Podcasts about Goodness

Lynda Ulrich and her daughter Liesl Ulrich-Verderber are the mother-daughter team behind the Goodness Exchange, a global positive-news platform founded in 2014 to help people cut through today's negative nose with research-backed, solutions-focused storytelling. On this Blue Sky episode, they describe how they came to their optimistic outlooks at different stages of their lives and have managed to work together to create a remarkable platform for hopeful and uplifting stories.    Chapters: 00:00 Are Optimists Born or Made?  Bill Burke introduces the mother-daughter team, Dr. Linda Ulrich and Liesl Ulrich-Verderber, co-founders of The Goodness Exchange. Linda shares how a childhood tragedy, coupled with her parents' optimistic worldview, led her to choose to see the good in the world from a young age.  04:22 From Jaded to Optimist  Liesl describes her journey from a 'jaded Harvard student' to an optimist, influenced by working with her mother on The Goodness Exchange's positive content. Linda discusses how she encouraged her children to 'change their state' and choose their perspective when facing adversity, modeling this through their family's extensive global travels.  08:05 The Power of Travel  Linda and Liesl reflect on how their extensive world travels, even to uncomfortable places, broadened their perspectives and fueled their optimism. Liesl emphasizes seeing both the vast differences and similarities in how people live globally, fostering connections across cultures and expanding comfort zones.  12:30 The Digital Divide and Disinformation  Linda explains her transition from dentistry to founding The Goodness Exchange, motivated by patients' increasing fear and negativity towards the future post-2010, linking it to negative news and social media. Liesl attributes this shift to the early, unregulated development of social media by young creators and a general lack of digital literacy, but notes a growing trend among younger generations to disengage from platforms that negatively impact them.  17:42 Battling Digital Overload  Bill and Linda discuss the unhealthy constant consumption of negative information through smartphones and social media, highlighting how clicks on alarming content inadvertently 'vote' for more of it.   22:30 Unplugging and Community Liesl, specializing in EdTech, advocates for removing phones from classrooms to foster community and better learning, viewing technology as a tool for connection rather than a constant distraction.   30:01 The Goodness Exchange's Evolution  Linda recounts starting The Goodness Exchange (originally Ever Widening Circles) as a blog to counter the world's negativity she observed in her dental practice, writing daily articles about positive stories. Liesl, upon graduating from Harvard, decided to join, seeing it as a way to transition her mother's passion into a sustainable and impactful publishing and media company focused on rigorously sourced positive content.  33:05 Rats to the Rescue!  The Goodness Exchange primarily publishes positive news articles, a bi-weekly newsletter, and the 'Conspiracy of Goodness' podcast, focusing on engaging content formats as people skim rather than read.   41:02 AI in Education: Educated Bravery  Liesl expresses excitement about AI in education, particularly tools like Khanmigo and Magic School AI, which move beyond cheating fears to empower teachers and students.   48:13 Bridging Generational Gaps  Linda shares an analogy about intergenerational collaboration, where her long life provides a broad 'back of the Earth' perspective, while Liesl, standing on the 'edge,' sees what's coming in the future.

This week's episode is a deep dive into the world of body odour–actually, better said: it's a deep dive into the world of doubting our goodness. You may be asking yourself, What does that have to do with B.O.? Well, have you ever sat next to someone with what you might have experienced as an unpleasant smell? Some people in the Love Is The Power inquiry group have, and many experienced the awkwardness of either telling the person and having them be hurt or offended, or suffering silently in fear of offending. And as the meditation gets deeper, what surfaces is the fear that who and what we are (as in humanity) is not truly good, and how it can make us so afraid of ‘causing' someone else's hurt. So, the question remains: what do you do if you're experiencing someone's behaviour (or odour) unpleasant? Follow along with the group inquiry to find out for yourself.

We deliberately pause from our regular rhythm of service to respond to the current events unfolding in Minneapolis and the national conflict rippling throughout our country. Lindsey provides a guided lament for our collective grief then Zack leads us through communion closing with a powerful visualization practice. We hope you find this grounding and clarifying as we seek to be people shaped by love. Set list to be paired with the lament: Movement 1: Invocation - "Lord, I Need You" (Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Maher)Movements 2 & 3: Complaint and Petition - "Give Me Jesus" (VOUS)Movement 4: Trust - "Goodness of God" (Bethel Music)Prayer read aloud: “A Prayer for When We've Lost Our Way Again” by Enuma Okoro This message is from our Sunday morning service on February 1st, 2026.We meet at 957 Main St., Louisville, CO 80027 on Sunday mornings at 10am.Connect with us:kindredchurch.co@kindredchurch.cofacebook.com/kindredchurch.co

JUS VIBZ 2026 1. Goodness of GOD Special - Terry Linen2. Jamdown - Sanchez3. All This Love - Ky-Mani Marley4. Too Late to Lie - Lila Ike5. Missing You - Mia Taylor6. Love of a Lifetime - Qraig 7. Found Love - Jah Thunda8. Take It Slow - Darrio9. My Shine - Capleton10. Horizon - Busy Signal11, Do Me That - Chuck Fenda12. I Can't Live - Bushman13. I Wanna Know - Stevie Face14. Addicted - Khalia15. Worthwhile - Nesta16. Nice up Di Scene Dub - Mortimer17. Bridges - Romain Virgo ft. Jesse Royal18. Misery Dub - Mortimer19. My Child - Mortimer20. So High - Jesse Royal ft. Agent Sasco21. Upside Down - Bugle22. Da Song Yah - Ninja Ford23. Wife and Sweetheart - Chris Martin24. What if - Shuga25. Rude - Yeza26. Answer - Alaine27. 8 Wonders - Nigy Boy28. All Night - Chris Martin29. Two Faced - Romain Virgo30. Let Me Help You - Beres Hammond31. Take Care of You - Nigy Boy32. So Easy to Love - D'Yani33. Delusion - Chris Martin34. 2 Times - Khago35. Second Time - Lady Da Flame36. Get Rich With Me - Mr. Easy37. A Woman's Touch - Richie Stephens38. ReggaeBoyz Sound Dun Yuh - Richie Stephens39. Family First - Chronixx40. No Man is an Island - George Nooks41. Lord is My Shepherd - Yashema Mcleod42. Image of my Dream - Medisun43. I Need You - Lady Da Flame44. Desperate Man - Sanchez45. Falling For You - Dhino Dah Rasta Man46. Love Story - Beres Hammond & Tanya Stephens47. Feel It - Protoje48. Summertime - Alaine49. Flowers & Flames - Mortimer50. Finally - Romain Virgo51. Sweet - Lila Ike52. The Days - Busy Signal53. Round & Round - Mortimer54. Show Love - Protoje55. Ital Love - Shuga56. Harder They Come - Nigy Boy

In this final episode of our mini-series of good, we will explore the value of slowing down to listen and hear the ordinary good things happening in our schools that make us extraordinarily proud of our important work.

Joshua 16:1-17:18 I Ryan MacDonaldI. Forgetting God's goodness leads to cowardice (16:1-10)II. Forgetting God's goodness leads to compromise (17:1-13)III. Forgetting God's goodness leads to complaining (17:14-18)

What if you're already sitting on more blessings than you realize? After weeks of talking about sin and negative programming, Dr. Alex Lloyd and Harry bring the good news: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have given you gifts that completely tidal wave your struggles. This isn't feel-good fluff—this is a comprehensive, scripture-backed catalog of what you actually receive from the Trinity. WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: - The complete list of gifts from God the Father (presence, power, glory, light, love, grace, and more) - What Jesus specifically gives you that the Father doesn't (His way, truth, life, righteousness, peace) - The unique blessings only the Holy Spirit provides (comfort, perfect counsel, fruit of the Spirit, power) - Why you receive love, peace, and grace from all three—and why that matters - What "glory" actually means in Old vs. New Testament (Harry's word study insights) - Why guilt and shame DON'T come from God (even when you've sinned) - The experiential difference between natural living and living in these gifts - How Harry's life transformed over 2-3 years by intentionally pursuing these blessings KEY TOPICS COVERED: God's Presence Everywhere - Psalm 139: "Where can I go that you're not there?" Supernatural Power vs. Natural Strength - Ephesians 3 The "Weight" of God's Glory That Fills the Earth Miraculous Light That Cleanses and Heals The New Heart and New Spirit Promise - Ezekiel 36:26-27 Being Made a New Creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Seated with Christ in Heaven's Throne Room - Ephesians 2:6 Jesus as Both Your Judge AND Defense Attorney The Mind of Christ and Being His Bride His Righteousness Imputed to You (How God judges you righteous even when you remember sinning) Love Beyond Knowledge - Ephesians 3:17-19 Peace That Passes Understanding Holy Spirit's Perfect Counsel for Your Specific Moment Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Faith, Humility, Self-Control The Same Power That Raised Jesus From the Dead Working in You Life and Health to Your Mortal Body - Romans 8:11 Unlimited Forgiveness (70 times 7) Propitiation: Jesus Takes Your Place The All-Encompassing Grace of God POWERFUL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: "Love is God in motion." - Harry Lloyd "Would you rather have unconditional love from one person or two or three? You're getting it from all three persons of the Trinity." - Dr. Alex Lloyd "The experiential difference between this and what you might call the natural way of living... it is amazing how the trend of my life has been consistently upwards in the ways that really matter most." - Harry Lloyd "Guilt and shame don't come from God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit—at least not if you're committed to them in your life." - Dr. Alex Lloyd WORD STUDY INSIGHTS (from Harry): Glory (Old Testament): Refers to a substance of glory Glory (New Testament): God's definition of what value is, how it's structured, where it comes from—the hierarchy behind every kind of value Light: The physical manifestation of God's glory or presence Love: "God in motion"—the mechanism that underlies everything Grace: Literally means "unearned favor" IMPORTANT CLARIFICATIONS: - This doesn't mean life becomes problem-free—there is no path without pain, suffering, and sin on this earth - God won't take away your free will, even at 99 years old - These gifts lead to "lesser and lesser" problems over time, not elimination - Based on God's will for your specific situation (He sometimes uses health problems as "bumper guards") - You shouldn't accept this on Dr. Alex and Harry's say-so—Harry seriously studied atheism and apologetics before committing PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Dr. Alex suggests focusing on what God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit DO rather than dwelling on sin, guilt, shame, and selfishness. Consider writing down these gift lists and reviewing them regularly to shift your focus from the negative to the abundant blessings you already have. REFERENCED SCRIPTURE: Psalm 139:7-10 | Isaiah 6:3 | Ephesians 3:20 | 2 Corinthians 12:9 | Ezekiel 36:26-27 | Jeremiah 17:9 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 | Ephesians 2:6 | John 14:6 | John 1:1, 4, 14 | 1 Corinthians 2:16 | Ephesians 5:31-32 | 2 Corinthians 5:21 | Ephesians 3:17-19 | John 14:27 | Philippians 4:7 | Matthew 28:18 | 1 John 2:1 | Hebrews 7:25 | John 14:16-17, 26 | John 16:13 | Galatians 5:22-23 | Romans 8:11 | Acts 1:8 | Isaiah 53:5 | 1 Peter 2:24 | Matthew 18:21-22 | 1 John 1:9 | 1 John 2:2 | Matthew 19:26 | Romans 6:16-18 | Revelation 1 and 4 REFERENCED BOOK: Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard - "If you ever understand grace, Satan's just lost in your life. He can't beat grace."

In the courtroom we're accustomed to seeing both the plaintiff and the defendant make their case before the judge. All the evidence is laid out. And on occasion there's what we might refer to as an open-and-shut case. Meaning there's no doubt, because the facts are clear. Well that's what we find here in Romans eleven. The apostle Paul is making a very strong case that God isn't done with the nation of Israel. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/621/29?v=20251111

This talk was given by Matthew Brensilver on 2026.01.28 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License

What do we think of Plato's Republic overall? Find out as we conclude our discussion of this cornerstone work as we read the Book X, in which Plato elaborates on his theory of art and representation; describes how he views the soul as immortal; and provides a case for the practical rewards of being a justice person. Give us your opinions here!Give us your opinions here!

The Series: Hope Restored - A verse by verse study through the book of Nehemiah. Today's Lesson covers Nehemiah Ch 9, v 7-30, The Goodness of GOD Wednesday night Bible Study. Hope Restored, a verse-by-verse study through the Book of Nehemiah If you are interested in attending our LIVE teachings (Wednesdays @ 7:00 pm & Sundays @ 10:00 am), you are invited to visit us at 4218 Boston Ave. Lubbock, Texas. To connect with us, you can call us at (806) 799-2227, email us at calvarylubbock@hotmail.com, or checkout our website at CalvaryChapelLubbock.church. You can also watch us on Facebook and contact us through Facebook Messenger. Please feel free to let us know about your walk with Jesus, as we would love to hear it and pray with you. If you'd like to partner with us to help us take the Gospel to the world, just click on the DONATE button on our website, let us know through Facebook Messenger, or in person. We pray that the rest of your week be blessed and that you share the love of Jesus with everyone that you encounter.

Prayer with Overseer Azizah MorrisonOn Day 28 of our fast, Overseer Azizah Morrison led a focused and faith-filled time of prayer centered on Psalm 23:6 and the assurance that God's goodness and mercy follow a life aligned with Him. This session invited listeners to lean in to what God has been speaking throughout the fast—concerning purpose, identity, family, and next steps—as preparation for the season ahead.This prayer affirmed that grace has done its work and that goodness is not something to chase, but something that pursues those who walk in alignment with God. As we near the close of this consecration, this moment of prayer positioned hearts to move forward with confidence, peace, and expectancy, trusting that what God has prepared is good and that His guidance remains sure.

Jeanette Yates spent decades caring for her mother — an experience that inspired her to write a book and host a podcast helping adult children caring for aging parents feel good, not guilty.  In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver Podcast, Jeanette and Elizabeth explore two powerful emotions that every caregiver faces: guilt and grief. Together, they unpack how to let go of perfectionism, embrace self-compassion, and find peace in “good enough” caregiving. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod220 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Stefan Molyneux takes on objections to Universally Preferable Behavior as a moral framework. He pushes back against the idea that morality stands on its own, stressing the need for clear definitions in any philosophical talk. When it comes to tying morality to gods or divine sources, he points out that fuzzy claims don't hold up as real arguments. Molyneux questions whether morality can just be about chasing the good, the true, and the beautiful, pulling in examples from religious texts to show the inconsistencies there. He looks back at how Christian morality has fallen short over time and doubts whether theocratic setups really deliver on ethics. In the end, he calls for a straightforward grasp of morality and what UPB means in practice, urging people to check their own biases and lean on real-world evidence in these discussions.Email from listener:UPB reduces down to "Morality is being". Or "By the act of living, you prefer life". Or Universal Preference for Being. But even without beings, morality still exists. So morality is God based, and is the rational pursuit of, participation in, and defense of the Good, the True, and the Beautiful (with evil being precisely whatever actively undermines or destroys those ends). Plato would agree. Jesus said, to love God with all your mind heart soul and strength, and love others as yourself, and the whole of the law rests on these two principles. It means to fight for the Good, the True, and the Beautiful - for order. Of course, this can only be done through rationality and power. So, the Good must take the power back. This cannot be done through secular materialism which only reduces to hedonism. People that hear their conscience seek rationality and God more than anything else, because everything else is temporary.However, Christianity displays false theories. The biggest one is the idea that an innocent person needed to suffer and be sacrificed for evils committed by everyone else. God would never require this because God is 100% good. The reality is that Jesus needed to be killed and resurrected so that His story would be way bigger and spread Goodness to way more people, and last forever. So, he did die for sins in that sense alone, so that more people would hear His story and turn away from sin.There is no other practical moral framework to turn to. Philosophy alone is rational, but it does not ground morality the same way God does. Actually, rationality requires one to accept God. Without God, people literally have absolutely no reason to be moral at all. And Deism's impersonal God doesn't connect with people. Christianity was working until the Jews brainwashed society and the Church and destroyed its influence on society. Notwithstanding its misinterpretations, Christianity appears to be the only effective thing people can actually believe in and follow. And Neitzche would say the will to power is too potent for UPB to control. However, Christianity at least affords a will to power of the True, the Beautiful, and the Good. Jesus whipped the little bastards in the Temple. That needs to come back, because that is all the little bastards can understand.Someone wants steak for dinner and the other person doesn't, or go hungry forever, that does not make the steak guy forcing the other to eat the steak immoral. UPB is a logical construction that fails in the real world, and honestly, not even to be a jerk, but literally no one at all gives the slightest fuck about it. Sorry for the language.And I really do appreciate your efforts and all your good works. And sure, UPB is a true logical construction, but people are irrational and will never be rational. And that is why the real world philosophy is 100% might makes right. And this is why Christianity must be forced down their throats until the world is functional again. Irrational people only understand force, and Christianity is the valid, justified, moral, virtuous, reason and purpose of true physical force against irrational and evil people.There is an attempt at logic in UPB, and it sort of works, but not really. Morality already existed before Mankind, and UPB only points out the effects of immorality, it does not define morality. And lastly, to include with all the arguments I have made against UPB. I will just say that bottom line, UPB is merely a survival instinct desire and not the creation of morality. Every person would agree that they don't want to be attacked or stolen from, simply because they want to live and survive, so that would make that universally preferable behavior. However, because this is all survival instinct based, as soon as a person sees a chance to steal or attack, that best serves their own survival, they will immediately not care the slightest about UPB because they are about their own survival over everyone else's. UPB is matter-based biologically-based morality, and simply does not hold up, just like all the other secular ethical frameworks before it - they all failed, and all secular ethical frameworks will always fail. This is because God-based, soul-based morality is the only Truth, as proven at dynamicentity.comGET FREEDOMAIN MERCH! https://shop.freedomain.com/SUBSCRIBE TO ME ON X! https://x.com/StefanMolyneuxFollow me on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/@freedomain1GET MY NEW BOOK 'PEACEFUL PARENTING', THE INTERACTIVE PEACEFUL PARENTING AI, AND THE FULL AUDIOBOOK!https://peacefulparenting.com/Join the PREMIUM philosophy community on the web for free!Subscribers get 12 HOURS on the "Truth About the French Revolution," multiple interactive multi-lingual philosophy AIs trained on thousands of hours of my material - as well as AIs for Real-Time Relationships, Bitcoin, Peaceful Parenting, and Call-In Shows!You also receive private livestreams, HUNDREDS of exclusive premium shows, early release podcasts, the 22 Part History of Philosophers series and much more!See you soon!https://freedomain.locals.com/support/promo/UPB2025

What does it look like to live out true goodness every day?In today's episode, Gaby Alessi Calatayud invites us to explore the vital quality of goodness as we continue our journey through 2 Peter 1. Together, we'll learn what it means to actively add goodness to our faith, not as a passive feeling, but as an intentional way of life filled with integrity, moral excellence, and courage to do what's right. Gaby shares personal stories and practical steps to help us focus on being trustworthy, dependable, and upholding a character that honors the gift of salvation we've received.Let's join together for a few meaningful moments of prayer and devotion, seeking God's guidance as we work to reflect His goodness in our words, our actions, and our relationships.Tap HERE to send us a text! BECOME A FOUNDING "MY MORNING DEVOTIONAL" MEMBERIf you enjoy your 5 minute daily dose of heaven, we would appreciate your support, and we have a fun way for you to partner with the MMD community! We've launched our "Buy Me a Coffee" membership where you can buy us a latte, OR become a founding member and get monthly bonus video episodes! To donate, go to mymorningdevo.co/join! Support the showNEW TO MY MORNING DEVOTIONAL? We're so glad you're here! We're the Alessis, a ministry family working together in a church in Miami, FL, and we're so blessed to partner with the My Morning Devotional community and continue the great work done by the show's creator and our friend, Alison Delamota. We pray our personal reflections and daily devotions will empower you to grow your faith in God, and that you'll join us every weekday in prayer! HELP US GROW THE MMD COMMUNITY Subscribe to the show on this app Share this with a friend Join our newsletter and get additional resources Follow Us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Leave a review Support Our Friends and Family Connect with the original host of MMD Alison Delamota Follow our family's podcast The Family Business with The Alessis

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.A quick note from Tressa: This episode is dropping on January 26, 2026 amidst tumultuous times for many of us – and not just here in the United States. I know our listeners from around the world are going through difficult times as well. So I just wanted to take a minute…It's uplifting that you're listening in today - that you're tuning in to hear the GOOD that people are doing for one another. Because they sure are, even though it's not what's plastered on the news, on our TV screens, and on our social media feeds. These stories are just as real. Empathy, generosity, kindness, and love are just as real. Though that's a challenge in itself, isn't it? Navigating life knowing that these opposites exist side-by-side? But…the folks featured on this show, episode in and episode out, are our guides to the constant good, and can serve as our inspiration to recognize our own unique gifts that can be used to build community and to help those in need. It is my honor to be the bearer of all of this GOODness. Thank you for being here.Tressa has the joy of welcoming Tim Lydon back to the show - yinz will remember him from Episode 122. Tim is the Co-founder of Harmony Dog Rescue and the recently-named Team Lead for The Street Dog Coalition Pittsburgh. Harmony Dog Rescue provides safe homes for dogs whose owners are experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, domestic violence or medical emergencies. And what makes them even more amazing is that their mission includes “loving both ends of the leash” - they aim to address the needs of the human, as well as the canine. The Street Dog Coalition is a national organization whose mission is to provide free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness. Harmony Dog Rescue: https://www.harmonydogrescue.org/The Street Dog Coalition: https://www.thestreetdogcoalition.org/pittsburgh-paWatch Tressa Tries…DICK'S House of Sport on YouTube here.This episode is brought to you by DICK'S Sporting Goods — your one-stop shop to get everyone moving. From cozy winter gear to fan favorites for all Pittsburgh families — every season starts at DICK'S.–⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠FOLLOW US on social media:Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠yinzaregood@gmail.com.

In this episode of Cinema Verbi, Father Matt and Father Brian reflect on the movies they watched in 2025 before diving into a discussion about Wicked (2024) and its sequel, Wicked: For Good (2025). They explore the evolution of the story from Gregory Maguire's original novel to the Broadway musical, and finally to the big-screen adaptations. Our hosts discuss themes of friendship and debate the value of reinterpreting old stories, examining how these films reshape (or don't reshape) our understanding of the iconic Wizard of Oz (1939) film.(0:26) Father Matt and Father Brian open the show by welcoming listeners to 2026 and reflecting on their experience hosting a live episode on It's a Wonderful Life (1946) last month. They highlight the communal nature of cinema and the importance of gathering and sharing films together.(2:24) The priests discuss their Letterboxd stats, including the number of films watched, total hours logged, favorite actors, and prominent themes from 2025. Father Matt highlights Paul Walter Hauser as his most-watched actor of 2025, and they share their first, last, and favorite movies of the year.(12:41) The conversation shifts to the episode's main topic: Wicked (2024) and its sequel, Wicked: For Good (2025). Father Brian explains the significance of these movies as adaptations of the Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire's novel, noting how the story has been reimagined for a new generation of viewers.(15:25) They discuss the history of the “Wicked” novel, its 2003 Broadway debut, and its long-running popularity. Father Brian shares his personal experience seeing the musical on tour many times, while Father Matt has only seen it performed once in East Lansing. They also analyze the decision to divide Wicked into two movies, comparing it to other adaptations like Dune. They debate whether the second movie truly adds value or simply prolongs the story for commercial reasons.(19:10) Father Matt and Father Brian explore how Wicked reinterprets the original Wizard of Oz, giving the Wicked Witch of the West a more nuanced perspective. They debate moments in the film that “tip their hat” to the original Oz story, weighing cleverness and homage against fan service and overuse of nostalgia.(30:05) The hosts examine the film's deeper themes, including power, manipulation, and the treatment of animals. They highlight how Glinda and Elphaba's friendship develops despite their differences and reflect on the two films' enduring message of friendship, personal growth, and the lasting impact others have on our lives.(41:33) The episode concludes with our hosts sharing their “seeds of the word” ratings for the films, based on how clearly they saw goodness, truth, and beauty reflected in the story.

Sleep better and Stress Less— with Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. We hope this biblical sleep meditation, narrated by Chloë Elmore, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. Drift into peaceful slumber as you reflect on God’s timeless call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. Let this calming journey fill you with the hope of Jesus and the assurance of God’s perfect plan. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for better sleep is right here: https://abide.com/peaceDiscover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Bonnie Curry, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Are you ready to walk the way Jesus walked? Learn how to live by the Spirit in Galatians 5:25. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you ever wonder if you can really trust the God of the Bible when things feel and are dark and discouraging? How do you synthesize with honesty Jesus loves me & The Lord is my Shepherd when your prayers are not answered, not only for yourself, but for those you love so very much? Today we welcome for the second time, author and disability advocate, Jillian Benfield, and we get to talk about her latest book, Overwhelmed and Grateful—the Key to Finding God's Goodness in All Life's Ups & Downs   Benfield can speak to our suffering & call us to remember God's goodness all at the same time. We first met Jillian on Living a Legacy Life, Ep 183, and you will be so encouraged today as we talk about what it means to endure life's challenges and trials & practice honesty, gratitude and awe. She's hosting a book giveaway so be sure to comment below or on social media to be entered to win her beautiful and faith-encouraging book, Overwhelmed and Grateful—the Key to Finding God's Goodness in All Life's Ups & Downs. Some gems from our conversation I do not want to become an old woman who let the beauty of her life become the background. I no longer trust that God will rescue me from my humanity. Instead, I trust in a God who will love me through it. It's essential to remember God's goodness is always at work even when we don't see it. The bad part of your day or life doesn't define you; look for the beauty in the now, the mystery of God's goodness.  We learn from Ecclesiastes that we need lay our questions down & move forward, anyway.  I am working on becoming a person who is easily delighted. There will always be challenges, there will always be beauty. Being human is living with both. Living gratefully acknowledges a God who can be trusted.    

We are continuing in our series - The Universal Christ - with Part 4: Original Goodness. Join us in the conversation. This is the audio podcast.

#644 Mercy and Goodness on the Hunt, Devotional Life with Paul and Jeanne

God is loving and merciful, not judgmental and cruel Welcome back to Gnostic Insights and the Gnostic Reformation on Substack. Last week I began sharing with you what is essentially a book report on the book called That All Shall Be Saved, Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation by David Bentley Hart, and he's the translator of the New Testament that I've been using. So, last week we got up to page 21 out of this book, and now I'm all the way up to page 85, so we'll see what happened in this latest round of reading. Now, David Bentley Hart's style of writing may not be for everyone. It's very academic, very high-minded and educated and erudite—difficult to follow if you're not accustomed to reading scholastic writing. But I believe his heart's in the right place, and I agree with pretty much everything he says. I will do my best to reinterpret what he is saying in simpler words, in case you're interested in the content, but not in its delivery method. So, picking it up on page 21, Hart says, And what could be more absurd than the claim that God's ways so exceed comprehension, that we dare not presume even to distinguish benevolence from malevolence in the divine, inasmuch as either can result in the same endless excruciating despair? Here the docile believer is simply commanded to nod in acquiescence, quietly and submissively, to feel moved at a strange and stirring obscurity, and to accept that, if only he or she could sound the depths of this mystery, its essence would somehow be revealed as infinite beauty and love. A rational person capable of that assent, however, of believing all of this to be a paradox concealing a deeper, wholly coherent truth, rather than a gross contradiction, has probably suffered such chronic intellectual and moral malformation that he or she is no longer able to recognize certain very plain truths, such as the truth that he or she has been taught to approve of divine deeds that, were they reduced to a human scale of action, would immediately be recognizable as expressions of unalloyed spite. And he's talking about the idea that most everyone and everything is going to hell and will suffer eternal torment. That is an interpretation or misinterpretation of the word brought about by incorrect translation of the original Coptic. Most of our Bible translations come off of old Latin Vulgate translations, and then they've been modernized. But that's how errors are brought forward. And what Hart has done in his New Testament translation is go back to the original, very oldest transcripts, still in Greek, before they were translated to Latin. And he did what he called a pitilessly accurate translation, where Hart was not trying to make the words that are being translated fit into a predetermined doctrine, like everyone going to hell, or like the Trinity, or eternal damnation. These things we've been taught to believe are in the Scripture, but when you actually go back to the original Scriptures prior to the Latin translations, they are not in the Scripture. And so this book that I'm doing the book report on here, That All Shall Be Saved, this is about universal salvation, and doing away with the idea. And he says in this section I just read you, that it is a malevolent idea, unalloyed spite, unalloyed meaning pure spite on the part of God, that's going to send everyone to hell that doesn't get it. And that we have been commanded by the Church over the last 2,000 years to just nod our heads and say, oh, well, it's God's will, or oh, well, how can I presume to distinguish benevolence from malevolence, good intention from bad intention on the part of God, because God is so great and good. We're supposed to be docile believers, to acquiesce, that is, to go along with, to quietly and submissively accept that we don't get it, that we don't understand the depths of the mystery, and someday we will, and that God is good, and God is just, and therefore everyone's going to hell, except for those few preordained elect from before time began. So this book is entirely against that proposition. So moving on, what I did was I read the book through, and I've highlighted the parts that seem worth sharing or very interesting. Now we're jumping to page 35, where he says that certain people, of my acquaintance who are committed to what is often called an intellectualist model of human liberty, as I am myself, [he says], but who also insist that it is possible for a soul freely to reject God's love with such perfect perpiscuity of understanding and intention as to merit eternal suffering. And we can tell from the context that perpiscuity means you get it. So he's saying, how is it even possible for a soul to freely reject the love of God and consign oneself into eternal torment? It just doesn't work. It's not possible. He says, this is an altogether dizzying contradiction. In simplest terms, that is to say, they, [that is, the intellectualists], want to assert that all true freedom is an orientation of the rational will toward an end that the mind takes in some sense to be the good, and so takes also as the one end that can fulfill the mind's nature and supply its desires. This means that the better the rational will knows the Good, and that's a capital G, Good, for what it is, the more that is that the will is freed from those forces that distort reason and lead the soul toward improper ends. The more it will long for and seek after the true good in itself, and conversely, the more rationally it seeks the good, the freer it is. He says that in terms of the great Maximus the Confessor, who lived from 580 to 660, the natural will within us, which is the rational ground of our whole power of volition, must tend only toward God as its true end, for God is goodness as such, whereas our gnomic or deliberative will can stray from him, but only to the degree that it has been blinded to the truth of who he is and what we are, and as a result has come to seek a false end as the true end. In short, sin requires some degree of ignorance, and ignorance is by definition a diverting of the mind and will to an end they would not naturally pursue. So, in other words, we all want what's best for ourself, even in the most selfish sense, even in the most egoic sense. The ego wants what is best for this person that it is part of, that that is the rational end of the ego's striving, what is best, and that there is a thing called good in the absolute sense, and if we realize that, then we would strive toward the good, by definition. Carrying on, page 37, I'm not saying that we do not in some very significant sense make our own exceedingly substantial voluntary contributions to our estrangement from the good in this life. And, see, he's just saying we all screw up. Even if we are seeking the good, we often fall backwards into the bad, okay? Up to a certain point, [he says], it is undeniable, but past that point it is manifest falsehood. There is no such thing as perfect freedom in this life, or perfect understanding, and it is sheer nonsense to suggest that we possess limitless or unqualified liberty. Therefore, we are incapable of contracting a limitless or unqualified guilt. There are always extenuating circumstances. Well, in a sense, that's true of all of us and all of our circumstances. We are a product of our environment, to some extent. But don't forget that in the Gnostic view, we also contain the pure goodness of God, the capital S Self, that reflects the Fullness of God. So we do know what goodness is, even if we are surrounded by badness. Quoting Hart again, page 40, Here though, I have to note that it is a thoroughly modern and wholly illogical notion that the power of absolutely unpremised liberty, obeying no rationale except its own spontaneous volition toward whatever end it might pose for itself, is either a real logical possibility or, in any meaningful sense, a proper definition of freedom. See? He's saying it's thoroughly modern and wholly illogical to think that we have complete freedom of will, and that we can choose to follow any unethical or immoral end that we wish to, because what's it matter? One choice being pretty much the same as another, you see. He goes on to say, in page 40, A choice made without rationale is a contradiction in terms. At the same time, any movement of the will prompted by an entirely perverse rationale would be, by definition, wholly irrational. Insane, that is to say. And therefore, no more truly free than a psychotic episode. The more one is in one's right mind, the more that is that one is conscious of God as the goodness that fulfills all beings. And the more one recognizes that one's own nature can have its true completion and joy nowhere but in Him, and the more one is unfettered by distorting misperceptions, deranged passions, and the encumbrances of past mistakes, the more inevitable is one's surrender to God, liberated from all ignorance, emancipated from all the adverse conditions of this life, the rational soul could freely will only its own union with God, and thereby its own supreme beatitude. We are, as it were, doomed to happiness, so long as our natures follow their healthiest impulses unhindered. And we cannot not will the satisfaction of our beings in our true final end, a transcendent good lying behind and beyond all the proximate ends we might be moved to pursue. This is no constraint upon the freedom of the will, coherently conceived. It is simply the consequence of possessing a nature produced by and for the transcendent good, a nature whose proper end has been fashioned in harmony with a supernatural purpose. God has made us for Himself, as Augustine would say, and our hearts are restless till they rest in Him. A rational nature seeks a rational end, truth, which is God Himself. The irresistibility of God for any soul that has been truly set free is no more a constraint placed upon its liberty than is the irresistible attraction of a flowing spring to fresh water in a desert place to a man who is dying of thirst. To choose not to drink in that circumstance would not be an act of freedom on his part, but only a manifestation of the delusions that enslave him and force him to inflict violence upon himself, contrary to his nature. Do you follow the reasoning there? That boils down to simply saying it is logical. Even Mr. Spock would find it logical for a human to pursue the good in its own best interests, and that it is illogical, illogical all the way to insanity, to refuse the good, to refuse what is best for you. It's a manifestation of insanity, to refuse the love of God. How's that for laying it out? I really appreciate logic, you know, because this is a logical universe. If the laws of physics and chemistry didn't hold true to logic, and that includes math, you see, 2 plus 2 equals 4, etc., all the way through all the difficult math, the quantum physics, and the string theory, and so forth, this is a logical universe based upon the Aeon known as Logos, logic. And so, therefore, to reject logic, it's not smart, it's not clever, it's not freedom. And, by the way, this is about the level of pushback I see in, for example, YouTube comments that reject the gospel. They're pretty much on the order of, oh, yeah, I can die of thirst if I want to, so F off. Okay, well, good luck with that, right? Carrying on, page 43. None of this should need saying, to be honest. We should all already know that whenever the term justice and eternal punishment are set side by side as if they were logically compatible, the boundaries of the rational have been violated. If we were not so stupefied by the hoary and venerable myth that eternal damnation is an essential element of the original Christian message, and then he says in parentheses, which, not to spoil later plot developments here, it is not, we would not even waste our time on so preposterous a conjunction. From the perspective of Christian belief, the very notion of a punishment that is not intended ultimately to be remedial is morally dubious, and he says in parentheses, and I submit anyone who doubts this has never understood Christian teaching at all. But even if one believes that Christianity makes room for the condign imposition, [and condign means proper or fitting], imposition of purely retributive punishments, it remains the case that a retribution consisting in unending suffering, imposed as recompense for the actions of a finite intellect and will, must be by any sound definition disproportionate, unjust, and at the last, nothing more than an expression of sheer pointless cruelty. And of course, I do find that attitude on the part of Christians I talk to and try to explain the idea of universal salvation being Christ's true mission, that all shall be redeemed, every knee shall bow. They'd much rather send people to hell, and when you see their faces as they're saying it, it's not, oh, you know, I'm so sorry that it's this way and my heart breaks, but I'm afraid they're all going to hell. It's not like that at all. It's like, damn straight, they deserve to go to hell. Now, you take that kind of anger and cruelty when you consider that they are advocating unending, excruciating pain and punishment, and then you try to say that that is God's will, that goodness incorporates unending punishment. And Hart's saying, indeed, especially unending punishment that isn't for remediation, isn't to make them a better person, but simply to make them hurt. And who are you punishing? Finite beings with limited time and intelligence and ability to reason with things that happened in their past. Maybe they were brought up by someone very cruel who taught them cruelty, and so they carry on cruelty. And then that the God of all love and the God of all justice would send them to hell for eternal torment. And up until quite recently, even babies who were unbaptized would be sent to hell for eternal torment. And then someone came up with the idea of a baby purgatory where unbaptized babies never get to go to heaven, but they're not going to be eternally punished either. They're just going to go to a baby land where they're held apart from the rest of the redeemed. Well, really? That's hardly any better. I mean, it's somewhat better, but why shouldn't these pure babies who pretty much incorporate the Fullness of the Self and love of God, why wouldn't God want them back? You see, it doesn't make any sense. And if you're a Christian listening to me today who has had niggling doubts about certain things, and one of them being this idea of grandma being in hell and in the midst of eternal torture now because she wouldn't listen to your preaching, you can relax about it. Because we are the sower of seeds, but we are not the harvester. It is Christ who harvests the souls, who brings them all home. Back to Hart here again. On page 47, he says, Once more, not a single one of these attempted justifications for the idea of an eternal hell actually improves the picture of God with which the infernalist orthodoxy presents us. And he uses the word infernalist for like the infernal torments of hell. So an infernalist is someone who believes folks are going to hell for eternity. So he says, Once more, not a single one of these attempted justifications for the idea of an eternal hell actually improves the picture of God with which the infernalist orthodoxy presents us. And it is this that should be the chief concern of any believer. All of these arguments still oblige one to believe that a benevolent and omnipotent God would willfully create rational beings destined for an endless torment that they could never, in any rational calculus of personal responsibility, earn for themselves. And to believe also that this somehow is essential to the good news Christianity brought into the world. Isn't it true? When you're in church and you hear the preacher preaching a very nice, very good message about relationships or about moral virtue, and then there is a plea and a threat at the end that if you are sitting in the congregation and you have not accepted Christ as your personal Savior, you may go out and die this afternoon and go to hell. It's not right. It's contradictory. It is not the pure will of God. Page 47 goes on to say, In the end, there is only one logical terminus toward which all these lines of reasoning can lead: When all the possible paths of evasion have tapered away among the weeds, one has to stop, turn around, retrace one's steps back to the beginning of the journey, and finally admit that, if there really is an eternal hell for finite spirits, then it has to be the case that God condemns the damned to endless misery not on account of any sane proportion between what they are capable of meriting and how he chooses to requite them for their sins, but solely as a demonstration of his power to do as he wishes. Now, by the way, when I read the Old Testament, I see that that is often the attitude that Jehovah has towards his subjects. He commands things because he can, and he wants obedience because he wants obedience. Remember, the Demiurge controls through strong strings. He does not approve of willpower. Willpower is messy. Willpower means not obeying the will of God, and he wants to be the sayer of our souls. But the God Above All Gods, the Gnostic God, outranks the Old Testament God. The God Above All Gods is the Father who begat the Son. The Demiurge keeps chaos at bay by forbidding free will in his subjects And so when Jesus says, I and my Father are one, he's not talking about the Old Testament God. He's talking about the God Above All Gods, the originator of consciousness, of love, of life, of free will. And we are all fractals of that Father. Through the Son, through the Fullness of God, we are fractals of all of those powers of the Father–stepped down, because we're smaller fractals. So we all have to return to the Father in the end. When we loose these mortal coils and we're no longer bound to the material that deludes us, then we can finally return to the Father again. So onward and upward is not a trap. Onward and upward is freedom. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. So back to this idea of the Old Testament God enjoying his omnipotent sovereignty. On page 48, Hart is talking about Calvin and predestination. And he says, in book three of Calvin's Institutes, he even asserts that God predestined the human fall from grace, precisely because the whole of everything, creation, fall, redemption, judgment, the eternal bliss of heaven, the endless torments of hell, and whatever else, exists solely for the sake of a perfect display of the full range of God's omnipotent sovereignty, which for some reason absolutely must be displayed. He goes on to say he doesn't know how to respond to that, because, I know it to be based on a notoriously confused reading of Scripture, one whose history goes all the way back to the late Augustine, a towering genius whose inability to read Greek and consequent reliance on defective Latin translations turned out to be the single most tragically consequential case of linguistic incompetence in Christian history. In equal part, however, it is because I regard the picture of God thus produced to be a metaphysical absurdity, a God who is at once supposedly the source of all things, and yet also the one whose nature is necessarily thoroughly polluted by arbitrariness. And no matter how orthodox Calvinists might protest, there is no other way to understand the story of election and dereliction that Calvin tells, which would mean that in some sense he is a finite being, that is God, in whom possibility exceeds actuality, and the irrational exceeds the rational. A far greater concern than either of these theological defects, either the deeply misguided scriptural exegesis or the inept metaphysics of the divine, it is the moral horror in such language. So that's as far as we're going to go today. In next week's continuance of this train of thought, Hart will talk about the difference between the God Above All Gods, essentially, even though Hart's not calling himself a Gnostic. When he speaks of God, or Goodness with capital G, he is speaking of the God Above All Gods. And when he contrasts it with the God of Calvin and Augustine in the Old Testament, that is the Demiurgic God. I've noticed that many modern people seem to think of God as a yin-yang type of completion, that is, where evil balances good, where darkness is necessary to balance light, where the purpose of humanity, or what happens here in humanity, is that we are instantiating strife and struggle and evil for the teaching of God, for the completion of God. That is not right. That's wrong theology, folks. Our God is all goodness, and there is no evil that emanates from God. Well, where did evil come from then? It's merely the absence of good. So evil is the absence of goodness. The archons are the shadows of the Aeons. And when the light fully comes and fills all of space, the shadows will disappear, and the light comes along with the love. And so that's our job, to realize that universal and ethereal love, and to so let our light shine and our lives shine with love, that the Demiurge will be eventually won over. And as for the shadows, every time we bring light into the world, we're diminishing the power of the Demiurge. We're shining light onto a shadow and evaporating it. Next week, we'll pick this up for part three of That All Shall Be Saved by David Bentley Hart. Let me know what you think of this. Send me some comments. Onward and upward. God bless us all. »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»> Please buy my book–A Simple Explanation of the Gnostic Gospel. In this book you will find the original Christian theology as taught by Jesus before the Catholic Church and the Emperor of Rome got their hands on it. A Simple Explanation of the Gnostic Gospel is for seekers and scholars alike. The language is as simple and accessible as I could make it, even though the subject matter is profoundly deep. The book is available in all formats, including paperback, hardcover, and kindle. The audio book narrated by Miguel Conner of Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio is also available on amazon. And please request that your local library carry the book—it's available to all libraries and independent book sellers. Buy the book! Available in all formats and prices…

January 22, 2026. Cole Williams2 Peter 1:3-8

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Melissa Disney, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. What does the landscape of your life look like today? Meditate on Psalm 37:3. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to the Daily Disciple Podcast. As daily disciples, we seek to adore and follow Jesus, our teacher, into the abundant life that he offers. Because we find Jesus irresistible, fascinating, and incredibly practical, we want to be students of his scripture. Today's episode is found in Psalm 23 "The Goodness That Follows."

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What do you do when God's command seems to collide with your moral intuition? We take on the Abraham-and-Isaac dilemma head-on and trace how Hebrews chapter 11 reframes the story: not as an ethical nightmare, but as a window into resurrection hope and God's unwavering goodness. Abraham believed the God who gave Isaac could raise him, and that single conviction transforms a scandal into a portrait of trust.From there, we widen the lens. We unpack why “only begotten” (monogenes) means unique rather than created, connecting Isaac's role as the son of promise to Jesus, the one and only Son. We explore how “God will provide the lamb” echoes forward to the cross, where provision culminates in the Lamb of God. Jacob's surprising place in the faith hall reminds us that grace works through flawed lives, and Joseph's request about his bones shows how hope can be carried across centuries when God makes a promise.Moses brings the theme into sharp relief. Raised in Pharaoh's court, he walks away from power, status, and privilege for a people with nothing but a promise. We dive into why Hebrews calls Egypt's riches “passing pleasures,” how Moses kept the Passover by faith, and why the midwives and his parents model courageous civil disobedience when human law demands what God forbids. Along the way, we set guardrails: Abraham's command was a one-time test, and Scripture never licenses us to violate God's moral law under the banner of private revelation.If you've wrestled with God's goodness, the nature of faith, or the cost of obedience, this conversation offers clarity, context, and courage. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves deep Bible study, and leave a review to tell us what challenged you most.Support the showThank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

“Foryou were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children oflight” (v.7). Thatstatement is very important. Paul does not say we were merely in darkness—hesays “we were darkness” (v. 8). Before salvation, darkness defined us.It shaped our thinking, our desires, and our behavior. But when we trustedChrist, everything changed. We didn't just step into the light—we became lightin the Lord. Because of that, Paul asks a searching question, echoed elsewherein Scripture: “What communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians6:14) Light and darkness are opposites. They do not blend. They do notcooperate. And it is impossible to live in both at the same time. Paulthen describes what the light produces. In verse 9 he writes, “For the fruitof the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” Darknessproduces unfruitful works, but light always bears fruit. Goodness is love inaction—it is a heart that reflects the kindness and compassion of Christ. Righteousnessspeaks of right character before God and right conduct before others. Truthmeans our lives are shaped and governed by God's Word and God's will.When we walk in the light, we livehonestly, transparently, and humbly before God, with nothing we are unwillingto bring into His presence. But walking in the light is not only about personalholiness—it is also about public testimony. Jesus said, “You are the lightof the world.” And He added, “Let your light so shine before men, thatthey may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew5:16). Asbelievers, we carry God's light into a dark world by the way we live, speak,and love. The unsaved person is blinded by sin and by Satan, as Scripture tellsus. Only as we share Christ and live out the gospel can the light of God breakthrough that darkness. Just as a healthy person can help the sick, a child ofGod can help lead the lost out of darkness into God's marvelous light. Paulalso reminds us that light exposes what is wrong. Light reveals reality. Nosurgeon would operate in the dark, and no artist could paint truthfully withoutlight. In the same way, God's light reveals the true character of sin. That'sone reason people often avoid the Bible or the church—light exposes whatdarkness would rather keep hidden. AsChristians, Paul tells us not to fellowship with the unfruitful works ofdarkness, but instead to expose them. Sometimes that exposure happens simply byliving godly lives. When Christ walked on this earth, His perfect life exposedthe sin around Him, and that is one reason He was rejected. A believer livingfaithfully for Christ will often do the same, not intentionally, but naturally.However, Paul gives us an important caution in verse 12. He says it is shamefuleven to speak of certain things done in secret. There is a danger in exposingsin in the wrong way—by sensationalizing it or advertising it. We are notcalled to dwell on evil, but to shine the light. As Scripture reminds us, “Iwould have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil” (Romans16:19). We do not need to study darkness in detail to expose it. All we need todo is turn on the light. Paulthen closes this section with a beautiful image in verse 14: “Awake, you whosleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Salvation ispictured as waking up to a brand-new day. When Christ rose from the dead, thedawn of a new day broke for the world. And when we trusted Him, we were raisedfrom spiritual death into the light of life. We are no longer sleeping indarkness—we are alive in Christ. That means the believer has no business livingin the shadows. We are saints, partakers of the inheritance of the saints inlight. We have been delivered from the power of darkness and transferred intothe kingdom of God's dear Son. As Paul reminds us again, we are “light inthe Lord.”

In this conversation, Craig Applegath speaks with Lynda Ulrich, founder of The Goodness Exchange and host of the Conspiracy of Goodness podcast, about why stories of progress matter and how real change actually happens. Lynda traces the origins of her work back to a moment when she noticed something unsettling: people who had once been optimistic were suddenly afraid of the future.

Tami Simon revisits her powerful conversation with Sister Joan Chittister at Mount St. Benedict's Monastery—exploring enlightenment in Christian tradition, the sacrament of the present moment, and what it means to see the world through God's eyes.This is a conversation about what a lifetime of monastic practice reveals, the electricity of divine presence, and how struggle itself becomes the crucible for transformation.Want to go deeper? Listen to the complete seven-hour conversation in the audio series Catching Fire at soundstrue.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the thing you are most proud of ends up costing you the most? The poet's voice turns personal here. Almost uncomfortably so. A name is called, not shouted, but called with expectation. As if the listener should already know better. As if the invitation had been made before, and quietly ignored. In Episode 4 of the Ta'iyyah of Abu Ishaq al-Ilbiri, Ustadh Muhammad Tim Humble opens verses that challenge how we think about fortune and intelligence. Not in abstract terms, but in how we choose what deserves our time, our effort, and our attention. A stark comparison sits beneath the words. A life measured in decades, set against a standing that stretches beyond imagination. Suddenly, the question isn't what you've gained, but whether you've used your mind well enough to recognise what truly benefits you. There's a tension running through this lesson. Between time and value. Between effort and return. Between drifting through the Dunya and responding to a call that asks more of you than comfort ever will. You'll find yourself rethinking words you use lightly. Fortune. Gain. Success. Even intelligence. Are they really what you thought, or have they been shaped by a much shorter horizon? Take a moment before pressing play. Watch with intention, and see what the verses ask of you Sign up now to AMAU Academy: https://www.amauacademy.com/ AMAU Academy: https://www.amauacademy.com/ AMAU Junior: https://amaujunior.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amauofficial/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AMAU Telegram: https://t.me/amauofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AMAUofficial Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMAUofficial iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/al-madrasatu-al-umariyyah/id1524526782 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08NJC1pIA0maaF6aKqZL4N Get in Touch: https://amau.org/getintouch BarakAllahu feekum. #AMAU #Islam #Dawah

Daily news media, whether on television or social media, is often troubling and unsettling, particularly because the media seems to focus excessively on the tragic and even dehumanizing stories of conflict, violence, or war. Why not take a moment to consider some good news?  Life is a gift. Every human person is a masterpiece of God's creative love, endowed—as our Declaration of Independence states, with "certain inalienable rights" that include "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".   May we commit ourselves to public witness to these truths, respecting the gift of our own life and the lives of others. In the eyes of God, all possess an infinite dignity as Temples of the Holy Spirit.  And may we come together to ensure the sanctity of life is defended, protected, and celebrated—always. 

At Maia, they believe that great yogurt is about more than just flavor—it's about texture. Their commitment to crafting the perfect yogurt results in a thick, creamy consistency that stands out from the rest. Each cup of Maia spends its final hours of production settling into its rich, velvety texture, right in the cup. For the ultimate experience, they recommend enjoying Maia's thick, creamy texture by gently scooping into it rather than stirring. This way, you savor every smooth bite, just as we intended. Founder Hamilton Colwell joins Justin to unpack this delicious yogurt brand!

What happens when you lose everything? In week two of our Rise and Fall series, we look at the life of David in 1 Samuel 30. After a devastating raid on Ziklag, David and his men find themselves at a crossroads of faith and exhaustion.When the world takes from us, our natural human instinct is toward bitterness, greed, and "keeping score." But David shows us a different way—the way of the Kingdom. Join us as we explore why Goodness is greater than Bitterness and how radical generosity can transform our lives.In this message, we discuss:The Power of Inquiry: Why asking God questions (Shaal) keeps us humble and dependent rather than fearful.Faith + Action: How David trusted God's sovereignty while boldly pursuing the rescue mission.The Egyptian Slave: Lessons on showing care before questioning and finding heroes in unlikely places.The 200 vs. the 400: Why we should lead with "Generous Assumptions" instead of "Negative Conclusions" when others are exhausted.The Gospel Connection: How David's decision to share the plunder with the weary foreshadows Jesus, who fought the battle we couldn't fight and gave us an inheritance we didn't earn."No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us... All will share alike." — 1 Samuel 30:23-24Subscribe to stay updated with our latest sermons!Website: https://impact.church Facebook: https://facebook.com/ImpactChurchHome Instagram: https://instagram.com/ImpactChurchHome YouTube: https://youtube.com/@impactchurchhome TikTok: https://tiktokcom/@impactchurchhome

Join Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld as he guides us through the world and major works of Kabbalah, Hasidic masters, and Jewish philosophy, shedding light on the inner life of the soul. To learn more, visit InwardTorah.org

Jesus didn't just win the invisible battle for us—He invites us to carry that victory to others. This teaching calls us to embody the gospel by living and sharing Jesus' authority, goodness, and love so people trapped under darkness can experience real freedom and abundant life.

In this episode, Patrick and Jonah begin the new year by returning to a central question of our time: how do we face evil without losing freedom, discernment, or love? Drawing on the Gospel of John and Rudolf Steiner's reflections on the work of the angels in the human soul, the conversation explores compassion, individuality, technology, medicine, and the danger of “automatic” spirituality. Along the way, they ask whether what feels like apocalypse today might actually be an unveiling — a revealing of what we desire, neglect, or refuse to see.Extended reflections, personal notes, and deeper context are available on Patreon.Support the showThe Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary. Thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together."

Brother Jean | Sunday Sermon Jan-18-2026| APC

Haggai 2:1-9 From the sermon series: Return to Me (Remembering the Goodness of God's Ways, in the book of Haggai)

What does it really mean to be good?

So much of life happens at full speed. We move from task to task, responsibility to responsibility, often missing the quiet gifts God places in our path. This devotional begins with a small interruption in the middle of an ordinary chore—one unexpected moment of wonder as a hummingbird appears near wildflowers. Just a few seconds of stillness became a reminder that God is present, creative, and kind. Sometimes it doesn’t take a major life event to wake our hearts up again; it can be something as small as noticing what God has made. The devotional points us to a bigger truth: creation itself is a constant testimony to God’s goodness. Paul spoke of this when people mistakenly tried to worship him and Barnabas after a healing. He redirected their attention to the true God, reminding them that the Lord has already shown His kindness through everyday gifts like rain, harvest, and the joy that comes from being provided for. God’s care isn’t hidden—He has written evidence of His character into the world around us. For those who follow Jesus, nature becomes more than scenery. It becomes a steady invitation to remember who God is: faithful, generous, and attentive. A leaf, a cloud, the warmth of the sun, the scent of flowers—each can pull us out of the swirl of stress and back into gratitude. When we pause to notice, we’re reminded that God is still at work, still providing, still loving, and still worthy of praise. Today’s devotional encourages us to build that pause into our rhythm—making space to marvel, to thank Him, and to let the ordinary goodness of creation restore our hearts. Main Takeaways God often reminds us of His presence through small, everyday moments of wonder. Creation provides ongoing testimony to God’s kindness, provision, and care. Pausing to notice helps interrupt stress and re-center the heart in gratitude. Even simple gifts—rain, food, beauty—reflect God’s faithful goodness. Wonder can lead us to worship when we choose to slow down and pay attention. Today’s Bible Verse “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17, NIV). Your Daily Prayer Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer: “Help me to regularly take time to pause and marvel at what You have made… allowing the beauty and wonder of nature to remind me of Your love and kindness.” You can listen to the full prayer in this episode or devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/ Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Discover daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Your Uncertainty and Fear Lead to Anxiety; About What Are You Anxious, and Have You “let your requests be made known to God”? MESSAGE SUMMARY:  From Philippians 6, Paul tells us: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”. What are you anxious about? If you are in Christ, Jesus tells us to present our request to the Lord. In Matthew 6:6-8, Jesus instructs His followers how to come to God in prayer: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.". If you are in Christ, you can talk to God and present your issues and requests to Him as if He knows nothing about your situation. You must ask God through your regular prayer life and your personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. What are you anxious about? In Matthew 6:34, Jesus assures His followers that “anxiety” is counterproductive: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, after his loss, you gave Job prosperity, blessing him with twice as much as he had before, but that has not always felt like my experience. Grant me patience. Help me to trust and wait on you, especially in those areas of my life where I have no idea what you are doing, when my hardship will end, or where you are taking me. In Jesus' name, amen.                   Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 115). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Evil Ways. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Goodness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 6:31-34; Philippians 4:5-7; Matthew 6:6-8; Psalms 35b:15-28. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “It's About Time: Part 1 – Rebuilding Emotional Reserves” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

We would love to hear from you! Please send us your comments here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

It's Thursday, January 15th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, & Sudan top 4 persecuting countries Open Doors released its 2026 World Watch List yesterday. The report ranks the top 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Once again, North Korea is ranked the worst country for persecution followed by Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, and Eritrea. The remaining top 10 countries are Syria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Libya, and Iran. One out of seven Christians are persecuted worldwide. Between October 2024 and September 2025, the report documented that 4,849 Christians were killed for their faith. Over 90% of the killings occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria.  Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” 2,000 Iranian protestors killed by Islamic regime Millions of Iranians have been protesting against the country's Islamic regime since December 28. Activists report that 2,000 people have been killed as the regime has cracked down on protestors.  Listen to comments from U.S. President Donald Trump. TRUMP: “To all Iranian patriots, keep protesting, take over your institutions, if possible. … I've cancelled all meetings with the Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops. And all I say to them is ‘Help is on its way!' You saw that I put tariffs on anybody doing business with Iran. Just went into effect today.” During this unrest, please pray for the underground church in Iran to remain strong and find opportunities to minister.  Pentagon moving carrier strike group toward Middle East amid Iran tension In a related story, the Pentagon is moving a carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which includes the Middle East, as tensions escalate between the Trump administration and Iran, reports NewsNation. Moving the carrier strike group — a naval formation centering around an aircraft carrier, with a variety of support from other vessels — is expected to take about a week. The significant transfer of American military hardware comes amid developments related to unrest in Iran and questions about whether the White House will offer support to opponents of Iran's autocratic, Islamicregime. Franklin Graham calls America to prayer and repentance In the Untied States, Evangelist Franklin Graham called for a time of prayer and repentance across the nation. The call came as “the streets of America boil over with hate, anger, crime, drugs, and just sheer hopelessness.” Listen to comments from Graham. GRAHAM: “I encourage people to pray. And first of all, we need to repent as a nation. We need to repent of our sins and turn from those sins. And we need to repent of our own sins, not just the nation's sins, but our personal sins, and ask God to forgive us.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Trump withdraws from 66 int'l groups, conventions, and treaties The Trump administration announced last Wednesday that the U.S. is withdrawing from 66 international organizations, conventions, and treaties. One of those organizations is the United Nations Population Fund, known for its support of abortion.  Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said, “From DEI mandates to ‘gender equity' campaigns to climate orthodoxy, many international organizations now serve a globalist project. … These organizations actively seek to constrain American sovereignty.” State Department pauses immigrant visas from 75 countries Plus, the U.S. Department of State announced yesterday that it will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries.  Those nations include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, and Nigeria.  The State Department said migrants from these countries “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.” U.S. overdose deaths fell New federal data shows U.S. overdose deaths fell last year. Overdose deaths involving opioids and now fentanyl have been on the rise since the 1990s. An estimated 73,000 people died from overdoses during the 12-month period ending in August 2025. That's down 21% from the previous 12-month period.  Researchers suggest this drop is connected with recent regulation changes in China. These changes decreased the availability of chemicals used to make fentanyl.    4,000 U.S. Protestant churches closed in 2024 Lifeway Research reports more Protestant churches closed in the U.S. than opened. Four thousand churches were closed in America in 2024. Meanwhile, only 3,800 churches were started. That's better than 2019 when there were only 3,000 openings and 4,500 closings. Openings have not outpaced closings since 2014 when there were 4,000 openings and 3,700 closings. Christian/Gospel music ranked among top 10 genres And finally, Luminate released its 2025 year-end music report. Christian and Gospel music ranked among the top 10 genres in the U.S. last year. Plus, Christian/Gospel was also one of the highest-growth genres in terms of on-demand audio streams. WINANS: “For Your mercy never fails me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God “'Cause all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.” That was Cece Winans singing the “Goodness of God.” When it came to music released in the last 18 months, Christian/Gospel music saw the most growth in streams of any genre. Colossians 3:16 reminds us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, January 15th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Dr. Tim Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of embracing goodness on our spiritual journey—an endeavor that deeply resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our walk of faith, there are moments when embodying goodness and experiencing a sense of divine fulfillment becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also breathe life into our relationships, propelling us toward our individual dreams. The reassuring truth remains constant: with the Lord as our unwavering guide, we possess the innate ability to manifest goodness, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience. For those who seek guidance in embracing goodness along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for goodness within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of embracing goodness on our spiritual journey and discovering the extraordinary sense of fulfillment that resides within each one of us. Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Mark 7, Mark shows us the Pharisees' hypocrisy, the bold audacity of a gentile woman, and the healing of a deaf and mute man. We'll examine traditions, knowing God is doing something even if it isn't what we hoped, and choosing to see God's goodness every day.

Pastor James Powell brings a powerful message from John 10 and Psalm 23, reminding us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who leads, provides, and corrects out of love—not based on our performance, but on what He has done. This message reframes conviction as kindness, inviting us into deeper trust, humility, and gratitude as we learn to follow the Shepherd's voice and rest in His unchanging care.

As I ponder what I want to become more of this year, I must take seriously the cultivating of my own soul, so that when others come to draw from me, they are drawing from Him, because I have invested time in Him, His word, His wisdom, His truth and His ways.