window, empty bags in his fist. Then he crept into the living room, on the tips of his toes, past the discarded condoms and piles of clothes. And into the parlor, the Inch gleefully strolled. In the middle of the room was a polished stripper pole. Laid out beneath it were wondrous sex toys galore. "They won’t need these!" he chuckled, as he started his chore. Then he slithered and slunk, with his heart starting to sing, Around the whole room, and he stole every plaything! Dildos! And Sybians! Anal beads! Balls! French Ticklers! Massagers! Butt plugs! And dolls! And he stuffed them in sacks. Then the Inch, the old baddie, Threw the sacks, into the trunk of his Caddy! Then he snuck to the bathroom. He took every pill! He took the ribbed condoms! All the sensual thrills! He cleaned out the bathroom of the last drop of lube. Why, that Inch left nothing but one single pube! Then he threw all the junk into the car with scorn. "And now!" growled the Inch, "I will take all the porn!" And the Inch grabbed films, dirty books and magazines, When a small voice almost made him jump out of his jeans. He turned around fast, and he saw a young Fuck! Petite Cindy-Blew You, who was naked as buck. The Inch had been caught by this 22 year-old miss, Who'd got out of bed to use the commode for a piss. She gazed at the Inch and said, "Mister Pimp, why,” "Why are you taking our Pornography? Why?" But, you know, that old Inch was such a clever old prick, He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick! "Why, my dear sweet vixen," the bogus Pimp dissembled, "This smut is terrible!” he said, with nary a tremble. "So I'm switching it out, for something much less of a bore." "I'll be back in a flash. With something much more hardcore!" And his fib fooled the minx. Then he patted her bottom, And he went to the loo, never knowing she caught him. And when Cindy-Blew You curled up under her sheet, He grabbed the last bag and chucked it in the street! Then the last thing he stole was their pole for stripping! Then he jumped out the window, practically skipping. He left nothing, no cuffs, no rope. no whips for whipping. And the one drop of lube he left was a crock, It wasn’t enough for even his tiny cock! He did the same thing to every house on every block, Leaving drops much too small for the every Fucks’ cock! There was one hour left before the Fucks started to rise, He decided that heading to his cave would be wise, The car was so stuffed with trinkets it had started to slump! With gags! And with cock rings! With clamps! And clit pumps! Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mt. Pumpit, He drove with his load to the tiptop to dump it! "Yuck yuck to the Fucks!" he was wickedly singing. "They're finding out now what the morning is bringing!" "They're just waking up! With their morning wood throbbing!" "They’ll look all around them and then they’ll start sobbing, For the Fucks down in Fucksville will see all my robbing!" "That's a noise," grinned the Inch, "That I simply must hear!" So he paused. And the Inch put his hand to his ear. And he did hear a sound rising over the snow. It started in low. Then it started to grow. But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound was climatic! It couldn't be so! But it this sound was loud and dramatic! He stared down at Fucksville! The Inch growled in disgust! Then he shook! What he saw was shocking, terrible lust! Every Fuck down in Fucksville, the thin and the fat, Was humping! Without any sex toys at that! He hadn't stopped Xmas from coming! They came! Somehow or other, they came just the same! And the Inch, as he watched them suck and blow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?" "It came with out vibrators! It came without smut!" "It came without lubricates, or plugs in the butt!" And he stared on for hours, and then something felt sore. Then the Inch looked down at something he hadn't before! "Holy shit! I have an erection!” the amazed Inch swore. "Maybe Xmas;perhaps;isn’t so much of a snore!" And what happened then? Well;in Fucksville they say, That the Inch’s micro cock grew five sizes that day! And as his member filled and hung low and swollen, He jumped in his ride to return all the loot he had stolen, And he gave it all back! All the gizmos, gadgets and the tidbits! And he, he himself! The Inch, came on Cindy-Blew’s tits! Based on a post by Sancho Hardbottle, for Lush Stories.

Nella puntata di oggi, per ricordare Rob Reiner, analizziamo alcuni dei suoi film più importanti. Nell'ordine, parliamo di:(05:30) Stand by Me(25:16) Harry ti presento Sally(34:46) Misery non deve morire(39:54) Codice d'onore(01:09:37) Vizi di famiglia(01:14:07) Attacco alla verità - Shock and Awe

Awe and Wonder: Candlelight - Part 3 - Pastor Andrew DamazioThis week, we wrap up our Christmas series with a special candlelight message!Wanting to learn more about the Apostle's Creed? Check out our sermon series on The Creed: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwZ8Q5uXZFycJqzC84Jlsl7yf2hTbwk5K&si=yr7KMP0hIjwupu0YWant to connect more with Rose Church? Find more information at https://www.rosechurch.org and give at - https://www.rosechurch.org/give Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss more incredible sermons like this one or previous series like “I Am” or “The Tension of Faith” from Pastor Andrew Damazio, Dr. AJ Swoboda, Pastor Julia Damazio and many other incredible pastors!Thanks for watching!

We explore Solomon's astonishment in 2 Chronicles 6 and trace the story to Jesus tabernacling among us and the Spirit dwelling within us. Awe turns practical as we ask how to honor God with our bodies as living temples shaped by Romans 8 power.• Solomon's dedication of the temple and the question of God dwelling with people• The incarnation as God tabernacling among us in John 1• Jesus as the final sacrifice fulfilling the temple's purpose• Our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 6• Living sacrifice as daily obedience and uncluttering the heart• Romans 8 power for holiness, assurance, and embodied worship• Recovering awe, fear of the Lord, and humble dependenceSend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Episode Summary//

Luke Skywalker, shut up and eat your jelly! As everyone knows, Christmas is like Cursed Objects Christmas, and so sure enough: it's the long-awaited CO Christmas Special. REJOICE! This year, we are talking about childhood experiences of Christmas, then and now. Starting off with toy crazes, from Optimus Prime to Cabbage Patch Dolls, and therefore, the true meaning of Christmas: supply-chain economics. “Kids used to be satisfied by a promissory bond!” Kasia rightly complains. We discuss our own childhood moments of WONDER and AWE, Dalmation-related magick, votive offerings to Father Christmas, and the varied acts of parental pageantry required by the season. We learn that Wu-Tang Clan are not just for Christmas - Raekwon is a year-round commitment - ask whether Darth Vader is the original Grinch, why children are such sticklers for the rules (and such fans of Dostoevsky), and introduce perhaps correctly overlooked festive characters Krampus and Farmhand Rupert, Santa's designated driver and NPC. Have a wonderful holiday, love from Kasia, Dan, Nick and Archie - see you in 2026! x ~~~~~ Christmas is a time of giving, so do please consider supporting our Patreon: To access a back catalogue of over 30 exclusive bonus eps it is STILL ONLY £4 a month to sign up, and support your favourite cultural historians: https://www.patreon.com/c/cursedobjects ~~~~~ Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick Artwork: Archie Bashford

"The amount of time that we spend on our screens, the amount of time that we spend numbing ourselves, the amount of time that we "check out" as people, as parents, as friends....It's amazing to me how more and more isolated we have become as a culture in the last 20 years and the last 5 years and the last year."— Natalie AbbottToday's episode: Join Dwell Differently cofounders and sisters Natalie Abbott and Vera Schmitz as they talk about darkness and light from a biblical perspective. They share personal stories, including Vera's childhood fear of the dark. They talk about the temptation to isolate in the dark and to numb ourselves with false comforts instead of walking in the true freedom and peace we find only in the light of Jesus. You'll love this heartfelt encouragement to bask in the warmth of God's light.This month's memory verse: "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." — Habakkuk 3:18Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently's monthly membership!Support our show: It's really just as simple as leaving us a review!Links from today's show: Be encouraged with bite-sized biblical truth in New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp.Find empathy, wisdom, and real-life stories in When Dreams Fall Apart, by Jennifer Lucy Tyler.Dwell on God's character in Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe, by Carolyn Lacey.Looking to give your loved one God's Word in the new year? Consider giving the gift of Dwell Differently!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

Reclaiming your sense of "Awe" after a high demand / high control religion is important. For decades, many of us were told our feelings and transcendent experiences were tied directly to the LDS church and were confirmation that the church was true. Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner is a book that explores how experiences of awe—moments that spark wonder, vastness, and deep emotional resonance—can meaningfully improve our well-being. Our own sense of individual awe helps us feel more connected, reduces stress, broadens our perspective, and inspires kindness. When you take control of your own feeling and experiences it's a whole new day. Mormonish is joined by Steph H. and Lila Tueller as we discuss what it means to seek out awe in everyday life, whether through nature, creativity, spirituality, or human connection, as a path to greater fulfillment and resilience.

In this Greatest Hits episode of TechMagic, hosts Cathy Hackl and Adam Davis McGee dive into the cutting edge of spatial computing, AI, and extended reality. Join Cathy and Adam as they unpack Meta's XR partnership with Palmer Luckey, Snap's smart glasses ambitions, and Apple's sleek AR design strategy. Cathy dives into the strange world of vibe coding and discovers anyone can gamify the pitfalls of the dating scene. The conversation also explores AI dating experiments, haptic tech in entertainment, and the evolving ethics of privacy in a spatially connected world. With insights from AWE and ILMxLAB, they reflect on the shift from storytelling to “story living” and highlight key legislation shaping AI security. A must-listen for anyone tracking the future of tech-human interaction.Come for the tech, stay for the magic!Cathy Hackl BioCathy Hackl is a globally recognized tech & gaming executive, futurist, and speaker focused on spatial computing, virtual worlds, augmented reality, AI, strategic foresight, and gaming platforms strategy. She's one of the top tech voices on LinkedIn and is the CEO of Spatial Dynamics, a spatial computing and AI solutions company, including gaming. Cathy has worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Magic Leap, and HTC VIVE and has advised companies like Nike, Ralph Lauren, Walmart, Louis Vuitton, and Clinique on their emerging tech and gaming journeys. She has spoken at Harvard Business School, MIT, SXSW, Comic-Con, WEF Annual Meeting in Davos 2023, CES, MWC, Vogue's Forces of Fashion, and more. Cathy Hackl on LinkedInSpatial Dynamics on LinkedInLee Kebler BioLee has been at the forefront of blending technology and entertainment since 2003, creating advanced studios for icons like Will.i.am and producing music for Britney Spears and Big & Rich. Pioneering in VR since 2016, he has managed enterprise data at Nike, led VR broadcasting for Intel at the Japan 2020 Olympics, and driven large-scale marketing campaigns for Walmart, Levi's, and Nasdaq. A TEDx speaker on enterprise VR, Lee is currently authoring a book on generative AI and delving into splinternet theory and data privacy as new tech laws unfold across the US.Lee Kebler on LinkedInAdam Davis-McGee BioAdam Davis-McGee is a dynamic Creative Director and Producer specializing in immersive storytelling across XR and traditional media. As Senior Producer at Journey, he led the virtual studio, pioneering cutting-edge virtual experiences. He developed a Web3 playbook for Yum! Brands, integrating blockchain and NFT strategies. At Condé Nast, Adam produced engaging video content for Wired and Ars Technica, amplifying digital storytelling. His groundbreaking XR journalism project, In Protest: Grassroots Stories from the Frontlines (Oculus/Meta), captured historic moments in VR. Passionate about pushing creative boundaries, Adam thrives on crafting innovative narratives that captivate audiences worldwide.Adam Davis-McGee on LinkedInKey Discussion Topics:00:00 Intro: Welcome to Tech Magic with Cathy Hackl06:33 Meta's Eagle Eye: Military XR Partnership with Palmer Luckey14:05 Apple's Liquid Glass: Paving the Way for AR Glasses17:25 Haptic Innovation: Apple's F1 Movie Trailer Experience19:18 Human vs AI: Why F1 Racing Needs the Human Element22:27 Browser History Dating: AI's Latest Match-Making Experiment26:27 Snap's Vision: Consumer Smart Glasses Coming in 202631:27 From Storytelling to Story Living: ILMxLAB's Immersive Future33:54 Closing Thoughts: Summer Break Announcement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Awe of the Shepherds by

In today’s special year-end holiday episode, host Heather Creekmore welcomes author and speaker Cynthia Ruchti to the show for an uplifting conversation perfectly suited to the busy woman navigating the Christmas season. As the holidays approach, the to-do lists are long, and the “reason for the season” can easily get lost amid shopping, family obligations, and endless tasks. Heather Creekmore and Cynthia Ruchti encourage listeners to pause, ponder, and rediscover the wonder of Christmas, focusing on spiritual renewal rather than exhausting productivity. Together, they discuss Cynthia’s Christmas devotional, her insights on noticing God’s presence, embracing lingering and pondering, and shifting our attitudes to receive what God has truly prepared for us—even in the midst of chaos, disappointment, and the “distribution of labor” that often falls to women during the holidays. The episode is packed with relatable holiday circumstances, biblical reflections, real-life stories, and practical encouragement to rest in the joy, awe, and wonder that Christmas offers. Key Topics Discussed: Why slowing down and observing brings more spiritual refreshment than staying busy The power of “lingering”—with God, with loved ones, and in the moment God’s upside-down kingdom and the abundance found in trusting Him with our time and resources Noticing God in both the seen and the unseen aspects of the Christmas story The message of redemption woven throughout Scripture, from Isaiah to the nativity What holiday mishaps (yes, even broken goblets!) can teach us about perspective and joy Reframing holiday serving as a gift for ourselves, not just for others How to keep awe and wonder alive in our hearts, even when Christmas feels like another item on the checklist Practical encouragement for busy moms and grandmas feeling the holiday load Using Cynthia’s 26-day devotional for a richer, more intentional holiday season Resources & Links: Get Cynthia’s Christmas devotional book, Spirit of Christmas: Discovering His Presence (available on Amazon and hemmedinhope.com) *Amazon affiiate link, a tiny portion of your purchase will support this ministry. Connect with Cynthia at hemmedinhope.com or cynthiaruchti.com Explore Cynthia’s other books—fiction and nonfiction—through her website Sign up for the next 40-Day Journey at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Don’t forget: Whether you’re listening on your way to pick up gifts, hauling kids to their next party, or just stealing a quiet moment, this episode will leave you refreshed and ready to focus on what matters most this holiday season! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Awe and Wonder: Part 2 - The Faith of Mary - Pastor Andrew DamazioThis week, the message focuses on how Mary's faith shows us that trusting God doesn't mean having all the answers, but responding with humble obedience even in uncertainty. True faith isn't a negotiation with God, it's a surrender that grows stronger in community rather than isolation.Wanting to learn more about the Apostle's Creed? Check out our sermon series on The Creed: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwZ8Q5uXZFycJqzC84Jlsl7yf2hTbwk5K&si=yr7KMP0hIjwupu0YWant to connect more with Rose Church? Find more information at https://www.rosechurch.org and give at - https://www.rosechurch.org/give Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss more incredible sermons like this one or previous series like “I Am” or “The Tension of Faith” from Pastor Andrew Damazio, Dr. AJ Swoboda, Pastor Julia Damazio and many other incredible pastors!Thanks for watching!

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The prophetic fulfillment in the conception and birth of Jesus testify to the miracle of God's power!But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLTAt that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLTGod's has the power to do both the improbable and impossible according to His will and purpose. To presume we know how God should act is to mistrust His sovereign wisdom and love. Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NLTI pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:19-22 NLTTo believe God can't or doesn't do miracles today is to completely miss on the impact of His power and compassion! I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:21- 25 NLTOur hope is forever in the compassion and power of our ever-present, all-knowing, miracle working Messiah!-POEM-Our merciful messiah came in a mangerWith hidden strength soon to be shown. Immanuel here to save and to heal,His power and presence, He came to make known. The God who created the stars and the heavensCreated my inner most being too. A universe so large it's hard to conceiveWith tiny electrons for creations glue.God's power is boundless, beyond descriptionHis love is vast, and yet intimately near. Awe and honor are owed to our SaviorStill He calls us to come, no reason to fear.This world is caught in a cosmic conflictThe fight is for every heart and soulThe prince of darkness, the architect of brokenKill, steal, and destroy his only goal. Our fallen world in the pangs of deathIncludes various hellish hurts and painMany are we in need of a miracle Exactly the reason Immanuel came. The babe born at Christmas is here to heal Discontentment, addiction, broken bodies and heartsHis sovereign discernment guides His compassionHis Grace and mercy never miss the mark. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The prophetic fulfillment in the conception and birth of Jesus testify to the miracle of God's power!But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLTAt that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLTGod's has the power to do both the improbable and impossible according to His will and purpose. To presume we know how God should act is to mistrust His sovereign wisdom and love. Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NLTI pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:19-22 NLTTo believe God can't or doesn't do miracles today is to completely miss on the impact of His power and compassion! I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:21- 25 NLTOur hope is forever in the compassion and power of our ever-present, all-knowing, miracle working Messiah!-POEM-Our merciful messiah came in a mangerWith hidden strength soon to be shown. Immanuel here to save and to heal,His power and presence, He came to make known. The God who created the stars and the heavensCreated my inner most being too. A universe so large it's hard to conceiveWith tiny electrons for creations glue.God's power is boundless, beyond descriptionHis love is vast, and yet intimately near. Awe and honor are owed to our SaviorStill He calls us to come, no reason to fear.This world is caught in a cosmic conflictThe fight is for every heart and soulThe prince of darkness, the architect of brokenKill, steal, and destroy his only goal. Our fallen world in the pangs of deathIncludes various hellish hurts and painMany are we in need of a miracle Exactly the reason Immanuel came. The babe born at Christmas is here to heal Discontentment, addiction, broken bodies and heartsHis sovereign discernment guides His compassionHis Grace and mercy never miss the mark. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

In this message, we step into “The Awe of Christmas” by tracing God's redemptive story from Malachi to Luke to John—from 400 years of silence to the arrival of Jesus Christ. Through the promise of Elijah, the birth of John the Baptist, and the coming of the true Light of the world, we see how God was never absent—He was always at work.This sermon reminds us that Christmas is more than busy schedules, gifts, and traditions. It's about heaven coming down, God with us, and a Savior who didn't just arrive in a manger—but came to carry away the sins of the world.✨ In this message, you'll discover: • Why God's silence is never God's absence • How the promise in Malachi is fulfilled through John the Baptist • What it means to find awe in the waiting and awe in the arrival • Why Jesus is called the Lamb of God who takes away our sin • How Christmas proves God keeps every promise He has ever madeWhether you're feeling overwhelmed, distracted, doubtful, or longing for hope, this message points us back to the heart of Christmas—our greatest need met in Jesus Christ.“Our biggest need isn't wrapped under the tree.It was wrapped in swaddling clothes… and later carried to the cross.”

Pining for Madison: Part 2 We make our own assignments. By Secretauthor2021, in 5 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.   "This stuff is warmer than I'd thought it would be and so thick." "It's a nightmare to get out of hair too," I added. "Just as well I shave everything then isn't it." Madison climbed back on to the bed and laid down next to me. We both stared at the ceiling. Madison turned her head to the side to face me, so I mirrored her. I could see her eyes looking directly into mine. "Thanks again for doing this Adam, I don't know many people who would have gone to these lengths to help me out." "It's me who should be thanking you. I enjoyed it." "I bet you did." "No not that, I mean I enjoyed that. God did I enjoy that bit, but I enjoyed spending time with you." Madison smiled. "I enjoyed spending time with you too, and I also enjoyed the other thing too." It was my turn to smile at her this time. Madison then leaned over and kissed me on the lips. It wasn't a long kiss, but it was a nice one. Her lips were so amazingly soft as they pressed against mine. As she pulled away, she paused for a reaction. I felt my face light up, it was like I was the happiest I'd have ever felt. She must have seen that as a sign, as she kissed me again, this time for longer. We were properly making out now. I felt her tongue slip into my mouth, which was an incredible feeling. Our tongues danced together as we continued to kiss. With our mouths starting to ache, we stopped. We couldn't stop smiling at each other. "Well, that was unexpected." "Was it though? I did just give you a hand job. I don't exactly dole those out to all the boys, ya know," she said continuing to beam at me. "Ha, I guess you're right." Madison sat up, propping her hands behind her and looking at her naked lower half. "I guess I better put my trousers back on. Otherwise, who knows what will happen." She joked. She then turned and looked at my crotch. "Awe, he's gone all little again." She then proceeded to bop the end of my cock. Her touch sent a tingle through my cock and it twitched again. "Oops, looks like I provoked it." I sat up, resting on my elbows. "Do you mind?" I said trying not to laugh. "I don't, no." She said smiling. Madison walked over to where she took off her panties and bent over to pick them up, showing me how fantastic her ass looked. She slipped a leg in each hole and pulled them up. I pulled up my underwear and trousers. "Madison." "Yes Adam," she replied, mimicking my formality. "About that kiss." "What about it?" "Was that an in the moment kind of thing, or was it something else?" "Why? What do you want it to be?" She replied, flipping my question back at me. "I kind of want it to mean something else." She was about to put on her trousers then stopped. "Huh, that's funny, I was thinking the same thing." She replied, smiling at me and then continuing to put her leggings back on. This was my chance, there was no better time to ask, than right now. I'm going to do it. "Madison, will you go out with me?" "After what we just did, Hell yes! I'll go out with you." "Sweet." "Besides, we've still got an assignment to finish remember. May be you can come round Friday night, it's the bouncers day off." "Friday night it is." I confirmed. After tidying up, Madison walked me downstairs to the front door, and we paused on the outside doorstep. She closed the door, so we were both standing outside. "I hope you found our study session informative. I know I did." Madison said jokingly. "Oh yes, very informative. I look forward to completing the assignment Friday night." "I can't wait." With that, she kissed me again on the lips. "See ya." I walked backwards down the garden path, unable to take my eyes off her. As I reached the end of the path, she waved at me and went inside the house. The second the front door closed, I jumped up and a punched the air. After all these years of pining for Madison, I had finally done it. I had asked her to go out with me and she said Yes! plus as a bonus she gave me my first hand job. From that point on, I couldn't quite remember how I got home. I was on such a high, I presumed I just floated back. When I got back, both my parents were in the kitchen. My mom was making something to eat and my dad was sitting at the table doing the crossword. "Hey," They both stopped what they were doing and looked at me. "Well, how did it go?" My dad asked. "Judging by that smile on his face, I'd say pretty well. Am I right Adam?" My mom added. "Yeah, it went well." "Did you ask her out?" "Yes mom, I asked her out." I said somewhat exasperated. "And did she say yes. What am I saying, of course she said yes. Who wouldn't say yes to my little boy." "Mom! Yes, she said yes." "Way to go son!" My dad chimed in. "Well, now you have a girlfriend, maybe you won't need to spend so long in the shower anymore," My mom said teasingly. "Mom!" I snapped back, cringing of embarrassment. Dad started chuckling to himself. "I'm going to my room," I announced, unable to take any more of this conversation. I quickly left the kitchen and marched upstairs to my room. Closing the door behind me, I tossed my bag in the corner and just collapsed on my bed, letting my evening all sink in. Holy fuck, I thought to myself. It's like my brain couldn't quite process everything that had happened. Madison, the girl who I had worshipped for so long, completely blindsided me. I had no idea, she was so... so unpredictable and so sexually curious. How a random science assignment pushed us together. It was almost like one of my school fantasies, one minute you're working and then the next, you're suddenly exploring each other s bodies. Not only did I see her beautiful cunt, I touched it, I fingered it, I brought her to orgasm. She actually came on my hand, holy shit! It all just seemed so unbelievable. I raised my hand in front of my face and stared at it. I may never wash this hand again. ...And that was just what I did to her! What she did to me, blew me away. The way she touched me, held it in her soft, silky smooth hands. Her genuine curiosity about it, and then she thought nothing of jumping on top of me and giving me the hand job of my life. I could feel myself getting hard, just replaying it in my mind. Then, there was the kiss. My first kiss, the best kiss. Oh, how her lips felt against mine. I could have kissed her all night. I found myself smiling so hard, my face started to ache again. Then it dawned on me, and I bolted upright. Friday, what's going to happen Friday. Is she going to want to do it? Are we actually going to have sex? If we do, are we doing it for the assignment or because she really wants to have sex with me? I started to freak out. What if I'm no good at it? What if I don't last very long? Oh my god, what if I can't get it up? Will she laugh at me, will she tell everyone at school? Would she stop seeing me? My best dream, could soon become my worst nightmare. I had to stop myself, from spiraling. I sat at the edge of the bed and took several deep breaths, eventually calming myself down. One step at a time, I told myself. Friday was only two days away, plenty of time to prepare. I tried not to think about it too much, but it was all I thought about. Thursday came around, and once again. I just made it to the bus on time. As I jumped on, there was Madison in the front row, looking like her gorgeous self as usual. "Hey Adam," She greeted, giving me one of her biggest and best smiles. "Hey Madison," I replied, smiling back at her. If there was a seat free next to her, I would have sat down and left Ethan on his own, but no such luck. I carried on walking and plonked myself down next to Ethan. "So, how did your study session go with Madison?" Ethan asked. "It was good," I said, deciding to do the gentlemanly thing and omit all the explicit activities. "So, did you ask her out? Like I told you to do?" "Yeah, I did." "Well, don't keep me hanging bro. What did she say?" "She said yes." "Holy shit man, that's huge. You've been pining after her for years and now it's finally happening." "I know." "So, why don't you seem excited about it?" "Oh, I am excited, the best I've ever felt to be honest. But a part of me is like, what if I'm not good enough for her." "Dude, you can't think like that." "I can't help it Eth." "Look, just take each day as it comes." Surprisingly, Ethan was wise counsel today. He was right, take each day as it comes. He was a good friend, and I felt a little guilty, thinking I'd ditch him to sit next to Madison if the opportunity arose. With the school day fully underway, we carried on as normal. When it was time for lunch, I told Ethan I was going to find Madison and to not wait up. I found Madison by her locker, talking to her friend. "Hey." "Oh hey Ad," Madison replied. Her friend looked at me and smiled and then looked back at Madison. "I'll give you two love birds some privacy," she said, then giggled to herself and walked off. "Sorry about Becky, I kind of told her we were going out now and she's been like that all day." "Oh, and don't worry I didn't tell her about every little thing." "Little? You're going to give me a complex," I replied, keeping a straight face. "No, sorry, I didn't mean it was little, I just meant..." "Relax, I'm just messing with you." Now that I had finally asked her out, my nerves, just seemed to vanish. I felt more confident now. Madison pushed at my chest lightly. "So, are we still on for Friday?" She then asked. "Sure, what time do you want me?" "All the time." She replied, with a mock sexy voice. I laughed, "seriously now, what time?" "Okay, okay, shall we say seven this time? I promised Becky I'd go to the mall with her straight after school." "Seven is good. I'll see you then." I was in the process of walking off, when she called out, "don't forget to make sure there's plenty of lead in your pencil." I turned around to see her smiling and giggling to herself. She then blew me a kiss. I smiled back at her, albeit slightly embarrassed by her remark. She was either referring to my earlier efforts to draw her, or she had plans for something else. Either way I was excited for what Friday will bring. Thursday quickly became Friday, and it was time for another study session with my girl Madison. It felt so good to say that in my head, 'my girl'. I was actually dating Madison, well I say dating, we haven't technically gone out on a date yet, but we're getting there. With seven o'clock fast approaching. I went to get ready. First stop, the bathroom. Locking the door, I took off all my old clothes that I had worn that day and tossed them into the hamper. Naked, I stood in front of the large bathroom mirror and looked at my reflection. If what I think will happen tonight happens, this is what Madison will see. I stared at myself, breathed in to make my chest bigger, then ran my hand down my body, tracing the faint lines of definition I had all the way down to the thick bush of pubic hair nestled above my cock. I squashed it down with my hand, and my cock did look a bit bigger. I removed my hand and the hair sprung back again. Yeah, it definitely looked bigger. I grabbed the hair trimmer from under the bathroom sink, and pushed the button to turn it on. It buzzed into life. I took one more look, and went to town. The hair fell to floor in clumps. I dusted down, making sure to wipe all the lose hairs off my cock, then looked back in the mirror. There, much better I thought. I put the trimmer back under the sink, and turned my body, for a side profile look in the mirror. Yes, this'll do nicely. I jumped in the shower, cleaned up and got dressed. I even dabbed a bit of aftershave on. I had scrubbed up well and felt ready for anything. As I prepared to leave, I decided against indulging my parents in a conversation, for fear that they would find new ways to embarrass me. So I shouted through the door. "I'm off out, see you later!" I quickly closed the front door behind me and set off for Madison's. Arriving with two minutes to spare, I rang the doorbell. Madison answered the door. "Oh hey, Ad. Come on in." Madison was looking her usual gorgeous self. "No bouncer tonight?" I asked. "Nope, we've got the house all to ourselves." Madison led the way upstairs and I followed her. Getting to watch her cute ass as she went up the stairs was a nice little treat. "So, how's your report. coming along?" I asked, making conversation. "Good, nearly done. I may need to go over a few things again though." She said with a mischievous glint in her eye. I sat on the bed, and once again all of Madison's study books were sprawled out on the bed. "Shall we get to it then?" Madison said, sitting on the bed next to me. "Sure." She turned to the side and grabbed her study book, then placed it on her lap. Flipping through the book, she stopped at the chapter title 'reproduction'. The first page contained a diagram of a penis. "Well, he looks familiar," Madison said, lightly nudging my arm. We both red through the study text on the page. When we were both done, Madison turned to the next page, which as expected contained a diagram of a vagina. "And I definitely remember this," I said, gently nudging her this time. The next page over contained a diagram we hadn't seen yet. It was that of a penis in a vagina, it was one of those dissected diagrams. "Huh, I don't think we've seen this one have we?" Madison remarked. "It's definitely one to read up on." We red through the accompanying information, silently digesting it. "It's funny?" "What is?" Madison replied. "Is that they go to all this trouble of creating these detailed diagrams, but no one actually teaches you how to have sex." "Were you hoping for some sort of tutorial in our biology lesson. Maybe like Mrs. Wrentmore, straddling Mr. Philips on her desk, while we watch and take notes." "Oh, I can't un see that image now, thanks Mads," I said gagging at the thought. Madison laughed and nudged me again. "Oh, that reminds me. I hope you don't mind, but when Becky and I went to the mall, we got you something." "Really?" "Yeah, it's in that bag on my desk." "I feel bad now, I didn't get you anything." "It's okay, you can make it up to me." I stood up from the bed and grabbed the bag from the desk. Sitting back down, I opened it and put my hands in and pulled out the contents. In my hands, were a black lace, and very see through set of lingerie. My jaw dropped. "Well, what do you think?" Madison asked, as if it weren't obvious by the fact my jaw was now resting on the carpet. "I mean, wowsers! it'll probably be a bit tight on my hips though, but I'll give it a go." I joked. Madison laughed. "Ha, ha. You're a funny guy Adam. It's actually one of the many things I like about you." "Oh really, what else do you like about me?" "Well, I've noticed the way you look at me. It's like when you see me, you just look so happy. It kind of makes me feel good about myself, you know." I put my hand on top of hers. "Truth is, I am happy when I see you. Like every time and if I'm totally honest, well, I've kind of fancied you for ages." "Really? You have? Why didn't you do anything about it then?" "I get so nervous, and I was always afraid you'd say no." "Well, I said yes and all it took was a little hand job to give you the courage." "I know, and I can't tell you how happy that makes me." "Aww, you are such a sweetheart." She leaned over to me and we kissed. "Tell you what, why don't we take a quick study break and I'll go and prepare your gift." With that, Madison grabbed the lingerie set out of my hands and left the room. I sat on the bed, just blown away by how genuinely happy I felt. After a few minutes, the door opened and Madison returned. I turned to look at her. "Holy Fuck!" I blurted out loudly. Madison closed the door behind her and leaned against it, with one leg slightly bent and her hands face down on the door, looking sexy as fuck. The bra barely covering her breasts, and the see-through material allowed me to see her nipples underneath. My eyes dropped down her toned stomach, to the black thong she was wearing. She then gave me a quick twirl, showing me her pert ass. "So, what do you think now?" I tugged at my shirt collar. "I think it suddenly got very hot in here." Madison, strode. across the room and stood directly in front of me. "Then perhaps, you need to remove a few of these layers." Madison began to unbutton my shirt. I however couldn't take my eyes off her chest, I just wanted to bury my face in it. With the last button undone, she peeled my shirt off me and tossed it on the floor. She then moved to the button on my jeans and popped it open. She stared into my eyes as she slowly undid the zipper. "Lie back," she prompted. I fell backwards on to the bed, while Madison yanked my jeans off. With only my underwear left, I positioned myself in the middle of the bed. Madison sexily climbed on top of me. She sat upright, directly atop of my crotch and began gently grinding against me. "You like that?" She said in a sexy whisper. I nodded my head. Oh boy, did I like that. I could feel myself get rock hard, to the point where it soon became apparent to Madison. "Umm, some one seems to be liking it." She bit her bottom lip, then ran her fingers through her long, silky blonde hair. She moaned softly and continued to slide along the length of my swollen cock. "You're right, it is getting hot in here, might have to remove a few layers myself." I watched as her hands went behind her back and she unhooked her bra. With one hand she tossed it over the side. There they were, like two perfectly shaped melons. They were phenomenal, from the size, the shape and her dark dusky pink nipples. Madison reached down and grabbed both my hands and propped them on top of her breasts. I couldn't believe it, I was touching Madison's breasts and they felt Awesome! My hands went in to over drive. I stroked, I squeezed, I tweaked, I caressed, I wanted to explore every inch of them. I had to sit up to get a closer look. With Madison still on my lap, I sat upright, my face practically touching them. Madison picked up on my enthusiasm for them and grabbed the back of my head and pushed my face into them. I kissed them, I licked them. My tongue circled her nipples, which had now become erect. I flicked at them with my tongue. Madison, groaned in delight. Things were certainly getting hot and heavy. Madison pulled my head back from her chest. "Are you ready?" She said nodding her head towards the middle of the bed. "Yes, are you?" I asked, making sure she was comfortable with what we were about to do. She nodded her head and when she climbed off my lap, she paused for a moment. "Oh, did you finish already?" She said looking down at the large wet spot on the front of my underwear. I looked down. "Oh!" I said, pulling the waistband from my body and looking to see what happened. I was still rock hard, much to my relief. "No, that's just precum I think. I'm still good." "Phew! Have you got the um..." Madison asked. A look of panic covered my face. "What? What is it? Did you remember to bring it?" "I... I don't know." I quickly bolted up and grabbed my bag. I open the zip as far as I could and frantically emptied the contents on to the floor. "Please be in here, please be in here," I cried out, dropping to my knees. I started fanning out the books in a mad rush. Praying that my erection would hold. That's when I saw it, lodged between two pages in one of my notebooks. The small foil packet handed out by Mrs. Wrentmore in Biology. "Oh thank god!" I got up from the floor, leaving the mess I had made and hastily pulled down my underwear, almost falling over in the process and joined Madison on the bed. The jostling made my cock wag side to side like an excited dog. She tilted her hips upwards and began taking her thong off. She got them down as far as her knees, before I took over and removed them completely, casting them behind me. I knelt there on the bed. Before me was the now fully naked Madison, the first girl I had ever seen naked. Her whole body was sublime. She parted her legs, inviting me closer. I shuffled closer to her. My cock painfully hard, straining from my body as if desperately trying to reach her. I tore open the condom packet with my teeth, then removing it. The condom felt greasy in my hands as I carefully rolled it down the length of my shaft, pinching the tip afterwards. We looked at each other one more time and I slowly lowered my body on top of hers. I kissed her, then tilted my hips forward to enter her. "Um, that's my ass," she said softly. "Oops, sorry," I said apologizing. "I'm not quite ready for that just yet," she said jokingly pumping her eyebrows. "Here, let me help." I felt Madison's hand around my cock, as she lined it up against her entrance. She nodded her head, giving me the green light to try again. My heart began pounding in my chest, this was it. I was going to lose my virginity to this amazing woman. I pushed forward, our bodies making contact as my cock pushed inside her, parting her soft lips. Madison gasped as she took me inside her. I felt some resistance and pushed harder to try and overcome it. Madison's face winced. "Are you okay? Should I stop?" I asked with concern. "No, it's okay, just go slow if that's okay." I kissed her forehead, and pushed again. I was about half way in, then the resistance gave way. Madison let out a cry. I continued to slide in and out of her slowly, while she grabbed my hips and controlled the rhythm of my thrusts. I pushed again, this time making it all the way inside her. I could feel her hands tighten around me. The feeling, although slightly diminished by the condom, of being inside her was out of this world. Her body radiated a warmth and a softness that I craved. Madison wrapped her legs around my lower body and pulled me in closer, pushing me deeper inside her. She moaned softly as I gently rocked my body against her. Her breathing, our breathing rate increased. I could feel her sex tighten around me, her face looked like it was about to scream, but not a sound left her mouth. Her whole body tensed up, gripping me tighter and pushing me deeper. I couldn't hold it anymore, I let out an insuppressible groan as I came, my face frozen in a moment of pure bliss. I held myself inside her, my body continuing to pulse, as if it were giving her everything I had, my body and soul. When there was nothing left to give, I carefully pulled out, holding the condom in place. There was a reddish residue on the condom. "I think you've been bleeding, are you okay?" I asked, carefully shuffling backwards. Madison put a hand between her legs, then brought it back up to her face. There was a trace amount of blood on her fingertips. "It's okay, I think this is meant to happen on the first time." "Ah okay, for a moment there I thought I might have hurt you." I grabbed a handful of tissues from her desk and passed them to her, then took another handful for myself. I carefully removed the condom and wrapped it in the tissues. We took a moment to clean ourselves up, and returned to the bed, lying next to one another. "Was it okay? Was... I okay?" Madison asked. After everything Madison and I had done to get to this point, it seemed strange to hear her sound so vulnerable. "It was amazing, you were amazing," I said gripping her hand and kissing the back of it. "Was it okay for you?" I then asked. "Yeah, it hurt a bit at first, but after that it was intense, you know. The feeling of you inside of me... and when you came, I felt everything. It was so good." The sex itself may have only lasted two minutes, but it was easily the best two minutes I had ever experienced. Period. We cuddled for a while, and could easily have gone a second time, had we had more condoms, but neither of us were willing to take the risk. So we just laid there, talking, joking, laughing, and discovering so much about each other. After all these years, hoping for the day I get to be with her. It finally happened and in the most unexpected way. I can't wait to see what happens next. As for the biology assignment, Madison opted against the inclusion of her pencil drawings. In hindsight it was pretty obvious who her muse was. She folded the paper and kept it in her diary as a reminder of our first experience together. When we handed in the completed assignment, we managed to get an A, no doubt thanks to our hands-on approach to this assignment. Madison asks for a special favor. It had been three months, fifteen days, thirteen hours, and nearly twenty-three minutes since the moment that changed my life. It was the day I officially started dating Madison - a day and an experience I'll never forget. To have the girl I pined after for five years become my girlfriend was truly something else. We were at that stage of our relationship, where every kiss was intoxicating and every touch was electric. Everything was new and exciting, and the sex, oh my god, the sex was sensational. Madison was just as horny as I was, with her sexual appetite easily matching mine. They say men have a one-track mind, but this track definitely came with two carriages. While her parents were happy for her to be dating and even to have a boy in her bedroom, Madison didn't think they were quite ready to know or hear what went on behind closed doors, least of all her dad, who was definitely a tough nut to crack and had yet to warm up to me. So we had to choose carefully the moments for our special 'one-on-one' time. Madison joined me on the edge of the bed, and we sat there looking at our reflection in the large mirror above her desk. Her head found a comfortable nook on my shoulder, and we looked as if we were posing for a couple's photo in one of those photo booths you find at the mall. "God, you're beautiful," I breathed, smiling at her in the mirror. "You keep telling me that," she replied, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink as if she were embarrassed by the compliment. "But it's the truth. From your beautiful face." I kissed her on the cheek, then moved her long blonde hair aside, planting a gentle kiss on her neck. "To your beautiful neck." "What are you after? Oh wait, let me guess," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes as a mischievous smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She ran her hand up my thigh, before settling over my crotch and giving it a squeeze. "Hmm, I don't think he's quite ready for me just yet," she said coquettishly. "How long have we got until your parents come back from the grocery store?" I asked. Madison pivoted her body to face me, instead of my reflection. "Oh, I'd say we've got at least ten minutes." "Huh, ten minutes, I think I can work with that." I kissed her on the lips, her mouth turning into a smile as I did. "Umm, come on then, get those clothes off mister," she said, relenting to my charm. Wasting no time, I quickly pulled off my T-shirt and unbuttoned my jeans. Simultaneously, Madison started doing the same. After a swift trouser dance, I slid my boxers down and kicked them to the side. "Wow, someone's keen," Madison remarked, as she unhooked her bra, then pulling it down her arms. "Damn straight." With just her panties still left, I grabbed her by the hand and stood her in front of the desk, so we were closer to the mirror. I stood behind her, allowing only her near-naked body to be visible in the mirror. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I rested my chin between her neck and shoulder. "I adore every inch of you, I hope you know that." I said with a deep sincerity. She kissed me on my cheek. "You are such the smooth talker, unlike when we first met. Remember that time in the library?" "Oh my god, don't remind me, you had a way of tying me up in knots. I could barely talk properly." My hand's delicately caressed her skin, as I moved them upwards from her slender waist to her perfect breasts, cupping them, before softly tracing my index fingers around the outskirts of her nipples. With her nipples now erect from the stimulation, I gently rolled them between my thumb and index fingers. Madison moaned softly. "Umm, while I would love the full works Ad, we haven't got much time, so you might want to..." Madison said apologetically. "Okay, okay, I see. So less of this, and more of this." Without my hand breaking contact with her skin, I moved from her breasts, down her stomach and straight into the front of her panties. My finger sliding along the entrance of her mound, before pushing deeper between her lips and finding her sweet spot. Madison moaned, "Umm, yes, definitely more of that." I watched Madison's face in the mirror; watching as it reacted to my touch, her eyes closed and mouth slightly parted, as she tried to vocalize her pleasure. I kept rubbing, my fingers getting wetter and wetter as her excitement built. Seeing her like this got me so hard. My cock pressed against her hip, hard enough for her to notice. She reached behind, grabbing a hold of it and began jerking it, mimicking the speed at which I was rubbing her. I had to slow down, as I knew I wouldn't be able to last as long as her at this rate. I removed my hand from her panties, then hooked my fingers along the waistband on her hips. I tugged at them, pulling them all the way down to the floor. Madison kicked them away from her dainty feet and leaned forward, resting her hands face down on the desk, and backing that magnificent ass of her's into me. Since we started dating, Madison decided to go on the pill, meaning there was no frantic searching for condoms this time and as we were each other s first, STDs were unlikely. I positioned myself behind her, aligning my cock between her legs. Her wetness was evident, as my cock slid alongside the outskirts of her lips. I slowly rocked back and forth, teasing her entrance; her juices coating the length of my shaft as I did. "Umm, stop teasing me Ad. Fuck me already." "Who's keen now?" I said smiling at her reflection in the mirror. She looked back at me, as I angled my cock upwards and pushed inside of her. Madison let out a soft whimper. Gently, I rocked my hips, so our bodies moved together in unison. I wanted her to feel me being inside of her a bit longer. She was practically purring at this point, clearly enjoying the sensation. I looked again at her reflection in the mirror, her face twisted in ecstasy. I bucked hard this time, thrusting deeper inside of her. She let out a scream, her hands quickly moving to grip the edge of the desk. I bucked again, and again and again. "Oh god! Umm! More!" I continued again, faster and harder this time. I could see in the mirror, her breasts bouncing with each clash of our bodies. The desk started to wobble and bang against the wall now, as I built up a steady rhythm. Madison continued to beg me for more. "Yes, yes, Umm, fuck me, fuck me hard babe," she cried out. I continued to pound her from behind, her crying out for it only turned me on more. Both our faces were flush now. Madison ducked her head down low, so it was now practically resting on the desk. All I could see now was myself in the mirror, my chest glistening with sweat as I gripped on to her hips and ploughed into her. Our moans were accompanied by the sounds of our bodies clapping against each other. Suddenly, Madison bolted upright, her face scrunched up and giving one final cry as she orgasmed. After two more thrusts, it was my turn. Still grabbing tightly on to her hips, I pulled her closer, burying myself deeper inside her. As I came, my body spasmed against hers, shaking until the very last drop left my body. We looked at each other in the mirror, our faces a glow from the post orgasm high. I kissed her on the cheek. It was then we heard the front door open. "We re back!" her parents called out. "See, I told you we had time," I whispered in her ear. "I don't think I'd have been able to walk, if it went on much longer," she joked. She grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk and passed it back to me. I carefully pulled out and gave myself a wipe down as Madison did the same. Sex is great and all, but there's always the clean up afterwards. Needing to get dressed, I went back to the bed, and bent over to pick up my underwear, when Madison slapped my ass. "Pass the panties, while you're there stud," she said jokingly. As we started to get dressed again, Madison's phone, left on the bed, began to vibrate. I glanced at the screen. "It's Becky," I said, looking at Madison. Madison, who had just put her bra on, held out her hand for me to pass her the phone. She swiped her finger across the screen and answered. "Oh hey, girl. What's up?" I continued getting dressed, unable to avoid overhearing only one half of the conversation. "Yeah, just hanging out with Adam." "Uh huh, uh huh. Don't worry, Beck, you'll find someone." Madison sat down on the bed and continued to talk. I however, had other ideas. With my back to her, I pretended to get dressed, but what I had actually done with my juvenile sense of humor, was to pull my cock out of my fly and emptied my pockets, pulling off the old elephant trick. I turned around suddenly, to show Madison in the hopes of getting a reaction. It worked, and she started giggling. "Behave will you," Madison yelled in between her laughter and grabbed one of the stuffed bears from her bed and threw it directly at me. The bear's button eye, caught me right on the tip of my cock, causing me to immediately hunch forward and clutch my sore member." "Oww!" I exclaimed in pain. "Sorry about that, Becky. Adam is being stupid again. Never mind finding someone; you can have him if you want," she said, laughing again. I feigned insult at her comment while nursing my injury. "Look, I better go. I need to get dressed, but I'll call you back later, okay?" Madison said her final goodbye and hung up the phone. "What are you like? I was trying to have a serious conversation." "Sorry," I apologized. Madison sighed. "Becky is in a bit of a funk at the moment. Since we've been dating, she feels like she's missing out." "I'm sure she'll find somebody. She's nice enough." "That's what I said, but she can't seem to find anyone; she's getting kind of desperate. Not to mention, she feels like a third wheel when we hang out together." "It probably doesn't help, us being all over each other then, does it?" I added. "Probably not, but hey, we have to live our lives, right? Besides, I like you being all over me." I walked over to her, handed the stuffed bear back, and then kissed her on the forehead. "Well, trust me, that's not going to stop anytime soon." I handed Madison the rest of her clothes and waited for her to get dressed. When we were ready, we walked downstairs together, where we ran into Madison's parents. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor," I greeted. "Oh hey, Adam," Mrs. Taylor replied. Madison's dad just glared at me in his usual way. "I'll be over on Saturday to sort out the backyard for you." "Thanks, Adam. You're a lifesaver. Old Frank here hates gardening, don't you, Frank? It's getting a bit wild back there." I had tried to make some inroads with Madison's parents by offering to do their garden for them. I thought it was the least I could do, considering what I'd been getting up to with their one and only daughter. It was also another desperate attempt to get her father to like me. I did not want to get on the wrong side of him, that's for sure. Madison walked me out to the front door. "Look, try not to worry too much about Becky," I said, turning to face her. "I'll try, but she's my best and oldest friend. I just want her to be happy." "You're a good friend, Madison, and an even better girlfriend," I said, grabbing her by the hand. She closed the front door behind her, so her parents couldn't see us anymore, wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and kissed me. "And you are an awesome boyfriend." It was my turn to kiss her this time. "Look, I better be off, but I'll see you Saturday." "Can't wait. Love you." "Love you too." She waved me off, and I went about going home. When Saturday came around, it was shaping up to be a bit of a scorcher. I had decided to make an early start on the Taylor's backyard to avoid the worst of the heat. Upon arriving at Madison's, it was her mom who greeted me. "Morning, Adam. Madison's in the shower; she'll be down in a little bit." "Hi, Mrs. Taylor. Are you happy for me to get started?" "Oh, yes, please. I've opened the shed for you, so just take what you need." I walked through the kitchen, where Madison's dad was sitting at the table, reading the sports section of the paper. "Morning, Mr. Taylor," I greeted cheerily. He glanced up from his paper and stared at me. "Morning," he replied in his deep, gravelly voice, instantly going back to his paper. Not much of a talker, either that or he just didn't like me. I suspected it was a bit of both. I continued on my way to the backyard and headed into the shed to get everything I needed. Mrs. Taylor wasn't lying when she said things had gotten a bit wild out here; everything was overgrown. I walked out the mower, pulled a few times at the starter cord, and got to work. I had just finished one length of the lawn when I found myself looking up at Madison's bedroom window. She was standing there, with one towel wrapped around her body and another around her head. I waved up to her, and she promptly undid her towel, quickly flashing me. I smiled and blew her a kiss. She pretended to catch it before disappearing from view. The lawn was taking a lot longer than I thought; a good hour had passed, and I was still no closer to finishing. It was also getting hotter, my T-shirt soaked in sweat and clinging to my body. It was a horrible feeling, so I decided to take it off, hoping it would dry out in the sun. I continued the task at hand, every so often looking up at Madison's window, hoping to get a glimpse and perhaps another flash. This time she was there, and she wasn't alone. I could see her talking to another girl. It was Becky; she looked upset, and Madison was consoling her. They suddenly realized I could see them and moved away from the window. I wondered what all that was about, before shrugging it off, and continuing with the garden. With the mowing complete, I moved on to trimming the hedges. After just ten minutes, Madison and Becky appeared, with Madison carrying a cold glass of lemonade and holding it out for me. It was evident from the redness around Becky's eyes that she had indeed been crying. Not sure if I should say anything, I decided to leave it. "You're an absolute star; I'm parched," I said, wiping my sweaty brow and taking the glass from Madison. "It's looking good," Madison remarked, admiring the hedge I had started on. "Well, no one likes an unkempt bush, do they?" I said, smiling at my attempt to be funny. Madison rolled her eyes at me, but I managed to get a laugh out of Becky. As I looked at her, I was convinced she had just looked me up and down. "So, what are you girls up to?" "Oh, nothing much, just hanging. Becky is going to stay the night, so we're going to have a girl's night. You know, do each other's hair, talk about boys, have a pillow fight in our underwear. The usual girl stuff." "Madison, don't reveal all our secrets," Becky said, playing along. "Nice. Well, if you need a referee, just give me a shout," I said jokingly. Madison and Becky looked at each other for an instant and then back at me. "Well, we'll leave you to it. I'm sure you've got loads to do. I know there's at least one other bush that needs a good seeing to." I was about to give a cheeky reply when the girls cut me off. "Bye, Adam!" they chorused before breaking out in giggles as they walked away back towards the house. To be continued in part 3, By Secretauthor2021 for Literotica.

"The picture is to just faithfully share light—be light and share light—and trust that God is going to open eyes and bring people out of darkness in his time and in his power. And we get to be a part of it." — David PlattToday's Episode: Join Natalie as she talks with David Platt about God's work of rescuing people out of darkness and bringing them into the kingdom of his light. You'll hear them talk about the beauty of God's Word and how it shines like a light in people's lives, bringing freedom and salvation and guidance and life. They also share powerful stories about how the they've seen that light dawn in the lives of people. You'll go away encouraged to walk in the light and to share the light of Jesus with others too.  This month's memory verse: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” — Isaiah 9:2 Today's guest: David Platt serves as a Lead Pastor for McLean Bible Church. He is also the Founder of Radical, an organization that makes Jesus known among the nations. David lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with his wife and children. Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently's monthly membership!Love this show? Support us by leaving a review.Links from today's show: Find out more about David at Radical.net.Be encouraged with bite-sized biblical truth in New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp.Find empathy, wisdom, and real-life stories in When Dreams Fall Apart, by Jennifer Lucy Tyler.Dwell on God's character in Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe, by Carolyn Lacey.Check out the Dwell Differently Christmas Sale!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

Have you been told (or told yourself) not to care what others think? Spoiler alert—caring what others think isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's completely natural and wired into us as humans. The real issue? Trying to stop that caring or caring too much about what others think and letting that concern disconnect us from ourselves and others. We'll cover some strategies to address both of these common tendencies so that your caring can nourish you rather than deplete you. About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram TikTok Linkedin Watch on YouTube   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Joy Lab Podcast Episodes: Sympathetic Fear vs. Sympathetic Joy: What Are You Tuning Into? [ep. 238] Unmasking Your True Self: Exploring Authenticity and Awe [ep. 216] Embrace Your True Self: Accepted, Connected, & In The Game [ep. 217] The Road Most Travelled: Awakening Through Suffering [ep. 218]  Follow Your Bliss: Awakening to Joy [ep. 219] The Still Small Voice: Awakening with Soulfulness [ep. 220] Full transcript here Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Awe and Wonder: Part 1 - Pastor Andrew DamazioThis week, we start a new series called Awe and Wonder for the month of December as we open the book of Matthew and reflect on the humanity of Jesus through His genealogy—seeing how God brings beauty from broken stories, keeps His promises across generations, and invites us to rest in the good news of what He has already done.Want to connect more with Rose Church? Find more information at https://www.rosechurch.org and give at - https://www.rosechurch.org/give Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss more incredible sermons like this one or previous series like “I Am” or “The Tension of Faith” from Pastor Andrew Damazio, Dr. AJ Swoboda, Pastor Julia Damazio and many other incredible pastors!Thanks for listening!

The Awe of the Prophets by

In four powerful reminders from Orchos Tzaddikim, Rabbi Wolbe teaches us how to live every single day with awe, humility, and unstoppable growth:Stay in your lane of wonder Remember you are lower than the angels yet infinitely higher than animals. Hashem made you master of the entire physical world — fruit, fish, birds, beasts — and then revealed His deepest secrets to you in the Torah. The only proper response is to walk through life like a humbled servant who has just been crowned king: “How grateful one must be for all of this!”Grow so slowly the Yetzer Hara doesn't even notice The secret to permanent change is tiny, tiny habits. Rabbi Wolbe shares his grandfather's Yom Kippur War story: the IDF flew the plane just inches above the sand to stay under Egyptian radar. “That's how we grow,” he says. If you announce “I'll never speak lashon hara again!” the yetzer hara shoots you down instantly. But if you quietly commit to never switching on one unnecessary light on Shabbos — a tiny blip — the yetzer hara thinks it's just a bird. Once that tiny mitzvah becomes part of your DNA, the ground beneath you rises, the radar rises with it, and suddenly you're flying high without ever having triggered the alarm. “Small step → habit → new you → higher radar → next small step.” Quotable gem: “The yetzer hara has perfect radar for big declarations… but it completely misses the guy crawling under the fence with one tiny improvement.”Invest in real friends (without an agenda) Always do good for others exactly the way you wish they would do good for you — but do it because it's right, not because you'll have a side benefit that they love you back. Rabbi Wolbe contrasts this with a famous self-help book on “how to win friends” that left him disgusted: “That book teaches how to kiss up so people will kiss up to you. That's networking, not friendship.” True brotherhood is loving them for their sake, not yours. “Reveal your deepest secrets only to one in a thousand… but give your kindness to everyone.”Fall in love with the world every single morning Because we see sunrises, rain, flowers, and stars every day, we stop being amazed — and that is the greatest tragedy. Orchos Tzaddikim demands we live as if we were blind from birth and today, for the first time, our eyes opened. “Pretend you just landed from Mars and you've never seen a tulip, a thunderstorm, or a Texas sunset — then look!” Rabbi Wolbe confesses he was “a little selfish” this Shabbos and bought his wife tulips because he personally finds them breathtaking. His plea: “Pull over on the side of the road when you see that sunset. It's Hashem's personal love note to you right now. Don't get used to miracles.”Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on April 28, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 2, 2025_____________This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Remembrance, #Spiritual, #Journey, #Hashem, #Humility, #Gratitude, #Creation, #Genuine, #Friendships, #Brotherhood, #Awe, #DivineArtistry, #SmallSteps, #PersonalGrowth, #Mitzvahs, #Yetzirah, #EvilInclination, #DailyRoutine, #EverydayMiracles, #Familiarity, #DivineLove, #Magnificence, #Gratitude, #KingDavid, #Psalms, #Wonder ★ Support this podcast ★

In four powerful reminders from Orchos Tzaddikim, Rabbi Wolbe teaches us how to live every single day with awe, humility, and unstoppable growth:Stay in your lane of wonder Remember you are lower than the angels yet infinitely higher than animals. Hashem made you master of the entire physical world — fruit, fish, birds, beasts — and then revealed His deepest secrets to you in the Torah. The only proper response is to walk through life like a humbled servant who has just been crowned king: “How grateful one must be for all of this!”Grow so slowly the Yetzer Hara doesn't even notice The secret to permanent change is tiny, tiny habits. Rabbi Wolbe shares his grandfather's Yom Kippur War story: the IDF flew the plane just inches above the sand to stay under Egyptian radar. “That's how we grow,” he says. If you announce “I'll never speak lashon hara again!” the yetzer hara shoots you down instantly. But if you quietly commit to never switching on one unnecessary light on Shabbos — a tiny blip — the yetzer hara thinks it's just a bird. Once that tiny mitzvah becomes part of your DNA, the ground beneath you rises, the radar rises with it, and suddenly you're flying high without ever having triggered the alarm. “Small step → habit → new you → higher radar → next small step.” Quotable gem: “The yetzer hara has perfect radar for big declarations… but it completely misses the guy crawling under the fence with one tiny improvement.”Invest in real friends (without an agenda) Always do good for others exactly the way you wish they would do good for you — but do it because it's right, not because you'll have a side benefit that they love you back. Rabbi Wolbe contrasts this with a famous self-help book on “how to win friends” that left him disgusted: “That book teaches how to kiss up so people will kiss up to you. That's networking, not friendship.” True brotherhood is loving them for their sake, not yours. “Reveal your deepest secrets only to one in a thousand… but give your kindness to everyone.”Fall in love with the world every single morning Because we see sunrises, rain, flowers, and stars every day, we stop being amazed — and that is the greatest tragedy. Orchos Tzaddikim demands we live as if we were blind from birth and today, for the first time, our eyes opened. “Pretend you just landed from Mars and you've never seen a tulip, a thunderstorm, or a Texas sunset — then look!” Rabbi Wolbe confesses he was “a little selfish” this Shabbos and bought his wife tulips because he personally finds them breathtaking. His plea: “Pull over on the side of the road when you see that sunset. It's Hashem's personal love note to you right now. Don't get used to miracles.”Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on April 28, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 2, 2025_____________This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Remembrance, #Spiritual, #Journey, #Hashem, #Humility, #Gratitude, #Creation, #Genuine, #Friendships, #Brotherhood, #Awe, #DivineArtistry, #SmallSteps, #PersonalGrowth, #Mitzvahs, #Yetzirah, #EvilInclination, #DailyRoutine, #EverydayMiracles, #Familiarity, #DivineLove, #Magnificence, #Gratitude, #KingDavid, #Psalms, #Wonder ★ Support this podcast ★

My friends often joke that I am a predictable, spiritual stereotype. They joke that they can predict my answers and ideas based on the punchlines of comedians who mock the religious… They aren't wrong.The Meaning CrisisI am one of those people the meaning crisis beat into the darkness from which I thought I would never return. Over my life I became increasingly disconnected from my family, my friends, my faith and my life. My family tend to judge me without care or compassion for my own mental or physical health. I am an avatar for their wishes, dreams, and expectations and not a person in and of myself. Friends are physically so far away, because I have lived all over the country, my friends live all over the country and it is hard to keep in touch with them, especially as it has become harder for me to travel. The church abandoned God for the Republican Party. My body keeps me from doing so many of the things I want to do as my chronic ailments have gotten worse over time.The results of all of this is I am left drowning in the same sea of disconnection and loneliness as everyone. I've been able to keep my head above water, but it is so tempting sometimes to just let myself go under. While I know or at least see a path to the shore, riptides keep pulling me back out to sea.Current events don't help. Every time I watch the news, my faith in the social contract, progress, and our ability to correct errors is shaken and cracked. I know historically, the ideological pendulum swings back and forth. It is hard to live through this prolonged swing to the right especially when as the mechanics of the state have been twisted to cover up and prevent the pendulum from swinging back the other way.I know I am not the only one feeling all this, but I don't see enough spiritual teachers being honest about it.The Light in the DarknessAt the dances I was one of the most untiring and gayest. One evening a cousin of Sasha, a young boy, took me aside. With a grave face, as if he were about to announce the death of a dear comrade, he whispered to me that it did not behoove an agitator to dance. Certainly not with such reckless abandon, anyway. It was undignified for one who was on the way to become a force in the anarchist movement. My frivolity would only hurt the Cause.I grew furious at the impudent interference of the boy. I told him to mind his own business, I was tired of having the Cause constantly thrown into my face. I did not believe that a Cause which stood for a beautiful ideal, for anarchism, for release and freedom from conventions and prejudice, should demand the denial of life and joy. I insisted that our Cause could not expect me to became a nun and that the movement should not be turned into a cloister. If it meant that, I did not want it. “I want freedom, the right to self-expression, everybody's right to beautiful, radiant things.” Anarchism meant that to me, and I would live it in spite of the whole world — prisons, persecution, everything. Yes, even in spite of the condemnation of my own closest comrades I would live my beautiful ideal.- Emma Goldman, Living My LifeWe are not at our best when we are serious and solemn, entirely focused on the Cause, whatever the “Cause” might be. We are at our best when we are really and truly alive and bringing that vitality to our causes.Anarchism is simply the rejection of unjust hierarchies and working through right relationship in accordance with the sovereignty of ourselves and others to build an equitable world. I want to build and live in a just, equitable, and compassionate world. That goal is the light on the path out of the meaning crisis for me. That is why I share it to the best of my ability.Science and reason are great, but they have nothing to offer to the search of meaning, purpose, or fulfillment. We can study those things all we want, but their is no way to objectively measure happiness, fulfillment, meaning, purpose, and connection. We need a different technology for those things, and we have three: religion, spirituality, and magic. The problem is they have been used to control, dominate, and suppress people. Any technology can be misused, that doesn't mean we throw it out. We have to reclaim it for its proper and good use.How do we find meaning?These are like diagnostic questions you can ask about in order to (sort of) measure how much meaning in life you have. What do you want to exist even if you don't?Second, how real is it? Is it really real? Third, how much of a difference do you make to it now? If you can answer all three of those you have meaning in life. If one of them is missing, it's reduced. If they're all missing, you're in trouble.John Vervaeke, Metaphysics of MatteringThese are the diagnostic questions to discover how much meaning we have in our lives:* What do we want to exist even if it doesn't?* How real is what we want to exist? * How much of a difference do we make to building it now? The better we can answer those questions, the more meaning we have in our lives. I want to live in a world without unjust hierarchies, where everyone has access to meaning. I want to be a part of a movement where everyone can and does dance when they want. That is why I am a practitioner of Creation Spirituality.Creation Spirituality and the Meaning CrisisCreation Spirituality offers a clear and simple pattern to find meaning for ourselves individually and as a collective. That tool is the Four Paths, which is one of the most powerful spiritual technologies I have ever found to build and rebuild meaning and never forget to dance.Path One: The Way of Awe (Via Positiva)The first path begins with Awe, reminding us that we are born in Original Blessing in a world that is good (ki tov), that grace is always available to us and we exist as conduits for that grace to enter the world. How does the first path answer these questions?What do we want to exist on the first path even if it doesn't?We want to experience the jaw-dropping awe of the cosmos, savoring it with all our hearts. We use those experiences to build communities of hospitality where we, like Earth, are welcoming to all.We want to experience joy in our daily life, where we work from the desires of our hearts to build a better world for each other and the world to come.This exists on a small scale in our personal lives, but we desire to see this joy, awe, and enjoyment of life be available to all.How real is what we want to exist? This world is available to all, but is kept from most of our grasp by the greedy and the power hungry. We make enough food to feed everyone on Earth and have enough housing for a roof over everyone's head. It is only greed and the need of a few to dominate others that we are not living in that reality now.How much of a difference do we make to building it now? The more we work to help everyone savor the joys of life, the closer we get to it being a reality for all. Through mutual aid, collective bargaining, community organizing, and deep friendships, we grow ever closer to bringing this reality to all.That might not seem true, but that is because there are too many people striving to keep power, wealth, healthcare, food, and shelter under the control of a greedy and fearful elite. The more of us who are working for the liberation of all, the fewer there are taking food, safety, and life from those who are deprived of their birthrights.Path Two: The Way of Mystery (Via Negativa)What do we want to exist on the second path even if it doesn't?In path two, we let go of the delusional certainty that we know everything and we reject the lie that we must ignore suffering and those who are in pain. What we want is the space to acknowledge our wounds so they might be tended and healed. We want the room to speak the truth to power that power fears. We want the mindfulness to sit with our pain, acknowledge it, and reveal the depth of harm existing in the current system.How real is what we want to exist? Some of us have a mindfulness practice and have built support groups and healing circles. We see the hope and healing they bring into our lives. With a little effort and collective will, we can open space to air the issues we have and are enduring, because there can be no reconciliation without the truth coming out first.How much of a difference do we make to building it now? The work we are currently doing helps so many people, but through the circumstances imposed on us by the systems that exist now, so many others fall through the cracks. We need to continue to offer the help we are now and build a world where the resources exist to make these resources available to everyone.Path Three: The Way of Creativity (Via Creativa)On the third path, we trust our voices, our hands, and our bodies to bring the wonder we found in path one and the maturity and strength we found in path two into the world through creative conversation, organizing, cooking, poetry, writing, art, and countless other means. We channel the compassion and wisdom we generate in the first two paths into modes of sharing that compassion and wisdom to others.What do we want to exist on the third path even if it doesn't?While our culture does not embrace the importance of art in all its varied forms, some of us embrace it and offer the fruits of our labor to the world. Our work is very real, which is why the powerful and the greedy work so hard to commodify it and control it by the whims of the rich and powerful.How real is what we want to exist?Even through the efforts of the powerful to co-opt and control creativity and our imaginations, so many continue to work from the heart. If we found better ways to support the arts and those who create it, even more would be able to share their glimpses of the world through their own eyes. Creativity is real, but we need to do more to encourage everyone to take part in the creativity yearning to break free from their hearts. How much of a difference do we make to building it now? Creativity changes the world. Stories are empathy machines (Roger Ebert) that change the way we see others and ourselves. Art changes the way we see the world. The reason tyrants always go after free speech is so they can close off the imaginations of the people so they will accept their vile rule. All creativity, no matter how small, changes the world for someone.Path Four: The Way of Transformation (Via Transformativa)In path four, we take the compassion and creativity born though the first three paths and carry it into the world through justice movements and celebration.What do we want to exist on the fourth path even if it doesn't?Truth exists. It is born from the relationship between facts and how they impact people and the world. Justice movements push back oppression and celebration builds sanctuaries for us to recharge and renew our strength for justice making.How real is what we want to exist? The rich and the powerful have arrayed themselves against the work of justice and hope. The movements exist, but they need to grow and take back the power from those who seek control over others.How much of a difference do we make to building it now? Each person who joins a justice movement or who makes a sanctuary for those working for justice makes this even more of a reality. Together through collective action we change the world.This is why I practice Creation SpiritualityCreation Spirituality is a fount of meaning and purpose. The practice focuses us on the daily activities that help us find meaning every day, even in the darkest times. You don't have to agree with my politics and I don't have to agree with yours. We do need to agree with need for justice, compassion, wonder, mindfulness, and creativity. These things will liberate us all from those seeking to control us for their own selfish aims. The practice itself liberates us individually, and encourages us to bring others with us on the path to freedom, harmony, and joy.I want to invite you to join us as we learn more about the four paths and the ways we can embody them to find meaning and purpose in our own lives and to spread that discovery to everyone.Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.Thank you for Tips / Donations: * https://ko-fi.com/cedorsett * https://patreon.com/cedorsett * https://cash.app/$CreationsPaths* Substack: https://www.creationspaths.com/New to The Seraphic Grove learn more For Educational Resource: https://wisdomscry.com Creation's Paths: A Creation Spirituality Primer Social Connections: * BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/creationspaths.com * Threads https://www.threads.net/@creationspaths * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creationspaths/#CreationSpirituality #Christopagan #Druidry #Mysticism #SpiritualPractice #MeaningCrisis #ViaPositiva #ViaCreativa #SacredAwe #CosmicChristChapters:00:00 Introduction: Finding Meaning in Four Steps01:05 Welcome and Episode Overview02:14 Understanding the Meaning Crisis04:14 Diagnosing the Meaning Crisis04:47 Question 1: What Do You Want Most?07:02 Question 2: How Real Is It?08:55 Question 3: How Much Can You Affect It?10:28 The Danger of Manipulation11:46 Path 1: The Path of Wonder and Awe11:51 How does Creation Spirituality help answer these questions?12:05 Path One: Savoring Daily and Falling in Love14:18 Path 2: Letting Go and Mindfulness16:23 Path 3: The Creative Way18:25 Path 4: Transformation and Celebration20:20 Applying the Four Paths Daily21:19 Resources and Personal Journey22:14 Purpose Through Action, Not Possession23:43 Closing Remarks23:45 Closing Prayer Get full access to Creation's Paths at www.creationspaths.com/subscribe

"The gospel story remains the same—that the God of the universe has stepped into the darkness of this world and is offering us life and light."— Natalie AbbottToday's episode: Join host Natalie Abbott as she delves into the profound imagery of light and darkness in the book of Isaiah. She follows the theme of light throughout the book and shows us it tells God's salvation story, spanning thousands of years and going on into eternity. More than that she invites us into God's story of light and life, challenging us to allow God to continue to break into our personal darkness and to shine his light in the world. This month's memory verse: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” — Isaiah 9:2Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently's monthly membership!If you love this show...support it by leaving us a review.Links from today's show: Be encouraged with bite-sized biblical truth in New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp.Find empathy, wisdom, and real-life stories in When Dreams Fall Apart, by Jennifer Lucy Tyler.Dwell on God's character in Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe, by Carolyn Lacey.Check out the Dwell Differently Christmas Sale!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Childlike, Not Childish"Mathew 18:1-4Guest Pastor Casey SteenNovember 30, 2025Pastor Casey's previous message at Oasis: https://youtu.be/HeB-D4F-lysHave you heard the news about the FUTURE of Oasis Church?https://www.oasischurch.online/futureWhy we tithe: https://youtu.be/GEBQV8j2e7UHow should Christians respond to wickedness in the world? https://youtu.be/2OJUIM9YRwAHow to VOTE BIBLICALLY - highlighting Virginia's proposed Constitutional amendments on Abortion & Marriage https://youtu.be/Y8z8xTFsOn8Should Christians pay attention to POLITICS? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak82aD16r04SERMON NOTES:- Mark 12:30- Childlike, Not Childish- Hebrews 11:6 “without faith it is impossible to please God.”- Mathew 18:1-4- Luke 18:17- The kingdom of God is not built on achievement—it's received through astonishment.- 1. ChildLIKE Faith is full of Wonder and Awe, it's not unresponsive and apathetic. - Exodus 15:11- Hebrews 12:28-29- Psalm 139:14- Self Reflection: Have I lost my sense of Wonder and Awe?- 2. ChildLIKE Faith is full of Faith and Trust, not disbelief and suspicion.- Hebrews 11:1- Hebrews 11:6- Currency of heaven - Matthew 9:29- Matthew 15:28- Mark 11:22-24- Matthew 9:22- “…because the more you understand of the character of God, the more utterly inconsistent with rational thought it would be that God would ever deceive you, because His track record is perfectly consistent.” —R.C. Sproul- Self Reflection: Where can I trust God more and have greater faith?- 3: ChildLIKE Faith is full of Humility and Gratitude, not selfishness and entitlement.- “When we have conquered ourselves, we have conquered all” —Charles Spurgeon- Because self-love turns everything inward.  But biblical love is outward.- 1 Corinthians 13:5- Luke 18:9–14- James 4:6- Matthew 23:12- Proverbs 16:18- Childlike faith is not childish faith. Being ChildLIKE resonates with and embraces the neediness, dependency, and smallness of those who understand their place in the kingdom of God. ChildISH simply put, is one who refuses to grow up and thinks everything is about THEM.- Self Reflection: What areas of my life have I become selfish and entitled?  Oasis Church exists to Worship God, Equip the believers, and Reach the lost.We are led by Pastor Nate Clarke and are located in Richmond, VA.Stay Connected:Website: https://oasischurch.online Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oasischurchva/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OasisChurchRVA/

The Awe of the Wise Men by

Ever wondered what is Advent beyond just lighting candles or opening little doors on a calendar? Advent is about arrival and anticipation—a sacred season that prepares our hearts to celebrate Christ's first coming while also anticipating His second coming.In this episode, we're exploring the rich history of Advent from the 5th-6th centuries and practical ways to make space for Christ in your family this season. Let's face it …the real crisis isn't a busy December—it's a Christ-less Christmas.In this episode:✅What is Advent and how you can celebrate as a family✅Why the first 2 weeks focus on reflection while the last 2 focus on celebration✅How to prepare room in your heart, schedule, and family for Jesus (not just more activities)✅Why hope in Jesus is confident expectation, not just wishful thinking✅Practical ways to anticipate Christ's coming like you'd prepare for honored house guests✅Beautiful traditions using Advent candles, scripture readings, and family devotionsReady to make Advent meaningful? Use the Advent resources below to help your family prepare room for Jesus!Recommended ResourcesChristmas Celebrations Bundle (SAVE $10 with code: DEC10 )Advent Tool Kit (SAVE $10 with code: DEC10 )Star of Bethtlehem ebookChristmas Celebrations ebookChristmas Around the World ebookJotham's JourneyO Come, O Come EmmanuelShow Notes:What Is Advent?Advent means arrival and anticipation. We're going to talk more about this in Tuesday's class, but I want to give you some background.Back in the 5th-6th centuries, the church celebrated Advent in a specific way. The first two weeks of Advent, the church would reflect on the Second Coming. Disciples would chasten their hearts, confess sins, and spend time hoping for the quick coming of the Lord. It was a time of reflection and fasting.The last two weeks of Advent would then transition to focus on the first coming—Christ in the manger. This was a time of feasting.Advent and Christmas are never held as a full re-enactment of the life of Christ but point to our place between the Resurrection and Second Coming.How Do You Walk Through Advent?I'm going to share ideas over the four weeks of Advent, but today I want to talk about making space for Christ.There's a book called "Make Space for Christ" by Susan Narjala, and the concept comes from that line in the Christmas carol: "Let every heart prepare Him room." But how do we actually do that?The Crisis of a Christ-Less ChristmasWe face a crisis of a Christ-less Christmas. We forget the guest of honor—Jesus. We get so wrapped up in gifts, we forget to unwrap the greatest gift of all.The antithesis of fearing God isn't offending Him or denying Him or omitting Him. It's forgetting God. Luke 3:4-6 talks about preparing the way of the Lord.Anticipation Is KeyThink about how you prepare for house guests. It takes time, right? So does preparing for or anticipating the feast of Christmas.You clean the house, you clean the bedrooms. You make sure your guests will be comfortable. You get rid of unnecessary items in the guest room. You declutter. In the same way, we need to confess sin and make room in our hearts.Psalm 27 says, "One thing I seek, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to meditate..." Sometimes you need to rearrange the room if necessary—get rid of toys, add water bottles, clean towels. Rethink, rearrange, and refocus so Christ has room in your family.We're anticipating the second coming of Christ as well. Growing up, we would read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Now I do Advent candles each week along with Advent Bible reading or Jotham's Journey.When you greet and treat guests with love, it's not because you have to. You get to. You want to.Is There Room for Jesus?Is there room in your heart for Jesus? Is there room in your schedule for Jesus? Is there room in your family for Jesus?We need to re-prioritize. We need to respond in AWE to God's amazing love. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first the kingdom of God."Hope: The First Candle in AdventIn America, we use the word "hope" to mean "wish." But in Jesus, hope means expecting Him—confident expectation. It's not just a wish that God is here or that Jesus saves. It's confident expectation.Think about the line from O Holy Night that you could use for copywork, dictation, or a short discussion about "thrill of hope":O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior's birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!We're still waiting for His coming again—the second coming. We're still weary from the world, from personal issues.Isaiah 40:31 talks about waiting on the Lord. Think about O Come Emmanuel—Israel hoped and waited 400 years. You can find more about this at howtohomeschoolmychild.com/o-come-o-come-emmanuel.Waiting on GodWe wait on God. I have a family devotion story about this. I'm still waiting on God to move in Steve's life.Kid-Friendly IdeasYou can make this kid-friendly using fabric or plastic figures. At Faith Passages, we actually acted it out with the kids.Ready to make Advent meaningful in your home? Download the free Advent resources and O Come Emmanuel study at HowToHomeschoolMyChild.com/o-come-o-come-emmanuel to help your family prepare room for Jesus. Learn practical ways to celebrate hope, peace, joy, and love while pointing your children to both Christ's first coming and His return!

Episode 89: Let the priestess die - why the old identity & template is keeping you stuck from EMBODYING your full creative potential   If you're in the liminal void space, ready for a colossal SHIFT in identity and embodiment, this is the episode for you!   We'll get stuck into The trap of the priestess identity & how it limits you to an old template The new era of embodiment and Christ Consciousness we're moving into and what it means for how we facilitate transformation Leaning into AWE and REJOICING at God's plan for us, even if we can't see where it's taking us The biggest hack for shifting into more joy, abundance and expansion   ____   To book your session or enquire about one of the offerings mentioned in this episode, shoot me a DM on socials.   If you've resonated with the messages shared in this episode or want to know more about the work that I do, follow me on IG @becmylonas or head to www.becmylonas.com where you can access some potent free activations, masterclasses and healings and check out other podcasts I've co-created with

In this solo episode, Darin explores a radical idea backed by ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience: that awe — a single embodied moment of wonder — may be the fastest biological doorway to expanding consciousness. Drawing on cutting-edge research, timeless spiritual traditions, and personal stories, Darin reveals how awe reduces inflammation, rewires the brain, quiets the ego, boosts vagal tone, expands time perception, and reconnects us to meaning in a world drowning in distraction.     What You'll Learn in This Episode 00:00 — Welcome to SuperLife: igniting sovereignty, possibility, and human potential 00:32 — Sponsor: Therasage — the most nutrient-dense food on Earth 01:51 — Today's topic: Awe as a biological shortcut to consciousness 02:00 — The definition of awe: when the world becomes bigger than your understanding 02:17 — Awe literally changes the brain — research from Dacher Keltner 02:23 — What if the fastest way to expand consciousness isn't meditation or psychedelics… but a single moment of awe? 02:34 — "Embodied awe" as a key humans have overlooked 02:41 — Science is catching up — the physiological effects of awe 02:47 — Awe reduces inflammation, rewires neural pathways, and increases connection 02:55 — Modern life has cut us off from awe — but nature left a back door 03:02 — Awe as a temporary collapse of ego → widening of consciousness 03:12 — What awe feels like: chest expansion, mind quieting, heart opening 03:22 — Awe is triggered by vastness — moments that shift your framework 03:31 — Awe motivates us to transcend self-interest and connect to something bigger 03:47 — Examples of awe: star-filled sky, ancient trees, rivers carving canyons 04:01 — 90% of humans can't see the stars anymore — light pollution crisis 04:23 — Awe in music, nature, micro-patterns, the beauty of small things 05:00 — Awe in ancient traditions: Darshan, Greek thauma, Biblical reverence 05:12 — Darin's hawk story — the personal power of unexpected awe 06:03 — The science of awe: IL-6, immune markers, inflammation reduction 06:28 — Awe quiets the Default Mode Network — the home of the ego 06:43 — Less rumination → more presence, clarity, and connection 07:06 — Awe expands time perception — Stanford research on "time abundance" 07:32 — Awe increases generosity, altruism, pro-social behavior 08:04 — Awe boosts vagal tone: calm, resilience, emotional regulation 08:22 — Why we are STARVING for awe — screens, indoor living, disconnection 08:57 — Sponsor: Caldera Lab 11:33 — "We've traded the vastness of the universe for tiny screens." 11:40 — How to reclaim awe: look at the sky, clouds, moon, trees 11:53 — Let your eyes adjust to nature again 12:03 — Astronomical awe puts your problems in perspective 12:14 — Awe as emotional first-aid: go outside, find the horizon 12:30 — Limit phone time — reduce micro-dopamine addiction 13:02 — Micro-awe: the patterns in a leaf, the sunlight through branches 13:12 — Nature is always available — if you choose it 13:16 — Awe as the ultimate nervous-system reset 13:27 — Circadian alignment: dim lights, follow nature 13:56 — Humility = freedom — awe repositions your place in the universe 14:19 — Awe is biological, spiritual, emotional nourishment 14:27 — Awe is the ultimate bio-hack 14:35 — Awe reduces inflammation, expands time, deepens empathy 14:46 — "Awe is the gateway to the self-transcendent." 14:55 — If you want more meaning, vitality, and connection — start with awe 15:02 — Awe reduces stress, boosts empathy, reconnects you to your soul 15:18 — Awe reconnects you to what actually matters 15:30 — Final message: Have yourself the best SuperLife day ever     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Caldera Lab: Experience the clinically proven benefits of Caldera Lab's clean skincare regimen and enjoy 20% off your order by visiting calderalab.com/darin and using code DARIN at checkout.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Awe isn't entertainment — it's medicine. It's the biological, emotional, and spiritual nourishment your body has been starving for. Reclaim awe, and you reclaim your soul."     Bibliography & Research Sources Bai, Y., Ocampo, J., Jin, G., Chen, S., Benet-Martínez, V., Monroy, M., Anderson, C., & Keltner, D. (2021). Awe, daily stress, and well-being. Emotion, 21(4), 562–566. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000638 Chirico, A., & Yaden, D. B. (2018). Awe: A self-transcendent emotion. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 2353. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02353 International Dark-Sky Association (DarkSky) & NASA. (n.d.). Light pollution and night sky brightness data. NASA Earth Observatory / DarkSky International. https://darksky.org/resources/ or https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/NightLights Keltner, D. (2023). Awe: The new science of everyday wonder and how it can transform your life. Penguin Press. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622177/awe-by-dacher-keltner/ Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302297 Louv, R. (2008). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. Algonquin Books. http://richardlouv.com/books/last-child/ Piff, P. K., Dietze, P., Feinberg, M., Stancato, D. M., & Keltner, D. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 883–899. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000018 Pollan, M. (2018). How to change your mind: What the new science of psychedelics teaches us about consciousness, dying, addiction, depression, and transcendence. Penguin Press. https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/ Rudd, M., Vohs, K. D., & Aaker, J. (2012). Awe expands people's perception of time, alters decision making, and enhances well-being. Psychological Science, 23(10), 1130–1136. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612438731 Shiota, M. N., Keltner, D., & Mossman, A. (2007). The nature of awe: Elicitors, appraisals, and effects on self-concept. Emotion, 7(4), 944–963. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.7.4.944 Stellar, J. E., John-Henderson, N., Anderson, C. L., Gordon, A. M., McNeil, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2015). Positive affect and markers of inflammation: Discrete positive emotions predict lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Emotion, 15(2), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000033  

This Thanksgiving, take a deep breath with me.

Pastor Natalie Morris reflects on Acts 2:42–47 and invites us, whatever our season, to pursue authentic fellowship—sharing meals, praying, practicing generosity, and meeting regularly. She challenges us to take one simple step today and watch how God moves.

Step into a moment of awe and spacious calm with this guided meditation by grief-informed practitioner and writer Sylvia Wolfer. In “Expanding Awareness: A Meditation on Awe, Wonder, and Our Place in the Universe,” Sylvia invites you to rise above the noise of daily life and reconnect with the vastness around and within you.Through gentle visualisation and grounded mindfulness, this meditation helps soften stress, settle the nervous system, and restore a sense of quiet clarity. It's a perfect pause for anyone feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply in need of a deeper breath.To explore more of Sylvia's work — including her free Grief Resilience Scorecard — visit sylviawolfer.com.Take this moment. Let awe widen the space inside you.https://www.instagram.com/_sylvia_wolfer_grief_support/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylviawolfer/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/find-your-daily-calm/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Matthew 14-16 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, Heather guides us through Matthew chapters 14-16, exploring powerful moments from Jesus' ministry—feeding the 5,000, walking on water, and challenging traditions with compassion and truth. Along the way, Heather reflects on what it means to follow Jesus through life's storms, reminding us that faith often grows in the midst of hardship and awe. With heartfelt prayers and encouragement, she invites us to rely on God's presence, embrace the journey of faith, and remember that, even in difficult times, we are deeply loved. Settle in for Scripture, reflection, and encouragement for your spiritual walk, right here on the Daily Radio Bible. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Jesus teaches us through the storms. Watching the storms roll in on the Oregon coast can be mesmerizing. But there's a lesson that goes deeper when you're in the middle of the storm yourself. That's just how Jesus teaches—sometimes he places us right in the thick of it, not as punishment, but for our growth. In today's passage, we see that after the miracle of feeding the multitudes, Jesus insisted his disciples get in the boat and cross the lake. It was his idea. Why did he insist? Maybe because they wanted to stay wrapped up in the excitement of the miracle, or perhaps, as fishermen, they sensed a storm coming and wanted to avoid it. We don't know for sure, but what we do know is that Jesus was adamant, and they obeyed. Their obedience didn't buy them smooth sailing—instead, they found themselves far from land, battling heavy waves. This reminds us: just because we're obedient doesn't mean we won't be tested, and it doesn't guarantee calm seas. Sometimes Jesus directs us straight into the storm, knowing what awaits us. The truth is, storms will come, even in the center of God's will. But when we are in those storms, Jesus cares. He knows our burdens and our fears, and he is praying for us. Jesus was teaching his disciples to rely fully on him—removing every comfort and prop so that faith would truly grow. He brought them into open water, into trouble, to teach them to walk by faith, not sight. Faith is a process, not an event. Our strength may fail, but Jesus never will. In the storm, he speaks to us: "Don't be afraid. Take courage. I am here." Awe at the presence of God is the beginning of faith. Peter experienced this awe and, for a moment, stepped out onto the water—not on his own power, but fully dependent on Jesus. If you're surrounded by wind and waves today, listen for the voice that calls you forth: step out, take courage, and let awe lead you to faith. Let this be our prayer: that we might learn in our storms to trust the abiding presence and love of Christ, and have the courage to respond in faith—one step at a time. May we move from fear to faith, knowing he is with us in every season. That's a prayer for my own soul, and a prayer for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Can a church or an organization become a narcissistic system?This eye-opening episode dives into how to recognize, confront, and heal from spiritual and emotional abuse inside communities that control, manipulate, and harm in the name of faith or “purpose.”Together with Josh Berger, we explore:What a narcissistic system really is and how it operatesRed flags many people overlook until it's too lateThe impact on your identity, faith, and relationshipsWhy leaving is so hard (and why it is NOT your fault)Practical steps to heal, rebuild your voice, and find a healthy communityHow to prevent churches and organizations from becoming toxicThis episode is for you if:✔ Something feels “off” where you worship or work✔ You've experienced manipulation, pressure, or isolation✔ You are looking for a path toward restoration✔ You want to protect your community from unhealthy dynamics IMPORTANT RESOURCE — Live Q&AWe know you'll have questions… so we planned ahead!Join us for a special Live Q&A with our guest Josh

When his filmmaking career stalled during the pandemic, Toby Lockerbie turned to the one place that had never stopped inspiring him: the Universe. With no background in visual effects, he taught himself the tools needed to transform complex space science into cinematic stories using everyday objects and beautifully crafted visuals to make the Cosmos feel human. His channel, Epic Spaceman, now reaches millions and has earned multiple Webby Awards for its innovative approach to visualizing scale, awe, and accessible science. This week on Planetary Radio, Toby joins host Sarah Al-Ahmed to discuss the creation of Epic Spaceman, how visual metaphors can change how we understand the Universe, and why awe remains one of the most powerful tools for science communication. Then we welcome Bruce Betts back for What’s Up, where we reflect on the end of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Akatsuki mission to Venus. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-epic-spacemanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode begins with the idea that all the troubles in the world at this time bring a great weight and pressure down upon, not just humanity as a whole, but also each individual soul. Since our souls are secretly tuned to the world, the widening divisions outside us tend to activate inner splits within us, specifically in the form of early life feelings of being abandoned, rejected and overwhelmed.     Fears of abandonment and overwhelm return each time we face great obstacles or the need to truly change, not because we are inherently bad or simply ill-fated. Rather, a genuine crisis will activate our early life experiences of rejection and loss in order that we find ways to heal our inner wounds and at the same time reveal our deepest gifts. Part of what seeks to become reclaimed as part of our natural inheritance used to be known as the child of joy, the source of natural buoyancy as well as inner resiliency.     Our innate connection to joy can be a meaningful antidote to the weight of the world and the increasing anxieties that entrap us. However, finding again this kind of soul connection requires that we work through the exact wounds that keep us from feeling fully alive to begin with. The problem turns out to be not simply that there was an original betrayal that leaves us wounded, but also that we keep betraying ourselves in the same way. Eventually, the issue is not simply who did what to us and why, but rather how we manage to stop abandoning ourselves each time we feel fearful, on the edge of overwhelm or stuck in life again.     Genuine change and renewal, on both individual and collective levels, require that we touch the original splits again and heal the wounds that separate us from the inner source of existence and the innate sense of joy that naturally attends the gift of life. For it is this soul connection and inner resilience that seeks to be found, that waits to be felt again and that wishes to be nourished, despite and because of the troubles that now plague the world.     Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can hear Michael Meade live by joining him for three online events: "Living with Awe, Joy and Gratitude", a free event on November 20 and "Your Genius is Calling", an in-depth workshop on December 6 and "In This Darkness Singing" a free Solstice ritual on December 20.   Register and learn more at mosaicvoices.org/events.      You can further support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 725 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles.   Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth     If you enjoy this podcast, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your friends. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well and thank you for your support of our work.

In a strange spiritual metaphor, God plants TREES inside buildings. They are big, healthy, growing trees.  Why? to give fruit. How? by paying attention to the basics of plantsmanship. In the church, what characteristics have been attended to to result in fruitful plantings? They are people who have paid attention to fellowship, to service, to study and to AWE. Join me for 7 minutes as we do exactly that.Subscribe and comment and share on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RZfQTxP5Y0E

The post Awe as Salvation appeared first on Common Thread Church.

As the world around us becomes increasingly divided into opposing forces, the tensions and conflicts within us also intensify. In psychological terms, the division most in need of being healed is the split between the ego or "little self" and the deeper, knowing self within us.     In fairy tales a golden ball often appears as a symbol of the inner unity and wholeness we felt, at least for a moment, as children. The old rule is that everyone has at least one experience of the presence of the deep self, typically felt as something golden within us.     This deeper self within knows why we are here on earth and what we are intended to do. Yet, the ego, with its fixed attitudes and pretensions of being at the center of life, stands in the way. At each turning point in life this golden self within tries to become more conscious as a source of grounding and centering, but also as a resource of genuine visions, big dreams and vital energies.     In a world filled with conflicts and great uncertainty, the guidance and centering power of the deeper self can save us from feeling anxious and overwhelmed. In order for both individual and collective awakening and meaningful change to occur, a deeper sense of self and soul must become more conscious and available to us.     Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can hear Michael Meade live by joining him for two online events: "Living with Awe, Joy and Gratitude", a free event on November 20 and "Your Genius is Calling", an in-depth workshop on December 6.   Register and learn more at mosaicvoices.org/events.      You can further support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 725 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles.   Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth     If you enjoy this podcast and find it meaningful, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your community. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well and thank you for your support of our work.

John O'Leary dramatically escaped death as a child. After a catastrophic accident left with with third degree burns all over his body, and a 1 percent chance of survival, John has dedicated his life to inspiring awe in others. John is an internationally acclaimed speaker, host of the popular Live Inspired Podcast, and the author of multiple bestselling book, including his latest, In Awe. On this classic episode, John joined host Robert Glazer on ⁠the Elevate Podcast⁠ to talk about overcoming his childhood accident, sharing his story worldwide, inspiring awe in others, and fatherhood. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Mizzen & Main: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mizzenandmain.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Promo Code: elevate20) Shopify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shopify.com/elevate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Indeed: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠indeed.com/elevate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠masterclass.com/elevate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Northwest Registered Agent: northwestregisteredagent.com/elevate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Living Myth is about blindness, both individual and collective, and about the need for genuine visions and visionaries. Western culture, enthralled with the heroic and trapped in the limits of egotism, continues to turn a blind eye to the deeper sense of self and soul that alone can give a renewed sense of vision that can see beyond modern ideas that have come to threaten the future of the Earth.   As long as we see through the lens of the heroic ego, we are likely to remain stuck in the territory of the same old willfulness and predictable blindness that cannot see ways to arrive at a deeper ground of understanding or a greater way to envision the living world. As the philosopher and humanist Erasmus said: "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king." As the naturalist and poet Thoreau once stated: "I would give all the wealth of the world and all the deeds of all the heroes for one genuine vision."   Genuine change requires that we open our inner eyes and see from a deeper place. For, the new shape of the world only comes into view and becomes conscious to us when a vision arises from the darkness around us and from the unseen depths of our own unconscious. It is this kind of transformative vision that breaks through the blindness that both binds and polarizes us.   Something ancient and knowing is trying to catch up to us. And if our souls can stand deeply enough in the river of time, we can receive lost truths and wisdom from the deep well of memory as well as visions of the mostly unseen future. This combination of imaginative vision and deep memory has been the ongoing source of vitality and renewal that visionaries, seers and wounded healers throughout time have drawn upon to give us our true bearings even when the world itself seems to have lost its way.     Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can hear Michael Meade live by joining him for two online events: "Living with Awe, Joy and Gratitude", a free event on November 20 and "Awakening Genius, Living with Purpose", an in-depth workshop on December 6.   Register and learn more at mosaicvoices.org/events.      You can further support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 725 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles.   Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth     If you enjoy this podcast, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your friends. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well and thank you for your support of our work.

This episode begins by examining the rise of "vertical morality" that appears in both Christian communities and conservative politics and has given rise to a "war on empathy." Whereas Jesus famously preached love, mercy and care for the oppressed, vertical morality measures righteousness, not by goodness to others, but rather by something more simplistic and more divisive. Vertical morality declares that human behaviors are right or wrong based upon what the higher power says. As proponents put it: "Our ethics and behaviors have a duty to please God alone. We must obey by furthering the will of God, no matter the cost to other people." In a religious context, the higher power is God, in politics, it can become an authoritarian leader. As this viewpoint desensitizes people, true believers can justify demonizing all immigrants as criminals, defaming gay and trans people as predators, and condemning political opponents as, not just wrong, but evil. In direct contrast to vertical morality, Michael Meade proposes vertical imagination as a mostly lost quality of the human soul that would reconnect us to the heights of inspiration, but also keep us connected to the depths of genuine feeling. For the issue is not simply making a steady ascent on the ladder of morality. Rather, the point is for the soul to fully awaken to the process of ascent and descent that keeps Heaven and Earth connected, while it also connects us to the suffering souls of other people and to the all-embracing Soul of the World. When oriented from the deep sense of self and soul within us, our choices can become truly meaningful and our experiences genuinely unifying, rather than be divisive and traumatizing. In extraordinary times the soul expects to find extraordinary and enlivening experiences, not some final salvation based upon the ladders of morality, but rather many little redemptions found in moments when Heaven and Earth, the eternal and the time bound meet in the wisdom of our waking souls and merciful hearts. Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can hear Michael Meade live by joining his free online events "The Heart Within the Heart" on October 30 and "Living with Awe, Joy and Gratitude" on November 20. Register and learn more at mosaicvoices.org/events You can support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 700 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles. Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth If you enjoy this podcast and find it meaningful, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your friends. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well and thank you for your support of our work.

Every morning and evening, the earth sings of God’s glory. As our daily prayer and devotional remind us, the world is overflowing with beauty — mountains that reach toward heaven, oceans that echo His vastness, and people whose diversity reflects His creativity. Yet amid our busyness, we often overlook these wonders and miss the awe that leads us to worship. In this uplifting reflection, Whitney Hopler reminds us that awe isn’t reserved for mountaintops or faraway destinations — it’s woven into the everyday fabric of our lives. Whether we’re standing beneath a star-filled sky, walking through a quiet forest, or tasting a meal that celebrates another culture, each moment of wonder is an invitation to encounter God. Awe is not just an emotion; it’s a spiritual posture. When we open our eyes to God’s creation — both in nature and in people — our worries grow smaller, our gratitude deepens, and our hearts naturally overflow with joy. Today, slow down and look around. You’ll find that the whole world is whispering of God’s majesty. Today's Bible Reading:“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” – Psalm 65:8, NIV

In episode 1951, Jack and Miles are joined by investigative journalist and co-author of For the Sun After Long Nights: The Story of Iran's Women-Led Uprising, Nilo Tabrizy, to discuss… Citizen Journalism’s Role Going Forward, Lindsey Halligan is so in over her head it’s pathetic, ICE’s Greatest Adversary? Push-Ups, Trump Brags About Surviving Assasination at Ceremony Honoring Assasination Victim, Emma Stone’s “All-Bald” Screening Was BS and more! ICE’s ‘Athletically Allergic’ Recruits Man on e-bike taunts ICE agents in Chicago — and gets away ‘Trump’s private army’: inside the push to recruit 10,000 immigration officers Trump administration promises $50K signing bonuses in campaign to hire 10,000 ICE agents President Trump Participates in a Medal of Freedom Ceremony for Charlie Kirk Donald Trump Says Charlie Kirk Was in Awe of How He Turned to Dodge Sniper Bullet So That’s Why Emma Stone Shaved Her Head ‘Bugonia’ Sets Early Screening For Audience Members Who Are Bald or ‘Willing To Shave’ Their Heads: ‘This Is Real’ multiple bald caps. typical la refusal to commitment LISTEN: Battlecry (feat. Shing02) by NujabesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.