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

In the sixth message of our series called Feasts, Mel teaches about the Feast of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This message centers on the profound significance of atonement as described in Leviticus 16 and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Drawing from Leviticus 23:26-32, Mel explains the ancient rituals of Yom Kippur, where the high priest, Aaron, entered the Most Holy Place to offer sacrifices for the sins of Israel, including the scapegoat that symbolically carried the people's sins into the wilderness. He highlights the gravity of approaching God's presence, referencing the deaths of Aaron's sons and the massive veil separating the Holy of Holies. Mel connects these Old Testament practices to the New Testament, emphasizing Hebrews 9:11-15 and 10:19-22, which portray Jesus as the ultimate High Priest and Lamb of God, whose sacrifice tore the veil and opened direct access to God's presence. He underscores that Christ's blood, unlike the temporary animal sacrifices, provides eternal redemption, inscribing believers' names in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 3:5), inviting all into a reconciled relationship with God through faith.

Msgr. Roger J. Landry Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, New York Feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Jubilee of the Poor and World Day of the Poor November 16, 2025 Is 58:6-11, Ps 34:1-7, Rom 12:9-16, Jn 6:24-35   To listen to an audio recording of this homily, please click below:  https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/catholicpreaching/11.16.25_SFXC_Homily_1.mp3   The […] The post Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, The World Day of the Poor and the Jubilee of Hope, Feast of St. Frances Cabrini (Observed), November 16, 2025 appeared first on Catholic Preaching.

310 Randolph Rd, KCMO#BiblePreaching, #IndependentBaptist, #BaptistSermons, #ChristianPreaching, #BibleBasedTeaching, #GospelCentered, #ExpositoryPreaching, #SundaySermon, #BibleTruth, #BaptistDoctrine, #BibleStudyPodcast, #OnlineChurchService, #ChristianEncouragement, #FaithAndFamily, #BibleBelievingChurch, #JesusChrist, #BiblicalTeaching, #LiveChurchService, #SermonAudio

Wil and Nicholas open by talking about “flowing like water” and how that mindset shows up in hospitality: staying adaptable, humble, and open. Nicholas traces his path from teaching skiing to unexpectedly building a career in enterprise software and QA with major pharma and tech companies, then starting a nonprofit, and finally helping open Feast Bistro in Bozeman. He describes the harsh reality of the first two years at Feast: the gap between fantasy and the P&L, mispriced menus, long hours, financial strain, and the grit required to survive COVID. What kept them afloat was humility, constant feedback from guests, and a deep belief that hospitality is about service, not ego.Those struggles led him to create Check This Out, a simple SMS-driven retention and word-of-mouth platform built first for Feast. Traditional marketing (direct mail, email, social) felt like guesswork because he couldn't track what actually drove revenue or distinguish new from returning guests. By counting every mailer and transcribing every comment card, he discovered that over 80% of guests came because someone they knew recommended Feast. That insight became the backbone of Check This Out: use SMS to bring guests back more often and amplify referrals with trackable, time-bound offers that clearly show who is driving traffic and sales. Throughout the episode, Nicholas emphasizes the same core ideas he's lived by: hospitality as service, learning over knowing, capital-efficient building, and using simple tools that actually work.10 Key Takeaways Hospitality is a gateway industry.Nicholas entered it through ski instruction and serving tables, learning empathy and customer focus, skills that shaped everything he's done since. Boredom fuels creativity.Long, quiet Vermont summers sparked the imagination that later helped him pivot careers and eventually become an entrepreneur. An unlikely path to restaurateur.Years in software QA taught him how to build systems that solve real user problems, experience that later informed Feast and Check This Out. Most pro formas are fantasy.Reality hits fast in restaurants: labor, food cost, pricing, and traffic rarely match projections, and the P&L forces honesty. Underpricing is a common early mistake.Feast discovered they were charging too little and had to adjust based on real customer behavior and feedback. Equity builds commitment.Giving chefs, GMs, and key partners skin in the game helped Feast survive the hardest stretches and come out stronger. Listening is everything.Nicholas embraces Kaizen and Deming's cycle: feedback from guests and staff only matters if you act on it without ego. Word-of-mouth is the true growth engine.His analysis showed 80%+ of guests came through personal recommendations, far more than any ad channel. SMS outperforms email and social.Near-100% open rates and fast response times mean campaigns drive real, trackable revenue, something other channels can't match. Check This Out delivers “butts in seats.”Restaurants use it to send compelling texts and let guests forward offers to friends, giving operators clear attribution and measurable ROI instead of guesswork.

A former royal chef calls Prince Andrew “demanding” and “arrogant,” revealing tales of midnight TV calls, golf-ball retrievals, and butlers summoned just to open curtains. Meanwhile, biographer Andrew Lownie says Sarah Ferguson dined nightly like a Tudor monarch, complete with beef, lamb, and chicken fit for Henry VIII. Elsewhere, King Charles earns praise as the royals' most adventurous eater, a butler hints Christmas could move back to Windsor, and Meghan's “boiled water recipe” sparks fresh ridicule online. Plus, Norway's future queen studies Down Under — and handles the paparazzi better than most Windsors ever did.Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.

The Golden Nuggets arrive at Manchego Manor to find it under siege!

Hour 3 of the Friday Football Feast begins with Viks Bits where the fans at Buffalo Wild Wings get to ask Nordo and Alec Lewis questions about the purple. Then the Feast previews the Vikings game vs the Bear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 of the Friday Football Feast begins with Viks Bits where the fans at Buffalo Wild Wings get to ask Nordo and Alec Lewis questions about the purple. Then the Feast previews the Vikings game vs the Bear.

Adam West | Recorded September 20, 2025

Adam West | Recorded September 20, 2025

This week on Cutting Deep into Horror, hosts Henrique Couto & Rachael Redolfi dive into Bitter Feast (2010)—a brutally underrated foodie horror thriller perfect for the Thanksgiving season. When a celebrity chef snaps after a vicious review, a simple cooking critique becomes a nightmarish showdown of revenge, obsession, and culinary torture.We break down why Bitter Feast has become a cult favorite for fans of chef horror, creative captivity stories, and Thanksgiving-adjacent genre films, and how its themes of burnout, public shaming, and internet criticism feel even more relevant today. From the dark humor to the escalating violence, this is a dish best served terrifying.We also explore its place in 2010s indie horror, the performances that make the tension simmer, and why this might be one of the most overlooked movies to add to your late-November watchlist.)Inside this episode:The twisted charm of foodie horror and why it explodes during ThanksgivingChef vs. critic psychology and why neither character is truly innocentHow the film uses cooking challenges as weaponsBurnout, humiliation, and the horror of being torn apart onlineBitter Feast's place in cult indie horror and why it deserves reevaluationHow food, fear, and obsession collide in unforgettable waysWhere to watch Bitter Feast (U.S.) – current as of November 13, 2025You can currently find Bitter Feast (2010) on several legitimate streaming platforms in the U.S.:Prime Video – Available on Amazon's Prime Video platform (subscription or with ads, depending on your plan). Tubi – Streaming free with ads on Tubi. Fandango at Home (Vudu) – Streaming free with ads on Fandango at Home's free-with-ads section. The Roku Channel / Cineverse – Available to watch via The Roku Channel and Cineverse. Rental/purchase options are also widely available on major digital storefronts like Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Amazon Video if you prefer to own or rent in HD.  (Availability can change, so if one service drops it, search the title on your preferred platform.)Get comfy, my spookies! 41% off at CozyEarth.com with code SPOOKY — supports the show!

In this moving episode of Out of Zion, ICEJ USA President Dr. Susan Michael reveals how God is working behind the scenes through world events and the modern miracle of the Jewish people’s return to their ancient homeland over the past 500 years. She unpacks the biblical promise of the land to Abraham’s descendants, the meaning of Aliyah—the Jewish return to Israel—and why Christians are called to pray for Israel’s full restoration, both physical and spiritual. Dr. Michael also explains how gentile believers play a vital role in God’s plan to restore not only Israel but all nations, preparing the way for His ultimate victory over evil. Get Your Free Resource: https://icejusa.org/shownotes Learn more about the Feast of Tabernacles at: https://icejusa.org/feast-tour

For 15 November 2025, Feast of Saint Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor of the Church, based on Luke 18:1-8

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading 1Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12The angel brought meback to the entrance of the temple,and I saw water flowing outfrom beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east,for the façade of the temple was toward the east;the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple,south of the altar.He led me outside by the north gate,and around to the outer gate facing the east,where I saw water trickling from the southern side.He said to me,"This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah,and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.Wherever the river flows,every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live,and there shall be abundant fish,for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow;their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail.Every month they shall bear fresh fruit,for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary.Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine."Reading 21 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17Brothers and sisters:You are God's building.According to the grace of God given to me,like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,and another is building upon it.But each one must be careful how he builds upon it,for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there,namely, Jesus Christ.Do you not know that you are the temple of God,and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?If anyone destroys God's temple,God will destroy that person;for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.GospelJohn 2:13-22Since the Passover of the Jews was near,Jesus went up to Jerusalem.He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,as well as the money-changers seated there.He made a whip out of cordsand drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen,and spilled the coins of the money-changersand overturned their tables,and to those who sold doves he said,"Take these out of here,and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,Zeal for your house will consume me.At this the Jews answered and said to him,"What sign can you show us for doing this?"Jesus answered and said to them,"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."The Jews said,"This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,and you will raise it up in three days?"But he was speaking about the temple of his Body.Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,his disciples remembered that he had said this,and they came to believe the Scriptureand the word Jesus had spoken.

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Common Knowledge hosts Crónán on Friday, 14 November. The intimate evening celebrates tradition, heritage, and the natural world, with beautiful soundscapes and a shared finale on the dancefloor. Then on Sunday, 16 November, the Land & Lore Festive Feast offers a farm-to-fork dinner by chef Andy O'Halloran. To chat more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Aoife Hammond, of Common Knowledge. Photo (c) Common Knowledge

In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Rachael Watson from Gloucestershire in the UK.Are you ready to take your intermittent fasting lifestyle to the next level? There's nothing better than community to help with that. In the Delay, Don't Deny community we all embrace the clean fast, and there's just the right support for you as you live your intermittent fasting lifestyle. You can connect directly with Gin in the Ask Gin group, and she will answer all of your questions personally. If you're new to intermittent fasting or recommitting to the IF lifestyle, join the 28-Day FAST Start group. After your fast start, join us for support in The 1st Year group. Need tips for long term maintenance? We have a place for that! There are many more useful spaces beyond these, and you can interact in as many as you like. Visit ginstephens.com/community to join us. An annual membership costs just over a dollar a week when you do the math. If you aren't ready to fully commit for a year, join for a month and you can cancel at any time. If you know you'll want to stay forever, we also have a lifetime membership option available. IF is free. You don't need to join our community to fast. But if you're looking for support from a community of like-minded IFers, we are here for you at ginstephens.com/community. Rachael is a teacher who works with adult learners. She shares her journey with intermittent fasting, detailing her motivations for starting, the challenges she faced, and the significant lifestyle changes she has experienced. Rachael discusses her weight loss success, the impact of fasting on her health, and her experience living with an ileostomy after losing her colon due to ulcerative colitis. She emphasizes the importance of community support and offers valuable tips for those considering intermittent fasting, particularly individuals with similar health conditions.Takeaways:• Rachael started intermittent fasting for weight loss after feeling uncomfortable in her body.• She initially struggled with calorie counting before discovering intermittent fasting.• Rachael found a 6-7 hour eating window worked well for her initially.• After a couple of months, she naturally shifted to a 19:5 fasting schedule.• She enjoys skipping breakfast and usually opens her eating window at lunchtime.• Rachael has lost a substantial amount of weight and feels more confident.• Living with an ileostomy, Rachael shares how fasting has positively impacted her health.• She emphasizes the importance of listening to your body during fasting.• Rachael has experienced non-scale victories, including improved energy and reduced sugar cravings.• She encourages others with similar conditions to consider intermittent fasting.At the end of the episode, Rachael encourages new IFers to try drinking hot water while fasting, and she and Gin discuss how satisfying it can be.Get Gin's books at: https://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html. Good news! The second edition of Delay, Don't Deny is now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audiobook. This is the book that you'll want to start with or share with others, as it is a simple introduction to IF. It's been updated to include the clean fast, an easier to understand and more thorough description of ADF and all of your ADF options, and an all new success stories section. When shopping, make sure to get the second edition, which has a 2024 publication date. The audiobook for the second edition is available now! Join Gin's community! Go to: ginstephens.com/communityDo you enjoy Intermittent Fasting Stories? You'll probably also like Gin's other podcast with cohost Sheri Bullock: Fast. Feast. Repeat. Intermittent Fasting for Life. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts. Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.comVisit Gin's website at: ginstephens.com Check out Gin's Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.htmlSubscribe to Gin's YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_frGNiTEoJ88rZOwvuG2CASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, the Catholic Church in the U.S. celebrates the Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917), a virgin and the first American citizen to be canonized.Born in Lombardy, Italy, to a family of thirteen children, she came to America as a missionary, founding the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools and hospitals.At her death, over five thousand children were receiving care in her charitable institutions. Her community extended to seventy houses in North and South America, France, Spain, and England.After thirty-seven years of heroic charity, she was in Chicago, Illinois, while making dolls for orphans in preparation for a Christmas party. She was canonized by Pius XII in 1946. She lies buried under the altar of the chapel of Mother Cabrini High School in New York City.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• ⁠November 13, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Today, is the Feast of the Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, an Italian religious sister who came to the United States to serve the Italian poor and ended up becoming one of the greatest forces for good in American history, founding dozens of orphanages, hospitals, and schools, during her 29 years in the States. It's also National Adoption Month, and we could think of no way better of honoring Mother Cabrini and furthering the conversation about adoption, than bringing in our good friend Dr. Kimberly Henkel, to talk with us about the importance of changing the adoption conversation in the Catholic Church today. As the co-founder of two apostolates, Springs in the Desert and Springs of Love, which serve couples struggling with infertility and discerning/pursuing adoption, Kimberly is doing incredible work to serve families that are often forgotten about in the Church today. We loved talking with her and hope you find our conversation as helpful as we did. Show NotesKimberly's StoryBuilding BelongingSprings in the DesertSprings of LoveSound of FreedomSound of HopeWant to support more sane Catholic conversation on the Internet? Then become a subscriber today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

#168: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Jeffrey Paul Ames, aka The Aromatic Gourmet, to explore the deep connection between fragrance, flavor, and beauty. Jeffrey shares how scent has guided his life, from his Italian family's aromatic kitchen to teaching sensory classes at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. You'll hear how he merges gastronomy and perfumery, creating “edible perfumes” through salts, syrups, and spices, and how sensory awareness can bring color, joy, and mindfulness back into our daily lives. Jeffrey also offers simple ways to make your meals, or any moment, more aromatic, which is perfect as we head into the holidays. If you've ever wanted to cook like a perfumer or use scent to anchor memories, this episode is a feast for your senses.Follow Jeffrey Paul on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thearomaticgourmetJeffrey Paul Ames at The Institute for Art and OlfactionFollow Frauke on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@an_aromatic_life ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Frauke's website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.anaromaticlife.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get No Place for Plants children's book on Amazon⁠Learn about Frauke's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Scent*Tattoo Project

We cover 8 books, plus a 9th partial update on Feast by Graham Masterton! Because that's what EVERYONE was clambering for, right!? Peter Brings: DC Horror Presents vol. 1: https://www.hoopladigital.com/comic/dc-horror-presents-patton-oswalt/18640196 John Kenn Mortensen's Nightmare Factory: https://www.hoopladigital.com/comic/john-kenn-mortensens-nightmare-factory-john-kenn-mortensen/17524332 Evil Bigfoot Monster 2 by FF Monsoon: https://www.amazon.com/Evil-Bigfoot-Monster-F-F-Monsoon-ebook/dp/B0DWLRDMJ2 Unwrap My Heart by Alex Falcone: https://alexfalcone.ninja/unwrap-my-heart/ Meagan Brings: The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store, story and art by Tsuchika Nishimura, translation by Jan Cash: https://hpldencore.mylibrary.us/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2367669 The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews: https://hpldencore.mylibrary.us/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2390026 Dealing With a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein: https://hpldencore.mylibrary.us/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2389505 Head Witch in Charge by Avery Flynn: https://hpldencore.mylibrary.us/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2385230

WELCOME to the second-to-last installment of our series, No Longer Strangers, our deep dive into Ephesians, the queen of the Pauline Epistles. In our modern world today, it's normal to lie, steal, fight, get drunk, watch porn, act selfishly, and forget the poor. Our Christianity is about piety, not integrity. Filipinos are religious, not ethical. There's a massive gap between our identity and our behavior. We see our old habits resurfacing, our sinful knee-jerk reactions reappearing, our old sins—sins we thought were gone—coming alive again. Reason? We forget who we are. The key message of Talk 5 is: Be who you really are.

We continue our enlightening series, No Longer Strangers. Last week, Talk 3, God Has a Family, affirmed that we are not strangers to one another. Since we are all in just one family, does it follow that we are united? If you're a member of a family, you'll most likely answer “No.” We struggle through conflicts in our family. Talk 4, however, tells us that unity among family members is possible. How? The entire letter to the Ephesians has two parts. The first half—which consists of the first three chapters—explains our identity in Christ. The second half– which consists of the last three chapters—explains how to live out that identity. Talk 4 focuses on the second half of Ephesians. And the first thing Paul tells us? Our identity in Christ gives us real unity. If we follow Jesus, then we should be willing to sacrifice for our unity. The key message of Talk 4 is: Without sacrifice, there is no real unity.

Welcome to this week's episode of Fast. Feast. Repeat. Intermittent Fasting for Life, with Gin Stephens and Sheri Bullock.To make a submission for the podcast, go to fastfeastrepeat.com/submit.  We are a community-driven podcast, and we look forward to sharing your questions, success stories, non-scale victories, IF tweaks, motivational quotes (and more!) on each episode of the podcast. Resources used in today's episode: Fasting sweet spot graph: https://share.icloud.com/photos/030s2ptnQNkwyEnj3BvHnJNIg https://www.bertherring.com/not-hungry-vs-full-the-difference-can-cause-relentless-weight-gain/ To get the books, go to https://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html. The second edition of Delay, Don't Deny is now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audIo book.  This is the book that you'll want to start with or share with others, as it is a simple introduction to IF.  It's been updated to include the clean fast, a thorough description of ADF and all of your ADF options, and an all new success stories section.  When shopping, make sure to get the second edition, which has a 2024 publication date.  The audiobook for the second edition is also available now!Want to learn more about BiOptimizer's Magnesium Breakthrough? Visit www.bioptimizers.com/fastfeastrepeat and use code FFR15 to save 15% off any order. Go to fastfeastrepeat.com to see Gin's and Sheri's favorite things, and to shop with us.  Every purchase you make through links on our website help to support this podcast so we can keep bringing you episodes each week.  Are you ready to take your intermittent fasting lifestyle to the next level? There's nothing better than community to help with that.  In the Delay, Don't Deny community we all embrace the clean fast, and there's just the right support for you as you live your intermittent fasting lifestyle. Connect with both Gin and Sheri in the community, as well as thousands of other intermittent fasters who are there to support you along your journey.  If you're new to intermittent fasting or recommitting to the IF lifestyle, join the 28-Day FAST Start group.  After your fast start, join us for support in The 1st Year group.  Need tips for long term maintenance? We have a place for that!  There are many more useful spaces beyond these, and you can interact in as many as you like.Visit ginstephens.com/community to join us. An annual membership costs just over a dollar a week when you do the math.  If you aren't ready to fully commit for a year, join for a month and you can cancel at any time. If you know you'll want to stay forever, we also have a lifetime membership option available.  IF is free. You don't need to join our community to fast. But if you're looking for support from a community of like-minded IFers, we are here for you at  ginstephens.com/community.

St. John Henry Newman (1801 - 1890) was an Anglican priest and Oxford scholar who reasoned his way into the Catholic Church, with the help of the Church fathers. He spent the first part of his life and career as a Protestant, but once a Catholic, he made a lasting and significant contribution to Catholic thought and apologetics. Links Check out St. John Henry Newman in Catholic Culture Audio Books - there are over 50 titles, including lectures, poems and meditations, and sermons. The entire text of The Idea of a University is also included. Click this link for the list of titles and links to the audio books: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/audiobook_newman_titles.cfm SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:  https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at:  http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage:  https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian: https://scepterpublishers.org/collections/new-releases/products/the-original-church-what-it-meant-and-still-means-to-be-a-christian?variant=46258102337713 Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed:  https://www.ccwatershed.org/  

JOHN 10:22-42 - I & THE FATHER ARE ONE - BRIAN SUMNER - 2025“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”Renewed Efforts to Stone Jesus31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” '? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,' because I said, ‘I am the Son of God'? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” 39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.The Believers Beyond Jordan40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there.”To support this channel and partner with Brian in Ministryhttps://www.briansumner.net/support/For more on Brianhttp://www.briansumner.nethttps://www.instagram.com/BRIANSUMNER/https://www.facebook.com/BRIANSUMNEROFFICIALTo listen to Brians Podcast, click below.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Purchase Brians Marriage book at https://www.amazon.com/Never-Fails-Da...Brian is a full time "Urban Missionary" both locally and internationally with a focus on MISSIONS - MARRIAGES - MINISTRY. Since coming to faith in 2004 doors continued opening locally and internationally to do more and more ministry with a focus on Evangelism, Outreach Missions, Marriage, Counsel, Schools, Festivals, Conferences and the like.  Everything about this ministry is made possible because of people personally partnering through the non profit. God Bless and thank you. †Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW

Our friend Tarra (who is definitely not a vampire) returns to tackle the fifty-second chapter of Varney the Vampire, wherein the chapter title promises The Interview Between the Mob and Sir Francis Varney, the Mysterious Disappearance, and the Wine Cellars. Varney the Vampire is a genuine penny dreadful, read aloud one chapter per week just like the original Victorian audience would do for the authentic 1840s coffeehouse experience. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Josaphat (1580-1643), a Catholic and a Ukrainian Basilian monk who is invoked as the “Apostle of Unity.”As Archbishop of Polotsk (present-day Ukraine), he promoted unity between East and West by fostering an Eastern liturgy in union with Rome.Josaphat was murdered by an angry Orthodox mob in Russia on November 12, 1623, at the age of forty-three.With furious cries of "Kill the papist!", the killers rushed upon him with gun and sword. Josaphat's body was thrown into the river but emerged, surrounded by rays of light.His murderers, when sentenced to death, repented their crime and became Catholics.Josaphat is one of the patrons of Poland.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• ⁠November 12, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET 

Archangels are real, and they want to help us. They confront the great accuser and listen to their love for life…do I?

In this episode, Mark and Payton are here to bring you the latest news, highlights, and deep dives into all things Real Madrid and Barcelona. We start with some news concerning the Brazilian national team, and a stunning headline involving Lionel Messi. Then, it's time for La Liga action, as Real Madrid took on their crosstown little brothers, Rayo Vallecano (9:35), and Barcelona flew to play in what would prove to be a goal-studded evening vs Celta Vigo (23:40). 

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving season, it's the perfect time to reflect not only on gratitude—but also on the impact of our food choices. In this special replay of one of our most thought-provoking episodes, we explore the ethical, environmental, and deeply personal dimensions of veganism with Dr. Matthew Halteman, philosopher and author of Hungry Beautiful Animals.Dr. Halteman challenges the rigid, rule-bound approach to veganism and instead invites us into a more compassionate framework—one centered on flourishing for both humans and non-human animals. Through philosophical insight, personal reflection, and practical wisdom, he helps us reimagine veganism not as deprivation, but as a joyful, ethical commitment to a better world.Whether you're vegan, veg-curious, or simply seeking a more mindful approach to the holidays, this episode offers a powerful lens through which to consider how our plates reflect our values.In this episode, we explore:· The intersection of animal ethics, food systems, and personal health· Why flourishing—not perfection—should guide our food choices· How veganism can be a joyful, evolving journey rather than a rigid identity· The myths of scarcity and sacrifice in plant-based living· How small, intentional shifts can ripple into global changeListen on Apple, Spotify or your favorite listening platform; visit us on our YouTube channel Find everything "One More Thing" here: https://taplink.cc/beforeyougopodcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #276 Title:  Renewing Our Minds     Web Description: When we get into spiritual warfare, we tend to become focused on things outside of us. But it is actually an internal battle that takes place in our minds. We are fighting a battle against mental speculations that attack the knowledge of God and draw our focus away from Him. Let us bring our focus back on Christ the King and enforce His victory with the divinely powered weapons He has given us.   Show Notes: The practice of building a booth, or sukkah, at the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth) involves leaving the roof open. And we can draw a lesson from the fact that in our sukkah, we are not looking out; we are looking up. Instead of a focus that looks out on everything happening in the world, we are to be training our minds to focus on the Lord. This principle applies directly to our concept of spiritual warfare. The battle for our focus is not happening outside of ourselves. It is taking place in our own minds.   According to 2 Corinthians, the weapons of our warfare are powerful to the pulling down of strongholds. We are destroying speculations and taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ. We are warring against strongholds. But those strongholds are not separate from us. They are strongholds built from the speculations and thought processes of our minds. These speculations of the human mind are what raise themselves up against the knowledge of God, against the truth of God, and against Christ. Our warfare is with the thoughts of our own minds and the things within ourselves on a human level.   In our society today we see many who are embracing twisted ideologies and belief systems that literally claim that truth is a lie, and the lie is truth. These belief systems have become a stronghold like a fortress or a walled city that seems impossible to break through. We need to believe and exercise our powerful and effective spiritual weapons that are able to destroy these speculations that war against the knowledge of God within us. These weapons are divinely powerful because they come from God, and we fight this war effectively by keeping our minds focused on Him.   Key Verses:   •       2 Corinthians 10:3–7. "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God." •       Romans 12:2. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." •       1 Corinthians 2:16. "We have the mind of Christ." •       2 Corinthians 5:17. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." •       Hebrews 11:10. "He was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." •       Psalm 2:1–8. "As for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion." •       Psalm 96:10–11. "Say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns.'"   Quotes:   •       "When our minds develop these speculations and then coalesce those speculations into a belief system, all of a sudden we realize that these things are fortresses that are absolutely against what God is trying to say." •       "I don't need to argue with you about all of your morality and all of your philosophy and all of your theology. I just need to tell you one thing: Christ reigns. He reigns as Lord Supreme. He reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords." •       "We can either be aware of the battle, or we can be aware of the fact that the battle is already won."   Takeaways:   1.    The weapons of our warfare are for destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God. A speculation is a thought process, and we need to see that spiritual warfare is a battle that takes place in our minds. 2.    Speculations and belief systems of the fleshly mind become a fortress, and we cannot fight that on a fleshly level. We must use the spiritual weapons that are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 3.    We need to change our focus. We need to take our focus off the world and put it back on the Lord so that our minds are stayed in Him, and we are bringing His divine presence constantly in our thoughts.

⭐️ Get Your Buckeye Gear ON SALE NOW!!! VISIT TheBuckeyeCast.com https://thebuckeyecast.com/ It's prime time in the Shoe — the Buckeyes return home Saturday night to face UCLA under the lights. Ohio State enters as 31.5-point favorites, while the Bruins limp in at 3-6 with one of the worst defenses in the country. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, Joe breaks down everything you need to know before kickoff: Bo Jackson primed for a monster night vs UCLA's 122nd-ranked rush defense Julian Sayin's protection plan: keep him clean, stay balanced Carnell Tate, Phillip Daniels, and Josh Padilla updates Matt Patricia's plan for dual-threat QB Nico Iamaleava Prediction, score, and who shines in the final night game of the season

Thank you Helix Sleep for sponsoring! Visit https://helixsleep.com/deepdive to take advantage of their Black Friday Exclusive Partner Offer and get 27% Off Sitewide!Merch Store! (Let me know what I should add!) https://www.crwnstudios.com/collections/d4deepdiveI'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member or patron!https://www.patreon.com/c/dnddd ORhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/joinTable of Contents of all D&D Builds to date: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18lsjEdNIXayLCUsv9v-Afx-y3MEone2c2EGszBtGw8U/edit?usp=sharingFollow me here:Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/colbypoulson.bsky.socialTwitter (X): https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulsonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dnddeepdiveCheck out Randall Hampton here:Twitter: https://twitter.com/Randall_HamptonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/randallhampton/Website: https://www.randallhamptonart.com/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/randall_hamptonIntro 0:00Level 1 8:28Level 2-6 15:44Level 7-9 33:35Level 10-13 40:06Level 14-17 44:57Final Thoughts 49:12Outtakes 55:16Math/Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Du9FbDwbJfinRVMQU0jpMRJmkjXUQRwNZKveIQqQqV8/edit?usp=sharingMaster Sustained Damage Comparison:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharingThanks to LudicSavant for the amazing DPR calculator! https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?582779-Comprehensive-DPR-Calculator-(v2-0))Music Credits:Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100340Artist: http://incompetech.com/Angevin 120 loop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200111Artist: http://incompetech.com/Celtic Impulse - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100297Artist: http://incompetech.com/Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400051Artist: http://incompetech.com/Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400022Artist: http://incompetech.com/Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400019Artist: http://incompetech.com

In this episode of the Jesus Everyday Podcast, Ethan Callison, Josh Horne, and Andrew McPheron dive into John 7:25–36, a passage filled with tension, misunderstanding, and urgency.As Jesus teaches in the temple during the Feast of Booths, confusion swirls among the people and the religious leaders. Some think He's the Messiah. Others think He can't be. And Jesus' words cut through their speculation:“You will seek Me, and you will not find Me. Where I am, you cannot come.”

We have to be mindful of how we are serving others in our world today. Because we, you and I, are the church. Today we celebrate an unusual Feast day called the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome. We might say, "Why are we celebrating a dedication of a building?" It is a pretty significant building. First of all, it is the See of the Bishop of Rome, not St. Peter's. St. Peter's is the pope's basilica, if you would. St. John Lateran is the See of the Bishop of Rome. (Read more…)Here is the Homily from Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. I hope you can enjoy it and please feel free to share with others. 

We set up our characters and prep ourselves to dive into the little known Wendy's Feast of Legends TTRPG system, We are following this one by the book (the very hard to find book) and playing through their 5 part adventure; "Rise from the Deep Freeze". Tim and Connor are joined at the table by friend of the podcast. AK, who you might remember from our recent Murder Mystery Episode as he voiced "Champagne" Charlie Munson. Join us as we create some new lore Wendy's probably doesn't care for as well as our characters for this epic campy adventure in the Wendy-verse. Content Warnings: Adult Language

On the Feast of the Dedication of Lateran Basilica (November 9th, 2025), Father Joshua Fons preaches on the great adventure God is inviting each of us into: our vocation. The example of those early Christians who witnessed in the Lateran Basilica rising in the city of so many martyrs should inspire us to give our whole lives to Christ. It is in our vocation that God invites us into holiness and happiness, and to live the life we are meant to live.

As the holiday season approaches, Belle Grove Plantation prepares to host its much-anticipated Kris Kringle Market. In a recent episode of "The Valley Today," host Janet Michael talks with Kristen Laise, Executive Director, and Paige Ulevich, Festivals Coordinator, to offer listeners an exclusive look at this festive event. Their conversation reveals how the market has evolved into a cherished community tradition, blending local craftsmanship, culinary delights, and family fun. From Pandemic Brainstorm to Annual Favorite The Kris Kringle Market began as a creative response to the challenges of 2020. Kristen recalls how the idea emerged to support small businesses struggling during the pandemic. "It's outdoors, it'll be safe—let's try it," she remembers. Since then, the market has flourished, now celebrating its sixth year and drawing crowds eager to kick off their holiday shopping in style. Early Bird Perks and Shopping Delights This year, the market introduces a special early bird shopping window. For a modest $2 donation, guests over 12 can access the market from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, ensuring first pick of unique, handmade goods. After noon, admission is free, as it is all day Sunday. Paige emphasizes the value of arriving early, noting that nearly 100 vendors will offer one-of-a-kind items, from fine art and woodwork to candles, jewelry, and gourmet foods. A Feast for the Senses Food lovers will find plenty to savor. Responding to past feedback, organizers have expanded the food truck lineup, featuring local favorites like Classy Caboose, Billy Sous, and the Rad Cookie Bake Shop. Additionally, Belle Grove's own winter beers and signature hot toddies from Copper Fox Distillery promise to keep visitors warm. For those seeking a taste of tradition, the market also offers German mulled wine and homemade hot chocolate. Activities for All Ages Beyond shopping and dining, the Kris Kringle Market brims with activities. Children can enjoy story time with Kris Kringle, ballet performances, juggling lessons, and rides on the White Lightning Barrel Train. Meanwhile, adults and kids alike can participate in wreath-making classes—though, as Kristen notes, these popular sessions fill up quickly. Roaming carolers and live music add to the festive atmosphere, ensuring entertainment for everyone. Community Spirit and Volunteer Power Transitioning from logistics to community impact, Janet highlights the behind-the-scenes efforts that make the market possible. Paige credits a dedicated team of around 30 volunteers, as well as an advisory committee that curates a diverse and high-quality vendor selection. The event also welcomes sponsors, with First Bank serving as a signature supporter this year. A Place for Memories and Meaningful Gifts The market's layout encourages exploration, with themed "neighborhoods" guiding visitors to their favorite booths. Kristen and Paige agree that the event is more than a shopping destination—it's a place to create memories, discover meaningful gifts, and connect with the artisans behind each product. For those seeking experiences over material goods, Belle Grove offers memberships and self-guided tours of the historic manor house. Looking Ahead: Let Freedom Ring Finally, Kristen shares that this year's Christmas theme, "Let Freedom Ring," honors the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Local garden clubs will interpret the theme in their holiday decorations, adding a layer of historical reflection to the festivities. Conclusion In summary, the Kris Kringle Market at Belle Grove Plantation stands as a testament to community resilience, creativity, and holiday spirit. With its blend of shopping, food, entertainment, and tradition, it promises a memorable start to the season for visitors of all ages. As Janet and her guests make clear, this is one event you won't want to miss. Learn more on their website and on their Facebook event page.

Homily from the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. If you were what you were meant to be, you would set the world on fire. There are some things that are dedicated...consecrated to be something special. They are meant to be something unique. Others merely used to be something unique. Which one am I? Mass Readings from November 9, 2025: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-91 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17 John 2:13-22