Podcasts about Hardness

Welcome to The Turf Zone Podcast. This episode features the article “How Variability Within and Between Natural Turfgrass and Synthetic Athletic Fields Impacts Athlete Safety and Performance” written by Ava Veith, Dr. David McCall, Dr. Chase Straw, Dr. Daniel Sandor, Dr. Jay Williams, Elisabeth Kitchen, Kevin Hensler, Aaron Tucker and Dr. Caleb Henderson Authors Note and Context Ava Veith is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Plant Science at Penn State University under the advisement of Dr. Chase Straw, where her research focuses on studying within-field variability and athlete–surface interactions. However, the research presented in this article was conducted during her master's program at Virginia Tech under Dr. David McCall. This study served as a foundational investigation into how variability within and between natural turfgrass and synthetic turf athletic fields influences athletes. The findings from this work have shaped the direction of subsequent doctoral research. Building on this foundation, the planned Ph.D. project aims to examine athlete lower-limb joint biomechanics across natural turfgrass, synthetic turf, and hybrid (natural turfgrass reinforced with synthetic fibers) surfaces using multi-segment inertial measurement units. At the conclusion of this article, the next phase of research will be briefly outlined to demonstrate how it has grown from the master's study. In this way, the Virginia Tech study presented here represents both a completed project and the starting point for a broader, ongoing effort to better understand how the playing surface can affect athlete movement and injury-relevant mechanics. Introduction A safe playing surface is essential for athletic competition. Natural turfgrass and synthetic turf are common playing surfaces used for field sports, and extensive research has been conducted to compare these two surface types. However, limited attention has been given to within-field variability and its impact on athlete safety and performance. Studies often classify athletic fields broadly as synthetic or natural, overlooking critical surface metrics that fluctuate both within and between fields. Key field characteristics such as surface hardness, rotational resistance, soil moisture, thatch depth, and infill depth (for synthetic fields) play a crucial role in assessing field quality. Variability in these factors can be influenced by environmental conditions, management practices, and field usage patterns. Despite the known importance of these factors, current research often fails to account for field-specific inconsistencies, limiting the effectiveness of broad comparisons between surfaces. To improve field safety and optimize athlete performance, interdisciplinary collaboration among turfgrass scientists, sports scientists, and sports medicine professionals is necessary. Evidence-based field management strategies must be developed to ensure more consistent playing conditions, reducing the risk of injury. Wearable technologies such as STATSports GPS trackers (STATSports, 2025) and ankle inertial measurement units (IMUs) (IMeasureU, 2019) provide critical insights into athlete biomechanics, load monitoring, and more. These technologies allow researchers to quantify how different surface conditions influence athletes during performance, offering valuable data for injury prevention strategies. Beyond data collected by wearable technologies, athlete perceptions of field conditions also play a role in performance and injury risk. Unpredictable surface variability can affect player confidence, movement efficiency, and risk-taking behaviors, making perception-based data collection essential. Understanding how athletes experience and perceive different playing surfaces can inform future improvements in field construction and maintenance. The objective of this study is to quantify the impact of surface variability on athlete safety and performance, both within and between natural turfgrass and synthetic turf surfaces. This research will quantify how variations in key surface metrics, including surface hardness, rotational resistance, soil moisture, thatch depth, and infill depth, affect athletes utilizing data from wearable technologies, such as STATSports GPS trackers and ankle IMUs. Additionally, to further understand the influence of field surfaces, athletes will be surveyed before and after performing drills to gather insights into their perceptions of how surface variability impacts their performance. Methodology Athletic Fields Tested This research was conducted in August of 2024, where four athletic fields on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia were studied. Two of these fields were natural turfgrass (bermudagrass), while the other two fields were synthetic turf. For both field types, one field was classified as ‘low usage', while the other was classified as ‘high usage'. This was determined based on traffic frequency, field age, and management practices. Preliminary Data Collection Before live athletes were introduced, surface hardness was assessed on all four fields using a Clegg hammer, with 100 measurements collected per field. The data were then analyzed using ArcGIS Pro to generate surface hardness heatmaps, highlighting variability between and within each field. These maps allowed us to identify specific locations for the athletes to perform drills, where one selected area within each field was slightly harder than the rest of the field, and the other being slightly softer. Additionally, 20 measurements of rotational resistance (using Deltec's rotational resistance tester), thatch depth (using a soil profile sampler), soil moisture (using a TDR 350 Soil Moisture Meter), and infill depth (using a Turf-Tec Professional Model Infill Depth Gauge) were taken in both the softer and harder areas to further characterize each field and understand the relationship between surface conditions and athlete performance. Data Collection During Athlete Involvement Fourteen female athletes participated in the study, equipped with STATSports GPS devices (to measure running speed) and ankle IMUs (to measure lower limb impact intensity) to quantify their movements during drills. The athletes were each given new Nike cleats prior to participation to eliminate variation based on cleat configuration. They completed three drills, including a drop landing or drop jump drill, a T-drill, and a modified acceleration-deceleration drill, which were designed to replicate common athletic movements. Each drill was performed three times in both the softer and harder areas identified within each field. Additionally, each athlete completed pre- and post-performance surveys designed to capture their perceptions of field quality before and after completing the drills, providing insight into how different surfaces may have influenced their performance. Results and Discussion Surface Hardness Data Heatmaps highlight surface hardness variability within each studied field. Surface hardness data (n = 100 per field) were analyzed using analysis of variance, and means were separated using Fisher's protected least significant difference (LSD) test at α = 0.05 to evaluate statistical differences between locations. Both synthetic turf fields had significantly harder surfaces than the natural turfgrass fields (p < 0.0001), and for both surface types, the high-usage field had a significantly harder surface than the low-usage field (p = 0.0029 for the natural turfgrass fields and p < 0.0001 for the synthetic turf fields). Both synthetic fields tested in this study were not constructed with a shock pad, which is typically placed beneath the layer of material that supports the synthetic fibers and utilized to help replicate the cushioning effect of natural turfgrass. The absence of a shock pad, along with the tendency of synthetic turf to harden over time due to infill material compaction from athlete foot traffic, may explain the harder surface values observed on the synthetic fields compared to the natural fields. Further, increased use or foot traffic on both natural turfgrass and synthetic turf leads to compaction, which causes the playing surface to harden over time. Therefore, it is anticipated that the high-usage fields exhibited higher surface hardness compared to the low-usage fields. Data Within Each Hard and Soft Area Resulting rotational resistance, thatch depth, soil moisture, and infill depth (synthetic fields only) measurements taken within each hard and soft area on all four fields are presented in Table 1 (available in the Spring 2026 issue of Pennsylvania Turfgrass magazine). These measurements (n = 20 per both hard and soft areas within each field) were analyzed using analysis of variance, and means were separated using Fisher's protected least significant difference (LSD) test at α = 0.05 to evaluate statistical differences between locations. Although the fields tested in this research were not professional-level fields, it is insightful to compare the results with the FIFA natural-pitch rating system (FIFA, 2022). All rotational resistance values fell within FIFA's ‘excellent quality' and ‘satisfactory quality' thresholds, which is important because excessive rotational resistance has been linked to increased lower extremity injuries due to the foot becoming entrapped in the surface during pivoting movements, and too little resistance can increase the risk of slipping. However, soil moisture values exceed 35%, which FIFA classifies as ‘unacceptable quality'. This elevated moisture is likely the primary cause of the low surface hardness values observed on the natural turfgrass fields, which were lower than FIFA's 70-85 Gmax ‘excellent quality' range. Additionally, FIFA considers thatch depths over 25 mm as unacceptable, and 10–15 mm satisfactory. Excessive thatch can cause athlete's cleats to become caught within the surface, increasing knee ligament stress. The low-usage natural turfgrass field had more thatch despite regular maintenance, while the high-usage natural turfgrass field had less, likely due to recent sprigging the summer before. Soft areas in both natural turfgrass fields exhibited higher thatch levels than the hard areas, consistent with previous findings that core cultivation reduces both thatch and surface hardness (McCarty et al., 2007; Atkinson et al., 2012). This supports the understanding that increased thatch can act as a cushioning layer, absorbing impact and thereby reducing surface hardness. The high-usage synthetic turf field exhibited significantly less infill and greater surface hardness compared to the low-usage synthetic turf field, and the soft areas within both synthetic fields had more infill than the hard areas. This aligns with previous research indicating that infill depth decreases with use, which in turn leads to higher surface hardness (Dickson et al., 2022). Additionally, the low-usage synthetic field exhibited greater variability in infill depth between the selected hard and soft areas, likely due to its relatively young age (only one year old at the time of the study). Compared to the older high-usage field, which was approximately ten years old, the infill in the low-usage synthetic field had less time to settle, making it more susceptible to displacement from foot traffic (Fleming et al., 2016). STATSports GPS Unit Data In our study, STATSports GPS units were securely attached to each athlete's upper back. These devices were used to determine if athlete running speed varied based on field type (natural turfgrass or synthetic turf), field usage level (high or low), or hardness (hard or soft areas within each field). However, no statistically significant differences were found. This consistency in speed across conditions is important because running speed can directly affect impact forces and biomechanical measurements. Prior studies have shown that faster running increases the ground reaction force and ultimately lower limb impact load (Leatham, 2004; Jiang et al., 2024). If athletes had run at different speeds on one field type compared to another, it could have affected the reliability of our ankle IMU data. However, since no significant speed differences were found across field types, usage, or hardness, we can confidently attribute the observed differences in the resulting ankle IMU data to the playing surface. Ankle IMU Data Ankle IMUs were utilized to record a metric called average intensity, which is defined as the mean impact intensity derived from every impact propagated into both limbs (IMeasureU, 2022). This metric is recorded in units of gravitational force (g). These devices were securely attached to each athlete's ankle and recorded data as they performed drills on all four fields studied. After running statistical tests that accounted for individual differences between athletes, significant differences were found based on field, field usage, and hardness. Across all three drills, field type had a noticeable impact (p < 0.0001) where athletes showed higher average intensity on synthetic turf fields compared to natural turfgrass. For the drop jump drill, the average intensity was 19.73 g [standard error (SE) ± 1.88] on natural turfgrass and 22.73 g (SE ± 1.82) on synthetic turf, placing the synthetic turf value within the IMU Step ‘high intensity' foot strike range of 21.5–26.7 g (Wong and Finch, 2018). A similar trend was seen in the t-drill, with average intensities of 15.84 g (SE ± 1.20) on natural turfgrass and 18.07 g (SE ± 1.16) on synthetic turf. For the modified acceleration-deceleration drill, average intensity was 17.72 g (SE ± 1.15) on natural turfgrass and 21.35 g (SE ± 1.10) on synthetic turf. Field usage also made a difference in the t-drill (p < 0.0001), where the average intensity on high-usage fields was 18.14 g (SE ± 1.24), compared to 16.49 g (SE ± 1.24) on low-usage fields. Hardness played a role as well, especially in the t-drill (p = 0.0073) and the modified acceleration-deceleration drill (p < 0.0001). In the t-drill, hard areas resulted in an average intensity of 17.43 g (SE ± 1.22), slightly higher than the 17.05 g (SE ± 1.22) on soft areas. For the modified acceleration-deceleration drill, intensity averaged 20.38 g (SE ± 4.28) on hard areas and 18.85 g (SE ± 3.81) on soft areas. Overall, the synthetic turf fields, high-usage fields, and hard areas within fields exhibited higher average intensity values than the natural turfgrass fields, low-usage fields, and softer areas within fields. This aligns with our surface hardness findings, as synthetic turf fields were significantly harder than natural turfgrass fields on average. Additionally, hard areas within synthetic turf were harder than those on natural turf, and high-usage fields were harder than low-usage fields for both surface types. Thus, our data suggest that harder surfaces may explain the higher average intensity values recorded on the athlete's lower limbs compared to softer surfaces. This trend has been heavily supported, as running on harder surfaces increases impact stress, which can ultimately contribute to lower limb injuries. However, all surface hardness values in this study were below 100 Gmax, which is the threshold deemed unsafe by the National Football League (NFL) guidelines (Sports Turf Managers Association, 2019) and unacceptable by FIFA. Yet, a potential positive correlation between surface hardness and impact was observed, as recorded by the ankle IMUs. While further research is needed, it is hypothesized that surface hardness exceeding 100 Gmax could significantly increase injury risk over time due to excessive impact on athletes' lower limbs. Additionally, establishing threshold values for ankle IMU metrics is crucial to determine the point at which these values may lead to injury. Survey / Athlete Perception Data Athletes completed pre- and post-performance surveys to assess field quality and its impact on their performance. Individual responses were recorded and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance to assess statistical differences between fields. Post-hoc comparisons were conducted using Fisher's protected least significant difference (LSD) test at α = 0.05. The low-usage natural turfgrass field received the highest quality rating for both pre- and post surveys, while the high-usage natural turfgrass field, hindered by weeds and poor maintenance, scored the lowest. Synthetic turf fields ranked in between the two natural fields (with the high usage synthetic turf field being ranked lower than the low-usage synthetic turf field), indicating a preference for synthetic surfaces over a poorly maintained natural field. Conclusions Considerable variation in surface hardness was observed both within and between fields, with synthetic turf fields generally being harder than natural turfgrass fields. High-usage fields, regardless of type, were significantly harder than low-usage fields. Other metrics, such as rotational resistance, soil moisture, thatch depth, and infill depth, also showed variability. For natural turfgrass fields, higher soil moisture led to lower surface hardness, while synthetic turf fields exhibited a negative relationship between field usage and infill depth, where frequent foot traffic reduced infill and increased surface hardness. Although achieving perfect field uniformity is not possible, these findings emphasize how field usage and maintenance impact surface variability. Additionally, our data suggest a potential link between surface hardness and the mechanical load on athletes' lower limbs. While this trend was observed, further research is needed to investigate its long-term effects on athlete health, particularly on surfaces that exceed acceptable hardness thresholds. Survey data revealed athletes rated the quality of the low-usage natural turfgrass field the highest, likely due to its softer surface and better aesthetics. In contrast, the high-usage natural turfgrass field, which suffered from poor maintenance and weed pressure, received the lowest ratings, underlining the importance of field condition in shaping athlete perceptions. These results highlight the role of field management and athlete feedback in optimizing field quality. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into how different sports surfaces impact athletes. Our findings suggest that harder surfaces, such as synthetic turf or high-traffic areas, can increase impact and loading on the lower limbs. These results highlight the critical importance of effective field management, maintenance, and consideration of field conditions prior to athletic competition. Next Phase of Research: Ph.D. Project Overview Building on the findings of the Virginia Tech study, this doctoral research at Penn State expands the investigation from impact loading to full lower-limb joint biomechanics during sport-specific movements. While the Virginia Tech study demonstrated that harder surfaces were associated with increased lower-limb impact intensity, the next question is whether different playing surfaces subtly alter how athletes move at the joint level during high-risk tasks such as cutting and decelerating. The planned Ph.D. project uses a multi-segment inertial measurement unit (IMU) configuration placed on the athlete's dominant limb, including sensors at the foot, shank, thigh, and pelvis. Positioning sensors closer to the ground improves sensitivity to surface-related differences, allowing evaluation of not only impact but also ankle, knee, and hip joint kinematics derived through inverse kinematics workflows. Female athletes will perform sport-specific movements, including a single-leg drop-landing followed by a 90° cut, as well as an acceleration to deceleration drill, on four playing surface types: natural turfgrass, synthetic turf, carpet-type hybrid reinforced turfgrass, and stitched fiber hybrid reinforced turfgrass. Each athlete will complete multiple trials on each surface in a within-subject, repeated-measures design, allowing direct biomechanical comparisons across surface types. Female athletes are of particular interest given they experience substantially higher rates of non-contact ACL injury compared to their male counterparts, highlighting the importance of understanding how the playing surface may influence movement. Joint angles of interest include knee flexion and frontal-plane knee motion (dynamic valgus), as well as hip and foot orientation variables commonly discussed in the context of non-contact ACL injury mechanisms. Because hybrid systems are increasingly used in elite stadium environments and are required for upcoming international competitions (e.g., the FIFA World Cup), understanding how live athletes respond biomechanically to these surfaces is of particular interest. To date, most hybrid research has relied primarily on mechanical testing devices rather than human movement data. An additional component of the project involves comparing human biomechanical responses to mechanical surface testing metrics, including measurements from the fLEX testing device (Dickson and Sorochan, 2022; SGL System, n.d.). If consistent relationships are identified between device measurements and athlete joint mechanics, field managers may ultimately be able to more confidently use standardized mechanical testing tools as practical indicators of athlete–surface interactions. Collectively, this progression advances a more comprehensive framework that integrates both the playing surface and athlete biomechanics. By focusing on human movement responses within real field environments, this work strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration across field management, kinesiology, and sports medicine. Ultimately, it aims to generate practical knowledge that supports both performance and safety in sport. A full list of references as well as accompanying figures, photos and tables are available with this article in the Spring 2026 issue of Pennsylvania Turfgrass magazine available on www.TheTurfZone.com. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. The post How Variability Within and Between Natural Turfgrass and Synthetic Athletic Fields Impacts Athlete Safety and Performance appeared first on The Turf Zone.

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 Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 19, the Book of Psalms, and Isaiah 19 For Bible in Ten – By DH – 19th May 2026 Yesterday we completed Matthew 19.   Nineteen according to E W Bullinger is “a combination of 10 and 9, and would denote the perfection of Divine order connected with judgment.” During our episodes through Matthew 19,  we already learned how “..the words of Chapter 19 span all the dispensations of time.”   CG    .  In Matthew 19 Jesus brought judgments which referenced creation, the law,  the insufficiency of human merit, faith and grace, and looking forward to the millennial kingdom.  As we will see in this bonus episode we can also find these references in Psalms. Isaiah 19 also adds a sharper prophetic focus.  It lends support to the judgment theme.  According to BibleHub “It presents a two-fold prophecy against Egypt, revealing not only a looming divine judgment but also an ultimate transformation and redemption. This dual-nature prophecy exemplifies the complexity of God's plans for nations and His sovereignty over all things.” In Matthew 19 every false confidence is judged: confidence in legal argument, in religious achievement, in wealth, in status, and confidence in the flesh. In the end, the chapter points to Christ alone.    Consider the following seven sections which trace Matthew 19 as a historical sweep: from creation order and marriage, through law and human hardness, into grace, kingdom promise, final judgment, and the believer's reward before Christ.  Innocence and Creation   When answering the Pharisees' question about breaking up marriage, Jesus does not begin His answer with Moses. He goes further back. He goes to creation: “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female?” Psalms has many Creation references too: “The heavens are telling of the glory of God…” Psalm 19:1  “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made…” Psalm 33:6 “How many are Your works, LORD! In wisdom You have made them all…” Psalm 104:24  To Him who made the heavens with skill, For His faithfulness is everlasting; 6 To Him who spread out the earth above the waters, For His faithfulness is everlasting; 7 To Him who made the great lights, For His faithfulness is everlasting: 8 The sun to rule by day, For His faithfulness is everlasting, 9  The moon and stars to rule by night, For His faithfulness is everlasting.    Psalm 136:5–9 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! 4 Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! 5 They are to praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created.    Psalm 148:3–5  The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, The world, and those who live in it. 2  For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers.   Psalm 24:1–2    You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; The stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for so You prepare the earth. 10 You water its furrows abundantly, You settle its ridges, You soften it with showers, You bless its growth. 11 You have crowned the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with fatness. 12 The pastures of the wilderness drip, And the hills encircle themselves with rejoicing. 13 The meadows are clothed with flocks And the valleys are covered with grain; They shout for joy, yes, they sing    Psalm 65:9–13  Man was created for ordered life beneath the Lord. Marriage belongs to that created order.   It was established by God at the beginning and Psalm 128 references it in verse 3. “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house…”  Psalm 128:3  Law and the Hardness of Heart The Pharisees then press the matter further: “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” Jesus answers: “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” The law could regulate certain consequences of sin, but it could not cure the heart of man. Moses' allowance was not the original ideal. It was an accommodation because of hardness of heart. Psalm 1, Psalm 19, and Psalm 119 all uphold the goodness of the law. The law is not evil. The commandments of the Lord are righteous. The word of God is pure, true, and desirable. But Psalms also makes clear that man himself is the problem. Psalm 14:3 says: “They have all turned aside, together they are corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one. ” Psalm 143 says: “And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For no person living is righteous in Your sight.”  verse 2. Psalm 51 gives the heart of the issue. David does not merely need external correction. He cries: “Create in me a clean heart, God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me..”   verse 10. The law highlights sin in man but cannot correct man's fallen state.  Psalms illuminates this powerfully. Psalm 49 says: “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” That is the heart of the matter. Man cannot redeem himself. Wealth cannot ransom the soul. Moral seriousness cannot purchase eternal life. Psalm 62 warns: “If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.”   Grace through Faith After this, children are brought to Jesus so that He might place His hands on them and pray.  Psalm 131 verse 2 says: “I have certainly soothed and quieted my soul;  Like a weaned child resting against his mother, My soul within me is like a weaned child.” That is the spirit of Matthew 19. The kingdom is not entered through self-confident legal achievement, but through humble dependence. Psalm 8 also says: “From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established strength Because of Your enemies, To do away with the enemy and the revengeful.” Jesus later cites this psalm in Matthew 21. The children, the weak, the dependent, and the seemingly insignificant often perceive what a more mature mind misses.  The disciples wrongly rebuke the children. Jesus corrects them.   The Lord is near to the humble, the broken, the dependent, and the trusting. The children become a living illustration of the kind of faith that enters the kingdom.   The Royal and Millennial Hope Peter then asks what will be given to the disciples, since they have left all and followed Jesus. Jesus answers: “You who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” This moves Matthew 19 forward to the millennial kingdom.  Psalm 2 presents the Lord's Anointed as King: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 72 looks forward to the righteous reign of the King, marked by justice, peace, dominion, and blessing. Psalm 89 recalls the Davidic covenant and the certainty of God's promises. Psalm 110 presents the Messiah seated at the right hand of God until His enemies are made His footstool. Psalm 122 says: “For thrones are set there for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.”   The Dispensational Sweep of Matthew 19 The chapter begins with creation order: male and female, marriage, and God's original design. It moves to law: Moses, divorce, hardness of heart, and the insufficiency of legal accommodation. It then displays grace: the children come to Christ with nothing, and Jesus receives them. It exposes human inability: the rich young ruler cannot obtain life through personal merit, morality, or wealth. It reveals divine possibility: with man salvation is impossible, but with God all things are possible. It then looks forward to the millennial kingdom: the apostles will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.   Isaiah 19 and The Great White Throne Judgment   At the Great White Throne, all false confidence is finally exposed. Only those who are in Christ have a righteousness that can stand before God. Isaiah 19 gives a searching picture of Egypt brought under the judgment of the LORD. Egypt's idols tremble. Her wisdom fails. Her princes become fools. Her counsellors are unable to give true guidance. The nation that once appeared ancient, powerful, wealthy, and secure is shown to be helpless before God. This is a stark picture of misplaced confidence. Matthew 19 teaches the same spiritual lesson. Do not trust law-performance, wealth, status, fleshly advantage, religious seriousness, or human ability. With men this is impossible. The rich young ruler appears clothed in morality, youth, wealth, and religious seriousness. But when Christ presses the true demand of perfection, the man is exposed. His confidence cannot save him. His possessions have his heart. He goes away sorrowful. He is like Egypt in Isaiah 19. What seemed wise, strong, and secure is brought to nothing before the LORD. This points forward to the Great White Throne Judgment, where every person outside of Christ will stand fully exposed before God. The books will be opened. No earthly confidence will remain. No religious appearance will cover the soul. No wealth, status, morality, wisdom, or human achievement can answer the demands of divine righteousness. Isaiah 19 shows the collapse of national confidence before the LORD. Matthew 19 shows the collapse of personal confidence before Christ. The Great White Throne shows the final collapse of every confidence outside of God's saving righteousness.   Matthew 19 and the Judgment of the believer Matthew 19 ends with the judgment: “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” In the 19th book of the Bible, Psalms repeatedly shows divine reversal. The proud are brought low. The humble are lifted up. The wicked may flourish temporarily, but they do not endure. The righteous may suffer for a time, but they are finally vindicated. Psalm 37 says the meek shall inherit the earth. Psalm 73 shows the prosperous brought to nothing. Psalm 113 says the Lord raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the ash heap. Psalm 118 speaks of the rejected stone becoming the chief cornerstone. Isaiah 19 dramatizes the same reversal negatively. Those who seemed powerful and reliable, Egypt and Cush, are exposed in shame. Their apparent strength becomes humiliation. So Matthew 19 teaches that the judgment of believers will expose the true value of a life. Some things that looked great on earth will be shown to be small. Some sacrifices that looked foolish or unnoticed will be openly rewarded by Christ.    Life Application At the Judgment Seat of Christ, the question is not, “Are you saved?” No.  The believer's condemnation has already been dealt with in Christ. The question is rather: “How have you as a saved person followed, served, sacrificed, and valued Christ?” Let us not measure our life only by what we keep now, but by what Christ will count then.  Lord God, thank You that salvation does not rest upon our merit, wealth, strength, or status. Thank You that what is impossible with man is possible with You. Help us come as children, trust in Christ, and await the kingdom You have promised. For your glory!  Amen.

In this powerful solo episode, Marcia delivers three hard-hitting truths because real growth requires radical honesty. Drawing on her decade-plus of experience in emotional intelligence and women's coaching, she unpacks why so many high-achieving women are unknowingly blocking love, success, and genuine connection. If you're ready to drop the mask and step into your most magnetic, healed, feminine self; this episode is essential listening. Timestamps 0:50 — Truth #1: Healing cannot happen until you soften 1:17 — The difference between genuine unbothered energy vs. it as a strategy/mask 2:22 — Hardness is not strength — it's a protective strategy 3:26 — Why healed women are soft AND highly discerning 4:20 — Trusting a higher power as the root of feminine softness 5:51 — How masculine energy repels high-quality men (and what men actually want) 7:05 — The "boss babe era" confession: when ambition becomes masculine competition 9:20 — Why the ego loves masculine energy (and why it eventually backfires) 10:19 — The truth about why men aren't "shooting their shot" (it's not your beauty) 11:58 — Why beauty alone won't keep a man & what true magnetic attraction looks like 13:27 — Feminine energy in dating: stop chasing, start magnetising 14:22 — Practical feminine flirting: subtle cues, discernment, and leaving the ball in his court 17:31 — Truth #2: If you're kinder to strangers than the people in your home, you're not a kind person 18:22 — Parenting, triggers, and raising sovereign beings 21:23 — Integrity check: are you performing kindness or embodying it? 23:07 — Truth #3: Just because you've done personal development doesn't mean you've personally developed 23:57 — Why spiritual and conscious communities can breed manipulation 25:30 — Theory vs. embodiment: intellectualising growth vs. living it 26:22 — Why the work between sessions matters more than the sessions themselves 28:00 — How to discern trustworthy people: feeling over labels 30:59 — Being okay with being the villain in someone's story 31:44 — Episode recap & closing thoughts  

“what matters now is not belief, but endurance.bitcoin does not promise comfort. it does not promise justice. it does not promise to save anyone. it offers one thing only: a set of rules that do not bend to price, politics, or persuasion. whether that is valuable depends entirely on who is holding it and why.the mathematics will almost certainly hold long enough. the question has always been whether we will.” ~ Hugh Hendry Today, we are back with part two of Tyler Durden's piece "Modern Money Only Works By Cheating". Most people think the ultimate danger to Bitcoin is quantum computers cracking the math. But this article highlights something far scarier: human coordination. I read through the rest of the essay, which asks a brutal question. If Bitcoin ever needs to change to survive a threat, can a network built on resisting authority act together without a leader? Or will we just splinter into stubborn factions? Because Bitcoin's rules don't bend, the pressure falls entirely on us. I share my thoughts on the read, explaining why the Block Size War was a preview of this exact test, and where I push back heavily on the author's defense of fiat money. Check out the original article: Modern Money Only Works By Cheating by Tyler Durden (Link: https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/modern-money-only-works-cheating-if-youre-long-bitcoin-or-not-long-bitcoin-read) References from the episode Part 1 of this Read -- go back and catch up if you haven't. (Link: https://fountain.fm/episode/UN8NHIQ3tR9tdc9ER89h) Hugh Henry's article Bitcoin in the Problem of Hardness on his Substack -- that's the main one we dove into. (Link: https://hughhendry.substack.com/p/bitcoin-and-the-problem-of-hardness) Hugh's other piece Bitcoin and the Human Problem is worth a read for the full picture. (Link: https://hughhendry.substack.com/p/5f0) Host Links ⁠Guy on Nostr ⁠(Link: http://tinyurl.com/2xc96ney) ⁠Guy on X ⁠(Link: https://twitter.com/theguyswann) Guy on Instagram (Link: https://www.instagram.com/theguyswann) Guy on TikTok (Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@theguyswann) Guy on YouTube (Link: https://www.youtube.com/@theguyswann) ⁠Bitcoin Audible on X⁠ (Link: https://twitter.com/BitcoinAudible) The Guy Swann Network Broadcast Room on Keet (Link: https://tinyurl.com/3na6v839) Check out our awesome partners! Become sovereign, hold your keys, be censorship resistant with the Bitbox hardware wallet. Get 5% off everything in the store with code GUY (Link: https://bitbox.swiss/) Get 10% off the best Bitcoin board game in the world, HODLUP! Or any of the other great games from The Free Market Kids! Use code

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The Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast continues in the Gospel of Mark. We are in chapter 10. We continue on from our previous lesson where Jesus had been confronted by the Pharisees as to whether it was lawful, e.g. legal for a man to send his wife away, e.g. divorce her. It concludes with Jesus welcoming little children.Jesus speaks of God's original purpose for man and woman to be joined together and to become one flesh no longer being two but one flesh.Jesus pinpoints the reason why divorce occurs. It's simply because of hardness of heart. Hardness of heart is a compound word meaning a ‘shriveled heart', dried up and without any feeling, hardened, without any affection. Note this hardness toward the marriage partner is first of all, the result of a hardness against God and His Word.Here's Dr. Mitchell, Mark 10:1-16.

Thursday March 19, 2026V Week Of LentToday's readings move us from stubborn resistance to Spirit-filled freedom and restored vision. In Exodus 7:25–8:19, plague after plague confronts Pharaoh, yet his heart remains hard. Even when relief comes, repentance does not follow. It's a sobering picture of how easily we can want God's help without truly wanting God Himself.In 2 Corinthians 3:7–18, Paul contrasts the fading glory of the old covenant with the surpassing, lasting glory of the new. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. As we turn to the Lord, the veil is removed, and we are transformed—beholding His glory and becoming more like Him.And in Mark 10:46–52, blind Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Though others try to silence him, he persists—and Jesus stops. His faith leads to sight, and he follows Jesus on the way.This episode invites us to move beyond hardened resistance, to live in the freedom of the Spirit, and to cry out to Jesus with bold, persistent faith—trusting Him to open our eyes and lead us forward.

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Have you noticed that reminders no longer move your heart the way they once did? Ayat are recited, warnings are heard, yet the heart remains unmoved. This episode addresses the reality of the hardened heart, how it forms through neglect of the Qur'an, repeated sin, false hope, and attachment to the Dunya, and how Allah, in His mercy, still revives hearts that feel dead. This is not a message of condemnation, but a call to awaken. Has the time not come for your heart to soften? 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

Pastor Peter Folger | Man-Up Conference 2026 | Saturday Morning, March 7, 2026

Are you struggling to hear God's voice? If you're trying to discern a decision — about your family, your home, your work, or something deeper — and you're not getting clarity, it may not be because God isn't speaking. It may be because something is blocking Him. In this episode, we talk about four common ways we unintentionally block God's voice: Hardness of heart and lack of forgiveness Asking God… but being afraid of the answer Only giving Him Option A or Option B When God says, "It's up to you" We also talk about: Why forgiveness (even of God) is about releasing yourself How fear reveals whether you trust His goodness The subtle difference between unrest and peaceful freedom Why discernment and obedience are two separate skills The goal of motherhood is not performance. It's not image. It's not measurable success. It's learning to hear God's voice — and doing what He tells you. If you're not getting clarity in prayer, gently examine your heart. There may be something blocking what He's trying to say. Do whatever He tells you.

Summary An intumescent coating can be qualified or disqualified for use simply because it falls above or below a certain magical hardness level, usually as measured on the Shore D scale. But hardness has no influence on performance, and the Shore D scale just doesn't make sense when assessing softer intumescent technology types. Fireproofing industry veteran Michael Hollman explains the consequences of misusing Shore D hardness in intumescent coating specifications. Also, Michael worries that his brother-in-law might soon beat him at snooker. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 03:01 - How the industry's understanding of hardness has evolved 05:55 - Durometers' importance in measuring coating hardness 07:31 - Matching different Shore scales to different coating technologies 09:39 - When standards are "cut-and-pasted" without context 11:35 - Aligning hardness expectations across project teams 13:34 - Harder is not universally better 18:15 - Elasticity, damage resistance, and impact recovery 21:12 - Viewing Shore values as a reference point, not a product differentiator 22:40 - The four questions

Joshua BoydKey Theme: The Bible Is a Book of ChoicesAs we continue our Walk Through the Bible series, we're looking at an overarching theme found from Genesis to Revelation:The power of “if.”Our anchor verse remains:1 Corinthians 10:11–12These things happened as examples for us… If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.The stories of Scripture aren't just children's lessons. They are real accounts—often messy and intense—written so we can learn, stand firm, and avoid falling.“If” — The Language of CovenantThe word “if” appears nearly 1,600 times in Scripture.That tells us something: God works through choice.From the beginning: Adam and EveGenesis 2:17If you eat of it, you will die.Dominion was given—but with boundaries.CainGenesis 4:7If you do well, will you not be accepted? … If you do not, sin lies at the door.Cain had a chance to change direction. He didn't.JesusRevelation 3:20If anyone hears my voice and opens the door…Jesus knocks. He does not force.Fear vs. LoveA powerful truth:Fear forcesLove leadsFaith followsGod gives us free will because love requires choice. Without choice, it's not love—it's control.The Danger of Repeated Wrong “Ifs”One bad choice rarely destroys someone overnight.But repeated wrong “ifs”:Harden the heartDull convictionLead to deceptionEphesians 4:18They have closed their minds and hardened their hearts.Hardness develops through repeated wrong decisions.That's why:Hebrews 3:13Encourage one another daily… so none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.Generational Impact of One Right “If”Nine generations after Adam:Genesis 6Every thought was consistently evil… But Noah found favor with the Lord.The whole world chose wrong.One man chose right.Noah didn't start with “Build an ark.” He had a life of faithful “ifs” that led to greater trust.A Personal Example: NehemiahNehemiah 1:8–9If you return to Me… I will gather you.Nehemiah read that promise and said: “That's my ‘if.'”He took personal responsibility and acted on it.We Still Live in an “If” WorldRomans 8:13If you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit…Even under grace, choices matter.God controls history. He does not control your decisions.The Cloud of WitnessesHebrews 12:1–2We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses…They lived the life of faith. They resisted sin—even to persecution and death.Jesus is our ultimate example:He resisted to the point of sweating blood.He chose the right “if” every time.He is the author and finisher of our faith.Final Question: What “If” Are You Choosing?Are you revisiting an old decision God asked you to make?Are you at the beginning of a small choice that could harden your heart?Are you standing alone at work or in family situations?Remember: You are not alone.There is a cloud of witnesses cheering for faith. There is a Savior who initiated your faith and will perfect it.Every day, you choose your “if.”Choose faith. Choose obedience. Choose to draw near.And as Scripture promises:Draw near to Him —&

In 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul toldhis son in the faith, Timothy, to “be strong in the grace that is in ChristJesus.” So I encourage you—be strong in grace. This grace comes throughhumility, through confession of sin, through recognizing every moment your needfor the Lord Jesus Christ and His blood to cleanse you, to help you, and togive you everything you need to be all that you should be for the glory of God.That is the grace of God—the unmerited favor of God. You do not deserve it, butyou come humbly, asking for it. And my friend, when you resist the devil, andhe will flee from you. ThenPaul goes on to say in verses 2-3, “The things that you have heard from meamong many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teachothers also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of JesusChrist.” Today, I want to encourage you to be a soldier who knows howto use the sword of the Spirit skillfully. You cannot use something skillfullyunless you practice with it. You must take time to read the Word, to study theWord, to memorize the Word, to apply the Word to your life, and to share itwith others. We also find that the Word of God helps us grow in the grace andknowledge of Jesus Christ. That growth happens as we remain in the Word of God. Anotherthing to remember is that the Word of God is what fuels reformation and revivalin our churches. Think of Martin Luther in the 1500s. It was the Word of God—“Thejust shall live by faith”—from the book of Romans that stirred his heart totake a stand against the heresies being taught by the church in his day. Ifthere is going to be reformation in the church, it will always come through theWord of God. The church has always been reformed and revived by God's Word—notby entertainment, not by cleverness, not by the trends of the day, but by Hisholy Word. It is always the Word of God, which brings transformation,reformation, and revival to our personal lives, our churches, our homes, andour nation! Sohow do we take up the sword? We take the helmet of salvation, and we take thesword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. You must pick it up. You mustchoose to use it. You must carry it. You do that by reading God's Worddaily—every day (Matthew 4:4). You study the Word carefully. As you read, youask questions: What does this mean? What is the context? What is God saying?How does this apply to my life today? Youmemorize the Word, as we have discussed. You speak the Word out loud in faith.We read in Mark 11:23-24, that whatever you say in faith, believing, you willreceive. That happens when you are praying the Word and the promises of Godback to Him. Oh, how important that is. Then you obey the Word. You are notlike a man building his life on sand; you are building on the foundation of theWord of God. Why? Because Jesus said the wise man is the one who hears Hiswords and does them (Matthew 7:24-27). Myfriend, let me give you a final of encouragement today from this passage inEphesians 6:10-17: You do not have to live a defeated life. You do not have tobe confused. You do not have to be tossed about by your feelings. God has givenus everything we need to stand—the whole armor of God. And as we conclude withthe offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit, we are reminded again of itspower. Take it up. Open your Bible. Believe what God says. Use the Word tofight temptation. Use the Word to resist lies. Use the Word to encourage others.Use the Word to witness and tell others who Jesus is. Most of all, use the Wordof God in prayer. Spend time in prayer. We will see in the next verses theimportance of prayer connected to the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word ofGod. Myfriend, Satan cannot defeat you when you are standing armed in God's Word. Howwonderful that is—because he is dealing with a soldier who is equipped. So,take up the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit and by the grace that is givenyou in Christ Jesus.

Spiritual hardness does not happen overnight. It develops slowly—through compromise, misplaced affection, unchecked desire, and repeated resistance to God's voice. In this episode of Built to Stand: Faith That Endures, we examine how a heart once tender toward God can grow dull, resistant, and divided. From Israel's craving in the wilderness to James' warning about friendship with the world, Scripture shows us the progression: desire, deception, indulgence, and ultimately hardness. If faith is going to endure, our hearts must remain soft. Today we uncover how hardness forms—and how to stop it before it takes root.

Sun AM

We love it when people speak the truth about what we align with. Whether it be our favorite sports team, political affiliations, our take on pop culture drama—when someone says something we align and agree with, we love to champion that. In the study of Romans so far, there have been many truths preached that many people in our church align and identify with, therefore, love and feel great about what is being preached. The danger is this: there are some who sit in this church week after week and think only about how horrible the world is, how awful other people are, or how depraved our culture is, all the while thinking that they are absolutely fine, in no danger at all, and no need of self-evaluation. If you are that person—this message is for you. Coming off the heels of seeing how the wrath of God is revealed against all unrighteousness, Paul now turns his attention to the individual: “Therefore, you have no excuse, O man” (Romans 2:1). These verses expose how we are all under the righteous judgment of God outside of Christ. May we take heed of the exposing nature of these verses and “not neglect so great a salvation” (Hebrews 2:3). BIG IDEA: I can't fool God.- How I Try to Fool God (1-5)- Hypocrisy (1-3)- Presuming on God's Kindness (4)- Hardness of Heart (5)- Two Eternal Paths (6-11)Luke 5:32 : “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

While healing a man with a withered hand, Jesus encounters the Pharisees and confronts the hardness of their hearts...reminding us to look at our own hearts as well. (Lectionary #313) January 21, 2026 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

In the first Study Break of the year, Biz and Sam survey the state of the world refracted through the prism of pop culture. They discuss Odessa A'Zion's wig allegations, the hypernormal clownery of Nicolas Maduro's kidnapping, Bella Hadid's blonde hair omen, and the pop-princess perfection of Zara Larsson. Plus: a meditation on time in the second quarter of the 21st century, viewed through the anamorphic looking glass of Hollister's 2016 anachronism, Cameron Winter's Dorian Grey agelessness, and North West's prodigious beat-making potential.Links:Hollister's Tumblr Drop2016 RevisionismStateside + Zara Larsson by Pink PanthressNorth West's Beatmaking SampleCameron Winter at Carnegie HallBella Hadid for Dazed MENA@shop_reallifeaslivCarnival Time, Hardness, and the Machines That Process Excess by Sachin on SubstackWork-Hardened Archetypes by Sachin on SubstackVenezuelan Oil Explainer in The GuardianEnhanced Oil Recovery TechniquesOil Company Pushback in The GuardianWho is Zach Bryan's Wife?Rama Duwaji Profile in The CutPrevious Episodes Referenced:Ep. 76: Get SillyEp. 24: The SnapocalypseEp. 25: America (with Light Townsend Cummins) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nymphetalumni.com/subscribe

In our Advent series, Wise Men Still Seek Him, Mr. Aaron Green talks about the villian of the Christmas story, including 1) Introduction – The Backstory of a Villain, 2) Matthew 2:1-6 – Hardness of Heart, 3) Matthew 2:7-8 – Understanding Worship, and 4) Matthew 2:9-19 – The Rest of the Story (Conclusion). This episode of the Evangel Houghton podcast is a Sunday message from Evangel Community Church, Houghton, Michigan, December 14, 2025.

In our Advent series, Wise Men Still Seek Him, Mr. Aaron Green talks about the villian of the Christmas story, including 1) Introduction – The Backstory of a Villain, 2) Matthew 2:1-6 – Hardness of Heart, 3) Matthew 2:7-8 – Understanding Worship, and 4) Matthew 2:9-19 – The Rest of the Story (Conclusion). This episode of the Evangel Houghton podcast is a Sunday message from Evangel Community Church, Houghton, Michigan, December 14, 2025.

Tom Logue - November 23rd 2025 You can't have too high a view of marriage—but your view of the kingdom must be higher. This week, Tom continues our King and His Kingdom series in Matthew 19:1–12 (Part 2), pressing into some of the most sensitive topics of our cultural moment: marriage, divorce, gender, sexuality, and singleness. He shows how Jesus confronts trivial divorce and a culture that degrades women, revealing a God who dignifies and defends them. Tom also addresses gender dysphoria with both clarity and compassion, insisting that birth gender matters because God lovingly assigns it, and that the remedy is not hardening our hearts but yielding them to the Maker's hands. Finally, he unpacks Jesus' affirmation of celibacy and singleness as a gift—“better seats in the house” for undivided devotion to Christ—and calls us to see that whether married or single, the point is not our status but His kingdom. Learn more about our church: https://restoredtemecula.church Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredtemecula  and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredtemecula #Matthew19 #Marriage #Gender #Singleness #KingdomOfGod #KingAndHisKingdom #RestoredTemecula Share this message with someone who needs to hear it. Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome Home: Restored Church(00:00:36) - The King and His Kingdom(00:03:06) - Jesus on Divorce and Other Things(00:04:20) - Jesus Never Says Anything That Offends(00:08:18) - Heart of Hardness(00:11:56) - 3 Things That God Dignifies and Defends Women(00:14:45) - God's Discriminating Against Women(00:21:15) - God dignifies and defends women(00:25:52) - Gender Dysoria Matters to God Because God Anticipated It(00:32:45) - Jesus Endorses celibacy and singleness(00:39:06) - Paul: Singleness Is a Gift(00:44:17) - "We Had The Best Seats"(00:45:04) - The kingdom of heaven is not the pinnacle of the Christian life(00:50:29) - The Real King's Kingdom(00:53:45) - Welcome to God's Kingdom(00:56:43) - Soften Our Hearts

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Title:The One Who Grieves at the Hardness of Our HeartsText: Mark 2:23-3:6

Topics: Should we die with zero? Measuring anodizing hardness Engineering change notifications Home assistant Foam update Video on probing Lights Out Automation - integrator

Alternative titles: Penis Fly Trap, I've Become So Numb (I Can't Feel You There). The boys recap the disastrous Phillies postseason run, the Eagles eating shit in the Meadowlands, celebrate James Franklin getting shitcanned, and do more millennial nostalgia-bait. Also featuring listener messages.  Find our bonus episodes and Discord at: https://www.patreon.com/tenthousandlosses  Follow us on Bluesky:  Podcast: https://bsky.app/profile/10klosses.bsky.social Liam: https://bsky.app/profile/wtyppod.com  Tom: https://bsky.app/profile/tompain.bsky.social Shoot a message or leave us a voicemail (leave your name and pronouns): 267-371-7218

We talk all about water. Infrastructure, the journey water takes to your house, quality, safety regulations, hardness, and a reminder to maintain your appliances to protect against hard water. Have a question? Leave a comment or email us at communications@herriman.gov and we'll address it in a future edition. 0:00 Start 0:29 Intro 2:20 Water's journey to your tap 7:51 Water quality standards 16:17 Season hardness level changes 18:25 Appliance maintenance

Exploring Zechariah: Understanding Dynamic Prayer and Hope in God - Chapters 7 & 8 In this episode, we delve into the book of Zechariah, specifically chapters 7 and 8. The session begins with a worship reading from Psalm 4, establishing a reflective and prayerful mood. The speaker discusses the historical context of Zechariah's prophecies during the reign of King Darius and the period post-Babylonian captivity. The primary focus is on understanding true and dynamic prayer, addressing common misconceptions about prayer practices and the importance of direct communication with God. The episode also emphasizes the need to shift from self-imposed mourning to embracing God's promise of joy and restoration. By comparing past disobedience and its consequences with future hopes, the session encourages believers to strengthen their faith, maintain dynamic relationships with God, and live in a state of hopeful anticipation of God's promises. 00:00 Introduction and Opening Prayer 02:46 Setting the Scene: Zechariah's Prophecies 07:02 The Importance of Direct Prayer 17:55 Understanding Fasting and Obedience 27:53 Understanding the Role of Prayer 28:56 The Importance of Obedience 29:34 The Consequences of Disobedience 30:22 The Hardness of Heart 32:29 The Positive Aspect of Flint 34:00 God's Zeal for Jerusalem 37:04 A Vision of Future Prosperity 38:39 The Call to Strength and Hope 48:53 Transforming Fasts into Feasts 51:06 A Call to Witness and Thankfulness 53:56 Concluding Prayer

Four areas where we cause our own hardness in life

After forced trades last week, The Traders are back to talking strategy with round 20 trades. It's the week before Fantasy finals for standard top eight leagues and it's all about getting it right with just five weeks left in the season. Head to fantasy.afl.com.au to pick your AFL Fantasy Classic team and you can set up your AFL Fantasy Draft league today at fantasydraft.afl.com.au. Episode guide 1:10 - Calvin led the way for round 19. 4:00 - Bailey Smith feels the wrath of Roy. 8:20 - Cash Cow of the Year votes. 9:40 - News featuring Dayne Zorko's foot injury. 14:40 - Scale of Hardness for the rest of the season. 24:00 - Can you spend up for Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera? 26:30 - Jack Steele is the No.1 midfield target. 31:30 - Who are the top two rucks for the run home? 34:30 - Who can we target in the forward line? 39:00 - Popular trades and The Traders' moves. 41:00 - Questions from social media - follow @AFLFantasy on X, @aflfantasy on Instagram and like the Official AFL Fantasy facebook page. - - - - Find more from Roy, Calvin and Warnie. Head to afl.com.au/fantasy for more content from The Traders. Like AFL Fantasy on Facebook. Follow @AFLFantasy on Instagram. Follow @AFLFantasy on X.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Water massively impacts your coffee's flavours. But most of us struggle to fix our water because water science is confusing…   …until now! In this special collaboration with Lucia Solis (Making Coffee podcast), I guide her through the two most important concepts you need to understand to get great-tasting water for coffee: hardness and alkalinity.   We go step-by-step through: • Why these concepts matter for coffee flavour and equipment • How to test your water at home • How to fix it, depending on what you're working with   These aren't one of my usual narrative episodes—they're a straightforward, practical guide to help you take control of your water.   By the end of these episodes, you'll be able to say: “I know what good water for coffee is and how to get it”.   I hope it helps you as much as it helped Lucia.   Check my website for all the visuals mentioned in this episode, including:  SCA graph for excellent water (the “map”) Map of different water hardness across Paris My Berlin water report The nightmarish table of conversions… Results from my water tests in my Berlin studio Bottled water brands rated for their hardness and alkalinity   Please spread the word about The Science of Coffee! Leave a 5 star rating on Spotify Follow me on Instagram and tag me in an Instagram story Write a review on Apple Podcasts Discover how I make these Filter Stories episodes by subscribing to my Substack newsletter   Resources mentioned in the episode:    SCA's Water Quality Handbook Hardness and alkalinity dripper testing kit (also good for keeping your fishies happy) BWT Penguin Filter Jug (what I used to use with the magnesium cartridges) BWT BestAqua ROC (what now I use) BWT BestBarista (for cafes) Create your own water by adding minerals to very soft or distilled water: JoJo Hersh's simple calculator using epsom salts and bicarbonate of soda, and Barista Hustle's more elaborate one.    Want to go deeper into water chemistry? BWT White Paper on the effects of magnesium (German) Christopher Hendon's book Water for Coffee Do an online Certificate of Advanced Studies at the Coffee Excellence Centre Read The Craft and Science of Coffee Barista Hustle's Water course Some water content on YouTube by James Hoffman and Lance Hedrick     Season 3 of The Science of Coffee is made possible by these leading coffee organisations:   The Coffee Quest | BWT | TODDY | Algrano | Probat    

What a weekend! There were plenty of highs, but just as many lows ... and disastrous ones where forced trades greet us this week. The big talking points on this week's podcast is what to do with Nic Martin who will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury and Tristan Xerri with his suspension. Add to that a few other injuries including Connor Rozee. Head to fantasy.afl.com.au to pick your AFL Fantasy Classic team and you can set up your AFL Fantasy Draft league today at fantasydraft.afl.com.au. Episode guide 0:15 - The Traders' round 18 scores. 1:40 - Josh Daicos scored 82 Fantasy points in the last quarter. 7:50 - Luxury trade stocktake. 10:00 - Cash Cow of the Year votes for round 18. 11:15 - News of the week. 20:40 - Tag Watch. 23:50 - What to do with Nic Martin. 27:15 - Tristan Xerri moves using the Scale of Hardness. 34:40 - Alternative DPP moves with trades. 47:40 - Most traded in/out players and The Traders' moves. 49:20 - Questions from social media - follow @AFLFantasy on X, @aflfantasy on Instagram and like the Official AFL Fantasy facebook page. - - - - Find more from Roy, Calvin and Warnie. Head to afl.com.au/fantasy for more content from The Traders. Like AFL Fantasy on Facebook. Follow @AFLFantasy on Instagram. Follow @AFLFantasy on X.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this sermon, we explored Paul's use of exaggerated contrast in Ephesians 4:17-24 to highlight the difference between the old life without Christ and the new life in Him. Using vivid examples from both Scripture and everyday life, we saw how futile thinking, darkened understanding, and a hardened heart lead to spiritual emptiness and disconnection from God. The sermon emphasized that the world's attempts to fill the void—through pleasure, achievement, or self-justification—are ultimately futile because we are created for communion with God. The only hope is to “put on” the new self, which comes through learning Christ, embracing His truth, and daily choosing to live out our new identity. The message closed with practical encouragement to feed our spirits with God's truth, reject the junk of the old life, and walk in the freedom and transformation Jesus offers.

The byes are behind us and we have eight weeks left in the season. Now is the time to be working towards the best team possible, via sideways trades, and what better place to start than trying to get Roy's Rollin' 22. Head to fantasy.afl.com.au to pick your AFL Fantasy Classic team and you can set up your AFL Fantasy Draft league today at fantasydraft.afl.com.au. Episode guide 1:30 - Warnie topped The Traders for round 16. 3:30 - Brodie Grundy's 137 was a win for the boys after trading Max Gawn. 7:50 - Bye round stocktake. 10:30 - Cash Cow of the Year votes. 12:25 - News of the week including Harry Sheezel's shoulder. 18:00 - Drew Jones grills Ross Lyon. 22:55 - Tag watch. 24:00 - Roy's Rollin' 22. 33:00 - Who have the easied run in the Scale of Hardness? 38:05 - What cash cows should we be looking at? 46:55 - Popular trades and The Traders' early moves. 49:00 - Questions from social media - follow @AFLFantasy on X, @aflfantasy on Instagram and like the Official AFL Fantasy facebook page. - - - - Find more from Roy, Calvin and Warnie. Head to afl.com.au/fantasy for more content from The Traders. Like AFL Fantasy on Facebook. Follow @AFLFantasy on Instagram. Follow @AFLFantasy on X.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much thought have you given to the importance of a good chew? While this may sound like a random topic, the simple act of chewing—and making sure the diet includes tough and crunchy foods—has a profound impact on our health. From digestion and metabolism to oral health, facial development, and even the way we breathe, chewing plays a foundational role. In this episode, we explore how modern diets of ultra-processed, soft foods have contributed to metabolic dysfunction, altered jaw structure, and impaired breathing patterns that can disrupt sleep and brain function. We also dive into the surprising neurological benefits of chewing, including its role in satiety, memory, and mental health. Chewing activates the vagus nerve and stimulates the release of cholecystokinin, a hormone that supports memory, learning, and appetite regulation. It also reduces stress responses, boosting activity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Research even suggests that soft diets can decrease synaptic density and hippocampal cell count—key factors in cognitive performance. This episode will have you reaching for raw carrots, slow-roasted stew meat, and other chewy, nutrient-dense foods while rethinking how each meal you serve your family can support both body and brain through the power of a good chew. Also in this episode:  Preorder Naturally Nourished Kids  Episode 370 Biological Dentistry with Dr. Joan Sefcik How the jaw works and how it has evolved The Jaw Epidemic: Recognition, Origins, Cures, and Prevention Cognitive development and jaw function Occlusion and brain function: mastication as a prevention of cognitive dysfunction  Foods to provide for kids  Nutrient absorption and chewing Jawline exercises and mewing The impact of chewing and hard foods on oral and dental health The Dental Diet | Dr Steven Lin Episode 239 Baby Led Weaning Speech and tongue function Why coconut oil pulling is a game-changer Remineralizing gum Larine   This episode is sponsored by:  This episode is sponsored by Carnivore Snax, a delicious snack combining just 2 ingredients: meat and Redmond Real Salt! These melt-in-your-mouth meat pastries are like no other dehydrated meat product or jerky on the market. We love that Carnivore Snax are a pro-America brand who sources from US farmers practicing regenerative agriculture and are verified by the Savory Institute confirming their carbon sequestering status. Check out the ribeye, pork loin, brisket and leg of lamb for just a few of our favorites! Use code NNPODCAST to save 15% off your order and get free shipping on $125 or more at carnivoresnax.com.  

Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend!   I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of our community's questions that have come in over the past few weeks…   Samantha: Hi Dr. Cabral, I was hoping you could help me find out what happened to me this morning. While getting ready for work, I felt a prickly heat sensation on my scalp that spread to my face and arms, which turned bright red—like a sunburn, but not raised. It then moved to my legs, and the prickling became so uncomfortable I had to take off my pants. The redness lasted about 30 min, slowly faded and back to normal in 90 minutes. Afterward, I felt cold and started shivering. I'd had my usual breakfast, nothing out of the ordinary. Just for background: I'm a 47-year-old woman, healthy and active, with regular periods and mild hypothyroidism that I manage with diet and supplements. I'm not on any meds or hormones. Thanks so much in advance!                  John: Hey doc . Hope all is well. Im 50 years old and have some arthritis and nerve pain in my elbow probably from overuse between work hitting the gym and being a weekend warrior . Would like to know your recommendations I do take your dns and detox every 3 months thanks                                                                       Bettina: Dear Dr. Cabral. We don't have a water filter yet. I am curious on your thoughts on the range measured of our water in 2024. Hardness measured in °dH 9,3-15. Iron mg/l Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!  

Jesus, The King of Kings | Matthew 19:1-12

Read OnlineThe Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”  Mark 8:11–12Jesus had performed many miracles. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and fed thousands with only a few fish and loaves of bread. But even after all of that, the Pharisees came to argue with Jesus and demanded a sign from Heaven.The response of Jesus is quite unique. “He sighed from the depth of his spirit…” This sigh was an expression of His holy sorrow over the hardness of hearts of the Pharisees. If they had the eyes of faith, they would have no need for yet another miracle. And if Jesus would have performed a “sign from heaven” for them, even that would not have helped them. And so Jesus does the only thing He can—He sighed.At times, this type of reaction is the only good one. We may all face situations in life where others confront us with harshness and stubbornness. When this happens, we will be tempted to argue with them, condemn them, try to convince them we are right, and the like. But sometimes one of the holiest reactions we can have to the hardness of the heart of another is to experience a deep and holy sorrow. We must also “sigh” from the depths of our spirits.When one is hard of heart, rational talking and arguing will prove to be of little avail. Hardness of heart is also what we traditionally call the “sin against the Holy Spirit.” It's a sin of obstinacy and stubbornness. In that case, there is little or no openness to the truth. When you experience this in the life of another, silence and a sorrowful heart are often the best reaction. Their hearts need to be softened and your deep sorrow, shared with compassion, may be one of the only responses that can help make a difference.Reflect, today, upon any person in your life with whom you regularly argue, especially regarding matters of faith. Examine your approach and consider changing how you relate to them. Dismiss their irrational arguments and let them see your heart in the same way that Jesus allowed His divine heart to shine forth in a holy sigh. Pray for them, have hope, and allow your sorrow to help melt the most stubborn of hearts.My compassionate Jesus, Your heart was filled with the deepest compassion for the Pharisees. That compassion led You to express a holy sorrow over their stubbornness. Give me Your same heart, dear Lord, and help me to grieve not only over the sins of others, but also over my own sins, especially when I am stubborn of heart. Melt my heart, dear Lord, and help me to also be an instrument of Your holy sorrow to those in need of this grace. Jesus, I trust in You.  Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Jacob Jordaens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Read OnlineThen he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. Mark 3:4–5Sin damages our relationship with God. But hardness of heart is even more damaging because it perpetuates the damage done by sin. And the harder one's heart, the more permanent the damage.In the passage above, Jesus was angry with the Pharisees. Oftentimes the passion of anger is sinful, resulting from impatience and a lack of charity. But at other times, the passion of anger can be good when it is motivated by love of others and hatred for their sin. In this case, Jesus was grieved by the hardness of heart of the Pharisees, and that grief motivated His holy anger. His “holy” anger did not cause irrational criticism; rather, it drove Jesus to cure this man in the presence of the Pharisees so that they would soften their hearts and believe in Jesus. Sadly, it didn't work. The very next line of the Gospel says, “The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death” (Mark 3:6).Hardness of heart should be greatly avoided. The problem is that those who are hard of heart are usually not open to the fact that they are hard of heart. They are obstinate and stubborn, and oftentimes self-righteous. Therefore, when people suffer from this spiritual ailment, it is difficult for them to change, especially when confronted.This Gospel passage offers you an important opportunity to look into your own heart with honesty. Only you and God need to be part of that interior introspection and conversation. Begin by reflecting upon the Pharisees and the poor example they set. From there, try to look at yourself with great honesty. Are you obstinate? Are you hardened in your convictions to the point that you are unwilling to even consider that you may be wrong at times? Are there people in your life with whom you have entered into a conflict that still remains? If any of this rings true, then you may indeed suffer from the spiritual ill of a hardened heart. Reflect, today, upon your own soul and your relationships with others with as much honesty as possible. Do not hesitate to let your guard down and be open to what God may want to say to you. And if you detect even the slightest tendency toward a hardened and stubborn heart, beg our Lord to enter in to soften it. Change like this is difficult, but the rewards of such a change are incalculable. Do not hesitate and do not wait. Change is worth it in the end. My loving Lord, this day I open myself to an examination of my own heart and pray that You will help me to always be open to change when necessary. Help me, especially, to see any hardness I may have within my heart. Help me to overcome any obstinacy, stubbornness and self-righteousness. Give me the gift of humility, dear Lord, so that my heart can become more like Yours. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Jesus Heals the Man with a Withered Hand, via Wikimedia Commons