Podcasts about Goodness

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In this special holiday episode of Better Together, we sit down with Colton Penwell: local teacher, father of two, and devoted representative for Santa Claus. Colton shares how a childhood love of Christmas traditions grew into a deeply thoughtful role centered on joy, presence, and protecting the magic of the season.From suit fittings and sleigh bells to quiet conversations at eye level, this episode is less about playing Santa and more about what Santa represents. Together, we reflect on nostalgia, family traditions, and the small, intentional choices that turn ordinary moments into lasting memories, and remind us that anyone can be Santa. If you're new here, this is a place for everyone to laugh, learn, heal and build. Not alone. Not perfectly. But arm in arm, heart to heart. Because we were never meant to do this alone. We are always Better Together. Let's Connect! If this podcast feels like something you’ve been craving, hit subscribe, leave a review, and send it to a friend. The more voices we have in this village, the stronger we become. Email Us: bettertogether@richlandsource.com Subscribe to Maddie’s Blog Listen to more of Sarah Goff's MusicSupport the show: https://richlandsource.com/membersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's devotional, Pastor Kerrick shares about the goodness of God and the fruit of the Spirit within us.----Link For RIV Translation & Other Recommended Books:https://shop.recomsale.com/KerrickOrder your copy of the Rhythm of Rest today:https://www2.fccga.com/storeSubscribe to the Faith in the Morning Newsletter:https://www.kerrickbutler.com/subscribe

The Working of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer #3.

Some reminders on year end giving through the Branch County Community Foundation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I don't know if it's time, but what I do know is I know where the road to nowhere goes, and it goes to nowhere. And I want to take the road to somewhere. Somewhere has road signs like, you can do this, you accomplish this, you're going to feel good about yourself.” – Mike Burkhard Today's featured bestselling author duo are grandparents and have been together for 44 years and counting. One is a speaker and a former HR executive in global technology companies. Their tag partner is an entrepreneur-at-heart, certified health coach, and trained yoga instructor. They are Mike and Karen Burkhard. Mike and Karen have a fun on a bun chat about their new book, “Re-Discovering the Treasures of Life: 52 Stories of Goodness”, combating negativity in today's world, the liberating power of self-acceptance, and more!!Key Things You'll Learn:What helped Mike & Karen deepen their bond throughout their 44-year marriageHow storytelling can unite us despite our differencesWhat inspired them to write their book, “Re-Discovering the Treasures of Life”What is Mike's favorite story from the book, and how it inspires him to keep goingWhat helps them stay grounded and positiveMike's FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/mike.burkhard.487695/Karen's FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/karen.burkhard.1Mike's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08514KX5P/allbooksThe opening track is titled, “Unknown From M.E. | Sonic Adventure 2 ~ City Pop Remix” by Iridium Beats. To listen to and download the full track, click the following link. https://www.patreon.com/posts/sonic-adventure-136084016 Please support today's podcast to keep this content coming! CashApp: $DomBrightmonDonate on PayPal: @DBrightmonBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dombrightmonGet Going North T-Shirts, Stickers, and More: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dom-brightmonThe Going North Advancement Compass: https://a.co/d/bA9awotYou May Also Like…Ep. 1010 – How Writing Together Can Transform Lives with Gregory Copploe & Dani Forrest: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-1010-how-writing-together-can-transform-lives-with-gregory-copploe-dani-forrest/Ep. 979 – From Anthills to Authorship with Ron Kinscherf (@Papatellmeabook): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-979-from-anthills-to-authorship-with-ron-kinscherf-papatellmeabook/Ep. 1014 – The Grampion's Way To Building Unbreakable Character with Jim Tracy (@Towerjim): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-1014-the-grampions-way-to-building-unbreakable-character-with-jim-tracy-towerjim/Ep. 1013 – Fabricating Forgotten Treasures Into A Life Of Adventure, Purpose, & Profit with Kira Hartley Klinger: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-1013-fabricating-forgotten-treasures-into-a-life-of-adventure-purpose-profit-with-kira-har/Ep. 624 – “Got to Be Different” with Larkin and Shirley Weber: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-624-got-to-be-different-with-larkin-and-shirley-weber/#Bonus Ep. – “Digital Detox” with Molly DeFrank (@mollydefrank): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/bonus-ep-digital-detox-with-molly-defrank-mollydefrank/Ep. 1012 – How Happy People Think & Rebound From Disappointment with Andrew Byrnes Matthews: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-1012-how-happy-people-think-rebound-from-disappointment-with-andrew-byrnes-matthews/Ep. 709 – “The Power of Identity, Faith, and Leadership in Business” with Tom Kereszti (@Tom_Kereszti): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-709-the-power-of-identity-faith-and-leadership-in-business-with-tom-kereszti-tom_kereszt/Ep. 713 – “Down Set Lead!” with Rod Bourn: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-713-down-set-lead-with-rod-bourn/Ep. 470.5 – “Business and Personal Secrets for Avoiding Relationship Landmines” with Frank Zaccari (@FZaccari): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-4705-business-and-personal-secrets-for-avoiding-relationship-landmines-with-frank-zaccari-fzaccari/

On this episode, the tension builds as we see the weight of sin and the certainty of justice, but the narrative pivots on a breathtaking truth: mercy does not cancel justice — it meets it. Through vivid examples and faithful scripture, the episode traces how God's overflowing love and unshakable truth converge in the cross, offering forgiveness to the repentant and warning to the unrepentant. God invites us to understand better the God who forgives, the God who is just, and the God who longs for his people to turn and be restored.

Does God actually like you - or just love you because He has to?If you're a high-achieving Christian woman in business or leadership who feels like God is constantly evaluating, correcting, and disappointed with you, this episode of the Don't Waste the Chaos Podcast with Christian business & HR consultant Kerri Roberts is for you. We'll unpack why so many Christian women in business and faith-driven leadership feel spiritually “behind,” emotionally exhausted, and secretly convinced that God only tolerates them - and how Scripture says something very different.In this solo episode, Kerri invites Christian women in leadership, entrepreneurs, and ambitious, faith-driven professionals into a deeper look at God's heart. Drawing from her own story of leaving corporate life, downshifting to a Missouri farm, and walking through therapy, tapping, and spiritual unraveling, she reframes godly success as emotional health, identity, and spiritual confidence rooted in being liked and delighted in by God.You'll hear how attachment research, childhood patterns, and church culture can wire us to believe God is more corrective than relational - and how passages like Zephaniah 3, Psalm 18, John 15, and the prodigal son in Luke 15 reveal a God who rejoices over you, runs toward you, and calls you friend. Kerri walks through practical ways to rewire your nervous system and your imagination so that your leadership, business, marriage, and parenting flow out of being deeply enjoyed by God, not frantically trying to earn His approval.If you're a faith-driven entrepreneur or Christian woman in business who's tired of constant internal performance reviews, this conversation will help you experience God's delight, embrace your God-given limits, and step into more grounded, joyful, godly success without burning out.Tune in to hear:High-capacity Christian women often confuse responsibility with identity. We project our caregivers onto God. Scripture shows a God who delights, not just tolerates. Your limits are not a failure—they're a feature. Practical practices can reshape how you see God. Sponsor: HR in a BoxIf you're a small to mid-sized business owner who loves Jesus and wants to lead your people with excellence, HR in a Box is Kerri's signature, done-with-you HR system. It helps Christian entrepreneurs and leaders build healthy teams, fair pay structures, and sustainable people operations - without losing your soul (or your weekends) to HR chaos. It's built so you can steward your team well and still have margin for your faith, family, and emotional health.Resources & MentionsDevotional: You Were Never Meant to Do It All – A 40-Day Devotional on the Goodness of Being Human by Kelly Kapic (mentioned as part of Kerri's current spiritual + emotional formation work). https://amzn.to/4iicNKYIf this episode softened how you picture God or opened even a small door toward believing that He actually likes you, don't keep that to yourself.Subscribe to Don't Waste the Chaos on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify so you don't miss the upcoming episodes in this series on identity, emotional health, and godly success.Share this episode with a Christian woman in business or leadership who loves God but secretly believes He's mostly disappointed in her.Join Kerri's Monday Email List for deeper teaching on identity, leadership, and spiritual confidence for Christian women in leadership and faith-driven entrepreneurs: saltmidadvisors.com/contactSupport the show

Advent E3 — In the third week of Advent, we're reflecting on joy. Joy's not only a feeling based on circumstances but a rich biblical theme expressed in song, celebration, and even shouts of delight in all seasons of life. In the Hebrew Bible, words for joy appear most often in Psalms and describe communal feasts, temple offerings, and weddings. In these moments, joy is about remembering God's goodness in the past and anticipating his future rescue. The New Testament continues this story, with Luke and Acts in particular overflowing with joy at the arrival of the Messiah, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the resurrection of Jesus. In this episode, Jon and Tim find the theme of joy everywhere in Scripture, even before God's work is ultimately finished.FULL SHOW NOTESFor chapter-by-chapter notes including summaries, referenced Scriptures, biblical words, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.CHAPTERSThe Hebrew Words for Joy (0:00–15:24)Joy in Psalms, Songs, and Processions (15:24–24:55)New Testament Joy in Jesus and the Spirit (24:55–36:59)Reflections on Joy With Alena (36:59-41:21)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCESChara / Joy: Though not referenced directly in the episode, this 2017 video explores one of the biblical words for joy, chara.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“I'll Be Warm This Christmas” by Lofi Sunday & TBabz“Joy” by Lofi Sunday & CRFT“Snowflakes” by AvesBibleProject theme song by TENTS SHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Special thanks to our guest Alena.Powered and distributed by Simplecast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face, But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.”- ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Este é só um trecho da aula completa da música "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" com Michael Bublé, que você encontra aqui no podcast "Aprenda Inglês com Música". Use a lupa do podcast para encontrar a aula completa para ouvir ;) Quer dar aquele up no seu inglês com a Teacher Milena ?

Scripture Reference: Titus 3:3-8 Paul ends his letter to his co-worker Titus by appealing to the appearing of “our Savior.” In a world that is full of quarreling, envy and hatred, the goodness of God appeared as a baby in order to bring about salvation and transform His people into those that do good works.

Sovereign Grace Bible Church of Ada, OK

Sunday School 12/14/2025.

A Funeral Procession in the City of Nain.

In this episode of the Hall of Mysteries, Aba Al-Sadiq continues his exploration of the writings attributed to the unknown prophet Hermes — the same figure many traditions identify with Enoch. These ancient texts reveal a vision of reality that modern thought has forgotten, yet every prophet and sage once understood. This lecture uncovers why the ancients insisted that true Goodness cannot be found in this world, why suffering is woven into the fabric of creation, and what this means for a soul seeking purification. Through Hermes' hidden wisdom, Aba Al-Sadiq exposes the structure of the world we live in — and the path that leads beyond it.

Miracle On Route 34: Part 1 Ginny gets a wonderful Christmas surprise. Based on a post by BiscuitHammer, in 3 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Author's Notes: Someone asked me to write a funny and erotic Christmas tale, but since I can't be normal, it is taking on a radical twist that I hope people will find amusing. I've tried to make Santa awesome but also give him some flaws that the ladies will find both charming and irksome all at once. I wasn't going to call it anything lame like 'Here Cums Santa Claus' (in spite of my love of Elvis) so I eventually settled on ripping off a classic and beloved Christmas movie, naming it 'Miracle On Rural Road 34'. Couldn't help myself with the 'Yes, Virginia' quip, of course. As for Superman, Oatmeal and the Easter Bunny, well, get used to more groaners like that, because I like them. Merry ho-ho and keep your stick on the ice! , Management Chapter 1. Ginny Hale sighed forlornly as she sat on her chesterfield in the dim room, the only light provided by the crackling fireplace and some scented candles spread around to make the house smell like gingerbread. She'd made gingerbread cookies earlier, but they were predictably burnt and now her kitchen smelled like a Christmas elf's ass. She took another sip of red wine from her oversized glass, unable to decide who or what to be mad at, the weather, for bringing this god-awful blizzard on Christmas Eve, her so-called friends for ditching her after she'd gone to all this work to put together a nice party, or herself for going crazy and buying this (admittedly nice) chateau way out here in the boondocks. Still relatively new to her negotiator position, Ginny had landed a huge deal for the company she worked for and the payout bonus was one of the biggest ever seen in-house. Though she had an office, she had often worked from her cramped apartment downtown, where a glorious chaos only she understood reigned. But the payout had been large enough for her to purchase a very pretty home in the country, not more than ninety minutes from work. Her boss was so pleased with the deal that he said she only had to come in once a week, to pick up whatever she needed to work on. It had seemed like a great idea at the time, but now she found she was quite lonely. Few people were will to put forth the effort to come out and visit her. In fact, only three had since the summer when she bought it. Hell, even her boy-toy, Chad from Accounting, could not be bothered and was now just fucking Lily in the secretary pool instead. Bing Crosby was singing 'White Christmas' to her while she moped. The big bay windows to her back porch showed the fury of the storm outside. Driving snow had been battering the countryside for two days now and her boss had called her to just stay safe and not try to come into the city. He was a nice old man and she liked him. He'd actually taken a chance and given her the job, after she'd fucked him. She hadn't invited him to her little soiree, because his miserable old bat of a wife was hovering around him constantly these days, certain he'd been tipping on her. But even without Old Man Reese, she'd invited upward of twenty people and none of them had shown. Not even Claire, her best supposed friend, had made it out. She was probably too busy being pinned and screwed by her boyfriend anyway, Guido or Nunzio or whatever his name was. Dean Martin came on, singing 'Marshmallow World'. Normally this was one of her favorites, but tonight it just reminded her that she was alone for Christmas. Again. With another sigh, she drank the rest of the wine in her glass and reached for the bottle, turning it over. It was empty. Damn. She'd have to open another one. She walked slowly into the kitchen, wearing her ratty old fox-themed footie pajamas, having decided that if she didn't have to dress up for anyone, she was dressing at all. She took a deep drink of spiked egg nog from the jug of it she'd prepared while she found another bottle of zinfandel and burped very loudly. She wrestled the cork off of the bottle and poured most of the contents into her oversized glass, muttering that she didn't have to answer to anyone about what she did, she was a big girl. She slumped back down on the couch while John Lennon asked her what she'd done for Christmas from the stereo system. "Up yours, John;" she said testily as she drank more wine. She stood unsteadily, blinking for a moment to try and clear her head. She might have had a bit of a wine fog going on, since she'd nearly polished off two bottles of Old Vine Zinfandel in under two hours. Convincing herself that walking was not a bad idea, she tottered over to the bay windows, reaching a hand out in front of herself to make sure it encountered the glass before her face did. "Will you look at that shit out there;" she muttered to no one in particular. After all, there was no one around to hear her. Well, almost no one. "Hi, Oatmeal," she said sweetly, grinning lopsidedly at the bearded dragon that sat in a terrarium near the bay doors. "Looks like you're my Christmas date; again;" The tiny lizard said nothing but assumed a darker shade of purplish brown. "Same to you too, bugface." Ginny muttered sourly, annoyed at being spurned by a reptile with a brain smaller than a sugared peanut. She lumbered back to the kitchen, trying unsuccessfully to eat several pieces of the Turkish Delight she'd tried to make, but they were sticky and runny, most of the reddish-pink mess ending up stuck to the front of her pajamas. "Son of a fucking reindeer!" she spat, attempting to remove the pajamas, her sticky fingers having trouble with the zipper. She finally kicked the thing off and left it in a corner of the kitchen, now wearing nothing except her panties and a halter top. She stomped back into the spacious living room, thoroughly annoyed. While the music played, she looked around for something to do, taking another pull from the egg nog jug she'd brought with her. The hot tub. It sat near the bay windows, set into the floor and was large enough for five or six people. She'd been hoping that maybe a few people of the dozens she'd invited would show and maybe they could have a fun pool party. She'd even told everyone in the invitations to bring their swimsuits. But of course, no one showed. She was beginning to suspect she could live in Buckingham Fucking Palace and still no one would come to see her. This was, literally, the fifth Christmas she'd spent by herself. The timing for friends never worked out and her parents were always off in Monaco or some such place, avoiding the weather. Her mom had already called earlier that night, so she wouldn't hear any more from them for a few days now. She sighed yet again and pulled off her underthings, stepping into the water. She was drunker than she wanted to admit, though, missing her footing, squealing and tumbling into the tub with a splash. Ginny came to the surface, sputtering and hissing in outrage. Why couldn't anything work out? Oatmeal just stared at her impassively. "You win this time, gravity;" she growled, displeased with her inelegant entrance. Well, at least she'd been smart enough to put down the jug of nog before trying to get in. She turned on the jets and retrieved her beverage, taking another big pull as the tub rumbled to life. Ginny laid back her head against one of the padded rests and tried to relax, to let her frustrations go. She turned on the jets and allowed one to massage her lower back while sipping at a glass of wine. She tried to put the frustrations of the holiday behind her, to let go of the feelings of rejection and somehow not belonging. "Why did I but this new fucking home if no one was interested in visiting? Everyone said they thought it was so great, but months later, still no visitors. Do I really not matter that much?" It annoyed her to think not only that she was alone, but that doubtless most of the people who had ditched her were at home getting laid. Claire was doubtless face down and ass up on her bed, getting plowed from behind by Guido. Even Mr. Reese, the old geezer, was probably getting some, either from his wife or maybe one of his secretaries. She sighed heavily and sat up, putting her now-empty wine glass aside and deciding that just because she was alone on Christmas Eve didn't mean she wasn't owed at least one good orgasm. She leaned forward and rested her forearms on the padded edge of the hot tub, positioning herself so that one of her jets, the one she'd named 'Juan', was right behind her. She felt the flow of water begin to caress her and she rested her head on her forearms as she wiggled further back, feeling the jet more strongly now as it pushed against her ass and her cunt. With a sigh, she found the perfect distance and pressed her face down into her arms, letting Juan work his magic. Water pressure massaged her cunt lips, strong enough to part them and to tease her clit, sending thrills through her. She shuddered and sighed loudly, forgetting, for now, how much men sucked. She bit the knuckle of her index finger, lost in reverie. God, if only it were a man fucking her. "Alone; on fucking Christmas; where's, ah!, where's the justice in that?" She was sweating now and panting as the relentless jets battered her nether tinglies, the sensations overwhelming her steadily. She clenched her teeth and her fists, straining as she fought to hold on a little longer. She moaned very loudly, her whole body shaking as Juan delivered a wonderful orgasm. She panted and groaned shamelessly, knowing that no one was around to see her in her pent-up, frustrated lust, expending it on her Jacuzzi jets. The scintillating lights behind her eyes, however, were over all too quickly and the climax subsided, replaced by a juddering sensitivity that made Juan's caress too much to bear. She collapsed against the edge of the hot tub, moving her ass away from the jet. "Alone; again;" She may have needed the orgasm, but it did nothing to improve her mood. It didn't help that the song 'This Christmas' by Shoes had begun playing as the cumming ended. When it finally felt like her legs would work again, she turned around and slumped into a corner of the tub, as far from Juan as possible. Ginny stayed still for some time, until her feet and fingers felt that annoying level of pruny that made everything awful to touch. With the heat of the water and all the alcohol she'd drunk, she was feeling rather light-headed, so she turned off the stereo and shut off the lights. She found a plate of her fucked-up and burnt gingerbread cookies and left them on a table near the fireplace along with the jug of nog before beginning to head upstairs to bed. "Yeah. Fuck this day. And fuck tomorrow too. Maybe if I stay drunk enough it'll just fly by. Fuck Christmas." The second floor was an open space in the middle, looking down onto the main floor. A set of stairs led up on either side and the bedrooms were spaced around the gallery. She'd loved the design when she bought it, but this only increased her frustration when no one ever came to visit. "Gorgeous fucking house; ten acres of beautiful nature filled with deer and ugly-ass wild turkeys; a fucking pond people could skate on; shit, I even found a patch of landrace back there! What's not to love about my new home? Why aren't people shitting themselves in jealousy?" She reached the master bedroom, sighing at how big it felt since she had no one to share it with. She stood in front of the mirror, looking at her naked body and sighing. She was trim and fit, with nicely-sized boobs, she kept her cunt shaved smooth and her full lips were simply made to suck cock. Her skin was fair and even and her dark brown hair was long enough to pull on if you were fucking her ass or taking her from behind. So what the hell was wrong? The bed was certainly big enough for two (or maybe her and two guys who didn't mind getting close), but she plunked herself down into it and stared at the ceiling, waiting for the room to stop drunk-spinning. It took longer than she wanted it to, but things finally slowed down an she breathed deeply. She reached over with her hand and fumbled around inside the drawer of the nightstand. She finally withdrew an elegant glass dildo, a barely opaque white with bright red stripes curling around it to simulate a candy cane. It had been a Christmas gift from Claire, who had jokingly given it to her until she found a man for herself. That bitch. "Well, Frosty," she sighed, examining him. "Looks like it's you and me tomorrow. I promise to not get out of bed except to go to the bathroom or get more booze, okay? Because I'm here for you;" And with that she kissed the dildo and put it aside. She turned out her lamp and sighed deeply as she lay in the dark, waiting for sleep to take her. "Fuck Christmas;" A noise from downstairs. Her eyes snapped open. She was sure she'd heard something. Her heart pounded in her chest. She took deep breaths to try and calm herself, reasoning that she'd been drunk and it might just be hangover noises. Maybe just something like branches scraping on the roof or across the walls? Ginny felt a flush of anger and slowly rose, getting out of bed and putting on a plush yellow robe. There were definitely sounds downstairs. She grabbed her rape whistle and her high-school field hockey stick off the wall before quietly opening the door and proceeding out of the room. Her cheeks flushed with fear and anger. How dare someone invade her house? And in this fucking weather! "Burglars? Ruffians? Escaped cons?" "Well, at least if they see you they might have their way with you and break your dry spell." She shook the vile notion from her head, wondering where the hell that'd come from. Could she be that desperate to get laid? Ginny walked as quietly as she could, hearing noises on the roof. Raccoons? Looking to get in from the cold? Fucking trash pandas. She rounded the corner of the gallery and put her foot on the top step, her hockey stick ready. She crept down the stairs, still hearing the noises. They seemed to be coming from her living room. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to identify anything that might be amiss. Then she saw him, a symphony of red trimmed in white, the huge ass swaying back and forth as the intruder was bent over her at the base of her Christmas tree, doing God only knows what to it. He seemed to be humming to himself. She walked up silently until she was maybe ten feet away from him, her hockey stick over her shoulder, ready to swing. He didn't hear her or took no notice of her. "I don't want to hurt you," she growled through clenched teeth. "But you'd best get the fuck out of my house or I'll hit you so hard Google won't be able to find you." The person in red paused in their activities and then stood up slowly. After another moment's pause, they stood up and turned around slowly. He was slightly taller than average and quite a bit fatter than societal norms allowed. He had a fat face with dancing blue eyes and red cheeks. Beneath the tapered red hat was long, silvery-white hair and a very full beard and moustache. The intruder looked at her and grinned. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" he asked with a voice that could only be described as jolly. Ginny said nothing. She seemed to be rooted to the spot. She wanted to say something, anything, but she seemed to have been robbed of the power of speech. "W, who;" she finally managed to stammer. "Yes, Virginia," the visitor said quietly but pleasantly in a soothing voice. "There really is a Santa Claus." She blinked and shook her head, trying to articulate a coherent thought. The big man in red chuckled, clearly amused by her predicament. "Your egg nog was very good," he mentioned as he walked forward a little. "Your cookies needed a little work, but I appreciate the effort. Maybe a cookbook next year?" "Stay still!" she snapped, suddenly coming out of her stupor and holding the hockey stick behind her head as if she was winding up for a hit. "I'll deck you, old man!" "Oh, there's no need for that," he said cheerfully, totally unconcerned by her threat. "It's been a rough year for you, hasn't it, Ginny?" "Why do you know my name?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Of course I know it," the man claiming to be Santa said jovially. "I'd be pretty lousy at my job if I didn't, right?" "If you're really Santa," she said tightly, still not understanding why she hadn't knocked this guy's head off his shoulders yet. "Then what was I doing the night of October seventeenth last year?" He tilted his head to the side a little and pursed his lips. "Are you sure?" "C'mon, you haven't got all day." "Very well," he said, sighing. "You were sitting in McPhearson's Pub, waiting vainly for Greg from IT to show up, because you'd given him a blowjob in the bathroom earlier that day and promised him more. But he went off with Becky from Accounts that night instead of meeting up with you." She blushed furiously at the memory. "I; that wasn't the day I meant! I meant the sixteenth!" He shrugged. "You had the day off and were really frustrated. You slid a condom over that very field hockey stick and used it on yourself, just to see what it was like." Ginny dropped the stick very suddenly. "How the hell do you know that, you perv?" The man shrugged. "I know all about you, Ginny. And every other boy and girl in the world" "Don't give me that horseshit!" she hissed, glaring at him. "I had too many Christmases where I didn't get what I want to buy into that cockamamie story!" "Well, you weren't exactly the most exemplary child, were you?" he reasoned. "I mean, you weren't horrible, it's not like you were out kicking puppies into woodchippers, but you spent more time in the naughty column that the good column, didn't you?" "What did I ever do that was so naughty?" she demanded hotly, her fists bunched up at her sides. "You and your brother could get rather friendly, couldn't you?" the man calling himself Santa pointed out. She faltered for a moment. "Lots of siblings play doctor. And those atomic booty bombs where I kept jumping in the air and landing on him were just playful." "While naked?" Santa asked, raising a bushy white eyebrow. Ginny blushed. "But that wasn't what landed you on the naughty list," he added. "What got you blacklisted was that you lied about doing your homework or cleaning your room while you were messing around with your brother. Your mom and dad would ask you to do your math and you'd slip away to play doctor instead and tell them you'd finished your homework after. Lying is naughty, right?" "Woah, hold the phone here," she said loudly, holding her head as if she was suddenly dizzy from a revelation. She didn't seem to notice that her robe had opened slightly, exposing her cleavage. "Are you fucking kidding me? Fibbing to my parents kept me from getting the gifts I wanted?" "Were the rules unclear?" Santa asked. "I thought the songs on the subject were so easy to follow." Ginny pinched her eyes in exasperation and then scowled at him. "I'm drunk," she concluded, trying to convince herself none of this was real. "I'm drunker than Sarah Palin and you're not really here. I'm still in bed and this is all bullshit." Santa shrugged. "I was putting stuff under your tree until you arrived and enjoying the nog. I won't mind if you go back to bed." "No, you're not getting off that easily," she said in annoyance. "You broke into my house in the middle of the storm of the fucking century and I want answers, dammit!" He shrugged. "Fair enough. Ask away." Her eyes narrowed again. "Aren't you on kind of a time crunch? Unless I'm the last person on your delivery list, don't you still have a shit ton of houses to visit? Say, a few hundred million?" He waved it off. "I've got it covered, I promise. I have all the time in the world for you, Ginny. I always have." "What, so you sub-contract out?" she said snidely. "Got FedEx making the rounds for you? Or maybe your 'Elves'?" She mentioned the last bit with air quotes. "Goodness, this has been a bad year for you, hasn't it?" he said sympathetically. "But to answer your question, I am capable of being many places at once." "Oh, so now you're the Kwizatz-Haderach?" she asked archly. "Hey, it's not just cinnamon I put in my Christmas cider." Santa chuckled. "It's rather complicated to explain." "So do you, like, clone yourself?" she asked, her guard seeming to slowly come down. "No, not at all," he said, shaking his head. "It involves Cherenkov Radiation, a Holmes field, a Gellar field and, to quote a friend of mine, 'a lot of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey; stuff.'" "So it's some sort of deep quantum shit?" she asked, her body finally relaxing. He nodded, smiling. "Yes, it's very temporal and quantum. I can be many places at once. It's why I don't have to pay for billions in window repairs every year by going supersonic around the world." "So even while you're talking to me, you're delivering presents?" she asked, the sheer depth of the conversation hitting her now. She walked over to a stool and sat on it. "Like I said, it's difficult to explain without breaking out the chalkboard and calculator," he answered. "The magnetic lines between the poles help, especially the one that emanates from the Fortress of Solitude." Ginny blinked. "Fortress of Solitude? As in Superman? You're friends with Superman?" "Of course not!" the jolly man laughed. "There's no such thing as Superman, silly, he's a comic book character. Had you going, though." "Holy shit, Santa's a troll," she exclaimed, looking at him in bewilderment. "Well, okay, let's assume that this is all real and not a vivid hallucination resulting from a brain tumor. If I've been such a brat all these years, how do I make up for it? How do I get off the naughty girl list?" "Well, a little restraint would be a start," Santa suggested. "I'm not saying go out and become a Carthusian nun or a Buddhist priestess or anything, but you might try laying off the rampant promiscuity." "Why is that so bad?" she demanded. "What's so wrong with wanting to get banged?" "Nothing," he said simply. "But inevitably you get yourself into some kind of weird situation and end up lying your behind off and lying is a naughty thing to do. So try keeping your legs bolted together a little more." "Really;" she said, clearly not impressed. "Celibacy lessons from Santa Claus. Now I've heard everything." "According to my report here and speaking frankly, it's taken guys a lot less attractive than me a lot less effort to get you out of your clothes." Santa mentioned. "This coming from a guy who could clearly use a few P90-X sessions!" she shot back hotly, standing up, her robe opening further as she stomped toward him. He looked down at himself for a moment and guffawed. "Oh, right, I keep forgetting about that; hang on;" The man held his hands out to his sides and began to glow. The luminous display lit up the room progressively and Ginny held her hand in front of her face when it became too bright to look at for several seconds. When the light finally died away, leaving them once again in the softly lit living room, Ginny gaped in shock at what she saw. He was tall, powerfully built, with chiseled muscles, an eight pack and flawless, healthy skin. He'd removed his coat but the red pants remained, stretched tight over muscular thighs. Long, wavy, copper-colored hair fell past his shoulders and the full beard was reddish-gold. The sapphire-blue eyes stared down at her, still glittering with mirth. "Holy Jesus on a pogo stick;" she breathed, her voice little more than a whisper. "You're a total lumbersexual;" "This is what I really look like," he said, spreading his hands out to the sides and showing her his body. His chest rippled as the muscles flexed with the motion. "But kids react to the fat old man disguise better." "I'll bet mothers don't," she murmured, coming forward as if compelled and reaching out to touch his chest and washboard abs. "It's like you're Photo-shopped." He smiled as her hands caressed his abs. "You make me want to not get off the naughty list." "I think I know what you really want for Christmas;" he said slyly. Ginny paused and looked up at him in disbelief. "Are you kidding?" "No, I can't lie." the man in red pants replied. "I thought it was Superman who couldn't lie." "Well, the writers had to get that idea from somewhere, I guess." Santa mused. "In any event, if you want, you could end up on the good girl list by being rather naughty." She stared at him. "So; get laid by Santa for Christmas?" He shrugged. "There might be some other goodies in the bag for you, but I think we both know what Ginny really wants and needs for Christmas." "This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy!" she thought to herself, wrestling with her sensibilities. "If this is all just a dream, then I can fuck hunky Santa and have no regrets. If this is real, I can fuck sexy Santa and remember it in the morning! It's win-win!" "Well, this is super-easy," she declared. "Santa, I want you to fuck my brains out for Christmas." "With pleasure, Ginny!" he said, laughing merrily. "Whatever you like, however you want it. I have to keep the kiddies happy." "Good, but just don't say 'kiddies' anymore, because that's kinda creepy," she said, throwing her caution to the wind. She knelt down in front of him, putting her hands on the oversized silver belt buckle and undoing it. Letting it drop, she put her fingers on the front of his pants, caressing them over the crotch. Her mouth went dry. "That'd better not be a secondary present sack you're teasing me with;" Ginny hooked her fingers into the top of the velvety pants and pulled them down, revealing his cock. She drew in her breath slowly, her eyes widening. "Jesus," she muttered. "You're hung like a fat kid's Christmas stocking;" "Thanks, I make due." Santa said cheerfully, watching her admire his cock. "By the way, shouldn't I call you something else?" she asked, looking up at him while her hand reached up to take his huge shaft, wrapping around it, barely. "I mean, most people call you Santa Claus, but isn't your name Nick or Kris or something?" He shrugged again, grinning. "Nick, Kris, Klaus, Pelznickel, Joulupukki, Kanakaloka, Dun Che Lao Ren, Weihnachtsmann, Swiety Mikolaj, Hoteiosho, Jultomten, I don't mind, Ginny. I just like hearing you say my name the way you think of me." "Hmm, Santa;" she replied, smiling as she stroked her hand along his shaft, eyeing it hungrily. How the hell was she going to fit that all in her mouth, forget her aching cunt? "Ah, don't use that word," he chided, holding up a finger. "Some words are still naughty, even when you're an adult." "Stay out of my mind then, creeper." Ginny said as she leaned forward and swirled her tongue around the fat head of his cock. She flicked it around the tip and then slowly took it inside her mouth, tongue rolling against it. "The hell? How can his cock taste like mint?" "Just wait til you taste my cum." Santa said, leering. "Fine, but it better not taste like turkey gravy or we're gonna box." Ginny said as she pulled her mouth back for a moment. She pumped her hand gently along the shaft, studying her quarry intently. It was definitely the biggest cock she'd ever taken on, and the best-tasting. She'd been experiencing trippy magic all evening, maybe she could fit this monster in her mouth this one night; She put the head back in her mouth and relaxed, slowly pushing down the shaft. She moaned as she felt him slide to the back of her mouth and then to her throat. She felt him tremble and lay a huge but gentle hand on the back of her head. "Holy shit; I'm deep-throating Santa Claus;" Ginny took a deep breath through her nose and then tried to relax. Her whole body was tingling with excitement and the whole minty cock thing was throwing her off. Her tongue undulated along the underside of his shaft while the fingers of one hand formed a ring around the base of his cock and the other cupped his balls, fondling them. Ginny was proud of her cocksucking skills and if there was anyone she ever needed to impress with them (aside from her 11th Grade math teacher), it was probably Santa. She calmed herself and began pulling her mouth back along his length, humming and letting her lips vibrate softly on his sensitive skin. "Now I know why Mister Bondi gave you that A in math," Santa chuckled. "You're a very naughty girl, Virginia." "Hmm, only for you, Santa baby;" she cooed as she pulled her mouth off his cock long enough to respond, stroking slowly and swirling her tongue around the head again. She then slid back down the entire length, moaning in pleasure. She could feel her nipples getting hard and her cunt was very, very wet beneath her robe. Both his hands were on the back of her head now and holding her gently but firmly. She began to slowly bob back and forth, thrilled at how she was able to take this enormous beast of a cock all the way in her mouth. Sure, maybe there was some weird physics involved that compressed space and time or some shit, but she didn't care and he certainly didn't seem to mind. "Hmm, very good, Virginia;" he said softly, stroking her hair. No one ever called her Virginia and she didn't know why it gave her a tingle when he did. His cock was very full and very hard now, like a pulsing iron rod covered in mint-flavored velvet. She almost giggled at the thought of how crazy this all was. She really hoped it wasn't a dream. Her thumb began to squeeze along the underside of his cock as her hand followed her mouth up and down his length. The shaft glistened wetly and the mint was making her drool. She undid her robe and let it fall away, the air of the room kissing her flushed skin. Her hands now took hold of his powerful thighs and she began moving back and forth along his cock more quickly. She could feel his hands flexing in her long, dark hair, caressing her skin. Breathing through her nose, she moaned as she sucked ardently, her cunt almost aching with desire. She was hoping he would last long enough to fuck her when he went rigid suddenly and groaned, gripping her head tightly and his hips shuddering. Ginny's eyes widened as she felt him began to cum inside her mouth, spurting strongly. She began swallowing hastily, almost in a panic as Santa pumped his hips against her face. "Holy shit! Fucking eggnog?" He kept cumming and she was sure she might actually drown when he pulled his huge cock out of her mouth and pumped it furiously in his hand, spattering her tits and stomach with his glistening load. She'd never seen so much cum in her life. It tingled on her skin. Finally, Santa relaxed, allowing Ginny to put her mouth back around his cock and suck the rest of his cum from him. He was sighing and breathing rather heavily, apparently having enjoyed himself. She eventually released him and smiled up at him wickedly. "So," she cooed, winking while she gently pumped his cock with her hand. "Am I back on the good girl list?" "Oh, I'd think so," he said, grinned. "But it's not like I've given you your whole present yet." "Jeez, you can still go?" she asked almost in disbelief but also delighted. She really needed to be fucked hard now. "Your cock taste like mint, your cum tastes like nog, your ass probably tastes like hot cocoa or nutmeg and you can keep it up all night?" "Up all night is kind of my thing, at least once a year." Santa said cheerfully. "So how would you like for me to give you the rest of your present, Virginia?" "Well, golly, Santa," she mused, making a show of thinking while she stroked his cock. "Since you seem to be the gift that keeps on giving, how about we just wing it?" He nodded and she stood up, keeping hold of his cock and gently led him over to the large chesterfield, hoping it would hold his rather muscular frame. She knelt on it, resting her arms along the raised back and smiled at him, wiggling her behind. She wouldn't believe how wet her cunt was. "You gonna hurry down my chimney, Santa-baby?" she asked, smiling slyly. "I can't believe you just said that!" he laughed jovially. He may not have been older, fatter Santa, but the laugh still definitely suited him. He stepped up behind her and took gentle hold of her hips. She could feel him press against her ass and she shivered in anticipation. He slid his massive cock up and down between her ass cheeks, teasing her until she was writhing in desperation. He seemed to know instinctively what she loved most. Which only made sense, since he was Santa. "Ready, Virginia?" he asked as he pressed the huge mushroom head against her sticky cunt. She nodded eagerly, unwilling to speak. He slid the head in, parting her lips and penetrating her. She groaned loudly as he began to stretch her inner walls. With a slow, steady push of his hips, he pushed the entire length of his cock deep inside her. It robbed her of her breath, she'd never felt so full in her life, even that one time she'd been so horny she'd fucked her parent's bedpost. "Ah; uh;" she gasped, eyes wide. The sensations were like nothing she'd ever experienced. His cock completely filled her to a delightful stretch that didn't hurt except in the good way. His iron shaft throbbed in time with her heartbeat. It was wonderfully warm but also strangely cool all at once, tingling, like mint again. How the hell could her cunt taste peppermint? "Language, Virginia;" he chided again as he pressed in just a little bit further. By right his cockhead should have bruising her brainstem, but there was no doubt some weird physics shit involved that she decided not to think about. She was getting fucked by Santa, after all. She pressed her forehead against the back of the couch and tried squeezing her cunt around his titan cock or pressing back against him, squirming her ass against his hips. She shuddered in delight, loving how he felt inside her. His hands reached under her body and squeezed and massaged her tits, sending delicious thrills through her. He began to move slowly back and forth, pulling back until just the tip was inside her and pushing in steadily, almost robbing her of breath. She began to feel like a blacksmith's bellows very quickly. The feel of his cock sliding inside her, stretching her and touching deep inside in ways she hadn't known were possible; "Oh my god;" she gasped, fingers digging into the back of the couch. "You're tearing me apart and I love it;" "Only the best for my Virginia," he said, his ruddy cheeks taking on a flush tone as he fucked her. Her fingers squeezed the meat of her thighs and hips or flexed on her ass cheeks. His heavy balls slapped against her cunt as he drove inside her. Strong yet gentle, forceful and commanding yet accommodating. She felt dominated yet exalted somehow. His hand wrapped in her hair and she groaned loudly as he pulled on it, craning her neck. She shuddered in pleasure, feeling her spine almost accordion as he thrust inside while pulling her head back. Her could feel the pulse of his cock through her whole body. Her nails scratched along the couch, almost clawing it. "Uh, you're gonna make me cum so fucking hard;" she wailed, feeling the sweat forming on her skin. "Oh my gawd;" "You're going to make me cum hard too," he panted, thrusting deep inside, thumping his hips against her ass. "You feel wonderful and tight, Virginia;" "Oh, God, he's gonna cum in me;" she realized. "Santa's gonna fucking cum in me and he's not wearing anything! Will my birth control work? Shit, will my kids always smell like mint?" "Oh, God, cum in me!" she panted, thrusting herself back against him and grinding shamelessly. "Fucking cum in me, Santa!" "Ya want me to cum in you?" he hissed, his body beginning to tremble. It felt like his cock was getting bigger inside her. "Want my cum in you?" "God, yes!" Ginny squeaked, clenching her teeth. "Fucking cum in me and make me scream!" They strained against one another desperately and then she cried out as a massive orgasm crashed over her. It battered her senses as she felt his hot-yet-tingly-cool cum bathing her insides relentlessly. Her cunt was making greedy sucking sounds as she came, her whole body shuddering almost uncontrollably. She squeezed and clenched and rippled her tight tunnel round him, reveling in the way he stretched and penetrated her ever more deeply. She collapsed against the chesterfield, panting heavily, her body drenched in sweat. His massive, hard cock was still deep inside her, pinning her to him. She felt like she was made of lead, an exquisite exhaustion while pleasure crawled over her languidly. That was beyond anything she had ever experienced. But he didn't seem to be done with her. His powerful hands took hold of Ginny and turned her around so she was squatting on the couch, her knees spread wide and her arms slung across the high back. She looked up at him in weary astonishment as he nestled himself between her legs and pressed his cock against her sopping cunt again. "Ah!" she wailed as he slid deep inside her again, his huge cock splitting her wide. Her nails dug into the couch again and she clenched her teeth as she sucked in her breath. Ginny tried to regulate her breathing while Santa began sliding in and out slowly, looking down at her with those penetrating blue eyes. "Jesus," she grunted, feeling almost like a rag doll in his hands, which gripped her hips. "Gonna fucking kill me with that thing!" "Oh, let's hope not," he replied, thrusting into her strongly. "I'm nowhere near done with you." She gazed up at him, trembling as he fucked her good and hard. She bit her lip as he squeezed her thighs, before moving his hands up to squeeze her tits, pinching her nipples. She groaned shamelessly as the delicious sting electrified her senses. She tried to squeeze herself around him, baffled by how big he felt inside her. She gasped and whimpered as he slapped her cunt lightly. She reached forward and raked her nails over his powerful chest, leaving red marks along the defined muscles. She ground her hips against him wantonly, thrilling to the look of pleasure on this face. "Uh, fuckin' wreck me;" she gasped, feeling another massive climax building inside her. "Make me cum on that beautiful cock, Santa!" "I'll take 'Things Virginia Never Thought She'd Ever Hear Herself Say' for a thousand, Alex!" he laughed. He reached down and took her ass her hands and pulled her closer, smiling warmly yet wickedly into her eyes as she sank further onto his cock, which penetrated her to the deepest depths yet. She could feel the head pressing against her womb. It didn't hurt, but she felt fuller and more stretched than ever. She felt him squeeze her ass cheeks while he thrust into her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held on tight, bumping up and down on his powerful thighs. She moaned loudly and bit his shoulder, trying not to shriek. She tried to squeeze herself around him again, finding that she could barely control her muscles, let alone fuck. She bit down as the warmth spread through her, tears of pleasure in her eyes. He thumped his hips against her even more strongly and they strained against one another. Then he growled and released himself, pumping her once again full of his tingling cum. She shuddered and cried out loudly, her head spinning from the unreal ecstasy. Crushing herself to him, Ginny held on desperately, like a ship battered by an unrelenting storm. They both slumped onto the couch, breathing heavily. She felt small and almost cocooned in his embrace. She was covered in a heavy sheen of sweat and could feel the thrilling tingle of his cum trickling out of her cunt. It wouldn't be a stain on her couch, it was a mark of honor. Their hearts pounded in rhythm as the orgasm passed over them and slowly flowed away. "Holy shit;" she whispered, her body still limp in his arms. "I think you've ruined me for sex. I should be mad;" "You have to admit, it makes sense that I'm better at gift-giving than anyone else on the planet." Santa reasoned, smiling and stroking her hair while she sat in his lap. "I'd say you were a little pent up there." "Mild understatement," she moaned, finally raising her head and smiling up at him. "Thank you, first of all. That was the best thing I've ever felt in my life." "I aim to please," he said cheerfully, caressing his thumb across her cheek and enjoying the shining look in her eyes. "Kinda my thing, after all." "So," Ginny purred, walking to fingers up his broad chest. "Is there a Mrs. Claus?" He shrugged. "There has been, of course." She paused suddenly and looked up at him, her smile replaced by a deadpan look. "What do you mean, there has been?" He seemed somewhat confused by her change in demeanor. "Well, there has been a few in the past, of course, there was Seeki first, then there was Ahoop, followed by Annalina, then Layla, Martha, Juliana, Gretchen and Jessica, Santarina, Kasey, Mary;" "I see," she said stonily. "You've had more wives than Elizabeth Taylor had husbands." "Well, to be fair, they've been spread over a long period of time." Santa replied. "And they were all special to me." "So then I'm not special." Ginny said flatly. "Well of course you are," he said, not understanding her mood swing. "You're my Virginia." "And Becky down the street is your Becky, and Sarah in the blue house is your Sarah and Hilda in Dusseldorf is your Hilda," she concluded. "Everyone's equally special to you, aren't they?" He didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry, I'm not being fair," she sighed. "I just; well, I thought maybe this; ya know, tonight, was truly special. And clearly you're not good at lying." "Well, no, not at all." Santa agreed, still holding her and wondering how he could comfort her. "I can't lie." "Like, literally can't?" she asked, now curious more than anything. "It's part of your genetic makeup that you can't lie?" "No, nothing like that," he admitted. "But after spending centuries with kids and teaching them to always tell the truth, I haven't tried telling a lie in so long I don't even know how to do it." "You don't know how to lie?" she mused. "If I did, it wouldn't be the least bit believable," he said. "Like, if I said right now that your breath smells wonderful and not like old eggnog and vomit, I somehow doubt you'd believe my lie." "No shit," Ginny replied, giving him a stony look. "You're a horrible liar. You've got the subtlety of a cement truck. Good thing you're Santa and don't have to date to charm a girl." He held her close, hugging her tight to comfort her. She sighed deeply, still impaled on his hard cock, which showed no sign of abating. "God, I can't believe you've still got wood after cumming like a fire hydrant three times," she said, her mood softening. She was having the best sex of her life, she reminded herself not to ruin it by being crazy. "How long can you keep going?" He shrugged his muscular shoulders. "How long do you need me to?" "Actually, it doesn't surprise me that's your answer." Ginny said, smirking. "If you've got the time, I've got another itch that needs scratching." He grinned. "So you haven't broken in that hot tub yet, have you?" "Oh, Santa;" she purred, leaning in and biting his earlobe. "Like you don't make me wet already." He picked her up and carried her toward the Jacuzzi, deftly turning it on with his foot and bringing it rumbling to life. He stepped down into the churning water, setting her one of the seats. As he stood up, she leaned forward and hungrily took his enormous cock into her mouth, sucking ardently. She moved forward and knelt in the water, her hands on his hips again or stroking his balls. He picked her up bodily and turned her upside. Ginny squeaked in surprise at first but found his hips in front of her and began sucking again on his tool without delay. He buried his face in her cunt, tongue snaking deep inside her and she groaned gutturally, Holding her in place with one powerful hand, her teased her taint and then pressed a finger into her ass. "Jesus!" she gasped, almost choking on his cock as he wormed the finger down into her tight tunnel. "Oh, fuck! Your finger is bigger than some dicks I've fucked!" She attacked his cock again eagerly, bobbing back and forth like her life depended on it. She squirmed in his grip as he lashed her cunt with his tongue and fingered her ass. Her fingernails dug into his thighs and her knees locked around his neck. His cock throbbed in her mouth, still thrilling her with its unique and incredible taste. He turned her around again and paid her on the edge of the hot tub, spreading her legs wide. She looked on wantonly as he pushed his tongue back inside her again. He gripped her thighs to hold her in place and she groaned and squirmed, squeezing her tits and pulling on her nipples. Her breath came in ragged gasps as he drove her to the limit of her sensations. Ginny shook and thrashed as she cried out loudly, cumming on his face. He didn't let up, lapping at her essence eagerly. She lay like a dead thing for several seconds before her chest began to rise and fall. Her eyes opened, gazing back at him. She couldn't feel her limbs, just floating on a tingling ocean of deep colors. Santa looked up at her and smiled, pulling his tongue out of her cunt and kissing her clit gently. She shivered at the touch. "One hole left, Santa," she breathed, her body glistening. "Got any left in you to perfect my Christmas?" "Always for you, Virginia." Santa said warmly, standing and raising her gently into a sitting position. He settled down into the water on one of the seats and then pulled her onto his lap, facing away from him. She moved her hips around until she found his rock-hard cock, waiting for her. She placed her puckered knot against it, giggling as she thought about what he was about to do to her. She took his shaft in her hand and held it steady while she sank down, very slowly. Ginny gasped and shivered as the head pushed aside the tight ring of muscle, popping inside her. Then she sighed as she lowered herself, feeling his massive cock stretching her tight tunnel wide. God, she felt so full it was unreal. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, her ass cheeks pressed to his lap. He was all the way inside her ass and her held her closed as she settled back against him, purring in sensual pleasure. "Umm, it's never felt this good in my ass before," she said softly, her arms reaching back to curl around his neck. She gyrated slowly on his lap, moaning softly. "A gal could get used to this." His muscular arms wrapped around her and caressed Ginny's body, massaging her tits. She loved how she felt pinned to him. She had finally found the measure of her body and began to squeeze her tight ass around his cock. She squirmed in slow circles on his lap, wishing she had some music to fuck him to. Her stereo system suddenly came on and began playing 'It's Cold Outside'. She giggled and squeezed his neck gently at his thoughtfulness. "You think of everything, don't you?" she purred, lost in her pleasure. "I can't wait to make you cum again." He smiled wickedly and pulled gently on her nipples, causing her to groan at the welcome sting. She pressed her ass back into his lap, squeezing again around his throbbing shaft. The water bubbled and churned around her waist, the heat leaving her skin shining. She began to pant as she moved her hips faster, stopping the circular motions and started to move up and down, his cock sliding in and out of her. Santa took hold of her hips and let her bounce on his lap. Ginny leaned forward, gasping as she fondled her tits, overcome with a liquid heat as his cock impaled her faster and faster. Water splashed around them as the fucking took on an almost frantic pace. Ginny had never felt anything in her ass like this before, nothing even close to this good. She could very easily become an addict. "Uh, fuck!" she grunted, slamming her ass down on him while one hand snaked down and began massaging her cunt and clit. His hands steadied her and helped moved her up and down. She could feel his hips trembling beneath her, his fingers flexing and squeezing her skin. Her panting became a long, drawn-out keening. She clenched her teeth, shuddering and straining as she tried to prolong the fucking; Ginny screamed and pushed herself back against his massive chest violently, thrashing as she clenched his cock inside her ass while he came. His cream flooded inside her, the unreal hot-cool tingling transporting her. He growled in her ear, almost crushing her comparatively tiny frame against himself. She collapsed, utterly exhausted, her chest rising and falling as the world spun around her. She felt him holding her gently, caressing her body in unique ways that seemed to; regulate her blood flow and nerve sensations, making the post-orgasmic bliss she was feeling last as long as possible. She felt herself smile and hum at his consideration, understanding this this is who he was and what he was meant to do. Ginny then did something she almost never did during sex, she leaned her head back, pressed her lips to his and kissed him deeply and with great affection. She held it for as long as she could and then sank back into his embrace, sighing in contentment. "Wish you were advertising for a Mrs. Claus at the moment," she said softly. "I could get used to this." "I like things the way they are," he replied, hugging her. "Every year I get to reward you for being a good girl. What could be better than that?" "True, I guess," Ginny agreed. "I'm only human, all this sex could kill me." "Hey, I'm human too, you know," he chuckled. "Just because I'm immeasurably older than you and subject to quantum laws even my smartest elf couldn't explain doesn't mean I'm a member of some other species." "Okay, that's fair, although I'd still fuck you if you were an alien or some extra-dimensional being." Ginny admitted. "You've come in me a lot tonight, daddy. Do I need to” "No," he said cheerfully. "I'm not sterile, but you can't get pregnant unless I decide you will and I've never allowed it." "I wonder what a Santa kid would be like," she mused. "More like you or the mom?" "No idea," he confessed. "There's not exactly a manual, so I've never taken a chance." She slowly leaned forward and began to rise, shivering as she slid off his long cock and it popped out of her. She knelt and turned around to face him, not sure she could stand yet, looking up at his still hard cock and giggled, pressing her finger against the head. "Well, I think you can take him off duty, sir," she said sweetly. "I'm pretty sure that I'm all fucked out for the night, if not the whole season." He chuckled and let his cock soften, looking into her eyes and caressing his cheek. "Hopefully that was what you needed for Christmas." "Definitely, Santa." Ginny said, giggling. "Is it greedy to want the same present again next year?" "Not at all," he replied, grinning. "It cuts down on elf-labor hours if I can give people a gift mysteriously." Santa paused in speaking, going silent and looking around, as if listening for something. Neither of them touched the controls, but the motor for the jets turned off and all that could be heard was the howling roar of the winter storm outside. Ginny looked at him in confusion, wondering why his features hardened and a scowl crossed his normally jovial face. "That's no storm," he said in a low, growling voice. "Not a regular one, anyway." "What does that mean?" she asked, his reaction worrying her for reasons she couldn't readily explain. What the hell was a 'not regular' storm, according to Santa, or anyone else for that matter? He stood up and strode out of the hot tub, taking her by the hand and pulling her out with him. Their naked bodies glistened with water but this was the farthest thing from her mind. "What's going on?" she asked, his consternation beginning to frighten her now. She watched as he tossed her the robe she'd been wearing earlier and then started pulling on his pants and sturdy black boots. "It's just a winter storm! Isn't it?" "I wish that were true," he replied, his expression grim. "Listen to me very carefully, Virginia. I'll need you to follow me instructions precisely. Do you understand?" She nodded. "Okay, but” "Good," he said, cutting her off, his eyes flashing. "It's very important to your safety." "Can you at least tell me what's happening?" she pleaded. "Krampus." Santa muttered darkly as he wrapped bright red straps around his wrists, tightening them. "I should've been more careful." "What's Krampus?" she asked, going pale and she paused in putting on her robe, one of her tits hanging out. "Krampus isn't a what, Krampus is a who," he said, his eyes scanning the layout of her expansive living room. "He's also called Black Pete in some places and legend says he's supposed to be my evil henchman who punishes wicked children." "I take it that's not true, then?" she asked, looking around like he did, wondering what he was searching for. "Not even close," he growled. "Pardon my French, but Krampus is an evil sonofabitch. He was, at one time long ago, my dedicated helper, but he turned down the path of darkness, becoming twisted and diabolic. Forget punishing children, he wants to destroy Christmas, like it never happened." "What's that got to do with us here?" she asked, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "Can he reach us in this storm?" "This storm is his doing, I recognize it now," Santa said, striding over to his huge Christmas bag and beginning to rummage in it. "A massive storm always precedes his arrival. It can be mistaken for a regular winter storm if you're not paying

A week in review full of goodness

God wants us to know Him. Believing He is good, takes our trust to a new level. A Father whose character of pure love and goodness, is a Father we can love and trust. As Paul wrote, “we pray that by his power all the pleasures of goodness and all works inspired by faith would fill you completely.”Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser

Most high achievers aren't limited by a lack of talent or lack of opportunity. They're limited by the tension they carry inside their own nervous systems.  This low-grade tension drains your energy and leads to burn out, it flattens your relationships and leads to heartbreak, it blurs your decision-making and leads to humiliation.  So, where does this tension even come from? Your conscience.  Each time you betray your values, your nervous system takes note and interprets it as internal chaos, which unleashes a slew of biological disadvantages: Cortisol ramps up, sleep gets disrupted, your energy gets drained, and you lose access to creativity, courage, and focus.  But all of these weaknesses start turning into strengths when your behavior aligns with your values. Your body relaxes, the internal friction in your nervous system dissolves, your energy returns, and you tap back into your deepest source of creativity, courage, and focus.  That's why moral goodness is a performance-enhancing drug. It allows you to access the full power of your naturally evolved potential. It gives you an upgrade that a lack of achievement or material success can't, by definition, take away from you.  That's what we're discussing in today's episode.  You'll discover the real cost betraying your conscience has on your nervous system, why moral goodness is a biological advantage, and why aligning your behaviors to your values is the only path to deep, lasting peace.  Listen now. Show Highlights Include: Why asking yourself this question forces you to slow down long enough to interact with your nervous system instead of being a puppet to it (0:28)  The cold, hard truth about why hitting another milestone can't grow your inner security (1:03)  3 traits you must embody in your behavior if you want your nervous system to relax (3:56)  The physiological explanation behind karma (and how to use this new understanding to eliminate low-grade tension your body holds) (5:29)  How cultivating goodness gives you the most practical performance advantage (12:37)  The real world leadership skills that come as a natural extension of compassion (13:14)  Why moral goodness is a "biological upgrade" that can't be taken away from you (13:43)   For more about David Tian, go here: https://www.davidtianphd.com/about/  Feeling like success in one area of life has come at the expense of another? Maybe you've crushed it in your career, but your relationships feel strained. Or you've built the life you thought you wanted, yet there's still something important missing. I've put together a free 3-minute assessment to help you see what's really holding you back. Answer a few simple questions, and you'll get instant access to a personalized masterclass that speaks directly to where you are right now. It's fast. It's practical. And it could change the way you approach leadership, love, and fulfillment. Take the first step here → https://dtphd.com/quiz

According to the State of Sales Enablement Report, 2025, 29% of companies still rely on multiple disconnected GTM tools. So how can organizations leverage a unified platform to scale sales readiness and achieve GTM success? Riley Rogers: Hi, and welcome to the Win/Win Podcast. I’m your host, Riley Rogers. Join us as we dive into changing trends in the workplace and how to navigate them successfully. Here to discuss this topic is Heather Hubner, advisor distribution and agent relations at Priority Health. Thank you so much for joining us, Heather! I’d love it if you could just start by telling us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your role. Heather Hubner: Thanks for having me, Riley. Again, my name is Heather Hubner, and my role is a somewhat newer role in our company, but I came from the employee benefits side of the industry and then moved into sales. So I was a sales rep for several years for priority Health and that has evolved into the distribution side. Really my role is to ensure that our agent partners have a very aligned message as far as our products go, and just ensure that we are giving them the tools they need to represent our product in the field appropriately. RR: I kind of wanna double click into something you mentioned, which is that you started on the sales side of the house at Priority Health. So with that background in mind, can you walk us through some of the unique challenges that reps in the healthcare industry face, and then maybe a little bit about how enablement can help them overcome those things? HH: Yes, and I love this question. Being a sales rep in this industry—I think anyone who has worked in it understands the complexity—-is complex, it is fast paced, it’s somewhat seasonal, but we’re also learning that those seasons are no longer such. It’s just a high pace all year round. As a rep, one thing that I really learned was we have time wasters: we’re looking for a certain material that an agent wants, we’re reeducating ourselves on a product because maybe it’s something that we don’t delve into on a regular basis, we just need to reeducate ourselves as a rep. Before Highspot, so much time was spent digging around for that information and therefore less time was spent selling and building relationships and building trust with the agents. That was, that was very challenging. You know, I always thought: “Goodness, if I had everything at my fingertips, frankly, I could sell more for our company because I would be spending my time in a valuable way.” So I would say about four years ago, that’s when we first started using Highspot and it was an absolute game changer. I mean, it changed our world. We could get everything in one spot, and there was a lot of emphasis on making sure we had a source of truth. Reps know they know to go to Highspot, they can grab what they need when they need it, send it to an agent, reeducate themselves, and there isn’t any more guessing about where to look at our system, which drive, how do we find out who has the most up-to-date information. It really has been an amazing alignment tool. RR: I love that you’ve walked the walk so much so that you’re like: “I know what was hard, and I can now have the agency and also the tooling to go in and fix it.” I think that’s wonderful. And I think that’s always the goal of enablement, right? But when you have that background, you’re so much more in touch with what your reps need. So now that you’ve kind of made your way into this new role, I’d like to dig into what you’re working on now. So, what are some of those key initiatives that you’re focused on driving for the business this year? How are you hoping to decrease complexity like we just talked about for Priority Health's reps and agency partners? HH: To give you an idea of our journey so far, we started using Highspot for our reps and really went hard this year on ensuring that we had similar tools for our agents creating pages, specifically for our agents by market segment. We have created digital pages, so to speak. We call them engagement pages from an externally facing standpoint, and we have tailored the tools that those agents specifically need. This is important because, you know, if you are a small group agent, you generally don’t have all the complexities that large groups have, and therefore you don’t wanna weed through all those materials. So it really is the same principle applies, right? It’s giving them the tools they need when they need it, without having to sift through a lot of things that they don’t need. So creating very tailored pages for them has been really important. We’re going to take it a step further this year. So, to get to your actual question, we’re gonna focus on training. So when we get new agents in the field, they are the ones that we count on in order to sell our product, and oftentimes they are getting in the trenches, learning about all the carriers all at the same time. It’s a lot to digest. What we are gonna focus on is working on our training and our onboarding experience for our agent partners, and that way they can get in the field quicker with the right type of information, stay compliant with what our product actually is offering, and feel more comfortable. The hope there is truly we’re gonna sell more, more quickly, and they’re going to feel more comfortable repping our product. RR: I love the kind of internal enablement philosophies that are being extended out to the partner network—we know what you need and we want to give it to you in an easy, digestible way that is tailored to your workflow, because I’m not going to make you dig for something that you don’t even need. Keeping that in mind, I’d love to know what some of those other key building blocks for effectively equipping agents and building strong partner relationships are for you. HH: Gosh, the biggest piece is trust, right? They're building trust, um, spending time with them. Listening. Listening is the biggest piece. When agents are telling us things, we have to listen to them and act upon them. Otherwise what’s the point? The fact of the matter is in our industry—and anyone that works in health insurance knows our agent—partners are very direct. Sometimes too direct, but they’re very direct. So when they’re telling you something, they mean it and they are going to be truthful because their livelihood is also reliant upon the information we give. But I would say relationships are the strongest one. Trust, transparency. You know, being honest. If we are, you know, if an agent questions us on something, or frankly, sometimes they’ll compare us to other carriers: “Hey, this carrier does this. How come you guys can’t do that?” Be honest about it. But it really goes back to listening and forming those bonds to where they trust you. Because the more an agent trusts you, the more willing they are to say: “Hey, this group is a really good fit for your product. And I feel confident that you’re going to onboard them smoothly. I feel confident you’re going to take care of them from a customer service standpoint. And I feel confident that when there’s a problem, I’m going to call you, you’re gonna answer and you’re gonna help me solve it.” RR: So, you mentioned listening and building trust and transparency, and then using what agents are saying to kind of build your programs and how you support them. How are you kind of creating these channels to get in touch with your agents? Is it just getting on the phone and talking to people and then taking that information back to your strategy? How are you kind of creating that feedback loop? HH: So our team, I wanna give a little, um, shout out to the team a little bit. We are very unique, so we’re a newer team. There was not a distribution and training team before. We’re really working on the strategy for exactly what you said. How do we strategically get out? How do we make sure that our interactions are meaningful, and how do we enable our sales team to do the same? So what we have really come up with—and it seems to be quite successful—is we’ve created a premier partner program. What that means is we’ve got different levels, essentially of our partner groups: gold, silver, and bronze. For each one of them, we provide different levels of service, so to speak, but it’s really rewarding them for their business with us. With that, we’ve created a strategy on formal meetings. So formal meetings are when we actually go to the agency, we’re bringing our team of leaders and some of our reps, and we’re spending time with them in person and talking about our new products, some of the intricacies and nuances about what to expect, getting feedback about what they’re seeing in the industry and what they need in order to keep their clients in the space that they’re hoping to be for their employee benefits. We do that twice a year, and then we have kind of the other agency partners who we hit once a year. But on top of that, you’ve got kind of this less formal interaction, and that’s where we really come into play from an enablement standpoint. We want to make sure our sales reps have what they need when they need it. We help create some content for them so that when they are having more informal meetings—maybe they’re going to lunch, they’re going to breakfast, and they want to build a relationship, but they also want to bring some value and bring some meaningful messaging. That’s really where we’re focused. We understand that there’s different levels of that relationship building. You know, those individual reps, it’s so important that they have those relationships, but as an organization, as a whole, it’s important that we have those relationships and that vantage point in the market to where they’re saying, yeah, they have it together, they understand what we need. They are being formal when they need to be formal, but they’re being people when they need to be people. RR: That’s fantastic. I think one of my favorite things to hear about is programs that people are in the process of building and they’re so excited about. Thank you for sharing. We’ve talked a little bit about the strategy and kind of the philosophy. We’ve talked a little bit about how you’re creating feedback loops and embedding those relationships that you’re building with your partners into your programs. Could you talk to us a little bit about the role that a platform plays in kind of driving all of this for you? HH: I will be frank with you. Without the platform, this would be merely an impossible task. It is. I mean, it really would be. That was maybe the barrier in the past—having that source of truth for our materials, our education, and everything that our internal folks are using and our external folks in one place. On top of that, the tools that allow us to strategically tailor the messaging is amazing. You know, just sharing out links. The new digital pages, I’m telling you, these have been my favorite thing. We had a lot of feedback from our agency partners that it’s so hard to navigate where I get things. I mean, they were saying that to us for years and I couldn’t even disagree. I’m like: “It’s a hundred percent hard for us too, just so you know.” So this answer has been, you know, truly amazing. And then the Sales Plays: Our marketing team actually creates Sales Plays whenever we have a new product that’s going to market. Oftentimes, there are a lot of pieces of information that go along with that. We have member-facing materials, we have agent-facing materials, and then we also have things that are for our internal team only. But the Sales Plays really bring all those together so that when a salesperson is saying: “Hey, I need to learn about this product so I can go sell it right now,” it’s all in one spot for that product. Without it, I don’t know how we would do it. It feels as though our business would be so limited because the fast pace that we’re rolling out products and the fast pace of regulation changes would be very challenging to keep up with without having this platform. RR: That’s everything that we love to hear, is that the platform is helping you solve for those big problems. And it also kind of leads me to a question that I had for you, which is about how you’re driving alignment and consistency with Priority Health's strategy and message. You mentioned Sales Plays as kind of like an internal lever for keeping reps aligned, but what are your best practices for keeping agents and internal reps on message, on theme, and aligned to your strategy? HH: Really, that is our entire job as our team is to ensure what you’re saying is exactly what is happening. So we do it a few different ways as we are building what these for, what the formal agenda is going to be—which is what we formally take out to the market to each of our agency partners. At the same time we’re communicating internally to our sales reps what that’s gonna be and getting feedback from them about what it should be because they're the boots on the ground and they’re getting the calls from the agent saying: “Hey, you guys don’t have enough information on this. Tell me more about this.” That feedback loop coming to our team says: “Hey, we need to do more education in this area so that we’re aligned on the messaging.” Or if a rep says: “You know, we don’t know enough about this to go feel comfortable in the market with it,” we take that back and we know as our team, then we need to do better. And our marketing team, like I said, does a lot of that, but what we do is corral it together in a meaningful way for them. We need to do it better. I’ll be frank with you, you know, this past year has been a little bit of, you know, drinking out of a fire hose—creating new processes, creating new strategies. In terms of our communication to the market this upcoming year, we’re gonna spend a lot of time making sure that our reps have the same information as our agent partners in a more timely manner, so that there’s never a time where an agent is asking a rep something and the rep is saying “I didn’t know about that.” RR: I think it’s an endless task, right? Enablement. The business is constantly changing and so is your work too, but it does seem like, at least looking at the data that you guys are starting to drive, the impact that you’re really looking to. We’ve seen that you’ve achieved a really impressive 90% recurring usage rate in Highspot, which tells us that folks are in the platform, they’re using it regularly, and it’s part of their workflows. So what are some of your strategies for driving that adoption? How are you keeping people in the platform and excited to use it? HH: Being consistent with using this tool. So when we send out messages, we are very consistent in letting them know where they can find it, whether that’s providing the link or giving them teasers in the messaging to say learn more and then somewhat forcing them to the tool in order to learn everything they need to about it. This is a couple of things. One, you know, if they’re curious about the product, they’re gonna click in and then they’re going to potentially see what else is there, which is really great. But the fact that we’re using this really as our source of truth too for product information that’s been learned—because of the frustration of past years where they didn’t know where to go—it’s such a breath of fresh air that quite frankly, the user adoption, I don’t wanna say it’s easy, but it’s been easier because it’s been such a good problem solver. We didn’t know how we were going to solve for before we had this platform. RR: You know, you’re doing something right when just having folks land in the platform and realize “oh, this is so much better than what we had” is your main driver of adoption. That tells you you’ve built the right system, you’ve got the right structure, and you’ve built it exactly for them. So that’s fantastic. I always kind of love when I ask that adoption question, it’s like, I don’t know. They just like it and you’re like, you’ve done the right thing. That’s fantastic to hear. So, aside from that recurring usage rate that we just talked about, what other impact have you seen with the platform? HH: Yeah, I got chills when you just asked me that question actually, because there is a piece that I’m so excited about. We track the metrics, of course, of how much usage is being had on the agency side. So again, I keep speaking to this Digital Room, but that’s where we put all the large group information. And then we’ve also done the same for small groups. Seeing how much time has been spent there by our agent partners is a direct correlation of the time that doesn’t have to be spent by our reps. And in fact, I would argue even more when we first launched the pages, it was, we would look at the hours spent in there and we’re like, Ooh, three hours. Ooh, five hours. Ooh, 24 hours. And then we just started to get excited of: “man, people love this tool!” And then just getting the direct feedback from the agents too. They’re like: “This is a game changer. Heather.” I love not having to bother a rep with this information because that’s more time out of their day too, right? The agent then has to make a phone call. Or an email, which is more likely it’s adding to the multitude of emails that everybody’s getting every day. It takes that step out and creates a self-service environment that I think we all know and love. But I think that’s the most exciting piece RR: That’s so great to hear. I think that digital room example is such a masterclass in how you can bring the workflows of Highspot to an audience that maybe doesn’t live in your platform, but you can still create that consistency, that transparency, and I think definitely something to share with our audience. I’ve heard a couple of teams do that, and it always works out wonderfully, so thank you for sharing that. One last question for you: What advice would you offer to other health insurance organizations like yours that are hoping to build strong partnerships and drive consistent execution across their channels? HH: My advice would be to really listen to your agency partners. Don’t dismiss what they are saying. Also, listen to your reps. Relationships are everything—trust, transparency. When you give your agent partners or your customer, regardless of the industry, that, you build something really special. RR: Trust, transparency, good product. I think those are wonderful things to close on. Um, and I think it ties really nicely back to everything else that we’ve talked about. I do have to say before we close out completely, Heather, it has been so wonderful to chat with you. I really appreciate you taking the time to come and share a lot of really wonderful best practices, some tactical, some strategic of how to use the platform and how to run in this industry. HH: Well, thank you so much. I appreciate it too. Just the opportunity to really think about what this platform has done to us has brought some, a next level of appreciation from my end. RR: Amazing. To our audience, thank you for listening to this episode of the Win/Win podcast. Be sure to tune in next time for more insights on how you can maximize enablement success with Highspot.

Send us a textIn today's episode, I'm chatting with Ginny Kubitz Moyer. Ginny is a California native with a lifelong passion for local history. A graduate of Pomona College and Stanford University, she taught high school English for 26 years and has written both fiction and nonfiction. Her love for California and its rich tapestry of stories inspired her debut novel The Seeing Garden, which won Silver in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in Historical Fiction. Her second novel, A Golden Life, continues her celebration of her home state's unique history. Ginny is also the author of the nonfiction books Taste and See: Experiencing the Goodness of God with Our Five Senses and Mary and Me: Catholic Women Reflect on the Mother of God. An avid weekend gardener, Ginny lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two sons, and one adorably stubborn rescue dog.Episode Highlights:How 25+ years of teaching English shaped Ginny's writing voice and storytelling process.Why all her books are rooted in California history and the moment she first dreamed up The World at Home.A glimpse into San Francisco life during WWII and the type of historical fiction she loves to craft.Her evolution from nonfiction to fiction and why the shift felt meaningful.How Ignatian Spirituality guides her reflections, using the daily questions “Where did I find life today?” and “What drained me?”Connect with Ginny:InstagramFacebookWebsitePurchase Ginny's booksShow NotesSome links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.Books and authors mentioned in the episode:Romeo and Juliet by William ShakespeareRebecca by Daphne du MaurierAll the Beauty in the WorldJoin us for the BFF Book Club Holiday Party!

Beyonce, Venus Williams and Nicole Kidman are teaming up on the creative event of the year, and just when we thought we couldn't be more attracted to Robert Pattinson...boom. A new film (and a new trailer!) ☕ Sharon Osbourne opens up about Ozzy's final days ☕ Girls rule the world as the Met Gala co-chairs are announced ☕ Celebrated author Sophie Kinsella passes away at 55☕ A new trailer for Rob Pattinson and Zendaya's new film ☕ Gwyneth Paltrow sits down with Jacob Elordi MORE CELEB NEWS: Once you’ve devoured this morning’s celeb stories, get your daily news headlines from The Quicky here. Our podcast Watch Party is out now, listen on Apple or Spotify. THE END BITS Support independent women's media Follow us on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. And subscribe to our Youtube channel. Read all the latest entertainment news on Mamamia... here. Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here. CREDITS Host & Producer: Ash London Executive Producer: Monisha IswaranBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The core of the Gospel is not the sin of humanity, but the Love of God! Join us as we unpack the Goodness of God! (John 3:16 - December 7, 2025)

Welcome to the ARCC podcast where I have 15-20 minutes to catch you up on the mission, vision, and conviction of ARCC and how and why any of that matters to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wednesday Service

Hola Amiga,  As we close out this season, join us for a heartfelt reflection on the goodness of friendship—those connections that shape us, support us, and make life richer. In this finale episode, we look back on meaningful moments, celebrate the people who've walked beside us, and honor the quiet but powerful ways friendship brings joy to our lives. It's a gentle reminder to cherish the ones who've stayed, encouraged, and loved us through every season.  Love your,  Amigas!    Connect with us:  Instagram: @Amigaarise  https://www.instagram.com/amigaarise/ Facebook: @Amiga Arise https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083723596616 Email: Amigaarise@gmail.com Website: https://www.amigaarise.com

This episode could change you for good. Miles, James, and Kat are back to finish what they started in episode 369, returning to Oz to cover Wicked: For Good. This sequel finishes the original story and looks to be one of this year's most successful films, but is it "good"? Take a look with us below the surface, otherwise this beautifully shot, catchy movie may trap you with its cynical message about propaganda, truth, and the deep desires of the human heart. Watch the episode here. This episode is sponsored by Be Claus Charity is a children's charity that partners with local artisans and makers to craft one-of-a-kind, personalized gifts for children in need. Visit beclauscharity.com to donate. Chapters: 00:00 Intro & Welcome  02:18 Popcorn & Theology Ratings  12:30 Be Claus Charity & Subscribe/Support  14:45 Ads  16:13 SPOILER WARNING! Popcorn Thoughts  33:54 Theology Thoughts  46:47 Truth, Lies and Moral Ambiguities  1:03:08 The Pursuit of Goodness  1:12:01 Lightning Round  1:22:24 Wrap Up: Until Next Time… Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and click the notification bell. Follow & connect: https://linktr.ee/popcorntheology  Support: https://www.patreon.com/popcorntheology Rate and review to get 2 FREE Popcorn Theology Stickers! Write a 5-star review and send a screenshot, along with your mailing address, to feedback@popcorntheology.com, and you'll receive 2 FREE stickers!  #wicked #wicked2 #arianagrande #cynthiaerivo #wizardofoz  #FaithAndFilm #MoviePodcast #FilmReview #ChristianPodcast #MediaLiteracy #ReformedTheology Intro Music by Ross Bugden: https://youtu.be/Bln0BEv5AJ0?si=vZx_YiHK3hNxaETA

Today's Promise: Pslam 31:19 Discover the incredible promise of God's goodness and mercy in this inspiring episode. God has already stored up blessings for those who honor Him and place their trust in His care. Fearing the Lord isn't about being afraid—it's about showing deep respect for who He is.   Taking refuge in Him means leaning fully on His strength, knowing He is your safe haven. Imagine a heavenly warehouse filled with every blessing you could ever need, already prepared before you even ask. When you live in reverence and trust, you unlock access to this abundance. No matter the challenges life throws your way, God's goodness and mercy never run out. They are waiting for you to receive.   Tune in to learn how to walk in faith, open the doors to His promises, and experience the overflowing provision God has planned for your life.

Sunday, December 7, 2025 | Wicked Advent: The Gospel for Good (Wk 2) | Pastor Michelle preaches in our Advent 2025 sermon series based on the themes of Advent and the story, book, musical & movie of Wicked, with a sermon focusing on James 3:13-4:3, entitled "Popular or Peace: Shalom Beyond Appearances."

The relentless Prepper Broadcasting NetworkGet Prepared with Our Incredible Sponsors! Survival Bags, kits, gear www.limatangosurvival.comEMP Proof Shipping Containers www.fardaycontainers.comThe Prepper's Medical Handbook Build Your Medical Cache – Welcome PBN FamilyPack Fresh USA www.packfreshusa.comSupport PBN with a Donation https://bit.ly/3SICxEq

Did you know that God planned Christmas before He created the world? In this special Christmas episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob Rienow shares a powerful message about the love, sovereignty, and redemptive plan of God—one that was in motion before Genesis 1:1 and fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ. Rob walks through one of life's most painful and difficult questions: "If God loves me and is all-powerful, why does He allow pain and suffering?" With deep biblical insight and personal testimony, he shows how the message of Christmas offers both the answer and the hope we need. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - How God planned redemption before the world began - Why suffering doesn't mean God is absent or powerless - What Joseph's story reveals about God's providence and purpose - How Christmas proves that pain is not the end of the story - Why we can trust God even when we don't understand our circumstances Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 45:4–8, Isaiah 46:9–10, 1 Peter 1:18–20, Acts 2:23, Romans 8:28, Revelation 21 Resources: Visionary Parenting (Free Download) – Start reading Amy and Rob's book on biblical parenting today: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting Cedar Bay Family Camp – Join us in Michigan for an unforgettable week of faith and family fun in July 2026: https://visionaryfam.com/events Connect With Us: We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, questions, or prayer requests to podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team prays for every email and would be honored to connect with you. Next Week: Stay tuned for more gospel-centered encouragement to help your family follow Jesus and pass on faith to the next generation.

When hope is tied only to a desired outcome, disappointment becomes inevitable. Katherine Wolf knows this truth more personally than most. At just 26, with a newborn in her arms and a lifetime ahead of her, she suffered a massive and unexpected stroke that changed everything.Today, through her writing, speaking, and nonprofit ministry Hope Heals, Katherine invites others into a deeper, sturdier hope—one that can withstand even the darkest valleys.On today's show, she joins us to share her journey: how suffering reshaped her faith, her understanding of God's goodness, and even her family's finances.A Life Forever ChangedIn 2008, without warning or symptoms, Katherine experienced a catastrophic brainstem stroke caused by a congenital condition she never knew she had—an arterial venous malformation (AVM). Overnight, she went from fully able-bodied to fighting for her life.A 16-hour surgery saved her, but her new reality included significant impairments. Today, she uses a wheelchair, has facial paralysis, reduced function in her right hand, and additional physical limitations. Still, she radiates joy and purpose.“I did live—and I'm doing great,” she says with her trademark resilience.Katherine describes the stroke as the moment “the pebble hit the metal”—a collision between everything she had learned about Jesus and the hardest chapter of her life.Years of Scripture, sermons, prayer, and discipleship prepared her for a moment she never imagined. “This is no longer a drill,” she remembers telling herself. Her long walk with Christ, though imperfect, had built a foundation strong enough to stand when everything else fell apart.In her memoir Hope Heals, she writes that suffering is not the end of the story—but the beginning of a new one. Christian hope does not deny pain; it declares that pain will not have the final word.Katherine's more recent book, Treasures in the Dark, draws from Isaiah 45:3—God's promise to give “hidden treasure” in the shadows of our lives so we might know Him more deeply.“If we must walk through darkness—and we all do at some point—why not gather the treasure God has placed there?” she asks. In other words, don't waste your pain. Let God use it to form you, deepen you, and show you His faithfulness in ways comfort never could.Hope Heals: A Ministry Born from SufferingOne of the greatest treasures to emerge from Katherine's hardship is Hope Heals, the nonprofit she and her husband, Jay, founded.Hope Heals CampTheir flagship outreach is a fully scholarship-supported summer camp for families affected by disability. Guests experience rest, community, and the love of Christ through what Katherine calls “inter-ability community”—people with and without disabilities sharing life together.Volunteers and families leave forever changed. The joy is contagious.Mend Coffee ShopIn Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood, Hope Heals also operates Mend, a universally accessible coffee shop that employs people with disabilities and creates a space where everyone belongs.Katherine describes both initiatives as “glorious,” a word she uses often—and always with delight.The Financial Realities of SufferingMedical crises don't just affect the body; they often reshape a family's finances. Katherine knows this firsthand.When disability or sudden illness enters a story, she notes, “the finances can be ravaged.” Many families drain savings, take on debt, or scramble to fund treatments and therapies.But Katherine also speaks about “invisible wheelchairs”—the unseen burdens that hold people back. Financial instability, she says, can be one of the most crippling.Her encouragement? Everyone carries some kind of hardship. You are not alone. God gives us community and wisdom so we don't walk these valleys in isolation.For Katherine, surrender has become a central theme of her spiritual life, including how she views money.“Surrender is relief,” she says. “It's not God binding us up—it's letting Him take the wheel.”This posture doesn't magically erase financial challenges, but it reframes them. It anchors us in trust rather than fear. And it reminds us that provision comes from God, not our own strength.Hope for Anyone Facing UncertaintyKatherine's story speaks to those walking through overwhelming medical challenges—but her final encouragement reaches everyone, regardless of circumstances.Trusting God means you don't have to live afraid of what may happen next.Your circumstances may feel anything but okay, but when Christ lives in you, the deepest good in your life is already secure.“The good things of God,” she says, “are not external—they're inside of you when you know Him.”That truth allows us to face uncertainty with confidence, surrender our financial fears, and discover a hope that holds—no matter the storm.Learn MoreTo explore Katherine's ministry or support her work, visit HopeHeals.com.If you're near Atlanta, stop by Mend coffee shop in Buckhead—a place of belonging, beauty, and community. Katherine will also be speaking at the upcoming Kingdom Advisors Conference, where thousands of financial professionals gather to grow in biblical wisdom and stewardship. Learn more at RedeemingMoney.com.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I invested based on the advice of a family friend who said it was guaranteed, but I lost $15,000. I'm single, I don't have much, and I was expecting this investment to return about $25,000. Now I'm just praying I'll have enough for rent next month. I'm calling to ask how I can recover from something like this.I have some real estate properties I want to leave to my children, and I've heard that putting them in a trust can help avoid capital gains. Do I need a trust for that? And should I also have a will?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Hope Heals | Hope Heals Camp | Mend Coffee & GoodsHope Heals: 
A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and an Overcoming Love by Katherine and Jay WolfTreasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections for Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting by Katherine Wolf with Alex WolfWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How would your life change if you not only believed that the only thing that exists is spiritual goodness, but had actually seen and felt it? Host Jenny Sawyer spoke with Tricia Chantha and Karina Bumatay about their experiences—and the beautiful effects.

PJ talks to Virginia O'Gara about their plans when they take over the beloved Quay Coop in January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are tracing the overflow of God's goodness, as the gospel wave breaks powerfully over ancient boundaries. In our first study of Acts 11:19–30 we saw a good purpose, a good word, a good step, a good hand, and a good number. Keeping our eye on the mercy and grace of God in Christ, next we turn to a good man called Barnabas, a good work in Antioch, a good plan to involve Saul of Tarsus, a good name for the disciples, and a good gift to Jerusalem, the church in Antioch having received some from them already.

Minister: Pastor Femi Paul Theme: We Declare in Worship & Thanksgiving: The Lord Has Done It Again! Key Scripture: Psalm 133:1 & 3 (NKJV) Today, we gathered as one joyful family to give thanks for every victory, every miracle, every blessing, and every testimony God graciously bestowed on us this year. Pastor Femi Paul led Grace Assembly in a powerful time of prophetic thanksgiving and unity, declaring that our collective worship has unlocked the place where God commands His blessings. He affirmed that because the Lord has done it again, our thanksgiving is not empty - it is a response to the evidence of God's Goodness already at work among us. Pastor decreed that commanded blessings - undeniable, unstoppable, irreversible favour and life - are being released upon the church and every family connected to this house! Confession: The Lord has done it again! His goodness continues in my life. His commanded blessings rest upon Grace Assembly and every household here. We walk into the New Year with testimonies multiplied! And because we are a church that remembers and responds in thanksgiving, The Lord will do it yet again and again and again!

Rob and Greg slip into a pair of Bad Sneakers with Billy Goodness and Ron D'Angelo!

Send us a textOh. My. Goodness.  You won't believe this one.  Let us know what you think!Support the show

This is a raw and honest conversation from the recent Faithustle event outlining how I fell from what I thought was my calling, lost my family, and took a beating in my business...and how God is redeeming this broken mess and sending me out into the marketplace with a new message of PEACE.This is what it looks like to build a business without God...And then to surrender in obedience to Him and start building the right way.In this episode:0:00 Early identity and success1:11 Losing what mattered6:32 Biggest difference doing it God's way10:51 Worries and stepping out in faith---

Hey, Survivor! In today's episode, we uncover a tactic every survivor of narcissistic abuse needs to understand: The narcissist will use you to woo. Using your name… your reputation… your kindness… your credibility… even your faith language, scripture, or values — narcissists will borrow any part of your goodness to soften their manipulation and influence others. This is called borrowed credibility, and it's rooted in coercive control. I share a real story from the murder trial involving fake emails, spiritual guilt language, and reputation abuse — and we explore why survivors often miss this pattern until long after the relationship ends.  We'll dig into the psychology behind this deception and L.E.A.N. into healing. This is a validating, grounding, empowering episode for anyone who has ever been used, misrepresented, or manipulated by someone they trusted. You were the good one. You were the credible one. And the fact they borrowed your light shows how bright you shine. Know who you're dealing with.  Know who you are.

In this conversation, Stewart Alsop sits down with Ken Lowry to explore a wide sweep of themes running through Christianity, Protestant vs. Catholic vs. Orthodox traditions, the nature of spirits and telos, theosis and enlightenment, information technology, identity, privacy, sexuality, the New Age “Rainbow Bridge,” paganism, Buddhism, Vedanta, and the unfolding meaning crisis; listeners who want to follow more of Ken's work can find him on his YouTube channel Climbing Mount Sophia and on Twitter under KenLowry8.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversationTimestamps00:00 Christianity's tangled history surfaces as Stewart Alsop and Ken Lowry unpack Luther, indulgences, mediation, and the printing-press information shift.05:00 Luther's encounters with the devil lead into talk of perception, hallucination, and spiritual influence on “main-character” lives.10:00 Protestant vs. Catholic vs. Orthodox worship styles highlight telos, Eucharist, liturgy, embodiment, and teaching as information.15:00 The Church as a living spirit emerges, tied to hierarchy, purpose, and Michael Levin's bioelectric patterns shaping form.20:00 Spirits, goals, Dodgers-as-spirit, and Christ as the highest ordering spirit frame meaning and participation.25:00 Identity, self, soul, privacy, intimacy, and the internet's collapse of boundaries reshape inner life.30:00 New Age, Rainbow Bridge, Hawkins' calibration, truth-testing, and spiritual discernment enter the story.35:00 Stewart's path back to Christianity opens discussion of enlightenment, Protestant legalism, Orthodox theosis, and healing.40:00 Emptiness, relationality, Trinity, and personhood bridge Buddhism and mystical Christianity.45:00 Suffering, desire, higher spirits, and orientation toward the real sharpen the contrast between simulation and reality.50:00 Technology, bodies, AI, and simulated worlds raise questions of telos, meaning, and modern escape.55:00 Neo-paganism, Hindu hierarchy of gods, Vedanta, and the need for a personal God lead toward Jesus as historical revelation.01:00:00 Buddha, enlightenment, theosis, the post-1945 world, Hitler as negative pole, and goodness as purpose close the inquiry.Key InsightsMediation and information shape the Church. Ken Lowry highlights how the printing press didn't just spread ideas—it restructured Christian life by shifting mediation. Once information became accessible, individuals became the “interface” with Christ, fundamentally changing Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox trajectories and the modern crisis of religious choice.The Protestant–Catholic–Orthodox split hinges on telos. Protestantism orients the service around teaching and information, while Catholic and Orthodox traditions culminate in the Eucharist, embodiment, and liturgy. This difference expresses two visions of what humans are doing in church: receiving ideas or participating in a transformative ritual that shapes the whole person.Spirits, telos, and hierarchy offer a map of reality. Ken frames spirits as real intelligible goals that pull people into coordinated action—seen as clearly in a baseball team as in a nation. Christ is the highest spirit because aiming toward Him properly orders all lower goals, giving a coherent vertical structure to meaning.Identity, privacy, and intimacy have transformed under the internet. The shift from soul → self → identity tracks changes in information technology. The internet collapses boundaries, creating unprecedented exposure while weakening the inherent privacy of intimate realities such as genuine lovemaking, which Ken argues can't be made public without destroying its nature.New Age influences and Hawkins' calibration reflect a search for truth. Stewart's encounters with the Rainbow Bridge world, David Hawkins' muscle-testing epistemology, and the escape from scientistic secularism reveal a cultural hunger for spiritual discernment in the absence of shared metaphysical grounding.Enlightenment and theosis may be the same mountain. Ken suggests that Buddhist enlightenment and Orthodox theosis aim at the same transformative reality: full communion with what is most real. The difference lies in Jesus as the concrete, personal revelation of God, offering a relational path rather than pure negation or emptiness.Secularism is shaped by powerfully negative telos. Ken argues that the modern world orients itself not toward the Good revealed in Christ but away from the Evil revealed in Hitler. Moving away from evil as a primary aim produces confusion, because only a positive vision of the Good can order desires, technology, suffering, and the overwhelming power of modern simulations.

Pause for a breath you didn't know you were holding.This soft landing is for the woman who's been holding it together so well that no one thinks to ask if she's okay.The affirmation: "I am allowed to disappoint people and still be good."Goodness isn't measured by how much access others have to you, but by how honestly you honour your limits.We examine why performance – the relentless yes, the full calendar, the reflex to fix – feels like safety, yet slowly erases our needs. And why boundaries aren't conflict. They're clarity.For perfectionists, oldest daughters, people-pleasers, and women unlearning the performance of strength.Choose yourself without apologising, so your next yes can be wholehearted.About Soft Landings: Every Friday on The Scenic Route, one grounded affirmation to help you rest, reset, and remember who you are.Send me a DM_____________________________________________________________________ Visit jenniferwalter.me – your cosy tree house where tired perfectionists and those done pretending to be fine find space to breathe, dream, and create real change.

Love the song "Goodness of God"?! You'll love this bonus episode of Over The Rims of Mugs with singer, songwriter, worship pastor Jenn Johnson. Jenn shared with me what inspired her to write that song. She also has a brand new book, "All Things Lovely", and we talk about why she wrote it and how it will help us live holy lives marked by beauty and truth.The beautifully illustrated "All Things Lovely" is the newest offering from well-loved worship leader Jenn Johnson. It's available everywhere books are sold.Follow Jenn JohnsonInstagram: @jennjohnson20Facebook: jenn.johnson.bethelWebsite: brianandjennjohnson.com Did you know you can now watch Over the Rims of Mugs?Visit https://www.wearethebridge.org/mugsvideoPlease share Over the Rims of Mugs with a friend if you enjoyed this episode. Over the Rims of Mugs is still growing, and your positive review and 5-star rating would help.The Bridge Podcast Network is made possible by generous support from The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Victoria's Restaurant on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware - Open 7 days a week, year-round - Learn more at https://boardwalkplaza.comFeedback, or Show Ideas? Send an email to podcast@wearethebridge.orgDownload The Bridge Mobile App to get the latest podcast episodes as soon as they are published!

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) The capacity to be touched by and love goodness is, in some sense, the heart of spiritual practice. Something in us loves the truth and is drawn to goodness around us. It makes us yearn to activate the good inside. It requires commitment to choosing wholesome qualities as our default instead of being drawn to the forces of attachment, aversion and ignorance within us.

Why does it feel like stress always has the loudest voice during “busy” seasons? We want everyone in our family to get along, enjoy the holidays, and be truly present. Yet, it seems we all too often end up bickering, overwhelmed, and somehow wishing it could be different.Good news! Your family doesn't have to succumb to the stress. You can find “the good!” In this episode, we walk through 5 ways to find “the good,” not just at Christmastime, but in any busy season you find yourself in. Time Stamps:0:00 Introduction1:22 “Experiencing” Advent as a family5:42 Make quick decisions11:20 Get off screens15:00 Say yes, to the hard, but good thing18:50 Say no to what feels disconnecting22:02 pursue relationships24:47 The faces of those under your roof Show Notes: Get 25 Days of the Christmas Story! https://amzn.to/49kHiO1Buy 25 Days of the Christmas Story in bulk: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/25-days-of-the-christmas-story-P005829480Register for Tender & Fierce 2026! https://www.famousathome.com/tenderandfierceSign up for our email list and Famous at Home Starter Bundle: https://www.famousathome.com/newsletter Want a marriage you love? Fill out this form: https://www.famousathome.com/loveyourmarriage Download NONAH's single Find My Way Home by clicking here: https://bellpartners.ffm.to/findmywayhome

Hour 4 delivers one of the most unforgettable moments in PastaThon history. Chef Bruno Serato returns with fresh fundraising totals and reflects on how every dollar raised tonight directly feeds thousands of children through Caterina’s Club. Then—he’s back. The long-awaited return of The Foosh electrifies the room as Stefan “Foosh” Cabezas makes a surprise appearance with huge news about his comeback. In an emotional twist, one of the heroes who helped save Foosh’s life joins the show, sharing the incredible story behind his recovery and celebrating Foosh’s official return date this Friday. Tim, Mark, Crozier, and Foosh keep the moment going with heartfelt gratitude, big laughs, and a reminder of what makes Giving Tuesday so special. Conway closes out the night by looking back at a wildly successful PastaThon broadcast: from Handel to Gary & Shannon to John Kobylt to an extended Conway Show, ending on a powerful note of community, generosity, and pure KFI energy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fr. Patrick preached this homily on December 3, 2025. The readings are from Isaiah 25:6-10a, Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 & Matthew 15:29-37. — Connect with us! Website: https://slakingthirsts.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCytcnEsuKXBI-xN8mv9mkfw

In this episode, we begin our Advent journey in Eden, a place of freedom, communion, and life without shame. Eden is not only a moment in history, but also an interior garden within each of our hearts. We talk about the deep ache we all feel for union, rest, and peace, and how this longing reveals our original design for communion with God. We also reflect on the shame that often accompanies this desire for communion with others, especially when our desires are left unmet, and how bringing these places of poverty to Jesus opens us up to real, lived communion with Him.   Heather's One Thing - The Renew Conference in Toronto Heather's Other One Thing - Her Advent Worship Playlist Sister Miriam's One Thing - Sacred Anchor Artisans (Catholic Etsy!) founded by Tim and Molly Olsen Michelle's One Thing - The Inspired Living and this Chrism Candle Michelle's Other One Thing - Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR   Welcome, dear friends… to this Advent journey, a pilgrimage of the heart, through four sacred spaces where heaven once touched the earth.   These are the places of Advent. Eden. Loreto. Elizabeth's home. And a stable under starlight.   Each one holds a mystery… a whisper of God's coming, a rhythm of waiting, a quiet invitation to abide.   We begin… in Eden — the garden of beginnings and original designs, Here, everything was whole once, every breath in attunement with God's own. But even in the ache of what was lost, something sacred remains, a longing, a promise, a memory of shalom harmony still written in our bones.   Eden reminds us: our waiting is not empty. It is the remembering of love that has never stopped pursuing us.   Journal Questions: What are the unique gifts that God has placed inside of you? When do I experience shame in the ache for communion? When have I recently experienced a rupture from Eden? Who in your life allows you to feel at home and at ease? How can I return to Eden through a daily practice?   Discussion Questions: How have you experienced yourself as a gift? When have you experienced an ache for Eden in your life? When do you feel exiled from Eden? What glimpses of Eden have you seen in your life recently?   Quote to Ponder: "We all long for Eden, and we are constantly glimpsing it: our whole nature at its best and least corrupted, its gentlest and most human, is still soaked with the sense of exile." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien)   Scripture for Lectio: "Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." (Genesis 2:25)   Sponsor - Altar + Home: Altar and Home by Conception Abbey exists to bring the beauty of Benedictine spirituality into your domestic church. The way we as Benedictine monks punctuate our days with prayer. The way we balance prayer and work (ora et labora). The way we pray with scripture in lectio divina. The way we live in community to support one another. Incorporating these treasures into your daily lives can draw you and your domestic church into Christ one day – one prayer – at a time. Our online store offers intentionally Catholic products for every occasion and every season. Lectio Divina rosary guides, daily journals, greeting cards, sacrament gifts, icons, and prints, along with books, bibles, and everything you need to make your home a sacred space.  Make Advent and Christmas a time of joy and peace with our Monk-Curated Collections—bundled sets specifically chosen by the monks to share our lives with each of you. They make the perfect gift for the Catholic in your life. Through this Altar + Home ministry, the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey share the prayer God calls us to at the altar into the domestic church of our customers as we seek to cultivate one holy, apostolic, Catholic Church. We invite you shop with us at www.altarandhome.org. Use the discount code ABIDE to get 20% off your order.   Chapters:  00:00 Altar + Home 01:25 Intro 02:17 Welcome to Eden 09:38 Our Heart is a Garden and Place of Communion 11:18 We are Made as a Gift 13:32 Healing from Shame in Our Ache 17:57 Homesickness and Exile 20:23 God is Longing for Us 22:16 Imaginative Prayer 24:13 The Goodness of Our Bodies 26:06 Inviting the Lord into Communion 27:47 Advent is a Time of Preparation 29:32 One Things   Music used under license i94Cr0