Podcasts about Jerusalem

In order to heal the rift between Jewish and Gentile believers, the Apostle Paul was willing to compromise with the very laws and customs he so adamantly preached against. But his plans were not God's plans and despite Paul's good intentions, the Jews of Jerusalem rose up against him. Join Dr. James Boice next time on The Bible Study Hour as he relates a rather bizarre event in the life of Paul and the anger of a mob that almost cost him his life. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

Reading Acts 1:6-11 where Jesus commissions His disciples to go into Jerusalem, all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth preaching the gospel of Christ. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political reporter Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. After a 14-year-old ultra-Orthodox teenager was killed and three others were injured by a bus ramming into protestors following a mass Haredi rally against IDF conscription, Sokol discusses the chaotic street scene and fires set in the middle of the busy road by young men and teens roaming around Jerusalem's Romema neighborhood on Tuesday night. The rally, which was the initiative of a group of leading ultra-Orthodox rabbis, and connected to the Jerusalem Faction, an extremist ultra-Orthodox group, opened with fiery speeches, reports Sokol, as leading rabbis railed against the government’s draft exemption bill and the Haredi Shas party, which supports it. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Police set to charge bus driver who ran over Haredi protester with aggravated murder Teenager killed, others injured after bus runs over Haredi protesters in Jerusalem Senior ultra-Orthodox rabbi: Those enforcing Haredi draft are fighting against God Thousands of Haredim protest against conscription in Jerusalem Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Ultra-Orthodox protest against IDF recruitment in Jerusalem, January 6, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra Teplinsky is an American-Israeli Messianic Jew, former attorney, and author based in Jerusalem. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Sandra experienced antisemitism early in life—an upbringing that shaped both her faith journey and her long-term focus on helping the church understand Israel through a biblical lens. Through decades of study and ministry, she has written and updated Why Still Care About Israel to address common theological misconceptions, church-history blind spots, and the interpretive frameworks that still shape how many Christians think about Israel today. In this episode of The Wow Factor, Brad sits down with Sandra to explore why so many people are asking the wrong questions about Israel, and why the better starting point is, "Who is our God, and what is He doing?" Sandra shares a defining calling moment from her time in Los Angeles during the late Jesus Movement era, where she describes sensing Jesus' grief and love for the Jewish people.  From there, the conversation moves into antisemitism, what it is, how it spreads, and how certain theological ideas can unintentionally fuel it. Sandra explains supersessionism (often called replacement theology), points listeners to Romans 9–11 as foundational, and describes why humility, repentance, and Scripture-led thinking matter as global hostility rises and Israel remains central in the news. "Israel is the apple of God's eye, whoever would harm Israel is like sticking a finger in the eye of God." – Sandra Teplinsky "The ultimate question isn't, 'Are you for this side or that side?' The ultimate question is: Who is our God?" – Sandra Teplinsky "Paul cautions Gentile believers: don't be arrogant… Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the fullness comes in." – Sandra Teplinsky This Week on The Wow Factor: How Brad met Sandra through a chaotic Israel trip—and why her book stood out immediately Sandra's childhood experience with antisemitism and how it shaped her pursuit of truth A working definition of antisemitism and why it's not only external behavior Sandra's Los Angeles calling moment and a lifelong focus on praying for Israel's salvation "Apple of His eye" and what spiritual blindness can look like in the church Why Israel is rarely taught clearly in many Western churches and seminaries The impact of church-history interpretation shifts on modern theology Supersessionism / replacement theology: what it is and why it matters Romans 9–11 as a framework for God's ongoing purposes for Israel End-times curiosity, modern Aliyah, and rising pressure on Jewish communities worldwide The story of "S" and how Scripture confronted hatred at the heart level Practical steps: humility, repentance, and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal wrong thinking Why blessing Israel can't just be transactional—and needs to be rooted in loving God Sandra Teplinsky's Word of Wisdom: Start with humility. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart, and let Scripture interpret Scripture. Caring about Israel isn't meant to be a trend or an argument—it's about aligning with the heart and character of God and learning to love who He loves. Connect with Sandra Teplinsky: Light of Zion Sandra Teplinsky's Books Additional Teachings & Resources   Connect With Brad Formsma: WOW Factor Website   Brad Formsma on LinkedIn   Brad Formsma on Instagram   Brad Formsma on Facebook   Brad Formsma on X  

His friends and coworkers warned him. A prophet gave him a visual demonstration of what awaited him. Was the Apostle Paul wrong in his insistence to go on to Jerusalem, or was God using Paul's obstinance to fulfill His purpose? Join Dr. James Boice next time on The Bible Study Hour as he leads us through a questionable episode in the life of the great apostle. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

“Afterward he appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.” (Mark 16:12–13 NLT) One of the great mysteries of the Bible is why Jesus chose to appear to certain people and not others after His resurrection. There is no record of His appearing to the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Him during His earthly ministry. Or to the high priest Caiaphas, who orchestrated His crucifixion. Or to the Roman Emperor Caesar. Imagine the drama if He had appeared to Pilate: “Yo, Pilate! Remember me? Can’t keep a good man down, can you?” Instead, we find post-resurrection accounts like the one in Mark 16. Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their journey to the country. We don’t know who the disciples were, and they are not mentioned again in the Bible. Verse 12 tells us that Jesus “appeared in a different form” (NLT) to the pair. In other words, He went incognito. The two travelers had no idea that they were walking with Jesus. Later, when they told others about their encounter, “no one believed them” (verse 13 NLT). Maybe it’s because their story lacked drama and spectacle. The idea of the Lord walking incognito lacks punch. But it’s revealing as to how the Lord works. It’s a reminder to believers that Jesus walks with us always, even when we’re not aware of Him. In Isaiah 43:2, the Lord promises, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT). Sometimes God’s people don’t realize He’s there until the rivers, flames, and other obstacles are in our rearview mirror. In 1 Kings 19:11–13, the prophet Elijah experienced God’s presence not in a windstorm, not in an earthquake, not in a fire, but in “the sound of a gentle whisper” (verse 12 NLT). Just as people must pay close attention to hear a gentle whisper, they must also pay close attention to experience God’s presence. Feeling close to the Lord isn’t something that happens only in church. Wherever you go, you can know that Jesus is with you there, too. When you’re going through hard times, even when you cannot feel Him, Jesus is there. That’s great news for believers—news that should be celebrated. One of the best ways to respond to the Lord’s quiet presence in your life is with a spirit of gratitude. Thank God that you never have to wonder where He is when things get tough. Another great way to respond is with silence of your own. Commit to a regular quiet time—a time when you intentionally block out the noise and distractions of the day so that you can be aware of God’s presence. Reflection question: How does God make Himself known to you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experience the intensity of Jesus' righteous anger as He clears the temple, revealing the true purpose of God's sacred space.In this episode, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem and finds the temple overrun with merchants and money changers. Driven by a fierce zeal for His Father's house, He cleanses the temple, reminding everyone that God's house is meant to be a place of prayer and worship, not a marketplace.Today's Bible verse is Psalm 69:9, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bus driver ran over a 14-year-old boy, killing him during a violent Jerusalem protest – several others injured as tensions over the Haredi draft spiral into violence; Israel and Syria agree to launch a new de-escalation and diplomacy mechanism; Israel visits newly recognized Somaliland & U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee's family stumbles into a 1,900-year-old cave near Modi'in, uncovering ancient coins from the Bar-Kokhba period in one of the year's most unexpected archaeological finds.Hasod Story: IDN10 for 10% off - https://www.hasodstore.com/shopsmall/p/israeldailynewssupportIsrael Daily News website: https://israeldailynews.orgYOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@israeldailynews?si=UFQjC_iuL13V7tyQIsrael Daily News Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shannafuldSupport our Wartime News Coverage: https://www.gofundme.com/f/independent-journalist-covering-israels-warLinks to all things IDN:⁠ https://linktr.ee/israeldailynews⁠

In this Tefillah class we delve further into the give and take between us and Hashem in prayer. We use the classic book "What the angels have taught you" as a guide for this thought provoking journey. I feel you will find some new and fresh ideas about Tefillah that may help with your day to day connection to Hashem. There are some bits along the way. Enjoy

Constitution to Collectivism: Mamdani and the Road to Venezuela traces the slow, deliberate transformation of the United States from a constitutional republic built on individual liberty into a society increasingly shaped by collectivist ideology. Beginning with the New Deal era, the episode examines how emergency powers, federal expansion, and welfare-state policies permanently altered the relationship between citizens and the government. What was once sold as temporary relief became a permanent structure. Over decades, dependency replaced self-reliance, bureaucracy replaced local authority, and central planning crept quietly into everyday life. The podcast then turns to the present moment, where a new generation of political figures and activists no longer conceal their ideological goals. Through public statements, policy positions, and ideological alignment, the episode argues that figures like Zohran Mamdani and Katie Wilson represent an open embrace of democratic socialism as the next phase of this long march. Finally, the episode draws a cautionary comparison to Venezuela, not as a rhetorical scare tactic, but as a documented case study of how collectivist policies dismantle free markets, collapse economies, and consolidate power in the state. The warning is clear: nations do not fall all at once. They decline by degrees, by good intentions, and by the steady normalization of government control.Email: thefacthunter@mail.comWebsite: thefacthunter.comFact Hunter Radio is now available on the App Store for iPhoneShow Notes:We can arrest a foreign leader over him allegedly owning guns. https://x.com/barnes_law/status/2007507184662278313?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt- Brilliant from jamiekaler! It's hard to make light of such a terrible crime, but this might help some thick-as-shit MAGA fanboys understand why this is wrong. https://x.com/kerryburgess/status/2007792287234023755?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Change the plan, change the schools https://x.com/voicesunheard/status/2007787205738233971?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g MAYOR MAMDANI: COLLECTIVISM JEW CONNECTION also Katie Wilson  https://x.com/FoxNews/status/2006823362182394125?s=20 Mandani tenant director  https://x.com/endwokeness/status/2008031475057439076?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Venezuela / Israel https://x.com/rothbard1776/status/1986789757603508612?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Trump/Graham https://x.com/shadowofezra/status/2008013757445009544?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Nat Rothschild https://x.com/shadowofezra/status/2007482061418844581?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Venezuela banned drugs porn gay https://x.com/villgecrazylady/status/2007444873658384776?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Israelis Claims Maduro Cahoots Iran https://x.com/themarketswork/status/2007526691024019728?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Fauci biggest drug dealer https://x.com/iheartmindy/status/2007516987208151507?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Massie / Venezuela  https://x.com/spencerhakimian/status/2007487275475611884?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_the_Special_Envoy_to_Monitor_and_Combat_Antisemitism Sen. Ashley Moody proudly tells Chabad synagogue in Miami how as Florida AG she and Ron DeSantis' cabinet flew to Israel to hold a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. https://x.com/infolibnews/status/2007223060009521469?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Newly confirmed US Anti-Semitism Czar Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun praises Europe's hate speech laws as "some of the best on the books" and laments to JNS that they're not being effectively enforced. The Trump admin will "not tolerate anti-Semitism anywhere and by anybody," he says. https://x.com/infolibnews/status/2007086475486085376?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g Yehuda Kaploun https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehuda_Kaploun Meet the Jewish insiders hoping to help Mamdani get elected as mayor https://forward.com/news/753505/jews-zohran-mamdani-election-nyc-mayor/ Working Families org 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/204994004/202533219349306723/full Democratic Socialists Of America Inc 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133109557/202503209349302100/full WEF-Funded NYC Mayoral Candidate Vows to ‘End Private Property Ownership' Via: https://www.planet-today.com/2025/07/wef-funded-nyc-mayoral-candidate-vows.html?ysclid=mjxgu7pn7k195311716 #Political #US #WEF #USNews #UKNews #IndiaNews https://www.planet-today.com/2025/07/wef-funded-nyc-mayoral-candidate-vows.html?ysclid=mjxgu7pn7k195311716 Globalists Cheer Mamdani's Win https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/politics/globalists-cheer-mamdanis-win/ Landlord intervention https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hours-after-taking-office-nyc-mayor-mamdani-targets-landlords-moves-intervene-private-bankruptcy-case.amp Shlomo Kramer https://x.com/shadowofezra/status/2006938542023332179?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g https://x.com/infolibnews/status/2006927865665958333?s=46&t=ytitK_qmWZMvJd0lLKbt-g

SHOW 1-5-26 THE SHOW BEGINS IN DOUBTS ABOUT VENEZUELA, NIGERIA, SYRIA, RUSSIA, CHINA 1936 KENYA 1. NIGERIA AIRSTRIKE AND THE JIHADIST SHIFT Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown Edmund Fitton-Brown analyzes a US airstrike against ISIS in Nigeria, discussing the growing jihadist threat in West Africa's "ungoverned spaces." He highlights a strategic shift where African juntas reject Western support for Russian mercenaries, who offer security without governance conditions, inadvertently boosting local support for Al-Qaeda coalitions like JNIM,,. 2. EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ALLIANCE VS. TURKEY Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown Fitton-Brown examines the cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel as a necessary pushback against Turkish President Erdogan's neo-Ottoman expansionism. He argues Erdogan's aggressive rhetoric regarding Jerusalem and maritime claims threatens regional stability, necessitating a unified defense from these democracies to counter Turkish overreach in the Mediterranean,. 3. CHINA'S OIL LOSS IN VENEZUELA Guest: Gordon Chang and Charles Burton The guests discuss how the US removal of Maduro disrupts China's oil supply, leaving Beijing with billions in unpaid debt. They note that Chinese military equipment failed to detect the US operation, embarrassing Beijing. Burton suggests Canada faces a difficult choice between aligning with US hemispheric security or appeasing China,,. 4. 2026: A HOLLOW SUPERPOWER Guest: Gordon Chang and Charles Burton Chang and Burton speculate that the US operation in Venezuela exposes China's inability to protect its allies, making Beijing appear "hollow." Chang argues this weakens China's threat against Taiwan, while Burton suggests that with China's economy failing and its allies collapsing, the regime faces internal instability and a loss of global prestige,. 5. SECTARIAN WARFARE IN SYRIA Guest: Akmed Sharawari Akmed Sharawari reports on escalating violence between Syria's Alawite minority and the central government led by former jihadist Al-Shara. He explains that regime remnants and Russian influence are fueling Alawite defiance, while Druze and Kurdish factions also resist integration, complicating US hopes for a stable, unified post-Assad state,,. 6. WESTERN AIRSTRIKES ON ISIS Guest: Akmed Sharawari Sharawari discusses recent British and French airstrikes against ISIS weapons caches in Syria. He notes that despite opposing the central government, ISIS remains a universal threat. The chaos following the Assad regime's fall has allowed ISIS cells to regroup in urban areas, necessitating Western intervention to destroy their stolen arsenals,. 7. HEZBOLLAH'S LATIN AMERICAN FINANCING Guest: David Daoud David Daoud details Hezbollah's deep entrenchment in Venezuela, used to challenge US hegemony. He explains how the group exploits Latin American networks, illicit trade, and legitimate business fronts within expatriate communities to generate essential funding, compensating for losses in Lebanon and serving Iran's broader strategy in the Western Hemisphere,. 8. LEBANESE ARMY COLLUSION Guest: David Daoud Daoud highlights the compromised nature of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), citing a recent incident where an LAF soldier killed alongside Hezbollah members received a joint funeral. He argues this collusion makes the LAF an untrustworthy partner for Israel, as sectarian loyalties often supersede national duty, leading to dangerous intelligence leaks,. 9. THE FALL OF MADURO Guest: Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo Alejandro Peña Esclusa celebrates the swift US capture of Maduro as Venezuela's liberation. He argues Vice President Delcy Rodriguez must now dismantle the "Cartel of the Suns" to avoid Maduro's fate. Ernesto Araújo frames this as a decisive victory for freedom, forcing a choice between democracy and criminal syndicates,,. 10. US DEMANDS: TERRORISTS OUT Guest: Alejandro Peña Esclusa Peña Esclusa supports US demands for Iran, Hezbollah, and the ELN to be expelled from Venezuela, asserting the population shares these desires. He characterizes Maduro as a drug lord and a threat to Western security, criticizing European leftists who condemn the operation for failing to recognize the regime's criminal nature. 11. PANIC AMONG THE LATIN LEFT Guest: Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo Ernesto Araújo explains that leftist leaders like Lula and Petro fear the US action against Maduro because their power structures share similar corruption. Peña Esclusa adds that Colombian President Petro is terrified because his campaign was funded by Venezuelan drug money, making him vulnerable to the exposure of these secrets,. 12. THE RIGHTWARD SHIFT IN ELECTIONS Guest: Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo Araújo predicts the US action in Venezuela will energize the Latin American right, specifically boosting the Bolsonaro movement in Brazil. Peña Esclusa forecasts electoral defeats for the left in Costa Rica, Peru, and Colombia, arguing the region is turning away from narco-socialism toward US-aligned conservative leadership,. 13. RUSSIA'S MAXIMALIST DEMANDS Guest: John Hardie John Hardie outlines Russia's unyielding demands for peace, including territorial concessions and barring Ukraine from NATO. He notes that while Zelensky is nearing agreement with the West on security guarantees, the gap with Russia remains wide. Hardie urges the Trump administration to increase pressure to force Putin to compromise,. 14. THE IMPOSSIBLE DMZ Guest: John Hardie Hardie discusses the complexities of implementing a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Ukraine, citing disagreements over sovereignty and administration. Regarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, he notes Russia is unlikely to return control to Ukraine. He concludes that peace deals requiring Ukraine to cede territory are "poison pills" likely to fail,. 15. HAMAS AND THE IMPOSSIBLE RECONSTRUCTION Guest: Peter Berkowitz Peter Berkowitz argues that Hamas, as a Muslim Brotherhood offshoot, remains committed to Israel's destruction, making peace impossible. He criticizes the "Project Sunrise" reconstruction plan, noting that US-led development is futile without first disarming and deradicalizing Gaza, a task only the IDF can currently achieve given Hamas's refusal to surrender,. 16. IRAN ON THE BRINK Guest: Jonathan Sia Jonathan Sia reports on unprecedented Iranian protests and rumors that Ayatollah Khamenei plans to flee to Moscow. He attributes the regime's panic to the recent fall of allies like Maduro. Sia notes a shift in protester sentiment toward pro-monarchy chants, suggesting a coordinated opposition now exists to replace the theocracy,.

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ALLIANCE VS. TURKEY Colleague Edmund Fitton-Brown. Fitton-Brownexamines the cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel as a necessary pushback against Turkish President Erdogan's neo-Ottoman expansionism. He argues Erdogan's aggressive rhetoric regarding Jerusalem and maritime claims threatens regional stability, necessitating a unified defense from these democracies to counter Turkish overreach in the Mediterranean. NUMBER 2

When writing teacher Peter Turchi sees a map, he looks for the adventure it holds. “To ask for a map,” he says, “is to say, ‘Tell me a story.’ ” I seized on that idea when preparing to teach a Sunday school class during Christmas on the “Faith of the Wise Men.” As I studied maps, I learned the Magi traveled some nine hundred miles—perhaps over several months—to find the Christ child, finally finding not a babe in a manger but a toddler living with His parents in a house. Their reaction after such a long trip? “They bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11). Their journey invited my students and me to plan with intention to seek Christ more fully. As Scripture tells us, when the Magi finally arrived in Jerusalem, their urgent question was: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (v. 2). Distance didn’t deter their worship. Nor did danger or delays. Herod’s deadly demand was ironic: “Go and search carefully for the child” (v. 8). Nobody had searched more carefully for Jesus than the Magi. We can heed the example of the wise men by seeking Christ carefully, too. Then, as we worship Him, we can expect our heavenly Father to speak to our hearts, leading us from old ways to new paths to journey with Him.

(5:51) Bible Study: Mark 6:34-44 We always do what we think is right, but our hearts’ are misguided. 1 John 4:7-10 What is love really? (24:02) Break 1 (26:35) Letters: Who can preach at Mass? Why does it say that all of Jerusalem was troubled by the coming of the Messiah? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (36:24) Break 2 (37:14) Word of the Day Expiation (39:59) Phones: Irma - How do Protestants translate Luke 2:34-35 with the fact that they don’t believe in Mary's intercession. Tom - Was I out line for stepping in to tell Father that someone had pocketed the host? John - If someone is a practicing catholic but is also gnostic and doubtful of God are they going to heaven? Mary - Can you give me the timeline of the early life of Jesus and his travels?

“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey - riding on a donkey's colt.” - Zechariah 9:9In my opinion, Zechariah is a diamond of a book. It has so many facets, so many ways to approach it and points of emphasis and things to teach. Last week we talked about Haggai and Zechariah is a partner book - we are still in the post-exilic period talking about rebuilding the temple. But Zechariah covers a lot of ground. It talks about returning to the Lord. There are chapters of visions we haven't really seen the like of since Daniel and Ezekiel. There are calls to justice and mercy, promises of blessings and a beautiful look ahead to the coming Messiah and the second advent still to come. As I said, this is an incredibly rich, multifaceted book. To help us navigate it is Dr. Andrew Hill, Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Wheaton College and author of a commentary on Zechariah. Doable Discipleship is a Saddleback Church podcast produced and hosted by Jason Wieland. It premiered in 2017 and now offers more than 450 episodes. Episodes release every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app and on the Saddleback Church YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/saddleback).Subscribe to the Doable Discipleship podcast at Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doable-discipleship/id1240966935) or Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zc9nuwQZOLadbFCZCmZ1V)Related Doable Discipleship Episodes: Navigating the Bible: Haggai - https://youtu.be/pGFOmTPUgI4Navigating the Bible: Zephaniah - https://youtu.be/VtKeFsLeG4MNavigating the Bible: Habakkuk - https://youtu.be/89l0HUQceIwNavigating the Bible: Nahum - https://youtu.be/USg64a6Kk8wNavigating the Bible: Micah - https://youtu.be/Tcm3HykhkS8Navigating the Bible: Jonah - https://youtu.be/PxhIyhLSgJQNavigating the Bible: Obadiah - https://youtu.be/jB6W-TM5Y-oNavigating the Bible: Amos - https://youtu.be/8DqVHu7leDUNavigating the Bible: Joel - https://youtu.be/Ilg6r300q4UNavigating the Bible: Hosea - https://youtu.be/nWZ4TuAUSRQNavigating the Bible: Daniel - https://youtu.be/bnQ-PioWxfgNavigating the Bible: Ezekiel - https://youtu.be/hlg6gBYxqsgNavigating the Bible: Lamentations - https://youtu.be/6rrizlXeYXENavigating the Bible: Jeremiah - https://youtu.be/lXPjWl8PdRkNavigating the Bible: Isaiah - https://youtu.be/NZJLaPkgEgsNavigating the Bible: Song of Songs - https://youtu.be/Sg0CYlNBVMgNavigating the Bible: Ecclesiastes - https://youtu.be/-Wr7LCh8F9ENavigating the Bible: Proverbs - https://youtu.be/DytRT5AsZg8Navigating the Bible: Psalms - https://youtu.be/oZeesooAYUINavigating the Bible: Job - https://youtu.be/14jaf2T1eCQNavigating the Bible: Esther - https://youtu.be/7RZ7ATWQZucNavigating the Bible: Nehemiah - https://youtu.be/Gok4WDgwn5INavigating the Bible: Ezra - https://youtu.be/aBC0nEjYeyoNavigating the Bible: 2 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/OG3rHTgMgEINavigating the Bible: 1 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/lQ_Qc4zbfgANavigating the Bible: 2 Kings - https://youtu.be/04q9gDhBKTkNavigating the Bible: 1 Kings - https://youtu.be/aS-KoeQXl2kNavigating the Bible: 2 Samuel - https://youtu.be/ZbpafGgOW7cNavigating the Bible: 1 Samuel - https://youtu.be/lY8wPElSFMYNavigating the Bible: Rute - https://youtu.be/YaH-t-ZzTaMNavigating the Bible: Judges - https://youtu.be/qNGcOf2o0NUNavigating the Bible: Joshua - https://youtu.be/hF28aThBtFsNavigating the Bible: Deuteronomy - https://youtu.be/HzmNgPOM4zUNavigating the Bible: Numbers - https://youtu.be/H1HO6V9HDxsNavigating the Bible: Leviticus - https://youtu.be/08RhDCXYex4Navigating the Bible: Exodus - https://youtu.be/NB9UTpS1F3MNavigating the Bible: Genesis - https://youtu.be/ddhjMfOoasAInspiring Dreams by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoonMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

God’s new mercies for a new year remind us that lasting hope isn’t found in resolutions, productivity, or perfectly planned goals, but in the daily faithfulness of the Lord. Rooted in Lamentations 3:21–27, this devotional points us to the steady truth that God’s compassion never fails, His mercy is renewed every morning, and His presence is sufficient for each ordinary day ahead. Highlights Ordinary, quiet days can feel harder than busy ones, yet they are sacred gifts from God. Our relationship with God is not a goal to achieve but a journey to continue. New Year’s resolutions cannot sustain spiritual growth the way daily dependence on God can. God’s mercy, love, and compassion are renewed every single morning without fail. Hope is not found in knowing the future but in trusting the God who reigns over it. There is always enough mercy for each day—never more, never less. Living one day at a time frees us from fear and anchors us in God’s faithfulness. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: New Mercies for a New Year By: Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:I reach up for my coffee cup in the cabinet. Silently, while my house is still quiet, I pour the steaming liquid. The morning hours are sacred, peaceful, and go by too fast. My children, all five of them, will wake up early. The rooms will be filled with voices, doors opening, and then the noises of food being fixed in the kitchen. Although they are older now and can make their own breakfast, I walk in with my empty coffee cup. I’m ready to help them pack their lunches and pour the orange juice. The morning hours will once again be quiet after getting them off to school, but facing my day means I face the truth that ordinary, mundane days are often harder than the busy ones. How do I spend my day? What is truly important? If I made a list, it would be a mile long. New days bring new to-do lists. Jobs, careers, family, and ministry weave together as the years go by, but how do we decide what to do with our days? Each day is a gift from God, and we don’t want to waste our time, so how do we live better? As the new year approaches, you and I want to make our lives better. We want our health to be better, our relationships to be better, and we want our faith to be better. Although New Year’s resolutions are great, maybe even beneficial, what we cannot resolve to do better is our relationship with God. Our connection to God is something to grow, not a goal to reach. I admit that many times over the years, I’ve spent time writing out my goals and aspirations for my life in December and January, including “spiritual things.” I would write down things like praying more, reading my Bible more, and doing more for God. Although we can make tangible goals like that, God is not asking us to reach a certain point, but to continue on in the journey with Him. What if instead of looking for more, we looked for new? In the new year, maybe we can find hope, mercy, and peace not in our goals or resolutions, but in the daily mercies God is already giving us. What do we have that is something we’ve forgotten about God? What if we stopped looking for more and looked to God for the daily? In the book of Lamentations, we see a powerful passage of hope. The author has spent two and a half chapters lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem. Sorrow, death, and fear surrounded the city. The author’s heart was completely overwhelmed. If you are entering this new year with trepidation, fear, or sorrow, listen closely to the turning point that happens here in the following verses. Yet this I call to mindand therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietlyfor the salvation of the Lord. -Lamentations 3:21-27 (ESV) God’s love, compassion, and mercy are new every morning. Our lives are not built because we make New Year's resolutions or meet all our goals. In the daily choices we make, that’s what really counts. How can we daily look to God for our hope? We don’t know what will happen in the coming year, but we can know for sure God will be on his throne (Psalm 47:2), there is hope (Psalm 9:18), and Christ is with us. (Matthew 28:20) As we enter the new year, don’t forget that God’s mercies are new today. Every year, every morning, and each moment we walk through life, God is with us and His mercy has no end! This gives us a place to start connecting with God right now. Each day, there is enough mercy for that day. There will always be enough. God’s mercy and love are faithful to show up every day without fail. It never runs out. You won’t disappoint, sin, or make mistakes that keep you from God’s love and compassion. We can’t outrun God’s love for us. Don’t get wrapped up in trying to prepare for the whole year in January. Just trust God, there will be enough for each day as it comes. He invites us to live this life one day at a time. Make one resolution or goal: to connect with God daily. Psalm 68:19 says that God “daily bears us up” (ESV). Each day God lifts us, provides for us the hope and mercy we need. God will never fail us. In Romans 8:31-39, Paul tells us what can separate us from God’s love. Spoiler: Nothing can! Intersecting Faith & Life: A New Year can invite us to celebrate God’s new mercies, which show up every day. We access this through His Word. Do you have a regular Bible reading habit or study plan? If life feels overwhelming, I invite you to begin with the Psalms. Check out the podcast Psalms to Help You Sleep to jump-start a daily Bible routine. You can start experiencing God’s new mercies in this new year. Further Reading: Psalm 40:1-3 Isaiah 43:18-19 Romans 8:28-39 1 John 5:14-15 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, January 5th, Day Twelve of Christmas, is in the U.S. the feast day of St. John Neumann, bishop (1811-1860) and the patron saint of Catholic Education [in the picture]. Born in Bohemia (current Czech Republic), after coming to the United States, he worked in establishing parishes and parish schools. In 1852, he was consecrated Bishop of Philadelphia and introduced the Forty Hours devotion.In today's Gospel (Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25), we see Christ Jesus in Capernaum and all of Galilee, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel, and curing disease and illness among the people.“His fame spread to all of Syria,and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseasesand racked with pain,those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics,and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea,and from beyond the Jordan followed him.”And Our Lord only asked one thing: repentance from sins.“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”Related to this divine invitation, in the first reading, St. John tells us (John 3:22–4:6)“Beloved:We receive from him whatever we ask,because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.And his commandment is this:we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,and love one another just as he commanded us.Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,and the way we know that he remains in usis from the Spirit whom he gave us.”Ave MariaCome, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠January 5, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

On slaughtering the red heifer "outside of the pit" has to mean more than "outside of the Temple," as this offering was always made outside of the Temple. So what is the concern here? The Gemara provides a few suggestions. Also, a sidestep away from the dispute between R. Yochanan and Resh Lakish on the daf about the concern of impurity in the land - and whether there might be bones in the ground from the time of the Flood (which, if there, are reason to be concerned about impurity in the ground). But did the Flood actually come to the land of Israel? And could there be anything interfering with the (apparently identifiable) bedrock? Plus, women would give birth to children who would draw water to contribute to the next red heifer offering (as part of the process) - children who were kept free of ritual impurity to be able to play this role. And if that isn't clear for the whole land, then at least Jerusalem - where R. Yehoshua essentially stipulates that the holy city is not impure. Also, more on the Flood itself - and how the huge animals were saved from the waters, given that they wouldn't have fit on the ark.

The crusade movement needed women: their money, their prayer support, their active participation, and their inspiration. Helen J. Nicholson's book Women and the Crusades (Oxford UP, 2023) surveys women's involvement in medieval crusading between the second half of the eleventh century, when Pope Gregory VII first proposed a penitential military expedition to help the Christians of the East, and 1570, when the last crusader state, Cyprus, was captured by the Ottoman Turks. It considers women's actions not only on crusade battlefields but also in recruiting crusaders, supporting crusades through patronage, propaganda, and prayer, and as both defenders and aggressors. It argues that medieval women were deeply involved in the crusades but the roles that they could play and how their contemporaries recorded their deeds were dictated by social convention and cultural expectations. Although its main focus is the women of Latin Christendom, it also looks at the impact of the crusades and crusaders on the Jews of western Europe and the Muslims of the Middle East, and compares relations between Latin Christians and Muslims with relations between Muslims and other Christian groups. Helen J. Nicholson is Professor of Medieval History at Cardiff University, UK. She has published extensively on the crusades, the military orders, and various related subjects, including a translation of a chronicle of the Third Crusade and an edition of the Templar trial proceedings in Britain and Ireland. She has just completed a history of Queen Sybil of Jerusalem (1186-1190). Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Naysan Rafati, senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group. They discuss the ongoing protests across Iran against the regime, the strategic indecision by the Islamic Republic especially since last year's 12-day war with Israel, the prospects for miscalculation between Tehran and Jerusalem, President Trump's threats to 'come to the rescue' of the Iranian people, how the events in Venezuela impact Iran's thinking, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

This message is from our "Acts" series.The book of Acts tells the story of the gospel advancing from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. As we walk through this missional narrative together, our prayer is that God would breathe fresh wind into our sails—motivating and inspiring us to join Him in the work He's still doing today.Crosspoint City is one church in multiple locations and we exist to relentlessly pursue those far from God to help them know and follow Jesus. To help support this mission and work, visit https://mycpcc.com/giveSTAY CONNECTED:Facebook: https://mycpcc.com/facebookInstagram: https://mycpcc.com/instagramTiktok: https://mycpcc.com/tiktok

Acts Series  Message: 15 Episode: 1 of 3 Broadcast: January 6, 2026 Key Verses: Acts 8:1-25 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz teaches through Acts 8:1–25 in a message titled "The Church Persecuted and Scattered," showing how God uses even hardship and opposition to advance His gospel. As persecution intensifies and believers are forced from Jerusalem, the church doesn't shrink—it spreads, carrying the good news of Jesus into Samaria through faithful servants like Philip, where lives are transformed by the power of Christ and the truth of the Holy Spirit. This teaching encourages Christians that God is always at work, even in seasons of suffering or uncertainty, and equips listeners to apply God's truth to everyday life with courage, humility, and discernment. Above all, it points us back to Jesus—the reason for the season and the center of our faith—reminding us that no circumstance can stop His plan or silence His saving grace. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

Prophesy more current than the Newspapers - Jerusalem from Mark Twain's perspective in 1867 and Why in God's Word it happened form Leviticus, Amos and Zechariah looking forward to today and Psalms 147

Having received his Ph.D. in mathematical logic at Brandeis University, Rabbi Dr. Dovid Gottlieb went on to become Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University. Today he is a senior faculty member at Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem. An accomplished author and lecturer, Rabbi Gottlieb has electrified audiences with his stimulating and energetic presentations on ethical and philosophical issues. In Jewish Philosophy with Rabbi Dr. Gottlieb, we are invited to explore the most fascinating and elemental concepts of Jewish Philosophy. https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ podcasts@ohr.edu

Matthew 2:1-6  After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for out of you will come a ruler    who will shepherd my people Israel.'”

Ezra 1: 5-11 (ESV) This is a THMC EM sermon by Lead Pastor Tim Park spoken at Ttokamsa Home Mission Church in Los Angeles, CA.Visit us on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for updates.

1 When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.Cum ergo natus esset Jesus in Bethlehem Juda in diebus Herodis regis, ecce magi ab oriente venerunt Jerosolymam, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him.dicentes : Ubi est qui natus est rex Judaeorum? vidimus enim stellam ejus in oriente, et venimus adorare eum. 3 And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.Audiens autem Herodes rex, turbatus est, et omnis Jerosolyma cum illo. 4 And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.Et congregans omnes principes sacerdotum, et scribas populi, sciscitabatur ab eis ubi Christus nasceretur. 5 But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:At illi dixerunt : In Bethlehem Judae : sic enim scriptum est per prophetam : 6 And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.Et tu Bethlehem terra Juda, nequaquam minima es in principibus Juda : ex te enim exiet dux, qui regat populum meum Israel. 7 Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them;Tunc Herodes clam vocatis magis diligenter didicit ab eis tempus stellae, quae apparuit eis : 8 And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come to adore him.et mittens illos in Bethlehem, dixit : Ite, et interrogate diligenter de puero : et cum inveneritis, renuntiate mihi, ut et ego veniens adorem eum. 9 Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.Qui cum audissent regem, abierunt, et ecce stella, quam viderant in oriente, antecedebat eos, usque dum veniens staret supra, ubi erat puer. 10 And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.Videntes autem stellam gavisi sunt gaudio magno valde. 11 And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Et intrantes domum, invenerunt puerum cum Maria matre ejus, et procidentes adoraverunt eum : et apertis thesauris suis obtulerunt ei munera, aurum, thus, et myrrham. 12 And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.Et responso accepto in somnis ne redirent ad Herodem, per aliam viam reversi sunt in regionem suam.

The Letter of Jude E1 — Jude is one of the shortest writings in the New Testament. It comes from one of Jesus' own brothers (or cousins, or stepbrothers, depending on the tradition). Written in the early years of the Jesus movement, the letter addresses a Jewish community in Jerusalem or Galilee, made up of disciples who likely grew up with Jesus and knew his family. Jude (or Judah in Hebrew or Judas in Greek) is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Bible. His writing shows these roots through consistent biblical language and tons of hyperlinks. But who was Jude, and what do we know about his family and ancestors? In this episode, Jon and Tim introduce the background of this short letter and the larger world surrounding its author.FULL SHOW NOTESFor chapter-by-chapter summaries, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.CHAPTERSJude's Identity and the Brothers of Jesus (0:00–8:29)Jesus' Brothers in the Gospels and Early Church (8:29–24:01)James, Jude, and Their Descendants (24:01–44:15)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.BIBLEPROJECT JUDE TRANSLATIONView our full translation of the Letter of Jude.REFERENCED RESOURCESPanarion by Epiphanius of SalamisThe Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary: Against Helvidius by JeromeProto-Gospel of JamesCommentary on Matthew by OrigenAntiquities of the Jews by Flavius JosephusThe Church History by Eusebius of CaesareaCheck out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“afternoon reads.” by Lofi Sunday, PAINT WITH SOUND.“date night” by Lofi Sunday, Cassidy GodwinBibleProject theme song by TENTS SHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Powered and distributed by Simplecast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Live Work with Madeleine I'm Helpless! Part 2 of 3 Today, we are pleased to present the exciting conclusion of our work with Madeleine, a loving mother who fears that her eldest daughter might be in mortal danger during her year abroad. Last week, you heard about the T = Testing and E = Empathy phase of the live work with Madeleine, a mother feeling intense panic and helplessness and inadequacy because she fears that her daughter could be in grave danger of abduction and worse. This week, we will focus on A = Paradoxical Agenda Setting, using the Miracle Cure Question, Magic Button, Positive Reframing, and Magic Dial to see if we can melt away her resistance to change. You can see the Emotions table of the Daily Mood Log Madeleine during the Magic Dial portion of the session if you Click Here As you can see, she wanted to reduce her negative feelings somewhat, but thought she still wanted to keep them fairly elevated, since she still sensed that her daughter might be in real danger, and clearly did not want to abandon her. This is one of the significant refinements in TEAM CBT. First, we want to bring the patient's resistance to full conscious awareness. Second, we want patients to full grasp that their negative thoughts and feelings do NOT result from some "defect" or "mental disorder," but rather from what is most beautiful and awesome about them as human beings. After the Magic Button, David and Jill went on to the final, M = Methods portion of the TEAM session, using tools such as Identify and Explain the Distortions, the Double Standard Technique, and the Externalization of Voices, with the Acceptance Paradox, the Self-Defense Paradigm, and the CAT (Counter-Attack Technique). We will, of course, do numerous role reversals to see if we can get Madeleine to a "huge" victory over her many distorted thoughts. You can see the Daily Mood Log Madeleine prepared at the end of the session if you Click Here As you can see, the reductions in negative feelings were dramatic, but in several areas (anxiety, inadequacy, frustration and anger), Madeleine's negative feelings were still minimally elevated. That is one of the reasons we decided to schedule an additional session together several weeks later to see if we could intensify Madeleine's responses to her negative thoughts, and hopefully due some Cognitive Flooding to complete her "treatment." At the end of these show notes, you will find an email from Madeleine after the session that includes her end-of-session scores on the BMS and EOTS. You will also see comments submitted by many participants who attended the webinar live. This email below from Madeleine following the session shows her end of session scores on the Brief Mood Survey as well as the Evaluation of Therapy Session at the end of her session with Jill and David. Hi David, Yes, here are my BMS & ETS score totals after the extended session. Please let me know if you have any questions. A relapse prevention session would be nice; however, I hesitate to accept your offer as you all are so busy. Please know that I am practicing the PTs and keeping the NTs in check for now. Thank you again a million times over

Feast of the Epiphany 2026 Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,  behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,  "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled,  and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,  He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea,  for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel." Then Herod called the magi secretly  and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said,  "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word,  that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,  until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star,  and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures  and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,  they departed for their country by another way.

Old Testament Study Resources The Scriptures are Real Podcast Kerry received his B.S. from BYU in Psychology with a Hebrew minor. As an undergraduate he spent time at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies in the intensive Hebrew program. He received an M.A. in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from BYU and his Ph.D. from UCLA in Egyptology, where in his final year he was named the UCLA Affiliates Graduate Student of the Year. He taught courses in Hebrew and Religion part time at BYU and the UVSC extension center, as well as in history at Cal Poly Pomona and UCLA. He also taught early morning seminary and at the Westwood (UCLA) Institute of Religion. His first full time appointment was a joint position in Religion and History at BYU-Hawaii. He is the director of the BYU Egypt Excavation Project. He was selected by the Princeton Review in 2012 as one of the best 300 professors in the nation (the top .02% of those considered). He was also a Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford for the 2016-17 academic year. He has published 13 books, over 60 peer reviewed articles, and has done over 75 academic presentations. He and his wife, Julianne, are the parents of six children and one grandchild, and together they have lived in Jerusalem while Kerry has taught there on multiple occasions. He has served as the chairman of a national committee for the American Research Center in Egypt and serves on their Research Supporting Member Council and on the Board of Governors. He has also served on committees for the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities, and has served on their Board of Trustees and as Senior Vice President of the organization, with a brief stint as interim president. He has been the co-chair for the Egyptian Archaeology Session of the American Schools of Oriental Research. He is also a Senior Fellow of the William F. Albright Institute for Archaeological Research. He serves on the BYU Studies Quarterly Editorial Board. He is involved with the International Association of Egyptologists, and has worked with Educational Testing Services on their AP World History exam. The post As You Plan to Study the Old Testament – Kerry Muhlestein – 999.6 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The 20th chapter of Acts chronicles the shift in the Apostle Paul's ministry and a wrap up of his work in Macedonia and Asia. Acts 20 records a time for Paul to visit his churches for the last time as he heads to Jerusalem and then on to Rome. Join Dr. James Boice next time, on The Bible Study Hour as he takes us through this nostalgic journey and important time in Paul's missionary calling. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

Gospel Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.  He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet  might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.  His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them.  And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him. Reflection This entire week is focused on the coming of Jesus, the major transformation that's happening. John the Baptist is setting himself out of the picture, and into the picture comes this incredible figure of Jesus. And it's interesting that he goes to a Gentile town, not to Jerusalem. And there he starts his ministry, which is so impossible to believe that everyone he encountered, he would heal them. And it was just this beautiful image of a great light comes into the world so bright that it destroys pain and suffering and darkness and evil. It was almost too much for people to grasp, and that's exactly what happened. The beginning of his ministry was difficult because people had no idea what the kingdom of God was really about. Closing Prayer When Jesus came to initiate the kingdom of God, he changed everything. And the most important thing for us, and we pray for it always, is that we'll grasp fully what this new light and life really means. It's not just that we become the receiver of healing, but we also become the partner with God in the work of healing. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a divided world, where politics promises change but delivers more polarization, where does real hope come from? In this episode of Talk'N Truth, Dan Whitney (aka Larry the Cable Guy), Arnie Cole, and Pastor Bryan Clark wrestle with a timely and uncomfortable question: Can politics heal what's broken—or does lasting change only come through Jesus? Drawing from 2 Samuel 19, the conversation centers on David's return to leadership after a decade of moral failure, passivity, and national division. After Absalom's rebellion collapses, David faces a fragile moment: will he seek revenge, or will he lead with grace to reunite a fractured nation? His decisions along the road back to Jerusalem reveal a leader learning—slowly and painfully—that reconciliation matters more than payback. The discussion then turns sharply to today. The guys talk candidly about Christians, politics, and public witness—why aligning the church with political power can damage the testimony of Christ, why joy and humility speak louder than outrage, and why the mission of the church is discipleship, not endorsements. Laws can restrain behavior, but only the gospel can change hearts. With humor, honesty, and conviction, this episode challenges believers to stop looking to Washington for salvation and start living as visible, joyful ambassadors of Jesus in everyday life. Be a light. Stay grounded in the Word. Plant seeds—and trust God to do what only He can do. Perfect for viewers interested in: Christian perspectives on politics, faith and culture, 2 Samuel 19, King David's leadership, church and public witness, Christian unity, discipleship, living out the gospel, and navigating polarization with grace. #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #TalkNTruth #LarryTheCableGuy #ArnieCole #BryanClark #FaithAndPolitics #ChurchAndCulture #2Samuel19 #ChristianWitness #GospelCentered #BackToTheBible #LiveAsLight

Trump's track record in ending the ISIS caliphate, moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, the Abraham Accords, combating Iran's nuclear threat, ending the Hamas-Israel war - bringing relative peace to the middle east in the process speaks for itself. He has massive credibility in carrying out military backed foreign policy outcomes with quick and massive success. There's ample reason to believe that Maduro's ouster will be more of the same while being exceedingly positive for the U.S. and the free world – which should once again include Venezuelans.  

In this Everyday Judaism episode on practical Jewish law (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 40), Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explains the rabbinic obligation of netilat yadayim (ritual hand-washing) before eating bread—a meal's centerpiece. Rooted in Temple-era purity laws (tumah and taharah) to prepare for terumah consumption, this decree persists today to maintain readiness for the future Temple, promote physical hygiene (highlighted during COVID-19), and foster spiritual holiness by countering arrogance.Key rules include using a complete, spoutless vessel (kli) with a flat top; pouring a generous revi'it (about 3–4 oz) of clean water twice per hand (right first), covering up to the wrist in one flow; reciting "al netilat yadayim" after washing while raising hands; and thoroughly drying (not on clothes, to avoid forgetfulness). Alternatives for no vessel: immersing in a river/mikvah/spring, or (in need) snow or faucet with human force.Rabbi Wolbe shares inspiring stories (Chafetz Chaim's sensitivity and humility) and emphasizes washing's deeper purpose: humbling ourselves before bread's 11-step process, recognizing accomplishments as Hashem's gifts rather than our own. The episode transitions to Ask Away #27, urging maximal spiritual use of Zos Chanukah (eighth day) through gazing at menorah lights, prayer, and abundant thanks to Hashem.The episode concludes with a transition to the Ask Away #27._____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #81) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 21, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 5, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #blessings, #Kitzur, #NetilatYadayim, #HandWashing, #Halacha, #SpiritualHumility, #EverydayJudaism ★ Support this podcast ★

In today's rich feast day of the Epiphany we see the Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in which the Lord's light shines over Jerusalem, and the foreign nations come and worship the true God of Israel. But we also see in the Gospel how the Magi were not able to reach Jesus their destination on their own -- they needed the assistance of those in Jerusalem. Will we in the Church lead the seekers in our lives to Jesus?

Worship with us 9 + 11am 390 N 400 E Bountiful, UT 84010 https://flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit Sermon: One Returned | Luke 17:11–19 In this message from Luke 17:11–19, we encounter a powerful and searching story as Jesus heals ten lepers while traveling toward Jerusalem. All ten are cleansed. Only one returns. This passage invites us to examine not only what Jesus gives, but how we respond to him. As Jesus passes through the border region between Samaria and Galilee, he meets ten men whose lives have been defined by isolation, suffering, and loss. Bound together by shared pain despite deep cultural and religious divisions, they cry out from a distance, asking Jesus for mercy. Jesus responds by sending them to the priests, and as they go, they are cleansed. Their obedience is real, and the healing is complete. They receive exactly what they asked for. But the story does not end there. One man, a Samaritan, recognizes the significance of what has happened. He turns back, praising God with a loud voice, and falls at Jesus' feet in gratitude and worship. While all ten were cleansed, only one is described as being made whole. Jesus' words to him are striking: “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” This healing is not only physical, but spiritual. It is the difference between receiving a restored life and receiving new life. This sermon presses us to consider an important distinction. It is possible to experience the goodness of God, to receive his gifts, and yet return to life as it was before. The nine did nothing overtly wrong. They were obedient. They were healed. They went on their way. But the one who returned understood the source of his healing and surrendered himself fully to Jesus. The message challenges us to reflect honestly on our own posture toward Christ. Are we content with being helped by Jesus, or have we fallen at his feet in surrender? Are we hearers of the word without allowing it to shape our lives? Do we limit following Jesus to an hour on Sunday, or does our faith carry into the ordinary and difficult moments of the week? Is there evidence of transformation, not perfection, but fruit that flows from abiding in him? This is not a call to earn God's love. Scripture is clear that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Rather, it is an invitation to receive salvation fully, not merely relief or improvement, but new life rooted in relationship with Jesus. Gratitude alone is not the same as surrender. The gospel calls us beyond thank you into trust, obedience, and transformation. As a church, this message also calls us to look past the many good gifts God has given and continue pursuing the Giver himself. Growth, joy, and blessing are meaningful, but they are never the destination. The heart of faith is found at the feet of Jesus. Whether you are exploring faith for the first time or have followed Jesus for many years, this message invites reflection. What would it look like for you to turn back? What would surrender look like in your life today? Jesus is a gentle and faithful Savior, and he welcomes all who come to him. Scripture Reading: Luke 17:11–19 Speaker: Pastor Benjer McVeigh Church: Flourishing Grace Church We pray this message encourages you to look beyond the gifts and find life at the feet of Jesus.

Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭12‬ ‭ “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard […]

Psalm 511 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Send us a textForget the tinsel and crowns—let's meet the Magi where history lives. We sit down with Fr. Dwight Longenecker, author of The Mystery of the Magi, to rethink the famous journey to Bethlehem through the lenses of archaeology, geopolitics, and Scripture. Instead of mystical monarchs following a neon star, we explore a compelling alternative: Nabataean court advisors—astrologers and diplomats—from Petra, navigating trade routes, Roman power, and Herod's volatile court.We dig into why Matthew includes the Magi while Luke doesn't, and how reading the Bible with historical context can strip away later legends without losing wonder. Fr. Longenecker maps the power players of the era—Rome, Herod the Great, and the Nabataeans—and explains how Aretas IV's shaky throne and dependence on Roman goodwill could have sparked a diplomatic mission to Judea. The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh move from pure symbolism to economic fingerprints of Arabian trade, pointing to a real origin and a recognizable protocol of royal homage.And the star? We weigh leading theories: supernatural sign, astrological reading, or rare astronomical event. Rather than a celestial spotlight dragging caravans across dunes, Matthew suggests discerning signs that prompt a journey to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem. Along the way, we call out Gnostic embellishments—like the “burning baby in the sky”—and return to a leaner, stronger account where faith and reason meet. If you care about biblical history, Epiphany, or how ancient trade networks intersected with theology, this conversation brings the Nativity's most enigmatic visitors into crisp focus.If the reframe sparks your curiosity, follow the show, share this episode with a friend who loves history, and leave a review with your take on who the Magi really were.

What Nehemiah did in chapter 13 has been labeled by some as more important than rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Why is it such a big deal?

In this Everyday Judaism episode on practical Jewish law (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 40), Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explains the rabbinic obligation of netilat yadayim (ritual hand-washing) before eating bread—a meal's centerpiece. Rooted in Temple-era purity laws (tumah and taharah) to prepare for terumah consumption, this decree persists today to maintain readiness for the future Temple, promote physical hygiene (highlighted during COVID-19), and foster spiritual holiness by countering arrogance.Key rules include using a complete, spoutless vessel (kli) with a flat top; pouring a generous revi'it (about 3–4 oz) of clean water twice per hand (right first), covering up to the wrist in one flow; reciting "al netilat yadayim" after washing while raising hands; and thoroughly drying (not on clothes, to avoid forgetfulness). Alternatives for no vessel: immersing in a river/mikvah/spring, or (in need) snow or faucet with human force.Rabbi Wolbe shares inspiring stories (Chafetz Chaim's sensitivity and humility) and emphasizes washing's deeper purpose: humbling ourselves before bread's 11-step process, recognizing accomplishments as Hashem's gifts rather than our own. The episode transitions to Ask Away #27, urging maximal spiritual use of Zos Chanukah (eighth day) through gazing at menorah lights, prayer, and abundant thanks to Hashem.The episode concludes with a transition to the Ask Away #27._____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #81) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 21, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 5, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #blessings, #Kitzur, #NetilatYadayim, #HandWashing, #Halacha, #SpiritualHumility, #EverydayJudaism ★ Support this podcast ★

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Spicy Hummus, History & Unexpected Laughter in Jerusalem Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-01-05-08-38-19-he Story Transcript:He: השוק במרכז ירושלים היה מלא חיים.En: The market in the center of Jerusalem was full of life.He: החורף קר אבל נתן תחושה חמימה כשנכנסו מאיה, איתן ודני לשוק מחנה יהודה.En: The winter was cold but gave a warm feeling as Maia, Eitan, and Dani entered the Shuk Machane Yehuda.He: איתן חובב היסטוריה ולא הרגיש בנוח עם אוכל.En: Eitan was a history enthusiast and didn't feel comfortable with food.He: הוא היה נחוש להראות למאיה את הידע שלו בהיסטוריה ובתרבות.En: He was determined to show Maia his knowledge of history and culture.He: בכל רגע איתן חיכה לקחת את מאיה לסיור ההיסטורי שהבטיח לה.En: Eitan eagerly awaited every moment to take Maia on the historical tour he had promised her.He: דני, חבר טוב, הגיע איתם לתמוך באיתן ולהיות לצד מאיה.En: Dani, a good friend, joined them to support Eitan and be by Maia's side.He: השניים החלו לטייל בין הדוכנים, מריחים תבלינים ומסתכלים על התוצרת הטרייה.En: The two began to wander between the stalls, smelling spices and looking at the fresh produce.He: פתאום איתן עצר למלא טופס בלתי ברור ליד דוכן חומוס.En: Suddenly, Eitan stopped to fill out an unclear form near a hummus stall.He: הוא חשב שזה טופס לסיור שהוא ומאיה כל כך חיכו לו.En: He thought it was a form for the tour he and Maia were so eagerly awaiting.He: אבל תוך שניות כולם התחילו לצעוק "תחרות טעימות חומוס עומדת להתחיל!En: But within seconds, everyone began to shout, "The hummus tasting competition is about to begin!"He: "מאיה הביטה באיתן בהתרגשות, ודני פרץ בצחוק רועם.En: Maia looked at Eitan excitedly, and Dani burst into loud laughter.He: "לאן נעלמתי?En: "Where did I disappear to?"He: " חשב איתן ביאוש כשפניו הוסמקו.En: Eitan thought in despair as his face flushed.He: לחוץ מהמשמעויות, הוא החליט להשתתף בכל זאת ולא לאכזב את מאיה.En: Pressed by the implications, he decided to participate nonetheless and not disappoint Maia.He: "אני יכול!En: "I can do this!He: זה זמן שלי להבריק," לחש לעצמו בשקט כשעלה לבמה ליד סירים מלאים חומוס.En: It's my time to shine," he whispered to himself quietly as he climbed onto the stage next to pots full of hummus.He: אך כל ביס היה כאב.En: But every bite was agony.He: איתן לא סבל חומוס ולא היה בטוח בכלל איך לטעום ולאבחן.En: Eitan didn't like hummus and wasn't sure at all how to taste and discern it.He: כל הקהל צפה בו, כולל מאיה שחיבבה את המאמצים שלו.En: The entire crowd watched him, including Maia, who appreciated his efforts.He: הוא התאמץ להישמע בטוח בעצמו, עד שהגיע לתקרית החצאית האדומה.En: He tried to sound confident until he encountered the red sauce incident.He: בלי לשים לב, שפך איתן הרבה יותר מדי רוטב חריף על חומוס.En: Without noticing, Eitan poured way too much spicy sauce on the hummus.He: טעמו היה קטלני ומייד פרץ בריצת מים לתום הבמה.En: Its taste was lethal, and he immediately rushed for water off the stage.He: הסביבה התפוצצה מצחוק ואיתן הרגיש כאילו כל השוק מצביע עליו.En: The surroundings exploded with laughter, and Eitan felt as if the entire market was pointing at him.He: מאיה, במקום לכעוס, צחקה וחיבקה אותו כשהוסיף לפתור האדמומי שלו.En: Maia, instead of being angry, laughed and hugged him as he added red to his already flushed face.He: "מה שעשית זה אומץ.En: "What you did was brave.He: יש לך ידע מיוחד, וזה ערך שאני מעריצה.En: You have special knowledge, and that's a value I admire.He: אבל גם צריך לדעת לצחוק.En: But you also need to know how to laugh."He: "איתן הבין.En: Eitan understood.He: הוא לא צריך להיות משהו שהוא לא.En: He didn't need to be something he wasn't.He: כשהוא עצמו, מאיה רואה בו את כל מה שהוא רוצה להראות לה.En: When he's himself, Maia sees in him everything he wants to show her.He: הם המשיכו בשוק, יד ביד, צוחקים על הרגעים הלא צפויים שהחיים מביאים איתם.En: They continued through the market, hand in hand, laughing at the unexpected moments life brings.He: ואיתן, לראשונה מזה זמן רב, הרגיש באמת נינוח עם מי שהוא.En: And Eitan, for the first time in a long while, truly felt comfortable with who he was. Vocabulary Words:flushed: הוסמקוdiscern: לאבחןagony: כאבencountered: הגיעlethal: קטלניdetermined: נחושimplications: משמעויותenthusiast: חובבawaited: חיכהunexpected: לא צפוייםexploded: התפוצצהrushed: פרץwhispered: לחשappreciated: חיבבהenthusiasm: התרגשותsupport: לתמוךstalls: דוכניםspices: תבליניםproduce: תוצרתdespair: ביאושhugged: חיבקהincident: תקריתparticipate: להשתתףconfidence: בטוח בעצמוpromised: הבטיחjourney: סיורwander: לטיילsilently: בשקטtasting: טעימותbrave: אומץBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

January 4, 2026 Are you prepared? Many adventures in life require preparation. In the same way, God cares about getting us prepared for how He invites us into His plan. Listen in as Pastor Brooks Fuller helps prepare us not only to embrace the new year, but to live fully engaged in God's plan! About this Sermon Series The book of Acts tells the story of how the exalted Christ sends His Spirit to empower His people to continue His work in the world. Through the Spirit's power, ordinary believers boldly proclaim the gospel, witness miraculous works, and form vibrant communities that embody God's welcome to all people. Acts traces how the church's witness, energized by the Spirit, extends from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, revealing Christ's ongoing work through His people and the Spirit's leading in every new challenge and opportunity.

Luke 2:25-3325 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,    you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,    and the glory of your people Israel.”33 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meaning of the "Epiphany" and how we can manifest the light of Christ to the world.  He shares how the saints are the stars that show us the way. From the USCCB readings fo the day: Reading 1 Is 60:1-6 Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD. The post How Can You Be the Light of Christ? -The Epiphany – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Read Online[Jesus] went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him. Matthew 4:23–24Once Jesus began healing the sick, expelling demons, curing paralytics, and performing other miracles, news about Him spread rapidly, reaching far beyond the boundaries of modern-day Israel. Galilee comprised northern Israel, while the Decapolis referred to a group of ten major cities in what are modern-day Jordan, Israel, and Syria. Jerusalem, the religious and cultural heart of Judaism, was the most important Jewish city, and Judea encompassed the territory surrounding Jerusalem in southern Israel. Ancient Syria covered a broader area than modern-day Syria, including parts of what are now Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. Jesus' fame spread throughout this vast and diverse region, which included Jews, Greeks, Romans, and other ethnic groups.Today, it's not uncommon for news stories or social media posts to go viral, given the immediacy and vast outreach of the Internet. “Going viral” in Jesus' time was much different. Word-of-mouth passed from person to person, town to town, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries. Jews, Greeks, Romans, and others began to hear about the astonishing things happening through Jesus of Nazareth, prompting many to believe.It's true that miracles naturally draw attention, especially from those in need of one. Many likely came to see Jesus out of curiosity or fascination. Could the stories be true? Could He really heal the sick, give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and even raise the dead?Sadly, much of what goes viral today is shocking or scandalous. Such news often spreads quickly but fades just as fast. That was not the case with our Lord. Though some were drawn to Him only because of His miracles, countless others were completely transformed by Him, so much so that the Good News of Jesus continues to be one of the most talked about and impactful events in human history.The Bible is the most widely read and published book in history and has been translated into more languages than any other book. Despite this, billions of people today still do not know Jesus as their Savior. Instead, they are bombarded with shock and scandal, extreme drama, pornography, and every other form of instant sensationalism. In an era when communication is so easy, far-reaching, and instantaneous, we, as members of Christ's Body, the Church, must do all we can to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.Reflect today upon the billions of people around the world who do not know that Jesus Christ is the one and only Lord and Messiah. Imagine what could happen if the entire world turned to Him, surrendered their lives to Him, and sought His holy will with all their hearts. As you ponder this spiritual challenge, prayerfully place yourself at the service of Christ and His Gospel. Sometimes our mission is to focus on close family and friends. At other times, we might be called to a much broader mission, even in a “viral” way. Strive to become as holy as you can so that our Lord can use you however He chooses.My saving Lord, though many in our world know of You, many do not know You in a personal and faith-filled way. Please save souls, dear Lord, by sending Your saving message to all. I pray for the conversion of the entire world and offer myself to You to use me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

NIV 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO to this reflectionMatthew 2: 1-12The Magi Visit the Messiah2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for out of you will come a ruler    who will shepherd my people Israel.'[b]”7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.