Podcasts about Ishmael

This Sunday at Pillar, we're talking about something that hits all of us at some point: the moment when God says “No.” It's a word we rarely want to hear, but when it comes from Him, it's never random or cruel. Sometimes His “No” is actually His way of protecting us, like when Abraham asked for Ishmael to be the heir and God gently redirected him to Isaac. Other times, it's a redirection, just like when Paul was stopped from heading west and ended up in Macedonia instead, walking right into the purpose God had planned. There are moments when His “No” is simply making space for a better “Yes.” Jeremiah reminds us that God wants to reveal great and mighty things if we're willing to wait. And yes, sometimes a “No” brings pain. It's okay to grieve it. Even Peter speaks to those moments when our hope is tested. But in the middle of that disappointment, grace shows up. Paul learned that in his weakness, God's strength was more than enough.If you've ever wrestled with unanswered prayers or wondered what God is doing behind the silence, this message is for you.

Intro:Good morning! We're navigating a tough week, having just hosted a funeral for Drew Hall, deeply loved in our community, who passed away in a climbing accident. Our hearts are with his wife and daughters. Next week, our Exeter church family, who we just prayed off, joins us for baptisms – this is the life of the church: joy and sorrow, but Jesus is always with us. Today, we delve into listening, a profound theme from Proverbs.Scripture References: Proverbs 2:1-5, Proverbs 5:1-2, Proverbs 22:17, Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 15:31-32, Proverbs 4:20, Proverbs 5:1, Genesis 1, Psalm 33:6, Deuteronomy 6, Genesis 21:17, Proverbs 15:29, Luke 24:25-32Key Points:God Is Always Speaking, Calling Us to Listen:Proverbs emphasizes God's constant communication, urging us to be attentive listeners.The Seattle School of Theology's daily "chime" ritual reminds students their work is done in the presence of a living, speaking God.Listening for Wisdom and Instruction:Proverbs consistently calls us to listen for knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:1-5, 5:1-2, 22:17).It also stresses receiving instruction and discipline (Proverbs 13:1, 15:31-32). Embracing God's loving discipline transforms us.Proverbs' urgent tone (e.g., Proverbs 4:20, 5:1) highlights the gravity of listening to God's words. It's the single most important thing we can learn.Listening in God's Grand Story:Creation: From Genesis 1 ("Let there be light"), God speaks first. Our design is to listen and respond. Keith Anderson notes God's voice in creation is the first evidence of His love. Intentional listening means emptying our agenda, being curious, and present. Grab a "Five Ways to Practice Listening" card at the connect table!Old Testament (Shema): Deuteronomy 6 commands, "Listen, O Israel... love the Lord your God." Listening precedes loving. God's listening (e.g., Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 21:17) isn't for His knowing, but to express His love, care, and that we are known (Proverbs 15:29). What He hears is never a barrier to His love.Jesus' Incarnation: Jesus often said, "Let anyone who has ears hear." The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:25-32) shows disciples, disillusioned by Christ's crucifixion, unknowingly walking with Jesus. As He spoke, their hearts "burned." Encountering Jesus opens our ears and hearts to God's voice. Proximity to Jesus happens in simple, earthy ways (walking, sharing a meal, being with companions).The Problem is Connection, Not God's Speaking:Like the story of Pete Gregg unknowingly broadcasting his podcast, God is always speaking. The problem is often our connection.Busyness, disappointment, a cold heart, or distance from Jesus can hinder our listening. Our job is to approach God with intentionality, love, and closeness to Jesus.Conclusion:Our ability to listen to God is foundational. From creation to Jesus, God's story shows He actively speaks and listens out of love. This security allows us to confidently listen to Him.Call to Action:As we come to the table, remember Christ's presence bridges all distance. If your heart feels cold, or you need to know God hears you, pray with us. We'll worship and take communion, remembering Jesus, who perfectly embodied listening and drew close to us, offering new life. Be responsive to prayer; we want to connect you to Jesus. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

Almost every Christian denomination accepts that God is sovereign--which is interpreted to mean that He always does precisely what He pleases, and everything that happens on earth has either His explicit or implicit stamp of approval. So when we find ourselves in a crisis--we or someone we love gets a terminal diagnosis, or we don't have enough money to make the mortgage and may lose the house, or we're in the direct path of a natural disaster, etc--we pray for a miracle, because we all know that God can do anything He wants. And who knows? Maybe He'll say yes. But if He says no, the common theology goes, it's because He sees the bigger picture. He knows more than we do, and we have to just trust that He knows best. That sounds so spiritual, doesn't it? Some believers manage to weather these trials of faith, pointing to Job as their example, when he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21) and "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15). (One side note. When you hear of a great saint who loses everything and yet clings to their trust in God anyway, certain that He has a greater purpose for their loss, does that inspire you to praise God--or to praise that great saint? Who actually receives the glory for that?) This theology has its roots in Calvinism, which espouses an extreme form of predestination (meaning that God chooses whether each of us will ultimately be saved, or damned, before we're ever born. He has to do this, they argue, because it is God who gives us the faith even to be saved, Eph 2:8-9, and if He withholds that faith, salvation for that individual is impossible.) So God, in this theological persuasion, decides a priori who will be saved and who will not, and then punishes those to whom He has not given the faith to be saved for their sins. They do have scriptures to back up their argument--if you take them out of context. One of the big ones is Romans 9:18-21, which says: "Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?' But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?'" In this passage, Paul was comparing Israel's hardness of heart in rejecting the Messiah to Pharaoh from the time of the Exodus (Romans 9:15-17). The reason it took ten plagues and the decimation of Egypt for Pharaoh to finally release the Israelites was because Pharaoh's heart was hardened, far beyond reason. Paul's point in this passage was that God did this so that He could display His power to the Israelites, delivering them with great signs and wonders (Romans 9:17). If Pharaoh hadn't resisted, it would not have taken great miracles to do it. (In the same way, Paul argues, the fact that Israel had rejected Jesus gave the Lord the opportunity to bring the Gentiles in to the New Covenant, too.) But if God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, is Pharaoh still responsible for his own actions? If we go back to the original source text, we can see that this isn't quite the whole story. God did tell Moses in advance that He would harden Pharaoh's heart before the plagues ever began (Ex 4:21, 7:3). But for the first five plagues, Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Ex 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7). It was only by the sixth plague that the scripture says God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Ex 9:12). Pharaoh still made his own choice first; God just enforced it and used it for His own purposes. I love the analogy Charles Capps uses to explain this. If one sets clay and wax out in the hot sun, the sun will harden the clay, but melt the wax. The sun adds the same heat to both, but the substance (wax or clay) determines its effect. A potter chooses whether to make “noble or ignoble” vessels from clay not arbitrarily, but on the basis of the quality of the clay. If the clay is supple and pliable, it can be made into something beautiful; if it is brittle, it might not be fit to shape into something worthy of display. God works with what we give him. In the same way, in Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), the sower sows the Word indiscriminately, but it is the condition of the soil that determines the harvest. Luke later writes that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), and Peter writes that He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9, more on this later). Likewise, any reasonable person would have been terrified into obedience by the plagues, long before they progressed to the death of the firstborn. And some of the Egyptians did believe and take refuge in Goshen, and the final exodus included “a mixed multitude” (Exodus 12:38), meaning some of the Egyptians were convinced, converted, and left with them. God gave the Egyptians the opportunity to escape the plagues that might otherwise have caused death, telling them to pull their livestock and their servants inside before the hail (Exodus 9:19), and to paint their doorposts with the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:22-23), which was symbolic of and foreshadowing the blood of Christ. Again, the Lord is “not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He didn't want to harm the Egyptians, but neither did he want them to keep His people in bondage. So, did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? Yes, but perhaps only in the sense that God performed the miracles, and Pharaoh’s heart was such that those miracles caused him to dig in his heels. We’ve all met stubborn people like this, with whom any direct attempt at persuasion will cause them to double down on their original position. God does not override our free will, so in this case, He worked with it, using it to His advantage. Our choices do matter. But He's so amazing that He takes those choices and still manages to work “all things together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). As a result of Pharaoh’s stubbornness, God’s people had a legacy of spectacular stories to remind their children and their children’s children of His might on their behalf. My point in saying all that is just that the argument that God sovereignly controls everything that happens is inconsistent with the overall teachings of scripture; even the individual verses that seem to suggest that don't stand up to scrutiny. But a larger problem is that, taken to its logical conclusion, the theological position that God's will is absolute, and will come to pass no matter what we do, leads to a sense of futility. Why pray--why even evangelize--if God is going to do what He's going to do, regardless? To their credit (though against logic), most Calvinist denominations recognize that the scriptures are very clear that we should still both evangelize and pray, and they therefore preach that we should do both, just because God said we should. (Sort of the equivalent of a parent saying, "Because I said so, that's why!") But historically, many Protestant denominations stemmed from or were heavily influenced by Calvinist doctrine. As a result, until about the late 18th and early 19th century, almost all missionary activity around the world came from the Catholic church, which I suspect was precisely because it held no doctrine of predestination, so they thought their efforts could make an eternal difference. Motivation matters. (Protestant missions largely date back to William Carey's work in India in 1793. The London Missionary Society was founded two years later, in 1795, and in 1810, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was founded.) Even if we're not ultimately each predestined for heaven or hell, God is still sovereign, though, right? He knows way more than we do. So doesn't that mean sometimes He'll say no to our prayer requests, and when we all get to heaven, we'll understand why? Yes, God is sovereign in the sense that He is all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing, but He is not all-controlling (and I covered this extensively in this podcast https://www.drlaurendeville.com/podcasts/why-bad-things-happen-from-a-biblical-perspective on why bad things happen, from a biblical perspective). God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; they did anyway. Was that God's will? Certainly not! He did everything He could to keep them from doing it, short of making them automatons, when He told them, don't do it. Likewise, any sovereign can set laws that his citizens may not necessarily obey. The US is a sovereign nation and in 1974 the administration set the "National Maximum Speed Law" of 55mph. But many drivers exceeded that speed limit daily. The New English Translation has the word “sovereign” appear more than any other biblical translation (368 times). Not one of the original Hebrew or Greek words connotes the idea that He controls everything that happens. Most of the time, "sovereign" is just the way they render God’s names. The word sovereign is often translated from Shaddai (meaning Almighty) when it’s part of God’s name (48 times in the OT). Other times it’s translated from ‘elohiym: supreme God, as a superlative, or ‘elyown, meaning High or Most High. Sometimes it's thrown in as part of the transition of ‘Adonay: an emphatic form of the Lord. Sometimes it's translated from tsaba’, also translated the Lord of Hosts, meaning one who commands an army. In some cases the word sovereign is used to describe God's characteristics, but in context, it doesn't mean what we typically mean by the word (that His will always happens). The NET version of 1 Chronicles 29:11 says, "O LORD, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all." Only this translation uses the word sovereign; the others , translate it Head. This word connotes the idea of a supreme ruler, but not of one who always gets His way. Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield (magen: shield, buckler, protector).” The same verse is translated in NET: "For the LORD God is our sovereign protector." Clearly the word magen does not indicate that He always gets His way, either. Sovereign power is also translated as holiness from qadash: "to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate." This word is used in Ezekiel 28:25: "'This is what the sovereign LORD says: When I regather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are dispersed, I will reveal my sovereign power (or holiness) over them in the sight of the nations, and they will live in their land that I gave to my servant Jacob." It doesn't mean supreme dictator there either. Micah 5:4 says, "He will assume his post and shepherd the people by the LORD's strength, by the sovereign authority of the LORD his God. They will live securely, for at that time he will be honored even in the distant regions of the earth.” Sovereign authority here is the words ga'own (exaltation, majesty, pride) shem (name, reputation, fame, glory): thus, it's better translated “in the majesty of the name” of the Lord. Not a supreme dictator there either. Habakkuk 2:14 says, "For recognition of the LORD's sovereign majesty will fill the earth just as the waters fill up the sea." Sovereign majesty here is yada (to know, to perceive, to make known) kabowd (glory, honour, glorious, abundance), also translated “for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.” Still not indicating ultimate control over everything that happens. Of course God's will does not always come to pass. As I mentioned earlier, the classic example of this is 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance,” and 1 Timothy 2:4: “[He] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Matthew 18:14 also says, “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world, not just those who are saved. 1 John 2:2 says, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world”, and 1 Tim 4:10 says, "That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” This doesn't sound like a God who created anyone for the expressed purpose of eternal damnation to me. On the contrary, He did everything He could possibly do to save us all, short of making us automatons. But not everybody will be saved, because He doesn't force us to choose Him--nor does He make any of our other decisions for us, either. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." God wills it; He paid an enormous price for it; but He won't get all of us, because we get a choice. There are other verses that imply the concept of sovereignty as we typically define it (in the sense that when God decides to do something, He does it, and no one can stop Him). Here are a few of those verses: Job 42:2: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Isaiah 46:10: “I declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” Romans 8:28: “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” (i.e. He can use bad and work it for good.) But these verses refers to God’s right and His power -- they say nothing about voluntary restrictions that God has placed upon His own power. Those limitations are defined by the covenants God had in place with mankind at various points in history. Once He gives His word that He will do this and not that, He cannot violate it--He exalts His word even above His name (Psalm 138:2). It's the integrity of His word that literally holds the universe together (Hebrews 1:3). Again, more on this in this podcast: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/podcasts/why-bad-things-happen-from-a-biblical-perspective and extensively more in "Blood Covenant Origins" and "Blood Covenant Fulfilled" from this book series: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/books/biblical-retellings). A quick overview, though: since God gave the earth to man in the garden, and man decided to obey Satan, God had to find a legal entry to get back in. That was the purpose of the covenants—first the Adamic, then the Noahic, then the Abrahamic, then the Mosaic, and now finally, the New Covenant. In the middle three there were stipulations of what we had to do, and therefore what God would do for us, if we kept up our end. But there were provisions for blessings even in those. For instance, a common Old Testament example I've heard preached to back up the idea that we never know what God's going to do, but we should have faith in Him anyway, is Daniel 3:18. Here's how that verse is preached: "If you throw us into the fiery furnace, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not save us, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Except that's not what that verse actually says. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego, the Hebrew kids in Babylonian exile in that story, were under the Mosaic covenant, and they were on the right side of it--so they had a right to the blessings (Deut 28:7), and they knew it. They knew God’s promises. That’s why they were able to stand up to the king—just like David could call Goliath that “uncircumcised Philistine,” absolutely convinced of the outcome, because he had a covenant, and Goliath didn’t. In the story in Daniel, what the verse actually says is, “If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” The Jewish captives respond saying, “If that is the case” (implying, if you will throw us in to the furnace, the subject of the previous verse). Then they say, “But if not”—and the Hebrew never qualifies if not what. People tend to assume they are saying “but if God doesn’t deliver us” (the end of the previous thought). But it could just as easily have meant, “If it is not the case that you will throw us into the fiery furnace,” just like it did in previous verse. This would change the entire meaning of the verse, and would be far more consistent with the rest of scripture. I can think of no instances anywhere in scripture where someone put faith in God’s covenant promises, and God did not come through. He can’t not come through—because again, He exalts His word above His very name (Ps 138:2)! In the New Covenant, Jesus paid to make sure we are always on the blessing side, having fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf, and become the curse for us (Gal 3:13). Because of that, every single promise is now Yes and Amen in Him (2 Cor 1:20). When Christ saved us, the word in Greek is sozo—that word appears 110 times in the New Testament. It includes spiritual salvation, but it also means physical healing, to rescue from physical danger, and to deliver from the penalties of judgment. All of these things are accessed by faith. Scripture doesn’t say that sometimes God says no to physical healing; on the contrary, every time someone came to Jesus for healing, they got it—and He was the exact image of the Father (Col 1:15), doing nothing but what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). He turned no one away, saying, “Nope, this one is God’s will for you, to bring glory to Himself.” What brings God glory is healing, not sickness (John 9:1-4), and the “fruit” of answered prayers (John 15:7-8). It’s the blessings of God on our lives that are supposed to get the attention of the world around us. So back to the issue of praying for miracles. The theological position of most Christian denominations is that God can do anything, but there’s no guarantees that He will. Because of course, we can look around and see so many good Christians (some of the best!) who pray, and don’t seem to receive. What are we to do with that? Shouldn’t we adjust our theology to account for all of these practical examples… no matter what the Bible actually says? My dad died of cancer when he was 48 years old. We had lots of people praying. I had several well-meaning believers after the fact try to console me with the idea that God “allowed” this to happen for some inscrutable reason of His own… maybe someone might come to the Lord as a result of our loss, someone suggested. (What actually happened was that I became a religious Pharisee for about 10 years, going through the motions, but I didn’t trust God at all. I figured, based on that theology, that God was like an army general who made sacrifices for the greater good, and sometimes—sorry!—it’s you. The effect on the rest of my family's faith and outlook on the world was similar to mine, or worse.) All of that is predictable in hindsight, because cancer and death are the fingerprints of the Enemy, not of God. The Enemy comes to “steal, kill, and destroy”—Jesus came that we might “have life, and have it more abundantly.” It’s very clear who does what. But the vast majority of the body of Christ today preaches this confused theology, attributing horrific things to God under the strange explanation that because God’s ways are higher than our ways, somehow from His perspective, bad is good, and wrong is right, and once we all get to heaven, we’ll understand. (No wonder I didn’t trust God anymore when I believed this. How could I trust a God like that?) I get why the Church at large preaches this—they’re trying to make the Bible fit our experience. God's supreme sovereignty is a nice, spiritual-sounding explanation which borrows from the long Calvinistic tradition, even if we don't take it quite to that extreme (though some denominations still do even that). But what finally set me free was when I realized that God’s definition of good and mine are actually the same. That my dad’s death at such a young age was never His will. That how God dealt with mankind at various times in history was dependent upon the covenants in place at the time--and today, we're under the best covenant of all, the one where all the curses for disobedience are paid for in full, and all that's left is the blessing, which we can receive by faith. Here's what that doesn't mean: it doesn't mean that faith is a new form of works, that God now watches to see if we reach the critical threshold of faith before He doles out our miracle... and if we don't quite get there, ah, too bad, try harder next time. No! He's not responding in real time to our faith at all, deciding which requests to grant and which to refuse. God already provided every blessing in spiritual form in Christ’s atonement, 2000 years ago (Gal 1:3, Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24). We receive all of those blessings now the same way we receive salvation: by faith. It's "in your account" already, as it were, just waiting for you to make a withdrawal--just like salvation is freely available, waiting for you to accept it. But God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He doesn’t sovereignly say yes to one person and no to another for things that we know are in His will—if we know that we’re asking for something already in His explicit will, He hears us, and if we know that He hears us, we know we already have the requests made of Him (1 John 5:14-15). (That is the key, though--we can only have faith that we'll receive things that were already paid for in the atonement of Jesus. We can ask God for other things outside of that, but in those cases, God might say yes, or He might say no, for our own good--James 4:3. So it's quite useful to know scripture, so you can know for sure what you can stand on!) Back to my dad, and so many others besides. At that time, my family didn’t know any of this. We thought, we should pray, we should ask, and maybe God will say yes and maybe He will say no. But that’s not faith—that’s hope. And God didn’t say no—He said yes, 2000 years ago! Jesus paid an incredibly high price for God to say yes. Jesus also gave us the formula of how to receive in Mark 11:23-24: believe, and don’t doubt. If you do that, it’s as good as done. Unopposed faith (without doubt, James 1:6-8) is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). It’s cruel to tell people that they didn’t receive their miracle because they didn’t believe hard enough, or pray long enough, though. But the solution to that isn’t to blame God’s “sovereignty” instead! (That’s how people lose their faith—who wants to serve a God whom they believe “allowed” the Holocaust, or 9-11, or child trafficking, or etc to happen?) Rather, the solution is to understand that we’re in a war, and that Satan is seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). While he’s a defeated foe ever since the cross (Col 2:15), and we now have authority over him through Jesus (Matt 28:18, Eph 1:17-19), most of us don’t know it. We don’t know that, with the authority we now have, Satan’s only weapon against believers now is deception and fear (2 Cor 10:3-5)—and of course anything he can indirectly control against us that is part of the fallen world. But Jesus has already overcome the world on our behalf (John 16:33). And understanding God’s perfect love for us casts out fear (James 4:18). Because if He loves us enough to send Jesus, how will He not also freely give us all things (Romans 8:32)? But most of us are so focused on what we see, on the things this world says, that a cancer diagnosis, for example (or any other terminal doctor’s report, or insurmountable financial problem, etc), strikes fear into our hearts. Whatever we focus on, we magnify—and if we’re in a church that tells us maybe God will come through and maybe He won’t (for things that He’s explicitly promised in His word), then we’re standing on shifting sand. It’s hard enough to deal with our own doubt and unbelief, without being surrounded by the doubt and unbelief of others. But absolute trust God’s word—even if it means isolating ourselves from well-meaning believers who might cause us to doubt—is the only way. Jesus on numerous occasions got away from the crowds or put everyone out of the house except for his few top disciples before he performed a miracle. Abraham received because he did not consider anything except God’s promises (Romans 4:19). He didn’t have a contingency plan (or at least he didn’t anymore after the whole Ishmael thing was out of the way). Because he didn’t consider any of the natural circumstances, he didn’t waver in his faith. In the same way, today, our lack of fear of Satan’s schemes is proof to him that we’re going to win (Phil 1:28)—and if we stand firm (Eph 6:13-14) and resist the devil, sooner or later, he has to flee (James 4:7). We’ll win, if we don’t quit. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to the Christian Bible Study Ministry Podcast, where we explore the profound concept of value through the lens of faith. In this episode, we delve into the biblical teachings that emphasize our intrinsic worth in the eyes of God, regardless of our past actions or current circumstances. Through insightful discussions and scriptural references, including John 3:14-16, we are reminded of the everlasting love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which bestows eternal value upon each one of us. We reflect on historical figures like King David, Zacchaeus, Peter, and Ishmael, examining their stories to unveil the divine value and purpose instilled in every individual. Whether facing personal struggles, self-doubt, or societal judgments, listeners are encouraged to embrace the objective truth of God's love and mercy. Amidst the tragedies affecting communities today, prayers and hope are extended to those in distress, highlighting the need for compassion and support. Join us in understanding the unmitigated facts of God's love and how they assure us of our undeniable worth in His eyes.

What can you tell me about Ishmael? Why are people so excited about the Latin Mass? and more on today's Open Line Wednesday with Fr. Mitch Pacwa.

What can you tell me about Ishmael? Why are people so excited about the Latin Mass? and more on today's Open Line Wednesday with Fr. Mitch Pacwa.

Sunday, July 6, 2025Genesis // Week 6Enjoy this message as Nate speaks on our struggle with rushing God and what our impatience often costs us.

She was useful until she was not. She was a victim of abuse and mistreatment. She was an abandoned outsider of God's covenant people. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Kaleb Beyer and Matt Kaufmann linger on Hagar's story. At her most desperate moment, God loves her really well. So struck by the encounter, Hagar names God Elroi, the God who sees me.  Show notes:  In her desperation, God finds Hagar abandoned to the wilderness.  He calls her by name - “Hagar.”  Even though her name meant “stranger”, his use of it meant she was not a stranger to him. In fact, she was known, not by association, but on her own terms.  He asks her questions - “Where did you come from and where are you going?”  Even though he knew these answers already, he gets her talking. God is a God who listens.  He gives her a promise - “I will make a mighty nation out of your son.”  Even though Ishmael's lineage would rival Isaac's, he is a God of blessing. 

Get the free eBook – Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship: https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/   Today's episode will help us understand the importance of consistent, intentional time with our kids and how to model repentance and discipleship in everyday life. Join Discipleship.org at one of our fall events: https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/   The Deeper Walk Experience | Franklin, TN | Aug. 15-16, 2025: https://deeperwalk.com/sp/dw-experience-franklin/  Discipling Men | Dallas, TX | Sept. 11, 2025: https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/dallas-2025-regional/   The Discipleship Gospel | Oceanside, CA | Oct. 9, 2025: https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/2025-west-coast-conference/   Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/  Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr  The Importance of Discipling Our Children | Disciple Makers Podcast In this episode of the Disciple Makers Podcast, hosts Josh Howard, Jason, and Ishmael dive into the crucial topic of discipling our children. They explore the significance of intentionality in parenting and how quality time equates to quantity time. The hosts share practical steps, such as setting up standing stones to remind children of God's works, as well as personal experiences and methods they use to disciple their own kids. They emphasize the importance of loving your spouse and confessing mistakes as key principles of discipleship. The episode concludes with an encouraging reminder that we are not alone in this journey—Jesus and the Holy Spirit are with us, helping us every step of the way. Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/   Key Takeaways  00:00 Introduction and Banter 00:53 Discipling Our Kids 02:56 The Importance of Intentionality 06:08 Loving Our Spouses Well 08:17 Confession and Repentance in Parenting 12:02 Making Up for Lost Time 13:18 Practical Tips for Intentional Parenting 18:44 Intentional Family Time 19:07 The Challenge of Consistency 19:59 Memorizing Scripture with Kids 20:56 The Importance of Saying Yes 25:08 Encouragement for Parents 26:10 Teaching Life Skills and Faith 28:49 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Parenting 30:58 Resources for Family Discipleship Check out our Blogs: https://discipleship.org/blog/   Join us for our 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/   See Below for a longer description: So, spending consistent quality time with your kids matters a lot. I take my kids out, one-on-one, every week. It doesn't have to be anything fancy—sometimes, it's just ice cream or a car wash run with my daughter. Over time, these moments build strong relationships and make way for deeper conversations. Plus, we try to do family devotions and prayer time before bed. We're not perfect, but it's a constant effort. Absolutely. It's crucial to prioritize your kids and give them the best of you, not just what's left. Simple activities, like watching a favorite show together, can mean a lot. The key is to be present and make the most of these moments. Right. And it's never too late to start. Even if you've missed opportunities before, you can always begin now. Whether it's with your own kids, grandkids, or kids at church, just be intentional. God's grace covers it all, and He's more than willing to help us on this journey.

Title: What About Ishmael? Passage: Genesis 21:8-21 What is Right and What is Wrong What This Meant for the Future What This Means for Us

Hearts That Expand: Learning Compassion from Abraham and Jesus Today's readings focus on two powerful biblical stories . . . . . . the first from the life of Abraham, Sarah, and Ishmael, and the second from the Gospel account of Jesus healing two possessed men. In the first story, Sarah's jealousy over Hagar and Ishmael leads her to demand their banishment, despite Ishmael being Abraham's son. Abraham, torn but obedient, sends them away with provisions. God intervenes with care and promise, ensuring Ishmael's survival and future as a great nation—reminding us that Abraham is the spiritual ancestor of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The Gospel story presents a stark contrast: Jesus heals two tormented men, but the local people focus on the loss of their pigs rather than the miracle of healing. They reject Jesus, displaying closed hearts and misplaced priorities. The Homily ends by urging listeners to choose which example to follow: Abraham's compassionate, open heart or the villagers' closed-off indifference. We are invited to let our hearts expand through the grace of God, even when it's difficult, and to strive to love, help, and care for others like Abraham and Jesus did. Listen more to this Meditation Media. Listen to Hearts That Expand: Learning Compassion from Abraham and Jesus ----------------------------------------------------------------- Quote From The Homily And so, then there's us, and we have choices to make. We can become more and more like Abraham or more and more like those people in the town, more and more where our hearts are touched. By the suffering, by the needs, by the hopes and dreams of so many people that we do whatever we can to show tender care, to help to pray, or we close off, we build walls. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Abraham Dismissing Hagar and Ishmael: Dutch Artist: Nicolaes Maes, 1653 One of the artist's earliest works. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 8: 28-34 First Reading: Genesis 21: 5, 8-20

Hour 3 Patrick answers a range of questions regarding adoration in a house, a worry that baptism may not be valid. Also a caller shared her story regarding abortion and another caller thanked Patrick after helping him pray after his mom died from suicide. Linda-We should talk about men as the responsible party for abortions. I think we need to talk about that. (1:16) Cindy-Sister was invited to adoration in someone's house in Mexico. Could adoration be in a house. I thought only in Church? (7:55) Mary-I did the annulment process and it was really good. (18:13) Scott-My mom died from Suicide and I wanted to thank you for your insights about being able to pray for people after things have happened. It was very helpful. (20:36) Bob-Loved your explanation of whether a lady was going to hell - this helped (23:50) Ben-I struggle with 'what if' questions around validly receiving the sacraments? What if my baptism isn't valid? What if I don’t have a valid confession. Can you help me with this? (27:14) Nico-If Pope Leo's actual name was Leo, could he have still chosen that name when he became Pope? (36:19) Manuel (Email)-I’m considering a Sexaholics Anonymous session, but nearest one is in a Methodist place. Is that okay to go there? (37:48) Teresa-Do men receive excommunication for abortion (42:01) Esmeralda-Why did Abraham kick out Ishmael and Hagar? Did God agree to that? (44:34) Dennis-What is your take on 'God is not angry' Billboard? (47:01) John-Does a diocese do a background check to make sure a priest is valid? (48:58)

07.02.2025 | The Coming Ezekiel War | Part 1: The Ancient Hatred | Pastor Jeff Wickwire Have you ever wondered where the roots of modern-day conflicts really lie? In his powerful sermon, Pastor Jeff Wickwire takes us on a journey back to the Biblical story of Abraham and the covenant that God established, revealing startling insights into the ancient origins of today’s Middle Eastern tensions. By exploring the story of Abraham, his two sons Isaac and Ishmael, and the relational dynamics that led to deep-seated animosities, Pastor Jeff underscores the significance of God's sovereign plan and perfect timing in our lives. He connects these Biblical truths to current events, reminding us that the strife between Jews and Arabs is not just a political issue, but a spiritual one born from rejection, resentment, and prophecy. Through vivid storytelling, Pastor Jeff encourages us to understand our place in God’s grand narrative amidst an increasingly chaotic world. This message is an urgent call for believers to recognize the times we live in and to ground ourselves in Scripture. As we face the complexities of today, please consider joining us to delve deeper into understanding God’s truth and His prophetic word. Don't miss out on this eye-opening sermon—watch or listen now!

In this powerful message, Pastor Marcus Mecum dives into Genesis 21:1-14 and reminds us that our mistakes don't have to define our future. Abraham made a mistake when he tried to force God's promise on his own terms, but God still kept His word.Your miracle and your mistake can't live under the same roof. At some point, you have to decide which one you're going to feed.

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comRomans 9 God is almighty in His plan to save. Salvation is not the result of human effort but God's mercy and purpose. Paul begins by expressing deep sorrow for Israel's rejection of Christ despite their unique privileges as God's chosen people. He explains that God's promises have not failed, as true Israel is defined not by ethnicity but by faith in God's promises. Examples like Jacob and Esau highlight that God's choices depend on His mercy, and He has the right to extend mercy wherever He chooses. God has every right to shape His plan like a potter molding clay. He chose to bring Christ through the Jewish people and to extend salvation to Gentiles. These decisions are uniquely His to make. Salvation is open to everyone through faith in Christ. Christians trust in God's authority and embrace His will, even when His ways are beyond our understanding. His choice is to bless “children of the promise,” meaning those who pursue faith in the likeness of Abraham. God's choices regarding mercy are not always easy to comprehend, like choosing Jacob over Esau or hardening Pharaoh's heart. We have no right to find fault with God's decisions concerning Jews, Gentiles, or anyone else. We simply need to trust Him. We know there are “vessels of mercy” who are blessed by God, and that we can be among those people if we honor His sovereign power and achieve righteousness through faith in Jesus. Those who do so faithfully will never be disappointed.  Sovereign God, we praise You for Your mercy, which cannot be earned by our works but is given freely through Your kindness in Your Son. Your ways, from the beginning, are higher than ours. Your merciful choices, actions in the lives of people, and divine will are beyond anything we can fully understand or control. Lord, we choose to trust You. Your ways are good, and Your help is abundant for those who place their faith in Jesus. May His authority never become a stumbling block for us but serve as the unbreakable foundation upon which we build our lives.  Thought Questions: -       Paul sincerely laments the faithlessness of the Jews. Do you feel likewise about people in your life, and how do you deal with that sorrow? -       What do the examples of God choosing Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau teach you about His sovereignty and will? -       The Jews pursued righteousness by works instead of faith and did not achieve it. What would that mistake look like in your life?

Joseph brings his sons to the dying Jacob for a blessing, carefully positioning Manasseh, the firstborn, at Jacob's right hand. But Jacob crosses his hands, placing his right hand on younger Ephraim's head. When Joseph tries to correct this apparent mistake, Jacob refuses: "I know, my son, I know." This deliberate reversal echoes throughout Genesis—Abel over Cain, Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau—God consistently choosing the younger, the weaker, the unexpected. Jacob adopts Joseph's sons as his own, granting them full tribal status in Israel. The crossed hands of blessing point forward to another wooden cross where all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen."  The Rev. Dr. Matthew Tassey, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Shawnee, OK, joins guest-host Rev. David Boisclair of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO to study Genesis 48.  To learn more about Redeemer Lutheran, visit redeemershawnee.org. Genesis isn't just the start of the Bible; it's the foundation of everything. Creation, sin, judgment, grace, covenant, and promise all take root in this remarkable book. The stories are ancient, but their truths are eternal. In this new series from Thy Strong Word, Pastor Phil Booe and his guests walk verse by verse through Genesis, exploring how God reveals Himself as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer. From the grandeur of the cosmos to the struggles of ordinary families, Genesis introduces us to a God who speaks, acts, and keeps His promises. So, whether you've read it a hundred times or are just now cracking it open for a serious look, this series will help you see Genesis with fresh eyes—and a deeper faith. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Real Life This week, real life got weird, itchy, nostalgic, and just slightly chaotic. Ben celebrated a birthday by dragging his family through a hike in tick-infested grass. Friendly reminder: Don't go into the long grass. We've seen Jurassic Park, we know how this ends. Devon may or may not be living in Foreverware straight out of Eerie, Indiana. Start checking those Tupperware lids, folks. Steven escaped a house overrun with cousins the only way he knows how: board game store therapy. Here's what we're playing: Burnout Paradise Remastered is only $5 on Steam right now and it still rules. Devon showed us how to pull off some in-game stunts. Sadly, not applicable to real life. Steven got cozy with Harmonies, a gorgeous little nature-builder where you balance habitats and critters. Ben brought in Infinite Board Game (Piecepack)—a modular system that spawned classics like Worm Derby and 9 Ball. Steven also shouted out Tak (playable with Piecepack!) and unboxed his shiny new copy of Slugblaster. Future or Now We talk a lot about the future, but this week, the past clawed its way back into the conversation. Ben shared a killer quote from Ray Bradbury: “I'm warning you now, so you don't have to pay a psychiatrist 20 years from now…” It came from a great piece of writing advice for screenwriters, poets, novelists—anyone with a keyboard. TLDR: read other stuff, write other stuff. Don't get boxed in. Read the whole post here. Devon brought space horror to the table: a NASA satellite that's been dead for 57 years just pinged Earth out of nowhere.  Read more Steven dove into the fungal unknown: scientists have turned Aspergillus flavus—yes, the tomb fungus found in places like King Tut's burial site—into a potential treatment for leukemia. Cursed no more. Science article here Book Club We're still steeped in the gentle robot comfort of Becky Chambers' A Psalm for the Wild-Built. This week, we covered: Audible Chapters 6–8 Book Chapters 4–6: An Object, and an Animal Remnants Grass Hen with Wilted Greens and Caramelized Onion (legit sounds delicious) Next week: Book Chapters 7 & 8 (The Wild, The Summer Bear) Audible Chapters 9–10 Bonus recommendation: Devon says you should read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, if you want philosophy, talking apes, and big “what's-wrong-with-the-world” energy.

Ishmael Quiroz reflects on Belize's record-breaking tourism year, explains how BELTRAIDE's programs support local businesses, and shares why sectors like BPOs are outpacing tourism in attracting talent. He also discusses what it would take to industrialize around tourism—and why packaging, branding, and policy reform matter more than we think. Belize Tourism Futures S2E4 | Presented by BELTRAIDE

Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 (Hagar bore Abram a son, who called his name, Ishmael)

Join us as CityLight’s own Pastor Mo delivers a powerful, practical, and hilarious message on stewarding a prophetic word.  What do you do when God’s promise doesn’t match what you see in front of you?  Instead of relying on our own strength or rushing ahead of God’s timing, Pastor Mo teaches how to walk in wisdom, hold on to hope, and persevere until the Lord’s word is fulfilled. We don’t want to create an Ishmael—a human attempt at a divine promise—and the guardrails Pastor Mo offers will help you stay aligned with God’s purpose.(00:00) The Day After Pill of Prophecy(09:03) Properly Stewarding Prophetic Words(15:25) Navigating Prophetic Words With Wisdom(23:53) Navigating Prophecy Through Life and Time(32:49) Navigating Prophetic Words Through Doubt(44:22) Appropriating God's Promises Through Faith(01:01:03) Connecting Through City Light Church Podcastwww.citylightnyc.com

06-22-25 | Abraham: Hagar and Ishmael by Plainfield Christian Church

"The holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ishmael, Persians by race and brethren according to the flesh, were sent by the Persian King as ambassadors to Julian the Apostate to negotiate a peace treaty. While with him at a place near Chalcedon, they refused to join him in offering sacrifice to his idols. Scorning the immunity universally accorded ambassadors, he had them slain in the year 362. This was a cause of the war with Persia in which Julian perished miserably the following year." (Great Horologion)

Dear Jesus your cousins and them are trippin' Iran's leadership needs to negotiate about what? This is on Esau and Ishmael's generational supernatural git back stand back the commonality, we all worship a vengeful God. This past Saturday, I watched Pope Leo's message of hope. The calm #NoKings rally were not about social unrest, more of reset and awareness. I had fun creating a viral reels in celebration of #Obama Appreciation Day.  Matriarch is giving parents the goal of nurturing talent...Matthew Knowles trash husband great father and manager... Week 5 of the Diddy Trial is Triggering. RHOA Recap, Some are still performing Drew (with your phone screensaver as yourself, girl....) and seeing more reality on YouTube than on the show, now the dynamics and interactions make more sense. Contact Us on: https://linktr.ee/tnfroisreading Blue Sky: @tvfoodwinegirl.bsky.social Threads: www.threads.net/@tnfroisreading Instagram: @tnfroisreading Facebook: TNFroIsReading Bookclub   You know your girl is on her hustle, support the show by navigating to: Dale's Angel's Store...For Merch Promo Code: tnfro Writer's Block Coffee Ship A Bag of Dicks Promo Code: tnfrogotjokes Don't forget to drop me a line at tnfroisreading@gmail.com, leave a comment on the show, or suggest additions for Far From Beale St.

Read Genesis 17:1-26, especially verse 17; Genesis 18:1-15, especially verses 10-13When Paul rehearses the theological significance of God's dealing with Abraham and Sarah's, he presents a picture of faith, and rightly so, but seemingly without much struggle and no mention of their laughter (See Romans 4:1-25, especially verses 18-25). Not only did Abraham and Sarah laugh at God's seemingly ridiculous proposal, but they lived an imperfect life, in spite of the fact that all along the way God spoke to them directly. But, there were long times of silence when their lack of understanding and faith manifested in their actions, examples: lying to Pharaoh when they lived in Egypt during a famine about Sarah not being his wife; a similar episode with King Abimilek lying again with Sarah not being his wife (20:1-18); Abraham''s relationship with Hagar had produced Ishmael, but God insisted that Sarah, not anyone else, would produce the miracle Son of Promise (16:1-16). Abraham and Sarah were not so perfect as Paul describes in Romans 4:18-25, note especially verses 19-20 “... yet he and she did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, what? In the passage in Genesis clearly presents a more realistic human picture of them. The major challenges to their faith was their time waiting and their ages: Abraham was 99(17:24) and Sarah way passed child bearing age (Romans 4:18-19 “...Her womb was dead.”) But from God's point of view and ability He reiterated that he and Sarah must be the parents. At this he fell face down and laughed, “but to himself” (Sarah was close to 90 years of age!) But, God knew they laughed, see also 18:17, even though they thought they were hiding it from God. But, nothing can be hidden from our God, so better to be honest. And even though they lied, God remained faithful, because He realized that they were only human. But, I don't think that their laughter was a sin of disrespect but a sort of nervous laughter overwhelmed by the promise!Finally sometimes in certain difficult to believe situations we need divine hope: Paul suggests in Romans 4:18, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” This idea may be connected to one of Paul's gifts of the Spirit: the gift of faith (1 Corinthians 12:9 a special impartation of faith, beyond saving faith, to empower to remain hopeful for the miracle promised to happen. This is what I think Abraham, Paul and others received and although remaining imperfect, God brought these promises to pass.Re-read Romans 4:18; Hebrews 10:23-25; Philippians 1:6

Hello everyone! This is a collaboration episode with Chestnut Conversations about the new M Theory West in Chaska, MN with Ishmael, Efim, Dan, and Drew. They open up shop this coming Monday, June 16th! www.mtheorywest.com and @mtheorywest

God's answers to today's conflicts. Insight to #Israel Can you trust a peace deal?The Voice in the Wilderness does not endorse any link or other material found at buzzsprout.More at https://www.thevoiceinthewilderness.org/

Brune and Ishmael are joined by Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports to discuss the landscape of Texas college basketball in Texas, from SMU, Baylor, Houston, Texas and more. SPONSORED BY BALLOGY: Ballogy gives real data on player development, saves you time, and ensures your players are training the right way. With verified skill assessments, AI-driven training, and direct recruiting connections, it levels the playing field for every athlete, no matter where they're from. If you're serious about player development and accountability, why not try Ballogy. Join thousands of teams, coaches, and organizations already using Ballogy to elevate their game. Download the Ballogy app for Free today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Hagar and her son, Ishmael, are kicked out of Abraham's quarters, they begin to lose faith that God is with them. But it's under a bush in the desert of Beersheba where they encounter God's provision and grace. We are praying for you!

Brune and Ishmael are joined by Melissa Triebwasser to talk about TCU WBB's reloaded roster, Mark Campbell's incredible turnaround, and more! SPONSORED BY BALLOGY: Ballogy gives real data on player development, saves you time, and ensures your players are training the right way. With verified skill assessments, AI-driven training, and direct recruiting connections, it levels the playing field for every athlete, no matter where they're from. If you're serious about player development and accountability, why not try Ballogy. Join thousands of teams, coaches, and organizations already using Ballogy to elevate their game. Download the Ballogy app for Free today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Water in The Rock, or The Rock in the Water? This newletter is lengthy, so let it serve for two Shabbats. There will be no newsletter next week due to visiting Jacob's Tent services Up to the Mountain. In the last several newsletters, we've taken a close look at the many prophecies embodied in Yeshua's walk on the water of the Galilee in Matthew Fourteen. How different was Yeshua's perception of the walk than Peter and the other disciples'! For the one who was the water in the Rock…and the Rock…in the wilderness for the Israelites, it was no problem to also be the Rock in the water to his students. “He alone spreads out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea…” (Job 9:8) Sometimes it helps to put the Gospel of Matthew back into its original Hebrew text. While no one is certain of where that text might be (only fragments are known to survive), there is a version whose provenance can only be traced so far back in Jewish history, yet it is quite accurate considering it was used by a less-than-friendly readership. It is the Shem Tov's Evan Bohan version from the Fourteenth Century. The differences between the Hebrew and Greek texts are not drastic. To Yeshua, the stroll on the Galilee during the storm was perceived much differently than his students, who perceived it as dangerous, chaotic, and "contrary." In the Hebrew Matthew version, the word for contrary is neged, or opposing, opposite. Neged has a good side, too, for Adam's wife Chavah was his ezer kenegdo, or “helper opposite him,” which brings balance. When opposition is a helper, it is because in spite of the opposition, the overall purpose is to achieve unity walking in the Word. The opposite helper pulls the weight of the yoke beside the other, ensuring the burden does not get dragged in endless circles, but can go straight. For example, grace and truth are not opposed to one another. One cannot be practiced at the expense of the other. In Yeshua, they work together. Sarah wasn't such a good helper when she suggested Hagar as a solution to their problem, but she was a good helper when she advised Abraham to send away Ishmael, who had not internalized the righteousness of his father and threatened the inheritance of Isaac. The disciples did not see the waves of the storm as their ezer kenegdo, or helping opposition, but as a destructive force. They were just rowing in circles in the middle of the Galilee, taking on water. Galilee does indeed imply circles in Hebrew, like a roll or spool, and a wave is a gal, pronounced gahl (not to be confused with other gals). This is perhaps what it has in common with the “circle of the earth,” and why from Isaiah's prophecy, Galilee came to be called “Galilee of the Nations.” In Jewish tradition, Moses hid the Rock that followed them in the wilderness in the bottom of the Galilee before he died, which explains why Yeshua would have made his early home near the Galilee and begun his ministry there. The Rock was both the water in the Rock, the Rock, and the Rock in the water. It also explains how Yeshua's ministry prepared the way for the nations to hear the Gospel message from his disciples: “But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” (Is 9:1-2) As the region of the Galilee represented the Gentile nations in the time from Isaiah to Yeshua's ministry, so the disciples were dispersed to proclaim the Light of the Word Yeshua to the scattered of Israel as well as the Gentiles who dwelled among the raging waves of tormenting wickedness. Even as we are rescued, we are tested of the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit,

Owner's Share Episode 30 Book 6 in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series In the conclusion, Ishmael and the crew meet Kurt and discover who pulled the strings on their adventure. As the story closes, Ishmael looks forward to a new beginning. Chapters 77-81 of Owner's Share, the sixth book in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series. Written, Narrated, and Produced by Nathan Lowell Distributed by Scribl To support the author, and for more quality ebooks and audiobooks without commercials, please visit scribl.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learning from Hagar's experience after she and Ishmael were disowned by Abraham and Sarah; three essential keys for bouncing back from a bad situation; based on Gen. 21:8-21(included in the series Life Is A Trip!) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29

Learning from Hagar's experience after she and Ishmael were disowned by Abraham and Sarah; three essential keys for bouncing back from a bad situation; based on Gen. 21:8-21(included in the series Life Is A Trip!) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29

Brune and Ishmael discuss the major new of Milos Uzan withdrawing from the NBA Draft and returning to Houston! Plus the fallout of Pop Isaacs moving on to Texas A&M. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The history of archery goes back to the beginning of time. It was first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, when it mentioned that Ishmael became an archer. With that first mention of archery, 6000 years ago, the story began.   Today we will learn about the history of modern day bowhunting in North America.  From one man with a passion to shoot bows came a worldwide hunting craze today. Archery gear has evolved from a stick and string to a mechanical wonder today.

Owner's Share Episode 28 Book 6 in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series Ms Maloney recieves a summons. An extended layover in Greenfields gives Ishmael a chance to do some cargo analysis and check the ship. When tragedy strikes, the stay becomes somewhat longer than expected. Chapters 69-73 of Owner's Share, the sixth book in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series. Written, Narrated, and Produced by Nathan Lowell Distributed by Scribl To support the author, and for more quality ebooks and audiobooks without commercials, please visit scribl.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Owner's Share Episode 27 Book 6 in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series After getting some advice from William Simpson, Ishmael returns to the ship to find a face from his past. Negotiations yield a new chief engineer and the Iris gets ready for space once more. Chapters 65-68 of Owner's Share, the sixth book in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series. Written, Narrated, and Produced by Nathan Lowell Distributed by Scribl To support the author, and for more quality ebooks and audiobooks without commercials, please visit scribl.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Faolan faces their past... and experiences that inexplicably differ from it. Ishmael attempts to survive the influence of the coven he betrayed. And Mitch walks side by side with Walter, toward a final reckoning with the Mnemophage. Music: Three Chain Links - Magic Hour Alexander Nakarada - The Lone Wolf Kevin MacLeod - Achaidh Cheide Kevin MacLeod - Alien Spaceship Atmosphere Free Dramatic Scores - Tales From the Asylum Inflammator - Genesis (Transportation) Xenojam - Angst Kai Engel - Seeker Three Chain Links - We Aren't Alone Here… Three Chain Links - He Walks Sergey Cheremisinov - Old Ally Kevin MacLeod - Giant Wyrm Taddart - The Legend of Anzar (Act 2) Jehf Jones - Cosmic Indifference and the Exquisite Horror of Existence Darren Curtis - The Witch's Lair Naoya Sakamata - Ghost Dominates Sergey Cheremisinov - Waltz -The Inevitability Sergey Cheremisinov - Mindship White Bat Audio - Crash Site ROZKOL - Faces to the Sky   Director's Note: The ORPHEUS Protocol is supported by our generous backers on Patreon: Visit http://www.patreon.com/orpheusprotocol for details. If you enjoy The ORPHEUS Protocol, please consider dropping us a review on iTunes. This is the best way for us to reach a broader audience. The ORPHEUS Protocol releases Monday, provided no community medical emergencies have taken Rob too much away from their desk. 

The Ancient Oriental Order of Ishmael surfaced in 1872, the transcription of Victorian-era Mason and esotericist Ken MacKenzie (the transcriber/author of the z-ciphers used in founding the Golden Dawn). Prominent Masons and esotericists of the era, including the likes of Robert Wentworth Little and William Wynn Westcott were members. Support the showwww.rockymountainmason.comwww.esotericmason.comSupport the show: https://patreon.com/rockymountainmason?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Owner's Share Episode 26 Book 6 in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series The ship takes a full load of passengers back to Diurnia. On arrival Ishmael starts taking action to regain control. Chapters 62-64 of Owner's Share, the sixth book in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series. Written, Narrated, and Produced by Nathan Lowell Distributed by Scribl To support the author, and for more quality ebooks and audiobooks without commercials, please visit scribl.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Owner's Share Episode 25 Book 6 in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series When the ship gets to Greenfields, a nosy newsy confronts Ishmael. Before the crew gets underway, Ishmael discovers a problem that threatens the ship and he's faced with a difficult decision. Chapters 59-61 of Owner's Share, the sixth book in the Trader's Tales From the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series. Written, Narrated, and Produced by Nathan Lowell Distributed by Scribl To support the author, and for more quality ebooks and audiobooks without commercials, please visit scribl.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us this Sunday as we welcome Bro. Ishmael Tetteh, a renowned African mystic and spiritual leader, to Heart and Soul Center of Light. With over 40 years of experience, Bro. Ishmael has empowered individuals across Africa, Europe, and the U.S. through his teachings on self-awareness and the natural laws of life. His message centers on the possibility of peace and the activation of one's divine purpose. Don't miss this opportunity to experience his transformative insights and embrace the path to inner harmony.VISIT OUR WEBSITE! https://www.heartsoulcenter.orgONLINE GROUP PRAYER is available via ZOOM 10 minutes after Sunday Service AND on Wednesday mornings at 07:00am Pacific Time: Meeting ID 729 205 089 or by phone: +1-669-900-6833PRAYER REQUESTS LINE - 24/7 Prayer Request. Call 510-607-7747 or email prayerandcare@heartsoulcenter.orgPRAYER PODCAST - Listen to podcasts of laser prayers to support every aspect of your life. - https://www.heartsoulcenter.org/power...SACRED SERVICE VOLUNTEERING - Please join us in Sacred Service; we absolutely need you! https://www.heartsoulcenter.org/sacre...SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL - Click the SUBSCRIBE button and ring the Notifications Bell so that you're automatically notified about new videos and live streams on our channel: / @heartandsoulcenteroflight VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE to stay in style with all the latest Heart and Soul wearable merch: http://heartsoulcenter.org/onlinestorePLEASE GIVE! We hope you will financially support Heart and Soul Center of Light's ongoing mission of being a loving and compassionate, world-class teaching and empowerment ministry. You can graciously give to Heart and Soul today by clicking the link below. We thank you in advance for your generosity and your support. https://www.heartsoulcenter.org/giving/ways-to-give/

Mitch and Walter cross paths once again. And as Ishmael and Faolan become conspicuous by their absence, Ishmael has a tense communion with his past. Music: Three Chain Links - Magic Hour Peter Rudenko - 5:00 AM ROZKOL - Faces to the Sky Sergey Cheremisinov - Old Ally Sergey Cheremisinov - Train Kai Engel - Beneath the Stronghold ROZKOL - Hoenikker DEgITx - Machine Paradigm Project Divinity - In Mist Shrouded DEgITx - Robotic Cycles Kai Engel - Warm of a Mechanical Heart Jason Shaw - Plantation Natus - Cure Ghost Stories Incorporated - Alone With Your Voices Alexander Nakarada - Fantasy Motion Darren Curtis - The Mystic Le Fay Dark Fantasy Studio - As if it Comes Kevin MacLeod - Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra Matty M - ChuggedyChug Riffing Sergey Cheremisinov - Waves Kai Engel - Avenge the Fallen Director's Note: The ORPHEUS Protocol is supported by our generous backers on Patreon: Visit http://www.patreon.com/orpheusprotocol for details. If you enjoy The ORPHEUS Protocol, please consider dropping us a review on iTunes. This is the best way for us to reach a broader audience. The ORPHEUS Protocol releases Monday, provided no community medical emergencies have taken Rob too much away from their desk. 

An expository sermon from Genesis 21:9-21 about Hagar and her son Ishmael.

The story of Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 21 powerfully demonstrates how there's more to the story than we so often think, feel or see. God hears our cries for help and cares to meet our needs. He is faithful to provide a well in what feels like a wilderness.          From May 11, 2025--Want to get connected to Coastway Church?Visit https://coastwaychurch.com/im-new--Find us online at:Website: https://coastwaychurch.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/coastwaychurchInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/coastwaychurch

Ishmael and Brune are joined by Matt Wilson from Between Two Bears Podcast to talk about Baylor MBB, the past season, the roster overhaul, and an in-depth look at each addition! Ballogy gives real data on player development, saves you time, and ensures your players are training the right way. With verified skill assessments, AI-driven training, and direct recruiting connections, it levels the playing field for every athlete, no matter where they're from. If you're serious about player development and accountability, why not try Ballogy. Join thousands of teams, coaches, and organizations already using Ballogy to elevate their game. Download the Ballogy app for Free today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discussing his new book, The Intimate Way of Zen, Nondual spiritualist James Ishmael Ford joins Raghu for an exploration of our relationship to all things. Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgThis time on Mindrolling, Raghu and James explore:James' upbringing and how his maternal grandmother was the spiritual orientation for his familyHaving an intimate relationship with all thingsThe goal of discovering what this life truly is Spiritual friendship which is deep, profound, and life-changing Unconditional love and considering our judgment of others Trying to see others as trees, as Ram Dass taught Combining Bhakti Yoga with the wisdom of Buddhism Flirting with nihilism, cynicism, and new-ageism Exploring the work of Carl Jung and James HillmanThe resurgence of psychedelics in today's culture The many paths and doorways into enlightenment Check out the books referenced in this episode: Zen at the End of Religion, If You're Lucky Your Heart Will Break, and of course, The Intimate Way of Zen. About James Ishmael Ford, Zen Buddhist Priest & Ordained Minister:James has walked the​ spiritual path for more than fifty years. He's danced with Sufis, studied with Christian mystics, lived in Buddhist monasteries, and eventually was ordained a Zen priest. Later, he was also ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister. James' path has taken him to a life "between" several traditions, bringing him into a nondual spirituality. Trying to unpack what that actually means in his life, and with a tip of the hat to Erasmus, James claims a physiology of faith; a Buddhist brain, a Christian heart, and a rationalist stomach. You can learn more about James on his website and keep up with his most recent project, the Unanswered Question Newsletter, HERE. “For me, the goal is to find 'what is'. I originally framed it as 'Is there a God?' I realized I had the question wrong, and at some point it was 'what is God?'. Today, I would say, 'what is this?'” – James Ishmael FordSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Galatians 4:21-31 Thanks to everyone who supports TMBH at patreon.com/thetmbhpodcast You're the reason we can all do this together! Discuss the episode here Music by Jeff Foote