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Are you truly saved, or are you deceived about your standing before God? In this powerful episode, we dive deep into John Chapter 8 where Jesus confronts religious people who thought they were saved but weren't.Key Topics: False assurance, true salvation, Christian faith, biblical assurance, John 8 commentary, spiritual deception, children of God vs children of the devil, religious but lost.This isn't about being a "bad person" - it's about the difference between religious activity and genuine faith in Christ. Many people assume they're saved based on church attendance, family heritage, or moral behavior, but Jesus reveals the heart condition that matters.Perfect for: Christians questioning their salvation, pastors, Bible study groups, anyone seeking biblical clarity on assurance of faithBible Passages Discussed: John 8:12-59, Romans 10, 1 John 3:10, Ephesians 2:3
We often have a reputation as Christians of being dull, lifeless, and boring. Do we deserve it? Is the truth that we should have more reason to party than anyone on earth? More reason to celebrate and be joyful?----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you've been searching for.Don't wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text
Some Christians are skeptical about empathy, mistakenly assuming that it coddles others and reinforces sinful behavior. Yet genuine empathy (even when we sin) helps us understand our struggles and strengthens us to grow in Christlikeness. Thankfully, loving and healthy empathy is modeled all over the Bible and not only comforts us but leads us toward truth and responsibility.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi address concerns you might hear about empathy in some Christian circles. You'll discover fresh insights from the empathy scriptures they teach in their new book, Deeply Loved, and learn the importance of holding others in God's empathy while the Spirit draws them toward transformation.Resources for this Episode:Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God's Great Empathy for YouAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks
This week, step into a faith-filled discussion where Pastor Rod Parsley and Ashton Blaire dive deep into two of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture—grace and mercy. With candor, conviction, and plenty of insight, they unpack what these gifts really mean for believers today. From exposing the dangers of the hyper-grace movement, to clarifying the difference between grace and mercy, to reminding us of God's unfailing love displayed through both—you'll be challenged, encouraged, and equipped to walk in the fullness of His truth. Hear real talk about how Christians often abuse grace, why mercy still matters, and how both gifts are essential for living a victorious, Christ-centered life.
In this insightful episode of the Compared to Who? podcast, host Heather Creekmore welcomes bestselling author, speaker, and Bible teacher Lisa Whittle to discuss her new book, Body and Soul, and the powerful concept of "whole body theology." Together, they delve into the intersection of faith and body image, explore what it means to have a biblical foundation for how we view our bodies, and confront the complicated journey many Christians face with body image and self-worth. Key Points & Takeaways: Whole Body Theology Defined:Lisa shares her journey into developing a “whole body theology” — a comprehensive, biblical belief system that addresses our entire personhood (body, soul, and spirit). This theology is designed to give believers a scriptural foundation for making body-related decisions, rather than relying solely on diet culture or secular self-esteem movements. The Need for a Biblical Approach:Both Heather and Lisa highlight the shortcomings of how the Church often compartmentalizes spiritual and physical health, or accidentally echoes secular body positivity without offering a theological alternative. Lisa asserts that lasting body image peace is grounded in spiritual transformation and discipleship, not just new diets or positive mantras. Personal Body Image Stories:Lisa vulnerably recounts her own "complicated" story with body image, including familial pressures, diet culture, and early struggles with eating disorders. She reveals how the truth of Scripture and God’s view of her body brought genuine freedom, something diets and cultural messages never provided. Discipleship Around Body Image:The conversation stresses the Church’s responsibility to disciple believers in whole body theology, integrating faith and embodied life. Lisa advocates for developing a framework where everyday choices with food, movement, rest, and even work are filtered through the lens of glorifying God. Misuse of Scripture in Body Image:Common verses like “your body is a temple” or “fearfully and wonderfully made” are often misapplied, leading to shame, diet obsession, or misunderstanding. True whole body theology digs deeper into Scripture for a holistic, grace-filled perspective rather than cherry-picking verses to fit societal standards. Rejecting Judgement & Assumptions:Both speakers caution against judging others' bodies from the outside or assuming someone's spiritual health by body size. Such partiality is unbiblical and harmful, and they call for more compassion and understanding within the Church community. Dangers of Diet and Body Positivity Culture:Lisa and Heather warn against simply swinging from diet culture to secular body positivity without a biblical root. They challenge listeners not to accept cultural solutions but to pursue God’s truth for genuine freedom and transformation. About Lisa’s Bible Study (Body and Soul):Lisa explains how her new six-week Bible study walks individuals or groups through the process of building a whole body theology. With videos, scripture dives, reflection questions, and practical steps, participants learn to draw their body beliefs from Scripture—not from culture. Practical Encouragements: Lasting body image freedom comes from aligning your beliefs about your body with God’s Word, not with fleeting diets or positive slogans. True discipleship includes how we steward, honor, and view our physical selves as integral to spiritual life. It’s time for the Church and its people to lead—not follow—in honest, compassionate, gospel-oriented conversations about body image. Get Connected & Resources: Heather Creekmore’s 40 Day Body Image Journey:Sign up at improvebodyimage.com to dig deep into Scripture and pursue body image freedom. In His Image Conference:Join Heather outside Dallas, Texas, this November—early registration details are here: https://www.wonderfullymadenutritioncounseling.com/events/in-his-image-body-image-conference-for-teen-girls-and-women-2025 Get Lisa Whittle’s Book:Body and Soul: A Six-Week Bible Study is available on Amazon (affiliate link), LisaWhittle.com, and wherever books are sold. Connect with Heather:Visit heathercreekmore.com for more encouragement, resources, and podcast info. Thanks for tuning in to Compared to Who? Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone who needs biblical hope for their body image journey! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this empowering conversation, Lesley Logan welcomes back sex educator Dr. Celeste Holbrook to talk about her new book Missionary Position: A Slightly Irreverent Guide to Sex After Purity Culture. Together they unpack healing from harmful narratives, navigating seasons of change in your sex life, and discovering the ‘glittery middle,' where you get to define pleasure, intimacy, and authenticity on your own terms.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:How to let your sex life evolve with every stage of life.The five-year journey and setbacks behind Celeste's debut book.The four archetypes for healing and reclaiming sexual agency.Why faking orgasms is a “fawn response” and how to break the cycle.The freedom of defining your own sexual ethic in the “glittery middle”.Episode References/Links:Dr. Celeste Holbrook's Website - www.drcelesteholbrook.comDr. Celeste Holbrook's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drcelesteholbrookDr. Celeste Holbrook on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DrCelesteHolbrookMissionary Position: A Slightly Irreverent Guide to Sex After Purity Culture by Dr. Celeste Holbrook - https://a.co/d/3UimUKxA Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings - https://a.co/d/ibRaesYFourth Wing Series by Rebecca Yarros - https://a.co/d/7Qhgk2REp. 202: Jake Kelfer - https://beitpod.com/jakekelferEp. 265: Daniella Mestyanek Young - https://beitpod.com/daniellayoungGuest Bio:Dr. Celeste Holbrook is a sex educator, speaker, and small-town Texas horse girl who's on a mission to make conversations about sex less awkward and way more empowering. With a Ph.D. in Health Education from Texas Woman's University and a thriving virtual practice, Celeste helps people create lives filled with pleasure, connection, and confidence—starting in the bedroom. After years of struggling with pain and shame around sex, she set out to find answers no one else could give her—and ended up becoming the expert she needed. Today, she guides women toward pleasurable sex by helping them understand their bodies, claim their worth, and ask for what they want without apology. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Celeste Holbrook 0:00 Expecting your sex life to look the same when you are 20 and 30 and 50 and 70 is not helpful for you, and so allowing it to mature as you mature is the most helpful thing that you can do for yourself, I think, when when it comes to your sex life.Lesley Logan 0:19 Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started. Lesley Logan 1:02 Hey, Be It babe, okay, this might be the first guest that is coming on for a third appearance. I think she won. I could be wrong, but I think she won. Dr. Celeste Holbrook is back. She's back. We're gonna talk about a couple of things. We're gonna talk about sex, we're (inaudible) we're gonna talk about her book. We're gonna talk about the journey that one goes on to get their work out into this world. And so even if you are like, I don't want to talk about the sex part, like, well, we should talk about the sex part. That's actually what we should do. But I want you to hear this, because I think it's so easy to hear people on a podcast go, oh, it's so easy for them because they got on a podcast, like, it's so easy, and you don't hear all the doors that get shut all the time. And I also am excited for you to hear like there are people in this world who just want to help each other out, and I think we need evidence of that. And I'm super, super excited that I get to be a cheerleader for amazing humans in this world like that. When I think about my, like, genius zone or something like that. Like, sometimes I think it's that I just get to cheer on people who are doing hard things and go, I see you, and you're doing great. And I can't wait. I can't wait. So guys, I'm gonna stop this, because we're gonna get right into we get right into it. And if you have this is the first time you're hearing about Dr. Celeste Holbrook, I really encourage you to go back to the first two episodes we did together. Go do the oldest one, then the second one, because I think you'll get a full picture of everything. We talked about a lot of good stuff. So she's gonna change your life. All right, here she is. Lesley Logan 2:31 All right, all right. So you guys, we're just gonna get right into this episode. Dr. Celeste Holbrook is back. You guys, third time won't be the last time. I somehow have to have her on annually. I think, Celeste, can you tell everyone why you're back. Let's just get in. Let's just start there. Celeste Holbrook 2:46 Okay, so I'm so excited, I can't even, like, contain myself. So I'm back because I have a book out, and I have a book really, truly because of Lesley Logan, because I have tried to publish this book for so long with traditional publishing, and I just got closed door after closed door after closed door for a lot of different reasons, which maybe we do and don't go into, I don't know, but Lesley reached out to me and was like, Celeste, I have this company. They do professional publishing. They're really great, and I just latched onto it, and I did every single thing that they suggested, and it was such a beautiful experience. So the whole point of this is I have a book, and I have a book because of you, and I want to aggressively love you today for encouraging me to do this.Lesley Logan 3:38 I am taking all that love also like this podcast, is why you have it, because I met that guy, because I interviewed him. And I have to, like, I'm not even I'll have to go back to the archives to figure out how I got this person, but I interviewed him, and I'm like, I really like this person. Like, I think he's great. Like, I've written a book, and I would have loved his help. Then, because I met him and had him on the pod, we had three of our clients use him, so I got to see from different perspectives how it was so when, and here's the thing, you were always on my feed, like, the algorithm would always, like, send you, and I like, just love all your stuff. And then it, like, kind of stopped, because I don't know that's how the algorithm works. And I happened to look at your stories, it was your stories, I'm pretty sure, and you were sharing this thing. And I'm not normally someone who's like, let me go in on the six minutes of a story. But I was like, I'm procrastinating. I'm in and so I was like, wow, what perfect timing this was, because I could have easily missed that whole section. And so I just want to, I'm just so grateful for divine like, I think that, like, there's divine appointments and divine interventions in a non-church way, guys, but we're meant to be in each other's lives and this book. Okay, so I guess, in case people don't know who you are, maybe we should do a quick like, who are you? Because we have new listeners, right? Hi, new listeners. You're going to want to go back to the other two. We're going to link them in the show notes. But can you tell everyone who you are and what you rock at? Celeste Holbrook 4:57 Yes, absolutely. So my name is Dr. Celeste Holbrook, I am a sex educator, and I have a PhD in health behaviors with a postgraduate emphasis in sexual behaviors. So I help people, a lot of women and lots of couples, figure out how to make sex better, whether that is they are experiencing pain or they're experiencing shame from growing up in like, ultra religious household, or they just need, like, some help through menopause or through after having a baby or things like that. So I am your very practical sexual health help. That's what I do. Lesley Logan 5:38 I love it the practical because, you know, like, I will say, having lived in L.A. and going to different sex shops, you don't look like the person who works the sex shop. Celeste Holbrook 5:48 No, no. Lesley Logan 5:50 Not to like, like to stereotype. But there's a, there would be a type that, like, works at the sex shop, and it's not you.Celeste Holbrook 5:56 Yeah, no, it's not me. And I just want to be super accessible, because not everybody wants to, like, swing from the chandeliers all the time. You know, a lot of people are out there just struggling to find the time to connect. Like, I cannot tell you how many times I have had a conversation about what to do with the dog in your bedroom when you want to have sex so the dog's not looking over at you or jumping on the bed, or, like, these are the practical applications that we are talking about in sex education in my consult sessions.Lesley Logan 6:27 Yeah, well, and because, because I think everyone's just so overwhelmed, like I saw something, and someone's stories, and they're like, went to their friend, their niece's like, soccer game, and she's like, looking around just like, no wonder no one's having sex. Like everybody is at the soccer game and they're exhausted, and then get the soccer game they're fighting about to do or you forgot the thing. Like, no, no answer. But nobody wants to have sex after this. Celeste Holbrook 6:53 No, no. Why would you want to have sex after that? Exactly right. That's exactly right, yep. Lesley Logan 6:59 So, so I want to touch on, like, there's a lot of different chapters, and maybe this is something that your book covers, but like, there's, you know, I think when we're younger and like, it feels like it's easier to do things, maybe, and then you get older, and like, there's more responsibilities and there's more stuff to think about. And like, it becomes something that goes away, and then your hormones change. So, in your book, do you cover, like, the journeys that were all going on, or is it more specifically for people from the purity culture, like, what? What were you excited to write about?Celeste Holbrook 7:30 Sure. So the book is called, I have the manuscript and printed out right here. It's called Missionary Position: A Slightly Irreverent Guide to Sex After Purity Culture. So I do take the approach of, like you growing up in a purity culture background, in, like, a high demand religion background, evangelical culture, things like that. But the book is in four parts. So like a four-part guide to basically healing, and you can apply these steps to any issue you are having in sex. So, yes, I do talk quite a bit about the effects of purity culture and how to overcome those effects. But it can, you can apply it to, you know, the trauma you had from a sexual assault. You can apply it to just the doldrums of being married to the same old penis for like, 20 years or whatever, you know, like you can apply these steps to anybody. So basically, there's four steps, and I have made them into archetypal women. So your first step is your analyst. She's like, the nerd she's looking at, like, okay, what are we carrying around? What does your backpack look like that you're carrying around? Is it full of shame? Is it full of neglect? Is it full of fear? Like she's the analyst. Your second archetypal woman is your assassin. She's she is taking what the analyst has found, and she is just like, slicing through it, right? She's your assassin. She's your inner assasin. She's your deconstruction, basically. Your third archetypal woman is your healer. So after you've done the work of understanding what's in your backpack, slicing out what needs to go, then your healer starts helping you regenerate your ideas about sex through a gentle reeducation. So we're relearning about some things that maybe we have always thought one way about. Maybe we're relearning about the idea of virginity. We're relearning the I about masturbation. We're relearning about what great sex is, right? The healer is our gentle reeducation, and then our fourth archetypal women woman is our explorer, and she's like, gonna try some new things. She's gonna go to the sex toy store, she's going to touch herself in a new way, and maybe, if that's too much, maybe she's gonna try sex with the lights on, right. And so these are the four women. They represent four steps, and within each step there are some really practical things that you can do to help move you to the next step. So you can apply this to any issue you're having in sex, and get to the other side where you're trying, you're you're now exploring, you're trying new things.Lesley Logan 10:12 I that's a way. I mean, well, like an archetype. I like that. And I've, you've been on my mind a lot lately, because society is quite interesting right now, like the trad wife situation. I'm like, that looks really beautiful. Like, I would love, like, I have white countertops. I'd love them to clean all the time. I'm certainly not capable of doing it. But I'm like, I don't know that. I think they're doing a really good job marketing a beautiful esthetic without realizing, like, all the stuff that comes with that, you know, like, all the religious stuff that comes with that, and how that can harm how we feel about our bodies. And I, I like, was raised in purity culture, and I didn't think it affected me. I'm like, I'm good. But actually, no, actually, I remember, like, I remember, oh, it does, because you're like, you think that you're like, oh, I'm on that. I'm that doesn't affect that like you, you start to realize, even if you weren't raised in church, just the way that public school systems have appropriated some of the modesty rules, like what you're told, what you can wear to school and and how thick this the tank top strap can be, and you can't be disruptive, even though the boys' pants are halfway down their legs, and I'm looking at underwear all the time. You know, I think that even for people who weren't raised where they're told, like, your father has you until you're given away to someone else, there is some level where all of us were affected by like, don't be a distraction. Don't, make sure you don't wear that so you don't look like a certain like you're not attracting bad people, you know, that kind of a thing.Celeste Holbrook 11:44 Yeah, I totally agree, Lesley. I think that there's very few people in the United States that have a great, comprehensive, inclusive sex education. I think very few of us. I think this is changing, and hopefully with, you know, recycle breaking next and next generations, but American society in general wants to put sex on either end of a spectrum. We want to either like, don't think about it. Don't talk about it. This is not for you until you are reaching a certain age or marriage or whatever, and then on the other side is like, why aren't you liberated enough to have all to do all these things you know, like, so there's these two, like, ends of the spectrum, and all of us really live in the middle. Yeah, none of us is really on either side at all, but we but it like breaks America's brain to try and think about, like, living outside of one of those two spectrums. So I talk about in the book about the non, about the non-binary. We are not binary people. As far as what we want to do in our sex life, and figuring out, how do you live in the middle area, which we often call gray, but I call glitter. Yes, it's the most fabulous place to live is in the middle, in this glittery middle, where you get to define your own sex ethic based on your value system, on your intuition, on your sex education, and you get to decide what works best for you. And maybe that is boundaries around when you have sex awesome, as long as it's your choice that's amazing. And maybe that is opening your relationship up and trying swinging or whatever it is that's awesome as long as it's your decision and not one manipulated by society or cultural values or religious values.Lesley Logan 13:27 Yeah, I think that's, I think I like to think about that even this thing, it's, you're right, it's America, it's people like, I'm in Pilates industry. And I said something the other day where I was like, well, you can say that, but it doesn't like, there's also the idea that we could prepare people for an exercise, right? And this person, like, went off on me, and I was like, so you need to understand that what you're mad about me is what you're doing here. Second, Pilates is not black or white. It's not this or that. It's a lot of gray. It's a lot of glitter, like glitter. It's like, because our bodies are different and where we are in our practice, where we are in our life, maybe what season we're in, maybe you're in a season of young children, it's going to be very different what you're wanting and ready for, and have the capacity to take on versus they're teenagers and out of the house and really don't care where you are versus you don't have kids at all. Like, there's all these different seasons. And I think we are like, oh, this is how I've always liked it, so this is how I have to keep liking it. Celeste Holbrook 14:25 Yes, yes, that's so wise, Lesley, that's so wise. I think there are a lot of and we talked about this in our last on our last podcast together, a lot of the similarities between what happens in sex and what happens in like a Pilates, a workout space or Pilates space, as far as how we view our bodies and what we feel is like, right, or what we feel is appropriate, I guess, for our bodies like I should be wanting this, because that's what I did when I was 27 or I should be looking like this, because that's what I looked like when I was whatever, 30 or whatever. And I think there's lots of room to allow ourselves compassion to grow as we grow in our sex life, in our workouts and whatever, expecting your sex life to look the same when you are 20 and 30 and 50 and 70 is not helpful for you, and so allowing it to mature as you mature is the most helpful thing that you can do for yourself, I think, when, when it comes to your sex life. Lesley Logan 15:28 Yeah, we'll keep talking about this, it'll come up. But I do, I do want to go back to like, the journey of this book, because this book has been in you for a really long time. And I think whether or not people want to write a book, you can insert goal, whatever your goal is, because you we will all in trying to get something out into the world or get something that we desire done, hit roadblocks. So you hit some roadblocks. Can we talk about, how many years of roadblocks? Can we talk about what you like, what kind of roadblocks you were hitting and, like, how did you keep going? Because quite honestly, I'm surprised you even told the story, you know what I mean, like, I'm surprised you didn't go, okay, well, that's that, the door, the door has been slammed shut.Celeste Holbrook 16:12 Yeah, yeah. And I really appreciate you asking this, because I know sex is really fun to talk about, but this is, like, my personal, like, lifelong dream is to have a book, and it feels really, I feel really seen when you ask about the process of it, and when I think about the be it, you know, be it till you see it, bold, executable. I think I'm getting this right, intrinsic, targeted, so I think about my word for this year was bold. So that was like, my like, I gotta be more bold. I want to say what I want to say. I don't want to be making myself smaller anymore. So the story behind the book, I have always thought about writing a book. I myself am a slow reader. I don't read very fast, and I for a long, long time I thought I was dumb because I don't read very fast, which is silly when I think about it now, but all growing up, I was slower than all of my friends reading. It was frustrating to read. And I've just, I like, I was still a good student. I still did all of the things that I needed to do, but I just, I just took time. I just took more time to write, to read all of those things, and I think in part, that's what made me get a PhD, because I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn't dumb. Turns out, I'm not dumb. I just am. I need to go at my own pace. And so one of the things that you talk about a lot on the podcast is like, how do you prioritize yourself? I prioritize myself by allowing myself to go at my own pace, like I can read as slow as I need to read, I can answer emails as slow as I need to answer emails. It's frustrating to me and other people, but at the end of the day, like it, it's honestly who I am. I'm just considerate and slow and thoughtful, and I've learned to like that about myself instead of hate that about myself. So the idea of writing a book was really, like tantalizing to me, but I had a lot of insecurities about my ability to actually do it. I'd written a dissertation, which is I, in my opinion, harder because it's boring. Lesley Logan 18:19 Yeah, yeah, no, that's one of the reasons why I, like, stopped going to school. I was like, I can't write another boring paper.Celeste Holbrook 18:25 Oh, my God. Like, who's reading? Like, my mom didn't even read it. She's like, oh, congratulations. It's like, collecting dust, right? So I had done that, and so I thought, like, well, if I'd written a dissertation, it just take you just take a chunk at a time. I can surely write a book. So in 2000 and let's see 2016, Nate and I was like, Nate, I really want to write a book. I'm going to go to a writer's conference. So he's like, great, let's go. I was like, found one in Hawaii. He's like, even better, let's go.Lesley Logan 18:55 I love, I love when a goal and a tax write off can be in a place you want to go. Celeste Holbrook 19:01 That's right, that's exactly right. We ended up getting a tent. There's like, these glamping tents on Maui that you can get, and it's just, like, really fun. It's like, on the beach, but you still have, like, sort of a bathroom, you know. But so we're, like, we needed to do it on cheap, because we were kind of broke, like, got these glamping tents, and I went to these writers conference during the day, and Nate did whatever during the day was at this writing conference, and it was through Hay House, and there was a contest. So if you went to the writers conference and you wrote a proposal, you could enter it in, and they were going to pick three writers to to give a book deal to, I would, and this is me being so sure of myself. Like, yes, I've spent a lot of time feeling insecure that about my reading and writing. But for the most part, my whole life, I have been, like, with no good reason, confident. Like, I'm just like, I don't know, confident.Lesley Logan 19:53 Yeah. I mean, that's cool. That's a great that's so many people don't inherently have that. I. And like to kind of have that and then use it is a wonderful, it's a wonderful thing. Celeste Holbrook 20:06 Yeah, I just, I just was like, no, I'm gonna get this, you know, I'm gonna write this proposal. People are gonna love it. I'm gonna get this competition. Anyway, long story short, did not win any (inaudible). Lesley Logan 20:16 Oh, I thought this was going towards you won. Oh, my God, she won. It. (inaudible) second look. I automatically just assumed you're gonna slay. So I'm just like, she won.Celeste Holbrook 20:32 This is about closed doors, Lesley. Lesley Logan 20:34 Okay, that's true. That's true. Celeste Holbrook 20:36 Yes. So I did not win. I was for sure I was gonna win, did not win, not even, like, a hello, right? So I was like, oh, maybe I need to work a little harder. So I had this whole proposal. My book was like, looking back, I'm like, I'm so glad that I didn't win. My book was called Sexual Wealth. Lesley Logan 20:54 Oh, yeah, that's that's not you.Celeste Holbrook 20:57 It's not me. I was like, it was like, sex through finance, bro language or something. And I was just like, this is a terrible idea, but the spark was there, like, I really wanted to write a book. So that was 2016 I kind of held onto it, thought about it, kind of put it in a drawer for a while. In 2019 I got on a fairly large podcast with Jen Hatmaker, so she's an author, and she does a lot of work in, like the ex-evangelical space, or had started down that road. So I got on this podcast through just like pitching. I got on this podcast. It's pretty big, big podcast. And not long after that, a person from HarperCollins, like a division of Harper Collins, reached out to me and said, hey, have you ever considered writing a book? So the publisher reached out to me, which is very unusual. Lesley Logan 21:47 That is cool, though. Yes. Celeste Holbrook 21:49 Yeah, yeah, very unusual. Usually, you are pitching to publishers. So they heard me on the podcast, and they were like, hey, you know, we're interested in you submitting a proposal. I'm like, I'm freaking out. Like, this is so exciting, right? I realize I probably need representation, so I get a literary agent. I kind of shop around and get a literary agent. She's amazing, Rochelle, and I end up pitching my proposal. I worked it out, you know, I update it from sexual wealth to something else. I update it, I pitch it, and they're pretty slow. The publishing industry is so slow, you know this, you know this, so slow. Lesley Logan 22:24 I have watched too many of my friends write books. I'm so great. I'm proud of all of them. But also the ones that have gone traditional publishing, it is slow, like molasses moves faster, you guys. That's, you know, like, just don't bet on don't hold your breath.Celeste Holbrook 22:40 Oh my gosh, it's the slowest process of all time. And so I was like, okay, I, you know, they reached out to me. So I'm here in my very confident space, like, oh no, they're gonna laugh. Yeah, they're gonna choose. They reached out to me. Why wouldn't they choose me? At this point, I have like, 1500 followers. I have, like, I have no platform, right? I still have a very small platform, but a bunch of really engaged, lovely humans. So I'm, I'm fairly sure they're going to choose me. Eventually, months and months and months later, they get back to me and they're like, yes, we want it is literally like, I don't know, six months later, they're like, we want to offer you a contract, and we want to go under contract, just small. It's a $20,000 contract. They're gonna pay me 10,000 upfront, and then 10,000 the book publishes. I was like, great, I have to pay out my agent too. So I'm I'm coming home with like, $8,500. I was like, oh my gosh, this is amazing. Just to get one dime to like (inaudible).Lesley Logan 23:36 I mean that you got anything, because it's not, it's not always normal that even a first time writer gets anything until the book sells. So, yeah.Celeste Holbrook 23:44 Yes. So I was thrilled. I was thrilled. So I started writing my little heart out. They don't actually give me anything, a contract or anything, until my my my first draft is due. So I turned in my first draft and then they signed me. So I write the whole book without a contract. So submit the first draft. This is like March of 2020, so keep that in, put to context. Things that are. Lesley Logan 24:08 Things are things are going on. Celeste Holbrook 24:10 Things are going on. What's happening? So I get my first round of edits back. I'm still super excited. And then in July, my agent calls me, and she's like, I hate to have this conversation with you, but your book has been orphaned. Your editor left the company, and nobody else wants to pick it up. Lesley Logan 24:32 No, no. Celeste Holbrook 24:35 Yeah. So this is like, in the big scheme of things, like, it was the way it needed to work out, because they were already giving me feedback. It was the (inaudible) the imprint. And I'm not trying to slander any publishing industry, but this is just what happened to me, right? I was getting feedback of, like, oh, I don't know if you should, like, go that hard. Or I don't know if you should. You might alienate readers. If you talk about religion in this way, or, you know, this is you're gonna lose your Catholic audience. I'm like, I'm not trying to make the Catholics happy. I'm sorry. Lesley Logan 25:12 Yeah, yeah, yeah. When I interviewed, I don't know if it was in my interview, but when I was talking with Daniella Mestyanek Young who wrote Uncultured, she was only allowed to talk about three sexual like, misconduct, things that happened to her, and not even the worst ones. They actually, like, got rid, yes, yeah, they were like, and you can only talk like they she had to. And she's been very vocal about it. She's like, because she was talking about God and all these things and like, like, yeah, you can't really talk about that. And then she was like, you know, saying that she got raped in military. And they're like, so we don't like, maybe we just do only one of those, like, very and so, and she was with a publisher, and she got published, but she it's a watered down version of her story, because apparently readers wouldn't be able to handle the true thing. And it's like, you know, like, we're, how are we supposed to change the world? We don't know what's going on. So anyways, yeah. Celeste Holbrook 26:02 Yeah, I and I heard, I heard that kind of from different places, like, oh yeah. I had to, like, say this instead of that or whatever. And I'm like, yeah, that's a little bit happening to me. And I had written it with the understanding, like, this is for a still Christian audience. I understood this, it was with a Christian publisher. So I'm like, that's fine. Like, as a sex educator, you have to be able to be fluid enough to write to the audience that's in front of you. Like, when I go speak, sometimes I'm in front of really conservative audiences, and I adapt my language. That's fine. Like, that's okay to do. I'm still, I still feel helpful. I still feel like I'm pushing the envelope, but in a way that feels the most accessible for the audience in front of me. So I'm okay adjusting, but also like I didn't, I didn't want to water it down so much that I felt like it wasn't me. Lesley Logan 26:51 Yeah, yeah, yeah. Celeste Holbrook 26:53 So anyway, lost my contract in July 1st of 2020, which was and that whole thing, the whole next two years was really difficult. My husband is an emergency medicine physician and it was just a real hard time in the family, family. Lesley Logan 27:09 Yeah, no, lots, lots going on, lots of stress, lots of worry, lots. Yeah, you're afraid, yeah, you know. So like, you know. So we live where we live, and not everyone believe we're going through certain things. So that's even more stressful. Yeah. Oh, my God, that's a lot. The book, the book hit a wall.Celeste Holbrook 27:26 It hit it hit a wall, and probably had to find time. But I was, I was really, just really sad. Rochelle, my agent, was like, okay, we're just gonna, like, pick it back up. We have this proposal, we have a book written. It's, it'll be easier for another publisher to pick us up. And so we start, like, pitching to these other publishing companies. She has all these connections, you know, she's pitching, pitching, pitching, nothing's landing. I'm getting good feedback back. Like, you know, your platform's too small. That's fair. I started trying to grow it. You know, that's when Instagram was a little easier to grow. Now it's super hard to grow. But started growing it. I went from 1500 to 20,000 you know. Lesley Logan 28:04 That's a big deal, because other 20,000 like, those are not bought, you know, like, yeah.Celeste Holbrook 28:09 No, yeah. And I'm a hard follow. I get that. I have, like, you know, dildos in my videos. Like, I get that I'm not an easy follow. It's not and I'm, you know, Shadow banned all the time, and I get all these notifications that my stuff is not being shown to new audiences. I get that. I get that I'm a hard follow, but that's what publishers want. They want you to have a ready-to-buy platform, which I get. They're trying to make money. But I got a lot of that feedback. I got a lot of, ooh, this is a little it's a little too much for us as a Christian publisher. Like, okay, I get that. And then it was kind of like this line for non, non-Christian publishers, like, we don't really, we don't really talk about religion that much, and then we're not really talking about sex that much.Lesley Logan 29:00 Right? So you're like, too much of the different things for the different people, that's really rough, because it's like, we'll never be everything for anyone, but to not feel like you fit somewhere when you have something to say, that's hard.Celeste Holbrook 29:13 Yeah, yeah, it is really hard. And I think it's what people needed. It's because it's, again, it's the glitter, it's the middle. Like, yeah, I don't fit into either of these spaces. I'm kind of like exploring the middle, right? So that was the feedback I was getting. And finally, we did that for five years, from 2020 to 2025 October of 2025 Rochelle had a call with me, and she's like, honey, I have nowhere else to go. I'm sorry. This has to be the end of it. Bless her. She she did the best that she had, and I am forever grateful for her. But that was it, and that was that's where we're caught up to, where you saw my story, and I was like, just sharing with my audience like I had an unhappy ending, and I'm gonna sit in my sadness right now and just tell you, like life isn't always hunky dory for a sex educator, for anybody, for you for me, and this is where I am right now, and I'm pissed and I'm sad, and the end, right? And then sweet Lesley shows up in my DMs, and she's like, babe, I have this great idea for you. I'm like, okay, so she you send me this information for this company I have a call with, I think Jake who you interviewed. Lesley Logan 30:19 Yeah, Jake Kelfer. Yep, yep, yep. Celeste Holbrook 30:21 I have a call with Jake, and let me tell you, working with them has been and I'm not getting paid for any of this right to for BIB, but working with them has been so healing, so much agency in the process. I got to say exactly what I wanted to say. I got to go at the pace that I wanted to go, like, it was just incredible. Lesley Logan 30:44 So is this book, like a new book? It's not what you're pitching around. It's the glitter you really wanted to write. Celeste Holbrook 30:51 It's the glitter I really wanted to write. Totally different. Yeah.Lesley Logan 30:54 Yes, oh, I love that. And also, like, so, first of all, you guys, did you hear five years? Five years and now we're going on, you know, like, so, yeah, five years and then now big. But here's the other thing, like going through all of those things, you got feedback and made tweaks and did these things. So then when you're writing the book that we're gonna all get to read, I can't even wait to read it. It's the best version of a book that could ever be, because it's really not your first book you've written so manyCeleste Holbrook 31:24 You're so right. And over the course of the years, I changed, as we should. I hope I look back in five years and go like, yeah, I'm a different, new person from who wrote this book. But I was different, and I was more comfortable, like, straight up saying I'm not a Christian anymore. You know, I was more comfortable saying, like, is this a religious book? Yes, because we talk about religion. Do I identify as Christian? No, because of these reasons. Do I think we could learn some stuff from the Bible? Sure. Do I think we're going to talk about the Bible? Yes. I think we have to, because we're talking about purity culture. But I don't, you know, certainly not in 2020 was I willing to be like, yeah, I'm not a Christian, but so much stuff happened between 2020 and 2025, that just took me right on out.Lesley Logan 32:10 Yeah, yeah, no, I hear you on that. I and, you know, like, I have a brother in seminary school, so it's very interesting around here. And I had just said, you know, if, if, the if, all the Christians in the world actually did what Jesus said, like, we would have solved child child poverty and immigration and health care. And, you know, I've had a family member respond, well, if everyone just came to know, and I'm like, no, no, no, that's actually not what the Bible says. Here's the problem, I've read it so like I where I am in my life, which five years ago I was definitely not. Is just like I'm frustrated that a book, any book, has controlled people in such a way that's affecting even their sex lives, but also just lives, the lives of people who didn't even read the book. And so that's where, like, I get upset we don't have to have religious talk on this podcast. But that's that's just where, like, I'm coming from as a person with it. I'm, like, I have a really hard time with it, because it's not a loving world, and it with all the people who say they are, you know, believers. It should be. It should be a very loving world. So, so I think it's really I love. Thank you for sharing the story. This is great.Celeste Holbrook 33:30 Yeah, I totally. I just want to affirm what you're saying. Because I think the the main bottom line for me was it has harmed more than it has helped. Has it helped? Absolutely, there's some really beautiful ways in which Christianity has helped, but has it harmed more than it has helped? I absolutely believe, yes. And so for me, that was the final straw. Do I think Jesus was cool? Yeah. I think He was a radical non-white dude who did really amazing things that we can learn from, right? I believe he saved me from my sins. Not really, but, yeah, that's where I landed. And I was able to say this in in this book, which I would never have been able to do before. Lesley Logan 34:09 Well, also, thank you for sharing it with us, because I also just someone like to see it's a really interesting thing to say, like my husband and I, like go like to say out loud, it's very I don't want to speak for him, because, like, maybe it was a different but, like, it's really hard to say out loud when you're like, I don't believe anymore, and you're like, you know?Celeste Holbrook 34:29 Right, it feels really weird. Lesley Logan 34:31 Yeah, it does. But because it's such an identity that you're raised with, and I think going back to, like, that purity culture that your book is about, and by the way, everyone, like, I just want to say, like, even if you haven't been in that, it's, I think that reading about those things really helps me. It makes it helps make the world make sense to me. Like, I read Tia Levings book, A Well-Trained Wife, and I was like, oh, I get it now. I get why they're acting like this. I get why they're thinking this. Because, like, otherwise, you're like looking at people like they're aliens, and you're like, I don't understand. So I also think it can be really impactful to read just to understand, what are people thinking? What are they going through? Why is it harder for some people to have great sex, or want to have great sex, or feel comfortable having great sex, than for other people? Celeste Holbrook 35:18 Yeah, I totally agree with you. It's so fun, interesting. Most of couples that I talk to, most of them are straight couples, heterosexual couples, and a lot of times, the woman in the partnership will, you know, talk about sex in one way, and the man in the partnership will talk about sex in a different way. And just like, I just don't get it. If it feels good, why wouldn't you want to do it? And so when we kind of like, deconstruct and explain, like, well, she's been taught that sex is dangerous her whole life, and so her nervous system feels on alert, even when there are good things in the future to come with that sexual experience. So to have to overcome this idea of fear and danger in your nervous system, just to get to the beginning of arousal is a whole different ball game than you who starts at arousal, and because it feels very regulating, like, I lean into arousal because it feels regulating as a straight man who's raised in America, and so like, just being able to, like, if you're a dude who picks up this book, It might help you understand the women in your life a little bit better, even if they didn't grow up in purity culture. Most of us grew up with the idea that sex is going to harm us. Lesley Logan 36:28 Yeah, yes. Well, I mean, like, yeah, it's like, even if you weren't raised that way, you also, as a woman, were raised like, be fearful of any bad any man who's coming near you, walking up next to you, like, all these different things. And so it is very difficult to just like, let that go. It's not like, it's like, oh, it's Halloween. I can get Todd Kenny from a stranger now, like, this doesn't work like that. You know, like especially because it's like, your whole life these just little things that are being told. I think that's great for men to read. I think that's such a that's a, what a wonderful way to think about it, who this book could be helpful for? I want to take a brief detour, because you said something on your Instagram a bit ago that truly, like, blew my mind and also made so much sense, right? You said, if you're faking an orgasm, you're fawning, right? It's a fawn response. So can we talk about what a fawn response is? And that a little bit, because I think too many women do that. I only say that because I have friends who talk about it and I'm like, I mean, I just wouldn't just would be like, it's not working today, sir.Celeste Holbrook 37:38 Yes, yeah. I mean, I've done it when I was experiencing really painful sex when I first got married, because of vaginismus, because of purity culture, like I did anything to try and get out of the situation, right? So, so a fawn response is something that we do in response to something traumatic. When something traumatic happens, we go into fight, flight, freeze or on. So fawn is I'm pleasing you know this, this circumstance or person in my life, so there are no negative consequences, all right. So when we fake orgasms, and a lot of women have a lot of guilt around doing this, and this is why I posted that, because I want you to feel not guilty about this. I don't want you to do it forever, but I want you to understand why you're doing this. We fawn response an orgasm when we feel overwhelming pressure to have an orgasm when we feel overwhelming pressure to have an orgasm, it's coming from a fragile man who cannot handle or has put too much value on your ability to come as a validation for his ability to be great, right? I put too much pressure on your ability to be to come is a validation of my ability to be good or great. So part of the work has to become men saying like my validation is not wrapped up in her ability to come, without saying, I still can't give her pleasure. It's kind of, it's, it's, it's nuanced, but I really want women to understand when you're fawning, when you're faking an orgasm, you are essentially doing harm reduction. I don't want the negative consequences of his fragility, so I will fake it so I don't have to deal with that. That is easier for me. That is harm reduction.Lesley Logan 39:47 Right, right, right. And one would hope that a conversation or few could be had, like, here's what's going on and here's how I don't want you to feel and here like, yeah, that's probably where you come in. Celeste Holbrook 40:01 Yes, yeah. It's a really delicate situation. I do have lots of times people come in and the female, the woman in the partnership, will be like, hey, you know, this is what's going on, and this is why I want us together to come but to sessions, but like, I don't know how to tell him, like, it's been years and I've been faking it for years, right? Okay, no problem. We don't have to. I don't believe full transparency is always kind. I believe in honesty. I don't necessarily believe in full transparency. Like, you can, you can be really unkind with full transparency, but you can still be honest. Like, hey, I really want to experience a little bit more sensation when we have sex. Can we work on some new techniques? Can I show you how I masturbate? Can we make it slower so I can feel something different? I really want to make my orgasm stronger, right? So we can be clear with what we want going forward without being like, you know what? I faked it for the last 12 years, right? Because that's on you for not for not saying something as well. Lesley Logan 41:08 Yeah? Because that doesn't like, it can only be, it's not anyone's fault. But also, like, they can't change if they don't know, yeah. Oh, you're so brilliant. You're so amazing. Wait, when is the book coming out? When do I get to read it? When can I preorder, like.Celeste Holbrook 41:23 You are so cute. So it'll by the time this drops, it'll already be out, and we'll send links to to upload it, but it comes out on June 10th and so it's right around the corner. Lesley Logan 41:32 Okay, well, I'm gonna pre I'm gonna pre order. I gotta or I'll order on June 10th. So we can make you a number one, Bestselling Author. We get whatever we get to do, so I can write my authenticated review. After buying it, all the things I can't wait. I'll take it with me on tour.Celeste Holbrook 41:49 Thank you. I'm so like, I just like, I'm cheesing so hard because I'm so excited about it. I reread it again this morning, just like as a skim to look at all the layout on the pages. And I'm just so proud of it. I'm so proud of it, like it finally is here.Lesley Logan 42:07 I have so many chills. I'm gonna cry. Okay, we're gonna take a brief break. We're gonna find out how people can find you, follow you and work with you. Celeste Holbrook 42:14 Okay. Lesley Logan 42:15 All right, Dr. Celeste Holbrook, where do you hang out? You said Instagram. Is there anywhere else? What links? What input handles? Where can they go to buy the book is it on your website, all the things.Celeste Holbrook 42:25 Yes, the book is on the website, but you can buy it the most easily on Amazon. If you do, please leave a review that would be really helpful. And you can go to my website to get into Pleasure Club. That's my monthly subscription where we have a sex ed session every month and a book club session every month we flip between fiction and nonfiction books, which is really, really fun. Lesley Logan 42:44 Oh, fun. I know Brad and I got into the, of course, like everybody in the world, we got into the the dragon situation, yeah. Okay, every. Celeste Holbrook 42:52 Fourth wing? Lesley Logan 42:53 Yeah, yes. Fourth wing, the second one, the third one. You guys, we actually reread the first and second one to listen to the third one, we're going to go back through all three. Highly recommend it with your, with your partner. I think it's a great she writes good sex stories. They don't it's not super cheesy. So I really like them. Celeste Holbrook 43:13 I love that. I think this revolution. I mean, people have been reading Roman ensembles forever, but I think it's really healing. I actually wrote about this in my newsletter this week. Reading sex scenes through a female lens is really, really healing and really helpful, because it it gives you the confidence to be like, oh, I can ask for that, or I can wait for that, or I can ask to slow down or speed up, or whatever, and I can expect somebody to listen and garner consent and all of those things. So reading sex scenes through the female lens or listening to them, I think, is very, very helpful. Celeste Holbrook 43:46 Yeah, yeah. Anyways, I got distracted from your book club. So what's your website again? What's your handle? Celeste Holbrook 43:53 So you can find me at Dr. Celeste Holbrook on Instagram, on and on YouTube, and my web, my website. drcelesteholbrook.com. I just had like a whole mind blowing, like I was thinking about sex scenes written through the female Iens and I couldn't I couldn't go back. Yeah.? So, drcelesteholdbrook is where you can find me almost anywhere. Dr Celeste Holbrook. Lesley Logan 44:14 Perfect, yeah. Sorry, I have an ADHD brain. Lesley Logan 44:16 I love it. I love it. Lesley Logan 44:18 Bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted steps people can take to be it till they see it. What do you have for us this time? Celeste Holbrook 44:23 Oh, well, something we talked about already earlier. But the way that I am best executable is actually just to go at my own pace, even though it's slow.Lesley Logan 44:32 Yeah. Oh, I love that. I really do love that. And I also, you mentioned, like, the prioritizing of self. That's one of the ways you did it. I wanted to acknowledge like when you sat in your car and you shared that something had come to an end, that is also a way of prioritizing yourself, because you're feeling your feelings, and you're also letting people know that you're feeling these feelings, like we don't have to, like pretend around people, so just thank you for being you, and always for, you are always in the word gets misused, but you are so authentic and so authentic and just, I really feel like I've it's been so fun over the past five years to watch you grow with what you're doing and how you're educating people and how you're supporting people. And so I'm just so grateful to be on your journey. I can't wait to read your book. I'm so stoked for you. This is the coolest thing. And and you guys, how are you gonna use these tips in your life? Please tag Dr. Celeste Holbrook, send this to a friend. Here is the deal, not all friendships talk about sex, so one of the things you can do is just send the podcast or the book. You don't have to have the if you're not there yet, that's okay. But I think like, the more, the more women hear about all these different things that could be glitter, the more life we're living and the more fun we're having, the more we feel seen. So just thank you so much for being you, Dr. Celeste Holbrook.Celeste Holbrook 45:53 Lesley, you are the reason this book exists. I cannot thank you enough. Thank you so much for having me in your life and on your podcast. And someday, someday we will hug each other in real life.Lesley Logan 46:03 Yeah, yeah, yeah. We will. It'll happen. I think this winter tour, I feel it in me. All right, you guys, you know what to do. Until next time, Be It Till You See It. Lesley Logan 46:12 That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 46:54 It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 46:59 It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 47:03 Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 47:11 Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 47:14 Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Friends of the Rosary,The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, whose memorial is celebrated on September 15.Another important feast on September 14 is the Triumph of the Holy Cross, the instrument of our salvation.September is a month that falls during the liturgical season of ordinary time (formerly Time After Pentecost), which is represented by the liturgical color green, the symbol of hope.The main liturgical feasts are:St. Gregory the Great (September 3)Nativity of Mary (September 8),St. Peter Claver (September 9),Holy Name of Mary (September 12),St. John Chrysostom (September 13),Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14),Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15),Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian (September 16),St. Robert Bellarmine and Hildegard of Bingen(September 17)St. Januarius (September 19),St. Andrew Kim and Companions (September 20),St. Pio (September 23),Sts. Cosmas and Damian (September 26),St. Vincent de Paul (September 27),Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (September 29) andSt. Jerome (September 30).The commemorations of St. Matthew (September 21) and Sts. Wenceslaus and Lawrence Ruiz and Companions (September 28) fall on a Sunday and are superseded by the Sunday Liturgy.The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of September 2025 are for relationships with all of creation. Inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.In September, we follow the life of Christ and Mary through the Gospels, and focus on the teachings and parables of Jesus and what it means for us to be a follower of Christ.During Ordinary Time, we can focus more on the saints and imitate their holiness as followers of Christ.Finally, the months of August, September, October, and November are part of the harvest season, and as Christians, we recall God's constant protection over his people and give thanks for the year's harvest.Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• September 2, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
SIMPLER PODCAST WEBSITE - thefour56.org/simplersubscribe, follow & leave reviews plsHosts: Ryan Dalgliesh, Pierce Love and Micah Marianocheck out the Simpler podcast (@simplerpod) on the social platform of your choice if it's fb or instasee what's happening in our personal/disc golf/art lives @piercelove_ @micahmariano @converseandcanvasSIMPLER BIBLE - https://www.simplerbible.com/RYAN'S ART - https://converseandcanvas.comMICAH'S SITE - https://micahmariano.com/MICAH'S WOODWORKING - https://audaxwoodworks.com/EAGLE'S WINGS - https://facebook.com/eagleswingsdiscgolfTHE FOUR56 CHURCH - https://theFour56.org
Is it ok to enjoy music that is not blatantly spiritual? Are there types of music that Christians should avoid? There has been a lot of heated discussion in churches in the last generation concerning what should be used in church worship. Who's right?
In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan and Cameron dive deep into the complex and controversial legacy of Dr. James Dobson, following news of his recent passing. Best known for founding Focus on the Family, Dobson shaped evangelical family culture for decades through radio, books, and discipleship materials like Adventures in Odyssey and McGee and Me. But his legacy is far from one-dimensional. Nathan and Cameron unpack Dobson's theological influence, his disciplinary advice, and his increasingly political stance—from early cultural engagement to vocal support for Donald Trump. This nuanced conversation explores how Dobson became both a hero of Christian family values and a villain in the eyes of many exvangelicals. For Christians seeking serious theological reflection on how faith intersects with politics, parenting, and cultural engagement, this is a must-listen. Join Nathan and Cameron as they wrestle with Dobson's impact—both the good and the harmful—and what it means for the Church moving forward.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Today on Truth in Politics and Culture China holds a summit of over 20 nations to strengthen their drive to become the world's leading economic and military power. India's attendance raises eyebrows in the U.S., but can this alliance last? The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit declared most of President Trump's tariffs unconstitutional. Next stop, the U.S. Supreme Court. And, why are progressives mocking Christian prayers when Christians are literally under fire?
Preston Sprinkle joins Daniel for a conversation tackling Evangelical support for pro-Israel. They discuss Preston's journey out of dispensationalism, and tackle the reasons why so many Evangelicals are Zionist and pro-Israel.Preston is an international speaker and a New York Times bestselling author, who's written over a dozen books including his most recent book: Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire. Preston currently serves as the president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender, an organization that equips Christians to engage questions about faith, sexuality & gender with theological faithfulness and courageous love. And he's also the president of Theology in the Raw, which includes the popular “Theology in the Raw” podcast and the annual “Exiles in Babylon” conference.Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide for more on Instagram @AcrosstheDividePodcastAcross the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.
Go to https://piavpn.com/ImpactVideoMinistries to get 83% off Private Internet Access with 4 months free!Debate and arguments over political values don't have to divide the Church. In this video, we share 4 biblical steps to help Christians engage in politics with conviction, clarity, and compassion—without tearing each other apart. You'll learn how to prioritize your true citizenship in heaven, use politics as a bridge for the Gospel, pray for all leaders, and respect governing authorities even when it's difficult. Whether you're politically active or burnt out by division, this video will help you live out your faith in a way that honors Christ above all.
Can real friendship heal division in the Church? When I sit with John 17, I'm struck that He was praying for a unity that's visible, relational, and compelling—a unity that makes the world stop and notice that He was sent by the Father. That kind of unity shows up in real friendships, in shared service, in conversations where we seek truth together—not to win an argument, but to love each other well and grow together, even when we don't see eye to eye. It's messy, but it's also where the Lord does His best work. In this episode of EquipCast, I sit down with Max Chapman and Jeremiah Zimmerman from the More Mercy apostolate to talk about what this looks like in real life. Max shares how praying with John 17 sparked a deep desire in him to build bridges with Christians from other traditions. What started as simple conversations turned into friendships that not only challenged him but also strengthened his Catholic faith. You'll hear why unity isn't just an ideal for theologians—it's something we're all called to live, one relationship at a time. [01:36] Meet Max Chapman and Jeremiah Zimmerman [02:46] Max's Journey: From Football to Faith [06:20] Jeremiah's Path: From Baseball to Theology [12:50] The Vision for Ecumenical Unity [22:01] Challenges and Joys of Ecumenical Ministry [31:39] Unity in Diversity: Different Catholic Ethnicities [34:37] Practical Steps for Ecumenism [37:19] Building Friendships Across Denominations [41:02] Challenges and Joys of Ecumenical Work [46:33] Mobilizing Lay Faithful for Ecumenism [53:28] Encouragement and Final Thoughts Don't forget to check out More Mercy (https://moremercylincoln.org/)! For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/. A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)
Imagine a factory where the workers come in for eight hour shifts. At the end of each shift, a whistle blows to signal that it's time to pack up and go home. It's eight hours of work and then time to punch out. There's a new and different working trend among young adults that's been labeled as “grind culture” or “hustle culture.” Works days are marked by a work hard and don't go home mentality, all in an effort to increase production and climb the ladder. The World Health Organization reports that four hundred and eighty-eight million people around the world are putting in more than fifty five hours a week at work. As Christians, we are to work as unto the Lord. We are to be hard workers who pursue excellence. But if the motivating factor to our hard work is about bringing glory to something or someone other than God, then we are engaging in idolatry. Teach your children to see work as an act of worship, without sacrificing time with family, and time with the Lord.
Most Christians use soul and spirit interchangeably — but Scripture doesn't. This confusion leads to shallow theology, unanswered questions about deliverance, and endless frustration in the Christian Walk. Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/AngelamarieScafidi Follow Me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@angelamariescafidi Access to Weekly Monday Prayer Call for Monthly Partners: https://donorbox.org/heaven-healing-podcast-ministry Ways to Support the Show:
Enjoy this replay episode from earlier this year.It's no secret that things are tough right now for men and their occupations. Good jobs, faithful wives, and affordable homes with a yard aren't exactly growing on trees. And there's been more than enough “get it together” sermons and speeches to go around. So, when it gets down to it, if you want to have a healthy life that you love, what are the practical steps to accomplish that? It's easy to say just go to gym and try carnivore, but for men and Christians especially, the answer is much deeper than that.This episode is brought to you by our premier sponsors, Armored Republic and Reece Fund, as well as our Patreon members and donors. You can join our Patreon at patreon.com/rightresponseministries or you can donate at rightresponseministries.com/donate.So if you're tired of being the lowest rung on the totem pole, we are about to discuss some great places to start to change that. Tune in now.Ministry Sponsors:Genesis Gold GroupFaith-Based Gold IRA: Genesis Gold Group helps Christians protect their retirement with physical precious metals aligned with scriptural stewardship principles.https://www.RightResponseBibleGold.comArmored RepublicWe make Tools of Liberty for the defense of every free man's God-given rights: Arm yourself with body armor and a plate carrier of your choosing; build your setup with accessories, equip yourself with an armored backpack.https://www.ar500armor.com//Covenant EyesGet 30-days free by using discount code "RRM" at checkout on their website.https://www.covenanteyes.com/
When Jesus shows up, He doesn't just adjust a few things, He changes everything. Paul went from fighting against Christians to preaching the Gospel, and our lives should reflect that same transformation. The Gospel changes who you are, where you're headed, and what your life is all about. The Gospel changes peopleThe Gospel changes our plansThe Gospel changes our purpose Life Group Discussion:How have you seen Jesus change someone's life in a way that was undeniable?Why do you think it's hard for us to trust God when He redirects our steps?Paul's story went from “church persecutor” to “missionary.” What's the “title change” the Gospel has brought (or could bring) to your story?
Pastor Jack Hibbs is having a moral meltdown over California Bill AB 495, hysterically claiming it endangers "Christian children." This bill simply expands who can make emergency medical decisions or pick up kids from school when parents are unreachable, requiring pre-filed authorization from trusted adults. It's a pragmatic solution for modern families, ensuring children get timely care, especially in emergencies where parents might be unavailable. Yet, this Christian nationalist preacher wildly misrepresents the bill as a "boogeyman" that will snatch kids, all to drum up animosity against a liberal government and push his regressive agenda. It's classic fear-mongering, weaponizing parental anxieties to undermine public policy and promote private education, showcasing a blatant disregard for truth from a self-proclaimed moral leader. This episode exposes the hypocrisy and religious overreach behind such blatant distortions of fact, highlighting how such leaders misrepresent facts to advance their agenda.News Source:Pastor Jack Hibbs warns Christians may need to 'pack up and get out' of CaliforniaBy Ian M. Giatti for ChristianPostAugust 5, 2025
On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (09/01/25), Hank wishes all of you a happy Labor Day and details the Labor Day holiday that God gave us long before the government did—our Sabbath Day rest. Just as we rest today on Labor Day, the Lord commands us to rest on the Sabbath each week. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do” (Deut. 5:13-14 NIV). So our Labor Day holiday according to God is our Sabbath Day rest, which begs the question: why do Christians rest from their labor on the first day of the week (Sunday), rather than the last day of the week (Saturday)? The answer, says Hank, is encapsulated in just one word—resurrection. Hank also discusses something else that comes to his mind when he thinks about the word labor, and that is what Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, that each person will be rewarded according to their own labor. In other words, what we do now in this life counts for all eternity. Hank uses the illustration of his invitation to play Cypress Point, which he claims to be the most spectacular golf course on Earth. For months, he beat his body into submission while dreaming of the day he would experience walking its fairways. Without his strenuous preparations, he would have still experienced the same breathtaking views; however, all his hard work added immeasurably to his experience. That is what heaven will be like. As phenomenal as Cypress Point is, it pales in comparison to what paradise restored will be. Hank spent one day at a golf haven; he will spend an eternity in God's heaven. It stands to reason, therefore, that he would put a lot more labor into preparing for an eternity in heaven with God than he did for playing eighteen holes of golf.
Agradecer es una de las actividades más normales y cotidianas en nuestras interacciones con las demás personas, hay muchas situaciones y frases que son únicas en México, te enseñamos sobre ellas en este episodio.
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the complexity of forgiveness. They address common misconceptions, the true meaning of forgiveness, the challenges we all face, and how to cultivate a forgiving spirit. They also emphasize the importance of understanding forgiveness as Christians, highlighting the balance between justice and mercy. Mentioned in this episode: Our ministry is fueled by the generous support of our donors. If this podcast has been an encouragement to you, would you consider giving to CCEF today? Your gift would help us continue to produce free resources like this for the good of God's people. You can learn more about ways to give at ccef.org/donate. Related resources: Is It Sinful to Keep a Record of Wrongs? | Blog post by Darby Strickland The World's Best Epilogue—Ever | Blog post by Ed Welch
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:3–4 NLT) Years ago, I had a friend who was very sick and asked me to pray for him. I did. He got worse. He said, “I don’t ever want you to pray for me again.” In our estimation, sometimes things go the wrong way. We may pray, “Lord, heal this person. Be glorified through this.” But the Lord might say, “I will be glorified, but I’m not going to do it the way you want Me to. I’m going to do this other thing instead.” Sometimes God will remove the affliction. Sometimes God will heal the illness. Sometimes God will take away the cancer. But sometimes the person will get worse. We usually don’t like that. But it is in these times that God can be glorified. Everyone suffers in life. Christians suffer, too. When a Christian is suffering and can still glorify God, that is a powerful testimony to a lost world. When non-Christians see us honoring the Lord through our suffering, it shows them how real our faith is. And guess what? It shows us how real our faith is, too. Do you think your faith would get stronger if everything were easy in life? No, your faith will get stronger through hardship. Here’s something that might surprise you: You will develop even more hope through tribulation. Romans 5:3–4 says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (NLT). We must remember that as steel is tempered to make it stronger, God is tempering us to give us strength. Hebrews 4:16 says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (NLT). But that boldness must also be tempered with a sense of humility, recognizing that we don’t know what’s best in a given situation. So, instead of offering suggestions as to how God might relieve our suffering, a better approach is to ask Him for the strength, courage, and faith to endure. Ask Him for the wisdom and discernment to recognize the lessons in our predicament. We must learn to look at every circumstance as an opportunity to grow and to understand the Lord better. Hope grows in the garden of pain. It doesn’t grow without challenges or difficulty. It grows in hard times. It’s sort of like building muscle. You build it up by breaking it down. Then, as you keep working out, that muscle will get stronger. You develop strength through your weaknesses. This is true of Christians in their spiritual lives as well. Reflection question: What would it look like for you to glorify God when you’re suffering? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Romans 6:8-10 — In the sermon on Romans 6:8–10 titled “Christ's Death Unto Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages the listener to not think of themselves so much. Christians often feel they must continually die to their old selves. This means they have not fully grasped the immense truth that the old self was crucified with Christ and is gone. They no longer need to think of their struggles, downfalls, and constant failures. Paul emphasizes once more that what happened to Christ has also happened to His people. Thus, they are to live after God, not in a future sense but in a present sense. Sin once had dominion over Christ because death is caused by sin. Christ died unto sin but He also rose from the grave, which means He conquered the dominion of sin. This act happened one time, once and forever. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that this means the Christian has full assurance in their salvation and the truth that the old self is gone. The resurrection proves that the law was satisfied and they are no longer under any reign of sin. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29
What if your everyday complaints were actually a form of blasphemy? In this powerful exploration of Philippians 2:15-18, we discover the radical call to become "blameless and harmless children of God" in a world that values self-defense and righteous anger.The ancient Greek word "akareos" paints a striking picture of Christians as defenseless lambs without horns – completely vulnerable yet protected by the ultimate Shepherd. This counterintuitive approach challenges our natural instinct to defend our reputation, "clap back" at critics, or vindicate ourselves when wronged. Through personal stories and biblical insights, we see how taking the high road isn't weakness but profound spiritual strength.The episode concludes with a powerful reminder that our entire Christian journey begins and ends with simple trust in God. Just as the Israelites forgot God's mighty works and focused on their inadequacies, we too can lose our effectiveness when we shift the spotlight from God's power to our limitations. When facing impossible situations, our testimony should remain unchanged: "I trust God."My hope is that this podcast helps grow your faith and equips you to accomplish your dreams and goals!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookFollow me on TikTok
Psalm 150 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin talk about the obvious point which we often gloss over because it is just so obvious in the psalms. We are supposed to praise the Lord. That is, the object of our praise must be the Lord.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=22912The 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/
Gavin Ortlund and Joe Rigney discuss whether Christians should use profanity.To dig deeper into these issues, see the prior correspondence between Denny Burk and Doug Wilson:https://www.dennyburk.com/the-serrate...https://dougwils.com/books-and-cultur...Truth Unites (https://truthunites.org) exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth.Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary, and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.SUPPORT:Tax Deductible Support: https://truthunites.org/donate/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truthunitesFOLLOW:Website: https://truthunites.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truth.unites/X: https://x.com/gavinortlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnitesPage/
Doug Schoenwalder is an evangelist and shares his story about being persecuted and fined for violating a political proclamations rule while street evangelizing. Local News Article Covering Doug’s Situation: https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/local/2025/01/22/green-bay-settles-first-amendment-lawsuit-from-farmers-market-preacher/77857831007 www.worldviewmatters.tv © FreedomProject 2025
If your church isn't online, it doesn't exist
In this milestone episode of Tent Talk with Nancy, we mark the launch of the eighth year of Nancy McCready Ministries and the beginning of powerful new seasons ahead. From the quiet launch of The Devotional Podcast to the upcoming expansion into global assignments, Nancy shares how God is enlarging capacity—not through hype or performance, but through humility, dependency, and deepening awareness of His life within us. This conversation under the “big tent” of God's presence invites you to reflect on your own journey of maturity, expansion, and faithfulness in the small things that prepare you for the greater. Join Nancy as she shares vision, testimonies, and encouragement for what's next—for NMM, for partners worldwide, and for you. Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ep-961-Next.pdf LINKS The Producer's Way School theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father. Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him. ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries nancymccready.com/
Great Britain finds itself in the throws of a great storm. Britishflags are removed, while foreign flags are untouched. Mass migration floods the country, destabilizing cities and towns. Crime and violence stalk the streets. And the country's “leaders” cater to illegal immigrants while clamping down on British citizens. What is one to make of this madness? Most British people aregrasping for answers. Sadly, the mainstream churches in Britain have little to offer. They have long sinceabandoned Christ, the Gospel and biblical Truth. These churches look and sound no different than the world. Consequently, they have nothing to offer the world. But careful observers will notice something is changing; afaint spark glowing in the British cultural darkness. These are the early embers of reformation. Amidst the chaos, some Christians who retained the faith are finding their voices. Some are taking their first steps at countering the lies and ugliness engulfing their island. And regular people are taking a fresh look at enduring Truth. The Church in Britain may yet rise again.To help us better understand what is going on, Dr. Aaron Edwards joins Andy on this episode of the Christian Emergency Podcast. Though they first consider the recent tragedy in America – where a Catholic church and school was targeted in Minneapolis – they focus most of their time on developments in Britain. If you find this episode helpful, please give us a positive rating and review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Also share this episode with a friend so they too can be blessed by these insights. To learn more about resources mentioned in this episode, see the following:Aaron Edwards (Substack): https://substack.com/@thatgoodfightAaron Edwards (Twitter / X): https://x.com/aaron_p_edwards Brephos (Christian Teaching on Abortion): https://www.brephos.org/ Silenced (Documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0z7rVP2glkChristian Emergency Alliance (Website): https://www.christianemergency.com/ Christian Emergency Alliance (Twitter / X): https://x.com/ChristianEmerg1 Christian Emergency Alliance (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/christianemergency Christian Emergency Alliance (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/christianemergencyalliance/ The Christian Emergency Podcast is a production of the Christian Emergency Alliance.Soli Deo Gloria
Listen as Pastor Stephen Martin and Pastor Nate Brown reveal the missing piece in most Christians' faith journey - personal discipleship. Discover why believers stay spiritually immature and how to break free.You'll Learn:✅ The athletic training model Paul used for spiritual growth✅ Why taking personal responsibility transforms your faith✅ How to gain God's perspective in confusing situations✅ The discipline required that no one talks aboutHear powerful stories including a 13-year-old's basketball dedication that puts most Christians to shame, and why all 10 of America's oldest churches lost their faith.Perfect for your commute or workout - practical wisdom for Christians ready to stop stumbling and start growing."I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should" - 1 Cor 9:27Subscribe for new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 AM CT.
Ancient Mediterranean Incarceration (open access) examines spaces, practices, and ideologies of incarceration in the ancient Mediterranean basin from 300 BCE to 600 CE. Analyzing a wide range of sources—including legal texts, archaeological findings, documentary evidence, and visual materials—Matthew D. C. Larsen and Mark Letteney argue that prisons were integral to the social, political, and economic fabric of ancient societies. Ancient Mediterranean Incarceration traces a long history of carceral practices, considering ways in which the institution of prison has been fundamentally intertwined with issues of class, ethnicity, gender, and imperialism. By foregrounding the voices and experiences of the imprisoned, Larsen and Letteney demonstrate the extraordinary durability of carceral structures across time and call for a new historical consciousness around contemporary practices of incarceration. The database of data is: historyofincarceration.com New books in late antiquity is presented by Ancient Jew Review Matthew Larsen is a historian, archaeologist, and storyteller who brings the ancient world to life. A professor at the University of Copenhagen, he specializes in uncovering the real lives of the first Christians—what they built, how they lived, and what history gets wrong about them. Mark Letteney (he/him) is Assistant Professor, Carol Thomas Endowed Professor of Ancient History at the University of Washington Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Monday, September 1, 2025
Are You Ready for Your Earthly Death? Is Your Salvation Sure? If Not, Make Yourself Ready Now Through God's Grace and the Gospel MESSAGE SUMMARY: Be ready for the end of your earthly life and the return of the Lord. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, Paul writes to the Christians at the church in Thessalonica: “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So, then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”. Are you ready? Are you sure in your Salvation? If not, make yourself ready and keep ready! God's Grace and the Gospel of Jesus prepare you for your earthly death while providing the means for your Eternal Life! TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, you know how difficult it is for me to be in silence before you. At times it feels almost impossible, given the demands, distractions, and noise all around me. I invite you to lead me to a quiet, silent place before you — to a place where I can hear you as Elijah did. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 123). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Anger. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Forgiveness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 10:37-39; 1 Corinthians 9:12-23; James 3:13-18; Hebrews 4:15-16; Psalms 65:1-13. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Crumbs From The Table”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
We prayed for Jack Hibbs prior to this recording, and it is still our prayer for him to come to a clear understanding. The content in this video is not to degradet he man, but the message the man preaches has flaws. Pray for @RealLifeJackHibbs to understand the truth. HOW TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX6NdGnm_vAORIGINAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRDPO9YWvwkSUBSCRIBE https://www.youtube.com/c/biblelineLIKE https://www.facebook.com/biblelineminCOMMENT ask us a question!SHARE with all your friends and familyDo you have a Bible question? Send your question to questions@biblelineministries.org!Support Bibleline - https://www.calvaryoftampa.org/donate/Bibleline is a ministry of Calvary Community Church in Tampa, Florida and is hosted by Pastor Jesse Martinez.LIKE THIS? CHECK THESE GUYS OUT:@Northlandchurchstc@YankeeArnoldMinistries@focusevangelisticministriesinc@TheKeesBoerMinistryChannel@FishersWithFaithMinistries@QuentinRoad@NorthsideChurchAthens@C4CApologetics@OnoDiamante#bibleline #salvation #jackhibbs #reaction #biblelinereacts #react #response #amigoingtoheaven #christians #believe #faith #belief #JesusChrist #reallifewithjackhibbs #hibbs #jack #confused #confusing #falseteacher #gospel #message
Colby Barrett, producer of the documentary "A Faith Under Siege," shares about the long history of persecution of Ukrainian Christians at the hands of Russia. Pastor Tom Bennardo, author of "Open-Hearted People, Soul-Connected Church," outlines ideas to truly foster deep, enriching relationships with other at church. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here
In this episode, I discuss the moral nature of pushing conspiracy theories. Is it immoral for Christians to push conspiracy theories? I also point out the difference between conspiracy theories and critical thinking.
This episode of Conversations with Christians Engaged is part of our Stories from America series, featuring believers making a real impact in culture. In this episode, Bunni Pounds sits down with constitutional attorney Keisha Russell of First Liberty Institute to discuss her new book on defending religious freedom.Keisha shares her journey from teaching special education in Atlanta to becoming one of the nation's leading defenders of religious liberty. Together, Bunni and Keisha dive deep into why the First Amendment matters for every believer, how Christians can boldly exercise their rights, and why fear should never keep us from living out our faith in public.They explore real cases—from Coach Kennedy's historic win at the Supreme Court to believers standing firm in schools and workplaces—and unpack the cultural misunderstandings around “separation of church and state.” Keisha reminds us that defending freedom isn't just about courtrooms; it's about inspiring everyday Christians to know the truth, stand firm, and proclaim the gospel without fear.
Join us as we discuss how God works everything (even our difficulties) for good as Christians; as well as how the Holy Spirit helps us pray, how Jesus intercedes for us, and our salvation assured.
The letter to the Hebrews was written to encourage Christians in a time of trial. It does so by focusing on the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. While God spoke in the past “many times and in many ways,” he has now spoken to us “by his Son,” Jesus Christ, who is the “exact imprint” of God's nature and who “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (1:1–3). Jesus accomplished complete salvation for all who trust in him (1:1–10:18). We dare not “neglect such a great salvation” (2:3; 5:12–6:20; 10:19–39). Rather, in our faith and in our everyday living, we should imitate the example of Christ and of those on the honor roll of faith (chs. 11–13). This letter, whose author is unknown, was probably written between a.d. 60 and 70. FaithLife Christian Ministries:Download our Free App:https://get.theapp.co/hghqPodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faithlife-christian-ministries/id1606442323Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/faithlifecmInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/faithlifecm?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==X:https://x.com/faithlifecmTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@faithlifecm?_t=ZT-8wIjieGeyOk&_r=1Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/faithlife-christian-ministries-82ab77191/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@FaithLifeChristianMinistriesWebsite:https://faithlifecm.comDonate: https://subsplash.com/u/faithlifechristianminist/giveTable Talk with Yvette Gallinar:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/yvette_gallinar/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/yvettegallinarTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@tabletalkwithyvette?_t=ZT-8wIjgUR1eJ8&_r=1Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/table-talk-with-yvette-gallinar/id1729036339Rumble:https://rumble.com/user/tabletalkwithyvettegallinarX:https://x.com/YvettegallinarYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@tabletalkwithyvettegallinar
Top headlines for Monday, September 1, 2025In this week's episode, we explore the tense school board meeting in Fairfax County, where officials sidestepped questions about alarming viral allegations related to abortion trafficking. Next, we discuss a California family's lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging their AI chatbot played a role in their son's tragic suicide. Finally, we turn our attention to the political arena as Vice President J.D. Vance issues a strong rebuke of MSNBC host Jen Psaki for her comments on Americans' reactions to a recent shooting.00:11 School advocates want answers to Fairfax County abortion claims01:07 AI chatbot told teen how to commit 'beautiful suicide': lawsuit02:03 City Life Church removes Pastor Andy Adkison but won't say why02:53 Most Americans accept Gaza famine label, blame Hamas: poll03:54 Christian counselor axed for LGBT post defeats ethics complaints04:44 Iran accuses 53 Christians of ‘espionage' after arrests05:40 JD Vance denounces ex-Biden spox Jen Psaki for mocking prayersSubscribe to this PodcastApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastFollow Us on Social Media@ChristianPost on TwitterChristian Post on Facebook@ChristianPostIntl on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeGet the Edifi AppDownload for iPhoneDownload for AndroidSubscribe to Our NewsletterSubscribe to the Freedom Post, delivered every Monday and ThursdayClick here to get the top headlines delivered to your inbox every morning!Links to the NewsSchool advocates want answers to Fairfax County abortion claims | EducationAI chatbot told teen how to commit 'beautiful suicide': lawsuit | BusinessCity Life Church removes Pastor Andy Adkison but won't say why | Church & MinistriesMost Americans accept Gaza famine label, blame Hamas: poll | WorldChristian counselor axed for LGBT post defeats ethics complaints | U.S.Iran accuses 53 Christians of ‘espionage' after arrests | WorldJD Vance denounces ex-Biden spox Jen Psaki for mocking prayers | U.S.
Ancient Mediterranean Incarceration (open access) examines spaces, practices, and ideologies of incarceration in the ancient Mediterranean basin from 300 BCE to 600 CE. Analyzing a wide range of sources—including legal texts, archaeological findings, documentary evidence, and visual materials—Matthew D. C. Larsen and Mark Letteney argue that prisons were integral to the social, political, and economic fabric of ancient societies. Ancient Mediterranean Incarceration traces a long history of carceral practices, considering ways in which the institution of prison has been fundamentally intertwined with issues of class, ethnicity, gender, and imperialism. By foregrounding the voices and experiences of the imprisoned, Larsen and Letteney demonstrate the extraordinary durability of carceral structures across time and call for a new historical consciousness around contemporary practices of incarceration. The database of data is: historyofincarceration.com New books in late antiquity is presented by Ancient Jew Review Matthew Larsen is a historian, archaeologist, and storyteller who brings the ancient world to life. A professor at the University of Copenhagen, he specializes in uncovering the real lives of the first Christians—what they built, how they lived, and what history gets wrong about them. Mark Letteney (he/him) is Assistant Professor, Carol Thomas Endowed Professor of Ancient History at the University of Washington Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies
Persecution of the Christian community is on the increase in the world's most populous country, India. In this Hindu-dominated nation, laws are often stacked against Christians and believers can pay a price for following Christ and sharing the Good News with others.Despite this opposition, host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Bobby (last name withheld for security purposes) affirm that the Gospel is spreading in India. And God is using Bible League programs, such as Church Planter Training, to equip pastors like Rakesh to face these challenges with courage and wisdom, and to grow their churches to His glory and honor. You'll also learn how to meaningfully support Christians facing persecution in India.Subscribe and invite others to listen with you. Length: 20:17.
This episode starts lightly, with a continued conversation about how men handle emotion, and then breaks into a discussion about yet another shooting targeting Christians, and the surprising response from some national leaders. What's truly driving that? Is there a spiritual conspiracy behind evil violience?
In our August 31 Sunday gathering, we continue our series about rage. This week's discussion questions are below: How do you usually respond when you feel angry? Do you tend to express it outwardly, or hold it inside? Have you ever seen anger produce something good? Have you ever seen it cause harm? Read Ephesians 4:26–32 together. What stands out to you in Paul's teaching about anger and speech? Why do you think Paul says not to let the sun go down on your anger? What happens when anger lingers? In Exodus 34:6–7, God is described as “slow to anger.” What does that teach us about God's character? How should that shape our own response to anger? Psalm 4:4 says, “Be angry and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” How does reflection or silence help keep anger from turning into sin? The sermon mentioned the Starbucks “Christmas cup” outrage. Why do you think Christians sometimes get caught up in cultural anger like this? How do moments of public Christian outrage affect the way non-Christians view Jesus and the church? Where have you seen the church respond well—slow to anger and quick to love—in a cultural conflict? Anger often feels powerful, even “sweet,” as the sermon said. Why is anger so tempting to hold onto? Paul says to replace destructive habits with constructive ones (Eph. 4:28). What are some constructive outlets for anger in your life?
Enrique Pascal Enrique Pascal is back—this time to teach! Christians have lost sight of the truth of salvation. This conversation is eye-opening!Keep up with Enrique Pascal Website: fftkgm.orgYouTube: @enriquepascalIG: @iamenriquepascalFacebook: @enriquepascalFacebook Ministry Page: @FFTKGMTik Tok: @EnriquePascal Support this PlatformJoin this channel to get access to perks: / @weneed2talktv GO DEEPER W/ COMMUNITY https://family.godsvoicetoday.comFinancially Support this Podcast:$TheAzonwusPayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...Zelle: fwdprodinc@gmail.com Submit Your Story for a chance to feature - Email short video to: TheAzonwus@gmail.comSocial media: Wordsbyezekiel Thisisglory Wenned2tlkpodcastListen to all podcast episodes:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TKwMpq...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Join Band of Brothers Men's Grouphttps://bandofbrothersintl.org/Book Us for an Event: http://www.wordsbyezekiel.com/bookeze...Merch: Shop — WORDS BY EZEKIELThe Azonwus Books: The Whole Woman https://a.co/d/jioxLDuThe Whole Man https://a.co/d/ejIGSqI
Ancient Mediterranean Incarceration (open access) examines spaces, practices, and ideologies of incarceration in the ancient Mediterranean basin from 300 BCE to 600 CE. Analyzing a wide range of sources—including legal texts, archaeological findings, documentary evidence, and visual materials—Matthew D. C. Larsen and Mark Letteney argue that prisons were integral to the social, political, and economic fabric of ancient societies. Ancient Mediterranean Incarceration traces a long history of carceral practices, considering ways in which the institution of prison has been fundamentally intertwined with issues of class, ethnicity, gender, and imperialism. By foregrounding the voices and experiences of the imprisoned, Larsen and Letteney demonstrate the extraordinary durability of carceral structures across time and call for a new historical consciousness around contemporary practices of incarceration. The database of data is: historyofincarceration.com New books in late antiquity is presented by Ancient Jew Review Matthew Larsen is a historian, archaeologist, and storyteller who brings the ancient world to life. A professor at the University of Copenhagen, he specializes in uncovering the real lives of the first Christians—what they built, how they lived, and what history gets wrong about them. Mark Letteney (he/him) is Assistant Professor, Carol Thomas Endowed Professor of Ancient History at the University of Washington Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sean Feucht is a well-known worship leader, evangelist, and political activist. He has also been accused of many cases of deception, fraud, and spiritual abuse. We discuss all of his surrounding controversies and talk about what that means for us as Christians and consumers.Support me on Patreon and watch The Bonus Tracks at: https://www.patreon.com/c/imcliffordtodayWant your music on our Spotlight segment? Submit it here:https://forms.gle/YFsEUTjcVku1h1aTANew Sherwood Forest music!New single "Feed My Lambs" featuring Saint of Pine Hills: https://sherwoodforest.bandcamp.com/track/feed-my-lambsThe Wingfeather Saga: Season One Commentary: https://cliffordclose.bandcamp.com/album/the-wingfeather-saga-season-one-commentaryMy first line of merch! https://im-clifford-today.myspreadshop.com/New episode every other Monday 12pm CST.Follow the I'm Clifford Today Show on any podcast platform! https://anchor.fm/imcliffordtodayFollow me on Twitch! https://www.twitch.tv/imcliffordtodayMy clips and highlights channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ImClippordToday My gaming channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0vEbkItCajSezxh3JjejwCheck out the Podwood Forecast! https://anchor.fm/podwoodforecastCheck out my "Cliff's Picks" Spotify playlist!https://open.spotify.com/playlist/137H5LBYkA9GX4Jqq7vk0s?si=aa64e4163083420fLeave a like and a comment! Subscribe for more content like this: https://www.youtube.com/ImCliffordTodayFollow my X: www.x.com/imcliffordtodayLike my Book of Faces: https://www.facebook.com/imcliffordtoday[00:00:00] – Introduction[00:00:38] – Housekeeping[00:16:50] – Sean Feucht's Background and Controversies[00:24:52] – Whistleblower accusations against Sean Feucht[00:30:37] – Theological Insights and Sean's Influence[00:38:45] – Sean Cries Persecution[00:45:07] – SPOTLIGHT[00:46:19] – The Music and Worship of Sean Feucht[00:59:22] – A Call for Repentance and Accountability[01:07:40] – Spiritual Abuse and Leadership Issues[01:15:05] –What does this mean for us?[01:40:26] – My Humble Opinion: Fielder, Former Ruins, John Van Deusen, Sower[02:14:28] – Outro
We all have questions we're afraid to ask, but the church should be a place for our questions and the answer. For example, how Should Christians understand LGBTQIA+ Issues? Christians can affirm the God-given design for gender and sexuality and the God-given dignity of every human being. For resources and media, visit https://vintagechurchnola.com/series/questions-you-have-(but-are-afraid-to-ask/#Welcome2Vintage #Questions #Answers #ToughTopics #Gender #Sexuality #LGBTQIA+