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In this thought-provoking episode, Tony and Jesse delve into Jesus's twin parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price from Matthew 13:44-46. They explore the profound economic metaphor Jesus uses to illustrate the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Through careful examination of both parables, they discuss what it means to "count the cost" of following Christ while simultaneously recognizing that no earthly sacrifice can compare to the infinite worth of gaining Christ. The conversation moves between practical application—considering how believers assess value in their spiritual lives—and deeper theological reflections on Christ's perfect sacrifice that makes our entrance into the Kingdom possible in the first place. Key Takeaways The Kingdom of Heaven has such surpassing value that sacrificing everything to obtain it is considered a joyful exchange, not a loss. Both parables show different paths to discovering the Kingdom (unexpected finding vs. intentional seeking), but identical responses: selling everything to obtain the treasure. The parables are not primarily commanding material poverty, but rather illustrating the "sold-outness" required in pursuing the Kingdom of God. Counting the cost of discipleship is not only permissible but necessary to fully appreciate the value of what we gain in Christ. The ultimate treasure we receive in salvation is not merely benefits like eternal life, but God Himself—union with Christ and fellowship with the Trinity. Christ Himself is the one who ultimately fulfills these parables perfectly, giving everything to purchase us as His treasure. The irresistible draw of the Kingdom illustrates how God's grace works in the heart of believers, compelling joyful surrender. Exploring the Incomparable Value of the Kingdom The economic metaphor Jesus employs in these parables is striking—both the hidden treasure and the pearl are deemed so valuable that the discoverers "sell all they have" to obtain them. As Tony and Jesse point out, this transaction reveals something profound about how we should view the Kingdom of Heaven. It's not simply that the Kingdom is valuable; it's that its value so far exceeds anything else we possess that the comparison becomes almost absurd. As Tony notes, "For sure the worth of the kingdom of heaven surpasses anything we could imagine... there's no measure that is satisfying, there's no measure that can actually show us how worthwhile it is." This perspective transforms how we understand sacrifice in the Christian life. When opportunities or comforts are foregone because of our faith, we're not simply losing something—we're experiencing the reality that we've chosen something infinitely more valuable. The parables teach us to view these moments not with regret but with a clearer vision of the treasure we've received in Christ. The Ultimate Prize: God Himself Perhaps the most powerful insight from the discussion is the realization that the ultimate treasure of salvation is not the benefits we receive, but God Himself. As Tony eloquently states: "All of those things are attending gifts. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God... we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We get swept up into the life of the Trinity... We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that." This perspective reshapes how we understand the value proposition of the gospel. It's not merely that we receive eternal life, freedom from suffering, or other benefits—though these are real. The pearl of great price is relationship with God Himself. This helps explain why both men in the parables respond with such dramatic, all-encompassing sacrifice. When we truly grasp what's being offered, nothing seems too great a price to pay. Memorable Quotes "What we get in salvation ultimately is we get God. We get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We get swept up into the life of the Trinity... We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that." — Tony Arsenal "I often say in my own line of work, that cost only matters in the absence of value... it's like at the end of days when we think about the worthiness of our God, that there's no one like him, that he's unequal, that he has no rival, that the gospel is the sweetest message that we're rescued literally from the pit. We'll just say no matter what the cost of us personally, great or small, totally worth it." — Jesse Schwamb Full Transcript [00:00:08] Tony Arsenal: All of those things are attending gifts. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the, the power of the Holy Spirit. We, we get swept up into the life of the, the God of the universe. Like the life of the Trinity indwells us. And we, we become a part of that. We get swept up into that. We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that. [00:00:47] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 469 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse. [00:00:54] Tony Arsenal: And I'm Tony. And this is the podcast with ears to hear. Hey brother. [00:00:59] Jesse Schwamb: Hey brother. Discussing the Value of the Kingdom of Heaven [00:01:00] Jesse Schwamb: Speaking of ears to hear, we're back at it again with a whole new, or let's say different parable from our Lord and Savior Jesus. And we've been talking about how really these parables give us this view of the face of heaven through these earthly glasses. And I am pretty interested in our conversation about what's coming up because sometimes we don't like to put too fine a points to our, our point of question to our faith. And in this case, we're gonna get to ask the question, what is it all worth, this kingdom of heaven, this rule and reign of Christ? What is it all about? Who are the beneficiaries of it? And what is it all actually worth? There's a little bit of economics in this, so we're gonna get there. And while we talk and do a little affirming or denying, you should just go ahead write to just skip, go. Do not collect $200 or maybe. Pass, go and collect $200. I dunno. But just go to Matthew chapter 13 and hang out there for just a second. Affirmations and Denials [00:01:58] Jesse Schwamb: But first, I'm always curious to know whenever we talk, are you gonna affirm with something or are you gonna die against something? We've been on a string of lots of affirmations, but I'd like to think that's just because we're fun, loving, optimistic people. But there was a day where we had to do both. And now that I only have to choose one, I do find myself gravitating almost naturally toward the affirming width. But I leave it to you, Tony, are you affirming with or denying against? [00:02:22] Tony Arsenal: I, unfortunately am denying tonight. Technical Issues with Apple Podcasts [00:02:25] Tony Arsenal: So you and I already talked about it a little bit, but uh, I'm denying Apple Podcast Connect. Oh yes. So, uh, I. Obviously, like if you're affected by this, you're not hearing the episode 'cause it's not updating for you. But, uh, if you happen to be using Apple to listen to the podcast and for some reason you're listening somewhere else, maybe you realize that the podcast has not been updating for several weeks. And so you went to a different podcast catcher. Um, apple just decided for some reason that none of our feeds were gonna update. No good reason. So I've got a ticket out to Apple and hopefully we'll get it fixed. Uh, if you do know someone who listens to the show and they use Apple, please tell them to subscribe to something else or to, uh, go to the website. You can get all of the, all of the episodes on our website. You could go to Spotify, you could do something like, uh, overcast or PocketCasts. Um, it really is just Apple. It's, it's the actual account that we use to, uh, to access. Apple's Directory is not pulling new episodes and it's not pulling new episodes on another show that I run as well. So, uh, it's not just this show, it's not our RSS feed. These things happen. It'll, you know, you'll get four or five episodes all at one time. When it, when it corrects itself, usually they're pretty quick. I put in a ticket like late on Friday afternoon, so I didn't expect them to get to it on, uh, Saturday or Sunday. So hopefully by the time you're hearing this, uh, it's resolved. I would hope so, because that means it would be about a week from today. Um, so hopefully they'll have a resolve. But yeah, it's just th thorns and thistles. This is our own, our own, uh, manifestation of the curse here in this little labor that we do. It's, it's thorns and thistles right now, but no big deal. Just, uh, catch up when you can. And, uh, yeah, so denying Apple Podcasts now, really, it's, it's a great service and this is a, a little glitch. It's, it's just a little frustrating. [00:04:20] Jesse Schwamb: The sweat of our brow. Yes. Here it is. We're just toiling over getting Apple to please release our episodes. Well, it'll be your happy day if you use Apple Podcasts and then get a bunch of them all at once. That's fantastic. It's like the gift that is over in abundance. Supporting The Reformed Brotherhood [00:04:36] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, it is a good reminder that you just said, Tony, that everybody should go, just take some time. Head on over to our form brotherhood.com. You can find all the other 400 some odd episodes living over there. And while you're over there and you're perusing or searching by topic to see what we've talked about before, you're probably gonna think to yourself, this is so incredible. How is this compendium, this omnibus of all these episodes just hanging out here free of cost? And I'm so glad you're thinking about that because there are so many lovely brothers and sisters who have decided just to give a little bit to make sure that all that stuff gets hosted for free for you Yeah. And for us, so that anybody can go and explore it and find content that we hope will be edifying. So if that's something you're interested in, maybe you've been listening for a while and thought, you know what? I would like to give a little bit one time or reoccurring, we would love to, for you to join us in that mission. You can go to patreon.com/reform brotherhood, and there's all the information for you to give if that's something that you feel you would like to do, and we would be grateful for you to do it. [00:05:32] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. We, we have a group of people who support the show. They make it possible for your, uh, your ear holes to be filled with our voices. And, uh, but again, you know, the costs are going up all around and, and we would, uh, certainly love to have people partner with us. Um, we've committed to making show that the, making sure that the show is free and available. Um, it's never our intention to put anything behind a paywall or to, to barrier and in that way, but we can only do that if there's people who are supporting the show and making, making sure that we've got the funding that we need to, to keep going. So, thank you to everybody who gives, thank you to anyone who's considering it, uh, and thanking anybody who decides to, uh, jump on board with that. [00:06:11] Jesse Schwamb: Right on. We're appreciative who we really are. [00:06:13] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. So Jesse, what are you affirming or denying today? Exploring Open Webcam DB [00:06:16] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, this is what I've kind of done before, but I think I've found a new place for it. I just am continually impressed and fall in love with how great and big and lovely God's world is. So I love these types of sites that give you insight into this great big world, even if it's in unexpected places or maybe in strange places. So I'm affirming with a website called Open webcam db.com. Open webcam db.com. And it's exactly like what it sounds like. It's a database that has something like 2000 live cameras streaming daily from over 50 countries, all searchable by a category. So you can find natural landscapes, airports, construction sites, and one of my recent favorites, honestly, and this is. It's so strange, but kind of awesome is this warehouse, it's called Chinese Robotic Warehouse Buzz, and it's just robots moving pallets around or like stacks of all of these items. It's mesmerizing. But I would encourage you go to open webcam db.com, search for like your stage or your country. You'll find so many amazing things. So I've sat and just watched, you know, between tasks or when you know you just need a break or you're just curious about the world. Like I look, I watched the Krakow Maine Market Square quite a bit because it's. Beautiful and brilliant, and to think about the people moving to and fro and what they're doing, what their lives are like. There's some great scenes from San Francisco Bay. There is a bird feeder in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that I often watch. So of course, like go out as we've said, and live and breathe and be in your own communities. And as well, if you're looking at scratch that itch of just seeing all these different places, all the different things that are happening in God's created world, I can firmly and unreservedly recommend open webcam db.com for that. [00:07:58] Tony Arsenal: Nice, nice, uh, little known fact at one point, Dartmouth Hitchcock, which is the hospital that I worked for, had to block a penguin cam, uh, because it was causing such a productivity drain combined with an actual measurable decrease in internet bandwidth at the hospital. 'cause so many people were watching this little penguin cam at some zoo in Boston. I think it probably was. Yeah, I, I love this kind of stuff. I think this kind of stuff is great. Uh, I use, uh, Dartmouth College has a, like a live one that I use all the time, especially when we're trying to figure out what the weather's gonna do. You can see it on the camera. Uh, we, we often will, you know, see, especially as we get closer to the season when we're talking about traveling to the beach and whatnot, uh, often look at the ocean grove. Oh, that's right. Uh, pier cam. So yeah, check it out. Uh, sounds like a fun time. Do not share it with too many of your friends at work. Or it may crash the network and Yeah. But [00:08:53] Jesse Schwamb: yeah, for [00:08:54] Tony Arsenal: sure. That was a funny email that they had to send out. I remember that [00:08:57] Jesse Schwamb: for sure. Use, use the penguin cam responsibly. I just did a quick search. There are four different penguin cams. Uh, three of them are in the United States, one is in New Zealand, and you better believe I'm gonna be checking those bad boys out. Yes. I didn't even think about. The penguin feature here and penguins are an amazing animal. Like we could stop right now and just shift our topic to penguins if you want to. [00:09:16] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. ' [00:09:16] Jesse Schwamb: cause there's so much there. And the spiritual truths are so broad and deep, but I just think penguins are kind of undervalued. Birds. Everybody should go check them out. [00:09:26] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. They're, they're pretty cool. [00:09:28] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Um, I'm like, I will watch any Penguin documentary and just be astounded by Penguin. Like, whether they're Emperor Penguins or South African Penguin, wherever. I just think they're phenomenal and hilarious and seem to be living the dream. And he doesn't want a little bit of that. [00:09:46] Tony Arsenal: You just gotta get Morgan Freeman to do the voiceover in any documentary or, or nature documentary is better with Morgan Freeman doing the voiceover. [00:09:55] Jesse Schwamb: Well, I all, this might be a deep cut real quick, but I just learned this, and I'm guessing some of our listening brothers and sisters probably already know this. Maybe you do too, Tony. So, Benedict Cumberbatch, do you know where I'm going with this? Yep, [00:10:06] Tony Arsenal: yep. Pen wing. [00:10:07] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. I didn't. I cannot say that word or stumbles over its pronunciation. He did some kind of big documentary in which Penguins played at least some part. Yeah. And they were in an interview. They were giving him such a hard time because they played his reading of it like within the same kind of five minutes. And his, the word just kept degenerating in his mouth every time he said it. So it became like almost undistinguishable from the actual word. And it's like initial pronunciation. It was so hilarious. Apparently it's a big joke on the internet and I just didn't know it. [00:10:38] Tony Arsenal: Especially for someone like Bent Cumberbatch who just is, uh, like he's a world-class voice actor. [00:10:44] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:10:45] Tony Arsenal: And like a super smart ude guy and he just can't say the word penguin and penguin. Yeah. [00:10:51] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. He said, you got everybody go look it up. 'cause it is super hilarious. And now it's kind of gotten stuck in my head. But um, again, this suddenly became like the All Penguin episode all of a sudden. [00:11:01] Tony Arsenal: I mean like, he can pronounce his own last name just fine, but the word penguin escapes him. I like to call 'em blueberry crumble bottom or whatever. Crumble bunch. [00:11:11] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, see that's the good stuff right there. That's what everybody we know. This is what you all tune in for. This is what you're missing when Apple Podcast doesn't send everything out on time. Yeah. You're welcome. [00:11:22] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl [00:11:23] Tony Arsenal: Well, Jesse, why don't we, why don't we get into it? Because you know it, it's interesting. Let's [00:11:27] Jesse Schwamb: get into it. [00:11:28] Tony Arsenal: Well, it's interesting because when you, you know, you kind of, we, we sort of do the little lead to the episode and I, I suddenly realized that I think I've been interpreting this parable very differently than maybe you have or other people. Great. Do, uh, because I, I think I, I think I might have a different take on it. Let, let's do it. Yeah. So let's get into it. Uh, do you have the, the text in friend you wanna read? Uh, why don't we just do 44 all the way through 46? We'll do both parables in one reading. We'll come back and talk about it. [00:11:54] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Sorry, everybody. So here's a two for one for you. Beginning in where we're in verse 44 of Matthew chapter 13. This is Jesus speaking. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field again. The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Interpreting the Parables [00:12:22] Tony Arsenal: I think maybe this is the, like the beauty of parables, uh, when Christ doesn't give us a interpretation. I, I think we're, we're, we're not free to like make up whatever we want, but these kinds of teaching tools are useful because the fact that there can be multiple interpretations actually is, is probably intentional. [00:12:43] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:12:43] Tony Arsenal: So it's funny because I think when you intro the episode here, it sounds like you're going to the kingdom of Heaven being a treasure hidden in a field, being something that we should sell everything we have and go after. And when I read this, I read it as the kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden a field. And the man who is Jesus goes and sells all that. He has. He gives all that he has and buys the field. So, and I, I think this is one of those ones where like. Probably both of those things are in play. Sure. But it's interesting 'cause I've never, I've never really read this and thought about myself as the person who buys the field. [00:13:19] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Interesting. [00:13:20] Tony Arsenal: I've probably heard sermons or read devotionals where people have said that and it just never clicked. And it didn't register until just now. And you were, when you were, uh, introing the parable that maybe you are the, maybe your way of introing your, your interpretation. Maybe that's the dominant one. So I, I looked at a couple quick, um, commentaries while you were speaking and I didn't get a chance to do my commentary reading before the episode. It seems like I'm the weird one. So, but it's interesting, um, 'cause again, I think that's the, kind of the beauty of parables is that sometimes the, the, um. Ambiguity of what the possible meaning could be, probably plays into the, the, um, teaching technique itself. [00:13:58] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, I, I think that's fair. I totally can take and understand what your perspective is on this. What I find interesting is that these, we've got these two abutting each other, like the cheek to cheek parallel approach here, and in doing so, there seems to be like kind of an interesting comparison between the two. Actors in this. And I think we should get into that. Like why in one case Jesus is talking about a person who finds this in a field, which by the way, I think the, the thing that jumps out to me first about that person is this person doesn't actually own the field at first. Right. That the treasure is in. So that is interesting. I'm totally with you. But then the second one, so in the first one there's kinda almost like this sense, and I don't wanna like push this too far, but that this person who finds this treasure does so very unexpectedly, perhaps like he's even the hired hand and of course not the one who owns the field. [00:14:48] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. [00:14:49] Jesse Schwamb: And in the second case, we have somebody who almost is volitionally looking for this thing of great value, but finds the one thing above all the other things that they're used to looking for that clearly has the greatest and most. You know, essential worth and therefore the end is always the same in both of 'em. They give everything they have. They're willing for forsake all other things with great joy, recognizing the great value that's in front of them. I think there is a place to understand that as Christ acting in those ways. I think there's also interesting, again, this comparison between these two people. So I'm seeing this as we've got these varied beneficiaries of the kingdom. They both come to this place of the incomparable value of the kingdom, but then there's also like this expulsive power of the kingdom. All, all of that's, I think in there, and again, these are really, really, really brilliant, I think, because the more that you spend time meditating on these, the layers just kind of come and they fall away and you start to really consider, well, why again is Jesus using these two different characters? Why is he using this kinda different sense of things of, of worth what the people are actually after? I think all of it's in play. You're totally right. [00:15:54] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. The Cost and Value of the Kingdom of Heaven [00:15:55] Tony Arsenal: So I think, you know, when we think about the kingdom of heaven, when we think about these perils, we made this point last week, we shouldn't, um, we shouldn't restrict, we have to be careful not to restrict the comparison to just like the first noun that comes up, [00:16:08] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:16:08] Tony Arsenal: So it's not just that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, it, it is like a treasure, but it's like a treasure that's hidden in a field. Yes. And it's not just like a treasure that's hidden in a field, it's a treasure that's hidden in a field which a man found and covered up. Right? So, so like we have to look at that whole sequence. And I think, I think, um, you know, obviously like the, the interpretation that we are the, we're the man who finds the kingdom of heaven and we, you know, we go and buy the field. Um, that, that obviously makes perfect sense now that I'm looking at a few different commentaries. It seems to be the predominant way that this gets interpreted. And we, we look at it and we say, what, well, what does this mean for like our Christian life? Like. What does it mean? Do we have to, do we have to give everything away? Do we have to sell everything we have? Is that the point of the parable? I think some people make that the point of the parable. Um, I'm not convinced that that actually is the point of the parable. Um, because it, you know, it, it, it just, there's lots in the scripture that, that, uh, doesn't seem to require that Christians automatically like, give away everything they have. Um, maybe that's your calling. Maybe it is something that God's calling you to do to sort of, um, divest yourself of your, your belongings, either to sort of fight materialism or greed or, or just because like you're gonna need to have that fluidity and liquidity to your assets 'cause you're gonna need to move around or whatever it is. But I don't think we look at this parable and have like a, like a, a command for a life of poverty or something like that. Right. Um, really this is more about the. Utter sold outness of the Christian to pursue and seek the kingdom of God. [00:17:48] Jesse Schwamb: Right? Right. [00:17:49] Tony Arsenal: And and I think that that's the same in both, even though the way that the person in the parables comes a, comes across the kingdom or they come across this, this thing of great value or thing of great price, that they find their response in both parables is the same. And to me, that that actually tells me that that's more the point of these parables. Um, or, or maybe we shouldn't even think of these as two parables, right? Some of the introductory language that we see in when we transition from one parable to another, we don't really see that here. Uh, and if, if we're gonna follow that, actually we would be going to the next parable would also kind of fall into this. But he says the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure. And then in 45 he says, again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. We're gonna run into something like this later on when we get to like the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of lost coins. Where there are these distinct parables, but they're kind of stacked on top of each other in order to make a specific point. All of the parables that are sort of in these parable stacks are making the same point. And so I think it's not so much about like, how do we find the Kingdom of Heaven or how do we come upon the kingdom of heaven? It's more about what do we do once we've come upon it? Once we've thrown it's, that's the point of the parable that we need to unpack. [00:19:03] Jesse Schwamb: That's right. And I would add to that, like who is it that is the beneficiary of this kingdom? We have two different, very different individuals, which I, again, I think, we'll, we'll talk a little bit about, but I'm totally with you. I, I think it's, it's easier, it's almost too narrow and too easy to say. Well, this is really just about like physical ma or about wealth. Like in some way the, what we're being taught here is that you have to get rid of everything of value in exchange for this. In some ways, that almost feels too transactional, doesn't it? As if like what, what we need to do is really buy the kingdom. We express our seriousness about this kingdom or the rule and reign of God by somehow just giving up everything that we own as if to prove that we're really worthy of receiving that kingdom that we prayed enough. Right. That we've done enough, even though that we're contrite enough. Yeah. And all that stands like in direct opposition to the mercy and grace, which God gives to us through his son by the power of the Holy Spirit to bring us into this kingdom. So we know it can't really be about that. And so that leads me back again to just like the lovely details here. And like you've already said in the first case, here's what really strikes me is. For probably most of us in the West, this idea of treasure is novel and maybe romantic. There's a adventure and an energy to it. Because we've all heard stories about this, whether it's like, I don't know, pirates of the Caribbean or the county Mount Cristo. Like there's something about treasure finding some kind of, or national treasure. Sorry, that just came to my mind. Like I couldn't go any further without mentioning Nick Cage. So you know, like there's something there that pulls us in that finding this thing almost unexpectedly in a hidden place of immense worth and value is, has a real draw to it. But I imagine that in Palestine being like a war torn region in Jesus' day, in the way people might store goods of great value in the fields they own. And then of course the owner may never be able to achieve for lots of reasons, including death. And then somebody might stumble upon it. And as I understand the, the laws there, of course, if you were to stumble upon something. I was in somebody else's property and and on earth that thing take it out of the ground. In this case, you would be by law required to bring that back to the person who owned the field. So there's something interesting here that this first person, probably the more meager and humble of the two with they at least respected, like their socioeconomic status is let's, we could presume maybe going about their normal work. They find this unexpectedly in the field and it's immediately recognized to be something of great value that it is to stop and to, again, there's like a measuring that happens behind the scenes. This person at least is measuring of all the things that I own, all things I could possibly own. The better thing for me to do is to consolidate all the rest of my wealth. And this case, again, it's not the message of the story to do this, it's the exemplification of what's happening here. This person is so sold out to ensure that they acquire this great treasure that they stumbled upon, that they will take literally everything else of value that they own to exchange it for this very thing. So I'm totally with you because I think the predominant message here is not like take all your wealth and make sure that you give it to the church or that it goes to ministry or to missions. That may all be well and good and it may all be the kind of calling that you receive. However, I think the principle message here is the kingdom of God is so valuable that losing everything on earth, but getting the kingdom is a happy trade off. Like that's actually a really, really good deal. And so having the omnipotent saving reign of Christ in our lives is so valuable that if, if we lose everything in order to have it, it would be a joyful sacrifice. [00:22:20] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And you know, I think, um, I think there is a level of. Encouragement in Sacrifice and Joy in the Kingdom [00:22:27] Tony Arsenal: Sacrifice that happens for every Christian and. I mean, I, I know there's a lot of people who they, uh, come to faith as young children and we've kind of talked about that as like, that's that testimony that, you know, I think everybody really wants is like they wish they never had a time that they didn't know Jesus and Right. I don't know any parent that I've ever spoken to, and I'm certainly not any different here that doesn't want that testimony for Jesus, but, or for, for their kids in their relationship with Jesus. But. I think most people who come to faith at some point in their life when they're able to remember it, like they, they have a conscious memory of their conversion experience. There is this sort of sense of sacrifice and e even a sort of a sense of loss. Um, I think there, there are times where, and, and you know, I think maybe, um, even people who've always been in the faith, um, they probably can resonate with this. I think there are times when we might look at how our lives could have been different or could be different if we weren't in the faith. Um, and, and sometimes there's a sort of wistfulness to that. Like being a Christian can sometimes be difficult right On, um, you know, maybe you miss a promotion opportunity because you're not willing to work on the Lord's day or because you're not willing to do something unethical. Like you, you miss out on some sort of advancement and you think, well, if I could just, you know, if I could have just gotten past that, like my life would be much different. And what this parable teaches us is. That's an understandable, like that's an understandable emotion or response. Um, and there is this weighing of the cost. And in the parable here, he, like you said, there's this calculation that goes on in the background. He finds this treasure, he makes the calculation that to have this treasure is worth. Everything it's worth everything he has. He sells everything he has, and he buys the field in order to get the treasure right. And, and there's some interesting textual dynamics going on through this chapter. We've talked about how the parables kind of like the imagery across the parables in chapter 13 here of Matthew, they kind of flip certain figures around and almost, it's almost intentional because he is getting the treasure and the treasure. The kingdom of heaven here is like the treasure, but he's also getting the field right. And the kingdom of heaven is, is the field in other parables. Um, but this, this calculation that happens, um. I don't know, maybe my heart is just sensitive to this right now. I, I, I, I feel like a lot of times we look at that sort of wis wistful second glance at what could have been if we were not Christians, and we automatically feel like that's gotta be a sinful impulse. Like, how could I ever even consider what life might have been? Like this parable implies that that's the thing we actually have to do. You have to know and consider what it is you've sacrificed or will be sacrificing in order to make this transaction happen. You can't just blanketly say like, oh, of course. You know, you've gotta, you've gotta count the cost, as it were, and then you have to actually make the purchase. So I think we should look at this as a source of encouragement. Um, like I said, I'm not sure why. I feel like maybe there's, maybe there's just a, a. I dunno, I'm feeling a little weird and charismatic right now. I feel like this is something that I definitely need to be saying, like, I feel like someone needs to hear this. Maybe it's just me that needs to hear this. And that's, I'm tricking myself by thinking of someone else. But we are able, as Christians, I think God permits us and in some sense, maybe even expects and commands us to recognize what we have given to be Christians in order that we might realize how much we have gained with that transaction. It's not just this like remorse or regret, um, for the sake of remorse or regret. It's to be able to see how good and how beautiful and how worth it is the kingdom of God, uh, to, to, to claim that. [00:26:23] Jesse Schwamb: I like that there is a great discipline and a great joy in remembering worth and worthiness. So there's gonna be times, like you said, when it's hard and if you look back, look back at the ministry of Jesus, I've often thought that he's like a poor evangelizer from like modern standards. Yeah. Because often people come to him and say things like. I, I wanna be part of the kingdom of God. Well, what do I need to do to enter the kingdom of God? And here you have like a seemingly a willing convert. And he always says things like this, like, you gotta go count the cost. Yeah. Like is, is this worth it to you? Like you have to deny yourself, you have to hate your own father and your mother, and your wife and children, and brothers and sisters, even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. And in this kind of language, it's clear that Jesus is saying you fail often. And maybe this goes back like you're saying, Tony, it's like the parable of the soil that you fail to really take into account what it means to follow with full fidelity, to commit yourself in a fully unencumbered way. Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to consider that? And as human beings, we're just not good often at counting costs. We're not good at thinking about opportunity costs. And it's interesting here that we're called out to say, even if you've already purchased the field as so to speak, that as if you've been saved by Christ, to continue to remember how good it is to be in the kingdom of God. And that the joy. Of knowing as like the Heidelberg Catechism says in the first question that all things are subservient to our salvation. Yeah. That incredible worth of, that should be a source of encouragement in times of great trial and tribulation, no matter how big or small, so that this joy that this person has when they go and sells everything he has and he buys this field, you know those details, like you're saying, do press us. It really comes to us with this idea that we should be able to see plainly why having Christ is more valuable than all other things. If the omnipotence all wise, God is ruling, ruling over all things for our joy, then everything must be working for our good, no matter how painful and in the end, God is gonna triumph over all evil and all pain. So this kingdom is a real treasure. Like it is a, it is a real. A real quantity in our life and our wellbeing and in our spiritual consistency, that'll ought demand some reflection of how valuable it truly is. And then knowing that in our minds, that like influencing our behavior, our other thought patterns, and then our actual feelings about stuff. So that when, like you said, we're passed over, we're looked over, we're ridiculed for something, we go back and we count it all joy to be worthy of being part of God's kingdom, knowing that it was because of the entrance and acceptability and the identity in that kingdom that we experience. Those things, those hardships begin with. [00:29:05] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And, and I, um, I don't want us to miss out on the fact that even as the parable may be encouraging or forcing us to think about. The cost. It, it really is trying to emphasize the great value of the kingdom. Right? Right. We, like I said, we, we don't just count the cost. In order to count the cost for its own sake. We count the cost in order to understand the great blessing that is ours in Christ. Right. All I, I count all that I have as a loss compared to the greatness of Christ Jesus. And, um, I think we just don't often do that. I, I, I think as Christians, that's probably a thought that is in our head more as young Christians, especially if we come to the faith in, in a time in our life where we're aware of things like that. We think about things like that. Reflecting on the Cost of Faith [00:29:59] Tony Arsenal: You know, I was 15 when I first came to faith and, um, I, I don't think I was in a frame of mind as a 15-year-old boy to think about, like. The cost of what I was doing, right? It's not like I was a particularly popular kid. I didn't have a, you know, I didn't, I wasn't unpopular, but it wasn't like I lost a ton of friends when I became a Christian. I didn't really lose anything that was measurable. Um, but I do think that, as, you know, someone now in my forties, looking back at, you know, 15, 20, 25 years of, of Christian life, it's easy to see that things could have been different on a sort of temporal scale. Like my, my life could probably be more comfortable in terms of wealth or opportunities or other things that might, uh, aren't, aren't even bad things necessarily. There is a sense of sacrifice. But again, God has brought us into this kingdom and he's given us parables like this and given us the ability to recognize. That we do have a cost, that there is a cost to be counted in order that we might now look at it and praise him for how great and glorious and valuable the gift that he's given us is. Understanding the Parable of the Pearl [00:31:08] Tony Arsenal: And so I think, you know, I think that's the same basic meaning of this second, second half of the same parable. I guess the, the pearl of great price or the pearl of great value. But it's not exactly the same, right? It's not like Christ is just repeating the same ver, you know, parable with, with different words for variation. Um, every word is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching correction, reproof, and training and righteousness. And I had a, I had a prophet in, uh, in Bible college who would say like, difference means difference. And he was often talking about like minute things, like the difference, um, or why, why is this word used instead of that word? This word would've worked. And, and the author chose that one. There's a reason for that. Difference means difference, but. Christ here chooses to, to tell the parable a second time, um, in a slightly different way. Uh, and Matthew chooses to record these in the same sense next to each other in slightly different ways. So what, what do we, what do we wanna pull out of this second parable that's different and what do we think it's telling us that's a little bit different than the first version Y? [00:32:14] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's a great question. Diverse Approaches to the Kingdom of Heaven [00:32:16] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, I love this idea because not until really, I was thinking about it this week when I read through them, was I really, again, drawn to the differences between these two main characters. Interestingly, I think in both, and we can make the case that the, the treasure, the kingdom of heaven here represented in both this pearl or in this literal treasure is in a way hidden. Certainly the first man is not necessarily looking for, it's still revealed to him, but the second in a way. And on the other hand, he knew this guy knows treasure. He's been seeking it with diligence in vigor, or at least like this is what he does for a living in his vocational career. He's out there trading pearls, presumably, and he knows something about them and how to evaluate them effectively. And so it's his business and he's dedicated himself to finding them. And apparently he's seen plenty of them over the years. But then all of a sudden, and this is wild, the beautiful, all of a sudden, clearly the search comes to like an abrupt end because he finds this one of immeasurable value, so much beauty exceeding and value exceeding all the other ones. And he doesn't need to search anymore. He just finds the one pearl that he can retire on a pearl with more than everything else. Or anything else that he's ever possessed and he gets it again. He does. And this brings him into symbol two with the first man. He does the same thing, then liquidate everything else and go after this one. Great pearl. So to me, and I'm curious your perspective on this, I'm not necessarily promulgating that. Well, the first one is not a seeker and the second one is like a seeker of of God things. Right? There is though, like you said, a difference in their approach and what they're after. And so I think what we can take from this, at the very least, is that there is diversity in these beneficiaries of the kingdom of God that's covering everybody. And just by these two kind of bookended or polar examples, that's what Jesus draws us to. But I would turn the question back to you. What do you think about this second guy? What do you think about the fact that his business is searching after these things? What? What do we take away from that? [00:34:07] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. The Ultimate Value of the Kingdom [00:34:07] Tony Arsenal: And you know, the thing that drop that jumps out to me immediately in the first parable, the kingdom of heaven is, is like the treasure hidden in the field, [00:34:16] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:34:16] Tony Arsenal: In the second one, the kingdom of heaven is the merchant who's searching, [00:34:20] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:34:20] Tony Arsenal: Right. The kingdom of heaven is like the merchant in search of fine pearls who finds one. That's right. And so I think that they kind of are like, almost like mirror images of each other, right? One of them is about the treasure and what it takes to come upon it and then obtain it. The second is about the person who is coming upon the treasure and, and finding it. And then what it takes again to obtain that treasure. And I think, I think you're right, there is an element here that. Um, in this second parable, the person who is seeking for this treasure is one he's seeking for the treasure, right? Right. You get the image in this, in this first parable that the dude just kind of stumbles upon it. Um, I've heard this Todd as like, it's actually more like a guy who's just walking through a field rather than like a person working the field. And I'm not sure that matters that much, but there is this sense in the first parable that the guy kind of stumbles upon it. He wasn't looking, it wasn't what he was trying to do, but you're right in the second one, the kingdom of heaven, and this is where I, this is where I think I need to think more about it, is what does it mean for the kingdom of heaven to be like a merchant searching for fine pearls right [00:35:23] Jesse Schwamb: on. [00:35:23] Tony Arsenal: Rather than the pearls being the kingdom of heaven, which is what we see in the first bearable. Um, and I don't know the answer to that question. I think I need to, need to think about it and study it a little bit more. But I do like this distinction that in, in the first case, it's sort of a happy accident. And in the second case, this is, this is the life, this man's life work. He finds he's, he's in search of fine pearls. I'm not sure I know exactly what he's trying to do with the fine pearls. It seems like it implies that he's a pearl merchant or a pearl trader, but then he finds this pearl. He doesn't seek to sell it. He buys it. Right. [00:36:00] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:36:00] Tony Arsenal: And, and the, the, the fact that the parable stops with him buying it sort of implies that like. He actually is not going to sell it. He's just gonna keep this pearl. Now before the, the pearls, the, the source of the value of the pearls was kind of in the, the financial gain that selling or trading them could bring. But now he suddenly finds this pearl that is so valuable. It's so great, it's so beautiful. Everything he was working to obtain before all of the money he's gathered by finding and selling pearls in the previous like mode of living. He now gets rid of all of that just to purchase this one pearl and presumably to keep it. And I think that again, is kind of a, kind of a, um, statement on our Christian life is that we, we probably have all sorts of things that we've been doing our whole life and we are seeking to, to move forward in our life. And the kingdom of heaven is kind of the ultimate goal of all of that, for those who are in Christ, for those who are called according to his purpose. The purpose is not just to accumulate wealth. It's not even necessarily, uh, in and of itself to like grow in righteousness. It's to be transformed to the, uh, to the image of God's glory son, for the purpose of making him great, making his name renowned. Right. When we look at that passage in Romans that have kind alluded to, he's, he would transform into the image of Christ so that he might be the first born among many brothers. The Incomparable Worth of Salvation [00:37:24] Tony Arsenal: Ultimately, our, our sanctification and glorification is about making Jesus great and glorified, um, to give him glory, to have our glorification reflect his already intrinsic glory and the gift that he gives us, and I think that's kind of, kind of in play here, is that. Uh, we might have all sorts of goals in our life. We might have goals in our Christian life, um, that are good things that we should strive for, but at the end of the day, all of those things only serve to bring us to the kingdom of heaven, which is this pearl of great price that we, we purchase, we buy it and we just kind of hang onto it. It is its own treasure and it's, it's not about what this, this treasure can bring to us, right? Which is what the fine pearls were before they were about what the merchant can find and sell. It's, it's now about just obtaining the pearl and enjoying that pearl. Um, which I think is a little bit different than, than, um, what I would've thought of with the par before. [00:38:19] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, I totally agree with you. I think, I think you're actually onto something with the distinction because I think of. So much of my career has been spent in financial services among people who are buyers and sellers of things. They're traders. And the way I read this was very similar to what you were saying to me. What resonated was if this gentleman or this person is. Trading, collecting these pearls. Presumably they have appreciation for the beauty of the pearl itself. So there is like something innate that draws them to this particular thing. And with that experience and with that knowledge and with that, that appreciation of that beauty. I think when they see this other pearl, it moves from, well, why would I ever sell that? I've seen everything. This is the most beautiful pearl I've ever laid my eyes on. And now I want to keep it for me. I want to have it in my possession. I want to cherish it and not just keep it in the inventory and then turn around and sell it for markup, presumably, because there is no nothing that would be of greater value to this person. 'cause they just sold everything else that they had. So they, it's appreciation for the pearl itself. It's going after that finding and seeking that great beauty. And then that led me right into Philippians chapter four, where Paul writes the church in Philippi, beginning of verse eight. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever's honorable, whatever's just whatever's pure, whatever's lovely, whatever's commendable. If there's any excellence, if there. Anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Practice these things and the god of peace will be with you. So this idea, like you and I, Tony, have talked about like the world has great wisdom, it has great knowledge, it has things that can lead us by way of common grace into certain amounts of peace. But the pearl of great price, the seeking after the going after all these great things is to find the gospel, to be given the gospel it revealed to you. And then say everything else I count as a loss. Everything else is worthless compared to this thing. And if you're a person that can appreciate even just by turn of mind or God's influence in your life, you know, knowledge and wisdom, and you're seeking after that, which is the ultimate expression and representation of those things, and then you find you come upon this pearl of great price, the gospel wisdom and the beauty of God represented in his son Jesus Christ. And you say, this is it. I, I know enough to know, again, by the regeneration that comes through the spirit, this is the real deal. Then I think the message still stands. We come through two different directions into the same final culminating point, which is there is a condition for having this kingdom of God, for having the king on your side as your friend, but the condition isn't like wealth or power or negotiating or intelligence or even good trading behavior or going out and finding the right thing. The condition is that we prize the kingdom more than anything else we own. The point of selling everything in these parables is to simply show where our hearts are at. And so I often say in my own line of work, that cost only matters in the absence of value. Actually, it's true for everything that we. We presumably spend our time or our money on cost only matters in the absence of value. And I think like you and I could do a fun little experiment where I don't know, you ever talking to somebody about something and you're paying a cost to have that service delivered to you and you're, and you're just like totally worth it, like I would do totally worth it. Like, yeah, that's kind of the vibe I'm getting here. It's like at the end of days when we think about the worthiness of our God, that there's no one like him, that he's unequal, that he has no rival, that the gospel is the sweetest message that we're rescued literally from the pit. We're just say no matter what the cost of us personally, great or small, totally worth it, that that's what we'll be saying for all of eternity as we worship him. [00:41:45] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and I think even more than saying, totally worth it. I think when we are given our new eyes to see, and we no longer see through a da a glass dimly, we're gonna recognize saying that it was worth, it is is like it's a pale, like it's a faulty answer to begin with because the, for sure the worth of the kingdom of heaven surpasses anything we could imagine. And in our, you know, locked in little meat brains that we have now, we're kind of com we're just comparing it to. You know, like what, what we could have had or what we, what we've given up. Um, it, it's gonna be an incomparable comparison. Like there's no, there's no measure that is satisfying, there's no measure that can actually show us how, how worthwhile it is. And, you know, we've, we've made a point of it, like the, the blessing of salvation and, and really like what it is that we're getting, uh, in, in the. You know, the Christian understanding of salvation, it's not, it's not an eternal destiny. It's not bigger mansions in heaven. It's not freedom from death. All of those things come with it. All of those things are attending gifts. That's right. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the, the power of the Holy Spirit. We, we get swept up into the life of the, the God of the universe. Like the life of the Trinity indwells us. And we, we become a part of that. Uh, not, not in the, you know, like. Eastern Orthodox deification sense, although I think there's a proper way we can talk about deification. Um, but we get swept up into that. We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that. There's nothing that we could ever point to. Um, it's funny, my, my wife and I, um, this is a little corny, but, um, we'll often say to, to each other instead of saying, I love you more than anything, we'll say, I love you more than everything. Right. And, and it's, it's a way to say like. You could take all that there is in the world, everything that I have that I could possibly consider and sum up the value. And I love my wife more than that. I love my children more than that. So it's not that I love them more than any one thing, it's that I love them more than everything combined. And this is even greater than that, right? We, we will look back at our lives and if, if it's even in our mind, if we even can, can comprehend anymore. The idea of thinking about what it costs us to obtain this pearl of great value, which is the kingdom of heaven, which is just another way to say, is just fellowship with the God of the universe. Um, we'll look at it and say no matter what it was. No matter what it could have been, I would give everything I, I love God more than everything. Right. Right. There's nothing that could ever possibly be considered that even comes close to what we gain in, in Christ Jesus, in union with, with God. And I think that's the point of this, like I think the guy who, um. Christ's Perfect Sacrifice and Our Response [00:44:58] Tony Arsenal: I think about what it would take for me to even like to sell everything, like the concept of selling everything I own. I'm not even sure how I would do that, to be honest with you. Like, I don't even know the mechanism for that kind of thing. But the idea that there's anything that could be valuable enough that I would just sell every piece of human property that I have, there's probably nothing like that in this world. Like, there probably isn't. And to, to take that comparison and then basically say like, that's just what the kingdom of God is like. 'cause that's the other thing I think we miss about parables is you, you only make a comparison when you can't describe something, um, analytically, right? There's the difference between analogically and analytically Ana lot analytically means we're able to actually quantify and explain it kind of in strict terms, right? I can, I can say that, um, uh, a heavy object ways, X number of grams or it, you know, or, um. Pounds or whatever. I can, I can measure that and make an analytical statement, or I can make an analogy, an analogy that is comparative. Uh, but by definition, or almost by by nature of the thing, when you make that comparison, you're kind of saying like, not only is it like this, but it's actually it, like it's more like this than I can even describe. Right? So when we're talking about the kingdom of Heaven here, and we say it's, it's like, it's like a man who goes, he finds a treasure and then he sells everything. He has to get that treasure. It's infinitely more like that than it actually can be described. Does that make sense? I feel like I'm rambling on that a little bit. Maybe trying to describe something that can't be described is, is hard to do. [00:46:35] Jesse Schwamb: It's, that's, yeah. But yeah, that's, that's very difficult to do. I'm actually totally with you on this. I think I understand clearly what you mean, this idea that no matter how hard we actually try to value it, we'll be incapable of doing so. Yes. And at best, it almost seems like this is a strange command in a way because it's, it's asking us to do in some ways a thing that is impossible for us to do. However, I think what you're saying is it doesn't mean that we shouldn't turn our minds toward that. We're a bit like people who, I don't know if this show is still on PBS, but like, do you know that show, remember that show The Antiques Road Show? Yeah. Where people would like come, they'd ran ransack their homes or their garages with these old antique items and they bring them to this road show where there'd be experts who would value them. And inevitably we'll be like those people who come with what we think is like a. A thousand dollars clock that we got at a garage sale thinking, wouldn't it be great? I know this is valuable. It's probably a thousand dollars. It'll be, look at the return, tenfold return, I'll get on this item, and then instead finding that it's worth $10 million when it's appraised. Yeah, I assume it'll be just like that in the Beautific vision that even maybe for all of eternity will be growing in our appreciation for just how valuable this great salvation is. And yet at the same time, I think what this should encourage us to do is to pray things like God make us real in seeing and savoring Christ in his saving work above all the other things. Yeah. So that, as you said in your example, we would cherish him above everything, above all things that you have that right place in our hearts or that we be inclined to undertake that posture, which says, God, though I cannot understand it in full. Would you help me to see that? Encouragement in Our Spiritual Journey [00:48:08] Jesse Schwamb: And I wanna just say like, as a word of encouragement, maybe I'm speaking more to myself here so everybody else can disregard this if you like, but I think sometimes there can be a little bit of intimidation then when you hear these things and say like, ah, I'm just not, I just dunno if I love God enough, like I wanna love him, or I want to want to love him more. And I think even that posture is appropriate. Yeah. Sometimes there, oftentimes in my personal life, I'll pray something like, God, help me to know how much you love me and would you give me the strength to love you back? So that even that awareness, that energy, that volition, that vitality, that, that heat, all of that, that fire itself is kindled by the Holy Spirit. It's not like we need to like try to again manufacture here. Because the point of these, these stories is not again, that we just find the means to do a transactional exchange here, but that instead we really just sit in the full promises of God. And of course to that, I would say we always need to go back to, to something like Romans eight. I mean, I know that we should, like you said, Tony, the. The standard description we give for the Bible is the one that gives itself, which is that all of it, all of it's is carried along by the Holy Spirit. All of it is God breathe. All of it is useful for something. And yet, of course, I say somewhat tongue in cheek that, you know, if I have 10 minutes to live, I'm probably not gonna the s descriptions of reading a genealogy, I'm going straight from Roman and say, Romans say, I think it's just like the pinnacle of the scriptures. And so just a couple of verses at the end there, because I think this is, this is leading us into what is this great treasure? What is the kingdom of God? Why do we value it so much? What is the saving power? And uh, these verses, I mean, always just entirely get me ready to run through a wall. So this is the end of, of Romans eight beginning verse 35. Who shall separate us from the law of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword as it is written for your sake. We are being killed all the day long. We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No. In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us for I'm sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from a love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. [00:50:22] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. That's, that's a good word. And I, I, I like what you're saying too, is, is I think we, we can. There's this paradoxical thing that happens when the scriptures is trying to encourage us to do something, is we often like to get our, in our own way. And, and actually that becomes a source of discouragement for us. The Bible calls us to something and we know we can't live up to it. And that's actually like part and parcel of, of reform theology to recognize that this is law, like the, the, the, the, you know, maybe not in like the strict sense, like when we talk about dividing the scripture into law and gospel, um. It may not be that this particular passage would fall under that rubric of law normally, but this idea that we need to count the cost and that we need to be treasuring Christ more and more, and then when we feel like I'm just not getting it. I'm just not there. Like, I don't, I don't treasure Christ as much as I so should. Um, that Yeah, that's right. Nobody does. Nobody can, like, that's, that's kind of the point of this, and that's why it's law is it's, it shouldn't drive you in Christ. It should not drive you to despair. Right. It should not drive you to discouragement. It should drive you to gratitude that God saved you anyways. That, that this pearl of great value is still yours even though you can't possibly deserve it. Um, you know, we're, we're a little bit different than the, the merchant and the man who finds the treasure in the field in that we can't sell everything we have and obtain it like they have the ability to do that in the, in the parables. Right. Um, we, we don't, and we never will. And so rather than let that drive you to being discouraged that like you're just not getting. I recognize God is of infinite value and we are finite creatures. So we, we could, uh, value God perfectly. Like whatever that means, and I don't even know what that means, but we could value and cherish and love God perfectly as far as our capacities are concerned, and it still would not be enough to sufficiently merit God's favor for us. Like as much as we can, even in, even in eternity. As much as we can value and worship and love and praise Jesus, he is worth infinitely more than we could ever give, even when we do it perfectly. And this is, this is why you know Christ coming to die, to live on our behalf, to die in our place. Why that's necessary is because only this is a, maybe a different take on it. We, I think we talk a lot about how, um. Only God could, could carry, bear the wrath of God and not be destroyed. Right. Right. Only God could, um, could stand up under his own wrath, could stand up under the wrath of God and bear that punishment and not be destroyed. And so therefore, um, Christ had to be not just a man, but had to be God. But on the flip side. And God requires perfect perpetual obedience, which involves loving the Lord your God, perfectly with your whole heart at all times. Right? Only God can do that too. So it's not just that God. It's not just that G

This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor sit down with Elizabeth Watson and Jane Allen Wilson from the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network for one of the most important conversations in veterinary medicine. Domestic violence affects far more veterinary professionals than most realize, yet it remains one of the least discussed workplace safety issues. Research shows that an estimated 1 in 5 women will experience some form of violence by a partner in their lifetime; chances are, someone listening is facing it right now.  Through candid discussion, the guests explain how to recognize warning signs in colleagues, clients, and even animal patients. They describe how abusers often isolate victims and use pets as tools of control, why victims hesitate to seek help, and what veterinarians and managers can do when they suspect abuse. The episode explores the practical and legal steps clinics can take, from safety planning to protective orders, to safeguard team members and their clients. This episode challenges the profession to view domestic violence as both a personal and a workplace concern, urging listeners to foster safer and more supportive veterinary environments. If someone needs confidential support, whether they need help right away or want to have someone to talk to and process with and process privately and safely, they can call, text, or chat with someone here: The National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ Additional resources, support, and information can be found here: - NCCADV - North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence - North Carolina Victim Assistance Network: https://nc-van.org/ - National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: https://ncadv.org/do-you-think-youre-being-abused - National Network to End Domestic Violence: https://nnedv.org/get-help/more-information/ - Directory of each state and territory's state domestic violence coalitions: https://nnedv.org/content/state-u-s-territory-coalitions/ #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VetClinicLife #DomesticViolenceAwareness #SupportSurvivors #SafeWorkplace #VeterinaryLeadership #MentalHealthInVetMed #VeterinaryWellbeing #VetMedStrong #DVAM2025

73% of travelers say influencer recommendations drive booking decisions, yet creators earn nothing from $3,000 vacations they inspire. Jon Levesque, founder and CEO of Seek, has built an AI-native platform that transforms saved social media into bookable itineraries while ensuring creators capture affiliate revenue from their influence. The discussion reveals how experience networks are replacing traditional directory models through direct creator-to-consumer attribution systems, AI-powered content translation into SEO-optimized web pages, and affiliate partnership frameworks that deliver 70% revenue shares to travel creators.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We recorded another version of this episode. This episode was recorded on my phone so the voice quality appears bad. Let me know which version you prefer!Please help keep this podcast free: https://www.patreon.com/grumpyseoguy/1:55 Why are we mentioning link directories?2:45 The reason people build directories3:44 Problems with directoriesThey are all duplicates of each otherOn the same IPLinkfarms5:00 Defining link farms6:33 The exception to link directories with local SEOAttributes of decent link directories7:35 Why so many sites have directory links

Please help keep this podcast free: https://www.patreon.com/grumpyseoguy2:51 he purpose of link directories 3:45 A main problem: they're copies of each other5:07 Suspicious names6:12 Same IP addressEpisode that explains IP addresses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stMe4nMrem4&pp=0gcJCR0AztywvtLA6:54 Link farms7:25 Description of a link directory8:32 Can link directories help you?9:16 Why do they have directories linking to them?

In this insightful second episode with Lois Bushong, the hosts dive deep into the concept of belonging for Third Culture Kids (TCKs), adult TCKs, and globally mobile families. Lois Bushong shares her expertise as a licensed marriage and family therapist, unpacking generational differences and the pivotal role of shared cultural memory of family and community. Key Topics & InsightsShared Cultural Memory & Belonging:Lois Bushong discusses how family rituals and cultural touchstones - such as holiday traditions and celebratory meals - help anchor a sense of belonging despite geographic and cultural shifts. Artifacts and Home as Story:Doreen Cumberford and Megan reflect on how the physical items in their homes serve as tangible mirrors for their international journeys, helping in personal storytelling and connection.Finding Belonging Internally:The hosts reinforce the idea that true belonging starts within. Lois Bushong uses metaphors like “carry-on baggage” and a “sailboat navigating life" to illustrate how self-reflection, examining one's values, and adaptation play a role in creating a sense of belonging that transcends location.Navigating Cross-Generational Connections:Strategies for bridging generational approaches include reading books (specifically plugging Megan Norton-Newbanks's "Belonging Beyond Borders"), using metaphors in therapy, journaling, engaging in meaningful cultural activities, and seeking mentorship or peer support.Normalizing the TCK Experience:Lois Bushong validates the complex identity struggles of TCKs and encourages finding community (in-person or online), sharing stories, and normalizing feelings of not fully “fitting in” anywhere.Practical Tips & ResourcesReflect on Rituals:Maintain or adapt family traditions and cultural practices wherever you live—they foster continuity and safety.Use Artifacts:Surround yourself with objects and decorations that tell your story and spark conversations about your journey.Seek Community:Connect with other TCKs, join international groups, or engage in multicultural activities for shared understanding.Therapeutic Tools:Explore counseling, coaching, and journaling. Directories like the International Therapist Directory can help find culturally competent therapists.Recommended Books:“Belonging Beyond Borders” by Megan Norton-Newbanks“Belonging Everywhere and insights into Counseling the Global Blue Mobile” by Lois BushongSupport the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with ease and grace.

From Prison Garb to Neoclassical Chic: Style and Scandal in the Directory. During the Directory (circa 1795), Teresia (Madame Tallien) and Rose (not yet Josephine) held influential salons, using style to gain success in a world where women lacked financial empowerment. Their revolutionary fashion stemmed from the prison shift Teresia wore and the plain white cotton dresses worn by African American women in Martinique, Rose's home. This style—made often of diaphanous imported muslin—passed as neoclassicism but stunned observers due to the minimal amount of clothing worn. One famous wit observed that Teresia was "more expensively undressed" than anyone else. This radical departure from the previous "cage style" clothing, enforced by sumptuary laws and guilds, was made possible by the abolition of guilds and the collective trauma of the Terror. It was at Teresia's gathering that Napoleon, then a Corsican in shoddy clothes, became entranced by Rose (Josephine).

FITPOD at Ballito Lifestyle Centre is a dynamic fitness studio offering Pilates, functional training, dance, and Barre across three specialised pods, combining expert instruction, premium equipment, and an energising community atmosphere for North Coast residents. Radio Life & Style on Facebook · The Morning Show Sponsor: Excellerate Security

Same video without any sound effects here: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pvougslKzS0 This video has been requested by Dean Woodbridge :) thank you for the idea and the inspiration my friend. Directory and Description: In this video you will wake up in a hut of a good witch 0min-04.00min, she will prepare special herbal tea for you to gain your powers back 04.00min-21.02min, she will cleanse your energy field 21.00min-31.00min and will whisper you a bedtime story while she brushes her hair 31.00min-39.00min. I hope you will enjoy this. :) Thank you again so so much for all the love and support you guys give me :) it is so precious to me. I will try to keep it up and be more frequent with videos. ♥ Love ya :D Amazon MP3https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B01BAXDICM?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=GentleWhispering&index=digital-music&search-type=ssGoogle Play MP3https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/Gentlewhispering?id=Apc4txglf3f2siowzgqccttky5i&hl=enSpotify MP3https://play.spotify.com/artist/3gkB9Cdx4UuWQxjhelyd87?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=openiTunes MP3https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/gentlewhispering/id1077570705#see-all/top-songshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maria-gentlewhispering/id1048320316Disclaimer: *** This video is created for relaxation, entertainment and ASMR/tingles/chills inducing purposes only. For more information about ASMR phenomenon please click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_sensory_meridian_response This video cannot replace any medication or professional treatment. If you have sleep/anxiety/psychological troubles please consult your physician. Thank you :) ***PayPal (Donations): https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RA5K2GG7687VJ Email: MariaGentlewhispering@gmail.com#asmr #gentlewhispering 5/4/13

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYBODY! How fun to have Halloween on a Friday this year! So I had to jump in and record something special & spooky for you all to give you something to listen to while you carve pumpkins prepare for the arrival of trick-or-treaters. On this special Halloween solo episode I get into a bit of the history of Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos as well as share some personal experiences with entities/ghosts and tell a very creepy true story of a Witch's curse. I had a lot of fun recording it and hope you have just as much fun listening! And wherever you and whatever you're doing I hope you have a safe and fabulous Halloween!Mr. Ballin, https://youtu.be/OLVA5CLsZ8g?si=HIQnKfX5T3dWO5HhNyala Healer's Directory, https://nyalahealing.com/directory/healers/whitney-walker_2128957111W.I.T.C.H Oracle, https://www.spiritelement.co/prettypowerfulthings/witch-oracle-angi-sullins-review-rt4pwDonations To Women Waken To Support The Show Are Greatly Appreciated

Please help keep this podcast free: https://www.patreon.com/grumpyseoguy2:51 the purpose of link directories3:45 A main problem: they're copies of each other5:07 Suspicious names6:12 Same IP addressEpisode that explains IP addresses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stMe4nMrem46:54 Link farms7:25 Description of a link directory8:32 Can link directories help you?9:16 Why do they have directories linking to them?

Fear of public speaking is simply a signal that you care.It's not a stop sign on the road to your next opportunity. Everyone feels butterflies before stepping up to the mic. The difference is how you use that energy. Most avoid the stage.What if your past failures could fuel your future success? Learn how to flip fear on its head, no matter if you're just starting out or haunted by a slip-up from your speaking past.Here's what you'll learn:How to reframe fear and nerves into excitement, so you perform at a higher level when it matters mostSteps to normalize fear as part of the speaking journey, so you won't let nerves sabotage your next big opportunityStrategies for coming back after a failed speech or criticism, so you bounce forward instead of shrinking backThe most powerful way to build lasting confidence before you even walk on stage, so you look and sound like a proWhen you face your fears, doors open and the spotlight finds you, say yes, and become in demand.*****Craft your Compelling, Captivating, and Converting speech. Take $250 off with code BIDLISTENER at https://speakandstandout.com/offer-indss *****Links and resources mentioned in this episode:Get your copy of 17 Magic Phrases at https://SpeakAndStandOut.com/MagicGrab the FREE resource Directory of Places to Speak https://SpeakAndStandOut.com/DirectoryFollow me on Instagram at https://instagram.com/laurieann.murabitoClick and read more over on my website. https://SpeakAndStandOut.comIf you're looking for support to grow your business faster, get fully booked and profitable, book a call to explore if you'd be a good fit for one of my programs. schedule a call at. https://speakandstandout.com/speaker-success

If you missed it, here's Part 1 of our live event replay: 7 Ways to Land Clients.This episode is Part 2, and I'm joined by three of our Workgroup members share how they consistently book clients without cold pitching or chasing leads. We're talking about the real strategies that work—building genuine relationships, growing your reputation, and showing up with visibility that gets noticed.Angela Kiszka shares how genuine relationships and clear positioning as a funnel strategist built her referral-fueled business, where clients come straight from name drops.Janelle Harlan reveals how podcast guesting and bundle collaborations led to multiple long-term clients (including a $50K retainer) by owning her niche in email and ActiveCampaign.Connie Hurlburt breaks down how relationship marketing with her network and follow-through keep her booked with repeat clients who trust her expertise.Listen to learn more about:The power of relationships and reputation that bring in repeat clientsVisibility opportunities that actually convert to paid projectsPositioning and niching so people instantly know what you doThe mindset shift from chasing clients to attracting them naturallyIf you're tired of chasing clients and ready to have them come to you, this episode will show you what's possible when you build genuine relationships and step into visibility.Enroll now: The Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant SchoolAdmin work is getting automated, but marketing? That's in demand everywhere. UDMA School is the only program that teaches you the exact skills clients are searching for: email marketing, funnels, SEO, social media, and even AI tools. You'll learn how to do the high-value work that pays $35, $45, even $50+ an hour, plus get live support and access to a network of clients who need your skills. Doors open October 23. Class starts October 30. Don't stay stuck in low-paying admin work. Step into the skills businesses really need. >>Enroll here at udmaschool.comLinks Mentioned in the Show: Already doing client work? Join Our Digital Marketer's Workgroup: a tight-knit community of freelancers and get access to behind-the-scenes conversations, support, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. You'll benefit from advanced trainings, member-only discounts, networking opportunities, and exclusive job leads. Apply at marketersworkgroup.comListen to Part 1: How to Land Freelance Clients Using Warm Leads, Directories, and Client Referrals #268Connect with...

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network podcast, Logan and Aaron break down how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way homeowners search for remodelers—and what you need to do to keep getting found. With tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google's AI Overviews shifting how search results are delivered, contractors who rely on organic leads can't afford to sit this out. From local SEO to AI-friendly website structure, Logan shares what's working right now (October 2025) and how remodelers can prepare for a future where search engines are smarter—and less likely to send users to your site by default. If you've heard phrases like “zero-click search” or “retrieval augmented generation” and don't know how they affect your marketing, this is the episode to listen to. Free Webinar Link: Logan is hosting a free live webinar on November 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM EST to go even deeper on this topic—with tactical examples and live Q&A.

Send us a textDid you know there are membership organizations for people of means who want to use their money in greater alignment with their values? Whether you are looking for a group to join or looking for free resources online to DIY your own journey towards greater alignment between your money and your values, tune in this week to learn more about: Toniic, Women Donors Network, Solidaire, Resource Generation, and Thousand Currents.Links from today's episode:Toniic's Directory of Impact Investments https://toniic.com/diirectory/ Financial Times: Toniic, partner of GIIN, wants to bring impact investing to China's wealthy https://www.ft.com/content/23f02dd0-f3c9-11e8-9623-d7f9881e729fWomen Donors Network https://womendonors.org/ San Francisco Chronicle: Zendaya makes $100,000 donation to Bay Area theater where she got her start https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/zendaya-california-shakespeare-theater-donation-18680592.phpSolidaire https://solidairenetwork.org/ Solidaire's Black Liberation Pooled Fund https://solidairenetwork.org/movement-partnerships/black-liberation-pooled-fund/ Thousand Currents https://thousandcurrents.org/ Resource Generation https://resourcegeneration.org/ ICYMI another episode you might enjoy:When Trust Fund Kids Grow Up- Episode 97 (recorded a few weeks before the 2024 rebranding of this show)Connect With Genet “GG” Gimja:Website https://www.progressivepockets.comTwitter https://twitter.com/prgrssvpckts Work With Me:Email progressivepockets@gmail.com for brand partnerships, business inquiries, and speaking engagements. Support the show

Wondering how to get freelance clients without cold DMs, awkward pitches, or job board burnout? Welcome to Part 1 of our live event replay: 7 Ways to Land Clients. A panel of talented freelancers joins me to share the real strategies that helped them attract clients through warm leads, online directories, and word-of-mouth referrals.My guest speakers are Workgroup members who've mastered the art of visibility and positioning. They break down how they built trust, refined their messaging, and leveraged relationships to create steady, high-quality client pipelines.Katie Fisher shares how our Workgroup directory & a Kajabi certification led to multiple high-value projects and affiliate income.Robyn Stoney walks us through her 27x ROI warm lead strategy using personalized, short pitch emails that actually get replies.Stacy Covitz and Esai Arasi add insight into how to get freelance clients by nurturing relationships that lead to more referrals.Listen to learn more about:How to get freelance clients through specialized directoriesThe importance of positioning, proof, and why your marketing assets matterHow to combat the “trust recession” with testimonials, case studies, and portfoliosHow to turn a warm lead into a retainer clientHow to grow through referrals, community, and client resultsThis isn't theory — it's what's working right now for real freelancers inside our community. Listen in and get inspired to position yourself where the clients are already looking.FREE Live Masterclass: How to Build a Freelance Marketing Business You Actually LoveCalling all virtual assistants and marketing pros ready to stop doing random admin work and start offering strategic marketing services clients happily pay $35–$150/hour for. Join us for my free masterclass “How to Build a Freelance Marketing Business You Actually Love (And Pays Well)” on October 23.You'll learn how to package your strengths, position yourself like a pro, and finally step into work that lights you up. >>Save your seat here!Links Mentioned in the Show: The Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School isn't your average VA setup course. It's the only program that teaches the real marketing skills clients actually pay for—email, funnels, SEO, social media, even AI. In just 16 weeks, you'll go from “just a VA” to a confident digital marketing pro with a portfolio to prove it. Doors open October 23. Class starts October 30. Save your spot at udmaschool.com

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services appears to be quietly considering Palantir to support its yearslong efforts to build a national provider directory for health care providers and patients across the country. Federal spending records show Palantir to be one of four recipients to receive awards from the Department of Health and Human Services and CMS containing the phrase “national provider directory” and “proof of concept.” The four separate contracts, made public Sept. 30, award $1 to each company and are set to expire Nov. 13. Two sources familiar with the efforts told FedScoop these contracts are for a prototype product with CMS. One source confirmed the prototype is for the agency's national provider directory, an effort the agency has been exploring for years. CMS has suggested the directory could serve as a centralized data hub for health care provider and facility information nationwide. The move marks the latest sign of civilian agencies' growing interest in Palantir, which offers extensive data integration and analytics capabilities. The Department of Energy is requesting proposals for the buildout and maintenance of AI data centers and energy generation infrastructure in and around Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In an RFP published last week, the national lab's site and environmental management offices said they are seeking proposals from entities interested in entering into long-term leases in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The work on those DOE sites would include “designing, financing, permitting, developing, constructing, installing, owning, maintaining, operating, and decommissioning AI data center and/or energy generation infrastructure,” per the posting. For those sites, Oak Ridge is specifically seeking construction of data center facilities with specialized computing equipment, cooling facilities, infrastructure for energy supply, transmission and storage, and other related equipment and facilities. The DOE said entities responding to the RFP could be private-sector companies with experience in the development and operation of AI data centers, advanced computing facilities or energy storage. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

You don't become a thought leader by waiting for someone else to call you a Thought Leader. You decide to lead with your own ideas. Too many brilliant business owners play small, holding back ideas that could change how people think. Stop waiting for permission and start sharing your unique point of view.These five steps will help you clarify what you stand for and amplify your message, so your audience starts referring you whenever your topic comes up.Here's what you'll learn:How to clarify your unique point of view, so your perspective stands out and challenges the status quoThe power of sharing your ideas publicly, so you gain visibility and credibility even if you're just starting outHow to use stories and data to support your message, so people remember and trust what you sayWhy consistency across all platforms is key, so you grow your reputation as the expert in your fieldThe real benefits of collaborating with others, so you stop competing and start building greater influenceClaim your spot as a thought leader, because no one is coming to slip a certificate under your pillow.**** Join IN Demand...the Membership at https://SpeakAndStandOut.com/IND*****Craft your Compelling, Captivating, and Converting speech. Take $250 off with code BIDLISTENER at https://speakandstandout.com/offer-indss *****Links and resources mentioned in this episode:Grab the FREE resource Directory of Places to Speak https://SpeakAndStandOut.com/giftFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/laurieann.murabitoClick and read more into over on my website. https://SpeakAndStandOut.comIf you're looking for support to grow your business faster, get fully booked and profitable, book a call to explore if you'd be a good fit for one of my programs. schedule a call at. https://speakandstandout.com/speaker-success

We speak with The Washington Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray, on his recent changes to the paper, plus Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton discuss the premiere issue of the Monocle Design Directory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small business owners across Southwest Ohio are moving away from national listing platforms toward regional directories that prioritize local connections. The shift reflects frustration with corporate-dominated search results and a desire to reach nearby customers. To learn more, visit https://miamivalleythrive.com/ Ourland Highroad, LLC City: Xenia Address: 1677 Rockwell Drive Website: https://www.ourlandhighroad.com Phone: +1 567 408 6361 Email: manager@ourlandhighroadLLC.com

What if I told you that right now — and especially in the months and years ahead — your entire visibility depends on whether the machines can find you?That's not just clickbait. It's the truth.Because if ChatGPT, Gemini, Siri, Alexa, or Perplexity can't find you… your future clients won't either.We've officially entered the AI Discovery Era. And everything you think you know about SEO, social media, and visibility — it's shifting. Fast.Hi, I'm Dr. Tamara Patzer, and I help experts, entrepreneurs, authors, and innovators just like you become the #1 answer — not just for humans, but for the machines that guide them.Because when you're findable, suggestible, and recommended by AI — you don't just win attention.

The October 2025 PEO Directory – Update 2. The Department of War (DoW) is one of the world's largest organizations. If you're a startup trying to figure out who to call on and how to navigate the system, it can be – to put it politely – challenging.

Public speaking isn't just about standing on a stage, it's the ultimate tool for personal growth and visibility.Imagine mastering the skills to keep your cool when everything goes wrong. What if you could walk into any room and adapt on the spot, no matter what chaos unfolds? That's exactly what you'll discover in this episode.Developing high-performance skills through speaking can transform not only your business, but your life. You'll hear real stories about facing big obstacles, quick pivots, and gaining the confidence to lead, connect, and bounce back stronger after slip-ups.***** Book a Speaker Success call at https://SpeakAndStandOut.com/speaker-success **********Craft your Compelling, Captivating, and Converting speech. Take $250 off with code BIDLISTENER at https://speakandstandout.com/offer-indss *****Links and resources mentioned in this episode:Get your copy of 17 Magic Phrases at https://SpeakAndStandOut.com/MagicGrab the FREE resource Directory of Places to Speak https://SpeakAndStandOut.com/DirectoryFollow me on Instagram at https://instagram.com/laurieann.murabitoClick and read more over on my website. https://SpeakAndStandOut.comIf you're looking for support to grow your business faster, get fully booked and profitable, book a call to explore if you'd be a good fit for one of my programs. schedule a call at. https://speakandstandout.com/speaker-success

Russ Rowlett Today's interview was first heard in episode 19 back in 2019. The conversation is with Russ Rowlett, webmaster of The Lighthouse Directory, one of the most useful lighthouse-related sites on the internet. When Russ was growing up in Richmond, Virginia, his only exposure to lighthouses was climbing the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse when his family vacationed at Virginia Beach. Russ earned a doctorate degree in math at the University of Virginia in the 1960s, and he taught math at Princeton and then the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In 1987 he became Director of the Center for Mathematics and Science Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He's also known for his research on the metric system and units of measurement. Russ started his website, The Lighthouse Directory, in 1999, and it kept growing until, by 2009, it covered the whole world. The address of the site is ibiblio.org/lighthouse/   At this moment there are listings for more than 24,600 of the world's lighthouses. If there are more lighthouses out there, Russ will find them.

Feel stuck by your GPA? Learn the four moves that PA school admissions actually trust and how to overcome less than awesome stats.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Happy PA Week Special!! To celebrate your future white coat, we have something amazing for you! Our PA School Directory! Updated for the new cycle (incl. new programs) and available for you so you can quickly, easily see which PA schools you match best with!! No more endless scrolling and hours spent hunting through program websites.Inside the Directory, you'll find all this and more:

Strengthen your security posture by moving groups and users from Active Directory to Microsoft Entra. This gives you seamless access for your teams, stronger authentication with MFA and passwordless options, and centralized visibility into risks across your environment. Simplify hybrid identity management by reducing dual overhead, prioritizing key groups, migrating users without disruption, and automating policies with Graph or PowerShell. Jeremy Chapman, Microsoft 365 Director, shows how to start minimizing your local directory and make Microsoft Entra your source of authority to protect access everywhere. ► QUICK LINKS: 00:00 - Minimize Active Directory with Microsoft Entra 00:34 - Build a Strong Identity Foundation 01:28 - Reduce Dual Management Overhead 02:06 - Begin with Groups 03:04 - Automate with Graph & Policy Controls 03:50 - Access packages 06:00 - Move user objects to be cloud-managed 07:03 - Automate using scripts or code 09:17 - Wrap up ► Link References Get started at https://aka.ms/CloudManagedIdentity Use SOA scenarios at https://aka.ms/usersoadocs Group SOA scenarios at https://aka.ms/groupsoadocs Guidance for IT Architects on benefits of SOA at https://aka.ms/SOAITArchitectsGuidance ► Unfamiliar with Microsoft Mechanics? As Microsoft's official video series for IT, you can watch and share valuable content and demos of current and upcoming tech from the people who build it at Microsoft. • Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicrosoftMechanicsSeries • Talk with other IT Pros, join us on the Microsoft Tech Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-mechanics-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftMechanicsBlog • Watch or listen from anywhere, subscribe to our podcast: https://microsoftmechanics.libsyn.com/podcast ► Keep getting this insider knowledge, join us on social: • Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFTMechanics • Share knowledge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft-mechanics/ • Enjoy us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msftmechanics/ • Loosen up with us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msftmechanics

Directory:0-2:19- introductory 2:20-4:20-preparation4:20-8:50- bb cream: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0084A5PVM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0084A5PVM&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwyoutub0e8c-20 eye primer: urban decay potion, concealer9:15-12:00-eyebrows12:01-15:25-eyeliner15:30-20:22-eyeshadow: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006OY1NE8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006OY1NE8&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwyoutub0e8c-2020:23-23:55-eyeliner overtop and bottom lashes wing24:00-26:50-mascara: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C4UKQ58/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00C4UKQ58&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwyoutub0e8c-2027:00-29:40-crinkling29:50-32:00-foundation: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SPWOVS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002SPWOVS&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwyoutub0e8c-2032:01-39:15-sculpting, blush: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CCYL542/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CCYL542&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwyoutub0e8c-20 , powder39:16-end-lips.41:37-Nail polish :):)) I hope you will enjoy this. Sorry for the bad sound quality :/ Love you! :D ♥Amazon MP3https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B01BAXDICM?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=GentleWhispering&index=digital-music&search-type=ssGoogle Play MP3https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/Gentlewhispering?id=Apc4txglf3f2siowzgqccttky5i&hl=enSpotify MP3https://play.spotify.com/artist/3gkB9Cdx4UuWQxjhelyd87?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=openiTunes MP3https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/gentlewhispering/id1077570705#see-all/top-songshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maria-gentlewhispering/id1048320316Disclaimer: *** This video is created for relaxation, entertainment and ASMR/tingles/chills inducing purposes only. For more information about ASMR phenomenon please click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_sensory_meridian_response This video cannot replace any medication or professional treatment. If you have sleep/anxiety/psychological troubles please consult your physician. Thank you :) ***PayPal (Donations): https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RA5K2GG7687VJ Email: MariaGentlewhispering@gmail.com6/5/13

What does it mean to worship God “with reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28)? In this episode of Christ the Center, Dr. Camden Bucey speaks with Dr. David Hall and Dr. Carlton Wynne about the upcoming Reformation Worship Conference at Midway PCA (October 16–19, 2025). Together, they reflect on the regulative principle of worship, the unchanging truth of Scripture, and the ways God uses ordinary means of grace to sanctify his people. Dr. Hall shares his journey into Reformed worship, highlighting how worship flows from every doctrinal locus—Christology, pneumatology, anthropology, and beyond. The discussion encourages believers to treasure reverence, resist shallow entertainment-driven services, and see worship as the very heart of discipleship.  00:07 Introduction   06:51 Confessing Unchanging Truth   13:57 Dr. Hall's Background   20:48 Dr. Wynne's Background   25:43 The Regulative Principle of Worship   33:58 Worship Offering a Sanctifying Influence   42:11 Trends in Worship Practices   46:46 The Directory for Public Worship   52:26 The Influence of the Wider Culture on the Church   59:21 Conclusion   This is Christ the Center episode 927 (https://www.reformedforum.org/ctc927)

“Haunted events are beyond our logic and occur in ways that challenge our perception of reality. But whether a place is haunted by ghosts, flying saucers, angels, demons, or some strange energy can be a matter of some debate...” -- Dennis William Hauck, The National Directory of Haunted Places. Richard prepares for the biggest, most important and most personal pitch of his life.  It's the one that could change everything -- if he doesn't screw it up. And The National Directory of Haunted Places never leaves his side.  Richard scans the country, looking for something to believe in -- and even visits a haunted house in Michigan that just happens to be for sale!  Just when it seems like the spirits are on his side, reality throws a curve ball: it looks like his son Owen might be born prematurely.  Is there a middle ground between magic and the mundane? Is it possible to live with one foot in each?  And where do you turn when real life threatens to tear hope away completely?   Links:   Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink  Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/?  Buy The National Directory of Haunted Places https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=national+directory+of+haunted+places&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313 Visit Case Vega -- but look out for those dark green margaritas! https://www.casavega.com/ 

The Pentagon is one of the hardest customers in the world to win over. For startups, the barriers are steep: complex rules, unfamiliar offices, and a culture that doesn't work like Silicon Valley. But the stakes couldn't be higher—cracking the Department of Defense can mean scaling breakthrough technologies that shape national security.In this episode of The Burn Bag, A'ndre Gonawela speaks with two of the most influential voices in defense innovation: Steve Blank, the father of the Lean Startup movement and co-founder of Hacking for Defense, and Pete Newell, CEO of BMNT and former leader of the Army's Rapid Equipping Force. Together, they've helped release the 2025 PEO Directory—a first-of-its-kind playbook that maps who buys what inside the Pentagon and how startups can navigate the system.We break down why so many companies fail when they try to sell to the military, what's changing in the Pentagon's acquisition culture, and how new reforms could give startups and investors a real shot at competing with defense giants. Steve and Pete also walk through the different paths a startup can take—whether building patiently through government programs or charging directly to the field—and share how founders can take advantage of the PEO Directory.If you've ever wondered how innovation actually gets into the hands of warfighters—or why it so often doesn't—this conversation is your guide to understanding and changing the system.Download the 2025 PEO Directory here.Read Steve Blank's blog post on the Directory here.

  Mark Adamczyk, Jeff Crudele & Andrew Iler Letter to Rep. Luna Read Here Oliver Stone's Letter to Rep. Luna Read Here Doug Horne's Letters to Rep. Luna Links to Chokeholds Website Website Chokeholds X account (twitter) x.com/jfkchokeholds Researcher Jeff Crudele joins lawyer Andrew and attorney Mark in drafting a precise letter to Rep. Luna on the JFK Records Collection and the need for Oversight Rep. Luna's Task Force will be issuing a year-end Final Report that must address compliance with the JFK Records Act Andrew's groundbreaking research on the ARRB's final release orders is critical to a Final Report NARA will not disclose the ARRB's Final Release Orders - questions are raised Lack of Directory & Index of assassination records at NARA is necessary for public disclosure of all assassination records Andrew discusses specific examples of non-compliance and circumvention of the ARRB Limited focus on select records does not achieve compliance with JFK Records Act and satisfy Trump's Executive Order Urgent call to action from the research community and the public is very important to preserve the JFK Records Act  

This week on the Worn & Wound podcast, Zach Kazan welcomes Hamza Masood back to the podcast. Hamza Masood is Head of Partnerships at WatchCharts, a website whose mission is to provide as much pricing data and transparency as possible to the watch buying public and the larger watch industry. It's a truly invaluable resource, and we think you should bookmark it and refer to it whenever you find yourself shopping for a new or pre-owned watch. In this episode we get a market update from Hamza and a broad overview of the state of the pre-owned watch world, including a few notable surprises.  Hamza also tells us about his latest project, the American Watchmaking Directory. Hamza has always had an interest in American watchmaking and the state of the industry here, and the American Watchmaking Directory is a bit of a passion project that has been in the works for some time. It seeks to document as many American watch brands as possible, and will eventually also list suppliers and manufacturers of other watch components based in America as well. The idea is that it can be a place not just for collectors and enthusiasts to research American watchmaking, but to connect brands with each other and suppliers so they might collaborate more easily.To stay on top of all new episodes, you can subscribe to The Worn & Wound Podcast on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and more. You can also find our RSS feed here.And if you like what you hear, then don't forget to leave us a review.If there's a question you want us to answer you can hit us up at info@wornandwound.com, and we'll put your question in the queue. Show Notes Review: the RGM Model 222-RR “Ferguson”Typsim Makes Watches for the True Watch NerdExploring WatchCharts Marketplace, a New Watch Sales Platform Backed by Historical Pricing DataThe Worn & Wound Podcast Ep. 245: Hamza Masood from WatchCharts Walks Us Through this Crazy Market and His Own Unique Collecting StrategyAmerican Watchmaking DirectoryThe Cornell Watch Company Introduces the Lozier, with a Case, Crown, Dial and Hands Made in the United States

Local businesses across Ohio's Miami Valley often struggle with online visibility. Smart directories with accurate, mobile-friendly listings help residents find nearby services quickly and strengthen the regional economy.For more, visit https://miamivalleythrive.com Ourland Highroad, LLC City: Xenia Address: 1677 Rockwell Drive Website: https://www.ourlandhighroad.com Phone: +1 567 408 6361 Email: manager@ourlandhighroadLLC.com

“In almost every town in America, there are places where strange things happen...” -- Dennis William Hauck, The National Directory of Haunted Places. When Richard found The National Directory of Haunted Places at a small bookstore in Taos, New Mexico, it was like finding an enchanted treasure map.  It seemed to promise a world filled with magic, all yours for the asking -- if you could find it.  Right now, Richard needs magic more than ever.  Under Siege 2: Dark Territory has come out -- but he still hasn't sold anything on his own.  His options are fading fast -- and now there's a baby on the way.  Maybe it's time to grow up and leave childish things behind.  As Richard obsessively tears through The National Directory of Haunted Places, searching the country for ghosts, UFOs, Bigfoot -- and hope -- the walls start to close in on him.  Will cold, hard reality have the final word? Or will Richard somehow find the unmarked turn-off that leads to the shadowy land of dreams?  Links:   See Richard Hatem LIVE! The “Light in the Dark Tour” tickets and news are all right here! https://www.eventbrite.com/o/richard-hatems-paranormal-bookshelf-podcast-90573788253  And here! https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events  Support RHPB on Patreon here! https://patreon.com/RichardHatem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink  Get RHPB merch here! https://richardhatem-shop.fourthwall.com/?  Buy The National Directory of Haunted Places https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=national+directory+of+haunted+places&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313 Visit Santacafe https://www.santacafe.com/?y_source=1_MzI3NjAxMTktNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D  Visit L'Auberge Chez Francois https://www.laubergechezfrancois.com/ 

In this video, I will walk you through the process of properly categorizing your business directory. You'll see a live example with a nationwide stem cell clinic directory and learn how organizing by states and cities can make a massive difference in your SEO.By the end of this tutorial, you'll understand how to structure your directory to get more traffic, generate more leads, and ultimately increase your sales.

Directory: start-3:19-introduction 03:20-book walk through :)) mmmmm nice book sounds and gentle tapping ♥ In this video I will tell you Alice's adventures in Wonderland as I display images from this wonderful children's book. :) Enjoy. Link to the English version book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689847432/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0689847432&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwyoutub0e8c-20 love you so much ^_^ thank you for all the lovely messages and comments, I missed you so much. ♥Amazon MP3https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B01BAXDICM?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=GentleWhispering&index=digital-music&search-type=ssGoogle Play MP3https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/Gentlewhispering?id=Apc4txglf3f2siowzgqccttky5i&hl=enSpotify MP3https://play.spotify.com/artist/3gkB9Cdx4UuWQxjhelyd87?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=openiTunes MP3https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/gentlewhispering/id1077570705#see-all/top-songshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maria-gentlewhispering/id1048320316*** This video is created for relaxation and ASMR/tingles inducing purposes only. For more information about ASMR phenomenon click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_sensory_meridian_response ***PayPal (Donations) and email: maria@gentlewhispering.comwebsite: http://www.gentlewhispering.com7/21/13

How To Sell to the Dept of War – The 2025 PEO Directory by Steve Blank

" When I eventually figured out my food intolerances and a better relationship with fueling, I brought [my marathon PR] down to 2:44 within a little under a year." Jenny Grimshaw, VP of marketing at EQUIP*, and now a 2:36 marathoner, joins us on the Lane 9 podcast. Jenny is also a mom of 2, and navigating prophylactic surgeries to reduce her risk of breast and ovarian cancers (with the BRCA-1 gene). Her postpartum running experiences have been full of PRs, as she has figured out her own fueling needs, how to balance her identity as a runner with all the other things she does, and has worked with a coach to better balance her training volume and find her confidence as a runner.  Jenny shares: her early experiences with food intolerances and GI distress that were assumed by physicians to be anorexia, but would later be more correctly classified as ARFID the anxiety and panic attacks that she dealt with as a young runner, and injuries that plagued her through college, related to fueling, mental health, and wanting to explore life outside of running why she got into longer distances after her collegiate T&F years the gastroenterologist appointment that changed everything for her how she brought her marathon PR from a 3:13 to a 2:36 (not to say "you can, too!" but to give just one example of how fueling and mental health impact our experiences in sport) why she was drawn to EQUIP, and her role there *EQUIP is a virtual eating disorder treatment company that offers care in all 50 states. They're also part of the Lane 9 Directory. Connect with Jenny Grimshaw on Instagram @jenny_gshaw, and follow her training for her next marathon! Follow @Lane9project on Instgram, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.  Connect with a clinician near you, and find your full team of women's health and sport providers, by going to Lane9Project.org/directory. If you don't see what you're looking for, fill out our Athlete Match Form, and we'll find someone for you!

Tired of spending hours researching agencies only to end up more confused than when you started? In this episode, I reveal my solution to one of marketing's biggest time-wasters: finding the right agency partner.After years of getting asked "Neal, who would you recommend?" for everything from SEO to video production, I decided to do something about it. I partnered with Clutch, the leading B2B service provider platform, to personally curate 12 specialized directories of agencies I actually recommend.These aren't just random lists—each directory has been carefully vetted based on proven results, verified client feedback, and deep expertise. Whether you're a startup with a limited budget or an enterprise brand with complex needs, there's a trusted partner for you.What You'll Learn:Why agency selection has become such a major pain point for marketersHow my dual role as Fractional CMO shaped my approach to these directoriesThe 12 specialized categories and what makes each one uniqueMy personal curation process and selection criteriaHow to use these directories to save time and reduce risk in your agency partnershipsWhat makes this partnership with Clutch different from typical agency listsThe 12 Curated Directories:✅ Top Digital Marketing Agencies ✅ Best SEO Companies ✅ Leading AI Development Companies ✅ Creative Video Production Agencies ✅ Strategic Social Media Marketing Agencies ✅ Recommended Lead Generation Partners ✅ Trusted Ecommerce Development Companies ✅ Specialized WordPress Development Companies ✅ Expert Content Marketing Firms ✅ Proven Email Marketing Agencies ✅ Influential Influencer Marketing Agencies ✅ Preferred Facebook Advertising PartnersKey Takeaways:Great agency partnerships can be transformational, but poor fits waste time and moneyStarting with vetted lists dramatically improves your chances of finding the right partnerThese directories include global options across different price points and specialtiesThe lists are living resources that I'll be updating as the industry evolvesResources Mentioned:Access All 12 Directories: nealschaffer.com/clutchLearn More About Clutch: clutch.co/about-usIndividual Directory Links:My Top Digital Marketing AgenciesMy Best SEO CompaniesMy Leading AI Development CompaniesMy Creative Video Production AgenciesMy Strategic SocialLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

In this video I will be demonstrating to you a few bags in a relaxing manner. Directory: 0-01:40-Introduction 01:41-05:54-first leather beige bag with studs (tracing, squeezing)05:55-09:43-second patent leather, firm, alligator print bag (tracing, scratching, tapping)09:44-14:34-third bag, soft, squishy leather (squeezing, tracing)14:35-17:39-fourth bag, hard frame (texture feeling, tapping, scratching, tracing)17:40-end-Crinkly hard plastic sounds, pages turning, rubbing leather journal cover, rubbing soft plush surface, soft hand movements with whispers I apologize for a constant humming noise and a hissy background sound. Thank you for your patience and understanding :*) Amazon MP3https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B01BAXDICM?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=GentleWhispering&index=digital-music&search-type=ssGoogle Play MP3https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/Gentlewhispering?id=Apc4txglf3f2siowzgqccttky5i&hl=enSpotify MP3https://play.spotify.com/artist/3gkB9Cdx4UuWQxjhelyd87?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=openiTunes MP3https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/gentlewhispering/id1077570705#see-all/top-songshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maria-gentlewhispering/id1048320316PayPal (Donations) and email: maria@gentlewhispering.com8/3/13

" I think young people often don't get that chance to like take a step back [from sport] and say like, is this working [for me]?" shares Kaleigh Cornelison, who specializes in working with teens and adolescents.  Kaleigh is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience working with teens and the adults who care about them. She leads workshops, creative resources, and writes the both, and newsletter for parents and professionals who wanna embrace both the challenges and the joys of the teenage years. She takes a balanced approach to social media use, acknowledging both the benefits and the downsides to how it impacts development, connection, experiences in sport, and more.  This episode covers her experiences in sports growing up, through college, and training for her first half-marathon why she decided to specialize in working with teens and adolescents as a social worker the ups and downs, pros and cons to teens participating in sports—from social connection to identity to body image and disordered eating how social media can both help and harm our experiences in sport (and of course, as a human, in general) how to talk to teens in a way that actually connects with them, especially when it comes to the hard stuff (like disordered eating behaviors) Connect with Kaleigh Cornelison through her newsletter bothandnewsletter.com. And on Instagram @kaleighcornelisonmsw Follow @Lane9project on Instgram, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.  Connect with a clinician near you, and find your full team of women's health and sport providers, by going to Lane9Project.org/Directory. If you don't see what you're looking for, fill out our Athlete Match Form, and we'll find someone for you!

In this episode of the Niche Pursuits Podcast, Frey Chu shares his journey of building successful directory sites that generate passive income. He discusses his strategies for niche selection, site structure, and SEO, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to leverage their SEO skills in a side hustle.  Frey also reveals his tech stack, monetization methods, and link-building techniques that have helped him grow directories to 100,000 monthly visitors. Are you looking to learn more on how to build directory site that earns long-term, passive income? Then make sure to listen to this interview! ** Podcast Sponsor - Mailtrap Try Mailtrap for free - https://l.rw.rw/niche_pursuits_2  This episode is sponsored by Mailtrap - an Email Delivery Platform designed for product companies. Go for high deliverability, growth-focused features, and industry best analytics. Get 20% off for all plans with our promo code NICHEPURSUITS.   Links & Resources Frey's Youtube Channel Ship Your Directory Community Sign up to his Directory newsletter Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week? Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

In this episode, Lorna Borenstein shares how Grokker has evolved into a powerful platform that uses AI to help us stay connected and healthy, why they decided to go with an open system instead of utilizing the directory model they started with, and how Grokker empowers individuals to take ownership of their own wellness. Grokker's vision is to make your health both accessible and welcoming.If you're curious about the future of digital wellbeing, the role of AI in personal health, and how to build tools that truly empower people, this is an episode you won't want to miss.In this episode, they talk about:Grokker uses AI to help us stay connected and healthy Directory models versus open systems in the vendor ecosystemHow Grokker helps empower people to take their wellness into their own handsThe implementation that will help people the most and lead to the most ROIA Little About Lorna and Grokker:Lorna Borenstein is the CEO and Founder of Grokker, the award-winning innovative engagement engine that powers both life-changing outcomes for employees and the results Fortune 1000 clients demand. Supporting millions of employees in over 135 countries on any device, Grokker is trusted by industry leaders, including Boston Children's Hospital, CVS Health, Delta Air Lines, Dominos, eBay, G.E., MGM Resorts, Pfizer, Target, and more.The idea for Grokker came to Lorna Borenstein while on a multi-year sabbatical, traveling the world with her husband and three children. Hoping to use the internet to practice yoga and fitness while on vacation, she became frustrated with the lack of high-quality instructional videos available, as well as the difficulty in finding videos in one place. In 2012, Lorna founded Grokker.com, the on-demand wellbeing solution you can access from anywhere, anytime, on any device.

What if you could build a website that earns thousands per month in relatively hands-off income while traditional SEO struggles? That's exactly what Frey Chu has done with his directory-style websites. While article-based content sites have been getting hammered by Google updates, directory content has remained resistant to these changes and continues to generate that elusive semi-passive income online. Frey built his first directory in the thrifting space, and six months later discovered it was getting 1,000 visitors per day. He quickly monetized with ads and made $1,200 that first month without doing much of anything. Today, Frey earns a few thousand dollars monthly from his directory portfolio at ShipYourDirectory.com and teaches others how to replicate his success. Tune into Episode 692 of the Side Hustle Show to learn: How to find profitable directory niches using data-driven research Where and how to collect massive amounts of location data at scale Proven monetization strategies beyond just display ads Marketing tactics that actually work for directory sites Full Show Notes: $2500/mo with Online Directories New to the Show? Get your personalized money-making playlist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mint Mobile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Cut your wireless bill to $15 a month! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Indeed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Start hiring NOW with a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OpenPhone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Get 20% off of your first 6 months! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shopify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Sign up for a $1 per month trial!

"There's nothing wrong with getting a little out of shape. It's okay! We shouldn't be in our peak or prime all the time," shares Stevie Lyn Smith, sports dietitian and endurnace athlete. Stevie Lyn Smith is a Registered Sports Dietitian, avid endurance athlete, and dog mom. Her mission is to help educate and coach athletes on how to fuel their goals without sacrificing their health and happiness. And, she's also part of our Lane 9 Directory of Women's Health & Sport Clinicians! This episode covers: Why she took 4 years off of training for triathlons Her year of racing (and PRs!) in 2025 after that long break Setting boundaries and structure for your own racing and recovery, especially when your social circles are also your training circles Why she doesn't want to hear that you "can't eat more carbs", and HOW to do that Fueling strategies for ultra-endurance endeavors, like an Ironman (of which she's raced 10!) and the importance of taking mental and physical breaks from training for big goals, even if it means you lose some fitness. It's okay! As mentioned: Heather's episode on Stevie's podcast, episode 48 on Real Fuel with SLS.  Follow Stevie Lyn on Instagram @StevieLynLyn, or connect with her through the Lane 9 Directory here. Follow @Lane9project on Instgram, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.  Connect with a clinician near you, and find your full team of women's health and sport providers, by going to Lane9Project.org/Directory. If you don't see what you're looking for, fill out our Athlete Match Form, and we'll find someone for you!

"I was the last [athlete] in my recruiting class by my senior year," shares Asia Rawls, aka Coach Brown Bambi, reflecting on the challenges of collegiate athletics and how she stuck with it.  Rawls competed in multiple events, eventually excelling in the 400m hurdles. She ran for Eastern Michigan University (EMU) under coach Sue Parks. In this episode she shares how running changed her life, from a young age, after switching school districts and having more access to sport, all the way into getting a scholarship as a student athlete.  Now, she's the head coach at Machine Athletics (while also working FT in tech!), running with the Detroit-based running group We Run 313, and running World Majors Marathons! Tune in to hear more of her story, why she brings the world of sprinting into the world of distance running, and how running has shaped so much of her story and who she is today. Connect with Asia on IG, @brown_bambi. Follow @Lane9project on Instgram, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.  Connect with a clinician near you, and find your full team of women's health and sport providers, by going to Lane9Project.org/Directory. If you don't see what you're looking for, fill out our Athlete Match Form, and we'll find someone for you!

" I mean, half of our cross country team in college, I would say had disordered eating," shares Maddie Barrett, of Joyful Run Coaching.  She's a full time running coach, parent, and recently underwent a double-mastectomy. Maddie is part of the Lane 9 Directory, and joined us to talk about her experiences as a young athlete navigating eating disorder treatment, her time as a collegiate skier and runner, and how she has navigated running and sport through her pregnancy and postpartum. Just last year, she had surgery for a double-mastectomy and reconstruction, and shares her experiences with that as well. Connect with Maddie through lane9project.org/directory.  Follow @Lane9project on Instgram, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.  Connect with a clinician near you, and find your full team of women's health and sport providers, by going to Lane9Project.org/Directory. If you don't see what you're looking for, fill out our Athlete Match Form, and we'll find someone for you!

" Eating disorders sometimes even mimic OCD. And by that I mean there is a compulsion that satisfies an obsession or an urge," shares therapist Hannah de Groot, a clinician in private practice at Stride Counseling.  Hannah de Groot is part of the Lane 9 clinician Directory, and joined us to talk about her work in helping athletes navigate symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and eating disorders. She shares her own sport story, and how she got into this work, as well as what it looks like for an athlete to work through Exposure Response Therapy.  Connect with her work through lane9project.org/directory, and give her a follow on Instagram @stride_counseling.  Follow @Lane9project on Instgram, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.  Connect with a clinician near you, and find your full team of women's health and sport providers, by going to Lane9Project.org/Directory. If you don't see what you're looking for, fill out our Athlete Match Form, and we'll find someone for you!

Hello :D yeees long time no see.. :*) I am so sorry for my absence I am adjusting to my schedule but it's working out fine now :) In this video I will talk about some cute things that make me feel cozy and cute hehe :P Thunderstorms and kittens. Explosive combnination ♥ I hope you will enjoy this. Love you so very much. Thank you for all the wonderful messages and comments I am so grateful to you, thank you! Directory: 0-02:00 min- introduction :*)2:10-7:56 min- thunder talk with rain/thunder sounds and umbrella 8:10-12:59 min- kittens purr, cuteness overload. :*P13:00-end- tickling your ears and your beautiful face with a fluffy scarf :)Enjoy.. I really miss you all :/ Amazon MP3https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B01BAXDICM?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=GentleWhispering&index=digital-music&search-type=ssGoogle Play MP3https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/Gentlewhispering?id=Apc4txglf3f2siowzgqccttky5i&hl=enSpotify MP3https://play.spotify.com/artist/3gkB9Cdx4UuWQxjhelyd87?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=openiTunes MP3https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/gentlewhispering/id1077570705#see-all/top-songshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maria-gentlewhispering/id1048320316Disclaimer: *** This video is created for relaxation, entertainment and ASMR/tingles/chills inducing purposes only. For more information about ASMR phenomenon please click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_sensory_meridian_response This video cannot replace any medication or professional treatment. If you have sleep/anxiety/psychological troubles please consult your physician. Thank you :) ***PayPal (Donations): https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RA5K2GG7687VJ Email: mariagentlewhispering@gmail.com10/3/13