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Welcome to Day 2886 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Problem of Evil: Free Will, Imagership, and The Divine Design Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2886 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2886 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. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com. Today's lesson is titled: THE PROBLEM OF EVIL: FREE WILL, IMAGERSHIP, AND THE DIVINE DESIGN. Though humanity is gifted with free will, we are not omniscient. This limitation creates a fragile balance. We are moral agents with the ability to act, but we often do so without full knowledge of the consequences. This gap between intention and outcome is fertile ground for evil to grow. Some evil is the result of direct rebellion, but much of it emerges from ignorance, misjudgment, or unintended consequences. Yahweh alone possesses omniscience. If humans knew all outcomes in advance, their choices would not reflect genuine trust or faith. The decision to follow Yahweh, even with limited knowledge, is a demonstration of allegiance, one that mirrors the loyalty He desires from His divine family as well. The first segment is: THE DIVINE REBELLION: WHEN SPIRITUAL IMAGERS TURNED. The problem of evil is not limited to humanity. Scripture reveals that spiritual beings, members of Yahweh's heavenly host, also rebelled. These divine imagers, given authority over the nations (Deuteronomy 32 verses eight and nine and Psalm 82), turned from their mandate and led humanity into darkness. Some, like the sons of God in Genesis 6, crossed boundaries and corrupted creation itself. Others accepted worship and manipulated entire cultures into idolatry, violence, and occult practices. These rebellious elohim introduced a different kind of evil, ideological and systemic. They corrupted truth, promoted false gods, and weaponized spiritual influence. Humanity's rebellion was inflamed by their lies. The result was a world fragmented, oppressed, and bound to powers that were never meant to rule. To restrain the damage these beings caused, Yahweh gave Israel the Torah. The Law was not just a set of moral rules. It was a divine firewall. Its rituals, boundaries, and covenant structure created space for holiness and identity amid spiritual chaos. Among the most profound of these rituals was the Day of Atonement, where two goats were chosen: one sacrificed to cleanse the people, and the other sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying the sins of the nation back to Azazel, a name associated with the wilderness-dwelling rebels. This was not superstition. It was spiritual warfare through sacred practice. The Law showed that Yahweh was not passive in the face of evil. He acted decisively to reclaim His people and mitigate the influence of the divine traitors until the fullness of His plan could be revealed in the Messiah. The second segment is: WHY YAHWEH ALLOWED THIS SYSTEM. The presence of evil in creation is not a sign that Yahweh lost control. Rather, it underscores how seriously He takes relationships. He is not interested in programmed obedience. He desires a family, both human and divine, who freely love Him. The alternative would be a world without evil but also without relationship, without love, without the ability to choose the good. The biblical story is filled with the tension between human freedom and divine sovereignty. This tension is not a flaw. It is the setting in which loyalty, repentance, and transformation become meaningful. Yahweh has allowed evil for a time, knowing that through it, those who choose Him do so authentically. The third segment is: EVIL, SOVEREIGNTY, AND THE HIGH STAKES OF AGENCY. Evil exists not because God is weak, but because He values freedom. His sovereignty is not undermined by our agency. It is demonstrated by His willingness to allow it and still accomplish His purposes. From Eden to the Cross to the final judgment, Scripture presents a God who allows rebellion, intervenes to redeem, and ultimately restores. The reality of evil magnifies the seriousness of the decisions we make. We are not passive recipients of fate but active participants in a divine drama. Every moral decision reflects our allegiance. We were created to image Yahweh in how we steward creation, treat others, and respond to evil with courage, righteousness, and hope. In CONCLUSION: There is A COSMIC STRUGGLE, A DIVINE INVITATION. The existence of evil should not cause despair. Instead, it reminds us of the stakes involved in being made in Yahweh's image. It reminds us that we live in a story where freedom is real, decisions matter, and redemption is possible. Evil is not the final word. Yahweh is not surprised by rebellion, and His plan has always included its defeat. Through the Messiah, humanity is invited into a restored relationship, empowered to reflect the goodness of God even in the presence of darkness. The struggle against evil is the arena in which imagers of God are tested, shaped, and revealed. To explore this in further details, consider these DISCUSSION QUESTIONS. Why is free will necessary for genuine love and relationships? How does the concept of humans as imagers of Yahweh affect how we understand moral responsibility? What are some examples where limited knowledge contributes to the existence of evil? What role did the rebellion of spiritual beings play in the expansion of evil on Earth? How did the Torah, and especially the scapegoat ritual, help Israel resist the influence of the rebellious elohim? Join us next Theology Thursday to learn When Myth Remembers: The Case for the Supernatural in History. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Liv Abundantly, Love Unconditionally, Listen Intentionally, Learn Continuously, Lend to others Generously, Lead with Integrity, Leave a Living Legacy Each Day, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, reminding you to, “Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy your journey, and create a great day, every day! Join me next time for more daily wisdom!
Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome pastoral counselor Kevin Prendergast to discuss tips for newlyweds to start their marriages off on strong footing. Other guests include Rita Heikenfeld with recipes for Father’s Day, and Gary Michuta to share more Old Testament prophecies that point forward to the Messiah. Plus news, weather, sports, and more… ***** A Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart,which no unworthy affection may dragdownwards; give us an unconqueredheart, which no tribulation can wearout; give us an upright heart, whichno unworthy purpose may temptaside. Bestow upon us also, O Lordour God, understanding to knowyou, diligence to seek you, wisdomto find you, and a faithfulness thatmay finally embrace you; throughJesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ***** RECIPES FROM RITA: FALL-OFF-THE-BONE OVEN BAKED RIBS FOR DAD Recipe doubles or triples easily. IngredientsRibsAbout 2-1/2 pounds baby back pork ribs or your favorite ribsSalt and pepper or your favorite BBQ rub BBQ sauce1 tablespoon olive oil1/4 cup finely diced onion1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 cup ketchup1 tablespoon hot chili sauce like Sriracha2 tablespoons light brown sugar or to taste1 tablespoon apple cider vinegarSalt and ground pepper, to taste InstructionsPreheat your oven to 275. Season ribs: If your ribs still have a thin membrane on the back, remove it. Generously season both sides of the ribs with salt and pepper. If using a spice rub, apply it evenly.Wrap very tightly with foil: Important so ribs don’t dry out during cooking. Place the ribs, meatiest-side down, in roasting pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. The ribs must be well-sealed to prevent drying out. If you’re doubling the recipe and don’t have a large enough pan, wrap the racks of ribs individually in tight foil packets and place them on the baking sheet. Bake: Bake for 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours or until meat easily falls from bones. Check after 2 hours. Ribs are ready when the meat is cooked through and very tender. It will not have gotten brown, so don’t worry. Mine took close to 3 hours.BBQ Sauce:Heat olive oil in pan over medium heat, then add onions and cook until soft. Don’t let them brown.Stir in cumin, ketchup, chili sauce, sugar and vinegar. Cook for a couple of minutes, season with salt and more of any one ingredient that you think it needs. Brush sauce onto ribs after baking: Generously brush both sides with barbecue sauce.Broil ribs: Broil on high ribs until sauce begins to caramelize, about 3 to 4 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during this step to ensure the sauce doesn’t burn. ***** Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this first of two sessions dealing with Faith and Finance Ps Steu speaks about how to deal with a cost of living crisis using Kingdom principles. His message is a very practical one, where all the best practice is taken from scripture. All around us, news is worrying, prices keep rising, the world peddles fear, so how should we as Chistians live?When speaking on money, Jesus says, “Do not worry.” - yes, be diligent; yes, be responsible; but remember that God is ultimately your Provider! (Matthew 6:25-33). God is faithful, and He does not change - inflation rates and interest rates change; our jobs aren't always secure; fuel prices change; retirement age changes; the energy cap changes - but our God does not change! But here's the key - if we want to live under God's blessing and protection, we first need to be willing to live according to His instruction...and the Bible sets out clear prociples for Kingdom economics.In this message, Ps Steu speaks about good stewardship of what we have been entrusted with, money and possessions. He covers the need to Budget; to Tithe; to be Intentional with our spending; to pay off Debts; to look to Save and to live Generously. This short summary does not do justice to the importance of this challenging message. We must realise we are not defined by what we have, but rather by who we are in Christ. Jesus taught us to be wise stewards of what he has entrusted to us. He also paid the ultimate price for our sins and daily misdemeanours. Let us examine our hearts and seek help if we need to.
Matt shares from Matthew 6. Let's seek first the Kingdom - listen to Jesus - and so become good stewards of the money He entrusts to us.
This Sunday, Zach Varnell shares a message titled "The God Who Gives Generously."
This Sunday, Zach Varnell shares a message titled "The God Who Gives Generously."
Easter reminds us that Jesus is alive—but what difference does that make in our everyday lives? In this 10-week series, we'll explore what it looks like to live out a faith that isn't just belief but also action.From trials and temptation, to mercy, service and hope, we'll discover how resurrection life transforms the way we speak, love, give and serve in a world that desperately needs the reality of Jesus.This message, FAITH THAT GIVES GENEROUSLY, comes out of 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.Website: http://www.rittmangrace.orgFacebook: Rittman Grace Brethren Church Instagram: rittmangrace Twitter: RittmanGraceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXPiaa4z3iZMA4DkCihtHg TikTok: rittmangbc
Welcome to Day 2871 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Welcome to Day 2866 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Interacting with the Spirit: Discernment and Devotion. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2871 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2871 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. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com. Today's lesson is titled: Does “Be Not Afraid” Really Appear 365 Times in the Bible? Upon closer examination, this claim falls apart. While the Bible certainly emphasizes trust in God and regularly urges believers not to be afraid, the specific phrase count does not match the poetic number. The truth is more nuanced and perhaps even more meaningful than the myth. Our first segment is: What the Text Actually Says When we examine the biblical text across multiple translations, the number of occurrences is far lower than 365. Although the Bible consistently calls God's people to trust Him, the phrase “be not afraid,” along with its close equivalents such as “fear not” or “do not be afraid,” shows up far less frequently than the popular claim suggests. New International Version (NIV): Fewer than 100 English Standard Version (ESV): Around 80 New King James Version (NKJV): Slightly over 70 These variations come from differences in translation philosophy, sentence structure, and idiomatic rendering. But across the board, none of them even come close to the fabled 365. Even when generously including all possible rephrasings and scattered verses that convey the idea indirectly, the number still does not reach that mark. Our second segment is: How the Myth Spread The origin of the 365-phrase myth is difficult to pin down, but it likely arose from a sincere desire to encourage. The number fits neatly into our calendar, and the message aligns with central biblical themes of faith, courage, and divine reassurance. In sermons, devotionals, or motivational talks, it serves as a tidy and memorable way to inspire trust in God's daily presence. But what begins as a poetic summary often becomes misunderstood as fact. Over time, the statement was repeated so often that many assumed it was grounded in textual reality. The emotional impact of the claim allowed it to bypass the usual filters of verification. It became popular because it felt true, not because it was true. Our Third Segment is: Why Accuracy Still Matters Some might argue that the exact number does not matter as long as the message is uplifting. But in matters of faith, accuracy is not a luxury. It is a responsibility. When a believer discovers that a frequently repeated claim is false or exaggerated, it can lead to disappointment, confusion, or even doubt. Trust in Scripture should not be built on clever slogans or numerical myths, but on the richness of what the text actually says. The deeper danger is not the mistake itself but the habit it encourages. Repeating unverified claims, even with good intentions, trains people to depend on secondhand summaries instead of firsthand study. It makes them more susceptible to emotional appeals and less equipped to test what they hear. Truth may not always be as poetic, but it is always more powerful. Our fourth segment is: What the Bible Really Emphasizes The beauty of Scripture is that it does not need embellishment. Even though the phrase “be not afraid” does not appear 365 times, the theme of divine reassurance is woven throughout the entire narrative. From Genesis to Revelation, God tells His people not to fear. Not because trouble will not come, but because He is with them in the midst of it. Abraham is told not to fear because God is his shield. Moses is told not to fear Pharaoh. Joshua is told not to fear the enemies in Canaan. The prophets speak words of courage to a nation in exile. Jesus tells His disciples not to be afraid of those who kill the body. And the final chapters of Revelation show a people who overcome fear through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. The command not to fear is not a one-time sentiment. It is a constant posture of faith in the face of a broken world. And while it may not be repeated every single day in exact words, it is echoed on nearly every page. In Conclusion The claim that the Bible says “be not afraid” 365 times may sound nice, but it simply is not true. That does not mean the message is wrong, only that it should not rely on a false statistic. The call to trust God and live without fear is one of the Bible's most persistent and powerful themes. Rather than grounding our confidence in a feel-good myth, we are invited into something more enduring. A life shaped by real engagement with the Word, where faith grows through truth and not through repetition.bWhat God has actually said is more than enough. For further study, consider these Discussion Questions How does learning the true frequency of “be not afraid” in Scripture impact your view of the phrase's importance? Why do you think people are so drawn to neat or poetic claims like “365 times for 365 days”? Can sincere but inaccurate statements weaken a person's trust in biblical teaching? Why or why not? What are some ways we can guard against spreading misinformation while still encouraging others? How does personal study of the Bible help believers grow in both truth and discernment? Join us next Theology Thursday to learn Progressive Christianity and the Northern Kingdom: A Repeated Rebellion. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Liv Abundantly. Love Unconditionally. Listen Intentionally. Learn Continuously. Lend to others Generously. Lead with Integrity. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, reminding you to, “Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy your journey, and create a great day, every day! Join me next time for more daily wisdom!
Welcome to Day 2861 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Testing All Things: Why Respecting Pastors Includes Accountability Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2861 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2861 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. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com. Today's lesson is titled: Testing All Things: Why Respecting Pastors Includes Accountability. In many churches today, there is an expectation that pastors be given honor and respect. Scripture affirms this respect, but it does not call for blind obedience. Some leaders suggest that questioning their teaching is a form of rebellion or a refusal to submit to authority. Yet the Bible makes a different claim. Holding leaders accountable to the Word is not undermining their authority, but honoring the authority of Christ to whom they themselves must answer. The real issue is not whether we respect pastors, but whether we allow anyone's words to stand above Scripture. The first segment is: The Commendable Discernment of the Bereans. Acts 17 verse eleven praises the Bereans because they listened eagerly to Paul and then turned to the Scriptures daily to confirm what they had heard. Paul was an apostle who had encountered the risen Christ, yet even he was not beyond examination. The Bereans were not skeptics undermining his authority. They were faithful believers guarding against error. Their discernment was a form of respect, showing that they valued the truth of God's Word above all else. That same principle applies today: questioning what a pastor teaches is not rebellion, but obedience to God's call to weigh everything by Scripture. The second segment is: Testing Teachers and Spirits. John warned the church, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). This assumes that false teachers would exist, even within the church. Paul echoed the same truth when he wrote, “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (first Thessalonians 5 verse twenty one). These commands are given to every believer, not just church leaders. If pastors were meant to be unquestioned authorities, these passages would be meaningless. Instead, Scripture shows that discernment is part of faithful obedience. To test teaching is not to reject authority, but to protect it by making sure it remains under Christ. The third segment is: Pastors as Servants, Not Masters Pastors and elders are entrusted with the care of the church. They are to lead, teach, and shepherd, but their authority is not absolute. It only exists when it aligns with the Word of God. Titus 1 verse nine says a leader must hold firmly to the trustworthy word and be able to refute error. James 3 verse one warns that teachers will be judged more strictly, reminding us that they are accountable to God for their words. Even Hebrews 13 verse seventeen, a passage often cited to demand unquestioning obedience, frames leadership in terms of accountability. Leaders “will have to give an account” to God. True authority in the church is never independent. It is always grounded in Scripture and subject to Christ. The fourth segment is: Even Apostles Faced Correction Galatians 2 records a striking moment when Paul confronted Peter publicly for compromising the gospel. Peter, one of Christ's closest disciples, withdrew from Gentile believers out of fear of criticism. Paul opposed him “because he stood condemned.” This was not a rejection of Peter's authority but a defense of the truth he was called to uphold. If even Peter could be corrected for straying from the gospel, then no modern leader can claim to be beyond question. Correction is not rebellion. It is an act of faithfulness that preserves both authority and truth. The fifth segments is: Christ's Warning Against Elevating Leaders Jesus warned His disciples not to seek titles or exalted positions, saying, “You are not to be called Rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers” (Matthew 23, verses eight through ten). Authority belongs to Christ alone. Pastors are not mediators between God and man. That role belongs to Christ. Instead, leaders are to shepherd with humility, “not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5 verses two and three). The danger is not in respecting leaders, but in elevating them above their proper place. When pastors are treated as unquestionable, they cease to reflect the servant leadership of Christ. In Conclusion The Bible never calls believers to submit blindly to a pastor's words. Instead, it calls the church to test all things and to hold fast to what is true. This is not a rejection of authority but a recognition of where true authority lies, in Christ and His Word. Pastors are to be respected, encouraged, and followed when they lead rightly. But they are also accountable, and when their teaching strays, questioning it is an act of obedience to God. A healthy church is not one where questions are silenced, but where questions are welcomed as part of keeping leaders and people alike rooted in Scripture. To test teaching is not to dishonor a pastor, but to honor the Lord who gave His Word as the final standard for all. For additional study, consider these Discussion Questions. Why does Acts 17 verse eleven praise the Bereans for testing Paul's teaching, and how does this show that discernment strengthens rather than rejects authority? How does First John 4 verse one call every believer to responsibility in testing the spirits, and what would happen if this responsibility were ignored in the church? In Galatians 2, Paul rebuked Peter for compromising the gospel. How does this account demonstrate that correction is not rebellion but a way of preserving true authority? What dangers arise when a congregation confuses loyalty to a leader with loyalty to Christ and His Word? How can a church create a culture where questioning teaching is welcomed as faithfulness to God's Word, while still showing respect for pastoral leadership? Join us next Theology Thursday to learn Testing All Things: Why Respecting Pastors Includes Accountability. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Liv Abundantly. Love Unconditionally. Listen Intentionally. Learn Continuously. Lend to others Generously. Lead with Integrity. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, reminding you to, “Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy your journey, and create a great day, every day! Join me next time for more daily wisdom!
Send us your feedback — we're listeningMidday Prayer — Jesus, You Give Me Wisdom Freely: I Pause, Refocus, and Walk in Clarity Today James 1:5 — If Any of You Lacks Wisdom, You Should Ask God, Who Gives Generously Live from London, England São Paulo • Dallas • Nairobi • Manila • Vienna midday prayer for clarity • prayer for wisdom • overthinking prayer • James 1:5 prayer • guidance prayer Christian James 1:5 (NIV): “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault…” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV): “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Jesus, You give me wisdom freely, and I pause now to refocus and receive clarity from You. The day has moved forward, and I feel the weight of decisions, the pressure of responsibility, and the noise of many thoughts within me. I recognise the need to come back to You again. So I pause. I step away from confusion, from mental overload, and from the pressure to figure everything out on my own. I release it, and I turn my attention back to You. You give wisdom. Not sparingly, but generously. You meet me in this moment with clarity, with direction, and with understanding that settles what feels uncertain within me. You steady my mind. You bring calm where there has been noise. You bring focus where there has been distraction. And as I fix my thoughts on You, Your peace begins to guard my heart and mind. Jesus, guide me clearly. Let me see what matters. Let me move with wisdom. Let my decisions be shaped by Your truth and led by Your Spirit. I refocus in You. Jesús, Tú me das sabiduría y claridad en este momento. Jesus Cristo, Tu me dás sabedoria e clareza neste momento. From São Paulo to Dallas, from Nairobi to Vienna, across every place moving through this part of the day, You are present. You are guiding. You are bringing clarity to Your people. So I pause. I receive. I move forward with wisdom. In Your name, Jesus, I walk in clarity and peace. Amen. midday prayer, James 1:5, prayer for wisdom, clarity prayer, overthinking prayer, guidance prayer Christian, calm mind prayer, daily prayer midday prayer for wisdom and clarity, James 1:5 meaning prayer, Christian prayer for decision making, prayer to stop overthinking and gain clarity, Jesus guide my decisions prayer, Bible verses about wisdom and peaceSupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper now reaches 185 countries and 3,012 cities worldwide through the Global Blend Radio network.This is a listener-funded global ministry. If these daily prayers strengthen your faith or help you through difficult seasons, would you consider becoming a monthly prayer partner for just £3 per month?Your support enables us to continue recording, hosting, and broadcasting daily biblical encouragement across the nations — keeping this ministry free and accessible to everyone who needs it.You can support today at GlobalBlendRadio.comTogether, we can keep prayer moving across the world.To submit a prayer request or connect with our global prayer community, visit DailyPrayer.ukBuy me a Coffee
Welcome to Day 2836 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Fencing the Torah: When Guardrails Become a Cage Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2836 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2836 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. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com. Today's lesson is titled: Fencing the Torah: When Guardrails Become a Cage. The Mosaic Law was never meant to be a burden. It was a covenantal gift from Yahweh, designed to keep Israel from being consumed by the idolatry and sin of the nations around them. Its commands were meant to cultivate holiness, justice, and a faithful relationship between Yahweh and His people. However, in the generations following the Babylonian exile, something began to shift. Out of a fear of repeating the sins of the past, religious leaders began to surround the Law with extra rules, commonly known as “fences around the Torah.” These were man-made traditions designed to prevent even accidental violations of the Law. While the intent may have been preservation, the result was often distortion. The first segment is: The Growth of Extra Regulations. After the exile, leaders such as the Pharisees sought to ensure that Israel would never again provoke divine judgment. They added extensive interpretations and safeguards, believing they were honoring the Law by keeping people far from even the edge of disobedience. For example, the Sabbath commandment, which was meant to provide rest and space to reflect on God's provision, was expanded with dozens of additional rules specifying what constituted work. These additions turned a gift into a source of stress. The system became increasingly intricate. Laws were applied in every possible situation with minute precision, yet the heart of the Law, faithful devotion to Yahweh, was often lost in the process. The goal had shifted from walking with God to avoiding missteps. The fences were built so high and wide that they began to obscure the path they were meant to protect. The second segment is: The Burden of Legalism. Though rooted in a desire for holiness, these extra laws often led to legalism. External behavior was emphasized over internal transformation. What mattered was checking the boxes, not cultivating a heart of loyalty and love for God. Jesus exposed this problem throughout His ministry. In Matthew 23 verses 23-24, He rebuked the Pharisees for focusing on the smallest details of tithing while neglecting the weightier matters of the Law, justice, mercy, and faithfulness. He accused them of straining out gnats while swallowing camels. One striking example is the practice of Corban, described in Mark 7 verses 11-13. Religious leaders allowed people to dedicate their money or possessions to God as a loophole to avoid using those resources to care for their aging parents. It technically followed the rules, but in doing so, it directly violated the commandment to honor one's father and mother. What was permitted by tradition became a contradiction of Scripture. The third segment is: From Relationship to Ritual. The deeper tragedy of these added laws was how they shifted the focus from relationship to ritual. Ritual purity took the place of heart purity. Elaborate handwashing ceremonies and detailed rules about cleanliness became central, as seen in Mark 7: verses 1-8. But Jesus made clear that the real impurity was in the heart, not on the hands. The Law had become a system of external conformity that missed its own spiritual core. These traditions also created barriers for Gentiles. What was meant to be a light to the nations became a maze of regulations that few could navigate. Rather than making Yahweh known to the world, the Law became a source of exclusion. Holiness was measured by performance, not by devotion, and people who genuinely sought after God were often discouraged or kept at a distance. The fourth segment is: Jesus and the Fulfillment of the Law. Jesus did not reject the Law. He fulfilled it. He brought clarity to its purpose and corrected the man-made traditions that had clouded its meaning. When asked what the greatest commandments were, He answered simply: love God and love your neighbor. Everything else depended on those two truths. His healings on the Sabbath, His rebukes of legalism, and His teachings on mercy all pointed to this deeper purpose. The Law was meant to shape a people who reflected Yahweh's character. Jesus demonstrated that true obedience flows from a transformed heart, not rule-following. He showed that the Law, at its best, reveals the holiness of God and calls His people into faithful relationship with Him—not burdensome perfectionism, but believing loyalty. In Conclusion. The additional rules created by Jewish authorities were an attempt to safeguard holiness, but in practice, they often concealed the heart of the Law rather than preserving it. They turned what was meant to be a guide into a trap. When Jesus came, He tore down the fences to restore the original intent. The Law was not given to generate pride or exclusion. It was a path to walk with God, grounded in love, justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Faithful devotion to Yahweh has never been about meticulous compliance. It has always been about trust, worship, and a life oriented around His holiness. The lesson is clear. Whenever man-made rules overshadow the heart of God's Word, we risk building fences that trap instead of guide. To explore this study further, consider these Discussion Questions. What motivated Jewish leaders to create fences around the Torah, and why did these intentions sometimes go wrong? How did these added regulations affect people's ability to draw near to Yahweh? In what ways did Jesus challenge the legalism of His day, and what does that reveal about the true purpose of the Law? Can modern religious traditions sometimes fall into the same trap? How can we guard against it? How do love, justice, and mercy help us interpret and live out God's commands today? Join us next Theology Thursday to learn The Marcionism Heresy: When Jesus was Separated from Yahweh. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Liv Abundantly. Love Unconditionally. Listen Intentionally. Learn Continuously. Lend to others Generously. Lead with Integrity. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, reminding you to, “Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy your journey, and create a great day, every day! Join me next time for more daily wisdom!
Welcome to Day 2826 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Law of Attraction and the Prosperity Gospel: A Biblical Response. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2826 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2826 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. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com. Today's lesson is titled: The Law of Attraction and the Prosperity Gospel: A Biblical Response. In recent years, two teachings have gained wide popularity both inside and outside the church: the Law of Attraction and the Prosperity Gospel. Promoted in self-help books, social media, and even some pulpits, they promise health, wealth, and success to those who follow their formulas. To many, these messages sound like hope in an uncertain world. Yet beneath their appealing surface, both rest on foundations far removed from biblical truth. The Law of Attraction suggests that the universe responds to human thoughts and desires, delivering blessings when individuals focus positively. The Prosperity Gospel teaches that financial abundance and physical well-being are signs of God's favor. Though they sound spiritual, both movements originate outside of Scripture and subtly reshape Christian faith into a pursuit of personal gain. The first segment is: Roots and Historical Background The Law of Attraction grew out of the 19th-century New Thought movement in America. Figures like Phineas Quimby and William Walker Atkinson blended mesmerism, Eastern ideas, and metaphysical speculation. They taught that sickness, poverty, and failure result from negative thinking, while success comes from visualizing the life one desires. These ideas found modern expression in books like The Secret and continue to influence popular culture. The Prosperity Gospel shares similar roots. In the early 20th century, E. W. Kenyon merged Christian language with New Thought ideas, teaching that believers could “speak” health and wealth into existence through faith-filled words. This laid the groundwork for the Word of Faith movement, further developed by preachers like Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and others. With the rise of televangelism and global media, the Prosperity Gospel spread rapidly. Both movements also reflect ancient patterns found in pagan religion, where prosperity was seen as proof of divine approval. Fertility cults promised abundance to those who performed rituals or gave offerings. The Prosperity Gospel repeats this logic, replacing ritual with faith declarations and calling it Christianity. The Second Segment is: Wealth in Scripture The Bible does not condemn wealth, and Jesus never taught that having riches is inherently wrong. What Scripture warns against is trusting in wealth or making it an idol. The love of money—not money itself—is the root of many kinds of evil. Wealth can distract, deceive, and distance people from depending on God. Scripture presents wealth as a test of stewardship. Believers are warned not to place their hope in riches but in God, who provides everything. The rich are called to be generous, to care for the poor, and to use their resources to advance God's kingdom. The accumulation of wealth is never condemned, but hoarding it selfishly or viewing it as a sign of spiritual superiority is. Jesus cautioned that riches can choke out spiritual growth and make it harder to enter the kingdom. Yet He also welcomed the wealthy and honored faithful givers. The issue is not how much one has but where one's treasure lies. Storing up treasure in heaven is the mark of a faithful heart. The third segment is: The True Source of Blessing Biblical blessing is not measured by outward success but by one's relationship with God. Paul declared himself content whether in poverty or abundance because his strength came from Christ. He saw hardship, not comfort, as the training ground of faith. God's promises center on salvation, sanctification, and eternal reward, not financial gain. Trials, sacrifice, and generosity are normal parts of the Christian life. The goal is not to manipulate spiritual laws for personal benefit but to seek first the kingdom of God and trust Him to provide what is truly needed. In Conclusion: The Law of Attraction and the Prosperity Gospel appeal to human desires but distort the message of Scripture. Their roots in paganism, New Thought, and self-focused religion expose them as counterfeits. They reduce God to a cosmic vending machine and faith to a technique for self-enrichment. The Bible offers a better way. Trust in God's providence. Seek His kingdom. Use whatever resources you have to serve others. Whether rich or poor, the true reward is Christ Himself. To further your study, consider these Discussion Questions How does the Prosperity Gospel distort the biblical view of wealth and blessing? In what ways does the Law of Attraction contradict the doctrine of God's sovereignty? What dangers arise when Christian faith is reduced to a tool for personal success? Why is it important to understand the historical and philosophical roots of these teachings? How can believers cultivate a biblical view of contentment and generosity? Join us next Theology Thursday to learn J.R.R. Tolkien's Theological Imagination: Rebellion, Redemption, and the Divine Pattern. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Liv Abundantly. Love Unconditionally. Listen Intentionally. Learn Continuously. Lend to others Generously. Lead with Integrity. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, reminding you to, “Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy your journey, and create a great day, every day! Join me next time for more daily wisdom!
Welcome to Day 2821 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Our Rights Come from Yahweh, Not Government: Remembering Our Identity as His Imagers. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2821 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2821 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. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com. Today's lesson is titled: Our Rights Come from Yahweh, Not Government: Remembering Our Identity as His Imagers. Every generation must wrestle with a foundational question: Where do our rights come from? Are they granted by kings or constitutions? Earned by the powerful or secured by majority vote? According to the biblical worldview, the answer is none of these. Our rights come from Yahweh, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. To suggest they originate from human authority is not only false, it is blasphemous. It denies the Creator's role, rejects our identity as His imagers, and places man on a throne that belongs to God. The first segment is: Imagers of Yahweh: The Source of Human Dignity and Rights. Genesis one verses twenty-six and twenty-seven declares that humanity was created in the image of God. This status is not abstract theology; it is the foundation of human dignity, moral agency, and inalienable rights. As tselem Elohim, or image-bearers of God, we were designed to reflect His justice, creativity, and authority into creation. These rights are not privileges handed down by human rulers. They are built into our identity. A just government can recognize them, but it cannot invent, redefine, or revoke them without attempting to overrule the divine order. The second segment is: Psalm 82: A Warning to Overreaching Authorities. Psalm eighty-two gives a powerful warning to rulers, both spiritual and earthly, who abandon justice and seek divine status for themselves. Yahweh stands in the midst of the divine council and declares: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.” (Psalm eighty-two verses two and three) These elohim—spiritual beings set over the nations after Babel (cf. Deuteronomy 32:8)—were supposed to govern in service to Yahweh's justice. But they became corrupt, turning authority into domination and stewardship into self-exaltation. God's judgment is clear: “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” (Psalm eighty-two verses six and seven) Even divine beings are not above accountability. When rulers, spiritual or human, begin to claim what is Yahweh's, they are sentenced to judgment and death. This psalm is not just a critique of heavenly rebellion. It is a warning to every earthly power that seeks to elevate itself above the boundaries of its commission. The third segment is: God-Ordained Government: Good When Restrained. It is vital to understand that government itself is not evil. Scripture makes clear in Romans thirteen verses one through four that governing authorities have been instituted by God to uphold justice, reward good, and punish evil. When functioning within their God-ordained limits, governments are a blessing, a mechanism to restrain sin, protect the weak, and preserve order. “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad… for he is God's servant for your good.” (Romans thirteen verses three and four) But government is a servant, not a source. It is a minister, not a maker of rights. When it forgets this and begins to act as a god, declaring what is right and wrong apart from Yahweh, redefining humanity, or demanding worship in the form of absolute obedience, it follows the path of the rebellious elohim in Psalm eighty-two. The fourth segment is: The Blasphemy of Rights by Government Decree. To say that rights come from government is not a neutral civic claim; it is theological theft. It denies the Creator and elevates human authority beyond its limits. In doing so, it commits a form of blasphemy by attributing to man what belongs only to Yahweh. This is the great danger of modern political ideologies that redefine liberty, marriage, life, speech, and even identity based on the will of the state. These are not new visions of justice; they are echoes of Psalm 82's corruption. The fourth segment is: A Battle of Allegiances. This is not just a political issue, it's a matter of worship. Who defines right and wrong? Who gives life value? Who has the final authority? If we answer with “the state,” then we have bowed to a false god. Believers must remember that we are citizens of a higher Kingdom. Our allegiance is first to Yahweh. While we are to honor legitimate government, we are also called to oppose any authority that claims divine status by redefining what God has already declared. In Conclusion Psalm eighty-two ends with a cry that echoes across time: “Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all the nations!” (Psalm 82:8) Yahweh is the true and final Judge. All powers, spiritual and earthly, will answer to Him. As His imagers, we are to reflect His truth, proclaim His justice, and resist the lie that our rights come from anywhere else. Governments matter, but only when they know their place. Our rights are not permissions granted by rulers. They are divine gifts. To deny this is not just wrong. It is blasphemy. For further study consider theses Discussion Questions. How does Psalm 82 illustrate the dangers of authorities claiming divine status? Why is it important to distinguish between government as a servant versus a source of rights? What happens to human dignity when governments redefine what it means to be human? How can Christians honor legitimate government while resisting blasphemous claims of sovereignty? What are some modern examples of governments stepping beyond their God-given role? Join us next Theology Thursday to learn The Law of Attraction and the Prosperity Gospel: A Biblical Response. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Liv Abundantly. Love Unconditionally. Listen Intentionally. Learn Continuously. Lend to others Generously. Lead with Integrity. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, reminding you to, “Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy your journey, and create a great day, every day! Join me next time for more daily wisdom!Redefined
Three weeks before Easter, Jesus tells His disciples He's going to be crucified and raised to life. But instead of grasping the gravity of His words, James and John's mother asks Jesus to give her sons the best seats in His kingdom. Jesus uses this moment to flip the world's power structure upside down, teaching that true greatness isn't found in positioning ourselves above others, but in serving them. Drawing from Matthew 20:17-28, this message challenges us to ask one transformative question in every interaction: "How can I serve?" Discover how the early church turned the world upside down through radical service—and how we can do it again today. For more information about our church, visit npfcc.org To help support the ongoing work of NPFCC and our mission partners around the globe, you can make a donation at npfcc.org/give
In this message, Pastor Woody Morwood shares a powerful teaching from 2 Corinthians 9:6–8, exploring the biblical heart behind generosity, stewardship, and joyful giving.Through a moving personal story from 1991—when he lived with a Christian family in the former Soviet Union—Pastor Woody illustrates what sacrificial generosity truly looks like. Despite living with very little, this family demonstrated deep joy and faith by giving generously out of what they had. Their example becomes a living picture of the kind of generosity the Apostle Paul encourages in his letter to the church in Corinth.This message reminds us that biblical generosity is not primarily about money—it's about the posture of our hearts as followers of Jesus.Paul teaches that believers are called to live with three key attitudes:1. Generously Our generosity reflects God's own generosity toward us. Every good gift comes from Him, and when we trust His provision, we can live open-handedly rather than fearfully.2. Joyfully God loves a cheerful giver. Giving should not come from guilt, pressure, or obligation, but from gratitude for the grace we've received through Jesus.3. Willingly Everything we have ultimately belongs to God. We are not owners but stewards, entrusted with resources to participate in God's work in the world.Pastor Woody challenges believers to take a step forward in their generosity journey—from nothing, to something, to consistent giving, and ultimately toward sacrificial generosity that reflects trust in God's faithfulness.The message concludes with an opportunity for the congregation to respond together through prayer, connection, and participation in giving.Resources & Scriptures MentionedBible Passages2 Corinthians 9:6–82 Corinthians 9:72 Corinthians 9:102 Corinthians 8:2–52 Corinthians 8:8–92 Corinthians 8:11–12James 1:17John 3:16Mark 12:41–44 (Widow's Offering)Luke 21:1–4Psalm 24:1Psalm 112:9Genesis 1–22 Corinthians 6:1Biblical Locations ReferencedCorinthMacedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica)For the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel. Stay Connected With Hillside Community Church.Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/HillsideCommunityChurchInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/hillsidechurches/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchesWebsite | https://hillsidechurches.com
Welcome to another episode of Wesleyan Ways: Exploring Our Methodist Roots. In this episode, host Rev. Lisa McGehee and Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson sit down with Rev. Doug Powe PHD, the President of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Okla.
Welcome to Day 2811 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Order vs. Dominion: A Key to Understanding the Uniqueness of Yahweh. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2811 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2811 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. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com. Today's lesson is titled Order vs. Dominion: A Key to Understanding the Uniqueness of Yahweh. When comparing Yahweh to the gods of the nations, the real difference is not just in how many gods are worshipped. The deeper contrast is in how Yahweh governs versus how the gods of the nations dominate. A powerful theological distinction emerges when we frame the contrast as order versus dominion. This framework not only clarifies the biblical picture of God, it also exposes the counterfeit authority claimed by pagan gods and spiritual powers. The First Segment is: Yahweh Brings Order, Not Oppression. From the opening lines of Genesis, Yahweh is revealed as the one who brings order out of chaos. The earth is described as tohu va-bohu—formless and void. Yahweh speaks, separates, and structures the world into a functioning cosmos. Light is separated from darkness. Waters are given boundaries. Time is organized into days and seasons. Life is called forth to fill the skies, seas, and land. This act of ordering creation is not about domination. It is about harmony, purpose, and flourishing. Yahweh does not need humans for labor or food. He creates them in His image and entrusts them with stewardship, not servitude. The climax of creation is rest. In the ancient Near East, rest did not mean inactivity. It meant that a god had taken up residence in his temple and was now reigning over the cosmos. Rest meant that the ordered system was functioning as it should under divine rule. Genesis shows Yahweh doing exactly that. He rests because creation is now operating properly, and He begins His reign from within His cosmic temple. This is not a withdrawal from the world, but the moment He takes the throne. The second segment is: Order That Risks Freedom: Yahweh and Free Will. Unlike the gods of the nations, Yahweh does not enforce order through control. He grants His imagers, both human and divine, genuine freedom, even when that freedom may threaten the order He established. This is a critical distinction. Yahweh's order includes moral agency. He trusts His creation enough to let it choose. He allows rebellion, not because He is powerless, but because He is just and relational. Even after Adam and Eve misuse their freedom and bring disorder into the world, Yahweh does not abandon His creation. Instead, He begins a rescue mission that will restore order without removing freedom. The same is true with the rebellious sons of God who distort their assigned roles. He permits their choices but will hold them accountable. The gods of the nations, by contrast, fear freedom. They create humans to serve, to obey, and to bring tribute. Their order is built on forced compliance, and rebellion is punished without mercy or restoration. Yahweh's order is different. It is durable enough to include freedom and gracious enough to offer redemption. The third segment is: The Gods of the Nations: Dominion Through Chaos. In the surrounding ancient worldview, the gods are not creators of peace. They are power-hungry beings who assert dominion through fear, chaos, and manipulation. Baal, for example, conquers the sea god Yam and seizes the throne through violence. In the Enuma Elish, Marduk slays Tiamat and uses her corpse to build the world. Humanity is not made in the image of these gods but to relieve the gods of labor and provide them with offerings. These gods need sacrifices, fear rival deities, and struggle to maintain their position. Their rule is unstable and based on fear, not love. Their authority must be reasserted constantly through demonstrations of strength. Where Yahweh brings peace through structure, the gods of the nations maintain power through disorder. Their dominion is rooted in chaos, not righteousness. The fourth segment is: Biblical Polemic: Yahweh Versus the Corrupt Powers. The Bible deliberately challenges these false powers. Yahweh is not a god of the storm. He is the one who speaks over the storm. In Psalm 29, His voice breaks the cedars and strips the forest bare. His authority is not derived from nature. It commands nature. In Psalm 82, Yahweh stands in judgment over the corrupt spiritual rulers of the nations. These sons of God have failed to uphold justice, and He declares that they will die like men. They were given roles of governance but used them for oppression. Deuteronomy 32 states that the nations were divided according to the number of the sons of God, but Yahweh claimed Israel for Himself. While the other gods sought dominion, Yahweh chose a people for covenant relationship. Isaiah 45 affirms that Yahweh did not create the earth in vain but formed it to be inhabited. He is not a destroyer. He is a sustainer. His rule does not depend on tribute or violence but on truth and righteousness. The fifth segment is: Christ: The Revelation of True Kingship. The clearest expression of Yahweh's rule is found in Christ. His kingdom is not established by force but by sacrifice. He does not dominate. He restores. His miracles bring order where chaos reigned—healing the sick, calming storms, casting out demons. Where false gods take, Christ gives. Where they rule by fear, Christ leads in grace. Where they demand dominion, He offers restoration. He does not eliminate freedom. He redeems it. Christ is the perfect image of Yahweh's kingship, ruling in justice, humility, and power. In Conclusion. In every age, the temptation toward dominion remains strong. Political systems, spiritual ideologies, and even religious institutions often mimic the tactics of the gods of the nations—coercion, control, and fear. But Yahweh's way is different. He brings order without compulsion. He gives freedom even when it risks rebellion. He restores rather than destroys. His goal is not domination but partnership. He entrusts His imagers with real responsibility, and He holds corrupt powers accountable. His kingdom is built not on fear, but on faithfulness. Not on chaos, but on shalom. To follow Yahweh is to reject tyranny and embrace the order that comes from righteousness, mercy, and truth. For additional study, consider the following Discussion Questions. How does the creation account in Genesis contrast with violent creation myths from the ancient Near East? What does the biblical concept of rest reveal about Yahweh's relationship to creation? Why is Yahweh's decision to grant free will significant in understanding divine order? How does Christ's kingship reveal the difference between righteous rule and false dominion? In what ways do modern powers imitate the dominion of the gods of the nations? Join us next Theology Thursday to learn Monotheism Redefined: Returning to the Biblical View. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Liv Abundantly. Love Unconditionally. Listen Intentionally. Learn Continuously. Lend to others Generously. Lead with Integrity. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day. ...
Today's Promise: James 1:5 In a world overflowing with information, why do so many still struggle to make wise decisions? In this episode, we explore the powerful promise of James 1:5 and the vital difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge fills your mind with facts, but wisdom teaches you how to live, choose, and lead well. While human knowledge may be doubling at an astonishing rate, true wisdom still comes from only one source: God. You'll discover how God's wisdom empowers the knowledge and skills you already possess, helping you recognize opportunities, navigate pressure, and make sound decisions even in stressful seasons. When life feels uncertain, and choices carry weight, the greatest step you can take is simply to ask. God promises to give wisdom generously and without reproach. This episode will encourage you to seek His direction daily and boldly declare His wisdom over your life. Just as Solomon did, you can trust God to guide your every step.
Karisa Gregorio's autonomous stained glass panels explore themes of sex, death, God, the Devil, pleasure, temptation, intimacy, love, lust, and indulgence. The relationship between glass and light in stained glass allows her to create works that feel alive. Using traditional processes as well as techniques developed by modern stained glass master Judith Schaechter, the depth and intimacy of Gregorio's materials create a world in which the pleasures of the flesh and emotions of the heart are equally illuminated and illuminating. Having received her BFA in Craft + Material studies, with a major in glass and minor in figurative illustration from the University of the Arts in 2016, Gregorio was named a 2025 MacPherson-Wortley Emerging Artist and received the Glass Art Society (GAS) Emerging Artist Award. Generously funded by Nancy and Roger MacPherson and Barbara and Richard Wortley, the MacPherson-Wortley Emerging Artist Award is presented annually to three exemplary emerging artists in the glass community. This prestigious juried award includes a cash prize, a special lecture slot at the annual GAS Conference, a digital exhibition catalog, and a residency at the Chrysler Museum of Art Perry Glass Studio. "We are honored by the MacPhersons and Wortleys' visionary commitment to emerging artists. Their support allows us to expand what our Emerging Artist Awardees receive; a larger cash prize and a residency can be remarkable opportunities for emerging artists as they seek to expand their practice," said Brandi P. Clark, GAS executive director. In 2024, Gregorio's work was featured in a solo exhibition Worldly Pleasures at Rick Prigg's Gallery 26 in Philadelphia. Serving as adjunct professor in glass at The Crefeld School as well as coldworker at John Pomp Studios, TA for Glenn Carter Assemblage at Pilchuck Glass School, studio assistant for Judith Schaechter, and TA for Wes Valdez and David King, Gregorio has been the owner of Thirst Glass since 2020. Gregorio aims to one day create a cathedral in which enlightenment comes from the experiences in life that, in her opinion, make life worth living. She seeks to create an environment in which relationships between the viewer and work, and the relationships between people, are not limited, but allowed to be felt and fully indulged in.
Pathfinder Church | February 1, 2026 | Dion GarrettThe message of the world is always “more,” and too often, we Christians adopt that approach as well. But how can willingly living with “less” be a key to true success?Website | https://pathfinderstl.orgOnline Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/givePodcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcastsFacebook | https://facebook.com/pathfinderstlInstagram | https://instagram.com/pathfinderstlSt. John School | https://stjls.orgContact Us | churchinfo@pathfinderstl.org
We give Generously because we are free
Mission Church of the Nazarene
Mission Church of the Nazarene
The kind of church that honors God is the kind of church that gives generously.
Beyond celebrating, holidays are often also about giving and receiving. It's a timely episode that explores both, and so much more. Jen Laun is a well-being facilitator who guides family wealth professionals and rising generation members through transformative experiential learning focused on the sacred flow of giving and receiving, spiritual capital, and helping successful wealth creators—who excel at giving—learn the equally vital practice of receiving well.3:00 - Jen shares her upbringing as an only child with loving parents who encouraged her creativity and freedom to be herself. Her Italian family background brought warmth and strong support for her natural drive and interests.5:00 - CORE CHALLENGE INTRODUCED: Jen explains why wealth creators struggle with receiving. The first step is awareness—recognizing "I don't like to receive" or "it's not easy for me to receive." She emphasizes that receiving difficulties show up in complex ways, especially when money is involved.6:30 - BREAKTHROUGH INSIGHT: "When we have trouble receiving well, it also ends up blocking what someone is trying to do by giving." Jen shares transformative story from her workshops: a generous family wealth professional whose sick daughter forced him to receive from community. The healing on his face when he realized "I'm now in a place where I'm receiving more than I'm giving out. And I need that" stayed with her for years.8:30 - THE REFRAME: Jen teaches that receiving is an act of generosity—it gives others the opportunity to give. When you're not open to receiving, you're blocking another person who may experience joy by giving. She shares how her mom used this wisdom with a cousin who struggled to let friends pay for dinner.25:00 - Jen introduces spiritual capital: the intangible resources like wisdom, presence, and authentic connection that create lasting value beyond financial wealth for families.35:00 - Jen's evolution from corporate sales to well-being facilitation, guided by curiosity and inner knowing. Her friend Sam, age six, crystallized her purpose: "Jen, you help people."45:00 - Discussion of what truly creates legacy—not what we accumulate but the wisdom, presence, and authenticity we share.57:00 - JEN'S SIGNATURE QUESTION: "Where do we grow from here?" First requires knowing where you are right now, then exploring what would support your flourishing. Jen's sprout metaphor reminds us that growth begins beneath the soil, unseen, and even tiny growth matters.59:20 - ON SUCCESS: Jen defines success as being yourself and sharing that with others. Her friend Ruth (who died at 107) always said: "Tell people about your mistakes. Be real." Success means honoring yourself entirely—the good, bad, and ugly—and being authentic.Podcast Program – Disclosure StatementBlue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm's employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.
By Leif Kareliusson - Today, let's explore three key concepts from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, and consider the profound impact it has when we are blessed and choose to bless in return.
Today we're kicking out a new mini-series called "Generously Blessed" where we'll be exploring how living like Jesus impacts our view on finances and generosity.►►► We've got a lot going on! Jump in to an upcoming event: https://metrochristianchurch.com/announcements/►►► Want to find connection and community? We've got a perfect Growth Group waiting for you: https://metrochristianchurch.com/growthgroups/►►► Need Prayer? https://metrochristian.fellowshiponego.com/external/form/1120285a-e638-428e-a700-a98572e28702►►► Want to Tell of His Goodness? https://metrochristian.fellowshiponego.com/external/form/a9ed990d-86c8-4b35-bbee-0e90a50f5427►►► Give to Our Future: https://metrochristianchurch.com/give/Support the show
There is such joy in Thanks and Giving. This is where we have the opportunity and privilege to grow in our relationship with Jesus as we thank God for what He has done in our lives and as we invest in His Kingdom. For followers of Jesus, Thanksgiving is not just one day, but every day of our lives. Our call is to invest in what is eternal. May we be found faithful in building God's church and raising up the next generation in Christ. Let's be generous and make a significant impact for the glory of our great God. We have been blessed not simply for ourselves, but to be a blessing. Let's invest together as we build God's Kingdom today. This is our time.
There is such joy in Thanks and Giving. This is where we have the opportunity and privilege to grow in our relationship with Jesus as we thank God for what He has done in our lives and as we invest in His Kingdom. For followers of Jesus, Thanksgiving is not just one day, but every day of our lives. Our call is to invest in what is eternal. May we be found faithful in building God's church and raising up the next generation in Christ. Let's be generous and make a significant impact for the glory of our great God. We have been blessed not simply for ourselves, but to be a blessing. Let's invest together as we build God's Kingdom today. This is our time.
There is such joy in Thanks and Giving. This is where we have the opportunity and privilege to grow in our relationship with Jesus as we thank God for what He has done in our lives and as we invest in His Kingdom. For followers of Jesus, Thanksgiving is not just one day, but every day of our lives. Our call is to invest in what is eternal. May we be found faithful in building God's church and raising up the next generation in Christ. Let's be generous and make a significant impact for the glory of our great God. We have been blessed not simply for ourselves, but to be a blessing. Let's invest together as we build God's Kingdom today. This is our time.
When we talk about generosity, it's never just about money. It's about trust. In this message, Pastor Josh teaches how returning the tithe and giving offerings are not transactions but transformations. We don't give to get; we give because everything already belongs to God. Psalm 24 says, “The earth is the Lord's and everything in it.” When we see ourselves not as owners but as stewards, it changes how we live, how we lead, and how we love. This final message in the Lead Me series calls us to walk generously, trusting God with what we have and believing His way is always better than ours. Whether you're stepping into tithing for the first time or being stretched to give above and beyond, this is a moment to let faith lead you forward. God's will is good, His path is firm footing, and His promise is sure: when we return to Him what is His, there will always be bread in His house and stories of changed lives to tell. Did you accept Christ today? Fill out our digital connection card: https://churchontherock.net/connect-card
We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Luke 16:13 ESVMoney cannot be allowed to compete with God for your heart.The mastery of money starts with having the right attitude about money.Money will make you more of what you already are. - - Dave RamseyGodliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 CSBComparison is an ungodly attitude regarding money, positions and possessions.)Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15 ESVKeep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 ESVIt's not money, but the love of money that's an issue.For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10 CSB He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESVInstruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 CSBDon't trust in riches, but rather in our God who richly blesses. Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest. Proverbs 3:9 CSBIf you don't tell your money where to go, you'll wonder where it went.If you're only offering God crumbs from your once full pie plate He gave you, that's a problem.Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. Malachi 3:10 MSGRemember this, a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NLTIf you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? Luke 16:11 NLTGodly financial stewardship isn't about how much you have, but what you do with what you have. Generously steward according to God's Kingdom Priorities Don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16 NLTGenerosity is stewardship based on obedience and faith, not you financial portfolio. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 NLTCompassionately - Unless your heart is engaged in your giving you won't give for long. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion, how can God's love be in that person? 1 John 3:17 NLT True compassion always leads to generosity. - - Give out of compassion not compulsion! For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NLTTrue generosity comes from the heart of God and lives in the hearts of those who love and follow Him.-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church
We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Luke 16:13 ESVMoney cannot be allowed to compete with God for your heart.The mastery of money starts with having the right attitude about money.Money will make you more of what you already are. - - Dave RamseyGodliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 CSBComparison is an ungodly attitude regarding money, positions and possessions.)Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15 ESVKeep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 ESVIt's not money, but the love of money that's an issue.For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10 CSB He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESVInstruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 CSBDon't trust in riches, but rather in our God who richly blesses. Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest. Proverbs 3:9 CSBIf you don't tell your money where to go, you'll wonder where it went.If you're only offering God crumbs from your once full pie plate He gave you, that's a problem.Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. Malachi 3:10 MSGRemember this, a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NLTIf you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? Luke 16:11 NLTGodly financial stewardship isn't about how much you have, but what you do with what you have. Generously steward according to God's Kingdom Priorities Don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16 NLTGenerosity is stewardship based on obedience and faith, not you financial portfolio. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 NLTCompassionately - Unless your heart is engaged in your giving you won't give for long. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion, how can God's love be in that person? 1 John 3:17 NLT True compassion always leads to generosity. - - Give out of compassion not compulsion! For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NLTTrue generosity comes from the heart of God and lives in the hearts of those who love and follow Him.-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church
This powerful message from Pastor Tom Messer takes us deep into Philippians 4, where we discover that radical generosity isn't just about money—it's a spiritual mirror reflecting the authenticity of our faith. The Apostle Paul teaches us that true generosity flows from contentment, not circumstances, and that we can thrive in any season of life through Christ's strength. What's particularly striking is the concept of our heavenly investment account: every generous act adds treasure that neither moth nor rust can corrupt. We learn that giving isn't a transactional relationship with the church, but an act of worship to God—a sweet-smelling sacrifice that magnifies His glory. The message challenges us to move along a journey from nothing to something, something to significant, and significant to sacrificial giving. Most profoundly, we're reminded that Jesus impoverished Himself so that we, the spiritually poorest people, might become eternally rich. When we grasp that God didn't spare His own Son but freely gave Him up for us, how can we hold back from being radically generous? This isn't about what the church wants from us—it's about what God wants for us: the freedom, joy, and contentment that comes from living with open hands.
This powerful message from Pastor Tom Messer takes us deep into Philippians 4, where we discover that radical generosity isn't just about money—it's a spiritual mirror reflecting the authenticity of our faith. The Apostle Paul teaches us that true generosity flows from contentment, not circumstances, and that we can thrive in any season of life through Christ's strength. What's particularly striking is the concept of our heavenly investment account: every generous act adds treasure that neither moth nor rust can corrupt. We learn that giving isn't a transactional relationship with the church, but an act of worship to God—a sweet-smelling sacrifice that magnifies His glory. The message challenges us to move along a journey from nothing to something, something to significant, and significant to sacrificial giving. Most profoundly, we're reminded that Jesus impoverished Himself so that we, the spiritually poorest people, might become eternally rich. When we grasp that God didn't spare His own Son but freely gave Him up for us, how can we hold back from being radically generous? This isn't about what the church wants from us—it's about what God wants for us: the freedom, joy, and contentment that comes from living with open hands.
On the latest episode of “Dishing with Stephanie's Dish”, I sit down with accomplished book cover designer, art director, and now, celebrated cookbook author, @LauraKlyn The episode is a deliciously detailed look into Laura's new book, “100 Pie, Tart and Galette Recipes for Every Season” and a behind-the-scenes peek into her world of culinary creativity and design.From the moment I flipped through the pages, it was clear Laura's design expertise shines brightly. Laura's background as a cover designer and art director, paired with hands-on experience working on dozens of cookbooks, comes to life in her visually stunning collection. Each photo in the book tells a story——and is surrounded by thoughtful prop styling, from vintage pie servers to antique dishes discovered at local shops.A special treat is Laura's focus on savory pies—think samosa pie or the show-stopping asparagus tart—beautiful options for every season and palate. The attention to technique continues with creative garnishes, like sugared cranberries and candied herbs, adding sparkle to your holiday spreads and beyond.Laura's cookbook recommendations are rock solid—even non-pie bakers will find plenty to love between these pages.Ready to up your pie game? Listen to the full episode for stories, tips, and plenty of seasonal baking inspiration! Enjoy these two recipes from Laura, one savory and one sweet, to get a taste of her book!Lemon Meringue TartMakes 1 10-inch round tartI love this twist on lemon meringue pie in tart form. For me, the proportion of crust to lemon is perfect, and it's even better with Swiss meringue instead of French meringue, which is a traditional pairing with lemon. Swiss meringue is cooked on the stove and doesn't need to go in the oven. It is softer and creamier, adding a beautiful airy sweetness to counter the tart lemon curd. This bright tart comes out looking lovely and tastes even better.Press-In Shortbread Tart DoughMakes 1 10-inch tart crustI've tested a lot of tart crusts over the years, and many of them are so hard, it's difficult to break off a bite with a fork. This buttery and delicious shortbread crust is delicate enough to easily break apart but strong enough to hold the tart together. Using cake flour is key to getting a nice, cookie-like crumb. This dough is not tough enough to roll out. Press the dough directly into the pan for an easy to pull together, delicious tart base.Ingredients¾ cup (169 g) unsalted butter, softened½ teaspoon fine sea salt2 teaspoons vanilla extract⅔ cup (73 g) confectioners' sugar2 cups (230 g) cake flourInstructionsIn the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix butter, salt, vanilla extract, and confectioners' sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add flour and mix just until combined. Press dough directly into a 10-inch tart pan, starting with the sides and finishing with the bottom. Bake the crust according to the tart recipe's instructions.Lemon CurdIngredients8 egg yolkszest of 2 lemons⅔ cup fresh lemon juice1 cup (200g) sugar10 tablespoons (141 g) salted butterSwiss Meringue5 egg whites1¼ cups (250 g) sugar½ teaspoon cream of tartar1 teaspoon vanilla bean pasteInstructionsTo make the crust: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Press tart dough into a 10-inch tart pan. Generously dock with a fork and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. While still hot, use a tamper or back of a spoon to lightly press down the center of the crust, leaving a ¾-inch edge.To make the lemon curd: Whisk together egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice, and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture becomes thick and coats the back of the spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature; it should reach 170ºF. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low. Add butter 1 teaspoon at a time, mixing until fully combined before adding the next teaspoon of butter. Strain through a sieve into a medium bowl. Pour while still warm into the tart shell. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.To make the Swiss meringue: Whisk together egg whites and sugar in the top pan of a double boiler until completely incorporated (see note below). Cook, whisking continuously, for about 5 to 6 minutes or until mixture reaches 170ºF. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add cream of tartar. Beat on high for about 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract and continue to beat on high until stiff peaks form. Scoop or pipe onto lemon curd. Toast meringue with a kitchen torch or under the oven broiler. Keep a close watch on meringue while toasting to avoid burning. Remove sides of tart pan and serve.Episode Transcript Follows:Stephanie Hansen:Welcome to Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, the podcast where we talk to people in the food space and a lot of cookbook authors. And this book came across my desk by Laura Klynstra And right away I was like, pie! Laura, your book, “100 Pie, Tart and Galette Recipes for Every Season” is extremely beautiful. And, and I, it kind of, when I read through the whole book and I read through your bio, I was like, oh, well, she's like in the design field because honestly, this is probably one of the most beautiful books on pie I've ever seen.Laura Klynstra:Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.Stephanie Hansen:It's so incredible, like just the way that the pies are decorated, the color choices that you used for the intros, everything is laid out so it feels easy, accessible. And even like the whole rolling out the pie dough section, there's tons of pictures, the decorating of the lattice work, It's a really well done book. Congratulations.Laura Klynstra:Oh, thank you so much.Stephanie Hansen:What's your background and how did you come to be the pie aficionado?Laura Klynstra:My background is actually cover design. I'm a book cover designer and art director. But I also, during all the time that I've been an art director, I've also worked on a lot of cookbooks. So I gotten to go on a lot of photo shoots, work with food stylists and photographers. And during that whole time I learned, I just kind of sat back and watched and learned all the bits and it took time. I'm a self taught photographer. It took me a long time to really figure out how to capture light correctly. And light is really the key to getting a good photo.Laura Klynstra:So yeah, it was a lot of trial and error, but eventually I figured out a system to get my camera mounted correctly. I shoot manually and get that light, but I also, I consider every photo similar to what the way I look at a cover design. It's not just here's your pie or whatever it is you're shooting. There's a lot of things going on around it. And so it's telling a story. The photograph is telling a story. It's giving you a sense of the time. Especially like the fall ones are a lot of fun to shoot.Laura Klynstra:So many great things to props that you can put in with the photos for the fall shots. And it's just, it's a lot of fun.Stephanie Hansen:Did you amass a large library of props and did you have things already or were you always on the lookout?Laura Klynstra:This is my third book, so I had a lot of props already. I have like all these Storage shelves downstairs have the weirdest things. You know, I go to antique stores and I'm always looking for old boxes and just everything. Pretty much everything that could possibly have anything to do with baking. If I go to an antique store, I'm always like, I need that. Especially pie servers. Old, old silverware.Stephanie Hansen:Yes.Laura Klynstra:I hate, I hate photographing with a shiny silver, you know, piece of silver or a new one that it never, you know, for one thing, you can end up reflecting your camera in that. So these old patina silverware and things like that are just fabulous to have. Like, you just gotta have a ton of those in your.Stephanie Hansen:In your Agreed, agree. Thus my sort of background of stuff from my cookbook styling myself in. Can we talk about pie crust? Do you have, like, what you would say is your definitive pie crust that you mostly use.Laura Klynstra:For sweet pies? There's a recipe in there called a maple pie crust, and that's actually my favorite crust to use. It's very similar to a regular crust, except for a lot of the liquid is made with a pure maple syrup. And when you roll that crust out, that syrup gives it like a pliability that just. It doesn't crack the way sometimes you can get with the regular all butter pie crust. And it's just so easy. And so it's just supple. It's, it's. It's my favorite one.Laura Klynstra:But again, I'd only use it for sweets. Even though you don't really taste the maple, it's like, you know how when you add maple to something, it doesn't have a strong flavor, as strong as what you would expect it to be, but it' if you're beginning. That would be my press recommendation for somebody who's just beginning because it does make a really easy to roll out.Stephanie Hansen:I love this because I use vodka in my pie crust to kind of do the same thing. It gives you that moisture when you're putting the assembly together and the roll, but then it bakes out in the final product, so you get kind of a crispier situation. Maple. I've never thought of that. I wonder, have you ever tried honey? Would it do the same thing?Laura Klynstra:I haven't tried it. I would expect it would. And it would just add a little bit of sweetness. The other thing is buttermilk. You can add a little buttermilk that I don't know if you've ever made pie dough, and then put it in your refrigerator and left it in there for two days and it started to turn kind of like a gray Color, Yes. When you add some acid from the buttermilk keeps it from doing that. I'm not sure. I can't.I don't know what the science is behind that, but a little. A little. I think the vodka might, too. I'm not sure. I.Stephanie Hansen:That's a great.Laura Klynstra:Yeah.Stephanie Hansen:I know what you're talking about, and I'm trying to think if I've noticed it with or without vodka. And I can't say. Truthfully, I have, but, like, a lot of times for Christmas or Thanksgiving or any of the. The special holidays, you're making your crust in advance because you've got so much to do, so. So that's a really great tip. I love it.Laura Klynstra:Yep. Yep. And you can also freeze pie dough. So you can make. If you're having Thanksgiving and you're. You're. You can do it a week ahead, just wrap each one individually and then put it inside a freezer as a black bag and then throw it in the freezer. And that way you're just.You've got something that's totally done, even a week in advance.Stephanie Hansen:One thing that I really liked about this book, too, was you took pie into not just sweet places, but also savory. So there's a lot of galette and, like, savory forward dishes, like a potato bacon, gruyere galette. You've got quiche. Do you eat a lot of savory pies? Because that's actually kind of one of my favorite ways to do it. This samosa pie looks amazing.Laura Klynstra:The samosa pie is so popular at my house. So popular. We love that one. So, yeah, we do eat that one quite a bit. The quiches, we do a lot. Some of the other ones, not as often, but, like, the. The asparagus one is kind of just more of something that I would bring to a party.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Spring or Easter.Yeah. You know, like, that first time when you. Asparagus is one of the first things that comes out. And in this. In the spring. And so you're just, like, dying to get something fresh. We talked. before I started the podcast that. She's in Michigan, I'm in Minnesota. And literally, like, when you see anything green at the store. And we always jump the gun. Right. Because.Get produce from the coast before we get our own, but there's nothing better than, like, your own homemade asparagus.Laura Klynstra:Yes. And the rhubarb is the other thing that comes up the soonest. And again, I love rhubarb. It's.Stephanie Hansen:So do I think that's My next book, actually.Laura Klynstra:The whole rhubarb book.Stephanie Hansen:Yes, because I just. I'm obsessed with it, and I have, like, 60 recipes, so I'm like, you know, I'm. I'm about way there.Laura Klynstra:What kinds of recipes are they? Like cakes and.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Yes. Like bars and cakes and pies and custards, but also chutneys and pork dishes and breads, cookies.Laura Klynstra:That's a fabulous idea. I'm on board with that one.Stephanie Hansen:I think I might have to, like, submit that as my next proposal. We'll see. Another thing that happened this year about pies, I guess it was maybe last year, but it created quite a kerfuffle, and you address it in this book, is the loss of the chocolate wafer cookie. The company that makes the chocolate wafer cookie, I believe it was Nabisco, stopped making that chocolate wafer cookie. And it was the base for a lot of people's, like, mud pies or chocolate pie crust or the press in crusts or the cookie crusts. And people were really freaked out, and people were, you know, we need a recipe to make this cookie. So in here, you have your own chocolate cookie recipe.Laura Klynstra:Yeah. Yep. It's got the black cocoa in it. Like, it's actually like an Oreo, but without the. And if you do end up using Oreos, do take out that middle part. I always scrape out the. If you don't, you're gonna end up with kind of like a too much butter and it's not gonna work. But, yeah, you can make your own so that you're not adding all these preservatives and yucky things into your pies, but sometimes people don't have time.I mean, I totally understand that you can't always.Stephanie Hansen:And I guess maybe depending on your audience too, like, if you're making something for a kid's birthday party, maybe that will be fine. Not that we feed our kids less delicious things than we feed ourselves, but come on, we kind of do times. I do love to. There's a lot of detail in this book about garnishes and sauces. And the white chocolate cranberry tart is just a beautiful photograph, but it also has these sugared cranberries. Tell me about those. And. And obviously, putting them on a tart is delightful, but what else could we do with those? Because those were just gorgeous.Laura Klynstra:I've used them on cakes. And just even, like, even if you're doing a spread, like a holiday spread, they look beautiful in a little bowl. And that same method, the method to make Those is you create a simple syrup and then you dunk the cranberries in the simple syrup and then you let it dry and they become really sticky. And then you roll them in sugar so they look really beautiful. But you can do that same process with mint leaves, rose petals, rosemary. And it's just a beautiful garnish, especially in the winter, because it has that sparkle to it. It just makes it look more special than if you were just going to, you know, lay a sprig of rosemary next to something.Stephanie Hansen:When you started making pies, do you remember how old you were? And what is it about pies that captured your imagination?Laura Klynstra:Well, I really like the handmade nature of it. The fact that, I mean, before I made pies, I was a cookie baker. Cookies were my. Because that's the easiest thing when you're a little. When you're a kid. And I baked since I was basically able to. My mom was a wedding cake baker, so we had all the supplies and all.Stephanie Hansen:Wow.Laura Klynstra:All the inspiration was there, but I didn't start making. And my mom, she always, she loved pie too, but she always used the pie crust from the box, which I kind of hate, but same, same. She just didn't like rolling out dough. So she just, she just used the, the rolled. The rolled up version. But you can buy better versions than the red box. There are.Stephanie Hansen:Joe's is surprisingly good.Laura Klynstra:I think that, yeah, Whole Foods has one too. That's butter instead of like the other weird oils that are in the. The other one. But I think maybe all of my love of like rolling out cookies and then you kind of turn that into rolling out dough. I learned it was a learning curve. I don't think that we just all naturally can know how to make a pie crust and how to roll it out. And you have to practice a little bit. But the lovely part of, of a pie versus a cake or a cookie is that there's just more of your hands involved.Laura Klynstra:And because I make so many things electronically and digitally, because I'm a book cover designer. So to have to be able to make something physically with your hands is both relaxing and satisfying. And I think it makes like a more special finished product. It makes a great gift or something to share with people, to bring to the office or a party or a potluck, and it just feels like it. A pie has a slightly more personal touch to it than maybe a cookie does or a bar. Even though I love cooking bars, don't get me wrong.Stephanie Hansen:Yes. Tell me about your other books.Laura Klynstra:So this is The Homemade Pie Cookbook is the first book I've written by myself. My book just before this one was called “Gather & Graze” and I wrote with my former colleague who is also an art director. She, she does the, she works at HarperCollins. Sure. Mumtaz Mustafa @spiceandsugartable and I have it right here. This is “Gather & Graze” Stephanie Hansen:That's beautiful.Laura Klynstra:So this is more of like a party table spread book. So Mumtaz is brilliant with savory food and I'm more, more of a baker. She's from Pakistan, so she's got this really broad sense of spice and she's just brilliant with the savory. So we split this book up by anything that was baked in the oven I've made and then pretty much anything that was cooked on stove she made. And it's divided by country. So it's a really fun international style party book.Stephanie Hansen:I love that. I'm glad you brought it to my attention. I'll for sure put that in the notes.Laura Klynstra:Yeah, it's a, it's a, it's quite fat. It's, it's a, it's, it's, there's over like 170 recipes in it. It's not a, not a lightweight book. And then the book before that I wrote with my mother. Oh, look at that cute “Christmas Baking”. And this one is it, it does well every, every holiday season. And it's kind of, it's been out for I think five years. And so it's kind of a perennial, hopefully at this point.Laura Klynstra:And it's just, you know, all my favorite. But Christmas baked goods. There's a, there's a breakfast chapter in there for Christmas morning.Stephanie Hansen:Holiday high points. What's next?Laura Klynstra:I got my way. And who knows if I will. I would like to do a fall baking book.Stephanie Hansen:What would that look like? I'm thinking apple. You have quite a, like pumpkin chapter in here.Laura Klynstra:Yeah. Yep. They would have all of those, those, those cozy. It would just be all the cozy, cozy recipes. And I just love the styling of fall too. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. So. Yeah, that would be, that would be super fun.Laura Klynstra:But I also have another idea for, called like, I want to call it Paradise Baking or Baking paradise, which would be all tropical recipes.Stephanie Hansen:That's a great idea. And that's not something we've seen before.Laura Klynstra:I don't, I haven't seen it. No. I have a second home in Guatemala so I could do a lot of the photography there, which would be fun. Yeah. The first few recipes in the Homemade Pie Cookbook were Shot in Guatemala. The line Mango and the hummingbird pie. So I got all of those props while I was down there.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. In the. And beautiful colors. You also dedicate, like a whole spread to apples for pie. And we just talked about this on our TV show that I'm on. And Honeycrisp is obviously an apple I use a lot because it's Minnesota. Granny Smith is an apple that I think works really well for pies. Do you mix your types of apples? Apples when you're making apple pie?Laura Klynstra:Sometimes I do. The Pink lady is actually one of my favorite ones now that I've been, you know, baking so many apple pies. It's got, like, a tartness to it. But yeah, there you can mix them for sure. Just don't ever use them. Macintosh.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Or like the Red Delicious, which is now. Oh, yeah, that's the worst selling apple.Laura Klynstra:They aren't very delicious.Stephanie Hansen:They're not. And it's kind of funny that, like, that was like our lunchbox apple for basically our whole lives. Like, why did we have to eat such terrible apples? I'm so glad they've gotten better.Laura Klynstra:Yes. There's some. I mean, pretty much every variety is better.Stephanie Hansen:Yes, Pretty much. When you make a galette or a tart, let's just say savory, do you adjust that dough at all or do you use your same basic pie dough?Laura Klynstra:I use the same. Well, the. The tart is a totally different dough, but the galette is the same pie dough as the regular pies.Stephanie Hansen:And just.Laura Klynstra:You could use them. Yeah, you could use the maple pie. You could make the maple crust for a galette as well. If you. If it's a sweet, I wouldn't put it on a savory.Stephanie Hansen:When would you ever make, like. I love the idea of slab pies because I think they're kind of cool looking, but they seem like they're just not great. Like, I don't know who's gonna get the middle piece. And then it's just always, like, so messy and kind of falls apart. I love the idea of like, everyone getting a little bit of crust on the edge and then having their perfect little triangle. Do you serve slab pies a lot? And am I missing the boat here?Laura Klynstra:Oh, not a lot, but I would bring them to more of like a potluck or something. The same thing that I would bring bars to. Although you. You really can't pick it up and eat it.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah.Laura Klynstra:Because it's going to be kind of a more gooey center than A. Than a. And then a bar. But it's just. It's. You get a little bit more. It's going to go farther than a. Than a pie.Laura Klynstra:So if you just want to bring one thing and it needs to cover more people, I would bring a slab pie for that. Like a. Like a potluck summer potluck.Stephanie Hansen:People always ask me what my favorite recipe is in my book, and I always have the dumbest answers. So if I ask you what's your favorite recipe in your book, do you, like, have a answer that you're set on?Laura Klynstra:Well, the lemon meringue tart on the COVID is one of my favorite recipes in the book, and I've never been a big lemon meringue pie person, and I don't know why. It's. This is a. Has a Swiss meringue, and it's a little bit different than the lemon meringue pies that, you know, we all grew up eating. And I also feel like lemon meringue pie has too much lemon to, like, the crust is too little to the lemon. Like, the ratio.Stephanie Hansen:The big, like, meringue.Laura Klynstra:Yeah. Yeah. So this, I feel like, is the perfect ratio of meringue to lemon to crust. It's got a thick shortbread crust on it. So it's. It's actually kind of reminiscent of those lemon bars. And you're from the Midwest, so you probably had those lemon bars that everybody likes to crust. Yep.Laura Klynstra:It's. It's kind of like an elevated version of one of those lemon bars.Stephanie Hansen:Okay. I'm going to have to try it, because I always make something with lemon for Easter. It's sort of just something I do for the big Easter brunch. So maybe I'll use this as my recipe this year.Laura Klynstra:Yeah.Stephanie Hansen:How long does it take you to work on a book?Laura Klynstra:Well, I mean, it's hard to give a full, like, because there's a lot of time thinking about it and planning. Like, my first step to doing a book is to. Is writing the table of contents.Laura Klynstra:Is that what you do, too?Stephanie Hansen:Yes.Laura Klynstra:Yeah, I do it.Stephanie Hansen:So spreadsheet of all the recipes I think I want, then I sort of, like, try to organize them in some way, and then I start, like, thinking about the narrative and where I'm going to.Laura Klynstra:Right.Stephanie Hansen:I'm going to start.Laura Klynstra:Right. And so there's, like, this long, like, thinking period that you're not. It's just. I don't know. So it's. It's hard to put a time on how long it takes, but Once the. Once everything is set and I've gotten a few shots done and a few recipes tested, I can. I can do a book in a year and a half or a year if I'm really focused on it.Laura Klynstra:But I'm also doing all the photography and the design. So it's. It's a pretty intense process.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Because I just submit my photographs and my word docs and, you know, the designer makes it look pretty, and, gosh, you have to do the whole thing. That is harder.Laura Klynstra:And I don't have to, but, you know, you've done this much, and I am a designer. It's kind of hard to hand the design off somebody else when you're. That's like what I do. So.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah, of course, when you think about other books that. Cookbooks that you love, whether from a design feature or from just like that, you go back to them and use them a lot. Give me, like, a couple of your favorites.Laura Klynstra:The Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook. I don't know if you have that. It's got an orange spine. It's kind of like a go to, like, oh, I want to make banana bread. It's just so reliable. So that one is always in my kitchen. I also really like the Bake From Scratch series. Have you seen those? Big.Laura Klynstra:They're really huge. I think they're. They're not written all by the same person. I think there's an editor that collects recipes. It's based on the magazine, I believe. But the thing I love about those is there's so many recipes in those books. They're just loaded with recipes, and then you can just kind of page through and get all kinds of inspiration and ideas. So I love those.Laura Klynstra:I'm a big fan of Erin Jean McDowell, who is also a pie person. I like watching her on, like, her videos and stuff.Stephanie Hansen:Do you watch a lot of people, like, on YouTube?Laura Klynstra:Not a lot, no. I mean, mostly on Instagram. I'm. I'm watching, you know, the quicker reels that come through. And, yeah, one of the. One of the things that made me so inspired to want to do the fall thing is, is when you. When the fall baking stuff starts coming out on Instagram and all these beautiful baked goods and this. This wonderful mood of cozy comes through, it's like, people are.Laura Klynstra:Creators are just amazing at how they. They put this mood out there, and I just. I love it.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah, it's pretty. Pretty delightful. I was just gonna think of another question I had for you, but it totally just fell out of my brain right As I thought about it, do you, have you ever had the chance to meet like any other bakers in any of your cookbook travels?Laura Klynstra:Specifically bakers. It seems like most of the books I've worked on have been more chef related. Like cooks like Melissa Clark. I worked on some of her cookbooks. I did the photography for Bri McCoy. She. I don't know if you've seen her book. It's called the Cook's Book.Laura Klynstra:Yep, I did her photography for that book, so I've that kind of stuff, but I haven't done any specifically for bakers.Stephanie Hansen:So if in your, in your work life, do you like, like when someone gives you a recipe and you're like the person that photographs it and does the final like, is that an appealing piece of work for you?Laura Klynstra:Oh yeah. I love to do that too. Yeah. Yeah. Actually got a couple of them in the works right now that are coming down the pipeline.Stephanie Hansen:There's a lot of creators that do that and I didn't realize that, but that they, they maybe have a favorite recipe or they have recipes but they don't have the time or they don't want to be the one who puts it together for the book. So they hire all that out. Do you get any jobs like that that are one offs or do you mostly just do like a whole project?Laura Klynstra:Mostly a whole project.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. It's, it's interesting. There's a lot of people out there that will cook your stuff if you find the right person. And I didn't realize that that was such a robust business, but apparently it is. Do you keep like a food blog yourself or is it mostly just the book?Laura Klynstra:Mostly I'm mostly in the book. But we have, I have. My friend who wrote Gathering Grace with me have a. We. We have an Instagram that's called Spice and Sugar. Oh, she's the spice and sugar table. Because spicy sugar was taken and she's the spice and I'm the sugar. Of course that's sweet.Stephanie Hansen:And you guys share it. So you just post when you're inspired?Laura Klynstra:Yeah, yeah. And we don't. We, we haven't posted.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Sometimes like what sounds good and feels good just falls away, right? It's no reason or rhyme. Just all of a sudden you're like not as interested in that anymore.Laura Klynstra:Well, I think we're, and we're so, both of us are so focused in the book world and our career. Careers are very busy. So it's like I feel, I feel like to really maintain one of those robust social media sites you have to be pretty much focused on it.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Some people post, like, on Facebook, like, 12 times a day. I don't know. They manage it all. But do you watch any baking shows? Like, are you a great British Bake off aficionado or.Laura Klynstra:I don't. I watch almost no tv.Stephanie Hansen:Okay, So I love that. And you have chickens too, right?Laura Klynstra:And I have chickens and duck.Stephanie Hansen:Okay. And do you eat the duck eggs and the chicken eggs?Laura Klynstra:Obviously, yeah. Usually the duck eggs I use in baking. I don't. You know, it has a slightly different flavor, and if you're not used to it, it's kind of like. It feels a little weird. But they're. They're actually have a higher fat content in a duck egg, and they're really great for baking, especially for cakes and.Stephanie Hansen:Oh, I love that. I don't think I ever thought about duck eggs in context of baking. That's so neat.Laura Klynstra:They're a little larger, so you might. Sometimes you have to be a little, like, careful because.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah.Laura Klynstra:You know, they might end up being too much egg in here, depending on how many eggs are in the. Like, if there's four eggs, you would probably only put three.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah, you can kind of see it, too, when you have the egg, like, the size. All right. The book is the Homemade pie Cookbook. It's 100 pie, tart, and galette recipes for every season. Like I said, it's beautiful. But even if you're, like, not thinking you're a pie person, I really think people would like this book because there's ice cream pies, there is icebox pies. Again, there's a lot of savory. There's tarts, there's little.Stephanie Hansen:There's some cookies in here, some sauces. There's just a lot of different things. When I started to go through the book, I was pleasantly surprised that there's a lot to offer here. There's whoopie pies. Your whoopie pie recipe looked great. Yeah. Everybody loves a good whoopee pie, don't they?Laura Klynstra:Yeah. I thought I might be stretching it a little bit with that one, but I'm like, it's called pie, so it's a pie.Stephanie Hansen:That's right. It's Laura Kleinstra, The Homemade Pie Cookbook. Thanks for being with me today, Laura.Laura Klynstra:Thank you so much for having me.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah, for sure. And when you get your. When you get your next book ready, give me a call anytime. I love talking to you.Laura Klynstra:Okay, great.Stephanie Hansen:Okay. All right. Bye. Bye.Laura Klynstra:Bye. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe
On the latest episode of “Dishing with Stephanie's Dish”, I sit down with accomplished book cover designer, art director, and now, celebrated cookbook author, @LauraKlyn The episode is a deliciously detailed look into Laura's new book, “100 Pie, Tart and Galette Recipes for Every Season” and a behind-the-scenes peek into her world of culinary creativity and design.From the moment I flipped through the pages, it was clear Laura's design expertise shines brightly. Laura's background as a cover designer and art director, paired with hands-on experience working on dozens of cookbooks, comes to life in her visually stunning collection. Each photo in the book tells a story——and is surrounded by thoughtful prop styling, from vintage pie servers to antique dishes discovered at local shops.A special treat is Laura's focus on savory pies—think samosa pie or the show-stopping asparagus tart—beautiful options for every season and palate. The attention to technique continues with creative garnishes, like sugared cranberries and candied herbs, adding sparkle to your holiday spreads and beyond.Laura's cookbook recommendations are rock solid—even non-pie bakers will find plenty to love between these pages.Ready to up your pie game? Listen to the full episode for stories, tips, and plenty of seasonal baking inspiration! Enjoy these two recipes from Laura, one savory and one sweet, to get a taste of her book!Lemon Meringue TartMakes 1 10-inch round tartI love this twist on lemon meringue pie in tart form. For me, the proportion of crust to lemon is perfect, and it's even better with Swiss meringue instead of French meringue, which is a traditional pairing with lemon. Swiss meringue is cooked on the stove and doesn't need to go in the oven. It is softer and creamier, adding a beautiful airy sweetness to counter the tart lemon curd. This bright tart comes out looking lovely and tastes even better.Press-In Shortbread Tart DoughMakes 1 10-inch tart crustI've tested a lot of tart crusts over the years, and many of them are so hard, it's difficult to break off a bite with a fork. This buttery and delicious shortbread crust is delicate enough to easily break apart but strong enough to hold the tart together. Using cake flour is key to getting a nice, cookie-like crumb. This dough is not tough enough to roll out. Press the dough directly into the pan for an easy to pull together, delicious tart base.Ingredients¾ cup (169 g) unsalted butter, softened½ teaspoon fine sea salt2 teaspoons vanilla extract⅔ cup (73 g) confectioners' sugar2 cups (230 g) cake flourInstructionsIn the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix butter, salt, vanilla extract, and confectioners' sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add flour and mix just until combined. Press dough directly into a 10-inch tart pan, starting with the sides and finishing with the bottom. Bake the crust according to the tart recipe's instructions.Lemon CurdIngredients8 egg yolkszest of 2 lemons⅔ cup fresh lemon juice1 cup (200g) sugar10 tablespoons (141 g) salted butterSwiss Meringue5 egg whites1¼ cups (250 g) sugar½ teaspoon cream of tartar1 teaspoon vanilla bean pasteInstructionsTo make the crust: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Press tart dough into a 10-inch tart pan. Generously dock with a fork and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. While still hot, use a tamper or back of a spoon to lightly press down the center of the crust, leaving a ¾-inch edge.To make the lemon curd: Whisk together egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice, and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture becomes thick and coats the back of the spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature; it should reach 170ºF. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low. Add butter 1 teaspoon at a time, mixing until fully combined before adding the next teaspoon of butter. Strain through a sieve into a medium bowl. Pour while still warm into the tart shell. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.To make the Swiss meringue: Whisk together egg whites and sugar in the top pan of a double boiler until completely incorporated (see note below). Cook, whisking continuously, for about 5 to 6 minutes or until mixture reaches 170ºF. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add cream of tartar. Beat on high for about 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract and continue to beat on high until stiff peaks form. Scoop or pipe onto lemon curd. Toast meringue with a kitchen torch or under the oven broiler. Keep a close watch on meringue while toasting to avoid burning. Remove sides of tart pan and serve.Episode Transcript Follows:Stephanie Hansen:Welcome to Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, the podcast where we talk to people in the food space and a lot of cookbook authors. And this book came across my desk by Laura Klynstra And right away I was like, pie! Laura, your book, “100 Pie, Tart and Galette Recipes for Every Season” is extremely beautiful. And, and I, it kind of, when I read through the whole book and I read through your bio, I was like, oh, well, she's like in the design field because honestly, this is probably one of the most beautiful books on pie I've ever seen.Laura Klynstra:Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.Stephanie Hansen:It's so incredible, like just the way that the pies are decorated, the color choices that you used for the intros, everything is laid out so it feels easy, accessible. And even like the whole rolling out the pie dough section, there's tons of pictures, the decorating of the lattice work, It's a really well done book. Congratulations.Laura Klynstra:Oh, thank you so much.Stephanie Hansen:What's your background and how did you come to be the pie aficionado?Laura Klynstra:My background is actually cover design. I'm a book cover designer and art director. But I also, during all the time that I've been an art director, I've also worked on a lot of cookbooks. So I gotten to go on a lot of photo shoots, work with food stylists and photographers. And during that whole time I learned, I just kind of sat back and watched and learned all the bits and it took time. I'm a self taught photographer. It took me a long time to really figure out how to capture light correctly. And light is really the key to getting a good photo.Laura Klynstra:So yeah, it was a lot of trial and error, but eventually I figured out a system to get my camera mounted correctly. I shoot manually and get that light, but I also, I consider every photo similar to what the way I look at a cover design. It's not just here's your pie or whatever it is you're shooting. There's a lot of things going on around it. And so it's telling a story. The photograph is telling a story. It's giving you a sense of the time. Especially like the fall ones are a lot of fun to shoot.Laura Klynstra:So many great things to props that you can put in with the photos for the fall shots. And it's just, it's a lot of fun.Stephanie Hansen:Did you amass a large library of props and did you have things already or were you always on the lookout?Laura Klynstra:This is my third book, so I had a lot of props already. I have like all these Storage shelves downstairs have the weirdest things. You know, I go to antique stores and I'm always looking for old boxes and just everything. Pretty much everything that could possibly have anything to do with baking. If I go to an antique store, I'm always like, I need that. Especially pie servers. Old, old silverware.Stephanie Hansen:Yes.Laura Klynstra:I hate, I hate photographing with a shiny silver, you know, piece of silver or a new one that it never, you know, for one thing, you can end up reflecting your camera in that. So these old patina silverware and things like that are just fabulous to have. Like, you just gotta have a ton of those in your.Stephanie Hansen:In your Agreed, agree. Thus my sort of background of stuff from my cookbook styling myself in. Can we talk about pie crust? Do you have, like, what you would say is your definitive pie crust that you mostly use.Laura Klynstra:For sweet pies? There's a recipe in there called a maple pie crust, and that's actually my favorite crust to use. It's very similar to a regular crust, except for a lot of the liquid is made with a pure maple syrup. And when you roll that crust out, that syrup gives it like a pliability that just. It doesn't crack the way sometimes you can get with the regular all butter pie crust. And it's just so easy. And so it's just supple. It's, it's. It's my favorite one.Laura Klynstra:But again, I'd only use it for sweets. Even though you don't really taste the maple, it's like, you know how when you add maple to something, it doesn't have a strong flavor, as strong as what you would expect it to be, but it' if you're beginning. That would be my press recommendation for somebody who's just beginning because it does make a really easy to roll out.Stephanie Hansen:I love this because I use vodka in my pie crust to kind of do the same thing. It gives you that moisture when you're putting the assembly together and the roll, but then it bakes out in the final product, so you get kind of a crispier situation. Maple. I've never thought of that. I wonder, have you ever tried honey? Would it do the same thing?Laura Klynstra:I haven't tried it. I would expect it would. And it would just add a little bit of sweetness. The other thing is buttermilk. You can add a little buttermilk that I don't know if you've ever made pie dough, and then put it in your refrigerator and left it in there for two days and it started to turn kind of like a gray Color, Yes. When you add some acid from the buttermilk keeps it from doing that. I'm not sure. I can't.I don't know what the science is behind that, but a little. A little. I think the vodka might, too. I'm not sure. I.Stephanie Hansen:That's a great.Laura Klynstra:Yeah.Stephanie Hansen:I know what you're talking about, and I'm trying to think if I've noticed it with or without vodka. And I can't say. Truthfully, I have, but, like, a lot of times for Christmas or Thanksgiving or any of the. The special holidays, you're making your crust in advance because you've got so much to do, so. So that's a really great tip. I love it.Laura Klynstra:Yep. Yep. And you can also freeze pie dough. So you can make. If you're having Thanksgiving and you're. You're. You can do it a week ahead, just wrap each one individually and then put it inside a freezer as a black bag and then throw it in the freezer. And that way you're just.You've got something that's totally done, even a week in advance.Stephanie Hansen:One thing that I really liked about this book, too, was you took pie into not just sweet places, but also savory. So there's a lot of galette and, like, savory forward dishes, like a potato bacon, gruyere galette. You've got quiche. Do you eat a lot of savory pies? Because that's actually kind of one of my favorite ways to do it. This samosa pie looks amazing.Laura Klynstra:The samosa pie is so popular at my house. So popular. We love that one. So, yeah, we do eat that one quite a bit. The quiches, we do a lot. Some of the other ones, not as often, but, like, the. The asparagus one is kind of just more of something that I would bring to a party.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Spring or Easter.Yeah. You know, like, that first time when you. Asparagus is one of the first things that comes out. And in this. In the spring. And so you're just, like, dying to get something fresh. We talked. before I started the podcast that. She's in Michigan, I'm in Minnesota. And literally, like, when you see anything green at the store. And we always jump the gun. Right. Because.Get produce from the coast before we get our own, but there's nothing better than, like, your own homemade asparagus.Laura Klynstra:Yes. And the rhubarb is the other thing that comes up the soonest. And again, I love rhubarb. It's.Stephanie Hansen:So do I think that's My next book, actually.Laura Klynstra:The whole rhubarb book.Stephanie Hansen:Yes, because I just. I'm obsessed with it, and I have, like, 60 recipes, so I'm like, you know, I'm. I'm about way there.Laura Klynstra:What kinds of recipes are they? Like cakes and.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Yes. Like bars and cakes and pies and custards, but also chutneys and pork dishes and breads, cookies.Laura Klynstra:That's a fabulous idea. I'm on board with that one.Stephanie Hansen:I think I might have to, like, submit that as my next proposal. We'll see. Another thing that happened this year about pies, I guess it was maybe last year, but it created quite a kerfuffle, and you address it in this book, is the loss of the chocolate wafer cookie. The company that makes the chocolate wafer cookie, I believe it was Nabisco, stopped making that chocolate wafer cookie. And it was the base for a lot of people's, like, mud pies or chocolate pie crust or the press in crusts or the cookie crusts. And people were really freaked out, and people were, you know, we need a recipe to make this cookie. So in here, you have your own chocolate cookie recipe.Laura Klynstra:Yeah. Yep. It's got the black cocoa in it. Like, it's actually like an Oreo, but without the. And if you do end up using Oreos, do take out that middle part. I always scrape out the. If you don't, you're gonna end up with kind of like a too much butter and it's not gonna work. But, yeah, you can make your own so that you're not adding all these preservatives and yucky things into your pies, but sometimes people don't have time.I mean, I totally understand that you can't always.Stephanie Hansen:And I guess maybe depending on your audience too, like, if you're making something for a kid's birthday party, maybe that will be fine. Not that we feed our kids less delicious things than we feed ourselves, but come on, we kind of do times. I do love to. There's a lot of detail in this book about garnishes and sauces. And the white chocolate cranberry tart is just a beautiful photograph, but it also has these sugared cranberries. Tell me about those. And. And obviously, putting them on a tart is delightful, but what else could we do with those? Because those were just gorgeous.Laura Klynstra:I've used them on cakes. And just even, like, even if you're doing a spread, like a holiday spread, they look beautiful in a little bowl. And that same method, the method to make Those is you create a simple syrup and then you dunk the cranberries in the simple syrup and then you let it dry and they become really sticky. And then you roll them in sugar so they look really beautiful. But you can do that same process with mint leaves, rose petals, rosemary. And it's just a beautiful garnish, especially in the winter, because it has that sparkle to it. It just makes it look more special than if you were just going to, you know, lay a sprig of rosemary next to something.Stephanie Hansen:When you started making pies, do you remember how old you were? And what is it about pies that captured your imagination?Laura Klynstra:Well, I really like the handmade nature of it. The fact that, I mean, before I made pies, I was a cookie baker. Cookies were my. Because that's the easiest thing when you're a little. When you're a kid. And I baked since I was basically able to. My mom was a wedding cake baker, so we had all the supplies and all.Stephanie Hansen:Wow.Laura Klynstra:All the inspiration was there, but I didn't start making. And my mom, she always, she loved pie too, but she always used the pie crust from the box, which I kind of hate, but same, same. She just didn't like rolling out dough. So she just, she just used the, the rolled. The rolled up version. But you can buy better versions than the red box. There are.Stephanie Hansen:Joe's is surprisingly good.Laura Klynstra:I think that, yeah, Whole Foods has one too. That's butter instead of like the other weird oils that are in the. The other one. But I think maybe all of my love of like rolling out cookies and then you kind of turn that into rolling out dough. I learned it was a learning curve. I don't think that we just all naturally can know how to make a pie crust and how to roll it out. And you have to practice a little bit. But the lovely part of, of a pie versus a cake or a cookie is that there's just more of your hands involved.Laura Klynstra:And because I make so many things electronically and digitally, because I'm a book cover designer. So to have to be able to make something physically with your hands is both relaxing and satisfying. And I think it makes like a more special finished product. It makes a great gift or something to share with people, to bring to the office or a party or a potluck, and it just feels like it. A pie has a slightly more personal touch to it than maybe a cookie does or a bar. Even though I love cooking bars, don't get me wrong.Stephanie Hansen:Yes. Tell me about your other books.Laura Klynstra:So this is The Homemade Pie Cookbook is the first book I've written by myself. My book just before this one was called “Gather & Graze” and I wrote with my former colleague who is also an art director. She, she does the, she works at HarperCollins. Sure. Mumtaz Mustafa @spiceandsugartable and I have it right here. This is “Gather & Graze” Stephanie Hansen:That's beautiful.Laura Klynstra:So this is more of like a party table spread book. So Mumtaz is brilliant with savory food and I'm more, more of a baker. She's from Pakistan, so she's got this really broad sense of spice and she's just brilliant with the savory. So we split this book up by anything that was baked in the oven I've made and then pretty much anything that was cooked on stove she made. And it's divided by country. So it's a really fun international style party book.Stephanie Hansen:I love that. I'm glad you brought it to my attention. I'll for sure put that in the notes.Laura Klynstra:Yeah, it's a, it's a, it's quite fat. It's, it's a, it's, it's, there's over like 170 recipes in it. It's not a, not a lightweight book. And then the book before that I wrote with my mother. Oh, look at that cute “Christmas Baking”. And this one is it, it does well every, every holiday season. And it's kind of, it's been out for I think five years. And so it's kind of a perennial, hopefully at this point.Laura Klynstra:And it's just, you know, all my favorite. But Christmas baked goods. There's a, there's a breakfast chapter in there for Christmas morning.Stephanie Hansen:Holiday high points. What's next?Laura Klynstra:I got my way. And who knows if I will. I would like to do a fall baking book.Stephanie Hansen:What would that look like? I'm thinking apple. You have quite a, like pumpkin chapter in here.Laura Klynstra:Yeah. Yep. They would have all of those, those, those cozy. It would just be all the cozy, cozy recipes. And I just love the styling of fall too. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. So. Yeah, that would be, that would be super fun.Laura Klynstra:But I also have another idea for, called like, I want to call it Paradise Baking or Baking paradise, which would be all tropical recipes.Stephanie Hansen:That's a great idea. And that's not something we've seen before.Laura Klynstra:I don't, I haven't seen it. No. I have a second home in Guatemala so I could do a lot of the photography there, which would be fun. Yeah. The first few recipes in the Homemade Pie Cookbook were Shot in Guatemala. The line Mango and the hummingbird pie. So I got all of those props while I was down there.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. In the. And beautiful colors. You also dedicate, like a whole spread to apples for pie. And we just talked about this on our TV show that I'm on. And Honeycrisp is obviously an apple I use a lot because it's Minnesota. Granny Smith is an apple that I think works really well for pies. Do you mix your types of apples? Apples when you're making apple pie?Laura Klynstra:Sometimes I do. The Pink lady is actually one of my favorite ones now that I've been, you know, baking so many apple pies. It's got, like, a tartness to it. But yeah, there you can mix them for sure. Just don't ever use them. Macintosh.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Or like the Red Delicious, which is now. Oh, yeah, that's the worst selling apple.Laura Klynstra:They aren't very delicious.Stephanie Hansen:They're not. And it's kind of funny that, like, that was like our lunchbox apple for basically our whole lives. Like, why did we have to eat such terrible apples? I'm so glad they've gotten better.Laura Klynstra:Yes. There's some. I mean, pretty much every variety is better.Stephanie Hansen:Yes, Pretty much. When you make a galette or a tart, let's just say savory, do you adjust that dough at all or do you use your same basic pie dough?Laura Klynstra:I use the same. Well, the. The tart is a totally different dough, but the galette is the same pie dough as the regular pies.Stephanie Hansen:And just.Laura Klynstra:You could use them. Yeah, you could use the maple pie. You could make the maple crust for a galette as well. If you. If it's a sweet, I wouldn't put it on a savory.Stephanie Hansen:When would you ever make, like. I love the idea of slab pies because I think they're kind of cool looking, but they seem like they're just not great. Like, I don't know who's gonna get the middle piece. And then it's just always, like, so messy and kind of falls apart. I love the idea of like, everyone getting a little bit of crust on the edge and then having their perfect little triangle. Do you serve slab pies a lot? And am I missing the boat here?Laura Klynstra:Oh, not a lot, but I would bring them to more of like a potluck or something. The same thing that I would bring bars to. Although you. You really can't pick it up and eat it.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah.Laura Klynstra:Because it's going to be kind of a more gooey center than A. Than a. And then a bar. But it's just. It's. You get a little bit more. It's going to go farther than a. Than a pie.Laura Klynstra:So if you just want to bring one thing and it needs to cover more people, I would bring a slab pie for that. Like a. Like a potluck summer potluck.Stephanie Hansen:People always ask me what my favorite recipe is in my book, and I always have the dumbest answers. So if I ask you what's your favorite recipe in your book, do you, like, have a answer that you're set on?Laura Klynstra:Well, the lemon meringue tart on the COVID is one of my favorite recipes in the book, and I've never been a big lemon meringue pie person, and I don't know why. It's. This is a. Has a Swiss meringue, and it's a little bit different than the lemon meringue pies that, you know, we all grew up eating. And I also feel like lemon meringue pie has too much lemon to, like, the crust is too little to the lemon. Like, the ratio.Stephanie Hansen:The big, like, meringue.Laura Klynstra:Yeah. Yeah. So this, I feel like, is the perfect ratio of meringue to lemon to crust. It's got a thick shortbread crust on it. So it's. It's actually kind of reminiscent of those lemon bars. And you're from the Midwest, so you probably had those lemon bars that everybody likes to crust. Yep.Laura Klynstra:It's. It's kind of like an elevated version of one of those lemon bars.Stephanie Hansen:Okay. I'm going to have to try it, because I always make something with lemon for Easter. It's sort of just something I do for the big Easter brunch. So maybe I'll use this as my recipe this year.Laura Klynstra:Yeah.Stephanie Hansen:How long does it take you to work on a book?Laura Klynstra:Well, I mean, it's hard to give a full, like, because there's a lot of time thinking about it and planning. Like, my first step to doing a book is to. Is writing the table of contents.Laura Klynstra:Is that what you do, too?Stephanie Hansen:Yes.Laura Klynstra:Yeah, I do it.Stephanie Hansen:So spreadsheet of all the recipes I think I want, then I sort of, like, try to organize them in some way, and then I start, like, thinking about the narrative and where I'm going to.Laura Klynstra:Right.Stephanie Hansen:I'm going to start.Laura Klynstra:Right. And so there's, like, this long, like, thinking period that you're not. It's just. I don't know. So it's. It's hard to put a time on how long it takes, but Once the. Once everything is set and I've gotten a few shots done and a few recipes tested, I can. I can do a book in a year and a half or a year if I'm really focused on it.Laura Klynstra:But I'm also doing all the photography and the design. So it's. It's a pretty intense process.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Because I just submit my photographs and my word docs and, you know, the designer makes it look pretty, and, gosh, you have to do the whole thing. That is harder.Laura Klynstra:And I don't have to, but, you know, you've done this much, and I am a designer. It's kind of hard to hand the design off somebody else when you're. That's like what I do. So.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah, of course, when you think about other books that. Cookbooks that you love, whether from a design feature or from just like that, you go back to them and use them a lot. Give me, like, a couple of your favorites.Laura Klynstra:The Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook. I don't know if you have that. It's got an orange spine. It's kind of like a go to, like, oh, I want to make banana bread. It's just so reliable. So that one is always in my kitchen. I also really like the Bake From Scratch series. Have you seen those? Big.Laura Klynstra:They're really huge. I think they're. They're not written all by the same person. I think there's an editor that collects recipes. It's based on the magazine, I believe. But the thing I love about those is there's so many recipes in those books. They're just loaded with recipes, and then you can just kind of page through and get all kinds of inspiration and ideas. So I love those.Laura Klynstra:I'm a big fan of Erin Jean McDowell, who is also a pie person. I like watching her on, like, her videos and stuff.Stephanie Hansen:Do you watch a lot of people, like, on YouTube?Laura Klynstra:Not a lot, no. I mean, mostly on Instagram. I'm. I'm watching, you know, the quicker reels that come through. And, yeah, one of the. One of the things that made me so inspired to want to do the fall thing is, is when you. When the fall baking stuff starts coming out on Instagram and all these beautiful baked goods and this. This wonderful mood of cozy comes through, it's like, people are.Laura Klynstra:Creators are just amazing at how they. They put this mood out there, and I just. I love it.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah, it's pretty. Pretty delightful. I was just gonna think of another question I had for you, but it totally just fell out of my brain right As I thought about it, do you, have you ever had the chance to meet like any other bakers in any of your cookbook travels?Laura Klynstra:Specifically bakers. It seems like most of the books I've worked on have been more chef related. Like cooks like Melissa Clark. I worked on some of her cookbooks. I did the photography for Bri McCoy. She. I don't know if you've seen her book. It's called the Cook's Book.Laura Klynstra:Yep, I did her photography for that book, so I've that kind of stuff, but I haven't done any specifically for bakers.Stephanie Hansen:So if in your, in your work life, do you like, like when someone gives you a recipe and you're like the person that photographs it and does the final like, is that an appealing piece of work for you?Laura Klynstra:Oh yeah. I love to do that too. Yeah. Yeah. Actually got a couple of them in the works right now that are coming down the pipeline.Stephanie Hansen:There's a lot of creators that do that and I didn't realize that, but that they, they maybe have a favorite recipe or they have recipes but they don't have the time or they don't want to be the one who puts it together for the book. So they hire all that out. Do you get any jobs like that that are one offs or do you mostly just do like a whole project?Laura Klynstra:Mostly a whole project.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. It's, it's interesting. There's a lot of people out there that will cook your stuff if you find the right person. And I didn't realize that that was such a robust business, but apparently it is. Do you keep like a food blog yourself or is it mostly just the book?Laura Klynstra:Mostly I'm mostly in the book. But we have, I have. My friend who wrote Gathering Grace with me have a. We. We have an Instagram that's called Spice and Sugar. Oh, she's the spice and sugar table. Because spicy sugar was taken and she's the spice and I'm the sugar. Of course that's sweet.Stephanie Hansen:And you guys share it. So you just post when you're inspired?Laura Klynstra:Yeah, yeah. And we don't. We, we haven't posted.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Sometimes like what sounds good and feels good just falls away, right? It's no reason or rhyme. Just all of a sudden you're like not as interested in that anymore.Laura Klynstra:Well, I think we're, and we're so, both of us are so focused in the book world and our career. Careers are very busy. So it's like I feel, I feel like to really maintain one of those robust social media sites you have to be pretty much focused on it.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah. Some people post, like, on Facebook, like, 12 times a day. I don't know. They manage it all. But do you watch any baking shows? Like, are you a great British Bake off aficionado or.Laura Klynstra:I don't. I watch almost no tv.Stephanie Hansen:Okay, So I love that. And you have chickens too, right?Laura Klynstra:And I have chickens and duck.Stephanie Hansen:Okay. And do you eat the duck eggs and the chicken eggs?Laura Klynstra:Obviously, yeah. Usually the duck eggs I use in baking. I don't. You know, it has a slightly different flavor, and if you're not used to it, it's kind of like. It feels a little weird. But they're. They're actually have a higher fat content in a duck egg, and they're really great for baking, especially for cakes and.Stephanie Hansen:Oh, I love that. I don't think I ever thought about duck eggs in context of baking. That's so neat.Laura Klynstra:They're a little larger, so you might. Sometimes you have to be a little, like, careful because.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah.Laura Klynstra:You know, they might end up being too much egg in here, depending on how many eggs are in the. Like, if there's four eggs, you would probably only put three.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah, you can kind of see it, too, when you have the egg, like, the size. All right. The book is the Homemade pie Cookbook. It's 100 pie, tart, and galette recipes for every season. Like I said, it's beautiful. But even if you're, like, not thinking you're a pie person, I really think people would like this book because there's ice cream pies, there is icebox pies. Again, there's a lot of savory. There's tarts, there's little.Stephanie Hansen:There's some cookies in here, some sauces. There's just a lot of different things. When I started to go through the book, I was pleasantly surprised that there's a lot to offer here. There's whoopie pies. Your whoopie pie recipe looked great. Yeah. Everybody loves a good whoopee pie, don't they?Laura Klynstra:Yeah. I thought I might be stretching it a little bit with that one, but I'm like, it's called pie, so it's a pie.Stephanie Hansen:That's right. It's Laura Kleinstra, The Homemade Pie Cookbook. Thanks for being with me today, Laura.Laura Klynstra:Thank you so much for having me.Stephanie Hansen:Yeah, for sure. And when you get your. When you get your next book ready, give me a call anytime. I love talking to you.Laura Klynstra:Okay, great.Stephanie Hansen:Okay. All right. Bye. Bye.Laura Klynstra:Bye. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe
Crafting a charitable giving strategy isn't just about tax efficiency—it's a way for clients to define the deeper purpose of their wealth. When advisors center generosity in both planning conversations and firm culture, they can strengthen relationships and attract values-driven clients. This episode explores how integrating charitable intent into financial planning not only expands impact, but also fuels practice growth. Zac Larson is the co-founder of IntentGen Financial Partners, a hybrid advisory firm based in Naperville, Illinois, managing $550 million in AUM for 895 households. Listen in as Zac shares how he positions clients as "engaged partners" by focusing not just on net worth but on "net impact," as well as how he uses working conversations about priorities and passions to uncover giving opportunities. You'll learn how IntentGen tracks and publishes the charitable donations it facilitates to build community trust, why the firm built its pod structure to expand advisor capacity, and how its flat-fee-plus-AUM model supports a wide range of engaged clients. Zac also reflects on hosting community fundraising events, offering personal touches like client phone calls, and why building around generosity has been key to attracting aligned clients and creating lasting impact. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/461
Living simply isn't about deprivation—it's about freedom. And that freedom can unleash extraordinary generosity.God calls us to live with eternity in mind—not clinging to possessions but using what we have for His Kingdom. Randy Alcorn joins us today to talk about how we can loosen our grip on earthly things to open our hands to eternal impact.Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM) and the New York Times Bestselling author of more than 60 books, including Heaven, Money, Possessions, and Eternity, The Treasure Principle, and Giving Is the Good Life. His books have been translated into over 70 languages and have sold more than 10 million copies.Simplicity That Leads to GenerosityYou've likely heard the phrase, “Live simply, that others may simply live.” It's a short sentence with a world of meaning behind it—and one that feels increasingly relevant today.Everywhere we look, we see need. It's been that way ever since sin entered the world, but now the sheer scale is staggering—billions of people living in poverty, lacking food, clean water, or access to opportunity. When we consider this, it should be shocking to see how much of a difference it would make if those of us who follow Jesus simply chose to live on less—so that we could give more.This isn't about rejecting good gifts or living in asceticism. It's about reordering our priorities so that what God provides doesn't end with us. Living simply creates margin. And that margin can fuel generosity that transforms lives, both now and for eternity.Some people hear “simplicity” and think of minimalism for its own sake—going off the grid, cutting out every comfort, or proudly living with as little as possible. But simplicity by itself accomplishes very little.You could live the simplest life imaginable, and still not help anyone. The goal isn't simplicity—it's purposeful simplicity that opens the door to generous living.If God blesses you with wealth, there's no shame in that. In fact, that's a great opportunity. The question isn't how much do you have?—but what are you doing with what you have? Go ahead and earn well, but then invest it in God's Kingdom. Use what He's entrusted to you to love Him and to love others.That's where simplicity finds its true purpose—in freeing you to give more boldly, more joyfully, and more eternally.Seeing Life Through the Lens of EternityWhen Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” He wasn't speaking in riddles. He was revealing a reality that reshapes everything we own. But if we have no concept of Heaven—if we're not eager for the life to come—then treasures in Heaven won't mean much to us.Scripture promises that God will one day bring Heaven down to Earth—the new Earth, a renewed creation where righteousness dwells. That's our forever home. That's the world we were made for.When we live in light of that eternal perspective, it changes how we view possessions today. Why cling to what's temporary when you can invest in what lasts forever? The things of this world fade—but what's given to God's purposes endures.For many of us, money and possessions have enormous mass. But when we give generously, we shift our center of gravity from earth to eternity. We begin to orbit around God's Kingdom rather than our own comfort. That's freedom.Becoming God's Delivery SystemEverything we have comes from God—and it's meant to flow through us, not stop with us. I like to say we're not buckets, we're pipelines. God's resources are meant to move through our lives to accomplish His purposes.If the FedEx driver delivered a package to himself instead of the intended recipient, we'd say he misunderstood his job. And yet, that's what many of us do with God's provision. We assume it's all for us when in reality, we're the delivery system for His grace.The Bible says, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2) Faithful stewards don't hoard. They pass along what belongs to the true Owner.We've all heard the phrase, “God owns it all.” But do we live like it's true? If we really believe that everything we have belongs to Him, then generosity isn't a burden—it's obedience.That changes how we think about earning, saving, and spending. It means asking, “Lord, what do You want us to do with Your money?” That's stewardship in its purest form—managing God's resources for God's glory.Living for the Kingdom, Not the DreamThe Bible doesn't pit generosity against joy. In fact, they belong together. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6 that God gives us all things richly to enjoy, even as he warns us about materialism.God delights in our joy. He gives good gifts. But He also invites us to hold them loosely. Take that vacation. Enjoy a good meal. But let gratitude and generosity flow together.Living simply doesn't mean rejecting enjoyment. It means finding joy in what pleases God most—seeing our resources advance His Kingdom and bless others in His name.It's easy to justify excess when someone else always seems to have more. But if we're not careful, we can baptize greed in the name of the American dream.God calls us to something far richer—a life rooted in gratitude, freedom, and Kingdom purpose. Living simply and giving generously keeps our hearts anchored in eternity and our hands open to bless others.That's not loss. That's joy. That's freedom. That's treasure that lasts forever.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm 72 years old, still teaching at a state school, and I'd like to resume making payments on my student loans. They've been in deferment, so I haven't been able to make my regular $100-a-month payments. Is there any way I can make those payments? I've been told my loans won't qualify for forgiveness until I start paying on them.My husband and I are 55 and 56, and we own a business along with several rental properties. We have about $500,000 we'd like to invest, and we're considering a hybrid life insurance policy with a benefit access rider for long-term care. We'd put in about $155,000 for a guaranteed $250,000 death benefit each, for a total of $500,000, plus any growth. What do you think about that kind of approach?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Heaven: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home (Clear Answers to 44 Real Questions About the Afterlife, Angels, Resurrection, and the Kingdom of God) by Randy AlcornMoney, Possessions, and Eternity: A Comprehensive Guide to What the Bible Says about Financial Stewardship, Generosity, Materialism, Retirement, Financial Planning, Gambling, Debt, and More by Randy AlcornEternal Perspective Ministries (EPM)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
9/28/25 I Have A Friend Who... Forgives Generously Featuring Pastor Larry Sams www.fccnp.org Helping People Find and Follow Jesus!
Some things change with the times—but God's financial principles never do. They're not only timeless; they work in every situation, for every person, at every income level.Whether you're barely making ends meet or managing significant wealth, the Bible's wisdom for handling money is always right on target. Today, Ron Blue will unpack five proven principles for managing your money well.Ron Blue is a nationally recognized financial expert, co-founder of Kingdom Advisors, and author of more than 20 books on biblical money management. With decades of experience advising families and leaders, he has dedicated his life to equipping Christians to manage their resources wisely and steward them for God's kingdom purposes.A Lesson From the Senate FloorBack in the early 1990s, Ron Blue was invited to testify before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on family and money matters. When asked what advice he would give American families, his response was simple yet profound:Spend less than you earn.Avoid debt.Build liquidity or margin.Set long-term goals.Give generously.To Ron's surprise, the senator responded, “That would work for every family—at any income level.” Ron smiled and added, “Yes, Senator, including the United States government.”These five principles, he says, are universal. They apply not just to families, but also to businesses, communities, and even nations.Principle 1: Spend Less Than You EarnThis is the foundation of wise financial decision-making.It's the “slow road to wealth,” but it's also the surest way to financial freedom. This principle enables families to establish stability without pursuing risky shortcuts or falling into the trap of trying to become wealthy quickly.Principle 2: Avoid DebtDebt can be both a practical and spiritual burden. From a financial standpoint, debt always mortgages the future. Any borrowed money becomes a priority expense—one that takes precedence over all others until it's repaid.Not all debt is created equal—some can be strategic, like a mortgage—but even “good” debt ties up future income and limits financial flexibility.Principle 3: Build Liquidity (Margin)Margin is what allows families to weather life's inevitable surprises—a medical bill, car repair, or job loss—without spiraling into crisis.People with cash flow margin are always more secure. They know they can meet the unexpected, and that creates peace of mind and security. An emergency fund isn't just about financial stability; it's about emotional and spiritual calm when life throws curveballs.Principle 4: Set Long-Term GoalsShort-term thinking often leads to financial stress and impulsive decisions. By setting long-term goals, families can prioritize spending and align their financial choices with their values.The longer term your perspective, the better your decision today. Goals give direction and help families measure progress—not just in wealth, but in stewardship and Kingdom impact.Principle 5: Give GenerouslyFinally, generosity breaks the power of money. Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). By giving, we release our grip on wealth and keep our hearts anchored in Christ rather than in material security.Generosity is the only way to break money's hold on you.Timeless Wisdom for Every HouseholdWhether you're just starting your financial journey or seeking a reset, these five principles offer a roadmap to freedom and peace. They are not about complicated strategies or quick fixes—they're about faithful, steady stewardship rooted in biblical wisdom. If you do these five things, you'll position yourself for God's best in your finances.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I recently started a new job, but I still have a 401(k) from my previous employer. Since I'm over 55, I was told I can withdraw from it without a penalty. My husband thinks we should withdraw $15,000 to cover some home repairs, but I'm nervous about dipping into my retirement savings.I'm 51 and planning to retire at the end of next year. I have a state pension, along with several 401(k) and 403(b) accounts I've accumulated over the years. What's the best way to handle these accounts once I retire?My husband and I have been married for 12 years, and we have a prenup that keeps our finances separate. I have around $700,000 in savings and a terminal illness. How should I decide how much to leave for my husband and how much to give to the Lord?I've had a reverse mortgage since 2010, and my house has increased significantly in value. I'd like to know how much equity I can access now and whether I need to refinance, or if it's possible to expand my line of credit simply.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)FamilyLife | FamilyLife BlendedWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.
PREVIEW: Colleague Bob Zimmerman reports succinctly on the failure of the generously subsidized ESA to test a Grasshopper booster after years of delays. 1953
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