Podcasts about Delight

God delights in doing us good. HE loves to take care of His children.

God delights in doing us good. HE loves to take care of His children.

Thanks for listening! Magic Matt opens the show, followed by the legendary DJ/producer Richard Vission. Hour 2 kicks off with DJ Delight making his GHR debut, and we close it out with Riddler. Enjoy the show and let us know what you think. Drop a comment. IG: @ghettohouseradio X: @ghettohouse 

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A recent debate sparked across hip hop after Lil Yachty made comments about not connecting with the origins of hip hop. His remarks ignited a major conversation across the culture: Do modern artists have to respect or even like the music that started it all?In this episode of the Ern & Iso Podcast, we dive deep into the roots of hip hop and the tension between generations. From the early pioneers like The Sugarhill Gang and their historic record Rapper's Delight, to the modern era where streaming, viral moments, and new sounds dominate the industry.Was Lil Yachty disrespectful to the culture?Or was he simply being honest about how younger artists view the past?We break down:• The origins of hip hop and why they matter• Why younger artists may feel disconnected from the early sound• Whether the culture should evolve without being tied to its roots• If the pioneers of hip hop are being forgotten in today's industryThis conversation goes beyond one artist — it's about the future of the culture and whether hip hop is losing connection with the foundation that built it.Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the debate.#hiphopdebate #lilyachty #rapculture #hiphopdiscussion #hiphophistory #rapdebate #musicculture #ernandiso #fyp #ernandiso4president

Chandler Dean! Comedian! Speechwriter! Friend! Delight! More! We have a fun chat! You have a fun listen! From Chandler's website: Chandler Dean is a comedian and speechwriter who created, hosts, and executive produces the comedy debate show Abolish Everything! on Nebula—taped in front of a live audience every month at Caveat. (Watch the new season here!) He also leads the humor practice at West Wing Writers and hosts the recurring satire and humor reading series Some Fun Lines.  His work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vulture, McSweeney's, Reductress, and Hard Drive. He is the author of the speechwriting advice column How to Write Every Speech You'll Ever Need to Give in Your Life, and in 2022, he wrote two of the top ten most-read McSweeney's articles of the year. He was previously a Monologue Writer for Lovett or Leave It, a performer on UCB's Harold Night with the team FKA Deb, and has also worked for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.  AND THAT'S NOT ALL! This is only the first HALF of our conversation. For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR simply click on over here to Patreon!

Send a text→ Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechurchuk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechurchfolkestoneYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifechurchuk1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertmaasbach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertmaasbach/→ Give It's the generosity of many that enable Life Church to fulfil all that God has called us to do https://www.lifechurchuk.org/give/→ New to Life Church?If you're new we would love to get in touch and connect with youhttps://lifechurchuk.org/new-to-life-church/

A GAUCHE DE LA LUNE... Quel joli nom, poétique et ouvert. Dont on vous révèle la genèse dans les premières minutes de cet épisode. Pour le reste, rien ne prédestinait ces deux là à diriger ensemble une structure... Et pourtant, cela fait plus de vingt ans qu'ils accompagnent des artistes ! Peut être qu'au fond, tout les rapprochait sans qu'ils ne le sachent encore !Leur histoire commence bien avant les grandes scènes. Avec l'intuition, les premières tournées, les découvertes faites parfois en Angleterre, là où le repérage se joue dans des salles minuscules. Très vite, une ligne se dessine : développer, accompagner, construire dans la durée.En 2004, la Fête de l'Humanité marque un cap. Un univers militant, une organisation hors normes. Il faut désapprendre, lâcher prise, faire confiance sans tout maîtriser. Une autre manière de faire, une autre échelle.Puis il y a le déclic, avec un certain groupe. Les opportunités qui s'enchaînent et la machine qui avance.Grandir avec les artistes devient une méthode. Des centaines de dates partagées, comme avec Le Peuple de l'Herbe. Des paris forts aussi : défendre le rap à une époque où il n'était pas encore installé partout, l'amener dans les SMAC en région, ouvrir des portes.Dans cet épisode, Anne-Sophie et Florent reviennent sur ces choix, ces risques et ces convictions qui les guident depuis le début : liberté artistique, fidélité aux artistes, indépendance. Une conversation sincère sur le temps long et sur ce que signifie vraiment accompagner.

Daniel Mingo shares his transformative journey from a troubled childhood marked by sexual abuse and confusion about his identity to finding healing and purpose through faith. As he candidly discusses the challenges of overcoming same-sex attraction and addiction, Daniel reveals the pivotal role of honest communication, spiritual discipline, and community support in his recovery. His story challenges the "born gay" narrative, offering a powerful testament to the possibility of change and redemption. His interview is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of identity, faith, and personal transformation. Daniel became a born-again Christian at age 17, yet for nearly 30 years secretly involved himself in homosexual activity through anonymous encounters. He is now the Founder and Ministry Director of Abba's Delight, Inc. based in Louisville, KY. Abba's Delight is a Christian ministry which assists born-again believers and families and friends of those who are gay-identified, resolve the conflict of the effects of homosexuality on their lives. Pastors and church staff receive assistance as well in ministering to those in their congregations whose lives have been impacted by homosexuality.

The gang is back and kicks things off with WHAT'S BUZZIN in these streets - BBC was under fire after a racial slur was shouted at the BAFTA Awards by a guest with Tourette syndrome (3:51) and the ongoing feud between T.I. and 50 Cent (10:56). Next, the LUNCH BREAK - reimagining the concept of needing to put in 10,000 hours of work to master a craft (23:18) and debating airport outfit etiquette (39:52) - and CHAT - Spotify's campaign for new leaders in Hip-Hop (52:58), criticism surrounding Pitchfork's album reviews (1:16:40), and Lil Yachty's comments about Sugarhill Gang's “Rapper's Delight” (1:24:32). This week's BOARD MEETING (1:29:47) is a responsible revisit of Cardi B's first full-length mixtape ‘Gangsta B**ch Music Vol. 1' and a discussion on how the project shaped her ascension to Hip-Hop icon status. Stay Busy with Armon Sadler⁠ https://www.instagram.com/staybusypod/⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/staybusypod⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@staybusypod⁠ Armon⁠ https://www.instagram.com/armonsadler/⁠⁠ https://x.com/armonsadler Will Foster https://www.instagram.com/wxllxxm/ https://x.com/WxLLxxM Miss2Bees https://www.instagram.com/miss2bees/ https://x.com/miss2bees Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Mercury Retrograde Re-Release) In true Mercury retrograde fashion, this week's recording disappeared — so we're bringing back a favorite conversation from a year ago about wonder, awe, and grounded spirituality. If you're an empath feeling overwhelmed by collective energy, navigating spiritual awakening, or trying to stay grounded in uncertain times, this episode is for you. Sarah and Jane explore how wonder and awe regulate the nervous system, counter fear, and help us evolve consciously — without spiritually bypassing our very human experience. (fyi the announcements edited into the middle are from Spring 2026!!) They also dive into conversations around the New Earth, 5D consciousness, awakening, and what it really means to evolve spiritually… without spiritually bypassing our very human experience. We are being called, in this specific moment (and that one too!*), to show up as our authentic selves. To ground into our humanity while embracing our higher selves. To celebrate differences in community. When we do that, we expand into limitless possibility. How's that for medicine? Takeaways Wonder and awe counteract fear and anxiety. Grounded humanity is essential during spiritual evolution. Conflict can catalyze growth and new perspectives. Delight in the present moment supports well-being. Trusting intuition helps us navigate uncertainty. Presence is a powerful healing force. Every person's journey and wiring is unique. Telepathy may represent a future form of truth-based communication (yes, including with pets). Mediumship creates love and connection beyond the physical. Nature restores and regulates the nervous system. Community matters — especially now. Sound Bites “Finding delight in your own life is key.” “We have to use our bodies as barometers.” Stay Connected If this conversation resonates, here's how to go deeper: Hank Wesselman Book: SpiritWalker Medium Curious Website: https://www.mediumcurious.com Jane's Website: https://www.janemorganmedium.com Sarah's Website: https://www.sarahrathke.com Jane's new cohort 'Source Studio'; https://www.janemorganmedium.com/higher-calling Instagram: @mediumcuriouspod https://mediumcuriouspod.substack.com/ And if you love what we're building here, please follow, rate, review, and share the podcast. It helps us make mediumship more accessible, fun and ya know - normal! xo

In this episode of Product Momentum, we're joined by Bansi Mehta, founder and CEO of Koru UX Design, an enterprise healthcare UX agency supporting some of the US’s largest healthcare technology companies. We discussed the busy intersection of artificial intelligence, product management, and UX Design. Bansi's Sense – Shape – Steer framework helps guide UX design teams as they integrate AI into their products – and avoid the trap of AI's drive toward mediocrity that limits individual creativity and expertise. Here's what we learned: Avoiding the Trap: AI Solutions' Race to Mediocrity AI's ability to rapidly generate hi-fi prototypes and voluminous content brings great benefit, but also significant risk. The risk manifests in mediocrity – i.e., solutions that drive to the mean. This sense of “good enough” stifles designer creativity and diminishes the quality – the Delight – of the final product. “The speed of AI makes it easier than ever to churn screens,” Bansi says. “But it's designed to deliver to that average mean that allows us to say, ‘that works, that makes sense.' And that's really the trap….these days, there's less patience in the industry for discovery and research.” Introducing the Sense – Shape – Steer Framework To combat this new reality, Bansi developed the Sense – Shape – Steer framework to help teams navigate the complexity of building AI-powered products. Sense. Understanding the Problem/Opportunity.“Sense is where you're really creating that sense of what is worth solving,” Bansi explains. “It's the intersection of what the user needs, what insights we have in terms of their challenges, and the opportunities that are present. But we mustn’t stop there. We then look to see what AI can do for us. And where we see the intersection, that’s the sweet spot.” Shape. Designing the AI-Enhanced User Experience.We emerge from the Sense step with rich insights into our user's desired experience, Bansi continues. “And as we approach Shape, we do so with an emphasis on the kind of UX challenge that we are trying to solve – from the user’s perspective. Using a storyboard, we proceed frame by frame to define the user's journey, the problem that we are trying to accomplish.” Steer. Implementing, Evaluating, and Iterating.The Steer step comes once you have built something and you launched, Bansi says. “This is where we define and clearly articulate our AI eval criteria that we've said are critical for product success,” Bansi adds. “I've seen products make it or break it depending on whether they got their AI evals right. It’s one thing to hypothesize that your solution will work. But it’s a completely different thing when you actually try to build sophisticated agentic AI layers where there’s multiple configurations and prompts.”   Broader Insights, Future Outlook The conversation underscores the notion that while AI accelerates development and content generation, it also requires subject matter experts in UX and Product to demonstrate greater vigilance than ever to maintain quality and relevance. The Sense – Shape – Steer framework calls on product teams to think first about user needs before considering whether and how to integrate AI. Our episode with Bansi Mehta feels like the capstone conversation to recent episodes with Nesrine Changuel, Teresa Torres, and Oji Udezue, where we examined bringing Delight to the user experience, re-engaging Discovery in the development process, and adjusting to the Speed of today's AI-driven development. The post 182 / How ‘Sense Shape Steer' Helps UXers Design AI Solutions, with Bansi Mehta appeared first on ITX Corp..

This week, we're featuring the first lesson in Dudley's teaching series, “Hebrews: From Shadows To Substance”. In this lesson, Dudley shows us how what    God spoke in many ways through the prophets now finds its fullness in Jesus. From Noah to Abraham, from Moses and the Exodus to the temple, every story points to Christ.Drawing from the Gospel of John, Dudley reminds us that God's ultimate purpose is not mere survival or religious performance, but a life of true Joy and lasting Delight in His Son. The law, sacrifices, and sacred places were never the destination—they were signposts leading us to a living relationship with Jesus.Get Dudley's Weekly Word delivered right to your inbox every Friday! Click here to get access ➡️ https://dudleysweeklyword.com/opt-inFor more information and resources, visit https://kerygmaventures.com/podcast/ Follow and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41N9SAP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEIxeo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerygmaventures Watch our "Conversations At The Ranch" series: https://bit.ly/conversations-at-the-ranch Watch our “Dudley's Monthly Message” series: https://bit.ly/dudleys-monthly-message 

On Tuesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you news from the women's game, the League of Ireland and the Premier League.Ireland kick off their 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign as Carla Ward's side host France at Tallaght Stadium.Team news and selection dilemmas, with Katie McCabe and Denise O'Sullivan among the experienced names expected to feature.Controversy surrounds Jasmine Mander's coaching appointment following her previous FIFA ban.Live commentary details as Stephen Doyle and Olivia O'Toole bring you full coverage on Off The Ball.Reaction from Richmond Park as Kian Leavy's late strike seals a 1-0 win for St. Patrick's Athletic over Galway United.Premier League build-up as Wolves host Liverpool in a huge clash at Molineux.Brentford eye European qualification while Bournemouth search for answers.Relegation battle latest as Burnley travel to Everton with survival hopes hanging in the balance.Leeds and Brighton updates, including Danny Welbeck's contract extension.Championship check-in as Middlesbrough strengthen their promotion push.Injury concern for Kylian Mbappé as Real Madrid await further updates ahead of a crucial run-in.Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Join us for "Embracing Delight" A discussion of Genesis 2:1-3 with Dr. Matt Homeyer from the sermon series Sabbath Time. This episode aired on March 1st, 2026.

Evening Bible teaching by Evan on the 1st March 2026.

In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on "The Way of Trust and Love" and focus on Chapter 1: A Completely New Way. We reflect on the "little way" of St. Thérèse, the invitation to become spiritual children before the Father, and how weakness becomes the very place where Christ comes to meet us. We also talk about the difference between being childish and childlike, why true maturity in faith begins with admitting our own poverty, and how small acts of courage open the door to deep healing. This week, we invite you to name the desires stirring in your heart and let the Holy Spirit awaken a new song within you.   Heather's One Thing - Franciscan's Campus-wide "Behold" Retreat Sister Miriam's One Thing - Healing Wounds by Bishop Erik Varden  Michelle's One Thing - The O' Grady's Beach House  Michelle's Other One Thing - Emily Lex Watercolor Workbooks    Journal Questions: How often do I accept the letter of God's adoption of me, and not the spirit of God's adoption? Where in my life do I need Mother Mary to smile upon me? How have I turned to self-reliance this Lent? Where is God inviting me to become more adult and free? What is the new song the Lord wants to put in my heart?   Discussion Questions: When do you notice orphanhood in your heart? What are you learning from St. Therese this Lent? When have you experienced the healing delight of a mother? Is it difficult for you to name your desires? What is one desire God has placed on your heart this Lent? What is the "yes" God is asking you to make today?   Quotes to Ponder: "You know, Mother, that I have always desired to be a saint, but alas, I have always realized, when I compared myself to the saints, that there is between them and me the same difference as exists between a mountain whose summit is lost in the skies, and the obscure grain of sand trodden underfoot by passers-by. Instead of getting discouraged, I said to myself: "God could not" "inspire us with desires that were unrealizable, so despite my littleness I can aspire to holiness. It is impossible for me to grow up, I must put up with myself as I am, with all my imperfections; but I want to find how to get to Heaven by a little way that is quite straight, quite short: a completely new little way." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)   "Each of us has an absolute need for an inner transformation that makes us "as little as a child." What that means and how to put it into practice are exactly what Thérèse teaches in a simple, luminous way. That is why she was proclaimed a Doctor—that is, a teacher—of the Church." (Father Jacques Philippe, The Way of Trust and Love, Page 6)   "The heart of Christian life is to receive and welcome God's tenderness and goodness, the revelation of his merciful love, and to let oneself be transformed interiorly by that love." (Father Jacques Philippe, The Way of Trust and Love, Page 7)   Scripture for Lectio: "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)   Sponsor - Healed and Restored: Healed and Restored is a non-profit organization located in the Charlotte, NC area that was created in 2020 to fill a void and respond to a need that has been long overlooked in our society. A program that is 100% dedicated to helping women heal in the aftermath of abuse, assault, and other traumatic experiences. According to the United Nations, one in three girls and women around the world has been subjected to sexual and/or physical abuse at least once in their lives. Studies show that women who have been through abuse (of all types) have higher levels of fear, are more isolated, and face greater mental health problems. In the aftermath of any of these traumatic events, women will sometimes resort to hurting themselves through cutting, eating disorders, and addictions. Without proper care and healing, these dark cycles can persist for years. We help women and girls realize that God desires to heal every single one of His beloved children. We teach them that the enemy is a master manipulator. As soon as a person gets hurt, the devil begins to plant all kinds of lies in our hurting souls. Some of these lies are: God doesn't love you, everything that happened is your fault, you should be forever ashamed, and you will never find healing and peace. The Mission The Healed and Restored mission is to help women and girls who are survivors of abuse, assault, domestic violence, trafficking, and all other forms of trauma find healing and restoration. Grounded in Catholic teachings and through a combination of counseling, life coaching, intimate workshops, practical tools, spiritual mentoring, and community support we help women and girls transform pain into purpose— empowering them to not only survive, but thrive. Since 2020, Healed and Restored has helped over 500 women and girls on their journey to process their unhealed wounds. Never could we have predicted how much God would bless our mission in such a short period of time. All of this has us convinced that there are times when God uses our deepest pain to propel us on the path to our greatest calling! If you or someone you know could use the assistance of our trained and compassionate Catholic Therapists/Counselors and money is an issue, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by emailing info@healedandrestored.org for more information and guidance. Or if you feel called to be part of this mission by volunteering your time, we would love to hear from you. Together and guided by the Holy Spirit, we can make a difference in the life of those around us who are suffering.   Timestamps:  00:00 Healed and Restored 01:31 Intro 02:17 Welcome 04:26 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder 05:35 Trusting in Our Creator 09:49 The Path of Spiritual Childhood 12:53 Healed by Delight 16:27 What is the "Little Way"? 19:36 Childlike vs Childish 24:05 The Role of Holy Scripture 30:10 One Things

Send Us Your Prayer Requests --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop, joins the pod to reminisce about when hip hop moved from park jams to mainstream America in the 1980s. From "Rapper's Delight" to Run-DMC's crossover moment to Rakim changing the flow entirely and Public Enemy making it political, Jeff breaks down the turning points. We revisit the so-called golden era debate, why the 80s deserve more respect, and our nomintations for the best rappers of this time.  For more content like this, subscribe to Small Talk  Wanna go to Gen X Con? Sign up 

Hear from Rob Edwards and Rodrigo Gomes as well as club legends Lee Naylor and Andy Thompson after Wolves picked up all three points in the Premier League against Aston Villa on Friday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back To Eden: Week 6 - Delight Part 2 / Pastor Jeff Bowman by Hope City Church

Ep 146 On this episode of The Stem Society, Cole Jackson breaks down the escalating T.I. vs 50 Cent back-and-forth and asks the real question — who actually needs this more?With T.I. dropping multiple diss tracks and rapping with clear urgency while 50 stays silent on the mic, the energy feels uneven. Is this strategic patience from 50, or does this moment simply mean more for T.I.'s legacy?Cole also reacts to Lil Yachty calling “Rapper's Delight” weak and dives into the generational tension around respecting hip-hop's foundation.This episode is about hunger, relevance, and who still has something to prove.Timestamps(1:01) TI vs 50 so far(5:41) 50 don't play by the rules(7:02) TI and Family jump 50(10:28) Is this working?(14:21) Never bet against 50(16:48) Yachty's interesting take on old school rap(18:23) He's not wrong(21:51) Yachty should never freestyle (25:12) Outro

Talia Clay! Comedian! Friend! Delight! More! Talia is a stand-up comedian in Chicago who "has been described as a clean toilet." She co-produces two shows. One is Spilling T, an all trans variety show and Standup Strip Down, a show where comics do burlesque then tell jokes in their undies. Both the shows are monthly!  So, check those shows out if you're in Chicago! And check out this conversation between me and Talia if you're anywhere! We have a great chat! You have a great listen! Enjoy! PS This is only the first HALF of our chat. For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or simply click on over here to Patreon!

We all face pain and hardships in life, but the good news is with Jesus, our joy can be restored. Asheritah Ciuciu shares her personal journey to finding joy after walking through tragic circumstances. She invites you to rediscover joy in your life as you lean into how God delights in you. Receive the book Delighting in Jesus and a free audio download of the broadcast "Learning to Delight in the Presence of Jesus" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive. Get More Episode Resources If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Hey y'all ! Welcome to another Friday with CWCOI ! In this week's episode, our host, Ally Yost talks about grace within the church. In most cases, it is relatively easy for us to extend grace to those around us who are in the world and it's not always as easy to extend that same grace to those who are are in the body of Christ. We all recieve grace from God and when we understand and recieve that, we are then able to equally extend that same grace to others. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 _____________________________________________ ☆ If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help ➤ Book a free 15 minute call to get started ➤ https://learn.nocd.com/CWCOI ☆ College Women, to start a Delight chapter on your campus or to learn more information visit ➤  www.delightministries.com/startadelight ☆ For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to ➤ 3DayBlinds.com/COFFEE ☆ Go to ➤ cozyearth.com/COFFEE for up to 20% off! ☆ Go to ➤ brooklynbedding.com and use code COFFEE at checkout for 30% off sitewide ☆ REP CWCOI MERCH ➤ https://allyyost.com  ☆ MY BIBLE (code 'ALLYYOST' at checkout) ➤ https://hosannarevival.com/collections/beautiful-bibles/products/nlt-notetaking-bible-versailles-theme  ☆ TUMBLER LINK ➤ https://allyyost.com/products/travel-tumbler _____________________________________________ Connect further with us ! TikTok ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@christwithcoffeeonice  Instagram ➤ https://instagram.com/christwithcoffeeonice  _____________________________________________ Connect further with Ally ! TikTok (2M) ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@ally_yost  Instagram ➤ https://www.instagram.com/ally_yost/  ShopMy ➤ https://shopmy.us/allyyost  Pinterest ➤ https://www.pinterest.com/ally_yost1/_created/

God the Father calls His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ His delight, and we, as His people should say “he is my delight.”

Every time you read your Bible “you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place.” (2 Peter 1:19)Learn more about the ministry of The Purity Coach at  http://www.thepuritycoach.comSHARE HOW GOD IS USING THIS PODCAST!Support the show

SHOW NOTES: Alysa Liu won the woman's gold medal for figure skating a couple of days ago, our first in 24 years! Watching her and listening to her prior, during, and after her final performance (she was in third place at the time), she exhibited a carefree and total joy in her skating. It wasn't about competition or medals, it was about sheer delight. Scottie Shuffler is about sheer delight on the golf course (Tiger Woods was strictly about competition), Sinatra singing on stage, Helen Mirren acting, Zig Ziegler teaching sales skills, Phil Donahue hosting a talk show, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner creating comedy. It's not about 10,000 hours, though some people may choose to invest those five years. It's about being unafraid of failing, using your own metrics for success, and refusing to bow to the external pressures of the moment. I have shelves of awards in the house. I didn't pursue any of them. I've pursued my passion, which is helping others succeed and prosper. Most rewards occur not when you're thinking about them, but when you're not thinking about them.

Today's Promise: Psalm 1:2-3 What if one simple habit could anchor your life with strength, stability, and purpose? In today's episode, we explore the powerful promise of Psalm 1:2–3 and what it means to become a "firmly planted tree."   When you delight in God's Word and meditate on it daily, your roots grow deep, giving you the ability to stand strong in life's fiercest storms. But that's not all. A life rooted in Scripture brings refreshing to others, creates a legacy that lasts for generations, and provides protection in uncertain times. You are not planted randomly. God has placed you where you are for a purpose.   Through this encouraging message, you'll discover five life-changing reasons to prioritize God's Word and walk in His promise of spiritual prosperity. Get ready to be strengthened, refreshed, and reminded that when your life is rooted in Him, you will not wither, but flourish.

Mindset is the real growth strategy.In this episode, I'm joined again by Andy C. Seeley, CEO + co-founder of Creatively Disruptive and we go beyond ads, tactics, and “what's working” to talk about what actually determines whether a business scales: the founder's headspace.Andy shares how his agency evolved from “run the ads, track the data” to a hands-on consulting model rooted in one truth they see again and again: if the mindset isn't ready, the business isn't ready. We get into the psychology of change, the tug-of-war between what you say you want and what you're actually aligned to receive, and why leadership energy becomes company culture whether you mean it to or not.This episode is equal parts practical and perspective-shifting… and yes, we even unpack Andy's “Delight” philosophy (a decision-making framework that changes how teams lead, serve, and grow).We cover:Why “success readiness” matters more than strategy (and how founders sabotage momentum)The difference between wanting growth vs. being aligned with what growth requiresWhy people fight change even when they asked for it“Delight” as a leadership philosophy (and how it impacts culture + retention)How gratitude, belief, and consistency reshape performance over timeWhy mission-first businesses tend to outperform money-first businessesThe ripple effect of leadership energy on clients, teams, and outcomesKey Takeaways:The biggest bottleneck in most businesses is the founder's mindset.You don't need more tactics, you need alignment between your inner beliefs and outer actions.Culture scales when you lead with emotional intelligence, not fear.“Delight” is a powerful lens for better decisions, stronger teams, and healthier growth.When your mission is bigger than money, money tends to follow.Connect with Andy:Website: https://creativelydisruptive.comAshworth Strategy: https://ashworthstrategy.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyseeley/Follow Us:

It was a weekend of our favourite sporting delicacy: beautiful, chaotic upsets and we are absolutely feasting. Ireland didn't just beat England… they systematically dismantled them, with Jamison Gibson-Park running the show like a man who had the English defence on puppet strings. Every counter looked dangerous, every breakdown felt Irish, and England had absolutely no answers. Down south, the rugby gods delivered something even more outrageous: the Crusaders didn't just lose — they got hammered. The Brumbies dropped a half-century on them in Christchurch for their first win there in 26 years. Nobody saw it coming, everybody enjoyed it (well… almost everybody). Wales, after weeks of looking like rugby's saddest soap opera, finally resembled a functioning rugby side again. They still went down to a street-tough, slightly fortunate Scotland — but at least this time there were signs of life and something to actually laugh with instead of at. We also get stuck into France continuing to look like the team to beat, Italy continuing to be awkwardly competitive, and a Super Rugby round that delivered chaos, entertainment, and confirmation that the Blues still look shaky even when they scrape past the Force. Upsets, chaos, schadenfreude, and a healthy dose of nonsense. Grab a beer and enjoy.

Day 21 — Salvation Belongs to the Lord By Pastor Bryan Hudson, DMin LINK TO ALL LESSONS IN THE DEVOTIONAL   Psalm 37:39–40, “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.” Key Thought: God is always our refuge and deliverer. Prayer: I trust You, Lord. As we conclude this 21-day devotional through Psalm 37, let us remember this is a wisdom psalm, not a lament. David is not “venting” or expressing frustrations. He contrasts the temporary flourishing of the wicked with God's plan and provision for the righteous. Verses 39–40 serve as a summary of the entire psalm. Some key themes we learned from Psalm 37: •  Do not fret because of evildoers (vv. 1–2) •  Trust in the Lord (v. 3) •  Delight in Him (v. 4) •  Commit your way to Him (v. 5) •  Wait patiently with expectation (v. 7) •  Meekness is not weakness (v. 11) •  The wicked will perish (vv. 9–22) •  God knows our days (vv. 18-19) •  Generosity Reveals the Heart (vv. 21-22) •  Our steps are ordered by the Lord (vv. 23–24) •  The righteous are upheld (vv. 23–24) •  God's justice prevails (vv. 27-29) David closes this psalm by reminding us who is in charge, what God will change, and where we are headed. Our identity and security are rooted in Christ. “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord” David emphasizes the true source of salvation: It is “from the Lord.” Salvation does not originate: •  From personal strategy •  From retaliation •  From political advantage •  From accumulated power Systems, people, politicians, programs, and religions all promise some form of salvation—power to lift people to a better place in life. All of these may help in one way or another, but enduring salvation only comes from the Lord. The Hebrew word for “salvation” means deliverance, rescue, victory. God's salvation is both temporal and eternal, with benefits now and the blessing of a new reality after this life. We are not limited to only longing for the “sweet by and by." God can grant some earthly heaven before heaven in the afterlife. Do not underestimate God's ability to empower victorious living while we are still living among all the perils of the wicked. Consider the words of the Apostle Peter: Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10–11) The “entrance” is experiencing heaven on earth while on the way to God's heaven. Note the responsibility to “make your calling and election sure,” which simply means to lean into God and His kingdom. We read in Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” New Testament Scriptures Confirm God's Delivering Nature: Romans 8:31,  “If God is for us, who can be against us?” 2 Timothy 4:18, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work…” “He is their strength in the time of trouble” The Hebrew word for “strength” מmeans fortress, stronghold, and a place of protection. We don't only focus on what God does, but who God is. He is not merely a rescuer; He is a refuge. We don't have a transactional relationship with God by seeking “a blessing” when we need it. We live in a covenantal relationship with God, day by day. “He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.” Remember: •  Salvation originates from God alone. •  God Himself is the refuge of the righteous. •  Trouble does not cancel covenant protection. •  Deliverance is certain, though timing may vary. •  Trust is the foundation of divine rescue and progress going forward. Psalm 37 ends where it started: “Trust in the Lord.” I trust that you were inspired, encouraged, and educated through this 21-day journey through Psalm 37! It was a joy preparing these lessons and having contributions from Patricia Hudson, Stacy Williams, and Pastor Lee Robb. “Every good thing happens on a Firm Foundation!” Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min. New Covenant Church   Reflection question: What are some takeaways from this devotional that have become foundational to your life going forward? Key insight I gained today: Today's action item based on insight:   LINK TO ALL LESSONS IN THE DEVOTIONAL

Welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast! Grant and Madi are back for part 2 of last week's episode, answering the questions guys are often thinking… but rarely saying out loud. From dating "icks" and first-date letdowns to breakups, boundaries, and relationships, Grant gives an honest look into how guys actually think and process emotions. They discuss how men handle breakups, how to tell if someone is interested or just being kind, what makes a woman feel safe in a relationship, and how to navigate exes with wisdom rather than emotion. The conversation also gets deeper… covering what it really means to be equally yoked, when and how to share your past, the nerves and honor of asking a father for his daughter's hand in marriage, and how to keep praying without losing hope. Always remember to stay you and stay true.   Questions/topics discussed and answered: • What gives a guy the "ick"? • How to let someone down kindly after a first date • How guys actually process breakups • What being equally yoked really means • When and how to share your past • How to tell if a girl is interested or just being nice • What makes a woman feel safe in a relationship   Helpful Resources: Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Delight Ministries: College Women, to start a Delight chapter on your campus or to learn more information visit: www.delightministries.com/startadelight Home Chef: Go to homechef.com/staytrue for 50% off your first box and free dessert for life! IQ Bar: Text TRUE to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping.   Connect with Stay True!

With Easter just over a month away, this is the perfect time to gather inspiration for creating Christ-centered Easter experiences that are simple, flexible, and meaningful. With her typical warmth and fun ideas, Maria Eckersley is here to share how we can turn teaching of the Savior and His Atonement into the tradition that shapes our Easter season. When we do this, it gives us "permission" to pare down the extras and focus on what turns our hearts to Him. Maria is the author of a new book, Teaching Easter: 15 Hands-on Lessons to Help You Study, Teach, and Delight in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, she has three, simple, delightful activities that show how to make teaching about Jesus part of our traditions. (One includes a free printable!) Each activity is adaptable to children of all ages, helping us to make this a season where were joyfully remember the Savior at every possible opportunity. Notes: Make this Easter memorable and delightful! Maria's book is available now. Teaching Easter: 15 Hands-on Lessons to Help You Study, Teach, and Delight in the Gospel of Jesus Christ You've Been Egged—download the free PDF from Maria! #Hallelujah—An Easter Message about Jesus Christ The Atonement of Jesus Christ, talk by Tad R. Callister. Maria likes to use thoughts from this talk to help teach of Jesus after the egg drop activity.  

Our rabbis teach that we were created to perform a mission in this world so that we may enjoy the eternal bliss of the next. The task we are given is to serve Hashem from the exact place and circumstances in which He puts us. Every person receives a different life and a different set of conditions. If he fulfills the role Hashem sent him here to perform within those conditions, he will merit the delights of the World to Come. The Gemara teaches that no human eye has ever seen what the World to Come truly is — only Hashem knows its nature. When a person leaves this world, his soul enters Gan Eden, the world of souls, but Olam HaBa will only begin after the days of Mashiach. If we could imagine gathering the greatest pleasures ever experienced in this world since the beginning of time, compressing them into a single capsule, and a person were to swallow it, the joy he would feel at that moment would not even approach one second of the pleasure of Olam HaBa. This world is fleeting and its pleasures are finite. The World to Come is everlasting, and its pleasure never ends. Everything that Hashem does with a person in this world is with both worlds in mind. Hashem wants us to have the ultimate eternal pleasure, and therefore He guides us here in the precise way needed to attain it. The Mesillat Yesharim describes the pleasure of the World to Come as the soul "basking in the radiance of the Shechinah." This is a spiritual delight beyond our comprehension, because we live in physical bodies. It is a closeness to Hashem so profound that the pleasure cannot be described. In His great love, Hashem even gave us ways to taste a faint semblance of that future bliss already in this world. The Chazon Ish wrote a sefer on Emunah and Bitachon that was not published during his lifetime. Some say this was because he did not want people to recognize the extraordinary heights of Emunah he had reached, which are evident from his writings. In that work he explains that when a person truly grasps the reality of Hashem's existence, he is immediately filled with a boundless inner jubilation. His soul becomes suffused with sweetness. He tastes the sweetness of Hashem, and his desire for physical pleasures begins to fall away, while his delicate neshamah becomes enveloped in holiness, almost as if it has separated from the body and risen to the highest heavens. A new world opens before him. It is possible for a person even in this world to have moments in which he resembles an angel and actually delights in the glory of Hashem. At such times, all the pleasures of this world are like nothing compared to the joy of cleaving to his beloved Creator. The Chazon Ish himself clearly experienced such moments. When a person internalizes the reality of Hashem's presence, he can already experience a taste of the eternal pleasures that await. The closer we draw to Hashem in this world and the more we cling to Him, the more pleasure we will experience — both here and in the next.

MESSAGE SUMMARY Learning to Trust God with the Desires of My Heart By Patricia Hudson, M.S. 1) Opening prayer and purpose of the message Patricia opens by thanking God for the day and asking Him to help her speak words that are “seeds”—words that will touch hearts and produce fruit in the lives of both in-person listeners and livestream viewers. Her prayer emphasizes that God's work is corporate and individual: He is speaking to the whole church, but also to each person's specific life, struggles, and calling. She thanks Dr. Bryan Hudson for the opportunity to minister, connecting her message to the church's yearlong focus: “Delight in the Lord, desires of the heart fulfilled.” She references an earlier teaching (Dec. 28) titled “Joy is Delight, Bent for God,” which becomes the foundation for how she develops Psalm 37:4. 2) Starting with the Day 4 devotional: Delight means “bent” With Pastor Hudson's permission, Patricia begins by reading the Day 4 devotional, “Delight in the Lord.” The devotional's key idea is that: God reshapes desires before He fulfills them. “Delight” biblically means to take pleasure in, to incline toward, or to bend. What we delight in is revealed by what pulls us, shapes us, motivates us, and “bends” us—either positively or negatively. This introduces a crucial lens for the entire sermon: delight is not a feeling only—it is a direction. Delight means your inner life is being shaped, inclined, and formed. She stresses that because “to delight is to be bent,” we must pay attention to our desires and discern whether they come from God or from something else. As we delight in the Lord—His character, presence, and promises—God forms us into a “shape” that pleases Him. 3) Relational, not transactional: God gives transformed desires Patricia repeats a major refrain: life with God is relational, not transactional. In other words, Psalm 37:4 is not a “deal” where people delight so God gives a wishlist. Instead: Delighting in God reshapes the heart. What God fulfills is not merely personal ambition, but desires that have been transformed by relationship with Him. She quotes Pastor Hudson's idea that what comes from being “bent” through relationship with God is being granted, bestowed, and entrusted with genuine heart desires. She also highlights another phrase: Jesus refines, aligns, and “calibrates” the heart, so what we increasingly desire reflects God's will. 4) The “bend” metaphor: transformation can be uncomfortable Patricia explains why “bend” matters to her: bending changes shape, and bending is not always comfortable. Depending on age, bending can be easier or harder, but the point is spiritual: Being bent toward God may not feel easy, and the shape we start with may not be the shape we end with, because God is bending us for His purposes. This becomes a pastoral encouragement: discomfort does not mean God is absent—it can mean God is shaping you. 5) The guiding questions: where do desires come from? Patricia invites the Holy Spirit to guide listeners through several reflective questions: What (or who) is the source of my desire? Are there desires of the soul (mind, will, emotions) and desires of the flesh? (Yes—but they are different.) Is “desire” the same as “desires of the heart”? Do desires of the heart come from God? Are heart desires only meant to bless me—or also to bless others? Her direction is clear: this teaching is not merely about getting what we want, but about understanding purpose. 6) Word study: “desires of the heart” as petition flowing from delight Patricia introduces a word study to emphasize that Psalm 37:4 is specific. She explains that the Hebrew term she's focusing on carries the sense of: a heartfelt plea, a request, a petition toward God. She says this word appears only twice in the Old Testament (Psalm 20:5 and Psalm 37:4), which for her underscores that the phrase is purposeful and weighty. Her takeaway: true desires of the heart become petitions God is willing to satisfy when they arise from delight in Him. So she urges people to watch how they use the word “desire”—because we can want many things, but “desires of the heart” in this sense are the kind that rise out of communion with God. 7) Continual desires: God isn't done with you One of her most encouraging points is that the “desires of the heart” concept implies something ongoing—not finished, continual. That excites her because it speaks directly to people who wonder, especially later in life, “Lord, is there still more?” Her answer is yes: as you continue delighting in the Lord, God continues shaping desires and giving zeal and passion to finish your race and fulfill purpose—regardless of age. 8) Abraham and Sarah: a case study in trust, waiting, and purpose Patricia then turns to Abraham and Sarah to show how this works in real life. She frames their story as a living example of learning to trust God with heart desires. a) Genesis 12 — Called to go without knowing God calls Abram to leave his country and go to a land God will show him. Patricia imagines the human reactions: “Where are we going? What are we going to do? Are you serious?” Yet Abram trusts God and goes—at 75 years old, emphasizing again that it is never too late for purpose. b) Genesis 15 — God promises an heir Abram voices concern: “What good are blessings if I have no son?” God responds with the promise of a son and descendants as numerous as the stars. Abram believes, and God counts it as righteousness. c) Genesis 16 — Sarah tries to “help God” Patricia highlights the emotional realism: Sarah is barren, years pass, hope fades, frustration grows. She calls it a picture of what people still do today: desperate people do desperate things. Sarah proposes Hagar as a workaround, and Ishmael is born. Patricia emphasizes that human solutions can create complications and conflict—because it wasn't God's plan. d) Genesis 17 — God reiterates: “I said what I said” This becomes one of Patricia's repeated phrases: God reaffirms His promise. He changes Abram and Sarai's names to Abraham and Sarah, and specifies that Sarah will bear the promised son Isaac. Her point: God has not changed the original promise, even though time passed and mistakes were made. e) Genesis 21 — Isaac is born after 25 years Isaac is born when Abraham is 100 and Sarah is 90—a 25-year wait from the initial promise. Patricia contrasts this with how impatient people can be: we pray today and struggle to wait even days. But she stresses: waiting is not empty time—something is happening in us. God is preparing people to carry what He promised. She states it plainly: circumstances don't change the promise, and delays don't cancel God's purpose when we remain delighted in Him. 9) Genesis 22 — The test: will you trust God with what you love most? After Isaac arrives—the heart's desire—God tests Abraham: offer Isaac. Patricia frames this as the ultimate picture of her theme: Will you obey God with the desire of your heart? Can you trust the Giver even with the gift? Abraham prepares to obey, declaring in faith that God will provide. God stops him and provides a ram. Then God reaffirms the covenant again: blessing, descendants, and worldwide impact through Abraham's offspring. Patricia's conclusion from this scene: Abraham learned trust over time, and the test revealed where his heart truly rested—in God, not merely the promise. 10) Bigger than personal blessing: prophetic purpose fulfilled in Christ Patricia then lifts the story to its larger meaning: Abraham's longing for an heir was not only personal—it was prophetic. Through Isaac's line comes Jesus Christ. God's promise that Abraham's seed would bless the nations finds fulfillment in Christ. She reads from Romans 4 to emphasize that Abraham's faith was recorded for our benefit, so believers today can trust that God keeps His promises and counts faith as righteousness through Christ. 11) Modern illustrations: “the this” and “the that,” and purpose that blesses others Patricia brings the message into contemporary life through two examples: a) Jan Mitchell's testimony (Jan. 18) She shares Jan's lesson: “You need the this to get to the that.” The journey (“the this”) may be uncomfortable, but it is often necessary for what God intends (“the that”). Patricia highlights the idea that if God gave some things immediately, they would bless only in the moment—but God's goal may be larger: overflow for the world, not just private relief. b) Ophelia Wellington and Freetown Village Patricia describes how a desire to teach African-American history grew into Freetown Village, reaching over one million people through programs. Her point: God can take a desire and unfold it into a life purpose that touches generations. There are “bumps, bends, drop-offs,” but purpose matures through perseverance and trust. 12) Closing invitation: partner with God, don't perform for God Patricia closes by returning to Pastor Hudson's framing: as we delight in Him, we will see the desires of our heart fulfilled. She calls the congregation to accept God's invitation: trust Him do good dwell in the land feed on His faithfulness delight in the Lord commit your way to Him And she clarifies: these are not fleshly works to earn something; we are laborers together with God.     

Three Roman soldiers show us the life-changing power in simply doing our duty. Watch the video version of this sermon. Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens  ►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

DJ & Yawk talked about the BYU men's basketball program notching their first top-ten win of the season and what it means for Kevin Young and co. to have a signature win finally.

Robbie Mustoe and Robbie Earle break down a massive North London Derby win for Arsenal and recap a lively Matchweek 27 in the Premier League 0:48 - Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres spur the Gunners to a 4-1 victory in the North London Derby by each bagging a brace 14:22 - Manchester City dig deep to defeat Newcastle 2-1, cueing big celebrations from Pep Guardiola at the final whistle 26:17 - Liverpool close ground in the race for the top 4 with a late win over Nottingham Forest despite a lackluster performance 30:37 - Chelsea capitulate from a winning position against Burnley, leaving Liam Rosenior spikey in his post-match interview 39:01 - Aston Villa rescue a point against Leeds United thanks to a late equalizer from new signing Tammy Abraham 42:52 - A roundup of remaining results: Brentford 0-2 Brighton, Crystal Palace 1-0 Wolves, Sunderland 1-3 Fulham, West Ham 0-0 BournemouthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“As we progress in this way of life…” St. Benedict promises that perseverance opens into the inexpressible delight of love. This episode explores steady faithfulness and quiet joy. The post BW5 – The Delight of Love – The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Doing what truly matters often feels harder—not because it's wrong, but because it asks more of your focus, priorities, and energy.In this follow-up to Are You Busy — or Are You Building?, we unpack the hidden mental cost of living in accordance with your values instead of chasing what's easy or distracting. When you commit to the work that counts, resistance hits differently—and it can feel heavier before it pays off.This episode breaks down why capable people stall when they ignore these internal tensions and how to navigate the discomfort so you can build momentum in your life, leadership, and work.

A bowler dominated Sunday as the meaningful part of the T20 World Cup - the Super 8s - gets underway. Simon Hughes and former Indian batsman Deep Dasgupta assess how India allowed South Africa to make 187 after being 20-3 and then collapsed to 111 all out themselves. And in Pallekele, England stumbled to 146-9 with Jos Buttler again looking woefully indecisive, but then bowled Sri Lanka out for a paltry 95. This podcast is also available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheSimonhughes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John 15:1-8,“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.This morning we come to the seventh of Jesus's seven great “I am” statements in the Gospel of John. Jesus is the bread of life; he is the light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life; he is the way, the truth, and the life. And finally, in John 15, he is the vine.The vine. It's such a memorable and concrete image that it might be hard for some of us to hear it afresh. One of the challenges for us is how this old English word “abide,” which is not a word we use today. Anyone use “abide” on the street this week? It's an old word, but it's easy enough. It just means “remain” or “stay.” “Abide in me” equals “Stay in me.”Now, that command to stay or abide in Jesus doesn't come until verse 4. Verses 1-3 set the table with vital background information before Jesus turns to us, the branches, in verse 4, and says, Stay in me.So, we branches have something to do here, to engage in. In this picture of Christ's provision, you do get to play a part. You are not decisive, but you are involved: you stay, remain, continue. Or, said negatively: don't bail, don't fall away; don't coast and drift from Jesus — especially when conflict comes, when interruptions come, when agitation comes, disorientation, confusion, insults, opposition, slander.The call to abide, to stay, assumes a context of conflict, with forces pulling on the branches, trying to disconnect them from the vine.It's easy to pull these verses out of context and imagine a nice, peaceful, sunshiny day in the vineyard. But John 15 is right at the beginning of the storm. Remember this is the longest Thursday night, the night before Jesus dies. The storm is bearing down on them, and Jesus is getting his men ready.He said in 14:27:“Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”And he said in 14:31, “Rise, let us go from here.”But he keeps talking. I imagine the disciples rising to their feet, but before they go, Jesus wants to prepare them a little bit more, with a battlefield speech: I am the vine; you are branches. That's what you need for this storm. Stay in me.Then in 16:1 Jesus will say why he said what he did in chapter 15:“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.”So, abiding is not about cushy, idyllic days. It's about staying in Jesus when forces are trying to pull you away from him. Which relates to another context for this passage: our context. Jonathan called it our “Troubled Heart Situation”: the jarring interruption of our worship a few weeks ago, with its insults, and since then, the questions and many misunderstandings we've endured from those who don't know the truth and may show little interest in it.So, originally, the Vine and branches was to help Jesus's disciples, against opposition, stay with him. And now God has given Cities Church the Vine and branches this morning to help us, against opposition, stay with him.Now, when we see ourselves in this passage, it is a very simple, modest role. Jesus uses the word six times: branch. That's what you are, what I am: we are branches. Humble branches, totally dependent, powerless and unimpressive on our own — and yet branches on a good vine can be very happy, nourished, well supplied, empowered, and fruitful.So, we make our way this morning with four truths about us as humble, happy branches who need to stay in Jesus in the storm.1. We branches are distinct from the Vine. (vv. 1–2)We are just branches. We are not the Vine. Jesus is the Vine. We are distinct from the Vine and we do not become the Vine, and yet, amazingly, we are joined to the Vine. And not just Vine, but in verse 1, Jesus says “true vine.” “I am the true vine.”We've seen Jesus use the word true throughout John to talk about being the real or genuine or ultimate. He is the true light, the true bread, true food, true drink. And now true vine.True vine implies that another vine has come before, and now Jesus comes as the true one, the ultimate one. What was the previous vine? Israel. Psalm 80:8–9 is one place among many:You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. In Psalm 80, and in Isaiah and Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Israel is God's vine, and tragically, in the prophets, God's vine that did not bear the fruit it should have.So, this is no small claim when Jesus says he's the true vine. He's saying that God's first-covenant people, the first vine, the old vine, were not the final vine. And now Jesus comes as the new vine, the true vine, the ultimate vine. Which means he's the new and final place of connection to God, not Israel.Previously, to be God's people, you had to be born into or specially brought into God's ethnic people. But now, to be God's people, you need only to be joined to Jesus.This joining to Jesus is what we call “union with Christ.” Through faith, by the connecting power of the Holy Spirit, men and women from every nation, whatever ethnicity, are joined to Jesus and, in union with him, experience all the benefits he provides: righteousness, redemption, forgiveness, holiness, sonship, and true family, and best of all, at the center of it all, the surpassing joy of knowing Jesus.And a union works in two directions. A husband and all he has becomes his wife's, and the wife and all she has becomes her husband's. So, verse 4 says, “Abide in me, and I in you.” Verse 5: “Whoever abides in me and I in him.” This is mutual indwelling. We branches are not only in the Vine by faith, but he is in us: “I in you.” As we saw last week, the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, is the presence of Jesus in our lives and ministers to us the realness of Jesus. (And we'll see in a minute how this gets more tangible.)So, we branches are not the Vine; we are distinct from the Vine. And yet, we are joined to the Vine, united to the Vine. Which raises a question in verse 2:Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he [the Father, the vinedresser; literally, the Farmer, geōrgós] takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.Get this, it's not just vine and branches. There's a Farmer in the vineyard: the Father. He walks the vineyard. He helps the Vine and the branches by pruning the good ones and removing the fruitless ones. We'll come back to the Father and his pruning, but here's the question: What do we make of these branches that are “in the Vine” but the Father “takes away”? Verse 6 continues the thought:If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away [cast out] like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.Can someone be truly in the vine and taken away? The answer is the metaphor is not meant to go that far. Jesus has made plain again and again in this Gospel that no one can take his true sheep from him (6:37; 10:29; 17:12; 18:9), and John has made it clear that there are some who seem to believe, so-called followers of Jesus, even Judas among his twelve (2:23-24; 6:60, 6; 8:30ff; 12:42-43). The reality is not that they were once truly in and then fell away, but that their falling away shows they were never truly in the Vine. Those who are truly in Jesus persevere; they abide, and bear fruit; and they are the ones the Father prunes that they might bear more fruit (like the Lord's discipline in Hebrews 12:4–11).The point is that true Christians will bear fruit, not that a person could be genuinely united to Jesus and lose their connection.Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches, distinct from him, and united to him by faith and the Holy Spirit. 2. We branches delight in the sap. (vv. 3, 7a)I assume we don't have many viticulturists in the room. I should probably make it clear that life-giving sap flows in one direction: from the Vine to the branches. Sap, containing water and nutrients and sugar flows from the vine to the branches to nourish the branches that they might grow and develop fruit.And if you ask, Okay, that's great in theory about the vine, but how does this relate to our union with Jesus? Verse 7 gives us the critical answer for how this union becomes tangible:“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you…”Did you hear it? What's staying in us when we stay in Jesus? His words. And this is not the only mention of his words in this passage. Jump up to verse 3:Already you are clean [katharoí, same root as “prune” in v. 2] because of the word that I have spoken to you.So, before telling them to abide, Jesus says, already (one of the most important words in this passage) you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. What's the word he spoke to them? In chapter 13, Jesus says something very similar. He's washing the disciples' feet, and Peter objects. Jesus says, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” So, Peter says, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus responds, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean [same as 15:3], but not every one of you” (referring to Judas).So, here's the significance of this first word in 15:3: it's his word of full acceptance, a declaration of right standing (what Paul will call justification by faith). Before you're purified, you are pure. Before you're cleaned, you are clean. You are in Jesus by faith, united to him, before you abide the storms. Union first, then abiding. Not abide to secure union; abide because you're united. So, verse 3, refers to a word Jesus speaks that effects full acceptance with God, in union with him, that is already true before we abide.Then, back to verse 7, where we have his word for fresh abiding, or the word for daily strength. This is the ongoing, sustaining flow of grace that comes to us in union with Jesus through his word. This is the word for sanctification or for perseverance. Jesus's word, with his Spirit, is the sweet sap that flows to our souls and gives them life and delight. (Do you long for and enjoy his word like a branch enjoys the sweet sap of the vine? Do you, like a newborn infant, long for the pure spiritual milk of his word? 1 Peter 2:2.)Vital to abiding in Jesus is savoring the sap of his word, having his word stay in you, getting his words lodged into our hearts. How do you do that? Not just reading Scripture but meditating on it. Chewing on it. Savoring the sap, slowing down to savor the sap of his word, and ponder it, and lodge it in your heart, that Jesus himself might abide in you by his Spirit.Healthy branches stay in the vine through regular, particular moments of intentional, unhurried abiding, staying in Christ's word, not reading quick, praying quick, checking the box, and onto the rest of your day; but lingering unhurried in the Vine through his word. Put your phone away. Carve out enough time to lose track of time, to stay, without rushing, abide, in the presence of God in the Vine, savoring his words as energizing, life-giving sap for your soul.So, branches delight in the sap, that is, the word.3. We branches depend on the Vine. (vv. 4, 5, 7b)Not only does the sap of the word flow from the Vine to the branches, but there is a particular orientation of the branches back toward the Vine: utter dependance. There is in humble, happy branches a glad admission of powerlessness, and a glad response to the word called prayer, asking for more of the Vine and for his help in doing what he calls us to do: be fruitful.The powerlessness is in verses 4–5:As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. . . . [A]part from me you can do nothing.So, such powerless dependent branches, delighting in the word of the Vine, respond with their own words called prayer. The last part of verse 7:“ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”We saw another of these “ask whatever” verses in chapter 14, verses 13–14:“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”We'll see another next week in 15:16:“…whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you…”Now verse 7:“…ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”I don't think Jesus is giving us a blank prayer check for natural desires, and clearly we all know from our experience that we don't have that. The key in verse 7 is to remember the context. How different it is when you're in a trial and hanging on his words! His words in us feed our desires and prayers that echo his own heart. And “in my name” qualifies it. We have a banner in Jesus's name. And we have a backstop in the Spirit interceding for us. Romans 8:26–27: …the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us [in our] groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.Perhaps the main thing to take away is how much the Vine wants his branches to pray. He wants to hear from us — to live on the sap of his word, lodge his words and his will in our souls, and then, in his name, speak back to him. Pray. He wants there to be relationship, communion in the union.And a holy heart, shaped by God's word, is unleashed to ask, and ask, and ask, and know that when we don't know how to pray, and pray for the wrong things, we have the Spirit of Jesus in us interceding for us.So, the branches are distinct from the Vine, and we delight in his words, and we depend on him in prayer.4. We branches develop fruit, and so draw attention to the Farmer. (v. 8)Go to verse 8:“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”I say develop fruit because fruit doesn't happen in a moment. It grows organically, bit by bit over time. If you ask, what does “bearing fruit” mean for us, it includes all the good that flows from our union and communion with Christ: love for one another and joy and obeying commands and being his means to others coming to abide in him (more on that next week).None of which branches should hear as a burden! Bearing fruit is a joy for branches. That's what they were made for. Branches bearing fruit are branches fully alive and happy.And if you ask how you might evaluate your fruit, I would say this: don't evaluate your fruitfulness relative to how well you could someday love or obey or be effective in evangelism, or comparing yourself to the fruit of others. But ask yourself about you: your past, your former desires, your old self — how is the life-giving sap flowing into your soul and developing the fruit of love for others in your life? Perhaps you've heard the famous quote from John Newton:I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.And verse 8 is clear that developing fruit does not make you to be Jesus's disciples but proves you are his disciples. Our fruit shows that we had already become his. Which makes the Vine look good. And the vine producing fruit, through his branches, makes his Father, the Farmer, look good.Pruning Cities ChurchSo, we come back to verse 2 and that there's a Farmer. John 15 isn't just Vine and branches. We have a Farmer, the Father, who walks the vineyard. And he serves the vine and all the fruitful branches by removing the unfruitful ones. And he prunes the fruit-producing branches so that they can produce more fruit.So, I want to end with this question: Was the Farmer away on January 18? He was not away. John 15 clues us in on what he was doing: he was pruning Cities Church for our good, that we might bear more fruit. I don't think “more fruit” means headlines or relates to the opinions of people far away. But in the Vine, God has given us fruit together in these first eleven years in worshiping Jesus together, and loving one another, and seeking the good of these Cities. And “more fruit,” I would assume, would relate to these same three avenues.Brothers and sisters, the Farmer wasn't caught off guard on January 18. And he hasn't been away since. He is ever vigilant over his Vine and his branches. He is ever gardening. He is pruning with perfect cuts. And I can already see he's done and is doing some amazing work, to take so many individuals from some fruit to more fruit, and to work on us a people to prune us from fruit to more fruit. Most of you have leaned in with an engaged hope that has been remarkable. But if the last month has distanced you from the Vine, if you sense yourself withering, with less of his word, less prayer, less fellowship, make this your day of turning. The main thing the Farmer is doing in this suffering is causing his branches to go deeper into the Vine. Don't drift from the Vine. Stay. Remain. Abide.Delight in his sap. Lodge his sweet, life-giving words into your mind and heart. Depend on his help. Having filled yourself with his words, pray in your own words. And ask him for whatever you need in his call to love each other and these Cities.Fellowship of BranchesWe said at the beginning, we are not the Vine. And now: you are not the only branch. Jesus says branches. You are never a lone branch in Christ, and never alone at this Table.We call this Communion for two reasons: communion with the Vine and communion with the other branches that are in him. So, take a morsel of nourishment, and a thimble of sap, and let's enjoy the Vine together.

Troy Walker! Comedian! Writer! Friend! Delight! More! Troy's debut comedy album "Esquire" is out today! About the album: Troy Walker and Blonde Medicine are pleased to announce the release of Esquire, Troy's debut comedy album recorded at Comedy Works Denver. Esquire is available everywhere comedy is streamed or downloaded. With nearly 20 years of stand-up to pull from, Troy has compiled his favorite bits into his upcoming debut album.  On it, Troy tackles racist magicians and porn plotlines, old-school drink names and dating rules, and culture shock in Paris. He uses anecdotes, accents and honesty to build an album that tells the story of growing up in Denver (the land of legal everything) and moving to Los Angeles (the land of mandatory therapy).  About Troy Walker: While he currently makes his home in Los Angeles, Troy originally hails from Denver, where he has won Comedy Works' "New Faces" contest twice and is also a licensed attorney graduating from University of Denver's Sturm College of Law. After making his network TV debut on The Late Late Show, Troy Walker has steadily racked up credits including VICE's Flophouse, Comedy Central's Corporate and Fuse's Uproarious. Troy was selected as one the Just for Laughs Montréal's prestigious "New Faces", in addition to appearing at numerous other national comedy festivals. He is currently a writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live! and wrote for both the 95th and 96th Oscars! Troy and I have a great chat! You can have a great listen! And this is only the first HALF of our chat. For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR simply click on over here to Patreon!

Julian Fellowes, the creator and writer of Downton Abbey, Gosford Park, The Gilded Age - among other brilliant television series and movies - is our guest today. You'll know Julian's work - because he is one of the most popular, and prolific, screenwriters of our times. What you may not know is that he and Gyles lived under the same roof as toddlers, and shared a bath on a number of occasions; Gyles's family rented the basement flat from the Fellowes family in the early 50s, and the boys played together and have known each other ever since. So this is a friendly conversation filled with warmth, intelligence, humour and great stories. Julian tells Gyles about his family, his first night at boarding school, and his days as a Debs' Delight at Cambridge. He talks about his somewhat unpopular decision to become an actor, and meeting and marrying his wife, Emma. This is a brilliant edition of Rosebud, thank you so much to Julian Fellowes for his time, energy and fabulous conversation.We're back this Sunday, with a special edition to celebrate the late, great Kenneth Williams. And we're releasing a special royal edition of More Rosebud on Tuesday next week, with Gyles reading from his diaries.Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube here. Join The Rosebud Family here. And visit our website here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“A joyful heart is good medicine.” But not the kind of joy you fake. In this episode, Dr. Alison explores the difference between healthy humor and harmful humor — and why that distinction matters for your nervous system, your relationships, and your spiritual formation. Humor can soothe. It can bond. It can bring relief. But it can also deflect. Minimize. Or quietly wound. You'll learn: Why humor can feel safe for one person and threatening for another How teasing can create intimacy… or erode it What it looks like to practice discernment without shaming yourself Why “getting your joy back” is often a sign of real healing This conversation is part of Pillar Three in Dr. Cook's Four Pillars series: Joy & Delight — not as a personality trait or a passing mood, but as a practice of inner formation. Because joy is not just an emotional expression. It's a signal. When your nervous system begins to feel safe enough to soften, laughter shifts. Delight becomes accessible. Connection deepens. And sometimes the kind of humor you practice reveals more about your healing than you realize. More Resources: Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram @dralisoncook  Join the 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. If you liked this episode, then you'll love: Episode 191: The 5 Most Important Things I've Learned About Faith, Attachment, & The Inner Life Episode 194: When Relationships Start to Drain You—Using Discernment to Stay Connected Without Losing Yourself Episode 111: How to Transforms Parenting Triggers & Blind Spots Into Growth & Connection With Beth McCord

Welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast! This week, Madi is joined by her husband, Grant Troutt, for an honest and refreshing conversation that answers the questions girls are often too afraid to ask men. From dating and relationships to marriage, faith, and emotional health, Grant shares wisdom, perspective, and biblical truth on topics rarely discussed openly. Together, they unpack what's really going through a guy's mind when he likes a girl, common dealbreakers and "icks," what confidence looks like from a guy's point of view, and Madi and Grant's dating journey. You won't want to miss this episode!   Always stay you and stay true! :)   Questions/topics discussed and answered: -Dating dynamics, confidence, and boundaries from a guy's perspective -Why do guys not lead with clarity? -What do you talk about on a first date? -What takes a guy so long to make the first move? -What are some non-physical qualities that guys like? AND SO MUCH MORE!   Helpful Resources: Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Delight Ministries: College Women, to start a Delight chapter on your campus or to learn more information visit:  www.delightministries.com/startadelight Nota: Download Nota today. It's available now in the App Store or visit Mynota.io for more info! Glorify: Get full access all year for just $29.99 at glorify/app.com/STAYTRUE   Connect with Stay True!