Podcast appearances and mentions of king saul

Have you ever seen people change? Maybe they were humble and kind, but as they were givenmore responsibility they because mean and selfish? That's what happened to Israel's new king.King Saul started out humble, but now he thought that because he was king, he could dowhatever he wanted. He didn't wait to listen to God or to His commands. That is NEVER a goodthing!Year A Quarter 4 Week 49All Bible verses are from the NKJVHymn: I Surrender AllWrite to Ms. Katie: seedpod@startingwithjesus.comKatie's Korner: https://startingwithjesus.com/katies-korner/Find the Lessons Here:Kindergarten https://bit.ly/SeedPodKLessonsPrimary https://bit.ly/SeedPodPLessonsConnect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comStarting With Jesus - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StartingWithJesusSeedPod - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvU2FBPEL5-Zi2QW0STVLgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesusAcknowledgments:Bible Readings this week: AshleyPodcast Producer: Katie ChitwoodSound Engineer: Dillon AustinMy Bible First, https://bit.ly/SeedPodLesson for use of their Bible Lesson curriculum.AudioVerse, https://www.audioverse.org/ for partnering with us and supporting our ministry.Lindsey Mills, for writing and performing our SeedPod Kids Theme Song & Background Music.To learn more about her music or to get her CD, email her: lindsey@startingwithjesus.com

Introduction: In a world where love often feels conditional and fleeting, the message of God's unwavering love stands as a beacon of hope. In the latest episode of "That's in the Bible," Pastor Steven Baer takes us on a journey through scripture and personal stories, revealing the depth and power of divine love.The Power of Music and Faith: Pastor Steven shares a poignant story from 1 Samuel 16, where David's music soothes King Saul's troubled spirit. This narrative highlights the transformative power of faith and the right kind of music in driving away negativity and inviting peace. As Pastor Steven notes, "The right kind of music can drive an evil spirit away."A Prodigal's Return: The episode delves into the parable of the prodigal son, illustrating God's readiness to welcome us back with open arms, no matter how far we've strayed. Pastor Steven's personal anecdotes bring this story to life, reminding us that "God's waiting for you. He's waiting for you to come home."Unconditional Love: Throughout the episode, both pastors emphasize that true love is steadfast and unwavering. Pastor Strobel echoes this sentiment, reminding listeners that "you are loved by God and always will be because you're in Christ." This message of acceptance and love is a powerful antidote to feelings of unworthiness and isolation.Conclusion: As you reflect on this episode, consider the ways in which God's love can transform your life. Whether you're seeking solace, guidance, or a renewed sense of purpose, remember that you are greatly loved. Embrace this truth and let it guide you on your journey of faith.Send us a textEmail us at thatsinthebible@gmail.comWebsite: thatsinthebible.comOur podcast theme song "Jesus Is Coming Soon", courtesy of His Reflection a Gospel Quartet from Buckley Road Baptist Church, Liverpool, NY.

Have you ever seen people change? Maybe they were humble and kind, but as they were givenmore responsibility they because mean and selfish? That's what happened to Israel's new king.King Saul started out humble, but now he thought that because he was king, he could dowhatever he wanted. He didn't wait to listen to God or to His commands. That is NEVER a goodthing!Year A Quarter 4 Week 49All Bible verses are from the NKJVHymn: I Surrender AllWrite to Ms. Katie: seedpod@startingwithjesus.comKatie's Korner: https://startingwithjesus.com/katies-korner/Find the Lessons Here:Kindergarten https://bit.ly/SeedPodKLessonsPrimary https://bit.ly/SeedPodPLessonsConnect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comStarting With Jesus - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StartingWithJesusSeedPod - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvU2FBPEL5-Zi2QW0STVLgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesusAcknowledgments:Bible Readings this week: AshleyPodcast Producer: Katie ChitwoodSound Engineer: Dillon AustinMy Bible First, https://bit.ly/SeedPodLesson for use of their Bible Lesson curriculum.AudioVerse, https://www.audioverse.org/ for partnering with us and supporting our ministry.Lindsey Mills, for writing and performing our SeedPod Kids Theme Song & Background Music.To learn more about her music or to get her CD, email her: lindsey@startingwithjesus.com

Have you ever seen people change? Maybe they were humble and kind, but as they were givenmore responsibility they because mean and selfish? That's what happened to Israel's new king.King Saul started out humble, but now he thought that because he was king, he could dowhatever he wanted. He didn't wait to listen to God or to His commands. That is NEVER a goodthing!Year A Quarter 4 Week 49All Bible verses are from the NKJVHymn: I Surrender AllWrite to Ms. Katie: seedpod@startingwithjesus.comKatie's Korner: https://startingwithjesus.com/katies-korner/Find the Lessons Here:Kindergarten https://bit.ly/SeedPodKLessonsPrimary https://bit.ly/SeedPodPLessonsConnect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comStarting With Jesus - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StartingWithJesusSeedPod - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvU2FBPEL5-Zi2QW0STVLgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesusAcknowledgments:Bible Readings this week: AshleyPodcast Producer: Katie ChitwoodSound Engineer: Dillon AustinMy Bible First, https://bit.ly/SeedPodLesson for use of their Bible Lesson curriculum.AudioVerse, https://www.audioverse.org/ for partnering with us and supporting our ministry.Lindsey Mills, for writing and performing our SeedPod Kids Theme Song & Background Music.To learn more about her music or to get her CD, email her: lindsey@startingwithjesus.com

Have you ever seen people change? Maybe they were humble and kind, but as they were givenmore responsibility they because mean and selfish? That's what happened to Israel's new king.King Saul started out humble, but now he thought that because he was king, he could dowhatever he wanted. He didn't wait to listen to God or to His commands. That is NEVER a goodthing!Year A Quarter 4 Week 49All Bible verses are from the NKJVHymn: I Surrender AllWrite to Ms. Katie: seedpod@startingwithjesus.comKatie's Korner: https://startingwithjesus.com/katies-korner/Find the Lessons Here:Kindergarten https://bit.ly/SeedPodKLessonsPrimary https://bit.ly/SeedPodPLessonsConnect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comStarting With Jesus - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StartingWithJesusSeedPod - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvU2FBPEL5-Zi2QW0STVLgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesusAcknowledgments:Bible Readings this week: AshleyPodcast Producer: Katie ChitwoodSound Engineer: Dillon AustinMy Bible First, https://bit.ly/SeedPodLesson for use of their Bible Lesson curriculum.AudioVerse, https://www.audioverse.org/ for partnering with us and supporting our ministry.Lindsey Mills, for writing and performing our SeedPod Kids Theme Song & Background Music.To learn more about her music or to get her CD, email her: lindsey@startingwithjesus.com

How did you get here? We all have moments where we look back and wonder how a series of small, seemingly harmless choices led us to a place we never intended to be. In a culture saturated with deepfakes, fraud, and daily deceptions, is it possible that our own "little white lies" are leading us down a dangerous path?This week, our journey through the life of David takes a stunning turn. Up until now, David has been the ultimate hero - the faithful shepherd, the giant slayer, the man who trusted God. But when faced with the relentless threat of King Saul, the pressure of self-preservation causes David to compromise and manipulate the truth.In this message, Jon Bell dives into 1 Samuel 21 & 22 to unpack the moment David tells a series of fatal lies to Ahimelek the priest in the city of Nob.

The tragic end of the once anointed of God, who has lost his rule, and far more tragically the Holy Spirit. Can this happen to you and I?

Have you ever seen people change? Maybe they were humble and kind, but as they were givenmore responsibility they because mean and selfish? That's what happened to Israel's new king.King Saul started out humble, but now he thought that because he was king, he could dowhatever he wanted. He didn't wait to listen to God or to His commands. That is NEVER a goodthing!Year A Quarter 4 Week 49All Bible verses are from the NKJVHymn: I Surrender AllWrite to Ms. Katie: seedpod@startingwithjesus.comKatie's Korner: https://startingwithjesus.com/katies-korner/Find the Lessons Here:Kindergarten https://bit.ly/SeedPodKLessonsPrimary https://bit.ly/SeedPodPLessonsConnect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comStarting With Jesus - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StartingWithJesusSeedPod - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvU2FBPEL5-Zi2QW0STVLgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesusAcknowledgments:Bible Readings this week: AshleyPodcast Producer: Katie ChitwoodSound Engineer: Dillon AustinMy Bible First, https://bit.ly/SeedPodLesson for use of their Bible Lesson curriculum.AudioVerse, https://www.audioverse.org/ for partnering with us and supporting our ministry.Lindsey Mills, for writing and performing our SeedPod Kids Theme Song & Background Music.To learn more about her music or to get her CD, email her: lindsey@startingwithjesus.com

November 30, 2025 - Pastor Phil Henry - 1 Samuel 15

King Saul was Israel's first king—gifted, tall, chosen, and anointed. But beneath all of that strength was a heart crushed by insecurity. In today's message, The Crown That Crushed a King, we walk through Saul's story to see how insecurity led him into fear, disobedience, compromise, and ultimately destruction.When Saul hid among the baggage (1 Sam. 10), he showed us something important:

Have you ever seen people change? Maybe they were humble and kind, but as they were givenmore responsibility they because mean and selfish? That's what happened to Israel's new king.King Saul started out humble, but now he thought that because he was king, he could dowhatever he wanted. He didn't wait to listen to God or to His commands. That is NEVER a goodthing!Year A Quarter 4 Week 49All Bible verses are from the NKJVHymn: I Surrender AllWrite to Ms. Katie: seedpod@startingwithjesus.comKatie's Korner: https://startingwithjesus.com/katies-korner/Find the Lessons Here:Kindergarten https://bit.ly/SeedPodKLessonsPrimary https://bit.ly/SeedPodPLessonsConnect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comStarting With Jesus - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StartingWithJesusSeedPod - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvU2FBPEL5-Zi2QW0STVLgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesusAcknowledgments:Bible Readings this week: AshleyPodcast Producer: Katie ChitwoodSound Engineer: Dillon AustinMy Bible First, https://bit.ly/SeedPodLesson for use of their Bible Lesson curriculum.AudioVerse, https://www.audioverse.org/ for partnering with us and supporting our ministry.Lindsey Mills, for writing and performing our SeedPod Kids Theme Song & Background Music.To learn more about her music or to get her CD, email her: lindsey@startingwithjesus.com

Send us a textIf you had met him, you would be impressed.  For one thing, he was tall, head and shoulders above the average person. Then the fact was that he was good-looking.  But he had other attributes as well. He was a hard worker. There are some indications that he was humble as well. And then there is no doubt that the hand of God was upon him. This is a fella that had great potential.  He had everything going for him physically and apparently spiritually as well. But he did not live up to his potential. It's tragic. With all these possibilities, he just didn't live up to what he could have been.  I'm talking, of course, about someone we have already met. I'm talking about King Saul in the Old Testament. He had the potential to be a leader, a great leader. But unfortunately, he never realized his full potential. So, what happened? What went wrong in his life? Well, we're told that in this chapter.Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

In this episode, we take a deep and reflective look at the life of Michal—the daughter of King Saul and the first wife of David. Her story, often overlooked, is one of love, loyalty, betrayal, and lingering bitterness. Scripture tells us that Michal loved David deeply. In a courageous act of devotion, she risked her own safety to help him escape when her father sought his life. She lowered David out of a window and even misled Saul's messengers to protect him.Yet despite her love and sacrifice, Michal's life was marked by instability and pain. While David was on the run, Saul took her from her home and gave her to another man—treating her more as a bargaining chip than a beloved daughter. Later, when David became king, she was taken back again, torn between households, men, and political motives.As the years passed, the fractures in her relationship with David became more visible. By the time she chastised David for dancing before the Lord, her heart was marked by disappointment and bitterness. Scripture notes that she remained childless until her death—symbolic of a life where joy had been stifled and where she seemed unable to enter fully into the worship and presence of God that surrounded the covenant community.In a time when women should have been protected and cherished by the men in their lives, Michal was repeatedly mishandled, misunderstood, and overlooked. Her story invites us to explore the emotional and spiritual consequences of deep wounds—how unhealed hurt can harden into bitterness, and how bitterness can distance us from God's presence.Join us as we unpack Michal's life, her pain, her choices, and the lessons her story offers us today. We reflect on how God sees and cares for those who have been wounded, how He calls us to process pain in His presence, and how He invites us toward healing so that bitterness does not take root in our hearts. This episode encourages an honest examination of our own hurts, pointing us back to the God who restores, redeems, and invites us into wholeness.

In this story, we learn that our good God is the only king we need. ✧ Check out more resources in The Biggest Story Curriculum ✧ Follow The Biggest Story on Instagram ✧ Watch The Biggest Story Animated Videos! ✧ Sign up to receive weekly emails about the new story each week!

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    Keep me running Keep me moving Keep me always on the go   David is on the run… 1 Sam. 22 it is his throne but King Saul is after him.   Hiding in the cave of Adullum… Its been almost 7-15 years between being anointed king by Samuel and fighting Goliath.    He builds 400 mighty men.    - He attracts the unattractive    He had 3, 30, 400 and 600 distress, in debt, or simply discontented with life under Saul's increasingly paranoid rule. These were societal rejects—failures by worldly standards—from diverse backgrounds, including obscure rural towns like Bethlehem and Tekoa, various Israelite tribes, and even foreigners like Uriah the Hittite.   What drew them wasn't wealth, power, or promises of glory, but David's personal magnetism as a God-anointed leader (1 Samuel 16:13) who embodied hope amid rejection. David didn't recruit the strong; He attracted the poor, broken, betrayed etc… he embraced the weak, transforming societal discards into a cohesive band through shared exile and purpose.   Men were tired of King Sauls agenda of seeking the life of David over protecting the Kingdom.    As a warrior-poet, he painted a vision of victory over Saul's enemies, appealing to men's sense of adventure and redemption.     **But what attracted them would not keep them if David would not have been a man after Gods own heart!

Experience the unexpected power of meekness through the compelling story of David sparing Saul.In this episode, we explore the profound strength found in humility as we recount the powerful tale of David sparing King Saul's life. Discover how meekness can transform even the most tumultuous relationships and reveal the true meaning of leadership in God's kingdom.Today's Bible verse is Matthew 5:5, 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.

Are we seeing a rise of the most dangerous personality type among the Gen Z generation? On In The Market with Janet Parshall this week we started off the week with our expert on narcissism addressing this very issue along with more of your questions. Once again using both her professional training and her personal experiences, continued to show us to how to biblically address the many challenges that come with having a narcissist in your life and family. A joyful biking adventure around the world turned into a horrible tragedy of violence and death at the hands of ISIS terrorists. We were once again joined by a prolific author who tackled their amazingly tragic story. His meticulous research and gifted ability to tell a story takes us right into their experiences, the transformative encounters along the way and how and why one member’s hopeful but naïve view of the world became a doorway to their demise. The idea of “spiritual stupidity” may seem at first blush offensive but as our guest, a highly respected evangelist and author pointed out, the bible is filled with stories of people who were spiritually stupid who did not take the warnings from God seriously and lived to regret that choice sometimes with eternal consequences. Through the stories of Adam & Eve, their sons, King Saul and others our guest reminded us that God is both a merciful and a serious God and that His warning are real and not to be ignored. The incarnation of Christ, God becoming man and dwelling among us has been a rock of offense for many people throughout history. Many Jewish scholars has stumbled over it and tripping has created a wide chasm between Christians and Jews who share the same Messiah. But we were reminded that the incarnation is grounded in the Hebrew scriptures as prophecy and promise in the Old Testament and our guest used history, science to once again compelling show that the impossible did happen and that the acceptance or rejection of this amazing truth has wide ranging and eternal consequences for us all. From antisemitism to A.I. From Gaza tensions to government shutdowns. There has been no lack of news fighting for our attention this week. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the constant onslaught. And that is why we invite you once again to join us for more lessons on the practical, real-time applications of God’s unbending truth as the measuring rod against the crooked, confused and sometimes completely deceptive goods that inform and influence the world around us through the news and social media that we consume daily. Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The period of Judges and Ruth was dark. God raised up Samuel as a prophet, priest, and judge when He answered childless Hannah's fervent prayer. Samuel was committed to doing what was right in God's sight, sadly Eli, the current priest, and sons were not. Eli's dealings with his erring sons teaches us we have to do more than just talk. From Samuel, the last judge, to Saul, the first king, is a tumultuous time. Fear becomes Saul's focus trumping growth in his relationship with God. Amazingly, Saul's son, Jonathan, shines because he does put God first. Fearless faith enables Jonathan to humbly embrace David as the next king instead of himself.David was anointed king before his famous fight with Goliath in chapter 17. We notice the timeline between David's anointing as king and him actually becoming king was quite a gap. David's brothers were about as encouraging as Joseph's. Was it jealousy? Brothers can be a blessing or a burden, this is true in all relationships, let's choose to be a Johnathan not an Eliab! The end of the first book of Samuel gets ugly for  King Saul, he's blinded by jealousy and cannot stop chasing David, he's not listening to Samuel, and he's not obeying God. After Samuel dies, Saul decides to have a medium bring him up. Sad picture of lost opportunities, we can learn much for Saul. Carpe Diem - Seize the Day!2 Samuel depicts the ups and downs of King David's life. We learn that sin separates and that no one sins in a vacuum, we can get forgiveness most assuredly sin has consequences. David's children suffered. Kudos to Nathan, who had the hard talk with David using the vehicle of story!Through it all, David is a man after God's own heart. Are we following his example as we meet the ups and downs of our earthly walk? Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap these two insightful books in God's Holy Word! Blessings to you dear listeners, may we all GROW closer to God each day!

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Thanks for listening to todays episode. Bro. Dean has been addressing question the last few episodes. Todays episode he addressing if God would really send an evil spirt to King Saul? We pray this episode is a blessing to you and you are elevated in the word!

In 2 Samuel 9. We discover how this crippled grandson of King Saul, living in Lo-debar—a desolate wasteland—was pursued, carried, restored, and transformed by King David's grace, foreshadowing what Christ does for each of us. The vivid contrast between a Cambodian killing field and an orphanage called 'the home of grace' illustrates our own spiritual journey from darkness to light. Just as Mephibosheth saw himself as a 'dead dog' yet was seated at the king's table as one of his own sons, we too are transformed from wretched sinners to beloved children of God. The bread and cup we share aren't symbols of defeat but of victory—reminders that we always have access to God's sustaining grace. We learn that grace isn't a one-time transaction but a daily provision, like manna in the wilderness, sufficient for whatever we face. Most beautifully, we're reminded that one day what we celebrate symbolically will become reality when we recline at table with Jesus himself at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Discover how to become a powerful carrier of God's anointing in your daily life. This message explores the biblical foundation for believers as chosen people and royal priests, called to demonstrate God's power and goodness to the world. Learn why spiritual alignment matters and how misalignment prevents the Holy Spirit from flowing effectively through your life.Explore four essential principles for carrying God's Spirit: embracing sacrifice and surrender, walking in complete obedience, submitting fully to Jesus Christ, and allowing the anointing to impact others around you. Through powerful biblical examples including Samson, Elisha, King Saul, King David, and the widow with oil, understand how God's power multiplies when we surrender completely to His will.This teaching addresses common struggles Christians face in moving beyond Sunday morning experiences to living as daily carriers of God's presence. Discover practical steps for spiritual alignment, the importance of burning bridges to your old life like Elisha did, and why partial obedience blocks God's anointing from flowing through you.Learn from George Mueller's example of powerful prayer and how intimate relationship with God produces miraculous results. Understand the difference between religious activity and genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, and how complete surrender allows even small gifts and talents to impact others powerfully.Perfect for believers seeking deeper spiritual growth, those wanting to understand their calling as royal priests, Christians struggling with surrender and obedience, and anyone desiring to see God's power flow through their daily life. This message provides biblical foundation, practical application, and clear steps for becoming an effective vessel for God's Spirit.Key topics covered include spiritual alignment, biblical obedience, Christian surrender, Holy Spirit power, divine calling, spiritual gifts, prayer life, and practical Christianity. Whether you're a new believer or mature Christian, discover how to let God's anointing flow freely through every area of your life to impact your family, workplace, and community for His kingdom.

Welcome back! We're in week three of our David series, and today we'll be talking about the trap of comparison that plagues humanity, and we'll be using David's troubled relationship with King Saul as an example!--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --DAVID: THE COMPARISON TRAPComparison is the silent killer of joy. It slowly steals your confidence, shifts your focus, and leaves you spiritually drained. In 1 Samuel 18, we see this clearly in the lives of Saul and David. David's moment of victory should have united Israel—but instead, it exposed the dangerous power of comparison in Saul's heart. His story warns us that comparison doesn't just affect how we feel; it affects who we become.The Celebration That Turned Into JealousyWhen David returned from defeating Goliath, the nation erupted with music, dancing, and praise. The women sang:“Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” (1 Samuel 18:7, NLT)This wasn't a protest song or a political statement—it was a celebration of God's deliverance. But Saul heard something different. Instead of hearing gratitude, he heard threat. Instead of celebrating God's victory, he fixated on David's recognition.“So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” (1 Samuel 18:9, NLT)Comparison took a moment of unity and turned it into a moment of insecurity.1. Comparison Strangles Your JoySaul had every reason to be joyful—his nation was safe, his army victorious, and his reputation still strong. But when he looked sideways at David, his joy collapsed.The same thing happens to us. Social media has made comparison effortless. Studies show people—especially Gen Z—often feel worse after scrolling, not better. We see what others have and suddenly forget what God has given us.Scripture reminds us:“Those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:10, NLT)If God hasn't given it, we don't need it—not yet, and maybe not ever. Joy isn't rooted in what others have; it's rooted in who God is.Joy grows in gratitude, not in comparison.2. Comparison Stunts Your GrowthSaul's jealousy didn't just affect his emotions—it affected his leadership. The day after the celebration, he tried to kill David (1 Samuel 18:10–11). Instead of mentoring the young man God had raised up, Saul made him an enemy.Proverbs warns us:“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”(Proverbs 14:30, NLT)Jealousy slowly eats away at your capacity to grow. Jesus had to correct Peter on this very issue. When Peter asked about John's future, Jesus answered:“What is that to you? As for you, follow me.” (John 21:22, NLT)You can't follow Jesus while watching someone else's calling.You can't grow while...

Ordained minister, Dr. Dennis Hall, raises questions about luck and chance. He acknowledges that sixty-eight percent of Americans believe in the concept of luck. Dr. Hall asked the listeners whether they think when something happens in their lives, is a just a matter of luck, chance, or maybe just a coincidence. He points out many of the superstitions that Americans have. He uses the story of King Saul trying to kill David to illustrate how a major coincidence saved David's life. Dr. Hall asked, “Is there such a thing as coincidence in your life as a follower of Christ? Can you just happen to be in the right place at the right time? What about being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Does God control and guide us to the people we meet and even the particular times that these occur?” Dr. Hall closes the podcast explaining that God has a plan for our lives and that nothing is random in God's economy. Can be heard on all podcast search engines and viewed on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/QYZhNrqWnZI.

In this episode, Rev. Karita shares a powerful message on “Finishing Well.” Using the lives of King Saul and Jonathan, he highlights the dangers of pride, wrong associations, and disobedience, while emphasizing the importance of humility, repentance, and walking with godly people. A timely reminder: it's not how you start, but how you finish that counts.#CITAMChurchOnline #ChurchEverydayGet in touch with us:http://www.citam.org/churchonline@citam.org(+254) 784 277 277(+254) 728 221 221

Nov. 13, 2025, | Pastor Nathan Elms To watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/live/4H1Mwd345-o?si=ctPv1tczTf_NJlBY To help support this ministry, donate by texting the number: 704-445-5353, or online using the "Tithely" App, & give to "First Church Charlotte", or by going to the website link: Giving | First Church Charlotte Breakthrough on Mondays at 7pm: https://meet.google.com/ppj-surc-zvt Stay Connected Women's Bible Study on Tuesdays at 7pm: https://meet.google.com/zss-cuin-buw Connect on Wednesdays at 7pm: https://meet.google.com/cds-mmwh-tzk?pli=1 House to house On Thursdays at 7pm: https://meet.google.com/vnq-txun-ozr If you are in the Charlotte, NC area, allow us to host you at: 4929 N Sharon Amity Rd. Charlotte, NC 28205 (704) 535-1000

This week Pastor Sandra Schafferius brings this message from 2 Samuel 9. David showed kindness to the grandson of King Saul. This was not the usual actions of a new king ascending the throne. Be encouraged today as you listen to this timely message.

This exploration of jealousy by Ryan Kresge takes us deep into 1 Samuel 18, where we witness the devastating contrast between Jonathan's covenant friendship with David and King Saul's descent into bitter jealousy.We discover that jealousy doesn't announce itself with fanfare - it begins subtly, with seeds of insecurity and comparison that quietly take root in our souls.The message reveals how Saul, despite being the honored guest at a victory celebration, became consumed by a single line in a song comparing his thousands to David's tens of thousands.What should have been a shared triumph became poison in his heart. This ancient story mirrors our modern struggles with comparison - whether it's scrolling through social media, measuring our marriages against others, watching our hunting buddy shoot bigger bucks, or even comparing ministry impact through YouTube views.The message exposes how jealousy progresses from internal resentment to external violence, opening doors to spiritual harm and eventually turning our hearts against God Himself!Yet we're not left without hope - we're given four transformative practices: cultivating generosity in our assumptions and actions, practicing gratitude when comparison tempts us, publicly celebrating those we're tempted to envy, and praying genuinely for rather than about them.The challenge is clear: jealousy rots our bones, but a heart at peace with God gives life not only to ourselves but to everyone around us.Website: https://impact.church Facebook: https://facebook.com/ImpactChurchHome Instagram: https://instagram.com/ImpactChurchHome YouTube: https://youtube.com/@impactchurchhome TikTok: https://tiktokcom/@impactchurchhome

In this message, Jeff Lyle challenges us to examine the often-overlooked virtue of deep, intentional patience in our spiritual lives. Through the lens of King Saul's story in 1 Samuel 13, we see how impatience can lead to catastrophic consequences, even costing us our God-given authority. Abraham & Sarah birthed an Ishmael because they couldn't wait for God to ring Isaac to them. Beyond these examples, Jeff reminds us that the entire nation of Israel demanded a golden calf because they could not wait on Moses to come back from his meeting with God on the mountain. These examples serve as a stark reminder that God's timing is perfect, and our attempts to rush His plans can lead to disastrous outcomes. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to ask ourselves: Are we truly waiting on the Lord, or are we trying to force our own agenda? The message urges us to cultivate patience as a fruit of the Spirit, recognizing that God's ways often require us to slow down, trust, and align ourselves with His timing rather than our own hasty desires.

In this message, Jeff Lyle challenges us to examine the often-overlooked virtue of deep, intentional patience in our spiritual lives. Through the lens of King Saul's story in 1 Samuel 13, we see how impatience can lead to catastrophic consequences, even costing us our God-given authority. Abraham & Sarah birthed an Ishmael because they couldn't wait for God to ring Isaac to them. Beyond these examples, Jeff reminds us that the entire nation of Israel demanded a golden calf because they could not wait on Moses to come back from his meeting with God on the mountain. These examples serve as a stark reminder that God's timing is perfect, and our attempts to rush His plans can lead to disastrous outcomes. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to ask ourselves: Are we truly waiting on the Lord, or are we trying to force our own agenda? The message urges us to cultivate patience as a fruit of the Spirit, recognizing that God's ways often require us to slow down, trust, and align ourselves with His timing rather than our own hasty desires.

The post The Sad And Tragic End Of King Saul – 1 Samuel 31:3-6 – November 7, 2025 first appeared on Enduring Word.

The sermon explores the distinction between sins that are 'not unto death' and those that are, emphasizing the believer's responsibility to intercede prayerfully for fellow Christians caught in habitual sin, while recognizing that some sins carry immediate physical consequences. Drawing from 1 John 5:16–17, it clarifies that 'death' here refers to physical death, not eternal separation from God, and underscores the importance of loving others as Christ loved, with compassion and urgency. The preacher highlights examples such as Ananias and Sapphira, drunk worshipers in Corinth, and King Saul to illustrate sins that resulted in divine judgment, while affirming that believers should not pray for such deaths but instead seek repentance and restoration. The tone is pastoral and instructive, calling the church to active, loving accountability without condemnation, rooted in the truth that God values repentance over punishment. Ultimately, the message affirms the believer's confidence in prayer and the power of intercession to restore a brother or sister in Christ.

Pastor Erick Aguilar's sermon was entitled “The Heart Before the Gift.” He read about Joshua and the Israelite army were to ”March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse….” Joshua 6:3-5 (NIV)Those instructions seem ludicrous to us so imagine how they sounded to Joshua and the mighty army of God. They were to march silently for six days around the city walls. Do those directions empower an army before it launches into a battle against its rival? God's plans are higher than man's plans. Pastor Erick's Paramount Point was Worship is a weapon that must be coupled with obedience. Why do we worship? We worship first and foremost because we have an innate desire to adore Him who created us. “Yet God made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 We want to know our Creator. We want to know who He is and how He functions. Every human has a sense of our smallness in contrast to His grandeur and power. He is beyond our imagination, and yet we want to know Him. That is why we worship.Additionally, obedience is costly. Pastor Erick cited the life of King Saul. The Lord had directed him to kill all the Amalekites and their livestock. However, Saul saw some livestock he valued and saved the livestock and the king of the Amalekites. When Samuel the prophet confronted King Saul and his disobedience, Saul justified his behavior and stated that he had obeyed the Lord. Saul was in denial. “But Samuel replied, 'What is more pleasing to the Lord; your burnt offers and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?'” 1 Samuel 15:22Saul wanted what he wanted including God's approval of his disobedience. “When we put our words in God's mouth, we are in danger,” emphasized Pastor Erick. Saul was more interested in what he wanted instead of what God instructed. Pastor Erick repeated Pastor Greg Hendrick's words,”Failing the instructions means succeeding in destruction.” Saul continued in his path of disobedience and even went so far as to erect a monument to himself. Obedience quickly becomes disobedience when the assignment has changed

In this episode we will look at how God regretted that he made Saul king...which begs the question, "Can God have regrets?"and why? "Doesn't God know the end from the beginning?"

Selective obedience is the dangerous pattern of following God's commands partially while justifying compromises in areas that seem inconvenient. King Saul's story in 1 Samuel 15 demonstrates how partial obedience is actually disobedience in disguise. When God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, Saul obeyed mostly but spared the king and best livestock, leading to his rejection as king. God desires full obedience because it demonstrates our love for Him and prevents the consequences that come from compromise. Every act of disobedience begins with a whisper of justification, but God's commands are not burdensome - they are freeing when followed completely.

This sermon explores the contrast between small, unintentional mistakes and the devastating consequences of prideful, impulsive leadership through the story of Jonathan and King Saul in 1 Samuel 14. It highlights how Jonathan, despite a minor act of disobedience—tasting honey while under a strict oath—responds with humility and integrity, refusing to let others magnify his small lapse into a moral failure. In contrast, Saul's rash commands and harsh judgments—prohibiting food, condemning the people for eating with blood, and demanding the death of his own son—reveal a leader whose zeal has eclipsed wisdom, mercy, and justice. The sermon emphasizes that while Saul's military success demonstrates God's grace even through flawed leaders, true character is not measured by competence but by faithfulness and humility. Ultimately, it points to the gospel as the solution to both small and great failures: in Christ, our sins are not only forgiven but transformed—our big mistakes become insignificant because Jesus bore them, and we are freed to extend grace, honor, and forgiveness to others, even when they are foolish or unjust.

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 21 Beyond Bed  Breakfast In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.   Defiance is not common because to rebel is to become friendless            "What is it with you and butt-sex? Not that I mind, but you seem obsessed with it," Tawny asked. "I don't care one way or another, actually. I'm in a Christian school so vaginal virginity is a normal expectation, so it is oral and anal sex for me," I explained. "With Paige, my desire is based on her blanket rejection of the idea before we'd had sex at all. If I let her hold herself back because of an irrational fear, I would be doing her a disservice. I owe it to every lover to give it my all." "I hate Christina," Tawny muttered. "Why?" I inquired as we walked down the street. "We agreed that if either one of us were to sleep with you, we would warn the other one first," she regaled me with this bit of unexpected news. "I suppose that I could complain about you ladies making deals concerning my time and body without consulting me, or maybe how, having told me this, I won't sleep with either one of you, or perhaps I'll simply announce how I'm going to another school in another state next semester but I'm done with the bluster and pissy-ness for a while," I sighed. "Instead, I'm going to exact a promise from you two," I stated. Tawny and I stopped walking and stared into each other's eyes. "The loser has to get the winner's name tattooed on their ass. That's my condition." "That's nuts," Tawny chuckled. "I'm not going to have another girl's name tattooed on my ass." "Then drop out of your little agreement if you think I'm not worth it or that you will lose," I suggested. Tawny didn't reply, instead walking down the street once more. "We could have sex right now if you want," I said once we were side-by-side again. "You would break your pledge for me?" Tawny asked. "If you want to see Christina's ass with your name tattooed on it," I answered. "She'd never forgive either of us," Tawny noted. "Absolutely. She'd get the tat but she'd be very disappointed in us both," I agreed. "Is this how you repay me for saving you inside the warehouse?" Tawny questioned. "I'm not treating you like a sorority president or a graduating senior; I'm treating you like a desirable woman, a potential lover, and someone forced to think on an entirely personal, selfish level for once," I said. "I respect you enough to give you a moral challenge." Tawny stopped and pulled out her phone and dialed up a number but hesitated before sending it. "Hello, Christina; Tawny here," she started. "I have Zane with me outside the party and am seriously thinking about requesting him to have sex with me." I missed what Christina said. "Yes, I made him aware of the bet and he agreed anyway, but added that you would tattoo my name on your ass if we did it tonight. Is that acceptable?" Again, I missed Christina's comment. "Oh, he is very aware that you would be disappointed in him, and he did a good job of leading me on but he has no intention of following through on his little dare; he loves you too much. I almost fell for his ruse but then he revealed how much he cared about me and I figured it out," Tawny grinned at me, leaving me embarrassed. Christina spoke again. "Yes, I guess that means I might get 'Christina' tattooed to my ass. It is worth it," Tawny related to Christina. "I knew you would want to hear about this, he's still pining away for you." Christina got off a statement and Tawny laughed. "We should get together for dinner sometime, Christina, just the two of us. Take care now." "She wants you to know they won the game 3-1," Tawny told me as she put away her phone. "I'm not sure I want to marry you," Tawny mused. "You are very complicated and you could be a bit more truthful in your dealings." "My Uncle Tim sort of beat that honesty out of me but I'll make an effort on your behalf," I allowed. "Zane, that woman on the motorcycle is looking at us intently. Do you know her?" Tawny cautioned me. It was Willa and I didn't expect to see her tonight. "Willa?" I called out to the biker chick. She responded by waving a thin plastic card in my direction. It looked a lot like my fake ID I'd requested as a joke. "Tawny, hang back," I said in a serious tone. "Hey, Zane, I was curious to see your car parked down the street," Willa said as she dismounted her ride. "I thought you might be going to the Fallout Shelter and I wanted to talk with you first." "I wasn't planning on it," I replied. "Willa, this is Tawny. She's a senior at UV. Tawny, this is Willa; she's a Warlord motorcycle club member and she helped save Rio Thursday night." "Have you come to regret that decision yet?" Tawny asked Willa. Willa was uncertain for a second, then she smiled. "Not yet, but I haven't see her again either," Willa answered. "Please remember that Zane loves her dearly," Tawny said. "He'd become really upset if she ended up hospitalized or worse." "I figured that out when he took on thirty Warlords in order to rescue her after she made a colossal screw up," Willa informed Tawny. She handed me the fake ID, which I examined. "Hey," I complained, "this says I'm Ruckus Tanner, a sixty-eight-year-old black man." "No, it does not," she squawked as she ripped the card back and examined it. Since the ID said I was G. Zane Braxton, had my picture, and told the world I was 21, Willa looked up and glared at me. "Not funny," she snapped. I imagine she'd leapt through a few hoops with the Feds to get me this thing this quickly. "That's Zane being an ass once more," Tawny mocked me. "He does that to diffuse uncomfortable situations he finds himself in. The thing is, what is he uncomfortable about? Hi, we haven't been formally introduced. I'm Tawny Flores, President of the UV Kappa Sigma sorority." "Hmm, what was sex with him like?" Willa asked. "We've never had sex, she's just a friend, nothing to discuss," I interrupted. "No, I have not had sex with Zane, but I have been in bed with him totally naked. It is kind of a delicious memory I use from time to time," Tawny moaned sensually. "The thing is, what is your favorite Zane memory, and why didn't he tell you who I was?" "Zane, do you have a favorite memory of me?" Willa questioned me. "Your heels digging into my ass as you wrapped your legs around me and the tips of our tongues touched," I declared instantly. Willa blinked, somewhat startled at my accurate recall. "Do you have one of me?" Tawny inquired as she came up and put a hand on my shoulder as she positioned herself to my right side and slightly back. "Yes. It involves something about getting over 'that heartache'," I responded. Tawny squeezed my shoulder with some empathy for the memory. Willa looked to us for the context. "Him, me and his girlfriend, his real girlfriend, on another sister's bed; we were clothed and he was completely naked and totally aroused," Tawny smiled happily with the memory. "Zane, why didn't you jump her bones?" Willa looked me over. "I knew I was outmatched after that first kiss," I embellished the truth. "To be fair to Zane, he didn't have any clothes to put on and we weren't the two girls he'd been having sex with," Tawny snickered. "His confidence may have been shaken." "I find that hard to believe," Willa joked. I huffed and started down the street once more. Willa and Tawny fell in behind me in hushed conversation that I did my best to ignore. I walked down one more block, then turned to the left and entered a more occupied area. I also noted the sign for the Fallout Shelter. The Fallout Shelter I looked over my shoulder and caught Willa studying me. "Willa, do you know this place?" I asked. I figured she was actually hanging around to see if I was going to meet with Belle tonight and I was giving her some choices to make. "It's a nice place," Willa shrugged. "More of a college crowd hangout, though." "Tawny?" I inquired. "I've been inside a few times but they are more of an alternative rock crowd. But since we are here, we might as well take a look," Tawny reasoned. I was sure Willa wasn't happy with that answer but she followed us in anyway. As per custom, I was carded at the door by this solid-looking blonde guy named Bill running off toward premature baldness who could have used a few less beers and a few more days at the gym. By the look of his knuckles and face, he was familiar with fighting if not avoiding blows. He gave my new ID a cursory glance, almost handed it back, then froze. His eyes went from bored to furious in a second. Willa pushed me forward into the club before Bill could react We had to immediately race down a set of stairs because the Fallout Shelter had cut out the first floor so that the main floor was the old basement. Around the place was a series of catwalks that let you traverse the place above the chaos. Once on the main floor we migrated toward the bar. A band with a lot of volume and some sort of political message rendered largely unintelligible by the lead singer/bassist slurring or screaming his words was in the midst of their set so we got there quickly. Belle finished serving up beers to two girls who had this wiccan/goth thing going on, including dreadlocks. Belle's eyes took in the three of us, then settled back on me with a wicked gleam. "So, how did you get past Bill, who's the serious bitch, and I'm afraid I have to card you," Belle grinned. I handed her my new card. She looked it over, her grin becoming a smile. "This is a good one," she nodded, and handed it back. "Bill recognized me but Willa shoved us past him before he could punch me," I informed Belle. "He'll be down here soon enough. Lee, the head bouncer, knows about his temper and won't let him come down for a few minutes. Let me get you some drinks. Grab a table and I'll be right over," Belle told us. A small group of UV kids broke away from a table. One guy got sick, his buddy took him toward the bathrooms, and the boy/girl couple took their absence as an excuse to slip off. We grabbed their seats and took in an awkward moment. It was broken by the arrival of Belle and some beers. She put one down in front of Tawny and then Belle, then put two down in front of me. As I was figuring that out, Belle straddled me and sat so we faced one another. She had a seductive twist to her lips, part impish, part desire. She leaned in and started kissing me deeply without preamble and pushing her hips into mine. I had dire duo distraction of Belle having shed her bra behind the bar and her being in a crop-top red Harley-Davidson t-shirt. Belle kept pushing into me so I rested my hands on her hips and tried to push her back gently. Belle was having none of that. My seat began tilting back and I opted for a more aggressive strategy. I let my hands migrate up her waist and around to her back until I hooked both her shoulders. This had the added benefit of pulling the front of the shirt tight against her breasts. "Does this happen to him much?" Willa asked Tawny. "You've obviously never seen the footage of my sorority tying him to a cross out in the woods," Tawny responded. "So, yes, this happens to him more than any person I've ever known." "Does it bother you that we are both here on a Saturday night watching him make out with somebody else?" Belle inquired next. "I don't know about you but Zane needs me," Tawny mused. "He has a severe lack of guy friends so some of us ladies have to step up and be his wingman, woman." "Do you think he has a problem with male-bonding?" Willa questioned. Had I not had a mouthful of Belle's tongue pinning my own tongue down, I would have told them I had plenty of guy friends in Thailand and in my old private school. As this was going on my chair kept edging farther and farther over until it started to topple. Belle lashed out with her feet, catching the bottom of the table with her heels while her body pressed down on me. I slid my hand down her back to her jeans. I tried to wiggle a hand inside but her jeans were far too tight, a fact she gloated over. "Sorry," Belle teased me, "but you're not getting in." Me, I've always loved a challenge. I moved my hands around, popped her top button, and unzipped her pants slowly. I imagine three of us were waiting for Belle to drop the hammer on me but she didn't. When she didn't I slipped my left hand inside the front of her panties and snaked my right around to her ass-cheek. Belle was still doing her level best to overwhelm my breath control and take away my last breath. She might have forced me to break contact first if she had been able to stifle her own moan as my hands stroked her pubic hair and cupped her ass. Even as we went back to the face-dancing, I noticed more than a few covetous gazes being shot our way. Belle really was some kind of college-boy tease. I could now push my hands closer together by reaching underneath her. I rubbed against her clit with my middle and ring fingers, doubling back for the sensation before dipping into her thick, creamy, and steaming-hot cunt. My right trekked down and stretched the sanctity of her anus. Belle bucked up against me several times in rapid succession. "Should we get some ice to throw on them?" Tawny muttered. "Maybe we should get them a private room." Willa countered. For a counterpoint to the shit my other two women were giving me, I wedged a third finger into her cunt and began stroking her sweet spot. "Oh, hell no," Belle gasped. She stopped kissing me and dove into my ear which she worried with savagely applied teeth. I growled through the pain and increased my rhythm and depth of my attentions. Her anus gave way and I was fucking her from both sides simultaneously, causing her gyrations to become much more intense and erratic. Belle let go of my ear and rested her chin on my shoulder in one last ditch effort to stave off her climax. I turned on the pressure and the dam broke. I lashed up with my feet to connect with the table to stop us from falling over as Belle's body thrashed against mine and she screamed into my shoulder, the biting down with the teeth I could have done without. I was relentless and merciless to Belle now. I pinched and twisted her clit hard between my thumb and forefinger; at the same time I slipped the first digit of a second finger into her rectum. Belle hiccupped, gave a jolt, and began screaming and thrashing again. At the same time she started sobbing between screams, muffled somewhat by her fist, which she was chewing on. With the second orgasm over, I relented and let her nestle against my chest, breathing heavily. "I so need to get laid," Willa muttered. "Amen to that. And to think he's next door to me every weekend with easy access to his second story window," Tawny agreed. I began righting Belle when she pressed her hands against me and sat up. "Keep your hands were they are," she murmured playfully. "Best damn orgasm I've had in years," she directed to our table companions, "and then he stacked another righteous one on top of that. I hate to say it but Tara (her twin sister, the Sheriff's Deputy) was right about this guy; I want one of my own." "Don't you already have a boyfriend?" I mentioned. "Bill. Eh, he's got the equipment but he's a quick shooter. If I'm lucky, I get thirty seconds (ouch!) and then its 'get me another beer' or he rolls over and goes to sleep," Belle enlightened us. "How is his foreplay?" Tawny inquired. "He laps like a dog," Belle shrugged, "and his fingers are strictly in and out like a piston. Who are you again?" She addressed Tawny. Tawny finished her little spiel right when a shadow fell upon my life. Bill had arrived. "What the fuck?" Bill growled as he took in me, Belle, and what I was doing to her, mainly pumping her fore and aft at a slow, gentle pace. "I'm going to pound you," he directed at me. "Oh, shut up, Bill," Belle sneered. "If I'm going to steal one of Tara's men, I'm going to make it the new one. Besides, he's done more for me in ten minutes than you've done for me all year, and since he's not trying to bore me to death with all that sports talk, I guess this is time to say we are done. Bye-bye." "You sow," Bill redirected his anger and balled up his fists. Of course, insulting a woman makes me do stupid things. I started to withdraw my hands and stand when Belle put a finger to my lips. "Hush now, Zane," she smiled. "I got this." She looked over her shoulder at Willa. "Is that fucking chivalry or what?" she laughed at my attempted action. Turning back to Bill, "If I have to dismount this man, I'm going to stomp your ass, and you know I can. You hit me once and I put you in the hospital, or do I need to remind you?" she said evenly. "I got you this fucking job. I got you the fucking place you live in, Bitch," Bill snarled. "You can keep the god-damn job and I'll be out by the end of the month," Belle shot back. Bill clenched and unclenched his fists tightly before turning and storming off. "Okay, what was that all about?" I wondered. "Meh, this shit was getting old," Belle told me. "I'll crash with Willa until I figure out what I want to do next." Willa's look was not one of ecstatic expectation, I was positive that none of this had been planned out before we walked through the door. "Belle, I hope I haven't sent you the wrong message," I started. "I am in school and it is a girl's school at that. I only stopped in to say hi." Belle returned to her rocking motion on my lap. "Don't sweat it, college-boy," Belle grinned, "Scratch that, girl's college-boy; I do what I want, go where I want, and take what I want. So, now that you've got me off, what can I do for you?" "You, me, and Tara in a three-way," was my gut response. Belle stopped moving and Willa looked grim. Tawny, like me, was ignorant of what I'd done wrong. "Why?" Belle asked, with an undercurrent of menace that I didn't miss. "You two are like a volcano and the sea, opposites that I bet are explosive and sizzling when you meet," I related. "We are twins, Zane," Belle informed me. "On the outside, maybe, but inside, sexually, you two are very different. You are not polar opposites but more like two separate paintings that use the same canvas and set of paints but go in totally different directions expressively," I explained. "So who's better, Tara or me?" was her next question. Tawny snorted. "Two totally different women. I mean, with you, I'd like to fuck you in the coat room of a black tie affair with High Society one thin wall away," I said. I could see from Belle's expression she wasn't getting what I was saying, implying that I'd hide her away, be my dirty little secret. "You in sheer black stockings and matching garter belt and half-bra, yummy." "Whoa, I have to admit that sounds lick-able," Willa noted. Belle was also reassessing my intentions and smiled. "With Tara, I'd like to break into a bed warehouse and test out a few of the mattresses about the place, illegal and exposed to the public view," I grinned. "I'd pay to see that," Belle chuckled. "You are a keeper, Zane." "You only say that because you want to stick it to your sister," I countered. "Yeah, when I came over here, that was the main reason, but now I'm angry that she found you first," Belle bitched. "She always had better luck with the boys than I did." "Bill was 'better'?" I wondered. "He was a big football jock in high school and he didn't cheat on her too much. You can guess that I dated some real losers, mostly college guys like you," Belle smirked. If you know of another college guy like Zane, spill," Tawny teased. "I want to get me one to call my very own." "Funny, funny, funny, ladies," I coughed. "Now if I don't get Belle off my lap I'm going to hammer her here in front of the general public. Since my goal this weekend is to avoid fighting, public displays of amusement, and intercourse in general, I'm taking a walk." "Hey," Belle wiggled in on my crotch, "I'm all partial to being fucked on the table and show all these cocksuckers what they've been missing. We might even get busted by my sister and spend the night in a cell together." "With Deacon all busted up let's not do the jail thing," Willa chimed in. "Let's not make it three run-ins with the law for his first 30 days at school," Tawny added. "Three, Zane, who else has corralled your ass since you've been with us?" Belle asked. "Officer Campbell got me when I was driving back to campus," I confessed, since I was suspicious that Christina had given Tawny some of the details of that night. "Yeah, we know her too," Willa said. "Rumor has it she can get a bit frisky." "Oh, come on, I was on a date," I evaded. "She had mercy on me and I left with a warning." "You fucked her," Belle leered after studying me for several seconds. "So, did she use cuffs?" "Front, back, top, and bottom, I left her a wreck on the back seat and she was finger-lickin' good," I unloaded. "She was fantastic. She gave my date and I all we could handle." "You got Heaven involved?" Tawny gasped. "Man, my life would be so much easier," I groaned, "if the people talking behind my back kept me in the loop. Yes, I got Heaven involved. It was a hell of a way to wrap up her first date night. By the way, this doesn't go beyond us; okay?" Belle looked at me intensely once more. "Are you going to lie to me?" she whispered as she placed her forehead against mine. "Yes, to protect you if I must," I replied beneath the thumping of the bass. "That's my choice to make, not yours, Zane," Belle breathed a sugary-sweet beer aroma. "Friends sacrifice a part of themselves for the ones they care about," I told her. "Why do you care?" she asked with more than the usual curiosity. "You are worth it," I answered. Again, there was another intense stare. "Are you doing this for my sister?" she continued her interrogation of me. "Nope," I kept it simple. Yet another attempt by Belle to read my soul followed. "Let's get you cleaned up," she grinned. I pulled my right hand out slow and wiped it on my jeans. I was bringing my left set of fingers to my mouth when she intercepted me by the wrist and led me up to her lips. She sucked the juices off two fingers and then fed me the other two to take care of. I zipped her up and fixed her button before she dismounted and took me by the hand to the men's room. Being occupied by men didn't dissuade Belle one bit. She leaned against the sink while I washed up without speaking. In fact, she remained silent until we stepped back into the narrow hallway that led back to the club floor or out back by a locked stairwell. Belle led me to the door and appeared to be thinking something over. "I heard a sick rumor that your lawyers caught my sister and her buddy when they ganged up on you. The rumor is, you covered for them," Belle glared. "Why would you do something so stupid for someone you didn't know?" "Do you know that I'm jealous of you?" I responded. "Happens all the time; I'm a free-spirit that makes my own way in the world," she smiled, but it was overshadowed by her bitterness. "No. You have a sister, you have family, someone you grew up with. I have my aunt who is from another world, essentially, and that's it," I related. "That may be why I never commit to any one person," I added. "Something in Rio reminds me of my Mom and Iona reminds me of someone I wish was family but isn't. I guess I keep looking until I find what I lost." "Gone is gone, Zane; there is no getting it back," Belle told me, but this time she was showing some real empathy. "Yeah," I joked, "and that is why you always drive the speed limit and park within the lines, because that is what everyone tells you to do." "Has anyone ever told you that you're insane?" Belle's teeth shone through with her smile. "Never, you would be the first," I lied, and by the gleam in my eyes she knew it. It was well past one when I finally had the gang rounded up and headed back out to our rides. It took all of twenty seconds for a buzz-happy Rio to realize that Willa and a now unemployed Belle tagged along. When she did, her look was one of ferocity. "Oh, hell no!" she snapped, and turned toward the two Warlord ladies. "I'm going to kick your ass." "Last time I saw you, Bitch, you were half way to the city's sewage system," Belle laughed back. "Want to go the rest of the way?" Rio surged against Mercy and Barbie Lynn's restraining hands while Willa pulled Belle back, and I ended up in the middle holding them both at bay. "Calm down Rio, it is cool now," I told my buddy. "Belle, this isn't what you think." Speaking of thinking; I had to think fast to figure a way to turn this situation around. I'd hoped that Rio would be so happy, she'd have let it lie for the night, silly me. "Rio, I'd like Belle to give us motorcycle lessons for the trip this summer, and to personally give you self-defense training," I spewed forth my hare-brained idea. "What the fuck?" questioned Belle. "Fuck that noise," Rio spat. "I don't need this dink to teach me how to fight." I wasn't sure what a 'dink' was but I doubt it had positive connotations. "Rio, you haven't picked a martial arts instructor yet and I think Belle's self-taught style would be somewhat attractive to you," I guessed. I had no clue as to Belle's fighting background. "I'd rather teach a goat how to use a unicycle than teach this moron how to ride a bike," Belle growled. "I'll pay you fifty dollars an hour per four students," I offered Belle. "She's a skank," Rio seethed. Belle, on the other hand, seemed to be coming around. "Fifty bucks-, per four people? What would I have to do?" Belle inquired. She was job hunting after all. "Teach them how to ride, for starters," Valarie came to my rescue, "plus basic maintenance, road lore, and stuff like that. You'd also have to teach Rio how to not get her ass kicked." "I keep telling you people, I don't need this bitch," Rio repeated. "Fine, Rio, but tell me, who is going to be your instructor?" I countered. "It can't be Mercy." "Want your knife back?" Belle grinned as she reached into her boot and pulled out the butterfly knife Val had given Rio on Thursday. "I don't know," Rio grumbled, "have you been using it as a sexual aid?" Belle snorted. "Fuck, with Zane around, who needs one?" Belle smiled wickedly. "Two orgasms in ten minutes at a table on the club floor and that was only with his tongue and fingers." "He'd have nailed her in the bathroom if it hadn't been for that whole 'no sex' thing," Tawny added. "I should have stuck with you, Zane," Paige tugged on my arm. "See where you ended up?" "Who is the ghost?" Belle asked snidely. "I'm Paige and Zane is with me this weekend," Paige challenged Belle, bad move. Sometimes reactions pull you one way and instincts send you in another. I went with instincts and let events play out. Belle scooped Paige up under each arm and hoisted her up. "You are what, 100 pounds? A whole weekend with him and he'd break you in two," Belle observed. "He needs a real woman, not a bit of fluff." It was time for me to become involved. I reached an arm around Paige's waist and took her weight onto me. Belle was kind enough to let go so I swung Paige up until I was carrying her in my arms. Paige switched her gaze between me and Belle twice, then latched onto me. "Okay, I win," Paige announced. "I'm the bit of fluff he comes to again and again, after all." "You are the freakiest group of people I've ever seen," Hank spoke up. "A sorority president and sisters" (Leigh and Jersey had joined us), "two Warlord bikers, Christian school girls, and a porn star, no offense, Zane." "Just another day ending in 'y'," Iona whispered. I caught that zing and snickered. "No offense taken, Hank," I joked back. "I'd rather have the memories and suffer through the condemnations of those who don't know me than miss out." "Dude, if you ever need a stand in," Finn added to the joy. He and Ginger had indeed hooked up again, so we were good on that front. Ginger did playfully thump him in the chest though. "Finn, you are already sleeping on the sofa tonight," Ginger teased. "Would you rather be out on the welcome mat?" "Thanks for letting us spend the night at your place," Barbie Lynn added to the play. "What?" Finn squawked. "Oh, come on, Babe." Ginger detached from Finn and wrapped an arm around Barbie Lynn's waist, who reciprocated the gesture. "Oh, come on, Babe," Ginger mimicked, "We want a little girl time, ya know, one on one." Barbie Lynn turned her head and exchanged a heated kiss with Ginger that decidedly aroused me. I hated to think what Finn was going through. "Dudes, I'm going down to the river," Finn groaned. "Wouldn't a cold shower be better and safer?" Leigh asked. "I'm not going to cool down; I'm going to drown my stupid ass for stepping out on Ginger at the start of the night," Finn sighed. "I deserve this." "That's what I wanted to hear," Ginger gloated. She gave another quick kiss to Barbie then glided back to Finn. "It's okay, Honey, I forgive you." "Thanks Babe," Finn kissed her once more. "You are still sleeping on the sofa when we get home," she announced triumphantly. The lesson here is, if you are ever given a choice between fighting a man or a woman; fight a man. Men beat you up, gloat, then walk away. Women hold grudges, forever. "Any advice for our lovelorn?" Willa asked. "Everything fades, be it fame, passion or possessions, it all goes to dust and is lost," I said. "That's rather depressing," Willa noted. "The exact opposite," I countered. "All you are and will ever be is defined by what you do in the next few seconds of life. That is when you can mark yourself as a hero or a villain." "I can buy that," Belle mused. "Live for the moment." I could tell Iona was more uncertain about my words so I expanded. "I am not saying don't plan for the future, but don't live so much for what might be that you ignore what is going on around you right now, because no moment matters less than any other," I added. "That's my boy: Renaissance warrior-poet with the libido of Ron Jeremy," Rio jibed. "I like it," Tawny spoke up. "What would it be like to spend the whole weekend, or a whole week, alone with Zane? I wouldn't be bored." "I wouldn't be able to walk," Barbie Lynn giggled. "I'd enjoy the education," Paige noted. "I'd enjoy the peace and quiet," Vivian joked. "Zane, you have a little bit of a fan club here," Belle smiled. "Totally unwarranted and undeserved," I sighed. We arrived at the water tower and we went our separate ways. I'm sure Paige and Iona wanted to talk to me but they both fell asleep within three minutes of getting in the car. I took them up individually to my room and tucked them in before letting a sleeping Jill know we'd made it back and assuring her that we'd make it to church in the morning. Service and Supper We weren't feeling terribly chipper when Iona, Paige and I crawled out of bed, but we were conscious, ambulatory, and capable of speech so we passed Aunt Jill's inspection before heading out to church. For Paige, it would be a new experience as she normally spent Sunday morning at FFU's Assembly hall. Fortunately, she would be exploring the experience with Iona. My class was amusing as always. Somehow, no one had missed the little revolution we'd staged at university and there was varying levels of confusion, disgust, and anger with what 'I'd' done. Yeah, it was my entire fault because I was in the middle of 'God Made Man First' country. Oddly enough, Chris Gilbert stuck it out with me, jumping in on my side when more than two guys ganged up on me verbally. The second time Chris parried Mr. Coleman's insinuations of my corruption away, the gang gave up and actually got down to the lesson for the week, the Book of Samuel; namely, King Saul versus the Philistines. The lesson was that God abandons sinners. I hung on to the point that even when he knew he was going to die, Saul led his army out to fight the invaders of his homeland. I doubted any of those guys would know what kind of courage it took to fight a lost cause if the time came. "Do you make a habit of running off cliffs and into walls," Chris joked with me, then "Whoops, sorry about that, your parents and all." "It was mountain climbing," I shrugged, "so don't worry about it. Have a good week?" "Oh, peachy; I burned down a state park and robbed the Louvre," Chris stated, deadpan. "Dude," I laughed, "if you are trying to compete with me let me just say 'you win' and end the contest right now. You can have it and the grief that goes with it." "Does that include the girls?" Chris chuckled. It was odd having a real conversation with a guy nearly my age who had a clue where I was coming from. My response was overwhelmed by the crush of young ladies around us. What followed was a chorus of 'hey, Zane', 'hey, guy', and Iona and Barbie Lynn adding a 'hi, Chris'. "Hi there, ladies," and "Hello Barbie Lynn and Iona," followed up Chris. By the way he was looking at Barbie Lynn, I could tell that his perception of her had changed. He wasn't leering but there was a certain sexual curiosity that was new to his gaze. Barbie Lynn caught Chris' look, smiled, but then cuddled up to me to make the situation clear enough. Chris chuckled and shook his head mirthfully. "So is McHunky (Chris) part of the group now?" Rio broke through the politeness. "Chris is not treating me like I'm Caine so I'd hope he'd say yes if you ask him nicely," I answered. "I would say 'yes,' with the understanding that I'm older than all of you and like to live a slightly more private, video-free, lifestyle," Chris informed us. "Chris," Rio inquired, "what is the maximum number of girls you would take to bed at one time, and how many would you feel comfortable dating?" I wanted to kill Rio once more, considering we were clearly being overheard as we moved down the hallway leading to the Tabernacle. "Hmm," Chris thought it over. "Four in one bed, but I'd only feel comfortable dating one woman at a time. I'm old-fashioned that way." "That's not a problem," Rio grinned, "old-fashioned we can cure." "How about we respect different people for their differences, ya nut-job," I cautioned Rio. Rio's retort was cut off by our entry into the main area of worship. Chris waved good-bye and angled toward the front and his family. With Barbie Lynn in the lead, the rest of us moved to the far side where the FFU crowd sat together. I couldn't find Jill in her regular spot but Iona pointed out she'd joined Mrs. Wellington, the Mayor, Lance, and Felicity on the second pew, a few steps up in the world. We'd settled in after the first hymn and Pastor Bill had started the morning greeting when the two main doors to the church slammed open and a black clad woman strode in, it was Belle. It was also clear that Belle had never been in here before, had no idea where I would be seated, and was overwhelmed by the sheer number of parishioners. I don't think she cared that most of them were staring at her. She had dressed up, right? She had on a black jacket, black t-shirt, black jeans and black boots. She'd taken off her black sunglasses. I stood up, put two fingers in my mouth the way Heaven had taught me (Orienteering class, honest) and whistled loudly as I waved her over. Belle's head snapped my way and over she came. By long-standing tradition, Iona sat on one side of me and Rio took the other. This time, Paige had supplanted Iona. Belle decided that insinuating herself between Paige and I would require a crowbar and some leverage so she sat down on Rio instead. Rio grumbled, squeezed out from under Belle, and sat in Mercy's lap. Bill, with a final glare my way, picked up the service as best he could and droned on. Rio leaned into Belle and licked her cheek as a means of retaliation. Belle didn't punch Rio, for which I was grateful. I made sure to put a little extra on the collection plate, for God's sake, not the church's, when the time came around. The sermon was on the Israelites and their forty years of wandering before coming to the Promised Land. I think there was some confusion between myself and most of the flock here on who was the one farthest from the expected destination. At the end of the service my plan went into motion, with multiple women having a role to play. Oddly, despite this being a criminal endeavor, Belle was the only one close to me not involved. It was good fortune that put her at my side because with so many of the church elders gawking/fearing/lusting after her, they completely missed the real mischief makers. "Good morning, Rochelle," I greeted the mayor's wife. She turned, smiled at me, then looked over at Belle. "This is Belle, " "Belle Kennan," Belle finished up for me. I hadn't known her last name. "I know you," Rochelle was clearly thinking hard. "Did you used to collect golf balls off the greens at the country club years ago? You had a sister. Your father was a groundskeeper." "That was a while ago," Belle allowed. "Dad fucked it up with his drinking, like he did everything else. My sister, Tara, is now a Sheriff's Deputy around here." "What do you do?" Rochelle made conversation. "I'm Zane's, chauffer," Belle answered with a twisted grin. "Actually, I'm giving him and some of his friends motorcycle lessons." "That sounds promising," Rochelle continued. "Belle, can I have a few moments of Zane's time?" Belle gave me a suspiciously sexy raised eyebrow then went looking for another one of my female set. "Zane, you were right about that matter we discussed. I still don't know what I want to do with the news. Maybe we can discuss it Wednesday night?" "Absolutely," I nodded. "By the way, there seems to be a growing suspicion that you are not a very moral person," Rochelle leaned in and whispered to me. "Apparently there is some evidence of you and some other girls, " "I've never denied it," I told her. "I also believe that no one seems to care that I've foresworn sex for the weekend. I know it is not much by most people's standards but at least I'm trying to see how the other half lives." "How is that working for you?" Rochelle grinned. "Abysmally; I've been tackled, jumped on, stacked up in a shower, grappled at a party, and got a lap dance in a club," I groaned. "You should stay home more often," Rochelle advised. "I received the tackle, jumping, and the stacking at home, Rochelle," I related. "Maybe I should hide out at your house." Rochelle stared at me and I wasn't sure what to make of that. "I will see you on Wednesday; take care now," I broke the silence between us. I turned and went over to the gulf of isolation that was Sahara Penny. "Hello, Mrs. Penny. You look incredibly inspirational this morning." "Hello, Zane," she smiled, her white teeth brightening up her Lebanese features. "I was thinking that I could do the whole dinner thing with you and William tomorrow night, if that is okay with you," I looked her over. "Well, you could hardly become more of a pariah," she mused. "I would be glad to cook you a meal." "Wolves may get hunted but sheep always get eaten," I replied. "Are you a wolf, Mr. Braxton?" she teased. "I have to be worthy of your company," I retorted, which she found amusing. "I'll see you," I tacked on before heading toward the main gathering. I patiently waited for the main group of men to recognize my presence but today they seemed less than willing to. I must have really been a bad boy. I did catch Rio handing off a phone to Iona who was quietly but quickly working away on it. I had to wonder how long it would take for Lance to realize Rio had swiped it from him. Hell, I promised Raven I'd get her those books from George Mason's library and I was going to return his phone to him soon enough. "Hey, my little Butt-Monkey," Belle taunted me loudly, "are you waiting on this bunch of old fuckers for something?" The conversation stopped and heads turned our way: yay me. "Mr. Braxton," Pastor Bill snapped in a clipped manner, "when you invite some, person to our church you should consult with me or one of the deacons to see if they are appropriate." He was pointedly ignoring Belle, which I found to be both rude and unwise as Belle was the most likely person he'd ever meet who would gladly take his underwear waistband and pull it over his head and laugh while she did it. "I wasn't actually wise enough to invite Ms. Kennan but I should have because I was under the impression this was a House of God. I'll make her tithe if that's what you are worried about," I informed them. "The appropriateness of you being in this church is also in question," Mayor Wellington brought up. "How's Phillip?" Belle spoke up with a wicked sneer toward the Mayor; Phillip was one of his sons. "We had a lot of fun in high school. He was good enough to bring me by your house but he never brought me to your church." "He would have never dated someone like you," the mayor glared at Belle. "Technically we weren't looking for a relationship," Belle grinned, "but does that big four-poster bed of yours still have that dainty white dust curtain with the roses on it?" "You are nothing more than a low-down dirty whore like your mother," Mr. Gibson, the county's largest furniture seller, snarled at Belle. I wasn't sure what her response was because Gibson staggered into Mr. Lieber when I drew my hand back for a slap; everyone got quiet. Yes, I had almost committed assault in front of thirty or so witnesses who hated my guts. Oh, and one of them was a judge. "Braxton!" Pastor William thundered. "Hold that thought, Bill," I pointed to the reverend before turning back to Gibson, "Sir, you insulted a lady in my presence, so you can apologize to her or step out with me to the parking lot where we can settle this like men, because I'm morally opposed to causing needless bloodshed in a house of worship." "That's it, Braxton, you, Pastor Bill growled. "Zane!" a different, feminine voice interrupted. "Apologize to Mr. Gibson at once." "I apologize, Mr. Gibson," I grudgingly stated. "I should have you arrested," Gibson grumbled. "And I'll make sure that your little outburst with, the woman threatened. "Belle Kennan," Belle studied the newcomer and the girls around her. "Ms. Kennan goes all over the internet and is flagged with every search engine with your name and the name of your store," Christina finished. "I'll sue," Gibson fought back. "And I'll win," Christina kept coming. "This is clearly a First Amendment issue, both speech and religion. Now are we going to play nice and respect our fellow Christians or are we going to collectively forget we are all adults?" "He is not going to get away with this threat of force," Pastor Bill persisted. "Pastor Penny, are we truly basing our actions and reaction on what an eighteen-year-old playboy does?" Christina pointed out. "Clearly, leadership is called for, and since you men are the patriarchs of the church, you should be leading Zane in the proper course of action." "Mr. Gibson," Chris joined in, "maybe Zane could clean up your parking lot one afternoon as penance." I had to be sure he was helping me out here. "Gurr, alright," Mr. Gibson admitted. "That would satisfy me." I caught sight of Aunt Jill looking my way. I half expected her to volunteer my acceptance but she waited patiently on me instead, not a good sign concerning her dependence on me. "If it is okay with Mr. Gibson, I'll come over when he gives me a call and my school schedule allows," I said. "I hope that settles that," Mr. Gilbert, Christopher's father, announced. "Was there a reason for Mr. Braxton waiting around us?" He was covering for his son, not me. "I was agreeing to Pastor William's invitation to eat dinner with him tomorrow," I said. "I will have to look at my schedule and get back to you," Pastor Bill replied in a snide tone. "No problem, Mrs. Penny and I'll hit Zeta's tomorrow and we can work out something for later," I smiled. I turned and left before he could finish sputtering because not only was Zeta's one of the finest eating establishments in town, I heard rumors it was also highly romantic. I took eight steps before I nearly doubled over in pain. Christina had kidney-punched me, and hard. I turned fast enough to see Belle and Christina facing off. "Do you want to explain that to me, Princess?" Belle inquired with a false grin. "I'm Christina Buchannan and I'm wondering what you are doing here burning through what little good will Zane has with this congregation," the woman I love sizzled. "Zane, should I give a crap?" Belle joked. She didn't need me to tell her what to think. "She's the woman I love more than life itself," I explained to Belle, who regarded me curiously. "I occasionally like him," Christina remarked, "when he's not making an ass of himself." "I couldn't let them insult Belle," I countered. "If she slapped the guy, you know they would have screwed her over." "I don't need you to pick my fights, Dumbass," Belle mocked me. "These people and their opinions don't bother me. Hell, Mom whored around a lot and for all I know, Old Man Gibson might even be my Daddy. Now," she looked at Heaven, "why are you eyeballing me?" "I'm Heaven and Zane's my boyfriend," Heaven declared. "Oh, God," chuckled Belle, "when Tawny said your life was beyond description, she wasn't kidding." "If we can all agree to get along I have one last thing I need to get done and then anyone who wants can make for Jill's," I stated. I leaned in and kissed Heaven on the ear. She finally broke her glare directed at Belle to look up at me so I kissed her on the lips. "Are we okay, Babe?" I asked Heaven. She looked at me but seemed terribly upset by something that I was unclear about. She nodded and I broke away. Iona slipped me the phone as I approached Felicity. I now got to see if what I'd done had screwed up my relationship with her. "Hey, Felicity, do you know whose phone this is?" I asked Lance Wellington's fianc . "That looks like Lance's," Felicity took the device and examined it. "It is," she confirmed. "Are you going to George Mason anytime this week?" I inquired. "I was going up Tuesday to visit Lance for some kind of fraternity affair," Felicity said. "When you are there could you pick up some books for me? I checked them out but I'd have to find a way to make the trip myself and with my school schedule, that would be tough," I explained. "Zane, how does someone from FFU get books from George Mason?" Felicity leaned in and whispered. "I'm not breaking the law but I am doing it in an underhanded manner," I whispered back. "Okay," she smiled warmly, if in a rather complacent manner. "Thanks," I told her, before parting ways and making for the door. A tide of women migrated with me outside. As we split up, I caught sight of Belle putting on her helmet and sitting on her hog. "Are you coming over for supper (the midday meal in the Southeastern US)?" "Does inviting the poor outcast chick to the house make you feel better about yourself?" Belle teased me. "Does everything have to be about you and your vendetta against the Established Order?" I shot back. "I bet the girls have a blast tying you down because you can be downright irritating," Belle rolled her eyes. "We've already gone down that road with me, the cross and the sorority in the woods, so stop gloating. Now, are you coming to supper willingly or are you going to have to beat me up when I try and make you?" "Fine," Belle raised up her hands, "when I looked up 'dumbass' and 'stupid' online, they both had your portrait under the 'images of' section. If I walk in the door, you will know I've accepted your offer. Now step back before I decide you are more annoying than cute." I stepped back, joined Paige and Iona at the car, and travelled my dumb ass back home. Barbie Lynn, Valarie, Rio, and Mercy had already joined Aunt Jill in her heroic culinary efforts based on the talents of the microwave and a warm skillet. The parade of food was setting around the table when I noticed Paige had gone missing. As I scanned about, I saw Belle walk into the dining room, I hadn't heard the doorbell ring or a knock at the door. "Have we locked away the good silver," Valarie joked when she realized Belle was here. Belle didn't look amused by Val's ribbing. "It's for Rio," Valarie snickered. "Hey," snorted Rio, "Belle, you are stepping on my Bad Girl image. I'll take Grand Theft Auto and vandalism and you get burglary and guns; deal?" "Zane, Jill was looking for some explanation from me so I decided to see how far her new tolerance could be stretched. "I wanted to show Belle one of the guest rooms," I stated carefully, but with authority. "She doesn't have a place to live and since we have the space, I figure she could hang out until she puts some money away for a new place. Plus you would have someone home when you got off of work and the house would be safer. Belle can take care of herself and you, if something goes wrong," I finished. "Zane, you make my life easier one more time, I swear that I'm going to use you to redefine road rash," Belle promised. This declaration didn't stop Belle from stepping up and taking a seat. "Jill, is that okay with you? " I addressed the female lead of the Braxton household. "If you think it will be good for the house and make things safer, I wholeheartedly support your decision," Jill agreed. That done, I called out for the invisible Paige. "Paige, I don't advise you to sneak up behind Belle," I warned her. "She might not be in an understanding mood." Paige did heed my advice and appeared by me instead of behind Belle. "Your intellect may be downgraded to 'sub-par' if you keep this course of action up," she cautioned me. "Do what you will," I quoted, "for I do what I must." "The blade itself incites to deeds of violence," Belle countered to Paige. "Are you really such a fucking putz that you think you can separate Zane's passions into the parts that you like from the parts that you don't? To me it seems you are wasting your parents' money by going to college yet staying dumb as dirt." "Belle, language at the dinner table," Aunt Jill scolded Belle. I wasn't sure how Belle would take that but something else was going on at the same time. Everyone was looking at Belle too, but for a reason that had nothing to do with calling Paige names. "What? I can't quote Homer?" Belle shrugged. "I've read Sun Tzu too. Oh, and sorry about slapping the little bitch, Aunt Jill. I hang out with men of questionable parentage." "I apologize, Belle," Iona spoke up. "I thought less of you because of the way you talk and dress. That was unfair to you and a disservice to myself and the way my parents raised me." The apologies echoed around the table; Paige's silence being noted. I gave her one quick look, then joined the rest of the gang doling out the food and settling in to the routine of eating and dinner conversation. Heart Song After we ate and cleaned up the table and the kitchen, Jill to

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that it was King Saul, and his failures as king, that led Israel's leaders and the people astray. They chose appearance over faithfulness. A kind of misplaced worship that leads to a decline in their relationship with God.

When you obey what God says, you unlock the peace, joy, and refreshing your heart's been missing! ABOUT THE MESSAGEIn Part 4 of The Refreshing, Kevin Dale Brock shares how real refreshment begins when we simply obey what God tells us to do. Through the story of King Saul and life lessons, we're reminded that obedience isn't about perfection—it's about connection. When we follow His voice, our hearts are watered, our minds are renewed, and the fruit of the Spirit begins to flourish in every part of our lives. ABOUT JESUSIf you want to learn more about who Jesus is and what it means to have a relationship with Him, we would love to help you on that journey: https://www.thechurch.fm/jesus For a deeper dive into The Word of God on a daily basis check out our Free Ancient Paths Daily Devotional: https://www.thechurch.fm/ancient-paths WHO WE AREWe believe that the goal of every Christian is To Be Conformed Into the Image of Jesus Christ, and a relationship with Jesus as well as being involved in a healthy church community are both important to achieving that goal. Find out more about who we are and all that we do at https://www.thechurch.fm/about.We would love to meet you in person! Find our locations and service times here https://www.thechurch.fm/campuses and download our smartphone app here https://pushpay.com/get?handle=saintamantcampus&source=external to access video content, daily devotionals, updates on what is going on at The Church, and so much more.To get connected here at The Church International simply visit us here https://www.thechurch.fm/connect-track and we will walk you through all of the life giving opportunities that we have to connect with you and your family.We want to give a special thanks to everyone who donates to what God is doing through this ministry. If you would like to partner with us through generosity and giving you can do so at https://www.thechurch.fm/give-online. SOCIAL MEDIAThe Church International: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechurchinter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechurchinternational/ Website: https://www.TheChurch.FMPastor Mark: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkAStermer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_stermerPastor Cindy: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.stermer.9 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy_stermer

Envy corrodes the soul and sparks chaos, as seen in King Saul's jealousy of David (1 Samuel 17-18). In this compelling Palm Harvest Church sermon, Pastor Mike Decker unpacks envy—coveting others' stuff, status, or talents—revealing three toxic traits: resentment, sabotage urges, and self-deprecation. Learn two devastating consequences (personal corrosion and relational chaos) and four biblical remedies: trust God allocates talents (Exodus 18), be your best self, learn from others, and embrace gratitude (Philippians 4:6-7). A must-listen for leaders and believers battling comparison! Visit http://www.palmharvest.com for more. Subscribe, rate, and share: How do you combat envy? #EnvySin #PastorMikeDecker #PalmHarvestChurch #ChristianPodcast

IN the past two talks, we sang the praises of David. In Talk 7, the young David fought Goliath because he trusted that the battle was the Lord's. In Talk 8, David remained loyal to King Saul—even if the king wanted him dead. So, yes, David had a beautiful heart. But Talk 9, the last installment of our series, WHO CAN LEAD US?, exposes David's biggest failures. David won many battles outside, but he lost one crucial battle inside. Still, David's failures could not erase God's plan for his life: To be the preparation and ancestor of King Jesus. The key message of Talk 9: God's Love never fails.

Welcome back to our series, WHO CAN LEAD US? A People in Search of a King. Today, we take a big step in our series because we talk about the first King of Israel—King Saul. Spoiler alert: King Saul was a colossal disappointment. Talk 6 backtracks and checks how he became king. The key message: Follow the Right King.

We continue our exciting journey through three books in the Bible—Joshua, Judges, and Samuel, asking the question, Who Can Lead Us? Sadly, apart from Joshua and a handful of others, most of the leaders we met were pretty bad actors, including the current king, King Saul. How do you want to live your life? You have a choice. You can either sit on the rocking chair on your front porch, sipping your tea, watching life pass by—or you can be on an adventure, battling with giants for the people you love. Sometimes, we win. Sometimes, we lose. What matters most is that God is with us in every battle—and if He is—then, in the end, we have already won. Are you in a battle right now? The key message of Talk7 is For the battle is the Lord's.

Talk 8 continues the story of the shepherd boy David–how he struggles through life's challenges, particularly against schemes of King Saul who is jealous of him.And David eventually rises to be King of Israel. David then asks God if he can build Him a house—a Temple—but God tells him: “No, I will build a house for you.” This promise is pointing to God's Kingdom and Jesus as King. He doesn't take the throne by force. He takes up the cross as He believes surely, the Father would raise Him. The big message of Talk 8 is: Surely, the Lord will!

Join Dr. Greg Beutel for Part 4 of our series, "David: On the Run." Discover the trials and lessons from David's life when he was fleeing from King Saul, exploring themes of patience, obedience, and faith.

From a master of Biblical Fiction, Connilyn Cossette is back with a new book set in the time of Saul and David. Listen in to learn more about The King's Men series. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  I loved chatting with Connilyn about this series. One thing that struck me was that the time period--I'd never thought about how things that happened in the Bible happened during historical "ages" like the Iron Age.  Whoa. This series really gives new perspective on the time and culture surrounding the time of Saul and David. That's the richest part of good Biblical fiction--giving you insight into how they probably lived.  Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior crosses a line, Yonatan gives him one last mission to prove his worth: help persuade a distant Kenite tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites. Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her unmatched and unrecognized talent is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a future that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in ways neither could have imagined. As they navigate unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose the woman he loves forever. Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, this exhilarating Old Testament-era tale is threaded with themes of redemption, courage, and sacrifice. This Iron Age story will appeal to readers of biblical fiction, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.  Splendor of the Land is still 30% off with FREE US shipping from BakerBookHouse.com. Don't forget to get your novella on her WEBSITE (and sign up for her newsletter!) You can also find Connilyn Cossette on BookBub and GoodReads, and don't forget Connilyn's Bibliophiles on Facebook. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

This is an episode of paranoia, jealousy, desperation, and self-fulfilling-God-given-prophecy. This is the story of King Saul and the Witch of Endor. What could have led the first king of Israel to the decision to visit a necromancer (that he himself banished)? Was it a mistake or a sin? Where is the line? Don't ask Saul, he has no idea.Stay tuned for a VERY happy ending with Betsy, where we share our joy over our friend's wedding we attended over the weekend! AD FREE LISTENING on Patreon as well as tons of extra content!https://www.patreon.com/c/spillthemeadYou can purchase Spill the Mead merchandise https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpilltheMeadPodcast/Find us on Instagram, and Facebook @spillthemeadpodcastFind Madi @myladygervais on InstagramFind Betsy @betsy.hegge on InstagramFind Coco @spill_it_coco on InstagramFind Gabby @so_dym_gabulous on Instagram Find Chris @chrisrileyhistory on InstagramFind Taylor @tjonesarmoredamma on InstagramMusic is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Show your appreciation for the show and buy me a coffee. You'll find details by following this link.Connilyn Cossette joins us on the podcast again to talk about her latest release, Splendor of the Land. The book, set at the very beginning of the times of the kings in Israel, is a wonderful read, and we had such a lovely conversation about it. On of my favorite quotes, that is now taped to my computer monitor, is "For those who feel unseen, the One who lit the stars aflame is calling you by name." Wow. So we chat about those who feel unseen and the God who sees us, among many other things. There's even something special in store for patrons.Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette"A triumphant story in which flawed characters face real choices and must rely on a real God to save them."--MESU ANDREWS, bestselling and award-winning author Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior crosses a line, Yonatan gives him one last mission to prove his worth: help persuade a distant Kenite tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her unmatched and unrecognized talent is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a future that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in ways neither could have imagined. As they navigate unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose the woman he loves forever. Get your copy of Splendor of the Land. More about Connilyn:When I finally put aside my fears and put that first manuscript out there in the world, to my astonishment, I semi-finaled in the ACFW Genesis contest, won the Frasier Award from My Book Therapy, signed with literary agent Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and within only a few months I'd signed on with my dream house, Bethany House Publishers. Since my first book was published in 2016 my books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, have won both Christy and Carol Awards and have sold thousands of copies all over the world in several languages.  Above all that God has done with my writing career and regardless of where He may lead me in the future, my passion is to write stories that draw readers into an immersive fictional experience within the rich ancient world of the Bible, to personalize the history found there, and to spark a curiosity that will lead to digging deeper into the truth of the Word.Thank you for stopping by, I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter and you are welcome to drop me an email at connilyn@connilyncossette.com. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter that will bring you exciting updates and opportunities for giveaways and sales!Visit Connilyn Cossette's website.

Anna and Matt travel back in the time machine to meet Jonathan, the son of King Saul and friend of David. Jonathan shares how God protected David again and again, proving that God is Refuge—He is a place of safety and protection for His children. From Bible stories to the Psalms, kids learn that God is always a safe place we can run to and trust. What You'll Learn: