Podcasts about Forgiveness

"You can overcome your past and create a brighter future." — Linda Krystal "Forgiveness is a journey, and it starts with understanding." — Linda Krystal "Every child deserves to feel loved and safe." — Linda Krystal In this powerful episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Wayne Friedman, sit down with Linda Krystal, an abuse survivor on a mission to help others heal from trauma. Linda shares her incredible story of resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of love in overcoming a painful past. Facing the Shadows of the Past Linda opens up about her tumultuous childhood, marked by violence and trauma, and how she navigated her way through a life that felt like a real-life soap opera. From discovering her father's connections to the mafia to confronting her own experiences of abuse, Linda's journey is one of survival and strength. Breaking the Cycle As a mother and now a grandmother, Linda reflects on her past mistakes and the lessons she learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of breaking the cycle of trauma and how therapy has helped her find peace and understanding. Linda's commitment to healing is further demonstrated through her foundation, the Nanita Foundation, aimed at supporting children facing similar struggles. Key Themes - The impact of childhood trauma on adult relationships - The power of forgiveness and its role in healing - Creating a legacy of love for future generations - Supporting survivors and advocating for mental health - Finding purpose through helping others Episode Highlights - (00:00) Welcome to the Better Call Daddy Show - (01:20) Meet Linda Krystal: A Journey from Trauma to Triumph - (10:30) Growing Up in a Chaotic Environment - (20:00) The Role of Forgiveness in Healing - (30:15) Establishing the Nenita Foundation - (40:45) Advice for Survivors and the Importance of Therapy - (50:00) Wisdom from Wayne: The Value of Unconditional Love Connect with Linda Krystal Instagram: Linda's Instagram Connect with Reena Friedman Watts Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Thank you for tuning in to Better Call Daddy where resilience, compassion, and love meet!

Scott is changing jobs! This week, the team honors Scott as he transitions off Harris Creek's staff and shares the story behind his big vocational change—how he processed the decision, invited community, and listened to the Lord's leading. The conversation offers couples a model for making major decisions with humility, unity, and intentionality. The MTR team also discusses the exciting future to come with the podcast!Discussion Questions for Couples1- When you face a big decision, do you tend to move fast or slow? How does that impact your spouse?2- What role does community currently play in your decision-making? What role should it play?3- How do you personally respond to vulnerability—your spouse's and your own?4- Are there areas where you might be making decisions independently rather than mutually?Resources:Episode 43- The not so secret Guide to In Laws (ft. Dave Willis)Episode 49- We are Made for People (ft. Justin Whitmel Earley)Episode 63 - Celebrating One Year of MTREpisode 102 - A Story of Redemption and Forgiveness (ft. Kevin Kelli Mainz)Episode 103 - Protecting Your Marriage from InfidelityEpisode 121- Christ is the Melody of Your Marriage (ft. John Elmore)

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251216dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Matthew 11:4-6 Good News Proclaimed to You The disciples of John the Baptist brought a question of doubt to Jesus. Was Jesus really the Messiah, or should they expect someone else? John the Baptist sat in prison, and it didn't look like God's kingdom was advancing. Jesus’ answer was both gentle and firm. He pointed to the Bible and quoted prophecies about the coming Savior from the book of Isaiah. Jesus told them to report what they saw and heard. The blind see, the lame walk. People are cleansed; the deaf hear. God’s promises about the Savior were being fulfilled even if it wasn’t the way or the timeline John or his disciples expected. We can relate to John. We see others receiving their miracles and their answers to prayers. We wonder, “When will God act for me? When will he answer my prayer?” It's easy to stumble when God seems silent or slow to respond. But notice what Jesus includes last: “the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” That’s us. We are poor in spirit, weary, doubting at times, and unable to fix ourselves or earn our way to heaven. The good news is that Jesus came for us. Jesus brings us forgiveness for our sins. Jesus doesn't turn us away because of our doubts. God has accomplished everything for our salvation. We are blessed, not because life always goes as planned, but because Jesus did not stumble in his mission. He lived perfectly where we have failed, and through his cross and resurrection, he gives us faith that can withstand the brokenness of this world. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for meeting me in my doubt and disappointment. Help me to trust your Word and your work, even when I can't see what you're doing. Remind me that your good news is for me too. 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.

Join Jesse Jackson and special guest MaryAnne Janosik on Set Lusting Bruce as they delve into a rich discussion about Bruce Springsteen, his music, and the influence of Catholicism on his work. Maryanne shares her insights from the Born to Run 50th symposium, her impressive career in education, and her latest paper on Springsteen's Catholic themes. The episode also features a thoughtful critique of the recent film 'Deliver Me From Nowhere.' Whether you're here for Springsteen's stories, the intriguing connections to faith, or a love of music and film, this episode offers something for everyone. 00:00 Introduction and Patreon Shoutouts 01:50 Meet MaryAnne Janosik 02:50 MaryAnne's Background in Education 05:03 Transition to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 06:22 Teaching and Administration Insights 17:06 Discovering Popular Music 20:52 Bruce Springsteen's Influence 31:00 Symposium Experience and Catholic Influence 42:42 Tunnel of Love and Relationships 43:25 Madonna vs. Lady Gaga: A Generational Comparison 46:19 Exploring Themes of Forgiveness and Redemption 48:21 The Influence of Upbringing on Artists 49:45 Movie Reviews and Cultural Commentary 55:26 The Complexity of Judging Art and Artists 01:06:07 Springsteen's Thunder Road: A Deep Dive 01:12:22 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colossians 3:13When you forgive someone, you free yourself. Forgiveness takes you out of the bondage of bitterness and you literally take out the trash that's preventing you from enjoying all the blessings that God has in store for you.

The Christmas narrative in Scripture tells us that there is Good News of Great JOY for everyone! That's worth smiling about!

You have to forgive people who wrong you…right? The world is filled with injustice and wrongdoing, and to live in the world — to not be consumed by anger — forgiveness is necessary. At least that's what we're told over and over again: By forgiving, we can set ourselves free.But is there a cost to forgiveness? Are we forgiving too quickly and too often? Today's guest is philosopher Myisha Cherry, whose book Failures of Forgiveness critiques our cultural obsession with forgiving those who have done us wrong. She's not against forgiveness — that would be weird — but she says we ought to be more intentional about why we do it, more aware that the expectation to practice forgiveness often lands on the most vulnerable people, and more concerned about what gets lost when we treat forgiveness as the only path to healing.  Sean and Myisha discuss the 2015 Charleston church shooting, the legacy of slavery, and the real difference between accountability, reconciliation, and simply moving on. Host: Sean Illing (@SeanIlling) Guest: Myisha Cherry (@myishacherry), associate professor of philosophy at the University of California Riverside, and author of Failures of Forgiveness: What We Get Wrong and How to Do Better. This episode was made in partnership with Vox's Future Perfect team. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting. We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube.Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. This holiday season, your membership goes further: when you join Vox as an annual Member, we'll gift a free membership to a reader who can't afford it. By joining today, you'll get 30% off for an annual membership, and we'll match your membership. And if you can't afford it, visit that same link to apply for a free membership through our gift program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to health and wellness, technological shortcuts and gadgets only take us so far. Dave Asprey, the "father of biohacking," CEO of Upgrade Labs and the author of "Heavily Meditated", explains how forgiveness may be the best "biohack" of all.   Today, Dave focuses on ancient traditions like forgiveness, meditation, and spiritual and emotional growth for wellbeing. He goes over techniques for getting the most out of meditation and specific tips for how to "reset" the body, spirit, and mind.   Visit Dave's website: daveasprey.com Check out the Health Freedom Defense Fund at healthfreedomdefense.org See our sponsors: Optimal Carnivore and Lumiram

What if the most dangerous addiction in the world isn't drugs, alcohol, or gambling—but revenge? In this eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Dr. James Kimmel Jr., Yale School of Medicine researcher, attorney, and author of The Science of Revenge, to unpack what actually happens in our brains when we feel wronged, humiliated, or disrespected.   Dr. Kimmel breaks down the neuroscience behind revenge, why it lights up the brain the same way cocaine does, and how seeking retaliation gives us a temporary dopamine hit that ultimately leaves us worse off. We talk about anger, forgiveness, sibling rivalry, marriage conflict, parenting mistakes, and why forgiveness isn't weakness—it's one of the most powerful tools we have to reclaim peace, leadership, and self-control as men and fathers.     Timeline Summary    [0:00] Why revenge may be the most dangerous addiction in the world. [2:10] Introducing Dr. James Kimmel Jr. and his research on revenge and forgiveness. [3:02] How revenge activates the same brain circuitry as drugs like cocaine. [4:38] Dr. Kimmel's background as both a lawyer and Yale researcher. [6:33] Marriage, faith, and building a family with shared purpose over 37 years. [9:12] Advice on long-term marriage and selecting the right partner early. [13:23] Why revenge seeking escalates conflict in families and relationships. [16:17] Defining revenge as an addictive, pleasure-seeking process. [17:17] How grievances activate the brain's pain and reward systems. [21:25] Why emotional pain registers as physical pain in the brain. [23:13] Dopamine, craving, and why revenge never actually satisfies. [25:32] How the prefrontal cortex gets hijacked during revenge seeking. [28:06] Revenge cycles in marriage and intimate relationships. [31:20] Losing control: when logic shuts down during retaliation. [33:27] Larry shares a real-life road rage trigger moment. [37:39] How quickly fight-or-flight turns into revenge seeking. [39:52] Why only about 20% of people become "revenge addicted." [42:16] Differences between men and women when seeking revenge. [43:28] Why revenge plots dominate movies like John Wick and The Lion King. [47:07] Sibling rivalry and how revenge shows up between brothers. [54:23] Parenting discipline vs. revenge-driven punishment. [58:25] Why forgiveness is essential for breaking the revenge cycle.     Five Key Takeaways Revenge activates the same brain circuits as drugs and gambling, making it addictive and compulsive for some people.  Emotional wounds register as real physical pain in the brain, triggering a desire to self-medicate through retaliation.  Revenge provides temporary relief but increases anger, anxiety, and depression after the dopamine fades.  Parents can unintentionally cross the line from discipline into revenge, especially when ego and shame are triggered.  Forgiveness is not weakness—it's neuroscience. It's one of the most powerful ways to reclaim control, peace, and leadership.  Links & Resources The Science of Revenge: https://bit.ly/4q1khVd Bark Monitoring for Families: https://thedadedge.com/bark Podcast Shownotes: http://thedadedge.com/1414     Closing Remark   If this episode challenged the way you think about anger, conflict, and forgiveness, please take a moment to rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps us reach more men who want to lead with intention instead of reaction.

Send us a textIn this insightful conversation, Steve Titian from Pacific Cascade Legal speaks with Dr. Bruce Chalmer, a couples therapist with over 30 years of experience, about the complex dynamics of betrayal, forgiveness, and rebuilding trust in relationships. Dr. Chalmer explains that betrayal uniquely hurts because it not only involvessomeone breaking our trust, but also causes us to doubt our own judgment and sanity. He introduces a three-step forgiveness process—forgiving yourself, forgiving the person who hurt you, and "forgiving God" (acceptingreality as it is)—emphasizing that forgiveness is an "inside job" that doesn't necessarily mean restoring the relationship. The discussion covers how couples can heal from infidelity, the importance of faith (not necessarily religious) in accepting reality, and how both the betrayed and the betrayer must work through trust issues to move forward, whether together or apart.If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.To learn more about Bruce can help you, you can view his website at: https://brucechalmer.com/Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

Send one way text to Rev Rachel What do you do when someone you love is hurting and you cannot fix it?This episode explores one of the most challenging spiritual lessons, learning to detach with love. Through the lens of both Al-Anon and the Recover Your Soul process, we look at how to witness another's pain without absorbing it, rescuing them, or losing yourself in the process.We reflect on trusting each soul's journey, creating compassionate boundaries, and choosing your own peace even when the people you love are struggling. This is tender, sacred work, and it reminds us that we are held by something greater still.This episode is from the Recover Your Soul Bonus Podcast earlier this year, and if this episode resonates with you, I invite you to become an Apple Podcast subscriber or Patreon member. You'll receive an extra Recover Your Soul episode every Friday and have access to an entire library of deeper teachings, meditations, and spiritual reflections.Thank you for being part of the Recover Your Soul community. Start your journey with the FREE Recover Your Soul™ 9-Step Mini-Workbook- A gentle spiritual path to healing, letting go, and awakening. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not allied or representative of any organizations or religions, but is based on the opinions and experience of Rev. Rachel Harrison or guests. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein. Take what you need and leave the rest.Support the showRev Rachel & Recover Your Soul www.recoveryoursoul.net FREE Support Group on Zoom 6-7PM MT on the 1st Monday of the Month Work the Process with Rev Rachel TRYASESSION for 40% off 1st session Working the Steps Program WORKSTEPS%50 Instagram, Insight Timer, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook private Facebook group RYS Bonus Podcast Patreon Member or subscribing on Apple Podcasts. Transcripts

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251215dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Matthew 11:2-3 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:2-3 Carry Your Doubt to Jesus Christmas is almost here! That means expectations are sky high. Children expect every toy on their wish list to be under the tree. Parents expect children to be happy and thankful for the gifts they’ve received, even if not every gift is crossed off their list. Employees expect a fat bonus from their employers. Employers expect their workers to meet every end-of-the-year deadline and quota. This time of year, we expect celebrations, cookies, and core family memories. Yet rarely does the season called “the most wonderful time of the year” live up to the name. The calendar is packed, the to-do list never ends, and it feels like you’re barely getting by. “The most stressful time of the year” might be a more accurate name. Beneath the glittery decorations and bright lights is the realization that most of these expectations will not be met. John the Baptist knew that feeling. Once a fiery preacher in the wilderness, John now sat in a dark dungeon prison. It was the last place his disciples expected him to be. John preached about repentance and judgment. He spoke about axes being at the root of trees and wheat being separated from chaff. In other words, he foretold the coming judgment of God on the wicked. Yet now John was in the prison cell of one of the most wicked rulers of that time. It seemed like things had gotten twisted. So, John told his followers to carry the question to Jesus, “Are you the one… or should we expect someone else?” Even from prison, John was teaching his disciples and us what to do with our questions of doubt when expectations are not met. Take them to Jesus. Bring your unmet expectations to Jesus. Bring your doubt to Jesus. He won’t shoo you away or dismiss you or utter some pious platitudes. Jesus will not condemn you; he will answer your doubts. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are gracious and forgiving. Forgive me for my doubts and give me a faith that trusts in you through all things and above all things. 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.

This week, we will be studying Genesis 50:12-21 under the theme “How to Forgive Significant Hurt.” When Joseph's brothers fear payback, they discover that God's grace is far bigger than their guilt. Joseph refused to play God — and instead explained the strange, stunning way God turns harm into healing. Genuine forgiveness frees both the offended and the offender.Series Summary: Our fall worship series will lead us through the Book of Genesis, arguably the most profound, insightful text in human history. Over this series, we'll uncover how the narratives of Genesis reveal God's design for creation, humanity, relationships, and purpose. We'll explore truths that continue to shape our lives today, from the Garden of Eden to the promise of redemption.Add St. Marcus as your church on the Church Center App!Fill out our online connection cardHow can we pray for you? If you'd like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.

Guest  Dr. Rosenna Bakari - Psychologist, Entrepreneur, and Transformational Guide  Episode Overview  In this powerful conversation, Dr. Rosina BaKari shares her wisdom on letting go of what no longer serves us and stepping into our next best chapters. As a psychologist and entrepreneur, Dr. BaKari brings both professional expertise and personal experience to guide listeners through the challenging but essential process of transformation after betrayal and life's hardest moments.  Key Topics Discussed  The Journey to Entrepreneurship  How becoming an entrepreneur forced Dr. BaKari to stop hiding  The challenge of working alone and the fear that kept her isolated  Recognizing when "personality traits" are actually fear-based responses  Understanding and Navigating Fear  Why action is the only way through fear  How fear gnaws at us when we avoid what needs to be done  Taking baby steps instead of giant leaps  The Art of Letting Go  Why "just let it go" doesn't work  The 7X Framework: Seven areas that prevent us from moving forward  Betrayal and silence  Emotional dependency  Stagnant relationships  Complacency  Indoctrination  Loss of passion and purpose  Ego and identity  Forgiveness vs. Acceptance  Why you shouldn't rush to forgive  Letting forgiveness arise naturally from healing  Striving for acceptance before forgiveness  Meeting yourself where you are instead of where you think you should be  Radical Self-Centeredness  What it really means to be radically self-centered  Why serving from an empty cup doesn't work  Centering yourself in your own healing journey  The importance of self-preservation over people-pleasing  Seeds of Disempowerment  How childhood conditioning shapes our adult responses  The concept of "disempowerment by 1,000 cuts"  Recognizing subtle experiences of emotional disempowerment  Why we acquiesce in adulthood based on childhood patterns  The Morning Practice  Starting your day with five minutes of intentional self-reflection  Deciding who you want to be before your day begins  Creating self-awareness throughout the day  Noticing when you drift from your intentions  Rebuilding After the Crash  Why betrayal can be a catalyst for transformation  The opportunity to create something radically different  Not wasting trauma by just trying to get back to "normal"  Building a life that's bigger and more beautiful than before  Key Quotes & Insights  "If it were that easy, we'd all do it right? It's the processes that matter."  "Don't rush forgiveness. Let forgiveness arise from the healing."  "Be where you are. So often we don't allow ourselves to just be in the present moment."  "You can't pour from an empty cup. The more full you are, the better for everybody."  "Why would you rebuild what you had? Give it everything the old house didn't have."  "There's a gap between what we want and what we really want. Spend time digging into what really brings you joy."  Actionable Takeaways  Practice the Morning Five Minutes: Before getting out of bed, spend five minutes deciding who you want to be that day  Identify Your X Factor: Determine which of the seven areas is blocking your progress  Take Baby Steps: Don't try to transform overnight; take the next closest step in the right direction  Center Yourself: Practice radical self-centeredness in your healing journey  Question Your Conditioning: Examine which behaviors are truly you versus learned responses from childhood  Create Space for Clarity: Ask yourself what you really want, not what you think you should want  Resources  Connect with Dr. Rosina BaKari:  Website: RosinaBaKari.com  Instagram: @RosinaBaKari  Perfect For Listeners Who:  Are recovering from betrayal or major life disruptions  Struggle with letting go of past hurts  Feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve them  Want to create meaningful transformation in their lives  Are ready to step into their next chapter with intention    Want to dive deeper into transformation after betrayal? Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review to help others find these conversations. 

St. Paul gives further instructions to his brothers in Christ in Thessalonica as to what their lives should look like as Christians waiting for the Last Day. Hearers respect and esteem their pastors as those men work diligently to proclaim the Gospel. Peace reigns in the congregation as those who are weak and faint are treated with patience. Forgiveness trumps vengeance. Joy, prayer, and thanksgiving abound. All of these gifts characterize Christian congregations as the Holy Spirit accomplishes His will for the Church through the word of Jesus Christ.  Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22.  To learn more about Immanuel in Roswell, visit immanuelroswell.org. “Yearning for the Day of Christ's Returning” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies St. Paul's two epistles to the Thessalonians. Although Paul's time in Thessalonica was brief, he had great affection for the Christians there. His two letters to the Thessalonians show us the joy that God gives us together in the Church and encourage us to live faithfully in expectation of Jesus' coming on the Last Day.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

How often do we try to fix our health without ever addressing what's happening in our hearts?In today's episode of the Visibly Fit Podcast, I'm sharing a powerful conversation that weaves together faith, forgiveness, identity, and physical healing—because true wellness is never just about food or fitness.I begin with a heartfelt devotional from Written in Heaven: His Story, Our Lives, a 40-day devotional curated by Tamara Battaglia. This beautiful collection showcases stories of unwavering faith and triumph from today's leading female voices in Christian music, ministry, film, and literature. Inside the book, I came across a powerful devotion written by June Hunt, and I read her story aloud in this episode.June's story reminds us that belief isn't just head knowledge. It's trust. It's surrender. And it's allowing God to redefine who we are—especially when our past, old wounds, or rejection try to tell us otherwise.I also talk openly about how unforgiveness, bitterness, and believing lies about ourselves can quietly impact our emotional and physical health. These inner struggles often show up as exhaustion, inflammation, weight resistance, or chronic symptoms. Healing begins when we start aligning our thoughts, our faith, and our actions with truth.Then you'll hear from my dear friend Nicole as she shares her Visibly Fit testimony. Nicole didn't come into the program to lose weight. She came in dealing with severe inflammation and limited mobility. Over seven weeks, she experienced a dramatic reduction in inflammatory markers, gained strength and confidence, nourished her body properly, and learned how to care for herself—without guilt.If you're feeling stuck, inflamed, exhausted, or ready for something different, this episode is for you. Healing is possible, and it starts from the inside out.Chapters:[00:00] Podcast Preview[01:28] Holiday Hustle & Self-Care Check-In[02:39] Written in Heaven by Tamara Battaglia[03:48] Reading June Hunt's Devotional: “But I Didn't Know”[10:53] Forgiveness, Identity & Adoption into God's Family[12:35] How Lies & Old Wounds Impact Our Health[13:55] Why Healing Is a Journey (Not a Quick Fix)[14:42] Underlying Cause of Sickness Nobody Talks About[19:05] Nicole's Visibly Fit Testimony Begins[23:02] Movement for Every Ability Level[25:55] Eating More, Nourishing Better & Letting Go of Guilt[30:23] Community, Faith & Sustainable Lifestyle Change[32:40] Invitation to Take Action & Invest in Your HealthResources mentioned:Written in Heaven: His Story, Our Lives (A 40-Day Devotional)Join My Visibly Fit 7-Week Accelerator ProgramEpisode 101: A Discussion on Forgiveness with June HuntP.S. If you're just checking out the show to see if it's a good fit for you, welcome!If you're really serious about becoming Visibly Fit, you'll get the best experience if you download the worksheets available at https://wendiepett.com/visiblyfitpodcast.

Hear the message from Ps Ryan Rolls live from our 10:30am service at our Alpharetta campus on Sunday, December 14! We stream our services live every Sunday at 10:30am ET on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠so make sure you subscribe and get notifications to join us live.

This episode explores the theme of "being the head and not the tail," drawing from Deuteronomy 28 to encourage listeners to shift from a mindset of bondage and subservience to one of leadership and obedience to God. Samuel emphasizes that blessings follow faithful submission and obedience, contrasting the generational effects of living in freedom versus captivity. Practical examples illustrate how spiritual and financial freedom can be cultivated over time, impacting future generations. The episode closes with a call to embrace obedience, patience, and a lifestyle distinct from worldly patterns, trusting that God equips and blesses those who follow His ways.

Featured playlist: The Church (That Meets in My Home) — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9Zzn8Ufa-BNciyYv04Cl6mMy books:Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place — https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriageGod's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_topSupport us - become a CTC Partner: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/crosstocrown.org@DougGoodin

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251215dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Matthew 11:2-3 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:2-3 Carry Your Doubt to Jesus Christmas is almost here! That means expectations are sky high. Children expect every toy on their wish list to be under the tree. Parents expect children to be happy and thankful for the gifts they’ve received, even if not every gift is crossed off their list. Employees expect a fat bonus from their employers. Employers expect their workers to meet every end-of-the-year deadline and quota. This time of year, we expect celebrations, cookies, and core family memories. Yet rarely does the season called “the most wonderful time of the year” live up to the name. The calendar is packed, the to-do list never ends, and it feels like you’re barely getting by. “The most stressful time of the year” might be a more accurate name. Beneath the glittery decorations and bright lights is the realization that most of these expectations will not be met. John the Baptist knew that feeling. Once a fiery preacher in the wilderness, John now sat in a dark dungeon prison. It was the last place his disciples expected him to be. John preached about repentance and judgment. He spoke about axes being at the root of trees and wheat being separated from chaff. In other words, he foretold the coming judgment of God on the wicked. Yet now John was in the prison cell of one of the most wicked rulers of that time. It seemed like things had gotten twisted. So, John told his followers to carry the question to Jesus, “Are you the one… or should we expect someone else?” Even from prison, John was teaching his disciples and us what to do with our questions of doubt when expectations are not met. Take them to Jesus. Bring your unmet expectations to Jesus. Bring your doubt to Jesus. He won’t shoo you away or dismiss you or utter some pious platitudes. Jesus will not condemn you; he will answer your doubts. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are gracious and forgiving. Forgive me for my doubts and give me a faith that trusts in you through all things and above all things. 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.

Pastor Steven Helfrich's sermon at the Bridge on Luke 1:26-56 taken from the December 14th, 2025 Sunday service. Services are held every Sunday at 10 AM at 504 E 12th Street in Alton, IL. www.thebridgealton.com

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251214dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. Isaiah 35:3-7 God’s Coming with a Vengeance One group of people tries to annihilate another. Terrorists kill the innocent. A child is molested. Some question: Why doesn’t God step in … if there is a God? I can add to that. There are plenty of people who sin against God without fear of punishment. There are people who laugh at the idea of facing God’s judgment for their sins. Why doesn’t God step in? The prophet Isaiah talks about God coming “with vengeance” and “divine retribution.” And the prophet says that the result of God's coming with “divine retribution” is that “the lame leap like a deer,” “the eyes of the blind are open.” All kinds of good things happen. It sounds like a happy vengeance. The coming of God is the happiest of all events because he comes to save you. God comes to tackle a sinful world—not by destroying it, but by saving it. The words of Isaiah were fulfilled when Jesus came and died for the sins of the world. Jesus did the only thing that really helps for sin. He paid the penalty for it. He washed it away in his blood shed on the cross. The whole world can rejoice because the promised Savior has come with vengeance to free us from the guilt of our sin. With eyes and ears open to the good news of Jesus, we jump and shout for joy because his salvation flows into our hearts with life-giving power and hope. Prayer: Oh, Lord, our God, I thank you for coming to save this sinful world by offering yourself for me and the sins of the whole world. Help me to see your salvation and rejoice in it every day. 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.

Matthew 24:10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city…Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.Matthew 5:25-26 Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.Satan's goal is DESTRUCTION.His strategy is DIVISION.His tactic is OFFENSE.Offense is a MOMENT; living offended is a DECISION.Luke 6:27-29 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also.7 THINGS FORGIVENESS IS NOT1. Forgiveness is not FORGETTING2. Forgiveness is not WAITING for an APOLOGY3. Forgiveness is not ceasing to FEEL PAIN4. Forgiveness is not a ONE-TIME EVENT5. Forgiveness is not TRUSTING6. Forgiveness is not RECONCILIATIONRomans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.7. Forgiveness is not LOSING.Holding a grudge doesn't make you STRONG; it makes you BITTER.Forgiving somebody doesn't make you WEAK; it sets you FREE.

1 Timothy 1: 15

This sermon explores the deep longing for God's presence and the obstacles that obscure it. While we often associate God's presence with emotional experiences—tears or goosebumps—He is a constant reality. "Emmanuel" (God with us) is not merely a seasonal Christmas theme; it is the entire storyline of the Bible, from the Garden of Eden to the New Creation. God's relentless pursuit is defined by the promise: "I will be your God, you will be my people, and I will dwell in your midst." However, significant barriers often keep us from experiencing the face of God.Scripture ReferencesGenesis 3:1-13: The Fall, introducing disobedience and hiding.Psalm 51: David's plea not to be cast from God's presence.Isaiah 6:1-5: The confrontation between human sin and God's holiness.Luke 2:41-52: Jesus' parents losing Him by assuming He was in the crowd.Key PointsThe Narrative of Presence The Bible is bookended by God dwelling with man. It begins in Eden, moves through the Tabernacle and Temple, finds its fulfillment in Jesus, continues in the Church through the Holy Spirit, and culminates in the New Creation where no temple is needed.Seven Barriers to IntimacyDisobedience: Sin naturally creates distance.Hiding & Shame: Guilt says "I did something bad"; shame says "I am bad," causing us to hide from God.Lies: The enemy deceives us about God's character and the severity of sin.Holiness: God's unapproachable light exposes our darkness (Isaiah 6).Unforgiveness: Jesus teaches that holding grudges hinders our prayers.Busyness: Prosperity often leads us to forget the God who blessed us.Presumption: Like Mary and Joseph, we can travel days assuming Jesus is with us in the "religious crowd" without actually consulting Him.ConclusionDuring the holidays, we celebrate God being with us, but the pressing question is: Are we with Him? It is dangerous to assume His presence while living distracted, disobedient, or unforgiving lives. Jesus came to remove every barrier—sin, shame, and separation—so that we could once again walk face-to-face with God.Calls to ActionStop Hiding: Come out of isolation. Confess your sin and let God cover your shame.Check Your Assumptions: Don't assume God is with you just because you are at church. Actively seek His face daily.Release Unforgiveness: Let go of grudges that block your experience of God's nearness. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251214dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. Isaiah 35:3-7 God’s Coming with a Vengeance One group of people tries to annihilate another. Terrorists kill the innocent. A child is molested. Some question: Why doesn’t God step in … if there is a God? I can add to that. There are plenty of people who sin against God without fear of punishment. There are people who laugh at the idea of facing God’s judgment for their sins. Why doesn’t God step in? The prophet Isaiah talks about God coming “with vengeance” and “divine retribution.” And the prophet says that the result of God's coming with “divine retribution” is that “the lame leap like a deer,” “the eyes of the blind are open.” All kinds of good things happen. It sounds like a happy vengeance. The coming of God is the happiest of all events because he comes to save you. God comes to tackle a sinful world—not by destroying it, but by saving it. The words of Isaiah were fulfilled when Jesus came and died for the sins of the world. Jesus did the only thing that really helps for sin. He paid the penalty for it. He washed it away in his blood shed on the cross. The whole world can rejoice because the promised Savior has come with vengeance to free us from the guilt of our sin. With eyes and ears open to the good news of Jesus, we jump and shout for joy because his salvation flows into our hearts with life-giving power and hope. Prayer: Oh, Lord, our God, I thank you for coming to save this sinful world by offering yourself for me and the sins of the whole world. Help me to see your salvation and rejoice in it every day. 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.

John the Baptist sends some of his disciples to ask the Lord if He is the messiah, and Jesus invites us to know those in the Kingdom are greater. This is cause for rejoicing. #Catholic #homily #Scripture #GospelOfTheDay #mercywithteeth Sign up to have podcasts and blog posts emailed to you: http://eepurl.com/ioCgy2 Give feedback at https://forms.gle/gGhujv39g43BUxmK6 Readings are found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121425.cfm True Mercy Has Teeth: A Catholic Journey to Forgiveness and Healing is now available on Amazon and other places as listed at www.mercywithteeth.com

The Scripture readings are Isaiah 40:1-8; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; and Matthew 11:2-10, 11.God knows the full debt of your sin down to the last penny. And when Jesus pours out His forgiveness, mercy, and salvation on you, it is in double measure of your debt.

(Bandar Utama Buddhist Society)

If the FBI showed up at your door tomorrow and your spouse's biggest secret exploded—would your faith and love be strong enough to survive it?What happens when a hidden past collides with a faith-filled marriage—at the front door? In this inspirational and motivational episode of Real Talk with Reginald D, Cheryl and Bobby Love share a powerful true story of redemption, forgiveness, and healing after Bobby's secret identity—kept for 37 years—was exposed when the FBI knocked.This episode is packed with motivational speech moments, faith-driven perspective, and real-life marriage wisdom for anyone trying to rebuild trust, restore hope, and start again after betrayal, trauma, or setbacks. If you need an inspirational push to motivate you through storms, this conversation will strengthen your mindset, renew your faith, and remind you that your story isn't over.A lot of people are carrying something—secrets, shame, regret, fear of being exposed, fear of losing everything they built. And many couples are trying to figure out how to rebuild trust when life hits hard. This inspirational and motivational conversation speaks directly to anyone who wants a stronger marriage, a stronger mindset, and a stronger faith—because it shows what it looks like to motivate yourself through the storm, face consequences, and still rebuild a life with God at the center. If you've ever wondered whether redemption is real, this episode is your motivational speech in conversation form.You Will GainLearn how faith and forgiveness can rebuild trust after shocking truth and heartbreakGet inspirational, practical marriage wisdom on communication, healing, and persevering through life's stormsFeel motivated with a real redemption testimony that proves your past doesn't have to cancel your futurePress play now for this inspirational motivational speech-level testimony—and let Cheryl & Bobby's story motivate you to believe that forgiveness, healing, and redemption are still possible.The Redemption of Bobby Love Book: Purchase on Amazon orHarper Collins LinkSend us a textSupport the showFor daily motivation and inspiration, subscribe and follow Real Talk With Reginald D on social media:Instagram: realtalkwithreginaldd TikTok: @realtalkregd Youtube: @realtalkwithreginald Facebook: realtalkwithreginaldd Twitter Real Talk With Reginald D (@realtalkRegD) / TwitterWebsite: Real Talk With Reginald D https://www.realtalkwithreginaldd.com Real Talk With Reginald D - Merchandise

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251213dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD—and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. . . In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. Isaiah 11:1-3,10 Put Your Hope in Jesus Have you ever heard of nurse logs? They are dead tree trunks, like stumps. Yet, those dead trees are still thriving. The decaying surface of the dead tree creates a perfect growing medium for a tiny seed, for a shoot. The decaying tree becomes a nursemaid, a nurse-tree, to the new tree generation. Out of the stump of Jesse, a shoot, a Branch came up; it was the baby Jesus. Like a tiny shoot, his beginnings were humble. A little twig from a small town. Born in a stable with only shepherds and livestock to greet him. Born helpless and dependent on others. But despite the humble beginnings, this Branch was special. Jesus, the living shoot, comes up out of the dead stump, bringing life out of death. By his perfect life and his death on the cross, Jesus saves us from eternal death! By taking our sins on himself, he freed us from guilt and gave us his perfection! Jesus’ death is our death. His life is our life. His righteousness is our righteousness. Does your life feel like a stump? Have you been cut down by the axe of adversity? Have the problems of this life chopped you down at the knees? All is not lost. There is hope in the Root of Jesse. There is hope in Jesus. He offers you his life and his perfection. He offers you everything! He offers you peace and rest, which you’ll find nowhere else. Put your hope in Jesus. Trust in him for everything! It will be glorious. You have God’s Word on that! Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, Righteous Branch, send your Holy Spirit into my heart through the power of your Word so I can enjoy your perfect rest. 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/20251213dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD—and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. . . In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. Isaiah 11:1-3,10 Put Your Hope in Jesus Have you ever heard of nurse logs? They are dead tree trunks, like stumps. Yet, those dead trees are still thriving. The decaying surface of the dead tree creates a perfect growing medium for a tiny seed, for a shoot. The decaying tree becomes a nursemaid, a nurse-tree, to the new tree generation. Out of the stump of Jesse, a shoot, a Branch came up; it was the baby Jesus. Like a tiny shoot, his beginnings were humble. A little twig from a small town. Born in a stable with only shepherds and livestock to greet him. Born helpless and dependent on others. But despite the humble beginnings, this Branch was special. Jesus, the living shoot, comes up out of the dead stump, bringing life out of death. By his perfect life and his death on the cross, Jesus saves us from eternal death! By taking our sins on himself, he freed us from guilt and gave us his perfection! Jesus’ death is our death. His life is our life. His righteousness is our righteousness. Does your life feel like a stump? Have you been cut down by the axe of adversity? Have the problems of this life chopped you down at the knees? All is not lost. There is hope in the Root of Jesse. There is hope in Jesus. He offers you his life and his perfection. He offers you everything! He offers you peace and rest, which you’ll find nowhere else. Put your hope in Jesus. Trust in him for everything! It will be glorious. You have God’s Word on that! Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, Righteous Branch, send your Holy Spirit into my heart through the power of your Word so I can enjoy your perfect rest. 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.

(Bandar Utama Buddhist Society)

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Rekindling Family Ties Under the Winter Solstice Moon Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-12-13-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 冬至的黄昏，飘着细细的雪花，明怀着复杂的心情走进了乡下的家。En: On the winter solstice evening, fine snowflakes were falling as Ming entered his rural home with a complicated heart.Zh: 房子虽小但温馨，内壁上的春联已经有些褪色，但仍显得喜庆。En: The house was small but cozy, and the spring couplets on the inner walls had faded a bit but still looked festive.Zh: 桌子上满是饺子和年糕，空气中弥漫着扑鼻的香气。En: The table was filled with jiaozi and niangao, and the air was filled with an enticing aroma.Zh: 今天是冬至，象征着团圆的日子。En: Today was the winter solstice, a day symbolizing family reunion.Zh: 明是家里最大的孩子，En: Ming was the eldest child in the family.Zh: 他住在大城市里，工作繁忙，很少回家。En: He lived in a big city, where his work kept him busy, so he seldom returned home.Zh: 他对家里的责任感到沉重，同时又对自己长期的疏离感到内疚。En: He felt a heavy sense of responsibility towards his family and also felt guilty for his long absence.Zh: 他已经很久没有和家人一起过冬至了。En: He hadn't spent the winter solstice with his family for a long time.Zh: 这次回来，他希望能和莉和花好好聚聚。En: This time, he hoped to have a good gathering with Li and Hua.Zh: 莉是家里的二女儿，她留在家乡照顾父母。En: Li, the second daughter in the family, stayed in her hometown to take care of their parents.Zh: 对明的长期缺席，她心里有些不满。En: She was somewhat resentful of Ming's long absence.Zh: 她一直觉得，明把所有的负担都扔给了她。En: She always felt that Ming had left all the burdens on her shoulders.Zh: 尽管她心里也很想和哥哥和好，但心里的芥蒂总是阻止她迈出第一步。En: Although she also desired to reconcile with her brother, her grievances held her back from taking the first step.Zh: 小妹花不断劝说，希望能促成哥哥姐姐的和解，她不愿看到家人不和，特别是在这样的节日里。En: Their younger sister Hua continuously mediated, hoping to bring about peace between her brother and sister, for she disliked seeing family discord, especially on such a festive day.Zh: 晚餐开始后，家人围坐在桌旁，气氛显得有些尴尬。En: As dinner began, the family sat around the table with a somewhat awkward atmosphere.Zh: 花端上了一盘热腾腾的饺子，兴奋地说道：“哥哥，这次我们一起包的饺子特别好吃呢！”En: Hua brought a plate of steaming jiaozi and excitedly said, “Gege, these dumplings we made together are especially tasty!”Zh: 明微笑着点头，心里却在想着该如何开始他和莉之间的对话。En: Ming smiled and nodded, while pondering how to initiate a conversation with Li.Zh: 过了不久，话题逐渐转向了过往的家庭生活。En: After a while, the topic gradually shifted to their past family life.Zh: 莉有些情绪化地说：“明，你很久都没回来看我们，每次都是我一个人在家撑着。”En: Li, a bit emotional, said, “Ming, you haven't come home for so long. Every time, I'm the one holding up things at home.”Zh: 她说完，用筷子拨弄着碗里的饺子，不再看明。En: After speaking, she poked at the jiaozi in her bowl with her chopsticks, no longer looking at Ming.Zh: 明放下了筷子，深吸一口气，正视着莉。他知道这个时刻迟早要来。En: Ming put down his chopsticks, took a deep breath, and looked Li in the eye. He knew this moment was inevitable.Zh: 他诚恳地说：“莉，对不起，这些年我没有尽到哥哥的责任。我知道你付出了很多，承担了很多。我也很想回家，但是每次想到家里的负担，我觉得无从下手。”En: Sincerely, he said, “Li, I'm sorry I haven't fulfilled my duties as a brother these years. I know you've given and taken on a lot. I also want to come home, but every time I think of the burden at home, I feel lost.”Zh: 花见气氛有些紧张，赶紧插话道：“我们都希望能多一些时间在一起，毕竟今天是冬至，团圆很重要。”En: Hua, sensing the tension, quickly interjected, “We all hope to spend more time together, especially since today is the winter solstice, and reunion is important.”Zh: 明继续说道：“我这次回来就是想告诉你，我会试着改变，更多参与家里的事。我知道不是一句话就能解决的，但我会努力。”En: Ming continued, “I came back this time to tell you that I'll try to change and be more involved with family affairs. I know it can't be resolved in just a few words, but I'll try my best.”Zh: 莉沉默了片刻，然后低声说道：“我也是。我也不该一直埋怨，今后我会尽量放下过去。”En: Li remained silent for a moment, then whispered, “Me too. I shouldn't keep holding grudges; I'll try to let go of the past.”Zh: 在花的调和下，兄妹俩终于冰释前嫌。En: With Hua's mediation, the siblings finally reconciled.Zh: 随着时间的推移，他们的话语渐渐轻松起来，欢声笑语又回到了家中。En: As time passed, their conversation grew lighter, and laughter returned to the house.Zh: 那个夜晚，他们围坐在炉火旁，聊起了小时候的趣事。En: That night, they sat around the stove, reminiscing about childhood fun.Zh: 冬至的夜空，皎洁的月光洒在院子里，覆盖了一层银白色的薄霜。En: Under the winter solstice night sky, the bright moonlight shone in the courtyard, covering it with a layer of silvery frost.Zh: 通过这次坦诚的沟通，明明白了亲情的重要，而莉则学会了宽恕和包容。En: Through this candid communication, Ming understood the importance of family affection, and Li learned about forgiveness and tolerance.Zh: 家人间的那份温暖，在这冬至的夜晚，愈发浓厚。En: The warmth among the family grew even stronger on this winter solstice night. Vocabulary Words:solstice: 冬至rural: 乡下complicated: 复杂cozy: 温馨aroma: 香气reunion: 团圆seldom: 很少responsibility: 责任guilty: 内疚absence: 疏离resentful: 不满burden: 负担reconcile: 和好grievances: 芥蒂discord: 不和awkward: 尴尬initiate: 开始emotional: 情绪化poke: 拨弄chopsticks: 筷子fulfill: 尽到inevitable: 迟早要来sincerely: 诚恳mediate: 劝说tension: 紧张reconciliation: 冰释前嫌reminisce: 聊起moonlight: 月光silvery frost: 银白色的薄霜tolerance: 包容

“'O naughty child, now try going from here, if you can.' Having spoken thus, she returned to her household duties.” (Vishnu Purana, 5.6.15)

This episode is one of Pastor Jack Abeelen's recent radio broadcasts. Pastor Jack's teachings are broadcast every weekday on over 400 radio stations across the country.The Growing Thru Grace radio broadcast is an outreach of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251212dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12 Jesus Is the Judge We have all read stories in the news where it seems like someone got away with it. Whether it is the politician who has his cronies in his corner who help him evade prosecution or a murder which goes unsolved, whatever the case might be, we could give countless examples of people who don’t get caught and never face justice. Like you probably do, I get angry. But something that has always brought me peace when I see those things happening is the knowledge that Jesus sees what is happening. And, ultimately, Jesus will judge everyone for their lives and punish those who have done wrong. However, if I could give you some encouragement, don’t be so worried about those people who seemingly got away with it. I want YOU to be prepared! You might think to yourself, ‘I’m a good person. I’ve never even gotten a parking ticket!’ But the truth is, we all will be judged not by what we think is fair or just, but rather by God’s standards. And those standards are impossibly high. God tells us in the Bible that he demands us to be perfect. God doesn’t say to be better than the next guy. He doesn’t say try your hardest. He says we have to be perfect. Now I’m not perfect, and neither are you. But that’s why God sent Jesus to pay for all our faults. Jesus promises that when we trust in him, we won’t be punished, but rather be gifted forgiveness and an eternity in paradise! So, we thank God that he doesn’t treat us as we deserve but rather, he is full of mercy. Prayer: Dear Jesus, when I see injustice, help me to trust that you are the ultimate judge. Help me to turn my heart to you every day. And please help others who do wrong to turn their hearts to you and find forgiveness and mercy. 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.

"Perhaps God may nudge your heart this Christmas season to offer forgiveness at an unexpected time and in an unexpected way. Let go so that God can fill that hurting space in your heart with His love and peace."Leave a comment for Barb: https://incourage.me/?p=255589--Save up to 40% on select gifts at DaySpring.com — and order before 11:59 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 16 to ensure everything is wrapped and ready for Christmas morning! DaySpring's "Under the Tree Guarantee" ensures timely delivery, so you can shop with confidence and joy. Shop and save at DaySpring.com today!The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.Connect with (in)courage: Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more! Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives. Email us at incourage@dayspring.com. Leave a podcast review on Apple!

1pm hour of The K&C Masterpiece!

Jesus Followers Are Expected, by God, to Confess their Sins and Plead for Forgiveness {Penitence} Real Time MESSAGE SUMMARY: Penitence is not a once in a lifetime occurrence. Penitence is a daily and moment by moment, real time, occurrence. None of us is perfect, and not one of us always does the will of God. Paul, in Romans 2:4-5, is unequivocal in establishing the need for your continuing penitence and the consequences of your not repenting of your sins on a real-time basis: “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.". Therefore, we all need to repent and return to the Lord. You can become cocky and arrogant in your spiritual life – “I am a Christian; God has done this for me.”. As the Psalmist tells us in Psalms 32:5 of his confession and his penitence: “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.". You can rest on our perceived laurels; but these perceptions, of personal goodness and righteousness, can lead you quickly to a need for your penitence.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Most merciful God I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.  TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Evil Ways. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Goodness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mathew 3:8-11; Romans 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Psalms 140:1-13. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Day Is Coming – Part 2” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251212dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12 Jesus Is the Judge We have all read stories in the news where it seems like someone got away with it. Whether it is the politician who has his cronies in his corner who help him evade prosecution or a murder which goes unsolved, whatever the case might be, we could give countless examples of people who don’t get caught and never face justice. Like you probably do, I get angry. But something that has always brought me peace when I see those things happening is the knowledge that Jesus sees what is happening. And, ultimately, Jesus will judge everyone for their lives and punish those who have done wrong. However, if I could give you some encouragement, don’t be so worried about those people who seemingly got away with it. I want YOU to be prepared! You might think to yourself, ‘I’m a good person. I’ve never even gotten a parking ticket!’ But the truth is, we all will be judged not by what we think is fair or just, but rather by God’s standards. And those standards are impossibly high. God tells us in the Bible that he demands us to be perfect. God doesn’t say to be better than the next guy. He doesn’t say try your hardest. He says we have to be perfect. Now I’m not perfect, and neither are you. But that’s why God sent Jesus to pay for all our faults. Jesus promises that when we trust in him, we won’t be punished, but rather be gifted forgiveness and an eternity in paradise! So, we thank God that he doesn’t treat us as we deserve but rather, he is full of mercy. Prayer: Dear Jesus, when I see injustice, help me to trust that you are the ultimate judge. Help me to turn my heart to you every day. And please help others who do wrong to turn their hearts to you and find forgiveness and mercy. 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.

A good father forgives, restores, and keeps His promises. Sherri Kreps introduces us to our good, heavenly Father who invites us into a relationship with Him to be known, forgiven, and renewed.As a thank you for this month's donation......we'll send you the newest release from author and theologian Dr. Harold Berry on Revelation: Daily Scriptures to Receive, Reflect, and RespondFor Christians who want to go deeper in their understanding of the book of Revelation.Yours with a gift of any amount.Thank you for supporting the mission of Christ.

Forgiveness sounds simple… until life asks you to practice it with real people and real pain. In this heartfelt solo episode of Choosing Joy, Deborah Joy Winans Williams opens up about one of the most difficult—and most freeing—parts of her own journey: learning how to forgive others, forgive herself, and release the resentment that keeps us bound. Deborah shares the story of her parents’ divorce, how childhood wounds shaped her understanding of forgiveness, and the moment her grandmother gave her a piece of wisdom that changed her life forever. She talks about shame, grace, reconciliation, and why forgiveness isn’t a one-time event, but a process that comes in waves. With honesty and compassion, Deborah reminds us that forgiveness is not about excusing someone else’s behavior—it's about choosing freedom, healing, and joy for your own life. If you’re holding onto hurt, wrestling with disappointment, or trying to heal old family pain, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Join Jesse Jackson and special guest Maryanne Janosik as they delve into a rich discussion about Bruce Springsteen, his music, and the influence of Catholicism on his work. Maryanne shares her insights from the Born to Run 50th symposium, her impressive career in education, and her latest paper on Springsteen's Catholic themes. The episode also features a thoughtful critique of the recent film 'Deliver Me From Nowhere.' Whether you're here for Springsteen's stories, the intriguing connections to faith, or a love of music and film, this episode offers something for everyone. 00:00 Introduction and Patreon Shoutouts 01:50 Meet Maryanne Janick 02:50 Maryanne's Background in Education 05:03 Transition to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 06:22 Teaching and Administration Insights 17:06 Discovering Popular Music 20:52 Bruce Springsteen's Influence 31:00 Symposium Experience and Catholic Influence 42:42 Tunnel of Love and Relationships 43:25 Madonna vs. Lady Gaga: A Generational Comparison 46:19 Exploring Themes of Forgiveness and Redemption 48:21 The Influence of Upbringing on Artists 49:45 Movie Reviews and Cultural Commentary 55:26 The Complexity of Judging Art and Artists 01:06:07 Springsteen's Thunder Road: A Deep Dive 01:12:22 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is one of Pastor Jack Abeelen's recent radio broadcasts. Pastor Jack's teachings are broadcast every weekday on over 400 radio stations across the country.The Growing Thru Grace radio broadcast is an outreach of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251211dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 3:7-10 Are You Ready? When we bought our house, it came with an orange tree. I was pretty excited. However, it didn’t take long before my dream of freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast was shattered. The tree wasn’t producing fruit, so I cut it down. The Pharisees and Sadducees, who had come to John, thought that because of their heritage, they were all good with God. Sometimes people today think that because their parents went to church, or they themselves used to attend church, or they stepped foot into a church at some point in their lives, they’re all good with God, too. But John’s words of warning should give all our hearts a gut-check moment. Are you ready? If you had to meet your Maker, do you think you’d be all good with him? Your readiness doesn’t depend on what your parents believe or whether you went to church at some point. Your readiness depends on your heart. Please understand that I’m only saying this to you because I care about you and don’t want you to be unprepared. So, if you were to die tonight and God asked you why he should let you into heaven, what your parents believed won’t matter for you. But this is what will: God has given an incredible gift. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, who was cut down on his cross and paid for your sins and mine. So, when that time of death comes, and God asks you why he should let you into heaven, you can say with confidence, “Jesus has paid for me.” Prayer: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus, who has paid for all my sins. Turn my heart to you today and every day. 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.

Forgiveness is a hard road to personal freedom. Only when you truly surrender and release what happened can you reach a place where you feel empathy for someone who wronged you.The more you understand and love yourself, the easier it becomes to see people without judgment or anger. The path to understanding always leads back to you. It's the most important work you'll ever do while you're here.

On today's episode, Andy answers your questions on whether it's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission when fixing problems as an intrapreneur, how to handle the feeling of carrying "too much" in your business, and how to keep employees accountable inside a multi-role team environment.