Podcasts about from cain

Few relationships shape us like those with our siblings.  Whether you have siblings, share a sibling-like bond with a cousin or family friend, or are a parent navigating sibling dynamics, these relationships often play a significant role in defining our identity. Since so many of our listeners have asked us to explore this topic, today on the Allender Center Podcast, Dan and Rachael are diving deep into the messy, beautiful, and sometimes heartbreaking world of sibling dynamics. In today's episode, we explore how these dynamics often lead to rivalries, alliances, and, at times, painful wounds that can last well into adulthood.  These sibling roles aren't just part of our personal stories—they are deeply rooted in ancient patterns. We see these themes echoed in biblical texts, where stories of favor, envy, and scarcity unfold through generations. From Cain and Abel to Joseph and his brothers, the struggles we face with our siblings have a long, storied history. Tune in to gain fresh perspectives on navigating your sibling relationships, create space for growth, and learn how to honor the complex and beautiful stories each of you is living out.  

Corruption, Nephilim, and two Lamechs: The Hopeful Path in Wicked Times with Joshua LiemGenesis 4:17-6:5What story are you living in? Genesis 4-6 presents a stark contrast between two family lines—one rooted in violence and vengeance, the other in faith and hope. From Cain to Lamech to the mysterious Nephilim, we'll explore how these ancient narratives shape our understanding of power, corruption, and God's plan for redemption. Bring your Bible and join us this Sunday as we unpack this ancient text and its relevance for today.For reflection & discussion: In what ways do we still live in a “mythological world” today? What modern myths shape our culture? What do you imagine Enoch's walk with God looking like?  What are ways that you think he distinguished himself with the rest of the world? Who or what do you think the "Nephilim" were? How do different interpretations impact our understanding of Genesis 6? What does this passage say about the spread of sin and evil? How do we see similar patterns in history and today? What does Noah's name ("This one will bring us comfort…") reveal about the longing for redemption in the biblical narrative? How does this story connect to Jesus and the gospel? What does it mean to live in His story rather than the world's? What are the ways the stories of Cain, Lamech, and the Nephilim play out in our modern myths?  How might we live counter-narratively?

Send a text message to the show! Welcome to episode #111 of the Building Great Lives podcast!In today's episode, we're going to talk about overcoming offense. In my opinion, learning to overcome offense is one of the most important lessons we need to learn, especially if we want to continue growing in God while maintaining healthy relationships.Truth be told, we've all been offended. Jesus told His disciples that offenses will come. Since completely avoiding offense is impossible, learning how to properly manage it is imperative to our spiritual, emotional, and relational well-being.We'll explore the nature of offense, why it's so destructive, and how we can overcome it. We'll look at biblical examples of those who struggled with offense and how it affected their lives. From Cain and Abel to King Saul and even John the Baptist, offense has the power to derail destinies. But it doesn't have to be that way.Through the wisdom of Scripture and the example of Jesus, who faced the ultimate opportunity to be offended yet chose forgiveness, we can learn to navigate this challenging aspect of life.Don't let unresolved offense trap you in bitterness and resentment. Instead, discover how to find freedom, healing, and growth in God.Tune in to learn how to overcome offense and ensure it doesn't hinder your relationship with God or others.Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share this message of hope with others!Let's keep building!Feel led to partner with our global ministry? 100% of your donations go directly to our global ministry efforts. https://venmo.com/u/Trent-Gilliam-3https://www.paypal.me/RevTrentGilliamConnect on social media. https://instagram.com/revgilliamhttps://www.facebook.com/trent.gilliam

John 18:31 Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death," 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. 33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?" 35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.   We see Pilate still trying to get out of crucifying Jesus, but the Jews will not be persuaded. Jesus is then questioned by Pilate as to who He really is.  We know that Pilate's wife has had a dream about Jesus; he knows they delivered Him up for envy and so he is still desperately trying to find some way out.  Jesus then puts Pilate on the hot seat and even while He is under threat of the cross, He is still concerned with Pilate's soul.  Jesus wants to know why Pilate is asking the questions He asks.  Jesus admits He is a King, but of a heavenly realm, not earthly.  He then tells Pilate the reason He came is to bear witness of the truth and poor Pilate responds what is truth. Jesus realizes Pilate is not going to trust Him as Savior, so He ends the conversation and ultimately refuses to speak to him anymore.  Pilate's fate is sealed.   The purpose of this lesson is to consider the condemnation of Jesus as John portrays it, so that we see the guilt of Jews and Gentiles alike. No one but our Lord comes out of this looking good. Verse 31, again, their minds are made up, “We just want you to execute him.” Now the Jews are in a predicament. The Sanhedrin wants Jesus dead, but if they're given Jesus back, they can't execute Him. So, they had to play ball with Pilate, and they don't like this. I find it very difficult to believe that Pilate is as ignorant and uninformed about Jesus as he lets on to these Jews. I believe there must have been the equivalent of what I would call “the Jesus file” in Pilate's possession. Think about it for a minute. Today, the CIA, the FBI, and who knows how many other federal agencies make it their business to keep track of any person or group that seeks the overthrow of our government. The identity and activities of every known enemy, as well as all those even suspected, are closely monitored, and all of this information is kept on file. So each possible enemy of the state would have his or her own file, containing all kinds of information concerning their statements and their activities. Do you think it reasonable that Rome and Pilate kept track of anyone who was popular and had a following among the Jews. Such people had the potential of leading the Jews in rebellion against Rome. Every time Jesus made an appearance in Jerusalem, there was some kind of commotion or disturbance. Surely Pilate was aware of this and kept track of Jesus' activities. When the Jews brought Jesus before Pilate, it is difficult to believe that He was unknown to the governor, at least by reputation. Pilate no doubt knew what Jesus had claimed, and how the Jewish leaders reacted to Him and His teaching.[i] But Pilate is initially playing out this trial “by the book,” and so he insists that they declare formal charges against Jesus. 31 Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death," Crucifixion itself, a Roman form of execution, was forbidden by Jewish law because it was torture. Since the Jews did not charge Jesus formally there was nothing that Pilate could do except hand Him back to them for discipline in their courts. The Jews' response explained why that was an unacceptable alternative. They wanted Jesus executed, but they did not have the authority to execute Him themselves. Be that as it may, they could have killed Him if they wanted. But they wanted the blood to be on Rome's hands. Which is another layer of irony, as you know how the story progresses, and the blood is on their hands. Okay? Full of layers of irony in this section. We know from Deuteronomy 21:23 and Galatians 3:13 that cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree. Prophecy in Deuteronomy is shadowing ahead the kind of death Jesus is going to face. "The Pilate disclosed in the [ancient] historical documents almost certainly acted like this not so much out of any passion for justice as out of the ego-building satisfaction he gained from making the Jewish authorities jump through legal hoops and recognize his authority." John noted that the Jews' admission that they could not put anyone to death was in harmony with the sovereign plan of God. Jesus had predicted that He would die by crucifixion, not by stoning (cf. 12:32-33). The Romans were the only ones who could condemn a person to death by crucifixion. The Jews did stone people to death for blasphemy (e.g., Acts 6:11; 7:58), but these seem to have been instances of mob violence rather than independent legal action. They probably wanted Jesus crucified too because the Mosaic Law regarded such a death as proof of God's curse (Deut. 21:22-23). "Ironically, the death that the Jewish hierarchy regarded as a final negation of Jesus' claims became the means of justification apart from the law Ga 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. Mt 20:19; John 12:32-33 John the Gospel writer, while center-stage is crowded with this experience in the Praetorium with all these religious leaders and Pilate, John puts this parenthetical “By the way, time out” verse in the record. "It was necessary for three reasons for Jesus to be crucified by the Romans at the instigation of the Jews: (a) to fulfill prophecies  (e.g.,  that  none  of  His  bones  be  broken;  cf.19:36-37); (b) to include both Jews and Gentiles in the collective guilt for the deed (cf. Acts 2:23; 4:27); (c) by crucifixion,  Jesus  was  'lifted  up'  like  'the  snake  in  the desert' [3:14] . . ." Luke 23:1-2, 1 Then the whole group of them rose up and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation, forbidding us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar and claiming that he himself is Christ, a king”  33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Mt 27:11 the Greek says, "You, are You the king of the Jews The Jews' accusations motivated Pilate's question. He asked Jesus if He was claiming to be the King of the Jews.  Messianic  expectation  was running high in Jesus' day, and many people were saying that Jesus was the Messiah. The Jewish leaders had charged Jesus with claiming to be this king (Luke 23:2). Now Pilate wanted to hear if Jesus Himself claimed to be this king. Are you king, not of a slice of geography; are you king of this people called the Jews? Are you king of this rag-tag group?”  And I think there might be a little distain, astonishment and disgust in Pilate's voice when he looks at this bound Jesus Christ before him.  “Are you the king of the Jews?” with some astonishment. “You've got to be kidding! You? Are you the king? You don't look like a king.”  Fast-forward, how he mocks them, “Here's your king. This is what your king looks like to me.”  34 Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?" The Synoptics reported that Jesus replied, "It is as you say" (Matt. 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3). John also recorded that Jesus gave that answer (v. 37), but he included additional conversation first. This added material included Jesus' explanation of the nature of His kingship Jesus asked Pilate His question to determine how He would answer him. If his question had arisen from his own understanding and curiosity, Jesus presumably would have dealt with Him as a sincere inquirer. If he was merely trying to clarify the essence of the Sanhedrin's charge, Jesus would need to answer differently. It would surely appear that Jesus was gently probing Pilate, testing for any spiritual interest on his part. Our Lord knew who His sheep were (John 10:14, 26-27; 13:18), but even so He sought to encourage Pilate to seek Him. If Pilate meant, "Are you a political king conspiring against Caesar?" the answer would have been, "No." If he meant, "Are you the messianic king of Israel?" the answer would have been, "Yes." The object of interrogation, Jesus, became the interrogator temporarily.  35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" Pilate's answer effectively shuts off this line of conversation: It ticks Pilate off and in verse thirty-five, he responds to Him, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people delivered you to me.” Pilate's reply clarified that he had no personal interest in Jesus' kingship, and he was indignant that Jesus would suggest such a thing. He simply wanted to understand what Jesus was claiming in view of the Sanhedrin's accusation. Beyond that, he wanted to discover why the Jewish leaders were so intent on doing away with Jesus. His question, "Am I a Jew?" sarcastically denied that Jewish matters such as Jesus' kingship were of any interest to him personally.  Ironically Jesus was Pilate's King. Pilate's comment about Jesus' own people handing Him over to him confirmed John's statement that Jesus came unto His own, but His own did not receive Him (1:11). The word delivered is very important to John. It's the same word for betrayed when Judas delivers Him. In fact, every time in the Gospel of John, the word delivered, lifted up, handed over, and betrayed are the same word. It's just the context that tells us the meaning. Just like Judas betrayed Him, just like His own people, the Jews, betrayed Him to Rome, just like He's going to be delivered up, or lifted up. And I think the human, incarnate side of Jesus Christ bristled when He heard that remark, because He knew that He came into His own and His own didn't welcome Him. Jesus stands there and Pilate says ‑- What have You done? Now we come against the same problem we saw two weeks ago. In the Jewish court and the Roman court the judge had no right to ask that question. Remember that? Under no circumstances was a man to be condemned at the word of his own testimony. It's like the Fifth Amendment. He could not be incriminated by His own testimony. So, Pilate is asking an illegal question and you will notice that Jesus does not answer it. What hast Thou done? Jesus doesn't answer that. Jesus just takes off in verse 36 and starts talking about His Kingdom. He never answers that. Why? It's an illegal question. He did the same thing to Annas, the same thing to Caiaphas; He'll never capitulate to illegalities. And thus He indicts them because of those illegalities. And so rather than answer the question He just explains what kind of a King He is. Now Pilate understands that He is no political King so He says ‑- Now I'll explain to you what kind of King I am.  36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Da 2:44; 7:14; Lu 12:14; John 6:15; 8:15; 1Ti 6:13 Jesus is telling Pilate, “Look, I'm not the kind of king you think. I am not a king who brings armies together and rebels against existing governments and takes over land and controls by subversion. I'm a king of another world. My kingdom is not of this earth.” He's also telling Pilate implicitly, “Don't worry about me as a threat to Rome. I'm not here to threaten your assumed kingship role with Rome's imperial government.” Jesus was not denying that His kingdom was an earthly kingdom. He was not saying it was only the spiritual rule of God over the hearts of His people. He was not saying that His kingdom had nothing to do with this world either. This should be clear from Jesus' other references to His kingdom as being an earthly kingdom. His point was that He and His kingdom were not a threat to Rome (cf. 18:10-11). The reason was that God had postponed the messianic kingdom due to Israel's unbelief, though Jesus did not explain this to Pilate. Now, Pilate was right when he saw nothing in Jesus to resemble an earthly king, but he was wrong when he then concluded that Jesus wasn't a King. He was a King, indeed He was a King. And in Revelation 11:15 it says that He shall reign and rule over every nation and that He shall be King of kings and Lord of lords.  37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." John 8:47; 1Jo 3:19; 4:6 Pilate did not understand the distinctions between Jesus' kingdom and his own that Jesus was making. He did understand that Jesus was claiming to have a kingdom. Consequently he next tried to get Jesus to claim unequivocally that He was a king The Kingdom of Christ is a spiritual Kingdom. And so, Paul says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:13: "I commend thee in the sight of God who maketh all things alive, and before Christ Jesus," who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession." What confession did Jesus make before Pontius Pilate? "Which in His times He shall show who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords." That's the confession Jesus made before Pilate. That He was indeed a King. This is talking about God coming into human form. Jesus is claiming to be incarnate God. It's a powerful claim. I love the fact that John makes sure we know that He said: "I came into the world." Before the world began, He was there. Jesus claims to have come into the world. Paul says in Philippians 2, "Christ thought it not something to hold onto to be equal with God, but let go of it, came into the world, humbled Himself, found in fashion as a man," right? God coming into the world. So, in a brief statement, Jesus claims eternal preexistence. He's saying, “Yeah, I'm a king. [Change subjects.]  For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world.” To be king? No, to testify to the truth. You see where I'm trying to make the distinction? It's not the antecedent. It's what follows. He's not saying, “I'm a king, for this I was born,” which would be true. That's not His point. His point is, “I have come and have been born into the world to testify to the truth.” Our Lord's response informs Pilate that he is right to understand Him to mean that He is the King of the Jews. But Jesus wants it to be clear that His purpose in coming is revelation, not revolution. He has come to testify to the truth. Those who belong to the truth pay attention to His words. The main reason Jesus had come into the world was to bear witness to the truth. By this He meant that He came to reveal God (cf. 14:6). Jesus made subjects for His kingdom by revealing God, by calling on people to believe on Him, and by giving them eternal life. This prepared them to participate in His kingdom. Everyone who truly wanted the truth followed Jesus because His teachings had the ring of truth. Jesus' words were an invitation for Pilate to listen to Him and to learn the truth. Jesus showed more interest in appealing to Pilate than in defending Himself. This desire for the welfare of others marks all of Jesus' interviews in the fourth Gospel. I came into the world to bear witness to the truth." What truth? The truth about God, the truth about men, the truth about sin, the truth about judgment, the truth about love, the truth about holiness, the truth about life, death, the truth about everything. And when you know Jesus you know the truth ... because Jesus came to proclaim the truth. verse 37: "... Everyone that is of the truth hears My voice." A lot of people claim to know the truth, you know that? A lot of people claim to have answers. Everyone who really knows truth hears the voice of Jesus Christ. What does it mean "to hear?" The Greek word is to listen intently and obey. There's no such thing as knowing the truth unless you obey Jesus, for He is the truth. He is God revealed to men and there's no truth outside of Him.  38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all. Mt 27:24; Lu 23:4; John 19:4, 6 Obviously Pilate was not one who truly sought the truth. He turned away from Jesus' offer to reveal it with a cynical comment that implied that the truth was unknowable. Undoubtedly Pilate's experience as a Roman official to whom others constantly lied and his personal desire to use the truth to accomplish his own ends accounted for his cynicism. The very idea that someone would aim his whole life at revealing truth was both foolish and improbable from his perspective. Other views of Pilate's statement interpret it as despairing, impatient, or sincere. However the context seems to imply that it was facetious and mocking. Pilate turned away from the One who claimed to reveal the truth without waiting for an answer. Pilate's question, “What is truth?” What does Pilate mean by this question? It echoes down humanity's hallways. What is truth? What is truth? What is truth?  Well, is it this sort of wistful desire, “You know I really wish I knew the truth.”?  Is it this philosophical distrust with knowledge, “Well, what is truth? Hmm. Let's think about that.” That would be the Starbuck's conversation, “What is truth?”  Is it an indifference to something so impractical? Is it some jaded politician, “What's truth.  Who cares about truth?”  Or is it irritation, “What's truth?” And then he turns and he's going to declare Him the first of three times, innocent, to the audience. Now, the interpretation of Pilate's question, “What is truth?” I don't know the answer to, but I make two observations. One, the question remains. It's a great question. What is truth? Secondly, I think what John the Gospel writer wants you and me to understand with this question is, Pilate lays it out there, but then he walks away. He turns away from the question. He turns away from the One who was born and came into the world to testify to truth. Remember in John 1:29, John the Baptist says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who comes to take away the sin of the world.” The innocent one comes. And here Jesus says, “I came, I was born, I came into the world to testify to the truth.” Let's try to make some application from this. First of all there are three applications. The first is that Peter denies Christ. We looked at his denial last week, the three-fold denial.  Secondly, the Jews want to destroy Christ. Their clearly stated objective is to kill Him And Pilate is going to dismiss Christ. At any layer of this story, I think this is a pretty good snapshot at how men and women, look at Jesus Christ. You can deny Him; you can want to destroy Him. And if you don't think there are people who'd like to destroy the Christian faith, you've been in a Christian bubble a little too long. The largest populations of the world don't merely tolerate, or dislike, or hate Christianity. They loathe it. They would love to destroy what Christ stands for.  And then of course, there's the apt politician's statement in a worn-out sarcastic politician's viewpoint. That he just dismisses it, “What's truth?” Those are pretty good responses that people could have toward Christ, aren't they? They could deny it, they could try to destroy it, or they could sort of dismiss it, out of hand. Now, I don't know how much you as a believer in Christ sort of get your mind out of this Christian experience. Some Churches, have a pretty clear understanding of authority and of truth. Now, you may have to take that by faith, but take it by faith. If you travel around at all and visit other churches, and talk to other believers in Christ, you will discover very quickly that if you hold to the things the truth, and when we talk about this Book the way we talk about it on Sunday mornings, you're a pretty narrow-minded, bigoted person. If you think this Book is truthful and authoritative, you think it's the Word of God and He did not stutter when He gave it to us. You think it is an authority and you should submit to it and follow it, you are a rare breed. This text is about the King of the Universe being accused of treason. About the God of the Universe in man's court, being alleged to be an evildoer, a person who makes Himself out to be God and treasonous in threatening the world government.  You now, in a way, the last two are true. If you call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ, men and women, Jesus Christ is your King, and you salute Him and say, “Yes, Sir.” If you call yourself a believer in Jesus Christ this is the authoritative, truthful Word of God and you do not play with it, but you submit to it. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, this world is not to be Heaven. This world is not your home. This world isn't to be better and better, and God has a wonderful plan for your life. Yes, He may well bless you and it seems to me He loves to bless us, but that's not the posture of the believer. It is reporting for duty, that, “You are my King. You are my God. You are the Master of the universe. You are the Master of my soul and I am here because you are Truth, and I submit to your truth. Amen.” You know, this penetrating question of Pilate's, “What is truth?” is the question that has echoed through the ages, both among Christians and in the popular culture. I mean, that question of “What is truth?” is a central question for all of us today, isn't it? In the post-modernity of America has just muddied this.  You know, it's whatever you want it to be. I hear young college students out of Christian homes saying, “Well, if that's truth for you…” And it just takes us back to the fact that there is one Truth, and it is Christ and His Father, and we must submit to the Word, not to our own opinion. And when you stop and peel it back and say the question, “What is truth?” what you're really asking is, “What's your source of authority? Where does truth come from for you?”; because everybody has some source of authority in their lives. It's either your own opinions and your own ideas or it's something outside of you. And when Pilate says, “What is truth?” Jesus is already answered it. He has said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” The sin nature of man is always trying to make it into his truth. Clear back to Adam and the woman. From Cain all the way down till today. We're trying to make God in our image. We resist authority. We resist truth. So, we come full circle and Jesus is as pure at the end as He was at the beginning. There's nothing to hold against Him. He is the perfect man, the prophetic God, the supernatural King, the preincarnate One, the proclaimer of truth, the personal Savior and the proven faultless. I hope you see Him that way and I hope you respond to Him differently than Pilate did.   Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?              John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.               “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  -John 8:32             Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.              hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don't go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F             The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions [i] For example, we read in Matthew 27:18 and Mark 15:10 that Pilate knew the religious leaders had delivered Jesus to him “out of envy.” This would seem to be information he had discerned or obtained before this trial.

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Inner Edison Podcast, where we dive into the mind of creativity and passion. I'm your host, Ed Parcaut, and today we're joined by a very special guest, Dick Wybrow, a writer with an extraordinary journey. In this episode, titled "Harnessing Passion and Authenticity," Dick shares his transformational experience organizing a homeless survivor event, a move that brought humanity and empathy to the forefront for both the participants and the audience. Dick reflects on his career, his initial hesitation in pursuing writing full-time due to financial responsibilities, and the resultant regret of making choices emotionally rather than objectively. He generously offers advice to budding writers, emphasizing consistency and dedication to their craft. As we journey through Dick's past, from typing on an Apple IIe to the ardent writing sessions at 4:00 a.m., we'll understand his undeniable passion for storytelling. Despite long hours and challenges like narcolepsy, Dick's unwavering commitment to his writing led to a successful book series and an engaging conversation on the value of authenticity in reaching audiences. Dick's provocative past in rock radio, where controversy wasn't a stranger – he'll share his experience with a stunt that led to death threats yet an unexpected endorsement. Join us as we explore the intimacy of radio and podcasting, the craft of storytelling, and finding success by staying true to oneself. From "Cain," his take on the werewolf legend, to finding solutions in sleep, this is an episode that connects the dots between inner drive, creative expression, and the human touch in communication. Get ready for a thought-provoking discussion on life lessons, the evolving world of media, and the simple yet profound relief found in the elbow on the back. All this and much more – available now on Amazon and Audible – as we explore the "Inner Edison podcast" with Dick Wybrow. Let's get started.  Follow Ed on all social media outlets @EdParcaut Need more information? Please visit https://www.edparcaut.com #EdParcaut #InnerEdisonPodcast #DickWybrow #AuthorInterview #Inspiration #CareerAdvice #WritingTips #Storytelling #Empathy #Passion #Podcasting #RadioMagic #InnersStrength #CreativityUnleashed #CainNovel #InnerEdison

https://www.patreon.com/isyanderandkoda You already know how to please the Machine Gods at this point so thank you so much. And make your voices heard for which faction you would like to see next! -Isyander Everything below is for the omnissiah. But like, you can read it if you want. Just a synopsis of the video you're watching. Delve into the enthralling saga of Ciaphas Cain, Ferik Jurgen, and Amberley Vail, key figures whose exploits are etched into the lore of Warhammer 40K's grimdark universe. This video explores the legendary life of Ciaphas Cain, an Imperial Commissar whose career spans over a century, marked by battles against humanity's most formidable foes. Cain, often seen as a self-preserving figure, inadvertently becomes a hero of the Imperium through a series of reluctant yet successful confrontations with necrons, tau, tyranids, orks, and the daemonic agents of Chaos. His narrative, as compiled in the Cain Archive by Amberley Vail, sheds light on the paradoxical nature of his heroism, suggesting that his survivalist instincts inadvertently led to acts of unparalleled bravery.Ferik Jurgen, Cain's aide-de-camp, emerges as an unsung hero in his own right. A Valhallan guardsman and a psyker-null, Jurgen's unique abilities and unyielding loyalty play a crucial role in Cain's survival. His presence is a constant throughout Cain's endeavors, often turning the tide against the psychic threats of the galaxy. Jurgen's mundane appearance belies his significance, making him an exemplary figure of the uncelebrated heroes of the Imperium.Inquisitor Amberley Vail, an astute member of the Ordo Xenos, intertwines with Cain's legacy not just professionally but also personally. Vail's editorial oversight of the Cain Archive offers an intimate glimpse into Cain's character, revealing a complex individual behind the facade of the reluctant hero. Her own contributions to the Imperium's safety, her intelligence operations, and her interactions with Cain add layers of intrigue and depth to the narrative.This video offers an in-depth analysis of their intertwined lives, exploring their backgrounds, motivations, and the impact of their actions on the Warhammer 40K universe. From Cain's dubious heroics, Jurgen's understated loyalty, to Vail's insightful annotations and her own formidable exploits, we uncover the nuances of these characters against the backdrop of the eternal war that rages across the galaxy. Join us in unraveling the complexities of these characters, whose stories reflect the broader themes of heroism, duty, and the human (and inhuman) condition within the Warhammer 40K lore.TIMESTAMPS —— 0:00:00 Intro0:02:32 MASSIVE Spoiler Warning0:04:10 A Preamble to Cain0:10:15 A Note On Commissars0:16:26 Ferik Jurgen0:21:50 Cain's Exploits and Abilities0:37:24 Amberly Vail0:42:07 Cain's Current Whereabouts and Closing ThoughtsSupport the show

Anyone who has spent any time at a Thanksgiving dinner knows the angst and joy that comes with seeing siblings interact. In this episode, Jon and Kurt discuss some intriguing, successful, dysfunctional, and world changing siblings. From Cain and Abel to the Jackson 5 and the Bronte sisters and all sorts in between, our co-hosts explore some amazing sisters and brothers. 

From Cain to the Sons of God, sin and evil spreads. What does that look like? Let's find out together as we read Genesis 4-6.

Recently, I was driving and took the exit ramp. In the grass on the left was a family of geese, a mother and her baby geese, who apparently had a home in the little retention pond at the center of the concrete jungle. The goose and its babies stood near the road of rushing traffic, and I thought, “Wow, that goose is really out of place standing there.” Then it struck me that the goose was not out of place. The goose was the only thing in the right place. What was out of place was the massive highway and the car I was in, since the overpass had only existed for about twenty years. Cars alone have only been around for about a century. The goose was right where it was supposed to be, which was near a body of water, with grass around it, so that she could find bugs and weeds to feed to her babies. Everything but the goose was out of place. And to explain why all of the highways and cars and trucks exist is much harder than explaining the goose. What has been a fascinating exploration for me is to go back and read Genesis regarding the expansion of technology in the world, and from who it comes from. Interestingly, it comes from Cain's line, and Cain's name means “possession.” This little story about Cain after the murder of Abel is one of those paragraphs in Genesis that you may feel it's worth skipping because of the “begat, begat, begat” genealogy, but it so important to slow down or you'll miss the bus into the next dimension of scripture. Because from Cain's line comes cities and highways and cars and music and polygamy and swords and bullets. After Cain bashes Abel's head in, he wanders restlessly in a land called Nod and starts his own family. On the face of it, Cain's descendants have incredible accomplishments. Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch; and he built a city, and named it Enoch after his son Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael the father of Methushael, and Methushael the father of Lamech. Lamech took two wives; the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the ancestor of those who live in tents and have livestock. His brother's name was Jubal; he was the ancestor of all those who play the lyre and pipe. Zillah bore Tubal-cain, who made all kinds of bronze and iron tools. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. (Genesis 4:17-22)This little section of Genesis 4 is anything but a yawner, because much else comes from Cain's line down the road. The boring genealogies that we skip have treasures in them if you follow who begat who in the Bible. Furthermore, the names themselves have great meaning, as they are more than just some username chosen at random. I will consciously avoid diving into Genesis 6 here where the giant clans come from, because that will lead me astray. But let's just explore Cain's line a bit. In terms of what we value today, Cain's family accomplishments fit exactly what modern parents brag about to one another. From Cain's line we get the first city, permanent housing (single-family tent homes), and domesticated animals. That alone is amazing. But then we get music, too: the arts come from Cain's line. And lastly, perhaps most importantly, from Tubal-Cain, we get bronze and iron, which means blacksmithing for building tools and, more ominously, weapons. In other words, Cain's line is where technology comes from, which most of us worship today. Oh, and we get the first instance of a bad marriage with Lamech, who has two wives. So polygamy enters the Bible initially here, without much fanfare. People often make the mistake in the Old Testament of seeing polygamy and thinking it's a free pass, that it's acceptable, and of course it never says that. In fact, it's always a disaster. Whoever has more than one wife suffers disorder in their house, from Abraham to Jacob to David to Solomon. Never, anywhere, does it suggest that multiple wives leads to anything good. In fact, Isaac has the one model marriage of the patriarchs, and his story is quite happy (aside from the whole trick on Esau by Jacob and Rebekah). But the first polygamist? Lamech? Well, Lamech is a straight-up lunatic sociopath. More on him in a bit. (Note: there is another Lamech in Seth's line, who we know nothing about. Maybe it was the good version of Lamech.)Now, you can pass this by and say, “How ridiculous - one family line could not create all of these things.” And in saying so, you will miss the whole point because you're reading it like a science book instead of a soul book. This is what happens when you don't stop and think: “What is this book trying to say here?” Because everything in chapter 4 of Genesis has many layers of meaning. In fact, every chapter of Genesis does. (I think what surprises me most today is that the same person who can see four layers of meaning in something like Squid Game cannot see past the surface level literal layer in Genesis. It's like they can't apply deep reading if its scripture, but can go full Jacques Derrida on rottentomatoes.com. But I digress.) Let's resume. After Cain and Abel, Adam has another son named Seth, which is the line that leads to Abraham, and eventually Mary and Jesus. After Seth is born, religion becomes a thing. Notice that religion did not come from the line of Cain. This is important. All we learn about Seth is that after his birth “…people began to invoke the name of the Lord.” (Gen 4:26) How interesting. Like so many things in Genesis a single phrase is freighted with meaning. Recall that all of these stories had to come down in oral tradition, so they couldn't be as verbose as I am in posts like this that are way too wordy. So from one branch from Adam we have technology, art, cities, polygamy, murder, and from the other we get…faith. Basically, we get humility before God in the line of Seth. That's his only “accomplishment,” if we want to call it that. Worth noting is that farming seems to be assigned to Adam, as he had to get his bread from the sweat of his brow. In the story of Cain and Abel we hear about farming of both animals and plants, because the thing that made Cain angry was Abel's offering of an animal from his flock, which was chosen over Cain's fruit “from the ground,” meaning some kind of grain. After Eden, we seem to have an semi-idyllic period of farming. Then comes the murder of Abel, and all hell breaks loose. Like, literally. After the murder comes the march of progress and technology. You could say that Cain is a real go-getter from the start and there doesn't seem to be much happening in his family around invoking the name of the Lord. He and his children are busy. They seem to have a lot of goals and they hit their goals. In so many ways, Cain's family line is a model and ideal of all that modern high achievers seek for their offspring. If you were talking to a modern Cain, you would likely say, “Cain, you must be proud of your children and grandchildren.” I suspect he would agree. He would be very proud. Don't we all say that today? “I'm proud of you, son.” We are always talking about our pride over accomplishments. “I'm proud of you for working hard.” “Congratulations on landing on the moon, Neil, the whole nation is proud of you.” Or, “Mr. Oppenheimer, we at the U.S. Army are real proud of all you've done in helping us build the first atomic bomb.” And being “proud” is the problem, because pride really, really likes power. This is one of the words that we mistake as a good thing. One thing that always gave me a weird spidey-sense in the Gospels is when God says he is “well pleased” over his son, Jesus. At Jesus' Baptism, God the Father uses this term. Then again at the Transfiguration, God the Father says “well pleased.” He does not say “proud”. Because seriously, the word I expect in this sentence is “proud,” not “well pleased.” At his Baptism:And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:16-17)At the Transfiguration:While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” (Mt 17:5-7)Why does God say “well pleased” instead of “proud”? Is this an accident?It's obvious that this wording is specifically avoiding the language we would normally use for a child that we are excited about. There is a very careful wording here to avoid using the word proud. We should have a word in English, without the space, “wellpleased”, because then we could tell our children that and avoid the horrors of pride.I could always feel in these events that there is something different about being well pleased versus being proud. And it seems rather obvious once you realize that the root sin of everything is pride that it is far better to be pleased about a person, than proud about them. The difference of being pleased about your team winning the Super Bowl instead of being proud is that in the first case, you're content with the beauty of the game, perhaps satisfied with seeing a great game that happened of athletes glorifying God through their physical gifts. In the second case, with pride over winning, you feel superior for your team. This is subtle but enormous in consequence. Are you wellpleased or proud? Because pride is what Cain has. He's dripping wet with pride. When sin was “crouching at his door,” he did not master it by humbling himself, he opened the door and let sin inside. His prideful ego led him to wrath, and wrath, in turn, puts him into a holy terror. Cain also has a terror in him because after the murder of Abel, he feels cursed by God and expects to be murdered himself:“Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. (Gen 4:14-15)His terror is softened by God's mercy. With God's mark upon him, Cain is protected, but he's not free of his sin, nor does he seem to be changed. There is no reference to repentance of any kind. Rather than repent and kneel, Cain's descendants seem to show no humility for this gift of grace. Lamech, his great-great-great grandson, takes this exemption as a a license to kill. Because he brags about killing two men. Without remorse, Lamech says:I have killed a man for wounding me,    a young man for striking me.If Cain is avenged sevenfold,    truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold.” (Gen 4:23-24)Thus you have the full-blown sociopath in Lamech, who feels immune from morality altogether. He's got multiple murders and multiple wives. Incidentally, this is what I see as the fundamental problem of “Once saved, always saved,” because if you are saved and need no further corrections to your behavior, then you can be Lamech. And by the way, Lamech is a perfect example of a Biblical character showing us exactly how not to act. If we need to have our villain wear a black cowboy hat, Lamech is one of those characters. Once you go back and read about the Fall in Genesis, and follow the line of Cain, who first sought power by murder due to his wounded pride, a picture of a world full of pride, sin, sex, and violence begin to take shape. His descendants have an increasing urge to control nature via technology and knowledge. There is strong economic drive in the line of Cain to gain wealth and influence. Thus, eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil is passed on to us all through some kind of cosmic inheritance, and yet anyone can reject evil. We are fallen yet not ruined. We are damaged but not beyond hope, because we see Seth on the other side of Adam's line taking a very different approach to life: he is not hammering the world to his will, he is invoking the name of God. So why does Cain's line feel so compelled to invent, explore, study, seek, as opposed to say, kneeling to pray? Why do cities and highways and guns come from Cain but not Seth? It's because of pride and the fear that stems from it. There is fear of the Lord, also known as awe and wonder, and then there is fear of losing what we have “won” here in this life. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom because it will bring you to kneel and pray. Fear of others, fear of losing what you have, is the beginning of a vicious circle, the rat race, and it is the gateway to sin. Cain has “won” a license to sin, and his family uses this badge of honor to reject God altogether. But then his descendants attempt to “gain the whole world,” which Jesus warns us against, because it's a trap. Whatever you gain you can then lose to another, and in the process you will lose your soul. Whoever has much is fearful of losing it, and thus needs more power to push the fear away. Lamech laughs at God, saying that he will be avenged seventy-seven times by God if anyone tries to hurt him. Lamech's comment is even referred to by Jesus later on in the Gospels. Jesus references this same number. It's not a coincidence. Because in way, Lamech is right. God will forgive him seventy-seven times. God will forgive us all that many times. That's exactly what Jesus tells Peter. But the whole point is that it shouldn't take us seventy-seven times to wise up and stop committing the same sins. Imagine how depressing this must have been for Peter to hear:  Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.” (Mt 18:21-22)Unlike Lamech, Jesus tells Peter that he must constantly take the lowest seat, the humble place, and forgive. This is difficult to do. Why? Because of pride. Because we want to be Lamech or Tony Soprano, in our own way. We want to win. And you see this play out in the wider world, far beyond the individual. Fear is why the wealthy nations must keep their foot on the head of weaker nations and peoples. Really, this explains any sin, from racism to theft to adultery to sodomy to murder. All sin is a lack of trust in God. All sin is a rejection of God for the pride of the self and fear of not getting what we think we want. But Christ is the king who trusts, rather than fears. So for everyone in the last century who wanted to flatten Christianity into “just another religion”, like Joseph Campbell or James C. Frazer or the New Atheists, they are missing the whole point. This is why Jesus is different. This is why Christianity is different from every other religion. This is why God does not act like a professional wrestler or politician. To say that all ancient religions are all just a replay of the myth of “the hero with a thousand faces,” or that ancient agricultural sacrifice was the same thing as Christ on the cross, is to miss the whole purpose. They cannot see yet because they haven't asked Christ to rub the healing mud into their eyes so that they see what and who he really is. Christ rules in love, not in fear. If you are being told that you must believe or else you'll go to hell, you are hearing the completely wrong motive to believe. Because fear is not the reason to believe, it's the thing that gets conquered when you come to believe. Fear of the Lord is indeed the beginning of wisdom, but love of God leads to eternal life, and that joyful life can begin today. And this doesn't make sense until you have the experience of blind Bartimaeus, who only knows one thing, and one thing only, and that is that Jesus healed his sight and his soul. “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (Jn 9:13-25) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whydidpetersink.substack.com

From Cain's Ballroom to the BOK Center; from casinos to Theatre Tulsa, there is a wide variety of venues in the Tulsa area. A new Grady Nichols music video for the song 'Tulsa' will showcase these landmarks of the local arts scene. Jimmie Tramel and James Watts talk about these, plus previews of upcoming Scene content. Subscribe to this podcast on: Apple | Google | Spotify Related 'Killers of the Flower Moon' trailer released Premiere date for new 'Reservation Dogs' season announced Things to do in Tulsa this weekend: Street party before Lizzo concert, Skating Polly at Mercury Lounge and more Woody Guthrie Center announces disco exhibit Cava keeps Mediterranean-inspired menu simple; new Cocina 66 concepts announced 13 new Tulsa restaurants to try from our reviews New restaurants coming soon to Tulsa: Isla's Kitchen, Noche, Super Fly Golf Lounge Philbrook to build new multipurpose pavilion on its midtown campus Contact us Scene Writer Jimmie Tramel: Email | Twitter | Follow his stories Scene Writer James Watts: Email | Twitter | Follow his stories Subscribe to this podcast on: Apple | Google | SpotifySupport the show: https://tulsaworld.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for an eye-opening Saturday night sermon with Pastor Rick Brown as we dive into the fascinating story of the first dysfunctional family in the Bible! From Cain and Abel to the consequences of sin, Genesis 4:1-26 reveals timeless lessons about family dynamics, conflict resolution, and God's unwavering grace. Don't miss this powerful message that offers practical insights for modern families seeking to honor God in their relationships!Make sure you subscribe to this channel and follow us on all our platforms to always stay up to date with our latest content!And you can always head over to our website for any general information!https://godspeak.comPrayer/NeedsIf you have any needs, or have a willingness to be used to meet various need in the body, please email info@godspeak.com. Also, let us know if you need prayer for anything.GivingGiving is part of our worship time, and in this season, the easiest way to do that is online. If you go to our website, godspeak.com, you will see the "Give" tab in the top right corner. Or you can simply click this link https://pushpay.com/g/godspeakAny questions?Please feel free to email us, comment here, or DM us on instagram any questions that you may have.Please Subscribe to this channel and turn on your notifications to be notified when our Livestreams start so you don't miss out! We hope you are blessed by the service!-The Godspeak Team

Joseph's brothers confess: “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother...”. How is the divinely decreed path of life's circumstances leading Joseph and his brothers at this time? This text illustrates how the grace of guilt is moving the brothers to a confession of sin, while the grace of covenant promises is leading Joseph to compassionate forgiveness. A theme surfacing in this passage that might first occur to the reader is the far reaching consequences and multi-generational nature of sin. Disturbing similarities and patterns keep emerging in these snapshots of mankind's history, reminding us of the inescapable horror of a fallen world short of sovereign intervention. From Cain and Able, to Ishmael and Isaac, to Jacob and Esau, to Joseph and his brothers... the legacy of wickedness and family strife continues. A 2nd major theme becomes clear in light of unfolding revelation to come. In Gen 42, sons are offered as collateral or “property pledged by the borrower to protect the interests of the lender”. Our passage features several examples of a life offered in the place of others. This feature of the Joseph narrative foreshadows the substitutionary mediation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the place of His people. Simeon is bound as collateral. Reuben offers his two sons as surety to Jacob. Jacob is reluctant to send Benjamin to Egypt, not realizing his other beloved son Joseph is ministering in this capacity. In summary this theme communicates: If the obligation is not fulfilled, the man himself will be the payment.

Ever since the beginning of time, our tendency has always been to be divided. From Cain and Abel until now, we have always been a divided people. But we don't have to stay there, Jesus has presented a new way - the way to unity. During this week's Summer Nights, David Hurst breaks down Jesus' prayer for unity and imagines what it would look would it look like if we were known as people who love, encourage, and build up rather than people who fight, quarrel, and tear down.

One of the most powerful books about Christian community is Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together. Written during the Nazi regime, it says, “The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.” Our dream of what Christian community should be may prevent us from experiencing it. The reality may not live up to our dreams. Bonhoeffer shifts our focus away from imaginary Christian fellowship, urging us instead to love the flesh-and-blood people around us. Psalm 133 celebrates unity within the worshiping community: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (v. 1). The word “God’s people” literally means “brothers.” Anyone who has grown up with brothers or sisters knows that siblings do not always live in unity. From Cain and Abel to the latest church meeting, evidence of brothers and sisters fighting is all around us. Despite this reality, Psalm 133 reminds us of how powerful it is when (with God’s help) we live in unity. The psalm uses two metaphors to celebrate our spiritual unity. First, unity is compared to oil running down a person’s head. The imagery here comes from Exodus 29 where instructions were given on how to consecrate priests. Anointing oil represented a time of celebration in the presence of God. When we are unified in God, we are set apart to celebrate and worship Him as one. Second, unity is like the dew on Mt. Hermon. This area is well known for its heavy dew which results in lush and vibrant vegetation. This life-giving image is transferred to the more arid region of Zion. The dew shows us how Christian community brings life and blessing. >> Have you experienced unity within the body of Christ? What things do we do that divide us? What can you do to promote this type of life-giving, refreshing unity among your brothers and sisters in the Lord?

From Cain to Saul to the chief priests in Jesus' time, envy has brought about great evil, and we ourselves can fall prey to an unhealthy competitive spirit. When we realize what blessings God has bestowed upon us as children of God, our hearts expand, we trust in God's plan for our lives, and we find true happiness. A meditation by Father John Agnew.

Sibs are the only ones with us for the whole ride. The relationship may define us & form us more powerfully than any other. But even if siblings are best friends, there's often a lot of conflict and irritation that come with the territory. From Cain & Abel to the Jonas Brothers, siblngs are as old as time. What can parents do to solidify the bonds and minimize the tattling and arguing?

EBIs-06d Understanding The Real Aliens Of Lucifer’s Rebellion – Satan’s Demons & The Cosmic War Raging Today 201027PM Short Clip There is a place described in Ezekiel, and portrayed in Luke where every single human that has ever lived now resides. From Cain and his family in Genesis to the last person born in the [...] The post THE PIT–WHERE EVERY LOST HUMAN EVER TO LIVE CONSCIOUSLY EXISTS TODAY–God’s Tour of the Underworld appeared first on Discover the Book Ministries.

From Cain to Father Abraham

“What does this reveal about God and His salvation?”That’s the question the Israelites, the original readers, asked when they read their Bibles. When they asked Genesis 22 this question, they got three answers.God demands sacrificeThe first readers of Genesis were Israelites. They would not be surprised when they read in Genesis 22 that God demanded a sacrifice from Abraham. That was par for the course; it was normal, everyday life for them.“Of course God demanded sacrifice. He is holy, He is offended by sin, and He demands sacrifice to cover sin, appease His anger, and restore fellowship with sinners.”What was surprising in Genesis 22, indeed stunning, was the nature of the sacrifice – Isaac!God dictates the sacrificeIsaac! Sacrifice Isaac! Abraham, offer your son, your only son, the son you love, as a burnt offering.From Cain and Abel onwards, Israel was used to the idea of God determining what sacrifice would be acceptable and what would not. It wasn’t up to sinners to decide. As the offended party, God alone could dictate the terms.Both Abraham and Isaac comply. They know that the wages of sin is death and if God says , “Isaac must die,” then who were they to argue? God dictates the sacrifice.God substitutes the sacrificeThe idea of substitution, an animal life in exchange for human life, was present from the first sin onwards in Genesis 3. But never had a human life come so close to actually becoming a sacrifice.The Israelites had watched animal sacrifices. They had even participated in sacrificial rituals like the Passover, where they laid their hand on the lamb’s head to transfer their guilt, slit the lamb’s throat, collected its blood, and burned the carcass.But they had never been personally bound on an altar of wood; they had never had a knife raised above their heads. That's what makes this narrative so unique, so revealing, so powerful, so shocking.When God stopped the sacrifice of Isaac at the last moment, Abraham heard a bleating sheep and turned round to find a ram caught in a bush. No further instructions were necessary. Isaac and the ram exchange places, the knife is raised again, and this time it plunges deep into the ram, the fire is lit, and the flames leap heavenwards.Imagine those spiritually intense and intimate moments as Abraham and Isaac watched the flames, smelt the smoke, felt the heat.“That could have been you, son.”“That should have been me, Dad.”God provided a substitute sacrifice.God becomes the sacrificeNeither Abraham, Isaac, nor any Israelites at that time could have ever fully grasped that God would one day not only demand sacrifice, dictate the sacrifice, and substitute the sacrifice, but would also actually become the sacrifice.The Son of God understood it, as He watched from heaven and anticipated that awesome day. He also increasingly understood it as He grew in knowledge of His Bible, especially of Genesis 22, during His time on this earth.And when it came for Him to not just understand but experience Genesis 22, He willingly stretched out His life on the altar as a sacrifice to cover human sin completely and satisfy divine justice totally. And when the knife was raised and the fire set, there was no “Baa!”There was no substitute for Him, so that there would be one for us.This episode of Living the Bible lines up with Expedition 5: Day 5 in Exploring the Bible Together: A 52 Week Family Worship Plan and Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids. You can catch up with previous episodes of the Living the Bible podcast here or subscribe on

Jim & Abby examine the prohibitions on killing another.  From Cain and Abel where all they had was the knowledge of good & evil, to the Ten Commandments which prohibit either murder or killing.  Next they struggle with reconciling such prohibitions with the long list of offenses punishable by death and the instruction for total war.

From Cain and Abel, to the Brothers Karamazov, to Fred and George Weasley, the pages of literature have been filled with memorable brothers. This month, we’ll be talking about our favourite fraternal pairs, and thinking about why siblings, with their love and rivalries, remain so evocative in books. As usual, our theme is inspired by our guest, Claire Adam, whose first novel Golden Child is a thrilling story about twin brothers growing up in Trinidad, and the very different paths their lives take. So, stay with us for the next hour for some brotherly love!

From Cain we learn that sin is a heart problem. Even in our sin God is offering his mercy. Sin is serious and so are it's consequences.

From Cain we learn that sin is a heart problem. Even in our sin God is offering his mercy. Sin is serious and so are it’s consequences.

What are our Biblical responsibilities to our brothers and sisters, especially those who are not like us? From Cain to Christ, God is clear that we have a responsibility to help the "other." President Obama understood this principle when he recently launched an initiative for young men of color of the same name. Come join a discussion about what it means to be our brother's and sister's keeper in the current context. Max Finberg has dedicated his career to serving others, especially hungry people. He has a wide range of experience in the government, non-profit, and political arenas. He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture and coordinates two Secretarial initiatives: StrikeForce, USDA's initiative for rural growth and opportunity, and Cultural Transformation, focused on creating a 21st Century workforce that is diverse and inclusive. USDA administers programs that benefit one in five Americans with nutrition assistance, contribute to rural development, promote environmental stewardship and feed hungry people around the world.He recently finished assignments at the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, as a Senior Policy Advisor within President Obama's Domestic Policy Council, as well as Acting Director of USDA's Office of Tribal Relations, working with American Indians. In May 2009, he was appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to direct USDA's Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The Center builds partnerships between USDA and faith-based and secular organizations to better serve individuals, families and communities. Previously, he was the first director of the Alliance to End Hunger, a non-profit organization that engages diverse institutions in building the public will to end hunger, both in the United States and worldwide. The Alliance connects U.S. businesses, religious bodies, charities, and foundations to change the politics of hunger. Prior to joining the Alliance, Mr. Finberg served Ambassador and former Representative Tony Hall (D-OH) for 12 years in a variety of capacities. He was special assistant to the ambassador at the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome, Italy. Mr. Finberg was also a senior legislative assistant covering domestic hunger and poverty issues for Representative Hall. He worked on the successful passage of The Hunger Relief Act and the Community Solutions Act with a variety of anti-poverty and faith-based organizations. Support the show (http://www.faithandlaw.org/donate)

When God became Man and came to the earth, he experienced the fullness of humanity. He didn't merely just appear as a man. He was born as a helpless baby, lived a life as a man in the Roman occupied territory of Israel, and died. Jesus became Immanual, God with us, so that he might give us a new way of being human. He came that he might lead us beyond the ways of death into life and resurrection. As humans, we are indeed a violent species. From Cain killing Abel, to Auschwitz, to Hiroshima, to Sandy Hook Elementary School, we have been born into violence. Born on the first Christmas, the Prince of Peace offers us a better way.