Podcasts about Lookout Mountain

Are you living under the constant pressure of feeling like you should be doing MORE? Or feeling like you should BE more? That you're always letting people down. Or letting GOD down. If guilt and overwhelm have become a big part of your life, I'm glad you found this episode! As my guest today writes in his new book, You Were Never Meant to Do It All: A 40-Day Devotional on the Goodness of Being Human, “God has not designed us to do everything, be everywhere, or know everything. We can value our work, our bodies, and our relationships without thinking we must have endless energy, always be strong, or have unending emotional reserves. God simply didn't create us in this way.” I'm excited to introduce you today to Dr. Kelly Kapic. Eric and I met Kelly and his wife, Tabitha, through mutual friends while our daughter was attending Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where Dr. Kapic is a professor of theological studies. Kelly is also a speaker and an award-winning author. His books have greatly impacted our family, so for this episode, I asked my husband Eric to join me in this helpful conversation about accepting and finding freedom in our limitations as humans. There is much to be gained by leaning into God's good design for us. To realize that we CAN'T “do it all”, not because something is wrong with us, but because we are created to be dependent on God and on others. Only God Himself is without limits and fully in control. As we more deeply settle into this way of thinking and living, we can experience greater growth, a deeper sense of community, and more peace, rest, and JOY! You can learn more about Dr. Kapic's work and writing here: https://www.covenant.edu/academics/bible/faculty/kapic.html Also, don't forget that as a Fighting for Joy listener you can receive 10% off of your first month of counseling services from BetterHelp, my podcast sponsor. Check out my link at betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy. Counseling can be such a huge help in this broken world and a major tool in the fight for joy.

If you're like me, you probably know what it feels like to chase after a never-ending to-do list, trying to squeeze every bit of productivity out of your days, only to end up exhausted and wondering if you're missing something vital. Today's conversation might be exactly what you need. My guest is theologian and author Kelly Kapic. Kelly is a professor at Covenant College and the author of the deeply encouraging books You're Only Human and the brand-new 40-day devotional, You Were Never Meant to Do It All. Kelly reminds us today that our limitations aren't problems to overcome, they're actually a part of God's good design for us. He gently challenges our obsession with productivity, individualism, and endless hustle, calling us instead into rhythms of rest, dependence, and real community. In this episode, Kelly and I explore what it means to truly embrace our human limits as a gift rather than a burden. We talk about sleep and Sabbath as practices that help us reconnect to God's gracious pace, how genuine community keeps us honest about our needs, and how gratitude and lament can help us live fully human lives, rich with meaning. If you're tired of feeling like you're never quite enough, this conversation is for you. So slow down, take a deep breath, and join us as Kelly Kapic guides us into the beauty of being joyfully and authentically human.Kelly M. Kapic (PhD, King's College, University of London) is professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where he has taught since 2001. He is a popular speaker and the award-winning author or editor of more than fifteen books, including the devotional You Were Never Meant to Do It All, The God Who Gives, and the Christianity Today Book Award winners You're Only Human and Embodied Hope: A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering. Kapic has been featured in Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition and has worked on research teams funded by the John Templeton Foundation. He also contributes to the Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care and various other journals.Kelly's Books:You Were Never Meant to Do It AllYou're Only HumanKelly's Recommendation:WorshipSubscribe to Our Substack: Shifting CultureConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo 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 Support the show

National Police Week 2025 is May 11-17    www.policeweek.org 'Honoring Our Fallen, Supporting Our Survivors'TME would like to dedicate this episode to Officer Julie Jacks, Officer Tim Chapin , Officer Nicholas Galinger and Deputy Sheriff Donald Bonds, as well as all other fallen officers. We also honor former Lkt. Mtn Chief Chuck Wells who recently passed.Click here for the link to see Chattanooga Police Dept.'s list of fallen officers:Chattanooga Police Department, Tennessee, Fallen Officers****************************This episode is sponsored by Mountain Lights & Safety of Lookout Mountain.CALL BO (423) 463-7704Outdoor Lighting - Home Security - Smoke & Fire Detection****************************Welcome Chief Jason Lewis!Chattanooga Police Department's loss is our gain! Also, welcome Asst. Chief Brian Dedmon!  Lookout Mountain is very fortunate to have both of you experienced professionals in such key roles in our community - thank you to both of you.Join in and hear from Jason Lewis about his life and the big decision to try law enforcement and how that path has finally led to Lookout Mountain. Hear about his years at CPD and how he met the love of his life, Shelly. You think you know what 'fun' is...wait till you hear what Chief Lewis' idea of 'fun' is and also hear about what instrument he plays and if his singing career ever got off the ground. From start to finish, this is a great, relaxing and funny conversation from a very humble and very knowledgeable, talented individual. After listening, you will feel like you know him better and you will certainly agree that our community 'got it right' with Jason Lewis! Welcome Jason, we are so glad you chose us!Click here to see Chattanoogan.com related article: Lookout Mountain, Ga. Swears In New Police Chief - Chattanoogan.comSpread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

Are our efforts to help the poor always helpful, or could they sometimes do more harm than good?Today, we'll explore how short-term missions can genuinely reflect the heart of Christ and bring lasting change, without unintentionally hurting the very people we aim to serve. Dr. Brian Fikkert joins us for that conversation.Dr. Brian Fikkert is a Professor of Economics and Community Development and the Founder and President of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He is also the co-author of the book, Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions.What Is Poverty—Really?Americans often define poverty materially—a lack of necessities, such as food, clean water, clothing, or shelter. As a result, short-term mission trips often center around distributing goods or completing construction projects. But when you ask materially poor individuals around the world what poverty means to them, they describe feelings of shame, helplessness, and a lack of dignity.This reveals a disconnect: while we view poverty as a lack of material possessions, those experiencing it often define it in relational, psychological, and spiritual terms. True poverty is brokenness in relationship—with God, self, others, and creation. That insight should transform how we approach short-term missions.Even the most well-intentioned trips can do harm. Why? Because those going on these trips may carry pride, believing they have the answers or that their culture holds superiority. In contrast, those in materially poor communities often struggle with inferiority. That combination can worsen the very sense of worthlessness we hope to alleviate.Rather than reinforcing this brokenness, we should pursue humility and listen more than we speak. The goal should not be to "fix" but to restore—to foster healthy relationships that reflect the image of God in all people.Presence Over ProjectsShort-term trips shouldn't be about what we accomplish but about who we become in relationship.If poverty is rooted in broken relationships, then the solution is to restore people to right relationships. And that doesn't come through handing out supplies or completing a checklist—it comes through deep, lasting community.That's why the local church is God's primary instrument of restoration. Mission teams should support these churches in a “backstage” role—serving quietly, praying faithfully, and encouraging leaders who are already embedded in the community. Sometimes the best thing you can do is babysit the pastor's children so he and his wife can enjoy a night out. That kind of support strengthens the long-term work far more than any single project ever could.The Sending Church's Role in Long-Term SuccessMany short-term trips blur the line between gospel and Western culture. But the gospel transcends culture—and so should we.Colossians 1 reminds us that Christ is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. That means He is already at work in every community, regardless of how impoverished it may seem. When mission teams enter a new culture, they should approach it reverently, as if stepping onto holy ground. There is beauty in every culture, and highlighting it can be healing. Simply asking, “What's good here?” affirms the image of God in others and begins the work of restoration.How can the sending church help ensure long-term success in missions?It's not about executing a flawless trip. It's about fostering enduring partnerships with local ministries. That includes showing up year after year, offering consistent prayer and support, and being safe spaces where local leaders can be authentic. Success is not measured by how much we build but by how deeply we walk with others through life.Fundraising as a Form of DiscipleshipShort-term mission fundraising can also be reframed. Young people often feel pressure to produce tangible results in exchange for financial support. But if the goal is to learn and grow, that's a worthy investment.Go as a learner and communicate that clearly to your supporters. When trips are part of a larger discipleship journey, they become valuable not only for those being served but also for the transformation of those who participate.Still, we must be wise stewards of God's resources. Many trips could be more effective if better embedded in a long-term process of learning and partnership.Short-term missions, when done right, can become powerful instruments of healing and restoration. But they must begin with a correct understanding of poverty and a humble willingness to be shaped by the journey.For churches preparing for trips this summer, Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions is more than a resource—it's a reorientation of purpose.To explore Dr. Fikkert's work or find resources and group studies designed for churches, visit Chalmers.org.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I just bought a new SUV and was offered bi-weekly payments. Would it be advantageous to opt for this option over monthly payments to minimize interest?My mother passed away in October of last year, and my sister and I are going to sell her house probably next month. My question is, in Texas, there's no inheritance tax. But is there an inheritance tax federally?We have some friends who asked us to give them a letter of giftedness to help them buy a home. They're asking for $17,000, for which they have $17,000 in cash that they will exchange for our check immediately. We don't understand why they can't just use their own cash, and we're not sure if helping them would cause difficulties for us or them.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly MagazineThe Chalmers CenterHelping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett with Katie CasselberryWhen Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor... and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian FikkertWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Laurelwood Garden Club, Garden Club of Lookout Mountain & Lookout Mountain Beautiful Garden Club, are three of our community's garden clubs - all mentioned in this episode!It's that time of year folks!The Spring Plant Sale is Saturday May 3 from 8-2pm at the GA town hall.TIP: Go early before some items sell out.This year will be a major event with all club 'hands' on deck and best of all - proceeds go to two of our top, mountain treasures - our schools. Baked goods - garden art - plants - herbs - vegetables - casseroles - gift baskets - food - etc...Also hear Ann discuss and share about some of the following topics: Monarchs Over The Mountain poster contest, 'native plants vs invasive plants, 2 local most wanted: ivy & euonymus, and Who is Sandy Loam??, Tennessee Smart Yard Program, Dogwood winter vs Blackberry winter, perennial food forests, is it ketchup and mustard: no, it's a gaillardia!, Lewis and Clark, Tommy Jefferson, Is a pupa a bad thing??, How do the 'queens' do their thing? and much more. back to the sale:Expect a lot of excellent cut flowers - many -most even - grown here on Lookout.Expect to pay for event goodies with: CASH, CARD and VENMO.Ann has agreed to sign autographs - for cash of course.Next stop; mid-summer episode about : soil, Lkt Mtn bird sanctuary & food forests.THNK YOU ANN BROWN!!!! You did GREAT as always! See everyone at 'THE SALE" Saturday morning - sale secrets revealed in the episode so listen in!tME Spread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

Peter Donahue joins Andy as Andy shares about his time at Lookout Mountain and Sweetens Cove with New Club Golf Society. They discuss New Club, the golf courses, and Andy gives a breakdown of the journey of his golf game over three full days of golf.

April is Gospel Month on the Mountain Echo and this episode will include some music towards this theme. Also, this episode is sponsored by Bo Newberry and the good folks at Mountain Lights & Safety of Lookout Mountain.(423) 463-7704Outdoor Lighting - Home Security - Smoke & Fire Detection****************************"Run Forest Run!" Runners will delight in hearing our guest in this special episode! Hide the chocolate covered cookies! Lookout's Mayes Starke is our guest, and he shares about growing up and living in the 'Big City of The South - Hot Lanna". He shares about attending Westminster School and how he left the state of Georgia to follow in his dad's college footsteps at a college we all know very well. He shares about how he 'stole away' the love of his life, Kim and, how she saved his life not that long ago. Hear about the shoes you want to go running in and some local spots - that may or may not be secrets - that are great for running. He shares some names of some local folks - you may know them- that you will want to know if you are a runner....or if you are a semi-recovering chocaholic like Mayes!Also, hear how he and Kim landed on this rock from Atlanta and what they think about that decision now.  How fortunate Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church is to have you and Kim as members. You all are true blessings in the community.Mayes doesn't hold back and he certainly, 'runs hard' throughout this podcast. He is a pleasure to listen to with a great voice - listen in and you'll be glad you did.Mayes - job well done friend - I know Dad, .... and Coach Kash are proud - we certainly are.tME**Special thanks to the movie, Forest Gump, Ralph Stanley with 'I'll Fly Away' & 'Because He Loved Me', and AE Housman's poem, 'To an Athlete Dying Young'Spread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

Are you a creative entrepreneur who sometimes feels like your ideas are swirling around without a clear direction? Or perhaps you've got a business idea but aren't sure how to bring it to life? What if you could leverage your creativity and create a new income stream? In this episode we're exploring the potential of self-publishing as a powerful tool for your business. Joining me on the She's The Business Podcast is the vibrant Polly Payne, CEO and founder of Horatio Printing. Polly turned her dream into reality by creating a self-publishing empire starting with her first product, the Christian Dream Planner. Her journey is packed with inspiring insights, and she's here to share how she did it. Here are a few highlights you won't want to miss: Discover how a messy, chaotic time in her life led Polly to create a planner that would change everything. The differences between self-publishing through platforms like Amazon and having full creative control, including managing your product via Shopify. Kickstarter Campaign tips from Polly - get the ins and outs of using Kickstarter to not only fund your initial production but to also build a loyal community right from the start. Marketing strategies for your self-published product – ideas from collaborating with business partners to launching podcast tours, learn Polly's top tips for marketing your published products and growing your customer base effectively. The Power of Generosity and Community - we chat about why giving away part of your product or experience can actually increase your sales and create a thriving community around your brand. Ready to unlock your creative potential and learn how to incorporate a unique resource into your business strategy? Tune in to hear Polly's incredible journey and get inspired to start your own self-publishing adventure. About our guest: Polly, the visionary behind Horacio Printing, serves as its CEO and Founder. In 2014, she created the Christian Dream Planner, igniting her dream to empower other Christian women in their pursuit of dreams. Polly loves helping others rekindle their hope for the future and dream again. Polly lives in the scenic beauty of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, alongside her husband and two precious kiddos! Connect with Polly: FB Group: Horacio Printing Christian Planner Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/christiandreamerscommunity/ Instagram: Horacio Printing https://www.instagram.com/horacioprinting/ Youtube Channel: Horacio Printing https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ5B2N5HYoRC1W1qm7-lBmQ Apply to be a guest on She's The Business Podcast Do you have a story or relevant expertise to share with our global audience of female entrepreneurs? Apply to be a guest on She's The Business with Jessica Osborn here: https://jessicaosborn.com/podcast ------------------------------------------- FREE 20 minute VIDEO TRAINING “How To Attract High-Paying Clients & Grow To Multi-6-Figure Years in Part-Time Hours” Watch now: https://www.jessicaosborn.com/5keysvideo ...................................................... Loving this podcast? Please drop a 5 star rating to help others find it too! If you have a spare 30 seconds we would be so grateful if you would leave a short review. Simply hit the 5 stars and add a few words of your own about your experience listening to She's The Business Podcast. You might be chosen as the review of the month and featured on an upcoming episode! .................................................... She's The Business Podcast Website: https://www.jessicaosborn.com/podcasts/she-s-the-business-podcast-with-jessica-osborn DID YOU KNOW we also publish our guest interviews on YouTube so you can watch them? >> She's The Business on YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/@Jessica.osborn ......................................................... About your host: Jessica Osborn is a business coach and marketing strategist specialising in online coaching, education and services businesses. Her popular Business JAM program helps you create your signature program and fill it with premium paying clients so you're hitting 6+ figure years in less than 20 hours a week - which means you can work less, play more and enjoy life to the full! Learn more: https://jessicaosborn.com Instagram or Threads: https://instagram.com/jessica.osborn LinkedIn: Https://linkedin.com/in/jessicaaosborn Facebook: https://facebook.com/jessicaosborn.bxcoach ......................................................

Greg Strand joins Hans Madueme, associate professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, to debrief the 2025 EFCA Theology Conference, and unpack Hans' plenary message from the conference ("A Theological Meditation on Sin and Freedom: Justification, Concupiscence and the Quest for Godliness") and why it matters to the local church.Watch (or listen to) Hans' full message from the 2025 Theology Conference here.For further reading:You're Only Human by Kelly M. KapicRuined Sinners to Reclaim: Sin and Depravity in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective (The Doctrines of Grace) edited by David Gibson and Jonathan GibsonPride: Identity and the Worship of Self by Matthew RobertsEmbodied: Living as Whole People in a Fractured World by Gregg R. Allison

'The Ladies' are back! Stephanie Wharton and Starr Hoover are returning for another great season at The Mountain Munchery - Lookout's eatery at The Commons. Parents of young ones - you will want to hear this!Join us in this episode as we learn a lot including how it all began, the headaches and struggles and the new plan for summer 2025. The 'S's' weave a funny tale with twists and turns and funny stories of children paying and all the great memories they already have from operating this great option for hungry and thirsty folks while they are at our town commons. You will hear some specifics about menu items and beverages for this spring/ summer covering both popular returning items and new offerings. These two just bring a smile to your face hearing them share about the adventures of the Munchery and folks at the commons. This is a fun listen and a very informative one - also hear about the signal/sign that they are indeed open. Lots of good info in this episode!Note: This episode was recorded in two segments - one from 2024 and the newest portion from this spring -2025. Enjoy! Your Team at the Mountain EchoThis episode is sponsored by Mountain Lights & Safety of Lookout Mountain.Bo Newberry 463-7704 Outdoor Lighting - Home Security - Smoke & Fire Detection****************************Spread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

Jesus Is The Way - Humility To Glory (3) (audio) David Eells – 3/16/25 We've noticed that Jesus taught a lot on humility, although He didn't necessarily always use that term, so today, I'd like for us to look at humility as the demand of discipleship because humility is the process of crucifixion, the process of taking up our cross and following Jesus (Matthew 10:38; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). So how do we take up our cross? The main way that we take up our cross is through obedience to God's commands, because His commands are humbling to the flesh, which is crucifying to the flesh. We have to lose our life to gain our Life (Matthew 10:39; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:25; etc.), and Jesus' commands were designed to cause us to lose our life; they were designed to humble the old man and bring him to naught. Let me share with you a few places where I think Jesus particularly pointed out this humble walk to us. (Mat.5:1) And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: (2) and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, (3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. What does that mean, “the poor in spirit”? Well, we're warned by Scripture to beware of the rich because they usually exercise their authority and their power to take advantage of the poor (James 2:6-7; 5:1-6; etc.) And so the poor in spirit is a people that have been humbled because they don't have the authority, they don't have the means by which to take full advantage of the world, or to be peers with the rich of the world. For God's people to be poor in spirit is obviously to be a humbled people.   (Mat.5:4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.   Obviously, we mourn. The world is full of laughter and enjoying everything that's going on around them but, like Lot (2 Peter 2:7-8), we're grieved in our hearts. When we put the Word of God in our heart, the Jesus Who is in us is grieved at the things that go on around us, is grieved at the advantage that the wicked take of us, is grieved at the persecution that they bring against us. Losing your life can be painful, of course, but if we obey Jesus' commands, He will make it as quick as possible. Thank You, Lord!   (Mat.5:5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. There's something about the meek that the Lord loves, and the ones whom He picked to be His disciples that weren't meek, He humbled. He doesn't want people to be bold and demanding their own will, their own way, using their own strength to negotiate with the world. That's not the way of the Lord. That's not the way of His people.   (Mat.5:6) Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. That's a good promise, although obviously the great majority of God's people don't “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” No, they're quite satisfied with what they have. They believe they've been told the Truth, so they think they have it all summed up, but God doesn't want us ever to be satisfied. I like what David said, “I'll never be satisfied till I wake in thy likeness” (Psalm 17:15). That's the kind of thinking that God wants us to have. He wants this desire to be in us, this hunger and thirst to be full of His righteousness.   (Mat.5:7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. The Lord is teaching us that if we show mercy, forgiveness, and grace towards others, He's going to multiply it back to us. (Luk.6:37) And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released: (38) give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.   (Mat.5:8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Who are “the pure in heart”? It's the people who have a heart that has been renewed by the Word of God, who have hungered and thirsted after righteousness, who are convicted by the Word, who read it for the advantage of gaining Christ (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; etc.)   (Mat.5:9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. So many people are picking sides nowadays! And sadly, many of God's people choose a worldly side; they want to fight with the world against the world. They're confused about where the Kingdom of God stops and the kingdom of the world starts, and that's why we need discernment from the Lord, a discernment that only the Word can give to us. We're here to make peace. We're here not to choose between the lesser of two evils, but to choose God's Kingdom in the midst of all evil because it's all evil. All the nations of the world are evil; they're all fallen.   (Mat.5:10) Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Another Scripture tells us, (2Ti.3:12) Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. If you're going to live Godly, as Jesus walked, you are going to suffer persecution, and it's for the purpose of crucifying that old man. But notice He said, “Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake” because if we suffer for doing evil, we don't receive glory or gain any advantage for that (1 Peter 2:20,3:17). And many of us do suffer God's chastening for doing things that are contrary to His Will, but that's because He loves us and wants us to turn and go the other way.   (Mat.5:11) Blessed are ye when [men] shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. We don't like to suffer persecution, or people speaking lies against us, and so on, but God said, “Blessed are you.” This is more of God's humbling process, that we should accept what's being spoken against us. Jesus told His apostles, (Joh.15:20) Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. If they did it to our Lord, they'll do it to us and so we should be rejoicing in our persecution. In fact, look at what the very next verse says.   (Mat.5:12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad (Notice that's our command from the Lord.): for great is your reward in heaven… We're going to receive a reward because of all the things that the wicked, and wicked Christians, and wicked worldly people, say against us. We're going to get a reward for that and so He tells us to rejoice and give thanks to God. I don't believe when we're on the other side of our trial looking back, brethren, that we're going to think, “Boy, I'm sorry I went through that!” It says in (Heb.12:11) All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness. Obviously, we're going to see the results of God's blessings and the things that He's provided for us because we have gone through that, and because of the peaceable fruit that God is working in our heart by our going through this. No, I believe we're going to thank God.   (Mat.5:23) If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, (24) leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. God doesn't want to accept anything from our hand as priests of the Lord, until we make things right with anybody that we have offended. Now we know there are ways we offend people that are perfectly legal and right. Jesus offended people quite a bit, but He offended them by speaking the Word of the Lord. He didn't offend them by foolishness and sin, which is what this is talking about. We will offend people, but Jesus didn't ask forgiveness for speaking the Word of the Lord and speaking the Truth, even if it hurt.   However, some people are a little overbalanced in speaking what they call the “truth.” They don't have grace in what they say, and they don't build people up in what they're doing, which is wrong. And when we outgrow that, we should go back and tell those people we're sorry that we did such things, because our youthful exuberance sometimes causes trouble, and hurts people more than it helps. (Mat.5:25) Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.   Yes, if we have offended someone, we need to quickly go and make it right. If not, God may make us pay because of the damage that we've done to somebody else. Also notice that if someone doesn't make things right, they'll be “cast into prison.” Do you know who serves as God's “officers” in prison? It's the tormenting spirits that people labor under, and are chastened under, and so forth. (Mat.5:26) Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing. We have to pay for some sins. We need to repent quickly before God calls in our debt.   The same thing is seen in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, where the servant was forgiven by his master, but afterward wouldn't go on to forgive his fellow servant. Let's read that in (Mat.18:32) Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: (33) shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee? (34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. “Tormentors” is the word basanistḗs; the “place of torments” is básanos. These tormentors are the demons that God permits to torment people because of their evil works until they repent and humble themselves under the mighty Hand of God.   (Mat.18:35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. There is no choice; we have to forgive. We may feel that these people are not worthy of our forgiveness. They did us wrong, and they were evil, they really hurt and abused us, and so on, and all those things could be true, but it doesn't make any difference. We did all those things to God. We were wrong; we were evil; we deserved what we got and yet, He forgave us. And Jesus came and bore the penalty for our sins, thank God! We'd all be destroyed otherwise. God is humbling us, and He gives us help with this humbling process. When we're not willing to do it ourselves, He causes us to count the cost for our low living until we realize, “Well, it's not worth it, so I need to turn to the Lord.”   (Mat.5:38) Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: (39) but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. We often need to be reminded of this because it doesn't come naturally to us and it really irks the old man to “resist not…evil.” We think that we self-righteously deserve God's goodness since, in our eyes, we've been good, but God sees otherwise. He sees that down inside of us, there is something that would rise up to defend self and, of course, self cannot be defended in any way, legally. In the Name of Jesus, self cannot be defended because self is the enemy of God and must be crucified. And our Lord Jesus, Who went to the Cross, didn't deserve what He got but He bore it for us. Praise the Lord!   Now, “resist not him that is evil” doesn't mean to “resist not the devil,” because the Bible says, “resist the devil” (James 4:7). Nor does it mean that we don't resist false prophets who come in to teach lies and take advantage of the people, because we see that Peter, Paul, John, and Jesus Himself spoke against false prophets to defend the disciples from the faith (Matthew 17:15, 24:5,24; John 5:43; etc.) What it does mean is resist not the evil that comes against you personally, because these are the times when “self” rises up and really wants to fight back. And we're going to reap what we sow if we do that (Galatians 6:7) since the people of the world don't have any restraint upon them to fight, nor do the wicked so-called “Christians.” And you're going to always keep reaping from these people what you sow. They'll just continue to fight, and continue to fight. You're the only one that can stop it, and as you deny the old man the right to defend himself, he dies a little bit more each time and it becomes easier and easier.   (Mat.5:40) And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Years ago, a good brother I knew was plundered by some people who were working with him. They stole all his machinery and other equipment, then they lied to the police and said that he owed it to them. So he came to tell me what happened and asked, “What am I going to do?” I replied, “Well, I can only tell you what Jesus told us. It's one of those ‘bitter pills' that doesn't go down easy, but it's what Jesus said.” Just as when the wicked came and robbed Job, and Job said, (Job.1:21) … Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.   Again, in (Mat.5:40) And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. (41) And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two. These things are all very humbling, are they not? These commands put us in the place of weakness; they put us in the place of crucifixion when we obey them.   (Mat.5:42) Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. That's another command, but sometimes we wonder, “Should I or should I not?” Well, sometimes we become judges instead of just obedient servants, and the Lord doesn't want that of us. He says, “Give to them that ask of thee.”   (Mat.5:43) Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: (44) but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you… Of course, this is another one of those bitter pills that goes down hard, but I tell you, the best thing to do for your own heart, and for theirs, is to pray for them. And another text that's very similar is, (Rom.12:38) Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. Notice, it's those that persecute you. Now there are places in the Scriptures where what people would consider to be curses were spoken, even by disciples of God. Were they disobeying this command? No.   When Paul turned a man over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, it was so that the man's spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:5). Paul didn't have any personal thing to gain by doing this; he did it because it was good for this man. So you see, there are some curses that are not curses at all. They're blessings. A chastening from the Lord is a blessing. If you don't chasten your child, he gets worse and worse (Proverbs 13:24), therefore it's not a curse when it's a blessing, even though it may function in effect as a curse. So “Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not,” is saying, “Don't resist personal affronts against you. Bless and curse not.”   Here's another example of a curse, which is actually being a blessing. (Act.13:6) And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus; (7) who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. (8) But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.   (9) But Saul, who is also [called] Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, (10) and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? (11) And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. (12) Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.   Certainly, most people would consider that a curse, but Paul didn't speak that because someone was persecuting him personally; it was to defend a man from another, wicked, man. God Himself delivers us over to the curse, and He can use vessels like the apostle Paul, or like us, in the Spirit, but He's never going to do it if we're retaliating or fighting against people whom God has sent to crucify us. We see Jesus didn't resist crucifixion. He could have called down a curse on all those people that were being used to crucify Him, but He didn't. He said, (Luk.23:34) … Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…      (Rom.12:15) Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. (16) Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. (These are all good attributes of humility.) (17) Render to no man evil for evil. (In other words, anybody that brings evil to you, render not evil back to them. Trust in God. Let God retaliate if He wants to.) Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. (Make sure you're representing Christ before others; make sure that you are being a revelation of God to them.)   (18) If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. (19) Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath (Give-in to whatever wrath man brings against you, because it goes on to say,): for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. (20) But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.   All of this brings us into the place of humility, the place of crucifixion, and it's a work of God in our heart. He wants to put “self” to death. Now it's not necessarily what we have done; it's who we are. God is dealing with the man down on the inside of you that is called “self.” The old man, the carnal man, has to be put to death. Even if you have never let him live through you, it doesn't make any difference. God wants to kill him, and we need to give God His way, because this is what yields that peaceable fruit, that humility in our hearts. People don't know what a selfless man is; people need to be able to see that in us. They need to see Jesus in us.   Returning to Matthew 5 again, Jesus says, (Mat.5:43) Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: (44) but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; (45) that ye may be sons of your Father (This is what a son of God is.) who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. (46) For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the Gentiles the same? (48) Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. What would bring us to perfection? Undoubtedly, it's this crucifying of the old man by loving your enemies, turning the other cheek, and resisting not the evil. All of these are the most powerful tools that God uses to crucify the old man.   The next chapter is also very good concerning humility, because we love to take the glory or the credit for doing things, but God constantly tells us to deny that in ourselves. Jesus said, (Mat.6:1) Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them… Now God wants righteousness to be manifested through us and He wants it to be seen. If we go back to chapter 5, we read, (Mat.5:16) Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. These two verses may seem contradictory; however, God does want us to show forth good works so that men would give glory to God but not glory to self. Chapter 6 is speaking here about doing good works so that we may receive glory.   (Mat.6:1) Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them (Just like the Pharisees, who always wanted to be seen for the good things that they did.): else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. (Whenever we glory in what we're able to do by God's grace, we'll lose our glory because we're robbing God.) (2) When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. (If you receive the glory of men, then you have the only reward you're ever going to get.) Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. (3) But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: (4) that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.   Do you want a reward from the Father? Then do your best to find the shadows, kind of like the Lone Ranger. He would always do good works and help people out by saving them from the villain, but when people would turn to give him credit for it, he was gone. He had already slipped out the back door or whatever, and we have to be that way, too. The only thing phony about the Lone Ranger was he was the only one who got to wear the white hat, and so everybody knew he was the good guy all the time but, be that as it may, he tried to avoid the limelight, avoid the credit, and slip out. [Editor's Note: Wikipedia says: “The Lone Ranger is an American Western drama television series that aired on the ABC Television network from 1949 to 1957.”]   (Mat.6:5) And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. (Oh, yes, there's a lot of that nowadays, too, “official prayers” that you know are only skin deep and not really coming from the heart.) Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.   (7) And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. God makes it clear that He doesn't want us to take credit for praying, or brag about praying, or brag about fasting, or any such thing as those. He wants us to keep all that between us and Him. Anything that would build up the flesh and give it reason to be proud or give it reason to claim credit is the opposite of humility, is it not? God wants us to be humble. (8) Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Amen, He does.   We all have to be very careful that what we think justifies us before God. We need to be careful of our attitude. We should make sure we're being humble before God and not taking any credit or robbing Him of any of His glory. The Law does that; it robs the glory of God. That's why God found fault with the Law and He brought us under grace, where we can receive no credit; everything comes from the Lord. (Luk.18:9) And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous…   Now I don't know if you've ever been there, but I have. The first full-Gospel religion I was in taught me to trust in myself that I was righteous because I had done certain things, all of which were good things, but the things that we've done are not our justification. Our justification is because we've received the Lord's mercy and He's done it all at the Cross. If we take any credit for anything that we've done, what we're saying is we've done it and He's not done it.   (Luk.18:9) And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought… Isn't that the way of religion? And we did that a lot in that first religion I was in over 40 years ago. We “set all others at naught.” We judged others just like those Pharisees did. But after getting out of that religion, I saw that their judgment was coming back upon them, and it was coming back upon me, too. God was showing me that I was a Pharisee and that I needed to repent.   Reading again, (Luk.18:9) And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought: (10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. (Publicans were traitors to the Jews.) (11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself (I underlined that in my Bible. He prayed “with himself,” in other words, God wasn't there. God wasn't hearing it. He was just all by himself since God was ignoring him.), God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. (12) I fast twice in the week… Did you ever fast twice a week? I usually leave it up to the Lord now, but I used to fast regularly twice a week. I did it to pray and get close to God, but then I felt like I was under the Law, so I decided I'd let the Lord tell me when to fast and I learned as I grew up a little bit in that.   (Luk.18:12) I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. You've been lied to, people, from a lot of preachers who say you're not going to have the favor of God unless you tithe. That is not the truth of the New Testament. Tithing is of the Law. Jesus told the Jews, not the Christians, not the people who were following Him, He told the Jews in (Mat.23:23) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done (Notice that's past tense.), and not to have left the other undone. So Jesus said tithing was of the Law, and He never put the tithe on His people.   In fact, He also said in (Luk.14:33) So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. This humbles us even more because we're not even owners of the 90%. Now we're stewards of the 100% and we have to put it all in God's Hand. He's the One Who tells us what to do with it. Well, this Pharisee was seeking to be justified by works of the Law, something that we're told over and over in the New Testament is impossible (Acts 13:39; Romans 4:2; Galatians 2:16; etc.) You cannot be justified, you cannot be accepted or favored by God, because you tithe. God wants you to get away from that and start listening to His Spirit and find out what He wants for you in the New Testament.   Back to our text in (Luk.18:13) But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner. See, he was not doing all the things that were considered correct “Christianity”, and he was failing God a lot, but he recognized himself as a sinner and he humbled himself to ask for mercy from God. (Luk.18:14) I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled (It doesn't matter how many good things he's doing.); but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. If we want to be exalted by God, the way is to choose to be humble, and to choose not to be proud that we're being humble, either, but to choose to be humble because God loves that and God will lift us up and bless us, and we need that desperately.   Now you may have heard the saying that “with knowledge comes power,” but with knowledge also comes responsibility, as Scripture says. Let's read that in (Luk.12:47) And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes]; (48) but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.   So I'd like for us to go back and look at this text in Matthew. (Mat.11:20) Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not. (21) Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (22) But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. (23) And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day. (24) But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.   You see, God makes people responsible when they see the glory of God, when they see the works of God; He makes them more responsible than others. A so-called “Christian nation,” although I don't believe there exists such a thing except for the spiritual nation that covers the earth, is more responsible to do something with the Word than a lost nation. It will receive more judgment than a so-called “wicked” nation. In fact, the so-called “Christian nation” that's going about doing their own will and following their own agenda will receive more judgment.   And then people don't connect this next text with the previous one. (Mat.11:25) At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes. What are “these things”? All of God's wondrous wisdom is hidden from those whom the world considers to be the “wise and prudent,” but in this particular case, He's also talking about the text before it concerning “the day of judgment.”   Have you ever noticed how most apostates nowadays don't believe that their nation can be judged? They're more a part of their earthly, physical nation than they are a part of the nation that they're supposed to belong to, which is New Testament spiritual Israel. The demon spirit of patriotism, that's killed even more people than religion, creeps in and they take sides with their natural nation against their spiritual nation. They're thinking according to the flesh. Far too many Christians in America are very prosperity-minded and they don't know anything about the crucified life.   They teach against, they even rail against, the fact that, yes, God is judging and will judge this nation. It's hidden from them, hidden from the proud “wise and prudent.” (Matt.11:26) Yea, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight. (27) All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal [him]. And, of course, God will reveal Himself to the humble babes, those who just trust in their Father.   (Mat.11:28) Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (If you're toiling under the heavy burdens of the curse of this world, if you're being crushed by your sins, Jesus gives you the cure. He gives you rest. How?) He says, (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (Our problem is we're prideful and puffed-up. We're strong to do our own will, and it brings a heavy curse upon us.): and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. The Lord wants us to humble ourselves so He can show us the coming judgment, and cause us to avoid it, if we will humble ourselves.   Can God deliver His people from the coming beast if they will just humble themselves? Yes, and here's a story that teaches exactly that. It's something which I believe is happening even now. Let's go to (2Ch.12:1) And it came to pass, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of the Lord (He wasn't depending upon the strength of the Lord. He was strong, and he forsook being obedient to God's Word.), and all Israel with him. (So as went the leadership, so went the people.) (2) And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against the Lord… Notice it's always for that reason. The enemies come up to conquer us and to bring us under and to bring us to our cross, because we have trespassed against the Lord.   Shishak represents the beast kingdom of that day, which was the Egyptian empire that conquered Israel of that day. Rehoboam represented the leadership of Israel and Jerusalem represented the leadership of God's people in Israel. They were strong, but God brought the beast against them to bring them down and we have just such a thing happening in America today. The government is going after the greedy preachers who have kept a whole lot more than they should have kept as their own. They don't believe in participating in equality among the brethren, which is commanded in 2 Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9. And the government, the beast kingdom, is coming against them to conquer them.   (2Ch.12:2) And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against the Lord, (3) with twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen. And the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. (4) And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came unto Jerusalem. The Lord told me years ago what Judah represents in the New Testament. “Judah” means “praise” and it represents the Spirit-filled people. Now I know “Spirit-filled” is a term that's used very loosely, because we see in the Old Testament they sinned, too, and they brought the judgment of God upon themselves, too. However, they had less of an excuse because they were the people who worshipped at the true Temple and the Presence of God was in their midst, as the in-filling of the Spirit represents.   (2Ch.12:5) Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Ye have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak. (We know God is raising up a beast kingdom right now that's a worldwide kingdom, so notice that those who forsake the Word of the Lord, and those who are strong in themselves and think they can defend themselves, will be conquered by the beast kingdom.) (6) Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, the Lord is righteous.   (2Ch.12:7) And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves: I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance… The phrase “some deliverance” could also be translated as “deliverance within a little time or a little while,” or “a few that shall escape.” But notice that the king, the man who was strong in himself, the king humbled himself along with the leaders, and God had mercy. He didn't totally destroy them. He wanted to crucify them; He wanted to chasten them because of their evil.   Saints, nobody ever gets away with anything. The Bible says clearly in (Heb.10:26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. But if you humble yourself, it won't be total destruction, either. And that's what we need to do, because there's a great beast kingdom on the horizon and it's rising up against God's people even now.   (2Ch.12:7) And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves: I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. (8) Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. In other words, “Who would you rather serve? Would you rather serve the Lord by humbling yourself, or would you rather have to serve the nations?” Many times God's people ended up under the thumb of the nations, under the thumb of the beast kingdoms, because they didn't take the easy way of humbling themselves and serving the Kingdom of God.   (2Ch.12:9) So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house… I've mentioned before, in this particular country, the beast kingdom is rising up against the greedy preachers because of their fleet of airplanes and their castles that they're building all over the country. And notice here that the beast kingdom took away the “treasures of the house of the Lord.” Now listen, very soon they're going to take away the tax exemption “and the treasures of the king's house,” too. It's all going to happen exactly the way the Bible says.   (2Ch.12:9) So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house: he took all away: he took away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made. (10) And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass (He wanted something to possibly fool the people and save some face for himself.), and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, that kept the door of the king's house. (11) And it was so, that, as oft as the king entered into the house of the Lord, the guard came and bare them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber.   (12) And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him… Now this was not a good king among the kings of Israel. If he could do this, then anybody who is truly the called and blessed of God can do this. Are you living under any kind of a curse, even though you're walking by faith in the promises? One of the most important things you can do is to humble yourself.   (2Ch.12:12) And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether: and moreover in Judah there were good things [found]. Again, this is talking about the Spirit-filled people. And it's true that there are good things to be found among God's Spirit-filled people, but there's also a vast rebellion going on so there needs to be some humbling.   (2Ch.12:13) So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess. (14) And he did that which was evil, because he set not his heart to seek the Lord. Well, this was an evil king, yet he was capable of humbling himself because he knew what it would take for God not to let His full wrath come upon him. In other words, to him it was “fire insurance,” but still the Lord didn't pour out His full wrath upon him because he humbled himself. And notice, “He did that which was evil, because he set not his heart to seek the Lord.” That's evil in any of us, if we set not our heart to seek the Lord. You don't have to necessarily go out and do many bad works or evil things, but if you just set not your heart to seek the Lord, that's evil before Him.   (2Ch.12:15) Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the manner of genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. (Pay attention to that now. Here's a person who was evil before the Lord and God never let him get out from under the curse of warfare; it was nothing but war, war, war, all the rest of his life.) (16) And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.   If we're living under any kind of a curse, we can see 2 Chronicles 12 is a good advertisement for us to humble ourselves before the Lord. Of course, we should still continue to walk by faith and confess the promises, those things are all necessary, but also anything that we can do to put down this old flesh is pleasing to God because the mind of the flesh is the enemy of God. (Rom.8:6) For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: (7) because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: (8) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Our battle is to crucify that old man. Humbling ourselves is the process of crucifying that old man, and all of Jesus' teachings demand that as disciples. We humble ourselves, we accept the crucifying Nature of Jesus Christ as our own.   Jesus and His disciples were a demonstration of humility to the people of their time. History must repeat so: The Man-child reformers and their disciples will be in our time. So, I will share a few revelations concerning this.     The Davids Send Disciples from Zion Kendall Remmick - 10/08/2009 (David's notes in red) In a dream, David and I were standing in a house of an old friend of mine (This is the old man; self) whom I hadn't seen in a very long time. He wasn't there, but David (representing the end-time body of Davids prophesied to lead God's people out of corruption, as Jesus did) David and I had met there to have dinner together (feasting on the Word with the Davids). I was a bit confused at how I got there with him. As I was looking around, I noticed large bugs were starting to surround us and the room was littered with trash and old leaves (This is corruption, the old house of the old man). I said, “I think we need to get out of here,” and in a flash we were in a very nice house. (We must leave the old house of corruption for the new house of “Christ in You”.) This was a Frank Lloyd Wright-style house. David was sitting at the dinner table, just smiling, and hadn't said anything in this dream. I walked over to the table and sat down; right then my phone rang, and it was an emergency. I was frustrated and a bit embarrassed. I answered and said, “I told you I had to take care of this, and it would be just a moment”. (I feel this represents the world interrupting my Bible studies -- having to go to work or running errands, when I would rather be studying the Word coming from UBM; like the riches and cares of the world.) (There's no time to waste; seek to be in God's Word now.) Then I raced back inside and I saw a butler standing by the table, but David was gone. The second I asked, “Where is David?” I was on top of a mountain and David was strapped into a red hang glider, getting ready to launch. (This represents being caught up to the throne of David ministries on Mount Zion by overcoming the world and its gravitational allure. Hang gliders are not man-powered but wind-powered and lifted. Wind and Spirit are the same original word in the Bible. From Zion, disciples, in whom Jesus lives, will launch out to the rest of the world with the Gospel. (Rom.11:26) ...There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. (Psa.53:6) Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Then shall Jacob rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.) Now, back in the '80s, in my younger days, I had a hang glider and I used to launch off a mountain at the foot of Golden, Colorado. The locals called it Lookout Mountain, but the official name of the mountain is MOUNT ZION! (Representing the Bride, according to John in [Rev.21:9,10], who, under the Man-child, will save God's people, as in the prophecy of Esther and Song of Solomon.) This mountain is also the grave of Buffalo Bill, who is a cowboy famous for killing thousands of buffalo (killing our fleshly beasts). So, here I am on Mount Zion (the Bride city where David, Jesus in the Man-child rules) looking at David strapped into a red hang glider ready to launch. I asked David if he needed some help launching and he just smiled at me and lifted the hang glider up and as he did, the wings started to get bigger, bigger and bigger! Then the color changed to a crimson (washed in the blood) and covered the top of the mountain. David then pointed to the left where there was an entrance into the hang glider made out of the red cloth. Some other people and I walked in. Here we sat down and rested (Resting is ceasing from man's works to keep the spiritual New Testament Sabbath) and we were all looking out over the valley and commenting on what a nice view it was from there (Meaning ready to launch out overcoming the world below and seeing this from heavenly places in Christ).   Disciples Going Forth with Miracles Michael Duncan - 10/06/2009 - 3:16 AM (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was with some clients in a different -city. (Michael was with UBM but others were listening to him.)  I was asked to take them home. I told them I only have a little room in the car but they could squeeze in. We went into a house and they all fell asleep. (These people represent those who inspect our teachings and the city of God but are not interested and return to their spiritual sleep.) I never made it back to work. I was then in a field (Jesus said, “The field is the world.) where there were lots of people milling about what looked like a catastrophe relief refuge, like at wartime. (The right and the left are at war now in 2025) I saw a woman named Eleanor Clayton (this is the receptionist at my job - her entire name means shining light in a clay settlement) who was there trying to load up a mail sack onto a mail pole at a train station so a passing train could pick it up. (This represents those who are a shining light, who will send out the Word to the world in the ancient fashion of the early disciples of Christ.) I watched as the train was racing past, and it was almost at the end, and Eleanor barely got the mail loaded just as the caboose was passing by, but she successfully loaded it in the nick of time. (The end-time message gets out.) The people in the camp began to clear out and I saw the clients in my car waiting for me. (After judgment, the clients become interested. In the natural, America is becoming a nation of refugees after the many attacks of the DS. Looks like communications may be reduced to more simple methods in this refuge. The DS has already tried to take down the electrical grid.) I was then at a gas station (a place where power is stored). I saw David Eells there with some people. (Representing the David ministries and their disciples of Christ.) There was a certain woman with no arm; she had a small nub of an arm on her left shoulder. (The worldly church will have no power to do the works of God for they lack the arm of the Lord Jesus.) She was explaining to everyone how something in the womb (perhaps a chemical reaction) prevented the arm from growing to completion. David asked the woman, “Have you believed God for healing?” (They never grow to maturity through trusting doctors, with their drugs or pharmakeia.) David and I walked over to the woman, and I grabbed the nub and we began to pray. I was praying in the Spirit and, as we prayed, a demon came out of her, causing us to let go of her. I made a motion of pulling the nub, as if I was pulling it out. As I did that, I watched as the arm grew out and was completely whole. (Through the revelation of the Word, witnesses will raise up many from the apostate church and restore their power to do the works of Jesus. They will destroy the beast kingdom. Isa.51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Is it not thou that didst cut Rahab in pieces, that didst pierce the monster? Isa.53:1 Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed? Once the “arm” of the Lord's strength is revealed to God's people, they will become the “hand” through whom it is manifested to the world. 53:10 Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong his days [in His seed], and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand [His seed].) I was crying and thanking God and we were rejoicing. David looked at the arm and when he saw that it was whole his eyes opened wide and he smiled with great contentment and nodded his head, saying, “That's our God!” I began to tell everyone about this awesome miracle of God. It seemed like a beginning of many more to come. (Probably the latter rain will come after the earthquakes. Davids will train and send disciples to heal and cast out demons and do mighty miracles, just as it was under Jesus, the son of David.) I was then on my old road, called Harper Road. (meaning “minstrel or harpist”; which is seducing the people through music) I was in my front yard with my daughter, when a whole parade of red convertible corvettes with seductive decals of women on the sides began to drive by. These cars were low to the ground and were very decorative. At a closer glance, I saw young kids doing sensual stuff in the cars. (The immature Christian organizations will become more and more worldly in attempts to seduce the worldly with their harlot ways.) I tried to protect my daughter from seeing it (Those groups born of true disciples will not want to be polluted with their sins.). I told my oldest daughter about the miracle healing of the woman at the gas station. It was as if I was trying to get her mind on heavenly things. Next, I was driving, and I received a cell phone call to see if I wanted to do a concert, so I drove over to where the concert would be, and I saw thousands of people waiting around; it was a college campus atmosphere. (There will be great hunger for truth from those who discern it and an opportunity for discipleship.) I drove through the crowd and came to a group that would not move out of the way, and they were selecting new wheels and rims for their car. (There will be some who try to hinder the way because of their love for the ways of the world. We see now in 2025 people who are rioting and blocking highways.) I saw my friend David Faulk (meaning “falcon”, a bird that preys on other birds) and we went into a room and I began to tell him about the miracle healing of the woman at the gas station as we were rejoicing. (Even some shepherds who have plundered the flock will turn to righteousness when they see the miracles, like Nicodemus.) I noticed there was a girl in the room who began to manifest demons as I spoke. She was stopping her ears and began to be in torment. (Many apostate assemblies will hate to hear the truth.) We began to rebuke the demons in Jesus' Name. She ran out of the room and then the evil spirit seemed to get stronger as it was trying to break down the door to get back in. (1Jn.2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.) We were holding the door shut and saying, “In the Name of Jesus!” (Without [speaking of the bride city] are the dogs Rev.22:15.) As we were attempting to say, “In the name of Jesus”, it seemed we could not get the name “Jesus” out. It was as if the air in our lungs was restrained. So it sounded like, “In the name of -----”. We eventually squeaked out the name, “Jesus” and the girl with the evil spirit became a small dog and I was slamming the dog around, saying, “In the name of Jesus”. It was a serious battle. (This reminds me of, I fought with beasts at Ephesus in (1Co.15:32). The demon-possessed religious systems try to stop our use of the name of Jesus in their political correctness, just as with the early disciples in [Acts 4:17-19].) Then the scene changed and I was now in a vehicle with David Eells. It was a very large and high military vehicle with an open top (heavenly spiritual warfare). David was behind the wheel and we were leaving very swiftly from the previous place (departing from spiritual Babylon). We were proceeding down Maple Road (where sweetness was, the Sweet Waters) very fast on a curvy, steep hill downward (humbling ourselves). We almost lost control around a sharp curve, but then, suddenly, a lightning bolt struck the power lines above us and it also came into us, preventing us from going off the road. (The power of God in us will keep us on the path.) This strike did not hurt us. David was explaining how the jolt went through us and that it was okay (This is the latter rain anointing of the Holy Spirit, Who will empower the man-child Davids and the two witnesses after them.). I felt a sensation in my head where the lightning bolt went through. We stopped in to a restroom (getting rid of the waste of Babylon, i.e. sanctification). I introduced myself to David as one who helps with the book covers for UBM (And he's done a great job, too). I mentioned to him that it was neat that we have not ever met face to face before, and here we were out ministering together, and God was doing miracles. It seemed as if it was the days of the Book of Acts once again. (The latter rain disciples going forth to administer the benefits of the Kingdom.)

Huntsville's loss is Chattanooga's gain!In this episode of the Mountain Echo, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Schlecht, a dedicated advocate for intellectual property and the owner of Midtown Intellectual Property, PC. Founded in 2018 and headquartered right here on Lookout Mountain, Midtown IP offers legal services to businesses and startups in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. Serving diverse industries, including pharmaceuticals, life sciences, mechanical engineering, and AI, Midtown IP delivers a range of services, such as patent drafting and prosecution, trademark registration, and IP strategy consulting. With a focus on innovation, the firm supports clients in transforming ideas from the benchtop to the marketplace. Join us as Dr. Schlecht shares his journey to make his home here in our mountain community.Join us as we hear how a little boy living outside of Huntsville and who grew up visiting the Space and Rocket Center and attending summer camp at Covenant College went on to become one of the smartest kids in town and then on to earn a doctorate in Chemistry before moving into the area of law where he now practices - business law, patents and trademarks. And as a bonus, his wife is a Covenant College grad! Dr Schlecht (which ironically is German for 'bad', yet, he is so good!) has moved with his family, and during COVID of all times, to find a lovely home and wonderful life here on Lookout. This episode is fun to listen to as he weaves seamlessly through different topics and as he shares about some of the nuances of services that he now offers clients here on Lookout. He has opened Midtown Intellectual Property (MidtownIP.com) in town and he is open to receiving new clients both individual and companies. Listen in and hear the other various services that Midtown IP offers such as legal counsel, contracts, NDA, patents, trademarks, logos and other business legal needs.As always there are other topics covered and mentioned and some of those in this episode are: Huntsville, Hazel Green, the German language, Rocket City, Space Camp, Chrysler, Redstone Arsenal, Branch Technology, Summit Summer Camp, Covenant College, St. Louis, Goodmans Coffee, Washington University, 'farming grass', Midtown Intellectual Property, quid pro quo, Pylon AI, NDA, etc... Thank YOU for listening!!www.MidtownIP.comEmail Dr. Schlecht at    admin@midtownip.comSpread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

Mystics and prophets have reported receiving visions from the Divine for centuries—”Thus saith the Lord…”—Hildegard of Bingen, Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola, Catherine of Siena, or Julian of Norwich. The list goes on.But what would you think if you met a seer of visions in the present day? Maybe you have.What about a prophet whose visions came like a movie screen unfurled before him, the images grotesque and vivid, all in the unsuspecting backwoods setting of Lookout Mountain, deep in the south of Tennessee.Would you believe it? Would you believe him? The beauty of fiction allows the reader to join the author in asking: What if?That's exactly what Jamie Quatro has allowed us to do in her newest work of literary fiction, Two-Step Devil.What if an earnest and wildly misunderstood Christian is left alone on Lookout Mountain? What if the receiver of visions makes art that reaches a girl who's stuck in the darkest grip of a fraught world? What if the Devil really did sit in the corner of the kitchen, wearing a cowboy hat, and what if he got to tell his own side of the Biblical story?On today's episode novelist Jamie Quatro joins Macie Bridge to share about her relationship to the theological exploration within her latest novel, Two-Step Devil; her experience of being a Christian and a writer, but not a “Christian Writer”; and how the trinity of main characters in the novel speak to and open up her own deepest concerns about the state of our country and the world we inhabit.Jamie Quatro is the New York Times Notable author of I Want to Show You More, and Fire Sermon. *Two-Step Devil* is her latest work and is the winner of the 2024 Willie Morris Award for Southern Writing, and it's also been named a New York Times Editor's Choice, among other accolades. Jamie teaches in the Sewanee School of Letters MFA program.SPOILER ALERT! This episode contains substantial spoilers to the novel's plot, so if you'd like to read it for yourself, first grab a copy from your local bookstore, then two-step on back over here to listen to this conversation!About Jamie QuatroJamie Quatro is the New York Times Notable author of I Want to Show You More, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award and the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize, and Fire Sermon, a Book of the Year for the Economist, San Francisco Chronicle, LitHub, Bloomberg, and the Times Literary Supplement. Her most recent novel, Two-Step Devil, is the winner of the 2024 Willie Morris Award for Southern Writing. It has also been named a New York Times Editor's Choice, a 2025 ALA Notable Book, and a Best Book of 2024 by the Paris Review and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. A new story collection is forthcoming from Grove Press.Quatro's fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Harper's, the New York Review of Books, Ploughshares, and elsewhere. She is the recipient of fellowships from MacDowell, Yaddo, Bread Loaf, and La Maison Dora Maar in Ménerbes, France, where she will be in residence in 2025. Quatro holds an MA in English from the College of William and Mary and an MFA in fiction from the Bennington College Writing Seminars. She teaches in the Sewanee School of Letters MFA program, and lives with her family in Chattanooga, Tennessee.Show NotesGet your copy of Two-Step Devil by Jamie QuatroClick here to view the art that inspired Jamie Quatro's Two-Step DevilProduction NotesThis podcast featured Jamie Quatro with Macie BridgeEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Macie Bridge, Alexa Rollow, Zoë Halaban, Kacie Barrett & Emily BrookfieldA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Elissa is an associate professor of art and art history at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, and a Norris and Billie Little Endowed Scholar. She received her M.A. and PhD in art history from Washington University in St. Louis, where her research focused on contemporary art, the body, and empathy. Her scholarly publications include essays on contemporary Black female photographers, patronage of Hawaiian landscape paintings, and photographs of the Japanese American internment. Elissa's broader writing and teaching explores representations of race and gender and the relationship between art and spiritual formation. Her first book, "Redeeming Vision: A Christian Guide to Looking at and Learning from Art " was published in 2023 and won several awards.​In this conversation, Elissa and I explored how art can play a transformative role in our spiritual journey. We discussed the role of the Christian viewer, the ethical dimension of visual culture, and the importance of engaging with art in a way that helps us grow in our faith. We talked about how art can challenge our perceptions, encourage curiosity, and foster deeper connections with the divine and with each other.

Bios For The 5 Women Featured In This Podcast: Whitney Schmidt is an enneagram 3/yogi/wife/mommy to 4-year-old Elle/kitty lover/attorney who lives in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. She and her family moved from New York in 2021 and have been enjoying the Tennessee Valley immensely ever since, particularly when she found her “people.” Maria Fowler is a passionate yoga instructor dedicated to helping others find balance, strength, and peace both on and off the mat. With over 10 years of teaching experience, Maria incorporates a blend of traditional and modern yoga practices, offering students the opportunity to quiet their minds and connect with their true selves. Maria is an Enneagram 7. Tracy Carlson- wife, mother of 2, truth seeker and yoga teacher since 2011. Chattanooga native living on Signal Mountain. Enneagram 9. Enjoys traveling, yoga and hiking. Kari Baker Pollard is a yoga teacher based in Lookout Mountain, TN with her husband, 2 daughters and 4 dogs. She's an enneagram 8. Dawn Pray moved to Chattanooga for love ten years ago, and when she moved to Chattanooga she tried yoga for the first time. A true enneagram 3, Dawn, is an attorney, mother of 3 and grandmother. As a true type A personality, she is pleasantly surprised that she found her true serenity (and most meaningful friendships) through her yoga practice.”

Science & Faith … GUEST Dr Sy Garte ... biochemist who has taught at NY Univ, the Univ of Pgh, and Rutgers Univ ... He's the author of "The Works of His Hands: A Scientist's Journey from Atheism to Faith," “Science & Faith in Harmony: Contemplations on a Distilled Doxology,” and the upcoming “Beyond Evolution” You’re Only Human… GUEST Dr Kelly Kapic … Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Science & Faith … GUEST Dr Sy Garte ... biochemist who has taught at NY Univ, the Univ of Pgh, and Rutgers Univ ... He's the author of "The Works of His Hands: A Scientist's Journey from Atheism to Faith," “Science & Faith in Harmony: Contemplations on a Distilled Doxology,” and the upcoming “Beyond Evolution” You’re Only Human… GUEST Dr Kelly Kapic … Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is sponsored by Mountain Lights & Safety of Lookout Mountain.(423) 463-7704Outdoor Lighting - Home Security - Smoke & Fire Detection****************************This episode has been months in the planning and tME hopes that the knowledge and expertise presented will be a welcome resource for parents with children ages infant through high school - and even for parents too!Join in and give a fun listen to Chattanooga Treasure Mr Ed Jones and his amazingly talented daughter Mrs. Cady Kuhlman as they bring just a pinch of their deep knowledge to the listeners of tME. These are two very PASSIONATE health professionals and you will learn this for yourself as you hear some of their stories about how we can help our children. This episode has been talked about for a year or more with listeners and tME is thrilled to finally have it a reality and in the library as a resource for local parents. Coming in at a hair over an hour, this episode is well worth hearing - truly - even if you need to finish it in two listens! You will hear about a lot of topics and terms such as: traditional medicine, acute care, chronic illness, knowledge deficits, ADHD, autism, sick children, immune systems, skin issues, food systems, toxicity, medicine 3.0, protein for children, carb dangers, olive leaf, The CORE FOUR for children, Vital Health Radio, The Holistic Navigator just to name some we remembered!This episode is a MUST for any parents with young children! Hear some great support info for raising young children and what teenagers with demanding schedules need in their health toolbox every day.This is already one of our favorite episodes and as soon as you hear it you will understand why - it's exciting and empowering to know that we can be helping ourselves and our children be our BEST selves every day. Thank you Sir Ed and Dear Cady - you are both Chattanooga Treasures.tMEHome - Nutrition WorldThe Holistic NavigatorVital Health Radio – All About Living a Healthy LifeSpread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

You’re Only Human… GUEST Dr Kelly Kapic … Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA. What’s good to watch?… GUEST Abby Olcese… writer on film, pop culture and faith … she’s written for Think Christian and RogerEbert.com… author of “Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re Only Human… GUEST Dr Kelly Kapic … Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA. What’s good to watch?… GUEST Abby Olcese… writer on film, pop culture and faith … she’s written for Think Christian and RogerEbert.com… author of “Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is for all the golf course design junkies and enthusiasts as we sat down with golf course designer Tyler Rae. He joined Gary Williams for a deep dive on his career in golf, some of his creative influences, top courses around the world, periods of time in course architecture and much more. He touched on his work at Lookout Mountain and Old Sawmill and talked in depth about Pinehurst No. 2, Seminole and Pine Valley.Rae has played the top 100 courses in the U.S. and 98 of top 100 in the world so his knowledge of great golf courses is amongst the elite and he loves the hidden gem courses of the world. He also listed his top courses in New England from Eastward Ho, Myopia Hunt Club and the Country Club; from Westchester, NY with Winged Foot, Somerset Hills and Mountain Ridge; Long Island with Shinnecock, Maidstone and National Golf Links; the Chicago area with Chicago Golf Club, Shoreacres and Beverly; and finally in the greater Philadelphia area with Pine Valley, Merion and Lancaster.

Bios For The 5 Women Featured In This Podcast: Whitney Schmidt is an enneagram 3/yogi/wife/mommy to 4-year-old Elle/kitty lover/attorney who lives in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. She and her family moved from New York in 2021 and have been enjoying the Tennessee Valley immensely ever since, particularly when she found her “people.” Maria Fowler is a passionate yoga instructor dedicated to helping others find balance, strength, and peace both on and off the mat. With over 10 years of teaching experience, Maria incorporates a blend of traditional and modern yoga practices, offering students the opportunity to quiet their minds and connect with their true selves. Maria is an Enneagram 7. Tracy Carlson- wife, mother of 2, truth seeker and yoga teacher since 2011. Chattanooga native living on Signal Mountain. Enneagram 9. Enjoys traveling, yoga and hiking. Kari Baker Pollard is a yoga teacher based in Lookout Mountain, TN with her husband, 2 daughters and 4 dogs. She's an enneagram 8. Dawn Pray moved to Chattanooga for love ten years ago, and when she moved to Chattanooga she tried yoga for the first time. A true enneagram 3, Dawn, is an attorney, mother of 3 and grandmother. As a true type A personality, she is pleasantly surprised that she found her true serenity (and most meaningful friendships) through her yoga practice.”

Bios For The 5 Women Featured In This Podcast: Whitney Schmidt is an enneagram 3/yogi/wife/mommy to 4-year-old Elle/kitty lover/attorney who lives in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. She and her family moved from New York in 2021 and have been enjoying the Tennessee Valley immensely ever since, particularly when she found her “people.” Maria Fowler is a passionate yoga instructor dedicated to helping others find balance, strength, and peace both on and off the mat. With over 10 years of teaching experience, Maria incorporates a blend of traditional and modern yoga practices, offering students the opportunity to quiet their minds and connect with their true selves. Tracy Carlson- wife, mother of 2, truth seeker and yoga teacher since 2011. Chattanooga native living on Signal Mountain. Enneagram 9. Enjoys traveling, yoga and hiking. Kari Baker Pollard is a yoga teacher based in Lookout Mountain, TN with her husband, 2 daughters and 4 dogs. She's an enneagram 8. Dawn Pray moved to Chattanooga for love ten years ago, and when she moved to Chattanooga she tried yoga for the first time. A true enneagram 3, Dawn, is an attorney, mother of 3 and grandmother. As a true type A personality, she is pleasantly surprised that she found her true serenity (and most meaningful friendships) through her yoga practice.”

This episode is sponsored by Mountain Lights & Safety of Lookout Mountain.(423) 463-7704Outdoor Lighting - Home Security - Smoke & Fire Detection****************************Have you ever dreamed of going to a special place?Do you ever want or need to get away from the hustle and bustle?Do you want to go somewhere but you're just not sure where? Or how to do it.Warning: the following podcast episode may unlock your dreams, high adventure and possibly even some danger - use caution if you proceed!Do yourself a huge favor and join us for another great episode on The Mountain Echo as Strib Stribling opens up about himself, family, relationships and of course, fishing; you will be so glad you did.Do you have a travel wish? A long-held destination wish? This fun and inspiring episode may just be the 'sign' you've been waiting for. Growing up in Atlanta and falling in love with a girl form Lookout, Strib is at his best just relaxing and sharing great stories. Atlanta to Lookout, and parenting along the way, he weaves a great listening experience for listeners as he shares a very powerful message to folks. Strib founded and operates Stribling and Company and he helps people have great experiences via travel and trips in the great outdoors. He does a really good job of explaining what this cool, Lookout-based company does for people, families and groups, Strib has more stories than he does fishing lures - and that's saying a lot!  Sit back for a real treat for your ears, and your heart as this wonderful, talented, skillful and gracious man encourages you to dream big and to have the courage to act on your desires to travel. Spoiler alert: His real goal is even bigger - helping people discover new feelings about themselves and those around them - and the power of relationships.Stribling and Company is the real deal for serious travel - whether personal discovery or group relations and dynamics - friends or corporate. Give Strib a call and talk to him - he's great to talk with and incredibly knowledgeable about many places and about different types of trips. People who have used him already know - ' Strib IS THE Guy'Strib - 'thank you', you did a great job - tMEhttps://www.Striblingandcompany.comSpread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

People of a certain age likely have a vessel of pictures. To be clear, I'm not talking about a well curated photo album. For me, the vessel is a cheap plastic bin, about 8” W x 15” L x 4” D. Full of pictures. Many of them loosely organized in the original paper envelopes that they gave me at Target or Walmart or the drug store where the film was processed. Many of them are labeled: Summer 2005, Christmas 2003, Nela Baby Photos, STL trip 2004, etc. It's not a great organization system, but its full of serendipity. If there is any thought of hunting through them for a picture, I might as well go through the entire bin. Probably over a thousand photos piled high. A few often slip to the floor as I reach for them.Recently, I read the book “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman. The small g variety. It's a roadtrip romp through the Midwest. The main character is a recently released prisoner who, unbeknownst to him, makes a deal to be the bodyguard of the Norse god, Odin. It's a fun book. Emotive at times. I really liked the main character's love for his wife, who died days before he is released from prison and haunts him (in a good way) through the rest of the book. At the climax, there is a showdown between the old gods, mostly immigrants from ancient lands who couldn't quite make it in America and the new American gods (think Santa Claus), who capture our imagination and usurp our more deeply held spiritual wishes in accordance with cultural convenience. It is the kind of book that makes me ask questions like, “Does Jesus actually stack up to Santa Claus most Decembers?” and “What do Americans worship without knowing they are doing so?”The site of the book's final battle is Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, TN. In real American history, the mountain has special significance as a sacred site of native American culture, an important Civil War strategic location, and - in contemporary times - as a tourist destination known for its extravagant gnome displays. It now captures people's interest with the unique style of advertising that you see painted on old barns on rural highways: “You're Almost There - Lookout Mountain!” You might call it a tourist trap. The author calls it a “thin place” where the geography, topography, and natural beauty of the place have attracted millions of people for many reasons over the centuries.In the author's world, a thin place is a location where gods gather because it is where people have historically gathered. These places hold significance that is mutable, where a constant battle for meaning shapes peoples' perceptions and experiences. Is the mountain a site of worship, military strategy, or commercialism? It can be all of these things and more. Ultimately, that meaning does not have to be culturally defined. It can be highly individualized and your own belief significantly influences the experience. In my own belief system, I worship a God who created the earth as a bountiful garden for all to share. This belief often leads me to natural areas in honor of the sublime beauty that no human hand will ever be able to create.In the Cherokee language, Chattanooga is translated as “rock coming to a point” or “end of the mountain.” On top of Lookout Mountain, as modern tourism marketing goes, you can see seven states. It is a visionary place. I wonder, before there were states, how did Indigenous people describe what could be seen from that point? On what occasions did people gather at the “end of the mountain?”In summer of 2007, I was preparing to go to graduate school to get an MBA from Indiana University. This was a major life altering moment for me. The week before school started, I went with my wife and two young children to Athens, GA to visit family. On the way back, we stopped in Chattanooga. At the hotel, I distinctly remember my fearless 18 month old son taking a dive into the water at the kiddie pool and my daughter being enthralled by the massive miniature train exhibit.

This episode is sponsored by Mountain Lights & Safety of Lookout Mountain.(423) 463-7704*****************************Note - this episode was recorded earlier last year. Happy New Years Day! Happy 1 Year Anniversary Chief!What better way to celebrate than with a great podcast episode featuring a true, life-long public servant who has reached the top of the organization structure. What an impressive law enforcement officer Lkt Mtn GA has in Chief Dewayne Steele. His professionalism and grace combine to give a rare total package in law enforcement today - a gentleman. Chalk up a huge 'W' for the Georgia side of the mountain with the promotion to Chief of Dewayne. This is clearly a big win for the community and huge congratulations are in order for all those involved with installing Chief Steele.Job well done!Happy 1-year anniversary (PLUS), Dewayne - keep up the great work! We are lucky to people of your caliber, expertise and character. Lookout Mountain Georgia - well done. You are fortunate to have Chief Steele. Spread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

**NOTE**  This episode is dedicated to Mr. George (Butch) Harless a true man and true friend to many, including to his dear friend, Mr. Jerry Summers.And, to Orange Grove Center of Chattanooga for all the care and support they give and where Jerry Summers and others offer help and support. This episode is sponsored by Mountain Lights & Safety of Lookout Mountain.Please join us for our End of Year Grand Finale episode and you will be glad you did. ****************************************************************************************Who would you have if you rolled the following people into one person - Lewis Grizzard, Will Rogers, Bobby Lee Cook and maybe some Perry Mason and Andrew Jackson on the side?You might have a guy named Jerry.Listen in and hear a lot of names and a lot of Tennessee history including aspects that will amaze you about this event in American history. Traditionalism vs Modernism is what some have called this famed event. The Mountain Echo is honored to host a true legend in Chattanooga history - a true 'oak' from White Oak, the famed attorney Mr. Jerry Summers as he shares about a special event coming up about a historic event in US and world history - The Scopes Trial from 1925.This story begins which a wild cast of characters such as: a tennis coach, a pharmacist, the 'father' of TVA, a coal company executive and newspaper folks and of course a football coach. In the summer of 2025, a huge event will take place in the town of Dayton, Tennessee to commemorate the 'Scopes Trial' which s considered my many historians to be one of the most significant trials in US history. The trial captured the attention of our nation and some parts of the world as the trial played out and arguments unfolded and finally as the world waited for the outcome. Jerry does a truly masterful job of walking us through the setting and the significance of it all - a truly mesmerizing tale of American law, politics and social temperature in 1925 - 100 years ago.Join in and enjoy hearing from an authoritative voice as Mr. Summers weaves an excellent layup and story, concluding with many unknown facts about the entire event that just add more and more intrigue as the story unfolds. Many of you may think you may know the story, but you probably have not ever heard anything like this well-researched reedition. You will need to sit down, get comfortable and buckle your seatbelt.Misc. points of discussion include: Sewanee University, UTC, Bryan College, Tennesse history, Chattanooga history, WGN, Dr Harry Lawrence, Lookout Mountain, Central High School, U.S. Supreme Court, Ku Klux Klan, ACLU, Clarence Darrow, Wm Jennings Bryan, Chattanooga Times Free Press, book - Tennessee trivia and more... Many thanks to you Dear Jerry - you are a true gift and blessing to our town and community and we hope to enjoy you for many more years to come. You did a great job here!Your friends at 'the Mountain echo'.* Special thanks to Mr. Chuck Clowdis for his advice, help and support. Thank you Chuck!Spread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

Mike talks travel and breaks some sad news. The famous gift shop at the top of Lookout Mountain is going to close at the end of this month. Mike discusses that with the proprietor Bill Carle. Mike also talks travel, restaurants, and more this hour!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full episode herehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-beast-system-the-death-of-rothschild-and-mysterious-lookout-mountain--63277354Get access to every episode of WTFrick Live!https://spreaker.page.link/9ZpAVK99G2UBaBT57Forbidden Knowledge Network https://forbiddenknowledge.newsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forbidden-knowledge-news--3589233/support.

tME sits down with longtime mountain resident Mr Chandler Rennick to hear all about the upcoming car race on Lookout Mountain which will 100%, directly benefit the LMS and Fairyland, elementary schools.*********************************************************Many thanks for his time and a job very well done to Chandler. This is a fantastic episode for parents with children who may welcome a fun, challenging activity for these colder winter months - and the great news as Chandler explains is the ease and structure of how it all works. Thanks in large part to his team/ board and community members, this event is planned as a win-win for all involved - see if you know any of these mountain folks - bet you do.Listen in and hear how to learn more, how to participate and when and where the fun will occur. Sounding like a seasoned radio personality, Chandler effortlessly eases the listener through the entire event from all aspects - alpha to omega.  There are some steps you will want to click on and easily complete and the cost is very doable - this event is about supporting our community schools and this simply offers a smart and fun way to do that support. Kudos to Chandler and his talented and supportive wife, Jamie Ann who was instrumental in the event ever happening in the first place. Thank you, Jamie Ann.Helpful info:Chandler Rennick  - CRennick1@gmailwww.EventBrite.comSpread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

Join us as we delve into the recent death of William Rothschild, a name synonymous with power and mystery...... We'll explore the enigmatic history of Lookout Mountain, its ties to secret military operations.... and the connection to a once-hidden Air Force base. .....Adding another layer to the intrigue, we uncover the role of celebrities in this bizarre web of secrecy..... Are these events random, or do they reveal something far deeper????? Tune in for an unforgettable journey into conspiracy, mystery, and hidden truths.......

Director Ryder Lee is back to discuss his new film with Jay Weidner, “A Clockwork Shining”, that takes a deep dive into the symbolism and continuity errors found buried in the 1980 Stanley Kubrick film “The Shining”. What is this film really about, besides a man going nuts inside a shuttered hotel isolated high in the Rocky Mountains all winter? Authors Mark Devlin and Cathy O'Brien provide details on the role of the Military-Industrial complex operating inside Hollywood, and the mind control programs that the CIA was running throughout the 1960s. Was this the underlying theme of “The Shining” that Kubrick was trying to communicate to those with the eyes to see it? Perhaps understanding the real purpose of Lookout Mountain will help to explain what happens when you blend the military with the movie industry. The Octopus of Global Control Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3xu0rMm Anarchapulco 2024 Replay: www.Anarchapulco.com Promo Code: MACRO Sponsors: Chemical Free Body: https://www.chemicalfreebody.com Promo Code: MACRO C60 Purple Power: https://c60purplepower.com/ Promo Code: MACRO Wise Wolf Gold & Silver: www.Macroaggressions.gold True Hemp Science: https://truehempscience.com/ Haelan: https://haelan951.com/pages/macro Solar Power Lifestyle: https://solarpowerlifestyle.com/ Promo Code: MACRO LegalShield: www.DontGetPushedAround.com EMP Shield: www.EMPShield.com Promo Code: MACRO Christian Yordanov's Health Transformation Program: https://christianyordanov.com/macro/ Privacy Academy: https://privacyacademy.com/step/privacy-action-plan-checkout-2/?ref=5620 Brain Supreme: www.BrainSupreme.co Promo Code: MACRO Coin Bit App: https://coinbitsapp.com/?ref=0SPP0gjuI68PjGU89wUv Macroaggressions Merch Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/macroaggressions?ref_id=22530 LinkTree: linktr.ee/macroaggressions Books: HYPOCRAZY: https://amzn.to/3VsPDp8 Controlled Demolition on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ufZdzx The Octopus Of Global Control: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VDWQ5c Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/39vdKeQ Online Connection: Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/Macroaggressions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macroaggressions_podcast/ Discord Link:  https://discord.gg/4mGzmcFexg Website: www.Macroaggressions.io Facebook: www.facebook.com/theoctopusofglobalcontrol Twitter: www.twitter.com/macroaggressio3 Twitter Handle: @macroaggressio3 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-4728012 The Union Of The Unwanted LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/uotuw RSS FEED: https://uotuw.podbean.com/ Merch Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/union-of-the-unwanted?ref_id=22643&utm_campaign=22643&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source Ryder Lee: https://t.ly/o8xBN

UNLOCK FULL EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE! Patreon.com/IlluminatiWatcherOn today's supporters-only BONUS episode for December of the Occult Symbolism and Pop Culture with Isaac Weishaupt podcast we discuss the Dec 4th shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. We'll catch up on the timeline and discuss theories about it being a great looking assassin, secret coded messages on the bullets, books that expose the insurance industry, Catcher in the Rye connections, hackers, insider trading, Bitcoin's $100K clearance, Jay-Z symbolism of blue, Rockefeller Center, UHC's Freemason symbolism, Jack Parsons, Nietzsche, Clif High's 39 day prophecy after Joe Rogan and Donald Trump's interview, William Rothschild mystery at Lookout Mountain and a theory about UHC's lobbying with a spark of a possible captialist Revolution. Today's episode is wild- don't miss out!NOW UP AD-FREE ON SUPPORTER FEEDS!!Links:SUPPORTER FEEDS: Go ad-free with HUNDREDS of bonus episodes, early access and books!Patreon.com/IlluminatiWatcher,VIP Section (*with comparsion of Apple vs Patreon vs VIP): https://wp.me/P2ijVF-aRLApple Podcasts Premium! You can now go ad-free with ALL the bonus episodes on the Apple app- just open up the podcast and subscribe!

Ryder Lee is joined by Parallel Mike for a conversation about Stanley Kubrick's Secrets, Lookout Mountain Hotel, Catcher In The Rye and Ryder's new documentary A Clockwork Shining.A Clockwork Shining Out Now: https://watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=amzn1.dv.gti.40307b30-a310-48b1-9efd-667fdf012954&territory=US&ref_=share_ios_movie&r=web Raised By Giants LInkTree:https://linktr.ee/raisedbygiantspod

Full episode here!https://www.spreaker.com/episode/walter-bosley-lookout-mountain-air-force-base--62801776Get access to every Raised by Giants episode! Podcasthttps://spreaker.page.link/Q1qN1M4A9Ve8QqaX8Forbidden Knowledge Network https://forbiddenknowledge.news/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forbidden-knowledge-news--3589233/support.

Lookout Mountain Air Force Base with Air Force Special Agent Walter Bosley.A Clockwork Shining on Amazon Prime Video: https://watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=amzn1.dv.gti.40307b30-a310-48b1-9efd-667fdf012954&territory=US&ref_=share_ios_movie&r=webRaised By Giants LInkTree:https://linktr.ee/raisedbygiantspodContribute to Raised By Giants on PayPal here:https://www.paypal.me/raisedbygiantsContribute on Buy A Coffee here:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/raisedbygiQ

Our Sounds of Service Series continues for Veterans Day 2024 with two inspiring individuals who have and continue to serve our country. Note* Audio quality was affected due to our interview being over the phone.Thank you for making this interview happen Wil!"Catastrophic aircraft failures", "Averting Catastrophe", Exceptional Airmanship""Heroic recovery at 1,200 ft and dropping", "worst possible case emergency"Air Force Global Strike Command gave the bomber crew the famed General Curtis E. LeMay Award - a rare, high honor.In the first episode, little Wil Powell from LMS isn't little anymore - he's all grown up and soaring high above the clouds and seeing the world with the US Air Force. A master B-52H Stratofortress pilot, Captain Wil Powell is living at one of our nation's two main Air Force bases for this beast of a plane - he is down in Louisiana with the 11th Bomb Squadron. Hear about him almost freezing to death and now how he is practically melting in the summers. Now with a family, Wil shares about growing up on Lookout, his friends, Baylor, McCallie, Auburn, and how he made it to the controls of such an important aircraft. Also, hear about a recent incident that made both national and world news and how Wil was directly involved. Join in and hear from the man himself, making Lookout proud!Thank you, Wilson Powell - thank you for your service!Come home and visit Lookout!Spread the word! Find us at ...theMountainEcho.orgPlease "Like" and 'subscribe' for notification of new episodes on your media player's podcast menu. Also, on regular, full length, non-bonus episodes, many thanks for closing music featuring the Dismembered Tennesseans and vocals by the amazing Laura Walker singing Tennessee Waltz. Opening fiddle music played by the late Mr. Fletcher Bright.

Christian Colleges:  challenges and rewards … GUEST Dr Collin Messer … Vice President for Academic Affairs, Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA …  A former literature professor, he specializes in 20th-century American lit and the literature of the American South … former Asst Dean and chair of the English department at Grove City College. Organ donation:  important questions to ask … GUEST Dr Charles Camosy … Prof of Medical Humanities at the Creighton Univ School of Medicine … Charlie spent 14 yrs in Fordham Univ's theology department, & is author of 7 books, inluding “Beyond the Abortion Wars,” and “Resisting Throwaway Culture” … his most recent book is “Bioethics for Nurses: a Christian Moral Vision” … Charlie advises the Faith Outreach office of the Humane Society of the US & the pro-life commission of the Archdiocese of NY … He & his wife Paulyn have 4 kids, 3 of whom they adopted from a Filipino orphanage in 2016. Newsboys: Worldwide Revival Nights (Sun Oct 27, 2024;  Doors 6pm,  Show 7pm,  Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall (Munhall, PA) … GUEST Duncan Phillips.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deep dive episode, the team explores the darker side of celebrity culture, focusing on three iconic figures. The hosts break down the cult-like followings that surround these celebrities and analyze the characteristics that define this phenomenon. From occult symbolism, loyalty, charismatic leadership, to insider language and manipulation, this episode reveals how these celebrities have created powerful, almost religious, followings that transcend mere fandom.Check out past episodes on Hollywood and Laurel Canyon on our website.Join our community discussions and stay updated on social media Timestamps:01:00 - Exploring Hollywood celebrity cults and their influence.02:51 - Brandon dives into Taylor Swift and her fanbase's cult-like devotion.05:00 - Characteristics of cults: Loyalty, charisma, and idolization.07:30 - Taylor Swift's rise to fame and her massive influence.09:53 - Swifties' extreme behavior: Reddit communities and cancel culture.12:00 - Concerts as liturgies and fan participation as ritual.14:36 - Taylor Swift's secret codes and insider language.19:18 - The line between fandom and worship.21:44 - Lindsy introduces Jared Leto: His band, 30 Seconds to Mars, and esoteric symbols.24:06 - Leto's extreme method acting and its psychological effects.26:24 - Jared Leto's symbols, rituals, and cult-like following.30:59 - Mars Island events and Leto's manipulative control over fans.35:47 - Symbols and hidden meanings in Leto's imagery.38:10 - Leto's purchase of Lookout Mountain and connection to occult history.43:00 - BT introduces Elvis Presley and his spiritual beliefs.45:27 - Elvis's occult connections and fan worship rituals.49:21 - Elvis as a messianic figure and his control over fans.54:15 - Elvis's personal life, relationships, and cultural impact.58:47 - The dangers of idolizing celebrities.1:01:07 - Final thoughts on the cult of celebrity.

When a low-income person asks your church for help, what do you do next?God is extraordinarily generous, and our churches should be, too. However, helping low-income people often requires going beyond meeting their material needs. Dr. Brian Fikkert joins us today to talk about how your church can help the poor in ways that lead to lasting change.Dr. Brian Fikkert is a Professor of Economics and Community Development and the Founder and President of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He is also the co-author of the best-selling book, “Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People.” The Struggles Churches Face with Benevolence MinistriesMany churches feel overwhelmed when trying to address their community's needs. They want to help but often feel powerless, worried about enabling destructive habits or frustrated by the lack of visible long-term change. These challenges are common, but with proper guidance, churches can develop a benevolence ministry that is both effective and sustainable.One of the most critical things to remember in this process is that people are not projects. Every human being is made in the image of God and should never be reduced to their economic status or material possessions. Whether rich or poor, we are all equal in dignity and worth.Churches must embrace a relational approach to benevolence, viewing their work as an act of love rather than just meeting needs. This involves presence, care, empathy, listening, and community. A church that doesn't know how to care for the needs of its own congregation will struggle to effectively minister to those outside its walls.Mutual Transformation: The Goal of Benevolence MinistriesBenevolence should never be a one-sided transaction between the “haves” and “have-nots.” Instead, it should foster relationships in which both parties grow and are transformed by their shared experiences.The goal is to create a bigger vision—one that invites people into the family of God, acknowledging that all of us are broken and made whole only in Christ. This mutual brokenness leads to mutual transformation, something Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Churches must embrace this mindset, where economic status is not a barrier to forming genuine, meaningful relationships.Benevolence ministry is all about relationships. It's not about simply giving material assistance. It's about walking together through life, sharing in both the struggles and the joys. True benevolence involves praying together, suffering together, listening together, and learning from one another. When a church's benevolence ministry is built on this relational model, it becomes a living example of Christ's love and causes the world to take notice of the work God is doing.Helping Without Hurting: Online Training for ChurchesRecognizing that churches often struggle to balance helping people without unintentionally hurting them, Dr. Brian Fikkert and his team have developed an online training program called Helping Without Hurting in Benevolence Ministry. This six-session program guides churches through the process of establishing or improving their benevolence ministries.The course covers foundational topics like understanding poverty's complexity, building a mission statement and policy document, and walking with people through change. It's a valuable resource for churches looking to create a ministry that fosters genuine transformation.Resources and information are available at Chalmers.org for churches interested in learning more about setting up a transformational benevolence ministry.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm retiring soon and will have around $7,000 from my pension. I'm also eligible for a $100,000 annuity and Social Security at age 63. My wife and I are debating whether I should start taking Social Security right away or wait. What are your thoughts on when I should start taking Social Security?Resources Mentioned:The Chalmers CenterHelping Without Hurting in Benevolence Ministry (Course)Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People by Dr. Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett (Book)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Paul and Todd visit Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA (in person!) to chat with Hans Madueme about his new book "Defending Sin: A Response to the Challenges of Evolution and the Natural Sciences." After talking about the book itself, they get into the deeper issues. What is biblical realism? How should we talk about the "conflicts" between science and faith? What about dogma and scientific fabilism? Haven't theologians gotten things wrong too? Find out all this and more as Todd and Paul talk to Hans Madueme on this latest episode of Let's Talk Creation! Send questions to podcast@coresci.org

Swing into the world of golf course photography with our guest Jon Cavalier, a true maestro behind the lens and the founder of LinksGems, this week on The Hole Story Podcast.Jon shares how golf has been more than just a game—it's a community, a passion, and a gateway to lifelong friendships. We'll explore his journey from discovering golf post-college to his evolution into a celebrated golf course photographer with a massive Instagram following.Dive into Jon's favorites, from the National Golf Links of America to the picturesque Sleepy Hollow, and hear about his upcoming adventures, including a hopeful trip to Ireland and a fascinating project at Lookout Mountain. Get ready to be captivated by tales of memorable shots, including an awe-inspiring sea turtle sighting on a golf course in Jamaica.We'll also delve into Jon's thoughts on golf course architecture, his love for Seth Raynor's designs, and the intriguing dynamics of drone photography. Plus, get the inside scoop on Jon's dream foursome, and discover why golf in Scotland has a special place in his heart.Whether you're a golfer, a photography enthusiast, or someone who appreciates a good story, this captivating episode is a must-listen. Grab your favorite snack—we suggest the burger dog at Olympic Club—and join us for another episode filled with friendship, passion, and the beauty of the game.https://www.instagram.com/linksgems/https://linksgems.com/https://back9press.com/pages/raynorBestBall Links:•https://BestBall.com•https://linktr.ee/BestBallThe Hole Story Podcast Sponsors:•Holderness & Bourne - https://hbgolf.com - Enter "BESTBALL" for complementary shipping.•Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club - Two Play Special - https://truebluegolf.com•Western Birch Golf Co. - Enter "BESTBALL" in the shipping cart for a free gift with your order - https://westernbirch.comInterested in becoming a sponsor of The Hole Story Podcast? Email info@bestball.com.

Beth had been missing for nearly 2 months in the Lookout Mountain area of Alabama before someone finally made a report to the police.  Suspects have been arrested, but what's the rest of the story?For more information about the podcast, check outhttps://crimeoffthegrid.com/Also...We've Got Merch!! (click on the MERCH button on our website)Check us out on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/crimeoffthegridpodcast/ and  (1) Facebook SUPPORT THE SHOW: We would love your support so we can keep the episodes coming! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cotgOr become a member of our Patreon for interesting bonus content exclusively on Patreon; https://www.patreon.com/CrimeOfftheGridSources:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12252959/Alabama-woman-43-suspected-pushing-missing-mother-38-cliff-posted-chilling-picture.html  https://www.al.com/news/2023/06/missing-alabama-womans-remains-found-additional-capital-murder-arrest-made.htmlhttps://www.waff.com/2023/08/04/new-details-emerge-murder-case-against-mother-daughter-dekalb-county/https://whnt.com/news/northeast-alabama/woman-indicted-in-inhuman-brutal-dekalb-county-murder-of-missing-woman/https://www.hartselleenquirer.com/2024/02/20/woman-accused-of-pushing-hartselle-woman-off-cliff-writes-letter-to-judge/

What is the hidden history of Lookout Mountain Laboratory nestled in the Hollywood Hills, and how is this tied to the CIA, MK Ultra, Charles Manson and the music industry. In this episode, Amy is joined by Brandon and Lindsy, of the Unrefined Podcast, to unpack their in-depth discoveries of the secrets on the hill. Together we uncover the sordid past of the current residence of Jared Leto, which was used as a government facility to create movies, and other secret operations. They share the personal testimony of a woman who was an mk ultra victim that experienced telling memories at this location, as well as the connections to Hollywood and the music industry. They finish with why they feel this important for people to know as well as the hope in uncovering some of these dark details. --------------------------------------------------------------- *Amy is a Christian counselor, to schedule a session: https://www.biblicalguidancecounseling.com/appointments * Amy's verse by verse Bible teachings: https://rumble.com/c/BibleStudywithEyesontheright * Instagram: @eyesonright4.0 & @ eyesontherightpodcast ----------------------------------------------------------------- *Unrefined Podcast: https://unrefinedpodcast.com *IG: @unrefinedpodcast

Join Steve Gilly and Rod Mullins as they tell the story of Nancy Emmeline Callahan Dollar, affectionately known as Granny Dollar. This Cherokee matriarch lived on Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne, Alabama, and became a legendary figure in her community. Born in 1826, Granny Dollar's life was a rich tapestry of Cherokee heritage, history, and survival. Listen to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to subscribe for more tales from the heart of Appalachia.You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support  Thank you for listening and for sharing our stories with your friends!

Paul Luikart is the author of the short story collections Animal Heart (Hyperborea Publishing, 2016), Brief Instructions (Ghostbird Press, 2017), Metropolia (Ghostbird Press, 2021), The Museum of Heartache (Pski's Porch Publishing, 2021), the 11th installment of Belle Point Press' Prose Series, and The Realm of the Dog (J. New Books, 2024.) He serves as an adjunct professor of fiction writing at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He and his family live in Chattanooga, Tennessee.Paul's Website

An Orthodox Presbyterian Church is coming to Central Orange County! Click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠OPC in the OC⁠⁠⁠⁠. Make a one-time or recurring donation on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donor Box profile here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join us in the mission of introducing Reformed Theology across the world! Please help support the show on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon Page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!   WELCOME TO BOOK CLUB! Hans Madueme (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He previously served as the managing director of the Henry Center for Theological Understanding and the associate director of the Jonathan Edwards Center at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Madueme is on the editorial board of Themelios and is a senior editor for Sapientia. He is also the coeditor of Adam, the Fall, and Original Sin and Reading Christian Theology in the Protestant Tradition. We want to thank ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Baker Academic for their help in setting up this interview and providing us with the necessary materials for this interview with Dr. Madueme!   ⁠Purchase the book(s) here:⁠ Defending Sin: A Response to the Challenges of Evolution and Natural Sciences   Have Feedback or Questions? Email us at: guiltgracepod@gmail.com Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@guiltgracepod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@guiltgracepod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guilt Grace Gratitude Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Please rate and subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform you use! Looking for a Reformed Church? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠North American Presbyterian & Reformed Churches --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gggpodcast/support

Nikki and Jonathan Dunagan were invited out to Cloudland at The McLemore Resort at Lookout Mountain, GA to experience the sights, courses and food like no other. They join Adam to highlight all the best of their visit. Later, the trio discusses Scottie Scheffler's arrest fallout and Xander's first major victory. Listeners can save 15% at TRUELinkswear.com with code UNFILTERED15 at checkout! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/golf-unfiltered/message

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy explores the idea of creating spaces for teens where adults are not present, raising questions about the wisdom of such environments. The episode is sponsored by Summit Ministries, a camp dedicated to addressing big questions that kids face during their development. Dr. Kathy speaks at Summit, where mentors help kids navigate challenging times. Summit Ministries offers camps in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and Lookout Mountain, Georgia, providing opportunities for kids to gain additional support and understanding as they start the school year. Listeners are encouraged to visit summitministries.org/celebratekids for more information.

#POTUS: Anonymous jury and the gagging of the accused. @AndrewCMcCarthy @NRO @ThadMcCotter @theamgreatness https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/team-trump-is-undermining-its-bias-claim-against-merchan/ 1938 Lookout Mountain, POTUS FLOTUS