Podcasts about Good Friday

Today is day 2 and we are continuing the section on Salvation. 2. What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the good news that God loves the world and offers salvation from sin through his Son, Jesus Christ. (Psalm 103:1–13; Isaiah 53:4–5; John 3:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:1–5) Our daily prayer comes from the introduction to the Solemn Collects in the Good Friday liturgy on page 566 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of a herald, who proclaims peace and preaches good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God is king!" (Isaiah 52:7). Amen.Merriam-Webster recently tried correcting the wording of a classic Christmas hymn. But the self-proclaimed "America's Most Trusted Dictionary" ended up with eggnog on its face. In a now-deleted post to social media platform X, Merriam-Webster tried to edit the Christmas hymn "What Child Is This?" by posting "Which* Child Is This?"As an author and public speaker, I'm very interested in proper words and correct English. But the online dictionary is just wrong. The dictionary presented themselves as smug, but even more biblically incorrect. The hymn isn't asking, "Which of these Jewish children born in Bethlehem is this?" That's a question of location. The hymn is asking, "What kind of child is this?" That's a question of theology."What Child is This?" was written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix and was later paired with the ancient tune of "Greensleeves," which dates to the 16th century. In the first verse, the hymn answers the question of "What child is this?" with this statement, "This is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing."St. John also answers the question of "What Child is this?" by stating, "The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).Verse 1: What child is this who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet With anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring him laud, The babe, the Son of Mary!What child is this who is sleeping on Mary's lap? This is no ordinary baby. It is a Child that the angels fill the night sky to sing about. It is a Child that shepherds leave their flocks to run and see. Why? Because this is no ordinary baby. This is Christ the King. He is the baby, the Son of Mary ... but so much more.St. John writes about this baby. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him everything was made, and without him not one thing was made that has been made" (John 1:1-3).This baby is no ordinary baby. He is also the God who formed a human body out of the dust of the ground. He is the God who was formed as a baby in the womb of the Virgin Mary. God breathed into the man's nostrils the breath of life and his heart started beating. He is the God whose very human baby heart started beating in the sixth week after his conception by the Holy Spirit within the womb of Mary. About 7 ½ months later, the Virgin gave birth to the Christ Child, and he took his first breaths of the air he had created.The One who created life was alive in the womb for 9 months, then was born on Christmas Day.The Word through whom everything was called into existence was now the Word made flesh.The One who had walked among the stars and would one day walk on water, would have to learn how walk with shaky, little toddler steps.The One who made the thunders clap would enjoy clapping his chubby, little baby hands in joy.The One who had set up a marvelous system where animals from antelope to zebras would be fed, would have to be fed with milk from his mother's breast.The One who would be like every child everywhere who has rolled mud in his hands to make a snake, would one day be pierced by the ancient snake of the Devil.Verse 2: Why lies he in such mean estate Where oxen now are feeding? Good Christians, fear; For sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through; The cross he'll bear for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The babe, the Son of Mary!If this Child is more than just the Son of Mary, why does he lie in such mean estate? Why is this baby lying in such lowly conditions, where the oxen are feeding? The Son of God came low to be among his lowly people. We are made poor and lowly by our sins. We are born in sin. We are dead in our sins. All we can do is evil – in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions. We sin in what we do. We sin in what we fail to do. All that sin causes us to die. Dying with sin, wickedness, and unbelief, we are destined to an eternal death in hell.What Child is this? A Child that was born to save us from sin, death, and hell.The One who breathed life into the first man was now a man who needed to breathe to live.The One who started Adam's heart beating was the second Adam whose heart was beating.All that was reversed on Good Friday. The very people the Son of God came to save crucified him. St. John explains this. "The real light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not recognize him. He came to what was his own, yet his own people did not accept him" (John 1:9-11). The creatures God created did not recognize or accept the Creator living among them. So, they pierced the divinely human flesh. The rough wood of the manger foreshadowed the rougher wood of the cross.On the cross, the Word made flesh had his perfect flesh pierced with nails and thorns. The sun was darkened and the earth trembled as Jesus cried out, "It is finished." Then he closed his eyes, breathed his last, and his heart stopped beating. To make sure the Son of God was dead, his heart and lungs were pierced with a spear.For three days, the corpse of the Creator of Life lay cold and dead in a borrowed tomb. Then as the first rays of sunlight began dawning on Easter morning, the darkness and death of Friday afternoon were shattered. Everything had been quiet and still in the darkness of the tomb. One moment the tomb was filled with darkness and death. The next moment the grave was filled with life and light! Darkness cannot extinguish the Light. St. John explains, "In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:4-5).He who was born, wrapped in strips of cloth, and laid in a manger arose from the slab of the tomb clothed in glory, the firstborn from the dead.Jesus took one breath and put death to death. With his first heartbeat, he defeated the Devil who imagined he had killed God's only-begotten Son.The Creator of Life died. He rose. He lives. He will never die again.When you believe in the Son of God as your Savior, you will still die because of your sins. But Jesus has removed your sins. He has endured your death. He has defeated your enemy of the Devil. Though you will die, you will live again. And you will never die again.The Lord of Light will awaken you from the darkness of death. He will open your grave on the Last Day. You will live in the light of heavenly glory. For this Child is the life and light of mankind.Verse 3: So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; Come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings Salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high; The virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy, for Christ is born, The babe, the Son of Mary!How do you respond to the question, "What Child is this?" In faith, you respond by bringing him your treasures – incense, gold, and myrrh. You bring him your treasures – money, vocation, prayers, works, and worship. Praise him with hearts filled with love. Praise him with mouths filled with song. Praise him with hands and feet filled with action and motivation. As the Virgin Mary gently sings her lullaby, so we gently sing our praises to the Christ Child on this Christmas Morn.What Child is this? This Child is the One who had his birth announced to Bethlehem shepherds by angels in the sky and announced to Babylonian Magi with a miraculous star in space. This Child comes for the salvation of everyone from shepherds to Wise Men, from peasants to kings. He is the King of kings who comes into our world so we can be made heirs of his heavenly kingdom. He is the Lord of lords who enters our presence to welcome lowly sinners into his presence. He is the Word made flesh so that he can be a baby lying in a manger, then the God-Man shedding his divinely human blood as he lies on a cross, and then the resurrected Christ whose corpse is raised from the dead.Jesus – the Son of God and Mary's Son – is now flesh and divinity for all eternity. Through faith in the divine Son of God and the humble Son of Man, our Savior with flesh, we will be standing before his throne as resurrected flesh and holy soul.One commentator on Merriam-Webster's criticism of the hymn title, posted his own criticism of the online dictionary. He wrote, "I regret to inform you our modern dictionary is illiterate." The online dictionary wanted to "correct" the hymn but ended up being corrected themselves. Whoever wrote that post does not seem to understand Christianity.By the grace of God and through faith in the Child in the manger, you and I are among those who do understand Christianity. We have received Christ and been born again through water and the Word. St. John writes, "But to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. They were born, not of blood, or of the desire of the flesh, or of a husband's will, but born of God" (John 1:12-13).The 160-year-old hymn is correct. That's why we're singing it on this Christmas Day. "What (not which) Child is this?" Amen.The Lord lays bare his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation from our God. (Isaiah 52:10). Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/what-not-which-child-is-this/

Do yourself a favor before reading any more of this: Listen to the Road To Joy now!What if the spark that powers great rituals, great sermons, and great shows is the same playful force? Captain Frodo sits down with Clay Hillman to follow that thread—from the shaman's circle to the market square—and ask how joy, surprise, and sacrifice can teach us to love without the cage of judgment. The claim is bold: ritual likely grew out of play, and when we honor that, truth arrives with fewer words and more presence.We explore grief as the felt weight of love, the paradox at the heart of Good Friday, and why beauty includes the costly and the raw. Clay reframes the Good Samaritan so we stop imagining ourselves as the rescuer and recognize our place in the ditch; neighbor becomes the person we'd want to lift us, even an enemy. That shift replaces right-versus-wrong scorekeeping with a practice of attention, the same practice that makes a show land when a moment of surprise cracks the shell and breathes. Along the way, we talk mythic truth over literalism, how children signal play and still know what matters, and why wigs, robes, and ritual dances appear when stakes are highest.We also swap creative maps. Clay's Casey Bonkers universe offers constellations of play; Frodo sketches thinking, feeling, and willing as a triad for building fuller acts. Symbols do the heavy lifting: two sticks can hold a cosmos, a market square becomes a universe once the showman starts. Stories that aren't “real” still become true every day, and the best work often feels discovered rather than made. If you've ever sensed that ministry and showmanship share a calling—curating time and attention so people glimpse the center—this conversation will feel like finding language for what you already knew.Listen to K. C. Bonkers Road To Joy! Find Clay Hillman here!If this resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend who loves story and craft, and leave a review so others can find the show. Then tell us: where did you last glimpse that center of joy?Support the show...If you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

Visiting people who are in the hospital - I'm guessing that's not your favorite thing to do. A lot of times it's hard to know what to say to the person; especially if their condition is serious. But there are some visits where it's easy to think of things to say - like when you're visiting a new mom or a new baby. All you have to say is, "Aww, she's beautiful!" "Oh, he looks so smart; so alert" or "That's the cutest baby I've ever seen!" See, you're supposed to say these things even if the baby still looks all red and bald and wrinkled. But that first Christmas...well, one of the first people to see Mary's baby did not follow the usual script. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Strange Words For a Christmas Mom." Following the Jewish custom, Mary and Joseph brought their baby boy to the temple to be circumcised, just eight days after that first Christmas. God had someone waiting for them there - an old man named Simeon who had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the One he called "the Lord's Christ." He actually held the baby in his arms and praised God for sending Him. But then came those strange words for a new mom. In Simeon's words we find the shadow of great pain for Mary but great hope for you and me. In Luke 2:34-35, our word for today from the Word of God, "Simeon...said to Mary, His mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel...the thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.'" That's not exactly what a new mom wants to hear. But eight days into Jesus' life on earth, Simeon is foreshadowing the end of Jesus' life. The Bible tells us that 33 years later "near the cross stood His mother" (John 19:25). And surely, as Mary saw her boy nailed to a cross and pierced by a soldier's spear, that sword Simeon spoke of must have pierced her soul. So as we sing our "sleep in heavenly peace" and "joy to the world" carols, let's not miss the shadow looming over the manger. It's the shadow of a cross. But that cross was not some tragic twist of fate. It was the plan of a God who loves you so very much. It was His plan to give you and me a chance to go to heaven instead of hell; to enjoy the relationship with God we were made for but we've missed because we're running our own lives. And if there had been any other way to erase your sin from God's book and pay for your sin, believe me, God would have done it. But all your goodness, and your religion, and your Christianity can't pay sin's death penalty. Someone had to die to pay for it, and Someone did - the Son of God. The writer of the classic carol, "What Child Is This" expressed it powerfully: "Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, the cross be borne for me, for you; hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the Babe, the son of Mary." So you've had your Christmases, you've celebrated Jesus' coming. Have you ever had your Good Friday where you stand at the foot of that cross and say the two words that are the difference between heaven and hell, "For me, Jesus. And I'm giving me to You." That's the only way you can receive the gift of eternal life that He died to give you. Have you known about Jesus all your life but maybe missed that step? If you've never done that, let this be your Jesus-day. You'll have a lot more to celebrate than just Jesus' coming to earth. This season you'll celebrate His coming into your life. If that's what you want, tell Him right now, "Jesus, I want to belong to You. I am taking for myself what You died for on the cross." What a new beginning this will be for you. A lot of people have found help in beginning that relationship at our website. And I want to invite you to check it out this very day. It's ANewStory.com. It wasn't just Mary's heart that was pierced on that awful day on Skull Hill. We can only imagine the anguish in God the Father's heart, watching His Son be broken for you. So you can be sure that God will never forget what you do with His Son.

I've recently made this 16th century poem into a song, but then I hesitated to present it this week – because Robert Southwell's "The Burning Babe" seems both inappropriate and appropriate for Christmas.  Inappropriate because it's an intentionally harrowing, visionary poem. If what it describes was made into a film, its horror might ask it to be kept from children who are, after all,  a central part of modern Christmas. And for whatever audience, at whatever level of understanding of Christian dogma that it expounds, it's a stretch to call "The Burning Babe" celebratory – and that's what we expect from Christmas.  This makes the case for appropriateness a difficult one – and, at least in the United States, it's not a common part of Christmas services. The poem's metaphysical religious point would be appropriate for Good Friday or Easter service, but the poem is set explicitly at Christmas. Perhaps, on a Christmas when many in our country (and elsewhere) are suffering during a celebratory time, the lines within "The Burning Babe" that speak of justice and mercy, or the possibly of defiled souls being refined and recast – even though these things happen post-anguish – may speak to some. The Parlando Project takes various words (mostly literary poetry) and combines them with original music in differing styles. We've done over 850 of these combinaitons, and you can hear any of them and read about our encounters with the words at our blog and archives located at frankhudson.org  

Today we'll be talking about a deadly bridge collapse, ASEAN observers heading to the Thai-Cambodian border, and a little later we'll make sure to send you off with some feel Good Friday news before you get to your weekend.

The angel Gabriel appeared to young Mary with a surprise announcement; (loose translation), “You're going to have a baby, it's a boy, you are to name Him Jesus, and this will happen without you knowing a man.” Can you imagine? Why the name Jesus? Because Jesus means “Savior” or “He saves.” Jesus lived up to his assigned name in the fullest way on Good Friday, and today, the Name above all other names continues His reign for all eternity. Jesus. Our dear Savior. Title: “Baby Names”

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-11  Who, for us and for our salvation came down from heaven,  and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried;  and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father…  John 17:5  John 17:24  "...the supreme mystery with which the gospel confronts us...lies not in the Good Friday message of atonement, nor in the Easter Sunday message of resurrection, but in the Christmas message of Incarnation. The really staggering Christian claim is that Jesus of Nazareth was God made man - that the second person of the Godhead...took humanity without loss of deity, so that Jesus of Nazareth was as truly and fully divine as he was human. Here are two mysteries for the price of one - the plurality of persons within the unity of God, and the union of Godhead and manhood in the person of Jesus." – JI Packer, Knowing God.   + The Triumph of the Son's Obedience Luke 2:51  "What Christ saw in Gethsemane was God with the sword raised. The sight was unbearable. In a few short hours, he would stand before that God answering for the sin of the world: indeed, identified with the sin of the world... Consequently, to quote Luther again, 'No one ever feared death so much as this man.' He feared it because for him it was no sleep, but the wages of sin: death with the sting; death unmodified and unmitigated; death as involving all that sin deserved. He, alone, would face it without a 'covering', providing by his very dying the only covering for the world, but doing so as a holocaust, totally exposed to God's abhorrence of sin. And he would face death without God, deprived of the one solace and the one resource which had always been there. The wonder of the love of Christ for his people is not that for their sake he faced death without fear, but that for their sake he faced it, terrified. Terrified by what he knew, and terrified by what he did not know, he took damnation lovingly." – Donald Macleod, The Person of Christ.  + The Triumph of the Son's Cross Colossians 2:13–15 Hebrews 2:14–15 "When Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, was nailed to the cross, Satan thought that he had won the day. The old serpent had stung him to death, vainly imagining that all was over with him. I think I see the arch-fiend gloating over the awful agonies of the dying Savior, and maliciously taunting him as he hung there apparently forsaken by God and man. "Ah!" says he, "Seed of the woman, I have indeed bruised thy heel. I have made men reject thee and put thee to death; I have vexed and tormented thee, I have scorned and scouted thee, and thou hast not a word to say for thyself, and now thy soul must soon depart out of thy body." Yet as the devil was still pouring out his vainglorious boasts and taunts, with a mighty voice the expiring Savior cried, "It is finished;" and in that moment his soul sprang upon the enemy and utterly routed him forever." – Charles Spurgeon, Christ Triumphant.   + The Triumph of the Son's Exaltation Ephesians 1:20–23 Isaiah 45:22–25 + You must decide about Jesus; You cannot be neutral about him + You must imitate Jesus. You cannot confess him but refuse to conform to him 2 Corinthians 8:9

Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 1072A recorded on March 28, 1986 teaching from Mark 14:32-15:47 – The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ – Good Friday. Pastor Cyril A. Stevens profoundly reflects upon the Passion of Jesus Christ, drawing primarily from the Gospel of Mark. The core of the message traces Christ’s path from His agony…

Luke 8:22-39

Christmas in Isaiah | Why Christmas Means Hope This Sunday, Pastor Adam walks through Isaiah 53 to show why Christmas only matters because of Easter. While Isaiah 53 is often associated with Good Friday, it reveals the deeper truth behind the birth of Jesus and how he brings "peace on Earth". Faith on Hill gathers every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. both online and in person. Join us next Sunday for Christmas Sunday, and Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. for our Carols and Communion candlelight service. If you are seeking forgiveness, peace, or hope, call out to Jesus where you are. He hears the prayer of those who seek Him.

In this talk Paul Axton gave at a local restaurant, the focus is on outlining the Gospel of Matthew as Jesus as Temple recapitulation, the implication of which is Jesus taking up the historical, social, and legal situation of the Temple and Israel, and this is worked out by Gillian Rose and G.W.F. Hegel as addressing the injustice of the law and the Temple or the City of Man.  If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Become a Patron!    

Good Morning BT with Bo Thompson and Beth Troutman | Friday, December 12th, 2025. 6:05 Beth’s Song of the Day 6:20 Guest: Theresa Payton (Cyber Security Expert) - Trump signs Executive Order on A.I. | "The Architects" of A.I. named TIME's people of the year 6:35 Panthers claim first place in NFC South after Bucs loss to Falcons 6:50 RAM Biz Update; 20 best restaurant chains according to Yelp 7:05 Panthers wake up in first place in the NFC South 7:20 Guest: Congressman Mark Harris - Reaction to 2nd light rail stabbing 7:35 Congressman Mark Harris cont. - Listener questions 7:50 Tell Us Something Good (GMBT Friday Segment presented by Kars4Kids) 8:05 Guest: Sean O'Connell (CBR Deputy Editor) - Supergirl | Netflix/Paramount standoff 8:20 Tell Us Something Good cont. 8:35 Friday News Quiz with Mark Garrison 8:50 Bo and Beth on WCNC talk new FM signal 9:05 Guest: John Hancock 9:20 John Hancock cont. - Thursday Night Football recap 9:35 Big Weekend with John Hancock 9:50 Show wrapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The third film in the Knives Out series is called "Wake Up Dead Man," in which Daniel Craig returns to the role of detective Benoit Blanc, trying to solve a Good Friday murder at a Catholic parish in upstate New York. The series' writer and director Rian Johnson talks about the latest installment of his series, which is available to stream on Netflix now.  

December 10, 2025Today's Reading: 1 John 4:1-21Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 26:20-27:13; 1 John 4:1-21"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.False prophets don't come with warning labels. They do not advertise that they are wolves dressed as sheep. They may not even intend to do harm, but that doesn't stop the harm they cause. There are a lot of things in this world called 'Christian.' And yet, they do damage to Christians and threaten to take away their hope found in Christ. If we are not careful, we may even find ourselves as one of the wolves.This is why it is so important to be in God's Word regularly. Scripture is where God talks to us. He teaches us what is right, what is His. It's God's Word that tells us of our sin and fallen nature. It's God's Word that tells us how God made a plan to save us from the beginning through Jesus. God's Word shows us the world that we really see. Things are difficult here. Things hurt here. There are crosses here, especially when we confess Christ. Anything that tells us these things will not bother you if you have enough faith, does not come from God. Our hope comes from something far better. Our hope is found in Jesus. There is sin in the world. We have sin ourselves. But Jesus bears it in our place. Dies for it on His cross. You know what God thinks of you by looking at what He did on Good Friday for you. He takes your sin away. He forgives you. He saves you. He makes you part of His family. He feeds you. He washes you. He is present even now with you. Now might not be without pain, but with Christ, there is more hope than all the world's comfort apart from Him. Included in this hope is resurrection for you. Eternal life for you. A world without sin for you, those you love in the faith, all believers, and God Almighty Himself. These are all promised in that Word.False prophets, even unwitting ones, put those things in doubt, take those things away. But Christ has given you His Word to test these things by. Be in His Word often. For He is with you always.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen."Comfort, comfort ye My people, Speak ye peace," thus saith our God; "Comfort those who sit in darkness, Mourning 'neath their sorrow's load. Speak ye to Jerusalem Of the peace that waits for them; Tell her that her sins I cover And her warfare now is over." (LSB 347:1)Author: Rev. Eli Davis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, OR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you'll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

Scripture: John 1:1-5; 14-18 + The Incarnation Philippians 2:5-8 "...the supreme mystery with which the gospel confronts us...lies not in the Good Friday message of atonement, nor in the Easter Sunday message of resurrection, but in the Christmas message of Incarnation. The really staggering Christian claim is that Jesus of Nazareth was God made man - that the second person of the Godhead...took humanity without loss of deity, so that Jesus of Nazareth was as truly and fully divine as he was human. Here are two mysteries for the price of one - the plurality of persons within the unity of God, and the union of Godhead and manhood in the person of Jesus." JI Packer, Knowing God. + To Reveal the Father to us Hebrews 1:1 + To Reconcile us to the Father 1 Timothy 2:3–5 + To Rescue us from our greatest enemies Hebrews 2:14–18 + To Relate to us in our weakness and suffering Hebrews 4:14–16 "All other men were lost sheep; he had come as the Good Shepherd to seek and to save them. All other men were sick with the disease of sin; he was the doctor who had come to heal them. All other men were plunged in the darkness of sin and ignorance; he was the light of the world. All other men were sinners; he was born to be their Savior and would shed his blood in death for the forgiveness of their sins. All other men were hungry; he was the bread of life. All other men were dead in trespasses and sins; he could be their life now and their resurrection hereafter." – John Stott, Basic Christianity. 1 John 1:1–4 2 John 7 Colossians 1:19 Colossians 2:9

Good Morning BT with Bo Thompson and Beth Troutman | Friday, December 5th, 2025. 6:05 Beth’s Song of the Day 6:20 Billy Napier Flashback | Brent and Hailey Sanders talk Bikes for Kids 6:35 Mark Garrison, Bo and Beth talk Operation Safe Season 6:50 RAM Biz Update; Netflix in possible talks to merge with HBO 7:05 Panthers nominate Austin Corbett for Walter Payton Man of the Year 7:20 Guest: Congressman Mark Harris - Thoughts on new CMPD Chief Patterson 7:35 Congressman Mark Harris cont. - DC pipe bomber suspect in custody 7:50 Tell Us Something Good sponsored by Kars 4 Kids (GMBT Friday Segment) 8:05 Hancock's Bikes for Kids tonight! | Big Announcement on Monday at 7:05 8:20 Study shows the secret to success...the word Ocean 8:35 Friday News Quiz with Mark Garrison 9:05 Guests: John Hancock and Dan Rajkowski (Charlotte Knights COO) - Bikes for Kids 9:20 Bikes for Kids preview with John Hancock 9:35 Big Weekend with John Hancock 9:50 Show wrapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each week, Pastor Keith Foskey and is wife Jennifer answer email questions about ministry, the bible, and theology from all around the world as well as engaging with their live audience in the comments. Come join the fun! Questions and Timestamps:Special Announcement - #MemeTheHalls 11:00Do you have any merchandise I can purchase for my husband for Christmas? 23:43Followup to our letter from last week 27:56Are people now mixing dispensationalism and covenant theology? 31:00How can I discuss theology while I'm still figuring it out? 43:00Do I have to teach Leviticus verse by verse? 52:18Help, my parents are Catholics! 1:03:45Help, I have trouble with the L in Tulip! 1:11:30Questions about Baptist pastors, history, and theology 1:20:50Should Christians watch “Stranger Things”? 1:31:09Was Justin Peters right about MacArthur? 1:41:00Was Jesus really crucified on Good Friday? 1:48:00Is the New Covenant the Reunification of Israel and Judah? 1:53:10Should We Be Looking for “Signs” of His Coming? 2:00:23Should we engage with someone who has a shirt that proclaims a false Jesus? 2:07:00Support the Show: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/Yourcalvinisthttps://www.TinyBibles.comYou can get the smallest Bible available on the market, which can be used for all kinds of purposes, by visiting TinyBibles.com and when you buy, use the coupon code KEITH for a discount.Love Coffee? Want the Best? Get a free bag of Squirrelly Joe's Coffee by clicking on this link: https://www.Squirrellyjoes.com/yourcalvinistor use coupon code "Keith" for 20% off anything in the storeDominion Wealth Strategies Visit them at https://www.dominionwealthstrategists.comhttp://www.Reformed.Moneyand let them know we sent you! Spiraling Impressions — Custom Stickers — Facebook: Spiraling Impressions Website: spiralingimpressions.com.COUPON CODE: YourCalvinist (gets 10% 0ff)https://www.HighCallingFitness.comHealth, training, and nutrition coaching all delivered to you online by confessionally reformed bodybuilders and strength athletes.Visit us at https://www.KeithFoskey.comIf you need a great website, check out https://www.fellowshipstudios.com

Delta Blues legend Blind Charlie Jones once famously said “A pawnshop is a place of wonder, a magical place full of possibility and dreams. Until you walk in there for the first time carrying your guitar.”"Just what in tarnation does that have to do with Three Snakes and One Charm boy?!" I hear you ask as you suck on your cornstalk balls deep in your first cousin... Well, the closer on this side of the Black Crowes fourth album has the word pawnshop in the title and is part of the narrative of the subject of that story! But, will the six minute closer drag on and on for Kev and will Corey be able to handle the straight up weirdness of Nebakanezer?The only way to find out is to turn on, tune in, and pay some attention to me!Songs covered in this episode: "Under a Mountain", "Good Friday", "Nebakanezer", "One Mirror Too Many", "Blackberry", "Girl from a Pawnshop"Don't forget to follow us on social media and leave us a rating/review if you're enjoying the show!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UltimateCatalogueClashBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ucatalogueclash.bsky.socialDiscord: https://discord.gg/mz9ymTwSSE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I always look forward to it as one of the season's great Christmas moments - the lighting of that towering Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. And it's happening this week! I remember one year that it was just a tad more exciting, for me anyway, because I had sort of a second-hand personal connection. The tree came from the farm owned by our good friends' daughter and son-in-law. They were chauffeured to ringside (actually rink-side) seats for the big show. So, not only did I get to watch the tree and the performers. Hey, I had, like, friends on the front row! I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "A Rockefeller Center Christmas - Ringside Seats at the Tree." Apparently, the NBC "tree scouts" look for evergreen candidates year-round. And one of them spotted this one, driving down Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania. It was readily visible from the highway and he liked what he saw. In the months leading up to the tree being cut down, the "treeologists" (I don't know if that's a word) would come with a large tractor trailer full of nutrients for Mr. Spruce. They wanted to be sure he was in good health for his moment of glory! Rachel, our friends' daughter, describes herself as a "big Christmas elf." She said the giant tree was the only thing at her home she didn't decorate for Christmas. And now it was going to be decorated big time for all the world to see! You could say she was slightly excited. I suppose our friends have viewed the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree as we always have - a nice Christmas event. But not last year. No, it went from being just an event to an unforgettable personal experience! And thinking about that just rang a bell suddenly in my heart, because the whole Christmas thing can be much the same - a warm, cuddly event, inspired by the familiar story of that baby born in the Bethlehem manger. But it's a lot more than that for me. The event became a life-changing personal experience. When I realized the ultimate meaning of the events that night in Bethlehem, I saw that it was all about the tree. In a sense, the shadow of that tree looms over the starlight in the manger. This child is here on a mission - a rescue mission. And that mission will take Him, 33 years later, to the tree. A Roman cross on a skull-shaped hill. In our Word for today from the Word of God we learn in 1 Peter 2:24. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree." Christmas was for a cross - the place where the baby of Bethlehem would become the Savior of the world by taking on Himself the death penalty for every human sin. "He bore...on the tree" every hurting thing, every dirty thing, every selfish thing, every angry thing, every wrong thing of every person who ever lived. For a time, the horrific death of Jesus Christ on a cross was just an event to me. Remembered on Good Friday. A belief to be believed. A religious symbol. But one day it became so much more. It went from an event to the most profound personal experience of my life. When it hit me, "What's happening on that cross is...well, for me. For the sinning I've done. For the punishment I deserve." And that's the day I was given a ringside seat at the tree, when my heart melted at the love this Jesus has for me - enough to die for me. I enthroned Him that day, not as just the Savior, but as my Savior. And that changed everything. As it has, and as it will, for anyone who makes what happened on that tree "for me." I wonder if you've ever done that? Have you ever taken this man who loved you enough to die for you, who is your only hope of heaven. Have you ever taken what He died for? He's the only one who can forgive the sin that will keep people out of heaven. Have you ever said, "Jesus, I want to make what You did on that cross personal for me, and take the event and make it my personal experience"? Would you tell Him today, "Jesus, I'm Yours." We can give you more information about being sure you belong to Him. Just go to our website - ANewStory.com. Christmas begins at a stable. Life begins at a tree.

December 1, 2025Today's Reading: Matthew 21:1-9Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 7:10-8:8; 1 Peter 3:1-22“And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'” (Matthew 21:9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Wait, how did a Holy Week reading break into December? Palm Sunday happened the week of Good Friday and Easter, not four weeks before Christmas. Maybe the Bible-reading calendar (the lectionary) goofed up! Don't worry. This is not a mistake. At the beginning of this new Church year, we are supposed to hear about Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem as King, about Jesus' appearance as Savior, and recognize Jesus' presence not only in Jerusalem but with the whole Church. That day, Jesus entered on a humble donkey to the shouts of the crowds. During this season of Advent, we also look at how Jesus was born and laid in a manger at Christmas, and how Jesus will come again in glory on the Last Day.What those events all have in common is that Jesus is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. In Jerusalem, the crowds shouted the Hebrew word “Hosanna!” which means “Save us now!”  Psalm 118:25 teaches us to pray like this, and it continues to be the prayer of Christ's Church today.  In Advent, in Holy Week, and for every day throughout the year, you need Jesus. You need a Savior. The world threatens you, the Devil attacks you, and your own sinful flesh and mind try to get you to doubt God. You fall into sin; no matter how hard you try, you cannot live perfectly. By yourself, you are a lost cause. You can't do what God has called you to do in His Law. That's why He has come. He has come to save you. The Lord of all, present in the manger. The One who humbly rode a donkey into Jerusalem as an answer to prayer. The One who was subject to death, even death on a cross, for your forgiveness. The One who rose from death to give you the promise of everlasting life with Him. Jesus has come to save you.Keep praying! Keep singing with the crowds, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Save us now, Lord!”  Confess your faith in Jesus, your Savior. He has come to rescue you from sin and every evil. Rejoice, because He is the Savior you need, and He will never leave you nor forsake you.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing; For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heav'n our King. Oh, may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!” (LSB 443:3)Author: Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you'll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

First Take resumes with the Cowboys. Can they stay green bean casse-ROLLING against the Chiefs, and maybe even run the table? The Eagles hope it will be a Good Friday after facing the powerful Bears. Are the Eagles closer to a Super Bowl or an early playoff exit? Last but not feast, Justin Jefferson and the Vikings face the Seahawks. With J.J. McCarthy struggling mightily, are the Vikings wasting Jefferson's prime? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251127dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42 The Best Thanksgiving Ever What was your best Thanksgiving ever? I admit that my Thanksgiving memories are fairly well mixed because what happens from year to year is so similar. It’s hard to distinguish one from another. That's part of what makes celebrating Thanksgiving so special for so many people: the fact that we repeat what we did last year and the years before that. After all, how would most react to the suggestion that this year we should eat burgers? We don’t normally think of Good Friday as a day of thanksgiving, even though it is called Good. It’s a somber day on which we recall the suffering and pain that our Savior, Jesus, endured to make perfect payment for the sins of the world. Good Friday is the day that Jesus cried out in terrible spiritual agony, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). It doesn’t seem appropriate to consider it a day of thanksgiving. And yet that’s what Good Friday was in heaven: Thanksgiving Day! And why? Because on that day, a sinner repented. It was one of the men hanging there with Jesus, to be exact. What did repentance mean? Not that this man covered his head with ashes and walked around with a burlap sack on. No, true repentance means rending our hearts, not our clothes. It means acknowledging our complete brokenness before God—and the sin that results from our nature—but then seeing that in Jesus we have perfect forgiveness and salvation for time and eternity. This man’s repentance was simply and beautifully expressed with a few words: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Lovely repentance. And what happened in heaven? Thanksgiving broke out, just as Jesus once promised, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7). At least for that one sinner, it was the best Thanksgiving ever because of what it meant that day and what it will mean for him for all eternity. It won’t be about memories and traditions that eventually fade. It means life everlasting! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for suffering what you did on that Friday we call good. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251127dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42 The Best Thanksgiving Ever What was your best Thanksgiving ever? I admit that my Thanksgiving memories are fairly well mixed because what happens from year to year is so similar. It’s hard to distinguish one from another. That's part of what makes celebrating Thanksgiving so special for so many people: the fact that we repeat what we did last year and the years before that. After all, how would most react to the suggestion that this year we should eat burgers? We don’t normally think of Good Friday as a day of thanksgiving, even though it is called Good. It’s a somber day on which we recall the suffering and pain that our Savior, Jesus, endured to make perfect payment for the sins of the world. Good Friday is the day that Jesus cried out in terrible spiritual agony, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). It doesn’t seem appropriate to consider it a day of thanksgiving. And yet that’s what Good Friday was in heaven: Thanksgiving Day! And why? Because on that day, a sinner repented. It was one of the men hanging there with Jesus, to be exact. What did repentance mean? Not that this man covered his head with ashes and walked around with a burlap sack on. No, true repentance means rending our hearts, not our clothes. It means acknowledging our complete brokenness before God—and the sin that results from our nature—but then seeing that in Jesus we have perfect forgiveness and salvation for time and eternity. This man’s repentance was simply and beautifully expressed with a few words: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Lovely repentance. And what happened in heaven? Thanksgiving broke out, just as Jesus once promised, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7). At least for that one sinner, it was the best Thanksgiving ever because of what it meant that day and what it will mean for him for all eternity. It won’t be about memories and traditions that eventually fade. It means life everlasting! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for suffering what you did on that Friday we call good. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251127dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42 The Best Thanksgiving Ever What was your best Thanksgiving ever? I admit that my Thanksgiving memories are fairly well mixed because what happens from year to year is so similar. It’s hard to distinguish one from another. That's part of what makes celebrating Thanksgiving so special for so many people: the fact that we repeat what we did last year and the years before that. After all, how would most react to the suggestion that this year we should eat burgers? We don’t normally think of Good Friday as a day of thanksgiving, even though it is called Good. It’s a somber day on which we recall the suffering and pain that our Savior, Jesus, endured to make perfect payment for the sins of the world. Good Friday is the day that Jesus cried out in terrible spiritual agony, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). It doesn’t seem appropriate to consider it a day of thanksgiving. And yet that’s what Good Friday was in heaven: Thanksgiving Day! And why? Because on that day, a sinner repented. It was one of the men hanging there with Jesus, to be exact. What did repentance mean? Not that this man covered his head with ashes and walked around with a burlap sack on. No, true repentance means rending our hearts, not our clothes. It means acknowledging our complete brokenness before God—and the sin that results from our nature—but then seeing that in Jesus we have perfect forgiveness and salvation for time and eternity. This man’s repentance was simply and beautifully expressed with a few words: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Lovely repentance. And what happened in heaven? Thanksgiving broke out, just as Jesus once promised, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7). At least for that one sinner, it was the best Thanksgiving ever because of what it meant that day and what it will mean for him for all eternity. It won’t be about memories and traditions that eventually fade. It means life everlasting! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for suffering what you did on that Friday we call good. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

I wasn't sure whether to do a Good Friday themed episode as I have mixed feelings about it BUT I decided that I couldn't resist sharing some of the genuinely good deals that I've come across.During the episode I'm focusing on great deals from some of my favourite brands including:Medik8Geek and GorgeousAyu CosmeticsIT CosmeticsErborianNeomScamp and DudeAnthropologieElemisKliraand more.Happy shopping xx

Scott Van Pelt and Stanford Steve recap all of the action from Week 13 of the college football season. Starting with what happened on the Farm, the Big Man was THRILLED to see Frank Reich, Andrew Luck and the boys get a win. But the best game of the day was where GameDay was, as Oregon got past USC. Georgia Tech also got upset in the night slate, further complicating things for the ACC. Plus, thoughts on Notre Dame's domination over Syracuse and who should be ahead: ND or Miami? Ohio State also dominated again, as the Buckeyes have simply steamrolled through B1G competition. Also, thoughts on Wisconsin, Washington State, Penn State, the G5, Vanderbilt, Utah, Oklahoma and more. Finally, when Christmas season truly starts and Steve's goodbye message to Cal. | SVPod Approximate Timecodes: (0:00) Intro (0:38) Steve's RAW emotion after Stanford beat Cal (4:53) Oregon gets past USC (21:21) Pitt upsets Georgia Tech (31:26) Notre Dame or Miami? (35:43) Why the little guy deserves a chance (39:03) Shoutout Wazzu (43:14) Oklahoma beats Mizzou (47:35) Vandy rolls Kentucky (48:58) Utah outlasts Kansas State (50:12) BYU-Cincinnati reaction (53:18) Ohio State has DOMINATED (56:18) Ole Miss and Alabama have TOUGH ONES next week… (59:18) The Lane Kiffin situation… (1:00:36) A&M is FAVORED at Texas for the 1st time since… (1:01:43) Wk 14 look ahead (1:03:16) Good for Wisconsin (1:04:08) Good for Penn State (1:06:35) Good Friday games are gonna be good (1:08:33) Coming up (1:10:03) Update on the loan calls (1:13:56) SVP's Strosniders story (1:17:13) Steve is anti-Christmas for 5 more days (1:18:08) Steve dealt with more mechanical (1:19:06) Steve got AI glasses! (1:22:43) No premature texts, please (1:22:38) Poise was lost (1:23:43) Steve's WILD outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Van Pelt and Stanford Steve recap all of the action from Week 13 of the college football season. Starting with what happened on the Farm, the Big Man was THRILLED to see Frank Reich, Andrew Luck and the boys get a win. But the best game of the day was where GameDay was, as Oregon got past USC. Georgia Tech also got upset in the night slate, further complicating things for the ACC. Plus, thoughts on Notre Dame's domination over Syracuse and who should be ahead: ND or Miami? Ohio State also dominated again, as the Buckeyes have simply steamrolled through B1G competition. Also, thoughts on Wisconsin, Washington State, Penn State, the G5, Vanderbilt, Utah, Oklahoma and more. Finally, when Christmas season truly starts and Steve's goodbye message to Cal. | SVPod Approximate Timecodes: (0:00) Intro (0:38) Steve's RAW emotion after Stanford beat Cal (4:53) Oregon gets past USC (21:21) Pitt upsets Georgia Tech (31:26) Notre Dame or Miami? (35:43) Why the little guy deserves a chance (39:03) Shoutout Wazzu (43:14) Oklahoma beats Mizzou (47:35) Vandy rolls Kentucky (48:58) Utah outlasts Kansas State (50:12) BYU-Cincinnati reaction (53:18) Ohio State has DOMINATED (56:18) Ole Miss and Alabama have TOUGH ONES next week… (59:18) The Lane Kiffin situation… (1:00:36) A&M is FAVORED at Texas for the 1st time since… (1:01:43) Wk 14 look ahead (1:03:16) Good for Wisconsin (1:04:08) Good for Penn State (1:06:35) Good Friday games are gonna be good (1:08:33) Coming up (1:10:03) Update on the loan calls (1:13:56) SVP's Strosniders story (1:17:13) Steve is anti-Christmas for 5 more days (1:18:08) Steve dealt with more mechanical (1:19:06) Steve got AI glasses! (1:22:43) No premature texts, please (1:22:38) Poise was lost (1:23:43) Steve's WILD outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:33-43 NRSVUE The Paradox of the Crucified King So the reading today is surprising, isn’t it? Did you wonder if it is Holy Week? Is it Good Friday today that we have the crucifixion? Now it’s a lectionary reading. It’s the reading today of almost all Catholic and mainline protestant churches who use the lectionary. It is the reading now because it declares that the king, the sovereign, the monarch for Christians is someone who is not on a throne, on a classic golden chair, but the throne of the one that we call king is someone who is nailed to the cross. The one that we proclaim Lord, King, Savior is someone that the early Christian movement in the first century saw as Lord and Savior. They believed that in the person of Jesus of Nazareth—someone who was born with and into and among the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. It’s not just that Jesus welcomed the marginalized. Jesus is part of the marginalized, discriminated, and oppressed people. Jesus' Background and Shame His mother is a peasant from Nazareth. His adopted father, foster father, is a carpenter. No, in some parts of the gospel he is referred to as, “is this not the son of the carpenter?” In short, construe “isang day laborer,” a carpenter. In other parts of the gospel, there’s no mention of his father. He was referred to as “is this not the son of Mary?” What does that mean? Like in our song earlier about shame, right? That’s a shame. It means you are an illegitimate child. You are born out of wedlock. Because there was gossip (“chismis”) that Mary was the talk of the town because Jesus was conceived even before Joseph and she were officially and liturgically married. There were rumors that perhaps Jesus was the son of another man. So this Jesus, as he started to preach and do ministry, miracles were ascribed to him—someone who came from Nazareth. As one apostle later said, “is there anything good that comes out of Nazareth?” So meaning, not only did Jesus have many issues regarding his personhood, but he also came from a place considered bad, where nothing good comes from. He knew shame. He knew what it means to live among, with, and as an oppressed person in those times; as a son of a carpenter, as someone who was gossiped about as being born not really of Joseph. He knew all of that. The True Son of God vs. Worldly Power And so when he started his ministry, naturally his ministry was for his fellow vulnerable people who were also exploited, oppressed, and discriminated. After his ministry, crucifixion, and supposed resurrection, the early Christians started to reflect on who this Jesus is. The Jewish Christians of the first century started to proclaim that if there is really a God—the God of ancient Israel, Yahweh of the covenant—this God is someone who was evident in the life, the words, example, and the miracle of this Jesus who came out from a place where no good comes from. If there is a God, this God is evident in the life of Jesus. That is why the Gospel of Mark, the first Gospel, declares in the opening line: “this is the gospel, this is the good news of Jesus Christ, son of God.” You cannot say that in those times; that will get you crucified because “good news” only comes from the “true son of God,” which is the Roman Emperor. You cannot claim the carpenter, the peasant, the one who was crucified as a rebel, is the Son of God, King of the Jews, and Messiah. That was unheard of and unbelievable to many in the first-century Roman Empire. But in the Christian tradition, God chose to be born in human flesh. For God so loved the world that the word of God became flesh and dwelt not just among us but became and dwelt among the poor and the oppressed and knew the life and the oppression of the oppressed. Leadership: Sacrificial vs. Self-Preserving This king is someone who is willing to die so that many shall be safe and set free, as compared to the kings, monarchs, senators, and presidents of this world where you have to die for them. Someone else may die except the politician. Isn’t it that the leaders of the world today are willing to let us all die (“mategi bells”) in floods and preventable disasters, as long as the leaders of the country are saved? Everybody else can die, everybody else can suffer except for the leaders of our country and the world. That’s the problem then and now. The leaders of the world play their “Game of Thrones” to the detriment of the masses. They use the people’s resources, but the ones who die and suffer are the common people. That is why the oppressed saw in Jesus a remarkable thing: someone who preached inclusion, someone who preached diversity, someone who uplifted those who were considered outsiders in society and religion. He welcomed all of them. He spoke on behalf of them. This Jesus denounced those who were considered as the sons of God in the temple and in the palace. Despite him being crucified—a shameful, the most shameful and painful way to die at that time—there were a group of people who proclaimed he is Lord, Savior, and Son of God. Reflection on “Wicked” and Judgment Earlier when I woke up, a video appeared on Facebook. I forgot his name, but he is an award-winning costume designer or stylist. He was talking about Wicked. He said—I screenshot it because I couldn’t remember the exact quote—he said this in his TED talk: “Wicked is about anyone who has ever been judged without speaking a word.” And the one speaking is a Black man. For those familiar with Wicked, who watched the movie or the play, you know the story. Spoiler alert. There was this green woman born with green skin whose birth was questioned—why was she born green? All her life, from a young child, she was hated and felt shame and excluded, not just by society but by the very family she is part of. The story goes that the establishment, led by the Wizard of Oz, started to blame the animals. The animals were like people; they were intelligent and could speak. He started a campaign to make the animals enemies, to imprison and torture them to such an extent that they could no longer speak. Elphaba, the green lady who later realized her powers, championed the cause of the animals and championed the truth about the Wizard who does not really have powers but just deception. The Intersection of Fiction and Faith This film and stage play resonate so much with the LGBTQ+ community, the trans community, or anyone—even if straight—who has ever been judged, shamed, or discriminated against for things that are not their fault. It’s a story of a person who was shamed but championed the cause of the shamed. Through an elaborate scheme, she was willing to die and remain an enemy to effect change and ensure the animals, who had been structurally and systematically made enemies of the state, were included back into society. She was willing to be the “bad one” in order for change to happen. Here is where I draw the intersection between Elphaba, the story of Wicked, and the story of the one who was willing to be nailed on the cross to be branded as a rebel, as an enemy of the state. Someone who denounced the “wizards” of his time inside the temple in Jerusalem and because of it was crucified. Challenge to the Believers So the question is, as fans of Wicked and as fans of the crucified one: Do we remain simply as a fans club, or are we really followers of the one who is willing to die for the greater good, especially of those who are vulnerable and discriminated? What does it mean for us—we LGBTQ+ people, great people who are “erehes” (heretics) for being allies of this community, we who are also considered wicked—what does it mean for us to be truly followers of these heroes? What does it mean to follow a peasant Jew in first-century Roman Palestine who was declared the bringer of good news and Son of God? How can we continue the story he exemplified? Let’s start with the 2028 election. You should vote for those willing to be nailed to the cross, not those who will nail us to the cross again. Conclusion: Transgender Day of Remembrance In closing this preaching, I also saw an Instagram post by someone who watched Wicked. It was a profound reflection that people are not necessarily totally bad or totally good. It’s a mixture of both. Perhaps the focus was on Elphaba and Glinda. That was also in the TED talk of the costume designer: Who decides who is bad, who is wicked, and who is good? Simply by the color and style of dress? It is true, we are a mixture of good and bad. None of us are perfect. But a pushback I have on that reflection is: while that is true, that is not a justification to be wicked. In Wicked, while Elphaba and Glinda have this dance of goodness and wickedness and PR, we forget there are two who are truly wicked: the marketer and the one marketed, Madame Morrible and the Wizard. They were the antagonists. While we affirm most people are a mixture of good and bad, of woundedness and shame, we must not fail to notice those who are truly responsible for the evils of this world. Those are the ones we need to challenge, just as Elphaba challenged the Wizard and Madame Morrible. So today, Transgender Day of Remembrance, let us remember our transgender sisters, brothers, and siblings who have it more difficult than most, who experience mental health issues, violence, and discrimination. We lend our voice and our prayers to them who are most vulnerable within the LGBTQ+ community. In the name of Jesus Christ, the one who was called wicked during his time, a rebel, and in the name of the fictional characters Elphaba and Glinda. Amen. The post The Place Called The Skull appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

One football team owner called it "the single most impressive symbol of being a champion in all of sports." Yep, he was talking about the National Football League's Super Bowl ring. The rings on Super Bowl champions are worth many thousands of dollars each one! Can you imagine losing something that valuable, that irreplaceable? Former Oakland Raiders champion, Gene Upshaw, can remember that. Yeah, he can imagine it. To keep his Super Bowl ring safe at home, he put it inside a bank that looked like a Pepsi can. Problem: he forgot to tell his housekeepers. You know where this is going? Yep, they mistook the bank for an empty pop can and tossed it out, ring and all. I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Treasure In Your Mirror." That was a costly mistake - trashing treasure because of the container it was in. Well, that's a mistake many people are making. Except the treasure is themselves. And maybe we needed to talk about this today because maybe you're throwing away a treasure called you. Now you may not feel very valuable right now. Maybe you're not feeling very good about how you look, or what you weigh, or the fact that you're still single. You're not sure how much you're really worth. But you're making the same mistake those housekeepers made when they threw away that ring - judging the worth of what's inside by the container you come in. It could be that you feel pretty worthless because you've been passed over, put down, rejected, maybe abandoned, or maybe abused. And the tragedy is that you may have been throwing yourself away because you don't know how valuable you are. There are a lot of ways to throw yourself away. You can throw yourself away sexually, socially by the people you hang out with, chemically, alcoholically, just by giving up or withdrawing, maybe even thinking suicide. But you have worth that you'll never see just by looking in a mirror or basing it on how other hurting people are treating you. If you want to get an evaluation of your worth, you've got to go to the One who created you. He's the one who knows your value. In our word for today from the Word of God in the Bible, in 2 Corinthians 6:16, your Creator says, "We are the temple of the living God. As God has said...'I will be their God, and they will be My people...I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty." Did you hear what the God of the universe says about those who belong to Him? They're His temple that He lives in, His people that He walks with, sons and daughters of the King! If you don't feel like you are priceless treasure, maybe it's because you are without the One who gave you your value in the first place; the Creator who made you as His one-of-a-kind creation. You're missing the love you were made for. And that's because, well, we've chosen over and over again to turn our back on God and do things our way. But the Bible says God values you so much that He thought you were worth having His Son die for you! Good Friday was for you. Picture Jesus hanging on that cross. That was to pay for your sin so you could belong to Him. You'll never know how much you're really worth until you are in His loving arms. Jesus won't make you give yourself to Him. It's your choice to finally end those self-directed, wasted years and to stand at His cross and say, "Jesus, the 'me' years are over. You love me. You died for me. I'm yours." Why don't you make this the day that you become a member of His family. And say, "Jesus, I'm yours from this day on." There's a website I want to direct you to, it's ours. If you go there you'll find what you need to know from the Bible to be sure you belong to Jesus. It's ANewStory.com. Go there please. Maybe you've believed that you really don't matter much, and maybe you've thrown yourself away for long enough. You mattered enough to Jesus that He poured out His life for you. Isn't it time you belong to the One who loves you most?

Faithspotting co-hosts Mike and Kenny are joined by writer / director Max Walker-Silverman to discuss his newest film Rebuilding, which stars Josh O'connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, and Amy Madigan. Set in Max's home state of Colorado, Rebuilding is a moving story of a family and community coming together in the aftermath of a wildfire that destroyed their homes and scorched their land and lives. Max drew upon his experience of losing a family home and acerage to a fire when he was growing up. Rebuilding is distributed by Bleeker Street. Following Kenny and MIke's discussion of the film and faith they spotted, there is an interview with Max Walker-Silverman. In addition, Mike's co-teacher Michael Logan and one of their students, Trip Breslin join in the interview. Faith Topics: Hope in Rebuilding: Hope is grounded in faith in the possibility of new life and community plays an important role in rebuilding. Community can be family, friends, neighbors as well as strangers.  Rebuilding New Not Same Lives. Though the temptation is to seek to rebuild life just as it was before, new life will be different, and even if it seems less, it can often be a more fulfilling life. Faith is change, and the Paradox of Home.  Individuals, families, and communities often seek out "home"because it is known, comfortable, and predictable, yet home is typically changing or under threat of change. Part of faith is growth and accepting and embracing change. Seeking to avoid change and growth is based in fear and the opposite of faith.  Non-Anxious lives. Faith fosters a life that is non-anxious in the midst of change and even struggle. While everyone experiences anxiety in life and seasons of struggle and loss, faith, including the support of community, is an instrument in releasing anxiety. Resurrection follows Good Friday. As witnessed in the Gospels, Jesus had to experience the suffering of Good Friday and the tomb before the resurrection. Most people will also experience suffering prior to the new life of resurrection. People of the Christian faith are Easter people prior to their death and passage from life unto life.

Nevillize Lab is a daily Neville Goddard practice system – one imaginal technique, one NevilleGPT prompt, and one shift per day to help you live the Law consistently.Join the early waitlist here: nevillize.com---------Neville once said, “Assumption, if persisted in, will harden into fact.” That one truth is enough to change your life. The question is, how do you live from that place, day by day? That's exactly what Unlock God Mode was created to help you do.If you've been waiting for a sign to take Neville's teachings deeper and make them the rhythm of your daily life, this is it. Start your journey now: unlockgodmode.org. ----------------------Download the free Neville Goddard PDF Guide at manifestwithneville.com----------------------

What Happened Between the Cross and the Empty Tomb? Most Christians celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday—but what happened in between? Pastor Roger Pettay unpacks one of the most mysterious lines of the Apostles' Creed, revealing how Jesus conquered death, liberated the saints, and made heaven open for every believer. Subscribe to stay connected with weekly teaching from Exalt Church. #JesusIsAlive #HolySaturday #HarrowingOfHell #ApostlesCreed #ExaltChurch #PastorRogerPettay #VictoryOverDeath #HeDescendedToTheDead #GospelTruth #ExaltChurchChesapeake

"Living systems theory has been so helpful to me. I think there is a drive within living systems to complexify, to wake up—there is an evolutionary movement. I speak out of the love and excitement generated by my little work, which many people are doing with me. It does require being able to experience pain. It does require tears and outrage. It does require positive disintegration. Our whole culture needs positive disintegration. It has to die to itself. So my Christian upbringing is relevant there: Good Friday and Easter, the necessity for death and rebirth. We are going to die as a culture, and it's better for us to do it consciously, so we don't inflict it on everyone else." - Joanna Macy The main source: https://www.activehope.info/Read the interview with Joanna Macy. Read the first few chapters of the book ACTIVE HOPE. Read Faron Sage's Article.Read more from Joanna Macy.SUPPORT JULIE (and the show!)DONATE to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund AND THE Sudan Relief FundGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBESUBSCRIBE FOR BONUS CONTENT ON PATREON.The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

====================================================SUSCRIBETEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpffyr-7_zP1x1lS89ByaQ?sub_confirmation=1==================================================== DEVOCIÓN MATUTINA PARA JÓVENES 2025“HOY ES TENDENCIA”Narrado por: Daniel RamosDesde: Connecticut, USAUna cortesía de DR'Ministries y Canaan Seventh-Day Adventist Church===================|| www.drministries.org ||===================17 de NoviembreEl mejor viernes«Con amor eterno te he amado y por eso te sigo mostrando mi fiel amor». Jeremías 31: 3, PDTEn los países de habla inglesa, el viernes que corresponde a la pasión, muerte y resurrección del Señor Jesús lleva por nombre «Good Friday [buen viernes]. Hace poco la revista Christianity Today se inspiró en el nombre «Good Friday» y publicó una caricatura de dos cristianos. Uno de ellos se cuestionaba cómo podía considerarse un buen viernes» el día en que Jesús sufrió tantas injusticias y maltratos, mientras que el otro señalaba que esos sufrimientos garantizaron nuestra salvación, por lo que, en ese sentido, es un «buen viernes».El profeta Isaías vio los sufrimientos del Mesías y explica por qué para nosotros aquel fue un buen día. En una de las canciones más hermosas de la Biblia, Isaías escribe: «Como a alguien que no merece ser visto, lo despreciamos, no lo tuvimos en cuenta. Y, sin embargo, él estaba cargado con nuestros sufrimientos, estaba soportando nuestros propios dolores. Nosotros pensamos que Dios lo había herido, que lo había castigado y humillado. Pero fue traspasado a causa de nuestra rebeldía, fue atormentado a causa de nuestras maldades; el castigo que sufrió nos trajo la paz, por sus heridas alcanzamos la salud. Todos nosotros nos perdimos como ovejas, siguiendo cada uno su propio camino, pero el Señor cargó sobre él la maldad de todos nosotros. Fue maltratado, pero se sometió humildemente, y ni siquiera abrió la boca; lo llevaron como cordero al matadero, y él se quedó callado, sin abrir la boca, como una oveja, cuando la trasquilan» (Isaías 53: 3-7).En el himno del Siervo sufriente, Isaías no deja lugar a dudas. Todo el sufrimiento de Jesús aquel viernes de Pascua no le sobrevino como resultado de sus pecados o malas decisiones. Tú y yo fuimos la causa de la muerte del Hijo de Dios (ver 2 Corintios 5: 21), él ocupó el lugar que nos correspondía, sufrió lo que debimos haber sufrido y con su sangre nos rescató (ver 1 Pedro 1: 18, 19). Sí, aquel fue un día horrible, pero también fue el mejor viernes de la historia porque en la cruz se decidió nuestra redención. ¿Cómo reaccionarás tú a la muerte de Jesús? 

11/5/25 - Teresa Helena Higginson (1844‑1905), born in Holywell, Wales, spent her life as a humble schoolteacher while living a remarkable hidden sanctity. From her childhood in a devout Catholic family to her work in schools across Wigan, Bootle, and Edinburgh, she quietly bore suffering, illness, and the challenges of teaching with unwavering faith. On Good Friday 1874, she received the first of her mystical stigmata (bleeding wounds in her hands and feet), and experienced repeated ecstasies in which she shared in the Passion of Christ. Teresa also promoted a deep devotion to the "Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of Divine Wisdom." Declared "Servant of God" in 1937, her life shows the extraordinary ways holiness can exist in ordinary daily work, patient suffering, and total union with Christ.

Or is it the long good objectification of a young Pierce Brosnan? Mick, Hannah and Jen are here to prove a Rated or Dated can be both, as they watch the cornerstone British gangster flick written by Barrie Keefe, directed by John Mackenzie, and which made a full-blown film star out of the late, great Bob Hoskins. He's joined by a host of familiar faces, including Helen Mirren, in a film that's prescient, political, tight and brutal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

But abiding teaches us a few stubborn questions: Does this freedom hold when the empire gets mad at us? Does it make more room at the table? Can it make it through Good Friday and still show up on Sunday? Jesus' freedom can. It walked through death and came out holding the keys to the jail. It taught Galilean fishermen to lay down nets and pick up neighbors. It taught a tax collector to give the money back and still feel welcome at the supper table. It teaches frightened congregations to stop asking "Who's my patron?" and start praying "Our Father, who art right here in the middle of this mess with the rest of us." Subscribe to us on iTunes! Sermon text: web | doc

At Jesus' Crucifixion and Death, the “Temple Veil” Was Torn; After Jesus Easter Resurrection, You Now Pray Directly with God MESSAGE SUMMARY:  Think about the magnitude of your direct and personal access to God that your prayers give you, through Jesus, if you will only pray. Before Jesus, ordinary people did not have direct access to God, through the Throne Room of God, with a direct personal relationship with God. In Old Testament times, people would come to the priests; and the priest would offer up a sacrifice on behalf of the people. The priests, and not the people, were communing directly with God. On Good Friday and at Jesus death on the cross, the “Temple Veil” was torn from top to bottom (i.e. “Temple Vail” was a large, very thick, and very heavy barrier that divided that portion of the Temple accessible by those wishing to sacrifice for prayer and the “Holy of Holies” where the only the High Priest could meet with God and pray on behalf of the people of God.). At Jesus Resurrection, no longer was an intermediary (e.g., a Priest) required for direct prayer with God by the people in Christ (i.e. Jesus Followers).  Because Jesus created a New Covenant relationship with His followers, now your prayers are in direct communion with God, the Creator of the Universe. Everyone, who is in Christ, may have access to the Throne Room of God in the name of Jesus. What a privilege this direct access to God is for those who are in Christ. The author of Hebrews, in Hebrews 4:16, tells Jesus Followers that, because of the Gospel, you have direct access to God's “throne of Grace” for your needs: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Philippians 4:1-13; John 15:9-10; Revelation 4:1-2; Psalms 69c:25-36. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Interior Life – Maintenance of the Inner Man -- Part 7: A Listening Spirit” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

The scene is the crucifixion of Jesus, one of history's most pivotal and painful moments, as told in Luke 23:26-49. We know the immense suffering Christ endured, but what did the people there—the soldiers, the mockers, the grievers—actually miss? In this powerful message, Pastor Derek Holmes takes us off the path and into the crowd, challenging us to look beyond the spectacle of pain to see the profound character of our Savior. While many were busy mocking or grieving, they failed to see the incredible display of compassion, meekness, redemption, and grace pouring out from the cross. What is the "view from the crowd" in your own life today? Are you so distracted by the noise and the suffering that you are missing the profound, life-altering grace of Jesus Christ right in front of you? Listen now to discover the hidden treasures of the cross that Pastor Holmes outlines, and learn how the compassion of Christ changes everything.

It's Sunday morning after Good Friday. None of the disciples are at the tomb, watching for Jesus to rise from the dead as he promised. But Mary goes to anoint his dead body with burial spices. The tomb is empty! Jesus is gone, but his graveclothes remain! What does Jesus do to prove to the original skeptics that he is indeed alive – and that everything has changed?

Dodgers Host Tim Cates joined the show to preview Game #1 of the World Series — Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays — bringing the energy from his morning show “Sax and Cates in the AM” on AM 570 KLAC with former Dodger Steve Sax. Then Conway floated a hilarious idea: Vegas oddsmakers are already betting on California's next governor — and “Governor Tim Conway Jr.” has a nice ring to it!

What does the Bible have to say about religious celebrations and holidays? Are they required, optional or even unauthorized if they are man-made traditions? In this episode we will consider: Secular holidays, versus religious celebrations, versus a blend of both Halloween, Christmas, and Easter Other holidays such as Ramadan, Lent, Good Friday, etc. Bible questions submitted on this topic biblequestions.org

Good Morning BT with Bo Thompson and Beth Troutman | Friday, October 24th 2025. 6:05 Beth’s Song of the Day 6:20 Developing Story: FBI NBA gambling probe 6:35 Guest: Theresa Payton (Cyber Security Expert) - FBI gambling probe 6:50 RAM Biz Update; Talktoberfest wrap weekend and News and Brews Promo 7:05 News and Brews Tickets contest (WBT Radio history) 7:20 Guest: Congressman Mark Harris - Gov. shutdown latest 7:35 Congressman Mark Harris - New NC Congressional Map | Redistricting Nationwide 7:50 Tell me something Good (GMBT Friday staple) 8:05 Developing Story: FBI NBA gambling probe cont. 8:20 Pres. Trump terminates all trade with Canada after alleged fake Ronald Reagan ad regarding tariffs 8:35 Guest: Chris Swecker (Retired FBI Special Agent) - Developing Story: FBI NBA gambling probe 8:50 Talktoberfest: Ladies night promo 9:05 Guest: John Hancock 9:20 Friday News Quiz with Jeff Atkinson 9:35 Big Weekend with John Hancock 9:50 Show wrapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered what your pastors really think while preaching—or what makes them laugh during worship? In this special Pastor Appreciation Month episode of PD & P-Dubs Unscripted, PD and P-Dubs sit down with returning guest Maggie Walsh for a candid, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation about life, ministry, and the lighter side of serving at Immanuel Lutheran Church.From childhood memories and sermon nerves to office pranks, “Duncan Keith on a Wreath,” and favorite church events like Trunk or Treat, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve candlelight services, you'll hear stories that reveal the heart behind the humor.You'll also get authentic reflections on what it means to follow Jesus, overcome stage fright, and connect faith to everyday life—plus the surprising origins of Cashier of the Year and Six Flags class trips!

On this Good Friday, we reflect on the cross-shaped life we're called to live. Will we choose the way of the towel—humility and service—or the way of the sword—power and control? A powerful reminder of the choice before us.Support the show

Beauty for Ashes, Diamonds for DirtLuke 23:1-25The Village Chapel - 09/28/2025In the early morning hours of what we now call Good Friday, Jesus was taken by the religious leaders to stand trial before Pontius Pilate. In Luke's account, Jesus speaks only five words when he responds to Pilate's question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” and says, “It is as you say.” We come to a crossroads in this account: Courage and cowardice converge; actual authority and power are displayed through silent suffering; and Jesus, being entirely innocent, willingly exchanges his life for the life of a convicted criminal and takes his place on the cross. What looks like a victory for Satan ends up being the masterstroke of God's Divine plan of rescue and redemption for the human race. Join us as we study Luke 23:1-25, and read about the Great Exchange, our sin for the righteousness of Christ!To find more resources like these, follow us:Website: https://thevillagechapel.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVTzDbaiXVUAm_mUBDCTJAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tvcnashville/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tvcnashvilleX: https://twitter.com/tvcnashvilleTo support the ongoing mission of The Village Chapel go to https://thevillagechapel.com/give/. If you are a regular giver, thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity!

When we gather together, we do so to honor God, to seek His kingdom first, and to trust that He is present with us—Emmanuel, God with us. Life is full of unexpected events, and how we respond to them reveals the true state of our hearts. Easy days rarely show our character; it's the curveballs, the tragedies, and the moments of loss that expose what's really inside us. Whether it's a personal crisis, a national tragedy, or simply the daily grind, these moments test us and shape us for eternity. Reflecting on the story of David in 1 Samuel 30, we see a powerful example of how to respond when everything falls apart. David and his men returned to find their city burned and their families taken. The initial responses were deeply human: some wept until they had no strength left, others looked for someone to blame. These are natural reactions, but they don't bring healing or restoration. Pain is unavoidable, but misery is optional; it's all about how we steward our pain. David, however, chose a different path. Instead of looking inward in despair or outward in blame, he looked upward—he strengthened himself in the Lord. This was a hinge moment in his life, a turning point that prepared him to become king. He prayed, sought godly counsel, praised God, remembered God's past faithfulness, and sometimes simply waited in trust. These practices are not just ancient history; they are the blueprint for how we can respond to our own trials. We are called to cast our cares on Jesus, to surround ourselves with people who point us back to Him, to praise even when it's hard, to remember God's faithfulness, and to wait on Him when we have no words left. Communion reminds us that evil does not win—what looked like the darkest day in history became Good Friday because God turned evil to good. We live in hope, knowing that one day all evil will be destroyed and we will dwell with God forever. Until then, we don't waste our days in fear or bitterness, but we find our strength, rest, and victory in Jesus.

How was President Abraham Lincoln murdered on Good Friday 1865, at Ford's Theatre, just five days after Robert E. Lee's surrender? Who was John Wilkes Booth, the racist actor with southern sympathies, who assassinated him? How did he escape before the shocked eyes of the packed theatre, and evade his captors to go on the run? Would they get him in the end? And, what were the long term repercussions of Lincoln's assassination for the future of race relations in the USA? Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss, in remarkable detail, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the man who did it, and the thrilling manhunt that ensued, the impact of Lincoln's death upon the future of America. Go to https://surfshark.com/TRIH or use code TRIH at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! The Rest Is History Club: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to full series and live show tickets, ad-free listening, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members' chatroom on Discord. Just head to therestishistory.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestishistory. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices