Podcasts about great cloud

All men live by faith, whether it is faith in the purity of the water we drink or the food that we order at a restaurant. We have faith in the financial institutions. Every day we exercise faith. But for the child of God, spiritual faith is different in that it is supernatural in origin. God is the source of our faith, and living by faith is the key for enduring to the end. Hebrews 11 is often called the "Saint's Hall of Fame" or the "Faith Chapter." I prefer to think of it as the "Roll Call of the Great Cloud of Witnesses" of Hebrews 12:1. In practical terms what is faith, and then what is the outcome of faith. Faith is the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith imparts certainty, reality to what is invisible. Faith is living in a hope that is so real that it gives absolute assurance. It is living as if the promises of God are present tense, not future. True faith forms the foundation, the basis for life itself! And those who live by faith please God, and receive a good testimony or report card. To please God we must first of all believe that He exists, and then secondly that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. The "great cloud of witnesses" recorded in Hebrews 11 are examples of those who have obtained a good testimony that they pleased God. The just shall live by his faith!

All men live by faith, whether it is faith in the purity of the water we drink or the food that we order at a restaurant. We have faith in the financial institutions. Every day we exercise faith. But for the child of God, spiritual faith is different in that it is supernatural in origin. God is the source of our faith, and living by faith is the key for enduring to the end. Hebrews 11 is often called the "Saint's Hall of Fame" or the "Faith Chapter." I prefer to think of it as the "Roll Call of the Great Cloud of Witnesses" of Hebrews 12:1. In practical terms what is faith, and then what is the outcome of faith. Faith is the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith imparts certainty, reality to what is invisible. Faith is living in a hope that is so real that it gives absolute assurance. It is living as if the promises of God are present tense, not future. True faith forms the foundation, the basis for life itself! And those who live by faith please God, and receive a good testimony or report card. To please God we must first of all believe that He exists, and then secondly that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. The "great cloud of witnesses" recorded in Hebrews 11 are examples of those who have obtained a good testimony that they pleased God. The just shall live by his faith!

Hebrews 12:1 talks of a ‘great cloud' of witnesses (described in Hebrews 11) that surround us—stories of our spiritual ancestors who fought the good fight of faith and emerged victorious. These witnesses encourage us to continue our own fights of faith, and give us lessons about how to persevere in our own lives. This series highlights a few of those witnesses. This week we explore why the writer of Hebrews surrounds us with these witnesses.

Welcome once again to UnMind, the podcast of Great Cloud, my Zen name, also published on Substack, and as my DharmaByte in the newsletter of the Silent Thunder Order (STO) - visit www.STOrder.org. Please let me know if there is a subject you would like to hear about in a future segment. We are pioneering a creative, collaborative approach to establishing true Zen community (Skt. sangha) in the USA. We invite you to come aboard the raft. If you are in the Southeast, visit www.aszc.org for our schedule. "Excuse Me My Dear Aunt Sally," in case you are unfamiliar with the expression, is a mnemonic I learned in high school for remembering the proper sequence of arithmetical operations to be performed in solving quadratic equations: solve the exponents first; then do the multiplication; then the division; the addition; and finally, any subtraction called for. If you do not follow this sequence exactly, you will not get the right answer. Setting aside for now the question of what may be the larger point of getting the right answer, as well as the question of the potential arbitrariness of the "givens" of any equation — i.e. the initial values attributed to "x" and "y" — XMDAS provides an analogy for the process of solving any problem, from a design-thinking perspective. Let's look at each of the five steps, one at a time. From writing a book to simplifying our life, it works. Determining what value lies under the radical in an exponent (X) is roughly analogous to defining the reason for pursuing any problem, whether in a professional setting or in everyday life. "What's it all about, Alfie?" or "What's the meaning of this?" as my grandfather would sternly demand, when we were caught roughhousing, in my younger days. He didn't realize what a profoundly central question he was asking. I find myself at the intersection of Zen and design-thinking, when confronting the various aspects of daily life. Zen practice and the discipline of design-science, as one of my many mentors, R. Buckminster Fuller, termed it, are both generalist worldviews oriented to a problem-solving mentality as an approach to navigating the challenges of life in our times and developing the specialist skills necessary to that endeavor. Key to finding the best solution to any problem is developing the best definition of the problem. In the professional context, working for the benefit of a client company, the first step may involve redefining the client's own definition of the problem they are asking you to solve. One of the values of using outside consultants is that they ostensibly are not subject to the same tunnel vision of insiders, though of course they may be hindered by another sort of tunnel vision. The process outlined is meant to mitigate against this. Returning to and redefining the focus of the initiative is a crucial part of the process. It should be noted that someone writes down the ideas on a whiteboard for all to see. The second step, doing the multiplication (M), is likewise analogous to brainstorming, engaging in the uninhibited free association of any and all factors that may have a role in developing the final solution to the given problem. This is where thoroughness and lack of prejudging come into play. Best done as a form of playful "What-if" scenarios. The third, division (D), correlates roughly with sorting the various free-ranging comments into groupings or categories of related items, like the familiar "One of these things is not like the others" theme from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The fourth, addition (A), suggests fleshing out the various distinct categorical groupings with other items that may not have occurred to anyone on first consideration. Finally the fifth step, subtraction (S), involves setting aside all the various components and considerations that are not immediately necessary at this point in the project, for later development, scaling down the scope of the first phase of solution iterations to include only the most important and germane elements. Prioritizing, in other words. Needless to say, and so I will say it emphatically: this is not a one-and-done process. It will be necessary, in virtually every case, to revisit the exponent several times to see if we have wandered too far afield from the original problem definition, and to reexamine the other four steps again as we proceed. Everything is a work-in-progress. There are some provocative prompts to the process that can be brought to bear when the creativity seems to lag, such as positing the "Worst Possible Solution" — imagining that if we wanted to subvert the objectives of the project altogether, how would we do it? Oftentimes, conjecturing the most negative outcome in opposition suggests a different positive approach that we otherwise would not come up with. We can apply this design-thinking approach to our Zen practice, emphasizing problem definition over leaping to a solution, based on the underlying premise that within a thoroughgoing and complete definition of any given problem, the solution will be implied. It becomes clear that, while as Master Dogen reminds us, "Zazen is not step-by-step meditation," the process of our Zen life moves through several distinct, if overlapping, phases, if not exactly stages. The difficulty with conceiving the arc of our experience as progressing through stages is that we will inevitably be looking to the next stage, assuming that it will be more advanced. And consequently, missing the reality of the present moment. As the old Ch'an poem reminds, "Not understanding the Way before your eyes, how will you know the path you walk?" Nonetheless, it is incumbent upon us who find ourselves in the unenviable position of being regarded as teachers or exemplars of Zen to address this issue, when students or followers express a sincere aspiration to insight, and confusion as to its meaning, or the common experience of "plateauing" — the sense that no progress is occurring. Let us attempt a correlation of the fivefold sequence of the process outlined above with the general arc of the narrative of a typical Zen pilgrim's progress. As always, your results may vary, and the map is never the same as the territory. X — Let's begin with the exponent of Zen - what is the root of the problem? What lies under the radical, waiting to be solved? What is the source of our suffering? We can derive some guidance from the written record, of course, where we find such definitions as the reification of a non-existent self, unsatisfactoriness with the causes and conditions of our existence, et cetera, which are, of course, not very satisfactory. The problem of existence, and our place in it, begs the question: Is it really a problem? It is more important to personalize this problem definition than to generalize it. What is troubling you immediately, in space and time? As Master Dogen says in "Genjokoan": If you find your place where you are, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point. If you find your way at this moment, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point. So the problem, if it is a problem, must be hiding in plain sight. M — Brainstorming intentionally, rather than allowing the monkey mind to hijack the process, we embrace our world of complexity and distractions from all four spheres of activity and influence — the personal, social, natural, and the universal realms — in which we find ourselves. All apparent barriers to solving the problem. The root of the problem we might logically assume to manifest on the personal level; but we cannot ignore social demands of family, friends, colleagues and strangers; nor the many ways in which we connect with the world of Nature; and even the universal, especially in a time when technological evolution has revealed so much of our macro- and micro-cosmic context. D — Sorting through the matrix of all dimensions impinging upon us and considering how to group them into relatively discrete aggregations, analogous to the "five skandhas" of the traditional Buddhist model of sentient being, may help to overcome the daunting asymmetrical nature of the scope of our interconnectedness and diminishing influence on outcomes, as we move from the personal to the social, natural and universal realms. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness accompany a growing sense of humility at the vastness of the enterprise. But at least we are beginning to comprehend it. Recognizing the problem is the first step; visualizing or modeling it is the second. A — After articulating the many components of our living situation we come up with, writing them down in a mind-mapping exercise, and sorting into relatively discrete — if overlapping — categories, we can now review each to see if we have inadvertently left out any elements that may prove to be relevant or important. Are they complete? S — At this point, the problem may be well-defined, but any point of taking action is still obscure. Subtracting what is inessential from consideration at the present time, leaving what is necessary to address first and foremost, we come to a point of taking action. No process of problem-solving is effective unless it leads to appropriate action. Resistance to doing so is based on fear of the unknown, unintended consequences, and the desire to maintain the status quo. "Fall down seven times get up eight": we succeed by failing. Once the "problem" is stripped down to a limited set of actionable items, we can begin the prototyping phase of the project. This involves trial and error, experimenting with various promising approaches, assessing progress, and adjusting as necessary. The current trope in the business world is "agility," the ability to recognize when we are off-course, and correct accordingly. It is an apt expression on the personal, as well as the corporate, level. The main difference is that we should be able to get ourselves to risk a change in behavior on a strictly personal level much more easily than it is to sway others into compliance with our definition of a solution. In summary, most of us approach Zen with an initial curiosity or motive — X, the root exponent — derived from the unsatisfactory nature of living in today's world, drawn to Zen by a hunch that it seems focused on this very issue, buttressed by impressions from reading books and hearsay. As Matsuoka-roshi would often say, people go though life with a sense of something missing. They don't know what it is, but they definitely know it's missing. Eventually they come to Zen hoping to find it. This is typically followed by a phase of "doing my own research" — M, multiplication — perusing more books on the subject, pursuing podcasts and documentaries, attending lectures and joining groups. There is a nearly inexhaustible smorgasbord of entrees on offer in today's spiritual materialism market. The multiplier effect often lends more confusion than clarity as to our initial purpose — the exponent of Zen — where we started out. Once we have surveyed most of the approaches on offer, we begin to categorize them — D, division — as to sameness and difference, effectiveness and convenience, the whole gamut of judgment calls that we generally apply to any other activity or pursuit. They break down into such categories as various styles of meditation, our personal bibliography of books that we choose to read and re-read, teachers we choose to follow, and support groups with which we engage and disengage. As well as those we reject. Much of this trial-and-error testing and analysis is aimed at rationalizing our resistance to making the effort sustained required to realize any long-term positive effects. We resist change, if on an unconscious level. In my first book, "The Original Frontier," I devote an entire chapter to the various lame excuses we make up for evading the hard work of meditation, beginning with the most common cop-out, "I don't have the time." These are followed up with suggested workarounds, under the rubric, "Damn your lousy excuses." Over time, we cobble together our own Frankenstein monster of a practice path, adding to the mix — A, addition. Hopefully, we settle upon a combination that seems to work. In Zen, it usually comes together as a balanced combination of buddha-, dharma-, and sangha-practice, a 3-legged stool consisting of: time on the cushion; studying the teachings; and participating in Zen community. And, in a non-monastic setting, finding a reasonable, operable schedule of training. Eventually, we begin to minimize or eliminate — S, subtraction — those activities and preoccupations that have proven to be peripheral rather than central. As Master Dogen asked, if you want to find drinking water, do you drill a lot of shallow wells, or one deep well? He also recommended focusing on the central method, rather than the surrounding protocols: When first you meet a master, without engaging in incense offering, bowing, chanting Buddha's name, repentance and reading scripture, you should just wholeheartedly sit, and thus drop away body and mind. Again, over the span of our lifetime, it is likely that we will cycle through this process many times, disappointed by unmet expectations and buffeted by the whims of fortune. As Matsuoka-roshi would often encourage us, "Just don't give up." The reality that Zen points to does not change with the vicissitudes of fate. More design thinking to come in the next installment of UnMind: "It's Not About That."

Hebrews 12:1 talks of a ‘great cloud' of witnesses (described in Hebrews 11) that surround us—stories of our spiritual ancestors who fought the good fight of faith and emerged victorious. These witnesses encourage us to continue our own fights of faith, and give us lessons about how to persevere in our own lives. This series highlights a few of those witnesses. This week we take a look at the Prophets.

Great Cloud of Witnesses: We see Jesus: Ascension

Great Cloud of Witnesses Daniel's friends who stood for the truth

Great Cloud of Witnesses David: Singing the praises of God

Great Cloud of Witnesses Abraham: Believed in God's Promises

Hebrews 12:1 talks of a ‘great cloud' of witnesses (described in Hebrews 11) that surround us—stories of our spiritual ancestors who fought the good fight of faith and emerged victorious. These witnesses encourage us to continue our own fights of faith, and give us lessons about how to persevere in our own lives. This series highlights a few of those witnesses. This week we take a look at Rahab.

2026-02-03_Pastor Mayo_A Great Cloud Of Witnesses by Cornerstone Pentecostal Church Spokane

Hebrews 12:1 talks of a ‘great cloud' of witnesses (described in Hebrews 11) that surround us—stories of our spiritual ancestors who fought the good fight of faith and emerged victorious. These witnesses encourage us to continue our own fights of faith, and give us lessons about how to persevere in our own lives. This series highlights a few of those witnesses. This week we take a look at Moses.

Hebrews 12:1 talks of a ‘great cloud' of witnesses (described in Hebrews 11) that surround us—stories of our spiritual ancestors who fought the good fight of faith and emerged victorious. These witnesses encourage us to continue our own fights of faith, and give us lessons about how to persevere in our own lives. This series highlights a few of those witnesses. This week we take a look at Abraham & Sarah.

Hebrews 12:1 talks of a ‘great cloud' of witnesses (described in Hebrews 11) that surround us—stories of our spiritual ancestors who fought the good fight of faith and emerged victorious. These witnesses encourage us to continue our own fights of faith, and give us lessons about how to persevere in our own lives. This series highlights a few of those witnesses, beginning this week with the trio of Creation, Abel, and Enoch.

"The Letter and The Great Cloud of Witnesses"A special message from long time member, Bobby Clark.

How should we understand the "Great Cloud of Witnesses" and its role in the life of the believer today? This presentation is also available on Youtube, Rumble. [1 hour]

Hebrews 11:20-40 Watch online: https://youtu.be/nHxvXTkzU7g

"I don't want to be defined as the grief girl." In this episode of the Interviewing Jesus Podcast, host Kristen Wambach investigates the supernatural wisdom that emerges from life's deepest "medical mysteries." Together with author and advocate Jody Hudson, we bridge the gap between a harrowing ten-year battle with undiagnosed Lyme disease and the heavenly grit required to stay Spiritually BRAVE. From foster care survival to the founding of the Alex Hudson Lyme Foundation, this conversation provides a safe path for the heart and a testimony to the restoration of all things.EPISODE TAKEAWAYS The Dashboard Breakthrough: Why religious politeness can be a barrier to healing and how raw, honest prayer opens the door to relational oneness. Becoming "Lyme Literate": The importance of seeking experts who possess the testimony and experience to match your specific battle. The Bluebird Signal: How to sharpen your spiritual senses to recognize the "Rhema" signs Jesus sends to verify you are not forgotten. The Forgiveness Protocol: A daily choice to "wash your hands" of systemic ignorance and reclaim your territory from the enemy. The Great Cloud of Witnesses: A perspective shift on how our loved ones continue to partner with our "DNA calling" from their heavenly perspective. A Breathtaking moment—Jody shared her raw moment where she gave God an ultimatum. As a spiritual investigative journalist, I've found that being "polite" with God often masks the very breakthrough we need.

Brockport First Baptist sermon audio from Sunday, February 1, 2026: “A Great Cloud of Witnesses,” by Rev. Dr. Dan Brockway. Scripture reading: Hebrews 11-12.Our mission is to embody God's love outside the walls of the church, in Brockport and beyond. SUPPORT OUR MINISTRIES: www.brockportfirstbaptist.org/giveLEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHURCH: www.brockportfirstbaptist.org

Guest Bio: Trillia Newbell is the author of several books, including A Great Cloud of Witnesses, Sacred Endurance, If God Is For Us, Fear and Faith, Behold, the Lamb of God Has Come, and the children's books, Creative God, Colorful Us and  God's Very Good Idea. When she isn't writing, she's encouraging and supporting other writers as the Acquisitions Director at Moody Publishers. Trillia is married to her best friend, Thern, and they reside with their two children near Nashville, TN.   Show Summary: During the Christmas season, moments of joy and celebration are often paired with the mess and stress of hosting and traveling. It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of the holiday without stopping to think about the real reason for the season. Trillia Newbell wants to help people behold the Lamb of God this Christmas season through different practices that can fit in between baking Christmas cookies or wrapping gifts. Join hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins as they explore these different practices with Trillia during this special God Hears Her Christmas episode!   Notes and Quotes:  “We are able to celebrate and enjoy these gifts because He's the giver of all good gifts.” —Trillia Newbell  “There's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. There is grace for repentance. You don't stand guilty or condemned. You can ask the Lord for help, grace, and strength and receive His forgiveness.” —Trillia Newbell  “The joy of the Lord is my strength. I believe that joy and faith are a gift, so ask God for it.” —Trillia Newbell  “We approach a throne of grace. We approach a God who understands, who draws near to the brokenhearted.” —Trillia Newbell  Verses:  John 1:38  Hebrews  2 Corinthians 6:10  Psalms  Related Episodes: GHH Ep 71 – Christ As A Baby: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/christ-as-a-baby/ GHH Ep 111 – Christmas Expectations with Ruth Chou Simons: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/christmas-expectations/ GHH Ep 174 – The True Miracle of Christmas: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/the-true-miracle-of-christmas/  Links:  Trillia's Website: https://www.trillianewbell.com/ God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191  Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM 

Sermon: "By Faith: A Great Cloud of Witnesses" by Pastor Edwin Ledezma

Sermon: “By Faith: A Great Cloud of Witnesses” by Pastor Edwin Ledezma

A warrior joins the Great Cloud!FAITHBUCKS.COM

A warrior joins the Great Cloud! Faithbucks.com Matthew 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 12:9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known: 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

Trillia Newbell is the author of the kids' books Creative God, Colorful Us and God's Very Good Idea; a Bible study on Hebrews 11, A Great Cloud of Witnesses; and a Bible study on Romans 8, If God Is For Us, as well as the books Sacred Endurance: Finding Grace and Strength for a Lasting Faith; Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God's Good Gifts (2016);  Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves (2015) and United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity (2014). Her writings on issues of faith, family, and diversity have been published in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, and many other Christian outlets. Trillia has spoken at numerous conferences, churches, women's retreats, colleges and seminaries. She spent seven years serving as the Director of Community Outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention. She is currently an acquisitions editor for Moody Publishers. Her latest book is Celebrating Around the Table: Learning the Stories of Black Christians through Readings, Fellowship, Food, and Faith, (Harvest House).

This is November 2nd's exhortation by Brian McLain, reminding us from Hebrews 12:1–2 that we are bound to the faithful saints who endured not through the absence of suffering but through trust in the God who redeems his people through suffering. Brian and his lovely wife Denise were born and raised in Florida. They have been blessed with six beautiful daughters who fill their home with boundless joy and entertainment. Brian has degrees in Theology and Electrical Engineering and spent 20 years in the Power Industry. The McLains love to sing, dance, read, cook and play games, and they cherish the opportunities they get to serve and host others in their home. Trinity Reformed Church is a CREC church in Huntsville, AL seeking to extend and unite the Kingdom in the Huntsville area. Check out our website, Facebook or YouTube!

This week, Pastor Will led our annual All Saints Sunday service, sharing from Hebrews 12:1–2. He reflected on the “great cloud of witnesses” — the saints of Scripture and our own church's history — who cheer us on as we run the race God has set before us.Scripture references: Psalm 24; Isaiah 25:6-9; and Hebrews 12:1–2“I WILL RUN” -- CCLI Song # 4797586  |  Misty Edwards  |  © 2005 Forerunner Worship | For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com"GO NOW IN PEACE" –  Words by Nancy Price and Don Besig -- Music by Don Besig -- Copyright (c) 1988 by Harold Flammer Music, a Division of Shawnee Press, Inc. -- International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved

Continuing the Legacy of a Great Cloud of Witnesses by

Hey friends, today we've got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the Pardon the Mess podcast!Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This year's series follows Christian Parenting's brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of Witnesses. Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for your kids. Here is a sneak peek into week one:This first week is all about Noah—a man of incredible faith and obedience. While the world around him turned away from God, Noah walked in righteousness. Building the ark probably looked foolish to everyone else, but Noah trusted God's word even when it didn't make sense. That's the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to God's voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart.If you love this episode and don't have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it's not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don't forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes. Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses todayFollow Pardon the Mess on Apple or SpotifyThe Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Hey friends, today we've got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the Pardon the Mess podcast!Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This year's series follows Christian Parenting's brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of Witnesses. Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for your kids. Here is a sneak peek into week one:This first week is all about Noah—a man of incredible faith and obedience. While the world around him turned away from God, Noah walked in righteousness. Building the ark probably looked foolish to everyone else, but Noah trusted God's word even when it didn't make sense. That's the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to God's voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart.If you love this episode and don't have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it's not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don't forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes. Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses todayFollow Pardon the Mess on Apple or SpotifyThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sermon for the Midweek of Pentecost X Wednesday, 20 August A+D 2025 Rev. Matthew D. Ruesch

Rev. Ken Buck

Many believers who have gone before us went through very difficult times, but kept the faith. Join us this Sunday, in-person or online at http://youtube.com/fabicchurch/live at 10:25 a.m., as we take inspiration from our spiritual ancestors to run our own race with courage and confidence.

About 52 Weeks in the Word: Student EditionA beautiful, accessible pathway through the New Testament for students.We know that the Bible is foundational and life-giving. But it can also be confusing and challenging—especially for kids. It can be hard to know how—or where—to start.Author of the bestselling 52 Weeks in the Word, Trillia Newbell brings an easy-to-follow student edition that takes kids from the book Matthew all the way through Revelation.Trillia describes herself as a “forever student,” and this edition is meant to help your student grow into a faithful, hopeful, Bible lover. Your kids will join her in the grand and thrilling adventure of growing in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ!Over 52 weeks, kids will have:Daily Scripture readingsDaily questions to help them think about what they're readingA space for writing their own prayerA weekly lesson, activity, or reading to help them go deeper in their Bible readingA day of restKids will learn how to study God's sacred Word. By the grace and power of the Spirit, they will grow in their love for Jesus. Kids will gain practical help for their daily lives, hope for hardships, and a deep abiding relationship with the God who intimately knows them . . . and wants them to intimately know Him!Purchase a copy of 52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition here.Connect with Trilla Newbellwebsite | InstagramTRILLIA NEWBELL is the author of several books, including 52 Weeks in the Word, A Great Cloud of Witnesses, Sacred Endurance, If God Is For Us, Fear and Faith, and children's books, The Big Wide Welcome, Creative God, Colorful Us, and God's Very Good Idea. When she isn't writing, she's encouraging and supporting other writers as an Acquisitions Director at Moody Publishers. Trillia is married to her best friend, Thern; they reside with their two children near Nashville, TN.

Join Pastor Gary on this Memorial Day Sunday as he guides the Church in remembering the 'Spiritual Warriors' who paved the way for us. He honors the sacrifices of over 600,000 men, women, and youth who died for freedom, paralleling their sacrifice to Christ's ultimate act of love. Pastor Gary stresses the significance of commemorating fallen soldiers and early Christians who faced persecution for their faith. He highlights the courage of these believers under rulers like Emperor Domitian and challenges us to see their legacy as part of our spiritual heritage. Referencing Matthew 5:10-12, he reminds us that following Christ includes enduring trials. From Hebrews 12:1-2, he encourages us to persevere, surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. He honors those in his ministry, "fallen soldiers" of faith, who have shaped lives through their prayers and service.

Andrew discusses powerful revelations about the great Cloud of Witnesses, grabbing their baton, running our races well, and more! Connect with Andrew Whalen at https://www.vanquishpw.com. To join Strike Force 2025 click here, https://strikeforce.thevanquishpw.life Thank you for making the always-free Elijah List Ministries possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://ElijahStreams.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to: “ElijahStreams” and mail it to: ElijahStreams, 525 2nd Ave SW, Suite 629, Albany, OR 97321 USA

In this episode of "Rhythms That Restore," Cherisse welcomes her long time friend Clare Richardson owner of TRAZO Design in Memphis. Clare is a professional organizer, wife, mother of five, and former missionary. The conversation covers Clare's life experiences, including her time in Panama, family dynamics, and her journey as a small business owner. Clare shares her insights on parenting, hospitality, and faith, emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming home and community. She reflects on her struggles with anxiety, the significance of journaling, and the power of trusting God amidst chaos. The episode highlights themes of growth, relationships, and the importance of being prepared for life's unexpected turns. Connect with Clare Richardson by Email: clare@trazo-design.com Insta: Trazodesign  Website: www.trazo-design.com  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Books "The Bible": "00:22:01" "Mind Alchemy" by Casey Harris: "00:44:35" "The Listening Prayer" by Mark McClure: "00:44:35" "Season of Holy" by Jim Branch: "00:45:26" "The Season of Beholding" by Jim Branch: "00:45:26" Bible Verses "Jeremiah 29:11-12": "00:46:22" "Revelation (reference to knocking at the door)": "00:49:43" "Proverbs 16:3": "00:58:28" Videos/Movies "Last of the Mohicans": "00:47:14" "Braveheart": "00:48:55" Concepts and Ideas "Trusting God in Chaos": "00:36:33" "Biblical Principles of Organization": "00:37:35" "Hiding God's Word in Your Heart": "00:00:00" (timestamp not provided) "Keep Oil in Your Lamp": "01:00:18" "Great Cloud of Witnesses": "01:02:47" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join us for our Rhythms That Restore ONE YEAR Anniversary Celebration!  We are celebrating in true fashion with a "ONE DAY REST RETREAT" at Cherisse's Home on Sarurday April 26th. We are pressing "pause" on all the hustle of life and joining together for one day to just REST. To allow ourselves a moment to reflect over this last year, to allow our bodies, minds, hearts and souls to settle, and to lean into Gods word and His presence and allow Him to restore & refresh our spirits. You are invited to join in beside Cherisse for this ONE Year ONE Day Retreat.  Click Below to REGISTER:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOiCjrWJK5IlOuBPohICS7PwhHf4rwu2D8nilBhI2Q_kO9DQ/viewform?usp=sharing  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join our "Rhythms that Restore" Community: Click below and pull up a chair with us and walk through life IN COMMUNITY and beside others who are learning and putting these new Rhythms in place. Click: https://www.facebook.com/groups/339272845793051/ -------------------------------------- Follow "Rhythms that Restore Podcast" on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythmsthatrestorepodcast?igsh=Z3lmY2UzcXZzMTlq&utm_source=qr -------------------------------------------- Tune In- Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If you found value in this episode, be be sure to subscribe, rate, and share with "Rhythms that Restore" Podcast with a friend who can be encouraged through the message. Help us share this incredible transformative message of Gods word through the beautiful act of "ceasing to strive" and learning to "simply BE". ------------------------------------ Connect more with me on Instagram, Facebook and Email: Lets Chat: cherissehixson@hotmail.com  DM on Instagram: @RhythmsThatRestorePodcast   

A Conversation on Bible Study, Spiritual Highs, and Faithfulness with Trillia Newbell During this episode, we are learning how to invite God to challenge our preconceived notions of who He is and what He's doing.JOSHUA 5:13-15 ESVWhen Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.MEET TRILLIA NEWBELLTrillia Newbell is the author of several books including, A Great Cloud of Witnesses, Sacred Endurance, If God Is For Us, Fear and Faith, and the children's books, Creative God, Colorful Us and God's Very Good Idea. When she isn't writing, she's encouraging and supporting other writers as the Acquisitions Director at Moody Publishers.Trillia is married to her best friend, Thern, they reside with their two children near Nashville, TN where they enjoy hiking and eating lots of bbq. RESOURCES52 Weeks in the WORDConnect with Trillia on IGGrab Liv's Resource to Shift Your Shallow Bible Study to a Sincere OneConnect with Me on IGJoin the YouVersion Reading Plan for Selah HereFind the Complete Show Notes HereSELAH: A STUDY OF 1 AND 2 SAMUELPurchase your copy of Selah: A Study of 1 and 2 Samuel

Nothing on earth is trivial if heaven looks on.