Podcasts about generously

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Latest podcast episodes about generously

Sheridan Hills Baptist Church
Our Response to God's Generosity | 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 | Pastor Andrew Coleman | March 30, 2025

Sheridan Hills Baptist Church

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 52:38 Transcription Available


In today's sermon, Pastor Andrew Coleman continues a series on God's amazing generosity by preaching on what OUR response should be to God's generosity. In this sermon, we look at 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15 and see several key truths to guide our own response. Here we see that true Christians are called to give GENEROUSLY, with the right EMOTION (cheerfulness & faithfulness), with the right MOTIVATION (gratitude & thankfulness), while remembering God's inexpressible gift to US--the gift of Jesus Christ! As Romans 8:32 reminds us, "He [God] who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" ________________________________________ Links to Sermon Notes & Answers: ➤Sermon Notes (Blank): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_5d204ad91fc74e0d9268999858a4ca82.pdf ➤Sermon Notes (Answers): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_5f8eb4f1363943149a82362c60d93d5a.pdf ________________________________________ In this video: Review of previous sermons in series Main Points Application ________________________________________ Subscribe to this channel to catch weekly expositional sermons from the Bible. ________________________________________ Explore more sermons and information: https://www.sheridanhills.org/watch-new ________________________________________ Follow us: ➤Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheridanhills/ ➤Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheridanhills01 ➤Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheridanhills/

Celebration Church Tri-Cities
Sowing Generously | Sermon

Celebration Church Tri-Cities

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 47:45


We hope that you enjoy this sermon from our Pastor, Dr. Robert Russell.

C3 Church North Calgary Sermons
Called Up - Live Quietly And Generously

C3 Church North Calgary Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 32:30


Pastor Bill returns to our Called Up series focusing on Jesus' teaching from Matthew 6:1-4. (From March 9, 2025)

Armchair Adventures
A Midsummer Night's Dream Adventure - Part 2

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 17:24


Connie and Uncle Chris and his community theatre company are exploring the world of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream to find out more about the themes of the mischievous play.

No Trash, Just Truth! - Proverbs 9:10 Ministries
Episode 286 - Sow Generously but Wisely, & Reap Abundantly - Faith in Action Part 10

No Trash, Just Truth! - Proverbs 9:10 Ministries

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 25:41


Send us a textIn 2 Cor. 9:6 says, "Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." What does this mean exactly? Does this justify people like Jesse DuPlantis and Kenneth Copeland having private airplanes? Does it mean that Paula White, with her mansion in Tampa and penthouse in New York is just reaping bountifully? Does it mean that those of use who are struggling financially, are struggling because we aren't generous enough? Is the answer to all of our money problems giving more of our money away?Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to check out everything Proverbs 9:10 on our website, www.proverbs910ministries.com! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Rumble, YouTube, Twitter, Truth Social, and Gettr!

No Trash, Just Truth! - Proverbs 9:10 Ministries
Episode 285 - Give Voluntarily, Generously, Faithfully, & Cheerfully - Faith in Action Part 9

No Trash, Just Truth! - Proverbs 9:10 Ministries

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 25:26


Send us a textLet's face it, maybe no subject is more sensitive than our money - whether it's being asked to give money, getting scammed out of money, or deciding how much money you need to sock away for a rainy day. God blesses us with material possessions. To some He gives a lot, to others He gives less. But He expects all of us to be grateful for what He gives us, be responsible with what He gives us, and use discernment when using what He gives us. Paul gives us some great advice on how we accomplish all of this!Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to check out everything Proverbs 9:10 on our website, www.proverbs910ministries.com! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Rumble, YouTube, Twitter, Truth Social, and Gettr!

Strikeout Beer
DrinkSip 311 Hazy IPA Non-Alcoholic Beer Review!

Strikeout Beer

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 9:36


DrinkSip 311 Hazy IPA Non-Alcoholic Beer Review!Generously packed with Cascade, Centennial, El Dorado, Mosaic, Citra, Idaho, and Motueka hops, this brew offers a symphony of aromas and flavors, highlighted by vibrant hints of tropical fruit and melon that glide effortlessly across the palate.#beer #craftbeer #nonalcoholic #nonalcoholicbeer #beerreview #craftbeerreview #drinksip #hazyipa #strikeoutbeerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/strikeout-beer--2992189/support.

Armchair Adventures
A Midsummer Night's Dream Adventure - Part 1

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 22:25


Connie has to make a last minute presentation at school on the themes of Shakespeare's magical and mischievous play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and she has no idea where to start! Luckily, her Uncle Chris and the community theatre company are experts on Shakespeare, so they decide to go on an Armchair Adventure into the world of the play to find out more.

Monument Church
And He Gives Grace Generously // Good for You // 2-23-25

Monument Church

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 35:49


Good for You // 2-23-25

Clare FM - Podcasts
Taste Of The Week: Parmigiana With A Radicchio & Citrus Salad

Clare FM - Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 11:24


On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by, Martyn Whyte, chef at Glás Restaurant, Hotel Doolin. This week, Martyn shared a delicious recipe for parmigiana with a radicchio and citrus salad. Ingredients: Parmigiana 5 aubergines 1 tin of tomatoes 200g Parmesan 50g basil 50ml olive oil 5 cloves of garlic 20g Parsley Stalks Salad 1 head of radicchio 1 orange 1 lemon 1 lime 50g Goats Cheese 100g pumpkin seeds Method: Start by peeling the aubergine. Peel the skins in turns, leaving some of the skin on. Then thinly slice. Lay out in layers, lightly salt each layer. Leave to rest for 15 minutes. Squeeze the water out. Fry in oil at 180 degrees until golden and crispy. Set aside. For the marinara, start by making a sofrito. Warm the olive oil in a pot with the garlic and parsley stalks. Once you start to smell the aroma of the garlic, oil and parsley add in the tomatoes. Cook out gently for about 30 minutes until it's reduced. Blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Place the fried aubergine, marinara and grated Parmesan in layers like a lasagna. Generously add the basil throughout. Keep layering until you've used all the ingredients. Bake at 200 until crispy on top. For the salad, roughly chop the radicchio and set aside. Now peel the citrus and roughly chop. Mix with some olive oil and salt and black pepper. It might need some vinegar to balance. Add the goats cheese and seeds to the salad mix. Dress with the citrus mix. Season generously with salt and black pepper. To serve: A nice big spoon of parmigiana with a hefty spoon of the salad. Great with some fresh bread. Background image (c) by goir from Getty Images Pro via Canva and aesthetic squiggle line (c) by Sandi Dwi Prasetyo from Sandidwipr via Canva

Life Changers Church with Gregory Dickow
The Art of Loving Generously | Grace Dickow

Life Changers Church with Gregory Dickow

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 49:09


Love isn't a task—it's your new nature. In this powerful message, Pastor Grace Dickow reveals how embracing your righteousness in Christ unlocks a limitless love that flows freely. She also shares simple, one-minute habits to make loving others generously a natural part of your everyday life.Sunday | February 16, 2025NEXT STEPSHave you made a decision to follow Jesus? We would love to help you with your next steps, starting with a free devotional: ⁠https://lifechangerschurch.com/newlife⁠ABOUT LIFE CHANGERSEvery Sunday, at every small group, and every gathering of our church, we are singing about, talking about, and learning about the radical acceptance of God that we have because of Jesus. We hope you can join us as we grow to know God and discover our true worth in Him. Join us in person or online at ⁠https://www.lifechangerschurch.com⁠.SUPPORTYou can tithe or donate to help us reach more lives around the world here: ⁠https://www.lifechangerschurch.com/give⁠FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook: ⁠http://www.facebook.com/lifechangerschurch⁠Instagram: ⁠http://www.instagram.com/lifechangers⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifechangers⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@lifechangerschurch⁠CONNECT WITH PASTOR GREGORY DICKOWYouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@gregorydickow⁠Facebook: ⁠http://www.facebook.com/gregorydickow⁠Instagram: ⁠http://www.instagram.com/gregorydickow⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@gregorydickow

American Conservative University
Makers and Takers: Why Conservatives Work Harder, Feel Happier, Have Closer Families, Take Fewer Drugs, Give More Generously, Value Honesty More, Are ...

American Conservative University

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 39:08


Makers and Takers: Why Conservatives Work Harder, Feel Happier, Have Closer Families, Take Fewer Drugs, Give More Generously, Value Honesty More, Are ... Even Hug Thier Children More Than Liberals Audio CD – Audiobook, January 1, 2008 by Peter Schweizer (Author), Johnny Heller (Narrator) See all formats and editions In Do as I Say (Not as I Do), Peter Schweizer exposed the hypocrisy of liberal elites in Washington and Hollywood. In Makers and Takers, he broadens his scope to examine the damaging effects of liberal philosophy on ordinary Americans. Drawing on national polls and academic studies, as well as the revealing testimony of liberals themselves, Schweizer shows that liberals are, on the whole, less honest, less generous, lazier, and more materialistic than their conservative counterparts. Moreover, conservatives are better parents, spouses, and citizens.Schweizer's portrait is not a mischievous exercise in "gotcha" journalism. Instead, tracing political and social changes over the past fifty years, he argues that the emergence of liberalism as a philosophy of selfishness is a direct result of big government. The enormous expansion of government has fostered the assumption among many Americans that the state is responsible for our financial, social, and moral well-being. From the myth that wealth is the result of luck and exploitation to the insistence that individuaals are not accountable to God or social institutions, the principles of liberalism have corrupted the personal virtues and community values Americans once honored.

LifePoint Church
Grace Gives Generously

LifePoint Church

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 37:56


When you think about wealth, money, and possessions what images or representations come to your mind? When the Apostle Paul asked for the Corinthian church to help struggling believers in Jerusalem, he reminded them of reasons to be generous and provided guidance for their giving. Realizing how God has freely given us good gifts can dramatically change our attitudes toward money and giving.Support the show

Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Ephesians 4.11-Jesus Christ Generously Gave Four Communication Gifts to the Church

Wenstrom Bible Ministries

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 73:41


Ephesians Series: Ephesians 4:11-Jesus Christ Generously Gave Four Communication Gifts to the Church-Lesson # 223

Bill Wenstrom
Ephesians 4.11-Jesus Christ Generously Gave Four Communication Gifts to the Church

Bill Wenstrom

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 73:41


Ephesians Series: Ephesians 4:11-Jesus Christ Generously Gave Four Communication Gifts to the Church-Lesson # 223

Armchair Adventures
An Ancient Egypt Adventure - Part 2

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 21:39


Generous Business Owner
Jeanna Roach: God's Ministry, Formerly Known as Your Business

Generous Business Owner

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 44:31


What is your one right next step? In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Jeanna discuss: Lessons on humility and overcoming pride. Meeting the Lord through business.Transitioning from soaking in the Spirit to seeking the Lord.Building a unified team even among diverse people.Living intentionally and honoring legacy.  Key Takeaways: People need to have a safe place. They need connection and real community in every aspect of their lives. Giving and generosity can begin with one person. It will grow and multiply from even one spark.God gives and He takes away - it is all His to begin with. Generously steward what He has given you. Love can happen in the middle of business - for employees, trade partners, customers, and more.  "That is how you will know that God's Kingdom is bigger and better than yours - He will do it in real ways if you'll surrender." — Jeanna Roach  Episode References:Kingdom at Work: https://kingdomatwork.com/ About Jeanna Roach: Jeanna Roach grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas before graduating from Texas Tech University and beginning her career in public relations/marketing. She joined Betenbough Homes in 2006 and has led various roles emphasizing her strategic lens for sales and marketing. In December 2023, Jeanna was appointed by Rick Betenbough as CEO of Betenbough Companies. Jeanna leads the Board of Directors and specializes in the growth and development of new enterprises such as an event center, a café and title company. She is a champion of the Betenbough Companies culture and defends it daily. Jeanna and her husband, Andrew, have three children, Olivia, Liam and Collin, and spend their time travelling, shooting hoops and watching volleyball.  Connect with Jeanna Roach:Website: https://www.betenbough.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannaroach Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-upEmail: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisorsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

Armchair Adventures
An Ancient Egypt Adventure - Part 1

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 20:12


Connie and the gang travel back through the sands of time, all the way to Ancient Egypt

Hoffmantown Church
Sowing Generously, Reaping Abundantly

Hoffmantown Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 43:24


Sowing Generously, Reaping Abundantly - Lamar Morin Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Hoffmantown Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Nourishment Mindset
Dollar$ Keeping You Up at Night?

The Nourishment Mindset

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 45:12


What percentage of Americans do you think lose sleep fretting about money matters in the middle of the night? (Hint, it's well over the majority!) When I was livin' it up in San Francisco working in the wine industry, I managed to rack up some impressive debt, and it frequently impacted my slumber. Over the years there were other financial issues such as worry over estate planning once my son was born and then Covid came and tanked the stock market and subsequently sent interest rates up and inflation especially sky high.Sleep is a critical factor in the body's ability to function optimally and repair itself; in other words, it's a cornerstone of metabolic health. Which is why in today's episode #63 of The Nourishment Mindset, we're talking with a financial expert who wants to help YOU get a better night's sleep. (This is a pod-only episode as we're in the middle of a move and I'm also rehearsing for a play so I didn't elect to video edit.)Meet CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy,® Accredited Tax Preparer® and my husband, Patrick Huey. He's a self described “comprehensive financial concierge for real people” and offers plenty of sound, actionable advice as you prepare for 2025.Patrick discusses how to cultivate financial health, what we should and shouldn't worry about and most importantly, how to find balance when it comes to making, saving, spending and giving money. We talk about how to assess financial health, determine if you would benefit from working with a financial advisor and what to look for in your search for a good fit.“Everyone has a plan until you ask them to produce it.” - Patrick Huey, owner of Victory Independent PlanningWe also emphasize the importance of getting that second opinion if you already have your money house in order. I recently had a dentist tell me I needed a freakin' root canal. After seeking a couple of second opinions, I learned that there's nothing wrong with my tooth after performing a simple a cold test with an ice cube at home! While it's standard practice to get a second opinion in medical matters, it's much more rare in the world of finance. If you walk away with one takeaway from this episode, take this: get a second opinion on your financial health, which is significantly more comprehensive than your investments! There are so many money managers out there who do just that — focus solely on investment accounts, leaving estate, tax, health and other planning to others… Or sadly and commonly, no one.Financial health is about so much more and in this episode, you'll learn about Patrick's SMART® approach to gliding into retirement and much more.****I'm thrilled to offer Nourishment Mindset subscribers this special, no obligation offer through January 15: a complimentary signed shipped copy of Patrick's Seven Pillars of Financial Wisdom to help you determine if you're getting the maximum benefit from your current approach to financial health. To receive one, simply email me. (FavorFat@gmail.com)FINE READS-For those who want a more comprehensive read, Patrick spent nearly a decade crafting only the book he could write. AND didn't toss me off our Camas, WA balcony to the coyotes the night I gave him this feedback after reading the manuscript: “There's a lot here. But you need to start over from an organization stand point.”History Lessons for the Modern Investor takes a rollicking romp through the past helping you learn important lessons from historical figures to become a better investor today. For example, Julius Caesar, courtesy of some heavily armed guys in togas, discovered that mental shortcuts can lead to disappointing results. He learned it the hard way, but you don't have to. Nicolaus Copernicus didn't think the universe revolved around him—rare for a genius of his time. His economic theory is the secret to funding a long retirement. And you won't risk getting burned at the stake…To check out all of his books including a travel thriller, visit Patrick's author page.FINE RECIPE with a FINE FIND- Dixie's Go To Tuna Salad with Sea SeasoningI'm combining my Fine Recipe and Fine Find this month since this sea seasoning adds flavor and an essential trace mineral, iodine. I love Maine Coast Sea Seasonings and regularly use their organic triple blend.Sometimes you need a quick, healthy fix and my Go To Tuna Salad is one of my favorites! Serves one so feel free to multiply for more mouths. Add everything together, stir and enjoy:1.One can of tuna, preferably wild caught and in either olive oil or water;2.Mix in 1 generous TB avocado oil mayo — Primal Kitchen and Sir Kensington's are my preferred brands (no stanky seed oils - traditional mayo always has ‘em even if they advertise “olive oil” on the front so check those ingredients);3.Chop 1 mini cucumber (or a half of a regular one) and toss in;4.Add 1tsp Dijon if you enjoy mustard and/or a couple TB finely chopped nuts;5.Generously salt with a high quality brand such as Redmond.6.Consider adding a Sea Seasoning with iodine to support thyroid health and add delicious flavor!PS - If you happen to live in SW Florida, please support local arts come see Last of the Red Hot Lovers, a comedy about a married man's midlife crisis by Neil Simon. We're playing at the Marco Island Center for the Arts theater January 8-26. My character, Bobbi Michelle, is a nutty out of work night club singer who takes medicinal weed instead of tranquilizers because she has this inability to swallow pills. She's essentially harmless — sweet and sexy, but also super ditzy, and her singing is um… you'll see. For more, check out the features in Coastal Breeze and Marco Eagle. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit favorfat.substack.com

The One Pasuk Podcast
Parshas Vayeishev 5785 featuring Special Guest R' Menachem Genack

The One Pasuk Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 26:25


Generously sponsored by Drs. Naomi & Robert Spira in memory of Robert's mother, Molly Spira, ob”m and Naomi's father, Hyman Nutkis, ob”m on the anniversary of their yahrzeits אֵלֶּה  תֹּלְדוֹת יַעֲקֹב יוֹסֵף בֶּן־שְׁבַע־עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה הָיָה רֹעֶה אֶת־אֶחָיו בַּצֹּאן וְהוּא נַעַר אֶת־בְּנֵי בִלְהָה וְאֶת־בְּנֵי זִלְפָּה נְשֵׁי אָבִיו וַיָּבֵא יוֹסֵף אֶת־דִּבָּתָם רָעָה אֶל־אֲבִיהֶם׃ This, then, is the line of Jacob: At seventeen years of age, Joseph tended the flocks with his brothers, as a helper to the sons of his father's wives Bilhah and Zilpah. And Joseph brought bad reports of them to their father.

Armchair Adventures
UNPACKED: A Christmas Song Adventure

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 24:29


Think you know your Armchair Adventures inside and out..? Well, get ready to put your knowledge to the test with UNPACKED: the brand new spin-off from Armchair Adventures.It's hosted by Connie's Uncle Chris, and a mischevious soundboard called Ziggy.

Armchair Adventures
UNPACKED: A Musical Extravaganza Adventure

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 23:50


Welcome to UNPACKED - A brand-new spin-off show to Armchair Adventures for your listening and ‘join in' pleasure. ‘Strictly Come Dancing' has ‘It Takes Two'

Armchair Adventures
A Magical Theme Park Adventure - Part 2

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 21:15


Join Connie & her lovely customers as we continue our super fun adventure at the magical theme park!

COOL Church
Invest Generously - Pastor Terrance Wilson

COOL Church

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 63:13


Sermon Title: Invest Generously (Money Talks) Pastor Terrance Wilson | COOL Church How Investing Leads To Overflow   CREATED OUT OF LOVE

invest generously terrance wilson
Heart of the Bay Christian Center Services - Audio Podcast
Sow Generously – Reap Bountifully, Part 2

Heart of the Bay Christian Center Services - Audio Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 48:33


Sunday, December 1, 2024 10:00AM

Orchard Community Church Sermons
"The Destination" (Generously)

Orchard Community Church Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 34:58


2 Corinthians 8:1, 9:6-14  I Timothy 6:18God's word calls us to the destination of becoming people who are generous with all that we've given in ways that glorify God.________________________________________________ Orchard Community Church8180 Telephone RdVentura CA 93004www.OrchardVentura.orgContact us at Info@OrchardVentura.orgOrchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190

Catholic Preaching
Generously Following the King and Lamb Wherever He Goes, 34th Monday (II), November 25, 2024

Catholic Preaching

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 17:01


Fr. Roger J. Landry Columbia Catholic Ministry, Notre Dame Church, Manhattan Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II Memorial of Saint Catharine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr November 25, 2024 Rev 14:1-5, Ps 24, Lk 21:1-4   To listen to an audio recording of today's homily, please click below:  https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/catholicpreaching/11.25.24_Homily_1.mp3   The […] The post Generously Following the King and Lamb Wherever He Goes, 34th Monday (II), November 25, 2024 appeared first on Catholic Preaching.

Armchair Adventures
A Magical Theme Park Adventure - Part 1

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 23:01


Join Connie and her lovely customers as they adventure to THE MOST exciting, amazing, magical theme park filled with thrills, imagination, and surprises! The journey kicks off with special guest Linda, who suggests taking everyone on to a theme park to cheer everyone up, especially Connie, who's feeling a bit anxious about reconnecting with an old friend.

UO Today
"Leading Generously" Kathleen Fitzpatrick

UO Today

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 73:52


In a world increasingly defined by crisis, public service institutions like colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations require capable, dynamic, and trustworthy leadership—yet stories of leadership failures there abound. The problem, Kathleen Fitzpatrick argues in Leading Generously, is a fundamental mismatch between the communal purposes that leaders must serve and the individualistic structures under which they operate. Transforming institutions so they can be resilient in the face of uncertain futures will require a similar transformation in leadership practices, turning hierarchies into collective and collaborative spaces designed for the common good. Doing so, however, requires a willingness to reimagine the idea of leadership itself. Kathleen Fitzpatrick explores not just the problems with the institutional status quo but also the tools to transform it. Her wide-ranging research brings together key theories of leadership with the experiences of successful leaders whose stories demonstrate innovative possibilities for collaboration in the service of institutional transformation. Kathleen Fitzpatrick is Interim Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and Professor of English at Michigan State University. Prior to assuming this role, she was Director of DH@MSU and founding director of Mesh Research, a lab focused on the future of digital scholarly communication. Her work across her career has focused on building resilient, sustainable scholarly communities and transforming their processes of communication to foreground connection, conversation, and collaboration.

Steamy Stories Podcast
Knights of the Teorsas

Steamy Stories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024


It does not do, to speak mockingly of erections.By Drmaxc. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. "Men and their erections,""Men and their erections," Tacey laughed shrilly, "if you could harness them you'd solve the energy crisis. Forget the unpredictability of wind power, their erections rise and fall come sun, come rain, come snow; if you could only capture the energy of all those millions of cocks..."The girls giggled and laughed loudly in their gaggle at the bar. They had drunk too much and were being disrespectful of men. Jonathan did not like it, he expected women to speak of such things, the male sexual organ, in hushed, slightly awed tones: not make silly jokes as if, he paused and took a breath, a 'Teors' was something to laugh about. He used the Old English deliberately. To have used a slang term — a 'cock' as the girl had done, a 'willy' or the like would have been wrong. He gripped his glass; something would need to be done.Entering the subterranean halls of the Knights of the Teorsas always gave Jonathan a particular thrill. Unknown to virtually the whole population of London it was a closely guarded secret, not even disclosed to the authorities. All they knew about was the insignificant little house in a backstreet of Covent Garden and it was to that house that the bills for electricity and the like came. It was an unremarkable house that held a remarkable secret as it gave access, through its cellar, to the ancient home of the Knights, the Great Phallocrypt, a network of rooms, halls and passages built in stone many, many, many years ago.Jonathan was much more than an initiate, a Raphe, more than a mere knight but a man who had crossed the Fraenum, the narrow bridge between the Corpus Cavernosum, the great hall where the knights assembled in their pomp, and the grand domed meeting hall of the inner circle, the Corona, who ruled the order. Jonathan was himself a member of the Corona, albeit its most junior having only been erected to the position a bare month before. He had, by virtue of his status, access to the Grand Master of the Order, the Bacalum, and could speak to him as of right.Dressed in his ceremonial robes, the gold badge of the erect phallus woven in gold thread into the red material, Jonathan strode through the Corpus Cavernosum nodding to knights he met but there was no time to pause and engage in intercourse, he had urgent business, a matter of grave importance to report to the Bacalum himself. Crossing the bridge of the Fraenum still gave him a thrill. How many of the knights achieved that? Such a singular honour; he had been speechless for a full minute when he had been told to prepare himself. How many would ever wear the third gold band around their teors? How many of them were ever able to do the thing he was about to do? To raise the great brass phallic knocker and tap three times on the oaken door of the Lacuna Magna, the Grand Master's private office?As always, the Bacalum was dressed in his ancient robes, beautifully decorated with representations of the ancient Roman god, Priapus, and with his great red curving penile hat making him look so much taller than he actually was. A trick long realised by the designers of uniforms; whether the bearskins of the Guards, the Shako of yesteryear or, indeed, the 'tit' of the London bobby. Shaking his grey head wisely he listened as Jonathan described what he had heard only the night before."It will not do, it will not do." The Baculum's words of wisdom enervated Jonathan."I seek permission to use, to wield, the Great Mesmodildo." The words were out; Jonathan had made the request, an act of considerable presumption in one so junior.There was a sharp intake of breath, the great phallic hat jerked upwards, and the penetrating eyes of the Grand Master seemed to bore right into Jonathan. There was a pause, "It will do."They sat for a few moments in contemplation. On the walls were artists' impressions of wonderful buildings not built. Designs by some of the leading architects of their day for skyscrapers intended to be the tallest buildings in the world in their time, all unmistakeably phallic, as skyscrapers are, but not simply because they were structures pointed at the sky but true erections designed to look like erections, buildings particularly phallic in design. Unrealised plans by Mies Van de Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Colonel Seifert and most recently Sir Norman Foster. Designs the Order had not been able to find sufficient backers to fund; statements to the world not yet realised; buildings intended to awe and strike a proper respectfulness, an understanding of their place in the world, in womankind.The Grand Master rose, drawing his robes around him and walked to a cupboard; opening its black ebonised door he drew out something about a foot long and wrapped in a cloth; with both hands he presented it to Jonathan who, standing, accepted it with a bow. "I shall take the greatest care, Grand Master.""Do."Walking slowly back down the Corpus Cavernosa, Jonathan mused on the wise words of the Bacalum and upon his mission. Tucked into his robes was the ancient object — it would not do for the knights to see that which he had been entrusted or to know it was amongst them.Shedding his ceremonial robes in the outermost halls, where the putative knights, the Raphes, met and took instruction in their twin, wonderfully spherical, meeting rooms, Jonathan ascended back into a rainy, wet London morning; the ancient object tucked in his duffle bag along with his laptop and sandwiches. He had his job in the world outside the Order which he must attend to from 9am to 5pm but then he would commence his mission.It was one thing to hold the Mesmodildo but another to set up the opportunity to use it. Jonathan neither knew where Tacey lived nor worked. He did not actually know her name. His only knowledge was that she sometimes frequented: rather had at least once frequented, the bar where he had heard her disrespectful statement. He should have found out more about her at the time; he realised that now — it would have been better to have gathered more evidence before reporting to the Bacalum — but he had been so incensed, so overcome that he had rushed ahead without careful reflection and contemplation. He would meditate upon it later that evening.Meditation was important to the Order. Sitting cross-legged on a mat woven with ancient designs, a knight would sit in contemplation of his teors until turgidity ensued, that First Wonder of the teors; his thoughts would roam free as he sought to better understand himself, resolve his problems and focus on the baseness of his desires whilst seeking to raise the Primo Cumum, that first flowing of the teors so aptly described as its Second Wonder; lastly came the conclusion of the ritual, the ultimate goal of the meditation—the full flowing of the teors, the Ejaculum, a sight wonderful to behold—when the teors of its own volition would spew forth its seed. Putative knights worked hard at achieving this, many sitting for hours trying to create in their heads the necessary images; erotic images necessarily to achieve the apparently spontaneous Ejaculum.At first, and Jonathan had to admit he was as one with them, putative knights would use the Manualum or hand to achieve the necessary final stimulation; but he had achieved so much more -- the result of hard work and dedication. Often appropriate texts or images were used, spread before the knight or novice to assist in his meditation. The Library of the Order, the Curiosa, contained many volumes and meditational material.Traditionally the knight would bow his head and orally accept the bounty of the Ejaculum. Ancient manuscripts, some written in Latin, some Sanskrit testified to this and the beautiful coloured illustrations showed no less. A variant much favoured in the modern Corona, and therefore too the Corpus Cavernosa, was the Art of Felicitation, requiring extensive practice, much suppleness of the body and, Jonathan admitted, a long teors. He, himself, had only managed the briefest of Teorsic Kiss at the moment of Ejaculum but the Bacalum and a few others of the Corona, knights of great experience, could hold the rounded terminus of their teors orally at the moment of the Third Wonder, an ideal act permitting the recycling of the seed so not one drop was lost to the body.Jonathan was lucky, very lucky. Inevitably he had returned to the very bar of Tacey's misdeed as the only reference point he had in relation to her; had sat there nursing a beer and wondering if he would have to use the power of the Mesmodildo on the very pretty bar girl who had, he recalled, been there on the previous night. Perhaps she would know about the disrespectful girl; know who she was and where she lived — and her name. The entrance of Tacey saved the need. It was a relief to Jonathan — the pretty bar girl with the large breasts might not have known anything about the disrespectful girl and left him with no obvious lead in his quest; it also saved the seed he might well have lost to her in the course of extracting the information; she was, after all, very pretty and perhaps worthy of the honour.Tacey moved across the room and sat on a bar stool, her long legs crossed one over the other drawing up the material of her trouser leg revealing a particularly fine pair of high heeled shoes—clearly new by the sight of the soles and undoubtedly expensive.Not for the first time Jonathan wondered both at the impudence and the illogicality of women. There sat the girl in a suit of clothes but with trousers not a skirt. Trousers were a male prerogative and unsuited to women; they were for men. A skirt would have shown her new shoes off but instead they were largely hidden by the trousers. What was the sense in buying shoes to be noticed and then wearing trousers? There was no logic. The girl would look better without the trousers. In his mind he imagined the girl naked but for the shoes; it was an appropriate image he would use for meditation later. He looked down at his own sensible, solid black shoes largely hidden by his own trousers — and that was perhaps just as well. He mentally gave himself a note to polish them in the morning—it was a task he tended to overlook though it would not do to keep the dome of his teors unpolished.A further shock came to Jonathan; instead of a white wine spritzer or some expensive but brightly coloured vodka concoction in a pretty bottle, the girl had ordered beer: not just a half but a whole pint. She was drinking beer from a pint glass! Had she no shame?Jonathan got up and walked across to her, "I have something to show you," he said without introduction and in a deep impressive voice.Tacey looked Jonathan up and down for a moment and then burst into laughter, "Ooh, you little pervert, you!" She seemed to find the whole scene very funny indeed. Jonathan was affronted. What had he said?"Well, what do you want? Who are you?" She said.It was not going well; it should be he who was asking the questions. As the Bacalum had wisely said, "it would not do." Slowly he drew from his duffle bag an object wrapped in a cloth. "I have this to show you," Jonathan said mysteriously, drawing the cloth down the object a little way.Tacey had never seen the like. It was a pearl, a great creamy, misty pearl; far, far bigger than any she had seen before; a pearl far bigger than the cultivated pearls of her best necklace; a pearl far bigger than the one Great Aunt Agatha used to wear when she, Tacey, was little and had so fascinated her on visits. Within it, great streamy swirls of creamy clouds seemed to move, captivating her, capturing her eye; she found it difficult to look away from the pearl, to stop watching the moving clouds of cream that appeared to roll around the jewel.Gradually Jonathan drew down the material covering the object and whilst her eyes could not leave the pearl she could see it was mounted on gold, indeed atop a golden acorn... or was it an acorn? As the material rolled back Tacey realised it was not so much an acorn as the bulbous end to a golden penis — a golden erect penis in exquisite detail surmounted by a great pearl; a pearl representing, quite clearly to her eye now, the bubbling up of semen or rather, what did they call it, yes, it was the 'pre-cum.' She was both shocked and fascinated; her eyes could not draw away and leave the pearl with its swirls of milky cream. Her mind was being taken.Jonathan watched Tacey's reaction; it was how it should be, no woman could resist the Great Mesmodildo, their pretty eyes were drawn to the pearl like moths to a candle and next would come the longing, a certain dryness of the mouth, an increasing need for something they could not quite place—it was no less than the desire for the milk of a man, a teosic longing in their loins. Jonathan had no need to completely un-sheathe the artefact, to reveal its shining golden glory, merely sliding back the material to expose the bulbous head was sufficientTracey's tongue moved slowly across her lips; they felt dry."Shall we sit over there, somewhere more private?" Jonathan sheathed the Mesmodildo. He had taken command of the situation.Tacey took a large swig of beer to ease the sudden dryness in her throat and followed him without question.Once again Jonathan eased back the covering revealing the golden head mounted with its strange pearl. Tacey stared; images of ejaculating penises came flooding into her mind and the thought of taking the head of this gold penis into her mouth, stroking it with her tongue, feeling the sensual smoothness of the pearl—smooth, yes smooth like... like... semen. Her nipples pricked at the material of her bra, they felt as hard as iron or, indeed, the gold of the strange penis before her. Within her panties, the new purple pair her especial friend, Diane, had bought her, she was flowing. Already the material felt soaked as if newly from the wash; it would seep into her trousers—an embarrassing wet stain."May I, may I please suck it," she asked in a small, little girl's voice.Jonathan smiled to himself. It was more like pleading. How easy these women were taken, how powerful the Mesmodildo, how easily their minds were beaten and taken and their lust aroused. In a moment she would be pleading with him to let her suck his teors, desperate to take his seed and feel it slipping down her throat. But now was not the time and not just because they were in a public bar.The bar actually was empty but for the pretty bar girl and the Mesmodildo would handle her easily. Jonathan looked again at her and thought that perhaps another time, if he had not returned the Mesmodildo, he would like to use the artefact upon her and see her kneeling before him."You may," he replied and held it for her, still wrapped, with just the very end, the beautifully rounded head showing, and watched as she made the proper rounded shape with her mouth, the Teoric Circle, that women must make, before bowing her head down and absorbing the smooth gold head. He could imagine within her mouth the rapid flicking tongue; all women did this; the tip caressing the smoothness of the pear imagining it a continuous spurt of male milk to assuage their desperate thirst.Gently he pulled, extracting the Mesmodildo. He liked the need to pull a little to overcome the natural suction of the girl wishing to retain the object. It was a pleasant resistance.Tacey looked up at him, her eyes wide and doe like, her mouth still in the shape of the Teorsic Circle ready for the Mesmodildo, his own teors or, indeed, any other teors. It was a temptation. So very pleasant to have been able to disrobe, but not there, and place his own teors in this girl's mouth; feel her tongue seeking the milk, trying to enter the very end of his teors; feeling the Second Wonder rising and watching, as his teors rested on her tongue, the small first clear drop of the Teorsic Fluid seep and run down from the acorn head; the sudden stiffening as the tongue tasted and induced a frenzy of sucking.From the bar the other girl stared. What had that man offered the girl to eat and why did her face now hold the expression of some plastic inflatable sex doll?"Come," he said — and she almost did — the feeling of arousal was so strong, but he meant for her to follow.It was but a short taxi ride; though Tacey would remember nothing of it nor walking into a small building and down some steps — the stone steps to the Great Phallocrypt, Jonathan leading her by the hand.It might have been thought that no women would have been permitted to enter the ancient halls of the Order. Certainly they could not be of the Order, being mere women and lacking teorsas though it was said in times past there had been exceptions; women who would rather have been men; women with slim boyish hips and small breasts who had worn cunningly made simulated, pseudo-teorsas and had been more than happy to join in the male rituals sometimes made upon and with other members of their sex. This, though, was most certainly not permitted by the current and recent Bacala.It was possible, though, for women to be brought for judgement, correction or punishment: but not for pleasure. It should not be thought the Order was in any way a society for 'randy' old men to enjoy countless women in a social way, a sort of 'Hellfire Club' or opportunity for hedonistic orgiastic activity. The Order's purposes were profound, mysterious and extremely serious. Any sexual gratification was a by-product, almost an accident: though to achieve the First, Second and Third Wonders of the Teors erotic thoughts a plenty were needed and sexual activity was something the knights were required to undertake regularly and in a brotherly fashion. The Wonders of the Teors, after all, had their root in sexual activity.It was appropriate for Jonathan to undress Tacey. It would not do for her to be presented to the Knights in clothes from the city above, least of all in that so wrong trouser suit. She needed to be modestly clad in a simple cream linen shift, a shapeless garment hiding her womanly attributes from the knights. First, though, she needed to be ritually washed; like the undressing it was a task Jonathan would need to undertake and it was a task he did not shirk. There were no female attendants in the Phallocrypt to assist female 'visitors' and, as Tacey was his charge, Jonathan would need to perform the ceremony. He led her into a side chamber, stone vaulted and with a stone bath sunken into the floor. The water splashed into the bath and Jonathan added scents of sandalwood, carbolic and spice.Firstly Jonathan undressed, glad to be free of his workaday clothes ready to dress in the wonderful robes of the Order; it was better for him to be naked whilst bathing Tacey as it would not do to wet his robes. Tacey stood motionless in her trouser suit, still with the Teorsic Circle fixed to her face but her eyes betrayed intelligence behind her fixed expression. It was right for her to be conscious, she now needed to remember the lessons she would be taught. He knew her eyes would be staring at his teors, she could not help it and it was right for women to focus on the teors, to think about its beauty and power. Generously, as he began to take off Tacey's jacket he permitted his teors to rise to help give her focus and bring her back from her Mesmodildo induced trance. His penis swayed magnificently and he paused to watch it in one of the many mirrors of the bath house. Inevitably she would compare it to her own biologically comparable but so much inferior organ, the Clitoris. Almost unnoticeable in some women, a mere pimple in others but for some there was an element of size, a proto-teors but, obviously, none could stand comparison with the Teors. The Bacalum was most particular and expected the size of the erect clitoris to be established and recorded. He thought it important. Jonathan was skilled in this and had a Clitometer ready.Jonathan fumbled at Tacey's bra strap. He always had difficulty with these and then pulled down her panties. Jonathan took a step back and frowned, staring at the naked girl and particularly her pudenda. Her pubic hair had been shaved into a long vertical band rising up with her Cleft of Venus. To Jonathan the upright band had an inappropriate element of the Teors about it, a column of dark curly hair standing vertically up her pubis—did it not represent a Teors—that great column of the male? Why even the top of the column, below her navel seemed rounded. Was this sign of her further disrespect or quite the opposite, a mark of respect? Jonathan did not know. He was torn between seeking out the Bacalum and asking, but thereby displaying ignorance, or leaving be, but that seemed indecisive. Perhaps it would be best for Tacey if he assumed the worse and shaved off the offending symbol leaving her pudenda naked of hair. The Bacalum, he knew, preferred girls like that— innocent and pure was Jonathan's understanding of his reasons.Leading Tacey by the hand into the water Jonathan picked up the soap and began to lather Tacey's skin. It was not an unpleasant task feeling his hands sliding over her smooth young skin, leaving no place uncleansed, but taking especial trouble over the ritualistic four parts of the woman's body which required greatest care—the nipples, the bottom and the pudenda. A full minute being allotted to each in the proper order. First the left nipple, then the right, followed by the bottom and lastly the pudenda. Jonathan looked into Tacey's eyes and saw considerable surprise as his right index finger, liberally coated in soap, slipped up her bottom. It was appropriate. A woman should be surprised at the unexpected acts of a man.Finally Jonathan washed Tacey's hair, lathering it enthusiastically as he stood and she knelt in the bath in the proper position a woman should take when a man is shampooing her hair. Equally properly Jonathan placed his teors between Tacey's lips, still in the Teorsic Circle, and pushed. A woman should always suck the man's teors when he is washing her hair. It was clearly shown in the old manuscripts. Tacey reacted rather dopily but instinctively seeking the Teorsic Fluid. It was not, though, appropriate yet.The full minute spent soapily washing, shaving and examining Tracey's pudenda also ensured, had the Mesmodildo not done its arousing work, the clitoris was fully erect. Drying Tacey with towels he had her lie down and open her legs wide, giving him not only full access but a full view of her sex. He readied his instrument, his Clitometer, adjusting the wheels and shiny metal dividers to measure both circumference and length. The cold metal touched Tacey's sensitive button and she winced slightly. "Why?" she said in a slightly slurred voice. Her faculties were returning."Because it is necessary." He was being kind. It was not necessary to answer a woman's questions or even to listen to her.The last part of the preparation now needed to be undertaken. Jonathan brought Tacey to a curved marble saddle surmounted by a gorgeous golden teors. Of realistic size; unlike many of the beautiful representations in the halls; not too large because this had to fit all women; and more stylistic in design than many more faithful depictions. It was in an art nouveau style which so fitted the curving nature of the teors and the artist had taken liberty with his depiction of the glans which swept unusually far down the shaft giving a particularly streamlined look. A beautiful object which would give any women great pleasure to mount. Carefully he sat Tacey astride ensuring she lowered herself so the teors pushed up inside her. Instinctively, as before, Tacey began to ride the teors. Jonathan smiled a little in pity. Women had such a need for and such a longing to steal the Teorsic Fluid. They could not help themselves.Jonathan depressed a lever and Tacey betrayed surprise. It was not Teorsic Fluid but a sweet Almond oil that was being injected by the golden teors into her as she rode. A cunning contraption pumped out the oil in carefully regulated spurts mimicking the Third Wonder but in a profusion only the most adept knights were able to achieve—and the truth was that Jonathan was not one of them; much to his chagrin. He was, though, working at raising his TFL, performing the exercises at morning and night. He carefully recorded the outcome in a spreadsheet stored on his laptop and the chart did show a rising trend. (TFL = Teorsic Fluid Level).The purpose of the Almond ejaculation was not the pleasure of the women, or deceiving her she had taken Teorsic Fluid, but to prepare her. In Tacey's case the Mesmodildo had caused her to literally drip but the liberal amount of Almond oil being pumped into her would ensure ease of teorsic insertion and a most appropriate sheen of oily lubrication running down the inside of her thighs. The Order expected not just the substance but the appearance of things and it was so very important for a woman appearing before the massed knights not only to be massively aroused by the honour shown but to visibly demonstrate it as well.Prepared, Jonathan dressed Tacey in the linen shift and finished his own ritual. Washed, he merely needed to don the badges of his rank and his robes. At the very base of his teorsic shaft, indeed clasping it tightly behind his scrotum, he tied, with leather thongs, a thin leather belt encircling the shaft forcing the scrotum forwards and the testes into greater prominence. It was the first symbol of a member of the Order and many wore it ordinarily under their street clothes.From a small red leather box Jonathon drew out three intricately engraved gold rings, rings prepared by the Order's goldsmith—a member himself. The first ring for a raphe, the second for a knight and the third ring for a member of the Corona. Jonathan had not possessed the third ring for long, indeed had only recently been erected to the Corona, and was only just getting used to wearing it tightly and impressively below his glans. Lifting his now unerect teors by the prepuce, with an ease gained by long practice Jonathan slipped the first, second and then third ring down the shaft and willed the First Wonder. His teors rose proudly, the flesh expanding into the rings so they were held tightly in their allotted positions as if the shaft was bound in gold. His teors looked magnificent in the mirror; Jonathan admired himself turning to the right and left as if trying on a new suit of clothes; it was big, knurled by veins, beautifully banded in gold and surmounted by the shiny purple head with its eye of mystery. It never ceased to impress him.Only the Bacalum wore the fifth symbol, a gold, bejewelled hat or helmet sitting atop his teors-head.Pulling on his great red robe Jonathan was prepared and led Tacey out into the great hall of the knights, the Corpus Cavernosum. The Knights of the Teorsas were assembled and waiting.The grand phallic ritual is concluded.The shock to Tacey must have been immense, shock and awe at walking into such a beautiful stone vaulted place and seeing the knights and raphes, perhaps a hundred in all, standing in their red robes watching her, their eyes focused just upon her; and, at their centre, the figure of the Bacalum looking so serene and wonderful in his great curving red penile hat. Jonathan could not but sense what she was feeling as he led her down the massed rows of the knights. Certainly her eyes were wide.A low chanting filled the hall as Jonathan led Tacey forward to the centre of the hall. Speaking in a clear voice he outlined to the assembly Tacey's grave misdemeanour. It was certain, very certain they were not pleased and Jonathan felt for Tacey as she must now realise how great was her error, how unwise and wrong it was to speak lightly of the teors and in a flippant manner. It was possible she thought herself there for punishment but that was not often the way of the Order. Perhaps once upon a time Tacey would have been bound tightly and her bottom roundly punished as the Knights watched; the sight of a helpless, naked, bound girl wriggling under torment greatly assisting their meditation.

Steamy Stories Podcast
Knights of the Teorsas

Steamy Stories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024


It does not do, to speak mockingly of erections.By Drmaxc. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. "Men and their erections,""Men and their erections," Tacey laughed shrilly, "if you could harness them you'd solve the energy crisis. Forget the unpredictability of wind power, their erections rise and fall come sun, come rain, come snow; if you could only capture the energy of all those millions of cocks..."The girls giggled and laughed loudly in their gaggle at the bar. They had drunk too much and were being disrespectful of men. Jonathan did not like it, he expected women to speak of such things, the male sexual organ, in hushed, slightly awed tones: not make silly jokes as if, he paused and took a breath, a 'Teors' was something to laugh about. He used the Old English deliberately. To have used a slang term — a 'cock' as the girl had done, a 'willy' or the like would have been wrong. He gripped his glass; something would need to be done.Entering the subterranean halls of the Knights of the Teorsas always gave Jonathan a particular thrill. Unknown to virtually the whole population of London it was a closely guarded secret, not even disclosed to the authorities. All they knew about was the insignificant little house in a backstreet of Covent Garden and it was to that house that the bills for electricity and the like came. It was an unremarkable house that held a remarkable secret as it gave access, through its cellar, to the ancient home of the Knights, the Great Phallocrypt, a network of rooms, halls and passages built in stone many, many, many years ago.Jonathan was much more than an initiate, a Raphe, more than a mere knight but a man who had crossed the Fraenum, the narrow bridge between the Corpus Cavernosum, the great hall where the knights assembled in their pomp, and the grand domed meeting hall of the inner circle, the Corona, who ruled the order. Jonathan was himself a member of the Corona, albeit its most junior having only been erected to the position a bare month before. He had, by virtue of his status, access to the Grand Master of the Order, the Bacalum, and could speak to him as of right.Dressed in his ceremonial robes, the gold badge of the erect phallus woven in gold thread into the red material, Jonathan strode through the Corpus Cavernosum nodding to knights he met but there was no time to pause and engage in intercourse, he had urgent business, a matter of grave importance to report to the Bacalum himself. Crossing the bridge of the Fraenum still gave him a thrill. How many of the knights achieved that? Such a singular honour; he had been speechless for a full minute when he had been told to prepare himself. How many would ever wear the third gold band around their teors? How many of them were ever able to do the thing he was about to do? To raise the great brass phallic knocker and tap three times on the oaken door of the Lacuna Magna, the Grand Master's private office?As always, the Bacalum was dressed in his ancient robes, beautifully decorated with representations of the ancient Roman god, Priapus, and with his great red curving penile hat making him look so much taller than he actually was. A trick long realised by the designers of uniforms; whether the bearskins of the Guards, the Shako of yesteryear or, indeed, the 'tit' of the London bobby. Shaking his grey head wisely he listened as Jonathan described what he had heard only the night before."It will not do, it will not do." The Baculum's words of wisdom enervated Jonathan."I seek permission to use, to wield, the Great Mesmodildo." The words were out; Jonathan had made the request, an act of considerable presumption in one so junior.There was a sharp intake of breath, the great phallic hat jerked upwards, and the penetrating eyes of the Grand Master seemed to bore right into Jonathan. There was a pause, "It will do."They sat for a few moments in contemplation. On the walls were artists' impressions of wonderful buildings not built. Designs by some of the leading architects of their day for skyscrapers intended to be the tallest buildings in the world in their time, all unmistakeably phallic, as skyscrapers are, but not simply because they were structures pointed at the sky but true erections designed to look like erections, buildings particularly phallic in design. Unrealised plans by Mies Van de Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Colonel Seifert and most recently Sir Norman Foster. Designs the Order had not been able to find sufficient backers to fund; statements to the world not yet realised; buildings intended to awe and strike a proper respectfulness, an understanding of their place in the world, in womankind.The Grand Master rose, drawing his robes around him and walked to a cupboard; opening its black ebonised door he drew out something about a foot long and wrapped in a cloth; with both hands he presented it to Jonathan who, standing, accepted it with a bow. "I shall take the greatest care, Grand Master.""Do."Walking slowly back down the Corpus Cavernosa, Jonathan mused on the wise words of the Bacalum and upon his mission. Tucked into his robes was the ancient object — it would not do for the knights to see that which he had been entrusted or to know it was amongst them.Shedding his ceremonial robes in the outermost halls, where the putative knights, the Raphes, met and took instruction in their twin, wonderfully spherical, meeting rooms, Jonathan ascended back into a rainy, wet London morning; the ancient object tucked in his duffle bag along with his laptop and sandwiches. He had his job in the world outside the Order which he must attend to from 9am to 5pm but then he would commence his mission.It was one thing to hold the Mesmodildo but another to set up the opportunity to use it. Jonathan neither knew where Tacey lived nor worked. He did not actually know her name. His only knowledge was that she sometimes frequented: rather had at least once frequented, the bar where he had heard her disrespectful statement. He should have found out more about her at the time; he realised that now — it would have been better to have gathered more evidence before reporting to the Bacalum — but he had been so incensed, so overcome that he had rushed ahead without careful reflection and contemplation. He would meditate upon it later that evening.Meditation was important to the Order. Sitting cross-legged on a mat woven with ancient designs, a knight would sit in contemplation of his teors until turgidity ensued, that First Wonder of the teors; his thoughts would roam free as he sought to better understand himself, resolve his problems and focus on the baseness of his desires whilst seeking to raise the Primo Cumum, that first flowing of the teors so aptly described as its Second Wonder; lastly came the conclusion of the ritual, the ultimate goal of the meditation—the full flowing of the teors, the Ejaculum, a sight wonderful to behold—when the teors of its own volition would spew forth its seed. Putative knights worked hard at achieving this, many sitting for hours trying to create in their heads the necessary images; erotic images necessarily to achieve the apparently spontaneous Ejaculum.At first, and Jonathan had to admit he was as one with them, putative knights would use the Manualum or hand to achieve the necessary final stimulation; but he had achieved so much more -- the result of hard work and dedication. Often appropriate texts or images were used, spread before the knight or novice to assist in his meditation. The Library of the Order, the Curiosa, contained many volumes and meditational material.Traditionally the knight would bow his head and orally accept the bounty of the Ejaculum. Ancient manuscripts, some written in Latin, some Sanskrit testified to this and the beautiful coloured illustrations showed no less. A variant much favoured in the modern Corona, and therefore too the Corpus Cavernosa, was the Art of Felicitation, requiring extensive practice, much suppleness of the body and, Jonathan admitted, a long teors. He, himself, had only managed the briefest of Teorsic Kiss at the moment of Ejaculum but the Bacalum and a few others of the Corona, knights of great experience, could hold the rounded terminus of their teors orally at the moment of the Third Wonder, an ideal act permitting the recycling of the seed so not one drop was lost to the body.Jonathan was lucky, very lucky. Inevitably he had returned to the very bar of Tacey's misdeed as the only reference point he had in relation to her; had sat there nursing a beer and wondering if he would have to use the power of the Mesmodildo on the very pretty bar girl who had, he recalled, been there on the previous night. Perhaps she would know about the disrespectful girl; know who she was and where she lived — and her name. The entrance of Tacey saved the need. It was a relief to Jonathan — the pretty bar girl with the large breasts might not have known anything about the disrespectful girl and left him with no obvious lead in his quest; it also saved the seed he might well have lost to her in the course of extracting the information; she was, after all, very pretty and perhaps worthy of the honour.Tacey moved across the room and sat on a bar stool, her long legs crossed one over the other drawing up the material of her trouser leg revealing a particularly fine pair of high heeled shoes—clearly new by the sight of the soles and undoubtedly expensive.Not for the first time Jonathan wondered both at the impudence and the illogicality of women. There sat the girl in a suit of clothes but with trousers not a skirt. Trousers were a male prerogative and unsuited to women; they were for men. A skirt would have shown her new shoes off but instead they were largely hidden by the trousers. What was the sense in buying shoes to be noticed and then wearing trousers? There was no logic. The girl would look better without the trousers. In his mind he imagined the girl naked but for the shoes; it was an appropriate image he would use for meditation later. He looked down at his own sensible, solid black shoes largely hidden by his own trousers — and that was perhaps just as well. He mentally gave himself a note to polish them in the morning—it was a task he tended to overlook though it would not do to keep the dome of his teors unpolished.A further shock came to Jonathan; instead of a white wine spritzer or some expensive but brightly coloured vodka concoction in a pretty bottle, the girl had ordered beer: not just a half but a whole pint. She was drinking beer from a pint glass! Had she no shame?Jonathan got up and walked across to her, "I have something to show you," he said without introduction and in a deep impressive voice.Tacey looked Jonathan up and down for a moment and then burst into laughter, "Ooh, you little pervert, you!" She seemed to find the whole scene very funny indeed. Jonathan was affronted. What had he said?"Well, what do you want? Who are you?" She said.It was not going well; it should be he who was asking the questions. As the Bacalum had wisely said, "it would not do." Slowly he drew from his duffle bag an object wrapped in a cloth. "I have this to show you," Jonathan said mysteriously, drawing the cloth down the object a little way.Tacey had never seen the like. It was a pearl, a great creamy, misty pearl; far, far bigger than any she had seen before; a pearl far bigger than the cultivated pearls of her best necklace; a pearl far bigger than the one Great Aunt Agatha used to wear when she, Tacey, was little and had so fascinated her on visits. Within it, great streamy swirls of creamy clouds seemed to move, captivating her, capturing her eye; she found it difficult to look away from the pearl, to stop watching the moving clouds of cream that appeared to roll around the jewel.Gradually Jonathan drew down the material covering the object and whilst her eyes could not leave the pearl she could see it was mounted on gold, indeed atop a golden acorn... or was it an acorn? As the material rolled back Tacey realised it was not so much an acorn as the bulbous end to a golden penis — a golden erect penis in exquisite detail surmounted by a great pearl; a pearl representing, quite clearly to her eye now, the bubbling up of semen or rather, what did they call it, yes, it was the 'pre-cum.' She was both shocked and fascinated; her eyes could not draw away and leave the pearl with its swirls of milky cream. Her mind was being taken.Jonathan watched Tacey's reaction; it was how it should be, no woman could resist the Great Mesmodildo, their pretty eyes were drawn to the pearl like moths to a candle and next would come the longing, a certain dryness of the mouth, an increasing need for something they could not quite place—it was no less than the desire for the milk of a man, a teosic longing in their loins. Jonathan had no need to completely un-sheathe the artefact, to reveal its shining golden glory, merely sliding back the material to expose the bulbous head was sufficientTracey's tongue moved slowly across her lips; they felt dry."Shall we sit over there, somewhere more private?" Jonathan sheathed the Mesmodildo. He had taken command of the situation.Tacey took a large swig of beer to ease the sudden dryness in her throat and followed him without question.Once again Jonathan eased back the covering revealing the golden head mounted with its strange pearl. Tacey stared; images of ejaculating penises came flooding into her mind and the thought of taking the head of this gold penis into her mouth, stroking it with her tongue, feeling the sensual smoothness of the pearl—smooth, yes smooth like... like... semen. Her nipples pricked at the material of her bra, they felt as hard as iron or, indeed, the gold of the strange penis before her. Within her panties, the new purple pair her especial friend, Diane, had bought her, she was flowing. Already the material felt soaked as if newly from the wash; it would seep into her trousers—an embarrassing wet stain."May I, may I please suck it," she asked in a small, little girl's voice.Jonathan smiled to himself. It was more like pleading. How easy these women were taken, how powerful the Mesmodildo, how easily their minds were beaten and taken and their lust aroused. In a moment she would be pleading with him to let her suck his teors, desperate to take his seed and feel it slipping down her throat. But now was not the time and not just because they were in a public bar.The bar actually was empty but for the pretty bar girl and the Mesmodildo would handle her easily. Jonathan looked again at her and thought that perhaps another time, if he had not returned the Mesmodildo, he would like to use the artefact upon her and see her kneeling before him."You may," he replied and held it for her, still wrapped, with just the very end, the beautifully rounded head showing, and watched as she made the proper rounded shape with her mouth, the Teoric Circle, that women must make, before bowing her head down and absorbing the smooth gold head. He could imagine within her mouth the rapid flicking tongue; all women did this; the tip caressing the smoothness of the pear imagining it a continuous spurt of male milk to assuage their desperate thirst.Gently he pulled, extracting the Mesmodildo. He liked the need to pull a little to overcome the natural suction of the girl wishing to retain the object. It was a pleasant resistance.Tacey looked up at him, her eyes wide and doe like, her mouth still in the shape of the Teorsic Circle ready for the Mesmodildo, his own teors or, indeed, any other teors. It was a temptation. So very pleasant to have been able to disrobe, but not there, and place his own teors in this girl's mouth; feel her tongue seeking the milk, trying to enter the very end of his teors; feeling the Second Wonder rising and watching, as his teors rested on her tongue, the small first clear drop of the Teorsic Fluid seep and run down from the acorn head; the sudden stiffening as the tongue tasted and induced a frenzy of sucking.From the bar the other girl stared. What had that man offered the girl to eat and why did her face now hold the expression of some plastic inflatable sex doll?"Come," he said — and she almost did — the feeling of arousal was so strong, but he meant for her to follow.It was but a short taxi ride; though Tacey would remember nothing of it nor walking into a small building and down some steps — the stone steps to the Great Phallocrypt, Jonathan leading her by the hand.It might have been thought that no women would have been permitted to enter the ancient halls of the Order. Certainly they could not be of the Order, being mere women and lacking teorsas though it was said in times past there had been exceptions; women who would rather have been men; women with slim boyish hips and small breasts who had worn cunningly made simulated, pseudo-teorsas and had been more than happy to join in the male rituals sometimes made upon and with other members of their sex. This, though, was most certainly not permitted by the current and recent Bacala.It was possible, though, for women to be brought for judgement, correction or punishment: but not for pleasure. It should not be thought the Order was in any way a society for 'randy' old men to enjoy countless women in a social way, a sort of 'Hellfire Club' or opportunity for hedonistic orgiastic activity. The Order's purposes were profound, mysterious and extremely serious. Any sexual gratification was a by-product, almost an accident: though to achieve the First, Second and Third Wonders of the Teors erotic thoughts a plenty were needed and sexual activity was something the knights were required to undertake regularly and in a brotherly fashion. The Wonders of the Teors, after all, had their root in sexual activity.It was appropriate for Jonathan to undress Tacey. It would not do for her to be presented to the Knights in clothes from the city above, least of all in that so wrong trouser suit. She needed to be modestly clad in a simple cream linen shift, a shapeless garment hiding her womanly attributes from the knights. First, though, she needed to be ritually washed; like the undressing it was a task Jonathan would need to undertake and it was a task he did not shirk. There were no female attendants in the Phallocrypt to assist female 'visitors' and, as Tacey was his charge, Jonathan would need to perform the ceremony. He led her into a side chamber, stone vaulted and with a stone bath sunken into the floor. The water splashed into the bath and Jonathan added scents of sandalwood, carbolic and spice.Firstly Jonathan undressed, glad to be free of his workaday clothes ready to dress in the wonderful robes of the Order; it was better for him to be naked whilst bathing Tacey as it would not do to wet his robes. Tacey stood motionless in her trouser suit, still with the Teorsic Circle fixed to her face but her eyes betrayed intelligence behind her fixed expression. It was right for her to be conscious, she now needed to remember the lessons she would be taught. He knew her eyes would be staring at his teors, she could not help it and it was right for women to focus on the teors, to think about its beauty and power. Generously, as he began to take off Tacey's jacket he permitted his teors to rise to help give her focus and bring her back from her Mesmodildo induced trance. His penis swayed magnificently and he paused to watch it in one of the many mirrors of the bath house. Inevitably she would compare it to her own biologically comparable but so much inferior organ, the Clitoris. Almost unnoticeable in some women, a mere pimple in others but for some there was an element of size, a proto-teors but, obviously, none could stand comparison with the Teors. The Bacalum was most particular and expected the size of the erect clitoris to be established and recorded. He thought it important. Jonathan was skilled in this and had a Clitometer ready.Jonathan fumbled at Tacey's bra strap. He always had difficulty with these and then pulled down her panties. Jonathan took a step back and frowned, staring at the naked girl and particularly her pudenda. Her pubic hair had been shaved into a long vertical band rising up with her Cleft of Venus. To Jonathan the upright band had an inappropriate element of the Teors about it, a column of dark curly hair standing vertically up her pubis—did it not represent a Teors—that great column of the male? Why even the top of the column, below her navel seemed rounded. Was this sign of her further disrespect or quite the opposite, a mark of respect? Jonathan did not know. He was torn between seeking out the Bacalum and asking, but thereby displaying ignorance, or leaving be, but that seemed indecisive. Perhaps it would be best for Tacey if he assumed the worse and shaved off the offending symbol leaving her pudenda naked of hair. The Bacalum, he knew, preferred girls like that— innocent and pure was Jonathan's understanding of his reasons.Leading Tacey by the hand into the water Jonathan picked up the soap and began to lather Tacey's skin. It was not an unpleasant task feeling his hands sliding over her smooth young skin, leaving no place uncleansed, but taking especial trouble over the ritualistic four parts of the woman's body which required greatest care—the nipples, the bottom and the pudenda. A full minute being allotted to each in the proper order. First the left nipple, then the right, followed by the bottom and lastly the pudenda. Jonathan looked into Tacey's eyes and saw considerable surprise as his right index finger, liberally coated in soap, slipped up her bottom. It was appropriate. A woman should be surprised at the unexpected acts of a man.Finally Jonathan washed Tacey's hair, lathering it enthusiastically as he stood and she knelt in the bath in the proper position a woman should take when a man is shampooing her hair. Equally properly Jonathan placed his teors between Tacey's lips, still in the Teorsic Circle, and pushed. A woman should always suck the man's teors when he is washing her hair. It was clearly shown in the old manuscripts. Tacey reacted rather dopily but instinctively seeking the Teorsic Fluid. It was not, though, appropriate yet.The full minute spent soapily washing, shaving and examining Tracey's pudenda also ensured, had the Mesmodildo not done its arousing work, the clitoris was fully erect. Drying Tacey with towels he had her lie down and open her legs wide, giving him not only full access but a full view of her sex. He readied his instrument, his Clitometer, adjusting the wheels and shiny metal dividers to measure both circumference and length. The cold metal touched Tacey's sensitive button and she winced slightly. "Why?" she said in a slightly slurred voice. Her faculties were returning."Because it is necessary." He was being kind. It was not necessary to answer a woman's questions or even to listen to her.The last part of the preparation now needed to be undertaken. Jonathan brought Tacey to a curved marble saddle surmounted by a gorgeous golden teors. Of realistic size; unlike many of the beautiful representations in the halls; not too large because this had to fit all women; and more stylistic in design than many more faithful depictions. It was in an art nouveau style which so fitted the curving nature of the teors and the artist had taken liberty with his depiction of the glans which swept unusually far down the shaft giving a particularly streamlined look. A beautiful object which would give any women great pleasure to mount. Carefully he sat Tacey astride ensuring she lowered herself so the teors pushed up inside her. Instinctively, as before, Tacey began to ride the teors. Jonathan smiled a little in pity. Women had such a need for and such a longing to steal the Teorsic Fluid. They could not help themselves.Jonathan depressed a lever and Tacey betrayed surprise. It was not Teorsic Fluid but a sweet Almond oil that was being injected by the golden teors into her as she rode. A cunning contraption pumped out the oil in carefully regulated spurts mimicking the Third Wonder but in a profusion only the most adept knights were able to achieve—and the truth was that Jonathan was not one of them; much to his chagrin. He was, though, working at raising his TFL, performing the exercises at morning and night. He carefully recorded the outcome in a spreadsheet stored on his laptop and the chart did show a rising trend. (TFL = Teorsic Fluid Level).The purpose of the Almond ejaculation was not the pleasure of the women, or deceiving her she had taken Teorsic Fluid, but to prepare her. In Tacey's case the Mesmodildo had caused her to literally drip but the liberal amount of Almond oil being pumped into her would ensure ease of teorsic insertion and a most appropriate sheen of oily lubrication running down the inside of her thighs. The Order expected not just the substance but the appearance of things and it was so very important for a woman appearing before the massed knights not only to be massively aroused by the honour shown but to visibly demonstrate it as well.Prepared, Jonathan dressed Tacey in the linen shift and finished his own ritual. Washed, he merely needed to don the badges of his rank and his robes. At the very base of his teorsic shaft, indeed clasping it tightly behind his scrotum, he tied, with leather thongs, a thin leather belt encircling the shaft forcing the scrotum forwards and the testes into greater prominence. It was the first symbol of a member of the Order and many wore it ordinarily under their street clothes.From a small red leather box Jonathon drew out three intricately engraved gold rings, rings prepared by the Order's goldsmith—a member himself. The first ring for a raphe, the second for a knight and the third ring for a member of the Corona. Jonathan had not possessed the third ring for long, indeed had only recently been erected to the Corona, and was only just getting used to wearing it tightly and impressively below his glans. Lifting his now unerect teors by the prepuce, with an ease gained by long practice Jonathan slipped the first, second and then third ring down the shaft and willed the First Wonder. His teors rose proudly, the flesh expanding into the rings so they were held tightly in their allotted positions as if the shaft was bound in gold. His teors looked magnificent in the mirror; Jonathan admired himself turning to the right and left as if trying on a new suit of clothes; it was big, knurled by veins, beautifully banded in gold and surmounted by the shiny purple head with its eye of mystery. It never ceased to impress him.Only the Bacalum wore the fifth symbol, a gold, bejewelled hat or helmet sitting atop his teors-head.Pulling on his great red robe Jonathan was prepared and led Tacey out into the great hall of the knights, the Corpus Cavernosum. The Knights of the Teorsas were assembled and waiting.The grand phallic ritual is concluded.The shock to Tacey must have been immense, shock and awe at walking into such a beautiful stone vaulted place and seeing the knights and raphes, perhaps a hundred in all, standing in their red robes watching her, their eyes focused just upon her; and, at their centre, the figure of the Bacalum looking so serene and wonderful in his great curving red penile hat. Jonathan could not but sense what she was feeling as he led her down the massed rows of the knights. Certainly her eyes were wide.A low chanting filled the hall as Jonathan led Tacey forward to the centre of the hall. Speaking in a clear voice he outlined to the assembly Tacey's grave misdemeanour. It was certain, very certain they were not pleased and Jonathan felt for Tacey as she must now realise how great was her error, how unwise and wrong it was to speak lightly of the teors and in a flippant manner. It was possible she thought herself there for punishment but that was not often the way of the Order. Perhaps once upon a time Tacey would have been bound tightly and her bottom roundly punished as the Knights watched; the sight of a helpless, naked, bound girl wriggling under torment greatly assisting their meditation.

Heart of the Bay Christian Center Services - Audio Podcast
Sow Generously – Reap Bountifully

Heart of the Bay Christian Center Services - Audio Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 45:28


Sunday, November 17, 2024 10:00AM

828 Church
Generously Grateful

828 Church

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 37:05


One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:36-38 ESVA recognition of who Jesus is and what He's done, will inspire worship as the only reasonable response. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39 ESVAnd Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” Luke 7:40 ESVA lack of appreciation for the presence of God will leave you religious without relationship! There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more. And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Luke 7:41-43 NKJVFor those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 NLTPiety without humility leads to a life of self-defeating arrogance and pride.Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:44-47 NKJVWe should be unconcerned about saving face in order to give full attention to seeking His face. Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48-50 NLT Generous gratitude is evidence of and a step on the journey to true repentance and restoration!Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were given and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only two cents. Mark 12:41-42 NIV If everyone gives what they've got to God, the family will always have all it needs.Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford, she gave her all.” Mark 12:43-44 MSGOur relationship with Jesus should be about what we can give, not what we can get!Gratefully giving and living everything you are and have to God isn't a waste, it's worship. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed. Matthew 26:13 NLT

828 Church
Generously Grateful

828 Church

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 37:05


One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:36-38 ESVA recognition of who Jesus is and what He's done, will inspire worship as the only reasonable response. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39 ESVAnd Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” Luke 7:40 ESVA lack of appreciation for the presence of God will leave you religious without relationship! There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more. And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Luke 7:41-43 NKJVFor those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 NLTPiety without humility leads to a life of self-defeating arrogance and pride.Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:44-47 NKJVWe should be unconcerned about saving face in order to give full attention to seeking His face. Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48-50 NLT Generous gratitude is evidence of and a step on the journey to true repentance and restoration!Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were given and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only two cents. Mark 12:41-42 NIV If everyone gives what they've got to God, the family will always have all it needs.Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford, she gave her all.” Mark 12:43-44 MSGOur relationship with Jesus should be about what we can give, not what we can get!Gratefully giving and living everything you are and have to God isn't a waste, it's worship. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed. Matthew 26:13 NLT

Asbury United Methodist Church
Episode 196: Church Mail - Week #5: Sowing Generously (2 Corinthians) (11-10-24)

Asbury United Methodist Church

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 29:18


Church Mail - Week #5: Sowing Generously (2 Corinthians) (11-10-24) 

Armchair Adventures
A Gunpowder, Treason and Plot Adventure – Part 2

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 21:22


Uncle Chris is in a right pickle…his undercover detective work hasn't gone to plan and the King's guards are trying to take him and his community theatre company to the Tower of London!‘The guards are chasing us through the streets of London on horseback!'On the run they still have to find the facts about bonfire night for Connie, risking everything they sneak into the houses of parliament to find out more! Will they be caught? Will they end up in the dungeon, or worse, tortured on the rack?!Join us in 1605 once again Adventurers for the thrilling conclusion of ‘A Gunpowder, Treason and Plot Adventure!'

Armchair Adventures
A Gunpowder, Treason and Plot Adventure – Part 1

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 22:15


Connie need's some help explaining bonfire night to some guests she has staying and asks Uncle Chris if he can help!No sure of the facts themselves, Uncle Chris and his trusty community theatre company decide to go back to 1605 and find out the facts as they happened! But it was a very dangerous time, full of plots to kill King James the 1st, so they decide to go undercover as detectives… ‘There's only one thing for it we will have to go undercover, like secret detectives from a Cop show!'

Witchy Woman Walking
Hecate Season│Boundary Magic

Witchy Woman Walking

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 42:13


As we enter further into Samhain Season and the veil starts to thin, we may begin to feel a blurring of boundaries between worlds. The unseen world may feel closer than ever before. Navigating this liminal space occasionally requires a guide… enter the dark goddess Hecate! As the Goddess of Pathways, Hecate teaches us how to draw boundaries in our life and she keeps watch on whoever dares to threaten them. As we wander through the woods, autumn leaves under foot, reflect upon the lines you draw in your life. Are your limits clear? Let Hecate support you as you find your sacred boundaries. What am I reading?Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel LindenThe Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark MansonWhat am I playing on repeat?Enter Sandman by Metallica What's for dinner?Sweet Potato Wild Rice SoupIngredients:6 cups veggie broth1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onionGarlic (as much as you like!)3-4 medium sweet potatoes8 ounces mushrooms1 cup wild rice2 large handfuls kale or spinach 1 can coconut milk1 tablespoon Gochujang (fermented red chili paste) Salt and pepper to taste Instructions:Add olive oil, onions and garlic to Instant pot, sauté for a few minutes. Add broth, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and wild rice to instant pot. Set on “manual” for 25 minutes. Release pressure. Add coconut milk, gochujang paste, greens, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir, allow greens to wilt. Serve and enjoy!Chocolate Chip Pumpkin BarsIngredients2 cups flour1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup butter softened1 cup sugar1 egg2 teaspoons vanilla1 cup canned pumpkin puree1-1/2 cups chocolate chipsInstructions:Preheat oven to 325. Generously grease a 9x13 pan.Add flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Stir until well-combined.In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla to mixture. Mix well. Then beat in pumpkin.Add the dry mixture to the wet, fold in chocolate chips and spread batter evenly into pan.Bake for 30 minutes or until edges begin to pull away from the pan and the center is set.Cool completely before cutting.Enjoy!https://www.simplyfiercely.com/personal-boundaries/https://youaligned.com/lifestyle/types-of-boundaries/

Armchair Adventures
A Giant Leap Adventure – Part 2

Armchair Adventures

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 18:01


Connie and the gang blast off into space for an adventure to the moon! Connie initially hesitates, worried about being so far from home. However, she joins the crew just in timefor the rocket launch!

The Ridge
Make A Choice to Give Cheerfully and Generously (Audio)

The Ridge

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024


Bob Sirott
Dean Richards' Entertainment Report: Leah Remini files for divorce and Jelly Roll gives generously

Bob Sirott

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024


Dean Richards, entertainment reporter for WGN, joins Wendy Snyder, in for Bob Sirott, to provide the latest news in entertainment. We learn that Leah Remini and her husband are getting a divorce after 21 years of marriage, musicians don’t want former President Donald Trump using their music, Jelly Roll gives generously to a lemonade stand, […]

Our Daily Bread Podcast | Our Daily Bread

When my wife, Cari, and I finished our higher education, we had several thousand dollars in debt that we needed to consolidate through a lower interest rate. We applied for a loan at the local bank but were turned down because we hadn’t lived or worked in that city for long. A few days later, I shared what had happened with my friend Ming, who was an elder in our church. “I’d like to mention this to my wife,” he said on the way out the door. A few hours later, the phone rang. It was Ming: “Ann and I would like to loan you the money you need, interest free,” he offered. I didn’t know what to say, so I responded, “I can’t ask that of you.” “You’re not asking!” Ming answered jovially. They kindly gave us the loan, and Cari and I paid them back as quickly as we could. I believe Ming and Ann were generous because of their love for God. As Scripture tells us, “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice” (Psalm 112:5). Those who trust in God can have “steadfast” hearts that “are secure” (vv. 7-8), understanding that He’s the source of everything good in their lives. God has been generous with us, giving us life and forgiveness. Let’s be generous in sharing His love and our resources with those in need. How has God been generous to you? How can you share His kindness and generosity with someone in need today?