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The exploration of the interplay between progressive theology and Pentecostal thought emerges as a central theme in this discourse with Dr. Bruce Epperly. He articulates that unity, often perceived as elusive within the contemporary Christian landscape, is inherently present through the workings of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Epperly draws upon his extensive background as a congregational pastor and professor to underscore the significance of embracing diverse spiritual experiences. He posits that such inclusivity not only enhances theological discourse but also fosters a more profound sense of community among disparate Christian traditions. The dialogue invites listeners to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and consider how they might contribute to a more unified expression of faith amidst diversity.The engaging discourse between Joshua Noel, TJ Blackwell, and Dr. Bruce Epperly in this episode delves into the nuanced interplay between progressive theology and the charismatic movement. It commences with a profound examination of scriptural texts, notably John 14, which underscores the imperative of love manifested through adherence to divine commandments. This theological lens paves the way for a rich exploration of unity within the Christian community, despite the manifold divisions that often characterize contemporary religious contexts. Dr. Epperly posits that unity is an inherent reality, existing regardless of human constructs of division, and asserts that the Holy Spirit actively works to bind believers together in a profound and transcendent communion. As the discourse unfolds, Dr. Epperly articulates his perspective on process theology, emphasizing the relational nature of God, who is dynamically engaged in the ebb and flow of human experiences. This theological approach stands in stark contrast to more static interpretations of divine sovereignty, advocating for a vision of God who responds to the unfolding narrative of creation. He elucidates how this perspective allows for the acceptance of diverse spiritual expressions, including practices traditionally associated with Pentecostalism, thereby enriching the collective understanding of God's presence in the world. Dr. Epperly's insights challenge listeners to reconsider the boundaries that often separate different faith traditions, advocating for a more inclusive approach to spirituality. The dialogue culminates in a compelling call to action, urging listeners to cultivate humility and active listening as foundational practices for fostering unity among Christians. Dr. Epperly encourages engagement with diverse theological perspectives, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the shared spiritual journey that connects all believers. By embracing a posture of openness and receptivity, he believes communities can foster a deep sense of belonging and solidarity, ultimately reflecting the inclusive nature of divine love. This episode not only invites reflection on the potential for reconciliation within the church but also serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of love and acceptance in the Christian faith.Takeaways: Dr. Bruce Epperly's extensive background in theology and ministry enriches the podcast's exploration of progressive theology. The conversation emphasizes the inherent unity among Christians, as articulated through the lens of the Holy Spirit's influence. Process theology presents a dynamic relationship with God, suggesting that divine revelation occurs continually in every moment. Epperly argues for inclusivity within the Christian faith, advocating for the acceptance of diverse spiritual experiences and expressions. The podcast highlights the historical evolution of the charismatic movement and its potential convergence with progressive Christian thought. Unity amid diversity is a key theme, reflecting that the Holy Spirit fosters...
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https://newsongpeople.com/messages/church-the-communion-of-the-saintsWelcome to Week 8 of our Life Blood series!
Rev. Doug Floyd Trinity Sunday 2025Rev. Doug FloydJohn 16:12-15 St. Sergius of Radonezh's (ra-donesh's) whole life was devoted to the Holy Trinity.[1] He lived in the 14th century and believed that the divisions of the church and the world could only be healed through contemplation of the Trinity. Seventeen years after his death, Andrei Rublev was commissioned to paint an icon of…
Moving Forward Part 6 - Church Meetings Part 2 - Lakeview Community Church
This message challenges us to reignite our dreams and embrace God's vision for our lives. Drawing inspiration from Jeremiah 29:11, we're reminded that God has plans to prosper us, not to harm us. The sermon introduces the DREAM acronym: Dedicate yourself to God, Reserve time with Him, Evaluate your abilities, Associate with the right people, and Make your dreams known. These steps encourage us to align our aspirations with God's will, surround ourselves with positive influences, and boldly declare our faith-filled goals. The message emphasizes that it's never too late to dream again, using George Foreman's comeback story as a powerful illustration. As we reflect on this, let's consider how we can apply these principles to revive our own dreams and walk more closely with God.
Few people have had more access to Jensen Huang, Nvidia's charismatic founder, than Stephen Witt. In his book "The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World's Most Coveted Microchip", Witt traces the company's three-decade journey under the leadership of a man he describes as sometimes “neurotic”, a founder who, despite being at the top of his game, constantly fears going out of business. And yet, his team remains fiercely loyal. He rarely fires those who face his ire. So how does he lead a company in an industry where every few years the technology is upended and replaced by something entirely new? And how does he stay grounded while working relentless hours? Stephen spoke to hundreds of people to find the answers, many of which he shares in his book and in this podcast.
SummaryIn this conversation, Danielle Strickland, James Sholl, and Dr. Hilary McBride explore the complex relationship between religion, mental health, and societal systems. They discuss how religion can serve as both a source of support and a potential source of harm, particularly when it becomes a toxic system that prioritizes itself over the well-being of individuals. The conversation delves into the nuances of how charismatic leadership can manipulate followers and the importance of understanding the disconnection that can occur within religious contexts, ultimately leading to a deeper exploration of identity and belonging. In this conversation, Danielle Strickland and Hillary McBride explore the profound connection between embodiment, spirituality, and trauma. They discuss how disconnection from our bodies can lead to various forms of suffering and how reconnecting with our physical selves can be a pathway to liberation and healing. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of recognizing the value of our bodies, understanding cultural narratives that devalue them, and the spiritual significance of listening to our bodies. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, they highlight practices for fostering a deeper connection with oneself and the world around us.Takeaways* Religion can be both a source of support and harm.* Cultural practices around spirituality can disconnect us from our spiritual longings.* Systems can serve their own purposes at the expense of individuals.* Charismatic leaders can create environments that feel safe but are toxic.* Attachment styles influence how individuals relate to systems.* Disconnection from self can lead to compliance in toxic systems.* Religious practices can exacerbate mental health issues for some.* Understanding the sacred purpose of systems is crucial.* Disconnection is a key factor in understanding oppression. Disconnection from the body can lead to suffering.* Embodiment is a pathway to spiritual and political liberation.* Recognizing the value of bodies is essential for healing.* Cultural narratives often devalue the body, especially for women.* Listening to our bodies can reveal deep truths about ourselves.* Trauma can create a disconnect from our physical selves.* Practices for embodiment can help reconnect with our bodies.* Spirituality is intertwined with our physical existence.* Memory is held in our bodies and influences our experiences.* The body can be a source of wisdom and guidance. Dr. Hillary McBride Get full access to Right Side Up: Danielle Strickland at daniellestrickland.substack.com/subscribe
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Many non-Orthodox churches are appealing to emotion by using charismatic forms and expressions. What's the Orthodox view of things like speaking in tongues, faith healing, and prophetic words of knowledge?
Igniting Contagious Faith!Sermon Notes: https://links.kchanford.com/sunday
https://newsongpeople.com/messages/the-holy-spiritThe Holy Spirit // Lifeblood // Week 7What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer?Is He just a force… or is He a person?This week, Pastor Jackson Wilson dives deep into Scripture to discover how the Holy Spirit SEALS us, BAPTIZES us, and FILLS us — shaping us into the image of Christ and empowering us to live on mission. From the day of Pentecost to the life of Stephen to the teachings of Paul — the Spirit has always been God's promised gift to His people, bringing assurance, proximity to Jesus, and supernatural power.We also wrestle with this: Are we walking in the person and presence of the Spirit — or just in doctrine alone? As Charles Spurgeon said, "Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless."Join us as we anchor this teaching in the Word — and learn how the Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life marked by love, truth, and the presence of Jesus.
Rev. Dr.. Les Martin Pentecost 2025 – They were all together in one placeRev. Dr. Les MartinActs 2:16 In the Name of the Living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen Having migrated from the East after the flood, the peoples gathered on the plain of Shinar, all together in one place. This is not a good thing. Back…
Genesis 11:1-9 Exodus 19:3-8, 16-20 Joel 2: 28-32 Acts 2:1-11 John 20:19-23 If you aren't paying attention, Pentecost seems to be the most random event in history. A group of people praying in a room in Jerusalem suddenly see fire on their heads and they begin to speak in various languages. And many people and churches do not understand why Pentecost is important and they call it the birthday of the church. And for people who believe that the Holy Spirit withdrew a generation later, they try to downplay this event and look at it as an anomaly. This is why we read all these lessons each year to show that Pentecost is part of a continuum in Scripture, and also a great restoration of God's original plan. Pentecost is the fulfillment of everything the Messiah said he would do. The Holy Spirit is the author of scripture, and the central character throughout. This is one of the interesting aspects of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit always directs the attention to someone else. You can miss the Holy Spirit in the Bible if you are not looking. The Bible begins with the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters and out of this chaos comes order. The Holy Spirit always brings order out of chaos. Normal Christianity is Charismatic. You can get the Belonging House Friday Email at https://belonginghouse.substack.com Christ John Otto writes at https://christjohnotto.substack.com You can support us at https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/raise-up-an-army-of-artists You can view Belonging House Books here: https://bookshop.org/shop/belonginghouse
Moving Forward Part 5 - Church Meetings Part 1 - Lakeview Community Church
On this Pentecost Sunday, we're challenged to ask ourselves a profound question: 'Is this that?' Are we experiencing the same power, gifts, and manifestations of the Holy Spirit that the early church did in Acts 2? This message urges us to hunger for all that God has for us, reminding us that the baptism of the Holy Spirit isn't limited to a denomination or time period - it's a living experience available to all believers. We're encouraged to seek after the fullness of God's power, including healing, speaking in tongues, and other spiritual gifts. The central theme revolves around the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and its relevance for us today. This isn't just ancient history; it's an invitation to a deeper, more empowered walk with God. As we reflect on our own faith journey, let's consider: Are we settling for less than everything God wants to give us? Are we experiencing the same transformative power that changed the early church? This message challenges us to open our hearts, repent, and eagerly receive all that God has for us in this present day.
This past Friday marked a special date that changed the future of Britain, Europe and countless other nations. On June 6, 1944, the D-Day landings of Allied troops on Normandy's beaches turned the tide of World War 2. Both the Germans and the British and Americans and other allies had known this day was coming. But when it came, it came suddenly and dramatically. At the start of what Field Marshall Rommel called the Longest Day, the Nazi Third Reich looked invincible. By the end of the day, although much fighting lay ahead, its destruction was assured. D-Day for the launch of the Christian church happened 2000 years ago on the Day of Pentecost which we celebrate this Pentecost Sunday. It took place in Jerusalem which was packed with visitors from all over the world to celebrate the Jewish festival known as the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks. Within a few moments a small group of followers of Jesus were born into a new dimension of supernatural power and authority. The disciples who had previously been full of fear became fearless ambassadors of Christ. In one day, a small group of 120 disciples grew to a church of thousands. On this day and after this day they became an unstoppable force. Within weeks the whole of Jerusalem knew all about Jesus and within one generation, despite much hostility and persecution Christianity had spread throughout the Roman Empire. Today there are more than two billion Christians in the world and well over half a billion of them would describe themselves as Charismatic or Pentecostal. Pentecostalism has been labelled the third great force in Christianity alongside Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. But now all branches of the Christian church are experiencing a new work of the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals/Charismatics are found in 9,000 ethnolinguistic cultures, speaking 8,000 languages covering 95 per cent of the world's total population. Although the coming of the Holy Spirit had been promised centuries before by the prophet Joel, the events of the day of Pentecost, ten days after the return of Jesus to heaven, were sudden and dramatic. Acts 2:1-4 says: ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.' We see some simple lessons about the Day of Pentecost: 1. The day of Pentecost was a day of great Power (Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; 4:31-33; 5:12) 2. The day of Pentecost was a day of great purpose (2 Peter 1:3; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:17) 3. The day of Pentecost was a day of blessing for all people (Acts 2:17-18,38-39; Luke 11:11-13) Apply 1. The day of Pentecost was a day of great Power. D Day was an awesome display of military power. D Day for the church, however, was an awesome display of the power of God. It was supernatural power: When the Holy Spirit came there was a sound which came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Everybody was aware of an awesome power they had never known before. It was not of earthly origin. It was undeniable power. There were signs that God was at work, including the blowing of a violent wind, tongues of fire resting on the disciples which were visible to all and speaking in languages that they had never learnt (Acts 2:4). The gift of speaking in tongues was also present when Peter went to the Gentiles (Acts 10:45-46). The Holy Spirit literally loosened people tongues, to talk in languages they had never spoken before. It was revolutionary power. From the moment the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they shared the good news of Jesus with great boldness. They no longer were intimidated by anything or anyone even the authorities who tried to stop them (Acts 4:31-33). What's more the disciples worked supernatural healings and miracles in Jesus' name (Acts 5:12). Even the building that they were meeting in was shaken after they prayed (Acts 4:31). What the day of Pentecost clearly shows us is that the greatest power in all the world is not political power or military power or financial power; it is the power of God. Today, it is only this supernatural demonstration of God's power that is going to bring about fundamental change in the church and to our society. It is only when we realise that God alone is our greatest need and we seriously seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, that this change begins. It doesn't take many people for a new movement of the Holy Spirit to gather momentum. The world transformative movement of Methodism began when the Holy Spirit came on John Wesley and 60 others on Jan 1, 1739. One participant said ‘About three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground.' The fires of the Holy Spirit spread rapidly. In February 1739, George Whitefield started preaching to the Kingswood coal miners in the open fields near Bristol. He preached outside because many churches opposed him, accusing him and other evangelicals of “enthusiasm.” When he started the meetings in February, about 200 attended. By March, 20,000 attended. Christians through the ages have recognised the need for the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives and ministries (see C.H. Spurgeon and Dr D. Martyn Lloyd- Jones). We must be confident that God has this power today and we must begin to plead and yearn for it. 2. The day of Pentecost was a day of great purpose. D Day had a supreme goal; the liberation of Europe from the evil rule of the Nazis. France would be liberated; the occupied countries of Europe would be liberated. The survivors of the Holocaust in Belsen and other concentration camps would be liberated. So too the coming of the Holy Spirit liberates us from the captivity of the kingdom of darkness and enables us to live as free born sons and daughters in the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit can free you from sin, self-centredness and evil powers. You can live free from fears and addictions, freed up to live the way God wants us to live (2 Peter 1:3). You can be freed up to extend the Kingdom of God everywhere (Acts 1:8). When you know the power and presence of the Holy Spirit you will be freed up to worship the Lord without religious inhibitions or personal hangups (2 Corinthians 3:17). So Pentecost means you will receive power and you will live in great freedom. 3. The day of Pentecost was a day of blessing for all people. Huge numbers of people were involved in the events of D Day and even more were affected by them. In time hundreds of millions of people felt the impact of D Day. So too the Holy Spirit wants to affect people everywhere (Acts 2:17-18). The prophecy of Joel includes young people: sons and daughters. Your children too also need to experience God in a supernatural way. Old people: you're not too old to have a new encounter from God and to receive new dreams Men: the Holy Spirit wants to help and equip you. Women: you can be greatly used by God. All ethnic groups; Jews and non-Jews. And this promise of the Holy Spirit is still open for every generation and for you also (Acts 2:38-39). Others have been blessed. Now you can you be too. God is interested in you. God wants to help you. God is for you. You may not have a church background. You may be new to all this but if you are hungry for God He will meet you. The Holy Spirit will change you. The Holy Spirit will comfort you. The Holy Spirit will guide you. The Holy Spirit will give you all the authority you need to conquer in every situation. You can be filled with the Holy Spirit just as happened to ALL the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. Today you can pray this ancient and simple prayer of the Christian church: ‘Come Holy Spirit.' If you want to be filled with the Spirit then repent of sin and wrong doing. Have you grieved the Holy Spirit by your words, attitudes, actions and relationships? Have you quenched the Spirit by not obeying Him when you should and despising His gifts and His people? Repent and be baptised. Then you need to hunger and ask for the Holy Spirit and you will receive Him (Luke 11:11-13).
The Decoders welcome back cognitive anthropologist Manvir Singh for a continued exploration into the social and cognitive dimensions of shamanism. Building upon their earlier conversation, this episode involves further discussion of the psychological mechanisms and cultural patterns that make shamanic practices a recurring feature across human societies. Drawing from Singh's latest book, Shamanism: The Timeless Religion (2025), the discussion addresses how these ancient practices persist and adapt in modern contexts.Taking our standard meandering conversational journey with Manvir, we traverse topics such as whether Jesus and the Buddha were shamans, the parallels between the Siberian tundra and Silicon Valley, the potential emergence of AI-driven shamans within virtual reality environments, and whether dialogos with Hermes counts as a soul flight.Something for all the family!LinksShamanism: The Timeless Religion by Manvir Singh (2025)Prof or Hobo websiteNew Yorker: The President Who Became a ProphetOur first interview with ManvirBuckner, William. 2022. "A Deceptive Curing Practice in Hunter–Gatherer Societies" Humans 2, no. 3: 95-103. https://doi.org/10.3390/humans2030007
This week: Therapy Culture & Childlessness – Sean and Scott discuss a New York Times article suggesting that the rise in childlessness among Millennials and Gen Z may be linked to therapeutic culture and a fear of repeating parental mistakes.Charismatic Christianity's Growth – A look at why charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity is the fastest-growing Christian movement globally, and what this spiritual hunger reveals about secularism and modern culture.Gene Editing Moratorium – The hosts unpack a call for a 10-year global ban on heritable human genome editing, highlighting concerns over unintended consequences and ethical boundaries in germline modifications.Planned Parenthood Closures – With clinics closing across several states, they examine what this trend says about abortion access, cultural shifts, and the growing use of abortion pills over surgical procedures.Join us for ANCHORED: A Conference for Pastors, Church Leaders and the Community June 9-11, 2025. Hosted by Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in Southern California. Learn more and register at https://www.biola.edu/anchored ==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
The story of Pentecost in Acts 2 is brimming with rich imagery and hyperlinks from the Hebrew Bible. God's Spirit dramatically fills a house of Jesus' followers like a wind, and fire burns over the disciples' heads as they begin speaking languages from across the known world! What is happening here, and how is it a fulfillment of God's promises? In this re-released episode from our 2018 Luke-Acts series, Jon and Tim trace the significance of Pentecost, revealing how God's presence now dwells within his people and empowers them to advance his Kingdom mission.CHAPTERSFire at Pentecost and the Place Where Heaven and Earth Meet (0:00–2:15)The Fiery Arrival of the Promised Helper (2:15–11:27)Overlaying Ancient Stories of God's Presence (11:27–24:12)Peter's Speech to the Crowd (24:12–31:13)Recovering the Exiles (31:13–35:37)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCES“Pentecost: Acts 1-7” from our Luke-Acts video seriesActs (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) by Eckhard J. SchnabelThe Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke's Account of God's Unfolding Plan by Alan J. ThompsonYou can view annotations for this episode—plus our entire library of videos, podcasts, articles, and classes—in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“Color Pallette 90” by Dan Koch“Do it Right” by Dan Koch“Fall Back” by Dan KochBibleProject theme song by TENTSSHOW CREDITSThis episode was originally produced in 2018 by Jon Collins, Dan Gummel, and Matthew Halbert-Howen. Production of today's re-release is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.
Guitarist Dee Brown created a jazzy album of R&B instrumentals on which he adopted the persona of a fictious character called “Mister Smooth,” who is confident, focused, and anchored in equanimity. Writing eight new songs, most of them with his GRAMMY® nominated producer and longtime collaborator Valdez Brantley (Usher, Mary J. Blige, Keith Sweat, Lil Wayne), Brown's sixth album will be released by Innervision Records on March 28. The melody-rich title track will be issued as a single the same day. Stepping into the “Mister Smooth” character like a method actor while writing and recording the album wasn't much of a stretch for Brown, who is a devout man of faith. The confidence and maturity that he exudes on the recording and is on full display via his guitar work and the compositions he crafted for the set are bolden and empowering. It's a determined mindset purposed with overcoming challenges and adversity while remaining in control - even when the world feels chaotic. “Mister Smooth embodies a person who is consistently on top of things and maintains control in any situation. Even when faced with uncertainty, he excels at ‘faking it until he makes it,' elevating the experience for everyone involved. I created an album that captures the essence of what it means to be a Mister Smooth. This concept isn't just a reflection of who I am or aspire to be; it represents a powerful attribute that enhances any situation. The name itself resonates with many, making it relatable and appealing. This is perfectly aligned with the type of music we produce and the kind of person with whom we all aspire to be,” said Brown who released multiple singles from the project while he was working on the collection over the last couple of years. After opening the album with “Mister Smooth,” the Detroit- born and based artist offers a taste of his hometown on “Wes 8Mile,” which he wrote with multi-time Billboard No. 1 chart-topper Blake Aaron who produced the song that was issued as a single. Mike Parlett's saxophone perfectly complements Brown's cool toned electric jazz guitar riffs that invoke jazz guitar legend Wes Montgomery. “Eight Mile is one of the main streets running through Detroit, and I grew up on the west side of Detroit. The name ‘Wes 8Mile' comes from my guitar hero Wes Montgomery's unique style of playing, which often involved using octaves. An octave is a note that is eight diatonic notes away from the first note, and he would play these two notes together. My goal was to create an up-tempo groove that incorporated both octaves and single note playing, along with a half-step modulation. I also wanted to incorporate an ensemble, which is why I invited saxophonist Mike Parlett to play on the track with Carnell Harrell (keyboards), Mel Brown (bass), and Tony Moore (drums),” explains Brown. Another collaboration with Aaron resulted in “The Thing Is…” which adds horn player and arranger David Mann, keyboardist Tateng Katindig, and Aaron's rhythm guitar to the ensemble. It was the second single from the album and hit all the major charts. “Many times, when a conversation is going and someone wants to make a valid point, they will say, 'The thing is...' That is what this song is all about, making a musical valid point that will grab your attention and immediately be noticed," stated Brown. Brown and Brantley interpret Sister Sledge's rousing anthem “We Are Family,” which includes an imaginative jazz breakdown midway through the disco dancefloor filler. “My wife suggested that we remake ‘We Are Family' and I immediately thought of Nile Rodgers, the incredible guitarist from the legendary group Chic. I've always admired his rhythm guitar work,” Brown admitted. Brown sees his Mister Smooth character as someone who would be charming, which inspired the song titled “Charming.” “This track was developed after I decided we needed to record a slower song. I wanted to incorporate 808 electric drums, Moog synth/bass, and a variety of synthesized sounds reminiscent of the 1990s with a strong emphasis on guitar,” said Brown. “Finesse” was the first track recorded for the album, yet the song had to go through a process of evolution. Brown explains, “I noticed a problem with the song's chorus. I decided to try an alternative melody, and it seems to work perfectly. So, when you hear the track, if you listen to the lead melody on the big body guitar, that's the new melody and if you listen in the background, there's another melody that is played with my Stratocaster-style guitar that is more like a picking style playing the original melody. They work together perfectly.” The album's first single was “You Already Know,” which was released as a deep cut during the recording process to keep Brown on radio playlists. His gregarious guitar is slick and proficient as it deftly maneuvers to the fore of a midtempo electric groove. The vibrant “Charismatic” gets a boost from Merlon Devine's soprano sax. Brown explains, “Initially, Valdez (Brantley) played the flute sound on the track on his keyboard, but I felt we needed a live flute player. Unfortunately, all the flautists we knew were unavailable. I suggested using a soprano saxophone instead and called my good friend, Merlon Devine. We decided to keep the keyboard flute sound after all, but it's Merlon's beautiful soprano sax that really stands out on this track.” We experience a completely different side of Brown on “4th Dimension,” on which he indulges his rock god guitar alter ego. “I was kind of a rock ‘n' roller influenced by great bands from the '80s and '90s. I've always loved legendary guitarists like Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page, and I wanted to create a rocky, funky groove. We started exploring a direction that I don't usually take. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ladydiva-live-radio--2579466/support.
Igniting Contagious Faith!Sermon Notes: https://links.kchanford.com/sunday
https://newsongpeople.com/messages/he-shall-comeWhat do we do with a line like this? “He shall come to judge the living and the dead.”It sounds intense. Maybe even scary. But what if it's actually good news?In this eye-opening sixth message of our Life Blood series, Pastor Josh Blount helps us reframe the return of Jesus—not as a threat, but as a promise. A promise that justice is coming. A promise that pain won't last forever. A promise that our King is on His way.From Acts 1 to Luke 21 to Revelation, this message walks through the signs of the times, the urgency of surrender, and the call to live with purpose. Jesus isn't coming back to catch you slipping—He's coming back to make all things right.Whether you feel overwhelmed by the headlines, asleep in your calling, or just unsure where you stand with God—this message is a wake-up call to stand up, lift your head, and get about Jesus business.
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Moving Forward Part 4, Preaching & Preachers Part 2 - Lakeview Community Church
In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine the nature of our faith through the lens of Jesus' encounter with two blind men in Matthew 9. The central question echoes through time: 'Do you believe I can do this?' This isn't just about healing physical blindness, but about our spiritual vision and trust in God's power. We're reminded that faith isn't just about what we see, but about believing in the unseen. The message encourages us to persist in our prayers and beliefs, even when circumstances don't change immediately. It's a call to action - to combine our faith with works, demonstrating our trust through our actions. This teaching resonates deeply with our daily struggles and reminds us that our faith should be placed not in our own abilities or even in our faith itself, but in the unwavering faithfulness of God. As we face our own challenges, we're inspired to respond like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: believing God can and will act, but choosing to trust Him even if He doesn't act as we expect.
Igniting Contagious Faith!Sermon Notes: https://links.kchanford.com/sunday
What is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)? And what does it have to do with conservative political power in the United States and abroad? Leah Payne and Caleb Maskell join Mark Labberton for a deep dive into the emergence and impact of the New Apostolic Reformation—a loosely affiliated global network blending Pentecostal Christian spirituality, charismatic authority, and political ambition. With their combined pastoral experience and scholarly expertise, Payne and Maskell chart the historical, theological, and sociopolitical roots of this Pentecostal movement—from Azusa Street and Latter Rain revivals to modern dominion theology and global evangelicalism. They distinguish the New Apostolic Reformation from the broader Pentecostal and charismatic traditions, and explore the popular appeal, theological complexity, and political volatility of the New Apostolic Reformation. Episode Highlights “Isn't this just conservative political activism with tongues and prophecy and dominion?” “At no point in time in the history of these United States … have Protestants not been interested in having a great deal of influence over public life.” “You can be super nationalistic in Guatemala, in Brazil, in India, and in the United States. … It is a portable form of nationalism.” “They are not moved by appeals to American democracy or American exceptionalism because they have in their mind the end times and the nation of Israel.” “Charismatics and Pentecostals, unlike other forms of American Protestantism … do not have a theological value for democracy.” Main Themes Pentecostalism's history and global influence Charismatic Christianity versus Pentecostalism Defining and explaining the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) C. Peter Wagner, Lance Hall, and Seven Mountain Mandate Dominion theology, Christian nationalism, and the religious Right Pentecostals and Trump politics Zionism in charismatic theology Vineyard movement, worship music, and intimacy with God Linked Media References About Vineyard USA God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music by Leah Payne The New Apostolic Churches by C. Peter Wagner This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti Atlantic Article: “The Army of God Comes Out of the Shadows” by Stephanie McCrummen Bonhoeffer's America: A Land Without Reformation, by Joel Looper Another Gospel: Christian Nationalism and the Crisis of Evangelical Identity, by Joel Looper Show Notes Leah Payne defines Pentecostalism as “a form of American revivalism” William J. Seymour Marked by interracial desegregated worship and spiritual “fireworks” like tongues and prophecy Mystical experiences of God Desegregation and physically touching one another in acts of miraculous healing The Azusa Street Revival (1906) identified as a global catalyst for Assemblies of God denomination There is no founding theological figure, unlike Luther or Calvin Caleb Maskell emphasizes Pentecostalism's roots in “a founding set of experiences,” not a founding theological figure “Limits to what makes a church” Lack of ecclesiological clarity leaves Pentecostalism open to both renewal and fragmentation Leah highlights Pentecostalism as “a shared experience … a shared series of practices.” “Holy Rollers” and being “slain in the Spirit” “A different way of knowing” “Christians are made through an encounter with Jesus.” The global “charismatic movement” and how it has had cross-denominational Influence “Charismatic” was a mid-twentieth-century term for Spirit-led practices arising within mainline Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions Charismatic means “gifted” or “being given gifts” “‘Charismatic' has typically been a more inclusive word than ‘Pentecostal.'” Emphasis on personal spiritual gifts and intimate worship styles “They are not respecters of institutions.” Figures like Oral Roberts and Amy Semple McPherson were “too big” for denominational constraints “Too-bigness” as driven by both an over-inflated ego and spiritual mysticism Frederick Buechner: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.” Spellbound, by Molly Worthen (see Conversing episode 212) What are the origins and key ideas of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)? New Apostolic Reformation: “a form of institutionalized charismatic identity that builds on grassroots consensus.” “NAR” coined by C. Peter Wagner at Fuller Seminary in the 1990s Wagner promoted post-denominationalism and “reality-based” church governance centred on individual charismatic gifts Emerged from a “larger soup” of charismatic ideas—often practiced before being systematized. Closely tied to the “Seven Mountain Mandate”: that Christians should influence key societal sectors—family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government The role of dominion theology and political alignment “The convergence of egos, the convergence of ethos … is a natural thing to see emerging.” “Dominion is really just two or three logical steps from an obsession with cultural relevance.” Payne sees dominionism as a Pentecostal-flavoured version of a broader conservative political strategy. “Charismatics and Pentecostals are everywhere … so we should expect them on the far right.” Many deny the NAR label even as they operate in its mode. ”When Bob Dylan's in your church, suddenly your church is relevant, whether you like it or not.” Defining “Dominionism” “Dominion is really just two or three logical steps from an obsession with cultural relevance. Cultural relevance says church should fit—not prophetically, but should fit all but seamlessly—into modes of culture that people are already in.” What are the “Seven Mountains of Culture”? Family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government—”the world would go better if Christians were in charge of each of those arenas.” “At no point in time in the history of these United States and the history of European settlers in the new world have Protestants not been interested in having a great deal of influence over public life.” Trump, Zionism, and global Pentecostal nationalism Christian nationalism versus religious Right “They are not moved by appeals to American democracy. … They think the nation of Israel is the nation of all nations.” “Isn't this just conservative political activism with tongues and prophecy and dominion?” Anti-institutional and anti-structural How Trump seeks power and ego affirmation Christian theocratic rule? ”It may simply be a part of what it is to be a Christian is to say, at some level, within the spheres that I'm given authority in, I ought to have the right kind of influence, whatever it is.” “ I think what's scary about the moment that we're in right now is in fact the chaos.” A book about Donald Trump—God's Chaos Candidate, by Lance Wall ”The beliefs in divine prophecy are so widespread that they transcend partisanship.” Black Pentecostalism: immune to the charms of Trump and populist conservatives Trump's Zionist overtures strategically captured charismatic loyalty The rise of global Pentecostal nationalism in countries like India, Brazil, and Guatemala parallels US patterns. “They don't actually care long-term about American democracy.” “They are not moved by appeals to American democracy or American exceptionalism because they have in their mind the end times and the nation of Israel.” Prosperity gospel Dominionism and the Roman Catholic “doctrine of discovery” The gospel of Christ as “sorting power” “It is a portable form of nationalism.” Concerns about power, order, and eschatology Mark Labberton reflects on Fuller Seminary's controversial role in NAR's intellectual development. Payne critiques the equation of widespread Pentecostal practices with far-right dominionism. “What's scary … is the chaos. And a number of people associated with NAR have celebrated that.” NAR theology often prioritizes divine chaos over institutional order. Warnings against super-biblical apostolic authority and spiritual authoritarianism. Pentecostalism beyond politics “There's a vivid essentialism—make everything great and all the nations will gather.” Vineyard worship as a counterweight to dominionism—emphasizing intimacy and mystical union with Christ. “That emphasis on Jesus as a friend … is a really beautiful image of God.” Vineyard music helped export a gentle, intimate charismatic spirituality. About Leah Payne Leah Payne is associate professor of American religious history at Portland Seminary and a 2023–2024 public fellow at the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). She holds a PhD from Vanderbilt University, and her research explores the intersection of religion, politics, and popular culture. Payne is author of God Gave Rock and Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music (Oxford University Press, 2024), and co-host of Rock That Doesn't Roll, a Public Radio Exchange (PRX) podcast about Christian rock and its listeners, and Weird Religion, a religion and pop culture podcast. Her writing and research has appeared in The Washington Post, NBC News, Religion News Service, and Christianity Today. About Caleb Maskell Caleb Maskell is the associate national director of theology and education for Vineyard USA. Born in London, he immigrated with his family to New Jersey in 1986, at the age of nine. Caleb has been involved in leadership in the Vineyard movement for twenty-five years. After spending a gap year at the Toronto Airport Vineyard School of Ministry in 1995, he went to the University of Chicago to study theology, philosophy, and literature in the interdisciplinary undergraduate Fundamentals program. While there, he joined the core planting team of the Hyde Park Vineyard Church, where he served as a worship leader, a small group leader, a setter-up of chairs, and whatever else Rand Tucker asked him to do. After college, full of questions that had emerged from the beautiful collision of serious academic study and the practical realities of church planting, Caleb enrolled in the MDiv program at Yale Divinity School. For four years, he immersed himself in the study of theology, church history, and Scripture, while also leading worship and working with middle school and high school youth groups. After graduating in 2004, he worked for three years as the associate director of the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University. In 2007, along with his wife Kathy and their friends Matt and Hannah Croasmun, Caleb planted Elm City Vineyard Church in New Haven, Connecticut. That year, he also began a PhD program at Princeton University, focusing on the history of American religion, with an additional emphasis in African American studies. After moving to Manhattan for four years while Kathy went to seminary, the Maskells ended up in suburban Philadelphia, where Caleb completed his PhD while teaching regularly at Princeton Theological Seminary, and serving as the worship pastor at Blue Route Vineyard Church. Since 2010, Caleb has led the Society of Vineyard Scholars, which exists to foster and sustain a community of theological discourse in and for the Vineyard movement. Caleb is passionate about developing leaders and institutions that will help to produce a healthy, courageous, and hospitable future for the church in the twenty-first century. Caleb and Kathy now live with their two kids, Josiah and Emmanuelle, in the heart of Denver, where Kathy pastors East Denver Vineyard Church. Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.
Tuesday, 27 May 2025 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Matthew 10:20 “For you, you are not those speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, the ‘speaking in you'” (CG). In the previous verse, Jesus assured the apostles that when they were delivered up, they shouldn't worry about what they were to say. Instead, words would be given to them. He now states, “For you, you are not those speaking.” One can see the emphatic nature of the words. Jesus avows that the apostles would be speaking, but it would not be they who were the source of the words. His words being plural (those speaking) indicates that the words, regardless of whether it is two or three of them testifying, would be guided. This is seen, for example, in Acts 4 – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, ‘What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.' 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.'” Acts 4:13-20 Their state as uneducated and untrained men was noted by those interrogating them, but their boldness and the words they uttered were obviously marks of those who were proficient in oration. This is what Jesus promised them, further noting that it wasn't them, “but the Spirit of your Father.” The Holy Spirit is given numerous designations in Scripture. At various times, He is called the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of your Father, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of holiness, the Spirit of adoption, the Helper, and so forth. In this case, Jesus is speaking prior to the giving of the Spirit as promised by Him as a permanent sealing. Therefore, He uses the term Spirit of the Father to indicate that even before His work was complete, the Father, meaning the Spirit who issues from the Father, would speak through them. He is the Spirit, the “speaking in you.” Exactly how this works is a point of speculation. In the account of David's time being prepared to assume the kingship, this is recorded – “Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said: ‘We are yours, O David; We are on your side, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, And peace to your helpers! For your God helps you.' So David received them, and made them captains of the troop.” 1 Chronicles 12:18 There, the Hebrew literally reads that the Spirit clothed Amasai. It was as if he were enveloped in the Spirit. Whatever way the apostles would receive the ability to speak what the Spirit intended, Jesus assured them it would be the case. Life application: In the previous commentary, the scholars at Cambridge seemed to take the conservative view of the matter concerning preparation for sermons and addresses to Christian congregations, dismissing the notion that the Spirit will just fill them with words so that they can speak. Despite that, in their evaluation of this verse, they say – “The Christian ‘apologist' shall not stand alone. The same Spirit instructs him which inspires the universal Church.” It appears that they hold to a rather strange view of the work of the Spirit. He is not there to write sermons for you, but He is there when you need to give an apologetic defense for the faith. As noted in the previous commentary, however, Peter tells his readers that they must be prepared to give such an apologetic argument. This is born out constantly when Christians with divergent views on doctrine and theology debate. It can be assumed that both sides are saved believers, and yet when giving a reason for how they perceive doctrine, they espouse contradictory concepts, one side being at polar opposite of the other. The Spirit is not confused, and He is not going to give a defense through both sides when they conflict with what is correct. Rather, the Spirit has inspired the writers of the Bible, the word has been compiled and canonized, and it is our duty and responsibility to read it, interpret it properly, and then teach it accordingly. There is no substitute for this process, and there is no injection of the Spirit without prayer and contemplation. In other words, if you are unsure of a doctrine, you should pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you the correct understanding of it. Then, you need to start studying, put aside your presuppositions, and determine from the word that is already given what the Lord is telling us. If you want to see an incorrect way of expressing theology, walk into Charismatic and Pentecostal churches and watch the adherents stand in the congregation, making stuff up out of their heads and proclaiming it for all to hear. They may have never read the Bible once in their lives, but because they claim they are “Spirit-filled,” they act as if they have all of the wisdom of God in their “prophetic utterances.” This is a sloppy and unhealthy way of handling one's relationship with the Lord. Stand approved! Read and study the word that has already been given to instruct us concerning the things of the Lord. Lord God, please be with us as we study Your word. Guide us into right, sound, and wholesome doctrine by which we will be pleasing to You. Yes, Lord God, help us in this most important endeavor. Amen.
https://newsongpeople.com/messages/risen-ascended-the-ongoing-ministry-of-jesusRisen & Ascended: The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus | Sarah BlountWhy does the resurrection still matter today? What benefits are ours because Jesus is alive? And what does His ascension mean for our daily lives?From the empty tomb to the throne of heaven, this message unpacks why Jesus' victory over death is not just a past event—but our present hope and eternal future.Discover why Jesus is not only the risen Savior but also our ever-present Advocate and the only High Priest we'll ever need.Message Notes:Luke 24:1-9 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Why does the resurrection matter to us? What benefits are ours through a once-dead-but-now-alive Lord?Christ's resurrection means the death of Jesus was enough.1 Corinthians 15:17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then death has power over Him and defeated Him.If death has power over Jesus, He is not God.If Jesus is not God, He cannot offer a complete sacrifice for sins.If Jesus cannot offer a complete sacrifice for sins, our sins are not completely paid for before God.If my sins are not completely paid for before God, then I am still in my sins.Therefore, if Jesus is not risen, He is unable to save.2. Christ's resurrection gives us power for new life—right now.Romans 6:5-11 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.We are not just practicing the way of Jesus, but we are also participating in His death and resurrection.Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. 3. Christ's resurrection guarantees our future resurrection.He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.Luke 24:50-51 … and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.Luke 24:52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.The GREAT JOY of the Ascension: 1. Jesus is not absent from us for even a moment.John 16:7 It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. 2. The ascension guarantees that our bodies will be in heaven.Christ's flesh in heaven is the pledge that ours will be there too.Colossians 3:1–3 says So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 3. We have an advocate & intercessor in heavenThe cross was His sacrifice. The resurrection was His victory.The ascension is His ongoing ministry.Jesus, Our Only High Priest. (Heb. 7:27; 9:12, 25–26; 10:10–18).Jesus died in our place, and He lives to pray for us.1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;#HeIsRisen #ResurrectionSunday #Luke24 #EmptyTomb #JesusIsAlive #GospelHope #NewLifeInChrist #RisenSavior #VictoryOverSin #PowerOfTheResurrection #Romans6 #Romans8 #EasterMessage #Ascension #JesusOurAdvocate #HighPriest #ChristIsRisen #LivingHope #JesusLives #Colossians3 #1Corinthians15 #FaithInJesus #HolySpiritPower #TheCrossAndResurrection #KingJesus #EternalLife #ChristianTeaching #BiblePreaching #ChristOurIntercessor #HeavenlyHope #SeekTheThingsAbove
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Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church: Catholic Sunday Homilies
The Holy Spirit is to the church what Jesus was to his disciples. Now it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that the body of Christ is made alive and it's guided and this is done through both charismatic and the institutional church. Pray to the Holy Spirit individually and seek his wisdom as mediated and revealed through the church the sacraments in the magisterium.
Moving Forward Part 3, Preaching & Preachers Part 1 - Lakeview Community Church
In our exploration of marriage, we delve into the profound concept of 'two becoming one' from Genesis 2:24. This powerful imagery reminds us that marriage is more than a legal contract or physical union - it's a spiritual joining that creates something entirely new. We're challenged to consider how we can work on our marriages, resisting cultural pressures that threaten to erode our commitment. The message emphasizes that successful marriages don't just happen by chance, but through intentional choices and unwavering dedication. As we navigate the inevitable changes and crises in our relationships, we're encouraged to embrace them as opportunities for growth, always anchoring ourselves to the solid rock of Christ. This journey of 'cleaving' to our spouse isn't always easy, but it's a beautiful reflection of God's design for human relationships and His unconditional love for us.
Historian and journalist Molly Worthen explores the mysterious and potent force of charisma, and its power to shape American identity, culture, politics, and religion. She explains how storytelling, transcendence, and authority are used by America's most charismatic leaders. Drawing on her new book Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump, Worthen shares how charismatic authority reveals deep human desires for meaning, agency, and transcendence. The conversation explores themes of vulnerability, spiritual hunger, religious disaffiliation, and the evolving nature of belief and belonging in modern society. Worthen unpacks the often-overlooked distinction between charisma and charm or celebrity, examining the role of storytelling in cultivating authority and devotion. She also shares how researching this subject intersected with her own spiritual journey, culminating in her recent conversion to Christianity. Key Moments Molly Worthen discusses her latest book, *Spellbound.* Charisma: a relational, story-driven phenomenon, not mere charm or celebrity Our religious impulse persists despite declining traditional affiliation Worthen's personal spiritual journey: from intellectual agnosticism to Christian faith while writing the book Donald Trump's narrative charisma and religious-political appeal examined in depth Human longing for transcendence and meaning as the root of charismatic power Episode Highlights “Evangelism is just telling people what happened to you.” “The heart of charisma is the leader's ability to tell a story… that does a better job at explaining the chaos and the suffering.” “We want the comfort of knowing that some force larger than us is ultimately in charge—and yet we also seek agency.” “I came to realize I was writing a book that was fundamentally about spiritual hunger—and that I myself had that hunger too.” “Authenticity as a personal style has no necessary relationship with honesty.” “We kid ourselves if we think more sources solve the mystery of charisma—reality is an asymptote we never perfectly reach.” About Molly Worthen Molly Worthen is Associate Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in North American religion, politics, global Christianity, and the history of ideas. She is a contributing writer for The New York Times and author of several books, including Apostles of Reason and The Man on Whom Nothing Was Lost. Her most recent book is Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump. Show Notes Authority—who should we listen to? Internal battles within American evangelicalism The definition of charisma and its distinction from charm, celebrity, and power Charisma: “ the allure in a leader that gives him or her the power to move a crowd that is premised on a relationship. … you need two parties at least. It's not solely a quality of fluorescence that shines out from the individual without other people to interact with it.” The leader's ability to tell a story that explains the audience's experience of life Paradoxical quality: we want our decision to make a difference in our fate, but we also want some being or force larger than us to make it all okay. “ It's not just about looking at the one who is the special anointed one, but it's that somehow through that person, I too, or we too, see ourselves more clearly.” Special revelation and stories of experiencing God in particular ways “Capturing the ineffable” Role of charismatic leaders in American religious and political life Impact of Joseph Smith, Anne Hutchinson, JFK, and Adlai Stevenson Why institutional religion no longer captures spiritual impulse for many Americans Storytelling as the essence of charismatic authority Evolution of American individualism and the cult of authenticity How mass media, trauma, and cultural crises shape charismatic influence Coming to terms with the limits of your “source base”—”Reality is an asymptote.” “It's that sort of transcendent storytelling ability that is the heart of charisma.” Mormonism and the charisma of Joseph Smith Leaders like JFK and Adlai Stevenson offered different models of modern charisma “So much of my book is really about the fortunes of established institutions in American culture because charismatic figures always define themselves vis-a-vis institutions.” Routinizing charisma (cf. Max Weber) “The gap or the consistency between what our subjects are, are thinking and intending consciously and what they actually do.” Intuition vs analysis—steeping in cultural milieu and operating out of personal life experiences The Puritan heretic, Anne Hutchinson “Very few humans are out and out cynics.” Charismatic figures aren't always attractive or eloquent—they resonate through meaning-making “ The religious impulse is finding a place to land other than organized religion.” Protestant roots of American consciousness tied to authority and self-discovery Humanist psychology and positive thinking “The age of the gurus” Charisma and Contemporary Politics: Donald Trump Trump's story of victimhood, self-made success, and defiance of institutions as a charismatic myth Trump's stream-of-consciousness style perceived as authenticity by many followers. “For example, his rambling stream of consciousness, speaking style that actually is a core, is core to his appeal, I think for many Trump supporters because it comes across as a kind of authenticity—as a willingness to tell it how it is and speak off the top of his head. And authenticity as a personal style has no necessary relationship with honesty in terms of correspondence to, you know, empirically verifiable facts.” The alignment between his narrative and the prosperity gospel ”While Donald Trump is no one's idea of an Orthodox Christian, he grew up in Norman Vincent Peale's Church in New York City, Marble Collegiate Church, hearing the Prosperity Gospel, the gospel of positive thinking.” ”I think Trump has a, has a really acute spiritual instinct for. That picture of reality one in which we can really reshape reality with our minds.” Early support from independent charismatic church networks shaped his rise. Importance of positive thinking theology (e.g., Norman Vincent Peale) in his spiritual instincts. “I suppose I was about two thirds of the way through the rough draft of this book when I was rudely interrupted by the Holy Spirit. I have always studied Christianity as a very sympathetic and, frankly, envious outsider and never was entirely happy with my agnostic fence sitting, but also wasn't actively looking to resolve my metaphysical questions.” “ I've always had this conviction that humans are fundamentally religious creatures and they have this impulse to connect to a transcendent source of meaning to worship.” “I came to realize that I was writing a book that was fundamentally about spiritual hunger and how humans cope with it. But that I myself had had that hunger as well—that I'm not immune to that feature of the human dilemma.” “We want to be pulled into something transcendent, where we are more fully ourselves.” Praying for a mystical experience—at least being “strangely warmed” ”God had already done something to my desires—I was walking in the direction of Jesus already.” “ I always see every kind of historical problem as somehow having to do with contesting visions of human nature.” “There's this silly misconception that Christianity is intellectually stultifying—that to become a orthodox, traditional Christian is to shut off all kinds of questions and accept a black and white way of thinking. And that has not been my experience.” Research project on miracles “ Evangelism is just telling people what happened to you.” Conversion was driven by rigorous academic inquiry into the resurrection and New Testament Experience echoed themes in the book: story, vulnerability, and being seen Her analysis: “God had already done something to my desires before the arguments convinced me.” Post-conversion excitement about theological study, healing, and miracles Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.
Historian Molly Worthen joins Rebecca to unpack her journey from agnosticism to faith, the pull of charismatic leaders, and why Jesus—not political saviors—is the only one truly worth following. From Trump-era evangelicalism to the Spirit-led church, this episode asks: What kind of power really saves?Buy Molly's Book:Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald TrumpSign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Confronting Christianity:Instagram | XProduced by The Good Podcast Co.
In AD 180, Charismatic ministry was very different than today. By God's grace, we need to somehow recover what was lost.Irenaeus (AD 180) - “Those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform miracles, so as to promote the welfare of others, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ] and join the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions and speak the prophecies they have received. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are healed. Moreover, as I have said, even the dead have been raised and remained among us for many years. And what more can I even say? It is not even possible to number all of the gifts which the Church, throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and which Christians demonstrate daily for the benefit of the unbelievers, neither deceiving them nor taking any financial reward from them [on account of such miraculous ministry]. For as Christians have received freely from God, freely also do they minister [to others]” Matt. 10:8 (Against Heresies, Book 2, Chapter 32, Section 4)
Igniting Contagious Faith!Sermon Notes: https://links.kchanford.com/sunday
https://newsongpeople.com/messages/suffered-crucified-dead-buried-descendedWhat really happened at the cross—and why does it matter for your Monday?In this powerful fourth message of our Life Blood series, we walk deep into the heart of the gospel: the suffering, crucifixion, death, burial, and descent of Jesus. This isn't just history—it's your story. The cross isn't something that just happened to Jesus. It's something that happened because of us—and for us.Pastor [Your Name] unpacks Matthew 27 and the Apostles' Creed to show how Jesus didn't just die for sin—He died for you. To reconcile. To restore. To make you whole. From the brutal reality of the crucifixion to the soul-thirst of spiritual separation, this message shows how Jesus went through hell so you don't have to.Whether you're feeling broken, distant from God, or just going through the motions—this message is an invitation to receive what's free, belong to what's real, and let the gold of grace fill your deepest cracks.
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Moving Forward Part 2: Going Back - Lakeview Community Church
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What do you get when you cross a behavioral psychologist with significant experience in the business world? You get the insightful mind and wisdom of Richard Reid. Richard knows that commanding attention and influence while leading through change is more difficult than ever. He shares that the mind and thought processes of an employee today have more dynamic needs than even a decade ago. This is why he wrote Charisma Unlocked: Science and Strategy behind Presence, Persuasion and Authentic Leadership. We thoroughly enjoyed this conversation as we think any tip and wisdom that an executive leader can gain that will make their business run smoother. Any increase in profitability while elevating employee satisfaction is a win. Here are highlights: -Emotional Intelligence: Self-awareness, particularly in managing stress and improving communication, is critical as the foundation for a leader that others are willing to follow. -Charisma in Modern Leadership: Richard discusses the importance of charisma in leadership, emphasizing that it's about connecting with people as individuals and making them feel heard. He explains that modern leadership involves facilitating others, unlocking their potential, and aligning organizational goals with employees' hopes and fears. -Psychological Safety in Organizations: The importance of creating an environment where people feel safe to express themselves, offer different ideas, and speak up when struggling was emphasized. Richard notes that many well-intentioned leaders struggle with authenticity and humility, often unintentionally sending mixed messages about psychological safety. -Constructive Conversations: Allow people to bring fresh ideas, challenge prevailing thoughts constructively, and speak up when employees and projects are struggling. He advises leaders to set intentions before conversations, slow down interactions to create space for reflection, and focus on collaboration rather than talking at each other. -Wellbeing and Mental Health Advocacy: Richard is a lifelong promoter of wellbeing and that CEO's need to make considerations for team members' mental health in the workplace. This care will better equip individuals to navigate and achieve goals and overcome business challenges. About the guest: Richard Reid is a highly experienced psychologist, coach, and wellbeing consultant with over 20 years of expertise. He is a former Chief People Officer at a global law firm specialising in Trauma, Resilience, and Psychological Safety. Richard has worked extensively with organisations such as the London Underground, the City of London Police, and the Witness Protection Program. He also runs an international practice providing therapy, coaching, and psychology services to entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and senior leaders. As a charisma coach and trainer, Richard focuses on helping people achieve their full potential. His latest book, Charisma Unlocked, was published in March and is available on Amazon. Connect with Richard: Website: https://richard-reid.com/ Amazon, Buy Charisma Unlocked: https://amzn.to/42N2pF2 Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I'm discussing a prophetic dream the Lord gave me regarding Jeremiah Johnson of The Ark Fellowship Church, who rose to fame in the Charismatic for his prophesies about Trump. This dream applies to many voices within the Charismatic. Then, I will discuss that Dr. Michael L. Brown of The Line of Fire has much worse issues than previously released, namely porn addiction.HERE IS THE ENTIRE 135 PAGE REPORT:https://www.roncantor.com/_files/ugd/8a62c1_e72142de6bd94b5cb9963a3c78884073.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawKQvIZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE5dUhJRWt1QldodXhWWDFDAR6KF7pcpjrj2nwTvObyVTvUQpcHzFsG4RPh3OmpktZhOAD81Ft8SVaacLRS-g_aem_JB0obBmsXLJhe-uINaL3XAGet RESTORE and The Bearded TruthMerch in my Teespring Store: https://bit.ly/restore-merch TRIVITA:Use my TRIVITA link to get started onyour wellness journey: https://bit.ly/restored-healthOR CALL: 800-991-7116 and use giftcard number: RSCBSQRJ PIN: 5398Covenant Eyes:If you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of porn, getCovenant Eyes: https://bit.ly/Restore-CovenantUSE CODE RESTORE30 at checkout to get your first 30 days FREE when you use the link
Is it prophecy, political forecasting or wishful thinking? How do we separate divine revelation from educated guessing? We're examining and testing national prophetic words given for 2025.In this episode of Remnant Radio, Joshua Lewis, Michael Miller & Michael Rowntree lead a biblical analysis of national prophetic declarations for 2025 from Perry Stone and Julie Green.As we review their specific prophecies for 2025, we'll discuss: • Distinguishing divine prophecy from political guestimates • The use of "prophetic tools" such as Hebrew calendar, Hebrew alphabet and biblical numerology • Testing modern prophetic words biblically • Maintaining prophetic accountability • Charismatic discernment in modern timesWhether you're charismatic, skeptical, or simply seeking biblical wisdom about testing prophecy, this episode provides essential insights for navigating today's prophetic landscape. Join us as we hold fast to what is good while testing everything (1 Thess 5:21).Kairos Classroom: Use Promo Code Remnant for 10% offhttps://kairosclassroom.com/classesSupport the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO:
https://newsongpeople.com/messages/the-miracle-meaning-of-the-virgin-birthWhat do you know about what Christians actually believe? In this message, we dive into the foundational truths of the Christian faith, exploring the Apostles' Creed and its powerful declaration that “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” Learn what Scripture teaches about the Trinity and discover how the doctrine of God as Father shapes our identity, prayer, and daily lives.#Lifeblood #GodTheFather #christianfaith #trinity #childofgod #faithfuel #identityinchrist #bibleteaching #christianliving #spiritualgrowth #kingdomfamily NOTES: We must continually revisit the core truths of our faith, for they are the lifeblood that nourishes our relationship with God. - TozerKnowing what we believe is how we suit up for battle. (Ephesians 6) We can't afford silence. (Romans 10)Belonging to the body of Christ requires belief in specific content. (Romans 10) What do you know about what Christians actually believe?Creeds are not replacements for Scripture—they're faithful reflections of it. They help guard the gospel, articulate truth, and pass the faith from generation to generation.“Theologically hollow congregations and pastors may like to think they will bequeath a gospel legacy to the next generation, but the truth is we only pass on what is our passion. New converts and new kids won't think and live and love like mature Christians, let alone be able to articulate the Christian story, if our beliefs rest in a statement of faith on the website, and not in our hearts.” - DeYoungI believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth,And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.The third day He arose again from the dead.He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic (universal) church, the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.I BELIEVEThe Christian understanding of faith includes both knowledge and conviction—the head and the heart working together.Faith involves thinking, learning, and engaging our minds.Conviction is what happens when the truth we know becomes truth we trust.The object of our faith matters more than the strength of our faith. It's not the strength of your faith that saves you. It's the strength of your Savior.I BELIEVE IN GODChristians believe in the eternal, triune God. One God in three persons.The Trinity 1. There is only one God. 2. The Father is God. 3. The Son is God. 4. The Holy Spirit is God. 5. The Father is not the Son. 6. The Son is not the Holy Spirit. 7. The Holy Spirit is not the Father.There are three persons in the one true and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in essence, equal in power and glory.1. There is only one God. (Deut 6:4, Isa 43:10, Mark 12:29)2. The Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct persons. (Luke 3:22)3. Each person is fully God. (1 Cor 8:6, 1 Pet 1:3, John 1:1, Titus 2:13, Heb 1:8, Acts 5:3-4)I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earthWe are children of God, not by right of human birth but by the miracle of divine adoption. John 1:12-13 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God's child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all. For everything that Christ taught, everything that makes the New Testament new, and better than the Old, everything that is distinctively Christian as opposed to merely Jewish, is summed up in the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God. “Father” is the Christian name for God. – J.I. Packer2 Corinthians 5:19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”Behold, ponder, contemplate—be astonished, smitten and speechless “at the great love the Father has lavished on us. (1 John 3:1)How can you apply the truth that God is your Father?1. Pray like a child, not a performer.2. Love the family you've been adopted into.3. Start your day with the Trinity.
When a horse named Sovereignty beats another named Journalism in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, some in the Charismatic movement quickly declare it a divine message. But is God really speaking through a horse race? In this episode of Didaché, Justin Peters responds to sensational claims that this was a prophetic sign from heaven. With biblical clarity, he dismantles the idea that God is revealing new truth through current events and reminds viewers that Scripture alone is sufficient to reveal God's sovereignty.Referencing key passages like Isaiah 46, Psalm 135, and Daniel 4, Justin underscores God's control over everything, already plainly declared in His Word. He also exposes the dangerous tendency within charismatic circles to read hidden spiritual messages into ordinary circumstances, missing the authority and sufficiency of Scripture in the process.Listen now and be reminded that God's sovereignty doesn't need headlines or horses to be proven—it's already written.
In this episode Dennis and Ashleigh discuss a new crop of Charismatic leadership scandals involving Todd White, Michael Brown, Jeremiah Johnson, and others.