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Read OnlineThe mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” Mark 3:31–32In Jesus' time, family bloodlines were of great importance. They determined one's identity as part of the chosen people of Israel, the descendants of Abraham. Being part of God's covenantal family was understood primarily in terms of physical ancestry. Bloodlines also played a crucial role in determining rights to land ownership, which was tied to one's family lineage. This connection between lineage and land had important theological significance, as the Promised Land was a visible sign of God's covenant with Israel.The lineage of two of the Twelve Tribes of Israel held particular significance. Members of the Tribe of Levi were uniquely chosen to serve as priests in the Temple. Additionally, the Messiah was prophesied to descend from the Tribe of Judah, specifically from the line of King David. This gave David's lineage an elevated status. This significance is reflected in Matthew's and Luke's genealogies, which establishes Jesus' legal and spiritual claim as the promised Messiah.It is for these reasons that Jesus' words in today's Gospel surprised many. When Jesus' mother and his brothers—meaning His cousins or other extended family—arrived at the house where He was teaching, they wanted to see Him. First, it should be noted that in Jewish culture, there was no specific word for “cousins” or “extended family,” so the terms “brothers” and “sisters” were used more broadly. Naturally, those present might have expected Him to go out immediately to see them in deference to His familial ties. Yet He takes that opportunity to offer a new teaching when He asks the crowd, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Answering His own question, He pointed to those around Him, saying, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:34–35).Jesus was in no way diminishing the value of His blood relatives. In fact, the bond He shared with His mother went far deeper than DNA. Instead, He used the opportunity to expand the people's natural familial bonds to include all those who were united spiritually. He taught that kinship in God's family is not based on physical descent but on obedience to His will. This redefinition transformed their understanding of what it means to belong to God's people, opening the door to new bonds of unity based in faith and grace.Today, families remain the most important foundation of life. “The family is, so to speak, the domestic church” (Lumen Gentium, 11). The family is chosen by God as the primary community from which love, virtue, and faith are born, making them a community of love, participating in the unity of the Trinity. However, natural family bonds are now expanded by the supernatural bonds we share through the Blood of Christ, which unites all of us more deeply. Ideally, those supernatural bonds are first experienced within natural families, but even when they are not, the supernatural bonds we share through Christ's Blood create a spiritual family that transcends earthly relationships. As Christians, we are called to extend this familial love beyond our households, embracing all who do the will of God as brothers and sisters in faith.Reflect today on the blessings and challenges you have within your own family. What is of paramount importance is that, within those natural bonds, we strive to move deeper, forging spiritual bonds that are eternal. Reflect also on your wider Christian community. Do you strive to build bonds of faith and charity with others? As you ponder Jesus' words today, look at your natural family and beyond, giving thanks for those who do the will of God, and work to foster deep relationships grounded in the new Bloodline of Christ's grace. Most Holy Trinity, You are the source of perfect harmony and unity, sharing a love that is beyond all understanding. Draw me, and all people, into that unity of love. Bless my natural family on earth and unite us ever more deeply through Your grace. Bless also my spiritual family, my brothers and sisters in faith, united by the bonds we share in fulfilling Your holy will. Jesus, I trust in You. Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2025 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.
For most of us, being humble is easier in theory than it is in practice. Reaching out in Christian Love and kindness often means being a peacekeeper and letting go of the need to be right or to win an argument. God wants us to walk with humility at work, on social media, and at home. When we're frustrated with someone across the table or online, considering the words and deeds of others through the lens of Jesus' sacrificial love for us can bring clarity. Our scripture for today is Ephesians 4:1–3, which says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”Let's pray. Lord, we live in a world that praises getting the last word. Being the loudest voice, or the winner of every argument is not your will for us. Bless us with the spirit of humility and guide us in being peacekeepers online and in person. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.
Somewhere in the multiverse, a cleric just whispered "I prepared Bless," and three dice immediately rolled higher out of pure fear. Because clerics aren't "the healbot," they're the divine Swiss Army knife: buffer, debuffer, front-liner, artillery, investigator, walking lie detector, and occasionally the person who politely asks a demon to leave and the demon actually does. Today we're building clerics from levels 1–10: how to pick your domain, what to prepare, how to stop wasting actions, and how to make your table say, "Wait… clerics can do that?" Show notes Cleric identity at levels 1–10: You're a full caster with armor, a strong action economy toolkit, and some of the best "party-wide value per spell slot" in the game. Choosing a Domain (Subclass) with intent What each domain wants to do in combat (frontline, blaster, controller, support, utility). How domain spells shape your "default prep list." The hidden question: "Do I want to solve problems with my action, my bonus action, or my reaction?" Ability scores and build priorities Wisdom as your engine (save DCs, prepared spells, key features). Constitution for concentration survivability. Strength vs Dexterity depending on armor and weapon plans. Armor, weapons, and "being accidentally hard to kill" Light/medium/heavy armor considerations. Shield math and when it's worth it. Weapon use: when it's a trap, when it's correct, and how cantrips change the calculus. Cantrips that actually matter Core combat cantrips (and why "I guess I'll swing my mace" is usually a cry for help). Utility cantrips that quietly win sessions. Spell preparation that doesn't make you cry Your "always-good" staples (buffs, heals, control, utility). How to prep for unknown adventuring days without over-prepping niche tools. Concentration discipline: the real cleric skill. Channel Divinity: use it early, use it often Turning Undead and its situational dominance. Domain Channel Divinity options as mid-tier power spikes. How Channel Divinity changes your "resource rhythm" between short rests. Level-by-level power spikes (1–10) L1: Domain + armor + Bless = "party performance enhancement plan" L2: Channel Divinity arrives (and suddenly your subclass has teeth) L3: 2nd-level spells broaden your problem-solving L5: 3rd-level spells are the "cleric becomes a headline" moment L6–8: subclass features + improved survivability + cantrip/weapon upgrades L9–10: 5th-level spells and consistent encounter impact Table role: how to be a cleric without becoming the babysitter Healing as a tool, not a lifestyle. Preventing damage and ending fights faster as the "real healing." Coordinating with your party so your buffs land where they matter. Key Takeaways Start with your cleric job description Pick one primary role and one secondary role: Support/Buffer (primary) + Controller (secondary) Frontline (primary) + Support (secondary) Blaster (primary) + Utility/Support (secondary) Most clerics get in trouble when they try to be all of these every round. Concentration is your true hit point total A cleric who keeps concentration up is a force multiplier. A cleric who drops it every other round is a very polite person wearing armor. Practical habits: Don't stack concentration spells in your head like a wishlist—pick one plan per fight. Invest in Con saves/survivability decisions early. Position like you're important (because you are). Your "default fight plan" should fit on an index card Example templates: Support opener: Concentration buff → sustain/position → emergency heal only when it flips the encounter. Control opener: Concentration control → maintain distance/cover → punish clustering. Frontline opener: Concentration buff/control → stand where enemies hate it → force bad choices. Healing is strongest when it changes the math right now In-combat healing shines when it: Prevents an ally from going down before they lose their next turn, Buys a crucial round of actions, Keeps a key damage dealer online, Or pairs with control/positioning to stop the "down-up-down" cycle. Otherwise, healing between fights (and prevention during fights) is often more efficient. Domain spells and Channel Divinity are your build's "signature moves" If you're not using your domain's unique tools regularly, you may have picked a domain whose play pattern you don't actually enjoy. Levels 1–10 clerics win by being the most consistent person at the table You don't need perfect optimization to be great—clerics reward: Reliable concentration, Smart positioning, Prepared spells that solve common problems, And knowing when to spend resources to swing an encounter. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
The physics of letting go… and wanting what's meant for you. For a decade, I thought letting go of my worldly desires would bring me peace. I was wrong. I used spiritual perfectionism to hurt myself. I guilt-tripped myself for having "unspiritual" feelings. I romanticized renunciation while still wanting to host dinner parties at the monastery. Then I figured it out… What we push away pushes back and gets stronger. What we embrace transforms and strengthens us. This is the introduction to my forthcoming book, Bless and Release: The physics of letting go—and wanting what's meant for you. With love, Danielle In this episode: Why people who let go with ease are more joyful (they don't avoid pain—they bless it) The spiritually romanticized torture I put myself through How I stopped criticizing myself for having "unspiritual" feelings The Bless Practice: heart-centered energy work you can do in 90 seconds What happens when you stop pushing away the pain and chasing the desires Why we're turning to AI for spiritual direction (please stop) The radical truth: instead of repressing suffering, bring it in closer—and bless it Pre-order the audiobook and get early access to BTS content, audio excerpts, and the Bless Practice at: daniellelaporte.com/bless
Click this link https://www.boot.dev?promo=KINDAFUNNY and use my code KINDAFUNNY to get 25% off your first payment for boot.dev. Thank you Boot.Dev for Sponsoring! Listen to See You In Hell written by Gary Whitta at https://seeyouinhell.tv/ Come to our In Review Live Show in SF! January 28th!!!Get tickets at Kindafunny.com/SketchFest Thank you for the support! Run of Show - - Start - Topic of the Show: - Mike's thoughts - Parris' thoughts - Gary's thoughts - Bless' thoughts - Andy's thoughts - Greg's thoughts - Fable - Forza 6 - Ads - BEAST OF REINCARNATION - KILN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Click this link https://www.boot.dev?promo=KINDAFUNNY and use my code KINDAFUNNY to get 25% off your first payment for boot.dev. Thank you Boot.Dev for Sponsoring! Listen to See You In Hell written by Gary Whitta at https://seeyouinhell.tv/ Come to our In Review Live Show in SF! January 28th!!!Get tickets at Kindafunny.com/SketchFest Thank you for the support! Run of Show - - Start - Topic of the Show: - Mike's thoughts - Parris' thoughts - Gary's thoughts - Bless' thoughts - Andy's thoughts - Greg's thoughts - Fable - Forza 6 - Ads - BEAST OF REINCARNATION - KILN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Click this link https://www.boot.dev?promo=KINDAFUNNY and use my code KINDAFUNNY to get 25% off your first payment for boot.dev. Thank you Boot.Dev for Sponsoring! Listen to See You In Hell written by Gary Whitta at https://seeyouinhell.tv/ Come to our In Review Live Show in SF! January 28th!!!Get tickets at Kindafunny.com/SketchFest Thank you for the support! Run of Show - - Start - Topic of the Show: - Mike's thoughts - Parris' thoughts - Gary's thoughts - Bless' thoughts - Andy's thoughts - Greg's thoughts - Fable - Forza 6 - Ads - BEAST OF REINCARNATION - KILN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The 10 year celebration continues as heroes from all three campaigns join together to take down a universe devouring dragon (as well as some terrible villains)! Thanks so much for all the support over the last 10 years, we genuinely couldn't do any of this without you... but you can read about all of that and more on our website: https://www.highrollersdnd.com/post/high-rollers-10th-anniversary Altheya: The Dragon Empire Campaign Setting begins in Q1 2026! Register interest and support the journey to release here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rollandplaypress/high-rollers-altheya-the-dragon-empire Can't wait for Part 2 of each episode? Join our Patreon to get early access EVERY week (+ a few other bonuses)! www.patreon.com/HighRollers _______________ Boost your Charisma with some HR merch! https://highrollersdnd.teemill.com/ Add official High Rollers Minis to your TTRPG collection here: https://only-games.co/collections/high-rollers Bless your table with the Clever Toad Dice Set: https://dispeldice.com/collections/high-rollers Enhance your bath time experience with the official Altheya themed DiceBombs at https://geekyclean.com/! Check out https://www.highrollersdnd.com/ for all the latest HR News! Love the podcast? Give us a glittering 5 star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-rollers-dnd/id1401508198?see-all=reviews Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound, TCT Adventures (Solasta: Crown of the Magisters), Monument Studios and Jolene Khor! Check out Jolene Khor and all her wonderful work on High Rollers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1WX3ICiTmf4GpHwImnQMs6v Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Click this link https://www.boot.dev?promo=KINDAFUNNY and use my code KINDAFUNNY to get 25% off your first payment for boot.dev. Thank you Boot.Dev for Sponsoring! Listen to See You In Hell written by Gary Whitta at https://seeyouinhell.tv/ Come to our In Review Live Show in SF! January 28th!!!Get tickets at Kindafunny.com/SketchFest Thank you for the support! Run of Show - - Start - Topic of the Show: - Mike's thoughts - Parris' thoughts - Gary's thoughts - Bless' thoughts - Andy's thoughts - Greg's thoughts - Fable - Forza 6 - Ads - BEAST OF REINCARNATION - KILN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel Mark 2:23-28 As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” Reflection Religion can become a burden. It can rob us of what the heart of the gospel is proclaiming. Rules, regulations and laws, that was the heart of the Old Testament, and yet it still becomes attractive to so many of us when we think if we only to what we're told, that's enough. But in doing that, we often limit ourselves from who we really are called to become. It's not about knowing what to do and doing it because we're told to. It's about becoming someone and understanding who we are. We move from the law and regulations to true wisdom. That's the promise of healthy religion. Closing Prayer For many people, religion is a burden and often has been something they went to and felt that they were being robbed of the rights that they had or the dignity that they have. Bless us with wisdom not to get caught in that and know that the freedom that God has called us to is always going to be focused on what is life giving for us. Nothing is asked of us that robs us of our value or our dignity. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sermon for January 18, 2026 | Preaching text: John 1:29-42
Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel Mark 2:18-22 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.” Reflection The custom of fasting in the Old Testament was a discipline of being quiet, not engaged in other activity as we awaited something from God. But whatever we were waiting for is now with us, manifested in Jesus. And what I like about this passage is that it's trying to say something, you can't take a little of the old and a little of the new and come up with something kind of as a compromise. No, what God is revealing in Jesus is radically new. It's a whole new paradigm, and we need to be sure that we've made that leap, that change into this new world, a world of forgiveness, a world of understanding, a world of compassion and empathy. It's an intoxicating new wine, and we have to accept it. Closing Prayer Father, we're creatures of habit. We've been taught things about you, when we were very young, perhaps, and they just are sort of what we have as a default when we think of you. Bless us with the ability to allow you to change that which was there into that which should be. That's your promise of grace. And all we need to do is to say yes. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Listen on headphones or speakers for best results.Today we were going to air the first “Psychedelics and Christianity” panel, but then a crisis hit our family: my husband fell and broke both bones in his left forearm, while rock climbing with our kids.When I got his call from the ER, I was 2500 miles away, working remotely on ROGD Repair from a peaceful Airbnb in Holualoa, Hawaii, where I was recharging on a solo trip. Needless to say, the news hit hard; it felt like the ground dropped out from under me.There was a crisis whirlwind: catching up to speed on the situation; coordinating with my husband, doctors and nurses, friends and family; and figuring out how to get home quickly, despite his insistence I stay in Hawaii and somehow “enjoy” my birthday there despite knowing the love of my life was suffering without me.When I got home, I was thankful to our amazing friends who had risen to the occasion and cared for him in my absence, but it was clear that the severity of the situation had been downplayed. My first full day back was spent handling the chaos of our home in disarray, coordinating overworked and saintly friends, and quickly catching up to speed on his pain, medications, mobility issues, caregiving needs, and surgery plan. Not to mention the psychological adjustment to finding the man who'd spent so much time taking care of me suddenly being the helpless patient in need of tending. That day also happened to be my birthday, which I'd originally planned to spend boogie boarding and whale watching. Bless my husband's heart — he still made sure a friend picked up a dessert for me. But I chose to save most of the presents he'd prepared well in advance for a day with a more celebratory mood. What mattered was that he be able to have surgery as quickly as possible, that we be adequately prepared, and that he not further injure himself while his bones were loose.Thankfully, the orthopedic surgeon was able to get my husband in the very next day, and despite the sickening level of anxiety I felt in the waiting room, the procedure went as well as it could have: he had great bones, a clean fracture, excellent range of motion and an ideal recovery prognosis.My husband now has plates and screws in his arm; a bandage/splint/sling situation; and a schedule of pain relief, ice, and elevation. He's encouraged to move gently, and will begin occupational therapy in two weeks when the sutures are removed. Meanwhile, I'm adjusting to my new role as my responsibilities have drastically increased to include both nursing him, and taking over all the chores and errands he used to handle. I'm in one of those chapters where all you can do is focus on the next thing you must do.Although my husband should be resting, we are also dealing with a completely separate issue, a private family situation causing loads of stress and costing even greater loads of money. So while he's on the couch with his arm elevated and iced, he's still working remotely on what he can to ameliorate the other thing.We were prepared for a rainy day, even a stormy one. We just weren't prepared to be pelted with hail the size of golf balls.This feels like a sneak preview into the reality of aging.With his one good hand, my poor sweet husband was going to try to make sure to get you this week's episode as usual. But I see no reason not to save that for next week with all we're going through. Especially not when I have this amazing recording we can use. This took him minutes to assemble, not hours.See, before the accident, one morning in Holualoa, HI, I woke up before dawn. The chorus of birds, frogs, and insects there is normally amazing, especially at that time of day, but it was even more incredible that morning with the rain. There is something so magical about being in a place teeming with life all around you. So I opened my voice memos app and started a new recording; sat my phone down carefully on the ledge of the lanai; and sipped coffee as quietly as possible while listening to the chorus, hoping my phone's mic would hear it as keenly as my ears did. I am pretty pleased with how the recording turned out, and I wanted to turn it into a track that could be looped, if only for myself. But I decided to share it with you too. It's pretty perfect if you ask me, aside from the occasional vehicle motor humming in the background.So today, in honor of my husband's healing, I bring you ten minutes of a glorious chorus of tropical birds, insects, frogs, and rain. It feels like bringing home a little piece of my time on the island, making up for the trip being cut short. Studies show 20 minutes of birdsong a day improves mental health. I hope this brings you peace.I'm explaining everything in the notes here, and not including any speech in the podcast, both because that's easier, and because it allows you to loop this track for sound therapy. You can listen to it over and over. I recommend playing it in the morning while waking up.If you want to help us out while my husband is unable to work, you can send money via Venmo or Paypal. Better yet, refer every parent of a gender-confused kid you know to my course, ROGD Repair, which now comes with unlimited access to AI assistant, RepairBot. The income from the course helps us stay stable during these tough times. Thanks as always for your support. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals co...
Seven years after Mary Oliver's death, her work feels even more vital, showing us how to love the world with its myriad faces.In this episode, we have the sincere honor of speaking with biographer Lindsay Whalen, whose forthcoming book from Penguin Press explores the life behind the beloved poet. Our conversation ranges from the poet's focus on real life and her famous anonymity to David's and Lindsay's shared experiences with Mary in the years they knew her.Gathering these voices who represent the small group of surviving friends of the poet, the conversation goes deep into the links between Mary's influence on Shawn's practice as a yogi and therapist, David's poetry, and Lindsay's much-anticipated account of this singular human life.Lindsay Whalen is writing the first biography of the poet Mary Oliver, forthcoming from The Penguin Press. She is the recipient of the CUNY Graduate Center's Leon Levy Center for Biography Fellowship and is a graduate of Brooklyn College's MFA in Fiction. She began her career in publishing, and continues to work with authors as an independent editor.Resource Links:Learn more about Lindsay and her work:Upcoming Seminar: Lindsay Whalen on Mary Oliver and “The Human Seasons” *Begins Jan 20, 2026. Scholarship applications due by Friday, Jan 16, 2026.Instagram: @lwhalen13NYMag Article: How Mary Oliver's Biographer Finally Met the Legendary PoetMore from David - book releases, workshops, mindfulness talks, upcoming events, and more:Website: Davidkeplingerpoetry.comInstagram: @DavidKeplingerPoetrySubstack: Another Shore with David KeplingerSubstack Author Page: https://substack.com/@davidkeplingerMore from Shawn - free audio meditations, upcoming events, retreats, monthly essays, yoga classes, and music alchemy:Website: Shawnparell.comInstagram: @ShawnParellSubstack: The Guest HouseSubstack Author Page: https://substack.com/@shawnparellTogether, we're being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Bless our work algorithmically with your
Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel Mark 2:13-17 Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Reflection The righteous were the people who followed the law perfectly, knowing that if they follow the law of the temple, they would be blessed. There was a kind of earning salvation, earning favor from God. And what is so beautiful about this is that God is not interested in you winning favor from him. He is only interested in doing the work that he longs to do, and that's to transform us and to heal us. He's like a doctor, and what he wants so much as for us to recognize our dis-ease, our darkness, our fear, our shame, our anger and come to him as we would to a physician say, Help me, heal me. God is a healer and he's not interested in anyone trying to earn his favor. He just wants to change us. Closing Prayer Father, this image has always been such a beautiful way of understanding who you really are. Bless us all with that awareness, your compassion, your understanding, your desire to be the healing force that we all long for, and to bring us into a healthy relationship with ourselves and our neighbors, and you. Thank you for this gift. Help us to be aware of it. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bless their hearts!
The Heroes begin their war plans against the hordes of Crownsteel monsters! Altheya: The Dragon Empire Campaign Setting begins in Q1 2026! Register interest and support the journey to release here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rollandplaypress/high-rollers-altheya-the-dragon-empire Can't wait for Part 2 of each episode? Join our Patreon to get early access EVERY week (+ a few other bonuses)! www.patreon.com/HighRollers _______________ Boost your Charisma with some HR merch! https://highrollersdnd.teemill.com/ Add official High Rollers Minis to your TTRPG collection here: https://only-games.co/collections/high-rollers Bless your table with the Clever Toad Dice Set: https://dispeldice.com/collections/high-rollers Enhance your bath time experience with the official Altheya themed DiceBombs at https://geekyclean.com/! Check out https://www.highrollersdnd.com/ for all the latest HR News! Love the podcast? Give us a glittering 5 star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-rollers-dnd/id1401508198?see-all=reviews Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound, TCT Adventures (Solasta: Crown of the Magisters), Monument Studios and Jolene Khor! Check out Jolene Khor and all her wonderful work on High Rollers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1WX3ICiTmf4GpHwImnQMs6v Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Join Pastor Rick for this message series on God's calling for your life. Learn how to discern that calling and use it as a blessing for the church, other people, and yourself.“We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). In this message series, Pastor Rick explains why being called by God means you are to be a blessing to others, which in turn will bless your life.There's almost nothing that God won't do for the person who really wants to help others. In this broadcast, Pastor Rick shares God's promises of what he will do for the person who is committed to blessing and helping other people. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1103/29?v=20251111
Follow Him: A Come, Follow Me Podcast featuring Hank Smith & John Bytheway
What do fig leaves, sarcasm, and hiding from God reveal about how we handle our own mistakes? John Hilton III explores the Fall, Satan's subtle tactics, God's loving preparation and pursuit, and new guidance on using different Bible translations.YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/QDi-ZcJ7DHYALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTESfollowHIM website: https://www.followHIM.coFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook WEEKLY NEWSLETTER https://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE00:00 Part 1 - Dr. John Hilton III1:27 Episode teaser5:12 Bio06:24 Finding Christ in the Old Testament07:58 Using different Bible translations11:38 Bible translations: an example14:08 Misconceptions about translators' motives20:43 Come, Follow Me Manual23:00 Apocryphal Warren Buffett story27:01 “Good, Better, Best” by President Oaks29:03 Creation in daily life32:26 A blueprint for life35:15 Divine discontent38:48 Applying Elder Bednar's “Pray Always”44:12 Bless, protect, and elevate47:43 Sarcasm and a warning from President Nelson50:40 Fig leaves53:45 Hiding from the Lord58:11 Skins are superior to leaves1:03:18 End of Part 1 - Dr. John Hilton IIIThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorSydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com
Scripture tells us to " Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:28). And I'm proud of myself for doing just that after two boys were making fun of my body and what I was wearing. Today I share all the details of what hurtful name they called me and more importantly, how I handled the situation. Has someone called your body or appearance something mean, too? Take a listen to today's episode to hear me share the #1 thing you MUST do ASAP after a negative body comment has been made. Trust me, so much freedom and healing will come in doing this one thing. Past Episode Mentioned: How to Set Exercise Intentions For Each Workout Connect with Nyla: Connect with Nyla: Nyla's IG Nyla's website Nyla's second podcast, On the Job with God
Send us a textIn this episode Matt and Matt are joined by Cranked Chris. Together they discuss the Final Nightmare, The promo, and Chris' intergalactic travels. Weird News including An emotional support horse, A future mermaid, and the 2025 Orifice Report!Bless you, and all of your holes.
The Sovereign sends his 'gift' to the Heroes as a shard of the crown falls into Altheya! Altheya: The Dragon Empire Campaign Setting begins in Q1 2026! Register interest and support the journey to release here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rollandplaypress/high-rollers-altheya-the-dragon-empire Can't wait for Part 2 of each episode? Join our Patreon to get early access EVERY week (+ a few other bonuses)! www.patreon.com/HighRollers _______________ Boost your Charisma with some HR merch! https://highrollersdnd.teemill.com/ Add official High Rollers Minis to your TTRPG collection here: https://only-games.co/collections/high-rollers Bless your table with the Clever Toad Dice Set: https://dispeldice.com/collections/high-rollers Enhance your bath time experience with the official Altheya themed DiceBombs at https://geekyclean.com/! Check out https://www.highrollersdnd.com/ for all the latest HR News! Love the podcast? Give us a glittering 5 star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-rollers-dnd/id1401508198?see-all=reviews Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound, TCT Adventures (Solasta: Crown of the Magisters), Monument Studios and Jolene Khor! Check out Jolene Khor and all her wonderful work on High Rollers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1WX3ICiTmf4GpHwImnQMs6v Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel Mark 1:21-28 Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. Reflection Jesus lived in Capernaum and it was not unusual for him to be in the synagogue. But what was interesting about this case is when he spoke, there was something happening to the people who were listening. It was a feeling or a sense that there was something more here than just someone telling us what to do. But somebody who had this authority over that, which is the enemy, a power over evil, over anything that would destroy us. Closing Prayer Father, your fame was difficult because it became an obstacle to your being able to preach and teach. Bless us with an understanding of the mystery of the power you have over evil. Help us to understand the gift that you had. We also have, and we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join us for "Bless 210 2.0" A discussion with Dr. Matt Homeyer from the sermon series Whole Life Discipleship. This episode aired on January 11th, 2026.
Historians believe the bubonic plague started in Europe in which year? Play. Share. Listen with Co-Host of 'FOX & Friends First,' Todd Piro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sermon for January 11, 2026 | Preaching text: Matthew 3:13-17
The Christian's cry to the LORD is: I. "Save me" II. "Be near to me" III. "Remember your promises" IV. "Bless others"
Blessn is an open space for all who celebrate their faith. Join and follow your favorite contributors or even become a contributor yourself. No social media following required - just share your faith, grow your voice, and be part of the Bless'n community. Then unlock your opportunities to make money if you want to. Blessn is a social media platform where users share short videos, photos, and posts in a safe, faith-filled space. It's family friendly, uplifting, and designed for authentic connection without the negativity of mainstream platforms.With Blessn, you can order personalized messages of faith from Pastors, various artists, and Christian influencers. Whether for encouragement, a prayer, or a special occasion, these heartfelt videos bring inspiration directly from the voices you trust. Gerald Jones and Kevin Clark Gerald Jones and Kevin Clark's friendship goes back over 20 years, to the night they first met backstage at the Academy Awards. Their bond grew through creativity, shared values, and a deep desire to make a difference. Together, they later won an Emmy Award for a public service announcement addressing school gun violence - a project that reflected their heart for inspiring hope and protecting the next generation.Beyond their work in media, Gerald and Kevin have also been long-time business partners supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, running programs focused on empowerment and compassion. This commitment to community is woven into everything they do - and it became the foundation of Blessn.The story of Blessn began in March 2023, when Gerald Jones became sick of doom scrolling on social media, and found himself bummed out after every TikTok session. It occurred to him that maybe there was a better way. There should be a short form video social media that uplifted and encouraged instead. He thought it would be better to faith scroll instead of doom scroll. He called his business partner, Kevin Clark, who was feeling the exact same way. They decided to create something themselves, that uplifted people about the world and each other. Something that encouraged connectedness.Over the next several years, the two friends poured their faith, creativity, and personal savings into developing the Blessn app, testing every detail to make sure it felt safe, uplifting, and positive. Their mission is to shift the culture of social media and to make it a place where kindness, faith, and encouragement are celebrated, not drowned out by negativity.At its heart, Blessn is more than an app - it's a movement. A space where users can share uplifting videos, connect with others who believe in goodness, and replace endless “doom scrolling” with “faith scrolling.” Gerald and Kevin believe that positive scrolling has the power to change hearts, strengthen communities, and remind people that light always wins over darkness.Website
Marriage did not begin with pressure. It began with a blessing. This episode invites you to slow down and listen again to the words, “And God blessed them.” Not as a slogan, but as a living truth. You will discover how God equips you for marriage before asking anything from you, and how that blessing quietly flows through everyday moments, words, and choices between husband and wife.If you have ever wondered whether your marriage still carries God's favor in ordinary, tired, or complicated seasons, this conversation will open your eyes to what has been there all along.
We love Dave. He turns up to things, he watches all those cringe videos and he keeps an eye on all the cooked little gremlins trying to evangelise the noble pursuit of racism, intolerance and paranoid conspiracy theories. Bless. He's been to a few rallies. We had a chat about that and some other things. It was like 3 weeks ago and it's finally being uploaded. To be honest, guys, it's been a depressing year. I find it more and more difficult to keep up with the latest news because it's just so DISAPPOINTING. We really have seen an uptick in people taking their dickhead pills over the past month and I just can't be excited by any of it. I'm working on getting my mojo back. For now, here's a chat with Dave. It's unscripted so there's a bit more um and ah than usual but that just adds to the charm (please agree). Enjoy!
This week's episode we will be discussing worrying about other people's business and do you have to say grace or bless snacks before you eat like you do your meals ? Also 30 days in jail vs 9 years probation…which one is better?
Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel John 3:22-30 Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.” Reflection Can you imagine what it was like for John the Baptist to see his cousin Jesus fulfilling what John knew he was there to get people ready for? Can you imagine the joy he must have felt in seeing it unfold while he was still alive? And what's interesting in this passage is that John was baptized with water. Jesus was nearby, but Jesus wasn't baptizing anyone. It was the message of the kingdom of God that drew people to him. John was living that message. How do we accept the fact that all the promises of the Kingdom of God, the ability we have to participate in transforming the world from darkness to light? How do we believe that's ours without it becoming something we claim we can do? We must decrease. The kingdom must increase. Closing Prayer Father, the power, the beauty, the awesomeness of your promise is still beyond our imagining for so many of us. We live in a world that is not at all connected to this power that is ours by inheritance. Bless us with the capacity to believe that we too, like Christ, have come to the world to heal and to transform. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jamie visits the set of Stranger Things and John takes a hit below the belt. If that's not interesting enough, I don't know what else we can do for you. Bless your Heart. Want to bless our hearts? Please let us a review wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and share us on social media. We love ya. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel Luke 4:14-22 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. Reflection There was something about Jesus. When people saw him or heard him, there was something that felt right. There was an authority in him that seemed so different than the scribes and Pharisees. And he would describe something that was so beautiful, and they would just in a sense, bask in his gifts until they thought about it. And in this particular case, what happened was as soon as they were pleased with what he was saying, they thought about it, and they said this is absolutely impossible. This man is crazy, and we need to destroy him. Instead of receiving the message, they turned to their fears and their destructive nature. Closing Prayer How easy it is, in a sense, to be moved by so many things that you have said, Jesus, and what you've done. And yet there's some hard issue that we have to face. Do we believe this? Is our inheritance as well as your gifts shown to us in this beautiful time when the Kingdom is being described for the first time? Bless us with an awareness of this gift. Take away fear. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stranger Things gets stranger still as the gals recap their New Year. Amy goes on a seafood deep dive. Missy works through the perils of the mixed company New Year's Eve table. And Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen bring us all down with yet another cat butt bummer of a ball drop. (Bless em.)
Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel Mark 6:45-52 After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened. Reflection When Jesus came into the world, he was beyond anyone's expectation. What he could do was incredulous, they couldn't believe. In this simple story, it's interesting that we see the disciples encountering Jesus in a way that seems almost strange, because it seemed that it wasn't really intended. But Jesus was able to walk on water, and he was walking home, and the disciples were in a boat, and the wind was really strong, and there was a lot of anxiety on their part. And then they see Jesus walking on the water, and they are terrified, which anybody would be in a sense. They were completely astounded. They didn't understand who this man is. They didn't understand what had just happened with the loaves and fishes, which means there must be something about the way Jesus is revealing himself. That It is, in a sense, a real turnoff. It's too much, too soon. And that's why often we stay on the fringes of what it means to understand God working through us as he did through Jesus. Closing Prayer Father, how do we believe in the impossible? How do we surrender to something so extraordinarily out of our control and beyond our paygrade, being able to happen through us because of this gift? Bless us with the kind of acceptance of something beyond our imagining. We have to trust in what you say and what you have done. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Yeah C'mon Show 01/07/2026 - Bless This End Zone. Listen to today's Track 13 here: https://youtu.be/5FWgKRm0ifQ?si=6F9PpIZ-M5M4b3ix
These are the best games on the year of our lord 2025. Bless.
Could 2026 be the year that Elis and John change beyond recognition? And we're not talking spiritually or even emotionally; we're talking physically. Because Elis aims to bolster his handsomeness across the calendar year, and John toys with the prospect of going bagless under the old peepers.Cosmetic surgery aside, John has written up a 28 point plan for if he became World King. Luckily he lost confidence in delivering all 28 points, but do watch this space.And we kick off Elis's Annus Connectus by delving back into the nation's favourite pastime: the Cymru Connection. It all ends with Elis asking a random Welsh person whether they know a tech guy from a random theatre who once said he liked the Beatles. Normal Cymru Connecting resumed then.Send in your wonderful correspondence to elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp the show on 07974 293 022.
As we begin a new year, this podcast will help you take the time to bless your 2025 and Design your 2026. Grab your journal and get ready to feel so much gratitude for the life you have and the life you are creating. Find Kolette's Class here. Buy your copy of It Just Takes One on Amazon here. Write a review here. Sign up for weekly inspiration here.
R. Marcus Rubenstein's sermon during Shabbat morning services at Temple of Aaron from January 3rd, 2026 on parshat Vayechi.
In this hour, Adam Crowley and Steelers insider Mark Kaboly react to an unusual ritual that took place on Acrisure Stadium's field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Also, some AFC North news develops. And a surprise appearance by Dorin Dickerson! January 5, 2026, 9:00 Hour
Join your host Buzz Knight on the Takin A Walk replay episode with one of the most respected folks in the Nashville Music Scene. Jay DeMarcus shares his vast career in this episode, from his beginnings in Columbus Ohio, to his success with the legendary band Rascal Flatts. He also created and is CEO of independent label Red Street Records. Stanley Wayne “Jay” DeMarcus Jr. stands as one of country music’s most influential figures, not just for his role as a founding member of Rascal Flatts, but for his remarkable versatility as a musician, producer, and songwriter. Born on April 26, 1971, in Columbus, Ohio, DeMarcus discovered his musical calling early, immersing himself in piano, keyboards, and vocals throughout his childhood. DeMarcus’s journey to country music stardom began in his formative years, shaped by his Pentecostal upbringing and the gospel music that filled his church. This spiritual foundation would later inform the emotional depth and harmony-rich sound that became Rascal Flatts’ signature. After honing his skills in various musical settings, DeMarcus moved to Nashville in the 1990s, where he initially worked as a session musician and touring member for artists like Chely Wright and Michael English. The pivotal moment in DeMarcus’s career came in 1999 when he joined forces with his second cousin Gary LeVox and guitarist Joe Don Rooney to form Rascal Flatts. As the group’s bassist, keyboardist, and harmony vocalist, DeMarcus became the musical architect behind their polished, contemporary sound. His production sensibilities and instrumental prowess helped craft a string of unprecedented hits that redefined modern country music. Songs like “Bless the Broken Road,” “What Hurts the Most,” and “My Wish” showcased his ability to blend traditional country storytelling with pop-influenced arrangements and soaring vocal harmonies. Beyond his work with Rascal Flatts, DeMarcus established himself as a sought-after producer, working with artists including Chicago, James Otto, and Jo Dee Messina. His production style—characterized by lush instrumentation, meticulous attention to vocal arrangements, and radio-friendly polish—influenced a generation of country artists and producers. DeMarcus’s contributions to music have earned numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Country Music Association Awards. Rascal Flatts became one of the best-selling country groups of all time, selling over 23 million albums and 35 million digital downloads. The group’s consistent chart success throughout the 2000s and 2010s cemented their status as country music royalty. In his personal life, DeMarcus married Allison Alderson in 2004, with whom he shares two children. His family life occasionally intersected with his professional world, particularly through appearances on reality television and various media projects. The couple’s relationship became publicly documented through their participation in various entertainment ventures. Following Rascal Flatts’ farewell tour announcement in 2020—later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic—DeMarcus continued pursuing solo production work and exploring new creative ventures. His legacy extends far beyond his instrumental and vocal contributions; he helped shape the sound of 21st-century country music, proving that traditional country could successfully merge with contemporary production techniques while maintaining emotional authenticity. Jay DeMarcus remains a testament to the power of musical craftsmanship, demonstrating that technical excellence, combined with genuine artistry and commercial sensibility, can create timeless music that resonates across generations. Listen to Takin A Walk Music History on foot as Knight and Jay Demarcus discuss his amazing career, his influences and his leadership of a Nashville record label. If you are a fan of country music Support the show: https://takinawalk.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Support the show: https://takinawalk.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Step into day 2 of the new year, the moment when New Year motivation can fade and real life returns. In this guided meditation and ceremony, you'll choose a powerful Word of the Year and turn it into a practical, heart-centered plan you can actually live. You'll learn the psychology of fresh starts (why New Year's creates a real "reset" in the brain), how values-aligned intentions lead to deeper well-being, and why tiny "if–then" plans can make your new theme stick. You'll be guided through calming slow breathing, a candlelit "Bless the Word" ritual, and a comforting story that reframes success as devotion—not pressure. If you're craving a peaceful, grounded way to begin the year, this is your gentle next step: nurture your nervous system, nurture your values, and nurture the life you're growing—one small act at a time. Preparation: a light or candle, a journal or strip of paper, pen, and glass of water This is day 6 of a 7-day meditation series, "Closing the Year with Gratitude and Grace Meditations," episodes 3437-3443. ABOUT THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION JOURNEY: Closing the Year with Gratitude & Grace is a 7-day year-end meditation series designed to help you gently release the past year, calm your nervous system, and enter the New Year with clarity, balance, and embodied peace. This daily meditation podcast series blends science-backed insight, storytelling, and guided practices to support emotional healing, stress relief, and mindful transition. Recorded as a special bonus series and offered as a gift of gratitude, these meditations guide you through the natural arc of release, rest, grounding, protection, nurturing, balance, and embodiment. Each episode includes a short teaching followed by a guided meditation using techniques such as visualization, breathwork, affirmations, mudras, and heart-centered awareness. Whether you're looking for a gratitude meditation, a New Year meditation, a nervous system reset, or a peaceful way to close the year with intention, this series offers calm, comfort, and timeless wisdom—perfect for Christmas, Hanukkah, and the final days of the year. THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE - "The Gratitude Completion Practice " Each day, write one sentence beginning with: "This year taught me…" No fixing, no judging. On Day 7, read all seven sentences aloud. THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION JOURNEY Day 1: Releasing What No Longer Serves You Visualization Day 2: Affirmation: "I honor what was. I keep the wisdom. I release the weight." Day 3: Extended Exhale Breath Day 4: Hridaya mudra for compassion Day 5: Fourth Chakra for love and compassion Day 6: New Awakenings Flow meditation, combining the week's techniques Day 7: Weekly review meditation and closure SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual! WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 3,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme. 2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts. The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig. Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.
It's been a wild ride. A recap on the biggest stories from 2025: Trump, Charlie Kirk, Pope Leo, and more! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Get your FREE PHONE as a new Charity Mobile user with every new line plus a FREE power bank while supplies last, now through February 2, with promo code LOOPCAST at https://bit.ly/LOOPcast_CharityMobile.EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.orgSubscribe to the LOOP today!https://catholicvote.org/getloop Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744 FOLLOW LOOPCast: https://x.com/the_LOOPcast https://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcast https://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcast Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2 Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer Remember us, O God;from age to age be our comforter.You have given us the wonder of time,blessings in days and nights, seasons and years.Bless your children at the turning of the yearand fill the months ahead with the bright hopethat is ours in the coming of Christ.You are our God, living and reigning, forever and ever.Amen.All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.
Welcome to Day 2763 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2763 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 104:1-9 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2763 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred sixty-three of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Wisdom-Trek: The Architect of Light – Robed in Splendor, Riding the Wind. Today, we embark on a grand new expedition. We are stepping into the vast, open cathedral of creation as we begin our journey through Psalm One Hundred Four. We will be exploring the opening movement, verses one through nine, in the New Living Translation. In our previous treks through Psalm One Hundred Three, we heard King David command his soul to "Bless the Lord." That psalm was a masterpiece of historical and redemptive praise. It focused on forgiveness, healing, and God's fatherly compassion toward our frailty. It ended in the heavenly throne room, with the angels and the armies of heaven joining the song. Psalm One Hundred Four begins with the exact same phrase: "Let all that I am praise the Lord." But the focus shifts entirely. If Psalm One Hundred Three was about the God of Grace, Psalm One Hundred Four is about the God of Nature. This is a poetic retelling of Genesis Chapter One. It describes Yahweh not just as the Redeemer of Israel, but as the Cosmic Architect who builds the universe like a house, wraps Himself in light like a garment, and rides the wind like a chariot. It challenges the pagan worldviews of the ancient Near East head-on, declaring that the storms, the sea, and the sun are not rival gods—they are merely the tools and servants of the One True King. So, let us open our eyes to the wonders of the world and behold the glory of the Builder. The First Segment is: The Royal Vestments: Light and Space. Psalm One Hundred Four: verses one through two. Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty. You are dressed in a robe of light. You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; The psalmist begins with a personal burst of adoration: "Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are!" This isn't just a statement of size; it is a statement of status. "Greatness" (gadol) here implies royal magnificence. The psalmist immediately describes God using the imagery of a King getting dressed for a state occasion. But this King does not put on silk or velvet. "You are robed with honor and majesty. You are dressed in a robe of light." In the Ancient Israelite worldview, light was the very first element of creation ("Let there be light"). Here, the psalmist poetically imagines that before God created the world, He wrapped Himself in that primal light. Light is His uniform. It signifies purity, glory, and visibility. While the pagan gods were often associated with