Podcasts about caesar

In this message, Noel explores the final chapters of the Book of Acts, where the Apostle Paul remains in custody despite his proven innocence. Rather than seeking the easiest exit from his legal troubles, Paul strategically leverages his situation to share his message with high-ranking officials and eventually Caesar himself.Subscribe to AfterWords on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Download a copy of the Exodus JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.comSubscribe to AfterWords on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com

We know what fate befell Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 B.C., but how does ancient Rome's treatment of its adversaries and allies and compare to the current American “excursion” in Iran and overall US foreign policy? Barry Strauss, the Hoover Institution's Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow and a military historian specializing in the rise and fall of Rome, separates fact from fiction regarding Caesar's the events leading up to his assassination, as well as Rome's belief in “preventive” wars, strategic alliances and great-powers competition. Also discussed: Hollywood's fascination with all things Rome; similarities between Caesar and Donald Trump (communicative skills, strategic risk-taking, neither suffering from a lack of self-esteem); how the history of the republic differs (or doesn't) if Caesar hadn't met up with a horde of knife-wielding senators on that fateful day in mid-March.  Recorded on March 10, 2026. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Barry Strauss is the Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. He is also the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor of Humanistic Studies Emeritus at Cornell University, where he taught for over four decades. Strauss is a military and naval historian with a focus on ancient Greece and Rome and their lessons for today. “No one presents the military history of the ancient world with greater insight and panache than Strauss,” wrote Publishers Weekly. His books have been translated into twenty languages and include several bestsellers, The Battle of Salamis (2004), Masters of Command (2012), The Death of Caesar 2015), Ten Caesars (2019), The War that Made the Roman Empire (2022), and Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire (2025). Strauss is a winner of the 2025 Bradley Prize, honoring his lifelong dedication to the study and teaching of Western civilization and classical and military history. Follow Barry Strauss on social media: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram Bill Whalen, the Virginia Hobbs Carpenter Distinguished Policy Fellow in Journalism and a Hoover Institution research fellow since 1999, writes and comments on campaigns, elections, and governance with an emphasis on California and America's political landscapes. Whalen writes on politics and current events for various national publications, as well as Hoover's California On Your Mind web channel. Whalen hosts Hoover's Matters of Policy & Politics podcast and serves as the moderator of Hoover's GoodFellows broadcast exploring history, economics, and geopolitical dynamics. RELATED SOURCES Masters of Command (2012) The Death of Caesar (2015) Ten Caesars (2019) The War that Made the Roman Empire (2022) Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire (2025) ABOUT THE SERIES Matters of Policy & Politics, a podcast from the Hoover Institution, examines the direction of federal, state, and local leadership and elections, with an occasional examination of national security and geopolitical concerns, all featuring insightful analysis provided by Hoover Institution scholars and guests. To join our newsletter and be the first to tune into the next episode, visit Matters of Policy & Politics.

Host Cody Cook sits down with Patrick Carroll, a sharp libertarian opinion journalist based near Toronto whose writing appears in outlets like the Mises Institute, Libertarian Institute, AIER, and FEE (where he once served as managing editor). Carroll's Substack, Against the Left, regularly dismantles progressive arguments from a free-market vantage point—and this conversation dives deep into one of his most provocative pieces: “Why SNAP Spending Should Be Cut Even If Charity Doesn't Replace It.”The episode centers on the dramatic events of late 2025, when a record-breaking U.S. government shutdown stretched into its second month. By early November, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) faced a funding lapse. The Department of Agriculture announced that the roughly $100 billion annual program—serving about 42 million Americans, or one in eight—would not issue full November benefits. Chaos ensued: food banks reported overwhelming demand, long lines formed, and media stories highlighted desperate families suddenly without their usual grocery support.Left-leaning commentator Carl Beijer seized on the crisis in a Jacobin piece, declaring it definitive proof that private charity cannot substitute for state welfare. Overwhelmed pantries and panicked recipients, he argued, exposed the fantasy of market-based solutions replacing government safety nets.Carroll pushes back hard. He concedes the short-term strain on food banks but argues the episode reveals more about SNAP's overreach than charity's inadequacy. With little advance certainty (the shutdown's duration remained a day-to-day uncertainty), private organizations had scant time to scale. Yet many still responded impressively—businesses like DoorDash offered free meals, churches and local groups rallied, and some food banks pivoted quickly. Had there been months of clear notice, Carroll contends, the charitable response would have been far stronger.More controversially, he challenges the scale of need SNAP addresses. Citing a 2021 USDA study, he notes that 39% of recipients are obese, 26% overweight, 33% normal weight, and only 3% underweight. This, he says, shatters the media stereotype of widespread starvation and suggests the program subsidizes far beyond genuine hardship—often enabling poor lifestyle choices rather than preventing famine.Carroll proposes an initial 50% cut, returning spending to roughly 2007 levels after years of ballooning budgets. He acknowledges “food insecurity” statistics (around 13% of Americans) but critiques their definitions, which can include anyone who occasionally buys cheaper groceries or skips a preferred item—hardly a crisis justifying $100 billion annually.The discussion turns philosophical and theological. Carroll invokes the “negative contact hypothesis”: while meeting marginalized groups often reduces prejudice, direct exposure to many in poverty can erode naive sympathy when observers see patterns of self-inflicted hardship—addiction, unwise relationships, financial irresponsibility. Anecdotes from YouTuber Caleb Hammer's Financial Audit series reinforce this, as do studies showing that more well-off people's support for redistribution weakens after real contact with the poor.From a Christian libertarian perspective, Carroll emphasizes voluntary generosity over state coercion. Jesus warned against lording authority over others (Matthew 20); early Christians practiced communal sharing without petitioning Caesar for taxes. He praises historical mutual-aid societies and modern examples like Mormon welfare systems as superior, more personal, and non-coercive alternatives to centralized bureaucracy.Addressing bleeding-heart objections, Carroll entertains the sequencing argument: enact free-market reforms (deregulation, free trade, ending occupational licensing and minimum wage barriers) first to boost opportunity and reduce poverty, then phase out welfare. He's sympathetic but rejects indefinite delay—some cuts can and should happen now without catastrophe, especially given SNAP's questionable targeting.This episode is bold, data-driven, and unapologetically challenging. It refuses easy compassion narratives, forces listeners to grapple with uncomfortable stats, and calls Christians to prioritize peaceful, voluntary charity over state redistribution. Whether you bristle or cheer, it's a thought-provoking case for rethinking welfare in a free and faithful society.Links:Patrick's SubstackPatrick's piece Why SNAP Spending Should Be Cut Even If Charity Doesn't Replace ItPatrick's Twitter/X: https://x.com/PatrickC1995David Beito's book From Mutual Aid to the Welfare State: Fraternal Societies and Social Services, 1890-1967Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com Use code LCI50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings and also support LCI!Full Podsworth Ad Read BEFORE & AFTER processing:https://youtu.be/vbsOEODpQGs  ★ Support this podcast ★

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! ⁠ We're on hiatus until April 9. Until then, enjoy this long, binge-able episode on Julius Caesar's early life. Most accounts of Caesar's life start later on--such as during his time in Gaul or crossing the Rubicon. But his early life was just as fascinating; maybe even more so. This is the Caesar who stood up to Sulla and refused to divorce his wife. The Caesar who made an early career of prosecuting corrupt governors to cement his cred as a populist--even as it made him powerful enemies. The Caesar who, when kidnapped by pirates, demanded they raise his ransom and spent his time in captivity hanging out on the beach and reading them bad poetry. It's a fun, lighthearted introduction to Caesar's life before it takes its dark turn. We hope you enjoy. Sponsors and Advertising This podcast is a member of Airwave Media podcast network. Want to advertise on our show? Please direct advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's one thing to thank God before a meal. It's another thing entirely to thank Him before sending off a tax payment. For many Christians, taxes are rarely associated with gratitude. They often feel like a burden—an interruption to our financial plans or resources we'd rather use elsewhere. But Scripture invites us to view taxes through a very different lens. Instead of seeing them merely as a loss, believers can see them as a reminder of God's provision and His sovereignty, and as an opportunity to live with integrity. Why Taxes Stir Frustration Few topics unite people quite like a shared dislike of paying taxes. It's easy to think, if I could just keep that money, I could do something better with it. And when government policies conflict with our convictions—or headlines highlight waste or corruption—resentment can grow even stronger. Yet Scripture calls us to approach the issue differently. Instead of responding with frustration alone, the Bible encourages gratitude, humility, and trust in God's sovereign rule. In Matthew 22:17, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a political question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Jesus responded by asking for a coin and pointing to the image stamped on it. His reply has echoed through history: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (Matthew 22:21) This answer was remarkable. Taxes under Rome were deeply unpopular. Rome was an occupying force, and tax revenue helped sustain a system that oppressed God's people. Yet Jesus did not call for revolt or avoidance. Instead, He acknowledged that paying taxes fits within God's ordering of society while making it clear that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. Coins may bear Caesar's image, but our lives bear God's image—and they belong fully to Him. Trusting God's Sovereignty The apostle Paul reinforced this principle in Romans 13:6–7, writing during the reign of Nero—hardly a model of righteous leadership: “Because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God… Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Notice what Paul does not say. He doesn't ground obedience in the goodness of government. Instead, he points to the sovereignty of God. Paying taxes, then, is not primarily an expression of confidence in a human system. It is a recognition that God ultimately rules over nations, leaders, and history itself. Taxes Reveal God's Provision There is another perspective on taxes that believers often overlook. Before you pay a single dollar in taxes, something has already happened: God has provided. A mentor of mine, Ron Blue, often says around tax time, “Taxes represent God's provision.” If God had not provided income, there would be no taxes to pay. Think about it. Taxes imply that: Work was available. Income was earned. Needs were met. Daily bread was provided. In other words, taxes—uncomfortable as they may feel—are evidence that God has supplied what we need. Gratitude allows us to see provision before we see loss. Instead of asking only, How much am I paying? We can ask, What does this reveal about God's faithfulness? Integrity in a Culture of Loopholes This perspective also shapes how Christians respond during tax season. In a world full of shortcuts, loopholes, and justifications, believers are called to something different: integrity. Honesty in financial matters—especially the ones no one else sees—forms Christlike character. Filing accurately, reporting honestly, and paying what is owed becomes an act of discipleship. It's a quiet but powerful testimony of a life shaped by trust in God rather than self-protection. Turning Taxes into a Spiritual Discipline Finally, paying taxes can even become a spiritual discipline. Each time you write that check or submit that payment, let it prompt you to pray. Pray that God would guide leaders with wisdom, justice, and humility. Pray for policies that protect the vulnerable and promote the common good. Pray for leaders who recognize their need for God's guidance. You may disagree with those leaders. You may even oppose their policies. But Scripture reminds us they are still people made in God's image—people who need God's help just like the rest of us. In a culture eager to complain, believers have the opportunity to respond differently. When tax season arrives: Remember the Owner: God owns everything, including the income from which taxes are paid (Psalm 24:1). Recognize the Provider: Taxes remind us that God has provided resources in the first place. Respond with Integrity: Honesty reflects a heart that seeks to honor Christ. Reframe with Gratitude: Thank God for His provision rather than focusing only on what is owed. Respond with Prayer: Let taxes prompt intercession for leaders and systems of government. When viewed through the lens of Scripture, even something as mundane—and often frustrating—as taxes can remind us of deeper truths: God provides, God rules, and God calls His people to live with gratitude and integrity. Go Deeper: Our Ultimate Treasure If you'd like to explore these themes of stewardship, gratitude, and God's ownership more deeply, consider reading Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Devotional to Faithful Stewardship. This devotional walks through the biblical foundations of money and stewardship, helping readers see that financial decisions are ultimately spiritual decisions. Over 21 days, you'll discover how Scripture reshapes the way we think about earning, spending, saving, giving—and even paying taxes. You can learn more or order your copy at FaithFi.com/Shop. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I've inherited about $100,000 and don't know how to invest it. I'm 75, retired, debt-free, and living on a pension and Social Security. What are some safe options—like CDs or high-yield savings—that still give me access to the money if needed? My husband and I are separated. He's retired and receiving Social Security and a pension, while I'm still working. Can I claim spousal Social Security benefits on his record while we're separated, and would that reduce his benefit? I'm 56 and have about $310,000 in an old 401(k) and $268,000 in my current one. With market volatility, I'm considering moving the old account into a 10-year fixed annuity for safety. Is that a wise move? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Christian Community Credit Union | AdelFi Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: John Cornyn has defended support from Texas pastors directly linked to a major recipient of Soros money that has lobbied massively for near complete amnesty for illegal aliens in the U.S.I told you that Paxton was clever in his offer to withdraw. Cornyn and his swamp buddies just can't bring themselves to pass something as simple as nationwide Voter ID in elections with federal offices on the ballot: Cornyn Flip-Flops Again on Filibuster After Promising ‘Whatever It Takes'.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Tilman Fertitta's Houston company aims to buy Caesar's in $7B deal. “Caesars, headquartered in Reno, operates more than 50 resorts, including Harrah's and Circus Circus, as well as properties branded as Caesars.”Lubbock County Expo Center project comes with [more] strings attached before county borrows money, as approved by oversight board. Boren changes vote to “yes.”Everything you need to know about this weekend's IndyCar race in Arlington: When it starts, what tickets cost and free events surrounding the race.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

What if the freedom we defend is really just control in disguise? In this episode, Craig and Cal Robbins dig into rightful liberty, the idea that true freedom comes from God and must honor the equal rights of others. From Thomas Jefferson to Galatians 5, they explore the difference between liberty and license, why legal does not always mean moral, and what it means to say No King but Christ in a world shaped by fear, borders, voting, and state power. This is a sharp, Christ-centered conversation about free will, neighbor love, and the lies we tell when we trust Caesar more than Jesus. In this episode: Rightful liberty and the equal rights of others Freedom, free will, and the teachings of Jesus Why legal does not always mean moral Slavery, immigration, voting, and Christian witness “Render unto Caesar” and what belongs to God alone  

   Many parts of our world LOVE parades, do you? Especially parades with lots of people and even animals participating. Parades in the first century usually celebrated some royalty person like the Caesar, or a military victory conquering new territory. Parades like that were normally well-planned giving people ample opportunity to gather for the celebration. But today let’s join a SPONTANEOUS parade that may be one of the most significant parades of all time. (Click here to see full text, images and links)    Pastor Doug Anderson    “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)Have a comment or question about today's chapter? I'm ready to hear from you, contact me here. Interested in helping "Walking with Jesus" financially? Click here

We're kicking off a brand-new ten-week series, this time diving into the 1953 program Crime Classics. Host John Tefteller is joined by two guests, researcher Karl Schadow and biographer Steven C. Smith, to explore how producer Elliott Lewis created one of radio's most unique historical crime dramas, and how composer Bernard Herrmann managed to make it sound epic using only a handful of musicians. This week's featured episode takes us back to Ancient Rome, 44 B.C., for a stylized retelling of the assassination of Julius Caesar. The story blends real history with just a hint of satire. Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/ Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297 Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

Send a textA nuked world shouldn't feel this alive. We dive headfirst into Fallout Season 2 and unpack how it turns deep-cut lore into gripping television without leaving newcomers behind. From NCR and Caesar's Legion to the fractured Brotherhood of Steel and Mr. House's clockwork vision, we trace the power plays that make New Vegas more than a backdrop—it's a living argument about who gets to decide the future.What hooked us most is the character engine driving all that spectacle. Lucy walks out of the vault with rules and runs into moral weather she can't predict. The Ghoul carries a memory of the old world and the stamina to outlast the new one, shaping the story with hard-earned patience instead of easy violence. Hank's “minimize” project reframes villainy as research, and one button press turns memory into a weapon. It's a season obsessed with identity: who you are without your past, what love looks like when trust is gone, and how choice survives after the world ends.If you've played the games, you'll feel the satisfaction: deathclaws that terrify in numbers, super sledges and power armor that hit like freight trains, a Ron Perlman-voiced super mutant, and small details like sugar bombs and chems that actually matter. But the real trick is how the show uses those pieces to move the plot, not just wink at fans. We also wrestle with big adaptation questions—why this succeeds where Halo stumbled—and map what Colorado might bring next, from cryptids to consequences.Hit play to join us in the wasteland. If this breakdown sparks your brain, share it with a friend, subscribe for more deep dives, and drop a five star juicy review so other wanderers can find the show. What theory are you betting your caps on?Twitter handles:Project Geekology: https://twitter.com/pgeekologyAnthony's Twitter: https://twitter.com/odysseyswowDakota's Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekritique_dakInstagram:https://instagram.com/projectgeekology?igshid=1v0sits7ipq9yYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@projectgeekologyGeekritique (Dakota):https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBwciIqOoHwIx_uXtYTSEbAGretel le Maître Ponders Beauty, with Bede & other guestsGretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Sarah Berry of the University of Dallas discuss Acedia, Avarice, and part of Gluttony in Cantos 18-22 of the Purgatorio.Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for more information!Check out our GUIDE to the Purgatorio!Dr. Sarah Berry joins Deacon Harrison Garlick to explore Cantos 18–22, covering the terrace of sloth (acedia) and the transition into avarice and prodigality. In Canto 18, Virgil delivers a pivotal discourse on love as the root of all human action, explaining that love can be misdirected (pride, envy, wrath), deficient (sloth), or excessive (avarice, gluttony, lust). Berry emphasizes the terrace's brevity and lack of a formal prayer: “their prayers are their action... the penitents too... are doing the thing as a way of offering up some kind of prayer to God” (Dr. Sarah Berry), with running souls and examples of zeal (Mary's haste to Elizabeth, Caesar's swift march) countering sloth's cooling of love. The dream of the siren in Canto 19 warns against deceptive earthly goods, while the face-down penance on the avarice terrace forces fixation on the earth once loved excessively: “these are those who had a disordered love of money... goods that can't be shared” (Dr. Sarah Berry).Cantos 20–22 deepen the exploration of avarice's societal and personal consequences. Hugh Capet's lament in Canto 20 indicts the French dynasty's greed and sacrilege, including the capture of Boniface VIII. Berry highlights the terrace's broadened scope: “Dante is really broadening... our awareness of this constellation of problems” beyond mere hoarding or spending. In Canto 21, Statius is released with an earthquake and song, explaining his long purgation on sloth and avarice before moving freely upward. Canto 22 poignantly contrasts Statius (saved through Virgil's influence and grace) with Virgil himself, who lacks faith despite his virtues. Berry notes the tragedy: “Dante is inviting us... hoping that there is some special providence for Virgil at the end of his journey through purgatory” (Dr. Sarah Berry). The cantos reveal Purgatorio's hopeful, dynamic nature: purgation reorders love through grace, habituation, and contemplation, moving from deficient to excessive attachments, preparing the soul for divine union.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ascend and Dante's Purgatorio02:29 Exploring Dante's Purgatorio: Themes and Structure04:30 The Importance of Purgatorio in Spiritual Growth08:32 Understanding Love and Culpability in Purgatorio12:00 Diving into Canto 18: The Lesson on Love13:26 Virgil's Discourse on Love and Free Will17:40 The Nature of Love: Ascent and Culpability20:31 The Role of Reason in Human Actions26:01 The Formation of Intellect and Will33:12 Contrapasso: The Penance of Slothfulness40:19 Examples of Zeal: Mary and Caesar42:17 Understanding Zeal and Sloth47:04 The Subtlety of Sin and Human Effort52:31 Dreams and Allegory in Purgatory01:00:27 The Nature of Prayer and Action01:01:58 Exploring Avarice and Its Consequences01:20:15 Exploring Dante's Inferno: Sin and Intellect01:23:03 Wrath and Sloth: Roots of Sin in Purgatorio01:25:23 Positive Examples: Virtue Against Avarice01:29:30 Dante's Critique of French Dynasties01:35:56 The Role of Statius: A New Perspective01:50:30 Virgil's Tragic Journey: Hope for Salvation?KeywordsDante's Purgatorio, Sloth, Love, Virtue, Spiritual Growth, Theology, Literature, Dante, Purgatory, Christian Virtues Dante, Purgatorio, allegory, sin, virtue, divine justice, theology, Mount Purgatory, purgation, salvation

This powerful exploration of John 19:1-16 confronts us with a profound question that echoes from a kindergarten hallway into the throne room of heaven: who is really the boss of our lives? Through the lens of Jesus's trial before Pilate, we're invited to examine three devastating examples of authority rejection—the soldiers who mocked, Pilate who compromised, and the Jewish leaders who betrayed their own covenant. What makes this passage so compelling is the doctrine of concurrence it reveals: God's sovereign decree and human moral responsibility are not enemies but companions in the unfolding of redemptive history. Jesus stands beaten and humiliated, yet declares the stunning truth that no earthly authority exists except what has been given from above. This isn't just ancient history—it's a mirror held up to our modern hearts that still resist divine authority in favor of personal autonomy. The warning is clear and urgent: rote religion without genuine faith can blind us to the very Savior we claim to worship. When the Jewish leaders declared 'we have no king but Caesar' mere hours after singing 'we have no king but thee,' they revealed how easily religious activity can mask spiritual rebellion. We're challenged to examine whether we've truly bowed our knee to Christ's kingship over every area of life, or whether we're simply going through Christian motions while keeping Jesus at arm's length from our real decisions and desires.

The Chief of Sinners | Week 10 | Ken Miller--This lesson will cover Paul's circuitous and far-from- pleasant trip to Rome. In it, we will examine his relentless determination to suffer well while serving faithfully. Even while undergoing deprivations and difficulties that would make most men give up, Paul remained faithful to his calling and determined to trust God with his life and message.--Notes

3. The Ghost of Crassus and the Perils of Imperial Hubris Gaius draws a direct parallel between the Iran crisis and Crassus's disastrous invasion of Parthia (modern Iran) in 53 BCE. Crassus, the richest man in Rome, was driven by ego and a desire for military fame to match Caesar. His campaign failed due to poor intelligence, a divided army, and a complete failure to respect the enemy's unique technology. The Parthians utilized highly mobile horsemen and composite bows—a technology disparity that the Romans, overconfident in their traditional legions, could not overcome. Similarly, the U.S. maintains traditional forces while Iran, Russia, and China have developed advanced missile technology to counter American manned aircraft and tanks. Germanicus notes that when ancient emperors faced such "holes," they often sought to "declare victory" and extricate themselves through treaties to save face. However, the current "emperor" is depicted as trapped in a bubble of euphoria and sycophants, possessing a temperament that refuses to yield or "stop digging" despite the rising costs. The debate concludes that without a pathway to a sensible outcome, the U.S. risks a repeat of historical catastrophes where a refusal to recognize asymmetric threats and lack of a clear objective led to total annihilation. (4)1880 CICERO DENOUNCES CATALINE

Ephesians 3:1-13 (ESV)Andrew and Edwin consider Paul's concern that the Ephesian Christians might lose heart over his imprisonment and discuss his first reason they should not.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=24812The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

***This show is brought to you by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/playonpod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.*** Cloten orders a group of hastily assembled musicians to play under Imogen's window, hoping to win her heart. As they play, Cymbeline and the Queen pass by and tell Cloten to keep persisting with Imogen. A messenger brings word that ambassadors from Rome have arrived. The royal couple goes to greet the Romans, telling Cloten to join them after he leaves Imogen's chambers. Cloten knocks on Imogen's door and tries to bribe one of her ladies-in-waiting before Imogen appears. Imogen turns Cloten away so harshly that he vows to get revenge on Posthumus. As he rails, Imogen realizes that the bracelet Posthumus gave her is missing. She orders Pisanio to have her servants search for it. Meanwhile, Iachimo returns to Italy and goes to Philario's house, where Philario and Posthumus are discussing the prospects of war between Rome and Britain over the tribute that Cymbeline owes Caesar. Iachimo claims to have won the bet, saying he slept with Imogen and describing her bedroom in detail. He shows off the bracelet he took from her wrist, then adds the detail of the mole on Imogen's breast. Enraged, Posthumus turns over the ring he wagered. Back in Britain, Cymbeline refuses to pay the tribute Caius Lucius demands for Rome. Lucius says that can only mean war between the nations. Meanwhile, Pisanio receives a letter from Posthumus accusing Imogen of infidelity and ordering him to murder her. The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “CYMBELINE”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by ANDREA THOME. All episodes were directed by RAKESH PALISETTY and are based on the NATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN THEATRE COMPANY'S stage production directed by STEPHEN BROWN-FRIED. Radio play by CATHERINE EATON.   Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND   This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA AGREEMENT.   The cast is as follows:   PURVA BEDI                     as    SICILIUS, LORD AND CAIUS LUCIUS     ANNIE FANG                   as    ARVIRAGUS, FRENCHMAN, LADY AND THE WRITER CHRISTINE TOY JOHNSON      as    CYMBELINE ANNA ISHIDA                               as    IACHIMO, ROMAN SOLDIER, AND JAILOR NAREA KANG                              as    CORNELIUS, MOTHER, SOOTHSAYER, LORD AND MESSENGER JENNIFER LIM                             as    IMOGEN KK MOGGIE                              as    POSTHUMUS MARIA-CHRISTINA OLIVERAS as    THE QUEEN AND BELARIUS SARAH SUZUKI                           as    PHILARIO, GUIDERIUS, AND COMPANION JEENA YI                               as    CLOTEN AND ROMAN SOLDIER JULYANA SOELISTYO               as    PISANIO AND JUPITER        Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.   Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH   Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Original Music Composition by CAROLINE ENG and LINDSAY JONES, with additional composition, orchestration and arrangement by STEPHEN BROWN-FRIED. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES).   The Play On Podcast Series “CYMBELINE” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare.   Subscribe to Play On Premium for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you'll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “FALSEHOOD IS WORSE IN KINGS THAN BEGGARS!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ides of March is the best-known date in the ancient world, thanks to one of the most infamous acts in history: the assassination of Gaius Julius Caesar. Assassin's Creed Origins portrays Caesar at the peak of his powers, who was shockingly assassinated by a gang of Senators, including his most loyal friends and followers, like Brutus. What had Caesar done to deserve this? Who stabbed him first? And how did the assassins' plan to save the Roman Republic ultimately lead to the creation of the Roman Empire?Prof. Colin Elliot from Indiana University Bloomington, host of the Pax Romana podcast, joins Matt Lewis to reveal the true events of that fateful day. His book Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook The World offers a comprehensive, wide-ranging account of the world's first pandemic.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel, and listen to our previous episodes about the wars of Caesar and Cleopatra.Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Robin McConnellProduced by: Robin McConnell, Peta StamperSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Manager: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic:Winds of Cyrene by Sarah SchachnerAcross the Dunes by Sarah SchachnerPtolemy's Lament by Sarah SchachnerIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here.Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan... In Luke 20:19–26, Jesus is confronted with a question designed to trap Him: Should God's people pay taxes to Caesar or not? What seems like a political question quickly becomes something much deeper. In this message, we explore how Jesus takes a political trap and turns it into a profound teaching about identity, authority, and what it means to truly belong to God. As religious leaders attempt to corner Jesus in front of the crowd during Holy Week, He asks for a simple object—a coin. On it is the image of Caesar. With one question and one answer, Jesus dismantles the trap: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” But Jesus' teaching goes far beyond taxes or government authority. The deeper question is this: Whose image is on you? Scripture teaches that every human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). That truth establishes something profound—ownership. Just as the coin bearing Caesar's image belonged to Caesar's system, every human life bearing God's image ultimately belongs to Him. Our lives, our hearts, our minds, and our obedience are not self-created. They belong to the One whose image we carry. This message walks through the tension between earthly authority and God's ultimate authority. Jesus acknowledges that civil governments exist and have real authority in the world, but He also draws a clear line: Caesar has limits. Governments may collect taxes and enforce laws, but they cannot claim what belongs to God—our worship, our allegiance, and our identity. Throughout history, God's people have lived within imperfect systems while remaining faithful to the kingdom of God. Scripture calls believers to honor legitimate authority, yet also reminds us that when human authority contradicts God's commands, our ultimate loyalty must remain with Him. At the same time, this passage exposes a struggle that exists in every human heart. We often allow competing voices to shape our lives—culture, politics, social pressure, fear, or comfort. Slowly, these influences begin to shape our thinking and our obedience. Without realizing it, we begin rendering our lives to things that were never meant to rule us. The question Jesus raises in Luke 20 still confronts us today: Who is shaping your life? Who truly has authority over your decisions, your beliefs, and your obedience? The gospel gives us the answer. Although the image of God in humanity has been marred by sin, God did not abandon His image bearers. Instead, He sent His Son into the world. Jesus lived the perfectly obedient life we could not live and fully rendered to God what belonged to God. On the cross, He took the punishment for our divided loyalties and made a way for us to be restored to the One whose image we bear. Because of what Jesus has done, returning to God is not about earning our way back. It is about responding to the grace that has already been given. This message invites us to examine our lives honestly. What voices shape our thinking? What things do we protect most fiercely? Where are we rendering our allegiance? Jesus' teaching is simple, but it reaches into every part of life: Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Render to God what belongs to God. And because you bear His image, your life ultimately belongs to Him.

Where does peace come from?; Mt 10:34 Not peace but a sword; Lk 12:51 division; C-19 disagreements; Vaccine = peace of mind?; War; Knowing what's true; Unreliable media; Zechariah's murder; Legitimacy of The Temple; Making treaties; Rightful king at Jesus' time; Casaer's rights; Hyrcanus vs Aristobulus; Deut 17 guidelines; David vs Saul; Nature of Israel; Appointing judges; Iran; Offices of power; Seeking His kingdom and righteousness; Sophistry; Today's biggest threat to peace; Clouding history; Intervention of Holy Spirit; Persecution and torture; Injustice in court rooms; Evil claims; Humility; Who is providing for you?; Are you avoiding your responsibilities; Loving neighbors; Kingdom in our midst; Pro-Israel Christians?; Which "Israel"?; Jacob; Jurisdiction story; Rendering unto Caesar; Legal rights; Obeying Christ; Discovering the real Israel; God's nature; Wanting others to learn; Thriving Christians; Setting the tables of Christ; Testing your faith; Readiness to die?; Following the king of Israel; Seed of Abraham; Repentance; Becoming His Holy Church; Coming together in faith, hope and charity; Willingness to sacrifice for people you don't even know; Return to your Father's house willing to serve.

Prisoner of Jesus the Messiah Ephesians 3:1-13 by  William Klock Ask yourself what happens when the church is being faithful in its gospel calling and life. As we've worked through the first two chapter of Ephesians, Paul has explained that the church is God's new temple. It's a people purified by the blood of Jesus so that God can draw near in the person of his Spirit to dwell with us. That's always been God's plan for humanity and for creation. The garden was his temple and he placed us there to steward it well, on the one hand, and on the other, to dwell with him and to enjoy his presence—life with him.  And ever since we rejected that calling, God has been working to restore us to it.  And so the church, this people washed clean of sin and death by Jesus, and then filled with his Spirit, this new temple, we're the working model of God's coming new creation in the here and now. And if we're faithful in being that working model, what happens? The ideal, the hope is that people hear our proclamation of the kingdom and they see the first beginning of God's new creation when they look at the church. In the midst of the darkness, the church should be light.  In the midst of death, the church should be life.  The church should be here to show a better way through the cross.  To prophetically wipe away the tears of the hurt and mourning and to confront the principalities and powers, the false lords and the corrupt systems of the world with the truth of the gospel and the lordship of Jesus.  And people do hear and see and experience the faithfulness of the church.  In us they meet the living God and the Lord who died for them and they encounter his glory and they kneel in faith and are, themselves washed by Jesus and filled with the Spirit. But our idea of the faithful church often stops there. Maybe that's because we think of the church, not in terms of faithfulness, but in terms of success.  Butts in the pews. Money in the plate. Acclaim by the world.  And yet for the first Christians the opposite was true.  They were small.  They were poor.  They were persecuted and imprisoned and martyred by the world around them. And that's because, when the church is faithful in living and proclaiming and witnessing the presence of God's new creation and the Lordship of Jesus, the principalities and powers—that was how Jews like Paul thought of the unseen powers, once placed by God to oversee peoples and nations, but now in rebellion against him—those principalities and powers, earthly kings, and the powerful people invested in those kingdoms and the corrupt systems that run them—Brothers and Sisters, if we're doing our job showing that God's new world is breaking in and that Jesus is setting things to rights, those powers will fight back.  They will try to shut us up or shut us down. They will throw us in prison.  They will kill us.  Or they will try to corrupt us. They'll divide our loyalties: Sure you can worship Jesus, but you'll also need to kneel to Caesar.  They'll get us to adulterate the gospel with materialism and commercialism or politics.  They'll convince us we can have one set of values in the church and another in business or in government. With that in mind, look at Ephesians 3. Paul rites, “It is because of all this that I, Paul, the prisoner of Messiah Jesus on behalf of you gnetiles…”  Paul sort of interrupts himself there for rhetorical purposes, but we should pause here too.  Paul was in prison. Probably this is when he was in prison in Rome, but it could have been in Ephesus.  And for a lot of people in his word, that meant that Paul was out of favour with God.  How often do we hear that sort of thing today? There are parts of the church that have been corrupted and compromised by the idea that faith means health and wealth, happiness and prosperity.  That you can name it and, by faith, claim it.  And if you don't get it, well, then you don't have enough faith or you're out of favour with God.  If we were to turn over to Second Corinthians we'd see that that's how the Corinthians interpreted Paul's imprisonment.  But this is pagan thinking. But Paul knew better. In verse 13 he tells them, “Don't lose heart because of my sufferings on your behalf. That's your glory!”  In other words, he's imprisoned because he's been faithful to the calling God gave him.  He's imprisoned because of his great faith.  He wants the Ephesians to understand the paradox of the cross: God's power is made perfect in weakness.  We're prone to forgetting this.  When we bail on a church because we think it's too small, when we start adopting sales tactics as if the gospel is something to sell, when we cozy up to corrupt leaders and rulers looking for favour, when we think we have to project or pursue strength in order to win, we've lost the plot that is centred on the cross of Jesus.  You can't adulterate God's new creation with the old.  If we do, we lose our witness and we stop challenging the principalities and power of the old with the lordship of Jesus and the glory of the kingdom. So Paul was in prison because he was being faithful, because he was establishing, just as God had called him to do, these little communities that were breaking the rules of the old order: bringing Jews and gentiles, men and women, slave and free together into a single family.  This was the family through which God will make his glory known throughout the earth.  Remember the priests mocking Jesus on the cross, to come down if he was really the son of God, then they would believe. But Paul knew—and the people in those little churches in Ephesus knew—it was because Jesus is the son of God that he had to stay on the cross.  It was through his weakness, through his death that the great enemy, death itself, would be defeated and the battle won.  Weakness is the powerful way of the cross. Paul had got the attention of the powers of the present evil age and it landed him in prison, but instead of thinking that God had failed, Paul knew that this was actually the sign, the proof that the gospel and the Spirit were doing their work, that they were truly rising to challenge the old gods and kings.  So he goes on in verse 3, “I'm assuming, by the way, that you've heard about the plan of Gods' grace that was given to me to pass on to you?  You know, the mystery that God revealed to me, as I wrote briefly just now.  Anyway…  When you read this you'll be able to understand the special insight I have into the Messiah's mystery.  This wasn't made known to human beings in previous generations, but now it's been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.  The mystery is this, that, through the gospel, the gentiles are to share Israel's inheritance.  They are to become fellow members of the body, along with them, and fellow sharers of the promise of Jesus the Messiah.”   God's great mystery, his secret purpose that was there all along, promised to Abraham and to Moses, to David and to the Prophets, but missed by so many people in Israel—and of course totally unknown to the gentiles who did know about those promises—that mystery hit Paul like a ton of bricks the day he met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus—or maybe it was three days later when Ananias prayed for him and his eyes were opened.  Paul started to rethink everything his Jewish Pharisee brain knew—and it knew the whole story—but suddenly he was looking it at through a new lens, through the reality that this Jesus who was crucified as a false Messiah had been raised and was, in fact, the Messiah after all.  And if that were true—well, that wall outside the temple, the one carved with the warning that gentile must not pass on pain of death—that wall was now irrelevant.  In fact, that whole temple had become irrelevant because of Jesus.  He's said this back in 2:19 and now he says pretty much the same thing again, “The mystery is this, that through the gospel, the gentiles are to share in Israel's inheritance.  They are to become fellow members of the body…fellow sharers of the promise in Messiah Jesus.”  In Greek he drives this point home with real force using three words that all begin with the prefix syn that means “with”.  The gentiles are with-inheritors, with-body, and with-partakers—to put it very literally in English.  For those in the Messiah, the distinction between the Jews and the rest of the world is gone.  And we often read right past it, but this was absolutely key, heart of the gospel stuff for Paul. Israel's story reached its climax and the promises were fulfilled in the Messiah and in his death for the sins of the whole world.  In that moment the whole sacrificial system, the whole system of purity and impurity, the temple itself became irrelevant for everyone—whether or Jew or gentile—for anyone who throws himself or herself at the feet of Jesus in faith and love to be purified once and for all and forever by his blood, to be filled by God's Spirit, and thereby to become a part of God's new temple. When the scales fell from Paul's eyes, he was the first to really grasp all this.  The other apostles back in Jerusalem were still debating whether gentile believers had to be circumcised or not.  So Jesus sent Paul to go announce to the gentiles that it's not necessary.  There's now a single people defined by faith in the risen Messiah.  Of course, Paul first went back to Jerusalem to make sure his fellow apostles understood this, too.  But his mission was to proclaim the good news to the nations.  I expect most of the his first converts were those gentiles who were already on the fringe.  The “god fearers” as the Jews called them.  Greeks and Romans who encountered Jewish society and saw something they'd never seen before.  In a world of moral filth, they saw in Israel a passion for holiness, a desire for justice, a hope of God setting the world to rights—a hope few in the gentile world had.  And they couldn't go to the temple, but they could sit in the synagogues and hear the scriptures read and there they heard about the faithfulness of Israel's God.  And so they hung around, on the fringe, longing for what this family had, but knowing it was not theirs and thinking it never could belong to them.  Hoping that maybe there could be a place for them, even if on the fringe, in this story of hope.  And Paul came to them excited, to announce that in Jesus, they were co-inheritors, fellow body-members, and fellow partakers of all those promises God had made to his people.  That in Jesus and the Spirit, the could actually become the temple of the living God…not on the fringe, but actually the temple in which he dwells. Imagine the excitement those first gentile believers felt. Like children in an orphanage, waiting and longing for years to have a place in and the love of a family, now they were part of the family.  They'd escaped from the fickle gods and moral filth and hopelessness of paganism and were now sons and daughters of God. So having made clear this point that is so central to everything, Paul goes on in verse 7: “This is the gospel that I was appointed to serve, in line with the free gift of God's grace that was given to me.  It was backed up with the power through which God accomplishes his work.”  I have to think that Paul never ceased to marvel at this.  The guy who made it his career to round up Christians so they could be brought before the Jewish council—and stoned like Stephen—that evil guy was called and chosen by God to proclaim this good news.  Washed clean by the blood of Jesus and made an apostle.  If anyone understood grace, it was Paul.  If anyone knew the power of God made perfect in weakness, it was Paul.  And so he goes on in verse 8: “I am the very least of all God's people.  However, he gave me this task as a gift: that I should be the one to tell the gentiles the good news of the Messiah's riches, riches no one could begin to count. My job is to make clear to everyone just what the mystery is, the purpose that's been hidden from the very beginning of the world in God who created all things.” Paul, the least deserving of anyone having been such a great persecutor of Jesus and his church, has been given the grace to proclaim the riches of God, his immense wealth.  The riches of the Messiah.  Sonship in God's family.  The inheritance of the word.  And one day that world set to rights and fellowship with the living God forever.  This is good news.  Not good advice, like, “Hey, let me tell you about Jesus. Try him out and see if he works for you and if not, oh well.”  No this is good news.  Sin and death are defeated, the corrupt principalities and powers are on borrowed time, God's kingdom has come.  And those powers have heard the proclamation of Paul and his churches and they're angry.  Maybe if it had just been all talk, maybe if they'd just proclaimed it as good advice, maybe if they'd let themselves be corrupted by the desire for strength and power, but no…the principalities and powers, the king and gods of the present age are angry, because they've seen this good news at work.  Caesar was the great peacemaker who had forged all the peoples of his vast empire into one with his sword and his armies.  But this crucified Messiah who came out of a weak and conquered people, whose missionaries had gathered a bunch of largely poor people, women, and slaves—their unity across all their difference brought about by a message of grace—that was a real threat to the order of the old world.  The Lord Jesus was the real deal.  Caesar was a cheap copy.  And while the Caesars of the world will one day be brought down, they won't go down easily.  And yet, it's in just this that the church has its greatest witness the power of God, the power of the cross, the power of the good news.  God's power is made most manifest when we are at our weakest—laughed at, imprisoned, martyred.  Those things are proof of the power of the gospel. And now Paul brings the first part of the chapter to its climax in verse 10: “This is it: that God's wisdom, in all its rich variety, was to be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places—through the church! This is God's eternal purpose, and he's accomplished it in Messiah Jesus our Lord.  We have confidence and access to God in him, in full assurance, through his faithfulness.” I've heard and read Tom Wright say that if you want to understand what Paul is really getting at in this first half of Ephesians, look at the 10s: 1:10, 2:10, and 3:10.  In 1:10 we see God's purpose to bring all things together in heaven and on earth in the Messiah. In 2:10 we see the church today, justified by grace through faith, called to have the vital role to play in God's plan to bring everything together in the Messiah.  And here in 3:10 Paul reminds us that when the church is faithfully the church—that fellowship of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue who have given their allegiance to the Messiah, then the principalities and powers are put on notice and called to account.  As Paul says here: “God's wisdom, in all its rich variety, was to be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places—through the church!”  For two thousand years God's promises to set creation and humanity rights was out there, but how was it going to happen?  Brothers and Sisters, it's through the church being the church, with uncompromising allegiance to Jesus, living in the power of the Spirit, refusing to compromise, refusing to give an inch to evil men, to wicked systems, to the gods of the present age.  Not one inch.  Because, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus tell us, in those famous words of Abrham Kuyper, “there is not one inch in the whole domain of human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” And knowing that with full assurance, uncompromisingly living that out, we the church are, as Paul put it in Chapter 2, we're God's poiema, his beautiful, finely crafted handywork.  We put on display God's wisdom in all its polypoikilos, the ESV translates it “manifold”.  I'm tempted to translate it a little more freely as something like “all the colours of the rainbow”.  Think of the vision of the church in Revelation 7—an uncountable multitude from every nation, tribe and tongue.  The church is meant to display the polychromed, Technicolor glory of God's new creation and, in doing so, to reveal the shabby drabness of this wicked old age and its gods and kings.  But what the church has done instead is to fracture.  This colour here and that colour over there.  It's to our shame.  And perhaps it's because we ourselves have lost the glory of that Technicolor world the church is meant to represent, we seem to be perpetually drawn back to the shabby drabness of the present age and it's cheap attempts to do what only Jesus and the Spirit can do.  Again, we treat the church and the gospel like commodities to marketed and to be bought and sold.  We try to divide our loyalty between Jesus and mammon or sex or power.  We become captivated by the ugliness of violence and war.  Or we sell our souls for a mess of political pottage, losing our vision of new creation and our passion for goodness, truth, and beauty and instead of trusting in the God who will bring it about, we trust in horses and chariots and chase after lesser evils instead of the good.  Brothers and Sisters, that what the principalities and powers, that's what the devils want.  They want us to think that we can bring God's kingdom by using the world's ways.  But it won't, it can't work.  Because doing so simply paints the church with the same shabby drabnesss of their world and casts a veil over the glory of God and the goodness of the gospel.  It removes us as a threat to those powers. But when we are faithful to being the church.  When we are uncompromising in our loyalty to Jesus.  When love one another and are truly one, instead of fracturing our witness to the unity of the people of God, that's when the world and its rulers take notice.  They recognise that, as Paul wrote back in 2:6, we are already seated with God in the heavenly places in the Messiah.  That doesn't mean we're somehow above the mess.  Instead it means we're right here in the midst of the mess, taking on the corrupt and evil powers of this age with power of the cross of Jesus for the sake of the people around us.  We're here, with the authority of heaven, to shine the light of the gospel and to put on full display the Technicolor glory of God.  Even as the powers fight back. We've all seen it.  It's not always as obvious as Paul being in prison.  More often than not, it seems that when a church being faithful to preach God's word and to live out the gospel and the life of the Spirit, all hell comes at us out of nowhere.  People start grumbling and creating divisions.  People leave over stupid things.  World or national events distract us from the gospel. or divisions become obstacles to faithfulness.  Those are times for prayer and to double-down on faithfulness to Jesus and the gospel when we're tempted to give up or tempted to compromise.  But Paul would tell us to be prepared.  When you're being faithful, when a church is putting on display the manifold wisdom of God—new creation—the enemies of the gospel will see, they'll feel the threat, they will strike back.  That's why Paul was in prison.  And he tells them, “That's your glory.” Think again back to the Solomon's dedication of the temple.  That stunningly grand and beautiful building, skilfully and purposefully crafted so that the glorious presence of God could dwell with in it.  So that God could shine forth from it.  That was the glory of his people on display for the sake of the whole world.  And Solomon and all Israel watched as the cloud of glory descended and filled the temple.  I always struggle to visualize just how amazing that must have been.  But the key takeaway here is this, Brothers and Sisters: that glory now indwells us.  We are now God's temple, his skilfully and purposefully crafted handiwork, purified by the blood of Jesus, so that he can dwell in us.  And if we, by his grace and sure of promises, are faithful to be what he has made, we will shine forth that glory: life in the midst of death, light in the midst of darkness, hope in the midst of despair, glorious Technicolour in the midst of dreary mud puddles, new creation in the midst of the hold. Let's pray: Almighty God, consider the heartfelt desires of your servants, we pray,  and stretch out the right hand of your majesty to defend us against all our enemies, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

This week, Pastor Dennis Allan continues our Lent series by talking through a story found in John 18-19. Jesus is brought by the Jewish religious leaders to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor in Jerusalem, in the hopes that Pilate will condemn Jesus to death. The religious establishment doesn't have the authority to execute Jesus on their own, and they're hoping to coerce Pilate into doing their bidding for them. Despite Pilate saying multiple times he finds no reason to condemn Jesus, he still relents, giving the assembled mob exactly what they want. It's a story where we see Pilate, seemingly the most powerful person in the story based on his political position, overlook what is obviously true and good and, instead, participate in injustice. The same temptation Pilate faced is one many Christians face today. If we speak up or act up we might get cast out by people we once considered friends. What are we to do and how are we to be truth tellers in a world that needs people who are both unafraid and courageous?

TRACKLIST : NaeTek & Liuos - Allium MHL72 - Deep orbit Over Dawg - Delayed flight Yei Pi - Glitch rhythm (Caesar remix) Chrivu - Monadic context Carloalberto - Oorly Eju4836 Lucas Martins - Connect with me Fabre - Mauro Pheelo - Cause I'm ice Ricci Jr & Jack2 - Cosmic cage MIDIum - Zoom in Miro Pajic - Chameleon

When I was a kid, and I had to go down to the basement to fetch something for my mom, I hated opening that door. And once the errand was accomplished, I would run up the steps like the devil himself was after me. There was something about the dark and unknown that my naive little heart wanted nothing to do with. Today, the notion of gatekeepers and hall monitors for the deep state has that same effect on me. I don’t even want to open the door. But in an important conversation today with Alex Newman, we talk about one of the poster boys for basement level boogeymen: Jeffrey Epstein. He didn’t own a country or a title, wasn’t a Caesar, Kaiser or Tzar.  And yet his influence is massive and we have to ask why. The answers may shock you. Why is the nation so obsessed with Epstein? We also talk about bad actors in public schooling and in climate agendas. A Deep State dive today on SUFTT.     Stand Up For The Truth Videos: https://rumble.com/user/CTRNOnline & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQQSvKiMcglId7oGc5c46A

THIS WEEK! We do another 2 parter where we take a look at the life, and times of Augustus. In part 1 we focus on the rise of Young Octavian. From his early childhood, to meeting Caesar. And how did he handle beng Caessars heir? And how did he deal with the threa of Sextus, and Brutus, to the falling out of Mark Anthony, and The Battle Of Anthony. All this, and much more on "Well That Aged Well", with "Erlend Hedegart".Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/well-that-aged-well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Start with a hard question: who gets your final say—public opinion or God? We open with Jesus' authority challenged in the temple and find that “we don't know” is not a refuge but a verdict. From there, we follow the parable of the tenants to its sharp edge, where the cornerstone is rejected and fear of the crowd distorts judgment. That tension isn't ancient alone; it hums under our headlines today, shaping how we decide, vote, and lead when the costs are real.We dig into the famous charge to “render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's,” teasing out the deeper claim about image and allegiance. Coins bear Caesar's face; we bear God's image. Taxes are a civic duty; worship is a life's orientation. With Psalms and Proverbs as our compass, we explore how God's sovereignty offers a lasting foundation when storms hit—not by promising pain-free lives, but by anchoring us when the wind howls. That foundation calls us to trade performative piety for practical faith that shows up in work, family, and country.History grounds the conversation. We revisit the FARC bombing in Bogotá to name evil plainly and honor the innocent, then spotlight Medal of Honor recipient PFC Leonard Brostrom, whose courage under fire opened the way for his unit. These moments test our theories: do we truly value the vulnerable, and do we admire sacrifice enough to imitate it in our own spheres? We also reflect on founding sources, citizenship, and the moral character expected of leaders, asking what happens to a nation when duty to neighbors yields to applause or foreign favor.If you're navigating the pull between comfort and conviction, this episode offers Scripture, story, and a steady challenge: choose the authority that lasts. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find the show.#VermontConstitution #DailyScripture #MariaGonzales Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe Countryside Book Series https://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2

Festus asks King Herod Agrippa II to help him write the letter explaining Paul's case to Caesar. What was so important about the letter? Let's find out together as we read Acts 25:13-27 and Ezra 6.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 1-2; Mark 12 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In this episode for March 5th, 2025, Hunter embraces listeners on day 65 of a year-long journey through the Scriptures. Today's reading leads us through Deuteronomy 1 and 2, revisiting Moses' reminders to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, and Mark 12, where Jesus offers profound teachings about authority, resurrection, love, and true devotion to God. Hunter guides us through the narrative, reflecting on Israel's wandering, God's faithful provision, and the call to trust Him fully—even when the journey gets long or the challenges seem impossible. In Mark's Gospel, Jesus addresses tough questions from the religious leaders, teaching us about giving to God what is truly His—ourselves—and highlighting the importance of loving God and our neighbors above all. After the readings, we're invited into a thoughtful time of prayer led by Unknown, centering our hearts on peace, unity, and surrendering our lives back to God. Hunter also marks the significance of Ash Wednesday, inviting everyone—regardless of tradition—to walk together through the reflective season of Lent as we prepare our hearts for Easter. Join us in this sacred space as we listen to God's Word, offer our hearts in prayer, and remember the deep truth: you are God's beloved, and you are not alone on the journey. TODAY'S DEVOTION: The coin belongs to Caesar, but you—you belong to God. That's what Jesus wants you to see. As Hunter points out, the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus in a web of money, power, and politics, but he would not be caught in the snare of their idols. Instead, Jesus took a simple coin and asked whose image was stamped upon it. "Caesar's," they answered. But then Jesus took this moment to direct their hearts—and ours—to a far deeper reality. You are made in God's image. His imprint is upon you, just as surely as Caesar's image is on that coin. Therefore, your truest belonging is not to any ruler or any fleeting thing, but to God himself. As the catechism proclaims, "We are not our own, but belong to God." This is our hope in life and death. You are his—his child, his family, his beloved. So what do we give to God? Ourselves. Returning to him what is already his. When we do this—when we yield our hearts, our loves, our lives—we are freed from the idols and traps that entangle so many: money, politics, power. Instead, we find our truest and most joyful life in him. As Hunter reminds us, our real life is "hidden with God in Christ." This is the deepest truth about who we are. Let us learn to walk this out, returning daily to the God who made us, offering ourselves in love and trust. That is my prayer for my own soul. That is my prayer for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that is my prayer for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Once upon a time in a distant place near the Sands and Stardust of our memories was a kingdom below the desert called Caesar's Magic Empire. Well known magicians performed there among many younger, magicians who became very well known after they honed their craft before thousands of diners and revelers.Yes, this was a real place (but not below ground) that was a premier, immersive dinner-show attraction at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, operating from 1997 to 2002. Many fledgling magicians got their start there, one of whom is our guest in this episode: Jason Bird.Today Jason is a successful magician who specializes in close-up strolling and has recently written the ultimate treatise on the craft called, “Strolling for Dollars.” View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This week Jason tells us about how a young teenage boy left home in search of the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip and found himself as regular, strolling magician at the new Caesar's Magic Empire. For those who never visited the kingdom or even if you did visit, everyone should enjoy a fun trip back through time as we visit the Empire in our minds. Also, Jason and Scott give us some tips and advice for strolling magic (trick selection, marketing, handling audiences, etc.) many of which come from Jason's new book “Strolling for Dollars.” Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here. Click on the image above to visit the website where you can get more information on this book and order your copy. Strolling for Dollars: How You Can Make a Living Doing Close-Up Magic Sign up with your name and email address for a chance to win a FREE copy. First Name Last Name Email Address enter now This book is “print on demand” so this contest is open to our listeners in the U.S. (of course) but also in Canada and the U.K.We respect your privacy. We will only share your email address with the author. Thank you for entering the contest. There will only be one winner in this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be notified on how to order your book from Jason Bird. Good luck!

As things progress, Paul appeals to have his case brought directly to Caesar Nero. Why would Paul do that? Let's find out together as we read Acts 25:1-12 and Esther 7.

Preached in 2022. For more resources for knowing and loving God's word, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bcnewton.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Further Reading⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Expository Thoughts on Mark | J. C. Ryle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mark: An Expositional Commentary | R. C. Sproul⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Gospel According to Mark | G. Campbell Morgan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠King's Cross | Timothy Keller⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mark: Jesus, Servant and Savior | R. Kent Hughes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ESV Expository Commentary Vol VIII: Matthew-Luke⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you have benefitted from this episode, consider sharing with others. You can also support my work financially⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at this link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Acts 28:17-31 Paul in Rome 17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 27 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.' 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”[a] 30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense,[b] and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Is the end of a biblical letter just a polite "talk to you later"? Join us as we dive into the final verses of Philippians to discover why Paul's closing greetings are actually a theological powerhouse. From the "saints" in Caesar's palace to the transformative power of grace, we explore how these ancient words define our identity today. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more insightful discussions! Learn more about the Further Faith Podcast, subscribe to the audio podcast or email notifications, and browse our entire library at https://furtherfaith.org. Did this conversation raise a question or do you have an idea for a future series? We would love to hear from you! https://furtherfaith.org The Further Faith Podcast is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake, IA (https://fpcspiritlake.org).

In this episode, we explore what the "Ides" actually meant in ancient Rome and how March 15th transformed from an ordinary—sometimes even festive—date on the Roman calendar into one of history's most infamous days. Jörg Rüpke explains how Romans understood their calendar, what rituals or superstitions may (or may not) have surrounded the Ides, and how news of Caesar's assassination would have spread through the city. We also examine the differences between ancient historical sources and Shakespeare's dramatic choices, from Calpurnia's ominous warnings to the political and religious tensions surrounding tyrannicide. We then turn to Shakespeare's England, asking how Renaissance audiences would have interpreted Roman dates, costumes, and political symbolism on stage. Did Elizabethans already fear March 15th, or did Shakespeare himself help create that association? Along the way, we consider how the play reflects the delicate political climate of Elizabeth I's reign, the moral dangers of overthrowing authority, and why the assassination scene unfolds at "the Capitol" instead of the historically accurate Curia of Pompey.

In the closing verses of Philippians, Paul thanks the church for their faithful partnership in the gospel. Though imprisoned in Rome, he was not forgotten. The Philippian believers—persecuted and facing hardship themselves—continued to give, support, and stand with their missionary. Philippians 4 shows us that missions giving is far more than fundraising. It is fellowship in the trenches. It strengthens those on the front lines. It produces eternal fruit. And most of all, it pleases God. When the Philippians gave in Macedonia, the gospel advanced all the way into Caesar's household. Their earthly coins became eternal souls. This passage reminds us: • Missions giving blesses the missionary. • Missions giving blesses the giver. • Missions giving blesses those without Christ. • Missions giving blesses our missionary God. God does not promise luxury—but He does promise provision. The safest place to invest your resources is in the hands of a God whose heart is for the nations. This is not mere fundraising. This is worship. This is partnership. This is eternal investment. May it be said of us, like the Philippians, that we are a missions-giving church. ________________________________________ Links to Sermon Notes & Answers: ➤Sermon Notes (Blank): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_c91cda04ddeb40738bf467417e96ba46.pdf ➤Sermon Notes (Answers): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_95a24cfd28414e0bb8636420460d823e.pdf ________________________________________ In this video: Review of previous sermons in series Main Points Application ________________________________________ Subscribe to this channel to catch weekly expositional sermons from the Bible. ________________________________________ Explore more sermons and information: https://www.sheridanhills.org/watch-new ________________________________________ Follow us: ➤Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheridanhills/ ➤Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheridanhills01 ➤Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheridanhills/

Olympic gold medalist and Caesar salad-rating phenom Aerin Frankel joins Sarah to discuss being the last line of defense for Team USA at the Milan Cortina Olympics, the coolest person who congratulated her after winning gold, and returning to the ice for the PWHL’s Boston Fleet. Plus, SNL gets it right, controversy at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships, and these playoffs are Unrivaled. Follow Aerin on Instagram here and follow her salad-rating account @painbyromaine here Read Jess McClain’s post about the wrong turn at U.S. Champs here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky:@biancahillier.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trial of Jesus Coleton's sermon walked through Gospel of Mark 14:53–65 — Jesus before the high priest and the Sanhedrin — and focused on three major truths: The Lack of Evidence, The Injustice, and The Answer Jesus Gives. 1. The Lack of Evidence The passage says: “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any… Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.” This was not a fair trial. It was rigged from the beginning. ● It was held at night. ● It was held in the high priest's house. ● Witnesses were prepped to testify falsely. ● The entire purpose was to find a reason to kill Him. And yet — they could not find solid evidence. Even the eyewitnesses who had seen Him and heard Him could not produce consistent testimony proving He deserved death. That's staggering. The point made was simple but powerful: If the people who lived at the same time as Jesus — who hated Him and wanted Him dead — could not produce credible evidence to disprove His claims, then what evidence do we have 2,000 years later to dismiss Him? The question was posed directly: “If you don't believe Jesus is who He says He is — what evidence do you point to? Because the people who lived in His time, who hated Him and wanted Him dead, couldn't find any.” The sermon argued that we actually have more evidence to consider the truthfulness of Jesus' claims today — not more evidence to disprove Him. To emphasize Jesus' global impact, the quote from Dr. James Allan Francis was read, describing Jesus as an obscure carpenter who never held office, never wrote a book, never traveled far — and yet: “All the armies that ever marched… all the kings that ever reigned… have not affected the life of mankind upon the earth as powerfully as this one solitary life.” History has been shaped not by Caesar, but by a carpenter from Nazareth. That demands explanation. 2. The Injustice The second focus was the staggering injustice of the trial. Multiple Jewish legal procedures were broken: ● Arrest without formal charges ● Trial during Passover ● Night trial outside the temple courts ● No agreeing witnesses in a capital case ● No 24-hour waiting period before sentencing Jesus was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced within hours. And yet — none of this hindered God's plan. The sermon pointed to Book of Isaiah 53, written centuries before, which describes the Messiah: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth… From arrest and judgment he was taken away… though he had done no violence.” Their injustice did not derail God's plan — it fulfilled it. A quote from James Stewart captured it beautifully: “They gave Him a cross, not guessing that He would make it a throne… He did not conquer in spite of the evil. He conquered by using it.” That line shaped the heart of this section: God doesn't merely overcome evil — He uses it. This doesn't mean what they did was good. It means nothing can stop what God has determined to accomplish. The application became deeply personal. We often think: ● That relationship ruined God's plan. ● That job loss ruined God's plan. ● My upbringing ruined God's plan. ● Time is running out. But the cross shows otherwise. If God has determined to bless you, no one can stop Him. Their curses can become stepping stones. The example of David was used: Saul tried repeatedly to kill him, but every attempt only moved David closer to the throne. The preacher shared personally about the pain of his parents' divorce — and how God used that painful disruption to bring him to Memphis, where he met his wife. What felt like loss became a pathway to blessing. The message was clear: “What He has decided to do, no one and nothing can stop Him.” 3. The Answer Jesus Gives Up to this point, Jesus had remained silent. If He stays silent, it becomes very difficult to condemn Him. But then the high priest asks directly: “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus answers: “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” This is the turning point. Jesus gives them exactly what they need to condemn Him. He ensures His own death. He is not trapped. He is choosing. The sermon made this stunning reversal clear: ● He was declared guilty though innocent… ● So that we who are guilty could be declared innocent. Quoting Book of Isaiah again: “It was the Lord's will to crush him… he will bear their iniquities… he poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors.” Jesus chose condemnation so we could receive justification. A quote from Greg Boyd reinforced the heart of it: “Despite our sin our creator thinks that we are worth experiencing a hellish death for… the cross reveals our unsurpassable worth and significance to God.” At the core of our fears is the suspicion that we are not truly loved — that we are on our own. But the cross answers that fear. You are not the only one fighting for your life. He is fighting for you. He is not against you. He is for you. And He proves it here. He chose death so that you could experience life. The sermon closed with a call to respond: Give Him more of your allegiance. Give Him more of your life. Trust Him more deeply. Because the cross shows: Nothing can stop His plan. Nothing can disprove His claim. And nothing can separate you from His love.

Send a textWhat's the most dangerous thing Jesus ever said?Most people guess, “Love your enemies.” Or “Pick up your cross.” Or something about judgment.But I don't think that's it.I think the most dangerous thing Jesus ever said was this: “The kingdom of God is at hand.”Because in the first century, that wasn't a spiritual fortune cookie. That was an act of resistance.Rome already had a kingdom.Rome already had a lord.Rome already had a “gospel.”When a new Caesar took power, heralds would go city to city announcing the “good news” of Caesar our lord. And then this Jewish rabbi shows up and says, in effect: That's not the real kingdom. That's not the real Lord. That's not the real good news.That sentence was explosive. And it's a big part of why Jesus ended up on a cross.In this episode, we talk about the two competing gospels still fighting for our hearts today:Caesar's gospel: be stronger, be wealthier, be more armed, dominate to stay safe.Jesus' gospel: blessed are the poor, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers. Serve. Lift the lowly. Free the oppressed. Feed the hungry. Visit the sick. Stand with the marginalized.We walk through the New Testament arc:the announcement (Mark 1:15)the definition (Luke 4)the values (Matthew 5)the lived reality (Matthew 25)And we get honest about “Christianity light,” the version that stays clean, avoids discomfort, and doesn't get its hands dirty. The problem is: the real gospel is always going to confront an empire.Not with weapons. Not with domination.But with mercy, justice, courage, and a refusal to dehumanize people.Because when you tell people the last are first, debts can be forgiven, God sides with the marginalized, and power doesn't get the final word, you destabilize systems built on control.That's dangerous.And that's exactly the point.#HarvestSarasota#DanMinor#KingdomOfGod#TheKingdomIsAtHand#JesusVsCaesar#GospelNotEmpire#ChristianityLight#Beatitudes#Matthew25#JusticeMercyHumility#Peacemakers#FaithInAction Harvest is a fully affirming, inclusive (including the LGBTQ+ community) progressive Christian church located in Sarasota, Florida.Follow us on Social Media:Instagram - Instagram.com/harvestsarasotaFacebook - Facebook.com/harvestsarasotaTikTok CLICK HEREDONATE to support our podcast HERERecorded live at Harvest Church in Sarasota by Michael Thomas Regina and Stephen Lehman of Boardtown Creative

Revelation 2:12-17 - Speaker: Joe Skinner - In Revelation 2:12–17, Jesus speaks to a church living in a city where loyalties competed at every level. Pergamum was impressive, intellectual, and religious, but it was also filled with counterfeit saviors and daily pressure to bow to Caesar. Jesus begins by reminding His people that He knows exactly where they live and what it costs to remain faithful. He commends them for holding fast to His name, even when Antipas was killed for refusing to deny Christ. Yet He also confronts them for tolerating compromise within their own fellowship, allowing teaching that led to idolatry and sexual immorality. The danger was not open rejection of Jesus, but quiet accommodation that slowly reshaped allegiance. The One who holds the sharp two-edged sword will not ignore divided loyalty in His church. Still, His final word is not judgment but promise. To those who conquer, He offers hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name. These images speak of provision, access, and lasting identity. Jesus calls us to be fully His and find our true satisfaction and security in Him alone.

Revelation 2:12-17 - Speaker: Will Galkin - In Revelation 2:12–17, Jesus speaks to a church living in a city where loyalties competed at every level. Pergamum was impressive, intellectual, and religious, but it was also filled with counterfeit saviors and daily pressure to bow to Caesar. Jesus begins by reminding His people that He knows exactly where they live and what it costs to remain faithful. He commends them for holding fast to His name, even when Antipas was killed for refusing to deny Christ. Yet He also confronts them for tolerating compromise within their own fellowship, allowing teaching that led to idolatry and sexual immorality. The danger was not open rejection of Jesus, but quiet accommodation that slowly reshaped allegiance. The One who holds the sharp two-edged sword will not ignore divided loyalty in His church. Still, His final word is not judgment but promise. To those who conquer, He offers hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name. These images speak of provision, access, and lasting identity. Jesus calls us to be fully His and find our true satisfaction and security in Him alone.

Acts 25-26 Paul appeals to Caesar as the Jews and the Governor Festus continue to find fault or no fault and he remains imprisoned. He is able to share his testimony and the gospel message with Agrippa, Festus and many Roman officers and soldiers. Paul did not fear death, but was emboldened by the grace of God to share the truth of the prophets and Moses which point to Christ. 

Constantius was elevated to Caesar with one primary mission - retake Britannia for the Roman empire. In the later half of the fourth century the province and parts of western Gaul had retained a stubborn sort of independence, flying in the face of a unified Rome. If the tetrarchy were to prove they were a stable system, this had to come to an end. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast This month's bonus episode on Patreon is with Peter Guest, looking at the coins of Carausius. Episode CCLII (252) Part IV of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)

John 12 and 13  @justinbrierley   @SpeakLifeMedia   @CosmicSkeptic  Alex O'Connor & Glen Scrivener DEBATE morality, freedom, slavery & the Bible | Uncommon Ground https://youtu.be/-ZnVNM8lkGw?si=7W0D2Y4kdnOIYWNp    What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give Vanderklips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg Bridges of Meaning Discord Link: https://discord.gg/mtKUnMKS https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/ My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/ Estuary Hub Link  https://www.estuaryhub.com/ For the audio podcast mirror on Podbean http://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/ To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333  If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/  All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here.  https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay Also on Odysee: https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640 https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give

 “Render to Caesar ...” That verse gets quoted anytime Christians start asking hard questions about authority. “Just obey.” “Stay in your lane.”But that's not what Jesus was teaching. In fact, this moment is far more subversive than most people realize.And it all hinges on a coin. The answer is in the very thing that Jesus asked to see! And it was all to make a point that we very often miss!Let's get into it… 

Welcome to Mysterious Universe Season 35 episode 08, and the conclusion of Caesar's Messiah: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus by Joseph Attwell, which we began on the plus extension last Friday, season 35 episode 07. On this episode, we continue the work of Joseph Attwell with our look at the origin of the gospels of the Bible to see if there are any alternative perspectives with the official interpretations, and to discover the motives behind its very existence in the first place. For our Plus+ extension we continue the time slip/Missing 411 thread along a slightly different path, that of Dirk Gillabel ala Experiences of Changed Reality. From theories behind these odd "out of place/time" occurrences to detailed accounts of first hand witnesses, we follow his reasoning and speculations and continue to wonder: what happens to the ones who DON'T return? Check out the link below and get the new Inescapable Podcast out now. Plus+ Members can now find the new feed on your Dashboard and add it to your preferred podcast player. Full Movie! CAESAR'S MESSIAH: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus  Caesar's Messiah: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus: Flavian Signature Edition KJV Bible, Charcoal Leather, Touch Crown of Thorns, Red Letter, Pure Cambridge Text, Full-Color Maps NABRE, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Catholic Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible Which Translation of the Bible is the Best? Video - Relief from the Arch of Titus, showing The Spoils of Jerusalem being brought into Rome Jesus Homeboy T-Shirt  Soul-Guidance.com Cosmick Traveler LinksPlus+ ExtensionThe extension of the show is EXCLUSIVE to Plus+ Members. To join. click HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Trump Barabbas? In this episode, Craig sits down with Paul Lazzaroni (Crossing Cornerstone / No King but Christ Network) to talk about the Barabbas mindset, our craving for a strongman savior, political control, and “winning,” even when it contradicts Jesus' way. We explore modern Babylon, the wilderness formation of God's people, and why “Jesus is Lord” can't be a slogan that still needs Caesar's power to do the work. Topics covered Barabbas vs. Jesus: what kind of “savior” we want Christian nationalism and the temptation of state power Strongman politics and fear-based faith“Modern Babylon” as a pattern (empire thinking) Exodus / wilderness formation and slavery mindsetReading the Bible without using it to justify domination “No King but Christ” as lived discipleship

Okay, try to picture it. Maybe you don't have to picture it. Maybe you've been there. It's the Friday morning after Thanksgiving, just before doors open at, let's say, Walmart. It's still dark, but a lot of people are lined up, anxiously waiting to enter. It's the day of those fabulous sales that stores like this have to encourage your early Christmas shopping. And for a short time after the doors open, there are some absolutely amazing prices on many popular items. But you have to move quickly and scoop them up. One year recently, I remember the crush of people was so great, at one store a lady was nearly trampled to death when the doors opened. And at another store, another year, a man actually was trampled to death. Once you're in the store, you know what to do. No browsing. No chatting. You're on a mission! Just look for those sales opportunities and grab them while you can! I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Grabbing Opportunities to Save a Life." Aggressively seizing opportunities because time is short - that's not just a picture of a sale day shopper. That's supposed to be the picture of every follower of Jesus Christ. Not just browsing and cruising through our days, but really making them count...really making a difference with your life. If you read our word for today from the Word of God in the original language of the New Testament, you can see just that kind of urgency and intensity. It's Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but as wise" - now what follows is God's definition of what it means to "live smart." "...making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil." The original Greek conveys the idea of aggressively buying up every opportunity you have to do something about the darkness around you. Near the end of this letter that Paul wrote from a prison cell, probably chained to a Roman guard, he gives us a living example of this "make a difference" mindset in action. He says, "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel...pray that I will declare it fearlessly, as I should." In another letter, we learn that there were believers ultimately in Caesar's household; likely some of those soldiers Paul spent so much time with. He saw his imprisonment, not so much as an ordeal, but as an opportunity to tell people there about his Jesus and to rescue them from evil. Life is full of life-saving opportunities for those with eyes to see them; for those who understand that we're supposed to be looking for them wherever we are. I know when one member of our family was in the hospital, the reason seemed clear. There was a patient who left a trail of Jesus all through that hospital. There just to get well? No. They were there positioned by God to help spiritually rescue some of the people in that hospital. If you want to make the greatest possible difference with the rest of your life, and I hope you do. If you want to help some people be in heaven with you, and I hope you do. Then each morning pray for natural opportunities to bring up your Jesus. "Lord, open a door." Then look for those opportunities to open up. Buy them up like an alert shopper. When someone shares a burden or a concern with you, don't just promise to pray for them. Ask if you can pray with them right then. Chances are they have never heard their name in a prayer all their life! I've never had anyone turn down that offer by the way. And if God opens the door, tell them after you pray that you weren't always able to talk to God like that because there used to be a wall between you and Him that Jesus took down. Look for opportunities to share your personal hope story, which is the story of the difference Jesus has made for you in certain life situations, particular needs, and certainly your eternal situation. Look for those opportunities. Pray for those opportunities. Grab those opportunities. Why? Because God is putting people in your life so they can have a chance at Jesus...and a chance at heaven. That's an opportunity you just must not miss.

Want to support the podcast? Join our Patreon or buy us a coffee. As an independent podcast, Shakespeare Anyone? is supported by listeners like you. In today's episode, we are exploring how Shakespeare depicts Julius Caesar's "falling sickness," commonly believed by historians and scholars to be epilepsy. First, we'll discuss how the play Julius Caesar can be read as a disability narrative and how it reflects early modern anxieties around invisible disabilities like epilepsy.  Then, we will look at how Shakespeare depicts falling sickness or epilepsy across the canon and determine whether or not the depictions are as accurate as they are often celebrated to be. Finally, we will share an alternative diagnosis for Caesar's symptoms based on what is known of historical Caesar's medical history.  Content Warning: Emetophobia, brief discussion of eating disorders Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. For updates: Join our email list Follow us on Instagram at @shakespeareanyonepod Visit our website at shakespeareanyone.com Support the podcast: Become a patron at patreon.com/shakespeareanyone  Buy us a coffee Bookshop.org: Since 2020, Bookshop.org has raised more than $38 million for independent bookstores. Shop our Shakespeare Anyone? storefront to find books featured on the podcast, books by our guests, and other Shakespeare-related books and gifts. Every purchase on the site financially supports independent bookstores. Libro.fm: Libro.fm makes it possible to purchase audiobooks through your local bookshop of choice. Use our link for 2 free audiobooks when you sign up for a new Libro.fm membership using our link. Find additional links mentioned in the episode in our Linktree. Works referenced: Breuer, Horst. "Bilder Der Epilepsie Bei Shakespeare / Representations of Epilepsy in Shakespeare." Medizinhistorisches Journal, vol. 37, no. 1, 2002, pp. 5–19. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25805304. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026. Hamlyn, Tim. "The Nature of Caesar's Illness." Latomus, vol. 73, no. 2, 2014, pp. 360–67. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24858427. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026. Hobgood, Allison. (2009). Caesar Hath the Falling Sickness: The Legibility of Early Modern Disability in Shakespearean Drama. Disability Studies Quarterly. 29. 10.18061/dsq.v29i4.993. 

On an all-new Speed Dates episode, host Joel Kim Booster sits down with the hilarious Jon Daly (Kroll Show, Hail, Caesar!, Big Mouth) to talk about his role on the hit series Fallout, his journey from drama school to comedy and back to dramatic roles, falling in love during the pandemic, and why Billy Joel's “New York State Of Mind” depicts a perfect relationship (between Billy and the city of New York, obvs). Plus: Peaches is a very good dog, and this should be commemorated.  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for full episodes. Merch available at SiriusXMStore.com/BadDates. Joel Kim Booster: Psychosexual, Fire Island, Loot Season 3Jon Daly: Fallout Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming now! Check out The Fallout Fake Talkshow! Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Bad Dates ad-free. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Should Christians pay taxes to wicked rulers? From his sermon series in the gospel of Mark, today R.C. Sproul unfolds Jesus' teaching about the responsibilities we have toward the state. Get R.C. Sproul's commentary on the gospel of Mark with your donation: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Mark commentary ebook with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts