Podcasts about cheerfully

Have you ever felt like giving to your church is more of a burden than a joy?You're not alone. For many believers, the offering moment stirs up anxiety instead of worship. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”Those words—not reluctantly and not under compulsion—are key. God doesn't want us giving out of guilt. He invites us to give freely, joyfully, and with a heart aligned to His mission.But guilt is a powerful motivator. Perhaps you've felt it—when the plate passes or a giving campaign is launched. Thoughts flood in: “I haven't given enough... I'm letting God down.” That's not generosity born of grace. That's fear. And it contradicts the gospel.The Gospel Sets Us FreeRomans 8:1 declares, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”That includes condemnation over money. Christ's death covers all guilt—financial or otherwise. If we're giving to appease guilt, we're not walking in the freedom Jesus secured.And let's be clear: there's a big difference between guilt and conviction.Guilt says, “You're not good enough.”Conviction says, “Let me lead you to something better.”John 16:8 reminds us that conviction is the Spirit's loving invitation into deeper trust, not shame.Giving From Grace, Not ObligationHere's a test:Guilt says, “I must give, or else.”Grace says, “I get to give—because of all I've received.”Hebrews 9:14 says, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ…cleanse our consciences…so that we may serve the living God!”When we live under grace, our giving becomes service, not penance. We give because we're loved, not to earn love.Ironically, guilt-fueled giving short-circuits the very transformation generosity is meant to bring. When we give cheerfully, we remember that all we have belongs to God. That reframes us as stewards, not owners—a truth that reshapes us from the inside out.When we give from grace:We declare that Jesus is enough.We reflect our trust in God's provision.We participate in the beauty of Kingdom work.What If Guilt Has Been Shaping Your Giving?Bring it to God – Confess it. Ask Him to renew your heart and reshape your motives.Practice gratitude – Reflect on how God has already provided for you. Gratitude fuels joyful generosity.Ask what joyful giving looks like now – Not compared to others, but based on your own journey with Christ.Because here's the truth: God isn't after your money. He's after your heart. And when He has your heart, generosity will follow—not from guilt, but from grace.You can explore more on giving from the right motivations in the latest issue of Faithful Steward, our quarterly magazine for FaithFi partners. When you give $35 a month or a one-time gift of $400, you'll join a community spreading biblical financial wisdom. Partners also receive early access to new devotionals, studies, and Pro access to the FaithFi app.Learn more or become a partner today at FaithFi.com/partner.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm in my early 40s with a history of cancer, but I've been cancer-free for over 10 years. Still, I'm having a hard time qualifying for life insurance. I do have some coverage through my employer, but it wouldn't be enough to support my wife and four young kids if something happened to me. Are there insurance providers more open to covering cancer survivors that I should look into?I own 10 properties and have been rehabbing them due to damage caused by COVID-19 delays and a flood. My wife is still working, and our personal expenses are much lower than our business costs. I'm trying to figure out when enough is enough. Should I continue fixing up all the properties, or would it be wiser to sell some of them as-is?We're considering taking out a loan of $20,000–$30,000 for home repairs. Our mortgage balance is over $300,000, and my husband is retired. Our lender is only offering a cash-out refinance, but we currently have a great interest rate in the 3% range. What's the best loan option for our situation?We've been debt-free for 20 years, but we recently bought a second home for our adult son with special needs. The house requires more work and furnishings than we initially expected, which is putting a strain on our finances. We've always tithed faithfully—would it be okay to pause our giving temporarily until we're more financially stable?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Episode 252 - The Thinklings Podcast Welcome to Episode 252 of The Thinklings Podcast! This week's summer-style episode brings more books, more banter, and more Bible! Thinkling Boyd and Stearns each share a book they've been reading, and Thinkling Carter leads a devotional in the book of Job. Thanks for listening to this week's episode!

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-8This sermon is part of our current series: Church Body CovenantThis summer we are working through what it means to covenant together as a church.Recorded live at Bethany Bible Church on: July 20, 2025Bethany Radio is a production of Bethany Bible Church in LeRoy, MN.More content and info is available on our website: bethanybibleleroy.com 2025 — Bethany Radio

Renata Hopkins reviews I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger, published by Grove Press.

How to choose joy over negativity, no matter the storm, by living in the “be” world

Evelyn's Task: 100 shags in 2 days.In 13 parts, By BradentonLarry - Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.Evelyn remembered that there were four or five high stools arranged around her table and looking down she saw that there were three faces smiling up at her, watching her move in the light. There were two men and a woman. One of the men looked Latino and the other was black with a slightly light complexion. Both men seemed naked from Evelyn's viewpoint. The woman seemed Chinese or Vietnamese, or possibly Thai, but had curly blonde hair brushing her lovely neck, she seemed younger than the two guys by maybe a decade. She was wrapped in a white towel for some reason, but it had slipped down to expose her left breast.Evelyn casually looked around to see how her fellow dancers were doing. Though one of the guys was still dancing much as she was, the other girl and guy had moved into much more suggestive styles. The guy was reclining on his haunches, bending back so his rather impressive erection was standing straight up as several members of his audience reached out to run their hands over his muscular thighs. The girl was on her hands and knees wiggling her ass and exposing her vulva for the people on that side of her table. Evelyn decided she should be having more fun with this situation.Spreading her feet wide apart on the table, with her back to the two men, she slowly bent at the waist until she had placed her hands flat on the table. Her long red-brown hair cascaded around her head and brushed the tabletop. She felt a hand moving up over her right ankle and then a moment later one caressing her left. Smiling, Evelyn, took her right hand and lifted her hair from her face and had a closer look at the pretty Asian woman who was smiling back at her.Letting the Latino and black guys, she assumed, continue to caress her feet, ankles, and strong calves, as well as admire her exposed cunt, Evelyn crooked her left index finger at the woman, beckoning her closer. Letting her towel fall away, the woman leaned forward over the illuminated tabletop. Evelyn caught her face in a light grasp and gave her a lingering kiss.Releasing the woman's face, Evelyn slowly stood and went back to her dancing for a moment, slowly turning until she was facing the Latino guy, and then repeated her slow bending, including giving a kiss, which was a bit less lingering than the first one. She went through the same routine for the black guy.She was planning to change things up but by then a third man had joined her audience. This was a guy who seemed Indian or Pakistani, and who was admiring Evelyn with quite obvious lust, over and above the admiration the others were exhibiting. Ordinarily, she would have thought 'This one's trouble,' but under the circumstances the way the new guy was looking at her just turned her on more and emboldened her further.This time, while facing the new guy, Evelyn backed up toward the edge of the table, nearest the Latino gentleman, then lowered herself to her hands and knees, and then crawled the short distance to the new guy who met her with a passionate kiss. Evelyn let herself enjoy the feeling of his tongue against hers for a long moment, but then backed up, rolling back until she was sitting closer to the Asian woman. With her hands and feet planted firmly beneath her, Evelyn lifted herself up into a table-position, her thighs spread so the woman could see her cunt clearly.Very slowly, Evelyn lowered herself, sinking toward the woman who was watching her with a smile. Watching the woman's expressions, Evelyn slid her hand down over her taut belly until her fingers were moving over her labia. Then she found herself slowly fingering herself, pressing her palm tightly against her clit. She might have just laid back there on the table and brought herself off, but just then the pretty Asian woman crooked her finger at her, copying the gesture Evelyn had used on her just minutes ago.With a broad smile, Evelyn crab-walked herself to the edge of the table right in front of the woman, who ran her hands along the inside of Evelyn's thighs before leaning in to kiss her very ready cunt. The woman's tongue slipped between Evelyn's lips and flickered over her clit, sending shivers all through her body. Momentarily forgetting the three men and the rest of the situation, Evelyn lay back and enjoyed what the woman's tongue and lips were doing to her. Evelyn slipped her legs around the woman's shoulders to hold her close and clasped her own tits tightly, pinching her nipples a bit.She was content to stay there and let the lovely woman lick her to an orgasm, at least, but then she felt a warm hand on her left thigh, which was the one on the side toward the newer guy. Looking down, she saw that that man was saying something to the woman, who stopped what she was doing to Evelyn to smile and nod to him. Then, reluctantly, Evelyn relaxed her legs' grasp on the woman so she could pull away and be replaced by the gentleman with lust in his eyes.Fortunately, he picked up right where the pretty Asian had left off, which earned him a happy smile from Evelyn. Then she watched as the Latino guy helped the Asian woman climb up onto the table with Evelyn. Her pale, slender body was beautiful in the bright light as she crawled over to kiss Evelyn, who relaxed and enjoyed being pleasured by two affectionate mouths. Too quickly, though, the woman broke the kiss and moved to straddle Evelyn's face. Smiling up at the woman, Evelyn grasped her tight ass and helped her get into just the right position so Evelyn could run her tongue between her lips, tasting her sweet nectar and licking at her hard little clit.The guy between her legs wasn't exactly the best, but he wasn't bad, and he was clearly intent on making Evelyn come. Evelyn felt her legs resting on his shoulders and her heels pressing against his back, holding him there, as she tried to concentrate on licking and sucking at the cunt and clit on her face. She felt her orgasm approaching as she saw the Latino guy moving up in front of the Asian woman. Evelyn wondered a bit how many people this table could hold, but went on with what she was doing, trying to make this pretty woman come for her.By now the man between Evelyn's legs was fucking at least two fingers in and out of her cunt rather violently as his tongue lashed at her clit, and she could see the Asian woman on her face was sucking the Latino guy's cock. She thought what a nice spectacle this must be for the people watching, and then she was coming. Her body clenched and spasmed as Evelyn rode a wave of tumbling ecstasy. She stopped licking at the woman on her face's clit and just moaned into her cunt as she shook. Only when she came back down did she manage to get back to work, squeezing the woman's ass in her hands as she continued licking and sucking.Evelyn was barely aware of the fact that the man between her legs was shifting around. Then, she felt the unmistakable sensations that came with having a cock moving between her lips and then pushing into her cunt. Evelyn wondered how the man, who she was assuming was the same guy who'd just been licking her, managed to get up high enough to fuck her, but put that concern out of her head and let herself enjoy being fucked. She felt her legs being lifted up, held in a V, as the man shoved into her with increasing force.Soon, it was all Evelyn could do to keep the woman's clit in place enough for her to keep licking at it, as she was driven into again and again. She found herself wishing she could get a hold of something to encourage her fucker to ram into her even harder, or that he had a bigger cock. Even so, she thought she was likely to come again before she was able to make the woman on top of her come. She was wrong.The woman had been pressing down on Evelyn's mouth and tongue more insistently, when suddenly she was shaking and rubbing herself on Evelyn's face as her juices flowed freely. Evelyn found herself bathed in sweet wetness as the woman shuddered and gasped on her face. Then she felt the man fucking her filling her cunt with his cum.As the woman carefully moved away and Evelyn felt the cock being pulled away from her cunt, she remembered where she was and thought it was extremely hot that she had been putting on such a display for everyone in the club. She also thought that she needed more cock. Rather than just lay there sprawled out at the edge of her table and wait for someone to put his cock in her, which was sure to happen soon enough, Evelyn thought she should do something more proactive about the situation.Wiping her face a bit with the back of her hand, Evelyn sat up and looked around. She saw that the table had actually lowered quite a bit while she'd been distracted. It was now at a level where it would be quite easy for the average man to fuck her as she was. While that was convenient, Evelyn wanted to go on with her performance. Knowing that she must look pretty wild with her mane of hair all messed up and wet, she twisted around and cast her eye to the people around her table-stage.The lusty guy who had licked her and then, she presumed, fucked her was still there, and had a contented smile on his face. The black guy was there too, but the Latino and Asian woman were gone. A new guy caught her eye. He was a young man, maybe early twenties, white, with short black hair. After crawling to the center of her table, Evelyn beckoned to this new guy and the black guy who'd been waiting so patiently. She knelt there in the middle of her brightly lit little stage as they came up to stand in front of her, presenting their cocks.The black cock was nice and long, and very thick, while the white one was even longer, but not so thick. Before she even began to kiss and lick at these beautiful phalluses before her, Evelyn had a plan. She took her time, really trying to make a show of things, licking and sucking on both cocks. After a bit, she gestured for the black guy to lie down on his back for her. Holding on to the long white cock for support and to keep him from wandering off, Evelyn straddled the muscular black man and sank slowly down on his wonderfully fat cock.Groaning a bit as she impaled herself, feeling herself so blissfully filled, Evelyn reached down with her free hand to stroke her clit. There on the illuminated platform, on top of a muscular man with his big thick cock in her cunt, another man standing next to her, his long cock tightly in her hand, Evelyn brought herself off in a brief but sweet orgasm.Then she was riding slowly up and down on that thick column of hard flesh, fingers stroking her clit furiously, while her other hand twisted and stroked at the other cock, until she threw her head back and her muscles tensed all over as she came loudly for everyone to see. She really let herself go with it, squeezing herself on that cock and arching her back and crying out incoherently, gasping and shuddering.When Evelyn was able to think again, she smiled down at the man underneath her and began to rock herself against him, working his thick cock in and out of herself again. She pulled the waiting guy over to her mouth, quickly going back to sucking hungrily at his long cock. She tried to get as much as she could of that length down her throat, but there was quite a bit left over. When she had that cock nice and slippery with her saliva, she looked up at its owner and tossed her head over her shoulder, hoping he would take the hint. He did.In another moment, Evelyn braced herself with both hands on the black guy's firm chest as the guy behind her began to push his long cock slowly up her ass. She loved the feeling of being so completely filled, a sensation she hadn't appreciated so well before that orgy on the Riverboat. For the first time since climbing onto her little stage, Evelyn said something. She groaned and said, "God yes! That feels so good! Fuck me boys, fuck me!"It took a moment for them to get the right rhythm, but soon the two men were working well together, pistoning in and out of Evelyn's body as they succumbed to their carnal desire to fuck her until they came inside her. She came and came again, shuddering and crying out between them, before someone else joined their party.An Asian guy with a long cock, but not as long as the guy who was vigorously fucking her ass, came up and offered himself to Evelyn's mouth. Without hesitating, she opened her mouth and let him slide past her lips, over her tongue and into her throat.Evelyn was now merely hanging on, letting the three men move in and out of her. She let herself go, merely riding along as the sensations and pleasure had their way with her. Oddly enough, it was the man fucking her face who came first, pumping what seemed like a lot of cum down her throat and then splashing across her face. Before Evelyn could wipe any of the jizz off her forehead, she felt the big cock under her pumping hot cum up into her cunt, and then, before the first was finished, the guy behind her was coming deep inside her bowels, hot cum rushing up inside her.This was all too much for Evelyn's body to resist and she came again, this time in an explosive wrack of clenching muscles, shaking limbs, and wordless crying out."I came so, fucking, hard," Evelyn breathed. She had worked the end of her staff up into her ass and was fucking the fingers of her left hand in and out of her cunt, as she strummed at her clit with the fingers of her right. "Fuck! I'm going to come again, Don! Come with me!"Don had stripped out of his Batman costume and was stroking his very hard cock as he listened to her story and watched her. Although she had brought herself off earlier during the story, he had held off, but now, at her urging, he gave in."Yes," he nodded, arching his back, pushing his cock upward, "yes! I'm going to, oh fuck, yes!""Yes, baby!" she cried out. "YES!"Across the room, in her chair, Evelyn was shaking and moaning, while Don's cock swelled and erupted spraying a flood of hot, white cum all over his belly and chest. He clenched and shuddered as the orgasm went on and on."Wait," Toshia said. "She used the end of the staff as a dildo?"Don nodded, "It was a good size for it, and smooth, no splinters.""Damn," she grinned. "I kind of wish I'd thought of that.""Hum," Evelyn purred, laying in her chair, legs splayed widely, staff sticking out of her ass, fingers idly stroking her labia. "I do wish we could play.""Believe me, me too!" Don grinned as he used his discarded costume to wipe cum off himself. "Was that the end of your story?""Well," she said as she slowly drew the staff out of her ass. "Hey, note that I have now taken the stick out of my ass."Don laughed and said, "Duly noted.""Well, the rest of that session just became an orgy, which was a lot of fun, but for me that was the best part.""Excellent!""The rest of the week passed with more of the same, basically, nothing more intense and very little of it was boring.""What about the rest of the Resort? You said you had time off every day.""Yeah, I think I've been into every one of the clubs," she nodded. "I didn't stay long in all of them, but I made a point to check out every one I found.""Any favorites? Or particularly hot events?""I had a good time in Ladies Night," she winked. "And I bring the hot event with me, you know."Don laughed, "I do know!""Nothing really stands out as particularly noteworthy, I'm sure I'll think of more stories to tell you, but I should tell you about my next mission. Did you want to take a break and get properly cleaned up, though? I could use a drink and a bite to eat.""Sounds good!" Don smiled, grabbing a vest to hang his sheriff's star on."Hey, where's that deputy girl?""Hell if I know," shrugged Don. "She seems to have gone with the previous sheriff.""'Seems like you should have someone to watch over things when you're sleeping.""Want the job?""Sorry, lover," she chuckled. "I can't stay that long.""Well, that sucks.""Don't you think it would be even more frustrating for us to spend this year here together but not getting to have sex?""Good point," Don agreed.They had come to the Jungle Room, and Evelyn suggested they pop in to see if India was about. She wasn't, and neither was Jaden, but they took the opportunity to clean up in the pool before deciding to walk and talk."I can call this doing my rounds," Don smiled. "Now, that was your first mission, right?""Yes," she nodded. "The next one was very straightforward: fuck one hundred men in two days.""Ah, what? Seriously?"Evelyn grinned at his reaction and said, "Well, not exactly. The exact phrasing was more like 'Have one hundred men come in or on you within 48 hours.'"Thinking back to her own escapades in Eros, which she had considered impressive, Toshia laughed and exclaimed, "There goes my slut of the year title!""I don't remember that being official," Don laughed. "But, hey, you left early, and you've got Sarah.""That's true," she smiled. "Still, I'm a bit jealous, and I was fond of that title.""Maybe you can find a way to win it back later," Don grinned."Oh, you can count on it!" Toshia laughed."A hundred?!" Don gaped."Yep," Evelyn nodded. "I didn't think it would even be difficult. I just planned to head down to the huge-ass orgy downstairs. It would be easy to get twenty-five guys in the morning, twenty-five in the afternoon, twenty-five in the evening, Hell, I'd be done early.""Well, yeah, when you put it that way. But I take it things didn't go quite so easily."She laughed, "Yeah, that woman, Pamela, added something; I couldn't do it either in the Pleasure Dome or at the on-going orgy here in the Temple.""That would make things a bit trickier," nodded Don."Yeah, but 'the timer' started with the first guy to come, and they picked where they would send me.""Hum, they could be real cocks and put you in the middle of nowhere.""Yeah, but they didn't," she smiled. "They sent me to a place you're familiar with, the Manor.""Oh! Fun!" Don grinned."I turned up outside the front door, but I could tell where I was from your description. I wanted to get my task done as quickly as possible, but I remembered our system, so I went in and found the library as quickly as possible. Thanks to what you told me about getting around in there it was pretty easy. Sure enough, Robert was there and had a lot of questions. I tried to fill him in as best as I could, and then I let him fill me in, if you follow my meaning," she winked at him.Don grinned, "I'm sure he appreciated both things.""I think he did," she smiled. "I rode him right there on his chair.""Nice. That's one.""You're going to give up on that pretty quickly," laughed Evelyn. "Once I got that first dose of cum, I was on the hunt. There was a slender young guy wandering around in the stacks just outside the Scholar's office, over to the right of those tables, remember?""The place, but not the guy," nodded Don."Yeah, smart ass. Well, I just went up to him, dropped to my knees and blew him right there."

Psalm 91; Luke 4:1-13 Dan Marotta

SCRIPTURE- 2 Cor 9:7 “Each of you should give…no reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”REFLECTION- JavierMUSIC- "All Creatures of our God and King" Instrumental- "All That We Have" InstrumentalNOTES-

A talk by Thanissaro Bhikkhu entitled "Cheerfully Ardent"

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore be earnest, thoughtful men of prayer. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay for the night. God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings. Are you called to preach? Then preach as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies so that God will be glorified through Jesus Christ—to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen. If you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you. (1 Peter 4.7-11, TLB)

Today, our Scripture is 1 Peter 4:8-13 … Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. (NLT) What gifts do you see in your life that you know God uses?What service do you do that you just feel the presence of God when You are involved in it? It just feels peaceful to you, almost as if you can sense God smiling?What do you do that you can tell impacts others even more than it affects you?Listen once again to today's passage in The Message Bible … Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.Did you catch the phrase: “Love each other as if your life depended on it.”? Who do you love like that? Who needs you to love them like that?Who needs your words? Who needs your “hearty help”? Who needs some of God's bright presence in their life with you being the one who delivers it?Our community will be made up of those who love us, but also those we need to love.Like the last verse said: This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.Let's pray together: “Father, from the love I give to the trials I walk through, help me to reflect Your presence. Help me to love like my life depends on it—just like You do. As above, so below.”

It's better to be one of God's poor, needy and afflicted ones who get cared for by Him, than to try and take care of ourselves on our own and meet the fate of the Philistines.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsBen Smith and Ezra Klein yuk it up on RussiagateNarrated by Jared Moore

Cheerfully MIX by Frank MacKay

Send us a textLet's face it, maybe no subject is more sensitive than our money - whether it's being asked to give money, getting scammed out of money, or deciding how much money you need to sock away for a rainy day. God blesses us with material possessions. To some He gives a lot, to others He gives less. But He expects all of us to be grateful for what He gives us, be responsible with what He gives us, and use discernment when using what He gives us. Paul gives us some great advice on how we accomplish all of this!Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to check out everything Proverbs 9:10 on our website, www.proverbs910ministries.com! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Rumble, YouTube, Twitter, Truth Social, and Gettr!

Lisa and Allison are joined by Lauren Jacobs, known from The Food Network as 'The Cheerful Baker'.  Having gained notoriety for her exquisite cookie decorating, Lauren shares some of her favorite baking tips with the girls, as well as how she became The Cheerful Baker. Another Challenge Butter ambassador,  Lauren talks about several entrepenurial paths she has taken in life, and she and Lisa connect over their shared love for singing. Lauren's positivity pairs wonderfully with the girls' appreciation for all things GBBO, making this another 'very special' episode. Check out Lauren's site: www.cheerfulbaker.comConnect with us:https://soggybottomgirls.com Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soggybottomgirlsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/soggybottomgirls/

It is the duty of all believers to daily prepare themselvesto die cheerfully, comfortably, and, if possible, triumphantly in theLord. Note that one can die safely without necessarily dying cheerfully and comfortably. Every believer, regardless of who they are, will die safely, but we witness many believers who do not die cheerfully and comfortably.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Dying Daily - 1 - Cheerfully and Comfortably Subtitle: John Owen Sermons Speaker: John Owen Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 1/29/2025 Bible: 1 Corinthians 15:31 Length: 16 min.

When the topic of generosity comes up in church, reactions can be mixed. Some tune out, assuming the message is about funding a project or filling a financial gap. But generosity is about much more than meeting needs—it's about the heart behind the act. Let's explore not only why we should give but also why we shouldn't and how to cultivate a heart for biblical generosity.Why We Shouldn't Give1. Guilt Shouldn't Be Your MotivationMany Christians have been influenced by guilt-driven messages, from legalism to the prosperity gospel. These teachings suggest that not giving enough equates to stealing from God or forfeiting His blessings. However, the Bible paints a different picture.In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul reminds us, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Faithful giving stems from joy, not guilt or obligation.It's also crucial to distinguish between guilt and conviction. Guilt comes from the enemy and leads us away from Christ, while conviction comes from the Holy Spirit, drawing us closer to God. Hebrews 10:22 reassures us that, through Christ's sacrifice, we are freed from guilt. If guilt drives your giving, pause and prayerfully examine your heart.2. Giving to Control the ChurchSometimes, people give to influence church decisions, designating funds to specific ministries or withholding support to express disagreement with leadership. This approach can sow division and turn generosity into a transaction.Giving with strings attached undermines the act of worship and reflects a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. As stewards of God's resources, we are called to support His work, even when we don't agree with every decision.3. Seeking Self-Righteousness Through GivingGenerosity should not be a means to feel morally superior. In Luke 18:11-12, Jesus shares the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The Pharisee flaunted his giving to showcase his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly sought God's mercy.Faithful giving is a response to God's grace, not a way to earn recognition or status. If pride motivates your generosity, it's time to reassess your heart.Principles for Generous GivingTo develop a heart of biblical generosity, consider these principles:1. Make Giving a PriorityProverbs 3:9 teaches, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” Giving should come first—not as an afterthought or leftover.2. Embrace Sacrificial GivingIn 2 Samuel 24:24, David declares, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” True generosity often requires sacrifice, mirroring Christ's sacrificial love for us.3. Give CheerfullyAs Paul emphasizes in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “God loves a cheerful giver.” Joyful giving reflects trust in God's provision and a desire to participate in His work.Reflect Before You GiveBefore giving, ask yourself:Am I giving out of gratitude, joy, and a desire to honor God?Or are guilt, control, or pride influencing my decision?God values the heart behind your generosity far more than the size of your gift. By giving with a spirit of gratitude and humility, you participate in advancing His Kingdom and glorifying Him through your stewardship.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I've lived with a roommate for the past three years, and he has not had a job since March. I haven't been able to set any money aside or anything like that, with me covering those, and I wanted to know if you had any advice on what I should do if I should move out or otherwise.I have a son who's considering bankruptcy. He has more than just credit card debt, and I'm concerned about what filing bankruptcy will do to his credit and how long it would take him to recover. He's hoping to be able to buy a house soon.My friend told me about an IRA manager, and I am about to sign the contract. They charge 1.5%, and I want to know if that is normal. I'm about to sign a check for $8,000, and I just want more information about that. Also, can you tell me about an annuity? I don't know much about it.When my grandmother died, in her will, she left your house to me and my aunt pending her husband's death. Well, before her husband died, he ended up giving the property to somebody else, and because of that, my aunt and I were just left out. Is that legal? Can you confirm whether it's true that you must report interest gained to the federal government if you open a high-yielding savings account?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly PublicationBetterment | Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

I am thrilled to announce that our new book, the Kindness Daily Reader: Season One, is now available on Amazon. (See Link Below)  Secondly, we are embarking on a new chapter with Season Three of the One Kind Moment podcast. In Season One, we primarily focused on broad topics of kindness and compassion, while in Season Two, we explored areas such as self-compassion, self-help, and self-care. Now, in Season Three, we're shifting our focus to a specific area of self-care that we call Practical Spirituality for Everyone. We'll be delving into topics like spirituality in nature, spiritual intelligence, everyday mindfulness, the science of consciousness, the mystery of life, the science of awe, and managing uncertainty. We're excited to take this new direction and are grateful for your continued support and interest in the One Kind Moment podcast. EXPLORE OUR NEW BOOK! Kindness Daily Reader: Season One https://a.co/d/04RvXldy #onekindmoment #spirituality Yesterday by John Hobart - Music Design by Jason Inc. https://brucewaynemclellan.com/  

TFJ takes a serous look at cheerfully greeting others and smiling. From explaining the origin of the smiley emoji to the classic, true story of how a life was saved thanks to a cheerful greeting, this podcast (as always) gives substantial background to a rarely considered matter. More significantly, it will awaken dormant and atrophied friendliness muscles which should be a part of the daily fitness of every respectful and caring human being.   Learn more at TellerFromJerusalem.com Don't forget to subscribe, like and share! Let all your friends know that that they too can have a new favorite podcast. © 2024 Media Education Trust llc

Well hey there! Hello to ya today. Welcome to episode number 200 of The Burt (Not Ernie) Show podcast. I'm so excited and grateful that you're listening today. Let's jump right in!   You're listening to The Burt (Not Ernie) Show, part of the Spark Network, playing via the Edifi app. This is episode number 200, and we're looking at some promises from 1 Peter.   So recently during my prayer time I started jotting down thoughts that I had while I was praying. It was for sure not just me thinking these things in my own mind - it was really the Holy Spirit encouraging me. Let me share what I wrote down.   Make a promise or keep a promise; which means more? Boastful speech with little love or fewer words and a God-honoring life; which is better? Loving God and loving others or making excuses for a cold, hard heart; which describes me? Dancing with the world or bowing at His feet; which do I do daily? Living for pleasure or living for Him; what do my daily choices reveal? Preparing for the King's return or preparing by default for eternal hellish torment: there is no more time.   So, yeah. Very encouraging, very convicting, very sobering and that last bit, there is no more time, was somewhat heavy. I had the sense that I ought to share this on the podcast, because I'm guessing I am not the only one who needs to be reminded often that how I spend my time, how I love others, how I honor the Lord, what I live for matters and I only have so much time. My lifespan is not unlimited on this earth (although it will be unlimited in eternity). It's important to pause, evaluate the condition of my heart, to discover yet again that there is a beam sticking out of my eye and I need to remove it before pointing out the toothpick in someone else's eye.  Sharing this was not exactly what I wanted to do. It felt pretty personal, ya know? But obedience to the leading of the Lord is important, because Jesus said those who love Him will obey Him in John 14:23.    1 Peter 4:7-9 and 10-11 from the NLT:  The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen.   In the Amplified Bible, verse 7 reads like this: The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer (staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him).    This is the passage the Lord led me to read after I wrote down what I read to you a moment ago. This is not a portion of the Bible that I have memorized, where I know by the reference exactly what it says. I ought to, because this is good stuff, but I didn't just know in my knower what the passage said when the Holy Spirit led me to read 1 Peter, and in particular these verses from chapter four of 1 Peter.   And these words go hand in glove with what I wrote down during my prayer time that morning.   Listen carefully. God's Word never returns to Him void but always accomplishes that for which He sends it forth. And so it will do what He wants it to do. God keeps His promises. He is unfailing in His faithfulness. His love and compassion know no bounds, His mercies are new every morning. He is a good God, a good Father. And this portion of Scripture says the end and culmination of all things is near…therefore, we need to be sober minded, earnest in our prayers, focused on Him, staying balanced in what we are focusing on so that our communication with Him in prayer and with others in our lives will be clear, not muddled or confusing, and reasonable, and specific, not vague, not bouncing all over the place, and pleasing to Him.    So what matters more? Making a promise or keeping a promise? Which is better?  And if the end and culmination of all things is near, is it important for us to know that God does not just make promises and throw them around willy nilly and leave it at that, but He keeps every single promise perfectly and to perfection? Yes, that's something we need to know, each of us individually, as the end of the world is coming soon, as the NLT says. Do you personally know that God is keeping, has kept and will keep all the promises He has made? And that you have promises from Him that He is keeping and will keep right til the end of it all? It's so important to know that. And to know it for yourself.    As I think about verse 11, as a podcaster and speaker, it's convicting but also encouraging to consider that each episode is me using the gift He gave to hopefully serve everyone who listens. And you serve when you use your gifts. Now maybe nobody has told you this in a while, or maybe ever, but when you do what the Lord equips you to do in service, that's invaluable. It's truly more precious than most of what we spend our lives on. You being the you that God created you to be is serving. Thank you for serving the way that only you can. You know, only my husband can give our grandchildren a hug that is from grandpaw. Nobody else can give them a grandpaw hug. It's not possible. That's how it is with your gifts. Nobody else can do what you do the way that you do it. So please keep doing it and thank you for doing it. You glorify God when you do so - and that's the Biblical truth. It's right here in verse 11.    Let me read 1 Peter 4 verses 1 and 2 from the J.B. Phillips New Testament.  Since Christ had to suffer physically for you, you must fortify yourselves with the same inner attitude that He must have had. You must realize that to be dead to sin inevitably means pain, and you should not therefore spend the rest of your time here on earth indulging your physical nature, but in doing the will of God.    That's not a Bible translation we often read from, but it phrases these verses really well.  Part of the promise for us as Christians is that we will suffer, because we follow Jesus and He suffered. We must fortify ourselves with the same inner attitude Jesus had. We must realize that to be dead to sin will inevitably lead to pain. We should not spend the rest of our time here on earth indulging our physical nature, but in doing the will of God.    Make a promise or keep a promise; which means more? Boastful speech with little love or fewer words and a God-honoring life; which is better? Loving God and loving others or making excuses for a cold, hard heart; which describes me? Dancing with the world or bowing at His feet; which do I do daily? Living for pleasure or living for Him; what do my daily choices reveal? Preparing for the King's return or preparing by default for eternal hellish torment: there is no more time.   Let's lay aside the boastful speech with little love and choose to perhaps speak fewer words and live a God-honoring life, because that's truly better. Let's love God and love others, and stop making excuses for our cold, hard hearts.  Let's stop dancing with the world and get serious about bowing at the Lord's feet daily. Let's be done with living for pleasure and choose to live for Him.  Let's be prepared for Jesus' return, because otherwise what are we preparing for by default?  And that last bit, there is no more time…my friend, we don't have many more days to waste. When the Holy Spirit led me to write down those words, “There is no more time,” and then led me to open 1 Peter chapter 4 in my Bible, well, this is no coincidence. The enemy Satan has no reason to quote unquote trick me into readying myself for the Lord's return, to trick me into loving the Lord more and living a life that honors Him, to trick me into bowing at His feet rather than dancing with the world, to trick me into preparing for His return. See, that wouldn't make sense. I know many people do not believe that Jesus is returning soon.  And I know many people, students of the Word, see things lining up for His return and they are doing what Jesus said we are to do in Mark 13, verses 34-37, “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don't know when the master of the household will return - in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don't let Him find you sleeping when He arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for Him!”   Those are the very words of Jesus. And He doesn't say that since no man knows the hour or t he day, just don't think about it, don't talk about it, don't preach any sermons about it, don't keep yourself ready for His return, just say that there's another fifty or one hundred years yet to go (which is kind of funny - why is it always, always fifty or one hundred more years? Just strikes me as a funny go-to for those who don't believe we are actually in the very end of the end times.)   Jesus said not to let Him find us sleeping when He arrives without warning. Those who are kind of sleeping among the Church today are those who say, oh we've got time…we've got fifty more years at least, possibly a hundred years. We are told to keep watch. And if we are saying, oh we've got time, well, that's not keeping watch.    Will you live today with Jesus as fully Lord of your life? All of your life? Will you be prepared for Jesus' return? Because on a podcast about God's promises, and for the 200th episode no less, the Holy Spirit led me to talk about this, which is a promise so great, so important, that we ought to live with this in mind every day…that promise is the promise of Jesus' return. And on the great and terrible day of the Lord, nothing else will matter outside of the fact that He will be here. And with that in mind, can I boldly challenge you with the thought that if this promise is true, and it is, then nothing else matters more than being prepared for the moment that promise is fulfilled?   Thanks for listening today. Get ready and stay ready. Because Jesus? Oh, He's a comin' again, and soon.   I'll see you next time. Bye bye. 

In this episode, Jenn and Kelsey are joined by award-winning author Leif Enger to chat about his latest book. Part romance, part nautical adventure, part love letter to stories, this sweetly hopeful piece of dystopian fiction has it all! You'll cheerfully refuse to put this one down!

God promises that those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully. Our attitude matters because God is a giver and God loves a cheerful giver.

Are you ready to redefine what aging means for you? In a world that often views aging as a limitation, what if you could flip the script and see it as a new beginning? In this episode of the Productivity Smarts Podcast, host Gerald J. Leonard chats with James Flaherty, an inspiring 89-year-old author and motivational speaker. They dive into how aging impacts productivity and the mindset that can help us lead fulfilling lives as we grow older. Living in a charming 1940s dairy barn in the Berkshires, Jim truly believes that you're "only as old as you think you are." His latest book, Loving Longevity, reflects this philosophy.   Jim attributes his success to a strong work ethic and the joy he finds in his craft. He shares a memorable quote from Noël Coward: “Work is more fun than fun,” underscoring the value of daily routines and prioritizing tasks. He recommends creating a nightly to-do list to ease anxiety and make space for creativity.   Throughout their conversation, Jim emphasizes the importance of social connections and staying active. He talks about “blue zones,” where community ties lead to longer lives. To tackle loneliness, he encourages listeners to engage with their communities and nurture relationships. Jim's insights remind us that embracing aging can open doors to new passions and opportunities, making it a journey worth celebrating.   Tune in now to discover how you can embrace aging and unlock your potential!   What We Discuss [02:01] Introduction to James Flaherty [06:13] Daily discipline and routine [09:04] Music and inspiration [13:14] The importance of work ethic [17:58] Gratitude and happiness [20:56] Mindset over physical condition [22:39] The importance of education at any age [24:17] Engaging with life [35:27] Finding purpose in aging   Notable Quotes [05:08] “If you want to live a long time, you have to take care of the basic machine. I eat properly, I don't smoke, and I exercise every morning, whether I want to or not.” - James Flaherty [17:58] “Every day I am grateful, and every day I show gratitude for that. At 89, I do not wake up in pain, and I have never awakened depressed.” - James Flaherty [19:25] “Every morning of your life, you're going to have to confront your biggest critic, your biggest enemy, the highest wall you have to hurdle—it's that person in your bathroom mirror.” - James Flaherty [33:40] “The biggest problem of aging is that too many elders are living alone because she has died or he has died, and they're alone. Loneliness is the biggest stress and perhaps the biggest cause of early death.” - James Flaherty   Guest Bio Jim Flaherty was an international advertising writer/creative director who has published two novels, and two non-fiction books. He was also creator and innkeeper of a five-star country inn/conference center. He is a frequent motivational speaker about aging cheerfully. A strong believer in “you are only as old as you think,” Jim thinks 89 (going on 59) is terrific, and is a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His home is a 1940's art-filled dairy barn in the foothills of the Berkshires.   Resources James Flaherty Website - https://jamesbflaherty.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-b-flaherty/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamesbflahertyauthor/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@jamesbflaherty James Flaherty Books: Link   Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com   Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard   Mentioned Book The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health Hardcover – September 5, 2023 by Ellen J. Langer Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

“I Cheerfully Refuse” is Leif Enger's latest novel set in a not-too-distant America. A tale of a bereaved and pursued musician embarking under sail on a sentient Lake Superior in search of his departed deeply beloved bookselling wife.

Nate, Cody, and special guest Luke Rosamilia review Leif Enger's latest novel, I Cheerfully Refuse. The first 30 minutes of the episode are spoiler-free, then we dive into plot details.

“Probably doomed and perplexingly merry.” That's how Leif Enger describes one of the characters in his new novel, I Cheerfully Refuse. While the story brings words like dystopian and apocalyptic to mind, it bears witness to a deep sense of hope and even optimism. How and why? That's the topic of this episode of The Russell Moore Show featuring Enger.  Moore and Enger talk about what inspired I Cheerfully Refuse, including classic tales like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. They talk about how Enger explores despair in fiction and the real world, the nuances of suicidal behavior, and how to combat the unbearable overwhelm caused by a 24-hour news cycle. They discuss Enger's writing process, how religion emerges in his life and books, and where the two differ in their understanding of evangelism. Tune in for a gracious, rich episode that turns our eyes toward the light that the darkness will not overcome. Resources mentioned in this episode include: I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger Leif Enger The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis “A Weird, Wonderful Conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson” “The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice” Walker Percy Garrison Keillor David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair by Christian Wiman “Clergy on the Rocks” The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com. Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today. “The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper Host: Russell Moore Producer: Ashley Hales Associate Producers: Abby Perry and McKenzie Hill Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens Audio engineering by Dan Phelps Video producer: Abby Egan Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the spirit of this episode, you can help out the podcast by subscribing on Apple and joining our newsletter here: https://www.shawnbuttner.com/mrp In this episode of the Meaningful Revolution Podcast, host Shawn Buttner revisits an earlier discussion on the concept of being 'cheerfully assertive' when promoting creative projects. Shawn shares insights from a David Wax Museum concert, where the band promoted their merch in an authentic and engaging way, and relates this to self-promotion strategies for creatives. The episode emphasizes the importance of having an unshakable belief in your work, not shying away from sales, fostering relationships with your audience, and showing up authentically. Shawn offers practical tips for sustaining creative efforts without feeling exhausted or inauthentic and encourages listeners to confidently share their art with the world. Episodes & show notes at https://www.shawnbuttner.com/podcasts/the-meaningful-revolution/ Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKjv-purm27PdG3CnzB_m7zdOoASxmgcS Check out out on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3duh0xG

Welcome to Day 2399 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2399 – Marching Orders for Soldiers of the Cross – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 06/09/2024 Our Strange Life – Marching Orders for Soldiers of the Cross. 1 Peter 4:7-11 Last week, our focus was on the attitude that we, as Christ's Followers, should have and on the possibility that our lives may shock the unbelieving crowd. Today, Peter gives us Marching Orders for Soldiers of the Cross. Today's passage is 1 Peter 4:7-11, on page 1891 of your Pew Bibles. I will read it from the NIV and the NLT today to give us a better perspective of this passage.  7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. The name “Peter" and the adjective “practical" go hand in hand. Being married helped. So did his career as a fisherman. Before following Christ, Peter was a man of action, which is evident throughout Christ's ministry. Peter's life consisted of tangible, practical things: boats, nets, fish, sweat, hard work, family—the nitty-gritty of real life. We shouldn't be surprised to discover his rugged personality and to-the-point style flow through his writing. Being neither scholarly nor sophisticated, Peter had little interest in theoretical discussions. Truth was meant to be lived, not simply talked about and then ignored. The way he figured, if there is a cause worth fighting for, fight—don't philosophize! The man rolled up his sleeves and dug in if urgency required action. When Peter began to dictate this letter to suffering saints, he didn't beat around the fig tree; he got down to basics. Urgency led to simplicity. Amid his discussion of facing suffering with hope in Christ, Peter can't avoid the practical effects of living in light of Christ's return. He doesn't get bogged down speculating about the hows, whens, and wheres of the end times; he focuses instead on the question, “So what?" He answers this bottom-line...

Listen in as Dr. Chris Winford shares a message.

Dystopian novels aren't known for being hopeful.But that's exactly what Leif Enger brings to the genre with his new book, “I Cheerfully Refuse.” The beloved Minnesota author joined MPR News host Kerri Miller at the Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing on June 4 for a special “on the road” version of Talking Volumes. Their conversation revolved around books: the unpredictable journey of writing them, the sometimes haphazard way of finding them, the way a good book leaves a mark that cannot be erased. As Enger's protagonist Rainy says, “I banged and barged through dozens and hundreds of books. Did I understand it? Not by half, but when it thunders you know your chest is shaking.” Talking Volumes with Leif Enger They also touched on how to maintain hope when the world around you feels like it's going up in flames. “I Cheerfully Refuse” is set in the “near future” when climate change, wealth concentration and religious zealots who are proudly illiterate flourish. But Rainy and his cherished wife, Lark, “refuse apocalypse in all its forms and work cheerfully against it.” When tragedy strikes, and Rainy is forced to set out in a small sailboat on a near-sentient Lake Superior, hoping to reunite with Lark, the quest unfolds. Spoiler alert: Despair never wins. Guest:Leif Enger is the author of many books, including the 2001 breakout hit, “Peace Like a River.” His new novel is “I Cheerfully Refuse.” Before he became an author, Enger worked as a reporter for MPR News. He lives in Duluth with his wife, Robin. Subscribe to Big Books and Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS or anywhere you get your podcasts.Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations.

Today, our Scripture is 1 Peter 4:8-13 … Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. (NLT) What gifts do you see in your life that you know God uses? What service do you do that you just feel the presence of God when You are involved in it? It just feels peaceful to you, almost as if you can sense God smiling? What do you do that you can tell impacts others even more than it affects you? Listen once again to today's passage in The Message Bible … Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. Did you catch the phrase: “Love each other as if your life depended on it.”? Who do you love like that? Who needs you to love them like that? Who needs your words? Who needs your “hearty help”? Who needs some of God's bright presence in their life with you being the one who delivers it? Our community will be made up of those who love us, but also those we need to love. Like the last verse said: This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. Let's pray together: “Father, from the love I give to the trials I walk through, help me to reflect Your presence. Help me to love like my life depends on it—just like You do. As above, so below.”

Leif Enger writes novels about good people living through bad times. His new book, I Cheerfully Refuse, epitomizes what the Los Angeles Tines calls Enger's “musical, sometimes magical and deeply satisfying kind of storytelling.” In this episode, Leif Enger and Jonathan Rogers talk about dystopian fiction; courage, literacy, and hope; and the bass guitar.Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay” (1 Peter 4:9 NLT). The...

A new MP3 sermon from Paramount Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: How Sinners Cheerfully Surrender to God Subtitle: The Redemptive Power of Sorrow Speaker: Rush Witt Broadcaster: Paramount Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 4/14/2024 Bible: Lamentations 3:28-36 Length: 34 min.

I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger is a big-hearted, hopeful novel that's part adventure story, part love story — with unforgettable dialogue, characters, and sense of place. Enger joins us to talk about writing dystopian fiction, the importance of setting, world building and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff recommendations from Marc and Mary. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                    New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app.      Featured Books (Episode): I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger Peace Like a River by Leif Enger Virgil Wander by Leif Enger CivilWarLand in Bad Decline by George Saunders Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon Featured Books (TBR Topoff): All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin

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Sunday January 21, 2024 at The Hub City Church Give Cheerfully and Regularly to the Mission | 2 Corinthians 8:9, 7-8 Therefore... | A Series on the Basic Measures of Gospel-Centered Disciples Sermon by Tadd Anderson | Lead Teaching Pastor "Christians GIVE GENEROUSLY to the MISSION of Jesus' CHURCH because JESUS graciously GAVE EVERYTHING that they might be ADOPTED into it." The Hub City Church is a local expression of the church in Crestview, Florida, making disciples Who Believe the Gospel, Abide in Christ and Obey the Word to the glory of God. Join us next Sunday at 10am. 837 W James Lee Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536.

ROBOCOP (1987) was almost certainly one of, if not the first, 18 rated movie I ever saw, an ultraviolent and pulpy satire about consumerism, urban decay, privitisation and the military industrial complex. Cheerfully sardonic world building, iconic design and an inimitable performance from Peter Weller together with a script packed full of memorable lines and some genuinely disturbing scenes that have scarred themselves forever into my psyche continue to make this a modern sci-fi masterpiece.  We love to hear from our listeners! By which I mean we tolerate it. If it hasn't been completely destroyed yet you can usually find us on twitter @dads_film, on Facebook Bad Dads Film Review, on email at baddadsjsy@gmail.com or on our website baddadsfilm.com. Until next time, we remain... Bad Dads

Cheerfully delivered prophecies of despair close out another banner year for this unusual podcast.

Cheerfully. That's how the Lord wants us to live. And how He wants us to give. Our whole relationship with the Lord is to be a love relationship. Learn how to be glad in Him in this classic passage about Christian giving and authentic living.