Podcasts about in greek

Hello beloved. Have you ever heard of the Pleiades? Not to be confused for the “Pleadians” Star Family Race, but that of the 7 sisters dancing in they sky, protecting and holding space for women of all kind.The veils are lifting and our connection to all that is.ALL THAT IS - is available for ALL by setting the intention and integrating their gifts into helping society transition into our next spiritual - golden age. That said, if you sense your here for this grand integration of heaven on earth, I want to share this incredible astrological transit.Pause and root in your essence as you invite the Pleiades Stargate and the essence of their beautiful protection. THE STORY. In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of the sea-nymph Pleione and Atlas, a Titan condemned by Zeus to bear the sky on his shoulders forever.Their names—Maia, Electra, Taygete, Alcyone, Celaeno, Sterope, and Merope—reflect their celestial legacy.The name Pleiades, derived from the Greek word pleiôn meaning “plenty,” signifies their title as “Ladies of Plenty.”The Myth recounts their pursuit by Orion, the giant hunter enamored with them.To shield them from his advances, Zeus transformed the sisters into stars, placing them in the night sky. Another story portrays the Pleiades as companions of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, who turned them into stars to safeguard them from Orion's relentless pursuit. The Pleiades constellation endures as a powerful symbol of sisterhood, embodying the strength and unity found in collective bonds.Today, the Pleiades resonate deeply with the divine feminine, representing a restoration of feminine energy rooted in nurturing, abundance, and resilience.Their celestial presence inspires modern movements to reclaim the divine feminine, fostering empowerment, fertility, and prosperity and the interconnectedness of women supporting one another.This constellation's enduring light serves as a reminder of the sacred feminine's role in healing and creating balance in a world yearning for unity and hope.Pleiades were the companions of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, who transformed them into stars to protect them from the advances of orion, a giant hunter.

Pastor Ty Neal Colossians 3:17Colossians 3:13 “Under Jewish law a woman was a thing; she was the possession of her husband, just as much as his house or his flocks or his material goods were. She had no legal right whatever. For instance, under Jewish law, a husband could divorce his wife for any cause, while a wife had no rights whatever in the initiation of divorce. In Greek society a respectable woman lived a life of entire seclusion. She

A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Easter Psalm 82, St. James 1:17-21, St. John 16:5-15 by William Klock How'd your week go?  Several times—actually, a bunch of times—I found myself thinking about what I preached last Sunday—thinking about the hope that lies before us.  Thinking about how Jesus, risen from the dead, is the beginning of God's new creation and how he—and his gift of the Holy Spirit—give me assurance that what God began that first Easter morning he will one day complete.  Thinking that because I am by faith in Jesus the Messiah, I will one day know that new creation in all its fullness.  And I was thinking about that because—a bunch of times this week—I was looking forward to that day when God will set everything to rights.  Because I hope that in God's new world there will be no broken spokes or being chased by dogs on the River Trail, no need to change timing belts or ball joints, and maybe the best part: no arguments started by random strangers on the Internet and no relationships with old friends strained by current events.  Because all those things did happen to me this week.  None of them were earth-shatteringly horrible—and I'm glad of that—but they remind me that the world is not as it should be.  And then I read the news and I learned about a man stuck in bureaucratic immigration limbo with seemingly no hope of getting out of it.  Having been through that process, his story resonated with me.  And I read about a farmer in Vermont stuck with a bill for thousands of dollars assessed on his cattle feed from Canada because of tariffs.  His business profits for the year gone.  And there's absolutely nothing he can do.  And reading about people stuck in the middle of wars.  And a friend shared an article about the persecuted church in China.  And all I can do is pray, which feels like it's not enough and some people say it's a waste of time.  But I know it's not, because Jesus has risen and I know that means that God's new world has begun and one day he'll set everything to rights.  And so I hope and I pray that it may be “on earth as it is in heaven”. And then I started looking at this week's scripture lessons.  And there's the Old Testament lesson from Job and that verse we read in the procession at funerals: I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though this body be destroyed, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.  Brothers and Sisters, there's that same hope.  Job had faith that the Lord would vindicate him. And the Psalm.  Psalm 82 has been with me, running around in my head all week. God has stood up in the council of heaven:          in the midst of the gods he gives judgement. How long will you judge unjustly:          and favour the cause of the wicked? Judge for the poor and needy:          and save them from the hands of the wicked. They do not know, they do not understand, they walk about in darkness:          all the foundations of the earth are shaken. Therefore I say, “Though you are gods:          and all of you sons of the Most High, Nevertheless you shall die like man:          and fall like one of the princes.” Arise, O God, and judge the earth:          for you shall take all the nations as your possession.   Psalm 82 is from a group of psalms written by Asaph.  Asaph was Samuel's grandson and he and his sons were commissioned by King David to worship the Lord.  That was their job.  They were court worshippers.  And in Psalm 82, Asaph cries out with the whole people of Israel at the injustices of the world.  The gods of this age favour the wicked.  They will not come to the aid of the poor and needy.  In other words, Asaph knew that the world is not as it should be.  And yet Asaph knew what the Lord had done for Israel and he knew his promises and so he could sing out about the Lord, the God of Isreal, as the great judge in heaven.  Asaph had hope that the Lord would hold the powers of this present age accountable.  Asaph closes with that confident prayer: Arise, O God, and judge the earth: For you shall take the nations as your possession.  This was how Israel prayed “on earth as in heaven”.   Things were going well for Israel under King David, but even then, Asaph, with the people of Israel, still had a profound sense of the brokenness and the fallenness of the world.  It was the Lord's plan, as he called and created a people for himself, that this people would know the crushing weight of sin and death.  He allowed them to become slaves in Egypt.  And he delivered them that they might know his grace and his faithfulness—so that they might know that he is the God who keeps his promises and that he is the judge who will vindicate the cause of the poor and the oppressed.  And this became Israel's story and Israel's identity.  Over and over she would find herself being crushed under the heel of this or that pagan king, and she would cry out to the Lord, and he would come as the great judge to vindicate Israel and to defeat her enemies and to rescue her.  And as this was the identity and story of Israel, so it would be the identity and story of the Messiah, and then the story and identity of the Messiah's people, of the church. But the disciples weren't expecting this.  No one—or almost no one—in Israel was expecting this.  The Messiah was supposed to come and break this cycle.  In him God's new world would come, they would all be raised, and they would reign forever in a world set to rights—once and for all.  And they were sort of right, but they got the timeline wrong.  And that's because they'd forgotten the promises and the part of the story where God calls and sets apart this special people for himself in order to bring the nations to him in faith.  Only a people who knows suffering, who knows the crushing weight of sin and injustice, can carry God's forgiveness and justice to the world.  That's why the Messiah had to die.  Sin and death had to do their worst, so that Jesus could rise triumphant over them.  Deliverance comes through suffering.  Forgiveness and new life require sacrifice.  But they'd forgotten this and this is what Jesus has been trying to explain to the disciples through the lessons we've had from John's gospel these past weeks.  And so he says in John 16:1: I've said these things to you to stop you from being tripped up.  They will put you out of the synagogues.  In fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will suppose that they are in that way offering worship to God.  They will do these things because they haven't known the Father or me.  But I have been talking to you about these things so that, when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.   Jesus by this point has already explained to them that very soon he's going to be leaving them.  That was bad news enough.  But now he tells them that after he's gone, persecution is coming.  Their unbelieving Jewish brethren will throw them out of the synagogues—which means cutting them off from the Jewish community, from family, friends.  They will become outsiders in their own community.  Some of them, Jesus warns, will even die for their faith in him.  And when that happens, Jesus knew, it will be really tempting to give up.  They thought that the Messiah was going to put an end to all the suffering and tears, but now Jesus is warning: you're going to know suffering and tears the likes of which you've never known before—and all for my sake. I didn't say these things to you from the start, Jesus goes on, because I was with you.  In other words, as long as Jesus was with them they were still pretty sure of how all this Messiah stuff was going to work out.  Again, the Messiah would usher in God's new world and everything would be great.  And then, with Jesus gone, they're going to be tempted to give up—just like we saw them hiding behind locked doors.  If Jesus goes away without setting everything to rights, well, he must not have been the Messiah after all.  That would be the logical conclusion.  And they'd do their best to go back to their old pre-Jesus lives.  So now Jesus is getting them ready.  He goes on: But now I'm going to the one who sent me.  None of you asks me, “Where are you going?”  But because I've said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.   Well, yes.  If Jesus is leaving, how's he ever going to accomplish his messianic mission?  But this is what Jesus wants to stress to them—even though they won't understand right away.  This is his messianic mission: Truly, truly I say to you: It's better for you that I should go away.  If I don't go away, you see, the Helper won't come to you.  But if I go away, I will send him to you.   Just in case it isn't clear, what Jesus is talking about here is his ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit.  The risen Jesus couldn't stay here forever.  When his own people cried out for Jesus' crucifixion they declared, “We have no king but Caesar.”  It was the ultimate rejection of both their God and their Messiah.  It was blasphemy and until that moment, if you'd asked anyone in Jerusalem if they considered Caesar their king, they'd have laughed at you.  The Lord was their king.  But they became so outraged by Jesus' messianic claims, so outrage with the things he said about the temple, that they shouted the unthinkable to Pilate: “Crucify him!  We have no king but Caesar.”  And then to spite them, Pilate posted those mocking words on the cross: “This is the King of the Jews”.  But when God raised Jesus from the dead, he vindicated him.  It was a divine declaration that Jesus really is the Messiah and that he really is Israel's (and the whole world's) king.  And kings have to take their thrones.  And since God's work of new creation has only just begun and Jesus' throne is in heaven, that's where he had to go to begin his rule.  The king couldn't stay here forever.  But—the second thing Jesus is saying here—if he goes, he will send the Helper—God's own Spirit—and God's Spirit will make the reality of Jesus resurrection and of God's new creation real to us.  The end goal is for heaven and earth and God and human beings to be reunited.  Jesus, the God man, is the embodiment of that hope.  But consider, Brothers and Sisters, that the gift of the Holy Spirit is too. The title John uses is parakletos.  In Greek it literally means “called alongside”, which is a powerful image of who and what the Spirit is for us.  He comes alongside as our helper, our intercessor, and our advocate.  And this is essential.  Like I stressed last week, as the disciples began to realise the significance of Jesus' resurrection, they got excited.  They were ready to go out and shout it from the rooftops of Jerusalem.  But Jesus stressed to them: “Wait.  Wait until I send the Helper.”  Because enthusiasm will only get us so far.  Jesus has given his people a mission, but enthusiasm and excitement alone won't fulfil it.  We need the help of the Holy Spirit.  So Jesus goes on here in verse 8: When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong on three counts: sin, justice, and judgement.  In relation to sin, because they don't believe in me.  In relation to justice—because I'm going to the Father, and you won't see me anymore.  In relation to judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.   God's people had longed for their day in court and for the Lord to vindicate them—just like we read in Psalm 82.  And Jesus' point here is that it's finally going to happen.  Except it's going to be his people—this new Israel—who will finally get their day before the judge.  And as Jesus' people bring their case before the great Judge, the Spirit will be there to help them—to be their advocate.  The Spirit will present the evidence for the world's sin.  But there's no reason for the Spirit to bring exhibit after exhibit showing the world's—and that's not just the pagan nations, but also unbelieving Israel—it's not necessary for the Spirit to put every last sin on display to prove the world's rebellion against God.  All the Spirit has to do is present as evidence the world's rejection of Jesus.  Either you stand with Jesus and on the side of God's new creation and are part of the world set right, or you stand in solidarity with sin. And, second, Jesus says, the Spirit will convict the world in relation to justice.  If you're following along, some of your translations might say “righteousness”.  These are the same word in Greek.  “Justice” fits the context better here.  Jesus' point is that the world thinks it has justice on its side.  Like he told them earlier: They will kill you and in doing so they'll think that they're offering true worship to God.  But Jesus' resurrection from the dead and his ascension to his throne are the evidence of his vindication by the Father.  At the cross the world issued its verdict against Jesus, but when he raised Jesus from the dead and enthroned him in heaven, God overturned the false verdict of the world and declared his son to be the Messiah and the world's true lord.  If you want justice, look to Jesus, because everyone who trusts in Jesus and gives him their allegiance as king shares in that verdict. And, third, Jesus says that the Spirit will give evidence that the world is wrong in relation to judgement.  The world was about to pass judgement on Jesus and condemn him to death as a false messiah, but his resurrection and ascension would prove the world wrong.  And not long after that the world would pass the same judgement on Jesus' people, on the church, but Jesus promises that the Spirit will stand with them and continue to prove the world's judgement wrong.  The Spirit will continue to present the evidence of Jesus resurrection and ascension as proof that the devil has been defeated and that death itself no longer has the final say. Brothers and Sisters, the Holy Spirit isn't just our advocate before the judge, he is our comforter amidst the trials Jesus promised we will face as we take up our crosses to follow him.  Jesus promised his disciples and he promises us that we will face hatred and even persecution—sometimes martyrdom—for the sake of his name.  But because we know he is faithful, because he has vindicated Jesus, we can trust that the judge of all the earth will do what is right.  Even as we face death itself, we know that death has been defeated.  As the Father raised Jesus from death, so he will raise us if we are in him. And the Spirit comes alongside us not so we can hunker down inside our churches like the disciples hunkered down and hiding in the dark that first Easter weekend.  The Spirit comes alongside us to empower us as we go out.  As we take our message of hope and forgiveness, of the world set to rights and tears wiped away, as we take that good news of Jesus, crucified and risen and Lord to the world.  This is the point of our Epistle today from St. James. Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes down from above, from the Father of lights.  His steady light doesn't vary.  It doesn't change and produce shadows.   I have to think that when James talks about the good and perfect gift coming down from the Father of lights he's talking about the Holy Spirit.  Yes, everything good we have is a gift from him, but the Spirit is the gift above all others.  For Jesus in John's gospel, the Spirit was the one who would come alongside to help and advocate for us.  For James, the Spirit shows us the constancy and faithfulness of the Father.  The gift of the Spirit is proof for James that God keeps his promises, because the life of the Spirit is the thing he'd been promising to his people all along: his own presence with them to give them a new heart and set them to rights. James goes on in 1:19. So, my dear brothers [and sisters], get this straight.  Every person should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.  Human anger, you see, doesn't produce God's justice.  So put away everything that is sordid, all that overflowing malice, and humbly receive the word which has been planted within you and which has the power to save our lives.   In other words, let the Spirit transform you.  Let the Spirit make you—or maybe better to align you with—God's new creation.  The example James uses is anger.  Anger is what wells up from the fallen human heart in response to injustice, but responding to injustice with anger—and James isn't talking about righteous or just anger, but about malice and pride—responding with anger just compounds the problem.  Sin can never make another sin right.  Instead, God's word has been planted within you.  Let the Spirit cause that world to take root and grow.  That gospel word is what has saved your life.  But if you let the Spirit grow that word in you, if you let God's word shape you, if you let the Spirt make you a truly gospel person, that life-saving combination of word and Spirit will overflow from you and you will be a gospel light in the darkness of the world, you will be a beacon of God's new creation in the midst of the old.  Word and Spirit working through us will make us a people ready to endure suffering and persecution so that we can, even if it's just in small ways, so that we can bring God's justice into the world, so that we can wipe away the tears and proclaim the good news that Jesus is Lord. Brothers and Sisters, this is how God's new creation comes.  This is how he wipes away the tears and set things to rights.  Jesus started it when he rose from the grave, but God's word and God's Spirit, working through the church—through us—as we go out into the world, not only bring God's salvation to individuals, but as we are transformed one by one, the gospel, the word, the Spirit create a whole new culture with Jesus and the gospel at its core.  One day Jesus will come back for the final act, to cast down death and to fully bring heaven and earth back together once and for all.  But that day will come because his people, empowered by his word and by his Spirit have been faithful in being his new creation right here in the midst of the old.  So, Brothers and Sisters, go out in peace to love and serve the Lord.  Alleluia! Let's pray: Father, as we asked in the Collect we ask again: fix our hearts on the good things you have promised.  Keep the hope of your salvation and of your justice ever before us, that we might go out full of your Spirit, to live and to proclaim the good news of Jesus and his kingdom.  Through him we pray.  Amen.

Welcome back to the podcast! Join us today as we talk about eternity. Eternity is not just a vague spiritual concept—it's a concrete reality taught throughout Scripture. Everyone will spend eternity somewhere, and the Bible gives us a clear roadmap to understand what happens after we die.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --How Eternity Works: A Biblical Breakdown of the AfterlifeEternity is not a vague hope—it's a concrete reality. Every human being will live forever in one of two places, and the Bible tells us everything we need to know about what happens after we die. Let's walk through what Scripture reveals about the nature of the afterlife, judgment, and how to prepare for the day we take our final breath.Understanding the Biblical Concept of the Afterlife1. Sheol and Hades: The Temporary Realm of the DeadIn the Old Testament, Sheol is described as the “realm of the dead”—a shadowy place where both the righteous and unrighteous awaited judgment. In Greek, the word used is Hades. Jesus gives us a vivid picture of this realm in Luke 16:19-31, telling the story of a rich man in torment and a poor man named Lazarus resting in “Abraham's bosom.”“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead.” (Luke 16:22-23 NLT)This story reveals three key features of Sheol:A place of torment for the unrighteousA place of comfort for the righteousA great chasm separating the two, uncrossable after death (Luke 16:26)Peter refers to another compartment—Tartarus—a gloomy prison for fallen angels awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). This concept shows the complexity of the pre-resurrection afterlife.2. Jesus Changes Everything: The Cross and the Empty TombAfter His death, Jesus didn't just remain in the grave—He descended to the realm of the dead. He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)Peter writes that Jesus “preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19), and Paul echoes that Jesus “led a crowd of captives” to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8). Paradise was emptied and relocated—those who had died in faith now dwell directly in God's presence.“We are... willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)Today, believers go straight to be with Jesus. Hades remains only as a place of waiting for the unrighteous dead.3. Gehenna: The Final Destination of JudgmentThe term Gehenna—used frequently by Jesus—refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a site associated with...

Biblical Exposition of John 14:1-3   Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.   John 14:1-3 stands as one of the most comforting and hope-filled passages in the New Testament, spoken by Jesus to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion. These verses form part of the Farewell Discourse (John 13–17), where Jesus prepares His followers for His imminent departure. The words are tender and pastoral, addressing both immediate emotional distress and eternal hope.   Verse 1: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." The opening command, "Let not your heart be troubled," is a present imperative in the Greek implying a continuous action: "Stop being troubled, and do not allow yourselves to remain troubled." The disciples were understandably anxious. Jesus had just announced His departure (John 13:33), Peter's denial (John 13:38), and Judas' betrayal (John 13:21-30). Their world was unraveling, yet Jesus calls them to a posture of trust.   The phrase "ye believe in God, believe also in me" uses the verb pisteuete, as imperative ("believe"). Jesus is urging them to extend their trust in God to Himself. This establishes His divine authority and unity with the Father, a recurring theme in John (cf. John 10:30, 14:9). The call to faith is both a remedy for their troubled hearts and a foundation for the promises that follow. The heart is the seat of emotion, will, and intellect. Jesus addresses their emotional turmoil with a command to anchor their faith in Him. This sets the tone for the passage: trust in Christ's person and promises is the antidote to fear and uncertainty.   Verse 2: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." This verse introduces the future hope central to the passage. The phrase "my Father's house" refers to heaven, the dwelling place of God (cf. Psalm 33:13-14; Isaiah 63:15). The term "mansions" translates the Greek (monai), meaning "dwelling places" or "rooms." While the KJV's "mansions" make one think of grandeur, the emphasis is on permanence and personal space within God's household, not necessarily a palatial spread.   The phrase "are many mansions" is in the present tense in Greek underscoring a current reality. Heaven's capacity is vast, with room for all of Christ's followers. Jesus' parenthetical remark, "if it were not so, I would have told you," reinforces His truthfulness and pastoral care. He would not allow His disciples to cling to a false hope.   The clause "I go to prepare a place for you" is most important. The verb "I go" is in the present tense, and "prepare" is in the future tense in Greek, but contextually it carries a futuristic present sense.    In Greek grammar, the futuristic present describes a future event with such certainty that it is spoken of as already occurring. Jesus' departure (via His death, resurrection, and ascension) is the means by which He will prepare this place, and the certainty of His mission is as good as accomplished.   The Personalized Place: The phrase "a place for you" is deeply personal. The "you" is plural, encompassing all believers, yet the singular word, “place.” suggests individuality. Christ is not preparing a generic dwelling but a tailored space for each believer within the Father's house. This reflects the intimate knowledge and care Jesus has for His own (cf. John 10:14, 27). The verb "prepare" implies deliberate, purposeful action, akin to a host readying a home for cherished guests. This act of preparation underscores Christ's ongoing intercessory work in heaven (Hebrews 7:25) and His role as the forerunner who secures our eternal home (Hebrews 6:20).   The image of "many dwelling places" counters any notion of exclusivity or scarcity in God's kingdom. The individualized "place" reveals Christ's tender care, as He crafts a space suited to each believer's unique identity and relationship with Him. This personalization is the pinnacle of divine love, showing that each child of God is constantly on Christ's mind, valued, and cherished for eternity.   Verse 3: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." This verse completes the promise with the assurance of Christ's return. The conditional "if I go" is not doubtful but a first-class condition in Greek, assuming the reality of the action: "since I go." The verbs "prepare" and "will come again" are linked, showing that Christ's departure and return are part of a unified redemptive plan.   The phrase "I will come again" is in the futuristic present tense, emphasizing certainty. In Greek, this construction conveys that Christ's second coming is so assured it can be spoken of as a present reality. This is not wishful thinking but a divine guarantee. The verb “receive" means to take along or bring to oneself, evoking the imagery of a bridegroom claiming his bride (cf. Matthew 25:1-13). The purpose clause, "that where I am, there ye may be also," reveals the ultimate goal: eternal communion with Christ in the Father's presence.   The futuristic present tense underscores the certainty of Christ's promises. His preparation of our heavenly home and His return are as good as done, rooted in His unchanging character and sovereign power. The desire for believers to be "where I am" reflects the intimacy of eternal fellowship, fulfilling the prayer of John 17:24: "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am."   The Futuristic Present Tense: A Theological Anchor The use of the futuristic present tense in "I go" (v. 2) and "I will come again" (v. 3) is a grammatical feature with profound theological implications. In Greek, this tense describes future events with such certainty that they are presented as current realities. For example:   "I go": Jesus' departure to the Father via the cross and ascension is certain, initiating the preparation of our heavenly home.   "I will come again": The second coming is so sure that it is spoken of as if already unfolding.   This tense reflects the divine perspective, where God's promises are not bound by human time. Isaiah 46:10 declares that God "declares the end from the beginning," and Jesus, as God incarnate, speaks with the same authority. The futuristic present assures believers that their heavenly home and Christ's return are not distant possibilities but guaranteed realities. This grammatical choice comforts the disciples (and us) by presenting the future as a present fact, alleviating fear and instilling hope.     The Personalized Place: The Pinnacle of Christ's Love The promise that Jesus prepares "a place for you" is a vivid expression of His tender care. The individualized nature of this place is not a mere architectural detail but a theological statement about Christ's love. Consider the following:   Intimate Knowledge: Jesus knows each believer personally (John 10:3, 14). The preparation of a unique place reflects His awareness of our individuality—our personalities, preferences, and redeemed identities.   Deliberate Care: The act of preparing (hetoimazō) suggests effort and intentionality. Christ is actively involved in readying our eternal home, akin to a carpenter crafting a bespoke piece (cf. Hebrews 11:10, where God is the "builder and maker" of the heavenly city).   Eternal Value: To assign each believer a personal space in the Father's house affirms our infinite worth in Christ's eyes. We are not faceless members of a crowd but cherished individuals, each with a place in God's eternal plan.   Relational Intimacy: The goal is to be "where I am" (v. 3), indicating that the place is ultimately about proximity to Christ. The personalized dwelling is a means to eternal communion with Him.   This personalization is the "pinnacle of His care," as it demonstrates that believers are constantly on Christ's mind. Psalm 139:17-18 speaks of God's thoughts toward us as vast and precious; Jesus' preparation of a place embodies this truth. Throughout eternity, we will dwell in a home tailored by the Savior's hands, a testament to His unending love and respect for each of His children.   Blessings and Application for Today Blessings of John 14:1-3: Comfort in Distress: The command to not be troubled offers peace amid life's uncertainties. Christ's call to trust in Him is a balm for anxious hearts. Assurance of a Heavenly Home: The promise of "many mansions" assures believers of a secure, eternal dwelling in God's presence, personalized by Christ's loving hands. Certainty of Christ's Return: The futuristic present tense guarantees that Jesus will come again, ensuring our ultimate reunion with Him. Personalized Love: The individualized place reflects Christ's intimate care, affirming our value and His desire for eternal fellowship. Hope for Eternity: The passage points to the ultimate goal of being with Christ forever, fulfilling the longing for communion with God. Application for Today: Trust in Christ: When fears arise—whether about the future, personal struggles, or global crises—believers must anchor their hearts in Jesus' trustworthiness. Meditate on His divine authority and promises. Live with Hope: The certainty of a prepared place and Christ's return should inspire confidence. Let this hope shape your perspective, knowing that your eternal home is secure. Embrace Your Value: Reflect on the truth that Jesus is preparing a place just for you. This affirms your worth and calls you to live in gratitude for His love. Anticipate His Coming: While waiting for Christ's return, live with vigilance and purpose. Share the gospel, serve others, and pursue holiness, knowing that He will come again (Titus 2:13). Find Peace in His Presence: The ultimate promise is being "where I am." Cultivate intimacy with Christ now through prayer, worship, and obedience, anticipating the day when you will dwell with Him forever.   John 14:1-3 is a beacon of hope, illuminating the tender care and sovereign power of Jesus Christ. The personalized place He prepares reveals the depth of His love, as He crafts an eternal dwelling tailored to each believer's unique identity. This passage calls us to trust in Christ, rest in His promises, and live with expectant hope as we await His appearing.

What does it mean to be “immortal? In Greek mythology, Zeus, Athena and Apollo were among their immortal gods, those who lived forever and had powerful influence over the mortal world. When someone achieves extraordinary levels of greatness in their field, they are often spoken of as being immortal. In American baseball, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays are “immortalized” by the way they played the game. These examples show us that immortality can be applied to mean someone or something as never dying, be it in a physical or an intellectual sense. So, how does the Bible define immortality? As we explore this question, we will see a clear and focused reasoning emerge that elevates what immortality is and who will have it. Immortality: Inherent or a gift? Exploring the biblical concept of immortality requires focusing on its New Testament definition and implications. The Bible defines immortality as the inability to die or decay. This meaning is derived from two Greek words: athanasia (deathlessness) and aphthartos (incorruptibility). The Apostle Paul's writings, especially 1 Corinthians 15, describe how humanity must transform from mortal (liable to die) and corruptible (subject to decay) to immortal and incorruptible in order to inherit the heavenly kingdom of God. These findings clearly indicate that immortality is not an inherent human trait. Rather, it is a rare gift from God. It is given only to faithful followers of Christ who demonstrate self-sacrifice, discipline and obedience to God's truth. Therefore, achieving immortality requires a life dedicated to spiritual growth and living by God's will. So, what about everyone else who has ever lived? These masses of people are offered eternal life—a perpetual existence reliant on God's sustenance. Eternal life allows for the possibility of death if one strays, whereas immortality ensures complete deathlessness. The resurrection and Day of Judgment play crucial roles in offering eternal life to humanity. God's ultimate plan ensures eternal harmony between spiritual and earthly creations, with immortality reserved for a select few who serve as reconcilers. Understanding these levels of existence helps us appreciate God's power, love, justice and wisdom in a deeper way.

New Age Alien Deceptions (audio) David Eells - 4/20/25   The camel's nose is in the tent. We are headed towards a New World Order in the midst of a Galactic Federation of “aliens” aka, demons by those of discernment. (Who of us voted for this? The Alliance leaders did. Is this Communism?) I want to share with you some updates regarding the AI, New Age and Alien Deceptions we are witnessing among the Alliance and others. I'm going to begin with some recent headlines from Operation Disclosure (4/17/25) that point to this federation: ·         Thurs. 24 April 2025: Planetary Council announced. New Global Alliance leaders step forward. Non-territorial cooperation treaty signed by 177 nations. (We are to be realigned as a one world order) ·         Sun. 27 April 2025: Interplanetary programs declassified. First public mention of secret space operations. Unity Accord with Off World Representatives acknowledged. (When did we have a say?) ·         Tues. 29 April 2025: New Earth Constitutions signed locally. Communities select Peace Councils to represent them in the Planetary Council. “Governments” replaced with Service Cells. (We are being absorbed into their Galactic terminology) ·         Wed. 30 April 2025: Final transfer to Quantum Internet complete. All devices migrate to Q-Net. Artificial Intelligence fully transparent, accountable and people-aligned. (We cannot be aligned with antichrist) ·         Fri. 2 May 2025: Healing centers begin opening across continents. Med Beds, DNA repair chambers, and neuro-harmonization technologies become publicly available. The Age of Restoration officially begins. (We must now harmonize with the rest of the pagan planet and Galaxy.) ·         Sat. 3 May 2025: The first interspecies council meeting is broadcast worldwide. Humanity is formally acknowledged as a sovereign civilization by the Galactic Alliance. Contact protocols enter public discourse. (A federation does not permit a sovereign planet.) ·         Sun. 4 May 2025: “Earth Year Zero” is initiated. (Is our history now abolished?) A new planetary calendar replaces systems rooted in empire and conflict. Time now begins from the moment of planetary liberation. (Resistance is Futile says the Borg.) ·         Mon. 5 May 2025: Starport construction begins in seven geostrategic locations. Civilian transport to orbital gateways is confirmed. Terra-farming partnerships announced for Mars and Luna sectors. ·         Wed. 7 May 2025: The Department of Human Advancement launches. Global curricula shifts toward consciousness training, ethics, quantum sciences, and planetary stewardship. ·         Thurs. 8 May 2025: Agricultural reset begins. Geo-engineered soil is restored. Food independence programs roll out. Seed vaults opened under open-source planetary stewardship mandates. ·         Fri. 9 May 2025: Language harmonization initiatives commence. (Back to Babel?) Ancient root languages are integrated into education. Telepathic development modules introduced for children under 9. (Will we know who is training our children?) ·         Sat. 10 May 2025: Planetary Defense Grid declared active. Not military—protective. Q-NET AI monitors for existential threats in space and time. Transparency dashboards are made public. ·         Sun. 11 May 2025: Official end of the Transition Phase. Humanity enters full-spectral sovereignty. No more passports. No more taxes. No more surveillance. Only stewardship, transparency, and service. A one world order.     How To Connect With The Galactic Federation https://thegalacticfederation.com/016-24 Many people believe that the Galactic Federation is a made up thing, some are so confused to even claim it's negative, but it is not. (If the people did not get to vote on this and the aliens are actually demons, this is traitorous.) The Galactic Federation is a group of highly evolved souls who have been around since the beginning of time. They are here to help you fulfill your purpose on earth. (Let the Bible be the judge.) The Galactic Federation is made of love, light, and peace. It is a collective of beings who have reached the highest level of consciousness possible. (Everybody believes that about their religion.) The Galactic Federation was created as an extension of each individual's soul to help them on their journey towards self-realization. They exist to help us live in harmony with one another, as well as with our environment and the rest of creation. Next, let me share a few revelations from brethren on our site that relate to these alien, aka demon deceptions.     Aliens Are Demons Manifested in Flesh There are many people convinced of “aliens” or “guides” that they feel are friendly to humanity, which is a strong delusion because all of the aliens are demons, as the Scripture says. Have you noticed that many of the Planet X / Nibiru researchers have fallen for what they read the ancients said of aliens showing up when Planet X did? They were deceived by demons as a type for our day. We should not be deceived; they are being released by God to deceive. Jud.5 Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. It is possible they will play the good alien / bad alien game to drive the multitudes into the camp of the so-called “good aliens,” but they are all demons.   G.C. - 06/15/10  (David's notes in red) In my dream, I was outside in a populated area, maybe in a park or something. It was nighttime and it seemed like any other summer night. All of a sudden, a lot of strange lights started appearing in the sky. First, it seemed like hundreds of shooting stars falling to Earth; then, as the light became more illuminated, the objects took the shape of spacecraft. The night sky was lit up like the Fourth of July! Everyone was shocked and amazed; from east to west, the sky filled with this armada of craft entering Earth's atmosphere. (What the ancients believed were aliens, who showed up during the time of Planet X, according to their writings, were in fact demons who are fallen angels and can take on the appearance of physical bodies, just like God's angels can, but for the purpose of deception. The Tribulation covenant could be made under the cover of catastrophes. Just as the Woman is going into the wilderness, there is a war in heaven and Satan and his fallen angels are cast to earth to deceive the whole world. Rev.12:9 And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. We also received a dream of a bright star falling from heaven and the confirming scripture Isaiah 14, where Satan is falling from heaven. Isa 14:12-13 How art thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, that didst lay low the nations! 13 And thou saidst in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to Sheol, to the uttermost parts of the pit.) Satan deceives men into thinking he is God, and he is pleased with unregenerate, falsely called “good men,” which is the doctrine of the New Agers. 2Co.11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. 15 It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. The Alliance is bringing about many good moral changes but it appears they are complicit in this deception of the nations. Rev.18:23 and the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived. Back to the dream, I was very skeptical, even while seeing this with my own two eyes. I confidently told everyone, “Don't be fooled; it's a hologram!” (Which is one of the theories.) I thought these sights were just a crafty trick (which is true but not as a false vision) but then the ships started to get closer to the ground and they ultimately landed. By this time, I was starting to get bewildered; I didn't know what to think. I was really caught off guard. I thought for sure it was all some sort of illusion by the evil rulers of the world. (Is the Alliance in on the plan of “strong delusion”, which is according to God's will to separate the wheat from the tares? 2Th.2:8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming; 9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (Can fallen angels perform lying wonders? Did we get to vote on joining the Galactic Federation?) 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. It appears in this dream the fallen angels' deception is so strong that God's people will be tested to see who really believes. Mar.13:22 for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect.) Once the craft landed, the door opened and some humanoid beings walked out. Everyone was amazed and startled at the same time. I couldn't believe my eyes. Still believing this was a hologram, I ran over to the ship to touch it and realized it was real. (Satan and his angels are very technological, if they have to be, and have the ability to manifest and interact with the physical realm. They gave men atomic bombs and anti-gravity flying saucers.) I swallowed hard, realizing I was wrong, and I ran back to the crowd. The humanoid beings dressed in Star Trek-type apparel were being led out by a blond-haired woman. (There is a woman who has introduced many to speaking and hearing from aliens. This is no different than a seance, which is speaking to aliens called familiar spirits.) I, being overwhelmed and slightly intimidated, ran up to her and began to rebuke her in my tongue language. (I often do this in dreams when I feel physically or mentally helpless against an enemy; it often gets me results.) I thought for sure she would shrivel up in a puddle of goop, like something out of The Wizard of Oz. But, to my astonishment, she just kind of pushed me out of the way, without even acknowledging me. I was perplexed. (The answer to this is, when God sends a delusion to deceive the evil world, we cannot cast it down, nor should we try to. 2Th.2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. As you can see, we only have authority to help the believers.) I watched the group of beings disperse into the crowd. It seemed like they had specific orders and didn't even stop to talk to anyone; they just went about whatever it is they were sent here for. I remember being surrounded by hundreds of people like me -- everyone just totally in awe of what they saw. After some time, I started to see the beings again, but now they did not look like humans. They had glass faces, like ice. It was like they were wearing a mask, but they weren't -- I could see through their heads and nothing was inside. (fallen spirits) They had hideous, clown-like faces with big smiles, like jack-o-lanterns. (Thinking these beings to be mere humanoids while in fact they are demon-possessed is more common than we think. But the whole world outside of Christ will be deceived and possessed.) They were now corralling people like cattle in different areas (FEMA camps). The adults were forced to separate from the children and were taken to a designated area. The children were all taken to another area and placed in long lines, all of which led into a large circus-like tent. (This alien disclosure will bring much confusion and distraction as well as cause some people to give up their faith in the One True God.) None of the children quite knew what was happening; they were all a little less concerned than the adults. I remember leaving the adult group and running over to see what was happening to the children. After seeing what was taking place, I immediately woke up.   I Met Satan :o) G.C. - 4/19/11 (David's notes in red) I would like to share a dream I had that confirms we should not fear Satan or evil. Evil is not as powerful as our minds sometimes imagine, and Satan is no different. I dreamed that I was with an unknown person in this dream who I believe was an angel. I could tell he knew a lot more of what was going on than I did. I accompanied him everywhere he went. I was like an observer. Toward the end of the dream, we entered an elevator. This elevator took us deep inside the Earth. I was told we were going to Hell to see Satan. The ride took a long time and my mind was wondering about how Satan would really appear. I was thinking, “Would he be intimidating? Would he be scary? How would I react to seeing him?” Once we arrived at the very bottom, the door opened. I looked around and we were inside a very large, dark cave. Hell was just like I'd imagined it: Big, dark and cavernous. I looked out of the area we were in and looked out into the larger opening. I saw armies and very sophisticated weapons. There was violence taking place and fire was everywhere; it was almost like a war itself. One of the weapons spotted us as we came out of the elevator and fired a missile at us, but it missed and exploded against the wall. My companion, the angel, was never frightened; it was like he knew nothing could hurt him. As he walked, I followed; he knew right where he was walking. He came to a door off in a dark corner in the cave. I realized this was Satan's office. Behind the door was the evil one himself. My heart was racing, not from fear but from the suspense. The angel I was with opened the door and there sat Satan in a chair behind a desk. But to my amazement, Satan was not a seven-foot giant with goat horns. He was a clown. Yes, a clown. And a cartoon clown at that. I was shocked and a little disappointed. I was expecting something more terrifying. Clearly the Lord is saying that Satan and his demons are putting on a false face but are not to be feared. Luk.10:17 And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. The angel then revealed to me that Satan is planning something big for Earth. During our trip back up in the elevator, I saw all these green vines shooting up through the elevator shaft from Hell and they were headed straight to Earth. There were a lot of them, like something from Jack and the Beanstalk. But instead of reaching from Earth to the heavens, they were going from Hell to the earth above. Then I woke up. (According to the follow up dream that Father gave him recently, the vines represent the alien deception that satan is sending to earth from the pit of hell.) G.C. said, “Below is a continuation from the dream above from 2011 called. “I Met Satan”. It has the “green vines connection” where green vines were growing up from hell, and the angel told me, “Satan is planning something big for Earth.” Well, it seems the green vines finally made it to Earth and the plan is revealed....     Satan is Planning Something Big for Earth G.C. - 5/13/22 (David's notes in red) G.C. said, “For a little context, many years ago I worked for mortgage companies securing and repairing vacant foreclosures.” I dreamed that my dad and I had been given a work order to secure and inspect a foreclosed home in Los Angeles, California. (Los Angeles means, “The angels.”) It was a big house in a nice neighborhood. It was owned by a black husband and wife in their 50's or 60's. (UFOs and aliens were big in the 50's and 60's. The black couple owning the house could represent that this is a house of sinners submitted to darkness.) (I gathered this information by looking at their family photos still left at the property.) I thought these folks looked very successful from the photos. It didn't make sense to me how they could lose their house to foreclosure. (Foreclosure means that they can't pay their debt so the house is taken back. The debt for our house has been paid by faith in Jesus. If it's not paid because there is no faith, then it belongs to the devil.) I thought maybe one or both of them died. But I wasn't sure. I just knew something was amiss. (When one loses one's house to the devil, their soul is his too.) We proceeded through the large house, taking photos with a camera I had rented at a local camera shop. These photos were to be provided to the bank. Then we walked into the basement and to our utter amazement, we saw a small alien infant tangled up in green vines that appeared to be growing from the floor of the basement. (And according to the previous dream, they came straight out of hell. This represents the alien deception.) The vines were attached to the wall and the infant was wrapped up in them. He had a large brown head with 2 large eyes. When we saw him and approached him he became aggressive and hissed at us. (The aliens/demons hate Christians.) I remember taking the rented camera and snapping pictures of him. Even though I was astonished at this, I was not overly distracted by it. I proceeded with my work at the property. My dad and I decided not to show the photos to anyone as it would become a distraction to the public. (Could this represent the Father hiding things from the wise and prudent and revealing them unto babes?) I knew people would not be ready to see this. I downloaded the photos, removed them from the camera and told my dad to return the camera to the shop. Later, I sent my report and inspection photos to the bank. The next day, I was out and about and realized the whole world was aware of the alien we had found! They had our photos! They were in every publication and on every news station. I had no idea how this had leaked. (True Christians will recognize this as a deception while the rest of the world will swallow the lie, like the waters out of the mouth of the Dragon.) I assumed it was because we returned the camera and the camera shop found the photos on the device and released them. I knew we had discovered it, but no one would ever know our identity. I was ok with that, but I was a little disturbed by how and why they were released. The world was in a frenzy, to say the least. A few days had passed and I was sent back to the same home by the bank to remove the small area of vines growing in the basement. When I got back to the house, the alien child was gone, but the basement dining room was now absolutely full of green vines. (This will be a worldwide deception that will be ‘fed' to all the people.) The walls and ceiling were now covered. I was supposed to remove them, and it was a daunting task. Then, my dad showed up, and we were talking about the alien. The next thing I knew, I stumbled across the rented camera in the basement. I got so upset at my dad because he returned the case but not the camera. (Honestly, I was worried about the late fees. Lol) He said he forgot to look inside the case when he returned it. I realized something strange had happened. How did the world know of the alien if we never took the camera back? Who released the photos? Then I woke up. (2Th 2:8-12 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming; 9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.)     Flesh is Born of Flesh and Not Demons Excerpt from: Sons of God, Aliens and Giants   David Eells God said in John 3:6, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. So Demons cannot birth Children through humans. Demons can infest humans with lying spirits. (Gen.6:1) And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born unto them, (2) that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose. Believers are the sons of God mentioned here and in the rest of the Scriptures (Psa.82:6; Dt.14:1,2; Hos.1:10; Isa.43:6; etc.). Notice this was “when men began to multiply” not angels. Jesus quoted Psa.82:6 to His people: (82:6) I said, Ye are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High. To be a son you must be born of God, not created, as the angels. Adam was called a son of God and he was born of God when He breathed into him the breath or Spirit (same Hebrew word) of life. Only his flesh was created from the earth and so was ours, which came from his. God specifically says that He never called an angel His son nor are they born of Him. (Heb.1:5) For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten (Greek: “born”) thee?.... God specifically says their spirits were created. (7) And of the angels he saith, Who maketh (created) his angels winds (Greek: “spirits”). The proponents of this false doctrine say that Satan came among the angels in Job who were said to be sons of God. It does not say that. Satan, the highest fallen angel, was not a son of God but only came among them to be their accuser as he did with Job. (Job 1:6) Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. He immediately begins to accuse them to God. (11) But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. Here is the same case. (Zec.3:1) And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. (2) And Jehovah said unto Satan, Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan; yea, Jehovah that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee. (3) Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel. 4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take the filthy garments from off him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with rich apparel. Joshua, the Hebrew word for Jesus, and Jerusalem represent the same thing here, the body of Christ, who are being accused by Satan. Paul said the heavenly Jerusalem was “the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Heb.12:23). We are seated with Christ in heavenly places. We, as the sons of God present ourselves before him constantly and Satan comes among us to accuse us. We are never out of God's presence. You will notice that God separated the line of Seth and the line of Cain in Gen.4 and 5, just as he separated Israel from the Gentiles and commanded them to not cross. In the New Testament Christians are forbidden to marry unbelievers (1 Cor.7:39), although if you are married to one do not leave them for God can save them (7:12-14). Notice in all three of these cases we are talking about crossing the sons of God and the sons of the Devil, or men, which is strictly forbidden (1 Cor.7:39; Ezra 9:2; 10:10; 2 Cor.6:14-18). In all of these cases when the sons of God fell away they began to have fellowship with fallen angels which we call demons (Psa.78:49, called here “angels of evil”; 2 Cor.12:7; Greek: “angel of Satan”) Demons did not directly create giants because they cannot. The Scripture teaches that each seed brings forth after its own kind. Jesus said, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”. Therefore, spirits cannot bring forth flesh. Some would argue that Jesus was born of God. Jesus' spirit was born of God but His flesh was born of David through Mary; “the seed of the woman”. Rom.1:3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Spirits can inhabit bodies of men that can procreate but they cannot have anything to do with making giants through marrying the daughters of men. (Mat.22:29) But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (30) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven. Fallen angels do not procreate man's flesh but his spirit and soul. Spirits sow a spiritual seed, not a physical one. Jesus is the Word, who in Matthew 13 sowed the seed of the Word in His people's heart to bring forth His fruit in them, 30, 60, and 100 fold. In Mat.13:24,27,32 the word for seed in Greek is “sperma”. Demons also sow their “sperm” in mankind's hearts to bring forth their evil fruit but this is their spiritual man and not their flesh. Seth, the son of God, is mentioned in the spiritual lineage of Jesus. (Luk.3:38) the [son] of Enos, the [son] of Seth, the [son] of Adam, the [son] of God You will notice that God mentions all of Cain's wicked descendants in Gen.4:16-24. After this we are told, (Gen. 4:25) And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth. For, [said she], God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel; for Cain slew him. (26) And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enosh. Then began men to call upon the name of Lord. Notice after all that evil seed God gave one to replace Abel the righteous seed. Why didn't any of Cain's seed replace Abel as a righteous seed? Obviously, his seed were evil. (1 Jn.3:12) not as Cain was of the evil one. Only after Seth and his son were born did the scripture say “men (plural) began to call on the name of the Lord”. Obviously Cain and his tribe did not call on the Lord. They were sons and daughters of men and as such called on the devil. After Adam there was not another son of God born until Seth; skipping over all of the seed of Cain. (Gen.5:3) And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat [a son] in his own likeness, after his image (a son of God) ; and called his name Seth. Notice none of Cain's descendants were sons of God but were of men. How then were the giants made? Seth and Cain's lineages stayed separate for hundreds of years. They inbred within their lines, which was not against the command of God at this time. In nature, especially after the curse, this deteriorates the line. They became weaker, smaller, and less intelligent. Wherever there has been in-breeding today, the descendants are sickly in mind and body. When the sons of God began to fall away some became inhabited by demons. This also happened in Israel and Christianity because history always repeats. (Ecc.1:9) That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. When after years of inbreeding the fallen sons of God and the sons of men crossed, making what is called in nature hybrids. The “Nephilim” were bigger, stronger, and more intelligent because as hybrids they end up with the better physical characteristics of both lines. Later in the Law God forbid inbreeding, at least with close relatives. Now even cousins are a no-no because the farther from Adam we go the stronger the curse has become. The serpent obviously walked on legs in the Garden because God cursed him to crawl on his belly. That curse was gradual and increased as time went by. Even in Job's day, which was in Jacob's day, he saw dinosaurs in Job 40:15 - 41:34. You have to ignore the translator's silly notes calling them hippopotamus and crocodile. We have never seen a hippo with a tail like a cedar tree or a croc that stood so tall that a multitude of men with spears and arrows dared not even approach him. The dinosaurs were serpents with legs. Even today some serpents have vestiges of legs beneath their skin. The fire-breathing dragon in Job 41:18-21 was a tyrannosaurus. This was one type of the serpent in that time but it was cast down by the curse to crawl on its belly. Rev.12:9 And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent...The increasing curse made it more and more improbable for giants, human or beast, to be bred.     “Added Books of the Bible” Disproven by God David Eells – 4/20/25 The people are wrong who say: “There were other books of the Bible that should have been included or the apocryphal books should not have been taken out. Saying we only had 66 of them, while many were missing. The White Hats retrieved all of them from the basement of the Vatican.” Who made these people experts on the anointed words which they have never followed? There have been many books hidden at the Vatican, but Numerics is a pattern in every letter of the original Greek and Hebrew, parts of which are shown in various ancient manuscripts. Every manuscript can be proven as to where this pattern is or isn't, showing the original text. This pattern was designed by God to prove that only the 66 books are inspired by Him. No other book has been found to have this complete pattern in every letter and its position. The Catholics added their apocryphal books that were proven not to have this pattern. The original KJV had these books in it. Satan and his “aliens” want desperately to pollute the Bible. The “New Agers” throw out the book of Revelations, which has this perfect pattern disproving their 1000 years of peace. Where the original “Numeric Greek New Testament” is used Bible skip sequence codes will show up all through the text. God pronounces a curse at the end of the true Bible on all who add to or take from its Words. Rev 22:18-21 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.     66 Books Proven by Math Science Proves the Bible Numeric English New Testament The Holy Bible, Wholly True Numerics and the KJV Numeric Materials   Now I'm going to share an excerpt from this book by Philippe Besnard on New Age. Why? Because this sect has invaded the Alliance and is totally defenseless against this demon deception along with the Unitarian types and long dead “Christian” religions of shifting sands. Only the firm foundation of the Word and infilling of the Holy Spirit will give discernment.     Spiritual Warfare- Revelation of a New-Age Deception https://www.ubm1.org/spiritualwarfare-besnard.pdf (David's Notes in Red) North America, Birthplace of the Modern New-Age Movement (When I met Philippe, he was coming out of 30 years of the New Age movement, and as such, he was an expert in describing it.) The North American continent is the birthplace of the modern New Age movement, and when I immigrated to Canada from France, I felt in awe of what I saw as the vibrant “new spirituality” of this wild land. In comparison, I thought France and old Europe were still living in the Middle Ages. France is now catching up with the New Age, but for many years, it has been very slow to emerge. As part of my new identity, adapting to a new culture and learning English, I became a true product of the New Age. I was eager to embrace the lifestyle and social and spiritual trends of my adoptive country. For thirty years I had earnestly followed New Age teaching, traveled to workshops, conferences, seminars, training sessions, and festivals, met many of its teachers, and was personally taught by some of them. I had received countless readings from channelers, psychics, astrologers, palm readers, and Tarot card readers. I received spiritual healings from healers of all faiths and denominations, and even so-called “DNA activation” from a “Spiritual Scientist”. But the Bible says in Lev.19:31 “Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.” I had embraced the mystic path and the contemplative lifestyle. I practiced yoga and meditation for many years; sat in Darshan to receive the blessings of gurus, and participated in Satsang, chanting the names of Hindu deities and Buddhist mantras. I facilitated devotional evenings with my guitar, chanting Sanskrit mantras, the music of which I had composed. I traveled to India twice and other countries in the Far East seeking “truth, wisdom, enlightenment, and good karma”. I have been in the company of, and received teachings from, a number of swamis, gurus, yogis, lamas and so-called “enlightened” Western spiritual teachers. As a nature lover, I had worshipped Nature, called the earth Gaia, followed and believed in various native teachings and Shamanism. My space at home was cluttered with New-Age paraphernalia on the walls, tables, and corners. In the garden, I had crystals, posters, images and statues of Buddha and Hindu deities. The New Age is a melting pot made of practically every religious and occult philosophy found in the world. It is a strange convergence of mysticism, holism, pantheism, aboriginal animism, humanism, Luciferian Western occultism with Freemasonry, Theosophy, Rosicrucianism, modern Masonic witchcraft (called Wicca), the Illuminati, apostate Christianity, Gnosticism, Islam, Taoism, Buddhism, Zen, Sufism and Hinduism. The New Age is a broad movement characterized by alternative approaches to traditional Western culture, with an interest in Druidism, shamanism, neo-paganism, Voodoo, exploration of human sexuality, environmentalism, modern-day occultism, worship of “Mother” Earth, psychic healing and extraterrestrial phenomena. Most of the ancient origins of the New Age are found in classical Hinduism, Buddhism, and pagan Babylonian religions. So, despite the name “New” Age, we are dealing here with a very ancient system. Paganism is a people or a community observing a polytheistic religion, which is the worship of many gods, as opposed to monotheism, the worship of One Almighty God, the Creator of All that is. A Pagan is also called an irreligious heathen, gentile, or hedonistic person... The great New-Age plan is dedicated to the unification of all races, religions and creeds. This plan is claiming to establish a “new order of things”, it is to make all things new - a new nation, a new race, a new civilization and a new non-sectarian one world religion that has already been recognized by the United Nations. This New Age globalism movement advocates a one-world government, a one-world religion, and a one-world economy; and this would mean the destruction of the sovereignty of nations and religions. New Age teachers are using standard texts of Eastern religions such as the Hindu Baghavad-Gita and the Tibetan Book of the Dead, as well as writings of Jewish mysticism called Kabbala and those gnostic scriptures often called the Apocrypha. Over the years, I became more and more confused in studying such “new revelations” as the Urantia book, the Keys of Enoch. (Academy for Future Science), A Course in Miracles, Elizabeth Clare Prophet (of The Church Universal and Triumphant). (General Flynn in Sept. 2021 offered a prayer at a large church gathering of Trump worshipping, patriotic “Christians” that originated from Elizabeth Clare Prophet invoking the 7 fold rays and the arch angels. Rick Wiles has denounced Michael Flynn, because he delivered a “New Age prayer” almost word for word by Elizabeth Claire Prophet, a New Age Theosophist and Christian Science advocate, at pastor Hank Kunneman's Christian conference last week and had everyone in the congregation repeat the invocation after him: “ Rick said, “My advice to you is to separate from Gen. Michael Flynn.” In this prayer Flynn invokes “the 7 fold rays and the arch angels”, “in your name and the name of your legions” to help guide humanity (Ascended Masters) and protect us against the enemy and further the purposes of their agenda. (Who is his god? And to whom is he praying?) The “7 fold rays and the arch angels” is based on New Age Theosophy developed by Helena Blavatsky. By the way, you can not achieve the rank of a military general without being initiated. The White Dragons who support the Alliance behind the scenes believe that the Abrahamic God is satan @ 11:53 minutes. (What's Behind General Flynn and the White Hats Alliance? Here is an informative Link: https://youtu.be/Dkx7v0JTmmw) Back to Philippe's text: I also studied... Rudolf Steiner (Anthroposophy), Edgar Cayce, Law of One, Aquarian gospel of Jesus Christ, Heindel Max (the Rosicrucian cosmo-conception-Mystic Christianity) the Gnostic gospels. There is a lack of uniformity in the doctrines of the New Age. The beliefs of New Agers vary from ‘group to group' and ‘person to person.' Thus, it is difficult to have a clear definition and a solid understanding of what the New Age really is. I believe this confusion has been created on purpose. It is very hard to pinpoint, identify and shoot the enemy when it is moving constantly, shape-shifting, or invisible. People entering these movements are generally concerned with having an experience, and not necessarily with finding the truth. Their actions are determined by feelings, not intellect. The emphasis is on “practicing and becoming god” and this is why meditation and many other techniques that teach “stillness of the mind” and a “receptive feeling mode” are promoted. We are told to “follow our bliss”, “go with the flow”, “let loose”, to “transcend the limitation of the mind,” and to “experience the pleasure and the ecstasy of the body”. Using your mind to discriminate and discern has become taboo. The principle of “spiritual vibration” is the belief that all things vibrate at some frequency. The ultimate goal of all New-Age practices is for humanity to vibrate at the same frequency so that we can all become one, spiritually and mentally. “We are all one”, this most repeated New-Age catch phrase, wants us to believe the unity of all things, heaven and earth, spirit and matter, the invisible and the visible worlds, the great melting pot of Darkness, Light, and everything in between. (WWG1WGA?) This “All is ONE”, “all is good”, “don't worry, be happy”, “don't judge” and “be in the moment” is a disastrous recipe that generates apathy and complacency. It is creating a generation of self-seeking, egotistical people who are indifferent to iniquity and the suffering of others. I have been a dedicated student of this school of thought and I have practiced being fully in my body, opening all “the inner channels” and feeling “the subtle currents”. I was proud of “feeling and being” but I was a total fool...! I had lost common sense and the ability to discern and discriminate good from evil. I didn't want to judge anything or anybody for the fear of being unloving, and spiritually not evolved. What a perfect brainwashing and a diabolical device to enslave, control people and turn them into powerless puppets! I was losing my God-given right to discriminate and I didn't realize that judging is necessary for preserving the integrity of my soul. I used to confuse judging with condemning, and I know this confusion had been fostered on purpose. Then I discovered I can judge a situation or someone without condemning and feel love and compassion toward all the parties involved. This was a very liberating and empowering realization. Of course, our human judgment is flawed and imperfect, but as we draw closer to God, we learn true Divine Justice. (And discernment)     Is Darkness Real and Is it a Sovereign Force? The beginning of the story starts with a question I have been asking myself over the years: “And what about God?” I often wonder how God is seeing me, seeing us, seeing the world. I often cry out to Him, asking, “Why, God? Why is there so much pain and suffering everywhere on this beautiful planet? Why is there so much injustice, poverty, and violence?” Do you have the feeling, as I and many others do, that something ominous is about to happen and that we are only seeing the beginning of a momentous transformation? It seems with each day, the world is spiraling down into greater chaos, deception, and destruction. I know a lot of us choose to look at the positive and ignore the increasingly rapid deterioration of our civilization, but refusing to see that anything serious is happening, denying that we, as a human race, are in deep trouble is not going to change it, resolve it, or make it go away. No, in fact, denying is not seeing, and if we don't see, we are blind and hopeless to change anything. Because of my willingness to honestly acknowledge and recognize the darkness pervading our world, I have been more readily able to recognize that this darkness is also within myself. I realized I can only change something in the world or within myself when I am fully aware of what is truly happening. I have heard many times people saying, “The dark only exists when you believe in it. If you believe in the devil, in darkness, you are giving it power, but if you focus on the light, the dark has no place to be.” I tried that belief on, wearing it for some time, but darkness was still there. This belief crippled my ability to discriminate evil from good. Is not believing in darkness preventing darkness from manifesting? Is the world such a paradise that there is no darkness to be seen anywhere? How can anyone believe this? The dark, of course, wants you to believe it is not there but even the most remote paradisiacal Pacific island has murder, theft, violence, greed, etc. In my twenties, I lived on Boraccai, a remote Philippine paradise island, for five months. I was living in a bamboo hut on the beach with no electricity, no running water or any modern amenities. Life was so gentle and simple, I felt surely, I had found the Garden of Eden. One morning, I heard that a man had been murdered the previous night. There had been some drinking and a knife fight broke out. I was deeply shaken to the core, as was most of the tiny population of the island. My innocent naivety that the world is a safe place was completely shattered. In that one moment I became aware of the pervading presence of the dark. “The light” is such a broad, impersonal concept when it is not mentioned as an attribute of God. In fact, many of us embrace the concept of “the light” standing all by itself as a sovereign, impersonal, beneficial force that is replacing the Name of God. Few people know the dark is quite capable and is a master at parading and appearing as the “light”. 2Co.11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. 15 It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. There is the assumption prevalent in New-Age circles that the light needs the presence of the dark to exist. We are told that within the fabric of the universe there is built in an eternal polarity that makes the light of God not being able to exist without the darkness of Lucifer. This is a clever but absurd concept invented, of course, by the dark to deceive people into accepting Lucifer as a legitimate, purposeful, and even beneficial force. The great paradox is this: that Lucifer is, indeed, purposeful, not as an independent sovereign entity but as a force that God uses for His own plan. The dark was created and is allowed to exist by God for His Sovereign purpose and actually needs God's approval and permission to continue to exist. On the other hand, God obviously exists outside of this fallen, polarized world and has no need whatsoever of anything or anybody outside of Himself. There is no darkness in the Kingdom of God, not even anything that remotely resembles darkness. 1 John 1:5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If there is no darkness in the Kingdom of God, then surely this planet, which has been corrupted with darkness since the beginning of time, is not the Kingdom of God. Jesus confirmed that fact by saying: My kingdom is not of this world: John 18:36 Of course, this doesn't mean God is not present or is removed from His creation, but I wondered why God allows darkness to be here. Please be patient with me as I attempt to offer my understanding based on the fruit of my life experiences and the teachings found in the Bible.     The New-Age Movement For over thirty years I had been searching for God and the Truth while being completely lost in the great deception of the New Age. I was immersed in New-Age thinking, was an intimate part of its movement, and worked to promote its philosophy and belief system. I was brainwashed to blindly accept and embrace New-Age occult knowledge, and I was convinced my life of service and my spiritual studies were the highest expression of my love for God. I was sincere, as most New-Agers are, but I was also completely deceived and clueless. My study and knowledge of esoteric and ancient mysteries gave me a sense of belonging to the highest-evolved portion of humanity. Although I have always managed to retain some humility in my being, through a natural devotion to the Lord, I still had a typical new-age persona, a spiritual vanity, that vague illusion of having achieved a higher consciousness. This was constantly reinforced by countless readings, which I had received over the years from psychics, clairvoyants, mediums and channelers. I was repeatedly told how great, spiritual, and amazing I was and how I had come here on earth from the higher angelic realms to save lost mankind. I was a walking earth angel with a mission….!!! Of course, I knew everybody else was more or less told the same story, so I took all of it with a grain of salt as I was aware of the deception of ego-flattering, but I was hoping somehow I was special in the eyes of God. Little by little over the last few years, I came to realize through the grace of God's revelation, the many distorted truths and the outright evilness of the New-Age teachings. Because of my passionate nature, I had delved into this New-Age pool deeply and had many close encounters with renowned teachers and spiritual centers across North America. This first-hand, practical knowledge and in-depth study has given me a unique perspective to share with you, the discovery of a very shocking and disturbing truth. The Dark New Age of Aquarius is here right now, and those leading the way forward in this New Age are working hand-in-glove with the great and the powerful. Some of the wealthiest and influential men and women on our planet are openly identifying themselves with the New Age. From bankers, industrialists, politicians, celebrities, and religious leaders of all faiths, it seems everyone is going “New Age,” and they are bringing huge numbers of the population along with them. Darkness is a very powerful force at work over this world. It is a corporate entity made up of many individuals, and is described in the Bible as “the beast”. It is also the embodiment of one being who has been known by various names, including Thoth or Seth in Egypt, Manu in India, Hermes in Greece and Lucifer, the Devil, or Satan in the Judeo-Christian tradition. God is executing end-time Bible prophecy right this very day and He is allowing Lucifer to create the final end-time New World Order of the beast empire. One of the instruments for all this to come to pass is the New Age Movement, also called “The Plan” and what Freemasonry calls “The Great Work Of Ages”. (The QAnon movement has always said, “Trust the Plan.” Whose ‘Plan' are they referring to? Probably not God's plan, but the New Age plan and their AI computers.) This is Lucifer's rebellion and master plan in action against God. The New Age movement has become a powerful political, philosophical, and economic force in our contemporary culture and is exerting its influence into every facet of modern life. (As I've often said, One beast is being conquered by the other and we are grateful for that at this moment. The day will come when all this camaraderie will melt away because they are looking down their snoots at us.) Its ultimate goal and plan is to introduce a One World Order and One World Religion. The UN is gradually becoming the center of this New World Religion, and the “house of peace” with its programs and policies is even more worthy of comparison to what some have called a modern-day “Tower of Babel”. All of my research and personal experiences during those years have led me to believe that Lucifer is very real and he is rising, or descending, depending on which way we look at it! He is here on earth, in this dimension, causing havoc and chaos in an attempt to seat himself on the throne of a World State, and to inaugurate a New Religion with himself as its sole deity. Dan.11:36 And he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every God, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done. (Isa.14:13 And thou saidst in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north; There is a false belief among many today that Lucifer and Satan are the same but this is propagated by the New Ager's. “Lucifer and Satan are actually two different aspects of the same creature. Lucifer, meaning “the brilliant one, son of the morning” in Hebrew, was an angel beloved by God until his fall and after his rebellion, he became Satan. While there is a significant difference between the two, the terms today have unfortunately become synonymous with each other and with the devil.” Satan has been busily working through his false prophets and religious harlots to pollute true Christianity and also offer a fake moralizing replacement for it to the world so that no one has to repent of sin.     False Prophet and Religious Harlot Experience and the Word have taught me concerning prophecy that if the majority of God's people believe something, it must be wrong. God hides his truths in dreams or visions that are parables so that the false prophets and carnal Christians cannot understand them as in (Mat.13:10-13) but privately He explains them to His disciples. He hides truths from the wise and understanding of this apostate religious system and reveals them to babes according to Jesus in (Luk.10:21). He reveals His hidden truths to those who are faithful. Rev.2:17…To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna…. John's Revelation was given to him as a parable from Jesus. If it were literal, the false prophets would know what is going to happen and that is contrary to Jesus' own words. When the disciples were young and under the Law they did not recognize the false prophets that ruled them. As a matter of fact, they respected them! And so it is today! I want to share with those of you who have eyes and ears who the false prophet is and what his work is. ...The false prophet is a corporate body of religious leaders that to the trained eye resemble those of Jesus' day. Since Jesus' day is a type of the coming Man-child reformers in our day, we know there are going to be false prophets, plural. In all of the New Testament writings, outside of the book of Revelation, we are warned that false prophets, plural, would come. In Revelation, false prophet, singular, is used, but in an allegory or parable to hide the corporate body. Since Jesus, Peter and John said that in the end time many false prophets shall arise, then the false prophet in Revelation is a symbol of a corporate body, like the rest of the characters there like the Woman, the Harlot, the Beast, etc., are corporate bodies. It's the only way that all verses concerning false prophets can be right. Mat.7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. Mat 24:11&24 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. (24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets… so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. So you see they are plural... They come to you with moralizing like the New Age but cannot live it at all because they don't know the Gospel that saves from sin, and nothing is sin to them. They are false because Jesus said, “To him that overcometh will I give authority” meaning, overcome sin. False prophets fit the type and shadow of history, according to Jesus. Luk.6:26. Woe [unto you], when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets. Peter also said there would be false prophets among us. 2Pe.2:1 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers …. John also said that many false prophets would speak for antichrist. 1Jo.4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (3) And every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the [spirit] of the antichrist … Notice that every spirit is the antichrist. The New Age is one of these false prophets that confesses not Jesus as the only begotten Son of God and leader of His Church. Part of the “strong delusion” (KJV) taught by the false prophets is that we are to be looking for the coming of a man called the false prophet, while the Biblical corporate false prophet is here and in the pulpits already. 2Co.11:14 And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. (15) It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. ...Most agree that the second beast in Revelation 13 is the false prophet. He is given authority by the first beast for the second stage of the last 3½ years of the Tribulation (Rev.13:5). He is identified as a beast because he is a corporate body, as is every other prophetic beast in the Scripture. Rev.13:11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (12) And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed. The beast that is coming into authority now is pointed to by the New Age. It is a one-world order with a covenant. Here we see that the false prophet masquerades as the lamb: “two horns like unto a lamb” but he speaks as the world and Satan: “and he spake as a dragon” (beast). This second beast in chapter 13 is also identified after the world beast in Revelation 16:13 as the false prophet. This impostor leadership for the harlot has “a form of godliness” (2Tim.3:5) but is carnal and can only teach a worldly corruption of the Word. They are actually a mouthpiece for the world beast in the apostate church. It was said of the world beast, (Rev.13:5) and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies…. These apostates speak against (Greek: blasphemeo) God with their hypnotizing, ear-tickling doctrines of all-fly-away, unconditional eternal security, worldly prosperity, greasy grace, and anything but the self-crucifying truth. And 1000 years of peace that will be interrupted by the Tribulation that they do not believe in. The false prophet is a corporate body within the corporate body of the harlot, which is female because they receive the seed of antichrist. In verse 15, we see the female body of the false prophet. “And it was given to her (Greek) to give spirit (Greek) to the image of the beast.” Bible Numerics show a perfect pattern for “her” and “spirit” in the original Greek and in the most accurate New Testament, the Numeric English New Testament by Ivan Panin. There is no pattern in “he” or “it.” In Greek, breath and spirit are the same. Numerics show beyond a shadow of a doubt which words are correct here. In the rest of the text this false prophet is identified as male by the same numeric pattern. A translator would have had to respect the Word enough to ignore his own reasoning to simply translate what was there. Most are not willing to go out on a limb and look foolish when they do not see the reason. A male, who is also seen as female, is clear proof that God is not speaking of an individual here but a corporate body of people. In parallel, we are the male body of Christ, made in His image (2Cor.3:18), but we are female in another type (Eph.5:22-25), being married and submitted to Him to receive only His seed, His Word. Let's see this corporate false prophet and his relationship to the harlot in another parable. We know Ahab represents the ten-horned beast who was being ridden by Jezebel (1Ki.18), exactly as the harlot rode the beast in Revelation 17:1-3. They ruled over the apostate ten tribes, who were also those who worshiped the image of the beast, the golden calf. As the corporate mother of the harlot sects of Christianity, she leads them into the Great Tribulation and death unless they repent. Rev.2:20 … Jezebel … teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication (with the world beast by receiving their seed)…. (21) And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. (22) Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. (23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. Like the harlot, Jezebel was guilty of the blood of the prophets and of the saints (1Ki.18:4; 2Ki.9:7; Rev.18:24). In Revelation 17:16 when the beast is through using the harlot he devours her, and so it was with Jezebel who was devoured by the dogs (1Ki.21:23), symbolizing the unbelievers (Mk.7:27) or the beast. The true ministers of God are fed at the Church's table (1Cor.9:13-14) and the false prophets are fed from the harlot's table. (1Ki.18:19)…The prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel's table. The two categories of false prophets represent the two horns of the false prophet in Revelation 13:11. Find out who Baal and Asherah represent in modern times and you will know who the corporate false prophet is. These two have their roots at the tower of Babel and were originally Nimrod and his wife Semiramis (Gen.10:8-10). They created the original harlot religion that spawned all the rest. They are a type of the great corporate mother of harlots of all of history. Rev.17:5 And upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. When Nimrod died and Semiramis (later called Asherah) became pregnant, she claimed that Nimrod had become the Sun God (later called Baal) who then by virgin birth was reborn as her son, Tammuz (Son of God). These original Babylonians worshiped the false father, son, and virgin about 2,300 years before the true virgin birth. Semiramis probably knew of the prophecy in Genesis 3:15 concerning the virgin birth seed of the woman and if she didn't, the devil did. With the confusion of languages and dispersion at Babel, this legend went throughout the world and these three were given different names in different cultures, many of which are in the Bible. The golden calf in Egypt was a symbol of the Father (Baal) in the Son. Remember Pharaoh's title meant “Great Temple of the Sun God.” Sun images all over the world and in Catholic and Eastern churches symbolize the false Son. The Israelites with their golden calf thought they were worshiping “YHWH” or “Elohim,” the true God, but it was Baal, “another Jesus.” One horn, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, represent those who teach “another Jesus.” This is the apostate Protestant ministers. The other horn, the four hundred prophets of the Asherah, represent those who worship the virgin. These are the Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and many others that are into “Mariolatry.” We know that Mary became saved and is our sister, and we love her but she is not the mother of God as Mariolatry teaches. (Rom.1:3) Concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, (Jesus' “flesh” was the “seed of David” through Mary, which was the promised seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15. Mary is the mother of Jesus' flesh which is the “Son of Man.”) (4) who was declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; [even] Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus' “spirit” man was the “Son of God.” Jesus agreed with this saying in John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”. Some would say that the two horns are the apostate leaders of the Christian religion and the leaders of false religions. To this I agree. The same verses usually address both greater and lesser types. The greater type is the most complete fulfillment and all the Babylonish religions will be gathered together in the end-time harlot. The False Prophets and Religious Harlots spread from the confusion at Babel throughout the world, and now the Unitarian New Age is seeking to bring Babel back together in a new Catholic, meaning “universal” religion that doesn't rebuke their own sins, much less others. Read also: Aliens Demons Bow to Jesus' Name Note: If you are a Spirit Filled Christian the Lord was speaking to you when He said, “I give you authority over all the power of the enemy.” And “What you bind on earth is bound in heaven.” The Lord said that we can delay this invasion now but we cannot ultimately stop it for God has sent this delusion. 2Th 2:9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  “Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.”

The Blue Origin New Shepherd flight, with an all-female crew, launched on April 14, 2025. From launch to return, conspiracies exploded all over the Internet with claims that the rocket was fake, the return capsule was fake, it was all staged, space isn't real, and so on. Author and model Emily Ratajkowski made it political, saying: "It just speaks to the fact that we are absolutely living in an oligarchy where there is a small group of people who are interested in going to space for the sake of getting a new lease on life while the rest of the population, most people on planet Earth, are worried about paying rent or having dinner for their kids.” And she is correct in a way, additionallu since Kalpana Chawla and Sally Ride seem to be ignored as pioneers of women in space. Rather than discussing such things, perhaps we should look at the significance of the names, dates, and symbols involved instead.Preparations for the flight were lengthy, but pre-flight would have begun on Palm Sunday, with the actual launch and return occurring on Holy Monday. As with the return of spring and resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday, both relating to death, life, and rebirth, so too does the Blue Origin capsule and mission exemplify these characteristics - from the all female crew to the messages of unity and peace displayed from start to finish, and finally to the nature of the rocket itself, which resembles an erect penis with exaggerated head. This penis projectile penetrated the blue above with its white sperm-head load being returned to the ground below at the onset of spring. The capsule carrying the women was named New Shepherd, a moniker of Jesus Christ (“I am the good shepherd” - John 10:11) and various other deities such as Orpheus and Hermes-Mercury (guide of souls known as Good Shepherd), who held sacred The Path. These shepherds or civilizers included Quetzalcoatl, and Osiris, or the green god of Egypt. It was Osiris who presided over the Hall of Judgement in the underworld, a place where the deceased's heart was weighted against the feather (often blue) of Ma'at, goddess of truth and justice. If the heart weighed more, being heavy with desire, it was consumed by the beast Ammit, but if the feather, or soul, weighed more, then it was set free with eternal life and granted passaged to the Field of Reeds. Although such Egyptian reeds to do not grow in Texas, similar plants and reeds do, which is a critical detail because this is where the spent white (sperm) capsule returned to earth. The logo of Blue Origin is also a blue feather, which shares something in common with the former Twitter-X logo and the alternative Blue Sky butterfly logo. One of the most famous people inside the capsule was Katy Perry, who had the nickname of “feather” since childhood, something not overlooked as she wore the blue feather on her suit during the mission. As seen in her Dark Horse video and in a 2019 social media post, Perry often references Egyptian mythology, and particularly that the heart should be lighter than a feather. Symbol dictionaries will tell us that a bird represents thought, imagination, synthesis, and sublimation. In Egypt, the bird was BA - the soul. A blue bird in particular is a representation of pure ideas. Blue butterflies represent transformation and new life, i.e., spring. In Greek mythology, the butterfly famously refers to the soul or mind, hence its name psyche.Perry is also on the New Shepherd video holding both a blue butterfly in one shot and a white daisy in another shot. These flowers represent much the same thing butterflies and birds symbolize, though they have a direct connection to the Norse goddess Freya, for whom Friday (Good Friday) is named. Furthermore, in Christian symbolism, a white daisy is the flower of the Virgin Mary, which historically has been a title and a surname of magdal-elder, meaning Watchtower of the Flock, the same flock the shepherd watches over. The Irish goddess Brigid (also Brighid) presided over the festival of Imbolc, an early spring holy day celebrating the end of winter. Known as the Exalted One, she was a goddess of healing, fertility, and birth. From The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology, authors Arthur Cotterell and Rachel Storm confirm this: “Brigid, sometimes known as Brigit, was a goddess of healing and fertility who was believed to assist women in labour.” Spring is, of course, when the earth is reborn. Some have pointed out that the NS-31 logo can be inverted to show not a spaceship but a goat head, which is perhaps one of the most misunderstood symbols in the western world. The goat is Capricorn, Pan, Cernunnos, and various other characters with horns and features that remind many of the Devil, largely due to the usage of goats for the relieving of sin - scapegoats (Leviticus 16:8-10). It is from the goat horns that we get the term “horny,” yet another reference to sexuality and reproduction.  It is therefore no surprise that Jack Parsons, the infamous rocket engineer, invoked the name of the Greek god Pan before most rocket tests. Pan is a fertility god, and his invocation provides fertility for the test, the sexual imagery of the rocket itself, and so on. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.-FREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVEX / TWITTER FACEBOOKYOUTUBEMAIN WEBSITECashApp: $rdgable EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / TSTRadio@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

Welcome back to the Magician On Duty Journey Series! On this edition we welcome diladï (@diladimusic) Magician On Duty proudly welcomes diladï (δηλαδή) to the Journey Series, an artist whose name carries deep significance. In Greek, δηλαδή translates to "that is to say" or "in other words," symbolizing her ability to communicate beyond language—through music. Her sets serve as a form of expression, translating emotions and energy into sound, crafting stories that words cannot capture. Known for her dreamy yet hypnotic melodies, deep basslines, and a touch of dark, progressive energy, diladï masterfully builds tension and release throughout her performances. Her storytelling is fluid and unpredictable, shaped by a playful approach to mixing tempos and genres. No matter where her set begins, it always unfolds into a dynamic, immersive ride—one that allows listeners to both sink into the depths of sound and rise with its evolving intensity. With each performance, diladï invites listeners into a world where emotions dictate rhythm, and every moment is a step deeper into an unforgettable journey. Follow diladï (δηλαδή) here: https://soundcloud.com/diladimusic https://www.instagram.com/diladi_music https://ra.co/dj/diladi

This episode of Sync Music Matters is an interview with NYX's  Sian O'Gorman about the scoring of the BBC series Dope Girls NYX is a collective of experimental vocalists and electronic artists based in London. In Greek mythology, NYX is the primordial goddess of the night, born from chaos giving birth to light and day. And it's this duality which inspires their creativity. NYX blend traditional vocal techniques with cutting-edge sound design, and in doing so they craft sonic worlds that bridge the ancient and the futuristic In 2020 their collaborative album Deep England with Gazelle Twin was named one of The Guardian's top ten contemporary albums and in 2021 NYX received Film London's Breakthrough Talent Award. They have just completed their debut TV score for the BBCs Dope Girls due out in the first half of 2025 and are due to release their debut album NYX in March 2025 Some of Sian's musical influences which aren't mentioned in the show include: Her hero Joe Hisaishi "I listen to my Miyazaki film soundtracks almost daily" The Dark Crystal Age of Resistance OST by Daniel Pemberton Mica Levi's Zone of Interest score "My mind was completely blown" Colin Stetson forever! Centred around care, connection, and collaboration, the collective creates immersive sonic landscapes that traverse the full spectrum of human emotion – from the depths of grief to ecstatic joy. Their work balances ritualistic intensity with playful exploration, offering audiences a transformative experience to ground themselves in the power of sound and embodiment. Drawing on influences from psychoacoustics, somatic practices, and experimental sound design, NYX operates at the intersection of composition and improvisation. At the heart of NYX's artistry is a distinct compositional process led by music director Sian O'Gorman. Each piece begins as a deeply personal act of vocal experimentation and layering, evolving into dynamic sonic landscapes shaped collaboratively with performers. This process blends improvisation with precise direction, resulting in music that feels both curated and alive. 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:00 Interview with NYX - What was your path into music 20:19:06 Under The Skin - Dope Girls and the debut Album NYX 56:16:00 Getting a Taste - What music and art has influenced you? You can find out more and listen to NYX on their website www.nyx-edc.com/ NYX on Instagram

Pooka G interviews Atalanti Evripidou on her Sisters of Hippolyta chapter Forbidden & Forgotten Orders.We Are Island, published in Luna Station Quarterly issue 060. In Greek, this story was published in issue 37 of "Φανταστικά Χρονικά" magazine.Shanties of the Sunless Vast, published in the anthology "Star Maidens", by MacKenzie Publishing. This is only available on Amazon for now, as far as I know.The Macabre Dance of the Fiddler and Kore, featured in Gallery of Curiosities, can be found on Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms for podcast. It was also reprinted recently in the second issue of Skull and Laurel magazine.Crystal Ash, featured in StarShipSofa no634 and reprinted in Speculative North magazine, issue 4.Shadow Play, published in Flame Tree Fiction Newsletter issue 19.The Pink Casket, published in 34 Orchard, issue 1.In Greek, my short story collection, "Εκείνοι που δεν έφυγαν", was published in Autumn 2024 by ΠΟΛΙΣ.Mage the Podcast social media linksWebsitehttp://magethepodcast.comPatreonhttps://bit.ly/MagePatreonBlueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/magethepodcast.bsky.socialMastodonhttps://dice.camp/@magethepodcastThreadshttps://www.threads.net/@magethepodcastDiscordhttps://discord.gg/7rsy59Zz

To support the show, for ad free episodes and exclusive content sign up here.On this episode George and Maria discuss some neighbourhoods to stay in Athens on your first or subsequent visits!Tune in to hear which neighbourhoods we recommend and some key information for each.Greek phrase shared on the episode: Neighbourhood: Periochí, geitoniá (In Greek: Περιοχή, γειτονιά)To download the 48 Hours in Athens episode guide for free, click here. And for more Guides by destination (e.g. Santorini, Syros, Astypalaia, Karpathos) with all of Marias top picks click here.Further Podcast Listening:48 Hours in AthensAthens - A Greek-endThe Athens RivieraThe Athens bar sceneThe Athens brunch sceneAt the museumIslands close to AthensFine dining in GreeceCheck out the My Greek Island website www.mygreekis.land where you can find blog posts to inspire your next trip, travel tips to download on your phone and more. Also give us a follow on instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with the My Greek Island adventures, and for those of you visiting Greece remember to tag us for a future feature.If you liked the episode, feel free to leave a rating and review, and to make sure you are notified as soon as future episodes are released, press the subscribe or follow button on the podcast platform of your choice.There are 227 inhabited Greek Islands, which one will YOU visit next?#MGIPODCAST Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SPECIAL LESSON In lesson 33 we will turn from our focus on the Torah and the book of Genesis to consider the answer to the question, “Why Do This?”  Why should we study the Bible in this manner?  Why should be put the Bible in its historical context and strive to hear the Bible on its own terms; that is, to hear the Bible as to what it says and what it does not say?    Since I returned from my first study tour to the Middle East in Israel years ago and continuing in my learning since those days, I have found that most lessons I hear from Christians are devoid of the historical context of the Bible.  I have found that most teach with no concept of how important it is to understand the word of God as the “first hearers” did.  A classic example is the picture of Jesus with the sharp two edged sword in Pergamum in Revelation 2.  No one ever has ever taught how the sharp two edged sword and Pergamum are related.  No one ever in teachings I heard makes the connection.  Why?  Since Pergamum was a center of the worship of the emperor of Rome, we learn that Caesar had the right of the sword; in Latin “ius gladii.” This means that he and his designates had the power of life and death; by his word a person could be immediately executed. This is why Jesus was brought before Pilate. In Greek this is called the right of the “rhomphaia” – this is the exact word found in Rev. 2:12!  Bible historians suggest that Jesus who has the sharp two-edged-sword or “rhomphaia” is in direct confrontation with the emperor. It is not Caesar who has the power over life and death, it is not a man who has absolute power over all. It is Jesus. Only Jesus has the power of the sword, the power of the “rhomphaia.” Amazingly, Jesus is writing this to the only city of the seven that is the center of imperial worship of the emperor. If you are an early believer in Pergamum, you get it, loud and clear!! (Note: the sharp two-edged sword Jesus had was not the word of God as in Eph. 6:17. The Greek word used there is “machaira” or a dagger or short sword. That is our sword – God's word.  No way do we get the sword of the King of Kings!) However, there is more. For at least the first 100 years of the “church” the only Bible they had was the Hebrew Scriptures commonly known as the Old Testament. Moreover, a majority of the early church were Messianic Jewish people who knew the Torah, the 1st five books of the Bible, as God's direct instruction (not law) for His chosen people. In the Torah we read … “See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me; it is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand. Indeed, I lift up My hand to heaven, And say, as I live forever, If I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, And I will repay those who hate Me. I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword will devour flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the long-haired leaders of the enemy.” (Deu 32:39-42) A Messianic Jew in Pergamum would easily associate this verse with Rev. 2:12. Jesus had the sharp two-edged sword. Only He has the power of life and death. That is why murder is forbidden in the Ten Commandments. Thus, Deut. 32:39-42 and Rev. 2:12 proclaim Jesus as God, the God of the Bible, the one true God, God alone. When does Jesus ever say that He is God?? All the time!! But, He does it in the cultural context of the times. The Bible was written to them, those who first hear it, and not to us.  As my first teacher said that we must understand the who and the what and the where of the Bible event to understand the why.  This was Ray Vander Laan and I highly recommend you to connect with his ministry, “That the World May Know,” and to start purchasing his DVD's of Bible lessons in their historical context filmed on site in the Middle East.  Here's a link to his website.  Link - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/ I urge you to check out his free articles and audio lessons.  Click on LEARN at the homepage of "That the World May Know." In this podcast I brought up a story of a 12 year old boy who asked me if Jesus dwells in us.  Certainly the Spirit dwells in us; that is exactly what the Bible says (1 Cor 3:16 and 1 Cor 6:19).  But in one section of the Bible Jesus teaches us something totally amazing.  Check it out ... "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.  (Joh 14:10-20) In these verses we see that the Father is in Jesus and Jesus is in the Father and we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us and thus the Father is in us since the Father is in Jesus.  On top of that the Holy Spirit will be given to us by the Father and the Holy Spirit will dwell in us as well!!  WOW!! All three in us at the same time.  So who dwells in you?  Just the Spirit?  Just Jesus?  Only the Father?  No.  Who dwells in you? God!  It's bigger than we thought.   So come and join me.  Let us consider the importance of hearing the Bible on its own terms.  Let us consider bringing our brain to the Bible and use our minds and intelligence that God gave us to come to know Him in a deeper and more passionate way so that the fire in us will begin to burn out of control and we will not be able to keep our mouths shut anymore. Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Wednesday, 19 February 2025   “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: Matthew 7:24   “Therefore, everyone – whoever he hears these, My words, and he does them, I will liken him to a wise man who, he built his house upon the rock” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus told those who claimed to do things in His name but who do not do His Father's will that He never knew them and to depart from Him. He now makes a general conclusion concerning the things He has been saying, beginning with, “Therefore, everyone – whoever he hears these, My words.”   Jesus is summing up the entirety of the Sermon on the Mount which began in Matthew 5:1. There, it specifically said that when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. From there it said, “Then He opened His mouth and taught them.”   Despite this being an address specifically to them, the coming verses will show that it was a larger crowd gathered there who listened. These were all people of Israel, living under the Law of Moses, and who anticipated the coming of Messiah.   It is clear from His discourse that He is speaking with the authority of the Father, whether they each realize it or not. Regardless of whether all did or not, He has set forth precepts that have shown the higher standard expected of the law. If the people accepted His words, they would see that more was required than mere rote observance.   God is looking at the heart and intent behind what people do. All of this instruction, then, is pointing beyond the law to faith in Him. Jesus is giving them the final tutoring under the law in His ministry. When He is complete, and His work is finished, He will offer a new direction based on His tutoring. It is a foundation that is based on Him and His words.   That continues to be seen with His next words, “and he does them.” Jesus has said a lot in these three chapters. However, the key point in what He has said is to be found in verse 5:17 –   “You, deem not that I came to disintegrate the law or the prophets. Not, I came to disintegrate but to fulfill” (CG).   Jesus didn't come to ignore the law. Nor did He come to tell people they didn't need to do the things of the law. Remember that He is talking to Israel under the law. They were bound to it. If He told them they didn't have to do the things of the law, He would be violating the words of the Lord in the law.   However, He came to both do them and fulfill them. In doing so, He could then introduce a New Covenant with a new direction for the people. Hence, doing His words, as He just said, is inclusive of what He will say throughout His ministry. It is not limited to the words of these three chapters. That was seen in verse 7:21 –   “Not all, the ‘saying to Me, “Lord, Lord,”' he will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of My Father the ‘in heavens'” (CG).   One cannot tear the Sermon in the Mount out of the rest of the book and say, “You must do these things, and you will stand approved.” As was seen in the commentary on verse 7:21, doing the will of the Father is equated to doing the works of God. And those works, according to John 6:29, are to believe in the Son whom the Father has sent.   For those who do such, Jesus continues with, “I will liken him to a sagacious man who, he built his house upon the rock.”   Jesus introduces a few new words. The first in phronimos, sagacious. In Greek, the word sophos refers to being wise, learned, skilled, etc. It focuses on practical skills or acumen. The word phronimos a cautious character. He has keen mental discernment and good judgment.   The next new word is oikodomeó, to be a house builder. Thus, it is to construct or figuratively to confirm something. The word ultimately comes from oikos, house, and demō, to build a house.   Finally, the word petra, stone, or rock, is used. It is the basis for the name Peter. But this doesn't mean Peter is the first pope and that Catholicism is the basis and approved structure of the Christian faith. That will be explained in Matthew 16. A leap like that is unfounded and should be demolished (house destroyed) immediately.   Jesus is saying that His words are the rock upon which one's house, his structure of life and faith, should be built. In doing so, there will be a firm foundation. Paul uses the metaphorical use of the word house when referring to our bodies in 2 Corinthians –   “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Corinthians 5:1   As for the rock, Jesus is making a claim that His words are authoritative and have the approval of God. The rock metaphor is found throughout the Old Testament. An example directly from Moses explains the meaning –   “For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. 4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:3, 4   Life application: What will be our foundation in our spiritual walk? Will it be a particular church? It is incredible to see how sheeple will follow Roman Catholicism, even right over a ledge of wickedness and perversion to their destruction.   Others build their house on their own deeds, trying to earn their place in heaven through law observance, taking Jesus' words out of their overall context, and claiming that is the way to be pleasing to God.   But Jesus is incrementally instructing His people in their need for Him. There is a logical progression of thought being presented from the first pages of the Bible. Each step is part of a much larger body of history that has been recorded to show us what God is doing as He directs our attention to Jesus.   Stopping at any particular step or ignoring the focus of God's calling of our attention to Jesus will result in a faulty understanding of what we are being shown. The point of Jesus' coming is not to establish something beyond Himself, like a church filled with sexually deviant priests. Nor is it to show us how we must repeat what Jesus has already done by observing the Law of Moses.   Rather, we are to direct our attention to Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 sums it up, “Eyeballing unto the ‘the faith Pioneer and Perfecter,' Jesus” (CG). Nothing else will do. All else will lead to a sad end.   Heavenly Father, may we rightly consider Your plan of redemption, understanding that Jesus is the focus of it and that in honoring Jesus, we are honoring You. Help us to never forget this fundamental point in our lives. Amen.  

To support the show, for ad free episodes and exclusive content sign up here.The music heard on this episode is called Nostalgia by Georgia Kombou. Click here to listen.On this episode George and Maria talk about the musical instrument known as the Bouzouki, which is an integral part of the greek culture and music.Tune in to hear about this musical instrument and also meet an award winning Bouzouki player from the island of Cyprus called Georgia Kombou.To connect with Georgia, find her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Spotify.Greek phrase shared on the episode: Where can I find live bouzouki music please?: Pou boró na vro zontaní mousikí me bouzoúki parakaló? (In Greek: Που μπορώ να βρω ζωντανή μουσική με μπουζούκι παρακαλώ;)Check out the My Greek Island website www.mygreekis.land where you can find blog posts to inspire your next trip, travel tips to download on your phone and more. Also give us a follow on instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with the My Greek Island adventures, and for those of you visiting Greece remember to tag us for a future feature.If you liked the episode, feel free to leave a rating and review, and to make sure you are notified as soon as future episodes are released, press the subscribe or follow button on the podcast platform of your choice.There are 227 inhabited Greek Islands, which one will YOU visit next?#MGIPODCAST Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To support the show, for ad free episodes and exclusive content sign up here.On this episode George and Maria discuss 5 (+1 bonus) destinations you should include in your 2025 travel plans to Greece.Tune in to hear which destinations we recommend and some key information for each.Greek phrase shared on the episode: This year I want to go to...(e.g. Ithaca, Tinos, Astypalaia-i, Rhodes, Amorgos, Cyprus): Fétos thélo na páo stin...Itháki,Tíno, Astypálaia, Ródo, Amorgó, Kýpro (In Greek: Φέτος θέλω να πάω στην...Ιθάκη,Τήνο, Αστυπάλαια, Ρόδο, Αμοργό, Κύπρο)For My Greek Island Guides by destination (e.g. Santorini, Syros, Astypalaia, Karpathos) with all of Marias top picks click here. Further Podcast Listening:The best of KefaloniaOrfia Retreats and Glamping - KefaloniaLefkadaSyros Astypalaia - Part 1 Astypalaia - Part 2Karpathos The best of Santorini48 Hours in AthensAthens - A Greek-endCheck out the My Greek Island website www.mygreekis.land where you can find blog posts to inspire your next trip, travel tips to download on your phone and more. Also give us a follow on instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with the My Greek Island adventures, and for those of you visiting Greece remember to tag us for a future feature.If you liked the episode, feel free to leave a rating and review, and to make sure you are notified as soon as future episodes are released, press the subscribe or follow button on the podcast platform of your choice.There are 227 inhabited Greek Islands, which one will YOU visit next?#MGIPODCAST Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Greek mythology, Orion and Scorpius were mortal enemies. So the gods placed them on opposite sides of the sky. When one is rising, the other is dropping from view. The constellations have a lot in common. And so do their best-known stars – Betelgeuse in Orion, and Antares in Scorpius. Both stars are red supergiants. Both are many times more massive than the Sun, and a hundred thousand or more times brighter. And each is destined to explode as a supernova – probably within the next million years. Betelgeuse and Antares also are hundreds of times wider than the Sun. So even though they’re hundreds of light-years away, they’re big enough for astronomers to see them as disks instead of just pinpoints of light. In fact, they’re among the first stars to have their size measured directly. Antares was measured 100 years ago. Astronomers used a special device attached to the 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson in California – the largest telescope in the world at the time. It gave them a diameter of more than 400 times the size of the Sun. As technology has improved, astronomers have found that Antares is probably about 50 percent larger than that. So if Antares took the Sun’s place, it would engulf the four innermost planets – including Earth. Betelgeuse is in the east at nightfall. Antares is on the other side of the sky – low in the south-southeast at dawn. Tomorrow, it’s close to the lower left of the Moon. Script by Damond Benningfield

#4 John 1:19-34The Greek word for “gospel”, is “euangelion” (“good news”). “Euangelia” is Greek for “a good message”, and “angelos” is the word for “messenger”, which is also the source for our word, “angel”. A verse-by-verse commentary of John 1:18-34, points out significant issues and Greek meanings. Verse 19 “Jews” had at least two meanings during the time of Jesus: 1. It could refer to one who was ethnically a Jew, and 2. “Jews” could also refer to the Jewish establishment who opposed Jesus.   By A.D. 80, those who followed Jesus were completely excluded from ordinary Jewish worship. Verse 20The Hebrew word, “meshiach” (“anointed one”) became transliterated into English as “messiah”. In Greek, “meshiach” is translated as “christos”, which was then transliterated into English as “Christ”. In the time of Jesus, the Jews expected messiah would be a king.In connection with the anointing of Jesus, the Greek word for “spirit” (“pneuma”), literally means “wind” or “breath”.  There are two other Greek synonyms for “spirit”: 1. “hudor” (“water”) and 2. “eleion” (“olive oil”). However, the most common of these three in the Holy Scriptures is “pneuma”. What is common to all three of these (“pneuma”, “hudor” and “eleion”) is that all three indicate flow and movement, whether it is physical flow/movement, or the spiritual flow/movement of God.   Verse 26In Greek, the word, “baptisma” (“baptize”) does not necessarily require physical water. It means “to immerse”, along with “to plunge”, or “to dip”. Thus, when translated, Matthew 28:19 should read, “. . . make students, immersing them/baptizing them in the Name. . . .” The Greek word, “onoma” does mean name, but it also means “the basic nature of something/the essence of something.” Thus, while Matthew 28:19 can mean to baptize in physical water, the greater, deeper meaning is “immersing them in the basic nature of God as Father, as Son, as Holy Spirit. . . being baptized in the death and resurrection of Jesus”; being immersed in the understanding and experience of dying and thriving with Christ. Baptizing in water was a common Jewish ritual, one variant of which was John's baptism: a baptism for repentance. There were Christians who continued this Jewish ritual . However, as early Friends pointed out, it should have died out as did the other Jewish rituals. John baptized with water, but Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit: being immersed into divine things, rather than just being immersed into water.  Verse 27Untying the straps of someone's sandals was a slave's work. John is implying he is far less than Jesus.  Verse 32  The Greek word “pensteron” often translated, “dove” also can be translated, “pigeon”. Verse 34 “Son of God”: Hebrews 1:1 clarifies that being God's Son is a far higher ranking than just being a prophet/oracle/mouthpiece for God. The advice in our introduction is from page 32 of the Ohio Yearly Meeting's Book of Discipline.A complete list of our podcasts, organized into topics, is available on our website.To learn more about Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative) of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), please visit ohioyearlymeeting.org. Any who might be interested in joining any of the Ohio Yearly Meeting Zoom online studies should check out the Online Study and Discussion Groups on our website. All are welcome!We welcome feedback on this and any of our other podcast episodes. Contact us through our website.

What do you do when life stops making sense? It's not a question of if—it's when. And when you find yourself in that place, God has just the guide you need. We don't know his name; he's simply “the Teacher.” In Greek, they call him Ecclesiastes. In this message, we uncover the raw, unfiltered wisdom of this ancient book and its bold declaration that “everything is meaningless.” But here's the paradox: the Teacher isn't offering despair—he's pointing the way to discovering real meaning.Curious, profound, and sometimes shockingly honest, this journey will challenge your perspective, tear down the illusions we cling to, and open your eyes to what truly matters. Come ready to wrestle with life's hardest questions and uncover the hope waiting on the other side.

The Daily Quiz - Entertainment, Society and Culture Today's Questions: Question 1: Which Bird Is Resident Of The American Southwest and Has Been Immortilized In A Cartoon Series? Question 2: What was the name of the iconic '90s film where Julia Roberts plays a prostitute who is hired by a wealthy entrepreneur? Question 3: Who was condemned in Hades to forever push a boulder uphill, only for it to come rolling down before it reached the top? Question 4: Which book of the Bible features the Israelites fleeing from slavery in Egypt? Question 5: In Greek mythology, the riddle of what did Oedipus solve? Question 6: Which actress has featured in films including L.A. Confidential and Never Say Never Again? Question 7: Which film contains the character 'Gordon Gekko'? Question 8: In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which character is played by Stellan Skarsgård? Question 9: Which of these languages would you find spoken in India? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pleiades star cluster is also known as the Seven Sisters. That’s because seven of its stars are fairly easy to pick out. They form a small but prominent dipper. In Greek mythology, the stars represented the daughters of Atlas, one of the Titans – the ancient gods who reigned before the gods of Olympus. As with many groups of siblings, though, one stands out: Alcyone, the brightest star in the cluster. It’s actually a lot like its other bright siblings – the standouts in a family of more than a thousand stars. The top stars are all quite impressive – bigger, heavier, hotter, and brighter than the Sun. And as seen from Earth, Alcyone is the most impressive of them all. Because of its great mass, the star has already moved out of the “prime” phase of life – even though it’s about four and half billion years younger than the Sun. Alcyone rotates in a hurry – so fast that it bulges outward at the equator. That high speed flings hot gas from the equator into space. And before long, the nuclear furnace at the star’s core will shut down, so Alcyone will expel all the gas in its outer layers. That will leave only the star’s dead core – a white dwarf – the faint ember of a once mighty star. The Pleiades is in the east at nightfall. It stands above the bright star Aldebaran and the brighter planet Jupiter. The cluster doesn’t set until the wee hours of morning. More reflections about the Pleiades tomorrow. Script by Damond Benningfield

To support the show, for ad free episodes and exclusive content sign up here.On this episode George and Maria dive into destinations you can visit in Greece over Christmas.Tune in to hear which destinations we recommend but also watch out for some top tips from Maria. Greek phrase shared on the episode: Shall we go to Greece for Christmas?: Páme stin Elláda gia ta Christoúgenna? (In Greek: Πάμε στην Ελλάδα για τα Χριστούγεννα;)Further Podcast Listening:My Greek Christmas & New YearGreece Ski Destinations (and more)NafplioThe Athens Bar SceneThessaloniki48 Hours in AthensThings to do in Winter in GreeceFine Dining in GreeceAthens - A Greek-endThe Athens RivieraCheck out the My Greek Island website www.mygreekis.land where you can find blog posts to inspire your next trip, travel tips to download on your phone and more. Also give us a follow on instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with the My Greek Island adventures, and for those of you visiting Greece remember to tag us for a future feature.If you liked the episode, feel free to leave a rating and review, and to make sure you are notified as soon as future episodes are released, press the subscribe or follow button on the podcast platform of your choice.There are 227 inhabited Greek Islands, which one will YOU visit next?#MGIPODCAST Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To support the show, for ad free episodes and exclusive content sign up here.On this episode George and Maria dive into the Athens Brunch Scene, the history of brunch and why brunch is so successful in Athens.Make sure to listen to the end, where Maria interviews Katerina and Hemant from Ombrela Cafe Brunch Bar, in the neighbourhood of Pagkrati. Greek phrase shared on the episode: Until what time do you serve brunch?: Méchri ti óra servírete bránts (In Greek: Μέχρι τι ώρα σερβίρετε μπράντς)Check out the My Greek Island website www.mygreekis.land where you can find blog posts to inspire your next trip, travel tips to download on your phone and more. Also give us a follow on instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with the My Greek Island adventures, and for those of you visiting Greece remember to tag us for a future feature.If you liked the episode, feel free to leave a rating and review, and to make sure you are notified as soon as future episodes are released, press the subscribe or follow button on the podcast platform of your choice.There are 227 inhabited Greek Islands, which one will YOU visit next?#MGIPODCAST Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To support the show, for ad free episodes and exclusive content sign up here.On this episode George and Maria dive into the Athens Bar Scene and talk about some award winning bars in accordance to the Worlds 50 best bars.Make sure to listen to the end, where Maria interviews Nora Koufou, the Head Bartender of Line.Greek phrase shared on the episode: Let's go for a cocktail: Páme gia koktéil (In Greek: Πάμε για κοκτέιλ)Check out the My Greek Island website www.mygreekis.land where you can find blog posts to inspire your next trip, travel tips to download on your phone and more. Also give us a follow on instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with the My Greek Island adventures, and for those of you visiting Greece remember to tag us for a future feature.If you liked the episode, feel free to leave a rating and review, and to make sure you are notified as soon as future episodes are released, press the subscribe or follow button on the podcast platform of your choice.There are 227 inhabited Greek Islands, which one will YOU visit next?#MGIPODCAST Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ISAIAH 9:6-7 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.  FROM THE LESSON An Anointed Person - in Hebrew (the language of the Old Testament) the word is meshiach, from which we get the title, Messiah. In Greek (the language of the New Testament) the word is christos, from which we get the title, Christ. A Promise to David - "When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom...and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father and he will be my son...Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." (2 Samuel 7:12-16) 14 Generations - in Matthew's genealogy, there are fourteen generations from no king to a king (Abraham to David), fourteen generations from a king to no king (David to exile), and fourteen generations from no king to a king (exile to Jesus). Drum Roll Please - “The average person who thinks maybe I'll read the New Testament is puzzled to find, on the very first page, a long list of names he or she had never heard of. But it is important not to think that this is a waste of time. For many cultures ancient and modern, and certainly in the Jewish world of Matthew's day, this genealogy was the equivalent of a roll of drums, a fanfare of trumpets and a town crier calling for attention.” (NT Wright) Eager Expectation - it is a word found only in Christian literature. Paul used it twice in the New Testament (Romans 8:19 and Philippians 1:20). In fact, most scholars think it was a word coined by the early Christians to describe their unique way of living. Literally the word means "to stretch your head away from your body." DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1 Do you enjoy learning about your family's genealogy? Do you have any interesting information to share about your family tree? Share with your group.  2 Have you ever thought it strange that the New Testament begins with a genealogy? Does it help you better understand the purpose of the genealogy to think of it as "the equivalent of a roll of drums, a fanfare of trumpets, and a town crier calling for attention"? 3 Read Romans 8:19 and Philippians 1:20. The word Paul used in these two verses is translated as "eager expectation." It is a word to describe the unique way that early Christians lived. Can you think of a time when you have lived "eagerly expecting" something or someone? Describe how it affected the way you lived.  4 Would you say as Christians that we live in "eager expectation" of the return of Jesus Christ? Discuss with your group.  5 The season of Advent teaches us to learn from our ancestors to once again be a people who long for the coming of our King. How might we live differently if we lived eagerly expecting the coming of our King?

The Talmud teaches us that neither man nor beast can survive without a liver. In his lamentations, Jeremiah laments, "My eyes are tired of weeping, my intestines are burning, my liver has been spilled over the earth." In Greek mythology, the liver was considered to be the seat of life for both gods and humans. It is said that Prometheus, who was punished by Zeus for giving mankind the Olympic fire, had his liver eaten daily by an eagle. However, it is also said that his liver grew back every night. It would seem that the Greeks did not fully comprehend the regenerative properties of the liver, yet they were able to encapsulate its essence symbolically. Similarly, it is thought that Etruscan oracles could 'read' the future in a sheep's liver. In art, the suffering of Christ is often depicted with a wound on the right side, which is where the liver is located. This symbolism is thought to represent the duality of salvation, associated with the qualities of good and evil. "Indeed, it would appear that the right side was chosen in order to fulfil the prophecy of the Old Testament." All of this is documented in the book "Prometheus and the Liver through Art and Medicine", a fascinating multidisciplinary publication co-authored by Thomas M. van Gulik, a highly esteemed hepatobiliary surgeon and researcher globally, who is currently Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands. We are honored to have him as our guest for this remarkable episode. You are warmly invited to join us for an enlightening session with Professor van Gulik. We will have the privilege of learning from him about liver resection and regeneration, as well as exploring other wonders of the human liver and the latest advances produced by science. From ancient times, the myth of Prometheus has held a special place in the collective imagination. From the humours of Hippocrates to Vesalius, the story has continued to resonate, inspiring scientists and artists alike. As Professor van Gulik notes, the tale reminds us of the regenerative power of the liver and the enduring significance of Prometheus' fate in motivating us to advance, create and serve humanity.

The Daily Quiz - Entertainment, Society and Culture Today's Questions: Question 1: What is the name given to parts of the world where the population lives significantly longer than average? Question 2: Which actor played the role of Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Question 3: In Greek mythology, what did Jason steal from his Uncle Pelias? Question 4: Which sign of the zodiac is commonly represented by a bull? Question 5: Which Roman soldier pierced the crucified Christ on His side with his spear. Question 6: Which of these quotes is from the film 'Clash of the Titans'? Question 7: Who was the Greek god of prophecy and archery? Question 8: The Model S is a car made by which manufacturer? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To support the show, for ad free episodes and exclusive content sign up here.On this episode, George and Maria talk about some Podcast & website updates, some old and some new! We talk about the panel of the National Geographic panel (late and overdue - I KNOW), some new features to the website and more. Tune in to hear more and what inspired the new features on the website.Greek phrase shared on the episode: I would like to book an appointment with Maria: Tha íthela na kleíso éna rantevoú me ti María (In Greek: Θα ήθελα να κλείσω ένα ραντεβού με τη Μαρία)Mentions on the Podcast:Blog post: How to choose which Greek Island to visit on your next tripBlog post: The Greek Islands explained by clusterTravel consultation: Do you want to book a Travel Consultation with Maria? Click here.Travel tips, e-books and Top Picks: Click here.Read more about the National Geographic event here.Further Podcast Listening:How to choose which Greek Island to visit - click hereThe Athens Epidauros Festival - click hereAthens - A Greekend - click here48 hours in Athens - click hereIslands close to Athens - click hereAnd of course our bitesize Greek episodes! Also, don't forget to check out the My Greek Island website www.mygreekis.land where you can find blog posts to inspire your next trip, travel tips to download on your phone and more. Also give us a follow on instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with the My Greek Island adventures, and for those of you visiting Greece remember to tag us for a future feature.If you liked the episode, feel free to leave a rating and review, and to make sure you are notified as soon as future episodes are released, press the subscribe or follow button on the podcast platform of your choice.There are 227 inhabited Greek Islands, which one will YOU visit next?#MGIPODCAST Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Daily Quiz - Entertainment, Society and Culture Today's Questions: Question 1: Which film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1984? Question 2: In Portuguese, what is the meaning of the word 'nove'? Question 3: Which actor has played roles in films including Milk and Mystic River? Question 4: What is the plot of the movie Inside Out? Question 5: In Greek mythology, who was Medea's husband? Question 6: Which of these quotes is from the film 'The Godfather Part II'? Question 7: Name the movie that matches the following plot summary: 'A man becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.' Question 8: What are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relevant Verses: John 1:1-18 Theme: The Power of the Word Leading Question: What image does “the Word was God” convey for you? The prologue is the most profound statement about Jesus' identity in the New Testament, identifying Jesus as the “Word” (logos). The Greek term logos had a conceptual background in Judaism and in Greek philosophy. In the Old Testament, God's word is the dynamic force of his will. The psalmist declares, “By the word (logos) of the Lord were the heavens made” (Psalm 33:6). God speaks and it is done (Isa 55:11). In Greek philosophy, logos was used of the divine ...

The Daily Quiz - Entertainment, Society and Culture Today's Questions: Question 1: Which word is the last word in the titles of six of George Romero's zombie movies? Question 2: How does that Latin phrase 'Carpe diem' translate into English? Question 3: In Greek mythology, who drove the sun across the sky in his chariot? Question 4: The language 'Igbo' belongs to which language family? Question 5: Who was the father of Zeus? Question 6: Who played the role of James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies? Question 7: The language 'Hausa' belongs to which language family? Question 8: Which actress has featured in films including The Deer Hunter and Out of Africa? Question 9: In the biblical story, what does Jonah get swallowed by? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birds called prions have an especially creative approach to getting their food. They pass seawater through their mouths and filter it to catch tiny animals such as krill and other small crustaceans. It's similar to how baleen whales feed, leading to the prion's nickname: the whale-bird. The sides of their bills have comb-like structures. Small food items get trapped in the combs as water flows past. In Greek, the word “prion” means saw, which refers to the bird's highly specialized mouth.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 10, 2024 is: ethos • EE-thahss • noun Ethos refers to the guiding beliefs of a person, group, or organization. // The company made environmental awareness part of its business ethos. See the entry > Examples: “[Audre] Lorde's parents, Alexis De Veaux writes in Warrior Poet, her excellent 2004 biography of Lorde, operated under a familiar immigrant ethos: ‘upward mobility, proper behavior, good morals, an emphasis on education, and a strong work ethic were stressed.'” — Tomi Obaro, LitHub.com, 9 Aug. 2023 Did you know? In Greek, ēthos means “custom” or “character.” As originally used by Aristotle, it referred to a person's character or personality, especially with respect to a balance between passion and caution. In English, ethos is used today to refer to the practices or values that distinguish one person, organization, or society from others. In rhetoric, ethos is often studied alongside pathos and logos as a technique to successfully persuade an audience. Related terms in the English language include ethics (“a branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right or wrong”) and ethology (“a branch of knowledge dealing with human character and with its formation and evolution”).  

It is time for us to advance our knowledge of the Hermetica and one cool place to start is the Poemander or the Divine Pymander.This amazing piece of writing Hermes tells of speaking with the Mind of God and you follow a conversation he has with the creator. This writing has an energetic component, the mere process of reading or listening to it seems to awaken long lost portions of your inner power and genius. I wonder if these older texts went far beyond histories into the realm of tranformation. Hermes was a man who lived and breathed on this planet, centuries before Moses, in the land of Egypt. It is supposed that he was a king of Egypt, before the inclusion of the Pharaoh, and he was the teacher of all the spiritual Masters that lived. Not only that, but he was the teacher of Gods. And so, some time after his death, he was deified by the Egyptians and the Greeks. In Greek Mythology he is known to hold many roles. From Wikipedia, we read the following in relation to those roles: “He protects and takes care of all the travelers, miscreants, harlots, old crones and thieves that pray to him or cross his path. He is the messenger of the gods and does his job very well. He is athletic and is always looking out for runners, or any athletes with injuries who need his help. Hermes is a messenger from the gods to humans, sharing this role with Iris. An interpreter who bridges the boundaries with strangers is a hermeneus. Hermes gives us our word “hermeneutics” for the art of interpreting hidden meaning. In Greek a lucky find was a hermaion. Hermes delivered messages from Olympus to the mortal world. He wears shoes with wings on them and uses them to fly freely between the mortal and immortal world. Hermes, younger than Apollo, was the youngest of the Olympian gods. “Hermes, as an inventor of fire, is a parallel of the Titan, Prometheus. In addition to the syrinx and the lyre, Hermes was believed to have invented many types of racing and the sport of wrestling, and therefore was a patron of athletes. 

The Richard Syrett Show, August 23rd, 2024 Subscribe to Richard's newsletter, "Why I Fight" Scroll to bottom of page https://sauga960am.ca/programs/the-richard-syrett-show RCMP lay terrorism charges on a suspect in the GTA https://tnc.news/2024/08/22/rcmp-terrorism-charges-suspect-gta/  Ross McLean – Crime and Security Specialist, Host of The McLean Chronicles podcast RFK Jr. Ends Campaign for President and Endorses Trump  Scott McKay, Political Journalist, Pundit, Contributor to The American Spectator and publisher of The Hayride. He is the author of Racism, Revenge and Ruin: It's All Obama and his new work of fiction, a political satire called, King of the Jungle.  B.C. Tories propose bold plan to reform health care https://financialpost.com/opinion/bc-conservatives-bold-plan-reform-health-care  Colin Craig – President of Second Street https://secondstreet.org/ THE LIMRIDDLER Stressed Calf Spot where stressed calves get their tension release. Iliad's symbol of rage and caprice. Calcaneus cause Of one's critical flaws. Mightiest mortal of mythical Greece. RFK Jr Suspends Campaign and Endorses Donald Trump https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-speech-arizona-a2638f89ddcb5de03edbe4574ca17d45  Tony Lyons Co-Founder of American Values 2024, the RFK Junior SuperPac. Attorney and president of Skyhorse Publishing Multiple Jewish organizations, hospitals across Canada receive identical bomb threats https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/multiple-jewish-organizations-hospitals-across-canada-receive-identical-bomb-threats-1.7008918  Daniel Bordman, Senior Correspondent with The National Telegraph CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn doubles down after calls for resignation over anti-Israel post https://tnc.news/2024/08/23/cupe-president-hahn-doubles-down/  Noah Jarvis – Journalist at True North Wire LIMRIDDLE ANSWER AND WINNERS The answer to today's Limriddle is: Achilles The first five to answer correctly were: 1. Will McNair, Ottawa, Ontario –(winner of the Farm Boy voucher) 2. Gianni Cata, Keswick, Ontario 3. Amy Lou Hoo, East York, Ontario 4. Tracy Bonafica Georgetown, Ontario 5. Tracie Curtis, Guelph, Ontario Spot where stressed calves get their tension release. The calf muscle (gastrocnemius) tenses and releases with the shortening and stretching of the achilles, which is the tendon just below the calf. BTW, calves (cows) have a gastrocnemius muscle somewhat similar to ours. Iliad's symbol of rage and caprice. As portrayed by Homer in the Iliad (8 th century BC poem), Achilles was the impulsive, angry and capricious protagonist who lost control of his pride and emotions. Calcaneus cause Of one's critical flaws. The calcaneus is the heel bone. Our modern-day reference to one's “Achilles heel” as a critical flaw or failing comes from Achilles the Greek warrior, who was killed by an arrow to his vulnerable heel. When he was baby, his mother had tried to make him indestructible by dipping him in the magical River of Styx, but she missed the spot on his heel where she was holding him. Doh! Mightiest mortal of mythical Greece. In Greek mythology, Achilles was considered the greatest of all mortal warriors and the hero of the Trojan War. Yes, Hercules was a pretty mighty Greek too, but he was only half mortal, since his Dad was Zeus. Stressed Calf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 19, 2024 is: lethargic • luh-THAHR-jik • adjective Lethargic describes people who feel a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things. It is sometimes used figuratively, as in "a sluggish and lethargic economy." // The jet lag from their week-long international honeymoon left them feeling lethargic for a few days. See the entry > Examples: "After igniting a somewhat lethargic, heat-exhausted audience in the fifth, [baseball player, Matt] Olson earned further cheers in the seventh as the Braves' onslaught continued." — Ginny Duffy, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 16 June 2024 Did you know? In Greek mythology, Lethe was the name of a river in the underworld that was also called "the River of Unmindfulness" or "the River of Forgetfulness." Legend held that when someone died, they were given a drink of water from the river Lethe to forget all about their past life. Eventually this act of forgetting came to be associated with feelings of sluggishness, inactivity, or indifference. The name of the river and the word lethargic, as well as the related noun lethargy, all come from lēthē, Greek for "forgetfulness."

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 19, 2024 is: lethargic • luh-THAHR-jik • adjective Lethargic describes people who feel a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things. It is sometimes used figuratively, as in "a sluggish and lethargic economy." // The jet lag from their weeklong international honeymoon left them feeling lethargic for a few days. See the entry > Examples: "After igniting a somewhat lethargic, heat-exhausted audience in the fifth, [baseball player, Matt] Olson earned further cheers in the seventh as the Braves' onslaught continued." — Ginny Duffy, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 16 June 2024 Did you know? In Greek mythology, Lethe was the name of a river in the underworld that was also called "the River of Unmindfulness" or "the River of Forgetfulness." Legend held that when someone died, they were given a drink of water from the river Lethe to forget all about their past life. Eventually this act of forgetting came to be associated with feelings of sluggishness, inactivity, or indifference. The name of the river and the word lethargic, as well as the related noun lethargy, all come from lēthē, Greek for "forgetfulness."

A Sermon for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 & St. Luke 18:9-14 by William Klock “Two men went up to the temple to pray,” Jesus said.  The temple was the place where heaven and earth met.  The place where men and women could go to be in the presence of God.  Twice a day the priests would lead the people in prayers, at nine in the morning and at three in the afternoon, but people could go any time to pray and they did.  They still do.  Jews today gather at the Western Wall, not technically the temple, but part of the foundation of the temple complex and all that was left after the Romans brought it all crashing down.  Jews still go there to pray.  Two men climbed the steps to the temple courts to pray.  “One of them,” Jesus said, “was a Pharisee.”  It was perfectly fine to pray at home, but if anyone was going to go and pray at the temple, it would be a Pharisee.  Their “thing” was to live their lives as if they served in the temple.  They weren't Levites and they weren't priests, but they took great pains to always remain ritually pure like the Levites did.  They would have been some of the most regular men to say their prayers in the temple instead of just at home. But there were two men, Jesus said, who went up to the temple.  “The other was a tax collector.”  You could almost hear the boos and the hisses and “Eew, gross!”.  Tax collectors didn't belong in the temple.  Jews had a whole category for people who had forsaken God's law.  They called them “sinners”.  These weren't people who slipped up and did bad things occasionally.  Everyone did that—even the Pharisees—but they still loved God, they still loved his covenant and his law, and the law made provision for atonement and they availed themselves of it.  “Sinners”, on the other hand, they were people who had no regard for God's law.  If they sinned, they didn't care and they didn't seek atonement.  They were Jews—ethnically speaking, at least—but they basically rejected or, at least, had no respect for the covenant.  But in those days there was one special class of “sinner” that was singled out because of just how awful they were: tax collectors.  So people would talk about “sinners and tax collectors”.  Tax collectors didn't just sin—they got rich stealing from and swindling their own people.  They were collaborators with the evil, unclean Romans. So Jesus went on with his story: “Standing, the Pharisee prayed to himself like this, ‘God, I give thanks to you that I am not like other men—like the greedy, like the unjust, like adulterers—or like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week.  I give a tenth of everything I earn.”  Everyone pictured the Pharisee, confidently making his way up the steps to the temple complex, confidently walking across the outer court—the place they called the Court of the Gentiles, because that's as close to the temple as the Gentiles could go.  And they pictured him confidently passing through the gate into the Court of the Women and then, still confidently, striding across that outer court and into the inner Court of Israel—the place where the great altar was, where the priests offered their sacrifices.  And he boldly went and stood at the base of the steps leading up into the temple itself and he lifted up his hands and he prayed.  And it was normal to pray out loud in those days, but he made a point of raising his voice so that everyone could hear his prayer, and he thanked the God of Israel that he was not like other men.  His prayer of thanksgiving becomes a thinly veiled boast of his own faithfulness to God's law—especially as he turns his head and looks back to the tax collector who just barley dared to pass through the gate and was practically hiding behind a column. In stark contrast, “The tax collector,” Jesus said, “standing far off, didn't even want to lift his eyes to heaven.  Instead, he beat his breast, saying ‘God, have mercy on me a sinner.'” While the Pharisee strode proudly into the temple, the poor tax collector kneels—or maybe he even prostrates himself on the ground—off on the fringes, hiding in the shadows or behind a column and quietly utters his humble prayer for mercy.  The Pharisee—at least as far as he was concerned—he belonged there.  But the tax collector.  He was a sinner and he knew it.  He did not belong in the presence of the holy.  Other people made that clear and he probably believed it himself.  But he was desperate for God's mercy and this was the place to ask for it.  What happened to the tax collector that brought him to the temple?  Jesus doesn't say. For all we know, Jesus could be telling Matthew's story here.  Maybe he was one of those people to whom Jesus had pronounced, “Your sins are forgiven.  Go and sin no more.”  And so he followed it up the only way he knew how, by turning over a new leaf, by ritually purifying himself, and by going to the temple to fall on the mercy of the Lord. “This one—the tax collector,” said Jesus, “he went down to his house justified, not the other one.”  Why?  “Because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Now, there's an interesting twist in the tale.  If you were following along in Luke 18 or if you were paying careful attention when the Gospel was read earlier, you might have noticed that I left out Luke's introduction.  At the beginning, Luke introduces the parable, writing, “Jesus told this parable to some who were confident in themselves, because they were righteous and looked down on others.”  In Greek, “righteous” and “just” are the same word, so Luke plays with that here.  Jesus told this parable to some who were confident in themselves, because they were righteous (or just).  The point is that they knew—they were certain they were “in”.  Whenever the Lord came to judge the wicked and to deliver his people and to set the world to rights, they knew they'd be on God's side.  They knew they had a place in his presence in the age to come.  But then in the end, who is it who goes home justified or in the right?  It's not the righteous Pharisee, but the tax collector who prayed for God's mercy. It's not that the Pharisee—whether the one in the parable or the ones Jesus was telling the parable to—it's not that they weren't righteous.  By all accounts they were.  They were obedient to the law.  They weren't perfect, but if they made a mistake, they offered the appropriate sacrifices.  That was part of being faithful to the law, too.  They took part in the atonement for sins offered through the temple.  They were righteous.  And they were the opposite of the tax collector.  The tax collector had no regard for God, for his law, or for his covenant.  The Pharisee loved God's law; the tax collector trampled all over it.  And I think it's important to add that it wasn't just the Pharisees.  When Luke says that Jesus told this to people who were confident in themselves because they were righteous, that included most of the people.  The Pharisees may have set the bar higher than it needed to be, but the majority, most people who say themselves as good and upstanding Jews had this same problem.  They were confident of their position before the Lord because they knew they kept his law: they were circumcised, they kept the sabbath, they ate only clean food, and they avoided gentiles. And yet, at the end of the story, Jesus says, it's not the righteous or the just man who goes away justified—meaning declared by God to be in the right.  It's the scummy, unrighteous tax collector.  Why?  Well, to answer that we need to ask what Jesus meant that he went home justified.  To be justified is to be found or to be declared to be “in the right”. Think of a courtroom.  Plaintiff and a defendant bring their case before a judge, they explain the circumstances and present their evidence, and the judge makes a ruling.  The judge declares one of them to be in the right.  The judge vindicates one of them.  Maybe it's the defendant, who proves his innocence to the judge.  Or maybe it's the plaintiff, who proves to the judge that he is truly the victim.  One of them goes home vindicated by the judge.  He goes home declared to be in the right.  He goes home justified.  But what's the judge's basis for determining who is in the right? We really have to do is go back to the Old Testament and to the beginning of Israel's story.  Think about Abraham in Genesis 15.  That's where this got started.  The Lord made a promise to Abraham—to give him a land and to give him a son and to make him a great nation.  And it was absurd.  Abraham went to the promised land and lived there—but he was just one man and even as rich as he was, with flocks and herds and servants, he only ever occupied the smallest corner of that land.  And there he was, almost one hundred and his wife ninety—long past child-bearing years.  How could he, a childless man ever become a great nation?  But the Lord made a promise to him and Abraham believed.  And, we're told, the Lord counted that belief, that faith, as righteousness.  Because Abraham believed that the Lord not only could, but somehow would pull off this crazy promise, he was counted as being in the right.  There was no way any of it could happen, but Abraham trusted in the faithfulness of the Lord anyway.  And in that, Abraham set the standard by which the Lord recognised his people: faith.  Later the torah would mark out this people of faith as a special people, visibly different from everyone else, but long before the torah there was faith, and faith was ultimately what it always was and always would be that marks out the people of God—faith in the God who promises crazy things and then never fails to do them. And this theme echoes all the way through Israel's story.  It was the message of the Prophet Habakkuk who lived during the last decades of the kingdom of Judah, in the years before Jerusalem was defeated and destroyed by the Babylonians and the people taken off into exile.  Habakkuk looked around him and saw the wickedness and idolatry of his own people and, very much like the psalmists, he cried out to the Lord.  This is the opening of his lament. O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,          and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!”          and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity,          and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me;          strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed,          and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous;          so justice goes forth perverted. (Habakkuk 1:1-4) Habakkuk knew that things weren't the way they were supposed to be and he knew the promises of the Lord to his people and he and so many others had cried out and cried out—for centuries—and things only got worse.  Wickedness and idolatry multiplied and from their perspective it seemed like the Lord wasn't listening and that he was refusing to act.  Judah's situation seemed as hopeless to Habakkuk as Abraham's situation must have once seemed to him.  But that was just it.  Habakkuk knew that the Lord is faithful and so he continued to cry out.  He trusted the Lord.  He had faith, that one characteristic that defines the people of God above all else. But then the Lord responds.  He tells Habakkuk that he has seen the state of his people and that he is going to visit them, but that he will be dealing with their problem by sending the Babylonians to defeat them.  That wasn't what Habakkuk wanted to hear.  He argues with the Lord.  The Babylonians are even more wicked and idolatrous than the people of Judah.  How can defeat by them possibly be the Lord's solution?  And the Lord responds and assures Habakkuk that while Babylon may be his instrument of justice against Judah, Babylon herself—and all the nations—will be held accountable and will one day be judged.  The cycle of violence will be broken and everything will be set to rights.  One day, he says, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.  It's another one of those impossible promises—maybe even more impossible than the promise he made to Abraham.  But what do the Lord's people do in the meantime? Here's the Lord's answer—and Jesus' parable points us right back to these words.  The Lord says to Habakkuk in 2:4: Look at the proud!          His spirit is presumptuous and is not right But the righteous shall live by faith.   The world is falling apart.  Everything is wrong.  The wicked prosper and are proud and presume on the Lord's faithfulness and the righteous are oppressed.  By all human appearances it doesn't sound like the Lord is even listening.  But those who continue to live by faith in the midst of tribulation, those who remember the Lord's promises in the midst of persecution, those who steep themselves in the story of the Lord and his people and remember his faithfulness, those who continue to trust in him, they are the ones who will be vindicated by the Lord when he does come in judgement on the wicked.  They are the ones who will remain faithful to the Lord and to his covenant, even when all the proud people around them do evil and bow to idols, they will remain faithful, because they know and because they trust that the Lord is always faithful.  I hope that's an encouraging word for you already, but first we need to go back to Jesus' story about the two men in the temple. There's the proud Pharisee.  By the standard of the law, he is in the right.  And there's the scummy tax collector.  By the standard of the law, he's in the wrong.  And yet in the end, it's the tax collector who goes home and is found to be in the right.  If this were one of Jesus' “kingdom stories” it would be the tax collector who is welcomed into the kingdom, while the Pharisee is left in the outer darkness, weeping and gnashing his teeth.  The tax collector would escape the coming judgement and know the life of the kingdom, while the coming judgement would fall on the Pharisee right along with all the other wicked in Israel.  Why?  Because below, underlying the law—it's foundation—was faith in the Lord.  A faith that humbly trusted in his promises.  A faith that humbly trusted in his grace.  A faith in the sufficiency of the Lord, instead of the sufficiency of self.  A faith that would rejoice in the presence of the Messiah and a faith that rejoice over the repentance of sinners. Over and over Jesus was clear.  He came not to the righteous, but to seek out the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  At least in theory, the righteous were fine.  They should have been expecting this all along.  They were the ones who knew the scriptures so well, after all.  But, ironically, they got angry when Jesus went to the lost sheep.  And so Jesus told them stories to explain the joy in heaven over sinners who repent.  The Lord is like the widow who seeks and eventually finds her lost coin.  He's like the shepherd who goes to great lengths to find his lost sheep.  He's like the father, rejoicing and throwing a party when his prodigal son returns home.  But so many in Israel were like the proud and resentful older brother.  They'd been doing the right thing all along.  Why wasn't Jesus throwing a party for them?  And so, in their pride, they refused to enter the house and were left out in the darkness gnashing their teeth.  And it would be like that, only much, much worse when judgement came.  Because the law was not enough.  Because in Jesus, the Lord was doing something new.  In Jesus he was fulfilling his promises.  In Jesus he was making a new people who would be finally and truly fit for the kingdom, a people forgiven once and for all and a people filled with God's own Spirit, a people with his law of love written on their hearts—a people fit for God's new creation.  When Jesus told people they needed a righteousness greater than the Pharisees if they wanted to take part in the kingdom, that's what he was getting at.  The Lord was finally giving something better than the law written on stone tablets.  He was about to make a people with his law of love written on their hearts.  But that people was centred in Jesus.  So only those who trusted in this Messiah—this Messiah who was so different from their expectations—only those humble enough to recognise the new thing the Lord was doing in Jesus and to live by faith, trusting that Jesus really is the Lord's answer to all the problems of the world, only they will go home justified.  Only they will be able to be part of the kingdom—forgiven and filled with the Spirit, because of their faith in Jesus. This is what St. Paul is getting at in our Epistle from 1 Corinthians 15.  He declares once again the good news about Jesus the Messiah who died and was buried and who rose again according to the scriptures.  And he talks about the twelve who saw him and believed and about the five hundred who saw him and believed.  And then there was Paul.  He heard the message, but he was one of those proud Pharisees, confident that he already had the right answers, confident that he knew how the Lord was going to deliver his people—and, most of all, confident that it wasn't through Jesus.  The gospel was blasphemy as far as he was concerned.  And so, he writes, he persecuted the church.  And yet there's hope.  Paul was stuck.  He had a mountain of faith, but it wasn't in Jesus.  The torah had been preparing Israel for Jesus all those centuries, but Paul and so many others just couldn't see it, couldn't make the leap.  But even as he persecuted the church, the Lord was at work to transform Paul.  “But by the grace of God I am what I am,” he writes, “and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” Brothers and Sisters, there's that righteousness greater than that of the Pharisees.  There's the faith that humbles the proud and brings even the greatest sinner into the kingdom.  Not because the faith is so great, but because it's in Jesus the Messiah.  It's a faith that brings forgiveness and the life of the Spirit.  Habakkuk wrote that the just shall live by faith and that's precisely what Jesus' people do.  He gives us the very life of God, because we trust in him.  And that life he gives—the law of love written on our hearts, the experience of God's love and faithfulness revealed so dramatically in our Saviour—that life fills our hearts with a faith that overflows.  And that, Brothers and Sisters, is how we live in this in-between time.  It's how those first Christians lived through the devastation of Jerusalem's destruction.  It's how the next generation lived through Rome's persecution.  It's how the saints lived, even as they were thrown to the lions.  It's how the saints still live in many parts of the world, imprisoned because they live by faith, tortured because they live by faith, martyred because they live by faith.  And it's how the saints have lived in the midst of a world that still isn't right, that still anticipates the final consummation of the Lord's new creation.  We live by faith as we struggle in our work..  We live by faith as we struggle with illness or frailty or cancer.  We live by faith as we struggle to bring justice and mercy to a world that is so unmerciful and lacking in justice.  We live by faith as we face droughts and floods and forest fires.  We live by faith in the midst of difficult and broken relationships.  And we live by faith as we live out our calling to proclaim the good news about Jesus in a world that thinks us fools; faithful to our calling to holiness in a world filled with idolatry and sin.  It's how we live in hope, like Habakkuk, like the Apostles, like they martyrs, looking past this broken world and the evils of our time, and knowing that the Lord is faithful to his promises, that he will set this world to rights, and that in Jesus, he will surely finish what he has begun—we know he will, because he always has. Let's pray: Lord God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

A Sermon for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity St. Luke 16:1-9 by William Klock The Pharisees and the legal experts were grumbling.  They'd come to meet with Jesus, but as Luke tells us, the tax-collectors and the sinners were coming close to Jesus and listening to him.  The Pharisees didn't associate with people like that and neither should Jesus, if he really was the Messiah.  You can practically hear their teeth grinding as that one Pharisee spits out with disdain and disgust, “This fellow welcomes sinners!  He even eats with them!”  If the kingdom of God was ever going to come, it certainly wasn't going to come that way! But Jesus, oh so patiently, sat down in response and told them a series of three stories.  We know them well.  He started with a story about a shepherd hunting high and low for a lost sheep.  And then he told a second story about a poor old widow hunting high and low for a precious lost coin.  And he told—you could see the joy on his face as he said it—he told how the shepherd rejoiced when he found his lost sheep and how the widow rejoiced when she found her lost coin.  And he looked at the Pharisees with that look that only Jesus could give and asked, “Wouldn't you rejoice, too, if that were you?  The heavenly court rejoices like that when a sinner repents?  Why can't you?”  And then the third story, the one about the presumptuous ne'er-do-well son who demanded an early inheritance from his father, then went off to live like a reprobate in a foreign, pagan land and only wised up when he squandered his last penny.  The lost son went home to his father, who rejoiced, just like the shepherd and the widow.  What was lost had been found.  But the boy's older brother refused to join in the celebration.  He got angry and raged at his father: “This son of yours squandered your livelihood with his whores, and now you've killed the fattened calf for him!”  Like the Pharisees, he sat out in the darkness grumbling over repentant sinners.  They were the longsuffering faithful ones.  When the Messiah comes, he was supposed to throw a party for them! That third story, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, is supposed to be our Gospel today, but it wasn't always.  Back in the late 1920s the men who revised the Prayer Book—in the US and in Scotland—they changed it.  Before that—and still in Prayer Books in other countries—the Gospel for today is the bit of Luke that comes next, right after the story of the prodigal son.  It was that way for well over a thousand years.  In part they changed the Gospel for today because of the rise of theological liberalism.  They had a watered down doctrine of the inspiration of the Bible and they came to think that some parts of the Bible weren't appropriate for public reading in the church.  But, I think, their main reason is that the traditional Gospel for today is really, really difficult.  Not necessarily difficult in the sense of being especially demanding on those of us who hear it (although it may be), but just plain difficult to understand.  What did Jesus mean?  It's not easy to say.  And so, when the Prayer Book was being revised, the folks in charge of the lectionary took the opportunity to take out a hard passage and to slip in an easy and familiar one.  And I've always preached on that easy and familiar story of the prodigal son, but today—maybe despite my better judgement—I'd like to look at that other Gospel, the one Christians were reading on this day going back maybe as far as fifteen-hundred years. Like I said, Jesus was telling those stories to the grumbling Pharisees in the fifteenth chapter of Luke, but then we turn the page to the sixteenth chapter and Luke said that “Jesus also said to his disciples…”  As Luke tells the story, there's no break.  Maybe we can grant that the Pharisees, offended by Jesus' parables, are walking away and it's now just the disciples.  There's a connection, somehow, between these two scenes.  Jesus was talking to the Pharisees and now he turns to his disciples and he also says: Once there was a rich man [a tycoon] who had a steward, and charges were laid against him that he was squandering his property.  So he called him in and said to him, “What's all this I hear bout you?  Present an account of your stewardship, because you cannot be my manager any longer.” He's fired—and for cause. So he [the now former manager] said to himself, “What am I going to do?  My master is taking my stewardship from me!  I can't do manual labour and I'm ashamed to beg… Ha!  I know what I'll do—so that people will welcome me into their houses after I'm fired from being steward.” So he called his master's debtors to him, one by one.  “How much,” he asked the first, “do you owe my master?” “A hundred measure of olive oil,” he replied “Take your bill,” he said, “sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” “To another he said, “And how much do you owe?” “A hundred measure of wheat,” he replied “Take your bill,” he said, “and make it eighty.” And the master praised the dishonest steward because he had acted wisely.  The children of this world, you see, are wiser than the children of light when it comes to dealing with their own generation. So I tell you this: use unrighteous wealth to make friends for yourselves.  Then when it gives out, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.   So what's going on and what's Jesus getting at.  The first part of that isn't has hard as the second.  This man had a very desirable job.  Some men were known to sell themselves into slavery to be this kind of manger for a rich estate.  Think of Joseph in Egypt managing all of Potiphar's affairs.  It was prestigious and the pay was very good, but it also obviously required a high level of trust.  The manager managed while the rich man was off in the world enjoying his profits.  But in this case something went wrong.  When Jesus talks about this man squandering the business, he uses the same word he used to describe the prodigal son squandering his inheritance.  While the cats away, the mouse gets to playing and suddenly the cheques going out to the rich man are getting smaller.  So the rich man comes home to fire his manager and to find someone who will keep the profits rolling in consistently. But since they didn't keep records the way we do, the rich man demands his manager—as his last duty—provide him with an accounting of the business that he can give to whomever he hires as his new manager.  But when the manager leaves the meeting, he's not thinking about his accounting.  He's desperately thinking how he can maintain the good life he's become accustomed to.  He's not going to go out and dig ditches and he's too proud to beg.  But then that account.  He gets a brilliant idea. He starts calling in the rich man's debtors.  In each of them comes with the receipt for his loan.  The first man owes a hundred measures of oil.  The second one owes a hundred measures of wheat.  These are not small sums.  This is sort of the First Century equivalent of a military contract for feeding the army.  And he says to the first man, “Cross out one hundred and make it fifty.  To the second he says, “Cross out one hundred and make it eighty.”  You can imagine how happy the debtors were when they left those meetings.  They had a new best friend, which was exactly what the manager was going for. But what's he doing?  Because to us, at face value, it looks like he's taking advantage of his master not knowing the business and now he's ripping him off to ingratiate himself with these other men.  He was dishonest in his earlier management, but for what he does here, he gets praise from both the rich man and Jesus—and that doesn't make sense if he's just compounding his dishonestly and driving the business further into a hole.  This is why preachers avoid this parable and Prayer Book revisers drop it from the lectionary. If, however, we dig up the cultural and historical background to a text like this, it clears a lot up.[1]  When we do that we find that even though the torah forbade charging interest, it was still a common practise.  They had ways to keep it off the books.  Maybe the manager would call it his “commission” or they'd pad the receipt. You couldn't loan someone 10 denarii and write them a receipt for 10 denarii that also demanded an additional denarii each month or a penalty for late payment.  That was against the law.  But what you could do is loan someone 10 denarii and write them a receipt for 20.  They only borrowed ten.  You knew and they knew that the other 10 denarii were interest, but since the receipt simply indicated a debt of 20 denarii there was nothing anyone could do about it. So we figure out that on top of squandering the rich man's profits, the manager has also been charging interest or a “commission”.  That's what he writing off when he tells these men to write down their receipts.  Over and over he does this with each of his master's debtors.  Imagine how happy they are to have their debts cut so dramatically. When he left the meeting with his master he was out of work and knew that no one would hire him.  Word would get around about his dishonesty.  But now he's countered that.  He isn't really being honest—he's still motivated by self-preservation—but others might think that he's turned over a new leaf and that he's going to start doing business honestly.  Ultimately his goal is to ingratiate himself into their hospitality.  In verse 4 he thinks to himself that if he does this, these people will “receive” him into their houses.  In Greek he uses this same word when he tells each of his master's debtors to “take”—literally to “receive”—their bills.  He's expecting some quid pro quo, some tit for tat.  As they receive their reduced bills, with any luck he'll receive their gratitude and hospitality. And, as we read, in verse 8, the rich man, when he hears about all this, he commends him. The master praised the dishonest steward because he had acted wisely.   To be clear, Jesus isn't calling him the “dishonest steward” because he wrote off the interest.  That—even if the motive was selfish—that was actually an honest thing to do.  He was dishonest in his management—and, knowing how such people are, he's probably still dishonest—but the point now is that he has acted wisely to preserve himself in a difficult situation. That's the parable itself.  Knowing the background behind first century management and lending practises helps us sort out the difficulties of the story.  But understanding what the manager was up to is only half the reason this parable is so difficult.  We still have to ask what Jesus' point was in telling it. Jesus says to his disciples: The master praised the dishonest steward because he had acted wisely.  The children of this world, you see, are wiser than the children of light when it comes to dealing with their own generation. So I tell you this: use unrighteous wealth to make friends for yourselves.  Then when it gives out, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.   I can't help but think that even though Luke presents this as a parable, that it was probably a real story and that Jesus opened it saying something like, “You remember that guy—the guy who managed that huge estate over in Capernaum—the guy who got fired when he lost a whole year's profit in a shady business scheme and then got fired—remember that guy?”  Just maybe the rich man in the story was one of those grumbling Pharisees.  I say that, because Jesus' point is that people really do these kinds of things to save themselves from trouble.  They lie and they cheat and then when they get caught and trouble comes, like the dishonest manager, they scramble to fix things to stave off disaster.  And Jesus compares these shrewd or prudent “sons of this world” with the “sons of light”.  This is where the story becomes difficult again.  Who are the “sons of light”?  I've read some pretty good commentary that argues that the sons of light are Jesus' followers.  Jesus has been preaching that judgement is coming and here he's saying that they'd better use their worldly goods to find some way to escape it or find a way through it.  The problem is that if the sons of light are Jesus' disciples too many parts of the story don't add up.  It's a good idea, but it comes from a common way of approaching the gospels that ignores the real historical setting in which Jesus was living and preaching and, instead, spiritualises or tries to universalise his message as if he could be preaching to anyone anywhere. But Jesus didn't come to just anyone and he didn't come at some random time or some random place.  Jesus came at a strategic point in history and, more specifically, he came as the culmination and fulfilment of Israel's story.  Israel's mission was to carry the Lord's blessing to the nations, but she failed.  And so Jesus came, not just as the Messiah—not just as the long-expected king in the line of David.  He also came as Daniel's “Son of Man”—he came as Israel's representative.  He took up her mission and where she had failed, he succeeded.  Where the Lord's letter of redemption and restoration of creation had stalled out in Israel's post office, Jesus delivered it to the entire world. So at the core of Jesus' ministry was the proclamation that in him the kingdom had arrived and that in him God is now king.  And for these three years he spent proclaiming that message and travelling throughout Galilee and Judea, what he was really doing was calling Israel—the children of light—to follow him.  He was picking up where she had failed, but she could still take part in his mission if she would only cast aside her wrong ideas about God and his plan and follow Jesus as he manifested his lordship to the world, by seeking out the lost and by conquering sin and death as he died on the cross and rose from the grave. Jesus is preaching to Israel here.  He's giving commentary on her history and calling her to repentance.  And that means that the rich man in the story is the Lord.  He is rich.  He created the cosmos and he created humanity so that he could share his riches of love and grace with us.  And when we rebelled and rejected him, he called Abraham to carry his message of grace to the nations.  Abraham and then Israel, the nation descended from him, were called to be the Lord's managers in this world.  But just as the manager in the parable squandered his master's riches, Israel squandered the Lord's riches of grace.  And now judgement is coming.  The manager in the story saw judgement coming and had the sense to act decisively and to do something even though it meant giving up his riches.  But in contrast, as Israel faced the Lord's judgement for squandering his riches, most of the people were going about their lives as if they had nothing to worry about.  The Sadducees were firm in their denial of any need to change the status quo.  Of all the people in Israel, the Pharisees knew that something had to change and that the people had to turn to God.  But the solution of the Pharisees was to turn the light they had been given into darkness.  Instead of using the law God had given Israel as a means of carrying light into the darkness, the Pharisees kept the light to themselves and condemned everyone left in the dark.  Instead of seeking out the lost, they condemned them.  The law wasn't enough; they had to add to it, making it burdensome, not unlike the dishonest manager who had padded his debtor's bills with heavy interest loads. So in the parable, Jesus is warning Israel.  It's not just that judgement is coming, but to escape judgment, God's people had to act and they had to act now.  They had to repent and they had to repent now.  And that meant letting go and potentially giving up all the things they held dear.  We've seen Jesus pointing this direction throughout his ministry.  A new age and a new kingdom were coming in which blood ties with Abraham wouldn't matter anymore—what will matter is allegiance to Jesus the King.  He is Israel himself and true Israelites, true sons and daughters of Abraham, will be those who find their identity in him.  They also had to let go of the land, because this new kingdom isn't about a place—again, it's about Jesus himself.  And they had to let go of the temple.  In this new kingdom the Lord's presence is no longer found in temples of stone, but in hearts of flesh—in the hearts of those who are in Jesus and filled with the Spirit. Jesus says, “Use unrighteous wealth to make friends for yourselves.  Then when it gives out, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.”  These aren't easy words to translate and it's hard to say exactly what Jesus meant, but it seems that like the manager in the story, they—and we—need to be ready to give up the things of the kingdom that is passing away in order to be welcomed into the kingdom that is being inaugurated by Jesus.  This was Jesus' word of warning to his disciples, to the Pharisees, and to the people of Israel. And again, we need to remember the real history that surrounds and weaves its way through the New Testament.  Jesus wasn't warning the Jews of some far off spiritual day of reckoning; he was warning of imminent destruction coming in a very tangible and earthly way—before this generation passes away, he said.  Interestingly enough, the Jerusalem Church escaped when the judgement Jesus warned about came to Jerusalem.  Josephus in his Jewish War and Eusebius in his History of the Church both tell us that the Christians received a divine warning and fled to Pella, in what it now Jordan.  They took the decisive action Jesus talks about in the parable, they left everything behind, and they were spared when the Romans destroyed the city and the temple. Brothers and sisters, the fulfilment of Jesus' promise of judgement in the First Century serves as a warning to us that his promise of final judgement will also be fulfilled.  And so we now need to ask if we've been good and honest stewards of God's grace.  Have we been good and honest stewards of the Good News?  Have we lived it?  Have we proclaimed it?  Or have we kept it to ourselves?  Have we become self-righteous and used our kingdom status to condemn the lost rather than to seek them out?  Have we added heavy burdens to the Good News?  The heart of the Good News is that Jesus is Lord, but like the dishonest manager, are we trying to get our cut too—lining our pockets or feeding our spiritual pride?  Or are we preaching the unfettered Good News that Jesus is Lord and that at the cross and at the grave he conquered sin and death. And to what do we hold too closely?  Is our priority in life the wealth that Jesus talks about in the story?  Whether rich or poor, we have a powerful tendency to hold on to money and possessions for security.  But brothers and sisters, money and possessions are part of the kingdom that is passing away.  Even the dishonest manager understood that.  All his profit would do him no good when judgement came, and so he let it go that he might find a way to survive in what was for him a new age.  The same goes for us.  Are we clinging to the things of this fading kingdom—to things that will not last or that will be of no value in the kingdom of God—or are we using them as tools to further God's kingdom and God's plans and to ensure that we have a place in his kingdom? Let us pray: Grant us, Lord, we pray, the spirit always to think and do those things that are right; that we who cannot do anything good without you, may in your strength live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. [1] See J. Duncan M. Derrett, “Fresh Light on St Luke xvi.1. The Parable of the Unjust Steward,” in New Testament Studies 7 (1960-61), pp. 198-219 and Joseph A. Fitzmyer, “The Story of the Dishonest Manager (Lk 16:1-13),” in Theological Studies 25 (1964), pp. 23-42.

Happy Feast of St. Mary Magdalene! Hello St. Mary Magdalene,  Thanks for tuning into this week's video with me, Fr. Chris. There's a lot going on this weekend as we are celebrating our patronal feast day this weekend so you'll hear some beautiful prayers during the Mass centering on Mary Magdalene and her role as the “Apostle to the Apostles” as the Church refers to her. She is given this title because, as the first person to see Christ Resurrected from the dead, she is sent to the Apostles to proclaim the Good News. In Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written, Apostle comes from “Apostelos” which means “to be sent” so, she, as the “Apostle to the Apostles” can literally mean “the one sent to the ones who are sent.” This same Greek root is the origin of the term “apostolate” meaning the area in which we're sent to bring the Gospel. How blessed then, that we, spiritual sons and daughters of St. Mary Magdalene rejoice in her being the first person to see the Risen Lord. This patronage too is commemorated in our sanctuary artwork with the Latin phrase “Vidi Dominum” which means “I have seen the Lord” the same message she gave to the Apostles 2,000 years ago.   We have the great joy then in sharing this vision of the Risen Lord especially in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith. How providential then that the national Eucharistic Convention is currently underway in Indianapolis on this same weekend. Indeed, the Eucharist is the venue through which we too can see the Risen Lord just as Mary Magdalene did. In honor of this, I want to share with you several resources that I have read and recommend in order to foster a deeper love of Christ present in the Eucharist. First, is this wonderful book “St. Mary Magdalene: Prophetess of Eucharistic Love” by Fr. Sean Davidson. In 200 pages this book offers scriptural, historical, and theological perspectives on Mary Magdalene and the radical way in which her encounter with Christ inspired her to change her life and how we, modeling her repentance, can allow Christ to change our life as well. I have about 20 copies of this book which I am happy to give away, if you would like one please email me and I will be happy to leave you a copy.  Second, I would like to recommend Pope St. John Paul II's 2003 encyclical “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” (Church of the Eucharist) where the late holy father inspirationally writes on the Eucharist and its centrality in the life and mission of the Church and of every Catholic. It's about 20 pages so it can easily be read during prayer times in the adoration chapel.  Third, is Pope Benedict XVI's 2007 Sacramentum Caritatis. This 40 page post-synodal exhortation offers spiritual and practical insights on the Eucharist and how we can prepare our souls spiritually to receive Christ. It can be technical and/or practical at times since it's also addressing questions on topics like proper reception of Holy Communion, and active participation in the liturgy.  Fourth, and lastly, is the USCCB's 2021 document “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church.” This 30 page document offers practical and spiritual insights oriented towards a deeper appreciation and entry into the great gift of the Eucharist. There are some phenomenal quotes from saints in here that afford many opportunities for prayerful contemplation of Christ present in the Eucharist. These writings from the USCCB, Benedict XVI, and JPII are all available online and are linked in the description of this video!  In conclusion, I also want to say thank you to everyone who stepped up at my recent adoration appeal. We went from over 40 hours with no adorer down to less than 10! That is awesome and it means that perpetual adoration can continue. Now, it is incumbent upon all of us, however, to maintain our commitments in order to ensure a prayerful space to encounter Christ while simultaneously ensuring safety for all adorers and the Blessed Sacrament! Have a wonderful feast day weekend and may our Eucharistic Lord draw you ever more deeply into His infinite, eternal love! Document links:  1. Ecclesia de Eucharistia (JPII): https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_eccl-de-euch.html 2. Sacramentum Caritatis (B16): https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis.html 3. The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church (USCCB): https://www.usccb.org/resources/7-703%20The%20Mystery%20of%20Eucharist,%20for%20RE-UPLOAD,%20JANUARY%202022.pdf God bless,  Fr. Chris Visit us: https://www.smarymag.org Support us online: https://membership.faithdirect.net/AZ754

In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the gods to give it to humans, and suffered an eternity of punishment for it. This hour, we revisit that myth, and talk about why it resonates so much today. Plus, a look at the Alien prequel Prometheus. GUESTS: Annie Dorsen: Theater director; her most recent production was Prometheus Firebringer Adrienne Mayor: Research scholar in the Classics Department and the History of Science Program at Stanford University and the author of Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines and Ancient Dreams of Technology, among other books Dom Nero: Writer, video editor, and co-host of the Eye of the Duck podcast A.O. Scott: Critic at large for The New York Times Book Review and the author of Better Living Through Criticism The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, and Cat Pastor contributed to this show, which originally aired January 17, 2024.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To support the show and for exclusive content become a Patreon. This episode comes with a discount code exclusive for our paid patreon subscribers.On this episode, George and Maria head to Epidaurus to talk to Chris Ward from Breakaway Greece, a small run business focused on Cycling and Outdoor holidays in the Peloponnese. Tune in to hear the story of Breakaway, what they offer and much more.To get in touch with Breakaway, check out their website and instagram account.Greek phrase shared on the episode: Let's go cycling in the Peloponnese: Páme gia podilasía stin Pelopónniso (In Greek: Πάμε για ποδηλασία στην Πελοπόννησο)Further Podcast Listening:CosmorentIslands Close to Athens48 hours in AthensNafplioTop hiking trails in GreeceThe Athens Epidauros FestivalBlog post reading:Trekking in Greece; 10 of the best hiking trails in GreeceCelebrating Art and Culture in Greece: The Magnificent Athens Epidaurus FestivalDon't forget to check out the My Greek Island website www.mygreekis.land where you can find blog posts to inspire your next trip, travel tips to download on your phone and more. Also give us a follow on instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with the My Greek Island adventures, and for those of you visiting Greece remember to tag us for a future feature.If you liked the episode, feel free to leave a rating and review, and to make sure you are notified as soon as future episodes are released, press the subscribe or follow button on the podcast platform of your choice. And if you have any requests for future episodes, feel free to drop us a DM.There are 227 inhabited Greek Islands, which one will YOU visit next?#MGIPODCAST Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To support the show, for ad free episodes and exclusive content sign up here.On this episode, George and Maria talk about the uninhabited island of Spinalonga. Tune in to hear all about this island, its history and how it became famous.Greek phrase shared on the episode: Spinalonga: An island full of stories: Spinalónka: Éna nisí gemáto istoríes (In Greek: Σπιναλόγκα: Ένα νησί γεμάτο ιστορίες)Mentions:Spinalonga fortress an UNESCO World Heritage: https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5866/Victoria Hislop: https://www.victoriahislop.com/books/the-island/Related blog posts:Exploring Spinalonga: A Journey Through HistoryHow to choose which Greek Island to visit on your next tripThe Best Islands in Greece for Solo Travellers: Unleashing the Perfect Greek EscapeTrekking in Greece; 10 of the best hiking trails in GreeceOther:Do you need more information. Check out the below:7 day detailed itinerary for the region of Chania in Crete. Click here to purchase.Click here to book a Travel Consultation meeting with Maria.Further Podcast Listening:Greek Islands for solo travellersTop hiking trails in GreeceChania Q&AChaniaAnd of course our bitesize Greek episodes! Also, don't forget to check out the My Greek Island website www.mygreekis.land where you can find blog posts to inspire your next trip, travel tips to download on your phone and more. Also give us a follow on instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with the My Greek Island adventures, and for those of you visiting Greece remember to tag us for a future feature.If you liked the episode, feel free to leave a rating and review, and to make sure you are notified as soon as future episodes are released, press the subscribe or follow button on the podcast platform of your choice.There are 227 inhabited Greek Islands, which one will YOU visit next?#MGIPODCAST Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight, we'll read the story “The Three Golden Apples” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and found in “A Wonder Book” originally published in 1851. This episode first aired in 2021. This is Hawthorne's retelling of Hercules' search for three golden apples. Along the way he meets the Old Man of the Sea, a six-legged man creature and the mighty giant, Atlas. This story also features the Hesperides. In Greek mythology, they are the nymphs of evening and golden light of sunsets. The Hesperides love to sing, and they spend their time tending to Queen Hera's apple orchard. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new week means new questions! Hope you have fun with these!What is the first book in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros?What three word catchphrase is used to invite members of the audience to play "The Price is Right"?Louis the Twelfth of France married the sister of which Tudor King?Peppo was the original name of which soda brand that had to change its name due to copyright infringement? In 2001, it rebranded to a more informal title.Balls used in what sport are lying on the Moon?In Greek mythology, which daughter of Tantalus was turned into a weeping stone?Which Country has the largest number of languages spoken?Are there more states East or West of the Mississippi?Octoroks, Moblins, and Stalfos are all found in what video game?MusicHot Swing, Fast Talkin, Bass Walker, Dances and Dames, Ambush by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Don't forget to follow us on social media:Patreon – patreon.com/quizbang – Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Check out our fun extras for patrons and help us keep this podcast going. We appreciate any level of support!Website – quizbangpod.com Check out our website, it will have all the links for social media that you need and while you're there, why not go to the contact us page and submit a question!Facebook – @quizbangpodcast – we post episode links and silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Instagram – Quiz Quiz Bang Bang (quizquizbangbang), we post silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Twitter – @quizbangpod We want to start a fun community for our fellow trivia lovers. If you hear/think of a fun or challenging trivia question, post it to our twitter feed and we will repost it so everyone can take a stab it. Come for the trivia – stay for the trivia.Ko-Fi – ko-fi.com/quizbangpod – Keep that sweet caffeine running through our body with a Ko-Fi, power us through a late night of fact checking and editing!

Wellness + Wisdom Episode 637 Wellness + Wisdom Podcast Host and Wellness Force Media CEO, Josh Trent, shares what it takes to learn how to love yourself and your partner unconditionally as one of you decided to change and evolve. Send Josh your AMA Question HERE! Today's Question Dana: You can love someone, but do you love them unconditionally when they want to change after 10, 15 years of marriage because they want something different now because they want a career? 25% Off Seed Daily Synbiotic Use the code "25JOSHTRENT" for 25% off SEED'S DS-01® DAILY SYNBIOTIC FOR 18+ AGE GROUP For Gastrointestinal + Whole-body Health 2-in-1 capsule-in-capsule probiotic and prebiotic. Formulated for adults ages 18+ with 24 clinically and scientifically studied probiotic strains and a polyphenol-based prebiotic to support systemic health. BENEFITS BEYOND YOUR GUT HEALTH: Digestive Health Gut Barrier Integrity Gut Immune Function Cardiovascular Health Dermatological Health Micronutrient Synthesis SEED'S PDS-08™ PEDIATRIC DAILY SYNBIOTIC FOR CHILDREN + ADOLESCENTS Clinically studied 2-in-1 powdered synbiotic, formulated for children and adolescents ages 3-17 with 9 probiotic strains and a fiber-based prebiotic. Designed with how-do-I-get-my-kid-to-take-this-daily in mind. 25% off first month of supply with "25JOSHTRENT"    Listen To Episode 637 As Josh Trent Answers Your Questions [00:00] Intro Hey, what is up? This is Josh Trent. This is Wellness + Wisdom, the podcast where we gather, apply, and most importantly, y'all, embody these 5 sides that we get to nourish ourselves in. The physical, the mental, the emotional, the spiritual, and also the financial. We signed up to master every single part of 1 of these 5 sides. Today is AMA number 637. We're talking about relationships. And this is a really, really timeless and timely episode. [05:05] How To Love Yourself + Your Partner All right, let's get into this question with Dana. We're just going to do this 1 question today for the AMA because it deserves a lot of depth and full transparency here. Dana has written in a few times, she's recorded a few messages. Thank you, Dana, for being such a great part of this audience. Let's listen to the question from Dana. The storybook we start out with before walking down the aisle evolves and changes. After about 15 years of marriage, maybe even 10 years of marriage. The spouse says, I don't like who you're being over time, one of them evolved. The storybook started as, you know, I want my wife to stay home so she can raise our children. And one  day she wakes up and says, I need more. Not that I need you to give it to me, but I need to do something. And then comes a whole bunch of other stories, guilt. This isn't what I wanted, whatever. And I've seen this over the years, working in people's homes and really paying attention to just the littlest how not hearing somebody not speaking up, it changes it. And it changes love, I believe, you know, you can love someone, but do you love them unconditionally? Because they want to change because they want something different now because they want a career. It's just an idea. It was cool it was more of like a statement rather than a but it's really really fun to expand upon because there is a quote and I don't know who it was from, but it goes something like this. When it comes to love and relationships, specifically intimate relationships, 1 must be willing to die a thousand deaths to be able to love the person that is a rebirth each time. And that is actually what I think Dana, you're touching upon. And for all of us that have been in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, even decades-long relationships, you know that I'm speaking the truth. When you look at relationships through a lens of true unconditional love, and this is something where we'll link in the show notes the episode that I did with Margo my lady, my mother, my children, my life partner, my everything, Carrie Michelle. One thing that came up during that podcast that was birthed through me was the death of the old way that I saw love. I did not have the faculty, the emotional or mental faculty to actually love Carrie Michelle for who she was, because there was this element that really I was in fear of losing her. I was in fear of losing her. I was in micro ways and some macro ways controlling the relationship. And it wasn't until I got very clear through the guidance of Margo running, through our support with the plant allies, through ceremony, through breath work, through presence, through doing the real work, which by the way is really hard, lots of tears, but lots of death, lots of death of the old version of myself. And what I learned from this was, if I can unconditionally choose to unconditionally love her, starting with unconditionally loving myself, that is the ticket to freedom. That is the ticket to liberation had to come to terms with, and it really was connected to my own death. And I don't know if y'all can relate to this. If you have a fear of dying, then that is your path to do work on because fear of dying really is just connected to sadness. It's just connected to sadness that you won't be able to make love with your partner again. You won't be able to hold your children again. You won't be able to eat an orange naked on the top of a hillside when coming up. There are so many things that we won't get to do anymore. And so instead of having anger or sadness or grief around the idea of death, understand that our fear of death Is connected to fear of loss in a relationship. As we talked about with my mentor and with my friend Mark Tollefson, that we'll also link here in the show notes, it's not that we fear death, it's that we fear being in union with the not having the answer of what mystery wants when we're gone. When we leave human form, there's an uncertainty. There's a not knowingness about where we go and what that is. And I think that's the way that the creator designed it, by the way. So the connection between fearing our own death and accepting the death of each stage of a relationship, remember, we have to be willing to die a thousand deaths and fall in love with our man or woman over and over and over and over again because that is what love wants. True unconditional love does not mean I will love you if. True unconditional love does not mean I will only give you my love if. True unconditional love just wants to express itself. That's really what unconditional love is. Now, many of us, and Mar, I'm sure you can relate to this. We grew up in situations with our parents, God bless them. We love them because they were doing the best they could with the level of consciousness they had at that and still are. We were taught at a very young age that we bring into intimate relationships, Dana, by the way, we were taught at a very young age that we only get love if we do A, B, or C. We only get love if we operate in the way that our parents wanted us to operate in. And what happens is we create a filter, an unconscious filter that we bring into our adult life. And we unknowingly, unknowingly, unconsciously project that filter onto our partner. Have you ever dealt with this personally, Mar? Something that you learned from your mom or your dad or, you know, your caregivers that you can look back with on yourself and say, hmm, I definitely projected that onto my previous partner. I was definitely projecting a lot of things from my family. And actually, my last relationship revealed a lot of that to me, so thanks to that relationship being so dysfunctional and so complicated, I was able to finally realize how many things I was projecting. And definitely one of them was abandonment. It was a big one. So it's like everything I was doing was out of fear of losing that person. So it wasn't even love, I was motivated by something rather negative than something positive to be in that relationship because once I was able to get out of it and like look at it from a more neutral perspective without any feelings attached. I didn't actually love the person. I just loved being in a relationship or being wanted and feeling like, okay, somebody chose me and that's what I was fighting for, not for the person. Yeah, well, so I think we all can relate to this. I'm 44 years old and Dana, I don't know your age, but I don't, this applies to everyone, whether it's like, when do people start dating? I can't even imagine my daughter dating. I'm like, no, you're not dating until you're 25. But it's probably, I would say 16, 17, 18, where people start to, or at least they think they fall in love. And then all the way up until your 90s, right? You can still get married and fall in love in your 90s or even 100 years old. And I think what this points to is the awareness of self. You know, we talk about the physical, the mental, the emotional, the spiritual, and the financial in our Liberated Life Tribe. And I really feel like to have true liberation, we get to do the work to unconditionally love us first, first and foremost. In Greek mythology and the temple at the Apollo, there is a phrase written in Greek and it says, know thy self. And I think that's the ultimate wisdom that we can learn from our ancient masters is like they had it wired, they had it figured out on lockdown a long time ago. They knew that unless you did not know yourself, then you would never be able to know thy lover or know thy life partner. And so I think true sacred union and true intimacy in relationships can only be found when a human being is 2 things, 1, committed to their own growth, committed to their own self-love... Leave Wellness + Wisdom a Review on Apple Podcasts Links From Today's Show  595 Relationship Death + Rebirth: How to Let Love Lead Again + Let Go of The Anxious-Avoidant Dance (Margo Running + Carrie Michelle) 521 The Truth About Living A Spiritual Life + Vision Quests | Mark Tollefson Liberated Life Tribe 630 Mark Groves + Kylie McBeath | Liberated Love: Release Codependent Patterns + Create The Love You Desire OneSkin - 15% off with the code "JOSH15" ❄️ Biohack Your Mind & Body with Plunge Ice Baths! 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In Greek mythology, you didn't have to actually do anything to incur the wrath of the gods. One example is the constellation Crater, the cup, which is in the southeast at nightfall. The story says the god Apollo sent a crow to fetch a cup of water. The crow devoured figs instead, then blamed his delay on a snake. Apollo hurled all three of them into the sky, including the cup — the constellation Crater. It isn't much to look at. You need fairly dark skies to see even its brightest stars. But that doesn't mean there's nothing interesting within its borders. One interesting star system is HD 98800. It has four stars, all of which are quite young. In fact, some of them appear to be baby stars that haven't yet reached maturity. And the system could be giving birth to planets as well. HD 98800 is perhaps 150 light-years away. Its stars are split into two pairs. The stars in each pair are in fairly tight orbits around each other. The pairs are farther apart, so it takes hundreds of years for them to circle each other. The system probably is no more than about 10 million years old — compared to four and a half billion years for the Sun. One of its binaries is encircled by wide “doughnuts” of gas and dust — the raw materials for making planets. Gaps in those rings suggest that planets may already be taking shape — in a busy star system in a cup. Script by Damond Benningfield

The stories behind the constellations don't always match the pictures we see in the sky. Consider Corvus, which rises in the southeast in mid-evening. In Greek mythology, it represented a naughty crow. The god Apollo sent the crow to fetch a cup of water. Instead, Corvus spent days gorging on fresh figs. He then grabbed a water snake and told Apollo that it had kept him from completing his task. Apollo knew the crow was lying, so he flung Corvus, the cup, and the snake into the sky. To modern eyes, though, the crow's brightest stars form the outline of a sail. Going clockwise from the sail's highest point as it rises, the stars are Delta, Gamma, Epsilon, and Beta Corvi. A couple of the stars are binaries, with two stars bound together by gravity. But the main stars in those systems, and the single stars in the other two, have a lot in common. They're all bigger, heavier, and brighter than the Sun. And at least three of them are late in life. They've used up all or most of the original hydrogen fuel in their cores. That's made the stars puff up, which has made them shine much brighter. Astronomers aren't sure about the fourth star. It might be in the same phase of life as the others. On the other hand, it might be quite young — just settling into life as a mature star. Look for the sail — or the crow — in the southeast after about 9:30 or 10. It's due south after midnight. We'll talk about the crow's water cup tomorrow. Script by Damond Benningfield

On this episode, Michael Meade suggests that the message borne by spring flowers breaking through the hard ground of a long winter involves much more than a simple return to how things were before. In mythological terms, creation is ever ongoing as nature continually presents the essential mystery of life renewing itself from the haunts of death. In terms of that ageless story, we are being invited to participate in a return to the original potential that was there at the beginning and continually becomes present again. This greater invitation involves the blossoming of our own souls as well as a potential renewal of culture. In Greek myths, Eros was the first-born deity, there at the very beginning, but also present again at the beginning of any new project or meaningful change in life. Eros is the archetypal presence of longing and attraction, the primal energy of connection, the secret glue that holds everything together. Eros is the power that connects each of our souls with the living, breathing soul of the world. Eros is also the connective tissue in social life and all relationships. When this soulful sense of instinctive connection and compassion declines, people turn against each other and life itself is diminished. When we lose our natural sense of longing for beauty and truth and being present to the wonder of creation, we become as if dead to the world. It is our collective fate to live at a time of both tragedy and transformation. It is our mutual calling, not simply to return to the world as we knew it, but to become part of a genuine renewal, a flowering of imagination and a recreation of the sense that we are all connected and part of the mystery and the ongoing creation of life on earth. Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can hear Michael Meade live by joining his new online series “The Creative Middle Way” beginning on Thursday, March 28. Register and learn more at mosaicvoices.org/events.  You can save 30% on this new course and further support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 600 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles.   Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth. If you enjoy this podcast, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your friends. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well during this challenging and uncertain times and thank you for your support of our work.

In Greek and Roman mythology, the "Furies" are three goddesses who punish the wicked, delivering vengeance to an unfair and unlawful world. William Brangham talks with journalist Elizabeth Flock, a former NewsHour reporter and author of a new book that paints a portrait of three modern-day women who similarly used violence when they had no other option. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders