Podcasts about in christian

1 Timothy 5:24–25 (NLT) – “Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.” In today's Daily Devotion, Pastor Sumrall reminds us to be slow in judging others. The Apostle Paul taught Timothy that not everything about a person is visible right away. Some people's sins are clear from the start, while others hide theirs well, putting on a convincing act that only time and truth can expose.   The same is true with good deeds. Some people make their kindness obvious, while others quietly serve without recognition. But God sees it all. In His time, both hidden sin and unseen goodness will come to light. In Christian life, we're called to be patient and discerning. Don't rush to conclusions based on appearances or emotions. Let God be the one to reveal what's true. Stay steady, live with integrity, and trust that the Lord will always bring the truth to light. #DailyDevotions #PastorSumrall #BibleStudy #1Timothy5 #ChristianLiving #Wisdom #Discernment #CathedralOfPraise ------- Subscribe to cathedralofpraiseTV: https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1 Discover fundamental truths and the power of Scripture with Pastor David E. Sumrall on Daily Devotions. Pastor Sumrall serves as the Undershepherd of the Cathedral of Praise, a Christian church dedicated to Jesus and His Word, with campuses across Metro Manila and branches around the world.   Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon 

Biblical Critical Theory: Integrating Faith, Justice, and Culture© 2025 ISBN 978-976-97719-1-8And welcome to our conversation on a subject that combines art and religion, quite the intriguing combination, if I may say so myself. I am your host, Dr. William Anderson Gittens, DD. We are exploring how biblical critical thinking may be incorporated into the field of photojournalism, today as theologians, cultural theorists and photojournalists from the stunning island of Barbados.It is uncommon to hear about combining these two realms, yet it is a crucial topic, particularly for anyone who have ever pondered how their personal convictions may affect their work life. God is both transcendent and imminent, a concept that contrasts with secular worldviews. Biblical passages like Isaiah 55 9 and Acts 17 28 demonstrate this dual nature of God, emphasising his existence beyond and within the world.In Christian theology, pursuing knowledge is not just an intellectual exercise, but an act of worship, serving as a foundation for engaging with the external environment. The integration of religion and reasons provides a lens through which individuals can assess and influence culture. Ultimately, the journey of leading a Christian life begins with this understanding of God's transcendence and eminence.When we talk about applying biblical critical thinking to photojournalism, we are really looking at how scripture informs our understanding of truth and ethics. In many ways, photojournalism already aligns with these values, aiming to show reality, tell the truth, and do so ethically. However, adding a biblical lens pushes us to go a step further in ensuring our work glorifies God.While journalistic ethics ensure that we remain objective and truthful, biblical principles ask us to also consider factors and more about capturing it in a way that highlights God's truth and humanity. It is about making intentional choices with the stories we tell and the subjects we choose to highlight. For instance, when documenting controversial or sensitive topics, it becomes crucial to focus on the dignity and worth of the individuals involved.Scripture guides us to speak the truth in love, Ephesians 4.15, New International Version. Ensuring our work fosters understanding and compassion. This approach represents more than abiding by professional standards.It involves aligning each shot and story with passages such as 1 Corinthians 10.31, doing it all for the glory of God. It requires consideration of the audience's reaction and the potential for positive or negative impact. This does not mean imposing one's beliefs on others.REFERENCESBiolaSupport the showCultural Factors Influence Academic Achievements© 2024 ISBN978-976-97385-7-7 A_MEMOIR_OF_Dr_William_Anderson_Gittens_D_D_2024_ISBNISBN978_976_97385_0_8 Academic.edu. Chief of Audio Visual Aids Officer Mr. Michael Owen Chief of Audio Visual Aids Officer Mr. Selwyn Belle Commissioner of Police Mr. Orville Durant Dr. William Anderson Gittens, D.D En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning Hackett Philip Media Resource Development Officer Holder, B,Anthony Episcopal Priest, https://brainly.com/question/36353773 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning#cite_note-19 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning#cite_note-:2-18 https://independent.academia.edu/WilliamGittens/Books https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=william+anderson+gittens+barbados&oq=william+anderson+gittens https://www.academia.edu/123754463/ https://www.buzzsprout.com/429292/episodes. https://www.youtube.com/@williamandersongittens1714. Mr.Greene, Rupert

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    "When the glory falls" versus "falling short of the glory" It is important not to confuse the phrase with "falling short of the glory," which is a separate biblical concept from Romans 3:23. In that context, "falling short of the glory of God" refers to sin and the human failure to reflect God's perfect character. The saying "when the glory falls" is not about a personal failure but about a collective, supernatural experience of God's overwhelming presence   In Christian terminology, "when the glory falls" means the moment when the manifest presence of God becomes so powerful in a place or among a group of people that it is physically or spiritually tangible. It is often associated with intense worship, supernatural manifestations, and a profound sense of God's power and holiness.    Biblical roots This phrase is inspired by multiple events in the Bible where God's presence was revealed in a powerful, undeniable way: The Tabernacle and Temple: In Exodus, after the Tabernacle was completed, the glory of the Lord appeared as a cloud and filled the tent, preventing Moses from entering. A similar event happened during the dedication of Solomon's Temple in 2 Chronicles, where God's glory was so overwhelming that the priests could not stand to minister. Pentecost: In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit "fell" on the disciples in the form of wind and fire, an event that empowered them and marked the birth of the Church. Isaiah's vision: The prophet Isaiah had a vision where the train of the Lord's robe filled the temple, and the sound of the seraphim praising God shook the building.    Meaning in modern Christianity The phrase is used today, particularly within Charismatic and Pentecostal denominations, to describe a highly anticipated moment during a church service or revival. Deep spiritual encounter: It signifies a moment of intense spiritual experience where people feel a profound sense of awe and reverence for God. Tangible power: Believers describe the experience as the "weight" or "heaviness" of God's presence, an overwhelming spiritual force. Manifestations: During these moments, physical and emotional reactions can occur. Some people may fall to the ground in worship, a phenomenon referred to as being "slain in the Spirit." Others may cry out, shake, or feel waves of heat or energy. Supernatural occurrences: For many, the "glory falling" is associated with miracles and healings, where people are healed in their seats without physical touch, as the presence of God moves through the room. Divine heist or kidnapping - its a takeover: It represents a shift from a human-led service to one in which God is taking control. In these moments, planned sermons or prayers may actually stop the flow as worship takes over and the Holy Spirit moves in unexpected ways.  But here is the kicker, it almost always happens in context of believers meeting together in worship or in church (doesn't have to be a church building, but it is the church that gets together)  My point… what if you went to church not hoping worship is good, the preacher is good, the sermon keeps your attention, you see sally and Bill… what if you go to church to be the church - to pray, worship and expect the glory to fall. 

Personal Testimony and Introduction Expresses appreciation for a song, emphasizing the importance of having Jesus above worldly desires. "I got everything. You got Jesus, you got everything." Rejects the idea of "living the dream" in a worldly sense, preferring to focus on reaching the "other side of the honor." An encounter with an acquaintance who claimed to be "living the dream" prompted reflection on priorities. Acknowledges personal imperfection but emphasizes striving for salvation through Jesus Christ. Salvation is achieved through being "born again by the blood of Jesus Christ." Emphasizes that the Father must call on you to go through the door. Malachi 3: God the Refiner The sermon is based on Malachi 3, focusing on God as a refiner. Key verses: Malachi 3:2-3 "But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap." "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." Understanding the Refiner's Process Fuller's Soap: Definition: A strong alkaline substance used to clean and whiten cloth, especially wool, in ancient times. Made from harsh substances from plants and ashes to remove impurities or stains. The Refiner's Role: Heating: The refiner heats silver and gold to bring impurities to the surface. In Christian life, this is likened to God "turning up the heat," revealing impurities. Separation: Impurities are separated, skimmed, and removed. Saved individuals must separate themselves from sin, requiring God's help. The devil tempts with things that appear "shiny," but one must remain steadfast in faith. Patience and Observation: The refiner carefully monitors the process to prevent damage to the metal. God is patient, dealing with individuals to ensure they are not damaged during trials. Purification: Fire refines gold and silver; God uses trials and challenges to purify His people, removing their sinful nature. God is present during trials, ensuring individuals are not alone in the "fire." God's Constant Presence and Faith Trust in God is essential during trials and tribulations, strengthening faith. The refining process involves God removing impurities. Recognizing Completion: A refiner knows the process is complete when they can see their reflection in the refined metal. God considers the process complete when He sees His Son (Jesus) reflected in an individual. Even during tribulations and trials, God is always present. Turning away from God requires a greater effort to return. Stepping away from God requires walking "20 miles away and 60 back to Him." God bought individuals with a precious price, and they should not disregard His sacrifice. Personal Struggles and Reliance on God Acknowledges the need for ongoing refinement by God to remove impurities. Expresses a desire to maintain a "clean slate" with God, free from accumulated sin. Shares past experiences of facing challenges and relying on God's support. There was a time of praying to God, asking "which devil am I going to meet tonight?" The refiner (God) never encourages neglecting prayer, Bible reading, or church attendance. Personal experiences of being "melded" and "burnt" by preachers, requiring repentance and forgiveness. God's forgiveness leads to Him seeing Himself in the individual again. The Significance of Jesus Christ Every mention of "Jesus Christ" and the sight of a "bloody cross" evokes a sense of gratitude for the sacrifice made. No one but Jesus Christ could pay the debt of sin. Expresses a desire to avoid worldly actions and sins, preferring to face consequences in this life rather than in the afterlife.

Wondering how to deal with a Break Up? Dealing with a relationship breakup can be an incredibly challenging experience, especially for Christian singles who often view relationships through the lens of faith and long-term commitment. In this article, we'll explore practical and faith-based strategies for navigating the emotional landscape of a post-breakup period. In Christian dating, there’s often a strong emphasis on seeking a lifelong partner and maintaining sexual purity and emotional integrity. When a relationship ends, it can feel […] The post How to Deal With a Christian Single Relationship Break Up appeared first on Christian Singles Advice | Christian Dating Advice Tips. Related posts: How to Break Up a Christian Dating Relationship How to Deal with Sadness as a Christian Single How to Deal with Shame as a Single Christian How to Deal With Stress as a Single Christian Should Christian Single Dating Couples Who Fall into Sexual Sin Break Up?

Send us a Question!REBROADCAST MOVIE DISCUSSION: In this rebroadcast episode (originally released September 28th, 2021), Melvin & Dan talk about one of Laika's several family-friendly horror-animated features, ParaNorman!  Topics: ParaNorman has a comfortable, cozy Fall atmosphere.Laika takes advantage of it's medium to create a fun, charismatic animation style that separates itself from the competition.Melvin shares about an extremely lonely period in his life where he tried talking to ghosts because he had no one else to talk to.Melvin, "When you're just feeling distant and weird, all you want is someone to step into your world and spend time with you."How ParaNorman isn't really all that scary, especially compared to something like Coraline.But also, how ParaNorman can have these intensely emotional moments elevated by the children's story-book nature of the movie.Discussing what it's like to be an outcast, or treated differently, for your interests (in particular, Melvin & Dan being Christians who like horror movies).In this particular case, most Christians who enjoy horror movies have a strong understanding as to why they enjoy them than most Christians have with non-horror movies."Weird" people know that they're "weird" and see how others treat people who are also "weird", and it can become a perpetual self-isolating and self-preservation machine to try and keep away from those who may target their "weirdness" for laughs, bullying, or with disappointment. In Christian circles, when people are ostracized for certain qualities, social ticks, or "abnormal" hobbies, it's not a far-cry for people to start thinking the Lord sees them in a similar fashion: weird, different, separate, and superfluous.And, finally, we talk about that one joke between characters Mitch and Courtney that apparently became the big talking point during the time of ParaNorman's release, despite there being so much more to talk about (as proven by the rest of the episode).Recommendations: Nate Pickowicz's "How to Eat Your Bible: A Simple Approach to Learning and Loving the Word of God"Parents: Learn to be interested in your kid's lives!Gilmore Girls // Dark Matter Support the showSupport on Patreon for Unique Perks! Early access to uncut episodes Vote on a movie/show we review One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers & Pins Social Links: Threads Website Substack Instagram Facebook Group

“May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfill And do on earth our Father's will As angels do above; Still walk in Christ, the living way, With all Thy children and obey The law of Christian love. “Spirit of life, of love and peace, Unite our hearts, our joy increase, Thy gracious help supply. To each of us the blessing give In Christian fellowship to live, In joyful hope to die.”

Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ abide all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is, therefore, a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. Moreover, the cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal support of the churches. An adequate system of Christian education is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ's people.In Christian education there should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic responsibility. Freedom in any orderly relationship of human life is always limited and never absolute. The freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.

In Christian theology, fatherhood holds profound significance, mirroring God's own role as the ultimate Father and provider. It encompasses not only physical provision and protection but also spiritual guidance, moral instruction, and the modeling of God's love and character. As if that wasn't a high enough calling, earthly fathers are called to reflect the love, discipline, and faithfulness of God the Father, shaping their children's lives and pointing them towards a relationship with God through modeling what obedience looks like. This month, we honored dad's on Father's Day, and we wanted to recognize that on the podcast - so, who better to ask to chat about fatherhood than my husband (I may be biased, but I think he is the best dad I know!) and our good friend who is about to become a dad himself? Juan and Ceddie are good friends, servant leaders, humble followers of Jesus, and aim to obey and please the Lord in everything they do. They're also no strangers to podcasting - they host their own podcast - The Upside Down Podcast - where they host thought-provoking questions about life and faith. Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: The Upside Down Podcast (The Christian podcast of big questions and even bigger discussions :-))Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.You Were Made for More Social Media: FacebookTwitterInstagram

*Today, unfortunately Loretta was supposed to welcome back Cate Montana to catch up with her on the latest journey but was unable to make the show. So, with that we're encoring a show back from Feb. 2023 on her book Cracking the Matrix. We will reschedule soon with Cate. Cheers! - Producer Benny Our world is in the grip of a powerful, intelligent anti-life Force—an unseen, all-pervasive evil influence that has been involved in the deliberate degeneration of humanity for thousands of years. Priests and shamans, philosophers and mystics have all pointed to the existence of this hostile Force and named it in every culture in the world. For the ancient Greeks it was the Archons—the Powerful Evil Ones. In Christian literature it's Beelzebub, the Devil, Satan, and Shaitan. For the Hebrews it's Abaddon. In Islam it's Iblis or AshShaytān. To Native Americans it's wetiko. To the Hawaiian kahunas it's e'epa. In modern parlance it's mind parasites. The reason humanity has not yet caught on to the reality of this Force is because: 1) The beings plaguing us are only visible in the astral realms and when they work through us. 2) We have been programmed to believe this degenerate, anti-life Force originates within us, so we don't spend any time searching for outside causes for our spiritual, moral and social malaise. 3) Nobody likes to look at scary stuff except in the movies. 4) Many famous heads of state, blue bloods, global financial leaders, corporate media conglomerates and NGOs such as the World Economic Forum are minions of this dark Force, implementing its agendas. Last but not least, 5) these technologically advanced yet spiritless beings have created a thought matrix of lies, a false reality for us to live in that keeps us fundamentally cooperative with their ultimate agenda: human enslavement. The matrix is very real. And some of the world's top scientists in theoretical physics, computational neuroscience and artificial intelligence are close to proving it. Intricate computer codes have been discovered hidden in the mathematical equations describing the cosmos, and corporate titans like Elon Musk are weighing in, saying things like, "The chance that we're living in base reality is one in billions." Media, spirituality, religion, and politics have been skillfully infiltrated and subtly twisted to serve this Force's agenda. Materialism, money, wars, drugs, porn, Covid, The Great Reset—all are programs within the matrix, purposefully designed to accomplish one thing: To keep us from remembering our spiritual nature and tapping into the beauty and unfathomable power that lie within us. Solidly researched and footnoted, Cracking the Matrix: 14 Keys to Individual & Global Freedom is designed to help people finally see this anti-life Force, understand its agenda, recognize its blatant presence behind current global events, learn how to break free of its controlling influences and stand up in their true spiritual power, ready to create The New Earth that has so long been prophesied. Author Cate Montana a dauntless explorer of inner and outer worlds, since her awakening in 2007, she has written several extremely different books: A feminist memoir, Unearthing Venus: My Search for the Woman Within [Watkins 2013], an explanation of the ego and enlightenment, The E Word, Ego Enlightenment & Other Essentials [Atria 2017], and a spiritual novel, Apollo & Me [Rampant Feline Media 2019]. She is also the co-author of The Heart of the Matter with Dr. Darren Weissman [Hay House 2013]. Cracking the Matrix: 14 Keys to Individual & Global Freedom is her most recent work. A professional journalist specializing in alternative medicine and health, Cate has a master's degree in psychology and speaks and teaches about consciousness, ego development and spirituality. She lives on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Find out more at www.catemontana.com

The Japanese call it "Sho Shin" - having a beginner's mind, a heart that is ready to listen, to grow, to learn. An eagerness coupled with humility. In Christian terms we call that having a teachable heart and it's one of the main characteristics of a person who seeks a wisdom that comes from a deeper relationship with God. Explore what this means in this episode of Gospel Wabi Sabi. 

Focus: When asked by His disciples to teach them how to pray, Jesus gave us perhaps the most familiar prayer of all time. In Christian worship services every week, spanning the denominations; in funeral homes, bedsides, and family gatherings you will hear, “Our Father who art in heaven…” And yet, there is much more going on here with Jesus' teaching about prayer than meets the eye! Matthew 6:5-15

Today is day 148 and we are studying The Sacrament of Marriage. 148. What grace does God give in marriage? In Christian marriage, God unites husband and wife and blesses their common life, that they may grow together in love, wisdom, and godliness, patterned on the sacrificial love of Christ. A Christian marriage embodies this grace in the world, especially through hospitality and care for those who are lonely or in need. (Genesis 2:18–25; Psalm 128; Proverbs 18:22; Matthew 1:18–25; 1 Corinthians 13:1–13; “Holy Matrimony,” Book of Common Prayer 2019) We will conclude today with Prayer 69 For a Marriage or Anniversary on page 667 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

SWM 150 - Control, sex and marriage. Check out the blog post here for more details and links.Last month, I watched a great video by Gary Thomas and his wife Lisa on how a controlling spirit can harm a marriage. It got me thinking: In Christian circles, we often struggle to define the difference between healthy leadership and damaging control—both in marriage and in our relationship with God.Why is it that surrendering to God is seen as good, but demanding control from a spouse is harmful? The key, I believe, is consent and love. When surrender is freely given and motivated by love, it can bring freedom and joy. But when control is forced, it leads to resentment and broken trust.In this post, I'm sharing some personal stories and lessons we've learned about navigating these tricky dynamics in marriage.Links in this podcast episode:Gary Thomas - Substack - A controlling spirit can devestate a marriageSWM 108 - What does the Bible say about hell?Sexual Frequency - Why I don't worry anymoreBecoming More Sexually Engaged Course - For Christian WivesSexy Photos Course - For Christian WivesBecoming More Sexually Engaged Course - For Christian WivesFollow us on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterIf you'd like to discuss the questions as they come in, consider joining our private forum.Thank you to all our faithful supporters!If you like that there are no ads in our podcast and want to keep it that way, check out our support page for more info.  Even $5/month makes a difference.Lastly, if you like our podcast, please rate it as it helps others know this is a good resource to help with their marriage. You managed to find us, help someone else do the same and receive the same benefits to their relationship.

In Christian groups, it's easy to tell our kids to "find your identity in Christ." But practically, what does that mean? Danny and John help give some clarity to that phrase. Also, Kari Kampakis and Jim Daly share about ways teen girls are tempted to find their identity in besides Christ. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Love Her Well for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Listen Now Subscribe to Brio Magazine Resources for Raising Your Teen Support This Show! If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 20, 2025 is: resurrection • rez-uh-REK-shun • noun In Christian theology, Resurrection (typically capitalized in this use) refers to the event in which Jesus Christ returned to life after his death. In general contexts, resurrection refers to the act of causing something that had ended or been forgotten or lost to exist again, to be used again, etc. // Church members look forward to celebrating the Resurrection every Easter. // The community applauded the resurrection of the commuter rail system. See the entry > Examples: “Some of their efforts to follow Scripture were wonderfully zany. To wrest the death and resurrection of Jesus away from both pagan fertility rituals and Hallmark, they outlawed Easter egg hunts. ... She smashed chocolate Easter bunnies with a meat tenderizer and ripped the heads off marshmallow Peeps, while the boys gleefully gobbled the ruined remnants of consumer culture.” — Eliza Griswold, Circle of Hope: A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church, 2024 Did you know? The word resurrection first arose in English in the 14th century, coming from the Anglo-French word resurreccioun, which in turn comes from the Late Latin verb resurgere, meaning “to rise from the dead.” Originally, the word was used in Christian contexts to refer to the rising of Christ from the dead or to the festival celebrating this rising (now known as Easter). Perhaps showing the influence of the Late Latin verb resurgere's Latin forerunner, which could mean “to rise again” (as from a recumbent position) as well as “to spring up again after being cut” (used of plants), resurrection soon began to be used more generally in the senses of “resurgence” or “revival.” It even forms part of the name of the resurrection fern, an iconic fern of the southern United States often seen growing on the limbs of live oak trees. The fern is so named due to the fact that in dry weather it curls up, turns brown, and appears dead, only to be “brought back to life” when exposed to moisture.

April 19, 2025Today's Reading: Matthew 27:57-66Daily Lectionary: Exodus 13:17-14:9; Hebrews 7:1-22“Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” (Matthew 27:64)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The church leaders go to great lengths to make sure that there will be no confusion about the death of Jesus. Jesus died and is buried. Saturday is a day of silence. Nothing is written about what transpires from Friday evening until Sunday morning other than the placing of the guards at the tomb of Jesus. Silence covers the world. The Son of God is silent. The Son of Man, The Son of God, rests on the seventh day. He rests on the Sabbath. He will rise from the dead on the eighth day, finalizing His work of conquering death.On this day, Christians all around the world are reflecting on the time of Christ in the tomb. Vigils are held, and Scriptures are read in the sanctuaries. In Christian homes, there is silence as the death of the Son of Man is remembered. In the midst of our silence, there is a lot of noise. Noise from sin, satan, and the world. The noise of a fallen creation is the complete corruption of God's Holy creation. The chaos we experience in life. The reality of broken homes. The struggle with broken relationships. The confrontation of death at any age. The Old Adam in us reminds us that we are tired from all the chaos. Satan still lays out his temptations before us as we are drawn into secular activities surrounding Easter. We feel as if the world is against us, and we are flailing in the deep end of the pool of life. The desire for silence consumes us, but it does not come.On this day, many of our sanctuaries are preparing for the Easter Services. As post-pentecost churches, we know the rest of the story. We know that the silence is not permanent. The tomb will be opened, and Christ will rise from the dead. Death is conquered. No longer is there silence in the world as the gates of the grave are burst open. All of Christ's words come to fruition. He will suffer, He will die, and on the third day, He will rise from the dead. His rest in the tomb on the Sabbath is the final rest He takes. Today, as we enter into His Sanctuaries, He works while we rest and receive the Gifts He gives to us in His Means Of Grace. We receive the promise that we, too, will rise from the grave on the Last Day.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, creator of heaven and earth, grant that as the crucified body of Your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with Him the coming of the third day, and rise with Him to newness of life, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Holy Saturday)-Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!

Today is Good Friday. In Christian faith, today and Easter Sunday are two of the most important days of observation. We often, on Rector's Cupboard, refer to what is happening in the world, the news, politics, culture. In Christian faith, Good Friday is always more than news of the week. It is at the heart of the faith. With that in mind, we offer a Good Friday reflection. The reflection is intended as an invitation to spiritual contemplation. What does it mean that Jesus was alone on Good Friday? What does “Christ Alone” entail? Wherever you are at, in terms of faith and belief, may you know God's presence and blessing and hope this Easter weekend.

Today is recognized as World Quantum Day, an international event focused on raising awareness and understanding of quantum physics and technology. As we draw closer to Easter, the Christian resurrection story of Jesus can be seen as a major quantum entanglement. Christ is both dead and alive, crucified and resurrected. In Christian theology, Christ exists in states of contradictory duality. Moreover, the expression of the Godhead or the Holy Trinity bursts into real time - the genuine God in human flesh as one is forced to wonder about the aspect of the Divine Architect that exists outside of time and all linear restrictions. Tonight on Ground Zero (7-10 pm, pacific time on groundzeroplus.com), Clyde Lewis talks about QUANTUM EASTER - SCHRODINGER'S CHRIST. #GroundZeroPlus #ClydeLewis #Quantum #MandelaEffect #SchrodingersCat #easter

In Christian marriage, we don't seek for our partner to meet our needs, but to share Christ's bounty.

In Christian circles the phrase "the word of God" is synonyms for the Bible and while that is certainly true and valid, when the Apostle Paul uses this same phrasing to describe the Bible as an incredible weapon and part of our Spiritual Armor, his meaning holds a much deeper truth. In exploring his use of "word" in the Greek language, we begin to understand exactly how we are to wield this "Sword of the Spirit" as both an offensive and defensive weapon and how that fits into our role and responsibility in the battle - to Stand. Join us as we unpack how powerful the "rhema" sword can be when facing temptation, attacks and struggles in helping us to overcome in our daily battles. From Ephesians 6:10-17.Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

KALEIDOSCOPE OF THE CROSS Our Enduring Model of Discipleship Matthew 16:24 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:22-24 NIV “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. Then Jesus said to his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” • A theology of glory (victory) “ the theologian of glory does not know God hidden in suffering. Therefore he prefers works to suffering, glory to the cross, strength to weakness, wisdom to folly, and, in general, good to evil." - Martin Luther • A theology of the cross The clearest image of God—the fullness of who God is and the pinnacle of His self-revelation—is the crucified Christ. “In Christian discipleship the cross is not only something Jesus did for us, but also the pattern we are to follow. As Christians we don't just stand on the sidelines and watch Jesus carry his cross. No, we fall in behind and carry our own cross. The cross is the call to self-denial for the sake of imitating Christ.” - Brian Zahnd 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV “And I, when I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

After losing her son Christian to alcohol poisoning in 2015, Mary Ciammetti founded "Don't Stall, Just Call," a vital alcohol poisoning education program. Mary launched the program to ensure no other family experiences such a preventable tragedy. She teaches critical signs of alcohol poisoning and emphasizes the importance of immediate action. In Christian's memory, the foundation offers scholarships at Temple University and hosts community events. To support Don't Stall, Just Call, mark your calendars for their annual 5K on April 26th at Temple University's Ambler Campus. Mary is doing incredible work to prevent alcohol poisoning tragedies. Knowing the signs of alcohol poisoning could literally save a life. Her Story is hosted by Kathy Romano and airs Sunday mornings at 7am on 93.3 WMMR-FM in Philadelphia. Follow Her Story on Instagram for a first look at each week’s guest.

In Christian circles, King David is often treated as a model of courage and faithfulness. And in many ways, he was that! But he was also a broken sinner. In this message, we're looking at the darkest moment in David's life and learning from his mistakes.

In Christian circles, King David is often treated as a model of courage and faithfulness. And in many ways, he was that! But he was also a broken sinner. In this message, we're looking at the darkest moment in David's life and learning from his mistakes. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1518/29

Here is the question of the day: is it OK to read romances (like Harlequin & its ilk) if the sex isn't explicit? Are Christian romances a good substitute for secular romance genre reading?That question was posed to me from a long-time reader of this blog.I explore the complexities of Christian romance novels and the challenges of balancing faith with engaging narratives, avoiding sin and idols, and invite deeper contemplation. Links mentioned How far is too far? What does edgy mean and do we even need edgy? Why does it have to be called Christian fiction anyway- Tolkien's wasn't... In Christian fiction, how do we balance keeping the message strong and not watering it down while still wanting to reach readers beyond Christian bookstores or churches? Steve Laube wrote about edgy Christian fiction

In Christian art, the Gospel of Luke…is represented by the “bull”…because Luke begins his narrative in the temple, the place of sacrifice.Tuesday • 12/24/2024 •Advent 4 Year 1This morning's Scriptures are: Psalm 66; Isaiah 11:1o–16; Revelation 20:11–21:8; Luke 1:5–25  This morning's Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

In Christian circles, analogies are often used to describe the Trinity. But are they accurate? Today, Michael Reeves examines how Scripture challenges and deepens our understanding of our triune God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ask-ligonier/should-we-use-analogies-to-describe-the-trinity/ Submit a biblical or theological question of your own by calling 1-800-607-9386 or by emailing an audio recording of your question to askligoniervm@ligonier.org. You can also receive real-time answers through our online chat service at https://ask.ligonier.org/. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

October 5, 2024 Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 20 - Psalm 127:3-5; antiphon: Psalm 127:1aDaily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:1-21; Matthew 8:18-34“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame” (Psalm 127:3-5)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Every year, someone releases a list of words and phrases that should be banished. One phrase that has not yet appeared on that list, but probably should, is, “Children should be seen and not heard.” That little gem of a saying makes children seem like some kind of burden that society must endure. It is difficult enough to be young; the last thing needed is for the young not to be valued. Even parenthood suffers in our time. Pregnancy is treated like an illness or disability, motherhood is looked down upon, and fathers are depicted as inept in popular culture. At times, it seems that family life in general is under attack. This is nothing new. Children were not universally valued in the ancient world. They were not even considered people unless their father accepted them. In fact, infant exposure was common, and unwanted children were left outside to die. In contrast, the ancient Israelites highly valued their children. Having children meant that God's covenant still stood. Children mean that God was going to fulfill His promises. Children meant that the future of God's people was assured. Motherhood was something to aspire to, and fatherhood was to be respected. So great was the desire for children that to not have children was considered a punishment. Neither the Israelites nor the early Christians practiced infant exposure. God's people have always had a different approach to children and family life than whatever culture they found themselves living in. This means that you are already a blessing just by existing. You are not a burden, a bother, or something that is in the way. You are a heritage from the Lord; you are a reward. You are an arrow in your parents' quiver. You are the fulfillment of a promise. Your future as one of God's people is assured. The promises that are for your parents are also for you. The death of Jesus on the cross was for your parents, and it was for you. Now, you are an arrow, but in the future, you may have your own quiver full of arrows, and the promises of God that are for you will be for your children. Now, you are a blessing, and in the future, you will be blessed. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In Christian homes, Lord, let them be Your blessing to their family; Let Christian schools Your work extend In living truth as You intend. (LSB 866:2)-Rev. Grant Knepper, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church Modesto, California.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

The title “Lord” can mean a variety of things to people. Where monarchies are remembered, “lord” can evoke nobility. We also hear it used as a verb with a negative undertone, to lord something over someone. In Christian circles we talk about Jesus as Lord, but what does that mean? Listen in to find out! You might have heard that Jesus desires to be your Savior, but did you know He also desires to be your leader? The Bible calls this the Lordship of Jesus. Could it be that we finally experience the freedom we crave when we begin turning everything over to Jesus? Come sit with us to find out!! Join us for service every Sunday at 9:15am or 11:00am (EST).  Here are ways to connect with us! Text TODAY to 937-358-6565 to let us know you decided to let Jesus take control of your life. Text BAPTISM to 937-358-6565 to find out more about getting baptized as an expression of your new faith. Text SERVE to 937-358-6565 to find a serve community to join that matches your skills and passions. Text PRAYER to 937-358-6565 to let us know how we can be praying for you! And if you would like to support The Valley Church financially, you can GIVE online via our website: www.thevalley.church/give. Music: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videosLicense code: 1EBH3J7EM5DURCTO

In Christian mythology the unholy trinity is Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. In Folk Horror the Unholy Trinity is The Witchfinder's General, The Blood on Satan's Claw and The Whisper Man. Join us for a discussion on the foundations of Folk Horror and three films that represent the genre. This is hopefully the start to more discussion on folk horror, which is a massive conversation. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ All music and sound by Mannequin Uprising.

ChatGPT Poem: You'll Stop Burning with the Suns of a Million UniversesReese and Joe, friends from days gone by, In Christian ska bands, they reached for the sky. But beyond the music, their bond took a turn, Through tales of mishaps, where bowels would churn.In crowded tour buses, late-night delights, Payday bars munched under dim stage lights. Corn kernels savored, crunchy and sweet, Unbeknownst to them, a digestive defeat.One fateful night, after the show, Reese felt a rumble, a brewing woe. He dashed to the restroom, beads on his brow, Explosive diarrhea about to allow.Joe, not far behind, his stomach in knots, The aftermath of corn and sugary plots. Side by side in the stalls, their laughter suppressed, A friendship deepened in moments distressed."Oh man," Reese groaned, with a rueful grin, "Next time, let's rethink our pre-show sin." Joe chuckled, despite the plight they were in, “Maybe just water and some aspirin.”Corn kernels floated in the watery abyss, A surreal scene, a friendship amiss. Yet in their discomfort, they found a strange peace, In shared vulnerability, their bond did increase."You'll stop burning with the suns of a million universes," Reese quipped, amid groans and curses. Joe replied, with a breathless laugh, "In this bathroom stall, we've found our true path."For in life's wild moments, unplanned and unclean, True friendship's light can always be seen. Through laughter and tears, and digestive regrets, Their bond only strengthened, no place for frets.So here's to Joe and Reese, in tales so bizarre, From Christian ska stages to bathroom memoirs. You'll stop burning, but the laughter remains, In the stories, the chaos, the love and the pains.Patreon: www.patreon.com/pickleandbootshop Merch: www.bonfire.com/store/the-pickle-and-boot-shop--shop/ Email: thepickleandbootshop@gmail.com Instagram: joeandreesepabs Diabolical Discussion by Daniel Rock: facebook.com/groups/diabolicaldiscussion Good Eats: beefaro

Summary In this conversation, Jerrad Lopes and Sam Jolman discuss various topics related to men's emotions, anger, and the use of pornography as a coping mechanism. They explore the importance of self-awareness, curiosity, and finding healthy outlets for stress and emotions. They also highlight the need for men to give themselves space to reflect on their behavior and seek healing with the help of others. Shame registers as trauma and can feel like a threat to the body, leading to fight or flight responses. Men often cope with shame by shutting down, disconnecting, and hiding. Overcoming shame requires vulnerability and community support. In Christian culture, there is often a subtle message that sex is bad before marriage and then becomes awesome but not talked about after marriage. Healthy sexuality as a disciple of Jesus involves appreciating beauty, experiencing awe, and worshiping God. Practical steps for shaping the story of young boys include guarding devices and having ongoing, age-appropriate conversations about sex and relationships. Therapy should lead to repentance and a deeper reliance on Jesus as the healer, rather than becoming self-focused and narcissistic. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:21 The Challenges of Raising Boys 06:48 The Role of Pornography as a Coping Mechanism 13:34 Exploring Deeper Pain Points and Acceptance 27:48 The Power of Confession and Seeking Support 28:30 Understanding the Impact of Shame and Coping Mechanisms 34:56 Navigating Christian Culture's Messages About Sexuality 37:01 Appreciating Beauty, Experiencing Awe, and Worshiping God 44:26 Practical Steps for Shaping a Healthy View of Sexuality in Young Boys 50:06 The Role of Therapy in Repentance and Reliance on Jesus Key Takeaways: Boys and girls have different ways of expressing and dealing with emotions, and it's important for parents to understand and guide them accordingly. Many men struggle with anger, especially after getting married and having children. It's important to find healthy outlets for anger and not just bury or suppress it. Alcohol and pornography are often used as coping mechanisms to de-stress, but they can have harmful side effects and should not be relied upon for emotional regulation. Understanding the deeper reasons behind certain behaviors, such as pornography use, can help in finding lasting healing and freedom. Self-awareness and curiosity are key in exploring one's own story and addressing underlying pain or trauma. Finding a trusted community or accountability partner can greatly aid in the journey towards healing and overcoming addictive behaviors. Shame can feel like a threat to the body and lead to fight or flight responses. Men often cope with shame by shutting down, disconnecting, and hiding. Overcoming shame requires vulnerability and community support. Healthy sexuality as a disciple of Jesus involves appreciating beauty, experiencing awe, and worshiping God. Practical steps for shaping the story of young boys include guarding devices and having ongoing, age-appropriate conversations about sex and relationships. Therapy should lead to repentance and a deeper reliance on Jesus as the healer, rather than becoming self-focused and narcissistic.

Today we are going to finish our study on Joshua 5. Joshua is facing his first major battle after crossing the Jordan River and he is standing outside the giant city walls of Jericho and is no doubt thinking how in the world will they conquer this city that stands between them and the Promise Land. It was there, in the darkness of the night and while he was alone, that he had an encounter with the God of the universe.   In Matthew 6:6, Jesus taught us to pray by entering into the closet and shutting the door, and pray, spending time with our Father who is in secret, and our Father who sees in secret will reward us openly! Do you have a secret place where you get alone with your Lord? You shut the door of your mind to all the distractions of the world around you? You turn off the cell phone, the computer, the iPad, and open up your Bible and concentrate on His Word and commune with Him in prayer?   God had promised to be with Joshua (Josh. 1:5, 9), and the people had prayed that the Lord would be with him (vv. 16-17). The enemy knew that God was with Israel (2:8), and Joshua had encouraged his people with this promise (3:9ff). Joshua was now experiencing the reality of that promise!   When Joshua discovered the visitor was the Lord, he fell at His feet in worship and waited for His orders. In Christian ministry great public victories are won in private as leaders submit to the Lord and receive their directions from Him. It's doubtful that anybody in the camp of Israel knew about their leader's meeting with the Lord, but that meeting made the difference between success and failure on the battlefield. The Chinese Bible teacher Watchman Nee wrote, "Not until we take the place of a servant can He take His place as Lord."   Joshua was reminded that he was second in command. Every father and mother, pastor, and Christian leader is second in command to the Lord Jesus Christ; and when we forget this fact, we start to move toward defeat and failure. The Lord's first order to Joshua revealed to him that he was standing on holy ground. This reminds us of God's words to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:5). Joshua was standing in "heathen territory"; yet because God was with him, he was standing on holy ground. If we are obeying the will of God, no matter where He leads us, we are on holy ground; and we had better behave accordingly. There's no such thing as "secular" and "sacred," "common" and "consecrated," when you are in the Lord's service. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).   The sequence here is significant: first humble worship, then holy walk, then heavenly warfare. This parallels the "spiritual postures" found in the Epistle to the Ephesians. Joshua first bowed the knee (Eph. 3:14); then he submitted to a holy walk (4:1,17; 5:2, 8,15); and then he went out to battle the enemy in the power of the Lord (6:10-18). Like Joshua, we have already been given our inheritance (described in Eph. 1-2) and we must overcome the enemy in order to claim it for ourselves and enjoy it.   This also reminds me of Philippians 4, where Paul is writing from prison, and he is encouraging and instructing the believers at Philippi to quit worrying and being fearful of all the terrible circumstances around them but to rejoice in the Lord by spending time in prayer, in supplications, and thanksgiving. When they gave their burdens to the Lord, they would experience the “peace of God” that would guard their minds. Then he told them to start thinking the right things (Philippians 4:8), and then when they did the right things in their daily walk, they would find that the very “God of peace” was with them! (Phil. 4:9).   We don't have to stay in the miserable wilderness of self! Get alone with our heavenly Father each morning and yield yourself and your burdens to Him and you will experience His peace and presence throughout the day! Take time to be holy!   God bless!

This attitude of humility, admission, and apology should be learned young, at home. In Christian homes, some phrases should be in regular use: I didn't know that. I made a mistake. I shouldn't have said/done that. You're right.Can you forgive me?I messed up. In a society that values victimhood, Christian homes must be countercultural.” Let's learn Rule #6 — We take responsibility from House Rules by Jacob Hudgins. What a blessing it is to work on building homes using our Heavenly Father's blueprint! Let us learn from David when he humbly confronted God after his sin with Bathsheba, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me of my sin! For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight…Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:1-10) Powerfully put! We need to be responsible for our work. We must be like the 5 wise virgins in the parable and work to have a full lamp, no one can do this for us. We need to be responsible for our actions, no excuses or blaming others, God gives us CHOICE. The disobedience of others doesn't justify me to act in an ungodly way. We need to be responsible for our messes. It's only when we admit our sins that we can grow and heal and be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. We need to be responsible for what we say. “Taking responsibility starts at home and radiates outward. Without it, we show up to work and resent being asked to do our jobs. We attend local churches and expect others to serve us. We frustrate others…” Are you ready to join Kate and Sheila for the challenge of taking responsibility? We hope this book has blessed you as much as it has us. Thanks so much for listening! May this recap bonus bite bless you and your family! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message

Today is day 148 and we are studying The Sacrament of Marriage. 148. What grace does God give in marriage? In Christian marriage, God unites husband and wife and blesses their common life, that they may grow together in love, wisdom, and godliness, patterned on the sacrificial love of Christ. A Christian marriage embodies this grace in the world, especially through hospitality and care for those who are lonely or in need. (Genesis 2:18–25; Psalm 128; Proverbs 18:22; Matthew 1:18–25; 1 Corinthians 13:1–13; “Holy Matrimony,” Book of Common Prayer 2019) We will conclude today with Prayer 69 For a Marriage or Anniversary on page 667 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

In Christian circles, we tend to throw the word “blessing” around a lot. And it's true that every good gift is from God! But even non-believers enjoy the “common grace” of everyday blessings. There's a big difference between good things happening to us, and God actively moving in a miraculous way.

Greetings dear listeners! Please join Kate and Sheila for Rule #5–No Gossip Allowed in Jacob Hudgins' book, House Rules. We have an enlightening interview with Jacob coming out on Tuesday. We hope you'll join us! What does God's Word say about gossip? The Bible uses words like slander, speak evil of, whisperer, reviling, back-biting, busybodies, talebearer, and meddling. Whew! Quite a list! “...blending together the various biblical expressions, gossip is saying bad things about other people to ruin their reputations or condemn them, especially when they are not present.” In Christian homes, there is no gossip allowed, we want to build up not tear down. Jacob gives different reasons why we gossip, such as: laziness, jealousy, revenge, or for fun. Gossip is not a victimless vice, it hurts not only the one being thrown under the bus and also the thrower. Is it a lack of gratitude on our part that unleashes the gossiping gargoyle, destroyer of trust and wrecker of relationships (with people and with God)??? Help! Improvement Wanted! “For lack of wood the fire goes out…” Prov 26:20 Let's start with us-Be aware. What are my intentions? “The fact that I know something doesn't mean I have to say it.” Ask bold clarifying questions-”Is that what they said or just what you heard? Push back with compassion and understanding-”break the self-centeredness cycle” Complimenting the victim can change the tone. Use caution at home not to take the bridle off our tongues, or as Kate said, “Never put stretchy pants on the tongue” Bahaha! We must strive to build and create (like our Heavenly Father) instead of destroy and distort. We thank you for striving to be intentional with us as we journey toward knowing God better! Happy Growing and Reading!!! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “…the more I examine the universe and the details of its architecture, the more evidence I find that the universe in some sense must have known we were coming.”~Freeman John Dyson (1923-2020), theoretical physicist and mathematician “If the experience of science teaches anything, it's that the world is very strange and surprising. The many revolutions in science have certainly shown that.” “[The] destinies of human beings and of the whole universe lie together in the world of God's new creation…. In Christian thinking, the seed event from which this new creation has already begun to grow is the resurrection of Christ. His tomb was empty because the matter of his corpse had been transmuted into the ‘matter' of the new creation, to become his risen and glorified body in which he appeared to the first witnesses.”~John Polkinghorne (1930-2021), theoretical physicist and theologian “For the sake of suffering humanity [Christ] came down from heaven to earth, clothed himself in that humanity in the Virgin's womb, and was born a man. Having then a body capable of suffering, he took the pain of fallen man upon himself; he triumphed over the diseases of soul and body that were its cause, and by his Spirit, which was incapable of dying, he dealt man's destroyer, death, a fatal blow.”~Melito of Sardis in his “Apology to Marcus Aurelius” (c. 169-170) “Faith is not just a question of abstract knowledge…. I can't believe that Jesus was the Son of God and was raised from the dead without it affecting my life. It isn't just a question of ticking the boxes: it is a question of how you orient your whole existence.”~John Polkinghorne (1930-2021), theoretical physicist and theologian “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”~Julian of Norwich (c.1343-after 1416), medieval mystic “Christians, at their best, are the fools who dare believe in God's power to call dead things to life.”~Esau MacCaulley, professor, author, opinion writer for the New York TimesSERMON PASSAGEGalatians 1:1-5 & 6:14-15 (ESV)Galatians 11 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me,To the churches of Galatia:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 614 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Revelation 211 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”Isaiah 244 The earth mourns and withers;  the world languishes and withers;  the highest people of the earth languish.5 The earth lies defiled  under its inhabitants;  for they have transgressed the laws,  violated the statutes,  broken the everlasting covenant.6 Therefore a curse devours the earth,  and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt…

In Christian culture, it's common to use “Christianese” words without exactly knowing what they mean.  So today we're gonna break down one of those: sanctification. What does it mean to be sanctified? Is it our doing, or God's? Is there anything we can do to grow in sanctification?   Want to stay on our virtual couch a little longer? Listen to these other episodes on intentionality in marriage, Christmas with kids, and raising "good" kids. Download: Guide to Your Weekly Marriage Meeting to start being intentional with your weekly communication today Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, full of our favorite books/things we're loving, sales/deals, and more! Follow along on Instagram for even more education, news, and fun! JOIN THE THEOLOGIAN HAUS - THEOLOGY & BIBLE STUDY MEMBERSHIP Every follower of Jesus is called to be a theologian, and just because you don't have time to go to seminary right now, doesn't mean you can't go deeper starting today... JOIN THE THEOLOGIAN HAUS, our theology course & Bible study membership for just $9 today! Use code PODCAST to get 10% off for the life of your membership!

Do you ever wonder, "Is my job really that important?” In Christian circles, it can be easy to see value in full-time vocational ministry, but what about in “secular” jobs? Lisa welcomes Jordan Raynor, podcast host and author of The Sacredness of Secular Work, to discuss these questions and much more. Listen in to this fast-paced and energetic conversation as Jordan shares four reasons why your work matters (regardless of your vocation choice!), and how you can approach your job with fresh purpose, knowing each day brings an opportunity to make a difference for eternity.   Links Preorder I Want God Leave a Review for the JOE Show   Connect with Lisa Website Lisa Whittle - Instagram Lisa Whittle - Facebook Jesus Over Everything - Instagram   Connect with Jordan Jordan Raynor - Website Jordan Raynor - Instagram Jordan Raynor - Facebook The Sacredness of Secular Work The Word Before Work

Judea. Jesus's sense of self requires that he turn toward Jerusalem – toward the concentration of religious and political power that will steal his life and threaten his followers. In what sense is this destiny his “home”? In Christian iconography, he has lived on the cross for 2,000 years... To tell us your thoughts on this sermon, click through to the web posting and leave us a comment. Or, find us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or, email us the old-fashioned way: info@galileochurch.org. To contribute financially to the ongoing ministry of Galileo Church, find us on Venmo, Patreon, or Zelle (generosity@galileohurch.org), or just send a check to P.O. Box 668, Kennedale, TX 76060

In Christian meditation, we are re-aligning ourselves vertically. We're remapping our horizontal realities with a vertical view/perspective. Enabling us to embody that vertical perspective replaces anxiety and tension with a calm confidence. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Listen to the apostle Paul's prayer in… Ephesians 3:16 (ESV) “…That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Imagine “the riches of God‘s glory.“ Imagine the “power” of God‘s glory being in you by his Spirit in you. Imagine that power strengthening you by his Spirit in your inner being. Your inner being is the real you. There's a real you inside you that wants to live in God's glory, love, goodness, righteousness, joy. “Power” in the New Testament is almost always associated with overcoming evil. Imagine God‘s power overcoming evil in you — all the ways that evil has been deceiving you and lying to you. Your inner being is being strengthened. Imagine God's Spirit in your inner being right now —  with his infinite glory and power and love and Shalom. God‘s Spirit is infinite and abundant. The more God's Spirit strengthens your inner being with “the riches” of his presence, the more God's riches are still available to bring life and renewal to your whole being.  Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

In Christian meditation, we are re-aligning ourselves vertically. We're remapping our horizontal realities with a vertical view/perspective. Enabling us to embody that vertical perspective replaces anxiety and tension with a calm confidence. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. How you see your body — how you see yourself — is in one sense the main stage in which the battle for your soul takes place. The one who wants to destroy your soul is always working to try to get you to re-narrate how you see your body/self. And the Bible is always God speaking to you the truth about who you are that, if you really understood and grasped it, it would bring a sense of power and elevated glory to every moment of your life. Your conscious awareness in everything you do. 1 Corinthians 6:14-15, 17 NIV “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? …Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” This is marriage language in the Bible — not the broken and painful Genesis 3 marriages we experience and contribute to — but the Genesis 1 and 2 ideal that God meant to foreshadow our union with Christ as our creator and source of glory and joy and creativity and love. “The two shall become one flesh.” So imagine this… Your body is ONE with the one who the apostle John writes in John 1 is the source of every created thing in the universe — “the one through whom all things were made and without him nothing was made that has been made.” The one the apostle Paul says in Colossians — “in him all things hold together.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

In Christian meditation, we are re-aligning ourselves vertically. We're remapping our horizontal realities with a vertical view/perspective. Enabling us to embody that vertical perspective replaces anxiety and tension with a calm confidence. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Our brain is amazing. One of the amazing things about it that neurologists are only learning these past few years is how it is constantly changing its hardwiring to adapt to our behavior. What we see, what we say, the thoughts we allow ourselves to envision, repeated behaviors we do — is all creating new hardwiring in our brain. It's interesting that the new testament even says this in Romans 12:2 when Paul talks about how the renewing of our mind is what transforms our lives. And when we understand the imagery we see in the Bible like in the Psalms, it seems clear that one way we renew our minds is to imagine biblical realities as realities in our life. Christian meditation is a way for us to use our biblically guided imagination to see biblical realities with the eyes of our heart as Paul says in Ephesians 1:17. Acts 17:28 “In him we live and move and have our being.”  Imagine this right now in this moment — In him you live and move and have your being! Right now your life completely depends upon God giving you life. Every moment. Every cell in your body. You are utterly dependent upon God for your very being. He is not just giving you breath, he IS your breath of life. Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

In Christian meditation, we are re-aligning ourselves vertically. We're remapping our horizontal realities with a vertical view/perspective. Enabling us to embody that vertical perspective replaces anxiety and tension with a calm confidence. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Psalm 38:3-8, 10, 17-18, 22 NIV 3 Because of your wrath (Rom 1:18ff - sin is its own punishment) there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. 4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. 5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 6 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. 7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. 8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.  10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. 17 …And my pain is ever with me. 18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. 22 Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. You are your body. One way to think of “sin” is trying to live against who God is and live against the grain of his universe. When we live against the grain of God's universe, we may get good at suppressing our conscience but “our body keeps the score.” Anxiety. Feeling burdened, weighed down. Sometimes chronic pain. Elevated heart rate.  Confession… v. 18,20 — “Jesus, you are my Lord and my Savior.” 1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV …You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

In Christian meditation, we are re-aligning ourselves vertically. We're remapping our horizontal realities with a vertical view/perspective. Enabling us to embody that vertical perspective replaces anxiety and tension with a calm confidence. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Our brain is amazing. One of the amazing things about it that neurologists are only learning these past few years is how it is constantly changing its hardwiring to adapt to our behavior. What we see, what we say, the thoughts we allow ourselves to envision, repeated behaviors we do — is all creating new hardwiring in our brain. It's interesting that the new testament even says this in Romans 12:2 when Paul talks about how the renewing of our mind is what transforms our lives. And when we understand the imagery we see in the Bible like in the Psalms, it seems clear that one way we renew our minds is to imagine biblical realities as realities in our life. Christian meditation is a way for us to use our biblically guided imagination to see biblical realities with the eyes of our heart as Paul says in Ephesians 1:17. Ephesians 2:10 ESV For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

In Christian meditation, we are re-aligning ourselves vertically. We're remapping our horizontal realities with a vertical view/perspective. Enabling us to embody that vertical perspective replaces anxiety and tension with a calm confidence. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Our brain is amazing. One of the amazing things about it that neurologists are only learning these past few years is how it is constantly changing its hardwiring to adapt to our behavior. What we see, what we say, the thoughts we allow ourselves to envision, repeated behaviors we do — is all creating new hardwiring in our brain. It's interesting that the new testament even says this in Romans 12:2 when Paul talks about how the renewing of our mind is what transforms our lives. And when we understand the imagery we see in the Bible like in the Psalms, it seems clear that one way we renew our minds is to imagine biblical realities as realities in our life. Christian meditation is a way for us to use our biblically guided imagination to see biblical realities with the eyes of our heart as Paul says in Ephesians 1:17. Acts 6:3 NIV …Full of the Spirit and wisdom. Wisdom: Understanding the complex realities of living inside God's universe. Understands the foolishness of the way people and culture try to create and live in an unreal universe. Understands how to apply the reality of who God is and what he promises in Jesus, to the challenges and opportunities in this Gen 3 world.  James 3:17 (ESV) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Acts 6:5 NIV …Full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Faith: Not just believing the right things but remembering to believe what is true of God, and all he is for us in Jesus, in how we see and respond to each circumstance in our life. Having a calm confidence instead of an anxious presence. Acts 6:8 NIV …Full of God's grace and power. Grace: A humility and joy by knowing the riches of God's grace toward me and therefore a kind graciousness toward others. Power: God's power in overcoming evil in my own life and in helping others overcome evil in their lives. Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

In Christian meditation, we are re-aligning ourselves vertically. We're remapping our horizontal realities with a vertical view/perspective. Enabling us to embody that vertical perspective replaces anxiety and tension with a calm confidence. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. 1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? …So glorify God in your body. Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

In Christian meditation, we are re-aligning ourselves vertically. We're remapping our horizontal realities with a vertical view/perspective. Enabling us to embody that vertical perspective replaces anxiety and tension with a calm confidence. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Isaiah 45:18 NIV For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:22 NIV “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.” Isaiah 46:3-4 NIV “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Psalm 46:10 NIV “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 146:10 NIV The LORD reigns forever. “The LORD” (all caps L O R D) in the Old Testament of our English Bibles indicates that in Hebrew God's name, Yahweh, is used. Yahweh is the ancient Hebrew verb form for “HE IS.” God's name in the Hebrew scriptures is used more than any other term for God. More than “God” is used.  When we survey the various truths associated with God's name, HE IS, in the Hebrew scriptures (what we call the Old Testament), four important aspects of God are emphasized.  HE IS the Creator and Sustainer of ALL that exists, including this entire universe.  HE IS the Giver and Sustainer of ALL life everywhere always. HE IS Eternally God. HE IS ALWAYS 100% present with you and focused on you in every present moment (without being any less present or focused anywhere else in the universe, because HE IS infinite). These four realities of what God's name means are easy to memorize, and so to remember them when you “Praise the LORD” will help you replace anxieties and self-protective guarding with a calm confidence and peace. Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.