Podcasts about his grace

The title: "Friends in high places," has history with me, I used to sing that song as recorded by a singer: Larnelle Harris and in the song the writer talks about how he have an appointment with God on a daily basis, we all should be able to relate to that, our ourselves, we have an appointment with God whether we acknowledge it or not; he is faithful he remembers it, because of His loving kindness and tender mercies He comes every morning wakes us up get us on highway, with new Grace and new mercy, He waits for our prayers, our Thanksgiving, and even our hand to lead us through our day. God is going to bless you regardless you if acknowledge Him or not. That's that's His daily mission and His angels work on our behalf, its why we still have people on the face of this Earth is because His Mercy and His great love endures forever not because of what we did but what God does as we know His Grace is unmerited favor, so we cannot earn it. Regardless of what we do, that don't mean you listen to some off the wall message of you can do anything God will overlook it.I'm sure they meant well but don't be naive the same dreadful Almighty God who destroyed hundreds of thousands throughout the Bible History because of sin, He still the same God: He's "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) read it. He may have the title of Jesus Christ; but He's not going to tolerate our sinning over and over, perpetually; there comes a time of reckoning! Also, we who are posting and threatening people that if they don't do this/that, they're going to be curse, have bad luck, or they'll forfeit their blessing. Stop it, stop that today because you're using God to put fear in people for the sake of your online likes, ranking and points? That's not the way God operates and you know it, that is if you truly know God. And others who say, pray this prayer that's s not even biblical. Telling you of wealth even post money pictures, listen friends if you want to be blessed by God read His Word and obey, receive His blessing yourself, not because of some blogger or influencer who says this or that, giving you false hope.Contact: heavensprayerlink.com, we love to pray with you, God bless you.

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਫਿਰਤ ਫਿਰਤ ਭੇਟੇ ਜਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਪੂਰੈ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ॥ ਆਨ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਧਿ ਕਾਂਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਫਿਰਤ ਭੇਟੇ ਜਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਪੂਰੈ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ॥ ਆਨ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਧਿ ਕਾਂਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਮੋਹਿ ਧਾਰੀ ਓਟ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥ ਸਰਨਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਸਗਲ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸੁਰਗ ਮਿਰਤ ਪਇਆਲ ਭੂ ਮੰਡਲ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਆਪੇ ਮਾਇ ॥ ਜੀਅ ਉਧਾਰਨ ਸਭ ਕੁਲ ਤਾਰਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੨॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਗਾਈਐ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬਿਰਲੇ ਕਾਹੂ ਜਾਨਾ ॥੩॥੩॥੨੧॥ DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL:Wandering and roaming around, I met the Holy Perfect Guru, who has taught me. All other devices did not work, so I meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 1 || For this reason, I sought the Protection and Support of my Lord, the Cherisher of the Universe. I sought the Sanctuary of the Perfect Transcendent Lord, and all my entanglements were dissolved. || Pause || Paradise, the earth, the nether regions of the underworld, and the globe of the world ó all are engrossed in Maya. To save your soul, and liberate all your ancestors, meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 2 || O Nanak, singing the Naam, the Name of the Immaculate Lord, all treasures are obtained. Only that rare person, whom the Lord and Master blesses with His Grace, comes to know this. || 3 || 3 || 21 ||ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ (ਮੈਨੂੰ) ਇਹ ਸਮਝ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀ ਕਿ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਣ ਲਈ) ਹੋਰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਜੁਗਤੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੋਈ ਇੱਕ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਭੀ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦੀ। ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੀ ਕੰਮ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੧।ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ, ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਲਿਆ। (ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ) ਸਰਬ-ਵਿਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਪਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ) ਜੰਜਾਲ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਗਏ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਦੇਵ ਲੋਕ, ਮਾਤ-ਲੋਕ, ਪਾਤਾਲ-ਸਾਰੀ ਹੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਮਾਇਆ (ਦੇ ਮੋਹ) ਵਿਚ ਫਸੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਦਾ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਕਰ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਵਿਚੋਂ) ਬਚਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੁਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਾਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ।੨।ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਮਾਇਆ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਰਲੇਪ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਗਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਸਾਰੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਪਰ (ਇਹ ਭੇਤ) ਕਿਸੇ (ਉਸ) ਵਿਰਲੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੇ ਸਮਝਿਆ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਦਾਤਿ) ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।੩।੨੧।

Session 4 of Shasta, Pastor Jason explains the good news of The Gospel, and how it can change your life. The gospel is the power of Lord unto salvation made possible by His Grace. Thanks for tuning in!

What Books are Healthiest for Your Tween or Teen an Interview with Betsy Farquhar and Hayley Morell (Episode 293)   *Disclaimer: Some of this content is not intended for young audiences. Please use discretion.   Proverbs 4:7 NIV “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”   *Transcription Below*   Betsy Farquhar holds Masters degrees in Children's Literature and Information and Library Science. She taught middle and high school English, homeschooled her three children, and has served on many book award committees.   Hayley Morell loves reading, writing, trying new recipes, knitting, or chatting with her parrot. Hayley loves traveling and lived abroad in Europe and Asia. She and her husband and infant live in Wisconsin in an old house overflowing with books and are active in their local community.   Their Website, Book, and Social Media Handles: Instagram @redeemed_reader and Facebook: @redeemedreader   Thank you to our sponsor: Sam Leman Eureka   Questions and Topics We Cover: What are some benefits of reading and why is it worthwhile to devote our time to curating a healthy diet of books? Can you elaborate on why the Young Adult or YA category is the most controversial? What is on your radar for genres or books that will require even more discernment in the future?   Other Savvy Sauce Episode Mentioned: 21. Promoting a Family Culture of Reading with Megan Kaeb 22. Inspiring Your Children to Become Readers, Part Two with Megan Kaeb 253. Low Tech Parenting with Erin Loechner 273. Wise Living: Why to Get Outside, and Travel, and Read Aloud with Amber O'Neal Johnston   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*‍   Music: (0:00 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:46) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today over 55 years later at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka.   Owned and operated by the Bertschi family, Sam Leman and Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over Central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at lemangm.com.   My guests for today are Betsy Farquhar and Haley Morrill, two of the four authors of this book, The Redeemed Reader, which is also the name of the website that they run together where they have thousands of book reviews for children and tweens and teens.   We all know that books are so powerful, so it's vitally important that we're discerning both for what we're intaking and the filters that we use to allow our children to engage with books in our home. We're going to sprinkle book recommendations throughout this episode, and you're also going to learn some surprising things, such as more details about the YA or young adult category. Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Betsy and Haley.   Betsy Farquhar: (1:48 - 1:49) Thanks. It's good to be here.   Laura Dugger: (1:50 - 1:57) I would love to just start out hearing the way that the two of you found your way into the work that you get to do today.   Betsy Farquhar: (1:58 - 2:42) Mine started way back in the 1900s when I was in college. I did my senior thesis on children's literature, George MacDonald, and that led to a children's literature class my last semester, which led me to grad school with one of my now co-workers, but at the time fellow students and friends, and we got our master's in children's literature. And then rabbit trail, lots of detours, children, marriage. She and I started a blog back when those were cool and hip, and it was reviewing children's books and that was just for fun. And then we connected with Janie and Emily from Redeemed Reader. Through that blog venue, we were commenting on each other's blogs, and they brought us on board. And so here we are 15 years later.   Hayley Morell: (2:43 - 3:38) And for me, I was a high schooler. I was homeschooled. I loved reading.   So, I started my own blog back in the teenage years and I was always looking for book recommendations and came upon Redeemed Reader in the early days. I turned out they were looking for an intern. I started interning and at the end of my internship, Emily Witten, who was our founder, asked if I'd like to stay on.   And that was 14 or 15 years ago now. So, I was younger. And so, I had a period at college.   I studied at Boyce College. I worked in children's ministry and worked as a private tutor. So, a lot of interactions with children.   I was known as the babysitter with the book bag for a number of years. And now I've got my own little, and so I'm in the land of board books and happily working at Redeemed Reader.   Laura Dugger: (3:39 - 3:49) I love hearing that. And if people are watching this through video, can you both just say your name, so we know who's Betsy and who's Haley? I'm Haley.   Betsy Farquhar: (3:50 - 3:51) I'm Betsy.   Laura Dugger: (3:52 - 4:07) Okay, wonderful. Thank you for that. And at Redeemed Reader, I'm assuming you have so many book recommendations to try and read and review.   So, how do you even determine which books you are going to review?   Hayley Morell: (4:08 - 7:49) So, right now we are wrapping up one of the things we love doing, which is providing award coverage. In January is when the American Library Association announces their awards, and they like to recognize the best middle grade with the Newberry, the best picture books with the Caldecott, and then a number of other awards. We know that those books are going to be going into lots of libraries and schools.   And so, we like to provide coverage of that and review those books that we know parents are going to be seeing on shelves and wondering, is this a good book? Should we be reading this? What do we want to check out?   We also like to watch what is popular. What is causing discussion? So, several years ago, that was The Hunger Games.   And there was a lot of questions about dystopia. Should we be reading this? Is this helpful?   Do I want my teen reading The Hunger Games? More recently, some popular middle grade series like Keeper of the Lost Cities have had a lot of parents asking, what is this series? Is there anything I should know about?   And so, we try to have a balanced review. We review books that you're going to find at the library. We also like to review books that maybe you wouldn't know about.   So, a smaller Christian imprint, for example, we like to review that type of book to encourage readers to read widely, to read Christian authors, to read secular authors. We like books. And so, we each bring our own specialty to the team and experience.   Janie, who's our senior editor, is a children's author. She loves history. And so, as the community relations manager, I tend to handle review requests.   So, when somebody asks us, can you review this book? It's popular. Or I'm an author.   I wrote a book. Can you review it? I'll look at the book.   I'll look at how hard is it to get? We do try to review books that are easy to find, that you might find in your local library. But then I'll look at our team.   So, for Janie, if it is going to be a nonfiction history, let's say for a 10 to 12-year-old, I know that's going to be up her alley. Meanwhile, Betsy loves poetry. She loves nature, nonfiction.   Betsy is a very, I'd say you're one of our Renaissance people. And so, I know Betsy is going to be inclined towards maybe a novel and verse. And she also likes dealing with high school books.   You've got that teacher education background, where if it is an epic poem, Betsy is going to be our reviewer. Megan is our amazing picture book author. She's super creative, loves picture books.   Megan is who I turn to when I find a picture book. Meanwhile, I used to handle as I was the team member of the team and then turned into my 20s. So, I gravitated toward YA, and I still love a good YA fantasy.   But I am now in board book land and picture books. So, I have been expanding my reach. I do serve on our middle grade fiction, so I can help out with middle grades.   But each of us will flex in, flex out. Megan has a large family of boys. And so, if it's a boy book, she is a great person.   We love to send those to her to see if her boys like them. And that's, I could keep going because we love books, but that's a big snapshot.   Laura Dugger: (7:50 - 8:09) That's so helpful because you cover such a wide variety of books throughout your team. And as curators of book reviews, what questions are you most commonly receiving, both from young people and maybe their parents as well?   Hayley Morell: (8:12 - 9:22) I think we often get questions like, is this book clean? Is this book safe? And we like to kind of change that question.   And we like to say, why is the content in this book? Because that can be different, you know, depending on something that is in a picture book, which wouldn't be appropriate for an age, could be very appropriate for a YA book and a great discussion starter. So, it definitely depends on the content and what audience and what age of the audience we're dealing with.   So, we try to, as people ask us, well, is this safe or is this clean? Should I read this? We want to build discernment and encourage parents to interact, parents and educators to interact with our reviews.   And they know their reader. They know how their reader is going to receive a book. And what questions might come up.   And so, we like to help interact with that conversation. And then there's another kind of question we often get, which I'm going to let Betsy answer.   Betsy Farquhar: (9:23 - 10:10) The other question is, my kid likes blank kind of book or is blank kind of reader. What do I get for him or her? And so that, of course, can vary widely.   But people love to know what book is right for my family or my classroom or my child. And so, we try to write our reviews with that question in mind, not to make a blanket statement, you should all read this book, or nobody should read this book, but to give parents and educators enough information to make that decision for themselves. And then we started doing these reels on Instagram, where we're pretending we're answering a customer service phone call with questions we've been asked, right?   My son only likes video games, or my daughter doesn't want fantasy, but she reads these kinds of books. And so, we try to help people think that through.   Laura Dugger: (10:10 - 10:14) So, that's really how we continue.   Hayley Morell: (10:15 - 11:09) Sorry. And one more question that we often get because we are book reviewers is, will you review my book? And so, at that point, we do have a process.   We encourage people to submit a request. And it could be maybe a book they're curious about and would just like a review from us, or they're an author or a publisher. And so, in that case, we direct them to our review submission form.   And like I said before, we are definitely looking for books that are easy to find. That will encourage us to review a book, because while we love books that are like smaller imprints, et cetera, and we do try to provide coverage for that, we also are aware that a lot of our audience only has their library or their school library. And so, we are trying to do books that are easy to find and accessible for our readers.   Laura Dugger: (11:10 - 11:40) Okay, that's really helpful to hear what people are writing in and asking you about. And so, hearing the sweet spot from each team member, and then Betsy, how you mentioned people love to know what's right for my family. So, no, this won't fit every situation. But can you give examples of maybe books that the four of you find yourselves recommending quite a bit because they are ones that fit a wide range of people?   Betsy Farquhar: (11:41 - 13:39) Of course, we put a ton of recommendations in our book that came out in the fall. And those are sort of our most common recommendations. We have a place on our website called Starred Reviews.   And those are the best of the best in our mind of their genre. So, if you're looking for graphic novels, and you see a star on a graphic novel, it's because we think this is an amazing graphic novel. So, that's just a helpful framework, because of course, people are all over the map, right?   We're in the midst of whittling down our Book of the Year for this year. And we also have our Reader's Choice Book of the Year. And those books are ones we tend to recommend all the time.   So, I'm going to give you just some samples of what are on our Reader's Choice list, because that is a public list. And I can't reveal the 2025 releases we're considering for the other one. But for our Book of the Year for the Reader's Choice this year, we have The Found Boys by S. D. Smith.   We've got, I've got them all right here, Olivetti by Allie Millington. There's The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel and the Watership Down: The Graphic Novel that are both really fun. People have really enjoyed them.   We've got the first book in The Dream Keeper Saga by Kathryn L. Butler. That's a Christian fantasy series. We've got Enemies in the Orchard, which is the novel in verse about World War II.   One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome, which is another novel in verse about some Black pioneers going west on a wagon train. And that might be, oh, The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo. Kate DiCamillo is a super prolific author, and we do recommend her books often.   Her book, Ferris, was our Book of the Year last year. So, there's just a quick sampling of some middle grades' books. And middle grades, for people who don't know, that's the broad fourth through eighth grade age range.   You think of like ages 8 to 12. And they tend to be the broadest in audience. You can usually read those aloud to a younger audience, or even teenagers might find them enjoyable.   So, that's a good start.   Hayley Morell: (13:40 - 14:29) I do think one of the beauties of our team is that we've worked together for a long time. And we trust our team. And so, I will happily recommend a book that I haven't seen, but I know Betsy loved and reviewed.   And it's so fun reading the same books. So, like right now, since we're on award committees, we are seeing a lot of the same books and getting to talk about them. But I think it's one of our strengths that we each bring something to the table.   And I would say if someone really likes history, I'm going to look at what Janie has loved recently, because I know she is looking for those good new history books. And its so fun recommending books and getting to play to our strengths.   Laura Dugger: (14:31 - 16:16) And that comes out in book recommendations. When you're passionate about what you're reading, it's naturally contagious, I think. And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka has been owned and operated by the Bertschi family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago.   If you visit their dealership today, though, you'll find that not everything has changed. They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle.   This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible. They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different.   I've known Sam and Stephen and their wives my entire life, and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today. Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you, and they appreciate your business.   Learn more at their website, LemanEureka.com or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Eureka. You can also call them on 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.   I'm curious, over the years, what character qualities have you noticed in people who are now adults, but they originally fell in love with reading in childhood?   Betsy Farquhar: (16:17 - 17:39) So, that's a pretty broad question. I would think, I'm just going to paint this with broad strokes. People who read typically are people who think, and especially in a day and age where we're bombarded with screens and soundbites all the time, if somebody can actually read an analog book from start to finish, then typically they're going to be able to think about ideas in a different way than people who are just existing on soundbites.   So, the ability to think is pretty critical. There's been a lot of studies that show that people who read also have better empathy. It's just a way we can sort of step into somebody else's shoes, especially if we're reading a story about somebody who perhaps lived in a different time period, or they're from a different ethnic background, or even if there's just a different socioeconomic level, it helps us understand the people on the other side a little bit better.   So, that kind of, this twin characteristics of empathy and thoughtfulness, I think are pretty common. We all go through seasons where we don't read as much, whether we're stressed or perhaps, my kids are in college and they were avid readers in high school, and they're not doing a lot of reading for fun right now, but they know how to read and they enjoy it. So, they'll probably come back to that in the future.   So, I think that's a helpful thing to remember, just because your eight-year-old loves reading, when he or she is 18, they may not be reading as much, and that's okay. They'll probably come back to it.   Hayley Morell: (17:40 - 17:53) And I've definitely seen that with younger siblings too, burning out and then all of a sudden back, asking for book recommendations. And it's fun to know that reading habits stick around.   Laura Dugger: (17:55 - 18:38) That's well said. And yet, even if they lie dormant for a while, they may be reawakened in adulthood. But I think I find it's less common for someone to fall in love with reading for their first time as an adult.   So, I think it's very beneficial as parents to cultivate or instill this love of reading in our children. And you two are the experts. So, I'd love to hear your take on this.   What are some of the benefits of reading? And why is it worthwhile to devote our time to curating a healthy diet of books, both for ourselves, but especially for our children?   Hayley Morell: (18:39 - 20:06) Betsy, I think you might've said this once, but I think it came up as we were talking about writing our book. As I have a small child who's just starting to notice pages and we're reading board books and he's trying to reach for it. I remember someone once said that reading to a very young child, they're not registering the story yet.   They might be registering the pictures. But the time that we're taking reading, when I read to him or when my husband gets home from work and they read one board book together, he's not really looking at the book as much as he's looking at our face and hearing our voice. And books are becoming something that we do together and that we do as a family.   And it's a way that we're building relationships. And I think that's a great encouragement to me to keep reading. And I have nieces and nephews who loved books.   And then that's something that we enjoy the story together and we'll laugh over silly stories and we'll read. But I think that it's something that as we want to like curate our collections but also think about how are we encouraging children to love reading. It's if they see us reading too and see us enjoying books and still picking up a book ourselves.   I'm not sure, Betsy, if you have anything that you would add to that.   Betsy Farquhar: (20:07 - 20:41) Well, I just think the better we read anything, the better equipped we are to read the story in the Bible because God revealed himself to us in a written book. And so, we're sort of flexing those muscles when we read. And the more we can engage with what we read, even if it's a picture book with a five-year-old, we're beginning that practice of developing discernment.   And that's part of discipling our children. So, I do think it's all part of the same picture. It's not going to look the same for every family but just working on developing those muscles of discernment and reading intelligently, that's going to go a long way.   Laura Dugger: (20:43 - 22:07) I love how you bring in the Bible that is so important. And I found myself even just this week at bedtime praying over our daughters that they would have a love for the written word because that is what God has gifted to us. And I love how the word became flesh and dwelt among us, but he is the original storyteller and has instilled that in each of us.   And I think just a very practical way at any age to help our children cultivate this love is by reading aloud. And we recently were on a family vacation and had a rental vehicle and we had a long drive-in front of us and listened to the radio for a while. But we also like this tradition of reading one book aloud on a vacation.   So, we remember our time in Florida from one year was a place to hang the moon and it was a different book this year, but I get car sick while we're driving. So, I couldn't read it aloud. So, our oldest daughter read it aloud for all of us.   And I realized how much attention and focus is required and imagination to paint these pictures of the characters in your mind. And I just thought, wow, there's so much learning that's going on even as the one listening to the book, not reading the actual words.   Betsy Farquhar: (22:09 - 22:15) And a place to hang the moon was our reader's choice favorite last year. So, lots of our readers have read that one.   Laura Dugger: (22:16 - 22:36) It's such a good one. And as wonderful as books are, they're also powerful and influential. So, as you've reiterated, discernment is required.   And I'd love for you to elaborate on why the young adult, or the YA category can be the most controversial.   Hayley Morell: (22:38 - 25:12) Young adult protagonists are often upper teenage years. And so, we like to say, as we mentioned in our book, no topic is out of bounds. And this means that there can be a lot going on and a lot of messiness.   We like to use that word as we're talking about that. And sometimes the messiness can be thought provoking. Sometimes it can be provocative.   And we have noticed often YA deals with questions of identity. Who am I? How do I relate to the world?   And that can look like lots of different things. It can include sexual identity, which can lead to a lot of conversations. But something that we like to lean into as we look at the YA genre is that in a world where everything is constantly shifting, as you have a teen and they're encountering conversations at school, conversations with peers, or using social media, having an ever-changing feed that I can look at my Instagram feed and it's going to look nothing like a teenager's Instagram feed.   Even if you're looking at the same account, the way that reels are coming, they're getting bombarded with messages. The messiest of books is static. And you both can look at that and read the cover, read what's going on, and talk about it.   And you both have the same place to have a conversation. And so, we like to lean into that when we're looking at YA books and realize they are powerful, but they're powerful conversation starters. And books like, Betsy recently read a book, and it's called Bright Red Fruit.   And it's a cautionary tale about a teenage girl who has a relationship with an older man that's predator. And he is taking advantage, trying to separate her that is an excellent conversation starter. It's not an easy book to read.   You're reading it, getting worried for this girl, but it's a great way to say, let's read this book and let's talk about what a healthy relationship looks like, because this is not healthy. So, we love YA books that can provoke conversations. And sometimes it might be you both looking at a book and going, you know, this doesn't seem helpful.   We don't need to finish this book. It's okay to stop reading a book and return it to the library.   Laura Dugger: (25:12 - 26:11) I completely agree. And even with that YA section, one of our daughters was just saying, when I go through that section of the library, it seems like every single book is about death. And it did provoke a good conversation from that.   But I think it was Sarah McKenzie who was the first person that I heard explain the difference between a middle grade novel or YA because from my understanding, middle grade isn't just for those grades. You even said younger ages can enjoy that and older. I have friends that only read middle grade novel now as adults.   So, it's not just your reading level, but YA has different rules on it where I think you said anything goes, any topic is allowed. So, it doesn't mean that YA is necessarily what you have to graduate to once you enter high school. Is that right?   Hayley Morell: (26:11 - 27:06) But yes, it's typically and the funny thing that you kind of leaned into it, some middle grade books definitely deal with coming of age or might even have a teenage protagonist, but it's written in a way that a 12 year old could read it and enjoy it. When you get into like the higher YA, it is more like young adults, people starting their own lives, having adventures, leaving home, going on quests. And like you said, bringing in some heavier topics.   Now we have seen since like in the last five years, a lot of books dealing with death and grieving that are hitting that middle grade genre too, which can be helpful. But at the same time, if you're just reading sad books, you might want to change your diet and find a fun, happy book too.   Laura Dugger: (27:07 - 27:31) Again, in a conversation like this, it has to be more general of a recommendation, but there's such a difference, I'm sure in YA for your 13-year-old versus your 18-year-old. So, for someone who does want to dip their toe into some YA books, do you have anyones that you find yourselves recommending again for that age group?   Betsy Farquhar: (27:32 - 28:42) I'll jump in here. We've got a couple of book lists on our site that are, have actual number ages attached to them. Thirteen books for 13-year-old boys is a great one for that younger teen audience.   But those tend to be, they're grappling with some coming-of-age issues, but they tend to be more adventure based in a sense and more fun. I think of the Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan. There's a little bit of language.   There's a little bit of romance, but it's very teen, young teen friendly. And its actually kind of a good picture of men being heroes and women are heroes in very, like the men are men, they're very masculine. And the women, even if they're part of the army, so to speak, they're still doing it in a feminine way.   So, it's just kind of a nice sort of entry into some of those conversations. But then if you fast forward, by the time teens are in their upper teens, they should be able to read adult books too. And so, you might find yourself reading something like Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, which is very much written for an adult market, but very accessible to teens if they're willing to grapple with some of those ideas.   But that book's going to be a lot heavier than a book for a 13-year-old.   Laura Dugger: (28:44 - 29:05) That's helpful just to have examples. And I think it's also helpful to put this into context by reflecting back through time. So, just in America, what have you learned about the trends and the changes in libraries, specifically over the past 75 years?   Betsy Farquhar: (29:06 - 31:30) So, I have a library degree too, so I love talking about libraries. In library science, we have a rule, it's called Ranganathan's Law, and it simply says every book is reader, which means that for every book out there, there's a reader out there. And libraries take that very seriously.   No book is off the table for a public library. We had an entire class on serving our community. So, the goal behind a public library has always been to serve the community in which it's placed.   Now that's changed a lot as our society has changed a lot. So, before World War II, most libraries were funded very locally, local taxes, they may have even been subscription-based, but after we have all these army vets coming back after World War II, they're going back to school later. We have this explosion of information access for people who can't get it.   So, the Library Services Act was the first one. We've had lots of iterations since then. Now it includes technology.   It started with giving federal dollars to rural libraries, and it's continued even to big cities now, but the focus is still on services for people who can't access them as easily. So, free Wi-Fi was a really big one before Wi-Fi was as broad spread. There are services for the blind and for other communities that might not be able to read as easily.   So, it's still sort of an information hub, but I think that makes us uncomfortable sometimes as Christians because our society has changed so much that we go into a library now and we're like, I would never read this book to my kid. Well, but your neighbor might, and the public library is not the parent of your child. The public library is serving the whole community.   So, go ahead and request them to stock some Christian books. A lot of them will buy the Christian books that you request because they want to serve you. You're part of their community.   So, I think we just have to remember that their goal is broader. My goal as a parent is far more niche than my public librarian's goal to serve her community. She's not my enemy.   Even if she's picking things for story time that I would never read to my children, it doesn't mean I have to ignore the library. I can love that those are image bearers. I can respectfully bring up my concerns, and I can suggest books and I can build a relationship with this fellow image bearer in my community.   It can be a great mission field. So, yes, libraries are continually evolving. That's why they now offer you can even check out sports equipment.   They're still trying to provide information and resources for the community.   Hayley Morell: (31:32 - 32:01) I just recommended or requested two books that were Christian picture books that aren't in our system. And one of our librarians helped me fill out the form explaining why I wanted them. And I just got a notification yesterday. Both are on hold for me and have been added to our library. So, it's exciting. If you don't ask, you don't know if you're going to get it. I honestly was surprised. I was like, oh, they actually got the books I wanted.   Laura Dugger: (32:02 - 32:56) It is so exciting when they do that. I love our local library, and the staff is just wonderful to work with. So, that's great encouragement for us to get to know them by name and have a relationship with them.   And just to zero in on that one piece after World War II, I think that's tied to what so many people call is it the golden age of children's literature where some people will say we only read books before a certain year, like mid-1900s. But I love that you guys review even modern books because it's not that it was all better back then. But I do think there's a piece of truth in it that libraries had to be so discerning back then with less funding.   And so maybe they had the best of the best available and then funds came in and we can have a wider range.   Betsy Farquhar: (32:56 - 33:40) There's so many factors here historically because we could really nerd out, but I won't. But what's also being reflected is simply printmaking technology because the ability to print paperbacks, paperbacks as like a thing weren't a thing until the 20th century. So, books were incredibly expensive.   You've got all those factors playing in too. So, not only are they getting different funding, but there is an explosion in printmaking technology that allows publishers to produce inexpensive books. And that allows families and libraries to buy more books.   It's not dissimilar to the way we have digital media now that's got its own sort of technology behind the distribution of the digital books. So, there's a lot of factors involved in that.   Laura Dugger: (33:41 - 34:03) That is fascinating. I'm glad you brought that up. And like I said, so helpful to look back.   But now if we're also looking forward, I'd really appreciate your perspective on where we're headed. So, what's on your radar for genres or books that may require even more discernment in the future?   Hayley Morell: (34:04 - 37:18) So, right now, romanticy is having a moment and that's a genre that is getting a lot of attention. There's a lot of marketing using that language. And I think it's really helpful to realize this is a marketing term.   So, Fourth Wing became very popular. That is a book that is for adults. It has a lot of explicit sex.   But it used the term romanticy and it sold very well. And so suddenly all books that are fantasy and have some romance are being called romanticy. And that could mean a lot of different things.   So, what we're seeing is this term that if it's used in the YA genre, we don't know what it means going into a book. It might mean a lot of focus on romance and some unhelpful sex. It also could mean a really fun fantasy that happens to have a romantic angle.   So, I recently gave a starred review to A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim. That's a Chinese fairy tale, beauty and the beast type story. And it is excellent.   One of the marketing terms that used was romanticy. And it just is a wonderful fantasy story that has this thread of romance perfectly appropriate for teen readers. But that is a term that we're currently aware of.   And this is a genre that we want to notice and take with a grain of salt. It's kind of a contrast on the other side. It's differentiating between romanticy has romance and then there's cozy fantasy, which is more cottage core, comfortable feeling.   It also could have sex. So, there's, as we run into this fantasy genre, there's a lot of things going on, but it's definitely having a moment. And it's just nice to know what's going on and what cozy fantasy is going to be focused on character development, like very like a shopkeeper who inherits a cottage with a garden and grows mushrooms.   That's cozy fantasy. Romanticy is a chosen one motif who's at some dramatic school. Dark academia is also having a moment where it's a lot of angst, a lot of little bit of horror.   And some of it can be done really well because it's popular. There's a lot of it out there. And so, some discernment is required as you're figuring out, is this a book for adults or is this a book for teens?   I think I would be cautious with books that are being marketed for adults as romanticy because you could run into some things that are meant for an adult audience and might not be helpful for that teenage reader of yours.   Betsy Farquhar: (37:18 - 38:06) The only other thing I'll add, and this is sort of a different approach, but we're seeing a lot of genre blending. It's getting harder to say this is a mystery or this is a fantasy, even this is a historical fiction story. So, I think genre fiction in general is kind of having a moment.   And when we say genre fiction, we really mean things like mystery, science fiction, romanticy, these sort of sub genres that are underneath the broader terms of realistic fiction or speculative fiction is an umbrella term that includes fantasy, dystopia, science fiction, magical realism, all the little niche downstream sort of sub genres. But we're seeing some really interesting things. It's going to be harder to automatically decide I like that genre, or I don't because they're just mixing and matching elements from all over the place.   Laura Dugger: (38:08 - 39:15) Mm-hmm. That is helpful. I had never heard of some of those things that you just mentioned, but also I'd love for you to respond after I shared this story.   I had a previous guest, Megan Cabe, who used to run a blog. It was called Young Book Love and she would review, I think, middle grade novels, maybe a little bit of YA, but she would say most topics are beneficial to read, even if they're difficult, what you all refer to as messy books. But she did provide extra caution and just said she strongly advised against explicit sexual content because those mental images have a way of sticking with us.   And I agree with her. I would also add sometimes what's not appropriate for our children is not appropriate for us either. And just a funny way to remember this, I had a loved one recently who just said, “You can't sugarcoat a turd. I'd love your take on all of that.”   Hayley Morell: (39:17 - 41:54) So, we like to use the term beyond ever after when we're dealing with this idea of what romance is helpful, what is not helpful. And like you said, the age of the reader comes into play because something that might be a good conversation point with your teen, let's say dealing with a first kiss, that is something that is good to be thinking about and be talking about having healthy conversations about what is God's design for sexuality. And as you are starting to notice the opposite sex and have feelings, what do we do with those?   And again and again, it's been shown that it is helpful to have these conversations because if we're not having a conversation about what is God's view and what does God want us to do with this, our young people are going to turn to the world, which is very happy to give them a lot of talk about sexuality, but some very different perspectives and answers that are focused on yourself, let's you do you versus no, what has God given us and how are we going to steward this?   So, one of the things that I like to, that we like to be aware of as we're reviewing at Redeemed Reader is, is this a 12-year-old reading this book? And if a 12-year-old is reading a book and in the book, a 12-year-old is having a crush and it's kissing, we don't want our 12-year-olds kissing. That's not that helpful yet.   I mean, that's, that's quite young and yes, in some cultures you might, but not yet. However, if this is a book about an 18-year-old on a high school trip, like Becky Dean has some really fun YA romances that are appropriate for teens, then dealing with what is it like dating? What is it like dealing with these emotions and chemistry that can be really well done for an 18-year-old?   But like you said, we want to be aware of our imaginations. We want to be aware of what we're able to handle. And for someone, maybe reading those romances is fun and helpful.   For another, it might be unhelpful. And I think that comes down to as a reader growing discernment and knowing what you are able to read that will still be edifying.   Betsy Farquhar: (41:56 - 42:55) I'm going to piggyback a little bit. I, I agree that there, we look to scripture for what the standards are, and the Bible is not describing sexual activity in sordid detail. So, it's probably a good idea for us not to be wallowing in the same sorts of things.   And I think the same thing is true for language. In fact, it's easier to ignore profanity in a book you're reading versus listening to it. I mean, if we immerse ourselves in audio books that have, that are littered with profanity, it's going to stick in our head differently than if we're just reading it on the page.   And I think sexual activity; there are some similar dynamics at play. Obviously, a visual scene is going to be probably stick with us even more than a written scene. But either way, you know, that's part of discernment is what is my imagination doing with this?   And the overall picture of my reading diet. Is this all I'm reading? Is this what my thoughts are going towards?   Are they pointing me back to Christ? Are they promoting some helpful conversation? Or is it just sort of my guilty pleasure? Well, that should be maybe a sign.   Laura Dugger: (43:21 - 43:45) Some love stories are described as squeaky clean. But when it comes to the world of Christian romance, what are some helpful questions that we can be asking our tween or teen? And what are some healthy considerations for filtering books that we're going to allow to be consumed in our home?   Hayley Morell: (43:47 - 47:15) So, it's interesting. I think each genre of romance can have its own pitfalls. And I know I really appreciate the authors who are writing clean, squeaky-clean stories.   And as I've read them and consumed them, one of the things I've noticed is that it is clean. There's no question of something being clean. But at the same time, if the only thing we're reading, going back to having a balanced book diet, is a squeaky-clean story, I don't think that's helpful because it doesn't show an accurate view of the world.   And we want to be preparing our tweens and teens for a world where, yes, there is a happily ever after. Yes, we have the fairy tale wedding, or we have an imagination that is sparked by boy meets girl. But then what happens next?   And we live in a fallen world. And so, we have to work on relationships. We have to work on communicating.   And sometimes squeaky clean can lean so far into being safe that it doesn't actually show what it is like to have a relationship with the opposite sex. I think of one story I read and it's very superficial, playful. Snarky is often something I've noticed in the squeaky clean because we don't, we have to have some form of banter.   And so, it's perpetual sarcasm and no physical touch. But then suddenly our protagonists marry and now they're still being snarky and not touching. And as an adult, I look at that and go, that is not an accurate portrayal of what it looks like to have a romance and to have marriage.   And so, we love to ask, what are the relationships like in this book? And if that's in a middle grade novel, one of the things we love seeing is are they showing a healthy family? Are they showing parents that like being together?   Because that's at a middle grade level is you're sparking that imagination. What is our protagonist seeing as the adults around them are having relationships? Do the adults like to be together?   I just was reading a really sweet, Betsy, I think you read it. But Will's Race for Home is a story about this boy and westward expansion. And so, it's when the Oklahoma, Oklahoma land rush opens up.   And there's the sweetest time where he talks about how he knows his father loves his mother because his father will look at his mother and she will blush. And it's the sweetest age-appropriate picture of what romance looks like when you're a 12-year-old looking at your parents. And I think that type of thing can be a really healthy way of having these conversations versus having a diet that is just squeaky clean and yet might actually be showing an inaccurate portrayal of what it's like to have relationships in a fallen world.   Laura Dugger: (47:16 - 47:30) Well, let's get specific on another type of book as well. How do you advise parents to think critically on what age is appropriate to consume what you mentioned earlier, the Hunger Games or a book like that?   Betsy Farquhar: (47:31 - 49:44) Ooh, pick me. I love these kind of books. I'll read anything.   And I tend to get tasked with books that are difficult sometimes. Although many of us on our team read them and we do talk about these behind the scenes. So, when you're thinking about the age your child is and when they're ready for any book, but especially a popular one, I think part of that is our job as parents is always to be watching our children, to be students of our children.   How are they consuming media in general? What kind of video games? What kind of movies?   Are they on social media? What is their media diet like? And how are they handling that?   And if they're showing discernment in general, and they're kind of grappling with issues and ideas, then they're going to be ready for a book like the Hunger Games sooner than a child who's just blindly taking it all in. There's no magic age where you say, ooh, you're 12, you can read the Hunger Games. A lot depends on what that child's already displayed.   And I think dystopia are the books where there's some apocalyptic future and there's usually an autocratic governor or government system or it's futuresque. But they're really great books about bringing up big questions about how society works and the nature of authority and even the nature of anarchy. And they're just such great discussion starters.   But if your child isn't able to have those kinds of conversations yet, they're going to miss the forest for the trees and it's going to be all shock value. But I'm going to add a big caveat. If it's really popular and you think your child is maybe ready, maybe not quite, I would probably go ahead and read it with him or her if all of the peers are reading it.   Because I would rather my child have that conversation with me than with their friend. Or at least have it with me first before they read it with their friends. Even if we skip parts, maybe it's a book that you feel like we can't read chapter 12 for whatever reason.   Be honest with your child and say, you know what? This book has a scene I'm really uncomfortable with. Maybe give a brief summary.   We're going to keep going. But engage with your children over what is popular. I think that is the number one takeaway because they're going to find answers somewhere.   We want it to be from us.   Laura Dugger: (49:46 - 50:52) That is good. And that's why I appreciate the redeemed reader because you're putting in all this work for us because we can't pre-read everything. But when we're faced with a situation like that, it is helpful that we can choose to read some with them.   And another angle, I just love a few of your quotes in the book. First, on page 76, you write, If Genesis were made into a true-to-the-book movie, the Redeemed Reader team would not allow our children to watch it. We might abstain as well.   And then you go on for page 111 and you say, the best tool we can give our growing readers is God's word. The more they know and understand the Bible, the better equipped they will be to think discerningly, to recognize error, and to know how the Bible handles the same issues. So, will you just elaborate on this wisdom and advise us on how and why to encourage our children to read the Bible, even though it is messy?   Betsy Farquhar: (50:53 - 52:58) Well, it is a messy book, but thankfully, it's not only a messy book. I mean, if it were a movie, we have nudity very quickly. Then we have rebellion against God, and then we have murder.   And before you know it, six chapters in, the world is so bad that God is sending a flood to destroy it. So, it must have been really bad. But the Bible isn't giving us all those details.   And I think that is a big piece of the picture when it comes to discernment in literature. The Bible is not shy about telling us that people sinned. I mean, our heroes, David, infidelity, murder, you know, most of the famous people in the Bible did something egregiously wrong and sinful.   And yet the whole story of the Bible is God redeeming his people. We're all sinners. And there is hope because of Christ.   None of us can make it without Christ. And so, in the Bible, you're seeing both the mess and the hope. You're seeing God's answer to this problem.   And so, as we read scripture with our kids, one of the things that is helpful is we know what sin is. It's rebellion against God. It includes everything from sexual activity outside of marriage to gossip and pride and sort of the easy sins, right?   They're all sin. So, I think that's one thing that comes across when we're studying God's word. We also see Christ.   And when we then turn to a book, just a regular fiction book or even a nonfiction book, is the book also labeling sin as sin or at least a mistake? Or is it glorifying it? How is it handling it compared to how we know scripture handles it?   Is there any hope in the book? And where is that hope found? Are they just praying to the universe?   We're seeing universe capitalized all over the place now as sort of this amorphous deity. Well, that's not hopeful. I don't want to pray to Jupiter.   You know, we have a God who cares about us. And so just getting your kids to sort of reckon with the differences between how a book is portraying hope and judgment versus how scripture portrays it, that's going to take them a long way.   Laura Dugger: (53:01 - 53:23) That's fantastic. And your book lists at the end of each chapter are reason enough to purchase the book. But I'm sure that you've encountered additional titles since your publication date that you also enjoy.   So, will you share a handful of book recommendations, maybe some from each of those sweet spots again from your team?   Hayley Morell: (53:24 - 54:03) For young adults, we've actually mentioned both of the ones that I would add. They both have received starred reviews. A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim.   Excellent fantasy for young adults. And then Bright Red Fruit by Sophia O'Heo. And that one is a discussion starter.   It is a messy book, but it's an excellent book for its audience. Those would be two young adult fantasies. We see a lot of young adult fantasies.   So, but I would have loved to include those in the book. We just read them later.   Betsy Farquhar: (54:03 - 55:03) So, quick correction, Bright Red Fruit's not a fantasy, but it is it is. Oh, I apologize. That's fine.   It's a discussion starter. And that usually means that there's something in there you need to know about before you read it. As a parent, I would recommend doing your homework on that book.   It's a really good book to read with your daughters, but you might want to pre-read it first. Middle grade, that's our biggest bucket. Because it's the most it's got the widest audience reach and it's just so fun.   So, some of the ones that we've really liked, The Teacher of Nomadland by Daniel Nayeri. He is a Christian author. He won the National Book Award for this book for young people's literature and a Newbery Honor.   It's fantastic. It's a story about World War II. Benny on the Case by Wesley King is a really lovely mystery that features the protagonist has mosaic down syndrome, and it's just not very common to read books with different disabilities represented.   So, that's just a really sweet story. Lots of fun.   Hayley Morell: (55:04 - 55:05) It's a great audio book too.   Betsy Farquhar: (55:06 - 56:40) Yes. Song of the Stone Tiger, another Christian author, Glenn McCarty. It's a kind of a mix of realistic fiction and fantasy.   So, it's fun. A new one that we like. And then I'll leave you with one more.   I actually have it right here. So, for those who are watching this, they can see it. It's called Radiant by Vonda Michaud-Nelson.   And it's a novel in verse, but a beautiful picture of what it means to love your neighbor. So, The Sword by Marty Murkowski from New Growth Press. It's kind of a family devotional resource.   It was the World Magazine Book of the Year. We gave it a starred review as well. The Amazing Generation is a book for kids by the same author as The Anxious Generation.   So, that book is like a super bestseller for adults. This is kind of taking that idea and helping kids know how not to be the anxious generation, right? How they can be the amazing generation.   The World Entire is a nonfiction, maybe technically a picture book, but it's really long. And it's for this audience. And it's a true story about World War II, about a rescue.   I think it was set in Portugal. And then a graphic novel that's nonfiction. I'm trying to cover all your different genres here.   This is How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Meadez. It's about his father and how he emigrated or escaped from Cuba. But it's a graphic novel.   So, there's a lot of visual interest. So, that's a really interesting background for kids who are hearing a lot of headlines about places like Cuba. And they're like, what's really going on?   A book like that can help them understand just some of the nuance behind the headlines.   Hayley Morell: (56:41 - 58:51) One of the things about middle grades as we talk about books is that middle grade is the age where readers are just exploding. And while you might have been able to keep up with your reader, then they hit 10 or 12 years old, and you give them a stack of books and they're reading them and asking for more. So, we definitely have a lot of middle grade reviews.   Picture books, though, are another place that we just love. And there's been some recent ones that we looked at and got, oh, this would be so good for the book. Something like Tuesday's Bear by Alexander Davis.   It's this beautiful story based on a true historical event. Unclaimed luggage is where, you know, if a suitcase gets lost, what happens to the contents? Well, one family had an idea, and Alexandra tells it through the story of this little bear who gets lost and then is found.   It's the most beautiful story. As a Christian, you can see a lot of very true themes running through it. And it's a delight to read aloud.   Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Craigel. It's a story about a mother shrew whose little boy is sick, and she is going to do anything, even if it means traveling all the way to the moon to get some wild honey. It's a very imaginative story.   Beautiful pictures. A couple sneak peek that are going to just, these reviews are just going up. Iguanodon's Horn by Sean Rubin.   We've loved Bolivar, it was a graphic novel he did about a dinosaur. You can tell he likes dinosaurs. This is an amazing nonfiction picture book.   And for our Christian readers, this is a book about dinosaurs that doesn't have evolution. And I think you're going to love it. One more. His Grace is Enough. This is like Dr. Zeus type rhyming. Melissa Kruger wrote it.   It's a Christian book and it's a wonderful reminder for children. When you are dealing with sin, God's grace is enough. And I think you'll find if you read this, you'll be repeating the stanzas to yourself and encouraged as you read.   Laura Dugger: (58:54 - 59:41) I love having book lists. And if any other listeners are like me, we'll finish this episode and go ahead and put a bunch of books on hold at the library, which is always so convenient. And I'm sure a lot of people aren't able to take notes right now.   Maybe they're driving or working out as they're listening to this. But I love that every episode on The Savvy Sauce now has a transcript available. So, if anybody wants these book lists, you can go to the show notes page, either on our website or click on your podcast app and the transcript is available there.   So, thank you for all those wonderful recommendations. And do you have any other helpful tips to give us as parents if we're trying to navigate this well?   Betsy Farquhar: (59:42 - 1:00:26) Yes, start at birth and start not just reading with your kids, but asking them questions. They don't, it doesn't have to be a lengthy discussion. Is Piglet a good friend to poo?   You know, if you're reading Winnie the Pooh or if you're an Elephant and Piggy fan, like my kids were. Do you think Gerald should share his ice cream with Piggy? You can just pause in the middle of the story and just get them thinking, right?   So then when you get to the Hunger Games, you can say, what did you think of the ending? Would you have liked it to end differently? Those are great open-ended questions that get people talking and engaging and that you're often running.   If you can just think, I need to engage with my kids over what we're reading, then almost any book can be a discussion starter.   Laura Dugger: (1:00:27 - 1:00:33) Well, where can we go after this conversation to find more of your book recommendations?   Betsy Farquhar: (1:00:35 - 1:01:29) I'll do this one. Redeemedreader, alloneword.com is our website. And then we're super creative.   Our Facebook is exactly the same. Redeemedreader, alloneword. Our Instagram is redeemed underscore reader.   That's kind of a long story. But if you Google Redeemed Reader, you'll find us. And then the best way, oh yes, of course our book, which is also called The Redeemed Reader.   We're so original. But the best way to experience Redeemed Reader, other than the book, is through our weekly newsletter, which Haley curates and she does a fantastic job. But there's where you'll get the latest reviews.   We put in links for other places around the web that you might find interesting, different bookish news. Haley does a really fun book trivia with picture books. So, we like to think that it's going to make your inbox a happy place.   It's not a marketing email.   Laura Dugger: (1:01:30 - 1:01:50) I love that. We will provide links to all of that in the show notes for today's episode. And you two are already familiar.   We are called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for both of you today, what is your savvy sauce?   Betsy Farquhar: (1:01:52 - 1:03:03) So, as a business owner and a mom and a wife, it's probably not a surprise that I love my planner, but I've been through a lot of planners in my day, and I have very specific requirements. It needs to be bound, not coil bound. There's a certain size.   I mean, I have issues. I should say I have high standards for my planner. The single best feature in my current planner is that it forces me to break down my to do list between my life to do and my work to do.   And that was a game changer for me because I am wearing a lot of hats as most women are these days. And so, I limit myself to the number of bullet points that I'm given in the planner so that my work doesn't overtake my family life. It tends to be that way, sadly, more than the other way around.   Usually, my family life is not overtaking the work life, but it just it just gives me a chance to articulate each week. You know, I've got a birthday coming up that I need to plan for or I need to make sure my I mean, I graduated my youngest last year from high school, but the senior year in high school has a lot of deadlines. And so, it just helped me prioritize those milestones for my family and not let work get in the way.   Love that.   Laura Dugger: (1:03:03 - 1:03:04) What's the name of your planner?   Betsy Farquhar: (1:03:04 - 1:03:17) It's called the commit 30. I know there are other planners that do the same sort of thing, but I love having a weekly spread and I just love breaking it out between life to do and work to do.   Laura Dugger: (1:03:18 - 1:03:20) Absolutely. That sounds amazing. I love it.   Hayley Morell: (1:03:21 - 1:05:10) And my savvy sauce, I was going to say, Betsy is the planner and Betsy, I know you wouldn't appreciate this is spiral bound. So, I echo having a planner is a great way for me to just sort through all my thoughts, put them down and organize what needs to get done. But my savvy sauce is related to tech habits.   And as we were getting ready for our first, my husband and I were talking about how could we be mindful with our phone usage? And I have to thank Betsy for recommending Andy Crouch's, The Tech-Wise Family. Love that book.   And one of the things that we decided to do was to create a charging station downstairs in our house. And when I am not working where I need my phone for authentication or sending a voice message or being on the phone, if I'm not actively working, my phone lives on its charger. And that's been a struggle for me.   I have to admit the moment I had a child, anxiety kicked in. And for the first month, the phone was on me because that's what I needed to have a little security blanket. But I've been learning to leave my phone behind.   And then I'm not tempted to pick it up and scroll. And I feel like a child again because I get to the middle of the afternoon. And since I haven't been distracting myself, I've been getting things done. And all of a sudden I'm like; it's two o'clock and it's not dinner time yet. I have all of this time because I've created some more time by using the phone as a tool. But not having it right present and honestly, just distracting myself with it.   Laura Dugger: (1:05:12 - 1:05:48) That is a good, savvy tip. I love both of those. And you two have such warm and engaging personalities.   And I love those benefits that you were talking about for people who are readers. I experienced all of that through both of you today. And you're so wise and discerning yourselves.   And I am just beyond grateful that the Lord gifted you with your intellect, but also this passion for reviewing these resources. You're benefiting so many parents and children alike.   So, thank you for the work that you do. And thank you for being my guests.   Betsy Farquhar: (1:05:49 - 1:05:57) Thank you for having us. It is all from the Lord. Anything we have that's wise and worth taking away.   The credit should go to him, of course.   Hayley Morell: (1:05:58 - 1:06:00) Ame

God's Promise came first and the law came second. The law doesn't cancel the Promise; it doesn't replace God's Grace. It reveals how much we need His Grace.

The Word of His Grace. 2 Tim 3:16-17. Pr Stuart Rodgers. 3 May 2026.

God Became Human to Enable Jesus Followers to Have a Personal Relationship with Him through His Grace and Gift of the Holy Spirit MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Jesus tells us in John 15:12-14, that you, as His follower, are His “friend: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.". God became flesh, and He dwelt among us. God became human to draw you into a personal relationship with Him. In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as the “Son of the Father”: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". God alone can satisfy the meaning and purpose of your life. God alone can satisfy your hunger to know your life's meaning. Most importantly, God alone can give you forgiveness of your sins as Paul tells us in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.". Jesus' life, miracles, death, and His resurrection are invitations to a life-long personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. Our personal relationship with God is through His gift, to followers of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my defense, and He is my savior. Therefore, you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. And on that day, you shall say, “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that His Name is exalted.”. Amen. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will seek God's perspective on my situation. For I know that in all things God works together for good to those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose. From Romans 8:28 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:10-13; Colossians 2:10-15; Psalms137:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Upper Room Part 1: The Promise of the Spirit (Apostles Anglican Church; Knoxville, TN)” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

In this weekend's bonus podcast episode Steve Cropley talks to the Duke of Richmond fromGoodwood.His Grace tells us all about Goodwood's activities this year, from this weekend's Members' Meeting to the Festival of Speed, where Singer is the featured marque, and this autumn's Revival.For more from Autocar find us on the newsstands or online or subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In John 20 we have arrived at the grand finale! After Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene in the Garden, He appears twice to His apostles and some other followers in the Upper Room! These appearances by Jesus are so powerful! Not only does He impart His own resurrection life to His followers, but He also imparts heavenly peace! Peace that is assured because of His nailed pierced hands and wound pierced side. Peace that has been secured by His finished work on the cross! May we encounter the Risen Lord and the multiplication of His Grace and Peace in a fresh way!

The Bible tells us at 3PM, on the day of His Crucifixion, JESUS spoke His final words, "'Father into Thy hands I commit My Spirit!' And having said this He breathed His last.” (Luke 23:46). For JESUS that ended a day of torture that began in the early morning hours, first at the hands of the High Priest and Sanhedrin. Then mercilessly scourged by Roman Lictors. All of that before enduring the brutality of the Cross beginning at 9AM that same morning. I remind us of all of this, because it dynamically magnifies what I'm about to say next. That is not the end of the story! Yes! Jesus died on that Cross. Yes! Jesus was then buried in a borrowed tomb. But 3 days later HE got up out of that grave! Thank GOD for the greatest event in human history, the Resurrection of HIS Son, JESUS CHRIST! In this message, we'll CELEBRATE HIS RESURRECTION! I believe the LORD has given me a clear presentation of the Gospel to bring and by HIS Grace, that's what I plan to do! I can't wait to celebrate with you! Pastor Joe Still

In this episode, Donna sits down with Jacqueline Williams to explore the realities of healing, resilience, and the emotional journey that comes with navigating addiction and its ripple effects.Jacqueline shares her personal story with vulnerability and strength, offering listeners insight into what it truly means to face pain, process trauma, and choose healing, even when it's uncomfortable.This conversation is a reminder that healing is not linear, not easy, and not always pretty—but it is possible.In This Episode, We Discuss:

This episode is one of those conversations that stays with you. Katie Blackburn joins us to share her deeply personal journey through divorce, her husband's addiction, parenting a child with autism, and the long road of starting over as a single mom. With honesty, humility, and so much heart, she opens up about what it really looks like to walk through seasons that feel impossible—and how grace met her there. Throughout this conversation, Katie reminds us that grace isn't something we have to climb toward—it's already beneath us, holding us through every fall, every setback, and every uncertain step forward. And maybe more importantly, she shows us what it looks like to keep going anyway… one day at a time. We talk about healing, faith, and the quiet, daily work of rebuilding a life. Katie shares how writing became part of her healing process, how community quite literally carried her when she couldn't carry herself, and why the idea of "doing it all on your own" is one of the biggest lies we buy into. There's also so much wisdom here about what it means to actually move through pain—not avoid it.  In the midst of it all, Katie speaks to hope. If you've ever gone through a season of pain, loss, sadness, or great change, this episode is for you.   We cover:  What grace actually looks like in the middle of chaos and trauma Using writing as a tool for healing and processing pain Why community and relationships are essential—not optional—for resilience Practical ways to metabolize pain through movement, support, and honesty The beauty and strength found in intergenerational living Rebuilding faith and hope after loss Letting go of self-sufficiency and trusting God's steady grip Living "one day at a time" in seasons of crisis The impact of self-talk and daily persistence in long-term healing If This Episode Spoke to You… Share it with a friend who might need a reminder that they're not alone. And that even here—especially here—grace is already holding them. Bio: KATIE BLACKBURN is a writer, teacher, and a lifelong learner, but her most cherished role is being a single mom to her six incredible kids. Her favorite thing to do is tell people about the ways God has held her through circumstances that seemed impossible. When she's not taking care of kids or telling stories, you can probably find her riding her bike, pretending she's in the Tour de France. L FIND MORE ABOUT KATIE BLACKBURN Katie Blackburn – Instagram and Website Katie Blackburn Book - Grace Will Meet You There Katie Blackburn Podcast- Coffee+Crumbs Podcast A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Burn the Ship- Essay QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE Has God met you in a difficult place? What did His Grace feel like to you? Why is it important to remember these moments when God has met you? Who can you show up for right now and help in a practical way? How can your feeling inform you about what is going on inside of you? How can you ask and invite God's grace to meet you in the middle of your emotions? LET'S CONNECT Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier  

ਤਿਲੰਗ ਘਰੁ ੨ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਤੁਧੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਤੂ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਸੋ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਤੇਰਾ ਜੋਰੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਮਨਿ ਟੇਕ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਜਪਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕ ॥੧॥ ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਦਾਤਾਰੁ ॥ ਤੇਰੀ ਟੇਕ ਤੇਰਾ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਹੈ ਤੂਹੈ ਤੂ ਹੋਵਨਹਾਰ ॥ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਾਧਿ ਊਚ ਆਪਾਰ ॥ ਜੋ ਤੁਧੁ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਭਉ ਦੁਖੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਹਿ ॥੨॥ ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਸੋ ਤੇਰਾ ਰੂਪੁ ॥ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਅਨੂਪ ॥ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਜਨ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਜਪਿਆ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਤਰੈ ਸੰਸਾਰ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਲੋਚਾ ਪੂਰਿ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਕੀ ਬਾਛਉ ਧੂਰਿ ॥੪॥੨॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਾਤਾਂ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਉਤੇ ਰਾਖਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਅਸਾਂ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ) ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਆਸਰਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਸਹਾਰਾ ਹੈ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ, ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਤੂੰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਉਹੀ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੈਥੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਹੋਰ ਕੋਈ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੁਝ ਕਰ ਸਕਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। (ਅਸਾਂ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ) ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਤਾਣ ਹੈ, (ਸਾਡੇ) ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਸਹਾਰਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਉਸ ਇਕ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਜਪਦਾ ਰਹੁ।੧।ਹੇ ਅਪਹੁੰਚ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਹੇ ਅਥਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਹੇ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਚੇ ਤੇ ਬੇਅੰਤ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਜੇਹੜੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਮਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਡਰ ਕੋਈ ਦੁੱਖ ਪੋਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦਾ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ (ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ) ਗੁਣ ਗਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ।੨।ਹੇ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨੇ! ਹੇ ਸੋਹਣੇ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ! ਜਗਤ ਵਿਚ) ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਦਿੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਸਰੂਪ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ! ਸਦਾ ਉਸ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਰਹੁ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ) ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਜਪਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ (ਰਹਿ ਕੇ) ਸਾਰਾ ਜਗਤ ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੋਂ ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੀ ਤਾਂਘ ਪੂਰੀ ਕਰ, ਮੈਂ (ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰ ਤੋਂ) ਤੇਰੇ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਚਰਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਧੂੜ ਮੰਗਦਾ ਹਾਂ।੪।੨।TILANG, SECOND HOUSE, FIFTH MEHL:There is no other than You, Lord. You are the Creator; whatever You do, that alone happens. You are the strength, and You are the support of the mind. Forever and ever, meditate, O Nanak, on the One. || 1 || The Great Giver is the Supreme Lord God over all. You are our support, You are our sustainer. || Pause || You are, You are, and You shall ever be, O inaccessible, unfathomable, lofty and infinite Lord. Those who serve You, are not touched by fear or suffering. By Guru's Grace, O Nanak, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. || 2 || Whatever is seen, is Your form, O treasure of virtue, O Lord of the Universe, O Lord of incomparable beauty. Remembering, remembering, remembering the Lord in meditation, His humble servant becomes like Him. O Nanak, by His Grace, we obtain Him. || 3 || I am a sacrifice to those who meditate on the Lord. Associating with them, the whole world is saved. Says Nanak, God fulfills our hopes and aspirations. I long for the dust of the feet of the Saints. || 4 || 2 ||

No Wiggle Room 46 Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 The one who is from God listens to God's words. This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God.” 48 The Jews responded to him, “Aren't we right in saying that you're a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 “I do not have a demon,” Jesus answered. “On the contrary, I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and judges. 51 Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 Then the Jews said, “Now we know you have a demon. Abraham died and so did the prophets. You say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.' 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets died. Who do you claim to be?” 54 “If I glorify myself,” Jesus answered, “my glory is nothing. My Father—about whom you say, ‘He is our God'—he is the one who glorifies me. 55 You do not know him, but I know him. If I were to say I don't know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” 57 The Jews replied, “You aren't fifty years old yet, and you've seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple.John 8:46–59 So many think that Jesus is this gentle, mild-mannered man that never raised His voice, was always politically correct, was interested in only helping minorities and... …was just plain nice... Really? Yes, and there are all sorts of other versions of Jesus... like this one... running around... out there.... in people's minds... And… when you hear the words, "Now what would Jesus do?" What does… come to mind? What are people getting at? It is usually not the Jesus of the Bible, that they are asking we emulate. What does Jesus do? He Judges. He condemns. He is a surgeon with a very precise hand, cutting away with a very sharp knife... … the many things we hold dear... the many things we would like to keep... But He never compromises...He never gives one inch to sin coddlers...or their sin...of any kind. Yes, He comes for sinners...and yes...to forgive sinners... But that is not the same thing as people think. First...He judges...and this all the time... ...and when He says not to judge...it is not what people are quoting Him for. No, Jesus gives no one... any wiggle room!  None! In fact, He presses the Law more than anyone else. That Law, that Jesus preached...and taught...and insisted upon... … was not just about what we did... with our hands... outwardly... No, it was about what we conceive inwardly...in our minds and hearts. What did you dream of? What did you want and desire? What secrets were we harboring? Jesus tells us that even if we don't actually do any of that...what we wanted to do...what we thought about...fantasized about... According to God, we have, in fact already had done it. So... no... there is no wiggle room...to slink away with...then. No... there is no wiggle room to escape justice… then. None! We are what we are...what He says we are... And we know it...even if we are not sure of the details of our case...but...be sure...He does. So, when we encounter this Jesus, understand that this IS the real one...our Jesus...the same Jesus...as He always was...is and will be. This is the Jesus who preaches the unfiltered...non-watered down Law. Who passes judgment on our...and all sin. And we CAN say...as so many do...all manner of things about Him. We can call Him insane...a megalomaniac who thinks He is God, a magician...in league with the devil...a fake...or just another would-be religion maker. Or we can ignore the Bible and come up with our on own version of Jesus as so many also do. But when we meet Him in the Bible, we meet Him as the Word of God who uses His Word as a mirror to show us who we are and how we measure up to God's...His... Jesus' standards. And we either face these standards...and our lack of measuring up to them, or we do what most people do... ...remain unconverted and head right into hell. But make no mistake about it,  when He points the finger...He is pointing it at me...at you...and at everyone. So...stop then...stop trying to justify yourself. Stop trying to find legal loopholes. Stop trying to re-interpret what He is condemning us for...as something other than just what it is: Sin...wrong...and destructive. Accept it. There is no way out of His verdict of our guilt. What is the best thing to be done, then? Plead guilty. Let His Word turn us around. Let Him cut you...let Him cut as deep as needed to bring His healing process. Well...but that would kill me! Well...yeah! That it will. That is how bad we are. We need to be killed. He needs to kill us...and that is exactly what He is doing to us... ...all so that He can resurrect us without that which He is condemning us for...what He is condemning us to death for. All so that we will end up without our disease. That is the purpose of the Law. To Kill us. In the end it will kill us all. It must. There is no way to rise again healed unless we let Him do this...kill us. He will not compromise. There is no other way. We cannot do better...ever! We cannot make up for any of it, no matter how hard we try. Humankind cannot be rehabilitated. We have to put down. Each and every one. So go ahead. Pharisee. Go ahead follower of the devil...and you are if you hold to any of his lies. And we do... Go ahead, adulterer...fornicator...sodomite...pornographer... Go ahead, murderer, gossip...thief... ...coveter...idolater... You who are stingy and inhospitable... You who are despisers of God's House...preaching and His Word. Go ahead and plead guilty. Let Him stop and kill all of that in you...as He must do...same as in me. Yes...let Him change your mind. Accept His declaration of all of it...as being as evil, damnable sin. What is left then...? … dead and dying ground that He plants saving faith in... Because He has already been condemned, punished and killed for all of those sins listed...and for any that were not. He has stepped in and took your place at the executioner's head-chopping block...firing range...lethal injection table. He has already been blamed for all that you are and all that you do...and… in eternity He did the time in the dark black cell. What is left then? What do you do now? Contrary … yes we are to be contrary… to all that is listed above... Yet this can only be done IN HIM...within His walls...under and by His Grace and Mercy...and only because of the Freedom He gives through the Gospel...in the Gospel...by the Gospel.... That is, only by and in... because of...and in the midst of Him... with His things… Where He gives them… by His Word... Which is the same thing...for us...right now. Only a person forgiven of a crime can know what forgiveness is...can walk away free.  Only a person who is forgiven a life-time of evil, guilt and shame...can know true forgiveness...and really be free. If in our condition, we think we are already free...free to do what we please because we have decided what is good and right for us to do... We are bound up tight in a very dark place. And we will remain there if we refuse His sentence...His Judgment... The Son must set you free. Then and only then are you in fact. But it is only again ever so in Him...in Christ...with Him... You in Him and He in you forever. That is the true human condition. We are only what we were meant to be...what we were created to be...in that state. We were made to be companions of God...together. We cannot even be true companions to each other unless it is with Him too. As one pastor said once, plead guilty so that you can be acquitted and go and live forever with the judge. That is the only way out of all of this. He is the ONLY Way...the ONLY Truth...and the ONLY Life...no one gets to the Father...the Judge...the King...but in this way. And He is offering. It is a limited time offer. It only lasts as long as your life...or as long as the world lasts...whatever comes...or I should say, goes first. So yes, you are guilty. Yes, you are facing a death and an eternal life sentence. But Jesus is offering you complete forgiveness without any strings. To make you truly human...like He is...the way you were created to be: Living, breathing, running, singing...laughing... Forever... Forever to live in His House and...out into the wide open fields...at play...as a child of God. It is yours right now. Amen.

I could have picked any headline about any number of issues, but this particular story stood out as especially horrific. Are the bad things that happen in America part of God's judgment against us for stories like this? Praise God for His Grace in spite of our sins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I could have picked any headline about any number of issues, but this particular story stood out as especially horrific. Are the bad things that happen in America part of God's judgment against us for stories like this? Praise God for His Grace in spite of our sins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I could have picked any headline about any number of issues, but this particular story stood out as especially horrific. Are the bad things that happen in America part of God's judgment against us for stories like this? Praise God for His Grace in spite of our sins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I could have picked any headline about any number of issues, but this particular story stood out as especially horrific. Are the bad things that happen in America part of God's judgment against us for stories like this? Praise God for His Grace in spite of our sins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send a textOkay but can we just talk about how powerful it is when our kids don't just learn about Jesus… but actually feel like they know Him?

Our identity in Jesus is distinct and living into that identity means to live contrary to the values, principles, and practices of the world. Among the list of things we are to reject, there is no one who could say that these don't apply to them. Paul is clear about the equality of these sins and their association with everyone who does not belong to Jesus. All of these are in the past for those who are in Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit living within, a Christian behaves differently.  While we will continue to battle with our old nature, our new nature will grow in influence and impact more and more as we submit to Jesus' rule in our lives. Sexual integrity, a right attitude towards material things and love for all people will become markers of our personalities. These things carry a different difficulty for each of us. Do you struggle with sexual immorality? Are greed and covetousness hard for you to overcome? Do you love as the world loves, being selective in who you give honor and behaving hatefully towards others? The first step in victory is honesty.  As you review Paul's list of named sins, ask the Lord to open your eyes to anything you are practicing, to give you understanding as to how grievous it is, and to empower you to live into His Grace and to be renewed by His love. May we all have the courage to rid ourselves of perspectives and practices that compete with Jesus' nature within us. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Colossians 3:5-11

  Psychology vs. The Faith:   Psychology has had a heavy impact on American culture for decades. Then, through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, it steadily crept into the church. Today, it has a deep foothold in the church. And I want to say this carefully, but plainly: one of the most subtle forms of heresy to ever hit the American church is psychological theory being absorbed into Christian ministry as if it were neutral, safe, and compatible with the faith. Not because every observation made by anyone in the field is false. Not because the body doesn't matter. Not because Christians have never been helped by conversations with professionals. But because the most dangerous part of psychology is the part that claims to explain what man is, why man is the way he is, and how man changes. That's not lab science. That's not medicine. That's a philosophy of life—and very often, a rival religion. The Spirit "Expressly Says" This Will Happen Paul warned Timothy with a kind of urgency we rarely hear anymore: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…" (1 Timothy 4:1) Notice what's happening: people depart from the faith, and as they loosen their grip on biblical truth, they become wide open to deception—"deceiving spirits" and "doctrines of demons." Then Paul adds something that should sober every pastor, counselor, and ministry leader: "If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." (1 Timothy 4:6) That means warning the flock isn't optional. If we refuse to instruct God's people where deception is creeping in, we are not being "good ministers of Jesus Christ." This isn't about causing trouble. It's about acknowledging that there's already trouble if we won't speak. This Isn't About Condemning People Let me be clear: this is not a blanket condemnation of every psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or person who has sought help. Many people are hurting. Many people are trying to survive. Some have real physiological issues—brain chemistry, sleep deprivation, hormonal problems, trauma responses in the body, or medical complications that should absolutely be evaluated. The Bible does not forbid legitimate medicine. Jesus said the sick need a physician (Luke 5:31). Luke was called "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). The issue is not medical care. The issue is philosophy—systems that tell you what life is, what man is, what truth is, what morality is, what change is, and what salvation looks like. That's why Scripture warns: "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men… and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8) When a counseling theory runs "not according to Christ," the church must not import it uncritically and call it "wisdom." The Most Dangerous Part of Psychology There are areas of psychology that are closer to observation and measurement—like certain aspects of learning patterns or child development. You can observe, record, and make modest conclusions. But the danger zone is the sprawling world of psychotherapy theories that claim authority over identity, meaning, values, morality, and transformation. One of the best summaries I've ever seen puts it like this (paraphrasing the sense of the quote you referenced): the most seductively dangerous area is the part that tries to explain why people are the way they are and how they change. That's exactly the ground Scripture claims as its own. Because the Bible doesn't just tell us what to do. It tells us who we are. It tells us why we sin. It tells us what the heart is. It tells us what repentance is. It tells us what faith is. It tells us what love is. It tells us how change happens—by grace, through the Spirit, in union with Christ, in the life of the church. Psychology Often Operates Like Religion Here's where people get uncomfortable. But we need to be honest: modern psychotherapy doesn't merely treat "disease." It frequently teaches a worldview. It interprets suffering. It assigns meaning. It defines virtue. It sets the boundaries of blame and responsibility. It reframes guilt. It counsels hope. It offers a path of transformation. That's religion-level territory. Even Carl Jung—one of the towering figures in psychological theory—recognized this. He essentially admitted that people were coming to therapists for what they used to go to priests for: relief, meaning, wholeness, direction. In other words, therapy was stepping into the territory of pastoral care and theology. And here's where discernment matters even more: Jung wasn't "biblically spiritual." He was spiritually open in a dark way. You referenced his fascination with spirit-guides and his guide "Philemon." Whether someone calls that metaphor, imagination, archetype, or spiritism, the fruit is the same: theories shaped by contact with a spiritual framework that is not submitted to Christ. The church must not be impressed by "spiritual language" if it is not the Holy Spirit and not the truth of God's Word. The Bible Calls It "The Faith" The New Testament doesn't present Christianity as one option among many "faiths." It presents Christianity as the faith—objective truth revealed by God. "Then the word of God spread… and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7) And Jude says: "I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3) That phrase "once for all delivered" matters. The faith is not evolving. It is not awaiting modern upgrades from secular theory. It has been delivered—complete in its authority and sufficient in its message. So when someone says, "Why can't we just blend the Bible with modern psychotherapy?" my answer is: because you're not blending two neutral tools. You're blending a religion with the faith. And when you merge competing belief systems, you don't get "balance." You get compromise. How the Early Church Handled Rival Spiritual Claims Acts 13 gives us a vivid picture. A sorcerer resisted the gospel and tried to turn a leader away from the faith: "Elymas the sorcerer… withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith." (Acts 13:8) Paul's response was not mild or therapeutic. It was clear and confrontational: "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil… will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:10) Why so strong? Because the issue wasn't "two equally valid perspectives." It was deception competing with revealed truth. The church today has become so polite that we often treat spiritual rivals like "alternate viewpoints." The apostles treated them as dangers to souls. And later, after Paul was stoned and left for dead, the mission continued with this repeated emphasis: "…strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith…" (Acts 14:22) Notice that phrase: strengthening the souls… continue in the faith. That's discipleship. That's pastoral care. That's biblical counseling. What This Means for Counseling Today So where does that leave us? We don't deny the body. We take physiology seriously without surrendering the soul to secular theories. We don't demonize every person who has sought therapy. We shepherd people gently, patiently, and truthfully. We do test messages and methods. Not by our preferences, but by Scripture. We refuse captivity. "Philosophy and empty deceit" must not disciple the church. (Colossians 2:8) We contend earnestly. Because the faith is worth protecting, and people are worth warning. (Jude 3) And let me say it plainly: the church does not need a new system to explain man. We have God's Word. The church does not need a new path to transformation. We have Christ. The church does not need a substitute priesthood of therapists to do what pastors and mature believers are called to do in the local church. Jesus is still "Wonderful Counselor." (Isaiah 9:6) A Word to Those Sensing a Call If you sense the Lord calling you to learn biblical counseling—real discipleship care rooted in Scripture, grounded in the local church, centered on Christ—then I want to personally invite you to consider the Biblical Counseling Academy. We are enrolling dedicated students—men and women who sense a call from God to grow in discernment, compassion, courage, and biblical clarity. This isn't about collecting information. It's about being "nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6) so you can help others with hope that is truly from the Lord. If that's you, don't ignore it. Pray. Seek counsel from your pastors. And take the next faithful step. Much Love to All — Serving with You, for God's Glory, by His Grace, Pastor Jeff Christianson Dean of Biblical Counseling

Feb 12 | 2026 | Hukamnama Sahib | ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੩ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ ਨ ਆਈਆ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਲਾਗੋ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਓਸ ਨੋ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਉਪਜੈ ਭਾਵੈ ਸਉ ਗੇੜਾ ਆਵਉ ਜਾਉ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਚੇ ਸਿਉ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਉ ॥੧॥ ਅਰਥ: ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਣਿਆ ਤੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਵਿਚ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਪਿਆਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਾ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਦੇ ਸੁਖ ਨਹੀਂ, ਭਾਵੇਂ (ਗੁਰੂ ਪਾਸ) ਸੌ ਵਾਰੀ ਆਵੇ ਜਾਏ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਜੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁਖ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਸੱਚੇ ਵਿਚ ਲਿਵ ਜੋੜੀਏ ਤਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸਹਿਜੇ ਹੀ ਮਿਲ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੧। ਮਃ ੩ ॥ ਏ ਮਨ ਐਸਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਖੋਜਿ ਲਹੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੇਵਿਐ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੁਖੁ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਸਹਸਾ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਹਉਮੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਜਲਾਇ ॥ ਕੂੜੈ ਕੀ ਪਾਲਿ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਨਿਕਲੈ ਸਚੁ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਮਨਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ਸਚ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਇ ॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ! ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਖੋਜ ਕੇ ਲੱਭ, ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕੀਤਿਆਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਾਰੀ ਉਮਰ ਦਾ ਦੁਖ ਦੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ; ਕਦੇ ਉੱਕਾ ਹੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਤੇ (ਉਸ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ) ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੀ ਹਉਮੈ ਸੜ ਜਾਏ; ਤੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ ਕੂੜ ਦੀ ਕੰਧ ਦੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ ਤੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਸੱਚਾ ਹਰੀ ਆ ਵੱਸੇ, ਅਤੇ ਹੇ ਮਨ! ਉਸ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਦੱਸੇ ਹੋਏ) ਸੰਜਮ ਵਿਚ ਸੱਚੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਤੇ ਸੁਖ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ। ਨਾਨਕ ਪੂਰੈ ਕਰਮਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਰਜਾਇ ॥੨॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਜਦੋਂ ਹਰੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਰਜ਼ਾ ਵਿਚ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਦੋਂ (ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ) ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਪੂਰੀ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ।੨। ਪਉੜੀ ॥ ਜਿਸ ਕੈ ਘਰਿ ਦੀਬਾਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਤਿਸ ਕੀ ਮੁਠੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਜਗਤੁ ਸਭੁ ਆਇਆ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਤਲਕੀ ਕਿਸੈ ਦੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਦੀਬਾਨਿ ਸਭਿ ਆਣਿ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਅਰਥ: ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ (ਸਭ ਦਾ) ਹਾਕਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਸਾਰਾ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸੇ ਦੀ ਕਾਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੀ, (ਸਗੋਂ) ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਹਾਕਮ ਨੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਆ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਚਰਨੀਂ ਪਾਇਆ (ਹੁੰਦਾ) ਹੈ। ਮਾਣਸਾ ਕਿਅਹੁ ਦੀਬਾਣਹੁ ਕੋਈ ਨਸਿ ਭਜਿ ਨਿਕਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਦੀਬਾਣਹੁ ਕੋਈ ਕਿਥੈ ਜਾਇਆ ॥ ਸੋ ਐਸਾ ਹਰਿ ਦੀਬਾਨੁ ਵਸਿਆ ਭਗਤਾ ਕੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਤਿਨਿ ਰਹਦੇ ਖੁਹਦੇ ਆਣਿ ਸਭਿ ਭਗਤਾ ਅਗੈ ਖਲਵਾਇਆ ॥ ਅਰਥ: ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਕਚਹਿਰੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਤਾਂ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੱਸ ਭੱਜ ਕੇ ਭੀ ਕਿਤੇ ਖਿਸਕ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ ਹਕੂਮਤਿ ਤੋਂ ਭੱਜ ਕੇ ਕੋਈ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ? ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਹਾਕਮ ਹਰੀ ਭਗਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਸਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੇ "ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਖੁੰਹਦੇ" ਸਾਰੇ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਆ ਕੇ ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਖੜੇ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ (ਭਾਵ, ਚਰਨੀਂ ਲਿਆ ਪਾਇਆ ਹੈ) । ਹਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਿਰਲੈ ਕਿਨੈ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧੪॥ ਅਰਥ: ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਾਸ ਮੇਹਰ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ (ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਗੁਣ) ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ; ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁਖ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਹੀ (ਨਾਮ) ਸਿਮਰਦਾ ਹੈ।੧੪। SHALOK, THIRD MEHL: One who has no faith in the True Guru, and who does not love the Word of the Shabad, shall find no peace, even though he may come and go hundreds of times. O Nanak, the Gurmukh meets the True Lord with natural ease; he is in love with the Lord. || 1 || THIRD MEHL: O mind, search for such a True Guru, by serving whom the pains of birth and death are dispelled. Doubt shall never afflict you, and your ego shall be burnt away through the Word of the Shabad. The veil of falsehood shall be torn down from within you, and Truth shall come to dwell in the mind. Peace and happiness shall fill your mind deep within, if you act according to truth and self-discipline. O Nanak, by perfect good karma, you shall meet the True Guru, and then the Dear Lord, by His Sweet Will, shall bless you with His Mercy. || 2 || PAUREE: The whole world comes under the control of one whose home is filled with the Lord, the King. He is subject to no one else's rule, and the Lord, the King, causes everyone to fall at his feet. One may run away from the courts of other men, but where can one go to escape the Lord's Kingdom? The Lord is such a King, who abides in the hearts of His devotees; He brings the others, and makes them stand before His devotees. The glorious greatness of the Lord's Name is obtained only by His Grace; how few are the Gurmukhs who meditate on Him. || 14 || Brought to you by @ Gs jhampur --------------- Connect with GS Jhampur» Subscribe to Audio Gurbani: https://Anchor.fm/gsjhampur/ » Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:https://youtube.com/GurjitSinghJhampur» Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gsjhampur» Tweet us on Twitter:https://twitter.com/tazamudda?t=eAP0Aj6t2QfjJBXJN183wg&s=09 » Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3ODU5NTA3NTQ1MTEwNDU1?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=»

Paul uses a number of metaphors in the same sentence that seem at first glance to be contradictory; live (or walk) in Christ, be rooted and built up. How can you walk and be rooted? It's more of a both/and, we are to be firmly grounded in Christ's work on our behalf and also to keep growing in our faith journey towards Christ-likeness. While on this earth we battle between our old nature and our new identity in Christ. Our battle comes from the outside through deceptions and heresies and from within through temptations and selfish desires. This is a common theme throughout Paul's writings (see also Galatians 5, Romans 7-8, Ephesians 4-5) Having our faith strengthened leads us to gratitude. For our God showers us with His Grace and gives us His Spirit so that we have everything we need for life and godliness.   Prepare for this week's message by reading Colossians 2:6-15

Topics: Law vs Laws in the New Covenant, Understanding New Covenant Grace and Freedom, Jeremiah 31:33 and the Law on Our Hearts, Hebrews 8:10 Meaning, Hebrews 10:16 Explained, the Burden of the 613 Commandments, Law of Moses vs Grace in the Gospel, Are We Still Under the Law of Moses, the Foundation of True Christian Morality, 10 Commandments on the Heart or the Spirit, Your New Identity in Christ Jesus, Colossians 1:22 Holiness through His Blood, the Ministry of Death in 2 Corinthians 3, Galatians 5:18 and Being Led by the Spirit, Righteousness Through Faith and Not Works, Romans 6:14 and Freedom From Sin, Total Freedom From the Law of Condemnation, Lessons on Licentiousness from the Book of Jude, Being Holy and Secure in His Grace, Repentance Toward Grace and Away From Works, Matthew 5:48 Perfection and the Impossible Standard, Living as a New Creation in Christ, Ephesians 2:12 and the Covenants of Promise, Deuteronomy 4:2 Warning Against Adding to the Law, Galatians 3:10 and the Curse of the Law, James 2:10 and the Problem of Double Talk, Romans 7 and the Power of Coveting through 10 Commandments, the Fruit of the Spirit vs Lawful Living, Christ in You the Hope of Glory, God Writing His Character on Your Heart, Why the Law Causes Sin to Increase, the Difference Between Trying and Trusting, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, the Law as a Ministry of Condemnation, Why Christians Are Not Under the 10 Commandments, Living by the Spirit of Life, the Transition From Old Covenant to New, the Finished Work of Jesus at the Cross, Finding True Rest in Christ's Accomplishment, Why God Writes Himself on Our Hearts and MindsSupport the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

Romans 10:11-13 — In this sermon on “The Riches of His Grace” from Romans 10:11–13 Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues unfolding the apostle Paul's argument for the inclusion of Gentiles in salvation. Working from this passage, his second point in the series draws from the glorious fact that the same Lord Jesus Christ, who is Lord over all, is rich in grace to all who call upon Him. Since salvation depends entirely upon God and His power to forgive, there is hope for anyone. It's the great central theme of the Scripture foretold by the prophets, brought about by Jesus in the gospel, and proclaimed by the apostles and the early church. What does this mean for today? It doesn't matter how much one has sinned or how profound their ignorance is, the riches of God's grace are endless and He is sufficient to give to all. There is no work or effort one can add to their salvation because His riches in salvation are all-sufficient. All worldly distinctions and prejudices are foolish because God is rich to all, without distinction, and there is nothing one can ever need that cannot be found in this endlessly rich savior. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਫਿਰਤ ਫਿਰਤ ਭੇਟੇ ਜਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਪੂਰੈ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ॥ ਆਨ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਧਿ ਕਾਂਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਮੋਹਿ ਧਾਰੀ ਓਟ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥ ਸਰਨਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਸਗਲ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸੁਰਗ ਮਿਰਤ ਪਇਆਲ ਭੂ ਮੰਡਲ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਆਪੇ ਮਾਇ ॥ ਜੀਅ ਉਧਾਰਨ ਸਭ ਕੁਲ ਤਾਰਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੨॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਗਾਈਐ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬਿਰਲੇ ਕਾਹੂ ਜਾਨਾ ॥੩॥੩॥੨੧॥ DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL:Wandering and roaming around, I met the Holy Perfect Guru, who has taught me. All other devices did not work, so I meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 1 || For this reason, I sought the Protection and Support of my Lord, the Cherisher of the Universe. I sought the Sanctuary of the Perfect Transcendent Lord, and all my entanglements were dissolved. || Pause || Paradise, the earth, the nether regions of the underworld, and the globe of the world ó all are engrossed in Maya. To save your soul, and liberate all your ancestors, meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 2 || O Nanak, singing the Naam, the Name of the Immaculate Lord, all treasures are obtained. Only that rare person, whom the Lord and Master blesses with His Grace, comes to know this. || 3 || 3 || 21 ||ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ (ਮੈਨੂੰ) ਇਹ ਸਮਝ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀ ਕਿ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਣ ਲਈ) ਹੋਰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਜੁਗਤੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੋਈ ਇੱਕ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਭੀ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦੀ। ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੀ ਕੰਮ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੧।ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ, ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਲਿਆ। (ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ) ਸਰਬ-ਵਿਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਪਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ) ਜੰਜਾਲ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਗਏ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਦੇਵ ਲੋਕ, ਮਾਤ-ਲੋਕ, ਪਾਤਾਲ-ਸਾਰੀ ਹੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਮਾਇਆ (ਦੇ ਮੋਹ) ਵਿਚ ਫਸੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਦਾ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਕਰ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਵਿਚੋਂ) ਬਚਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੁਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਾਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ।੨।ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਮਾਇਆ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਰਲੇਪ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਗਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਸਾਰੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਪਰ (ਇਹ ਭੇਤ) ਕਿਸੇ (ਉਸ) ਵਿਰਲੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੇ ਸਮਝਿਆ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਦਾਤਿ) ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।੩।੨੧।

His Grace is Greater. Romans 5:12-21. Lead Pastor Michael Clary

ਧਨਾਸਰੀu ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਫਿਰਤ ਫਿਰਤ ਭੇਟੇ ਜਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਪੂਰੈ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ॥ ਆਨ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਧਿ ਕਾਂਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਮੋਹਿ ਧਾਰੀ ਓਟ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥ ਸਰਨਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਸਗਲ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸੁਰਗ ਮਿਰਤ ਪਇਆਲ ਭੂ ਮੰਡਲ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਆਪੇ ਮਾਇ ॥ ਜੀਅ ਉਧਾਰਨ ਸਭ ਕੁਲ ਤਾਰਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੨॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਗਾਈਐ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬਿਰਲੇ ਕਾਹੂ ਜਾਨਾ ॥੩॥੩॥੨੧॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ (ਮੈਨੂੰ) ਇਹ ਸਮਝ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀ ਕਿ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਣ ਲਈ) ਹੋਰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਜੁਗਤੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੋਈ ਇੱਕ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਭੀ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦੀ। ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੀ ਕੰਮ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੧।ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ, ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਲਿਆ। (ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ) ਸਰਬ-ਵਿਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਪਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਰੇ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ) ਜੰਜਾਲ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਗਏ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਦੇਵ ਲੋਕ, ਮਾਤ-ਲੋਕ, ਪਾਤਾਲ-ਸਾਰੀ ਹੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਮਾਇਆ (ਦੇ ਮੋਹ) ਵਿਚ ਫਸੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਦਾ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਕਰ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਵਿਚੋਂ) ਬਚਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ, ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੁਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਾਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ।੨।ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਮਾਇਆ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਰਲੇਪ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਗਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਸਾਰੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਪਰ (ਇਹ ਭੇਤ) ਕਿਸੇ (ਉਸ) ਵਿਰਲੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੇ ਸਮਝਿਆ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਦਾਤਿ) ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।੩।੨੧।DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL:Wandering and roaming around, I met the Holy Perfect Guru, who has taught me. All other devices did not work, so I meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 1 || For this reason, I sought the Protection and Support of my Lord, the Cherisher of the Universe. I sought the Sanctuary of the Perfect Transcendent Lord, and all my entanglements were dissolved. || Pause || Paradise, the earth, the nether regions of the underworld, and the globe of the world ó all are engrossed in Maya. To save your soul, and liberate all your ancestors, meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 2 || O Nanak, singing the Naam, the Name of the Immaculate Lord, all treasures are obtained. Only that rare person, whom the Lord and Master blesses with His Grace, comes to know this. || 3 || 3 || 21 ||

Jesus Followers Are Sinners Who Have a Savior Because “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . .”; Is Jesus Your Savior Too? MESSAGE SUMMARY: We are all sinners, but we now have a Savior – Jesus. As Paul tells us, in 1 Timothy 1:15-16, that the Gospel provides Salvation for all followers of Jesus, including the worst of sinners -- Paul: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.". Also, Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:3b-6, further points out that God wants all of us to be saved by His Grace through Jesus if we only, as sinners like Paul, reach out to bring Jesus into our lives: “God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”. It is only because of Jesus the Christ that we receive the healing that we need. “I am a sinner who now has a Savior – do you”?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Abba Father, I open my clenched fists to surrender everything you have given to me. Reestablish my identity in you — not in my family, my work, my accomplishments, or what others think of me. Cleanse the things in me that are not conformed to your will. By faith I unite my will to yours so that the likeness of Jesus Christ may be formed in me. In his name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 85). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Anger. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Forgiveness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 Timothy 1:15-17; 1 Timothy 2:3b-6; 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Psalms 89a:1-13 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Struggle with Time -- Until I Determine How We Want to Use Our Time, Others Will Determine How Our Time Is Used ”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Sunday, January 5, 2026 – Not only is it the first Sunday of 2026, but it’s also the first Sunday Pastor Justin and Kari Brown are at Center Point Assembly, along with their three children, Sophie, Malcom, and Simon. We are so pleased to have them serve as our new pastors. Join us as Pastor Justin shares an encouraging word titled “Built for more: Redeemed and Transformed.” In it, he reminds us of God’s purposes for our lives, no matter where we are in our spiritual journey. God’s plans are always bigger and better than we can imagine for ourselves. We just have to remember that we are saved by His Grace and then Redeemed and Transformed to be more like Christ. Worship and study with us.

Sunday, January 5, 2026 – Not only is it the first Sunday of 2026, but it’s also the first Sunday Pastor Justin and Kari Brown are at Center Point Assembly, along with their three children, Sophie, Malcom, and Simon. We are so pleased to have them serve as our new pastors. Join us as Pastor Justin shares an encouraging word titled “Built for more: Redeemed and Transformed.” In it, he reminds us of God’s purposes for our lives, no matter where we are in our spiritual journey. God’s plans are always bigger and better than we can imagine for ourselves. We just have to remember that we are saved by His Grace and then Redeemed and Transformed to be more like Christ. Worship and study with us.

Thank you for listening. Take a look at the sermon notes of this message on the church website: https://www.gatewayfranklin.com/sermonsTo find out more about Gateway Franklin Church, visit us at gatewayfranklin.com or join us online each week at gatewayfranklin.online.Notes:Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV) Hyper — over, above Hyper — over, above Ek — out of, from the depths Hyper — over, above Ek — out of, from the depths Perissou — exceedingly, abundantly, beyond expectation, imagination, or hope 1. GOD IS ACTIVE A. His Faithfulness Is Active B. His Grace is Endless C. His Love Is Active and Never-Ending 2. GOD'S MORE IS NOT DEPENDENT ON OUR UNDERSTANDING 3. GOD IS WORKING IN YOU: ● Redeeming ● Restoring ● Refining 2. WHEN IMMEASURABLY MORE ISN'T FELT 1. WAITING 14 Waiting → TRUST. 2. INADEQUACY Inadequecy → DEPENDENCE. 3. LACK Lack → SURRENDER. 4. WEAKNESS Weakness → HUMILITY. “Be still and know I am the God of immeasurably more, working in perfect timing.” “Be still and know I am with you and empowering you.” “Be still and know I am providing according to My riches in glory.” “Be still and know My power shines through your weakness.” Pastor Christian Wylder

Your Sin Is Never Too Great for God; If You Return to God, He Will Return to You MESSAGE SUMMARY: We all sin, and sometimes you may perceive your sin to be so horrendous that you think your life is lost to God's willingness to forgive you; therefore, you believe that you are lost to God's Salvation. If you repent to God of your sins and return to God in your life, He will return to you. Whenever we fall into sin, do we repent and return to the Lord? Hopefully, our answer is: "I will, with God's help.". Our God wants us to return to Him because He loves us -- He is a covenant God. In Malachi 3:7, God admonishes His people who have turned away from Him; but God promises His return to His people if they return to Him: “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?'". However, Malachi asks the question: “How shall we return?”. Joel 2:12-13 provides the Lord's answer to Malachi's question: “'Yet even now,'” declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord our God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.'”. The Lord wants to meet you where you are and to bring His Grace to you. In Matthew 26:27-28, Jesus confirms His Covent relationship with you: "And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”. If you return to God in your life, He will return to you. TODAY'S PRAYER: Most merciful God I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.  TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Hatred. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Love. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Malachi 2:4-6; Malachi 3:1-5; Matthew 26:27-29; Psalms 15:1-5. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Christmas Message”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

A Christmas Message MESSAGE SUMMARY: The real meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ – the Messiah, who is the Savior of the World. Christians emphasize Christmas and Jesus' birth because His birth: 1) fulfills many Biblical prophesies, especially n terms of the time and location of Jesus' birth; 2) points the fact that Jesus was more than just a man; 3) and life saw Jesus claim the right to forgive sins; 4) led Jesus to call God His “Father”, which indicated that Jesus was God; 5) resulted in Jesus' Resurrection, which validated Jesus' claims and made Him different; and 6) was God, through Jesus' birth, still trying to get our attention. God, through His Grace and through the birth of Jesus, did for us what we could not do for ourselves – save ourselves from our sins and our death that would result from our sins. God, through the birth of Jesus -- the God-Man, entered into our earthly mess to save us because, after God's Grace and Jesus' birth, all our sin now resides on Jesus. God's Grace through the birth of Jesus, demonstrates God's love for us. God wants us to know that Jesus was born for us out of His love for us. Therefore, we need to consider that God, the Creator of the Universe, entered the world, through the baby Jesus for us so that we might have a personal relationship with Him. Have you yielded to God so that your mind's consideration of God's Grace, love, and Jesus' birth can move from your mind into a commitment of both your mind and your heart to your faith in Jesus as your Savior and into God's service? Until we yield to God's lordship over our lives, we are saying to God that “we don't need your love”. Is Jesus your Lord and, therefore, your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 2:9-11; Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 53:4-6; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1-3; John 1:4; John10:30; John 14:8-11; John 3:16-17. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Our Relationship with God Is Based Solely on Our Relationship with God, and He Desires to Have a Relationship with Each of Us”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

A Christmas Message – What God Has Done For Us MESSAGE SUMMARY: The people in and around Jesus' birth were just ordinary people like us. In our celebration of Jesus' birth on this Christmas, we celebrate the event that transformed world history and many of our lives. The birth of Jesus was a supernatural birth and was God's intervention into the Universe's natural order. This birth was foretold hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, and these prophesies were written and recorded, for us, in the Bible. Jesus' birth was the birth, of a child, that did for the human race what the human race could not do for itself. Jesus was born for all people. This baby, Jesus, was born to be a Savior for all humankind. The birth of Jesus was the birth of God as both human and divine – the Incarnation, as the Angels told the Shepherds on the first Christmas Eve in Luke 2:9-11: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'". In Isaiah 53:4-6, Jesus, birth, death, and Resurrection, as our means for our Salvation, were foretold more than five-hundred years before Jesus birth: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.". God, through His Grace, gave of Himself what we could not do for ourselves, thereby, providing, through the birth of Jesus, us with the means for our Salvation from our sins and for our Eternal Life. This Gift of and by God is what Christmas and Christianity are all about. Is Jesus your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 2:9-11; Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 53:4-6; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1-3; John 1:4; John10:30; John 14:8-11; John 3:16-17. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “J As a Jesus Follower, the Greatest Witness for the Gospel that You Can Give Is for Others to See Jesus IN You”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

 ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਕਰਿ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਚੰਦੁ ਚਾਨਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਤਾਣਿਆ ਤਾਣੁ ਹੈ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਮਾਣਿਆ ਮਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਰਖਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਸੁਘੜੁ ਸੁਜਾਣੁ ॥੧॥ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਜਪਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਧਿਆਇ ਤੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੁ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਗੁਣ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸ ਕਰਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਸਚੁ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਫੁਰਮਾਣੁ ॥੨॥ ਆਪੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਭੰਡਾਰ ਹੈ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਦੇਵੈ ਦਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਸੇਵ ਕਰਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪਿ ਦਿਵਾਵੈ ਮਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਤਾੜੀ ਲਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਗੁਣੀ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ॥੩॥ ਆਪੇ ਵਡਾ ਆਪਿ ਹੈ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਪਰਧਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਤੁਲੁ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਅਤੁਲੁ ਤੁਲਾਇਦਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਦ ਕੁਰਬਾਣੁ ॥੪॥੫॥ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ! ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਕਰ। (ਨਾਮ ਹੀ ਜੀਵਨ-ਸਫ਼ਰ ਵਾਸਤੇ) ਰਾਹਦਾਰੀ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਤੂੰ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰਿਆ ਕਰ, (ਧਿਆਨ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਮੁੜ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦਾ ਗੇੜ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹੇਗਾ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ (ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਨੂੰ) ਸੂਰਜ ਚੰਦ ਚਾਨਣ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਬਣਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਨਿਆਸਰਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਆਦਰ-ਮਾਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਦਰ-ਮਾਣ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸੋਹਣੀ ਆਤਮਕ ਘਾੜਤ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਸਭ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਦੀ ਜਾਣਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਆਪ ਸਭ ਦੀ ਰਖਿਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।੧।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ) ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦੀ ਦਾਤਿ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪ ਹੀ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਵਿਚ ਕਬੂਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਉਤੇ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਵਾਸਤੇ) ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਚਾਨਣ-ਮੁਨਾਰਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ) ਹੁਕਮ ਵਿਚ ਤੋਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪ ਹੀ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਹੁਕਮ ਚਲਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੨।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ (ਆਪਣੀ) ਭਗਤੀ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਿਆਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਭਗਤੀ ਦੀ) ਦਾਤਿ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਪਾਸੋਂ) ਸੇਵਾ-ਭਗਤੀ ਕਰਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਸੇਵਾ-ਭਗਤੀ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਗਤ ਪਾਸੋਂ) ਇੱਜ਼ਤ ਦਿਵਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦਾ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਵਿਚ) ਸਮਾਧੀ ਲਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਮੰਨਿਆ-ਪ੍ਰਮੰਨਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਆਪਣਾ) ਤੇਲ ਤੇ ਪੈਮਾਨਾ ਵਰਤ ਕੇ (ਆਪਣੇ ਪੈਦਾ ਕੀਤੇ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ) ਮੁੱਲ ਪਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਅਤੁੱਲ ਹੈ (ਉਸ ਦੀ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗੀ ਦਾ ਮਾਪ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ) ਉਹ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਸਦਾ) ਤੋਲਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਦਾਸ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-) ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ।੪।੫।SORAT'H, FOURTH MEHL:The Beloved Himself created the Universe; He made the light of the sun and the moon. The Beloved Himself is the power of the powerless; He Himself is the honor of the dishonored. The Beloved Himself grants His Grace and protects us; He Himself is wise and all-knowing. || 1 || O my mind, chant the Name of the Lord, and receive His Insignia. Join the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, and meditate on the Lord, Har, Har; you shall not have to come and go in reincarnation again. || Pause || The Beloved Himself pervades His Glorious Praises, and He Himself approves them. The Beloved Himself grants His forgiveness, and He Himself bestows the Insignia of Truth. The Beloved Himself obeys His Will, and He Himself issues His Command. || 2 || The Beloved Himself is the treasure of devotion; He Himself gives His gifts. The Beloved Himself commits some to His service, and He Himself blesses them with honor. The Beloved Himself is absorbed in Samaadhi; He Himself is the treasure of excellence. || 3 || The Beloved Himself is the greatest; He Himself is supreme. The Beloved Himself appraises the value; He Himself is the scale, and the weights. The Beloved Himself is unweighable — He weighs Himself; servant Nanak is forever a sacrifice to Him. || 4 || 5 ||

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The prophetic fulfillment in the conception and birth of Jesus testify to the miracle of God's power!But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLTAt that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLTGod's has the power to do both the improbable and impossible according to His will and purpose. To presume we know how God should act is to mistrust His sovereign wisdom and love. Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NLTI pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:19-22 NLTTo believe God can't or doesn't do miracles today is to completely miss on the impact of His power and compassion! I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:21- 25 NLTOur hope is forever in the compassion and power of our ever-present, all-knowing, miracle working Messiah!-POEM-Our merciful messiah came in a mangerWith hidden strength soon to be shown. Immanuel here to save and to heal,His power and presence, He came to make known. The God who created the stars and the heavensCreated my inner most being too. A universe so large it's hard to conceiveWith tiny electrons for creations glue.God's power is boundless, beyond descriptionHis love is vast, and yet intimately near. Awe and honor are owed to our SaviorStill He calls us to come, no reason to fear.This world is caught in a cosmic conflictThe fight is for every heart and soulThe prince of darkness, the architect of brokenKill, steal, and destroy his only goal. Our fallen world in the pangs of deathIncludes various hellish hurts and painMany are we in need of a miracle Exactly the reason Immanuel came. The babe born at Christmas is here to heal Discontentment, addiction, broken bodies and heartsHis sovereign discernment guides His compassionHis Grace and mercy never miss the mark. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The prophetic fulfillment in the conception and birth of Jesus testify to the miracle of God's power!But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLTAt that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLTGod's has the power to do both the improbable and impossible according to His will and purpose. To presume we know how God should act is to mistrust His sovereign wisdom and love. Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NLTI pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:19-22 NLTTo believe God can't or doesn't do miracles today is to completely miss on the impact of His power and compassion! I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:21- 25 NLTOur hope is forever in the compassion and power of our ever-present, all-knowing, miracle working Messiah!-POEM-Our merciful messiah came in a mangerWith hidden strength soon to be shown. Immanuel here to save and to heal,His power and presence, He came to make known. The God who created the stars and the heavensCreated my inner most being too. A universe so large it's hard to conceiveWith tiny electrons for creations glue.God's power is boundless, beyond descriptionHis love is vast, and yet intimately near. Awe and honor are owed to our SaviorStill He calls us to come, no reason to fear.This world is caught in a cosmic conflictThe fight is for every heart and soulThe prince of darkness, the architect of brokenKill, steal, and destroy his only goal. Our fallen world in the pangs of deathIncludes various hellish hurts and painMany are we in need of a miracle Exactly the reason Immanuel came. The babe born at Christmas is here to heal Discontentment, addiction, broken bodies and heartsHis sovereign discernment guides His compassionHis Grace and mercy never miss the mark. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

Why We Do Christmas MESSAGE SUMMARY: Introduction: We are still in the season of Advent, which means “coming” or “arrival”. The Church begins this season of “arrival” or Advent as the time we recognize and celebrate the “arrival” of Jesus – both Jesus' “first coming” and His “second coming”. We celebrate Jesus' “first coming” on Christmas Eve. The season of Advent is, also, a season of hope; and Advent is the beginning of our Church's “New Year”. Message:  What does Christmas mean to you? “Could we be missing the point of what Christmas is all about”? Irrespective of all the personal, social and cultural noise we encounter around the Christmas season, we must not lose sight of the fact that Christmas is all and only about Jesus. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the most important person that ever lived – the God and man Jesus. Is this birth and life of the Incarnate and unique Son of God, as both the Creator of the Universe and the Savior of humankind, true? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” because Jesus birth and life are based upon historical evidence. Also, the birth of Jesus is God coming among us in a desire to have a personal relationship with us and with all people. If God is so desirous of a personal relationship with us, why did God go to so much trouble to bring Jesus to us? Because, every time we sin, we are building a barrier between us and God – God is Holy, and He cannot relate to sin. Therefore, God's Grace provided Jesus as both the means of our Salvation and as an intermediary (i.e. Jesus is both God and a human without sin) from which we can have God's desired personal relationship with us. However, when Jesus died on the cross, He took on all sin and became the required and once offered sacrificial payment for all sin. Jesus birth, life, death and Resurrection became the doorway for our personal relationship with God. As Jesus tells us in Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man {Jesus}came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”. “God loves us because of who God is.” Why do so few of us accept God's offered gift of Salvation through His Grace? When those not yet believing look at the lives of those of us that believe, they, often, they see us living by the fruit of the flesh rather than by the fruit of the Spirit – our hypocrisy. Also, God's offer is rejected because He may require us to give up some sin that we enjoy. Additionally, some believe that the cost of becoming a Christian is too great; however, the cost of not becoming a Christian is far greater than the cost of becoming a Christian and accepting God's offer. Many refuse God's gift because they believe that they are not worthy or good enough for God and His gift. They are correct; none of us are worthy of God's gift, but that is the point – Jesus' birth, life, death and Resurrection provide us with the means a path to be worthy of God's gift. Is Jesus your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mark 10:45; John 15:13; John 3:16-17; Galatians 5:18-25. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Is Your Faith Yours, or Is Your Faith a Faith Derivative of the Faith of Others?”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Do you claim Christ as Savior by His Grace but continue in the sin and selfish desires of your old life? Or are you walking in Christ by true grace in His Spirit and Word, living out the New Life He died to freely give you? Share. Make it a great day in the Love & Lordship of Christ (Mark 12:29-31)!

The Mother of God told Ramprasad, "Never allow the world's opinion to dim the light of non-duality, nor draw you away even subtly from Mother's wonderful intimacy." That's what you're feeling right now.And as you go out into the seeming duality,as long as you're feeling this intimacy,as long as you're feeling Her holding you up,as long as you're hearing Her Silence, feeling Her Prayer,doors will open where you didn't expect them to be,opportunities will come that you couldn't have imagined.You'll see that you've figured it out like you always do,like you always will.And you'll keep this receipt,and you'll never worry again.I Love YouI Am Younik nik Support the show:▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings__________________________________________"You're gonna figure it out like you always do." - @acupof.selflove via IG "Do not worry about anything, my child.Worry will only make you sick.If you exist within the Light of the Faith that only God exists then there will be no worry for you.There will only be God.Do not worry my child.The path of the world is difficult the path of God is very easy.If you take one step towards God, then He will take a thousand steps towards you.It is my prayer that you come to know that only God existsThat is my prayer.May you come to know Him, my childMay you receive His Grace. May God protect all of us. Amin!" - M.R.BAWA MUHAIYADDEEN"It was God who called you. It was God who gave you purpose. It was God who planted and watered that desire in your heart. It was God who opened that door for you. It was God who gave you those talents. It was God who made you good at that skill. It was God who provided you with connections, It was God who gave you that hope and strength. It was God all along.It was Him all along. From beginning till the end, it will always be God." -@JoenaSandiego via IG

God Became Human to Enable Jesus Followers to Have a Personal Relationship with Him through His Grace and Gift of the Holy Spirit MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Jesus tells us in John 15:12-14, that you, as His follower, are His “friend: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.". God became flesh, and He dwelt among us. God became human to draw you into a personal relationship with Him. In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as the “Son of the Father”: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". God alone can satisfy the meaning and purpose of your life. God alone can satisfy your hunger to know your life's meaning. Most importantly, God alone can give you forgiveness of your sins as Paul tells us in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.". Jesus' life, miracles, death, and His resurrection are invitations to a life-long personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. Our personal relationship with God is through His gift, to followers of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my defense, and He is my savior. Therefore, you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. And on that day, you shall say, “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that His Name is exalted.”. Amen. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:10-13; Colossians 2:10-15; Psalms137:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “My Grace is Sufficient” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

A new MP3 sermon from Covenant Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Heavenly Blessings; Part 2 Chosen for the Purpose of Praise of His Grace! Ephesians 1 Subtitle: Ephesians Speaker: Pastor Charles Swann Broadcaster: Covenant Baptist Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 11/2/2025 Length: 67 min.

Eric and Emily reconvene the podcast after a break and share some life updates: for Eric, joining the Society of St. Joseph and beginning life as a seminarian; for Emily, campus ministry, liturgical music and teaching at Ohio Dominican University. They welcome Deacon Royce Winters of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (and personal friend of Father Rivers) to discuss some great news: the approval of a historical marker all about Father Rivers, to be installed at St. Joseph Parish in Cincinnati. Eric, Emily and Deacon Royce discuss the process for the marker (especially determining its text) and ultimately the enduring historical significance of their friend, His Grace, Fr. Clarence Rivers. Listeners are encouraged to donate to help offset the significant cost of the historical marker (see below). For Episode 41 Show Notes, click here.

1. Knowing Our Spiritual Blessings2. Knowing the Riches of His Grace3. Knowing the Mystery of His WillToday's sermon explored the incredible spiritual wealth that belongs to every believer in Christ. We discovered that before the foundation of the world, God chose us and predestined us for adoption as His sons and daughters. Through the riches of His grace, we have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness—not based on our merit, but according to His kind intention and will. This has profound implications for our spiritual life: we are not spiritual paupers scraping by, but heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ, possessing every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Understanding this transforms how we view ourselves, how we face challenges, and how we extend grace to others.Takeaways:- We possess every spiritual blessing in Christ—our past is forgiven, Christ lives in us presently, and our future is secure in Heaven. God equipped each of us equally with everything we need to fulfill His purposes for our lives.- Salvation is both a divine mystery and a divine gift—God chose us before the foundation of the world, and we respond by receiving Christ. This wasn't earned through our effort but lavished upon us according to the riches of His grace.- We are called to live thankfully, not trying to earn what has already been freely given, but responding in gratitude by living holy and blameless lives that reflect His grace to a world desperately in need of it.As we go forward this week, let us remember that we are not slaves to sin but sons and daughters of the Most High God. May we embrace the fullness of what He has given us and live lives worthy of the calling we have received—not to earn His favor, but because we already have it.

1. Knowing Our Spiritual Blessings2. Knowing the Riches of His Grace3. Knowing the Mystery of His WillToday's sermon explored the incredible spiritual wealth that belongs to every believer in Christ. We discovered that before the foundation of the world, God chose us and predestined us for adoption as His sons and daughters. Through the riches of His grace, we have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness—not based on our merit, but according to His kind intention and will. This has profound implications for our spiritual life: we are not spiritual paupers scraping by, but heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ, possessing every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Understanding this transforms how we view ourselves, how we face challenges, and how we extend grace to others.Takeaways:- We possess every spiritual blessing in Christ—our past is forgiven, Christ lives in us presently, and our future is secure in Heaven. God equipped each of us equally with everything we need to fulfill His purposes for our lives.- Salvation is both a divine mystery and a divine gift—God chose us before the foundation of the world, and we respond by receiving Christ. This wasn't earned through our effort but lavished upon us according to the riches of His grace.- We are called to live thankfully, not trying to earn what has already been freely given, but responding in gratitude by living holy and blameless lives that reflect His grace to a world desperately in need of it.As we go forward this week, let us remember that we are not slaves to sin but sons and daughters of the Most High God. May we embrace the fullness of what He has given us and live lives worthy of the calling we have received—not to earn His favor, but because we already have it.

A new MP3 sermon from Covenant Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Heavenly Blessings; Chosen for the Purpose of Praise of His Grace! Ephesians 1:3–6 Subtitle: Ephesians Speaker: Pastor Charles Swann Broadcaster: Covenant Baptist Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 10/19/2025 Length: 64 min.

God Became Human to Enable Jesus Followers to Have a Personal Relationship with Him through His Grace and Gift of the Holy Spirit MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Jesus tells us in John 15:12-14, that you, as His follower, are His “friend: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.". God became flesh, and He dwelt among us. God became human to draw you into a personal relationship with Him. In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as the “Son of the Father”: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". God alone can satisfy the meaning and purpose of your life. God alone can satisfy your hunger to know your life's meaning. Most importantly, God alone can give you forgiveness of your sins as Paul tells us in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.". Jesus' life, miracles, death, and His resurrection are invitations to a life-long personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. Our personal relationship with God is through His gift, to followers of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my defense, and He is my savior. Therefore, you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. And on that day, you shall say, “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that His Name is exalted.”. Amen. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:10-13; Colossians 2:10-15; Psalms137:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Jesus in Prayer” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

We're told to follow the 10 Commandments, but when we try we find we cannot keep them. The Commandments are there to show how much we need God. Jesus fulfilled the Law in His death, burial and resurrection. Therefore, we live in gratitude to God for His Grace in allowing us to live righteously through the power of His Holy Spirit.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/livingalegacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    Wishy Washy… what a great way to describe people who do not live on a straight line… I can't stand wishy washy people, they drive me crazy… Now I need to be careful when I talk about wishy washy people because well… Im one of them. And thats where were going today!      Why Does God use wishy washy people?   -  Demonstrate his grace   His Grace is amazing saving us as sinners… But its super amazing in forgiving us in our failures after salvation.   Stephen Glenn - Adopted kids. He adopted a 15 year old boy. He ran the car through the garage. Stephen came home the boy had packed his suitcase, sitting on the bed waiting to be dropped back off at the social workers office… Stephen said to him: did you not think I knew days like this would happen. The boy doubted him… Stephen went to his study, got a letter out of his desk and had the boy read it. It said “I know you will blow it, But I adopted you because I love you, not because you will be perfect”.    His grace proves his redemption even in our failure and our foolishness.    Jesus restored Peter. - He may discipline but he never abandons us.          -  He uses the foolish things to confound the wise. It was said years ago NASA spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to create a pen that would write in space (no gravity made it almost impossible) To show off to Russia they sent them a few… Russia returned them and said thanks but no thanks we use pencils.   Later The US sent a drill bit so small it could drill it could drill through the center of a stick pin… they sent it to the Chinese to see if they wanted to order any (and brag) China said, great job, but it tends to overheat so we added a feature to help with that… upon closer inspection they found a hole drilled straight through the center of it.    *You would never Pick Peter to change the world. You would never pick David to defeat a Giant You would never pick a stutter'er to be the greatest leader in the Bible You would never choose a mass murderer to be the greatest evangelist  You would never pick a teenager to lead the NEW Church Plants   **WHAT WOULD YOU “NEVER” BE CALLED TO BE? The best husband? The best employee? The most fulfilled and at peace? The best marriage? The best health?   The best soul winner? The best healer? The best author? The best Teacher?