Podcasts about Magi

Welcome to the Christmas series! Magi, masters of alchemy and astronomy, notice an anomaly in the constellations. Their curiosity leads them to the scriptures, where they become convinced God has done something miraculous. Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com. As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel. They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history. For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app. To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode of Faith & Family Bible Study, Steve Wood continues his study of the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on the Wise Men from the East. Discover who the Magi were, why their journey matters, and what their worship reveals about Christ the King. To dive deeper into the Scriptures, visit us online at www.BibleforCatholics.com.

Roger Whitney continues the four-part series on navigating health care before Medicare, focusing this week on controlling costs—both through everyday decisions and by understanding how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy system works now that the expanded credits have expired. He explains the return of the 400% federal poverty level “cliff,” walks through how modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) impacts premiums, shares listener experiences with inflation and subsidy loss, and explores the ethical tension around optimizing for government benefits.OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN(00:00) This show is dedicated to helping you not just survive retirement, but have the confidence to lean in and rock it.(00:30) Roger introduces week three of the four-part series on health care before Medicare, focusing on controlling health care costs and understanding ACA subsidies. He previews next week's structured decision framework and conversation with Taylor Schulte of Define Financial.PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT(02:35) Start with the fundamentals: staying or getting healthy through strength, cardio, mobility, screenings, and proactive chronic condition management to potentially reduce long-term costs.(04:58) Compare all available coverage options and use practical strategies like staying in-network, timing procedures, and shopping prescriptions to manage costs.UNDERSTANDING THE ACA SUBSIDY SCHEME (POST-2025 CHANGES)(08:48) Roger breaks down the Affordable Care Act's premium subsidy scheme, designed to make health care more affordable and protect coverage for preexisting conditions. He explains how subsidies are based on income relative to the federal poverty level (FPL) and how the rules have changed over time, including expansions under the American Rescue Plan and temporary extensions during COVID.(11:55) Roger explains how the premium tax credit works, including that eligibility is based on having income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, and that exceeding the threshold by even $1 eliminates any subsidies(14:00) Roger gives an example of a married couple comparing higher versus lower income, illustrating how managing income can significantly affect subsidies in the years before Medicare.(15:47) What counts toward Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) and what does not count.(18:00) Reconciliation risk: estimating income during open enrollment and potentially repaying subsidies if actual income exceeds projections.(22:30) Strategic planning opportunities: building tax diversification before retirement (taxable, Roth, HSA) to create flexibility in managing MAGI and avoiding unforced errors like unexpected capital gain distributions, RSU vesting, or inherited IRA withdrawals.(26:40) Common pitfalls that can unexpectedly reduce your health care subsidies, and why keeping a buffer below the income cliff matters.LISTENER QUESTIONS & OBSERVATIONS(30:25) Joe reflects on retiring in his early 50s and how health care costs quickly became a major factor in his retirement planning.(35:35) Clarification on ACA navigators and where to find assistance through HealthCare.gov and research from Kaiser Family Foundation.(37:00) David shares his experience navigating insurance before Medicare, highlighting how exploring different options helped manage costs.(38:36) Gene asks about handling a gap in coverage before Medicare, and Roger shares strategies to manage costs and explore available options.(45:20) Philosophical discussion on whether it is appropriate to intentionally manage income to qualify for subsidies, and how each person must reconcile financial optimization with personal values.SMART SPRINT(51:30) Choose one area of spending this week—health care or otherwise—and apply intentional cost awareness to build the habit of conscious cost control.REFERENCESSubmit a Question for RogerSign up for The NoodleThe Retirement Answer ManKaiser Family Foundation (KFF)Healthcare.gov

AC and Isaac welcome John Michael Greer back to the Plant Cunning Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on mundane astrology and the Saturn–Neptune conjunction at 0° Aries on February 20. Greer explains mundane astrology as astrology applied to world events, emphasizing traditional tools like ingress charts for solstices and equinoxes, eclipse charts, and great conjunctions, and describing astrology as an empirical craft built from long historical observation. The episode explores why 0° Aries functions as a zodiac “reset button,” why Saturn (form, limits, structure) combining with Neptune (dissolution, unity, imagination, delusion) suggests major shifts. They discuss competing ways of timing the Age of Aquarius, including the 2020 Jupiter–Saturn conjunction in Aquarius as a possible “dawn” marker, and critique utopian 1960s portrayals of Aquarius, noting traditional rulership by Saturn and the difficult, disruptive qualities associated with Uranus (and Rahu as co-ruler in Vedic astrology). Greer ties Uranus-in-Gemini cycles to U.S. history and “elite replacement” periods, framing current politics as another transition that may include bureaucratic contraction and social conflict without necessarily implying “the end of everything.” Additional themes include long-term decline versus sudden collapse, climate volatility, ice-sheet destabilization, karmic causality as “action and consequence” rather than retribution, and esoteric ideas like Dion Fortune's “initiation of the nadir” as a potential collective turning point amid peak global population. 02:53 Mundane Astrology101: The Oldest Branch of Astrology & How It Works04:26 Tools of Mundane Astrology: Ingresses, Eclipses, and Great Conjunctions06:29 Why 0° Aries Matters: The Zodiac ‘Reset Button'08:27 Saturn Meets Neptune: Form vs Dissolution—and Why This One's Unprecedented11:50 Axial Age Echoes: Religion, Philosophy, and What Might Change Next15:50 Age of Aquarius: Uranus Energy, Myths of Utopia, and Saturn's Reality Check21:07 Tech, AI, and Civilizational Fragility26:25 When Did the Age of Aquarius Begin?5:26 Wheels Within Wheels: Stacking Cycles and What We'll Notice in Our Lifetimes36:42 Historical Parallel: Early Democracy, and How Big Shifts Start Small37:56 Athens' Democratic Experiment & the Rise of a Cultural Powerhouse38:36 Thales and the Birth of Philosophy: Reason Replaces Myth39:34 Where the Next Breakthrough Comes From: Fringe Ideas That ‘Work'41:07 Screens, AI, and a Return to Being Human (in a New Way)42:46 The Star of Bethlehem, Magi as Magicians, and Modern ‘Messiah' Speculation44:37 Aquarius vs Pisces: Why We Can't Imagine a Truly New Age45:11 Reading Dead People: Ancient Epics as a Portal to Other Mindsets46:20 Kali Yuga vs Satya Yuga: Are We in the Spiritual Winter?48:43 26,000-Year Cycles, Ancient Dread, and ‘This Is as Bad as It Gets'52:33 Saturn's Lesson: Endure, Do Your Dharma, and Get to Work54:34 Initiation of the Nadir: Hitting Rock Bottom and Rounding the Buoy58:48 Uranus in Gemini & America's Elite Replacement Cycles (Revolution–Civil War–WWII)01:05:43 Mundane Astrology Methods: Updating Planetary Meanings for the Modern World01:09:06 Mars vs Mercury Masculinity—and What a Future Dark Age Might Look Like01:13:20 Post-Collapse Cities in ‘Star's Reach': A Byzantine-Style Future01:14:06 What Determines the Shape of a Dark Age? Printing, Farming, and Resilient Tech01:15:33 Amish & Appropriate Tech: Keeping Urban Life Alive After Collapse01:18:30 Collapse as Slow ‘Ragged Decline': Gas Prices, Frogs, and the Long Slide01:21:48 Punctuated Shocks: Lockdowns, 9/11, and Climate Tipping Points01:24:05 Astrology as a Tactical Tool: Daily Transits, Timing, and Better Decisions01:29:29 Intuition, Past Lives, and Skill Carryover: From Mozart to Tarot01:33:33 Karma Explained: Action, Consequences, and What Charts Can Reveal01:37:03 Remedies & Magic: Planetary Charity, Talismans, and Natal Chart Mandalas

HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US AT THE SONIC SOCIETY AND THE MUTUAL AUDIO NETWORK! This week we're thrilled to provide a little Christmas spirit with The Holiday Spirit from Will Anderson and Stacey Pattison, and a retelling of the classic A Gift of the Magi from Odyssey Audioworks™ and Richard Summers, Tanja Milojevich, Josh Price, and Amy Price. All the very best to you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US AT THE SONIC SOCIETY AND THE MUTUAL AUDIO NETWORK! This week we're thrilled to provide a little Christmas spirit with The Holiday Spirit from Will Anderson and Stacey Pattison, and a retelling of the classic A Gift of the Magi from Odyssey Audioworks™ and Richard Summers, Tanja Milojevich, Josh Price, and Amy Price. All the very best to you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE SAGA OF THE GROG & GRYPHON Episode 3 – Of Wight and Dark Might An army of beasts and brutal soldiers is gathering strength. In the tavern, danger is bringing a strange group of comrades together. Whilst in the corrupted hall of the Magi, Zagrathea enacts a terrible revenge upon her old mentor Algarnoir. CAST: Fiona Conn as Acetegan, The Mage of Wight John Dane as DeV'ralto Gina Hollweg as Arullia Swordcleaver- Amazonian Warrioress Natasha Lathrop as Reyna the Red- Queen of the Pirates Mark Kalita as the Lycanna Changeling: Bane Renbourne Paul Mannering as Olaff Houndsmaw and Relga Rob Northrup as the Goblin: Murrai Bill Hollweg as Garulk the Barbarian, servants, villagers, Urkbrow, Cordo, Ular, and the werewolves BROKENSEA AUDIO Written/produced by Bill Hollweg

Sermon Overview: To the average person, the ice skating, bobsledding, and downhill skiing in the Winter Olympics looks the same. You might be able to notice an athlete going a little faster or performing a little better. But there really isn't much difference in what you're seeing. If you witnessed the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics, you noticed something quite different. Even if you didn't understand the symbolism, you knew and felt that something was off. The two athletes used the torch to light the cauldron. The cauldron lit up with a pentagram. The star is an ancient symbol of Christianity - like the star of David or the star the Magi followed. The inverted or upside-down star is a pentagram. This is an equally ancient symbol of paganism and the occult. The Devil always takes what is good and godly and inverts it, twists it, and perverts it for his evil purposes. There is always a lot of symbolism in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. What we witnessed was not accidental. The organizers knew what they were portraying. Remember, the Olympics were originally created as games to celebrate their pagan Greek gods. The first ancient games were held in 776 BC as part of a religious festival dedicated to Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. So, it isn't surprising that people today will use ancient pagan and occult symbolism to celebrate their false gods while at the same time mocking the one true God. Remember, nothing in this world is neutral. It is either a celebration of the true God and Creator or it's a celebration of false gods - demons - and creation. While humanity will consistently attempt to remove glory from the true God, St. Peter writes about the glory of God he personally witnessed on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter declares that he, James, and John were eyewitnesses of Christ's majesty. Peter writes, "To be sure, we were not following cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the powerful appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16). Peter is referring to Christ's transfiguration Matthew that wrote about in our Gospel. Apparently, some people thought Peter, James, and John made this story up. I recently learned that it's been 25 years since the first of "The Lord of the Rings" movies were released in theaters. I'm rewatching the extended versions of the movies, listening to the books, and watching the extras on the DVDs. Peter Jackson, the director of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy mentioned in the extras that J.R.R. Tolkien had so much information in his books that it seemed like this really happened, that it was really part of England's history - and not a made-up story. You know something can be fake when a person is keeping the details vague and blurry. I'm confident Peter could give sharp, specific details of everything that happened that day on the mountain. This was no make-believe story. The glory of the Lord must have been burned into his retinas and memory. This mountain-top experience led Peter to realize that Jesus was who he said he was - the glorious Son of God humbly wrapped in human skin. Peter witnessed Jesus' face shining like the sun and his clothing becoming as white as light (Matthew 17:21). Peter also heard the divine voice of God the Father calling from the bright cloud that enveloped them. Peter writes, "For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when the voice came to him from within the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' We heard this voice, which came out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain" (2 Peter 1:17-18). Everything came full circle. At the beginning of his ministry, the Father says at his Son's Baptism, "This is my Son, whom I love. I am well pleased with him" (Matthew 3:17). Now at the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, the Father gives the same heavenly testimony. This is what Peter's persecuted readers needed to hear. They worshiped the genuine article. Jesus, Peter, James, and John, Moses and Elijah were enveloped by a bright cloud (Matthew 17:5). This reminds us of the Glory of the Lord - a combination of fire and smoke - which appears throughout the Old Testament. God appeared as the Glory of the Lord in the burning bush when the Angel of the Lord first spoke to Moses (Exodus 3:2). God appeared as a pillar of cloud and fire that led the Israelites through their wilderness wandering (Exodus 14:19). Moses wrote in our Old Testament lesson, "Moses went up onto the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The Glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered the mountain for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud. The appearance of the Glory of the Lord looked like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel" (Exodus 24:15-17). The enemies of Christ always oppose this Glory of the Lord. That's why you'll see ceremonies like in the Olympics, rioters disrupting Christian church services, or Christians arrested while praying outside of abortion clinics. People would never mock Buddhism with their ceremonies or bust into a Jewish synagogue or arrest Muslims while their praying. That's because all these pagan religions are different forces within the same spiritual army. They are all soldiers of Satan. Their gods - Buddha, Allah, Jehovah without Jesus - are all demonic. They may not get along ... I can't imagine demons like each other. But they all unite in opposing Christ and Christ's followers. They give glory to their pagan gods. We give glory to the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Those pagan religions have their own "scriptures" - their "holy" writings. We are blessed as Christians to have God's Scriptures - his holy writings, the Bible, a completely reliable prophetic word (2 Peter 1:19). Peter states that the origin of the Bible is not "the will of man [man's ideas], but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). God is the source of Scripture. The Bible is God's Word. God's prophets, evangelists, and apostles were divinely inspired by the Spirit so that the thoughts and words they wrote were the exact words and thoughts that God wanted them to record. The Holy Spirit also used each man's unique style, experiences, and audience to shape the words they wrote. The men did not choose what to write on their own, but the Holy Spirit guided their words, so they were God's words. Divine inspiration is extremely important for us as Christians. If human writers wrote the Bible, then there will be mistakes, arguments, and contentions. The world is always changing and becoming more confusing. We live in a culture that can't define what a woman is; has little concept of borders; questions laws; mistrusts the media; mistrusts politicians even more; and wants to figure out how to artificially have babies in space while killing babies here on earth. We need something constant and unchanging and clear. That's the Bible. It is the divinely inspired, inerrant words of the almighty God. It tells us that God made man and woman. It defines how to treat citizens and foreigners. It reminds us that laws, leaders, and governments come and go. It celebrates children and gives us the command to be fruitful and multiply after marriage. The eternal Word of God is the only constant we have in an ever-changing world. For a brief moment on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus gave a glimpse of his glory. For a short time, we witness Jesus' heavenly glory in earthly time. For an instant, we see Jesus' glory in the midst of his humiliation of God becoming man. Jesus revealed the glory that was always his as the Son of God. But in his state of humiliation, he did not make full and constant use of his divine glory and power. How did this transfiguration strengthen Jesus' disciples? The disciples remembered this event later and knew they were in the presence of God. How did the transfiguration strengthen Jesus? Jesus, who was in the middle of his humiliation and would soon suffer and die, saw the glory that was his and that would be given him after he completed his Father's will. The author to the Hebrews tells us what to do with our eyes that have witnessed Jesus' glory. "Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author of our faith and the one who brings it to its goal. In view of the joy set before him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of God's throne" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus and his disciples also heard the Father put his divine stamp of approval on his Son's work. The disciples would need to remember this vision of Jesus' full glory because shortly after they walked down the mountain, they would be walking into Jerusalem. They would be eyewitnesses of Jesus' deep humiliation. They would see their Master arrested, tried, beaten, spat upon, mocked, scourged, crucified, and dead. The disciples would be told that the corpse of their Messiah was laid in the dark tomb. In this time of their Messiah's humiliation, it would be the responsibility of Peter, James, and John to remind the rest of the disciples about the shining glory they witnessed upon the mountain top. We will continue to see the world worship their false gods and denigrate the true God. That's nothing new. It's been happening since the Fall into sin. The Devil will continue to invert, twist, and pervert what is good and godly. What should you do? Return repeatedly to the Scriptures. St. Peter advises, "You do well to pay attention to [the Scriptures], as to a lamp shining in a dark place" (2 Peter 1:19) What does that light do? It guides us through the darkness of life. It cheers us up when the darkness threatens to envelop us. It illumines our hearts by enabling us to understand God's forgiving love. It makes sense of an inverted, twisted, and perverted world. The Transfiguration indicates that, although Jesus was a man, he was also far more than a man. In him dwells the fullness of the deity in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). He is the only begotten Son of the Father from eternity. Jesus is both God and man in one person (Romans 9:5). The Transfiguration was a reminder of the full glory that awaited Jesus after his suffering and death. It was as if Jesus lifted the veil and gave humanity a peek of who he truly is. He does this to encourage us when we need it most, for he would go on to face the cross and tomb. He does this to encourage us, for we are called upon to take up our cross and follow Christ unto death. On this last Sunday in the season of Epiphany, Christ gives us one more epiphany of who he really is. Jesus is the God who makes his humble majesty visible in lowliness and servitude. He is the God who is so poor that he must borrow a donkey to ride into Jerusalem. He is the God who slaves away at washing his disciples' dirty feet. He is the God who gives his cheek to the betraying lips of Judas, to the slapping hand of the high priest, and to the spit of the Sanhedrin. He is the God who gives his head to the thorns, his feet to the spikes, and his side to the spear. He is the Christ whose Majestic Glory is hidden upon the bloody cross and buried deep within the tomb. He is the glorious Lord who revealed his glory once again on the third day as he rose from the dead and then forty days later ascended to his rightful place at God's the Father's glorious right hand. On that Mount of Transfiguration, the disciples were eyewitnesses of Jesus' glory. They needed this vision of glory to make sense of Christ's humiliation they would witness in a few weeks. They also needed to be eyewitnesses of this majesty during their years of persecution. We are heading into Lent in a few days with our Ash Wednesday service. Here, our worship will be muted, somber, and repentant. Out there, we will continue to endure persecution and mockery for our Christian faith. This may come publicly for all the world to see. This may also come privately that very few will see. As we enter Lent and endure mockery, humiliation, and persecution, it's important to remember Jesus' humiliation in the manger, in the desert, and on the cross. But we also remember his glory revealed on the mountain, out of the grave, and upon his heavenly throne. For we are eyewitnesses of his majesty. Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/eyewitnesses-of-his-majesty/

We pick up at Scene XXIX:The Matriarch Sorceress El and her Diabolical Son Loki/Abel have been vanquished by the heroic Goths, breaking the spell of darkness over the old world. Now comes the true golden Age of Reason and prosperity. Mankind has been rescued from the evil sorcerers and their cult of human sacrifice, for now...    Become a mid top tier member for only $10 and get Ad-Free Pods and Exclusive Streams, PDFs etc:https://patreon.com/c/KristosCastYou can get our AWESOME Hot Sauces here: https://SemperFryLLC.comand right now you can use code: Foodstar for 6% Off.Many thanks for the channel campaign help. We're still a ways away from the goal. See the links below to help get the stuff we need. Thank You!Use Code BB5 here: https://SemperFryLLC.comClick Picture on the Right for the AZURE WELL products and use code BB5 for your discount.Find clickable portals to Dr Monzo and Dr Glidden on Dan's site.Join Dr. Glidden's Membership site here:https://leavebigpharmabehind.com/?via=pgndhealth⁠Code: baalbusters for 25% OFFMake Dr. Glidden Your DoctorPods & Exclusives AD-FREE!https://patreon.com/c/KristosCasthttps://buymeacoffee.com/BaalBustershttps://paypal.me/BaalBustershttps://GiveSendGo.com/BaalBustersTwitter Account: https://x.com/KristosCasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/0vtEmTteIzD2nB5bdQ8qDRBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ba-al-busters-broadcast--5100262/support.

Vi fortsetter med Hekseri og Magi i denne tredje delen av podden. Ble med når vi konkurrerer, roaster og grisepreiker litt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Matthew Part 4, we confront a sobering truth: the same spirit that tried to kill Jesus at His birth is still at work today. Through the story of King Herod, the Magi, and the birth of Christ, this message exposes how culture, compromise, and disobedience can slowly grieve, quench, and resist the Holy Spirit. Learn how the “spirit of Herod” seeks to remove Jesus from the throne of our hearts—and how we must respond like the wise men by seeking, protecting, and worshiping the true King. This message is a call to repentance, consecration, and revival of God's presence within us. For more information about Bishop Gallardo or Lifegate Church visit www.briangallardo.com or www.lifegatekc.org.

Using as launching pad the Western Christian liturgical calendar celebration of Epiphany (the day recognizing Jesus's first revelation to Gentiles--in this case, the Magi) this episode is a discussion between LDF host and co-host Dan Wotherspoon and Mark Crego about the importance of being ready at all times and within any group to share our witness with others. As it says in 1 Peter 3:15: "and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear," Dan and Mark share how we might be able to do this effectively during or after our faith has begun to shift because the once easy "I know" responses no longer feel authentic for us. How do we share what is currently going on with us in language that indicates the "hope" that is still in us? The hosts focus on three situations: speaking with active LDS family and friends, speaking with friends who want to tear down the church, and speaking with outsiders to our tradition.  Listen in! 

Toni explains MAGI and IRMA Toni's new Medicare Survival Guide Advanced Edition book is available now - pick up your copy at www.tonisays.com Want more information? Take advantage of Toni's brand new video series now a available at https://tonisays.com Remember - with Medicare it's what you don't know that will hurt you! There's so much good information in this podcast, please be sure to share this podcast with your friends! Recognized by feedspot.com as one of the best Medicare Podcasts in the nation! Write Toni - info@tonisays.com. Toni's book is available at www.seniorresource.com and https://tonisays.com You can call Toni at 832-519-8664 Toni welcomes all Medicare questions. Toni now offers informative Medicare Webinars for all of your Medicare needs at https://tonisays.com You can find Medicare Moments wherever you find your favorite podcasts, such as: Apple: https://apple.co/44MoguG Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7c82BS4hb145GiVYfnIRsoAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/884c1f46-9905-4b29-a97a-1a164c97546b/medicare-moments?refMarker=null You can find Medicare Moments at: https://podcasts.seniorresource.com/medicare-moments/ Toni's new book: Maze of Medicare is now available at www.tonisays.com Combining Scripture with Medicare, it is the only book of its kind. Toni's columns appear weekly in about 100 newspapers across America. If you would like Toni's column to appear in your local paper, or if you would like Toni to speak at an event - contact Toni King at 832-519-8664 Thank you for listening and be sure to tell your friends about Medicare Moments! Blessings! Toni KingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In I'm Loved by God – Part 2, Pastor Maurice Johnson builds a grounded, scripture-driven case for living from a settled revelation of God's love rather than fluctuating emotions or fleshly thinking. Drawing heavily from the writings of John and Paul, this message explains why love, light, and grace sit at the center of the gospel—and why intimacy with Jesus produces confidence, not insecurity. John's closeness to Jesus reveals something critical: awareness of God's love is spiritual, not emotional. Romans 5:5 makes it clear—God's love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. If you live from the flesh, you miss it. If you live by the Spirit, you know it. Pastor Maurice shows how Jesus Himself modeled this certainty. Jesus openly declared God as Abba, Father, lived free from anxiety about provision, and trusted the Father completely. That same love the Father had for Jesus is the love He has for you—unchanged, already given, already settled. This message also reframes provision and partnership in the Kingdom. From the Magi honoring Jesus with financial gifts, to ministry partners supporting His work in Luke 8, Scripture reveals God's system of provision: people are sent to people. Ministry was never meant to be done alone, and honoring God's gifts releases greater flow and blessing on both sides. You'll also hear a powerful mindset shift: all things have already been placed into your hands. Provision does not have to come by strain or fear. God may use unusual means, as He did with Elijah, to remind us that He—not labor alone—is the source. Key themes include: Being convinced and settled in God's love Living from the Spirit instead of the flesh Freedom from worry through sonship Kingdom provision, partnership, and honor Receiving from God by internal alignment Walking in the truth that “all things are yours” This episode calls you to stop striving, stop worrying, and start living from the revelation that God is your Father—and He is taking care of you. We are thrilled to have you with us! Join us every Sunday at 11 AM for a powerful time of worship, teaching, and community. Our current gathering location is:

Send us a textTracklist01. Carlos Agraz - Louder Control (Extended Mix)02. Nicolau Marinho, Jezu (US) - Cool Chick (Extended Mix)03. Luca Rezza, LOVRA, Merk (ITA) - Diamonds (Extended Mix)04. ESSE (US) - Make My Day (Original Mix)05. LAVY (IT) - Body Move (Original Mix)06. Magi, Vintage Culture, Doral, Blotz - Meu Verão (Original Mix)07. Aluna, SIDEPIECE - Misbehave (Extended Mix)08. Rafael Cerato, Equinøx - Let It Bang (Extended Mix)09. Sarah De Warren, Roddy Lima - LICK IT (Extended Mix)10. Volkoder 'Don't Stop' (Original Mix)11. TOYZZ - Rudeboy (Extended Mix)12. Mark Reeve - Body Drops (Original Mix)

The Wilderness Between - Isaiah 43:16-21 - Pastor Donnell T. Wyche - a2cc.org. Watch our livestream Sundays @ 11:00am - vimeo.com/annarborcommunitychurch  Summary:  Pastor Donnell reflects on the church's journey through a six-week vision series by naming the season the congregation now inhabits: a wilderness. Rooted in Isaiah 43:16–21, the sermon draws together the threads of the series, from the Magi's attentive faith at Epiphany, through centered-set belonging, life across real difference, and freedom. Rather than rushing toward resolution, the message pauses to name the in-between, the space where the old has ended but the new has not yet fully arrived, and where God is still actively at work. Using a three-phase framework for how real change unfolds, endings, the wilderness, and new beginnings, the sermon situates the church honestly in the middle of transition. Through Moses' long formation in the wilderness and Isaiah's word to a people in exile, Pastor Donnell emphasizes that God's presence is not delayed until clarity emerges. God is not waiting for stability before acting. “I am making a way in the wilderness” is spoken as a present reality, inviting the congregation to pay attention to what is already springing up. As the church prepares to enter Lent, the sermon offers an invitation to deeper belonging. Membership is framed not as an institutional obligation, but as a shared commitment to walk the wilderness together. The message concludes at the communion table with an invitation to come with open hands, carrying endings, holding uncertainty, and trusting that the God who sets the table is the same God who makes a way in the wasteland.

Magi from the East Matthew 2:1-12 Mike Tindall Matthew | Thy Kingdom Come 08.02.2026 AM

Gianluca MagiFranco Battiato"Ultimo sogno"Piano B Edizioniwww.pianobedizioni.comGianluca Magi, amico e compagno di studi del grande cantautore catanese Franco Battiato, dedica la sua ultima opera ai momenti finali che ebbe modo di trascorrere con lui. In "Ultimo sogno", infatti, Magi rievoca il sogno, commovente e perturbante, che Battiato gli rivelò quasi sul finire della vita. Libro gemello de "Lo stato intermedio", giunto ormai alla quarta ristampa, "Ultimo sogno" esplora e approfondisce il tema della morte - l'ultimo grande tabù rimasto nella società postmoderna occidentale –, della trasformazione e della trascendenza: temi che hanno segnato, allo stesso modo, tutta la produzione musicale di Battiato.Gianluca Magi è uno storico delle idee e delle religioni, filosofo e orientalista. È stato docente all'Università di Urbino di materie legate alle filosofie, psicologie e religioni tra Oriente e Occidente. Ha fondato a Pesaro “Incognita”, laboratorio transdisciplinare che dirige con Franco Battiato.Come autore, ha pubblicato I 36 stratagemmi (BUR), I 64 Enigmi (Sperling & Kupfer), Il Gioco dell'Eroe (Punto d'Incontro).Diventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarehttps://ilpostodelleparole.it/

In this episode, Magi and Jackson kick off a new miniseries, CCPS Monograph Review, by discussing the Safer Technologies and Alternatives Analysis. They talk about how to develop and implement inherently safer design, the hierarchy of controls, best practices for conducting STAA studies, and the regulatory requirements set by the EPA for STAA in certain industries. Tune in to find out more!Read the CCPS Monograph: Safer Technologies and Alternatives Analysis hereWant to learn more? Read the Fact Sheet for Regulated Facilities: Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention - Risk Management Program Final Rule here

In this episode of 'Connecting the Dollars,' hosts Amanda Vaught, MA, JD, and Emily Agosto, CPA, delve into the impact of the recent 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OB3) on SALT (State and Local Tax) deductions. They discuss the significant increase in the SALT cap deduction for 2025, which rises to $40,000 before phasing out between $500,000 and $600,000 of MAGI for married joint filers. They also highlight how the temporary nature of these changes could affect tax planning and the misunderstandings around tax code benefits for different income levels. Tune in for crucial insights and tips on navigating these new tax provisions.

Nella puntata di Nessuno escluso di giovedì 5 febbraio, abbiamo parlato con Riccardo Magi, segretario di +Europa, e Claudio Cerasa, direttore del Foglio, di come stia cambiando la destra italiana e internazionale. Non solo, del nuovo decreto sicurezza, dei nuovi media come Esperia, dell'ICE a Milano per le Olimpiadi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you expect Mass to change you? In this episode, Fr Columba reflects on the quiet but powerful truth that every encounter with God is meant to transform us. Drawing on the image of the Magi returning by a different way, he invites us to examine our expectations at Mass and in prayer, and to rediscover the grace God offers each time we come before Him. Whether you feel distracted, discouraged, or unsure if anything is really happening, this reflection encourages you to approach Mass with faith, hope, and love — and to trust that God is always at work, even when we cannot yet see it.

Vintage Culture, Magi, Doral, Blotz - Meu Verão (Original Mix) [Vintage Culture] Moojo - Swing My Way (Original Mix) [Indie House Records] B&S Concept - Memory (Original Mix) [Low Lux] Landopolo - Right Here (Original Mix) [Aftertraxx Records] Hector Couto & KIRIK - What We Say (Original Mix) [Cécille Numbers] O'Flynn - Fara (Extended Mix) [Glitterbox Recordings] Re-Tide - Stay In The Loop (Tape One Extended Remix) [Re-Tide Music] Deep Sync feat. Rene G. - I Found You (Benji Candelario Extended Mix) [Tesser Music] Honey Dijon feat. Bree Runway - Slight Werk (Extended Club Mix) [SOS] Mr V, Jordan Brando & Luuk Van Dijk - Jus Dance (Extended Mix) [DFTD] Todd Edwards & Jay Robinson - Get Ready (Extended Mix) [House Of Todd] Kungs & Theophilus London - Galaxy (CASSIMM Extended Remix) [Universal Music] Nick Curly - Luv U (Extended Mix) [8Bit] Dusky - Percy Veering (Extended Mix) [17 Steps] Milky x Mall Grab - Just The Way You Are (Extended) [Columbia]

February 1, 2026: May God's words be spoken, may God's words be heard.  Amen. Tomorrow there's this pesky groundhog that is supposed to tell us how much winter we have left, and I swear, if that rodent sees his shadow I'm gonna go have a word with him, and it won't be pretty.  This has been a rough winter – bitter cold, lots of snow, and darkness that is cutting us to the core. But the groundhog isn't the only thing that happens tomorrow.  February 2nd is primarily, for catholics, Roman or Anglican anyway, the Feast of the Presentation, which is the final day of Christmas – for real this time – despite the stores telling you that Valentine's Day goes from December 26th– February 14th. Now, you may have noted that our gospel today is from Luke Chapter 2, and we are clearly still in the birth narrative, as Jesus is all of 40 days old.  He isn't even out of onesies or eating solid food yet.  It's a bit of whiplash, since he was just walking around as a 30 something calling his disciples in the gospel we heard the last time we were able to be here on January 18th.  But as it is such an important moment in his life, the church marks it as a special feast day on February 2nd.. Now, the church expects us to only celebrate this feast on the actual day.  But, because so many do not attend special weekday services, this day, like other feasts – of the Magi, for example – will get ignored if we do not celebrate them on a Sunday.  So, as we did last year, today we will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation today.  It is also a day on which candles are blessed for use at home and the church, so it is called Candlemas.  The scriptures of this moment feature so much in our daily lives for those of us who pray what is known in our church as the Daily Office.  It also is part of our parish's history, with two prominent stained glass windows associated with it – the center window of the Tiffany triptych in St. Mary's chapel, and this one up there in the main tower.  The chapel window shows the scene, and the tower windows have the words of Simeon, which we heard in the gospel reading.  Now, let's get to this story, because it is offers something important for us in the context in which we live now. In the verse just before what we heard today, we find that Jesus is going to a bris, and unfortunately for him, he isn't the one bringing a gift.  Joseph and Mary have him circumcised and he is named.  Then we get to this story today, where 40 days after his birth, they bring Jesus to the temple to be presented to God in accordance with the law for her purification and his redemption that we get in that fabulous book that everyone loves – Leviticus.  All this to say that Jesus is raised in the knowledge and adherence to Jewish scripture and law.  There's a lot going on in these verses, but I want to focus on two people – Simeon and Anna. Now first we need to set the scene.  The temple isn't like the size of our churches today.  This place is huge – many times larger than our largest cathedrals. So, you'd think no one would really pay any attention to this little family walking in.  And yet, against all odds, two people did notice them – Simeon and Anna. Simeon was, according to the text, a righteous and devout man who had been told by God that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.  He is guided by the Holy Spirit to come to the temple that day, and he listens and goes.  There he sees the child Jesus, and takes him in his arms and says what is known in the church as the Nunc Dimmitis, Latin for the first words “now depart.” I will use the version we say in Evening Prayer, which differs slightly from the wording we heard today: “Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”  He then foretells to Mary the destiny that awaits this child, and that it will pierce her heart. Then Anna, a prophet, sees the baby Jesus, and also proclaims the destiny that awaits him and what it will mean for the people of Israel.  Of course, Simeon gets the focus in our prayer book, and Anna is essentially forgotten – what else is new, right? So, what does all this have to say to us? Well, let's go back to our righteous guy Simeon.  He says “…these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations…”  To be sure, this is about far more than bringing light into the darkness – which, of course, is a powerfully important thing to do.  But this is also about that light casting aside ignorance and bringing knowledge to the people – specifically, the knowledge of God.  Jesus would do both.  His presence among the people was the light that overcame the shadows of darkness, and he taught his followers what it meant to be part of the kingdom of God, rather than of humanity.  He did this, not by sitting back in Galilee preaching in the synagogue, but by being out in the world healing the sick, advocating for the vulnerable, and spreading the good news of God's love. We are called to be like Jesus – a light to enlighten the nations. – in what we proclaim, and by our actions in the world. And if there was ever a time to live out our lives in Christ, it is now, because darkness has spread across our country.  People are being snatched out of their homes without a warrant, pushed to the ground and beaten, children are grabbed and sent to prison, protestors exercising their first amendment rights are sprayed intentionally up close with chemical irritants or bombed with tear gas, and others are brutally killed.  This is a time when all the world hopes for a light to enlighten our nation!  And folks, there are a LOT of followers of Jesus being exactly that right here in our country.  Clergy and laity are in the streets loving their neighbor, welcoming the stranger, protecting the vulnerable, and crying out for justice for the oppressed.  Two days ago, 150 Episcopal bishops signed a letter that put a simple question before us: “Whose dignity matters?”  They called “on Americans to trust their moral compass” – “to question rhetoric that trades in fear rather than truth.” Noting that “As Episcopalians, our moral compass is rooted firmly in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Indeed.  And I take heart, as I hope you do, that our leadership in the church is witnessing to that gospel of all inclusive love. We must join with them, and so many others, as a witness to the gospel – as lights to enlighten this nation.  We must do this both by what we proclaim and by our actions in the world.  What that looks like will depend on your own situation. As I said last time we were together, if you are caring for others, are aged or infirm, or are vulnerable yourself – you will need to protect yourself first, and proclaim the gospel in ways that do not put yourselves at risk.  The rest of us – we need to be out in the streets.  And as your priest, I cannot ask of you what I will not do myself.  I am called to set an example in word and deed, even to the cross if necessary. Now, I shared much of what I am about to tell you in an article I wrote for the Diocese of Newark, but I also want to share it with you now, in case some have not read it. When I got home from church two weeks ago, after preaching on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday, a call went out from clergy in Minneapolis to clergy across the country. Echoing King's call to clergy to come to Selma, they asked us to come to Minneapolis to stand, march, and pray with them on January 23rd for what was being called A Day of Truth & Freedom. Like many others, I knew in my heart that I had to answer that call.  Yes, we were being asked to enter a dangerous situation. Yes, it would be winter in Minnesota, with temperatures predicted to be 30 below with the windchill. Yes, we are exhausted, like so many of you, having shown up again and again for vigils, marches, and protests. And yet, as King's words resounded from our pulpits on the day we celebrated him, I was reminded of something he said that I had just included in my sermon on that very Sunday: that there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but must do it because conscience demands it.  How could I preach it, and not live it? And so, on Thursday night, January 22nd, I found myself in Minneapolis during an extreme cold warning. The morning of the march, I woke to a temperature of -21 degrees and layered myself accordingly. I headed to Gethsemane Episcopal Church, a closed parish of the Diocese of Minnesota just a few blocks from The Commons, where the march was to begin. The streets were empty, the shops and schools closed – all part of this act of resistance. When I arrived, clergy and laity were already gathered to pray  before joining the thousands who had come to stand against the brutality, cruelty, and lawlessness of the federal occupation of this once-peaceful city.  While there, I received a text warning that federal agents might use water cannons on protesters – which, of course, in that type of cold, would be deadly. I put my phone away, donned my make-shift tear-gas mask, and joined my colleagues as we headed out the door. Singing “This Little Light of Mine,” we left the church and merged with thousands entering from every direction. The crowd was so massive that it took nearly an hour for those of us gathered at the starting point to fully enter the march. We moved slowly, navigating ice-covered streets before surging forward into the march itself. Despite the bitter cold, which with windchill was about -35, nothing could dampen the fervor of the protesters or quiet our voices. We called for ICE to leave Minnesota. We spoke aloud the name of Renee Good, killed by an ICE agent. We named Liam Ramos, a five-year-old child used as bait by ICE to lure out his family before being sent with his father to a prison in Texas. We demanded justice, accountability, and an end to the occupation. It is impossible to describe the joy I felt seeing so many people there – 50,000, we were told. For most, this was not a single day of action. They were living this resistance daily: patrolling neighborhoods to warn of federal agents, distributing food to those unable to leave their homes, and caring for one another. Clergy tended their people, preaching the gospel in both word and deed. I was surrounded by prophets – exhausted, unwavering, and deeply inspiring. When I could no longer feel my feet with a quarter mile left to go, their courage carried me forward. People passed out hand warmers and tissues. Two marchers ahead of me wore backpacks reading, “If you are hungry, tap my shoulder,” and “If you need hand warmers, tap my shoulder.” Even in anger and pain, Minnesotans chose to meet hate and violence with compassion, grace, and love.  At the rally, which thankfully had been moved inside, faith leaders proclaimed that God's love is greater than any hate this government can unleash. And, indigenous leaders reminded us that no one is illegal on stolen land. Walking back through deserted streets, I passed the statue of Mary Tyler Moore tossing her hat into the air in an iconic moment of liberation. It is from a TV show that some of a certain age remember well.  The theme song's title came to my mind: “Love Is All Around,” and I thought – it sure was that day. I went back to my hotel believing, as the song says, that we're “gonna make it after all.” I flew out the next morning, later learning that as I traveled above the city, below Alex Pretti was being beaten and killed by Federal agents. Does that mean it was all for nothing? Not at all. It means the struggle continues, and those of us who are able must keep answering the call of Christ – to be the light that enlightens the nations – our nation – even to the cross. To bring the knowledge of the gospel to those who need it most.  The ones who govern – that they may turn from their evil acts against our neighbors, and live the law of God – to love one another, and to care for the least of these.  And the ones being oppressed – that they may know that they are loved, and they are not alone or forgotten – not by God, and not by any of us. That is our faith and it will change the world, but it will not be easy, and it will pierce our own hearts too.  It was reported yesterday that an ICE agent told a protestor “If you raise your voice, I will erase your voice.”  I kid you not.  But let me be perfectly clear – they can try to erase our voice – but we will only grow louder, because no ICE agent, or anyone else, can ever erase the voice of Jesus.  Lord knows, and he does, the Romans tried that long ago in the most brutal way.  It didn't work then, and it won't work now. Christ showed the world that God's love is stronger than human hate, and Christ's light will always overcome the darkest of humanity in the end.  So, in the days ahead, we will with our voices and our actions show the world that God's love is all around, and I promise you, that if we do that – we will make it after all. Amen. For the audio, click below, or subscribe to our iTunes Sermon Podcast by clicking here (also available on Audible): Sermon Podcast https://christchurchepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Sermon-February-1-2026-1.m4a The Rev. Diana L. Wilcox Christ Church in Bloomfield & Glen Ridge February 1, 2026 Feast of the Presentation (trans.) 1st Reading – Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 84 2nd Reading – Hebrews 2:14-18 Gospel – Luke 2:22-40  

Vi önskar er alla ett fantastiskt 2026. Redaktionen är tillbaka och startar med ett snickelisnackig avsnitt om allt och inget men vi lovar fördjupande samtal om våra personliga runor.Olof kommer börja spela horn, Emilia ska kika på arvet, Veronica är inte rädd för bölder och Rebecca ska ensamsegla.Vi tar även upp lyssnarfrågor kring vardagsmagi och magi för den hopplösa tid vi lever i. För det är fan inte lätt just nu att vara människaPatreon erbjudande och Völvans Spådom är tillbakaRedaktion: Rebecca Tiger, Veronica Näslund, Olof Lindqvist och Emilia BlomKlipp och mix: Theresia Billberg Vill du stötta oss? Bli Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/formodrarsmaktSnacka med likasinnade: Eftersnacksgruppen på FacebookGillar du musiken i podden? Musiken skapad av Eldin Earth WitchKontakt: www.formodrarsmakt.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunday, January 25, 2026 | The Four Agreements: Ancient Wisdom for Dreaming Today | Pastor Michelle preaches on the third agreement "Don't Make Assumptions" in a sermon based on John 5:1-9.

This video reflects on the readings for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, focusing on the concept of fear.The speaker contrasts two types of fear:Worldly Fear (Herod's Fear): Herod's fear is characterized by a desire to maintain power and control, leading to envy and a destructive impulse when he hears of the new "king of the Jews" (0:22-1:12).Fear of the Lord (Magi's Fear): This is described as a gift of the Holy Spirit, manifesting as awe, reverence, resulting in generosity, and obedience (1:55-3:00). The Magi demonstrate this by paying homage to Jesus, being generous with their gifts, and obeying the dream to avoid returning to Herod (1:38-3:24).The video emphasizes that "fear of the Lord" is not about being scared, but about a deep reverence for God. It encourages listeners to strengthen this gift through:Prayer and Silence: Lifting hearts, minds, and souls to God in prayer, particularly in silence, is crucial for strengthening this gift (3:30-4:28).Obedience and Being a Gift of Self: Obedience means emptying oneself of selfish ways to allow God to fill them, becoming a vessel for His will and being a "gift of self" rather than being selfish (4:30-5:30). Saying "yes" to God's calling, even when it's inconvenient, strengthens this gift (5:38-6:26).The reflection concludes by encouraging viewers to commit to spending time in silence, lifting their hearts to God, and asking for a strengthening of the "fear of the Lord" to foster obedience and generosity (6:33-7:01).

So far in our Epiphany series we have explored the two core stories of this season, the Adoration of the Magi and the Baptism of Jesus. This week we begin to explore other stories that reveal something about who Jesus is and what his movement is about. Many, if not most, of us are familiar with the story of Jesus's miraculous "Feeding of the 5,000," but what if there's more going on with this story than what we see on the surface? What if the real miracle is not just about a supernatural multiplication of loaves and fishes, but about the transformation of the human heart? Josh will invite us to consider all that and more in this week's sermon. ⛪️ To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit https://gracepointe.net/about-us

Sunday, January 18, 2026 | The Four Agreements: Ancient Wisdom for Dreaming Today | Guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, preaches on the second agreement "Don't Take Anything Personally" in a sermon based on Matthew 10:5-15.

Sunday, January 11, 2026 | The Four Agreements: Ancient Wisdom for Dreaming Today | Pastor Michelle preaches an on the first agreement "Be Impeccable with Your Word" in a sermon based on Matthew 12:33-37.

Sunday, January 4, 2026 | The Four Agreements: Ancient Wisdom for Dreaming Today | Pastor Michelle preaches an intro sermon, entitled "You're the Star," focusing on the story of the Epiphany and giving the WHY behind our new years series based on the "The Four Agreements".

In episode 519 of the podcast I'm joined by astrologer Reverend Lindsay Turner to discuss the story of the Magi, the birth of Jesus, and the astrology surrounding the Nativity story. We explore the celebration of Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, and analyze the Gospel of Matthew's account of the astrologers from the East who followed a star to Bethlehem. We discuss the distinction between approaching the Nativity as a historical event versus a literary narrative, and how the author of Matthew partially used the story of the Magi to legitimize Jesus as a king in the 1st century. We also look at technical astrological terms found in the Greek text, such as anatole or "at its rising," and how this relates to Hellenistic astrology. We also talk about the relationship between early Christianity and astrology, including the non-canonical Acts of Paul and Thecla, the liturgical seasons aligning with the Zodiac, and how modern Christians can reconcile their faith with astrological practice. Lindsay's Website https://badpastor.me Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro00:00:34 Epiphany and Three Kings Day traditions00:01:45 The Nativity story and the Star of Bethlehem00:03:50 Historical vs. literary approaches to the Gospels00:05:41 The Gospel of Matthew and Hebrew prophecy00:08:05 Reading the Magi passage (Matthew 2:1-12)00:10:52 Who were the Magi? Astrologers vs. Persian priests00:12:00 The context of natal astrology in the 1st Century00:13:30 The political subversion of the Nativity story00:16:27 "At its rising" (Anatole) as a technical astrological term00:18:23 Crossover between New Testament Greek and astrological texts00:20:14 Theories on the Star: Comets, conjunctions, and novae00:26:27 The solar eclipse at the crucifixion00:31:00 Astrology used to legitimize Jesus in Matthew00:33:30 Did the Magi renounce astrology?00:36:51 The Manger nebula in the constellation Cancer00:39:19 The Thema Mundi and the birth chart of the cosmos00:41:05 The debate over the date of Jesus' birth00:48:25 The Acts of Paul and Thecla and lost Christian texts00:54:38 Mary Magdalene and the seven daimons01:02:15 Fate, free will, and Stoicism in the ancient world01:05:45 Early Christianity as social rebellion01:09:30 Identity in Christ vs. astrological identity01:15:33 Liturgical seasons and the Zodiac01:17:28 Saturnalia, Sol Invictus, and the origins of Christmas01:21:50 Stigma against astrology in the modern church01:29:50 The shared origins of Christianity and Hellenistic astrology01:32:00 Astrology as a bridge between science and religion01:35:10 Lindsay's upcoming book and contact info01:36:35 Sponsors and credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J68CV7YYm0 - Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

The Magi were drawn by the light of the star to experience the Light of the World. Epiphany means the manifestation or showing forth of God in the person of Jesus Christ so that we may experience and know our God. How do we live a life for the ongoing Epiphany experience of God for the healing and transformation of our souls? In Romans 12, the St. Paul gives us the words we say in every Mass: "And here we offer ourselves." Today it is suggested that we start by offering our need and our brokenness to God for His help and mending. To those who do so, His Epiphany will be made manifest out of God's love for them.

We all know the story of the Magi: they were three kings who followed a star to Bethlehem. But what if this common nativity narrative gets it all wrong? To uncover who the Magi really were, Helen and Lloyd take a trip in the Biblical Time Machine with Dr Eric Vanden Ekyel, author of the popular tome, The Magi: Who They Were, How They've Been Remembered (2022; Fortress Press). Eric Vanden Eykel is a New Testament scholar and Associate Professor of Religion at Ferrum College. In addition to his work on the Magi, he is the author But Their Faces Were All Looking Up: Author and Reader in the Protevangelium of James (2016; Bloomsbury), a book which explores another early infancy story of Jesus. SUPPORT BIBLICAL TIME MACHINEIf you enjoy the podcast, please (pretty please!) consider supporting the show through the Time Travellers Club, our Patreon. We are an independent, listener-supported show (no ads!), so please help us continue to showcase high-quality biblical scholarship with a monthly subscription.DOWNLOAD OUR STUDY GUIDE: MARK AS ANCIENT BIOGRAPHYCheck out our 4-part audio study guide called "The Gospel of Mark as an Ancient Biography." While you're there, get yourself a Biblical Time Machine mug or a cool sticker for your water bottle. Support the showTheme music written and performed by Dave Roos, creator of Biblical Time Machine. Season 4 produced by John Nelson.

1/18/26 Guest preacher Chris Hoklotubbe borrows from indigenous Bible readings to reframe the story of the Magi. In the opening few minutes, Chris plays the video of "Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone. He opens by discussing themes from that music video.

Where Christ Is, There Is Our Home Where Christ Is, . . . Today's Homily on the Feast of the Epiphany explores the manifestation of Christ . . . . . . not only to Israel, but to all nations. Through the journey of the Magi, the Homily reveals God's universal plan of salvation and the deeply personal invitation each person receives to seek, meet, and honor Christ. The Magi's response to the star becomes a spiritual model: they step outside the ordinary, look up, and allow themselves to be guided by a light beyond themselves. Seeing the star is not enough . . . they move toward Christ, recognizing that His coming is for them. Their journey reflects the innate human longing for God, a desire placed in every heart that, when followed, leads closer to Christ. . . . There Is Our Home The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize enduring spiritual virtues . . . charity, prayer, and self-denial . . . virtues acquired along the journey rather than possessed at the outset. In contrast, Herod and Jerusalem represent resistance to grace: agitation without movement, power without surrender. Ultimately, the Epiphany is not merely an ancient story but the ongoing rhythm of Christian life. Like the Magi, believers are drawn week after week to Christ's presence, where He not only receives their offerings but gives Himself in return, gathering not just some, but all, into His saving light. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: Where Christ Is, There Is Our Home -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Adoration of the Magi: Flemish Artist and Painter: Peter Paul Rubens: 1609 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: Rubens' dynamic composition draws all attention toward Christ at the center. Earthly power fades into the background, underscoring the homily's teaching that the true Jerusalem is not a place, but a Person . . . Jesus Christ. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12 First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Finding the Child by Finding the Mother Today's Homily reflects on the Gospel of Christ's birth and naming, . . . . . . emphasizing that the Nativity is not a past event but a living, ever-new mystery that renews time itself. The Church proclaims that the birth of Jesus . . . God entering human history. . . stands at the true beginning of every year, making time “full” through Christ. January 1st, the Octave Day of Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and that to know the Son is to know the Mother. The Homily further highlights the blessing from the Book of Numbers . . . “May the Lord let his face shine upon you” . . . fulfilled in Christ, whose face first shines upon Mary and then upon all humanity. Shepherds and Magi alike find Jesus by finding His Mother, illustrating their inseparable bond. Jesus comes not for us to take Him home, but to bring us home into God's family through adoption. Mary, entrusted with the name of Jesus, reveals it to the world, making her the Mother of God, the Church, and all believers. The faithful are invited to begin the year seeking God's blessing, peace, and grace, confident that Christ . . . Son of God and Son of Mary . . . continues to shine His face upon them in the Eucharist. Listen more to Finding the Child by Finding the Mother ------------------------------------------------------ Quote from the Homily To know the Mother, to find the Mother, is to know and find the Son. This too is the great mystery that the scriptures of these days unfold before us. First it is the shepherds who come, and they find the child by finding His mother. This coming Sunday, we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany and the three magi come, and they will find the child by finding the mother. Know how wonderful this is, this inseparability between the two of them. To know the Son is to know the Mother. To know the Mother is to know the Son. This should not surprise us because the Lord has come. The Lord has come. Born of woman, born of Mary, born of a mother, not simply for us to receive Him. He has come to receive us. Jesus does not come into the world for us to take him home with us. Jesus comes into the world to bring us home with him. ------------------------------------------------------ Art Work Adoration: Italian Painter: Cappella Sassetti: 1485 ------------------------------------------------------ Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 16-21 First Reading: Numbers 6: 22-27 Second Reading: Galatians 4: 4-7

In various and often surprising ways, God reveals Himself through signs and miracles in order to draw humanity close to Him, including pagans such as the Magi. And it is the Magi who provide a model of adoration, knowing as they do that the most fundamental duty of man is to worship the true God. Through adoration and worship, we profess our complete dependence on God while acknowledging there is nothing higher than Him.

The good news about who gets to define God. A sermon for the first Sunday after Epiphany on Matthew 2:1-12 by Rev. Justin Morgan.

Walk towards the light!!  Don't worry, not “that” light... the star in the East.  Join Karin Peter, Blake Smith, and the Magi on a trip to see the one who has been promised. On this Sunday of Epiphany we walk toward the light that is Jesus ... a light that is for all people and draws them to follow on a journey that symbolizes seeking and honoring God. Once you've made this trip, you'll likely go home a “different way,” seeing the world from a different perspective. At least we hope so. Learn more about the nativity in episode 532: Percolating on Faith | Christmas with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download the Transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey. NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

Jim and Chris are joined by Jake to discuss listener questions on SSA-44 and IRMAA surcharges, inherited IRA spousal rollover rules, long-term care insurance benefit caps, and ACA tax credits. (4:45) George asks whether an unexpected W-2 stock option payout in 2025 could support filing SSA-44 to reduce 2027 IRMAA surcharges, especially if he stops consulting income afterward. (12:00) A listener asks whether SSA-44 can be used retroactively to request a refund of 2025 IRMAA surcharges after a job loss pushed MAGI below the threshold. (18:15) Georgette asks whether she can take withdrawals from her deceased spouse's inherited IRA without penalty and still later move the remaining balance into her own IRA. (28:00) The guys address why long-term care insurance policies often have a lifetime benefit cap and whether benefits can run out during an extended care event. (46:45) Chris and Jake cover whether long-term capital gains count toward the modified adjusted gross income used for ACA tax credits and can affect eligibility. The post IRMAA, Inherited IRA, LTC, ACA Tax Credits: Q&A #2602 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast, Hank brings up the Legacy Reading Plan, an innovative guide for reading through the Bible each year, so you can gain a better understanding of God's Word.Hank also answers the following questions:If the Magi followed the star in the East, wouldn't that have taken them in the wrong direction? David - Columbus, IN (2:06)What are your thoughts on the ministry of Michael Rozell and Refuge Ranch? Why don't we see the signs described in Mark 16:17-18 today? Aaron - Hendersonville, TN (4:25)My pastor is starting a series based on the book Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. Do you know anything about this? Bob - Atlanta, GA (6:50)How reliable are the notes in a Study Bible? Laura - Charlotte, NC (15:10)Who are the Illuminati? Roxanna - Phoenix, AZ (16:49)Are you a Young Earth or an Old Earth Creationist? Jeff - Alto, TX (19:38)Acts 16:25 records the singing of hymns; what kind of music is acceptable for churches? Bill - Modesto, CA (21:51)

If you want to skip over some weather banter you can go to (14:15). Chris's SummaryJim and I review Roth IRA mistakes and walk through key rules on earned income eligibility, income limits, spousal contributions, excess contributions, and qualified distributions. We use an Investopedia article as a framework, clarify how MAGI impacts Roth eligibility, explain the October 15 correction deadline, and break down the two-prong test for tax-free Roth earnings withdrawals, including how the five-year rule is measured across tax years. Jim's “Pithy” SummaryChris and I kick off the first EDU show of 2026 by taking an Investopedia piece called “11 Mistakes to Avoid with Your Roth IRA” and using it as our launchpad. We're not reading the article to you—we're breaking down what they got right, what they explained too loosely, and what they left out that changes the meaning. We start with the basics that still trip people up: you need earned income to contribute, and a lot of income that feels “earned” (like dividends, interest, rental income, or IRA distributions) doesn't count. Then we pivot to the opposite problem: earning too much and accidentally making an ineligible Roth contribution because your MAGI crossed the line, often after a late bonus or surprise taxable payout. We get into a category of mistakes that can create problems with the IRS: excess contributions. We walk through how easy it is to overfund a Roth when you have multiple accounts, and why the correction rules matter more than most people realize. We talk about the October 15 deadline, how the custodian won't stop you, and why “removing the excess” isn't always the same as removing what you deposited. We also get into the weird but real quirk where, if you miss the correction deadline, you may only need to remove the excess contribution itself, not the growth tied to it. We also dig into the qualified distribution rules for Roth earnings, because this is where the five-year rule gets misunderstood. The Roth has to be five tax years old, and you need a qualifying condition—59½ is one, but it's not the only one. That's where the article oversimplifies, and where people make avoidable mistakes when taking earnings out too early. Show Notes: Article – 11 Mistakes to Avoid With Your Roth IRA The post Roth IRA Mistakes: EDU #2601 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

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

The Magi weren't reading Daniel. They weren't studying the prophets. They were reading the sky.In our Members-Only Part 2 of our Christmas deep dive into the Star of Bethlehem, Caleb Jones returns to answer the question everyone's been asking: Why did the Magi know to come? What did they actually see in that chart that made them pack up and travel for months?Using ancient sources—Ptolemy, Manilius, Vettius Valens—Caleb reconstructs what an astrological reading of August 12, 3 BC would have looked like. The verdict? A heaven-blessed birth in Palestine. Incredible fortune. Warfare and a sword in his future. Someone who would overcome great danger through Jupiter and Venus.But this episode goes deeper than astronomy. Caleb traces how the Bible itself addresses astrology—not as fake, but as a rival way of knowing that God told Israel not to pursue because He would speak to them directly. When Israel rebelled and looked to the stars anyway, God wove their disobedience into His plan: He would use pagan astrologers to announce His Son and shame His people who should have known better.From Deuteronomy to Isaiah to Romans, the threads converge. The Magi weren't reading Daniel. They were reading the sky. And God met them there.The Christmas story is stranger than you thought. Not a member yet? Right now, we are running our biggest sale of the year with 20% OFF all memberships until the end of the year. Head over to https://blurrycreatures.com/pages/members to check it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! This week Ross Douthat shares one of his favorite poems for the occasion, “The Journey of the Magi,” written by T.S. Eliot, to reflect on a year one might call “interesting.” See you next year! Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

As a gift to listeners, I read O. Henry’s classic "The Gift of the Magi"—a timeless reminder of what really matters most for our happiness during the holidays. Resources & links related to this episode: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry (Amazon, Bookshop) I read "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens (Amazon, Bookshop) I read "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen (Amazon, Bookshop) Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was the Star of Bethlehem? A miraculous light? An angel? A comet? Attorney and biblical researcher Caleb Jones brings a library of books and years of astronomical study to the basement to present the most compelling answer we've ever heard: the Star of the Magi was the combined light of Jupiter and Venus merging into a single point of light in the sky, not once, but twice.On August 12, 3 BC, a rare planetary conjunction appeared in the eastern sky for just ninety minutes before dawn and was visible only to those whose job it was to watch the stars. Ten months later, on June 17, 2 BC, an even more spectacular once-in-a-millennium conjunction occurred, visible to everyone, setting over the hill of Bethlehem at the exact location tradition holds as the house of Joseph and Mary.Caleb walks us through astronomy, ancient calendars, the chronology of Herod's death, the census of Quirinius, and why the world still counts time based on the reign of Jesus Christ. This isn't just about solving a Christmas mystery. It's about how God speaks to people where they are and even through systems He told Israel not to use. The Magi were pagan astrologers doing pagan astrology, and God used the very stars they were watching to lead them to His Son. They arrived with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and they worshiped. The star wasn't magic. It was astronomy. And somehow, that makes it even more miraculous. Merry Christmas from Blurry Creatures! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices