Major Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus
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Read OnlineA Model of Holy Love and DesireOn the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him.” John 20:1–2When Jesus first encountered Mary Magdalene, she was afflicted by seven demons. Many Church Fathers interpret this number as symbolizing a complete domination by evil spirits. Though later traditions identified Mary Magdalene with the repentant prostitute or the woman caught in adultery, the Gospels themselves do not explicitly make that identification. What is certain is that she had been grievously afflicted by demons (cf. Luke 8:2).To fall into such spiritual bondage suggests a life marked by serious sin. However, diabolical possession is not always the direct result of mortal sin; at times, God may permit such affliction for reasons known only to His providence, allowing a greater good to emerge from it. Whatever the cause of Mary Magdalene's prior affliction, it is clear that God, in His infinite mercy, transformed her into a radiant model of holy love and desire. From her profound healing flowed a singular devotion to Christ.Today's Gospel beautifully portrays the emotion, desire, sorrow, and love flowing from Mary's heart. She was one of the few faithful disciples who remained with Jesus during His Passion and death. She stood by the Cross alongside Jesus' mother, the Apostle John, and a few other holy women. Her strength and devotion likely sprang from her heartfelt gratitude toward Jesus for delivering her from diabolical affliction. The freedom she experienced through Him enkindled in her an unwavering faith, recognizing Him as the Messiah and the Son of God.On Easter Sunday morning, before the sun had even risen, Mary made her way to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body. Since Jesus had died shortly before the Sabbath began—sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday—Mary and the other women had been unable to properly anoint His sacred Body. We can imagine that from the moment the Sabbath began, her heart was fixed on one desire: to return to the tomb and perform this final act of love. Her devotion could not wait. Love compelled her to act as soon as it was permitted, and in doing so, she became the first to behold the empty tomb—and soon after, the Risen Lord.We see Mary's holy love and desire also in her determination to remain at the empty tomb. After seeing the stone rolled away, she ran to tell the Apostles, and then returned with Peter and John. But after they departed, Mary remained. She stayed, weeping, loving, and longing. She was so consumed with desire for her Lord that, when she saw two angels seated in the tomb, she was neither startled nor impressed—not even when they spoke to her: “Woman, why are you weeping?” Her only thought was for Jesus: “They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him.”Even when Jesus appeared, His identity veiled from her eyes, she still sought only His body. Yet it was His voice—tender, familiar, unmistakable—that pierced the veil and opened her eyes of faith: “Mary!” She responded with that beautiful, personal cry of recognition, “Rabbouni!”Reflect today on the transformed soul of Saint Mary Magdalene. She went from diabolical affliction to a heart overflowing with holy love and desire for our Lord. She is a model for each of us. We must allow ourselves to be filled with the same gratitude for His grace and reconciliation, cultivate the same unwavering devotion, and burn with the same longing to find Him. When our hearts mirror Mary's, we too will hear the Lord call us by name. Be grateful. Desire Him. Listen for Him. And like Mary, you will find that He is already standing before you.Rabbouni! With Saint Mary Magdalene, I give thanks to You with all my heart for the freedom You have mercifully bestowed upon me. You have forgiven my sins, restored me to grace, and kept me safe from the snares of the enemy. With Mary, I pray that my passions and every movement of my soul may be caught up in love of You, driving me to seek You with all my being. Speak my name, O Lord, call me lovingly, and open my eyes to see You always before me. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: St Mary Magdalene, by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
Special Tisha Ba'av Episode with an all new introduction. The 1903 Kishinev Pogrom was a tragic massacre, with reverberations within the wider Jewish world remaining until this very day. Goaded on by antisemitic newspapers with cries of 'Death to the Jews', a blood libel was fabricated and a mob was unleashed on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1903. Leaving 49 killed, hundreds maimed and injured in its wake, Jewish property was destroyed and looted as well. Claims of complicity of the police and government were voiced in many quarters. But it was primarily the after effects of this pogrom which had a long term transformative effect on Jewish society in Russia and worldwide. The great immigration to the United States was already long underway, but it significantly intensified in the years following Kishinev and the subsequent 1905 revolution. American Jewry was galvanized to assist the victims, and this cemented the relationship US Jewry was to have with their brethren back in Eastern Europe. Within Russia, many of the Jewish youth became radicalized as a result of the massacre, joining clandestine revolutionary organizations with the goal of overthrowing the Czar. The most profound impact was felt within the nascent Zionist movement. Chaim Nachman Bialik was dispatched by the historian Shimon Dubnow to gather testimonies from survivors. Following his five week stay in Kishinev, Bialik penned 'Be'ir Hahareiga' - In the City of Death, a poem about the pogrom. Powerfully written, it also included strongly worded accusations in regards to the perceived passivity of the victims. The poem and its message was to have an immense impact, as it was published and translated and became immensely popular. Vladimir Jabotinsky's conclusion was to organize Jewish self defense, and Theodore Herzl's conclusion was the Uganda proposal at the Sixth Zionist Congress. The shadow of the Kishinev tragedy was to hover over the many subsequent, and ever greater tragedies of the bloody 20th century. Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Friends of the Rosary,Today, July 14, the Catholic Church in the USA celebrates the Memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680), the "Lily of the Mohawks," the first native American to be declared "Blessed" and "Saint."Kateri was born in 1656 near the town of Auriesville, New York. She refused to marry a Mohawk man and, at nineteen, finally got the courage to take the step of converting. One year later, she was baptized by a Jesuit missionary on Easter Sunday in 1676, given the name Kateri (Catherine).She was devoted to the Eucharist and to Jesus Crucified, leading a life of prayer, penitential practices, and care for the sick.Kateri incurred the hostility of her tribe because of her faith while praying for the conversion of her nation.Witnesses said that her emaciated face changed color and became like that of a healthy child. The lines of suffering, even the pockmarks, disappeared, and the touch of a smile came upon her lips. She was beatified in 1980.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• June 14, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
In this episode of Season 2 of The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan, host Finghin Mac Cárthaigh (Flor McCarthy) sits down with Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, one of the most celebrated poets writing in the Irish language and a former Ireland Professor of Poetry.Together, they explore how learning Irish (Gaeilge) can go far beyond grammar and vocabulary, opening powerful pathways into identity, heritage, and belonging.Thanks for your interest in The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan! Subscribe for free to receive priority notification on future episodes and to access valuable Irish language learning resourcesThanks for your interest in The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan! Subscribe for free to receive priority notification on future episodes and to access valuable Irish language learning resources.Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the emotional power of Irish — from family connections and memory to the deep cultural meanings embedded within words.This episode reminds us that Irish is not simply something to learn — it is something to experience, feel, and live.A Note on TimingThis episode was recorded on 29 March 2026. During the conversation, Finghin refers to an interview with Gabriel Rosenstock that had appeared in the Sunday Independent the week before, as well as to a documentary that was due to air the following Sunday, which was Easter Sunday.Since the recording of this episode, Gabriel Rosenstock has sadly passed away. Beannachtaí Dé airThis Episode Celebrates:* The role of storytelling in learning Irish* The power of etymology and folklore to unlock meaning* The emotional connection between language, identity, and heritage* The importance of accessibility and community in language revivalIf you've ever felt disconnected from Irish — or unsure where to begin — this episode will inspire you to start again.Thanks for your interest in The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan! Subscribe for free to receive priority notification on future episodes and to access valuable Irish language learning resources. Podcast NotesGrowing Up Between LanguagesNuala Ní Dhomhnaill reflects on her childhood between England and Ireland and her early immersion in Irish upon returning to the Gaeltacht in West Kerry. Her experience highlights how language shapes identity and belonging from an early age.The Gaeltacht and the Power of StorytellingInfluenced by the rich oral traditions of the Gaeltacht, Ní Dhomhnaill developed a deep appreciation for folklore and storytelling. These formative experiences would later inspire her distinctive poetic voice.Thanks for your interest in The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan! Subscribe for free to receive priority notification on future episodes and to access valuable Irish language learning resources. Mythology, Folklore, and the Creative ImaginationDrawing from Irish mythology and the National Folklore Collection, her work explores themes of transformation, memory, and the subconscious. Her iconic mermaid (merrow) poems exemplify her ability to bridge ancient tradition with contemporary thought.Writing in Irish: A Lifelong CommitmentNí Dhomhnaill discusses her decision to write primarily in Irish, describing it as a language of discovery, creativity, and authenticity. Her work has brought Irish-language poetry to international audiences through translation and has played a pivotal role in the modern literary revival.Free Irish Learning ResourcesIf you enjoyed this episode of The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan and want to continue your Irish language journey:Access free Irish learning resources, stay updated on upcoming episodes, and receive exclusive content.Sign up here:Free ResourcesThe Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan Free ResourcesYou can also follow my writing on Substack:Thanks for your interest in The Language Question ~ Ceist na Teangan! Subscribe for free to receive priority notification on future episodes and to access valuable Irish language learning resources. A newsletter and community for anyone learning the Irish language as an adultSlán tamall,Finghin Mac CárthaighHost – The Language Question ~ Ceist na TeanganMore on Nuala Ní DhomhnaillNuala Ní Dhomhnaill is one of the most celebrated poets writing in the Irish language and a former Ireland Professor of Poetry. Renowned for her lyrical and myth-infused work, she explores themes of identity, folklore, femininity, and cultural memory through the medium of Gaeilge.Born in Lancashire, England, in 1952 to Irish physicians, she was sent at age 5 to live with relatives in the Kerry Gaeltacht. This experience profoundly shaped her linguistic and cultural identity. She later studied English and Irish at University College Cork in 1969, where she became a central figure in the influential Innti school of poets. Ní Dhomhnaill spent seven years living abroad in Holland and Turkey with her husband, Doğan Leflef, before returning to County Kerry in 1980. Her first poetry collection, An Dealg Droighin, was published in 1981.Writing exclusively in Irish, Ní Dhomhnaill uses language as a powerful tool to give voice to the marginalised and to challenge traditional narratives within Irish society. Her work often reimagines mythology and folklore through a feminist lens, presenting women as complex, empowered, and multidimensional figures. Through her poetry, she seeks to transcend the fragmentation of Ireland's colonial past and to affirm the vitality and relevance of Irish cultural identity.Her work has reached global audiences through translations by some of Ireland's most distinguished poets, including Seamus Heaney, Paul Muldoon, Medbh McGuckian, Michael Hartnett, and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin. Ní Dhomhnaill advocates for creative freedom in translation, believing that English versions should capture the energy, beauty, and spirit of the original Irish.Widely acclaimed both nationally and internationally, her poetry continues to play a vital role in the modern revival of Irish-language literature and in shaping contemporary discussions on language, culture, and identity.Learn more:Poetry Foundation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit finghinmac.substack.com
Full Text of Readings Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin [In the Dioceses of the United States] Lectionary: 390 The Saint of the day is Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Saint Kateri Tekakwitha's Story The blood of martyrs is the seed of saints. Nine years after the Jesuits Isaac Jogues and Jean de Lelande were tomahawked by Iroquois warriors, a baby girl was born near the place of their martyrdom, Auriesville, New York. Kateri Tekakwitha's mother was a Christian Algonquin, taken captive by the Iroquois and given as wife to the chief of the Mohawk clan, the boldest and fiercest of the Five Nations. When she was four, Tekakwitha lost her parents and little brother in a smallpox epidemic that left her disfigured and half blind. She was adopted by an uncle, who succeeded her father as chief. He hated the coming of the Blackrobes—Jesuit missionaries—but could do nothing to them because a peace treaty with the French required their presence in villages with Christian captives. She was moved by the words of three Blackrobes who lodged with her uncle, but fear of him kept her from seeking instruction. Tekakwitha refused to marry a Mohawk brave, and at 19 finally got the courage to take the step of converting. She was baptized with the name Kateri–Catherine–on Easter Sunday. Now she would be treated as a slave. Because she would not work on Sunday, Kateri received no food that day. Her life in grace grew rapidly. She told a missionary that she often meditated on the great dignity of being baptized. She was powerfully moved by God's love for human beings and saw the dignity of each of her people. She was always in danger, for her conversion and holy life created great opposition. On the advice of a priest, Kateri Tekakwitha stole away one night and began a 200-mile walking journey to a Christian Indian village at Sault St. Louis, near Montreal. For three years she grew in holiness under the direction of a priest and an older Iroquois woman, giving herself totally to God in long hours of prayer, in charity, and in strenuous penance. At 23, Kateri took a vow of virginity, an unprecedented act for an Indian woman whose future depended on being married. She found a place in the woods where she could pray an hour a day—and was accused of meeting a man there! Her dedication to virginity was instinctive: Kateri Tekakwitha did not know about religious life for women until she visited Montreal. Inspired by this, she and two friends wanted to start a community, but the local priest dissuaded her. She humbly accepted an “ordinary” life. She practiced extremely severe fasting as penance for the conversion of her nation. Kateri Tekakwitha died the afternoon before Holy Thursday. Witnesses said that her emaciated face changed color and became like that of a healthy child. The lines of suffering, even the pockmarks, disappeared and the touch of a smile came upon her lips. She was beatified in 1980 and canonized in 2012. Reflection We like to think that our proposed holiness is thwarted by our situation. If only we could have more solitude, less opposition, better health. Kateri Tekakwitha repeats the example of the saints: Holiness thrives on the cross, anywhere. Yet she did have what Christians—all people—need: the support of a community. She had a good mother, helpful priests, Christian friends. These were present in what we call primitive conditions, and blossomed in the age-old Christian triad of prayer, fasting and almsgiving: union with God in Jesus and the Spirit, self-discipline and often suffering, and charity for her brothers and sisters.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Today's message comes to us from Easter Sunday. Join Pastor Ken in John 20 as he preaches "Resurrection Realities."
An Easter Sunday sermon by Pastor Brett Deal.These are the final days of our Lenten journey. We've spent these weeks marveling at Jesus' signs. He turned water to wine. What a wonder! He miraculous restored a man's legs lame for 38 years! What awesome power! He took a handful of fish and flatbread and fed 5000! Only God has done anything like this before (Exodus 16). Jesus made mud and anointed the sightless eyes of a man born blind who came back from the waters of Siloam seeing! The man exclaimed with amazement, “Never since the world began has… anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind” (John 9.32). He was saying of his healing, “Only God could do this!”When Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on the foal of a donkey, everyone in the crowded capital—jam packed with pilgrims from across the world—was talking about Jesus' seventh sign. Everybody knew Lazarus was dead. Dead for days. Before their eyes he was wrapped and anointed and grieved into the tomb. Then Jesus proclaimed for all to hear, “I AM the Resurrection and Life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (11.25-26). Still people didn't understand. How could they!? They asked one another, “Could not He who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” (11.37). Then Jesus turned to the tomb, commanded the stone rolled away and “cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!'” and from the darkness of the cave, Lazarus stepped out, alive! Only God could do this!Friend, John displays for us the truth of Jesus who is the Word of God! There is no question in his mind these signs prove the divinity of Christ; and the resurrection of Lazarus is just a foretaste of what's to come (John 20). Following Jesus to the Table where He washes our feet, pause to marvel. Only God would do this. Follow Him as He stands judged by the people made in His image and endures mockery at the hands of the soldiers and wonder. Only God would do this. Follow Him to the cross where He dies our death; where He puts death to death. Only God could do this.
God has sown Christ, the seed, into our lives. BUt we must plant it in good soil. (My Prayer Comes Before You - Colgan, sung by Contemporary Music MInistry in Rome , Easter April 1979, soloist - Fr. Bob Kropas, a classmate of Fr. Steve's who died this past week R.I.P. Bob)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.
Read OnlineFaith Born of EncounterThomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:24–25Though Saint Thomas is best remembered for doubting Jesus' Resurrection, God used him in glorious ways. Because God is all-powerful, even Thomas' doubt was transformed into a source of grace for the Church and a model of true faith and conversion. In Thomas, we see the journey from doubt to faith, from absence to confession, from fear to peace—an invitation for each of us to make the same journey.Saint Thomas, called Didymus—meaning “Twin”—was not present when the risen Christ first appeared to the assembled Apostles. His absence was no accident but part of God's providential plan. When the other disciples testified, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas struggled to believe. His absence symbolizes the effect of isolation from the Church or from an active life of prayer, which can leave us vulnerable to doubt and disbelief. His heart demanded tangible proof: “Unless I see the mark of the nails… I will not believe.” In this, Thomas articulates a cry that echoes in every human heart: we long for certainty, yet struggle to trust without the proof we demand.One week later—on the day now celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday—Jesus once again entered the locked room and stood among them, radiating peace: “Peace be with you.” His first words were directed not to the whole group, but to Thomas, addressing his wounded faith with tender love: “Put your finger here and see my hands… bring your hand and put it into my side.” Jesus does not shame Thomas; He invites him. He invites him to touch the very wounds that conquered death, to enter into the mystery of Divine Mercy not only intellectually, but physically and spiritually.After being confronted by the Living Christ, Thomas is transformed. In that pivotal moment, he prays one of the greatest confessions of faith in all of Scripture: “My Lord and my God!” With profound clarity, he proclaims the divinity of Christ. The doubting disciple becomes the believing Apostle, who will later be sent forth to bear witness to the ends of the earth.Thomas' journey invites us to reflect on our own. Like Thomas, we are sometimes absent from encounters with the risen Lord. Failure to pray daily, to attend Mass faithfully, to confess our sins, to nourish our souls through spiritual reading, adoration, retreats, or parish missions can isolate us from Christ and diminish our faith. Absence from these means of grace can open the door to spiritual doubt and weakness.If these struggles are familiar to you, take heart in the example of Saint Thomas. If your faith has faltered—especially if you experience serious doubts—or if worldly concerns have drawn you away from the life of grace, then let Thomas' prayer become your own: “My Lord and my God!” He professed faith in what he saw, so that we might profess faith in Christ whom we do not yet see. That simple little prayer, prayed with the certainty of faith and with sincere passion in the heart, sparks greater faith and brings us the clarity we need.Reflect today on Thomas being absent from Jesus' first Resurrection appearance on Easter Sunday. Try to feel his disappointment and doubt. Thomas carried those feelings for an entire week until Jesus appeared again. See yourself in him by identifying any times you have felt the same. Then move forward to the moment, one week later, when Thomas was present as Jesus appeared to them. With him, listen to Jesus invite you to touch His wounds. Profess with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” Repeat that prayer and try to sense Thomas' newfound passionate belief. It is that belief our Lord desires from all of us who do not see with our eyes but come to know Him in our spirit.My Lord and my God! I do believe in You and profess that belief with all my heart. When I struggle with my faith, when I falter, or when I become distracted from my life of prayer and devotion, please remind me of Saint Thomas. Place his words repeatedly on my lips so that I may continuously cry out with him, “My Lord and my God!” Saint Thomas, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: St Thomas by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
Easter Sunday Churches Combined with Micheal F. Bird by Door of Hope Christian Church
The Lamb on the Throne | Easter Sunday Sandy by Door of Hope Christian Church
The United States is turning 250 this week, but the country is divided about the anniversary. Should the country celebrate or lament? Historian Robert Tracy McKenzie joins Skye to talk about the ongoing fight over how to tell America's story, why we reject nuance, and what he saw at the Rededicate 250 event in Washington, D.C. that made him concerned. Kaitlyn offers her take on a New York Times interview with Louise Perry about rethinking the sexual revolution. Perry argues, as a non-believer, for the recovery of sexual ethics that seem very Christian. What does that say about our culture's fatigue with secularism? Also this week—AI finds proof that your parents were right about the music you listen to, and the World Cup is revealing the decency of average Americans. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/p/727-rethinking-the-sexual-revolution Getting Schooled - Weddings 101: https://holypost.substack.com/p/getting-schooled-weddings-101 0:00 - Show Starts 1:50 - Theme Song 2:12 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout. 3:24 - Rededicate 5:12 - World Cup Brings World Together 11:24 - Pop Music's Moral Slide 20:39 - Sponsor - World Challenge - Want to help people around the world? Get involved today at https://worldchallenge.org/HOLYPOST 21:42 - Sponsor - World Relief - Help families overseas and refugees in crisis! When you give now before Easter Sunday, your donation will be doubled! Start your partnership today at https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost 23:08 - New Sexual Revolution? 54:09 - Interview 58:10 - Unblemished America 1:03:15 - Credal or Racial Nation? 1:11:40 - Founding Father's Private Faith 1:19:53 - Wanting a Positive Vision 1:28:08 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Louise Perry on the Sexual Revolution: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/opinion/gender-sexual-revolution-men-women.html Pop Music has Become Less Moral: https://www.newsweek.com/music-has-got-nastier-since-60s-study-says-12119675 Other Resources: How America Gave Up on Its Own History: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/07/american-history-common-narrative/687301/ Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Sermon by The Very Reverend Anne M. Maxwell
Sermon by The Reverend Christopher McAbee
Sermon by The Very Reverend Anne M. Maxwell
What took place in the time in between Jesus' death on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday? We see how Jesus' disciples loved him and sought to honor him in death. We see the hopelessness and sadness of that Holy Saturday and what God was doing when he seemed so absent. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on June 21, 2026.
Send us Fan MailWe're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Frameline Film Festival (the world's longest running and largest LGBTQIA film fest!) with two films that shine a light on hypocrisy in religion in very different ways.Hunky Jesus is a wildly entertaining documentary about the annual Hunky Jesus competition that takes place in Dolores Park in San Francisco on Easter Sunday (amen). Director Jennifer Kroot joins us to share her thoughts on the displacement of counter culture in San Francisco, overcoming religious trauma, and why the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are part of the heart and soul of San Francisco.Leviticus is a queer coming of age horror film that is meant to be seen on the big screen! Director/writer Adrian Chiarella and actor Joe Bird join us to discuss making an original story with bold ideas, an opening scene that pulls you in from the start, and how religion (and beyond) uses fear as a tool to divide.Hunky Jesus is screening on June 26th at the Castro Theater. For tickets, CLICK HERE!Leviticus is in theaters right now! For showtimes, CLICK HERE!Follow Hunky Jesus on IGFollow director Adrian Chiarella on IGFollow actor Joe Bird on IGSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you!--Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice.--Support Bitch Talk here!Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage!Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts!Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram, Threads, and SubstackListen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260620dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 Compassion Jesus was a man in motion. He healed a paralytic, a sick woman, and two blind men. He raised another man's daughter from the dead. He called men to be his disciples. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.” Why this activity, this urgency? Because the people were harassed by false prophets and the forces of evil. Because they were harassed by the guilt of their own sin and the fear of eternal death. And by themselves, they were helpless to do anything about it. Sound familiar? Aren’t we tempted by false prophets who promise a way to heaven other than through Christ? Aren’t we besieged by forces of evil that want to drag us away into the deadly sins of laziness, selfishness, greed, pornography, adultery, idolatry, and the like? Don’t we get depressed by our own sinfulness and guilt and wonder whether heaven can really be our home? And by ourselves, we are helpless to do anything about it. Thankfully, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who has come to guide, strengthen, and protect us. He lived the perfect life we couldn’t. He gave his life, taking the curse for all our sins. He moved beyond death and the grave, rising on Easter Sunday morning, and then returned to his throne in heaven. He assures us that his victory is ours. Because of all he has done, we are fully forgiven and headed for heaven. He did all this because of his compassion. Compassion has been defined as love in motion. That’s why Jesus was a man on the move. His love did not allow him to see us in our need and leave us there. He took action. Aren’t you glad he did? Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am amazed by your love and compassion. Thank you for taking action when I needed you to. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260620dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 Compassion Jesus was a man in motion. He healed a paralytic, a sick woman, and two blind men. He raised another man's daughter from the dead. He called men to be his disciples. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.” Why this activity, this urgency? Because the people were harassed by false prophets and the forces of evil. Because they were harassed by the guilt of their own sin and the fear of eternal death. And by themselves, they were helpless to do anything about it. Sound familiar? Aren’t we tempted by false prophets who promise a way to heaven other than through Christ? Aren’t we besieged by forces of evil that want to drag us away into the deadly sins of laziness, selfishness, greed, pornography, adultery, idolatry, and the like? Don’t we get depressed by our own sinfulness and guilt and wonder whether heaven can really be our home? And by ourselves, we are helpless to do anything about it. Thankfully, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who has come to guide, strengthen, and protect us. He lived the perfect life we couldn’t. He gave his life, taking the curse for all our sins. He moved beyond death and the grave, rising on Easter Sunday morning, and then returned to his throne in heaven. He assures us that his victory is ours. Because of all he has done, we are fully forgiven and headed for heaven. He did all this because of his compassion. Compassion has been defined as love in motion. That’s why Jesus was a man on the move. His love did not allow him to see us in our need and leave us there. He took action. Aren’t you glad he did? Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am amazed by your love and compassion. Thank you for taking action when I needed you to. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Motion Church | Easter: "Does the Offer Still Stand?" What happens when you show up with an expired coupon? You already know the answer — and so does God. This Easter at Motion Church, we're looking at the Easter story through a slightly different lens: redemption. What does it really mean to be redeemed? And is the offer of salvation — purchased at the highest price imaginable — still available to you today? The answer is a resounding yes. The Bible defines redemption as "the act of God buying back or rescuing humanity from slavery to sin and death through the costly sacrifice of Jesus Christ." Romans 3 makes it clear: every one of us has sinned and fallen short, leaving us with a debt we can never repay on our own. But God, unwilling to leave his prize creation in that condition, set a plan in motion — sending his own Son to satisfy that debt once and for all. Jesus didn't just come to show us what it means to be human. "Jesus, from the moment that he entered into humanity, had a purpose, and that purpose was to redeem humanity." The cross was the cost. The empty tomb is the guarantee. As the disciples discovered on the road to Emmaus, the resurrection isn't just a miracle — it's the proof that the offer holds. "The resurrection guarantees your redemption. The offer still stands." And here's the thing about this offer: it doesn't come with an expiration date. God doesn't go out of business. "He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end… the offer stands from generation to generation." The coupon never expires — but you and I do. "It's a tailor-made offer that's just for you that doesn't expire, but you do." So the question isn't whether the offer is still good. It is. The question is: what are you waiting for? "Redemption offers freedom. Redemption offers peace. Redemption offers belonging, purpose, healing for the hurting, and being made whole to those who are broken. Redemption offers eternal life." Don't let your coupon go unredeemed.
In this drill-down episode, we are diving deep into the powerful intersections of faith, resilience, and transformation by looking back at four of our most impactful recent conversations. We revisit the inspiring stories of Rob Roozeboom, who turned physical brokenness into a 25-year ministry; my beautiful wife, Jessica, who pivoted her focus toward family health and accessible wellness; Chad Stock, who survived a near-fatal table saw accident on Easter Sunday to become a beacon of motivation; and Travis Shelton, an executive financial coach who walked away from a high-flying real estate career to pursue better over more. The major aha moment of this collective journey is that true success cannot be measured by worldly metrics like status, money, or material abundance. Instead, God often uses our deepest trials, physical limitations, and massive career pivots to reshape our minds and reveal our true Kingdom purpose. When life hits hard, staying stationary isn't an option—victory is found in choosing to get up, lean on community, and keep moving forward in the strength of Christ. Key Takeaways Brokenness Doesn't Erase Calling: Your physical or emotional limitations do not disqualify you from being used by God; brokenness can actually be the gateway to a hope-filled, purposeful life. Stewardship Includes Health: True wealth isn't just about financial assets; it includes how we nourish our bodies and help other families access wellness. The Mind is a Battlefield: The enemy will constantly tell you that you are invisible or insignificant, but resilience means choosing to believe who Jesus says you are. Choose Better Over More: True satisfaction comes from aligning your daily work with meaning and impact, even if it means making radical lifestyle sacrifices. Never Stop Moving Forward: When adversity strikes, you have to activate your mental, physical, and spiritual tools to push past the trauma and embrace the next chapter. To connect with Tyler: https://www.tylerkamerman.com/
Notes here Photo by Ann on Unsplash Paschal Sermon, April 5, 2026 Ben Bouwers
Sermon from Pastor Hidlebaughhttp://truthtabohio.org/#UPCI #Apostolic #Pentecostal #Churchhttps://www.facebook.com/truthtabohio
Sermon by Tim Rich at 10:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, at All Saints Church, Pasadena. Readings: Isaiah 65:17–25, Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24 and Luke 24:1–12. Watch the sermon on YouTube here. Please consider pledging to All Saints Church at https://allsaints-pas.org/pledge/, or donate to support the mission and ministry of All Saints at https://allsaints-pas.org/giving/. Any donation, big or small, is appreciated! Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsPasadena/. Follow us on Instagram at #allsaintspas. Check out the rest of our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/allsaintspasadena1/videos. Subscribe, like, get notifications every time we post! Enjoy our extensive archive of stimulating and inspiring content!
This Easter—2026—multiple Catholic parishes across the nation saw a surge in adult baptisms and new converts entering the church. Some dioceses reported all-time records for people becoming Catholic at Easter. This trend parallels a broader trend of renewed interest in religion, especially with young people. Protestant and nondenominational churches have also had an influx of younger converts. According to a study from Barna Group, which tracks data on faith in U.S. culture, younger adults—Gen Z and Millennials—have become the most regular churchgoers, outpacing older generations. While some are calling this a religious revival, the reality is that attracting young people to church doesn't necessarily, automatically translate into offering them a reason to stay for the long term. If young people are showing up for church because they are looking for something—are they finding what it was they were looking for? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talked to three guests from different backgrounds and Christian affiliations about what young people want from the church. Catalina Morales Bahena is Director of Learning at Faith in Action; Drew Stever is a chaplain, spiritual director, and ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and Baird Linke is an activist who currently serves as pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bonner, Montana. They are some of the contributors to a new book, Hungry for Hope: Letters to the Church from Young Adults (Edited by Jeremy Paul Myers and Kristina Frugé, and published by Eerdmans). Learn more about this topic in these links. Hungry for Hope: Letters to the Church from Young Adults New Barna Data: Young Adults Lead a Resurgence in Church Attendance Rise in Young Men's Religiosity Realigns Gender Gaps Religion Holds Steady in America "Young people are seeking connection. Can the church respond?" A U.S. Catholic interview "What young Catholic peacemakers want from the church," by John Noble "Younger Catholics are seeking new models of sainthood," by Rhina Guidos "Church revival? New numbers don't show whole picture, experts say," by Brian Fraga
Travel through Disneyland history with postcards, park memories, and the artistry of Disney Legend Sam McKim. This episode begins with a colorful 1960 multi-view postcard featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Mark Twain, the Jungle Cruise, the Monorail, and Submarine Voyage—capturing the excitement of Disneyland during one of its most ambitious eras of expansion. Along the way, we uncover the story behind the postcard's unusual dual cancels and trace a summer day in the park filled with long hours, warm weather, and over 22,000 guests. The history segment shines a spotlight on Sam McKim, one of the most influential artists in Disney theme park history. From early concept art for Frontierland and Rivers of America to attraction posters, souvenir Fun Maps, and designs for the 1964 New York World's Fair, McKim's artwork helped define the visual identity of Disneyland and beyond. His career stretched from Disneyland's opening years to EPCOT and Euro Disney, leaving a legacy still visible throughout the parks today. The second postcard visits Carefree Corner in 1963, offering a glimpse into a quieter but personal side of Disneyland history as guests registered for travel assistance and souvenirs in the park's official information center. The episode continues exploring McKim's later Imagineering work, including contributions to Haunted Mansion, Hall of Presidents, and Disney park cartography. Finally, an incoming postcard featuring a Bruce Lee stamp and motivational quote ties Disney inspiration to creativity and action, while also leading to a fascinating look at Disneyland attendance differences between a busy spring Saturday and Easter Sunday in 1963. From Main Street windows to souvenir maps and vintage mail, this episode celebrates the artists and guests who helped preserve Disneyland's magic one postcard at a time. Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021
Mark Lohman // April 5, 2026
The curtain has officially closed on Vought's corrupt empire, and we are delivering a raw, instant-reaction breakdown of The Boys Season 5 series finale: "Blood and Bone."In this episode, we tackle the massive narrative shifts, the brutal character conclusions, and why early fan reactions are completely split down the middle.Inside the episode:White House Down: Homelander's Easter Sunday god-complex speech and the desperate underground infiltration by The Boys.Sage's Mic Drop: Why Sister Sage casually leaving for Florida is the most hilariously on-brand exit in television history.The Bloodbath: Breaking down the heavy emotional weight of Frenchie's sacrifice, Annie blasting The Deep back to the sea creatures, and Butcher's final confrontation.The Big Debate: Was the finale a brilliant thematic masterclass or an anticlimactic slowdown for a five-season buildup?
On Easter Sunday in 2003, 27 year old Erika Ansermin vanished while travelling through the Italian Alps to meet her boyfriend for lunch. After returning movies to a Blockbuster and making one final phone call to her boyfriend, Erika disappeared and was never seen again. In this episode, we explore the theory that Erika may have jumped from a bridge near Avise and the possibility that Erika ran into a dangerous individual shortly after leaving the local Blockbuster store.Contact us at: weeknightmysteries@gmail.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeknightmysteriesTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeknightmysteries
Ascension, Absence, and Hope Acts 1:1-14 and John 17:1-11 The Seventh Sunday of Easter Sunday, May 17, 2026 The Rev Andrew DeFusco, Rector Church of the Redeemer, Nashville, TN www.Redeemer-Nashville.net
On May 14, we've had one Ascension Day, yes.[1. Photo by Chase Kennedy on Unsplash.] What about second Ascension Day (May 21)? In either case, Ascension Day marks the lesser-known sequel to Easter Sunday, honoring the time when Jesus Christ returned to Heaven. His disciples recorded His famous last words, including His command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” How does this Great Commission affect our fantastical stories? Episode sponsors All that Glows by Lauren Smyth Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Author Update from Author Media The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder Mission update New at Lorehaven: newly upgraded Library book search Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild 1. Let's define the Great Commission. Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:16–20, ESV This command is first for Christ's disciples and then all Christians. It's not just about getting people saved but a lifelong faith practice. This starts at home but expands, including baptism and teaching. It doesn't overrule orders to live simply, work hard, raise families. It doesn't overrule God's first “commission,” the Creation Mandate. In fact, this helps restore people to Jesus so we can do that calling. 2. How do some stories try to act this out? In the past, evangelical Christian fiction focuses on nonbelievers. They want to tell good stories, yes, but also get the reader saved. Sometimes the hero is a nonbeliever forced to confront faith issues. In fantasy, we met Jesus-allegories or find prayer is a weapon. In sci-fi, we learned aliens are real (demons) and Jesus is better. Other stories have featured “backslidden” people who need faith. And then other stories push back with more subtle approaches. The rise of YA brings simpler themes, often identity and courage. Romantasy may reduce “gospel” content, favoring virtues and love. Before: overt gospel about God. After: subtle morals about us. In either case, the original “evangelical” impulse may remain. Authors understandably want to do more than entertain readers. 3. Great stories reflect all God's commands. It's important to note differences between these two commands. So far as we know, the Creation Mandate is forever, an eternal call. The Great Commission is temporary . It won't be around forever. This doesn't make the Mandate more important. It does balance. That's why the apostles spoke often about families and hard work. We have seen older novels that valued “message” over excellence. If we feel guilty over not witnessing, we may want to compensate. A novel may make us feel we've “evangelized” or helped others. But sometimes, even then, novels like that don't fulfill that goal. Stephen enjoys novels that can reflect both these high callings. And yet only the Mandate tells creators to make great stories. My own novel does star space missionaries, yet has bigger ideas. The point isn't “share the gospel.” It's, “Here's how that can look.” And then, “What are the costs to the human heroes who do this?” That story is mainly for Christian readers. Others may not get it. That's okay. In my view, we need more stories “inside the club.” And yet Christians can bless nonbelievers just with great stories. They can reflect biblical truth, even gospel, yet have other goals. These can serve as pre-evangelism, or common grace for them. “Common grace” means the ways God blesses even nonbelievers. He sends rain and sunshine, good government, widespread virtue. And He enables good culture-making in a sinful world to bless us. Great stories, even if they don't “evangelize,” can help evangelists. And either way, we follow both commands and glorify our Creator. Com station Top question for listeners Did a great novel help you get saved? Or draw closer to Jesus? Next on Fantastical Truth Summer has returned. That often brings seasonal vacations that give you downtime in a car or airplane, maybe on a nice beach somewhere. You already know that's a great opportunity to catch up on reading. So what are some tips and tricks to refocus on reading, finding the best fantastical novels and gaining the most from these worlds?
Mark 16:1-8 The women hear the news of Jesus' resurrection… and then they run away and tell no one out of fear. But we do know the story. So at some point they must have overcome their fear. Courage is not the absence of fear – it is facing it and refusing to let it stop us.
This guide covers the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Day of Pentecost, Year A, falling on May 24, 2026. Pentecost is the fiftieth day of the Easter season — the Sunday on which the church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit. The lectionary offers several choices at three of the four reading positions this day, which can be confusing. The note below explains the options, and this guide covers all of them.A note on the options (just so you'll know): The lectionary for Pentecost offers these choices. (1) First Reading: Acts 2:1–21 or Numbers 11:24–30. (2) Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:3b–13 or Acts 2:1–21 (Acts moves to the epistle slot when Numbers is used as the first reading, so Acts is read either way). (3) Gospel: John 20:19–23 or John 7:37–39. The Psalm (104:24–34, 35b) has no alternative. Most congregations will use Acts 2 as the first reading; this guide treats Acts 2 as primary and gives full coverage to all the alternatives.The ReadingsActs 2:1–21First Reading (Primary Option) — The Day of PentecostSummaryOn the day of Pentecost, the followers of Jesus are gathered together when the Spirit arrives with the sound of rushing wind and what looks like fire resting on each of them. They begin speaking in languages other than their own. A crowd gathers — devout Jewish pilgrims in Jerusalem for the festival from many different countries — and to their astonishment each person hears the disciples speaking in their own native language. Some are amazed; others mock the disciples as drunk. Peter stands up and addresses them, explaining that what they are seeing is the fulfillment of the prophet Joel's promise: in the last days God will pour out the Spirit on every kind of person, crossing the usual lines of age, gender, and social status, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.Pentecost by Kseniya LaptevaKey Ideas for Preaching1. The miracle at Pentecost is, very specifically, a miracle of communication across difference. The disciples do not all speak one universal language that everyone somehow understands. They speak many languages — the actual languages of the people standing in the crowd. The Spirit does not erase cultural and linguistic differences; it crosses them. What might it look like for your congregation to take this seriously? Real welcome is not everyone becoming the same. It is everyone being met in their own voice.2. Peter's quotation from the prophet Joel insists that the Spirit is poured out on everyone: sons and daughters, young and old, those at the top of the social order and those at the bottom. Every line that might limit who has access to God is named and crossed. Which of those lines does your congregation still tend to observe, even without meaning to? Where might the Spirit be inviting you to cross one?3. The crowd's first reaction is mockery. When the Spirit moves, it sometimes produces confusion and ridicule before it produces understanding. That is worth naming honestly for a congregation that might expect a movement of God to look tidy. What if your people's discomfort with something new is not a sign that God is absent, but a sign that something is actually happening?4. The text begins by saying the disciples were all together in one place. That gathering is named as the setting in which the Spirit arrives. The Spirit is not poured out on scattered individuals here — it comes upon a gathered community. What does this say about why it still matters to show up, to be present together, in a culture that often treats faith as a private matter?Significant Cautions• Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the church. That phrase can give the impression that God was not at work among people before this moment, or that the Jewish community from which the church grew has somehow been left behind. Neither is true. Peter grounds the whole event in Jewish prophecy. The church does not replace something old; it grows out of it.• The mockers in the crowd are easy to dismiss as villains or to use as a foil for the faithful. But they are not really villains — they are genuinely confused by something they have never seen before. Be careful about setting up a sharp us-versus-them dynamic between the believers and the skeptics.• The promise that everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved is a quotation Peter draws from Joel and applies to this specific moment. Be careful about lifting it out of the story and turning it into a simple formula that ignores the communal witness and the changed lives that surround it in the rest of Acts.Numbers 11:24–30First Reading (Alternative Option) — The Spirit Shared with the EldersSummaryMoses, worn down by the burden of leading Israel through the wilderness, has cried out to God for help. God tells him to gather seventy elders at the tent of meeting and shares some of the spirit resting on Moses with them, and they begin to prophesy — though only this one time. Two of the elders, Eldad and Medad, had stayed back in the camp rather than coming to the tent, and the spirit comes upon them there too. Joshua, Moses's assistant, is disturbed and asks Moses to stop them. Moses refuses, saying he wishes all of God's people were prophets and that God would put the Spirit on every one of them.Key Ideas for Preaching1. Moses's wish — that all the Lord's people would be prophets — is exactly what Pentecost finally delivers. If you are preaching both this text and Acts 2, you can draw that line clearly. What Moses longed for, the Spirit at Pentecost gives. The Spirit is no longer reserved for a few special leaders. What might change in your congregation if people actually believed that the Spirit had been given to all of them, not just to the clergy?2. Eldad and Medad receive the Spirit out in the camp, away from the official gathering, without having done the expected thing of showing up at the tent. The Spirit moves where it wants. Joshua wants to stop them; Moses refuses. Where in your congregation, or your community, is the Spirit clearly at work in places or people you would not have predicted? Are you paying attention, or are you trying to call them back to the tent?3. Moses's response to Joshua shows a kind of leadership that is not threatened by other people receiving what he has. He does not protect his role; he gladly shares it. Many leaders in church and elsewhere quietly fear that empowering other people will diminish them. What would it look like to lead the way Moses leads here?Significant Cautions• The seventy elders prophesy this one time and never again. It is a moment, not an ongoing gift. Be careful about treating Moses's story as a straight preview of Pentecost in a way that flattens out the genuine newness of what happens in Acts. The connection is real and worth drawing; the two events are not identical.• Joshua is not condemned for wanting to stop Eldad and Medad — he is acting out of loyalty to Moses. Be gentle in using him as a negative example. The instinct to protect structures and proper channels is not always wrong. It is just sometimes misapplied.Psalm 104:24–34, 35bThe Psalm — The Spirit That Renews the Face of the EarthSummaryThis part of the great creation psalm marvels at how varied and abundant God's creation is. Every living thing — from the countless creatures of the vast sea to all the rest — looks to God for food and receives what it needs in its time. When God withdraws, creatures are troubled; when God takes back their breath, they die and return to dust. But when God sends out the divine Spirit — the same word that means breath or wind — they are created again, and the face of the earth is made new. The psalm closes with a vow to sing to God for as long as the singer has life, and a prayer that God will be pleased with the song.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The word for Spirit in this psalm is the same word for breath and wind (ruach )— the same creative power that hovered over the waters at the beginning of Genesis. On Pentecost, this image reaches back across the whole Bible and grounds the coming of the Spirit in something much older than the upper room in Jerusalem. The breath of God has been animating creation from the beginning. (Genesis 1:2) What does it do for your congregation to hear that the Spirit who came at Pentecost is the same Spirit who breathed life into the first creatures?2. The line about God sending out the Spirit so that creatures are created and the face of the earth is renewed is one of the most hopeful sentences in the whole Bible. Renewal is what the Spirit does. How might this widen the frame of your Pentecost sermon beyond the church alone? The Spirit who renewed the earth is the same Spirit poured out on the disciples.3. The mood of the psalm is wonder — delight at what God has made. Could Pentecost be an occasion not just to explain the Spirit but to invite your congregation into that same posture: paying attention, giving thanks, being astonished at what God is doing?Significant Cautions• The psalm describes creatures dying when God withdraws breath. It is part of the rhythm of creation in the psalm, but it can land hard in a congregation where someone is grieving. Be careful not to use this image casually in a way that suggests God has withdrawn from a person's loved one.• The poetry of the psalm is expansive and imaginative. Resist the urge to flatten it into a proof text for a particular view of how creation happened or how it works scientifically. The purpose of the psalm is praise, not explanation.1 Corinthians 12:3b–13The Epistle (Primary Option) — Many Gifts, One SpiritSummaryPaul is writing to a church in Corinth that has been arguing about spiritual gifts — specifically, about who has the more impressive ones. He begins with a basic test of authenticity: only the Holy Spirit enables someone to say Jesus is Lord. Then he describes the wide variety of gifts in the church — wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous works, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation — insisting that all of them come from one and the same Spirit, who distributes them as the Spirit chooses, and all are given for the good of the whole community. Paul closes with the image of the body: just as a body is one but has many parts, so it is with Christ. We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — Jews and Greeks, enslaved and free — and we all share in the one Spirit.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The gifts Paul lists are not awards for spiritual achievement. They are given by the Spirit, however the Spirit chooses, and they are given for the benefit of the whole community rather than the prestige of the recipient. This cuts both ways. It speaks to the person who quietly believes their gift makes them important. It also speaks to the person who quietly believes they have no gift at all. Neither of those positions matches the text. What might happen if your congregation actually believed that every person in the room had been given something for the good of everyone else?2. The body image at the end of the passage looks simple but carries real weight. Every part of the body is needed. No part can opt out, and no part can claim to be more important than another. What does the body of your congregation actually look like? Which members get treated as more important? Which members feel like they barely belong? What would change if everyone took Paul at his word here?3. Paul is not writing a peaceful, theoretical description of an ideal community. He is writing pastoral correction to a real church that is fighting about exactly this issue. That makes the passage more useful, not less. Where is your congregation tempted to rank one another — by gift, by giving, by visibility, by status — and what would Paul have to say about it?4. The last line of the passage says that the unity Paul is describing is already a reality. It happened in baptism. The congregation is not being asked to build unity from scratch; it is being asked to live into something that has already been given. How does it change the way you preach about unity when you stop treating it as a goal and start treating it as a gift to be received?Significant Cautions• Lists of spiritual gifts have sometimes been used to rank Christians, or to claim that one particular gift — often speaking in tongues — is the real sign that the Spirit is present. Paul's whole argument here runs against that use. The Spirit gives whatever the Spirit chooses to give. No person and no group gets to decide which gifts count the most.• Paul mentions the categories of “enslaved or free” alongside Jews and Greeks. He does not, in this letter, challenge slavery as an institution. Be honest about that. The image of being one body in Christ did not, on its own, end the social and economic injustices of the ancient world. Speaking of unity in Christ should not be used to suggest that hard questions of justice take care of themselves.• The unity Paul describes is not uniformity. The whole point of the body image is that the body has many different parts that do different things. Be careful not to use the language of one body to pressure a diverse congregation into one cultural or stylistic expression of worship.John 20:19–23The Gospel (Primary Option) — Peace and the Breath of the SpiritSummaryOn the evening of the first Easter Sunday, the disciples are huddled together behind locked doors because they are afraid. Jesus comes and stands among them and says, peace be with you. He shows them the wounds in his hands and his side, and they are overjoyed. He says it a second time: peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. Then he breathes on them and tells them to receive the Holy Spirit. If they forgive anyone's sins, those sins are forgiven; if they hold them against someone, the sins remain.Key Ideas for Preaching1. Jesus breathes on the disciples and gives them the Spirit. The image deliberately echoes the moment in Genesis when God breathed life into the first human being. This is presented as a kind of new creation. How might it shift the meaning of Pentecost for your congregation to see it as part of God's long pattern of creating and renewing life, rather than as an isolated, one-time event?2. In John's telling, the Spirit is given on Easter evening — not fifty days later. That is a different account than the one in Acts 2. Rather than smoothing over the difference, what would it look like to be honest with your congregation that the two accounts are doing different theological work? John ties the Spirit directly to the resurrection. Acts ties it to the Jewish festival of Pentecost. Both are saying something true about who the Spirit is.3. The commission and the gift come together. As the Father has sent me, Jesus says, so I am sending you — and then he gives them the Spirit. The Spirit is not given for a private spiritual experience. It is given for a sending. What does it mean for your congregation to receive a gift that, from its very first moment, is pointed outward?4. Jesus places in the hands of this community the responsibility of forgiving sins, of releasing one another from what binds. This has caused real argument in the church about authority. But at the very least, what would it look like for your congregation to take seriously the practice of concrete, embodied forgiveness — not as an abstract idea but as something this community is actually called to do?Significant Cautions• The difference between John's account and Acts is real. John puts the Spirit on Easter evening, and Acts puts it fifty days later at Pentecost. Resist the temptation to harmonize them or explain the difference away. Sermons that name the difference honestly tend to land better than sermons that pretend it is not there.• Jesus says that if the disciples retain sins, those sins are retained. Throughout history, this line has been used to justify exclusion, punishment, and harsh church discipline. Be clear that the main direction of what Jesus says here is toward forgiveness — the releasing of what binds people — not toward the exercise of power over those who are kept out.• The locked doors and the fear of the disciples can be used to make the post-Easter community look like a failure. But these are still the people Jesus comes to and the people he sends. Their fear is the starting point of the story, not the verdict on them. Take care not to shame your congregation's own fear when you preach this scene.John 7:37–39The Gospel (Alternative Option) — Rivers of Living WaterSummaryOn the last and most important day of the Festival of Tabernacles, Jesus stands up in the temple courts and cries out, inviting anyone who is thirsty to come to him and drink. Whoever believes in him, he says, will have rivers of living water flowing from within. John then adds a note explaining that Jesus was speaking about the Spirit, who would be given to believers later — after Jesus had been glorified.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The image of rivers of living water flowing from inside a person is one of the most vivid pictures of the Spirit in any of the Gospels. It is not a trickle. It is not a reservoir you fill up once. It is an ongoing, outward flow. The Spirit is not given to be stored. What would it look like for your congregation to think of the Spirit not as something they have, but as something that flows through them on its way to someone else?2. Jesus makes this announcement on the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles, when water was being poured out as a ritual prayer for rain. The crowd would have felt the weight of the image right away. Could your congregation feel what it means to be genuinely thirsty — not mildly curious about God, but actually in need?3. John explains in a brief note that the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified. The coming of the Spirit is tied directly to the cross and the resurrection. How does it deepen a Pentecost sermon to remind the congregation that the Spirit they celebrate today comes as the fruit of what happened at Easter?Significant Cautions• The phrase about living water flowing from within can sound as though the Spirit is essentially a private inner experience of abundance. But the setting here is a public festival, and Jesus is shouting in the middle of a crowd. The water flows outward, not just inward. Be careful with a reading that turns this into a purely personal experience.• Jesus says the scripture has said something about rivers of living water, but no single passage in the Hebrew Bible is a clear match. Different scholars suggest different texts. Avoid confidently pointing to one specific passage as the source without acknowledging that no one is sure.Thematic ConnectionsEvery text appointed for Pentecost points toward the same central claim: the Spirit of God is now given freely, widely, and without the restrictions that once limited who could receive it. * In Acts, the Spirit crosses every linguistic and cultural line in Jerusalem. * In Numbers, it escapes the official gathering and finds two men out in the camp. * In Psalm 104, it is the breath that renews the whole face of the earth. * In 1 Corinthians, it distributes gifts to every member of the body for the good of the whole community. * In John, it is given on Easter evening to a group of frightened disciples and turns them into a sent people — or it is the living water that flows outward from whoever believes.Acts 2 is the natural center for Pentecost preaching. It is the story the day is built around, and its images of wind and fire and languages are difficult to displace. But 1 Corinthians 12 offers a strong complementary angle for congregations that need to hear about the practical, community-shaping work of the Spirit rather than just its dramatic arrival. And for congregations that preached Acts 2 last year and want something different, either John 7:37–39 or John 20:19–23 opens a distinctive door. The psalm works best in worship as a spoken or sung response rather than as the main preaching text, though its image of the Spirit renewing the face of the earth is worth a sentence or two in almost any Pentecost sermon. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe
On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (05/14/26), Hank shares on the unintended consequences of immigration, the experience of racism, and the world's attempts to justify the sin through Darwinian Evolution.Hank also answers the following questions:What languages did Jesus understand? I heard He knew Hebrew, Aramaic, and a few words of Greek. Elaine - Cecil, OH (7:26)Explain Jesus' instructions to Mary not to touch Him in John 20:17? What does it mean when we say the Son is eternally begotten of the Father? Rose - Charlotte, NC (9:10)Explain the Son of Man being three days and three nights in the earth, and how does that calculate from Good Friday to Easter Sunday? Phil - Ogden, UT (15:13)How important is it to have a firm and strong eschatology? Phil - Fayetteville, AR (17:44)
What do we mean when we say "heaven"? In this Easter Sunday sermon from Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Malcolm Clemens Young explores a deeper, richer vision of heaven—not as a distant place we go someday, but as God's dimension breaking into our world here and now. Drawing on scripture, theology, and memory—from childhood Easters to Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ—this sermon invites us to see Easter as the moment when heaven and earth meet. Featuring reflections inspired by N.T. Wright, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the poetry of Anne Porter, this message challenges modern assumptions and opens a vision of grace that is already present among us. Heaven is not far away.It is closer than we think.It is where God calls your name. "Alleluia. Christ is risen!" The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2G10 Easter Sunday (Year A) 8:30 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 5 April 2026 Acts 10:34-43 Ps. 118:1-2, 14-24 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-18
Most men treat Easter like a finish line. The candles go out, the celebration ends, and life goes back to normal without any change. But the Resurrection isn't a closing chapter. It's a starting gun. And if you walked away from Easter Sunday the same man you were before, this episode is for you.Fr. Dominic breaks open the readings from the 4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) and delivers something every Catholic man needs to hear. It's a call to action rooted in the power of the Resurrection.Peter stands up before the Sanhedrin and speaks with such force that the crowd isn't just moved emotionally. They're cut to the heart. They don't ask, "What should we think?" They ask, "What should we do?" That's what the Holy Spirit produces in a man. Fr. Dominic also tackles suffering head-on. Christian suffering isn't something to avoid but something to expect and embrace. If you're living your faith out loud in the world today, the resistance will come. That's not a sign you're doing something wrong. That's a sign you're doing something right.And then there's the Good Shepherd. Fr. Dominic shares a story from his time in the Holy Land. What it reveals about us is convicting.Here's the challenge: Too many baptized, confirmed Catholic men are fully initiated and completely disengaged. You have everything you need and you're sitting on the sideline. That's not the life you were made for. The Resurrection happened for you. Stop leaving it at the church doors.
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260513dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 You Can’t Keep Him Down “I can do this all day.” Marvel fans will recognize that as one of Captain America’s common statements. It was something he usually said when he was involved in a difficult fight against an enemy. Cap is known for his determination and perseverance. He might have gotten knocked down, but you could expect him to get back up. Hits that would have knocked us down for good, usually couldn’t keep him down. He would get back up, slowly, but might say to his opponent, “I can do this all day.” As much as we may look up to Captain America, none of us is that resilient in real life. Sure, we fight our battles, and we can give it our all, but so often we too get knocked down. And maybe we’ll rally and get back up for a time, but there are a few enemies that we cannot stand up to. Death is one of those enemies. It is staring all of us down, and we may fight it off for a while, but eventually it will knock us down, and we do not have the power or strength to get back up again. Not even Captain America has that kind of power. But there is one who does. Jesus faced death, too. A terrible death that he didn't deserve. Dying on a cross was not a nice way to go. And while he was innocent, he gave himself over to death so that you and I might be forgiven and saved. But that could only happen if Jesus didn’t stay down. Thankfully, on Easter Sunday, Jesus got back up. “He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” Jesus is alive again, nevermore to die. He has knocked out and defeated the one enemy that you and I could never hope to defeat. In Jesus, we have victory over death and the gift of eternal life in heaven! Prayer: Dear Jesus, death could not keep you down. I rejoice to know that you are alive and that you give me the gift of life as well. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260513dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 You Can’t Keep Him Down “I can do this all day.” Marvel fans will recognize that as one of Captain America’s common statements. It was something he usually said when he was involved in a difficult fight against an enemy. Cap is known for his determination and perseverance. He might have gotten knocked down, but you could expect him to get back up. Hits that would have knocked us down for good, usually couldn’t keep him down. He would get back up, slowly, but might say to his opponent, “I can do this all day.” As much as we may look up to Captain America, none of us is that resilient in real life. Sure, we fight our battles, and we can give it our all, but so often we too get knocked down. And maybe we’ll rally and get back up for a time, but there are a few enemies that we cannot stand up to. Death is one of those enemies. It is staring all of us down, and we may fight it off for a while, but eventually it will knock us down, and we do not have the power or strength to get back up again. Not even Captain America has that kind of power. But there is one who does. Jesus faced death, too. A terrible death that he didn't deserve. Dying on a cross was not a nice way to go. And while he was innocent, he gave himself over to death so that you and I might be forgiven and saved. But that could only happen if Jesus didn’t stay down. Thankfully, on Easter Sunday, Jesus got back up. “He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” Jesus is alive again, nevermore to die. He has knocked out and defeated the one enemy that you and I could never hope to defeat. In Jesus, we have victory over death and the gift of eternal life in heaven! Prayer: Dear Jesus, death could not keep you down. I rejoice to know that you are alive and that you give me the gift of life as well. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Rogation and Relationship John 15:1-11 The Sixth Sunday of Easter Sunday, May 10, 2026 The Rev Andrew DeFusco, Rector Church of the Redeemer, Nashville, TN www.Redeemer-Nashville.net
This week marks Ascension Day, May 14![1. Photo by Timo Volz on Unsplash.] So let's rise to that occasion and survey at least seven notions about that place to which Jesus ascended—Heaven. Is it true that Heaven is only “spiritual”? Or that we can't know about Heaven is like, so it's best we not think much about that unchanging, un-earthly or very-earthly dimension where “time shall be no more” and where basically good people go? We'll do our best to bypass modern myth and search the only certain Source. Episode sponsors All that Glows by Lauren Smyth Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Author Update from Novel Marketing The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder Mission update New at Lorehaven: weekly reviews, recent website upgrades Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Concession stand Concession: Randy Alcorn just released a similar article last week. By intention, I didn't read the article, or my own previous material. There's a chance some of my myths (in no special order) overlap. I do credit Alcorn's Heaven (2004) as a formative influence. Yet here I'll attempt to base my reasons straight on Scripture. In the past I've rankled some folks with strange afterlife ideas. Yet in the last 20 years more people have “discovered” New Earth. 1. Heaven is only a “spiritual” place. This usually comes not from teaching, but memes and impressions. Some of us also recall the phrase “spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:44). Since God is Spirit (John 4:24), isn't this the same kind of spirit? Won't this mean we'll have no body, becoming intangible, ghostly? It's true that God the Father is spirit, without a body. Yet not Jesus. All resurrection ideas are based on His physical/spiritual nature. Yes, Heaven today is for souls separated from bodies (2 Cor. 5). It won't stay that way after the final resurrection Jesus promises. Paul in 1 Cor. 15 defines “spiritual body” as Spirit-powered body. And in 2 Cor. 5 he promises we will be “further clothed,” not naked. 2. It's best not to think about Heaven. This too is not taught in Scripture, except from misquoted verses. 1 Cor. 2:9, “what no eye has seen…” doesn't truly command this. Even if this were about Heaven, it never discourages imagination. But it isn't anyway. It's about “things God has revealed” (verse 10). Scripture's images encourage, not suppress truthful imagination. I'm not sure why else God would inspire such fantastical imagery. With biblical foundation, it's impossible to think “too much” on this. See also: nonsense about “being so heavenly minded…” Bad logic. Being biblically “heavenly minded” helps us love “earthly good.” We avoid that gnostic impulse the slogan was meant to counter. 3. “Time shall be no more” in Heaven. People really do assume this phrase comes from the Bible. It's actually from the hymn “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.” That's a partial quote from Rev. 10:6 (KJV), warning that time is up. But the phrase got loose and reinforces vague, “spiritoid” images. Maybe we could say time runs different in today's Heaven. Revelation describes events in sequence, as Heaven watches. It references waiting martyrs (Rev. 6:11) and “half an hour” (8:1). In either case, Scripture never implies time/matter has gone evil. A possible rule: we need special proof for “X won't be in Heaven.” Unless the Bible says, don't assume that thing won't last forever. 4. Basically good people go to Heaven. We hear this all the time, in pop culture, funerals, our own doubts. A lot of time this myth isn't specifically taught, only caught. But I did hear a Mormon apologist Jacob Hansen teaching this. In his view, basically only Hitler or “sons of perdition” go to Hell. This notion will result in doctrine and fiction with bad views of evil. Villains will become more “misunderstood” in reality and in stories. Scripture never teaches this. Hell is real. Not all go to Heaven. And if pagans saw Heaven correctly, they wouldn't want to anyway. Imagine an eternity of worshiping King Jesus in everything we do. There can by definition be no perfect world apart from His reign. 5. Today's Heaven looks like Earth. Some years ago, we saw many books about “heaven tourism.” One or two got discredited. One or two got made into movies. Sometimes adults wrote the tell-all. But one little boy glimpsed it(?). Whether or not they had visions, they do reinforce some myths. For example, one book spoke of Heaven in many earthly terms. On principle, I disagree—but not because earthliness is bad. Rather, it's premature. Heaven hasn't yet united with Earth (Rev. 21). Similarly, I hear Christians talking about believers now resurrected. But unless they have their bodies back, resurrection is still future! Heaven is fantastic now. Next comes the even better sequel. 6. We can't know what Heaven is like. Even if God never promised New Earth, Heaven would be great. You get past death and suffering. You get to be with Jesus Christ. You get to reunite with believing family, saints, heroes, and angels. And even as you wait (accelerated time?) there are things to do! Angels in Heaven now worship God all the time. What an epic sight. You might get to witness a higher view of events playing on Earth. And I'm sure we begin getting answers to many of our questions. But also, see Revelation 6. Martyrs are still waiting for what's next. In fact, they know about terrible things and want God's vengeance. They get no “memory wipe,” only the start of greater perspective. 7. Heaven could never unite with Earth. Reckless words about Earth and bodies devalues God's creation. See: “that's just her shell” or “she'll never see him on this Earth.” In fact, God promised she'll get back that body and he'll be back. Nothing in Scripture condemns our body or the material world. It doesn't endorse myths like “the Earth gets forever destroyed.” In fact, 2 Peter 3 speaks in terms of fire that refines our planet. Isaiah 60, 65-66 and Rev. 21 promise a Heaven/Earth reunion. The word “new” doesn't negate those nouns’ ordinary meanings. Heaven is where God dwells. Earth is where we would have dwelt. In this future God and Man all dwell together in one world (Rev. 21)! Com station Top question for listeners What do you long for most in Heaven or the future New Heavens? April wrote this for episode 303 about overseas tales: K-dramas may have romantic clichés just like anime or manga, but they handle them better than many Western media. It's a slow build-up, less sexualized, and focuses on emotions, sacrifice, and getting to know the other person, rather than how quickly you can get two attractive people into bed or make them kiss. Western romance is more about lust these days and that's because it has such a bad reputation as a genre, while the old-fashioned romance of classic books is still considered respectable literature. Next on Fantastical Truth This Thursday, some Christians will observe Ascension Day. That's the lesser-known sequel to Easter Sunday, honoring the time when Jesus Christ returned to Heaven. His disciples recorded His famous last words, including His command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” How does this Great Commission affect our fantastical stories?
This week, Fr. Ivan challenges us to live as Christians live when Jesus asks us to "Keep my commands," if we love Him. It's hard to summarize all of them, but he highlights the following:Pray. Intercede for others.Turn internal criticism into thanksgiving.Listen. Pay attention.Celebrate and appreciate the triumphs and gifts of others.Share. Be generous with your time and your things.Avoid asking "What's in it for me?"Forgive daily.Remember everyone's dignity. Never use others.
On Easter Sunday in 1991, 18-year-old William Little was murdered at a Bloomington, Illinois gas station for a mere $60. The initial investigation led veteran detective Charles Crowe to Jamie Snow, a man who passed a lie detector test and didn't fit the profile of a killer. The case went cold for years until two rookie detectives took over and built a case based almost entirely on the testimony of jailhouse informants and shifting eyewitness accounts. **The original release of this episode included discussion suggesting that Susan Claycomb confessed to being a part of this crime and told authorities Jamie Snow was guilty. However, that is not the case and the audio has been adjusted to reflect the reality that Susan always denied involvement and has fought to prove Jamie's innocence. --For early, ad free episodes and monthly exclusive bonus content, join our Patreon! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Theresa Corazon, TV producer turned entrepreneur, was at the peak of her career when everything changed. She woke up days after Easter Sunday with frontal lobe brain trauma, eight broken ribs, a hand that nearly required amputation, and no memory of what had happened. She would spend eight months across five hospitals. Christmas, New Year's, and her birthday, alone, during COVID, with a rosary in her hand and her mother on the phone every single night. Rebuilding everything for the next 5 years: the ability to walk, talk, read, and even breathe without complication. In this episode, Kelly sits down with Theresa for one of the most powerful, raw, and faith-filled conversations where she and Theresa dig deep into the anger, the depression, the dark night of the soul, the surrender, and the framework she built from the rubble of her recovery to help others find their way back when everything has been stripped away. This episode is not about business strategy. It is about what holds you when strategy is not enough. It is about faith, resilience, and what becomes possible when you stop asking why and start asking how you can be used. Timestamps: 00:45: From aspiring pediatrician to TV journalist to entrepreneur 08:30: The idea that was born from a sticky note, and launched to a thousand people four months later 11:00: How producing the Miracle Morning documentary unknowingly prepared Theresa for her greatest fall 14:30: Easter Sunday and the moment everything changed 17:00: Waking up surrounded by medical professionals with no memory of what happened (and the words no one wants to hear) 25:00: The emotional journey through trauma, anger, depression, dark night of the soul, and the moment of surrender 31:00: Advice for anyone who feels like they are in the darkest place of their life right now 34:00: The RISE framework, and how it was built from her hospital bed 41:00: The books and voices that carried Theresa through recovery 44:30: What Theresa is most excited to bring into the world now: speaking, the Rise online program, and the official announcement of her upcoming book 47:00: The prayer that guides everything 48:30: Where to connect with Theresa and how to follow the Rise movement Resources: Follow Theresa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresacorazonwithlove/ Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresalaurico/ Visit Theresa's website: www.theresacorazon.com Watch the Miracle Morning documentary — now free on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=pI8xsLp7hqg&vl=en Learn more about the RISE online program and Theresa's upcoming book: www.theresacorazon.com
When we're willing to fully identify ourselves with God, it opens doors for God to move dramatically in and through our lives. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the spiritual authority our words hold and the power of believing in the truth of Jesus' divinity. He shares the story found in Matthew 8 of the Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant, and he encourages us to lead with faith boldly for Jesus, too. God is moving in the earth, and He still does miracles. This Easter, let's pray and obey, trusting that God is still at work for His Church and Kingdom today.
On Easter Sunday in 1993, the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville erupted into chaos. Tensions between prisoners and staff had reached a breaking point, sparking one of the longest prison sieges in U.S. history. Over eleven days, nine inmates and one corrections officer would lose their lives. But what caused the riot? And for the hundreds trapped inside, what did it mean to survive it? Today's episode kicks off a month-long exploration of the Lucasville uprising. An event that put all eyes on Ohio, and left one man reeling in its wake. *** Listen to Truer Crime: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truer-crime/id1565741041 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.: https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Blinkist: Start your free trial at https://blinkist.com/impactQuince: Free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/impactpodIncogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impactAT&T Business: Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.comNetsuite: Right now, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at https://NetSuite.com/TheoryKetone IQ: Visit https://ketone.com/IMPACT for 30% OFF your subscription orderSumm: code TOMVIP20 for 20% off your first year at https://summ.com?via=tombilyeu&coupon=TOMVIP20Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/impactCozy Earth: code IMPACT for 20% off https://cozyearth.comQuo: Try for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months at https://quo.com/impact Tom is joined by a sharp geopolitical analyst to unpack Trump's latest ultimatum to Iran, including his jaw-dropping Easter Sunday tweet signing off with "Praise be to Allah" — and what it reveals about the White House's increasingly desperate mental map of a regime that simply will not capitulate. They dig into the parade of extended deadlines, Iran's jaw-dropping counter-demands (yes, including war reparations), and the backchannel negotiations Trump says are going well while Iran says don't exist. Joining Tom is Drew, who brings sharp, no-nonsense analysis to the rapidly shifting landscape of US-Iran negotiations. Together they unpack the two-week ceasefire brokered with Pakistan's help, the dueling 10 and 15 point peace proposals, and the fierce battle of narratives playing out across social media and mainstream news. Is this a win for Trump — or an unmitigated disaster in slow motion? The Anthropic source code leak. What started as a routine update to Claude Code turned into one of the most embarrassing moments in Silicon Valley history — a debugging file accidentally exposed roughly 500,000 lines of proprietary code in a publicly accessible archive. No hacking required. Within hours, mirrored repositories were spreading across GitHub and competitors had a detailed look at Anthropic's engineering roadmap, including unreleased features that were fully built but never shipped. Tom and Drew dig into why this matters, what the leaked features reveal about where Claude is headed, and whether this is survivable for a company whose core identity is "safety first." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.