Podcasts about lord king

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In this powerful sermon, the pastor explores the concept of Jesus as Lord and King through the story of the triumphal entry in Matthew 21. The message examines what it means to acknowledge God's lordship, defining what true lordship looks like according to Jesus, and how praising God serves as a spiritual defense against darkness.

Jesus Is The Way - Humility To Glory (audio) David Eells – 3/2/25 Today, I'd like to focus on our Example of humility, Who, of course, is the Lord Jesus. He said He could do nothing of Himself. (Joh.5:19) … The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. Now, obviously, if Jesus could do nothing of Himself, we can do nothing of ourselves. Nothing of any importance in the Kingdom can we do of ourselves because self has no power to do the work of God. Self cannot walk in the Spirit. Self does not have the renewed mind of Christ with the renewed sight and hearing (Ephesians 4:23), having been washed with the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26). Self has no power to walk in the Spirit or to do the works of God. When men take over Christianity, they bring God and His gifts down on their level and everything about that is just dead religion. It's worthless to God. Look at the huge religious organizations that do not turn out anything that looks like Jesus. There's no reward for it whatsoever, but many people waste their lives in another kingdom rather than the Kingdom of God. Jesus was both a son of man and the Son of God. He was talking about self here. He wasn't talking about the spiritual man that dwelt in that body; He was talking about self. And He said in (Joh.5:30) I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. Jesus sought the Will of the Father. (Jas.4:7) Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. He was humble to the Will of the Father. He did not have His Own religious “agenda.” When we're driven by our own desires, our own agendas of ego, pride, and competition, we're not trustworthy, we're not humble, and we can expect problems. We can expect not to have the salvation that we need because we're self-willed and stubborn, and seeking our own kingdom. Jesus said that He could of Himself do nothing. That tells us that we certainly can't expect to do this on our own either. So, let's look to Jesus, Who is our Example of true humility. (Isa.66:1) Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? (2) For all these things hath my hand made, and [so] all these things came to be, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word. Notice, the Lord is talking about building Himself a house, and He is saying that He doesn't dwell in houses made with men's hands (Acts 7:48,17:24). This is the “house” that God is building, as verse 2 speaks of, but then He says, “to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.” That's the “house” of the Lord. He is speaking about the house that He has chosen, and that house is “a man who is of a contrite spirit, that trembleth at his word.” Oh, praise God! Another verse says, (Psa.138:6) For though the Lord is high, yet hath he respect (That's the Hebrew raah, also translated as “to see, become aware, give attention, regard, consider,” etc.) unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar. The bible school graduates of Jesus' day, as in our day, could not do the works of Jesus. Even though God is great and He rules over all and He is to be revered and bowed down to, He respects the lowly. Now we have learned that grace is God's method to give us faith and power. (Jas.4:6) … Wherefore [the scripture] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. We also need to understand that the blessings of God are poured out upon the people who will humble themselves. (Jas.4:10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you. So our Lord Jesus Christ is our Example. He not only came to be our Savior, to deliver us from ourselves, from the devil, from the curse, but He's our Example of what is true “humility.” (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. We are commanded to walk in the Steps of Jesus because what Jesus gave us was an example of life. I agree we haven't all come into that yet, but the more we study Him, the more we see what it is to be walking humbly before our God. (Mic.6:8) He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God? We are to be transformed into that same Image. (2Co.3:8) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. Therefore Jesus' walk should be our walk, and we're coming to the time when God is going to fulfill that, when God is going to restore everything that's been taken away from His people (Joel 2:23-29). God is going to bring us back to walking in the Power of the Spirit of God! It will be awesome! So, also, it says in (Php.2:5) Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (So we are supposed to be thinking the same way He does, with the same ambitions, the same desires, the same humility.): (6) who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (8) and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. (And we are also to humble ourselves, becoming a servant, taking-up our cross, and following Jesus.) (9) Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name. In baptism, which represents death, burial, and resurrection, He gave us His Name, and as we enter into the manifestation of that death, burial, and resurrection, the Name of Jesus Christ is manifested in us. As we've studied before, the word “name” means “nature, character, and authority.” As we “have this mind...which was also in Christ,” and we take up our cross to follow Him, and we humble ourselves to become servants in this world, that Name is manifested in us. That's the fruit that Jesus is asking for in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9,18-23; Mark 4:1-9,13-20; Luke 8:4-15). That's the 30-, 60-, and 100-fold fruit of the manifestation of His Name in us, His Nature, His Character, His Authority. We behold “in the mirror the glory of the Lord,” and are transformed into that same Image, “from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the spirit.” God Himself chose humble circumstances for His Son. Obviously Jesus could have come in all of His Glory and manifested Himself as the King that He is, but God wanted Him to come in humble circumstances. Let's read in (Luk.2:4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; (5) to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. (6) And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. God sent His only begotten Son to earth to be the Savior of mankind. He was the most important Person Who has ever been on this earth, and yet God sent Him in these circumstances. Could God have supplied better circumstances to honor the great King? Of course, He could, but it wasn't His plan, because Jesus not only represents the Savior, He represents the body of Christ. He came here to give up His carnal life, His physical, fleshly life, in order to take up His spiritual, heavenly Life, and He came to show us the Way. He was called the Way in (Joh.14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. He said, “I am the way,” and so far what we're seeing is that He came in very humble circumstances, and throughout Jesus' earthly work, He continued in very humble circumstances. He took on no titles or letters behind His name. He took up no collections for himself. He is the way! And it says in (Luk.2:42) And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; (43) and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; (44) but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: (45) and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. (46) And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: (47) and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. No doubt, even at twelve years old, He had a lot to teach them, although Jesus was still subject to the moral laws at that time. He was subject to His parents and He was subject to people who were set in authority over Him, just as we are also commanded to be in subjection to those who have been given authority over us. We are in subjection unto the kings and unto the governments. (Rom.13:1) Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the [powers] that be are ordained of God. (2) Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. (3) For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: (4) for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. (5) Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. (6) For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing. (7) Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. And, if we are servants, we are also in subjection to our masters as we are told in (1Pe.2:18) Servants, [be] in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (19) For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. (20) For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted [for it], ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. And so was Jesus. Even the mighty Son of God had to humble Himself to be submissive because of the body that He was dwelling in. Many people think we have special privileges because we are sons of God, but it is because of this body that we dwell in, we've been given these rules and regulations. Now let's return to our text in (Luk.2:48) And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. (49) And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house? (50) And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. (51) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all [these] sayings in her heart. (52) And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. “Favor” is the Greek xáris meaning “grace, as a gift or blessing.” You see, because Jesus was humble, He received grace. He showed us how to overcome. Jesus was truly an overcomer. People think, “Of course, Jesus overcame since He's the Son of God.” But Jesus laid aside His omnipotence and omniscience to come down as a Spirit-filled man, the Son of God dwelling in Him just as the Son of God dwells in us. He came down and left that God privilege and ability to be an example unto us and demonstrated to us all that humility is the Way. He was humble, and God blessed Him, and He “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” You would expect that Jesus, being the great King that He was, would have had an awesome palace full of luxuries, with many servants and so on. Some preachers do preach that kind of a Jesus, a Jesus Who was rich, but it's very hard for us to see that anywhere in the Scriptures. It's because of their apostate doctrines and their own selfish desires that they preach that kind of a Jesus, because the Bible tells us why Jesus chose to be poor. (Jas.2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? Jesus wasn't forced into poverty; He chose it. Poverty is not a curse when everywhere you go, God supplies your need. He had a need for an ass's colt to fulfil scripture so He borrowed one instead of raising one, which would be a burden. It's a contentment. Paul said, (1Ti.6:6) But godliness with contentment is great gain: (7) for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; (8) but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.  God translated Jesus because He didn't have airplanes. (Mat 6: 33) But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. God will give you what you need to do His will but we don't need the burden of idols. However, just “food and covering” aren't enough for most people. (Luk.9:57) And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. (Well, it's easy to say that, but when you find out the conditions, you might not want to go with Him, and so Jesus began to explain the conditions of His lifestyle.) (58) And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Did this potential disciple know what he was getting into? The Lord wanted to make sure that he did before he went, and do we know what we're getting into when we claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ? That's the important thing because God expects and wants us to follow the Lord no matter what, with no excuses, with no looking back at our former life, as the rest of the text says. And yet these are the people who live by miracles. (Luk.9:59) And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. (Notice “me first”.) (60) But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God. “Publish” is diaggéllō, which properly means to “thoroughly declare (publicly herald); fully announce {throughout the world}, ‘declaring far and wide,' i.e. widely (profusely) proclaiming.” (Luk.9:61) And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house. (62) But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Jesus wanted them to go and spread the Good Tidings, but they had very human excuses, which Jesus was not accepting in the least. He told them, “There's something more important than your family or your houses or anything you can think of.” Of course, most of society, and even religious people, will tell us, “Oh, no, these things are very, very important.” We need to have our mind renewed to deliver us from many such traditions that get in the way of our doing what is truly important, because as the Lord Jesus teaches us in, (Mat.6:33) … seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Jesus wasn't sorry that He chose poverty. He was happy for the joy that He was able to bring others through deliverance, healing, provision, and so on. He chose this lifestyle, and, for those who have in their heart the same mind as was in Christ (Philippians 2:5-8), it's their desire, too. The most important thing to them is not the things of the world, but to humble themselves to the Will of God. The rich are distracted by their toys. We're told in, (2Co.8:9) For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich. Some rather near-sighted people read that and say, “Oh, boy! The Lord became poor so we could become rich!” But, read very carefully, “that, though He was rich.” Now, where was He rich? (Php.2:5) Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (8) and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself (Jesus had to humble Himself, and we have to humble ourselves.), becoming obedient even unto death (Humility is denying ourselves to take up our cross and follow Jesus.), yea, the death of the cross. (9) Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name. We can see plainly where He was rich. He was rich in the Kingdom of Heaven with His Father before He laid it all aside and came down here to be a Servant, and to humble Himself unto the death of the Cross in order to bear that Name. While He was down here, He wasn't rich. So notice, “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.” Jesus became poor in order to meet our needs. He sacrificed His whole Life, not just when going to the Cross, but His whole Life, in order to make sure that the Good News of God's all-encompassing provisions was proclaimed far and wide. “That ye through his poverty might become rich.” The “rich” this is talking about is the same kind of “rich” that Jesus laid aside in order to come down here. He's bringing us to His heavenly Kingdom. (1Jn.4:17) … As he (Jesus) is, even so are we in this world. He's not talking about riches down here and none of His disciples understood this to be riches on earth. There is no promise for the rich of the world who are not rich in the provision of the heavenly Kingdom of God. Jesus pointed that out in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, where the rich man didn't see to Lazarus' need (Luke 16:19-31). (1Ti.6:6) But godliness with contentment is great gain. In the New Testament, we are called to be rich in spirit, rich in the gifts of the Kingdom, rich in the “gold and silver” of the Nature of Jesus Christ and, yes, have all material provision that we need to build the Kingdom. This was clearly seen in the lives of Jesus and His first disciples. They were unencumbered by the distracting things of this world. (1Jn2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The promises are for the poor. He preached the Gospel to the poor. (Jas.2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? (2Co.8:10) And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you (So this needs to be fulfilled in us if we are to have the Mind of Christ, Who laid everything aside to become a servant of God and do the work of the Kingdom for our sakes.), who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. (“God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure,” will put this in our hearts as in Philippians 2:13.) (11) But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. In other words, “Hey, let's not be just hearers of the Word, but let's be doers of the Word in providing the needs of the brethren.” Then as we read on down, Paul speaks about how the Lord wanted equality in His people regarding material possessions. (2Co.8:12) For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not. (13) For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed; (14) but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality: (15) as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack. That's referring to the Israelites gathering manna in the wilderness, and it's the principle Paul was using about there being equality among the people. (Exo.16:18) And when they measured it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. When they gathered the manna, they would measure out an omer-full. Then they would put any excess into the container of somebody else who hadn't gathered quite enough, and that way everybody got their needs met. In the Parable of the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30), who couldn't give-up his riches to enter the Kingdom, Jesus said (Mat.19:24) … It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (25) And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved? (Meaning, of course, that they knew this was impossible.) (26) And Jesus looking upon [them] said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Jesus knew God could put the generosity in the heart of the rich to share their riches, as it should be done. (Ecc.5:11) When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes? … (13) There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt. However, to their shame, the rich then made one of the Temple gates the “eye of the needle” because, of course, they wanted to get all the rich people through the Door of the Kingdom more easily.    Jesus was a humble person. Earthly riches were not something that Jesus preached anywhere in His ministry and He rejected it for His Own Life. He raised His disciples to be humble people with a simple lifestyle in order to focus on building the Kingdom. Everything else physical was just a means to an end, but like the Pharisees of that day, the Pharisees of our day are still trying to make Jesus rich. (Joh.19:23) The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. I'm sure you've heard some of the prosperity preachers who say Jesus was rich because of this garment that was completely woven without a seam. That's interesting, though I don't know how anybody could say that made Him rich.  I guess they think He had something that nobody else had, but I submit to you that there's also another reason God describes Jesus' garment in this way. In Revelation, the Bride is clothed with a lampros garment. (Rev.19:8) And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright (That's lampros and it means “shining, magnificent, bright, splendid.”) and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. A seamless garment represents not having mans works involved.. A garment also represents covering-up nakedness, which God likened unto sinfulness (Genesis 3:7,10-11). And also the Scripture teaches, (Isa.59:4) None sueth in righteousness, and none pleadeth in truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. (5) They hatch adders eggs (In other words, that's their fruit.), and weave the spider's web (A spider's web is very porous, and notice it is woven but you can see nakedness or sin.): he that eateth of their eggs dieth; and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. (6) Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. So notice in Revelation that the righteous works or righteous acts of the saints are what the lampros bridal garment represented, but here, these people whose works are wicked, don't have enough works to cover themselves. They are exposed for what they are. We, too, are weaving a garment by our works, and it has to be one that covers our nakedness. The Lord Jesus had this wonderful coat that was woven throughout with no seam of man in it, and it doesn't represent riches at all; it represents righteousness, One Who is walking in truth and righteousness and purity. The wisdom and righteousness Jesus had was not from man, but from God. As a matter of fact, we can see as we read on in our text, that Jesus had no riches. (Joh.19:24) They said therefore one to another, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my garments among them, And upon my vesture did they cast lots. (25) These things therefore the soldiers did. (They were casting lots for probably the only thing of any value that Jesus had.) But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (26) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved (That suggests this is John the apostle, himself.), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (27) Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. What did Jesus provide for His mother during His ministry? He didn't seem to be making a living, and some people would say He was not really successful. We know He was totally successful because, as He told the Father, (Joh.17:4) I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. He raised up a worldwide church but He didn't seem to worry about providing for His mother. When He was leaving, He hadn't arranged for her to have a home or any of the things that a successful preacher would obviously give to his mother. Instead, He passed on His responsibility for taking care of her to one of His other disciples, and that disciple didn't seem to be any better off than He was. Of course, Jesus had taught His disciples that God would supply their every need. (Luk.9:2) And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (3) And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. … (Luk.22:35) And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. That's because everywhere they went, God supplied their need. They freely gave, and they didn't charge a tithe, as some people say. There's not one place in the Scriptures where they ever did that. Jesus said tithing was of the Law (Matthew 23:23). They went by faith and God supplied. It's good to live by faith. (Mat.6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. It's good to walk and to trust in God, but of course, you can't do that if you're materialistic and you want to live on a higher level than God wants you to live. We see plainly in the life of Jesus that the Father did not desire for Him to walk in the way of riches, nor is that healthy for anybody to do. God has called us to walk in the steps of Jesus, in His humility to the Father, and His humility to not try to impress the people around Him. He didn't care anything about being what the world called “successful,” and I think this proves that Jesus wasn't a rich person and wasn't interested in those things, nor was His mother. The physical things, the food, the covering, all these things are necessary but they're just a means to an end, not a love of our life. We're told in (1Jn.2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Jesus' love was God's saints. He was interested in raising up the saints to be able to walk in obedience to the Will of God and to be sanctified and to be pleasing unto the Lord. And we're told that if we have His wisdom, we won't have the wisdom of man. (1Co.1:30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: (31) that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Now let's go to (Mat.13:54) And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? (That's the Greek dýnamis meaning “power, might, strength,” and it's where the word “dynamite” comes from. This is more accurately read, “Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty powers?) (Mat.13:55) Is not this the carpenter's son? In other words, “We know who his father is, so where did He come up with this wisdom and mighty powers? It doesn't make any sense because He's just the son of a carpenter.” Well, it doesn't make any sense only if you were used to nepotism, which they were. All those rich Pharisees and Sadducees and Scribes passed on the “family business” to their sons, just like a lot of the churches do nowadays. When the old man's gone, the son takes over. He's now chosen to be the pastor, but why is it that God always seems to choose the son to be assistant pastor, and then the pastor? Is this not nepotism? Isn't there somebody more qualified who's available? Well, you'd never find it out because of that spirit. Nepotism is the story of the High Priest Eli. (1Sa.2:12) Now the sons of Eli were base men; they knew not the Lord. … (17) And the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord; for the men despised the offering of the Lord. … (22) Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did unto all Israel, and how that they lay with the women that did service at the door of the tent of meeting. (23) And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people. (24) Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress. (25) If one man sin against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord was minded to slay them. Obviously, raising up his sons to take his place didn't work, because they didn't walk in the ways of the Lord and they grabbed for the physical as much as they could, and we're seeing the same thing today. We're seeing Eli ministries everywhere that walk in nepotism and in lust for the things of the world. And God destroyed Eli's sons, which are a type of far too many ministries today. And so, people were questioning how Jesus was teaching and healing and working miracles. They were implying, “Hey, this is not a son of a Pharisee. He's not a son of one of our scribes. He's not a son of a Sadducee. How does the son of a carpenter get all this wisdom and power?” Those Pharisees and Sadducees and Scribes had rich parents, so they went to their Bible schools and entered into the family business, because that's what it really was. Yet, here's somebody that didn't have the same “opportunity” their preachers did. Well, to Jesus, and to the Father, that wasn't an opportunity and that wasn't a blessing. Jesus was in a position of weakness because He was raised up in a family that wasn't well-to-do and didn't have connections, but it made no difference because He wasn't after what those people were after. (Mat.13:55) Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? (56) And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? (They knew His humble family and wondered, “How did this man get this wisdom?” because the only way they knew you could get it was to go to Bible School.) (57) And they were offended in him. (You have heard that familiarity breeds contempt. In other words, “Poor Jesus! He is just a commoner and has no credentials. He has no ‘pedigree.' And His father has no important connections.”) But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. (58) And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. How foolish that people would question the gift because of the way that it came! Even today, that happens. People want to know if you have any “letters” behind your name. They ask, “Are you important?” and “Where did you get this wisdom?” Cannot God just give it to you by studying the Bible on your own? Cannot God lead you by the hand and make you a disciple? We read in (Heb.13:8) Jesus [is] the same yesterday and to-day, [yea] and for ever. He still takes people by the hand and makes disciples of them when they have a personal relationship with Him through the Word of God. Jesus had a personal relationship with the Father. He didn't need any go-betweens. He didn't need any Nicolaitan preachers that were between Him and the Father. He had a personal relationship with the Father and that's where He got His great wisdom and power. It came from the Father. So because Jesus had no credentials, it offended the Eli ministries of His time. Unlike the common people, they wouldn't just sit and listen and accept the gift of God that was coming through Him; they expected something more. Well, God is justified of His awesome works. Glory to God! If you want God's Will, you don't need to be raised up in a mausoleum. (Joh.7:14) But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. (15) The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? (By that, they meant He didn't go to their seminaries.) (16) Jesus therefore answered them and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. (17) If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself. He didn't say they had to go to a seminary of man to get it like the Pharisees did. He said if a person desired God's Will, they would know of the teaching. God will raise you up as a disciple of Jesus Christ. He will take you by the hand. He will lead you. Of course, this is a humbling way, because the world and the worldly church don't recognize you, but the Lord does. He opens doors to the humble people and He will bring it to pass. Amen! Jesus was made known to the righteous because God opened their eyes to see Him, but we know He was rejected of the proud and the religious leaders and the rich people. They just wanted to walk in materialism and so He wasn't recognized of them. (Mar.12:35) And Jesus answered and said, as he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Christ is the son of David? (36) David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. (37) David himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he his son? And the common people heard him gladly. You know, it takes a lot of effort to get a worldly education and you want to believe it's valuable. All those religious leaders had gone through a lot of trouble to get to that place. They didn't want to be humbled; they wanted to be seen as the great people that they thought they were. But the humble people, the common people, they loved to listen to Jesus. Even though He wasn't raised up in their seminary, that made no difference to them. Humility is not an outward show. We read in (Mar.12:38) And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces… Oh, they love to dress “snazzy,” don't they? You have to have a nice suit and stand behind a pulpit but Jesus didn't hold to their traditions of men. That's important to some people, but God said, (1Sa.16:7) … Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. God's not interested in the riches and the finery that a lot of the religious world is interested in. None of that makes you righteous, or smart, or a good teacher. Again in (Mar.12:38) And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces (39) and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts. In the Parable of the Guests (Luke 14:7-11), didn't Jesus teach us to be content in a lowly place, and not to go up higher unless you are called? He said to beware of putting yourself in too high a position because somebody more honorable may come to take your seat, but these people chose for themselves the chief places in the feasts. Well, Jesus wanted to share His gift with people. That was the most important thing to Him. Promoting Himself above people was something He considered totally fleshly. Continuing with (Mar.12:40) They that devour widows houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation. (41) And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. (42) And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites (At current valuation, one mite is approximately 1/16th of a penny.), which make a farthing. (43) And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury: (44) for they all did cast in of their superfluity (That's perisseúō meaning “overflowing abundance, excess, lavishness, prosperity.”); but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Glory to God! We tend to judge in the flesh what humility is, and what submitting to the Will of God is. Jesus complained that all of these people who put in their over-abundance were not sacrificing anything because they still had all of their needs met, but this poor widow gave more than all of them because of what she had left. She knew that God would meet her needs and this is the kind of faith that impressed Jesus. Can you imagine, this poor widow, who humbly gave two mites to the Kingdom, is more famous throughout all of history than any of those unmentioned rich show-offs, who gave to the Kingdom in a display of pride. You know, it is truly what you have left that proves your sacrifice, not how much you give. This lady gave more than all of them according to God's accounting and that was true humility on her part. This impressed Jesus more than the Pharisees and the Sadducees and their ways of dealing with God. You know, Jesus didn't seek the honor that comes from man. He didn't even seek for God to honor Him, but when He didn't seek the honor for Himself, God sought it for Him. (Mat.21:4) Now this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, (5) Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek (The text that's being quoted here is from Zechariah 9:9 where “meek” is translated as “lowly.”), and riding upon an ass,  (Mat.21:5) Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, And riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass. And notice, He even had to borrow this foal of an ass, so we can't say He was rich in the way of the world. However, when Jesus does come back in Revelation 19, we see that He's on a big white horse. Now, I would say, if somebody was rich, and wanted to impress the multitudes, He'd certainly be riding on a big white horse, not the foal of an ass. What was the point He was making? He was making the point that, even though He was King, to be King does not mean materialism in God's Kingdom, and it doesn't mean pride, boastfulness, or being lifted up above anybody in God's Kingdom on earth. He came “lowly...riding upon an ass,” and if our Lord King would do this, what does God expect of us? Does He expect humility of us? I guarantee it. (Mat.21:6) And the disciples went, and did even as Jesus appointed them, (7) and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their garments; and he sat thereon. (8) And the most part of the multitude spread their garments in the way; and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the way. Jesus said, (Joh.14:6) … I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. He is the Way, and He showed us the Way. His method is humility. He expects it of everybody. He doesn't care what the preachers nowadays think. Many are high and lifted up, but in the Kingdom, if they make it, they will be the least because they've disobeyed the principles that Jesus has laid down, the Nature and Character that He's passed on to us, and this humility that He carried throughout His earthly ministry. (Mat.21:9) And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David… Even though He was King, Jesus wasn't seeking any worldly kingdom, but here the Lord honored Him from the simple people. “Hōsanná is a transliteration of the Hebrew hôsî-âh-nā meaning ‘Oh, save now!' or ‘Please save!' It comes from two words, Yahsha, which means ‘O save, deliver,' and nah, which means ‘I pray.'” In both Aramaic and Hebrew, it was originally a cry for help, but then also became used as a cry of happiness. (Mat.21:9) And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. (Mat.21:10) And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, Who is this? (11) And the multitudes said, This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee. So Jesus continued on to Jerusalem and entered the Temple. (Joh.2:14) And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (15) and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers money, and overthrew their tables; (16) and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise. (Jesus complained that the priests and scribes had made the Father's House a “house of merchandise” to profit for themselves.) (17) His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for thy house shall eat me up. He defended the Father's House. He wanted it to be a humble place, a place of prayer for all nations, but they had made it a den of thieves. These days, what is loosely called “Father's House” is once again a den of thieves. It's a place for materialism and for worshipping men who don't share the humility that Jesus has and don't see the importance in it. All worship goes to God; all praise goes to God. He is the supplier of every thing. It doesn't do our flesh any good to be lifted up because, as the Bible says, (Mat.23:12) … whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted. Also, (1Pe.5:5) … all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. And so we have a whole generation of ministry that knows nothing of these principles that Jesus is laying down for us. He said, (Mat.10:9) Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses. And, (Mat.10:8) … freely ye received, freely give. But they know nothing of this and they're not following the Master. They're not disciples of Jesus Christ. A true disciple is a “learner and a follower.” He is somebody who studies the Master in order to walk in His Steps and to do what He did. Notice that when we study the Master, we don't see the mansions that the leaders of Christianity have raised up unto themselves. And sometimes one mansion is not enough for them, neither is one jet plane enough for them, or one Rolls Royce enough for them. (Isa.56:11) Yea, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds (He's calling the leadership of the church “greedy dogs.”) that cannot understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter. What about the equality that Jesus desired to have on this earth? What about the desire for His disciples to share and share alike so that everybody's needs would be met?    Jesus did not want people to profit or to be lifted up in the Father's House. He didn't want people to be esteemed for their physical attributes. Even the Body that God gave unto Jesus was not to be admired. (Isa.53:2) For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. (Jesus was not good looking because He did not want to be followed for that reason.) (3) He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not. God didn't want anybody to follow Jesus for the wrong reason. The apostle Paul, one of the greatest writers of the New Testament, wrote things “hard to be understood” (2 Peter 3:16). He wasn't evidently, even a good speaker (2 Corinthians 10:10), but it didn't make any difference. God wanted people to listen to Paul for the value of those words that he got across to them. God wants His ministers to be humbled. It's the reason Jesus sent His disciples forth without all the provision of the world. Jesus was a King; He had authority. He could multiply the fishes, the loaves, the gold. He could have filled churches. He could have made Himself a Name in the earth. The people wanted to make Him a King, but He refused. (Joh.6:14) When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world. (15) Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone. It was something that the devil had offered unto Him, and Jesus had refused him, too (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). But, you know, there are many people today, even leaders of Christianity or members of the body of Christ, who would take that in a minute. They would be kings and lords over God's heritage. They don't know the principles of God's Word and the principles that Jesus was trying to get across to us in order to humble this old flesh. We have to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. It doesn't do us any good to let this flesh come down off the cross and have its own will. We deny it. We fast. We refuse it to be fed and to live. Thank You, Father, that You give us the ability, Lord, to deny the old man a right to live, a right to speak, a right to lift himself up, a right to pride. We deny it, in Jesus' Name, Lord. Amen! Now, I'd like to share a few revelations with you.     Jesus Is Again Coming in Humility June Johnson - 07/29/2008 (David's notes in red) In a very vivid dream, I saw a donkey in the middle of a road with a baby on its back. It is Jesus birthed in the end-time corporate man-child, whose beastly flesh is in servitude and humility by God's grace. Mat.21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass. Jesus is coming as the latter rain on this morning of the third thousand year day. Hos.6:2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. 6:3 And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth. He will anoint the first-fruits man-child first, as it was with Jesus. Just as the Jews expected Him to come as a reigning king over their enemies, the Christians do today. “The things that have been are the things that will be”. Instead, He will come once again in the form of humble servants before coming personally. Next, I heard a car coming and thought to myself, “I had to get the baby out of the road before the car came closer.” The dragon will seek to destroy the corporate man-child, as with Jesus and Moses, but he will be anointed with authority to rule from the throne, as they were. Rev.12:4 And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. 5 And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days. The donkey then knelt down and I grabbed the baby and ran. End of dream Jesus will come wherever the beastly flesh is in submission. Others will partake of the Spirit of Christ in them. The fruit of Christ will be served to God's people through a humble body.   Sad State of the Church Michael Boldea I had a dream where I was in a hospital room; it was very clean, and freshly painted. In the room there was a bed with a woman in it. I approached the bed and took a closer look at the woman. She was dressed in a gray robe, and she had a ring on every finger of her hand. From time to time, she would raise her hand, look at her fingers, and smile. For some reason, that smile was the saddest thing I've ever seen. It was crooked, and it exhibited no real joy. As I looked at her the sadness in my heart grew to such intensity that it woke me up. Even awake I could still feel the sadness, and as much as I tried I couldn't get back to sleep. For six days in a row I had the same exact dream; I would see the woman lying in bed, I would be overwhelmed by sadness, then I would wake up. I was so frustrated, not knowing what this meant, that on the seventh day I decided to fast. That night as I went to sleep the dream started again, the same as before. I looked at the woman, she smiled, and the sadness overwhelmed me, but I didn't wake up. The door to the room opened and a man dressed in a white smock walked in holding a clipboard. Before he could say anything, I began asking a barrage of questions. “Who are you? Why am I here? Who is she? Why have I been dreaming this for almost a week?” “Because you waited almost a week to fast”, he said. He must have noticed the stunned expression on my face, because his eyebrows arched upward. “I am a friend”, he continued, “I was sent with a message, be at peace servant, all will be revealed in due time”. “How do I know you're a friend”, I asked. “Because, Jesus is Lord”, he answered. Then he smiled, and I recognized him. I had seen that smile before. Suddenly I was eight years old again, sleeping in the top bunk of the bed I shared with my grandparents, on a cold winter night in Romania. I will remember that night for as long as I live. I had woken up to go to the restroom, but before I could get out of bed, I heard talking below me. My grandfather was talking to someone. I went to peer over the edge to see who it was, and found myself face to face with this same man. He'd smiled at me, and I'd instantly gone back to sleep. “I know you, don't I?” “Yes, we've met once before, but I see you often”, he answered. “Why am I here?” I asked. “Because you murmur, because you have said in your heart that you are on a fool's quest, because you think no one hears, that the message is falling on deaf ears. It is not for you to judge the success the message has in the hearts of others; you were called to be a servant; serve. I was sent to rekindle the fire of compassion in your heart. Compassion for the wayward and the lost, compassion for her”, he said, pointing to the woman in the bed. “Who is she?” I asked. “She is the church”, he answered me. “Content only with the things of this earth, absent of spiritual strength. She is the reason you and others like you were called to forfeit your lives. The sadness you feel when you behold her is nothing compared to the sadness the Father feels for her condition. If she is to stand in the fire, if she is to be victorious, she must be strengthened. She has been in this condition of spiritual paralysis for so long, she believes this is her natural state. If only she knew the power she has access to, if only she knew obedience. The wolves have gathered unhindered, and soon they will strike at her with violence. What will she do if she is unable to defend herself? What will become of the house of God?” “Be faithful, for faithfulness is rewarded. Why do you say in your heart that God should make it easier, that He should ease your trials? Would you rather that pride find its way into your heart when the Father endows you with the gift He has promised? Keep humility as your constant companion, for the humble receive an abundance of grace. Remember if just one soul is spared from the eternal flame, if just one soul is reached and brought to salvation, it is worth a lifetime's labor and sacrifice. One day you will know the number, receive your reward, and be astonished. I must leave now, but whether in the waking hours, or a dream, we will meet again”. The man walked to the bed, looked down at the woman, smiled a sad smile and walked out. As soon as he walked out of the room, and I was alone with her, the sadness began to invade my heart, and I woke up. The reason I share this with you is to ask for your prayers. It is a difficult thing to go to church after church, night after night, and speak a message of repentance that to the hearts of many, has become a foreign concept. The knowledge that if just one heart is reached, if one returns to the narrow path of faith, it is worth it and gives us purpose and new strength. May the light of God shine brightly in your hearts, and may you exhibit Christ wherever you are. Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent”.

God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted. (Psalm 47:5-9) There is a bit of a call and response rhythm to these first few psalms of Book II of the psalter.  Do you notice it?  Psalm 44 cries out in suffering and psalm 45 responds with a hope-filled vision of the messianic wedding feast.  Psalm 46 speaks to the moment the earth gives way under our feet, reminding us of the promise that God will be glorified in all the earth.  Psalm 47 responds with exactly that: the glorified God ascending to his throne of glory. This is a psalm that has been sung in the Jewish faith at the turn to the new year.  In Christianity, it has often been recited on Ascension Day.  In the book of Revelation, this psalm surely informs the Apostle John's imagination as he sees the kings of the earth entering the royal city of Jesus, the King, bringing their tribute. Perhaps this psalm also informs Paul's vision of Jesus Christ being the one in whom all things hold together, indeed the one through whom all things (including thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities) are reconciled to God.   This is the movement of the psalm.  “The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham.”  Did you catch that little word “as?”  The nations have somehow become the people of God!  You thought they were outsiders, but as it turns out: they belong to him!  The promises that God made to Abraham are fulfilled.  It is not just that Abraham will be the father of many nations, but also that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through” Abraham.  Indeed: all peoples now come under the rule and blessing of the God of Abraham.   There is again something within this psalm that smacks of our future hope in Christ.  The world we see at present is not the world we place our hope in.  We certainly do not see every nation and ruler bowing the knee to Christ right now, but our faith suggests with this psalm that God's reality looks different.  The heavenly country we long for has a much different texture to it.  No more power games or warring nations.  No more economic woes.  No more young men or women who die before their time or suffer from addiction or disease.   No: God is the God of the living, says Jesus.  And when God ascends to take his throne: all of his promises will be fulfilled.  All will be resolved to justice and peace under the one rule of Christ, the Lord King.  All will be made well and right in resurrection, reunion, restoration, and reconciliation through the one who holds all these things that we've entrusted to him against that day, together.     Amen. Come Lord Jesus, come. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:     May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you.  May he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.

John Anderson speaks with Lord Mervyn King about the shortcomings of modern economics, including its detachment from practical issues and over-reliance on modelling. They discuss the failures of economic forecasting during the COVID-19 pandemic and on climate change, stressing the importance of humility and honesty from policymakers. The discussion extends to socio-economic challenges like rising national debt and intergenerational inequality in Western democracies. The conversation also touches on modern monetary theory, quantitative easing, and the geopolitical implications of trade policies, especially with China. Lord King offers a critique of central bank digital currencies and cryptocurrencies, advocating against a completely cashless society.

AASAA, CHHANT, FIFTH MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: My mind is pierced by the Lord's Lotus Feet; He alone is sweet to my mind, the Lord King. Joining the Society of the Saints, I meditate on the Lord in adoration; I behold the Lord King in each and every heart. I behold the Lord in each and every heart, and the Ambrosial Nectar rains down upon me; the pains of birth and death are gone. Singing the Praises of the Lord, the treasure of virtue, all my pains are erased, and the knot of ego has been untied. My Beloved shall not leave me to go anywhere — this is His natural way; my mind is imbued with the lasting color of the Lord's Love. The Lotus Feet of the Lord have pierced Nanak's mind, and now, nothing else seems sweet to him. || 1 || Just like the fish which revels in water, I am intoxicated with the sublime essence of the Lord, my Lord King. The Perfect Guru has instructed me, and blessed me with salvation in my life; I love the Lord, my King. The Lord Master, the Searcher of hearts, blesses me with salvation in my life; He Himself attaches me to His Love. The Lord is the treasure of jewels, the perfect manifestation; He shall not forsake us to go anywhere else. God, the Lord Master, is so accomplished, beauteous, and all-knowing; His gifts are never exhausted. As the fish is enraptured by the water, so is Nanak intoxicated by the Lord. || 2 || As the song-bird yearns for the rain-drop, the Lord, the Lord my King, is the Support of my breath of life. My Lord King is more beloved than all wealth, treasure, children, siblings and friends. The absolute Lord, the Primal Being, is more beloved than all; His condition cannot be known. I shall never forget the Lord, for an instant, for a single breath; through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, I enjoy His Love. The Primal Lord God is the Life of the Universe; His Saints drink in the Lord's sublime essence. Meditating on Him, doubts, attachments and pains are shaken off. As the song-bird yearns for the rain-drop, so does Nanak love the Lord. || 3 || Meeting the Lord, my Lord King, my desires are fulfilled. The walls of doubt have been torn down, meeting the Brave Guru, O Lord King. The Perfect Guru is obtained by perfect pre-ordained destiny; God is the Giver of all treasures — He is merciful to the meek. In the beginning, in the middle, and in the end, is God, the most beautiful Guru, the Sustainer of the World. The dust of the feet of the Holy purifies sinners, and brings great joy, bliss and ecstasy. The Lord, the Infinite Lord, has met with Nanak, and his desires are fulfilled. || 4 || 1 || 3 || ਆਸਾ ਛੰਤ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੪ ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਮਨੁ ਬੇਧਿਆ ਕਿਛੁ ਆਨ ਨ ਮੀਠਾ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਜੇ ॥ ਮਿਲਿ ਸੰਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਆਰਾਧਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਘਟਿ ਘਟੇ ਡੀਠਾ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਜੇ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਘਟਿ ਘਟੇ ਡੀਠਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੋੁ ਵੂਠਾ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦੁਖ ਨਾਠੇ ॥ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਿ ਗਾਇਆ ਸਭ ਦੂਖ ਮਿਟਾਇਆ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਨਸੀ ਗਾਠੇ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਿਉ ਸਹਜ ਸੁਭਾਈ ਛੋਡਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਮਨਿ ਲਾਗਾ ਰੰਗੁ ਮਜੀਠਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਬੇਧੇ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਕਿਛੁ ਆਨ ਨ ਮੀਠਾ ॥੧॥ ਅਰਥ: (ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦਾ) ਮਨ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਸੋਹਣੇ ਕੋਮਲ ਚਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਪ੍ਰੋਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਯਾਦ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ) ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ ਚੀਜ਼ ਮਿੱਠੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦੀ। ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਹਰੇਕ ਸਰੀਰ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਦਿੱਸ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ (ਉਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ) ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਾਮ-ਜਲ ਆ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ (ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਦੇ) ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦੇ ਦੁੱਖ (ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੁੱਖ) ਦੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪਣੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਮਿਟਾ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ) ਹਉਮੈ ਦੀ (ਬੱਝੀ ਹੋਈ) ਗੰਢ ਖੁਲ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਛੱਡ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਂਦਾ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਦਾ ਪੱਕਾ) ਰੰਗ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ (ਜਿਵੇਂ) ਮਜੀਠ (ਦਾ ਪੱਕਾ ਰੰਗ) । ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਸੋਹਣੇ ਕੋਮਲ ਚਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਵਿੱਝ ਗਿਆ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਯਾਦ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ) ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ ਚੀਜ਼ ਮਿੱਠੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦੀ।1। --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsjhampur/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsjhampur/support

A story about religion, a young girl and original sin. In 4 parts, By Carole_n_Nice.Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. My name is Chastity. I'm 18 years old and live in a large religious community on the Arizona-Utah border in the United States. Our religious community considers ourselves to be Christians but most main stream religions view us as a sect at best. [[MORE]] Our main difference from the more standard religions is that we believe; Eve was the first person to inhabit our earth in the Garden of Eden. She copulated with God and out of that union was born Adam. Sometime afterward, she also copulated with her son, Adam. Adam was the forbidden fruit, (Not an apple). Adam and Eve were exiled from Eden because of incest between the mother and her son. The Original sin that was committed by Eve was the seduction of her son. Within our religious group, we can go to heaven by serving a penalty. [[MORE]]  Women are on the lowest rung of our social caste because it is our fault for being thrown out of Eden in the first place. If we do well in the immediate life, we come back as men. If we do well as a man, then we are allowed into Heaven. You can also go to heaven, (even if you are a woman), if you are awarded sainthood. This is very seldom done. There are three ranks of hierarchy within our church, (only men are allowed ranking). Elder, (the basic priesthood open to all men 18 and older). Bishop would be in charge of a group of members of about 200 families. Prelate, there are only twelve prelates. The religion allows polygamy for Bishops and Prelates. I am a small, petite girl, (5'1" 102 lbs. and a 32-A bust). I dress as all my sisters dress; a plain dress, (black, blue, grey of sometimes a small flowered pattern for special occasions). Our dresses normally fall midway between our knees and ankles. We wear a white starched apron and a fabric bonnet that lays on the hair and ties under the chin. The bonnet is sacred and mandated for all women of purity. It must be worn at all times in the presence of any man except one's husband. I live with a family of six siblings, (four brothers, a sister, and myself). I am the youngest at eighteen. My sister Prudence is also eighteen but ten months older than I am. My brothers range in age from Thomas (26), Mathew (25), Luke (23) and John (21). My father is 60 and my mother is 46. Chastity�s First Eden Rites On my eighteenth birthday, my mother gathered my sister and me for my "First Eden Rites." We follow her into my mother's bedroom and kneel to say our prayers. After about 15 minutes of prayers, my mother calls us to our feet and starts my oral exam to ensure that I am schooled and an appropriate Catechumen. "Chastity, What are you?" I nervously take a breath. I've study our bible for years and can recite it by heart. I'm still nervous but I know I'll pass.  "I am a Woman, mother."  "I created the first sin against our beloved lord and I am responsible for having us exiled from Eden." "Chastity, as a woman, how will you atone for your sins?" "Mother,  I will pray daily for our salvation, I will obey my husband, my ordained Elders and my Father in all things."  "I will work for them to be accepted into heaven and I will strive to reach the next step of reincarnated manhood." My mother smiled at me and said, "What is the Doctrine and Covenants of the Eden Conference?" I, in great detail, explain the Doctrine and Covenants of the Eden Conference. "Because women are sinners, we must obey men,"  "Because we believe in the sisterhood and the privilege of polygamy,"  "Often times there will not be enough women to be wives to all our ordained elders,"  "The Eden Conference may be called by my father, husband or an ordained Bishop, so that men may relieve themselves with us sinners."  "I am to do all things required of me during the Eden Conference and display my love for our Lord through unquestioning obedience." "Chastity," my mother said, "and what will happen tonight?" "My father will call my first Eden Conference with men of his choosing." "I will be accompanied by you into the conference and I will make you proud of me," I smile to my mother. At this point my mother has us kneel and pray again. About thirty minutes later, my final training session will begin. After prayers, my sister and I go to our closet and get our "Oral Sticks." These are smooth wooden sculptures that are shaped like a man's penis, (My sister assures me that they are quite realistic looking as I have never actually seen a man undressed.) We use these "oral sticks" as a learning tool so that we might satisfy a man with our mouths. I follow my sister's lead and take the stick into my mouth. I lick the head of it so that it glistens with my saliva. I take it tighter in my hand and I push it in and out of my mouth to simulate a man taking his pleasure inside my mouth. I suck along the shaft of the stick, ensuring my teeth never touch the smooth wood and that my lips create a suction that is supposed to stimulate a man. My mother holds a bag to the bottom of the wooden penis. I lick the two suspended balls and pump the penis with my hand as I do so. "You will do well, Chastity." "Prudence, you have been through this and have enough experience." "If you wish to leave and finish your chores, you may." My sister looks at me with questioning eyes. I know she wants to be there for me but it really isn't necessary. If I am not ready for this day by now, I never will be. I just nod to her that she may take her leave. "Thank you, Mother." Prudence puts her oral stick back and leaves for her chores. "Chastity, it is getting late." "You need to bathe and put on your Acceptance Dress." "Let us practice your self-stimulation so that you will be prepared when a man enters you." "Just do it with your dress on so we can prepare you." I nod at my mother and go to the bed. Pushing myself up to the pillows, I lay down. I reach for my long skirts and pull them up over my hips. I put my fingers into the waist band of my bloomer panties and pull them down off my legs. I bend my legs at the knees and open my legs. My hand travels across my lower tummy, below my bunched up skirt and across my mound. I open my lips and use my digit finger to find my clitoris. My finger moves across it and then underneath, Stimulating myself. My palm presses against my mound and my hips involuntarily push upward against it. I take my middle finger and lightly insert inside my vagina. My juices wet its tip showing I can make a man's way easy for him. My mother nods at me. "Daughter Chastity, you know how to do this." "This is not for your pleasure but for that of a man." "We need to go and have you shave down there so that you look like the virgin you are, and bath." "It is time for final preparation." My mother leads me to the bathroom. I am surprised that my sister has already drawn me a scented bath and left the shaving tools on top of a towel by the sink. I pick up the razor and my hand shakes. My mother laughs and grabs it from me. "I think you had better let me do the shaving." "I expect you will have enough blood between your legs after the Eden Conference," she says with a smile. "We don't need you to slice yourself up so that you need stitches." My mother washes me with hot water, first. She takes soap and applies it all over my mound and commences to shave what little hair that I have on my vagina, off. She repeats the hot water and soap several times before she has me completely bald. I have to admit it feels funny. I jump into the tub, scented with some lilac oil. My mother washes me. I am scrubbed from head to toe and it feels wonderful. Finally, it is time. My mother towels me down, and brushes my hair out. She helps me put my bloomer panties on and a very plain white bra. I help her with the dress being placed over my head, and turn for her to button the back. I look in the mirror and I am in perfectly white dress. My mom ties my apron on, hands me a bonnet that I tie under my chin and I'm ready. As we walk to the room where the Eden conference will take place, I start to get nervous again. "Mother, do you know who or how many will attend the Eden Conference," I ask. My mother shakes her head. "I don't know, really." "Your father had four at Prudence's ceremony." "I had five at mine." "When your father and I got married, I was 19 and he was 33." "His father was a Bishop and ordered an Eden Conference for our wedding night." "There were only three that night, the Bishop being one of them." "Your father loves you above all, much to his disgrace, but he does." "You are small so I suspect he will keep it to no more than three." I nodded and reached the latch on the door where the Eden Conference would occur. As the door opened, I bent my head to the floor and dropped to my knees. "What do you wish, Daughter," I heard my father say. "I wish to cleanse the conference of my sins with my body, Father, and to go onto the next level in the next life," I replied. "And what will you do in order to achieve this?" "I will obey you in all things, Father, and do you honor." He nodded and told me to raise my head. I raised my head and scanned the room. There were three men in the room, My Father, My Uncle Augustine and Prelate Matthias. My father brought a Prelate to my Eden conference! This was a great honor to our family. Prelate Matthias was 82, married with three wives over a life time. He had outlived two of them. His current wife, Sister Evangeline was the first living woman to be sainted in the last fifty years. This was a great honor indeed. "Daughter Chastity, you may take your clothes off for us," my father said. My mother immediately stepped behind me to assist with the many buttons on the back of my dress. She first removed my apron and folded it on the table. I then felt the buttons on my back being unfastened. After a moment, the garment was ready to be removed. My mother slipped it off my shoulders and down my arms. As my dress reached the bottom of my feet, I stepped out of it and my mother pulled it away. I stood in front of three men, in my bra, bloomer panties and bonnet. My father cleared his throat indicating to my mother that she should finish. I felt her unhook my bra strap and pull it down along my arms. My breast were free, small but free, in front of three men. Being stared at for the first time in my young life. I felt my Mother reach for my panties and a small, old voice interrupting. In an almost squeaky voice, Prelate Matthias said, "Let her take off her own sin protective," referring to my panties. I nodded, reached for my waist band and pulled my panties down my legs. I kicked my panties off and stood modestly, my hands covering my vagina. I looked at my father and Uncle. I could see they wanted to please the Prelate. There was lots of benefits to this honor. The Prelate turned to my father, looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Have her take off her bonnet." My mother gasped. I was in shock. This was a disaster. Only a husband would normally tell his wife to uncloak her hair. It was meant for a night of debauchery which was not something we embraced as a religion. I stood there and just shook my head "NO" My mother shouted out and stood in front of me, "NO! This is not for anyone but Chastity's husband." My father slammed his hand down on his desk. "SILENCE." "Who are you two sinners to dictate to a Prelate, what can be done!" "This is a holy man and you two are just whores that got all of us thrown out of Eden." "You, WOMAN," looking at my mother, "will remove her bonnet and stop insulting us!" My mother moved in front of me. We both looked at each other with tears in our eyes. She kissed me on my lips, whispered, "I love you." And untied my bonnet. She took the piece of fabric off my head and brushed my hair over my shoulders with her hands. I tried to control myself from crying. My Mother just comforted me and said, "Quiet, it is only but a hat." I nodded, my tears dropping on my breast. This was supposed to be a joyous day. A day I joined the congregation but instead, I've been force to remove my bonnet. To declare I am but a whore? This is beyond what our covenants demand. I stood there nude in front of them. I watched my own father, almost in tears from the embarrassment of his daughter forced to remove her bonnet. I could not read my uncles face but the Prelate? His face was joyous! My father broke the silence. "Take the position in front of his holiness, the prelate." I walked over to this holy man. I got on my knees and assume the position of prayer and supplication. Prelate Matthias gestured for me to remove his pants. I took his belt and unfastened it. I undid his pants button and pulled his zipper down. I tugged at his baggy pants and got them down his legs and off. He had a pair of religious undergarments on that were satiny and came down to his knees. I wrestled them off his wide hips and pulled them free. I saw a man's penis for the first time in my life. It was standing firm and pulsed involuntarily every so often. "Sister Chastity, you may stimulate me orally," I heard him say. I reached over and grabbed his cock as I had been taught. I took it in my mouth and let my tongue flow over it. I tasted a bit of saltiness of his pre cum on the tip of my tongue. He pushed harder on my head and I took him full into my mouth fully; my lips sucking on him as I moved up and down on his shaft. Looking down at me, Prelate Mathias asked, "Why are you sucking on my cock?" I stopped for a moment, looked up at him and repeated the appropriate passage from the book of covenants, "Because I am a woman and a sinner." "I and my other sisters lost paradise because of our selfish act of incest." "We must atone for our sins and the ruin that we have caused men." I went back to sucking him. He was smaller than my oral stick which it felt comforting for my first time. He was surprisingly hard for an 82 year old man and had enough energy to start thrusting his hips up and down to simulate oral copulation. "You may stop now and assume the position of self-stimulation, Sister Chastity," the Prelate said. I stood up and walked to the bed. My mother jumped up and in a terrible breach of etiquette questioned the Prelate. "Your Eminence," she said. "Please show my daughter respect and allow her to put her cap back on?" All of us just stood in stunned silence. I couldn't believe my mother would do this, even to save my own modesty. My father glared at my mother and said, "My apologies Prelate." "Evidently my wife forgets herself, where she is and even more so, WHO SHE IS AMONGST!" My Mother stood back and said, "I apologize, Husband." "I meant no ill towards the Prelate or you." "Please forgive me?" My father glared at her and said, "Put your daughter on the bed and have her assume the position of self - stimulation before I think you have completely lost your mind, WIFE." "Then you may assume the punishment position yourself." My mother looked at me and took my hand. As she led me to the bed, she turned her back to my father and said, "I will do as I am told, Husband." This was a slight offense again because she did not turn and fully face my father. "Chastity," the prelate said. I turned around to look at him, "You are capable of getting into the appropriate position of self-stimulation." "Prepare your mother first for her punishment, position." I nodded and held my Mother by her hand. "I am sorry, Mother for causing you this," I whispered." "My Mother just smiled at me to indicate it was all good. I helped her kneel over the side of the bed and I placed a pillow under her tummy. I then reached down and pulled my mother's skirt up over her waist. My mother would have been considered very beautiful outside our compound. We are taught to not seek self-compliments but I still had to admit, she was beautiful. I reached down and pulled the waistband of my mother's bloomer panties. I pulled them off her legs and freed her ankles from the restraint of the under garment. I laid down on the bed, my body perpendicular to my mother's kneeling one. I felt her grasp my hand and nod for me to begin. I slid my hand down over my shaved mound and commenced stimulating myself. I heard my mother make a sudden cry of pain and saw that my Father had struck her with a belt. "I am sorry for embarrassing you, husband." "Thank you," she said as another thunder clap screeched out and my father struck her again. Thank you, husband," is all I heard. I kept stroking myself but was having a hard time keeping track with my Mother spread over the bed and being spanked. I kept hearing the crack of my father's belt as she kept yelling "Thank you." She tightened the grip on my hand and she was biting her lip hard. It was then that I realized my father would keep spanking her until I finished stimulating myself. I concentrated on my finger but my mother's clasp of my hand kept clenching harder every time the belt struck. I was wet so that I could be taken but I couldn't get myself to orgasm. I heard my mother sob as the belt hit her again and then the idea came to me. I arched my hips, forced my legs together on my hand and moaned loudly. I faked it! I was not sure how long I had to maintain myself moaning but my father stopped spanking my mother with his belt. I felt weight on the other side of the bed. I turned to look at the depression and it was Prelate Mathias coming to mount me. I was thrilled about being taken by an 82 year old man but I was happy it wasn't my father or uncle. He knelt between my legs and reached for my breast with his hands. I shivered for a second when he touched me, I didn't realize that anyone's hands could be so cold. He pinched both of my nipples, very hard. I let out a small gasp as he twisted them. I reached between his legs and felt for his penis. I thought if I got this over with, he would stop hurting my breasts. As I grasped him, he smiled in realization that I was trying to put him inside me. "You are an anxious little girl, aren't you daughter Chastity?" he asked. I nodded to him, smiling up at him and trying to pull him on top of me so that he would stop hurting my breasts. His hips collapsed on me but I couldn't seem to place him at the right place to enter me. My mother let go of my hand and reached for him. I felt her place the head of his penis at my opening and he immediately pushed inside me. The pressure I felt as he entered, left me with a deep burning sensation. He moved deeper and I felt like he was ripping my insides apart. He started moving up and down on me before I was adjusted to him. I just lay there with my legs open as he grasped me with his wrinkled hands and plunged ahead. "Wrap your legs around me, Chastity," the Prelate said. "Take my anointed cock into your cunt and embrace it." I'm not sure what he all meant but I wrapped my legs around him and pulled him into me. The burning was somewhat subsiding but his movement inside was increasing its pace. I turned and looked away from him as he used my body. I looked at my mother's face and I could tell that she also was in some pain. I looked behind her and my uncle had stepped between her legs. He had mounted her and she just kept lightly shaking her head no. Her hand grasped mine tighter and I realized that my Uncle Augustine was taking her anally. "Chastity, pay attention to me girl," Prelate Mathias admonished. I turned my head to him and smiled. I thrust my hips up onto his hard penis and open my legs more. "Tell me how much you want it, Chastity." "Tell me how much you need my cum inside your cunt," he said. I lifted up more and said, "I want your penis in me, Sir." "I want your seed deep in my vagina!" He shook his head no! "Use the same words I used!" I wasn't exactly sure what I was saying but I said it. "I want you to cum inside me." "I want to feel you inside my cunt." "Please sir, I pleaded. I felt him arch more into me and use his hands to pull my hips upwards as he impaled me. I felt a small twitching inside as a light wetness was dribbled inside me. I knew he must have given me his seed. I looked up and saw that my uncle was finishing up with my mother. Her eyes shut tight as he thrust hard inside her anus. "Tell me, Barbara!" I heard my uncle say. My mother immediately shouted out, "Fuck me in the ass, Augustine." "Take me hard and give me your cum deep inside me." "Fuck me, Augustine." With that, my uncle must have complied as he pulled her hips onto his penis. He pounded into her several more times and finally ended, "Yes, take me, Bitch!" and seemed to collapse. The Prelate laid on top of me for several minutes. I started getting nervous because I thought he might have died from the exertion. I watched my uncle start to move off and out of my mother. Prelate Mathias started to stir and pressed himself clumsily off me. He kind of fell out of my vagina as he raised himself, instead of withdrawing. Finally, my father spoke and said, "Take your position to be anointed." My mother and I scrambled off the bed, her with no under panties and myself, naked. We stood kneeling in a position of prayer to receive my father's blessing. My father looked at me sternly and I knew I had done something wrong. I looked to my mother and she whispered, "Put on your bonnet." I grabbed my bonnet, smoothed it over my hair and tied it under my chin. "I am sorry, Father." My father shook his head and said, "You were brought up better than this, Daughter." "You know you can't receive a blessing while showing your hair shamelessly like a whore." "We will talk of this later." My mother and I bowed our heads in piety. We clasped our hands together and prayed as my father anointed both of us. When he was finished, all three men walked from the room and left us. "Are you alright, Chastity," my mother asked? I nodded and started to giggle. My mother looked at me curiously so I explained that when she was being spanked, I couldn't reach climax so I faked it realizing that she was to be spanked until I had. We both broke out laughing hysterically. My mother went into the washroom and came back with a bowl of hot water and a wash cloth. She started to wipe the brownish red blood that had stained between my legs and along my thighs. I told her I didn't understand why Uncle Augustine would copulate with here anally. I also explained I had no idea what half the words were that the Prelate had me use. She went and fetched a bathrobe, helped me put it on and sat down to explain things. "Men will use a women's rear to send a message to us." "It is a message of dominance and superiority." "It actually can be pleasurable if it is done gently as your father does to me when he desires my butt." "It is also can be very painful if the man decides to use it as punishment, as your Uncle Augustine did tonight with me." I nodded. "The words are just dirty words that men use to demean women." "A cunt, or pussy, refers to our vaginas." "Cum is basically a slang word for a man's seed." We stayed up for hours talking. I always felt close to my mother but never more so than that night. She finally took my night clothes out of the dresser and laid them out for me. I dressed in them and she pulled the covers down. She put me into bed and then got in with me. She held me close to her and I fell fast asleep. The next morning gone having slipped out of bed to sleep with my father as was her duty. Father & I I awoke, washed up and dressed. When I came down to the kitchen, my father was reading his paper and drinking cocoa, (We do not drink coffee or tea). I peered over his shoulder and saw his glass mostly empty so I went and made him a new cup. He looked up at me and smiled. "Father, I want to apologize to you if I embarrassed you during the Eden Conference." "That was not my intent, Sir." He looked up at me again and smiled, "You did not embarrass me, Chastity." "You are a good daughter and I've always been too close to you." "Everyone comments on it and I don't care what they think." "Prelate Mathias just threw me off when he had you remove your bonnet." "I have never heard of a woman removing her bonnet in front of a man unless it was her husband." I nodded and said, "It embarrassed me greatly." "I did not know what to do other than remove it, Father." My father shook his head, "He is a Prelate." "Gifted with the blessing of prophecy." "If anyone knows what our savior wants, it would be him." "I just never heard of it being done before and I didn't know how to react to it." "Father, may I ask something else?" He nodded. "Why did Uncle Augustine do that to mother last night?" "He hurt her." "Your mother should never have questioned the order of a Prelate, even to the slightest degree," my Father spoke. "Your uncle was angered because your mother's punishment was not equal to her offense." "I have always been easy on her and you girls." "Everyone wonders why." I cleaned up some dishes, turned to leave the room and looked back at my father, still sitting there. "I am just a young girl but I know why you are easy on us, Father." "You love us." I then walked out of the kitchen. The Council Three days later my father came home breathlessly for dinner. As we all sat at the table, held hands and prayed, I could tell my father wished to tell us important news. Our community has been picked to host the quarterly meeting of the twelve! We all gasped as this was a singular honor that happens only once a decade for our scattered communities. The Council of Twelve is the ruling body of our religion. It consist of all twelve sitting prelates. They make rulings on canon law, grievances by individuals, excommunications and most importantly, prophesy. All of them are in their 80's with the oldest 92. The planning went on for weeks. Our Community House was repainted, new carpeting and special lavatories set up for the twelve. The work went on for weeks but all of us eagerly donated time and money to ensure we set an example. A week before the conclave was to commence, my father came home again breathlessly. We all sat down to the table and bowed our heads to say grace. "Chastity, would you lead us in grace, please," I heard the words spoken from my father's mouth. My Mother immediately shot a questioning look at my father. Women never say grace. It was unheard of. It is allowed for a female who has been granted sainthood but no one else. I was sure my father meant to ordain one of my brothers with the task. "Daughter Chastity, would you say grace please," he repeated. I said grace at the table. I have followed in response to grace many times but never had led it. I finished the three times per day ritual and before I said, "Amen." I added, "And thank you Lord King, for our Father." "Who loves us all!" My mother shot a look of surprise and shock at me. When we had finished dinner, my mother, sister and I did the dishes as my father and brothers retired to the great room to read. When we had finished, my father asked us all to gather as a family in the great room. "Let us pray," my father said. We all got on our knees and said our prayer of thanksgiving. When we had finished, my father started to give us an explanation of his odd behavior. Prelate Mathias had come to him that afternoon. The Prelates had order an unprecedented Eden Conference during the meeting. The women invited to the conference was my mother, my sister Prudence, the blessed saint - Evangeline, and myself. My father explained that Prelate Mathias told him that I had been ordered to remove my bonnet at my first Eden Conference because it came to him in a vision. Everyone looked at me in shock that I had bared my head outside the presence of my husband. My father hushed them all down and told them it was at the Prelates orders. It came to him as a vision and he saw it as a prophecy. This would be a miracle to be involved in a prophecy. We spent the rest of the evening asking "why us." Why were we the chosen for the "Eden Conference." My mother even laughed that it had been six years since she had been invited to one. My father just grumbled and said something like, "it'll be six years longer if you don't stop mentioning it too." The day of the Eden Conference approached quickly. We all took baths, freshly cleaned our hair from our womanly triangle and dressed in white linen dresses for the occasion. When we left the house, more than half our community was gathered on our front lawn to escort us to the "Twelve." As we approached the meeting house, there was a carpet of evergreens laid out in front of our feet. We walked to the front door and knocked as protocol would have it. A serving Bishop of the church opened the door and begged us entrance. The three of us, assumed the position of prayer before this holy twelve. I wondered where Saint Evangeline was but I saw her not. Finally after prayer, we were asked by the Holy One, (the chair of the Twelve), to raise our heads. We recited our duties as women from the covenants. They all nodded their heads as we recited in perfect unison. The Holy One, ninety two years old and a member of the council for thirty years, spoke. He explained to us that Prelate Mathias had told him his vision and between the Sainted Evangeline and himself they had interpreted the vision. He explained to us that Saint Evangeline was to be an avenging angel that scourged our community of all sin but that of women's Original sin. That my mother, who brought two daughters of grace and beauty into our world, should act as the vessel of our community sin as our savior had so many years ago. Prudence and I were to be the altars of forgiveness. We were to accept that seed graciously given by the twelve in order to have my mother's sacrifice accepted. We all nodded in awe of our great role in this endeavor. Prelate Mathias' wife stood up. She wedged herself out of her chair and walked over to a huge covered article being held up by two carpenter saw horses. She nodded to Prudence and me. "Daughters you may approach your Latter Saint and disrobe me," she said. Prudence and I stood and came to the great woman before us. I started to unbutton the back of her dress, while Prudence started unlacing her shoes. She was an obese woman to be generous and it seemed difficult to undress her. I finally had her dress off with Prudence's help. We were both a bit breathless at the task. I let Prudence unfasten the bra because I was certain I didn't have the strength to do it and that Prudence would have it. With two failed attempts at unfastening the garment, Prudence finally had the bra removed and her breast fell free. Her breast looked like deflated watermelons, with two very large nipples attached. I got on my knees and removed her bloused panties from her, (relieving my sister from that duty). Saint Evangeline moved over to the covered article propped up by the saw horses. She uncovered it and we all just looked. It was a large cross, about twelve inches in diameter, and 10'feet long. The cross member for the arms was about five feet in length. About two feet down from the cross member arms, there was fixed into the cross, an oral training penis. Above the cross, there was a seat attached. "Undress your mother, Sisters," the Holy One said. Prudence and I went to our mother and started to undress her. When we had her dress off, Prudence whispered to me, "She is beautiful, is she not? I nodded my agreement as I snaked my fingers into my mother's panties. I pulled them down her legs and she stood nude in front of the Twelve, her daughters and Saint Evangeline. "The Bonnet also!" I couldn't believe my ears that my mother was to be humiliated like this. I shook my head no as did my sister. My mother pushed us both away and with great dignity, unfastened the tie under her chin and took the bonnet off herself. Dropping it to the floor, as if to let it be soiled, as she was being soiled herself. My mother stood, naked, her head bared so that all these men could look at her. To be continued in part 2. By Carole_n_Nice for Literotica

A story about religion, a young girl and original sin. In 4 parts, By Carole_n_Nice.Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. My name is Chastity. I'm 18 years old and live in a large religious community on the Arizona-Utah border in the United States. Our religious community considers ourselves to be Christians but most main stream religions view us as a sect at best. [[MORE]] Our main difference from the more standard religions is that we believe; Eve was the first person to inhabit our earth in the Garden of Eden. She copulated with God and out of that union was born Adam. Sometime afterward, she also copulated with her son, Adam. Adam was the forbidden fruit, (Not an apple). Adam and Eve were exiled from Eden because of incest between the mother and her son. The Original sin that was committed by Eve was the seduction of her son. Within our religious group, we can go to heaven by serving a penalty. [[MORE]]  Women are on the lowest rung of our social caste because it is our fault for being thrown out of Eden in the first place. If we do well in the immediate life, we come back as men. If we do well as a man, then we are allowed into Heaven. You can also go to heaven, (even if you are a woman), if you are awarded sainthood. This is very seldom done. There are three ranks of hierarchy within our church, (only men are allowed ranking). Elder, (the basic priesthood open to all men 18 and older). Bishop would be in charge of a group of members of about 200 families. Prelate, there are only twelve prelates. The religion allows polygamy for Bishops and Prelates. I am a small, petite girl, (5'1" 102 lbs. and a 32-A bust). I dress as all my sisters dress; a plain dress, (black, blue, grey of sometimes a small flowered pattern for special occasions). Our dresses normally fall midway between our knees and ankles. We wear a white starched apron and a fabric bonnet that lays on the hair and ties under the chin. The bonnet is sacred and mandated for all women of purity. It must be worn at all times in the presence of any man except one's husband. I live with a family of six siblings, (four brothers, a sister, and myself). I am the youngest at eighteen. My sister Prudence is also eighteen but ten months older than I am. My brothers range in age from Thomas (26), Mathew (25), Luke (23) and John (21). My father is 60 and my mother is 46. Chastity�s First Eden Rites On my eighteenth birthday, my mother gathered my sister and me for my "First Eden Rites." We follow her into my mother's bedroom and kneel to say our prayers. After about 15 minutes of prayers, my mother calls us to our feet and starts my oral exam to ensure that I am schooled and an appropriate Catechumen. "Chastity, What are you?" I nervously take a breath. I've study our bible for years and can recite it by heart. I'm still nervous but I know I'll pass.  "I am a Woman, mother."  "I created the first sin against our beloved lord and I am responsible for having us exiled from Eden." "Chastity, as a woman, how will you atone for your sins?" "Mother,  I will pray daily for our salvation, I will obey my husband, my ordained Elders and my Father in all things."  "I will work for them to be accepted into heaven and I will strive to reach the next step of reincarnated manhood." My mother smiled at me and said, "What is the Doctrine and Covenants of the Eden Conference?" I, in great detail, explain the Doctrine and Covenants of the Eden Conference. "Because women are sinners, we must obey men,"  "Because we believe in the sisterhood and the privilege of polygamy,"  "Often times there will not be enough women to be wives to all our ordained elders,"  "The Eden Conference may be called by my father, husband or an ordained Bishop, so that men may relieve themselves with us sinners."  "I am to do all things required of me during the Eden Conference and display my love for our Lord through unquestioning obedience." "Chastity," my mother said, "and what will happen tonight?" "My father will call my first Eden Conference with men of his choosing." "I will be accompanied by you into the conference and I will make you proud of me," I smile to my mother. At this point my mother has us kneel and pray again. About thirty minutes later, my final training session will begin. After prayers, my sister and I go to our closet and get our "Oral Sticks." These are smooth wooden sculptures that are shaped like a man's penis, (My sister assures me that they are quite realistic looking as I have never actually seen a man undressed.) We use these "oral sticks" as a learning tool so that we might satisfy a man with our mouths. I follow my sister's lead and take the stick into my mouth. I lick the head of it so that it glistens with my saliva. I take it tighter in my hand and I push it in and out of my mouth to simulate a man taking his pleasure inside my mouth. I suck along the shaft of the stick, ensuring my teeth never touch the smooth wood and that my lips create a suction that is supposed to stimulate a man. My mother holds a bag to the bottom of the wooden penis. I lick the two suspended balls and pump the penis with my hand as I do so. "You will do well, Chastity." "Prudence, you have been through this and have enough experience." "If you wish to leave and finish your chores, you may." My sister looks at me with questioning eyes. I know she wants to be there for me but it really isn't necessary. If I am not ready for this day by now, I never will be. I just nod to her that she may take her leave. "Thank you, Mother." Prudence puts her oral stick back and leaves for her chores. "Chastity, it is getting late." "You need to bathe and put on your Acceptance Dress." "Let us practice your self-stimulation so that you will be prepared when a man enters you." "Just do it with your dress on so we can prepare you." I nod at my mother and go to the bed. Pushing myself up to the pillows, I lay down. I reach for my long skirts and pull them up over my hips. I put my fingers into the waist band of my bloomer panties and pull them down off my legs. I bend my legs at the knees and open my legs. My hand travels across my lower tummy, below my bunched up skirt and across my mound. I open my lips and use my digit finger to find my clitoris. My finger moves across it and then underneath, Stimulating myself. My palm presses against my mound and my hips involuntarily push upward against it. I take my middle finger and lightly insert inside my vagina. My juices wet its tip showing I can make a man's way easy for him. My mother nods at me. "Daughter Chastity, you know how to do this." "This is not for your pleasure but for that of a man." "We need to go and have you shave down there so that you look like the virgin you are, and bath." "It is time for final preparation." My mother leads me to the bathroom. I am surprised that my sister has already drawn me a scented bath and left the shaving tools on top of a towel by the sink. I pick up the razor and my hand shakes. My mother laughs and grabs it from me. "I think you had better let me do the shaving." "I expect you will have enough blood between your legs after the Eden Conference," she says with a smile. "We don't need you to slice yourself up so that you need stitches." My mother washes me with hot water, first. She takes soap and applies it all over my mound and commences to shave what little hair that I have on my vagina, off. She repeats the hot water and soap several times before she has me completely bald. I have to admit it feels funny. I jump into the tub, scented with some lilac oil. My mother washes me. I am scrubbed from head to toe and it feels wonderful. Finally, it is time. My mother towels me down, and brushes my hair out. She helps me put my bloomer panties on and a very plain white bra. I help her with the dress being placed over my head, and turn for her to button the back. I look in the mirror and I am in perfectly white dress. My mom ties my apron on, hands me a bonnet that I tie under my chin and I'm ready. As we walk to the room where the Eden conference will take place, I start to get nervous again. "Mother, do you know who or how many will attend the Eden Conference," I ask. My mother shakes her head. "I don't know, really." "Your father had four at Prudence's ceremony." "I had five at mine." "When your father and I got married, I was 19 and he was 33." "His father was a Bishop and ordered an Eden Conference for our wedding night." "There were only three that night, the Bishop being one of them." "Your father loves you above all, much to his disgrace, but he does." "You are small so I suspect he will keep it to no more than three." I nodded and reached the latch on the door where the Eden Conference would occur. As the door opened, I bent my head to the floor and dropped to my knees. "What do you wish, Daughter," I heard my father say. "I wish to cleanse the conference of my sins with my body, Father, and to go onto the next level in the next life," I replied. "And what will you do in order to achieve this?" "I will obey you in all things, Father, and do you honor." He nodded and told me to raise my head. I raised my head and scanned the room. There were three men in the room, My Father, My Uncle Augustine and Prelate Matthias. My father brought a Prelate to my Eden conference! This was a great honor to our family. Prelate Matthias was 82, married with three wives over a life time. He had outlived two of them. His current wife, Sister Evangeline was the first living woman to be sainted in the last fifty years. This was a great honor indeed. "Daughter Chastity, you may take your clothes off for us," my father said. My mother immediately stepped behind me to assist with the many buttons on the back of my dress. She first removed my apron and folded it on the table. I then felt the buttons on my back being unfastened. After a moment, the garment was ready to be removed. My mother slipped it off my shoulders and down my arms. As my dress reached the bottom of my feet, I stepped out of it and my mother pulled it away. I stood in front of three men, in my bra, bloomer panties and bonnet. My father cleared his throat indicating to my mother that she should finish. I felt her unhook my bra strap and pull it down along my arms. My breast were free, small but free, in front of three men. Being stared at for the first time in my young life. I felt my Mother reach for my panties and a small, old voice interrupting. In an almost squeaky voice, Prelate Matthias said, "Let her take off her own sin protective," referring to my panties. I nodded, reached for my waist band and pulled my panties down my legs. I kicked my panties off and stood modestly, my hands covering my vagina. I looked at my father and Uncle. I could see they wanted to please the Prelate. There was lots of benefits to this honor. The Prelate turned to my father, looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Have her take off her bonnet." My mother gasped. I was in shock. This was a disaster. Only a husband would normally tell his wife to uncloak her hair. It was meant for a night of debauchery which was not something we embraced as a religion. I stood there and just shook my head "NO" My mother shouted out and stood in front of me, "NO! This is not for anyone but Chastity's husband." My father slammed his hand down on his desk. "SILENCE." "Who are you two sinners to dictate to a Prelate, what can be done!" "This is a holy man and you two are just whores that got all of us thrown out of Eden." "You, WOMAN," looking at my mother, "will remove her bonnet and stop insulting us!" My mother moved in front of me. We both looked at each other with tears in our eyes. She kissed me on my lips, whispered, "I love you." And untied my bonnet. She took the piece of fabric off my head and brushed my hair over my shoulders with her hands. I tried to control myself from crying. My Mother just comforted me and said, "Quiet, it is only but a hat." I nodded, my tears dropping on my breast. This was supposed to be a joyous day. A day I joined the congregation but instead, I've been force to remove my bonnet. To declare I am but a whore? This is beyond what our covenants demand. I stood there nude in front of them. I watched my own father, almost in tears from the embarrassment of his daughter forced to remove her bonnet. I could not read my uncles face but the Prelate? His face was joyous! My father broke the silence. "Take the position in front of his holiness, the prelate." I walked over to this holy man. I got on my knees and assume the position of prayer and supplication. Prelate Matthias gestured for me to remove his pants. I took his belt and unfastened it. I undid his pants button and pulled his zipper down. I tugged at his baggy pants and got them down his legs and off. He had a pair of religious undergarments on that were satiny and came down to his knees. I wrestled them off his wide hips and pulled them free. I saw a man's penis for the first time in my life. It was standing firm and pulsed involuntarily every so often. "Sister Chastity, you may stimulate me orally," I heard him say. I reached over and grabbed his cock as I had been taught. I took it in my mouth and let my tongue flow over it. I tasted a bit of saltiness of his pre cum on the tip of my tongue. He pushed harder on my head and I took him full into my mouth fully; my lips sucking on him as I moved up and down on his shaft. Looking down at me, Prelate Mathias asked, "Why are you sucking on my cock?" I stopped for a moment, looked up at him and repeated the appropriate passage from the book of covenants, "Because I am a woman and a sinner." "I and my other sisters lost paradise because of our selfish act of incest." "We must atone for our sins and the ruin that we have caused men." I went back to sucking him. He was smaller than my oral stick which it felt comforting for my first time. He was surprisingly hard for an 82 year old man and had enough energy to start thrusting his hips up and down to simulate oral copulation. "You may stop now and assume the position of self-stimulation, Sister Chastity," the Prelate said. I stood up and walked to the bed. My mother jumped up and in a terrible breach of etiquette questioned the Prelate. "Your Eminence," she said. "Please show my daughter respect and allow her to put her cap back on?" All of us just stood in stunned silence. I couldn't believe my mother would do this, even to save my own modesty. My father glared at my mother and said, "My apologies Prelate." "Evidently my wife forgets herself, where she is and even more so, WHO SHE IS AMONGST!" My Mother stood back and said, "I apologize, Husband." "I meant no ill towards the Prelate or you." "Please forgive me?" My father glared at her and said, "Put your daughter on the bed and have her assume the position of self - stimulation before I think you have completely lost your mind, WIFE." "Then you may assume the punishment position yourself." My mother looked at me and took my hand. As she led me to the bed, she turned her back to my father and said, "I will do as I am told, Husband." This was a slight offense again because she did not turn and fully face my father. "Chastity," the prelate said. I turned around to look at him, "You are capable of getting into the appropriate position of self-stimulation." "Prepare your mother first for her punishment, position." I nodded and held my Mother by her hand. "I am sorry, Mother for causing you this," I whispered." "My Mother just smiled at me to indicate it was all good. I helped her kneel over the side of the bed and I placed a pillow under her tummy. I then reached down and pulled my mother's skirt up over her waist. My mother would have been considered very beautiful outside our compound. We are taught to not seek self-compliments but I still had to admit, she was beautiful. I reached down and pulled the waistband of my mother's bloomer panties. I pulled them off her legs and freed her ankles from the restraint of the under garment. I laid down on the bed, my body perpendicular to my mother's kneeling one. I felt her grasp my hand and nod for me to begin. I slid my hand down over my shaved mound and commenced stimulating myself. I heard my mother make a sudden cry of pain and saw that my Father had struck her with a belt. "I am sorry for embarrassing you, husband." "Thank you," she said as another thunder clap screeched out and my father struck her again. Thank you, husband," is all I heard. I kept stroking myself but was having a hard time keeping track with my Mother spread over the bed and being spanked. I kept hearing the crack of my father's belt as she kept yelling "Thank you." She tightened the grip on my hand and she was biting her lip hard. It was then that I realized my father would keep spanking her until I finished stimulating myself. I concentrated on my finger but my mother's clasp of my hand kept clenching harder every time the belt struck. I was wet so that I could be taken but I couldn't get myself to orgasm. I heard my mother sob as the belt hit her again and then the idea came to me. I arched my hips, forced my legs together on my hand and moaned loudly. I faked it! I was not sure how long I had to maintain myself moaning but my father stopped spanking my mother with his belt. I felt weight on the other side of the bed. I turned to look at the depression and it was Prelate Mathias coming to mount me. I was thrilled about being taken by an 82 year old man but I was happy it wasn't my father or uncle. He knelt between my legs and reached for my breast with his hands. I shivered for a second when he touched me, I didn't realize that anyone's hands could be so cold. He pinched both of my nipples, very hard. I let out a small gasp as he twisted them. I reached between his legs and felt for his penis. I thought if I got this over with, he would stop hurting my breasts. As I grasped him, he smiled in realization that I was trying to put him inside me. "You are an anxious little girl, aren't you daughter Chastity?" he asked. I nodded to him, smiling up at him and trying to pull him on top of me so that he would stop hurting my breasts. His hips collapsed on me but I couldn't seem to place him at the right place to enter me. My mother let go of my hand and reached for him. I felt her place the head of his penis at my opening and he immediately pushed inside me. The pressure I felt as he entered, left me with a deep burning sensation. He moved deeper and I felt like he was ripping my insides apart. He started moving up and down on me before I was adjusted to him. I just lay there with my legs open as he grasped me with his wrinkled hands and plunged ahead. "Wrap your legs around me, Chastity," the Prelate said. "Take my anointed cock into your cunt and embrace it." I'm not sure what he all meant but I wrapped my legs around him and pulled him into me. The burning was somewhat subsiding but his movement inside was increasing its pace. I turned and looked away from him as he used my body. I looked at my mother's face and I could tell that she also was in some pain. I looked behind her and my uncle had stepped between her legs. He had mounted her and she just kept lightly shaking her head no. Her hand grasped mine tighter and I realized that my Uncle Augustine was taking her anally. "Chastity, pay attention to me girl," Prelate Mathias admonished. I turned my head to him and smiled. I thrust my hips up onto his hard penis and open my legs more. "Tell me how much you want it, Chastity." "Tell me how much you need my cum inside your cunt," he said. I lifted up more and said, "I want your penis in me, Sir." "I want your seed deep in my vagina!" He shook his head no! "Use the same words I used!" I wasn't exactly sure what I was saying but I said it. "I want you to cum inside me." "I want to feel you inside my cunt." "Please sir, I pleaded. I felt him arch more into me and use his hands to pull my hips upwards as he impaled me. I felt a small twitching inside as a light wetness was dribbled inside me. I knew he must have given me his seed. I looked up and saw that my uncle was finishing up with my mother. Her eyes shut tight as he thrust hard inside her anus. "Tell me, Barbara!" I heard my uncle say. My mother immediately shouted out, "Fuck me in the ass, Augustine." "Take me hard and give me your cum deep inside me." "Fuck me, Augustine." With that, my uncle must have complied as he pulled her hips onto his penis. He pounded into her several more times and finally ended, "Yes, take me, Bitch!" and seemed to collapse. The Prelate laid on top of me for several minutes. I started getting nervous because I thought he might have died from the exertion. I watched my uncle start to move off and out of my mother. Prelate Mathias started to stir and pressed himself clumsily off me. He kind of fell out of my vagina as he raised himself, instead of withdrawing. Finally, my father spoke and said, "Take your position to be anointed." My mother and I scrambled off the bed, her with no under panties and myself, naked. We stood kneeling in a position of prayer to receive my father's blessing. My father looked at me sternly and I knew I had done something wrong. I looked to my mother and she whispered, "Put on your bonnet." I grabbed my bonnet, smoothed it over my hair and tied it under my chin. "I am sorry, Father." My father shook his head and said, "You were brought up better than this, Daughter." "You know you can't receive a blessing while showing your hair shamelessly like a whore." "We will talk of this later." My mother and I bowed our heads in piety. We clasped our hands together and prayed as my father anointed both of us. When he was finished, all three men walked from the room and left us. "Are you alright, Chastity," my mother asked? I nodded and started to giggle. My mother looked at me curiously so I explained that when she was being spanked, I couldn't reach climax so I faked it realizing that she was to be spanked until I had. We both broke out laughing hysterically. My mother went into the washroom and came back with a bowl of hot water and a wash cloth. She started to wipe the brownish red blood that had stained between my legs and along my thighs. I told her I didn't understand why Uncle Augustine would copulate with here anally. I also explained I had no idea what half the words were that the Prelate had me use. She went and fetched a bathrobe, helped me put it on and sat down to explain things. "Men will use a women's rear to send a message to us." "It is a message of dominance and superiority." "It actually can be pleasurable if it is done gently as your father does to me when he desires my butt." "It is also can be very painful if the man decides to use it as punishment, as your Uncle Augustine did tonight with me." I nodded. "The words are just dirty words that men use to demean women." "A cunt, or pussy, refers to our vaginas." "Cum is basically a slang word for a man's seed." We stayed up for hours talking. I always felt close to my mother but never more so than that night. She finally took my night clothes out of the dresser and laid them out for me. I dressed in them and she pulled the covers down. She put me into bed and then got in with me. She held me close to her and I fell fast asleep. The next morning gone having slipped out of bed to sleep with my father as was her duty. Father & I I awoke, washed up and dressed. When I came down to the kitchen, my father was reading his paper and drinking cocoa, (We do not drink coffee or tea). I peered over his shoulder and saw his glass mostly empty so I went and made him a new cup. He looked up at me and smiled. "Father, I want to apologize to you if I embarrassed you during the Eden Conference." "That was not my intent, Sir." He looked up at me again and smiled, "You did not embarrass me, Chastity." "You are a good daughter and I've always been too close to you." "Everyone comments on it and I don't care what they think." "Prelate Mathias just threw me off when he had you remove your bonnet." "I have never heard of a woman removing her bonnet in front of a man unless it was her husband." I nodded and said, "It embarrassed me greatly." "I did not know what to do other than remove it, Father." My father shook his head, "He is a Prelate." "Gifted with the blessing of prophecy." "If anyone knows what our savior wants, it would be him." "I just never heard of it being done before and I didn't know how to react to it." "Father, may I ask something else?" He nodded. "Why did Uncle Augustine do that to mother last night?" "He hurt her." "Your mother should never have questioned the order of a Prelate, even to the slightest degree," my Father spoke. "Your uncle was angered because your mother's punishment was not equal to her offense." "I have always been easy on her and you girls." "Everyone wonders why." I cleaned up some dishes, turned to leave the room and looked back at my father, still sitting there. "I am just a young girl but I know why you are easy on us, Father." "You love us." I then walked out of the kitchen. The Council Three days later my father came home breathlessly for dinner. As we all sat at the table, held hands and prayed, I could tell my father wished to tell us important news. Our community has been picked to host the quarterly meeting of the twelve! We all gasped as this was a singular honor that happens only once a decade for our scattered communities. The Council of Twelve is the ruling body of our religion. It consist of all twelve sitting prelates. They make rulings on canon law, grievances by individuals, excommunications and most importantly, prophesy. All of them are in their 80's with the oldest 92. The planning went on for weeks. Our Community House was repainted, new carpeting and special lavatories set up for the twelve. The work went on for weeks but all of us eagerly donated time and money to ensure we set an example. A week before the conclave was to commence, my father came home again breathlessly. We all sat down to the table and bowed our heads to say grace. "Chastity, would you lead us in grace, please," I heard the words spoken from my father's mouth. My Mother immediately shot a questioning look at my father. Women never say grace. It was unheard of. It is allowed for a female who has been granted sainthood but no one else. I was sure my father meant to ordain one of my brothers with the task. "Daughter Chastity, would you say grace please," he repeated. I said grace at the table. I have followed in response to grace many times but never had led it. I finished the three times per day ritual and before I said, "Amen." I added, "And thank you Lord King, for our Father." "Who loves us all!" My mother shot a look of surprise and shock at me. When we had finished dinner, my mother, sister and I did the dishes as my father and brothers retired to the great room to read. When we had finished, my father asked us all to gather as a family in the great room. "Let us pray," my father said. We all got on our knees and said our prayer of thanksgiving. When we had finished, my father started to give us an explanation of his odd behavior. Prelate Mathias had come to him that afternoon. The Prelates had order an unprecedented Eden Conference during the meeting. The women invited to the conference was my mother, my sister Prudence, the blessed saint - Evangeline, and myself. My father explained that Prelate Mathias told him that I had been ordered to remove my bonnet at my first Eden Conference because it came to him in a vision. Everyone looked at me in shock that I had bared my head outside the presence of my husband. My father hushed them all down and told them it was at the Prelates orders. It came to him as a vision and he saw it as a prophecy. This would be a miracle to be involved in a prophecy. We spent the rest of the evening asking "why us." Why were we the chosen for the "Eden Conference." My mother even laughed that it had been six years since she had been invited to one. My father just grumbled and said something like, "it'll be six years longer if you don't stop mentioning it too." The day of the Eden Conference approached quickly. We all took baths, freshly cleaned our hair from our womanly triangle and dressed in white linen dresses for the occasion. When we left the house, more than half our community was gathered on our front lawn to escort us to the "Twelve." As we approached the meeting house, there was a carpet of evergreens laid out in front of our feet. We walked to the front door and knocked as protocol would have it. A serving Bishop of the church opened the door and begged us entrance. The three of us, assumed the position of prayer before this holy twelve. I wondered where Saint Evangeline was but I saw her not. Finally after prayer, we were asked by the Holy One, (the chair of the Twelve), to raise our heads. We recited our duties as women from the covenants. They all nodded their heads as we recited in perfect unison. The Holy One, ninety two years old and a member of the council for thirty years, spoke. He explained to us that Prelate Mathias had told him his vision and between the Sainted Evangeline and himself they had interpreted the vision. He explained to us that Saint Evangeline was to be an avenging angel that scourged our community of all sin but that of women's Original sin. That my mother, who brought two daughters of grace and beauty into our world, should act as the vessel of our community sin as our savior had so many years ago. Prudence and I were to be the altars of forgiveness. We were to accept that seed graciously given by the twelve in order to have my mother's sacrifice accepted. We all nodded in awe of our great role in this endeavor. Prelate Mathias' wife stood up. She wedged herself out of her chair and walked over to a huge covered article being held up by two carpenter saw horses. She nodded to Prudence and me. "Daughters you may approach your Latter Saint and disrobe me," she said. Prudence and I stood and came to the great woman before us. I started to unbutton the back of her dress, while Prudence started unlacing her shoes. She was an obese woman to be generous and it seemed difficult to undress her. I finally had her dress off with Prudence's help. We were both a bit breathless at the task. I let Prudence unfasten the bra because I was certain I didn't have the strength to do it and that Prudence would have it. With two failed attempts at unfastening the garment, Prudence finally had the bra removed and her breast fell free. Her breast looked like deflated watermelons, with two very large nipples attached. I got on my knees and removed her bloused panties from her, (relieving my sister from that duty). Saint Evangeline moved over to the covered article propped up by the saw horses. She uncovered it and we all just looked. It was a large cross, about twelve inches in diameter, and 10'feet long. The cross member for the arms was about five feet in length. About two feet down from the cross member arms, there was fixed into the cross, an oral training penis. Above the cross, there was a seat attached. "Undress your mother, Sisters," the Holy One said. Prudence and I went to our mother and started to undress her. When we had her dress off, Prudence whispered to me, "She is beautiful, is she not? I nodded my agreement as I snaked my fingers into my mother's panties. I pulled them down her legs and she stood nude in front of the Twelve, her daughters and Saint Evangeline. "The Bonnet also!" I couldn't believe my ears that my mother was to be humiliated like this. I shook my head no as did my sister. My mother pushed us both away and with great dignity, unfastened the tie under her chin and took the bonnet off herself. Dropping it to the floor, as if to let it be soiled, as she was being soiled herself. My mother stood, naked, her head bared so that all these men could look at her. To be continued in part 2. By Carole_n_Nice for Literotica

A story about religion, a young girl and original sin. In 4 parts, By Carole_n_Nice.Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. My name is Chastity. I'm 18 years old and live in a large religious community on the Arizona-Utah border in the United States. Our religious community considers ourselves to be Christians but most main stream religions view us as a sect at best. [[MORE]] Our main difference from the more standard religions is that we believe; Eve was the first person to inhabit our earth in the Garden of Eden. She copulated with God and out of that union was born Adam. Sometime afterward, she also copulated with her son, Adam. Adam was the forbidden fruit, (Not an apple). Adam and Eve were exiled from Eden because of incest between the mother and her son. The Original sin that was committed by Eve was the seduction of her son. Within our religious group, we can go to heaven by serving a penalty. [[MORE]]  Women are on the lowest rung of our social caste because it is our fault for being thrown out of Eden in the first place. If we do well in the immediate life, we come back as men. If we do well as a man, then we are allowed into Heaven. You can also go to heaven, (even if you are a woman), if you are awarded sainthood. This is very seldom done. There are three ranks of hierarchy within our church, (only men are allowed ranking). Elder, (the basic priesthood open to all men 18 and older). Bishop would be in charge of a group of members of about 200 families. Prelate, there are only twelve prelates. The religion allows polygamy for Bishops and Prelates. I am a small, petite girl, (5'1" 102 lbs. and a 32-A bust). I dress as all my sisters dress; a plain dress, (black, blue, grey of sometimes a small flowered pattern for special occasions). Our dresses normally fall midway between our knees and ankles. We wear a white starched apron and a fabric bonnet that lays on the hair and ties under the chin. The bonnet is sacred and mandated for all women of purity. It must be worn at all times in the presence of any man except one's husband. I live with a family of six siblings, (four brothers, a sister, and myself). I am the youngest at eighteen. My sister Prudence is also eighteen but ten months older than I am. My brothers range in age from Thomas (26), Mathew (25), Luke (23) and John (21). My father is 60 and my mother is 46. Chastity�s First Eden Rites On my eighteenth birthday, my mother gathered my sister and me for my "First Eden Rites." We follow her into my mother's bedroom and kneel to say our prayers. After about 15 minutes of prayers, my mother calls us to our feet and starts my oral exam to ensure that I am schooled and an appropriate Catechumen. "Chastity, What are you?" I nervously take a breath. I've study our bible for years and can recite it by heart. I'm still nervous but I know I'll pass.  "I am a Woman, mother."  "I created the first sin against our beloved lord and I am responsible for having us exiled from Eden." "Chastity, as a woman, how will you atone for your sins?" "Mother,  I will pray daily for our salvation, I will obey my husband, my ordained Elders and my Father in all things."  "I will work for them to be accepted into heaven and I will strive to reach the next step of reincarnated manhood." My mother smiled at me and said, "What is the Doctrine and Covenants of the Eden Conference?" I, in great detail, explain the Doctrine and Covenants of the Eden Conference. "Because women are sinners, we must obey men,"  "Because we believe in the sisterhood and the privilege of polygamy,"  "Often times there will not be enough women to be wives to all our ordained elders,"  "The Eden Conference may be called by my father, husband or an ordained Bishop, so that men may relieve themselves with us sinners."  "I am to do all things required of me during the Eden Conference and display my love for our Lord through unquestioning obedience." "Chastity," my mother said, "and what will happen tonight?" "My father will call my first Eden Conference with men of his choosing." "I will be accompanied by you into the conference and I will make you proud of me," I smile to my mother. At this point my mother has us kneel and pray again. About thirty minutes later, my final training session will begin. After prayers, my sister and I go to our closet and get our "Oral Sticks." These are smooth wooden sculptures that are shaped like a man's penis, (My sister assures me that they are quite realistic looking as I have never actually seen a man undressed.) We use these "oral sticks" as a learning tool so that we might satisfy a man with our mouths. I follow my sister's lead and take the stick into my mouth. I lick the head of it so that it glistens with my saliva. I take it tighter in my hand and I push it in and out of my mouth to simulate a man taking his pleasure inside my mouth. I suck along the shaft of the stick, ensuring my teeth never touch the smooth wood and that my lips create a suction that is supposed to stimulate a man. My mother holds a bag to the bottom of the wooden penis. I lick the two suspended balls and pump the penis with my hand as I do so. "You will do well, Chastity." "Prudence, you have been through this and have enough experience." "If you wish to leave and finish your chores, you may." My sister looks at me with questioning eyes. I know she wants to be there for me but it really isn't necessary. If I am not ready for this day by now, I never will be. I just nod to her that she may take her leave. "Thank you, Mother." Prudence puts her oral stick back and leaves for her chores. "Chastity, it is getting late." "You need to bathe and put on your Acceptance Dress." "Let us practice your self-stimulation so that you will be prepared when a man enters you." "Just do it with your dress on so we can prepare you." I nod at my mother and go to the bed. Pushing myself up to the pillows, I lay down. I reach for my long skirts and pull them up over my hips. I put my fingers into the waist band of my bloomer panties and pull them down off my legs. I bend my legs at the knees and open my legs. My hand travels across my lower tummy, below my bunched up skirt and across my mound. I open my lips and use my digit finger to find my clitoris. My finger moves across it and then underneath, Stimulating myself. My palm presses against my mound and my hips involuntarily push upward against it. I take my middle finger and lightly insert inside my vagina. My juices wet its tip showing I can make a man's way easy for him. My mother nods at me. "Daughter Chastity, you know how to do this." "This is not for your pleasure but for that of a man." "We need to go and have you shave down there so that you look like the virgin you are, and bath." "It is time for final preparation." My mother leads me to the bathroom. I am surprised that my sister has already drawn me a scented bath and left the shaving tools on top of a towel by the sink. I pick up the razor and my hand shakes. My mother laughs and grabs it from me. "I think you had better let me do the shaving." "I expect you will have enough blood between your legs after the Eden Conference," she says with a smile. "We don't need you to slice yourself up so that you need stitches." My mother washes me with hot water, first. She takes soap and applies it all over my mound and commences to shave what little hair that I have on my vagina, off. She repeats the hot water and soap several times before she has me completely bald. I have to admit it feels funny. I jump into the tub, scented with some lilac oil. My mother washes me. I am scrubbed from head to toe and it feels wonderful. Finally, it is time. My mother towels me down, and brushes my hair out. She helps me put my bloomer panties on and a very plain white bra. I help her with the dress being placed over my head, and turn for her to button the back. I look in the mirror and I am in perfectly white dress. My mom ties my apron on, hands me a bonnet that I tie under my chin and I'm ready. As we walk to the room where the Eden conference will take place, I start to get nervous again. "Mother, do you know who or how many will attend the Eden Conference," I ask. My mother shakes her head. "I don't know, really." "Your father had four at Prudence's ceremony." "I had five at mine." "When your father and I got married, I was 19 and he was 33." "His father was a Bishop and ordered an Eden Conference for our wedding night." "There were only three that night, the Bishop being one of them." "Your father loves you above all, much to his disgrace, but he does." "You are small so I suspect he will keep it to no more than three." I nodded and reached the latch on the door where the Eden Conference would occur. As the door opened, I bent my head to the floor and dropped to my knees. "What do you wish, Daughter," I heard my father say. "I wish to cleanse the conference of my sins with my body, Father, and to go onto the next level in the next life," I replied. "And what will you do in order to achieve this?" "I will obey you in all things, Father, and do you honor." He nodded and told me to raise my head. I raised my head and scanned the room. There were three men in the room, My Father, My Uncle Augustine and Prelate Matthias. My father brought a Prelate to my Eden conference! This was a great honor to our family. Prelate Matthias was 82, married with three wives over a life time. He had outlived two of them. His current wife, Sister Evangeline was the first living woman to be sainted in the last fifty years. This was a great honor indeed. "Daughter Chastity, you may take your clothes off for us," my father said. My mother immediately stepped behind me to assist with the many buttons on the back of my dress. She first removed my apron and folded it on the table. I then felt the buttons on my back being unfastened. After a moment, the garment was ready to be removed. My mother slipped it off my shoulders and down my arms. As my dress reached the bottom of my feet, I stepped out of it and my mother pulled it away. I stood in front of three men, in my bra, bloomer panties and bonnet. My father cleared his throat indicating to my mother that she should finish. I felt her unhook my bra strap and pull it down along my arms. My breast were free, small but free, in front of three men. Being stared at for the first time in my young life. I felt my Mother reach for my panties and a small, old voice interrupting. In an almost squeaky voice, Prelate Matthias said, "Let her take off her own sin protective," referring to my panties. I nodded, reached for my waist band and pulled my panties down my legs. I kicked my panties off and stood modestly, my hands covering my vagina. I looked at my father and Uncle. I could see they wanted to please the Prelate. There was lots of benefits to this honor. The Prelate turned to my father, looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Have her take off her bonnet." My mother gasped. I was in shock. This was a disaster. Only a husband would normally tell his wife to uncloak her hair. It was meant for a night of debauchery which was not something we embraced as a religion. I stood there and just shook my head "NO" My mother shouted out and stood in front of me, "NO! This is not for anyone but Chastity's husband." My father slammed his hand down on his desk. "SILENCE." "Who are you two sinners to dictate to a Prelate, what can be done!" "This is a holy man and you two are just whores that got all of us thrown out of Eden." "You, WOMAN," looking at my mother, "will remove her bonnet and stop insulting us!" My mother moved in front of me. We both looked at each other with tears in our eyes. She kissed me on my lips, whispered, "I love you." And untied my bonnet. She took the piece of fabric off my head and brushed my hair over my shoulders with her hands. I tried to control myself from crying. My Mother just comforted me and said, "Quiet, it is only but a hat." I nodded, my tears dropping on my breast. This was supposed to be a joyous day. A day I joined the congregation but instead, I've been force to remove my bonnet. To declare I am but a whore? This is beyond what our covenants demand. I stood there nude in front of them. I watched my own father, almost in tears from the embarrassment of his daughter forced to remove her bonnet. I could not read my uncles face but the Prelate? His face was joyous! My father broke the silence. "Take the position in front of his holiness, the prelate." I walked over to this holy man. I got on my knees and assume the position of prayer and supplication. Prelate Matthias gestured for me to remove his pants. I took his belt and unfastened it. I undid his pants button and pulled his zipper down. I tugged at his baggy pants and got them down his legs and off. He had a pair of religious undergarments on that were satiny and came down to his knees. I wrestled them off his wide hips and pulled them free. I saw a man's penis for the first time in my life. It was standing firm and pulsed involuntarily every so often. "Sister Chastity, you may stimulate me orally," I heard him say. I reached over and grabbed his cock as I had been taught. I took it in my mouth and let my tongue flow over it. I tasted a bit of saltiness of his pre cum on the tip of my tongue. He pushed harder on my head and I took him full into my mouth fully; my lips sucking on him as I moved up and down on his shaft. Looking down at me, Prelate Mathias asked, "Why are you sucking on my cock?" I stopped for a moment, looked up at him and repeated the appropriate passage from the book of covenants, "Because I am a woman and a sinner." "I and my other sisters lost paradise because of our selfish act of incest." "We must atone for our sins and the ruin that we have caused men." I went back to sucking him. He was smaller than my oral stick which it felt comforting for my first time. He was surprisingly hard for an 82 year old man and had enough energy to start thrusting his hips up and down to simulate oral copulation. "You may stop now and assume the position of self-stimulation, Sister Chastity," the Prelate said. I stood up and walked to the bed. My mother jumped up and in a terrible breach of etiquette questioned the Prelate. "Your Eminence," she said. "Please show my daughter respect and allow her to put her cap back on?" All of us just stood in stunned silence. I couldn't believe my mother would do this, even to save my own modesty. My father glared at my mother and said, "My apologies Prelate." "Evidently my wife forgets herself, where she is and even more so, WHO SHE IS AMONGST!" My Mother stood back and said, "I apologize, Husband." "I meant no ill towards the Prelate or you." "Please forgive me?" My father glared at her and said, "Put your daughter on the bed and have her assume the position of self - stimulation before I think you have completely lost your mind, WIFE." "Then you may assume the punishment position yourself." My mother looked at me and took my hand. As she led me to the bed, she turned her back to my father and said, "I will do as I am told, Husband." This was a slight offense again because she did not turn and fully face my father. "Chastity," the prelate said. I turned around to look at him, "You are capable of getting into the appropriate position of self-stimulation." "Prepare your mother first for her punishment, position." I nodded and held my Mother by her hand. "I am sorry, Mother for causing you this," I whispered." "My Mother just smiled at me to indicate it was all good. I helped her kneel over the side of the bed and I placed a pillow under her tummy. I then reached down and pulled my mother's skirt up over her waist. My mother would have been considered very beautiful outside our compound. We are taught to not seek self-compliments but I still had to admit, she was beautiful. I reached down and pulled the waistband of my mother's bloomer panties. I pulled them off her legs and freed her ankles from the restraint of the under garment. I laid down on the bed, my body perpendicular to my mother's kneeling one. I felt her grasp my hand and nod for me to begin. I slid my hand down over my shaved mound and commenced stimulating myself. I heard my mother make a sudden cry of pain and saw that my Father had struck her with a belt. "I am sorry for embarrassing you, husband." "Thank you," she said as another thunder clap screeched out and my father struck her again. Thank you, husband," is all I heard. I kept stroking myself but was having a hard time keeping track with my Mother spread over the bed and being spanked. I kept hearing the crack of my father's belt as she kept yelling "Thank you." She tightened the grip on my hand and she was biting her lip hard. It was then that I realized my father would keep spanking her until I finished stimulating myself. I concentrated on my finger but my mother's clasp of my hand kept clenching harder every time the belt struck. I was wet so that I could be taken but I couldn't get myself to orgasm. I heard my mother sob as the belt hit her again and then the idea came to me. I arched my hips, forced my legs together on my hand and moaned loudly. I faked it! I was not sure how long I had to maintain myself moaning but my father stopped spanking my mother with his belt. I felt weight on the other side of the bed. I turned to look at the depression and it was Prelate Mathias coming to mount me. I was thrilled about being taken by an 82 year old man but I was happy it wasn't my father or uncle. He knelt between my legs and reached for my breast with his hands. I shivered for a second when he touched me, I didn't realize that anyone's hands could be so cold. He pinched both of my nipples, very hard. I let out a small gasp as he twisted them. I reached between his legs and felt for his penis. I thought if I got this over with, he would stop hurting my breasts. As I grasped him, he smiled in realization that I was trying to put him inside me. "You are an anxious little girl, aren't you daughter Chastity?" he asked. I nodded to him, smiling up at him and trying to pull him on top of me so that he would stop hurting my breasts. His hips collapsed on me but I couldn't seem to place him at the right place to enter me. My mother let go of my hand and reached for him. I felt her place the head of his penis at my opening and he immediately pushed inside me. The pressure I felt as he entered, left me with a deep burning sensation. He moved deeper and I felt like he was ripping my insides apart. He started moving up and down on me before I was adjusted to him. I just lay there with my legs open as he grasped me with his wrinkled hands and plunged ahead. "Wrap your legs around me, Chastity," the Prelate said. "Take my anointed cock into your cunt and embrace it." I'm not sure what he all meant but I wrapped my legs around him and pulled him into me. The burning was somewhat subsiding but his movement inside was increasing its pace. I turned and looked away from him as he used my body. I looked at my mother's face and I could tell that she also was in some pain. I looked behind her and my uncle had stepped between her legs. He had mounted her and she just kept lightly shaking her head no. Her hand grasped mine tighter and I realized that my Uncle Augustine was taking her anally. "Chastity, pay attention to me girl," Prelate Mathias admonished. I turned my head to him and smiled. I thrust my hips up onto his hard penis and open my legs more. "Tell me how much you want it, Chastity." "Tell me how much you need my cum inside your cunt," he said. I lifted up more and said, "I want your penis in me, Sir." "I want your seed deep in my vagina!" He shook his head no! "Use the same words I used!" I wasn't exactly sure what I was saying but I said it. "I want you to cum inside me." "I want to feel you inside my cunt." "Please sir, I pleaded. I felt him arch more into me and use his hands to pull my hips upwards as he impaled me. I felt a small twitching inside as a light wetness was dribbled inside me. I knew he must have given me his seed. I looked up and saw that my uncle was finishing up with my mother. Her eyes shut tight as he thrust hard inside her anus. "Tell me, Barbara!" I heard my uncle say. My mother immediately shouted out, "Fuck me in the ass, Augustine." "Take me hard and give me your cum deep inside me." "Fuck me, Augustine." With that, my uncle must have complied as he pulled her hips onto his penis. He pounded into her several more times and finally ended, "Yes, take me, Bitch!" and seemed to collapse. The Prelate laid on top of me for several minutes. I started getting nervous because I thought he might have died from the exertion. I watched my uncle start to move off and out of my mother. Prelate Mathias started to stir and pressed himself clumsily off me. He kind of fell out of my vagina as he raised himself, instead of withdrawing. Finally, my father spoke and said, "Take your position to be anointed." My mother and I scrambled off the bed, her with no under panties and myself, naked. We stood kneeling in a position of prayer to receive my father's blessing. My father looked at me sternly and I knew I had done something wrong. I looked to my mother and she whispered, "Put on your bonnet." I grabbed my bonnet, smoothed it over my hair and tied it under my chin. "I am sorry, Father." My father shook his head and said, "You were brought up better than this, Daughter." "You know you can't receive a blessing while showing your hair shamelessly like a whore." "We will talk of this later." My mother and I bowed our heads in piety. We clasped our hands together and prayed as my father anointed both of us. When he was finished, all three men walked from the room and left us. "Are you alright, Chastity," my mother asked? I nodded and started to giggle. My mother looked at me curiously so I explained that when she was being spanked, I couldn't reach climax so I faked it realizing that she was to be spanked until I had. We both broke out laughing hysterically. My mother went into the washroom and came back with a bowl of hot water and a wash cloth. She started to wipe the brownish red blood that had stained between my legs and along my thighs. I told her I didn't understand why Uncle Augustine would copulate with here anally. I also explained I had no idea what half the words were that the Prelate had me use. She went and fetched a bathrobe, helped me put it on and sat down to explain things. "Men will use a women's rear to send a message to us." "It is a message of dominance and superiority." "It actually can be pleasurable if it is done gently as your father does to me when he desires my butt." "It is also can be very painful if the man decides to use it as punishment, as your Uncle Augustine did tonight with me." I nodded. "The words are just dirty words that men use to demean women." "A cunt, or pussy, refers to our vaginas." "Cum is basically a slang word for a man's seed." We stayed up for hours talking. I always felt close to my mother but never more so than that night. She finally took my night clothes out of the dresser and laid them out for me. I dressed in them and she pulled the covers down. She put me into bed and then got in with me. She held me close to her and I fell fast asleep. The next morning gone having slipped out of bed to sleep with my father as was her duty. Father & I I awoke, washed up and dressed. When I came down to the kitchen, my father was reading his paper and drinking cocoa, (We do not drink coffee or tea). I peered over his shoulder and saw his glass mostly empty so I went and made him a new cup. He looked up at me and smiled. "Father, I want to apologize to you if I embarrassed you during the Eden Conference." "That was not my intent, Sir." He looked up at me again and smiled, "You did not embarrass me, Chastity." "You are a good daughter and I've always been too close to you." "Everyone comments on it and I don't care what they think." "Prelate Mathias just threw me off when he had you remove your bonnet." "I have never heard of a woman removing her bonnet in front of a man unless it was her husband." I nodded and said, "It embarrassed me greatly." "I did not know what to do other than remove it, Father." My father shook his head, "He is a Prelate." "Gifted with the blessing of prophecy." "If anyone knows what our savior wants, it would be him." "I just never heard of it being done before and I didn't know how to react to it." "Father, may I ask something else?" He nodded. "Why did Uncle Augustine do that to mother last night?" "He hurt her." "Your mother should never have questioned the order of a Prelate, even to the slightest degree," my Father spoke. "Your uncle was angered because your mother's punishment was not equal to her offense." "I have always been easy on her and you girls." "Everyone wonders why." I cleaned up some dishes, turned to leave the room and looked back at my father, still sitting there. "I am just a young girl but I know why you are easy on us, Father." "You love us." I then walked out of the kitchen. The Council Three days later my father came home breathlessly for dinner. As we all sat at the table, held hands and prayed, I could tell my father wished to tell us important news. Our community has been picked to host the quarterly meeting of the twelve! We all gasped as this was a singular honor that happens only once a decade for our scattered communities. The Council of Twelve is the ruling body of our religion. It consist of all twelve sitting prelates. They make rulings on canon law, grievances by individuals, excommunications and most importantly, prophesy. All of them are in their 80's with the oldest 92. The planning went on for weeks. Our Community House was repainted, new carpeting and special lavatories set up for the twelve. The work went on for weeks but all of us eagerly donated time and money to ensure we set an example. A week before the conclave was to commence, my father came home again breathlessly. We all sat down to the table and bowed our heads to say grace. "Chastity, would you lead us in grace, please," I heard the words spoken from my father's mouth. My Mother immediately shot a questioning look at my father. Women never say grace. It was unheard of. It is allowed for a female who has been granted sainthood but no one else. I was sure my father meant to ordain one of my brothers with the task. "Daughter Chastity, would you say grace please," he repeated. I said grace at the table. I have followed in response to grace many times but never had led it. I finished the three times per day ritual and before I said, "Amen." I added, "And thank you Lord King, for our Father." "Who loves us all!" My mother shot a look of surprise and shock at me. When we had finished dinner, my mother, sister and I did the dishes as my father and brothers retired to the great room to read. When we had finished, my father asked us all to gather as a family in the great room. "Let us pray," my father said. We all got on our knees and said our prayer of thanksgiving. When we had finished, my father started to give us an explanation of his odd behavior. Prelate Mathias had come to him that afternoon. The Prelates had order an unprecedented Eden Conference during the meeting. The women invited to the conference was my mother, my sister Prudence, the blessed saint - Evangeline, and myself. My father explained that Prelate Mathias told him that I had been ordered to remove my bonnet at my first Eden Conference because it came to him in a vision. Everyone looked at me in shock that I had bared my head outside the presence of my husband. My father hushed them all down and told them it was at the Prelates orders. It came to him as a vision and he saw it as a prophecy. This would be a miracle to be involved in a prophecy. We spent the rest of the evening asking "why us." Why were we the chosen for the "Eden Conference." My mother even laughed that it had been six years since she had been invited to one. My father just grumbled and said something like, "it'll be six years longer if you don't stop mentioning it too." The day of the Eden Conference approached quickly. We all took baths, freshly cleaned our hair from our womanly triangle and dressed in white linen dresses for the occasion. When we left the house, more than half our community was gathered on our front lawn to escort us to the "Twelve." As we approached the meeting house, there was a carpet of evergreens laid out in front of our feet. We walked to the front door and knocked as protocol would have it. A serving Bishop of the church opened the door and begged us entrance. The three of us, assumed the position of prayer before this holy twelve. I wondered where Saint Evangeline was but I saw her not. Finally after prayer, we were asked by the Holy One, (the chair of the Twelve), to raise our heads. We recited our duties as women from the covenants. They all nodded their heads as we recited in perfect unison. The Holy One, ninety two years old and a member of the council for thirty years, spoke. He explained to us that Prelate Mathias had told him his vision and between the Sainted Evangeline and himself they had interpreted the vision. He explained to us that Saint Evangeline was to be an avenging angel that scourged our community of all sin but that of women's Original sin. That my mother, who brought two daughters of grace and beauty into our world, should act as the vessel of our community sin as our savior had so many years ago. Prudence and I were to be the altars of forgiveness. We were to accept that seed graciously given by the twelve in order to have my mother's sacrifice accepted. We all nodded in awe of our great role in this endeavor. Prelate Mathias' wife stood up. She wedged herself out of her chair and walked over to a huge covered article being held up by two carpenter saw horses. She nodded to Prudence and me. "Daughters you may approach your Latter Saint and disrobe me," she said. Prudence and I stood and came to the great woman before us. I started to unbutton the back of her dress, while Prudence started unlacing her shoes. She was an obese woman to be generous and it seemed difficult to undress her. I finally had her dress off with Prudence's help. We were both a bit breathless at the task. I let Prudence unfasten the bra because I was certain I didn't have the strength to do it and that Prudence would have it. With two failed attempts at unfastening the garment, Prudence finally had the bra removed and her breast fell free. Her breast looked like deflated watermelons, with two very large nipples attached. I got on my knees and removed her bloused panties from her, (relieving my sister from that duty). Saint Evangeline moved over to the covered article propped up by the saw horses. She uncovered it and we all just looked. It was a large cross, about twelve inches in diameter, and 10'feet long. The cross member for the arms was about five feet in length. About two feet down from the cross member arms, there was fixed into the cross, an oral training penis. Above the cross, there was a seat attached. "Undress your mother, Sisters," the Holy One said. Prudence and I went to our mother and started to undress her. When we had her dress off, Prudence whispered to me, "She is beautiful, is she not? I nodded my agreement as I snaked my fingers into my mother's panties. I pulled them down her legs and she stood nude in front of the Twelve, her daughters and Saint Evangeline. "The Bonnet also!" I couldn't believe my ears that my mother was to be humiliated like this. I shook my head no as did my sister. My mother pushed us both away and with great dignity, unfastened the tie under her chin and took the bonnet off herself. Dropping it to the floor, as if to let it be soiled, as she was being soiled herself. My mother stood, naked, her head bared so that all these men could look at her. To be continued in part 2. By Carole_n_Nice for Literotica

Who is the Messiah-- Psalm 110 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord's Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Son of David is David's Lord, extremely exalted King, eternally effective Priest, and effortlessly executing Judge.

A new MP3 sermon from Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: David's Lord, King, Priest, and Avenger Subtitle: Family Worship Speaker: James Hakim Broadcaster: Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Event: Devotional Date: 1/30/2024 Bible: Psalm 110; Hebrews 1-10 Length: 32 min.

As the NZ summer's getting hotter and hotter (Soph's sweating, Vic's doused in perfume) Google's going ice-cold, announcing even more employee cuts to come this year. We look at the reason behind the layoffs and how this could have a positive effect on inflation (although we really don't want you to be fired). And while Google has too many people, China's facing the opposite problem. While a rapidly shrinking population may sound like a good thing (hello, happier environment) it could also come at a cost. Oh, and our favourite man in all the land, His Majesty Warren Buffett, is out there making big sexy finance moves, and Sheryl Sandberg has decided to gracefully lean out. Not bad for a hot Monday morning! If you too could use a little assistance in giving your finances a facelift, why not sign up to The Money Reset; a 2 week course designed to help you get your finances in check for the year ahead. If budgeting has gone out the window, you're sick of living pay check to pay check, or you're stuck in debt that's getting bigger and bigger, then this course is for you. To learn more about the money reset, click here. For more from The Curve:InstagramWebsiteTikTokNewsletter Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul, in his letter to the churches in Philippi, received word that some were not getting along in the churches. So, he gave them a directive to help correct the situation. Notice that fixing our attitudes and relationships can only happen when we acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord (King).

[audio mp3="https://www.crossbridgeofocean.org/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2023/12/2023_12_10.mp3"][/audio] Paul, in his letter to the churches in Philippi, received word that some were not getting along in the churches. So, he gave them a directive to help correct the situation. Notice that fixing our attitudes and relationships can only happen when we acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord (King).

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Matthew 7:7 I come before you, Lord Jesus, with a heart burdened by the recurring evil occurrences that have plagued my life. I humbly ask for your help in breaking these cycles and bringing peace into my existence. According to Nahum 1:9, trouble will not arise twice from the same source. So, in faith, I declare that every force responsible for these repeated trials and tribulations is now bound by the powerful fire of your Holy Spirit. Sovereign Jesus, I stand on your promise from Matthew 7:8 that whoever asks shall receive and whoever seeks shall find. Therefore, I pray fervently that you scatter and extinguish every programmed cycle of recurring evil occurrences that have hindered my progress. In the mighty name of Jesus, stronghold of recurring evil occurrences, I command you to be uprooted by a spiritual earthquake! Let the power of your presence shake the foundations of my life and cast out anything that brings harm or destruction. Matthew 7:8 says, "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Finally, I address the strange water behind these recurring evil occurrences. In accordance with Psalm 35:1, which speaks of God's intervention against enemies, I rebuke and vanquish you from my life. Let your influence over my business be washed away like a raging river upon encountering a dam. Lord Jesus, I place all my trust in you as I utter this prayer against recurring evil occurrences in my life and business. May it resound through heavenly realms and bring forth transformative change. Amen. I thank you, Lord King of Kings, for hearing my prayer against these recurring evil occurrences which have caused distress and hindrance in my business endeavors. In your grace and mercy, please uplift me from their grasp and lead me towards abundance and fulfillment according to your divine plans for my life. I claim victory today over these challenges through the power of prayer in Jesus' name. Amen. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." Amen. Prayer for Today, I thank You once again for hearing this heartfelt prayer filled with praise and adoration. My trust in Your infinite power gives me the courage to face any circumstance, knowing that You will exceed all expectations. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pastor-divineo/support

Welcome to another wonderful spiritual encouragement teaching for you here in the year 2023. References 1. Zoom Pro 2. Pixabay, Motion Videos 3. Wondershare, Filmora - a video editing program 4. The Authorized King James Bible 5. The Brownsville Assembly of God Church Global Revival, 1995 - 2000, with Evangelist Steve Hill 6. It's Time - Pastor Deborah's Personal story of Death of Jan and the Reviving of Pastor Deborah 7. Rumble 8. Spreaker Scriptures 1. Psalm 8 : 1, Written by King David, The 2nd King of Ancient Israel 2. Isaiah 61 & 62, The Father's Heart, Desires & Prophetic Words for all of Humanity 3. Hebrews 4 : 12, A Spiritual Circumcision of the Spirit from It's Soul & It's Lusts Movies 1. The Lord of The Rings, Lord Sauron 2. The Wizard of Oz, with Judy Garland All videos are placed on the global web site of Agape Love, Love Is Here at https://www.agapeloveishere.org Also all videos are freely podcasted to Free Podcast Shows which all are accessible on the front page of the web site on the left hand side of the page and they include the following 1. on these apps Find Us On These Apps Available on PocketCasts Available on PodFriend Available on Overcast 2. Called Agape Love or Pastor Deborah's Podcast Show Agape Love Podcast Listen on Google Play Music Listen on Itunes Listen on TuneIn Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music 3. Mental Health And The Forever Person Podcast Listen on Google Play Music Listen on Itunes Listen on TuneIn Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music 4. Setting The Captives Free Podcast Listen on Google Play Music Listen on Itunes Listen on TuneIn Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music 5. The King And The Kingdom Podcast Listen on Google Play Music Listen on Itunes Listen on TuneIn Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music 6. International Spiritual Care University Podcast Listen on Google Play Music Listen on Itunes Listen on TuneIn Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music 7. Story Time Podcast Listen on Google Play Music Listen on Itunes Listen on TuneIn Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music 8. Tele-Ministry Podcast Listen on Google Play Music Listen on Itunes Listen on TuneIn Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music 9. Audio Books Podcast Listen on Itunes Listen on TuneIn Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music 10. School of Light Podcast Listen on Itunes Listen on TuneIn Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music Also you can continue to following Pastor Deborah and her spiritual teaching on the Ministry's Global Network of YouTube Channels of 1. The Hidden Kingdoms @youtube.com@thehiddenkingdoms 2. For Children of All Ages at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOdG... 3. The Light of Love Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChCu... 4. and on The Hidden Kingdoms Playlists of YouTube Shorts at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4dIJ... and on The Hidden Kingdoms Community Posts at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVoTe... 5. Pastor Deborah is now also on RUMBLE at Agape Love's War, The War of 2 Realms at https://rumble.com/c/c-1837635 6. And soon to be on Spreaker , A Podcasting Platform at Agape Love's Podcast with Pastor Deborah https://www.spreaker.com/user/16790962 7. and maybe soon on Spotify Podcasting, at The Hidden Kingdoms Podcast Show You can also follow Agape Love, Love Is Here and Pastor Deborah on 1. Twitter at https://twitter.com/Agapeloveishere 2. and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/pastor-de... Follow Agape Love, Love Is Here's Global Spiritual Teaching Ministry with Pastor Deborah by subscribing to the channels, connecting with her on Twitter and LinkedIn. Also make comments on the videos and on the Community Posts and listen to her on all of the Ministries many Podcasts Shows which all are free to listen to. Love Pastor Deborah

Magnus Alphonse : To the believers, Jesus is not only Lord & King, but also their elder brother! Therefor understanding how Jesus perceives and views issues is very important to a Christina. Great sermon to listen to!!

GREAT ARE YOU LORD || KING OF GLORY  GLORY WORSHIP TO SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL DONATE HERE    OR  https://withkoji.com/@NationsArise/95e4 GREAT ARE YOU LORD All Sons & Daughters CCLI #6460220 ©2012 Integrity's Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)), Integrity's Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)), Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing), Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) KING OF GLORY By: Todd Dulaney & Shana Wilson-Williams Recording Info CCLI #:7135918

https://lordsofgaming.net/Use Code "IRONLORD" to save 10% off at (https://advanced.gg/?ref=LORDCOGNITO)00:00 - ILP# 274 Pre-Show!16:05 - ILP# 274 Show Start! 19:00 - Intro Video ends & Valari Gaming Pillow Time with the Lords! (ILP Exclusive Pillow Coming soon for Pre-order) https://twitter.com/TheValarihttps://www.indiegogo.com/projects/valari-gaming-pillow-take-the-pain-out-the-game#/51:14 - @LordCognito is up with "Lordly Introductions" for LOGNET Scribe of the month Lord Steve Perry aka Lord Cross01:13:41 - The Lords talk about last week's results for the Official #ILP #LOGNET Twitter Poll!01:16:58 - The Lords discuss the latest 343 rumors on Halo Infinite, Unreal Engine, and Battle Royale2:04:07 - The Lords discuss Stadia recent shutdown, and blaming Microsoft acquisition of Bethesda as a factor02:41:44 - The Lords discuss the PlayStation Stars program levels, and backlash in Asia on customer support tiers.03:23:38   - The Lords discuss all the new changes to E3 2023 by ESA & Reedpop. Also How should Microsoft handle Bethesda & Activision acquisition format?03:57:56  The Lords Discuss the Breaking News of a potential Horizon Zero Dawn PS5 Remaster & a secret PlayStation Stars Tier.04:03:41 - The new question for the Official #ILP #LOGNET Twitter Poll is up for the week!04:04:33 - The Lords do their Outros!*********************************************************Welcome to The Iron Lords Podcast!Be sure to visit www.LordsOfGaming.net for all your gaming news!New Overlay/Intro by Shaun Labriehttps://shaunlabrie.wixsite.com/portfolioEmojis/Animations provided by the LEGENDARY GRAPHIC GOD! http://Youtube.com/GraphicGod http://xboxgamerpics.comOverlays/Emojis/Animations provided by the LEGENDARY GRAPHIC GOD! http://Youtube.com/GraphicGod http://xboxgamerpics.comILP PATREON: www.patreon.com/IronLordsPodcastILP ROYAL SWAG: https://teespring.com/stores/ironlordspodcastSundays 1pm EST (11AM EST during NFL Season) FOR LIVE CHAT INTERACTION WITH THE LORDS!!Check out the "Lords of Gaming Network" Discord server! : discord.gg/Z7FZqzgWelcome to the ILP! Join Lord Cognito, Lord Addict, Lord Sovereign and Lord King every week as we discuss everything that is Gaming, Combat Sports, Comics, Movies, and Destiny. Also make sure to follow us on these outlets.Twitter--www.twitter.com/IronLordPodcastInstagram--https://www.instagram.com/ironlordspodcast/

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name. (Psalm 97:1-2, 11-12).   This psalm encapsulated both Israel's present faith and their future hope.  The Lord reigns: even now, despite however things might look.  And the Psalmist believes that to be good news.  News that should bring all the earth into gladness and rejoicing.  Why?  Because righteousness and justice are the foundations of God's throne.  The Kingdom of God, God's own rule and reign is the essence of all that is right, sound, and solid in this world.  God's Kingdom is itself a living standard by which all things can and will be judged, but a standard that in the end brings all things back to the very fullest of life.  And so the Creation can rejoice in the hope and knowledge that it will one day be liberated from its groanings and set free once again to flourish.  And so with our own lives too: there is a strange confidence the people of God hold on to that there is indeed a living standard of righteousness and justice that transcends our politicking--a justice out there that will “judge the justice for which we fight,” as Leslie Newbigin put it.  Interestingly, that should never give us confidence that we are above the law, as Christians have sometimes done.  No: this justice is clean, pure, and impartial, dividing soul from spirit and joint from marrow when it comes to it.  There's nothing hidden that will not be brought to light.  So, our confidence resides not in the fact that we ourselves are righteous and just, but in the fact that we know a God who is.  A God who knows what actually is wrong with this world, and who is also big enough to set it right. Here then is the future hope of Israel found in this Psalm.  Some of its images do indeed echo with our own book of Revelation, I think.  In the middle of the Psalm, we find that all peoples see the glory of God, and those who have entrusted themselves to any lesser god are put to shame as the justice and righteousness of the Lord King of heaven and earth is powerfully revealed.     Of course, for the people of God, this is the moment when all suffering is redeemed as all injustice is set right.  A moment we have been sitting in pews and folding our hands at bedsides praying and watching for all our lives.  This is the moment when the light shines on the righteous and the people of God are made glad.  Oddly enough, we know that this somehow includes us, unrighteous though we may feel.  “The righteous” includes us, not because we are above the law or have an in with the judge that would cause him to look the other way.  No—this God is the very one who, after making a just appraisal of our situation, has nevertheless loved us, chosen us, and shown mercy and forgiveness to us in Jesus Christ.  So: “Rejoice in the Lord, you who [have been freely made] righteous, and praise his holy name.”  

Faith At Work Devotional 2

When three days had passed, the countryman thought, "To-night my money will be in my pocket," and was quite delighted. But no one would come and pay it. "There is no trusting any one now," said he; and at last he lost patience, and went into the town to the butcher and demanded his money. The butcher thought it was a joke, but the peasant said, "Jesting apart, I will have my money! Did not the great dog bring you the whole of the slaughtered cow three days ago?" Then the butcher grew angry, snatched a broomstick and drove him out. "Wait a while," said the peasant, "there is still some justice in the world!" and went to the royal palace and begged for an audience. He was led before the King, who sat there with his daughter, and asked him what injury he had suffered. "Alas!" said he, "the frogs and the dogs have taken from me what is mine, and the butcher has paid me for it with the stick," and he related at full length all that had happened. Thereupon the King's daughter began to laugh heartily, and the King said to him, "I cannot give you justice in this, but you shall have my daughter to wife for it, -- in her whole life she has never yet laughed as she has just done at thee, and I have promised her to him who could make her laugh. Thou mayst thank God for thy good fortune!""Oh," answered the peasant, "I will not have her, I have a wife already, and she is one too many for me; when I go home, it is just as bad as if I had a wife standing in every corner." Then the King grew angry, and said, "Thou art a boor." - "Ah, Lord King," replied the peasant, "what can you expect from an ox, but beef?" - "Stop," answered the King, "thou shalt have another reward. Be off now, but come back in three days, and then thou shalt have five hundred counted out in full." 三天过去了，农夫想："今晚我的钱就可以装在我的口袋里了。"想到这里，他非常高兴。 然而谁也没有来给他还钱。 "这年月谁也不能相信！"他说。 到最后他终于不耐烦了，只好进城找屠夫要钱。 屠夫以为他是在开玩笑，可是农夫说："谁和你开玩笑？我要我的钱！难道你的那条大狼犬三天前没有把一整头牛的肉给你送来吗？"屠夫这次真的发火了，一把抓起扫帚把农夫赶了出去。 "你等着，"农夫说，"这世界上还有公道呢！"他说着就跑到王宫去喊冤，结果被带去见国王。国王正和公主坐在一起，他问农夫有什么冤屈。 "天哪！"他说，"青蛙和狗把我的钱拿走了，屠夫不但不认账，还用扫帚打我。"接着，他把事情从头至尾讲了一遍，逗得公主开心地哈哈大笑。国王对他说："这件事情我无法为你主持公道，不过我可以把我女儿嫁给你。她一辈子还从来没有像笑你那样大笑过；我许过愿，要把她嫁给能使她发笑的人。你能交上这样的好运，真得感谢上帝！""哦，"农夫回答，"我才不想娶你女儿呢。我已经有了一个老婆，而这个老婆我都嫌多。每次我回到家里，总觉得到处都有她似的。"国王一听就生了气，说："你真是个蠢货！""嗨，国王老爷，"农夫说，"除了牛肉，你还能指望从牛身上得到什么呢？""等等，"国王说，"我另外给你一样奖赏吧。你现在去吧，过三天再回来。我要给你整整五百块银元。"

Rafa Gutierrez - Lord King by Living Faith Church

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 32:1-8 Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert. . . . Isaiah 32:2 How amazing parents are! They sacrifice so much for their children and are eager to provide opportunities for them. A key preoccupation of seafarers during their visits to ports around the world is to buy books, toys, and clothes to bring back for their children. Parents show love and protection in so many ways for their children, and God does the same for us. In Isaiah 32, God shares a wonderful announcement. This comes in the midst of warnings to God's people, who have turned away from him to rely on the power of other nations (see Isaiah 28-31). But even though the people have been unfaithful, Isaiah reminds them that God has promised a kingdom of righteousness. Today we know that the King who “will reign in righteousness” is Jesus, and leaders who follow his ways will rule with justice. This means that everyone—young and old, men and women, parents and children—all will be able to flourish and learn and grow in peace. God's kingdom is a refuge from the storms and troubles of life. The Savior, Jesus, has given us new life and promises it “to the full” (John 10:10). We need not fear or dread the future. Families and communities can thrive. And our King invites us to welcome others in from the storm. Lord, King, and Savior, you are our refuge and strength. You care for us with love and compassion. Help us to care for and love others as you have done for us. Amen.

The daily Hukamnama Sahib from Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar including translation in English and Punjabi audio ਗੋਂਡ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਰਾਖੈ ਰਾਖਣਹਾਰੁ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਅੰਗੁ ਕਰੇ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਮਾਤ ਗਰਭ ਮਹਿ ਅਗਨਿ ਨ ਜੋਹੈ ॥ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਨ ਪੋਹੈ ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਜਪੈ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ॥ ਨਿੰਦਕ ਕੈ ਮੁਹਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਛਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਾਮ ਕਵਚੁ ਦਾਸ ਕਾ ਸੰਨਾਹੁ ॥ ਦੂਤ ਦੁਸਟ ਤਿਸੁ ਪੋਹਤ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਗਰਬੁ ਕਰੇ ਸੋ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਗਰੀਬ ਦਾਸ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਰਣਾਇ ॥੨॥ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਸਰਣਿ ਪਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇ ॥ ਸੋ ਦਾਸੁ ਰਖਿਆ ਅਪਣੈ ਕੰਠਿ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਕਰੇ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਰੁਲਤਾ ਖਾਕੂ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੩॥ ਹੈ ਭੀ ਸਾਚਾ ਹੋਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਜਾਈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰ ॥ ਅਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਰਖੇ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪ੍ਰਾਣ ਅਧਾਰ ॥੪॥੧੮॥੨੦॥  ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਖਣ-ਜੋਗ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ (ਕਾਮਾਦਿਕ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਬਚਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਉਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦਾ ਪੱਖ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ (ਉਸ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ) ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਵੇਂ ਜੀਵ ਨੂੰ) ਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਪੇਟ ਵਿਚ ਅੱਗ ਦੁੱਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੇਂਦੀ, (ਤਿਵੇਂ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦਾ ਪੱਖ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ) ਕਾਮ, ਕ੍ਰੋਧ, ਲੋਭ, ਮੋਹ (ਕੋਈ ਭੀ) ਆਪਣੇ ਦਬਾਉ ਵਿਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਿਆ ਸਕਦਾ। ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਟਿਕ ਕੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਜਪਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਪਰ ਉਸ) ਦੀ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਉਤੇ ਸੁਆਹ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ (ਨਿੰਦਕ ਬਦਨਾਮੀ ਹੀ ਖੱਟਦਾ ਹੈ) ।੧। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ (ਦਾ ਨਾਮ) ਸੇਵਕ ਵਾਸਤੇ (ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ) ਤੰਤ੍ਰ ਹੈ, ਸੰਜੋਅ ਹੈ (ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਪਾਸ ਰਾਮ-ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਕਵਚ ਹੈ ਸੰਜੋਅ ਹੈ) ਉਸ ਨੂੰ (ਕਾਮਾਦਿਕ) ਚੰਦਰੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਪੋਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦੇ। (ਪਰ) ਜੇਹੜਾ ਜੇਹੜਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ (ਆਪਣੀ ਤਾਕਤ ਦਾ) ਮਾਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ (ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਲੋਂ) ਤਬਾਹ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਗ਼ਰੀਬ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਸੇਵਕ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੈ।੨। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜੇਹੜਾ ਜੇਹੜਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੀ ਸਰਨੀ ਪੈ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਸੇਵਕ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪਣੇ ਗਲ ਨਾਲ ਲਾ ਕੇ (ਦੁਸਟ ਦੂਤਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਬਚਾ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪਰ ਜੇਹੜਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ (ਆਪਣੀ ਹੀ ਤਾਕਤ ਉਤੇ) ਬੜਾ ਮਾਣ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ (ਇਹਨਾਂ ਦੂਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਟਾਕਰੇ ਤੇ) ਇਕ ਖਿਨ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਵਿਚ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਹੁਣ ਭੀ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਹੈ, ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਰਹੇਗਾ। ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਉਸੇ ਉਤੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਜੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਿੰਦ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਹਨ। ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ (ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਾ) ਬਚਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੪।੧੮।੨੦। O brother! The human being whom the maintainable Lord wants to save (from sexual disorders), the Lord favors that human being (helps him). O brother! As fire does not afflict the creature (in the womb of the mother), (so the man whom the Lord favors) cannot be brought under (his) lust, anger, greed, attachment. He stays in the Sangat of Guru and chants God's name, (but ashes fall on the head of the person who slanders him).O brother! God (Naam) is the Tantra for the Sevak (protector from the scourge of weapons), Sanjoa is (the man who has the armor of Ram Naam is Sanjoa) he (Kamadik) Chandra enemies cannot touch him. (But) every human being who is proud (of his strength) is destroyed (by the spiritual life). The support of the poor, the support of the servant is the Lord Himself.O brother! Every human being who falls under the protection of the Lord King, the Lord saves (from the evil angels) the servant by embracing him. But the human being who is very proud (of his own strength), the human beings (against the resistance of these angels) are reduced to dust in a single moment.O brother! The ever abiding Lord is still present, will be present forever. I am always sacrificing to Him. O brother! Nanak's Lord is the support of the life of His servants. The Lord graciously saves His servant (from vices). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsjhampur/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gsjhampur/support

Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”' David calls him ‘Lord.' How then can he be his son?” (Luke 20:41-44)   Jesus has been peppered with questions ever since arriving in Jerusalem's temple.  But after silencing all his opponents, Jesus takes on the role of questioner himself.  Everyone knew that the Messiah would be a Son of the David, thee Son, in fact.  The terms were synonymous.  And when people referred to Jesus as the Son of David, he never took any offence.  Luke was, in fact, at pains in the first couple chapters of his gospel account to tell us that Jesus was the Son of David.  He was fit to be the Messiah.  His credentials checked out. But now Jesus throws a wrench into the whole works.  How can the Messiah be both David's Son and David's Lord at the very same time?  No answer is given.  No one responds.  Jesus doesn't explain.  The narrative just moves on. People's expectations of the Messiah were different than the Messiah that Jesus was.  They were looking for a new earthly King to fight their earthly battles for them, and reclaim their earthly land from Rome.  All their hopes lay within human reach.  But would David have need to refer to one of his merely human descendants as Lord? Only God can save in the ways that we need saving.  Which are earthly ills, yes.  We need saving from the earthly, unjust, violent oppression of war, like what we see playing out in Ukraine under Putin's aggression.  We need saving from earthly abuse and its impacts, as our sisters and brothers in the Meeting House feel acutely right now following Bruxy Cavey's dismissal this week for sexual abuse.  We need saving from disease, as we know from two full years to the day—today—of suffering under a pandemic.  But we also need saving from a spiritual ill that shoots through and undergirds it all: sin. Only the Son of God himself can do both.  Only if Jesus is Lord and Christ can he save us from everything that destroys and disfigures life.  Only if he is both human and divine—imminent and transcendent, near enough, but also big enough—can he save us from our sins and all their effects.  Thanks be to God: Jesus is not merely the Son of David, but also the Son of God.  He is Lord and Christ.  And even today: he reaches down to save, heal, and redeem us from all our violence, abuses, disease, and pain as only our Lord God can do.  But as our human King, he is also close enough to us to comfort us in our sorrow and enfold us into his care.  He is our Lord King, and in all this, we belong to him.  

Britain has two flag carriers when it comes to its aviation market. British Airways, an ex-nationalised carrier that can trace its routes back to 1919, and Virgin Atlantic, an airline established in the 1980s by disgruntled millionaire Richard Branson who had become fed up with the state of the airline industry. Despite its much smaller size Virgin has competed closely with BA throughout its existence, mainly across the Atlantic. Using provocative advertising techniques and unique taglines, Virgin entered the market with a bang and offered passengers a completely different experience. British Airways on the other hand had just completed the process of privatisation and was one of the biggest and most successful airlines in the world and didn't worry too much about the elusive threat of Virgin Atlantic. The competition was civil, until the abolition of the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules, which gave Virgin access to the prestigious London Heathrow. This put them in direct competition with British Airways. Angry, chairman Lord King commissioned a slander campaign against Virgin Atlantic. All this and more coming up this week, on Aircraft Grade. 00:00 - Introduction 00:33 - Background 01:58 - Origins of British Airways 09:37 - Origins of Virgin Atlantic 14:33 - Close Competition 16:36 - Dirty Tricks 23:10 - Modern Day 34:20 - Final Words Follow us:

Lord Mervyn King is a professor of economics and law at the NYU Stern School of Business and the School of Law, and the former governor of the Bank of England. He served as Governor of the Bank of England and Chairman of its Monetary Policy Committee from 2003 to 2013. Lord King was knighted (GBE) in 2011, made a life peer in 2013, and appointed by the Queen a Knight of the Garter in 2014. Lord King's most recent book, Radical Uncertainty, co-authored with John Kay, examines rationality, decision making under uncertainty, and the flaws with modern economic thinking. The book offers a powerful critique of the current state of economic scholarship and policymaking, arguing that the field of economics has developed an overreliance on fundamentally flawed models as well as misconceptions about risk and uncertainty. In this episode, we discuss Radical Uncertainty, touching on Lord King's motivations in writing the book, its core ideas, and the implications of his critique on the future of economic policymaking. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Host: Sam Lee Editor: Marko Petrovic

The British Airways theme (‘Lakme') is one of the longest-lasting, and most widely recognised brand themes in the world. Where did it come from, and what made it so successful? In this episode Jamie goes back to the tumultuous early days of the airline, and its transformation under Lord King from a loss-making state-owned drudge … Continue reading "British Airways Part 1: Why Lakme?"

Pres. Biden is pursuing some of the largest spending proposals in U.S. history, which should be sparking concerns about inflation and interest rates. But most prominent bankers and economists have told us not to worry. Fmr Central Banker Mervyn King says they shouldn't be so confident. On this episode, we speak with Lord King about his concerns of coming inflation, how he thinks central banks didn't learn the right lessons after 2008, and why he thinks the industry has become too reliant on models.

It's August 1990. The Berlin Wall has fallen and the Cold War has come to an end. British troops stationed in Germany aren't expecting to go into battle, but in five months' time they will be involved in the biggest build-up of military hardware since the Second World War. Listen as the decision makers, military commanders and ordinary soldiers, sailors and airmen all reflect on their roles in the 1991 Gulf War, 30 years on. This is an original podcast series from BFBS. Presented by Jade Callaway. Produced by Jade Callaway and Jess Bracey Sound design by Joe Carden Edited by Josella Waldron Sir John Major spoke to Laura Makin-Isherwood, Forces News Major General Patrick Cordingley and Lord King spoke to Claire Sadler, Forces News Archive: Berlin 30: The Fall of the Wall (BFBS Radio 2019) The Gulf War: How did the British Army Prepare (BFBS TV 1990)

What comes to your mind when you think of Jesus? What image? What imagination? How do you feel toward that Jesus? How much do you want that Jesus to be Lord/King of your life? See, I don't think the problem for most of us is that our sin is too big for us to resist it. I just think our Little Jesus is too small to not resist. So today I want to have a conversation with God through a passage in the Bible to kill your Little Jesus. Because the real Jesus in this biblical passage is far greater than we can ever imagine, and far too great to ever want to resist. So let's have a conversation with God. Hebrews 1:1–3 NIV In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.  Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.

What comes to your mind when you think of Jesus? What image? What imagination? How do you feel toward that Jesus? How much do you want that Jesus to be Lord/King of your life? See, I don't think the problem for most of us is that our sin is too big for us to resist it. I just think our Little Jesus is too small to not resist. So today I want to have a conversation with God through a passage in the Bible to kill your Little Jesus. Because the real Jesus in this biblical passage is far greater than we can ever imagine, and far too great to ever want to resist. So let's have a conversation with God. Hebrews 1:1–3 NIV In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.  Like this content? Make sure to share it with others and leave us a rating, so others can find it too.

Chris Mason presents political debate from Broadcasting House, London.

A day is coming when Jesus Christ will rule over the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords.

In the second episode of The Director's Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Lord Mervyn King about COVID-19, global economic downturn, the UK's response to the virus, Brexit, and what Lord King terms the 'radical uncertainty' of economic forecasting during a global crisis. Lord King served as the Governor of the Bank of England from 2003 to 2013, including the period of the global financial crisis.

It was both an education and a pleasure to spend some Zoom time with the former Governor of the Bank of England. Here, he talks lockdown, social and economic strain, as well as books, music and sport. A man for all seasons - the question is... of what is he most proud?

Daniel 7:14 & the dominion of our Lord.   Jesus has total & absolute dominion over everything - over all of it. All means ALL & that should provide us with tremendous comfort. Nothing is exempt from "ALL". Because all really does mean every single thing.   Daniel 7:14 (Amplified) -           And to Him (the Messiah) was given dominion (supreme authority), glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and speakers of every language should serve and worship Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.   Daniel 7:14 (King James) -           And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.   Jesus has reigned, does reign, and will continue to reign over all things.   Philippians 2:9-11 (Amplified) -           For this reason also (because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself), God has highly exalted Him and bestowed upon Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW (in submission), of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.   Philippians 2:9-11 (King James) -           Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   The verse from Daniel is completely clear on this point: the Messiah was GIVEN dominion (complete authority).   Here's the thing about being given something...whether it's an inheritance or a gift or a throne. That which was given can be taken from the recipient only by someone who is stronger / more powerful / wiser & there is absolutely no force in the universe stronger, wiser, more powerful than Jesus. Nobody's nobody can take His dominion & complete authority from Him. He will never abdicate His throne or His authority! (Martin Luther said that even the devil is God's devil...and that's a pretty amazing truth to think about, isn't it?)   Our Lord is THE Lord. What has been given cannot be taken away from Him.   John 15:16 (Amplified) -           "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name (as My representative) He may give to you."   John 15:5 (Amplified) -           "...apart from Me you can do nothing."   Jesus' statement that we had not chosen Him but He has chosen us is tremendously important.   The one who does the choosing - the CHOOSER - is the key figure, not the one who has been chosen. Jesus chose us. He appointed us and placed us and purposefully planted each one of us. Does that sound like He desires for us to live willy-nilly, random, find-a-need-and-fill-it lives? Or does it sound as if He who chose and appointed and purposefully planted us has a call for each of us that He would like us to fulfill? He says clearly that He wants us to bear fruit and keep on bearing - fruit that remains. Fruit that lasts.   To me, this sound more like "Hear the Lord's call & obey it" than "Find a need & fill it."   Daniel 7:14 says we are called to serve and worship the Messiah. Do that by seeking His call, which is His purposeful planting of you in this world, and then obeying that call. And expect to see His sovereignty play out in ways you have never even dreamed of! If you want to see more of God's sovereign hand in your life, you need to do life His way.   You will discover your call from the Lord by abiding - not by striving. With abiding comes fruit bearing. With abiding comes powerful answers to prayer. Abiding is better by far.   Jesus is Lord. He is Sovereign. What He has been given cannot be taken away and will not be given away. His work and role for your life in this world is solely up to Him - it is not in the least random or left to chance or even left to logic. You have been planted on purpose for a purpose, which is to serve and worship Jesus. A big part of that is learning how to be an active abider.   The dominion of our Lord & King will never, ever end. And that means none of His power is lost on your current circumstances. He has dominion. You are going to be A-Okay.   Keep believing that God's promises - they are for you! Go through your life grabbing as much of the gusto (the promises of God) as you possibly can. Don't leave anything on the table!   Lord bless you today! - Jan JanLBurt.com JanLBurt@outlook.com on Instagram @janlburt    

Episode 7173 - The Order of the Lord King Rand Richey Recorded 4-17-2020 on OMEGAMAN omegamanradio.com

Following Policy Exchange's first public webinar on the Coronavirus and the UK Economy, panellists Rt Hon Lord Darling of Roulanish, Former Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Lord King of Lothbury, KG GBE, Former Governor of the Bank of England, are interviewed by Juliet Samuel Telegraph Columnist and Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange

In the second episode of The Director's Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Lord Mervyn King about COVID-19, global economic downturn, the UK's response to the virus, Brexit, and what Lord King terms the 'radical uncertainty' of economic forecasting during a global crisis. Lord King served as the Governor of the Bank of England from 2003 to 2013, including the period of the global financial crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome Mervyn King and John Kay to discuss their new book – Radical Uncertainty. They talked about the confusion in how we think about risk and uncertainty, and about the extent bogus quantification and the policy errors which result. Gemma Tetlow, chief economist at the IfG joined the panel, which was chaired by Bronwen Maddox, director of the Institute for Government. Professor John Kay is an economist with wide experience in academia, business, finance and public policy. For 20 years he wrote a regular column for the Financial Times. Lord King of Lothbury was Governor of the Bank of England from 2003-13.

Welcome back Hitchhikers as we travel down south to San Antonio, TX to review the lesser known, action-packed, family adventure Cloak & Dagger (1984) for Episode 31!!! The King picked this one out of his nostalgic catalog of personal favorites and we all were surprised by the amount of interesting topics and discussions we had during this review. The Mayor shares his own personal nostalgia with this movie and does his best at interpreting some WebMD diagnoses for our main character Davey Osborne. It was discovered that (in addition to this being a love letter to Hitchcock), specifically, there’s an alarming amount of Psycho connections with this movie. The Lord & King reminiscence about playing E.T. on Atari, we discuss the Video Game Crash of ‘83, and the millions of E.T. game cartridges that were disposed of by Atari in New Mexico...even though we said it was Nevada. Our bad. All this and more awaits you in EP. 31 - Cloak & Dagger (1984)!!!

Hey there Hitchhikers. Are you suffering from the post-October blues like we are here on The Highway?! Can you still not get enough horror movies to satisfy your soul?! (We have an insatiable appetite, honestly...) Well then look no further folks!!! Come with us as we head to 112 Ocean Ave. in Amityville, NY where we review the haunted house classic that terrified and captivated moviegoers, The Amityville Horror (1979)!!! The King shares his thoughts from the womb when Ma & Pa King saw this in theaters August of ‘79, we reminisce over the perils of collect calls and pay phone memories, & James Brolin’s magnificent hairdo and beard. We also discover that The Lord & King both have a thing for redheads with metallic face gear, we get story time with some local lore from here along The Highway, James Brolin’s magnificent hairdo and beard...it’s worth repeating, & we ask, “Does the depicted murders of the DeFeo family after the title credits go towards the body count for the movie?” Help us out Hitchhikers!!! All this and much more in Episode 26 - The Amityville Horror (1979)!!!

Every Friday, the finest degenerate journalists on the internet serve up loud, irreverent, hilarious takes on gaming, drinking, pop culture, and everything in between. In this episode: Your internet dads – Chris P., Papa Dom, and Dr. Bob - welcome on the illustrious Lord Cognito and Lord King from the Iron Lords Podcast to give a FULL report on all the highs and lows from E3 2019, including: All-new technology rundowns and highlights Top 3 highs and lows from E3 2019 Who we think WON E3 2019 The first ever E3 FRAUD AWARDS And more! Lord Cognito and Lord King can be found at @LordCognito and @KingDavidOTW on Twitter, and at their website - LordsOfGaming.net. Their podcast, the Iron Lords Podcast, broadcasts live at 1pm ET every Sunday right here, and you can find the pre-recorded version on all your favorite platforms! Make sure you show them love and let them know we sent you. -- Love the podcast? Support your boys! Buy a shirt at the official WGG Shop right here, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to us on Spotify and Twitch! Also, if you’re looking for a high-quality monitor mount that won’t break the bank – use code WICKEDGOOD over at Echogear to get 15% off your purchase!

Jesus is Lord, King, and Savior

SPECIAL ILP RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 GIVEAWAY: https://gleam.io/TwpS4/iron-lords-podcast-red-dead-redemption-two ILP PATREON: www.patreon.com/IronLordsPodcast ILP ROYAL SWAG: https://teespring.com/stores/ironlordspodcast ILP YOUTUBE: youtube.com/c/IronLordsPodcast 00:15- @LordCognito starts off the week's Lordly Introductions with this week's special guest, Lord Rick Lagnese of Warhorse Studios! 11:40- Lord @KingDavidOTW is up with a special episode of #ManTalk for some frauding individuals! 18:55- The Lords get into what they have been playing, including some Kingdom Come Deliverance talk! 22:25- @LordCognito with an Official State of the Realm Address for all the Lords & Ladies! 23:10- The Lords dive into the early gaming history & startup experiences of this week's guest, Lord Rick Langnese! 49:45- Lord Rick Langanese goes deep on the Origins of Kingdom Come Deliverance and the dev team's thoughts on the game's current success! 01:10:00- Lord Rick gives the Lords some details on the upcoming Kingdom Come DLC as well as upcoming patches & Quality of Life changes! 01:28:20- Lord Rick gives his Top 5 games/franchises of All-Time! 01:33:00- The Lords discuss last week's Official ILP Twitter Poll Results! 01:34:40- @LordSovILP and the Lords give their thoughts on the Rockstar Crunch Time Controversy! 01:58:50- The Lords give their thoughts on the Days Gone delay! 02:06:55- The Lords reveal the new Official ILP Twitter Poll for the week! 02:07:45- The Lords do their Outros! ***************************************************** Sundays 1pm EST (11AM EST during NFL Season) FOR LIVE CHAT INTERACTION WITH THE LORDS!! Welcome to the ILP! Join Lord Cognito, Lord Addict, Lord Sovereign and Lord King every week as we discuss everything that is Gaming, Combat Sports, Comics, Movies, and Destiny. Also make sure to follow us on these outlets. Twitter-- www.twitter.com/IronLordPodcast Instagram-- https://www.instagram.com/ironlordspodcast/ Facebook: IRONLORDSPODCAST https://www.facebook.com/groups/194793427842267/ ILP DESTINY CLAN: www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Detail/178626 Twitter Handles Lord COGNITO--- twitter.com/LordCognito Lord KING--- twitter.com/kingdavidotw Lord ADDICT--- twitter.com/LordAddictILP Lord SOVEREIGN--- twitter.com/LordSovILP iTunes--- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/iron-lords-podcast-ili-1/id1179199929 SoundCloud-- https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349 Spotify-- https://open.spotify.com/show/6XRMnu8Tf1fgIdGlTIpzsK?si=Ur3DXDfBQveagNSAs4ibLg Google Play-- https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iz2esvyqeaixk6dorkmur2nm7xa

Books mentioned in this podcast: ESV Study Bible (Crossway); ESV Reader’s Bible (Crossway); God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life (Keller); The Life of Elijah (Pink); The Beauty of the Lord (King); In the First Circle (Solzhenitsyn); The Innocence of Father Brown (G. K. Chesterton)

How to Be More Creative and Innovative Ex Disney Executive Duncan Wardle Reveals Easy to Follow Creative Strategies Listening to Duncan Wardle and his Disney stories will reveal some easy to follow techniques that can make you more creative. The sort of creative that Blockbuster could and should have been when faced with their category killer, Netflix. Duncan reveals the approach Netflix took to unpicking Blockbuster's dominance.Can you be more creative? Of course you can be creative. We all can. It helps though if you have the guidance of a creativity expert. Duncan Wardle spoke to us from Indianapolis, Indiana. He was in a hotel lobby, but you'd hardly know. Duncan's Background At Edinburgh University, he noticed a picture of Mickey Mouse on the notice board. A chance to be one of 5 students at the UK Pavilion at the Epcot Centre. In 1986, he had an interview with Becky, a 6' 7" female Texan. He got the gig. He joined lots of other young people and soon discovered that the Mexicans seemed to be having better parties! He married a Mexican. On June 25th, they will have been married 30 years! No doubt they'll toast the event with Tequila! After a year, he returned to London and phone the Disney London office. At the time they had just 16 people. Now there is nearer 2,000 people there. He phoned the office EVERY DAY for 27 DAYS. Until they got fed up of him calling. He got a half hour interview and was given a job as Cappuccino Boy. He'd get coffee for his boss and collate 50 press kits per day. He had his Disney start! Creative Things Duncan Did in His Early Career The job of that Disney office was to get Europe acclimatised to EuroDisney. With a small budget and a lot of guts, they made a name for themselves. Like flying into the Soviet Union. In a giant Mickey Mouse hot air balloon. There was a deal to tether the balloon in Red Square. It broke loose in the wind and it takes it over the walls of the Kremlin. They landed in the Kremlin. Surrounded by guards with Kalashnikovs. All they wanted though was a picture next to Mickey Mouse! He persuaded Lord King to add big ears to one of his Concorde aircraft. That's creative! Like a Kid in a Candy Store (Sweet Shop) Duncan got a promotion to Director of PR to Disney in the States because he'd got in front of then President Bill Clinton. He'd also got an audience with John Major too. Disney was impressed, they'd not been able to do that themselves. The President pardons a turkey at Thanksgiving. The turkey becomes the happiest turkey in the country. Duncan cut a deal with the White House to take the happiest turkey to the happiest place in America - Disneyland! He built an Olympic sized swimming pool for Michael Phelps to swim down Main Street! Duncan got Buzz Lightyear into space! http://thenext100days.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Duncan-Vid.mp4 The Toy Story went, that Duncan persuaded NASA to bring Buzz (his son James's Buzz) back to Earth. Here's Duncan telling the story of Buzz Lightyear. You have to see that this is creative. If not. Stop reading! He threatened NASA he'd tell the world's press if they followed through on kicking him into space rather than brining him home. He was asked to figure out WHAT MADE PEOPLE INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE Duncan surveyed 5,000 people in the Disney Organisation. He found 5 reasons why people weren't as creative as they could be. Time - the lack of time. I don't have time to think. There was no single definition of innovation and creativity. To prevent arguments about being creative. Turning a "we build it and you will come" culture to customer centric. Walt Disneyworld is the largest single site employer in the United States. 100,000 employees! Consultants who came to Disney, did a project and left again, didn't leave their how to be creative insight. They took their money and left. The organisation wasn't learning. So Duncan realised he needed Disney's own design...

4:42 - Combat Sports Recap & Connor Thoughts14:35 - What have the Lords been playing?19:15 - Lord King vs Boston Ubers LOL25:13 - Last Weeks ILP poll results27:42 - HOT OFF THE PRESSES (SHENMUE RETURNS)39:12 - Switchgang demands a Shenmue port. (Addict & King refuse) #DoItForLittleJimmy LOL43:46 - ILP Pax East experience, recap, standouts, & impressions53:00 - State Of Decay 2 discussion (ILP Seal Of Approval)58:16 - Ashen, Code Vein, Soul Calibur 61:08:26 - The Messenger, Faeland1:12:52 - The Lords clown Lord Cognito interviewing skills regarding Switch ports. LOL1:16:42 - The Lords each nominate their PAX Game Of The Show1:23:02 - The Pax East Story of Little Timmy! (LMFAO)1:27:24 - The Dark Souls Effect1:34:28 - Starfield announcement for Bethesda!1:37:03 - PS5 speculation, Xbox, & the next generation1:57:49 - God Of War Review Thoughts2:04:54 - Inside Xbox, Fanfest, & MS to Backward Compatibility focused?2:12:14 - New ILP Poll!! (HOT, HOT, HOT)2:27:33 - Thanos Sign Out! LOLLord Cognito's PAX EAST 2018 article: "Titles to keep an eye on"http://www.ticgn.com/ticgn-originals/opinions/pax-east-2018-10-games-the-iron-lords-recommend-you-keep-an-eye-on/Faeland Kickstarter:https://www.talegames.com/Welcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connectedILP YouTube Channel for FLASHPOINT series & additional ILP content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiU...ILP SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

In this message we look at the famous story of Thomas, a disciple of Jesus. Known for his doubt, he should also be known for his declaration of Jesus as his Lord/King and his God. We, too, can look to the resurrected Jesus as the proof that Jesus is truly King over all of the earth and God who offers us full life.

0:33 - StingerNLG intro6:00 - King Combat Sports Recap8:11 - THE LORDS MESSAGE TO THE REALM! #Church #TreatyTalk19:38 - Stinger Videogame system history25:22 - SEGA MemoriesThe Power of Dreamcast & arguably the GOAT launch lineup. 32:13 - Stinger reminds us of The AMAZING SHENMUE42:44 - Peter Moore Man Crush Sunday! LOL54:41 - MLB 2K7 & Stinger being featured in the game! 1:03:11 - The Creation of The NLG Podcast1:12:58 - What are the Lords playing?1:20:15 - INDIE SPOTLIGHT (Urban TrialsTate Media). #NintendoSwitch1:21:41 - Last week ILP Poll results1:28:07 - Raytracing technology & how soon can it be implemented for next gen.1:45:05 - Sea Of Thieves & Games As a service model. Fun vs Content continued.1:56:55 - The Atari VCS info and impressions1:59:14 - Lord King's feelings on The Atari Box (LMFAO)2:16:25 - A new Challenger appears. The Legendary Lord Worrywart APPEARS in the realm for the FIRST TIME!2:27:22 - No Man's Sky to Xbox2:33:56 - New ILP Poll2:40:34 - Salute Eric Jacobus aka Kratos! (ILP#33)Stinger NLG Twitter: https://twitter.com/StingerNLGThe ORIGINAL Next Level Gaming:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwVTwZGcGQBRILTnygp_KGALord WorryWart: https://twitter.com/W0RRYWRTWelcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connectedILP YouTube Channel for FLASHPOINT series & additional ILP content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiU...ILP SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

0:33 - The Four Horsemen Of Gaming Intro!3:27 - Combat Sports Talk10:44 - The Shinobi aka Lord Cognito debut! LOL11:56 - What are the Lords Playing?26:46 - New ILP Poll29:01 - Sea Of Thieves POLARIZING Impressions49:42 - The Content Issue!!! (Kraken not Cracking?) LOL53:42 - Is lack of content acceptable as a Game Pass game?? $10 vs $60 #LordsAtWar #LordsExposed #DEBATE LOL1:17:20 - Are we concerned with Game Pass games moving forward? The Games as a Service discussion!1:29:18 - A Way Out & are $60 on the way out?1:42:09 - Nintendo Nindies standouts & HATE from Lord King & Addict. LOL1:57:42 - Ubisoft & Tencent new relationship! 2:08:29 - PUBG & Fortnite mobile, will the Switch benefit from these games!2:17:27 - Will Fortnite be FREE on Switch? #GrandpaTax LOL2:23:00 - New ILP PollWelcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connectedILP YouTube Channel for FLASHPOINT series & additional ILP content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiU...ILP SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

0:32 - Italian Clownz intro2:25 - Lord Sov addresses his "Offline Illuminati" moniker LOL7:00 - Lord King "Combat Feelings" Segment. #CHURCH LOL14:15 - Clownz (and Papa Clownz) videogame system history;)19:37 - TURBOGRAFX 16 FEELS! 25:22 - The Creation of Four Guys With Quarters Podcast.& panelist for CrossFire Podcast27:47 - Clownz Top 5 VideoGame Franchises & the science behind the name.29:39 - What are the Lords Playing?35:42 - Last weeks ILP Poll?38:00 - BREAKING NEWS - A raven has been sent to the Realm! (God Of War Leaked footage)50:22 - Xbox Cloud Gaming Division 53:25 - Lord Addict appears & revisits God Of War leaked footage beef & Kratos Jump Gate! lol1:06:42 - Microsoft cant compete anymore thus cloud focus? Abandon console space? Xbox multiplatform App? #DEBATE1:33:19 - Xbox updated E3 plans, RIP Galen Center, Sunday, & #BoothGate, "Biggest E3 EVER" moniker!1:52:22 - Phil Spencer Pressure & Lord King chastises the roundtable for lack of FAITH. #ForgiveThemPhil1:56:52 - RIP Toys R Us & Sooooooooo many Memories!2:16:38 - New ILP PollWelcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connected.SEA OF THIEVES GIVEAWAY!!!! ONE MORE DAY LEFT!http://www.ticgn.com/xbox/tics-ultimate-sea-thieves-giveaway/Italian Clownz Twitter:https://twitter.com/Italianclownz4GWQ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/4GuysWithQuarters/videosILP YouTube Channel for FLASHPOINT series & additional ILP content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiU...ILP SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

0:42 - Kratos intro3:28 - Lord King debuts "Hollow Man" (Drama segment) LOL5:00 - Combat Sports Segment16:51 - Kratos video game system history20:38 - NEO GEO & Genesis X-band Online, TurboGrafx memories!29:25 - Kratos God of War Passion35:34 - Playstation Brah-Cast & Youtube38:18 - Kratos Top 5 Gaming Franchises40:31 - What are The Lords Playing?46:02 - Ryse & Kinect Xbox One failure (Lord Addict arrives)55:57 - Multiverse Attacks the gaming credibility of the ILP. LOL59:53 - Last Week ILP Poll results1:02:32 - White House wants to reach out Gaming Execs!1:10:02 - Why Gaming is so important to the Lords & changed our Lives. (REAL TALK)1:13:46 - Latest ESRB announcement & lootboxes.1:23:43 - Horizon Zero Dawn sells 7.6 Million!!! (Kratos vs King Fanboyism Prelude) LOL1:35:02 - PS PLUS vs GWG. Vita & PS3 games discontinues (Kratos vs King Fanboyism Main Event) LOL2:03:06 - Microsoft end game & what Xbox rumors are actually feasible?2:32:16 - BATTLE ROYALE BATTLE! (Fortnite vs PUBG revisited) 2:46:54 - New ILP Poll!2:54:33 - SPECIAL ILP ANNOUNCEMENT! (Must listen)Kratos Twitter:https://twitter.com/JayDubcity16Welcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connected.ILP YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiU...ILP SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

0:38 - The Dude 79 Intro4:55 - Lord King & Combat Sports Recap11:03 - The Dude video game system history19:00 - The Dude Top 5 Game Franchises20:39 - The Dude importance of Destiny 21:28 - The history and creation of Short Pause Gaming27:10 - The Short Pause Gaming Team member history31:50 - What are the Lords Playing?32:00 - Lord Dude & Cognito focus on Kingdom Come Deliverance! 36:15 - Lord Sovereign Celeste Spotlight!48:29 - Last Weeks Poll Results49:55 - Lord King feelings on Turok & certain remasters LOL52:04 - Xbox & SEGA Partnership Imminent? (SPECULATION)1:05:24 - State Of Decay 2 Price Drop UK Retailers??? How Concerned Are We?1:16:05 - The Xbox Exclusives "Perception Problem"1:20:49 - Who's Responsible? (Retailers vs Microsoft)1:26:12 - January NPD (Lord Sovereign & Cognito Switch/Monster Hunter Gloat session) #LordsAtWar LOL1:30:49 - Lord Kratos vs Lord King in LIVE CHAT. #Fanboyism LOL1:36:14 - Lord Sovereign discusses the importance of Phil Spencer Speech at DICE Summit 1:39:50 - Lord Kratos appears to DEFEND his honor & chime in on Phil's message LOL1:55:30 - Fortnite, Diablo 3, & Nier Automata to Switch?1:57:39 - Lord Dude chimes in on "PayDay2 effect" on these rumors! #VoiceChat LOL2:07:49 - No Xbox One X Parity reconfirmed. X only games ever? (Ferrari (X) vs Pinto talk (S) ) LOL2:19:07 - Lord King AKA Lord DON MATTRICK. for Xbox One X Only games LMAO2:24:13 - New ILP PollThe Dude Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheDude1979Short Pause Podcast:https://twitter.com/TheShortPauseWelcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connected.ILP YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiUhEbYWiuwRuWXzKZMBxQ/videosILP SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

0:45 - Samuel Tolbert intro3:51 - Combat Sports Recap!13:52 - Lord Addict arrives!15:08 - Lord Cognito petitions to remove Lord Anchorman from MULTIVERSE based on his Top 5 MCU films. LOL #WinterSoldierTop5MCUFilm #BlackPantherAftermath20:32 -What have the Lords Playing?21:13 - Lord Sam previews Crytec's Hunt Showdown (SPOTLIGHT)24:35 - The Lords appreciate CryEngine 27:47 - Planet Xbox invades the chat to attack Lord Addict on his PS4 game choices! lol32:36 - Story time with Lord King PUBG & the Wolves! LOL38:07 - Kingdom Come Deliverance Spotlight! (Shout out RDX, Short Pause & NLG Gaming Podcasts)43:11 - Namco/Metroid Prime 4 online rumors & Ridge Racer 8 exclusive to Switch?58:45 - UNREAL ENGINE vs Xbox One X! Exhibit A (Gravel no HDR!) & Exhibit B (Tekken 7 no 4K!) Lazy Devs or Unreal too complex?1:01:58 - Lord Sam presents the Gears 4 4K HDR Unreal Argument! & Lord King is pleased vs Lord Sovereign (ILP#50 revisited) LOL1:12:02 - Does PUBG & Game Preview Games mandate a roadmap?1:20:33 - Lord King vs Lord Anchor (PUBG wars) & Lord Anchor enters to defend his MCU Movie HONOR. #LANGUAGE LOL1:37:44 - Fighting Games on the Decline? How do they adapt?1:52:20 - The Lords reminisce on Soul Calibur/Kilik, Virtua Fighter, Shenmue, Last Battle, & VINTAGE Iron Lord gaming stories! LOL2:08:40 - New ILP PollWelcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connected.ILP YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiUhEbYWiuwRuWXzKZMBxQ/videosILP SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

****Apologies on Connectivity issues (Hangouts was unkind;)****0:10 - Pax East 2018 Submission5:38 - What are the Lords Playing?8:42 - Lord King Indie Spotlight "Dandara"!11:56 - Last Week ILP Poll results!15:57 - Sony's Kaz Hirai steps down & "illuminati Lord King" reflects & theorizes...LOL26:28 - Lord Anchorman joins in to weigh on Sony.30:42 - How do the Lords feel about Kenichiro Yoshida new role?34:37 - Sov-Stradamus Switch Sales Success Correct Again LOL40:30 - Lord Anchor mocks Lord King with his own Illumianti Lord Switch numbers. LOL45:41 - Lord Cognito RANT not willing to gave Grandpa Nintendo Switch Online a pass! 53:04 - Is Nintendo too emboldened with success right now to listen to the wants of its base?55:14 - Red Dead Redemption 2 Delayed to Oct. Who's Scared? lol1:08:56 - The Importance of Sea Of Thieves for Xbox1:22:43 - Microsoft Acquisition rumors (EA,Valve,PUBG)1:30:13 - Lord Sov reminds the Lords of "The Acquisition" made by MS. #cloudcompute1:40:44 - New ILP PollWelcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connected.ILP YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiUhEbYWiuwRuWXzKZMBxQ/videosILP SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

0:32 - The Ashen Luca intro5:54 - Combat Sports Recap & King/Cognito relive past glory! LOL14:00 - The Ashen Luca Video Game History15:29 - Lady Luca shuts down the Lords Sega love. LMAO20:06 - Lady Luca journey to RDX podcast22:38 - Lady Luca top 5 gaming franchises23:30 - The Ashen Luca name origin24:43 - What are the Lords Playing?34:08 - Lord King vs Monster Hunter World LOL40:27 - Last Weeks ILP Results42:44 - Lord Megative Special Guest appearance! 46:20 - Game Pass announcement & impressions1:14:25 - Cloud Computing/Blade Shadow Box1:15:57 - Powa of da CLOUD! LOL1:30:31 - Shadow Box Cloud vs Microsoft Azure Cloud. LOL1:33:28 - Crackdown 3 cloud multi implementation expectations1:38:03 - Anthem Delay & can they avoid the mistakes of Destiny1:57:27 - New ILP PollThe Ashen Luca YT channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHVBSHnVzX6cZEweAWEpeDgWelcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connected.ILP YT:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiUhEbYWiuwRuWXzKZMBxQ/videosCheck out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast @TiC_Podcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

0:36 - J Fonzerrelli intro5:42 - J Fonzerrelli Video Game System history11:55 - Lord Fonz & Lord Cognito debate Lord King on SegaCD! LOL16:06 - Lord Fonz Top 5 gaming franchises19:33 - Lord Fonz Youtube channel & Podcast affiliations28:53 - Lord Fonz the science behind the name!29:58 - What are the Lords Playing?40:41 - Special guest appearance Lord Frog!!42:01 - Last Weeks Poll Results47:35 - Combat Sports talk (UFC 220/Bellator/Showtime Boxing)1:13:50 -Reign of Booty! LOL(Lord BRAP special guest appearance)1:35:16 - Would MS act the same if Xbox was in 1st place?1:46:05 - MS Digital Announcement Imminent? 1:54:56 - Digital Game Sharing Relationships with Gamers. LOL1:57:00 - The Lords ALL claim Lord Rand Al Thor for Digital Game Sharing. #Wifey LOL1:59:23 - Nintendo Labo #PremiumCardboardSegment LOL2:20:50 - New ILP PollJ Fonzerrelli YT Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMekIbUdX7ZPxcQ65Ug0igWelcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connected.Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @ironlordpodcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our contentILP SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-780168349

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Submit a prayer: www.praiseandprayer.org For show times, go to www.glendacoker.com

1:28 - John - Megative (SGDC) Intro3:14 - Samuel Tolbert (RGM) Intro8:29 - Lord Addict LIVES!!!! LOL9:29 - John Megative Videogame system history & creation of SDGC podcast! 14:39 - Samuel Tolbert Videogame system history & journey to SDGC podcast!20:18 - A new CHALLENGER APPEARS! LOL! Lord Enrique (BRAP)23:05 - What are the Lords playing?28:52 - Lord Sovereign appears LIVE from VACATION! LOL31:30 - Last Weeks Poll Results!33:26 - Net Neutrality discussion. Should gamers be concerned?46:12 - BRAP Making gamers aware of Net Neutrality! (PAY ATTENTION) https://www.battleforthenet.com/56:40 - Bungie RIGGING Destiny2 XP Gains....OH BOY...lol1:12:59 - Lord Addict GOES IN ON DESTINY 2 ENDGAME while Lord Megative Defends Raid Lairs! LOL1:24:28 - Is Black Friday good for gaming?1:41:15 - Lord King reintroduces #BendTheKnee for Lords Megative & Sam! LOL1:50:44 - New ILP PollWelcome to The Iron Lords Podcast of The Inner Circle Network! Hope you enjoyed the video. If you'd like to enjoy more of our content, check out the links below to help you get connected.Join the TIC Discord : https://discord.gg/R6U4ng8Check out our excellent gaming & entertainment articles at http://www.ticgn.com/Follow us on Twitter @TiC_Podcast and @TiCGameNetwork to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content

Jason Hunter   Praying was habit of Jesus = Jesus = Luke 22:39 Praying was priority of Jesus = Matthew 21:13 Praying continues for Jesus = Hebrews 7:24-25   The Obedient King = Verses 39-42 Hebrews 5:5-9, John 15:10, Philippians 2:5-9 Jesus is our Example of obedience..even when it is difficult!   The understanding King = Verses 40-41 Jesus understands! = Hebrews 4:14-16   The Forgiving King = Verses 41 Romans 7:14-15, 21-24...8:1-2 Jesus Forgives   The Betrayed King = Verses 45-50   The Peaceful King = Verses 51-53 Romans 5:1  John 14:27 Jesus is the Prince of Peace   The Prophesied King = Verses 54-56 Jesus is Lord - King of Kings  

Psalms 110 Watch Video Listen to MP3 Download Handout Download Manuscript → Click to view the Sermon Outline Davidic Pattern #1: The path toward kingship was marked by suffering. The humble servant had to suffer first before he was exalted as king. Davidic Pattern #2: When exalted as king, God brought remaining factions and enemies into subjection to God’s chosen king (cf 2 Samuel 5:9-12). Jesus Christ, Pattern #3: God’s chosen King suffered, was delivered from the grave and then was exalted “carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:44-50). Psalm 110 - The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; in holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. He will drink from the brook by the wayside; therefore He will lift up His head. Five realities about Jesus Christ that we must all come face to face with sooner or later 1. God Has Made Christ Alone King of Creation—“Sit at My Right Hand” (v. 1) a. “At God’s right hand”—Matthew 22:44, Mark 16:19, Acts 2:33, 7:55-56, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, 12:2-3, 1 Peter 3:22, Revelation 3:21 b. “The Right Hand of God” is the place of eternal rulership The ascension of Christ is as significant to the Lordship of Christ as His death and resurrection is to His role as Savior. He is both Lord/King and Savior! c. But how could any man share God’s ruling throne? Jesus Christ was not simply “any man”—“The Lord said to my Lord” (cf. Matthew 22:41-45) 2. God Has Promised Christ Alone a Kingdom (v. 2) 3. God Has Promised Christ Alone a People/Army for His Kingdom (v. 3) a. Willing volunteers b. Dressed in righteousness (holy majesty/womb of dawn, cf. Revelation 19:11-16) 4. God Has Made Christ Alone the Only Way to Be Part of His Kingdom—Christ Is Not Only a King but a Priest! (v. 4, cf. Genesis 14, Hebrews 5-9) 5. God Will Destroy Opposition to Christ Alone (vv. 5-6)  Outlined Manuscript Have you ever experienced something that you never thought you would experience in your life?  Maybe it was a sudden sorrowful thing that happened to you or someone near to you.  Maybe it was something that you waited for your whole life to happen and you just were not sure if it would ever happen (I imagine there are some parents of soon to be graduates that may be feeling that way about now).  Maybe it was something that you spent plenty of time dreaming about in your life. Wednesday night November 2, I finished up a night of youth group in the LOFT and immediately ran out to my Jeep.  I turned on the ignition and before the engine had even finished cranking over I had the radio tuned into the Cubs versus the Indians playing in Game 7 of the World Series. As I turned on to State Road 26 to begin my journey home I listened as Dexter Fowler led off the game with a home run to deep right center field. Maybe tonight would be the night that I had played out countless times in my backyard as kid in Northern Illinois.  Maybe tonight the Cubs would be the world champions. It had been 108 years since the last time the Cubs had won the World Series.  For years they had been mocked as the “loveable losers”, but tonight could be a different night. Well that game did not go exactly the way that was the least amount of stress, but early on that Thursday morning the Cubs were finally the World Series Champ.  As my 91 year old grandma that was sitting next to me said as the final out was recorded, “Well they finally did it.” Everything changed in the mind of the lifetime Cub fan.  The blues and reds of the world were just brighter and more beautiful.  They no longer were fans of the “Loveable Losers”, but now were fans of the Champs. Even in something as silly as winning a World Series there was a new realization that would make life never the same again. These realization moments can come from any changes that revolutionize our lives.  We go about our lives and for the most part we get into routines But then something in our environment changes—something either that we want to change or something that we don’t want to change. And when it changes we may take a while to believe what has happened. Here is a question for you… What is the greatest reality shock of your life? Here is what I believe it is…. We by our nature grow up in a state of selfishness that causes us to seek our own good.  We exalt ourselves to the roll of king over our own life. Think about it. From birth whenever I was hungry, I would just cry, and suddenly a bottle would appear. Whenever, I had a dirty diaper I would just cry a little bit more and suddenly my diaper would be changed. As a toddler, I want a toy, I grab it from my friend that was playing with it. As a teen, I want my own pleasure, so I experiment with sex and drugs As  a highschooler, I learn how to get attention by using my body for athletics or beauty. As a college student, I want to live the party life and sow my wild oats…. As an adult, I learn to make money to spend on toys for me. The routine of living for self is our reality What happens when you come face to face with the reality of you are not KING!! What happens when you begin to see for the first time, this world doesn’t revolve around you! My friends that is a reality for all of us, that must be faced. With those thoughts in mind please turn in your Bibles to Psalms 110. That is on page 443 in the front section of the bible in the chair in front of you. I have also printed the text of Psalm 110 in your bulletin notes if you would rather look there. This year’s annual theme at Faith is In Christ Alone And after Easter we have turned our attention to a five part series on Seeing Christ in the Psalms Much of Jesus’ life and work is said in the New Testament to be a fulfillment of the Psalms. Let me say an explanatory word about my understanding of the messianic Psalms. Many of the Psalms/Songs in the OT were written by a man called David, King of Israel. David was God’s chosen king to rule over God’s people. David, was an example or type of a man who, although a sinner and having some great sins, strived to be faithful to God. He was faithful to God in His youth. He was marked by meekness and humility and trust in the Lord. He is known for His slaying of the giant menace of Israel, Goliath, by relying on Lord—not any kind of military strength. Because of his humility, God chose him as an earthly king over his people However, the path to kingship was one marked by suffering. His enemies opposed him and often sought his life… Pastor Green at FE and Pastor Wright at FW spoke about his sufferings last week. Please notice the pattern… Davidic Pattern #1: The path toward kingship was marked by suffering. The humble servant had to suffer first before he was exalted as king. When David actually became King, God gradually brought all the fighting factions and opposing nations into submission to David’s reign. Davidic Pattern #2: When established as king, God brought remaining factions and enemies into subjection to God’s chosen king (cf 2 Sam 5:9–12). Notice this passage 2 Sam 5:10David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.11Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and they built a house for David.12And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. David as a musician recorded songs about these experiences in the Psalms And Then Jesus says in Luke 24:44 Luke 24:44  44Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem…50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. There are two observations about this passage that I want to make. First, Notice how Jesus said all that is written in the Psalms must be fulfilled—Hence we have these “messianic psalms Second, Notice this pattern Jesus Christ, Pattern#3: God’s Chosen King suffered and then was delivered from the grave and then was “carried up into heaven.” In the comparison to David what does this pattern correspond to? ANSWER: David’s exaltation as King and God working to bring all face to face with the reality of Christ’s kingship. God working to subject all people to his kingship. With that back ground let’s read now Psalm 110 Psalm 110 (Notes only)       1    The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”       2    The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”       3    Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew.       4    The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”       5    The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.       6    He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country.       7    He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore He will lift up His head. Today from Psalm 110 we are discussing Facing the Reality of God’s Choice of Christ Alone Five realities about Jesus Christ that we must all come face to face with sooner or later. The first reality is this… God Has Made Christ Alone King of Creation—“Sit at My Right Hand.” Friends the NT recognizes Psalms 110 as one of the most significant chapters in the OT. Every human author of the NT quotes some portion of Psalm 110 except James and Jude. I have listed several of these references for you…. “At God’s right hand”—Matt 22:44, Mark 16:19, Acts 2:33, 7:55-56, Rom 8:34, Eph 1:20, Col 3:1, Heb 1:3, 8:1, 12:2–3, 1 Pet 3:22, Rev 3:21 Here is just one example: Eph 1:20 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. We focus a lot on the resurrection of Jesus Chris and rightly so. The resurrection represents so much Victory over Death The first fruits of the promise of eternal life—a resurrected body God’s stamp of approval on His Son for His life and His Sacrifice However, the entire NT is not only structured around the resurrection but the truth from this PSALM—sit at my right hand--the ascension of Christ into heaven! That is amazing. Until I studied this Psalm and the numerous quotes of this Psalm in the NT I had no idea of how much this concept of Christ being translated from earth to heaven informed the theology of the NT. Read the cross references I gave you and see how significant this is!!!.  But what is so significant about “the Right Hand of God” What does this mean? The right hand of God means “The Right Hand of God” is the place of eternal rulership Earthly Kings invited a cherished and faithful servant to be their right hand man to execute their rule. As an example, those of you who know the Bible remember the Joseph story and how Joseph after suffering was exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh. Joseph in all practical senses was ruler over Egypt— equal to Pharaoh! David after suffering was exalted to the earthly kingdom of Israel and could be said to be “God’s right hand man on earth.” But David did not ascend bodily to heaven In Christ you have something entirely greater The Man Jesus ascended bodily to heaven not just a throne on earth…God’s heavenly throne. What does this mean…God has place Jesus Christ at the place of authority over all including you. The ascension of Christ is as significant to the Lordship of Christ as is His death and resurrection is to His Role as Savior. He is both Lord/King and Savior! My friends that is the reality…Christ simply is King. You simply are not the king. This is the reality. This is the reality that you must face either now or when God His Father, makes you a footstool for King Jesus’ feet. But Here is a question for you… But how could any man share God’s ruling throne? Jesus Christ was not simply “any man”—“The Lord said to my Lord” (cf. Matt 22:41–45) I think God has a sense of humor. He planted riddles and mysteries in the OT that would perplex people only to be revealed at the right time. I have had the privilege of attending Faith Bible Seminary and Pastor Aucoin was always so excited to point out these mysteries and riddles.  As I was discussing this passage with him in preparation for this sermon, I was reminded of that excitement he has for these Old Testament mysteries, as we talked about this phrase. David wrote the beginning line of the Psalm, “The Lord said to my Lord…dwell at my right hand.” What does, “The Lord said to my Lord” mean? Is David calling himself “my lord”—that would be a strange way for David to speak about Himself. So for years the Jewish folks interpret this phrase as applying to a descendent of David….rightfully so….the coming Messiah…. But the Jewish folks completely missed something…If this applies to David’s descendent…David call’s his descendent “MY LORD”  MY MASTER///MY KING…  How could the Messiah both be David’s Son and David’s master? How? Jesus stumped the Pharisees with this question… Matthew 22:41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question:42 “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.”43 He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying,44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at My right hand, Until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet” ’? 45“If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?”46 No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question. How is a man sitting at the right Hand of God? Because Jesus Christ is not simply a man…He is God incarnate. In order to ascend to be at the right hand of God he had to first descend to become human. This man is King.  This Man is God Himself.  Christ is King.  Christ is God Himself. Is he your King? The second reality we must face is that God Has Promised Christ Alone A Kingdom Ps. 110:2The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” Folks is this the reality we live in… God does not say he will stretch forth Johnny’s kingdom saying “rule”? God does not say he will stretch forth (Pastor Garner, Folden, Green)’s kingdom saying “rule”? God will stretch forth Christ strong scepter ALONE saying rule. My friends do you remember a time in your life where you began to recognize this life is simply not about building your kingdom.       What are you doing with your life?       As I said the most routine aspect of our life is building             our kingdoms Our kingdoms of people who adore us Our kingdoms of accomplishments Our kingdoms of wealth Our kingdoms of influence       Psalm 110 brings us face to face that God has promised Christ Alone a Kingdom. Let that reality sink in a bit as you evaluate your life’s efforts…what are you working for….? Think about the summer that is coming up.  What are you going to do this summer?  Is it going to be all about you and your kingdom?  Is it about the number of hours you get to spend the pool? Is it about the number of lemonades you can consume on your back porch? Is it about the number of dandelions you eliminate from your yard? Is it about how many levels you can advance in the newest video game or the number of Netflix binges you can consume?       Why not make this summer about advancing the King that has already been exalted? Spread the great news of Christ, the exalted King, by helping to share the Gospel to kids from our community by serving in VBS. Spread the great news of Christ, the exalted King, by showing up to the Community Picnic and intentionally engaging with people from our community. Spread the great news of Christ, the exalted King, by getting involved in any of the number of serving opportunities in our community this summer. God Has Promised Christ Alone a People/Army for His Kingdom       Ps. 110:3Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. The King has a Kingdom And, And What else does the King have?   an Army In the Hebrew there are simply two Hebrew words “Your people” is one Hebrew word, and then the second word is the Hebrew word for “freewill offering” Your people, a free will offering The people of this Kingdom are Willing Volunteers Why would you sign up to be a subject in anyone’s Kingdom? In the OT God warned Israel about wanting a king like the other nations in that they would force the people to become slaves.  The king would force the people to serve in the army. But this is remarkable…there is something about this king and his kingdom that people say….”Sign me up…” Why would that be? Because there is something good about this King and His Kingdom. Service for this King is not like slavery to my previous masters Service for this king is freeing… Friends have you come face to face with the reality of the tyranny of the kingdom of self and sin…and how there is a much better king and kingdom that you can join? The slavery to sin and self is never fully satisfying.  – You will always be searching for just a bit more happiness.  You will always find yourself to be a horrible king in your life. You will always find your kingdom to be lacking. The mark of the armies of Christ is that they are willfully following Him. You will find no other Master you will love to serve.   The King’s people are also…. Dressed in Righteousness (Holy Majesty/womb of dawn. Cf Rev 19:11–16) Your people are in “holy array” and “from the womb of dawn” Now, remember one thing about Hebrew poetry… Hebrew poetry uses a lot of metaphors and you have got to attempt to picture what the author is trying to communicate. Womb of dawn? What does that mean? Obviously, a womb is something that gives birth (we really do not have time to expand on that concept any more than that) In this case it is the womb of Dawn So what comes out of the “birthing canal” of dawn? Light! “Holy Array” also communicates that the King’s People are Brilliant in appearance. And the term “Your Youth like dew”—may also communicate the concept of purity Folks I believe also that Revelation 19 about the coming of the King and His People refers to this passage as well with very similar imagery. Notice God’s people are clothed in Brilliance…They are not cowering in the shame of nakedness. Notice the similarity here in Rev 19. Rev 19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.16And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” The King’s People are viewed as pure!!! In the revelation passage the people of the king are in white brilliant clothing But what is the King clothed in?  Robe dipped in blood! In God’s eyes the King’s people are viewed as pure…..But the King is soaked in blood…What’s going on here? Furthermore, the King is at the right hand of God and the people are with the king So, 1. How could any person with all of our impurities be there with the King and 2. viewed as pure? How is that possible? Because of this fourth reality… God Has Made Christ Alone the Only Way to Be Part of His Kingdom—Christ Is Not Only a King But a Priest! (cf. Gen 14, Hebrews 5-9)       Psalm 110:4The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” Well now, isn’t this an obscure statement Order of Melchizedek?  What is this?  J It sounds like something you would order at a fast food restaurant….”I will take the Melchizedek meal with a large Coke Zero.” Melchizedek was the King of Jerusalem 1000 years before David became King of Jerusalem. You can briefly read about Melchizedek in Genesis 14. The significance of Melchizedek was that he is described in Gen 14 as both a priest and a king. Now, God had not allowed any of his earthly rulers to be both priests and kings. Do you know why? What does power do? Corrupt. And what does absolute power do—corrupt absolutely. Can you imagine a monarch with absolute power that controlled all aspects of the nation including down to what all the subjects had to believe and access to God. So, God made the first separation of powers long before the American government.  In Israel, God separated the King’s power of rulership from the priests’ role of providing access to God. Those kings in Israel who crossed the line into priestly duties—men like Saul and Uzziah—were severely judged by God. But here when God says of Jesus YOU ARE THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK….that means that the Messiah would be the only King who is both King and Priest. And Praise the Lord for you because that means this King and only this King gets you access to God Not because he sacrificed some animals for you but he sacrificed His body for you He is wearing the blood soak robes so that you can stand with him with God in white garments. Hebrews 7:21 but He (God) with an oath through the One who said to Him,“The Lord has sworn And will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever’ ”);22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.25Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;         27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. Jesus Christ is sitting right now at the right hand of the Father as 1. king but not just king….as a 2. priest. And notice that there is a time frame on this….in verse 1—until the God makes the enemies of the King/priest His footstool. Since Christ ascended until this very moment, you have the opportunity to come face to face with the reality of this King as your Savior because of his priestly work. And   And you have the opportunity to learn now how to grow into the pure white clothing All of this is until—God brings everything in subjection to him and face to face with what happens if we do not subject our self to this king… God Will Destroy Opposition to Christ Alone (vv. 5–6)       5    The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.       6    He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. The king will return to earth as He ascended from it and God the father will be at his right hand executing the wrath of God. And judge those who did not come face to face with the King, His Kingdom, and His priesthood for them. Here is the reality today…. You will either be part of the army of the king dressed in brilliant clothing (the righteousness of Christ). Or you will be facing the wrath of the Father My friends, this is inescapable. This is the reality But right now the King is sitting until that time when he gets on the war horse. You today, may say I don’t want anything to do with that kind of a violent king. Let me end today with the last phrase of the Psalm…       7    He will drink from the brook (river/torrent/flood) by (on) the wayside; Therefore He will lift up His head. The phrase “He will drink from the brook by the wayside… Has perplexed the commentators. There is not agreement about what that phrase means. However, some believe it is a reference to the cup that Christ drank at the cross. Do you remember the night before Christ was to experience the violent judgement that we deserved Christ compared it to a drink. He said, “Lord, if it be your will let me not drink this cup (of wrath) but not my will but yours be done.” Thus, the phrase might be better translated and could be translated, He will drink from the torrent on the way. My friend, if you never face reality of Christ being King, with a Kingdom and a People and one day you come face to face with the reality of violent judgment of the Warrior King it will only be because you did not accept the reality today that the priestly king took the violent judgment upon Himself that you deserved. So whose Kingdom will you pursue? Your own empty kingdom? Or the Kingdom of Christ alone? Let’s Pray.

The modern financial system—centered on money and banks—has facilitated unprecedented economic growth in the last two centuries. Yet it has also produced a long string of economic catastrophes, including hyperinflation, deflation, bank failures, the recent global recession, and the current stagnation in many parts of the world. According to Lord King, the mechanisms of capitalist society rest on faith in a financial system that often defies reality and common sense. How can we avoid the boom–and–bust cycle? What must be done to provide a clear path to durable prosperity? Join Lord King in conversation with Bethany McLean as they discuss money, banking, and the future of the global economy.

Hebrews 1:8-14

Hebrews 1:8-14

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week will be the industrialist Lord King of Wartnaby, Chairman of Babcock International and of British Airways. He recalls for Sue Lawley, among other things, his early beginnings in the engineering industry, an unfortunate incident with a small plane he once owned, and what it was which made him want to take over an ailing airline more than 10 years ago.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Concerto in A Minor by Edvard Grieg Book: Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable Luxury: Supply of cigars and matches

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week will be the industrialist Lord King of Wartnaby, Chairman of Babcock International and of British Airways. He recalls for Sue Lawley, among other things, his early beginnings in the engineering industry, an unfortunate incident with a small plane he once owned, and what it was which made him want to take over an ailing airline more than 10 years ago. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Concerto in A Minor by Edvard Grieg Book: Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable Luxury: Supply of cigars and matches