Podcasts about Ishmael

Mitch, Faolan, and Ishmael, along with allies old and new, exit the Megastructure to find that the chaos and violence in Chester has escalated sharply in their absence. Music: Three Chain Links - Magic Hour Three Chain Links - Gotham is desperate Bruce… Alexander Nakarada - Landskab White Bat Audio - Hellion Neuron Spectre - Full Moon Overdrive (2018 mix) Josh Woodward - I Want to Destroy Something Beautiful (Instrumental) Josh Woodward - She Dreams in Blue (Instrumental) Josh Woodward - Private Hurricane (Instrumental) The WARHORSE - LOL She's Fluent in Sarcasm   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. 

What if the easiest thing in the world to do is grieve the Holy Spirit — and the hardest thing in the world is to keep from it? Most of us treat the Spirit's presence like a given. Dr. R.T. Kendall has spent 70 years learning the opposite: that the third person of the Godhead is a very, very sensitive person — and He won't bend the rules for anyone. Not even a man who's been walking with Him for eight decades. At 91 years old, Dr. Kendall is one of the most respected theologians alive — 25 years at Westminster Chapel in London, author of multiple books, including Total Forgiveness. He's also been canceled, publicly rebuked, and thrown under the bus by both sides of the church for one message he refuses to let go of — the power of word & Spirit. In this conversation, Preston sits down with him to talk about the vision that started it all, the burden he's carried for over 30 years, and the teaching that changed Preston's marriage in real time. In this episode: * The Silent Divorce — why the church split into "word churches" and "spirit churches," and what happens when the two remarry * Ishmael and Isaac — the message that cost Dr. Kendall his reputation with Baptists, Reformed, and charismatics all at once * October 31, 1955 — the vision on old US-41 that was "more real than you are right now" * Adjusting to the Dove — a couple's discovery that reframes everything about the Spirit's presence * Closing the Gap — Dr. Kendall's one-sentence definition of spirituality (and why mid-sentence repentance is the goal) Do you know what grieves Him? Dr. Kendall says finding that out will change everything.  

The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com Garth Heckman Spud Webb 5'7 In Junior high he went to try out and his coach told him to sit in the stands…. You are too short.  Cut from his Junior year of BB and had to talk his coach into keeping him. He scored 20 points his first game.  No Div. 1 college would even look at him. So he had to play at Midland College- lead them to a national JR league Championship, then got a scholarship to NC state.  Every NBA scout scoffed. They said maybe he could play overseas or if he was lucky he could play with the Harlem Globetrotters. Every NBA team passed on him multiple times… He fell to the fifth round and was drafted by the Detroit pistons… and cut before the season ever started.  He was “lucky” enough to be signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Hawks… At that time his star teammate Dominique Williams was the Slam dunk Champion… spud entered the contest and Dominique said he thought it was a joke and he would do layups… Spud won with numerous 360 slams, dunks off the backboard and Reverse slam dunks…. People laughed at him! He credits his belief in knowing God gave him that talent for a reason, and that dream for a purpose.    My question today is: How will you respond when people laugh at your dream?       Gen 18:1  And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2  He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3  and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.4  Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,5  while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”6  And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.7  And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.8  Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.9  They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.”10  The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.12  So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”13  The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'14  Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”15  But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”         Rather than just "inappropriate" or "disrespectful," biblical scholars and linguists often look at Sarah's reaction in Genesis 18:12 through a few distinct lenses:   1. Incredulous Incredulity captures a mix of disbelief, shock, and impossibility. Sarah was roughly 90 years old, well past childbearing age, and had dealt with a lifetime of infertility. Hearing a stranger tell Abraham she would have a baby by the following year sounded biologically absurd.   Abraham lives in a Spiritual and Theological worldview… Sarah lives in a physical biological world view…     2. Sarcastic (or Cynical) In Hebrew, Sarah's inner monologue reads as a self-deprecating scoff: "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?" Describing her reaction as sarcastic or cynical highlights the defense mechanism of a woman who had likely given up hope decades prior and saw the statement as a cruel taunt or bad joke.   3. Human Her reaction was deeply human. It wasn't necessarily a malicious rebellion against God; it was an involuntary emotional slip—a defense mechanism triggered by years of grief, trauma, and disappointment over her barrenness.   The Nuance: Her laugh isn't scoffing insolence; it's a reflex against emotional re-traumatization. When a deep, long-buried desire is suddenly brought up by a stranger, cynicism acts as armor to protect the heart from being broken one more time. The Insight: Faith doesn't require instantaneous emotional compliance. God engages directly with her reaction rather than striking her down, recognizing the pain behind her defense.   4. Prophetic In the broader arc of Genesis, her laughter is viewed as prophetic or foreshadowing. The Hebrew root for laugh (tzachaq) is the exact root used for the name of the child God promises: Isaac (Yitzchak), which literally means "he laughs" or "laughter". What began as the laugh of doubt in Genesis 18 transforms into the laugh of joy and wonder when Isaac is born in Genesis 21: "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me".   Key takeaway: While her response is often labeled as "disbelief," calling it incredulous or sarcastic better captures her emotional reality, while calling it prophetic reveals the literary wordplay embedded in the text.     MAYBE OUR REACTION SHOULD MATCH *TO SOME DEGREE …SARAHS… WHY? WHY WOULD GOD USE ABRAHAM A MAN OF MANY FAULTS?      Failure 1: Deception in Egypt Age ~75 (Gen 12:10–20) The Misstep: When a severe famine strikes Canaan, Abram migrates to Egypt without seeking divine direction. Fearing the Egyptians will kill him for his beautiful wife, he asks Sarai to lie and say she is his sister.   The Fallout: Pharaoh takes Sarai into his royal palace as a concubine while enriching Abram. God strikes Pharaoh's household with severe plagues. Upon discovering the truth, Pharaoh rebukes Abram for his deceit and expels his family from Egypt.       Separation from Lot & Rescue Age ~75–80 (Gen 13–14) As their livestock herds grow too large for the land to support both of them, quarreling breaks out between Abram's and Lot's herdsmen. Abram generously gives Lot first pick WITHOUT SEEKING GOD - Lot gets captured.      The Unconditional Covenant Age ~85 (Gen 15) Abram voices concern that he remains childless and his servant Eliezer will inherit his house. God reassures Abram that a biological son will be his heir and cuts a formal covenant with him, promising descendants as numerous as the stars.       Failure 2: Scheming with Hagar Age 85–86 (Gen 16) The Misstep: After living in Canaan for ten years without a child, Sarai proposes that Abram take her Egyptian servant, Hagar, as a surrogate mother. Abram agrees without seeking God's guidance, taking matters into his own hands to force the fulfillment of the promise.   The Fallout: Once Hagar becomes pregnant, domestic conflict erupts. Hagar despises Sarai, Sarai mistreats Hagar, and Abram washes his hands of the dispute. Hagar flees into the wilderness before an angel instructs her to return. She gives birth to Ishmael when Abram is 86.       The Covenant of Circumcision & Abraham's Internal Doubt Age 99 (Gen 17) The Moment of Disbelief: After 13 years of silence, God appears, renames Abram to Abraham ("Father of a Multitude") and Sarai to Sarah ("Princess"), and institutes circumcision as the covenant sign. When God explicitly states that Sarah herself will bear a son within a year, Abraham falls face down and laughs to himself, asking mentally: "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at ninety?" (Gen 17:17).     The Three Visitors at Mamre & Sarah's Laugh Age 99 (Gen 18:1–15) Three divine visitors visit Abraham under the oaks of Mamre. The Lord repeats the divine pledge: "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."   Overhearing this from inside the tent entrance, Sarah laughs to herself, thinking about her advanced age and physical state. When the Lord asks why she laughed and whether anything is too hard for God, Sarah denies it out of fear, but the Lord responds: "No, you did laugh."     MAYBE SARAH IS LAUGHING KNOWING WHO HER HUSBAND REALLY IS?       BECAUSE EVEN AFTER THIS VISITATION FROM GOD….   King Abimelech (Genesis 20:1–18) The Outcome: Abimelech takes Sarah into his harem. However, God appears to Abimelech in a dream, warning him that Sarah is married and that he will die if he touches her. Abimelech protests that he acted in good faith, returns Sarah untouched, gives Abraham restitution, and asks why Abraham did this.     Pattern in Abraham's Failures Across these 24 years, Abraham's missteps shared a common theme: self-preservation and impatience.     BUT LETS ASK OURSELVES A QUESTION: Regardless of how Sarah saw her husband Abraham - regardless of how we see him… How did God see him?      Names and Titles Given to Abraham   Abraham ("Father of a Multitude"): Originally named Abram ("Exalted Father"), God personally renamed him in Genesis 17:5 to reflect his ultimate destiny: "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations." "My Friend": God personally refers to Abraham as His friend in Isaiah 41:8 ("Abraham My friend"), a title affirmed throughout Scripture (2 Chronicles 20:7, James 2:23). Prophet: In Genesis 20:7, God speaks to King Abimelech regarding Abraham, stating, "Restore the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live." "My Servant": God repeatedly refers to Abraham with honor as His servant (Genesis 26:24, Psalm 105:6), marking him as a trusted agent of the Divine will. The Promises and Blessings Spoken Over Him Divine Shield and Great Reward: Infinite Descendants: Royal Lineage and Multiplied Nations: Universal Blessing for All Humanity: Divine Protection: An Everlasting Land Covenant:     SARAH MAY HAVE LAUGHED AT FIRST IN DISBELIEF - BUT   3. Sarah's later reversal is the untold "second half" of the story. But Genesis 21:6 gives Sarah's own commentary once Isaac is born: "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." She takes the very word she used in doubt and reclaims it in worship. Isaac's name literally means "he laughs." This is a remarkable narrative arc — cynical laughter transformed into worshipful laughter —          FINAL THOUGHT: WHY DID GOD CHOOSE ABRAHAM?  IN SPITE OF ALL HIS FLAWS HE PRACTICED GODS HEART AND DESIGN FOR PRAYER.   What do I mean? Gen. 18 later in the chapter God tells Abraham I am going to destroy Sodom and Gomorra and Abraham does something very familiar according to Luke 11.       Luke 11 tells us how to pray - AFTER SHARING THE LORDS PRAYER JESUS SAYS SOMETHING AWKWARD ABOUT PRAYER - A parable.  A man goes to his friends house - he needs 3 loaves of bread… he will not give up asking.    If you ask seek knock - out of sheer perseverance I will answer!   Abraham here in Gen. 18 does just that for Sodom and Gomorra - showing Gods heart for the lost. 50 45 40 30 20 10!   I believe one of the greatest clues is given in these two stories in scripture about who God uses!   The one that will not give up asking God to fulfill his purpose!     WHAT IF WE UNDERSTOOD THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LIKE THIS: Yes he was a heap of missteps, failures, a massive example of weak humanity….    But in all his mistakes and failures he never quit asking God for that son!  FOR THAT ANSWERED PRAYER.      WILL YOU BE THE ONE WHO P.U.S.H.es into God. P - pray U - until S - something H - happens?

The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com Garth Heckman   Gen 18:1  And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2  He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3  and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.4  Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,5  while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”6  And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.7  And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.8  Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.9  They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.”10  The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.12  So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”13  The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'14  Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”15  But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”         Rather than just "inappropriate" or "disrespectful," biblical scholars and linguists often look at Sarah's reaction in Genesis 18:12 through a few distinct lenses:   1. Incredulous Incredulity captures a mix of disbelief, shock, and impossibility. Sarah was roughly 90 years old, well past childbearing age, and had dealt with a lifetime of infertility. Hearing a stranger tell Abraham she would have a baby by the following year sounded biologically absurd.   Abraham lives in a Spiritual and Theological worldview… Sarah lives in a physical biological world view…     2. Sarcastic (or Cynical) In Hebrew, Sarah's inner monologue reads as a self-deprecating scoff: "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?" Describing her reaction as sarcastic or cynical highlights the defense mechanism of a woman who had likely given up hope decades prior and saw the statement as a cruel taunt or bad joke.   3. Human Her reaction was deeply human. It wasn't necessarily a malicious rebellion against God; it was an involuntary emotional slip—a defense mechanism triggered by years of grief, trauma, and disappointment over her barrenness.   The Nuance: Her laugh isn't scoffing insolence; it's a reflex against emotional re-traumatization. When a deep, long-buried desire is suddenly brought up by a stranger, cynicism acts as armor to protect the heart from being broken one more time. The Insight: Faith doesn't require instantaneous emotional compliance. God engages directly with her reaction rather than striking her down, recognizing the pain behind her defense.   4. Prophetic In the broader arc of Genesis, her laughter is viewed as prophetic or foreshadowing. The Hebrew root for laugh (tzachaq) is the exact root used for the name of the child God promises: Isaac (Yitzchak), which literally means "he laughs" or "laughter". What began as the laugh of doubt in Genesis 18 transforms into the laugh of joy and wonder when Isaac is born in Genesis 21: "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me".   Key takeaway: While her response is often labeled as "disbelief," calling it incredulous or sarcastic better captures her emotional reality, while calling it prophetic reveals the literary wordplay embedded in the text.     MAYBE OUR REACTION SHOULD MATCH *TO SOME DEGREE …SARAHS… WHY? WHY WOULD GOD USE ABRAHAM A MAN OF MANY FAULTS?      Failure 1: Deception in Egypt Age ~75 (Gen 12:10–20) The Misstep: When a severe famine strikes Canaan, Abram migrates to Egypt without seeking divine direction. Fearing the Egyptians will kill him for his beautiful wife, he asks Sarai to lie and say she is his sister.   The Fallout: Pharaoh takes Sarai into his royal palace as a concubine while enriching Abram. God strikes Pharaoh's household with severe plagues. Upon discovering the truth, Pharaoh rebukes Abram for his deceit and expels his family from Egypt.       Separation from Lot & Rescue Age ~75–80 (Gen 13–14) As their livestock herds grow too large for the land to support both of them, quarreling breaks out between Abram's and Lot's herdsmen. Abram generously gives Lot first pick WITHOUT SEEKING GOD - Lot gets captured.      The Unconditional Covenant Age ~85 (Gen 15) Abram voices concern that he remains childless and his servant Eliezer will inherit his house. God reassures Abram that a biological son will be his heir and cuts a formal covenant with him, promising descendants as numerous as the stars.       Failure 2: Scheming with Hagar Age 85–86 (Gen 16) The Misstep: After living in Canaan for ten years without a child, Sarai proposes that Abram take her Egyptian servant, Hagar, as a surrogate mother. Abram agrees without seeking God's guidance, taking matters into his own hands to force the fulfillment of the promise.   The Fallout: Once Hagar becomes pregnant, domestic conflict erupts. Hagar despises Sarai, Sarai mistreats Hagar, and Abram washes his hands of the dispute. Hagar flees into the wilderness before an angel instructs her to return. She gives birth to Ishmael when Abram is 86.       The Covenant of Circumcision & Abraham's Internal Doubt Age 99 (Gen 17) The Moment of Disbelief: After 13 years of silence, God appears, renames Abram to Abraham ("Father of a Multitude") and Sarai to Sarah ("Princess"), and institutes circumcision as the covenant sign. When God explicitly states that Sarah herself will bear a son within a year, Abraham falls face down and laughs to himself, asking mentally: "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at ninety?" (Gen 17:17).     The Three Visitors at Mamre & Sarah's Laugh Age 99 (Gen 18:1–15) Three divine visitors visit Abraham under the oaks of Mamre. The Lord repeats the divine pledge: "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."   Overhearing this from inside the tent entrance, Sarah laughs to herself, thinking about her advanced age and physical state. When the Lord asks why she laughed and whether anything is too hard for God, Sarah denies it out of fear, but the Lord responds: "No, you did laugh."     MAYBE SARAH IS LAUGHING KNOWING WHO HER HUSBAND REALLY IS?       BECAUSE EVEN AFTER THIS VISITATION FROM GOD….   King Abimelech (Genesis 20:1–18) The Outcome: Abimelech takes Sarah into his harem. However, God appears to Abimelech in a dream, warning him that Sarah is married and that he will die if he touches her. Abimelech protests that he acted in good faith, returns Sarah untouched, gives Abraham restitution, and asks why Abraham did this.     Pattern in Abraham's Failures Across these 24 years, Abraham's missteps shared a common theme: self-preservation and impatience.     BUT LETS ASK OURSELVES A QUESTION: Regardless of how Sarah saw her husband Abraham - regardless of how we see him… How did God see him? 

Paul takes a story the Galatians already knew, the story of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac, and says, “This story is actually about you.” It is a story about two different ways of relating to God. One way says, “I'll do it myself. I'll try harder. I'll prove myself.” The other says, “I trust what God has promised. I trust what God has done for me.”

After explaining his desire for his people, Paul now goes on to say what he knows will be offensive to the Jews. They were taught that they were a special people in all the earth, because they were descended from Abraham. Paul is going to point out "not all of Israel is of Israel." Paul has been leading up to this by saying the true children of Abraham are the ones who share the faith of Abraham and the true Jews are the ones who are circumcised in the heart and not just the flesh. Now he is going to explain how it can go so badly for Israelites. Ten of the tribes were scattered by the Assyrians. Most of the other two tribes were killed, but a small remnant went to Babylon. Only a few of them came back and then they were never reestablished as an independent people. The logical question after Paul saying "all things work together for good for the who love God, to those that are called according to His purposes" is Israelites are the called out people of God and things don't seem to work very well for them. Paul's response to that question is you don't understand who the true Israel of God. It is not those of the type. It is those of the antetype. Those who were of the seed of Abraham who is Christ. It is only Isaac and not Ishmael or Keturah's children that have Abraham as their father. It is only the one God gives for that purpose and not those of the flesh like Ishmael. It is according to the calling of the Spirit and not the works of the flesh.

After explaining his desire for his people, Paul now goes on to say what he knows will be offensive to the Jews. They were taught that they were a special people in all the earth, because they were descended from Abraham. Paul is going to point out "not all of Israel is of Israel." Paul has been leading up to this by saying the true children of Abraham are the ones who share the faith of Abraham and the true Jews are the ones who are circumcised in the heart and not just the flesh. Now he is going to explain how it can go so badly for Israelites. Ten of the tribes were scattered by the Assyrians. Most of the other two tribes were killed, but a small remnant went to Babylon. Only a few of them came back and then they were never reestablished as an independent people. The logical question after Paul saying "all things work together for good for the who love God, to those that are called according to His purposes" is Israelites are the called out people of God and things don't seem to work very well for them. Paul's response to that question is you don't understand who the true Israel of God. It is not those of the type. It is those of the antetype. Those who were of the seed of Abraham who is Christ. It is only Isaac and not Ishmael or Keturah's children that have Abraham as their father. It is only the one God gives for that purpose and not those of the flesh like Ishmael. It is according to the calling of the Spirit and not the works of the flesh.

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Genesis 161 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.”6 “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”“I'm running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.9 Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”11 The angel of the Lord also said to her:“You are now pregnant    and you will give birth to a son.You shall name him Ishmael,    for the Lord has heard of your misery.12 He will be a wild donkey of a man;    his hand will be against everyone    and everyone's hand against him,and he will live in hostility    toward all his brothers.”13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

In this Bible Story, the remnant of Judah struggles to regain stability. Some leaders desired to serve Babylon and make peace. Others desire to rebel. As a result, brother turns against brother. The remnant of Judah is torn, and many of them flee to Egypt despite Jeremiah's warnings. This story is inspired by 2 Kings 25:22-30 & Jeremiah 40–44, 52:31-34. Go to https://www.BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Jeremiah 44:28 from the King James Version.Episode 160: Judah had been captured, Jerusalem ruined, and Gedaliah son of Ahikam had been appointed as governor over the land. Gedaliah wanted peace for the people and constantly negotiated for their welfare peacefully submitting to Babylon. However, as he was traveling among the towns of Judah, he was murdered by one of his friends, Ishmael. This led to more and more chaos as Johanan killed Ishmael in revenge and the remnant of Judah was faced with a choice, flee to Egypt or stay and submit to Babylon. Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Genesis 21 reminds us that God keeps His promises. Isaac is born, Ishmael is delivered, and Abraham's agreement with Abimelech prepares the way for promises that will be fulfilled generations later. For Israel, hearing this story on their way from slavery toward the Promised Land, the message was clear: God had been faithful before, and He could be trusted with what came next. The same is true for us: God's past faithfulness gives us confidence to trust Him with what we cannot yet see.

Sermon By: Chad Holland Series Title: Dressed for the Occasion Sermon Title: Yeshua in the Torah Sermon Week: 1 Sermon Description: Join us as Pastor Chad Holland kicks off a new sermon series, titled ‘Dressed for the occasion', looking at how of all of the appearances of Yeshua, God in the Flesh, that we find in the Torah, the traditional first appearance is not with a famous Patriarch. Yeshua visits Hagar and while God names her forthcoming son Ishmael, Hagar names God - The One Who Sees Me.

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Are Islam and Christianity different ways to worship the same God? How should Christians interact with Muslims? In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares how Christians can stay rooted in the truth of scripture and love the Muslim people. "I'm Disagreeing with Islam" is not the same things as disparaging Muslims. I love Muslims. We're not talking about whether Muslims are good people. We're asking "Is Islam compatible with Christianity?"   The Messy MiddleTruth is often found by embracing two seemingly opposing truths at the same time. Imagine a see-saw with differing truths on each end. The goal is for each truth to have the same weight, so the see-saw will be balanced. No matter the topic, if you tip the see-saw too far to either side, and you don't feel the tension between the two truths, you've chosen a side and you're out of balance. Two true statements about Islam:Islam is a false religion that promotes dangerous ideology.Muslims are made in the image of God, loved by Jesus, and need to hear the Gospel shared with courage and love. From the very beginning, God intended to redeem people from every tribe, every tongue, and every nation—including the nations that would come through Ishmael. Salvation is through Jesus alone, but everyone is invited. Something incredible is happening in our generation. Across the Muslim world, there are thousands of documented testimonies of Muslims encountering Jesus through dreams and visions called Christophanies. Will you preach, pray and protect so the Gospel of Jesus reaches Muslims?

Genesis 21 opens with one of the most powerful declarations of God's faithfulness in all of Abraham's story. After decades of waiting, Sarah conceives and bears Isaac exactly when God promised, not a moment early or late. The chapter reminds us that God's delays are not denials, and that His timing is always perfect even when it feels impossibly slow. Sarah's laughter shifts from skeptical disbelief to overflowing joy, showing that God can redeem even the places where we once doubted Him. Yet the chapter does not end at the celebration. Tension remains in the household, and Hagar and Ishmael are sent into the wilderness. There, God hears Ishmael crying and opens Hagar's eyes to a well that was already present. This reveals that God is not only the God of the promised and the celebrated, but also the God of the outcast and the overlooked. Genesis 21 holds two truths together: God always keeps His word, and life is still complicated. We are called to rejoice over answered prayers while continuing to trust God with the parts of our story that are still unfolding.

Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gediah

Growing Food, Building Abundance, and Working with NatureIn a unique twist, Greg is interviewed by Taylor Luke of the Tales with Tayler Podcast. In this Episode Greg Peterson shares the philosophy and practical systems that have guided more than four decades of growing food in the desert and beyond. From creating an old-growth food forest in Phoenix to building local seed resilience through the Great American Seed Up, he explains how anyone can begin producing food at home. The conversation explores permaculture, fruit trees, seed saving, local food economies, and why understanding where food comes from is one of the most important skills of our time.I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I was going to do for my 1000th episode of the Farm podcast. And was recently interviewed by Tayler Wellman of tales with Tayler. After listening to the episode, I thought it would be a great jumping off point for my 1000th narrative episode. This tells some of my story and she did a really great job with the interview so I asked and she said yes, play it on your podcast. This will give you two opportunities, first to experience a new podcast and second to hear some of my backstory leading into the next 1000 episodes. Enjoy!Our Guest: Taylor hosts "Tales With Taylor," a spirited interview podcast where successful entrepreneurs and business owners share their most captivating stories from childhood to future goals. Each episode blends life-changing advice, nostalgic reflections, and playful humor, as guests open up about the best advice they've ever received, the lessons they wish they'd known sooner, and the legacy they hope to leave behind. Part business wisdom, part storytelling adventure, Tales With Taylor offers a genuine, personal connection to the highs, lows, and hard-won insights of inspiring people in the business world.Taylor is the owner and operator of Financial Potion, a video marketing company based in Mesa, Arizona. Taylor helps businesses and organizations make swift, lasting impressions through tailor-made video marketing, personally guiding every step from scriptwriting to production, editing, and video SEO. Clients consistently praise the process as stress-free and genuinely enjoyable.Key TopicsGreg PetersonUrban FarmUrban Farm PodcastPermacultureFood forestsFruit trees and perennial food productionThe Great American Seed UpSeed saving and home seed banksLocal food economiesDesert gardeningAsheville, North CarolinaTower GardensFarmers marketsRegenerative systemsKey Questions AnsweredWhat was Greg Peterson's favorite harvest?His favorite harvest is food that returns naturally year after year without replanting. Self-seeding crops like basil, parsley, cilantro, kale, nasturtiums, and sweet potatoes transformed his Phoenix property into an old-growth food forest that largely cared for itself.Why are fruit trees such an important investment?Fruit trees are planted once and can provide fresh food for decades. Greg shares stories of century-old citrus trees and explains why fruit trees offer one of the highest long-term returns for home gardeners.What is permaculture?Permaculture is the art and science of working with nature instead of against it. Greg explains how designing landscapes that mimic natural ecosystems creates resilient, productive gardens with less work over time.Why should every household maintain a seed bank?Seeds are the foundation of food security. Greg explains how storing seeds at home strengthens local resilience and inspired the creation of the Great American Seed Up, helping thousands of people build personal seed reserves.Do seeds really expire?Not necessarily. Most expiration dates reflect packaging regulations rather than biological limits. When stored cool, dark, and dry, many seeds remain viable for years—even decades.How can beginners successfully start growing food?Start small with crops you already enjoy eating. Herbs like basil are inexpensive, productive, and easy to grow—even on a sunny windowsill.What if someone doesn't have a yard?Greg recommends Tower Gardens, container gardening, windowsill herbs, and visiting local farmers markets. Food production is possible even in apartments and condos.Why is understanding our food system so important?Knowing where food comes from reconnects people with healthier eating, stronger local economies, and more resilient communities. Growing even a small amount of food changes the way people think about nutrition and sustainability.How can individuals help address climate change?Focus on regenerative practices that work with nature. Growing food, improving soil, supporting local farmers, and creating resilient food systems are practical actions anyone can take.Which book most influenced Greg's thinking?Ishmael by Daniel Quinn profoundly shaped Greg's worldview by challenging assumptions about humanity's relationship with nature and inspiring his lifelong mission of transforming food systems.Episode HighlightsGreg explains how self-seeding plants transformed his yard into an old-growth food forest that produces food with minimal maintenance.Fruit trees are presented as one of the easiest long-term investments for home food production.The story behind the creation of the Great American Seed Up and its mission to build community seed resilience.Why seeds stored properly can remain viable for decades despite printed expiration dates.Lessons learned growing food in both the Arizona desert and the mountains of North Carolina.How Tower Gardens make food production possible for apartment and condo dwellers.The philosophy that nature is regenerative while most human systems are degenerative—and why that must change.Greg's lifelong mission: helping people understand where their food comes from by inspiring them to grow even a small portion themselves.Calls to Action & ResourcesUrban Farm — https://urbanfarm.orgUrban Farm Podcast — https://urbanfarmpodcast.comGreat American Seed Up — https://greatamericanseedup.orgFruit Trees Program — https://fruittrees.orgFree Desert Planting Calendar — https://plantingcalendar.orgLearn about Permaculture — Explore local Permaculture Design Courses (PDCs) at Permaculture.netVisit Your Local Farmers Market — Meet local growers and buy seasonal food directly.Read: Ishmael by Daniel QuinnTales with Taylor Podcast on podcast platforms and HERE on YouTubeTales with Taylor Website - https://taleswithtaylor.comVisit www.urbanfarm.org/999 for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library! Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.You can chat with Greg or choose one of the senior members of our Urban Farm team to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Episode Description:In this episode of Conceptually Speaking, I sit down with Dr. Joseph Allen Boone, Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Southern California, to discuss his new book from Columbia University Press, The Melville Effect: A Literary Afterlife Across the Arts. According to Boone, we are living through a second Melville revival. The first, in the 1920s, was engineered by critics who pulled Melville out of obscurity and streamlined him into an American answer to European modernism. Our current renaissance is being driven by artists working in painting, collage, performance, musical theater, video, fiction, and more besides. Our conversation works through why Melville has been “having a moment” as it were. Part of the answer he offers is thematic, since a novel that already contains globalism, extraction, ecological collapse, and racial encounters will feel resonant with our current moment despite when it was authored. The larger part, however, is shaped by its form. Moby-Dick opens with a dictionary page, moves through etymologies and epigraphs borrowed from the commonplace book tradition, drops in a sermon, a Shakespearean soliloquy, a play script, legal affidavits, and parodic scientific taxonomy, and absorbs the whole media explosion of the 1840s and 50s along the way. Boone calls this aesthetic hybridity, and it is one the reasons Melville is legible as a companion to artists who work in our era of pastiche, collage, mashup, and remix. We also get into the pedagogical stakes, including an inspiring call for more arts integration and multimodal approaches to teaching canonical works.Key Concepts from the Episode:Aesthetic HybridityMelville's formal promiscuity could be seen as an exploration of the way form shapes content, which is the same question contemporary multimedia artists are asking about their creative use of diverse media and materials.Boone borrows the counterpane scene as his governing metaphor. Ishmael wakes unable to distinguish the crazy quilt from Queequeg's tattooed arm, and that indistinction, where the parts refuse to resolve into a pattern but cohere anyway, describes both Melville's method and the work being made from him.Consider how you might bring aesthetic hybridity into your classroom. What different mediums and materials could you bring into the patchwork quilt of your own curriculum?Literary History as AfterlifeThe reason literary history reads as dead is that we treat it as exclusively retrospective. Boone's counterclaim is that it is also progressive, continually reconstituted by whoever is currently reading and remixing it.The project of extending a text's afterlife cannot be accomplished through genuflection and submission. Instead, readers and creators should see themselves as participating in an ongoing production or a work and its related legacy.Consider what it might look like to have your students participate in the ongoing production of a text's literary afterlife. How might you balance scaffolding their ability to engage with the text and giving them agency to take it new places?Gaps as Sites of InquiryAbsence functions as invitation. Melville gives Mrs. Ahab two sentences in the whole of Moby-Dick, and artists have built collage cycles, a stage production, and a novel out of that gap. Reading what is not present can be a powerful act of critical framing and reading.The same logic drives the queer readings of Pierre, where James Creech's criticism, Maurice Sendak's illustrations, and Elizabeth Schultz's reading of a broom closet in the plates each produce something that is in the text and not in the text at once. Creative and critical readings provide us with the ability to construct new narratives that complicate the legacy of traditional works.Consider the gaps that exist in the literary works that you teach. Who is not featured or mentioned? Who appears briefly and why? How can you invite students to explode those glimpses into something bigger?Regular readers of Becoming Literary will recognize some of my favorite throughlines. This is a conversation about how we can move beyond treating canon as a collection of revered, pedestal placed texts and start treating it as a site of debate and dialogue. It is an invitation to see hybrid interpretive work as a legitimate mode of literary knowledge production, and an opportunity to move the field forward without leaving its past behind. I hope you enjoy the episode and answer its call!Links:The Melville Effect: A Literary Afterlife Across the ArtsDr. Joseph Allen Boone's WebsitePodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsSupport the show

Pastor Blaine continues through Romans 9:6–12, explaining that God's promises have not failed because true membership in God's people has never been based on physical ancestry but on His sovereign promise and gracious calling. Using the examples of Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau, he demonstrates that salvation is not earned by heritage, works, or human effort, but rests entirely on God's gracious choice. Blaine encourages believers to approach difficult doctrines like election with humility, trusting what Scripture clearly teaches even when it stretches human understanding. Throughout the sermon, he reminds Christians that God's sovereignty should produce confidence rather than fear, leading them to faithfully obey what God has called them to do while resting in the assurance that their salvation is secured by His grace alone.

With Graham Duvall of Terramonga Food HubIn this Episode Graham Duvall shares his 15-year journey building resilient regional food systems in western North Carolina through Mother Earth Food and its evolution into Terramonga Hub. He explains how food hubs strengthen local agriculture by connecting farmers with consumers, creating reliable market access, and improving food security. The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, the collapse and rebirth of a mission-driven business, and why resilient local food economies are essential for thriving communities. Graham also reflects on personal growth, mindfulness, and the importance of staying committed to meaningful work despite repeated setbacks.Our Guest: Graham is the co-founder of Mother Earth Foods and warehouse manager at Terramonga Hub in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a longtime advocate for resilient regional food systems, helping connect local farms, food artisans, and communities through innovative food distribution and aggregation networks. His work supports sustainable agriculture, strengthens western North Carolina local food economy, and expands access to fresh, responsibly produced food.Key TopicsGraham DuvallTerramonga HubMother Earth FoodRegional food hubsLocal food systemsFood sovereigntyWestern North Carolina agricultureFarmers marketsCommunity Supported Agriculture (CSA)Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) ProgramRegenerative agricultureLocal food distributionDaniel Quinn's IshmaelMichael Pollan's How to Change Your MindKey Questions AnsweredWhat is a food hub?A food hub is a flexible community-based organization that aggregates, stores, markets, and distributes products from local farms while creating dependable outlets for producers and increasing access to fresh local food.Why are food hubs becoming increasingly important?They help rebuild regional food resilience, support small farmers, shorten supply chains, strengthen local economies, and improve food security in an increasingly centralized food system.Why do farmers need food hubs?Many farmers can grow enough food but struggle to find reliable markets. Food hubs solve this by connecting producers with consumers, institutions, and community organizations.Why is western North Carolina well suited for local food systems?The region combines a rich agricultural history, strong farmers market culture, experienced growers, fertile farmland, and community support for local agriculture.How does Terra Monga Hub serve customers?Customers order online each week from a curated selection of seasonal produce, meats, dairy, artisan foods, and pantry items sourced primarily from local and regional farms and delivered directly to their homes.What happened to Mother Earth Food?After 14 years of operation and multiple financial challenges, Mother Earth Food closed and transitioned into Terra Monga Hub through a partnership with Terra Monga Farm, allowing the mission to continue under a new structure.What lessons come from entrepreneurial failure?Business setbacks can become opportunities when the mission remains intact. Adaptability, persistence, and strong partnerships often create the path forward.How can individuals help transform the food system?Start locally by growing food, supporting nearby farmers, shopping at farmers markets, and investing in community food systems where you live.Episode HighlightsGraham explains how food hubs create reliable market access for local farmers while strengthening community resilience.The evolution of Mother Earth Food into Terra Monga Hub demonstrates how mission-driven businesses can adapt after financial hardship.Western North Carolina's farming heritage provides fertile ground for rebuilding regional food systems.Graham shares how the Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program delivered nutritious food to hundreds of food-insecure families.Entrepreneurship in local food requires resilience through repeated cycles of growth, contraction, and reinvention.Personal development, mindfulness, and intentional self-reflection helped Graham maintain clarity during difficult seasons.Both Graham and Greg discuss how Daniel Quinn's Ishmael fundamentally changed their understanding of humanity's relationship with food and nature.The conversation concludes with a reminder that meaningful change begins within our homes and local communities.ResourcesLearn about Terramonga Hub — https://terramongahub.comContact Graham Duvall — Graham@terramongahub.comVisit your local farmers market and support regional food producers.Start a home garden to reconnect with your food source.Read: Ishmael by Daniel QuinnRead: How to Change Your Mind by Michael PollanVisit www.urbanfarm.org/Terramonga for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library! Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.You can chat with Greg or choose one of the senior members of our Urban Farm team to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

God revealed a clear and specific vision for Abraham and Sarah: they would become the parents of many nations through a son born to them together. Even after reaffirming His covenant and changing their names to reflect their future, Abraham allowed his natural limitations—his age and Sarah's barrenness—to shape his expectations. Instead of embracing God's promise, he suggested that Ishmael fulfill the vision, attempting to reduce God's plan to something that seemed more realistic. But God refused to lower His promise to match Abraham's doubts. He affirmed that while Ishmael would be blessed, His covenant would come through Isaac, the promised son. This example reminds us that God's vision is not determined by our limitations. Faith requires us to trust His power rather than adjust His promises to fit what seems possible in our own strength. __________ Genesis 17:1-7 NLT, Genesis 17:15-21 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

This week, Rabbi Ari Lamm joins Mosaic's editor Jonathan Silver to discuss the biblical idea of election or chosenness. Rabbi Lamm has argued that Genesis itself is a long sequence of choosing and rejection—Adam over the animals, Abel over Cain, Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau—and that the Bible never once tells us why. We learn how God assesses a life after the fact; we are never shown the reasoning behind the choice itself. One midrash even imagines Abraham chosen by lottery. Rabbi Lamm suggests that this silence is deliberate: chosenness is a mystery, an acknowledgment of the limitations of human understanding. Naturally, the subject of chosenness has long been discussed within the Jewish tradition, and Rabbi Lamm focuses on the debate between Judah Halevi and Moses Maimonides about whether divine election is earned or something carried through inheritance. With this in mind, the conversation turns to the theological puzzle facing 17th-century English Christians: should Israel in Scripture be understood as the church or as the actual, literal, Jewish people? And once some concluded it meant the latter, an old the­ological problem became a new and productive one. Rabbi Menasseh ben Israel, the great Amsterdam sage at the center of that story, offered European thinkers a way to hold Jewish particularity and universal natural law together rather than against each other, and in doing so shaped the political thought of a nation. The conversation expands on themes Rabbi Lamm explored in his 2025 Sapir essay, "The Rebirth of Chosenness." This episode of The Tikvah Podcast is generously sponsored by Celine and Kenneth Weiss in memory of their parents. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Tikvah Podcast, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle. Visit tikvah.org/circle to learn more and join.

Presented by Jenn Miller Do you ever wonder if God sees your pain or hears your misery? We are looking at glimpses of the laments of women in the Bible. In Genesis 16, we read the story of Hagar. We find her running away from her mistress after being mistreated. Hagar experienced the loss of her homeland, Egypt, when she was given as a servant to Abraham and Sarai. Here, she is newly pregnant, and what was first joyous, now seems treacherous as the relationship with her mistress dissolves in bitterness and jealousy. She has been mistreated and runs away into the desert. I imagine Hagar felt so alone and afraid. But in verse 7, the Angel of the Lord, a figure representing God, comes to her. In verse 11, the Lord tells her she will have a son, and his name will be Ishmael which means “the Lord hears.” What did the Lord hear? He said he had heard Hagar's misery. It is unlikely that Hagar had a relationship with the Lord before this point, but God says all the groans of misery Hagar faced, he heard. God entered into her pain and reassured her he knew, he understood, he heard. When you are mistreated or are facing circumstances that seem perilous and out of control, know God hears you. He understands the back story and all you face, and he draws near. Interestingly, after God names Hagar's child, she turns and gives God a name. She says, ‘You are the God who sees me.” She names him “The God who Sees.” Isn't that comforting? Hagar goes on to say, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” God hears our pain and he sees. He cares and enters our pain. For Hagar, knowing God was near her in her misery was the turning point in her relationship with God. The Lord sees you today too, sister. He hears and is ready to meet you in your lament. Draw near to the Living God who sees and hears you.

In the middle of the celebration for Isaac, the child of promise, a deep-seated fracture surfaces within Abraham's household. This message explores the "Tale of Two Sons"—Isaac, born of promise, and Ishmael, born of the flesh—to reveal the spiritual danger of trying to keep your own "back-up plans" alongside God's divine purpose. Discover why you cannot raise the work of the flesh and the work of the Spirit in the same tent, and learn how to discern the influences that may be holding you back from your true inheritance.

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES Galatians 5:1-5, Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians 5:13, For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Message Summary Pastor Bryan Hudson teaches that freedom in Christ is the highest and most essential form of freedom. While civil, constitutional, and personal freedoms are important, the freedom Jesus provides transforms the heart and becomes the foundation for seeking freedom in every area of life. Using Galatians 5:1, Pastor Hudson emphasizes three instructions: stand fast, do not become entangled, and avoid yokes of bondage. To stand fast means to remain firmly committed to Christ, resist pressure and deception, and refuse to be moved from the liberty God has provided. The enemy cannot forcibly separate believers from God, but he attempts to persuade them to make choices that move them away from God's will. Believers must also guard against becoming entangled again in sin, unhealthy relationships, confusing situations, human opinions, or religious practices that replace faith in Christ. Freedom must be protected by recognizing potential entanglements before they become controlling. A yoke of bondage is anything that restrains, controls, or places an unhealthy obligation upon a person. Everyone is joined to some type of yoke, so the important question is what—or who—is in the yoke with us. Jesus invites believers to take His yoke upon themselves and learn from Him. When we are properly joined with Christ, we can more easily recognize what does not belong in our lives. Pastor Hudson also warns against depending on religious performance, misleading prophecy, impatience, or human efforts to accomplish what God has promised. Abraham's decision to produce Ishmael rather than patiently waiting for Isaac illustrates the consequences of departing from God's plan. Freedom in Christ is not only for personal benefit. Galatians 5:13 teaches that believers are called to use their liberty to serve others through love. True freedom moves people beyond their comfort zones to love their neighbors, minister to strangers, oppose oppression, and help others experience freedom. The message concludes with the declaration that believers are children of promise. Even when there is no visible evidence, God remains faithful to His Word. Therefore, believers must stand fast, remain yoked with Jesus, thrive on God's promises, and share the freedom they have received with others. Central message: Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Our responsibility is to continue walking in that freedom, guard against bondage, remain faithful to God's promises, and use our liberty to love and serve others.

Living In the Eleventh Hour

Continuing the Tent Talk Summer Reading Series, Nancy returns to Chapter 5 of The Messenger of the Cross by Watchman Nee, exploring the profound distinction between soul and spirit. Through the biblical contrast of Isaac and Ishmael, she reveals that the Father is not merely concerned with what we accomplish, but with the source from which it comes. What is produced through human strength, wisdom, and initiative can never substitute for what is born of the Spirit. Nancy encourages listeners to welcome the discerning work of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to expose what originates in self and what is truly born of God. This episode is a call to embrace the Father's way of living—marked by dependence, discernment, and a life sourced entirely in Him. Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Episode-1094-Summer-Reading-Series.pdf LINKS The Devotional Podcast with Nancy McCready https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2hHjwQ_3Qrp1rhbR9nu68wnBtQY0IHzc The Producer's Way School theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father. Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him. ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries nancymccready.com/

Following their introductory look at the profound nature of covenants, hosts Shelley and June Volk zero in on the foundational promise that sets the stage for all of biblical history: The Abrahamic Covenant. Walking listeners directly through the pages of Genesis, Shelley breaks down the staggering "I will" statements spoken by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This episode highlights why this foundational covenant is entirely unconditional—resting solely on the immutable faithfulness of the Creator rather than human perfection. From the specific boundaries of the Promised Land to the lineage that birthed the twelve tribes of Israel and ultimately the Messiah, discover why this eternal agreement remains fully alive and operational in our world today. Key Takeaways from this Episode: The Sovereignty of "I Will": Understanding why the Abrahamic covenant is completely unconditional based on God taking the entire burden of performance upon Himself. Lineage & Territory: Tracking the specific line of inheritance through Isaac and Jacob—explicitly omitting Ishmael—and the permanent geographical boundaries attached to it. A Change of Identity: Looking at the deep prophetic weight behind God renaming Abram to Abraham, and Jacob to Israel. The Root of "Jew": June traces the etymology from Jacob's twelve sons down to the tribe of Judah, meaning "a worshiper of God." To a Thousand Generations: A deep dive into Psalm 105, illustrating that when God says a covenant is "forever," it means it carries absolutely no expiration date. Scripture References & Study Links: The Initial Call: Genesis 12:1-3 (NASB) — Go forth from your country... and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Geographical Boundaries: Genesis 15:18 (NASB) — From the river of Egypt as far as the great river Euphrates. An Everlasting Bond: Genesis 17:1-8 (NASB) — Establishing the covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Passed to Isaac: Genesis 26:1-5 (NASB) — The oath established with the son of Abraham. Confirmed to Jacob (Israel): Genesis 35:9-12 (NASB) The Eternal Summary: Psalm 105:6-11 (NASB) — He has remembered His covenant forever. Support the show: https://shellyandjunevolk.com/product/partner-with-us-psalm-127-fund/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After an undiagnosed case of pre-eclampsia caused catastrophic brain damage and amnesia, Samina Ali returned home from hospital to begin a long recovery.At 29, she found herself relearning the basics of daily life – how to walk, speak and make sense of the world around her. She could still communicate in Urdu, the language of her childhood partly spent in India, but much of her recent life in California felt unreachable. Her husband was a stranger, and her newborn son Ishmael someone she struggled to recognise. The part of her that had once been a writer also seemed out of reach.In those early months, Samina and Ishmael's lives unfolded in parallel, each navigating the same early milestones in very different ways. At first, she felt disconnected from him, even in competition for care. But over time, as she rebuilt her understanding of the world, a bond began to form – shaped by the fact that they were, in many ways, learning side by side.Gradually, fragments of Samina's memory began to return but the process was uneven and with it came a growing awareness that the life she was returning to no longer felt entirely her own. Her sense of self had shifted, and her relationship with her husband had changed in ways neither of them could undo.Against this backdrop, Samina began working again on the novel she had started during her pregnancy. At first, the words didn't hold together. But soon, writing became central to her recovery – helping her rebuild language and imagination, and slowly re-establish a sense of coherence and confidence.In this second episode, Samina traces her recovery: the return of memory, the changing dynamics within her family, and the challenge of rebuilding a life after profound loss.Samina has written about her experience in her memoir, Pieces You'll Never Get Back.Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Maryam Maruf Editor: Munazza Khan Research: Hetal BapodraLives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Step into someone else's life and expect the unexpected.   Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784   You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice

God meets Ishmael and Hagar in the wilderness, hears the forsaken, and teaches us that our rejection is never the end of the story. With Pastor Kaleb Allen.

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Yud Beis Tammuz – 99 years: What does this day teach us? What happened on this day and what lessons does it offer us today? Why does the celebration of the Frierdiker Rebbe's liberation extend for two days – 12-13 Tammuz? Why is this month named after a Babylonian idol? What is the spiritual energy of this month? Is there a connection between the events of this day in 5754 and back in the time of Joshua when the sun was stopped? Is there something special about today, June 21, being the longest day of the year? Why didn't Joshua simply pray that the enemy be defeated? What is the mission of Chassidim who are not on shlichus? Is the Rebbe perfect? Follow-up What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week's Torah parsha? Can we heal people today by using a similar treatment to gazing at a serpent of brass mounted on a pole, as Moses was commanded? Why was Moses striking the rock such a great sin? Why was he not given the opportunity to do teshuva? Why were others not given the opportunity to do teshuva just as the sons of Korach were? What was the sin of Baal Pe'or? What lessons does this despicable sin offer us today? Why is a Parsha named after the evil Balak? What parts of Balaam's blessings were about Moshiach? What can we learn from Balaam's closing plot against the Jews? How should we react to the President's latest deal with Iran? Can we parallel the back-and-forth attitude of Iran to what Pharaoh and the Egyptians did regarding freeing the Jews? Tammuz Gimmel Tammuz Chukas-Balak Iran How is today's unrest in the Middle East a continuation of the unresolved conflict between Ishmael and Isaac? And what can we do to achieve permanent peace? Is it a good idea to allow my son to travel with a group to visit the concentration camps in Poland and Ukraine?

When kicked out of her home with her son, Ishmael, how did God take notice of Hagar in the midst of her distress, and in turn, how did she see God as a faithful provider? Our walk with God provides us the opportunity to experience the gift of life-giving love reflected in our freedom, liberation, and wholeness – always anchored ...

1) What is the purpose of the Law according to Galatians 3:19-20?2) Can you discuss the issue of demonism in Luke 11:14, 23-26?3) Can you explain the difference between the spirit and the soul?4) Why is Ishmael not part of Abraham's blessing, but all the sons of Jacob are included?5) Why did God allow David to be harassed by Saul so much?6) Is the Christmas tree part of a pagan ritual based on Jeremiah 10:1-3?7) If we do not honor parents according to Ephesians 6:2-3, will we have a short life and things never being well for us?

Honoring Abdullah Ibrahim, South African jazz musician, welcoming his friend, ally Deborah Felmeth to guide us into the enormity of his great soul, his influential dedication, practice, that he may resonate in us all, with Music –  Africa – tears and laughter – Ishmael,  & “Mandenberg,” that he played at Nelson Mandela's Inauguration, and was played at Zohran Mamdani's Inauguration… CoyoteNetworkNews.com · Events, Councils, & More Visionary Activist on Patreon The post Honoring Abdullah Ibrahim appeared first on KPFA.

One of my all time favorite musicians has moved on - Abdullah Ibrahim aka Dollar Brand, South African legend, whose tunes fueled the anti-apartheid movement. This tribute is long overdue since I have played his records consistently over many years. Truly majestic and inspirational music. These are just a couple of my favorites. Tracklist: Mannenberg, Bra Joe from Killamanjaro, Liberation Dance, Sathima, Ishmael

"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)

Notes Matthew 10:24-39 Genesis 21:8-21 In this episode, we explore the challenging teachings of Jesus in Matthew 10, the story of Hagar in Genesis 21, and their implications for faith, family, and social justice. We also discuss the importance of context, interpretation, and standing with the marginalized. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Pulpit Fiction Podcast 02:00 Weather and Climate Change Discussion 02:46 Pride Month and Community Engagement 07:11 Exploring the Gospel of Matthew 09:11 Understanding Jesus's Family Values 15:00 The Complexity of Jesus's Teachings 21:12 The Importance of Chosen Community 25:52 Navigating Family Dynamics and Faith 30:18 Exploring Genesis: The Story of Hagar and Ishmael 45:39 The Legacy of Hagar: Liberation and Marginalization