Podcasts about Harshness

Do your kids struggle with tantrums, power struggles, or emotional meltdowns—and you're not sure how to stop the cycle without yelling or harsh discipline?After posting on Instagram about how we raised our 7 kids without yelling, punishments, or power struggles, we received so much interest and questions from parents wanting to know—is it really possible?Yes, it is—and in this episode, we share exactly how we did it.Raising emotionally healthy, well-adjusted kids starts with creating a strong foundation of love, trust, and connection. In this conversation, we unpack the specific things we never do as parents, and why avoiding them has helped our children become confident, competent, and emotionally resilient.From mockery and sarcasm to yelling, punishments, and ignoring big feelings—these parenting pitfalls actually increase misbehavior, power struggles, and emotional shutdown.We also share personal stories—including a controversial ocean swim encounter—that demonstrate how pushing limits (safely and intentionally) builds competence, confidence, and calm under pressure—for kids and adults.Whether you're parenting toddlers or teens, these insights will help you shift your mindset and methods to raise kids who thrive without tantrums, yelling, or power struggles.Key Takeaways:✅ Strong attachment = strong self-worth✅ Small emotional habits shape your child's future✅ Sarcasm erodes trust—kindness builds connection✅ Harshness leads to fragility and misbehavior✅ Family culture and personal growth go hand in hand✅ Confidence comes from challenge, not comfortChapters:00:00 Raising Well-Adjusted Kids on the Move10:39 Understanding Tantrums and Yelling15:45 Prioritizing Connection Over Correction27:41 Investing Time for Long-Term Benefits29:25 The Importance of Connection Over Correction31:15 Understanding the Desire for Connection33:03 The Impact of Parental Engagement35:27 Recognizing Attachment Issues37:10 Daily Intentional Connection39:04 Behavior as a Symptom, Not the Problem41:24 Going to the Root Cause of Behavior43:41 The Investment in Parenting Knowledge47:37 Clarifying Expectations in Parenting50:27 Engaging in Clear Communication53:40 Encouraging Dialogue for Clarity01:00:08 Natural Consequences and Child Empowerment01:06:14 Establishing Family Systems for Smooth Parenting01:12:53 Emotional Co-Regulation in Parenting01:21:33 Building Resilience Through Connection and ChallengeMemorable Quotes:

Josh Pate's College Football Show Ep 633 features Josh Pate discussing job approval ratings for SEC head coaches. How do Tennessee fans feel about Josh Heupel? Where are things for Brian Kelly at LSU and Steve Sarkisian at Texas? Josh also looks at Shane Beamer at South Carolina, Kirby Smart at UGA, and Billy Napier at Florida. What is the latest intel on the College Football Playoff expanding? We also discuss the 2024 season for Miami and why in some ways it feels lost. Bold prediction season has returned with you calling your shot. Tonight we take a look at the possibility LSU has multiple losses in the first 6 weeks of the season along with multiple non-QB Heisman finalists and 3 Texas teams winning their conference. That plus rumors of College Football regular season games one day becoming major pay-per-view events. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

De-Essers: The Unsung Heroes of Smooth-Sounding Mixes It's not flashy. It's not fun. And let's face it—nobody gets excited about a de-esser. But when sibilance strikes or harshness creeps in, this humble tool can be the difference between a professional-sounding vocal and a wince-worthy one. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a non-sexy but absolutely necessary dive into the world of de-essers—what they are, why they matter, and how to wield them like a pro.

By Mary Lindow The words, “The Harsh Winds of Life”  have been playing themselves over and over in my mind. As I have pondered them and have allowed the Voice of the Holy Spirit to instruct me as to why I have been impressed with this statement, I sense the Lord addressing many deeper issues that are well anchored and maintained within our souls as believers.   HARSH WINDS These blustery currents in the natural can be devastating to property, trees, and all living-breathing creatures. We have all seen what the devastation of hurricanes and tornadoes can do in a very short amount of time. Often when listening to the traumatic stories of those who have lived through a nightmarish storm, the realities of what they hold near and dear have been laid bear and brought to the surface. Many weep over the loss of family photographs or tender things like Grandma's old chipped china and are unconcerned about larger material items, but are deeply thankful for the safety of family members after a traumatic event. Others, are shaking fists at the sky and are enraged that they have been infringed upon during a difficult time, and want somebody else to pay for it!   THE HARSH WINDS OF LIFE BLOW UPON THE GODLY AND THE UNGODLY.  NO ONE IS EXEMPT. There are some of life's storms that threaten to blow away everything we've depended on as well. Friendships are tested, relationships are strained, and the Lord uses these harsh winds blowing against our lives to remove the crusty chaff that can form and harden around the seed of our lives. Those who are independent in nature find a bitterness creeping into their attitudes and heart. They feel infringed upon when things are not easily controlled or maneuvered in their favor. And so, the Holy Spirit allows the winds to blow until a conviction penetrates the self centered soul, and exposes the fleshy comfort zone of, ‘My Way, My World, My Rights”! "No man has power over the wind to contain it;  So no one has power over the day of his death.  And no one is discharged in time of war,  So wickedness will not release those who practice it." -Ecclesiastes 8:8   HOW LONG WILL THE HARSH WINDS BLOW? As long as we practice wicked behavior in the eyes of the Lord, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot stop it! He is winnowing us, allowing us to be caught up into the refining wind of the Holy Spirit's conviction so that the chaff and waste places in our souls are removed. And trust me my friends, anything that you may be hiding or pretending wasn't “that bad”, that harmed someone else, well God will allow it to come to the light to be either judged or to be cleansed and yes, there may be consequences that you don't like.   WE CAN'T HARM OTHER PEOPLE, OR ABUSE THEM, SEXUALLY PREY UPON THEM, SPIRITUALLY ABUSE AND DOMINATE OR SLANDER, and then pretend that it wasn't “that big of a deal”! It's a huge deal to God and he will continue to pursue us in order to cleanse us if we will allow him access. (Yes you can say "ouch" right about now!)   CHAFF MUST BE REMOVED.  BUT WHY? Chaff is a waste material plowed into the soil or burned. Chaff, as a waste product from grain processing, shows us a symbolic use of the idea that refers to something seen as worthless. Now, this is where we read, "to separate the wheat from the chaff" from Matthew 3. It means to separate things of value from things of no value. Another example is in Psalm 1 which says: "Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away".   WE CHRISTIANS OFTEN PRESUME THAT BECAUSE WE ARE REDEEMED THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL SACRIFICE OF CHRIST FOR OUR LIVES, THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN EASIER AND MORE PRIVILEGED LIFE. This is simply not so! We are given a shield and a holy stamina to withstand the wiles of this world, but no free passes to a life of ease.   THE LORD LOVES ALL OF MANKIND. He longs for ALL of mankind, (that includes you and I) to come to a place of trust in His way, not “our way”. Fully stripped of self-will, self-gratification, self- justification, and self-focus. Matthew 5:45 says~  “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, And sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”   I KNOW! I KNOW! THIS STINGS! "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth." James 3:14 About now, I can hear a few righteous folks saying, "I would never boast about envy! " Well! Selfish ambition is well hidden in our personal behaviors. We offer gifts or opportunities for others to be blessed or helped as long as we are feeling in control and benevolent at the time of the offer or good intention. But when the winds of life shift and the Lord allows the chaff of "waste materials" in our soul to be Tornadoed —bitterness and exclusive rights abound! Huffiness, abrupt harshness and passive aggression (which means getting even) will manifest and expose the soul's clinging nature, which does not want the hand of God striping away any safety veneer that we use to protect our approach to life.   A CHANGE IN THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE HAS OCCURRED! John 6:18 says, “A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.” Jesus allowed the wind to be a teaching point for his disciples. They had walked with Him, talked with Him and served alongside Him. But trusting Him when the Storms and Harsh winds blew revealed a weakness that we all must look at, and often. We trust the Lord when things are going our way, but when the Harshness of a storm blows us off the course that we set, many times we run to our own devices or “Plan B”.   SO MANY AT THIS TIME IN THIS DIFFICULT AGE ARE SCREAMING, “Lord! Don't you care about me? The winds are blowing, and I am fearful for my life! If you Love me, why are you allowing this horrid event to occur?” Even Peter in his zeal to get out of the boat and see if it was indeed Jesus calling to him to come, once he was out of the safety of his own control and the winds blew against him, he focused on the wind, and not upon Jesus, who was there the whole time. Peter cries out, "LORD I am perishing! SAVE ME!”   CONTROL IS A DEEP, DEEP NEED. Perhaps THE deepest need people have, is for control. When we feel out of control, we experience a powerful and uncomfortable tension between the need for control and the evidence of “inadequate control”. Without the Presence of God in our lives, we will attempt to control everything, every event, and every person around us in order to attain the sense of order and “identity power” that we crave.   DRAWING NEAR TO GOD It was James, the brother of Jesus, who wrote to the believers in Jerusalem, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double- minded people!" (James 4:8). If we draw near to God, he will respond and draw near to us. Drawing near to God is spending time with Him, worshiping Him, praying and talking to Him, inviting Him into every aspect of our lives. EVERY.  PART.  OF.  OUR.  LIFE.   BRING YOUR HEART UNDER HIS LORDSHIP James gives us the blueprint for drawing near or “right up close” to the Lord.  If you've committed sin, confess it, get rid of it. Next, ask the Lord to examine your heart, your motives, and the things that make you do what you do.   Bring your heart under His Lordship as well. May our actions be manifestations of a clean heart and conscience. Allow HIM to remove the Chaff, the wasted time controlling things, and TRUST Him to align your life. Notice that when he writes about this he says, "Purify your hearts, double-minded people."   WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY "DOUBLE-MINDED"? Well, a person who is double-minded is drawn in two completely different directions. And so he or she will get nowhere fast because loyalty is divided. They will vacillate between faith and unbelief. And, a double-minded person is unstable in all his/her ways and his/her spiritual walk is inconsistent because he/she tries to serve God and his/her own interests, and gamble their life against the Harsh Winds. We've all learned that this kind of living never works.    YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS. Friends again I say this under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the master that you serve whether it be hiding something that is a secret sin or offense to The Lord, or things that you are aware of that have dishonored others, they will be brought into the light one way or the other. If you think you can hide it, if you think you can gloss it over, God will eventually bring it into the light and have you exposed for deception. Or, you choose to get the help you need and you can humble yourself! Yes, there may be consequences you don't like, because of your actions and choices. But repentance and accountability will save your soul. It may not save your marriage, it may not save your ministry, and it may not save your job or your relationships. But it will save your soul, because humility enters, and God can re-create what has been destroyed and damaged.   GOD DOESN'T PLAY GAMES! No one is going to get very far with God by playing spiritual games. It will soon be discovered that the only people playing the game with you will be you, yourself, and again, YOU.  It's just like people thinking that they can "ride the fence" into the kingdom. There is no riding the fence; there is no lukewarm support group. You're either in or out. If we really want to know Him, we are going to have to get serious about our relationship with Him.   WE DON'T WANT DIFFICULT!  I will tell you right now, that even as I write and speak these words, I can feel the resistance to pruning and more change in my gut!   Are you in a pruning, shocking, "getting trimmed back" difficult season right now?  Most everyone is!  Feeling like your wings have been clipped? Are you seeing a pattern of lethargy and a dullness of joy maybe in your daily life?  Don't waste those struggles friends! Know that God is very... VERY... intentional. And, He has a good plan for all of it.  Every challenge is an opportunity to practice walking one day at a time, with really clear thinking and gratitude, and He is right there, inside you, to help you.   LIKE I SAID BEFORE! WE DON'T WANT DIFFICULT!  But my oh my, I do want to be like Him! So I'm in surrender-mode now, friends.  I'm saying, “Cut away, Lord. Go deep.”  WHY? Because I want ALL that He has for me.  I want the fruit.  I want all that abundance, and I know it's waiting for me when this weird and awkward season changes.   THERE IS ANOTHER PHENOMENON I FIND THAT HAPPENS DURING THE PROCESS, WHEN THE HARSH WINDS OF LIFE ARE BEARING DOWN. And, one that I find that is unhealthy to ignore. The enemy of our soul is observing and is feverishly “taking notes” about this difficult process, and I believe he finds it quite enjoyable; he laughs and ridicules and flings missiles of insults that shout that, "only a loser needs this kind of difficult adjustment ”.  This of course, is a lie but, one which we can tend to believed on a bad day! Listening to the wrong voice can tempt us to believe the blowing away of chaff in our lives is punishment, and comes from God being mad at us.  It can cause us to pull back from deeper fellowship or social engagements (social distancing tools too, like Face Time, ZOOM, integral) these paralyze honesty, transparency and humility. It can lead to self-hatred, self-protection, denial about how we hurt others with half-truths, and so on!   I AM TRULY BECOMING MORE AWARE IN MY SPIRIT THAT GOD CAN ONLY USE ME—OR “BEST USE ME”, THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP OF HIS POWER AND MY WEAKNESS.    A wise and well-tested man by the name of Alan Hood must have had a few pruning clippers dig into his life at time or two and learned this lesson. He stated,  “To Be Pruned Is To Lose The Resources, Whether Monies or Physical Strengths Upon Which Everyone Around You Measures You As Successful.” LET'S READ THAT AGAIN…      …S  L  O  W  L  Y !    “To Be Pruned Is To Lose The Resources, Whether Monies or Physical Strengths Upon Which Everyone Around You Measures You As Successful.”   TRYING TO USE OLD THINGS WHEN GOD IS TRYING TO GIVE US NEW THINGS IS REALLY SUCH FOOLISHNESS!  Psalm 85 talks about Restoration, Re-tooling and Revival. Verse 8 says,  “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to his people, His saints —but let them not return to folly.”   I'M TRUSTING THE LORD'S GOOD AND GRACIOUS HAND IN THE PROCESS THAT THE WORLD IS EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.  I know God does not intend to leave even a healthy fruit-bearing branch how it is, but He is always after a more abundant harvest for His people. I don't get it, I don't like or want difficult!  But I also don't want a puny little sick looking basket of bitter, green, unusable fruit out of life!  He will “give the increase” when I reach the end of this seeming devastation of stymied ideas and “put on hold” plans, and let me tell you something crazy, I feel it coming!  The increase! I'm learning to WALK in harmony, in tune with the truth that, “He is dwelling like healthy sap, in me, and will keep sin and despair from having dominion over my life”. (Romans 6:14) YOUR LIFE TOO!    A MOMENT IN HIS ANGER - A LIFETIME IN HIS FAVOR. God disciplines for a moment when He wishes to get our attention and our lives may indeed become painful for a period, but then comes His favor. God doesn't delight in either our depression or our damage.  And, when He begins to deal with the chaff in our lives, it is for our advantage, that we may be conformed to His likeness and reflect His holiness. When we sense God's disapproval, when it appears He has withdrawn from us, it is only so that we see our utter need of Him.   WHEN LIFE SEEMS TO BE SO SOUR, WHEN EVERYTHING CRUMBLES, then we must remember what we “say we believe”, that God's favor is with us, because of Christ's worthiness given to us, because we are adopted and are His - which means, that His favor always wins out over His disapproval.   THIS PICTURE IS PAINTED WELL BY THE WORDS "WEEPING REMAINS FOR A NIGHT."  Weeping and sorrow are pictured as a traveler who comes to stay for a night. The pain and sorrow we feel may seem as though it has moved in with us like an unwelcome guest, who decides to stay for a very long time.   REJOICING THOUGH, COMES IN THE MORNING. Your “mourning”, will dissipate in the morning”. Your winter, will melt into summer. God will replace your sighing, with singing. Grief, will give way to gladness. What was once bitter, will be made sweet. And, what was once a desolate wilderness, will be transformed into a paradise.   LIKE THE FIRST RAYS OF THE SUNRISE WHICH DISPEL THE HARSH WINDS AND GLOOM OF NIGHT,  GOD GIVES US JOY WHEN THE DARKNESS OF OUR PROBLEMS SEEM AS THOUGH THEY'LL NEVER LEAVE.   YOUR CROSS IS HIS GLORY What is so crucial to understand is that as a Christian, your life will be filled with times of weakness and strength, with want and wealth, with disgrace and honor, with crosses and comforts, miseries and mercies, joys and sorrows, delight and mourning. As this cycle of separating “Chaff” from our lives reoccurs many times in our lives, and it moves us from the cross to glory. For your own health and so that you find all your satisfaction in Christ alone, God will send you times of great growth and other times of emptiness. When the harsh winds blow, know that God desires that you find your hope and comfort by His own fire. When the balmy breezes come, give Him praise and thanksgiving for the warmth He provides. Psalm 57:1 says, "Have mercy on me, O God, Have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”   (PROPHETIC EXHORTATION AND WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE NOT INCLUDED IN WRITTEN MESSAGE CONTINUE IN THE AUDIO MESSAGE FORMAT BEGINING AT AUDIO PLAYER TIME MARKER 21:38) Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed 
provided that complete message, podcast link and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You!
 Copyright 2025 " THE MESSENGER "  - "THE ADVOCATE OF HOPE" ~ Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com www.marylindow.podbean.com Your Gracious Support and Donations Are So Very Helpful  And Assist Mary In Publishing Her Teaching Podcasts  and Audio Messages. THANK YOU! Please go to PAYPAL to donate  or support this blog:  Donate to the tax-deductible ministry name of:  paypal.me/mlindow    (His Beloved Ministries Inc.)  Or  You Can Mail a Check or Cashiers Check to:  His Beloved Ministries INC  PO Box 1253  Eastlake CO 80614  United States

How perfectly appropriate for this Easter Season is this PODCAST! Thank you for listening, and for sharing this message!!! Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.

reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 2, Looking at Oneself and Others, pg. 47This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/04/08/managing-work-and-people-without-harshness-and-a-domineering-approach/Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are allavailable on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net  The US editions and links to e-book editions of SriAurobindo's writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com

Charles Payne, host of Making Money on Fox Business, joined The Guy Benson Show today to break down the Trump administration's latest moves on tariffs--explaining why they appear to be more of a negotiation starting point than a final policy. Payne outlined Trump's three-pronged strategy for tariff outcomes and highlighted the often-overlooked "non-tariff barriers" that are being discussed behind the scenes as part of trade talks. He also weighed in on the public spat between Elon Musk and Peter Navarro, calling it a revealing snapshot of the broader debate over economic nationalism. Listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you struggling with how to handle your child's tough emotions or challenging behaviors?Did you know that it's the small, everyday habits that are sabotaging your family's happiness and contributing to misbehavior?In this episode, we dive into the things we NEVER do as parents of 7 children to ensure a positive, nurturing family culture that helps our children grow into well-adjusted, confident, and emotionally resilient individuals.Raising kids is no easy task, but cultivating a loving and supportive environment where they can develop emotional maturity and healthy coping mechanisms is key. In this candid discussion, we reveal the strategies that have worked for our family to promote resilience and prevent common pitfalls like mocking, sarcasm, and unresolved anger.We discuss the importance of honesty and emotional authenticity, the value of constructive feedback, and how to address small issues before they grow into bigger problems. From avoiding the pitfalls of negative language to fostering open communication, this episode is packed with practical tips that help build a strong family dynamic.If you're ready to take your parenting to the next level, tune in to discover how focusing on the 'never-dos' can help you raise children who are equipped to handle life's challenges with resilience and confidence. Whether you're parenting toddlers or teenagers, the principles discussed in this episode will help you create a thriving, emotionally healthy family.Key Takeaways:✅ Small, intentional changes create a thriving family culture.✅ Sarcasm and teasing erode trust—kindness builds connection.✅ Strong parent-child attachments are the foundation of self-worth.✅ Harsh discipline creates emotional distance—love is more effective.✅. Technology should serve your family, not steal from it.✅ Saying "no" to distractions unlocks productivity and fulfillment.Chapters00:00 The Importance of Small Changes in Family Dynamics02:51 Creating a Positive Family Culture05:57 The Impact of Sarcasm and Teasing12:08 Building Strong Attachments Through Love17:47 The Dangers of Harsh Parenting24:03 The Role of Technology in Family Interactions34:05 Intentional Living and Productivity36:03 The Impact of Video Games on Success38:58 Media Consumption: Radio and TV42:14 The Power of Saying No44:06 Healthy Lifestyle Choices45:57 Communication and Emotional Authenticity49:05 Addressing Problems Early01:00:49 Creating a Positive Family CultureMemorable Quotes:

A.W. Tozer once wrote in The Knowledge of the Holy, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Our understanding of God influences everything—including how we handle what He has entrusted to us.In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus tells a story that reveals how our perception of God directly affects our stewardship. Three servants are given different amounts of money while their master is away. Two invest what they receive and are rewarded for their faithfulness. The third, however, buries his portion out of fear. His failure wasn't just financial—it was a failure of understanding his master's character.A Misunderstanding That Led to FearAt first glance, the punishment of the third servant might seem extreme. After all, he didn't lose the money—he simply didn't invest it. But Jesus' parable isn't just about financial stewardship; it's about how we see God.The third servant viewed his master as “a hard man” (Matthew 25:24), someone to be feared rather than trusted. His words reveal the issue of his heart:“Master, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground.” - Matthew 25:24-25His fear of failure led him to inaction. Instead of seeing an opportunity, he saw a trap. Instead of seeing generosity, he saw harshness. And because of that, he did nothing.This is the danger of a wrong view of God. When we perceive Him as an unrelenting taskmaster, we shrink back—afraid to fail, hesitant to step out, reluctant to engage with what He has given us. We bury our talents—whether our time, resources, or gifts—assuming He is more interested in punishment than partnership. But Scripture reminds us:“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” - 1 John 4:18Faith and Trust Lead to FruitfulnessIn contrast, the first two servants acted in faith. They saw their master as someone worth serving, embracing their responsibility with joy. They took risks, multiplied what they had been given, and were met with their master's praise:“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” - Matthew 25:21The master's reward wasn't just about productivity—it was an invitation into deeper joy. Their faithfulness wasn't about money; it was about trust. They trusted their master's goodness and acted boldly.Many struggle with obedience because they see it as a burden rather than an opportunity. But the faithful servants understood something key: what they had been given actually belonged to their master, and stewarding it well was a privilege.Jesus invites us to partner with Him in His work, not because He needs us, but because He delights in working through us. Paul describes this beautifully:“For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.” - 1 Corinthians 3:9We are not slaves cowering under a harsh master—we are co-laborers in His kingdom. When we understand this, our perspective on obedience changes. Giving, serving, and using our gifts for His glory are no longer seen as obligations but as privileges.Living as Faithful StewardsThe real tragedy of the third servant is that he never truly knew his master. His false perception led to his inaction, and his master's response is sobering:“Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” - Matthew 25:30This warning isn't just about stewardship—it's about our hearts. If we live in fear and refuse to trust God, we will miss out on the joy of His kingdom. In fact, I would venture to say that when some meet Jesus, they may not hear, “I never knew you,” but rather, “You never knew Me.”But if we truly know Him, we will step forward in faith, eager to invest our lives in His work.God invites us to see Him as He truly is—loving, generous, and trustworthy. When we do, we won't shrink back in fear—we will step forward in faith. Like the faithful servants in the parable, we will hear His words of joy:“Well done, good and faithful servant.”Let's live as stewards who know our Master—trusting in His goodness and investing in His kingdom with boldness and joy.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My daughter has $20,000 in credit card debt across five cards. With her husband incarcerated, she's struggling to make the $800 monthly minimum payments. I'm looking for a way to help her consolidate the debt and get a lower interest rate so she can start paying it down.We've been offered a good price to sell our 14-year-old business, but I'm concerned about the capital gains taxes we'll owe. Besides investing in our IRAs, are there any other strategies we can use to reduce the taxes we'll have to pay on the sale?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly MagazineThe Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life by A.W. TozerCross InternationalChristian Credit CounselorsNational Christian Foundation (NCF)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Die aktuellen Automobilkurznachrichten mit Michael Weyland   Thema heute:  Hyundai Motor Group erweitert Test- und Entwicklungs-Einrichtungen in Deutschland          Die Hyundai Motor Group erweitert ihre Forschungs- und Entwicklungseinrichtungen in Deutschland um mehr als 25.000 Quadratmeter. Der Ausbau des Testzentrums am Nürburgring ist abgeschlossen. Und auch mit der bevorstehenden Eröffnung des neuen Square Campus des Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center in Rüsselsheim im März will der Konzern mit den Mobilitätsmarken Kia, Hyundai und Genesis seine führende Rolle als ein Innovator und Motor des Wandels in der Automobilindustrie untermauern. Die Gruppe leistet seit über einem Jahrzehnt erfolgreiche Entwicklungsarbeit am Nürburgring, wo sie ab 2011 zunächst wegweisende Dauerhaltbarkeitstests durchführte, ehe sie dort 2013 ein vollwertiges Testzentrum eröffnete. Das wurde jetzt um 834 Quadratmeter mit hochmodernen Testeinrichtungen erweitert. Dazu gehören spezialisierte Labore, neue Werkstattbereiche und Hochspannungs-Lademöglichkeiten für Elektrofahrzeuge. Ausbau der europäischen R&D-Ressourcen Die Expansion wird mit der bevorstehenden Eröffnung des neuen Square Campus im Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center in Rüsselsheim fortgesetzt. Diese 25.000 Quadratmeter große Anlage im Rhein-Main-Gebiet soll neue Maßstäbe in der Automobilindustrie setzen. Das hochmoderne Zentrum beherbergt den größten Allrad-Leistungsprüfstand des Konzerns zur Analyse von Geräuschen, Vibrationen und Rauheit (Noise, Vibration, Harshness, NVH) sowie modernste Fahrwerks- und Antriebsstrang-Prüfstände. Mit diesen Vorrichtungen wird unter verschiedenen Bedingungen die Leistungsfähigkeit des Fahrzeugs simuliert und bewertet, ohne dass Straßentests erforderlich sind. Der Fokus wird auf der Verbesserung von Elektrofahrzeugen, Fahrerassistenzsystemen, Infotainment und Elektrifizierungstechnologien liegen. Der neue Square Campus in Rüsselsheim ist ein Beispiel für das Nachhaltigkeits-Engagement des Konzerns. Der Campus beinhaltet umweltfreundliche Materialien, Photovoltaikmodule und Wärmepumpensysteme. Emissionsfreie Produktpalette bis 2035, neue Karriereperspektiven für Fachkräfte Mit den neuen Einrichtungen untermauert der Konzern sein Ziel, bis 2035 in Europa eine Produktpalette ohne Abgasemissionen anzubieten und nachhaltige Mobilitätslösungen zu entwickeln. Die erweiterte Infrastruktur ermöglicht es, Innovationen in den Bereichen EV-Technologie und Hochleistungssysteme zu beschleunigen. Der Ausbau eröffnet in der Rhein-Main-Region auch neue Karriereperspektiven für talentierte Fachkräfte auf dem Gebiet der Automobiltechnologie. Alle Fotos: Hyundai Motor Group   Diesen Beitrag können Sie nachhören oder downloaden unter:

Date : Fri, 15 Nov 2024 Speaker : Ash Sheikh Ashiq Abul Hasan (Rashadi) at Horethuduwa Jumuah Masjid, Panadura Language : Tamil

Do you believe it's possible to change your situation, no matter what is going on? In this episode of Choice, Change and Action Simone Milasas talks with Maya Dayan about her experiences growing up in a commune in Israel, where individual choice was basically taken away from her, where living through wars meant you were in a constant state of survival, and where serving her mandatory service in the Israeli army with an abusive sergeant was the last thing she ever wanted to do. It took a while, but Maya made the choice to really get out of those lenses of survival and thinking that everything has to be harsh, and took action to change her situation. The difference that choice made, and the action she still takes towards choosing something different, is resulting in more and more of what she actually desires showing up everyday.  What would it take to actualise a world of benevolence, kindness, abundance and beauty? Keys Takeaways Living In A State Of Survival Choosing Change And Taking Action If You Feel Good, You Are Good. If You Feel Bad, Change It Finding Access Consciousness Abuse Doesn't Necessarily Fit Into A Category The AccessMe App Useful Links: The Clearing Statement explained Access Consciousness Website Choice, Change & Action Podcast Instagram Follow Simone Milasas Simone Milasas's Website Simone Milasas's Instagram Simone Milasas's Facebook Simone Milasas's YouTube Simone Milasas's Telegram Simone Milasas's Contact Email  Follow Maya Dayan Maya Dayan's Website Maya Dayan's Facebook Maya Dayan's Instagram Play with Simone Milasas The Profit Club membership Getting Out of Debt Joyfully Taking Action online video course All Upcoming Classes with Simone Past Class Recordings Mentioned In This Episode El Lugar : https://www.el-lugar.com/ Access Me : https://access.me/ Changing The Issues Of Abuse, class with Gary Douglas & Dr Dain Heer : https://www.accessconsciousness.com/en/shop-catalog/advanced-special-classes/changing-the-issues-of-abuse-3/ The Abuse Hold : https://www.accessconsciousness.com/en/class-catalog/body-classes/advanced-body-class/abuse-hold-class_638655574406879920/details/

Snag Our Simplified Budget System! In today's episode, we react to a call Dusty made on The Ramsey Show, seeking advice about building a home on his family's land. Dusty was met with some tough love from Dave Ramsey, but we have our own perspective on the situation! We unpack what Dusty's real question was—how to build the house while staying financially stable—and highlight how the advice given missed the mark. We discuss the importance of personalizing financial decisions to fit your unique situation, and how every budget needs to reflect your specific dreams and goals. We also explore the idea of multi-generational living, something that's close to many hearts, and how you can make it work financially without losing sight of family values. This episode is all about speaking life over your financial journey and encouraging you to make choices that align with your dreams, even if they look different from mainstream advice. Dusty's call was a reminder that your budget is yours—no one-size-fits-all approach works when it comes to building your financial future. It's YOUR Journey: Budgeting isn't one-size-fits-all. What worked for Dave might not be the right move for Dusty or YOU. Multi-Generational Living: A dream for many families! Shana and Vanessa share their take on making it work your way—financially stable and family-focused. Financial Flexibility: Sometimes it's okay to go against the "rules" if it helps you live the life you want. Your budget should help you build your dreams, not box you in. Key Takeaways:The Power of Encouragement: Speak life into your financial journey. Harshness won't get you to your goals; encouragement and clarity will. 4 Ways To Connect With Us: 1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall  2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook  3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget  4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It's the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching  "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" < If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don't forget to follow the show so you don't miss any episodes! And, if you're feeling really generous, we'd be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.  Click here to view our privacy policy. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Have you ever felt so disconnected in your marriage that you wondered if it was worth fighting for? Kevin found himself in that very place—emotionally, spiritually, and physically distant from his wife. Harshness and criticism seemed to cloud their every interaction, leaving him discouraged and ready to give up. He felt his energy was drained and was unmotivated in many aspects of life.  He took the courage to sign up and speak with Dana on a Clarity Call, he felt it gave him insights into himself and helped him discover what was at the root of their disconnection. He felt he wasn't the role model he'd want to be for his children. He had allowed his marriage to be transactional which he knew wasn't what God designed marriage to be. That's when he decided he wasn't giving his family all that he should and he signed up for the men's program. Through this journey, Kevin began to implement the daily gratitudes—a practice that sparked a profound shift in his mindset. He was encouraged through his Coaching Calls to stand firm as the spiritual leader he longed to be for his family, even amidst resistance. He finally feels he is spiritually leading his family. We are so proud of Kevin and know that the same change he saw in his marriage can happen with yours. As he shared with us, where there is breath, there is hope. We believe this podcast will encourage you that God CAN heal this marriage. He may be calling you to be the very one who does it, by changing yourself.    Love,   Belah & Team   PS -  If you are interested in a Clarity Call and speaking with one of our advisors as Kevin did, we would love to talk with you: delightyourmarriage.com/cc   PPS - Here a quote from a (different) recent graduate: “Some of my biggest celebrations: Our relationship, our discussions have become much more peaceful, easygoing and playful than before!... She has expressed often how she likes the changes she sees in me… I have a renewed hope that things can get better. I now have a clearer vision of my role as a husband and how things can and should be. I have grown in confidence by learning what is the path to get there. I understand my wife so much better now and realize that contrary to what I thought before, she is not broken!... One change that I think is the most telling of how the DYM program has impacted our lives: Prior to the program we had been sleeping in separate rooms for years. I am thankful to say that I am back in our marriage bed, physically, emotionally – for good now!”

Hi Stef, not sure if this is much of an argument but I had something I'd like your thoughts on. Some creative writing on my part combined with some skepticism inspired by one of your characters from the 'The Future', I think you might know who I'm talking about. Feel free to rebut this with some creative writing too if you find it appropriate. :)"Do we mirror reality, and if so which parts of reality?""Are animals not a part of reality? And are we not more animal than object? Why then should we look towards objects as a source of direction for how we should live our lives?""Contradiction? Bah. Only heaven itself can afford the luxury of consistency. When put inside of a mortal body, I dare say even the sun itself would have days that it would feel like hiding its glorious light.""To live according to logic and rationality is to try to make ourselves Gods. But we are not. We have the capacity to see a glimpse of godhood, but so long as we need to eat, sleep and reproduce, we will forever remain animals struggling against the hand of death.""The humble farmer toils on his soil and regardless of how consistent he is in his labours, the locusts will devour that which he has sown.""So tell me Mr Philosopher; to whom does the farmer partition for his lost crop?"What is it about human beings that gives them the unique capacity to be sadistic? This question was inspired by my reading of “Survival I'm the killing fields”. Some the things the communists did to people is not something I can comprehend.Hey, Stef! How do you stop ruminating over people? my family is one to sweep things under the rug a lot and certain members seem to be in a consistent cycle of failure. my mother is an enabler and complains about it but never does anything to stop it. I distance myself from my family and only occasionally visit them because it's usually a very draining experience but I do ruminate over them and I really wish they didn't live in my head. any tips?! Thank you!GET MY NEW BOOK 'PEACEFUL PARENTING', THE INTERACTIVE PEACEFUL PARENTING AI, AND AUDIOBOOK!https://peacefulparenting.com/Join the PREMIUM philosophy community on the web for free!Also get the Truth About the French Revolution, the interactive multi-lingual philosophy AI trained on thousands of hours of my material, private livestreams, premium call in shows, the 22 Part History of Philosophers series and much more!See you soon!https://freedomain.locals.com/support/promo/UPB2022

In this episode, host James Newcomb engages in a deep theological discussion with Orthodox Christian scholar Frederica Mathewes-Green covering various aspects of Christian theology. They delve into the differences between orthodox and Western Christian perspectives, particularly focusing on sin, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Frederica turns the tables on the host, asking James about his personal journey from Presbyterianism to Reformed theology and ultimately to Orthodoxy. James and Frederica also explore the stories and examples of saints, the interpretation of scriptures, and the contrasting images of the cross in Eastern and Western Christianity. The discussion is anchored by Frederica's book, 'Two Views of the Cross,' which contrasts critical theological views of Orthodoxy and Western Christianity.Episode highlights:00:00 Introduction: The Irony of Theological Studies01:02 Personal Journey: From Baptocostal to Reformed to Orthodox Christian01:36 A Quest for Stability03:14 The Reformation and Its Aftermath05:07 The Refrigerator Hermeneutic: Picking and Choosing Scripture07:07 John 6: The Challenge of Literal Interpretation08:10 The Story of St. Photini (the woman at the well)09:37 The Power of Stories in Faith10:46 Two Views of the Cross: A Book Discussion14:23 Orthodox vs. Western Christianity: Forgiveness and Sacrifice18:28 The Nature of Sin: Disease vs. Infraction24:03 The Harshness of Calvinism: A Tragic Misunderstanding27:59 The Importance of Forgiveness in Orthodoxy29:03 Conclusion: Reflecting on the DiscussionBook mentioned:Two Views of the Cross: Orthodoxy and the West by Frederica Mathewes-GreenAbout the guest:"I write and speak on a wide range of topics. In recent years I've concentrated on ancient Christian spirituality and the Eastern Orthodox faith, but the hundreds of Posts and Essays on this site include movie reviews, humor, marriage and family, cultural issues, and more. Essays can be browsed by date or category, or you can use the search box at the right.I travel to Speaking Engagements all year round; you can contact Cynthia Damaskos of the Orthodox Speakers Bureau if you'd like to bring me to an event. This Calendar will let you know when I'm in your neighborhood.You've been listening to Ba Vojdaan!, with James D. Newcomb. For more information about James, and to subscribe to the podcast, visit https://jamesdnewcomb.com. There you'll find a trove of materials available for immediate download. And be sure to follow James' travels and adventures on social media. All the info can be found at https://jamesdnewcomb.com. Thank you for listening!

Ecclesiastes | Grasping at Wind and Searching for God

>> TRIGGER WARNING! Summmary was AI Generated!: The importance of inheritance and witnessing in disputes regarding someone's actions is discussed in Islam. The use of fixed shares and punishment in cases of sexually transmitted transmission is emphasized, along with the importance of seeking forgiveness and setting boundaries in order to achieve their potential. The speaker emphasizes the need for definite actions to avoid regret and the importance of forgiveness in obtaining Islam's favors, such as forgiveness for sin and avoiding sin in the future. The use of hesitation and forgiveness are also discussed, along with issues related to marriage and the importance of understanding and forgiveness in relationships.

Pastor Dru explores the enduring power of faith and the assurance of our inheritance and belonging in the kingdom of God, even during times of doubt and questioning. Discover how the Holy Spirit acts as our unwavering guarantee of this eternal promise.

Today on the podcast I talk about the small interactions with your child that happen many times a day but often don't go so smoothly. A simple request from you turns into a standoff or an argument - and you just want your child to listen without all the drama.  This is something parents ask me about all the time:“I don't want to respond harshly to my children but I don't want to be permissive either - what do I do?”    The question is - how to approach discipline when you don't want to use threats or punishments but trying to be gentle isn't working either -  you are stuck in an endless cycle of trying to be gentle but your patience wears thin and you descend into arguments swiftly followed by you losing your cool. It doesn't feel very gentle but the only alternative seems to be to allow your child to do what they want! There is another way to set limits in a gentle way with your child, in a way that doesn't use fear or control and doesn't damage your relationship. So I'm talking about how to deal with those small everyday interactions which cause arguments or conflict over and over again - like bedtime, like wanting a snack right before dinner, like turning the TV off.  You want to say no but you don't want the arguments. I take you through Hand in Hand Parenting's approach to setting limits using the “Listen, Limit, Listen” framework. It works like a dream and you can rest assured you are holding firm without using fear and whilst still leaving room for feelings.  This episode I recorded outdoors by the sea, so there is a little bit of wind interference, I hope it isn't too annoying. Here is a photo of my view so you can picture the scene! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast, share it with a friend and consider leaving an iTunes review and/or a Spotify rating. It will help this conversation reach even more parents. I would love to stay in touch! You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram @PamParentCoach. I always love to hear from my listeners.

Yt: Onyx Rising --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onyxtarot/support

My friends- connect with me below! IG: https://www.instagram.com/asknancyhouston/ Want to support the channel? Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/Nancy-Houston-7 My Books: Then GOD made a WOMAN https://a.co/d/9un7ii3 Love and Sex: A Christian Guide to Healthy Intimacy https://a.co/d/3NndYVi

Former NFL scout and current rising YouTuber John Middlekauff takes on NBA vs NFL media culture, plus he delivers a BOLD prediction for NBA TV rights. Among other topics, we discuss how taboo it is in sports media to think about the most important person: The customer. House of Strauss is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe

Gemara Taanis 20a-20b- Called someone ugly, accepted rebuke and was forgiven eventually

On this episode of This vs. That, we sit down with Darby Strickland, a counselor who works with the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF). We explore the important topic of harshness versus abuse in relationships. Together, we discuss the dynamics of abusive relationships and the challenges in recognizing and addressing abuse. Join us as we explore the crucial issue of understanding and supporting victims of abuse. Resources from Darby Strickland: What is Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims Something Scary Happened: Comfort for Children in Hard Times Domestic Abuse: Help for the Sufferer Domestic Abuse: Recognize, Respond, Rescue Trauma: Caring for Survivors When Children Experience Trauma: What to Do When Something Scary Happens ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---- Have you heard the phrase that leaders are made and not born? Lumino Global is an international leadership, coaching, and consulting firm dedicated to helping you grow and reach your full potential as a leader. Lumino believes that leadership development is critical to every mission and every organization. Have you plateaued at your personal or professional growth? Or maybe you have a huge project that you're just trying to figure out where to get started. Coaching is a great way to learn and grow in a highly personalized and confidential environment for personal development. You don't want to miss this opportunity to walk through life with your own coach. You can meet the team of Christian coaches and learn more about careers, ministries, or executive coaching at ⁠⁠www.lumino-global.com⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠----⁠⁠ This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Hope. Anchored Hope provides practical help to those hurting by anchoring their hope in Jesus and helping others gain a better understanding of his promises. We offer reputable, biblical counsel to those suffering or experiencing difficult seasons. Our counselors are highly trained and bring a vast experience in addressing the various issues of life. To meet with a counselor, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and schedule an appointment today.

October 29 - Gentleness, The Reversing of Harshness - Galatians 5:22-23 - Chris Hodge

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/hypnosis-and-relaxation-sound-therapy9715/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A Regnum Christi Daily Meditation. Sign up to receive the text in your email daily at RegnumChristi.org

The following episode is a live recorded sermon from the Sunday gathering at The Heights Church Denver on 08/06/23 Kindness in a Time of Harshness | The Spirit in the Time of the Flesh Bryan Barley We live in a cultural moment that is marked by relational distrust and division. A time marked by things like hate, slander, gossip and overall relational anger and exhaustion. We can't seem to get along. And when you stop and think about it, all of our greatest problems are relational at their root - racism, classicism, politics, abuse, war - everything rises and falls on the quality of our relationships. The most valuable thing we have in this life is relationships. They are crucial to a life well-lived. Our theme for this year as a church is “The Year of Life Together.” This year is about creating a haven of relational beauty in the church that shines the light of Jesus into the relational strife of the world. To do this, it's vital that we learn, as people of God, how to live in the Spirit. In Galatians 5, Paul states that we cannot have two operating systems within ourselves or our church; either we choose the Spirit or our flesh, which is any independent coping mechanism for life apart from God. This Summer we're going to look at each of these fruits of the spirit from Galatians 5, and learn to live by the spirit instead of the way of the world and the flesh. Join us each Sunday as we learn to be people of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. For more information about The Heights Church, or to contact us, visit our website at TheHeightsDenver.com

Our Inner Harshness | Berlin 15 Apr 2023 by S.B. Keshava Swami

Harshness is one of the most typical forms of anger, and the most common context for it is within a family construct, especially between a husband and wife. When you put two or more sinners in a box for an extended period, their rawest Adamic tendencies will be impossible to hide. Dating is great, but living together forever increases the possibilities of sin exponentially. I trust these seven considerations will help if you're married to a harsh person. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/seven-things-to-remember-when-living-with-a-harsh-husband/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

There is one place in the gospels where Jesus specifically describes himself. Remember this passage from Matthew 11? “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”Jesus describes himself as gentle and humble in heart. I wonder to what degree we imagine these as primary aspirations in our own discipleship to Jesus. Harshness and pride seem to be reigning nearly everywhere in our world today, and too often even among those who would call themselves followers of Christ. That's why I'm so glad to be talking today with Brenda Quinn and Richard Foster about his latest book, “Learning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue.” Humility is more than a virtue that we should practice. It is actually the pathway to the abundant life Jesus has come to lead us into!  Brenda Quinn is a pastor of spiritual formation in the Foursquare church and a writer of many years. She is also the author of the character profiles in the Life with God Bible.Richard Foster is founder, past president and current team member of Renovaré. Having studied at George Fox and Fuller Theological Seminary, Foster has served as a pastor and taught worldwide on spiritual formation. Author of dozens of articles and six books, including Celebration of Discipline, Richard continues to write on the spiritual life. He and his wife, Carolynn, have two grown children, Joel and Nathan, nine grandchildren, and live near Denver, Colorado. Connect with Alan on LinkedIn.

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.JAMES 1:19-21 32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.LUKE 6:32-36“A new study finds nearly one in two people believe they're the best person they know.”COMPARED TO WHAT?32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. LUKE 6:32-34NATURAL KINDNESS IS EARNED NICENESS32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.LUKE 6:32-33Harshness: the quality of being unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses; the quality of being cruel or severe.IF WE SEE KINDNESS AS SOMETHING TO BE EARNED, THEN WE WILL VIEW HARSHNESS AS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DESERVEDNow the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil[a] has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.JONAH 1:1-3A pyramid of heads I reared in front of his city. Their youths and maidens I burnt up in flames. KING SHALMANESER II I pierced his chin with my keen hand dagger. Through his jaw I passed a rope, put a dog chain upon him and made him occupy a kennel. KING ASHURBANIPALHe [Jonah] goes around the city preaching a one-sentence message: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” That's it. No three-point sermon. No cute story about his kids. No altar call. One sentence: Yahweh is going to kill all of you.JOHN MARK COMER1. HARSHNESS CAN BE JUSTIFIED10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.JONAH 3:10But it displeased Jonah exceedingly,[a] and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”5 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city.JONAH 4:1-52. HARSHNESS ISOLATES US3. HARSHNESS IS FORGETFUL10 And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”JONAH 4:10-11Most of us want mercy for ourselves - and justice for everybody else. But it doesn't work like that. God shows mercy to all.JOHN MARK COMERGOD'S STANDARD OF KINDNESS IS DIFFERENTKindness: compassionate, others-centered generosity. The writers of scripture defined kindness as the virtue of the person whose neighbor's good is as dear as his own.MAXIE DUNNAM34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.LUKE 6:32-361. KINDNESS STARTS WITH GOD AND LOOKS LIKE GOD.2. KINDNESS RECOGNIZES THE REAL ENEMY 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. EPHESIANS 6:12 3. KINDNESS STEPS INTO THE MESSThe cumulative testimony of the four Gospels is that when Jesus Christ sees the fallenness of the world all about Him, His deepest impulse, His most natural instinct, is to move toward that sin and suffering, not away from it.DANE ORTLUND

Galatians 5:16-26THE WAY OF LOVE VS. THE WAY OF SELFISHNESSLOVE VS. SELFISHNESS, JOY VS. DESPAIR, PEACE VS. ANXIETY, PATIENCE VS. HURRY, KINDNESS VS. HARSHNESS, GOODNESS VS. BROKENNESS, FAITHFULNESS VS. COMPROMISE, GENTLENESS VS. ROUGHNESS, AND SELF-CONTROL VS. APPETITES.DANGER O1: THE FRUIT OF A GOOD PEOPLEDANGER 02: THE FRUIT OF GOOD PEOPLE AND THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ARE THE SAMEFRUIT GROWS18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident:GALATIANS 5:18-1922 But the fruit of the Spirit is…GALATIANS 5:22Fruit isn't achieved by working, but is birthed by abiding, and sustained through connection.David Guzik5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.MATTHEW 15:5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.ROMANS 8:5FRUIT SHOWSFruit shows US what/who were are connected to and shows OTHERS what/who we are connected to.FRUIT FEEDSThis fruit is grown IN US, but it's grown FOR OTHERS.WORLD-SHAPED LOVEBut understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self,2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5THE FRUIT OF WORLD-SHAPED LOVE IS SELFISHNESS“We don't worship Satan, we worship ourselves using the metaphorical representation of the qualities of Satan. Satan is the name used by Christians for that force of individuality and pride within us.”ANTON LAVEY (Founder of the Church of Satan)THE ROOT OF A WORLD-SHAPED LOVE: “I NEED LOVE.”Back in the thirteenth century, the king of Sicily, Frederick II, conducted a diabolical experiment intended to discover what language children would naturally grow up to speak if never spoken to. He thought it would be either Hebrew, Greek, Latin or Arabic. Some things are just obvious, right? So King Frederick the Great took babies from their mothers at birth and placed them in the care of nurses who were forbidden to speak in their hearing. But a second rule was imposed, as well: the nurses were not allowed to touch the infants. To his great dismay, Frederick's experiment was cut short, but not before something tragically significant regarding human nature was revealed. As you may have guessed, the babies grew up to speak no language at all because they died. In the year 1248, an Italian historian named Salimbene di Adam recorded, with an air of scientific observation, “They could not live without petting.” The babies literally died for want of touch.Astounding! Modern medicine calls this phenomenon, “failure to thrive.” For some reason, we humans flourish under the influence of love and we gradually die without it.Modern science is now proving through controlled studies that human beings are literally engineered for love. We are made for love, as if our DNA contains the message, “You must love and be loved in order to survive.”THE FREDERICK EXPERIMENTCHRIST-SHAPED LOVETo love well in a time of selfishness, we have to be loved well.JON TYSONTHE ROOT OF CHRIST-SHAPED LOVE: “I AM LOVED.”8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 JOHN 4:8-10Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.EPHESIANS 3:17-19 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.ROMANS 5:8THE FRUIT OF A CHRIST-SHAPED LOVE IS SELFLESSNESSTherefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.EPHESIANS 5:1-2“The Biblical concept of agape love involves giving of yourself for the benefit of another, even at your own expense. Biblical love is defined by passionately and righteously seeking the well-being of another. Biblical love is an act of the will and not just a fuzzy feeling in the stomach. That's why God can command us to love one another. Love really has nothing to do with whether you feel loving at a particular moment. It has to do with the need of the person being loved, not the feelings of the one doing the loving.” TONY EVANS

------------------Support the channel------------ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenter PayPal: paypal.me/thedissenter PayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuy PayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9l PayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpz PayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9m PayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao This show is sponsored by Enlites, Learning & Development done differently. Check the website here: http://enlites.com/ Dr. Marjorie Prokosch is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Disasters, Trust, and Social Change Lab at the University of Florida, and an incoming Assistant Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She studies social and health-related decision-making, with an emphasis on how environmental threats and our own condition motivate our perceptions and behavior. In her current role at UF, she is examining how environmental hazards (like hurricanes) and climate change threats intersect with social inequality to impact decision-making. In this episode, we talk about harshness, the immune system, and climate change. We start with how harshness impacts psychological development, and how it affects risk perception, self-regulation, and close relationships. We talk about the connection between the immune system and psychology and behavior. We discuss how threats of infectious disease change behavior, and the implications for Public Health. Finally, we talk about Dr. Prokosch's ongoing work on people's perceptions of climate change, and its relationship with inequality. -- A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: KARIN LIETZCKE, ANN BLANCHETTE, PER HELGE LARSEN, LAU GUERREIRO, JERRY MULLER, HANS FREDRIK SUNDE, BERNARDO SEIXAS, HERBERT GINTIS, RUTGER VOS, RICARDO VLADIMIRO, CRAIG HEALY, OLAF ALEX, PHILIP KURIAN, JONATHAN VISSER, JAKOB KLINKBY, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, JOHN CONNORS, PAULINA BARREN, FILIP FORS CONNOLLY, DAN DEMETRIOU, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ARTHUR KOH, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, SUSAN PINKER, PABLO SANTURBANO, SIMON COLUMBUS, PHIL KAVANAGH, JORGE ESPINHA, CORY CLARK, MARK BLYTH, ROBERTO INGUANZO, MIKKEL STORMYR, ERIC NEURMANN, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, BERNARD HUGUENEY, ALEXANDER DANNBAUER, FERGAL CUSSEN, YEVHEN BODRENKO, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, DON ROSS, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, OZLEM BULUT, NATHAN NGUYEN, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, J.W., JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, IDAN SOLON, ROMAIN ROCH, DMITRY GRIGORYEV, TOM ROTH, DIEGO LONDOÑO CORREA, YANICK PUNTER, ADANER USMANI, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, AL ORTIZ, NELLEKE BAK, KATHRINE AND PATRICK TOBIN, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, NICK GOLDEN, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, EDWARD HALL, HEDIN BRØNNER, DOUGLAS P. FRY, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, DENISE COOK, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, TRADERINNYC, TODD SHACKELFORD, AND SUNNY SMITH! A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY PRODUCERS, YZAR WEHBE, JIM FRANK, ŁUKASZ STAFINIAK, IAN GILLIGAN, LUIS CAYETANO, TOM VANEGDOM, CURTIS DIXON, BENEDIKT MUELLER, VEGA GIDEY, THOMAS TRUMBLE, AND NUNO ELDER! AND TO MY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, MICHAL RUSIECKI, ROSEY, JAMES PRATT, MATTHEW LAVENDER, SERGIU CODREANU, AND BOGDAN KANIVETS!

Becoming – Advice for Strong Relationships; Competing in a Relationship, Harshness in Marriage, Safe Space for WomenIn this episode of Becoming with Angelina Watkins, she discusses competing in a relationship, your tone being harsh to your wife, and women need a safe place to be herself. This commentary is taken from Tackle the Text titled Pursuit of Happiness in a Relationship with Pastor Keion Henderson and his Associate Pastors of Lighthouse Church in Houston, Texas.Competition vs Complimenting in a RelationshipAre you competing with each other or complimenting each other in the marriage. Many times we fall into the scenario of competing with our spouse when we do not understand who they are and that they are not the enemy, but your partner. We are fighting to be right, heard, and in control instead of fighting to be supportive, helpful, and encouraging. Marriage is about partnership and working together, not working against one another.Harshness in a MarriageMen can and have done much to hurt the woman, and she can recover, but one thing that will make her shut down is consistent harshness. Especially, when you have done her wrong but you want to be harsh with it. You cheat, you hurt her, but you have nastiness with it. You diminish her feelings and her pain. You want to drive a woman away, consistently talk harsh to her and she will lock up her heart and walk away.Women Need a Safe SpaceWe all need a safe place to heal and be ourselves. In this episode, Angelina acknowledges that woman need a soft place to land. She needs a place where she can flourish in who she is and who she was created to be.Episode Outline[00:00] A sneak peak into the episode[00:40] Music intro[00:48] Introduction [01:19] Competition vs Complimenting [02:38] [06:43] Harshness in a Marriage Clip[07:58] [11:42] Safe Place for a Woman[14:55] ClosingWhere you are is not where you have to be. Your past does not define you, YOU define you.-----------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE HOSTFollow Angelina Watkins on IG: https://www.instagram.com/becomingangelinawatkins/Follow Angelina Watkins on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@becomingangelinawatkins------------------------------------------------------------Tackle the Text “Relationships in the Pursuit of Happiness”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07jC6OdHsqk&t=3021sRelationship Compatibilityhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULueMXV4xjMMen Set the Tonehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXMQe-q-ATs&t=33sKnow Your Womanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eccxc2j_WDE------------------------------------------------------------PODCAST MUSICIntro/Outro Music Title: So MagnificentArtist: IG @ https://www.instagram.com/cgreenblues/

INTRODUCTION This chapter closes Leviticus by underlining the true covenant between God and His people through vows. Not only does God take His Word, and the obedience (or disobedience) of His people seriously (cf. Lev. 26), God takes the words of His people seriously. This is why Jesus cautions us against thoughtless vows. God keeps covenant, and His people are to be people of their word. THE TEXT “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying speaking unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, when a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the Lord by thy estimation…” (Lev. 27). SUMMARY OF THE TEXT When Israel swore vows to the Lord, they would promise to dedicate people or beasts to the service of the Lord or give an offering of equivalent value plus twenty percent (Lev. 26:1-13). Likewise, if a house or land were dedicated to the Lord, it would be considered holy to the Lord, and its value would be reckoned from the year of Jubilee with the fixed value of the tabernacle shekel (Lev. 26:14-25). Only the firstborn of animals could not be redeemed, along with those things devoted to the Lord (Lev. 26:16-34). VOWS THAT HELP & HURT Throughout the Old Testament, God's people worshipped Him through paying vows (Dt. 12:6ff, Ps. 50:14, 61:8, 66:13, 116:14, Jon. 1:16, Nah. 1:15). These were promises of offerings in response to particular answers to prayer. Jacob vowed to give tithes to the Lord if the Lord kept him safe and brought him home again safely (Gen. 28:20-22). One infamous example is when Jephthah vowed to sacrifice whatever came out to meet him when he returned from battle in peace, and his daughter was the first to greet him (Jdg. 11:30-40). The context of Jephthah's vow indicates that his daughter was dedicated to service in the tabernacle as a virgin (cf. Jdg. 11:39), not literally sacrificed, but it was still a great grief to the family. In Numbers 30, God says that adult males must not break their vows, but that young women who are still in their father's house still have the protection of their father hearing and confirming or annulling their vows (Num. 30:4-5). The same protection and forgiveness is granted to a married woman (Num. 30:6-7). But the vows of a widow or divorced woman stand against her (Num. 30:9). When a man annuls the vow of someone in his household, scripture says that he bears the iniquity and it is forgiven (Num. 30:12, 15). This is why Psalm 15 says that the man who dwells on God's holy hill swears to his own hurt and does not change (Ps. 15:4). When people swear a vow to the Lord, they are invoking His name, and therefore Jesus warns against making vows (Mt. 5:33-37). James warns of the same danger, lest you come into condemnation (Js. 5:12). And yet Paul took a Nazirite vow, and there is no indication of sin (Acts 18:18, cf. Acts 21:23). And Hebrews says that people may swear an oath to solve matters of contention (Heb. 6:16). So we conclude that swearing vows is lawful and sometimes necessary, but vows must be taken seriously because God will hold us accountable. CHRISTIAN VOWS Christians have determined that where the covenant stakes are high, vows are necessary, invoking God's name, asking God to judge the parties for loyalty or disloyalty. A business contract is one form of this in order to avoid contention. Marriage vows are some of the most important and potent. The wise woman of Proverbs 31 says that her son is the “son of her vows” (Prov. 31:2), and the adulterous woman forsakes her husband by covenant (Prov. 2:17, cf. Mal. 2:14). This is why civil and ecclesiastical leaders also swear vows to fulfill their covenant offices faithfully and why we swear membership and baptismal vows as a congregation. The word “Amen” is also a vow and pledge of loyalty to the Lord (cf. Num. 5:22, Dt. 27:15ff). APPLICATIONS Some are tempted to get wound tight about reading the fine print on a user agreement, but the central point is that because we are made in the image of God, our words are powerful like God's Word. The power of life and death are in the tongue (Prov. 18:21). The tongue is a fire that sets whole worlds ablaze, full of deadly poison (Js. 3:6-9). We live in a land full of foul words, cursing, and poison, frivolous vows and many lies, and it can be easy to get used to it. You can become accustomed to speaking disrespectfully to or about your husband or wife. You can get used to biting your children with criticism, being angry at parents, or just telling lies. But you are spewing poison, and you are asking for God's judgment. In our wedding ceremonies, we not only swear to keep ourselves only for our spouse in sexual purity and fidelity, we also swear to “love, honor, and cherish.” Harshness, bitterness, anger, and critical spirits are not a fulfillment of your vows to the Lord. Peter warns husbands in particular that failure to honor wives as the weaker vessel and a co-heir of the grace of life hinders prayer (1 Pet. 3:7). God promises to listen to your words and honor your words as well as you listen to and honor the words of your wife. Elsewhere, God promises to forgive us as we forgive others, and Jesus says that as we do “unto the least of these” we either do or do not do unto Him (Mt. 25:31ff). What kind of words are you serving Jesus? The wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, easily intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy, and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace (Js. 3:17-18). Yes, our culture is disintegrating in perversion and bitterness, but you cannot fight fire with fire. The only antidote to words of death and broken vows is the Word of Life and God's covenant kindness and mercy. Have you been harsh? Have you been critical? Have you made promises and not kept them? Some of the most potent and powerful words are words of confession and forgiveness. Forgiveness is God's great covenant vow to us in the blood of His Son, and it is the central vow we make and keep that builds Christian culture.

A Regnum Christi Daily Meditation. Sign up to receive the text in your email daily at RegnumChristi.org.

Thank you for listening to the Dirty Devotional Podcast! Our goal is to bring you 10-minute devotionals that help you feel seen, known, and loved by a real God.Connect with me: I'd love to meet you!! If you get a chance go follow me on Instagram or Facebook @Z_chilConnect with others: We have a private Facebook Group specifically for people who value being seen, known, and loved!  If you want a community like this, you can join by clicking the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/264160779139989/Support: If you enjoy today's episode and want to help financially support the podcast, then visit https://www.patreon.com/dirtydevotionalBe Blessed!

By Mary Lindow The words, “The Harsh Winds of Life” have been playing themselves over and over in my mind. As I have pondered them and have allowed the Voice of the Holy Spirit to instruct me as to why I have been impressed with this statement, I sense the Lord addressing many deeper issues that are well anchored and maintained within our souls as believers.   HARSH WINDS These blustery currents in the natural can be devastating to property, trees, and all living-breathing creatures. We have all seen what the devastation of hurricanes and tornadoes can do in a very short amount of time. Often when listening to the traumatic stories of those who have lived through a nightmarish storm, the realities of what they hold near and dear have been laid bear and brought to the surface. Many weep over the loss of family photographs or tender things like Grandma's old chipped china and are unconcerned about larger material items, but are deeply thankful for the safety of family members after a traumatic event. Others, are shaking fists at the sky and are enraged that they have been infringed upon during a difficult time, and want somebody else to pay for it!   THE HARSH WINDS OF LIFE BLOW UPON THE GODLY AND THE UNGODLY.  NO ONE IS EXEMPT. There are some of life's storms that threaten to blow away everything we've depended on as well. Friendships are tested, relationships are strained, and the Lord uses these harsh winds blowing against our lives to remove the crusty chaff that can form and harden around the seed of our lives. Those who are independent in nature find a bitterness creeping into their attitudes and heart. They feel infringed upon when things are not easily controlled or maneuvered in their favor. And so, the Holy Spirit allows the winds to blow until a conviction penetrates the self centered soul, and exposes the fleshy comfort zone of, ‘My Way, My World, My Rights”! No man has power over the wind to contain it;  So no one has power over the day of his death. And no one is discharged in time of war, So wickedness will not release those who practice it. Ecclesiastes 8:8   HOW LONG WILL THE HARSH WINDS BLOW? As long as we practice wicked behavior in the eyes of the Lord, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot stop it! He is winnowing us, allowing us to be caught up into the refining wind of the Holy Spirit's conviction so that the chaff and waste places in our souls are removed. And trust me my friends, anything that you may be hiding or pretending wasn't “that bad”, that harmed someone else, well God will allow it to come to the light to be either judged or to be cleansed and yes, there may be consequences that you don't like.   WE CAN'T HARM OTHER PEOPLE, OR ABUSE THEM, SEXUALLY PREY UPON THEM, SPIRITUALLY ABUSE AND DOMINATE OR SLANDER, and then pretend that it wasn't “that big of a deal”! It's a huge deal to God and he will continue to pursue us in order to cleanse us if we will allow him access. (Yes you can say "ouch" right about now!)   CHAFF MUST BE REMOVED.  BUT WHY? Chaff is a waste material plowed into the soil or burned. Chaff, as a waste product from grain processing, shows us a symbolic use of the idea that refers to something seen as worthless. Now, this is where we read, "to separate the wheat from the chaff" from Matthew 3. It means to separate things of value from things of no value. Another example is in Psalm 1 which says: "Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away".   WE CHRISTIANS OFTEN PRESUME THAT BECAUSE WE ARE REDEEMED THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL SACRIFICE OF CHRIST FOR OUR LIVES, THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN EASIER AND MORE PRIVILEGED LIFE. This is simply not so! We are given a shield and a holy stamina to withstand the wiles of this world, but no free passes to a life of ease.   THE LORD LOVES ALL OF MANKIND. He longs for ALL of mankind, (that includes you and I) to come to a place of trust in His way, not “our way”. Fully stripped of self-will, self-gratification, self- justification, and self-focus. Matthew 5:45 says~  “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, And sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”   I KNOW! I KNOW! THIS STINGS! But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. James 3:14   About now, I can hear a few righteous folks saying, "I would never boast about envy! " Well! Selfish ambition is well hidden in our personal behaviors. We offer gifts or opportunities for others to be blessed or helped as long as we are feeling in control and benevolent at the time of the offer or good intention. But when the winds of life shift and the Lord allows the chaff of "waste materials" in our soul to be Tornadoed —bitterness and exclusive rights abound! Huffiness, abrupt harshness and passive aggression (which means getting even) will manifest and expose the soul's clinging nature, which does not want the hand of God striping away any safety veneer that we use to protect our approach to life.   A CHANGE IN THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE HAS OCCURRED! John 6:18 says, “A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.” Jesus allowed the wind to be a teaching point for his disciples. They had walked with Him, talked with Him and served alongside Him. But trusting Him when the Storms and Harsh winds blew revealed a weakness that we all must look at, and often. We trust the Lord when things are going our way, but when the Harshness of a storm blows us off the course that we set, many times we run to our own devices or “Plan B”.   SO MANY AT THIS TIME IN THIS DIFFICULT AGE ARE SCREAMING, “Lord! Don't you care about me? The winds are blowing, and I am fearful for my life! If you Love me, why are you allowing this horrid event to occur?” Even Peter in his zeal to get out of the boat and see if it was indeed Jesus calling to him to come, once he was out of the safety of his own control and the winds blew against him, he focused on the wind, and not upon Jesus, who was there the whole time. Peter cries out, "LORD I am perishing! SAVE ME!”   CONTROL IS A DEEP, DEEP NEED. Perhaps THE deepest need people have, is for control. When we feel out of control, we experience a powerful and uncomfortable tension between the need for control and the evidence of “inadequate control”. Without the Presence of God in our lives, we will attempt to control everything, every event, and every person around us in order to attain the sense of order and “identity power” that we crave.   DRAWING NEAR TO GOD It was James, the brother of Jesus, who wrote to the believers in Jerusalem, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double- minded people!" (James 4:8). If we draw near to God, he will respond and draw near to us. Drawing near to God is spending time with Him, worshiping Him, praying and talking to Him, inviting Him into every aspect of our lives. EVERY.  PART.  OF.  OUR.  LIFE.   BRING YOUR HEART UNDER HIS LORDSHIP James gives us the blueprint for drawing near or “right up close” to the Lord.  If you've committed sin, confess it, get rid of it. Next, ask the Lord to examine your heart, your motives, and the things that make you do what you do.   Bring your heart under His Lordship as well. May our actions be manifestations of a clean heart and conscience. Allow HIM to remove the Chaff, the wasted time controlling things, and TRUST Him to align your life. Notice that when he writes about this he says, "Purify your hearts, double-minded people."   WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY "DOUBLE-MINDED"? Well, a person who is double-minded is drawn in two completely different directions. And so he or she will get nowhere fast because loyalty is divided. They will vacillate between faith and unbelief. And, a double-minded person is unstable in all his/her ways and his/her spiritual walk is inconsistent because he/she tries to serve God and his/her own interests, and gamble their life against the Harsh Winds. We've all learned that this kind of living never works.   YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS. Friends again I say this under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the master that you serve whether it be hiding something that is a secret sin or offense to The Lord, or things that you are aware of that have dishonored others, they will be brought into the light one way or the other. If you think you can hide it, if you think you can gloss it over, God will eventually bring it into the light and have you exposed for deception. Or, you choose to get the help you need and you can humble yourself! Yes, there may be consequences you don't like, because of your actions and choices. But repentance and accountability will save your soul. It may not save your marriage, it may not save your ministry, and it may not save your job or your relationships. But it will save your soul, because humility enters, and God can re-create what has been destroyed and damaged.   GOD DOESN'T PLAY GAMES! No one is going to get very far with God by playing spiritual games. It will soon be discovered that the only people playing the game with you will be you, yourself, and again, YOU.  It's just like people thinking that they can "ride the fence" into the kingdom. There is no riding the fence; there is no lukewarm support group. You're either in or out. If we really want to know Him, we are going to have to get serious about our relationship with Him.   WE DON'T WANT DIFFICULT! I will tell you right now, that even as I write and speak these words, I can feel the resistance to pruning and more change in my gut!   Are you in a pruning, shocking, "getting trimmed back" difficult season right now? Most everyone is! Feeling like your wings have been clipped? Are you seeing a pattern of lethargy and a dullness of joy maybe in your daily life?  Don't waste those struggles friends! Know that God is very... VERY... intentional. And, He has a good plan for all of it.  Every challenge is an opportunity to practice walking one day at a time, with really clear thinking and gratitude, and He is right there, inside you, to help you.   LIKE I SAID BEFORE! WE DON'T WANT DIFFICULT!  But my oh my, I do want to be like Him! So I'm in surrender-mode now, friends. I'm saying, “Cut away, Lord. Go deep.”  WHY? Because I want ALL that He has for me.  I want the fruit. I want all that abundance, and I know it's waiting for me when this weird and awkward season changes.   THERE IS ANOTHER PHENOMENON I FIND THAT HAPPENS DURING THE PROCESS, WHEN THE HARSH WINDS OF LIFE ARE BEARING DOWN. And, one that I find that is unhealthy to ignore. The enemy of our soul is observing and is feverishly “taking notes” about this difficult process, and I believe he finds it quite enjoyable; he laughs and ridicules and flings missiles of insults that shout that, "only a loser needs this kind of difficult adjustment ”.  This of course, is a lie but, one which we can tend to believed on a bad day! Listening to the wrong voice can tempt us to believe the blowing away of chaff in our lives is punishment, and comes from God being mad at us.  It can cause us to pull back from deeper fellowship or social engagements (social distancing tools too, like Face Time, ZOOM, integral) these paralyze honesty, transparency and humility. It can lead to self-hatred, self-protection, denial about how we hurt others with half-truths, and so on!   I AM TRULY BECOMING MORE AWARE IN MY SPIRIT THAT GOD CAN ONLY USE ME—OR “BEST USE ME”, THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP OF HIS POWER AND MY WEAKNESS.    A wise and well-tested man by the name of Alan Hood must have had a few pruning clippers dig into his life at time or two and learned this lesson. He stated, “To Be Pruned Is To Lose The Resources, Whether Monies or Physical Strengths Upon Which Everyone Around You Measures You As Successful.” LET'S READ THAT AGAIN…      …S  L  O  W  L  Y !  “To Be Pruned Is To Lose The Resources, Whether Monies or Physical Strengths Upon Which Everyone Around You Measures You As Successful.”   TRYING TO USE OLD THINGS WHEN GOD IS TRYING TO GIVE US NEW THINGS IS REALLY SUCH FOOLISHNESS! Psalm 85 talks about Restoration, Re-tooling and Revival. Verse 8 says,  “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to his people, His saints —but let them not return to folly.”   I'M TRUSTING THE LORD'S GOOD AND GRACIOUS HAND IN THE PROCESS THAT THE WORLD IS EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW. I know God does not intend to leave even a healthy fruit-bearing branch how it is, but He is always after a more abundant harvest for His people. I don't get it, I don't like or want difficult! But I also don't want a puny little sick looking basket of bitter, green, unusable fruit out of life!  He will “give the increase” when I reach the end of this seeming devastation of stymied ideas and “put on hold” plans, and let me tell you something crazy, I feel it coming!  The increase! I'm learning to WALK in harmony, in tune with the truth that, “He is dwelling like healthy sap, in me, and will keep sin and despair from having dominion over my life”. (Romans 6:14) YOUR LIFE TOO!    A MOMENT IN HIS ANGER - A LIFETIME IN HIS FAVOR. God disciplines for a moment when He wishes to get our attention and our lives may indeed become painful for a period, but then comes His favor. God doesn't delight in either our depression or our damage. And, when He begins to deal with the chaff in our lives, it is for our advantage, that we may be conformed to His likeness and reflect His holiness. When we sense God's disapproval, when it appears He has withdrawn from us, it is only so that we see our utter need of Him.   WHEN LIFE SEEMS TO BE SO SOUR, WHEN EVERYTHING CRUMBLES, then we must remember what we “say we believe”, that God's favor is with us, because of Christ's worthiness given to us, because we are adopted and are His - which means, that His favor always wins out over His disapproval.   THIS PICTURE IS PAINTED WELL BY THE WORDS "WEEPING REMAINS FOR A NIGHT." Weeping and sorrow are pictured as a traveler who comes to stay for a night. The pain and sorrow we feel may seem as though it has moved in with us like an unwelcome guest, who decides to stay for a very long time.   REJOICING THOUGH, COMES IN THE MORNING. Your “mourning”, will dissipate in the morning”. Your winter, will melt into summer. God will replace your sighing, with singing. Grief, will give way to gladness. What was once bitter, will be made sweet. And, what was once a desolate wilderness, will be transformed into a paradise.   LIKE THE FIRST RAYS OF THE SUNRISE WHICH DISPEL THE HARSH WINDS AND GLOOM OF NIGHT, GOD GIVES US JOY WHEN THE DARKNESS OF OUR PROBLEMS SEEM AS THOUGH THEY'LL NEVER LEAVE.   YOUR CROSS IS HIS GLORY What is so crucial to understand is that as a Christian, your life will be filled with times of weakness and strength, with want and wealth, with disgrace and honor, with crosses and comforts, miseries and mercies, joys and sorrows, delight and mourning. As this cycle of separating “Chaff” from our lives reoccurs many times in our lives, and it moves us from the cross to glory. For your own health and so that you find all your satisfaction in Christ alone, God will send you times of great growth and other times of emptiness. When the harsh winds blow, know that God desires that you find your hope and comfort by His own fire. When the balmy breezes come, give Him praise and thanksgiving for the warmth He provides. Psalm 57:1 says, "Have mercy on me, O God, Have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” (PROPHETIC EXHORTATION AND WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE NOT INCLUDED IN WRITTEN MESSAGE CONTINUE IN THE AUDIO MESSAGE FORMAT BEGINING AT AUDIO PLAYER TIME MARKER 21:38) Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed 
provided that complete message, podcast link and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You!
 Copyright 2022 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com https://marylindow.podbean.com Your Gracious Support and Donations Are So Very Helpful And Assist Mary In Publishing Her Teaching Podcasts and Audio Messages. THANK YOU! Please go to PAYPAL to donate  or support this blog:  Donate to the tax-deductible ministry name of:  paypal.me/mlindow    (His Beloved Ministries Inc.)  Or  You Can Mail a Check or Cashiers Check to:  His Beloved Ministries INC  PO Box 1253  Eastlake CO 80614  United States