Podcasts about Crete

As we continue our look at Paul's letter to Titus we see that the church in Crete was also facing false teaching. It was different from the false teaching Timothy faced in Ephesus, but Paul recognized it needed to be dealt with. Paul was looking for a unique kind of Christ-like leader who could embrace humility but also have the courage to stand for truth. In today's episode, Pastor Jim explores how we should face false teaching today and why we still need humility and truth. 

Every year on January 27 we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. While this is a story of great pain and sorrow, as the Greek experience shows us, it's also an opportunity to remember the brave individuals who decided to stand up to hate no matter the consequences - the Righteous Among The Nations. David Harris, a lifelong friend of Greece and the previous CEO of the American Jewish Committee, joins Thanos Davelis as we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, the story of Greece during the Holocaust, and its special relevance today given the alarming rise in antisemitism. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Reserve off Crete is promisingTurkey: Sweden complicit in hate crime, NATO talks pointlessTurkey says it is "meaningless" to restore NATO dialogue with Sweden, Finland 

With family: Genesis 28; Matthew 27 Genesis 28 (Listen) Jacob Sent to Laban 28 Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. 2 Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother's brother. 3 God Almighty1 bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. 4 May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!” 5 Thus Isaac sent Jacob away. And he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, the son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother. Esau Marries an Ishmaelite 6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” 7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and gone to Paddan-aram. 8 So when Esau saw that the Canaanite women did not please Isaac his father, 9 Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife, besides the wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth. Jacob's Dream 10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder2 set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, the LORD stood above it3 and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” 18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel,4 but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.” Footnotes [1] 28:3 Hebrew El Shaddai [2] 28:12 Or a flight of steps [3] 28:13 Or beside him [4] 28:19 Bethel means the house of God (ESV) Matthew 27 (Listen) Jesus Delivered to Pilate 27 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. Judas Hangs Himself 3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus1 was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.” Jesus Before Pilate 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. The Crowd Chooses Barabbas 15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified 24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood;2 see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged3 Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. Jesus Is Mocked 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters,4 and they gathered the whole battalion5 before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. The Crucifixion 32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. The Death of Jesus 45 Now from the sixth hour6 there was darkness over all the land7 until the ninth hour.8 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son9 of God!” 55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Jesus Is Buried 57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The Guard at the Tomb 62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.' 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard10 of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Footnotes [1] 27:3 Greek he [2] 27:24 Some manuscripts this righteous blood, or this righteous man's blood [3] 27:26 A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal [4] 27:27 Greek the praetorium [5] 27:27 Greek cohort; a tenth of a Roman legion, usually about 600 men [6] 27:45 That is, noon [7] 27:45 Or earth [8] 27:45 That is, 3 p.m. [9] 27:54 Or a son [10] 27:65 Or Take a guard (ESV) In private: Esther 4; Acts 27 Esther 4 (Listen) Esther Agrees to Help the Jews 4 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went up to the entrance of the king's gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth. 3 And in every province, wherever the king's command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 When Esther's young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was. 6 Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate, 7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction,1 that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him2 on behalf of her people. 9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, 11 “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.” 12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”3 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. Footnotes [1] 4:8 Or annihilation [2] 4:8 Hebrew and seek from before his face [3] 4:16 Hebrew if I am destroyed, then I will be destroyed (ESV) Acts 27 (Listen) Paul Sails for Rome 27 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast1 was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. The Storm at Sea 13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,2 we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear,3 and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. 21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.” 27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms.4 A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.5 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go. 33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength,6 for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 2767 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. The Shipwreck 39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef,8 they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. Footnotes [1] 27:9 That is, the Day of Atonement [2] 27:16 Some manuscripts Clauda [3] 27:17 That is, the sea-anchor (or possibly the mainsail) [4] 27:28 About 120 feet; a fathom (Greek orguia) was about 6 feet or 2 meters [5] 27:28 About 90 feet (see previous note) [6] 27:34 Or For it is for your deliverance [7] 27:37 Some manuscripts seventy-six, or about seventy-six [8] 27:41 Or sandbank, or crosscurrent; Greek place between two seas (ESV)

Despite the title, this is not a supernatural story. It was requested by Leigh Grieveson, one of my patrons.  I struggled to find a copy so in the end, he photographed his and sent the pictures to me and I read the story from the jpeg files.It's a story in the vein of Boomerang, in that it is the 1940s tale of white Europeans out in the jungle of the colonies. There is a zombie but it's not what you think.W Stanley Moss, or Billy Moss was a colourful figure who died of alcoholism aged only 44 in Jamaica. He was born in Japan the son of a white Russian countess and a British businessman. He lived a life of adventure and exploration, joining the British army and then the covert sabotage unit SOE, under whose auspices he captured a Nazi general in Crete.He lived in a mansion in Cairo while in SOE and his and his Polish countess wife entertained the spies and special forces. He was a friend of kings and noblemen.After the war he researched what had happened the Nazi gold and undertook expeditions to Antarctica and Tahiti.He was a sort of Ian Fleming-James Bond-Patrick Leigh Fermor-Ralph Fiennes type chap and wrote very competent rip-roaring adventures for boys.New Patreon RequestBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREESupport the showVisit us here: www.ghostpod.orgBuy me a coffee if you're glad I do this: https://ko-fi.com/tonywalkerIf you really want to help me, become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/barcudMusic by The Heartwood Institute: https://bit.ly/somecomeback

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops Lectionary: 520/320The Saint of the day is Saints Timothy and TitusSaints Timothy and Titus' Story What we know from the New Testament of Timothy's life makes it sound like that of a modern harried bishop. He had the honor of being a fellow apostle with Paul, both sharing the privilege of preaching the gospel and suffering for it. Timothy had a Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice. Being the product of a “mixed” marriage, he was considered illegitimate by the Jews. It was his grandmother, Lois, who first became Christian. Timothy was a convert of Paul around the year 47 and later joined him in his apostolic work. He was with Paul at the founding of the Church in Corinth. During the 15 years he worked with Paul, he became one of his most faithful and trusted friends. He was sent on difficult missions by Paul—often in the face of great disturbance in local churches which Paul had founded. Timothy was with Paul in Rome during the latter's house arrest. At some period Timothy himself was in prison (Hebrews 13:23). Paul installed him as his representative at the Church of Ephesus. Timothy was comparatively young for the work he was doing. Several references seem to indicate that he was timid. And one of Paul's most frequently quoted lines was addressed to him: “Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23). Titus has the distinction of being a close friend and disciple of Paul as well as a fellow missionary. He was Greek, apparently from Antioch. Even though Titus was a Gentile, Paul would not let him be forced to undergo circumcision at Jerusalem. Titus is seen as a peacemaker, administrator, great friend. Paul's second letter to Corinth affords an insight into the depth of his friendship with Titus, and the great fellowship they had in preaching the gospel. When Paul was having trouble with the community at Corinth, Titus was the bearer of Paul's severe letter and was successful in smoothing things out. Paul writes he was strengthened not only by the arrival of Titus but also “by the encouragement with which he was encouraged in regard to you, as he told us of your yearning, your lament, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more…. And his heart goes out to you all the more, as he remembers the obedience of all of you, when you received him with fear and trembling” (2 Corinthians 7:7a, 15). The “Letter to Titus” addresses him as the administrator of the Christian community on the island of Crete, charged with organizing it, correcting abuses, and appointing presbyter-bishops. Reflection In Titus we get another glimpse of life in the early Church: great zeal in the apostolate, great communion in Christ, great friendship. Yet always there is the problem of human nature and the unglamorous details of daily life: the need for charity and patience in “quarrels with others, fears within myself,” as Paul says. Through it all, the love of Christ sustained them. At the end of the Letter to Titus, Paul says that when the temporary substitute comes, “hurry to me.” Saints Timothy and Titus are the Patron Saints of: Relief from Stomach Disorders Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

This movement practice is supported by a form of meditation known as a Koan. Essentially a line of inquiry that you explore quietly. This type of meditation can lead to profound insight and transformation. Your movement will focus on the lower body with a progressive sequence of twists. This is a sweet and inquisitive practice that will leave you feeling calm and centered. June 5-12, Crete, GreeceThis is a really special retreat experience for the healthy hedonist. Someone who loves movement and mindfulness but also wine, culture, food! Crete is an amazing place to restore and nurture yourself with deeply fulfilling experiences. This retreat is curated to help you enjoy the most of both Yoga and Gastronomy.Space is already very limited. Learn More: https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yoga-and-gastronomy-retreat-in-crete/ Enroll for 7 days of helpful emails from me. Learn the why of pain care Yoga and then experientially discover the why and how with short video lessons. This course is for anyone interested in learning about pain care in Yoga. This email course is free!Enroll now and start todayFree 7 Day Email CourseIntroduction to Pain Care YogaPain Care Yoga combines traditional Yoga practices such as movement, mindfulness and regulation practices with scientific evidence. This course will introduce you to the why of Pain Care Yoga and then the what and how. Learn how these techniques can Reduce your pain Increase your function Restore your vitality Cost: FREE Enroll Now to start today

Transcript:Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.Titus was a young pastor that the Apostle Paul had stationed on the First century island of Crete. Crete was a place of many challenges because of the unsavoriness of its public life. The people of Crete were known for their self-indulgence, arrogance and deception. Paul cites one of the Cretan writers who describes his own people: “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12). It was a society marked by what we might call “truth decay”. Not tooth decay, but “truth decay”.First century Crete, you could say, was a lot like our modern America.How can a Christian operate in a society like this? Well, because of the nature and power of the Gospel, the Christian does not need the support of a surrounding society to be cheered on to greater levels of truth and justice. No. Society doesn't bring this support to the Gospel and to the church. The Gospel and the church bring this support to society.In the face of such “truth decay”, Pastor Titus is called to encourage his people to live lives marked by self-control, sensibility, love, perseverance in good works, family faithfulness, reverent speech, purity, etc. In other words, the Gospel allows us not to be thermometers of society, but thermostats—to set the temperature of social engagement, not to be set by it. We must seek to adjust the social climate, not acquiesce to it.The Gospel works this in us not so much by what it demands from us, but rather by what it did for us in Christ. It is the gospel of “Grace and peace from God” (Titus 1:4)—not what we do for Him but what He's done for us. And it is this grace that changes us, and it is this grace we are called to give to others.Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.Titus 1 (ESV)1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained….10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true.

The church at Crete was not very old, but it was growing. Part of Titus's task was to appoint new leaders to help shepherd that growth. Paul wanted to make sure Titus looked for the right kind of leaders. While we have previously, looked at Paul's qualifications for church leadership, the book of Titus gives us another chance to dig into that list and make comparisons. What we discover is that Ephesus and Crete were very different places with very different churches, and Paul seems to have recognized some differences in their leadership needs. 

Chronic stress is linked to many of the most pernicious chronic diseases that plague modern humans. Managing stress is of critical importance for health, memory, learning and quality of life. We can't change the stressful times that we live in. But there are simple, evidence informed strategies that you can use to reduce your stress in the moment, and with practice, manage your responses to stressors in the long term. In this practice we actually explore three of these strategies.I've also focused our movement on the areas in which most of us hold our stress; the shoulders, neck and adductors (inner thighs).This practice is a go to in your stress management plan.Props: a blanket, maybe two blocksJune 5-12, Crete, GreeceThis is a really special retreat experience for the healthy hedonist. Someone who loves movement and mindfulness but also wine, culture, food! Crete is an amazing place to restore and nurture yourself with deeply fulfilling experiences. This retreat is curated to help you enjoy the most of both Yoga and Gastronomy.Space is already very limited. Learn More: https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yoga-and-gastronomy-retreat-in-crete/ Enroll for 7 days of helpful emails from me. Learn the why of pain care Yoga and then experientially discover the why and how with short video lessons. This course is for anyone interested in learning about pain care in Yoga. This email course is free!Enroll now and start todayFree 7 Day Email CourseIntroduction to Pain Care YogaPain Care Yoga combines traditional Yoga practices such as movement, mindfulness and regulation practices with scientific evidence. This course will introduce you to the why of Pain Care Yoga and then the what and how. Learn how these techniques can Reduce your pain Increase your function Restore your vitality Cost: FREE Enroll Now to start today

With family: Genesis 18; Matthew 17 Genesis 18 (Listen) 18 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks1 of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord,2 if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs3 of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' 14 Is anything too hard4 for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it,5 saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” 16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. 17 The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen6 him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” 20 Then the LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether7 according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.” Abraham Intercedes for Sodom 22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” 26 And the LORD said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29 Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” 30 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” 32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” 33 And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. Footnotes [1] 18:1 Or terebinths [2] 18:3 Or My lord [3] 18:6 A seah was about 7 quarts or 7.3 liters [4] 18:14 Or wonderful [5] 18:15 Or acted falsely [6] 18:19 Hebrew known [7] 18:21 Or they deserve destruction; Hebrew they have made a complete end (ESV) Matthew 17 (Listen) The Transfiguration 17 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,1 with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon 14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon,2 and it3 came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.4 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”5 Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection 22 As they were gathering6 in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. The Temple Tax 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel.7 Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Footnotes [1] 17:5 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved [2] 17:18 Greek it [3] 17:18 Greek the demon [4] 17:18 Greek from that hour [5] 17:20 Some manuscripts insert verse 21: But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting [6] 17:22 Some manuscripts remained [7] 17:27 Greek stater, a silver coin worth four drachmas or approximately one shekel (ESV) In private: Nehemiah 7; Acts 17 Nehemiah 7 (Listen) 7 Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. 3 And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.” 4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. Lists of Returned Exiles 5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it: 6 These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8 the sons of Parosh, 2,172. 9 The sons of Shephatiah, 372. 10 The sons of Arah, 652. 11 The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. 12 The sons of Elam, 1,254. 13 The sons of Zattu, 845. 14 The sons of Zaccai, 760. 15 The sons of Binnui, 648. 16 The sons of Bebai, 628. 17 The sons of Azgad, 2,322. 18 The sons of Adonikam, 667. 19 The sons of Bigvai, 2,067. 20 The sons of Adin, 655. 21 The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. 22 The sons of Hashum, 328. 23 The sons of Bezai, 324. 24 The sons of Hariph, 112. 25 The sons of Gibeon, 95. 26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. 27 The men of Anathoth, 128. 28 The men of Beth-azmaveth, 42. 29 The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. 30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. 31 The men of Michmas, 122. 32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. 33 The men of the other Nebo, 52. 34 The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. 35 The sons of Harim, 320. 36 The sons of Jericho, 345. 37 The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. 38 The sons of Senaah, 3,930. 39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973. 40 The sons of Immer, 1,052. 41 The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. 42 The sons of Harim, 1,017. 43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74. 44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. 45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138. 46 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 47 the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, 48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, 49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim, 53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54 the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha. 57 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, 58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon. 60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392. 61 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers' houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63 Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise. Totals of People and Gifts 66 The whole assembly together was 42,360, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. 68 Their horses were 736, their mules 245,1 69 their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720. 70 Now some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics2 of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests' garments and 500 minas3 of silver.4 71 And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. 72 And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments. 73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns. Footnotes [1] 7:68 Compare Ezra 2:66 and the margins of some Hebrew manuscripts; Hebrew lacks Their horses . . . 245 [2] 7:70 A daric was a coin weighing about 1/4 ounce or 8.5 grams [3] 7:70 A mina was about 1 1/4 pounds or 0.6 kilogram [4] 7:70 Probable reading; Hebrew lacks minas of silver (ESV) Acts 17 (Listen) Paul and Silas in Thessalonica 17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews1 were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Paul and Silas in Berea 10 The brothers2 immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. Paul in Athens 16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. Paul Addresses the Areopagus 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,3 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for   “‘In him we live and move and have our being';4 as even some of your own poets have said,   “‘For we are indeed his offspring.'5 29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. Footnotes [1] 17:5 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 13 [2] 17:10 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 14 [3] 17:24 Greek made by hands [4] 17:28 Probably from Epimenides of Crete [5] 17:28 From Aratus's poem “Phainomena” (ESV)

In 2020, when tension with Turkey had reached a peak, Greece declared the extension of its territorial waters in the Ionian Sea from 6 to 12 nautical miles as it's entitled to under international law. Now, it's being reported that Greece could make a similar move around the island of Crete. Turkey, which has a longstanding threat of war against Greece if it exercises its rights and extends its territorial waters in the Aegean, has warned Athens of “serious consequences” if it takes this step. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al-Jazeera's southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why Greece is now considering this step and break down what such a move would mean for the region. We also explore the role of the US in the Aegean as Turkey ramps up tensions. Read John Psaropoulos' latest article here: As Congress fumbles, Greece and Turkey sail into a gathering stormYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:US should reject Turkish ‘hostage politics'Minimum wage of 780 euros mulledGreek economy to slow in 2023 as energy costs, Ukraine war hit spending -OECD

As we begin the book of Titus, we take a closer look at Titus's assignment in Crete. Paul opens with a long introductory sentence in which he describes himself as, first, a servant. We discuss what it means to be a servant of Christ and how ministry is not just a job or a profession, it is a calling into service. Pastor Jim helps us recognize that Titus has a lot of hard work ahead of him, but like Paul, he must hold on to his identity as a servant if he hopes to do that work well. 

This weekend Sweden's Prime Minister said Turkey is asking for too much over its NATO application, adding that Sweden has lived up to its commitments and that the decision now “lies with Turkey.” Ankara has effectively demanded the impossible, notably that Stockholm override a decision by its own Supreme Court and extradite a journalist wanted by the Erdogan regime. Analysts say Turkish President Erdogan is likely to drag this process out, at least until the all-important presidential elections scheduled in June. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to discuss what this means for Sweden and Finland's NATO bid, and look at why it should serve as a lesson to both Europe and the US that appeasement doesn't work with Turkey's Erdogan.Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD's Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.Read Sinan Ciddi's latest piece: ‘Enough Is Enough': What Blinken Should Tell Turkey's CavusogluYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Sweden says Turkey asking too much over NATO applicationNATO chief: Sweden has done what's needed to join allianceGerman foreign minister: Two-state solution for Cyprus not an optionDrilling for gas in Crete to start earlierGovernment optimistic of swift development of natural gas finds in Block 6

At the start of the new year. Most of us are looking forward and hoping to make some postive changes for the future. I offer this practice as a framework for moving forward with compassion. With kindness for where you have been and hope for where you are going. Evidence shows that we are actually more effective at meeting our goals when we start with self compassion. To see a gallery of the poses in the practice, visitProps: Bolster, 2 blocks and a blanket.June 5-12, Crete, GreeceThis is a really special retreat experience for the healthy hedonist. Someone who loves movement and mindfulness but also wine, culture, food! Crete is an amazing place to restore and nurture yourself with deeply fulfilling experiences. This retreat is curated to help you enjoy the most of both Yoga and Gastronomy.Space is already very limited. Learn More: https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yoga-and-gastronomy-retreat-in-crete/ Enhance your understanding of chronic pain, as a yoga practicioner, teacher or as someone who lives with chronic pain, or loves someone who does. Intro to Pain Care Yoga is a mini video course that will formalize your understanding of Yoga for Pain Care and provide simple, accessable strategies for relief. https://yoga.mandyryle.com/free-digital-course-overcome-chronic-pain/Additional Pain Care Yoga ResourcesYouTube: Moving Beyond PainMy online pain care community: The Shift School

CONSTITUTION THURSDAY In ancient Greek legend, Theseus was a brave man who travels to the island of Crete, where he defeats the Minotaur. In a legendary battle, Theseus saves the children of his King, destroys the evil beast, and returns to his father aboard a the same ship in which he had left for Crete. He forgets to change the sail from black to white, and thus even in triumph, as is so typical of Greek legends, there is a tragedy. Today it is the ship which holds my interest. For the next several hundred years, the Athenians kept the ship in their harbor as a memorial to Theseus and his mighty deeds, which included founding the City of Athens. Each year they would honor Apollo by sending the ship to a nearby island with a shrine to the god, to keep their vows and to honor the victory and the successes of their city. Many hundreds of years later, Plutarch would recount the story in his "Lives," and even more centuries later, the question would arise: if the Athenians rigorously maintained the ship, replacing every part that needed to be replaced because of time and decay, at what point was it no longer the ship of Theseus, but rather an entirely "new" ship? LINKS: Greek Influence on the American Framers The Ship of Theseus (Britannica) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/plausibly-live/message

Paul calls Titus his true son in a common faith, bidding him grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Was this simply a common means of greeting his beloved disciple? Or, do these words matter immensely to this young pastor charged with putting into order the church at Crete? 

Yin Yoga is so much more than stretching. For those with chronic pain, it has so much to offer, way beyond increasing flexibility. As a pain care coach, I provide practices, and techniques to my clients so that they may be the leader of their own healing process. Though I have many many strategies to choose from, when providing a customized plan, almost every client has Yin in their program. This video is a quick run down of the 5 Reasons Why Yin Yoga is So Beneficial for Chronic Pain and why it is a must for your pain care plan. Have a listen to see if these resonate with you, or if you might amplify these techniques in your own practice.June 5-12, Crete, GreeceThis is a really special retreat experience for the healthy hedonist. Someone who loves movement and mindfulness but also wine, culture, food! Crete is an amazing place to restore and nurture yourself with deeply fulfilling experiences. This retreat is curated to help you enjoy the most of both Yoga and Gastronomy.Space is already very limited. Learn More: https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yoga-and-gastronomy-retreat-in-crete/ Enhance your understanding of chronic pain, as a yoga practicioner, teacher or as someone who lives with chronic pain, or loves someone who does. Intro to Pain Care Yoga is a mini video course that will formalize your understanding of Yoga for Pain Care and provide simple, accessable strategies for relief. https://yoga.mandyryle.com/free-digital-course-overcome-chronic-pain/Additional Pain Care Yoga ResourcesYouTube: Moving Beyond PainMy online pain care community: The Shift School

Hello and welcome to the show today! It is such a pleasure to have you with us again today as we study the Word of God together. Now you will remember, if you've been with us, that in our study of the book of Acts, we have come to Paul's being shipped off as a prisoner to Rome. Luke and Aristarchus went with him to to be a support to him and to suffer with him for the sake of Christ. They change ships at Myra and eventually come to a small port called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. Now they want to move on, but the season for sailing is now over; and continuing on their journey would be perilous. And so it Paul advises them to wait. They don't listen and set sail anyways. And not long after that the worst thing imaginable happens to them. They are caught in a deadly, typhoon-like storm known as Euroclydon. And they do everything they can to weather the storm. But is says in… Acts 27:18-21 (NKJV)— 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. {So they are throwing overboard all unnecessary gear and cargo in order to lighten the ship.} 19 On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days {(once again, meaning no navigation)}, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. {But it is at this point that we see the turning point of the story, as it says in…} 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.  Told Ya So!— Don't you hate it when somebody says, “It told you so!”? That's never easy to hear. But Paul, though he does say, “I told you so!”, he is saying it only because he wants the men to see that they need to start listening to him. He doesn't rub their nose in it. No, instead he offers them a word of encouragement; but a word of encouragement that doesn't come from him, but once that had been spoken to him by God Himself. And it is here that Paul's chains begin to pull their faces upwards towards God. He's says… Acts 27:22-26 (NKJV)— 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.” Reflecting Hope— And so Paul tells of this [last of six visions …{he}… received as recorded by Luke (cf. 9:3-6; 16:9-10; 18:9-10; 22:17-18; 23:11).] And personally this vision must have meant so much to Paul. Often when Paul was going through intense circumstances, God would send him a word of encouragement through a vision. And now is one of those times, and so God gives him a message, reaffirming the promise that Jesus Himself had made to Paul in 23:11; but I love how Paul doesn't view this vision as just his word of encouragement. No, he shares it with the rest of his shipmates. He receives hope from God but also reflects that into the lives of those who also need to hear it. And that is a great model for the Christian life, by the way. You and I need to be more than receivers from God; we need to be channels of grace; reflectors of grace in people's lives. Whatever you have been given, whether financially or educationally or spiritually is not meant for you alone. It is meant to be shared. And in sharing it, you will also be blessed. Granted to Paul— Now I also find it interesting that the angel tells Paul God has granted you all those who sail with you., which shows that the lives of these sailors was a real concern for Paul. And that leads to my next point, which is that the angel is making it very clear that the reason they are being preserved is because of Paul and his mission; and God's intention of helping him to complete that mission. Paul is the only reason they are going to be spared; and not by whit or cunning, but by the Almighty hand of God. Had Paul been on another ship rather than this one, this ship would have perished. And what you need to see here is how God is establishing Paul as the means of their physical salvation.  Take heart, men, for I believe God— Now note how Paul models what we are supposed to do when God speaks. He tells the rest of the men on board in verse 25: Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. He has absolute faith and trust in God and knows, without a shadow of a doubt that God will be faithful to keep His promises: take heart, men, for I believe God…. I just love that. Here is a man who is in the midst of turmoil, but isn't himself in turmoil. To borrow the words of a famous hymn, he's “leaning on the everlasting arms”. And what you absolutely cannot miss about this (I mean, it's so powerful and yet so obvious) is how his faith creates faith in those around him. He becomes an anchor for these men stronger than any other anchor these men are frantically trying to use (and we'll see eventually lose). And what you to take from this is the reality that your being anchored in faith and trust in God can be a source of encouragement to others. And that's a theme we will come back to. But when you are strong in the Lord; when you know who you are, what your purpose is, and have assurance in God's plans for you, you are like a lighthouse in a world just as dark as this tempest. People will be drawn to you; people will come to trust and follow you and may even come to faith through you.  Acts 27:27-29 (NKJV)— 27 Now when the fourteenth night had come {(meaning the fourteenth night from when they had set out from Fair Havens)}, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. {(This was probably because they started hearing waves hitting the shore.)} 28 And they took soundings {(which they did with a weight attached to a length of rope with markings on it, by which they could measure the depth of the sea after the weight would hit the bottom. So they did this…)} and found it to be twenty fathoms {(or 120 feet)}; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms {(or 90 feet)}. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern {(And the reason they dropped the anchors was in order to help hold this ship in place, but also to keep the bow pointed toward the shore. But that's not all they did. It says they dropped the four anchors)}, and prayed for day to come. No More Prayer Needed— Now who's praying? Not Paul; the text doesn't tell us he was praying at all at this point. Now he may have been. But verse 27 has identified the ones engaging in all these actions as being the sailors. I honestly don't think Paul was praying at this point; or if he was, he certainly not asking God to move on behalf of the situation. Why? Because God has already told him what's going to happen and Paul already has said he believes in God. You see, Paul is a man of faith; he's not going to keep frantically praying for something God has already promised him. I think Paul is completely and utterly at peace. These other men are frantically beseeching their gods to act. But Paul knows that (because of God's promise) this ship has now become invincible, as indestructible as God Himself; because God Has made a promise. Now let me ask you, how sure are you about the promises of God? How deeply do you trust in them? God never goes back on His word. And if He has a plan and a purpose for you, as long as you remain obedient at faithful to Him, He will bring that plan and purpose to completion. All you have to do is keep following Him. Now, contrast this kind of faith-filled, assured way of living with what we see in the very next verse, as it says… Acts 27:30-40 (NKJV)— 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow {(which would have provided additional stability for the ship)}, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off. 33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. {And that was [because they knew Roman military law. If a prisoner escaped, the soldier or guard would be liable for the punishment of the one who escaped.] Well, that would certainly meant death for them. However, it says…} 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. {And so God we see that God did indeed keep His promise to Paul and the sailors.} Anchors Found— Now for many years it was believed that all this happened at what is now St. John's Bay. But for a number geographical reasons, this is likely not the case. But because of the incredibly exacting detail with which Luke records these events, a team of researchers was able to pinpoint the most likely location as actually being St. Thomas Bay. And sure enough, four first-century lead anchors had been found there. Now the divers who first found them didn't realize what they had found and, over the years, [two of the anchors had been melted down for use in scuba-diving weight belts, and a third was lost—to a place unknown.] But [the fourth anchor was preserved as a part of a deceased diver's legacy to his widow.] And there is a very strong case that this is indeed one of the anchors. Now we don't know for sure; perhaps we'll never know. But what we do know is that that anchor was not what saved the ship; it was the hand of God. And the true anchor for the men on board was the faith of Paul. Paul (because of his faith) was an anchor for those men. But you know, that's pretty typical. Anchors for Others— Have you ever noticed how, when times of crisis come in the lives of lost people, it is Christians who step in (or are sought out) as persons who can provide stability and offer answers. The reality is that people look to Christians when times get tough; Christians who have confidence and assurance; Christians who are anchored in Christ and are therefore anchors for other people. That is the central point of this passage; not that Paul simply took leadership but that people came to trust him and follow him because God was speaking though him telling him what would happen and then how things would go after those very things happened. The unsaved crew came to understand that their very lives depended on their following Paul's instructions to a “T”. Through Paul, they would be delivered. And that was true spiritually as well. Their lives were headed for shipwreck, eternally. And Paul was the bearer of instruction on how to be delivered from THAT shipwreck. And God used this scenario to open their ears not just to yield control of the helm of the ship to God, but to make them also open to hear what Paul had to offer them spiritually as well. Now what you and I are to take from this story is this: If you are close to Jesus, you are going to find people coming to you. They won't always ask questions (they may not even know what questions they should ask you). They may not even understand why they find you an anchor for them or a person they want to be around. But (for some reason) they know their life is better with you in it. And the signature mark of a Christian is to allow these kinds of people to come to you or (like Jesus often did) seek those people out; because lost people who find you to be an anchor for them will often not even have the sense to come to you.  Our People— William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army) said “Go straight for souls, and go for the worst.” And that's why [One Sunday evening, William Booth was walking in London with his son, Bramwell, who was then 12 or 13 years old. The father surprised the son by taking him into a saloon! The place was crowded with men and women, many of them bearing on their faces the marks of vice and crime; some were drunk. The fumes of alcohol and tobacco were poisonous. "Willie," Booth said to his son, "These are our people; these are the people I want you to live for and bring to Christ." Years later, Bramwell Booth wrote, "The impression never left me."] In Their Midst— The reality is that there are people all around us who are shipwrecking their lives. And after they hit the rocks, the don't even know how to get back up on their feet and pick up the pieces. And what they need are people like you and me to be Paul's in their midst. To bring into their midst the hands and feet of Christ; to be anchors who will keep them from washing away and point them to He who can be anchors for their souls. Let's be anchors for people so that through us they may come to faith in Christ. Let's do so. Amen.

In the final hour of Tuesday's BBMS, the guys discuss What's Trending in social media and hear from Ed (who's stuck in Florida), ponder why the fans don't seem as excited for Ravens vs Steelers, and go over where to put your money in the Daily Line.  Joe then has your encore and the guys close the day out with What We Learned.

Kino MacGregor (https://kinoyoga.com/ | @kinoyoga) Changes to practice in Mysore over the years | Sharathji in Mysore now | Use of consent cards | Relationship with Guruji and Sharathji | The intention of teaching | Being an innovator on YouTube | Consent violations | Trauma survivor | Evolution of the Ashtanga community teaching | Softening after dogma | Social justice and teaching | Integrating practice of Vipassana | E-how yoga | Morning routine & personal practice | Spirituality of the practice | New book Act of Love | Travel tips (bio below) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by Momence, the booking system we use and highly recommend. Momence facilitates online, in-person and hybrid classes and events, and there are packages to fit self-employed teachers to multi-site studios. With Momence, you can: · Manage your class and workshop schedule Organize your appointment types and availability Create marketing and win-back campaigns Organize your on-demand videos and courses See exactly how your business is doing through insightful reporting. Have customers self-check-in via kiosks Sell products and services with a fully integrated point of sale With live support by chat, phone and email Momence is easy to use for yourself and your customers. 2 MONTHS FREE TRAIL: for more information click on the link https://www.keenonyoga.com/momence/ or book a demo and quote “Keen on Yoga” ********************************************************* SUPPORT US Donate: https://keenonyoga.com/donate/ Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf CONNECT WITH KEEN ON YOGA Instagram Keen on Yoga: https://www.instagram.com/keen_on_yoga/ Instagram Adam Keen: https://www.instagram.com/adam_keen_ashtanga/ Website: https://keenonyoga.com/ MEMBERSHIP: https://keenonyoga.com/membership/  Exclusive content, yoga & lifestyle tips, live Zoom meet-ups & more.  €10 per month, cancel at any time. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I first met Kino in Crete in 2004 at one of her first international workshops where she taught a small group of students along with life coaching sessions in the afternoon. She has done a lot since then but remains the inspiring and highly energetic presence I first met almost 20 years ago. A unique and household name in Ashtanga yoga, Kino has a wealth of experience to share, not least her own personal journey - which she speaks about most candidly in this podcast as well as her new book ‘Act of Love'. A Miami native, Kino relentlessly travels the world sharing her knowledge as well as having released several books prior to her new one as well as many popular practice videos. With over 1 million followers on Instagram and over 500,000 subscribers on YouTube and Facebook, Kino's message of spiritual strength reaches people all over the world. Sought after as an expert in yoga worldwide, is an international yoga teacher, inspirational speaker, author of four books, producer of six Ashtanga Yoga DVDs, writer, vlogger, world traveller, co-founder of Miami Life Center and the founder of Omstars—the world's first yoga TV network

Hello and welcome to the show today! It is such a pleasure to have you with us again today as we study the Word of God together. In our study of the book of Acts, you will remember that Paul has recently stood trial before Festus in Caesarea. And (not getting justice) Paul has been forced to appeal to Caesar. And so he's going to be transferred to Rome to be tried in Caesar's court. And so it says in our passage today in… Acts 27:1 (NKJV)— 1 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.  Luke Returns— Now the word “we” here in the opening verse signals to us that Luke (who has been absent since 21:18) has now re-joined Paul and is accompanying him on this journey. Luke [had likely been living near Caesarea so he could care for Paul during his imprisonment.] But now he is with him again on his voyage to Rome. And you know, that can make all the difference in your life when you go through a trying time; somebody to walk with you. He's kind of to Paul what Samwise Gamgee was to Frodo in Lord of The Rings. He was willing to walk with him through the worst of circumstances out of love for Paul. And it must have been such a strength to Paul to have Luke there with him. Now we see here that Paul is just one of many prisoners being transported to Rome. Some of these other prisoners may have appealed to Caesar like Paul did, or it could also be that these were prisoners were under the sentence of death and were therefore on their way to Rome to die as combatants in the Colosseum. We don't know for sure. But it says in… Acts 27:2 (NKJV)— 2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. {[Adramyttium was a city on the northwest coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) near Troas, where the centurion planned to find a ship sailing to Italy.] And it also says…} Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. Aristarchus— Now if you don't remember Aristarchus, he was the Christian who [had been dragged {by the crowd} into the theater at the beginning of the riot in Ephesus (19:29; 20:4; Philemon 1:24)] [while accompanying Paul to Jerusalem with the offering (20:4).] He would also be with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment. So both he and Luke are definitely fellow sufferers with Paul for the sake of Christ. Paul had some good friends. Now it says in… Acts 27:3 (NKJV)— 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.  Julius— Julius was the Roman officer who had been assigned to guard Paul and would therefore have had to remain close to Paul at all times. But, as we can see, as he witnesses the kind of man Paul is, he comes to respect Paul deeply and gives him a generous degree of freedom. And we will see in verse 43 that he even spares Paul's life. And that kind of makes you wonder, if someone was bound to you (day and night) for any significant period of time, would they (based on your righteous character) be moved into awe and respect, both of you but also of the God you claim to follow? That person stuck at the desk near you at work or beside you at school; your boss or whoever you are chained to daily (so to speak). Does your chain upon them pull them up to Christ or down and away? Or, for us married folks, how is your spouse drawn closer to Jesus because of you? If you are a spirit-filled, devoted, and loving person as Paul was, you will; marriage is a means of grace, ideally for both husband and wife. Acts 27:4-8 (NKJV)— 4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus {(which means they sailed between it and the mainland)}, because the winds were contrary. {(And so they used Cyprus to help block the wind.)} 5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. {And Myra was [One of the main ports of the imperial grain fleet, whose ships brought Egyptian grain to Italy.]} 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy {(which would have been one of the grain ships part of that fleet), significantly larger than their first ship}, and he put us on board. 7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus {(which was [on the southwest tip of Asia Minor, some 130 miles from Myra, which would have been their last port of call before sailing across the Aegean Sea to the coast of Greece), it says}, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone {(so [again using the island to break the force of the wind])}. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens {(a small port)}, near the city of Lasea. A Dangerous Time To Sail— Now they have lost a lot of time, which was not good when you consider what time of year it was. You didn't want to travel in the open sea between mid-September and mid-November if you could avoid it. In fact, all sea travel would cease between mid-November and February. And that was both because of sea conditions, but also because of sky visibility. Keep in mind that they didn't have GPS or guidance systems or even compasses. No, ancient ships navigated using the stars. And if the weather is overcast, sailing would be both impossible and dangerous. And here we see that the Fast (which was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement) is already over; so early October (of A.D. 59, if you'd like to know) has already passed. The season for sailing is now over; and continuing on their journey would be very very perilous. And so it says… Acts 27:9-10 (NKJV)— 9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”  Seen a Thing or Two— And Paul no doubt said this because he was anticipating their wanting to move onwards. But why would they listen to him? I mean he's just the prisoner. Now he won't be by the end of the story. At the end of the story roles become so reversed, everyone by that time will be following his leadership; but not yet. However, they probably should have listened to him. He had traveled by sea many many times before this and had actually already been shipwrecked at least three other times, which are accounted for in his writings (2 Cor. 11:25). And so that likely makes this one number four. Now I love the Farmer's Bank slogan. Anybody know what it is? “We know a thing or two because (what?) we've seen a thing or two.” Well Paul would have been a good spokesperson for Farmer's Bank, because “He knows a thing or two because he's seen a thing or two.” Right? But unfortunately, they don't listen to him. It says in… Acts 27:11-12 (NKJV)— 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. On To Phoenix— Now Phoenix wasn't too far from there (some 40 miles). And that was a better place to winter in both because the harbor there [provided better shelter from the winter storms], but also because keep in mind that they have all this grain on board the ship. And so the owner's probably thinking that if he can get the ship to a larger port, he can sell it. And the centurion is also looking at Phoenix as a much more suitable place for his men to winter in. And ultimately ([Because the ship was part of the imperial grain fleet…, Julius, not the helmsman nor {even} the ship's owner, was the ranking official on board.]); and so the decision was ultimately his. And he's said basically “Let's go!”, so they went. And things seem pretty good at first. It says in… Acts 27:13-14 (NKJV)— 13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete {(in other words, hugging it for protection. However, it says…)}. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. Euroclydon— And this word, which kind of sounds like a creature you'd encounter in Jurassic Park 6, was the name given to [a strong, dangerous {northeasterly} windstorm greatly feared by those who sailed the Mediterranean.] In fact, that Greek word translated as tempestuous that is used to describe it [is the root of our word typhoon.] If this ship had been the Millennium Falcon, some crew member somewhere would have been saying, “I've got a bad feeling about this.” And rightly so, because the ship gets caught in this tempestuous typhoon. And it says in… Acts 27:15-21 (NKJV)— 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda {(which was [An island 23 miles southwest of Crete])}, we secured the skiff with difficulty. {So they take advantage of the shelter of the island and [rig the ship for the storm by hauling the ship's dinghy on board.]} 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship {(and this was a [procedure know and frapping. The cables, wrapped around the hull and winched tight, helped the ship endure the battering of the wind and waves.]}; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. {The Syrtis Sands is a reference to the sandbars of Syrtis, a place of sandbars and shoals just off the northern coast of Africa, which was [much feared as a graveyard of ships.] You didn't want to hit those.} 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. {So they are throwing overboard all unnecessary gear and cargo in order to lighten the ship.} 19 On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days {(once again, meaning no navigation)}, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.  Pulled With You— And next week we will see how they are ultimately delivered; and how God uses Paul to be the means of their deliverance. And he'll deliver the ultimate “I told your so.” But what we are going to see emphasized over and over again is the fact that the reason they are saved is because of how they have become attached to Paul. And so, like I said before, I think that raises the question of what happens when people attach themselves to you and to me? Are they lifted up closer to Jesus? Are they pulled along with you on the mission God has given you? That is what Jesus meant when he called us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world; we help lead people to redemption. And so my encouragement to you today is to be that redeeming force. Let every one of our interactions with people be tempered with the desire and intention to draw them closer to Jesus. Let's do so. Amen.

Practiced, sung and recorded through the winter solstice, new moon and now the edge of Christmas, as the Virgin Mary swells with child and comes to the eve of birth, I offer into this moment of celestial light and earthly dark a faithful rendition of the old Scottish borderland folk ballad Tam Lin (Child Ballad 39), accompanied and mixed by my brother Simon Linsteadt on guitar. You can read a full essay about our version of this song, it's musical history (with nods to Scottish folk singer Archie Fisher, as well as Frances Child himself) and reflections on the story itself(with a synopsis too, don't worry!) here: https://sylviavlinsteadt.substack.com/p/tam-lin#details ABOUT THE PODCAST: Welcome to Kalliope's Sanctum, a story podcast hosted by writer Sylvia V. Linsteadt. This podcast is dedicated to Kalliope, primordial and first Muse of epic poetry and ecstatic song in ancient Greece. This podcast is a place of sanctuary for her oldest stories. It is a return to the wild garden, to the spring, to the ground of being & the source of inspiration in the Earth. Here, we honor Kalliope as Muse of Earth. Here, you will find some of the stories beneath the stories of Old Europe: short fictional/poetic pieces written and read by Sylvia that explore elements of indigenous Old European mythology, with a focus on pre-Hellenic (pre-Patriarchal) Greece. Come sit with us in the honeyed light, among the ripe pomegranates, in Kalliope's sanctuary, where the stories that arise directly from the ground of being and lifeforce can still be safely told and celebrated. Come lean against the sun-warmed stones, with the fragrance of propolis & myrrh in the air, and the trees heavy with autumn quince. This is the garden before the fall, a sanctuary for all hearts in this time. Join us, and be revived. ABOUT SYLVIA V. LINSTEADT: Sylvia V. Linsteadt is a novelist, poet, scholar of ancient history, myth and ecology, and artist. She divides her time between California & Crete, where she is currently working on a novel set in Minoan times. Her published fiction includes the forthcoming collection, The Venus Year, the middle grade children's duology The Stargold Chronicles— The Wild Folk (Usborne, June 2018) and The Wild Folk Rising (Usborne, May 2019)— Our Lady of the Dark Country, a collection of short stories (January 2018) and Tatterdemalion (Unbound, Spring 2017); her works of nonfiction include The Wonderments of the East Bay (Heyday 2014), and Lost Worlds of the San Francisco Bay Area (Heyday, Spring 2017). Website: www.sylviavictorlinsteadt.com Substack: sylviavlinsteadt.substack.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/sylviavlinsteadt/ Newsletter: tinyletter.com/sylvialinsteadt

Many of my clients experience a pain flare during or after travel. Pain is so complex and multifaceted, so there is never any one reason that it rears it's ugly head. Often, when pain is flaring in a travel situation, it's because we have some anxiety and we aren't moving very much. This practice addresses both issues. I've chosen the stretches we all crave when we've been sitting in a car or airplane as well as regulation practices to help you calm your nervous systems to get some perspective or even relief. This practice is a quick and accessible practice that you can do just about anywhere in a chair. So pop in your earbuds for this quick practice!Since these poses are unfamiliar, I have created a pose gallery to accompany this practice. Please visit https://yoga.mandyryle.com/chair-yin-for-travel-aches-and-pains/ to view it.Props needed: all you need is a chair :)June 5-12, Crete, GreeceThis is a really special retreat experience for the healthy hedonist. Someone who loves movement and mindfulness but also wine, culture, food! Crete is an amazing place to restore and nurture yourself with deeply fulfilling experiences. This retreat is curated to help you enjoy the most of both Yoga and Gastronomy.Space is already very limited. Learn More: https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yoga-and-gastronomy-retreat-in-crete/ Enhance your understanding of chronic pain, as a yoga practicioner, teacher or as someone who lives with chronic pain, or loves someone who does. Intro to Pain Care Yoga is a mini video course that will formalize your understanding of Yoga for Pain Care and provide simple, accessable strategies for relief. https://yoga.mandyryle.com/free-digital-course-overcome-chronic-pain/Additional Pain Care Yoga ResourcesYouTube: Moving Beyond PainMy online pain care community: The Shift School

According to Titus, Chapter Two, verses 11 – 14, the birth of Jesus is “grace appearing”.  The Apostle Paul is writing to Titus who is ministering in Crete, an island city located 100 miles south of Greece.  He uses the Greek word from which we get our English word “epiphany”, to describe the birth of Jesus on the first Christmas morning.  This is one of several passages in the New Testament that validate the Advent message outside the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.  Dr. Stubblefield shares what happened on the day grace appeared.  

Titus 1–3 Titus 1–3 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, a servant1 of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began2 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word3 through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Qualifications for Elders 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,4 and his children are believers5 and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer,6 as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound7 doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.8 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans,9 a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”10 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. Teach Sound Doctrine 2 But as for you, teach what accords with sound11 doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants12 are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Be Ready for Every Good Work 3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Final Instructions and Greetings 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Footnotes [1] 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface [2] 1:2 Greek before times eternal [3] 1:3 Or manifested his word [4] 1:6 Or a man of one woman [5] 1:6 Or are faithful [6] 1:7 Or bishop; Greek episkopos [7] 1:9 Or healthy; also verse 13 [8] 1:10 Or especially those of the circumcision [9] 1:12 Greek One of them [10] 1:12 Probably from Epimenides of Crete [11] 2:1 Or healthy; also verses 2, 8 [12] 2:9 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface (ESV)

— Intuitive shamanic healing, psychic dreams and visions, and learning about past lives - this is the story of one ordinary woman's extraordinary spiritual journey.  It is the story of Chloe's awakening to her Divine purpose, healing herself, and helping others. In her book, she reveals the path to a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life. Through her connections with Spirit Guides in other dimensions, Chloe gains cosmic knowledge. Throughout her extraordinary journey, she experienced visions, lucid dreams, parallel universes, collective dreams, and knowledge of past lives. Despite deeply embedded trauma, an incurable illness, and serious medical conditions, she was able to heal herself. She shares her profound mystical experiences in Greece, Crete, France, Ecuador, Mexico, and Asheville, N.C., including the invitation to become a Spiritual Grandmother. As a shamanic healer and medium, she has performed sessions in Ecuador, Mexico and the United States. Valeria interviews Chloe Kemp — the author of “Wisdom Keeper: My Extraordinary Journey to Unlock the Sacred Within” Chloe is an award-winning writer, creative director, multimedia artist, and former editor-in-chief and publisher of an award-winning magazine. She is now a Wisdom Keeper who can foresee and interpret Divine truth. Her connections with Spirit Guides in other dimensions bring cosmic knowledge to her ancient wisdom. Chloe is clairvoyant, clairaudient, telepathic, clairsentient, and a remote viewer and healer. To learn more about Chloe Kemp and her work, please visit: chloekempwisdomkeeper.com           — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well. 

Titus 1—Philemon Titus 1–3 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, a servant1 of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began2 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word3 through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Qualifications for Elders 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,4 and his children are believers5 and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer,6 as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound7 doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.8 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans,9 a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”10 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. Teach Sound Doctrine 2 But as for you, teach what accords with sound11 doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants12 are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Be Ready for Every Good Work 3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Final Instructions and Greetings 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Greeting 1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philemon's Love and Faith 4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.13 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Paul's Plea for Onesimus 8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,14 whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant15 but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. Final Greetings 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Footnotes [1] 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface [2] 1:2 Greek before times eternal [3] 1:3 Or manifested his word [4] 1:6 Or a man of one woman [5] 1:6 Or are faithful [6] 1:7 Or bishop; Greek episkopos [7] 1:9 Or healthy; also verse 13 [8] 1:10 Or especially those of the circumcision [9] 1:12 Greek One of them [10] 1:12 Probably from Epimenides of Crete [11] 2:1 Or healthy; also verses 2, 8 [12] 2:9 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface [13] 1:6 Or for Christ's service [14] 1:10 Onesimus means useful (see verse 11) or beneficial (see verse 20) [15] 1:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; twice in this verse (ESV)

Introduction (00:00) Les conseils de Sophie Laribi Glaudel en histoire antique (1:15) Violaine Sébillotte Cuchet, Artémise (Fayard) Catherine Grandjean (dir.), La Grèce classique (Belin) Francis Joannès, La chute de Babylone (Tallandier) Athanasia Kanta, Kostes Davaras et Philip Betancourt, Honors to Eileithyia at ancient Inatos, the sacred cave at Tsoutsouros, Crete: highlights of the collection (Oxbow) … Continue reading "268. Coups de coeur et conseils 2022"

Despite Ankara's efforts to normalize relations with Cairo, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi delivered a new blow to the Turkish-Libyan maritime memorandum this week with a decree unilaterally declaring Egypt's maritime border with Libya. This decree builds on the agreement between Greece and Egypt in 2020 that delimits their EEZs, and serves as a shield for Greece's rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly south of the island of Crete. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this latest move by Egypt's president is significant for Greece, and look at the message it sends to both Ankara and the Tripoli-cased government in Libya.Read Vassilis Nedos' latest piece in Kathimerini: Sisi's maritime declaration shields CreteYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Pope returns Greece's Parthenon Sculptures in ecumenical nodUS, Russia stall Turkey's ground operation, but Kurdish gains under threat

This gentle but powerful practice explores a concept as well as the shoulder through movement and mindfulness. Your practice will be supported by a simple task, moving from a place of curiosity rather than agenda. You will have an opportunity to explore how your beliefs shape your impressions of your shoulder as well as your movments. This is a very deep and satisfying practice that may just transform how you experience your shoulder and even the world itself. June 5-12, Crete, GreeceThis is a really special retreat experience for the healthy hedonist. Someone who loves movement and mindfulness but also wine, culture, food! Crete is an amazing place to restore and nurture yourself with deeply fulfilling experiences. This retreat is curated to help you enjoy the most of both Yoga and Gastronomy.Space is already very limited. Learn More: https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yoga-and-gastronomy-retreat-in-crete/ Enhance your understanding of chronic pain, as a yoga practicioner, teacher or as someone who lives with chronic pain, or loves someone who does. Intro to Pain Care Yoga is a mini video course that will formalize your understanding of Yoga for Pain Care and provide simple, accessable strategies for relief. https://yoga.mandyryle.com/free-digital-course-overcome-chronic-pain/Additional Pain Care Yoga ResourcesYouTube: Moving Beyond PainMy online pain care community: The Shift School

Acts 25:13–28:31 Acts 25:13–28:31 (Listen) Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice 13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” 23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.” Paul's Defense Before Agrippa 26 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: 2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? 9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. Paul Tells of His Conversion 12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,1 ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' 19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” 24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”2 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” 30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Paul Sails for Rome 27 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast3 was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. The Storm at Sea 13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,4 we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear,5 and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. 21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.” 27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms.6 A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.7 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go. 33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength,8 for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 2769 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. The Shipwreck 39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef,10 they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. Paul on Malta 28 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people11 showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice12 has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly,13 and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. Paul Arrives at Rome 11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods14 as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers15 and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. Paul in Rome 17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26   “‘Go to this people, and say,  “You will indeed hear but never understand,    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”27   For this people's heart has grown dull,    and with their ears they can barely hear,    and their eyes they have closed;  lest they should see with their eyes    and hear with their ears  and understand with their heart    and turn, and I would heal them.' 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”16 30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense,17 and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. Footnotes [1] 26:14 Or the Hebrew dialect (probably Aramaic) [2] 26:28 Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian! [3] 27:9 That is, the Day of Atonement [4] 27:16 Some manuscripts Clauda [5] 27:17 That is, the sea-anchor (or possibly the mainsail) [6] 27:28 About 120 feet; a fathom (Greek orguia) was about 6 feet or 2 meters [7] 27:28 About 90 feet (see previous note) [8] 27:34 Or For it is for your deliverance [9] 27:37 Some manuscripts seventy-six, or about seventy-six [10] 27:41 Or sandbank, or crosscurrent; Greek place between two seas [11] 28:2 Greek barbaroi (that is, non–Greek speakers); also verse 4 [12] 28:4 Or justice [13] 28:10 Greek honored us with many honors [14] 28:11 That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux [15] 28:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 15, 21 [16] 28:28 Some manuscripts add verse 29: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves [17] 28:30 Or in his own hired dwelling (ESV)

Also in the news: 16-year-old charged with shooting man on CTA Red Line train denied bail; Wisconsin man held without bail following ‘revenge' stabbing in Crete; Northern Illinois University faculty to demand fair contract and more.

When most of us hear the word acceptance, we think of giving up or giving in. Our culture makes a virtue of resisting, fighting, wriggling out of difficult circumstances. But there is enormous value in the practice of accepting first. Acknowledging is the first step in self compassion. This pod-practice is about moving forward with compassion, rather than squashing our feelings or disappointment or grief. We will explore poses that focus on the shoulders, chest and upper back as we progress through a gentle meditation. Our meditation is loosely based on the Tonglen or Lions' Roar practice from the Tibetan Buddhism.Some of the poses in this practice are a bit unfamiliar. If you would like to view a gallery of poses for your practice, please visit: https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yin--meditation-for-acceptance/Props needed: Soft block, thick blanket and maybe a bolster or pillow if your shoulders are a bit stiffer. June 5-12, Crete, GreeceThis is a really special retreat experience for the healthy hedonist. Someone who loves movement and mindfulness but also wine, culture, food! Crete is an amazing place to restore and nurture yourself with deeply fulfilling experiences. This retreat is curated to help you enjoy the most of both Yoga and Gastronomy.Space is already very limited. Learn More: https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yoga-and-gastronomy-retreat-in-crete/ Enhance your understanding of chronic pain, as a yoga practicioner, teacher or as someone who lives with chronic pain, or loves someone who does. Intro to Pain Care Yoga is a mini video course that will formalize your understanding of Yoga for Pain Care and provide simple, accessable strategies for relief. https://yoga.mandyryle.com/free-digital-course-overcome-chronic-pain/Additional Pain Care Yoga ResourcesYouTube: Moving Beyond PainMy online pain care community: The Shift School

Also in the news: 16-year-old charged with shooting man on CTA Red Line train denied bail; Wisconsin man held without bail following ‘revenge' stabbing in Crete; Northern Illinois University faculty to demand fair contract and more.

Find Weird Darkness wherever you listen to podcasts: https://weirddarkness.com/listen. IN THIS EPISODE: The Phaistos Disc was discovered in 1903, by Italian archaeologists in southern Crete. Since then the disc has remained a mystery as no one has been able to decipher the writings upon it, nor who made the object, what was it used for, and even if it's a genuine archaeological discovery or a clever fake. (The Phaistos Disc) *** Usually you learn that a place is haunted simply because people say it is. It's common knowledge around the town or neighborhood… but when the government of your country says a place is haunted, you'd better danged well listen. Such is the case with India's Bhangarh Fort. (Bhangarh Fort – The Most Haunted Place in India) *** At the end of 1894 French army captain Alfred Dreyfus, a graduate of the École Polytechnique, and a Jew of Alsatian origin, was accused of handing secret documents to the Imperial German military. After a closed trial, he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment on the dreaded Devil's Island. But that's just the beginning of the story that later became known as The Dreyfus Affair. (The Dreyfus Affair) *** We've all heard of the power of the mind – it's been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of pain, some well-trained individuals can use their mind to slow their rate of respiration, to bring their heartbeat down to almost nothing with no long-term ill effects… but what about controlling things outside of your own body? Is the mind that powerful? Some believe so – and they also believe it's one possible explanation for hauntings. (The Wild PK of the Poltergeist) *** Is it possible that our history books are wrong and that humans actually did walk with dinosaurs? It might not be as far-fetched as it sounds, especially when you look at tales of knights, dragons, and T-Rex DNA. (Knights, Dragons, and Dino DNA) *** We'll have a short tale about Joseph Naples… who chose the macabre career of being a grave digger… but only because it made it easier for him to be a grave robber… and a body snatcher. (A London Body Snatcher)SOURCES AND ESSENTIAL WEB LINKS…#ChurchOfTheUndead: “DRAGONS, SLAYERS, AND A DINO BOAT RIDE”: https://weirddarkness.com/archives/12889 “A London Body Snatcher” by Suzie for DiggingUp1800.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/akvjtuxk “The Phaistos Disc” by Brian Haughton: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/swkhu9ah “Bhangarh Fort” from BuggedSpace.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/r3uyrjc4 “The Dreyfus Affair” by Syd Albright for CDA Press: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/n5upfkvb“The Wild PK of the Poltergeist” by Dr. Michael Grosso for Consciousness Unbound: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/9x7d3v8e “Knights, Dragons, and Dino DNA” posted at Earth Chronicles: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/9cvh5mwa = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. Background music provided by Alibi Music Library, EpidemicSound and/or StoryBlocks with paid license. Music from Shadows Symphony (https://tinyurl.com/yyrv987t), Midnight Syndicate (http://amzn.to/2BYCoXZ), Kevin MacLeod (https://tinyurl.com/y2v7fgbu), Tony Longworth (https://tinyurl.com/y2nhnbt7), and Nicolas Gasparini (https://tinyurl.com/lnqpfs8) is used with permission of the artists.= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46Weird Darkness®, Weird Darkness© 2022

In this episode of It's A Bonny Old Life, Bonny is joined by coloured pencil artist and Academy Member, Costas Kalamiotakis. Costas discusses his life in Crete as an olive tree farmer and owner of a shop selling books, art supplies and stationery. He also talks of the beauty of the country and how different each region is. He shares an insight into his childhood and time spent growing up in a farming environment, as well as his ‘escape' from Crete to live and study at college in Athens. He explains his struggles growing up with ADHD, a diagnosis he did not receive until college, and how art became a way to hide and shut out the rest of the world. After having rediscovered art and finding his love for coloured pencils, Costas talks of his appreciation and love for the Academy and the confidence he has gained since joining. He discusses how his goals since joining the Bonny Snowdon Academy have changed and how we can all continually be learning in everything in life.

Old Testament: Ezekiel 40–41 Ezekiel 40–41 (Listen) Vision of the New Temple 40 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me to the city.1 2 In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south. 3 When he brought me there, behold, there was a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring reed in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway. 4 And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.” The East Gate to the Outer Court 5 And behold, there was a wall all around the outside of the temple area, and the length of the measuring reed in the man's hand was six long cubits, each being a cubit and a handbreadth2 in length. So he measured the thickness of the wall, one reed; and the height, one reed. 6 Then he went into the gateway facing east, going up its steps, and measured the threshold of the gate, one reed deep.3 7 And the side rooms, one reed long and one reed broad; and the space between the side rooms, five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the vestibule of the gate at the inner end, one reed. 8 Then he measured the vestibule of the gateway, on the inside, one reed. 9 Then he measured the vestibule of the gateway, eight cubits; and its jambs, two cubits; and the vestibule of the gate was at the inner end. 10 And there were three side rooms on either side of the east gate. The three were of the same size, and the jambs on either side were of the same size. 11 Then he measured the width of the opening of the gateway, ten cubits; and the length of the gateway, thirteen cubits. 12 There was a barrier before the side rooms, one cubit on either side. And the side rooms were six cubits on either side. 13 Then he measured the gate from the ceiling of the one side room to the ceiling of the other, a breadth of twenty-five cubits; the openings faced each other. 14 He measured also the vestibule, sixty cubits. And around the vestibule of the gateway was the court.4 15 From the front of the gate at the entrance to the front of the inner vestibule of the gate was fifty cubits. 16 And the gateway had windows all around, narrowing inwards toward the side rooms and toward their jambs, and likewise the vestibule had windows all around inside, and on the jambs were palm trees. The Outer Court 17 Then he brought me into the outer court. And behold, there were chambers and a pavement, all around the court. Thirty chambers faced the pavement. 18 And the pavement ran along the side of the gates, corresponding to the length of the gates. This was the lower pavement. 19 Then he measured the distance from the inner front of the lower gate to the outer front of the inner court,5 a hundred cubits on the east side and on the north side.6 The North Gate 20 As for the gate that faced toward the north, belonging to the outer court, he measured its length and its breadth. 21 Its side rooms, three on either side, and its jambs and its vestibule were of the same size as those of the first gate. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits. 22 And its windows, its vestibule, and its palm trees were of the same size as those of the gate that faced toward the east. And by seven steps people would go up to it, and find its vestibule before them. 23 And opposite the gate on the north, as on the east, was a gate to the inner court. And he measured from gate to gate, a hundred cubits. The South Gate 24 And he led me toward the south, and behold, there was a gate on the south. And he measured its jambs and its vestibule; they had the same size as the others. 25 Both it and its vestibule had windows all around, like the windows of the others. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits. 26 And there were seven steps leading up to it, and its vestibule was before them, and it had palm trees on its jambs, one on either side. 27 And there was a gate on the south of the inner court. And he measured from gate to gate toward the south, a hundred cubits. The Inner Court 28 Then he brought me to the inner court through the south gate, and he measured the south gate. It was of the same size as the others. 29 Its side rooms, its jambs, and its vestibule were of the same size as the others, and both it and its vestibule had windows all around. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits. 30 And there were vestibules all around, twenty-five cubits long and five cubits broad. 31 Its vestibule faced the outer court, and palm trees were on its jambs, and its stairway had eight steps. 32 Then he brought me to the inner court on the east side, and he measured the gate. It was of the same size as the others. 33 Its side rooms, its jambs, and its vestibule were of the same size as the others, and both it and its vestibule had windows all around. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits. 34 Its vestibule faced the outer court, and it had palm trees on its jambs, on either side, and its stairway had eight steps. 35 Then he brought me to the north gate, and he measured it. It had the same size as the others. 36 Its side rooms, its jambs, and its vestibule were of the same size as the others,7 and it had windows all around. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits. 37 Its vestibule8 faced the outer court, and it had palm trees on its jambs, on either side, and its stairway had eight steps. 38 There was a chamber with its door in the vestibule of the gate,9 where the burnt offering was to be washed. 39 And in the vestibule of the gate were two tables on either side, on which the burnt offering and the sin offering and the guilt offering were to be slaughtered. 40 And off to the side, on the outside as one goes up to the entrance of the north gate, were two tables; and off to the other side of the vestibule of the gate were two tables. 41 Four tables were on either side of the gate, eight tables, on which to slaughter. 42 And there were four tables of hewn stone for the burnt offering, a cubit and a half long, and a cubit and a half broad, and one cubit high, on which the instruments were to be laid with which the burnt offerings and the sacrifices were slaughtered. 43 And hooks,10 a handbreadth long, were fastened all around within. And on the tables the flesh of the offering was to be laid. Chambers for the Priests 44 On the outside of the inner gateway there were two chambers11 in the inner court, one12 at the side of the north gate facing south, the other at the side of the south13 gate facing north. 45 And he said to me, “This chamber that faces south is for the priests who have charge of the temple, 46 and the chamber that faces north is for the priests who have charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, who alone14 among the sons of Levi may come near to the LORD to minister to him.” 47 And he measured the court, a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits broad, a square. And the altar was in front of the temple. The Vestibule of the Temple 48 Then he brought me to the vestibule of the temple and measured the jambs of the vestibule, five cubits on either side. And the breadth of the gate was fourteen cubits, and the sidewalls of the gate15 were three cubits on either side. 49 The length of the vestibule was twenty cubits, and the breadth twelve16 cubits, and people would go up to it by ten steps.17 And there were pillars beside the jambs, one on either side. The Inner Temple 41 Then he brought me to the nave and measured the jambs. On each side six cubits18 was the breadth of the jambs.19 2 And the breadth of the entrance was ten cubits, and the sidewalls of the entrance were five cubits on either side. And he measured the length of the nave,20 forty cubits, and its breadth, twenty cubits. 3 Then he went into the inner room and measured the jambs of the entrance, two cubits; and the entrance, six cubits; and the sidewalls on either side21 of the entrance, seven cubits. 4 And he measured the length of the room, twenty cubits, and its breadth, twenty cubits, across the nave. And he said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place.” 5 Then he measured the wall of the temple, six cubits thick, and the breadth of the side chambers, four cubits, all around the temple. 6 And the side chambers were in three stories, one over another, thirty in each story. There were offsets22 all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side chambers, so that they should not be supported by the wall of the temple. 7 And it became broader as it wound upward to the side chambers, because the temple was enclosed upward all around the temple. Thus the temple had a broad area upward, and so one went up from the lowest story to the top story through the middle story. 8 I saw also that the temple had a raised platform all around; the foundations of the side chambers measured a full reed of six long cubits. 9 The thickness of the outer wall of the side chambers was five cubits. The free space between the side chambers of the temple and the 10 other chambers was a breadth of twenty cubits all around the temple on every side. 11 And the doors of the side chambers opened on the free space, one door toward the north, and another door toward the south. And the breadth of the free space was five cubits all around. 12 The building that was facing the separate yard on the west side was seventy cubits broad, and the wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, and its length ninety cubits. 13 Then he measured the temple, a hundred cubits long; and the yard and the building with its walls, a hundred cubits long; 14 also the breadth of the east front of the temple and the yard, a hundred cubits. 15 Then he measured the length of the building facing the yard that was at the back and its galleries23 on either side, a hundred cubits. The inside of the nave and the vestibules of the court, 16 the thresholds and the narrow windows and the galleries all around the three of them, opposite the threshold, were paneled with wood all around, from the floor up to the windows (now the windows were covered), 17 to the space above the door, even to the inner room, and on the outside. And on all the walls all around, inside and outside, was a measured pattern.24 18 It was carved of cherubim and palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub. Every cherub had two faces: 19 a human face toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved on the whole temple all around. 20 From the floor to above the door, cherubim and palm trees were carved; similarly the wall of the nave. 21 The doorposts of the nave were squared, and in front of the Holy Place was something resembling 22 an altar of wood, three cubits high, two cubits long, and two cubits broad.25 Its corners, its base,26 and its walls were of wood. He said to me, “This is the table that is before the LORD.” 23 The nave and the Holy Place had each a double door. 24 The double doors had two leaves apiece, two swinging leaves for each door. 25 And on the doors of the nave were carved cherubim and palm trees, such as were carved on the walls. And there was a canopy27 of wood in front of the vestibule outside. 26 And there were narrow windows and palm trees on either side, on the sidewalls of the vestibule, the side chambers of the temple, and the canopies. Footnotes [1] 40:1 Hebrew brought me there [2] 40:5 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters; a handbreadth was about 3 inches or 7.5 centimeters [3] 40:6 Hebrew deep, and one threshold, one reed deep [4] 40:14 Text uncertain; Hebrew And he made the jambs sixty cubits, and to the jamb of the court was the gateway all around [5] 40:19 Hebrew distance from before the low gate before the inner court to the outside [6] 40:19 Or cubits. So far the eastern gate; now to the northern gate [7] 40:36 One manuscript (compare verses 29 and 33); most manuscripts lack were of the same size as the others [8] 40:37 Septuagint, Vulgate (compare verses 26, 31, 34); Hebrew jambs [9] 40:38 Hebrew at the jambs, the gates [10] 40:43 Or shelves [11] 40:44 Septuagint; Hebrew were chambers for singers [12] 40:44 Hebrew lacks one [13] 40:44 Septuagint; Hebrew east [14] 40:46 Hebrew lacks alone [15] 40:48 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks was fourteen cubits, and the sidewalls of the gate [16] 40:49 Septuagint; Hebrew eleven [17] 40:49 Septuagint; Hebrew and by steps that would go up to it [18] 41:1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters [19] 41:1 Compare Septuagint; Hebrew tent [20] 41:2 Hebrew its length [21] 41:3 Septuagint; Hebrew and the breadth [22] 41:6 Septuagint, compare 1 Kings 6:6; the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain [23] 41:15 The meaning of the Hebrew term is unknown; also verse 16 [24] 41:17 Hebrew were measurements [25] 41:22 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks two cubits broad [26] 41:22 Septuagint; Hebrew length [27] 41:25 The meaning of the Hebrew word is unknown; also verse 26 (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 125 Psalm 125 (Listen) The Lord Surrounds His People A Song of Ascents. 125   Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,    which cannot be moved, but abides forever.2   As the mountains surround Jerusalem,    so the LORD surrounds his people,    from this time forth and forevermore.3   For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest    on the land allotted to the righteous,  lest the righteous stretch out    their hands to do wrong.4   Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,    and to those who are upright in their hearts!5   But those who turn aside to their crooked ways    the LORD will lead away with evildoers!    Peace be upon Israel! (ESV) New Testament: Titus 1–3 Titus 1–3 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, a servant1 of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began2 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word3 through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Qualifications for Elders 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,4 and his children are believers5 and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer,6 as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound7 doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.8 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans,9 a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”10 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. Teach Sound Doctrine 2 But as for you, teach what accords with sound11 doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants12 are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Be Ready for Every Good Work 3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Final Instructions and Greetings 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Footnotes [1] 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface [2] 1:2 Greek before times eternal [3] 1:3 Or manifested his word [4] 1:6 Or a man of one woman [5] 1:6 Or are faithful [6] 1:7 Or bishop; Greek episkopos [7] 1:9 Or healthy; also verse 13 [8] 1:10 Or especially those of the circumcision [9] 1:12 Greek One of them [10] 1:12 Probably from Epimenides of Crete [11] 2:1 Or healthy; also verses 2, 8 [12] 2:9 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface (ESV)