Podcasts about Bethlehem

Welcome to Day 2784 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2784– The Nativity Revisited – Luke 2:1-20 Putnam Church Message – 12/21/2025 Luke's Account of the Good News - “The Nativity Revisited – Love Came Down”   Last week, we had our service online due to the weather, and we continued our year-long study of Luke's Narrative of the Good News in a message titled: “The Prophet of the Most High.” Joy to the World This week is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, which is Love, as we continue to build anticipation of the coming Messiah. Today's passage is the story of: “The Nativity Revisited – Love Came Down”- Our Core verses for this week will be Luke 2:1-20, found on page 1590 of your Pew Bibles.  The Birth of Jesus 2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and...

Born in Bethlehem, raised as a shepherd, and slew a giant. David’s story foreshadows the story of Jesus, born of Bethlehem, shepherd of our souls, who slew the greatest giant of all - sin. Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com. As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel. They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history. For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app. To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She was born in 347 to a noble family in Rome, and at age sixteen married Toxotius, a prominent nobleman. Though her husband was a pagan, he was devoted to her and gave her freedom to keep a Christian home and rear her children as Christians. They were blessed with five children. When she was thirty-two her husband died suddenly, and Paula resolved to turn her large house in Rome into a monastery. Later she traveled to the Holy Land with her spiritual father St Jerome (June 15). In Bethlehem she established two monasteries, one for women (where she dwelt) and one for St Jerome and his companions. Every day the nuns chanted the entire Psalter, which they were required to learn by heart. Paula was exceptionally austere in her fasting and lavish in her almsgiving, often giving away to the poor even the goods needed by her community for subsistence. She aided her spiritual father and brother Jerome in his controversies with Origen's followers: St Jerome himself was hot-tempered, and St Paula often exhorted him to confront his enemies with patience and humility.   When she was fifty-six years old, she felt her death approaching, and heard Christ say to her 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away; for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone' (Song of Songs 2:10-11). To this she replied 'The time of harvest has come. I shall truly see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living,' and gave up her soul joyfully. Her funeral was attended by throngs of monks, nuns and poor people, all of whom revered her as their mother and benefactress.

Read OnlineWhen Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee… From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:12, 17When John the Baptist was arrested, his followers were likely overcome with fear and grief. The man they revered as a prophet, who fearlessly proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and called for repentance through baptism, had been imprisoned. John was arrested by Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, infamous for ordering the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. Like his father, Herod Antipas was ambitious and morally corrupt. As tetrarch of Galilee and Perea under Roman authority, Herod's political survival depended on maintaining Roman favor. He often used religion to secure legitimacy among the Jewish people, though his actions routinely violated Jewish law.Though nominally Jewish, the Herodian dynasty was of Idumean descent, tracing its lineage to Esau rather than Jacob. The Idumeans were forcibly converted to Judaism between 135–104 BC. While this history granted the Herods a claim to Jewish identity, their foreign lineage and collaboration with Rome made them unpopular with many Jews. Herod Antipas, like his father, prioritized political cunning and personal ambition over genuine adherence to Jewish law.When John the Baptist emerged on the scene, he proclaimed his message with fearless conviction. His central call was one of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins, urging the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Yet John did not shy away from addressing the moral and spiritual corruption of his time. He famously denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees as a “brood of vipers,” rebuking their hypocrisy and lack of genuine repentance. John also boldly condemned Herod Antipas for violating Jewish law by divorcing his wife and marrying Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Philip. This marriage not only violated Mosaic Law but also reflected Herod's ambitions to consolidate power and status. John's fearless denunciation of sin, even among the powerful, ultimately led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom.This historical context surrounding John's arrest is crucial because it helps us understand God's providence—how He permits certain evils to occur in order to bring about a greater good. Jesus Himself later affirmed John's greatness, saying, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). If the Son of God declared John's greatness shortly after John's arrest, why didn't God miraculously free him from persecution? The answer lies in John's mission. He had fulfilled his primary role: preparing the way for the Lord, the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Once John's mission was complete, God permitted him to seal his testimony with his own blood, offering his life as a martyr for the Lord and for the Truth that sets all people free.Reflect today on John's arrest and consider how you might have reacted if you had been one of his disciples. From an earthly perspective, martyrdom is difficult to comprehend or accept, especially in our own lives or in the lives of those we love. Though John's arrest and subsequent martyrdom likely brought fear and grief to his disciples, shaking their sense of security, from an eternal perspective, John's martyrdom was his greatest act of witness. It fulfilled his mission by pointing his disciples—and all of us—toward the true Prophet and Messiah, Jesus Christ. John is forever glorified in Heaven, and in the end, that is all that truly matters. As we honor John's unwavering faith, seek to embrace God's permissive will in your own life. Even in the face of suffering or evil, trust that God, in His providence, can bring about a greater good if we surrender ourselves fully to Him.My provident and loving God, You permit evil to touch the lives of Your faithful followers, knowing that in Your perfect Wisdom, You can bring forth a greater good. Grant me the heart of a martyr, filled with courage and trust, whenever I face injustice in my life. Help me to unite my every trial to Yours, in imitation of Saint John the Baptist and Your own Passion and Death. Jesus, I trust in You.ImageSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

As I continue preaching on the “one anothers” of the NT, in this message I look at how we are to be likeminded towards one another, and to receive one another, and admonish one another. 01.18.26.Likeminded.Tim.McCool

This show has been flagged as Clean by the host. This brings us to a look at some of Arthur C. Clarke's other stories, A Time Odyssey (1951), Tales From the White Hart (1957), The Nine Billion Names of God (1954), The Star (1955), Dolphin Island (1964), and A Meeting With Medusa (1971. These stories will wrap up our look at Clarke's Science Fiction and we have seen a lot of good stuff here. And as a final note, we cover CLarke's Three Laws. Arthur C. Clarke: Other Works, A Time Odyssey A collaboration between two of science fiction's best authors: what could possibly go wrong? Well, something went wrong. This series is not bad, but I hesitate to describe it as good. This series was described by Clarke as neither a prequel nor a sequel, but an “orthoquel”, a name coined from “orthogonal”, which means something roughly like “at right angles”, though it is also used in statistics to denote events that are independent and do not influence each other. And in relativity theory Time is orthogonal to Space. And in multi-dimensional geometry we can talk about axes in each dimension as orthogonal to all of the others. It is something I can't picture, being pretty much limited to three dimensions, but it can be described mathematically. It is sort of like the 2001 series, but not really. It has globes instead of monoliths. And the spheres have a circumference and volume that is related to their radius not by the usual pi, but by exactly three. Just what this means I am not sure, other than they are not sphere's in any usual sense of the word. In this story these spheres seem to be gathering people from various eras and bringing them to some other planet which gets christened “Mir”, though not in any way to the Russian Space Station. It is a Russian word that can mean “peace”, “world”, or “village”. I have seen it used a lot to refer to a village in my studies of Russian history. Anyway, the inhabitants include two hominids, a mother and daughter, a group of British Redcoats, Mongols from the Genghis Khan era, a UN Peacekeeper helicopter, a Russian space capsule, an unknown Rudyard Kipling, the army of Alexander The Great… Well at least they have lots of characters to throw around. They end up taking sides and fighting each other. In the end several of the people are returned to Earth in their own time. But the joke is on them. The beings behind the spheres are call themselves The Firstborn because they were the first to achieve sentience. They figure that best way for them to remain safe is to wipe out any other race that achieves sentience, making them to polar opposite of the beings behind the monoliths in 2001, for whom the mind is sacred. Anyway, the Firstborn have arranged for a massive solar flare that will wipe out all life on Earth and completely sterilize the planet, but conveniently it will happen in 5 years, leaving time for plot development. Of course the people of Earth will try to protect themselves. Then in the third book of the series an ominous object enters the solar system. This is of course a callback to the Rama object. It is like they wanted to take everything from the Rama series and twist it. While I love a lot of Clarke's work and some of Baxter's as well, I think this is eminently skippable. The two of them also collaborated on the final White Hart story, which isn't bad Other Works Tales from the White Hart This collection of short stories has a unity of the setting, a pub called White Hart, where a character tells outrageous stories. Other characters are thinly disguised science fiction authors, including Clarke himself. Clarke mentions that he was inspired to do this by the Jorkens stories of Lord Dunsany, which are also outrageous tall tales, but lacking the science fictions aspects of Clarke's stories. Of course this type of story has a long history, in which we would do well to mention the stories of Baron Munchausen, and of course the stories of L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt as found in Tales from Gavagan's Bar. And Spider Robinson would take this basic idea and turn it into a series of books about Callahan's Place. Stories of this type are at least as much Fantasy as anything, but quite enjoyable, and I think I can recommend all of these as worth the time to while away a cold winter's evening while sitting by a warm fire with a beverage of choice. The Nine Billion Names of God This short story won a retrospective Hugo in 2004 as being the best short story of 1954. The idea is that a group of Tibetan monks believe that the purpose of the universe is to identify the nine billion names of God, and once that has been done the universe will no longer have a purpose and will cease to exist. They have been identifying candidates and writing them down, but the work is very slow, so they decide that maybe with a little automation they can speed it up. So they get a computer (and in 1954, you should be picturing a room-sized mainframe), and then hire some Western programmers to develop the program to do this. The programmers don't believe the monks are on to anything here, but a paycheck is a paycheck. They finish the program and start it running, but decide they don't want to be there when the monks discover their theory doesn't work, so they take off early without telling anyone, and head down the mountain. But on the way, they see the stars go out, one by one. The Star This classic short story won the Hugo for Best Short Story in 1956. The story opens with the return of an interstellar expedition that has been studying a system where the star went nova millennia ago. But the expedition's astrophysicist, a Jesuit Priest, seems to be in a crisis of faith. And if you think it implausible that a Jesuit Priest could also be an astrophysicist, I would suggest you look into the case of the Belgian priest Georges Lemaître, who first developed the theory of the Big Bang. Anyway, in the story, they learn that this system had a planet much like Earth, and it had intelligent beings much like Earth, who were peaceful, but in a tragic turn of events they knew that their star was going to explode, but they had no capability of interstellar travel. So they created a repository on the outermost planet of the system that would survive the explosion, and left records of their civilization. And when the Jesuit astrophysicist calculated the time of the explosion and the travel time for light, he is shaken: “[O]h God, there were so many stars you could have used. What was the need to give these people to the fire, that the symbol of their passing might shine above Bethlehem?” Dolphin Island This is a good Young Adult novel about the People of the Sea, who are dolphins. They save a young boy who had stowed away on a hovership that subsequently had crashed, and because no one knew about him he was left among the wreckage when the crew takes off in the life boats. And from here it is the typical Bildungsroman you find in most Young Adult novels. The dolphins bring him to an island, where he becomes involved with a research community led by a professor who is trying to communicate with dolphins. He learns various skills there, survives dangers, and in the end has to risk his life to save the people on the island. If you have a 13 year old in your house, this is worth looking for. A Meeting With Medusa This won the 1972 Nebula Award for Best Novella. It concerns one Howard Falcon, who early in the story has an accident involving a helium-filled airship, is badly injured, and requires time and prosthetics to heal. But then he promotes an expedition to Jupiter that uses similar technology, a Hot-Hydrogen balloon-supported aircraft. This is to explore the upper reaches of Jupiter's atmosphere, which is the only feasible way to explore given the intense gravity of this giant planet. Attempting to land on the solid surface would mean being crushed by the gravity and air pressure, so that is not possible. The expedition finds there is life in the upper clouds of Jupiter. Some of it is microscopic, like a kind of “air plankton” which is bio-luminescent. But there are large creatures as well, one of which is like jellyfish, but about a mile across. This is the Medusa of the title. Another is Manta-like creature, about 100 yards across, that preys on the Medusa. But when the Medusa starts to take an interest on Falcon's craft, he decides to get out quick for safety's sake. And we learn that because of the various prosthetics implanted after the airship accident Falcon is really a cyborg with much faster reactions than ordinary humans. As we have discussed previously, Clarke loved the sea, and in this novella he is using what he knows in that realm to imagine a plausible ecology in the atmosphere of Jupiter. Of course when he wrote this novella no one knew about the truly frightening level of radiation around Jupiter, but then a clever science fiction writer could come up with a way to work around that. Clarke's Three Laws Finally, no discussion of Arthur C. Clarke can omit his famous Three Laws. Asimov had his Three Laws of Robotics, and Clarke had his Three Laws of Technology. When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. This concludes our look at Arthur C. Clarke, the second of the Big Three of the Golden Age of Science Fiction. And that means we are ready to tackle the Dean of Science Fiction, Robert A. Heinlein. Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Time_Odyssey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_the_White_Hart https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Jorkens https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Munchausen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_Gavagan%27s_Bar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callahan%27s_Crosstime_Saloon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nine_Billion_Names_of_God https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star_(Clarke_short_story) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_Island_(novel) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Meeting_with_Medusa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_three_laws https://www.palain.com/science-fiction/the-golden-age/arthur-c-clarke/arthur-c-clarke-other-works/ Provide feedback on this episode.

Share a commentHeadlines shouted about emperors, decrees, and peace from the point of a sword. We turn the camera 1,500 miles away to a dusty road, a tired couple, and a manger that upends everything we assume about power, timing, and hope. By walking through Luke 2, we explore how a taxing order from Caesar becomes the unlikely path that lands Mary and Joseph exactly where an ancient promise said the Messiah would arrive—Bethlehem. What looks like political control is actually providence in motion.We also dig into the startling choice of first witnesses. Angels bypass palaces and pulpits and light up a field of shepherds, men considered unclean and unreliable in court. The message they carry is the core of the Christian claim: good news of great joy for all people. Savior, Christ, Lord—each title is loaded with truth, announcing both rescue and reign. The sign is not luxury or status but a feed trough, a picture of humility that does not diminish glory. It reframes peace from a Roman promise into a reality that reconciles hearts to God.From there we follow the shepherds' simple pattern: go, see, tell. They become a living model for how ordinary people share extraordinary news. No formal training, just firsthand wonder and a clear message. We reflect on Mary's quiet pondering, the mixed responses of the crowd, and the long arc of history that outlives Rome's slogans. Augustus dies without a resurrection; Jesus will rise and validate every promise sung by that angel choir. If you're feeling pushed around by headlines and mandates, this story steadies your steps: God is awake, purposes are intact, and peace is nearer than it seems.If this conversation encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a quick review to help others find it. What part of the story spoke to you most today?Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Share a commentHeadlines shouted about emperors, decrees, and peace from the point of a sword. We turn the camera 1,500 miles away to a dusty road, a tired couple, and a manger that upends everything we assume about power, timing, and hope. By walking through Luke 2, we explore how a taxing order from Caesar becomes the unlikely path that lands Mary and Joseph exactly where an ancient promise said the Messiah would arrive—Bethlehem. What looks like political control is actually providence in motion.We also dig into the startling choice of first witnesses. Angels bypass palaces and pulpits and light up a field of shepherds, men considered unclean and unreliable in court. The message they carry is the core of the Christian claim: good news of great joy for all people. Savior, Christ, Lord—each title is loaded with truth, announcing both rescue and reign. The sign is not luxury or status but a feed trough, a picture of humility that does not diminish glory. It reframes peace from a Roman promise into a reality that reconciles hearts to God.From there we follow the shepherds' simple pattern: go, see, tell. They become a living model for how ordinary people share extraordinary news. No formal training, just firsthand wonder and a clear message. We reflect on Mary's quiet pondering, the mixed responses of the crowd, and the long arc of history that outlives Rome's slogans. Augustus dies without a resurrection; Jesus will rise and validate every promise sung by that angel choir. If you're feeling pushed around by headlines and mandates, this story steadies your steps: God is awake, purposes are intact, and peace is nearer than it seems.If this conversation encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a quick review to help others find it. What part of the story spoke to you most today?Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Get More at LVwithLOVE.com! Become a partner or contact us On this episode of Off the Record with the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we're highlighting The Chopper Foundation and the work they're doing to help families access lifesaving veterinary care when money is tight, so people do not have to surrender a pet or make an impossible decision. We're joined by Sharon, Moreen, and Dr. Lee for a conversation about how The Chopper Foundation started, what the need looks like in real life, and how community partnerships make it possible to keep pets healthy and at home. Sharon shares what she saw again and again when dogs were relinquished: lack of funds for care, or behavioral issues, often after a dog had already been rehomed. She talks about how the unexpected loss of Chopper became the turning point, and how she decided to turn that loss into action that helps other families keep their pets. The episode also digs into what support can look like beyond emergency vet bills, including food distribution. The foundation has worked with community partners to provide large food donations and run what they call a “chow line,” with past stops in Reading, Allentown, and Bethlehem, and a goal of expanding to Easton. The point is simple: help families who are stretched thin so they do not have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets. Looking ahead to 2026, The Chopper Foundation shares plans for a low-cost vaccination clinic and ways local sponsors can help make basic care more accessible, including a “sponsor one shot” approach. For more information and ways to support: https://www.thechopperfoundation.org/ Sign up for our Newsletter!  Thank you to our Partners! WDIY 88.1 FM Wind Creek Event Center Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub Banko Beverage Company Advertisement Advertisement Email your news release to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com Subscribe to our email list

In episode 519 of the podcast I'm joined by astrologer Reverend Lindsay Turner to discuss the story of the Magi, the birth of Jesus, and the astrology surrounding the Nativity story. We explore the celebration of Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, and analyze the Gospel of Matthew's account of the astrologers from the East who followed a star to Bethlehem. We discuss the distinction between approaching the Nativity as a historical event versus a literary narrative, and how the author of Matthew partially used the story of the Magi to legitimize Jesus as a king in the 1st century. We also look at technical astrological terms found in the Greek text, such as anatole or "at its rising," and how this relates to Hellenistic astrology. We also talk about the relationship between early Christianity and astrology, including the non-canonical Acts of Paul and Thecla, the liturgical seasons aligning with the Zodiac, and how modern Christians can reconcile their faith with astrological practice. Lindsay's Website https://badpastor.me Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro00:00:34 Epiphany and Three Kings Day traditions00:01:45 The Nativity story and the Star of Bethlehem00:03:50 Historical vs. literary approaches to the Gospels00:05:41 The Gospel of Matthew and Hebrew prophecy00:08:05 Reading the Magi passage (Matthew 2:1-12)00:10:52 Who were the Magi? Astrologers vs. Persian priests00:12:00 The context of natal astrology in the 1st Century00:13:30 The political subversion of the Nativity story00:16:27 "At its rising" (Anatole) as a technical astrological term00:18:23 Crossover between New Testament Greek and astrological texts00:20:14 Theories on the Star: Comets, conjunctions, and novae00:26:27 The solar eclipse at the crucifixion00:31:00 Astrology used to legitimize Jesus in Matthew00:33:30 Did the Magi renounce astrology?00:36:51 The Manger nebula in the constellation Cancer00:39:19 The Thema Mundi and the birth chart of the cosmos00:41:05 The debate over the date of Jesus' birth00:48:25 The Acts of Paul and Thecla and lost Christian texts00:54:38 Mary Magdalene and the seven daimons01:02:15 Fate, free will, and Stoicism in the ancient world01:05:45 Early Christianity as social rebellion01:09:30 Identity in Christ vs. astrological identity01:15:33 Liturgical seasons and the Zodiac01:17:28 Saturnalia, Sol Invictus, and the origins of Christmas01:21:50 Stigma against astrology in the modern church01:29:50 The shared origins of Christianity and Hellenistic astrology01:32:00 Astrology as a bridge between science and religion01:35:10 Lindsay's upcoming book and contact info01:36:35 Sponsors and credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J68CV7YYm0 - Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

On our Wednesday night service, I have begun a series that looks at certain Biblical characters. The first two characters are Adam and Eve. 01.14.26.Adam.and.Eve.Tim.McCool

Send us a textStephanie Watson, author and founder of "The Table," shares from her new book, Ruth's Need for a Redeemer: A Bible Study on Loss, Loyalty, and Unexpected Love. We linger on Ruth's crossroads moment: return to what's familiar, or risk the unknown with God. It's the same decision we all might face when our Moab feels safe, but our Bethlehem is calling. In Part 2, we pick up our conversation with Stephanie Watson, author of Ruth's Need for a Redeemer, to explore Ruth's bold decision to cling to Ruth—not to her own comfort, and to cling to God's promises lived through Naomi's life. The scene is raw: Naomi urges a return, grief narrowing her vision; Orpah turns back. Ruth stays, and that single act reframes what healthy attachment looks like in a world that often confuses strength with self-sufficiency.Press play for a fresh, grounded take on choice, grief, community, and redemption. If this resonates, share it with a friend, start a table, and leave a rating and review to help others find the show. What are you clinging to today?Support the showBegin Your Heartlifter's Journey: Support the show: Your Donation Matters Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW Make a tax-deductible donation through Heartlift International Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide. Download the 2025 Advent Guide: The Great Glimmer Hunt Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon

Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw5bQeP2Q6k ______ Candace Owens Defends Muslims - Iran, Islamophobia, and Who's Behind the “Islam Contagion” Lie?With Dr. Jones THEDEENSHOW Ep 1153. In this episode of The Deen Show, we feature a powerful perspective from Candace Owens on the humanity of Muslims. Joined by world renowned academic Dr. E. Michael Jones. Exploring the coexistence of Christians and Muslims in Bethlehem, this video challenges the mainstream narrative through logic, history, and moral law. We also discuss the role of figures like Tucker Carlson in the "America First". ——— Dr. Jones Books: fidelitypress.org/ Subscribe to Culture Wars Magazine: culturewars.com Donate: culturewars.com/donate Follow: https://culturewars.com/links CW Magazine: culturewars.com NOW AVAILABLE!: Walking with a Bible and a Gun: The Rise, Fall and Return of American Identity: https://www.fidelitypress.org/book-products/walking-with-a-bible-and-a-gun _____ Dr. E. Michael Jones is a prolific Catholic writer, lecturer, journalist, and Editor of Culture Wars Magazine who seeks to defend traditional Catholic teachings and values from those seeking to undermine them. ——— Dr. Jones Books: fidelitypress.org/ Subscribe to Culture Wars Magazine: culturewars.com Donate: culturewars.com/donate Follow: https://culturewars.com/links CW Magazine: culturewars.com The Medjugorje Deception: https://www.fidelitypress.org/book-products/the-medjugorje-deception-queen-of-peace-ethnic-cleansing-ruined-lives

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260120dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9-10 The Lamb of God Is God Himself When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But in what way was Jesus the “Lamb of God”? First, Jesus was a sacrifice for sin that only God himself could offer. All the lambs and other animal sacrifices brought to the temple by Jewish believers would never be enough to reconcile sinners to a holy God. Rather, they served to prepare the people for the one Lamb sent by God who alone could make full payment for our sins. This is possible because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was not only sent by God, he is God. The Bible tells us that “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” So, when Mary gave birth to her firstborn son in Bethlehem, we can say that God in all his fullness was laid to rest in the manger. And when that child grew into a man, it was God in all his fullness who was hung on the cross to die. What does that mean for you and me? There can be no doubt that the payment made on our behalf was sufficient—more than sufficient—to cancel our debt with God. The blood that was shed for us was divine and holy blood. The very God that we have offended is the One who came to redeem us to himself, and, in Jesus, his work of redemption is complete. God and man have been fully reconciled through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was both fully God and fully man. Resurrected from the dead and ascended to heaven, he continues to intercede for us before the Father. Our salvation has been brought to fullness. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal Son of God and yet you came to die in my place. Because of your holy life and innocent death, my sins have been forgiven and my debt with God has been paid in full. May this truth bring me comfort and peace, as I trust in you, my perfect Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Continuing in the “One Anothering” series, I come to the very specific instruction on how to love one another in Christian liberty. 01.11.26.Christian.Liberty.Tim.McCool

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260120dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9-10 The Lamb of God Is God Himself When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But in what way was Jesus the “Lamb of God”? First, Jesus was a sacrifice for sin that only God himself could offer. All the lambs and other animal sacrifices brought to the temple by Jewish believers would never be enough to reconcile sinners to a holy God. Rather, they served to prepare the people for the one Lamb sent by God who alone could make full payment for our sins. This is possible because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was not only sent by God, he is God. The Bible tells us that “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” So, when Mary gave birth to her firstborn son in Bethlehem, we can say that God in all his fullness was laid to rest in the manger. And when that child grew into a man, it was God in all his fullness who was hung on the cross to die. What does that mean for you and me? There can be no doubt that the payment made on our behalf was sufficient—more than sufficient—to cancel our debt with God. The blood that was shed for us was divine and holy blood. The very God that we have offended is the One who came to redeem us to himself, and, in Jesus, his work of redemption is complete. God and man have been fully reconciled through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was both fully God and fully man. Resurrected from the dead and ascended to heaven, he continues to intercede for us before the Father. Our salvation has been brought to fullness. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal Son of God and yet you came to die in my place. Because of your holy life and innocent death, my sins have been forgiven and my debt with God has been paid in full. May this truth bring me comfort and peace, as I trust in you, my perfect Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Tuesday, 20 January 2026   and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. Matthew 16:3   “And early, ‘This day... inclemency!', for glowering, the heaven, it reddens. Hypocrites! Indeed, you know to discern the face of the heaven, and the seasons' signs, not you can” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus said to the Pharisees and Sadducees that they can tell when the weather is good simply by noticing the red sky at night. He continues, saying, “And early, ‘This day... inclemency!'”   Two new words are seen here. The first is the adverb prói, early. It signifies the time of dawn. The second word is used, cheimón, the rainy season or foul weather. In essence, the person looks out and understands that a stormy day is ahead. As such, the noun inclemency suits perfectly. From the earliest moments of the day, people can walk outside and tell if it will be a stormy day. Jesus gives the reason for this, saying, “for glowering, the heaven, it reddens.”   Another new word, stugnazó, to glower, is seen. The idea is rendering something gloomy. When the sky is red in the morning, it is as if the sky is glowering down on the people, ready to drop rain, hail, etc., rendering their day as gloomy as it appears.   Jesus' words in both verses are pretty much universally understood. The old saying, “Red at night, sailor's delight, red in the morning, sailor's take warning,” has been used in one form or another throughout the people groups of the world.   Each has its own nuances, but it is common for people to speak of the sky in such simple, understandable ways. Because of this, Jesus says, “Hypocrites! Indeed, you know to discern the face of the heaven, and the seasons' signs, not you can.”   The point of His words is that the messianic signs He had performed, along with everything else that pointed to Him in prophecy, were as evident as the color of the sky in telling what was going on.   John the Baptist was prophesied to come as the forerunner of the Messiah. The prophetic timeline in Daniel, of which they would have detailed knowledge, pointed to the coming of the Messiah. The star of Bethlehem was a clear herald of the coming of the Messiah, as evidenced by “the chief priests and scribes” being brought before Herod to confirm the location where He would be born.   Everything in the land was swirling with the hope of the Messiah and the surety of His having come because of the confirming signs and wonders He was accomplishing. And yet, despite this, and much more evidence as well, these men had come to Jesus asking for a sign from heaven.   The only possible meaning of this is that they were willfully ignoring these things, as well as their own Scriptures, to challenge Jesus as they were doing.   Life application: The same attitude found in Israel at the time of Jesus is on full display among the religious elite today. How many Christian scholars, teachers, pastors, and priests see the people of Israel back in the land, exactly as Scripture prophesies, and ignore what is going on?   Many deny that it is the same group of people. Others claim that the church has replaced them, and there is no more plan or purpose for them. Some simply call the situation an aberration that will eventually be dealt with by their enemies, removing all trace of this disobedient nation in the process.   And yet, these same people will gleefully acknowledge that Israel received its just punishment under the law when they were exiled and scattered among the nations. But those prophecies don't end with permanent destruction. Rather, they end with restoration.   Even the epistles proclaim restoration for Israel. But somehow, the mental disconnect severs these deniers from accepting that God could possibly be gracious to them once again. The problem is one found in the heart. No wonder so many teach that grace requires works as proof of salvation! No wonder so many teach that salvation can be lost.   If God can withhold His grace from the people He covenanted with at Sinai, then He can do so with those He covenanted with in Jesus as well. One misunderstanding in God's nature will inexorably lead to more. The world is swimming in a pool of bad theology because we cannot understand the simple word “grace.”   Grace cannot be earned. It is unmerited favor. God's grace comes through faith in Christ for salvation. It comes from God's faithfulness to His covenant-keeping for Israel. We can trust God's grace. It is unconditional, and it will never expire.   Lord God, thank You for the grace that is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Massacre of the Innocents is a story recounted in the Nativity narrative of the Gospel of Matthew (2:16–18) in which Herod the Great, king of Judea, orders the execution of all male infants who are two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. Some Christians venerate the Holy Innocents as the first Christian martyrs, but most modern scholarship finds no evidence that it happened outside the passages in Matthew and thus consider it a Myth. Ee88. Paulogia podcast available at https://amzn.to/3Tg2Eno Herod the Great books available at https://amzn.to/3T5iKyw ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Why Christianity Framed Herod as a Baby Killer? (Paulogia podcast with Dr. Jodi Magness). All audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know the story of the Magi: they were three kings who followed a star to Bethlehem. But what if this common nativity narrative gets it all wrong? To uncover who the Magi really were, Helen and Lloyd take a trip in the Biblical Time Machine with Dr Eric Vanden Ekyel, author of the popular tome, The Magi: Who They Were, How They've Been Remembered (2022; Fortress Press). Eric Vanden Eykel is a New Testament scholar and Associate Professor of Religion at Ferrum College. In addition to his work on the Magi, he is the author But Their Faces Were All Looking Up: Author and Reader in the Protevangelium of James (2016; Bloomsbury), a book which explores another early infancy story of Jesus. SUPPORT BIBLICAL TIME MACHINEIf you enjoy the podcast, please (pretty please!) consider supporting the show through the Time Travellers Club, our Patreon. We are an independent, listener-supported show (no ads!), so please help us continue to showcase high-quality biblical scholarship with a monthly subscription.DOWNLOAD OUR STUDY GUIDE: MARK AS ANCIENT BIOGRAPHYCheck out our 4-part audio study guide called "The Gospel of Mark as an Ancient Biography." While you're there, get yourself a Biblical Time Machine mug or a cool sticker for your water bottle. Support the showTheme music written and performed by Dave Roos, creator of Biblical Time Machine. Season 4 produced by John Nelson.

From His miraculous birth in Bethlehem to His death and resurrection, the salvation message through Jesus is a powerful one. But is there more to the story? And could connecting the Old and New Testament in the life of Christ hold the key to revealing the prophecy and promises for your life? (J2531)

Jason Jones reports that Israel has approved an illegal settlement project that threatens Shepherd's Field in Beit Sahour, revered as the site of Christ's Nativity announcement. At least 19 Christian families have already been displaced, and the new development could sever Bethlehem's Christian community from Jerusalem. Jones warns this may mark the final erasure of Christianity in the West Bank, exposing decades of church destruction and settler violence. He calls on Western Catholics to abandon silence, insisting they have the power, and duty, to stop this before it's too late.HELP SUPPORT WORK LIKE THIS: https://give.lifesitenews.com/?utm_source=SOCIAL U.S. residents! Create a will with LifeSiteNews: https://www.mylegacywill.com/lifesitenews ****PROTECT Your Wealth with gold, silver, and precious metals: https://sjp.stjosephpartners.com/lifesitenews +++SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ ****Download the all-new LSNTV App now, available on iPhone and Android!LSNTV Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lsntv/id6469105564 LSNTV Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lifesitenews.app +++Connect with John-Henry Westen and all of LifeSiteNews on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Sunday sermon by Pastor Brett Deal.Tonight, we sit on the water's edge of a new year. With the sun set and moonlight piercing the darkness, we watch the slow ripple on the waves of yesterday and watch for dawn. It may not seem it, but the hours before sunrise are some of the best for fishing. This silent time lit soft by stars is the perfect time to cast wide our net into the new year. I'm not talking about new year's resolutions that only last a day or two. I'm talking about epiphany! Epiphany is the culmination of prolonged effort—like wisemen from the East making their long journey to Bethlehem or a faithful fisherman patiently casting out His net. At the beginning of last year, Jesus enlightened us with his preaching (Matthew 5-7). On a mountainside He spoke light and life, opening our eyes and ears and illuminating our hearts. Now, Jesus will come down from the mountain and walk among us, living His message into our world (Matthew 8.1). As we set out with Jesus the Messiah, would you enter this new year challenged by our fourth century sibling, Chromatius of Aquila, who wrote:“‘The kingdom of heaven is near.' So do you want the kingdom of heaven to also be near for you? Prepare these ways in your heart, in your senses and in your soul. Pave within you the way of purity, the way of faith and the way of holiness. Build roads of justice. Remove every scandal of offense from your heart. For it is written: ‘Remove the stones from the road.' And then, indeed, through the thoughts of your heart and the very movements of your soul, Christ the King will enter along certain paths,” (emphasis added).Beloved, the King and His Kingdom are near, so let us begin this new year intently going through the gates, preparing the way for all people, building up the way of the Lord to dwell among us (Isaiah 62.10). Let us join Jesus in the journey as He casts the net wide.

Appointed by the Romans as king of Judaea, King Herod's reign was defined by great architectural projects, canny diplomacy, and tyrannical behavior. Herod even appears as an unlikely and unlikeable character in the Christmas tale; the king who ordered the execution of children in an effort to kill Jesus. But did this really happen? Ee87. Catholic Inspiration podcast available at https://amzn.to/3VxIeaU The Saint of the Day podcast at https://amzn.to/4cpIyyt The God Minute podcast at https://amzn.to/4aqynb0 Saint of the Day podcast with J. Atherholt at https://ancientfaith.com Saint of the Day podcast with M. Roberts at https://ourcatholicradio.org/programs/saint-day ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Saint of the Day podcast: The Holy Infants Killed for Christ’s Sake in Bethlehem (29dec2023), Greek Orthodox Deacon Jerome Atherholt and Ancient Faith Radio. Saint of the Day podcast with Mike Roberts (episode 243: 28dec2023 Feast Day of the Holy Innocents) Covenant Catholic Radio. The Saint of the Day podcast (28dec2023 S2 E181 Holy Innocents) Good Catholic and The Catholic Company. The God Minute podcast (Feast of Holy Innocents, 28dec2022) A Catholic devotional by the Congregation of the Mission - the Vincentians. Catholic Inspiration by Fr. Andrew Ricci Daily Mass: The Holy Innocents (28dec2023 Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’” (Mark 9:7 NLT) Two thousand years ago, Jesus put this question to the Pharisees: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is He?” (Matthew 22:42 NLT). Some of history’s greatest minds have grappled with that question ever since. The confusion, doubt, and skepticism started early. It’s worth noting that during Jesus’ earthly ministry, many people were perplexed about who He really was. Jesus never became God, nor did Jesus ever cease to be God. His deity, which means His divine lordship—the fact that He is God—was pre-human, pre-earthly, and pre-Bethlehem. In the Incarnation, that moment when Jesus came to earth and was born of the Virgin Mary, He didn’t lay aside His deity. He was God before He was born, and He remained God after He became a man. We are given a glimpse of Jesus’ divine nature in the story of His transfiguration, as recorded in Mark 9:2–13. “Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus” (verses 2–4 NLT). According to Matthew’s description of the event, Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light” (Matthew 17:2 NLT). For most of His time on earth, Jesus veiled His glory. But for one brief shining moment, God allowed Jesus’ disciples to see who He really is. God punctuated the moment with a verbal acknowledgment and a pointed instruction: “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7 NLT). Jesus’ identity validates His words. Attention must be paid to His teachings because they come from the Son of God and God Himself. Ignoring them is not only short-sighted but also spiritually dangerous. In Matthew 16:13–20, we find a profound interaction between Jesus and His disciples that begins with a question from Jesus: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (verse 13 NLT). “‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets’” (verse 14 NLT). And then Jesus makes it personal. “But who do you say I am?” (verse 15 NLT, emphasis added). “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’” (verse 16 NLT). This may have been Peter’s finest moment. “Who do you say I am?” It’s a question everyone must answer—and a question everyone does answer, whether they realize it or not. You can’t very well say, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and leave it at that. If Jesus is who He says He is, you must receive Him as Savior and Lord. You must obey His commands, follow His teachings, and seek His will for your life. Reflection question: Who do you believe Jesus is? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Tucker Carlson And Candace Owens Adopted the Most Virulently Antisemitic Denominations of Christianity: Interview With Rabbi Tovia Singer Rabbi Tovia Singer, a leading expert on Christian theology and counter-missionary work, is warning of what he describes as a troubling rise in antisemitic rhetoric among some high-profile conservative commentators, naming Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens as examples. In a recent interview with podcaster Alan Skorski, Singer said he is increasingly concerned that voices once seen as part of a pro-Israel conservative coalition are now echoing themes long associated with antisemitic conspiracy theories. Singer, whose work has focused for decades on countering Christian proselytizing aimed at Jews, discussed the evolution of Christian Zionism, calling it a relatively modern movement that has become a powerful force in American politics. He estimated that about one in five Americans now identifies as a Christian Zionist, making it one of the country's largest political blocs. The rabbi traced the roots of Christian antisemitism back to early church history, citing anti-Jewish writings by figures such as St. John Chrysostom and the role of Pope Pius XII during the Holocaust — often criticized by historians for his silence in the face of Nazi atrocities. Singer said antisemitic teachings were embedded for centuries across Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. He linked those historical patterns to modern conspiracy thinking, referencing the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a forged document from the early 1900s that falsely claimed Jews were plotting world domination. Singer said echoes of those ideas can now be heard in some contemporary political commentary that portrays Jews as wielding outsized control over media, finance and government. Singer was particularly critical of Candace Owens, describing her embrace of a traditionalist strain of Catholicism that rejects the reforms of the Second Vatican Council as deeply alarming. He said that version of the faith revives doctrines portraying Jews as rejected by God and permanently stripped of their covenant — ideas he called both theologically dangerous and politically combustible. Owens converted after her marriage to political activist George Farmer and amid public splits with prominent Jewish conservatives such as Ben Shapiro and Dennis Prager, Singer noted. By contrast, Singer praised the late Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, whom he described as exceptional among evangelical leaders for defending not only Israel but the Jewish people themselves. Singer said Kirk's influence reshaped the conservative movement and predicted that, had he lived, he could have become a presidential contender within a decade. Kirk was assassinated in September 2025, and Singer said there is now an internal struggle over his political legacy. He added that President Donald Trump remains firmly pro-Jewish and pro-Israel, describing that stance as consistent with the values of the Trump family. Singer reserved some of his sharpest criticism for Tucker Carlson, accusing the former Fox News host of hostility toward Israel and contempt for Christian Zionists. He pointed to Carlson's interview with Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac, who accused Israel of persecuting Christians in Bethlehem. Singer disputed that claim, noting that Bethlehem is under Palestinian Authority control and that its Christian population has fallen dramatically over the past half-century — from about 80% to roughly 5% — largely because of emigration driven by political and economic conditions, not Israeli policy. Carlson, who now hosts a widely followed podcast after leaving Fox News, has said he identifies as an Episcopalian but rarely attends church. Singer ended the interview with pointed irony. -VIN News Alan Skorski Reports 15JAN2025 - PODCAST

Mercosur is a bad deal.The European Commission has backed a free trade agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The European Parliament is set to decide on the future of the Mercosur Agreement. It has taken twenty-five years to get to this point. The European Commission has decided to support this proposition and the smart money says the Parliament will follow suit. But perhaps not. It's not over until it's over. There will be a legal challenge to the deal, including Sinn Féin's MEPs, and a vote in the European Parliament. Sinn Féin is also bringing forward a Dáil motion calling on the government to support the legal action and mandating all MEPs to vote against the deal. Nollaig na mBanSome of the traditions that surround Christmas and the New Year celebrations have changed over recent years. For example, when I was growing up Christmas decorations didn't start appearing in homes until a fortnight or so before the 25th December. Now, Halloween is barely over before Christmas decorations start appearing. Previously also, the tree, crib, and the rest all stayed in place until 6 January – the Feast of the Epiphany, the date on which it is said that the three wise men visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. This year decorations were mostly down from the start of the new year. And already Easter eggs are in the shops. However, one celebration that has taken on a new lease of life is Nollaig na mBan - Women's Christmas. It is celebrated on 6 January. It used to be confined to rural areas but that is changing.  Nollaig na mBan is the day when the role of women, who generally did  all the work for Christmas, was celebrated. It was the day when women get together with other women and enjoy a brief few hours of celebration on their own. Progress on Casement ParkLast week the draft budget for the Executive, announced by Finance Minister John O'Dowd, included an allocation of an additional £40 million toward the rebuilding of the new Casement Stadium.Sadly, despite the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and its principles of equality and parity of esteem, the decades since then have produced many examples of political unionism continuing to resist investment and funding allocation for nationalist areas. Casement Park is a case in point.Last week's announcement is a positive and welcome development.Irish Unity Must be Priority for EU PresidencyOn 1st July the Irish government will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This will be its eighth time holding this key administrative and political role within the EU and the first time since Brexit. The agenda for this Presidency is enormous and will affect all of our lives. It will include new legislation as well as significant negotiations around all of the major national and international issues affecting the world at this time – the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip, the war in Ukraine, Venezuela, threatened US Foreign Policy adventures toward Greenland, Cuba, Colombia, Nigeria and Iran, famine in Africa, climate change and migration.An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has defined the state's Presidency of the EU as “a Presidency defined by action.”All sounds impressive. But so far no one in the Irish government has said anything about using this unique opportunity to raise the issue of Irish Unity. Thus far, Micheál Martin's approach to Irish Unity can best be described as “a leadership defined by inaction.”

ACCOUNT NAME : THE LOGIC CHURCH ABUJAACCOUNT NUMBER : 1214541961BANK NAME: ZENITH BANKI am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus I am the redeemed of the Lord I am the beloved of Abba All my sins are forgiven I am passionately loved by GodI am powerfully helped by God I am kept and protected by God I enjoy Angelic assistance I am irrevocably blessed I am eternally forgiven I am the healed of the Lord I enjoy divine health I have the favour and the wisdom of God I am fruitful, I flourish excel and prosper in all that I do I have the multipliers anointing Nothing is against me Nothing dies in my hands I am never stranded The supernatural is natural to me All things are working together for my good God loves me more than the devil hates me Grace is working for me Gloooorrryyyyy!!!

A Sunday morning sermon by Pastor Brett Deal.Time is a funny thing. Think about it. There are times minutes feel like months, and seconds unending seasons of waiting. Then, there are sparkling decades which rush by in a blink of an eye. When our kids were little, the constant refrain we heard was “Don't blink, before you know it…” You know the rest. Friend, I blinked. When my eyes opened, our newborns were all teenagers!Tonight is Christmas Eve. It's been one short trip around the sun since our last candlelit service, singing our Advent songs. It's also been two millennia since Jesus was born to a virgin and placed gently in a manger (Luke 2.7). For two thousand years we've celebrated that Christ has come, born among us, bringing salvation into our world (John 3.17). Our present is anchored in this past tense fulfillment! But now, consider what it must have been like for those eagerly awaiting the first Advent! Let's not take for granted how blessed we are to have seen and heard this good news (Matthew 13.16)! “For truly,” when we stop and think about it, many prophets and righteous people longed to see and hear what we have seen and heard (Matthew 13.17).Day after day, century after century, they waited for the Messiah to arrive. They set their hope on the prophetic word the Holy Spirit was speaking into their lives. They believed for what they did not see, trusting the faithfulness of God. And then, in Bethlehem, all of a sudden—long-awaited—Christ was born. Are we surprised a weary world rejoiced with this thrill of hope?!Friend, we gather this Holy Night, placing ourselves with the prophets of old, expectant for the first Advent (1 Peter 1.10-12). And with a thrill of hope in His first Advent we wait all the more expectantly for His return! Indeed, His second Advent might be today! So come rejoicing for "His law is love and His gospel is peace." Let's take the time, while there is still time before us, and "let all within us praise His holy name!"Merry Christmas!

A Sunday morning sermon by Pastor Brett Deal.Can you imagine what it must have been like in Jerusalem when the wise men showed up? Children fetching water. Merchants selling in the market. Scribes dutifully copying the biblical scrolls for synagogues near and far. Priests serving in the Temple. Meanwhile, King Herod, is looking over his shoulder to see what family member he needs to kill next. Like a neurotic groundhog, whenever Herod saw his shadow, someone suspiciously drowned, was strangled, or ended up in a vat of honey. Maybe that day started out like any other…that is until these foreign wise men rolled into town seeking a royal audience, searching for the new king of the Jews. This sent Herod—the current king of the Jews—into a rage, and everybody in Jerusalem felt it (Matthew 2.3)!Upsetting news like this required a general assembly of the religious elites. Herod called for the chief priests and scribes to reveal through their scrolls where this Messiah was to be born (2.4). Steeped in Scripture, they unveiled the answer from Micah the prophet (Micah 5.2). They knew the promise of the Messiah, foretold to David who would reign over God's people forever (2 Samuel 7.14). He would be a Shepherd King (2 Samuel 5.2), born in Bethlehem, the little hamlet of David's own birth.How unnerving it must have been to tell the temperamental Herod the answer to his question! The stark contrast must have been unsettling to share. According to Leslie Allen, “It is within this drab frame of royal misfortune that Micah sets a glorious picture of royal majesty. The figure of failure of verse one stands as a foil to his radiant counterpart here.” The Lord was bringing a true king for His people, a Shepherd King for His sheep in Israel and among all nations (Micah 7.14-15; John 10.16). If you're Herod, or someone benefiting from his governance, this news spells disaster. But, if you are poor, seeking relief, oppressed in search of solace, if you are wise men from the East following a star, this is absolutely good news! The Advent of the Messiah is the promise of a Shepherd who cares, who brings healing with His touch and peace in His reign (Malachi 4.2; Matthew 11.28-30).

  THE SHOW NOTES   Ukrainian is hard Intro Thanks, Seattle! Rupert McClanahan's Indestructible Bastards      - Juan Pujol Garcia Ask George      - Music Career? from Nathan W. Religious Moron of the Week      - Stephen Spencer Pittman The History Chunk      - January 14th Tell Me Something Good      - Solar Panels & Trachoma Red Stag this Saturday Show Close .........................   MENTIONED IN THE SHOW   John Whorter Lexicon Valley .........................   UPCOMING SCHEDULE   George Hrab solo acoustic Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 / 8 pm-10 pm The Red Stag, Bethlehem, PA George Hrab's Occasional Songs for the Periodic Table 118 Elements • 118 Songs • 90 Minutes Saturday, March 7th, 2026 The Icehouse Bethlehem, PA Geo & SGU: Extravaganza & Private Show Madison, Wisconsin Saturday, May 16, 2026 TICKETS CSICON Center for Inquiry 50th Anniversary Conference Geo & SGU: Extravaganza & Live PodcastAwards Dinner & Variety Show Buffalo, New York June 11-14th 2026 csiconference.org  Geo & SGU: Not-A-Con Sydney / NZ Skeptics Conference July 2026 Australian & New Zealand Episode 1000 of The Geologic Podcast Saturday, January 9, 2027 The Icehouse Bethlehem, PA .........................   SUBSCRIPTION INTERFACE   You can now find our subscription page at GeorgeHrab.com at this link. Many thanks to the sage Evo Terra for his assistance. .........................   Get George's Music Here  https://georgehrab.hearnow.com https://georgehrab.bandcamp.com ................................... SUBSCRIBE! You can sign up at GeorgeHrab.com and become a Geologist or a Geographer. As always, thank you so much for your support! You make the ship go. ................................... Sign up for the mailing list: Write to Geo! Check out Geo's wiki page, thanks to Tim Farley. Have a comment on the show, a Religious Moron tip, or a question for Ask George? Drop George a line and write to Geo's Mom, too!

This week the gang gets into some gourmet marshmallows and  rings in the New Year with Peeps in the snews! Support this podcast at https://www.patreon.com/LetsTalkAboutSnacks     -- Snack News: Pepperidge Farm Fans Have 'High Hopes' for New Milano Flavor: 'You Have My Attention': https://parade.com/food/pepperidge-farm-milano-new-white-chocolate-mango-flavor  New Lindor Truffle Valentine's Day Flavor Just Revealed!: https://sporked.com/article/new-lindor-truffle-valentines-day-flavor-2025-news/  World's First Monopoly Steakhouse Set to Open in 2026: https://parade.com/news/worlds-first-monopoly-steakhouse-set-to-open-in-2026 Peeps Releases Nostalgic Flavor & '90s Kids Say It's a 'Must Try': https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/38669/peeps-sunnyd-nostalgic-flavor-90s-kids-so-excited/ Locate Lauren on Twitter (@rawrglicious) and Bluesky(@rawrglicious.bsky.social‬)! Find Conrad on Twitter (@ConradZimmerman) and peruse his other projects on this Linktree thing. Linda can be located on Instagram (@shoresofpluto)! Logo by Cosmignon! See more of her cool art at https://www.cosmignon.info/  Music by Michael "Skitch" Schiciano. Hear more of his work at https://skitch.bandcamp.com/ 

Send us a textStephanie Watson, author and founder of "The Table," shares from her new book, Ruth's Need for a Redeemer: A Bible Study on Loss, Loyalty, and Unexpected Love. We linger on Ruth's crossroads moment: return to what's familiar, or risk the unknown with God. It's the same decision we all might face when our Moab feels safe, but our Bethlehem is calling. Support the showBegin Your Heartlifter's Journey: Support the show: Your Donation Matters Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW Make a tax-deductible donation through Heartlift International Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide. Download the 2025 Advent Guide: The Great Glimmer Hunt Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon

In today's episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, Luis Jimenez, President of the International Association of Firefighters Local 735, discussed staffing and safety challenges facing the Bethlehem Fire Department in Pennsylvania. The conversation touched on Bethlehem's evolving needs as a post-industrial city and the uphill battle to secure adequate staffing that meets national standards. Jason Monteith, Vice President of the Service Employees International Union-West in Saskatchewan, Canada, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss healthcare worker shortages, the rise of privatization and stalled contract negotiations, which affect both frontline workers and patients. SEIU West represents nearly 15,000 workers across healthcare, community-based organizations, education, and the private sector in the province of Saskatchewan. SEIU-West is affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.

In a sea of skin care options, knowing which products and treatments are worth it will save you time, money and breakouts. Now is the time to say goodbye to those half-used products collecting dust and find out what works best for you.  If you need recommendations or want to learn more about getting a personalized skin care regimen, you'll want to listen to the latest episode of The Healthiest You podcast. In Part One of our podcast series, you'll hear from medical esthetician Karissa Wolf, with Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health. What are the differences between professional dermaplaning and at-home dermaplaning? Which in-office procedures are most effective for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles? Which ingredients should you avoid in skin care products? When can you save money and get drugstore products? What custom facials are offered? We answer these questions and more on The Healthiest You podcast this month.Chapters:0:01 - Intro0:53 - Skin care basics1:16 - To wash your face or not1:43 - Products you should avoid using at the same time2:31 - UV sensitivity 3:09 - Drugstore products vs. high-end options4:12 - Ingredients to look for5:36 - Ingredients to avoid6:17 - Seeing a medical esthetician 7:08 - Custom facials7:44 - Dermaplaning 8:50 - Anti-aging options9:16 - Chemical peels10:17 - The No. 1 skin care question Karissa gets asked

In this episode of The Jason Jones Show, Jason Jones sits down with the Mayor of Bethlehem for an in-depth conversation about life, leadership, and resilience in one of the most historically and spiritually significant cities in the world. Together, they explore the realities facing Bethlehem today — from the challenges of governance under political pressure to the daily lives of families, business owners, and young people striving for stability and hope. The mayor shares firsthand insight into how history, faith, and geopolitics intersect in the city, and what it means to lead a community that carries global significance while navigating modern realities

In the ongoing series on the terms of discipleship, Brother Luke looks at Jesus’ commandment to follow Him. We can follow people and things for many different reasons and in many ways. In this sermon Brother Luke compares the way we ‘follow’ people on social media platforms because of our interest in what they are doing to following …

Alive is our weekly Sunday preparation. In this episode, Fr. Jonathan Meyer reflects on the Gospel for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 1:29–34) and the powerful words we hear at every Mass: “Behold the Lamb of God.” Why does John the Baptist choose this title for Jesus? This reflection weaves together:  • Bethlehem as the House of Bread  • Jesus laid in a manger — a feeding trough  • The shepherds who raised lambs for temple sacrifice  • And the fulfillment of it all in the Eucharist From the unblemished lambs of the Temple, to the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, this Gospel reveals that Jesus is not a symbol — He is the reality. As priests lift up the Eucharist at Mass, they echo the words of John the Baptist and the faith of the Bethlehem shepherds, holding not a sacrifice that points forward, but the Lamb who fulfills every promise.

Laughter may be one of the most powerful tools we have for navigating stress, burnout, and the weight of modern life. In this conversation, I had the pleasure of sitting down once again with Sir James Gray Robinson to explore why humor, self-awareness, and gratitude matter far more than most of us realize. James and I talk about how easily we lose the ability to laugh at ourselves, how that loss feeds stress and burnout, and why taking life too seriously often does more harm than good. Along the way, we reflect on comedy, culture, trauma, and the simple truth that being able to laugh can shift perspective faster than almost anything else. James also shares what he has learned from years of coaching high-stress professionals, especially lawyers, about how laughter resets the nervous system and opens the door to better problem solving. We talk about gratitude as a powerful antidote to fear and anger, the role artificial intelligence can play as a daily tool for perspective, and how self-reflection helps us separate reality from the stories our minds create. We even explore James's work with an ancient royal order dedicated to service and philanthropy. I believe you will find this conversation thoughtful, grounding, and surprisingly uplifting, because at its core, it reminds us that joy, humor, and connection are not luxuries. They are essential to living an unstoppable life. Highlights: 00:59 – Learn why losing the ability to laugh at yourself creates stress and emotional rigidity.04:26 – Understand the difference between witty humor and humor that harms rather than heals.11:03 – Discover how laughter resets the nervous system and interrupts burnout patterns.15:35 – Learn why gratitude is one of the strongest tools for overcoming fear and anger.16:16 – Hear how artificial intelligence can be used as a daily tool to shift perspective and invite joy.35:19 – Understand how burnout often begins with internal stories that distort reality and fuel stress. About the Guest: Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq. is an award winning third-generation trial attorney who specialized in family law and civil litigation for 27 years in his native North Carolina. Burned out, Sir James quit in 2004 and has spent the next 20 years doing extensive research and innovative training to help others facing burnout and personal crises to heal. He has taught wellness, transformation, and mindfulness internationally to thousands of private clients, businesses, and associations. As a licensed attorney, he is focused on helping lawyers, professionals, entrepreneurs, employers, and parents facing stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, exhaustion, and burnout. Sir James is a highly respected speaker, writer, TV personality, mentor, consultant, mastermind, and spiritual leader/healer who is committed to healing the planet. He possesses over 30 certifications and degrees in law, healing, and coaching, as well as hundreds of hours of post-certification training in the fields of neuroscience, neurobiology, and neuroplasticity, epigenetics, mind-body-spirit medicine, and brain/heart integration. Having experienced multiple near-death experiences has given him a deeper connection with divinity and spiritual energy. Sir James regularly trains professionals, high-level executives, and businesspeople to hack their brains to turn stress into success. He is regularly invited to speak at ABA and state bar events about mental and emotional health. His work is frequently published in legal and personal growth magazines, including the ABA Journal, Attorneys-at-Work Magazine, and the Family Law Journal. Sir James has authored 13 books on personal growth and healing, including three targeting stressed professionals as well as over 100 articles published in national magazines. He has produced several training videos for attorneys, executives, entrepreneurs and high-level professionals. Sir James has generously endowed numerous projects around the world to help children, indigenous natives, orphans and the sick, including clean water projects in the Manu Rain Forest, Orphanages, Schools and Medical Clinics/Ambulances in India, Buddhist monks in Nepal, and schools in Kenya, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico. In addition to his extensive contributions, Sir James produced and starred in three documentaries that will be released in 2024, focusing on healing, mental and emotional health. The first, "Beyond Physical Matter," is available on several streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime. The trailer can be found at www.BeyondPhysicalMatter.com. The second, “Beyond the Mastermind Secret”, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2024. The trailer can be found at https://BeyondMastermindSecrets.com/. The third, “Beyond Physical Life” is scheduled for release at the end of 2024. The trailer can be found at https://beyondphysicallife.com/. He has formed an entertainment media production company known as Beyond Entertainment Global, LLC, and is currently producing feature length films and other media. In recognition of his outstanding work and philanthropy, Sir James was recently knighted by the Royal Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen. In addition, Sir James won the prestigious International Impact Book Award for his new book “Thriving in the Legal Arena: The Ultimate Lawyer's Guide for Transforming Stress into Success”. Several of his other books have won international book awards as well. Sir James was recently awarded the President's Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden for his outstanding service to his community, country and the world. He will be awarded the prestigious International Humanitarian Award known as Men with Hearts, in London, England in the fall of 2024, as well as Man of the Year and Couple of the year with his wife, Linda Giangreco. Sir James has a wide variety of work/life experiences, including restauranteur, cattle rancher, horse trainer, substance abuse counselor, treatment center director, energy healer, bodyguard, legal counselor for several international spiritual organizations, golfer and marathon runner. He graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in 1971, Davidson College in 1975 and Wake Forest University School of Law in 1978. Ways to connect with Sir James**:** FB - https://www.facebook.com/sirjamesgrayrobinson  IG - https://www.instagram.com/sirjamesgrayrobinson/  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@sirjamesgrayrobinson?_t=8hOuSCTDAw4&_r=1 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@JamesGrayRobinson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gray-robinson-/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson  01:17 Well, hi everyone, and welcome to another edition of unstoppable mindset. And we're doing something today we haven't done too often, but we've done it a few times. We are having a second conversation with James Gray Robinson, actually, sir, James Gray Robinson, and we're going to talk about that part of it today we did last time, but I'm going to start actually a little bit different way. You and I were just talking about humor. We were talking about Mel Brooks, because I, when you came into the to the room, I said, What in the wide, wide world of sports is it going on here, which is a very famous line from Blazing Saddles. And you pointed out that that movie probably couldn't be made today, and I agree. But why do you think that is Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  02:10 I think that we've become so disenchanted with ourselves that everything's offensive now, I think back when we and when I grew up in the 50s and 60s, people had so many really, you know, life threatening things to think about, like atomic war and, you know, it just seems like people have shifted their consciousness away from having a good time to simply having to be right all the time. And so we've lost the ability to laugh at ourselves. I mean, one of my favorite lines is, if you think Talk is cheap, you've never talked to a lawyer. And the thing is, is that I'm a lawyer, and I find that incredibly funny, yeah, because if you can't laugh at yourself, then you really are going to struggle in life, because a lot of times, things don't work out the way that we anticipated or wanted them to. And there's a couple of different ways that we can react to that or respond to that. There's a I found that people are losing the ability to take responsibility for themselves and that they blame everything on everybody else. We're raising a nation of victims, and victims are not going to laugh at anything. So what we, I think, what we have to do is we have to start teaching our children how to have a sense of humor. If something doesn't happen the just the way we want it to, then laugh at it. It doesn't have to, you know, unless it's pain, you know, if it's physically abusive or something, then you know. But the thing is, we're trying to helicopter parent everything, and we all get so upset when somebody says something off the cuff or maybe without fully thinking through what they're saying. So it's, it's just unfortunate that there are many, many things in life I think could be avoided with just a good chuckle and go ahead. Well, I was just going to say, you know, like if somebody said to me, you're. Eyes on wrong I'd laugh because it would what difference does it make? But what my tile looks like? Yeah, and I would just laugh, and I would laugh at me, and I would laugh at them, because somebody thought that there was something wrong with that, yeah. Michael Hingson  05:21 Well, what about people like Don Rickles? You know, who, who was always known for insulting everyone and being an obnoxious character. What do you think about him? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  05:36 I you know the thing is, is that he was offensive, but he wasn't, what's the word? I would say he he wasn't profane, because he never cursed at anybody. You know, I've watched a couple of roasts. You know, they call them roast, right? They get a bunch of people together, and they make fun of somebody. And back in the day, when Don Rickles and Johnny Carson, Milton, burl, rich, little even, what couple of committee is, I can't think of, but they were extremely witty, and they were perhaps offensive, but they weren't necessarily insulting to the point where you It's not Funny. And I think we've got and we've gone to the point where we now are seeing these roasts. And I thought I saw Tom Brady's roast. Actually paid to watch it, and it was the most profane, you know, unfunny, hurtful, hour and a half I think I've ever watched, and it just I didn't smile once. I just was wincing the whole way through, wondering why people think that sort of nonsense is funny. Michael Hingson  07:19 Well, I asked about Don Rickles, because I saw an interview with him on the Donahue show, when Phil Donahue had his TV show, one of the things. And after he said this, I thought about it, and of course, never really was able to see in person, but I believed him. Don rickel said, Look, I never pick on someone if I think they're going to be offended. He said, If I see somebody in the audience and start picking on them and it looks like they're taking offense or they're getting angry about it, I won't pick on them anymore. And he said I might even go talk with them later, but he said I won't pick on them anymore. And I thought about that, he said, I will never there are lines I won't cross, which is some of what you just said. But he really was absolutely adamant about the fact that he didn't really want to insult people. He wanted people to have fun, so he always looked for people in the audience who would laugh at what he had to say and how he and how he abused them and so on. He said those are the people that he really liked to to interact with because they weren't taking offense, which I thought was a very intuitive and interesting concept on his part. And if you really want to talk about a comedian who was never profane no matter what he did or happened to him, later, think about Bill Cosby, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  08:49 yeah, and or Red Skelton, or Red Skelton, yeah, that was and always, he would always end up with God Bless. And the thing that amazes me about today's comedy is how much violence. There's a subtle undercurrent of violence under all of their humor. And it's, you know, they're kind of like laughing at somebody who is hurt or is not as intelligent as the comedian thinks he is. Or, you know, they're making fun of stuff just to be hurtful. And it's not, you know, they've lost the connection between being taken taking fun, making fun of somebody and being hurtful. And I just amazed when I see a lot of comedians today. I mean, there's lots of very witty, very intelligent, grand guffaw producing comedy out. There. And it's, there's some, they're very, very talented comedians out there, but then there are the other people that want to drag you through the Michael Hingson  10:07 mud, yeah? And it's all shock. It's all shock, yeah, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  10:12 and intentionally offend you to, I guess it's some kind of power play, but it's simple. You know, people, I think that people actually are so traumatized that they they think it's funny when somebody traumatizes somebody else. Michael Hingson  10:34 Well, I Oh, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  10:35 go on. No, go right ahead. Michael Hingson  10:38 I I never got to see Don Rickles live, although I would have loved to, and I would love to have paid the money to sit in the front row, hopefully, hoping that he would pick on me so I could jump up and say, Yeah, I saw you once on TV. I took one look at you and haven't been able to see since. What do you think about that? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  11:02 Never that would be appropriate, yeah? I mean, because he'd love it, you're making fun, yeah, you're making fun of him, and you're making fun of yourself. And that's what I call self depreciating humor. He where the jokes, yeah, the joke really is about you. It's not about him, yeah, and it's in it, so it's people probably wouldn't take offense to that. But when people sit there, you know, start poking fun at how people look or what they their educational level, or their, you know, cultural background is I, I just don't get that. I mean, it's and I grieve that we're turning into bullies. Well, you know, and it's, it's unfortunate you Michael Hingson  11:52 you've dealt a lot, especially over the last 20 years, with burnout and things like that. Do you think that what's happening in in society based on what you're talking about, with the lack of humor, without self deprecating environments and all that. Do you think that's because it's stressful, contributing to burnout? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  12:14 Yes, I think, well, we again, we take ourselves way too seriously. The one thing that I've noticed, especially with my clients, is when I can get them to laugh, they start to take a different perspective of their life. But when they think everything that they're what I call they're stuck in Warrior mode. There's, you know, we have a, don't know if we talked about this last time, but we have a nervous system that goes one or two ways. It either goes to fight or flight, called the sympathetic nervous system, where you know you're reacting to everything in a negative way, because it's a matter of survival, or we go to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the fun part of our psyche, and we can enjoy ourselves, but everybody is so scared of something there that they the body cannot stand That level of stress for years. I mean, that's what burnout is, and it it tears your body apart until it actually turns off. And that's what happens when you burn out. We used to call it nervous breakdown, but, you know now it's burnout. But the point is, is you just wear yourself out because you don't have anything that will break the constant stream of stress, and one of the best ways that you can handle stress is to laugh. Laugh at yourself, laugh at something, a joke, laugh at whatever you find stressful, because it breaks that autonomic nervous system response. And if you can reset yourself every now and then that you know, one of the ways I teach people how to deal with stress is to research jokes. Go buy a good joke book, and you can go and find enough. You know, all you need is a couple of jokes to start the day, and you're going to be in a much better frame of mind going to work or dealing with whatever you have to deal with. If you've laughed at least once before you go to work, because that that engages your parasympathetic. I call it the guru. And you can deal with adversity. You can deal with problems. You can actually problem solve. You. And but when we're stressed out because we're afraid of what's going to happen, we're afraid of making mistakes, and we're afraid of what somebody's going to think of us, then we are just going to end up in a very bad place, mentally and emotionally and physically. So it's, you know, one of the things that you can do, as if you're having to deal with stress on a daily basis, is to just remember how to be grateful. I mean, I think that of all the emotions, gratitude is probably the most powerful one there is because it will overcome fear, it will overcome anger, it will overcome shame, it will overcome guilt, it will overcome envy, all the negative emotions cannot stand up to gratitude. And so if you can learn to be grateful, and especially grateful for the struggle, then you are going to be a happy camper, and you can probably learn to laugh, until you can be grateful though you're going to struggle. And that's we're not designed to do the struggling. We're designed to have fun. I mean, that's people always say, what are my purpose, you know? And why am I doing here? And I said, you only have two purposes in life. One is to breathe, and the other one is to laugh. Everything else is just a complication. So if you just remember that, if you can be grateful and laugh once in a while, you're going to be a lot better off than somebody that takes it too seriously, Michael Hingson  16:44 yeah, well, and you, you must see a lot of it, because I know you, you do a lot of coaching and working with especially lawyers, which is a very stressful situation, especially people who are truly dedicated to the Law and who look at it in the right way, there must be a lot of stress. How do you get them to relax? I like the idea of getting a joke book. I think that's that's cute, and I think that that makes a lot of sense. But in but in general, how do you get people to laugh and to do it as a habit. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  17:24 Well, I've been doing this for 20 years, so my answer 20 years ago is probably a little different than the answer I have now. Artificial Intelligence is my friend, because I can, I can do anything with artificial intelligence. And one of the best ways I, you know, I program my artificial intelligence to to respond, to react and to know who I am. I put, I put all of my books onto artificial intelligence. Every time I write an article, I put it in there. I'm always talking to it. I'm always saying, Well, this is the way I feel about this. This is the way I feel about that. This is what this is funny to me. This something happened to me today that is was really funny. And then I tell it what was funny. And I would program this thing. So the next, when I wake up in the morning, I can just ask it tell me something that'll make me laugh, and it always has something that will make me laugh. And so because it can, not only does it know what I fed into it, it knows everything that's on the internet, right? And so you can, you can get a, you know, something funny, something to start your day, make me glad to be alive, you know, tell me something that'll make me grateful. All those things. It'll, just in a millisecond, it'll be on your screen, yeah. And so it's, that's a tool we obviously didn't have even a year ago, but 20 years ago, it was a little bit more depth, a little bit more effort to find these things. But you could, you could do that. I mean, we did have the internet 20 years ago, and so we, we could go looking and go searching for funny stuff. But it's not as easy as is artificial intelligence, so you know. And if you I'll tell you one thing, it's been a real tool that has been very useful for me, because sometimes if I'm not sure what I should say, my old my old motto was, if you don't know what to say, shut up. But now I asked, I asked, and I'm not sure what, how I should respond to this. What do you suggest? And it'll come up with some. Give me five things that I could say. Michael Hingson  19:59 Does it do? Will tell you, does it ever tell you should just shut up? Just checking yes, yes. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  20:04 Okay, good, good for you. Don't say any. Don't say anything, you fool. But the point is, is that it's got, you know, every book that's ever been written about psychology in its database, so you can find things that would make you sound wise and profound. And I use it all the time to figure out what to say, or to how a better way to say something is Yeah, and that way I've managed to stay pretty much out of trouble by and, you know, it's like having a friend who you could ask, What should I say? And they would come back with a couple of answers that you know, then you can just decide yourself which one you should use, right? Michael Hingson  20:57 And you may, and you may, in addition, tweak it which which makes sense, because AI is, is a tool, and I, I am not sure that it is going to ever develop truly to the point where it, if you will, wakes up and and becomes its own true intelligence, Skynet Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  21:24 on all the Terminator series, Michael Hingson  21:27 or or in Robert heinleins, the Moon is a Harsh Mistress. The computer woke up. It helped as a still my favorite science fiction book, and it was, if you've never read it, it's a story about the the moon in 2076 which had been colonized and was being run by the lunar authority back on Earth, it had no clue about anything. And so in 2076 the moon revolted, and the computer and the computer helped. So on July 4, 2076 it was a great movie or a great book. I'd love to see it dramatized. If somebody would do it the right way, I think it'd make a great radio series. But haven't done it yet. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  22:14 Well, Robert Highland is a genius. No doubt about that, Stranger in a Strange Land was big in my developmental years, yeah, and Michael Hingson  22:26 that was the book that came out right after the Moon is a Harsh Mistress. I still think the moon and harsh mistress is even a better book than Stranger in a Strange Land. But Stranger in a Strange Land really did catch on and and rightfully so. It was, it was very clever. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  22:42 Well, most people, I mean, you know, clean humor is a good place to start, yeah, because I think that all of the profanity that comedians rely on to shock people. And, you know, there are two ways that we have the laugh response one is, is that it shocks you in the sense that it makes you afraid, because it seems like a attack on you. It's a defensive mechanism that we have. It's not even if it's not funny, we will laugh, because that's our body's way of dealing with something that's really traumatic. The other way is when we something strikes us as funny because it's witty or clever, and that is more of a that's a less stressful response. And can we, we can laugh, and it's a more of a genuine response than one where we're basically traumatized, right? And I think that, and with everything else, is who? Who do you hang around? Who is your tribe? Who do you? Somebody was somebody said, some psychologist said, you know, show me 10 of your friends and I'll tell you exactly what your problem is, because the people you hang around will mirror what's going on in your interior landscape. And if you've got friends who are problematic, that means that there's some things on your psyche that you need to take a look at. And you know that, and it's especially people who have been traumatized early in life. Their coping mechanisms and their judgment is not so good, right? So they have to take a step back and look at well, are these people helping me? Are they hurting me? Because if you notice, a lot of traumatized people will surround themselves with traumatized people, and all they do is whip themselves in the lather. Are every day, and they get so melodramatic, and they get so upset about everything that's going on in life, they can't find any sense of humor or any sense of joy, yeah, and it's until they let go of those, those trauma responses they're they're pretty much in a hat, in a self repeating habit that is not going to be healthy. Michael Hingson  25:29 And I think you're absolutely right. It is very much about joy. And we, we should. We should find ways to be joyful and feel joy, and, of course, laugh and not take life so seriously. Unfortunately, there's so much going on today with people who clearly have no sense of humor, or at least they never exhibit it, that it tends to really be a problem. And unfortunately, I think we're all learning some really bad habits, or many of us are learning some very bad habits because of that. And I don't know what's going to break that cycle, but the cycle is going to have to break at some point. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  26:14 It will, unfortunately, a lot of times it takes a revolution, yeah, in order to replace old, unhealthy thought patterns with better thought patterns. You know, I'm reminded of the old saying that when an idiot tries to teach another idiot, you end up with two idiots. So you you have to be careful about who you're taking advice from, right? And so if, especially you know my my advice to anybody that's struggling and suffering is turn off your phone and turn off your TV, and if you know how to read, go read a book, because when you can get into a period of calm, quiet reflection, you're going to be able to make More sense out of what's going on in your life, and especially if you're reading a book that will explain to you the best way to deal with challenges, right? But just or just read a funny book, you know, something you know I find sarcasm and cleverness, extremely funny. So I love books like Forrest Gump, who who take extreme examples and turns them into funny scenarios, and they did a good Michael Hingson  28:01 job making that into a movie too. I thought, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  28:05 I mean, I tell you, I forget who the director was, but they were brilliant because they were able to spin a story that was honest. But it wasn't offensive, and you could laugh because of all of forests characteristics and everything else, but it was presented in the way that it wasn't, you know? It wasn't being mean, right? And it wasn't, being unkind, and so it was just a story of a man who ended up being a success, and it was more through Providence than anything else. You know, I love the Marx Brothers, oh, sure, because they always had a way of making fun of each other and making fun of other people and making fun of themselves that was truly humorous. And it was more sight gags. It was more, you know, one liners, and it wasn't by being mean to anybody. It was as about being very aware of what was going on. Michael Hingson  29:25 I'm trying to remember which movie it was. I think it was duck soup. Somebody fell into the water and she yelled, throw me a lifesaver. And so somebody threw her a lifesaver. That is a candy. Yeah, it's just so clever. It was clever. But, you know, one of the things that I enjoy is old radio shows, radios from the shows from the 30s, 40s and 50s, and the humor, again, was respectful of. Hmm, and they could pick on people to a degree, but it was never in a in a mean way, but just the humor was always so clever, and so I would, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  30:14 I would listen George and Gracie Allen, George, Jack Benny, Michael Hingson  30:19 Phil Harris, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  30:21 and you was his name, Jackie Gleason, Michael Hingson  30:29 Amos and Andy. And of course, people today have decided Amos and Andy are offensive because they say it's all about blacks, and you're insulting black people. If anybody would go back and look in history, the reality is that Amos and Andy probably was one of the most well, it was one of the most popular shows on radio to the point where, if you were in a movie theater on Saturday afternoon watching a movie, they would stop it when Amos and Andy came on and play the show, and it didn't matter what the color of your skin was. In fact, I asked an Amos and Andy expert one time, when did they stop referring to themselves as black or dark? And the reason I asked that is because the first time I was exposed to Amos and Andy was actually the Amos and Andy TV shows, and I didn't know they were black, and I learned later that they were taken off the air when people started becoming offended because there were two black people. But I asked this, this lady about Amos and Andy, and when did they stop referring to themselves as black? And she said, Well, probably about the last time that she was aware of where there was a reference to it was 1937 so for many, many years, if you decided that their voices were black people, then, then you did, but they didn't talk about black or white or anything else. And and so it was. It was a very interesting show. And one guy usually was trying to con the other one and the other, well, king fish would con Andy, who usually fell for it. But gee, how many shows with white people do we see the same thing. You know? The reality is that it was a very funny show by any standard. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  32:26 Well, Sanford and sons, Sanford, same thing. I mean, that humor was, it was cutting you know, anytime you get on a cutting edge type of program, you know, it's inevitable that somebody's going to take offense. But I always laughed out loud. I watched that show, and it wasn't because they were demeaning anybody. It was just watching people trying to get by and using their wits. And a lot of times it was, it was comical because it wasn't very clever, but it was just they were doing the best they could to make a living. They were doing the best they could to live in their society. And I always admired that. I mean, they never, and they were able to, I guess, touch on the aspect of racial inequality without burning the house down. And it was like always admired them. You know, Sanford and sons, the Jeffersons, all of those shows, how about all the family? If you want to talk all in the family too well they they were just, you could switch one script with the other because it was more about human beings being human than it was about what the color of your skin was, yeah. So, you know, I would invite anybody who is offended by something to really ask yourself, what is it that offends you? Because there's always something in your consciousness that you find offensive. You would never be offended by anything if you unless you found something within yourself that's offensive, whether because and it's called the psychological term is called projection. You're projecting on what you're perceiving, and it's called bias. We all have conclusions. We all have prejudice. We all have judgments. Our brain is built that way to keep us alive, and so we're always interpreting data and perceptions to see if there's any threat out there, and if, when we start taking words as threatening, then we've got a problem. Yep, and. But because things like comedy and humor shouldn't offend anybody, but because you believe in something that makes that offensive, that's why you're offended. And so it's really as useful to people to really think about what is it that I believe that makes that offensive? Because most of the time you will find that whatever it is that you believe may not be true, and it's just something that some kind of conclusion you've drawn because of your experiences, or what you've been taught or what you've witnessed that's given you a wrong idea about something. So I invite anybody who is mad or angry that they look and see what is that belief that is making you angry? Michael Hingson  35:59 Yeah, it gets back to self analysis. It gets back to looking at yourself, which is something that most of us haven't really learned a lot about how to do. How. How did you pick up all these, these kind of nuggets of wisdom and so on. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  36:19 Well, when I burn, when I had my nervous breakdown back in 2004 I quit practicing law for a while because I couldn't bear the thought of going into my office and fighting another day of the battles that trial lawyers always fight. Now I won't say that transactional lawyers don't have battles, but Trial Lawyers end up probably picking a few fights on their own that, you know, they didn't really need to go there, but they do because, you know, Trial Lawyers have a, You know, a talent for arguing they have it's exciting to most of them, and they love to fight. And so when? But eventually, if you don't know how to manage it, it will, yes, the key wear you down. Yeah. So I got out of the law business for a while, and instead, I decided I wanted to go find out. Number one, why did I burn out? And number two, how to heal it. And so I went and studied with a number of energy healers who were very, very conscious people. They were very, very aware. You might even say they were enlightened, but it was they were always teaching me and always telling me about whatever I'm experiencing on the outside is just a reflection of what's on the inside. And so it's not so much about somebody being right or somebody being wrong. It's just the world is a mirror to whatever is going on inside between our ears. Yeah, and it's not because it's we're seeing something that's not there, or we're not seeing something that is there. It's just simply, how do we process that information that comes in through our sense organs and goes into our amygdala, then the hippocampus and then to the rest of our brain to try to figure out and but it's well documented that the brain will see whatever the brain wants to See, and a lot of times it's not what the eyes see, because there are lots of experiments you can take with graphics and other things that are illusory. Because, you know, you can see these graphs or prints that look like a spiral that's going around and is moving, but it's actually circles. But the way our brain puts things together, it makes it move. And another way is sounds. If you don't know what a sound is? Your brain is going to make up a story about that sound. And it could be either That's the sound of a frog, or it could be the sound of a somebody getting attacked. It could be the sound of whatever your brain it has to put a label on it, because that's the way the brain has been wired over our couple of hundreds of 1000s of years of evolution. That's how we manage to stay alive, because we make up a story about stuff, and if we're accurate, we live. If we're not accurate, we don't. Yeah, so the a lot of people are very good at making up stories in their head about what they're seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, whatever, because a lot of lot of smells will have psychological responses in our brain. So you know the smell of baby's milk or the smell of mown grass, or, you know smell of something rank, you always will have an instant story about what you just smell. And so when I would spend long periods of time thinking about these things, contemplating them, trying to figure out, well, what does that mean for me? I mean, how does that? How will it looking at this change my life? And basically, what I learned is is that the more objective you can be, the less you make up stories about stuff, the more successful you can be, and the more happy you'll be. Because, for example, there's a term called Mind reading, where people will be listening to somebody talking, and in the back of their mind, they're making up a story about what that person means, or they're making up a story about, well, where is this guy going with this? And it's, you know, it's, it's the opposite of listening, because when listening, you're focusing on the words you're hearing, yes, and then when it's your turn to talk, you can respond appropriately, but most people are thinking while they're hearing and it totally colors their experience, because if they think that this person doesn't like them, then they're going to interpret whatever is being said a certain way. If they think that person does like them, then they will interpret it a completely different way. So it's fascinating to me how people can get the wrong idea about things, because it just is a story that their mind made up to try to explain to them why they're experiencing what they're experiencing. Michael Hingson  42:25 That's why I like to really say that I've learned so much from dogs, because dogs don't do it that way. And as I tell people, dogs don't trust unconditionally. They love unconditionally, but they don't trust unconditionally, but dogs are open to trust, and they're looking for reasons to trust, and they also, by definition, tend to be more objective, and they react to how we react and how we behave and and I think there's so much to be learned by truly taking the time to observe a dog and how they interact with you and how you interact with them, and that's going to make a big difference in how they behave. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  43:11 Well, you could definitely see a difference in the dog's behavior if they've been traumatized. Michael Hingson  43:16 Oh, sure, that's a different story altogether. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  43:19 Yeah, I agree that dogs are extremely innocent. You know, they don't have an agenda. They just want to be loved, and they would, they want to love Michael Hingson  43:31 and they want to know the rules, and they then they're looking to us to tell them what we expect. And there are ways to communicate that too, yes. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  43:41 And you know you all have to is give as a great example of how we should treat each other. Is all you have to do is, you know, a dog will forgive you eventually. And if you're kind to a dog. A dog will just give his entire being to you. Yeah, and it because they don't have any Guile, they don't have any hidden agendas. They just want to be you know, they want to eat. They want to be warm. They want to have fun. They do want to have fun, and so if you treat them timely, you will have a friend for life. Michael Hingson  44:29 Yep, we adopted a dog. We cared for it for a while. It was a geriatric dog at Guide Dogs for the Blind who had apparently had never worked as a guide dog, and she had been mistreated and then sent back to Guide Dogs for the Blind. She was 12. The school was convinced she was totally deaf because she wouldn't react to anything. They dropped a Webster's Dictionary next to her, and she didn't react. But we took her and we started working with her, and. It took several months before she would even take a walk with Karen, and Karen in her, you know, in Karen's wheelchair, and this wonderful golden retriever walking next to her. But the more we worked with her, the more she came out of her shell. She wasn't deaf. I'm sure she was hard of hearing, but you could drop a dictionary and she'd react to it, and if you called her, she would come. But it is all about developing the relationship and showing that you care and they will react. And so she she lived with us for more than three years before she passed, but was a wonderful creature, and we were, we were blessed to have her. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  45:48 Well, go ahead. No, I was just going to comment that I've got three Pomeranians, and they run the place course. You know, it's there. It's amazing how a six pound dog can run your life, but Michael Hingson  46:03 you let them, but you still establish, but you still establish some rules and you know, but that's, that's, yeah, I have a cat who runs the place, but that's okay. Well, we have not talked about, and I do want to talk about it when I first started hearing from you, your emails were all signed, sir, James Gray Robinson, and I always was curious, and you eventually explained it to me. But why don't you tell us all about your title and and all of that? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  46:39 Well, since we last talked, I've had a promotion. Now I'm a baron, so it's Baron James Gray Robinson, Scottish, Baron of Cappadocia. But I belong to a royal order that's known as the Royal Order of Constantine, the great in st Helen, and it was established in 312, 312, 12. Ad, when Constantine, who was the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, conquered the Western Roman Empire, who it was brother who was the emperor of the Western Roman Empire, and they can then he consolidated the eastern and the western empires. And it was that way until 14 153 when they were defeated by the Solomon Turks. So for 1100 over 1100 years Well, let me back up. The most important battle in that war between the two brothers was the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, which was in Rome and Constantine awarded, rewarded 50 knights, 50 warriors, soldiers who fought on that campaign and carried the day against much superior forces. And he rewarded them by making them knights and giving them land in Turkey, in an area that's known as Cappadocia. And this, if you know anything about Turkey, there's an area which is honeycombed with caves that have been dug out over the millennia, and it's kind of like some body was doing some renovation work, and they broke through the floor, and they went into a cave system that would have been hand dug, and it goes down 17 layers, and it could house 30,000 people. But that was, that was Cappadocia and Constantine the Great charged these warriors with the with the duty to protect the Christian church, because that's because Constantine had converted to Christianity. His mother, Helen, was one of the driving forces in the early Christian church. She's the one that decided to build a cathedral on top of the the nativity, the manger, which is actually a grotto in Bethlehem, I've been there. I spent Christmas Eve there one year. And so the Christianity was just a fledgling religion, and he charged these nights and all successive nights, with the obligation to protect the Christians and to protect the churches. And so a lot of people credit the royal order with advancing the Christian religion. So it's been around since 312 and it's the oldest peerage and a peerage. Is a group of royalty that have knights. They have royalty like Dukes and nobles and that sort of thing. But if you look at other orders that we're aware of, the Knights of Balta didn't get established until about 1200 ad the Knights of the Templar nights, similar thing. They didn't get established till about 1000 years after we did. So it's a very, very ancient, very traditional order that focuses on helping abused women and traffic children. We have, you know, we have a lot of, you know, compassion for those people in the world, and so we are actively supporting those people all over the world. And then on the other side, we have the knights, and we have the women, equivalent of that are called dames, and then we have the nobles who are like barons and other ranks that go all the way up to a prince who is actually related To the King of Spain. So it's been a interesting history, but we can try, we can directly trace our lineage all the way back to 312 and what the you know, we have a couple of reasons for existing, one being the charitable, but also to honor people who have been successful and have accomplished a lot for other people and who care about their fellow man and women, so that we accept Anyone in eight different categories, everywhere from Arts to athletics to entrepreneurship to medicine to heroics. We have a number of veterans that were credible. Have incredible stories. We have a lot of A listers, movie stars, professional athletes, that sort of thing. Also philanthropy. I got in for philanthropy because I've given a lot of money over my life to help people all over the world, and that's one reason why I was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. But we're a group of people. We just today started a Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences because we want to help people all over the world learn things like finances and you arts and crafts and trades and so that people who are oppressed cultures that are in third world countries will be able to learn a good earn a good living, raise their status in life, and then learn how to go on and help other people. So that's very exciting. We've got a lot of things going on with the royal order that are we're growing very rapidly, where somebody said we're 1700 year old startup, but it's, you know, we've gone through some regime changes where people have died and there weren't any heirs, so they've had to go laterally to find somebody to take over. And that's where we are now. You know, interestingly enough, my sons will inherit my title, so it's a true royalty kind of thing, where it passes down by inheritance. But you know, we don't, you know we're, we're hundreds of people in our thing. It's like 300 people in our order right now. We'd like that to be 100,000 times that because we do good work and we foster principles of charity, silvery and honesty, so that we're trying to change the culture around us to where people don't take offense in everything that they're in a society that supports each other and that people can feel safe knowing that there's they have a brother or sister that will support them. Michael Hingson  54:57 Definitely fascinating. I was not familiar with it at all. All until you and I check, yes. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  55:03 Well, it's amazing that me. I guess you have to be somewhat of a history buff. Yeah, and there, and there are lots of service organizations like the Masons and the Shriners and every all the animal ones, the Moose Lodge, the beavers and all these people are doing, you know, charitable work. But not not. Many of them have a royal heritage that goes back to 312 right? So, and we do dress up like knights from time to time, and ladies, and we have swords and we have robes, and we have big parties, and we have gala events, and where we induct more people into our order, and it's all great fun, and it's, you know, and we raise money for charity. So it's a win, win situation. Cool, and it doesn't hurt having Baron on your resume. Michael Hingson  56:08 No, I am sure it doesn't well. I want to thank you for explaining that, and I want to thank you for being here again. This has been a lot of fun, and I'm glad that we had a chance to really talk about humor, which, which is more important, I think, than a lot of people realize. And again, if people want to reach out to you, how do they do that? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  56:31 My website is James Gray robinson.com Michael Hingson  56:36 There you go. Easy to spell, easy to get to. So I hope people will do that. And again, I hope that you all enjoyed today, and that you will let me know that you enjoyed it. Please feel free to email me at Michael h i at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, please give us a five star rating. Go off and read history and learn about the royal order. I think that's probably relevant and important to do as well. And again, if anyone knows anyone who ought to be a guest on the podcast, please let us know. Introduce us. Give us a rating of five stars wherever you're listening. And again, James, I just want to thank you for being here. Excuse me, sir. James. Barron, James, really appreciate you being here, and we'll have to do it again. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq  57:24 Well, Michael, my hat's off to you. I think you're doing amazing work. I think you're helping a lot of people. You have a great podcast I've gone on your website or your YouTube, and it's a lot of fun. And I think you're doing a great service for people. Michael Hingson  57:45 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

The story of Jesus starts under a monarch named Herod. He was called ‘King of the Jews,’ and ruled Judea from 40 to the year 4 BC. His reputation for paranoia and ruthlessness was well deserved, having executed three of his own sons, and slaughtered all the baby boys in Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, according to the Gospel of Matthew. Ee83. Herod the Great books available at https://amzn.to/4acK8l4 ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Source: From Jesus to Christianity by L. Michael White.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first full episode of Growing While We Go, Bethlehem opens up about her experience navigating a difficult first trimester of pregnancy. From constant morning sickness and overwhelming exhaustion to losing motivation and struggling emotionally, this episode shares the honest side of early pregnancy that often goes unspoken.Through faith, reflection, and learning to find small moments of hope, Bethlehem shares how she leaned on God during this season and gave herself grace while her body and mind adjusted. This episode is for anyone walking through pregnancy, a challenging season, or learning how to trust God when life doesn't look the way you imagined.Scripture mentioned:Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

As though being born and laid in a manger in Bethlehem was not humbling enough, Our Lord chose to lower himself in the lowest spot in the Earth's surface, the river Jordan. There he would be baptized for our sake and God as Trinity would be revealed.

Because God has made Jesus known as a light for the nations, we must point all people to his light so that they may come and worship him. Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV): 2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

How many times have you done something seemingly insignificant only to learn later that because of your action … you changed the life of someone else? Well, today as we continue our study on Passion, we’re going to be looking at First Samuel, chapter 16. God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem, a seemingly insignificant place … but as Dr. Mark Jobe, president of the Moody Bible Institute explains today, that act came with far reaching consequences … and likewise, when we obey God with the small things … they often turn into big things! This message is part of our series called, Rise: Live Your Best Life Yet … and to start our lesson today, here’s Mark Jobe …Become part of our Advance Team: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/moodypresents/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first message of the new year, I look at the lessons of Psalm 40. Waiting and listening to the Lord is a skill to develop. It is even harder to develop in our culture because of earbuds, music and noise blaring in restaurants and gas stations. Getting in a quiet place to wait …

In the “one another” series, I look at specific ways that the NT gives us to love one another, as Jesus instructed. 12.28.25.One.Anothering.Each.Other.Tim.McCool

  THE SHOW NOTES   Year 20 & Video Killed The Radio Star? Intro Post Holidays My sister's birthday and a creepy email Interesting Fauna      - Australian jewel beetle (Julodimorpha bakewelli) Ask George      - Attention Span? from Indiana Joe Religious Moron of the Week      - Bishop Patrick Wooden &         Pastor Jamal Bryant Tell Me Something Good       Shrek Proposal Seattle with the SGU Red Stag solo show on the 17th Show Close .........................   MENTIONED IN THE SHOW   Something Good: Shrek Proposal .........................   UPCOMING SCHEDULE   Geo & SGU: Extravaganza & Private Show Seattle, Washington Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 TICKETS George Hrab solo acoustic Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 / 8 pm-10 pm The Red Stag, Bethlehem, PA George Hrab's Occasional Songs for the Periodic Table 118 Elements • 118 Songs • 90 Minutes Saturday, March 7th, 2026 The Icehouse Bethlehem, PA Geo & SGU: Extravaganza & Private Show Madison, Wisconsin Saturday, May 16, 2026 TICKETS CSICON Center for Inquiry 50th Anniversary Conference Geo & SGU: Extravaganza & Live PodcastAwards Dinner & Variety Show Buffalo, New York June 11-14th 2026 csiconference.org  Geo & SGU: Not-A-Con Sydney / NZ Skeptics Conference July 2026 Australian & New Zealand Episode 1000 of The Geologic Podcast Saturday, January 9, 2027 The Icehouse Bethlehem, PA .........................   SUBSCRIPTION INTERFACE   You can now find our subscription page at GeorgeHrab.com at this link. Many thanks to the sage Evo Terra for his assistance. .........................   Get George's Music Here  https://georgehrab.hearnow.com https://georgehrab.bandcamp.com ................................... SUBSCRIBE! You can sign up at GeorgeHrab.com and become a Geologist or a Geographer. As always, thank you so much for your support! You make the ship go. ................................... Sign up for the mailing list: Write to Geo! Check out Geo's wiki page, thanks to Tim Farley. Have a comment on the show, a Religious Moron tip, or a question for Ask George? Drop George a line and write to Geo's Mom, too!

Big things really can come in small packages. Dr. Tony Evans explores the birth of the baby Jesus and explains how the Child born in Bethlehem came not only to save—but to rule as King.

Big things really can come in small packages. Dr. Tony Evans explores the birth of the baby Jesus and explains how the Child born in Bethlehem came not only to save—but to rule as King.

After two years of not celebrating because of the war in nearby Gaza, Christmas festivities have returned to Bethlehem. Election officials in Honduras have named the winner of the country's presidential election, after more than three weeks of counting the votes. And, in a year of record breaking immigration enforcement, deportations and detentions are separating families and in some cases that means the oldest children become the family breadwinner.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by James Hider, Didi Schanche, Eric Westervelt and Lisa Thomson.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. Our technical director is David Greenburg.And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.(00:00) Introduction(03:11) Christmas In Bethlehem(06:58) Honduras Election Result(10:40) Immigration CrackdownLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy