Podcasts about cultivating

In this episode, we reflect on what it means to cultivate peace–as a fruit that grows from communion with God. The cultivation of peace is not something we control. It comes from learning to rest in God's presence, even amid life's storms. We talk practically about how to tend the soil of our hearts, so that peace can take root and grow into a fruit that becomes a visible witness to others. We also discuss how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, invites us to make room for His presence, allowing His breath to bring healing where fear and sin have disrupted our peace.    Heather's One Thing - Triumph of the Heart is now streaming! Sister Miriam's One Thing - Healed by Love: Contemplation as a Path of Healing according to St. John of the Cross by Daniel Chowning, OCD Michelle's One Thing - Feast: A Men's Devotional for Advent by Paul George    Journal Questions: What places of my heart are filled with anxiety or despair? Where am I seeking to be fixed instead of seeking communion with the Lord? What sins am I justifying that are robbing me of peace? What lies am I trying to talk myself into? Who or what are you trying to fix in your life that you need to surrender to the Lord?   Discussion Questions: How are you trying to control your life and heart rather than cultivating? What things motivate you to operate out of fear or mistrust? How can you internally cultivate peace? How can you externally cultivate peace?   Quote to Ponder: Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices. (St. Teresa of Avila)   Scripture for Lectio: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7)  Sponsor - BeeStill Design: BeeStill Design is a handcrafted Catholic jewelry and art brand founded by Louisiana artist and entrepreneur Holly Klock. A wife and mom of three, Holly has built BeeStill from a small creative outlet into a growing brand known for pieces that are both beautiful and meaningful. Her collections feature heirloom-quality jewelry, pressed flowers, and custom intaglios, along with enamel work and ornaments. From the very beginning, she has sought to bring the joy and beauty of our faith into each creation—always with the same vision: to design timeless pieces that tell stories of faith, love, and family. Whether you are looking for a piece of jewelry to be a daily reminder of God or would like to find a meaningful gift for someone in your life, head over to beestilldesign.com and use the code abidingtogether for 20% off your order.   Chapters:  00:00 BeeStill Design 01:08 Intro 01:59 Welcome 04:11 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder 06:31 Planting Peace in the Soil of Our Hearts 08:34 Cultivating vs Controlling 11:08 Fertilizing the Soil Around Us 13:56 The Breath of Peace 16:25 When We Feel Afraid 18:51 Communion Brings Healing 21:23 Wanting Peace for Those Around Us 23:26 Sin Disrupts Our Peace 27:52 Practical Tips for Cultivating Peace 32:55 Prayer 34:49 One Things

What if discipline in your home looked less like punishment and more like connection? In this episode, Jessica Satterfield dives into what it means to parent from the Father's heart, where love, not fear, leads the way. Jessica unpacks how true discipline is a slow and steady process that shapes hearts, not just behavior. This episode will help you see parenting as a sacred reflection of how God parents us, with patience, grace, and perfect love. Visit Our Website for Show Notes: ACupFullofHopePodcast.com Follow A Cup Full of Hope on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook Follow Caroline on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook

Why does success always take longer than we think? What if your "overnight success" is really years of unseen preparation? In this week's expert interview, Jim Ramos sits down with best-selling author and pastor Mark Batterson to unpack his newest book, Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Build a Lasting Legacy. They talk about the long game of faith, leadership, and perseverance. Some practical takeways you'll get; why success rarely happens overnight - and why that's a gift AND the power of playing the long game in a quick-fix culture. Check out Mark Batterson's new book!  (https://tinyurl.com/Gradually115) This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our bi-monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room twice a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Sharing community with t hese amazing men is one of the most enjoyable things I do. - Jim Ramos https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

In this episode, I chat with Aisha Chottani, co-founder of Moment, ranked No. 589 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list, about what it's like to lead a fast-growing startup in the functional beverage space. Aisha shares how she uses "learning calls" and regular feedback sessions to foster open communication, build trust, and keep her remote team aligned. We discuss the power of leadership, emphasizing the importance of alignment, transparency, and accountability in fostering a healthy and high-performing culture. From consistent check-ins to feedback-driven growth, Aisha offers practical insights and inspiration for anyone looking to build a supportive, engaged, and innovative workplace. 6:11 Exploring Moment's Journey 7:02 Leading with Alignment Principles 9:09 Empowerment in Leadership 14:10 Cultivating a Feedback Culture 14:57 Tools for Better Alignment 20:39 Tactical Elements of Alignment Finding Balance in Leadership and Business In this episode, I sit down with Aisha Chottani, co-founder of Moment, a mood-boosting functional beverage designed to help people find balance and establish healthier routines. We dive into the challenges and triumphs of growing a startup in a crowded market and explore the principles that fuel Moment's success. Aisha shares how the idea of leadership with alignment sits at the heart of her company's culture, creating a foundation of trust, clarity, and empowerment that drives both performance and purpose. Feedback as a Superpower Aisha believes that feedback, both positive and constructive, is essential for a thriving workplace. We talk about how normalizing open dialogue helps teams grow stronger and more connected. She shares her concept of "learning calls" with new hires, where everyone discusses communication preferences and feedback styles early on. This sets the tone for a culture that views feedback not as criticism, but as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and evolve together. Leading with Alignment and Empowerment When it comes to leadership, Aisha replaces micromanagement with alignment. She explains how giving teams the tools, trust, and context they need helps them make smart, independent decisions. We explore her philosophy of leading with alignment, ensuring every team member understands the "why" behind their goals and feels accountable for achieving them. Aisha also shares how structured processes, transparent communication, and data-driven decision-making help remote teams stay connected, confident, and empowered. Communication, Transparency, and Continuous Growth We wrap up by discussing how open communication fuels alignment and connection. Aisha reveals how regular check-ins, open forums, and company-wide visibility keep everyone informed and engaged. She even opens up about her monthly feedback calls, where team members share feedback with her, too—a two-way approach that promotes growth at every level. The result? A culture where learning never stops, trust runs deep, and innovation thrives. Key Takeaways

Lucinda Rouse, Emily Harle, Emily Burt and Dami Adewale reflect on some of the top sector stories from the past month.Emily Burt gives her thoughts on the state of the sector in 2025 following her recent return from maternity leave.Lucinda shares snippets from an interview with Peter Sparkes, chief executive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, in which they discuss a new five-year plan that aims to improve engagement with the charity's fundraising and volunteering communities.Dami explores conflicting narratives on the health of volunteering more broadly and the key motivators for people signing up to volunteer roles.And Emily Harle reflects on what the recent closure of Manchester Pride says about how charities communicate financial difficulty.Listen back to Janet Thorne on the Third Sector Podcast: Cultivating a more flexible volunteering offer.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"You have to shed your old layer to grow."In this episode, we delve into the concept of a growth mindset, emphasizing its importance in transforming challenges into opportunities for personal growth. I will share personal anecdotes illustrating how a growth mindset has helped me overcome obstacles in my life, particularly after a failed marriage. The conversation explores the significance of positivity, resilience, and the willingness to learn and unlearn in the journey of self-improvement. The episode concludes with key takeaways that encapsulate the essence of embracing growth in various aspects of life.

This week on Sinica, I chat with Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, editor of Foreign Affairs, about how the journal has both shaped and reflected American discourse on China during a period of dramatic shifts in the relationship. We discuss his deliberate editorial choices to include heterodox voices, the changing nature of the supposed "consensus" on China policy, and what I've called the "vibe shift" in how Americans across the political spectrum think about China. Daniel also reflects on his own intellectual formation, including his work on George Marshall's failed mission to mediate China's Civil War and the cautionary lessons that history holds for today's debates. We explore the challenges of bringing Chinese voices into Foreign Affairs, the balance between driving and reflecting policy debates, and whether we're witnessing a genuine opening of the Overton window on China discussions.7:15 – Foreign Affairs in the era of Iraq and "China's peaceful rise" 12:09 – The Marshall mission and the "Who Lost China?" debate 17:17 – China's changing role and the journal's coverage density 19:43 – The Campbell-Ratner "China Reckoning" and subsequent debates 25:00 – The challenge of including authentic Chinese voices 29:42 – How Chinese leadership perceives and reads Foreign Affairs 32:12 – The "vibe shift" on China across the American political spectrum 35:56 – Cultivating contrarian voices: Van Jackson, Jonathan Czin, and David Kang 40:17 – Avoiding the trap of making everything about U.S.-China competition 43:12 – Diversifying perspectives beyond the Washington-Beijing binary 48:18 – The big questions: American exceptionalism and Chinese identity in a new era 51:42 – The dangers of cutting off U.S.-China scholarly conversations 56:26 – The uses and misuses of historical analogies 58:09 – Spain's Golden Age and late Qing memes as contemporary analogiesPaying it forward: The unsung editorial staff at Foreign AffairsRecommendations: Daniel: Equator.org; The Rise of the Meritocracy by Michael Young; Granta's new India issue; The Party's Interests Come First by Joseph Torigian; The Coming Storm by Odd Arne Westad Kaiser: The Spoils of Time by C.V. WedgwoodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DVD

Welcome to Day 21 of our October mindfulness journey. Today, Nieta guides us through a powerful practice of observing emotions noticing what arises in the mind and body without judgment or labeling. This exercise is best practiced in real-time, when a strong emotion surfaces. Whether joy, frustration, sadness, or excitement, the invitation is to simply observe and allow, rather than react. This builds equanimity the ability to remain steady and present, no matter what arises. With just one day left, you're almost at the finish line! Thank you for being here, for showing up, and for practicing together.

Kristina commands every room she walks into a true force of nature in business and media. She's the visionary Founder behind Pulse Creative Inc. and PCI Construction Media, the compelling voice of Check the Pulse Podcast, and a driving force at The Founders Network. This episode offers a thoughtful examination of the parallels between sports and entrepreneurship how coaching, leadership, and mentorship shape both creators & business leaders. We unpack what it means to lead with vision, market with authenticity, and build communities that elevate your purpose.Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction1:45 – Kristina's story: growth, change, and leaving soccer behind4:27 – The deeper meaning of leadership and mentorship in sports and business14:02 – Building a marketing strategy rooted in trust and creativity18:50 – Cultivating the right mindset and choosing aligned partners and friends→ CONTACT ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ←1:1 CONSULTING CALL: https://calendly.com/rorymitchell-biz/15-minute-discovery-call?month=2025-02INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/officially.rory/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@officiallyroryX/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/officiallyroryHOO.BE: https://hoo.be/officiallyroryPAYPAL DONATIONS: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rorymitch

The primary goal of our formative years is often seen as figuring out what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Why, then, do we focus so much on what we want to *be* instead? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Matthew Jaskol to explore the importance of cultivating and recognizing academic curiosity. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the development process for a curious but undecided student? Why does fostering intellectual curiosity get overlooked in traditional education systems? What are ways to encourage students to explore or engage in big problems? What's the most important shift in mindset needed to help students pursue authentic growth, rather than just building a polished resume? Why is it important to not give up on exploration too quickly? MEET OUR GUEST Matthew Jaskol is committed to empowering young scholars from all backgrounds to think critically and create meaningful change. In 2012, he co-founded Pioneer Academics, a public benefit corporation that delivers rigorous and cutting-edge academic initiatives and is also committed to eliminating financial and geographic barriers for high-achieving, low-income students worldwide. Its two flagship institutes are: the Pioneer Research Institute—the world's only fully accredited online research institute for high school students—and the Global Problem-Solving Institute, a virtual innovation lab where students tackle complex global challenges through interdisciplinary thinking and collaborative design. Matthew believes that when intellectual curiosity is nurtured with structure and academic rigor, it sparks extraordinary growth. His work is driven by the belief that education should be transformational, not transactional, and he remains inspired by the creativity, purpose, and depth students bring to their work. Matthew can be reached at matthew.jaskol@pioneeracademics.com. LINKS The Global Problem-Solving Institute | Pioneer Research Why 'Find your passion!' may be bad advice | Stanford Report The Newest College Admissions Ploy: Paying to Make Your Teen a "Peer-Reviewed" Author The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) RELATED EPISODES WHAT DOES UNHOOKED MEAN IN ADMISSIONS? FITTING IN AND STANDING OUT FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF IN THE PATH TO COLLEGE ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

Guest post by Cillian McCarthy, CEO, Paradyn More often than not, the weakest link in any organisation's defences is its people. Evolving social engineering tactics such as deepfakes, an ever-increasing volume of cyberattacks, and the growing sophistication of threats from would-be hackers combine to make a perfect cybersecurity storm which can confuse and overwhelm employees. A key reason for this is a lack of cybersecurity awareness, and that's why building a strong cybersecurity culture is paramount. Transforming employees into active defenders Cultivating a culture of cyber awareness is about transforming employees from potential vulnerabilities into active defenders. However, this doesn't happen overnight or during a single training session - it's a continuous process which must be evolved in line with changing risks. It also must start from the top down, and business leaders should set the example for the rest of the organisation and demonstrate their commitment by actively driving increased cyber awareness. Communication is key and when it comes to an organisation's security policies, it's crucial to explain the "why" behind the "what". Demonstrating the real-world impacts will help to cement the vital importance of adhering to security protocols. Knowledge is power This is where cybersecurity awareness training comes in. The threat landscape is constantly changing, and employees must be kept up to date on emerging threats and best practices. It's a good idea to run regular penetration tests - simulated phishing attacks - to assess vigilance and identify vulnerability gaps in your defences. Businesses should take the time to develop and enforce clear, concise cybersecurity policies that are based on their individual needs and easy to follow. The final step is to have an incident response plan in place and ensure that employees know what to do - and how fast they need to do it - in the event of a cyber incident. Perhaps most importantly, employees need to be encouraged to report potential breaches or suspicious activity without fear of repercussions. Malware can go undetected within systems for significant periods of time, so it's crucial to get out in front of any potential threats. Fostering a culture of shared responsibility will ensure that employees feel supported and empowered. Tools of the trade The right toolkit will enable an organisation to create a powerful line of defence against cyber threats. Solutions might even need to be tailored to different roles or departments, depending on the specific threats they are likely to face. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) makes it harder for malicious actors to gain access to your systems as it requires several steps to verify the user's identity. Password managers, meanwhile, can securely store login details for company accounts and even suggest strong, unique passwords. And, while it may seem simple, ensuring that all devices and software are regularly updated and patched will go a long way to protecting your business against emerging risks. In addition, compliance with new and changing cybersecurity regulations such as NIS2 is becoming necessary for a growing number of businesses. Non-compliance can not only leave your organisation vulnerable to cyber threats, but can also have financial ramifications and create lasting reputational damage. Effective cybersecurity goes beyond ensuring that systems are protected. It can also boost employee engagement, enhance customer trust, and increase productivity and efficiency within the business. Cybersecurity is constantly evolving and we will see a continuous flow of new threats to be grappled with - underscoring the importance of a security-first mindset for businesses. Ultimately, building a strong cybersecurity culture is all about the journey - not the destination. See more stories here.

Episode 2 of our Kingdom Family series with Jessica Satterfield is all about raising Spirit-filled children and cultivating the atmosphere of heaven in your home. Jessica shares what it looks like to disciple your children, create spiritual rhythms as a family, and model a life connected to the Father. You'll hear practical encouragement, like the simple “5-5-5” rhythm of worship, Word, and prayer, and be reminded that raising Spirit-filled kids starts with you being filled first. Tune in to learn how to create a home where encounters with Jesus are normal, worship is constant, and your children grow up knowing the voice of God. Visit Our Website for Show Notes: ACupFullofHopePodcast.com Follow A Cup Full of Hope on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook Follow Caroline on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook

A practitioner in France helped to promote Dafa books at Shen Yun performances. She used various approaches to connect with people, including explaining the book's content and its impact on her life. Through this process she reflected on her own cultivation, realizing the importance of eliminating attachments and maintaining compassion, especially when faced with criticism. […]

In this illuminating episode of Truehope Cast, we explore what it truly means to parent with presence — to raise children grounded in trust, joy, and emotional security.Our guest, Dr. Karen Molano, is a bilingual psychologist and early childhood specialist with over 20 years of experience guiding families through pregnancy and the first five years of life — the most critical window of development. As the founder of LumiTot, Dr. Molano integrates neuroscience, functional medicine, and ancient wisdom into a powerful framework that helps parents move from survival mode to meaningful connection.In this conversation, Dr. Molano and host Simon Brazier unpack:

Pastor Tony Evans of The Alternative, author of "Unleashed," asks that if you want to see God's Kingdom on earth, are you living in a way by the power of the Holy Spirit that you are a citizen of that Kingdom? Valorie Burton, author of "Rules of Resilience," talks about laying certain foundational skills and attitudes that build resilience in your life. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins speaks with Dan Jowett, CEO of OpenMarkets Group, about the rapid convergence of Tradfi and DeFiAbout OpenMarkets GroupPower your Fintech, Advisory, or Trading business with an end-to-end Wealth Management and Trading solutions. Openmarkets empowers financial institutions and advisers to deliver a seamless investment experience to their clients. They provide a comprehensive suite of trading, clearing and settlement, custody, and technology solutions that enable businesses to efficiently manage portfolios, scale their business, and support investors in achieving their financial objectives.About This EpisodeTune in as Dan and Dexter discuss how OpenMarkets has transformed from a traditional stockbroker to a technology-focused fintech, the regulatory hurdles facing the crypto industry, and the future of equities trading in a rapidly changing environment.Chapters00:00 Introduction to OpenMarkets and Fintech Landscape02:26 Evolution of OpenMarkets: From Stockbroker to Tech Innovator06:08 Navigating the Future: DeFi and Traditional Finance11:45 Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Assets15:37 Building a Strong Culture at OpenMarkets18:47 Navigating Market Changes in Fintech21:07 Lessons from Leadership During Challenging Times23:22 The Importance of Networking and Global Perspectives24:26 The Future of DeFi and Regulatory Challenges27:24 Cultivating a Positive Workplace Culture30:59 Finding the Right Fit in a Dynamic EnvironmentFind Out More - https://openmarkets.com.au/Send us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

When life feels uncertain, it's easy to confuse survival with attachment. In this episode, we unpack the difference and talk about how to expand even when the world contracts. Reminder: that your stability comes from Source, not circumstance.

A talk by Travis Marsot and Kigen Anna Breckenridge about “Not Killing / Cultivating and Encouraging Life,” part of Kannon Do Precepts Series. This talk was given on October 22, 2025.  

Message from Steve Holt on 10/26/2025

John is bringing us a message from 1 Corinthians 15:29-34 where we discover how the resurrection gives meaning to our faith, purpose for our suffering, and power to our morality. If there is no resurrection, even or baptism is insignificant and has to meaning.

Read Online“‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?' He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.'”  Luke 13:7–9How much good fruit is born from your life? This is an important question to answer honestly. One of the best ways to discern whether or not we are serving the will of God is to look at the fruit being born from our lives.Good fruit is born in various ways and manifests itself in various forms. However, the fruit you must look for is twofold. First, it is the fruit found within your own soul resulting from a life of true prayer and union with God. Second, we must look for the fruit that is born of charity in our actions toward others. When you look honestly at your own soul, what do you see? Often, you may see a sort of war within you in which your disordered passions and appetites fight against the Spirit of God. Good spiritual fruit will require interior purification. Through prayer, fasting, spiritual reading and the like, you must look for ways in which God's Spirit takes control of your disordered human nature and reorders it in accord with His holy will. Though we are all sinners and will all fall at times, we must work diligently to overcome every action, desire and temptation that we can objectively discern to be contrary to the will of God. At times, your fallen human nature can so forcefully draw you into sin that it can confuse your intellect and lead you to rationalization of your sins. But if you want the fruit of God's presence in your life, then you must continually choose to make your interior life a fruitful garden in which the virtues of God grow and are nourished in abundance. So, again, what do you honestly see as you look into your own soul?As God nourishes the virtues within us, and our disordered passions and appetites fall under the control of the Spirit of God, then we will also discover a need to allow the interior fruits of God's love to flow forth from our lives into the lives of others. We will begin to desire selfless and sacrificial living. We will begin to desire to put others first. We will consider others' lives as precious and filled with dignity. And we will overcome judgment, harshness, anger, and the like. We will find ourselves desiring the good of others and will supernaturally be drawn to do many small acts of kindness toward all. But it all starts with one's interior life which our Lord desires to cultivate and fertilize with His grace so that the interior fruits of His love will grow within and ultimately become very manifest in one's daily exterior actions toward all. Reflect, today, upon your soul being like this fig tree that has not been bearing fruit. See our Lord coming to you and asking you to allow Him to cultivate the ground and fertilize it. Know that this requires change on your part. If you are to bear good fruit, then you need this intervention by our Lord. Work with Him, be diligent, and do all you can to begin to bear an abundance of good fruit so that you are not among those who are ultimately cut down by God's justice. My laboring Lord, You never cease to work diligently to cultivate the soil of my soul so that the seeds of Your mercy will grow and produce the good fruit You desire to come forth from my life. Please give me the grace I need to be faithful to a daily life of prayer, a practice of penance and a search for Your holy Word. Transform me, dear Lord, and bring forth the good fruit of Your holy Kingdom in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Carl Rahl, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In this profound episode of the Reformed Brotherhood, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb delve deeply into the Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30), exploring its implications for Christian assurance. Building on their previous discussion, they examine how this parable speaks to the mixed nature of the visible church, the sovereignty of Christ over His kingdom, and most significantly, the doctrine of assurance. Through careful theological reflection, the hosts unpack how true believers can find solid ground for assurance not in their own works or fruit-checking, but in the promises of Christ and the testimony of the Holy Spirit. This episode offers both encouragement for those struggling with doubts and a sobering challenge to those resting in false assurance. Key Takeaways The Parable of the Tares teaches that the visible church will be mixed until the final judgment, containing both true believers (wheat) and false professors (tares) who may appear outwardly similar. True assurance is not based primarily on good works but on the promises of Christ, the inward testimony of the Holy Spirit, and the evidences of grace in our lives. False assurance is a real danger, as many who think they belong to Christ will discover at the final judgment that they never truly knew Him. The Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 18) provides a helpful framework for understanding biblical assurance as the proper possession of every Christian. Christ's role as the divine Master of the house (the world) and Lord of the angels is subtly yet powerfully affirmed in this parable, grounding our assurance in His sovereignty. Good works are the fruit of assurance, not its cause—when we are secure in our salvation, we are freed to serve Christ joyfully rather than anxiously trying to earn assurance. The final judgment will bring perfect clarity, revealing what was hidden and separating the wheat from the tares with divine precision that humans cannot achieve now. The Doctrine of Assurance: Reformed Understanding The Reformed tradition has always emphasized that believers can and should have assurance of their salvation—a conviction recovered during the Reformation in contrast to Rome's teaching. As Tony noted when reading from the Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 18), this assurance is "not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation." This assurance rests on three pillars: the promises of God in Scripture, the inward evidence of grace, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit witnessing with our spirit. What makes this understanding particularly comforting is that it shifts the foundation of assurance away from our performance to God's faithfulness. While self-examination has its place, the Reformed understanding recognizes that looking too intensely at our own hearts and works can lead either to despair or to false confidence. Instead, we're directed to look primarily to Christ and His finished work, finding in Him the anchor for our souls. The Problem of False Assurance One of the most sobering aspects of the Parable of the Tares is its implicit warning about false assurance. Just as the tares resemble wheat until maturity reveals their true nature, many professing Christians may outwardly appear to belong to Christ while inwardly remaining unregenerate. As Jesse observed, "The tares typically live under false assurance. They may attend church, confess belief, appear righteous, yet their hearts are unregenerate. Their faith is maybe historical, it's not saving, it could be intellectual, but it's not spiritual." This echoes Jesus' warning in Matthew 7 that many will say to Him, "Lord, Lord," but will hear the devastating response, "I never knew you." The parable teaches us that this self-deception is not always conscious hypocrisy but often the result of spiritual blindness. As Jesse noted, referencing Romans 1, Ephesians 4, and 1 Corinthians 2, the unregenerate are "not merely ignorant, they're blinded... to the spiritual truth by nature and by Satan." This understanding should prompt humble self-examination while simultaneously driving us to depend not on our own discernment but on Christ's perfect knowledge and saving work. Memorable Quotes "Assurance is the believer's arc where he sits Noah alike quiets and still in the midst of all distractions and destructions, commotions and confusions." - Thomas Brooks, quoted by Jesse Schwamb "When we are confessing, repenting, seeking like our status in Christ because of Christ, then we have confidence that we are in fact part of the children of God. When everything is stripped away from us and all we're crying out is only and completely and solely and unequivocally Jesus Christ, then I think we have great reason to understand that we should be confident in our assurance." - Jesse Schwamb "The sacrifice and the service that a husband performs for his wife, whom he loves and trusts and is committed to and knows that she's faithful and committed to him, that is not causing that faithfulness. It's not causing that trust and that love. It is the outcome and the outflow of it." - Tony Arsenal on how good works flow from assurance rather than cause it Resources Mentioned Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 7:21-23, Romans 1, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 2, 2 Timothy 3:5 Westminster Confession of Faith: Chapter 18 "Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation" Thomas Brooks: "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices" YouTube Channel: My Wild Backyard Khan Academy: Educational resource recommended during "Affirmations and Denials" segment Full Transcript Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 466 of the Reform the Brotherhood. I'm Jesse. Tony Arsenal: And I'm Tony. And this is the podcast with ears to hear. Hey brother. Jesse Schwamb: Hey brother. We're going back to the farm again. Can't stop. Won't stop. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. I'm stoked. [00:01:02] Discussion on the Parable of the Tears Tony Arsenal: The last week's discussion was interesting and I think, um, it's gonna be nice to sort of round it out and talk about some things you might not think about, uh, when you first read this parable. So I'm, I'm pretty excited. Jesse Schwamb: Oh, what a tease that is. So if you're wondering what Tony's talking about, we're hanging out. In Matthew 13, we are just really enjoying these teachings of Jesus. And they are shocking and they're challenging, and they're encouraging, and they're awesome, of course. And so we're gonna be finishing out the Parable of the Tears and you need to go back and listen to the previous conversation. This, this is all set up because we have some unfinished business. We didn't talk about the eschatological implications. We have this really big this, this matza ball hanging over us. So to speak, which was the, do the TAs in this parable even know that they are tarry, that they are the TAs? And so in this parable, the disciples learn that the kingdom itself, God's kingdom, the kingdom that Jesus is enumerating and explaining and bringing into being, they are learning that it's gonna be mixed in character. So that's correcting this expectation that the kingdom would be perfectly pure and would have, would evolve righteous rule over all of the unrighteous world. And so it's a little bit shocking that Jesus says, listen, they're gonna be. Tears within the wheats that is in the world, the seed that God himself, the sun has planted and that they're gonna exist side by side for a long time. And so we, they have to wait patiently and give ourselves to building up the wheats as the sons of the kingdom and be careful in their judgment, not to harm those who are believers. We covered a lot of that last week, but left so much unsaid we couldn't even fit it in. This is gonna be jam packed, so I'm gonna stop giving the tees instead start moving us into affirmations and denials. [00:02:45] Affirmations and Denials Jesse Schwamb: It's of course that time in our conversation where we either affirm with something really like or we think is undervalued or we deny against something that we don't really like or is a little overvalued. So as I usually say to you, Tony, what have you got for us? [00:03:00] YouTube Channel Recommendation: My Wild Backyard Tony Arsenal: I am affirming a YouTube channel. Um, I, I think the algorithm goes through these cycles where it wants me to learn about bugs and things because I get Okay, like videos about bugs. And so I'm, I'm interested. There's been this, uh, channel that's been coming up on my algorithm lately called My Wild Backyard, and it, it's a guy, he's like an entomologist. He seems like a, a like a legit academic, but what he does is he basically goes through and he talks about different bugs, creepy crawlies, looks at like snakes, all that kinds of stuff. It seems like his wheelhouse is the stuff that can kill you or hurt you pretty bad. Nice. But, um, it's interesting and it's. It's good educational content. It's, you know, it's not sensationalized, it's not, uh, it's not dramatized. Um, it's very real. There's occasionally an instance where he, he's not, sometimes he will intentionally get bit or stung by an, uh, by an animal to show you what it does. So he can experience and explain what he's experiencing. And sometimes he just accidentally gets bit or stung. And so those are some of the most interesting ones. So like, for example, just looking at his, his channel, his most recent, um, his most recent video is called The most venomous Desert Creatures in the US ranked the one previous was. The world's most terrifying arachni isn't a spider. And then previous to that was what happens if a giant centipede bites you? So it's interesting stuff. If you are one of those people that likes bugs and likes creepy crawlies and things, um, this is definitely the channel for you if you're not one of those people. I actually think this probably is the channel for you too. 'cause it kind of demystifies a lot of this stuff. Um. You know, for example, he, he will commonly point out that, um, spiders don't wanna bite you and they just wanna leave you alone. And, and as long as you leave them alone, even, even something like a black widow, which people are terrified of, and I think, right, rightfully so. I mean, they can be scary. Those can be scary bites. He'll, he'll handle those, no problem. And as long as he's not like putting downward pressure on them, uh, they have no interest in biting, they really just want to get away. So even seeing that kind of stuff, I think can help demystify and, and sort of, uh, make it a little bit easier. So my Wild Backyard, he can find it on YouTube. Um, he's safe for kids. He's not, he's not cussing even. I mean, I think occasionally when he gets bit on accident, you might, you know, you might have a beep here or there, but, um, he's not, he's not regularly swearing or things like that. And he does a pretty good job of adding that stuff out. Jesse Schwamb: What a great title for that, isn't it? This, yeah. Confluence of your backyard. That space that seems domesticated is also stealing its own. Right. Wild. And there's a be Yeah. Both those things coming together. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. It, it's interesting stuff and it's really good. I mean, it's really compelling videography. He does a good job of taking good photos. You'll see insects that you usually won't see, or spiders you usually won't see. Um, so yeah, it's cool. Check it out. [00:05:51] Discussion on Spiders and Creepy Crawlies Jesse Schwamb: What are you, uh, yeah, I myself would like to become more comfortable with the arachni variety. If only be, I mean, I don't know. It's, it's a weird creature, so my instinct is to be like, kill them all. And then if I can't find them and I know they're around, then we just burn everything that we own. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Jesse Schwamb: They just can't sink into the ground fast enough. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. There's something about the way they move, like their, their bodies don't move the way you would anticipate them to. Right. And it freaks, it just weirds out human sensibilities, so. Right. Jesse Schwamb: They're also like, I find them to be very surprising. Often. It's not kind of a, a very like, kind of measured welcome into your life. It's like you just go to get in the shower and there's a giant spider. Yeah. Oh yeah. Although I guess that spider, he's, he or she's probably like, whoa, where'd you come from? You know, like, yeah. He's like, I was just taking a Tony Arsenal: shower. You know what's interesting? Um, I saw another video was on a different channel, um, like common jumping spiders. Yeah. Which there are like hundreds of species of common jumping spiders. Jesse Schwamb: True. Tony Arsenal: Um, but spiders and jumping spiders specifically, actually you can form almost like a pet bond with, so like the, that jumping spider that like lives in your house and sees you every day. He, he probably knows who you are and is like, comfortable with you. And they've done studies that like you can actually domesticate jumping spiders, so they're not as foreign and alien as you might think. Although they certainly do look a little bit strange and weird. And the way their bodies move is almost designed to weird out people like it just the skinness, like the way their legs skitter and move it, it just is, it's, it triggers something very primal in us to That's wild. Be weirded out by it. Yeah. Jesse Schwamb: It's wild. I love it. That's a good, a affirmation. I'm definitely gonna check that out. I, any, anything? I really want to know what the, what like the terrifying arachni is. That's not a spider. Tony Arsenal: It's a, well, it's called a camel spider, but it's not really a spider. Oh, Jesse Schwamb: I know what you're talking about. That is kind of terrifying. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. They, they actually don't have any venom. Um, yeah. Check out the video. I mean, it, it was a good video. Um, but yeah, they're freaky looking and, um, but even that, like he was handling it No problem. Yeah. Like it wasn't, it wasn't aggressive with him once Wow. Once it figured out it wasn't, he wasn't trying to hurt him and, and that it couldn't eat him. Um, it, it just sort of like hung out until he let it go. So Jesse Schwamb: yeah, just be careful if you watch it one before bed or while in bed. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Probably not right before bed. Yeah. You'll, you'll get the creepy crawlies all night. Jesse Schwamb: I love it. But there's something somewhat. Like invigorating about that isn't there? Like it's, it's kind of a natural, just like kind of holy respect for the world that God has created, that they're these features that are so different, so wild, so interesting and a little bit frightening, but in the sense that we just draw off from them because they're so different than what we are. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Jesse Schwamb: And you know, again, there's places you would be happy to see them, but maybe your bathtub or like shooting out, like, you know, like where you live, the jumping spiders are legit and they will just pop out on you, you know? Yeah. You're just doing your own thing and then all of a sudden they're popping out. I think part of that is just that what, what gets me is like them just, you know, like I remember in my basement here, once one popped out from a rafter and then I was holding, happened to be holding up broom. My instinct just naturally was to hit it. I hit it with the broom and it went across the room and fell on an empty box and sounded like a silver dollar had hit the box. Like it was just a massive, I mean, again, like, it's like fish stories, like it's a massive spider. It was a big spider. Yeah. But you just don't expect to, to see that kind of thing. Or maybe, maybe I should, but anything that moves in that way, and again, like centipedes, man, forget it. We have those too, like in our basement. Like the long ones. Oh yeah. Yeah. That thing will come like squiggling down the wall at you, like eye level and you just wanna run up the stairs screaming like a little girl. Tony Arsenal: Yeah, you do run up the stairs screaming like a little girl. It's not that you want to, it's that usually you do. I don't mean like you specifically, although probably you specifically. Yeah. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. There's, yeah, you just react. Well, j Jesse enough freaking out. I mean, we're getting close to Halloween, so I suppose it's appropriate, but, uh, enough of that. What are you affirming or denying today? Jesse Schwamb: Once again, without like any coordination, mine is not unlike yours. I know you and I, we talk about the world in which we live, which God has created, and this lovely command, this ammunition to take dominion over that. And one of the things I appreciate about our conversations is I think you and I often have maybe not like a novel. Kinda perspective on that, but one that I don't hear talked about often and that is this idea of taking dominion over what it is possible to know and to appropriate, and then to apply onto wisdom. [00:10:27] Affirmation: Khan Academy Jesse Schwamb: And so my information is in that realm. It's another form of taking ownership of what's in the wild of knowledge that you can possess. And again, equal parts. What an amazing time to be alive. So I'm affirming with the website, Khan Academy, which I'm sure many are familiar with. And this website offers like. Thousands of hours. Uh, and materials of free instructional videos, practice exercises, quizzes, all these like really bespoke, personalized learning modules you can create for topics like math, science, computing, economics, history, art. I think it goes like even starting at like. Elementary age all the way up into like early college can help you study for things like the SAT, the LSAT AP courses, and I was revisiting it. I have an open account with them that I keep in love and I go back to it from time to time. And I was working on some stuff where I wanted to rehearse some knowledge in like the calculus space, do some things by hand, which I haven't done. And I was just like, I'm blown away at how good this stuff is. And it's all for free. I mean, you should donate if you. You get something from this because it's a nonprofit, but the fact that there are these amazing instructional videos out there that can help us get a better understanding of either things we already know and we can rehearse the knowledge or to learn something brand new essentially for free. But somebody's done all the hard work to curate a pedagogy for you. Honestly, this is incredible. So if you haven't looked at that website in a long time or maybe ever, and you might be thinking, what, what do I really wanna learn? Lemme tell you. There's a lot of interesting stuff there and it's so approachable and it's such a good website for teaching. And if you have children in particular, even if you're looking for help, either helping them with their own coursework or maybe to have like kind of a tutor on the side, this is so good. So I can't say enough good things recently about Khan Academy 'cause it's been so helpful to me and super fun to like just sit and have your own paced study and in the private and comfort of your own home or your desk at work or wherever it is that you need to learn it. To be able to have somebody teach you some things, to do a little practice exercises, and then to go on to the world and to apply the things you've learned. Ah, it's so good. Tony Arsenal: Nice. Yeah, I've, I've never done anything with Khan Academy. I'll have to check it out. There's, um, there's some skills of needing to brush up on, uh, at work that I am probably not gonna be able to find in my normal channels, so I'll have to see if there is anything going on there. Um, but yeah, that's, that's good stuff. And it's free. Love freestyle. It's, and of course, like Jesse Schwamb: things like this are legion. So whatever it is, whatever your discipline or your field of study or work is, there's probably something out there and, uh, might, I humbly maybe encourage you to, if you use something like that and it's funded by donations, it's worth giving, I think, because again, it's just an amazing opportunity to take dominion over the knowledge that God has placed into the world and then to use it for something. I mean, I suppose even if all it is is you just wanna learn more about, like for me, I, I find like the subjects of, of math and science, like just endlessly fascinating and like the computing section I was looking at, I, I don't know much about like programming per se, but there is such a beauty. Like these underlying principles, like the, the organization of the world and the first level principles of like physics for instance, are just like baffling in the most glorious kind of way. How they all come together. So having somebody like teach you at a very like simplistic level, but allow you to grasp those concepts makes you just appreciate it leads me to doxology a lot when I see these things. So in a weird way, it ends up becoming maybe not a weird way and the right way. It becomes worship as often as I'm sitting at my desk and working through like a practice problem on like, you know, partial differential equation or, or derivatives is what I was working on today. And ah, it's just so good. I don't know, maybe I'm the only one. I, it's not be super nerdy, but you, are you ever like at your desk studying something? And it might not be like theological per se, but you just have a moment where you're overcome with some kind of worship. Do you know what I'm talking about? Tony Arsenal: Yeah, I, um, this we're the nerdiest people on the planet, but let's Jesse Schwamb: do it. Um, Tony Arsenal: when I find a really fun, interesting. Uh, Excel formula and I can get it to work right. Uh, and it, and then it just like everything unlocks. Like, I feel like I've unlocked all the knowledge in the universe. Um, but yeah, I hear you like the, the Excel thing is, is interesting to me because, like, math is just the description. Like it's just the fabric of reality is just the way we describe reality. But the fact that we can do basically just take math and do all these amazing things with it, uh, in a spreadsheet is really, uh, drives me to praise. Like I said, that's super nerdy, but it is. Oh, you're speaking my language. Jesse Schwamb: I, we have never understood each other better than just this moment right now. We, we had some real talk and, uh, a real moment. Tony Arsenal: Yes. Welcome to the Reformed math cast. Jesse Schwamb: We're so glad that you're here. Tony Arsenal: Yes. We're not gonna do any one plus one plus one equals one kinds of heretical math in, up in here. Jesse Schwamb: No. Tony Arsenal: Well, Jesse, I have a feeling that, excuse me. Wow. Jesse Schwamb: We don't edit anything out. Listen, I'm choked up too. It's it, listen, love ones just so emotional. The moment Tony and I are having it. We're gonna try our best right now to pivot to go into this text, but it's, it's tough because we were just really having something, something special. You got, you got to see there. But thank you for trying to Tony Arsenal: cover for me for that big cough. Jesse Schwamb: This is like presuppositional editing. You know, we don't actually do anything in post. It's not ex anti editing. It's, it's literally presuppositional. [00:15:52] Theological Discussion on Assurance Jesse Schwamb: But to that end, we are in Matthew 13. This is the main course. This is the reason why we're here. There's lots of reasons to worship, and one of them is to come before and admire and love our God who has given us his specific revelation and this incredible teaching of his son. And that's why we're hanging out in Matthew 13. So let me read, because we have just a couple of really sentences here, this really short parable and that way it'll catch us up and then we can just launch right back into we're, we're basically like, we're already in the rocket. Like we're in the stratosphere. We're, we're taking it all the way now. So this is Matthew chapter 13. Come hang out here. It's in the 24th verse. And this is what we find written for us. This is the word of the Lord. He put another parable before them saying. The Kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the weeds and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also, and the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds? He said to them, an enemy has done this. So the servant said to him, then, do you want us to go and gather them? But he said, no less than gathering the weeds, you root up the weed along with them. Let both grow until the harvest. And at harvest time, I will tell the reapers, gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but to gather the wheat into my barn. Tony Arsenal: That's good stuff. That's good stuff. Um, you know, we, we covered most of. I don't know, what do you wanna call it? The first order reading of the parable last week. Jesse Schwamb: Right. Tony Arsenal: On one level, the parable, uh, as Christ explains it, uh, a little bit down further in the chapter is extremely straightforward. It's almost out, it's almost an allegory. Each, each element of the parable has a, a, a figure that it's representing. And the main purpose of the story is that the world and specifically the church, um, is going to be a mixed body until the last days, until the end of time. And so there's, there's the Sons of God or the Sons of the Kingdom, uh, and then there's the sons of the evil one. And we talked a lot about how. These two figures in the parable, the, the, the weeds or the tears? Um, tears is a better word because it's a specific kind of, uh, specific kind of weed that looks very much like wheat at its immature stages. Right. And you can't actually discern the difference readily, uh, until the weed and the wheat has grown up next to each other. Um, and so, so part of the parable is that. The, the sons of the kingdom and the sons of the enemy, or the sons of the evil one, they don't look all that different in their early stages. And it's not until the sort of end culmination of their lives and the end culmination of things that they're able to be discerned and then therefore, um, the, the sons of the devil are, are reaped and they go off to their eternal judgment and the sons of the kingdom are, uh, are harvested and they go off to their eternal reward. What we wanted to talk about, and part of the reason that we split this into two episodes. Is that we sort of found ourselves spiraling or spiraling around a question about, uh, sort of about assurance, right? And false assurance, true assurance. And there is an eschatological element to this parable that I, I think we probably should at least touch on as we we go through it. Um, but I wanted to just read, um, it's been a little while since we've read the Westminster Confession on the show. So I wanted to read a little bit from the Westminster Confession. Um, this is from chapter 18, which is called of assurance of grace and salvation. This is sort of the answer to Jesse's question. Do the, do the tears know their tears or, or could they possibly think that their wheat? So this is, uh, section one of chapter eight. It says, although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presuppositions or presumptions of being in favor with God in the state of salvation. Which hope of their shall perish yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him may in this life be certainly assured that they are in a state of grace and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed. And so we, in the reform tradition at least, which is where we find ourselves in the reform tradition, um, we would affirm that people can. Deceive themselves into believing that they're in proper relation with God. Jesse Schwamb: Right? Tony Arsenal: And so it's not the case that, uh, that the weeds always know they're weeds or think they're weeds. It's not even the case. And this was part of the parable. It's not even the case that the weeds can be easily distinguished even by themselves from, uh, from the weeds. So there is this call, uh, and this is a biblical call. There's a call to seek out assurance and to lay claim to it. That I think is, is worth talking about. But it's not as straightforward as simple proposition as like, yeah, I'm confident. Like it's not just like, right, it's not just mustering up confidence. There's more to it than that. So that's what I wanted to start with, with this parable is just maybe talking through that assurance. 'cause I, I would hate for us to go through this parable. And sort of leave people with maybe you're a weed and you don't know it. 'cause that's not right. That's not the biblical picture of assurance. Um, that's the, that's the Roman Catholic picture of assurance that like, yeah, there's no such thing as assurance and people might not realize, but assurance of salvation is actually one of the, one of the primary things that was recovered particularly by the Reformed in the Reformation. Um, and so I think we, we often sort of overlook it as maybe a secondary thing. Um, but it really is a significant doctrine, a significant feature of reformed theology. Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. I'm glad you said that because it is a, is a clear reminder. It's a clearing call as the performers put forth that it is. Under like the purview of the Christian to be able to claim the assurance by the blood of Christ in the application of the Holy Spirit in a way that's like fully orbed and fully stopped. So you can contrast that with, and really what was coming outta Catholicism or Rome at the time. And I was just speaking with a dear brother this past week who. Grew up in the Catholic church and he was recounting how his entire religious experience, even his entire relationship, if we can call it that in a kind of colloquial sense with God, was built around this sense of deep-seated guilt and lack of true performance, such that like assurance always seemed like this really vague concept that was never really fully manifested in anything that he did. Even while the church was saying, if you do these things, if you perform this way, if you ensure that you're taking care of your immortal sins and that you're seeking confession for all the venial stuff as well, that somehow you'll be made right, or sufficiently right. But if not, don't worry about it. There's always purgatory, but there'd be some earning that you'd have to accomplish there. Everywhere along the way. He just felt beaten down. So contrasting that with what we have here. I don't believe, as you're saying, Tony, that's Jesus' intention here to somehow beat up the sheep. I, I think it is, to correct something of what's being said about the world in which we live, but it's at the same time to say that there are some that are the TAs is to say there are some that are the children of God, right? That there are some that are fully crisply, clearly identified and securely resting in that identity without any kind of nervous or anxious energy that it might fall out of that state with God that, that in fact their identity is secure. And as I've been thinking about this this week, I, I'm totally with you because I think part of this just falls, the warning here is there's a little bit of the adventures in Romans one here that's waiting for us, that I like what you said about this idea of, of self deception and maybe like a. Subpart to this question would be, are the, are the terrors always nefarious in their lack of understanding? So we might say there's some that are purposely disruptive, that the enemy himself is, is promulgating or trying to bring forward his destruction, his chaos by way of these tears. But are, are there even a subgroup or another group, uh, co-terminus group or, you know, one in the same hierarchy where there's just a lot of self deception? I, I think that's probably where I fall in terms of just trying to explain that. Yes, I think it was present here is a real quantity, a real identity where they're self-deceived. Imagining themselves to be part of God's people, yet lacking that true saving faith. And this just, I'm gonna go in a couple places where I think everybody would expect in the scriptures, if we go to like Ephesians four, they're darkened and they're understanding alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them. And one Corinthians, when Paul writes, the natural person does not accept the things of the spirit of God, and he's not able to understand them because they're spiritually discerned. And then the book that follows the God of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers. And of course then like everything in Romans one, so I bring all that up because E, even at the end, we're gonna get there, the Es, this eschatological reality when you know God is separating out the sheep and the goats. Still, we find this kind of same trope happening there. But the unregenerate, what I'm reading from this. Importantly is that the unregenerate, they're not merely ignorant, they're blinded, as we all were on point to the spiritual truth. Yeah. By nature and by Satan. That that is also his jam. He loves to blind, to lie, to kill, steal, and destroy. So thus, even if they're outwardly belonging to the church, they're outwardly belonging to the world. They're outwardly belonging to some kind of profession. They cannot perceive the reality of their lost condition apart from divine illumination. Who can, that might be stating the obvious, but I think that's like what we're getting after here. I I, I don't know if there's like any kind of like conspiracy here. It's simply that that is the natural state of affairs. So why wouldn't we expect that to be reflected again in the world and that side by side, we're gonna find that shoulder to shoulder. We are, there are the children of God, and there are those that remain blind and ignorant to the truth. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And, and you know, it, again, I, I, um, I don't know why I'm surprised. Uh, I certainly shouldn't be surprised. Um. But Matthew is like a masterful storyteller Yeah. Here, right. He's a masterful, um, editor and narrator. Um, and he's, he's put together here, of course, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Um, and, and there's some good reason to think in the text we're not gonna get too, in the nitty gritty here, there's some good reason to think in the text that Christ actually delivered these parables as a set as well. So it's not just, it's not just Matthew coating these, although it could be. Um, but it, it seems like these were all delivered probably as like a common set of parables. And the reason I say that is because when we start to look at this parable and the one we previously went through, the parable of the soils, um, or the parable of the sower. Um, what we see is the answer to your question of why do some people, you know, why are some people deceived? Well, yes, there is secondary causation. The devil deceives them. They blind themselves. They, you know, suppress the, the, the truth and right unrighteousness. But on a, on a primary causation level, um, God is the one who is identi, is, is identifying who will be the sons of the, you know, devil and the sons of the kingdom. Mm-hmm. This is another, and yet another example of election is that the, the good sower sowed good seed, and the good seed was the elect and the enemy. Although in God's sovereignty, God is the one who determines this. The enemy is the one who sows the reprobate. Right? So all, all men. Star, and this is, I, I guess I didn't really intend to go here, but this is good evidence in my mind for, um, infra laps, Arianism versus super laps. Arianism, right infra laps, arianism or sub lapse. Arianism would say that God decrees, uh, to permit the fall and then he decrees to redeem some out of the fall, right? Logically speaking, not temporally speaking. Super laps. Arianism, which is the minority. It's the smaller portion of, of the historic tradition, although modern times, I think it's a little bit louder and a little bit more vocal, but super relapses. Arianism would argue that God, um, decrees. Sort of the, the decree of election and reprobation is logically prior to the decree of the fall. And so in, in that former or in the super laps area model, the fall becomes a means by which the reprobate are justly condemned. Not, um, not the cause of their condemnation, but a way to sort of justify the fact that they will be separated from God, right? Because of their reprobate. [00:28:36] Exploring the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares Tony Arsenal: I know that there's, there's probably some super lab streams that would nuance that differently and some that are probably just screaming straw man, uh, in a coffee shop somewhere and, and people are thinking you're crazy. Um, but by and large, that's actually a rel, a relatively accepted, um, explanation of it. There are certainly potential problems with, uh, sub, sub lapse agonism as well. But in this, in this parable, what we see is the people who are, um, who are elect, are sowed into the field and the people who are reprobate are also sowed into the field. And so God saves the people who are sewed into the field that are, they elect, he saves them out of this now mixed world by waiting and allowing them to grow up next to the reprobate, um, in sort of this mixed world setting. And then he redeems them out of that. Um, and, and, and so we have to sort of remember. Although it is a pretty strict, sort of allegorical type of parable, it's still a parable. So we shouldn't, we shouldn't always draw like direct one-to-one comparisons here. It's making a theological point, but, um, but it's important for us to re remember that, that it is ultimately, it is God who determines who is the elected and who is not. But it's, it's our sin. It's the devil deceiving us. It's the secondary causes that are responsible for the sons of the devil, right? It, the, the men come to the, to the sower and say, who is done this? He says it was an enemy. Jesse Schwamb: Right? Right. Tony Arsenal: He doesn't say like, well, actually I put the seed there and so, you know, I'm, I, it's not an equal distribution. He's not sowing good seed and bad seed. He sows the good seed and the devil sows the bad seed. [00:30:24] Theological Implications and Assurance Tony Arsenal: Um, and, and that's a, I think that's an important theological point to make. And as far as assurance goes. We, we can't depend on our ability to perceive or sort of like discern election in a raw sense, right? We have to observe certain kinds of realities around us. Um, and, and primarily we have to depend on the mercy and, and saving faith that God gives us. That's right. Um, you know, our, our assurance of faith does not primarily come from fruit checking. Um, we have to do that. It's important, we're commanded to do it, and it serves as an important secondary evidence. But a, a, a person who wants to find assurance. Of salvation should first and foremost look to the promises of Christ and then depend on them. Um, and, and so that's, I think all of that's kind of wrapped up into this parable. It's, it's, it's amazing to me that we're only like two parables in, and we're already, you know, we're already talking about super lapse arianism and sub lapse arianism, and it's, it's amazing. I, I love this. I'm loving this series so far, and we're barely scratching the surface. Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, it's all there. I think you're right to call that out. It strikes me, like, as you were speaking, it really just hit me higher that I think you're right. Really the foundation on this, like the hidden foundation is assurance and it's that assurance which splits the groups, or at least divides them, or it gives us, again, like the distinct, kind, discrete compartments or components of each of them. So. Again, I think it's help saying, 'cause we wanna be encouraging. That's, that's our whole point here is when the Apostle Peter says, be all the more diligent to make certain about his calling and choosing of you. That herein we have the scripture saying to us, time and time again, be sure of what God has done in your life. Be confident in that very thing. And so if assurance is, as we're saying, that's the argument hypothesis we're making. That's the critical thing here. [00:32:11] False Assurance and True Faith Jesse Schwamb: Then the division between the children of God and the children of the devil is false versus true assurance. So the tears, I think what we're saying here, basically they typically live under false asserts. They may attend church, confess, belief, appear righteous, yet their hearts are unregenerate. Their faith is maybe historical. It's not saving, it could be intellectual, but it's not spiritual. And of course, like just a few chapters before this, we hope those famous verses where Jesus himself drops the bomb and says, listen, many of you, he's talking to the people, the, the disciples around him, the crowds that we're gathering and thronging all about. He says, many of you're gonna say to me, Lord, Lord, do we not prophesy your name? Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Jesse Schwamb: And then I will declare to them, I never knew you depart from me. These are not people who knew they were false, they thought they belonged to Christ. Their shock on judgment day is gonna reveal this profound self-deception. And that self-deception is wrapped up in a false type of assurance, a false righteousness. So I think one of the things that we can really come to terms with and grab a hold of is the fact that when we are. Confessing, repenting seeking like our status in Christ because of Christ. Then we have confidence that we are in fact part of the children of God. When everything is stripped away from us and all we're crying out is only and completely and solely and unequivocally, Jesus Christ, then I think we have great reason to understand that we should be confident in our assurance. [00:33:38] Historical Perspectives on Assurance Jesse Schwamb: You know, I was reading this week from Thomas Brooks and did incidentally come across this, a quote, an assurance and reminded me of this passage, and here's what he writes. You know, of course he's writing in like 16 hundreds, like mid 16 hundreds. It's wild, of course, but we shouldn't be surprised that what you're about to hear sounds like it could have been written today for us. In this conversation, but, uh, he writes, assurance is the believer's arc where he sits Noah alike quiets and still in the midst of all distractions and destructions, commotions and confusions. However, most Christians live between fears and hopes and hang, as it were, between heaven and hell. Sometimes they hope that their state is good. At other times they fear that their state is bad. Now they hope that all is well and that it shall go well. Well with them forever. Then they fear that they shall perish by the hand of such corruption or by the prevalency of such and such temptation. They're like a ship and a storm tossed here and there, and. I think that he's right about that. And I think the challenge there is to get away from that. I love where it starts, where he says, what wonderful turn of phrase assurance is the believer's arc or Noah, like, you know, we're sitting and the commotion, the destructions, the commotion, the confusions of all the world. That's why to get this right, to be encouraged by this passage, to be challenged by it is so critical because we're all looking for that arc. We all want to know that God has in fact arrested us so completely that no matter what befalls us, that everything, as we talked about before, all of our, all of the world, in fact is subservient to our salvation. But that's a real thing that cannot be snatched away from us because God has ordained it and intended it, built it, created it, and brought it to pass. And so I think that's all like in this passage, it's all the thing that's being called us to. So. I, I don't want us to get like too hung up. It's a good question, I think to ask and answer like we were trying to talk about here, but you're right. If we focus too much just on the like, let's gaff for these tears. Who are they? Like let's people's, like Readers Digest in People's magazine these tears. Like who are they? Do we have a list of them? Who do we think they are? How could it be me? Is it really me? Am I, am I anxious about that? Really what we should be saying is following what Peter calls us to do that is to be all the more diligent to make certain about his calling and his choosing. So even there like our emphasis and focus, isn't it like you're saying Tony about like, let me do some fruit inventory. I got like a lot of good bananas. I got a lot of ripe pears. Like, look at the tree. This, this is good. Even there, the emphasis is to turn our eyes on Jesus, as it were, and to make certain about his work, his calling and his choosing of us. And I think when we do that, we're falling down in worship and in yielding and submission to him, rightfully acknowledging that the righteousness of Christ is the one that is always in every way alien to us and imputed. And that is what makes us sons and daughters of God, that good seed sown by Jesus himself. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. I just wanna read, I wanna um, round out a few more paragraphs here out of the Westminster confession because I do think, you know, when we even talk about assurance, we're not even always all saying the exact same thing. And I think that's important because when we talk about assurance of faith, we need to be understanding that this is the rightful, not only the rightful possession of all Christians, but it's the rightful responsibility of all Christians to seek it. So here's, here's section two of that same chapter. It says, this certainty referring to assurance. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a, a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the spirit of adoption, witnessing with our hearts that we are the children of God, which spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption. So. One of the, the things that I think is, is important here is people read this and say the inward evidences of those graces unto which these promises are made. They read that and they think that it's referring to like good work and like spiritual renewal, but it's, it's not, it's the inward evidence of those graces unto which of the promises are made. So it's this inner, inner renewal. It's the spirit testifying to our spirit. And then, um, chapter, uh, section three here, it says. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it, yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given of God. He may without extraordinary revelation there, right there is response to Roman Catholicism in the right use of ordinary means at attain there unto. And therefore, it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence, to make his calling and election. Sure. And thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and in joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience. The proper fruits of this assurance so far is it from inclining men to looseness? Right. [00:38:53] The Role of Good Works in Assurance Tony Arsenal: So we often hear and and I, I think there are good, um, there are good reformed Christians that put. The emphasis of assurance on, or they, they put an overemphasis, in my opinion, on how good works function within our assurance. Right. They, they often will ask us to look to our good fruit as sort of, not the grounding, but as a strong evidence. But at least in terms of the confession here, the cheerfulness in the duties of obedience is the fruit of assurance. Jesse Schwamb: That's right. Not Tony Arsenal: the cause or grounding of assurance. So rather than, this is what this last line says. It says so far, is it from inclining? Mental looseness assurance should drive us to obedience and fruitfulness in Christ. And so yes, it is in a certain sense an evidence because if that fruitfulness and obedience is absent from our lives, there's a good reason for us to question whether this infallible assurance is present in our lives. But the assurance is what drives us to this obedience. Um. You know, like, I think you could use the analogy of like a married couple. A married couple who is very secure in their relationship and in their, uh, love for one another and their faithfulness to each other is more likely to cheerfully serve and submit to each other and to respect each other and to sacrifice for each other than a couple that's maybe not so sure that the other person has their best interest in mind. That's or maybe isn't so sure that this thing is gonna work out. I think that's the same thing, like the sacrifice and the service that a husband, uh, performs for his wife, whom he loves and trusts and is committed to and knows that she's faithful and committed to him. That is not causing that faithfulness. It's not causing that trust and that love. It is the outcome and the outflow of it. It's good evidence that that love exists, but it's not caused by it. And assurance here is the same kind of dynamic assurance is not. We can't assure ourselves of our salvation by doing good works. No matter how many good works you do, there are lots and lots of people who are not saved and who will not be saved, who do perfectly good works in appearance. Right. They have the, the outward appearance of godliness, but lack its power. Right, right. Out of right outta Paul, writing to Timothy there. Yes. So that's, that's important for us as we continue to parse all this out, is yes, the fruit is present. Yes. The wheat is to, is discernible from the tears by its final, fruitful status. Right? It grows up to be grain, which is fruitful rather than weeds and tears, which are only good to be burned, but it is not the fruit that causes it to be wheat. It's wheat that causes the fruit to grow. If, if it wasn't wheat, it wouldn't grow fruit, not because the fruit makes it grain, but because it is in fact wheat to start with. Jesse Schwamb: Right. Yeah, that's right on. So I think like by summation we're kind of saying. At least the answer to this question. You know, do the tears know that they're tears? Yes and no. Some do, some don't. I think, yes, there are some that are gonna be consciously hypocritical, willfully rejecting Christ while pretending for worldly gain. I think that's, that's certainly plain to see. And at the same time, do the tears know the tears? Sometimes? No. There's self deceived under spiritual blindness and they have some kind of false assurance. And this idea of, again, coming in repentance before God and seeking humbly to submit to him is I think one of those signs of that kind of true assurance, not a false assurance. And you already stole where I was thinking of Tony by going to Second Timothy again. Thomas Brooks in precious remedies against Saint's device is one of like the best. Books ever. I know that he's really outspoken. He loves to harp on the fact that one of Satan's most effective snares is to make men and women content with a form of godliness without its power. Yeah. And that's often what we're talking about here, I think, is that Satan loves to fish in the shallow waters a profession. And really that can happen in any kind of church or religious culture, that there is this shallowness where that loves religious appearance, prayer, knowledge fellowship, but not the Christ behind them. And so whether we're looking to somebody like Brooks or Jonathan Edwards and we're trying to parse out what are our true affections, not in a way again, that somehow leans well, I feel enough, then somehow that justifies, not inwardly, but again, definitely trying to understand our conviction for conversion tears. For repentance that. Really what we're after is not like just the blessings of Christ, but Christ himself, which I think really leads us to this eschatological perspective then to round all everything out because you know, we talked about before, there's an old phrase, it's like everywhere. A lot of people talk in heaven. Not everybody's going there. And so this idea of like, people will talk about be so great to be there and it's sometimes this, the heaven that they speak of is like absent Christ, you know, as if like, if Christ wasn't there, at least in their perspective, it still wouldn't be half bad. And so I think that does lead us to understand what is this in gathering? What is this? You know, bringing everything into the barn and burning everything else up. And like you just said, if at the beginning you cannot tell the injurious weed aside from that beautiful kernel of wheat that's coming up, but if in the end you can see what's happening in the end, then that brings us all to consummation. What does it mean in this parable? Tony Arsenal: Yeah. [00:44:19] Eschatological Judgment and Assurance Tony Arsenal: And, and I think this actually sort of forces us to grapple a little bit with, with another sort of persnickety feature of this parable that, that I think, I think personally sometimes gets overlooked is we are very quick to talk about this parable to be about the church. And it is. Right. And, and there's reasons to talk like that. But when Christ explains the parable, he doesn't say the field is the church. He says the field is the world. Right. And so we have to, we have to, we have to do a little bit of, um. We have to do a little bit of hermeneutics to understand that this is also speaking of the church, right? It's not as though the church is some hermetically sealed off body that the dynamics of the world and the, the weed and the tears like that, that doesn't happen in the church. But when we talk about the end of the age here, he says the son of man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom. All causes of sin in all lawbreakers. Right? So, so the, the final eschatological judgment, it's all encompassing. And I dunno, maybe I'm, maybe I'm becoming a little bit post mill with this, um, the, the world is already the Kingdom of Christ. Right? Right. That's right. It, it's not, it's not just the church on earth that is the kingdom of Christ. And so when we talk about this eschatological reaping, um, what we see is, is very straightforward. There are those who are, uh, who belong to Christ, who were sown by him into the world, who were, uh, were tended by him, who were protected by him, who he intended to harvest from the very beginning, right? The good sower sows good seed into the field, and that good seed is and necessarily will be wheat. It's not as though, um, it's not as though, and again, this is one of those ways where like the parables sometimes, uh, are telling a little bit of a different story. Even though they're sharing some themes in the first parable, in the parable of the sower, he sows the same seed into the world. But the seed in that first parable is not the, is not the person receiving the seed. The seed is the one is the word of God. Yes. And so the word of God is sewn promiscuously, even to those who will be hard soil and who will be rocky soil and have thorns. The word of God is, is sewn to all of those people. Across the whole world in this parable. The seed that is the good seed that is sown is and always was going to be weed that was, or wheat, which was going to grow into fruitfulness and be gathered into the barn. Right? That was a foregone conclusion. The, the, when the sower decided to sow seed, all of that said he is the one who did that. He's the one that chose that. He's the one that will bring us to completion, right? And then also the ones that are not of his kingdom, the sons of the devil, they will also be reaped at the end. Actually we'll be reaped before the, you know, they'll be reaped and gathered and, and tossed into the furnace before the sons of the kingdom are gathered together. Jesse Schwamb: Right. Tony Arsenal: So it, again, this is a parable and even though this is Christ's explanation of the parable, I don't think that Christ was intending to give us like a strict timeline. Right. I don't think he was encouraging us to draw a chart and try to map out where this all happens in order. Um, I do think it's relevant that, that, at least in the explanation of this parable, I mentioned it last week, that, that the rap, the rapture is actually the wicked being raptured. They're the ones that are gathered and taken out of the world and cast into the fiery furnace before the, before the righteous are gathered together and, and brought into Christ Barn. Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, there's a great unmasking that's happening here in this final stage. I mean, that's critically the point. I think there's a lot of stuff we could talk about open handedly and kind of hypothesize or theorize what it means. But what is plain, I think, is that there's this unmasking, this unveiling of the reality of the light of Christ's perfect judgment. But that judgment is for both parties Here it is coming and what was hidden beneath outward religion or more, a facade is gonna be revealed with eternal clarity. That's just the reality. It is coming. So in some ways it pairs. I think at least well in this, well purposely of course in this teaching because Jesus is saying, hold on, like we talked about last time. Do this is not for you to judge. You are ill-equipped. You are not skilled enough to discern this. And therefore though, you wanna go in hot and get spicy and try to throw out all the weeds. Wait for the right time. Wait for the one like you're saying, Tony has from all of eternity past intended for it to be this way. Super intending his will over all things in the casting of the seed. And as we say, Philippians, of course, finishing that good work, which was started, he will finish. It is God's two finish again. And so he says, listen, that day is coming. There's gonna be a great unmasking. Uh, get ready for it. And the scriptures bear witness to that in so many other ways. So. There's such a journey in these like handful of verses, isn't there? I mean, it's really wild. The things that not like we come up with or we read into the text, but as we sit in it a little bit, as we just spend even a cursory amount of time letting it pour over us, that we find there's like a conviction in a weight in these things that are beyond just the story and beyond just even like the illustrations themselves. What we find is, again, it's as if Jesus himself in his brilliance, of course, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is illuminating the mind in the spirit to open up our conception, understanding of the kingdom of God by bringing it to us through his perspective in our own terms, of course, which is both our language and like the context of the world in which we live, and that simple example of farming and seed. And again, even just that there are these interest weeds that look like wheat. I went on this like rabbit hole this week and did a lot of research on like tears and Yeah, like especially people in like the Midwest United States who like know a lot more about agriculture than I do have a lot to say about this. It's not just like we shouldn't be surprised like. Isn't it incredible that like there are actually weeds out there that look like, yeah, it's a brilliance of just knowing that this teaching is so finely tuned. Like we can even just talk about that. Like the world is finely tuned. This teaching is so finely tuned to these grant theological principles that we can at one point be children and appropriate them enough and assume them into our own intellectual capacity so that we can trust in them. And yet even as like adults with like, let's say like the greatest gift of intellectual capacity, still find that we cannot get to the bottom of them because they're so deep. They draw us into these really, really grand vistas or really like extremely deep cold theological waters. And I just find. That I am in awe then of what Jesus is saying here because there's a truth for us in assurance that we ought to clinging to. And there's also like stuff that we should come back to. We shouldn't just stop it here and put it out of our minds until the next time we, we want to just be stimulated by something that's interesting or that we want to just grab somebody and shake them cage style, cage two style and say like, look at this great thing that I just learned about this, this particular parable. But instead, there's so much here for us to meditate on. And in that, I think rather than the Christian finding fear in this parable, what they should find is great comfort. We should be Noah alike sitting in the ark saying, it is well with my soul. And our reason for that is because we know God has cast a seed through his son Jesus Christ. And to be a child, a child of God is the greatest thing in all the universe. Tony Arsenal: Yeah. And I, I think that, um, transitions nicely to, uh, I'll make this point quick because we're coming up on time here. Um. [00:52:04] Christ's Divinity and Sovereignty Tony Arsenal: The other little subtle thing that Christ does here in this parable is he, he absolutely asserts his divinity and sovereignty overall creation. Jesse Schwamb: That's right. Yep. Tony Arsenal: Right. It, it's almost like a throw. There's a couple little like lines that are almost throwaway lines, right in the, the first, the beginning of the parable here. Um, the parable itself, uh, he says, um, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed into a field. And then he says, um, the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, right? And then when he interprets the parable, he says, well, the, the servants are, the field is the world, right? So he's the master of the world, and the servants are the angels. So he's the master of the angels. And then if, if there was any doubt left in your mind. Says in verse 41, the son of man will send his angels. That's right. And they will gather out of his kingdom, which is the world, all the causes of sin and all lawbreakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. Right? So we have this, this robust picture that there is election. The the good sower sows good seed into the world, and the good seed will necessarily grow into wheat and will be preserved and protected and ultimately harvest Well, why can we have assurance that that will be the case? Well, because the master of the house is the son of man who is the Lord of the universe and the creator of all things. And his angels do his will. That's right. So, so the whole thing is all wrapped up. Why can we have assurance? Because God is a good God and Christ is a good savior, and the savior of the world is the creator of the universe, right? If any of those facts were not true. Then we couldn't have assurance. If God wasn't good, then maybe he's lying. If Christ wasn't the savior of the world or the God of the universe, the creator of the universe, then he wasn't worthy to be the one who saves. All of this is wrapped up in the parables, and this is what's so exciting about the parables. In most of the instances that we look up, especially of the sort of longer parables, these kinds of dynamics are there where it's not just a simple story making a simple point, it is making one primary point. Usually there's one primary point that a, that a parable is making. But in order to make that primary point, there's all these supporting points and supporting things that have to be the case. If the, if the good sower was not the master of the house and a, a competent, uh, a competent landowner who knew the difference between wheat and weeds, even at the early stage, right? His, his servants go and go, what happened? What's with all of these weeds? They can tell the difference somehow, Jesse Schwamb: right? Tony Arsenal: He's immediately able to go, well, this was an enemy. Jesse Schwamb: That's right. Tony Arsenal: And while they're bumbling around going, should we go rip it all up and start over? He is like, no, no, no, no. Just wait until, wait until it all grows up together. And when that happens, the Reapers will come and they'll take care of it and they'll do it in my direction, right? Because he's competent, he's the savior, he's the creator, he's the good master, he is the good sower. Um, we can be confi

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Tantric Intimacy for the Couple | Dr. Elsbeth Meuth & Freddy Zental Weaver | Daughters of the Moon Podcast Thank you for tuning in to the Daughters of the Moon Podcast!In Episode 281, we welcome Dr. Elsbeth Meuth and Freddy Zental Weaver, founders of TantraNova, to explore Tantric Intimacy for the Couple.In this illuminating conversation, we discuss:

Episode Highlights In this empowering episode, host Eve welcomes Karen Bigman, certified sex educator and coach, to explore sexuality, intimacy, and self‑love for women over 50. Together, they dive into topics often considered taboo and bring truth, humor, and heart to every conversation. Topics Covered: Embracing sexuality and pleasure after 50 Understanding libido, hormones, and sexual health in midlife Dating, intimacy, and finding connection after divorce Navigating consent, communication, and STI testing in new relationships The power of sex toys and vibrators for exploration and empowerment Online dating tips, sexting etiquette, and spotting red flags Cultivating body positivity, self‑love, and sexual confidence Karen is a certified sex educator and sex & dating coach passionate about helping women thrive after 50. She is the host of the podcast Taboo to Truth: Life & Sex After 50 and founder of the Hotter Wilder Wiser adult sex-ed masterclass. Connect with Eve: Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/ Podcast: Taboo to Truth: Life & Sex After 50 on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-to-truth-life-sex-after-50/id1769391023 Parlor Games Estrogen & Progesterone Topical Creams: https://www.parlor-games.com/shop/?AFFID=571343 Book a Coaching or Pelvic Health PT Session:https://calendly.com/pleasemebyevecreations/coaching-virtual-session Visit the Award-Nominated Website: https://pleaseme.online Join the Community on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/c/PleaseMePodcast Subscribe to the Weekly Turn Ons Newsletter:https://pleasemewitheve.substack.com/ Read Eve's Column in ASN Lifestyle Magazine: https://www.asnlifestylemagazine.com 15-Min Discovery Call with Eve    https://calendly.com/pleasemebyevecreations/discovery-call   Webby Awards Link: https://entries.webbyawards.com/#/enter/submit-work/ A 6.9 magnitude earthquake recently struck North Cebu, Philippines, causing widespread damage. The area is currently in a state of calamity and needs urgent support for food, shelter, and emergency aid.Donate via World Vision Philippines: https://www.worldvision.org.ph/donate/earthquake-emergency-appeal/ The Truth About Decreased Vaginal Sensitivity & DrynessListen on Spotify Orgasms: What You Should Know – Types, Tips, and PleasureListen on Spotify About Our Guest: Karen BigmanConnect with Eve & Explore More Support Earthquake Relief in the Philippines Mentioned Previous Episodes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Holly Newton on the She Lives Fearless podcast. In this New Season - Embracing the Unknown Episode 2, we gather around the kitchen table for "Cultivating Inner Peace." In this soulful episode, Holly shares a personal reflection on navigating self-pressure while settling into a new home, finding peace by turning to God's promises. Think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Luke 1. When the angel Gabriel tells her she'll bear the Son of God, she's faced with the unimaginable—disruption, uncertainty, and a future she can't control. Yet her response? “Let it be to me according to your word.” That surrender wasn't passive; it was powerful. It's the posture of the kingdom—surrendering our plans to God's perfect will. As believers, there's always deeper levels with Him, always more to let go of, so He can do His work in and through us according to His plans. But when things start going a different way than we hoped, or circumstances hit hard, we often fight to preserve our comfort. That's where Mary's example challenges us—she chose trust over control. We explore practical tools—silence, Scripture, and community—above all, prayer, to find peace in our hectic world, anchored by Matthew 11:28-30 and Isaiah 26:3. A listener question from last week's "Embracing the Unknown" sparks a deep dive into trusting God amid life's challenges. Tune in for your Fearless Faith Rhythm and join the conversation at shelivesfearless.com/contact or DM @shelivesfearless.

Graham Dennis, Dean of Students, and Adam Timmons, Director of Houses and secondary teacher at Veritas Academy, talk with Ty Fischer about the significance of relationships among students, and what parents can do to help their child foster relationships that honor God and honor each other. This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located at North Pointe Blvd in Lancaster,  leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.Key takeaways include the importance of shared experiences, commitment, mutual challenge, and bearing each other's burdens in relationships. The conversation delves into the struggles faced by students in forming and maintaining relationships, the role of parents, the impact of technology, and how to navigate romantic interests responsibly. The discussion highlights how Veritas encourages intentional, godly friendships and handles romantic relationships among students, and emphasizes a balance of guidance, grace, and community involvement in fostering healthy friendships and relationships.

Are your children good at noticing the world around them? Dr. Roger Smith shares a moment by a canal in Manchester to explain how you can train your kids to be observant detectives. Learn how to use everyday objects and environments—like a mysterious ring on a wall—to encourage curiosity, ask great questions, and piece together the story of their surroundings. Start with scavenger hunts and simple questions to give your children an important life skill: observation. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

Text Us, We Love Hearing From You:)This week, we're stepping into the season of the harvest, reflecting on what you've been growing over the past few months and how to celebrate your progress.Midlife is full of transitions, but it's also a time for gathering wisdom, consistency, and gratitude for everything you've been nurturing, body, mind, and business.Whether you've been following the 180-Day Challenge since June or you're tuning in for the first time, this is your invitation to pause and notice your growth. In this episode:How to recognize what's working in your wellness + money journeyWhy slowing down can be the most productive moveHow to prepare for your personal “harvest” seasonFestival updates + what's next for the challengeSMART Goal:Take 10 minutes this week to write down 3 things you're proud of cultivating since June,  one in your body, one in your mindset, and one in your daily habits.Mentioned in this episode:Visit the Resources Page at https://howtobefitover40.com/pages/resources Bands & Beats™ Loop Band Starter Kit – 5 premium bands + the exclusive 5-Minute Daily Band Flow PDF delivered via email after purchase → howtobefitover40.comUpcoming Bands & Beats LIVE! December Session ~ stay tuned for detailsConnect with Coach Keenie:Website: howtobefitover40.comPodcast: How to Be Fit Over 40: Midlife Conversations With HicunniNewsletter: Support the showMust Have HOLIDAY FUN FINDS & STOCKING STUFFERS Fit Over 40 Hoodie We can't promise it'll give you superpowers… but we can promise warmth, style, and cozy vibes for all your workouts, walks, or chill days at home. Meet your new favorite hoodie, our take on the classic cotton pullover designed for those who are fit, fab, and over 40. Welcome to the club! Shop: https://howtobefitover40.com The Body Love Mindset 365-Day Meditation Journal is the perfect next step. It provides space for a daily 5-minute meditation, as a “reset button” for clarity and calm. You can grab your copy at https://howtobefitover40.com/pages/resources How to Live In Time: 33 Lessons Learned is available now on ...

RESOURCES- Read my book: danettemay.com/embraceabundancebook- Join the 21 Day [Attract Your Soulmate] Challenge: danette21.com- Go to earthechofoods.com and use the code PODCAST at checkout to receive a 15% discount on your first order!- Get your glow on! Try Purality Health's Glutathione and grab the buy-one-get-one-free deal at masterantioxidant.com/danettemay CONNECT WITH DANETTEInstagram: @thedanettemayFacebook: Danette MayTikTok: @thedanettemayNEW TV Show on Youtube: @TheDanetteMayListen to The Danette May ShowGet The Rise book: therisebook.comWork with Danette: danettemay.comIn this episode of The Danette May Show, I continue my heartfelt and inspiring conversation with the incredible women of the Almost 30 podcast. If you haven't listened to part one yet, be sure to start there, we dive even deeper in this part! We talk about the sacred power of self-care, how to keep love and passion alive in long-term relationships, and the importance of setting non-negotiables that honor your body, your time, and your truth. You'll also hear me open up about my daily gratitude practice, my connection to nature, and how these simple yet powerful habits keep me aligned and grounded as a mom, wife, and business owner.We also explore my book Embrace Abundance and the deeper meaning of true wealth because abundance isn't just about money, it's about living with joy, love, and purpose. I share the story behind Earth Echo Foods and how cacao became a sacred part of my journey toward heart-centered living and conscious business. Whether you're looking to strengthen your relationship, attract more love, or connect with the natural flow of abundance in your life, this episode is full of inspiration, wisdom, and soulful practices to help you live fully aligned with your purpose.IN THIS EPISODE:(0:00) Welcome back to the Danette May Show and part two with the Almost 30 podcast(0:21) Non-negotiable self-care rituals that elevate your energy and mindset(2:12) Balancing business and marriage while keeping love alive(4:11) Intimacy and relationship rituals to deepen connection and passion(12:40) The 21-day attract your soulmate challenge for calling in aligned love(13:44) Healing money stories and unlocking your abundance flow(16:34) The power of positive thinking and staying in energetic alignment(17:37) How to shift belief and transform your mindset for success(19:48) Mentors and inspirations that guide the path to greatness(20:57) Inside my book Embrace Abundance and the true meaning of wealth(24:31) The journey and heart behind creating...

RESOURCES- Read my book: danettemay.com/embraceabundancebook- To learn more about how creatine works - and why it's such a game-changer for women...check out this short article at https://getnativecreatine.com/danette- I only use Colima Sea Salt in my kitchen - coarse, delicious, and completely free of microplastics. Try a free bag here: ajksalt.com/danetteCONNECT WITH DANETTEInstagram: @thedanettemayFacebook: Danette MayTikTok: @thedanettemayNEW TV Show on Youtube: @TheDanetteMayListen to The Danette May ShowGet The Rise book: therisebook.comWork with Danette: danettemay.comIn this powerful episode of The Danette May Show, I'm sharing a heartfelt conversation I had inside the Almost 30 Podcast studio, where we dove deep into what it truly means to embrace abundance in every area of life—money, love, purpose, and self-worth. I open up about my personal journey from being a single mom with only $47 to my name to creating multiple thriving businesses and living a life filled with alignment and joy. You'll hear how I began shifting my relationship with money, the lessons that came from reading Napoleon Hill, and the spiritual practices that helped me call in the right people, opportunities, and energy to build the life I live today.We also explore the art of cultivating conscious, loving relationships and how intentional communication and service can deepen connection with your partner. I share intimate details about the rituals my husband and I practice to keep our relationship strong and soul-centered. Whether you're ready to elevate your money mindset, attract abundance, or strengthen your relationships, this episode will inspire you to align your energy with your highest potential and truly claim the abundance that's waiting for you.IN THIS EPISODE:(0:00) The journey to self-acceptance(01:07) Embracing abundance and conscious relationships(2:54) Danette May's personal story and insights(3:54) The importance of service in relationships(8:39) Danette's book and cacao rituals(9:56) Living in nature and finding comfort in solitude(14:13) Overcoming rock bottom and finding purpose(18:55) Forces of good and spiritual beliefs(20:37) The power of asking and guidance(22:17) Rewriting personal stories(24:41) Nature and affirmations(26:34) Money mindset and abundance(31:25) Energetic rituals in business(32:53) Team practices and intentions(36:38) Balancing life and self-care

In a world that prizes seriousness and achievement, joy can feel optional — but it's essential. In this episode, we explore how joy differs from happiness, why it fuels resilience and creativity, and simple ways to cultivate it daily through gratitude, play, and presence. Learn how to live with purpose and delight, no matter the circumstance.You Got This, Ryan

In this episode of the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast, host LA Williams sits down with Brandon Anderson, Vice President at Dealer Synergy and Founder of Anderson Athletic Academy, to discuss the parallels between high-level sports and success in automotive sales!  “To me, the mindset has to be, how can I be better immediately, not six months from now.” – Brandon Anderson They delve into how principles such as discipline, consistency, and effective coaching transcend industries, offering insights into achieving greatness regardless of one's field. Brandon shares his experiences and the mindset required to excel, drawing comparisons between preparing athletes for the NFL and coaching salespeople to reach their full potential. “Preparation always meets opportunity, right? So when you're prepared, you're ready to cash in on the opportunity.” – Brandon Anderson The discussion emphasizes the importance of viewing sales as a professional sport, requiring the same dedication, preparation, and competitive spirit. Keywords like "high-level performance," "sales coaching," and "competitive mindset" underscore the techniques and strategies necessary to elevate sales effectiveness! Brandon illustrates how having discipline and an unwavering drive can turn ordinary efforts into extraordinary achievements, whether on the playing field or the sales floor. The episode concludes with advice for sales managers on transforming their teams through accountability and effective coaching, urging them to embrace a culture of continuous improvement.   Key Takeaways: ✅Discipline and Consistency: Brandon emphasizes the role of preparation and consistent effort in achieving success, whether in sports or sales. ✅Competitive Mindset: Embracing competition and striving for better results is crucial in any field. ✅Importance of Fundamentals: Mastering basics are essential before advancing to more sophisticated techniques in sales or sports. ✅Coaching and Accountability: The significance of having a strong coach to guide, motivate, and hold teams accountable is highlighted. ✅Continual Improvement: The episode promotes a culture of learning and adapting through regular review and analysis of performance.   About Brandon Anderson Brandon Anderson is an exceptional individual known for his multifaceted background in athletics and business coaching. As an All-American defensive back, Brandon has thrived in competitive sports, later transitioning into coaching, where he focused initially on training athletes for the NFL through his establishment, Anderson Athletic Academy. Today, he serves as a performance coach at Dealer Synergy, translating his deep insights from the athletic world into actionable coaching strategies for sales teams. Brandon is recognized for his unique ability to cultivate both individual and team potential, leveraging his expertise to spearhead transformation within the automotive sales industry!   Bridging the Gap Between Athletic Mindsets and Car Sales Success Key Takeaways Repetition and Consistency for Mastery: Just like athletes practice relentless repetition, sales professionals must adopt the same discipline for success. Mindset Overcomes Barriers: A competitive and resilient mindset can transcend different fields, motivating continuous improvement regardless of past performance. The Importance of the Hidden Grind: Private preparation—away from direct supervision—fuels public performance, driving success both in sports and sales.   Repetition: The Athlete's Secret to Sales Mastery Repetition and consistency underpin the journey to excellence in any field, be it athletics or car sales. Athletes dedicate countless hours to perfecting their craft through unwavering repetition, an approach directly applicable in other sectors. As Brandon Anderson emphasized, "Greatness is consistency… It's boring because you got to do the same thing over and over." The same principle applies to sales professionals, where mastery is achieved through consistent practice and process adherence. Understanding the necessity of repetition allows salespeople to bridge the gap between ordinary performance and extraordinary success. Anderson notes, "Practice doesn't make perfect because we always can be better, but it makes permanent." While this might seem mundane, enduring repetition integrates skills and processes into a salesperson's daily routine, driving efficiency and expertise. This disciplined approach fosters a deep understanding of sales tactics, ultimately leading to improved conversion rates and career advancement. Cultivating a Competitive Mindset Across Industries A central theme of the discussion was the transformative power of a competitive mindset in achieving success, regardless of the field. LA Williams highlighted, "If salespeople… looked at themselves as an athlete, what are some of the changes you think folks… would change for people?" The answer lies in adopting the athlete's tenacity and drive to excel beyond the status quo, as Anderson underscores with, "Do you want to be the best or you just want to be here?" This mindset shift involves a relentless pursuit of excellence and the willingness to push past current limits. Whether managing a challenging sales month or underperforming in a game, the key is bouncing back stronger and more determined. As Anderson states, "In winners, that doesn't exist because if you had a bad half, you're ready for the second half." A competitive outlook encourages continuous self-improvement and the resilience needed to tackle setbacks head-on, converting challenges into opportunities for growth. The Hidden Grind: Private Preparation Drives Public Performance Behind every public performance is a wealth of private dedication and unseen effort. Williams and Anderson highlight the importance of this "hidden grind"—the silent, tireless work away from the spotlight that truly fuels success. Anderson articulates, "The private grind is more important… that private grind, you're watching film, you're trying to see tendencies, you're trying to see what's going on." This preparation is essential for both athletes and salespeople, where those extra hours of work cultivate confidence and capability. Sales professionals who engage in this hidden grind—a combination of practice, strategy review, and personal growth—equip themselves to overcome challenges and excel under pressure. In the dealership context, this might involve reviewing sales calls to identify improvements, studying trends to refine pitches, or dedicating time to personal development. As Williams notes, "Rehearse in private so that you can perform in public," reinforcing how this critical preparation distinguishes high achievers from their peers. Viewing these insights together, it's evident that the synergy between an athlete's mindset and a sales professional's success creates a powerful blueprint for personal and professional growth. Emphasizing repetition, fostering a competitive mindset, and committing to private preparation offers sales professionals a holistic framework for achieving excellence. By harnessing these principles, individuals can transcend perceived limitations, achieving results that redefine their career trajectories and set new benchmarks for success. The journey to greatness—whether on the field or the sales floor—demands dedication, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of improvement.   Resources + Our Proud Sponsors: ➼ The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group: Join the #1 Mastermind Group in the Automotive Industry with over 29,000 members worldwide. Collaborate with automotive professionals, learn the best industry practices, and connect with top mentors, managers, and sales leaders. Join The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group today! ➼ Dealer Synergy: The automotive industry's #1 Sales Training, Consulting, and Accountability Firm. With over 20 years of proven success, Dealer Synergy has helped dealerships nationwide build high-performing Internet Departments and BDCs from the ground up. Our expertise includes phone scripts, rebuttals, CRM action plans, lead handling strategies, and management processes; all designed to maximize your people, processes, and technology! ➼ Bradley On Demand: The automotive industry's most powerful Interactive Training, Tracking, Testing, and Certification Platform. With LIVE virtual classes and access to a library of over 9,000 on-demand training modules, Bradley On Demand gives your dealership the tools to dominate every department—Sales, Internet, BDC, CRM, Phone, and Leadership. From sharpening individual skills to elevating entire teams, this platform ensures your people are trained, tested, and certified for maximum success. Equip your dealership to sell more cars, more often, and more profitably with Bradley On Demand!

Why do some schools have high levels of teacher turnover, but others don't? The new book, “When Teachers Stay: Cultivating Resilient Teaching Communities,” explores the question of what makes a resilient teaching community in which teachers want to stay and thrive, uncovering the cohesiveness, continuity, community, and deep sense of belonging for adults and kids.Michelle Hughes will be talking about and signing her new book at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany, New York on Sunday, October 26th at 3PM.

#122: On today's episode, Dr Jonathan Levine, prosthodontist, founder, and entrepreneur, jumps on the podcast to share his own personal story. How he got into dentistry, and the importance of dental hygiene. He also gets into the start of his practice, and his newest center Smile House Tribeca. Jonathan and Han get into:mindset practices for executing in businessteam sport mentality how the mouth impacts our physical & mental healththe simple ways we can create a health micro biome in our mouthhow to align and evolve with our purposethe importance of our communityhow to flex positivity cultivating a "can do" mindsetthe importance of giving back (starting the Glo Good Foundation)books to read if you're looking for self development and leadership inspirationmouth mapping at Smile House& MORECONNECT BELOW:follow Dr Jonathan ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow JBL New York herefollow Smile House Tribeca herefollow GloGood Foundation hereCONNECT with HAN:follow Han ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow HOW I SEE IT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shop the podcast merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠work with Han: howhanseesit@gmail.com

Author, educator and clinical psychologist, Joe Gallenberger, PhD talks about the keys to manifestation, healing, and cultivating abundance, otherwise known as “liquid luck.” Joe also talks about his work at the Monroe Institute, and the specific system he developed that trains people to affect matter with intention (also known as psychokinesis). In this episode, Joe and Traci discuss everything from how to heal grief, feel a greater sense of spiritual connection, and create a happier, healthier and “luckier” life overall.To learn more about Joe and his books, meditations, and workshops, visit: www.SyncCreation.comFor more on Traci Stein, visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/

What does it look like to build a family that reflects the heart of God? In this first episode of a new series on motherhood, discipleship, and discipline, Jessica Satterfield joins to share powerful insight on cultivating healthy hearts, breaking generational patterns, and inviting Jesus into every part of family life. Through biblical truth and personal experience, Jessica reminds us that true transformation begins in the heart and that daily dependence on Him leads to a legacy of faith and fruitfulness. Visit Our Website for Show Notes: ACupFullofHopePodcast.com Follow A Cup Full of Hope on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook Follow Caroline on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook

Orphaned by the age of eight, Hanan Merabi learned early on what it meant to mother herself. Today, she's a nurse leader, author, and founder of Earth's Angels—and she's on a mission to help others build the kind of self-belief that carried her through every hardship.In this powerful conversation, Hanan shares how she turned pain into purpose and why self-belief became the most essential tool in her personal “toolbox.”We talk about what it really looks like to believe in yourself when no one else does, how to re-parent yourself in adulthood, and the small practices that help you build self-trust and confidence from the inside out.Hanan is a mother, nurse leader, certified nurse case manager, author, and founder of Earth's Angels non profit organization. Born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, and orphaned at a very young age, Hanan always knew that she wanted to help others that were in such desperate need in Ghana. At age 15, she moved to the Unites States and became a U.S citizen, still knowing that she would somehow go back to Ghana and give back to those who need it most. In 2012, she founded Earth's Angels with the dream that she could make a difference in the lives of mothers and babies all over the world. Hanan is called on to share her story around the country, as an inspirational speaker. She has been asked to speak at nursing events, including nursing school presentations, charitable functions, and many other speaking engagements.People face conflicts, obstacles, and misfortunes everyday and this slowly erodes the belief they have in themselves over time. I was orphaned young in Ghana, West Africa, due to the lack of basic healthcare, and have mothered myself most of my life. After 30 years of practicing the art of self belief, i discovered that belief in oneself is the most crucial tool we hold. Making sure that each lesson you learn becomes a learning opportunity to add each one of this lessons to your toolbox, thereby strengthening the belief you have in yourself. My story is a relatable one and is a true narrative of grit and fortitude. Sharing how I overcame all of the odds against me, motivates and catapults the audience to feel they too are in charge of their own destiny and can accomplish all of their dreams, if they too self believe. earthsangels.orgwww.Thelegacyisme.comCheck out Esther's website for more about her speaking, coaching, book, and more: http://estheravant.com/Buy Esther's Book: To Your Health: https://a.co/d/iDG68qUEsther's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.avantEsther's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estheravant/Learn more about 1:1 health & weight loss coaching: https://madebymecoaching.com/coaching

In this episode of More Yourself, we're diving into one of the most powerful (and sometimes uncomfortable) tools in the ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit, developing self-trust.We'll explore how so many of us late-diagnosed ADHD women have been conditioned to doubt ourselves, to mask, and to override our inner knowing. But what happens when we start listening to our bodies, following our curiosity, and letting go of the need to get it all “right”?This conversation is about experimenting without pressure, embracing the lessons in things not going to plan, and gently tuning in to your own guidance. It's about creating a life that works for you, not what the world expects.So here's your invitation: What would it feel like to trust yourself... even just a little more?My new book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit, is now available, grab your copy here!What I discuss:Thriving with ADHD by embracing your ADHD, not performing or masking.Leaning into self-trust (despite fear) to build clarity, confidence, and resilience.The role of playful trial-and-error to learn without the pressure to be perfect.Using failures to learn, grow and discover new information.Using somatic tools and breathwork to regulate and reconnect.What setting unapologetic boundaries looks like.Taking small steps and recognising how your body responds. Timestamps:01:19 – Embracing Authenticity03:37 – Book Excerpt (Chapter 7, pg. 131 – Self-Trust)06:50 – Flexing the Self-Trust Muscle08:04 – Leaning into Discomfort and Unmasking09:26 – Cultivating a Growth Mindset09:56 – Exploring Post-Traumatic Growth13:34 – Trusting Yourself and Inner GuidanceJoin the More Yourself Community - the doors are now open!More Yourself is a compassionate space for late-diagnosed ADHD women to connect, reflect, and come home to who they really are. Sign up here!Inside the More Yourself Membership, you'll be able to:Connect with like-minded women who understand you Learn from guest experts and practical toolsReceive compassionate prompts & gentle remindersEnjoy voice-note encouragement from KateJoin flexible meet-ups and mentoring sessionsAccess on-demand workshops and quarterly guest expert sessionsTo join for £26 a month, click here. To join for £286 for a year (a whole month free!), click here.We'll also be walking through The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit together, exploring

Part 7: Cultivating a Heart That Says Yes to Jesus

Adam and Dave are broadcasting from the heart of Assisi, Italy—knee-deep in pilgrimage vibes with St. Francis, St. Clare, and the whole crew. They break down the "establish" pillar of fatherhood (you know, the third leg of protect-provide-establish) and get talk about turning your home into fertile soil where your family's faith thrives. Recorded right after a providential run-in with a fan who spotted Adam's voice in the wild—shoutout to Kel from Illinois!Key Highlights:Pilgrimage Gold: Fresh off praying at St. Francis' tomb and St. Clare's incorrupt body. Plus, stories of Francis dodging death in the Holy Land because even the Saracens couldn't handle his holiness. Spiritual overload = total win.The Father's Job: Establish a Culture: Forget the 30-something basement-dwellers—it's time to till that family soil like a pro vintner. They riff on winery chats: Every plot's different, climates change, so adapt your strategy. Build traditions around high feasts (Christmas Nativity read-aloud before gifts? Yes!), guard your wife's prayer time, and echo that husband-wife holiness down to the kids.Resilience Like the Saints: One bad call ruins your day? No. Channel St. Clare ("No suffering bothers me!") and blind-but-joyful St. Francis. Practice gratitude, God's-will-be-done prayers, and bounce back fast—'cause your mood sets the home tone.Focus or Bust: Saints win by laser-focus on holiness. Ditch the noise (X, YouTube, endless projects). Adam's hack: Stopwatch your day. Shocking how 25 minutes of "deep work" gets hijacked by texts. Apply it home—clock real presence with kids over fence-painting busywork.Adam's Four Pillars to Cultivate Christian Life:Silence – God's language. Train kids to quiet appetites at home so they can apply it at Holy Mass.Reverence – Rebel against irreverence. Yes sir/ma'am, genuflect at churches, dress sharp for Mass—builds love for the Eucharist.Hard Work – Outpace 90% by pushing past "I can't." Sports, chess, prayer, fasting—saints weren't smarter, just tougher.Charity – The supernatural crescendo. Serve without quid pro quo (Catechism 2223). Punch in pure love, St. Nick-style.Grandpa Power: You're the tradition custodian! Give "state of the union" fireplaceside talks like Adam's grandpa—wisdom from the trenches and the hilltop.Soul-Crafting Close: Italian churches are stunning, but one holy soul outshines 'em all. You're the craftsman for your wife's and kids' souls—steward God's talents like your life depends on it (spoiler: it does).Action Steps for Catholic Dads:Tonight: List 3 family traditions to start (feast-focused first).Tomorrow: Stopwatch 1 hour of undistracted kid-time. No phone.This Week: Guard your wife's prayer slot—strictly.Pray: "Lord, till my home soil for saints."

Ever felt scared to put yourself out there or wondered, “Who am I to be visible?” This episode is for you.Recorded live at the Powerhouse Women event, this panel conversation dives deep into the emotional side of building a personal brand. Joined by Krista Williams (Almost 30) and Lori Harder (Earn Your Happy), we talk about showing up online—even when you're tired, scared, or doubting yourself.You'll hear how to reveal the next version of yourself, navigate judgment (especially your own), and create content from overflow—not obligation. We also share practical tips for batching content during high-energy moments and honoring the seasons when you need rest.If you've been holding back or waiting until you “feel” ready… let this conversation be the push you didn't know you needed.Click play to hear all of this and:[01:12] Why this panel offers a unique perspective on personal branding and online visibility[02:02] What it means to reveal the next version of yourself—even when it's messy and uncertain[05:35] Showing up consistently online during seasons of self-doubt and burnout[07:12] Navigating burnout after a big launch and staying aligned with a larger mission[08:27] A practical strategy for batching content during high-energy creative moments[10:40] Letting go of judgment and embracing unapologetic authenticity[14:10] Cultivating the audacity to be seen and confidently ask for what you wantListen to Related Episodes:How to Create a Community That Sells For You with Lindsey Schwartz

Meditating on the Bible is the primary road God provides for our pursuit of holiness, spiritual growth, and assurance of faith. Today, Joel Beeke looks at four spiritual disciplines that help us cultivate our assurance. Request Assurance of Faith, Joel Beeke's video teaching series, with your donation of any amount. We'll send you the DVD and give you lifetime digital access to the series and study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4339/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global    Meet Today's Teacher:   Joel Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor at Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In this episode you discover that you've been carrying around the keys to a garden that's been cultivating itself in the depths of your consciousness, waiting for this exact moment when you'd be ready to claim what's already yours. You might not realize yet how this garden has been waiting for you, growing in the quantum field of your awareness, but as you read these words, something ancient and wise within you is beginning to remember. Because the truth is, you didn't find this activation by accident. This activation found you. And right now, in this very instant, the soil of your subconscious mind is already preparing itself for the most magnificent cultivation you've ever experienced. Let me take you into your mind garden to plant the seeds for your prosperity, health and expansion. Just pull the weeds and allow your garden to flourish. This activation unlocks a unique way of nurturing powerful potentials in your field that transform your mind and help you to manifest a magnificent life. 

In this episode, K+L get real about navigating life transitions from their twenties into their thirties. They cover career shifts, evolving perspectives on love and sex, changing friendships, and wellness routines—sharing hard-earned lessons so you can skip some of the trial and error. Next, K+L break down practical strategies for personal growth, from setting boundaries and healing your inner child to creating daily rituals that actually stick. They also explore mindset shifts for self-confidence and how to protect your energy in today's social media-driven world. Plus, hear their take on handling friendship breakups, spotting signs from the universe, deciding when to deepen a connection, and attracting romantic relationships that support your growth. Packed with actionable advice and real-life tools, this episode gives you what you need to thrive in your late twenties and beyond. We also talk about: Gracefully outgrowing environments that no longer serve you   Rituals that make morning routines feel exciting again   Embracing vulnerability as a superpower   How to overcome comparison traps   Building trust in your own intuition   Unexpected benefits of saying “no”   Red flags we ignored (and what we'd do differently!)   Cultivating gratitude—even on the tough days   Our favorite ways to spark creativity + inspiration   Resources: Instagram: @lindseysimcik Instagram: @itskrista Website: https://itskrista.com/ Order our book, Almost 30: A Definitive Guide To A Life You Love For The Next Decade and Beyond, here: https://bit.ly/Almost30Book.  Sponsors: LMNT | Go to https://DrinkLMNT.com/ALMOST30 and get a free sample pack with any order. That's 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order.  Puori | Visit https://Puori.com/ALMOST30 and use our promo code ALMOST30 for 20% off.  Ritual | Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/ALMOST30. SKIMS | Shop my favorite bras and underwear at https://SKIMS.com/almost30.  Hero Bread | Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://hero.co and use code ALMOST30 at checkout. BEAM | Visit https://shopbeam.com/ALMOST30 and use code ALMOST30 to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. Chime | Open your account in 2 minutes at https://chime.com/almost30. Revolve | Shop at https://REVOLVE.com/ALMOST30 and use code ALMOST30 for 15% off your first order. #REVOLVEpartner To advertise on this podcast please email: partnerships@almost30.com. Learn More: https://almost30.com/about https://almost30.com/morningmicrodose https://almost30.com/book Join our community: https://facebook.com/Almost30podcast/groups https://instagram.com/almost30podcast https://tiktok.com/@almost30podcast https://youtube.com/Almost30Podcast Podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting: almost30.com/disclaimer.  Almost 30 is edited by Garett Symes and Isabella Vaccaro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices