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In today's reading from Exodus 32, Fr. Mike shows us how when we become uncertain, we immediate try to take control of the situation, and build up idols in our hearts. We also read Leviticus 23 and Psalm 79. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
The angels belong to Christ as they were made through him and for him, and he has made them messengers of his saving plan. We learn that angels have been present throughout the history of salvation, and the life of Christ is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. Fr. Mike explains how in the liturgy, we join the angels in praising God, and all of human life is surrounded by angels' care and protection. He reminds us that all angels and saints have the power to intercede for us before God. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 331-336. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
On this episode of The Jason Jones Show, Jason speaks with Valentyna Pavsyukova, founder of Chalice of Mercy, about faith, mercy, and defending life amid the challenges facing Ukraine. Born in 1983 in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Valentyna grew up without religion but carried a deep desire to know God. Sustained by her grandmother's simple prayer of the Our Father, she eventually encountered the Catholic Church and entered it in 2007. That spiritual journey led her to found Chalice of Mercy, a nonprofit dedicated to presenting God as a Merciful and Loving Father and defending the sanctity of life from conception through concrete acts of service. Follow Valentyna's work at: https://chaliceofmercy.org/
Fr. Mike points out how blessing something sets it apart for the purposes of God, and it is no longer meant for ordinary uses. So when we are filled with the spirit of God, our daily task becomes extraordinary, because it is consecrated to God. Today's readings are Exodus 30-31, Leviticus 22, and Psalm 115. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
God created heaven and earth — all that we see and all that we don't see. We learn that the earth is filled with men and many things we can see, but our faith tells us that there are many things on earth that we cannot see, including the presence of God and angels. Fr. Mike explains how human beings are spiritual and corporeal creatures, but angels are immortal, purely spiritual creatures. He tells us more about the role of angels and how, possessing intellect and will, they too are created to glorify God. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 325-330. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Stephen Boyce gives the case that Origen can possibly still be made a saint by the Catholic Church.
Our Election in Christ (7) (audio) David Eells – 2/15/26 I'm going to continue speaking today about election and talk about the children and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that giveth life; … (Joh.6:63). In the Book of Romans, we found out that before Jacob and Esau were even born, Jacob was called God's elect. (Rom.9:10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac— (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Well, just as I'm sure you have questions, I had some questions, too, when I got this far in my revelation about election and predestination. What about the children? What about the babies? What about the doctrine of an “age of reason” that the Church has had for so many years? They say every child goes to be with the Lord, if they die before they reach the “age of reason,” and after that age, then they become accountable. Then it becomes their responsibility to accept the Lord and walk with the Lord. And so on. To me, that doctrine seemed contrary to election, according to everything I understood. I really wanted to know for myself, so I began to do some research. I decided to seek out how all of this fits together about children and election, but I want to remind you that both Jacob and Esau went past the stage of childhood; Jacob went on to manifest as a vessel of honor, and Esau as a vessel of dishonor. Neither one of them died as a child or as a baby. Let me share with you what I discovered. We know that, according to election, there are sons of God and sons of the devil, based on what God makes out of the clay and what a person becomes in their life (Romans 9:21). But, according to nature, I'd like to show you another teaching: (Heb.12:9) Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of [our] spirits, and live? Some translations add in the word “our” to “Father of spirits” in this verse, but the word “our” is not in the ancient manuscripts of the Nestle's or Received Text, and there's no numeric pattern for that word to be there. He's the “Father of spirits,” as He's called elsewhere in the Bible. You may be questioning, “So is God the Father of our spirits or is He the Father of every spirit?” The answer can be found here: (Num.16:22) And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? And another place says in (Num.27:16) Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation. That gives us two witnesses that He's “God of the spirits of all flesh.” When God breathed into Adam the breath, or the spirit, of life, the spirit that He gave Adam was a fresh, clean human spirit (Genesis 2:7), and I believe God gives everyone a fresh, clean human spirit. Now I want you to look at something that you may find surprising. Once you understand election and God's predestination of the elect, you can see how there are sons of God and there are sons of the devil. We've seen that the “wheat” are the sons of God and the “tares” are the sons of the devil. The wheat and the tares were sown in the earth, and in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24,36-43), the earth was the hearts of men. Universally, the hearts of men are that “earth” in which God sows His seed and in which the devil sows his seed. But what about that heart before it manifested the seed of God or the seed of the devil? When Paul preached to the pagans at the Areopagus, he told them, (Act.17:24) The God that made the world and all [things] (The word “things” is not in the original; it was added by the translators.) therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (25) neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all [things]. Again, the word “things” is not in the original. “He giveth to all life, and breath.” The word there for “breath” is the Greek word pneuma, and it's the same word translated as “spirit” in other places in the New Testament. The words “breath” and “spirit” both come from the same word pneuma, which is where we get our word for “air.” As we read on down, we're going to see if this word “all” really means “all” because this word “all” has to be judged by its context in the rest of the Scripture. We read again this text without “things.” (Act.17:25) Neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all; (26) and he made of one every nation of men (God made all men) to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined [their] appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation (Everybody came from Adam according to (Act 17:26) and he made of one every nation of men… And, Eve is called the “mother of all living” in Genesis 3:20, so we know that everybody came from Adam and Eve, contrary to some doctrines of men.); (27) that they should seek God, if happily they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us (That shows each person on this earth is individually responsible for seeking God, but not everybody will do that and they are going to be held responsible.): (28) for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Paul is agreeing with what those pagans were saying about us receiving our being in God. He's saying that it's true. (Act.17:28) For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. “We are also His offspring.” You know, Christians like to correct this theology and say, “For we are all children of God.” That's not true because we are not all children of God, but we are all His offspring in a way. Then Paul goes on to say, (29) Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. (30) The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: (31) inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Well, how are we all the “offspring of God”? (Joh.1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All [things] were made through him (He's talking about people, not things, which is not in the numeric pattern. The Greek word there is the adjective pas, and it simply means “all, the whole, every kind of.”); and without him was not anything made that hath been made. So the Word made everything; He made Adam. We can read a confirmation of this here: (Col.1:16) For in him were all [things] created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him. Everything was created through Jesus and for Jesus. He is the first-born of the creation of God. This is talking about from the very beginning of all creation. It all came to be because it was created through Christ. (Joh.1:4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And over in Proverbs it says, (Pro.20:27) The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all his innermost parts. The Father created all things through Christ, and Christ was the medium through which the Father used to create all things and all men as in these texts. It was Jesus, the Son of God Who created all things and breathed into Adam. (Gen.2:7) And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Or the “spirit.” The Hebrew word there is neshamah and is translated as both “breath” and “spirit” in the Old Testament.); and man became a living soul. The Bible says that the first man, Adam, was a natural being. (1Co.15:44) It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual [body]. (45) So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (46) Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual. (47) The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven. (48) As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. His natural man came from the earth, but his spirit came from God. God breathed into Adam, and the breath, the Spirit, came out of God and went into man. Some theologians like to argue that the “breath of life” is the “breath of lives.” I'm not sure about that, but we know that in the loins of Adam, in the seed of Adam, was all mankind (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). And God breathed into Adam a fresh, clean, pure Spirit to be the spirit of man, but it wasn't long after this that instead of following after his spirit, man followed his flesh and corrupted himself on the earth. (Gen.6:12) And God saw the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. (17) And I, behold, I do bring the flood of waters upon this earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is in the earth shall die. Adam started out innocent before God, but in following his flesh, he got further and further away from God, and Adam's children got further and further away from God, until God had to destroy them. Truly, nothing has changed; we're in the same position today. God gives the natural child a fresh, clean spirit, which is the breath of life that He breathes into them. With this spirit, they have an opportunity to follow their spirit, and your conscience is a part of your spirit, so when you're following your conscience, you are following your spirit. We have to choose. You can follow your conscience, or you can follow your flesh, and as we know, everybody follows after their flesh. (Joh.1:5) And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. This sounds very much like what Peter said: (2Pe.1:19) And we have the word of prophecy [made] more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp (We've learned that the “lamp” is the “spirit of man,” according to Proverbs 20:27.) shining in a dark place (The “dark place” is your soul, which is your mind, will and emotions.), until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts. In the beginning, God gave Adam a “lamp” and it shined forth into his human nature, but Adam's offspring, who all started out the same way, began to follow after their flesh more and more, which corrupted their soul and eventually corrupted their spirit. If we follow after the flesh, the soul is going to be corrupted, and then when we follow our corrupted soul, our spirit will eventually be corrupted. Everybody starts out with a fresh, clean spirit, but they also start out with the corrupt nature that was passed down to them through their parents. “The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” The last Adam, or Jesus, is the one who gives us a new spirit when we are born again and become a new creation. (2Co.5:17) Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. Jesus is the second Adam; He is the Father of a new, born-again creation because the first creation corrupted itself. Except for one thing, babies start out in the place of Adam because they are given a fresh, clean spirit from God, one that's not corrupted. However, their soul is corrupted because their parents passed on their blood. (Lev.17:11) For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life. That gives the child a lot to overcome. The Bible says of God, (Exo.34:6) And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth, (7) keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. So we see that the sins of the parents are also passed down to the children from one generation to another generation and on and on. So, live holy. (Joh.1:6) There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. (7) The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. (8) He was not the light, but [came] that he might bear witness of the light. (9) There was the true light, [even the light] which lighteth every man, coming into the world. This should be turned around because the numeric pattern proves that the sequence is wrong. What it actually says is, “The true light was, which coming into the world, lighteth every man.” Jesus is the true light that “lighteth every man.” (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God. As far as the new creation, Jesus' spirit is that new spirit that comes into every man as their lamp to show them the way. It shines in the dark place of their soul in order to dispel the darkness. You can see the same pattern repeated with babies. Like Adam at the beginning of creation, Jesus breathes into them the spirit of life, and they start out innocent when they are born, but they don't stay that way long. And the Bible doesn't teach that it has anything to do with some so-called “age of reason”; theologians have come up with that doctrine. What the Bible does say is, (Isa.53:6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.... Well, in order to go astray, you had to have been with God in the first place. (Rom.3:9) What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin (Of course, the Greeks weren't under the Old Covenant. Paul is talking about the New Covenant.); (10) as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one; (11) There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God (He's talking about the Jews and the Gentiles.); (12) They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not, so much as one. They all turned aside. Jews and Gentiles all turned aside. That means, in some way, they started out with God. In some way, babies start out with God. (Psa.58:3) The wicked are estranged from the womb: They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. This says they start going astray from the time they are born, but at birth, they are with God. They go astray because they follow their fallen nature, instead of following after their fresh, clean spirit, which was given from God. They go astray following after their flesh and become more and more corrupt. If you have a clean spirit, but you follow after the flesh, your soul will die. (Job.36:8) And if they be bound in fetters, And be taken in the cords of afflictions; (9) Then he showeth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. (10) He openeth also their ear to instruction, And commandeth that they return from iniquity. (11) If they hearken and serve [him], They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. (12) But if they hearken not, they shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge. (13) But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them. (14) They die in youth.... “Their soul dieth” is what it literally says in the original Hebrew and your Bible should have a footnote explaining this. Strong's concordance is based on the Received Text and uses noar, which is a different Hebrew word altogether. (14) They die in soul, And their life [perisheth] among the unclean. (15) He delivereth the afflicted by their affliction, And openeth their ear in oppression. (16) Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness. (17) But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take hold [on thee.] (18) For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside. Therefore, if a person were to listen to the Lord and follow after the Lord, their soul wouldn't die, but the natural process of degeneration sets in as soon as a person is born. They begin to go astray by following after their flesh, but the point is that they don't start out that way; they start out with the Lord. I don't think responsibility has anything to do with reaching an “age of reason.” I think that responsibility has more to do with the degeneration of the spirit than it does with reason. Children who are raised up with Godly parents, parents who discipline them and teach them the truth, don't become as corrupt as quickly as other children. Their conscience doesn't become as defiled as that of other children because discipline is a motivation to do what is right. It's a motivation to obey your conscience and obey your spirit, and not obey your flesh. If a child is raised with discipline, they don't become corrupted as quickly as a child who is not raised with discipline. Little children go bad and become evil very quickly without any discipline, and that's why I don't think that there is any particular age called the “age of reason,” where God imputes responsibility. It's not an age that makes you accountable; it's truth that makes you accountable. The more truth you go against, the more your conscience is defiled. The Bible is very plain: (Jas.4:17) To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. That doesn't mention any particular age. “To him it is sin,” but where there was no law or, in other words, when they didn't know that what they were doing was sin, then sin was not imputed to them. (Rom.5:13) For until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Being held responsible has to do with knowledge; knowledge determines whether God imputes iniquity to you or whether He doesn't impute iniquity to you. Yet, knowledge must be incorporated to bear fruit. I believe that whether a child is raised with discipline or whether they're not raised with discipline, they end up in the same place. Eventually, what happens is that their soul and spirit become corrupt. At that time, they need to be born again. I can't say if there's any particular age for that because the Bible doesn't teach it. But somewhere during that time, I believe that a person whose spirit becomes corrupt must be born again; their spirit must be born again. Adam was pure before God when he was in his innocence, even though he was not born again. That was the natural birth that he had. It was when Adam got away from his innocence that he fell. God gave Adam a clean spirit and He gave Adam only one law, but still Adam failed. He followed the flesh and he fell away. Now there is a place of innocence from childhood on up because of ignorance. Let me show you that in the story of Abijah, the son of Jeroboam. Jeroboam was a wicked king over the northern 10 tribes, and he led Israel into apostasy. God had prophesied to him that he was going to be King over Israel (1 Kings 11:29-37; 12:20), but he led Israel in the wrong way (1 Kings 12:26-33; 13:33,34). When Jeroboam's son was sick, he asked his wife to disguise herself and go to the prophet Ahijah to see what was going to happen to their son. God spoke to Ahijah the prophet, who was blind, and told him that Jeroboam's wife was coming, and God gave Ahijah a word of prophecy for her. (1Ki.14:7) Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel: Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, (8) and rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee; and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes, (9) but hast done evil above all that were before thee, and hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back: (10) therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every man-child, him that is shut up and him that is left at large in Israel, and will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam, as a man sweepeth away dung, till it be all gone. (11) Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the birds of the heavens eat: for the Lord hath spoken it. (12) Arise thou therefore, get thee to thy house: [and] when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die. (13) And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him; for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam. Here, this child's parents were some of the most wicked in all of Israel, yet there was something good in this child toward the Lord. I believe the Lord was saying that the child's spirit was still good. Do you remember what happened when the disciples wanted to know who was the greatest? (Mat.18:1) In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (2) And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, (3) and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. What was Jesus talking about? Jesus was showing the disciples how a little child is submissive. In every case in the Gospels, it says “little child” (Mark 10:15; Luke 9:47) because, as you know, some older children are not submissive and trusting of their father; they're not clean on the inside. Another place of innocence is a child who is killed by abortion or dies from miscarriage. (Ecc.6:3) If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth (In other words, speaking of a miscarriage.) is better than he. So a man can live a full life, but not live in the goodness of the Lord, and not be a vessel of honor. This is saying it's better to have been born dead. (4) For it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; (5) moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath rest rather than the other: (6) yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good, do not all go to one place? He's talking about death here, not about going to the same place in Sheol, because this man went to Hades and the child went to Abraham's Bosom, but they both went to Sheol (Luke 16:22-26). This shows us that God at least considers innocency among children or babies. Abijah was a small child and God did not impute iniquity to this small child. That leads me to believe the further we get away from birth, the more dangerous it becomes because we become more responsible as we acquire knowledge. Innocency is not based on some “age of accountability” or “age of reason,” as theologians have told us, because you can't find that in the Bible. Saints, God imputes iniquity with knowledge. (Jas.4:17) To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. God showed His election through Jacob, who manifested a vessel of honor, and Esau, who manifested a vessel of dishonor. This is what they were elected to do. Although every child is born with a fresh, clean spirit, they also receive the nature of their parents, and so they have a choice to make. They can choose to follow after their spirit, or they can choose to follow after the nature of their parents. As we've seen, everyone chooses to go the way of the flesh, and then their soul becomes corrupt, and eventually their spirit becomes corrupt. When the spirit becomes corrupt, that child has to be born again to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. I haven't found that there is any particular age at which the spirit becomes corrupt for all mature differently. Some children are raised with discipline and are more conscientious, while others are raised with no discipline, and they become very corrupt, very quickly, but I do believe that when the spirit dies, that person is responsible before God, and they must be born again. Yes, we are given a fresh, clean spirit from God when we are born, but that spirit dies from following after the flesh, and it becomes corrupt. This is what I'm calling “death” here. It's not a physical lack of existence but the spirit becoming corrupt. When that happens, then we are held responsible. Jesus was the one who breathed into Adam the breath of life, and as the Scriptures tell us, (Joh.1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (Col.1:16) For in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; (17) and he is before all things, and in him all things consist. God the Father created everything through Christ. There is nothing created that wasn't created through Christ. Jesus breathed into Adam the breath of life, but the whole race of Adam fell and became corrupt. Then Jesus, the second Adam (1Corinthians 15:47), breathed again; He breathed His spirit of life into His new creation. And, did you know that you still don't have to follow your spirit after being born again? You can, once again, choose to follow your flesh. A born-again person has the opportunity to follow their spirit and go with God, or they can follow their fallen nature and go the way of the rest of creation. We were given a fresh, clean human spirit from God, like Christ's human spirit, but we have a fallen soul because “the life of the flesh is in the blood.” That means after we are born again, we must overcome the disadvantage of the fallen nature that was passed on to us through our parents. The apostle Paul explains to us about his battle against the fallen nature that was passed on to him. He says, (Rom.7:23) I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. (24) Wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? He wanted power over the body of death. Paul was a Christian, and he wanted to serve God. Do you know what God did to give Christians power over the body of death? He gave them the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a person doesn't have that power. I'll prove this to you: (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: (8) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God (that's the Holy Spirit) dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ (that's your born-again spirit), he is none of his. Christ was man in that He had a human spirit, soul, and body. He was God in that the Holy Spirit dwelt in His spirit. (1:3) Concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, (4) who was declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness. This in turn affected His DNA. When we are born again, our human spirit is born again. The Holy Spirit comes to do three things. Jesus said, (Joh.16:14) He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare [it] unto you. First, the Holy Spirit comes to give us the Spirit of Christ, which is our born-again spirit, our fresh, clean spirit. Second, as we follow the Holy Spirit, our soul becomes born again. If we bear fruit in the realm of the soul, we will receive a born-again body. This is the manifestation of Christ in you, spirit, soul and body. Even if you have the Spirit of Christ, if you don't have the Holy Spirit, you don't have power over the body. (Rom.8:9) But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. If you don't have the Spirit of Christ in you, or, in other words, if you don't have a born-again human spirit, you don't belong to Him because Jesus had a born-again human spirit. (10) And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin (That's the situation Paul was in.); but the spirit is life because of righteousness. Before the disciples received the Holy Spirit, even though they had received their born-again spirit, they didn't have the greater power over the flesh. As Jesus said to them, (Mat.26:41) … The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Did they have a born-again human spirit? Yes. Jesus told His disciples, (Joh.15:3) Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. You can't be clean without a born-again spirit, and they had a reborn spirit through the Word that was spoken into them. Paul says, “And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.” So here you have a born-again person who is born-again in their spirit, but they don't have the greater power over their body, “the body of death.” Paul was crying out, “Who shall deliver me from this body of death?” Christians didn't have the greater power over their “body of death” until they received the Holy Spirit. (Rom.8:11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you (that's the Holy Spirit), he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. People think this is talking about the resurrection of the dead, but Paul said, “shall give life also to your mortal bodies.” That's talking about this physical body. Where you had death in your mortal body and had no greater power over it, God gave you life through His Spirit that dwells in you. Paul is talking about two different spirits here. Most religions I've experienced teach that when you are born again, that's when you receive the Holy Spirit. Even the Pentecostal denominations say, “When you are born again, you receive the Holy Spirit, but when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you receive more of it.” Again, that's not what the Bible teaches. You can't find a place in the New Testament where the Christians didn't go on to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit as soon as they found out about it. It was never supposed to be optional, the way it is today. I'm not saying that a person is lost if they don't have the Holy Spirit because Paul said a person belonged to God if they had the spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9); they just didn't have the greater power without having the Holy Spirit of God. As a matter of fact, back in the Old Testament, we can find the same New Covenant promise of receiving the Holy Spirit, and one of the clearest places to see it is in Ezekiel. (Eze.36:24) For I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. (25) And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean.... This is what Jesus did with His disciples. He told them, (Joh.15:3) Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. God gave them a born-again spirit through the Word. He said in (6:63) It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. He spoke life into them. (Eze.36:25) And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you (Theologians put a lowercase “s” here and I believe they're right. The word “spirit” here should be a lowercase “s” because it's talking about your human spirit.); and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my Spirit (They capitalized “Spirit” here, and they're right again. This is talking about the Holy Spirit.) within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.... The Holy Spirit is power from God. (Act.1:8) But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. In other words, the Holy Spirit is the power to be a witness by walking as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). (2Co.3:2) Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men; (3) being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh. You see, it's how you live your life, not just what you say, that makes you a witness. (Eze.36:27) And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep mine ordinances, and do them. (28) And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. As soon as the Church started, the baptism of the Holy Spirit came right along with baptism in water. How did the Church go so far astray as to think that people can live the Christian life without everything that God provided? It was never meant to be that way. We are commanded to be full of the spirit of God. (Eph.5:15) Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; (16) redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (18) And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; (19) speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord. If you obey the corrupt nature that's been passed on to you genetically through your parents, you will begin to fall into corruption: first flesh, then soul, then spirit. The “death” is continually taking place because the more corrupt you become, the more dead you become. It's a spiritual death, not a physical death, but it ends in physical death because our spirit is our connection with the Holy Spirit. When our spirit is given to us at birth, it's clean and pure. In Hebrews (10:22,26,27; 11:15-17), the Bible talks about “defiling” your conscience. Your conscience is a part of your spirit, and it tells you right from wrong, but the more you disobey and ignore your conscience, it will become more and more quiet. Eventually, if we don't listen to our spirit, we come to the place where we don't hear it anymore, and that means we come to the place where we aren't led by it anymore. As a child grows up, they become more and more corrupt because they follow their flesh. I believe that the corruption process may be slower if you raise up a child in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6; 23:13,14), but still they are going to fall into corruption. They will need to be born again because they don't have the Holy Spirit to empower them to follow their human spirit. The devil wants to take possession of our soul, which is our mind, will, and emotions, and he does this through our flesh. God wants to take possession of our souls, but the way He takes possession is through our spirit. So here we are with our soul, or in other words, our natural life, our nature, in the middle. We've been given a spirit, and we've been given flesh. As a born-again Christian, we have a decision to make: Are we going to follow the flesh and die, or are we going to follow the Spirit and live? If we follow the Spirit, we're following God. If we follow the flesh, we're following the devil. When a child is born, they don't have the spirit of God, so they don't have the ability to make a choice. They always follow the flesh, and they always die in their soul but less so with good parenting. When I say “die,” I'm talking about spiritual death while you are alive because you are held accountable when you know to do good. (Jas.4:17) To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Sin is imputed when you know what's right and what's wrong. (Rom.5:13) For until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. The older a child gets, the quieter their conscience becomes because they get more and more used to disobeying and rebelling against it. And so they come to the place where they must be born again. Jesus is not saying that a little child must be born again. A little child doesn't have to be born again to enter the Kingdom because their spirit is not dead yet, but the older they become, the more corrupt their soul becomes, and then the more corrupt their spirit becomes until they must be born again in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven. A little child is very open to God. Their spirit is still alive. You can talk to them about God, and they understand, and they easily receive what you teach them, but if you don't teach them anything, they don't have that strength. We have to train our spirit to take the sword of the Spirit. (Eph.6:13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The Word of God is our sword, Saints. Without the Word of God, your spirit is defenseless. You need to educate your spirit by putting the Word of God in there. When I was a little child in the Catholic Church, they told me certain things were wrong that weren't wrong, and so if I did them, my conscience smote me. Even when I was a little child, my conscience told me when I was doing wrong. The Bible tells us that this is true, and we are never supposed to go against our conscience but rather educate it. (Rom.13:5) Wherefore [ye] must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. And here's another example: (1Co.10:25) Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience' sake, (26) for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. (27) If one of them that believe not biddeth you [to a feast,] and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience' sake. (28) But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake: (29) conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other's; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience? (30) If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? (31) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (32) Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God: (33) even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of the many, that they may be saved. When I became born again, I had to re-educate my conscience according to the Word of God in order to have the sword of the Spirit. The sword belongs to the Spirit; it doesn't belong to the flesh. The Word of God empowers your spirit to win the battle against your flesh and the devil. (Eph.6:12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood (This is referring to fighting with physical weapons against physical enemies.), but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. Did you know that it's possible to have the baptism of the Holy Spirit but still not obey the Holy Spirit? Just because you have the Holy Spirit doesn't profit you. What matters is that you are walking in faith and obeying the Holy Spirit because, if you are not walking in faith, you're not going to get anywhere. People who are filled with the Holy Spirit walk closer to God. They have more faith, and they have power over the flesh. Jesus said, (Act.1:8) But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. But you can offend the Holy Spirit and become reprobate, or rejected, by the Holy Spirit. (Eph.4:30) And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. How do you “grieve” the Holy Spirit? (Heb.6:4) For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, (5) and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, (6) and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (7) For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: (8) but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected (This is the Greek word adokimos and it means “failing to pass the test; unapproved; counterfeit”; or, in other words, “reprobated.”) and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned. You grieve the Holy Spirit by not doing His works and therefore you don't bear any fruit. The ultimate end of this is reprobation. (Tit.1:15) To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. (16) They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Did you know that just because you are filled with the Holy Spirit doesn't mean you are going to stay filled with the Holy Spirit? I know this is contrary to what many Pentecostal denominations teach, but if you look in the Book of Acts, you'll see that the same people who were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were later filled again with the Holy Spirit. (Act.2:4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. So they were filled with the Holy Spirit and then after Peter and John were released from prison, they prayed, (4:31) And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, (30) while thy stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus. (31) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness. The same people were refilled with the Holy Spirit. You ask, “David, why would somebody need to be filled with the Spirit more than once?” Jesus gives us the answer. He said, (Joh.7:38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. (39) But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive. The power of the Holy Spirit flows out and is used up as we minister according to the command of Jesus. Notice, it's a river, not a pond. (Mat.10:7) And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give. I'm not saying that the Holy Spirit ever leaves you completely; I'm saying that it takes staying in fellowship with God to stay filled with the Holy Spirit. It's not just a one-time thing, like some Pentecostals believe. We just read, (Act.4:31) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. How can you be filled twice, unless you've been emptied once? If Jesus taught that out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of the Spirit,” then this power is imparted to the need around you. It has to come out, and then it has to be replenished. The point is that we have to maintain our relationship with God because, if we don't, we won't stay filled with the Holy Spirit. Even so, the gifts of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29). He won't take the gifts back. For instance, He won't necessarily take speaking in tongues back, but you may speak in tongues and yet not be filled with the Holy Spirit. A person has to stay filled with the Holy Spirit, as the Bible clearly teaches in Acts. The people who were preaching in Acts 2 were the same people who were filled with the Holy Spirit again in Acts 4. Personally, I believe you have the capacity to receive more of the Spirit when you are full of the Word of God. Jesus said, (Joh.6:63) It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. Therefore, if you receive more of His Word, you will receive more of His Spirit. That's why Jesus breathed on the disciples and in (20:22) … saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit, even though it wasn't manifested until Pentecost, when the rushing mighty wind came.” Most Pentecostal denominations believe that having the Holy Spirit makes you a shoo-in for the Kingdom of Heaven, but having the Holy Spirit doesn't make you immune to sin. Having the Holy Spirit is not what saves you. Some have the Spirit but don't serve Him. Obeying the Holy Spirit is what saves you from sin. (Rom.8:11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Life came out of Jesus. Life came out of His Words when He spoke. Life came out of Him when He laid hands on people. Life came out of His garment and healed the woman who touched Him. Life was in Him and that life was imparted to others, but that's not the case with a person who's not filled with the Holy Spirit. It's more difficult to walk with God, without being filled with the Holy Spirit. From the Book of Acts, you can see that the very foundation of Christianity is to repent, receive a born-again spirit, and then be filled with the Holy Spirit. The typology of the Temple in the Old Covenant makes this very clear. We are supposed to be temples “not made with hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1; Acts 7:47-49) or, in other words, without the works of man. (1Co.6:19) Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; (20) for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body. When Solomon built the Temple, it represented the house “made without hands,” so there couldn't be the sound of tools, symbolizing man's works, while they were building it (1 Kings 6:7). After the Temple was built and they had sanctified it (1 Kings 8:1-9; 2 Chronicles 5:1-10), it still didn't have the Spirit of God in it. But when they had the dedication of the Temple, the Spirit of God came in the form of the Glory Cloud and dwelt in the Temple (1 Kings 8:10,11; 2 Chronicles 5:13,14). You see, the Temple was designed for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. What good was the Temple without the Spirit? I think in this regard, a lot of people are going to fall away because they will not obey the Scriptures and receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power to do what you have to do. There were times when I just didn't think the Holy Spirit was there, but right when it was necessary, the power showed up and completely awed me. And no matter what situation we find ourselves in, the Holy Spirit can manifest Himself in us and enable us to walk as Jesus walked. The Lord also pointed out to me that it was Judah who dwelt in Zion. The name Judah means “praise,” and so Judah identifies the Spirit-filled people, the full-Gospel people. The name Judah separates us from the rest of Christianity, who haven't received the Holy Spirit. The northern 10 tribes of Israel went further astray and “missed the boat” many more times than the tribe of Judah. The northern 10 tribes worshipped the false “Christ,” the two golden calves which they set up. I believe that the Lord showed me this is a type for our day. The northern 10 tribes represent the non-Spirit-filled groups, and Judah represents the Spirit-filled groups, the ones who inhabit Zion. Zion was the city that escaped when Babylon conquered the people of God. A modern-day example of this is the Armenian genocide. The word “genocide” was first coined by historian Raphael Lemkin in 1943 to describe the systematic murder of the Armenians by the Ottomans. Only the Spirit-filled Christians escaped. They fled when they were warned because they believed in prophecy and they believed the prophets God sent to them, but many, many non-Spirit-filled Christians were killed. Some estimates are that as many as 1.5 million lost their lives in that holocaust. The Happiest People on Earth by Demos Shakarian, and John and Elizabeth Sherrill, published by Guideposts Magazine in 1975, tells the story of Demos Shakarian. His grandfather left Armenia for America when the Russian prophet Klubniken foretold that an “unspeakable tragedy” was coming to Armenia. Well, people, now the same thing is getting ready to happen in America, where most of the people who call themselves “Christian” have not yet been filled with the Spirit of God, and they're not giving any heed to all the prophetic warnings that another holocaust is coming. The Spirit of God makes you respect prophets and prophecies. The Spirit of God opens your eyes to dreams, visions, revelations, and the deeper things of the Spirit. We've seen that when the disciples needed more power from God to stand up to and endure the persecution they were receiving, they came together and prayed, and God filled them again with the Holy Spirit. Not only does every Christian need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, but we also need to be continually baptized in the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth gives his first interview since being installed on St Valentine's Day. The 67-year-old becomes the leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, taking over from Cardinal Vincent Nichols who retired last year. Ramadan and Lent are due to get underway around the same time next week - a coincidence that hasn't been seen in decades. We hear from two friends - one Christian and one Muslim - about what they have learned from the other's season of preparation and abstinence. Have you picked up or deepened a spiritual practice by exposure to another faith?War surgeon David Nott talks to Emily about the faith that motivates him to operate in the most dangerous situations, and the maverick Christian organisation, the Free Burma Rangers that enables his work in Myanmar.
As we read Exodus 29, Leviticus 21, and Psalm 119:121-176, Fr. Mike points out how God calls broken and imperfect men to his holy priesthood, and asks each of us to say a special prayer for priests today. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
In this “In Brief” section of the Catechism, we review that only God has the power to create, that is, to call into existence something from nothing. God made man and the entire universe as a manifestation of his love, and he keeps the world and all of us in existence by his will. Fr. Mike discusses one of the greatest mysteries of our faith: God bringing good out of evil. He says we won't fully understand this mystery until we are united with God in heaven. In a broken world, we are called to trust in the goodness of God. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 315-324. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Father Nathan Castle Talks About Helping Stuck Souls Cross Over Our guest today is a longtime Seek Reality friend. He is the wonderful Father Nathan Castle, who is a leader in the field of doing afterlife rescue work, and he is with us for the 12th time. We have known Father Nathan here for perhaps seven years, ever since his first book came out, and Roberta could not believe at first that his spirit rescue work was something that the Catholic Church would even allow! But not only do they allow it, they seem to actively support it. So, very good for them indeed! Father Nathan Castle is a Dominican priest who lives and works in a community of Dominican men and women serving the University of Arizona in Tucson. He is a lovely, gentle, and very spiritual man, and something like thirty years ago, he was recruited by elevated beings not in bodies to do spirit rescue work with them. As it turns out, almost twenty-five percent of people will go off-track for a time when they die, and they often do that by their own choice. And our wonderful friend Father Nathan is one of those who is trusted to help to rescue some of those people, once they feel ready to complete their afterlife journeys. Father Nathan's terrific first book, which was called Afterlife, Interrupted – Helping Stuck Souls Cross Over, came out in 2019, and Roberta tells us that everything in it was completely consistent with what she had learned during all her decades of doing afterlife research. Then that book was followed by books two and three, with similar titles. Father Nathan's books are all terrific, and he has become a regular with us here. Father Nathan's website is Father Nathan Castle, O.P. Learn more about Roberta here: http://robertagrimes.com https://seekreality.com
Fr. Mike explains how the holy garments for priests described in Exodus 27-28, are intentionally designed to glorify God and highlight his beauty. He also gives us an insight into the heart of the priesthood. We read today from Exodus 27-28, Leviticus 20, and Psalm 119: 57-120. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
If God is a good Father and creates a good world, why does evil exist? The Catechism addresses this profound and often painful question. Fr. Mike helps us understand how to reconcile sin, evil, and suffering with God's loving Providence. He assures us that while God does not remove evil, he does redeem it, offering himself as the solution. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 309-314. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Choosing your spouse is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. Drawing from Psalm 1 and Psalm 112, Jeff outlines the character traits of a faithful, steadfast husband—one rooted in Scripture, generous in heart, and strong in adversity. Email us with comments or questions at thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com. Text “jeffcavins” to 33-777 to subscribe and get Jeff's shownotes delivered straight to your email! Or visit https://media.ascensionpress.com/?s=&page=2&category%5B0%5D=Ascension%20Podcasts&category%5B1%5D=The%20Jeff%20Cavins%20Show for full shownotes!
In 1908, a Pentecostal minister announced to his followers that the Devil was alive and well and interfered with every aspect of human life. And he wasn't alone in this belief. Others described demons as swarming around the human soul and living off them “like ticks on cattle.” The Pentecostal belief about the Devil interfering with our everyday lives was just one example of how the twentieth century became the “Satanic Century” for both American religion and popular culture. More than at any other time since the seventeenth century, American religion became obsessed with the Devil and all his works. The was largely due to the rise of two powerful religious movements at the time – Pentecostalism and Fundamentalism. Each gave the Devil a special role in both their view of the world and their personal spiritual experience. But they were not the only ones – Roman Catholicism remained convinced of how the Devil's influence continued to represent a threat to the lives and souls of its followers. In fact, it was during this same time that the Catholic Church revealed the horrors of a demonic possession that would shock the nation. The exorcism that followed would become known as one of the first to make national news in modern American history.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Shopify: https://shopify.com/hauntings* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code HAUNTINGS for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/american-hauntings-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In this episode of our German Reformation series, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Greg Quiggle begin exploring what happens after the attempt to reform the Catholic Church breaks down and the division becomes permanent: What does Protestantism look like under Luther once it’s no longer simply a reform movement? The conversation opens with a key structural issue: the evolving relationship between church and state in early Protestant contexts. Greg explains that most Protestants still lived inside the world of Christendom—where church and state were distinct but not separate—operating like two authorities under one religious framework. That arrangement also clarifies a disturbing feature of the era: the execution of “heretics.” In the 16th century, the church might declare a person heretical, but it was the state that carried the sword—treating heresy as an act of political-religious destabilization and responding as “self-defense.” From there, James and Greg move into the heart of the episode: the post-Reformation negotiation of identity. With the old Catholic structure breaking apart, Protestants faced a massive question: What do we keep from 1,500 years of Christian practice—and what must go? Greg frames the spectrum of Protestant responses: Luther’s approach: keep as much as possible, removing only what clearly violates Scripture Anabaptist/Radical approaches: jettison the entire Constantinian project, rejecting the church-state synthesis and attempting to rebuild from the New Testament alone This clash didn’t remain theoretical. Greg explains how competing Protestant visions collided—sometimes violently—highlighting cases like Zurich where Anabaptists were condemned and executed under the authority of the city council after theological disputes (including disputes over baptism). The episode also touches on radical apocalyptic movements in Germany (including Münster and Thomas Müntzer), showing how social upheaval, plague trauma, and end-times expectations created fertile ground for charismatic extremism—and why Luther feared the Reformation could spiral beyond control. James connects these dynamics to modern organizational realities: how policy tools (like catechesis) can become “passive instruments” when accountability structures fail, and why early Protestant instability wasn’t simply “denomination vs. denomination,” but often included fringe movements driven by chaos, charisma, and apocalyptic certainty. The episode closes by returning to a critical constraint often overlooked today: mass illiteracy. “Bible alone” emerges in a world where most people cannot read, intensifying the importance—and vulnerability—of teaching authority, civic enforcement, and communal formation Quotelos Travel offers small, expert-led “Tours for Ten” that provide an intimate and unforgettable way to explore church history and culture with guides who truly know the locations. Learn more at quotelostravelservice.com, and check out their upcoming trips to Germany, England, and Switzerland. Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Fr. Mike provides us with a mental picture of the ark of the covenant and reminds that the small details of worship matter as we read Exodus 25-26, Leviticus 19, and Psalm 119:1-56 For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
How does God create? We read today about the reality that God creates an ordered and good world. Moreover, he is continually present in his creation, upholding and sustaining it. We also learn that God grants human beings the dignity of being causes, giving us the incredible power to share in his Divine Providence freely. Finally, Fr. Mike reminds us that because we can participate in God's plan, our suffering is not meaningless. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 299-308. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Patrick answers raw questions about faith, technology’s grip on daily life, and the tension between justice and adversity, offering direct biblical guidance alongside personal stories from listeners. Cyrus injects honest humor into discussions about doom scrolling and screen time, sparking conversations that shift from smartphone habits to Eucharistic challenges and family struggles. The episode brims with emotional testimony, scriptural wisdom, and sharp dialogue that moves from practical solutions to reflections on suffering and redemption. Mary (email) – Agrees teens shouldn’t have smartphones due to emotional immaturity and suggests the mother validate her son’s anger over the Epstein revelations while guiding him to temper it with faith, prayer, and trust in God’s ultimate justice. (01:39) Dan - What is the role of the Holy Spirit vs Mary and the Saints? (08:25) Geno - Are we excluding people if we don't allow them to take Communion? (21:41) Jorge - My friends said that Relevant Radio people calling in are paid actors. (33:32) Richard - It seems like we are fighting and will lose on earth but there will be justice in heaven. Is this true? We lose on earth but eventually get the victory. (38:19) Karen - My brother, who is married in the Catholic Church, has remarried a Russian Orthodox. She goes up to receive Communion, but he doesn't. (48:00)
Hosts Pastor Robert Baltodano and Pastor Lloyd Pulley Question Timestamps: Tina, YouTube (2:55) - How do Proverbs 9:1 and Matthew 16:18 relate? Enriquez, HI (4:32) - What are your opinions on healing foods in the Bible? Jasmine, CA (8:08) - What do you know about the Orthodox Church? Dina, NJ (11:49) - I'm a teacher, and I am concerned about using my students? preferred pronouns. Should I use them? Edinson, YouTube (17:35) - Do the last verses of Joshua 1 belong to chapter 3? Beverly, email (19:24) - Can you explain the phrase "sow a seed?" Have we changed the meaning of "seed" as modern believers? Alejandro, NJ (22:44) - Why does God want us to have war? Mitch, NY (26:31) - What would God think of me going into a Catholic Church to pray during work hours? Lee, NJ (33:37) - How are you preparing your congregation for Jesus's return? Donna, email (41:52) - Can you explain Exodus 21:20-21? Does Matthew 25 imply that we can lose our salvation if we are a worthless servant? Jackie, NJ (45:58) - Does the description of Moses seeing the back of the Lord mean that God has a physical form? Peggy, TN (49:30) - Does God require us to be married according to the law in order to live as if we are married, now that we are in our eighties? Ask Your Questions: Call: 888-712-7434 Email: Answers@bbtlive.org
Bear Woznick sits down with Jason Jones to have a conversation about Charlie Kirk's legacy, and the spiritual battle young men have in the Catholic Church.Jason Jones explains his work in Gaza and how being an American Catholic we can carry out the basic act of loving and caring for vulnerable people. Jason explains how he as an American Catholic joins the battle in promoting human dignity and inspiring solidarity through the vulnerable people project. The conversation goes into explaining how knowing the nature of God brings so many things into order. Also how because of reason and discipline it gives the opportunity for young men to flock to the Catholic Church. Full Episodes! https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detai...https://www.bearschoolofmanliness.com/Full Episodes! https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detai...https://www.bearschoolofmanliness.com/SUBSCRIBE & SHARE BEAR'S VIDEOSWEBSITE DeepAdventure.ComNEWEST BOOK "12 Rules for Manliness | Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" on Amazon or Bear's Online Store https://my-site-100622-104377.square....DONATE TO THE CAUSE: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_...PATREON EARLY RELEASE OF CONTENT HERE: / bearwoznickdeepadventure FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/BearWoznick/...#Jesus #Catholic #Faith #Hope #Love #God
In the first part of this two-episode series on trusting the Church, Greg walks listeners through the solemn Profession of Faith that candidates make when entering full communion with the Catholic Church—usually right before Confirmation at the Easter Vigil or a regular Mass. He explains the exact words spoken (“I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God”) and why this public, sacramental vow carries the weight of a marriage promise. Using a four-level hierarchy of Church teaching drawn from the Catechism and magisterial documents, Greg shows what requires full, irrevocable assent and where there is room for honest questions and growth during OCIA formation. This episode is especially for those in OCIA, those considering the step, or anyone wondering how a convert can truthfully say “yes” to the fullness of Catholic doctrine. Perfect for Protestant investigators wrestling with authority and for cradle Catholics wanting to renew their own understanding of the faith they profess. SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception states that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin. The Catholic Church, particularly the Latin Rite, follows the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, which states that Mary was conceived without original sin. Other denominations that follow it include some Anglicans and Eastern Orthodox Churches, though the understanding and formulation differ, and many other Protestant denominations do not accept the doctrine. The Immaculate Conception is celebrated annually on December 8th as a solemn feast day, whose observance began with a Papal encyclical by Pope Pius IX, when he formally defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. The annual Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes was established in 1890 for February 11 by Pope Leo XIII. E262. Truth Unites podcast with Gavin Ortlund at https://amzn.to/4pccMeh Gavin Ortlund books available at https://amzn.to/44HlMj9 What It Means to Be Protestant by Gavin Ortlund at https://amzn.to/3Y0xqlq Saint of the Day podcast with M. Roberts at https://ourcatholicradio.org/programs/saint-day Jerome Atherholt book at https://amzn.to/4471Fe3 Books about the Immaculate Conception at https://amzn.to/4pABc0B ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Truth Unites podcast with Gavin Ortlund-The Immaculate Conception, A Protestant Appraisal (Aug. 31, 2023); Saint of the Day with Mike Roberts (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 9, 2024); Saint of the Day: The Conception of the Most Holy Mother of God by Deacon Jerome Atherholt and Ancient Faith Ministries (20jul2025). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fr. Mike breaks down the three types of law we find in Leviticus, including moral laws regarding sexuality. Today's readings are Exodus 24, Leviticus 17-18, and Psalm 78. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Why did God create? The Catechism today gives us a glimpse into the reason for our existence as we learn about God's marvelous work of creation. Fr. Mike emphasizes that creation is ultimately a work of the Holy Trinity and a work of love that reveals the glory of God. He also reminds us that creation is not a work of the past; God is constantly forming and breathing new life into our lives and hearts. Today we read Catechism paragraphs 290-298. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
“What's the best argument against Mormonism?” This question opens a discussion on the key points of contention between Catholicism and Mormon beliefs. Additionally, the conversation touches on the evidence of divine protection for the magisterium and offers guidance for an ex-Mormon navigating discussions about biblical reinterpretations, such as baptism for the dead. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:20 – What's the best argument against Mormonism? 18:15 – What is evidence of divine protection for the magisterium and the Catholic Church as a whole? 35:41 – I'm an ex-Mormon in OCIA. How do I talk to my family about the bible verses that Joseph Smith and reinterpreted such as baptism for the dead.
⛪ The Devil Within — Episode 3: The Battle No One Sees The Winter Olympics celebrate control — bodies trained to precision, minds sharpened to the edge of physics, every movement calculated against gravity and risk. But in the shadow of those same Alpine peaks, another kind of battle has been unfolding for centuries. One without medals. Without spectators. Without a finish line. This week, The Devil Within turns inward. We travel to northern Italy, near the slopes and valleys that have long shaped both faith and folklore, to the Sanctuary of Monte Berico overlooking Vicenza. A place of prayer for generations — and, in recent years, the setting of a reported exorcism that left witnesses shaken and clergy emotionally drained. This episode explores a case that moved quietly through layers of scrutiny before a formal rite was performed. Those close to the woman at the center of the story described personality changes, emotional volatility, and distress that resisted conventional treatment. What followed inside the stone walls of the sanctuary was not spectacle, but hours of prayer, repetition, exhaustion, and uncertainty. We examine: • How the modern Catholic Church approaches exorcism with caution and psychological screening • Why Alpine communities often interpret suffering through both spiritual and folkloric lenses • The emotional strain on those present during prolonged religious rites • The thin, uneasy line between spiritual belief and mental health realities • What possession stories may reveal about the fragility of identity and the human need for meaning in moments of internal chaos Rather than focusing on dramatic portrayals, this episode sits with the quieter, more unsettling questions. What does it feel like when a person no longer feels at home in their own mind? Why do cultures across time describe that experience as something foreign taking hold? And how do faith, ritual, and psychology all attempt — in their own ways — to bring someone back to themselves? In a region where the mountains constantly remind people that control is never absolute, it may not be surprising that some believe struggle can come from within just as easily as from storm or avalanche. The Alps remain vast. The sanctuary remains still. And somewhere between belief and biology lies a story that resists easy answers.
How do you balance the joys and trials of living out your vocation? Dave talks with Gomer and his wife, Shannon to discuss the dynamic of being called to serve, while having a family. They share the good, the bad and the ugly of being on mission for the Lord and detail the sacrifices of daily life. No matter their calling to serve, they remember their first calling is to serve their family. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow
Fr. Jason Charron is a Ukrainian Catholic Priest who currently serves two parishes, inside the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat in Parma. In Today's Show: Are Eastern Catholic priests allowed to have a second job to support their families? Can non-Catholics receive ashes on Ash Wednesday? Will people who are still alive at the time of the second coming go to heaven without dying first? What should we do if we forget the assigned penance? What can we do if we are not able to do food-related penances/fasts? Why is the Eastern liturgy in the vernacular and not Greek? Would it be considered a grave sin to hold an unending grudge against someone? Does God promise a long life if you honor your father and mother? Why do Eastern Catholic priests marry? Addressing criticisms against the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. Did God ever forgive Solomon for worshiping false gods? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!
The announcement of the Society of Saint Pius X's forthcoming episcopal consecrations has caused mixed emotions, ranging from relief to fear. There can be no doubt about the seriousness of this decision. However, it must be examined in the light of the seriousness of the situation that has brought it about, namely the ongoing crisis in the Catholic Church. The decision to consecrate new bishops for the Society is not an act of defiance, but done out of a genuine desire to save souls.
Michael sits down with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to discuss his new memoir, "Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service." Shapiro reflects on the values that shaped him—faith, family, and public service—and opens up about the defining moments of his life and career. From a traumatic arson attack on the Governor's Residence to leading the investigation that exposed widespread abuse within the Catholic Church, Shapiro shares deeply personal stories about resilience, leadership, and moral responsibility. The conversation also explores mental health, political courage, campus protests, bipartisan governance, and the role his wife, Lori, plays in grounding his decisions. It's a candid and wide-ranging discussion about service, conviction, and finding light in the darkest moments. Original air date 10 February 2026. The book was published on 27 January 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
You are not living in neutral territory. You are standing on a battlefield.In this opening episode of our Spiritual Warfare series, we confront a truth most Catholic men avoid: the war is real, and you are already in it.Drawing from Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the testimony of appointed exorcists like Fr. Gabriel Amorth, Fr. Chad Ripperger, Fr. Vincent Lampert, and Dr. Dan Schneider, we strip away the myths and expose how the enemy actually works.Most men do not fall because they openly rebel. They fall because they drift. They stop praying. They stop going to confession. They stop resisting. And into that vacuum, disorder enters.There is no neutral ground in the spiritual life. You are either moving toward God or sliding away from Him.You were not baptized into comfort. You were baptized into Christ's death and resurrection. You were made for combat.If you are a Catholic husband, father, priest, or single man who wants clarity about spiritual warfare, demonic influence, confession, the state of grace, and authentic Catholic masculinity, this episode is for you.The question is simple: Where have you stopped resisting?The challenge this week is direct:Pray the St. Michael Prayer out loud three times a day (6am, 12pm, 6pm).Take 10 minutes of silence and ask God: “Where have I gone soft?”The war is real. Fight like it.Referenced Resources & ProductsCatechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraph 409)The Liber Christo Method3 Powerful Quotes from the Episode“The war is real and whether you want to acknowledge it or not, you're already in it.”“No man accidentally becomes holy. It's very intentional. And no man accidentally survives a war.”“The devil prefers resignation to outright rebellion.”Key Takeaway for MenLive in the state of grace. Go to confession. A man in grace with ordered habits becomes spiritually dangerous to the enemy.Please prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page (https://buymeacoffee.com/tmc) to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost!Subscribe to our YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxrRLZNk4WqPdgcac5vuWEQ) page to see our manly and holy facesCheck out our website (www.themanlycatholic.com) Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com
The student has become the master! Brett & Christy worked together at CCO in her early years of ministry. Now, she has become one of the premiere leaders in the Catholic Church and joins the show to share about her many years in ministry and the keys to a thriving ministry from her time with CCO. She shares the impotant lessons she's learned over the years, the growth of an evangelist & the four skills of Connect, Act, Discern & Act. Connect with Christy: https://cco.ca/missionaries/christy-dupuis/ Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on an episode by subscribing to the podcast on whatever platform you are listening on. Help other people find the show by sharing this episode on your social media. Thanks! Connect with Brett: Website: https://brettpowell.org Coaching: buildmylifecompass.com/coaching Twitter/X: @BrettPowellorg https://twitter.com/BrettPowellorg Music "Southern Gothic" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Editing by ForteCatholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com)
Fr. Mike reveals the parallels between the day of atonement and the sacrifice of the mass. We learn how the temple worship practices of the old testament foreshadow the worship practices of the Catholic Church. Today's readings are Exodus 23, Leviticus 16, and Psalm 77. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Together with Fr. Mike, we examine some of the different explanations for God's existence outside of the Catholic understanding, such as Pantheism, Dualism, Manichaeism, and Deism. Fr. Mike explains that while some understanding of man's origin can be perceived through human reason and the natural world, we also need Revelation, as it answers many questions about creation we could never possibly hope to answer with reason alone. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 285-289. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOAs a young boy, Bob Cranmer felt an inexplicable pull toward a massive, unsettling house in his Pittsburgh neighborhood. The home felt wrong, even from the outside — and yet, it fascinated him. Years later, that same house would become his family's dream home: a sprawling 7,000-plus square-foot property with a dark reputation few truly understood.What followed was not a typical haunting.Bob eventually chronicled these events in his book "The Demon of Brownsville Road," detailing the house's disturbing history, the toll it took on his family, and the extreme steps required to reclaim their safety. The involvement of the Catholic Church and formal exorcisms marked a turning point, but not without lasting consequences.This is the story of a house that seemed to choose its owner — and the terrifying cost of discovering why.#TheGraveTalks #DemonOfBrownsvilleRoad #BobCranmer #DemonicHaunting #TrueParanormal #HauntedHouse #Exorcism #RealGhostStories #ParanormalPodcast Love real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:
Lent is coming—but is your plan just about doing more, or about letting Jesus go deeper? Dr. Sri unpacks Jesus' powerful words from the Sermon on the Mount and shows how Lent isn't meant to be a checklist of prayers and sacrifices, but a pathway to interior transformation. _ _ For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/Allthingscatholic, or text ALLTHINGSCATHOLIC to 33-777 for weekly shownotes sent to your inbox.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has plenty of dark experiences that he could recount in his new memoir, Where We Keep the Light. In his first term as Pennsylvania's governor, he investigated abuse within the Catholic Church and was the victim of an arson attack in his own home. But as Shapiro eyes a second term in Pennsylvania, he says he's choosing to focus on the light. In today's episode Shapiro sits down with NPR's Scott Detrow, and the two discuss the power of local civic engagement — including how small communities can produce big change. To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
It's Tuesday, February 10th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson, Timothy Reed, and Adam McManus Hong Kong man critical of Chinese Communists sentenced to 20 years In a Hong Kong court, religious freedom and free speech advocate Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to twenty years in prison for publishing articles against the communist Chinese government. Lai is a British Citizen and an adherent of the Catholic Church. World journalists are marking the case as a worldwide setback for freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The United Kingdom home office has responded to the news. The Hong Kong Free Press reports that “British national status holders will be able to immigrate into the U.K. with their children. The office estimates that 26,000 people will arrive in the U.K. over the next five years.” Thousands of Tanzanians murdered Political upheaval, tyranny, and blood in the streets is the order of the day in Tanzania over the last few months. Some reports have revealed the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan killed thousands of Tanzanians. Hassan is a Muslim who was re-elected in a landslide victory last October, marred by accusations of massive fraud. That's when the African country was plunged into chaos and rioting. The bloodshed and terror has gone on for months, reports The Washington Stand. In an effort to conceal the atrocities taking place there, the government has reportedly shut down the internet. Tanzania is at least nominally Christian with a 57 percent Christian population and a 37 percent Muslim population, as the Muslim creep hits south Saharan Africa. Christian martyrdom grows with Muslim population in Nigeria Islamic influence is growing in Nigeria as well — a nation where 56 percent of the population is Muslim and 43 percent is Christian. This has resulted in the martyrdom of 50,000 Christians and the displacement of millions of Christians from their homeland. Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters and the people of Tanzania, Nigeria, and Uganda. Civilian killings continue in Nigeria Last Tuesday, almost 200 Nigerians were killed by gunmen in the communities of Woro and Katsina, reports the International Center for Transitional Justice. Woro is located in the western Nigerian state of Kwara, while Katsina is in the northern region of the country. Psalm 35:1 says, “Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.” War Department will no longer work with Harvard War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the War Department will no longer send military officers to Harvard. He slammed the university for what he called its support of terrorism and the Chinese Communist Party. Hegseth said, “Too many of our officers came back looking too much like Harvard — heads full of globalist and radical ideologies that do not improve our fighting ranks.” The War Department is set to re-evaluate all Ivy League school partnerships. Virginia Democrats unveil gerrymandered congressional map Democrat lawmakers in Virginia put forward a new congressional map heading into the midterm elections this November. The Old Dominion state map heavily favors Democrats, giving them four extra seats, while the Republicans would lose four seats. This comes after the Supreme Court ruled that the new congressional map for California was valid, giving Democrats five additional seats. Virginia Democrats swept the last election, winning races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. All told, gerrymandering in Virginia, California, and a few other states should yield the Democrats an additional 5 to 9 seats in Congress in 2026. And gerrymandering in Texas, North Carolina, and Missouri could yield the Republicans an additional 6 to 10 seats in the upcoming election. Connecticut works to expand abortion access Connecticut is launching a billboard campaign to promote abortion and death, reports LifeSiteNews. The campaign, sponsored by the Reproductive Equity Now Foundation, is advertising the state's commitment to make the killing of unborn children more accessible. Billboards will announce a state-provided pro-abortion hotline. Connecticut Democrat Attorney General William Tong talked about his state's culture of death. He said, “Abortion is safe, legal and accessible here in Connecticut, and that's the way it's going to stay.” But Proverbs 31:9 instructs us to “Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” GOP Rep chastises NBC & NFL for Bad Bunny's foul lyrics And finally, Sunday's Super Bowl half-time show turned into one big leftist political statement with Benito Ocasio, known as Bad Bunny, and a few other characters, who openly opposed President Trump's “America First” policies. To his shame, the Puerto Rican singer sang a bunch of foul-mouthed, sexually-explicit lyrics in Spanish. Republican Congressman Randy Fine of Florida did not pull any punches in his X post. He wrote, “You can't say the f-word on live TV. Bad Bunny's disgusting halftime show was illegal. Had he said these lyrics -- and all of the other disgusting and pornographic filth -- in English on live TV, the broadcast would have been pulled down and the fines would have been enormous. “We are sending FCC Chairman Brendan Carr a letter calling for dramatic action, including fines and broadcast license reviews, against the NFL, NBC, and Bad Bunny. Lock them up.” You can send a short 2-4 sentence letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, urging him to levy these fines. The address is Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554. Kid Rock, on Turning Point USA's half-time show, pointed to Christ Meanwhile, Turning Point USA, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, simulcast their alternative “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Robert Ritchie known as Kid Rock. Some 20 to 30 million Americans tuned in, reports Fox News. Kid Rock threw in another verse to the hit song “Til You Can't.” Check out the lyrics. KID ROCK: “There's a book a'sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off . . . There's a man who died for all our sins a'hanging from the cross. You can give your life to Jesus and He'll give you a second chance, till you can't.” Other performers included Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. War Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson both praised the Turning Point event, reports Politico. Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, February 10th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ. Extra stories Trump administration provides lower costs on prescription drugs President Donald Trump unveiled Trump Rx, a plan that brings down medicine costs for American citizens. Trump Rx negotiates lower rates with drug companies, passing the savings directly to the consumer. The plan specifically helps those who pay for medications out of pocket. The president is calling on lawmakers to pass healthcare reform through Congress to further codify his agenda. Senator launches caucus against Sharia Law Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama launched the new Sharia-Free America Caucus in the U.S. Congress, and has introduced a bill to ban Sharia Law in the United States. Tuberville said, “The strength of our country comes from one law applied equally to all. We cannot allow competing systems of governance to weaken that foundation.”
Today, Fr. Mike explains how God's heart is revealed through his commandments, and how we are all called to a life of justice, as we read from Exodus 22, Leviticus 15, and Psalm 76. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike explores God's role as “Creator” and the vital importance of understanding God as the Creator of all things: heaven and earth, seen and unseen. Together, we examine the questions of our origins, such as “Where do we come from?” and “Where are we going?” Fr. Mike emphasizes that man is created for a purpose because of the great and eternal love our Father in heaven has for every one of us. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 279-284. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Deb and I are excited to share our conversation with our friends from the Common Mystics podcast. Jennifer and Jill come from a long line of women gifted with mystical abilities. Their childhoods were deeply influenced by their maternal grandmother, a Polish Catholic immigrant who practiced mediumship and earth magick while maintaining a profound devotion to the Catholic Church. Their mother, an astrologer, fostered an environment of acceptance for all things mystical, surrounding Jennifer and Jill with psychics, spiritual healers, and various forms of magick. Today, Jennifer is a Tarot reader and intuitive, while Jill is a psychic medium, energy reader, and intuitive life coach. Together, they co-host the Common Mystics podcast, where they share their unique perspectives and spiritual experiences with listeners.Check out the Common Mystics Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics and sign up for exclusive bonus content and monthly video calls with Jen & Jill. All new Tier 4 (Mystical Mentorship) Patreon members will get access to the Spiritual Profile and Psychic Clairs quizzes, plus a complimentary one-on-one consultation with Jen to review their results. Sign up by April 1, 2026 to receive this exclusive offer! Contact Jen and Jill at commonmystics@gmail.com for information about Mediumship and Tarot Readings, One-on-One Coaching Sessions and Psychic Development Classes. Their book, Common Mystics Presents: Ghosts on the Road, Vol. 1, is available for purchase now on Amazon. For more information about Jen and Jill, visit https://commonmystics.net/Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend, subscribe, rate and leave us a kind review. Don't forget to join our community on Facebook by searching Psychic Teachers. If you have a question or story to share with us, send us an email at psychicteachers@gmail.com. For more information on us, check out our websites: debbowen.com and samanthafey.com.You can also find Samantha on Instagram @samanthaofey. You can find our eCourses on crystals, tarot, manifesting and moon magic. Plus we both offer wonderful guided meditations and you can find signed copies of our books. Be sure to check out Samantha's other podcast Enlightened Empaths. Have a great week. Be the Light!
“How do you make a good examination of conscience?” This essential practice is explored alongside questions about the significance of Jesus’ second coming, the role of the Trinity in marriage counseling, and the implications of annulments for remarriage. Each topic sheds light on the complexities of faith and relationships within the Catholic tradition. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:50 – How do you make a good examination of conscience? 19:25 – What does it mean that Jesus will come again in glory? Was the first time at creation, the incarnation, or the Eucharist? 22:00 – How might one use the image of the Trinity when counseling couples for marriage? 24:33 – What happened to the gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the wise men gave to Mary and Joseph? 29:57 – If my husband divorced and I have an annulment, does he have to die before I can marry someone else? 36:00 – My wife and I are going through OCIA and our annulments are not complete. If the annulments are not finalized by Holy Week would we still be able to enter the Church provided that we intend to remain celibate until the annulments are resolved? 41:00 – Could a widow enter into a marriage that was just through the Catholic Church and not a civil, legal marriage? I'm getting mixed answers about whether or not this should be done. 43:26 – My son is getting married to a muslim woman. He was raised Catholic. Now he says he believes in God but not in Jesus' divinity. She is Muslim but not very practicing. They told her father a lie, that my son converted to Islam, to appease him. How do I handle this upcoming wedding?
This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!As a young boy, Bob Cranmer felt an inexplicable pull toward a massive, unsettling house in his Pittsburgh neighborhood. The home felt wrong, even from the outside — and yet, it fascinated him. Years later, that same house would become his family's dream home: a sprawling 7,000-plus square-foot property with a dark reputation few truly understood.What followed was not a typical haunting.Bob eventually chronicled these events in his book "The Demon of Brownsville Road," detailing the house's disturbing history, the toll it took on his family, and the extreme steps required to reclaim their safety. The involvement of the Catholic Church and formal exorcisms marked a turning point, but not without lasting consequences.This is the story of a house that seemed to choose its owner — and the terrifying cost of discovering why.#TheGraveTalks #DemonOfBrownsvilleRoad #BobCranmer #DemonicHaunting #TrueParanormal #HauntedHouse #Exorcism #RealGhostStories #ParanormalPodcast Love real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:
Bishop Kevin Kenney was born in Minneapolis and has ministered to Latino communities there for years. Now an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, he speaks to America about the realities facing Latino Catholics on the ground and what the Catholic Church is doing to support them. 0:00 ICE outside churches and schools 4:45 How the Catholic Church is responding 10:00 Targeting criminals only? 11:45 Preaching during the crisis 15:12 Ministering to ICE 16:45 Latinos have enriched Minneapolis 18:53 Longterm effects 23:45 Pope Leo and prioritizing immigration 34:00 What Bishop Kenney is praying for Links for further reading: Twin Cities pastors preach on the killing of Alex Pretti: ‘We are walking in darkness and living in fear' I'm a Minnesota Catholic mom. Here's what my neighbors are saying about ICE No more funding for ICE without reform. Congress must act Bishop Tyson: Not all are called to be martyrs like Alex Pretti. But we can be witnesses Support Jesuitical by becoming a subscriber to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fr. Mike gives us the historical context around the commandments on slavery to help us better grasp the concept of slavery in the Old Testament. Today we read from Exodus 21, Leviticus 14, and Psalm 75. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Together, with Fr. Mike, we explore the nature of God as Almighty. Fr. Mike discusses three important points to keep in mind about the reality of God's power. The first is that God's power is universal. God rules over everything; it is an infinite power. He is loving, he adopts us as his sons and daughters and shows us his mercy. Fr. Mike concludes with a reflection on God's mysterious power in relation to the reality of the problem of evil and suffering in our world. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 268-278. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Fr. Mike explains the meaning of a covenant with God, and how The Ten Commandments strengthen this relationship. Today's readings are Exodus 19-20, Leviticus 13, and Psalm 74. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
We have arrived at the “nugget day” or In Brief section for the paragraphs examining the nature of the Father in the Trinity. Fr. Mike reiterates some of the “nuggets” of wisdom from these past few days. He emphasizes the importance of how Baptism allows us to share in the life of the Holy Trinity. We conclude this section with a reflection on this profound call to share in the glory of the Trinity even though it exists “in the obscurity of faith.” Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 261-267. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Today's episode dives into the mystical works of God, and what our approach should be for explaining them in the natural world, as we read from Exodus 17-18, Leviticus 12, and Psalm 73. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.