Podcasts about earthly

This episode we cover the first silver mine in Japan, as well as the way that this sovereign is approaching offerings to the kami and handling family matters. For more check out: https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-138   Rough Transcript: Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  My name is Joshua and this is Episode 138: Offerings and Covenants   A gentle summer breeze blew through the cherry-tree-covered hills of Yoshino valley.  The royal residence, a kind of summer home for the royal family, normally somewhat quiet, was suddenly abuzz with activity.  The regular groundskeepers and those who tended the site throughout the year mingled with servants sent from the capital to make it ready for a royal visit.  Rooms were aired out and swept. Metal fixtures were polished.  The kitchen was stocked and ready to go. It had been some years since the prince—now sovereign—had resided in the valley as an attempt to proclaim he had retired from the world.  Now he was sitting at the top of the state government, but as such, he was more often than not living in the grand palace in Asuka, which he had renovated at the start of his reign. This, the Yoshino palace, was left as more of a vacation home—though "home" hardly did it justice given its majesty compared to the meager dwellings that otherwise surrounded it. And now there was a massive royal procession on their way.  Sure, it was the sovereign and his queen, and only a handful of princes, but they would each need their own quarters and likely have their own household staff that would no doubt need to be fed and housed.  In such a way a "simple" outing for the royal family was so often anything but for those who had to make it happen. And yet, such labor was much preferred to toiling in the fields, especially as the heat of the day started to rise, and the height of summer loomed large in the all-too-immediate future.   Alright, so we are in the midst of the reign of Ohoama, aka Temmu Tennou, the brother of Naka no Ohoe, who came to power through the use of military force—purportedly used in self-defense—and the sovereign who would have a profound effect on solidifying the Ritsuryo state, as well as the Chronicles and the history of the archipelago as we know it.  We've talked about Ohoama's ascension to the throne, and even his first year.  We mentioned how, during his reign, he rewarded those who helped him, tweaked the rank system, and we talked a bit about what we know of the clothing and the material culture of the period. This episode, we continue looking at what occurred during Ohoama's reign.  Specifically we'll be covering some of the ways in which Ohoama and his court were shaping the government and the structures of power to serve him and his family.  This includes everything from ritual, such as making offerings to various kami, to the way that he seems to have centralized power to himself and his family, which would have lasting impacts through the Asuka and Nara periods. First, though, a tiny little digression about silver.  We start in the 3rd lunar month of the second year since Ohoama ascended the throne, or the year 674 by the western calendar.  We are told that Woshiumi no Miyatsuko no Ohokuni, the governor of Tsushima, the island that formed the main border between the archipelago and the mainland, reported that silver had been produced there for the first time, and sent in some as tribute.  This is the first recorded instance of silver being produced in Japan. At this time, silver mining was mostly limited to finding a vein of silver on the surface and digging it out as far as one could possibly go into the rock and stone.  Still, silver would eventually become an important resource for the archipelago.  Tsushima would continue to produce silver through modern times.  Granted, production was limited until new refining techniques were introduced from Joseon Korea in the 16th century.  This was just as Ming dynasty deposits were declining, and as such, silver would become a major export from the archipelago to the mainland.  Indeed, by the 17th century, it is said that Japan accounted for one quarter to one third of the entire world's silver production. For now, however, the discovery of native silver was certainly a good start, but the Yamato court wasn't switching to a silver coin currency just yet—rice and cloth were still the major currencies for tax and trade purposes.  Still this find seems not insignificant, and clearly the chroniclers thought so as well -- as did the court.  They granted Ohokuni, the governor of Tsushima, the rank of Lower Shoukin.  The silver produced by the mine was offered to the various kami of heaven and earth, and presents were made to the high ministers and others of the rank of Shoukin and above. Now back to the Chronicles, and to the meat of what I'll be talking about this episode. On the 3rd day of the 8th lunar month of 674, we are told that the Royal Prince Wosakabe was sent to Isonokami shrine to polish up the divine treasures, at which point the sovereign made a rather spectacular decree:  he declared that all of the precious things originally deposited in the sacred treasuries by the various houses should be returned to their descendants. This appears to be a reference to the long-standing practice by Yamato of demanding that those they had gained some level of hegemony over turn over their sacred objects for Yamato's keeping.    We talked about this back in episodes 19 and 29, for example, when we talked about how Mimaki Iribiko, aka Sujin Tenno, and Ikume Iribiko, aka Suinin Tenno, had both requested treasures from Izumo and elsewhere, to be stored in the treasure house of Isonokami. We aren't told what all of these treasures were, but we can deduce that these were sacred treasures of the different houses and localities, much as the mirror, jewel, and sword were sacred treasures of Yamato.  These were items that early on distinguished the elite class in the archipelago, and had come to be gathered in the divine store houses.  You may recall how, early on, we saw mentions in the Chroncles that ships sent out to meet with others from different lands would place such treasures on a makeshift tree on the deck as a way of depicting who they were—who they represented. It would seem that these sacred objects came to represent the divine ancestors of the elites, and so eventually were associated with the idea of power and authority.  As Yamato spread its influence, possibly as much through the spiritual authority of Mt. Miwa as through its economic and military capability, it seems to have demanded that the various lands that came under its sway place their sacred treasures in Yamato's storehouse—a powerful image of Yamato's authority.  In a sense, this was a kind of hostage situation: recognize our authority, or your most sacred treasures, representing your ancestors, will be at risk .  One wonders if this isn't part of the reason that we find buried caches of bronze ritual items, including weapons, bells, and other such things, perhaps as a means of keeping them safe from those who would steal them away. However, in the new era of the Ritsuryo system, those objects, while still considered divine and sacred, did not hold the same value as they once had.  Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but this really seems to me to be particularly illustrative of the idea that the cultural imaginary of state power and authority had shifted.  Yamato's power and authority was no longer based on its role as a spiritual powerhouse as much as it was centered on the continental framework of a heavenly mandate and a system of laws and punishments.   And so, the sovereign could return the sacred items back to their descendants, because to do so did not cost him anything, and at the same time would no doubt earn him goodwill.  He could appear magnanimous and, in so doing, solidify his position as the supreme hegemon of this new state.  In many ways this acknowledged the importance of the divine treasures to the people and to the kami while also no doubt reinforcing Confucian stereotypes of the benevolent ruler. More importantly, this shows how Ohoama was restructuring the rituals of the state.  After all, he had the Jingikan, an entire governmental department dedicated to administering the various shrines and sacred rituals; so even if the sacred treasures were returned, they were still technically under the control of the state apparatus.  We've already talked about the Daijosai, the Feast of First Fruits for a new reign, a central ritual to which Ohoama had added further pomp and circumstance.  But as no less a scholar than Herman Ooms has written about, Ohoama also initiated the practice of ordering regular centralized offerings to not just one particular kami, but to several or even a number of kami, or shrines, at any given time.  We see this in the following year, on the 23rd day of the first lunar month of 675, in an almost off-hand remark. Later, in the 10th month of 676 offerings were made to all of the "Ahimbe" kami of Heaven and Earth—that is all of kami that were part of the festival of first fruits held on the first day of the rabbit on the 11th lunar month.  Offerings were also made to all of the Heavenly and Earthly kami on the second day of the year in 681. Of course, these offerings would not just be enriching the shrines of these various kami, but it would also reflect on the various uji connected to each of those shrines, as well. Another example of the court's involvement in these ritual innovations appears to be the worship of the deities at Tatsuta and Hirose.  The first example of that is also in 675, in the 4th month of that year.  Prince Mino and Saheki no Muraji no Hirotari were sent to the Wind-gods at Tateno, in Tatsuta.  Aston notes that there is a litany to the Wind-gods mentioned in the Engishiki, a 10th century collection of information on various rituals of the time, so this practice seems to have taken hold, at least enough to persist over 3 centuries later.  Also in the 4th month of 675, Hashibito no Muraji no Ohobuta and Sone no Muraji no Karainu were sent to worship the Oho-imi deity at Kahawa, in Hirose. The Oho-imi appears to be a "big abstinence" deity, whom Aston identifies with Waka'ukahime, responsible for food.  Worship is again paid twice in the year 676, once in 677, then twice again in 679, continuing twice a year, almost exclusively in the 4th and 7th lunar months, through the end of the reign.  Why were these particular deities chosen for special worship by the court?  Ooms notes that these shrines were built downstream along the Yamato river, which, along with its tributaries, was responsible for the irrigation of the crops in the Nara basin.  This mirrors, in some ways, the responsibility of rulers in the Yellow River and Yangzi river regions to help ensure the flow of the rivers while preventing devastating flooding – a very continental idea of the responsibilities of the sovereign, though expressed here with a particularly Japanese style. Indeed, Aston associates the deity at Hirose, with the deity of food.   Likewise, the Wind-deities at Tatsuta were also related to helping to grow crops.  After all, Tatsuta would have been situated near the break in the mountains that surrounds the Nara basin, where the Yamato River flows out towards the Kawachi plain.  As anyone who lives near a mountain gap is no doubt familiar, those areas are notorious for channeling weather phenomena, including storms, which can bring rain, but could also bring terrible winds.  So it does seem a natural point to pray for good weather for your harvest or otherwise, given the geography that made up the sovereign's world. We also have, in this reign, considerably more discussion of Ise than we've seen, previously.  In 673 we have the Royal Princess Ohoku no Himemiko entering the Saigu, the Abstinence, or Purification, Palace, where she was to be purified before going to Ise, which she did in the 10th lunar month of 674.  Ohoku is said to have been the first official Saiou, the unmarried royal princess sent to oversee shrine operations, of Ise Shrine.  This is a practice we see at multiple shrines, although it's most prominent at Ise. The term for the position in general is Saiou, although at Ise the royal princess would also be known as the Saiguu, after the purification palace.  Although Ohoku is said to have been the first Saiguu at Ise, this is muddied somewhat by some earlier mentions in the Chronicles.  There are those who are said to have been sent as Shrine Princesses to Ise back in the time of Mimaki Iribiko and Ikume Iribiko, but the process was largely discontinued—or at least rarely mentioned—until this period.  There are certainly several named individuals who are said to have served the Deity of Ise previously, starting with the presumably mythical Yamato Hime, who is credited with founding the shrine.  There are also various royal princesses are noted as either having served or as having been made ineligible due to their indiscretions. However, those earlier mentions rarely go into the detail we see here —starting with the abstinence hall, where the would-be Shrine Princess must purify herself prior to approaching the shrine, a process that took some time.  Certainly we first really see this put into action with Ohoku, and from that time the position of Saiguu or Saiou at Ise does appear to have been regularly filled.  That Ohoku was actually the first "Saiguu" shrine princess appears to be confirmed by the "Fusou Ryakki", which states that the first Saiou was appointed when then Prince Ohoama, in the midst of the Jinshin war, made a prayer to Ise and offered the royal princess Ohoku no Himemiko in exchange for victory.  In fact, a lot of the focus on Ise seems to stem from its apparent involvement, at the behest of either Ohoama or his consort, Uno no Sarara Hime, in the conflict. The following year we are told that the Royal Princesses Towochi and Abe proceeded to Ise Shrine as well, though presumably just for a brief visit.  Towochi, you may recall, was Ohoama's daughter who had been married to Ohotomo, aka Koubun Tennou, whom Ohoama had defeated to take the throne.  Abe was a daughter of Naka no Oe, half-sister to Ohoama's queen, Uno, and would eventually go on to marry the Crown Prince, Kusakabe.  That gives you some idea of the position of those were going to the shrine. Princess Towochi herself would fall ill a few years later in 678.  In fact, it was just as the sovereign himself was preparing to go pay a visit to the abstinence palace, perhaps so that he could also head out to Ise.  The court had a divination to figure out when he would leave, officers had cleared the roads, and the public functionaries were in a line of procession when word came that Princess Towochi, suddenly took ill and died within the palace.  This stopped everything in its tracks, and in that year there was no sacrifice made to the kami of heaven and earth.  I suspect that this was in part due to mourning and in part due to the pollution more generally associated with death. Two weeks later, she was buried at Akaho, and Ohoama raised a lament for her. Later, in 686, we are told that the Royal Princess Taki, the Princess Yamashiro no Hime, and the Lady Ishikawa were all sent to Ise Shrine, though Princess Taki returned in less than a fortnight. Why all this focus on Ise?  Remember that the Chronicles were begun in this era, and so the "truth" they would tell would be the truth that Ohoama and his immediate successors orchestrated. The focus on Amaterasu, her shrine at Ise, and the role of the sovereign as Heavenly Descendant was thus part of the overarching narrative that the Chroniclers tried to promote.  Still, hints that the focus on Ise shrine may have been something largely created in this era, however, are scattered throughout the existing literature, despite the Chroniclers' best efforts. For one thing, it is fairly clear that early on, the focus in the Chronicles is on  Mt. Miwa and the deity  Ohomononushi, rather than Amaterasu.  We also see the fingerprints of deities like Takami no Musubi, who in one story is the one who is actually responsible for sending the Heavenly Grandchild down to earth in the first place. It also seems telling that Amaterasu is not mentioned in earlier court rituals.  Worship of Amaterasu by the royal family takes place at Ise shrine.  Meanwhile, there are various rituals preserved within the traditions of the palace that include many other, seemingly older deities. I have also noted in the past how Ise shrine isn't even the primary shrine of Ise no Kuni.  In fact, that is claimed by Tsubaki shrine, the shrine to Saruta Hiko no Ohokami, with a separate shrine to Ame no Uzume, who are both said to have met the heavenly grandchild on his descent. None of this is to say that Ise Jingu was brand new at the time of the Chronicles' writing —there does seem to have been a shrine on that spot for some time, though even the Chronicles suggest that it might have been moved from a shrine originally housed in the Nara basin.  It is also possible, and even likely, that the rise of Ise and Amaterasu coincided with other trends at the time.  Even if the Sun Goddess had not always been centered in Yamato ritual, she was not a new deity, and it may have been the case that her prominence, and that of her shrine in Ise had been growing in prominence before this time, and so the court was now adopting that popularity for themselves.  Of course, Ohoama and Uno don't exactly spell out what they were attempting to achieve, beyond the unification of the archipelago, more broadly.  How, exactly, their focus on Ise Shrine was meant to play into that I don't know that I could fully state, but it certainly seems to have allowed the sovereign to create a new cultic focus for kami worship with a story that touched on regions from Kyushu all the way to the eastern shore of the Kii peninsula. Given the decentralized nature of kami worship, I don't believe it was possible to completely rewrite all of the stories—hence the numerous and conflicting accounts given in the Chronicles.  However, that is also what would have made it easier to hide newly fabricated—or perhaps simply exaggerated—stories in the mix.  And of course, it wasn't necessarily that the Chroniclers were creating things out of whole cloth, but they were able to choose those things that people would remember and what would be lost and forgotten over time.  They had to make the decision, for instance, which story they told was the "main" storyline, and which were listed as coming from "other books", implying a degree of separation from the truth. Through all of this, it certainly seems that propping up the royal family and its lineage was a central focus—even if that lineage was largely something that had recently been created.  As a reminder, we see a lot heavier reliance at this point on royal princes as opposed to other elite families, and an actual or implied reliance, in particular, on the royal family, as that is where Ohoama was consolidating most of the power and authority. Kitayama Shigeo coined the term "Koushin Seiji" to refer to this idea of a consolidated royal—or imperial—family managing the affairs of state.  Literally it is something like "Imperial Family Government".   In Shigeo's concept this was specifically an autocratic authority executed by the sovereign, and those of his immediate family.  Of course, writing in the post-war era, it is more than a little likely that Shigeo and others were looking at the concept of Tennou in the 20th century compared with many other world monarchs.  In that vein, the Asuka and Nara periods do seem to have been one of the rare times—perhaps even the last time—that the sovereigns had such a direct hand in the government and the making and establishment of law and tradition. That said, not everyone ascribes entirely to the idea that Ohoama was a completely autocratic despot—after all, it was clear that there were still plenty of powerful families in the archipelago, and the Ritsuryo state itself was also being strengthened.  Still, it does seem that Ohoama had brought his queen, Uno no Sarara, and his descendants into government.  And they would not only assist him, but continue his work for the next generations, such that even though the histories would not be finished until well after Ohoama's death, they would still show his influence on events. The dedication of the royal family to work as one is perhaps most clearly demonstrated in the events of the 5th lunar month of 679.  It was then that the sovereign, and his family, proceeded to the Yoshino Palace.  Now Ohoama had plenty of offspring—among them 10 sons.  And as long as he was around, there would be a certain amount of civility, but he knew all too well how things could break down after a sovereign's death.  And so he brought them together and he made them enter into a pact, which we know as the Yoshino Covenant, or Yoshino no Meiyaku.  Besides Ohoama himself, there were several others in attendance, presumably those who might stand to one day inherit the realm.  These included his partner and queen, Uno no Sarara Hime, as well as her son, Prince Kusakabe, who would be named Crown Prince, only a couple of years later.  It also included the Royal princes Ohotsu, Takechi, Kawashima, Osakabe, and Shiki.  All of these individuals were made to swear an oath to support each other, even though they were all from different mothers, and they agreed. But so what?  Why does it matter?  It is all well and good that Ohoama brought them together for a bit of kumbaya in his old digs away from the capital, but was there anything really to this covenant. This covenant is significant in several ways.  First off, it is clear that Ohoama was pulling in his family and trying to ensure they were onboard with what he was doing and what was planned.  Furthermore, it set out a clear line of succession, something that had not really been done up to this point. We have ideas on what would have made a candidate eligible, but other than naming a particular crown prince there hasn't exactly been any clear process or rules of precedence for who would assume the throne.  Here, though, we have a list that appears to be in order of precedence, since it otherwise may not seem to make sense, at least from a modern perspective. A key clue in the Chronicles is often the order of the names.  The most important or highest ranking person is usually given first, and then names are typically given in descending order of precedence.  There are clues that this is the case, but it becomes even more stark when we actually see reference to an individual's court rank or the size of their fief.  Since this period brings about court rank even for royal princes, we have some of that, at least in later records.  As such, there is the idea that this order was actually providing for a line of succession.   As I mentioned, up to this point, the contest for the throne was a toss up with each monarch's death.  Claims from competing princes were often considered equally valid until one proved their claim through a political or military victory.  Ohoama appears to have been trying to add greater structure to this.  Specifically, we see that Uno no Sarara's son, Kusakabe, is given pride of place.  In fact, throughout the Chronicle it is typical that we see the Chroniclers designate a queen—a Kougou—that is considered the primary wife.  This queen is almost always found to be the descendant of previous royalty, granting their child a doubly royal lineage, through both the maternal and paternal lines.   There has been plenty of reason to doubt that this was actually the case, and it often seems like the Chroniclers stretched things more than a bit to make it all work out.  However, now we are almost more concerned with the very *truth* that the Chroniclers were attempting to burn into the social consciousness rather than the historical facts, because that gives us direct insight into how the court of the day viewed succession and legitimacy.And that does lead to another possible thought:  since the Chroniclers knew how things turned out it is possible that they were the ones ensuring that the order was as we have it.  So we cannot definitively say that this exactly mirrors's Ohoama's idea, but it certainly seems in line with his history and intentions and helps set the stage for us, at least, regarding what would later transpire in regards to succession.. Getting back to the covenant, as I noted, the first person listed, after Ohoama and Uno no Sarara Hime, is Prince Kusakabe.  He would be about 17 or 18 years old at this time, which is probably why he wasn't formally named Crown Prince until a couple of years later.  He isn't the eldest son, however.  Rather he was the second son.  Ohoama's eldest son, Prince Takechi, was actually third in line. Takechihad been with his father helping to lead the troops during the Jinshin War. While he was some 8 years senior to Kusakabe, he was nonetheless a son of Amago no Musume, one of Ohoama's consorts from a powerful clan, but not a royal princess like Uno no Sarara, Kusakabe's mother. Between Kusakabe and Takechi, in the second place spot for succession, was actually Prince Ohotsu, whom we also mentioned during the Jinshin War.  Ohotsu was likely 16-17 years old around this time.  While he was the third eldest child, he, like Kusakabe, was the son of a Royal Princess, Princess Ota, daughter of Naka no Oe, giving him greater bonafides than Takechi, apparently. So, in the top three slots, we have: Ohoama's eldest son by a royal mother, Ohoama's second eldest son by a royal mother, and finally Ohoama's eldest son by a non-royal mother. Fourth in line, and the 4th eldest, presumably, though I don't know that we have an actual age for him, is Prince Wosakabe.  He likely wasn't too young, however, as he had been given the task, previously, to polish the divine treasures in Isonokami's storehouse. It would appear that six of Ohoama's other sons didn't even get a mention.  That includes Princes Naga and Yuge, born to another daughter of Naka no Ohoe, Ohoye no Himemiko.  Then there is Prince Toneri, son of Royal Princess Nittabe, not to be confused with Royal Prince Nittabe, Ohoama's son by way of a daughter of Fujiwara no Kamatari.  Finally there was Royal Prince Hodzumi, a maternal grandson of Soga no Akaye, and Prince Shiki, a full brother to Prince Wosakabe. Prince Toneri is particularly conspicuous in his absence.  We know that he held the 5th rank, and two positions in government—that of Nagon, or Councillor, as well as the Minister of the Household, our Kunaikyou.  This may be because he was not doing so well.  We aren't told the story until the following year, on the 2nd day of the 7th lunar month of 680, when we are told that Prince Toneri took ill and was on the point of death.  His half-brother, Prince Takechi, went to check on him, and a day later Toneri passed away.  The way these are written it would be easy to believe that it all happened in a pretty short timeframe, but it is also just as likely that illness lingered, especially without modern medicine.  So it is possible that Prince Toneri was too sick at the time of the original covenant, though there could be some other reason we weren't told. This doesn't necessarily hold for all of the others, though.  For instance, we have the Princes Naga and Yuge mentioned in 693, well over a decade later, being granted the 2nd Broader Pure Rank at the same time that Prince Takechi is granted the 1st Broader Pure Rank.  So we can at least see that they were ranked below Takechi.   Similarly we see Prince Hodzumi likewise attained 2nd Broader Pure Rank at some point, and was still around to have his own fief and to receive houses to it in the following reign.  Hozumi even ranked above some of the others were in Yoshino, and yet was not present. It is possible that the princes not mentioned, assuming they had not met with an untimely end that was not mentioned in the record somewhere, could have been too young or too junior at the time of the meeting.  After all, when we look at the known ages of those who were there, we see that Prince Takechi may have been 25 years old, but Prince Kusakabe and Prince Otsu were just under 20, and it is unclear if others were older or younger than they were. There are two other princes who were part of the covenant who were not, perhaps surprisingly, sons of Ohoama.  Rather they were his nephews, sons of Ohoama's brother, Naka no Ohoe.  They were the princes Kawashima and Shiki. Kawashima is mentioned several times throughout the record.  Kawashima's mother was from a high ranking noble family, but given that Kawashima was married to his cousin, one of Ohoama's daughters, that may have brought him closer to the family.  He was about 22 years old at the time, too.  We see him often teaming up with Prince Osakabe on various projects, including the project to compile together the history of the royal household.  In fact, Prince Kawashima always precedes Prince Osakabe when they are mentioned together.  That said, we have evidence of Kawashima only being awarded up to 3rd Greater Pure rank, below even that of some who were not present, such as Prince Hodzumi.  His importance and impact, however, is noted through his numerous appearances in the record. In contrast, Prince Shiki has almost no mentions in the record.  It doesn't help that there are two Princes Shiki, one born to Naka no Ohoye and one born to Ohoama.  Their names are spelled differently, however, and although the first character of "Shiki" used in the Yoshino record matches neither name, the second character suggests that this was the son of Naka no Ohoye and not the Shiki that was brother to Prince Osakabe—though given that one followed the other in the record, there may have been some confusion on this point. And with all of that we have our apparent line of succession, as well as an idea of who the movers and shakers might be within the royal family.  From Ohoama and Uno no Sarara, we have Princes Kusakabe, Ohotsu, Takechi, Kawashima, Osakabe, and Shiki.  Six princes, four directly descended from the current sovereign, Ohoama, and two from the Naka no Ohoe lineage. Obviously, promoting the idea of a strictly patrilineal succession of father to son would have caused some problems for Ohoama's own legitimacy, not that anyone was going to gainsay him while he was on the throne.  However, with Kusakabe they seem to have established that in a de facto format, at least.  Furthermore it provided a blueprint for succession might fall to the other lines should the main line not work out.  This put Prince Ohotsu as next in line, should anything happen to Kusakabe, followed by Takechi.  That Kawashima may have had a shot over Osakabe and then Shiki is interesting as it suggests that it wasn't strictly about who descended from whom. We'll have to wait for Ohoama's death before we can fully appreciate how well this worked, of course.  Throughout history, agreements and covenants amongst powerful interests are often only as permanent as long as all of the interests remain aligned with one another, whether through mutual benefit or threat of consequences.  Once the power shifts, as it always does, those promises and treaties are almost always up for renegotiation, unless they are supported by some higher authority, whatever that might be. Following the royal family's off-site, they returned to the palace in Asuka.  There they had a formal ceremony in the Great Hall, the Ohodono, where the six princes all demonstrated their allegiance and paid respects to Ohoama.  Given the timing of this event, one can likely assume that it was a kind of public acknowledgement of the covenant and the agreement that they would all be working together as a united front on the project of the government. And with that, I think we can bring it to  a close for now.  There is plenty more about this reign to discuss before we move on, but we'll get there. Until then, if you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website,  SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page.  You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com.  Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now.  Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  

Series: Gospel MathScripture: Acts 12:1-24Speaker: Pastor Ben MillerDate: 11.16.2025

The Silent Echoes of Mars: A Journey Through Time and SpaceThe story explores the themes of civilization, legacy, and the reasons behind the decline of great empires, emphasizing the importance of understanding history beyond superficial explanations.In the vast expanse of the cosmos, Mars stands as a silent witness to the passage of time. The story of the fourth expedition to Mars, as narrated in "And the Moon Be Still as Bright," unfolds a tale of discovery, loss, and reflection. As the crew lands on the red planet, they are greeted not by Martians, but by the echoes of a civilization long gone, wiped out by an Earthly disease.The Journey Begins: The expedition's journey is marked by the thrill of exploration and the sobering reality of their predecessors' fate. As they step onto Martian soil, the crew is enveloped by the cold, intoxicating air, a stark reminder of the planet's desolate beauty. The city they encounter is a testament to the Martians' architectural prowess, yet it stands empty, a ghostly relic of a once-thriving society.A Tragic Revelation: The crew's discovery of the Martians' demise due to chickenpox—a disease trivial to humans but deadly to Martians—serves as a poignant reminder of the unintended consequences of exploration. The narrative delves into the philosophical musings of Spender, a crew member who grapples with the moral implications of their presence on Mars. His internal conflict highlights the broader theme of humanity's impact on the universe.A Reflection on Humanity: As the story unfolds, the crew's actions mirror the historical patterns of colonization and cultural erasure. Spender's struggle with his crewmates' disregard for Martian heritage echoes the sentiments of indigenous peoples on Earth. His ultimate decision to stand against his own kind underscores the tension between progress and preservation."And the Moon Be Still as Bright" is more than a tale of space exploration; it is a reflection on humanity's place in the universe. As we reach for the stars, we must also look inward, acknowledging the footprints we leave behind. The story invites us to ponder the legacy we wish to create, both on Earth and beyond.Subscribe Now: Join us on this journey through time and space. Subscribe for more stories that explore the depths of human experience and the mysteries of the cosmos.TakeawaysA race builds itself for a million years.Civilizations strive for respect and beauty.The decline of empires often lacks a decent explanation.Historical narratives can be oversimplified.Understanding history requires deeper analysis.The fall of great civilizations is a complex issue.Empires are often remembered for their achievements.The reasons for decline can be trivialized.History should honor the legacy of past civilizations.The conversation encourages a thoughtful reflection on history.civilizations, legacy, empires, history, decline, respect, beauty

คอลัมน์ “สดแต่เช้า”ปีที่5 (ตอนที่227) คริสเตียนกับความตาย? “พระเยซูตรัสกับนางว่า “เราเป็นชีวิตและการเป็นขึ้นจากตาย คนที่วางใจในเราจะมีชีวิตอีกแม้ว่าเขาจะตายไป และทุกคนที่มีชีวิตและวางใจในเราจะไม่ตายเลย เธอเชื่ออย่างนี้ไหม?””‭‭ ~ยอห์น‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭THSV11‬‬ “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”” ‭‭ ~John‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ เมื่อคืน(12พฤศจิกายน2025) ผมไปร่วมงานไว้อาลัย ต่อการจากไปของคุณแม่ วรรณาเตชะรักษ์พงศ์ ที่คริสตจักรไมตรีจิต แล้ว กลับมาใคร่ครวญถึงเรื่องความตาย ที่ผมและทุกคนตัองเผชิญ แต่เมื่ออ่านพระดำรัสของพระเยซูคริสต์แล้ว ผมที่เชื่อในพระองค์ก็ไม่รู้สึกกลัวตายอีกต่อไป เพราะว่าพระเยซูคริสต์ไม่ได้เพียงแค่ประทานชีวิตให้แก่ผมและพวกเราทุกคน แต่ พระองค์เองก็คือ “ชีวิต!“ และ “แหล่งพลังอำนาจ“ที่จะ 1).ทำให้เรา(รวมทั้งคุณแม่วรรณา)เป็นขึ้นมาจากความตาย และ 2).ทำให้เราไม่ตายอีกเลย!”พระเยซูคริสต์ตรัสว่า “เราเป็น!” เพื่อแสดงให้เห็นถึงภาวะแท้แห่งความเป็นพระเจ้า ของพระองค์(เหมือนกับที่พระเจ้าตรัสว่า “เราเป็นผู้ที่เราเป็น” ในอพยพ 3:14)ซึ่งหมายความว่า ชีวิตอันแท้จริง และ พลังที่จะเอาชนะความตายอยู่ในพระองค์เท่านั้น!จึงกล่าวได้ว่า“อยู่นอกพระเยซู ไม่มีชีวิตนิรันดร์ แต่ อยู่ในพระองค์ ไม่มีความตายที่ถาวร!”(Outside of Jesus, there is no eternal life;but in Him, there is no lasting death!) พระเยซูคริสต์ยังตรัสต่อไปว่า คนที่วางใจในพระองค์ จะมีชีวิตอีก แม้ว่าเขาจะตายไปในทางกายภาพ เหมือนอย่างที่มนุษย์ ทุกคนต้องเผชิญ แต่พระองค์สัญญาไว้ว่า ผู้ที่เชื่อในพระองค์จะ “มีชีวิตอีก” คือจะได้ชีวิตใหม่เป็นขึ้นมาจากความตายในวันสุดท้าย จึงกล่าวได้ว่า “ความตายไม่อาจขโมยชีวิตนิรันดร์ไปจากผู้เชื่อได้ เพราะแม้ร่างกายของเขาจะตายไป แต่วิญญาณจิตของเขาจะยังมีชีวิตในพระองค์ และเขาจะเป็นขึ้นมาใหม่ด้วยกายใหม่ ที่จะไม่ตายอีกเลย ที่เรียกว่า กายวิญญาณ!” พระเยซูคริสต์จึงตรัสว่า “และทุกคนที่มีชีวิตและวางใจในเราจะไม่ตายเลย!”ซึ่งหมายความว่า “ความตายฝ่ายวิญญาณ” จะไม่เกิดขึ้นกับผู้ที่เชื่อในพระองค์และผู้ที่อยู่ในพระคริสต์จะไม่มีวันถูกแยกจากพระเจ้าอีกจึงกล่าวได้อีกว่า “แม้ว่าผู้ที่มีศรัทธาในพระคริสต์อาจตายทางร่างกาย แต่เขาจะไม่ตายในฝ่ายจิตวิญญาณและเขาจะมีชีวิตผูกพันต่อเนื่องกับพระเจ้าไปตลอดนิรันดร์กาล!”พระเยซูคริสต์ ทรงเชิญชวนเราแต่ละคนเป็นส่วนตัว โดยถามว่า “เธอเชื่ออย่างนี้ไหม?” พระองค์ไม่ได้เพียงแค่บอกข้อเท็จจริงทางศาสนา แต่พระองค์ทรงถามและเปิดโอกาสให้ เรา“เชื่อด้วยใจ” เพื่อเราจะได้รับความรอดและชีวิตนิรันดร์จากพระเจ้าเมื่อเราเชื่อในพระองค์ใช่ครับ …พระเยซูไม่เพียงสอนเรื่องการเป็นขึ้นจากตาย แต่ เปิดเผยว่าพระองค์เอง คือ “การเป็นขึ้นจากตาย ”และทรงเรียกเราให้เชื่อวางใจในพระองค์เป็นการส่วนตัว และรับสิทธิพิเศษในการเป็นขึ้นจากตายนั้นด้วยเช่นกัน!จึงสรุปได้ว่า1.พระเยซูคริสต์คือ ชีวิต และ การเป็นขึ้นจากตาย2.พระเยซูทรงรักเรา และทรงประทานการเป็นขึ้นจากตายนั้นให้แก่เรา เมื่อเรากลับใจใหม่ รับการไถ่บาปที่พระเยซูจ่ายโทษบาปนั้นแทนเราบนไม้กางเขนแล้ว3.เราผู้ที่เชื่อในพระเยซูคริสต์จริงๆ แม้จะตายทางกาย แต่จะไม่ตายฝ่ายวิญญาณอีกเลย ตรงกันข้าม เราจะมีชีวิตนิรันดร์แทนคำถามสำคัญคือ “เธอเชื่ออย่างนี้ไหม?” ถ้าเราเชื่อเช่นนั้น1.เราก็จะมั่นใจและดำเนินชีวิตอย่างเป็นสุข ไร้ความวิตกกังวลเกี่ยวกับความตาย2.เราจะรีบบอกข่าวดีนี้แก่ทุกคนที่เรารัก หรือเรารู้จักโดยเร็ว คุณเห็นด้วยกับคำกล่าวต่อไปนี้หรือไม่ที่ว่า “ชีวิตบนโลกจบลงที่หลุมฝังศพ แต่ชีวิตนิรันดร์เริ่มขึ้นที่ไม้กางเขนของพระคริสต์!” ( Earthly life ends at the grave, but eternal life begins at the Cross of Christ!.) …ให้มาอาเมนด้วยกัน ดีไหมครับ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ธงชัย ประดับชนานุรัตน์ 13พฤศจิกายน2025 (ตอนที่227ของปีที่5)#YoutubeCJCONNECT#คริสตจักรแห่งความรัก #Churchoflove #ShareTheLoveForward #ChurchOfJoy #คริสตจักรแห่งความสุข #NimitmaiChristianChurch #คริสตจักรนิมิตใหม่ #ฮักกัยประเทศไทย

James and Richie meet some textured vegetable protein and discuss the merits of elasticene. My gratitude cornucopia is overflowing because of listeners like you!Heads up, this series is set in the Big Farm and touches on post-Earthly existence.The show really needs your help right now. Keep Sleep With Me going and get hours of bonus content by joining Sleep With Me Plus! sleepwithmepodcast.com/plusGet your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!Are you looking for Story Only versions or two more nights of Sleep With Me a week? Then check out Bedtime Stories from Sleep With MeShow Artwork by Emily TatGoing through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep and get a special deal exclusive for SWM listeners!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleep PROGRESSIVE - With the Name Your Price tool, you tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.comKINDRED - Kindred is a members-only home swapping network. It isn't a hotel. It isn't a short-term rental. It's a smarter way to travel where each stay feels like home. Apply now at LiveKindred.com and use code SLEEP to join for free. Plus, you'll earn 5 nights of travel credit just for signing up!ODOO - Odoo is an all-in-one management platform with a suite of user-friendly applications designed to simplify and connect every aspect of your company in one, easy-to-use software. Odoo is the affordable, all-in-one management software with a library of fully-integrated business applications that help you get MORE done in LESS time for a FRACTION of the price.To learn more, visit www.odoo.com/withmeUNCOMMON GOODS - Uncommon Goods scours the globe for original, remarkable, handmade things. Surprise your friends and family with unique - and even personalized! - gifts this holiday season. Head to uncommongoods.com/sleep for 15% off!EVERYDAY DOSE - Everyday Dose combines high quality coffee with powerful ingredients like Lion's Mane and Chaga, collagen protein, and nootropics to fuel your brain, boost focus, and give you clean, sustained energy all day long. Head to EverydayDose.com/SLEEP for 61% off your first Coffee+ Starter Kit, a free A2 Probiotic Creamer, and over $100 in free gifts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Did you know there's MAGIC in your Meditation Practice? Say Goodbye to Anxiety and Hello to More Peace & More Prosperity! Here Are the 5 Secrets on How to Unleash Your Meditation Magic https://womensmeditationnetwork.com/5secrets Hey, it's Katie and I want to welcome you to this special bonus episode. It'll be here for you completely ad-free for the next week so you can get a feel of what it's like to be a PREMIUM member. If you'd like an easy ad-free experience for all of our podcasts - that's over 200 episodes each month, then JOIN PREMIUM today at https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium So often, we can feel the pull of time.   The Earthly restraints of not enough time. We get caught up in the vortex of time management in order to fit it all in, Feeling fed by the amount of things done on our checklists, And also constantly weighed down by all there is left to do. But So often, we can feel the pull of time.   The Earthly restraints of not enough time. We get caught up in the vortex of time management in order to fit it all in, Feeling fed by the amount of things done on our checklists, And also constantly weighed down by all there is left to do. But time does not work the way we think it does.  It's a beautiful illusion that helps us navigate our lives, But only truly exists in the present moment. Right now. So this meditation will help you slow down time, So you can be here now. Right now. So this meditation will help you slow down time, So you can be here now. So relax, And take a moment to adjust your body so you can settle deeper into comfort. Feeling yourself slowing down, And settling.  Be here. Aware of your body. Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen Join our Premium Meditation for Kids Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Kids podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here → https://bit.ly/meditationforkidsapple I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life. If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at hello@womensmeditationnetwork.com to make a request. We'd love to create what you want! Namaste, Beautiful,

In today's episode of JKL Media Reviews, we delve into episode three of The Expanse Season 1, 'Remember the Cant.' Join hosts Lou, Jesse, and Karen as they discuss the chaotic happenings on series and the Martian ship Donnager. Jesse shares his appreciation for the political intrigue and confusion around Earth storylines, while Lou highlights character development. The team also examines Christian's ruthless strategies and deep character insights. Additionally, they explore the intense dynamics among the crew of the Knight and the complex layers introduced in this gripping episode. Join us as we unpack these intricate storylines and share our thoughts on where the series is headed! 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:49 Initial Impressions and Character Development 02:37 Earth Storyline and Christian's Ruthlessness 04:56 Franklin DeGraff and the Fallout 16:02 Miller's Investigation on Ceres 30:56 The Changing Landscape of TV Viewership 34:43 The Economics of Streaming Shows 36:22 Complex Storylines and Character Dynamics 38:20 Interrogation and Trust Issues 41:11 Character Backstories and Development 49:21 The Impact of Holden's Message 51:47 Reflections on the Show's Evolution 54:40 Closing Thoughts and Future Projects

Ready to discover Jesus' surprising financial plan? In this message, Pastor Chris reveals how our view of money shapes our hearts - and how Jesus offers a revolutionary perspective that leads to true freedom. Learn practical wisdom from Matthew 6 that will transform your relationship with money and possessions. Whether you're a spender or a saver, this message will challenge you to invest in what truly lasts. Renaissance Church - Richmond, Texas https://ren-church.org #alloflifealltheearth #walkgrowlive #jesus #money

November 9 Text – Revelation 17 – 19:10 Title – Earthly Justice and Heavenly Rejoicing Sam Eldersveld, preaching

Matthew 19:16-30

Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.'” Luke 16:1–2There is much to ponder in this parable and many lessons from which we can learn. To begin, the rich man should be understood as God and you as the steward. This is an important first lesson to learn because it reveals to us that, when it comes to material things in this world, God is the true owner of all—we are only stewards. Think about that carefully. When it comes to all that you own, all your money and possessions, do you hold on to it as if you were the complete master of these material items? Clearly most people do think this way. They may work hard to earn a living, save and buy this and that, build up their bank accounts, and then remain very attached to these material things, seeing them as “mine” rather than as God's. So the first very challenging lesson we should look at is that all we “own” is actually the possession of God. He only permits us to be stewards of the things of this world. Do you believe that?As stewards, we must be committed to use the riches within our stewardship only in the way that God wants it used. In this parable, the steward was reported to the rich man for “squandering his property.” We also are guilty of squandering the possessions of God when we use money in accord with our own will and desires rather than those of God's. This is an exceptionally common tendency, especially for those who have become the stewards of much money. Therefore, the more money that one has stewardship over, the more they will be tempted to squander it, meaning, use it for selfish purposes rather than for the glory of God in accord with His will. This is a hard teaching to accept and live. But these truths are indeed revealed to us by this parable, so it is essential that we listen.The words spoken by the rich man, “Prepare a full account of your stewardship,” are words that we must all anticipate hearing one day. If that day were today, what would that “full account of your stewardship” look like? Have you worked hard for selfish gain? Or have you worked hard to act with great responsibility over the things God has entrusted to your care?As the parable continues, we read that the steward acted “prudently” in that he devised a plan to make sure his material needs were met once he lost his position as steward. The “prudence,” however, that is spoken of here is a reference to the worldly, and therefore, evil ingenuity, cleverness, hard work and commitment many people have regarding the material wealth they seek to obtain in this world. Though it is good to be diligent and hardworking in life, too often this is done for the purpose of selfish gain. Just imagine if everyone who worked so hard at getting rich put even more effort into building up the Kingdom of God on earth! How different this world would be if we had so many hard workers for God's mission. Reflect, today, upon the simple truth that when it comes to the riches of this world, you are only the steward of what you possess, not its master. God wants you free from the attachment to material wealth so that you will be free to use all that you have for His glory and in accord with His purpose. That does not mean that you must donate all you have to charities. Instead, it means that you continually offer all that you have to God and seek to use it in accord with His will and His will alone. If that means you discern that God wants you to buy something new, then buy something new. If that means giving more away, then give more away. If that means living more simply as a holy sacrifice, then do just that. Money cannot buy happiness. Only embracing God's will to the fullest will result in the happiness and fulfillment you deeply desire. My Lord of all riches, You and You alone are the Master of all things created. All that I have and possess are Yours, dear Lord. Help me to believe this and to live my life purely as a steward of the possessions I have. Free me from squandering that which You have entrusted to my care. May I use all for Your glory and only in accord with Your holy will. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Андрей Николаевич Миронов (A.N. Mironov), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

We would love to pray for you! Please send us your requests here. --------This Christmas, you can shine the light of Christ into places of darkness and pain with a purchase from the Joni and Friends Christmas catalog. You are sending hope and practical care to people with disabilities, all in the name of Jesus! Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Message Notes: http://bible.com/events/49513355

Today is day 306 and we are studying The Fifth Commandment. 306. Does earthly authority have limits? Yes. All authority comes from God, the King of kings, who expects me to love, honor, and obey him above all earthly authorities whenever they command me to sin. (Exodus 1:15–21; Daniel 3:4–6,16–18; Matthew 23:1–4; Acts 5:27–29; Revelation 18:1–4) We will conclude today by praying Prayer 37.For the President and All in Civil Authority found on page 657 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 2 Corinthians 8:9 (AMP) For you are recognizing more clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favor], that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed).For those who will receive the Redemptive work provided by the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus exchanges (substitutes) many of our Earthly experiences with the provisions He made through the cross & His subsequent resurrection.    

How You Respond to Jesus, In Your Earthly Life, Will Determine How You Are Judged By Jesus MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus claimed to be the unique, divine Son of God; therefore, Jesus is on an equal footing with God. Jesus said that He would one day judge the world. How you respond to Jesus, in your life, will determine how you are judged. The Apostle John summarizes, in John 20:27-29, the interchange between Jesus and the Apostle Thomas when Thomas realizes who Jesus, the man that he had been following for years, is: “Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe' Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”. You, as follower of Jesus, have not seen Jesus or His wounds. Therefore, do you believe through your faith; and are you able, by your faith, to say: “My Lord and my God!”? If not, why not?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, you know how difficult it is for me to be in silence before you. At times it feels almost impossible, given the demands, distractions, and noise all around me. I invite you to lead me to a quiet, silent place before you — to a place where I can hear you as Elijah did. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 123). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Past Failures. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Grace. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 12:36-37; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; Psalms 70:1-5. WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Interior Life – Maintenance of the Inner Man -- Part 7: A Listening Spirit” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Today is day 302 and we are studying The Fifth Commandment. 302. How should parents treat their children? Earthly fathers and mothers should represent to their children the loving care of our heavenly Father by nurturing and protecting them, teaching and modeling to them the Christian faith and life, guiding and assisting them in education, and encouraging them in their lives and vocations. (Genesis 48:8–16; Deuteronomy 6:4–7; Proverbs 19:18; 22:6; Matthew 3:13–17; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21; 1 Timothy 5:8) We will conclude today by praying a prayer For Children found on page 77 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)YouTube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comHebrews 8Jesus serves as the true high priest, seated at the right hand of God in heaven, ministering in the eternal sanctuary established by the Lord, not by man. Earthly priests served in a copy and shadow of what exists in heaven, following patterns given to Moses. However, Jesus has received a superior ministry based on a better covenant established on better promises. The old covenant was not without faults, and God promised a new one. This new covenant is not written on stone but on hearts. God declared that He would be their God and they would be His people. Everyone would know Him, and He would remember their sins no more. With this new covenant, the old one becomes obsolete and is ready to vanish, replaced by something far greater. We are part of something greater than any system built by human hands. Jesus is not a distant figure in a temple made of stone. He is our high priest, seated with God, always interceding for us. We are not bound by the rules of the Old Law written on tablets. Instead, God has inscribed His truth on our hearts. We know Him personally, and He knows us completely. His promises are superior, and His mercy is genuine and life-changing. We are invited into a relationship founded on grace, where our sins are no longer remembered. Let us walk daily in His assurances, trusting that Christ is near us, and embracing the freedom of the new covenant with Jesus. Holy God, thank You for Your faithfulness through every covenant. We are grateful for the ways You have revealed Yourself, first through the law and now through Christ. You have written Your truth on our hearts and invited us into a closer relationship with You. Thank You for Jesus, our high priest who intercedes for us and makes the way to You clear and sure. Help us live with gratitude, not forgetting what came before but embracing the new, better, more excellent covenant in Christ. By Your abiding grace and the power of the blood, please remember our sins no more. Thought Questions: What makes Jesus the exalted, perfected, and most wonderful high priest of all time? How is He using this role for your benefit even today? In what ways is the new covenant in Christ superior to the Old Law and any law separate from Him? List a few incredible promises. What does it mean to say that the new covenant law “will be written on their hearts”? How do you know Christ's law is written on your heart?

We trace the brief, strange story of Melchizedek in Genesis 14 and show how Hebrews 7–8 uses it to reveal Jesus as the eternal High Priest who brings a better covenant. The heart-level shift from law to life leads to a simple challenge: give God not a tenth, but your whole self.• Melchizedek's role and meaning in Genesis 14• Why Jesus' priesthood surpasses Levi's• Once-for-all sacrifice versus daily offerings• Earthly copies versus the true heavenly sanctuary• New covenant promised by Jeremiah 31• God's law written on hearts, not stone• Practical surrender under the new covenantWhat are you holding back? That's the thinking out loud thought for the daySend Mike a quick message! (If you seek a reply, instead please contact through Outloudbible.com) Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

“I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives…And indeed all was vanity and grasping for wind. There was no profit under the sun.” Ecc. 2: 3,11What really satisfies?What really satisfies: amusements=pleasure and parties?Solomon's pleasures:-gold, gold, and more gold-throne of ivory -camels-horses-mules-apes-monkeys-precious stones-instruments of every kind- silver, silver, and more silver-fleet of ships-1,400 chariots-12,000 horse men-servants-700 royal wives and 300 concubines“I said in my heart, ‘come now, I will test you with mirth (festivals/parties); therefore, enjoy pleasure.'. But surely, this also was vanity.” Ecc 2:1What really satisfies: accomplishments=work?Solomon's work:-Lord's house and his house-House of Forrest of Lebanon-Hall of Pillars-Hall of Jerusalem-Hall of Judgement-Cities“I made my works great…So, I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.” Ecc 2:4, 9“I looked at all the works my hands had done and in the labor in which I had looked; and indeed, all was vanity and grasping for wind.” Ecc 2:11“Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure. For my heart rejoiced in all my labor…” Ecc 2:10“there was no profit under the sun.” Ecc 2:11Nothing under the sun satisfies.Every earthly pursuit is like vapor, wind, dust; it fades away“If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘give me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10“where then do you get that living water?” John 4:11“Whoever drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-141) Earthly satisfaction2) Eternal satisfactionEarthly satisfaction are those things found under the sun. Eternal satisfaction are those things found under the Son. Jesus is the gift God gave and under him (in him) is our promise of lasting satisfaction: everlasting lifeThe key to satisfaction is knowing the value of God over everything else. It's not that everything on earth is bad. It's that Christ is better.The satisfaction we seek is in Jesus, who is with God the Father, in our father's house.Ecc 3:11 says God “has written eternity on our hearts”.Phil 3:20-21 says our “citizenship is in heaven”. 2 Cor 5:12 says “we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling”. Solomon teaches us life under the sun does not satisfy.Samaritan woman teaches us satisfaction comes when we know Jesus (life under the Son).Prodigal son teaches us to find eternal satisfaction in Jesus is to remember what house we belong to

The Saved & Mammon – Faithfulness in Earthly Wealth.We were reminded that faith doesn't excuse irresponsibility. God calls us to be both spiritual and sensible — prayerful yet productive.If you keep holding on to God's Word without seeing results, you may be violating His principles. Grace doesn't cancel diligence; it empowers it.Here are some key points from the sermon:

Have you ever felt the tension between where you live and where you truly belong? As followers of Christ, our zip code may be on earth, but our citizenship is in heaven. Paul reminds us that the joy of the Christian life comes from living out that heavenly identity right here and now as highlighted in Philippians 3:12-4:3.

Israel with no king?; Dukes?; The Abraham difference; Networking; Melchizedek; vs Abimelech; Earthly "fathers"; In the news… "No king" rally; God's form of government; Jacob's employees; Major religions relationship to Abraham; Warnings about kings; Democracy = mob king; Desire for rulers; Cities of blood; One purse; The alternative; Contracts, covenants and constitutions; Self-government; William the conqueror; Common Law; Sharia law?; "Judeo-Christian"; Mis-imaging Moses and Christ; Contextualizing history; Tens, hundreds and thousands; Fearing Jacob; Responsibility of Liberty; Ex 18:24; "Rulers"?; shin-resh vs shin-resh-resh; Mark 6:8 commands to disciples; Jury nullification; Government of, for and by the people; Following Holy Spirit; Before free bread is handed out…; Sharing; Deacons; Burnt offerings; "Unleavened" bread; Manifesting Christ's love; Acts 2:46; Breaking bread; Roman free bread; Welfare snares; Rachel's theft; "Idolator"; Appetites for benefits; Praying to the "beast"; Choosing ministers; Laying down YOUR life for fellow man; Q: Mark - "laying down your life"?; Importance of bearing next generation; Freewill vs force; Pentecost; Tithing; Nicolaitan; Christ's way; No coveting; Blind guides; Your bondage; Righteousness; Pure Religion; Joining the network; Q: Katwellair - how you came to do this; Inner compass; Humility before God; Responding to Holy Spirit; Acting on your revelations; Blaspheming Holy Spirit; Social Security; Simplicity of the Gospel; Share the good news.

Prophecy and God's Eternal Kingdom: Trusting His Plan Through Daniel's Vision How prayer, dependence, and divine revelation lead believers to focus on the unshakable kingdom of God.We reflected on Daniel's prophecies, exploring how God reveals His eternal plan through prayer, dependence, and faith. We emphasized that understanding Scripture requires the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who brings clarity and conviction beyond human intellect. The discussion highlighted the contrast between earthly kingdoms—symbolized by Nebuchadnezzar's dream—and the everlasting kingdom of Christ that will never pass away. Through Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation, we were reminded that God's will is sovereign, His Word unchanging, and His kingdom unshakable. Believers are called to focus on heavenly matters, trust His plan, and live in full submission to His Spirit.Themes:The Holy Spirit enables true understanding of prophecy (John 16:13; Daniel 2:20–23)Prayer teaches dependence and aligns believers with God's will (Matthew 6:6; Romans 8:26)God's faithfulness is revealed through Daniel's visions of the four kingdoms (Daniel 2:31–45)Earthly empires fade, but God's kingdom endures forever (Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 11:15)The mixture of iron and clay represents divided human strength and corruption (Daniel 2:41–43)Rome's decline illustrates the futility of power apart from God's SpiritChrist's kingdom cannot be shaken and remains eternal (Hebrews 1:8; Daniel 7:13–14)True peace comes from submission to God's order and heavenly focus (Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:2)Faith requires trust in God's perfect timing, even when His plan seems hidden (Psalm 62:8; Proverbs 3:5–6)The purpose of prophecy is transformation, not speculation—pointing believers toward ChristScripture References: Daniel 2:20–45; Daniel 7:13–14; Matthew 6:6, 10; Romans 8:26; John 16:13; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 11:15; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:2; Proverbs 3:5–6Reflection Question: Am I living with a heavenly focus—trusting God's eternal plan—or still clinging to the fading kingdoms of this world?

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1452/29

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Those Whom God Hates, He Often Gives Earthly Things To Subtitle: Jonathan Edwards's Sermons Speaker: Jonathan Edwards Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 10/19/2025 Length: 24 min.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 6:1-8 The focus in the book of Revelation changes sharply from chapter 5 to chapter 6.  Chapters 4 and 5 pictured the throne of God in heaven, but in chapter 6 the scene shifts to the earth.  There is a stark contrast between the glories of God's presence and the darkness of His wrath, beginning now to be described in chapter 6. Most of the remaining chapters in Revelation have in view what will take place on the earth during the wondrous and horrible time of tribulation that will befall the earth near the end of history, as we know it. The troubles described in this text have certainly been part of the history of humanity, but they will be concentrated during the great tribulation, especially during the last 3½ years of that period. One purpose of this global tribulation is a display of divine justice on the rebellious nations of the earth.  19th century English pastor, Henry Alford, described this time of divine judgment as "the beating down of earthly power, the breaking up of earthly peace, the exhausting of earthly wealth, the destruction of earthly life" (Alford, The Greek Testament, IV:613). Let us stand in awe of God's power and justice and let us be deeply thankful to be saved, by God's grace, from the fearsome fury of His justice. 

Our PI finally gets Besos but not before we practice our consensus-building skills and pitch The Towns.Heads up, this series is set in the Big Farm. I've done my best to keep the show as sleepy as possible, but it does touch on different versions of post-Earthly existence. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, it might be best to listen to a different episode.The show really needs your help right now. Keep Sleep With Me going and get hours of bonus content by joining Sleep With Me Plus! sleepwithmepodcast.com/plusGet your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!Are you looking for Story Only versions or two more nights of Sleep With Me a week? Then check out Bedtime Stories from Sleep With MeLearn more about producer Russell aka Rusty Biscuit at russellsperberg.com and @BabyTeethLA on IG.Show Artwork by Emily TatGoing through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep and get a special deal exclusive for SWM listeners!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleep PROGRESSIVE - With the Name Your Price tool, you tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.comKINDRED - Kindred is a members-only home swapping network. It isn't a hotel. It isn't a short-term rental. It's a smarter way to travel where each stay feels like home. Apply now at LiveKindred.com and use code SLEEP to join for free. Plus, you'll earn 5 nights of travel credit just for signing up!ODOO - Odoo is an all-in-one management platform with a suite of user-friendly applications designed to simplify and connect every aspect of your company in one, easy-to-use software. Odoo is the affordable, all-in-one management software with a library of fully-integrated business applications that help you get MORE done in LESS time for a FRACTION of the price.To learn more, visit www.odoo.com/withmeUNCOMMON GOODS - Uncommon Goods scours the globe for original, remarkable, handmade things. Surprise your friends and family with unique - and even personalized! - gifts this holiday season. Head to uncommongoods.com/sleep for 15% off! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Read OnlineSomeone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions.” Luke 12:13–15What's interesting in Jesus' statement is that of all the people who ever walked the earth, no one is more worthy to be a “judge and arbitrator” of an injustice than Jesus Himself. Yet He refuses to intervene. Why is that? It appears to be a just request from the person, but instead of intervening Jesus tells a parable about greed.Material possessions can be very seductive. That's a fact. Yet many people have a very hard time admitting their attachment to possessions and money. They rationalize that they have worked hard, have earned what they have and should be able to indulge a bit. Some good-minded people who have many possessions appease their consciences by giving a small portion of what they have to charitable causes and then conclude that they can keep the rest for themselves. But what does Jesus think about that?In and of themselves, material possessions are neither good nor bad. The problem is the sin of greed. Greed is an interior disposition by which a person becomes more attached to the passing things of this world than they are to God and His holy will. Though it might be possible to have many possessions and still remain interiorly detached from them, this is quite difficult. But having possessions is not the ultimate problem. Desiring possessions is the real problem. Therefore, even those with very little can fall into the same trap by becoming attached to what they do not have and by believing that the attainment of more will satisfy.Jesus refused to act as “judge and arbitrator” in this case because it was clear to Him that the person making the request was struggling with greed. Jesus was far more concerned about this person's interior attachments than He was about the inheritance being properly shared. Earthly justice means very little from the perspective of eternity. This may be hard for many to understand and accept. Doesn't justice demand fairness? Not if the desire to be treated fairly is based on some sin such as greed. In that case, it is far better for the soul to be cheated out of their inheritance than it is to receive their fair share. In fact, if a person does struggle with greed, one of the best things for their soul might be to be cheated out of their own possessions. This will only be understood when we see that spiritual riches are infinitely greater than material riches. Reflect, today, upon your interior desires. Look at them honestly. What do you desire the most in life? Do you dream of becoming rich? If so, does that desire consume much of your thinking? Reflect upon the scenario in which you were supposed to receive a very large inheritance but were cheated out of it. How would you react? The right reaction would be to care more for the soul of the person who cheated you than to care about actually being cheated. A person who is fully detached from material possessions will care little about losing such an inheritance or gaining one. It will truly matter not. If that is hard to accept, know that this is a sign that your soul is too attached to the things of this world. Pray for freedom from all greed. That is the only way to obtain the true riches of God. Most generous Lord, You bestow mercy in superabundance. Your grace and love are all I need in life. By obtaining You and Your mercy, I obtain the one and only source of fulfillment in life. Please free me from earthly greed, and help me to see the things of this world as You see them. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. There are many that God hates to whom He is willing to give plenty of earthly things to.

James 3:13–18 teaches that real wisdom isn't about knowledge but about living rightly. Earthly wisdom is selfish and leads to envy, disorder, and bitterness, while wisdom from above is pure, peaceful, gentle, and sincere. True wisdom shows in our conduct and humility, producing peace instead of conflict. When we let go of bitterness and trust God, we reap a harvest of righteousness and choose to become better, not bitter.

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1452/29

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1452/29

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1452/29

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1452/29

Welcome to episode 220 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we will talk about money.  Key takeaways:   Jesus spoke more about money than heaven and hell combined. Why? Because money reveals what we really believe about God, ourselves, and the future. Our checkbooks and credit card statements are spiritual X-rays that show the condition of our hearts. Earthly treasures face three threats: Rust/corrosion: Things decay and break down Moths: Pests that destroy valuable items Thieves: People who steal what you've accumulated Your treasure determines where your heart goes, not the other way around. When you invest in something, your emotions follow your investment. What happens to our treasure happens to us. Where our treasure is, there will be our inner being—our total person. Whatever controls your financial decisions controls your life.  If fear controls your money, fear controls you.  If greed controls your money, greed controls you.  Only God should have that level of control. All our activities matter, for they reveal the nature of our character. We need to remind ourselves that money is non-moral. There is no inherent evil in it and no inherent good. The question of right and wrong has to do with what we do with money. Biblical contentment isn't about having enough money; it's about trusting that God provides enough for His purposes.   Greed is a trap for the rich and the poor and everyone in between.  You do not have to be rich to fall to greed.    Quotable:   If anything in this world is everything to you, it is an earthly treasure.  Application:   If we can't handle money (which is temporary), how can God trust us with spiritual responsibilities (which are eternal)? Real contentment and material prosperity have nothing to do with one another. How can the Christian learn to be content with simple living? Certainly not by accepting the standards set by this world.  An eternal perspective and an attitude of detachment toward things are prerequisites. As an eternal perspective develops, dependence on material things will decline. What does your money say about your heart? What does your spending reveal about your priorities? Do you give generously or grudgingly? Are you anxious about money or trusting toward God? Does your financial planning include God's kingdom purposes? Are you storing treasures on earth or in heaven? Let God transform your relationship with money, moving from fear and greed to trust and generosity.  Connect with us:   Web site:  https://springbaptist.org   Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus)   https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus)   Need us to pray for you? Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/      If you haven't already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1452/29

James writes a letter and Richie does some purposeful waiting as they try to get to the bottom of friendship, resilience, and a pit with no bottom.Heads up, this series is set in the Big Farm. I've done my best to keep the show as sleepy as possible, but it does touch on different versions of post-Earthly existence. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, it might be best to listen to a different episode.Start a 7 day FREE trial of Sleep With Me Plus- The ultimate way to listen to show, based on how YOU listen! Get your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!Are you looking for Story Only versions or two more nights of Sleep With Me a week? Then check out Bedtime Stories from Sleep With MeLearn more about producer Russell aka Rusty Biscuit at russellsperberg.com and @BabyTeethLA on IG.Show Artwork by Emily TatGoing through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep and get a special deal exclusive for SWM listeners!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleep PROGRESSIVE - With the Name Your Price tool, you tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.comQUINCE - Quince sells luxurious, ethically-made clothes and bedding at an affordable price. Transition your bed for the season with soft, breathable bedding from Quince. Go to Quince.com/sleep to get free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order. ODOO - Odoo is an all-in-one management platform with a suite of user-friendly applications designed to simplify and connect every aspect of your company in one, easy-to-use software. Odoo is the affordable, all-in-one management software with a library of fully-integrated business applications that help you get MORE done in LESS time for a FRACTION of the price.To learn more, visit www.odoo.com/withmeKINDRED - Kindred is a members-only home swapping network. It isn't a hotel. It isn't a short-term rental. It'sa smarter way to travel where each stay feels like home. Apply now at LiveKindred.com and use code SLEEP to join for free. Plus, you'll earn 5 nights of travel credit just for signing up! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices