Podcasts about lead us

S9 E8 — We're living through a season of deep division, political unrest, and global instability. Justin Giboney, political strategist and author of Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around, joins Amy Julia Becker to help us recover a moral imagination shaped by faith—one that resists polarization, refuses hatred, and offers a better way forward in public life.00:00 Guidance from the Civil Rights Generation07:18 The Black Church's Public Witness10:00 The Civil Rights Movement vs Progressive Activism13:52 Forgiveness and Redemption17:28 Navigating the Culture Wars25:39 The AND Campaign: Bridging Divides in Politics28:51 Cultivating Moral Imagination31:51 The Impact of Social Media37:52 Practices for Living Out a Moral Imagination__MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:• Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around: How the Black Church's Public Witness Leads Us out of the Culture War by Justin Giboney • AND Campaign: andcampaign.org • Church Politics podcast • Amy Julia's Take the Next Step podcast: amyjuliabecker.com/step/_WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeSUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Justin Giboney (JD, Vanderbilt University) is an author, ordained minister, attorney, and political strategist. He is the founder and president of the AND Campaign, a Christian civic organization focused on raising civic literacy, promoting civic pluralism, and equipping Christians to engage politics with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. Justin is dedicated to promoting Christ-centered values as the basis for engagement in politics and social issues. BOOK: Don't Let Nobody Turn You AroundINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/justinegiboney/We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website Thanks for listening!

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Sara Farley, Vice President of the Global Food Portfolio at The Rockefeller Foundation. They discuss the intentionality and hope that's needed to build the future we want to see, food as a connector and act of love, and the idea that "systems change isn't so complicated that it's impossible." Plus, hear about what's in the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the concerning findings on household food insecurity from the USDA, the young people in Senegal who are returning from cities to pursue careers in agriculture, and predictions on what, and how, we'll be eating in 2026.  While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" wherever you consume your podcasts.

Grain and oilseed markets are entering 2026 under a cloud of uncertainty, marked by hesitant demand and stable supply expectations. According to Neil Townsend of GrainFox, the dominant theme leading us into this new year is “lower for longer,” as both sides of the market struggle to generate upward momentum. Townsend points to stagnating biofuel... Read More

A few years ago, I listened to this podcast episode from the Atlantic, How to Spend Time on What You Value, after a client sent it to me. You can listen here on Apple and here on Spotify.Let's talk about how our egos can lead us to pursue things that don't always align with what we say is most important to us and/or leads us away from what would actually make us happy. This is NOT to say we shouldn't have ambition or go after full careers. Not at all - I personally am very ambitious and support women going after high-powered careers. Just make sure it's what you truly want and fits with the life you want for yourself. Let's discuss!Additional links you might enjoy:

This week's parashah, Vayechi, is known as a parashah setumah —a closed parashah—because there is no space in the Torah between the end of Vayigash and the beginning of Vayechi. Rashi explains that one reason for this is that the eyes and hearts of the Jewish people became "closed" when Yaakov Avinu passed away, from the pain and pressure of the bondage. The mefarshim ask a powerful question. Rashi himself writes elsewhere that the actual slavery in Mitzrayim did not begin until after the last of the Shevatim passed away. If so, how can Rashi say that immediately after Yaakov's passing their hearts became closed because of the slavery? The Be'er HaParashah, citing the Ma'agalei Tzedek, explains this beautifully. We know from other pesukim that the Shevatim originally came down to Mitzrayim only because of the famine. Once Yaakov passed away, and they went back to Eretz Yisrael to bury him in the Me'arat HaMachpelah, the famine was already long over. Logically, they should have stayed in Eretz Yisrael. Yaakov himself had been commanded to go down to Mitzrayim, but his children had not been given such a command. So why did they return to Mitzrayim? The answer must be that Hashem closed their eyes and hearts from even considering the possibility of staying in Eretz Yisrael. Hashem wanted the decree of slavery to unfold, and therefore He guided them back to Mitzrayim in a way that felt natural and unquestioned. It didn't have to make sense to them, because it was Hashem leading them where they needed to be. This, explains the Ma'agalei Tzedek, is what Rashi means when he says that their eyes and hearts became closed. Not that they were already enslaved, but that Hashem closed off certain lines of thought so that the process He willed could move forward. This is a lesson that repeats itself constantly in our lives. Many times, years later, a person looks back and asks himself: Why did I choose that path? From where I stand now, I never would have made that decision. The answer is often that Hashem wanted him led in that direction. Hashem guides us not only through clear signs, but through closed doors, missed opportunities, delays, and distractions. What looks like nature is pure hashgacha. Rabbi Elimelech Biderman shared a remarkable story that illustrates this idea in a very tangible way. In Brooklyn, there is a man named Rabbi Yosef who learns regularly with another Jew who, until about a year ago, was very far from Judaism. They learn together by phone several times a week, and slowly, with siyata d'Shmaya, this man has been growing in his observance. A few weeks ago, on Erev Chanukah, Rabbi Yosef discovered that his learning partner had put on tefillin only once in his entire life. Rabbi Yosef spoke to him about the importance of the mitzvah and encouraged him to start wearing tefillin daily. The man replied that he didn't own his own tefillin. He only had an inherited pair—small tefillin of Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam, as was his family custom to wear both together. But the straps had faded from black to white. Rabbi Yosef immediately understood that the tefillin were almost certainly pasul. At the same time, he knew that this man was not yet ready to hear that he needed to spend a large sum of money on new tefillin. So Rabbi Yosef decided, quietly, that he would try to raise the money himself and buy him proper tefillin according to his custom. The very next day, Rabbi Yosef woke up early, as usual, and learned with a different chavruta by phone at six in the morning. After that, however, a series of unusual delays began. One thing after another went wrong, and he missed his regular minyan. He went to a different shul on the same block, but again encountered obstacles and could not pray with that minyan either. Finally, he walked to another shul a block away, where the minyan was much later than the time he normally prays. As soon as he entered the shul, his eyes were drawn to a small tefillin bag. Attached to it was a sign that read: "Anyone who needs this may take it." He opened the bag and could hardly believe what he saw. Inside were two small pairs of tefillin—Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam. He sent them to a sofer to be checked, and they were found to be completely kosher. At that moment, everything became clear. All the delays, all the missed minyanim, all the frustrations of that morning were not accidents. They were Hashem closing one door after another in order to lead Rabbi Yosef precisely to the place where those tefillin were waiting. Finding tefillin left for the taking is rare enough. Finding two small, kosher pairs of Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam was nothing short of astonishing. It was as if Hashem had prepared them in advance, custom-made for this man, and simply needed Rabbi Yosef to arrive at the right place at the right time. This is the message of the parashah. Hashem is constantly leading us—sometimes by opening our eyes, and sometimes by closing them. Our job is not always to understand in the moment, but to trust that every delay, every detour, and every missed plan is part of a precise Divine guidance. Shabbat Shalom.

Our guest host today is Fortis Institute Fellow Libby Glosson from The Better Way Podcast! Segment 1 • Culture says “follow your feelings,” while influencers say “crush them”, and neither is biblical. • The Stoic mindset promises control, but offers counterfeit freedom. • God feels holy emotions - we shouldn't be afraid of ours. Segment 2 • The Bible doesn't say “suck it up”, but submit emotions to truth. • Even “hidden” feelings like anger or fear can be sinful if they contradict God's Word. • What do your emotions reveal about what you worship? Segment 3 • Emotional exhibitionism turns private feelings into public performances. • Oversharing isn't always authenticity—it can be manipulation masked as vulnerability. • Biblical modesty isn't just about clothing, but we carry our hearts, too. Segment 4 • What does it mean to show our emotions indecently? • True modesty humbles the heart—no gushing, no tantrums, no self-advertising. • Sanctification shapes not just your mind and behavior, but your emotions too. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Scripture Readings:Isaiah 7:10-14|Titus 3:4-7|Luke 2:1-7Website : glc.gracepocatello.orgStay Connected to us: facebook.com/glcpocatelloOnline offering can be done through our secure platform: https://glc.gracepocatello.org/give-online/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/PocatelloGrace

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The story of Christ’s birth is filled with divine reversals—moments where God chose humility over grandeur and simplicity over splendor. Instead of being born in a palace fit for a king, Jesus entered the world in a lowly manger among livestock, revealing a Savior who draws near to the humble. The Magi, guided by God’s star and later by His Spirit, demonstrate how no one finds Jesus on their own—He leads us to Himself. This season, we are invited to return to the manger with hearts open to wonder, worship, and the profound meaning of Christ’s humble arrival. Main Takeaways You’ll learn why Jesus’ humble birthplace reveals God’s upside-down kingdom and His heart for the lowly. Discover how the Magi’s journey shows that God Himself leads people to Christ. Understand the prophetic connections between Isaiah 53, Luke 2, and Matthew 2. Reflect on how the Holy Spirit guides believers today to continually rediscover Christ. Be encouraged to seek Jesus wholeheartedly and worship Him with the same joy and reverence as the Magi. Bible Verse References Luke 2:7 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/2-7.html Isaiah 53:2 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/53-2.html Matthew 2:1–2 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+2:1-2 Matthew 2:3–6 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+2:3-6 Matthew 2:7–8 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+2:7-8 Matthew 2:9–12 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+2:9-12 Your Daily Prayer Dear Father,As we enter this Christmas season, lead our hearts to the manger—to Jesus. Open our eyes to the wonder of His humble birth and the beauty of Your plan. Help us seek Him wholeheartedly, like the Magi, and worship Him with joy, awe, and reverence. Soften our hearts to lay our treasures before Him and guide us by Your Holy Spirit to know Him more deeply and to lead others to Him.In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily devotionals delivered straight to your favorite podcast app. Leave a rating or review to help others discover biblical encouragement. Visit LifeAudio.com to explore more faith-building podcasts. Read more Christmas devotionals and Bible studies at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Christmas devotionals, Bible studies, and spiritual reflections:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Scripture study tools for today’s passages:BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/2-7.html Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

November 30, 2025-Teach Us to Pray, Part 6: Lead Us Not into Temptation-Luke 11:1-4-Dr. Tom Richter by First Baptist Cullman

From 1 John 2

You can't live a Godly life with an ungodly inner circle. Who you keep close shapes who you become.

November, 2025

Scripture: Matthew 6:13Sermon Series: The Lord's Prayer #8Sermon Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/43173/note-251465.html

Series: Signs & GloryTitle: Why does Jesus lead us into dark places?Scripture:

The latest Epstein file release has been eye-opening to say the least. Extremely successful men with moral bankruptcy, pursuing their vanity through the temptations of a mysterious man. It sparked quite a reflection for me, which I spend time sharing here. I'm sure it will bring a meaningful reflection to you as well. Thanks for listening. As always, Much Love ❤️ and please take care.

Prayer for Letting God Lead Us Higher for her Daily Spiritual Espresso published on November 18, 2025 which you can access here: https://powerofloveministry.net/why-your-inner-critic-is-actually-attacking-god/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Rutger Bregman's first book, Utopia for Realists, the historian describes a rosy vision of the future – one with 15-hour work weeks, universal basic income and massive wealth redistribution.It's a vision that, in the age of artificial intelligence, now seems increasingly possible.But utopia is far from guaranteed. Many experts predict that AI will also lead to mass job loss, the development of new bioweapons and, potentially, the extinction of our species.So if you're building a technology that could either save the world or destroy it – is that a moral pursuit?These kinds of thorny questions are at the heart of Bregman's latest book, Moral Ambition. In a sweeping conversation that takes us from the invention of the birth control pill to the British Abolitionist movement, Bregman and I discuss what a good life looks like (spoiler: he thinks the death of work might not be such a bad thing) – and whether AI can help get us there.Mentioned: Moral Ambition, by Rutger BregmanUtopia for Realists, by Rutger Bregman If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: The Case Against Superintelligent AI, by Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate SoaresMachines Like Us is produced by Mitchell Stuart. Our theme song is by Chris Kelly. Video editing by Emily Graves. Our executive producer is James Milward. Special thanks to Angela Pacienza and the team at The Globe and Mail.Support for Machines Like Us is provided by CIFAR and the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pastor Rob Byker joins us with a message from Matthew 6:13 and 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, titled “Lead Us Not Into Temptation." Every Christian faces three powerful foes: the world, the flesh and the devil. Each one seeks to draw us away from God's will, yet Jesus calls us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. On our own we are not strong enough to resist temptation, but God gives the strength we need to stay faithful. As Paul reminds us, “He is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Sunday Service at Clover Pass Community Church in Ketchikan, AK Matthew 6:13

In this conversation, I talk with Justin Giboney, cofounder of the AND Campaign and author of Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around, about how we can follow Jesus faithfully in the midst of the culture war. Justin shares how the civil rights generation embodied both conviction and compassion, and what it looks like to recover that kind of moral imagination today. We talk about seeing the sin in ourselves and the image of God in our opponents, moving from blind certainty to humble conviction, and bearing the cross in the public square. This episode calls us to reimagine public faith beyond partisanship and to embody the way of Jesus with courage, truth, and love.Justin Giboney is an attorney, political strategist, and civic leader based in Atlanta, GA. As the co-founder and president of the AND Campaign, a Christian civic organization, Justin focuses on the intersection between faith and politics. In 2012 and 2016 Georgia's 5th congressional district elected him as a delegate for the Democratic National Convention. He's the co-author of Compassion (&) Conviction – The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement and the forthcoming book – “Don't Let Nobody Turn you Around: How the Black Church's Public Witness Leads Us out of the Culture War.” His work has been featured in publications such as including the New York Times and Christianity Today.Justin's Book:Don't Let Nobody Turn You AroundJustin's Recommendation:BelieveConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Contact me to advertise: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.com Support the show

Election Day is more than a civic duty—it’s an opportunity to honor God with the choices we make at the ballot box. Deuteronomy 30:19 reminds us to “choose life,” aligning our decisions with God’s ways so that blessings flow to us and our communities. Voting as a Christian is about more than candidates or parties; it’s about reflecting God’s principles and demonstrating the heart of faith in action. Highlights Christians are called to vote with discernment, seeking God’s guidance and aligning choices with His Word. Election Day historically has been viewed as a sacred responsibility to uphold godly principles in governance. Individual votes matter—John Wesley emphasized acting “as if the whole election depended on your single vote.” Abstaining from voting can have spiritual consequences (James 4:17). Voting reflects the values of our hearts and serves as a declaration of faith (Psalm 119:30, Joshua 24:15). Praying and humbling ourselves before God ensures our votes honor Him and contribute to healing the land (2 Chronicles 7:14). A biblically guided approach to elections helps Christians navigate political and moral complexities faithfully. Join the Conversation How do you ensure your vote reflects your faith? What steps can you take this Election Day to seek God’s guidance in your civic decisions? Share your thoughts with #VotingWithFaith #ChooseLife #ChristianVote.

By Jay Ledbetter - Temptation is a lifelong spiritual struggle rooted in our own desires, intensified by the enemy, and present even in the trials God allows for our growth. Join this study to see how Jesus' instruction to pray “Lead us not into temptation” is a daily plea for God's protection, strength, and the

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. — 1 Corinthians 10:13 A student recently told me about her philosophy class. The students in the class were asking about some of the hard questions of life: How did we get here? And what is the purpose and meaning of life? These questions have been asked and discussed throughout the ages, and the Bible gives a clear, definitive answer. We are here because we have been created by the almighty God, and we exist to glorify the Lord and enjoy him forever. There is, however, another powerful being who has no desire to see God glorified. And he does not want us to enjoy God at all. The devil has come to rob, kill, and destroy. He does that by trying to convince us that God's way is not the best way. As Jesus worked with his disciples, he saw that each one would be tempted to walk the path that leads to destruction. He taught his followers to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). In this world the devil and our sinful human nature are constantly at work—even attacking us—to distract us from living as God calls us to live. But, as the Bible assures us, when we are tempted, God will “provide a way out so that [we] can endure it.” Comfort and joy come in walking God's way! Lord God, “uphold us and make us strong” by your Holy Spirit so that we can resist our enemies. In Jesus, Amen.

Have you ever felt completely lost—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—and wondered if God or your angels were still there? In this solo episode, I share a true story from my grandmother's life and another miraculous story from the book Guardian Angels: True Stories of Answered Prayers. Both remind us that when we pause, pray, and ask for help, heaven responds in ways we can't explain. This episode is a heartfelt invitation to trust, to ask, and to let your angels lead you home. Have questions about The Angel Membership or Angel Reiki School? Book a free Discovery Call with Julie: https://calendly.com/juliejancius/discovery-call Angel Reiki School (Online) Starts the 1st of every month Learn from anywhere: https://theangelmedium.com/get-certified Book a 1-on-1 Angel Reading With Julie Connect with your angels and loved ones in Heaven: https://theangelmedium.com/readings Want a Free Reading? We're selecting 50+ volunteers for free readings at the in-person Angel Reiki School. Leave a 5-star review of the podcast and copy/paste it here for a chance to win: https://theangelmedium.com/contact Episode Highlights:   Julie shares her grandmother's miraculous angel encounter • A true story of divine rescue from Guardian Angels: True Stories of Answered Prayers • The power of prayer and asking for God's help in times of fear • Reflections on near-death experiences and divine intervention • Julie's message: you are never truly lost—just ask Connect with Julie: https://theangelmedium.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/angelpodcast/

It was another record setting day on Wall Street.

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.

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!

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.

We're in the middle of our series, WHO CAN LEAD US? A People in Search of a King. This is our brave attempt to unbox the spiritual treasures found in three under-appreciated books: Joshua, Judges, and Samuel. In Talk 5, we open the book of Samuel, or a warrior Judge. This Talk contains 3 parts: (1) God Hears the Humble Hannah; (2) Humble Samuel Hears God; and (3) The Proud That Cannot Hear and Cannot Be Heard. It starts with a broken, barren woman. The key message: God hears the humble.

We're in the middle of our thrilling series, WHO CAN LEAD US?, a Bible Study on Joshua, Judges, and Samuel. In Talk 1 and Talk 2, we unpacked Joshua; In Talk 3, we dove into Judges; In Talk 4, we tackle the life of Samson—the last Judge. Samson is the long-haired dude with super strength. Samson is a superhero for many who don't read the Bible. But you'll find out that because he's the last Judge of 12 very flawed Judges, and because this book is a downward spiral whose characters get worse and worse, then that means Samson is the baddest of them all. He is the most violent, promiscuous, and vengeful of all the Judges. But at the start, Samson looked really promising. The key message of Talk 4 is You are set apart for God.

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're in Talk 3 of our series, Who Can Lead Us? (A Bible Study on Joshua, Judges, and Samuel). Titled We Need a Hero, Talk 3 focuses on the book of Judges. It discusses three topics: 1) cast and plot; 2) a sample of two Judges; and 3) three warnings we must heed from the book. The Book of Judges is a Tragedy. The purpose of the book is to disturb you. To warn you. To fill you with terror at the horrific state of those who fall away from God. But the key message of Talk 3 is comforting: God will never break His covenant with you.

WELCOME back to our series, WHO CAN LEAD US, our Bible Study on Joshua, Judges, and Samuel. This is the second talk unpacking the Book of Joshua. The key message: “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

This Feast Sunday, we begin a new series: WHO CAN LEAD US? A People in Search of a King: A Bible Study on Joshua, Judges, and Samuel. Joshua, Judges, and Samuel continue the story of Israel in the first five books of the Bible—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—also called the Torah. In these three books, the Israelites needed a qualified leader to be their King. In this powerful series, WHO CAN LEAD US?, we ask: ·Who influences me? What influences me? ·How can I pick the best influence for my life? ·How can I influence others to become better people? ·How can I make the Greatest Leader—Jesus—lead me?

On this podcast I seek to redefine beauty as “the life of God at work in us and all around us.” In today's episode, Courtney Ellis helps us experience the life of God at work in nature, specifically among birds. Courtney Ellis is an author, speaker, pastor, and host of The Thing with Feathers Podcast. She holds a master's degree in English literature from Loyola University, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and alongside her husband, she pastors Presbyterian Church of the Master in Orange County, California.In my time with Courtney, we discuss her latest book, Looking Up: A Birder's Guide to Hope Through Grief. Courtney shares how birding can be a gateway to a deepening awareness of beauty in the world, how it can lead us to hope, and why she sees birding as a spiritual practice. In short, Courtney helps us see that birds remind us that God is at work all around us and that He is with us; all we have to do is look up.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.

The final week of the series, "The Lord's Prayer", focuses on the phrase "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This is a reminder of God's protection as we respond to spiritual testing. Testing is both real and necessary—God doesn't tempt us, but He allows tests to strengthen our faith, reveal our weaknesses, and teach us dependence on Him. Examples from Jesus's wilderness temptation and the Israelites' trials we can see that trials are opportunities for growth and perseverance, not punishment. Ultimately, God is faithful—He provides strength and a way to endure.

Matthew 3:13-4:11

Send us a textHave you ever wondered how to actually live out Philippians 4:6–7—“Do not be anxious about anything”? It sounds impossible in a world full of uncertainty, doesn't it? In this episode of Small Beginnings with Sara, I walk through what Paul really meant when he wrote those words and how we can practically receive the peace of God that transcends all understanding.Together, we'll unpack what it looks like to: 

Tragedies can be sudden, shocking, and heartbreaking—but they also remind us of life’s eternal reality. In Why Tragedies Lead Us to Eternity, Lynette Kittle reflects on 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 and explores how witnessing or experiencing loss can point us to the hope we have in Christ. Listeners will be encouraged to consider their eternal destination, understand the gift of salvation, and trust that Jesus has conquered death, offering everlasting life to all who believe. This episode is essential for anyone seeking clarity, comfort, and assurance in the face of life’s fragility. ✨ Highlights 2 Corinthians 2:15-16: Christians are the aroma of Christ to the saved and unsaved 1 Thessalonians 4:13: Comfort for those grieving with hope in Christ Hebrews 2:9: Jesus’ death and resurrection bring eternal life to believers Eternal choices: Daniel 12:2 and Matthew 25:46 explain the reality of judgment The futility of trying to cheat death vs. the promise of resurrection through Jesus John 5:24, John 8:51, John 11:25-26: Belief in Christ ensures victory over death Reflection: Do you know where you will spend eternity?

Europe's best players are shining while American stars are struggling after day one at the Ryder Cup. Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports.

Europe's best players are shining while America's are struggling after day one at the Ryder Cup. Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports.

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Send us a textWe are surrounded by symbols and symbolism every day. Which symbols are meaningful to us? Which symbols are actually hollow and devoid of any real meaning?  Which symbols can lead us to what is REAL?How does the sealing power found within the temples of God relate to all this??  Lat's explore these questions and more together in this episode!Support the Show!Become a "PATRON SAINT"! 

There's a terrific tale unfolding in the sky right now, with the great constellation Orion rising up in the morning sky in the east while the starry crown slopes toward the west, where the Sun is setting below the celestial equator now that it's equinox time. 

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Greg Cote leads the show by doing what all great leaders do: reading the first topic left on his topic sheet and going from there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices