Podcasts about Futility

Mark Graban is a corporate culture expert and author of 'The Silence Tax: How Leaders Drive Out Fear and Futility.' He joins Chris and Amy to discuss the so-called 'bad boss.' Graban comments on the recent pendulum swing from 'nice bosses' and, 'finding the sweet spot in the middle, finding balance.'

Mike and Brian host Matt Burbridge to talk comics, Matt's successful attempts at creating his own local comics community, and Matt's latest Kickstarter: Futility! BACK FUTILITY TODAY! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cambriancomics/futility Follow Matt online: Obstruction - https://foofaraw.press/tag/obstruction/ https://www.instagram.com/mattybcomix Serpentine #1 - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4550531933/serpentine-1 Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Start/Last Week in Comics 00:07:23 - Until We Meet Again 00:17:33 - Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 00:23:02 - Serpentine #1 00:28:26  - Discord Picks 00:28:57 - Narrow Rooms 00:33:02 - Godzilla vs. The Marvel Universe 00:35:21 - Regicide #1 00:42:14 - Futility Kickstarter with Matt Burbridge 00:55:38 - Wrap Panel: Mike Rapin, Brian MurrayGuest: Matt BurbridgeProducer: Mike RapinPost Production & Social Media: Mike Rapin, Daniel MartinezProoflistener: Paul JaissleEditor: Zander Riggs Music provided by Infinity Shred. Find them on Bandcamp.IRCB Avatars by @ICELEVELIRCB Logo by Kyle RoseSupport us on Patreon to get access to our Patreon-only series: IRCB Movie Club, Saga of Saga, Giant Days of Our Lives, A Better Batmobile, and more! patreon.com/ircbpodcastBuy a copy of our anniversary zine Totally Not A Cult: https://ircbpodcast.com/shop/p/totally-not-a-cult-zine-1Email: ircbpodcast@gmail.comTwitter: @ircbpodcastInstagram: @ircbpodcastDiscord: discordapp.com/invite/E8JUB9sReddit: ireadcomicbooks.reddit.comIRCB GoodreadsMerch: ircbpodcast.com/shop

Title: The Seven Woes of Summer: The Danger of Cultural ChristianityMain Text: Matthew 23:25–28 (ESV) 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.Preaching Point: God wants us to reject a cultural Christianity that leads to judgment and appeal to him for a genuine righteousness that cleanses us from the inside out.Teaching Points: See the Futility of Cultural Christianity (v. 25)Appeal to God for Genuine Righteousness (v. 26)Expect God to Judge Cultural Christians (vv. 27-28)Application Questions:Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?Read Matthew 15:7–9. Why do you think cultural Christianity is so appealing?In what ways are people tempted to settle for outward religion instead of trusting in Christ to make them righteous before God and transform them from the inside out? Why is settling for this kind of religion ultimately futile?Read Ezekiel 36:26–27 and 2 Corinthians 5:21. According to these passages, what distinguishes someone who has genuinely been converted from someone who merely practices cultural Christianity?How would you approach a gospel conversation with someone who is starting to think they are a cultural Christian? Read Matthew 7:21–23, Revelation 3:1–3, and 2 Timothy 3:1-5. What warnings do these passages give about having the appearance of godliness without genuine conversion?Read 1 John 5:13. How can you pursue biblical assurance without falling into either false confidence or unnecessary doubt?

Today's Scripture passages are Ecclesiastes 4 - 6.Read by Ekemini Uwan.Get in The Word with Truth's Table is a production of InterVarsity Press. For 75 years, IVP has published and created thoughtful Christian books for the university, church, and the world. Our Bible reading plan is adapted from Bible Study Together, and the Bible version is the New English Translation, used by permission.SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of this podcast, use the code IVPWORD40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode at ivpress.com.Additional Credits:Song production: Seaux ChillSong lyrics written by: Seaux Chill, Ekemini Uwan, and Christina EdmondsonPodcast art: Kate LillardPhotography: Shelly EveBible consultant: JM SmithSound engineering: Podastery StudiosCreative producers: Ekemini Uwan and Christina EdmondsonAssistant producer: Christine Pelliccio MeloExecutive producer: Helen LeeTo reach the IVP podcast team, please use this form.Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Fr. Mike explains the three ways the people are tempted to turn away from God while in exile: by not worshipping God the way He has asked, by worshipping false idols, and by being superstitious and fearful of false gods. Today's readings are Isaiah 37-38, Baruch 5-6, and Proverbs 11:25-28. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Our hope should be the anchor of our soul as we navigate the struggles of life. Scripture gives us abundant and vivid information about the coming Kingdom, providing a clear picture of the future we can confidently anticipate, rather than relying on vague or speculative ideas about heaven. Romans 8:18 The more we know about glory, the better. Romans 20 – Futility means emptiness, frustration, inability to achieve the purpose for which something was created. Genesis 1:28-31 Isaiah 45:18 God's original plan Genesis 3:17-19 the earth radically changed Genesis 7:11 Man’s sin caused a catastrophic alteration of both the heavens and the earth. It is not how God originally created it. Romans 8:18-21 2 Peter 3:1ff Isaiah 11:6–9 animals peacefully co-exist Isaiah 35:1–2 the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus Isaiah 40:4; Luke 3:4-5 valleys lifted up, and mountains and hills made low Isaiah 41:18–19 wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water Ezekiel 47:1-12 water from the temple Isaiah 65:17–25; Revelation 21:1-4 new heavens and a new earth Revelation 21:23-25 no need for sun and moon Revelation 22:1–6 Hallelujah! 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 do not lose heartThe post The Gospel 3: God Promises to Heal Our World first appeared on Living Hope.

Silver & JD dive into the details of the Warriors' missed opportunity to sign Lebron James and what it says about their approach to building a championship team. The conversation also touches on the importance of being bold in the face of uncertainty and the risks of playing it safe. The Warriors' lack of action in the offseason has been a topic of discussion, with many wondering if they're prioritizing the future vs winning now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Futility of Self Reliance from Psalm 127

More iconic Berserk moments in this chunk of chapters (after a long hiatus - sorry!), including the official - and miraculous! - return of Griffith to Midland…where he immediately claims military, royal, and religious supremacy thanks to Princess Charlotte, the Pontiff of the Holy See, and the confirmation that he is the prophesied “White Hawk” who will be the savior of the people of Midland. Roderick's iconic boat makes its first real appearance as well, and Gus-Gus and our zerky crew will be seafaring for a good long while now, with Guts healing, Farnesse and Schierke going astral together, and Isidro getting hit in the balls by Azan. Enjoy! Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Joey and Ryan's Renaissance Martial Arts organization: https://www.thearma.org/ Check out Steve and Joey's other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey's Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Read the article here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/30494826251413753

Stay informed on current events, visit www.NaturalNews.com  - Trump's Toll on the Strait of Hormuz (0:11) - Economic and Strategic Implications (4:36) - Trump's Delusional War Strategy (8:36) - The Futility of Trump's War Plans (11:55) - The Global Impact of Trump's War (44:09) - The Economic and Social Consequences of Trump's War (44:26) - The Legal and Political Challenges of Reforming the FDA (44:47) - The Role of the Courts in Reforming the FDA (45:07) - The Importance of Health Freedom (45:29) - The Legal Strategy of the Alliance for Natural Health (53:15) - The Broader Implications of Health Freedom (53:36) - Government Control and Public Access to Health Information (53:52) - Science, Probability, and Health Claims (1:28:23) - Challenges of Drug Safety vs. Natural Substances (1:31:40) - Impact of Chronic Disease on National Prosperity (1:36:34) - Health Freedom and Legal Battles (1:38:05) - After-Party Discussion on Health Freedom and AI Models (1:40:45) - Unincorporated Nonprofit Associations (UNAs) (1:48:38) - Self-Custody of AI Models (2:00:35) - Personal Stories and Lifestyle (2:06:10) Watch more independent videos at http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport  ▶️ Support our mission by shopping at the Health Ranger Store - https://www.healthrangerstore.com ▶️ Check out exclusive deals and special offers at https://rangerdeals.com ▶️ Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html Watch more exclusive videos here:

Ever feel a simmering anger when someone is winning by cheating, lying, or hurting others?David can relate. In Psalms 37–41, David is fed up with watching evil people prosper. He's also physically crushed by his own guilt, questioning whether life even means anything, pulled up out of a pit, and betrayed by someone he trusted completely. These aren't tidy conclusions. They're five raw, in-the-moment prayers from a man who keeps choosing to bring it all back to God.This Psalm 37-41 Bible study covers:[7:17] Psalm 37: Fretting in Hebrew – Why the Hebrew word behind "do not fret" actually means to burn or seethe, and how David teaches us to put that fire out before it consumes us.[13:36] Psalm 38: Crushing Guilt – What it looks like when unconfessed sin becomes a physical, crushing weight, and why trusting doesn't always mean you feel better. Sometimes it just means you give it to God and press on.[15:56] Psalm 39: The Futility of Life – David's honest wrestling with how fleeting life is and why "venting to God" might be the most faithful thing you can do.[21:07] Psalm 40: Rescue from the Pit – Why David's rescue from "the slimy pit" becomes one of the clearest prophetic pictures of Christ in the entire Psalter, and Jesus Himself quotes this psalm.[24:53] Psalm 41: Blessings and Betrayal – God's blessing on those who care for the weak, and the chilling way David's prophetic statements are fulfilled at the Last Supper.Psalms Show Notes:Psalms RoadmapPsalms Prayer ListPsalms Playlist on Apple MusicPsalms Playlist on SpotifyPhil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video]ACTS Prayer GuideDiscussion Questions[10:15] David tells us not to fret over people who succeed through wickedness. Where in your life right now are you most tempted to let that slow burn of envy or resentment take hold, and what would it look like to trust God with it instead?[16:35] Psalm 39 asks God to reveal how fleeting life is, yet the psalmist still brings his honest frustration to God rather than burying it. Is there a frustration about the futility of your life or circumstances that you've been holding back from bringing to God?[25:33] Psalm 41 closes the book with a blessing on those who care for the weak, the sick, and the vulnerable. Who in your life right now needs you to notice them and step in, and what's one concrete way you could do that this week?Contact Bible Book Club!Social: Instagram or FacebookWebsite: Bible Book ClubReview Us: Apple Podcast or SpotifyJoin the Fun: DONATE or Buy merchThis episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ ਸਹਜਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥ Here is a comprehensive and scannable English summary of the provided Shabad (Dhanaasaree Mahala 1) by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, capturing its core theological teachings.Core Theme: The Path to Spiritual Poise (Sahaj)The central message of this Shabad is that true liberation and union with the Divine cannot be achieved through external rituals, intellectual pride, or forced obstinacy. Instead, it is attained by surrendering to the True Guru (Satguru), practicing loving devotion (Prem Bhgati), and accepting the Divine Will (Hukam).Key Spiritual Teachings1. True Spiritual Union (Sahaj)Immortality & Freedom: The soul that merges into God through intuitive poise (Sahaj) breaks free from the painful cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation.Oneness: The division between the Divine and the servant disappears. The servant beholds God everywhere and in everyone.2. The Role of the True GuruThe Bridge to God: Without the Guru's guidance, a person remains spiritually dead and trapped in reincarnation.The Ultimate Teacher: The Guru implants the Eternal Truth into the heart, inspires the praise of the Unutterable Lord, and connects the seeker to the Divine Word (Shabad).3. The Futility of Ritualism and IntellectualismHypocrisy vs. Purity: God cannot be pleased through stubborn practices, external religious garbs, or worshiping stone idols.Empty Knowledge: Endlessly reading texts or relying on worldly cleverness only feeds the ego, leading to further spiritual suffering.Inner Cleanliness: Wandering to sacred shrines or living in forests is useless if the mind remains polluted with desire and ego. True honor is found only in the Eternal Lord.4. Loving Devotion and Devine FearInternalized Mind: Under the Guru's guidance, the mind stops wandering after worldly attachments and becomes stable within.The Nourishment of Fear: The true servant internalizes the "fear" (reverence and awe) of God as their spiritual nourishment, safely absorbing themselves in Divine Love.Conclusion & PrayerThe Shabad concludes with a humble prayer to the Almighty. The seeker acknowledges that there is no power other than God and surrenders completely to the Divine Will (Raza). The ultimate yearning is for the Guru's grace to continuously sing the praises of the Lord in a state of eternal peace and love.

Henry Sokolski. Iran's Nuclear Defiance and the Futility of Unsupervised Deals. Sokolski highlights the disconnect between U.S. and Iranian positions following a recent memorandum of understanding. Iran refuses inspections of bombed enrichment sites, while the U.S. insists on them. He warns that preventing Iran from building a bomb remains an uphill battle without clearer public goals. (16)1900 MEXICO CITY

SCHEDULE JBS, 7-7-20261862 NYC  Liz Peek. Revamping Federal Reserve Communications: No More Dot Plots? Liz Peek discusses new FedChair Kevin Warsh's shift away from "forward guidance" and "dot plots". She argues this pragmatic approach requires investors to analyze raw economic data rather than Fed algorithms. Despite past recession fears, the economy remains stable with low unemployment at 4.2%. (1) Liz Peek. The Democratic Party's 2028 Internal Conflict: Socialists vs. Establishment. Peek analyzes the rising tension between the Democratic establishment and radical socialists like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. She suggests Governor Newsom faces credibility issues due to "flip-flops," while younger socialist candidates threaten to alienate traditional Jewish and Black voters, potentially wrecking the party's 2028 prospects. (2) Captain James Fanell. China's Nuclear Triad Expansion: Submerged Ballistic Missile Test. Captain Fanellexplains the significance of China's recent submerged ballistic missile launch from a Jin-class submarine. Reaching over 10,000 kilometers, this JL-3 missile flew over U.S. territories like Guam. This rare test signals China's rapid development of a nuclear triad intended to achieve strategic deterrence against the U.S. (3) Captain James Fanell. Countering China's First Strike Strategy in the Pacific. Fanell argues China's SLBM test challenges their "no first use" policy, effectively demonstrating a first-strike capability. He recommends the U.S. bolster its naval force structure in the Western Pacific and utilize B-2 bomber flights to signal resolve against Chinese efforts to drive America out of the region. (4) Mary Kissel. NATO's New Vigor and the European Defense Dilemma. Mary Kissel discusses NATO'srenewed urgency following Russian aggression in Ukraine. While front-line nations like Poland exceed spending targets, many Europeans have historically relied on the U.S. defense umbrella to fund social welfare states. She warns that Putin continues to test NATO's unity at the margins. (5) Mary Kissel. Confronting Beijing's Provocations and the Cost of Appeasement. Kissel critiques the U.S.government for pursuing trade deals while China conducts intimidating missile tests in the Pacific. She urges the administration to recognize the severity of the threat, strengthen regional alliances, and impose actual consequences for Beijing's increasingly hostile behavior to avoid a greater future threat. (6) Joseph Sternberg. Federal Reserve Introspection and Britain's Political Turmoil. Sternberg examines Governor Waller's speech regarding how "forward guidance" may have blinded the Fed to 2021 inflation. Turning to the UK, he notes Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plummeting popularity and argues that British politics is trapped in personality-driven cycles without addressing fundamental policy or welfare state problems. (7) Joseph Sternberg. Cultural Divides: American Earnestness vs. European Cynicism. During the World Cup, Sternberg observes that European visitors are struck by American earnestness regarding God, patriotism, and politics. He notes that while shared history exists, deep cultural divisions persist; Europeans often view patriotism as destructive, whereas Americans continue to view it as a healthy instinct. (8) Gregory Copley. Xi Jinping's Internal Struggles and the Vulnerable 'Boomer' Fleet. Copley views China'smissile test as a move by Xi Jinping to look credible amidst domestic instability and loss of control over the PLA. He notes that while the Jin-class submarines are "noisy" and vulnerable, the test sends a pointed message to the West and Pacific nations. (9) Gregory Copley. Russian Bluster and NATO's Disorganized Response. Copley dismisses Russian threats against Poland and Finland as "agit prop" designed to save face during the NATO summit. He argues Russia is incapable of a major war with NATO and that Putin remains secure despite domestic pressures, petrol rationing, and the West's disorganized attempts to unify. (10) Gregory Copley. Iran's Leadership Vacuum and the Illusion of Nuclear Success. Copley reports a lack of cohesive leadership in Iran, with Ayatollah Khamenei potentially incapacitated. He asserts the West has failed on all metrics, including regime change and securing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran views its nuclear program primarily as a bargaining chip for sovereignty rather than victory. (11) Gregory Copley. The Prodigal Son: Prince Harry's Mounting Legal and Financial Woes. Copley discusses Prince Harry's precarious position after losing a major lawsuit, leaving him with a 50 million pound debt. King Charles III prioritizes his duty to the monarchy over family ties as concerns grow regarding Harry's management of the Invictus Games and his wife's public criticisms of the family. (12) Thaddeus McCotter. Democratic Party Discipline: Managing Candidate Crises and Ideological Rifts.McCotter explores how the Democratic establishment "blew up" problematic candidates like Eric Swalwell to install figures like Xavier Becerra. He describes an ongoing "civil war" between the establishment and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), with leadership working to clear out radicals to appeal to mainstream voters. (13) Thaddeus McCotter. The Republican Civil War: MAGA Populism vs. the Establishment. McCotter analyzes the Republican Party's struggle with the MAGA movement, which he defines as populist rather than traditionally Republican. He warns that without a clear programmatic platform beyond Donald Trump, the movement may not survive his leadership, potentially leading to conflict with the revanchist Republican establishment. (14) Grant Newsham. The Shadow of Appeasement: Europe's Unwillingness to Defend Itself. Newsham compares current European hesitation to confront Russia with 1930s appeasement. He argues that many European nations have developed a "pathologic dependence" on the U.S. to fund their social welfare states. He warns that without U.S. backing, Europe lacks the unity to stop Russian aggression. (15) Henry Sokolski. Iran's Nuclear Defiance and the Futility of Unsupervised Deals. Sokolski highlights the disconnect between U.S. and Iranian positions following a recent memorandum of understanding. Iran refuses inspections of bombed enrichment sites, while the U.S. insists on them. He warns that preventing Iran from building a bomb remains an uphill battle without clearer public goals. (16) Corrections applied: Liz Peek (not "Elizabeth Peak"), Zohran Mamdani (not "Zoron Mandani"), Thaddeus McCotter(not "Thaddius Marter"), JL-3 and B-2 (hyphenated).

Understanding the WisdomThis profound composition is from the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of Sikhism), authored by Guru Arjan Dev Ji (the fifth Sikh Guru, though writing under the spiritual lineage name "Nanak").It delivers a timeless, sobering reality check about the human condition, the illusion of the material world (Maya), and what truly matters at the end of life's journey.Key Themes Broken DownThe Illusion of the Material World (Maya) The Shalok (verse) starts by labeling power, beauty, wealth, and high ancestry as "fraudulent." They are described as poison gathered through deception. They aren't inherently evil, but the attachment to them is a trap because they promise permanent happiness but deliver temporary satisfaction.The Metaphor of the Bitter Melon (Tumma)“Beholding the bitter melon, he is deceived, since it appears so pretty.”The Guru uses the colocynth or bitter melon (tumma) as a brilliant metaphor. It looks bright, beautiful, and inviting on the outside, but it is incredibly bitter and toxic to eat. Similarly, worldly riches and superficial pleasures look beautiful from afar but leave the soul empty and bitter.The Futility of Hoarding The Pauree (stanza) asks a deeply practical, philosophical question: Why exhaust yourself accumulating things you cannot take past the grave? It highlights the irony of human effort—we spend our entire lives securing the temporary while completely ignoring the permanent.The True Remedy The verse concludes with a plea for divine grace. True peace doesn't come from external acquisitions, but from internal alignment with the Divine (the Lord). Without this connection, the mind remains in a constant state of anxiety and fear.Core TakeawayThis text isn't asking you to abandon the world or live in poverty. Instead, it is an invitation to shift your perspective. It serves as a gentle but firm reminder to stop anchoring your identity and happiness to things that have an expiration date—like wealth, status, or looks—and instead cultivate inner peace, humility, and spiritual wealth.ਸਲੋਕ ॥ ਰਾਜ ਕਪਟੰ ਰੂਪ ਕਪਟੰ ਧਨ ਕਪਟੰ ਕੁਲ ਗਰਬਤਹ ॥ ਸੰਚੰਤਿ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਛਲੰ ਛਿਦ੍ਰੰ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਚਾਲਤੇ ॥੧॥ ਪੇਖੰਦੜੋ ਕੀ ਭੁਲੁ ਤੁੰਮਾ ਦਿਸਮੁ ਸੋਹਣਾ ॥ ਅਢੁ ਨ ਲਹੰਦੜੋ ਮੁਲੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਜੁਲਈ ਮਾਇਆ ॥੨॥ ਪਉੜੀ ॥ ਚਲਦਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਸੰਜੀਐ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਜਤਨੁ ਜਿਸ ਤੇ ਵੰਜੀਐ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਸਰਿਐ ਕਿਉ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਵੈ ਨਾ ਮਨੁ ਰੰਜੀਐ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਛੋਡਿ ਅਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਨਰਕਿ ਸਮੰਜੀਐ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲ ਦਇਆਲ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਉ ਭੰਜੀਐ ॥੧੦॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਇਹ ਰਾਜ ਰੂਪ ਧਨ ਤੇ (ਉੱਚੀ) ਕੁਲ ਦਾ ਮਾਣ-ਸਭ ਛਲ-ਰੂਪ ਹੈ। ਜੀਵ ਛਲ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਦੂਜਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਦੂਸ਼ਣ ਲਾ ਲਾ ਕੇ (ਕਈ ਢੰਗਾਂ ਨਾਲ) ਮਾਇਆ ਜੋੜਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਭੀ ਚੀਜ਼ ਏਥੋਂ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਂਦੀ।੨।ਤੁੰਮਾ ਵੇਖਣ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਦਿੱਸਿਆ। ਕੀ ਇਹ ਉਕਾਈ ਲੱਗ ਗਈ? ਇਸ ਦਾ ਤਾਂ ਅੱਧੀ ਕੌਡੀ ਭੀ ਮੁੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲਦਾ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਇਹੀ ਹਾਲ ਮਾਇਆ ਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜੀਵ ਦੇ ਭਾ ਦੀ ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਭੀ ਕੌਡੀ ਮੁੱਲ ਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਏਥੋਂ ਤੁਰਨ ਵੇਲੇ) ਇਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਜੀਵ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਂਦੀ।੨।ਉਸ ਮਾਇਆ ਨੂੰ ਇਕੱਠੀ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਕੀ ਲਾਭ, ਜੋ (ਜਗਤ ਤੋਂ ਤੁਰਨ ਵੇਲੇ) ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਂਦੀ, ਜਿਸ ਤੋਂ ਆਖ਼ਰ ਵਿਛੁੜ ਹੀ ਜਾਣਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਾਤਰ ਦੱਸੋ ਕੀਹ ਜਤਨ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੋਇਆ? ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆਂ (ਨਿਰੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਨਾਲ) ਰੱਜੀਦਾ ਭੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਤੇ ਨਾਹ ਹੀ ਮਨ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰ, ਦਇਆ ਕਰ, ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾ ਸਹਿਮ ਦੂਰ ਕਰ ਦੇਹ।੧੦।Shalok : Power is fraudulent, beauty is fraudulent, and wealth is fraudulent, as is pride of ancestry. One may gather poison through deception and fraud, O Nanak, but without the Lord, nothing shall go along with him in the end. || 1 || Beholding the bitter melon, he is deceived, since it appears so pretty. But it is not worth even a shell, O Nanak; the riches of Maya will not go along with anyone. || 2 || PAUREE: It shall not go along with you when you depart — why do you bother to collect it? Tell me, why do you try so hard to acquire that which you must leave behind in the end? Forgetting the Lord, how can you be satisfied? Your mind cannot be pleased. One who forsakes God, and attaches himself to another, shall be immersed in hell. Be kind and compassionate to Nanak, O Lord, and dispel his fear. || 10 ||

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE!Alright, this week we're back with another SHORT SESSION in our ongoing series exploring the systematic aspects of Slavoj Žižek's thought, working alongside the European Graduate School's Leading Thinkers course.Frank Ruda is back on the menu, and this week we're talking Žižek's second doctoral dissertation, The Most Sublime Hysteric: Hegel with Lacan. Why do certain contingent historical anomalies arrive "right on time"? We look awry at the bizarre historical phenomena of Kaspar Hauser and the 1898 novella Futility and ask why weren't they just a random bum and a stupid ship? We also take a look at Hegel's famous essay Who Thinks Abstractly? to show why Reason isn't Understanding plus something else.Short sessions, variable length sessions, however you wanna put it, in these episodes we'll wrap them up because of something that is said, rather than the tyranny of the clock.See you in Paris,Ž&...

The Fan's Cordell Woodland vents on the O's futility as the Deadline nears full 867 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:16:46 +0000 ZUW2IgurYvadVWQCqQT4caSNWCFcTHhu mlb,baltimore orioles,chicago white sox,washington nationals,sports Inside Access with Ken Weinman and Tim Barbalace mlb,baltimore orioles,chicago white sox,washington nationals,sports The Fan's Cordell Woodland vents on the O's futility as the Deadline nears Ken Weinman and Tim Barbalace bring you the ultimate "Inside Access" to the Baltimore sports scene. As Charm City natives, their passion for local teams is unmatched and their roots run deep in the community. Ken Weinman: Known for his fiery takes and unapologetic analysis, Ken provides the kind of "must-listen" radio that keeps the city talking. Tim Barbalace: Bringing sharp insight and a local's perspective, Tim rounds out the duo to ensure no stone is left unturned in the world of Baltimore sports. From the gridiron to the hardcourt to the diamond, Ken and Tim are as well-connected as it gets, delivering the news and opinions you need to stay ahead of the game. Behind the glass driving the "Inside Access" bus is producer "Beltway Ben" Hall. Tune in to Inside Access with Ken Weinman and Tim Barbalace, weekdays from 2–6 PM. © 2026 Audacy, Inc. Sports https://player.amper

This is the sixth and final talk in a series on well-being, emphasizing that materialistic approaches to addressing wellbeing only provide temporary relief from unhappiness or suffering, rather than permanent solutions. True well-being requires incorporating spiritual solutions, as attempts to address well-being without spirituality are fundamentally flawed. The speaker explained that in dharmic traditions, there is a fundamental formula where pain and suffering are related to ignorance, meaning the more one embraces false ideas about life, the more unhappiness results. The core issue identified was people's stubbornness in refusing to accept that the physical body is not their true identity, their true ‘self', but rather a temporary dwelling for an eternal spiritual being.Several guided meditations were offered as tools to aid a spiritual practice and the links are given below.Quotes used in this talk:When impurities are destroyed by practicing the eight limbs of yoga, enlightenment dawns, culminating in full knowledge of the self/atma. Yoga Sūtra 2.28 Control of the senses (yama), observance of rules (niyama), bodily postures (asana), regulation of the breath (pranayama), the withdrawal of the mind from sense objects (pratyahara), focusing the mind on a chosen object (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and complete absorption in trance (samadhi) are the eight limbs of yoga. Yoga Sūtra 2.29 Non-violence, truthfulness, not stealing, celibacy and freedom from possessiveness make up the yamas. Yoga Sūtra 2.30These laws are universal and must be practiced without consideration of time, place, birth or circumstances. Together they constitute the "great vow" of life. Yoga Sūtra 2.31 The niyamas (observances) are internal and external purity, contentment, acceptance of austerity, the recitation of sacred mantras and study of Vedic texts, and complete devotion and surrender to God. Yoga Sūtra 2.32The highest state of spiritual devotion/realization is attained by slow degrees by the method of constant endeavor for self-realization with the help of scriptural evidence, theistic conduct and perseverance in practice. - Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.59 O son of Kuntī, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.- Bg 9.27Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Well-being and Materialistic Limitations ‎ 00:03:06 The Fundamental Formula of Dharmic Traditions ‎ 00:05:19 The Reality of Death and Life's Purpose ‎ 00:07:30 The Need for Spiritual Understanding ‎ 00:10:41 False Identity and the Concept of Atma ‎ 00:12:52 Consciousness Problems and Material Stimulation ‎ 00:15:14 The Futility of Repeated Failed Approaches ‎ 00:17:28 Sadhya and Sadhana: Goal and Process ‎ 00:19:18 Liberation from Death Fear ‎ 00:21:15 The Goal of Human Life ‎ 00:22:43 Human Capacity for Higher Questions ‎ 00:24:02 The Need for Regular Spiritual Practice ‎ 00:26:04 Modern Addictions and Distractions ‎ 00:29:10 The Eight Limbs of Yoga ‎ 00:32:44 Yama: Ethical Restraints‎ 00:35:51 Niyama: Observances‎ 00:37:46 Sustainable Living and Spiritual Practice ‎ 00:40:24 Gradual Spiritual Development‎ 00:45:17 Essential Components of Sadhana‎ 00:47:45 Hearing Spiritual Wisdom ‎ 00:49:14 Integration of Spiritual Life ‎ 00:50:34 Meditation Practice Guidelines ‎ 00:53:15 Closing Thoughts on Spiritual Nature ‎https://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/guided-meditation-for-inner-peace-wellbeing https://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/sets/meditations-for-wellbeing Kirtanhttps://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/sweet-and-mellow-mahamantra https://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/mahamantra_kirtan https://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/sets/transcendental-sounds-1

Gary Matlack preached on Colossians 2:16–23.

Hell is murky. Today we enter limbo, which is technically the least painful section of hell but actually leaves me with some of the toughest questions in the poem. What does Dante make--what do Christians in general make--of all the noble, wise, and humane people who apparently lived outside the reach of Christ? Were they outside His reach? Are human virtues enough to save us? If so, why aren't we doing better?? Dante, in his characteristic way, rachets these questions up to 11 and then moves through them subtly, confoundingly, and above all, beautifully. His poetry leads us to contemplate what it might look like for God's justice and God's mercy to become one. Sign up for Hebrew, Greek, or Latin courses at the Ancient Language Institute: https://ancientlanguage.com/heretics/ Check out my book, Light of the Mind, Light of the World: https://amzn.to/4tKWACP Read my review of Backrooms: https://www.thefp.com/p/the-kids-who-grew-up-online-are-coming-for-hollywood-backrooms Get the Anthony Esolen translation: https://amzn.to/4sgKLTj Get the Dorothy L. Sayers translation: https://amzn.to/4djdh2s Read the Allen Mandelbaum translation: https://amzn.to/4dG6izR 00:00 Introduction  01:05 Canto 3: Hell's Vestibule  24:25 Appetites and Inhabitants of Hell  44:22 Tragedies of Futility and Fate  56:28 Mailbag: Meditations on Suffering  1:09:56 Closing Remarks 

Alberta is the new angsty teenager of Canada, but no matter how much they whine and slam doors, their referendum on separation from Canada is an exercise in futility. The messaging from Trump seems to have changed from seeding hints of a possible coup to talk of who will succeed him in the Oval Office at the next election. Though the overt planning to disrupt the US midterm elections continues unabated.  

The Futility of False Gods (Acts 14:8-28) | 053126 by One Ancient Hope Presbyterian Church

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at motivating you to apply God's word while strengthening your heart and nurturing your soul. Today's Bible reading is Ecclesiastes 3:9–15. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional. Browse other resources from Nancy Guthrie. ESV Bible narration read by Kristyn Getty. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter

Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase explore the possibility of implementing a regulation win tiebreaker in the NFL, inspired by the NHL's point system. They also analyze the Buffalo Bills' shocking seven-game overtime losing streak, noting that the team's last extra-period victory came with Joe Webb during the 2017 Snow Game. 01:37 - NHL Point System Discussion 03:06 - NFL Regulation Win Tiebreaker 07:37 - Buffalo Bills Overtime Struggles 09:37 - Last Bills OT Victory

ABANDON ALL HOPE, YE WHO ENTER HERE: We've made it at last to the gates of hell, and we're on our way to the river of Acheron. On the way, we'll meet the "neutrals" and the cowards—those who never lived and have no names. From here on out, the poem becomes a horror movie. But in this episode, I want to show you just how deep the horror goes. Worms and flames are just the beginning: it's the spiritual deformities that the torments represent that make them truly chilling. Then, Dante goes off the chain in a set piece that establishes him as one of the all-time epic greats, as souls like fallen leaves come streaming down to the river of death. Check out my book, Light of the Mind, Light of the World: https://amzn.to/4tKWACP Sign up for Hebrew, Greek, or Latin courses at the Ancient Language Institute: https://ancientlanguage.com/heretics/ Get the Anthony Esolen translation: https://amzn.to/4sgKLTj Get the Dorothy L. Sayers translation: https://amzn.to/4djdh2s Read the Allen Mandelbaum translation: https://amzn.to/4dG6izR 00:00 Introduction  01:05 Canto 3: Hell's Vestibule  24:25 Appetites and Inhabitants of Hell  44:22 Tragedies of Futility and Fate  56:28 Mailbag: Meditations on Suffering  1:09:56 Closing Remarks 

-Mike'l Severe put out a stat yesterday that was truly hard to believe…the last time Nebraska won back-to-back road games in afootball season was in 2006 (!!!) at Iowa State and Kansas State-It's obviously hard to do, as seen by the fact that Iowa hasn't done it since 2020; Illinois since 2007; Minnesota since 2008; Marylandsince 2003; and on and on…but Nebraska has a chance to do so when they go to Illinois and Rutgers in November…talk about breakingseveral curses if that happens…this stat goes all the way back to Bill Callahan!Our Sponsors:* Check out Hims: https://hims.com/EARLYBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to Day 2863 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2863 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 127:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2863 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2863 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Song of Ascent – The Architect, the Watchman, and the Warrior In our previous episode on this grand expedition, we climbed through the seventh Song of Ascent, Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Six. We stood in the tension of the “already, but not yet,” remembering the unbelievable, dream-like rescue of God's people from exile, while desperately praying for a fresh outpouring of His grace. We learned the profound, agricultural lesson of the sower. We discovered that in the contested territory of this fallen world, we often have to plant our seeds in tears, exhausted by the spiritual warfare around us. Yet, we anchored our souls to the unbreakable, cosmic guarantee that those who weep as they plant will eventually return singing, carrying a massive, joyful harvest. Today, we take our next deliberate steps upward on this ancient pilgrim trail. We are exploring the eighth song in this magnificent collection. We are turning our attention to Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven, verses one through five, in the New Living Translation. Interestingly, this specific psalm is attributed to King Solomon. Solomon was the ultimate builder of the ancient world; he built the glorious Temple, fortified cities, and amassed unprecedented wealth. Yet, in this psalm, he pauses to deliver a sobering warning about the futility of human ambition. He teaches us that building a physical empire, or a lasting family legacy, is entirely useless if the Architect of the cosmos is not the one holding the blueprints. Let us step onto the trail, and learn how to build a legacy that actually lasts. The first segment is: The Futility of Autonomous Ambition Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven: verses one and two. Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. This magnificent stanza opens with a definitive, double-sided declaration of human limitation. “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” To truly grasp the weight of these words, we must view them through the lens of the Ancient Israelite worldview, specifically regarding the Divine Council and the cosmic rebellion. When human beings attempt to build a house, a dynasty, or a fortified city without the authorization and the active presence of Yahweh, they are essentially repeating the catastrophic sin of the Tower of Babel. At Babel, humanity sought to build a localized empire, a massive tower to reach the heavens, in order to make a great name for themselves, completely autonomous from the Creator. That act of autonomous ambition resulted in God disinheriting the nations, confusing their languages, and placing them under the jurisdiction of lesser, rebel spiritual principalities, the fallen elohim. Therefore, any city, or any human institution, built outside the cosmic order of God, is inherently vulnerable. It belongs to the chaotic, unstable realm of the rebel gods. You can hire the greatest architects, lay the thickest foundation stones, and post the most highly trained sentries on the walls, but if the Most High God is not the active Protector of that territory, the entire enterprise is spiritually bankrupt. It is destined to collapse into the dust. This reality brings us to the deeply psychological, and practical, observation in verse two. “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” The rebel gods of the surrounding pagan cultures demanded endless, anxious labor from their followers. The deities of Canaan, Egypt, and Babylon were viewed as cruel taskmasters, requiring constant sacrifices and frantic appeasement just to ensure the rains would fall, and the crops would grow. The kingdom of darkness thrives on human anxiety. It wants you waking up before dawn, terrified of failure, and going to bed late, exhausted and consumed by the stress of basic survival. But Solomon, the wisest king of Israel, calls this frantic, autonomous striving “useless.” It is vanity. It is chasing the wind. He draws a sharp, beautiful contrast between the oppressive systems of the world, and the loving economy of Yahweh. “For God gives rest to his loved ones.” Other translations say, “He provides for His beloved even in his sleep.” The God of the Bible is not a cruel taskmaster. He is the loving Father who provides Shalom—complete, restful wholeness. This does not mean that believers are called to be lazy. We are called to be diligent, responsible stewards of creation. But the motivation changes entirely. We do not work out of a suffocating, paralyzing fear of starvation, or a desperate need to build our own autonomous empires. We work from a place of profound rest, knowing that the Sovereign Lord is the ultimate Provider, and that He is intimately guarding the house we are building. The second segment is: The Divine Gift and the Rejection of the Fertility Cults Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven: verse three. Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Suddenly, the psalm pivots. Solomon shifts the metaphor from building a physical house out of stones and cedar, to building a household, a dynasty, made out of human lives. He declares, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” In our modern culture, we might read this simply as a sweet, sentimental statement about the joy of parenting. But in the ancient Near East, this was a massive, aggressive theological claim. It was an act of profound spiritual warfare. The nations surrounding Israel were deeply entrenched in fertility cults. They worshiped gods like Baal and Asherah, believing that these localized, rebel deities controlled the womb, the rain, and the harvest. When a couple wanted to conceive a child, they would participate in the corrupt, often deeply immoral, rituals of the pagan temples, frantically trying to manipulate the gods into granting them fertility. By stating that “Children are a gift from the Lord,” the psalmist is explicitly stripping all power and authority away from the false gods of Canaan. He is reminding the pilgrims that Baal has absolutely no jurisdiction over human life. The womb is not controlled by the chaotic forces of nature; it is the exclusive, sovereign domain of Yahweh. Every single child is a direct, intentional inheritance, and a precious reward, handed down by the Creator of the universe. To build a family legacy, you do not turn to the frantic, anxious practices of the world; you look upward, to the Giver of all good things. The third segment is: The Warrior's Quiver and the Expansion of the Kingdom Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven: verses four and five. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. Having established the divine origin of the family, Solomon introduces one of the most striking, martial metaphors in the entire Psalter. “Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands.” Why does he compare children to weapons of war? Because, in the biblical worldview, raising a family is not a neutral, passive activity. It is an act of strategic, generational combat. The world is contested territory, deeply infected by the lies, the injustice, and the chaotic rebellion of the dark spiritual principalities. When you raise children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, you are intentionally shaping imagers of God, preparing them to push back against the darkness. Consider the nature of an arrow. An arrow is not meant to be kept safely inside the quiver forever. A warrior carefully shapes the shaft, balances the weight, sharpens the arrowhead, and attaches the fletching. All of this meticulous, grueling preparation is done for one specific purpose: to launch the arrow outward, into enemy...

Absolute Futility (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11) 05.17.26 by OrlandoGrace

Ecclesiastes 5:8–6:12 - exposes the emptiness of trusting in government, money, possessions, or achievement to give lasting meaning. Solomon shows that wealth and success often increase anxiety rather than peace, and a life spent chasing more can still leave the soul unsatisfied. Even under God's sovereignty, human choices still matter, and people remain responsible for how they live and what they pursue. Instead of building life around endless striving, Solomon points toward a quieter rhythm of flourishing: enjoy meals with others, work faithfully, accept your limits, and practice gratitude. True joy is found not in prestige or accumulation, but in receiving everyday life as a gift from God, marked by contentment, meaningful work, shared community, and thankfulness toward the Giver of every good thing.

Pr. Will Pareja Ecclesiastes 7:1-22

In this compelling fourth lecture of the series, Acharya das reframes well-being through the lens of timeless wisdom, drawing from sources like the Bhagavad Gita to reveal a powerful three-dimensional model: body, mind, and the often-overlooked spiritual self. With precision and clarity, the talk exposes a universal truth—no amount of success, relationships, or material gain can resolve the subtle but persistent sense of emptiness that many experience. This is not a personal failure or circumstantial issue; it is a signal pointing toward something deeper.The Bhagavad- gītā verse quoted in this talk:In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has achieved this enjoys the self within himself in due course of time. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.38Such a liberated person is not attracted to material sense pleasure or external objects but is always in trance, enjoying the pleasure within. In this way the self-realized person enjoys unlimited happiness, for he concentrates on the Supreme. - Bhagavad-gītā 5.21One whose happiness is within, who is active within, who rejoices within and is illumined within, is actually the perfect mystic. He is liberated in the Supreme, and ultimately he attains the Supreme. - Bhagavad-gītā 5.24Chapters00:00:00 Introduction and Three-Dimensional Well-being Paradigm ‎ 00:02:22 The Universal Experience of Emptiness and Advertising Manipulation ‎ 00:04:38 Personal Counseling Example: Fear of Being Alone ‎ 00:06:44 Behavioral Patterns of Avoiding Emptiness ‎ 00:08:38 Life Clutter and Hidden Loneliness‎ 00:11:19 Emptiness as Spiritual Protection and Indication ‎ 00:13:18 Material Wealth and Relationship Status Don't Eliminate Emptiness ‎ 00:15:01 The Inadequacy of the Material World ‎ 00:16:37 A Woman's Honest Blog About Emptiness ‎ 00:23:47 Attraction to Beauty, Happiness, and Love ‎ 00:27:00 The Ice Cream Sundae Metaphor ‎ 00:28:52 Spiritual Malnourishment and the Fish Out of Water Metaphor ‎ 00:30:31 The Inward Journey and Purpose of Human Life ‎ 00:33:07 Bhagavad Gita Verses on Transcendental Knowledge ‎ 00:35:56 Liberation Through Spiritual Understanding ‎ 00:37:59 The Self-Realized Person's Experience ‎ 00:39:30 The Perfect Mystic and Spiritual Attainment ‎ 00:41:08 Two Simple Practices: Yoga Wisdom and Meditation ‎ 00:42:16 Spiritual Sound and Its Purifying Effects ‎ 00:44:15 The Signal of Inner Longing ‎ 00:45:41 The Futility of Material Investment ‎ 00:46:55 Invitation to Kirtan Practice ‎

We are told in Romans 8:20-21 that God has woven **apparent** futility into the fabric of existence in the material universe. Yet, Scripturally, it exists in a kind of spiritually "quantum" state where futility both exists, and does not - at the same time.Concerning what *seems* futile to both King Solomon (see Ecclesiastes 1) and The Messiah, Himself (Isaiah 49:4) –– we are also told, "God has put all your tears in a bottle: none are forgotten" (Psalm 56:8) "even if you give a cup of cold water" to someone who needs it, "you will not lose your reward." (Mark 9:41). The tragedies that begin the Book Of Ruth end with the birth of line of King David and the Messiah. What is our Creator, our Father in Heaven, up to?

✨ Like/Subscribe/Comment where you listen! YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts✨ Become a member for our reading group, community calls, and years of members-only recordings — including the excellent raps we had recently on Alexander Douglas and Wendell Berry. Our next call is this weekend, May 2, at 2 pm MDT!This week I decant a conversation with the brilliant Mathew Mytka (Website | LinkedIn) — a self-described “Earthian living on and learning from the Country of the Bidjigal, Gweagal and Kamay clans of the Dharawal Nation, in Sydney, Australia.”Mat is a moral imagineer, social entrepreneur, UX designer, educator, artist, and public policy advocate. Cofounder (with Alja Isakovic) of the the inquiry-driven social venture Tethix and mission steward (with Gemma Palmer) of Collective Futurecrafting, Mat has over twenty years' of product, project, and program management experience, designing and running real-world relational experiments everywhere from startups to federal government initiatives, Fortune 500 tech companies, and grassroots communities. He also makes delightfully weird code-as-art projects like The Ministry of Futility, a bureaucratic adventure game where players navigate a maze of pointless decisions.In short, he's precisely the kind of incompressible generalist I look to as a model for how to live wisely in our age of accelerating weirdness.Mat and I met in 2024 in the group chat that spawned the Wisdom x Technology Discord Server and immediately realized a common thread ran through both our lives: a commitment to fostering our collective imagination aimed at ecologically-grounded, mutualistic, more-than-human futures.In today's episode we riff on themes from the Tethix blog and podcast, including:• How do we embrace the lunacy of tech?• What should we do with the time that new technologies save? (if they even do) and• How do we nuture weird online communal gardens where we can play together?We also draw from the Tethix codesign principles, product ethos, and elemental ethics documents.Along the way we explore the fundamental problems of scale and institutional misalignment, the value of ritual, and the return to embodiment.✨ Become a founding member to access my online courses, including Jurassic Worlding and How To Live In The Future.✨ Browse and buy all of the books we discuss on the show at Bookshop.org✨ Music: “Scalar Reconfigurations”Chapters00:00 Intro06:02 Starting Over With Play08:05 Mat's Origin Story13:56 Online Performance and Anxiety18:24 How Tethix Began40:07 Teaching The State about The Duty of Care46:26 Collective Futurecrafting from Circles to Bioregions47:05 Start With What Exists48:34 Pivot Beyond Tech Ethics50:08 Weird Gardens for Online Community57:42 Composting The Leviathan01:01:48 Trauma, Empathy, Care01:13:11 Agency Rituals and Closing This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelgarfield.substack.com/subscribe

Ecclesiastes 4 sketches a sobering picture of life under the sun, touching on oppression, envy, work, and isolation. Solomon observes that injustice can become so severe that it makes existence itself feel unbearable, a reality still echoed in modern forms of exploitation and suffering. The response begins in the heart by confronting bitterness, then moves outward through action and advocacy against wrong. He also exposes three distorted approaches to work: envy-driven striving that robs joy, laziness that erodes life, and relentless ambition that gains success at the cost of relationships. Each path, in its own way, leads to emptiness. In contrast, Solomon highlights the strength found in companionship, where people support, protect, and sustain one another through life's hardships. True presence—simply showing up and carrying burdens together—becomes a powerful antidote to isolation. He also elevates wisdom above status or age, noting that experience alone does not guarantee insight. Wisdom grows through learning, receiving counsel, and humbly seeking God's guidance. Regularly asking for wisdom reshapes daily decisions, keeping a person grounded, relationally connected, and aligned with what truly matters.

The message opens with a call to daily prayer leading into Easter, connecting humble, united prayer with God's promise to bring healing. A story of a man leaving a high-paying but soul-draining job highlights a common struggle: many feel stuck in work that empties them. Ecclesiastes reminds us that work is both a gift and a burden, often marked by stress, dissatisfaction, and the fleeting nature of achievement. Yet there's a better way. When seen as a gift from God, work can carry meaning and even joy. Jesus' call in Gospel of Mark 8 reframes life—deny self, take up the cross, and follow Him—so work shapes character rather than identity. The takeaway: pursue excellence under God, honor rest, and let both hardship and effort form a life centered on Christ instead of endless striving.

The book of Ecclesiastes has puzzled readers for millennia with its unflinching observations about absurdity, meaninglessness, vanity, and futility. Biblical scholar Jesse Peterson joins Evan Rosa to discuss his book, Qoheleth and the Philosophy of Value, bringing contemporary philosophy into dialogue with this ancient text and reflecting on what happens when a sage confronts the gap between expectation and reality. "Can you view your work, your toil, not just as a means to a further end? Can you rather turn to simply enjoy the work itself?" Together they discuss the distinction between meaning and value, why Qoheleth denies lasting significance while affirming joy, the harm of death and the death of memory, Ecclesiastes and Camus's absurdism, and the book's surprising message about enjoyment as an intrinsic good. Episode Highlights "I think what's at the heart of the Book of Ecclesiastes is just to say, maybe not, maybe there isn't a direct line between what you do and what the result will be." "It's not just that you'll physically die, but meaning that you've accrued in your life, if there was such a thing, that dies with you." "In this moment of working on what I'm working on, whatever it is, I am fully alive." "You have a little piece of the pie, and just own it. Absorb yourself into whatever that may be." "Can you view your work, your toil, not just as a means to a further end? Can you rather turn to simply enjoy the work itself?" About Jesse Peterson Jesse Peterson is an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies in the School of Theology and Honors Program at George Fox University. He previously taught at Purdue University, Fordham University, and St. John's University. He earned a PhD in Hebrew Bible from Durham University (UK), an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a BA in music and Jewish studies from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. His work on Ecclesiastes has appeared in Harvard Theological Review, Vetus Testamentum, and the Journal of Theological Studies. He is the author of Qoheleth and the Philosophy of Value (Cambridge University Press). Helpful Links and Resources Qoheleth and the Philosophy of Value, by Jesse Peterson https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/qoheleth-and-the-philosophy-of-value/877B040C17EE8B9DD60174DEC7C306F7 Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061339202 Featured music by the Jesse Peterson Quartet https://jessepetersonquartet.bandcamp.com/album/man-of-the-earth Show Notes The most philosophical book in the Bible Bringing Ecclesiastes into dialogue with contemporary philosophy of value Jaco Gericke's Hebrew Bible and Philosophy of Religion as catalyst Authorship: why scholars date Ecclesiastes to the 3rd century BCE The Solomonic persona and the epilogue problem Amal (toil) and yitron (gain): does life add up? Qoheleth as businessman: commercial language for philosophy Three theories of meaning: subjectivism, consequentialism, intersubjectivism "Maybe there isn't a direct line between what you do and what the result will be" Brueggemann's orientation, disorientation, new orientation The absurd: expectation vs. reality, linking Qoheleth to Camus "Meaning that you've accrued in your life, if there was such a thing, that dies with you" The same fate for all: wise and foolish, human and animal Epicurus and the harm of death Hebrew anthropology: dust plus life-breath, no afterlife The carpe diem passages: "Go eat your bread with joy" Joy as robust, not narcotic—enjoying toil as an end in itself "In this moment of working on what I'm working on, I am fully alive" Csikszentmihalyi's Flow and the autotelic experience "Just own it. Absorb yourself into whatever that may be." #Ecclesiastes #Qoheleth #PhilosophyOfValue #MeaningInLife #BiblicalStudies #HebrewBible #WisdomLiterature #CarpeDiem #Absurdity #ForTheLifeOfTheWorld Production Notes This podcast featured Jesse Peterson Edited and Produced by Evan Rosa Hosted by Evan Rosa Production Assistance by Noah Senthil A Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/about Support For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Ephesians 5:15-21 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss abandoning the Gentile walk in the futility of the mind by walking careful as those who are wise.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=25010The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Ephesians 4:17-24 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss Paul's description of the Gentiles walk. They give three patterns of the walk and what we must do to avoid that walk.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=24934The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex chats with Jim and Sam about the oracle against Tyre in Isaiah 23. This passage teaches us, among other things, why it's stupid to put our hope in money.

Futility

Solomon's experiment in Ecclesiastes 2 explores whether meaning can be found in life lived “under the sun,” apart from God. He pursues every human avenue of fulfillment: pleasure, wine, massive projects, wealth, sexual relationships, reputation, and legacy. With immense resources he essentially tries to build a secular Eden where nothing is off limits. Yet each pursuit ends the same way. Pleasure fades, achievements lose their shine, possessions multiply without satisfaction, and death ultimately levels every person. The verdict of the experiment is stark: life without God becomes empty and exhausting, a constant chase for something that never delivers lasting meaning. The deeper issue is misplacing meaning in things that cannot carry its weight. When people look to pleasure, relationships, status, or circumstances to provide identity and purpose, disappointment and resentment follow. Solomon's insight exposes a pattern that still shapes modern culture, where endless consumption and stimulation attempt to numb deeper questions of purpose. The answer is not rejecting enjoyment but rediscovering a joyful God who gives life as a gift, cultivating gratitude, and learning to receive daily blessings from Him rather than striving endlessly for the next thing. True satisfaction comes not from chasing more, but from living in relationship with the God who gives meaning to everything.

Guest: Mary Kissel. Kissel discusses the futility of appeasing Putin regarding Ukrainian territory and the need for security plans to support Venezuela's opposition against the Maduro regime.1936 VENEZUELA

Chip continues this series with a message he calls, “How to Overcome Feelings of Futility.” If you need a God-sized shot in the arm, today's message is for you.Introduction: “Empty Buckets”Futility – Webster's – lit. “that which easily pours out,” hence untrustworthy; that which fails completely of the desired end, or incapable of producing any result; trifling, unimportant. Syn: vain, fruitless, ineffective, uselessFruitful – Webster's – Latin “fructus” – enjoyment, means of enjoyment, profitable, productive, producing results and/or desired ends.How can we avoid futility in our lives?Refuse to Confuse Success With SIGNIFICANCE! -Luke 9:25-26How can we move from success to significance?1. Clarify your MISSION! Why are you here?Two things last forever: God's Word & people's soulsMatthew 28:19-20To know CHRIST and make Him KNOWN!2. Embrace your MISSION FIELD! Where are your greatest spheres of influence?Your home -Deut 6:4-9Your work -Col 3:22-25Your network -Col 4:5-63. Engage in the Harvesting ProcessNetworkBefriendIdentifyShareInviteHarvest4. Sharpen your tools for impact!”Learn spiritual “door openers”Learn your evangelistic styleNot Beyond Reach by Aaron PierceBroadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeBOOK: "Halftime" by Bob BufordBOOK: "The Paradox of Success" by John R. O'NeilCHART: "The High Impact Church" by Linus MorrisConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Do you ever wonder if you're making a difference - if your life is having a positive, lasting impact on those around you? In this message, Chip reveals how you can overcome those feelings of futility and begin experiencing the life God intended for you.Introduction: “Empty Buckets”Futility – Webster's – lit. “that which easily pours out,” hence untrustworthy; that which fails completely of the desired end, or incapable of producing any result; trifling, unimportant. Syn: vain, fruitless, ineffective, uselessFruitful – Webster's – Latin “fructus” – enjoyment, means of enjoyment, profitable, productive, producing results and/or desired ends.How can we avoid futility in our lives?Refuse to Confuse Success With SIGNIFICANCE! -Luke 9:25-26How can we move from success to significance?1. Clarify your MISSION! Why are you here?Two things last forever: God's Word & people's soulsMatthew 28:19-20To know CHRIST and make Him KNOWN!2. Embrace your MISSION FIELD! Where are your greatest spheres of influence?Your home -Deut 6:4-9Your work -Col 3:22-25Your network -Col 4:5-63. Engage in the Harvesting ProcessNetworkBefriendIdentifyShareInviteHarvest4. Sharpen your tools for impact!”Learn spiritual “door openers”Learn your evangelistic styleNot Beyond Reach by Aaron PierceBroadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeBOOK: "Halftime" by Bob BufordBOOK: "The Paradox of Success" by John R. O'NeilCHART: "The High Impact Church" by Linus MorrisConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Do you ever wonder if you're making a difference - if your life is having a positive, lasting impact on those around you? In this message, Chip reveals how you can overcome those feelings of futility and begin experiencing the life God intended for you.Introduction: “Empty Buckets”Futility – Webster's – lit. “that which easily pours out,” hence untrustworthy; that which fails completely of the desired end, or incapable of producing any result; trifling, unimportant. Syn: vain, fruitless, ineffective, uselessFruitful – Webster's – Latin “fructus” – enjoyment, means of enjoyment, profitable, productive, producing results and/or desired ends.How can we avoid futility in our lives?Refuse to Confuse Success With SIGNIFICANCE! -Luke 9:25-26How can we move from success to significance?1. Clarify your MISSION! Why are you here?Two things last forever: God's Word & people's soulsMatthew 28:19-20To know CHRIST and make Him KNOWN!2. Embrace your MISSION FIELD! Where are your greatest spheres of influence?Your home -Deut 6:4-9Your work -Col 3:22-25Your network -Col 4:5-63. Engage in the Harvesting ProcessNetworkBefriendIdentifyShareInviteHarvest4. Sharpen your tools for impact!”Learn spiritual “door openers”Learn your evangelistic styleNot Beyond Reach by Aaron PierceBroadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeBOOK: "Halftime" by Bob BufordBOOK: "The Paradox of Success" by John R. O'NeilCHART: "The High Impact Church" by Linus MorrisConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

The Futility of Canadian-Chinese Trade DiplomacyPREVIEW FOR LATER: GUEST CHARLES BURTON. Charles Burton critiques Mark Carney's trade mission to Beijing, noting it mirrors past failures. Despite attempts to ignore human rights to boost trade, historical precedent shows Canada's market share declined under similar strategies. This mission aims to offset tariff uncertainties and Trump-era trade pressures.1945 US NAVY HUANGPU RIVER, SHANGHAI