Podcasts about Communion

Thursday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Hanna Lindgren  - Song Title: Still Love This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the luminous mysteries, recited on Thursdays.  These mysteries focus on Jesus' public ministry, including his baptism and the institution of the Eucharist, with fruits such as openness to the Holy Spirit and adoration. Join the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 20 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - LUMINOUS THURSDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/3FsR8I6WiTs ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Thursday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/S6fNrAPjf2M MOST VIEWED THURSDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/73Z7rRx6dnM MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #LuminousMysteries #CatholicMeditation #ThursdayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

Patrick explores pressing listener questions about Catholic practices, why posture at Mass matters, and what true unity looks like when traditions shift unexpectedly. Scriptural references and personal stories fuel a wide-ranging exchange on receiving Communion with the right preparation, the impact of Church history on faith, and facing challenges from Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons at the door. Those conversations stretch from investigating the label “Roman Catholic” to untangling misunderstandings about the sacraments, all while encouraging listeners to keep pursuing clarity and reverence in their faith journey. Kip (email) - As a cradle Catholic who has always knelt in reverence after the Lamb of God, I was so disturbed by the complete lack of kneeling and overall irreverence during the Liturgy of the Eucharist at a new parish I tried yesterday that it felt like a Protestant service and has left me convinced such practices are eroding belief in Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist and leading the flock astray. (00:46) Mark - I thought that being born again was enough. Why do I need 7 sacraments? (05:21) Dan - You gave me research to do on the early Church, and I now agree with you. Can you give me details on Linus, Cletus and Clement? (20:46) Kathy - How do I deal with Jehovah's Witnesses? Also thank you for the advice you gave me 2 months ago. (37:59) Rafael - Why are we referred to as Roman Catholics? Originally Aired on 07-27-2026

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 20–21; Psalm 11; Revelation 8 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this September 3rd episode, Hunter guides us through Ezekiel 20–21, Psalm 11, and Revelation 8. Today's readings confront us with difficult images of rebellion, violence, judgment, and a world experiencing the consequences of turning away from God. Ezekiel announces the coming sword, while Revelation gives us the frightening imagery surrounding the opening of the seventh seal and the sounding of the trumpets. Yet right in the middle of these unsettling passages, Psalm 11 reminds us where our hope is found. The righteous Lord loves justice, and the virtuous will see his face. Then something remarkable happens in Revelation. Heaven falls silent. Before the Lamb, there is nothing left to say. Today's devotion invites us into that silence and asks us to look again at the face of God revealed in Jesus. At Calvary, Christ enters into the violence and judgment of this world, not answering violence with violence but overcoming it through self-giving, radically forgiving love. God's dream for creation is not destruction. It is reconciliation, restoration, and shalom. Even when the darkness around us seems overwhelming, we are invited to train our hearts to see what God sees and trust that Christ is making all things new. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Terror and the sword, and the face of God. How sobering these passages are. Ezekiel cries out about the sword that is coming upon a world caught up in rebellion. Revelation gives us images of terror and judgment. The prophets will not allow us to pretend that violence, idolatry, injustice, and human rebellion have no consequences. A world bent on destruction eventually experiences the fruit of its own way. But before we despair, the psalmist speaks: "The righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face." His face. That is what God desires. Relationship. Communion. Face to face. God is not intent on destruction. God is intent on drawing his creation into the fullness of life with himself. Yet our violence, pride, fear, and idolatry blind us to his face. Then Revelation gives us this extraordinary scene. The Lamb breaks the seventh seal. And heaven falls silent. There is awe. There is mystery. There is the recognition of everything that is unfolding. Sometimes silence is the only appropriate response when we begin to see the depth of what God has done in Christ. The psalmist asks, "Why do you say to me, 'Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety'?" Where do we flee when the world seems overwhelmed by violence? Where do we go when terror and the sword seem to surround us? We fly to Christ. We fly to Calvary. That is our mountain of safety. At Calvary, the Lamb of God enters completely into the violence of his rebellious creation. And what does he do? He does not strike back. He does not answer violence with greater violence. He stretches out his hands. He forgives. Through his self-giving, radically forgiving, co-suffering love, Jesus enters death itself and breaks its power from within. This is the face of God. Look at Jesus and see. God's dream is not endless destruction. God's dream is a world restored. Humanity reconciled. Creation healed. Enemies becoming friends. The broken made whole. The lost brought home. Shalom. Jesus has come to accomplish this, and God's dream for his creation will not fail. The darkness around us may be easy to see. Violence is easy to see. Fear is easy to see. Division and despair are easy to see. But faith trains our eyes to see something more. Faith teaches us to see what God sees. It teaches us to look at the Lamb and believe that his love is stronger than death. Paul could see the day when Christ would be all and in all. John could see a multitude gathered around the throne. The prophets could see swords becoming plowshares. They were learning to see God's dream. And so must we. Let us fix our eyes on Christ. Let us train our souls to recognize his face. Let us receive his peace, his joy, his forgiveness, and his life. And then let us go into this frightened and divided world as ambassadors of his radically reconciling love. Sometimes the appropriate response is simply silence. To stand in awe before the Lamb. To see his face. To receive his love. And then to become what we have received. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Pope's pet issues? The simulacrum of the eucharist? How to overcome addictions? Join us for Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

15 When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.Cum ergo prandissent, dicit Simoni Petro Jesus : Simon Joannis, diligis me plus his? Dicit ei : Etiam Domine, tu scis quia amo te. Dicit ei : Pasce agnos meos. 16 He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.Dicit ei iterum : Simon Joannis, diligis me? Ait illi : Etiam Domine, tu scis quia amo te. Dicit ei : Pasce agnos meos. 17 He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep.Dicit ei tertio : Simon Joannis, amas me? Contristatus est Petrus, quia dixit ei tertio : Amas me? et dixit ei : Domine, tu omnia nosti, tu scis quia amo te. Dixit ei : Pasce oves meas.[17] "Feed my sheep": Our Lord had promised the spiritual supremacy to St. Peter; St. Matt. 16. 19; and here he fulfils that promise, by charging him with the superintendency of all his sheep, without exception; and consequently of his whole flock, that is, of his own church.Pope Pius X, Joseph Sarto, was born at Riese in Veneia on June 2, 1835. He was curate, parish priest, bishop of Mantua, patriarch of Venice. He was elected pope on August 4, 1903. As chief pastor of the Church he realized the value of the liturgy as prayer of the Church and spared no effort to propagate the practice of frequent and daily Communion. He died on August 14, 1914 and canonized on May 29, 1954.

Wednesday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Hanna Lindgren  - Song Title: Still Love This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the glorious mysteries, recited on Wednesdays and Sundays.  These mysteries focus on the events following Christ's resurrection, including Pentecost and Mary's coronation, with fruits such as faith and hope. Be a part of the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 20 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - GLORIOUS WEDNESDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/r2tCG5QM1_o ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Wednesday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/KyCey-qH-lA MOST VIEWED WEDNESDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/1Fnoyv8EmO0 MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #GloriousMysteries #CatholicMeditation #WednesdayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by author, apologist, and Catholic convert Shaun McAfee to talk about his new – and incredibly fantastic – book on Eucharistic miracles. As a non-Catholic Christian who believed that the elements of communion – the bread and wine – were merely symbolic, encountering Eucharistic miracles, miracles that seemed to validate Catholic doctrine like the Real Presence of Christ and yet defy explanation through science were like a gut punch. How can the Catholic Church be a false religion when God seems to be working miracles that only serve to prove that they teach?!It was questions like these that led me deeper and deeper into Catholicism and exactly what Shaun brings to us this week: amazing stories of science- and reason-defying miracles that confirm Catholic teaching. The consecrated host levitating, bleeding, surviving natural disasters or attempts at destruction and so much more. This is an absolute gem of an episode packed with evidence that will leave the non-Catholic Christian, we hope, scratching their heads!Check out Shaun's website and his new book Compendium of Eucharistic Miracles from TAN Press.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show! A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

Losing grace, Sola Fide, the 144,000 and more on Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260902dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23 Groan With Hope The Bible calls the blessings we receive as Christians (for example, the peace of forgiveness) the “firstfruits.” The full harvest is coming. We have not experienced all the blessings that God promised. Therefore, we still battle temptations and fight our sinful nature. We still feel the aches of aging bodies. Because sin has left its mark on us, we groan. But the Christian’s groan is different. The world hopes things might get better. The Christian groans with certainty. We know things will get better. Our groaning is not the cry of someone abandoned by God. It is the longing of a child waiting to go home. The apostle Paul says we wait for “the redemption of our bodies.” What a wonderful promise! God is not interested only in saving our souls. Jesus redeemed the whole person. The same body that grows tired and eventually dies will be raised in glory. On the Last Day, Christ will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. No disease. No disability. No pain. No death. Only perfect life in the presence of our Savior. How can we be so sure? Because Jesus has already walked this path. He groaned under the weight of our sin. He endured the agony of the cross. His body was laid in a grave. But on the third day, he rose. His resurrection is God’s guarantee that ours is coming. His resurrection was the firstfruit of others to come. Until then, we do not pretend life is easy. We bring our griefs, disappointments, and fears to our Savior. We groan and pray fervently. And we wait eagerly, knowing that every day brings us one step closer to the moment when our groans are drowned out by the song of victory that God’s children will one day sing forever. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for making me your child through faith in Jesus. When I grow weary under the burdens of this life, strengthen my hope as I wait for the resurrection of my body and the joy of living forever in your presence. Through Jesus Christ, my risen Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

“Eat my flesh and drink my blood.” If you've ever read John 6 and thought, "What does that even mean?!" You are not alone. Understanding this phrase Jesus used becomes a doorway into communion, the Word of God, and the kind of spiritual discernment Scripture says we must have if we want to truly understand Jesus' voice.We lean into the Bible's plain contrast between the natural mind and the Spirit-led mind, using 1 Corinthians to explain why spiritual truth can sound like “foolishness” when we try to process it only through human logic. Then we get practical about the daily war between flesh and spirit, pulling from Galatians 5 and Romans 7 to name the struggle, the stumbles, and the hope: God's hand still reaches out and says, get up. Our reasoning matters, but it has to submit to the supremacy of God's Word and God's will.From there, we build the meaning of communion from the ground up: Deuteronomy 8, manna in the wilderness, and “man shall not live by bread alone.” That foundation leads straight into Jesus as the bread of life, the manifest Word made flesh, and why His shocking language about flesh and blood is calling us to something spiritual, life-giving, and covenant-deep. If you care about Bible study, Christian discipleship, the Lord's Supper, and learning to hear and obey God's voice, this is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show."Message Our Father's Heart a Question or Response"Support the showThank you so much for listening and sharing with others! We would very much appreciate you continuing to FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE, and LIKE us through any of the following platforms:Substack: htt​ps://ourfathersheart.substack.com/Website: ourfathersheart.orgPodcast: https://ourfathersheart.buzzsprout.com/shareTwitter: https://twitter.com/@ofathersheart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ofathersheartYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ourfathersheartMay God bless you and make you prosperous in Him as you listen and obey His voice!

God designed us for communion—not only with Him, but with one another—and community is not an optional addition to the Christian life; it is part of who we are as the Body of Christ. Each of us has been uniquely created and carries something from God that is meant to encourage, strengthen, sharpen, and help meet the needs of others. Though authentic community requires intentionality, humility, patience, forgiveness, and perseverance, it is one of the ways God shapes us to look more like Jesus and teaches us to carry one another's burdens. We pray that as we move forward together, may our love for God be expressed through our love for people, creating a community that reflects His heart, His nature, and His presence.

Biblical preaching should give you more than a few helpful ideas for the week. Todd contrasts expository preaching with the me-centered “TED Talk” approach, offers a biblical grid for evaluating worship music, and tackles a listener's question about whether women should serve Communion. Segment 1 • Todd introduces the heart behind his new book, Go Serve Your King. Pre-Order today at FortisInstitute.org/King • Why your faith shouldn't occupy a separate spiritual category from your work, money, recreation, family, and everyday responsibilities. • Christianity isn't a checklist. Learn how ordinary faithfulness in the life God has already given you can glorify your King. Segment 2 • What's the difference between biblical expository preaching and a Christianized TED Talk? • Does your pastor begin with what God has said—or with a topic, felt need, story, or cultural trend? • Todd gives seven questions you can use to evaluate the preaching you hear every Sunday. Segment 3 • Todd examines Andy Stanley's sermons and asks whether they're teaching you the Bible—or simply teaching you Andy Stanley's ideas. • Is your worship music primarily about God and His glory, or about you and your experience? • Five questions to consider when evaluating whether the songs your church sings are biblically faithful, God-centered, and appropriate for congregational worship. Segment 4 • A missionary planting an underground church challenges Todd's view on women administering the Lord's Supper. • Does Scripture actually require elders or men to distribute Communion—or are we turning a biblical pattern into a rule? • Should women read Scripture in the gathered church? Todd considers where participation ends and teaching authority begins. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

“Are Eucharistic beliefs just medieval superstition?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of Transubstantiation and its significance in Catholic faith. Additional topics include the appropriateness of receiving the Eucharist in the hand, the validity of communion in other churches, and the conversion process for those drawn to Catholicism. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 00:45 – Are Eucharistic beliefs such as Transubstantiation just medieval superstition or sophistry? 16:09 – I've heard it argued that its improper to receive the Eucharist on the hand. Is this true? 21:14 – My faith side believes but my logical/ protestant side makes me not one to accept. Where do we hear Jesus in the bible that Jesus makes this into his body and not just us wanting to do it as a remembrance? 29:21 – Why isn't communion valid in other churches except for us and the Orthodox? 34:02 – I'm convinced by Catholicism but I still live with my parents. What’s the conversion process? 39:29 – Is there a medical problem if a person with Celiac takes a host? If it’s changed will it negatively affect them? 44:32 – Is it true that the apostles had a meal before receiving the eucharist? If so, why do we have to fast before receiving communion? 46:53 – I'm a former baptist minister. Do I have to go to confession before going to communion?

Tuesday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Hanna Lindgren  - Song Title: Still Love This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the sorrowful mysteries, recited on Tuesdays and Fridays  These mysteries focus on Christ's Passion and death, with fruits like sorrow for sin and patience. Be a part of the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 20 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - SORROWFUL TUESDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/xuBcmbi8XKM ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Tuesday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/KyCey-qH-lA MOST VIEWED TUESDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/tcryvk5IlmY MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #SorrowfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #TuesdayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

Today we're beginning a brand-new series that I believe addresses one of the most important distinctions we can make in the Christian life.We're going to talk about Union and Communion.Here's the foundational thought for this entire series: Union is what is true because of Christ. Communion is our participation in what is true.When we confuse those two things, the Christian life can very quickly become an exhausting attempt to accomplish something that Christ has already accomplished.Hester Ministries⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Present Truth Academy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rorschach God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260901dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed . . . the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:19,22 Creation Can’t Wait Have you ever noticed how often the world reminds us that something isn’t right? Wildfires scorch forests. Tornadoes uproot trees. Droughts wither crops. Pretty soon, depending on where you live, the beauty of creation will fade with the changing seasons. Sometimes we speak of nature as though it is simply running its course. But the Bible tells us that creation is groaning. It wasn’t always this way. When God completed his work of creation, he declared that everything was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). There was no death. No decay. No storms. No disease. The world reflected the perfection of its Creator. Then Adam and Eve sinned. When humanity fell, the curse reached far beyond Adam and Eve. God said, “Cursed is the ground because of you” (Genesis 3:17). Thorns and thistles appeared. Death entered. Since then, every hurricane, every broken body, every dying tree, and every cemetery has proclaimed the same truth: sin has affected everything. Yet, there is hope. Creation is waiting for the day when Christ returns to reveal his children. The created world knows, in a way beyond our understanding, that its own freedom is tied to ours. When Jesus raises the dead and makes all things new, creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay. That means the groaning of creation is not the groan of despair but of eager expectation. Just as a mother experiences labor pains in anticipation of celebrating a new life, so does this world. Therefore, we can look at natural disasters differently. We are not left without hope. Every time we see creation suffer, we are pointed to the One who is coming to restore it. When he does, the curse will be lifted, and we will enjoy a new creation forever. Therefore, with creation, we can’t wait. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I see the brokenness of this world, remind me that you have already conquered sin, death, and the curse. Give me confidence to endure the groaning of this present age as I wait for the glory you have promised. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Church is not just a building you attend. It is a place of safety, growth, accountability, and maturity, and Pastor Nelson brought clarity to that truth in a powerful way this Sunday. Through questions from members, he unpacked what it means to gather as the Body of Christ and why the assembly of the saints is something we must never take lightly or reduce to routine.God has given ministry gifts specifically to equip the saints, and everything that happens when we come together carries weight. Communion, baptism, fellowship: none of it is ordinary, even when familiarity tempts us to treat it that way. Every gathering is an intentional act of God working in and through His people, and we rob ourselves when we show up without that awareness.Hit play and share this episode with someone who needs a renewed appreciation for what it means to be part of the Church. 

Monday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Hanna Lindgren  - Song Title: Still Love This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the joyful mysteries, recited on Mondays and Saturdays.  These mysteries focus on the Incarnation and Jesus' early life, with fruits including humility and love of neighbor. Join in the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 20 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - JOYFUL MONDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/6UX8ObKpb3A ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Monday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/vv8l7xMAOmM MOST VIEWED MONDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/ryTdYnt1eUI MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #JoyfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #MondayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish  

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260831dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 No Comparison A diagnosis. An unexpected funeral. The loss of a job. A difficult marriage. Chronic pain. Loneliness. Anxiety. The daily struggle against temptation. The list can go far beyond the 400-word limit for this devotion. The Bible never denies suffering. Nor does it pretend or promise that Christians have an easier life. In fact, sometimes Christians have a more difficult life because they are Christians. That’s what the Bible call the cross—suffering for the sake of our faith. But when you place our crosses alongside the crown that Christ has prepared, there is no comparison. Imagine placing a pebble beside a mountain or a single candle beside the noon-day sun. The pebble is real. The candle gives real light. But beside something infinitely greater, they fade from view. So, too, the glory Christ won for us by his death and resurrection is so overwhelming that today’s suffering cannot be compared to tomorrow’s joy. That doesn’t mean our pain doesn’t matter. It mattered enough that Jesus entered it himself. He carried the greatest cross ever borne—the weight of the world’s sin, the Father’s judgment, and death itself. At Calvary, our Savior wore a crown of thorns so that one day we would wear the crown of life. Because Christ carried the cross first, your crosses are never signs that God has abandoned you. They are reminders that you are following the Savior who walked this road before you. More than that, they assure you that suffering is never the final chapter of your story. The day is coming when tears will be wiped away, and sin will trouble you no more. Your body will be raised in glory, and you will stand forever in the presence of the One who redeemed you. Until then, fix your eyes not on the weight of today’s cross but on the certainty of tomorrow’s crown. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when the crosses of this life seem too heavy to bear, lift my eyes to the glory you have prepared for me. Remind me that you carried the greatest cross so that I might receive the crown of life. Strengthen my faith to endure with hope until the day I see you face to face. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Pastor Dom teaches on stewardship. Proverbs 10:2222 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.Proverbs 11:2525The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.2 Corinthians 9:88 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work.3 John 1:22 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospersLuke 6:3838 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”Luke 16:1-131 He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3 “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.' 5 “So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?' 6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?' So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, (wealth)  that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? 13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”Romans 14:1212 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.2 Corinthians 5:1010 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.Jeremiah 17:99 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?Matthew 15:1919 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.Proverbs 3:5-75 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.James 1:55 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.Haggai 2:88 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts.Luke 22:1919 …do this in remembrance of Me.”1 Corinthians 11:2626 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.Matthew 26:2828 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.Ephesians 2:8-98 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

If you're stuggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help.  Book a free 15 minute call to get started. Sunday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Hanna Lindgren  - Song Title: Still Love This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the glorious mysteries, recited on Wednesdays and Sundays.  These mysteries focus on the events following Christ's resurrection, including Pentecost and Mary's coronation, with fruits such as faith and hope. Be a part of the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 20 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - GLORIOUS SUNDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/v-gX7p-QznQ ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Sunday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/LFcRgq2cQRA MOST VIEWED SUNDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/1Fnoyv8EmO0 MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Catholic #Rosary #Prayer #Sunday #GloriousMysteries  #CatholicMorningPrayerMarch #RosaryEnglish #RosaryToday  #CatholicMeditation #SundayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish #RosaryMaleVoice

The Lord's Supper may be one of the most familiar parts of Christian worship—but do we truly understand its meaning and power? In this message from our Uncomplicated series, we explore how Jesus transformed the Passover meal into the Lord's Supper and answer some common questions: Who is invited to the table? Why does CapCity celebrate Communion every week? Why do we use bread and juice? And what does this meal mean for followers of Jesus? The Lord's Supper is more than an individual moment between us and God. It is a family meal—a table of grace, memories, hope, and celebration. Here, we remember the sacrifice that made us family, recognize that through Jesus we are one body, and look forward to the day when everything will be restored and we will share the table with Him face to face. Scripture references: John 6:53–55; Luke 22:15–20; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 1 Corinthians 11:20–26; Matthew 26:29

What does the Bible really say about communion? Is the Lord's Supper simply a Christian tradition or ritual, or is there something much deeper happening when we take communion?

Why does the Catholic Church ask Mary to pray for us? In this powerful homily, Fr. Jonathan Meyer reflects on the unnamed woman in Matthew's Gospel whose persistent faith wins healing for her daughter. He reveals how this woman is an image of the Church—and ultimately points us to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, who continually intercedes for us before her Son. In this homily you'll discover: Why unnamed women in Scripture are so significant How the Church is the Bride of Christ Why Catholics ask Mary and the saints to pray for us The beauty of the Communion of Saints How your own prayers can change lives—and even change the world Fr. Meyer also challenges us to expand our prayers beyond ourselves and our families, boldly interceding for the conversion of the entire world. "O woman, great is your faith." May we become people who never stop praying.

Back together: Broken People of the Bible part 4Practicing restoration through 1. Communion 2. Anointing for ourselves 3. Prayer for others4. Prayer for our world

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260830dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19 Ten Minutes Sometime, give yourself ten minutes. Give yourself ten minutes for a profound teaching moment. Go to a place where you can let your eyes rest on a portion of God’s creation. If you’re near a shoreline, go to the water’s edge. If you’re near a trail that winds through a grove of trees, take a walk. If you’re driving past a scenic overlook, stop the car and put it in park. If you’re away from city lights and the night sky is clear, lie down on your back. For ten uninterrupted minutes, let God’s creation fill your field of vision. Watch it. Observe it. Study it. As you do, call to mind that God’s Word wants you to notice something about this portion of God’s creation. He wants you to notice that his creation is waiting. The oceans are waiting. The lakes, rivers, and streams are waiting. The trees are waiting. The mountains and valleys are waiting. The planets, stars, and galaxies are waiting. They are all waiting, the Bible says, in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. They are all waiting for that moment when the One through whom all things were made (John 1:3) will come back one more time. They are all waiting for the last day when all believers in Jesus will be identified. They are all waiting for that moment when the King of kings will come to roll up this broken place like an old carpet. They are all waiting for the moment when the Lord of lords will come to sweep away the presence and effects of sin once and for all. And when your ten minutes are up, realize that the creation before you now has ten fewer minutes to wait. For the One who entered this creation on our behalf, the One who lived a sinless life in our place, the One who died to wash us clean, the One who rose from death—this very Jesus has promised to return. And he always keeps his promises. Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I enjoy the beauty of your creation, let your Word show me that even your creation reminds me that you are in command, and that you will return. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Help Is On The Way - Judges | Crushed | Pastor Chris Heller   Judges 16 This Sunday we will be wrapping up our Help Is On the Way series with the dramatic conclusion to the life of Samson. We will also be observing Communion.   Samson's story is one of incredible strength, devastating weakness, and a God who is not finished—even when everything seems lost. Samson's choices finally catch up with him, leaving him broken, blinded, and seemingly defeated. But in his darkest moment, he turns back to the Lord, and God gives him strength one final time.   We hope you'll join us as we discover that failure doesn't have to be the final chapter—God can still accomplish His purposes through a life surrendered to Him.   #Renew #Judges #Rebel #motorcycle #sermon #sunday #onlinechurch

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help.  Book a free 15 minute call to get started. Saturday Daily Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Anthony Earls  - Song Title: Wonders of the Sea This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the joyful mysteries, recited on Mondays and Saturdays.  These mysteries focus on the Incarnation and Jesus' early life, with fruits including humility and love of neighbor. Join in the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 17 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - JOYFUL SATURDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/8NCv89Qk4Zw ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Saturday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/vv8l7xMAOmM MOST VIEWED SATURDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/ryTdYnt1eUI MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #JoyfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #SaturdayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish 

In a slightly unexpected moment, we delve into the ritual of communion. Last week we talked about it as a key Christian activity, but what is our understanding of it? We discuss the importance of ritualism, but also the dangers of exclusion. Also, we announce new ways of supporting the podcast, and Nick may or may not be able to balance on one leg and be a tree. Support the podcast Contact the podcast through your email machine Mid-faith Crisis Facebook Page Nick's Blog Mentioned in this episode: Ludwig - BBC iPlayer Arundel Wetland Centre | WWT Arundel

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260829dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:21-25 Following Jesus We put value on everything. How much we value someone, or something affects the decisions we make. If we value a certain piece of meat enough to pay thirteen dollars a pound for it, we buy it. If we value our pet enough to pay a thousand dollars for the surgery needed, we tell the vet to schedule the surgery. Jesus values you more than anyone has ever valued anything. He wants to spend his eternity with you. He knew that the only way he could do this was to go to the cross and spill his blood as payment for your sins. As Jesus said, he would have to “suffer many things.” But, for Jesus it was a simple equation. Lose his life or lose you. He chose to lose his life. And now, because of what Jesus did, all his followers will live eternally with him. Those who do not follow him will suffer separation from him forever. So, what are you willing to suffer in order to follow him? It is a simple equation. Lose him and you lose everything. Follow him at all costs. Carry whatever burden you must. Put up with whatever ridicule you must. Pass by whatever temporary pleasure you must. Follow him. Because when Jesus leads you to the glory of heaven you will exclaim, “It was worth it!” Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you that you valued me enough to suffer so much to save me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help.  Book a free 15 minute call to get started. Friday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Anthony Earls  - Song Title: Wonders of the Sea This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the sorrowful mysteries, recited on Tuesdays and Fridays  These mysteries focus on Christ's Passion and death, with fruits like sorrow for sin and patience. Be a part of the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 17 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - SORROWFUL FRIDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/fZE1UwFbRE0 ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Friday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/KyCey-qH-lA MOST VIEWED FRIDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/tcryvk5IlmY MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #SorrowfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #FridayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

John the Baptist, understanding sacraments, the mystery of Hell and more on Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

There is a sentence here from St. Isaac that overturns almost everything we are inclined to think about asceticism: You suppose these things were ordained simply to oblige you to labor. We imagine the vigil primarily as something difficult. Sleep is surrendered. The body is constrained. Psalms are prayed while the world sleeps. Nature protests and the monk remains standing before God. Looked at from the outside, it appears to be an extraordinary act of discipline. But Isaac tells us that if this is all we see, we have not yet understood the vigil. The question is not how much a man can endure for God. The question is what begins to happen within the heart of a man who desires God enough to seek Him in the night. Something is born there. This is why Isaac speaks so fiercely about the following day. The tragedy would not simply be that we failed in some ascetical rule. The tragedy would be that we received something precious and then lived carelessly enough to lose it. Seeking the One Who Has Already Come to Us The night vigil is born from desire. The monk rises because Someone is there. This is what distinguishes Christian asceticism from mere religious exertion. We are not trying to force our way toward an absent God. We are responding to the God who has already drawn near, already called us, already awakened desire within us. The Beloved has come seeking us. And eventually the heart begins seeking Him. There comes a moment in the spiritual life when prayer is no longer adequately described as obligation. The language of duty becomes too small. A man discovers within himself a hunger for silence because silence allows him to hear more clearly. He desires solitude because solitude removes the thousand competing claims upon his attention. He rises in the night because there are hours when the world has become quiet enough for the heart to recognize what it has always desired. Isaac knows this experience. This is why he speaks of Scripture as well. Reading is not merely preparation for prayer or the acquisition of religious knowledge. Scripture “sows” something within the soul. It gathers the scattered mind. It irrigates prayer. It plants the remembrance of God. It makes the understanding subtle enough to perceive things that previously escaped it. Scripture, silence, prayer, vigil—all begin converging upon the one thing necessary. Christ Himself. And once the heart begins to taste this, the whole ordering of life must change. The Day Must Become the Guardian of the Night Here Isaac becomes extraordinarily demanding. What sense is there, he asks, in sowing throughout the night only to scatter the seed during the day? We stand before God in darkness, struggling to gather the mind. Perhaps after a long while the thoughts settle. Something softens. The Name descends more deeply. Scripture opens itself in a way that cannot easily be explained. A stillness appears that we could never manufacture. Then morning comes. And we throw ourselves back into dispersion. Conversation. Curiosity. News. Opinions. Tasks that did not need to be done. Encounters that did not need to occur. Words that did not need to be spoken. The endless grazing of the mind among things. Isaac's question is devastatingly simple: Why would you do this? Why labor through the night to gather what you willingly scatter during the day? This reveals something essential about the monastic heart. Vigil cannot be isolated from the rest of life. There cannot be one life before God and another life afterward. Isaac says that we must place “no wall of separation” between the night and the day. That phrase is astonishing. The stillness of the night is meant to flow into the day. The remembrance of God cultivated in darkness must become the hidden atmosphere in which we move beneath the light of the sun. The silence of the cell must follow us. The Name must remain near. Our encounters, our speech, our work, even the manner in which we allow ourselves to think must begin to be governed by one question: Will this help me remain with the One whom I have found? This is not narrowness. It is love. Love Makes a Man Careful When something becomes precious to us, we become careful around it. This perhaps explains Isaac's asceticism better than almost anything else. The Fathers guard the senses because something precious has been entrusted to the heart. They guard speech because words can disturb what silence has gathered. They flee unnecessary encounters because the mind can quickly become populated by images, arguments, memories, anxieties, and judgments. They restrain curiosity because the heart cannot gaze simultaneously in every direction and remain simple before God. From outside, such a life may appear severe. From within, it is tenderness. A man in love does not experience every renunciation as deprivation. Some things simply become less interesting because something infinitely more beautiful has appeared. This is why the ascetical life is so counterintuitive. We ordinarily construct our days around what must be accomplished and then attempt to fit prayer somewhere within them. Isaac reverses the order. Order the day around what must not be lost. What if the most important thing that happened today occurred while the world was sleeping? What if the deepest work was not something we accomplished but the quiet gathering of the heart before God? What if the purpose of tomorrow were, in part, simply not to lose it? Then discernment changes. We begin asking not merely whether something is sinful, permissible, useful, interesting, or productive. We begin asking whether it preserves the heart's capacity for God. This is a much more demanding question. “You Would Have Embraced Jesus' Bosom” And then Isaac says something almost unbearably beautiful. Had the monk allowed his daytime life to correspond to the meditation of the night, had he placed no division between them, Isaac says that “in a short time you would have embraced Jesus' bosom.” Here the entire meaning of vigil is unveiled. Not achievement. Not spiritual heroism. Not mastery over sleep. The bosom of Jesus. Communion. Intimacy. Rest in the Beloved. Everything else exists for this. We constrain ourselves because we desire freedom from everything that prevents love. We become silent because we desire to hear. We remain awake because we desire to see. We read because we desire the mind of Christ. We guard ourselves because we have discovered something worth guarding. Even the night itself becomes sacramental in this sense. The darkness strips things of their urgency. The machinery of the world slows. The identities we carry during the day become less important. There is less to perform and less to defend. There is simply the creature before the Creator. The beloved before the Beloved. And the Name. Lord Jesus Christ. The New Life Begins in the Night Isaac finally speaks of those who desire “knowledge of the new life.” That is what vigil opens before us. A new life. Not merely a more disciplined version of the old one. Perhaps this is why the call to stillness can become stronger rather than weaker as the spiritual life deepens. The field of vision narrows. Things once regarded as indispensable reveal themselves as secondary. Activities that once seemed important begin to feel strangely weightless. Even good works must find their proper place. Not because love has diminished. Because desire has become concentrated. One thing is necessary. The night teaches this with a clarity the day rarely permits. And so perhaps Isaac's teaching on vigil reaches far beyond the question of how many hours we sleep. He is teaching us how to construct an entire life around the remembrance of God. Receive the night as gift. Read until the mind is gathered. Call upon the Name. Stand before God when nothing seems to be happening. Remain. And when something begins to awaken within you—some tenderness, some compunction, some clarity, some quiet awareness of the One who has been waiting for you—do not rush away from it. Guard it. Carry it into the morning. Let your speech become quieter because of it. Let your choices become simpler. Let unnecessary things fall away. Let the day itself become an extension of the vigil. For the purpose of the vigil was never simply that we should remain awake. It was that we should awaken. And having awakened, that we should refuse to return to sleep. The Fathers went into the night because they had begun to glimpse the astonishing truth hidden beneath all asceticism: God is worth seeking. God is worth waiting for. God is worth arranging an entire life around. And once the heart has begun to discover Him in the silence, wisdom consists largely in learning not to lose during the day what Love has given us in the night. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:21:49 Ambrose Little: It's supposed to make your head hurt.

There is something almost frightening about the stories preserved for us in the Evergetinos. They are frightening not because they portray extraordinary wickedness, but because they reveal how quietly the heart can change. The monk described by Palladios is not a beginner. He is a man of profound silence and prayer, one who has surrendered himself so completely to God that even the necessities of his bodily life have been entrusted to Providence. His life has become contemplation. Prayer is his delight. God provides for him in a miraculous manner. He has tasted something of the life of the age to come. And yet the beginning of his fall is almost imperceptible. He sleeps a little longer. His prayer becomes somewhat shorter. His attention wanders. Earthly concerns begin to occupy a little more space within him. Thoughts once immediately rejected are permitted to remain for a moment. Nothing, at first, seems catastrophic. That is precisely the warning. The Fathers understood that the great falls of the spiritual life rarely begin as great falls. They begin with small permissions. Something formerly guarded carefully is treated casually. Something that once troubled the conscience is dismissed as insignificant. A thought is entertained rather than rejected. Prayer is postponed. Vigilance relaxes. A little comfort is allowed to become necessary. The heart whispers that such things hardly matter. But they matter because the heart matters. There is something extraordinarily precious hidden within the human person: the place of communion with God. The Fathers speak of guarding the heart so insistently because they know what has been entrusted to us. Grace has entered there. The Name has been received there. Desire for God has been awakened there. A fire has been kindled that does not originate in ourselves. The spiritual life, therefore, is not primarily the anxious avoidance of infractions. It is the guarding of a treasure. This changes how we understand vigilance. We do not guard ourselves because God is waiting to punish the smallest mistake. We guard ourselves because love is delicate. Communion can be obscured. Desire can cool. The eye of the heart can become clouded. What has become luminous through prayer can gradually become opaque again. The evil one understands this very well. He does not always attempt to tear a person immediately away from God. With someone who has given himself deeply to prayer, such an assault might be too obvious. Instead, he waits. He works through what appears negligible. A little negligence. A little self-confidence. A little relaxation of watchfulness. A thought that seems harmless enough to entertain. The enemy is patient because he knows that a heart need not renounce God explicitly in order gradually to lose sight of Him. Palladios gives us an extraordinary image of this darkening in the bread. At first the monk receives heavenly bread, pure and provided by God. As his interior life becomes disordered, the bread appears grimy and gnawed. Later it is almost entirely spoiled. What is happening visibly to the bread corresponds to what is happening invisibly within the monk. The gift has not ceased to be gift, but his capacity to receive it has become corrupted. The tragedy is not simply that temptation has appeared. Temptation comes to everyone. The decisive moment comes earlier: he notices the diminishment and does not respond to it. He regards the first symptoms as trivial. This is one of the most penetrating insights in the story. The monk does not suddenly decide to abandon his vocation. He fails to take seriously the cooling of his love. The Fathers would have us become sensitive to precisely this. When prayer becomes burdensome, notice. When mercy toward another begins to disappear, notice. When resentment becomes pleasurable, notice. When the imagination begins feeding upon something we would once have rejected, notice. When silence becomes uncomfortable and distraction increasingly necessary, notice. When we begin excusing in ourselves what once brought us immediately to repentance, notice. Not because every movement of weakness is a catastrophe, but because small movements reveal the direction in which the heart is turning. The story attributed to St. Maximos makes the warning still more sobering. The young monk possesses astonishing spiritual authority. Even wild animals obey him. Those around him naturally interpret such gifts as evidence of sanctity. St. Anthony is less impressed. He sees a ship filled with precious cargo and says, in effect: Yes—but will it reach the harbor? Everything is contained in that image. Grace received is not yet grace preserved. Virtue acquired is not yet virtue safely possessed. Spiritual gifts are not guarantees. Years of asceticism are not guarantees. Miracles are not guarantees. The harbor is reached only through perseverance. This is why Maximos interprets the command to “turn away from evil, and do good” as something more than the avoidance of sin. We must fight to diminish the passions; we must labor to acquire the virtues; and then—we must remain awake in order to preserve what has been given. He connects this with Adam's vocation in Eden: to cultivate and to keep. The heart is a garden. Grace cultivates it with us. Prayer waters it. Tears soften its soil. The remembrance of God makes it fruitful. Virtue slowly becomes something beautiful and living within us. But the garden must also be kept. Perhaps this is why the Fathers can appear severe about things modern people consider insignificant. Their severity is not necessarily born from fear. At its deepest, it arises from wonder. They know what the heart can become. They have seen human beings filled with God. They have seen the mind made luminous through prayer, the passions transfigured, the hardened heart made merciful, and ordinary human beings become bearers of the Holy Spirit. Having seen such things, they cannot regard anything that gradually extinguishes that life as trivial. The treasure is too precious. And yet neither story finally teaches despair. Palladios' monk awakens. Remarkably, his awakening comes while he is teaching others. He hears himself speaking truths that he has ceased to live, and suddenly sees himself. The contradiction becomes unbearable. He runs back into the desert, casts himself upon the ground, and repents. God receives him. The angel's words are filled with mercy: “God has accepted your repentance and has had mercy on you.” Something has nevertheless changed. The miraculous bread does not return. His remaining years are marked by mourning. This is not because God refuses forgiveness. Rather, the story preserves the terrible seriousness of freedom. Forgiveness is complete, yet our choices are real. Grace is not magic, and repentance does not make our history unreal. The Fathers hold together what we so often separate: immense mercy and immense seriousness. Never despair. But never presume. Never imagine that a fall places you beyond the mercy of God. But never imagine that what darkens the heart is therefore insignificant. The Christian life is lived between these truths. Perhaps the most important question, then, is not simply, Have I committed some great sin? It may be much quieter: What is happening to my desire for God? Is the flame growing brighter or dimmer? Is prayer becoming more truthful or merely habitual? Is my heart becoming softer or harder? Am I becoming freer to love, or increasingly absorbed in myself? Have I begun calling “small” those things that slowly make me forget the One whom I love? The evil one is willing to wait. He knows that great falls can grow from tiny seeds of forgetfulness. We too must learn to wait—but differently. We remain before God. We keep the heart. We cultivate the garden. We guard the treasure. And when we discover even the smallest cooling of love, we do not panic and we do not despair. We turn again toward Christ. Immediately. Simply. Humbly. For vigilance, rightly understood, is not living in terror that we might lose God. It is living with the knowledge that nothing is more precious than having found Him. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:08:19 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 61 Section C 00:14:06 Jacqulyn Dudasko: I received my books today! Even had a bit of time to start reading!

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260828dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 16:19 An Open Door Have you ever been locked out? Perhaps you forgot your keys or found yourself standing outside a door you could not open. Jesus used the image of keys to describe one of the greatest gifts he gives: the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Keys open doors. The “keys of the kingdom” open the door to God’s forgiveness through the message of Jesus Christ. That may sound surprising. Many people assume Christianity is mostly about rules. The Bible certainly teaches right and wrong, but its central message is not, “Here are the rules.” Its central message is, “Here is your Savior.” Jesus came to unlock the prison of guilt, shame, and death. He offers forgiveness freely because he has already paid for our sins on the cross. No one is beyond his mercy. No mistake is too great. No past is too broken. Wherever the good news of Jesus is proclaimed, the door to God's grace is opened. What an incredible privilege it is to use these keys. The greatest gift we can offer another person is not advice, entertainment, or even friendship, important as those are. The greatest gift is Jesus Christ himself. The good news about Jesus Christ is “the power of God for salvation” because God himself works through his Word. The world offers countless temporary solutions. Jesus offers everlasting forgiveness. The world promises self-improvement. Jesus gives a new creation. The world speaks about success. Jesus speaks peace to guilty consciences. Someone you know needs that peace today. Perhaps God is inviting you to be the one who opens the conversation, extends the invitation, or shares the promise of forgiveness in Christ. The keys are meant to be used. Open the door with joy. “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'” (Romans 10:13). Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for opening the door to God's forgiveness. Help me trust in the gift you freely offer and lead me to know the joy of belonging to you. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Have you ever felt like you've let God down? Maybe anger got the best of you, an old habit returned, or you made a decision you regret. In those moments, guilt and shame can leave us wondering, What does God think about me now? Does He still want me? In this message from the Gospel of Mark, we join Jesus and His disciples on the night He shared the Passover meal with them. Jesus knew what was coming—one disciple would betray Him, another would deny Him, and the rest would scatter. Yet knowing all of that, Jesus still invited them to the table. Through the Lord's Supper, Jesus gives His followers a powerful way to remember what He has done, renew our relationship with Him, and remember that we don't walk this journey alone. Communion reminds us of the grace at the heart of the gospel: no matter how far we've wandered, Jesus invites us back to the table. Discover why Communion matters and how this simple meal continually draws us back to Jesus. There's a place at the table for you.

Fr. Harry and Fr. Anthony continue their discussion of consumerism by examining what happens when we begin treating the Church—and even other people—as products that can be discarded when they fail to meet our expectations. The Christian alternative is the difficult work of communion: receiving correction with humility, addressing offenses directly, practicing repentance and reconciliation, and resisting the temptation simply to “check out” when relationships become uncomfortable. Being the Church means learning to remain in relationship, not because everything goes the way we want, but because it is precisely within those relationships that God teaches us how to love, repent, forgive, and become His family. Enjoy the show!

During the long months of the 2020 shutdown, I spent a surprising amount of time watching the History Channel series Ancient Aliens. I began as a skeptic, but the sheer variety of evidence presented gradually challenged my assumptions. Many years earlier I had read Erich von Däniken’s Chariots of the Gods?, so I was already familiar with the basic outline of ancient alien theory. I had also read Whitley Strieber’s Communion when it was first published, giving me a passing familiarity with the subject of alien abductions. But the evidence presented on Ancient Aliens goes far beyond those early books. At this point, only the most dedicated naysayer could remain completely unmoved by the questions the series raises. For those unfamiliar with the theory, the basic claim is that various extraterrestrial civilizations have been visiting Earth for thousands, perhaps even millions, of years. The stories told around the world of gods descending from the sky and living among ancient peoples are interpreted not as myths, but as historical accounts. According to the theory, these visitors shared knowledge with humanity, particularly technological knowledge, helping advance civilization. Some theorists go even further. They propose that extraterrestrials may have altered human DNA, contributing to the emergence of modern humanity, and that they may continue to influence our evolution through the phenomenon of alien abduction. Others suggest that Earth’s entire ecosystem was seeded from elsewhere (panspermia), including the possibility that our moon was deliberately positioned to stabilize Earth’s axis and create the tides necessary for life. I eventually persuaded my brother Bill to watch the series with me. Over the past several years we have viewed and discussed virtually every episode in its fifteen-season run, some more than once. Yes, many of the stories overlap. The same evidence often appears repeatedly, accompanied by familiar commentary. Yet we found the repetition useful. It allowed us to compare claims, identify recurring themes, and test the internal consistency of the arguments being made. Bill and I pride ourselves on being open-minded, but we also anchor that openness in logic and critical thinking. As you know, we are both PhDs, with backgrounds in philosophy and rhetoric, and we have both taught critical thinking at the university level. So don’t come away with the notion that we accepted every claim hook, line, and sinker. One question in particular has occupied much of our attention. Were the gods of antiquity really gods? Were the fallen angels described in the Book of Enoch truly angels sent from God? Or were these figures actually advanced extraterrestrials whose technology was interpreted as divine power? The Book of Enoch tells of heavenly beings who descended to Earth, mingled with humanity, and even took human wives. Their offspring became known as the Nephilim. The biblical flood is said to have been sent to eradicate these hybrids. But what exactly were the Nephilim? What sort of God would destroy nearly all life on Earth to remove them? And why do angelic beings appear throughout the story warning certain humans to prepare for what was coming? As the theorists on Ancient Aliens frequently point out, such stories can be viewed either as myths or as history. If they are history, however, who are the actors involved? Are we truly dealing with God, angels, and the deities of ancient cultures? Or are these accounts describing advanced off-world intelligences engaged in competing visions of humanity’s destiny, sometimes with catastrophic consequences? These questions have fueled countless discussions between Bill and me. Interestingly, they have unfolded alongside our ongoing exploration of Gnostic theology. As we’ve continued untangling the distinctions between Aeons, Archons, angels, fallen angels, the God Above All Gods, and the god of this world, we’ve gradually arrived at a framework that makes surprising sense of many of these ancient mysteries. Today I’d like to share that framework with you. Where Ancient Alien Theory and Gnosticism Agree After spending several years examining the claims of Ancient Aliens through a Gnostic lens, I’ve found that I agree with more of the theory than I ever expected.Ancient alien theorists question the sufficiency of purely random Darwinian evolution. They argue that the extraordinary complexity of life, consciousness, and civilization suggests purposeful intervention. On this point, I find myself in substantial agreement. As I’ve discussed elsewhere in episodes such as Evolution and Conscious Aeonic Design, I regard evolution not as a blind and accidental process but as a directed unfolding of consciousness through time. Where ancient alien theorists identify extraterrestrial visitors as the guiding intelligence behind this development, I identify the guiding intelligence as the Aeons of the Fullness. I'm putting the link to one of my evolution episodes here in today's transcript. The difference is significant. For many ancient alien theorists, purposeful design implies advanced extraterrestrial engineers. For Gnosticism, purposeful design originates from the Fullness of God itself. The First Category: Aeons To understand the distinction, we must begin with the Aeons.In Valentinian Gnostic cosmology, the Aeons dwell within the Pleroma, or Fullness of God. They are not physical beings in the ordinary sense. Rather, they are divine intelligences, principles, powers, personalities, and attributes through which the intentions of the Father become manifest. If ancient alien theorists are correct that evolution has been guided, then I would attribute that guidance not to flesh-and-blood extraterrestrials but to Aeonic design.The Aeons represent order, purpose, meaning, and realization. Through them, the material cosmos unfolds toward increasingly complex expressions of consciousness. Merely replacing God with extraterrestrials does not solve the fundamental problem of origins. The question remains: where did the order come from in the first place?Randomness cannot account for persistent increase in complexity and meaning. Throwing the components of life into the air an infinite number of times does not explain why they repeatedly organize themselves into functioning systems. The question of purpose remains. The Aeons of the Fullness dream as one of Paradise. All creation is prefigured in the dreams of the Fullness. We 2nd Order Powers manifest aeonic design. Gnosticism answers that purpose precedes manifestation. The Aeons are that purpose. They are manifesting the will of God the Father. The Transpersonal Field Ancient alien theorists frequently point to the phenomenon of simultaneous invention. Again and again throughout history, important discoveries have emerged independently in multiple locations at nearly the same time. Language, architecture, metallurgy, medicine, radio technology, relativity theory, and numerous other innovations seem to appear almost as if humanity accesses a common reservoir of knowledge. The theorists often describe this reservoir as the Akashic Record or as a form of extraterrestrial guidance. I agree that such a field exists. However, I understand it differently. I regard the transpersonal field as an aspect of the Metaversal Unit of Consciousness itself: a repository of all that was, is, and will be. Human beings access this field continuously, though usually unconsciously. Inventors, artists, philosophers, and visionaries often reach into it through contemplation, dreaming, intuition, and insight. In my view, we do not need extraterrestrial programmers to explain this phenomenon. Consciousness itself provides the explanation. The Second Category: Archons Now we come to a category frequently overlooked in ancient alien discussions.The Archons. According to Gnostic cosmology, Archons are not Aeons, and they are not angels.They are the inverted shadows of divine order. Where the Aeons move toward realization, Archons move toward distortion. Where Aeons foster truth, Archons foster confusion. They are entropic forces generated through the deficiency associated with the Demiurge. Unlike living creatures, Archons possess no souls. They have no consciousness, no personal identity. They are demiurgic puppets. They are not products of the Fullness. They are products of separation from the Fullness. This distinction becomes particularly useful when discussing technology. Many ancient alien theorists interpret technological advancement as evidence of benevolent extraterrestrial influence. Yet technology itself is neutral. It can illuminate or enslave. It can connect humanity or divide it. The internet provides a perfect example. One of humanity’s greatest achievements has simultaneously become one of its greatest engines of distraction, manipulation, and division. When technological innovation amplifies vanity, domination, deception, and dependency, I suspect Archonic influence rather than Aeonic influence. The Archons thrive through confusion, distraction, fragmentation, and conflict.That is their signature. The Third Category: Angels Throughout scripture angels appear as beings capable of moving between dimensions of existence. Sometimes they appear fully physical. Sometimes they appear as luminous forms. They interact directly with humanity while simultaneously transcending ordinary physical limitations. In Gnostic thought, angels appear to function as allies of humanity in our ongoing struggle against Archonic forces. Where the Archons seek bondage, angels seek liberation. Where Archons cultivate deception, angels encourage truth. This distinction becomes particularly interesting when considering reports of mysterious interventions involving advanced technology. Ancient alien researchers often cite accounts of unexplained interference with nuclear weapons systems. Some reports describe luminous objects disabling missiles without causing harm. If such accounts are accurate, I would not automatically classify the intervention as extraterrestrial. Such actions are equally consistent with angelic activity: protective interventions intended to prevent catastrophe. Not every luminous being belongs in the extraterrestrial category. The Fourth Category: Aliens And now we arrive at the category that fascinates most viewers of Ancient Aliens.Actual extraterrestrials. Do they exist? I believe their existence is as likely as not. Yet I do not believe every unusual phenomenon should automatically be attributed to them. Carving on sarcophagus lid of Mayan ruler Pascal, 683 AD, bears striking resemblance to a man piloting a rocketship. Or is it simply a king riding his throne downward into the land of the dead? When all other categories have been properly separated, a remarkable amount of evidence still appears to point toward genuine non-human civilizations. Accounts from around the world describe beings descending from the heavens, sharing knowledge, establishing settlements, constructing monumental architecture, and sometimes interacting intimately with human populations. The Book of Enoch preserves one such tradition. It describes non-human beings who descended to Earth, taught forbidden arts, and produced offspring with human women. Whether one interprets these stories literally or symbolically, they differ significantly from descriptions of angels and differ even more from descriptions of Archons.These beings behave like a civilization. They arrive. They teach. They build. They intervene. They pursue agendas. In other words, they behave much like humans would behave if we possessed interstellar technology. From a Gnostic perspective, extraterrestrials would simply be another form of what the Tripartite Tractate calls Second Order Powers: living creatures participating in creation. They would possess souls just as we do. They would struggle with ego, ambition, cooperation, conflict, wisdom, and folly just as we do. Their civilizations may be older than ours. Their technology may surpass ours. But they remain participants in the same cosmic drama. The Ultimate Extraterrestrial Which finally brings us to the question of God. Who is the ultimate extraterrestrial? The answer depends upon which God we are discussing. The Father described in Gnostic cosmology is not a being among beings. The Father is not an old man seated upon a throne somewhere beyond the stars.The Father is the Infinite Consciousness underlying all reality. The Father does not belong to creation. Creation belongs to the Father. The Demiurge, by contrast, is much closer to the deity portrayed throughout much of the Old Testament. The Demiurge speaks. Commands. Negotiates. Punishes. Rewards. Chooses sides. The Demiurge is the angry god depicted in classical art This distinction remains one of the most controversial teachings within Gnosticism.Yet it provides a powerful framework for interpreting stories that otherwise seem contradictory. The God who sends floods, plagues, and catastrophic judgments appears very different from the Father proclaimed by Jesus. For Gnostics, that difference is not accidental. It is foundational. Conclusion So where have Bill and I landed after years of discussing these questions? We have concluded that ancient alien theorists correctly identify many genuine mysteries. Where I differ is in the tendency to place every non-human intelligence into a single category. Gnosticism offers a richer vocabulary. Some encounters may involve Aeons. Some may involve Archons. Some may involve angels. Some may involve extraterrestrials. And above them all stands the Father, the Infinite Consciousness from which all reality ultimately emerges—what we Gnostics call the God Above All Gods. The challenge is not deciding whether non-human intelligences exist. The challenge is learning how to tell them apart. That, perhaps, is the most important question of all. Where do you stand on these distinctions? What is your opinion? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Until next week, onward and upward. And God Bless Us All. If you’ve ever benefited from an episode of Gnostic Insights, I want to ask for your help. Everything you see here is created by one person. I write, record, edit, publish, transcribe, and promote every episode myself. There is no production team behind the scenes. To make this possible, I also operate a bed and breakfast in Southern Oregon. The income from cleaning rooms and making beds is what keeps this podcast alive. Your support gives me the time and resources to continue producing thoughtful, accessible content for spiritual seekers around the world. Even a small contribution makes a meaningful difference. If you believe this work matters, please consider supporting it today. Every gift helps keep the light on and the message flowing. Thank you for being part of this community. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Stripe Credit Card *Choose your item *Item A - $10.00Item B - $25.00Item C - $50.00Total$0.00Submit

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help.  Book a free 15 minute call to get started. Thursday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Anthony Earls  - Song Title: Wonders of the Sea This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the luminous mysteries, recited on Thursdays.  These mysteries focus on Jesus' public ministry, including his baptism and the institution of the Eucharist, with fruits such as openness to the Holy Spirit and adoration. Join the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 17 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - LUMINOUS THURSDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/3FsR8I6WiTs ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Thursday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/S6fNrAPjf2M MOST VIEWED THURSDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/73Z7rRx6dnM MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #LuminousMysteries #CatholicMeditation #ThursdayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

Why call her a dog? Translation or interpretation? Developing prudence? Don't miss on today's episode of Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260827dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “The gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18 Hope that Defeats Fear Jesus promised, “The gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Jesus never promised his church an easy path. Christians experience persecution, temptation, suffering, and spiritual warfare. Satan constantly seeks to discourage believers and undermine the gospel. Yet Jesus assures us that hell itself cannot overcome his church. Notice that the gates belong to hell. Gates are defensive. Jesus Christ is advancing his kingdom as his gospel reaches hearts throughout the world. Satan cannot imprison those whom Jesus has redeemed and set free. That promise extends personally to every believer. There are days when guilt weighs heavily on us. We remember sins we wish we could erase. The devil whispers that God could never forgive someone like us. But Jesus has already answered those accusations. Through his death and resurrection, he has defeated sin, death, and Satan. The enemy may accuse, but he cannot condemn those who belong to Jesus Christ. This confidence enables Christians to live courageously. We need not fear the future because our Savior reigns. We need not fear death because Jesus has conquered the grave. We need not fear Satan because Jesus has already won the victory. Perhaps you’ve spent much of your life trying to avoid thinking about death or eternity. Jesus invites you to face those questions honestly—not with fear, but with hope. He came precisely because death is our greatest enemy. By dying and rising again, he has opened the way to eternal life for all who trust in him. The Christian message is not that good people earn heaven. It is that Jesus has opened heaven through his death and resurrection. That is a hope worth exploring. As the Bible says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) Whenever fear threatens your heart, return to Christ’s promise. The battle belongs to him, and he has already secured the outcome. Prayer: Jesus, my Savior, when fear and temptation surround me, remind me that you have defeated every enemy. Keep me confident in your promises and steadfast until eternal victory is fully revealed. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help.  Book a free 15 minute call to get started. Wednesday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Anthony Earls  - Song Title: Wonders of the Sea This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the glorious mysteries, recited on Wednesdays and Sundays.  These mysteries focus on the events following Christ's resurrection, including Pentecost and Mary's coronation, with fruits such as faith and hope. Be a part of the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 17 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - GLORIOUS WEDNESDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/r2tCG5QM1_o ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Wednesday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/KyCey-qH-lA MOST VIEWED WEDNESDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/1Fnoyv8EmO0 MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #GloriousMysteries #CatholicMeditation #WednesdayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

Motives to become Catholic, typology, allegory, king Solomon and much more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help.  Book a free 15 minute call to get started. Tuesday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Anthony Earls  - Song Title: Wonders of the Sea This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the sorrowful mysteries, recited on Tuesdays and Fridays  These mysteries focus on Christ's Passion and death, with fruits like sorrow for sin and patience. Be a part of the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 17 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - SORROWFUL TUESDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/xuBcmbi8XKM ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Tuesday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/KyCey-qH-lA MOST VIEWED TUESDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/tcryvk5IlmY MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #SorrowfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #TuesdayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

This conversation brings together four practitioners from Sufi, Christian, and Buddhist traditions to examine how the values of spiritual ecology are embedded within their different faiths. Drawing upon the themes within Remembering Earth, the new book by Emergence founding editor Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, they explore how restoring embodied practices of ecological reverence can help us cultivate a space where divinity becomes expansive.Read the transcriptDiscover Remembering Earth: A Spiritual EcologyImage Credit: Amy Woodward / Connected Archives

The passing of a biblical generation, Rosary with alligators, baptizing the dead in Corinth and more on Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help.  Book a free 15 minute call to get started. Monday Rosary - SPOKEN MALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by artist: Anthony Earls  - Song Title: Wonders of the Sea This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our daily prayer and intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the joyful mysteries, recited on Mondays and Saturdays.  These mysteries focus on the Incarnation and Jesus' early life, with fruits including humility and love of neighbor. Join in the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 17 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation.  All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - JOYFUL MONDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/6UX8ObKpb3A ROSARY - SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: Monday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/vv8l7xMAOmM MOST VIEWED MONDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/ryTdYnt1eUI MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #JoyfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #MondayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish